Vehicle Air Passage Closure Carrier With Single-Actuator Lever Drive
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing closure systems for vehicles require multiple drives or more powerful drives to efficiently move and position multiple closure elements, leading to increased costs and structural complexity.
Innovation Solution
A closure system featuring a closure carrier supported at its ends on bearings, allowing multiple closure elements to be moved together via a single actuator with a gear mechanism and lever drive, utilizing a square shaft to drive additional levers and prevent tilting of individual elements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single drive is used to move multiple closure elements, then device complexity and cost are reduced, but the force required to move all closure elements simultaneously increases
Solution Approach 1:
The closure system is divided into multiple closure elements (first closure element, second closure element) that can be moved independently or together. Each closure element has its own closure carrier that can be actuated separately or in coordination with others, allowing the system to manage force requirements by segmenting the overall movement task.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs time-staggered engagement where the actuator engages with different closure elements at different times. The actuator first engages with the first closure element, then subsequently engages with the second closure element, creating a periodic or sequential action pattern that reduces peak force requirements compared to simultaneous engagement.
2Force
If multiple drives are used to move each closure element individually, then force requirements per drive are reduced, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
A single actuator is designed to perform multiple functions by engaging with different closure elements at different times. The same actuator can move the first closure element, then the second closure element, making it a universal driving mechanism that replaces what would traditionally require multiple specialized drives.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a closure carrier as an intermediary mechanism between the actuator and the closure elements. This carrier system includes levers and engagement portions that mediate the force transmission, allowing a single actuator to efficiently control multiple closure elements without requiring direct separate drives for each element.
3Speed
If closure elements are moved simultaneously, then the system responds faster to opening/closing commands, but the force and power requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses periodic or sequential engagement where the actuator moves closure elements in a time-staggered manner rather than all at once. This approach maintains acceptable response speed by quickly sequencing through the closure elements while significantly reducing the peak power and force requirements that would be needed for simultaneous movement.
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 force-saving movement and locking of multiple closure elements with a single drive, reducing complexity and costs while ensuring precise control of air passages.
Implementation Method 1
a gear mechanism and a lever drive, utilizing a square shaft to drive additional levers
Implementation Method 2
the lever drive drives additional levers by way of a square shaft in the end region of the closure carrier
Implementation Method 3
the closure elements are fitted to a closure carrier, which is supported at respective end regions of the longitudinal extent thereof on bearings on the vehicle
Data Source
AI summary
A closure system in a vehicle for opening and closing openings for an air passage includes at least two closure elements fitted to a closure carrier. The at least two closure elements close or release the same number of openings and are moved together. The closure carrier is supported on bearings on the vehicle at the respective end regions of the longitudinal extent of the closure carrier, and is pivoted by way of a single actuator with a gear mechanism and a lever drive about articulation locations on the vehicle. The lever drive drives additional levers in the end region of the closure carrier which is spaced apart from the actuator by way of a square shaft.