Transfer gearbox for a rotation direction-dependent drive of two output wheels and air outlet with the transfer gearbox

Abstract

The invention proposes to provide a drive wheel (2) of a distribution gearbox (1) with a nut thread and to screw it onto a screw thread (4) of a threaded shaft (3) such that the drive wheel (2) moves axially depending on the direction of rotation when the threaded shaft (3) is driven and thereby meshes with a first output wheel (6) in a first direction of rotation (I) and with a second output wheel (7) of the distribution gearbox (1) in an opposite second direction of rotation (II).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a distribution gearbox for a rotation-direction-dependent drive of two output wheels with the features of the preamble of claim 1 or of the dependent claim 2 and an air outlet with the distribution gearbox having the features of the preamble of claim 10. The distribution gearbox has one or two drive wheels and a first and a second output wheel, wherein, in the case of a rotary drive in a first direction of rotation, the first output wheel is driven and, in the case of a rotary drive in an opposite second direction of rotation, the second output wheel is driven.

[0002] International patent application WO 2020 / 172 098 A1 discloses a drive unit comprising an electric motor and a gear distribution gearbox, through which two outputs can be driven by the electric motor in a direction-dependent manner. The gear distribution gearbox has a drive gear which is fixedly mounted on a motor shaft of the electric motor, two output gears at the same radial distance from the motor shaft which are offset from each other in a circumferential direction of the motor shaft, and two coaxial intermediate gears which are fixedly mounted to each other in a rotational direction. One of the larger intermediate gears always meshes with the drive gear, and one of the smaller intermediate gears meshes with either of the two output gears. The two intermediate gears are rotatably mounted on an intermediate gear carrier which is pivotable about the motor shaft of the electric motor, with a brake transmitting a torque from the motor shaft to the intermediate gear carrier.This causes the intermediate gear carrier to pivot in a first direction of rotation as the motor shaft rotates, such that the smaller intermediate gear meshes with one of the two output gears. With the motor shaft rotating in the opposite direction, the intermediate gear carrier pivots in the opposite direction until the smaller intermediate gear meshes with the other output gear. Thus, when the motor shaft of the electric motor rotates in the first direction, one output gear is driven, and when the motor shaft rotates in the opposite direction, the other output gear is driven in the opposite direction.

[0003] The object of the invention is to propose a structurally different distribution gearbox which drives one of two output wheels in a rotating manner, depending on the direction of rotation.

[0004] This problem is solved according to the invention by the features of claim 1 and the dependent claim 2. A further object of the invention is an air outlet with the distribution gear according to the invention having the features of claim 10.

[0005] In a first embodiment of the invention, the distribution gearbox according to the invention comprises a drive wheel, a first driven wheel, and a second driven wheel. When the drive wheel rotates in a first direction, it engages with the first driven wheel in such a way that the drive wheel rotates the first driven wheel. "Drive connection" means, in particular in the case of a gear drive, that the drive wheel meshes with the first or the second driven wheel, and in the case of a friction drive, that the drive wheel rolls on or against the first or the second driven wheel. However, other drive connections are also possible, such as a jaw coupling, if the drive wheel and the first driven wheel are coaxial.When the drive wheel rotates in a second direction of rotation opposite to the first direction of rotation, the drive wheel enters a drive connection with the second driven wheel in such a way that the drive wheel drives the second driven wheel by rotating it.

[0006] The rotation of the drive wheel also includes the rotation of a shaft of the drive wheel or of a shaft on which the drive wheel is arranged.

[0007] To engage the drive wheel with the first or second driven wheel depending on the direction of rotation, the transfer case according to the invention has a switching device that is actuated by the rotation of the drive wheel. When the drive wheel rotates in the first direction, the switching device engages the drive wheel with the first driven wheel, and when the drive wheel rotates in the opposite direction, the switching device engages the drive wheel with the second driven wheel. "Actuating the switching device" means engaging the drive wheel with the first driven wheel, or, in the opposite direction of rotation, with the second driven wheel, by means of the switching device, depending on the direction of rotation of the drive wheel.

[0008] By rotating the drive wheel in the first direction, the switching device moves the drive wheel coaxially with or parallel to an axis of rotation of the drive wheel in a first switching direction with respect to the driven wheels, until the drive wheel engages with the first driven wheel. By rotating the drive wheel in the opposite second direction, the switching device moves the drive wheel coaxially with or parallel to an axis of rotation of the drive wheel in a second switching direction opposite to the first switching direction, until the drive wheel engages with the second driven wheel.

