Retractable Towing Hook Damping for End-Position Load Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Retractable towing hooks experience abrupt stops at end positions, leading to rapid increases in drive currents and torques, which existing control units have insufficient time to manage, resulting in potential damage.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a damping element, such as a disc spring, into the actuator mechanism to retard the movement of mechanically cooperating parts, allowing a sensor unit to detect a gradual increase in load, enabling the control unit to stop the towing hook before harmful currents and torques are reached.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If rigid mechanically cooperating parts are used in the actuator mechanism, then the structure is simple and strong, but the stop at end position becomes abrupt causing harmful currents and torques
Solution Approach 1:
A damping element is introduced between the mechanically cooperating parts of the actuator mechanism to cushion the impact before the parts come into full abutment at the end position. This damping element absorbs the shock and prevents the abrupt stop that would otherwise cause harmful currents and torques in the electric motor.
2Productivity
If the towing hook moves quickly to the end position, then productivity is improved, but the control unit has insufficient time to respond to the abrupt stop
Solution Approach 1:
The damping element provides a gradual deceleration phase before the towing hook reaches the end position, extending the time available for the control unit to detect the approaching stop condition and respond appropriately, thereby preventing harmful currents and torques even during high-speed operation.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If pulse width modulation is used to slow down the towing hook, then harmful currents are reduced, but the control complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The damping element acts as a mechanical intermediary that physically slows down the approach to the end position, reducing harmful currents without requiring complex control algorithms. This mechanical cushioning simplifies the control task by providing a natural deceleration profile.
4Object-affected harmful factors
If a damping element is added to the actuator mechanism, then the harmful currents and torques are reduced, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
A single damping element is strategically placed in the actuator mechanism to provide the necessary cushioning effect. This minimal addition effectively reduces harmful currents and torques without significantly increasing overall device complexity.
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
The damping element provides a controlled, gradual increase in load, giving the control unit more time to respond and prevent abrupt stops, thereby reducing peak drive currents and torques, ensuring safe operation of the retractable towing hook.
Implementation Method 1
at least one damping element configured to retard relative movement of the at least two mechanically cooperating parts as the two mechanically cooperating parts approach each other
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2a
Figure 2b~3
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to a towing hook arrangement (1) for determining an end-of-movement of a retractable towing hook (130). A sensor unit (70) is arranged to determine a load of an electrically driven actuator mechanism (100) and to communicate the determined load to a control unit (60). At least one damping element (80, 180, 280) is configured to retard relative movement of at least two mechanically cooperating parts (110, 120, 130, 170) as the two mechanically cooperating parts (110, 120, 130, 170) approach each other at the end-of-movement between a stowed position and a deployed position.