Locking device for coaxial worm gear, and corresponding motor vehicle lock and motor vehicle

Abstract

The invention relates to a lock device of a coaxial worm gear, and the lock device comprises a first motor assembly which comprises a first motor and a first worm gear, and the first worm gear is driven by the first motor to rotate; the second motor assembly comprises a second motor and a second worm gear, and the second worm gear is driven by the second motor to rotate; the first worm gear and the second worm gear are both mounted on the common rotating shaft; according to the lock device, the first motor and the second motor are arranged in a staggered mode, and meanwhile the first worm gear and the second worm gear can independently rotate around the common rotating shaft. The invention also relates to a motor vehicle lock and a motor vehicle. According to the lock device of the coaxial worm gear, the corresponding motor vehicle lock and the motor vehicle, the overall occupied space is small, and the structure is compact; the position of the conductor connected with the motor and the position of the conductor connected with the switch are small in overall required space, and the cost of required materials is low.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention belongs to the field of motor vehicle parts, and particularly relates to motor vehicle locks, specifically to a locking device with a coaxial worm gear and a corresponding motor vehicle lock and motor vehicle. Background Technology

[0002] In the field of automotive door lock structure design, specific components are often driven by motors to switch between different positions to achieve corresponding functions. To achieve coupling and decoupling of the transmission mechanism, such structures are typically equipped with a motor and a reducer to perform functions such as engaging / disengaging the safety lock, engaging / disengaging the child lock, and engaging / disengaging the super lock. Among these, worm gear drives are the most commonly used reduction method due to their advantages of compact structure, large transmission ratio, and low operating noise. To meet output power and stroke requirements, the dimensions of the motor, worm, and worm wheel are usually designed to be similar.

[0003] When a door lock system needs to have two independent functions, such as simultaneously controlling the safety lock and child lock, traditional designs typically use two separate motors and reducers, arranged independently. This approach not only occupies a large installation space, but the wiring harness structure used to connect the motor and its corresponding switch also increases the overall size and manufacturing cost. Summary of the Invention

[0004] This invention aims to overcome the aforementioned deficiencies in the prior art by providing a coaxial worm gear locking device, and a vehicle lock and vehicle using this device. This invention has a small overall footprint and compact structure; the installation space required for the conductor arrangement area connecting the motor and the conductor arrangement area connecting the switch is small, effectively reducing material costs. The purpose of this invention is to provide a coaxial worm gear locking device, the main technical feature of which includes: The first motor assembly includes a first motor and a first worm gear, wherein the first motor drives the first worm gear to rotate. The second motor assembly includes a second motor and a second worm gear, wherein the second motor drives the second worm gear to rotate; the first motor and the second motor are arranged in an alternating manner. A common rotating shaft, wherein both the first worm gear and the second worm gear are mounted on the common rotating shaft; An isolation sleeve is fitted onto the common rotation axis. An isolation plate extending circumferentially is provided on the outer surface of the isolation sleeve. One of the first and second worm gears is rotatably mounted in the isolation sleeve in a region above the isolation plate, and the other is rotatably mounted in the isolation sleeve in a region below the isolation plate. This allows the first and second worm gears to rotate independently around the common rotation axis, and the movement of either the first or second worm gear does not drive the movement of the other worm gear.

[0005] Preferably, the first motor includes a first longitudinal axis, the second motor includes a second longitudinal axis, the first longitudinal axis and the second longitudinal axis are arranged alternately, and the included angle between the first longitudinal axis and the second longitudinal axis is ≥10°.

[0006] In one embodiment, the first longitudinal axis and the second longitudinal axis are coplanar.

[0007] Preferably, the first transmission assembly includes a first transmission mechanism, the first transmission mechanism includes a first worm and a first tooth, the first worm is connected to the output shaft of the first motor, and the first tooth is located on the first worm wheel; The second transmission assembly includes a second transmission mechanism, which includes a second worm and a second tooth. The second worm is connected to the output shaft of the second motor, and the second tooth is located on the second worm wheel. The first tooth and the second tooth are located on opposite sides of the common rotation axis.

[0008] Preferably, on any plane perpendicular to the common axis of rotation, the planar projections of the rotation range of the first tooth and the rotation range of the second tooth do not overlap.

