Drive device for applying reaction force to avoid undesired adjustment of interior component

Abstract

The proposed solution relates to a drive device for adjusting an interior component (11, 12) of a vehicle (1), at least comprising:-a motorized adjustment drive (2) for generating an adjustment force,-an adjustment movement mechanism (4) which can be driven by the adjustment drive (2) for transmitting the adjustment force generated by the adjustment drive (2) to the interior component (11, 12), a control device (3) for controlling the actuating drive (2), and an electronic detection device (22, 113) for detecting an actuating event in which at least one external force acts on the drive device and / or the interior component (11, 12). The control device (3) is configured in such a way that, in response to the detection of an adjustment event, a reaction force is generated via the motor-type adjustment drive (2), which reaction force counteracts the adjustment of the interior space components (11, 12) due to an external force.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to a drive device for adjusting an interior component of a vehicle according to the preamble of claim 1 . Background Art

[0002] The drive device comprises: a motor-type adjusting drive for generating an adjusting force; an adjusting movement that can be driven by the adjusting drive for transmitting the adjusting force generated by the adjusting drive to the interior component; and a control device for controlling the adjusting drive. In addition, an electronic detection device is provided, by means of which an adjustment event can be detected, in which at least one external force acts on the drive device and / or the interior component.

[0003] In addition, it is known that different types of interior space components can be adjusted by external power operation via motor-type adjustment drives. The interior space components of the type described here are components in the interior space of the vehicle. The interior space components of the type described here can be, for example, vehicle seats, console elements with storage functions or storage functions, displays, partitions, or can be storage racks such as tables or storage compartments. The interior space components are not components of the vehicle body and are not used to close the vehicle to the outside (such as in doors or sliding roofs). The interior space components are also not components of the drive system and steering system of the vehicle (such as the steering column of the vehicle). The interior space components are arranged in the interior space of the vehicle and can be adjusted by the user in the interior space, especially in order to provide comfort functions in the interior space.

[0004] For example, a vehicle seat can be adjustable in the interior for setting the backrest inclination, longitudinal positioning and / or transverse positioning or also for setting the rotational position, so as to enable a comfortable sitting position for the vehicle occupant. A console element can be movable, for example, along the vehicle floor, in order to provide a storage shelf in the interior of the vehicle or to enable the operation of functional components on the console element. A display can be adjustable in its pivot position, its height position and / or its tilt position, so as to enable a comfortable viewing of the display for the vehicle occupant.

[0005] In particular, in new interior concepts, for example in connection with autonomously driven vehicles, interior components such as vehicle seats or console elements may be variably adjustable in order to enable a comfortable ride in the vehicle for the vehicle occupants, if necessary. Adjustment of the interior components should be easy, comfortable and intuitive for the user.

[0006] The adjusting drive and / or the adjusting kinematics are often designed to be self-locking, so that the adjusting kinematics and thus the interior component can only be adjusted by actuating the adjusting drive, but not vice versa by external forces. Thus, for example, in a vehicle seat, the self-locking of the transmission together with the locking torque of the adjusting motor and any poor efficiency along the action chain can ensure that the vehicle seat does not sink undesirably when the vehicle vibrates, for example when driving on bad roads. However, designs with self-locking adjusting drives and / or adjusting kinematics are not necessarily desirable due to poor efficiency. This is typically also accompanied by a greater need for structural space as well as greater weight and wear. Summary of the invention

[0007] Against this background, the object of the proposed solution is to provide a drive device which is improved in this respect.

[0008] The proposed drive device for adjusting an interior component of a vehicle comprises at least

[0009] - a motor-type adjusting drive for generating the adjusting force,

[0010] - an adjusting kinematic mechanism which can be driven by an adjusting drive and serves to transmit the adjusting force generated by the adjusting drive to the interior component,

[0011] - an electronic control device for controlling the regulating drive, and

[0012] - an electronic detection device for detecting adjustment events in which at least one external force acts on the drive device and / or the interior component.

[0013] The control device is here configured to generate, in response to the detection of an adjustment event, a counterforce via the motor-type adjustment drive which counteracts an adjustment of the interior component due to an external force.

