Vehicle Lid Locking Pin Layout for Frozen Seal Opening
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle lid actuation systems are complex, expensive, and inefficient, particularly at low temperatures due to frozen seals, requiring high forces to operate and often failing to overcome ice resistance.
Innovation Solution
A locking system with a roto-translating pin actuated by an electric motor and gear mechanism, allowing for efficient lid operation by applying force away from the hinge, with a high reduction ratio to minimize power requirements and accommodate frozen seals.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the actuator is positioned close to the hinge fulcrum to move the lid, then the lid can be actuated, but the actuator must provide high force making it complex, expensive and oversized
Solution Approach 1:
The patent repositions the actuator from a location near the hinge fulcrum to a location at the distal end of the lid, changing the spatial dimension of force application. This dimensional change transforms the lever arm configuration, allowing the actuator to apply force at the most effective point far from the fulcrum, thereby reducing the required actuator force and complexity while maintaining lid actuation capability.
2Reliability
If the actuator provides high force to move the lid against frozen seals at low temperatures, then the lid can be opened/closed, but the actuator becomes oversized and complex
Solution Approach 1:
By relocating the actuator to the distal end of the lid, the patent maximizes the lever arm length, which mechanically amplifies the actuator's output force. This dimensional repositioning enables the actuator to overcome the high resistance forces from frozen seals without requiring an oversized or complex actuator design, thereby maintaining reliability at low temperatures while controlling actuator size.
3Device complexity
If the actuator is positioned to apply force away from the hinge, then force requirements are reduced, but the actuator must be positioned at the distal end of the lid
Solution Approach 1:
The patent accepts the spatial consequence of positioning the actuator at the distal end of the lid as a necessary trade-off to achieve reduced force requirements. The design integrates the actuator into the lid structure at this location, using the full length of the lid as the lever arm to minimize the actuator's power and force output requirements.
4Device complexity
If manual operation of the lid is required when the lock is open, then the locking mechanism is simple, but the lid cannot be automatically moved
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the lid operation into two distinct functional segments: the locking mechanism (handled by a simple lock and key or electronic lock) and the lid movement (handled by a separate actuator). This segmentation allows the locking mechanism to remain simple while the lid movement is fully automated through the actuator positioned at the distal end, which can move the lid to and from the locked position without manual intervention.
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 system provides a practical, efficient, and cost-effective solution for operating vehicle lids at low temperatures, ensuring reliable sealing and minimal force application, even when seals are frozen.
Implementation Method 1
an actuator (1) of the lock suitable for actuating the lock (106)... an electric motor and gear mechanism
Implementation Method 2
a roto-translating pin actuated by an electric motor and gear mechanism, allowing for efficient lid operation by applying force away from the hinge, with a high reduction ratio to minimize power requirements
Data Source
AI summary
A locking system for locking a lid of a vehicle including: a lid, a movement actuator for moving the lid, a lock having a roto-translating pin with a head suitable for being engaged in a seat of the lid, and an actuator of the lock that moves the roto-translating pin. The actuator has an electric motor and a motion reducer. The electric motor is suitably configured so as to rotate in a first rotational direction to move the roto-translating pin from a retracted position to an extracted position, and in a second rotational direction to move the roto-translating pin from the extracted position to the retracted position.