Braking device for a drive device

Abstract

The invention relates to a brake device for a drive device, in particular for adjusting a vehicle flap, comprising a brake housing (2) comprising a first brake housing part (3) and a second brake housing part (7), a first brake element (13) arranged non-rotatably in the brake housing (2), a second brake element (15) arranged rotatably in the brake housing (2), and a biasing means (19) for biasing one of the first brake element (13) and the second brake element (15) in the direction of a longitudinal axis (L) of the brake housing (2) towards the other of the first brake element (13) and the second brake element (15). The brake housing (2) comprises a connection portion (11) for connecting the first brake housing part (3) and the second brake housing part (7), and the first brake housing part (3) and the second brake housing part (7) are welded to each other in the connection portion (11), thereby creating a brake device which allows a more precise setting of the brake force and which has a construction which is as compact as possible.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a braking device for a drive device, particularly for a drive device for adjusting a vehicle panel. Background Technology

[0002] Drive mechanisms are known in practice, particularly those for adjusting vehicle panels such as doors or tailgates, wherein a first end of the drive mechanism is hinged to the vehicle panel and a second end is hinged to the vehicle body. Drive mechanisms for adjusting vehicle panels are typically designed as spindle-driven and usually include a braking device for more precise adjustment of the vehicle panel. This braking device can provide a locking function and can also control or regulate the overspeed behavior of the electric motor mounted in such a drive mechanism. In particular, this braking device is designed to ensure that the vehicle panel stops in its current position as quickly as possible when the electric motor is turned off. This is to advantageously prevent the vehicle panel from hitting obstacles and being damaged in the process.

[0003] DE 10 2015 009 717 A1 discloses a braking device for a drive mechanism, particularly for a drive mechanism used to adjust a vehicle dashboard. This braking device includes a brake housing, which comprises a first brake housing component and a second brake housing component. Furthermore, the disclosed braking device includes a first braking element non-rotatably arranged within the brake housing, a second braking element rotatably arranged within the brake housing, and a biasing mechanism for biasing one of the first and second braking elements toward the other in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the brake housing. The brake housing has a connecting portion for connecting the first and second brake housing components, wherein the first and second brake housing components are press-fitted together in the connecting portion. Disadvantageously, the braking force is inflexibly adjustable based solely on the shape of the brake housing components, as the brake housing components are connected by a press-fit fastening.

[0004] DE 20 2018 101 761 U1 discloses a braking device for a spindle actuator. The braking device includes a brake housing comprising a first brake housing component and a second brake housing component. Furthermore, the disclosed braking device includes a first braking element non-rotatably connected to the brake housing and a second braking element rotatably arranged relative to the brake housing, wherein a biasing device designed as a compression spring is arranged within the brake housing and provides axial bias of the first braking element on the second braking element. To adjust the biasing force of the compression spring, the braking device includes a stop member screwable into the brake housing, and a first end of the biasing device is supported on the stop member, wherein a second end of the biasing device is supported on the first braking element. This generates bias on the brake disc assembly formed by the braking elements, and thus a corresponding braking force is provided to a component that can be coupled to the second braking element. One disadvantage of the disclosed braking device is the need for an additional stop member that must be screwed in to set the biasing force or braking force provided by the braking device. This requires additional installation space, and in particular, increases the remaining technical length of the drive unit. Another drawback is that the braking torque provided by the braking system can be affected by the torsion of the stop components during assembly. Furthermore, the accuracy of the bias adjustment is determined by the thread precision of the internal or external threads provided for engagement, and in some cases, due to manufacturing tolerances, this precision is too low to meet the requirements of certain vehicle panels.

[0005] DE 11 2017 003 930 T5 discloses a drive mechanism for adjusting a vehicle panel, the drive mechanism including a housing, wherein the housing includes a first housing component and a second housing component. Furthermore, the drive mechanism includes a ball seat made of synthetic resin, the ball seat being integrally connected to an end portion of the first housing component by laser welding. Summary of the Invention

[0006] The object of the present invention is to provide a braking device, particularly a braking device for adjusting a drive mechanism for a vehicle dashboard, which allows for more precise adjustment of braking force and is as compact as possible.