[0014] The proposed solution is therefore based on the basic idea that a counterforce is applied in an electronically controlled manner so that when an adjustment event is detected, the counterforce is used to counteract the external force so that no undesired adjustment of the interior space component occurs. The proposed drive device is therefore capable of controlling not only the targeted adjustment of the interior space component of the vehicle via a motor-type adjustment drive, but also counteracting the undesired adjustment with the help of the adjustment drive when an adjustment event occurs. This aspect can, for example, realize a drive device with a controller-based regulator (that is, a control device integrated in the controller combines a motor-type adjustment drive, which contains an electronic device integrated with the motor), which in the case of a non-self-locking adjustment drive and a non-self-locking adjustment kinematic mechanism counteracts the undesired adjustment of the interior space component due to the externally applied force by applying a counterforce in a targeted manner. The proposed solution can be particularly helpful in improving the cruising range of electric vehicles. Since the efficiency is improved by using a non-self-locking adjustment drive, the movement current to be loaded for the normal operation of the drive device may be reduced. Energy storage devices of the vehicle which are provided for driving the vehicle and operating the drive machine are therefore possibly subject to less load.

[0015] An adjusting kinematic mechanism is understood here in particular to be an adjusting mechanism having a plurality of (at least two) adjustable components, via which an adjusting force generated by a motor-type adjusting drive can be transmitted to the interior component in order to adjust the interior component.

[0016] An adjustment event detectable by means of an electronic detection device is any driver or operating condition not induced by an adjustment drive, in which an external force acts on the drive device and / or the interior component, which could in principle lead to an adjustment of the drive device and / or the interior component. It is not necessary for the electronic detection device to detect the external force acting on the drive device and / or the interior component itself. Instead, it may be sufficient to detect the corresponding situation, for example, by a change in the adjustment position of at least one monitored component that is not part of the drive device and / or the interior component, and / or to signal the corresponding situation by a signal that can be received and processed at the detection device, which indicates that an external force (in particular) acts on the drive device and / or the interior component that exceeds a tolerance. Thus, the electronic detection device can, for example, detect or receive a signal that parts of the interior of the vehicle are vibrating and / or that the vehicle is traveling on a bad road section. Alternatively or additionally, the detection device can detect an adjustment of a component of the drive unit or of the interior component, for example, an adjustment of a component of an adjustment motor of an adjustment drive, and in particular an adjustment of a rotor, in order to infer that an adjustment event has occurred. This includes, in particular, the possibility of electronically detecting an adjustment event before an undesired movement or adjustment of a component of the interior component. Thus, for example, a relevant acceleration at the interior component or at the vehicle can be detected by means of a gyroscopic sensor before an undesired movement occurs.

[0017] In mechanics, self-locking refers to the resistance caused by friction that prevents two objects resting against each other from sliding or rotating. In a gear mechanism, self-locking exists when the gear mechanism can be driven via the drive shaft but not via the driven shaft. Self-locking in a gear mechanism can also be expressed by a high transmission ratio or by a low efficiency (usually < 50%). In worm gear mechanisms or screw mechanisms, self-locking is usually achieved when the helix angle of the worm thread or screw thread is less than the inverse tangent of the static friction coefficient.

[0018] The adjusting kinematic mechanism is preferably non-self-locking. The torque acting on the output side will therefore basically cause the adjusting kinematic mechanism to move during the movement.

[0019] In a variant embodiment, the control device is configured to: as a response to the detection of an adjustment event, at least one component of the adjustment drive and / or at least one component of the adjustment movement mechanism is reset to a given position via a motor-type adjustment drive and a reaction force generated by the motor-type adjustment drive and the at least one component is maintained at the given position via the generated reaction force when an external force continues to be applied. The given position to be occupied can be defined in particular by a position in a given area. Therefore, if the component to be adjusted is present within a given area, it is assumed that the given position is occupied. In particular, the possible reset of at least one component of the adjustment drive and / or the possible reset of at least one component of the adjustment movement mechanism can depend on whether the adjustment of the component can be detected by means of an electronic detection device in order to detect the occurrence of an adjustment event. Therefore, it can be detected, for example, that a possible undesirable adjustment that is not induced by manipulating the adjustment drive occurs precisely based on a specific component of the adjustment drive, which occurs due to the applied external force or when the monitored component is further adjusted. The adjustment of the component and thus the possible adjustment of the interior space component may occur. The control device then drives the motor-type adjustment drive to adjust the component back into the specified position or the specified area and keep it in this specified position. If the predetermined specified position or the position within the specified area is reached again, this can be confirmed and thus verified, for example, by means of a detection device in a sensory manner.

[0020] In detecting whether a setpoint position has been reached, in principle, hysteresis or tolerance windows can also be taken into account. In the present case, hysteresis or tolerance windows refer, for example, to overcompensation of an adjustment movement that has already occurred, has been detected and is attributed to an adjustment event, so that a corresponding adjustment subsequently becomes less likely or occurs only rarely. For example, it can be provided that, starting from a certain deviation from the setpoint position, the respective component is adjusted in the opposite direction by a defined amount (defined by the tolerance window) beyond the setpoint position due to the generated counterforce.