[0009] Dependent claim 2 relates to a variant of the distribution gearbox according to the invention with two drive wheels, wherein, upon rotation of the drive wheels in a first direction of rotation, a first drive wheel engages in a drive connection with a first driven wheel, and upon rotation of the drive wheels in an opposite second direction of rotation, a second drive wheel engages in a drive connection with a second driven wheel. As in claim 1, in claim 2 a switching device, which is actuated by the rotation of the drive wheels, engages the first drive wheel in the drive connection with the first driven wheel upon rotation in the first direction of rotation, and engages the second drive wheel in the drive connection with the second driven wheel upon rotation in the second direction of rotation.

[0010] Preferably, the drive wheel or the second drive wheel is disengaged from the second driven wheel when the drive wheel or the first drive wheel is engaged with the first driven wheel, and vice versa. In a friction wheel distribution gearbox, "disengaged" means that there is no drive connection.

[0011] An advantage of the invention is that independent rotary drives for both output wheels are possible with a common rotary drive for the drive wheel(s). For example, one drive motor, such as an electric motor, is sufficient for the independent drive of both output wheels, with the distribution gearbox automatically switching depending on the direction of rotation, i.e., establishing the drive connection with one of the two output wheels at a time.

[0012] The dependent claims relate to advantageous embodiments and further developments of the invention specified in claims 1 and 2.

[0013] In one embodiment of the invention, the switching device comprises a type of screw drive, which, for example, has a screw thread and a nut thread that engages with the screw thread. The screw thread can also be considered an external thread, and the nut thread can also be considered an internal thread. A rotation of the screw thread relative to the nut thread displaces the nut thread axially relative to the screw thread. The screw and nut threads preferably have a large pitch, namely at least 1.0 times, preferably at least 2.0 times, and particularly at least 3.0 times the core diameter of the screw thread. In particular, they are multi-start threads. The rotation of the drive gear(s) of the transfer case drives the screw drive by rotation, with the screw drive converting the rotation into a displacement.During rotation in the first direction, the screw drive of the switching device moves the drive wheel or the first drive wheel in the first switching direction such that the drive wheel or the first drive wheel engages with the first driven wheel and rotates the first driven wheel. During rotation in the opposite direction, the screw drive moves the drive wheel or the second drive wheel in the second switching direction such that the drive wheel or the second drive wheel engages with the second driven wheel and rotates the second driven wheel.

[0014] The invention does not preclude both elements of the screw drive from rotating; in the example, both the screw thread and the nut thread can rotate. In embodiments of the invention, during shifting, i.e., when moving the drive wheel or the first drive wheel in the first shifting direction or when moving the drive wheel or the second drive wheel in the second shifting direction, the screw drive rotates relative to the nut thread, whereby the nut thread rotating with the screw thread at a different, particularly lower, speed is not excluded. If the drive wheel or the first drive wheel is in the drive connection with the first driven wheel, or the drive wheel or the second drive wheel is in the drive connection with the second driven wheel, the screw thread and the nut thread preferably rotate together.

[0015] In particular, there is no longer any rotation of the screw thread relative to the nut thread.

[0016] A further development of the embodiment of the invention described above provides a screw drive with a threaded shaft, that is, a shaft with a screw thread. In this case, the threaded shaft is, in particular, an input shaft or drive shaft of the distribution drive according to the invention; that is, the threaded shaft is driven by rotation to drive the drive gear(s). The drive gear(s) have a nut thread by which they are screwed onto the thread of the threaded shaft. A rotation of the threaded shaft relative to the drive gear(s) in the first direction of rotation moves the drive gear(s) in the first shifting direction, thereby engaging the drive gear or the first drive gear with the first output gear.A reverse rotation of the threaded shaft with respect to the drive wheel(s) in the second direction of rotation moves the drive wheel(s) in the second switching direction, thereby bringing the drive wheel or the second drive wheel into the drive connection with the second driven wheel.

[0017] Preferably, the shifting device, or more generally the transfer case, has an axial travel limiter for the drive gear(s) that limits the movement of the drive gear(s) on the threaded shaft in both shifting directions such that the movement of the drive gear(s) in the shifting directions is terminated when the drive gear, or the first or second drive gear, is in drive connection with the first or second output gear. A further rotary drive of the threaded shaft drives the drive gear(s) in rotation with the threaded shaft, thereby driving the first output gear in the first direction of rotation and the second output gear in the second direction of rotation via the drive connection.

