Lid Opening Mechanism With Single-Drive Locking and Delayed Pivot
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing lid opening and closing devices for electric vehicles lack security, as a lid in a closed state cannot be locked to prevent opening, and require two drive sources for operation, increasing manufacturing costs.
Innovation Solution
A lid opening and closing device that includes a base, a pivoting arm, a rotating body, a locking member, a cam, and a differential mechanism, allowing for automatic opening and closing of the lid and locking of the lid using a single drive source, thereby improving security and reducing costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a lock mechanism is applied to improve security, then the lid can be locked in closed state, but two drive sources are required which increases manufacturing cost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the lid opening/closing function and the locking function into a single integrated mechanism. The lock pin is mechanically coupled to the arm mechanism, allowing one drive source to control both the arm movement (for lid opening/closing) and the lock pin engagement (for locking). This merging eliminates the need for separate drive sources while maintaining both security and operational functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The single drive source is designed to perform multiple functions: it drives the arm to open/close the lid and simultaneously controls the lock pin to engage/disengage the locking mechanism. This multi-functional design allows one component to replace what would traditionally require two separate drive sources, reducing cost and complexity while improving security.
2Adaptability or versatility
If two drive sources are used for lid operation and locking, then both functions can be performed, but the size and cost of the device increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the lid operation mechanism and the locking mechanism into a single integrated system. The lock pin is mechanically linked to the arm, allowing one drive source to control both functions. This consolidation reduces the overall device size by eliminating redundant components while maintaining full functional capability for both lid operation and locking.
3Ease of operation
If the locking member rotates simultaneously with the arm movement, then the lid can be unlocked during opening, but the locking member may disengage prematurely before the arm reaches the advanced position
Solution Approach 1:
The cam is designed to rotate the locking member to the unlock position in advance, before the arm reaches the advanced position. This preliminary action ensures that the locking member is already in the correct position to disengage smoothly when the arm arrives at the advanced position, preventing premature disengagement and ensuring reliable operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The cam mechanism provides dynamic control over the timing of the locking member's rotation. By designing the cam profile with specific geometry, the system achieves controlled sequential motion where the locking member rotates at the appropriate moment in the arm's travel cycle, ensuring reliable unlocking without premature disengagement.
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 device enables automatic opening and closing and locking of the lid using a single drive source, suppressing the increase in size and cost while enhancing security compared to systems requiring two drive sources.
Implementation Method 1
a cam that is rotatable in conjunction with the rotating body and transmits a rotational force of the rotating body to rotate the locking member in the lock position toward the unlock position
Implementation Method 2
a differential mechanism that starts rotation of the pivoting part after a delay from start of rotation of the rotating body
Data Source
AI summary
A lid opening and closing device includes a base, a lid, an arm that has a pivoting part and an engagement portion and is movable between a retracted position and an advanced position, a rotating body that moves the arm by a driving force received from a drive source, a locking member that is rotatable between a lock position and an unlock position when the arm is in the retracted position, a cam that rotates the locking member toward the unlock position when the arm is moved to the advanced position, and a differential mechanism that starts rotating the pivoting part after a delay from the start of rotation of the rotating body when the arm is moved to the advanced position.