Mounting device for a motor vehicle door

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a mounting device for a motor vehicle door element, in particular a side door, movably arranged on the motor vehicle, comprising an electric drive and an actuating means, wherein the actuating means can be actuated by means of the electric drive, wherein a spring storage device is arranged between the electric drive and the actuating means, wherein the spring storage device is configured to support the movement of the actuating means.

[0002] Motor vehicle doors are invariably equipped with hold-open devices to secure the door leaf at predetermined angles relative to the vehicle body. The hold-open device is hinged to the vehicle body, usually in such a way that its pivot point lies outside the door leaf's pivot axis defined by the hinge axes. The hold-open device generally protrudes into the interior of the door leaf through an opening on one of its sides. Due to its eccentric connection to the vehicle body relative to the hinge axes, the hold-open device extends and retracts relative to the door leaf when the door leaf is moved. The hold-open device is also commonly referred to as a door check strap.

[0003] Typically, such door check straps have a locking arm or latching arm with several detents. Locking elements attached to the door leaf can engage in these detents. This allows the predetermined angular positions of the door leaf relative to the vehicle body to be achieved when the door is opened. This method is well known; for example, reference is made to DE 41 30 782 A1.

[0004] Modern vehicles sometimes lack exterior door handles on the side doors. To enable the driver to grasp and fully open these doors, opening mechanisms are known. Opening a door means moving it to a gap of 20 mm to 200 mm, preferably 50 mm to 160 mm, relative to the vehicle body. This allows the driver to grasp and fully open the door. At least one electric drive acting on the door leaf ensures that the door leaf opens at least partially relative to the vehicle body.

[0005] The prior art, according to DE 10 2013 202 801 A1, describes a device for operating a motor vehicle door with a hold-open function. The device comprises an actuator that can be attached to the motor vehicle door and a pivoting lever that can be pivoted by the actuator about an actuator axis. Furthermore, an actuating arm is provided for locking the motor vehicle door in predetermined angular positions relative to the motor vehicle body.

[0006] DE 10 2015 103 830 A1 discloses a linear actuator that interacts with the locking element. An actuating nut, driven by an electric motor, is capable of actuating the unlocked door through an opening gap. For this purpose, an actuating rod is provided that moves a locking arm, thereby moving the door element from a starting position to an open position. In addition to opening the door, the document also discloses a system for fully opening the door element.

[0007] Document DE 20 2013 004785 U1 discloses a drive arrangement for the motorized adjustment of an adjusting element of a motor vehicle, wherein the drive arrangement comprises a drive motor and a transmission arranged between the drive motor and the adjusting element, wherein the transmission has a transmission element and a transmission counter-element which are or can be brought into screw engagement with each other, characterized in that the transmission element of the transmission is a screw-type transmission element made of a wire-shaped strand wound helically around a longitudinal axis of the screw.

[0008] Document DE 10 2015 107609 A1 relates to a vehicle with an assembly for opening a vehicle door, wherein the vehicle has a vehicle body comprising a pillar, a vehicle door movably coupled to the vehicle body, and an assembly for at least partially opening the vehicle door. The assembly is coupled to the vehicle door and includes an actuator having an actuator body and an actuator shaft that is movable relative to the actuator body between a retracted position and an extended position. Furthermore, the assembly includes a lever that is pivotally coupled to the vehicle door and a spring that is coupled between the lever and the actuator shaft. The spring biases the lever towards the pillar. When the vehicle door is unlocked, the lever exerts a force on the pillar and consequently pushes the vehicle door away from the pillar into a partially open position.

[0009] Document DE 10 2005 030054 A1 relates to an opening device for a vehicle hatch, in particular a tailgate, which can pivot about a horizontal pivot axis at the upper edge of an opening in the vehicle body from a downward-facing closed position to an upward-facing open position. It comprises a gas spring 1, the free end of which is articulated to the vehicle body at a distance from the pivot axis, and the pressure tube of which is articulated to the hatch at a distance from the pivot axis. In its extension direction, the gas spring exerts force on the hatch in the opening direction. Furthermore, an actuator is provided, through which a torque can be applied to the hatch in the opening direction. The actuator is a force storage device that, from its tensioned position, exerts force on the hatch during its opening stroke from the closed position until the force storage device reaches a relaxed position.

