Rail arrangement and drive with water management

Abstract

Disclosed is a rail arrangement comprising a drive element, a deflection element, and a guide element, which are at least partially arranged in a housing, wherein the drive element is configured to move the deflection element at least along one spatial direction, wherein the deflection element is mounted and / or guided by the guide element, wherein the housing has at least one inlet opening and at least one outlet opening, wherein the inlet opening is positioned such that water admitted into the housing is directed onto the guide element. Furthermore, a drive and a vehicle door are disclosed.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a rail assembly comprising a drive element, a deflection element, and a guide element, which are at least partially arranged in a housing. Furthermore, the invention relates to a drive and a vehicle door.

[0002] In the automotive sector, an increasing number of passenger cars are being equipped with electrically powered doors. Due to the location of the corresponding door drives inside the vehicle door, these are typically exposed to environmental influences that occur during the vehicle's lifespan, such as rain, cold, dirt, dust, and the like.

[0003] Conventional door drives typically feature components that rotate and / or slide relative to each other to enable the vehicle door to be opened. In particular, accumulated dust and dirt can lead to creaking or squeaking noises in the door drive. The problem with the solutions used so far is that the door drives are largely housed in a housing, meaning that accumulated dust cannot be automatically washed out of the door drive during rain or vehicle cleaning.

[0004] DE 10 2023 001 325 A1 discloses a method and device for cleaning a vehicle side window. A water reservoir in a vehicle door collects rainwater and uses this rainwater to clean the side window.

[0005] An automatic vehicle door and window cleaning device is known from CN 112455390 A. A vehicle door includes a rainwater collection device and a power storage unit. The power storage unit is charged when the door is opened, and the stored energy is used to clean a door window with the collected rainwater.

[0006] CN 202088847 U describes a sliding side window of a vehicle in which rainwater is directed onto a sliding rail in order to clean it of dust.

[0007] It is the object of the present invention to provide a rail arrangement, a drive and a vehicle door with a self-cleaning function during exposure to water.

[0008] According to the invention, this object is achieved by a rail arrangement having the features of claim 1, by a drive having the features of claim 9, and by a vehicle door having the features of claim 10. Advantageous embodiments and further developments emerge from the dependent claims.

[0009] The rail assembly according to the invention comprises a drive element, a deflection element, and a guide element. The drive element, the deflection element, and the guide element are at least partially arranged in a housing. Depending on the design of the rail assembly, multiple drive elements, deflection elements, and guide elements can also be provided.

[0010] The drive element is configured to move the deflection element at least along one spatial direction, wherein the deflection element is mounted and / or guided by the guide element. The housing has at least one inlet opening and at least one outlet opening. The inlet opening is preferably positioned such that water admitted into the housing is directed onto the guide element.

[0011] The rail assembly includes components that require lubrication with oil or grease. These components may include the drive element and an active portion of the deflection element that interacts with the drive element. Other components of the rail assembly, such as the guide element, may also operate without additional lubrication. These components can advantageously be flushed free of dirt and dust by the water introduced into the system.

[0012] According to a further aspect of the invention, a drive is provided. The drive comprises at least one drive motor and a rail arrangement according to the invention. A drive element of the rail arrangement can be driven by the drive motor in such a way that a deflection element, guided by a guide element, can be adjusted in its position.

[0013] According to a further aspect of the invention, a vehicle door is provided. The vehicle door has a drive according to the invention, designed as a door drive, which is arranged in an interior of the vehicle door. Water introduced directly or indirectly into the interior can be collected through at least one inlet opening of a rail arrangement.

[0014] The water could, for example, be rainwater that runs off a vehicle window and into the interior of the vehicle door. Furthermore, the water can enter the interior of the vehicle door as splash water from a roadway. Depending on the design, the water or lye used during a car wash can also flow into the interior of the vehicle door and be used to clean the guide element and / or the deflection element.

[0015] The at least one inlet opening of the rail assembly can be incorporated into the housing and / or the guide element. Depending on the design, the housing can be configured, for example, in the form of a plastic cover. The water introduced through the inlet opening can be directed or guided in such a way that greased areas of the rail assembly remain relatively dry, while dusty areas are cleaned or flushed away by the water.

[0016] The drive element can be implemented particularly simply from a technical perspective if it is designed as a linearly deflectable actuator rod or a spindle rod. This measure allows the deflection element to be moved using a rotary or translatory movement of a drive motor.

[0017] According to a further embodiment, the guide element is designed as a slide rail and the deflection element as a rail slider. Thus, the guide element can support and guide the deflection element in its movement in a technically simple manner. Advantageously, the deflection element can have two active sections. A first active section of the deflection element can interact with the drive element, and a second active section of the deflection element can interact with the guide element. Thus, the deflection element can be adjusted in its position by the drive element at the first active section and guided or directed by the guide element at the second active section.

