Vehicle Flap Actuator Using Flexible Tension Element
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle flap actuation devices face increased leakage issues due to the need for multiple seals on movable components, and the spatial constraints imposed by the arrangement of gas springs and motor drives.
Innovation Solution
A device design where the piston rod is the only sealed movable component, allowing for independent spatial arrangement of the gas spring and motor drive, utilizing a flexurally rigid guide and a flexible tension and compression element driven by a reversible motor, with additional support from a helical compression spring and a simple connection mechanism.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple seals are used on movable components guided from the interior of the cylinder, then the actuation device can guide multiple elements, but leakage problems increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the sealing function from multiple movable components and concentrates it on the piston rod only. The pushing and pulling element is redesigned to be guided within the piston rod's bore rather than being a separate externally guided component, eliminating the need for additional seals on this element.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the guiding function for the pushing and pulling element into the piston rod structure itself. The piston rod's bore serves as the guide, combining the piston rod's structural role with the guiding function, thereby reducing the number of separate sealing interfaces.
2Volume of moving object
If the gas spring and motor drive are arranged close to each other, then space is saved, but spatial independence is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes the longitudinal dimension of the piston rod to separate the functional arrangements. The motor drive can be positioned at the end of the piston rod's stroke path, while the gas spring operates along the piston rod's axis, allowing spatial independence along the longitudinal dimension while maintaining compact overall dimensions.
3Reliability
If the flexible tension and compression element is made long to match the piston rod extension length, then guidance is improved, but buckling risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a helical compression spring that acts as a counterbalancing element. This spring provides continuous contact and support to the flexible tension and compression element, preventing buckling by counteracting compressive forces while allowing the element to maintain its full longitudinal extent for proper guidance.
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
This design reduces leakage problems, allows for flexible placement of the motor drive, and enhances the push-out force with minimal additional construction space, ensuring reliable operation and efficient actuation of the vehicle flap.
Implementation Method 1
a gas spring having a cylinder extending in a longitudinal direction and a piston rod extending out of one side of the cylinder
Implementation Method 2
a helical compression spring which is supported at its one end on the connecting member and at its other end on a supporting member fixedly connected to the cylinder
Data Source
AI summary
The device for actuating a pivoting movement of a vehicle flap about a pivot axis includes a gas spring having a cylinder and a piston rod protruding from the cylinder. Either the cylinder or the piston rod is coupled to a fixed component of the vehicle body, and the other one of cylinder and piston rod is coupled to the flap at a distance from the pivot axis. A flexurally rigid guide extends parallel adjacent to the gas spring and is fixedly connected to the cylinder of the gas spring. One region of a flexible tension and compression element is guided in the guide and operatively connected to the flap, and a second region is guided in a flexible casing and operatively connected to a reversible drive, so that the flexible tension and compression element can be motor-driven.