Gas Spring Integrated Lead Screw Drive Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing gas spring systems require a separate motor and linkage for driven movement, which complicates the mechanism and reduces the effectiveness of the gas spring in driving closure movements between open and closed positions, especially in vehicle applications like lift gates.
Innovation Solution
A gas spring with a piston and cylinder configuration featuring a threaded connection and a rotating drive mechanism, allowing the piston to reciprocate within the cylinder using both compressed gas and manual force, enabling both driven and manual operation of vehicle closures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a separate motor and linkage are used for driven movement, then the closure can be driven between open and closed positions, but the mechanism becomes more complex and the gas spring effectiveness is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the motor and linkage functions directly into the gas spring assembly. The motor is mounted on the piston rod and drives the piston head through a threaded connection, eliminating the need for separate linkage components. This merging of functions reduces overall mechanism complexity while maintaining driven movement capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The gas spring assembly is designed to perform multiple functions: it provides cushioning during manual operation, enables driven movement through the integrated motor, and maintains structural support. The threaded connection between piston head and cylinder serves both as a mechanical connection and as a drive mechanism, making the system more versatile.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a separate motor and linkage are used, then driven movement is achieved, but the gas spring's ability to assist movement is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
By integrating the motor directly onto the piston rod and connecting it to the piston head via threaded connection, the gas spring remains physically connected to the closure assembly. This allows the gas spring to continue providing assistive force during both manual and driven operations, rather than being bypassed by a separate linkage system.
Solution Approach 2:
The threaded connection acts as an intermediary mechanism that transmits both the motor's rotational force and the gas spring's linear force to the piston head. This allows the gas spring to maintain its force contribution while the motor provides the driven movement capability.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the piston rod has screw threads for drive mechanism, then driven operation is enabled, but sealing becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The piston rod is designed with different local characteristics: the portion that passes through the seal has a smooth cylindrical surface for easy sealing, while the piston head portion has screw threads for driven operation. This local differentiation allows both sealing and driven functionality without compromise.
Solution Approach 2:
The piston rod is effectively segmented into two functional zones: a sealed portion with smooth surface that passes through the seal, and a threaded portion at the piston head for motor engagement. This segmentation allows each portion to be optimized for its specific function.
4Adaptability or versatility
If the screw thread is on the piston rod, then driven movement is possible, but the seal must accommodate complex geometry
Solution Approach 1:
The seal is positioned to interact only with the smooth cylindrical portion of the piston rod, not the threaded portion. This local quality differentiation simplifies the seal design and manufacturing, as the seal only needs to accommodate a simple cylindrical geometry rather than complex threaded features.
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 simplifies the mechanism by integrating the drive function into the gas spring, enhancing its ability to assist and control the movement of vehicle closures between open and closed positions with reduced mechanical complexity and increased operational flexibility.
Implementation Method 1
Compressed gas within the gas spring aids in driving the piston relative to the cylinder while the rotating drive is driving the piston rod
Implementation Method 2
The piston head preferably has a screw thread at an outer periphery that is engaged with a screw thread at an inner periphery of the cylinder forming a threaded connection between the piston and the cylinder
Data Source
AI summary
An improved gas spring has a drive motor for driving a piston. A piston head has a thread at an outer periphery that is guided along a mating thread in an inner periphery of a cylinder. The piston is caused to rotate relative to the cylinder, and is guided for reciprocating movement. In this manner, a drive motor is incorporated into the gas spring such that the gas spring has both a driven and a manual mode. The inventive gas spring has particular application in attaching a vehicle closure to a vehicle frame.