Coupling device and actuator

Abstract

The invention relates to a coupling device (1) for coupling a drive unit (2), in particular a motor, to a threaded element (3), in particular a threaded rod (3) or threaded sleeve (3), wherein the coupling unit (1) has a gear adapter (6), wherein one end of the threaded element (3) has a plurality of axially projecting locking arms (7) distributed over the circumference of the threaded element (3), wherein the gear adapter (6) has a plurality of grooves (8) distributed over the circumference of the gear adapter (6), which grooves are arranged complementarily to the locking arms (7) and are designed to receive the locking arms (7) in the grooves (8), wherein the coupling unit (1) further has a bearing (5), wherein the locking arms (7) engaging with the grooves (8) are arranged at least partially within the bearing (5).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a coupling device for coupling a drive unit, in particular a motor, to a threaded element. The invention further relates to an actuator, in particular a linear actuator. State of the art

[0002] EP 4 202 167 A1 describes an electrical support rod comprising a drive unit and an actuating unit. The drive unit has a first outer cylinder and a driver arranged in the first outer cylinder. The first outer cylinder has an opening and elastic locking hooks arranged on its inner wall, and the driver has a transmission slot. The actuating unit has a second outer cylinder and a transmission screw rod encased in the second outer cylinder. The second outer cylinder has an insertion part that is inserted into the opening. The transmission screw rod has a passive end that engages with the transmission slot, and the insertion part has connecting pieces that surround the passive end. The connecting pieces are locked with the elastic locking hooks to lock the drive unit and the actuating unit longitudinally.

[0003] DE 10 2021 107 376 A1 describes a spindle drive for a closure element of a motor vehicle, which has a spindle-spindle nut gear which has a spindle and a spindle nut, wherein a motor-side drive section has a drive unit with a drive motor and the spindle, wherein the spindle is connected downstream of the drive motor, wherein a spindle nut-side drive section of the spindle drive has the spindle nut, wherein the spindle drive has a drive housing with at least one housing tube which is axially fixed to the motor-side drive section, wherein a guide tube is arranged radially inside the housing tube, which guide tube is axially fixed to the motor-side drive section and axially guides a drive component of the spindle drive during the drive movements.The housing tube, which is axially fixed to the motor-side drive section, and the guide tube are positively connected to one another in an assembly movement comprising at least two consecutive partial movements. One partial movement is an axial movement, and a subsequent partial movement is a radial or tangential movement of a tube section of the housing tube, which is axially fixed to the motor-side drive section, relative to a tube section of the guide tube.

[0004] The object of the present invention is to provide a novel coupling device for coupling a drive unit, in particular a motor, to a threaded element, as well as a novel actuator.

[0005] The object is achieved according to the invention with a coupling device for coupling a drive unit, in particular a motor, with a threaded element having the features of claim 1 and by an actuator having the features of claim 8.

[0006] A coupling device for coupling a drive unit, in particular a motor, to a threaded element, in particular a threaded rod or threaded sleeve, is proposed. The coupling device comprises a gear adapter, one end of the threaded element having a plurality of axially projecting locking arms distributed over the circumference of the threaded element. The gear adapter has a plurality of grooves distributed over the circumference of the gear adapter, which grooves are arranged complementarily to the locking arms and are designed to receive the locking arms in the grooves. The coupling device further comprises a bearing, the locking arms engaging with the grooves being arranged at least partially within the bearing. In this way, the bearing prevents the locking arms from disengaging from the grooves, so that the gear adapter remains coupled to the threaded element for common rotation.

[0007] In one embodiment, an annular locking element is further provided to secure the connection of the threaded element to the gear adapter in the bearing. The locking element can have a chamfer extending outwardly toward the threaded element, thereby simplifying assembly.

[0008] In one embodiment, the gear adapter has a shaft journal onto which a hollow shaft of the drive unit can be plugged and coupled for common rotation, for example by means of complementary gearing.

[0009] In one embodiment, some or all of the locking arms have a respective locking hook configured to be deflected radially inward upon insertion of the locking arms by engagement of a respective inclined surface of the locking hook with the bearing and to engage axially behind the bearing after passing the bearing. In this way, the threaded element is locked to the bearing.

[0010] In one embodiment, a gap is formed at an end of the gear adapter facing away from the threaded element in the region of the locking hooks between the gear adapter and the locking arms when the locking arms are engaged with the grooves, wherein the annular locking element is configured to be inserted into this gap. The gap allows or facilitates the inward deflection of the locking hooks when the locking arms are inserted into the grooves. By inserting the locking element into the gap, further deflection is prevented, so that the locking hooks cannot disengage from their engagement with the bearing.

[0011] In one embodiment, the hollow shaft is in engagement with the shaft journal, wherein the hollow shaft abuts the securing element or at least comes close enough to it that it is secured against slipping out of the intermediate space.

