Console Box Rack and Pinion Anti-Error Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional console boxes with multiple lids or a single lid suffer from improper operation, leading to excessive load on the opening/closing mechanism, causing gears to mesh at incorrect positions and resulting in inconsistent opening and closing timings.
Innovation Solution
A console box design featuring a first pinion, a second pinion, a main rack, and a sub-rack with an engaging portion that restricts and cancels sliding when the lid is tilted, preventing excessive load and ensuring proper operation by engaging and disengaging the sub-rack on the main rack.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the lid is allowed to tilt freely beyond the closed and opened positions, then the ease of operation is improved, but the reliability deteriorates due to excessive load on the opening/closing mechanism
Solution Approach 1:
The engaging portion and engaged portion are designed to preemptively prevent erroneous operation by disengaging before excessive load can damage the mechanism. When the lid reaches the closed or opened position, the protrusion and recess automatically disengage, blocking any further tilting motion before it can transmit harmful forces to the gears and opening/closing mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The mechanism performs a preliminary blocking action by disengaging the sub-rack from the main rack when the lid reaches its terminal positions. This preliminary disengagement prevents the lid from being tilted further, thereby protecting the opening/closing mechanism from excessive load before the damage can occur.
2Manufacturing precision
If the sub-rack is restricted from sliding on the main rack during normal operation, then the manufacturing precision is improved, but the ease of operation worsens due to potential operational interference
Solution Approach 1:
The connection between the sub-rack and main rack is designed to be dynamic rather than static. The engaging portion and engaged portion automatically engage during normal operation to maintain precise positioning, then automatically disengage when the lid reaches terminal positions to allow free movement and prevent interference with user operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The mechanism self-regulates the sliding restriction based on the lid's position. During normal operation, the engaging portions are engaged to maintain manufacturing precision. When the lid reaches the closed or opened position, the protrusion and recess automatically disengage, allowing the lid to be tilted further without operational interference, all without external control.
3Manufacturing precision
If the engaging portion and engaged portion are always engaged, then the manufacturing precision is improved, but the reliability deteriorates when erroneous operation occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The connection state between the sub-rack and main rack dynamically changes based on the lid's position. The engaging portions are engaged during normal operation to ensure manufacturing precision, but automatically disengage when the lid reaches terminal positions to prevent damage from erroneous operation, thus adapting to different operational states.
Solution Approach 2:
The engagement parameter between the sub-rack and main rack changes based on the lid's angular position. When the lid is within the normal operating range, the engaging portions remain engaged to maintain precision. When the lid reaches the closed or opened position, the geometric relationship causes automatic disengagement, changing the engagement state to protect against excessive load.
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
This design prevents excessive load on the mechanism, ensuring the lids open and close at proper timings, reducing wear and tear, and simplifying operation by allowing the console box to function correctly even when lids are erroneously operated.
Implementation Method 1
an opening/closing mechanism that tilts the lid between an opened position where the lid opens the opening portion and a closed position where the lid closes the opening portion. The opening/closing mechanism includes a first pinion arranged on the hinge shaft and integrally rotatable with the hinge shaft, a second pinion separated from the first pinion and supported rotatably, a main rack that meshes with the second pinion and slides when the second pinion rotates, and a sub-rack that meshes with the first pinion and slides on the main rack
Data Source
AI summary
A console box includes a box body that includes an opening portion, a lid supported by a hinge shaft on the box body, and an opening/closing mechanism that tilts the lid. The opening/closing mechanism includes a main rack that includes an engaging portion and a sub-rack that includes an engaged portion. When the lid is tilted between an opened position and a closed position, the engaged portion engages the engaging portion and restricts sliding of the sub-rack on the main rack. When the lid is further tilted from the closed position in a closing direction in which the lid closes the opening portion and when the lid is further tilted from the opened position in an opening direction in which the lid opens the opening portion, the engaged portion is disengaged from the engaging portion to cancel the restriction imposed on the sub-rack by the main rack.