Cam-Driven Vehicle Actuator for Higher Gear Ratio Without Intermediate Gears
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electromotive drives for motor vehicle applications face challenges in achieving a significant increase in translation without resorting to complex and costly intermediate gears.
Innovation Solution
The electromotive drive incorporates a snail wheel that completes more than a full revolution (> 360°), utilizing a lever with a first lever stop and a wheel base that interact position-dependently to achieve increased translation and torque.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If intermediate gears are used to increase the gear ratio, then the gear ratio is improved, but the device complexity and friction increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the cam mechanism and lever mechanism into a single integrated transmission system. The cam contour directly acts on the lever to produce rotational movement, eliminating the need for separate intermediate gears. This merging of functions achieves the desired gear ratio increase while reducing device complexity and friction losses.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a cam-lever mechanism as an intermediary between the drive wheel and the final output. The cam contour, with its specifically designed shape, acts as a mediator that converts the rotational movement of the drive wheel into amplified rotational movement of the lever, achieving the desired transmission ratio without traditional gear intermediaries.
2Power
If intermediate gears are used to increase the gear ratio, then the gear ratio is improved, but friction increases
Solution Approach 1:
By merging the cam and lever mechanisms into a direct transmission system, the patent eliminates multiple gear meshing interfaces that would generate friction. The direct cam-lever contact reduces the number of friction points while maintaining the desired gear ratio, thereby reducing energy loss.
3Length of moving object
If the cam contour completes more than a full rotation, then the translation is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a dynamic cam contour that rotates through more than 360 degrees to achieve extended translation. The cam's rotational movement dynamically engages with the lever, allowing the lever to traverse a longer path and achieve greater translation without adding complex mechanical linkages or additional components.
Solution Approach 2:
The cam-lever mechanism serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides the desired translation, achieves the required gear ratio, and limits the lever's rotational movement through the interaction between the cam contour and lever stop. This multi-functionality is achieved without increasing device complexity.
4Reliability
If the lever stop and wheel stop interact to limit rotation, then the reliability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The lever stop and wheel stop are designed to interact automatically based on their relative positions. When the lever reaches its maximum rotational position, the lever stop naturally engages with the wheel stop, providing self-limiting functionality. This self-service mechanism ensures reliable operation without requiring additional control systems or complex actuation mechanisms.
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 allows for a substantial increase in translation, enabling the lever to perform desired movements with increased torque, thereby enhancing the functionality of motor vehicle locks, door operations, and other applications.
Implementation Method 1
the cam contour is designed to realize more than a full rotation (>360°)... the lever is equipped with at least one first lever stop and the drive wheel is equipped with a wheel stop... the first lever stop interacts with the wheel stop as an end stop after more than the full rotation of the drive wheel
Implementation Method 2
the electric motor meshing with an external toothing of the worm gear via a worm located on its output shaft
Implementation Method 3
the cam contour typically has a spiral edge to apply increasing torque to the lever
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
Figure 2A~2B
AI summary
The invention relates to an electromotive drive for motor vehicle applications, which is equipped with an electric motor (1), a drive wheel (3) that interacts with the electric motor (1), in particular a worm wheel (3) having a cam contour (5), and a lever (8) that can be impacted by the cam contour (5). The cam contour (5) completes a full rotation (360°) in order to impact the lever (8). According to the invention, the cam contour (5) is designed to exceed a full rotation (>360°).