[0010] The solutions known from the prior art for installing a door element are based on electric drives, which allow the door element to be moved from a closed position to an open position. A problem that arises when installing a door element is that the actuating forces can vary, whereas the electric drive always provides a predetermined force for opening.

[0011] To ensure sufficient power in every situation, including situations where, for example, a frozen door or hatch needs to be opened, the motors must be correspondingly large or equipped with upstream gearboxes. Large motors are expensive, and gearboxes require a considerable amount of space. This is where the invention comes in.

[0012] Based on the known state of the art, the objective is to provide an improved opening device for a component movably mounted on a motor vehicle, in particular a motor vehicle door element. The objective is to provide an opening device in which the electric drive can operate independently of the opening force required. Furthermore, the electric drive should simultaneously enable control of the opening movement. Finally, the objective is to provide a cost-effective and structurally simple solution for actuating the door element.

[0013] The problem is solved according to the invention by the features of independent claim 1. Advantageous embodiments of the invention are specified in the dependent claims. It should be noted that the exemplary embodiments described below are not limiting; rather, any number of variations of the features described in the description, the dependent claims, and the figures are possible.

[0014] The object of the invention is achieved by providing a lifting device for a vehicle door element movably arranged on the vehicle, comprising an electric drive and an actuating means, wherein the actuating means can be operated by means of the electric drive and wherein a spring accumulator is arranged between the drive and the actuating means. The design of the lifting device according to the invention now makes it possible to move the vehicle door element independently of the lifting force to be provided. In particular, the object is achieved by controlling the movement of the actuating means during lifting by means of the drive. The spring accumulator serves to assist the movement of the actuating means.The electric drive controls the movement of the actuator and simultaneously relieves the spring storage, thus providing sufficient force to move the door element with the lowest possible drive forces.

[0015] The electric drive is preferably a DC electric motor that interacts with the actuator via, for example, a worm gear. Of course, it is also conceivable that the electric motor engages directly, for example, with a gear on the actuator, thus enabling its actuation.

[0016] The component, which is movably arranged on the motor vehicle, is preferably a side door of a motor vehicle, which can be moved from a closed position to an open position by means of the lifting device. However, it is also conceivable that the component is a flap or cover or a rear door on a motor vehicle or a commercial vehicle.

[0017] The opening device allows, for example, a flap or door element to be opened slightly so that the operator can grasp and fully open it. The opening device preferably works in conjunction with an electric vehicle lock, enabling the operator to electrically unlock the vehicle lock using, for example, a remote control, thereby allowing the door element to pivot freely. The opening device thus combines the electrical opening of the lock with the partial opening of the door element.

[0018] The spring accumulator is in a pre-tensioned position, particularly a basic position, which results in an advantageous embodiment of the invention. The spring accumulator is tensioned after the vehicle door element is raised. In other words, after the door element has fully opened, the spring accumulator is moved by means of the electric drive in such a way that the spring elements arranged in the spring accumulator are tensioned.

[0019] In the unactuated state of the opening mechanism, the spring accumulator is in a pre-tensioned position. When the door is closed, the spring accumulator returns to its initial position, in which the spring elements within the accumulator are tensioned.

[0020] If the operator then gives the opening signal for the door element, the locking system is unlocked, releasing the door element. Simultaneously, the spring mechanism is released by the electric drive using the opening device.

