Acoustically Decoupled Window Lifter Drive with Elastic Dampening

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing drive apparatuses for vehicle parts, such as window lifters, face challenges in easy assembly and operational efficiency, particularly in preventing vibration excitation and ensuring secure rotational fixation while avoiding excessive stress on elastic dampening elements.

Innovation Solution

The drive apparatus incorporates a rotation-preventing securing device with positive-locking elements and an elastic dampening element, which engages only under elevated loads to prevent excessive compression and maintain dampening characteristics, ensuring secure fixation and reduced vibration transmission.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the elastic dampening element is continuously compressed to maintain dampening action, then vibration dampening is improved, but the service life of the dampening element decreases due to excessive compression

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevibration dampening effectivenessVSAvoidservice life of elastic dampening element

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The positive-locking elements are designed to dynamically switch between two states: under normal loads, the elastic dampening element remains compressed to provide vibration dampening; under elevated loads, the elements come into contact to bypass excessive compression. This dynamic adaptation resolves the contradiction by adjusting the load path based on operating conditions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the mechanical parameter of the dampening element's compression state based on load conditions. Under normal operation, the element maintains optimal compression for dampening. Under elevated loads, the contact between positive-locking elements alters the compression parameter to prevent over-compression, thereby extending service life while maintaining dampening effectiveness during normal operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Stability of the object's composition

If the drive housing is rigidly fixed to the carrier element to prevent rotation, then rotational stability is improved, but vibration excitation increases due to direct torque transmission

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverotational fixation stabilityVSAvoidvibration excitation of carrier element

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The elastic dampening element serves as an intermediary between the positive-locking elements of the drive housing and carrier element. It provides rotational fixation through the positive-locking mechanism while simultaneously acting as a vibration isolator, absorbing vibration energy and preventing direct transmission to the carrier element.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The securing device combines rigid positive-locking elements for rotational stability with elastic dampening material for vibration isolation. This composite approach integrates both functions—rigid fixation and flexible vibration dampening—into a single securing mechanism, resolving the contradiction between stability and vibration generation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

3Reliability

If multiple fastening elements are used to secure the drive housing to the carrier element, then fixation reliability is improved, but assembly complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefixation reliabilityVSAvoidassembly complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the rotational fixation function and the vibration dampening function into a single integrated securing device. The positive-locking elements provide rotational stability while the elastic dampening element provides vibration isolation, eliminating the need for separate fastening elements and simplifying assembly while maintaining high fixation reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 enables easy assembly, effective torque dissipation, and prolonged service life by preventing excessive compression of the elastic dampening element, while maintaining efficient dampening and secure rotational fixation.

Implementation Method 1

an elastic dampening element is arranged between the at least one first positive-locking element and the at least one second positive-locking element and acts such that the first positive-locking element and the second positive-locking element are supported in damped fashion relative to one another

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElastic dampening: Damping

Data Source

PatentUS11236538B2Acoustically decoupled drive device for a window lifter

Publication Date: 2022.02.01 BROSE FAHRZEUGTEILE GMBH & CO KG

AI summary

A drive apparatus for an adjusting device for adjusting a vehicle part, in particular a window lifter, comprising a carrier element, a transmission element which can be driven by means of a motor unit, and a drive housing which is arranged on the carrier element and which has a bearing element for rotatably bearing the transmission element about an axis of rotation. The carrier element has at least one first positive-locking element and the drive housing has at least one second positive-locking element, which are in engagement with one another for a rotation-preventing securing action, wherein an elastic dampening element is arranged between the at least one first positive-locking element and the at least one second positive-locking.