Actuation Cable Device Link Member Pulley Elimination
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing actuation cable devices for hood lock systems require a large pulley diameter to maintain durability, leading to device upsizing, as reducing the pulley diameter compromises cable durability due to winding around a smaller circumference.
Innovation Solution
An actuation cable device that eliminates the need for a pulley by using a rotatable link member with cables connected to different portions, allowing them to extend in opposite directions, thereby avoiding the need for a pulley and enabling downsizing without compromising durability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the pulley diameter is reduced to downsize the actuation cable device, then the device size is reduced, but the cable durability performance deteriorates due to winding around a smaller circumference
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and eliminates the pulley component from the actuation cable device. By removing the pulley, the cables no longer need to be wound around a circumference, thereby eliminating the trade-off between pulley diameter and cable durability. The link member directly connects the cables without requiring a curved path, allowing device downsizing while maintaining cable durability.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces a link member as an intermediary component that connects the first cable and second cable without requiring a pulley. The link member has a first end connected to the first cable and a second end connected to the second cable, with cables extending in opposite directions. This intermediary structure eliminates the need for cable winding while maintaining the actuation function, resolving the contradiction between device size and cable durability.
2Ease of operation
If a pulley is used to actuate two hood lock devices, then the actuation function is achieved, but the device size increases due to the required pulley diameter
Solution Approach 1:
The invention removes the pulley component entirely from the actuation system. The link member directly transmits the actuation force from the third cable to the first and second cables without requiring rotational winding. This extraction of the pulley eliminates the size increase while preserving the actuation function through direct force transmission.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of using a pulley where cables are wound around a rotating circumference, the invention inverts the approach by using a link member where cables extend in opposite directions from connection points. This inversion eliminates the need for large-radius winding while achieving the same actuation effect through direct linear force transmission.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution allows for efficient actuation of hood lock devices without the need for a pulley, enabling downsizing of the device while maintaining cable durability and simplifying assembly, as the cables are used in a nearly linear form, reducing sliding loss and eliminating the necessity for winding around a pulley.
Implementation Method 1
a link member that is rotatable about a rotary axis set at a center portion
Data Source
AI summary
An actuation cable device includes a left hood lock cable having an end connected to a left hood lock device; a right hood lock cable having an end connected to a right hood lock device; an opener cable having an end connected to a hood opener; and a link device including a rotatable link member to which second ends of the above-described cables are connected. The left hood lock cable and the right hood lock cable are respectively connected to an upper portion and a lower portion of the link member in a manner so that they extend from the link member toward opposite sides to each other. The opener cable is connected to the upper portion in a manner so that it extends from the link member toward an opposite side to the side toward which the left hood lock cable extends.