Vehicle Air Distribution Flap Gearing for Independent End-Stop Travel
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing air distribution assemblies for vehicles face challenges in allowing one flap to continue moving when the other flap has reached its end stop position, limiting their angular travel and reliability.
Innovation Solution
A geared transmission device connects two rotatable distribution flaps, utilizing a control mechanism with a Bowden cable and an elastic element in the gear wheel to enable independent movement, allowing the first flap to rotate further even after the second flap reaches its end stop position.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a geared transmission device connects two flaps with fixed angular travel, then the transmission mechanism is simple and reliable, but one flap cannot continue moving when the other reaches its end stop position
Solution Approach 1:
The second gear wheel is divided into two independent elements (first element with teeth and second element without teeth) that can rotate relative to each other. This segmentation allows the gear wheel to provide both engaged and disengaged states, enabling the second flap to stop at its end position while the first flap continues moving.
Solution Approach 2:
The transmission mechanism transitions from a static, fixed-angular-travel system to a dynamic system where the second element can rotate independently within a limited angular range. This dynamic capability allows the system to adapt to different operational states, enabling one flap to continue moving while the other remains stationary at its end stop.
2Reliability
If the second gear wheel elements are held in mutual abutment contact, then the transmission is stable and reliable, but the elastic element requires larger initial compression
Solution Approach 1:
The gear wheel elements are designed with specific local features: the first element has teeth for engaged contact, while the second element has a localized abutment surface. This local quality differentiation allows for stable transmission during normal operation while reducing the overall compression force requirement compared to a fully engaged design.
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
This solution ensures greater reliability and independence in the movement of the flaps, enabling continued operation of the air distribution assembly with enhanced resistance and ease of standardization across different applications.
Implementation Method 1
a second gear wheel (28), integral with the second distribution flap (14), comprising a first element (42) and a second element (44), able to rotate relative to each other with respect to the axis of rotation (18) of the second distribution flap (14)
Implementation Method 2
a geared transmission device (24) that connects the first flap (12) and the second flap (14) to each other. The geared transmission assembly (24) comprises a first gear wheel (26) fastened on the shaft (20) of the first flap (12), and a second gear wheel (28) fastened on the shaft (22) of the second flap (14)
Data Source
AI summary
An air distribution assembly for vehicles, comprising a first flap, able to rotate around a first axis, a second distribution flap, able to rotate around a second axis, and a geared transmission device that connects the first and the second flap to each other. The transmission device comprises at least one gear wheel including a first and a second element able to rotate relative to each other and an elastic element positioned between the first and the second element to allow a relative rotation motion between the first and the second element.