Gear device and method for controlling rotation of a gear relative to a housing stop of a housing

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a gear device, which includes: a housing having a gear shaft and a housing stopper, the housing stopper having a first abutment and a second abutment; a rotatable member mounted on the gear shaft, which has a first member side with a first member stopper and a second member side with a second member stopper, the two sides being opposite so that the first member stopper is positioned between the two abutments; and a gear mounted on the gear shaft, which includes a first gear side and a second gear side with a gear stopper, the two sides being opposite so that the gear stopper can engage and disengage with the second member stopper, the rotatable member being positioned between the housing and the gear, wherein, while the gear stopper is engaged with the second member stopper, when the first member stopper is engaged with the first abutment or the second abutment, the rotation of the gear is prevented. The present disclosure also relates to a method for controlling the rotation of a housing stopper of a gear relative to a housing.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present application relates to a gear arrangement. Background Art

[0002] It is known that gear arrangements, such as those used in gear reduction mechanisms, use internal stops for gears rotating in both directions. However, one disadvantage of current internal stop designs is that the gears cannot rotate more than 360 degrees in a selected direction before encountering an internal stop.

[0003] Therefore, it is contemplated that an alternative internal stop design is needed to enable full travel to greater than 360 degrees of rotation. Thus, the range of activation of the motor (in the gear reduction mechanism) will be limited by the range of rotation of the portion of the motor's transmission, such as the gear, that strikes the hard stop. What is needed is an improved system that extends the rotation of the gear (e.g., driven by the motor) before the gear contacts the hard stop. It can be appreciated that striking a hard stop in a gear reduction mechanism may result in a stall condition. Summary of the invention

[0004] It is an object of the present invention to provide a gear arrangement in which at least one of the above mentioned disadvantages is eliminated or mitigated.

[0005] A first aspect provided is a gear device, comprising: a housing having a gear shaft and a housing stopper, the housing stopper having a first abutment portion and a second abutment portion spaced apart from each other about the gear shaft; a rotatable member mounted on the gear shaft, the rotatable member having a first member side and a second member side, the first member side having a first member stopper, the second member side having a second member stopper, the first member side being opposite to the second member sideper so that the first member stopper is positioned between the first abutment portion and the second abutment portion; and a gear mounted on the gear shaft, the gear having a first gear side and a second gear sideper, the second gear side having a gear stopper, the first gear side being opposite to the second gear sideper so that the gear stopper can engage and disengage with the second member stopper during rotation of the gear about the gear shaft, the rotatable member being positioned between the housing and the gear; wherein, while the gear stopper is engaged with the second member stopper, rotation of the gear is prevented when the first member stopper engages with the first abutment portion or the second abutment portion.

[0006] The second aspect provided is a method for controlling the rotation of a housing stop of a gear relative to a housing, the method comprising the following steps: causing the gear to rotate in a first direction around a gear shaft during a first stage, so that the gear stop of the gear is disconnected from the housing stop, and the gear rotates relative to a rotatable component also mounted on the gear shaft; causing the gear stop to engage with a first component stop of the rotatable component; causing the gear and the rotatable component to rotate together in the first direction during the second stage; while the gear stop and the first component stop engage; and when the first component stop of the rotatable component engages with an abutment of the housing stop, preventing the common rotation, so that the engagement of the first component stop with the abutment causes the gear stop to couple with the abutment.

[0007] The third aspect provided is a gear device, which includes: a housing having a housing stop; a rotatable member capable of engaging and disengaging with the housing stop; and a gear having a gear stop capable of engaging and disengaging with the rotatable member during rotation of the gear; wherein, when the rotatable member disengages from the housing stop, the rotation of the gear is not prevented.

[0008] The fourth aspect provided is a housing having a housing stop, the housing comprising: a rotatable member capable of engaging and disengaging with the housing stop; and a gear having a gear stop capable of engaging and disengaging with the rotatable member during rotation of the gear, the rotatable member being positioned adjacent to the gear; wherein the gear is configured to rotate greater than 360 degrees before the engagement of the rotatable member with the housing stop is prevented when the gear stop engages with the rotatable member.

