Vehicle Vent Drive Unit With Sensorless Cam Referencing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing drive units for kinematic systems in motor vehicles require position sensors to align a radial cam with a sliding block, limiting their ability to pivot blades or air guide elements independently without additional sensing mechanisms.
Innovation Solution
A drive unit with a radial cam and sliding block system that includes cam branches, a shifting gate, and a referencing section, allowing the radial cam to be moved relative to the sliding block without sensors, enabling independent movement of output elements by scanning the cam and using a spring-urged sliding block to distribute movement through a distribution mechanism.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a radial cam and sliding block system is used to move output elements, then the ability to pivot blades or air guide elements independently is improved, but the requirement for position sensors to align the radial cam with the sliding block increases device complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by designing the radial cam with pre-defined cam branches and a referencing section that automatically guides the sliding block to specific positions. The cam profile is预先 designed to include positioning features that establish known positions without requiring sensors during operation. This allows the system to achieve independent movement capability while eliminating the need for position sensors, thereby resolving the technical contradiction between adaptability and device complexity
2Device complexity
If the radial cam is moved relative to the sliding block without sensors, then device complexity is reduced, but the ability to achieve defined positioning from any unknown position becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses the cam profile itself as an intermediary mechanism between the motor and the output elements. The radial cam with its specifically designed cam branches and referencing section acts as a mechanical mediator that translates arbitrary starting positions into precise, defined output positions. The cam profile geometry ensures that regardless of the starting position, the sliding block will be guided through the cam branches to reach predetermined positions, achieving measurement precision without sensors and thus resolving the technical contradiction
3Adaptability or versatility
If cam branches are used to distribute movement to multiple output elements, then the ability to move multiple elements independently is improved, but the structural complexity of the cam increases
Solution Approach 1:
The radial cam is designed as a universal component that performs multiple functions: it provides positioning through the referencing section, distributes movement to multiple output elements through different cam branches, and enables independent control of each output element. By making the single radial cam multi-functional, the patent achieves multi-element independent control without requiring separate mechanisms for each function, thus resolving the technical contradiction between adaptability and device complexity
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 independent and precise positioning of movable output elements without sensors, allowing for arbitrary positions between end positions using a single drive mechanism, while preventing unintentional movement through a non-movement block, thus enhancing operational flexibility and reducing complexity.
Implementation Method 1
The sliding block is, for example, urged by a spring element against the radial cam
Data Source
AI summary
A drive unit for a kinematic system in a motor vehicle. In particular, the drive unit is provided for independently moving two movable elements, such as blades for guiding an air current of an air vent. The movable elements are driven by way of an actuator plate, which includes a radial cam rotating and radially displacing a slide, which consecutively rotates two output elements. As a result of a referencing section, a defined position of the slide can be ensured without necessitating a sensor.