Push-up Device Lock Mechanism Axial Play Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing push-up devices for fuel lids exhibit play in the axial direction of the rod during the locked state, leading to inefficiencies and potential operational noise.
Innovation Solution
A push-up device with a tube-shaped case, a sliding rod, and a lock mechanism that includes a rotation cam and slide cam, where a rotation cam biasing member reduces play by compressing the rod biasing member, and a spring system minimizes operational noise by adjusting biasing force as needed.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a rotation cam is used to lock the rod by rotating about the rod axis, then the locking function is achieved, but play is built in in the axial direction of the rod
Solution Approach 1:
A rotation cam biasing member (spring) is introduced as an intermediary element between the rotation cam and the rod. This spring applies continuous axial biasing force to press the rotation cam against the rod, eliminating the play that occurs when the rotation cam rotates about the rod axis during locking operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The rotation cam biasing member applies preliminary counteracting force in the axial direction before the rotation cam rotates. By continuously pressing the rotation cam against the rod, it prevents the development of play during the locking cycle, countering the harmful axial movement before it can occur.
2Ease of operation
If a rod biasing member is used to push the rod out, then the rod can adopt an advanced position, but the structure becomes more complex with multiple biasing members
Solution Approach 1:
The rotation cam biasing member serves multiple functions: it not only eliminates axial play in the locked state but also assists the rod biasing member in pushing the rod outward. By integrating these functions into a single biasing system, the overall device complexity is managed while achieving both rod extension and play reduction.
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 effectively reduces play in the rod's locked state and minimizes operational noise by optimizing the biasing forces and engagement mechanisms, enhancing the operational efficiency and quiet operation of the fuel lid mechanism.
Implementation Method 1
a rod biasing member that is positioned between the case and the rod, and that is compressed under elastic deformation inside the case, so as to bias the rod in a jutting out direction
Implementation Method 2
a rotation cam biasing member is provided at a rear side of the rotation cam in the jutting out direction inside the case and separately from the rod biasing member, and that biases the rotation cam toward the jutting out direction
Data Source
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AI summary
A push-up device (10) includes a case (16), a rod (20) that is retained inside the case (16) and juts out from inside the case (16) so as to adopt an advanced position, a rod biasing member (26) that is elastically compressed inside the case (16) and biases the rod (20) in a jutting out direction pushing the rod (20) out from inside the case (16), a lock mechanism that includes a slide cam (21) that moves together with the rod (20) in the jutting out direction and a rotation cam (22) that is relatively rotatable with respect to the slide cam (21) about the axis of the rod (20), with the lock mechanism positioned between the case (16) and the rod (20), and locking the rod (20) in a retracted position in the case (16) by the rotation cam (22) engaging with the slide cam (21) and rotating due to the rod (20) being pressed in against biasing force of the rod biasing member (26), and a rotation cam biasing member (25) that biases the rotation cam (22) toward the jutting out direction.