Shaft-Support Structure with Slit and Cover for Rotary Body
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing shaft-support structure fails to securely prevent damage to the fulcrum shaft when a load exceeding a predetermined level is applied, as the disengagement mechanism is unreliable and aesthetically unappealing due to visible guide grooves.
Innovation Solution
A shaft-support structure with a slit in the bearing portion and a restricting member that covers the slit, allowing the fulcrum shaft to disengage through the slit when a load is applied, reducing the binding force and improving the external appearance by concealing the slit.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a protrusion is disposed on an end portion of a guide groove to prevent fulcrum shaft disengagement, then the shaft-support component is protected from damage, but the amount of load causing disengagement varies widely making the protection unreliable
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the structural parameters of the bearing portion by introducing a slit with specific dimensions and orientation. The slit width is designed to be smaller than the fulcrum shaft diameter, creating a controlled disengagement mechanism that provides consistent load threshold for shaft release, eliminating the variability inherent in the protrusion-guide groove approach.
Solution Approach 2:
The bearing portion is segmented by introducing a slit that divides the continuous structure into sections. This segmentation creates a controlled weak point that allows the fulcrum shaft to disengage in a predictable manner when subjected to excessive load, providing reliable protection while maintaining normal operational stability.
2Reliability
If a slit is disposed on the bearing portion to enable fulcrum shaft disengagement, then the shaft can be protected from damage, but the external appearance is spoiled due to the visible slit and groove
Solution Approach 1:
A covering member is introduced as an intermediary element that conceals the slit on the bearing portion. This covering member serves as a mediator between the functional requirement (visible slit for disengagement) and the aesthetic requirement (smooth appearance), allowing the slit to remain functional while being visually hidden from the external environment.
3Device complexity
If the fulcrum shaft is prevented from disengaging only by a protrusion on the guide groove end, then the structure is simple, but the load variation causes inconsistent protection effectiveness
Solution Approach 1:
The invention modifies the bearing portion geometry by adding a slit with controlled dimensions. This parameter change creates a more reliable disengagement mechanism that consistently activates at a predictable load threshold, improving protection consistency while maintaining relatively simple structural complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
This shaft-support structure for a rotary body is provided with a bearing portion disposed to a base panel and a fulcrum shaft that is disposed to a cup holder and is supported by the bearing portion in a rotatable manner. The bearing portion has slits on the side apart from the base panel. A center cover is disposed at a position facing the slits. The cup holder is configured in such a way that, when a load exceeding a predetermined level is exerted in the direction away from the base panel, the fulcrum shaft moves in a direction in which the fulcrum shaft disengages from the bearing portion through the slits and, therewith, by pressing the center cover from the inside and causing the center cover to move in the direction separating from the bearing portion, the fulcrum shaft disengages from the bearing portion.