IP Library Granted Patent US 12,498,027
Granted Patent B2
US 12,498,027 · App. 18/835,515 · Granted Dec 16, 2025

Drive arrangement

Inventors: Gabriel Dechant (Gstadt am Chiemsee, DE); Jan Zapfe (Grafing, DE)
Assignee: SCHLETTER INTERNATIONAL B.V.
F16H27/02
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,498,027
App. No.
18/835,515
Granted
Dec 16, 2025
Kind
B2
Abstract

A drive arrangement for solar modules is disclosed. The drive arrangement comprises a transmission member rotatable about a rotational axis comprising a drive member and a holding member, wherein the drive member is disposed with an offset in the radial direction to the holding member, and an output unit, wherein the output unit comprises a drive recess and a retaining recess, wherein the drive member is assigned to the drive recess and engages with the drive recess to drive the output unit, wherein the holding member is assigned to the retaining recess and engages with the retaining recess to keep the output unit in its set position, wherein the drive recess has an entry opening, an end area, and a middle area that is between the entry opening and the end area, wherein the drive recess in the middle area compared to the end area has a reduced cross section.

Claims (26)

1 . A drive arrangement, comprising:

at least one transmission member rotatable about a rotational axis, comprising at least a drive member and at least a holding member, wherein the at least one drive member is disposed with an offset in the radial direction to the at least one holding member, and

at least one output unit, wherein the at least one output unit comprises at least a drive recess and at least a retaining recess,

wherein the at least one drive member is assigned to the at least one drive recess and wherein the at least one drive member is configured to engage with the at least one drive recess to drive the output unit,

wherein the at least one holding member is assigned to the at least one retaining recess and wherein the at least one holding member is configured to engage with the at least one retaining recess to keep the output unit in its set position,

wherein the at least one drive recess has an entry opening, an end area and a middle area that is configured between the entry opening and the end area, and wherein the at least one drive recess in the middle area compared to the end area has a reduced cross section, wherein the at least one drive recess has opposing wall portions that have a curvature, wherein the wall portions reduce the cross section of the at least one drive recess in the middle area due to their curvature, wherein the curvature of the opposing wall portions has an apex respectively, and wherein the opposing wall portions have the smallest distance to each other at the apexes.

2 . The drive arrangement of claim 1 , wherein the cross section of the at least one drive recess is larger at the entry opening than at the middle area.

3 . The drive arrangement of claim 1 , wherein the distance between the opposing wall portions reduces, starting from the entry opening up to the apexes.

4 . The drive arrangement of claim 1 , wherein the distance between the opposing wall portions increases, starting from the apexes in the direction of the end area of the at least one drive recess.

5 . The drive arrangement of claim 1 , wherein the at least one drive member has a longitudinal axis, wherein the at least one drive member has a cross section that is, at least in sections, curved, which deviates from a circular cross section, wherein the longitudinal axis extends at least substantially parallel to the rotational axis.

6 . The drive arrangement of claim 1 , wherein the cross section of the at least one drive member has at least a first apex and at least a second apex, wherein their distance to each other defines the largest extension of the drive member or wherein the cross section of the at least one drive member has at least a first edge and at least a second edge, wherein their distance to each other defines the largest extension of the drive member.

7 . The drive arrangement of claim 6 , wherein the cross section of the at least one drive member has at least a third apex and a fourth apex, wherein their distance to each other is smaller than the distance between the first apex or the first edge and the second apex or the second edge.

8 . The drive arrangement of claim 1 , wherein the at least one drive recess widens in the direction of the entry opening.

9 . The drive arrangement of claim 1 , wherein the rotational axis of the at least one transmission member extends along the at least one holding member.

10 . The drive arrangement of claim 1 , wherein the at least one holding member has an outer contour with a curvature, which is adjusted to the curvature of the at least one retaining recess.

11 . The drive arrangement of claim 1 , wherein the at least one holding member has at least a curved surface facing the at least one drive member.

12 . The drive arrangement of claim 1 , wherein the at least one drive member and the at least one holding member are connected with each other via at least one abutment portion.

13 . The drive arrangement of claim 1 , wherein the at least one drive member has an oval or elliptical or lenticular or circular cross section.

14 . The drive arrangement of claim 1 , wherein the at least one output unit is a unit that is rotatable or pivotable about an axis.

15 . The drive arrangement of claim 1 , wherein the at least one output unit is a linear displaceable unit.

16 . A drive arrangement, comprising:

a transmission member rotatable about a rotational axis, wherein the transmission member comprises a drive member and a holding member, wherein the drive member is disposed with an offset in a radial direction to the holding member, and

an output unit, wherein the output unit comprises a drive recess and a retaining recess,

wherein the drive member is configured to engage with the drive recess to drive the output unit,

wherein the holding member is configured to engage with the retaining recess to keep the output unit in its set position,

wherein the drive recess has an entry opening, an end area, and a middle area that is configured between the entry opening and the end area, and wherein the drive recess in the intermediate area compared to the end area has a reduced cross section, wherein the at least one drive recess has opposing wall portions that have a curvature, wherein the wall portions reduce the cross section of the at least one drive recess in the middle area due to their curvature, wherein the curvature of the opposing wall portions has an apex respectively, and wherein the opposing wall portions have the smallest distance to each other at the apexes.

Assignments (2)
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Mar 24, 2025
From: SCHLETTER INTERNATIONAL B.V.
To: WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 070598/0811 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Sep 3, 2024
From: DECHANT, GABRIEL; ZAPFE, JAN
To: SCHLETTER INTERNATIONAL B.V.
Reel/Frame 068467/0820 →
Priority Claims (1)
DE 10 2022 102 608.6 · Feb 3, 2022 · national
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20250137516A1 · May 1, 2025
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