Actuator, method for the production of an actuator, and vehicle protection system

Abstract

An actuator (12) of a vehicle protection system (10) has a housing (26) and a displaceable piston (14). The piston (14) has a rigid piston tube (34) which is open at one end face (42), a rigid cap (48) which closes the end face (42) of the piston tube (34), and an annular seal (64). The cap (48) has a pin-shaped projection (52) which extends into the piston tube (34). The seal (64) has a piston-side portion (68) and a cap-side portion (70) which axially adjoin each other before the activation of the actuator (12) and merge integrally into each other, wherein the piston-side portion (68) is clamped between the piston tube (34) and the housing (26), and the cap-side portion (70) extends axially adjacent to the piston-side portion (68) along the piston tube (34) in the direction of the end face (42) of the piston tube (34). The seal (64) has a predetermined tearing region (78) at which the cap-side portion (70) of the seal separates from the piston-side portion (68) of the seal (64) during the movement of the piston (14). The cap (48) is fixed to the piston tube (34) by the pin-shaped projection (52) being caulked on an inner circumferential surface (56) of the piston tube (34).

Description

[0001] Actuator, method for producing an actuator and vehicle protection system

[0002] The invention relates to an actuator, in particular in a vehicle protection system, as well as a method for producing an actuator and a vehicle protection system.

[0003] Vehicle protection systems are known in which a pedestrian outside the vehicle is caught by a deliberately moved component on the vehicle's exterior panel, for example, by raising the hood. For this purpose, the component in question is connected to an actuator that can perform an axial movement by pushing a piston sectionally out of a housing. The actuator is pyrotechnically driven, for example, with the piston being moved axially within the housing by the generated gas pressure.

[0004] Such actuators are installed in an area of ​​the vehicle exposed to numerous environmental influences, while they must remain fully functional throughout the vehicle's service life. Therefore, it is necessary to protect the actuator well, for example, against the ingress of dirt and moisture.

[0005] The object of the invention is to present an actuator with a simple, cost-effective and reliable seal.

[0006] This object is achieved by an actuator, particularly in a vehicle protection system, which has a housing in which a piston is accommodated so as to be displaceable in an axial direction, so that the piston moves axially out of the housing upon activation of the actuator, wherein a pressure-generating drive unit is provided which generates a compressed gas for moving the piston, wherein the housing is open at a first axial end, the piston comprises a rigid piston tube which, in an unactuated initial position, is open at an end face near the first axial end of the housing, a rigid cap closing the end face of the piston, and an annular seal, the cap having a pin-shaped projection extending into the piston tube, the seal having a piston-side section and a cap-side section which, prior to activation of the actuator, are axially adjacent to one another and merge into one another as a single piece,the piston-side portion is clamped between an outer peripheral surface of the piston tube and an inner side of the housing, and the cap-side portion extends axially adjacent to the piston-side portion along the piston tube in the direction of the end face of the piston tube, and wherein the seal has a predetermined tear area at which the cap-side portion of the seal separates from the piston-side portion of the seal upon activation of the actuator during the movement of the piston.

[0007] In the initial position before the actuator is activated, the seal seals a gap between the housing and the piston tube against environmental influences, particularly the ingress of dirt and moisture. Due to the one-piece design of the seal, there are no gaps through which, for example, moisture could penetrate into the interior of the housing.

[0008] When the actuator is activated, the seal splits into two separate sections, allowing the piston to move freely. The cap-side section is pushed away from the first end of the housing together with the cap, while the piston-side section remains clamped between the piston tube and the housing and is retained in the housing. The cap-side section can thus continue to seal the cap against the end of the piston tube and prevent any unwanted escape of compressed gas from the piston tube, which is currently under increased internal pressure. This ensures that all of the compressed gas acting on the piston can be used to move the piston. The piston-side section preferably remains clamped between the piston tube and the housing and also prevents any unwanted escape of compressed gas.

[0009] The tear zone is preferably a weakened zone pre-cut axially around the seal between the piston-side section and the cap-side section. When an axial force is applied, the seal will then tear precisely and exclusively in the tear zone. This also ensures that the seal splits into exactly two sections. The seal is preferably made of a suitable plastic, e.g., EPDM (ethylene propylene diene (monomer) rubber).

[0010] Preferably, the cap is made of metal, in particular of steel.

[0011] In a preferred embodiment, both the piston-side section and the cap-side section of the seal are elongated, ring-shaped or tubular, respectively, and extend at least a few millimeters along the axial direction. Before the actuator is activated, the seal rests against the piston tube and the housing over a certain axial length. This can, for example, be a distance of approximately 5 mm to 30 mm.

