Stabilizer Bar Lever with Curved Plate Spring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing slide structures for sliding members in vehicles, such as accessory cases and cup holders, face challenges in maintaining a constant load and preventing rattling or noise, especially with dimensional variations during mass production, as they require precise dimensional adjustments between the fixing and slide members.
Innovation Solution
A stabilizer is attached to the fixing member with a lever that presses the slide member, utilizing a sheet metal spring with a curved surface to maintain a constant load, ensuring smooth operation and noise reduction, even with dimensional variations, by adjusting the lever's position and angle to maintain consistent pressure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a ball plunger is used to press the movable member against the sliding surface, then sliding resistance is reduced, but the distance between the ball plunger and movable member changes due to dimensional variations, causing sliding load to vary
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the parameter of the spring member from a simple compression spring to one with an off-center coil configuration. This structural parameter change allows the spring to provide a more stable pressing force that compensates for dimensional variations in the ball plunger and movable member, maintaining consistent sliding load despite manufacturing tolerances.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a dynamic adjustment mechanism where the spring member can change its pressing force based on the actual distance between the ball plunger and movable member. The off-center coil structure allows the spring to dynamically adapt to dimensional variations, automatically adjusting the pressing force to maintain constant sliding load.
2Ease of operation
If dimensional adjustments of the fixing member and slide member are made to ensure smooth operation, then sliding performance improves, but manufacturing complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables the slide structure to self-adjust to dimensional variations through the off-center coil spring mechanism. The spring automatically compensates for gaps or tight fits between components, providing consistent pressing force without requiring external adjustment mechanisms or precise pre-adjustment of component dimensions.
Solution Approach 2:
By changing the spring's structural parameters (off-center coil configuration), the system achieves smooth sliding operation without needing to adjust the dimensions of the fixing member or slide member. The modified spring parameter provides tolerance compensation, eliminating the need for complex dimensional matching during assembly.
3Ease of operation
If elastic pieces are used to absorb distance variation, then the sliding body can operate smoothly, but the elastic force changes due to dimensional variation, causing sliding load to change
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms the spring member's structural parameters by positioning the coil center away from the pressing direction. This parameter change creates a mechanical advantage that stabilizes the pressing force, allowing the spring to absorb distance variations while maintaining consistent elastic force despite dimensional variations in the sliding components.
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 stabilizer ensures the slide member operates with a constant load, preventing rattling and noise, and accommodates dimensional variations without the need for precise adjustments, enhancing the reliability and quiet operation of sliding components in vehicles.
Implementation Method 1
a curved surface part which can be bent by contact with a lever contact part at a tip of the lever cam part
Data Source
AI summary
A stabilizer comprises housing, a lever, and a plate spring. The lever has a shaft, a main body extending radially from the shaft, an elongated portion extending at an angle from the main body, and a cam portion extending from the shaft in a substantially opposite direction to the main body. A tip of the elongated portion extends outward through an opening in the housing. The plate spring has a plane portion fixed to the housing, and a curved portion pushed by the lever cam portion. When the stabilizer is attached to a fixed member (case). The lever tip portion extends from the opening of the housing and abuts to the surface of a slide member (holder). The lever tip exerts a constant load to the surface of the slide member, even if the distance between the fixed member and the slide member changes.