Vehicle Loading Flap Cam Guide for Compact Low-Noise Actuation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing displacement mechanisms for vehicle loading flaps are costly, require high assembly effort, occupy excessive space, and face challenges with sealing and noise issues, especially when exposed to wet environments.
Innovation Solution
A covering device with a pivotable control element and a link guide system that adjusts the cover component between closing and opening positions, using a minimal number of components and space, with lower actuation forces and noise, and capable of operating in wet conditions without complex sealing measures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a conventional displacement mechanism with control slides, control tracks, and displacement tracks is used, then the loading flap can be displaced between closed and open positions, but the manufacturing costs and assembly effort increase due to a large number of components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the control slide, control track, and displacement track into a single integrated guide structure. The guide structure includes a guide section and a displacement section that work together as one component, eliminating the need for separate control slides and multiple tracks, thereby reducing the number of components while maintaining the displacement function
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated guide structure serves multiple functions simultaneously: it guides the loading flap during displacement, provides the displacement path, and replaces the functions of both control slides and control tracks. This multi-functional design reduces component count while achieving the same technical effect
2Reliability
If a linear adjustment movement of a rod is used to transmit the adjustment movement to the loading flap, then the flap can be positioned, but the installation space requirement increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a curved guide section in the integrated guide structure that provides a lifting movement through its arc-shaped path. This curved geometry replaces the need for long linear adjustment movements, enabling compact positioning of the loading flap within a smaller installation space while maintaining full positioning capability
3Volume of moving object
If riser cables are used to move the tank flaps, then the mechanism can be space-saving, but sealing requirements increase to prevent contamination and icing in wet areas
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the cable or chain mechanism from the system and replaces it with a rigid integrated guide structure. This eliminates the need for sealing against contamination and icing, as the guide structure is fixed and does not require flexible connections that would be susceptible to environmental damage in wet areas
4Object-generated harmful factors
If flocked riser cables are used to reduce operating noise, then noise is reduced, but the force and torque required to move the flap increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the flocked cable mechanism with a rigid guide structure that uses direct mechanical guidance through the guide section and displacement section. This substitution eliminates the need for flocked cables that create friction and noise, providing smooth operation with lower actuating forces through precise geometric guidance
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 provides a cost-effective, space-efficient, and low-noise operation of vehicle loading flaps, resistant to environmental influences, with reduced actuation forces and no need for complex sealing, enhancing the operational reliability and aesthetic quality.
Implementation Method 1
Part of the displacement mechanism forms a cam guide system, in which the cover component is adjustable by means of control tracks between a position closing the opening and a position opening the opening
Data Source
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AI summary
A cover device (50), in particular a loading flap device, is proposed, comprising a cover component (51) and a displacement mechanism for the cover component (51) for closing and opening an opening (52) in a vehicle body (2). The cover component (51) can be lowered below an adjacent area of the vehicle body (2) by means of a cam guide system (53), thereby allowing the cover component (51) to be adjusted between a position closing the opening (52) and a position opening the opening (52). A control element (54A, 54B) is provided, which can be pivoted about a pivot axis (55), in particular a stationary one, and which is operatively connected to the cover component (51) in a coupling area (59, 60A, 60B) spaced apart from the pivot axis (55).The cover component (51) is adjusted during a pivoting of the control element (54A, 54B) towards a position corresponding to the releasing position of the cover component (51), and during a further pivoting of the control element (54A, 54B) towards a position corresponding to the closing position of the cover component (51).