[0018] The movement of the drive wheel(s) in one of the two switching directions can, for example, occur during the start-up of the transfer case, i.e., at the beginning of the rotary drive, due to the inertia of the drive wheel(s), which initially does not rotate with, for example, the threaded shaft or initially rotates more slowly than the threaded shaft. To ensure the actuation of the switching device, i.e., the movement of the drive wheel(s) in the switching directions, one embodiment of the invention provides a friction brake for the drive wheel(s), which brakes the drive wheel(s). This ensures the rotation of, for example, the threaded shaft relative to the drive wheel(s), which are screwed onto the threaded shaft with their nut threads, and the movement of the drive wheel(s) in the switching directions until the drive wheel(s) is / are in drive connection with one of the output wheels.The friction brake may be ineffective if the drive wheel(s) are in the drive connection with one of the driven wheels.

[0019] To prevent unintentional rotation of the output gears when they are not in drive connection with the drive gear, one embodiment of the invention provides a locking element which, upon rotation of the drive gear(s) in the first direction of rotation, is moved into a first locking position in which the locking element prevents the second output gear from rotating. A reverse rotation of the drive gear(s) in the second direction of rotation moves the locking element, or a second locking element, into a second locking position in which the locking element prevents the first output gear from rotating.

[0020] In further developments of the invention, the switching unit or the drive wheel(s) moves the locking element(s) into the locking positions. The transfer case according to the invention can have a common locking element for both output wheels or a separate locking element for each output wheel.

[0021] The transfer case according to the invention can have friction wheels as drive wheels and as driven wheels, wherein the drive-connected wheels roll against each other or against each other in such a way that the drive wheel rotates the drive-connected driven wheel. One embodiment of the invention provides a design of the transfer case as a gear transmission with gears as drive wheels and as driven wheels, wherein the drive wheel meshes with the drive-connected driven wheel and rotates it.

[0022] In particular, the distribution gearbox according to the invention comprises a spur gear gearbox with spur gears having parallel axes of rotation. A spur gear is a gear with teeth on its circumference. The invention does not exclude other gearbox designs.

[0023] The air outlet according to the invention, with the features of claim 10, comprises a first movable air control element, a second movable air control element, and a distribution gear of the type described above, which moves the air control elements. The first output gear of the distribution gear is drive-connected to the first air control element of the air outlet such that when the drive gear of the distribution gear rotates in the first direction of rotation, the first air control element is moved. The second output gear of the distribution gear is drive-connected to the second air control element of the air outlet such that when the drive gear of the distribution gear rotates in the opposite direction of rotation, the second output gear, which in this case is drive-connected to the drive gear, moves the second air control element of the air outlet.

[0024] To enable the air control elements of the air outlet to move in two opposite directions when the output gears of the transfer case rotate in one direction, the air outlet can incorporate crank drives, cam drives, or cam drives as drive connections or within the drive connections between the output gears and the air control elements. These drives convert the rotary motion of the output gears in one direction into reciprocating motions of the air control elements. This list is exemplary and not exhaustive.

[0025] The air control elements can be air deflectors that direct an airflow from the air outlet. Such air deflectors are particularly pivotable. One of the air control elements can also be an air volume control element that controls the amount of air flowing through the air outlet, in particular by throttling the airflow through the air outlet. Such an air volume control element is, in particular, a sliding throttle slide or a pivotable throttle valve.

[0026] The features and combinations of features, embodiments, and configurations of the invention mentioned above in the description, as well as the features and combinations of features mentioned below in the figure description and / or drawn in a figure, are not only usable in the combinations specified or drawn, but also in any other combination or individually. Embodiments of the invention are possible that do not have all the features of a dependent claim. Individual features of a claim can also be replaced by other disclosed features or combinations of features. Embodiments of the invention are possible that do not have all the features of the exemplary embodiment(s), but rather any part of the characterized features of an exemplary embodiment, possibly in combination with one, several, or all features of one or more further exemplary embodiments.

[0027] The invention is explained in more detail below using an exemplary embodiment illustrated in the drawing. In the drawings: Fig. 1 a schematic representation of an embodiment of a distribution gearbox according to the invention; Fig. 2 a schematic representation of a second embodiment of a distribution gearbox according to the invention; and Fig. 3 a schematic representation of an air outlet according to the invention.

[0028] Basically, identical parts in the figures are assigned the same reference numbers.