[0009] The fifth aspect provided is a method for controlling the rotation of a gear relative to a housing stop of a housing, the method comprising the following steps: causing the gear to rotate in a first direction during a first stage, the gear rotates relative to a rotatable member so that the gear is adjacent to the rotatable member; causing the gear stop of the gear to engage with the rotatable member; when the gear stop and the rotatable member are engaged, causing the gear and the rotatable member to rotate together in the first direction during a second stage; and when the rotatable member is engaged with the housing stop, preventing the said common rotation. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010] The foregoing and other aspects will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0011] Figure 1 is an exploded perspective view of a gear device, for example, incorporated in a gear reduction mechanism;

[0012] Figure 1A According to an illustrative embodiment, Figure 1A plan view of a housing of a gear reduction mechanism;

[0013] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 A top view of a portion of a housing showing the arrangement of gears;

[0014] Figure 3 yes Figure 2 A three-dimensional diagram of a gear;

[0015] Figure 4 yes Figure 1 A perspective view of a portion of a housing;

[0016] Figure 5 yes Figure 1 A perspective view of a rotatable member of a gear device;

[0017] Figure 6a , Figure 6b , Figure 6c yes Figure 1 A perspective view of the housing showing Figure 1 Assembly of gear units;

[0018] Figure 7 yes Figure 1 A perspective view of a gear arrangement showing the assembly of a gear and a rotatable member;

[0019] Figure 8 yes Figure 5 Another perspective view of the rotatable member;

[0020] Fig. 9 Installed in the housing Figure 1 Another plan view of the rotatable member;

[0021] Fig.10 is mounted in the housing with the rotatable member Figure 1 Another plane view of the gear;

[0022] Fig.11a , Fig.11b , Fig.11c It is a display Figure 1 An exemplary plan view of the operation of the gear device;

[0023] Fig.12 yes Figure 1 A flowchart of an exemplary operation of a gear device; and

[0024] Fig.13 is an automotive latch assembly according to an illustrative example. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0025] Reference Figure 1 and Figure 1A, shown is a gear device 10 positioned in a housing 12 (e.g., having a first housing portion 12a and a second housing portion 12b that mate with each other). The housing portions 12a, 12b are connected together, for example, via fasteners 8. For example, the housing 12 can be used to accommodate a gearbox reduction mechanism 13 positioned in the interior 6 of the housing 12, wherein the gear 20 is one of the plurality of gears 11 of the gearbox reduction mechanism 13. The gear 20 can be configured with an output portion 7 for coupling the rotation of the gear 20 to an actuatable mechanism. As non-limiting examples, the output portion 7 is, for example, a lug, or a cam, or a pivot connection, such as a pin-slot connection, or other coupling members provided on one of the faces of the gear 20, or such as Figure 2, or another gear coupled to the teeth of the gear 20. The housing 12 may be provided as a separate independent housing, such as a housing for a tie mechanism as shown in U.S. Patent Application No. 20190368237A1, entitled “Power actuator with self disengaging clutch unit”, or the housing 12 may be formed as a portion of a housing for enclosing other actuatable components as shown in U.S. Patent Application No. 20160186468A1, entitled “Dual motor device with application to power cinch and latch mechanism”, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. For example, the housing 12 may be a power release latch housing for accommodating a power release motor, a gear train, and a latch mechanism, such as that shown in U.S. Patent Application No. 20190063117A1, entitled “Spring assisted actuator for power release and / or cinching functionality”, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. For example, the housing 12 may be a cinching latch housing for accommodating both a power cinching mechanism and a latch mechanism, such as that shown in U.S. Patent Application No. 20160244999A1, entitled “Dual motor latch assembly with power cinch and power release having soft opening function”, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. The teachings herein may also be applied to other types of actuators, such as those shown in U.S. Patent No. 10337231B2, entitled “BLDC window lift motor system,” or in U.S. Patent Application No. 20200131836A1, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0026] Reference Figure 2 and Figure 3The gear 20 is rotatably mounted on the gear shaft 22 of the housing 12, for example, via an axis support 21 (e.g., an aperture in the gear body 19 of the gear 20), so that the gear 20 can rotate clockwise CW and counterclockwise CCW around the gear shaft 22, which are also referred to as the first direction and the second direction. The gear shaft 22 can be provided by a pin (not shown), which can be used to mount the gear 20 to the gear shaft 22 via the axis support 21 (e.g., an aperture in the gear body 19). The gear body 19 has a first gear side portion 20a (see Figure 2 ) and the second gear side 20b (see Figure 3 ). Refer again Figure 2 , the gear side 20b has a gear stop 24 positioned thereon such that the gear stop 24 is used to prevent rotation of the gear 20 about the gear shaft 22 when further travel of the gear stop 24 about the gear shaft 22 is inhibited, as further described below.

[0027] The gear side portion 20b also has a component seat 23 (e.g., a raised portion, such as a circular shape) positioned around the shaft support 21, and the component seat 23 is suitable for placing a rotatable component 26 (e.g., a disk 26, such as in Figure 1 The rotatable member 26 is mounted thereon so that the mounted rotatable member 26 can also rotate about the gear shaft 22 when mounted to the gear 20 and / or the housing 12 (via the member seat 23). The member body 27 of the rotatable member 26 (see Figure 5 ) has a gear seat 28 (e.g., an aperture) that is configured to be compatible with the component seat 23 that mounts the component body 27 to the gear 20 so that (when mounted) the rotatable member 26 can freely rotate about the gear shaft 22 relative to the gear body 19. In other words, once the gear device 10 is assembled (i.e., the gear body 19 is mounted on the gear shaft 22 and the component body 27 is mounted to the gear body 19—see Figure 6a , Figure 6b , Figure 6c ), the gear 22 and the rotatable member 26 are free to rotate relative to each other about at least a portion of their respective rotational circles about the gear shaft 22, as further described below.

