Motor Vehicle Drive Unit Frictional Element for Position Maintenance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Electric drive units in motor vehicle door locks face issues with increased load and noise due to free play among components, making it difficult to maintain positions and determine interactions, especially when the drive motor stops.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a frictional element with a specific friction coefficient that slows down or hinders the movement of the functional element before, at, and after the stop position, preventing return movement when the drive is off, and integrating this element into the housing to enhance self-restraint without additional components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the electric drive motor stops when the functional element reaches the stop position, then the drive unit can maintain position, but increased load and noise occur due to free play between components
Solution Approach 1:
The frictional element is positioned to engage with the functional element before the stop position is reached, creating preliminary resistance that prevents excessive movement and reduces the impact load when stopping, thereby reducing noise and maintaining reliable positioning
Solution Approach 2:
The frictional element acts as an intermediary between the functional element and the stop position, providing controlled resistance that eliminates free play effects without requiring additional complex components
2Device complexity
If the functional element is allowed to move freely, then the drive unit structure can be simple, but it is difficult to maintain positions and determine interactions among components
Solution Approach 1:
The frictional element is integrated into the existing housing structure, allowing the housing to serve dual purposes: structural support and providing frictional resistance for position maintenance, thereby avoiding additional components while improving reliability
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 effectively reduces noise and maintains secure positions by preventing unwanted return movements, ensuring reliable operation against increased friction, thus addressing the challenges of load and position maintenance in electric drive units.
Implementation Method 1
The friction coefficient between the frictional element and the functional element is such that the frictional force between the functional element and the frictional element cannot be overcome by forces that normally act on the functional element when the drive motor is turned off
Data Source
AI summary
A drive unit (1) comprising at least one electric drive motor (2) that moves a functional element (3), wherein the functional element (3) assumes, during its movement, a stop position (4) for switching off an electric drive motor (2), and at least one frictional element (6) cooperating with the functional element (3), wherein the frictional element (6) is disposed along a segment of a motion pathway (5) before the functional element (3) reaches the stop position (4). In addition, a motor vehicle lock (10) having a central locking mechanism (11) with such a drive unit (1).