Device for motorized door operation

Abstract

The invention relates to a device for the motorized operation of doors, in particular vehicle doors, comprising a housing (1) and an electric motor (5) and a braking device (11), wherein the electric motor (5) drives a threaded spindle (6) via a gearbox, the axis of rotation of the electric motor (1) being perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the threaded spindle (6), and the threaded spindle (6) being provided with an external thread and engaging with a spindle nut (7) having an internal thread, wherein a push rod (4) is attached to the spindle nut (7). The spindle nut (7) is guided so as to be movable within the housing (1).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a device for the motorized actuation of doors, in particular vehicle doors, which has a housing and includes an electric motor and a braking device, wherein the electric motor drives a threaded spindle via a gearbox, wherein the axis of rotation of the electric motor is perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the threaded spindle, and the threaded spindle is provided with an external thread and engages with a spindle nut having an internal thread, wherein a push rod is attached to the spindle nut.

[0002] Normally, vehicle doors are opened and closed manually by the user without assistance. However, devices are also known that allow vehicle doors to be operated by a motor. Such devices are used, for example, in luxury vehicles or armored vehicles. One such device is known from DE 10 2019 211 932 A1 (BROSE).

[0003] The device, also known as an actuator, features an electric drive to enable motorized pivoting of the vehicle door. It comprises an electric motor and a rotary-linear converter unit, which converts the rotary motion of the electric motor into a translational motion of an extendable coupling element or push rod. The device is mounted on the vehicle door, and the end of the push rod opposite the door is movably attached to the vehicle body.

[0004] The device comprises a spindle driven by an electric motor. The axis of rotation of the electric motor is perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the spindle. The spindle has an external thread that engages with a sliding element comprising a spindle nut section. The push rod is attached to the sliding element. This converts the rotary motion of the electric drive into a linear motion of the push rod. The sliding element is mounted to move within a guide rail.

[0005] The known device fulfills the requirements placed upon it. However, it requires a guide rail to guide the spindle nut, which interacts with a sliding element on which the spindle nut is mounted. This design is complex and heavy.

[0006] The invention aims to remedy this problem. The invention is based on the objective of creating a device for the motorized operation of doors, particularly vehicle doors, which is simple in design and lightweight, yet possesses sufficient stability. According to the invention, this objective is achieved by the features of claim 1.

[0007] The invention provides a device for the motorized operation of doors, particularly vehicle doors, which is simple in design and lightweight, yet possesses sufficient stability. The direct guidance and support of the spindle nut within the housing avoids a complex design and the need for additional components. Simultaneously, excellent force distribution is achieved, enabling the use of a plastic spindle nut.

[0008] Advantageously, the spindle nut is guided in the housing by a positive locking mechanism. This ensures that the spindle nut is secured against rotation and consequently only performs axial movement.

[0009] Preferably, the electrical connection between the electric motor, the braking device and the sensor is made by means of an electrical component. This design brings together the electrical contacting of the three necessary components – electric motor, braking device and sensor – in a single location, thereby further increasing the compactness of the device.

[0010] In a further development of the invention, the electrical component is protected with a potting compound. This measure provides protection against environmental influences, which improves the reliability of the device.

[0011] According to the invention, the axis of rotation of the electric motor has a pinion which meshes with a gear on the axis of rotation of the threaded spindle.

[0012] In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the gear on the axis of rotation of the threaded spindle is designed as a crown gear. With this design, axial adjustment is not required during the mounting of the pinion. Furthermore, the crown gear requires only a small installation space.

[0013] The pinion and gear preferably have helical teeth, which reduces noise and increases ease of use.

[0014] Other embodiments and configurations of the invention are specified in the remaining dependent claims. Exemplary embodiments of the invention are illustrated in the drawings and are described in detail below. The drawings show: Fig. 1 the three-dimensional representation of a device according to the invention without a housing; Fig. 2 the three-dimensional representation of the underside of the device according to the invention; Fig. 3 the side view of the in Fig. 2 device shown; Fig. 4 the cut along line AA in Fig. 3; Fig. 5 the cut along line BB in Fig. 3; Fig. 6 the three-dimensional representation of a device according to the invention without a housing in a different design.

[0015] The device chosen as an exemplary embodiment serves for the motorized operation of doors, in particular vehicle doors. It has a housing 1 and comprises an electric motor 5 and a braking device 11, which are arranged at right angles to each other. The axis of rotation of the electric motor 5 forms the drive axis.