[0007] According to the present invention, this objective is achieved by a braking device having the features of the technical solution of the present invention.

[0008] According to one aspect of the invention, a braking device for a drive mechanism, particularly for a drive mechanism for adjusting a vehicle dashboard, is provided. The braking device includes a brake housing comprising a first brake housing component and a second brake housing component. Furthermore, the braking device includes: a first braking element non-rotatably arranged within the brake housing; a second braking element rotatably arranged within the brake housing; and a biasing device for biasing one of the first and second braking elements toward the other of the first and second braking elements in a direction along the longitudinal axis of the brake housing. The braking device according to the invention is characterized in that the brake housing has a connecting portion for connecting the first and second brake housing components, and that the first and second brake housing components are welded together in the connecting portion. This advantageously ensures a particularly secure and stable connection between the first and second brake housing components, thereby creating the possibility of making the braking device compact and also more precisely defining the braking force of the braking device, as will be explained in more detail below.

[0009] In a particularly preferred embodiment, the first brake housing component and the second brake housing component overlap axially in the connecting portion. Advantageously, during the manufacture of the braking device, the overall length of the brake housing can be variably adjusted by selecting or adjusting the axial overlap of the first and second brake housing components. If the overall length of the brake housing is equal to a desired value, the first and second brake housing components can be welded together to determine the overall length of the brake housing.

[0010] Preferably, one of the first brake housing component and the second brake housing component radially surrounds the other at least in the connecting portion of the brake housing. Advantageously, the first brake housing component and the second brake housing component are arranged concentrically with each other. Advantageously, the entire brake housing is constructed concentrically about its longitudinal axis. Furthermore, this arrangement has the advantage that the welded connection between the first brake housing component and the second brake housing component can be formed in the connecting portion along the entire circumferential surface of the other brake housing component, thus making the connection particularly stable.

[0011] In a preferred development, the first brake housing component and the second brake housing component are laser-welded to each other at the connection portion of the brake housing. Laser welding advantageously provides a particularly stable and temperature-resistant connection between the first and second brake housing components. Furthermore, unlike adhesive or soldering methods, there is no need to insert connecting material, resulting in a particularly simple type of connection.

[0012] Particularly preferably, the first brake housing component and the second brake housing component are made of plastic, at least in the connecting portion of the brake housing. Particularly preferably, both the first brake housing component and the second brake housing component are made entirely of plastic. Advantageously, the brake housing or brake housing component can be manufactured in large quantities at low cost using injection molding, which also achieves high precision and repeatability.

[0013] Advantageously, in one improved embodiment, one of the first and second brake housing components is made of laser-transparent plastic, at least in the connecting portion of the brake housing. Advantageously, the other of the first and second brake housing components is made of laser-impermeable plastic, at least in the connecting portion of the brake housing. Advantageously, the first brake housing component can be connected to the second brake housing component from the outside particularly easily using a laser, without the need for additional mechanical contact with the brake housing or brake housing components. For this purpose, the laser beam is guided through the brake housing component made of laser-transparent plastic, while the brake housing component made of laser-impermeable plastic is locally melted, thereby forming a strong bond between the housing components by means of welding. Particularly advantageously, this connection can be generated very quickly and efficiently, and the generation of this connection can also be automated. Here, "laser-transparent" means that the material is transparent to radiation with a laser wavelength; "laser-impermeable" means that the material is opaque to radiation with a laser wavelength.

[0014] Advantageously, the first brake housing component has a first stop surface, and the second brake housing component has a second stop surface, wherein the first stop surface faces the second stop surface. Particularly preferably, the first braking element, the second braking element, and the biasing device are axially sandwiched between the first stop surface of the first brake housing component and the second stop surface of the second brake housing component. Advantageously, this allows the biasing force to be adjusted by axial displacement of the first brake housing component relative to the second brake housing component, thereby adjusting the braking force generated by the braking device, and subsequently fixing the biasing force by integrally connecting the first brake housing component to the second brake housing component by means of welding.

