Tail Gate Hinge Coupling for Compact Force Transmission
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing opening/closing mechanisms for vehicle tail gates, such as those described in Patent Literature 1, face challenges in minimizing the size of the hinge device due to the transmission of motor driving force via a torque bar, leading to increased overall size.
Innovation Solution
The proposed mechanism incorporates a coupling system with a first cylindrical portion and a second cylindrical portion, where the output shaft of the electric driving device is spline fit into the first cylindrical portion, and the body-side engagement portion fits into the recessed portion of the second cylindrical portion, reducing the number of components and preventing enlargement of the hinge device.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If a torque bar is used to transmit the driving force of the motor to the body side via a coupling, then the driving force can be transmitted effectively, but the hinge device becomes larger in size
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the coupling and torque bar functions into a single integrated coupling structure. The coupling includes a first cylindrical portion with a fitting hole for the motor output shaft and a second cylindrical portion with a fitting recess for the body-side engagement portion, eliminating the need for a separate torque bar while maintaining force transmission capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the torque bar from the traditional separate component and integrates its function directly into the coupling structure. By incorporating the force transmission path within the coupling itself, the design removes the need for additional external torque bar components, thereby reducing the overall size of the hinge device.
2Reliability
If multiple components are used to transmit the motor driving force, then the force transmission can be reliable, but the number of components increases and the device becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple functional components (coupling and torque bar) into a single integrated coupling structure. This unified design maintains reliable force transmission while reducing the number of separate components, thereby simplifying the overall device structure and assembly process.
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
This configuration allows for efficient transmission of the motor's driving force while minimizing the size of the hinge device, thereby maintaining a compact design without compromising functionality.
Implementation Method 1
a first cylindrical portion provided at one end side and having a fitting hole portion, to which the output shaft of the electric driving device is spline fit
Data Source
AI summary
An opening/closing mechanism for a tail gate includes a hinge device configured to rotate the tail gate relative to side walls, and a latch device configured for engagement with a striker provided on the side wall to hold the tail gate in a closed state. The hinge device includes an electric driving device provided on the tail gate and configured to rotate the tail gate by means of a motor, and a coupling configured to couple a body-side engagement portion provided on the side wall and an output shaft of the electric driving device together. The output shaft of the electric driving device fits in a fitting hole portion in a first cylindrical portion formed at one end side of the coupling, and the body-side engagement portion fits in a fitting recessed portion in a second cylindrical portion formed at the other end side of the coupling.