[0009] Preferably, the locking device includes a housing, a first elastic element, and a second elastic element. One end of the first elastic element is connected to the first worm gear, and the other end of the first elastic element is connected to the housing. One end of the second elastic element is connected to the second worm gear, and the other end of the second elastic element is connected to the housing.

[0010] Preferably, the first motor assembly includes a first micro switch, the first worm gear is provided with a first protrusion feature, and the first micro switch realizes position feedback of the first worm gear by cooperating with the first protrusion feature; and / or, the second motor assembly includes a second micro switch, the second worm gear is provided with a second protrusion feature, and the second micro switch realizes position feedback of the second worm gear by cooperating with the second protrusion feature. The first worm gear is provided with a first output feature for connecting to a first output rod, and the second worm gear is provided with a second output feature for connecting to a second output rod.

[0011] The present invention also provides a vehicle lock, the main feature of which is that it includes the aforementioned locking device with a coaxial worm gear.

[0012] The present invention also provides a motor vehicle, the main feature of which is that it includes the locking device of the coaxial worm gear or the motor vehicle lock.

[0013] The coaxial worm gear locking device of the present invention, as well as the corresponding motor vehicle lock and motor vehicle, occupy little space and have a compact structure; the conductor positions connecting the motor and the conductor positions connecting the switch require little space and have low material costs. Attached Figure Description

[0014] Figure 1 This is a front view of the locking device for the coaxial worm gear of the present invention.

[0015] Figure 2 This is a cross-sectional view of the locking device of the coaxial worm gear of the present invention.

[0016] Figure 3 This is an exploded view of the locking device for the coaxial worm gear of the present invention.

[0017] Figure 4 This is a view of the locking device of the coaxial worm gear of the present invention in the locked state after some parts have been removed.

[0018] Figure 5 This is a view of the unlocked state of the locking device of the coaxial worm gear of the present invention after some parts have been removed.

[0019] Figure 6 This is a view of the child safety unlocked state of the locking device of the coaxial worm gear of the present invention after some parts have been removed.

[0020] Figure 7 This is a view of the child safety locking device of the coaxial worm gear of the present invention in the upper child safety position after some parts have been removed.

[0021] Figure 8 Another view of the locking device for the coaxial worm gear of the present invention shows the compact design and the fact that the rotational ranges of the teeth do not overlap. Detailed Implementation

[0022] To provide a clearer understanding of the technical content of this invention, the following embodiments are provided in detail. However, it is important to note that these descriptions are merely for further illustrating the features and advantages of this invention, and not for limiting the scope of the claims.

[0023] like Figures 1 to 8 The diagram shows an embodiment of the coaxial worm gear locking device of the present invention, applied to motor vehicle locks and motor vehicles, achieving minimal space occupation. The present invention is illustrated using the locking device's application in motor vehicle lock insurance and child lock control as an example. The main components of this locking device include a housing 1, a first motor assembly 10, a second motor assembly 20, and a common rotating shaft 1a.

[0024] The first motor assembly 10 includes a first motor 11 and a first worm gear 13, wherein the first motor 11 drives the first worm gear 13 to rotate via a first transmission mechanism; the second motor assembly 20 includes a second motor 21 and a second worm gear 23, wherein the second motor 21 drives the second worm gear 23 to rotate via a second transmission mechanism. Both the first worm gear 13 and the second worm gear 23 are mounted on the common rotation shaft 1a.

[0025] like Figure 4 and Figure 5 As shown, the first worm gear 13 is provided with a first output feature 13a for connecting the first output rod 15. In this embodiment, the first motor assembly is used for controlling the vehicle lock safety; as Figure 6 and Figure 7 As shown, the second worm gear 23 is provided with a second output feature 23a for connecting the second output rod 25. In this embodiment, the second motor assembly is used for controlling the child lock. When the corresponding worm gear is in different working positions, it drives the corresponding rod to move or rotate to different positions, realizing the functions of coupling and decoupling.

[0026] The locking device of the present invention is configured such that the first motor 11 and the second motor 21 are arranged alternately, and the first worm gear 13 and the second worm gear 23 are each independently rotatable around the common rotation axis 1a.

