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2 Bar Linkage Mechanism with “Bird’s Mouth” Lock

Compressed Air Support Strut

  • Considerations

    • Generally support struts are used in pairs

      • This will result in even distribution of force (as both sides of whatever item is being supported are receiving the force exerted by the support struts)

    • Support strut will exert a force that is greater than the force exerted by the mass of the trunk

      • When closed the compressed air support strut is constantly exerting a force that will try to open up the trunk

        • Latch must be able to withstand this force (though this shouldn’t really be an issue unless the support struts being used are overspecc'ed by a large amount - which should not happen)

        • This constant force will result in a residual stress buildup in the mounting area of the trunk

          • Must consider if this will cause elastic / plastic deformation of the trunk panel

            • While this shouldn’t happen (as the magnitude of force is quite low) it should still be considered

          • Must consider if this will potentially damage solar cells

            • We know pressure should not be exerted onto the solar cells from the top - but could pressure from the bottom be an issue?

Purchasing Link

Rated Force

Compressed Length

Extended Length

Price

Notes

https://www.amazon.ca/FURNICA-Close-Telescopic-Spring-Support/dp/B075KV5XCX/ref=sr_1_5?crid=3YC4RIXRSJWQ&dchild=1&keywords=40n%2Bgas%2Bstrut&qid=1603384346&sprefix=40n%2B%2Caps%2C204&sr=8-5&th=1

40N

Through calculation based on drawing: 171mm (End to End)

247mm (Centre to Centre)

269mm (End to End)

$35.60 CAD

These are not soft close - only soft open
-Unlike the description given

Some reviews mention metal mounts are starting to buckle

-Could purchase the struts but make our own mounts

-Gas struts have ball and socket mounting system (will be hard to produce the ball mount)

-May have to just reinforce existing mounts

https://www.mcmaster.com/gas-struts/gas-springs-7/extension-force~range~~-11682713872416/

Smallest: 66N

128.016mm - 300.99mm

(centre to centre)

178.054mm - 511.048mm

(centre to centre)

$25.19 (converted from USD)

(potential shipping costs not included

Note: This encompasses a wide selection of gas struts

This is a link to their American website

Note: These do not include mounts, but they include a ball stud so making the ball socket is not necessary

https://www.amazon.ca/10inch-Supports-Gas-Struts-Screws-ARANA/dp/B07S6GFCXB/ref=sr_1_12?dchild=1&keywords=10lb+strut&qid=1603594722&sr=8-12

45N (each)

90N (for set of 2)

165mm (Centre to Centre)

250mm (Centre to Centre)

$63.99

($22.31 for shipping)

Comes in a set of two

https://www.amazon.ca/OTUAYAUTO-45N-10Lbs-Gas-Strut/dp/B088NLN4LV/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=10lb+strut&qid=1603593527&sr=8-1

45N (each)

90N (for set of 2)

165mm (Centre to Centre)

250mm (Centre to Centre)

$39.99

($6.85 for shipping)

Comes in set of two

No reviews

https://www.amazon.ca/FURNICA-Close-Telescopic-Spring-Support/dp/B075KV5XCX/ref=sr_1_5?crid=3YC4RIXRSJWQ&dchild=1&keywords=40n%2Bgas%2Bstrut&qid=1603384346&sprefix=40n%2B%2Caps%2C204&sr=8-5&th=1

40N

Through calculation based on drawing: 171mm (End to End)

247mm (Centre to Centre)

269mm (End to End)

$35.60 CAD

These are not soft close - only soft open
-Unlike the description given

Some reviews mention metal mounts are starting to buckle

-Could purchase the struts but make our own mounts

-Gas struts have ball and socket mounting system (will be hard to produce the ball mount)

-May have to just reinforce existing mounts

https://www.amazon.ca/Spring-Strut-Heavy-Compatible-Mounts/dp/B00Y3H2MSY/ref=sr_1_6?dchild=1&keywords=10lb%2Bstrut&qid=1603594722&sr=8-6&th=1

45N (each)

304.8mm (did not specify whether or not it was centre to centre or end to end)

508mm (did not specify whether or not it was centre to centre or end to end)

$33.86

($9.99 for shipping)

Set of 2 costs $39.97 (only costs $6.11 more?)

DOES NOT COME WITH MOUNTS

-would have to purchase our own

Compatible with 10mm ball socket

  • Preliminary Motion Analysis

    • Conducted using McMaster-Carr gas strut (12.2” extended length, 8.26” compressed length), with placeholder trunk and side panels

    • Note: This initial test was done with a flat trunk panel placeholder, the actual trunk panel is not flat

    • Early results:

      • Gas struts can be mounted within our vehicle architecture and still produce desired results

        • However there will be some slight differences in mounting compared to how they are mounted conventionally

        • Because the mounting point with the trunk is not in line with the the rotation point of the trunk, the strut must be slightly extended when the trunk is closed

          • This will allow for the necessary slight compression of the strut when the trunk first opens up

          • Image Added

            • The circle represents the path of the mounting point. When the trunk first opens up, it will travel up and away from the pivot point, thus requiring the strut to compress

            • Also note how the strut is slightly extended when the trunk is in its closed position (as described previously)

Roof

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Single Sliding Bar Mechanism

Image Added