Adjustment Drive Overload Clutch With Independent Haptic Detent
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing adjustment drives in motor vehicles face challenges in achieving a balance between safety clutch protection and desired haptics during manual actuation, requiring adaptation to different end applications, and the haptics are difficult to achieve consistently.
Innovation Solution
An adjustment drive with a safety clutch that separates the self-locking gear stage from excessive external torque, using a clutch with preloaded clutch elements and distinct locking and coupling contours to determine haptics, allowing independent adjustment of haptic settings without affecting safety functionality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a safety clutch is installed to protect the self-locking gear stage from excessive torque, then the reliability of the gearbox is improved, but the haptic quality during manual actuation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The clutch mechanism is segmented into distinct functional components: coupling contours for torque transmission, locking contours for haptic determination, and clutch elements with spring elements for overload protection. This segmentation allows each component to independently fulfill its specific function without interfering with others, resolving the contradiction between protection and haptics.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the clutch mechanism have different functional qualities: the coupling contours provide torque transmission with clearance for free passage, while the locking contours provide precise haptic feedback through detent engagement. This local differentiation of functional qualities enables simultaneous achievement of reliable protection and high-quality haptics.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the safety clutch is adapted to meet specific haptic requirements for different end applications, then the adaptability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The clutch mechanism serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides overload protection through the spring-loaded clutch elements, determines haptics through the locking contours, and enables free passage for manual actuation detection. This multi-functionality within a single integrated mechanism provides adaptability to different applications without proportionally increasing complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The haptic characteristics can be adjusted by changing geometric parameters of the locking contours and spring element preloads, while the protective function remains determined by the clutch element design. This parameter-based adjustment allows adaptation to different applications without fundamental redesign, maintaining simplicity.
3Force
If clutch elements are preloaded against coupling contours to transmit torque, then the torque transmission capability is improved, but the free passage for manual actuation detection deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The spring elements preload the clutch elements against the coupling contours in advance, establishing a ready state for torque transmission. However, the clearance in the coupling contours is designed to accommodate this preload while still allowing the clutch elements to disengage and form a free passage when excessive torque is applied, enabling manual actuation detection.
Solution Approach 2:
The clutch mechanism transitions dynamically between different states: under normal operation, clutch elements are engaged with coupling contours for torque transmission; during manual actuation, the elements can disengage to form a free passage for detection; and under excessive torque, the elements are pressed out to separate the self-locking gear stage. This dynamic behavior resolves the contradiction between torque transmission and detection capability.
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 flexible adaptation to different requirements by independently adjusting haptics and ensuring safety clutch protection, providing a consistent and adaptable 'tip-to-run' mechanism.
Implementation Method 1
at least one locking element, which is rotationally fixed to the other of the two gears, output-side gear or motor-side gear, is preloaded by a spring element against at least one locking contour
Implementation Method 2
the clutch elements are pressed out of the positive connection and thus out of at least one clutch contour by the excessively large external torque in the event of an excessively large external torque
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~6
AI summary
An adjustment drive comprising an electric motor (1) and a gearbox (2) with a self-locking gear stage (3) and with an output (4), wherein the gearbox (2) includes a safety clutch (6) configured to disconnect the self-locking gear stage (3) from the external torque in the event of an excessive external torque, i.e., applied via the output (4), wherein the safety clutch (6) comprises a motor-side gear (10) and an output-side gear (11), wherein the safety clutch (6) uses clutch elements (15) for a positive-locking connection between the motor-side gear (10) and the output-side gear (11), wherein, in the event of an excessive external torque, i.e., applied via the output (4), the clutch elements (15) are forced out of the positive-locking connection and thus out of at least one clutch contour (7a) by the excessive external torque, so that the self-locking gear stage (3) is disconnected from the external torque. becomes,wherein the safety clutch (6) has a clearance (6a), wherein the clearance (6a) is formed by the at least one clutch contour (7a) in the motor-side gear (10) or in the output-side gear (11), wherein at least one detent element (12), which is rotationally fixed to the other of the two gears, output-side gear (11) or motor-side gear (10), is biased against at least one detent contour (7b) by a spring element (16), so that the haptic feedback of an external movement request (8), i.e., introduced via the output (4), is determined by the shape of the detent contour (7b) and thus a haptic-determining detent (5) is formed by the detent contour (7b).