[0029] The Fig. The distribution gearbox 1 shown in Figure 1, according to the invention, has a spur gear, i.e., a gear with teeth on its circumference, as the drive gear 2, which is arranged on a threaded shaft 3. The threaded shaft 3 has an external thread, which is referred to here as the screw thread 4. The drive gear 2 has an internal thread that matches the screw thread 4 of the threaded shaft 3, which is referred to here as the nut thread, and by which the drive gear 2 is screwed onto the screw thread 4 of the threaded shaft 3. In particular, the screw thread 4 is not shown to scale. It has, in particular, a thread pitch that corresponds to three to four times the core diameter and is designed as a triple thread.

[0030] The threaded shaft 3 can also be considered as an input shaft or as a drive shaft of the distribution gearbox 1 according to the invention.

[0031] By rotating the threaded shaft 3 in relation to the drive wheel 2 screwed onto it, the drive wheel 2 is moved axially to the threaded shaft 3 and to an axis and axis of rotation of the drive wheel 2.

[0032] On both sides of the drive wheel 2, the threaded shaft 3 has flanges as axial travel limits 5 for the drive wheel 2, which limit an axial movement of the drive wheel 2 on the threaded shaft 3.

[0033] Furthermore, the distribution gear 1 according to the invention comprises a first output gear 6 and a second output gear 7, which, like the drive gear 2, are spur gears with teeth on their circumferences. The drive gear 2 and the two output gears 6, 7 have parallel axes, and the two output gears 6, 7 are arranged at a radial distance from the drive gear 2 such that the teeth of the drive gear 2 and, optionally, one of the two output gears 6, 7 can be brought into meshing engagement with each other by the axial movement of the drive gear 2 relative to its axis of rotation. The meshing engagement of the gear teeth can also be described, for simplicity, as gear meshing, that is, as the meshing of the drive gear 2 with one of the two output gears 6, 7.When the drive wheel 2 meshes with one of the two driven wheels 6, 7, the drive wheel 2 is connected to the respective driven wheel 6, 7, that is, when the drive wheel 2 rotates, it drives the respective driven wheel 6, 7.

[0034] In the exemplary embodiment, the two output gears 6, 7 have the same diameter and are arranged coaxially. However, embodiments of the distribution gearbox 1 according to the invention are also possible in which the output gears 6, 7 have different diameters and correspondingly different radial distances from the drive gear 2 (not shown). Furthermore, the output gears 6, 7 do not have to be arranged at the same circumferential point of the drive gear 2, but can be offset from each other in one circumferential direction of the drive gear 2 (not shown).

[0035] The two output gears 6, 7 are arranged non-rotatably on their own separate shafts, which can be considered output shafts 8 of the distribution gearbox 1.

[0036] A rotary drive of the threaded shaft 3 initially rotates the threaded shaft 3 within the drive wheel 2 such that the drive wheel 2 moves axially along the threaded shaft 3 until it encounters one of the axial travel limits 5. The drive wheel 2 then rotates with the threaded shaft 3. The axial travel limits 5 are arranged such that they terminate the axial movement of the drive wheel 2 when the drive wheel 2 meshes with one of the two output wheels 6, 7.

[0037] When the threaded shaft 3 rotates relative to the drive wheel 2 in a first direction of rotation I, the drive wheel 2 moves axially in a first direction until it meshes with the first output wheel 6 and drives the first output wheel 6 by rotation. When the threaded shaft 3 rotates relative to the drive wheel 2 in a second direction of rotation II opposite to the first direction of rotation I, the drive wheel 2 moves axially in a second direction opposite to the first direction until it meshes with the second output wheel 7 and drives the second output wheel 7 by rotation. Switching positions in which the drive wheel 2 meshes with one of the two output wheels 6, 7 are described in Fig. 1. Drawn with dotted lines.

[0038] The meshing of the gear teeth or the meshing of the drive wheel 2 with one of the driven wheels 6, 7 can also be understood as a drive connection of the gears with each other or as a drive connection of the drive wheel 2 with one of the driven wheels 6, 7.

[0039] The threaded shaft 3 with the screw thread 4 and the nut thread of the drive wheel 2 form a switching device 9 of the distribution gearbox 1 according to the invention, wherein the screw thread 4 and the nut thread form a type of screw drive 10. When the threaded shaft 3 is rotated in the first direction of rotation I, the switching device 9 or its screw drive 10 moves the drive wheel 2 in the first direction, which is here referred to as the first switching direction I', by which the drive wheel 2 enters the drive connection with the first output wheel 6, that is, meshes with the first output wheel 6 and drives it by rotation.When the threaded shaft 3 is rotated in the opposite second direction of rotation II, the switching device 9 or its screw drive 10 moves the drive wheel 2 in the second direction, which is referred to here as the second switching direction II', through which the drive wheel 2 enters the drive connection with the second output wheel 7, i.e. meshes with the second output wheel 7 and drives it by rotating it.

