Motor Vehicle Flap Joint Device with Dual-Function Spring
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing joint mechanisms for motor vehicle flap units do not effectively prevent unintentional movement of flap elements, leading to a target conflict between adjusting or moving the flap elements and preventing undesirable movements.
Innovation Solution
A joint device for a motor vehicle flap unit featuring a wave shaft with a support unit, a swivel unit, a brake unit, and a screw spring unit, which allows for manual adjustment between two positions while preventing unintentional movement through a combination of translational and torsional spring effects.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a joint mechanism is designed to allow easy manual adjustment of the flap element between positions, then the ease of operation is improved, but the flap element becomes susceptible to unintentional movement and lacks stability
Solution Approach 1:
The spring element's force characteristics are adjusted to provide different levels of resistance during movement versus holding. The spring is pre-tensioned to create a braking effect that prevents unintentional movement while allowing controlled manual adjustment when force is applied by the user.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring element is pre-loaded to create a preliminary counteracting force that opposes unintentional movement of the flap element. This pre-tensioned state creates a braking effect that must be overcome by deliberate user action, thereby preventing accidental movement while maintaining ease of intentional adjustment.
2Reliability
If a spring element is used to provide braking effect and prevent unintentional movement, then the reliability is improved, but the effort required to adjust the flap element increases
Solution Approach 1:
The spring element is designed with specific force characteristics that provide strong braking effect at rest positions while allowing smooth movement when force is applied. The spring constant and pre-tension are optimized to create high holding force without excessive resistance during controlled adjustment, balancing reliability with ease of operation.
3Device complexity
If a helical spring unit functions as both torsion spring and compression spring, then the device complexity is reduced, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
A single helical spring element is designed to perform both torsional and compressive functions simultaneously. The spring's geometry, material properties, and mounting configuration are engineered to provide both rotational assistance and axial braking effects, eliminating the need for separate spring components and reducing overall device complexity.
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 joint device enables ergonomic and efficient adjustment of the flap unit by allowing it to be manually adjusted between two positions while ensuring that the flap element remains securely in place, preventing unintentional movement and enhancing user experience.
Implementation Method 1
The coil spring unit (21) is arranged directly on the support unit (8) and on the swivel unit (11) in a torsionally tense state
Implementation Method 2
The coil spring unit (21) is clamped in the first end position (P1) between the support unit (8) and the brake unit (18) in a compressionally tense state
Implementation Method 3
the brake structures (19, 20) are in direct contact with one another... generate a braking torque (30) around the pivot axis (7)
Data Source
Figure 1~3
Figure 4~7
Figure 8~9
AI summary
The invention relates to a joint device (1) comprising a shaft (4) that is rotatably connected to a shaft receptacle (5) of the motor vehicle; a support unit (8) fixedly arranged thereon; a pivoting unit (11) arranged on the shaft (4) which is pivotable about the shaft (4) between a first end position (P1) and a second end position (P2); a brake unit (18) comprising a brake structure (19) fixed to the pivoting unit (11) and a brake structure (20) arranged rotatably on the shaft (4), wherein the brake structures (19, 20) face directly towards each other.The joint device (1) further comprises a helical spring unit (21) which is arranged along the torsional tension direction (28) directly on the support unit (8) and on the pivot unit (11) and is clamped in the first end position (P1) of the pivot unit (11), wherein the pivot unit (11) is tensioned by means of the helical spring unit (21) along an outer circumferential direction of the shaft (4) in the torsional tension direction (28). Furthermore, the helical spring unit (21) is arranged and clamped along a translational tension direction (27) between the support unit (8) and the brake unit (18), wherein the brake structures (19, 20) are tensioned towards each other along the shaft (4) opposite to the translational tension direction (27) by means of the helical spring unit (21). A flap unit (2) with a joint device (1) is also proposed.