Gear arrangement for a sliding door

Abstract

The invention relates to a gear arrangement for a sliding door, in particular for a loading opening of an electric vehicle, comprising a first transmission device with at least one first transmission element, which can be assigned to a drive, and a second transmission device with at least one second transmission element, which can be assigned to the sliding door, wherein the at least one second transmission element can be connected to the sliding door, and wherein the first gear element and the second gear element are arranged to be engageable so that the sliding door is movable along a lateral direction, where the first gear device and the second gear device are designed to move the sliding door perpendicular to the lateral direction.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a gear arrangement for a sliding door, in particular for a loading opening of an electric vehicle, comprising a first transmission device with at least one first transmission element, which can be assigned to a drive, and a second transmission device with at least one second transmission element, which can be assigned to the sliding door, wherein the at least one second transmission element can be connected to the sliding door, and wherein the first gear element and the second gear element are arranged to be engageable so that the sliding door is movable along a lateral direction.

[0002] The invention further relates to a drive system for a sliding door, in particular for a loading opening of an electric vehicle, comprising a gear arrangement and a drive which can be connected to the first gear device.

[0003] The invention further relates to a sliding door system, in particular for a charging opening of an electric vehicle, comprising a sliding door and a drive system.

[0004] The present invention also relates to a method for operating a sliding door of a sliding door system.

[0005] Although applicable to any sliding doors, the present invention is explained with reference to sliding doors for a charging opening of an electric vehicle.

[0006] Doors or flaps for vehicle openings have become familiar, for example, in the form of fuel tank flaps, behind which a twist lock for the actual fuel tank is located and which can be pivoted via hinges on the vehicle body. In electric vehicles, the twist lock and fuel tank are omitted; they are replaced by an electrical charging interface for an electrical storage device, including, if necessary, electrically operated flap.

[0007] The disadvantage is that a large number of components with a high degree of complexity are required, especially if the flap is to be able to be opened or closed electrically.

[0008] DE 10 2020 209 609 A1 discloses a locking arrangement for closing a fuel tank recess of a motor vehicle body with a sliding door. The locking arrangement comprises a gear that can be driven by an electric motor and can mesh with a rack arranged on a guide carriage. The sliding door or the guide carriage is displaceably guided between a closed position and an open position, wherein a guide device is provided for guiding the sliding door or the guide carriage. Depending on the position of the charging socket recess and / or the design of the guide device, the sliding door or the guide carriage can be moved upwards, inwards, forwards and / or backwards in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle.

[0009] Another disadvantage is the complex and therefore expensive structure of the locking arrangement.

[0010] An object of the present invention is therefore to provide a gear arrangement for a sliding door, a drive system for a sliding door, a sliding door system and a method for operating a sliding door of a sliding door system, which have a lower complexity, are simple and inexpensive to manufacture or implement and enable reliable operation.

[0011] A further object of the present invention is to provide an alternative gear arrangement for a sliding door, an alternative drive system for a sliding door, an alternative sliding door system and an alternative method for operating a sliding door of a sliding door system.

[0012] In one embodiment, the present invention achieves the above-mentioned objects in a gear arrangement for a sliding door, in particular for a loading opening of an electric vehicle, comprising a first transmission device with at least one first transmission element, which can be assigned to a drive and a second transmission device with at least one second transmission element, which can be assigned to the sliding door, wherein the at least one second transmission element can be connected to the sliding door, and wherein the first gear element and the second gear element are arranged to be engageable so that the sliding door is movable along a lateral direction, in that the first gear device and the second gear device are designed to move the sliding door perpendicular to the lateral direction.

[0013] In one embodiment, the present invention achieves the above-mentioned objects with a drive system for a sliding door, in particular for a loading opening of an electric vehicle, comprising a gear arrangement according to one of claims 1-7 and a drive which can be connected to the first gear device.

