Lid Linkage Structure for Stable Open-Position Fixing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing lid opening/closing devices struggle to stably position and fix the lid at the opened position due to a limited contact region between the arm and the lid, leading to unstable fixation.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a main arm with an arm-side restriction portion that extends parallel to the rotation axis and is longer than the main arm end portion, which comes into contact with the lid's back surface to restrict further opening, and a lid-side restriction portion on the lid to stabilize the lid's posture.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the arm structure uses a bifurcated portion divided into two parts in the axial direction, then the structural complexity is reduced and ease of manufacture is improved, but the contact region between the arm and lid becomes narrower, resulting in worse stability of the lid at the opened position
Solution Approach 1:
The arm is divided into a main arm and an auxiliary arm, each with specific functions. The main arm transmits driving force while the auxiliary arm restricts lid posture, allowing each segment to be optimized for its specific function while maintaining overall system stability
Solution Approach 2:
The arm-side restriction portion extends in the axial direction beyond the end portion, increasing the contact region width in the axial dimension. This dimensional extension compensates for the bifurcated structure's reduced contact area, ensuring stable lid positioning
2Device complexity
If the arm structure is simplified with standard end portions, then the device complexity is reduced, but the contact region width is insufficient, leading to worse reliability in positioning the lid
Solution Approach 1:
The link is segmented into main arm and auxiliary arm components, each with distinct functions. This segmentation allows the main arm to focus on force transmission while the auxiliary arm handles posture restriction, improving reliability without excessive complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The arm-side restriction portion is designed with extended axial length specifically at the contact region, while other portions of the arm maintain standard dimensions. This local quality enhancement improves reliability at the critical contact point without increasing overall device complexity
Data Source
AI summary
A lid opening/closing device includes a lid box, a lid, and an opening/closing mechanism. The opening/closing mechanism includes, as a link interposed between the lid box and the lid, a main arm rotatably supported on the lid box at one main arm end portion thereof and an auxiliary arm configured to restrict a posture of the lid during opening/closing of the lid so as to keep the lid in a predetermined posture by rotating in conjunction with rotation of the main arm. The main arm includes an arm-side restriction portion configured to come into contact with a back surface side of the lid at an opened position of the lid to restrict the main arm from rotating to an open side. An axial length of the arm-side restriction portion is longer than an axial length of the one main arm end portion.