[0016] The electric motor 5 drives a threaded spindle 6 via the drive shaft; the spindle is provided with an external thread. The axis of rotation of the threaded spindle 6 forms the output axis of the device.

[0017] In the exemplary embodiment, the braking device 11 is formed by a magnetorheological brake. It constitutes an independent element that is mechanically rigidly connected to the output shaft. In a variation of the exemplary embodiment, the braking device 11 can also be a magnetic brake, a disc brake, or a drum brake.

[0018] Magnetorheological brakes utilize magnetorheological fluids. These are variable or controllable fluids, consisting, for example, of a fluid—particularly mineral oils, synthetic oils, or silicone oils, but also other neutral liquids—containing magnetically active particles. A powder can also be used instead of a liquid. Such magnetically active particles can be made of, for example, carbonyl iron. When the fluid is exposed to a magnetic field, the magnetic particles in the fluid bind together. This changes the fluid into a semi-solid state. When the magnetic field is removed, the fluid returns to its liquid state.

[0019] To generate the magnetic field required to influence the magnetic particles, an electrical coil is arranged in the braking device 11. The viscosity of the liquid can be influenced by changing the magnetic field. The braking effect occurs when the coil is energized, which increases the viscosity of the liquid. When the power supply is interrupted, the particles break their bonds and the semi-solid state is reversed. The braking device designed in this way allows for stepless adjustment of the braking effect.

[0020] The drive shaft is connected to the output shaft via a gearbox. For this purpose, the axis of rotation of the electric motor 1 has a pinion 10, to which the electric motor 5 is rigidly connected via a shaft. The pinion 10 meshes with a gear 9 on the axis of rotation of the threaded spindle 6. In this embodiment, the gear 9 is designed as a crown gear. In a variation of this embodiment, the gear 9 and pinion 10 can be provided with helical teeth; the use of bevel gears is also possible.

[0021] The threaded spindle 6 engages with a spindle nut 7, which is provided with an internal thread. The spindle nut 7 is guided in the housing 1 by means of a positive locking mechanism 15. In the exemplary embodiment, the positive locking mechanism 15 is realized via a tongue-and-groove connection, wherein the spindle nut 7 has the grooves and the housing 1 has the tongues. In a variation of the exemplary embodiment, the positive locking mechanism 15 can, for example, also be formed by a dovetail joint.

[0022] A push rod 4 is pivotably attached to the spindle nut 7. In the exemplary embodiment, the fastening 8 of the push rod 4 is formed by a spherical bearing 17 with a pin 18. In a variation of the exemplary embodiment, the fastening 8 can, for example, also be formed by a ball joint. The push rod 4 is provided with an eyelet 20 at its end facing away from the spindle nut 7, by which the push rod 4 is pivotally attached to a vehicle component (not shown).

[0023] The device according to the invention is provided with retaining elements that enable the device to be attached to a vehicle door. Of the retaining elements, only the retaining element 12 facing the eyelet 20 is shown in the figures. The motor 5 is visibly attached to the retaining element 12. Furthermore, the threaded spindle 6, and thus the output shaft, is rotatably mounted in the retaining element 12.

[0024] On the side opposite the eyelet 20, another retaining element (not shown) is arranged in which the threaded spindle 6, and consequently the output shaft, is also rotatably mounted. Adjacent to the retaining elements arranged at the end face, the housing 1 has a housing head 3 on each side. The housing head 3 located on the side of the brake device 2 is provided with an opening through which the push rod 7 passes, as shown, for example, in the diagram. Fig. 2 is evident.

[0025] A circuit board 16 is arranged on the device. In the exemplary embodiment, the circuit board 16 is arranged on the mounting element 12. It has an electrical component that provides the electrical connection between the electric motor 5, the brake device 11, and a sensor 13. A connector 19 is also connected to the electrical connection, which connects the device to the vehicle's power supply. In the exemplary embodiment, the electrical connection is designed as a stamped grid. This is a flat structure produced by stamping, which can be manufactured from a metal strip in a single production step. In the exemplary embodiment, the electrical component is protected against environmental influences by a potting compound. The potting compound can consist, for example, of epoxy resin, polyurethane, silicone, or the like.

[0026] In this embodiment, sensor 13 is a Hall sensor. Other sensors can also be used. The position of the spindle nut 7 can be determined via sensor 13, which is arranged on the circuit board 16. This, in turn, allows the position of the vehicle door to be determined. For this purpose, sensor 13 measures the position or rotations of a magnetic ring 14, which is mounted on the axis of rotation of the threaded spindle 6. The magnetic ring 14 can be attached directly to the gear 9, as shown in the embodiment. Fig. Figure 1 is shown. Alternatively, the magnetic ring 14 can also be arranged on the side of the brake device 11 facing away from the gear 9, as shown in the embodiment shown in Figure 1. Fig. 6 is shown.