[0021] After the adjustment of the interior component under the effect of the adjustment produced by the adjustment drive has been completed, the set position can be stored, for example, by means of the control device in a memory of the control device. Therefore, after the targeted adjustment of the interior component, which is controlled by the user or triggered automatically, has been completed, the position occupied by at least one component of the drive device is stored, so that a subsequent displacement of the component, which may occur without the adjustment drive being operated, can be evaluated as a possible adjustment event that necessarily leads to the generation of a counterforce. Therefore, if the adjustment of the interior component, which is controlled by the user or triggered automatically, has been completed until the predetermined target position, the set position of the component of the drive device, which is monitored, for example, by sensing, is stored, so that a counter-control can be performed by means of the adjustment drive when an undesired adjustment out of the set position due to the action of external forces is detected. Storing the set position can here include setting the position occupied after the targeted adjustment as the set position. The detection device thus checks whether a change in the position has occurred without the adjustment drive being operated, only based on the detection signal that may be generated later (if necessary, taking into account the adjustment direction). This includes, in particular, that a detection signal is generated by at least one or exactly one Hall sensor or rotor position sensor, with which a signal change per revolution or an angular quantity within a revolution can be measured and a positioning change can be inferred, for example, by counting the revolutions with the aid of a controller coupled to the sensor.

[0022] In principle, the counterforce applied can be varied in its magnitude over time by means of a control device. For this purpose, for example, changing external forces can also be taken into account.

[0023] The proposed solution is particularly suitable for non-self-locking adjustment drives and non-self-locking adjustment kinematic mechanisms, as already explained above. Correspondingly, a variant embodiment also provides that the adjustment drive includes a non-self-locking transmission mechanism. Under external forces, the adjustment kinematic mechanism cannot therefore be held in a specific adjustment position via the self-locking of the transmission mechanism on the adjustment drive side. For this purpose, a counterforce is provided by means of a motor-type adjustment drive. Since a non-self-locking transmission mechanism is avoided as part of the adjustment drive, the adjustment drive can generally be designed to be lighter and more compact. In addition, when it is actually desired to adjust the interior space component, a faster response behavior can be achieved with this.

[0024] In one possible embodiment variant, a short-circuit brake is provided for generating or increasing the counterforce. Thus, when a monitored component indicates an adjustment or when a signal applied by the vehicle, such as a collision warning, is received from the detection device, the adjustment motor of the adjustment drive can generate a braking effect, in particular permanently.

[0025] As already explained above, the detection device can in principle be configured to monitor at least one component of the adjustment drive and / or to monitor at least one component of the adjustment kinematic mechanism. In principle, of course, the interior component itself can also be monitored alternatively or additionally in order to infer the presence of a possible adjustment event. However, if an adjustment of the interior component or a part of the interior component is considered to be decisive for the presence of an adjustment event, this is generally undesirable from a comfort point of view. It is therefore more likely to be perceived as advantageous if an undesired adjustment caused by external forces is already counteracted within the adjustment drive and / or the adjustment kinematic mechanism before an adjustment of the interior component that is perceptible or visible to the user occurs.

[0026] For monitoring, the detection device may include a monitoring sensor device having at least one sensor. For example, optical, magnetic or capacitive sensors are conceivable for this purpose, in particular sensors which can be used to detect a changed adjustment position. For example, at least one Hall sensor or an analog, magnetic rotor position sensor is particularly provided. Alternatively or additionally, radar sensors or lidar sensors and / or cameras may be used.

[0027] Alternatively or in addition, one embodiment variant provides for a sensorless monitoring of at least one component of the adjusting kinematics and / or the adjusting drive. The sensorless monitoring of components of the adjusting motor of the adjusting drive can be carried out, for example, on the basis of measurable and electronically evaluable motor parameters, such as an induced voltage or a motor impedance. For example, it can be provided that the sensorless monitoring is carried out by evaluating an electrical signal representing the corresponding motor parameter at a DC motor of a motor-type adjusting drive.

[0028] In a variant embodiment, the detection device is arranged to monitor the adjustment position of the rotor of the adjustment motor in order to infer possible adjustment events that trigger the generation of the counterforce. As explained, this monitoring can be performed by sensing, for example by means of a monitoring sensor of the detection device or by sensorless.

