Cantilevered Flap Engagement Structure for Tuned Opening Feel

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing cantilevered opening and closing structures lack the ability to provide a consistent and desirable operational feel when the lid is opened and closed.

Innovation Solution

An opening and closing structure with a cantilevered flap that includes a supporting portion, pivot pin, convex and concave portions, where the concave portions have different engagement forms to adjust the deflection and load on the supporting portion, ensuring a consistent operational feel.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a single concave portion is used in the supporting portion, then the structure is simple, but the operational feel cannot be adjusted for different opening/closing directions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperational feel adjustmentVSAvoidengagement structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The single concave portion is divided into multiple segments (first concave portion and second concave portion), each serving a specific direction of opening/closing motion. This segmentation allows independent optimization of engagement characteristics for each direction while maintaining the overall simplicity of the supporting portion structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different regions of the supporting portion are given different engagement properties through the first and second concave portions. Each concave portion is specifically designed with appropriate depth and shape to provide the desired operational feel for its corresponding direction of motion, achieving local optimization of the engagement characteristics.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Ease of operation

If the supporting portion is made more flexible to improve operational feel, then the opening/closing motion becomes smoother, but the structural stability and precision of engagement deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveopening/closing smoothnessVSAvoidengagement precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The flexibility of the supporting portion is optimized by controlling its thickness, length, and material properties within specific ranges. The supporting portion is designed with controlled flexibility parameters that allow smooth motion while maintaining sufficient rigidity for precise engagement with the convex portion.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The concave portions are designed with appropriate depths to provide cushioning effect before full engagement is achieved. This cushioning allows the supporting portion to flex smoothly during the approach phase while ensuring precise final engagement positioning, compensating for the flexibility of the supporting portion.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

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 structure allows for the adjustment of operational feel by varying the engagement forms of the concave and convex portions, providing a natural and comfortable opening and closing experience.

Implementation Method 1

a supporting portion (2A) that is provided in the opening and closing flap (2) and that is formed to extend in a cantilevered manner with flexibility

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP4468833B1Opening/closing structure
Publication Date: 2026.03.18 JVC KENWOOD CORP
  • EP4468833B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4468833B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4468833B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

To set an operational feel when opening and closing. An opening and closing structure with an opening and closing flap (2) that opens and closes an opening portion (1A) of a main unit (1), includes: a supporting portion (2A) that is provided in the opening and closing flap (2) and that is formed to extend in a cantilevered manner with flexibility; a pivot pin (1B) that rotatably supports the supporting portion (2A) with respect to the main unit (1); a convex portion (1C) that is arranged in the main unit (1); and a concave portion (2C) that is arranged in the supporting portion (2A) and that engages with the convex portion (1C), wherein the concave portion (2C) comprises a first concave portion (2Ca) that engages with the convex portion (1C) when the opening and closing flap (2) moves in one direction of opening and closing, and a second concave portion (2Cb) that engages with the convex portion (1C) when the opening and closing flap (2) moves in another direction of opening and closing, and the first concave portion (2Ca) and the second concave portion (2Cb) have different engagement forms for the convex portion (1C).