[0018] According to a further embodiment, the at least one inlet opening is connected to a funnel for fluid conduction or is funnel-shaped. This measure allows a particularly large amount of water to be collected and directed onto the guide element. This allows a particularly efficient cleaning effect to be achieved.

[0019] The impact on lubricated or greased areas or components of the rail assembly can be particularly easily avoided if at least one inlet opening is positioned on at least one side surface of the housing. The inlet openings can be arranged on one or both sides of the housing, so that water flowing from the top of the vehicle door or into the vehicle door can be controlled and beneficially directed into the rail assembly.

[0020] According to a further embodiment, the at least one outlet opening is configured to direct water directed onto the guide element out of the housing. This allows water and dirt to be directed unhindered out of the bottom of the drive or rail assembly. Depending on the design, the inlet and outlet openings can be offset from one another, so that water directed onto the at least one guide element can first flow around it and only then flow out of the housing.

[0021] According to a further exemplary embodiment, the guide element is arranged at the bottom of the housing and has at least one recess which is at least partially connected to the outlet opening. The guide element can be arranged at the bottom of the housing or it can close off or extend the housing at the bottom. With this measure, the penetrating water must be directed around the deflection element or the lubricated or greased components when flowing into the rail arrangement in order not to impair their function. The guide element can have holes or bores through which the water can flow out of the rail arrangement. Depending on the design, at least one opening of the guide element can be connected to an outlet opening in a fluid-conducting manner or can be designed as an outlet opening.

[0022] A local offset between the inlet openings and the outlet openings or the openings in the guide element can further improve the cleaning effect of the water.

[0023] According to a further exemplary embodiment, the guide element is arranged on the ceiling side, for example in or on the housing, and has at least one recess which is at least partially connected to the inlet opening. Depending on the design of the rail arrangement, the at least one guide element can also be arranged in an upper section and / or close off the housing on the ceiling side. In such a design, recesses made in the guide element can function as inlet openings or be connected to the inlet openings in a fluid-conducting manner. The housing can have outlet openings spaced from the guide element. The at least one outlet opening can be made, for example, on the bottom side or laterally in the region of a housing bottom.

[0024] The formation of collars or funnels around the inlet openings can also increase the amount of water absorbed in this design and improve the cleaning effect of the rail arrangement by the water.

[0025] The invention is illustrated schematically in the drawings using embodiments and will be further described with reference to the drawings. It shows: Fig. 1 a section of a vehicle door with a drive designed as a door drive according to an embodiment of the invention. Fig. 2 a perspective view and a sectional view of the drive from Fig. 1. Fig. 3 a perspective view and a sectional view of a drive according to a further embodiment of the invention.

[0026] Elements and components with the same or similar structural or functional features are provided with the same reference symbols throughout the figures.

[0027] Fig. Figure 1 shows a section of a vehicle door 100 with a drive 10 configured as a door drive according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention. The vehicle door 100 is electrically driven and can be adjusted in position by the drive 10. This allows the vehicle door 100 to be opened and closed automatically.

[0028] The vehicle door 100 has an interior space 110, which can be configured, for example, as a hollow space. The interior space 110 does not represent the vehicle interior (not shown) and is therefore exposed to external weather influences.

[0029] The drive 10 is arranged in the interior 110 of the vehicle door 100. Water introduced directly or indirectly into the interior 110 can be collected through at least one inlet opening 31 of a rail arrangement 20. Such a rail arrangement 20 is embodied, for example, as part of the drive 10.

[0030] In addition to the rail assembly 20, the drive 10 also has at least one drive motor 11. In the illustrated embodiment, the drive motor 11 is designed as a geared motor.

[0031] The rail assembly 20 comprises a drive element 21, a deflection element 22, and a guide element 23. The drive element 21, the deflection element 22, and the guide element 23 are at least partially arranged in a housing 30. Depending on the design of the rail assembly 20, multiple drive elements 21, deflection elements 22, and guide elements 23 may also be provided.

[0032] The drive element 21 is configured to move the deflection element 22 at least along a spatial direction X, Y, Z, wherein the deflection element 22 is mounted and / or guided by the guide element 23. The housing 30 has at least one inlet opening 31 and at least one outlet opening 32. Preferably, the at least one inlet opening 31 is positioned such that water admitted into the housing 30 is directed at least onto the guide element 23.

[0033] The drive element 21 of the rail arrangement 20 can be driven by the drive motor 11 in such a way that the deflection element 22, guided by the guide element 23, can be adjusted in its position.

[0034] In the illustrated embodiment, the guide element 23 is designed as a slide rail, and the deflection element 22 is designed as a rail slider. Thus, the guide element 23 can support and guide the deflection element 22 in its movement in a technically simple manner.

