Drive element with bearing

Abstract

The invention relates to a drive element, in particular for an actuator, having a base body (12a; 12b), a plain bearing (14a; 14b) for rotatably supporting the base body (12a; 12b) on a fixed shaft (16a; 16b), wherein the plain bearing (14a; 14b) has a bearing recess (18a; 18b) for at least partially receiving the fixed shaft (16a; 16b), and a spring unit (20a; 20b) which is arranged to exert a radially acting spring force onto the shaft (16a; 16b) arranged in the bearing recess (18a; 18b) of the plain bearing unit (14a; 14b). The spring unit (20a; 20b) has at least one spring arm (22a; 22b) which is arranged to lie against the outer circumference of the shaft (16a; 16b) and to exert a radially acting spring force onto the shaft (16a; 16b).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a driving element. Background Technology

[0002] DE 102017 103 936 A1 discloses a rotor having an elastic (spring-elastic) element for supporting the rotor on a rotor shaft.

[0003] The object of this invention is to provide a universal driving element that provides advantageous noise characteristics. This object is achieved by the features described in the characterizing portion of claim 1. Advantageous embodiments of the invention are given in the other claims. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The present invention relates to a drive element, particularly for an actuator, having a base, a sliding bearing, and a spring unit, the sliding bearing for rotatably supporting the base on a fixed shaft, the sliding bearing having a bearing recess for at least partially receiving the fixed shaft, and the spring unit being configured to apply a radially acting spring force to the shaft disposed in the bearing recess of the sliding bearing unit.

[0005] Drive elements are particularly applicable in actuators, such as in automotive, industrial, and / or household applications. Drive elements can be formed, in particular, as the rotor of an electric motor or as a transmission gear. Drive elements are particularly configured to rotatably support a rotating shaft on a fixed shaft. "Configured" should be understood in particular as being programmed, designed, and / or equipped in a specific manner. Setting an object for a particular function should be understood in particular as the object satisfying and / or performing this particular function in at least one application state and / or operating state. For this purpose, the drive element has a corresponding sliding bearing. The sliding bearing is typically formed as a radial sliding bearing and has a bearing recess extending in the axial direction for at least partially receiving the fixed shaft. The bearing recess is particularly configured to receive the axial end of the fixed shaft. The bearing recess of the sliding bearing is arranged within the matrix of the drive element. The matrix of the drive element is formed at least substantially of plastic and / or fiber-reinforced plastic. The internal geometry of the bearing recess of the sliding bearing at least substantially corresponds to the external geometry of the shaft.

[0006] One end of the shaft is guided, in particular, with a clearance fit, within the bearing recess of the sliding bearing. This end of the shaft is supported, in particular, with a radial clearance within the bearing recess. However, the radial bearing clearance between the shaft and the bearing recess allows radial movement of the base, which can lead to undesirable noise. To at least substantially avoid noise generation, the drive element has a spring unit configured to apply a radially acting spring force to the shaft disposed within the bearing recess of the sliding bearing. The spring unit particularly has at least one spring element configured to generate a spring force acting indirectly or directly radially on the shaft disposed within the bearing recess of the sliding bearing. The spring unit can, in particular, be at least partially or completely integrated into the base of the drive element and / or at least partially or completely integrally formed with the base of the drive element. "One piece" should be understood in particular as at least material-fitting connection, such as by welding, bonding, injection and / or other processes that a person skilled in the art would deem reasonable, and / or advantageously as molded as a single piece, such as by casting and / or by injection molding in a single or multi-component manner and advantageously by a separate preform.

[0007] In the drive element, the spring unit has at least one spring arm, which is configured to abut against the outer periphery of the shaft and load the shaft with a radially acting spring force. The spring unit may also have multiple spring arms. The at least one spring arm may form part of the inner wall of the bearing recess of a sliding bearing. The at least one spring arm of the spring unit is preferably integrally formed with the base. The at least one spring arm may form a particularly arcuate portion of the inner wall of the bearing recess in the circumferential direction. The at least one spring arm may elastically deform or bend in the radial direction. The at least one spring arm can compress the shaft with a radially acting spring force, particularly towards the inner wall of the bearing recess of the sliding bearing and / or towards at least another spring arm of the spring unit. By having the at least one spring arm itself apply the radial spring force to the end of the shaft, the need for separate spring elements can be advantageously eliminated. However, additional spring elements, particularly formed as annular rings, may be provided, which apply additional radially acting spring forces to the spring arms. The additional spring elements may particularly be formed as spring-elastic elastomeric rings, for example, as rubber rings or metal spring rings.

