Drive unit for motor vehicle

Abstract

The invention relates to a drive unit for a motor vehicle, comprising an electric drive (6, 7, 8) having an electric motor (6) and a drive wheel (8). Furthermore, an adjusting element (5) which is acted upon by the drive wheel (8) is provided. And a crown gear transmission stage is arranged between the pinion (7) and the driving wheel (8) on the output shaft of the motor (6). According to the invention, the drive wheel (8) has a helical structure (9) and / or a gear structure (11) for loading the adjusting element (5).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to a drive unit for a motor vehicle, comprising: an electric drive device having a motor and a drive wheel; an adjusting element loaded by the drive wheel, and a crown gear transmission stage is arranged between a pinion on an output shaft of the motor and the drive wheel. Background Art

[0002] Drive units for motor vehicles are generally operated at low DC voltages, for example 12 V, 24 V or 48 V. The usual field of application of such drive units is to use them to move and operate mirrors, window panes, door panels, tailgates, etc. In addition, seats can be adjusted, headlights can be adjusted or covers for electrical connections can be closed.

[0003] Furthermore, such drive units are particularly advantageously used in conjunction with motor vehicle locks. In fact, in this case, the relevant drive unit is located inside the housing or the lock housing. With the aid of this drive unit, different functions can be operated, such as "locking / unlocking", "anti-theft lock locking / anti-theft lock unlocking" and "child lock locking / child lock unlocking". Furthermore, such drive units are advantageously used for so-called "electric opening". In this case, the adjustment element loaded by the drive wheel acts indirectly or directly on the pawl when the locking mechanism is locked and ensures that the pawl is disengaged from its locking engagement with the bolt. As a result, the locking mechanism and thus the motor vehicle lock are transferred to their open state.

[0004] Such drive units usually operate with high transmission or reduction ratios in order to be able to transmit large forces, for example in connection with window lifters. Furthermore, a compact design is usually required, since the installation conditions are generally very narrow. For this reason, the prior art of this type according to DE 10 2020 102 362 A1 has already proposed a drive unit for a motor vehicle, in which the drive train has at least one crown gear stage. For this purpose, the pinion and the drive wheel on the output shaft of the electric motor are arranged at an angle, in particular at a right angle, to each other, so that a crown gear stage is realized in this way.

[0005] A similar drive unit for a motor vehicle is described in DE 10 2017 211 803 A1. This is a bevel gear transmission designed as a crown gear transmission. The driven wheel can be designed as a plastic injection molded part, so that in addition to high efficiency, it also allows particularly simple and cost-effective production.

[0006] This prior art has been proven in principle, but there is still room for further improvement. Therefore, for example, the structural space for accommodating the motor vehicle lock inside the lock housing is extremely limited. For example, when the locking mechanism including the bolt and the pawl is to be opened in a motor-driven manner, a large force is required on the output side of the adjustment element. Although the solutions proposed in the prior art in this regard have been proven, there is still room for further improvement. Summary of the invention

[0007] The object of the present invention is therefore to develop a drive unit of this type for a motor vehicle in such a way that the highest possible transmission or reduction ratio can be achieved while taking into account a compact and cost-effective design.

[0008] In order to solve this technical problem, the present invention proposes, based on a drive unit of this type, within the scope of a first variant of the present invention, that the drive wheel has a helical structure for loading the adjustment element. In a second variant of the present invention, in association with a drive unit of this type, a gear structure for loading the adjustment element is provided instead of the helical structure. In principle, the helical structure and the gear structure can also be combined with each other.

[0009] In this case, the helical structure is advantageously located on the surface of the drive wheel opposite to the crown toothing. The gear structure is usually arranged on the surface of the drive wheel equipped with the crown toothing. That is, the drive wheel is first equipped with a crown toothing on one of its surfaces according to the invention, into which the pinion on the output shaft of the electric motor engages. In most cases, the helical structure and the gear structure are respectively arranged on opposite surfaces and on the same surface of a disk-shaped or circular drive wheel. The helical structure is a helical spiral surface that spirals around the axis or axis of rotation of the drive wheel and extends from the lowest point as the starting point of the helical structure to the highest point of the helical structure. The gear structure is usually arranged in the center relative to the drive wheel, that is, the two axes of rotation coincide. This also applies to the case of a helical structure, in which the axis of the helical structure coincides with the axis or axis of rotation of the drive wheel.

