Lever Actuator Assembly for Backlash-Free Neutral Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing multidirectional input devices suffer from backlash due to clearance between the operation member and interlocking member, leading to inaccurate neutral state detection.
Innovation Solution
The operation device incorporates a lever with a rotation shaft supported within a shaft-receiving hole, a biasing unit to bias the lever upward, and a push-up portion to force the actuator upward, minimizing backlash and ensuring accurate return to a neutral position.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a clearance is provided between the operation member and interlocking member, then ease of assembly and manufacturing are improved, but backlash occurs leading to poor neutral state detection accuracy
Solution Approach 1:
A biasing unit (spring) is introduced as an intermediary component between the operation member and interlocking member. The spring maintains continuous contact force between these components, eliminating clearance and backlash while still allowing for manufacturing tolerances. This mediator ensures accurate neutral state detection without requiring extremely tight manufacturing tolerances.
Solution Approach 2:
The biasing unit applies a preliminary forcing action to maintain contact between the operation member and interlocking member before operation. By pre-applying force through the spring, the system eliminates clearance beforehand, ensuring that no backlash occurs during subsequent operation and neutral state detection.
2Device complexity
If the structure is simplified without complex positioning mechanisms, then device complexity is reduced, but backlash occurs due to clearance
Solution Approach 1:
The biasing unit creates a self-service mechanism where the spring automatically maintains contact force between components throughout operation. The elastic deformation of the spring continuously compensates for clearance, ensuring reliable return to neutral position without requiring complex active control systems or multiple positioning mechanisms.
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 enhances the accuracy of neutral state detection by preventing backlash and ensuring reliable return to the neutral position, thereby improving the precision of output signals.
Implementation Method 1
a biasing unit configured to bias the lever upward
Implementation Method 2
The lever includes a push-up portion configured to force a portion of the actuator upward in accordance with a biasing force from the biasing unit
Data Source
AI summary
An operation device includes a lever operable to tilt and an actuator having an opening through which the lever is disposed and including a rotation shaft, the actuator being configured to rotate in accordance with the tilting of the lever, such that the rotation shaft of the actuator is rotatably supported within a shaft-receiving hole. The operation device includes a biasing unit configured to bias the lever upward. The lever includes a push-up portion configured to force a portion of the actuator upward in accordance with a biasing force from the biasing unit, the portion of the actuator being disposed around the opening of the actuator.