Vehicle Interior Actuator With Integrated Spiral Spring Return
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle equipment devices, such as headrests and armrests, require actuator devices that occupy significant installation space and have high weights, making them inefficient and cumbersome.
Innovation Solution
A compact and lightweight actuator device is developed, utilizing a spiral spring as a reset device to automatically return the actuating element to its unactuated position, thereby minimizing space and weight requirements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a conventional actuating device with metal helical spring is used, then the actuating element can be reliably returned to unactuated position, but the device occupies significant installation space and has high weight
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the conventional metal helical spring with a spiral spring made of plastic material that is integrated into the actuating element via injection molding. This substitution of material and integration method significantly reduces weight while maintaining the return function reliability through proper spiral geometry design
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the spring function directly into the actuating element by co-injection molding, creating an integrated component where the spiral spring is formed as part of the actuating element structure. This eliminates separate spring components and reduces overall device weight and complexity
2Reliability
If a conventional actuating device with metal helical spring is used, then the actuating element can be reliably returned to unactuated position, but the device requires large installation space
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the spring function and actuating element into a single integrated component through co-injection molding. This merging eliminates the need for separate spring housings and mounting structures, significantly reducing the installation space required while maintaining reliable return function
Solution Approach 2:
The spiral spring is nested within the actuating element structure, with the spring coils contained within the molded geometry of the actuating element itself. This nesting approach minimizes the external dimensions required for the actuating device
3Ease of manufacture
If multiple separate components are used for actuating device, then assembly and disassembly are simple, but the device has high weight and large installation space
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates multiple functions (actuating element, spring, mounting features) into a single co-injected molded part. This merging eliminates the need for assembly of separate spring and housing components, reducing weight and complexity while maintaining ease of manufacture through injection molding processes
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated actuating element performs multiple functions simultaneously: it provides the actuation mechanism, contains the spiral spring for return function, and includes integrated mounting features. This multi-functionality reduces the number of separate components needed, lowering weight and simplifying assembly
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 actuator device is produced as a plastic injection molding part, offering low weight and small installation space, while maintaining efficient operation and easy assembly.
Implementation Method 1
The spring deflection occurs through a relative movement of the inner end region relative to the outer end region in the adjustment direction parallel to the central axis of the spring
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates, among other things, to an actuating device (15) for actuating a vehicle interior accessory, comprising an actuating element which is movable relative to a housing between an unactuated position and an actuated position in opposite adjustment directions (y1, y2) and is biased into the unactuated position by means of a return device, wherein an element of the accessory cooperating with the actuating element can be displaced. The special feature is that the return device comprises at least one spring (18) designed as a coil spring with an outer end region (25) and an inner end region (26).