Telescopic Drive Housing With Guided Spring Preload for Vehicle Flaps
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing drive devices for power-adjustable vehicle flaps are costly and heavy, and their supporting mechanisms are not space-efficient, which can lead to uncontrolled flap closure and safety issues.
Innovation Solution
A drive device with a telescopic housing and a preloading mechanism featuring a stop part connected to the housing parts, allowing for the use of shorter, lighter preloading means, such as coil springs, which are securely guided by guide tubes to prevent bending and optimize installation space, reducing overall weight and manufacturing costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional supporting mechanisms are used in drive devices, then safety function is achieved, but device weight and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the supporting device functionality directly into the drive device housing structure. The first housing part serves dual purposes: as part of the telescopic housing mechanism and as the mounting structure for the preloading means (coil spring). This integration eliminates the need for separate supporting device components, reducing overall weight while maintaining the safety function.
Solution Approach 2:
The first housing part is designed to perform multiple functions: it forms part of the telescopic housing structure, provides mounting for the preloading means, and serves as the anchor point for the coil spring. This multi-functionality reduces the total component count and device weight while ensuring the safety function is achieved through the integrated design.
2Reliability
If traditional supporting mechanisms are used in drive devices, then safety function is achieved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The supporting device is merged with the drive device housing, eliminating separate components and assembly steps. The first housing part serves as both structural element and mounting structure, reducing part count and manufacturing complexity. This integration lowers production costs while maintaining the safety function through the coil spring preloading mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The first housing part performs multiple functions including structural support and preloading means mounting, reducing the total number of components that need to be manufactured and assembled. This multi-functional design simplifies the manufacturing process and reduces overall production costs while ensuring safety functionality.
3Reliability
If longer preloading means are used, then preloading function is achieved, but device weight and space consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The first end of the preloading means is pre-positioned at the first housing part through the stop part, creating a fixed anchor point. This preliminary positioning allows the use of shorter preloading means since the effective preloading length is optimized from the start, eliminating the need for longer springs that would extend beyond the necessary functional requirement.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent optimizes the preloading means parameters (length, wire diameter, coil density) based on the specific geometric constraints and force requirements of the integration. By adjusting these parameters, the preloading means achieves the required preloading function with minimized weight and space consumption, rather than using standardized longer springs.
4Ease of operation
If preloading means are not properly guided, then installation is simpler, but radial bending occurs reducing reliability
Solution Approach 1:
The guide tube serves as an intermediary element between the preloading means and the housing structure. It provides radial guidance and constraint to the preloading means, preventing bending while maintaining a simple installation process. The guide tube is integrated into the first housing part, combining guidance functionality with the structural component.
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 enables a cost-effective, weight-saving drive device that ensures safe operation of vehicle flaps by allowing the use of shorter, lighter preloading means, reducing the risk of uncontrolled closure and enhancing safety while minimizing production costs and weight.
Implementation Method 1
a preloading means (13), in particular a coil spring, which supports a drive movement in at least one direction or serves for safety in the event that the drive device has a defect
Implementation Method 2
The first guide tube is conveniently used to guide the preloading means radially to prevent the preloading means from bending in the radial direction
Implementation Method 3
a stop part, in particular an annular stop part (14), which is connected to the first housing part (3), wherein a first end of the preloading means abuts against the stop part
Implementation Method 4
the stop part is connected to the first housing part at least indirectly and preferably directly by material bonding, in particular by means of a weld. Advantageously, the stop part is axially secured by a laser weld
Data Source
AI summary
A drive device includes a housing having a first housing part and a second housing part. The first housing part is axially movable in relation to the second housing part along a longitudinal axis of the housing. The drive device includes a preloading means located in the housing for axially preloading the first housing part with respect to the second housing part; a spindle rod coupled to one of the first housing part and the second housing part; and a spindle nut. The spindle nut is in threaded engagement with the spindle rod and is coupled to the other one of the first housing part and the second housing part. A stop part is at least indirectly connected to the first housing part, and a first end of the preloading means rests against the stop part.