Vehicle Opening Drive Gearbox Layout for Tight Mounting Space
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing drive devices for vehicle opening mechanisms, such as doors or fuel filler doors, often require a large installation space due to the output shaft being positioned far from the vehicle part, necessitating an extended design into the vehicle interior.
Innovation Solution
A drive device with a transmission system featuring a first and second gear unit, where the output axis is positioned closer to the mounting side by incorporating a second gear unit that reduces the distance from the first rotational axis, allowing for a compact design.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If a multistage transmission is used to increase drive torque, then the drive torque is amplified, but the output shaft is positioned far from the mounting side, increasing installation space requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent repositions the output shaft from a conventional radial arrangement to an axial arrangement within the housing. The output shaft is positioned in an output region between the mounting side and the first rotational axis, utilizing the axial dimension to reduce the radial distance from the mounting side. This dimensional reconfiguration allows the output shaft to be located at a distance smaller than the first gear radius while still achieving the required torque multiplication through the multistage transmission.
2Length of stationary object
If the output shaft is positioned close to the mounting side for compact design, then installation space is reduced, but the transmission complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a nested arrangement where the output shaft is positioned within the spatial envelope defined by the first gear's rotation. The output region is nested between the mounting side and the first rotational axis, allowing the output shaft to occupy a space that would otherwise be within the first gear's operational zone. This nesting strategy enables compact positioning without requiring additional external components or increasing the overall transmission structure complexity.
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 compact design enables the drive device to be mounted closer to the vehicle part, reducing overall installation space and facilitating easier integration into vehicle interiors.
Implementation Method 1
The transmission includes a first gear unit on the driven side. The first gear unit has a first gear that has a first rotational axis and a first radius. The transmission also includes a second gear unit on the output side for coupling to the opening mechanism
Data Source
AI summary
A drive device for an opening mechanism for opening a movable opening element of a vehicle. The drive device comprising: a drive unit for generating the drive torque; a housing having a mounting side which can be oriented towards a vehicle part of the vehicle in order to mount the drive device; and a gearbox for increasing the drive torque of the drive unit. The gearbox having a drive-side, first gearbox unit comprising a first gear which has a first axis of rotation and a first radius, and an output-side second gearbox unit for coupling with the opening mechanism having an output axis. The first gearbox unit and the second gearbox unit being operatively connected to one another. An opening system is also provided.