Vehicle Flap Door Locking Cam Mechanism for Angle Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional methods for locking and maintaining the opened state of a vehicle flap door are inconvenient, costly, and do not allow for a satisfactory appearance or sufficient opening angle.
Innovation Solution
A locking apparatus comprising a body bracket, a flap bracket, lower and upper side links, a stopper groove and protrusion, a locking cam with oval recessed portions, and a spring that elastically switches the locking cam's rotation direction to maintain the flap door at a desired angle with a secure and aesthetically pleasing locked state.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a wire hanger is used to lock the flap door, then the locking function is achieved, but the appearance becomes poor and usage becomes inconvenient
Solution Approach 1:
The locking apparatus automatically locks when the flap door reaches a predetermined opening angle through the interaction between the locking cam and stopper groove/protrusion, eliminating the need for manual wire hanger installation and removal by users
2Reliability
If an open rod or gas lift is used to maintain the opened state, then the door can be held open, but the manufacturing cost becomes high
Solution Approach 1:
The spring automatically engages the locking cam with the stopper groove and protrusion when the flap door reaches the predetermined opening angle, eliminating the need for expensive open rods or gas lifts while maintaining the door in the opened state
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces complex mechanical systems like open rods or gas lifts with a simpler spring-based locking mechanism that uses the flap door's own weight and geometry to achieve the holding function
3Reliability
If conventional locking mechanisms are used, then the door can be locked, but it is difficult to secure a sufficient opening angle
Solution Approach 1:
The locking cam is designed with specific geometric parameters (oval shape with long and short axes) that allow the flap door to achieve a predetermined sufficient opening angle before the locking engagement occurs between the locking cam and stopper groove/protrusion
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 apparatus efficiently locks the flap door in an opened state, facilitates easy unlocking, maintains the desired angle, and reduces manufacturing costs while providing a satisfactory appearance.
Implementation Method 1
a spring installed between the flap bracket and the locking cam to elastically switch a direction of rotating the locking cam
Data Source
AI summary
A locking apparatus for a flap door of a vehicle includes: a body bracket fixed on a vehicle body; a flap bracket fixed on the flap door; a lower side link with a first end connected to the flap bracket and a second end connected to the body bracket; an upper side link with a first end connected to the flap bracket and a second end connected to the body bracket at an upper side of the lower side link; a stopper groove and a stopper protrusion provided on the first end of the upper side link; a locking cam mounted to a rotational shaft of the lower side link relative to the flap bracket, while being in contact with the stopper groove and the stopper protrusion; and a spring installed between the flap bracket and the locking cam to elastically switch a direction of rotating the locking cam.