Adjusting device having integrated holding element for pre-tensioning means

Abstract

The invention relates to an adjusting device for adjusting a flap or a door of a vehicle, comprising a housing, the housing comprising a first housing part (3) and a second housing part, and the first housing part (3) being movable relative to the second housing part along a longitudinal axis (L) of the housing, a pretensioning means arranged in the housing, the pretensioning means pretension the first housing part (3) and the second housing part parallel to one another to the longitudinal axis (L) of the housing, the first stop element (11) being arranged between a first end of the pretensioning means and a base (3b) provided on the first housing part (3). According to the invention, the adjustment device can be produced in a more flexible and automated manner, in which a stop element (11), which is particularly additionally provided for the preload means, is secured in the housing of the adjustment device, by means of a first housing part comprising at least one first retaining element (7) for retaining the stop element (11) in the vicinity of the base (3b).

Description

Field of the Invention

[0001] The present invention relates to an adjusting device for adjusting a vehicle flap or door, wherein the adjusting device includes at least one telescopically extendable housing and a preloading device arranged in the housing. Background Art

[0002] A practice-known adjusting device is arranged between two relatively movable members, in particular a pivotable vehicle flap and a vehicle body. The adjusting device has a spring system for preloading, which spring system has at least one preloading device that assists in adjusting the movement or the current position of the member to be moved in the stationary state of the drive device. Here, linear drives, such as spindle drives, are mainly known. Such linear drives generally include a first and a second housing part, which can be moved telescopically relative to each other and between which a preloading device such as a helical compression spring is arranged. In addition, such a preloading device is also used in a spring leg that provides passive support or passive drive for the vehicle flap in the opening direction. To provide better support for the preloading device, a stop element, in particular a spacer, is usually used between the first end of the preloading device and the end of the housing. Unfortunately, these spacers can usually only be inserted manually because they will fall off again when the housing rotates during the automatic assembly process.

[0003] DE 20 2020 107 574 U1 shows an adjusting device configured as a spindle drive for adjusting a vehicle flap or door. The adjusting device includes a housing having a first housing part and a second housing part, wherein the first housing part is movable relative to the second housing part along the longitudinal axis of the housing. In addition, the adjusting device includes a preloading device arranged in the housing, which preloading device is configured as a helical compression spring, wherein the preloading device preloads the first housing part and the second housing part parallel to the longitudinal axis of the housing. In addition, a first stop element is arranged between the first end of the preloading device and an inner annular bottom provided on the first housing part. In addition, a second stop element is connected to the hollow cylindrical peripheral wall region of the first housing part in a material-locking manner, in particular by welding. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The object of the present invention is to provide an adjusting device that can be manufactured more flexibly and automatically, wherein in particular additional stop elements for the preloading device are secured in the housing of the adjusting device.

[0005] This object is solved according to the invention by the adjusting device according to claim 1.

[0006] According to a first aspect of the present invention, an adjusting device for adjusting a vehicle flap or door is provided. The adjusting device includes a housing having a first housing part and a second housing part, and the first housing part is movable relative to the second housing part along the longitudinal axis of the housing. In addition, the adjusting device includes a preloading device disposed in the housing, which preloads the first housing part and the second housing part parallel to the longitudinal axis of the housing. A first stop element is disposed between the first end of the preloading device and the bottom provided on the first housing part. The adjusting device according to the present invention is characterized in that the first housing part includes at least a first retaining element for retaining the stop element near the bottom. Advantageously, during the assembly of the adjusting device, it is ensured that the stop element is reliably retained in the first housing part and does not fall off. In addition, the first stop element can also be removed or replaced if necessary.

[0007] Particularly preferably, the first retaining element is disposed in the hollow cylindrical peripheral wall region of the first housing part. Advantageously, by reducing the inner diameter of the first housing part relative to the hollow cylindrical peripheral wall region, the first retaining element can form a mechanical obstruction for the first stop element. Through this mechanical obstruction, the first stop element can be inserted in the first axial direction, but the movement of the first stop element in the second axial direction opposite to the first axial direction is prevented. Advantageously, the stop element can be simply and automatically inserted by pressing the stop element into the first housing part, and in a further assembly step, the first retaining element prevents the stop element from falling off.