[0028] The second gear side portion 20b may have a recess 15, see Figure 3 , so that the rotatable member 26 is at least partially positioned in the recess 15 when located on the gear shaft 22 and between the housing 12 and the gear 20. For example, the second member stopper 29b can protrude from the side 17 of the gear 20 (the second gear side 20b) and extend into the housing stopper 14 when it is set as the cavity 14a, see Figure 4 , Figure 7 , Figure 8 .

[0029] Refer again Figure 5 , the member body 27 (of the rotatable member 26) has a first member side 26a and a second member side 26b. The first member side 26a has a first raised lip 30a, which protrudes from the first member side 26a so that the first raised lip 30a protrudes around the gear seat 28. The height H1 of the first raised lip 30a is the same as the gear stopper 24 (protruding from the second gear side 20b - see Figure 3 ) is comparable in height H2 so that when the first member side 26a is installed adjacent to the second gear side 20b, the gear stop 24 can travel along the surface of the first member side 26a when the gear 20 and the rotatable member 26 rotate relative to each other about the gear shaft 22.

[0030] See also Figure 7 , which shows the gear 20 and the rotatable member 26 mounted to each other, with the housing 12 removed only for clarity. The first member side 26a also has a first member stop 29a that protrudes from the first member side 26a so that the gear 20 and the rotatable member 26 can rotate relative to each other (about the gear shaft 22) until the gear stop 24 and the first member stop 29a contact each other (see Fig.11a , Fig.11b , Fig.11c ), as further described below.

[0031] like Figure 7 As shown in , once assembled, the first member stop 29a is positioned between the first member side 26a and the second gear side 20b. Similarly, the gear stop 24 is positioned between the first member side 29a and the second gear side 20b. Therefore, when the gear body 19 and the member body 27 are free to rotate relative to each other about the gear shaft 22, as long as the first member stop 29a and the gear stop 24 are not in contact with each other, these bodies 19, 27 will rotate relative to each other. Alternatively, as further described below, when the gear stop 24 and the first member stop 29a contact each other, the gear 20 and the rotatable member 26 will rotate together (i.e., together or otherwise simultaneously) about the gear shaft 22 until the second member stop 29b contacts the housing stop 14, as further described below.

[0032] Furthermore, it can be recognized that if Figure 8As shown in , the first member stop 29a and the second member stop 29b of the rotatable member 26 are directly opposite to each other, so that the sides 31a, 31b are aligned with each other. Alternatively, the first member stop 29a and the second member stop 29b of the rotatable member 26 can be offset relative to each other on the opposite first member side 26a and the second member side 26b, so that the sides 31a, 31b are not aligned.

[0033] Reference Figure 4 The housing portion 12a has an inner portion 6 positioned on the housing body 16 of the housing 12, for example, the housing 12 (see Figure 1 ). The housing stop 14 may be provided as a portion 14a in the housing body 16 (e.g., as a cavity 14a as shown, or as a protrusion protruding from the body 16 - not shown), the portion 14a being in the shape of a sector around the gear shaft 22. The housing stop 14 has a first abutment 14b and a second abutment 14c located on opposite sides of the portion 14a. In this way, the housing stop 14 (e.g., in the form of a cavity 14a) of the housing 12 (i.e., the housing portion 12b) extends only a portion of the way around the gear shaft 22 to provide the first abutment 14b and the second abutment 14c. Notably, the first abutment 14b and the second abutment 14c are spaced apart from each other around the gear shaft 22.

[0034] Reference Figure 5 and Figure 8 , the second member side 26b has a second raised lip 30b that protrudes from the second member side 26b so that the second raised lip 30b protrudes around the gear seat 28. The height H3 of the second raised lip 30b is comparable to the height H4 of the cavity 14a (of the housing stopper 14 - see FIG6 ), so that when the second member side 26b is mounted adjacent to the housing 12, the second member stopper 29b can travel along the surface of the portion 14a (located between the first abutment portion 14b and the second abutment portion 14c) when the rotatable member 26 rotates relative to the housing 12 about the gear shaft 22.

[0035] See also Fig. 9 , which shows the rotatable member 26 and the housing part 12a mounted to each other, the part 14a being shown in phantom for the sake of clarity only. In this way, the second member side 26b also has a second member stop 29b, which protrudes from the second member side 26b, so that the rotatable member 26 and the housing 12 can be rotated relative to each other (about the gear shaft 22) until the second member stop 29b contacts the first abutment 14b or the second abutment 14c (see Fig.11a , Fig.11b , Fig.11c ), as further described below.