[0029] If a monitoring sensor device is provided, such a monitoring sensor device can be arranged and constructed to detect the occurrence of an adjustment event related to the adjustment of a component of the adjustment motor of the adjustment drive and thus the adjustment of the rotor of the adjustment motor caused by an external force. This includes, for example, that the monitoring sensor device includes at least one Hall sensor for monitoring the rotor of the adjustment motor. Dual or more Hall sensors can also be provided here to detect the direction of rotation of the rotor and infer from it that there is an adjustment of the rotor that is not caused by the adjustment drive and therefore infer the adjustment event. When only exactly one Hall sensor is used at the rotor of the adjustment motor, additional information about the direction of rotation and / or the direction of action of the earth's gravity, for example via electronic devices on the vehicle side, can also be evaluated by the detection device if necessary, in order to infer the existence of an adjustment event. When an adjustment with a height component should be performed via the adjustment drive, the direction of action of the earth's gravity on the component is very important.

[0030] The monitoring sensor element can in principle be completely or at least partially mounted on a printed circuit board of the motor-type adjusting drive. The monitoring sensor element can in particular be integrated on the adjusting motor and connected by means of at least one signal line to a printed circuit board of the adjusting drive containing the control electronics.

[0031] The adjusting motor of the adjusting drive may be, for example, a DC motor, in particular a brushless DC motor (“Brushless DC Motor”, BLDC motor for short).

[0032] In order to monitor a DC motor sensorlessly, for example by monitoring the adjustment position of its rotor, a detection device can be provided, for example, which uses an inductive voltage divider and a measuring voltage pulse. When using an inductive voltage divider, for example, two motor phases are loaded with a pulsed or alternating voltage and a voltage measurement is performed at a third motor phase. The position of the rotor thus influences the individual inductances and thus the measurable tapped voltage. If a measuring voltage pulse is used, the motor phases can be loaded with this. The degree of increase in the (phase) current in the time domain can then be used to infer the (changed) adjustment position of the rotor.

[0033] In an alternative embodiment, the motor impedance is measured for sensorless monitoring of the rotor's set position by means of a detection device. This allows the torsion of the commutator of the DC motor to be determined in the stationary state, in order to infer a set position of the rotor that may have been changed by external forces and thus the presence of a set event.

[0034] In one embodiment variant, the detection device is configured to detect adjustment events by means of vehicle-side sensor signals. For this purpose, for example, at least one sensor already present on the vehicle side is used, the sensor signal of which can be transmitted to the detection device. Then, for example, driving on bad roads, driving off-road, or vibrations occurring on the vehicle body and / or in the vehicle interior that exceed at least one tolerance threshold, which are detected on the vehicle, can be signaled via the vehicle-side sensor signal. In this case, it is considered that the triggering criterion for activating the counter-control mode of the control device is met, so that in response to this, a counterforce is generated in order to make the components of the adjustment kinematics and, if necessary, the motor-type adjustment drive once again assume the current (rated) position and maintain it.

[0035] In one embodiment variant, the detection device is configured to detect a change in the adjustment position of at least one component of the adjusting drive and / or a change in the adjustment position of at least one component of the adjusting kinematic mechanism as a function of the operating mode of the drive device and, in response thereto, to reinitialize a reference position for the at least one component that is decisive for detecting the adjustment event. Thus, in the case of monitoring the sensor device taking into account the relative position, an already occurring but (initially) unrecognized and undesirable adjustment position change, such as a twist, can be detected by the detection device, for example, and a reinitialization of the reference position (for a given position desired by the user) can be triggered, for example, after a battery supplying the electronics of the drive device has been in deep sleep, transport mode or idling.

[0036] In a variant embodiment, the detection device can be configured to be placed in a detection mode by an activation signal generated on the vehicle side and received at the detection device or by an activation signal generated by a sensor of the detection device, in which the adjustment event can be detected by the detection device. Therefore, the detection device can be operated in a sleep mode, for example, and the detection device is switched from the sleep mode to the detection mode as a response to the activation signal. Then it can be switched from the detection mode to the response control mode, so that the adjustment drive is driven to generate a counterforce when the adjustment event is confirmed immediately afterwards. The possible operation in the sleep mode provides significant energy saving potential. Therefore, only when the current driving condition of the vehicle or the electronically (sensor-wise or sensor-less) detection of the changed adjustment position of the components of the drive device and / or the components of the interior space component indicates that: there may be interfering and external forces exceeding the tolerable threshold that may cause the interior space component to be adjusted undesirably act on the interior space component, the detection device is placed in a detection mode that requires more energy, for example. This may also include, for example, the detection on the vehicle of driving on bad roads, driving off-road or at least one vibration on the vehicle body and / or in the vehicle interior exceeding a tolerance threshold leading to the generation of an activation signal.