[0012] Normally, the piston can be moved out of the housing up to a specified end stop, but always remains connected to the housing.

[0013] The displacement of the piston in the direction out of the housing is used in particular to act with the cap of the piston on a component to be moved on an outer panel of a vehicle, for example to raise a hood as impact protection for a pedestrian.

[0014] For this purpose, the housing is mounted firmly to the vehicle.

[0015] In one possible variant, the piston protrudes axially from the housing in the unactuated initial position, and the housing is fixed to a stationary component section that has an opening into which the piston tube protrudes and through which the piston tube moves upon activation. For the application described above, the component section is a suitable vehicle-mounted component, e.g., on the frame or body of the vehicle, which holds the housing stationary relative to the vehicle upon activation of the actuator.

[0016] The cap and the first axial end of the housing may, if necessary, rest on the component section on opposite sides.

[0017] Preferably, the cap-side section of the seal is clamped radially between the component section and the piston tube before activation of the actuator, so that the space to the side of the piston tube is also sealed against environmental influences axially adjacent to the housing.

[0018] Preferably, the outer peripheral surface of the piston tube has an intermediate section tapering toward the end face, which axially adjoins a region of the piston tube extending from the end face and which compresses the seal between itself and the component section during the piston's movement. During the movement, the intermediate section can, in particular, shear and / or tear the seal, with the seal splitting into the cap-side and piston-side sections in the tearing region.

[0019] For example, the diameter of the opening in the component section is larger than the outer diameter of the piston tube, but smaller than the inner diameter of the housing. In this case, the component section protrudes further radially inward toward the piston tube than the housing, and the seal, viewed in longitudinal section, has a radial offset from the piston-side section to the cap-side section. The component section forms a radial projection, so to speak, that protrudes into the gap between the housing and the piston tube.

[0020] The radial offset of the cap-side section of the seal inwards towards the piston tube can be caused by an interaction of the radial projection of the component section and the tapered intermediate section.

[0021] Due to the action of the tapered intermediate section on the seal during displacement of the piston, the piston-side section of the seal is pressed axially against the radial projection of the component section and is thus retained in the housing on the one hand and axially compressed on the other, which improves the sealing effect.

[0022] In addition, during the displacement of the piston, the seal is constricted in the tear area, which facilitates correct tearing.

[0023] The projection of the cap is preferably caulked in the region of the tapered intermediate section of the piston tube in order to fix the cap to the piston tube. For this purpose, an inner peripheral surface of the piston tube should also have a taper in the direction of the open end of the piston tube. The cap of the piston preferably comprises a cover part which has an underside facing the piston tube, from which the projection protrudes. In particular, the cap-side section of the seal rests against the underside of the cover part. In this way, the sealing effect of the seal can be further improved in a simple manner in that the cap-side section of the seal protrudes axially beyond the end of the piston tube and extends into a space between the underside of the cap and the end of the piston tube.

[0024] The seal may have a radially inwardly facing annular portion which bears axially against the end face of the piston tube and which is located in particular in the space between the underside of the cap and the end face of the piston tube.

[0025] To increase the friction between the seal and the housing and / or the piston tube, the piston-side section of the seal can have a profiled outer surface, as seen in a longitudinal section. One or both of the outer surfaces facing an inner side of the housing or, correspondingly, the outer circumferential surface of the piston tube can be suitably structured, for example, with ribs running transversely to the axial direction. The profiling reinforces the seal's grip on these components and optionally also enhances the sealing effect.

[0026] The pressure-generating drive unit preferably contains a pyrotechnic drive charge, such as that known from conventional gas generators. The pyrotechnic drive charge is positioned in particular in the region of an axial end of the piston opposite the open end face and thus at a second axial end of the housing opposite the first axial end of the housing.

[0027] Preferably, the drive unit is connected via electrical connecting cables to a control unit, which transmits a corresponding trigger signal to the drive unit to activate the actuator.

[0028] The compressed gas generated by the pyrotechnic propulsion charge causes an increase in pressure in the piston tube, whereby the increased internal pressure in the piston tube pushes the piston out of the housing until it reaches its end stop. The seal ensures that as little compressed gas as possible escapes from the piston, so that as much of the compressed gas as possible is available to move the piston.

[0029] In its initial one-piece state, the seal seals the gap between the piston tube and the housing and, if applicable, the annular gap to the component section fixed to the vehicle, as well as the space between the end face of the piston tube and the piston cap.

