Vehicle Hatch Actuator with Integrated Sealing and Return
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing actuation devices for vehicles are complex, costly, and require additional space due to the need for sealants and leaf springs, making them difficult to install and increasing wear during operation.
Innovation Solution
A compact actuation device with a housing unit comprising two elements and a restoring means that seals the interior, allowing for a short actuation path and minimizing wear, using an inductive sensor element for detection and an elastic material for the restoring means to maintain sealing and reduce the number of components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If sealant is used to seal the housing and fasten housing parts, then sealing is achieved, but installation becomes complex and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the chemical sealing system (sealant) with a mechanical sealing system (integrated sealing flange with housing elements). The sealing function is achieved through mechanical interlocking and sealing surfaces built into the housing structure itself, eliminating the need for separate sealant application and curing processes.
Solution Approach 2:
The sealing function is merged into the housing structure by integrating sealing flanges directly into the housing elements. The sealing components are combined with the structural housing parts rather than being separate elements, simplifying assembly while maintaining sealing reliability.
2Ease of operation
If leaf spring is added for returning switch device, then reset function is achieved, but device complexity and space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The return mechanism is merged with the housing structure by integrating elastic return elements into the housing design. The housing elements themselves incorporate the reset functionality through elastic deformation capabilities, eliminating the need for separate leaf spring components.
Solution Approach 2:
The housing elements serve multiple functions: structural support, sealing, and providing the return mechanism through their elastic properties. The same housing components that provide structural integrity also enable the reset function through controlled elastic deformation.
3Reliability
If microswitch with long travel is used, then actuation reliability is improved, but device length and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the traditional mechanical microswitch with a capacitive sensor system that detects actuation through electrical field changes rather than mechanical travel. This substitution allows for reliable actuation detection with minimal physical movement, reducing the required device length while maintaining or improving reliability.
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 solution results in a cost-effective, compact, and wear-free actuation device that simplifies operation and reduces the number of parts, allowing for intuitive and efficient triggering of vehicle functions with minimal space requirements.
Implementation Method 1
the return means comprises an elastic material for deforming and/or bending the return means during the movement of the first housing element from the actuated position into the rest position
Implementation Method 2
The sensor element is preferably designed for inductive detection of a position of the second housing element (12)
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~6
AI summary
The invention relates to an actuation device (3) for installing on a movable vehicle part (2), in particular in the form of a door or a hatch, having an electric switch means (20) with a switch element (21) for initiating a vehicle function and having a housing unit (10) with at least one first and second housing element (11, 12) that at least partly form a housing interior (13), in which the switch element (21) is arranged. The invention additionally relates to a vehicle (1) and to an actuation method (100).