[0037] If necessary, the entire electronics of the operating device or at least one regulating drive (including the control device) can be switched from a power-saving sleep mode into a regulating mode in response to the activation signal.

[0038] Alternatively or additionally, it can be provided that the detection device checks in the sleep mode at a predetermined time and therefore in particular periodically whether there is an activation event that leads to a change into the detection mode, or whether there is an adjustment event that has triggered the generation of a counterforce. Thus, the detection device in the sleep mode can, for example, wake up periodically and check whether there is a possible change of the adjustment position of a component, for example a rotor, caused by an external force, in order to detect an adjustment event. Thus, the detection device can be configured to perform (more power-saving) polling to monitor changes in components of the adjustment drive and / or components of the adjustment kinematic mechanism.

[0039] In one embodiment variant, an accelerometer and / or a Hall sensor and / or an analog, magnetic rotor position sensor of the detection device can be provided for generating the activation signal. Thus, for example, a control device (implemented, for example, in a control device of the drive device) can be activated only by at least one activation signal generated by the accelerometer. Such an accelerometer can be integrated, for example, as a component in the electronics of the control drive, in particular in a microcontroller of the control device. Alternatively or in addition, the Hall signal or the analog signal can be used (directly or using a comparator or the like) as a wake-up source for the control device.

[0040] Furthermore, part of the proposed solution is a vehicle seat with an embodiment variant of the proposed drive device. In one embodiment variant of such a vehicle seat, for example, a non-self-locking seat height adjustment with the drive device is provided, in particular when a BLDC motor is used as part of the adjustment drive. By means of a control device, in particular integrated in a control unit of the seat height adjustment, a counterforce can be generated in a targeted manner via the adjustment drive as a response to a possible detection of an adjustment event, which counterforce counteracts an undesired change in seat height that occurs when the adjustment drive is not activated in a targeted manner for this purpose.

[0041] Different applications for drive devices of the type described are conceivable and feasible. In one application, the interior component can be realized, for example, by a vehicle seat. The drive device can be designed in particular for adjusting the backrest of the vehicle seat relative to the seating part of the vehicle seat. Alternatively, the drive device can be designed for longitudinal adjustment of the seat. Alternatively again, the drive device can be designed for seat height adjustment.

[0042] In another application, the interior component can be realized, for example, by a console element in the vehicle interior, such as a center console, an armrest, a table or another component. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0043] The figures illustrate by way of example possible implementation variants of the proposed solution.

[0044] In the figure:

[0045] Figure 1 A schematic illustration of a vehicle with different interior components and an embodiment variant of the proposed drive device is shown;

[0046] Figure 2 Schematic diagram showing the Figure 1 A component of the proposed drive device of an interior component of a vehicle;

[0047] Figure 3 Where additional components are shown, corresponding Figure 2 Control devices for driving equipment;

[0048] Figure 4 A possible sequence for operating a drive device is shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0049] Figure 1 The schematic illustration shows a vehicle 1 which has an interior space enclosed by a body 10 , in which interior components, for example in the form of vehicle seats 11 and console elements 12 and, if necessary, further interior components such as displays, partitions, storage shelves, storage compartments, etc. are arranged.

[0050] Within the scope of novel interior designs, for example in connection with autonomous vehicles, the interior components 11 , 12 can be adjusted in a variable manner in the interior of the vehicle 1 .

[0051] The interior component 11, for example in the form of a vehicle seat, can be adjusted in a variable manner so that the vehicle seat can be adjusted along an adjustment plane defined by the vehicle longitudinal direction X and the vehicle transverse direction and, if necessary, also twisted about the vehicle height axis Z. Furthermore, components of the vehicle seat, such as the seating part 111 or the backrest part 112, can be adjustable in order to adjust the position of the respective component. The backrest part 112 can be adjustable, for example, in terms of its inclination. Furthermore, the seating part 111 can be adjustable in terms of its height position along the adjustment direction V1 and can also be adjustable in terms of its inclination position.

[0052] For the sake of Figure 1In order to adjust the interior components 11, 12 as schematically shown in FIG, a drive device having a motor-type adjusting drive 2 is provided, which is connected to a control device 3 of the drive device. The adjusting drive 2 is designed as an electric motor and can be operated to move the associated interior components 11, 12 between different positions by driving the electric motor.

[0053] In principle, each interior space component 11, 12 to be adjusted or a subcomponent of an interior space component 11, 12 to be adjusted, such as the backrest part 112 of a vehicle seat, can be assigned its own electric motor-type adjustment drive 2, wherein the adjustment drive 2 can, for example, be connected to a common control device 3, so that the control device 3 jointly controls the adjustment drive 2 for adjusting the assigned interior space component 11, 12.

