One-Piece Bowden Cable Sealing for Vehicle Lock Modules
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle adjuster modules face challenges with dirt and water entering the bowden cable, leading to increased friction and requiring complex bellow-shaped sealings to prevent humidity and dirt ingress.
Innovation Solution
A simple and cost-effective sealing solution for vehicle adjuster modules, where a one-piece sealing encloses the bowden cable envelope at one end and extends over the core, abutting it in a sealing manner, preventing dirt and water entry while allowing for low friction movement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a bellow shaped sealing is used to prevent dirt and water entry, then sealing reliability is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing is divided into two functional regions: a first region that encloses the bowden cable envelope and a second region that extends over the core. This segmentation allows each region to perform its specific sealing function independently, achieving reliable sealing while maintaining simple one-piece construction for ease of manufacture.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the sealing have different functional properties: the first region provides enclosure and sealing against the envelope, while the second region provides sealing contact with the moving core. This local differentiation of quality ensures effective sealing at each interface without requiring complex overall structure.
2Reliability
If the sealing extends over the core to prevent dirt entry, then sealing effectiveness is improved, but friction increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing's second region contacts the core only where necessary for sealing, while maintaining core mobility. The local quality of the sealing surface and its interaction with the core is optimized to provide sealing effectiveness while minimizing friction and allowing smooth movement of the core within the envelope.
Data Source
AI summary
A motor vehicle lock module is provided for actuating a vehicle component which includes a locking element and a Bowden cable with a Bowden cable grommet and a core which is guided movably in the Bowden cable sleeve for the transmission of an adjusting force. The core is connected to the adjusting element at a first end. The Bowden cable sleeve can be received at least at a first end in an end piece. Furthermore, a one-piece seal is provided, which encloses the first end of the Bowden cable sleeve in a first region and extends in a second region via a region of the core emerging from the Bowden cable sleeve and sealing on the core is applied. The seal is designed to be pressed into the Bowden cable grommet in an end-piece-received condition in the first region from an end piece.