[0036] like Fig. 9 As shown in , once assembled, the second member stop 29b (opposite to the first member stop 29a and therefore located directly below the first member stop 29a) is positioned between the second member side 26b and the housing body 16. Therefore, when the member body 27 is free to rotate about the gear shaft 22 relative to the housing 12, as long as the second member stop 29b and one of the abutments 14b, 14c are not in contact with each other, the member body 27 will rotate relative to the housing 12. Alternatively, as further described below, when the second member stop 29b contacts one of the abutments 14b, 14c, rotation of the rotatable member 26 about the gear shaft 22 will be prevented (i.e., inhibited). It should be appreciated that due to the interaction of the gear stop 24 and the first member stop 29a, as described above, the bodies 19, 27 will rotate together (i.e., together or otherwise simultaneously) about the gear shaft 22 until the second member stop 29b contacts the abutment 14b or abutment 14c of the housing stop 14, as further described below. The rotatable member 26 and the gear 20 are in Figure 7 are shown as being coaxial, or arranged to rotate about a common axis. Figure 7 As shown in FIG. 1 , the rotatable member 26 is shown to be arranged to overlap or be arranged side by side and nested with the gear 20 . The rotatable member 26 is shown to be arranged to have a smaller outer diameter than the gear 20 .

[0037] Regarding the operation of the gear assembly 10, as shown in FIG. Fig.11a As shown in FIG. 1 , the gear stopper 24 (of the gear 20) is freely rotatable (e.g., driven by one of the gears 11 of the gearbox reduction mechanism 13—see FIG. 1 ) about the gear shaft 22 in a first direction (e.g., CCW from position P1 to position P2) in a first stage (CCW1). Figure 1 ). As provided by way of example only, the amplitude of CCW rotation of the gear 20 between the position P1 and the position P2 is slightly less than 360 degrees (e.g., less than 360 degrees by the width of the gear stop 24), so that when the gear 20 rotates during the first stage, the rotatable member 26 preferably remains stationary about the gear shaft 22.

[0038] In this manner, when the gear stop 24 and the first member stop 29a are disengaged from each other (e.g., out of contact) during the first stage CCW1 rotation of the gear 20, the gear body 19 rotates relative to the member body 27 about the gear shaft 22. However, it should also be appreciated that when the gear stop 24 and the first member stop 29a are disengaged from each other, the bodies 19, 27 may rotate simultaneously during the first stage, but not together (i.e., not at the same rotational speed about the gear shaft 22). Therefore, the result of the first stage CCW1 rotation of the gear 20 is that the gear stop 24 is disengaged from each other. Fig.11a The position P1 to Fig.11b Positioning of position P2 is shown in FIG.

[0039] Reference Fig.11b , at position P2, the gear stop 24 can contact the first member stop 29a positioned at the first abutment 14b, and thus the bodies 19, 27 both undergo a common rotation about the gear shaft 22 in the same first direction (e.g., from position P2 to position P3) during the second stage CCW2. In other words, once the gear stop 24 engages with the first member stop 29a, the bodies 19, 27 both undergo a common rotation. While the gear stop 24 and the first member stop 29a remain engaged, the second member stop 29b travels from position P2 to position P3 in the portion 14a located between the first abutment 14b and the second abutment 14c. In other words, the result of the second stage CCW2 is that the gear stop and the first member stop 29a move from position P2 to position P3. Fig.11b The engaging position shown by way of example in FIG. 1 (eg, at or near the first abutment 14b) is advanced together to Fig.11c When you reach position P3, see Fig.11c , the second member stop 29b contacts the second abutment 14c, and the third stage action (stop) provides a stop to the common rotation of the rotatable member 26 and the gear 20. In view of this, it can be appreciated that in the case where the first member stop 29a is located at the first abutment 14b when the gear stop 24 engages with the first member stop 29a, the transition from the first stage CCW1 to the second stage CCW2 can be at the first abutment 14b. Alternatively, in the case where the first member stop 29a is located between the first abutment 14b and the second abutment 14c when the gear stop 24 engages with the first member stop 29a, the transition from the first stage CCW1 to the second stage CCW2 can be between the first abutment 14b and the second abutment 14c.

