Actuator Latching Connection for Round Housing
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Solution Overview
Problem
The high variability in gear mechanism designs for actuators in motor vehicles leads to costly and complex housing adaptations, requiring multiple screw connections for the cover, resulting in increased manufacturing and assembly costs.
Innovation Solution
A second chamber with a round cross section and a corresponding round cover, secured with a single latching connection, allowing for adaptable gear mechanism arrangements and simplified manufacturing, with optional ring-based latching and positional alignment features.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the housing cross section is adapted to different gear mechanism designs, then the actuators can accommodate various installation conditions, but the variety of housing shapes increases manufacturing costs
Solution Approach 1:
The housing is designed with a standardized round cross-section that can accommodate multiple gear mechanism designs through internal arrangement variations rather than external shape changes. This universal housing design serves multiple functions across different actuator configurations, eliminating the need for custom housings for each gear mechanism type.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of changing the housing cross-sectional shape to adapt to different gear mechanisms, the invention changes the arrangement parameters of components within the standardized round housing. The gear mechanism, electric motor, and actuating member can be positioned differently within the same housing cross-section to meet various installation conditions.
2Reliability
If multiple screw connections are used to fasten the cover to the housing, then the connection is secure, but the assembly and manufacturing processes become more complex and costly
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and eliminates the need for multiple screw connections by implementing a latching mechanism that provides secure attachment with a single connection point. The latching connection integrates the fastening function that previously required multiple screws, simplifying the assembly process while maintaining connection security.
Solution Approach 2:
A latching mechanism serves as an intermediary element between the cover and housing, providing a secure connection through a single latching point. This intermediary component enables reliable attachment without requiring multiple direct screw connections between the cover and housing surfaces.
3Manufacturing precision
If the second chamber has an irregular cross section to match specific gear mechanism designs, then the components can be precisely fitted, but the cover design becomes highly variable and expensive to manufacture
Solution Approach 1:
The cover is designed with a standardized round cross-section that universally fits the standardized round second chamber. This universal cover design can be used across different actuator configurations without requiring custom shapes for each application, significantly reducing manufacturing costs while maintaining precise fit through the standardized interface.
Data Source
AI summary
An actuator includes: a housing, an electric motor arranged in a chamber of the housing, and a gear mechanism, which is connected, on the input side, to a shaft of the electric motor and, on the output side, to a control element. The gear mechanism is arranged in a second chamber of the housing and the second chamber is closed by a round cover. The second chamber has a round cross-section and is closed by the round cover.