Vehicle Tailgate Drive Linkage for Stable Automated Opening
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Solution Overview
Problem
Manual opening or closing of vehicle doors, particularly those with combined upper and lower tailgates, fails to meet modern consumer demands for automation and stability during trunk space expansion.
Innovation Solution
A drive device with an articulated structure, transmission structure, and drive structure, utilizing an actuator to rotate a rocker arm non-linearly, combined with gear reduction and torque sensing, to smoothly open and close vehicle doors, including a sealing sleeve to prevent impurities and a locking sensor for safety.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If manual opening or closing mechanism is used, then device complexity is reduced, but automation level and operational stability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The drive device is segmented into three main functional modules: articulated structure (providing pivot motion), transmission structure (converting rotation to linear motion via connecting rod and rocker arm), and drive structure (actuator with gear reduction). This segmentation allows each module to be optimized independently while maintaining overall automation.
Solution Approach 2:
A sealing sleeve is introduced as an intermediary component around the connecting rod to prevent impurities from entering the actuator and transmission structures. This intermediary element protects the automated system from environmental contamination without requiring complex sealing systems.
2Reliability
If actuator directly drives the door assembly, then device complexity is reduced, but stability and control precision deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The transmission structure acts as an intermediary between the actuator and door assembly, using a connecting rod and rocker arm to convert rotational motion into controlled linear motion. This intermediary mechanism provides mechanical advantage and motion control that direct actuation cannot achieve.
Solution Approach 2:
Gear reduction is employed to change the rotational speed and torque parameters of the actuator output. The gear train reduces rotational speed while increasing torque, providing stable and controlled motion for the door assembly with reduced actuator size and cost.
3Reliability
If the connecting rod is exposed, then device complexity is reduced, but reliability deteriorates due to impurity ingress
Solution Approach 1:
A sealing sleeve (flexible shell) is placed around the connecting rod to prevent impurities from entering the actuator and transmission structures. This simple flexible barrier provides effective protection without requiring complex multi-layer sealing systems.
4Power
If larger diameter gears are used for reduction, then torque is increased, but device volume and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
Gear reduction changes the torque and speed parameters of the actuator output. By using a gear train with appropriate reduction ratio, the system achieves high torque output with a smaller, more cost-effective actuator while maintaining compact overall device volume.
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
Enables automatic and stable opening and closing of vehicle doors, optimizing space utilization and safety by preventing damage and accidental openings, while reducing actuator size and cost.
Implementation Method 1
The actuator drives the drive shaft to rotate the rocker arm non-linearly
Implementation Method 2
combined with gear reduction and torque sensing
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to a drive device, a vehicle, and a method of controlling a drive device. A drive device includes an articulated structure, a transmission structure, and a drive structure. The articulated structure includes a fixed end and a movable end articulately connected to the fixed end. The transmission structure is provided at the movable end and includes a connection rod and a rocker arm. One end of the connection rod is rotatably connected to the rocker arm, and the other end of the connection rod is rotatably connected to the fixed end. The drive structure is provided at the movable end and includes an actuator and a drive shaft. The drive shaft is fixedly connected to an end of the rocker arm away from the connection rod. The actuator drives the drive shaft to rotate the rocker arm about an axis of the drive shaft.