Spring-Assisted Spindle Drive for Low-Power Flap Opening
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing spindle drive assemblies require a strong and bulky drive motor to initiate small opening angles of motor vehicle flaps due to limited lever angles, leading to increased space requirements and costs.
Innovation Solution
Incorporation of two compression springs, a first spring assisting throughout the opening movement and a second spring providing additional force at the start, reducing the initial motor power needed by leveraging spring force to facilitate easier flap opening.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If a strong drive motor is used to initiate small opening angles of the flap, then the motor can overcome the high force requirement at small lever angles, but the motor size and installation space increase
Solution Approach 1:
The compression springs are pre-compressed to store potential energy before the opening action begins. This preliminary action provides the necessary force assistance at the critical initial phase when the lever angle is small, allowing a smaller motor to initiate flap opening without requiring excessive power.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the unfavorable mechanical condition (small lever angle requiring high force) into a benefit by using the compression springs to provide exactly the right amount of assistance needed at that specific phase. The spring force compensates for the mechanical disadvantage, turning a problematic situation into an advantageous one where the spring-motor combination is more efficient than a large motor alone.
2Power
If a strong drive motor is used to initiate small opening angles of the flap, then the motor can provide sufficient force, but the manufacturing costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The compression springs are pre-compressed to store potential energy before the opening action begins. This preliminary action provides the necessary force assistance at the critical initial phase when the lever angle is small, allowing a smaller motor to initiate flap opening without requiring excessive power.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the unfavorable mechanical condition (small lever angle requiring high force) into a benefit by using the compression springs to provide exactly the right amount of assistance needed at that specific phase. The spring force compensates for the mechanical disadvantage, turning a problematic situation into an advantageous one where the spring-motor combination is more efficient than a large motor alone.
3Power
If a strong drive motor is used to initiate small opening angles of the flap, then the motor can overcome the high force requirement, but the energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The compression springs are pre-compressed to store potential energy before the opening action begins. This preliminary action provides the necessary force assistance at the critical initial phase when the lever angle is small, allowing a smaller motor to initiate flap opening without requiring excessive power.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the unfavorable mechanical condition (small lever angle requiring high force) into a benefit by using the compression springs to provide exactly the right amount of assistance needed at that specific phase. The spring force compensates for the mechanical disadvantage, turning a problematic situation into an advantageous one where the spring-motor combination is more efficient than a large motor alone.
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
Reduces energy consumption and noise while minimizing motor size and cost by utilizing spring-assisted opening, allowing for efficient operation with reduced motor power requirements.
Implementation Method 1
a first compression spring is foreseen, which places the fixed part of the spindle drive and the movable part of the spindle drive under tension with respect to one another, in order to assist the movable part of the spindle drive when moving from the retracted position to the extended position
Implementation Method 2
a second compression spring is located between the movable part of the spindle drive and the fixed part of the spindle drive, which assists the first compression spring during the opening action starting from the retracted position of the movable part of the spindle drive
Data Source
AI summary
Spindle drive assembly for the motor-driven opening and closing of a motor vehicle flap or similar that comprises a spindle housing, in which a motor gear unit and a spindle unit are located, wherein the spindle unit is comprised of a fixed part of the spindle drive with a rotating spindle driven by the motor gear unit and a movable part of the spindle drive that moves in an axial direction relative to the fixed part of the spindle drive with a threaded spindle nut that grips the spindle, wherein the movable part of the spindle drive is movable in an axial direction between a retracted position and extended position due to the movable spindle nut located on the spindle, and wherein a first compression spring is foreseen, which places the fixed part of the spindle drive and the movable part of the spindle drive under tension with respect to one another, in order to assist the movable part of the spindle drive when moving from the retracted position to the extended position, wherein a second compression spring is located between the movable part of the spindle drive and the fixed part of the spindle drive, which assists the first compression spring during an opening action starting from the retracted position of the movable part of the spindle drive.