[0012] For assembly, the bearing is slid over the gearbox adapter so that the grooves are located within the bearing over at least part of their axial extent. The threaded element is then pushed toward the gearbox adapter so that the locking arms engage the grooves. As the locking arms are inserted, their ends are deflected radially inward by the engagement of a respective inclined surface of the locking hooks with the bearing. After the locking hooks have passed the bearing, the locking arms relax again and their ends pivot radially outward. The locking hooks engage axially behind the bearing and thus engage in the bearing.

[0013] After the locking hooks are engaged with the bearing, the locking element is pushed into the gap. The hollow shaft is pushed onto the shaft journal, especially until the hollow shaft abuts the locking element or at least comes close enough to prevent it from slipping out of the gap.

[0014] According to one aspect of the present invention, an actuator, in particular a linear actuator, is proposed, comprising two telescopically interconnected housing sleeves, at the ends of which respective fastening units are arranged, wherein a drive unit and a two-stage, three-stage or multi-stage arrangement of mutually engaging threaded elements are arranged in the housing sleeves, wherein one of the threaded sleeves is coupled to the drive unit by a coupling device as described above.

[0015] In one embodiment, at least one of the threaded elements is designed as a threaded sleeve, wherein the threaded sleeve has, at an end facing one of the fastening units, a plurality of locking arms distributed over the circumference of the threaded sleeve with a respective locking eyelet, wherein the fastening unit has a pin on which locking lugs complementary to the locking eyes are arranged, each of which has an inclined surface in the direction of the threaded sleeve.

[0016] In one embodiment, a coil spring is arranged above the locking arms in such a way that the locking arms are prevented from deflecting outwards again by the coil spring.

[0017] For assembly, the pin of the fastening unit is inserted into the end of the threaded sleeve, whereby the inclined surfaces of the locking lugs deflect the ends of the locking arms radially outward. Upon further insertion, the locking eyes engage with the locking lugs, the ends of the locking arms pivot radially inward, and the locking arms relax. The threaded sleeve is thus locked to the fastening unit, preventing both relative longitudinal movement and relative rotation between the threaded sleeve and the fastening unit.

[0018] The coil spring is pushed over the locking arms and engages the mounting unit. The coil spring prevents the locking arms from deflecting outward again and therefore cannot disengage from the mounting unit.

[0019] The advantages achieved by the invention are in particular that the described connections with locking arms, locking hooks and / or locking lugs are easy to assemble and have a low mass, but at the same time have a high strength.

[0020] Embodiments of the invention are explained in more detail with reference to the drawings. In the drawings: Fig. 1 a schematic view of a coupling device for an actuator, Fig. 2 a schematic view of the coupling device during an assembly step, Fig. 3 a schematic view of the coupling device during a further assembly step, Fig. 4 a schematic longitudinal section of the coupling device, Fig. 5 a schematic longitudinal section of the coupling device during a further assembly step, Fig. 6 a schematic view of an actuator with a coupling device according to Fig. 1 to 5, Fig. 7 a schematic view of another embodiment of an actuator, Fig. 8 a schematic view of a threaded sleeve with a fastening unit before its assembly, Fig. 9 a schematic view of the threaded sleeve with the fastening unit during assembly, Fig. 10 a schematic view of the threaded sleeve with the fastening unit, and Fig. 11 a schematic longitudinal section of the threaded sleeve with the fastening unit.

[0021] Corresponding parts are provided with the same reference numerals in all figures.

[0022] Fig. 1 is a schematic view of a coupling device 1 for an actuator 4 (shown in Fig. 6, Fig. 7).

[0023] The coupling device 1 serves to couple at least one Fig. 5 illustrated drive unit 2, for example a motor, with a threaded element 3, in particular a threaded rod or threaded sleeve. The coupling device 1 comprises a bearing 5, for example a plain bearing or roller bearing, and a gear adapter 6 for coupling the drive unit 2 with the threaded element 3. Furthermore, an annular securing element 10 is provided in the bearing 5 to secure the connection of the threaded element 3 with the gear adapter 6. The gear adapter 6 has, for example, a shaft journal 13, onto which a hollow shaft 14 (illustrated in Fig. 5) of the drive unit 2. The shaft journal 13 can be provided with a toothing. The hollow shaft 14 can also be provided with a toothing configured to engage with the toothing of the shaft journal 13.

[0024] One end of the threaded element 3 has a number of axially projecting locking arms 7 distributed over the circumference of the threaded element 3. The gear adapter 6 has a number of grooves 8 distributed over the circumference of the gear adapter 6, which are arranged complementarily to the locking arms 7 and are designed to receive the locking arms 7 in the grooves 8.

