Door closer

Abstract

The invention relates to a door closer (1) having a spring element (3) for closing a door, which spring element is arranged or can be arranged between the door and a vehicle body in such a way that the spring element can be preloaded as a result of the opening of the door, and further comprising an activatable door brake (4), the activatable door brake is configured to prevent or prevent pivoting movement of the door upon activation of the door brake (4).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to a door closer for a vehicle door. Background Art

[0002] Automatic doors, in particular side doors, which are opened and closed via corresponding operating elements are disclosed in the prior art and which have door drives. This technology is very complex due to the drives for moving the door and the sensors for detecting obstacles when opening and closing.

[0003] DE 10 2017 105 644 A1 describes a door assembly for a vehicle, comprising a door and a locking hinge pivotally connected to the door. An engaging element is engageable and releasable with the locking hinge. A spring is positioned so that it preloads the locking hinge in the direction of the engaging element. When the engaging element is engaged with the locking hinge, the locking hinge holds the door in an open position. When the engaging element is released from the locking hinge, the door pivots to a closed position under the preload of the spring.

[0004] DE 10 2010 053 307 A1 describes a door stop having a return hinge guided in its extension direction and movable relative to a retaining unit. A force-exerting device is provided, which allows relative movement between the return hinge and the retaining unit. A spring element is also provided between the return hinge and the retaining unit. The spring element is an elastic plastic element. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The object of the present invention is to provide a novel door closer for a vehicle door.

[0006] This object is achieved according to the invention by a door closer having the features of claim 1 .

[0007] The door closer includes a spring element for closing the door, the spring element being arranged or capable of being arranged between the door and the vehicle body such that the spring element is prestressed by the door opening. Furthermore, the door closer includes an activatable door brake configured to block or prevent pivoting movement of the door upon activation. The door brake may include an actuator that engages the locking hinge.

[0008] When the door is opened, the locking hinge restricts the door's pivotal movement, while the spring element is preloaded by the door's opening so that the door can then be closed using the force of the spring element. The actuator can engage the locking hinge to block or prevent the door's pivotal movement.

[0009] A pivoting motion sensor may be arranged to detect the pivoting motion. By means of a door brake, ie a door hinge or a locking hinge and an actuator exerting a force thereon, the door can be held in any open position after the user has stopped manually opening the door (stepless door restriction).

[0010] Based on signals from sensors or operating elements in the vehicle, such as a seat belt signal (seat belt lock closed) and / or a brake pedal signal (operation of the brake pedal when the vehicle starts or before starting) or a start button signal and / or a seat occupancy recognition system signal (for example, the driver's seat is occupied and / or any seat is occupied after getting in the vehicle) and / or an in-vehicle monitoring signal sent by a camera or other sensor (for example, the driver's seat is occupied and / or any seat is occupied after getting in the vehicle), it is possible to detect that the user wishes to start driving and release the door brake so that the door is closed by the force of the spring element.

[0011] The force-controlled (spring element) and non-dynamic movement of the door means that anti-trap protection is not required, as the movement can be stopped at any time by a slight counterforce. Provision can be made to limit the closing speed, for example by using a door brake.

[0012] Vehicle can have multiple doors, one of which, multiple or all of which can be actuated in the described manner. In each case, it can be a side door, a front flap or a rear flap.

[0013] The door brake can be designed as a friction brake, ie the actuator engages the locking hinge in a force-controlled manner by friction.

[0014] The closing speed of the door is kept constant by a regulating unit which regulates the brake pressure or the force of the actuator on the locking hinge as a function of the closing speed detected by the pivoting movement sensor.

[0015] In another embodiment, the door brake can be designed as a wedge brake. In this case, the locking hinge or the surface of the locking hinge and the surface of the actuator that engages the locking hinge or this surface are wedge-shaped, so that the actuator engages the locking hinge in a force-controlled and travel-controlled manner.

