Trunk Lid Actuator Using Spring Layout Dynamics

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional power trunk systems for vehicles are limited to luxury vehicles due to high cost and weight, and generate noise from large motors, making them unsuitable for smaller vehicles and reducing user convenience.

Innovation Solution

An apparatus that automatically opens and closes a trunk lid using a layout change function with a spring and a conventional latch cinching actuator, eliminating the need for a large motor by incorporating a drum member, cables, and a torsion spring, allowing the trunk lid to be opened and closed without a drive unit, thereby reducing weight and manufacturing costs.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Extent of automation

If a large motor is used to open and close the trunk lid, then the trunk lid can be opened and closed automatically, but the weight and cost increase excessively

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveautomatic trunk lid operationVSAvoidweight of trunk lid system

Core Design Contradiction:

Extent of automationVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by making the spring's layout changeable through the drum mechanism. The spring can dynamically adjust its position and orientation during trunk lid operation, allowing it to provide opening force at different stages of the motion, thereby eliminating the need for a heavy motor while achieving automatic operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the physical parameters of the spring system by allowing the spring to change its layout (position, orientation, and configuration) during operation. This parameter change enables the spring to efficiently utilize the trunk lid's movement to provide opening force, replacing the need for a large motor.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Extent of automation

If a large motor is used to open and close the trunk lid, then the trunk lid can be opened and closed automatically, but the cost increases excessively

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveautomatic trunk lid operationVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Extent of automationVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the expensive motor with a simpler, cheaper mechanism consisting of a spring, drum, and cables. These components are less expensive to manufacture and install, making automatic trunk lid operation accessible to a broader range of vehicles, particularly small to medium-sized cars.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent extracts the motor from the system and replaces it with a spring-based mechanism. By removing the expensive motor component and using simpler mechanical elements, the overall system cost is reduced while maintaining automatic operation capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Extent of automation

If a large motor is used to open and close the trunk lid, then the trunk lid can be opened and closed automatically, but noise is generated

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveautomatic trunk lid operationVSAvoidnoise

Core Design Contradiction:

Extent of automationVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent substitutes the motor-driven mechanical system with a spring-based mechanical system. The spring mechanism operates more quietly than a motor, as it relies on elastic energy storage and release rather than electromagnetic forces and moving parts that generate noise.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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 smooth and automatic trunk lid operation, reducing vehicle weight and manufacturing costs, allowing the technology to be applied to small to medium-sized vehicles, enhancing user convenience while minimizing noise and cost constraints.

Implementation Method 1

an elastic spring having one end coupled to the drum member, and the other end coupled to a trunk lid

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElastic energy storage and release: Spring

Implementation Method 2

the power latch cinching actuator further includes a torsion spring coupled between the housing and the output gear, and the trunk lid is closed and then the output gear remains in place by the restoring force of the torsion spring

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectTorsion spring restoring force: Torsion Spring

Implementation Method 3

the trunk lid is opened, and the trunk lid is closed by overcoming the elastic force of the gas lifter 13 by the operation of a drive unit 15

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElastic force: Spring

Data Source

PatentUS11927043B2Apparatus for automatically opening and closing trunk lid

Publication Date: 2024.03.12 HYUNDAI MOTOR CO LTD

AI summary

An apparatus for automatically opening and closing a trunk lid includes a drum member connected to a first cable and rotatably coupled to a drum bracket fastened to a hinge arm, a power latch cinching actuator including an output gear configured to be rotated by a motor embedded in a housing, and an elastic spring having a first end coupled to the drum member and a second end configured to be coupled to the trunk lid, wherein the first cable is coupled to the output gear and is configured to rotate the drum member in a first direction when the output gear is rotated.