[0030] When the seal splits into the cap-side and piston-side sections due to the displacement of the piston, the piston-side section continues to seal the gap between the outer peripheral surface of the piston tube and the inside of the housing opposite the opening in the vehicle-fixed component section and the transition from the first axial end of the housing to the vehicle-fixed component section. Due to the movement of the piston, the piston-side section of the seal is continuously pressed against the component section, thereby maintaining the sealing effect at all times.

[0031] The cap-side section preferably remains clamped between the underside of the cap's lid and the end face of the piston tube, ensuring that the cap remains sealed against the piston tube. Even during the piston's displacement movement, only a small amount of compressed gas can escape, ensuring that the generated compressed gas remains available throughout the entire piston movement.

[0032] The above-mentioned object is also achieved with a vehicle protection system having an actuator as described above, wherein the actuator is arranged in a vehicle such that it acts on a hood of the vehicle and raises it upon activation.

[0033] Even if the invention is described here in connection with a vehicle protection system, it is of course also conceivable to use an actuator described above in other areas, independently of a vehicle, and for purposes other than those described.

[0034] The above-mentioned object is also achieved by the method for producing an actuator as described above, wherein the method comprises the following steps: inserting an assembly comprising a housing, a piston tube, and a seal into a component section fixed to the vehicle, such that the first end of the housing bears against the component section at its end face, and the piston tube projects at least into the opening in the component section, and the piston-side section of the seal is arranged between the inside of the housing and the outer circumferential surface of the piston tube, and the cap-side section of the seal is arranged between an inner edge of the opening and the outer circumferential surface of the piston tube, axially adjacent to the end face of the piston tube,

[0035] Fixing the housing to the component section,

[0036] - Place the cap on the end face of the piston tube so that the pin-shaped projection protrudes into the piston tube, and

[0037] Caulking the projection on an inner peripheral surface of the piston tube.

[0038] Preferably, the caulking takes place in the tapered intermediate section of the piston tube already described above, wherein the caulking on the pin-shaped projection creates a thickening which fixes the cap axially to the piston tube.

[0039] The invention is described in more detail below using an exemplary embodiment with reference to the accompanying figures. The figures show:

[0040] Figure 1 is a schematic sectional view of a vehicle protection system according to the invention with an actuator according to the invention, which is manufactured according to a method according to the invention, in an unactuated state of the actuator before its activation;

[0041] Figure 2 is an enlarged detail of Figure 1; and

[0042] Figure 3 shows the vehicle protection system from Figure 1 with the actuator in an actuated state after its activation.

[0043] For reasons of clarity, not all identical components are always provided with reference numerals. The figures show a vehicle protection system 10 with an actuator 12 having a piston 14 that is displaceable along an axial direction A.

[0044] The actuator 12 is designed to act on and move a movable component 16 with its piston 14.

[0045] In the example shown here, the component 16 is, for example, a hood of a vehicle, and the vehicle protection system 10 serves to catch a pedestrian coming into contact with the vehicle in the event of an impact.

[0046] The actuator 12 comprises a pressure-generating drive unit 18, which in this case is pyrotechnically operated and has an igniter with a pyrotechnic drive charge 20. Electrical connecting lines 22, which are connected to the pyrotechnic drive charge 20, are connected to a suitable control unit 24, which transmits a trigger signal to the drive unit 18 when the actuator 12 is to be activated.

[0047] Figure 1 shows the actuator 12 before its activation in an unactuated initial position.

[0048] The actuator 12 has a dimensionally stable housing 26 that is elongated along the axial direction A and cylindrical in shape. At a first axial end 28, the housing 26 is open and rests with a front end surface 30 against a component section 32 fixed to the vehicle. The housing 26 is fixedly secured to the component section 32 (not shown), whereby the component section 32 and thus also the housing 26 remain fixed in position during the activation of the actuator 12.

[0049] The piston 14 is accommodated in the housing 26 such that a hollow, rigid piston tube 34 extends largely within the housing 26. In the unactuated state, the piston 14 is pushed as far as possible into the housing 26.

[0050] The piston tube 34 comprises a central section 36 which extends over a large part of the length of the piston tube 34 and which is arranged completely inside the housing 26 with a radial gap 37 to an inner side 38 of the housing 26. At its axial end 40 near the first end 28 of the housing 26, the piston tube 34 has an open end face 42. The central section 36 merges towards the end 40 into an intermediate section 44 in which the piston tube 34 tapers. At the end face 42, the piston tube 34 therefore has a smaller diameter than in the central section 36. The intermediate section 44 is axially adjacent to a cylindrical region 45 extending from the end face 42.

