Device for electrically operating vehicle interior door with mechanical emergency operation

Abstract

The invention relates to a device for electrically operating a vehicle door from the inside with a mechanical emergency operation, comprising an operating element (5, 29) and an electrical switching element (11) for electrically operating a door lock, both of which are connected to a power source. In a device that can be reliably operated in the event of a power failure, a mechanical emergency operating element (7, 29) is held in its rest position by an electrically activated switching actuator (13), in which the electrically deactivated switching actuator (13) releases a movement mechanism (15, 17, 19) of the mechanical emergency operating element (7, 29) in the event of a power failure, such that the mechanical emergency operating element is automatically adjusted to an emergency operating position.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a device for electrically operating a vehicle interior door with mechanical emergency operation. The device includes an operating element and an electric switching element for electrically operating the door lock, both of which are connected to a power source. Background Art

[0002] DE 10 2015 122 359 A1 discloses a door handle assembly for a motor vehicle, comprising a bracket fixed to the inside of the door, a handle disposed on the outside of the door, a door lock capable of being opened mechanically and electrically, and sensor electronics for detecting operation of the handle. A mechanical holding element applies a holding force to a second longitudinal end of the handle, holding the handle in an undeflected position. When the sensor electronics detects an operation with a force less than the holding force, the door is opened electrically, wherein the handle remains undeflected. When the handle is operated with a force greater than the holding force, the handle can deflect to an emergency operating position, in which the handle can mechanically open the door. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The purpose of this invention is to provide a device for electrically operating the driver's side door from the inside with mechanical emergency operation, which can operate reliably in the event of power failure.

[0004] This invention derives from the features of the independent claims. Advantageous improvements and embodiments are the subject of the dependent claims. Further features, possible applications, and advantages of the invention are derived from the following description and explanation of the embodiments of the invention shown in the figures.

[0005] This objective is achieved through the technical solution of claim 1.

[0006] In the aforementioned device for electrically operating a vehicle door from the inside with a mechanical emergency operation, the device includes an operating element and an electric switch element for electrically operating the door lock. Both the operating element and the electric switch element are connected to a power source. The mechanical emergency operation element is held in a stationary position by an electrically activated switch actuator. In the event of a power failure, the electrically deactivated switch actuator releases the mechanical emergency operation element, causing it to automatically adjust to the emergency operation position. This has the advantage that, in the event of a power failure, a mechanical backup level can be activated in a power-free manner for emergency use. This automatic activation function improves the availability and operability of mechanically opening the vehicle from the inside in an emergency. Since the operation of the operating element for electrically opening the side door is independent of the operation of the emergency operation element, accidental activation of the backup level is reliably prevented.

[0007] Unlike exterior door handles, which require pulling outwards to open the door from the outside in an emergency, pulling the door handle inwards will close the door instead of opening it as expected in an emergency. In the described scenario, mechanical emergency opening only requires disengaging the door lock from the inside of the vehicle. Pulling the handle can be omitted.

[0008] Advantageously, the emergency operating element is coupled to a motion mechanism for performing emergency / failure movements from a stationary position to an emergency operating position. This motion mechanism allows the door to be opened from the inside, independently of the electric actuator, and does not affect operational reliability in the event of power failure. The motion mechanism can perform the emergency movement via pivoting or helical motion.

[0009] In one embodiment, the motion mechanism is fixed to a pivot point of the housing for releasing the emergency operating element to the emergency operating position. Thus, in the event of power failure, the motion mechanism is decoupled from the electrically operated opening drive, ensuring that their functions do not interfere with each other.

[0010] In one variation, the motion mechanism includes a locking lever with locking pawls for holding the mechanical emergency operating element. Thus, a single stroke of the operating element can easily trigger the mechanical standby level.

[0011] In a particularly simple embodiment, the operating element is designed as a button element, which is fixed in a support element. A switch actuator connected to a power source is connected inside the support element, and this switch actuator guides the locking lever when activated. This results in a very compact and thus space-saving device.

