Opening device for a motor vehicle door

Abstract

This invention relates to an opening device for a motor vehicle door, particularly a handleless side door. For this purpose, the opening device includes an electric drive unit (2, 3, 4, 5, 6) and associated actuating elements (7, 8) for loading the door leaf (1). The electric drive unit (2, 3, 4, 5, 6) has at least one motor (2) and a transmission mechanism (3, 4, 5, 6) connected to said at least one motor, the transmission mechanism having at least one driven gear (4, 5). The driven gear (4, 5) meshes with at least one rack (7, 8) as an actuating element (7, 8) or as part of an actuating element (7, 8). According to the invention, the motor (2) acts on the rack (7, 8) with an intermediate force-increasing unit (6; 3a, 5a) for increasing force under overload conditions, the force-increasing unit being part of the transmission mechanism (3, 4, 5, 6).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an opening device for a motor vehicle door, particularly a handleless side door of a motor vehicle, the opening device having an electric drive and an associated actuating element for loading the door leaf, wherein the electric drive has at least one motor and a transmission mechanism connected to the at least one motor, the transmission mechanism having at least one drive gear, wherein the drive gear meshes with at least one rack as an actuating element or as part of an actuating element. Background Technology

[0002] Various designs for opening devices for motor vehicle doors are known and widely used in the prior art and practice. In fact, such opening devices, corresponding to the description in DE 10 2015 103 826 A1, are used to allow the associated door leaf of the relevant motor vehicle door to be opened at least slightly relative to the vehicle body. Therefore, it becomes possible for the operator or user of the motor vehicle to grasp the door leaf through the gap created in this way and thereby swing and open the door leaf, for example, about a swing axis of the door leaf.

[0003] In principle, this applies not only to swing-out side doors of motor vehicles but also to other types of opening devices. Furthermore, it is possible that rear covers, sliding doors, etc., can also be opened in this manner. In principle, the hood of a motor vehicle can also be equipped with this opening device. This generally also applies to flip-top covers, such as fuel tank caps or charging socket covers. That is to say, the concept of a motor vehicle door should be broadly defined within the scope of this application and should include not only swing-out doors but also doors that open by sliding or other means to close openings within or on a motor vehicle.

[0004] An opening device is described, for example, within the scope of FR 2 814 771 A1, which loads a rod-shaped actuator in a screw-driven manner. The actuator can thus open and, if necessary, close the door leaf it interacts with.

[0005] The closest prior art of this kind, according to CN 215565284 U, relates to an opening device for a motor vehicle door, which operates by means of a rack and pinion, with a driven gear meshing with the rack. The rack can define the actuating element itself or a component of the actuating element. Here, an additional microswitch limits the adjustment stroke of the actuating element or rack implemented in this way. This should improve efficiency and reduce costs.

[0006] The existing technology has proven effective in principle, but it is limited in the following situations: on the one hand, it is desirable to open the door as smoothly as possible, and on the other hand, the adjusting movement is prevented in any way. This can occur, for example, when the door is icy or otherwise jammed. In known opening devices, in this situation, the force is usually insufficient to ensure that the door opens relative to the vehicle body in the intended gap manner. Therefore, the relevant vehicle door remains closed, and the vehicle as a whole cannot be opened. The present invention provides a remedy for this. Summary of the Invention

[0007] The technical problem to be solved by the present invention is to further improve this opening device for motor vehicle doors so that it can achieve smooth opening movement and overcome the possibility of locking.

[0008] To solve this technical problem, the present invention is based on an opening device for motor vehicle doors, in which a motor acts on a rack with a force-increasing unit connected in the middle for increasing the force under overload conditions, and the force-increasing unit is a component of the transmission mechanism.

[0009] In other words, according to the present invention, the electric drive unit is equipped not only with a motor but also with a transmission mechanism having a driven gear. In most cases, a drive gear is additionally implemented as another component of the transmission mechanism. Furthermore, according to the present invention, a force amplification unit for increasing force under overload conditions is another component of the transmission mechanism. With the aid of this force amplification unit, the overload condition can be determined first. That is, the force amplification unit can distinguish between so-called operating load and overload or overload condition during normal operation.