[0040] In the following explanation of the Fig. 2. The main differences to Fig. 1 shown and supplemented by the explanations of the Fig. Reference 1. Identical components and elements are assigned the same reference numbers.

[0041] The in Fig. The distribution gearbox 1 shown in Figure 2, according to the invention, has two drive wheels 11, 12, namely a first drive wheel 11 and a second drive wheel 12, which have internal threads or nut threads and which are screwed onto the screw thread 4 of the threaded shaft 3 of the distribution gearbox 1 at a distance from each other. By rotating the threaded shaft 3 with respect to the drive wheels 11, 12 in the first direction of rotation I, both drive wheels 11, 12 are moved axially on the threaded shaft 3 in the first switching direction I', until the first drive wheel 11 meshes with the first output wheel 6, i.e., is in drive connection with the first output wheel 6.When the threaded shaft 3 is rotated relative to the drive gears 11, 12 in the opposite second direction of rotation II, both drive gears 11, 12 are moved axially on the threaded shaft 3 in the opposite second switching direction II' until the second drive gear 12 meshes with the second driven gear 7, i.e., is in drive connection with the second driven gear 7. These two switching positions of the drive gears 11, 12, in which one of the drive gears 11, 12 meshes with the respective driven gear, are described in . Fig. 2 drawn with dotted lines.

[0042] The axial movement of the drive wheels 11, 12 on the threaded shaft 3 is limited by a flange on the threaded shaft 3 between the two drive wheels 11, 12 as an axial travel limit 5.

[0043] Furthermore, the transfer case 1 is from Fig. 2 identically designed to the transfer case 1 Fig. 1 and works in the same way.

[0044] The Fig. The air outlet 13 shown in Figure 3, according to the invention, has a tubular housing 14 with a rectangular cross-section in the exemplary embodiment. In the housing 14, near an outlet opening 15, two louvers are arranged one behind the other in a flow direction through the housing 14, intersecting each other at right angles in the flow direction. The louvers are pivotable about pivot axes that extend in a longitudinal direction of the louvers and that penetrate the housing 14 of the air outlet 13 transversely in mutually perpendicular longitudinal planes of the housing 14.

[0045] The air outlet 14 is recessed in a dashboard, center console or other interior trim part of a passenger compartment of a motor vehicle (not shown) and is arranged with its outlet opening 15 flush with a passenger compartment-side surface of the dashboard, center console or other interior trim part of the passenger compartment such that air flowing out of the air outlet 1 through the outlet opening 15 flows into the passenger compartment of the motor vehicle (not shown).

[0046] The two louvers form air deflection elements with which the air flowing through the housing 14 of the air outlet 13 and exiting through the outlet opening 15 can be directed laterally, upwards, and downwards. In general, the two louvers can be considered pivotable or generally movable air control elements 17, 18 of the air outlet 13; hereafter, the two louvers will be referred to as the first air control element 17 and the second air control element 18. The air outlet 13 can also have a louvered grille, that is, several louvers arranged parallel to one another in the housing 14, which can be pivoted together in parallel by means of a connecting rod 16.

[0047] Instead of an air control element 17, 18, the air outlet 13 can also have a movable throttle slide or a pivoting throttle valve for throttling the airflow through the housing 14 of the air outlet 13 and, if necessary, also for blocking the housing 14 of the air outlet 13 against the airflow (not shown). Such a throttle slide, throttle valve, or the like can also be considered an air volume control element and generally also constitutes an air control element.

[0048] The air control elements 17, 18 are moved, i.e., pivoted, by an electric motor 19 via a distribution gear 1 according to the invention, which in the exemplary embodiment is arranged on the outside of the housing 14 of the air outlet 13. In the exemplary embodiment, the distribution gear 1 according to the invention is like the distribution gear 1 made of Fig. 1 is designed as a gear transmission with spur gears as drive gear 2 and driven gears 6, 7. It has a drive gear 2 with an internal or nut thread, which is screwed onto an external or screw thread 4 of a transmission shaft 3 of the distribution transmission 1, wherein the nut thread of the drive gear 2 and the screw thread 4 of the threaded shaft 3 form a type of screw drive 10, which, when the threaded shaft 3 is rotated relative to the drive gear 2, moves the drive gear 2 axially to its axis of rotation on the threaded shaft 3.

