Actuator Target Holder Snap-Fit Mounting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing actuators for vehicle axle steering systems require additional screwing to secure the target, which complicates the mounting process and may lead to measurement inaccuracies due to potential tilting or rotation of the target holder.
Innovation Solution
An actuator design featuring a push rod with a target holder that utilizes snap-fit contours to securely attach the target without the need for additional screwing, along with resilient spring tabs to prevent rotation and ensure accurate positioning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the target is secured using additional screws, then the mounting process becomes more complex and time-consuming, but the target holder may tilt or rotate leading to measurement inaccuracies
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the target holder base part with integrated snap-fit contours and spring tabs into a single unified component. This merging eliminates the need for separate screw fastening elements while providing both secure attachment and rotational prevention functions through the integrated snap-fit mechanism, thereby reducing mounting complexity while maintaining measurement accuracy
Solution Approach 2:
The snap-fit contours with spring tabs act as an intermediary mechanism between the target holder and the push rod. This intermediary structure provides a secure, precise connection that prevents tilting and rotation without requiring additional screw fastening elements, thus resolving the contradiction between mounting simplicity and measurement reliability
2Measurement precision
If the target holder is securely attached to prevent rotation, then measurement accuracy improves, but the mounting process becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The target holder is designed with self-centering spring tabs that automatically engage with the push rod during assembly. This self-service mechanism ensures precise positioning and prevents rotation without requiring complex alignment procedures or additional fastening operations, thereby improving measurement precision while maintaining ease of mounting
Solution Approach 2:
The spring tabs provide a dynamic, elastic connection that allows for self-adjustment during mounting while maintaining precise positioning. The resilient nature of the spring tabs enables automatic centering and rotation prevention without requiring complex static fastening mechanisms, thus improving measurement precision while keeping the mounting process simple
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
This design simplifies the mounting process by eliminating the need for additional screws and enhances measurement accuracy by securely holding the target holder in place, reducing the susceptibility to measurement errors.
Implementation Method 1
The snap-fit arms are elastically deformable in order to implement the snap-fit mounting of the target holder on the push rod
Implementation Method 2
at least one resiliently deformable spring tab is formed on the base part, which spring tab is designed to secure the target holder against rotation relative to the push rod
Data Source
AI summary
The disclosure relates to an actuator for an axle steering system of a vehicle that includes a push rod which is movable longitudinally within a housing, and a target holder for a target that is fastened releasably to the push rod. The target is designed to interact with a stationary sensor arrangement, and the target holder comprises a base part for receiving the target and at least one first clip contour, which is integrally formed on the base part, engages at least partially around the push rod and has a first clip arm and a second clip arm. The invention further relates to an axle steering system having such an actuator and to a vehicle having such an axle steering system.