Switchable-Ratio Link Mechanism for Precise HVAC Door Positioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing link mechanisms in vehicle air conditioning systems, which use a single servomotor to drive multiple doors, result in complex transmission mechanisms that are prone to precision issues and are difficult to downsize due to increased component count, leading to inadequate movement control and potential inaccuracies in door positioning.
Innovation Solution
A link mechanism comprising a drive device, a driven member, a first drive force transmission mechanism, a second drive force transmission mechanism, and a transmission path switch device, which allows for switching between two different speed reduction ratios to achieve appropriate movement modes, thereby improving precision and flexibility in door movement control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If a single servomotor is used to drive multiple doors, then the number of servomotors is reduced and costs are reduced, but the transmission mechanism becomes complex and precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The transmission mechanism is segmented into multiple independent link mechanisms, each with its own drive force transmission path. Each link mechanism includes a servomotor, link mechanism body, and link mechanism output that can independently control one or more doors, thereby maintaining precision while reducing the total number of servomotors needed in the system.
Solution Approach 2:
The link mechanism body incorporates movable link members that can dynamically adjust their positions and configurations. This dynamic structure allows the mechanism to adapt to different door positions and movement requirements, maintaining transmission precision despite the complex multi-door drive configuration.
2Quantity of substance
If a single servomotor drives multiple doors, then costs are reduced, but the transmission mechanism becomes difficult to downsize due to increased component count
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple link mechanisms are merged into a compact integrated structure where shareable link members are common to multiple transmission paths. The link mechanism bodies are positioned adjacent to each other and share common structural elements, reducing the overall volume of the transmission mechanism while maintaining the ability to drive multiple doors independently.
Solution Approach 2:
The link mechanism body is designed as a universal structure that can serve multiple functions. A single link mechanism body can drive one door or multiple doors simultaneously, and the same structural components can be used across different link mechanisms, reducing the total component count and enabling downsizing of the overall transmission system.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a complex transmission mechanism is used to drive multiple doors, then door coverage is improved, but movement control precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The control system is segmented into multiple independent control units, with each link mechanism having its own servomotor and control circuitry. This segmentation allows each door to be controlled independently with high precision, while the system as a whole maintains versatility in driving multiple doors in various configurations.
Solution Approach 2:
Each link mechanism incorporates feedback mechanisms that monitor the position and movement of the driven doors. This feedback is transmitted to the control unit, which adjusts the servomotor output in real-time to maintain precise movement control, even as the system adapts to different door configurations and positions.
Data Source
AI summary
A link mechanism includes a drive device, a driven member, a first drive force transmission mechanism, a second drive force transmission mechanism and a transmission path switch device. The drive device generates a drive force. The driven member is moved by the drive force. The first drive force transmission mechanism transmits the drive force toward the driven member at a speed reduction ratio which is predetermined. The second drive force transmission mechanism transmits the drive force toward the driven member at a speed reduction ratio which is different from the speed reduction ratio of the first drive force transmission mechanism. The transmission path switch device switches a transmission path, along which the drive force is transmitted from the drive device toward the driven member, to one of the first drive force transmission mechanism and the second drive force transmission mechanism.