Vehicle Trim Cover Mechanism Reducing Stick-Slip via Gear Rack
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing solutions for opening and closing openings in vehicle interior trim pieces are complex and costly, often requiring intricate lever mechanisms and gear rack systems that can be prone to stick-slip effects and gear backlash.
Innovation Solution
A simplified arrangement using a displaceable cover element supported by a frame with orthogonal lateral supports and coaxial bearing lugs, where the cover element moves along the frame via synchronized gear racks and a pivot drive, reducing the need for raising motions and minimizing stick-slip effects through rotationally symmetrical guide blocks and spring-loaded levers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a complex lever mechanism and gear rack system is used to open and close the opening, then the opening can be closed effectively, but the device complexity increases and cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the complex lever mechanism from the system, retaining only the essential gear rack and pinion components. The cover element is directly displaceable along the frame element without requiring intermediate lever mechanisms, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining the opening and closing function.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of using a complex lever mechanism to raise and lower the cover, the patent inverts the approach by allowing the cover element to slide directly along the frame element in the traveling direction. The gear racks provide guidance and synchronization rather than mechanical advantage through levers, simplifying the overall mechanism.
2Reliability
If a complex lever mechanism and gear rack system is used to open and close the opening, then the opening can be closed effectively, but the manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the expensive and complex lever mechanism from the design, keeping only the essential gear racks and pinions. This extraction of unnecessary components directly reduces manufacturing cost while preserving the core opening and closing functionality through the simplified direct displacement mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs simpler, more cost-effective components such as standard gear racks and pinions instead of complex custom-lever mechanisms. These simpler components are easier to manufacture, assemble, and maintain, thereby reducing overall manufacturing cost.
3Ease of operation
If a gear rack mechanism is used to convert rotary motion to linear motion, then the cover element can be displaced, but stick-slip effects and gear backlash occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the guidance function and the motion conversion function into the gear racks themselves. The gear racks serve both to convert rotary motion from the pinions to linear displacement of the cover element and to provide guidance along the frame element. This merging eliminates the need for separate lever mechanisms that would introduce additional friction and stick-slip effects.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs spring-loaded levers that can dynamically adjust their contact pressure against the gear racks. This dynamic adjustment ensures continuous contact without excessive friction, minimizing stick-slip effects and gear backlash while maintaining smooth operation of the cover element throughout its travel range.
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 provides a cost-effective and efficient mechanism for opening and closing vehicle interior trim piece openings, ensuring smooth operation and reducing adverse effects like stick-slip and gear backlash, suitable for applications such as head-up displays.
Implementation Method 1
synchronized gear racks and a pivot drive
Implementation Method 2
gear racks arranged on the lateral supports and in each case having a pinion that engages the gear rack
Implementation Method 3
spring-loaded levers
Implementation Method 4
rotationally symmetrical guide blocks and spring-loaded levers
Data Source
AI summary
An arrangement for opening and closing an opening in a covering surface of an interior trim piece in a vehicle that includes an adjustable cover element in the form of a flat element. The cover element is movably mounted on a frame element that is connected to the interior trim piece. A rotational or pivoting movement of two pivoted levers that are pivotably mounted in bearing cheeks of the frame element is converted into a translational movement of the cover element. The cover element is urged into a defined path by a shaft penetrating bearing blocks of the cover element and by two toothed wheels which are located at the free ends of the shaft and each of which meshes with a first rack located on the bearing cheek.