Vehicle Tray Locking Mechanism Using Gravity-Driven Weight
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional tray cover locking devices for vehicles are prone to unlocking and opening due to external impacts during driving, which can cause articles stored in the tray to spill out, posing a safety risk.
Innovation Solution
A tray device with a locking mechanism that includes a rotary pin, rotator, weight, and guide groove system, where the weight moves along a guide groove to rotate the rotator and maintain the tray cover locked by engaging the rotary pin with a heart cam groove, preventing the cover from opening under external impacts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a conventional cover locking device is used, then the structure is simple, but the cover may be unlocked and opened by external impact during driving
Solution Approach 1:
The locking device uses a dynamic weight that can move along a guide groove and a rotator that can rotate to engage or disengage the rotary pin from the heart cam groove. This dynamic mechanism allows the locking state to be actively maintained or released, providing reliable locking during driving while still allowing intentional opening when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking device is divided into multiple functional components: a rotary pin for engagement, a rotator for rotation, a weight for providing locking force, and a guide groove for controlling weight movement. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function efficiently, achieving reliable locking through coordinated action of simpler individual parts.
2Reliability
If more parts are added to prevent unlocking by impact, then the locking reliability improves, but the manufacturing cost and space requirement increase
Solution Approach 1:
The weight serves multiple functions: it provides the locking force through gravity, moves along the guide groove to control the locking state, and can be returned to its initial position by elastic force after impact. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional dedicated components, lowering manufacturing cost while maintaining impact resistance.
Solution Approach 2:
The elastic element automatically returns the weight to its initial position after being displaced by impact, without requiring external intervention or additional complex mechanisms. This self-service capability maintains the locking reliability while minimizing the number of parts needed.
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
Effectively maintains the locked state of the tray cover during external impacts, preventing articles from spilling out and enhancing safety, while also being cost-effective and space-efficient due to the reduced number of parts used.
Implementation Method 1
a weight configured to move while being guided along the guide groove
Implementation Method 2
a rotary pin inserted into the heart cam groove
Data Source
AI summary
A tray device for a vehicle includes a tray having a storage space capable of storing an article, a tray cover rotatably installed on the tray to open and close the storage space and including a coupling plate having a heart cam groove, and a locking device fixedly installed on an outer surface of the tray.