[0010] The adjusting element is usually a swing lever mounted in a rotatable manner around an axis. Here, the axis is generally defined by a support mandrel for the swing lever that is erected substantially perpendicularly to the lock cover. Here, the following design can be adopted, that is, the axis of the drive wheel and the axis of the swing lever are substantially perpendicular to each other. This embodiment is realized in most cases in conjunction with a spiral structure. However, if a gear structure is provided, which generally interacts with an associated gear structure on the swing lever or the adjusting element, then the following measures are taken instead, that is, the axis of the drive wheel and the axis of the swing lever or the adjusting element are substantially parallel to each other.

[0011] In the case of the realized spiral structure, in another design, the following measures can be taken, that is, the swing lever abuts against the spiral structure with a stop on the head side. In addition, the following measures are taken, that is, the spiral structure at least partially overlaps the swing lever in the undeflected end position. The undeflected end position of the swing lever corresponds to the stop on the head side of the swing lever abutting on the lowest point of the spiral structure. Because the spiral structure at least partially overlaps the swing lever in this undeflected end position, the stop or end stop is defined in this way. Therefore, it is clear that no additional stop in the undeflected end position of the swing lever is required, which reduces costs and improves the compactness of the solution according to the invention.

[0012] In the case of a variant with a gear structure, the following design is advantageously adopted, that is, the gear structure is arranged on the drive wheel as a central pinion. Here, this central pinion is usually engaged in a sector gear on the adjusting element or the swing lever. As a result, the desired transmission ratio between the central pinion and the sector gear can be realized and implemented. In addition, such a sector gear is easy to realize and implement on the adjusting element or the swing lever, which is usually made of plastic. Finally, the sector gear is usually also equipped with a stop on the end side in order to limit the swing movement of the adjusting element or the swing lever as required. The two variants are characterized by their particularly compact structure. This can be attributed to the fact that the swing lever or the adjusting element at least partially overlaps the drive wheel.

[0013] Furthermore, in most cases, the output shaft of the electric motor and the pinion thereon form an essentially right-angle engagement angle with the drive wheel having the crown toothing. In this case, the pinion and the crown toothing can usually be designed as spur toothing. However, it is particularly advantageous to use helical toothing in each case. Furthermore, it is advantageous to provide an involute toothing in order to provide a particularly high transmission ratio.

[0014] Furthermore, if a variant with a helical structure is considered, the following design is advantageously adopted, i.e., the longitudinal extension direction of the motor with its output shaft forms an acute angle with the axis of the swing lever. In connection with the variant with a gear structure, the following design is generally adopted, i.e., the longitudinal extension direction of the motor with its output shaft is substantially tangential to the sector gear on the adjustment element or the swing lever. Furthermore, both variants are distinguished in that the motor and its output shaft, in particular the longitudinal extension direction determined by them, point to the axis or center of the disk-shaped drive wheel. Finally, it has proven to be particularly advantageous if at least the drive wheel and the adjustment element are each designed or constructed as plastic injection molded parts.

[0015] Thus, within the scope of the invention, a drive unit for a motor vehicle is provided which has a particularly compact design and at the same time offers a high transmission or reduction ratio. All this is simultaneously associated with cost-effective production. Furthermore, since the crown gear stage between the pinion on the output shaft of the electric machine and the drive wheel for loading the adjusting element allows a certain axial play, assembly is also facilitated and long-term functional safety is ensured. The axial freedom achieved thereby therefore makes the crown gear stage insensitive to manufacturing defects and assembly tolerances as well as possible housing deformations.

[0016] The crown gear transmission stage in combination with the pinion and the corresponding helical toothing of the crown gearing on the drive wheel, which is realized in most cases here, ensures that a high transmission ratio can be implemented for loading the adjusting element. This advantage is achieved in particular when the crown gear transmission stage is the only transmission stage of the drive unit according to the invention.

[0017] The invention additionally utilizes the fact that the spiral structure on the drive wheel can in principle not only realize a pivoting movement of the adjusting element or the pivot lever. In this regard, it is also conceivable that the spiral structure has different inclinations and thus encloses an angle with the axis of the drive wheel that changes over its stroke. However, in the usual case, the spiral structure operates with a constant inclination, so that the rotational movement of the drive wheel is generally converted into a rotational movement of the pivot lever about an axis perpendicular to it by means of this inclination. This facilitates a compact design and at the same time provides an end stop in the undeflected end position of the pivot lever.

[0018] Similar advantages and effects are achieved in the variant with a gear arrangement. In this case, too, the rotary motion of the drive wheel is converted into a rotary motion of the pivot lever with a practically variable or constant transmission ratio. The overlap observed here between the adjustment element or pivot lever on the one hand and the drive wheel on the other hand also contributes to a compact design. This is a major advantage of the invention. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0019] The invention is described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings which show only one embodiment; in which:

[0020] Figure 1 A drive unit according to the invention is shown, connected to a motor vehicle lock, for electrically opening a locking mechanism.