[0015] In an advantageous improvement, the first brake housing component is a hollow cylindrical shape, wherein a radially circumferential annular step is formed on the inner circumference of the first brake housing component. For example, the annular step can be circular or polygonal, such as an octagonal shape. Advantageously, the annular step has a first stop surface. Particularly preferably, one of the first brake element and the second brake element abuts against the annular step of the first brake housing component. In an advantageous improvement, the second brake housing component has an annular base. Advantageously, the annular base has a second stop surface facing the first stop surface. Advantageously, the stop surface can be manufactured simply, cost-effectively, and with high precision by injection molding during the manufacture of the brake housing component. However, the adjustment of the bias pressure provided by the braking device, and thus the adjustment of the brake element, is advantageously performed by displacing the first brake housing component relative to the second brake housing component in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of the brake housing.

[0016] According to another aspect of the invention, a drive device for adjusting a vehicle panel is provided, characterized by the braking device described above.

[0017] Other advantages, features and improvements of the present invention will be apparent from the following description of preferred exemplary embodiments and the technical solutions of the present invention. Attached Figure Description

[0018] The invention will now be explained in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings and preferred exemplary embodiments.

[0019] Figure 1 A preferred exemplary embodiment of the braking device according to the invention is shown in a longitudinally sectional side view.

[0020] Figure 2 Shown in perspective Figure 1 The braking device in the middle. Detailed Implementation

[0021] Figure 1 A preferred exemplary embodiment of the braking device 1 according to the present invention is shown in a longitudinally sectional side view. The braking device 1 includes a brake housing 2, wherein the brake housing 2 includes a first brake housing component 3. The first brake housing component 3 is generally hollow and cylindrical and includes a first end portion 3a, which also forms a first end portion of the brake housing 2. In the region of the first end portion 3a, the first brake housing component 3 has internal teeth 4 on its inner circumference.

[0022] The internal teeth 4 are used to connect the first brake housing component 3 to a bearing element (not shown here), particularly a ball bearing capable of rotatably supporting the spindle rod (not shown here) of the spindle drive. The first brake housing component 3 is made of laser-impermeable plastic, allowing the bearing element to be pressed into the first end 3a of the first brake housing component 3 by the external teeth via the internal teeth 4. As a result, the bearing element can be secured in the first end 3a of the first brake housing component 3 in a non-rotatable and axially fixed manner.

[0023] The first brake housing component 3 has a second end 3b opposite to the first end 3a. Between the first end 3a and the second end 3b, the first brake housing component 3 also has an intermediate portion 3c. In the intermediate portion 3c, the first brake housing component 3 has a radially circumferential annular step 5 on its inner circumference, the function of which will be explained below. In the region of the second end 3b, the first brake housing component 3 has a hollow cylindrical wall 6 that extends axially along the longitudinal axis L of the brake housing 2 to the annular step 5.

[0024] The brake housing 2 also includes a second brake housing component 7. The second brake housing component 7 has a first end 7a, which forms a second end of the brake housing 2 opposite to the first end 3a. The second brake housing component 7 has an annular base 8 at the first end 7a. The second brake housing component 7 has a second end 7b opposite to the first end 7a. In the region of the second end 7b, the second brake housing component 7 has a hollow cylindrical wall 9 extending to the annular base 8. Advantageously, the second brake housing component 7 is can-shaped, with a circular opening 10 defined by the annular base 8 provided on the bottom side.

[0025] The hollow cylindrical wall 6 of the first brake housing component 3 and the hollow cylindrical wall 9 of the second brake housing component 7 overlap axially in the connecting portion 11. Thus, the first brake housing component 3 is connected to the second brake housing component 7 via the connecting portion 11. For this purpose, the outer diameter of the hollow cylindrical wall 6 of the first brake housing component 3 is smaller than the inner diameter of the hollow cylindrical wall 9 of the second brake housing component 7, such that the second end portion 3b of the first brake housing component 3 can be inserted into the second end portion 7b of the second brake housing component 7 to form the connecting portion 10.