[0008] Such designs can provide universal drive elements, particularly for actuators, which exhibit advantageous noise characteristics during operation. The spring force acting radially on the shaft at the end of a bearing recess supported in a sliding bearing can advantageously suppress and / or preferably completely eliminate ripples, self-resonance, vibration, and / or radial deflection, thereby advantageously improving noise characteristics.

[0009] In one embodiment of the invention, a spring unit is proposed to have multiple spring arms arranged circumferentially around an axis supported in a bearing recess of a sliding bearing. Preferably, the spring unit has three spring arms, which are equidistant from each other along the outer periphery of the shaft. The spring arms of the spring unit are particularly formed to be identical to each other. Preferably, the spring arms extend axially from the inlet hole of the bearing recess of the sliding bearing, as extensions of the bearing recess. Each spring arm preferably has a protrusion pointing towards the shaft, the protrusion being configured to abut against the outer periphery of the shaft. The axial outward compression of the spring arms arranged in the bearing recess of the sliding bearing, or the compression of the spring arms against the shaft, generates a radial spring force, in which the spring arms function as spring elements. Preferably, all spring arms remain against the shaft. When the drive element moves radially relative to the shaft, one or more spring arms are radially outwardly compressed by the shaft. The remaining spring arms move radially inward following the relative movement of the shaft. This ensures that the shaft is constantly damped by the contact of the spring arms. Alternatively, the spring unit may be provided with a spring element, particularly formed as a ring, which surrounds the spring arm in the circumferential direction and applies an additional radial spring force to the spring arm. The ring-shaped spring element can, for example, be formed as a spring ring made of metal. The additional ring-shaped spring element may surround the spring arm, particularly in the axial end region of the spring arm. In the installed state, the ring-shaped spring element additionally presses the end of the spring arm against the shaft supported in the bearing recess of the sliding bearing.

[0010] The drive element can be formed, in particular, as a rotor of an electric motor or as a transmission gear. When the drive element is formed as a rotor of an electric motor, the base is preferably formed as a rotor body for housing the rotor magnet. The rotor body preferably has fastening regions at its axial ends, the circumference of which is larger than the holding regions located therebetween, and the rotor magnet is arranged in the holding regions and held by the fastening regions. Additionally, protrusions or hooks that engage with hollowed-out or recessed portions of the rotor magnet can be arranged or formed in the fastening regions. The drive element can alternatively be formed as a transmission element. When the drive element is formed as a transmission element, the base is preferably formed as a transmission gear, such as a spur gear.

[0011] Furthermore, an actuator having at least one drive element of the present invention is proposed. The actuator particularly includes an electric motor and a transmission mechanism, the transmission mechanism particularly including multiple transmission elements, especially transmission gears. The actuator particularly has at least one drive element of the present invention, which is formed as a rotor of the electric motor. The drive element formed as a rotor of the electric motor is particularly rotatably supported on an upright shaft of the actuator. Alternatively or additionally, the actuator may include at least one drive element formed as a transmission element. By using the drive element of the present invention, the transmission mechanism can achieve advantageous noise characteristics during operation. The spring force acting radially on the shaft supported in the bearing recess of the sliding bearing of the drive element can advantageously dampen and / or preferably completely eliminate fluctuations, self-resonance, vibrations, and / or radial deflection, thereby advantageously improving the noise characteristics of the actuator.

[0012] The driving element of the present invention should not be limited to the applications and embodiments described above. In order to achieve the working mode described herein, the driving element of the present invention may have a number different from the number of individual elements, components and units mentioned herein. Attached Figure Description

[0013] Other advantages are illustrated in the following figures, which show two embodiments of the invention. The figures, description, and claims contain combinations of numerous features. Those skilled in the art will also readily consider these features individually and combine them into other reasonable combinations.