[0021] Figure 2 The drive unit is shown in a perspective front view and a rear view, respectively,

[0022] Figure 3 A variant of the drive unit according to the invention is shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0023] The accompanying drawings show a drive unit for a motor vehicle. Figure 1 In the embodiment of FIG. 1 , the drive unit is used in combination with the motor vehicle lock 1 shown. That is, the motor vehicle lock 1 is equipped with a relevant drive unit. For this purpose, the motor vehicle lock 1 has a locking mechanism 2, 3 including a locking tongue 2 and a locking claw 3, which are each rotatably mounted on the lock box 1. Figure 1 Within the scope of the embodiment of the present invention, the axis of the pawl 3 is defined by a bearing spindle 4, which for this purpose stands perpendicular to the lock box 1 or on the lock cover 1. Coaxially with the pawl 3, the release lever 5 is also supported on the bearing spindle 4.

[0024] In the context of the invention, the release lever 5 is a specially designed adjustment element 5 which, within the scope of the drawing, is designed as a pivot lever 5 mounted rotatably about an axis defined by the support spindle 4, specifically in accordance with Figure 1 The modification is designed as a release lever 5. The main structure of the drive unit includes electric drive devices 6, 7, 8.

[0025] The electric drive device 6, 7, 8 itself is equipped with a motor 6 and a drive wheel 8. In addition, a pinion 7 is provided on the output shaft of the motor 6. A crown gear transmission stage is provided between the pinion 7 on the output shaft of the motor 6 and the drive wheel 8. Figure 2 In practice, a helical toothing or an involute toothing is used on the pinion 7 and on the drive wheel 8 or the crown toothing 8a of the drive wheel 8, respectively.

[0026] In addition, according to Figure 2 In the embodiment of the present invention, the driving wheel 8 is provided with a spiral structure 9 on its surface opposite to the crown tooth portion 8a. The spiral structure 9 is used to load the adjusting element 5. Figure 1 In the scope of the variant, the adjusting element 5 is designed as a swing lever or a release lever 5 as described. As a result, the drive wheel is rotated in the counterclockwise direction around its axis 10. Figure 1 The rotational movement schematically depicted in the figure causes the release lever 5 there to also perform a pivoting movement in the counterclockwise direction around its axis defined by the bearing spindle 4. The counterclockwise rotation of the release lever 5 causes the pawl 3, which is non-rotatably coupled to the release lever 5 in the example case, to also pivot in the counterclockwise direction around the common bearing spindle 4 and thereby leave its locking position with the bolt 2. As a result, the bolt 2 can be pivoted away in a spring-assisted manner and release the previously caught and not shown locking pin. As a result, the associated motor vehicle door and locking mechanism 2, 3 are opened in a motor-driven manner.

[0027] With the help of Figure 1 and Figure 2A comparative observation of the embodiment shows that the pivot lever 5 rests with the stop 5a on the head side against the spiral structure 9. According to this embodiment, the spiral structure 9 has a constant inclination relative to the axis 10 of the drive wheel 8. In principle, however, it is also possible to work with an increasing or decreasing inclination, according to which the force distribution on the output side is set.

[0028] According to this embodiment, the crown gear transmission stage between the pinion 7 and the drive wheel 8 or the crown toothing 8a therein is the only transmission stage, which enables a particularly compact structure. This is also facilitated by the fact that the axis 10 of the drive wheel 8 and the axis of the rocker arm 5 formed by the support spindle 4 are essentially perpendicular to each other. In addition, the following design is adopted, in which the electric motor 6 with its output shaft and the pinion 7 therein define an essentially right-angled meshing angle relative to the drive wheel 8 with the crown toothing 8a. In addition, the longitudinal extension direction of the electric motor 6 and its output shaft and the pinion 7 in question encloses an acute angle α with the axis of the rocker arm 5 or the support spindle 4 defining this axis. This situation is best achieved by means of Figure 2 Here, the value of the angle α can be 10° to 40°.

[0029] It can be seen that the spiral structure 9 at least partially overlaps the pivot lever 5 in the undeflected end position of the pivot lever 5. Figure 1 In practice, the relevant end position of the pivot lever 5 corresponds to the fact that the pivot lever 5 in this case rests with its head-side stop 5a against the lowest point of the spiral structure 9. The spiral structure 9, on the other hand, overlaps the pivot lever 5 with its highest point. In this way, in the undeflected end position of the pivot lever 5, a stop is automatically provided for the electric drive 6, 7, 8.

