Forward Backward Movement Device With Parallel Drive Axes
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing forward/backward movement devices require a horizontal width in the housing portion due to their flat structure, making it difficult to house them in spaces with short horizontal width and large thickness or in narrow housing spaces.
Innovation Solution
A forward/backward movement device with a drive mechanism that includes a drive section, gear section, arm section, and lock portion, where the respective axes of the forward/backward member and drive section are parallel, allowing the arm section to rotate and convert its rotation into linear motion to engage with the forward/backward member, enabling housing in a narrow space.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a flat structure is used for the forward/backward movement device, then the housing structure is easy to manufacture, but the device requires a horizontal width in the housing portion making it difficult to house in narrow spaces
Solution Approach 1:
The patent reorients the drive mechanism from a flat horizontal arrangement to a three-dimensional configuration where the worm gear and lock portion are positioned above and below the forward/backward member rather than beside it. This vertical stacking arrangement reduces the horizontal width requirement while maintaining the locking function, effectively trading horizontal space for vertical space.
2Ease of manufacture
If the drive section is positioned on the side opposite to the forward/backward member with respect to the worm wheel, then the housing structure is simplified, but the device requires more horizontal space
Solution Approach 1:
The patent nests the lock portion within the space between the worm gear and the forward/backward member. The lock portion is positioned in the gap created by the worm gear's rotation, allowing it to engage with the forward/backward member without requiring additional horizontal space. This nested arrangement consolidates multiple components into a compact vertical stack.
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 configuration allows the forward/backward movement device to be housed in a narrow housing space by reducing the width requirement, enabling efficient use in applications with limited spatial dimensions.
Implementation Method 1
a gear section which rotates, by rotation of the drive shaft, in a direction substantially perpendicular with respect to the drive shaft, as a rotation axis
Implementation Method 2
an arm section which rotates by rotation of the gear section
Implementation Method 3
a lock portion including a conversion mechanism and an engaging section, the conversion mechanism being configured to change rotation of the arm section into linear motion
Data Source
AI summary
The forward/backward movement device includes: a case; a forward/backward member, and a drive mechanism. In the forward/backward movement device, the drive mechanism includes: a drive section including a drive section main body and a drive shaft; a gear section; an arm section; and a lock portion including a conversion mechanism and an engaging section. In the forward/backward movement device, the forward/backward member and the drive section are housed in the case such that respective axes of the forward/backward member and the drive section are substantially parallel to each other, and the arm section includes a rotation axis, in which a plane containing a rotation direction of the arm section with the rotation axis is substantially parallel with respect to a plane containing an axial direction of the drive section and an axial direction of the forward/backward member.