Vehicle Input Lever Compact Design via Separated Rotational Axis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing input operating apparatuses for vehicles require a large distance between the operating lever and the cancel cam, making it difficult to locate the lever close to the steering wheel, which limits size reduction and operational efficiency.
Innovation Solution
The design includes a cancel lever that is rotatable and movable, with a virtual rotational axis positioned separately from the path of advancement and retraction, allowing for a reduced distance between the cancel cam and the operating lever, and utilizing an elongated guide hole for the cancel lever's movement, ensuring sufficient distance for operation while minimizing size.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the rotational center of the cancel cam is positioned on the line extending in the direction in which the cancel lever is advanced toward and retracted from the rotational path, then the cancel mechanism can function properly, but the distance between the operating lever and the cancel cam must be large
Solution Approach 1:
The patent repositions the rotational center of the cancel cam from the line extending in the advancement direction to a position separated from that line, effectively changing the spatial dimension and configuration of the mechanism. This dimensional change allows the cancel lever to advance and retract along an elongated guide hole while maintaining sufficient operational distance, thereby reducing the overall distance between the operating lever and cancel cam without compromising the cancel mechanism's functionality
2Volume of moving object
If the distance between the cancel cam and the operating lever is reduced for size reduction, then the apparatus becomes more compact, but the distance required for advancing and retracting the cancel lever may be insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an elongated guide hole that allows the cancel lever to dynamically advance and retract along a extended path. This dynamic configuration ensures that even when the overall apparatus size is reduced, the cancel lever has sufficient distance to advance toward and retract from the rotational path of the cancel cam, maintaining operational ease while achieving compact dimensions
Solution Approach 2:
By separating the rotational center from the advancement line and using an elongated guide hole, the patent creates additional operational space in a different dimensional arrangement. This allows the cancel lever to traverse a longer effective path within a more compact overall footprint, resolving the contradiction between size reduction and operational distance
Data Source
AI summary
A first virtual rotational axis exists at a position separated from the position of a first virtual line which passes through a path through which the cancel lever is advanced and retracted (in the longitudinal direction of an elongated guide hole). A first engaging portion of the cancel lever is line symmetric about a second virtual line which connects the first virtual rotational axis of a cancel cam member and a second virtual rotational axis of the cancel lever.