[0010] If the force applied to the actuator by the motor and transmission mechanism is lower than or equal to the operating load, the door leaf, which is normally operated and loaded by means of the actuator, is opened at the usual (pre)regulated speed. Conversely, if an overload occurs due to the door leaf being, for example, frozen or otherwise locked, the force-boosting unit is used to increase the force in the relevant overload condition.

[0011] Here, this increase in force is typically accompanied by a decrease in the regulating or adjusting speed of the actuator, and thus the motor's transmission mechanism switches from a high transmission ratio under normal operation or at forces below or equal to the operating power to a relatively low transmission ratio under overload conditions. This results in the expected increase in force.

[0012] To achieve this overall, specifically, it is advantageous that the force-increasing unit for increasing force under overload conditions is equipped with at least a spring and / or a stop. Here, it is often designed such that the spring elastically connects the previously mentioned drive gear to at least one driven gear of the transmission mechanism. Here, a motor is used to rotate the drive gear. This rotation is transmitted to the driven gear via the spring. The driven gear meshes with the rack. The door is thus opened.

[0013] If the force required to open the door is determined to be lower than or equal to the operating load, the spring ensures that the rotation of the drive gear is transmitted via the spring to the driven gear of the transmission mechanism, and then further to the rack.

[0014] For this purpose, the spring is specifically designed as a double-arm spring. This double-arm spring has a driving spring arm that is loaded by a driving gear. Furthermore, a driven spring arm is also provided, which interacts with a stop on the driven gear. Thus, the rotational motion of the driving gear, as previously described, can be transmitted to the driven gear and thereby to the rack, with the double-arm spring connecting it in the middle.

[0015] A particularly significant variation involves two driven gears with different radii. The first driven gear has a smaller radius than the second. Furthermore, the drive gear is designed to pass through both the first and second driven gears. Here, the drive gear and the two driven gears can be arranged concentrically, sharing a common axis of rotation.

[0016] To accommodate overload conditions, specifically, the drive gear is equipped with a stop. Once the first drive gear is locked and the intermediately connected spring completes a specific spring stroke while being compressed, the stop interacts with the mating stop of the second driven gear. That is, once the first driven gear is locked with a larger radius than the second driven gear, the rotational motion transmitted from the motor to the drive gear continues unchanged into the intermediately connected spring. The spring here completes a specific and predetermined spring stroke and is simultaneously compressed or squeezed.

[0017] Once the spring has completed its specific and predetermined travel, the stop of the drive gear, which is loaded by the motor as always, moves toward the mating stop of the second driven gear. In this case, the first driven gear with the larger radius also remains stationary as always, and then the drive gear applies rotational motion to the second driven gear through the interaction of its stop with the mating stop on the second driven gear with the smaller radius.

[0018] Here, two driven gears can mesh with a common rack. This results in the rack continuing to move in the opening direction of the door leaf even though the rack is locked first and the first driven gear is locked. This is because the second driven gear, which has a smaller radius than the first driven gear, now comes into play under overload conditions. Therefore, the force acting on the rack also increases. As a result, the door leaf can break through, for example, the ice shell or ice layer that locks the door leaf without any problems, and the opening device according to the invention is used to open the previously described gap of the motor vehicle door leaf as intended in this case, so that the operator can then, for example, manually swing the door leaf. However, in principle, separate and additional opening drive devices can also be used for further swinging.

[0019] However, within an alternative approach, it is also possible that the first driven gear meshes with the first rack at a larger radius, and the second drive gear meshes with the second rack at a relatively smaller radius. Both racks here ensure loading of the door panel. Once the first rack is locked, the force-amplifying unit for increasing force under overload conditions ensures switching to the second driven gear, which then loads the door panel via the second rack and ensures, in this example, breaking the ice crust or ice layer.

[0020] Related to this variant is the possibility that the second rack loads the first rack via a drive mechanism. In this case, instead of the two racks being independently loaded by their respective driven gears, the first rack is loaded by the second rack via the drive mechanism, both in the case of lockup and overload. The second driven gear, in the overload condition, ensures the drive of the second rack as described above.

