Double-Doored Lid Backlash Control via Link Member
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional double-doored lid apparatuses experience backlash between doors due to gear backlash or hinge deformation, leading to inconsistent opening and closing motions, which can cause discomfort and operational issues when used as arm rests in vehicles.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a support member and urging member that applies an opening force to both doors when locked, regulating the urging force to ensure synchronized motion and prevent backlash, while allowing easy closing of the second door when the first door is pressed, thus improving operational efficiency and comfort.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If gear and hinge mechanisms are used to enable synchronized opening and closing of two doors, then the doors can open and close together, but backlash and deformation occur leading to inconsistent motion
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the mechanical connection parameters by replacing rigid gear and hinge connections with a flexible link member that has specific length and flexibility characteristics. This allows the doors to remain synchronized while accommodating minor variations and preventing backlash accumulation, thereby improving motion consistency without sacrificing synchronized operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a link member as an intermediary element between the two doors, replacing the direct gear and hinge mechanisms. This link member mediates the motion transmission, allowing synchronized opening and closing while eliminating the backlash issues inherent in rigid mechanical connections, thus resolving the contradiction between ease of operation and reliability.
2Reliability
If urging force is applied to both doors when locked, then backlash is inhibited and motion is synchronized, but closing operation becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the urging force application by providing separate urging members for each door rather than a single combined mechanism. This allows independent adjustment and control of urging forces on each door, enabling the system to maintain motion synchronization while allowing easier closing operations by optimizing each door's urging force independently.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the lid apparatus is disposed to the side of an occupant in a vehicle, then it can serve as an arm rest, but backlash causes discomfort during use
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a link member as an intermediary that connects the two doors, replacing the rigid gear and hinge mechanisms. This link member mediates the motion transmission, allowing synchronized opening and closing while eliminating the backlash issues inherent in rigid mechanical connections, thus resolving the contradiction between ease of operation and reliability.
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 effectively inhibits backlash between doors, enhances the opening and closing operation, and improves the functionality of the double-doored lid apparatus as an arm rest by ensuring smooth and synchronized motion, reducing discomfort and operational issues.
Implementation Method 1
an urging member configured to generate an urging force that urges the first door and the second door in an opening direction via the support member when the first door and the second door are locked by the locking mechanism
Data Source
AI summary
A double-doored lid apparatus includes: a box body; first and second doors; an opening/closing mechanism that opens and closes the first and second doors in conjunction with each other; a locking mechanism that locks the first and second doors in their closed states; an urging member that urges the first and second doors in an opening direction while the doors are locked by the locking mechanism; and a support member that transmits the urging force from the urging member to the first and second doors. The support member includes: a first support portion that supports one end portion of the urging member; and second and third support portions that start to come into contact with the first and second doors, respectively, before the doors reach a predetermined locking position during closing motions thereof, and that support the first and second doors when the doors are locked by the locking mechanism.