Vehicle Flap Switch Sealing for Reliable Opening Signals
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a need for charging, refueling, or service flaps in vehicles that are easy to actuate and have a substantially identical outer surface to the vehicle's outer shell, while also being intuitively and reliably actuatable with minimal impact on the vehicle's exterior appearance.
Innovation Solution
A device for generating opening signals, comprising a signal module with a housing, a switch, and a sealing element, where the switch has an actuator device that extends through the sealing element to detect movements and generate signals, and an actuating flap that transmits movements to the actuator device, ensuring reliable activation with minimal wear.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Shape
If the charging flap or refueling flap is made with a substantially identical outer surface to the vehicle's outer shell, then the vehicle's exterior appearance is maintained, but the actuation mechanism becomes more complex and harder to integrate
Solution Approach 1:
The actuation mechanism is nested within the flap structure itself, with the switch and actuator device integrated into the flap's inner side. The operating element is positioned on the outer side of the flap, allowing the entire actuation system to be contained within the flap's thickness, maintaining the vehicle's exterior appearance while enabling functional integration.
Solution Approach 2:
An actuating flap element serves as an intermediary between the operating element and the switch actuator device. This intermediate element transmits the actuation force from the user's input to the switch mechanism, enabling reliable signal generation while maintaining the flap's aesthetic appearance and reducing direct mechanical complexity.
2Reliability
If the actuator device extends through the sealing element, then the switch can detect movements reliably, but shear forces and lateral friction increase causing wear
Solution Approach 1:
The actuator device is extracted from the sealed interior environment and extends through the sealing element to the outer side. This extraction allows the actuator to be actuated directly from the outside without requiring the sealing element to move or deform, eliminating shear forces and lateral friction on the sealing element while maintaining reliable movement detection.
3Ease of operation
If the switch actuator device is positioned to detect flap movements, then opening signals can be generated, but the sealing element must accommodate the actuator device, complicating the sealing structure
Solution Approach 1:
The actuating flap element serves as an intermediary that transmits the actuation force from the operating element through the sealing element to the switch actuator device. This intermediary mechanism allows the sealing element to remain intact and simple while still enabling reliable switch actuation for opening signal generation.
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to a device for generating signals. The device includes: a signal module with a housing (112) with a switch region (121); at least one switch (120) that is connected to the switch region of the housing; a sealing element (132) to protect the housing from environmental influences. The switch (120) includes an actuator device (122). At least a portion of the actuator device (122) extends through the sealing element (132).