[0021] Alternatively, the design can be further optimized such that the radius of the first gear is approximately twice the radius of the second gear. That is, the ratio of the radii of the first gear to the second gear is typically at least 1.5:1, 2:1, or greater. Therefore, the adjustment speed is reduced accordingly under overload conditions, and the force used to load the door leaf is increased.

[0022] The switching process for increasing force under overload conditions appears to occur automatically and smoothly, in that the drive gear is continuously loaded by the motor, during which the first driven gear experiences locking under overload conditions. The continued loading of the drive gear by the motor causes the intermediate connecting spring or double-arm spring to be compressed. This compression of the spring continues on the drive gear side until the drive gear's stop abuts against the mating stop of the second driven gear. In fact, the second driven gear is stationary during normal operation and is only used under overload conditions.

[0023] This can be attributed to the fact that, during normal operation, the drive gear loads the first driven gear via a spring in the intermediate connection. This first driven gear itself meshes with and operates on the rack to open the door. Only when the first driven gear is locked and the spring in the intermediate connection is gradually compressed can the drive gear, passing through the two driven gears, move its stop against the mating stop of the second driven gear, thereby driving the second driven gear. The first driven gear now remains stationary under overload conditions, and the associated rack is loaded with a reduced adjustment speed and a relatively increased force by means of the smaller radius of the second driven gear. This is a major advantage of the invention. Attached Figure Description

[0024] The present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, which illustrate only one embodiment; the drawings show:

[0025] Figure 1 This illustrates a first variation of the opening device according to the invention.

[0026] Figure 2 A second variation of the opening device according to the invention is shown, and

[0027] Figure 3 An additional third variation of the subject matter of the present invention is shown. Detailed Implementation

[0028] The accompanying drawings show an opening device for a vehicle door. The vehicle door is advantageously, but not limitingly, a handle-less side door with a force sensor. In the illustrated embodiment of the vehicle door, only a portion of the door leaf 1 is shown. Door leaf 1 can be loaded with a load F. L The load is determined during normal operation by the inertia and possible friction of the door leaf, and is thus determined during overload operation or under overload conditions, i.e., the door leaf 1 is additionally locked relative to the vehicle body (not shown), for example due to jamming and, in particular, ice.

[0029] Electric drive units 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6 are implemented to open door leaf 1, and therefore generally to open vehicle doors. In addition, associated actuators 7 and 8 are provided. Door leaf 1 can be loaded by means of actuators 7 and 8, specifically in such a way that the door leaf overcomes a load F. L In this embodiment, a swinging motion is performed, which corresponds to the door leaf 1 moving "to the right". To this end, the actuators 7 and 8 apply different forces F1 and F2 to the door leaf 1 according to this embodiment, as will be explained in detail below.

[0030] As can be seen, the electric drive units 2, 3, 4, and 5 are equipped with at least one motor 2. Transmission mechanisms 3, 4, 5, and 6 are connected to the motor 2. Transmission mechanisms 3, 4, 5, and 6 have one drive gear 3 and, according to this embodiment, two driven gears 4 and 5. Furthermore, a spring 6 is implemented. The spring 6 is intermediately connected between the drive gear 3 and the driven gears 4 and 5.

[0031] As can be seen, the drive gear 6 and the two driven gears 4 and 5 are arranged concentrically with each other along a common axis of rotation A according to this embodiment. Furthermore, the first driven gear 4 has a radius R1 relative to the axis of rotation A, which is designed to be larger than the radius R2 of the second driven gear 5. In practice, at this location, the ratio of the two radii R1:R2 is 1.5:1, 2:1, or greater. According to this embodiment, the ratio of radius R1:R2 is approximately 2:1, which is of course merely exemplary and by no means limiting.

[0032] Furthermore, as can be seen from the various views, the drive gear 3 passes through the two driven gears 4 and 5, specifically through the middle of the two driven gears. Thus, the drive gear 3 can be equipped with a stop 3a, which interacts with the mating stop 5a of the second driven gear 5 in specific situations, which will be described later. In fact, this interaction occurs once the first driven gear 4 is locked and the intermediately connected spring 6 completes a specific spring stroke while being compressed.

