Vehicle Cover Assembly With Self-Locking Linear Drive
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cover assemblies for automobile components like fuel tank, charging port, and door handle areas face complexity in drive apparatus setup due to the need for directional changes in the drive assembly, leading to increased complexity and potential issues with holding or opening forces.
Innovation Solution
A cover assembly with a housing, movable cover, and drive assembly where the first end of the drive assembly moves linearly, and the second end is rotatably connected to the cover, utilizing guide portions to facilitate movement from a closed to an open position, allowing the cover to self-lock or open based on varying holding forces by adjusting the angle between the drive block and the linear direction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the drive assembly changes movement direction to drive the cover relative to the door plate, then the cover can be opened and closed, but the drive apparatus becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The drive assembly transitions from linear motion to rotational motion, changing the dimension of movement. The first end moves linearly along the guide portion while the second end rotates relative to the cover, utilizing dimensional transformation to simplify the drive mechanism and eliminate the need for multiple directional actuators
Solution Approach 2:
The connection between the drive assembly and cover changes from fixed to dynamic. The second end of the drive assembly is rotatably connected to the first end of the cover, allowing the connection to adapt its orientation during operation. This dynamic connection simplifies the drive apparatus by eliminating rigid directional constraints
2Reliability
If additional locking apparatuses are added to ensure holding forces, then the holding reliability improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The drive assembly provides self-locking functionality through its mechanical design. The rotational connection and guide portion geometry create natural holding forces that maintain the cover in closed position without requiring separate locking mechanisms. The system serves its own locking function, eliminating additional apparatus
Solution Approach 2:
The holding force is controlled by adjusting the angle between the drive block and the linear direction, rather than adding locking apparatus. By changing the geometric parameter (angle), the system achieves variable holding forces suitable for different applications, maintaining reliability while simplifying the device structure
Data Source
AI summary
The present application relates to a cover assembly including a housing, a cover, and a drive assembly. The housing has an accommodation space. The cover is movable relative to the housing and has a closed position and an open position, the cover closing a door plate opening on a door plate when the cover is in the closed position; and the cover is accommodated in the accommodation space and exposes the door plate opening when the cover is in the open position. A first end of the drive assembly can move linearly in a first direction, a second end of the drive assembly can be rotatably connected to a first end of the cover, the housing defines a first guide portion and a second guide portion, the first end of the cover can move along the first guide portion, and a second end of the cover can move along the second guide portion. The cover assembly of the present application can drive the cover to move through a drive device with a simple structure. Further, the cover of the present application can enable holding (self-locking) or opening (emergency opening) of the cover according to requirements of different holding forces of different customers.