[0027] The first motor 11 and the second motor 21 are arranged in an alternating manner, as follows: Figure 1 and Figure 2As shown, the first motor 11 includes a first longitudinal axis A, the second motor 21 includes a second longitudinal axis B, and the common rotation axis 1a has a third longitudinal axis 9. The first longitudinal axis A and the second longitudinal axis B are arranged interlaced, and the angle between the first longitudinal axis A and the second longitudinal axis B is ≥10°. In this embodiment, the first longitudinal axis A and the second longitudinal axis B are coplanar, that is, the two motors do not overlap. The first motor 11 and the second motor 21 are arranged as close as possible, and the required conductors or wires can also be arranged as close as possible.

[0028] In practical installation applications, there may be situations where the motor axes have spatial curves, causing the two motors to be neither parallel nor intersecting, but rather at a spatial angle. This situation is also included in the "interlaced distribution" described in this invention. The "interlaced distribution" of this invention aims to illustrate that the projections of the two motor axes onto the paper intersect.

[0029] The first worm gear 13 and the second worm gear 23 can each rotate independently around the common rotation axis 1a, such as Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown, the locking device includes an isolation sleeve 7, which is sleeved on the common rotating shaft 1a. An isolation plate extending circumferentially is provided on the outer surface of the isolation sleeve 7. The first worm gear 13 is rotatably installed in the isolation sleeve 7 in the region below the isolation plate, and the second worm gear 23 is rotatably installed on the isolation sleeve 7 in the region above the isolation plate.

[0030] Two worm gears are rotatably connected to the isolation sleeve 7. Due to the presence of the isolation sleeve 7, the movements of the two worm gears do not contact each other and are isolated from each other, and they rotate independently. That is, the movement of one worm gear does not drive the movement of the other worm gear.

[0031] The locking device provided by the present invention has two motors arranged in an alternating manner, and two worm gears coaxially to form a coaxial dual-channel mechanical coupling structure. In addition, in one embodiment, the two motors and the worm gears are at the same height position, which can keep the overall thickness of the housing to a minimum and further reduce the overall volume.

[0032] In the embodiments provided by the present invention, the first transmission mechanism includes a first worm 12 and a first tooth 13c. The first worm 12 is connected to the output shaft of the first motor 11, and the first tooth 13c is located on the first worm wheel 13. The first motor drives the first worm wheel to rotate through the first worm. The first tooth of the first worm wheel has a first working position and a second working position, corresponding to the maximum working angle in two opposite rotation directions. The second transmission mechanism includes a second worm 22 and a second tooth 23c. The second worm 22 is connected to the output shaft of the second motor 21, and the second tooth 23c is located on the second worm wheel 23. Similarly, the second tooth of the second worm wheel also has a corresponding first working position and a second working position, corresponding to the maximum working angle in two opposite rotation directions.

[0033] like Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, the first tooth 13c and the second tooth 23c are located on both sides of the common rotation axis 1a. Figures 4 to 8 As shown, on any plane perpendicular to the common axis of rotation, the planar projections of the rotation range 13d of the first tooth 13c and the rotation range 23d of the second tooth 23c do not overlap.

[0034] The first and second worm gears can be worm gears with a complete circumference or worm gears with a partial circumference, and they have fan-shaped teeth.

[0035] The locking device further includes a first elastic element 14 and a second elastic element 24. One end of the first elastic element 14 is connected to the first worm gear 13, and the other end is connected to the housing 1. One end of the second elastic element 24 is connected to the second worm gear 23, and the other end is connected to the housing 1. In the embodiment provided by the present invention, the first and second elastic elements are in the form of springs. The elastic force of the springs stably holds the corresponding worm gear in one of two operating positions. When the motor drives the worm gear to rotate through the corresponding worm, it overcomes the elastic force of the springs and enters the other operating position. Furthermore, after power is cut off, the springs hold the worm gear in the current operating position.

[0036] In the embodiments provided by the present invention, the first motor assembly 10 includes a first micro switch 19, the first worm gear 13 is provided with a first protrusion feature 13b, and the first micro switch 19 realizes position feedback of the first worm gear 13 by cooperating with the first protrusion feature 13b; at the same time, the second motor 21 assembly includes a second micro switch 29, the second worm gear 23 is provided with a second protrusion feature 23b, and the second micro switch 29 realizes position feedback of the second worm gear 23 by cooperating with the second protrusion feature.