[0012] Advantageously, the mechanical emergency operating element preloads the moving mechanism into its stationary position via a spring-driven mechanism resting against the stop, allowing the mechanical emergency operating element to be ejected from the locking pawl in the event of a power failure at the switch actuator. An automatic adjustment of the standby level and release of the emergency interior door handle are ensured by the spring-driven mechanism (e.g., in the form of a torsion spring).

[0013] In another implementation, the mechanical emergency operating element and the button element are composed of the same operating element. This reduces the number of parts and thus lowers the cost of the device.

[0014] In another variation, the electrically activated switch actuator is connected to the mechanical operating element via a linkage-bend rod support mechanism, wherein the bend rod support of this linkage-bend rod / linkage support mechanism has a cardioid groove for guiding the spring element. With the aid of the cardioid groove mechanism, the spring element can be pressed to enter either a stationary or emergency operating position, where the emergency position can be adjusted with a small force.

[0015] In another implementation, the mechanical emergency operating element is ergonomically embedded in the door lining. Therefore, the mechanical emergency operating element is concealed under normal circumstances and only becomes visible in an emergency. This design maintains the design freedom of the vehicle's interior space while preserving the ergonomic characteristics of the power door opening function.

[0016] The advantage is that the design of the vehicle's interior space remains unaffected when the mechanical emergency operating elements are located under the door armrests.

[0017] Other advantages, features, and details of the invention are available in the following description, in which at least one embodiment is described in detail—with reference, if applicable, to the accompanying drawings. The described and / or illustrated features may constitute the subject matter of the invention individually or in any reasonable combination, independently of the claims, and in particular, may also be the subject matter of one or more separate applications. Identical, similar, and / or functionally identical components are labeled with the same reference numerals. Attached Figure Description

[0018] In the attached image:

[0019] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of a vehicle side door with an internal opening function is shown.

[0020] Figure 2 A first embodiment of the device according to the invention with an emergency activation function in normal condition is shown.

[0021] Figure 3 A first embodiment of the device according to the invention, having an emergency opening function, is shown in an emergency opening state.

[0022] Figure 4 Another embodiment of the device according to the invention is shown.

[0023] Figure 5 Another embodiment of the device according to the invention is shown. Detailed Implementation

[0024] Figure 1 The diagram shows a schematic of a vehicle side door with an internal opening function. The side door 1 includes a handrail 3, which integrates a device for electrically opening the side door 1. This device constitutes a locking unit. Figure 1 The diagram shows a button element 5 for electrically opening the vehicle door under normal conditions and an emergency operating element 7 for mechanically opening the side door 1. Alternatively, an operating element that can be pressed, slid, and / or pulled may be used instead of the button element 5.

[0025] A first exemplary embodiment of the device according to the present invention is in Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown in the image. Among them, Figure 2 The device 9 is shown in its normal state, while Figure 3 The device in emergency opening mode is shown. A button element 5 is mounted on a support element, such as the handrail 3, and is connected to an electrical switch element 11 connected to a voltage source 12. This electrical switch element controls a locking mechanism (not shown further). The electrical switch element 11 additionally controls a switch actuator 13, which is in the form of an electromagnet or motor, and is positioned below the support element 3. Figure 2 a) The switch actuator 13 is continuously energized, or only energized when the button element 5 is pressed. In the energized state, the switch actuator 13 prevents movement of the motion mechanism consisting of the locking lever 15 and the locking pawl 17 arranged at the locking lever 15. The locking pawl 17 serves as a mechanical locking device for the emergency operating element 7, preferably a lever, and secures the emergency operating element in the normal state.

[0026] The locking lever 15 is preloaded to the stop 21 by a torsion spring 19. The pivot point 23 of the stop is located at the connection between the locking lever 15 and the locking pawl 17. Figure 2 Figure b shows a bottom view of the armrest 3. The free end of the locking claw 17 is connected to the Bowden cable 25 to operate the door lock (not shown further). When the button element 5 is operated while the switch element 11 is energized, the switch actuator 13 fixes the locking lever 15. As a result, the entire motion mechanism 15, 17, mounted at the pivot point 27 fixed in the housing, rotates in a predetermined direction, thereby operating the lock (not shown) via the Bowden cable 25.