[0026] The diagram schematically illustrates that, in the connecting portion 11, the hollow cylindrical wall 6 of the first brake housing component 3 is integrally connected to the hollow cylindrical wall 9 of the second brake housing component 7 via a first welding point 12. In the exemplary embodiment shown here, the hollow cylindrical wall 9 of the second brake housing component 7 is made of laser-transparent plastic, while the hollow cylindrical wall 6 of the first brake housing component 3 is made of laser-impermeable plastic. Thus, the first brake housing component 3 is connected to the second brake housing component 7 by means of laser welding. Advantageously, the total length of the brake housing 2 can be selected very precisely by telescopically displacing the first brake housing component 3 relative to the second brake housing component 7, and then welding the first brake housing component 3 from the outside through the hollow cylindrical wall 9 of the second brake housing component 7 using a laser.

[0027] Two first braking elements 13 are arranged in the brake housing 2, wherein the first braking elements 13 are designed as annular brake discs and are non-rotatably connected to the brake housing 2. For this purpose, the first braking elements 13 have radially outwardly projecting protrusions 13a, wherein one protrusion 13a passes through a slot-shaped opening 14 provided on the inner circumference of the first brake housing component 3 in the hollow cylindrical wall 6. As a result, the first braking elements 13 are connected to the first brake housing component 3 in a manner that is non-rotatably connected but axially displaceable.

[0028] Furthermore, a second braking element 15 is arranged in the brake housing 2, wherein the second braking element 15 is rotatable relative to the brake housing 2. The second braking element 15 is designed as an annular brake disc, wherein the second braking element 15 has a central internal tooth 16, which can mesh with a corresponding external tooth of a spindle (not shown here), so that the second braking element 15 can be non-rotatably connected to the spindle. When the spindle rotates, the second braking element 15 rotates accordingly. The outer diameter of the second braking element 15 is smaller than the inner diameter of the hollow cylindrical wall 6 of the first brake housing component 3, so that the second braking element 15 can rotate freely within the first brake housing component 3 and is radially surrounded by the hollow cylindrical wall 6 of the first brake housing component 3.

[0029] The second braking element 15 is axially arranged between the two first braking elements 13. An annular intermediate element 17 made of carbon fiber is arranged between each first braking element 13 and the second braking element 15. The first braking elements 13, the second braking elements 15, and the annular intermediate element 17 together form the brake disc assembly 18. To define a predetermined braking force, the braking device 1 includes a biasing device 19, which, in the exemplary embodiment shown here, is designed as a wave spring, wherein the biasing device 19 is configured to bias the brake disc assembly 18.

[0030] For this purpose, the first end 19a of the biasing device 19 abuts against the first braking element 13, which faces the annular base 8 of the second brake housing component 7. Furthermore, the second end 19b of the biasing device 19, opposite to the first end 19a, abuts against the annular base 8 or the stop surface 8a of the second brake housing component 7. Additionally, the brake disc assembly 18 or the first braking element 13, arranged opposite to the annular base 8 of the second brake housing component 7, abuts against the stop surface 5a of the annular step 5 of the first brake housing component 3.

[0031] The brake disc assembly 18 and the biasing device 19 are advantageously axially arranged between the first stop surface 5a of the annular step 5 of the first brake housing component 3 and the second stop surface 8a of the annular base of the second brake housing component 7. Advantageously, the biasing force applied to the brake disc assembly 18 can thus be adjusted by axially displacing the first brake housing component 3 relative to the second brake housing component 7, and can subsequently be fixed by connecting the first brake housing component 3 and the second brake housing component 7 in the connecting portion 11, since the brake disc assembly 18 and the biasing device 19 are arranged together between the annular step 5 of the first brake housing component 3 and the annular base 8 of the second brake housing component 7.

[0032] Figure 2 Shown in perspective Figure 1 The braking device 1. In this view, it can be clearly seen that the first brake housing component 3 has internal teeth 4 arranged along its inner circumference at its first end 3a, which are designed to be pressed into the bearing element. Furthermore, it can be clearly seen that the hollow cylindrical wall 6 of the first brake housing component 3 has a total of three slotted openings 14 through which the radial protrusions 13a of the first brake element 13 pass. Additionally, a second brake element 15 sandwiched between the first brake element 13 can be seen, wherein the second brake element 15 has internal teeth 16 for non-rotatable connection with the spindle. Finally, one of the intermediate elements 17 sandwiched between the first brake element 13 and the second brake element 15 can be seen.