[0016] Since the two speeds are geometrically dependent on one another, it is also possible here to keep the closing speed of the door constant by moving the actuator back at a constant speed.

[0017] For example, the spring element can be embodied as a gas spring, a metal tension spring or a metal compression spring.

[0018] If a gas spring has damping and therefore slows down its relaxation, the door closing speed can also be limited by its own characteristics. For example, a door brake can only hold a door in the open position and is not necessarily used to regulate the closing speed.

[0019] Metal tension or compression springs can be equipped with guides and / or flocking to silence the spring element.

[0020] The present invention provides a door closer that does not require an electric drive to move the door. Instead, it has a spring element that is preloaded by the door opening and allows the door to remain in the manually moved position. A particularly small actuator releases the door closer in response to a signal indicating the user wishes to start driving, thereby closing the door without using an operating element.

[0021] The force-controlled, non-dynamic movement of the door makes anti-pinch protection unnecessary, as the movement can be stopped at any time by a slight counterforce. In this case, the actuator for releasing the door brake is used to limit the movement speed.

[0022] The door may have a lock with a closing assist device that closes when the main lock bolt abuts the door seal.

[0023] The door closer has a spring element which is preloaded when the door is open. The detection of the pivoting movement by the pivoting movement sensor allows the door to be held in the open position (door brake) by an actuator after the user has stopped manually opening the door.

[0024] The advantages achieved by the present invention include, in particular, reduced technical effort due to the omission of door drives and sensors and / or control systems for detecting obstacles. Closing is also automatic with the solution according to the invention, significantly increasing convenience compared to purely manually operated doors. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0025] The embodiments of the present invention are described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0026] Figure 1 shows a schematic view of an automatic door closer for a vehicle door,

[0027] Figure 2 A schematic view of an embodiment of a door brake is shown, wherein the door brake is designed as a friction brake, and

[0028] Figure 3 A schematic illustration of an embodiment of a door brake is shown, wherein the door brake is designed as a wedge brake.

[0029] The same components are denoted by the same reference numerals throughout the drawings. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0030] Figure 1 A schematic view of an automatic door closer 1 for a vehicle door is shown.

[0031] The automatic door closer 1 has a locking hinge 2 and a spring element 3, which can be arranged between the vehicle door and the vehicle body. The automatic door closer 1 also has a door brake 4, which can have an actuator 5 that can engage the locking hinge 2.

[0032] When the door is open, the locking hinge 2 restricts the door's pivoting movement, while the spring element 3 is preloaded so that the door can then be closed using the force of the spring element 3. The actuator 5 can engage the locking hinge 2 to block or prevent the door's pivoting movement.

[0033] A pivoting motion sensor (not shown) may be arranged to detect the pivoting motion. By means of the door brake 4, i.e. the door hinge 2 or the locking hinge 2 and an actuator 5 exerting a force F thereon, the door can be held in any open position after the user has stopped manually opening the door (stepless door stop).

[0034] Based on signals from sensors or operating elements in the vehicle, such as a seat belt signal (seat belt lock closed) and / or a brake pedal signal (operation of the brake pedal when the vehicle starts or before starting) or a start button signal and / or a seat occupancy recognition system signal (for example, the driver's seat is occupied and / or any seat is occupied after getting in the vehicle) and / or an in-vehicle monitoring signal sent by a camera or other sensor (for example, the driver's seat is occupied and / or any seat is occupied after getting in the vehicle), it can be detected that the user wants to start driving and the door brake 4 is released so that the door is closed by the force of the spring element 3.

[0035] The force-controlled (spring element 3) and non-dynamic movement of the door do not require anti-pinch protection, as the movement can be stopped at any time by a slight counterforce. Provision can be made, for example, to limit the closing speed by using a door brake 4.

[0036] Vehicle can have multiple doors, one of which, multiple or all of which can be actuated in the described manner. In each case, it can be a side door, a front flap or a rear flap.

