Compact Door Actuator with Integrated Base and Rack
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional door actuating devices for vehicular air-conditioning apparatuses are bulky, heavy, and difficult to assemble due to their complex link mechanisms and requirement for separate assembly of levers and rack members, which increases size and weight.
Innovation Solution
A simplified door actuating device with a link unit comprising a plate-like base member, levers mounted on the base member, and a rack member that transmits the drive force from an actuator, allowing for a compact and modular assembly that reduces the number of parts and weight.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the distances between the doors and the drive motor increase, then the door actuating device can accommodate more doors or larger vehicle configurations, but the link mechanism becomes larger in size due to increased lever radii of rotation and trajectories
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a rack member that moves in a linear direction perpendicular to the rotational plane of the levers. This dimensional change allows the drive force to be transmitted along a different path, reducing the radii of rotation and trajectories of the levers while maintaining the ability to actuate doors at various distances from the motor.
2Reliability
If the link mechanism is housed in a casing made of separate upper and lower cases, then the structure is protected and assembled, but the device increases in weight and assembly complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the base member serving as both the mounting surface for the link mechanism and the lower case of the housing into a single unified component. This merging eliminates the need for a separate lower case, reducing the number of parts, decreasing weight, and simplifying assembly while maintaining structural protection through the remaining upper case and side walls.
3Reliability
If the link mechanism includes separate upper and lower cases, then the components are protected, but the device becomes difficult to assemble and increases in weight
Solution Approach 1:
By combining the base member and lower case into one integrated component, the patent reduces the number of assembly steps from assembling multiple separate cases to simply mounting the unified base member. This significantly improves ease of manufacture and assembly while maintaining adequate protection through the upper case and side walls.
4Reliability
If conventional link mechanisms are used with separate levers and rack members, then the door actuation function is achieved, but the device is bulky and heavy
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the base member with the lower case into a single integrated component, reducing the total number of parts in the link mechanism. This consolidation maintains the door actuation function while decreasing the overall weight and bulk of the device by eliminating redundant structural elements.
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 results in a smaller, lighter, and easier-to-assemble door actuating device with more compact lever trajectories, enhancing assembly efficiency and reducing the overall size and weight compared to conventional systems.
Implementation Method 1
a rack member (56) movably disposed on the base member (50) and movable by a drive force transmitted from the actuator (20)
Data Source
AI summary
A door actuating device includes a plurality of doors disposed in a flow channel for adjusting a degree of opening of the flow channel defined in an air conditioner case, the doors having respective door drive shafts, and a link unit actuating at least two of the doors. The link unit includes an actuator, a plate-like base member having two surfaces, a link mechanism having a plurality of levers mounted on at least either one of the two surfaces of the base member, and a rack member movably disposed on the base member and movable by a drive force transmitted from the actuator.