[0014] In the attached diagram:

[0015] Figure 1 A perspective view of the drive element formed as a rotor is shown.

[0016] Figure 2 Shown from Figure 1 A cross-sectional view of the driving element.

[0017] Figure 3 Shown from Figure 1 Exploded view of the driving components.

[0018] Figure 4 A perspective view of the drive element formed as a transmission element is shown, and

[0019] Figure 5 A cross-sectional view of the actuator is shown. Detailed Implementation

[0020] Figure 1 and Figure 2 The driving element 10a of the present invention is shown. Figure 1 A perspective view of the driving element 10a is shown, while Figure 2A cross-sectional view of the drive element 10a along the axial direction is shown. The drive element 10a is configured for use in... Figure 1 and Figure 2 Motor 44 (not shown) Figure 5 The rotor 40a is a drive element 10a. The drive element 10a has a base 12a, which is formed as a rotor body 28a for housing the rotor magnet 30a. The drive element 10a also includes a sliding bearing 14a for rotatably supporting the base 12a on a fixed shaft 16a. The sliding bearing 14a has a bearing recess 18a for housing the free end of the fixed shaft 16a. The bearing recess 18a of the sliding bearing 14a is directly inserted into the base 12a of the drive element 10a. Additionally, the drive element 10a has a drive gear 52a formed on the end face of the base 12a.

[0021] Additionally, the drive element has a spring unit 20a configured to apply a radially acting spring force to a shaft 16a arranged in a bearing recess 18a of a sliding bearing unit 14a. The spring unit 20a has at least one spring arm 22a configured to abut against the outer periphery of the shaft 16a and apply a radially acting spring force to the shaft 16a. As shown, the spring unit 20a preferably has multiple spring arms 22a arranged circumferentially around the shaft 16a. Particularly preferably, the spring unit 20a has three spring arms 22a, as shown, spaced equidistantly from each other along the outer periphery of the shaft 16a. The spring arms 22a are integrally formed with the base 12a of the drive element 10a and extend axially from the inlet hole 24a of the bearing recess 18a of the sliding bearing 14a as an extension of the bearing recess 18a. Each spring arm 22a has a protrusion 26a pointing towards the shaft 16a, the protrusion being configured to abut against the outer periphery of the shaft 16a. The shaft 16a presses the spring arms 22a outward or presses the spring arms 22a against the shaft 16a. Preferably, all spring arms 22a remain against the shaft 16a. When the drive element 10a moves radially relative to the shaft 16a, one or more spring arms 22a are radially pressed outward by the shaft 16a. The remaining spring arms 22a follow the relative movement of the shaft 16a radially inward. This ensures that the shaft 16a is damped at any given time by the abutment of the spring arms 22a.

[0022] Figure 3An exploded view of the drive element 10a is shown. The base 12a, formed as the rotor body 28a, has fastening regions 32a at its axial ends, wherein the circumference of the fastening regions 32a is larger than that of the holding regions 34a located therebetween. The rotor magnet 30a is arranged in the holding regions 34a and held by the fastening regions 32a. To fasten the rotor magnet 30a, protrusions 46a are also formed in the fastening regions 32a, which engage with recesses 48a, which are then introduced into the rotor magnet 30a. Here, the base 12a, formed as the rotor body 28a, is injected into and thus mounted into the rotor magnet 30a by injection molding.

[0023] exist Figure 4 Another embodiment of the invention is illustrated below. The following description and drawings are essentially limited to the differences between these embodiments, wherein reference may also be made to the drawings and / or descriptions of other embodiments, particularly those having the same reference numerals. To distinguish these embodiments, in Figures 1 to 3 The letter 'a' is added after the reference numerals in the embodiments shown in the figures. Figure 4 In one embodiment, the letter 'a' is replaced by the letter 'b'.

[0024] Figure 4 A perspective view of the alternative drive element 10b is shown. The drive element 10b is configured for use in... Figure 4 The driver is not shown in the image (see [reference]). Figure 5 The drive element 10b has a base 12b, which is formed as a transmission gear 36b. The drive element 10b also includes a sliding bearing 14b for rotatably supporting the base 12b on a fixed shaft 16b. The sliding bearing 14b has a bearing recess 18b for receiving the free end of the fixed shaft 16b. The bearing recess 18b of the sliding bearing 14b is directly inserted into the base 12b of the drive element 10b.