[0021] The electric drive continuously adjusts the spring actuator, enabling a smooth and spring-assisted opening of the vehicle door element. By releasing the spring elements, the spring actuator supports the opening movement, thus requiring only minimal power from the electric motor. The electric motor or drive therefore only controls the release of force from the spring elements, with the actual opening force being provided by the spring elements themselves. The door element is consequently opened under spring tension. Simultaneously, the movement of the spring actuator can also initiate at least a supporting opening movement in the vehicle door element. Essentially, however, the electric drive serves to control the release of the spring force, which then acts on the actuator.

[0022] According to the invention, the spring accumulator can be tensioned and released by means of the drive. The electric drive can move the spring accumulator in such a way that spring elements arranged within it are tensioned. For this purpose, the spring accumulator or a housing of the spring accumulator can be moved. In the case where the spring elements are designed as compression springs, tensioning the spring elements would be achieved by moving the spring accumulator in one direction, thus compressing the spring elements. In the compressed state of the compression spring, the spring accumulator then acts as an energy storage device. The compressed state of the compression spring within the spring accumulator defines the initial position of the setup device. If the operator now gives an opening command to the setup device or initiates an opening signal, the energy stored in the spring accumulator can be released by means of the drive.The released energy can then be used to raise the vehicle door element. Preferably, a tensile force is generated by means of the actuating device. This tensile force can then be used to mechanically initiate an actuating movement of the vehicle door element. Depending on the design of the raising device, it is also conceivable to provide a pushing and / or sliding force in the raising device when the spring mechanism is released.

[0023] It can also be advantageous if the door element can be operated, in particular pivoted, by releasing the spring mechanism. The spring mechanism can be integrated into the vehicle door element, so that the release movement of the spring mechanism, which is controlled and initiated by the electric drive, can be converted into a movement of the door element. The spring mechanism, and in particular the opening device itself, can be part of the vehicle lock. In other words, the opening device can be integrated into the vehicle lock, forming a structural unit that can be easily installed in the vehicle door element. However, it is also conceivable that the opening device is arranged as a separate component in the vehicle door element and opens the vehicle door element by means of a pulling or pushing movement.Preferably, a pulling movement is initiated by means of the spring storage device, whereby the actuating means is moved by means of the relaxation of the spring elements in the spring storage device in such a way that the setting device generates a pulling force that can be used to set up the door element.

[0024] The door element can be moved from a closed to an open position by means of the actuating device. In the initial position, the spring mechanism is tensioned. This initial position represents the closed position of the door element, in which the vehicle door element is held in the closed position by the vehicle lock. The closed position of a vehicle side door lock is determined by a main detent position of the vehicle lock. Starting from this closed position, the main detent position can preferably be exited by electrically opening the vehicle lock, thereby unlocking the vehicle lock and releasing a rotary latch contained within the vehicle lock.A locking mechanism consisting of a rotary latch and a locking pawl, integrated into the vehicle lock, typically works in conjunction with a lock holder. The rotary latch and locking pawl form a locking mechanism that can be engaged in a pre-latch and a main latch position. When the locking mechanism is unlocked, the locking pawl is released from the rotary latch, freeing the lock holder. The door can then be moved or pivoted. After the locking mechanism is unlocked, the opening mechanism is able to move the vehicle door element from the closed or initial position to an open position, in which a vehicle operator can grasp the door element and fully open it. This type of opening mechanism makes it possible, for example, to design a vehicle door element without an exterior door handle.

[0025] According to the invention, the spring accumulator has a first spring element and at least one second spring element.

[0026] By combining two spring elements in the spring accumulator, it is possible to vary the force required to open the vehicle door. A first spring element can be tensioned in a first position of the spring accumulator by means of the electric drive. If, on the other hand, the spring accumulator is moved to a second position, the second spring element is also tensioned, thus creating different energy storage levels within the accumulator. This can be particularly advantageous when, for example, higher opening forces are required in the opening mechanism, such as those that occur with icy doors.

