Vehicle Drive Mounting With Expanding Tolerance Compensation Sleeve
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing drive arrangements with drive units between two walls face issues of mechanical load and sealing due to the need to bridge gaps, which can be exacerbated by the use of elastically deformed retaining plates, leading to adverse effects on mechanical load and sealing.
Innovation Solution
A drive arrangement with a sleeve-shaped tolerance compensation element that radially expands upon tightening, securing the drive unit to a wall by clamping it between a screw and a wall opening, ensuring a frictional connection and precise positioning without radial movement, using a first mounting and a second mounting to attach the drive unit to opposing walls.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If a retaining plate is elastically deformed to bridge the gap between the drive unit and the wall, then the gap can be bridged, but the mechanical load and sealing are adversely affected
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the deformation parameter from elastic (prior art) to plastic (invention). The retaining plate is designed to undergo plastic deformation when the screw is tightened, allowing it to permanently expand radially and bridge the gap without the adverse effects of elastic deformation on mechanical load and sealing. This is achieved by selecting appropriate material properties and wall thickness for the retaining plate.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by creating a specific geometric structure in the retaining plate with a reduced wall thickness region (or groove) at the location where radial expansion is needed. This localized structural modification allows the retaining plate to expand radially in a controlled manner to bridge the gap while maintaining sufficient strength in other regions to withstand mechanical loads and sealing requirements.
2Reliability
If the tolerance compensation element is designed to expand radially upon tightening, then reliable positioning and frictional connection are achieved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the functions of gap bridging, positioning, and securing into a single integrated retaining plate component. The retaining plate combines the features of a mounting bracket with integrated tolerance compensation capabilities through its plastic deformation mechanism, eliminating the need for separate elastic deformation elements or complex adjustment mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The retaining plate acts as an intermediary element between the screw connection and the wall opening. It mediates the connection by undergoing plastic deformation to adapt to dimensional tolerances and gap variations, providing a reliable frictional connection without requiring complex intermediary components or adjustment 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
The solution provides a reliable, backlash-free mounting that prevents bending and tensile stress, allowing the use of lightweight materials and ensuring a robust, precise, and cost-effective assembly of the drive unit within a frame interface.
Implementation Method 1
the radial expansion takes the form of a plastic deformation of the tolerance compensation element
Implementation Method 2
This frictional connection, i.e., the contact of the expanded part of the tolerance compensation element against the inside of the wall opening, is specifically a frictional connection in the axial direction
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a drive arrangement (1) of a vehicle, more particularly driven by muscle power and/or motor power, comprising a drive unit (2), a frame interface (3), wherein the drive unit (2) is arranged at least partially between a first wall (31) and a second wall (32) of the frame interface (3), a first holder (51) which holds the drive unit (2) on the first wall (31), and a second holder (52) which holds the drive unit (2) on the second wall (32), wherein the first holder (51) has a screw (5) and a sleeve-like tolerance compensation element (4), wherein the tolerance compensation element (4) is arranged at least partially within a wall opening (31b) of the first wall (31) and lying against the drive unit (2) and is screwed to the drive unit (2) by means of the screw (5), and wherein the tolerance compensation element (4) is designed to expand radially as a result of the screw connection in order to lie at least partially against an inner side (31a) of the wall opening (31b) when the screw (5) is tightened with a predefined tightening torque (50).