[0033] As can be seen, spring 6 elastically connects the drive gear 3 to at least one driven gear 4 or 5 of the transmission mechanisms 3, 4, 5, and 6. In practice, within the scope of this embodiment, the spring is used to couple the drive gear 3 to the first driven gear 4 with a larger diameter R1. For this purpose, spring 6 is designed as a double-arm spring. The double-arm spring has a drive spring arm 6a. In this way, the spring or double-arm spring 6 is loaded by the drive gear 3. For this purpose, the drive gear 3 has another stop 3b.

[0034] The spring 6, or double-arm spring 6, is loaded on its driving spring arm 6a by means of the stop 3b on the driving gear 3, causing the first driven gear 4 with radius R1 to be driven by the spring 6. During this process, the driven spring arm 6b of the spring 6 moves against the stop 4a on the first driven gear 4. The interaction between the driven spring arm 6b and the stop 4a on the first driven gear 4 causes the first driven gear 4 to rotate together with the driving gear 3 about a common axis of rotation A. This applies in all cases during normal operation, which will be described in detail below.

[0035] Because according to Figure 1 In the embodiment, the first driven gear 4 meshes with the one-piece rack 7, 8, so according to Figure 1In the embodiment described, the counterclockwise rotation of the first driven gear 4 causes the racks 7 and 8 to move "to the right" as intended. This causes the door panel 1 to also move "to the right" via the one-piece racks 7 and 8, and the associated vehicle door to open as intended during the opening process.

[0036] The previously described normal operation corresponds to, according to Figure 1 In the embodiment described, the one-piece racks 7 and 8 apply a force F1 to the door leaf 1. In practice, normal operation corresponds to a force F1 exceeding the reaction force F generated by the door leaf 1 in this situation. L This applies to the reaction force F generated by door leaf 1. L The normal inertia and friction force corresponding to door leaf 1.

[0037] Conversely, if an overload occurs, it means that the reaction force F generated by door leaf 1 will increase. L The door is enlarged, for example, by the following means: door 1 is additionally locked relative to the vehicle body receiving the door due to a continuous layer of ice. That is, in this example, the ice must first be broken before door 1 can be opened under these conditions. This is predicated on the fact that electric drive units 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6 can now... Figure 1 In the example case, an increased force F2 is applied to racks 7 and 8. That is, in this case, electric drives 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6 provide an increased force F2, where F2 > F1. Force F1 corresponds to normal operation. Under overload conditions, the increased force F2 can, for example, be designed to be twice the force F1 during normal operation, i.e.:

[0038] F2 is approximately twice the size of F1.

[0039] This is, of course, merely exemplary. To achieve and implement the force increase from the force F1 during normal operation to the force F2 under overload conditions, the opening device according to the invention is equipped with force amplification units 6; 3a, 5a for increasing the force under overload conditions. Within the scope of this embodiment, the force amplification units 6; 3a, 5a essentially consist of the previously described spring 6 and two stops 3a, 5a on the drive gear 3 and the second driven gear 5.

[0040] First, we can see that according to Figure 1A view of an embodiment. Here, it is designed such that, during normal operation, the motor 2 causes the drive gear 3 to rotate to achieve the desired opening movement, and within the scope of this embodiment, the drive gear rotates counterclockwise together with the two driven gears 4 and 5 about a common axis of rotation A. Here, the spring 6, which connects the drive gear 3 and the first driven gear 4, rests its drive spring arm 6a against the stop portion 3b of the drive gear 3. Therefore, once the drive gear 3 performs counterclockwise movement about the axis of rotation A, the drive spring arm 6a of the spring 6 is activated. This is because the force F that reacts to the movement of the door leaf 1 during normal operation... L Because the spring is relatively small, the driven spring arm 6b of the spring 6 can follow the rotational movement counterclockwise around the common axis of rotation A. This causes the driven spring arm 6b to drive the stop portion 4a on the first driven gear 4 or move against the stop portion, and as a result, the drive gear 3 and the first driven gear 4 rotate together around the axis of rotation A in a practically uncompressed state, i.e., in a counterclockwise direction, with the spring 6 connected in the middle.