[0025] The locking arms 7 are arranged within the bearing 5, for example within an inner ring of the bearing 5. At one end, some or all of the locking arms 7 have a respective locking hook 9. For assembly, the bearing 5 is pushed over the gear adapter 6 so that the grooves 8 are located within the bearing 5 over at least part of their axial extent. The threaded element 3 is then pushed towards the gear adapter 6 so that the locking arms 7 engage in the grooves 8. As the locking arms 7 are pushed in, their ends are deflected radially inward by the engagement of a respective inclined surface of the locking hooks 9 with the bearing 5. After the locking hooks 9 have passed the bearing 5, the locking arms 7 relax again and their ends pivot back radially outward. The locking hooks 9 engage axially behind the bearing 5 and thus engage in the bearing 5.

[0026] Fig. 2 is a schematic view of the coupling device 1, in which the locking hooks 9 are locked to the bearing 5. After the locking hooks 9 are locked to the bearing 5, the securing element 10 is inserted into a Fig. 4, which is formed at least at one end of the gear adapter 6 facing away from the threaded element 3 in the region of the locking hooks 9 between the gear adapter 6 and the locking arms 7. This prevents the locking hooks 9 from being deflected radially inward and released from the locking connection with the bearing 5.

[0027] Fig. 3 is a schematic view of the coupling device 1, in which the locking hooks 9 are locked to the bearing 5 and secured by the securing element 10. Fig. Figure 4 is a schematic longitudinal section of the coupling device 1, wherein the locking hooks 9 are locked to the bearing 5 and secured by the securing element 10. The securing element 10 may have a chamfer 12 to facilitate insertion into the intermediate space 11.

[0028] Fig. 5 is a schematic longitudinal section of the coupling device 1, wherein a hollow shaft 14 of a drive unit 2 is pushed onto the shaft journal 13, in particular to such an extent that the hollow shaft 14 abuts the securing element 10 or at least comes close enough to it that it is secured against slipping out of the intermediate space 11.

[0029] Fig. 6 is a schematic view of an actuator 4, in particular a linear actuator, with a coupling device 1 as described above. The actuator 4 can have two telescopically interconnected housing sleeves 15, 16, at the ends of which respective fastening units 17, 18, for example fitting ends with fastening eyes, are arranged, for example for use in a vehicle. The fastening units 17, 18 can be part of the respective housing sleeve 15, 16 or can be designed as separate units. For example, one of the fastening units 17 can be fastened to a body of the vehicle and the other fastening unit 18 can be fastened to a movable component of the vehicle, for example a hood, tailgate, or door.A drive unit 2 and a two-, three- or multi-stage arrangement of mutually engaging threaded elements 3, 3', 3", for example three telescopically engaging threaded rods or threaded sleeves, can be arranged in the housing sleeves 15, 16, wherein one of the threaded sleeves, in particular the one with the largest diameter, is coupled to the drive unit 2 by the coupling device 1.

[0030] Fig. 7 is a schematic view of an embodiment of an actuator 4, in particular a linear actuator. The actuator 4 can have two telescopically interconnected housing sleeves 15, 16, at the ends of which respective fastening units 17, 18, for example, fitting ends with fastening eyes, are arranged, for example for use in a vehicle. The fastening units 17, 18 can be part of the respective housing sleeve 15, 16 or can be designed as separate units. For example, one of the fastening units 17 can be fastened to a body of the vehicle and the other fastening unit 18 can be fastened to a movable component of the vehicle, for example, a hood, tailgate, or door.A drive unit 2 and a two-, three- or multi-stage arrangement of mutually engaging threaded elements 3, 3', 3'', for example three telescopically engaging threaded rods or threaded sleeves, can be arranged in the housing sleeves 15, 16, wherein one of the threaded sleeves, in particular the one with the smallest diameter, is coupled to the drive unit 2.

[0031] Fig. 8 is a schematic view of the threaded element 3'' designed as a threaded sleeve, which in particular has the largest diameter of the three threaded sleeves, with the fastening unit 18 prior to its assembly. A helical spring 19 is arranged above the threaded element 3" designed as a threaded sleeve. The threaded element 3'' designed as a threaded sleeve has, at its end facing the fastening unit 18, a plurality of locking arms 20, each with a locking eyelet 21, distributed over the circumference of the threaded element 3" designed as a threaded sleeve. The fastening unit 18 has a pin 22, on which locking lugs 23 are arranged, complementary to the locking eyes 21, each having an inclined surface in the direction of the threaded element 3" designed as a threaded sleeve.

[0032] Fig. 9 is a schematic view of the threaded element 3'' designed as a threaded sleeve with the fastening unit 18 during assembly. Fig. The pin 22 of the fastening unit 18, shown in more detail in Figure 8, is inserted into the end of the threaded element 3" designed as a threaded sleeve, whereby the inclined surfaces of the locking lugs 23 deflect the ends of the locking arms 20 radially outwards. Upon further insertion, the locking eyes 21 engage with the locking lugs 23, the ends of the locking arms 20 pivot back radially inwards and the locking arms 20 relax. The threaded element 3" designed as a threaded sleeve is thus locked to the fastening unit 18, so that both a relative longitudinal movement and a relative rotation between the threaded element 3" designed as a threaded sleeve and the fastening unit 18 is prevented.

