Vehicle Flap Drive Adapter for Modular Mounting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing drive arrangements for adjusting motor vehicle flaps face challenges in usability across different types of flaps, particularly due to limited attachment points and assembly space, requiring effortful adjustments and potentially leading to connection failures.
Innovation Solution
The introduction of a mounting adapter that allows the drive unit to be indirectly mounted to the flap via a side wall, rather than directly to the flap's bottom, simplifying adjustments and ensuring secure attachment through adapter interfaces and anti-rotation elements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the unit housing is directly attached to the flap bottom, then the drive arrangement can be mounted to the flap, but the adaptability to different flap types is poor and requires effortful adjustments
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting adapter is designed as a separate component that can be detached from the unit housing, allowing the drive arrangement to be segmented into modular parts. This enables the adapter to be optimized for different flap types while keeping the unit housing design relatively simple and reusable.
Solution Approach 2:
The mounting adapter acts as an intermediary component between the unit housing and the flap. It provides the flexibility to adapt to different attachment points and assembly spaces on various flap types without requiring changes to the unit housing itself.
2Ease of operation
If the unit housing is directly attached to the flap bottom, then the drive arrangement can be mounted to the flap, but the ease of adjustment is reduced due to limited attachment points and assembly space
Solution Approach 1:
By separating the mounting adapter from the unit housing, adjustments can be made to the adapter without affecting the unit housing. This segmentation allows for easier adaptation to different flap configurations while maintaining a simpler overall design.
Solution Approach 2:
The mounting adapter is designed to be detachable and reconfigurable, allowing dynamic adjustments to accommodate different attachment points and assembly spaces on various flap types without redesigning the entire drive arrangement.
3Ease of operation
If the output shaft is attached to the vehicle body and unit housing to the flap, then relative movement can be effected, but connection failures may lead to overall failure of the drive arrangement
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting adapter serves as a robust intermediary that provides secure mechanical connection between the unit housing and the flap. It includes features like anti-rotation elements and multiple attachment points that enhance connection reliability and prevent failure.
Solution Approach 2:
The mounting adapter incorporates anti-rotation elements and secure attachment mechanisms that prevent relative movement failures before they occur. These preliminary protective measures ensure reliable power transmission from the output shaft to the flap throughout operation.
Data Source
AI summary
A drive arrangement for adjusting a flap of a vehicle, wherein the flap is mounted to a vehicle body such that the flap is pivotally movable between an open position and a closed position, wherein the drive arrangement comprises a drive unit for moving the flap between the open position and the closed position, wherein the drive unit comprises an electric drive, a unit housing, and an output shaft, which is rotatable mounted in the housing, wherein the output shaft comprises a shaft interface for connecting the output shaft to the vehicle body. The drive arrangement can include a mounting adapter for indirect mounting of the drive unit to the flap and that the mounting adapter comprises an adapter interface, with which the mounting adapter is attached to the drive unit and that the mounting adapter comprises a further adapter interface for attachment of the mounting adapter to the flap.