Perpendicular Motor and Push Lifter for Compact Fuel Lid
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fuel lid devices are bulky and complex due to the coaxial arrangement of motors and plungers, limiting design flexibility and requiring significant space, which complicates assembly and installation.
Innovation Solution
A compact fuel lid device design where the push lifter and drive unit are arranged perpendicularly, with a transmission mechanism using a worm and driven member to minimize dimensions and enhance assembly efficiency, incorporating a lock member that engages and releases the lid securely, allowing for a compact and efficient installation on vehicles.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the motor and plunger are disposed in a coaxial relationship, then the locking function is achieved, but the device occupies significant space and requires complex assembly work
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the spatial arrangement from a coaxial (one-dimensional alignment) configuration to a perpendicular (two-dimensional) configuration. The push lifter extends in a first direction while the drive unit extends in a second direction perpendicular to the first, allowing the components to overlap when viewed from the drive unit's lengthwise direction. This dimensional reorganization reduces the overall device volume while maintaining the locking function.
2Reliability
If the motor and plunger are disposed in a coaxial relationship, then the locking function is achieved, but the assembly work becomes complex
Solution Approach 1:
By transitioning from coaxial to perpendicular arrangement, the patent simplifies the assembly process. The perpendicular configuration allows for more straightforward positioning and alignment of components during assembly, reducing the complexity of assembly operations while preserving the reliable locking function through the transmission mechanism.
3Volume of moving object
If the push lifter and drive unit are arranged perpendicularly with overlapping positions, then the device becomes compact, but the layout freedom is restricted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the device into distinct functional segments: the push lifter assembly and the drive unit assembly. These segmented components are arranged perpendicular to each other and can overlap in space, allowing the device to achieve a compact form factor. The segmentation enables independent optimization of each component while maintaining overall compactness.
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 design results in a highly compact fuel lid device that can be efficiently assembled and installed on vehicles, reducing manufacturing costs and improving operational efficiency while ensuring reliable locking and sealing.
Implementation Method 1
the transmission mechanism includes a worm coaxially attached to the motor shaft and a driven member coupled with the lock member and provided with internal thread meshing with the worm so as to move in parallel with the lengthwise direction of the electric motor as the worm rotates
Data Source
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AI summary
Provided is a lid device which is compact, and can be installed in an efficient manner. The lid device (20) releasably locks a lid provided with a hinge (12) in a closed position. The lid device is provided with a push lifter that alternates between an extended state and a retracted state each time the lid is pushed, a motor (54) placed next to the push lifter, a lock member (18) and a transmission mechanism (60, 64) for transmitting the output of the motor. The push lifter and the motor are arranged such that a lengthwise direction of the push lifter and a lengthwise direction of the motor are perpendicular to each other, and such that the motor at least partly overlaps with the push lifter when seen from the lengthwise direction of the motor.