Cascading Privacy Divider With Latch Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing privacy dividers in vehicles lack flexibility and adjustability, failing to provide passengers with control over their privacy preferences.
Innovation Solution
A multi-panel system with a guide rail and follower panels that can be translated along the guide rail, allowing for adjustable privacy levels by coupling and uncoupling the panels via latches and latch keepers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If privacy dividers are permanently fixed, then structural stability is improved, but flexibility and adjustability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The privacy divider is divided into multiple separate panels (first panel, second panel, third panel) that can move independently along the guide rail. Each panel can be positioned separately to provide different privacy levels, resolving the contradiction between structural stability and flexibility by maintaining a stable guide rail structure while enabling flexible panel positioning.
Solution Approach 2:
The panels are designed to be dynamically adjustable along the guide rail using latches and actuators. The system transitions from a static fixed structure to a dynamic adjustable structure where panels can be moved to different positions, allowing passengers to control privacy levels while maintaining structural integrity through the guide rail framework.
2Adaptability or versatility
If privacy dividers are made adjustable, then flexibility and control are improved, but device complexity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The panels are nested within the guide rail structure when not in use, with each panel capable of sliding along the rail and latching into position. This nesting arrangement minimizes the space required and reduces overall system complexity while maintaining full adjustability functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The latch mechanism is designed to automatically engage and disengage panels as they move along the guide rail. The actuator system provides automatic positioning and locking, reducing the need for complex manual adjustment mechanisms and simplifying the overall device complexity while maintaining flexibility.
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
Enables passengers to easily adjust privacy levels by translating the panels, providing increased flexibility and control over privacy preferences.
Implementation Method 1
the first latch is configured as a cam latch comprising a first cam configured to rotate into the first latch keeper via a cam bearing
Implementation Method 2
the first cam includes a first roller configured to roll against the rail wall while the first follower panel translates from the stored position toward the first latch position
Implementation Method 3
the actuator is configured as a linear screw actuator
Data Source
AI summary
A multi-panel system includes a drive panel coupled to an actuator and a follower panel coupled to the drive panel via a first latch rotatably coupled to the follower panel. The drive panel and the follower panel translate along a guide rail configured with a latch keeper at a latch position. The drive panel and follower panel are initially stored substantially superposed to each other. Upon translating the drive panel toward a final position, the first latch is configured to couple the first follower panel to the drive panel when the drive panel is translated from the stored position, and 1) couple to the first latch keeper, and 2) uncouple the first follower panel from the drive panel when the first follower panel has translated to the first latch position.