Electric Strut Assembly With Adjustable Damping and Waterproof Motor Joint
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing automobile electric tailgate struts are noisy and prone to damage due to poor waterproof performance, with unreliable connections, complex structures, limited damper expansion, and short service life.
Innovation Solution
An electric strut with a compact internal structure, adjustable damper assembly, and integrated ball-and-socket joint design, featuring a plastic-coated metal and plastic ball-and-socket joint, a modular coupler assembly, and an integrated motor joint for improved durability and assembly efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a traditional motor and joint structure is used, then the electric strut can achieve basic functionality, but the motor has poor waterproof performance and is prone to damage from moisture ingress
Solution Approach 1:
The motor joint integrates the motor mounting structure, joint housing, and sealing components into a single unified structure. The motor is directly mounted within the joint housing which incorporates waterproof seals and protective features, eliminating the need for separate motor mounting brackets and individual sealing components. This merging approach achieves reliable waterproof protection while reducing overall structural complexity.
2Ease of manufacture
If the supporting pipe connection structure is simplified, then assembly becomes easier, but the connection between the supporting pipe and ball-and-socket joint becomes unreliable
Solution Approach 1:
The connection structure is divided into distinct functional segments: a insertion portion on the supporting pipe, a receiving portion in the ball-and-socket joint, and a separate locking mechanism. The insertion portion fits into the receiving portion, and the locking mechanism secures the connection. This segmentation allows for simple assembly through straightforward insertion while maintaining high reliability through the dedicated locking feature that prevents disconnection.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the damper assembly uses a fixed design, then the structure is simpler, but the damper assembly has poor expansion capability and requires new parts for different projects
Solution Approach 1:
The damper assembly incorporates adjustable elements that allow modification of damping characteristics without requiring complete redesign. The damper structure includes adjustable components such as variable orifice plates or adjustable friction elements that can be tuned to provide different damping forces. This dynamic adjustability enables the same damper assembly to adapt to different project requirements while maintaining a relatively simple base structure.
4Duration of action of stationary object
If the electric strut uses conventional design, then production is straightforward, but the product has a short service life due to noise and wear
Solution Approach 1:
The electric strut incorporates damping elements and vibration isolation features designed to reduce operational noise and wear before harmful effects accumulate. The damper assembly is pre-configured with damping materials and friction elements that cushion movements and absorb vibrations during normal operation. This beforehand cushioning approach reduces noise generation and minimizes wear on moving parts, thereby extending the overall service life of the electric strut.
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 provides a reliable, quiet, and durable electric strut with adjustable damping for various applications, reducing the risk of spring bursting and extending product life while simplifying assembly and production.
Implementation Method 1
a wave spring (75) is placed at a bottom portion of the damper housing (76)... friction damping will occur between the friction sheet (73) and the friction plates (72, 74)
Implementation Method 2
friction damping will occur between the friction sheet (73) and the friction plates (72, 74), thus forming the internal resistance of the strut
Implementation Method 3
one end of the supporting pipe (3) is squeezed and deformed inwardly by a slot rolling process and then clamped into the slot (14) of the metal joint (12)
Implementation Method 4
a spring (4) is sleeved on surfaces of the supporting pipe (3) and the special-shaped conduit (5)... so that the tailgate can be opened and closed along with the extension/contraction of the strut
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~6
AI summary
A novel electric strut is disclosed, including an electric strut casing in which a supporting pipe casing is sleeved. A supporting pipe is installed in the supporting pipe casing, a screw rod is installed at a rear end of the supporting pipe and has a front end connected with the rear end of the supporting pipe through a screw rod nut, a front end of the supporting pipe is connected with a ball-and-socket joint, a special-shaped conduit is sleeved outside the screw rod and located in the electric strut casing, a spring is sleeved on surfaces of the supporting pipe and the special-shaped conduit, an adjustable damper is mounted at a tail portion of the screw rod, a motor is mounted in the electric strut casing at a rear end of the screw rod and connected with the screw rod through a coupler assembly, a rear end of the electric strut casing is sealed through an integrated motor joint integrally fixed to a tail portion of the motor. The novel electric strut has compact internal structure and high connection strength, and comprises the adjustable damper assembly meanwhile, so that the novel electric strut is capable of being subjected to platform-based adjustment to adapt to development requirements of different projects.