[0054] When using the drive device, the associated interior space components 11, 12 can be adjusted along a defined movement path. For example, the vehicle seat can be moved longitudinally relative to the vehicle floor along the movement path defined by the guide rails along the vehicle longitudinal direction X. In addition, the backrest part 112 can be pivoted relative to the seat part 111 about a defined swing axis 110, for example, along the adjustment direction V2 to the seat part 111.

[0055] However, it is also conceivable that the interior components 11, 12 are freely movable along the vehicle floor of the vehicle 1 and can therefore be freely adjusted in the interior and can be locked in the interior, for example, at defined anchoring points. In this regard, it is not necessary to provide guide rails, for example, for defining a fixed, predetermined movement path.

[0056] The control device 3, which is integrated into a controller, for example, is coupled to the detection device 22. Figure 12 is integrated into the adjusting drive 2 by way of example, but this is not mandatory. The electronic detection device 22 is set up and arranged to detect an adjustment event in which at least one external force acts on the adjusting drive 2. Under the action of this external force, there is a risk that at least one component of the adjusting drive 2 and / or a kinematic mechanism of a component coupled to the adjusting drive 2 for adjusting the interior components 11, 12 (here, for example, the vehicle seat 12) is displaced without the adjusting drive 2 being actuated. Thus, it can then be detected, for example, electronically (sensor-wise or sensor-less) by means of the detection device 22 whether the motor vehicle 1 is on a bad road section and therefore there is a risk of an undesired displacement of a component of the interior components 11, 12. A counterforce is then generated by means of the adjusting drive 2 via the control device 3, which counteracts the undesired displacement or adjustment caused thereby. This countercontrol by means of the adjusting drive 2 is particularly advantageous here when the adjusting drive 2 is designed to be non-self-locking and therefore, for example, is designed with a non-self-locking transmission mechanism and a DC motor, in particular a BLDC motor, is used as the adjusting motor of the adjusting drive 2.

[0057] The detection device 22 integrates, for example, a monitoring sensor device with one or more Hall sensors in order to monitor the adjustment position of a component of the adjustment drive, for example, the adjustment position of the rotor of the adjustment motor. If, for example, the rotor is detected by sensing without actuating the adjustment motor, a displacement that exceeds a permissible value and in particular in a specific direction of rotation is detected, then an adjustment event is inferred and a counter-control of the control device 3 is initiated. The control device 3 then controls the adjustment motor in order to reset the rotor back to the previously assumed set position or to a set range and to keep the rotor in the set position or in a predefined set range.

[0058] The detection device 22 can also be constructed and arranged for sensorless monitoring. In the case of a BLDC motor of the control drive 2, an inductive voltage divider can be used, for example, in order to infer a possible changed rotor position based on the tapped voltage. Alternatively, the current rise in the time domain can be evaluated with the measurement voltage pulses and on this basis a possible changed rotor position can be inferred. If a DC motor of a different design is provided, the motor impedance can be measured, for example, with the aid of the detection device 22. The torsion that occurs at the commutator of the DC motor in the stationary state leads to a change in the motor impedance and can therefore be evaluated as a reminder of an undesired change in the rotor position.

[0059] In order to alternatively or additionally provide for the sensory detection of the adjustment position of the backrest part 112, the backrest part can be integrated with a backrest sensor 113. The backrest sensor 113 arranged at the backrest part 112 thus also represents a detection device within the scope of the proposed solution, by means of which adjustment events can be inferred for counter-control by means of the control device 3. If, for example, a vibration of the backrest part 112 is detected via the backrest sensor 113, the control device 3 can drive the adjustment drive 2 for counter-control, the adjustment drive acting via the adjustment kinematic mechanism and in this case in particular acting on the fittings that couple the backrest part 112 to the seating part 111 in a rotatable manner, in order to keep the backrest part 113 in the assumed position relative to the seating part 111.

[0060] Recommended drive equipment Figure 1 The exemplary embodiment variant thus allows electronic position control in order to intercept, for example, special loads occurring at the adjusting drive 2 and the adjusting kinematics downstream thereof (i.e. loads that exceed the usual adjustment parameters) and to counteract these loads in an electronically controlled manner. This aspect enables a non-self-locking transmission to be more easily integrated into the adjusting drive 2 and / or the adjusting kinematics coupled thereto. A corresponding non-self-locking design typically results in a smaller installation space, a lower weight and lower wear.

