Mechatronic Unlocking Means for Bowden Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing drive devices for Bowden controls are complex and difficult to assemble, particularly in vehicle manufacturing, where simplification and protection from mechanical influences and contamination are needed.
Innovation Solution
A drive device with electric actuators and mechanisms surrounded by a housing with a closable cover, incorporating spring means for stabilization and a cable duct with retaining features, protects the connecting region and power terminals, facilitating easy assembly and mechanical protection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Weight of moving object
If the housing is made lightweight with minimal stabilization, then the overall weight and complexity are reduced, but the actuator becomes vulnerable to mechanical influences and contamination
Solution Approach 1:
The housing is divided into a main body and a separate closable cover. The cover can be removed or opened to provide access to the actuator and mechanism for assembly and maintenance, while the main housing body provides structural support and protection. This segmentation allows the housing to be lightweight yet protective.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring means acts as an intermediary stabilization element between the actuator and the housing. It provides mechanical support and absorption of forces, protecting the actuator from direct mechanical influences while maintaining a lightweight housing structure.
2Reliability
If the housing provides comprehensive stabilization and protection, then the actuator is well-protected from mechanical influences, but the housing becomes more complex and requires more materials
Solution Approach 1:
The housing is segmented into a main body and a removable cover. The cover handles access and basic protection functions, while the main housing provides structural support. This division reduces the complexity of the overall housing design while maintaining comprehensive protection.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring means provides automatic stabilization and positioning of the actuator within the housing. It self-adjusts to provide support and absorption of mechanical forces without requiring complex active control systems or additional complex mechanisms.
3Ease of operation
If the connecting region is left open for easy access, then assembly and maintenance are simplified, but the mechanism becomes exposed to contamination and mechanical damage
Solution Approach 1:
The housing is segmented with a removable cover that provides access to the connecting region. When the cover is in place, it protects the mechanism from contamination. When removed, it allows easy access for assembly and maintenance. This segmentation resolves the contradiction between accessibility and protection.
Solution Approach 2:
The cover transitions between two states: closed (providing protection) and open (providing access). This dynamic state change allows the housing to adapt between protection and accessibility modes, resolving the contradiction between these two requirements.
4Stability of the object's composition
If the actuator is firmly fixed in the housing, then positional stability is improved, but the housing must be stronger and more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The spring means serves as an intermediary element between the actuator and the housing. It provides stabilization and positioning of the actuator while absorbing mechanical forces, allowing the housing to remain simple and lightweight while maintaining actuator stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring means changes its mechanical parameters (compression, extension) to adapt to different actuator positions and forces. This allows the housing to maintain simple structure while the spring dynamically adjusts to provide the necessary stabilization for actuator positioning.
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 simplifies assembly, protects the mechanism from mechanical influences and contamination, and provides additional stabilization for the actuator, ensuring reliable operation and reduced exposure to mechanical stresses.
Implementation Method 1
the housing in which the actuator is situated has a spring means, which interacts with the actuator and fixes the latter in at least one spatial direction
Data Source
AI summary
A drive device for a Bowden control comprises at least one electric actuator and a mechanism connected to the Bowden control. The actuator and mechanism are surrounded by at least one housing. The housing comprises a closable cover in a connecting region between the mechanism and the Bowden control.