Rotating Tray Mechanism for Compact In-Vehicle Audio Space Utilization
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing in-vehicle audio apparatus designs face challenges in achieving compactness due to inefficient space utilization and tray stability issues when moving between retracted and projected positions, particularly when accommodating elongated music players.
Innovation Solution
A tray moving mechanism that changes orientation by 90 degrees between retracted and projected positions, utilizing a combination of guide portions and a reduction gear system to optimize space usage and stability, allowing the tray to be moved in both curved and straight trajectories, and using an urging spring for controlled movement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the tray is moved linearly back and forth between retracted and projected positions, then the operating section can be provided at the front end, but the space behind the operating section is not used, resulting in inefficient space utilization and larger apparatus size
Solution Approach 1:
The tray movement is changed from linear (one-dimensional) to rotational arc movement (two-dimensional trajectory). The tray rotates about a shaft at the front end of the unit base, moving along an arc path that allows the tray to be projected forward while utilizing the vertical and lateral dimensions more effectively. This dimensional change enables compact space utilization while maintaining operational accessibility.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the tray is rotated about a shaft at the front end of the unit base to achieve projection, then the tray can be moved between positions, but the tray projects from the unit base in a great mount, increasing the apparatus size and reducing stability
Solution Approach 1:
The tray is designed with a curved bottom surface that engages with a corresponding curved guide portion in the unit base before the rotational movement begins. This preliminary engagement establishes a stable arc-shaped trajectory, ensuring the tray moves along a controlled path that limits excessive projection while maintaining stability throughout the movement range.
Solution Approach 2:
A curved guide portion is introduced as an intermediary element between the tray and the rotational shaft. This guide portion constrains the tray's movement path, preventing excessive projection while enabling smooth rotational movement. The guide acts as a mediator that translates the rotational motion into a controlled arc-shaped projection, balancing versatility and stability.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the tray is entirely projected from the unit base, then the tray can accommodate elongated music players, but the total weight must be borne only by the front end shaft, making the tray unstable
Solution Approach 1:
The tray movement transitions from linear extension to rotational arc movement, changing the dimensional characteristics of projection. This allows the tray to achieve sufficient projection distance for accommodating elongated music players while distributing the mechanical load differently through the rotational mechanism, improving stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The curved guide portion establishes a predetermined arc-shaped movement path before the tray is fully projected. This preliminary trajectory design ensures that the tray follows a stable path during projection, distributing forces more effectively and preventing instability that would occur with uncontrolled full projection.
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
This solution enables efficient space utilization and high stability of the tray in the projected position, allowing for compact design and easy placement of components without increasing the apparatus size, while maintaining simplicity in the mechanism.
Implementation Method 1
a reduction gear unit rotatably supported on the tray and having a reduction gear that is engaged with the rack and that reduces a speed of movement of the tray
Implementation Method 2
an urging spring that imparts a force to move the tray from the retracted position toward the projected position
Implementation Method 3
a frictional force generated between the operating projection and the unit base when the tray is moved from the projected position toward the retracted position
Data Source
AI summary
A tray moving mechanism includes: a unit base having an internal space formed as a containing space; and a tray movable between a retracted position in which the unit base is contained in the containing space and a projected position in which a music player formed in a substantially rectangular shape can be placed on the tray and in which a part of the tray is projected from the base unit, wherein the tray is moved with respect to the unit base such that the orientations of the tray with respect to the unit base in the retracted and projected positions are substantially 90 deg different from each other.