[0040] Similarly, when the gear 20 is reversed, moving the gear 20 back from position P3 toward position P2 in a second direction opposite to the first direction (e.g., clockwise CW), the gear stop 24 will disengage from the first member stop 29a, while the second member stop 29b will remain adjacent to the second abutment 14c (preferably). In this way, the gear body 19 will continue to rotate around the gear shaft 22 (in the second direction) in a relative rotation relative to the member body 27, and will bypass position P2 until reaching position P3. At or near position P3, the gear stop 24 will engage with the first member stop 29a, and thus the bodies 19, 27 will continue to rotate together around the gear shaft 22 in the second direction. Once the bodies 19, 27 that rotate together reach position P1, the second member stop 29b will contact the first abutment 14b, and thus the joint rotation of the bodies 19, 27 will be stopped / inhibited. In view of this, it can be appreciated that, in the case where the first member stopper 29a is located at the second abutment 14c when the gear stopper 24 engages with the first member stopper 29a, the transition from the first stage CCW1 to the second stage CCW2 along the second direction can be at the second abutment 14c. Alternatively, in the case where the first member stopper 29a is located between the first abutment 14b and the second abutment 14c when the gear stopper 24 engages with the first member stopper 29a, the transition from the first stage CCW1 to the second stage CCW2 along the second direction can be between the first abutment 14b and the second abutment 14c.

[0041] In this manner, as described above, while the second member stopper 29b remains (preferably) positioned adjacent to the first abutment 14b, the gear 20 will freely rotate in the first direction about the gear shaft 22 in a relative rotational manner relative to the rotatable member 26 (in the first stage CCW1 in the first direction). Once the gear stopper 24 and the first member stopper 29a become engaged (at an almost complete rotation about the gear shaft 22), both the bodies 19, 27 will continue to rotate together about the gear shaft 22 (in the second stage CCW2 in the first direction) until the second member stopper 29b contacts the second abutment 14c. At this position, while the gear stopper 24 and the first member stopper 29a are in engagement, the second member stopper 29b contacts the second abutment 14c and thus stops / inhibits the common rotation of the bodies 19, 27 at the third stage stop. It will be appreciated that the degree of co-rotation of the bodies 19, 27 (once the gear stop 24 and the first member stop 29a become engaged) depends on the sector length ARC of the portion 14a between the first abutment 14b and the second abutment 14c (see Figure 4). In any case, the total rotation of the gear 20 about the gear shaft 22 in the first direction is greater than 360 degrees, given that the second member stop 29b travels between the first abutment 14b and the second abutment 14c once the bodies 19, 27 begin to rotate together (in the second stage CCW2). The total rotation of the gear 20 in the first direction includes rotation during the first stage CCW1 (relative to the rotation of the rotatable member 26) and includes rotation during the second stage CCW2 (rotation with the rotatable member 26) - the second stage CCW2 includes the second member stop 29b traveling from the first abutment 14b to the second abutment 14c.

[0042] Similarly, when the gear 20 travels back in the second direction opposite to the first direction, the total degree of rotation in the second direction will also be greater than 360 degrees. In this way, as described above, when the second member stopper 29b remains (preferably) positioned adjacent to the second abutment 14c, the gear 20 will freely rotate about the gear shaft 22 in the second direction (in the first stage CCW1 in the second direction) in a relative rotation relative to the rotatable member 26. Once the gear stopper 24 and the first member stopper 29a become engaged (at an almost complete rotation about the gear shaft 22 in the second direction), both the bodies 19 and 27 will continue to rotate together about the gear shaft 22 (in the second stage CCW2 in the second direction) until the second member stopper 29b contacts the first abutment 14b. At this position, while the gear stopper 24 and the first member stopper 29a are in engagement, the second member stopper 29b contacts the first abutment 14b and thus stops / inhibits the common rotation of the bodies 19 and 27 in the second direction. It will be appreciated that the degree of co-rotation of the bodies 19, 27 (once the gear stop 24 and the first member stop 29a become engaged) depends on the sector length ARC of the portion 14a between the first abutment 14b and the second abutment 14c (see Figure 4). In any case, given that the second member stopper 29b travels from the second abutment 14b to the first abutment 14c, the total rotation degree of the gear 20 around the gear shaft 22 in the second direction is greater than 360 degrees. The total rotation degree of the gear 20 in the second direction includes the rotation during the first stage CCW1 (relative to the rotation of the rotatable member 26), and includes the rotation during the second stage CCW2 (rotation together with the rotatable member 26) - the second stage CCW2 includes the second member stopper 29b traveling between the second abutment 14b and the first abutment 14c. In this way, the gear device 10 causes the rotation in the first direction to include the first stage CCW1 and the second stage CCW2, and the second stage CCW2 includes the first member stopper 29a traveling between the first abutment 14b and the second abutment 14c, so that the total rotation degree of the first stage CCW1 and the second stage CCW2 in the first direction is greater than 360 degrees.