[0035] The deflection element 22 has two active sections 24, 25. A first active section 24 of the deflection element 22 can interact with the drive element 21, and a second active section 25 of the deflection element 22 can interact with the guide element 23. Thus, the position of the deflection element 22 can be adjusted by the drive element 21 at the first active section 24 and guided or directed by the guide element 23 at the second active section 25.

[0036] The water flow directed into the housing 30 through the at least one inlet opening 31 can be guided past a spindle nut designed as the first active section 24 of the deflection element 22 and past the drive element 21 designed as a spindle and can exclusively flow around the guide element 23 designed as a rail and the second active section 25 of the deflection element 22 designed as a rail slider. The arrows in the Fig. 2 schematically illustrate a possible water flow and the position of the inlet openings 31 and outlet openings 32.

[0037] For the sake of clarity, further components of the drive 10, such as coupling rods, fastenings, and the like, are not shown.

[0038] The Fig. 2 shows a perspective view (left) and a sectional view (right) of the drive 10 from Fig. 1. It is illustrated that the inlet openings 31 are funnel-shaped and distributed along the housing 30.

[0039] Furthermore, the housing 30 is closed by a plastic cover on the top and the guide element 23 on the bottom. The guide element 23 is U-shaped, for example, and has recesses 33 on the bottom, which function as outlet openings 32 in the illustrated embodiment. Due to the recessed arrangement of the recesses 33, the second active section 25 of the deflection element 22 is not impaired by the recesses 33.

[0040] The Fig. Figure 3 shows a further perspective view (left) and a sectional view (right) of a drive 10 according to a further exemplary embodiment of the invention. In contrast to the first exemplary embodiment, the guide element 23 is arranged on the ceiling side and has at least one recess 33 that is at least partially connected to the inlet opening 31 or configured as an inlet opening 31.

[0041] In Fig. In the embodiment shown in Figure 3, the recesses 33 of the guide element 23 are designed as inlet openings 31. The openings in the housing 30, which is designed as a plastic cover, thus function as outlet openings 32.

[0042] In addition to the inlet openings 31 arranged on the ceiling side, inlet openings 31 in the form of funnels are also provided on the side of the guide element 23. LIST OF REFERENCE SYMBOLS: 100 vehicle door 110 Interior 10 Drive 11 Drive motor 20 Rail arrangement 21 Drive element 22 Deflection element 23 Guide element 24 first phase of action 25 second phase of action 30 housings 31 Inlet opening 32 outlet opening 33 recesses X,Y,Z spatial directions QUOTES CONTAINED IN THE DESCRIPTION

[0000] This list of documents submitted by the applicant was generated automatically and is included solely for the convenience of the reader. This list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions. Cited patent literature

[0000] DE 10 2023 001 325 A1

[0004] CN 112455390 A

[0005] CN 202088847 U

[0006]

Claims

[1] Rail arrangement (20), comprising a drive element (21), a deflection element (22) and a guide element (23), which are at least partially arranged in a housing (30) or at least partially form a housing (30), wherein the drive element (21) is designed to move the deflection element (22) at least along one spatial direction (X, Y, Z), wherein the deflection element (22) is mounted and / or guided by the guide element (23), wherein the housing (30) has at least one inlet opening (31) and at least one outlet opening (32), wherein the inlet opening (31) is positioned such that water admitted into the housing (30) is guided at least onto the guide element (23). [2] Rail arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the drive element (21) is designed as a linearly deflectable actuator rod or as a spindle rod. [3] Rail arrangement according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the guide element (23) is designed as a slide rail and the deflection element (22) is designed as a rail slider. [4] Rail arrangement according to one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the at least one inlet opening (31) is fluid-conductingly connected to a funnel or is funnel-shaped. [5] Rail arrangement according to one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the at least one inlet opening (31) is positioned on at least one side surface of the housing (30) and / or on at least one surface of the guide element (23). [6] Rail arrangement according to one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the at least one outlet opening (32) is adapted to guide water directed onto the guide element (23) out of the housing (30). [7] Rail arrangement according to one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the guide element (23) is arranged on the bottom side in the housing (30) or closes off the housing (30) on the bottom side and has at least one recess (33) which is at least partially connected to the outlet opening (32). [8] Rail arrangement according to one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the guide element (23) is arranged on the ceiling side in the housing (30) or closes the housing (30) on the ceiling side and has at least one recess (33) connected at least partially to the inlet opening (31) or a recess (33) designed as an inlet opening (31). [9] Drive (10) comprising at least one drive motor (11) and comprising a rail arrangement (20) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein a drive element (21) of the rail arrangement (20) can be driven by the drive motor (11) in such a way that a deflection element (22), guided by a guide element (23), can be adjusted in its position. [10] Vehicle door (100), comprising a drive (10) designed as a door drive according to claim 9, which is arranged in an interior (110) of the vehicle door (100), wherein water introduced directly or indirectly into the interior can be collected through at least one inlet opening (31) of the rail arrangement (20).

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