Modular Gear Stage for Versatile Flap Drive Systems
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing flap drive systems for furniture are limited to specific mechanical control units, requiring separate electric drives to be designed for each, resulting in high costs and limited adaptability.
Innovation Solution
A gear stage is introduced that can be independently dimensioned, allowing different mechanical control units to be driven with a single electric drive, enabling cost-effective retrofitting and adaptable power transmission.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a flap drive system is designed for a specific mechanical control unit, then the system can be optimized for that unit, but the system cannot be attached to different mechanical control units
Solution Approach 1:
The flap drive system is divided into three separate modules: the electric drive unit, the gear stage, and the mechanical control unit. This segmentation allows each module to be independently dimensioned and optimized, while the standardized interface on the gear stage enables compatibility across different configurations without requiring custom-designed electric drives for each mechanical control unit
Solution Approach 2:
The gear stage serves as an intermediary component between the electric drive and the mechanical control unit. It features a standardized receptacle that can accommodate different electric drives and a standardized output that can drive different mechanical control units, thus mediating the connection and enabling versatility without increasing overall system complexity
2Reliability
If separate electric drives are produced for each mechanical control unit, then optimal performance for each unit is achieved, but production costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The gear stage is designed as a universal interface component that can work with multiple types of electric drives and mechanical control units. This multi-functionality allows a single gear stage design to serve multiple purposes, enabling cost-effective production through standardization while maintaining optimized performance for different applications through the versatility of the standardized interface
3Ease of operation
If the gear stage is designed with a housing, then attachment becomes easy, but the overall device size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The gear stage housing is designed with dynamic assembly features including a receptacle that receives the electric drive and a pin that engages with the mechanical control unit. These dynamic features enable easy attachment and detachment without requiring complex fastening mechanisms, achieving ease of operation while minimizing the housing volume through efficient space utilization
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 solution allows for a cost-effective and versatile flap drive system that can be easily integrated with various mechanical control units and electric drives, facilitating compact construction and easy maintenance.
Implementation Method 1
a gear stage (1) is provided which is not part of the electric drive (2) or the mechanical control unit (3)
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a flap drive system (15) for a flap (18) which is movably mounted on a furniture carcass (17), the flap drive system (15) being arranged on a sidewall of the furniture carcass (17). The flap drive system comprises: a mechanical actuating unit (3) having an actuating arm (19) that can be connected to the flap (18) and an accumulator acting upon the actuating arm (19), an electric drive, fastened on the mechanical actuating unit (3), for driving the flap (18), said electric drive (2) having at least one electric motor, and a gear stage (1) which allows the transmission of force from the electric drive (2) onto the mechanical actuating unit (3). The gear stage (1) is designed as a separate component and has a housing that is independent from the mechanical actuating unit (3) and the electric drive (2) or an independent mounting plate.