Tandem drive device

Abstract

Tandem drive device for at least one adjustable vehicle part, in particular for a sunroof system, preferably comprising at least two sunroof elements, such as a glass roof and a roller shutter, wherein the tandem drive device comprises at least a first drive system with a first transmission (11) and a first drive motor (15) and a second drive system with a second transmission (12) and a second drive motor (16) as well as a common control circuit (17) for the first and (15) the second (16) drive motor, wherein the first (11) and the second (12) transmission and the control circuit (17) are accommodated in a common housing (18), wherein at least the first (11) and the second (12) gear are arranged axially symmetrically to each other, characterized in that the first (11) and the second (12) gears overlap at least in sections in an axial direction defined by a rotational axis of the first drive motor (15).

Description

The invention relates to a tandem drive device according to claim 1 and to a system comprising an adjustable vehicle part and a tandem drive device, and to a vehicle.DE 198 49 837 C2 discloses a tandem drive device for an adjustable vehicle roof. The tandem drive device comprises two drive systems, operatively connected in series, with two electric motors, which are in drive connection via a respective transmission via a force transmission means to an adjustable vehicle part. The solution according to this prior art is considered comparatively complex from a constructional point of view.DE 198 58 630 A1 discloses a drive device for a part of a vehicle which can be adjusted between end positions, in particular for a roof panel of a vehicle roof. The drive device has an electric motor with a drive connection to the movable part, and a switching device which is arranged on a conductor track plate. The conductor track plate is surrounded in a protective manner on all sides by a housing lower part and a housing upper part of the drive device.DE 103 37 851 A1 discloses a transmission drive unit for adjusting movable parts in the motor vehicle, having two motors each having a motor shaft. The two motor shafts drive two gear elements which are mounted on two shafts. These two shafts are arranged coaxially with each other.It is therefore the object of the invention to propose a tandem drive device and a system comprising an adjustable vehicle part and a tandem drive device, and a vehicle, wherein the adjustment of one or more (in particular two) vehicle part(s), in particular sliding roof element(s), such as a glazed roof and a roller shutter, is to be made possible in a structurally simple manner.This object is achieved by the features of claim 1.In particular, the object is achieved by a tandem drive device for at least one, in particular at least two or exactly two, adjustable vehicle part(s), in particular for a sliding roof system, preferably comprising at least two sliding roof elements, such as a glass roof and a roller shutter, wherein the tandem drive device comprises at least one first drive system having a first transmission and a first drive motor and a second drive system having a second transmission and a second drive motor, and a common control circuit for the first and the second drive motor, wherein the first and the second transmission and the control circuit are accommodated in a common housing. In this case, first and second gears overlap at least in sections in an axial (viewing) direction, which is defined by an axis of rotation of the first drive motor. In other words, projections of the first and second gearing on a plane which is perpendicular to the axial direction thus overlap at least in sections (optionally completely). Viewed from the first and / or second drive motor, first and second gears can be arranged one behind the other in sections. This achieves a particularly compact design in directions perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the first drive motor (and / or second drive motor).A core idea of the invention is to accommodate the first and second transmission units and the control circuit in a common housing. As a result, the two drive systems can be used in a structurally simple manner, in particular can be supplied with energy or controlled. As a result, no connection (e.g. cable harness) is required between the two drive systems (in particular for the signal and energy supply, in particular power supply). A complex cable harness with two power supply lines and a plurality of signal lines can thus be dispensed with. The number of plug connections can also be reduced. For example, it is no longer necessary to provide a connection (cable harness) with two plug connections (for connection to an electronic board of a motor).Corresponding fastening elements for connections (cable harness) to a frame are also omitted. Overall, costs are reduced and installation space is reduced.In contrast to the publication DE 198 49 837 C2, in the solution of which a central idea is to provide a separate control circuit housing between the two drive systems (or the other components of the drive system), in the solution according to the invention a common housing is formed in which not only a (common) control circuit but also the two (several) gears are arranged. This allows the overall structure to be simplified and a simple drive to be effected via the two drive systems.The first and / or second drive motor(s) is preferably (an) electric motor(s). The control circuit preferably comprises at least one processor (microprocessor) for controlling the first and / or second drive system.A common housing is to be understood in particular as meaning that a common (in particular tight, optionally apart from openings for connections, force-transmitting means and optionally similar) casing is provided, within which the gears and the (common) control circuit are accommodated. The (common) housing preferably has a volume of less than 10,000 cm 3, more preferably less than 2,000 cm 3, even more preferably less than 1,000 cm 3, even more preferably less than 500 cm 3. The housing can be (at least substantially) configured as a cuboid and / or comprise a plurality of (for example six) walls, which are optionally each (at least substantially) planar on their own.In the following, a Y axis is to be understood as an axis defined by a rotational axis of the first drive motor, an X axis is an axis which is perpendicular to the Y axis and perpendicular to a Z axis, and an axis is defined by an output rotational