[0030] In order to realize and implement particularly cost-effective production, according to the embodiment, at least the drive wheel 8 and the adjusting element or the pivot lever 5 are each designed as a plastic injection-molded part. In principle, the pinion 7 on the output shaft of the electric motor 6 can also be designed as a plastic injection-molded part. This not only achieves cost-effective production, but also achieves a lower weight overall. In addition, there is less friction.

[0031] Similar advantages and effects are based on Figure 3 Instead of the spiral structure 9 there, a gear structure 11 is provided on the drive wheel 8 so that it can correspond to Figure 1 The view in FIG. 1 loads the adjusting element 5, or the swing lever or the release lever 5. In fact, the locking mechanism 2, 3 can be opened by means of the adjusting element or the swing lever 5 similarly as in the previous variant. It can be seen that for this purpose, according to Figure 3 Within the scope of the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 1 , a transmission rod 14 is additionally provided, which is not essential in principle.

[0032] The gear structure 11 is based on Figure 3 In the variant of , it is specifically designed as a central pinion 11, which is arranged on the same side or surface as the crown gear 8a of the drive wheel 8. The central pinion 11 meshes with a sector gear 12 on the adjusting element or the swing lever 5. As a result, the swing lever or the adjusting element 5 performs a swinging movement, which is limited by means of a stop 13 on the adjusting element 5 as required. Then, the swinging movement of the adjusting element 5 itself is transmitted or loaded on the transmission rod 14.

[0033] It can be seen that the motor 6 including the pinion 7 is arranged in its longitudinal extension direction defined thereby relative to the drive wheel 8 and the crown toothing 8a in such a way that the relevant longitudinal extension direction points to the center of the drive wheel 8. This applies to all variants. In addition, the relevant longitudinal extension direction is in accordance with Figure 3 In the variant, it is substantially tangential to the sector gear 12.

[0034] List of reference numerals:

[0035] 1 Motor vehicle lock

[0036] 2 Lock tongue

[0037] 3 Locking claws

[0038] 4 Supporting mandrel

[0039] 5. Adjustment elements

[0040] 6 Motor

[0041] 7 Small gear

[0042] 8 Drive wheels

[0043] 8a Crown tooth

[0044] 9 Helix

[0045] 10 Axis

[0046] 11 Gear Structure

[0047] 12 Sector gear

[0048] 13 Stopper

[0049] 14 Transfer Rod

Claims

1. A drive unit for a motor vehicle, the drive unit comprising: An electric drive device (6, 7, 8) having a motor (6) and a drive wheel (8); The adjusting element (5) loaded by the driving wheel (8) has a crown gear transmission stage between the pinion (7) on the output shaft of the motor (6) and the driving wheel (8). It is characterized in that The drive wheel (8) has a screw structure (9) and / or a gear structure (11) for applying pressure to the adjustment element (5).

2. The drive unit according to claim 1, characterized in that: The spiral structure (9) is arranged on the surface of the driving wheel (8) opposite to the crown tooth portion (8a).

3. The drive unit according to claim 1, characterized in that: The gear structure (11) is arranged on the surface of the driving wheel (8) provided with the crown tooth portion (8a).

4. The drive unit according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that: The adjusting element (5) is designed as a pivot lever (5) which is mounted in a rotatable manner about an axis.

5. The drive unit according to claim 4, characterized in that: The axis is defined by a support spindle (4) for the pivot lever (5) which stands substantially perpendicular to the locking cover (1).

6. The drive unit according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that: The stopper (5a) on the head side of the swing lever (5) abuts against the spiral structure (9).

7. The drive unit according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that: In the undeflected end position, the spiral structure (9) at least partially overlaps the pivot lever (5).

8. The drive unit according to claim 7, characterized in that: The axis (10) of the drive wheel (8) and the axis of the swing lever (5) are substantially perpendicular to each other.

9. The drive unit according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that: The output shaft of the motor (6) and the pinion (7) on the output shaft form a substantially right-angle meshing angle with respect to the driving wheel (8) having the crown tooth portion (8a).

10. The drive unit according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that: The longitudinal extension direction of the motor (6) together with its output shaft points to the center of the driving wheel (8).

11. The drive unit according to any one of claims 4 to 10, characterized in that: The longitudinal extension direction of the motor (6) together with its output shaft forms an acute angle (α) with the axis of the swing lever (5).

12. The drive unit according to any one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that At least the drive wheel (8) and the adjusting element (5) are each designed as a plastic injection-molded component.

13. The drive unit according to any one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that The longitudinal extension of the electric motor (6) with its output shaft is substantially tangential to the gear segment (12) on the adjusting element (5).

14. The drive unit according to any one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that The adjusting element (5) acts on the transmission rod (14).

15. A motor vehicle lock (1), characterized in that: The motor vehicle lock has a drive unit according to any one of claims 1 to 14 .

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