Port Locking Actuator with Segmented Manual and Electrical Drive
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional port locking actuator devices for vehicle inlets cannot switch from a locked to an unlocked state or vice versa via electrical operation due to failures, leading to operational inefficiencies and increased load on the electrical driving mechanism during manual operation.
Innovation Solution
A port locking actuator device with both electrical and manual operation capabilities, featuring a locking displaceable element, electrical, and manual driving mechanisms, where the positional relationship of active and passive surfaces allows for independent operation, reducing the load on the electrical mechanism during electrical operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual operation is enabled to switch locking state when electrical operation fails, then reliability is improved, but load on electrical driving mechanism increases during normal electrical operation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the operation modes into electrical operation and manual operation, with the manual operation element positioned at an intermediate position during electrical operation to disengage from the locking displaceable element. This segmentation allows the electrical driving mechanism to operate independently without bearing the load of manual operation components, thus reducing force while maintaining reliability through alternative manual operation capability when needed
2Ease of operation
If manual operation element consistently operates in linkage with electrical operation, then ease of operation is improved, but load on electrical driving mechanism increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic disengagement where the manual operation element is positioned at an intermediate position during electrical operation, automatically disengaging from the locking displaceable element. This dynamic positioning allows the system to switch between coupled manual operation mode and independent electrical operation mode, reducing force on the electrical driving mechanism while maintaining ease of operation through intuitive manual control when required
Data Source
AI summary
A manual operation element includes a locking active surface and an unlocking active surface. A locking displaceable element includes a locking passive surface and an unlocking passive surface. When the manual operation element is operated in a locking direction, the locking active surface engages with the locking passive surface and displaces the locking displaceable element toward a locked position. When the manual operation element is operated in an unlocking direction, the unlocking active surface engages with the unlocking passive surface and displaces the locking displaceable element toward an unlocked position. When the locking displaceable element performs a displacement operation electrically, neither the locking active surface and the locking passive surface nor the unlocking active surface and the unlocking passive surface engage with each other in an entire area or more than half area of a displacement range of the locking displaceable element.