axis of the first transmission.Preferably, the output rotation axis of the first transmission is perpendicular to a rotation axis of the first motor. Alternatively or additionally, an output rotation axis of the second transmission is perpendicular to a rotation axis of the second motor. Axes of rotation of the two drive motors are preferably parallel to one another. Alternatively or additionally, the output rotation axes of the two gears are parallel to one another.An extent of the housing in the direction of the X axis (=X direction) is preferably less than or equal to 400 mm, more preferably less than or equal to 200 mm, even more preferably less than or equal to 150 mm and in embodiments even less than or equal to 100 mm. The extent in a direction of the Y axis (=Y direction) is preferably less than or equal to 600 mm, more preferably less than or equal to 300 mm, even more preferably less than or equal to 200 mm, and in embodiments even less than or equal to 120 mm. An extension in the direction of the housing in the direction of the Z axis (=Z direction) is preferably less than or equal to 100 mm, more preferably less than or equal to 50 mm, even more preferably less than or equal to 40 mm.In embodiments, a ratio of the extension of the housing in the X direction to the extension of the housing in the Y direction may be in a range of 1:5 to 4:5, preferably 1:3 to 2:3. In other embodiments, a ratio of the extent of the housing in the Y direction to the extent of the housing in the X direction can in turn be in a range from 2:1 to 1:3, preferably from 6:5 to 5:7. The extent of the housing in the Z direction is preferably smaller than in the X direction and / or the Y direction. For example, the extent of the housing in the Z direction is at most half as large as the extent in the X and / or Y direction.A fastening of the common housing (or of the gears located therein and of the control circuit located therein) can be realized by means of less than six, in particular less than four, possibly only three fastening points. A position of the fastening points can be selected with regard to noise optimization and with regard to a center of gravity.The first and / or second gear can (in each case per se) comprise a worm shaft and / or a worm wheel and / or a drive shaft. The drive shaft can be brought into engagement with a force transmission means, for example in the form of a cable pull, which optionally comprises drive cables which are guided in a tension- and compression-resistant manner.Preferably, the first and second transmissions (or first and second drive motors) are assigned to different (in particular one) displaceable vehicle parts. Further preferably, the first transmission (or the first motor) is assigned to a first sliding roof element and the second transmission or the second motor is assigned to a second sliding roof element (in particular roller shutter). The first sliding roof element is preferably a glass roof.In a specific embodiment, the adjustable vehicle parts can be a panoramic roof of a vehicle, in particular a motor vehicle (preferably passenger cars or trucks).The two drive systems can be connected (operatively) in series. The first and / or the second transmission can be in drive connection with the displaceable vehicle part via at least one force transmission means (drive cable or cable pull, respectively). A force can be introduced from the drive systems (or transmissions) into the respective force transmission means at locations offset in the direction of movement of the same.In one embodiment, the gears may be disposed at facing ends of the respective drive motors (electric motors). Alternatively, these may be arranged at ends of the electric motors facing away from each other.The (common) control circuit is preferably integrated into a (common) control board. The (common) control board is preferably at least substantially rectangular. Such a favorable shape of the electrical printed circuit board is made possible by the common transmission housing and the common control circuit (and optionally the common electronic cover).In a preferred embodiment, a (common) electronic cover is provided, which covers the (common) control circuit or control board.An electronics cover is to be understood in particular as a cover for the electronics (control circuit or control board). By removing the (optionally releasable) electronic cover, the control circuit or control circuit board is then accessible. In this respect, an extensive extent of the electronic cover preferably corresponds substantially to the extensive extent of the control circuit or control board (optionally, the extensive extent of the electronic cover can be greater or smaller than the extensive extent of the control circuit or control board by up to 10% or up to 20% or up to 50%).The first and / or second drive motor are preferably arranged at least partially (optionally completely) outside the common housing. This makes it possible to facilitate repair or assembly of drive motors; nevertheless, the common housing allows simple (without a plurality of lines) actuation and supply of the tandem drive device.The common housing can be formed in at least one (optionally in at least two different, preferably at least four different, further preferably six different side views) side view(s) (at least substantially) polygonal, in particular quadrangular, preferably rectangular.Preferably, (only) one device plug connection is provided, in particular only one vehicle transfer device plug connection. A vehicle transfer device connector connection is preferably understood to be a device connector connection in which an energy supply and / or signal transmission can take place from the vehicle to the tandem drive device (or-at least in the case of signal transmission-also vice versa). This makes it possible to avoid complicated connection means.The first and second gears are preferably arranged symmetrically to each other. The (entire) first and the (entire) second drive system can also be arranged in an axially symmetrical manner with respect to one another. By means of such an arrangement, a balanced weight distribution is achieved, in particular by a symmetrical position of shoots. Our axial symmetry is to be understood as an axial symmetry in three-dimensional space (i.e. analogous to a point symmetry in two-dimensional space), in particular thus a 180-degree rotational symmetry in three-dimensional space. The axis of symmetry is preferably an axis which is preferably housing-centered