Power Tailgate Actuator Bellows for Moisture Drainage
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Solution Overview
Problem
In vehicle power tailgate systems, contaminants such as dirt, dust, and moisture can enter through interstitial pathways, causing corrosion and operational issues, especially since the lowest portions of the actuator are exposed and not adequately covered by the tail lamp or other protective components.
Innovation Solution
An actuator assembly incorporating a bellows that covers portions of the motor-driven spindle drive, with at least one hole for fluid communication to expel moisture, protecting the actuator from contaminants and allowing drainage during operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the actuator is positioned behind the fender and below the tail lamp for compact integration, then the vehicle body structure is simplified and space is optimized, but the lowest portion of the actuator becomes directly exposed to the external environment where contaminants such as dirt, dust, and moisture can easily enter and cause corrosion
Solution Approach 1:
A bellows component is introduced to cover and protect the actuator mechanism. The bellows acts as a flexible protective shell that encloses the actuator portions exposed to contaminants, preventing direct contact with dirt, dust, and moisture while allowing the actuator to maintain its compact position behind the fender and below the tail lamp.
2Reliability
If the actuator is sealed to protect motor, gears, and electronics from moisture, then component reliability is improved, but moisture that enters through openings near the top can still accumulate inside the sealed housing and cause corrosion over time
Solution Approach 1:
The bellows is designed with a downward slope toward its rear end, creating a drainage pathway that prevents moisture accumulation. This preliminary design feature counteracts the harmful effect of moisture entry by providing a built-in drainage mechanism that actively removes water before it can cause corrosion, rather than relying solely on sealing.
Solution Approach 2:
The bellows is designed as a flexible, movable component that can expand and contract with actuator movement. This dynamic structure maintains continuous protection while allowing operational movement, and its sloped configuration enables passive drainage of accumulated moisture through gravity.
3Ease of manufacture
If openings are provided in the vehicle body near the top of the actuator for structural reasons, then manufacturing and assembly are simplified, but these openings create pathways for water and dust to enter the actuator housing
Solution Approach 1:
The bellows serves as an intermediary protective element between the external environment and the actuator. It covers the actuator portions that would otherwise be exposed through openings in the vehicle body, blocking contaminants from entering through these necessary structural openings while allowing the openings to remain for manufacturing and assembly purposes.
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments of an actuator assembly for a power tailgate system are disclosed. The actuator assembly includes an actuator having a housing, a guide with a first end extending from the housing and a second end opposite the first end, and a slide coupled to the guide so as to be movable with respect to the guide second end. The actuator assembly also includes a bellows having a first end attached to the guide first end, a second end opposite the first end and attached to an end of the slide, and a body extending between the first and second ends. At least one hole is formed in the bellows proximate the bellows second end and enables fluid communication between an interior of the bellows and an exterior of the bellows. The bellows may expel moisture collected therein during operation of the actuator.