[0027] The spring elements are sequentially actuated by means of the electric drive, meaning they can be tensioned and / or released. The spring constants of the spring elements can vary, allowing for different forces to be achieved. It is also conceivable that the spring elements have the same spring constants, but can be tensioned sequentially solely by moving the spring accumulator. Advantageously, the spring forces of the spring elements add up in such a way that the actuation of the door element can be controlled by the electric drive. For this purpose, the spring accumulator, and in particular its housing, can be moved by means of the electric drive.

[0028] This results in a significant advantage of the invention: since the force for setting up the component comes from the spring, the setting speed can be controlled by the motor. In other words, high setting speeds can be achieved using only a small motor. In an emergency, low speeds but high forces can be achieved. An emergency occurs, for example, when the movable component cannot be set up due to jamming or icing. In this case, only the force of the first spring element is available for setting the component up. The motor controls the release of the energy stored in the spring.

[0029] According to the invention, when the first spring is in its tensioned state, the second spring element can generate an additional force if the drive mechanism further tensions the second spring element. In this emergency situation, the motor must tension the second spring against the force of the first spring to generate an additional actuating force. Low speeds but high forces can be achieved through the coupling of the two springs.

[0030] The design according to the invention has a further advantage, namely that the actuating device and, in particular, the electric drive are protected against incorrect operation. If, for example, a door element is grasped by an operator during the opening process and closed again at excessive speed, the resulting movement of the actuating element is absorbed by the spring elements without damaging the motor or a gearbox. The spring elements thus have a dual function: on the one hand, they provide the necessary force to actuate the door element, and on the other hand, they serve as a safety device against incorrect operation.

[0031] The spring elements, preferably arranged inside the spring accumulator, are relaxed or compressed during the process. The first spring element can be compressed in the initial position of the spring accumulator and thus put the actuating device under tension. By releasing the first spring element through a movement of the spring accumulator housing, the actuating device can then initiate a movement and open the door. If the compressive force of the first spring element is insufficient to open the door, for example, because the door seal is frozen, the spring accumulator housing can be moved further to compress the second spring element. This second spring force then increases the tensile force on the actuating device and generates a high force in the opening mechanism.This reveals another advantage of the inventive design of the setting device, namely that the drive only needs to tension a spring element to generate different forces in the setting device.

[0032] If the door element cannot be raised, a tensile stress acts on the actuating mechanism, held in place by the frozen door. If the spring accumulator or its housing is then moved and the second spring element is tensioned, only a force sufficient to tension the second spring element is required. In this case, the forces of the spring elements add up, allowing for high forces to be provided for breaking the ice and raising the door element. Preferably, spring forces of 0 to approximately 200 N, more preferably 80 to 160 N, are provided by the first spring element, while forces of 0 to approximately 400 N, more preferably up to 350 N, can be provided by the second spring element. In total, the forces of the spring elements can thus add up to approximately 500 N.

[0033] In a further embodiment of the invention, the spring accumulator has a traction element, in particular a traction element, wherein a traction force can be transmitted to a drive unit for the door element by means of the traction element. The spring accumulator can be arranged in the vehicle lock or separately in the vehicle door element. Preferably, the opening device is designed such that an actuating element in the spring accumulator serves as the traction element. This preferred embodiment makes it possible to generate traction forces that can be used to open the vehicle door element by releasing the spring element(s). Downstream of the traction element is a drive unit that mechanically opens the door by means of the actuating element or traction element. In the simplest case, the drive unit can be designed as a lever element, wherein the lever element acts, for example, on a door check strap.A door check strap is integrated into the vehicle lock and typically secures the opening movement of the door, while also usually allowing for different locking positions. The door can be held in various locking positions by means of the door check strap.

[0034] If the drive unit now acts on the door check strap, the door element can be raised with the fewest possible components.

[0035] It is also conceivable that the drive unit itself has an actuating rod that allows a force to be exerted on the door element to raise it. The drive unit or the actuating rod for raising the door element could be located in the area of ​​the door hinges, but it is also conceivable that the drive unit downstream of the spring mechanism is located in the area of ​​the vehicle lock and acts on the body and / or the lock holder in the area of ​​the door lock.