[0043] Reference Fig.12 , which shows Figure 1 Example operation of the gear device 10. Therefore, the method 100 for controlling the rotation of the gear 20 relative to the housing stop 14 of the housing 12 has the following steps: rotating the gear 20 in the first direction about the gear shaft 22 during the first phase CCW1 102, so that the gear stop 24 of the gear 20 is disconnected from the housing stop 14, and the gear 20 rotates relative to the rotatable member 26 also mounted on the gear shaft 22; engaging the gear stop 24 with the first member stop 29a of the rotatable member 26 104; rotating the gear 20 and the rotatable member 26 together in the first direction during the second phase; while the gear stop 24 and the first member stop 29a are engaged; and when the first member stop 29a of the rotatable member 26 engages with the abutment 14b, 14c of the housing stop 14, preventing the common rotation 106, so that the engagement of the first member stop 29a with the abutment 14b, 14c causes the gear stop 24 to couple with the abutment 14b, 14c.

[0044] In view of the above-described gear arrangement 10, the provision of a rotatable member 26 and an associated housing stop 14 may be beneficial for a tie-down function in an automotive application, where, for example, a tie-down function requires a large activation range, and a full revolution of the gear 20 or less (e.g., a rotation of the gear 20 between the stops, i.e., the engaging abutments 14b, 14c, is less than or equal to 360 degrees) does not provide sufficient activation travel for the tie-down. It should be appreciated that other types of mechanisms (e.g., mechanisms affected by activation) may also benefit from the gear arrangement 10, because the gear 20 may be made smaller (more compact) because it may be rotated more than 360 degrees by the above-described gear arrangement 10. For example, and with reference to Fig.13The gear arrangement 10 may be configured as a latch assembly 13' (see Fig.12 ), which is shown, for example, in U.S. Patent Application No. 20200080350A1, entitled “Closurelatch for vehicle door”, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. The gear device 10 can provide other applications, such as a remote independent cable actuator, or other types of actuators that are integrated or independent.

[0045] Now refer to Fig.13 , a closing latch 13' is provided, which includes a pawl 14', a pawl 15', a pawl release lever 17', an inside door release lever 1', a power release actuator 18' and a lock 27', the lock 27' including a lock mechanism 28' and a lock actuator 19'. The pawl 14' can be in the closed position ( Figure 1 ) and an open position, in which the pawl 14' holds the striker, and in which the pawl 14' allows the striker to be released. Still referring to Fig.13 , a pawl biasing member 30', such as a torsion spring, may be provided to bias the pawl 14' toward the open position. The pawl 15' is movable between a pawl locking position, in which the pawl 15' holds the pawl 14' in the closed position, and a pawl release position, in which the pawl 15' allows the pawl 14' to be in the open position. A pawl biasing member 32', such as a suitable spring, may be provided to bias the pawl 15' toward the pawl locking position. The pawl release lever 17' is operatively connected to the pawl 15' and is movable between a pawl release position and an original position, in which the pawl release lever 17' moves the pawl 15' to the pawl release position, in which the pawl release lever 17' allows the pawl 15' to be in the pawl locking position. A release lever biasing member 34', such as a suitable spring, may be provided to bias the pawl release lever 17' toward the original position. The pawl release lever 17' can be moved to the pawl release position by several components such as, for example, a power release actuator 18', an inside door release lever 1, etc. The power release actuator 18' includes a power release actuator motor 36' having a power release actuator motor output shaft 38', a power release worm gear 40" mounted on the output shaft 38', and a power release driven gear 42' (e.g., similar to Figure 1 The power release cam 43 is connected to rotate with the driven gear 42' and can rotate between the pawl release position range and the pawl non-release position range. Therefore, the driven gear 42' has a gear stopper 24 (see Figure 3 ), the gear stopper 24 is positioned on the second gear side 20b ( Fig.13 Not shown in the figure, because Fig.13 The first gear side 20a) is exposed and shown in FIG.

[0046] exist Fig.13 , the power release cam 43 is in a position within the pawl non-release range. The driven gear 42' is driven by the worm gear 40" and the driven gear 42' in turn drives the cam 43, which drives the pawl release lever 17' to pivot between the original position and the pawl release position. Another embodiment of the driven gear 42' (for example, gear 20 - see Figure 3 ) is applicable to the teachings herein for interacting with a rotatable member 26 (shown in phantom) for controlling the degree of rotation of the driven gear 42'. The power release actuator 18' can be used as part of a passive access feature. When someone approaches the vehicle with an electronic key fob and opens the outside door handle 22', the vehicle senses the presence of the key fob and senses that the door handle has been actuated (e.g., via communication between a switch 24' and an electronic control unit (ECU) shown at 20' that at least partially controls the operation of the closing latch 13'). Then, the ECU 20' actuates the power release actuator 18' to open the closing latch 13', thereby opening the vehicle door.

[0047] Embodiments of the present disclosure may be understood with reference to the following numbered paragraphs.