[0027] In the event of a power failure, such as Figure 3 a and Figure 3 As shown in b, the switch actuator 13 also loses power and releases the locking lever 15. The locking lever rotates about a pivot point 27 fixed to the housing, where the locking pawl 17 releases the emergency operating element 7, which is pushed out by a torsion spring 19 around the pivot point 23, making it visible to the vehicle occupants below the armrest 3 for operation.

[0028] Figure 4Another embodiment of the device according to the invention is shown. The functions of the button element and the emergency operation element are integrated in the operating element 29, which is arranged in the handle recess 31. To achieve the button function, a switch actuator 13 is positioned below the free end of the operating element 29 below the handle recess 31. By lightly touching the operating element 29, a trigger pulse is generated for unlocking the door, and simultaneously, the switch actuator 13 is controlled to ensure that the lever element 7 remains in its stationary position. The operating element 29 remains in its position, and its free end is inserted into a mechanical latching device 33 formed on the underside of the operating element 29. The other end of the operating element 29 is supported in a bearing 35 coupled to a Bowden cable 25. When rotating about the bearing 35, the Bowden cable 25 is actuated to unlock.

[0029] Another embodiment of the device according to the invention is Figure 5 As shown in the figure. The operating element 29 is designed with a heart-shaped groove 37. A spring element 39, pre-tensioned to the locking lever 7, guides movement within this heart-shaped groove, thus achieving a push-push action when operating the locking lever 7 via the spring element 39. This action requires very little operating force. Figure 5 a) Additionally, the operating element 29 is secured via a locking hook 41, which is connected to the switch actuator 13 via a link 43. When the voltage drops, the switch actuator 13 releases the link 43, thereby releasing the operating element 29 via the locking hook 41.

Claims

1. A device for electrically operating a vehicle door from the inside, having a mechanical emergency operation, the device comprising operating elements (5, 29) and an electric switching element (11) for electrically operating the door lock, both the operating elements and the electric switching element being connected to a power source. Its features are, The mechanical emergency operating element (7, 29) is held in a stationary position by an electrically activated switch actuator (13), wherein, in the event of a power failure, the electrically deactivated switch actuator (13) releases the motion mechanism (15, 17, 19) of the mechanical emergency operating element (7, 29), causing the mechanical emergency operating element to automatically adjust to the emergency operating position.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that, The mechanical emergency operating element (7, 29) is coupled to the motion mechanism (15, 17, 19) to perform a failure motion from the rest position to the emergency operating position.

3. The apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The motion mechanism (15, 17, 19) has a pivot point (27) fixed to the housing for releasing the mechanical emergency operating element (7) to the emergency operating position.

4. The apparatus according to claim 1, 2 or 3, characterized in that, The motion mechanism includes a locking lever (15) having a locking pawl (17) for holding the mechanical emergency operating element (7).

5. The apparatus according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, The operating element is designed as a button element (5), which is fixed in a bracket element (3). The switch actuator (11) is connected to the inside of the bracket element, and the switch actuator guides the locking lever (15) in the activated state.

6. The apparatus according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, The mechanical emergency operating element (7) is preloaded in its stationary position by the spring drive mechanism (19) of the motion mechanism (15, 17, 19), which abuts against the stop (21) and pushes the mechanical emergency operating element (7) out of the locking claw (17) when the power supply of the switch actuator (11) fails.

7. The apparatus according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, The mechanical emergency operating element and the button element are composed of the same operating element (29).

8. The apparatus according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, The electrically activated switch actuator (13) is connected to the mechanical emergency operating element (29) via a linkage-bend mechanism (41, 43), wherein the bend (41) of the linkage-bend mechanism (41, 43) has a heart-shaped groove (37) for guiding the spring element (39).

9. The apparatus according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, The mechanical emergency operating elements (7, 29) are ergonomically embedded in the door lining.

10. The apparatus according to claim 9, characterized in that, The mechanical emergency operating elements (7, 29) are located on the underside of the handrail (3).

Images