Device for an adjusting device

Abstract

The invention relates to a device (10) for an actuating device (20) for opening and closing a flap or a door (D) of a vehicle, comprising a housing part (30) which has a cable feedthrough (31), and a mounting socket (40), wherein the mounting socket (40) is arranged in the cable feedthrough (31). A device which provides a simple and intuitive electrical connection option for an actuating device, which can be assembled quickly and easily, and which is reliable and safe, is created according to the invention in that the mounting socket (40) has at least one universal serial bus interface.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a device for an actuating device according to the preamble of claim 1.

[0002] Actuating devices, in particular spindle drives, are known in practice. These are used, for example, for the driven pivoting of vehicle flaps, in particular tailgates or vehicle doors. These actuating devices comprise, for example, an electric motor having a control device. The control device comprises at least one circuit board with at least one cable, which is designed, for example, as a power supply, control, measurement, and / or data cable.

[0003] DE 10 2017 130 301 A1 describes an actuating device for movable wings of opening closures of buildings, comprising a USB interface.

[0004] The disadvantage is that previous actuators known from practice consistently have different cable harness configurations and electrical interfaces with regard to the power and voltage supply, so that assembly of the actuator is time-consuming and cost-intensive, with certain cables, cable harnesses and electrical connections only being available from certain suppliers and manufacturers, which could lead to bottlenecks in the supply chain.

[0005] The object of the invention is to provide a simple and intuitive electrical connection option for an actuating device which can be assembled quickly and easily and which is reliable and safe.

[0006] This object is achieved according to the invention by a device having the features of independent claim 1.

[0007] According to the invention, a device for an actuating device for opening and closing a flap or a door of a vehicle is provided. The device comprises a housing part, which housing part has a cable feedthrough, and a built-in socket, wherein the built-in socket is arranged in the cable feedthrough. The device is characterized in that the built-in socket has at least one USB (Universal Serial Bus) interface. In order to make manufacturing processes faster, more economical, and more effective, it is intended to refrain from the individual production and assembly of individual cable harnesses and their individual connections, wherein a standardized interface - namely the USB interface - is advantageously to be introduced as a standard element. Furthermore, the previous individual electrical connections and terminals are thus replaced by the USB interface.Furthermore, actuators are very compact installation units that are built into a vehicle and are often visible after opening a tailgate, hood or vehicle door, for example. It is therefore necessary that each actuator has a clearly organized electrical connection, which electrical connection and cable cannot become tangled when opening or closing a hatch or door or when loading or unloading luggage and transport goods, and which electrical connection or interface has an attractive design (clean architecture). A USB interface advantageously improves and simplifies the maintenance and replacement of defective components such as a cable with a USB connector, as well as the testability and adaptability of an actuator.

[0008] The mounting socket is expediently injected, plugged, cast, and / or screwed into the cable entry. Advantageously, the mounting socket can be installed in the device both detachably and permanently. It is possible to arrange the mounting socket as an integral component of the device during manufacture or to mount it in the device via a screw connection, for example, as a retrofit component.

[0009] The USB interface is preferably a USB Type-C. A so-called USB-C is advantageously small, compact, and robust. Furthermore, the USB-C contacts are advantageously arranged point-symmetrically, meaning a plug can be inserted in either direction. The orientation of the plug in a mating element of the panel socket is therefore irrelevant for an effective connection. Furthermore, the USB-C can be used for currents of up to 5 amps at 48 volts DC, corresponding to an output of 240 watts, ensuring a reliable power supply for an electric motor in the actuating device. Furthermore, no special protection against direct contact is necessary because the voltage of 48 volts is below the safety extra-low voltage of 60 volts, which means a USB-C interface offers protection against electric shock.

[0010] The USB interface is preferably female. Advantageously, there's nothing protruding from the built-in socket that can be bent, thus ensuring increased product longevity.

[0011] According to an alternative embodiment, the USB interface is male. Depending on the installation situation, the USB interface can be advantageously customized.

[0012] Conveniently, at least one cable from a printed circuit board can be connected to the mounting socket. The printed circuit board serves, among other things, to control and supply current and voltage to an electric motor of the actuator. Therefore, it is advantageous to be able to create an electrical connection via a cable between the printed circuit board and the mounting socket. The connection between the printed circuit board and the mounting socket can also be established via a USB interface. Alternatively, the electric motor or drive unit of the actuator can be supplied with current and voltage directly via a USB interface, with the electric motor having a USB interface.

[0013] The printed circuit board cable preferably comprises at least one USB interface. The built-in socket advantageously has an internal USB interface, which, when installed, faces the interior of the device. The internal USB interface can thus be easily and quickly connected to a cable of the printed circuit board of the device. Furthermore, the printed circuit board of the actuator can have its own USB interface, so that the printed circuit board and the built-in socket can be connected via a USB cable.

