Plastic Joint Part for Vehicle Linear Drive Cost Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing linear drives for motor vehicle adjustment elements, such as tailgates, are costly and heavy due to their steel configuration, which poses a risk of abrupt movement and destruction upon joint part failure.
Innovation Solution
Configuring the joint part of the linear drive from plastics materials like POM or PA, allowing for integral structural stabilization and reduced material costs through injection molding, with connecting formations for drive train components to enhance structural stability and flexibility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the joint part is configured from steel, then the mechanical stability and strength are improved, but the material costs, production costs, and component weight increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material parameter from steel to plastics material (such as POM or PA), fundamentally altering the material properties to reduce cost and weight while maintaining sufficient mechanical stability through integral structural design
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses plastics material as a composite alternative to traditional steel, achieving a balance between mechanical performance and cost-effectiveness through the inherent properties of engineered plastics
2Strength
If the joint part is configured from steel, then the mechanical stability is improved, but the component weight increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material parameter from steel to plastics material, fundamentally altering the density and weight characteristics while maintaining structural integrity through integral design
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the joint part into functionally optimized zones (bearing portion, joining part, connecting portion) that can be integrally molded from plastics, allowing weight reduction without compromising structural requirements in critical areas
3Ease of manufacture
If the joint part is configured from plastics material, then the material and production costs are reduced, but the mechanical stability may be impaired
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the bearing portion, joining part, and connecting portion into a single integrally molded plastics component, creating structural stabilization through unity that compensates for the lower inherent strength of plastics material
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality optimization by designing specific geometric features and structural reinforcements in critical areas of the plastics joint part to enhance mechanical stability where needed while maintaining cost-effectiveness overall
Data Source
AI summary
The disclosure relates to a linear drive for an adjustment element of a vehicle, with a drive train for generating a driving force along a geometrical drive axis between two coupling points, one of the coupling points comprising a joint part for discharging the driving force, which joint part, in the mounted state, forms a ball and socket joint with a mating joint part, the joint part having a bearing portion, a joining part arranged thereon and a connecting portion arranged thereon. The connecting portion serves for the connection of at least one drive train component of the linear drive to the joint part and has at least one connecting formation which is in engagement with the relevant drive train component, and wherein at least one part of the bearing portion is configured integrally together with the joining part and the connecting portion from at least one plastics material.