[0061] Figure 2 The interaction of the various components of the proposed drive device is shown as an example. Thus, the control device 3 influences the adjusting motor 20 of the adjusting drive 2 with its electronic components. The adjusting motor 20 is in turn coupled to a transmission 21 (here a non-self-locking transmission, thus a non-self-locking transmission), which in turn influences the adjusting kinematic mechanism 4. This adjusting kinematic mechanism 4 has, for example, at least two mutually coupled components that convert the adjusting force generated by the adjusting motor 20 and transmitted via the transmission 21 into an adjusting mechanism for adjusting the interior space components 11, 12.

[0062] Figure 3 Variants of some parts of the control device 3 and in particular of the electronics integrated therein are explained. The control device 3 shown here also integrates parts of the detection device 22, which is in the form of a rotor position sensor 32, with which the position of the rotor of the adjusting motor 20 of the adjusting drive 2 is monitored. In addition, Figure 3 The control device 3 also includes a plug 30, via which the control device 3 is supplied with current and / or connected to the bus system of the vehicle 1. If necessary, key input is also provided via the plug. Figure 3In the example, the external circuit 31, the power output 32 and the motor contact (for the control motor 20) as well as the transceiver 34 and the microcontroller 35 are part of the control device 3. The microcontroller 35 integrates an evaluation logic for detecting control events. To this end, the microcontroller 35 evaluates the measurement signals of the rotor position sensor 36, for example, the signals of one or more Hall sensors or analog, magnetic rotor position sensors, via which the changed position of the rotor of the control motor 2 can be detected.

[0063] Figure 4 A flow chart of an exemplary method that can be implemented with the proposed drive device embodiment variant is shown. In this case, after a possible rest state 40 after the motor-type adjustment of the interior space components 11, 12 has been carried out as required, the assumed set position is monitored. Figure 4 In step 42, it is monitored whether the rotor position of the rotor of the adjusting motor 20 has changed by more than a stored threshold value and thus whether the rotor of the adjusting motor 20 may have rotated undesirably due to externally applied forces without actuating the adjusting drive 2. An optional query 41 can be inserted before the corresponding monitoring, i.e., whether a corresponding detection mode for monitoring the rotor position has been activated.

[0064] If no change is detected during the monitoring of the rotor position, the (non-self-locking) actuating drive 2 remains in the stationary state. Correspondingly, if a change in the rotor position exceeding a stored threshold value (e.g. a predetermined number of Hall pulses) is detected, the control device 3 responds according to Figure 4 In step 43, the adjusting motor 20 is controlled to rotate the rotor back to the initially assumed set position. In particular, the adjusting motor 20 is then controlled to adjust the rotor in the opposite direction, i.e., in the direction of rotation caused by the externally caused force determined in advance, until the rotor reaches the set position. Reaching the set position may also include confirming (for example by detecting a certain number of Hall pulses in the opposite direction) that the rotor has been adjusted only into the set range. If according to Figure 4 If step 44 electronically confirms that the corresponding setpoint position has been reached, the motor actuation is terminated by the control device 3 in a subsequent step 45 .

[0065] Instead of the above-described monitoring by means of sensors or sensorless evaluation of the measured motor parameters, for example with an inductive voltage divider, measuring voltage pulses or measuring the motor impedance, it is also possible in principle to provide for detection of control events by means of one or more accelerometers, which are not necessarily arranged on the rotor of the control motor 20. Thus, the accelerometers can also be integrated as components in the control device 3 and in particular in the microcontroller 35, for example.

[0066] In addition, the control device 3 can also take into account additional control information or vehicle information, such as the vehicle inclination and / or measurement signals of (additional) sensors on the vehicle side, in particular optical or capacitive sensors, in particular radar sensors or lidar sensors and / or cameras, in particular sensors configured to monitor the interior space, in order to control the adjusting motor 20.

[0067] Furthermore, the idea underlying the present invention is not limited to the above-described exemplary embodiments but can also be implemented in other ways.

[0068] The interior component can be realized by completely different components in the interior of the vehicle and is not limited to vehicle seats or console elements in this respect. The interior component can also be, for example, a display, a storage shelf (for example in the form of a table or the like), a partition, a storage compartment or a similar interior component.