[0037] Specifically, taking the first worm gear as an example, when the first worm gear is in the first working position, the first micro switch is pressed down by the first protruding feature; when the first worm gear is in the second working position, the first micro switch is not in contact with the first protruding feature. Thus, the position feedback of the first worm gear can be realized by reading the on / off state of the micro switch.

[0038] In this embodiment, the first micro switch 19 is located near the first motor, and the second micro switch 29 is located between the first motor and the second motor. Depending on the functional requirements, one of the first micro switch and the second micro switch can be selected, or they can coexist. The micro switches are arranged as close as possible to the corresponding motors.

[0039] like Figure 8 As shown, based on plug 5, the corresponding motors, microswitches and the external structure of the door lock are connected by conductors (such as wires, closely arranged copper sheets, etc.). Thus, the continuous spatial projection surface 3 occupied by the two motors and the two microswitches of the two motor assemblies is minimized, reducing material costs.

[0040] The coaxial worm gear locking device of the present invention, as well as the corresponding motor vehicle lock and motor vehicle, occupy little space and have a compact structure; the conductor positions connecting the motor and the conductor positions connecting the switch require little space and have low material costs.

[0041] In this specification, the invention has been described with reference to specific embodiments thereof. However, it will be apparent that various modifications and variations can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Therefore, this specification should be considered illustrative rather than restrictive.

Claims

1. A locking device for a coaxial worm gear, characterized in that, include: The first motor assembly includes a first motor and a first worm gear, wherein the first motor drives the first worm gear to rotate. The second motor assembly includes a second motor and a second worm gear, wherein the second motor drives the second worm gear to rotate; the first motor and the second motor are arranged in an alternating manner. A common rotating shaft, wherein both the first worm gear and the second worm gear are mounted on the common rotating shaft; An isolation sleeve is fitted onto the common rotation axis. An isolation plate extending circumferentially is provided on the outer surface of the isolation sleeve. One of the first and second worm gears is rotatably mounted in the isolation sleeve in a region above the isolation plate, and the other is rotatably mounted in the isolation sleeve in a region below the isolation plate. This allows the first and second worm gears to rotate independently around the common rotation axis, and the movement of either the first or second worm gear does not drive the movement of the other worm gear.

2. The locking device for the coaxial worm gear according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first motor includes a first longitudinal axis, and the second motor includes a second longitudinal axis. The first longitudinal axis and the second longitudinal axis are arranged in an alternating manner, and the angle between the first longitudinal axis and the second longitudinal axis is ≥10°.

3. The locking device for the coaxial worm gear according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first motor assembly includes a first transmission mechanism, which includes a first worm and a first tooth. The first worm is connected to the output shaft of the first motor, and the first tooth is located on the first worm wheel. The second motor assembly includes a second transmission mechanism, which includes a second worm and a second tooth. The second worm is connected to the output shaft of the second motor, and the second tooth is located on the second worm wheel. The first tooth and the second tooth are located on opposite sides of the common rotation axis.

4. The locking device for the coaxial worm gear according to claim 3, characterized in that, On any plane perpendicular to the common axis of rotation, the projections of the rotation range of the first tooth and the rotation range of the second tooth do not overlap.

5. The locking device for the coaxial worm gear according to claim 1, characterized in that, The locking device includes a housing, a first elastic element, and a second elastic element. One end of the first elastic element is connected to the first worm gear, and the other end of the first elastic element is connected to the housing. One end of the second elastic element is connected to the second worm gear, and the other end of the second elastic element is connected to the housing.

6. The locking device for the coaxial worm gear according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first motor assembly includes a first micro switch, the first worm gear is provided with a first protrusion feature, and the first micro switch realizes position feedback of the first worm gear by cooperating with the first protrusion feature; and / or, the second motor assembly includes a second micro switch, the second worm gear is provided with a second protrusion feature, and the second micro switch realizes position feedback of the second worm gear by cooperating with the second protrusion feature; The first worm gear is provided with a first output feature for connecting to a first output rod, and the second worm gear is provided with a second output feature for connecting to a second output rod.

7. A motor vehicle lock, characterized in that, A locking device comprising the coaxial worm gear as described in any one of claims 1 to 6.

8. A motor vehicle, characterized in that, A locking device comprising a coaxial worm gear as described in any one of claims 1 to 6, or a motor vehicle lock as described in claim 7.

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