[0037] Figure 2 FIG. 4 is a schematic illustration of an embodiment of a door brake 4 , in which the door brake is designed as a friction brake, i.e. the actuator 5 engages the locking hinge 2 in a force-controlled manner by friction.

[0038] The closing speed of the door is kept constant here by a regulating unit (not shown) which regulates the brake pressure or the force F exerted by the actuator 5 on the locking hinge 2 as a function of the closing speed detected by a pivoting motion sensor (not shown).

[0039] Figure 3The figure shows a schematic representation of an embodiment of a door brake 4, which is designed as a wedge brake. In this case, the locking hinge 2 and the surfaces of the actuator 5 engaging the locking hinge 2 are wedge-shaped, so that the actuator 5 engages the locking hinge 2 in a force-controlled and travel-controlled manner.

[0040] Since the two speeds are geometrically dependent on one another, it is also possible here to keep the closing speed of the door constant by moving the actuator 5 back at a constant speed.

[0041] For example, the spring element 3 can be embodied as a gas spring, a metal tension spring or a metal compression spring.

[0042] For gas springs, if the gas spring has damping and therefore relaxes slowly, the closing speed of the door can also be limited by the characteristics of the gas spring. For example, the door brake 4 can only hold the door in the open position and is not necessarily used to adjust the closing speed.

[0043] The metal tension or compression spring can be provided with guides and / or flocking in order to silence the spring element 3 .

[0044] Reference Signs List

[0045] 1 door closer

[0046] 2 locking hinges

[0047] 3 Spring elements

[0048] 4 door brakes

[0049] 5 Actuator

[0050] F-force

Claims

1. A door closer (1) comprising a spring element (3) for closing a door, the spring element being arranged or being arrangeable between the door and the vehicle body so that the spring element can be prestressed as a result of the opening of the door, and further comprising an activatable door brake (4) which is configured to block or prevent a pivoting movement of the door when the door brake (4) is activated.

2. A door closer (1) according to claim 1, wherein the door brake (4) further comprises a locking hinge (2) for limiting the pivotal movement of the door when it is opened, wherein the door brake (4) has an actuator (5) configured to engage the locking hinge (2) so as to stop or prevent the pivotal movement of the door.

3. The door closer (1) according to claim 2, further comprising a pivoting movement sensor for detecting the pivoting movement, wherein the door closer (1) is configured to - holding the door in the open position by means of the door brake (4) after the pivoting motion sensor detects that manual opening of the door has ceased, and / or - upon receiving a signal from a sensor or an operating element in the vehicle which can be interpreted as a user wishing to start driving, releasing the door brake (4).

4. The door closer (1) according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the door closer (1) is configured to limit the speed of the closing movement by using the door brake (4).

5. The door closer (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the door brake (4) is designed as a friction brake, wherein the actuator (5) is configured to engage the locking hinge (2) in a force-controlled manner by friction.

6. A door closer (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the door brake (4) is designed as a wedge brake, wherein the locking hinge (2) or the surface of the locking hinge (2) and the surface of the actuator (5) engaging with the locking hinge (2) or the surface are wedge-shaped, and the actuator (5) engages the locking hinge (2) in a force-controlled and stroke-controlled manner.

7. The door closer (1) according to any one of claims 2 to 6, further comprising an adjustment unit, which is configured to adjust the braking pressure or the force (F) applied by the actuator (5) to the locking hinge (2) or the movement speed of the actuator (5) according to the closing speed detected by the pivoting motion sensor, in particular so as to keep the closing speed of the door constant.

8. The door closer (1) according to claim 1, wherein the spring element (3) is embodied as a gas spring with or without damping, as a metal tension spring or as a metal compression spring.

9. Door closer (1) according to claim 6, wherein the metal tension spring or compression spring is provided with a guide and / or flocking in order to make the spring element (3) silent.

10. A vehicle having at least one door equipped with a door closer (1) according to any one of the preceding claims.

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