[0041] Because according to Figure 1 In the embodiment, the first driven gear 4 meshes with racks 7 and 8, so racks 7 and 8 can move "to the right" and can also drive "to the right" with a small load F without any problems. L Door leaf 1, which obstructs this rotational movement. This corresponds to normal operation.

[0042] However, if the force F that reacts to the movement of door leaf 1 L For example, if the door leaf 1 is enlarged due to icing, the counterclockwise rotation of the drive gear 3 around the axis of rotation A during normal operation initially causes the drive spring arm 6a to follow the rotation of the stop 3b on the drive gear 3. However, if the force F1 applied to the door leaf 1 in this situation is insufficient to open the door leaf 1 during normal operation, this causes the first driven gear 4 to lock directly or after a specific adjustment stroke of the racks 7 and 8. The locking of the first driven gear 4 causes the drive gear 3 to oscillate counterclockwise around its axis of rotation A by the motor 2. However, when the first driven gear 4 is locked, the driven spring arm 6b of the spring 6 can no longer follow the movement of the drive spring arm 6a. The spring 6 is therefore gradually compressed.

[0043] Once spring 6 completes its specific spring travel under compression, another stop 3a on the drive gear 3 can interact with the stop 5a on the second driven gear 5. This interaction is impossible during normal operation because the two stops 3a and 5a are spaced apart from each other. However, due to the gradual compression of spring 6 when the first driven gear 4 is locked, the stop 3a on the drive gear 3 now interacts with and can also interact with the stop 5a on the second driven gear 5.

[0044] Because the first drive gear 3 moves counterclockwise around the rotation axis A by means of motor 2 during this process, when the first driven gear 4 is locked, the second driven gear 5 is now loaded, which also causes it to move counterclockwise around the common rotation axis A. Since the radius R2 of the second driven gear 5 is smaller than the radius R1 of the first driven gear 4 (in this embodiment, the radius of the second driven gear is half the radius of the first driven gear), this results in the racks 7 and 8, which also mesh with the second driven gear 4, now being loaded with a correspondingly increased force F2. In fact, the force F2 now applied to the racks 7 and 8 by the second driven gear 4 is, according to this embodiment, twice the force F1 during normal operation. This is, of course, merely exemplary.

[0045] Therefore, the increase in force from force F1 to force F2 now results in, despite the load F L Even with the increased force, door 1 can still be opened, i.e., moved "to the right" in this embodiment. The force-amplifying units 6; 3a, 5a, previously described for increasing force under overload conditions, achieve this effect. Because the force-amplifying units, including the spring 6, the stop portion 3a on the drive gear 3, and the stop portion 5a on the second driven gear 5, ensure that the force F1 during normal operation is switched to the increased force F2 under overload conditions. Accordingly, the force-amplifying units 6; 3a, 5a ensure that the force is increased under overload conditions.

[0046] exist Figure 2 and Figure 3 The same principle is used in the variant implementation. The only difference is that, in this case, racks 7 and 8 are not implemented as a single, integrated unit. Instead, according to... Figure 2 , Figure 3 The two implementation variations operate with two separate racks 7 and 8. Therefore, according to... Figure 2In the modified scheme, the following measures are taken: the first driven gear 4 meshes with the first rack 7, while the second driven gear 5 meshes with the second rack 8. Therefore, during normal operation—as described—the drive gear 3, which is in a rotating state by means of the motor 2, ensures that the first driven gear 4 is driven via the intermediately connected spring 6. The first rack 7 acts on the door leaf 1 through the first driven gear 4, specifically applying a force F1 to the door leaf. Therefore, during normal operation, the door leaf moves "to the right". However, if an overload occurs and causes this, the force amplification units 6; 3a, 5a increase the force under overload conditions, thus locking the first driven gear 4. The same applies to the first rack 7. Then, the second driven gear 5 ensures that an increased force F2 is applied to the door leaf 1 via the second rack 8 with which it meshes. The door leaf is opened as usual.