and parallel to the output axis of rotation of the first and / or second transmission.According to a comparative example, first and second gears may overlap in an axial (viewing) direction defined by an axis of rotation of the first drive motor, at least in sections. According to a comparative example, first and second gears may, but may not overlap in an axial direction defined by an axis of rotation of the first drive motor. As a result, a particularly compact design is achieved in a direction perpendicular to the axis of rotation.According to embodiments, a rotational direction (rotation) of the first drive motor is preferably opposite to a rotational direction (rotation) of the second drive motor. This reduces or prevents any impairment or unwanted action on the housing, in particular unwanted twisting of the housing.The housing is preferably one-piece, optionally monolithic (but can also be constructed from a plurality of parts). This achieves a comparatively high rigidity (and less or no rattling noises). Generally, the housing may be improved in terms of noise (due to self resonance and mass).According to a further independent aspect of the invention, a use of a tandem drive device of the above type for at least one displaceable vehicle part, in particular for a sliding roof system, preferably comprising at least two sliding roof elements, such as a glass roof and a roller shutter, is proposed.A glass roof is to be understood in particular as a transparent roof (element) which preferably (but not necessarily) consists of glass. Alternatively, the glass roof can also be constructed from plastic in this sense.A roller shutter is to be understood in particular as a sliding roof element (which can be rolled up) which in particular transmits no (or only little) light.The object mentioned above is furthermore achieved by a system comprising an adjustable vehicle part, in particular a sliding roof system, preferably comprising at least two sliding roof elements, such as a glass roof and a roller shutter, and a tandem drive device of the above type.The object is furthermore achieved by a vehicle, in particular a motor vehicle, preferably passenger cars or trucks, comprising the above system.Further embodiments are evident from the dependent claims.The invention is described below on the basis of exemplary embodiments which are explained in more detail on the basis of the illustration. The following are shown here: FIG. 1 is a schematic side view of a tandem drive device according to the invention; FIG. 2 is a schematic side view of another tandem drive device according to the invention; and FIG. 3 is a schematic side view of a comparative example of a tandem drive device.In the following description, the same reference numerals are used for the same and identically acting parts.FIG. 1 shows a schematic view of a first transmission 11 and a second transmission 12, The first transmission 11 is operatively connected to a first displaceable vehicle part (in particular a glass roof of a sliding roof system; not shown) by a first force transmission means 13 (first cable pull). The second transmission 12 is operatively connected via a second force transmission means (cable pull) to a second adjustable vehicle part (in particular roller shutter of a sliding roof system; not shown). Accordingly, the respective displaceable vehicle parts can be displaced via the transmissions 11, 12. The first transmission 11 is driven by a first drive motor 15. The second transmission 12 is driven by a second drive motor 16.First transmission 11, second transmission 12 and a control circuit 17 (control circuit board) (shown schematically) are arranged in a common housing 18. The driving motors (electric motors) 15, 16 are disposed outside this housing 18. Furthermore, an electronic cover 19 (likewise only schematically indicated) is also provided, via which the control circuit 17 (control circuit board) is (or can be) covered. Via a (common) device plug connection 20, an energy (in particular current) and signal supply of the tandem drive device can take place.FIGS. 2 and 3 show a further embodiment of the tandem drive device according to the invention or a comparative example, in particular with further details with respect to the gears 12, 13. Via the wheel 4 in turn (optionally indirectly) a (driven) pinion 15 cis driven, via which the force transmission means 13 is then in turn driven. Further details of the transmission can be designed, for example, as described in DE 197 34 815 C1 (cf. in particular the reference numerals 2, 3, 4, 4A, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 10A-10E therein). Analogous transmission elements 16 a, 16 band 16 care assigned to the second drive motor 16 or to the second transmission 12 (both in FIG. 2 and in FIG. 3 ).The embodiment according to FIG. 2 and the comparative example according to FIG. 3 differ in particular with regard to the arrangement of the transmissions 11, 12 and (associated therewith) the structure of the respective housing 18.FIG. 2 shows an embodiment with a comparatively small extent in the X direction. In this embodiment, the gears 11, 12 overlap when viewed in the X direction. In contrast, the comparative example according to FIG. 3 has an increased extent in the X direction, but an extremely small extent in the Y direction. The extension in the Z direction can be identical in the embodiments according to FIGS. 2 and 3.Specifically, for the embodiment according to FIG. 2, the following can apply: extension in the X direction=90-110 mm; extension in the Y direction=160-190 mm; extension in the Z direction=28-38 mm. The following can apply to the comparative example according to FIG. 3 : extent in the X direction=110-130 mm; extent in the Y direction=110-130 mm, extent in the Z direction=28-38 mm.In the Y direction, the gears 11, 12 of the comparative example according to FIG. 3 do not overlap.At this point, it should be pointed out that all the parts described above, viewed alone and in any combination, in particular the details shown in the drawings, are claimed as essential to the invention. Modifications thereof will be apparent to those skilled in the art.Reference numerals denote reference numerals11 first transmission 12 second transmission 13 first force transmission means (cable pull) 14 second force transmission means (cable pull) 15 first drive motor (electric motor) 16 second drive motor (electric motor) 17 control circuit (control circuit board) 18 (common) housing 19 electronics cover 20 device connector

