Vehicle Hatch Actuator Layout for Tight Installation Space
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing actuating devices for vehicle parts that can be pivoted relative to the vehicle body require significant space for movement, limiting their installation in compact vehicle designs.
Innovation Solution
An actuating device with a drive assembly and actuating element where the central axis of the drive element is oriented at an angle relative to the displacement and rotation axes, allowing for a space-optimized design and reduced installation space, featuring a worm drive mechanism and a carriage assembly with guide portions for precise movement and load management.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a motor drives a spindle nut to displace a spindle along its longitudinal axis to move the vehicle part, then the vehicle part can be moved relative to the vehicle body, but a relatively large space around the actuating device must remain free to enable pivoting movement of the spindle and/or entire actuating device
Solution Approach 1:
The patent reorients the drive element's central axis at an angle (e.g., 30-60 degrees) relative to the plane defined by the displacement axis and spindle rotation axis. This angular orientation projects the pivoting movement into a different spatial dimension, allowing the actuating device to pivot without requiring excessive clearance in the original planar direction, thereby reducing the bounding box volume while maintaining full pivoting capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs an asymmetric spatial arrangement where the drive element is positioned at a specific angle rather than symmetrically aligned with the displacement and rotation axes. This asymmetric configuration optimizes the distribution of movement space, allowing the actuating device to pivot effectively while minimizing the overall space envelope required for installation.
2Area of stationary object
If the actuating device is rigidly fastened to the vehicle body or movable vehicle part, then installation space can be further reduced, but the device must handle both manual support mode and automatic mode operations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs the actuating device with universal functionality to operate in both manual support mode (where the user moves the vehicle part with minimal effort) and automatic mode (where the actuating device moves the vehicle part independently). The angled drive element configuration and rigid fastening capability enable the same device structure to adapt to different operational requirements without requiring additional components or mechanisms.
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 efficient use of installation space, reduces required space for the actuating device, and prevents damage by managing loads and friction, allowing for both manual support and automatic operation of vehicle parts with minimal user effort.
Implementation Method 1
the worm wheel can in particular rotate relative to the spindle in the event of an overload... As a result, damage to the drive and/or to the movable vehicle part can be avoided
Implementation Method 2
the actuating element is connected to a carriage assembly which is in threaded engagement with a spindle, wherein the spindle can be driven rotationally about an axis of rotation by the drive unit
Data Source
AI summary
Actuating device for a vehicle part movable relative to a body of a vehicle, and in particular a vehicle door or a vehicle hatch, including a drive assembly having a drive unit and a drive element driven by the drive unit, and an actuating element which can be displaced relative to the drive assembly along a displacement axis by means of the drive unit, where the actuating element is connected to a carriage assembly which is in threaded engagement with a spindle, where the spindle can be driven rotationally about an axis of rotation by the drive unit, and where in that a central axis of the drive element is oriented at an angle to a plane which is defined by the displacement axis and the axis of rotation of the spindle.