Integrated Motorized Strut Control for Compact Packaging and Clean Signals
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current motorized strut designs for vehicle closure panels face space constraints due to externally mounted motors and controllers, which can increase the strut's outer envelope and cause signal noise issues during operation.
Innovation Solution
Integrate electronic control circuitry and motor within the housing of an electromechanical biasing member, reducing packaging space requirements and improving sensing signal reception and processing quality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If motors and motor controllers are mounted on the exterior of the strut housing, then space constraints are addressed, but the strut outer envelope increases and signal noise issues occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the motor controller with the electric motor by integrating the controller circuit board within the motor housing. This consolidation eliminates the need for separate external mounting of controllers, thereby maintaining a compact strut outer envelope while ensuring that control signals remain close to the motor, reducing signal noise interference during operation.
2Device complexity
If motor controllers are positioned remote from electric motors, then space constraints are addressed, but signal noise considerations deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The controller circuit board is integrated within the motor housing, positioned in close proximity to the electric motor. This merging ensures that control and sensing signals remain localized, minimizing electromagnetic interference and noise while simplifying the overall device structure by eliminating remote positioning requirements.
3Ease of manufacture
If control circuitry is mounted externally on the strut housing, then ease of manufacturing is improved, but packaging space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The control circuitry is integrated within the motor housing, combining multiple functions (motor control, signal processing, and power management) into a single compact unit. This merging reduces the overall packaging space of the electromechanical biasing member while maintaining manufacturability through modular assembly processes.
Data Source
AI summary
An electromechanical biasing member for moving a closure panel between an open and a closed position relative to a motor vehicle body is provided. The electromechanical biasing member includes a housing having an inner cavity for housing an electric motor having a motor shaft and a rotary output member rotatable relative to the housing. An extension member within the housing and engageable with the rotary output member moves the closure panel between the open and closed positions in response to driving the electric motor. Also provided is a control unit positioned within the inner cavity and configured to drive the electric motor, the control unit including at least one controller board juxtaposed to the electric motor, and a plurality of control components mounted to the at least one controller board and configured to supply a drive signal to the electric motor and receive signals representative of operation of the electric motor.