Vehicle Panel Spindle Drive Coupling for Manual-to-Motor Activation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing drive devices for adjustable vehicle panels require costly and time-consuming retrofitting to enable motor-driven adjustment, limiting customer convenience and flexibility.
Innovation Solution
A drive device with a coupling mechanism that allows for subsequent activation by actuating a drive element, enabling a coupling between the drive and output elements, allowing for motor-driven adjustment without initial resistance, and facilitating easy conversion from manual to motorized operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a drive device is installed in a vehicle as standard with motor-driven adjustment capability, then the functionality is complete and ready for use, but the device complexity and cost increase for all vehicles including those that may not need this feature
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling device transitions from a decoupled state (manual operation only) to a coupled state (motor-driven operation) based on activation conditions. This dynamic reconfiguration allows the drive device to adapt its functionality, providing motor-driven adjustment capability only when needed, thereby reducing overall device complexity and cost while maintaining adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The drive device is segmented into distinct functional components: a drive element (motor), a coupling device with first coupling element, and an output element. This segmentation allows the motor-driven adjustment capability to be selectively activated or deactivated by controlling the coupling state, enabling vehicles to have the functionality available without permanently integrating all components in an active state.
2Adaptability or versatility
If retrofitting is performed in a workshop, then the motor-driven adjustment can be installed, but the process is costly and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The drive element and coupling device are pre-installed in the vehicle as standard equipment, but the coupling device is initially in a decoupled state. This preliminary installation allows the motor-driven adjustment capability to be activated later by the end customer through a simple activation process, eliminating the need for costly and time-consuming workshop retrofitting while ensuring all necessary components are already in place.
3Ease of operation
If the drive element is always coupled to the output element, then motor-driven adjustment is always available, but manual actuation encounters increased resistance and requires more force
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling device dynamically switches between decoupled and coupled states based on operational needs. During manual actuation, the coupling device remains in the decoupled state, allowing smooth manual operation without motor resistance. When motor-driven adjustment is activated, the coupling device transitions to the coupled state, enabling full automation. This dynamic behavior resolves the contradiction by providing both manual ease and automated availability at different times.
4Ease of operation
If optional functions are installed as standard with hardware technology, then subsequent activation is possible by end customers, but the initial device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The drive device is divided into separable components with the coupling device serving as an activation mechanism. The first coupling element can be displaced between decoupled and coupled positions, creating a simple binary state system that is easy to activate but does not permanently increase overall device complexity. This segmentation allows optional functionality to be available without committing all vehicles to the full complexity of always-active motor-driven adjustment.
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
Enables cost-effective and simple retrofitting of motor-driven adjustment for vehicle panels, allowing customers to activate the function independently, reducing installation costs and time, and ensuring reliable torque transmission.
Implementation Method 1
the first coupling element and the drive element, in the decoupling position of the coupling device, are in a threaded or gear engagement
Implementation Method 2
the first coupling element and the drive element, in the decoupling position of the coupling device, are in a threaded or gear engagement
Data Source
AI summary
A drive device, in particular a spindle drive for a vehicle panel, including a housing, a drive element which extends along a drive axis, an output element which extends along an output axis, and a coupling device which is arranged between the drive element and the output element which has at least one first coupling element for coupling the drive element and the output element. The coupling device can be moved from a decoupling position into a coupling position, which couples the drive element and the output element together, by actuating the drive element.