[0049] Flanges of the threaded shaft 3 on both sides of the drive wheel 2 form axial travel limits 5 for the drive wheel 2, which limit its axial movement on the threaded shaft 3.

[0050] The electric motor 19 can be used to drive the threaded shaft 3 in a rotating manner, whereby a reduction gear (not shown) may be provided between the electric motor 19 and the threaded shaft 3.

[0051] Unlike in Fig. 1 are in Fig. 3 the two output wheels 6, 7 are not arranged coaxially, but opposite each other with respect to the drive wheel 2 and - as in Fig. 1 - axially offset from each other. By means of a rotary drive of the threaded shaft 3 in a first direction of rotation I, the drive wheel 2 is moved axially in a first switching direction I' by means of the screw drive 10 such that it meshes with one of the first of the two output wheels 6, i.e., is connected to the drive and rotates the first output wheel 6. By means of a rotary drive of the threaded shaft 3 in a second direction of rotation II opposite to the first direction of rotation I, the drive wheel 2 is moved axially in a second switching direction II' opposite to the first switching direction I' by means of the screw drive 10 such that it meshes with a second of the two output wheels 7, i.e., is connected to the drive and rotates the second output wheel 7. Fig. Figure 3 shows the drive wheel 2 in a second switching position, in which it is moved in the second switching direction II' and is connected to the second output wheel 7, i.e. meshing with the second output wheel 7.

[0052] The axial travel limits 5 on both sides of the drive wheel 2 terminate the movement of the drive wheel 2 in both switching directions I', II', when the drive wheel 2 meshes with the first or the second driven wheel 6, 7, i.e. is drive-connected.

[0053] The distribution gearbox 1 of the air outlet 13 in Fig. 3 basically works the same way as the transfer case 1 in Fig. 1. To explain the transfer case 1 from Fig. 3. The explanations of the transfer case 1 are in Fig. 1 referred to.

[0054] To pivot the first air control element 17, the first output gear 6 of the distribution gear 1 has an elliptical first control cam 21 on its end face facing the first air control element 17. A first control pin 22 engages in this cam and is projected from the first air control element 17 at a distance from its pivot axis. The first control cam 21 encloses a rotation axis of the first output gear 6, with the radial distance of the first control cam 21 from the rotation axis of the first output gear 6 changing around the circumference of the first output gear 6 such that the rotation of the first output gear 6 in one direction pivots the first air control element 17 back and forth. Therefore, reversing the direction of rotation of the first output gear 6 to pivot the first air control element 17 back is not necessary.

[0055] In addition to its toothing on the circumference, the second output gear 7 of the distribution gearbox 1 has a bevel gear 23 which meshes with a ring gear 24, the axis of rotation of which intersects the axis of rotation of the second output gear 7 at a right angle.

[0056] Like the first output gear 6, the ring gear 24 has an elliptical second control cam 25 on its end face facing the second air control element 18, into which a second control pin 26 engages. This pin projects from the second air control element 18 at a distance from the pivot axis of the second air control element 18. The second control cam 25 encloses a rotation axis of the ring gear 24, with the radial distance of the second control cam 25 from the rotation axis of the ring gear 24 varying around the circumference of the ring gear 24 such that the rotation of the ring gear 24 in one direction pivots the second air control element 18 back and forth.

[0057] The distribution gearbox 1 distributes a drive movement of the electric motor 19 - rotating in the exemplary embodiment - to the two air control elements 17, 18 of the air outlet 13 in such a way that both air control elements 17, 18 can be pivoted independently of each other into any desired position with the one electric motor 19.

[0058] The screw drive 10, which forms or is part of a switching device 9, engages the first output gear 6 with the drive gear 2 in the first direction of rotation (I), such that the first air control element 17 is pivoted in the first direction of rotation (I). In the opposite second direction of rotation (II), the screw drive 10, or the switching device 9, engages the second output gear 7 with the drive gear 2, such that the second air control element 18 of the air outlet 13 is pivoted in the second direction of rotation (II). The switching device 9 switches to the first or second switching direction (I', II') depending on the direction of rotation of the electric motor 19 or the threaded shaft 3. For clarity, the directions of rotation (I, II) and the second switching direction (II') are not shown in the Fig. 3 shown.

