Accumulator Cover Self-Locking Handle Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing accumulator cover structures for motor vehicle starters fail to effectively prevent unintended vibration and provide a comfortable, cost-effective solution for locking a pivotally rotating carrier handle in its horizontal resting position, with previous solutions either being complex, prone to wear, or lacking in usability.
Innovation Solution
An accumulator cover assembly with forward protrusions and elongated bearing bores for receiving the handle pivot, combined with depression areas and locking corners that allow self-locking and unlocking via sliding motion, providing a secure and vibration-free horizontal resting position without visible additional components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a self-latching handle assembly with cam mechanism is used, then the handle can be locked to the battery housing, but the handle still experiences unwanted vibration in the horizontal resting position
Solution Approach 1:
The locking function is segmented into two independent mechanisms: the cam mechanism for detachment prevention and the depression area with locking corners for vibration suppression. This segmentation allows each mechanism to specialize in one function without compromising the other.
Solution Approach 2:
The depression area acts as an intermediary element between the handle and the cover body, providing a cushioning zone that absorbs vibrations while allowing the cam mechanism to maintain its locking function.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If ribs and recesses are added to hold the battery handle, then the handle can be held without movement, but the overall complexity and production costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The locking corners are integrated directly into the cover body structure, merging the vibration suppression function with the existing cover geometry. This eliminates the need for separate ribs and recesses components, reducing assembly complexity while maintaining vibration suppression capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The cover body is designed to serve multiple functions: it provides structural support, contains the cam mechanism mounting points, and incorporates the depression area with locking corners for vibration suppression. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional specialized components.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If nipples and cavities are provided on the cover surface, then unintended vibration can be prevented, but the nipples and cavities tend to get worn over time
Solution Approach 1:
The locking corners are designed to work with the handle corners through a dynamic interaction where the handle corners engage with the depression area during normal operation. This dynamic design distributes wear across larger surface areas and allows for self-adjustment, reducing localized wear compared to fixed nipple-cavity interfaces.
4Object-affected harmful factors
If additional locking components are added to the cover, then vibration can be inhibited, but the production complexity and costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The depression area with locking corners is formed as an integral part of the cover body through injection molding, merging multiple functions (structural support, vibration suppression, handle positioning) into a single molded component. This eliminates the need for separate manufacturing processes and assembly steps for additional locking components.
Data Source
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AI summary
An accumulator cover assembly (10) adapted to operate with a handle (30) having pivots (35) for rotational and pivotal movement is disclosed. The assembly (10) comprises a number of forward protrusions (21), elongated bearing bores (22), depression areas (23), and locking corners (24), wherein the depression areas (23) are arranged to allow free rotation of the handle (30) when the handle (30) is retracted away from the locking corners (24) along horizontal axis (Xp) of the assembly surface (12), whereas the locking corners (24) being adapted to constrain and lock a corner (36) of the handle (30) when said handle (30) is pushed through the locking corners (24) in said horizontal axis (Xp).