Vehicle Air Deflector Drive Unit Temperature Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing drive units for air deflector elements in motor vehicles exhibit tolerance variations and external condition influences, leading to inconsistent adjustment speeds, which are undesirable.

Innovation Solution

A drive unit comprising a drive motor and transmission connected as one unit, with a control unit and integrated temperature sensor to account for temperature variations, allowing adaptive control and consistent adjustment times across operating conditions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a drive motor with transmission is used for the air deflector element, then the adjustment function is achieved, but tolerance variations and external condition influences cause inconsistent adjustment speeds

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadjustment speed consistencyVSAvoidresponse to temperature variations

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The control unit is configured to determine the temperature of the drive unit before controlling the drive motor, and to adapt the control parameters based on this temperature information. This preliminary temperature assessment allows the system to pre-adjust control characteristics, compensating for temperature-induced variations in adjustment speed and maintaining consistent performance across different operating conditions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If temperature variations are not considered, then the control system is simpler, but adjustment times become inconsistent under varying operating conditions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadjustment time consistencyVSAvoidcontrol system structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system incorporates a temperature sensor that continuously monitors the drive unit temperature and feeds this information back to the control unit. The control unit uses this feedback to dynamically adjust the drive motor control characteristics, ensuring consistent adjustment times despite temperature variations. This closed-loop feedback mechanism maintains reliability without requiring complex mechanical modifications.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Ease of operation

If the temperature sensor is integrated into the control unit, then handling complexity is reduced, but the control unit structure becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehandling complexityVSAvoidcontrol unit internal structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The temperature sensor is integrated directly into the control unit, merging the temperature measurement function with the existing control electronics. This integration eliminates the need for separate temperature sensing components and their associated mounting and wiring, thereby reducing overall handling complexity and assembly steps while the internal complexity is managed through unified electronic architecture.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS11572107B2Drive unit and method for controlling a drive unit, in particular for an air deflector element of a motor vehicle

Publication Date: 2023.02.07 DR ING H C F PORSCHE AG

AI summary

A drive unit for an air deflector element of a motor vehicle includes a drive motor transmission unit formed by a drive motor connected with, as a single unit, at least one transmission, a control unit configured to control the drive unit, and a temperature sensor configured to detect a temperature of the drive unit.