Claims

Tandem drive device for at least one adjustable vehicle part, in particular for a sliding roof system, preferably comprising at least two sliding roof elements, such as a glass roof and a roller shutter, wherein the tandem drive device comprises at least a first drive system with a first transmission (11) and a first drive motor (15) and a second drive system with a second transmission (12) and a second drive motor (16), and a common control circuit (17) for the first and (15) the second (16) drive motor, wherein the first (11) and the second (12) transmission and the control circuit (17) are accommodated in a common housing (18), wherein at least the first (11) and the second (12) transmission are arranged in an axis-symmetrical manner with respect to one another, characterized in that the first (11) and the second (12) transmission overlap at least in sections in an axial direction defined by an axis of rotation of the first drive motor (15).Tandem drive device according to Claim 1, characterized in that the common control circuit (17) is integrated into a control board, preferably at least substantially rectangular.Tandem drive device according to Claim 1 or 2, characterized bya common electronic cover (19).Tandem drive device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the common housing (18) is at least substantially square, in particular rectangular, in at least one side view.Tandem drive device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized bynur one device plug connection (20), in particular only one vehicle transfer device plug connection.Tandem drive device according to one of the preceding claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the first (11) and the second (12) gear mechanism do not overlap in an axial direction defined by an axis of rotation of the first drive motor (15).Tandem drive device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a direction of rotation of the first drive motor (15) is in the opposite direction to a direction of rotation of the second drive motor (16).Use of a tandem drive device according to one of the preceding claims for at least one adjustable vehicle part, in particular for a sliding roof system, preferably comprising at least two sliding roof elements, such as a glass roof and a roller shutter.System comprising an adjustable vehicle part, in particular a sliding roof system, preferably comprising at least two sliding roof elements, such as a glazed roof and a roller shutter, and a tandem drive device according to one of the preceding claims.Vehicle, in particular motor vehicle, preferably passenger or truck, comprising a system according to claim 9.

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