Air Damper Cap Retention Under Multi-Directional Rod Swing
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing air damper design for glove boxes in automobiles lacks sufficient retention of the locking claw when the rod swings in directions other than the rotation axis, leading to a potential loss of retaining action during maintenance or removal.
Innovation Solution
The air damper features a cap with multiple engagement holes and a deflection regulating portion positioned inside the engagement claw, allowing contact with the rod's stopper portion even when the rod swings, ensuring the engagement claw remains engaged regardless of the swinging direction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the deflection regulating portion is disposed inside the locking claw on the rotation axis side, then the retaining action works when the rod swings in the rotation axis direction, but the retaining action is lost when the rod swings in a direction intersecting the rotation axis
Solution Approach 1:
The contact surface is extended from a single-point contact on the rotation axis side to a multi-dimensional surface that can contact the deflection regulating portion regardless of the swinging direction. This allows the locking claw to maintain retaining action whether the rod swings in the rotation axis direction or in directions intersecting the rotation axis.
2Device complexity
If a single engagement hole is provided, then the structure is simple, but the cap may come off when the rod swings in various directions
Solution Approach 1:
The single engagement hole is divided into multiple engagement holes (first, second, third engagement holes) positioned at different locations and orientations. This segmentation ensures that at least one engagement hole maintains effective engagement with its corresponding locking claw regardless of the rod's swinging direction, preventing the cap from coming off.
3Device complexity
If the locking claw is positioned to face the rotation axis, then the structure is simplified, but the retaining effect is insufficient when the rod swings in directions intersecting the rotation axis
Solution Approach 1:
The locking claws are positioned asymmetrically with respect to the rotation axis, with the first locking claw facing the rotation axis direction and the second and third locking claws facing directions intersecting the rotation axis. This asymmetric arrangement ensures comprehensive coverage of all possible swinging directions while maintaining structural efficiency.
Data Source
AI summary
An air damper is provided. A piston member includes a stopper portion configured to come into contact with a cap in a state that a rod is pulled out to a maximum extent, and a deflection regulating portion configured to be positioned inside the engagement claw in the state to regulate an inward deflection of the engagement claw. An attachment portion rotatably attached to an attachment target portion is provided at an end portion of the rod. A contact surface is formed on the inner side of the engagement claw when viewed in an axial direction of the cylinder, the contact surface being capable of coming into contact with the deflection regulating portion when the rod swings in a direction of a rotation axis of the attachment portion with respect to the attachment target portion or in a direction intersecting the rotation axis.