[0025] Additionally, the drive element has a spring unit 20b configured to apply a radially acting spring force to a shaft 16b arranged in a bearing recess of a sliding bearing unit 14b. Particularly preferably, the spring unit 20b has three spring arms 22b, as shown, arranged equidistantly from each other along the outer periphery of the shaft 16a. The spring arms 22b extend axially along the extension line of the bearing recess 18a of the sliding bearing 14b, starting from the inlet 24b of the bearing recess 18b. Each spring arm 22b has a protrusion 26b pointing towards the shaft 16b, the protrusion being configured to abut against the outer periphery of the shaft 16b.

[0026] Figure 5A cross-sectional view of actuator 38 is shown. The actuator includes a motor 44 and a multi-stage transmission 50. Actuator 38 also exemplarily has two drive elements 10a, 10b of the present invention. The first drive element 10a is according to... Figures 1 to 3 In one embodiment, the rotor 40a of the electric motor 44 is formed. The second drive element 10b is based on... Figure 4 In one embodiment, the transmission element 42b of the transmission device 50 is formed. The drive elements 10a and 10b are rotatably supported on the upright shafts 16a and 16b of the actuator 38, respectively.

[0027] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures

[0028] 10 Drive element; 12 Base; 14 Sliding bearing; 16 Shaft; 18 Bearing hollow; 20 Spring unit; 22 Spring arm; 24 Inlet hole; 26 Protrusion; 28 Rotor body; 30 Rotor magnet; 32 Fastening area; 34 Holding area; 36 Transmission gear; 38 Actuator; 40 Rotor; 42 Transmission element; 44 Motor; 46 Protrusion; 48 Recess; 50 Transmission device; 52 Drive gear.

Claims

1. A drive element for an actuator, the drive element having a base (12a; 12b), a sliding bearing (14a; 14b), and a spring unit (20a; 20b), the sliding bearing (14a; 14b) for rotatably supporting the base (12a; 12b) on a fixed shaft (16a; 16b), wherein, The sliding bearing (14a; 14b) has a bearing recess (18a; 18b) for at least partially receiving the fixed shaft (16a; 16b), and the spring unit (20a; 20b) is configured to apply a radially acting spring force to the shaft (16a; 16b) disposed in the bearing recess (18a; 18b) of the sliding bearing (14a; 14b), characterized in that the spring unit (20a; 20b) has at least one spring arm (22a; 22b). The spring arm (22a; 22b) is configured to abut against the outer periphery of the shaft (16a; 16b) and apply a radially acting spring force to the shaft (16a; 16b). The spring arm (22a; 22b) extends axially from the inlet (24a; 24b) of the bearing hollow (18a; 18b) of the sliding bearing (14a; 14b) as an extension of the bearing hollow (18a; 18b) of the sliding bearing (14a; 14b).

2. The driving element according to claim 1, characterized in that, The spring unit (20a; 20b) has a plurality of spring arms (22a; 22b) arranged circumferentially about the axis (16a; 16b).

3. The driving element according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The spring unit (20a; 20b) has three spring arms (22a; 22b) that are equally spaced apart from each other along the outer periphery of the shaft (16a; 16b).

4. The driving element according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The spring arms (22a; 22b) each have a protrusion (26a, 26b) pointing in the direction of the shaft (16a; 16b), and the protrusion (26a, 26b) is configured to abut against the outer periphery of the shaft (16a; 16b).

5. The driving element according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The spring unit (20a; 20b) is at least partially integrally formed with the base (12a; 12b).

6. The driving element according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The substrate (12a) is formed into a rotor body (28a) for housing the rotor magnet (30a).

7. The driving element according to claim 6, characterized in that, The rotor body (28a) has a fastening region (32a) at its axial end, the fastening region (32a) having a circumference larger than that of the holding region (34a) located therebetween, and the rotor magnet (30a) is disposed in the holding region (34a) and held by the fastening region (32a).

8. The driving element according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The base (12b) is formed into a transmission gear (36b).

9. An actuator having a drive element according to any one of the preceding claims.

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