Linear drive and apron unit

Abstract

The utility model relates to a linear driver and front baffle unit for moving a closure element of a motor vehicle relative to a vehicle body of the motor vehicle, comprising a drive assembly having a drive unit, which is designed to drive a spindle of a spindle drive, a spindle nut in threaded engagement with the spindle, an outer tube at least partially surrounding the spindle, an inner element at least partially arranged in the outer tube, wherein the inner element is connected to the spindle nut and is telescopically movable relative to the outer tube along a drive axis of the linear driver by means of the spindle drive, an inner connecting element fixed to the inner element for connecting the linear driver to the closure element or the vehicle body, wherein the inner connecting element has a housing with a hinged socket for receiving a hinged joint, and a coil spring arranged radially between the inner element and the outer tube relative to the drive axis, wherein the coil spring is clamped indirectly or directly between the outer tube and the inner element.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to a linear actuator and a front baffle unit. The linear actuator is used to move enclosed elements of a motor vehicle relative to the vehicle body. The linear actuator includes a drive assembly with a drive unit configured to drive the spindle of a spindle drive.

[0002] A spindle nut threadedly engages with a spindle, an outer tube at least partially surrounds the spindle, and an inner element at least partially disposed within the outer tube, wherein the inner element is connected to the spindle nut and is telescopically movable relative to the outer tube along the drive axis of a linear drive by means of a spindle drive. An inner connecting element is fixed to the inner element for connecting the linear drive to a closed element or the vehicle body, wherein the inner connecting element has a housing having a hinge socket for receiving a hinge joint, and a helical spring radially disposed between the inner element and the outer tube relative to the drive axis, wherein the helical spring is indirectly or directly clamped between the outer tube and the inner element. This invention also relates to a front fender having a front fender pivotally hinged to a vehicle body. Background Technology

[0003] This type of linear actuator can be found, for example, in EP1767439A1 and is known as a drive unit for tailgates. Utility Model Content

[0004] The purpose of this invention is to provide a linear driver that can be used in a wider range of applications.

[0005] According to this invention, this objective is achieved by a linear actuator for moving a closed element of a motor vehicle relative to the vehicle body, comprising a drive assembly having a drive unit configured to drive a spindle of a spindle drive, and a spindle nut threadedly engaged with the spindle.

[0006] The outer tube, at least partially surrounding the main shaft,

[0007] An internal element, at least partially disposed within an outer tube, is connected to a spindle nut and is telescopically movable relative to the outer tube along the drive axis of a linear drive by means of a spindle drive. An internal connecting element, fixed to the internal element, is used to connect the linear drive to a closed element or body. The internal connecting element has a housing with a hinge socket for receiving a hinge joint, and a helical spring radially disposed between the internal element and the outer tube relative to the drive axis. The helical spring is indirectly or directly clamped between the outer tube and the internal element.

[0008] The articulated joint has a lateral range oriented perpendicular to the drive axis and a longitudinal range oriented along the drive axis, wherein the longitudinal range is greater than the lateral range, so that the articulated joint can axially adjust the adjustment path in a limited manner within the articulated joint.

[0009] Adjusting the path allows for limited movement of the enclosed element without activating the linear drive. This can be advantageous, for example, in emergency situations.

[0010] According to an advantageous construction of the present invention, the free end of the spring clip protrudes into the hinge socket through a through slot and abuts against the hinge joint in such a way that the hinge joint is loaded into the hinge socket, wherein the spring clip is constructed to be so wide along the drive axis that the spring clip and the hinge joint are movably arranged together along the drive axis relative to the housing.

[0011] Using the known spring clips, the hinge joint can be fixed in a simple way, while allowing for a limited axial adjustment path.

[0012] An alternative embodiment of the present invention provides that the free end of the spring clip protrudes into the hinge socket through a through slot and abuts against the hinge joint in such a way that the hinge joint is loaded into the hinge socket, wherein the spring clip is constructed to be so wide along the drive axis that the hinge joint in the hinge socket is movably arranged relative to the spring clip along the drive axis.

[0013] The housing of the internal connecting element can preferably be configured to rotate about the drive axis. Therefore, the installation is flexible, and the connecting element can be oriented in different ways depending on the installation situation.

[0014] According to an advantageous improvement of this invention, the internal connecting element includes a cap-shaped insert with internal threads, wherein the end of the internal element can be screwed into the internal threads, and the insert and the housing are form-locked and rotatably engaged about the drive axis. Preferably, the cap-shaped insert, made of metal, can also serve as a fixing element for the helical spring, and for this purpose has a radially oriented circumferential edge, which can support the helical spring if desired.

[0015] The housing is preferably made of plastic material, and the insert is configured to be injection molded with the housing material.

[0016] The enclosing element can be a front fender that is hinged to the vehicle body. Especially in the case of electric vehicles, a front side luggage compartment, colloquially known as a frunk, is provided and is closed by the front fender.