[0027] When the device for opening a door is activated, the electric motor 5 is switched on, causing the drive shaft to rotate. The gear train, consisting of gear 9 and pinion 10, rotates the threaded spindle 6, which moves the spindle nut 7 axially along the threaded spindle 6. This results in axial movement of the push rod 4, causing it to extend. Manual assistance by the user to open the door is possible but not required. The process stops when the push rod 4 reaches its maximum travel distance, as specified by the device's control system, or when the braking device 11 is activated. The electric motor 5 then switches off.

[0028] To close the door, the electric motor 5 is also activated, but the drive shaft rotates in the opposite direction. This also rotates the threaded spindle 6 in the opposite direction, causing the spindle nut 7 to move towards its starting position, which retracts the push rod 4 and closes the door.

[0029] In both directions of movement, the motion can be dampened by the intervention of the braking device 11 before reaching the end position, thus further increasing comfort. The braking device 11 can also be automatically de-energized, for example in the event of an accident, so that the door can be opened without motor assistance. This ensures that emergency responders can open the vehicle doors in any case. For this reason, the threaded spindle 6 and the gearbox are not self-locking.

[0030] The electric motor 5 or the braking device 11 can have adjustable haptics that allow the user to actively perceive the respective opening or closing position when manually opening or closing the vehicle door. For example, resistance or a stepped detent function can be simulated, which the user feels and must overcome, if necessary, to open or close the door further. This conveys to the user that the door will remain in such a detent position once it is reached and will not open or close automatically.

[0031] The device can also be equipped with an emergency stop. This is activated if the vehicle door encounters resistance while opening or closing. This resistance is then detected by suitable sensors, so that the opening or closing process is immediately interrupted by applying the braking device. At the same time, the electric motor can be switched off.

[0032] Due to the mechanically fixed connection of the electric motor to the output shaft via the gearbox, the electric motor can potentially provide assistance in braking the door. However, for safety reasons, the force of the electric motor must be less than the force of the braking system to ensure that the door can be stopped in the event of a technical defect or malfunction. QUOTES INCLUDED IN THE DESCRIPTION

[0000] This list of documents cited by the applicant was automatically generated and is included solely for the reader's convenience. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA accepts no liability for any errors or omissions. Cited patent literature

[0000] DE 10 2019 211 932 A1

[0002]

Claims

[1] Device for motor-operated door operation, in particular vehicle doors, comprising a housing (1) and an electric motor (5) and a braking device (11), wherein the electric motor (5) drives a threaded spindle (6) via a gearbox, wherein the axis of rotation of the electric motor (1) is perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the threaded spindle (6), and the threaded spindle (6) is provided with an external thread and engages with a spindle nut (7) having an internal thread, wherein a push rod (4) is attached to the spindle nut (7), characterized by , that the spindle nut (7) is guided so as to be movable in the housing (1). [2] Device according to claim 1, characterized by , that the guidance of the spindle nut (7) in the housing (1) is effected by a positive locking mechanism (15). [3] Device according to claim 2, characterized by , that the positive locking (15) is formed by a tongue and groove connection. [4] Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the push rod (7) is rotatably attached to the spindle nut (6). [5] Device according to claim 4, characterized by , that the fastening (8) is formed by a ball head. [6] Device according to claim 4, characterized by , that the fastening (8) is formed by a spherical bearing (17) with a pin (8). [7] Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the braking device (11) is a magnetorheological brake. [8] Device according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by , that a sensor (13) is provided for determining the door position. [9] Device according to claim 8, characterized by , that the electrical connection between the electric motor (5), the braking device (11) and the sensor (13) is made by means of an electrical component. [10] Device according to claim 9, characterized bythat the electrical component is protected with a potting compound. [11] Device according to claim 9 or 10, characterized by , that the electrical component is arranged on a printed circuit board (16). [12] Device according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the axis of rotation of the electric motor (5) has a pinion (10) which meshes with a gear (9) on the axis of rotation of the threaded spindle (6). [13] Device according to claim 12, characterized by , that the gear (9) on the axis of rotation of the threaded spindle (6) is designed as a crown gear. [14] Device according to claim 12 or 13, characterized by , that the pinion (10) and the gear (9) have helical teeth.

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