[0069] Reference numerals list

[0070] 1 Motor Vehicle

[0071] 10 Body

[0072] 11 Vehicle seats (interior space components)

[0073] 110 Swing axis

[0074] 111 Ride

[0075] 112 Backrest

[0076] 113 Backrest sensor (detection device)

[0077] 12 Console elements (interior space components)

[0078] 2 Adjust the drive

[0079] 20 (Adjustment) motor

[0080] 21 Transmission mechanism

[0081] 22 Detection device

[0082] 3 Control device

[0083] 30~36 Control components

[0084] 4 Adjust the movement mechanism

[0085] V1, V2 adjustment direction

[0086] X Longitudinal axis of vehicle

[0087] Z Vehicle height axis

Claims

1. A drive device for adjusting an interior component (11, 12) of a vehicle (1), the drive device comprising at least: - a motor-type adjusting drive (2) for generating the adjusting force, - an adjusting kinematic mechanism (4) which can be driven by the adjusting drive (2) and is used to transmit the adjusting force generated by the adjusting drive (2) to the interior components (11, 12), - a control device (3) for controlling the adjusting drive (2), and - an electronic detection device (22, 113) for detecting an adjustment event in which at least one external force acts on the drive device and / or the interior component (11, 12), It is characterized in that The control device (3) is configured to generate a counterforce via the motor-type adjustment drive (2) in response to detecting the adjustment event, the counterforce counteracting the adjustment of the interior space component (11, 12) caused by the external force.

2. The driving device according to claim 1, characterized in that The control device (3) is configured to: in response to detecting the adjustment event, cause at least one component of the adjustment drive (2) and / or at least one component of the adjustment movement mechanism (4) to be reset to a given position via the motor-type adjustment drive (2) and the reaction force generated by the adjustment drive, and to maintain the at least one component at the given position via the generated reaction force when external force continues to be applied.

3. The driving device according to claim 2, characterized in that: The given location is predetermined to be a location within a given area.

4. The driving device according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that: The control device (2) comprises a memory and is configured to store the given positioning after the adjustment of the interior space component (11, 12) has been completed under the action of the adjustment force generated by the adjustment drive.

5. A drive device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The adjustment drive (2) comprises a non-self-locking transmission mechanism (21).

6. A drive device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that In order to generate the counterforce or to increase the counterforce, the actuating drive (2) can be operated as a short-circuit brake.

7. A drive device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The detection device (22, 113) is provided for monitoring at least one component of the adjusting drive (2) and / or of the adjusting kinematic mechanism.

8. The driving device according to claim 7, characterized in that The detection device (22) is provided for monitoring the adjustment position of a rotor of the adjustment motor (20).

9. The driving device according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that: The detection device (22) comprises a monitoring sensor device (36) which is arranged to detect the occurrence of an adjustment event associated with an adjustment of a component of an adjustment motor (20) of the adjustment drive (2) caused by an external force.

10. The driving device according to claim 9, characterized in that For monitoring the rotor, the monitoring sensor device (36) comprises at least one Hall sensor or at least one analog magnetic rotor position sensor.

11. A drive device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The adjusting motor (20) of the adjusting drive (2) is a DC motor, in particular a brushless DC motor.

12. A drive device according to claims 8 and 11, characterized in that The detection device (22) is configured to monitor the adjustment position of the rotor of the brushless DC motor (20) by means of an inductive voltage divider or measuring voltage pulses.

13. A drive device according to claims 8 and 11, characterized in that The detection device (22) is configured to measure the motor impedance to monitor the adjustment position of the rotor of the DC motor (20).

14. A drive device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The detection device (22, 113) is configured to detect an adjustment event via a sensor signal on the vehicle side.

15. A drive device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The detection device (22, 113) is configured to periodically check for a possible change in the adjustment position of at least one component of the adjustment drive (2) and / or a possible change in the adjustment position of at least one component of the adjustment kinematic mechanism (4) in order to detect an adjustment event.

16. A drive device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The detection device (22, 113) is configured to detect a change in the adjustment position of at least one component of the adjustment drive (2) and / or a change in the adjustment position of at least one component of the adjustment movement mechanism (4) depending on the operating mode of the drive device, and in response thereto, reinitialize a reference positioning for at least one component that is decisive for detecting an adjustment event.

17. A drive device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that - the detection device (22, 113) is configured to be placed into a detection mode by an activation signal generated on the vehicle side and received at the detection device (22, 113) or by an activation signal generated by a sensor of the detection device (22, 113), in which detection mode a control event can be detected by the detection device (22), and / or The control device (3) is configured to be switched from a sleep mode to a regulating mode by means of an activation signal generated on the vehicle side and received at the control device (3) or by means of an activation signal generated by a sensor of the detection device (3), in which the regulating drive (2) is controlled.

18. The driving device according to claim 17, characterized in that An accelerometer and / or a Hall sensor and / or an analog, magnetic rotor position sensor of the detection device (22, 113) is provided to generate the activation signal.

19. Vehicle seat having a drive device according to any of the preceding claims.

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