Storage Compartment Cover Assembly With Adjustable Torsion Spring Bias
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cover assemblies for vehicle storage compartments have limited adjustability and manageability of spring biasing forces, requiring tools for fine adjustments and being difficult to manage.
Innovation Solution
A cover assembly with independently movable cover parts biased by torsion springs, featuring an adjustable latch system with a support structure that allows for fine-tuned spring tension adjustment through a locking and counterlocking mechanism, enabling easy user adjustment and synchronization of cover movement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a tool is used to adjust the spring end to different latching positions, then the spring biasing can be adjusted, but the adjustability is limited and fine adjustment is difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The support is designed to be movable relative to the base, allowing dynamic adjustment of the spring biasing force. The support can be positioned at different locations along the base and locked in place, enabling continuous variation of the spring tension rather than discrete latching positions. This dynamic adjustment mechanism provides both fine adjustment capability and ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The support acts as an intermediary element between the spring and the base. Instead of directly latching the spring end to fixed positions on the base, the support provides a movable interface that can be positioned anywhere along the base and locked. This intermediary mechanism enables smooth, tool-free adjustment of spring biasing while maintaining secure locking.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the spring end is latched in fixed latching positions, then the adjuster can be manufactured simply, but the adjustability range is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The adjuster transitions from a static structure with fixed latching positions to a dynamic structure where the support can move continuously along the base. This dynamic capability expands the adjustability range from discrete positions to a continuous spectrum of spring biasing forces, while the locking mechanism maintains structural simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the parameter of spring biasing force from discrete values (determined by fixed latching positions) to a continuous variable. By allowing the support to be positioned at any location along the base and locked, the system can achieve any spring tension within the available range, providing fine adjustment capability without significantly increasing device complexity.
3Ease of operation
If a bare spring end is used for adjustment, then the device complexity is low, but the manageability and ease of grasping are poor
Solution Approach 1:
The support structure is designed to be self-grasping and self-locking. The movable support with its locking mechanism allows the user to directly grasp and manipulate the adjuster without requiring external tools. The user can easily move the support to the desired position and lock it in place through simple manual operation, making the system self-service friendly.
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 provides enhanced adjustability and manageability of spring biasing forces, allowing for precise control of cover movement and easy operation, even in dirty conditions, with the ability to achieve high spring forces in a compact design.
Implementation Method 1
Each cover part is biased into the open position by a spring as part of an actuating device... The spring is formed for example, by a torsion spring
Data Source
AI summary
A cover assembly has a base, first and second cover parts movable relative to the base about respective pivot axes between closed and open positions and respective first and second torsion springs mounted on respective pivot pins, biasing the cover parts into the respective open positions, and each having one leg supported on the base and another leg braced against the respective cover part. An adjuster can set the biasing of at least one of the springs and has a support for the one leg of the one spring that is on the base or the cover part, that is pivotal on the respective pivot pin, and that is formed with a slot through which the respective pivot pin engages. A locking formation on the support and a counterlocking formation are detachably engageable with the locking formation in different relative positions such that different spring tensions can be set.