[0048] 1. A gear device (10), comprising:

[0049] A housing (12), wherein the housing (12) has a housing stopper (14);

[0050] a rotatable member (26) capable of engaging and disengaging with the housing stop; and

[0051] a gear (20) having a gear stop that is engageable and disengageable with the rotatable member during rotation of the gear, the rotatable member being mounted adjacent to the gear;

[0052] wherein said rotation of said gear is not impeded when said rotatable member is disengaged from said housing stop.

[0053] 2. A gear arrangement according to paragraph 1, wherein:

[0054] The housing (12) has a gear shaft (22), and the housing stopper has a first abutment portion (14b) and a second abutment portion (14c) spaced apart from each other around the gear shaft;

[0055] The rotatable member (26) is mounted on the gear shaft, the rotatable member having a first member side (26a) having a first member stop (29a) and a second member side (26b), the first member side (26a) having a first member stop (29a), the second member side (26b) having a second member stop (29b), the first member side being opposite to the second member side so that the first member stop is positioned between the first abutment and the second abutment; and

[0056] wherein the gear (20) is mounted on the gear shaft, the gear having a first gear side (20a) and a second gear side (20b), the second gear side (20b) having a gear stop (24), the first gear side being opposite to the second gear side so that the gear stop can engage and disengage with the second member stop during rotation of the gear about the gear shaft, the rotatable member being positioned between the housing and the gear; and

[0057] The rotation of the gear is prevented when the first member stopper engages with the first abutment portion or the second abutment portion while the gear stopper engages with the second member stopper.

[0058] 3. The gear arrangement according to paragraph 2, further comprising a plurality of gears (11) coupled to the gear.

[0059] 4. The gear device according to paragraph 3, wherein the gear and the plurality of gears are included in a gear reduction mechanism (13).

[0060] 5. A gear arrangement according to paragraph 2, wherein the rotatable member is a disc, such that the disc is mounted on the first gear side and the gear moves relative to the disc about the gear axis for at least a portion of the rotation during the rotation.

[0061] 6. The gear arrangement of paragraph 2 further comprising the second gear side having a recess (15) such that the rotatable member is at least partially positioned within the recess when located on the gear shaft and between the housing and the gear.

[0062] 7. A gear arrangement according to paragraph 6, wherein the second member stopper protrudes from a side portion (17) of the gear and extends into the housing stopper provided as a cavity (14a).

[0063] 8. A gear arrangement according to paragraph 2, wherein the first member stop and the second member stop of the rotatable member are directly opposite each other.

[0064] 9. A gear arrangement as described in paragraph 2, wherein the first and second member stops of the rotatable member are offset relative to each other on opposite first and second member sides.

[0065] 10. A gear device according to paragraph 2, wherein the rotation along the first direction includes a first stage and a second stage, and the second stage includes the first member stopper moving between the first abutment portion and the second abutment portion, so that the total rotation degree of the first stage and the second stage along the first direction is greater than 360 degrees.

[0066] 11. A gear arrangement according to any of paragraphs 1 to 10, wherein the housing is part of a latch assembly.

[0067] 12. A method of controlling rotation of a gear relative to a housing stop of a housing, the method comprising the steps of:

[0068] causing the gear to rotate about the gear shaft in a first direction during a first stage such that a gear stop of the gear is decoupled from the housing stop and the gear rotates relative to a rotatable member also mounted on the gear shaft adjacent to the gear;

[0069] engaging the gear stop with a first member stop of the rotatable member;

[0070] causing the gear and the rotatable member to rotate together in the first direction during a second phase when the gear stop (24) and the first member stop (29a) are engaged; and

[0071] The common rotation is prevented when a first member stop of the rotatable member engages an abutment of the housing stop such that engagement of the first member stop with the abutment causes the gear stop to couple with the abutment.

[0072] 13. A housing having a housing stopper, the housing comprising:

[0073] a rotatable member (26) capable of engaging and disengaging with the housing stop; and

[0074] a gear (20) having a gear stopper capable of engaging and disengaging with the rotatable member during rotation of the gear, the rotatable member being positioned adjacent to the gear,

[0075] Wherein the gear is configured to rotate greater than 360 degrees before being stopped by engagement of the rotatable member with the housing stop when the gear stop engages the rotatable member.

[0076] 14. The housing of paragraph 13, wherein the housing is part of a latch assembly, actuator, and motor housing.

[0077] 15. The housing of paragraph 14, wherein the actuator is a tie actuator.

[0078] 16. The housing of paragraph 14, wherein the latch assembly includes a power release motor operably coupled to a pawl, the rotatable member and the gear being positioned between the motor and the pawl.

