Motor Vehicle Flap Drive with Housing-Only Output Shaft Support
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing drive arrangements for motor vehicle flaps require additional support for the output shaft, complicating installation and increasing costs.
Innovation Solution
The output shaft is rotatably supported inside the drive unit housing by a single bearing, eliminating the need for additional support elements and simplifying assembly, with options for radial or axial support and using rolling-element bearings for reduced friction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If additional support elements are used for the output shaft on the flap, then the output shaft is more stable and supported, but the installation complexity increases and assembly becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the support function from the flap side and concentrates it entirely within the drive unit housing. The output shaft is supported exclusively by bearings integrated into the drive unit housing, eliminating the need for separate support elements on the flap. This extraction of the support function resolves the contradiction by maintaining reliable output shaft support while simplifying installation to a single assembly operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the support function into the drive unit housing itself, where bearings are integrated directly into the housing structure. This consolidation combines the housing and support elements into a single integrated component, eliminating the need for separate support elements on the flap and reducing assembly complexity while maintaining support stability.
2Reliability
If multiple support elements are used for the output shaft, then the output shaft is better supported, but the number of parts increases and assembly time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the support function from multiple distributed elements and concentrates it into integrated bearings within the drive unit housing. This extraction reduces the total number of parts while maintaining adequate support, directly improving assembly speed by reducing the number of components to be installed and positioned.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges multiple support elements into a single integrated bearing structure within the drive unit housing. This consolidation reduces the part count and assembly operations required, improving productivity while maintaining the necessary support function for the output shaft.
3Reliability
If additional support elements are installed on the flap, then the output shaft is more stable, but the mounting time and installation steps increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the support function from separate elements on the flap and consolidates it into the drive unit housing. This extraction eliminates additional installation steps on the flap, reducing installation time while maintaining output shaft stability through integrated bearings.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the support function into the drive unit housing structure, creating a single integrated assembly. This consolidation reduces the number of installation steps and mounting time required, as the support function is already incorporated into the housing rather than requiring separate installation on the flap.
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
This configuration simplifies installation, reduces costs, and enhances efficiency by minimizing friction and energy loss.
Implementation Method 1
The use of a rolling-element bearing such as a ball bearing or a roller bearing provides the advantage of supporting the output with very little friction
Data Source
AI summary
A drive arrangement for adjusting a flap of a motor vehicle wherein the flap is mounted to a vehicle body such that the flap is pivotally movable in relation to the vehicle body 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 drive unit housing, in which the electric drive is housed, and an output shaft which is rotatable mounted inside the drive unit housing, wherein the output shaft comprises a shaft interface for connecting the output shaft to the vehicle body. It is proposed that the output shaft is rotatably supported inside the drive unit housing only.