[0051] In this example, the cross-section of the piston tube 34 is circular both at the end face 42 and in the intermediate section 44 and in the middle section 36, but the cross-sectional shape can be selected at the discretion of the person skilled in the art.

[0052] At an end 46 axially opposite the end face 42, the piston tube 34 is widened to the diameter of the inner side 38 of the housing 26. The drive unit 18 with the pyrotechnic propulsion charge 20 is arranged axially below the end 46, so that the compressed gas provided by the drive unit 18 largely enters the widened end 46 and from there into the remaining piston tube 34.

[0053] Figure 2 shows an enlarged view of the actuator 12 in the region of the first axial end 28 of the housing 26 and the end face 42 of the piston tube 34.

[0054] The piston 14 includes a rigid cap 48, which is mounted on the end face 42 of the piston tube 34. The cap 48 axially seals the piston 14 and forms the contact point between the piston 14 and the component 16.

[0055] The cap 48 is made of metal, in particular steel.

[0056] The cap 48 has a cover part 50, which forms an axial end of the piston 14, and a pin-shaped projection 52, which protrudes from a bottom side 54 of the cover part 50. The projection 52 projects into the piston tube 34 and rests in a form-fitting manner against an inner circumferential surface 56 of the piston tube 34. In this example, the projection 52 extends into the intermediate section 44, in which the piston tube 34 tapers from the central section 36 to the end face 42.

[0057] The cover part 50 of the cap 48 lies axially above the component section 32, i.e. on the side of the component section 32 remote from the housing 26. The component section 32 has an opening 58 into which the piston tube 34 projects with its axial end 40. An outer edge 60 of the cover part 50 is positioned radially outside an inner edge 62 of the opening 58. In the region of the edge 60, the cover part 50 extends axially somewhat further towards the component section 32 than in a space 63 between the edge 60 and the projection 52, so that the underside 54 forms a slight annular depression around the projection 52 and is spaced from the end face 42 of the piston tube 34.

[0058] In addition, the piston 14 comprises a seal 64 which surrounds the piston tube 34 at its axial end 40 in the region of the end face 42 and the intermediate section 44 and thereby bears directly against an outer circumferential surface 66 of the piston tube 34.

[0059] The seal 64 is annular and axially elongated. It is made of a suitable elastic and sealing material, for example EPDM (ethylene propylene diene (monomer) rubber).

[0060] A piston-side section 68 of the seal 64 is positioned axially below the component section 32 (below the component section 32 here denotes the direction towards the drive unit 18) and is received in the gap 37 between the inner side 38 of the housing 26 and the outer peripheral surface 66 of the piston tube 34.

[0061] A cap-side section 70 of the seal 64 is arranged in the unactuated state of the actuator 12 in an annular gap 72 between the outer circumferential surface 66 of the piston tube directly adjacent to the end face 42 and the inner edge 62 of the opening 58 in the component section 32 and extends into the intermediate space 63 between the underside 54 of the cover part 50 and the end face 42 of the piston tube 34.

[0062] The opening 58 in the component section 32 is dimensioned and arranged such that the inner edge 62 of the opening 58 lies radially between the inner side 38 of the housing 26 and the outer peripheral surface 66 of the piston tube 34. A radial projection 73, which radially borders the inner edge 62, projects radially beyond the inner side 38 of the housing 26 into the gap 37 and determines the dimension of the annular gap 72. The seal 64 is either shaped in such a way from the outset or is deformed during assembly of the piston 14 such that the cap-side section 70 has an annular section 74 which extends radially inward from the annular gap 72 in the intermediate space 63 to over the end face 42 of the piston tube 34.

[0063] The seal 64 is thus arranged between the piston tube 34, the cap 48, the housing 26 and the component section 32 in such a way that it seals all flow paths from the housing 26 and from the piston tube 34 into the environment of the actuator 12.

[0064] In this example, the piston-side section 68 of the seal 64 is provided with a profiled outer surface 76 on its side facing the inner side 38 of the housing 26 and / or the outer peripheral surface 66 of the piston tube 34. The profiling is, for example, ribs running transversely to the axial direction A or another suitable structure that increases a sealing effect and / or friction between the seal 64 and the adjacent surfaces.

