Linear Actuator Cover With Sloping Track Hinge
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing linear actuator systems face challenges in designing a cover that can be easily mounted, removed, and opened, particularly in space-constrained environments, with dovetail connections complicating the process and increasing mold tool complexity.
Innovation Solution
The linear actuator system incorporates horizontal hinge pins and tracks with a horizontal and sloping course, allowing the cover to be placed and removed horizontally, retracting into the track for secure closure and easy opening, with optional flaps and recesses for enhanced mounting and cable management.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the cover is designed with traditional mounting methods (screws, clips, or dovetail connections), then the cover can be securely attached to the box, but the mounting and removal process becomes time-consuming and complex
Solution Approach 1:
The cover is divided into two functional parts: a horizontal engagement portion with protrusions that slide into recesses for quick attachment, and a hinge portion that provides rotational opening capability. This segmentation allows the cover to be quickly mounted horizontally while maintaining the ability to open and close properly.
Solution Approach 2:
The cover is pre-configured with hinge pins and engagement protrusions that automatically align with the tracks and recesses on the box during horizontal placement. This preliminary configuration of mounting features eliminates the need for separate fastening steps, enabling rapid attachment by simply sliding the cover into position.
2Ease of operation
If the cover is designed to be easily removable and reattachable, then the ease of operation is improved, but the reliability of secure attachment may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The cover design separates the quick-attach horizontal sliding function from the secure-hold hinge rotation function. The horizontal protrusions engage with recesses to prevent lateral displacement, while the hinge pins provide rotational constraint, creating multiple independent security mechanisms that work together to ensure reliable attachment despite ease of removal.
Solution Approach 2:
The hinge pins act as intermediary elements between the cover and box, providing a fixed rotation axis that ensures consistent and reliable reattachment. When the cover is placed horizontally and rotated, the hinge pins maintain precise alignment and engagement, guaranteeing that the cover returns to its correct closed position with secure attachment every time.
3Reliability
If the cover design includes complex mounting mechanisms (such as dovetail connections), then the attachment security is improved, but the device complexity and mold tool requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting mechanism is segmented into simple, discrete features: horizontal protrusions for sliding engagement, recesses for receiving the protrusions, and hinge pins for rotation. Each feature is geometrically simple and can be manufactured with basic mold tools, avoiding the need for complex dovetail connections while maintaining secure attachment through the combined action of these simple elements.
4Stability of the object's composition
If the cover is designed with a fixed position when closed, then the stability is improved, but the ease of opening and closing operations is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The cover transitions from a static fixed-position design to a dynamic hinge-based system. The hinge pins allow the cover to rotate freely during opening and closing operations, providing ease of movement. When closed, the horizontal protrusions engage with the recesses to provide a stable, fixed position, effectively combining dynamic operation with static stability.
Data Source
AI summary
A linear actuator system comprising a linear actuator and at least one box with an openable cover. The box comprises a horizontal hinge pin in each side as well as a track in each side, which the respective hinge pins reach into, and where the track on a first run is horizontal and led out to a free edge such that the cover can be placed on the box in a horizontal movement and that the track has a second run in continuation of the first run, and where the second run has a sloping course, which extends down towards the bottom of the box such that the respective hinge pins when the cover is closed are led into the second sloping course of the track. The cover can thus be removed from the box, in case this would be desired, alternatively the cover can remain on the box and be opened by rotating around the horizontal hinge pins. Due to the design of the tracks, which the hinge pins reach into, the cover can be placed on and removed from the box in a horizontal position. By the sloping course of the track the cover will retract itself to its position when it with the hinge pins is slid into the tracks.