Deflector Device Cam Surface Recoupling Mechanism

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing vehicle deflector devices struggle to effectively couple the deflector body to the vehicle body side after the coupling has been released, particularly when the deflector body is rotated in the stowing direction.

Innovation Solution

A deflector device with a rotating mechanism that allows the deflector body to rotate due to coupling with the vehicle body side, and an urging mechanism that couples the deflector body to the vehicle body side from anywhere over the entire rotatable range in the stowing direction by urging it in the deployment direction when the coupling is released.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a spring-based urging mechanism is used to couple the deflector body to the vehicle body side, then the deflector body can be held in the deployed position, but when the protrusion comes out from the recess, the spring cannot reinsert the protrusion back into the recess, causing the coupling to fail

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecoupling reliabilityVSAvoidautomatic recoupling capability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent inverts the traditional spring mechanism by adding a cam surface that converts the spring's linear urging force into a rotational motion. Instead of the spring directly pushing the deflector body, the cam surface guides the protrusion to rotate back into the recess, enabling automatic recoupling that overcomes the spring's inability to directly reinsert the protrusion.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The cam surface acts as an intermediary between the spring and the deflector body. It translates the spring's continuous urging force into the specific rotational motion needed to guide the protrusion back into the recess, mediating the interaction between the urging mechanism and the coupling components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If the deflector body is allowed to rotate freely in the stowing direction when external force acts on it, then the coupling can be released for stowing, but the urging mechanism cannot reliably recouple the deflector body from any position in the rotatable range

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverotation range flexibilityVSAvoidrecoupling reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The cam surface inverts the problem by designing a surface that actively guides the protrusion back to the recess regardless of the starting position. Instead of relying on the spring to directly push the protrusion back, the cam surface creates a mechanical path that ensures reliable recoupling from any rotational position within the stowing range.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

3Device complexity

If a simple spring mechanism is used for the urging mechanism, then the device complexity is reduced, but the ability to couple the deflector body from anywhere in the rotatable range is compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveurging mechanism complexityVSAvoidcoupling capability across rotatable range

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The urging mechanism is segmented into two functional parts: the spring provides the continuous urging force, while the cam surface provides the directional guidance. This segmentation allows each component to be simple in itself while their combination achieves the complex function of reliable recoupling from any position.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The cam surface serves as a simple intermediary component that bridges the gap between the basic spring mechanism and the requirement for position-independent recoupling. It adds minimal complexity while dramatically improving the coupling capability across the entire rotatable range.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 ensures that the deflector body can be suitably coupled to the vehicle body side, allowing for effective deployment and stowing while preventing rattling and ensuring protection of the device.

Implementation Method 1

an urging mechanism configured to couple the deflector body to the vehicle body side from anywhere over an entire rotatable range of the deflector body in the stowing direction by urging the deflector body in the deployment direction when the coupling of the deflector body to the vehicle body side has been released

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSpring: Spring

Data Source

PatentUS12221170B2Deflector device

Publication Date: 2025.02.11 KK TOKAI RIKA DENKI SEISAKUSHO

AI summary

In a deflector device, when an external force acts on an deflector body while at a deployed position such that the deflector body is rotated in a stowing direction, even if further rotation of the deflector body in the stowing direction is restricted, the deflector body is rotated to the deployed position by an urging force of a torsion coil spring when the external force acting on the deflector body is released. This enables the deflector body to be rotated to the deployed position from anywhere over an entire rotatable range in the stowing direction by the urging force of the torsion coil spring. Thus, the torsion coil spring is able to rotate the deflector body to the deployed position in a suitable manner.