[0014] In one embodiment, the present invention achieves the above-mentioned objects with a sliding door system, in particular for a charging opening of an electric vehicle, comprising a sliding door and a drive system according to claim 8, wherein the second transmission device is fixedly arranged on the sliding door and the first transmission device is connected to the drive for its actuation.

[0015] In one embodiment, the present invention achieves the above-mentioned objects with a method for operating a sliding door of a sliding door system according to claim 9 or 10, comprising the steps: - Actuating the drive to drive the first gear device, - axial movement of the sliding door by means of engagement of the second first gear element in the second second gear element, and - Lateral displacement of the sliding door by means of engagement of the first gear element in the first second gear element.

[0016] One of the advantages achieved is that a sliding door can be moved both axially along a first axis, for example, a vehicle's longitudinal axis, and axially relative to a second axis, for example, a vehicle's transverse axis, which is arranged perpendicular to the first axis, in a simple yet reliable manner. A further advantage is that it enables simple operation while simultaneously requiring fewer components.

[0017] Further features, advantages and further embodiments of the invention are described below or will become apparent thereby.

[0018] According to an advantageous development of the invention, the first gear device comprises a second first gear element, in particular a worm gear, which can be engaged with a second second gear element such that a rotational movement can be converted into a translational movement, in particular an axial movement, and vice versa. The advantage of this is a simple and simultaneously reliable conversion of a rotational movement into a translational movement.

[0019] According to a further advantageous development of the invention, the second transmission device is arranged rotationally free and / or, in the case of multiple second transmission elements, at least two second transmission elements are arranged spaced apart from one another. One of the advantages achieved thereby is reliable actuation of the second transmission device.

[0020] According to a further advantageous development of the invention, the first transmission device is arranged in a stationary manner and / or, in the case of multiple first transmission elements, at least two first transmission elements can be driven by means of a common axis of rotation, in particular, these are arranged coaxially with one another. One of the advantages achieved is a simple arrangement of the first transmission device and a low structural complexity.

[0021] According to a further advantageous development of the invention, the second first gear element has a smaller diameter than the first first gear element. The advantage of this is that a stepped engagement of the gear elements of the first gear device with the second gear device is enabled.

[0022] According to a further advantageous development of the invention, the first transmission element has at least one stop, in particular a plurality of stops. One of the advantages achieved thereby is that a defined movement or a graduated engagement of the first transmission device with the second transmission device is enabled.

[0023] According to a further advantageous development of the invention, the at least one stop is designed to protrude toward the second transmission device. The advantage of this is a defined movement and engagement position of the first transmission device in the second transmission device.

[0024] According to a further advantageous development of the invention, at least two gear elements of the second gear device are arranged at a distance from one another on the sliding door. The advantage of this is that particularly reliable operation of the sliding door is enabled by sequential actuation of the two gear elements.

[0025] Further important features and advantages of the invention emerge from the subclaims, from the drawings and from the associated description of the figures with reference to the drawings.

[0026] It is understood that the features mentioned above and those to be explained below can be used not only in the combination specified in each case, but also in other combinations or on their own, without departing from the scope of the present invention.

[0027] Preferred embodiments and embodiments of the present invention are illustrated in the drawings and are explained in more detail in the following description, wherein the same reference numerals refer to the same or similar or functionally identical components or elements.

[0028] It shows in schematic form Fig. 1 is a three-dimensional view of a sliding door system according to an embodiment of the present invention; and Fig. 2 Steps of a method according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0029] Fig. 1 shows a three-dimensional view of a sliding door system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0030] In Fig. 1 shows a sliding door system 200. The sliding door system 200 has a sliding door 2 and a drive system 100 for the sliding door 2, wherein the drive system 100 in turn has an electrically operated motor 3 and a gear arrangement 1. The gear arrangement 1 comprises a first gear device 10, which is connected to a drive shaft 13 of the motor 3. The gear device 10 has, on the drive shaft 13, starting from the motor 3, first a gear 11 and then a worm wheel 12. If the drive shaft 13 is actuated by the motor 3, both the gear 11 and the worm wheel 12 rotate. The gear 11 has a plurality of axial projections 14 on its side facing the worm wheel 12. A second gear device 20 of the gear arrangement 1 is arranged on the sliding door 2. The second gear arrangement 20 comprises a worm gear receptacle 22 corresponding to the worm gear 12 on the sliding door 2 and - in Fig. 1 to the left of it—also arranged on the sliding door 2—is a rack 21 designed to engage the gear 11. The axial projections 14 of the gear 11 can be brought into contact with, or into engagement with, the worm gear receptacle 22.

