Bearing Device Operating Wheel Air Vent Gap Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional bearing devices for control wheels in air vents suffer from large gaps between the control wheel and the outlet, asymmetrical slit images, and unpredictable operating forces due to unfavorable leverage ratios and manufacturing tolerances, leading to tilting issues and functional impairments.
Innovation Solution
A bearing device with a wall section and a panel, where the operating wheel is rotatably mounted via a bearing pin, and a spring device presses the wheel against a contact area on the panel, preventing tilting and allowing adjustable operating forces by relocating bearing points away from the axis of rotation and using a spring to counteract displacement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If the control wheel is mounted on the housing via a pin, then the wheel can be rotatably mounted, but the gap between the control wheel and the outlet becomes large and asymmetrical
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting system is divided into separate functional components: the bearing pin for rotation, the bearing for displacement counteraction, and the spring device for positioning. This segmentation allows each component to optimize its specific function, resulting in improved gap uniformity while maintaining ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
A bearing is introduced as an intermediary element between the control wheel and the housing to precisely control the gap. The bearing acts as a mediator that ensures uniform spacing while allowing the wheel to rotate smoothly, resolving the contradiction between precision and operability.
2Force
If a spring device is used to generate operating force at the pin, then the operating force can be achieved, but the leverage ratio is unfavorable and installation space is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The spring device is positioned in a different spatial dimension relative to the bearing pin, allowing it to generate operating force through a more favorable leverage ratio. This dimensional repositioning optimizes the mechanical advantage while reducing the complexity of the force transmission mechanism.
3Device complexity
If the control wheel is mounted directly on the housing, then the structure is simple, but tolerances lead to unpredictable gap patterns and operating forces
Solution Approach 1:
The bearing and spring device introduce adjustable parameters that compensate for manufacturing tolerances. The bearing controls the gap dimension while the spring device adjusts the operating force, allowing the system to achieve consistent gap patterns and predictable operating forces despite variations in housing tolerances.
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 design reduces gaps between the control wheel and the outlet, ensures a symmetrical slit image, and provides a play-free operation with adjustable forces, enhancing the control wheel's alignment and mobility while preventing tilting and haptic restrictions.
Implementation Method 1
a spring device is arranged on the cover which presses the operating wheel against a contact area of the cover
Implementation Method 2
the wall section has a bearing which is arranged at a distance from the bearing pin, facing away from the cover, the bearing counteracts a displacement of the operating wheel parallel to the axis of rotation of the operating wheel
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4~5
AI summary
A bearing assembly (40) with an operating wheel (60) comprising a wall section (18) with a bearing pin, a cover plate (20) arranged on the wall section (18), and an operating wheel (60) rotatably mounted on the bearing pin and projecting section by section through an opening (24) in the cover plate (20). The wall section (18) has a bearing arranged at a distance from the bearing pin and facing away from the cover plate (20). The bearing counteracts displacement of the operating wheel (60) parallel to the axis of rotation of the operating wheel (60) in at least one direction. A spring assembly is arranged on the cover plate (20) which presses the operating wheel (60) against a contact area of the cover plate (20).