Resin Case Hook Apparatus with Integrated Elastic Piece
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing hook apparatus for vehicles has a high cost due to the separate formation of a metal plate spring for holding the hook's posture, and integrating the energizing device with the base frame may weaken it, leading to durability issues.
Innovation Solution
A hook apparatus with a resin case, a metal bracket, and an elastic piece that extends along the rotation shaft direction to make contact with the hook, providing radial and axial contact points for holding the hook's posture, reducing the number of parts and manufacturing costs while enhancing durability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a separate metal plate spring is used to hold the hook posture, then the hook apparatus achieves reliable posture holding, but the manufacturing cost increases and the number of parts increases
Solution Approach 1:
The elastic piece is integrated into the resin case as a unified structure, eliminating the need for separate metal plate spring components. The case and elastic piece form an integrated assembly that reduces part count while maintaining the posture holding function through the elastic piece's contact with the hook.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention combines resin material for the case with elastic material for the elastic piece, creating a composite structure that leverages the advantages of both materials. The resin case provides structural support while the elastic piece provides the necessary flexibility and restoring force for posture holding.
2Device complexity
If the energizing device is molded integrally with the base frame, then the number of parts is reduced, but the durability of the holding device may be weakened
Solution Approach 1:
The integration is achieved through composite material construction rather than simple molding. The resin case is combined with the elastic piece using materials and bonding methods that preserve the strength and durability of both components while achieving a reduced part count.
Solution Approach 2:
The elastic piece is strategically positioned to make contact with specific portions of the hook at radial and axial directions. This localized contact design ensures that the integrated structure maintains durability at critical stress points while achieving overall simplification.
3Strength
If a metal bracket is used for supporting the shaft, then the structural strength is improved, but the manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The bracket is constructed using composite materials that combine the strength characteristics of metal with the cost-effectiveness and ease of manufacturing of resin. This allows the bracket to maintain sufficient structural strength for supporting the shaft while reducing manufacturing complexity and cost.
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 solution allows for a cost-effective hook apparatus with improved durability by integrating the elastic piece within the case, reducing part count and maintaining effective holding of the hook's posture without compromising durability.
Implementation Method 1
an elastic piece extending along the rotation shaft direction of the hook and capable of coming into elastic contact with the hook
Data Source
AI summary
There is provided a hook apparatus. A metal bracket is fixed to a vehicle body with a resin case mounted thereon. A shaft is supported by the bracket. A hook including a pair of opposed surfaces and a pair of shaft hole parts formed in the opposed surfaces and is capable of inserting the shaft therethrough. The hook is supported rotatably on the bracket through the shaft. The case includes an elastic piece extending along the rotation shaft direction and capable of coming into elastic contact with the hook. The elastic piece includes radial-direction contact parts capable of coming into contact with sliding contact surfaces respectively formed in the hook around the shaft hole parts in a radially inward direction from outside in a radial direction; and axial-direction contact parts coming into contact with the opposed surfaces of the hook formed around the shaft hole parts.