Drive unit for actuating a plurality of functions of an air vent system of an air distribution system, and air vent system with a drive unit of this type
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing air vent systems for vehicles require multiple electric motor drives for various functions, leading to high costs, increased weight, and significant installation space, which is undesirable for weight reduction and cost savings.
Innovation Solution
A drive unit with a single electric motor drive and a switching mechanism that allows independent actuation of multiple functions by reversing the rotational direction, utilizing a switching mechanism with output shafts or a distribution gear mechanism to transmit torque selectively to different components based on rotational direction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple electric motor drives are used for different air vent functions, then each function can be actuated independently and reliably, but the weight, cost, and installation space increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies multi-functionality by enabling a single electric motor drive to actuate multiple air vent functions (horizontal louver, vertical louver, ventilation flap) through a switching mechanism. The motor is configured to selectively transmit torque to different output shafts based on operational requirements, allowing one motor to replace multiple motors while maintaining independent control of each function.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines multiple drive functions into a single integrated drive unit. The switching mechanism merges the control of horizontal louver, vertical louver, and ventilation flap actuation into one unified system, reducing the number of separate motor drives from three to one while preserving the ability to independently actuate each function.
2Reliability
If multiple electric motor drives are used for different air vent functions, then each function can be actuated independently and reliably, but the cost and installation space increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies multi-functionality by enabling a single electric motor drive to actuate multiple air vent functions (horizontal louver, vertical louver, ventilation flap) through a switching mechanism. The motor is configured to selectively transmit torque to different output shafts based on operational requirements, allowing one motor to replace multiple motors while maintaining independent control of each function.
Solution Approach 2:
The switching mechanism serves as an intermediary between the single electric motor drive and the multiple air vent functions. It mediates the torque transmission by selectively coupling the motor's drive shaft to different output shafts (first output shaft for horizontal louver, second output shaft for vertical louver, third output shaft for ventilation flap), enabling one motor to control multiple functions without direct connection to each.
Data Source
AI summary
A drive unit (1) for actuating a plurality of functions of an air vent system or of an air distribution system, having an electric motor drive (3) with a drive shaft which can be driven in a first rotational direction or in a second rotational direction, and a switching mechanism with at least one first and one second output shaft (5), via which functions of the air vent system can be actuated, the switching mechanism being configured, during a drive of the drive shaft in the first rotational direction, to transmit a torque from the drive shaft only to the first output shaft (5), and, during a drive of the drive shaft in the second rotational direction, to transmit a torque from the drive shaft only to the second output shaft (5).