Charge Port Door Assembly With Central Actuator Layout
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing charge port door assemblies in electric vehicles face issues with increased size and weight due to the placement of actuators, leading to shaft distortion and reduced operability.
Innovation Solution
The proposed charge port door assembly includes a housing, a door, a first shaft, a second shaft, and an actuator positioned between the first and second shafts. The actuator includes a rotor connected to the first shaft and a second projection connected to the second shaft through a connection pin, with sealing mechanisms to prevent moisture and foreign objects from entering.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the actuator is placed in a biased position on either side of the housing, then the actuator can be easily installed and maintained, but the size and weight of the charge port door assembly increase and the shaft length increases causing distortion
Solution Approach 1:
The actuator is repositioned from a biased lateral position to a central position between the first and second shafts. This dimensional relocation optimizes the spatial arrangement, reducing shaft lengths and preventing distortion while maintaining ease of installation and maintenance through the centralized configuration
2Ease of manufacture
If the actuator is placed in a biased position on either side of the housing, then the actuator can be easily installed and maintained, but the size and weight of the charge port door assembly increase
Solution Approach 1:
The actuator is repositioned from a biased lateral position to a central position between the first and second shafts. This dimensional relocation optimizes the spatial arrangement, reducing shaft lengths and preventing distortion while maintaining ease of installation and maintenance through the centralized configuration
Solution Approach 2:
The door assembly is divided into two independent shaft systems (first shaft and second shaft) that can be independently supported and sealed. This segmentation allows for optimized component placement and reduced overall weight while maintaining structural integrity
3Ease of operation
If the shaft length is increased due to biased actuator placement, then the actuator can be positioned for easy access, but the shaft experiences distortion which degrades door operability
Solution Approach 1:
The actuator is repositioned from a biased lateral position to a central position between the first and second shafts. This dimensional relocation optimizes the spatial arrangement, reducing shaft lengths and preventing distortion while maintaining ease of installation and maintenance through the centralized configuration
Solution Approach 2:
A support structure with support projections is introduced as an intermediary element between the actuator and the shafts. This mediator provides additional support points that prevent shaft distortion while maintaining actuator accessibility, thereby preserving door operability
Data Source
AI summary
An embodiment charge port door assembly includes a housing including an opening, a door movable relative to the housing, a first shaft configured to move the door, a second shaft spaced apart from the first shaft, and an actuator disposed between the first shaft and the second shaft and configured to drive the first shaft or the second shaft.