[0031] An opening movement of the sliding door 2 from its closed position occurs through the following steps. Here, the worm wheel 12 is in engagement with the worm wheel receptacle 22. If the motor 3 is now actuated, both the gear 11 and the worm wheel 12 are set in rotation - in this case counterclockwise. Since the worm wheel 12 is in engagement with the worm wheel receptacle 22, the rotational movement of the worm wheel 12 is translated into a translational movement of the sliding door 2. In other words, the movably arranged sliding door 2 moves together with the worm wheel receptacle 22 in the axial direction 51 towards the stationary motor 3. This continues until the stops 14 of the gear 11 rest on the outside of the worm wheel receptacle 22, so that no further worm wheel movement can occur.Since the worm gear receptacle 22 is designed such that, due to the direction of rotation of the drive axis 13, the stops 14 press against the worm gear receptacle 22, while at the same time an opening exists on the left side of the worm gear receptacle 22, the worm gear 12 is pushed out of the worm gear receptacle 22 and can now rotate freely. At the same time, due to the lateral movement, i.e. perpendicular to the drive axis 13, to the left (reference numeral 50) of the sliding door 2, the gear 11 is now in engagement with the rack 21, which, due to the drive 3, moves further to the right into an open position via the rotation axis 13. The motor 3 is then stopped, and the sliding door 2 is now in its open position.

[0032] The sliding door 2 is closed by changing the direction of rotation of the drive shaft 13 of the motor 3. The drive shaft 13 now rotates clockwise to return the sliding door 2 to its closed position. This means that the movement of the gear 11, by engaging the rack 21, moves the sliding door 2 to the left until the right end of the rack 21 is reached. The further rotation causes the stops 14 to engage with the worm gear receptacle 22. This temporarily blocks the rotation, and the worm gear 12 is pushed into the worm gear receptacle 22. The further rotation of the drive shaft 13 causes the worm gear 12 to "rotate" out of the worm gear receptacle 22, which now causes an axial movement 51 of the sliding door 2 away from the motor 3 until the sliding door 2 is in a closed position.

[0033] The rack 21 and the worm gear receptacle 22 are arranged at different distances from the inside of the sliding door 2a, with the distance corresponding to the position on the axis of rotation and to the respective extension of the gear 11 and worm gear 12. The worm gear receptacle 22 is divided into two parts, with an upper and lower worm gear receptacle element 22a, 22b, each of which has a corresponding thread in the direction of the axis of rotation. Projections 23a, 23b for engagement with the projections 14 of the gear 11 are arranged on the upper and lower worm gear receptacle elements 22a, 22b, each oriented away from the drive axis 13. These projections serve as a transition, i.e., for guiding the worm gear 12 out of or into the worm gear receptacle 22.

[0034] Fig. 2 shows steps of a method according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0035] In Fig. 2 shows steps of a method for operating a sliding door of a sliding door system according to claim 9 or 10. The method comprises the steps: - Actuating S1 of the drive to drive the first gear device, - axial movement S2 of the sliding door by means of engagement of the second first gear element in the second second gear element, and - lateral displacement S3 of the sliding door by means of engagement of the first first gear element in the first second gear element.