[0059] To prevent the air control elements 17, 18 from unintentionally adjusting themselves when the respective output gear 6, 7 is not connected to the drive gear 2, the distribution gearbox 1 has a locking element 27 for each output gear 6, 7, which is arranged on the circumference of the respective output gear 6, 7 and is displaceable parallel to the axis of rotation of the respective output gear 6, 7. Fig. 3 The locking elements 27 are located behind an axis plane through the axes of rotation of the drive wheel 2 and the driven wheels 6, 7 and are therefore partially obscured by the drive wheel 2 and the driven wheels 6, 7. The locking element 27 has a locking tooth 28 which can be engaged between two teeth of the gears of the driven wheels 6, 7 and disengaged from the gears of the driven wheels 6, 7 by moving the locking element 27.

[0060] Forks 29 extend from the locking elements 27 towards the drive wheel 2, overlapping the drive wheel 2 at both end faces such that, when the drive wheel 2 moves in the first switching direction I', one locking element 27 is displaced so that the locking tooth 28 of the one locking element 27 engages between two teeth of the gearing of the second output wheel 7 or – in the exemplary embodiment – ​​between two teeth of the bevel gear 23 of the second output wheel 7 – and locks the second output wheel 7 against rotation. When the drive wheel 2 moves in the opposite second switching direction II', the drive wheel 2, via the fork 29 of the other locking element 27, displaces the other locking element 27 so that its locking tooth 28 engages between two teeth of the gearing of the first output wheel 6 and locks the first output wheel 6 against rotation. Fig.Figure 3 shows the drive wheel 2 in the second switching position, in which it meshes with the second output wheel 7 and the other locking element 27 locks the first output wheel 6 against rotation.

[0061] The forks 29 of the locking elements 27 are slightly narrower than the drive wheel 2 is wide, such that the forks 29 act as friction brakes 30 for the drive wheel 2. The friction brakes 30 ensure that the drive wheel 2 does not rotate with the threaded shaft 3, or at least rotates more slowly than the threaded shaft 3, when the drive wheel 2 is not in contact with one of the axial travel limits 5. This ensures the axial movement of the drive wheel 2 in either the switching direction I', II'.

[0062] The braking force of the friction brakes 30 is so low that the air control elements 17, 18 can be easily pivoted with the electric motor 19 via the transfer case 1.

[0063] The invention does not exclude a friction brake other than the forks 29, optionally also a friction brake that is only effective in a neutral position of the drive wheel 2, in which the drive wheel 2 does not mesh with either of the two driven wheels 6, 7 (not shown); and embodiments of the invention without a friction brake are also possible. Reference symbol list I, II Direction of rotation I', II' Switching direction 1 Transfer case 2 drive wheel 3 threaded shaft 4 screw threads 5 Axial travel limit 6 first output gear 7 second output gear 8 Output shaft 9 Switching device 10 screw gearboxes 11 first drive wheel 12 second drive wheel 13 air vents 14 cases 15 Outlet opening 16 Connecting rod 17 first air control element 18 second air control element 19 Electric motor 20 not assigned 21 first control curve 22 first control pin 23 Conical gearing 24 ring gear 25 second control curve 26 second control pin 27 Locking element 28 Locking tooth 29 Fork 30 friction brake QUOTES CONTAINED IN THE DESCRIPTION

[0000] This list of documents cited by the applicant was automatically generated and is included solely for the reader's convenience. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA accepts no liability for any errors or omissions. Cited patent literature

[0000] WO 2020 / 172 098 A1

[0002]

