Motor Vehicle Flap System with Inverted Actuation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Motor vehicle flap systems with actuating levers that protrude outward can pose obstacles, leading to potential entanglement or damage, as they may be caught by clothing or bent/broken under certain conditions.
Innovation Solution
The flap system design moves the flap inward along the inner side surface of the side wall when opening, with the actuating lever also positioned inside, using a guide axle for both components, allowing for a sliding motion and minimizing installation space. This design incorporates a spring element for assisted opening and a movement contour with a neutral and engagement section to guide the flap's motion, reducing friction and noise.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the actuating lever and flap are positioned on the outer surface of the side wall, then the opening mechanism is accessible and operable, but the flap and lever protrude outward creating obstacles that can entangle clothing or suffer damage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the conventional arrangement by positioning the actuating lever and flap on the inner surface of the side wall instead of the outer surface. The lever is mounted on the inner surface and extends through the wall thickness to engage the flap, which is also mounted on the inner surface. This inversion allows the mechanism to be hidden from the exterior, eliminating protrusions that could entangle clothing or suffer damage, while still providing accessible operation from the interior space.
2Ease of manufacture
If multiple separate components are used for the actuating lever and flap mounting, then each component can be optimized independently, but the device complexity increases and installation space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the actuating lever and flap mounting functions into a single integrated structure. The actuating lever is designed as one piece that includes both the actuating arm and the mounting interface for the flap. The lever is pivotally mounted on the inner surface and directly engages the flap through its length, eliminating the need for separate mounting brackets, hinges, or connection elements. This reduces the total component count and simplifies installation while maintaining independent optimization of the lever geometry and flap attachment.
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 ensures the flap operates without protruding outward, reducing the risk of entanglement or damage, saves components, minimizes installation space, and provides a smooth, efficient opening mechanism while maintaining structural integrity.
Implementation Method 1
a spring element is mounted on the actuating lever or on the flap, which exerts a force on the flap that pushes it towards the actuating lever
Data Source
Figure 1~5
Figure 6~8
Figure 9~11
AI summary
The invention relates to a motor vehicle flap system (10), comprising a lateral wall (2) having an inner side surface (6), an outer side surface (5) and a through-opening (3), a flap (4) which is mounted on the inner side surface (6) such that it can move between a closed position closing the through-opening (3), in which the flap (4) lies within the through-opening (3) and runs perfectly flush with the outer side surface (5), and an open position releasing the through-opening (3), and comprising an actuation lever (12) which is mounted on the inner side surface (6) such that it can swivel between a starting position and an end position, and, with a movement into the end position, said actuation lever is designed to move the flap (4) into the open position, wherein the flap (4) and the actuation lever (12) are swivellably mounted on a guide axis (14) arranged on the inner side surface (6).