[0036] In summary, at least one embodiment of the present invention may have at least one of the following features and / or provide at least one of the following advantages: - Simple and cost-effective automatic movement of a sliding door between open and closed positions. - Simple and cost-effective production. - High reliability, as the sliding door is moved inwards, for example towards the interior of the body. - Few, cost-effective components. - Reduced weight. - Lower complexity.

[0037] Although the present invention has been described using preferred embodiments, it is not limited thereto but can be modified in many ways. List of reference symbols 1 Gear arrangement 2 sliding doors 2a Inside sliding door 3 Engine 10 First gear device 11 gear 12 Worm gear 13 Drive axle 14 lead 20 Second gear device 21 Rack 22 Worm gear holder 22a, 22b Worm gear receiving element 23a, 23b projection 50 direction 51 Axial direction 100 drive system 200 sliding door system S1-S3 steps of a procedure 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 2020 209 609 A1

[0008]

Claims

[1] Gear arrangement (1) for a sliding door (2), in particular for a loading opening of an electric vehicle, comprising a first transmission device (10) with at least one first transmission element (11, 12, 13) which can be assigned to a drive (3), and a second transmission device (20) with at least one second transmission element (21, 22, 22a, 22b) which can be assigned to the sliding door (2), wherein the at least one second transmission element (21, 22, 22a, 22b) can be connected to the sliding door (2), and wherein the first gear element (11, 12, 13) and the second gear element (21, 22, 22a, 22b) are arranged to be engageable, so that the sliding door (2) is movable along a lateral direction (50), characterized by , that the first gear device (10) and the second gear device (20) are designed to move the sliding door (2) perpendicularly (51) to the lateral direction (50). [2] Gear arrangement (1) according to claim 1, characterized by in that the first gear device (10) has a second first gear element, in particular a worm wheel (12), which can be brought into engagement with a second second gear element (22) in such a way that a rotational movement can be converted into a translational movement, in particular an axial movement, and vice versa. [3] Gear arrangement (1) according to one of claims 1-2, characterized by that the second gear device (20) is arranged rotationally free and / or that in the case of several second gear elements (21, 22, 22a, 22b) at least two second gear elements (22) are arranged spaced apart from one another. [4] Gear arrangement (1) according to one of claims 1-3, characterized bythat the first transmission device (10) is arranged in a stationary manner and / or that in the case of a plurality of first transmission elements (11, 12, 13), at least two first transmission elements (11, 12) can be driven by means of a common axis of rotation (13), in particular are arranged coaxially to one another. [5] Gear arrangement (1) according to at least claim 2, characterized by that the second first gear element (12) has a smaller diameter than the first first gear element (11). [6] Gear arrangement (1) according to at least claim 2, characterized by that the first gear element (11) has at least one stop (14), in particular a plurality of stops (14). [7] Gear arrangement (1) according to claim 6, characterized by that the at least one stop (14) is designed to protrude in the direction of the second transmission device (20). [8] Drive system (100) for a sliding door (2), in particular for a loading opening of an electric vehicle, comprising a gear arrangement (1) according to one of claims 1-7, and a drive (3) which can be connected to the first gear device (10). [9] Sliding door system (200), in particular for a charging opening of an electric vehicle, comprising a sliding door (2) and a drive system (100) according to claim 8, characterized by that the second gear device (20) is fixedly arranged on the sliding door (2) and the first gear device (10) is connected to the drive (3) for its actuation. [10] Sliding door system (200) according to claim 9, characterized by that at least two gear elements (21, 22, 22a, 22b) of the second gear device (20) are arranged at a distance from one another on the sliding door (20). [11] Method for operating a sliding door (2) of a sliding door system (200) according to claim 9 or 10, comprising the steps: - actuating (S1) the drive (3) to drive the first transmission device (10), - axial movement (S2) of the sliding door (2) by means of engagement of the second first gear element (12) in the second second gear element (22), and - lateral displacement (S3) of the sliding door (2) by means of engagement of the first first gear element (12) in the first second gear element (21).

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