Vehicle Signaling Device Cam Slider Mechanism Dock Impact Absorption
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Solution Overview
Problem
Rear signaling devices on transport vehicles, such as trucks and trailers, are fragile and prone to damage from repeated contact with loading/unloading docks, requiring a solution to maintain their normal position and absorb low-intensity contacts while ensuring precise movement control.
Innovation Solution
A signaling and lighting device with a connecting element featuring a central shaft, cam, cylindrical casing, slider, and elastic element, which maintains the device's normal position and returns it to that position after contact through a rotating mechanism, utilizing a cam and slider system with specific profiles and notches to ensure stability and controlled movement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the signaling device is made flexible to absorb contact with docks, then the device can withstand low-intensity contacts, but the movement control becomes difficult to regulate precisely
Solution Approach 1:
The signaling device incorporates a dynamic connecting element with a cam mechanism that allows controlled movement between fixed and movable states. The cam profile with proximal and distal points enables the device to flexibly absorb contact forces while maintaining precise positional control through the interaction between the cam and slider components.
Solution Approach 2:
The elastic element changes the mechanical parameters of the connecting element by providing variable stiffness. During normal operation, the elastic element maintains a predetermined tension that keeps the device in its normal position, but during contact, it allows controlled displacement by changing the force parameters, thereby absorbing low-intensity contacts while preserving movement control.
2Ease of operation
If the signaling device is made rigid to maintain precise position, then movement control is precise, but the device is vulnerable to damage from dock contact
Solution Approach 1:
The elastic element is pre-tensioned to maintain the signaling device in its normal operating position with a predetermined force. This beforehand cushioning provides resistance against contact forces before actual contact occurs, protecting the device from damage while maintaining position stability during normal operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The cam mechanism acts as an intermediary between the rigid mounting structure and the signaling device. The cam profile with its proximal and distal points mediates the interaction by providing a controlled mechanical interface that allows the device to remain stable during normal operation while absorbing contact forces through the cam-slider interaction.
3Reliability
If the device allows movement to absorb contact, then contact damage is reduced, but the device may fail to return to normal position consistently
Solution Approach 1:
The elastic element provides continuous feedback force that acts on the cam mechanism to return the signaling device to its normal operating position. The predetermined tension in the elastic element creates a restoring force that ensures the device consistently returns to its original position after absorbing contact, maintaining position repeatability through this mechanical feedback system.
Solution Approach 2:
The cam mechanism with its specific profile featuring proximal and distal points enables the connecting element to automatically return the signaling device to its normal position without external intervention. The geometric constraints of the cam profile guide the slider back to its initial position, allowing the system to self-correct and maintain consistent positioning.
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 maintains the signaling and lighting module in a stable position during normal operation and returns to its original position after low-intensity contacts, ensuring durability and compliance with regulatory requirements for movement control.
Implementation Method 1
an elastic element exerting a thrust on the slider in order to maintain a so-called normal operating position of the slider with respect to the cam
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
This signaling and lighting device (1) includes a signaling and lighting module (2) and a linking element (3) comprising - a central shaft (7) designed to be fixed to a vehicle, a cam (11) being fixedly connected to the shaft (7), said cam (11) having an end profile having at least one proximal point and at least one distal point;- a cylindrical housing (6), movable in rotation relative to the central shaft (7), on which the lighting and connection module is fixed, a slide (10) being axially connected to the housing (6), said slide (10) having an end profile comprising a proximal point and a distal point - an elastic element exerting a thrust on the slide (10) in order to maintain a so-called normal operating position of the slide (10) relative to the cam (11) in which a proximal point of the cam (11) coincides with a distal point of the slide (10), the elastic element exerting an action on the slide (10) aimed at returning the slide (10) to the normal operating position during a rotation of the housing (6) relative to the central shaft (7).