Remote Control Guide Mechanism for End Fitting Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing motion transmitting remote control assemblies face difficulties in properly aligning and securing end fittings, leading to challenges in interconnecting core elements, particularly in automotive applications like vehicle shifters and adjustable seats.
Innovation Solution
A motion transmitting remote control assembly with a guide mechanism featuring a first and second conduit section, end fittings, and couplers, where the guide mechanism aligns and guides the second end fitting into a closed position to interconnect the core elements, utilizing a pivot axis and complementary channel and arm configurations to ensure precise alignment and secure the connection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a two-piece control assembly is used to allow modular construction, then ease of manufacture is improved, but alignment and securing of end fittings becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
A guide mechanism acts as an intermediary component between the first and second end fittings. The guide mechanism includes a guide body with a guide bore and a guide member that moves within the guide bore. When the second end fitting is moved toward the first end fitting, the guide member engages with the first end fitting to automatically align and position the second end fitting relative to the first end fitting, ensuring precise alignment during assembly.
2Adaptability or versatility
If end fittings are moved to closed position to interconnect core elements, then functionality is improved, but difficulty in aligning and securing end fittings increases
Solution Approach 1:
The guide mechanism performs preliminary alignment action before the end fittings reach the closed position. As the second end fitting is moved toward the first end fitting, the guide member automatically positions the second end fitting relative to the first end fitting through engagement with the guide bore. This preliminary alignment ensures that when the end fittings reach the closed position, they are already properly aligned and can be easily secured, eliminating the need for manual alignment adjustments.
3Manufacturing precision
If a guide mechanism is added to align end fittings, then manufacturing precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The guide mechanism is segmented into distinct functional components: a guide body with a guide bore and a separate guide member that moves within the guide bore. This segmentation allows each component to be manufactured independently with standard tolerances, and the precise alignment function is achieved through the geometric relationship between the guide member and guide bore rather than requiring the entire assembly to be manufactured as a single precision component.
Data Source
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AI summary
A motion transmitting remote control assembly (100) comprises a first conduit section having a first end fitting (114) extending along a first longitudinal axis, and a second conduit section having a second end fitting (120) extending along a second longitudinal axis. The second end fitting has an open position where the second axis is transverse to the first axis, and a closed position where a portion of the first and second axes align. A first core element has a first coupler (128) mounted thereto, and a second core element has a second coupler (140) mounted thereto. A guide mechanism (144) having a first portion coupled to the first end fitting and a second portion coupled to the second end fitting, aligns the end fittings when the second end fitting is in the open position. The guide mechanism also guides the second end fitting toward the first end fitting until the second end fitting is in the closed position.