Tubular Drive Apparatus Power Electronics Integration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional tubular drive apparatuses for vehicle panels, such as tailgates, face issues with electromagnetic compatibility interference and significant voltage drop due to long connecting cables and separate power electronics units, leading to increased size and installation space requirements.
Innovation Solution
Miniaturizing the power electronics unit and integrating it directly with the electric motor and sensor circuit board, along with a disc-shaped electronic circuit board arranged perpendicularly to the axis of the tubes, to reduce cable length and voltage drop, while incorporating a temperature sensor for overheating detection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the power electronics unit is installed in a separate housing, then the drive apparatus can be compact, but electromagnetic compatibility interference and voltage drop increase due to long connecting cables
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the power electronics unit with the sensor circuit board by integrating all electronic components (power electronics, sensor circuitry, microcontroller) onto a single printed circuit board. This consolidation eliminates the need for separate housing and long connecting cables, thereby reducing electromagnetic interference and voltage drop while maintaining compact dimensions suitable for replacement of gas springs.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the power electronics unit is integrated into the drive apparatus, then cable length is reduced, but the drive apparatus size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple functional units (power electronics, sensor circuit board, microcontroller) into a single integrated printed circuit board. This merging approach minimizes the space required for electronic components while eliminating long cables, thus reducing electromagnetic interference without significantly increasing the overall drive apparatus volume.
Solution Approach 2:
The electronic components are arranged on a planar printed circuit board, utilizing two-dimensional space efficiently. The disc-shaped arrangement of the circuit board perpendicular to the tube axis allows optimal use of available space within the cylindrical drive apparatus housing, minimizing the increase in overall volume.
3Volume of moving object
If long connecting cables are used between power electronics unit and drive apparatus, then the drive apparatus can be compact, but voltage drop increases
Solution Approach 1:
The power electronics unit is directly integrated onto the sensor circuit board within the drive apparatus, eliminating long connecting cables. This integration ensures that power and signal connections are made through short traces on the printed circuit board, minimizing resistive voltage drops and energy losses.
4Object-affected harmful factors
If the power electronics unit is miniaturized and integrated on the sensor circuit board, then cable length and voltage drop are reduced, but installation space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the power electronics unit onto the existing sensor circuit board, utilizing the same printed circuit board substrate for both sensor and power electronics functions. This approach minimizes additional installation space requirements as the electronic components are consolidated on a single board that can be mounted in the existing drive apparatus housing.
Solution Approach 2:
The circuit board is arranged in a disc shape perpendicular to the tube axis, optimizing the use of radial space within the cylindrical housing. This dimensional arrangement allows the electronics to fit within the existing volume constraints of the drive apparatus without requiring additional axial length.
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
This solution minimizes electromagnetic compatibility issues and voltage loss, allowing the drive apparatus to fit within the original space constraints, maintaining a compact size and ensuring reliable operation by managing motor temperature.
Implementation Method 1
an electric motor (16), in particular a brushless direct current motor, for actuating the spindle (60)
Implementation Method 2
which detected the movement direction and speed of movement of the panel mostly by means of Hall sensors
Data Source
AI summary
Tubular drive apparatus for a panel of a vehicle, preferably a tailgate or door, comprising two tubes which are inserted into one another in a telescopic manner, the free ends of which are each hinged to the panel of the vehicle and to the vehicle itself, the tubes being capable of being separated from one another and brought together by means of a spindle which is driven by an electric motor and comprises a spindle nut arranged thereon, in order to thus open and close the panel, the electric motor, the spindle, the spindle nut and an electronic circuit board comprising sensor elements being arranged within the tubular drive apparatus, and a power electronics unit for actuating the electric motor also being arranged on the electronic circuit board.