[0014] In an advantageous embodiment, the built-in socket is designed horizontally or angled. Depending on the installation situation, the built-in socket can be individually adjusted so that, for example, a USB cable connected to the device is not unnecessarily bent. This advantageously increases the product life of the USB cable. Alternatively, a built-in socket is inserted into the device that is adjustable in an articulated manner to ensure advantageous alignment of the USB interface. The USB cable connected to the device can thus always be aligned without kinks when a flap or door is opened or closed, minimizing tensile, torsional, and compressive forces acting on the USB cable. This advantageously reduces the risk of cable breakage and loose contact due to an unstable electrical connection.

[0015] The panel socket is expediently designed to be waterproof. The device, as well as the panel socket located within the device and the electrical connection connected to a USB cable, are advantageously protected from moisture, splash water, rainwater, as well as dust and dirt. For this purpose, the panel socket has, for example, a coupling for housing mounting and a coupling for the plug-in connection with a USB cable. The coupling can, for example, be a screw connection with a sealing element or a bayonet connection with a sealing element.

[0016] According to a preferred embodiment, the panel socket includes a cable strain relief. Advantageously, a cable strain relief is provided at least on an inner side of the panel socket and on an outer side of the panel socket, so that the cables connected to the panel socket always maintain a permanent electrical contact without any looseness. Furthermore, the cable strain relief protects against damage to the cable and its contact points, thus reducing the risk of cable breakage or broken solder joints.

[0017] According to a particularly preferred embodiment, the housing part comprises a connecting element, which is designed as a ball socket or a ball head. The connecting element can advantageously be used to establish an articulated connection between the actuating device and a flap or a frame of a vehicle.

[0018] The built-in socket advantageously includes LED elements. Light elements, such as LEDs, can serve as warning signals, for example. A tailgate that is about to close can, for example, serve as a safety warning to a user through a flashing LED element, for example, to prevent head injuries. Furthermore, an illuminated built-in socket is advantageous for easier location, making it easier to plug a USB plug into the built-in socket.

[0019] The built-in socket expediently has a first locking element. The built-in socket has, for example, a recess, which recess is designed as the first locking element. The USB cable connectable to the built-in socket has a spring-loaded, adjustable locking lug, which locking lug is designed as a second locking element. Advantageously, the first locking element and the second locking element can be brought into engagement with one another, in the manner of a quick-coupling mechanism. This advantageously ensures that the USB cable is connected to the built-in socket in a defined position, preventing any back-and-forth movement of the USB cable.

[0020] The mounting socket advantageously includes a cover cap. The cover cap protects the mounting socket from moisture, rain, and splash water, as well as from dirt and dust, particularly during installation or transport of the device.

[0021] The USB interface is conveniently designed to be rotatable. Depending on the position of the actuator in a vehicle, the USB interface can advantageously rotate along with the cable connected to it. This advantageously reduces the risk of cable breakage and loose contact due to an unstable electrical connection. Furthermore, a combination of a rotatable USB interface and a flexible, maneuverable mounting socket is provided, allowing the connected USB cable to move in all directions.

[0022] According to one aspect of the invention, an actuating device, in particular a spindle drive, is provided for opening and closing a pivotable flap or a pivotable door of a vehicle, comprising a drive device comprising a drive housing and a drive unit arranged in the drive housing, a lifting device drivable by the drive device, comprising a lifting housing and at least one lifting element arranged in the lifting housing, and a controller comprising at least one printed circuit board, wherein the drive unit is an electric motor, wherein the lifting element is a spindle nut, which spindle nut has an internal thread, wherein the spindle nut is always in meshing engagement with a rotatably mounted spindle rod, which spindle rod has an external thread, via a threaded connection, wherein the spindle rod can be coupled to the drive unit via a coupling, in particular a magnetic coupling,wherein rotation of the spindle rod about its longitudinal axis results in a rotationally secured displacement of the spindle nut, and wherein an actuating element firmly connected to the spindle nut can be telescopically extended and retracted from the lifting housing. The actuating device is characterized in that the actuating device has a device with at least one of the aforementioned features, properties, and developments, and in that a power supply to the electric motor and / or a data supply to the controller can be provided via the USB interface. Advantageously, a current and voltage supply for the entire actuating device, as well as a data input for the control and regulation of the electric motor, are provided via a single USB interface, thus providing a compact and easily manufactured actuating device.

[0023] Further advantages, developments and features of the invention will become apparent from the following description of a preferred embodiment and from the dependent claims.

[0024] The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings using a preferred embodiment of the invention. Fig. Figure 1 shows a perspective front view of the device's mounting socket. Fig. 2 shows a perspective rear view of the mounting socket from Fig. 1. Fig. 3 shows a perspective view of an adjusting device from Fig. 1.