[0065] The annular gap 72 is narrower than the gap 37, i.e. the distance between the outer circumferential surface 66 of the piston tube 34 and the inner side 38 of the housing 26 in the region of the piston-side section 68 of the seal 64. As a result, the seal 64 is radially constricted in the annular gap 72.

[0066] In addition, the cap-side section 70 is offset radially inwardly relative to the piston-side section 68 in longitudinal section, since the seal rests against the tapered contour of the outer peripheral surface 66 of the piston tube 34.

[0067] Before the activation of the actuator 12, the seal 64 is one-piece, ie the piston-side section 68 and the cap-side section 70 merge into one another in one piece along the axial direction A. At this transition, the seal 64, in this example, has a predetermined tear area 78, which forms a weakening zone (see Fig. 2).

[0068] When the actuator 12 is activated, the control unit 24 sends an activation signal to the drive unit 18, and the pyrotechnic propulsion charge 20 is ignited. The resulting compressed gas flows into the interior of the piston tube 34, and due to the increased internal pressure compared to the ambient pressure, the entire piston 14 is displaced in the axial direction A. The piston tube 34 slides through the opening 58 in the component section 32, and the piston (14) lifts the component 16.

[0069] Figure 3 shows the actuator 12 in the actuated position and in the fully extended state of the piston 14. The end 46 of the piston tube 34 forms an end stop because its diameter is larger than the diameter of the opening 58 and than an inner diameter of the piston-side portion 68 of the seal 64.

[0070] When the piston 14 begins to slide through the opening 58, the piston-side section 68 of the seal 64 is axially held back by the component section 32, more precisely by its radial projection 73. At the same time, the cap-side section 70 of the seal 64 is carried along in the axial direction A during the displacement movement of the piston 14 by the clamping of the annular section 74 between the cover part 50 and the end face 42 of the piston tube 34. Therefore, the tear area 78 is loaded in the axial direction A, and the previously one-piece seal 64 splits into two separate areas, namely the cap-side section 70 and the piston-side section 68. The cap-side section 70 is carried along by the piston 14 in the displacement movement, while the piston-side section 68 remains in its position inside the housing 26.

[0071] Due to the continuous movement of the piston tube 34 in the axial direction A, the central section 36 of the piston tube 34 continuously pressurizes the piston-side section 68 of the seal 64 in the direction of the component section 32. Thus, the sealing effect between the outer peripheral surface 66 of the piston tube 34 and the inner side 38 of the housing 26 is constantly maintained. The profiled outer surface 76 provides support in this process.

[0072] The cap-side section 70 of the seal 64 remains clamped between the cover part 50 and the end face 42 of the piston tube 34, thus continuing to seal the interior of the piston tube 34 from the environment. Therefore, the compressed gas cannot escape significantly from either the housing 26 or the piston 14. To manufacture the actuator 12, an assembly is first formed from the housing 26, the piston tube 34, and the seal 64, which is inserted into the component section 32 such that the axial end 28 of the housing 26 rests against the underside of the component section 32, radially outward of the inner edge 62 of the opening 58 in the component section 32. In this state, the housing 26 is firmly fixed in relation to the component section 32 in a suitable manner.

[0073] The piston tube 34 extends with its end face 42 into the opening 58 and can also extend through it if necessary. The seal 64 is still a single piece and lies with its piston-side section 68 between the piston tube 34 and the housing 26, and with its cap-side section 70 between the piston tube 34 and the edge 60 of the opening 58 in the component section 32.

[0074] Next, the cap 48 is placed onto the piston tube 34 so that the pin-shaped projection 52 protrudes into the interior of the piston tube 34. The annular portion 74 of the cap-side portion 70 of the seal 64 is clamped between the end face 42 of the piston tube 34 and the underside 54 of the cover part 50 of the cap 48 in the gap 63.

[0075] The cover part 50 is fixed to the piston tube 34 by caulking the projection 52 inside the piston tube 34. For this purpose, a suitable tool is inserted from the end 46. This caulking takes place here in the region of the tapered intermediate section 44, in which the inner circumferential surface 56 of the piston tube 34 also tapers corresponding to the outer circumferential surface 66. Therefore, an axially lower end of the projection 52 widens during caulking to form a thickened portion 80 that has a larger diameter than the piston tube 34 in the region of the end face 42. In this way, the projection 52 is positively fixed to the piston tube 34.

[0076] Finally, the drive unit 18 is mounted in the housing 26.