[0033] The second brake housing component 7 can also be seen, which is assembled like a cover onto the hollow cylindrical wall 6 of the first brake housing component 3, thereby forming a brake housing 2 together with the first brake housing component 3. The first brake housing component 3 and the second brake housing component 7 are integrally connected to each other in a connection portion 11 by means of laser welding, in which the hollow cylindrical wall 6 of the first brake housing component 3 and the hollow cylindrical wall 9 of the second brake housing component 7 overlap axially.

[0034] The invention has been explained above based on exemplary embodiments, in which the first brake housing component 3 is made of laser-impermeable plastic and the second brake housing component 7 is made of laser-transmitting plastic. In the illustrated exemplary embodiment, this is advantageous because the hollow cylindrical wall 9 of the second brake housing component 7 is arranged on the outer side in the connecting portion, making laser welding easier. However, it is understood that the first brake housing component 3 could also be made of laser-transmitting plastic, while the second brake housing component 7 could be made of laser-impermeable plastic.

Claims

1. A braking device for a drive mechanism, the braking device comprising: A brake housing (2) comprising a hollow cylindrical first brake housing component (3) and a second brake housing component (7). The first brake housing component (3) has a first end (3a) and a second end (3b), the first end (3a) forming the first end of the brake housing (2). The second brake housing component (7) has a first end (7a) and a second end (7b), the first end (7a) of the second brake housing component (7) forming the second end of the brake housing (2) opposite to the first end of the brake housing (2). The brake housing (2) includes components for connecting the first brake housing component (3) and the second brake housing component (7). The connecting portion (11) of the moving housing component (7) and the first brake housing component (3) and the second brake housing component (7) overlap axially in the connecting portion (11), wherein the first brake housing component (3) has a first stop surface (5a) and the second brake housing component (7) has a second stop surface (8a); an annular step (5) is formed on the inner periphery of the first brake housing component (3), the annular step (5) has the first stop surface (5a), and the second brake housing component (7) has an annular base (8), wherein the annular base (8) has a second stop surface (8a) facing the first stop surface (5a); A first braking element (13) is arranged in the brake housing (2) in a manner that prevents relative rotation. A second braking element (15) is rotatably arranged in the brake housing (2); and A biasing device (19) is used to bias one of the first braking element (13) and the second braking element (15) toward the other of the first braking element (13) and the second braking element (15) in the direction of the longitudinal axis (L) of the brake housing (2), wherein the first braking element (13), the second braking element (15) and the biasing device (19) are axially clamped between the first stop surface (5a) and the second stop surface (8a). in, The first brake housing component (3) and the second brake housing component (7) are laser welded to each other in the connecting portion (11) of the brake housing (2), and the second brake housing component (7) radially surrounds the first brake housing component (3) at least at the connecting portion (11) of the brake housing (2).

2. The braking device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first brake housing component (3) and the second brake housing component (7) are arranged concentrically with each other.

3. The braking device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The entire brake housing (2) is constructed concentrically around its longitudinal axis (L).

4. The braking device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first brake housing component (3) and the second brake housing component (7) are both made of plastic, at least in the connecting portion (11) of the brake housing (2).

5. The braking device according to claim 1, characterized in that, Both the first brake housing component (3) and the second brake housing component (7) are made entirely of plastic.

6. The braking device according to claim 1, characterized in that, One of the first brake housing component (3) and the second brake housing component (7) is made of laser-transparent plastic, at least in the connecting portion (11) of the brake housing (2).

7. The braking device according to claim 6, characterized in that, The other of the first brake housing component (3) and the second brake housing component (7) is made of laser-impermeable plastic, at least in the connecting portion (11) of the brake housing (2).

8. The braking device according to claim 1, characterized in that, One of the first braking element (13) and the second braking element (15) abuts against the annular step (5) of the first braking housing component (3).

9. The braking device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The drive unit is used to adjust the vehicle panel.

10. A drive device for adjusting a vehicle panel, characterized in that, The drive device includes a braking device according to any one of the preceding claims.

Images