[0017] This invention is also achieved through a front fender unit, which includes a front fender pivotally hinged to the vehicle body, a linear actuator, and at least one actuator that can be activated upon detection of a pedestrian collision to raise the front fender to a protective position.

[0018] In this configuration, the hinged joint can preferably be axially adjusted in a limited manner within the hinged socket to provide a protected position. To provide this protected position, activation of the linear actuator is not required.

[0019] The linear actuator allows for automatic opening of the front fender in normal operating mode and for raising the front fender upon detection of a pedestrian collision. Therefore, the comfort of automatically adjusting the front fender can be combined with active pedestrian protection. Attached Figure Description

[0020] The present invention will now be described with reference to the embodiments.

[0021] In the attached diagram:

[0022] Figure 1 A plan view of the linear actuator according to the present invention is shown;

[0023] Figure 2 It shows according to Figure 1 A longitudinal section of the side view of the linear driver according to the present invention;

[0024] Figure 3 It shows Figure 1 Magnified details X;

[0025] Figure 4 It shows Figure 2 The magnified details of Y, and

[0026] Figure 5 Details corresponding to details X and Y are shown in an uncut side view of the linear drive according to the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0027] Figures 1 to 5 The linear drive 100 for moving the enclosing elements of a motor vehicle relative to the vehicle body is shown in various views and partial sectional views. The enclosing elements can be, for example, a tailgate, side doors, or a hood or front tailgate. Especially in the case of electric vehicles, the front storage space is used as a luggage compartment, thus requiring an automatically adjustable front tailgate as well.

[0028] The linear driver 100 has a drive assembly 110, which has a drive unit including at least one motor 111 for driving the spindle 120 of the spindle driver that is threadedly engaged with the spindle nut 130.

[0029] Furthermore, the linear actuator 100 has an outer tube 140 that at least partially surrounds the spindle 130 and an internal element 150 that is at least partially disposed within the outer tube 140. The internal element 150 is torsionally connected to the spindle nut 130, and thus can be telescopically moved relative to the outer tube 140 along the drive axis A of the linear actuator by means of the spindle actuator. The drive unit may be disposed within the outer tube 140, or may have a separate housing 112 connected to the outer tube 140.

[0030] A helical spring 190 is radially arranged relative to the drive axis A between the inner element 150 and the outer tube 140, and is clamped between the outer tube 140 and the inner element 150, either directly or indirectly, for force support. Figure 2 and Figure 4 As shown, the helical spring 190 is disposed between the drive end 145 of the outer tube 140 and the edge 290 of the guide sleeve 155. The guide sleeve 155 can extend and retract relative to the outer tube 140 simultaneously with the internal element 150.

[0031] To connect to the enclosure and the vehicle body, the linear drive 100 has connecting elements 160, 165 in each case. For example... Figure 1 , 2 As shown in Figure 4, an internal connecting element 160 fixed to an internal element 150 and an external connecting element 165 fixed to a drive assembly 110 or its housing 112 are provided for connecting the linear drive 100 to an enclosed element or body.

[0032] Figure 3 and 4 It shows Figure 1 and 2 The view shown is magnified in detail in the X and Y directions. Furthermore... Figure 5 Enlarged details of an uncut side view are shown. It can be seen that the internal connecting element 160 has a housing 170 with a hinge socket 180 for receiving a hinge joint (not shown). Preferably, the hinge joint is configured as a ball joint, and the hinge socket is configured as a ball socket.

[0033] In order to allow a limited adjustment path of the hinge in the hinge socket 180 without activating the drive unit, the hinge socket 180 has a lateral range 200 oriented perpendicular to the drive axis A and a longitudinal range 210 oriented along the drive axis A, wherein the longitudinal range 210 is greater than the lateral range 200, so that the hinge can axially adjust the adjustment path in the hinge socket 180 in a limited manner.

[0034] In order to fix the hinge joint in the hinge socket, the free end 230 of the spring clip 220 protrudes into the hinge socket 180 through the through slot and abuts against the hinge joint in the assembled state in such a way that the hinge joint is acted in the hinge socket 180, that is, it is kept in contact with the hinge socket 180 by the spring force of the spring clip 220.

[0035] The spring clip 220 is configured to be wide along the drive axis A such that it can move along the drive axis A with the hinge joint relative to the housing 170 of the internal connecting element 160. Alternatively, the spring clip 220 may be configured to be wide along the drive axis A such that the hinge joint can be movably arranged in the hinge socket 180 along the drive axis A relative to the spring clip 220.

[0036] The housing 170 of the internal connecting element 160 is configured to rotate about the drive axis A. For this purpose, the internal connecting element 160 has a cap-shaped metal insert 250 with internal threads into which the end 260 of the internal element 150 can be screwed. The end 260 can be integrally formed on the internal element 150. A two-part embodiment is also conceivable, in which the end 260 is fixed to the internal element 150, for example, by material locking, preferably by welding.

[0037] In order to transmit tension and pressure, the insert 250 is form-fitted into the housing 170 in the direction of the drive axis A. For this purpose, an annular protrusion 270 is provided at the end of the insert 250 facing away from the linear actuator 100. At the same time, the insert 250 is configured to be rotatable about the drive axis A.

