Drive assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle curtains are difficult to move manually due to high engagement forces required between the drive motor and the canopy frame, making access to the loading surface challenging when the vehicle is unpowered or away from power sources.
Innovation Solution
A drive assembly comprising a drive rack, idle gear, motor assembly, gearbox, and actuator that allows the motor assembly to move between idle and drive positions, enabling manual or automated movement of the curtain using an electric motor and battery power, with features like a bias member to ensure engagement and a charging system for power supply.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a drive motor is engaged with the canopy frame to provide drive forces for moving the curtain, then the curtain can be moved effectively, but the engagement forces required make the curtain unmovable by hand
Solution Approach 1:
The motor assembly is designed to be movable between an engaged position (where the drive gear engages the idle gear for powered operation) and a disengaged position (where manual movement is possible). This dynamic reconfiguration allows the system to switch between automated and manual modes, resolving the contradiction between effective motor-driven movement and manual movability.
Solution Approach 2:
The drive system is segmented into separate components: a motor assembly that can be positioned independently from the curtain structure. The motor assembly includes a drive gear that can engage or disengage from the idle gear mounted on the curtain, allowing the system to be divided into powered and manual operation modes.
2Extent of automation
If the motor assembly is always engaged to provide automated drive forces, then curtain movement is automated, but access to the loading surface is blocked when the vehicle is unpowered
Solution Approach 1:
The motor assembly's position is dynamically adjustable between engaged and disengaged states. When engaged, automated movement is available; when disengaged, manual access is enabled. This dynamic positioning resolves the contradiction between automation and adaptability for unpowered scenarios.
Solution Approach 2:
The idle gear acts as an intermediary element that can receive input from either the motor assembly (for automated operation) or direct manual force (for manual operation). This intermediary component enables the system to accept different types of input and switch between automated and manual modes seamlessly.
3Reliability
If the drive rack and idle gear are fixed to provide stable engagement, then drive forces are effective, but the system cannot adapt to different operational modes
Solution Approach 1:
The motor assembly is designed with movable components that can shift between engaged and disengaged positions while maintaining stable engagement when in the engaged state. The actuator mechanism provides controlled movement to achieve reliable gear engagement or disengagement, resolving the contradiction between stability and flexibility.
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 easy manual or automated movement of vehicle curtains, ensuring access to the loading surface even when the vehicle is unpowered, reducing the risk of jamming and emissions, and providing a fail-safe operation.
Implementation Method 1
the electric motor and the electric actuator, wherein the battery pack is configured to power the electric motor and the electric actuator
Implementation Method 2
a motor connected to the gearbox for driving the drive gear
Implementation Method 3
a gearbox that is connected to the drive gear
Implementation Method 4
an actuator for moving the motor assembly between an idle position, wherein the idle gear is idle, and a drive position, wherein the drive gear is engaged with the idle gear
Data Source
AI summary
A drive assembly for moving a curtain of a vehicle includes a drive rack, an idle gear engaged with the drive rack, a motor assembly and an actuator. The motor assembly includes a drive gear engageable with the idle gear, a gearbox connected to the drive gear, and a motor connected to the gearbox for driving the drive gear. The actuator is for moving the motor assembly between an idle position, wherein the idle gear is idle, and a drive position, wherein the drive gear is engaged with the idle gear for driving the idle gear. When the motor assembly is in the drive position, the idle gear is drivable by the motor to move the idle gear along the drive rack. One of the drive rack and the idle gear is mountable on the curtain so as to move the curtain between a first and a second position.