Urging Device with Rotating Abutting Body for Glove Box Gap Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional urging devices in glove boxes face issues such as resin creep, surface scratching of instrument panels, and difficulty in maintaining a consistent gap due to the use of resin or metal leaf springs, which lead to complex assembly and operation load challenges.
Innovation Solution
An urging device comprising a supporting base with rotatably supported abutting bodies and a torsion coil spring, which includes bearing portions and locking mechanisms to facilitate easy attachment and prevent scratching, while maintaining a stable urging force for wobbling prevention and positioning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a resin piece is used to realize convex portions, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the resin material is susceptible to creep and deformation increases with time, making it difficult to constantly hold the gap
Solution Approach 1:
The invention uses a composite structure combining resin and metal components. The resin lid integrates convex portions for simplicity, while metal leaf springs provide the urging force. This composite approach allows the resin to maintain shape without creep while the metal spring provides reliable elastic deformation to hold the gap consistently.
Solution Approach 2:
The metal leaf spring acts as an intermediary between the resin lid and the instrument panel. Instead of the resin directly providing urging force (which causes creep), the metal spring mediates the interaction, transferring the elastic deformation function from the resin to the metal component, thereby solving the reliability issue while maintaining manufacturing simplicity.
2Reliability
If a metal leaf spring is used to realize convex portions, then the urging force is reliable, but the metal leaf spring directly abuts against the resin instrument panel causing surface scratching
Solution Approach 1:
The resin convex portions serve as intermediaries between the metal leaf spring and the instrument panel. The metal spring urges against the resin convex portions, which in turn contact the instrument panel surface. This intermediary arrangement protects the resin panel surface from direct metal contact and scratching while maintaining the reliable urging force of the metal spring.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention applies different material qualities to different locations: soft resin at the contact point with the instrument panel to prevent scratching, and metal for the urging mechanism to provide reliable force. This local differentiation of material properties solves both the protection and reliability requirements.
3Reliability
If a metal leaf spring is used, then the urging force is stable, but the range of elastic deformation is relatively narrow and the load change is large relative to deflection change, making it difficult to set constant operation load
Solution Approach 1:
The invention creates a dynamic system where the resin convex portions can deform elastically to accommodate varying gap distances. The resin's viscoelastic properties allow it to adapt its deformation range to match the operational requirements, providing a more gradual and controllable load change compared to the rigid metal spring alone.
Solution Approach 2:
The composite structure combines the metal spring's stable urging force with the resin's large elastic deformation capability. The resin component absorbs the variability in deflection range, allowing the system to maintain constant operation load across a wider range of movements while the metal spring ensures reliable force generation.
4Reliability
If a torsion coil spring with multiple components is used, then durability is high and scratching is prevented, but the assembly of component elements and attachment to members becomes somewhat complicated
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges the convex portion and the urging mechanism into a single integrated component. The metal leaf spring is formed with integrated convex portions that directly contact the instrument panel, eliminating the need for separate resin pieces or multiple assembly steps. This consolidation maintains the durability and scratch-prevention benefits while significantly simplifying the device structure and assembly process.
Solution Approach 2:
The metal leaf spring performs multiple functions simultaneously: it provides the urging force, forms the convex portions that contact the panel, and integrates the structural support. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate components like distinct convex portions or bearing structures, reducing assembly complexity while maintaining reliability.
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 a durable and easy-to-attach urging device that prevents scratching of the instrument panel, simplifies assembly, and maintains a consistent gap between the glove box and instrument panel, ensuring stable operation and high durability.
Implementation Method 1
a torsion coil spring which urges the abutting body in the elastically contacting direction
Implementation Method 2
an elastic member held in the abutting body and urging the abutting body by one end in the elastically contacting direction
Implementation Method 3
an abutting body supported in the base to be capable of freely swaying, and elastically contacting the second member
Data Source
AI summary
An urging device is interposed between a first member and a second member. The urging device includes a supporting base formed on the first member, an abutting body including turning axes supported rotatably on the supporting base, and elastically contacting the second member, and an elastic member held in the abutting body and urging the abutting body by one end thereof in an elastically contacting direction. The supporting base includes bearing portions supporting the turning axes, and a locking portion locking the other end of the elastic member.