[0038] The housing 170 of the internal connecting element 160 is made of plastic. By means of appropriate measures, such as appropriate selection of plastic, coating of the outer surface of the insert 250, appropriate cooling, etc., the insert 250 can be injection molded from the material of the housing 170, so that the insert 250 can rotate freely about the drive axis A.

[0039] After the internal connecting element 160 is screwed on, the radially oriented circumferential edge 280 of the insert 250 abuts against the radially inwardly oriented edge 290 of the guide sleeve 155. The diameter of the edge 290 is sized such that the helical spring 190 can optionally be supported when it disengages from the guide sleeve 155.

[0040] The aforementioned linear actuator 100 is used, for example, in a front fender unit having a front fender pivotally hinged to the vehicle body and providing pedestrian protection. For this purpose, in addition to the linear actuator 100, the unit also has at least one actuator whose connecting elements 160, 165 are hinged via hinge joints fixed to the vehicle body and the front fender. This actuator can be activated upon detection of a pedestrian collision, allowing the front fender to be raised to a protective position. Due to the limited adjustment path of the hinge joint connected to the internal connecting element 160, the front fender can be raised to the protective position without activating the linear actuator 100.

[0041] The linear actuator 100, described by way of example only, allows the front fender to open automatically in normal operating mode and to raise the front fender upon detection of a pedestrian collision. Therefore, the comfort of automatically adjusting the front fender can be combined with active pedestrian protection.

Claims

1. A linear actuator for moving an enclosed element of a motor vehicle relative to the vehicle body, the linear actuator comprising: A drive assembly (110) having a drive unit, whose The spindle (120) is configured to drive the spindle driver. A spindle nut (130) that is threaded into the spindle (120). The outer tube (140) at least partially surrounds the main shaft (120). An internal element (150) is at least partially disposed within the outer tube (140), wherein, The internal component (150) is connected to the spindle nut (130) and can be telescopically moved relative to the outer tube (140) along the drive axis (A) of the linear drive (100) by means of the spindle driver. An internal connecting element (160) fixed to the internal element (150) for connecting the linear drive (100) to the enclosure element or the vehicle body, wherein the internal connecting element (160) has a housing (170) having a hinge socket (180) for receiving a hinge joint, and A helical spring (190) is radially disposed between the inner element (150) and the outer tube (140) relative to the drive axis (A), wherein the helical spring (190) is indirectly or directly clamped between the outer tube (140) and the inner element (150). Its features are, The hinge socket (180) has a lateral range (200) oriented perpendicularly to the drive axis (A) and a longitudinal range (210) oriented along the drive axis (A), wherein the longitudinal range (210) is greater than the lateral range (200), such that the hinge can axially adjust the adjustment path in a limited manner within the hinge socket (180).

2. The linear driver according to claim 1, characterized in that, The free end (230) of the spring clip (220) protrudes into the hinge socket (180) through the through slot (240) and abuts against the hinge joint in such a way that the hinge joint is loaded into the hinge socket (180), wherein the spring clip (220) is constructed to be so wide along the drive axis (A) that the spring clip (220) and the hinge joint are movably arranged along the drive axis (A) relative to the housing (170).

3. The linear driver according to claim 1, characterized in that, The free end (230) of the spring clip (220) protrudes into the hinge socket (180) through the through slot (240) and abuts against the hinge joint in such a way that the hinge joint is loaded into the hinge socket (180), wherein the spring clip (220) is constructed to be so wide along the drive axis (A) that the hinge joint in the hinge socket (180) is movably arranged relative to the spring clip (220) along the drive axis (A).

4. The linear driver according to claim 2 or 3, Its features are, The housing (170) of the internal connecting element (160) is configured to rotate about the drive axis (A).

5. The linear driver according to claim 4, characterized in that, The internal connecting element (160) includes a cap-shaped insert (250) with internal threads, wherein the end of the internal element is screwable into the internal threads, and the insert (250) is form-locked with the housing (170) in the direction of the drive axis (A) and rotatably engaged about the drive axis (A).

6. The linear driver according to claim 5, Its features are, The housing (170) is formed of plastic material, and the insert (250) is configured to be injection molded with the material of the housing (170).

7. The linear driver according to any one of claims 1 to 3, Its features are, The enclosing element is a front fender hinged to the vehicle body.

8. A front baffle unit, characterized in that, It includes a front fender pivotally hinged to the vehicle body, a linear actuator (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, and at least one actuator that can be activated upon detection of a pedestrian collision to raise the front fender to a protective position.

9. The front baffle unit according to claim 8, characterized in that, The hinge joint can be axially adjusted in a limited manner about the adjustment path in the hinge socket (180) to provide the protective position.

10. The front baffle unit according to claim 9, characterized in that, The linear actuator (100) allows the front fender to open automatically in normal operating mode and allows the front fender to lift when a collision with a pedestrian is detected.

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