[0025] In Fig. 1 to Fig. Figure 3 shows a perspective view of an actuating device 20 designed as a spindle drive, comprising a device 10, wherein the device 10 is fixedly connected to a cylindrical base body 21 of the actuating device 20. Furthermore, the actuating device 20 serves to open and close a flap or a door D of a vehicle.

[0026] Here, Fig. 1, the openable door D is indicated by a dashed line. A vehicle has not been shown for reasons of clarity. Therefore, the actuating device 20 is hingedly coupled to the vehicle frame and to the door D via a first connecting element 33 and an opposite second connecting element (not shown here), with the first connecting element 33 being designed as a ball socket.

[0027] The device 10 comprises a housing part 30, which housing part 30 has a cable feedthrough 31, wherein the cable feedthrough 31 is formed, at least in sections, as a pipe section 32 extending outwardly from the housing part 30. Furthermore, the device 10 has the first connection element 33.

[0028] Furthermore, the device 10 comprises a mounting socket 40, wherein the mounting socket 40 is arranged in the cable feedthrough 31 or in the tubular section 32 of the housing part 30. Furthermore, the mounting socket 40 has an outwardly directed female Universal Serial Bus Type C interface 41 (USB-C for short), to which a male counterpart of a USB-C cable 50 can be connected for supplying current and voltage to the actuating device 20.

[0029] In this exemplary embodiment, the installation bushing 40 is inserted into the tube section 32 of the housing part 30 of the device 10 via a snap-in connection and is connected in a rotationally fixed manner, so that the installation bushing 40 sits firmly and immovably in the tube section 32 of the housing part 30.

[0030] The mounting socket 40 has a front side 40a and an inner side opposite the front side 40a, which inner side faces an interior of the housing part 30 of the device 10, the inner side of the mounting socket 40 not being shown here. The front side 40a of the mounting socket 40 is provided for connecting an external USB-C cable 50, and the inner side of the mounting socket 40 is provided for an internal electrical connection to a printed circuit board or to an electric motor of the actuator 20.

[0031] Fig.2 shows a perspective rear view of the tube section 32 of the housing part 30 of the device 10 and the male mating element of the USB-C cable 50, wherein the USB-C cable 50 is now more clearly visible. The invention works as follows:

[0032] The actuating device 20, comprising the device 10, is mounted in a vehicle in a manner known to a person skilled in the art. However, the actuating device 20, which is spindle-driven in this case, still requires a power and voltage supply. This power and voltage supply is now simply provided via a USB-C cable 50 that can be connected to the built-in socket 40. Furthermore, the orientation in which the USB-C cable 50 is plugged into the USB-C interface 41 of the built-in socket 40 is irrelevant, since a USB-C interface is point-symmetrical.

[0033] The invention has been explained above using an exemplary embodiment in which the mounting socket 40 is arranged in the housing part 30 of the device 10. It is understood that the mounting socket 40 can also be arranged at a different position on the actuating device 20, for example, on the cylindrical base body 21 of the actuating device 20.

Claims

[1] Device (10) for an actuating device (20) for opening and closing a flap or a door (D) of a vehicle, comprising a housing part (30) which has a cable feedthrough (31), and a mounting socket (40), wherein the built-in socket (40) is arranged in the cable gland (31), characterized by , that the built-in socket (40) has at least one universal serial bus interface (41). [2] Device according to claim 1, characterized by that the built-in socket (40) is injected, plugged, cast and / or screwed into the cable gland (31). [3] Device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by that the Universal Serial Bus interface (41) is a USB Type C. [4] Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the mounting socket (40) is horizontal or angled. [5] Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the installation socket (40) is watertight. [6] Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the mounting socket (40) includes a cable strain relief. [7] Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the housing part (30) comprises a connecting element (33), which connecting element (33) is designed as a ball socket or as a ball head. [8] Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the mounting socket (40) has a first locking element. [9] Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the universal serial bus interface (41) is rotatable. [10] Adjusting device (20) for opening and closing a pivotable flap or a pivotable door (D) of a vehicle, comprising a drive device comprising a drive housing and a drive unit arranged in the drive housing, a lifting device drivable by the drive device, comprising a lifting housing and at least one lifting element arranged in the lifting housing, and a controller comprising at least one circuit board, wherein the drive unit is an electric motor, wherein the lifting element is a spindle nut, which spindle nut has an internal thread, wherein the spindle nut is always in meshing engagement with a rotatably mounted spindle rod, which spindle rod has an external thread, via a threaded connection, wherein the spindle rod can be coupled to the drive unit via a coupling, wherein a rotation of the spindle rod about its longitudinal axis results in a rotationally secured displacement of the spindle nut, and wherein an adjusting element firmly connected to the spindle nut can be telescopically extended and retracted from the lifting housing, characterized by , that the adjusting device (20) comprises a device (10) according to one of claims 1 to 9, and that the USB interface (41) can be used to supply power to the electric motor and / or data to the control system.

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