[0033] Fig. 10 is a schematic view of the threaded element 3'' designed as a threaded sleeve with the fastening unit 18 during a further step of assembly. Fig. Figure 11 is a schematic longitudinal section of the threaded element 3" designed as a threaded sleeve with the fastening unit 18 during the next step of assembly. The coil spring 19 is pushed over the locking arms 20 and strikes the fastening unit 18. Thus, the locking arms 20 are prevented from deflecting outward again by the coil spring 19 and therefore cannot disengage from the fastening unit 18.

[0034] The features of the embodiments described above, in particular the embodiment according to Fig. 1 to 6 and the embodiment according to Fig. 7 to 11, can be combined with each other. LIST OF REFERENCE SYMBOLS 1 coupling device 2 drive unit 3, 3', 3'' threaded element 4 Actuator 5 camps 6 gear adapters 7 locking arm 8 grooves 9 locking hooks 10 securing element 11 space 12th phase 13 shaft journals 14 Hollow shaft 15 Housing sleeve 16 Housing sleeve 17 Fastening unit 18 Mounting unit 19 Coil spring 20 locking arm 21 locking eyelet 22 cones 23 locking lug

Claims

[1] Coupling device (1) for coupling a drive unit (2) to a threaded element (3), wherein the coupling unit (1) has a gear adapter (6), wherein one end of the threaded element (3) has a plurality of axially projecting locking arms (7) distributed over the circumference of the threaded element (3), wherein the gear adapter (6) has a plurality of grooves (8) distributed over the circumference of the gear adapter (6), which grooves are arranged complementarily to the locking arms (7) and are designed to receive the locking arms (7) in the grooves (8), wherein the coupling unit (1) further has a bearing (5), wherein the locking arms (7) engaging with the grooves (8) are arranged at least partially within the bearing (5). [2] Coupling device (1) according to claim 1, further comprising an annular securing element (10) for securing the connection of the threaded element (3) to the gear adapter (6) in the bearing (5). [3] Coupling device (1) according to claim 2, wherein the securing element (10) has a chamfer (12) outwards in the direction of the threaded element (3). [4] Coupling device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the gear adapter (6) has a shaft journal (13) onto which a hollow shaft (14) of the drive unit (2) can be plugged and coupled for common rotation. [5] Coupling device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein some or all of the locking arms (7) have a respective locking hook (9) which is configured to be deflected radially inwards when the locking arms (7) are pushed in by engagement of a respective inclined surface of the locking hooks (9) with the bearing (5) and to engage axially behind the bearing (5) after passing the bearing (5). [6] Coupling device (1) according to claim 5, wherein an intermediate space (11) is formed at an end of the gear adapter (6) pointing away from the threaded element (3) in the region of the locking hooks (9) between the gear adapter (6) and the locking arms (7) when the locking arms (7) are in engagement with the grooves (8), wherein the annular securing element (10) is configured to be inserted into this intermediate space (11). [7] Coupling device (1) according to one of claims 4 to 6, wherein the hollow shaft (14) is in engagement with the shaft journal (13), wherein the hollow shaft (14) abuts the securing element (10) or at least comes close enough to it that it is secured against slipping out of the intermediate space (11). [8] Coupling device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the threaded element (3) is designed as a threaded rod or threaded sleeve. [9] Actuator (4) comprising two telescopically interconnected housing sleeves (15, 16), at the ends of which respective fastening units (17, 18) are arranged, wherein a drive unit (2) and a two-stage, three-stage or multi-stage arrangement of mutually engaging threaded elements (3, 3', 3'') are arranged in the housing sleeves (15, 16), wherein one of the threaded sleeves (3) is coupled to the drive unit (2) by a coupling device (1) according to one of the preceding claims. [10] Actuator (4) according to claim 9, wherein at least one of the threaded elements (3'') is designed as a threaded sleeve (3''), wherein the threaded sleeve (3") has, at an end facing one of the fastening units (18), a plurality of locking arms (20) distributed over the circumference of the threaded sleeve (3'') with a respective locking eyelet (21), wherein the fastening unit (18) has a pin (22) on which locking lugs (23) complementary to the locking eyes (21) are arranged, each of which has an inclined surface in the direction of the threaded sleeve (3''). [11] Actuator (4) according to claim 10, wherein a helical spring (19) is arranged above the locking arms (20) such that the locking arms (20) are prevented from deflecting outwards again by the helical spring (19). [12] Actuator (4) according to one of claims 9 to 11, designed as a linear actuator.

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