Actuator Connecting Structure for Vehicle Opening Flap Rigidity
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing connection structures for actuators and opening flaps in motor vehicle exterior paneling components often result in surface damage and deformation due to high aerodynamic forces, leading to a compromised appearance and increased weight when trying to enhance rigidity.
Innovation Solution
A connection structure featuring a carrier arrangement with stiffening elements, such as outer carriers and cross members, that can be connected to the opening flap to provide targeted rigidity without increasing the overall weight, using a rotary joint or ball joint to manage forces effectively.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the wall thickness of the opening flap is increased to prevent deformation under high aerodynamic forces, then the rigidity and surface stability are improved, but the weight of the component increases
Solution Approach 1:
The support arrangement segments the opening flap into multiple supported regions through several supports distributed across the flap surface. This segmentation provides localized reinforcement without requiring uniform thickness increase throughout the entire flap, thereby maintaining rigidity while minimizing weight increase.
Solution Approach 2:
The support arrangement applies reinforcement locally at specific critical areas of the opening flap where aerodynamic forces cause deformation. Instead of uniformly increasing wall thickness, supports are strategically positioned to provide rigidity only where needed, optimizing the weight-strength ratio.
2Device complexity
If the opening flap is directly connected to the actuator, then the device complexity is reduced, but the surface quality deteriorates due to deformation and damage under high loads
Solution Approach 1:
The support arrangement acts as an intermediary structure between the opening flap and the actuator connection. It distributes and redirects forces from the actuator through multiple support points to the flap, preventing concentrated loads that would cause surface deformation and damage, thereby preserving surface quality.
Solution Approach 2:
The support arrangement introduces a spatial dimension to the force distribution by positioning supports at multiple locations across the flap surface. This dimensional distribution of support points transforms the force application from a single-point connection to a distributed multi-point system, preventing localized deformation.
3Weight of moving object
If the opening flap is designed with thin walls to reduce weight, then the overall weight is reduced, but the component becomes susceptible to deformation and surface damage under high aerodynamic forces
Solution Approach 1:
The support arrangement segments the thin-walled opening flap into multiple rigid zones, preventing overall deformation while maintaining the lightweight thin-wall design. The segmentation provides structural reinforcement at critical points without requiring thick walls throughout.
Solution Approach 2:
The support arrangement applies localized reinforcement at specific areas of the thin-walled flap where aerodynamic forces are most intense. This local quality approach maintains surface integrity and prevents damage at critical locations while preserving the lightweight characteristics of the thin-wall design elsewhere.
Data Source
Figure 1A~1C
Figure 2A~2D
Figure 3A~4B
AI summary
The present invention relates to a connection structure (28) for connecting an actuator (33) to an opening flap (16) for opening and closing an exterior panel component (12) of a motor vehicle (10), wherein the connection structure (28) comprises at least one support arrangement (31) that can be connected to the opening flap (16) and at least one connecting section (32) arranged on the support arrangement (31), with which the opening flap (16) can be connected to the actuator (33) for moving the opening flap (16). The invention further relates to an exterior panel component (12) with such a connection structure (28) and to a motor vehicle (10) comprising such an exterior panel component (12).