Swinging Wing Drive Unit Play Suppression
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing drive arrangements for pivoting vanes, such as tilting windows and French doors, often appear less solid due to tilting of the drive housing, leading to increased wear and play, which compromises the operational stability and aesthetics.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a spring arrangement within the bearing brackets to automatically move the drive module into a defined end position, eliminating play and ensuring a solid appearance, using torsion springs and a wedge-shaped stop mechanism to maintain the drive module's position, thus eliminating the need for additional stop means.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the drive housing is pivotably mounted on the frame profile via bearing brackets with the pivot axis running along a rear side, then the drive module can be easily installed and adjusted, but the center of gravity of the drive housing is at a clear distance from the pivot axis causing the weight to generate a moment that leads to tilting and play
Solution Approach 1:
A spring arrangement is introduced to counteract the moment generated by the drive housing weight. The spring applies a compensating force through the bearing bracket to balance the gravitational moment, preventing tilting and maintaining stable positioning of the drive module in the horizontal plane.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring constant and preload of the spring arrangement are specifically selected to match the weight and dimensions of the drive housing. By adjusting these parameters, the spring force is optimized to exactly counterbalance the moment created by the offset center of gravity, ensuring stable operation.
2Stability of the object's composition
If stop means are added to limit the pivoting range and eliminate play, then the stability and appearance improve, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The stop function is integrated into the existing bearing bracket structure rather than being implemented as a separate component. The bearing bracket is designed with built-in stop elements that limit the pivoting range and eliminate play, combining the bearing and stopping functions in a single integrated component.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring arrangement automatically positions the drive module in the correct horizontal end position by counteracting the gravitational moment. This self-acting mechanism eliminates the need for external adjustment mechanisms or complex stop systems, as the spring itself provides the necessary positioning function.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the drive module is allowed to tilt to accommodate height play, then operational flexibility increases, but wear on the drive mechanism increases and the appearance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The spring arrangement continuously counteracts the gravitational moment on the drive housing, maintaining it in a stable horizontal position throughout operation. This prevents excessive tilting that would increase wear on the drive mechanism while still allowing controlled pivoting motion for the intended range of motion.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring arrangement provides dynamic compensation for the drive housing weight, allowing the system to adapt to operational conditions while maintaining stable positioning. The spring force adjusts automatically with the pivoting motion, providing continuous stabilization without rigid constraints.
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 provides a stable and aesthetically pleasing drive arrangement by ensuring the drive module remains in a horizontal plane, reducing wear and enhancing operational comfort by compensating for structural tolerances and maintaining the drive module's end position effectively.
Implementation Method 1
The auxiliary drive is created by a spring arrangement, the spring force of which constantly loads the drive module in the direction of the end position defined by the stop means
Implementation Method 2
these can advantageously be formed by controlling peripheral contours of a screw-on plate and a support plate of the bearing brackets moved with the drive module. As a controlling peripheral contour, the screw-on plate can be provided with a wedge-shaped stop lug
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~6
AI summary
The drive unit (10) has a connecting mechanism with a swinging wing (20), where an associated frame (22) is hinged to other drive module with a drive housing (14). The drive housing is displaced in a structurally defined end position around a rotation axis in a closed position of the swinging wing, under extensive suppression of play in the direction of rotation.