[0079] 17. A method of controlling rotation of a gear relative to a housing stop of a housing, the method comprising the steps of:

[0080] rotating the gear in a first direction during a first stage, the gear rotating relative to a rotatable member such that the gear is adjacent to the rotatable member;

[0081] engaging a gear stop of the gear with the rotatable member;

[0082] causing the gear and the rotatable member to rotate together in the first direction during a second phase when the gear stop and the rotatable member are engaged; and

[0083] When the rotatable member engages the housing stop, the common rotation is prevented.

[0084] 18. The method of paragraph 17, wherein the preventing occurs after the gear has rotated greater than 360 degrees.

[0085] 19. The method of paragraph 17, further comprising a plurality of gears coupled to the gear.

[0086] 20. The method of paragraph 19, wherein the gear and the plurality of gears are included in a gear reduction mechanism.

Claims

1. A gear device (10), comprising: A housing (12), wherein the housing (12) has a housing stopper (14); a rotatable member (26) capable of engaging and disengaging with the housing stop; as well as a gear (20) having a gear stopper capable of engaging and disengaging with the rotatable member during rotation of the gear, the rotatable member being mounted adjacent to the gear, wherein said rotation of said gear is not impeded when said rotatable member is disengaged from said housing stop, and wherein contact of said rotatable member with said housing stop when engaged impedes rotation of said gear, The housing (12) has a gear shaft (22), and the housing stopper has a first abutment portion (14b) and a second abutment portion (14c) spaced apart from each other around the gear shaft; The rotatable member (26) is mounted on the gear shaft, the rotatable member having a first member side (26a) and a second member side (26b), the first member side (26a) having a first member stop (29a), the second member side (26b) having a second member stop (29b), the first member side being opposite to the second member side so that the first member stop is positioned between the first abutment and the second abutment; wherein the gear (20) is mounted on the gear shaft, the gear having a first gear side (20a) and a second gear side (20b), the second gear side (20b) having a gear stop (24), the first gear side being opposite to the second gear side so that the gear stop can engage and disengage with the second member stop during rotation of the gear about the gear shaft, the rotatable member being positioned between the housing and the gear; and The rotation of the gear is prevented when the first member stopper engages with the first abutment portion or the second abutment portion while the gear stopper engages with the second member stopper.

2. The gear device according to claim 1, wherein: The rotatable member is a disk such that the disk is mounted on the first gear side and the gear moves relative to the disk about the gear axis during the rotation for at least a portion of the rotation.

3. The gear arrangement according to claim 1 further comprises the second gear side having a recess (15) such that the rotatable member is at least partially positioned within the recess when located on the gear shaft and between the housing and the gear.

4. The gear device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein: The second member stopper protrudes from a side portion (17) of the gear and extends into the housing stopper provided as a cavity (14a).

5. The gear device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein: The first member stopper and the second member stopper of the rotatable member are directly opposite to each other.

6. The gear device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein: The first and second member stops of the rotatable member are offset relative to each other on opposite first and second member sides.

7. The gear device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein: The rotation in the first direction includes a first phase and a second phase, the second phase including the first member stop traveling between the first abutment and the second abutment, such that a total rotation of the first and second phases in the first direction is greater than 360 degrees.

8. The gear device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein: The gear is configured to rotate greater than 360 degrees before being stopped by engagement of the rotatable member with the housing stop when the gear stop engages the rotatable member.

9. A method of controlling rotation of a housing stopper of a gear relative to a housing, the housing having a gear shaft, the housing stopper having a first abutment portion and a second abutment portion spaced apart from each other about the gear shaft, the method comprising the steps of: causing the gear to rotate about the gear shaft in a first direction during a first stage such that the gear stop of the gear is decoupled from the housing stop, the gear rotates relative to a rotatable member also mounted on the gear shaft adjacent to the gear, the rotatable member having a first member side having a first member stop and a second member side having a second member stop, the first member side being opposite the second member side such that the first member stop is positioned between the first abutment and the second abutment; the gear having a first gear side and a second gear side, the second gear side having a gear stop, the first gear side being opposite the second gear side such that the gear stop can engage and disengage with the second member stop during rotation of the gear about the gear axis, the rotatable member being positioned between the housing and the gear; engaging the gear stop with a first member stop of the rotatable member; causing the gear and the rotatable member to rotate together in the first direction during the second stage when the gear stop and the first member stop are engaged; preventing the common rotation when the first member stop of the rotatable member engages with the abutment of the housing stop, such that engagement of the first member stop with the abutment causes the gear stop to couple with the abutment and causes the gear to stop rotating, and The rotation of the gear is prevented when the first member stopper is engaged with the first abutment portion or the second abutment portion while the gear stopper is engaged with the second member stopper.

10. A latch assembly for a vehicle, the latch assembly comprising a gear arrangement according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

11. An actuator for a latch assembly of a motor vehicle, the actuator comprising a gear arrangement according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

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