Claims

Patent claims 1. Actuator (12), in particular in a vehicle protection system (10), with a housing (26) in which a piston (14) is accommodated displaceably in an axial direction (A), so that the piston (14) moves axially in the direction out of the housing (26) upon activation of the actuator (12), wherein a pressure-generating drive unit (18) is provided which generates a compressed gas for moving the piston (14), wherein the housing (26) is open at a first axial end (28), the piston (14) comprises a rigid piston tube (34) which is open at an end face (42) close to the first axial end (28) of the housing (26) in an unactuated initial position, a rigid cap (48) closing the end face (42) of the piston tube (34) and an annular seal (64), the cap (48) has a pin-shaped projection (52) which extends into the Piston tube (34) extends into it, the seal (64) has a piston-side section (68) and a cap-side section (70),which, prior to activation of the actuator (12), are axially adjacent to one another and merge into one another in one piece, the piston-side section (68) is clamped between an outer circumferential surface (66) of the piston tube (34) and an inner side (38) of the housing (26), and the cap-side section (70) extends axially adjacent to the piston-side section (68) along the piston tube (34) in the direction of the end face (42) of the piston tube (34), and wherein the seal (64) has a predetermined tear region (78) at which, upon activation of the actuator (12) during movement of the piston (14), the cap-side section (70) of the seal separates from the piston-side section (68) of the seal (64).

2. Actuator (12) according to claim 1, wherein the piston (14) projects out of the housing (26) in the axial direction (A) in the unactuated initial position and the housing (26) is fixed to an immovable component section (32) which has an opening (58) into which the piston tube (34) projects and through which the piston tube (34) moves when activated.

3. Actuator (12) according to claim 2, wherein the cap-side portion (70) of the seal (64) is clamped radially between the component portion (32) and the piston tube (34) prior to activation of the actuator (12).

4. Actuator (12) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the outer circumferential surface (66) of the piston tube (34) has an intermediate section (44) tapering in the direction of the end face (42), which intermediate section (44) axially adjoins a region extending from the end face (42) and which compresses, in particular shears and / or tears, the seal (64) between itself and the component section (32) during the movement of the piston (14).

5. Actuator (12) according to claim 4, wherein the component section (32) projects radially further inward in the direction of the piston tube (34) than the housing (26) and the seal (64) has a radial offset in longitudinal section from the piston-side section (68) to the cap-side section (70).

6. Actuator (12) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the seal (64) has a radially inwardly facing annular portion (74) which axially bears against the end face (42) of the piston tube (34).

7. Actuator (12) according to one of claims 4 to 6, wherein the pin-shaped projection (52) of the cap (48) is caulked in the region of the tapered intermediate section (44) of the piston tube (34).

8. Actuator (12) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the cap (48) of the piston (34) comprises a cover part (50) which has an underside (54) facing the piston tube (34), from which the pin-shaped projection (52) protrudes, in particular wherein the cap-side section (70) of the seal (64) rests against the underside (54) of the cover part (50).

9. Actuator (12) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the piston-side portion (68) of the seal (64) has a profiled outer surface (76) seen in a longitudinal section.

10. Actuator (12) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the drive unit (18) contains a pyrotechnic drive charge (20).

11. Vehicle protection system (10) with an actuator (12) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the actuator (12) is so arranged in a vehicle is arranged so that it acts on the hood of the vehicle and lifts it when activated.

12. A method for producing an actuator (12) according to one of claims 1 to 10, comprising the steps: Inserting an assembly comprising a housing (26), a piston tube (34), and a seal (64) into a component section (32) fixed to the vehicle, such that the first end (28) of the housing (26) bears against the component section (32) at its end face, and the piston tube (34) projects at least into the opening (58) in the component section (32), and the piston-side section (68) of the seal (64) is arranged between the inner side (38) of the housing (26) and the outer circumferential surface (66) of the piston tube (34), and the cap-side section (70) of the seal (64) is arranged between an inner edge (62) of the opening (58) and the outer circumferential surface (66) of the piston tube (34), axially adjacent to the end face (42) of the piston tube (34), Fixing the housing (26) to the component section (32), - placing the cap (48) on the end face (42) of the piston tube (34) so ​​that the pin-shaped projection (52) projects into the piston tube (34), and Caulking the pin-shaped projection (52) on an inner peripheral surface (56) of the piston tube (34).

13. The method according to claim 12, wherein the caulking takes place in a tapered intermediate section (44) of the piston tube (34) and produces a thickening (80) on the pin-shaped projection (52) which fixes the cap (48) axially to the piston tube (34).

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