[0008] Advantageously, the first stop element is axially disposed between the bottom and the first retaining element. Advantageously, the first stop element is annularly configured. Advantageously, the first end of the first preloading device can be reliably supported on the first stop element, and even when the preloading device is removed, the first stop element is reliably retained in the first housing part. Advantageously, the bottom of the first housing part is annularly configured. Further advantageously, the distance between the first retaining element and the annular bottom is at least corresponding to the axial dimension of the first stop element.

[0009] Particularly preferably, the distance between the first retaining element and the annular bottom is greater than the axial dimension of the first stop element. Advantageously, the distance between the first retaining element and the annular bottom is less than the radial dimension of the first stop element. Advantageously, it is ensured that the first stop element cannot fall off from the first housing part regardless of the position of the first stop element.

[0010] Particularly preferably, the first retaining element is integrally formed with the first housing part. Advantageously, a particularly reliable connection of the first stop element to the first housing part can thus be ensured and a high mechanical stability of the first retaining element can be achieved. In a preferred embodiment, the first retaining element is configured as a spring tongue which is formed by a part of the hollow cylindrical peripheral wall region of the first housing part.

[0011] Advantageously, the first retaining element has a first side and a second side which extend parallel to the longitudinal axis of the housing and are spaced apart from the hollow cylindrical peripheral wall region of the first housing part. Further advantageously, the first retaining element has an end side which is delimited by the first side and the second side. Advantageously, the first end side is spaced apart from the hollow cylindrical peripheral wall region of the first housing part. In addition, the first retaining element has an end section which is arranged opposite the free end side and is integrally formed with the hollow cylindrical peripheral wall region of the first housing part. Further preferably, the first end side is arranged towards the inner annular bottom of the first housing part. In another alternative configuration, the end side is arranged facing away from the inner annular bottom of the first housing part.

[0012] Advantageously, the first retaining element is integrally formed with the hollow cylindrical peripheral wall region of the first housing part by means of the end section opposite the end side. Particularly preferably, the first retaining element is formed by stamping from the first housing part, in particular from a part of the hollow cylindrical peripheral wall region. The first housing part is particularly preferably made of plastic. Advantageously, the first retaining element formed by the peripheral wall region of the first housing part has a flexibility which is suitable for bending the first retaining element at least in the radial direction, wherein the first retaining element automatically returns to the locked position by virtue of the intrinsic stress. Advantageously, the first retaining element can be elastically bent in a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis of the housing such that the first stop element can be easily inserted into the first housing part and at the same time it is ensured that the first retaining element can axially and reliably hold the first stop element in the first housing part.

[0013] Particularly preferably, the first retaining element has at least one projection, wherein the projection is arranged on the inner side of the first housing part. In a first embodiment, it is provided that the cross-section of the projection becomes larger in the direction parallel to the longitudinal axis towards the end side. Advantageously, the first stop element can be moved from the direction facing away from the end side beyond the projection, wherein the first retaining element is moved downwards or bent and the first stop element can be moved beyond the first retaining element. When the first stop element has passed the first retaining element, the retaining element springs back into the locked position which ensures a form-locking retention of the stop element in the first housing part.

[0014] In the case where the end side of the first stop element is arranged facing away from the inner annular bottom of the first housing part and the end section of the first stop element opposite the end side is arranged facing the inner annular bottom of the first housing part, the first stop element is integrally formed with the hollow cylindrical peripheral wall region of the first housing part, and the projection has a cross-section that increases away from the end side in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis. Advantageously, this also ensures that the stop element can be inserted by the retaining element in the direction towards the inner annular bottom and that the first retaining element can be reset to the locked position again. Generally, it is expediently arranged that the cross-section of the projection increases in the direction towards the bottom of the first housing part, since the stop element is inserted into the first housing part in this direction.

[0015] In an advantageous refinement of the adjusting device according to the invention, it is provided that the first housing part includes a second retaining element for holding the stop element in the vicinity of the annular bottom of the first housing part. Advantageously, this enables an improved securing of the stop element in the vicinity of the annular bottom. Expediently, the second retaining element has the same axial distance from the annular bottom as the first retaining element. Expediently, the first retaining element and the second retaining element are each integrally formed with the hollow cylindrical peripheral wall region of the first housing part.