[0047] Finally, if observation is based on Figure 3 In the embodiment, the first rack 7 and the second rack 8 are also implemented. As in the embodiment... Figure 2 In the variant, the first driven gear 4 meshes with the first rack 7. Conversely, the second gear 5 acts on the second rack 8. However, in this case, it is designed so that, in case of lockup and under overload conditions, the first rack 7 does not behave as it would in the previous configuration. Figure 2 In the modified scheme, it remains stationary. Instead, under overload conditions, the second driven gear 5, together with the second rack 8, ensures that the first rack 7 is "driven". For this purpose, the second rack 8 is equipped with a drive member 8a, which moves against the first rack 7 under overload conditions and ensures that the first rack 7 subsequently causes the door leaf 1 to move "to the right" without change. At the same time, the first driven gear 4 is also driven by the second driven gear 5. In any case, the force amplification units 6; 3a, 5a are used to increase the force under overload conditions and to ensure that the door leaf 1 is opened without change even under overload conditions.

[0048] List of reference numerals in the attached diagram:

[0049] Door 1

[0050] Motor 2

[0051] Drive gear 3

[0052] Stop 3a

[0053] Stop part 4a

[0054] Driven gears 4 and 5

[0055] Driven gear 5

[0056] Matching stop part 5a

[0057] Spring 6

[0058] Drive spring arm 6a

[0059] Driven spring arm 6b

[0060] Power-enhancing unit 6; 3a, 5a

[0061] Transmission mechanisms 3, 4, 5, 6

[0062] racks 7 and 8

[0063] Drive component 8a

Claims

1. An opening device for a motor vehicle door, particularly a handleless side door, the opening device comprising an electric drive unit (2, 3, 4, 5, 6) and associated actuating elements (7, 8) for loading a door leaf (1), wherein, The electric drive unit (2, 3, 4, 5, 6) has at least one motor (2) and a transmission mechanism (3, 4, 5, 6) connected to the at least one motor. The transmission mechanism has at least one driven gear (4, 5), wherein the at least one driven gear (4, 5) meshes with at least one rack (7, 8) which is an actuating element (7, 8) or a component of an actuating element (7, 8). Its features are, The motor (2) acts on the rack (7, 8) with a force-increasing unit (6; 3a, 5a) connected in the middle to increase the force under overload conditions. The force-increasing unit is a component of the transmission mechanism (2, 3, 4, 5, 6).

2. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The force-increasing unit (6; 3a, 5a) used to increase the force under overload conditions has at least a spring (6) and / or a stop (3a, 5a).

3. The device according to claim 2, characterized in that, The spring (6) elastically connects the drive gear (3) to at least one driven gear (4, 5) of the transmission mechanism (3, 4, 5, 6).

4. The device according to claim 3, characterized in that, The spring (6) is designed as a double-arm spring (6), the driving spring arm (6a) of which is loaded by the driving gear (3), and the driven spring arm (6b) of which interacts with the stop (4a) on the driven gear (4).

5. The device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that, Two driven gears (4, 5) with different radii (R1, R2) are provided, wherein the drive gear (3) advantageously passes through the first driven gear (4) and the second driven gear (5).

6. The device according to claim 5, characterized in that, The drive gear (3) and the two driven gears (4, 5) are arranged concentrically with each other.

7. The device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that, The drive gear (3) is equipped with a stop (3a), which interacts with the matching stop (5a) of the second driven gear (5) once the first driven gear (4) is locked and the intermediate spring (6) completes a specific spring stroke while being compressed.

8. The device according to any one of claims 5 to 7, characterized in that, Two driven gears (4, 5) mesh with a common rack (7, 8).

9. The device according to any one of claims 5 to 8, characterized in that, The first driven gear (4) meshes with the first rack (7), and the second driven gear (5) meshes with the second rack (8).

10. The device according to claim 9, characterized in that, The second rack (8) loads the first rack (7) through the drive member (8a).

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