Claims

[1] Transfer case (1) with a drive wheel (2), a first output wheel (6) which is rotationally driven by the drive wheel (2) when rotating in a first direction of rotation (I), with a second output wheel (7) which is rotationally driven by the drive wheel (2) when rotating in a second direction of rotation (II) opposite to the first direction of rotation (I), and with a direction-dependent switching device (9) such that by rotating the drive wheel (2) in a first direction of rotation (I), the first output wheel (6) can be brought into a drive connection with the drive wheel (2), and by rotating the drive wheel (2) in a second direction of rotation (II) opposite to the first direction of rotation (I), the second output wheel (7) can be brought into a drive connection with the drive wheel (2), characterized bythat when the drive wheel (2) rotates in the first direction of rotation (I), the switching device (9) moves the drive wheel (2) in relation to the first output wheel (6) in a first switching direction (I') coaxially or parallel to a rotational axis of the drive wheel (2) such that the first output wheel (6) is drive-connected to the drive wheel (2), and that when the drive wheel (2) rotates in the second direction of rotation (II), the switching device (9) moves the drive wheel (2) in relation to the second output wheel (7) in a second switching direction (II') opposite to the first switching direction (I'), coaxially or parallel to the rotational axis of the drive wheel (2) such that the second output wheel (7) is drive-connected to the drive wheel (2). [2] Transfer case (1) with a first drive gear (11) and a first output gear (6), which is rotationally driven by the first drive gear (11) when rotating in a first direction of rotation (I), with a second drive gear (12) and a second output gear (7), which is rotationally driven by the second drive gear (12) when rotating in a second direction of rotation (II) opposite to the first direction of rotation (I), and with a direction-dependent switching device (9) which brings the first output gear (6) into a drive connection with the first drive gear (11) in the first direction of rotation (I) and which brings the second output gear (7) into a drive connection with the second drive gear (12) in the second direction of rotation (II), characterized bythat during rotation in the first direction of rotation (I), the switching device (9) moves the first drive wheel (11) in relation to the first output wheel (6) in a first switching direction (I') coaxially or parallel to a rotational axis of the first drive wheel (11) such that the first output wheel (6) is drive-connected to the first drive wheel (11), and that during the second direction of rotation (II), the switching device (9) moves the second drive wheel (11) in relation to the second output wheel (7) in a second switching direction (II') opposite the first switching direction (I'), coaxially or parallel to the rotational axis of the second drive wheel (12) such that the second output wheel (7) is drive-connected to the second drive wheel (12). [3] Transfer case (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized bythat the switching device (9) has a type of helical gear (10) which is driven in rotation upon rotation of the drive wheel(s) (2; 11, 12) of the transfer case (1) and which, upon rotation in the first direction of rotation (I), moves the drive wheel (2) or the first drive wheel (11) in relation to the first output wheel (6) in the first switching direction (I') and, upon rotation in the second direction of rotation (II), moves the drive wheel (2) or the second drive wheel (12) in relation to the second output wheel (7) in the second switching direction (II'). [4] Transfer case (1) according to claim 3, characterized bythat the helical gear (10) has a threaded shaft (3) and the drive wheel (2) or the drive wheels (11, 12) have nut threads which are screwed onto the threaded shaft (3) in such a way that upon rotation of the threaded shaft (3) in the first direction of rotation (I), the drive wheel or wheels (2; 11, 12) are moved in the first switching direction (I') and upon rotation of the threaded shaft (3) in the second direction of rotation (II), the drive wheel (2) or the drive wheels (11, 12) are moved in the second switching direction (II'), and that the switching device (9) has an axial travel limiter (5) for the drive wheel (2) or the drive wheels (11, 12), which stops the movement in both switching directions (I', II') when the drive wheel (2) or one of the drive wheels (11, 12) engages with the first output wheel (6) or the second output wheel (7) is drive-connected. [5] Transfer case (1) according to claim 3 or 4, characterized bythat the transfer case (1) has a friction brake (30) for the drive wheel(s) (2; 11, 12), which brakes the drive wheel(s) (2; 11, 12) at least until the drive wheel(s) (2; 11, 12) is in drive connection with the first or second output wheel (6, 7). [6] Transfer case (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized by that the transfer case (1) has a locking element (27) for the driven gears (6, 7), which is moved by the transfer case (1) into a first locking position when the drive gear(s) (2; 11, 12) rotates in the first direction of rotation (I), in which first locking position the locking element (27) locks the second driven gear (7) against rotation, and which is moved by the transfer case (1) into a second locking position when the drive gear(s) (2; 11, 12) rotates in the second direction of rotation (II), in which second locking position the locking element (27) locks the first driven gear (6) against rotation. [7] Transfer case (1) according to claim 6, characterized by that the switching device (9) or the drive wheel(s) (2; 11, 12) moves the locking element (27) into the locking positions. [8] Transfer case (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized by that the transfer case (1) has a gear transmission. [9] Transfer case (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized by that the transfer case (1) has a spur gear with parallel axes of rotation. [10] Air vent (13) with a first movable air control element (17) and with a second movable air control element (18), characterized bythat the air vent (13) has a transfer case (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, and that the first movable air control element (17) is drivingly connected to the first output gear (6) and the second air control element (18) is drivingly connected to the second output gear (7) such that the first air control element (17) is moved by the first output gear (6) when the first output gear (6) rotates and the second movable air control element (18) is moved by the second output gear (7) when the second output gear (7) rotates.

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