Boot Lid Drive Layout With Sealed Shaft Through Drain Channel
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing powered boot lid mechanisms are prone to noise, dirt, dust, and water ingress, which can damage the components and transfer contaminants to the boot space, and are often bulky or obstructive.
Innovation Solution
A drive mechanism with a rotatable shaft extending through a panel from the interior to the exterior of the vehicle, utilizing a powered linear actuator and a sealed rolling bearing, separated from the exterior environment, and connected via a series of arms to the boot lid, reducing noise and contamination exposure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a powered linear actuator with a reciprocating shaft is used to open and close the boot lid, then the drive mechanism can be simple and effective, but the mechanism is exposed to the exterior environment where it accumulates dirt, dust, and water, leading to damage and noise
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the drive mechanism from the exterior environment by positioning it entirely within the vehicle interior. The linear actuator is mounted inside the vehicle with its shaft extending through a panel opening, but the motor and main mechanism remain protected inside, separating the sensitive components from dirt, dust, and water exposure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a rotatable shaft extending through a panel as an intermediary element. This shaft transmits rotational motion from the interior-mounted actuator to the boot lid on the exterior side, allowing the drive mechanism to remain protected while still performing its function on the exterior.
2Ease of operation
If the drive mechanism is positioned on the exterior side of the vehicle panel, then it can directly drive the boot lid, but it becomes noisy and susceptible to dirt and water ingress
Solution Approach 1:
The drive mechanism is extracted from the exterior environment and positioned entirely within the vehicle interior. The linear actuator's motor and main mechanism are housed inside the vehicle, removing them from exposure to noise-amplifying exterior conditions and contaminants.
Solution Approach 2:
A rotatable shaft extending through a panel serves as an intermediary, transmitting motion from the interior-mounted actuator to the exterior boot lid. This allows direct drive capability to be maintained while the actual drive mechanism remains protected from harmful exterior factors.
3Device complexity
If a telescopic strut mechanism is used to open and close the boot lid, then the structure can be simple, but the struts are visible and obstructive when putting items in the boot space
Solution Approach 1:
The patent eliminates the visible telescopic strut mechanism by extracting the drive function entirely into the vehicle interior. The linear actuator is mounted inside the vehicle and connects to the boot lid through the panel opening, removing all mechanical components from the boot space and eliminating visual obstruction.
Solution Approach 2:
The rotatable shaft extending through the panel acts as an intermediary that transmits force without occupying boot space. Unlike telescopic struts that extend into the boot area, this shaft remains concealed within the vehicle structure, maintaining full boot space accessibility.
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 solution effectively reduces noise and protects the drive mechanism from environmental contaminants, ensuring reliable operation and cleanliness within the boot space.
Implementation Method 1
The rotatable shaft may be journalled to the inner ring of a rolling bearing, such as a ball bearing.
Data Source
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AI summary
An automobile comprises an automatically opening and closing boot lid having a drive mechanism located on the dry side of the drain channel and a rotatable shaft extending into the wet side of the drain channel, in order to provide drive to an arm which opens and closes the boot lid. The drive mechanism may be a linear actuator, such as a spindle drive, but drive is transmitted through the drain channel as torque.