Actuating Drive Bolt Sealing with X-Shaped Ring Seal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Motor vehicle actuators face challenges in compact installation, varying climatic conditions, and mechanical stress, requiring a solution that ensures reliability and protection against moisture and dirt while maintaining operational efficiency.
Innovation Solution
The actuator features a latch with a bolt that can move between positions, an elastic annular seal with an X-shaped cross-section for enhanced sealing, a drive mechanism including an electric motor or shape memory alloy, and a housing design with double walls and additional seals to prevent moisture and dust ingress, along with a bayonet connection for minimized installation space.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a conventional circular cross-section ring seal is used, then the structure is simple, but the sealing reliability is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The ring seal employs an X-shaped cross-section instead of a conventional circular cross-section. This asymmetric design creates multiple sealing contact surfaces that engage with the housing walls, significantly improving sealing reliability while maintaining reasonable structural complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The sealing mechanism transitions from a single-point or single-line contact in conventional circular seals to a multi-dimensional contact system. The X-shaped cross-section creates multiple band-shaped or line-shaped contact areas distributed across different spatial dimensions, enhancing sealing effectiveness
2Reliability
If the ring seal is placed outside the double wall, then assembly is easier, but sealing effectiveness against moisture and dust is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The ring seal is nested within the double wall structure of the housing, with the seal positioned in a groove between the two walls. This nested arrangement protects the seal from external contaminants while maintaining assembly feasibility through pre-formed grooves that guide seal installation
Solution Approach 2:
The double wall structure acts as an intermediary protective barrier between the ring seal and the external environment. This intermediate structure shields the seal from moisture and dust while still allowing the seal to perform its sealing function effectively
3Ease of operation
If the bolt is moved completely out of the housing, then access is improved, but sealing integrity is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing system is localized to specific critical areas where the bolt interacts with the housing. The ring seal is positioned at the opening where the bolt passes through, providing concentrated sealing protection at the most vulnerable point while allowing the bolt to move freely in other areas
Solution Approach 2:
The ring seal extends beyond the minimum necessary sealing area, creating an excessive or over-designed seal that ensures complete coverage of the opening. This partial extension of the seal provides a margin of safety that maintains sealing integrity even during full bolt extraction
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 actuator achieves reliable sealing, mechanical durability, and efficient operation in harsh conditions, ensuring long-term performance and adaptability to different applications with minimal technical effort and storage requirements.
Implementation Method 1
an elastic annular seal (6) with an X-shaped cross-section through which the bolt (3) passes
Implementation Method 2
the bolt (3) can be moved towards the housing against the spring force of a pre-tensioned spring
Implementation Method 3
a drive mechanism that moves the bolt. This is typically an electric drive, such as an electric motor or a drive mechanism based on a shape memory alloy
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5
AI summary
The invention relates to an actuating drive that is well suited for use in a motor vehicle and to a production method. The actuating drive comprises a bolt, which can be moved back and forth between two different positions, namely on principle at least partially out of and into a sealed housing. The actuating drive comprises a drive, by means of which the bolt can be moved. The actuating drive comprises a ring seal made of deformable material, through which the bolt is fed. The ring seal contributes to the sealing of the interior of the housing of the actuating drive from the outside in order to prevent dust or moisture from entering the interior of the housing. In order to achieve this sealing effect in an especially reliable manner, the ring seal has an X-shaped cross-section or lies tightly against the bolt in a circumferential manner with at least two regions of the ring seal extending in a band shape or a line shape.