Automotive Charging Flap Guide Rail Drive for Precise Synchronous Motion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing closure devices for automotive vehicle charging or tank flaps lack precision and reliability in opening and closing operations.
Innovation Solution
A closure device with a drive unit comprising an electrical actuator, guide rails, carriages, and gear units that facilitate synchronous movement of the flap element, ensuring precise and reliable opening and closing through a combination of traversing and lifting motions, and includes an emergency unlocking mechanism for manual operation when deenergized.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a simple push-pull cable mechanism is used for flap traversal, then the device complexity is reduced, but the manufacturing precision and reliability of opening/closing operations deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The closure device is segmented into multiple independent functional components: guide rails for precise positioning, carriages for movement execution, gear units for synchronous drive transmission, and an electrical actuator for controlled operation. Each component performs a specific function, and their coordinated interaction achieves precise flap element positioning while maintaining reasonable overall device complexity.
2Device complexity
If a single guide rail is used, then the device complexity is reduced, but the reliability of synchronous flap element movement deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The guide rails are provided with different regional characteristics: a traversing region with guide grooves for linear movement and a lifting region with differently oriented guide grooves for vertical positioning. This local differentiation in guide rail structure enables the flap element to perform both horizontal traversal and vertical lifting motions reliably along a defined path, ensuring synchronous and controlled movement throughout the entire operation cycle.
3Ease of operation
If only automated electrical actuation is used, then the ease of operation is improved, but the reliability in deenergized states deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The gear unit is designed with inherent self-locking capability that prevents reverse movement from the driven side to the driving side. This preliminary mechanical lock design ensures that the flap element remains securely positioned in its closed state even when the electrical actuator is deenergized, providing fail-safe operation without requiring additional active locking mechanisms.
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
Ensures precise and reliable opening and closing of charging or tank flaps, with the ability to operate even in a deenergized state, enhancing the functionality and reliability of the closure mechanism.
Implementation Method 1
a drive unit (14a, 14b) comprising an electrical actuator (16a, 16b) for traversing the flap element (12a, 12b) between a closed position and an open position
Implementation Method 2
The drive unit (14a, 14b) includes at least one gear unit (28a, 28b) for the synchronous transmission, to both carriages (24a, 24b; 26a, 26b), of a drive movement generated by the actuator (16a, 16b)
Implementation Method 3
the guide unit (18a, 18b) includes two guide rails (20a, 20b; 22a, 22b) extending in parallel to one another and two carriages (24a, 24b; 26a, 26b) arranged to be traversable on the guide rails
Data Source
AI summary
The invention is based on a closure device for a charging or tank flap of an automotive vehicle, comprising a flap element, comprising a drive unit including an electrical actuator for traversing the flap element between a closed position and an open position and a guide unit disposed within a body of the automotive vehicle, wherein the guide unit includes two guide rails extending in parallel to one another and two carriages arranged to be traversable on the guide rails, on which the flap element is arranged.The drive unit may include at least one gear unit for the synchronous transmission, to both carriages, of a drive movement generated by the actuator.