Fuel Lid Lifter Control for Slow-Push Misoperation Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional fuel lid mechanisms fail to prevent misoperation when the lid is pushed in slowly, leading to incorrect operation due to prolonged switching signal durations.
Innovation Solution
A fuel lid opener system with a lifter mechanism, urging member, contact/non-contact switching mechanism, and control unit that ensures proper signal switching and motor operation to maintain the lid's closed state even during slow push operations, utilizing a single microswitch and cam slot structure for precise signal control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If the lid is pushed in slowly from the open state, then the switching signal remains active for a prolonged duration, but this causes the control device to incorrectly interpret the duration as exceeding the second reference duration, leading to misoperation where the lid fails to close properly
Solution Approach 1:
The switching mechanism is divided into two independent parts: a contact switch that detects lid position and a non-contact switch that detects pressing force. This segmentation allows the system to distinguish between slow closing (contact switch active) and pressing (non-contact switch active) operations, preventing misoperation by ensuring the motor is not activated during slow closing sequences.
Solution Approach 2:
The non-contact switch acts as an intermediary that detects the pressing force applied to the lid and generates a distinct switching signal. This intermediary mechanism provides the control device with accurate information about user intent (opening vs. closing operation), enabling proper motor control regardless of the speed at which the lid is moved.
2Duration of action of moving object
If the lid is pushed in to the pressed state and held for the first reference duration or more, then the switching signal remains active, but this causes the control device to operate the motor and prevent the lid from closing
Solution Approach 1:
The switching mechanism is divided into two independent parts: a contact switch that detects lid position and a non-contact switch that detects pressing force. This segmentation allows the system to distinguish between slow closing (contact switch active) and pressing (non-contact switch active) operations, preventing misoperation by ensuring the motor is not activated during slow closing sequences.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts its response based on the combination of signals from the contact and non-contact switches. When the contact switch is active (lid closing) but the non-contact switch is inactive (no pressing force), the system allows normal closing operation regardless of duration. This dynamic signal interpretation prevents false motor activation during prolonged closing sequences.
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
Prevents misoperation by ensuring the fuel lid returns to the closed state correctly even when pushed slowly, maintaining efficient operation and preventing unintended opening.
Implementation Method 1
a push lifter mechanism provided in the case and including an urging member that urges the lifter to another side around the axis line, when the fuel lid is in a pressed state that is pushed in further than the closed state, the urging member urging such that the fuel lid returns to a position thereof in the closed state
Data Source
AI summary
When a fuel lid goes from an open state to a closed state and a pressed state and then returns to the closed state, a contact/non-contact switching mechanism switches a signal outputted from a microswitch from an ON signal to an OFF signal by performing a first operation. When the fuel lid goes from the closed state to the pressed state and then returns to the closed state, the contact/non-contact switching mechanism switches the signal outputted from the microswitch from the OFF signal to the ON signal and the OFF signal in that order by performing a second operation. Under a condition at least of the signal outputted from the microswitch switching from the OFF signal to the ON signal and the OFF signal in that order within a prescribed time, a control unit controls a lifter to rotate to another side around an axis line.