[0016] Further advantages, refinements and features of the invention result from the following description of the preferred embodiments and from the dependent claims. Description of the Drawings

[0017] The invention will now be explained in more detail with reference to a preferred embodiment of the invention according to the drawings.

[0018] Figure 1 : Side view of a first preferred embodiment of the adjusting device according to the invention,

[0019] Figure 2 : Cross-sectional view of a first embodiment of the adjusting device according to the invention,

[0020] Figure 3 : Perspective view of the first housing part 3 in longitudinal section,

[0021] Figure 4 : First housing part 3 in a perspective view in longitudinal section through the first retaining element 7. Detailed Description of the Invention

[0022] Figure 1Shows a side view of a preferred embodiment of the adjusting device 1 according to the invention. In the embodiment shown here, the adjusting device 1 is configured as a spring leg. The adjusting device includes a housing 2, which includes a first housing part 3 and a second housing part 4, and these two housing parts can be telescopically moved relative to each other parallel to the longitudinal axis L of the housing 2. The first housing part 3 here has an outer diameter smaller than that of the second housing part 4, and the first housing part 3 is slidably guided in the second housing part 4.

[0023] The first connecting element 5 is connected to the first end 2a of the housing 2 or to the first housing part 3. The first connecting element is configured as a ball joint and is provided for coupling the support device 1 with one of a vehicle flap and a vehicle body. The second connecting element 6 is coupled to the second end 2b opposite to the first end 2a of the housing 2 or to the second housing part 4. The second connecting element is configured as a ball joint and is provided for coupling the support device 1 with the other of a vehicle flap and a vehicle body. Advantageously, the vehicle flap can be automatically adjusted or at least assisted in adjustment between an open and a closed position by the adjusting device 1 by the first housing part 3 being moved out relative to the second housing part 4. A first retaining element 7 and a second retaining element 8 are arranged on the first housing part 3, and these retaining elements are provided for retaining a stop element provided in the first housing part 3 for a preloading device, as will be elaborated in detail below.

[0024] Figure 2 Shows a cross-sectional view of the adjusting device 1 in the region of the second end 2a of the housing 2. As can be seen from this view, a guide tube 9 extending concentrically with the longitudinal axis L is arranged in the housing 2 formed by the first housing part 3 and the second housing part 4. A preloading device 10 configured as a helical compression spring is arranged radially between the guide tube 9 and the first hollow cylindrical peripheral wall region 3a of the first housing part 3, and the preloading device is used for preloading the first housing part 3 relative to the second housing part 4 along the longitudinal axis L.

[0025] The first housing part 3 also has a second peripheral wall region 3c separated from the first peripheral wall region 3a by an annular bottom 3b. The second peripheral wall region 3c radially surrounds the first end 9a of the guide tube 9, and the first connecting element 5 is fixedly connected to the first end 9a of the guide tube 9. In the embodiment shown here, the connecting element 5 is screwed onto the first end 9a of the guide tube 9.

[0026] A stop element 11 configured as a spacer is arranged between a first end portion 10a of the preloading device 10 and an annular bottom 3b of the first housing part 3. The stop element 11 has a smooth upper side 11a here, which abuts against a flat end side of the first end portion 10a of the preloading device 10. The thread coils on the end portion of the preloading device 10 have been correspondingly ground smooth to form a planar bearing surface. The stop element 11 also has a flat lower side 11b, which bears on the annular bottom 3b.

[0027] Figure 3 A longitudinally sectioned perspective view of the first housing part 3 is shown. From this view, it can be seen that the first retaining element 7 has been partially punched out from a first hollow cylindrical peripheral wall region 3a of the first housing part 3. The first housing part 3 is configured as an injection molded part made of plastic, enabling simple and precise punching. Advantageously, the first retaining element 7 is integrally formed with the first housing part 3, such that the retaining element 7 forms a particularly reliable connection with the first housing part 3. The first retaining element 7 has a first side 7a and a second side 7b that are freely punched out and extend parallel to the longitudinal axis L. In addition, the first retaining element 7 also has a freely punched out end side 7c, which is bounded by the first side 7a and the second side 7b of the first retaining element 7.

