Cam-Groove Lever Mechanism to Cut Backlash and Parts
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing lever device for working machines has high manufacturing costs due to a large number of parts and excessive backlash, which affects operability due to a high number of connector portions between links.
Innovation Solution
A lever device with a base pedestal, a movable body, a cam body, and a guide pin, where the cam body includes a cam groove with specific curved portions and a biasing member to reduce the number of parts and connector portions, allowing the lever to swing between push-down and pull-up positions, thereby reducing manufacturing costs and backlash.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a conventional lever device with multiple connector portions is used, then the lever can be supported to be swingable, but the number of parts increases leading to high manufacturing costs
Solution Approach 1:
The cam body integrates multiple functions: it serves as a support for the lever, provides the cam groove for guide pin engagement, and acts as a connector between the base pedestal and movable body. This merging of functions reduces the total number of parts while maintaining the lever's swingable support and operational reliability.
2Ease of operation
If multiple connector portions between links are used, then the lever can be supported to be swingable, but the amount of backlash at the lever tip increases leading to bad operability
Solution Approach 1:
By integrating the cam body as a single connector that performs multiple functions (supporting the lever, providing engagement through the cam groove, and connecting structural components), the number of connector portions is reduced. This minimizes the accumulation of backlash at the lever tip while maintaining smooth swingable motion and improving overall operability.
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 reduces manufacturing costs and improves operability by minimizing the number of parts and connector portions, enhancing the lever's functionality and reducing backlash.
Implementation Method 1
a first biasing member (51) pressing the cam body (33) in a direction to rotate the cam body about the second lateral shaft (32)
Data Source
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AI summary
A lever device (22) includes: a base pedestal (25); a movable body (26); a lever (31); a cam body (33) having a cam groove (34); a guide pin (35); and a first biasing member (51). The cam groove includes: an intermediate groove portion (3a); an upper groove portion (34b); and a lower groove portion (34c). The lever is configured to swing between: a push-down position at which the guide pin is arranged in the upper groove portion; and a pull-up position at which the guide pin is arranged in the lower groove portion. The cam groove is provided at a position in front of a second lateral shaft (32) that is a rotation shaft of the cam body. The first biasing member has: one end connected to a first connector portion (61) provided on the base pedestal; and the other end connected to a second connector portion (62) provided on the cam body, is arranged behind the second lateral shaft when the lever is located at the push-down position, and is arranged in front of the second lateral shaft when the lever is located at the pull-up position.