[0028] The first retaining element 7 has a protrusion 7d on its upper side facing the open cavity H surrounded by the first housing part 3. The protrusion 7d has a cross-section that increases in the direction of the end side 7c. Thus, a step facing the annular bottom 3b of the first housing part 3 is formed. Advantageously, the stop element 11 configured as a spacer is positively held or prevented from falling out of the first housing part 3 by the retaining element 7 near the annular bottom 3b in the installed state shown here, because the stop element 11 is axially arranged between the first retaining element 7 and the annular bottom 3a and the flat upper side 11a abuts against the end side 7c enlarged by the protrusion 7d.

[0029] Since the first housing part 3 is configured as an injection molded part made of plastic, the first retaining element 7 punched out from the first hollow cylindrical peripheral wall region 3a of the first housing part has a certain flexibility and acts like a spring tongue. Advantageously, the stop element 11 can be inserted and secured into the first housing part 3 by inserting the stop element 11 from an open end of the first hollow cylindrical peripheral wall region 3a opposite the second hollow cylindrical peripheral wall region 3c into the second housing area 3. Here, the stop element 11 passes over the protrusion 7d on the upper side of the first retaining element 7, thereby causing the first retaining element 7 to bend downward. When the stop element 11 moves past the protrusion 7d, the retaining element 7 springs back again, such that the protrusion 7d now forms an obstacle that effectively prevents the stop element 11 from falling out of the cavity H.

[0030] Figure 4 The first housing part 3 is shown in a perspective view longitudinally sectioned through the first retaining element 7. From this view, it can be seen that the projection 7d is bounded axially on the one hand by the planar end section 7e integrally formed with the first hollow cylindrical peripheral wall region 3a of the first housing part 3 and on the other hand by the end face 7c axially. The end section 7e has the same thickness as the peripheral wall region 3a here.

[0031] It can also be seen that the axial distance d1 between the end face 7c of the first retaining element 7 and the annular bottom 3b is greater than the axial dimension or thickness d2 of the stop element 11. Advantageously, there is sufficient clearance for the stop element 11, wherein at the same time it is prevented that the stop element 11 can rotate, in particular about a rotational axis D extending perpendicular to the longitudinal axis L, to such an extent that the stop element 11 could cross over the projection 7d and the stop element 11 could become detached. Accordingly, it is thus always ensured that the first stop element 11 is secured in the cavity H near the annular bottom 3b.

Claims

1. An adjusting device for adjusting a vehicle flap or door, comprising: a housing (2), wherein the housing (2) comprises a first housing part (3) and a second housing part (4), and the first housing part (3) is movable relative to the second housing part (4) along the longitudinal axis (L) of the housing (2), a preloading device (10) arranged in the housing (2), wherein the preloading device (10) preloads the first housing part (3) and the second housing part (4) relative to each other parallel to the longitudinal axis (L) of the housing (2), and a first stop element (11) is arranged between a first end (10a) of the preloading device (10) and a bottom (3b) provided on the first housing part (3), characterized in that the first housing part comprises at least one first retaining element (7) for retaining the stop element (11) near the bottom (3b).

2. The adjusting device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first retaining element (7) is arranged in a hollow cylindrical peripheral wall region (3a) of the first housing part (3).

3. The adjusting device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first stop element (11) is axially arranged between the bottom (3b) of the first housing part (3) and the first retaining element (7).

4. The adjustment device according to claim 3, characterized in that The distance (d1) between the first retaining element (7) and the bottom (3b) of the first housing part (3) is greater than the axial dimension (d2) of the first stop element (11).

5. The adjusting device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first retaining element (7) is integrally formed with the first housing part.

6. The adjustment device according to claim 1, characterized in that The first retaining element (7) has a first side (7a) and a second side (7b) extending parallel to the longitudinal axis (L) of the housing (2).

7. The adjustment device according to claim 6, characterized in that The first retaining element (7) has an end side (7c) bounded by the first side (7a) and the second side (7b).

8. The adjusting device according to claim 7, characterized in that An end section (7e) of the first retaining element opposite the end side (7c) is integrally formed with the first housing part (3).

9. The adjusting device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first retaining element has a projection (7d), wherein the projection (7d) is arranged on the inner side of the first housing part (3).

10. The adjustment device according to claim 9, characterized in that The projection (7d) has a cross-section increasing in the direction towards the bottom (3b) of the first housing part (3).

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