[0036] In a further advantageous embodiment, a Bowden cable is arranged between the spring accumulator and the drive unit. This arrangement allows the spring accumulator to be positioned at a distance from the drive unit within the vehicle door element. Tensile forces can be easily transmitted via the Bowden cable. Depending on the Bowden cable's arrangement, it is also conceivable that compressive forces could be transmitted to the drive unit via the Bowden cable. The inventive design of the opening device now makes it possible to provide an energy storage device that enables door opening, and the spring accumulator can be tensioned independently of the required opening force. This offers the advantage of using the smallest possible motors, which also only need to provide minimal forces to tension the spring elements.This allows the spring elements, and in particular the forces of the spring elements, to be added without the need for large motors to tension them. Furthermore, the design of the erection device according to the invention offers the possibility of controlling the erection process by controlled relaxation of the spring elements. For this purpose, only minimal forces are required from the electric drive, since the relaxation of the spring accumulator is accompanied by a relaxation of the spring element itself, thereby assisting the positioning movement of the spring accumulator or its housing with spring force.

[0037] The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and an exemplary embodiment. However, it is important to note that this exemplary embodiment does not limit the invention, but merely represents an advantageous configuration.

[0038] It shows: Figure 1 shows a basic representation of an opening device for a motor vehicle door element in a side view and in a sectional view of the spring accumulator, wherein the spring accumulator is shown in a basic position, Figure 2 shows the opening device in a normal operation, i.e. an open position of the door element, and Figure 3 shows the opening device or the spring accumulator in an operating position with increased force.

[0039] In the Figure 1Figure 1 shows a schematic representation of a lifting device 1. The lifting device 1 is connected to a Bowden cable 2, which interacts with a drive unit 3. In this embodiment, the lifting device 1, Bowden cable 2, and drive unit 3 together form the lifting device for the vehicle door element 4. The drive unit 3 has an actuating rod 5, which is connected to the vehicle body 6. In this exemplary embodiment, the lifting device 1 is equipped with a Bowden cable 2 and a drive unit 3; however, this is merely an example, as the lifting device 1 and the actuating element 7 contained within the lifting device 1 can also engage directly with the vehicle body 6.

[0040] The mounting device 1 is driven by an electric drive 8. The electric drive 8 has a worm 9, the worm 9 meshing with a worm wheel 10, and the worm wheel 10 driving a transmission element 11. The transmission element 11 can, for example, be a spindle. The transmission element 11, in turn, is rigidly connected to a housing 12, so that the housing 12 can be moved in the direction of arrow P1 by means of the electric drive 8 and via the transmission 9, 10, 11.

[0041] A first spring element 14 and a second spring element 15 are arranged in an interior 13 of the housing 12. The actuating means 7 has a preferably circular contact surface 16 for actuating and supporting the spring elements 14 and 15. The first spring element 14 is held or tensioned between the contact surface 16 and a fixed mounting surface 17. The mounting surface 17 can be part of a motor vehicle or can also form part of the motor vehicle door element 4. The mounting surface 17 forms a fixed contact and can also serve as a mounting surface for the positioning device 1.

[0042] In the Figure 1The initial position A is shown, in which the vehicle door element 4 is in the closed position. In this embodiment, the housing 12, the actuating means 7, the first spring element 14, the second spring element 15, and the mounting surface 17 form the spring accumulator 18. The spring accumulator 18 is designed such that a tensile force F can be introduced into the Bowden cable 2 or the drive unit 3 by means of the actuating means 7.

[0043] The Figure 1 The starting position A is shown, in which the transmission means 11 or the housing 12 is in the direction of arrow P1 and in the Figure 1was moved to the right. By moving the housing 12 towards the mounting surface 17, the first spring element 14, designed as a compression spring, was tensioned. The first spring element 14 forms an energy storage device between the mounting surface 17 and the contact surface 16 of the actuating device 7. If, starting from the initial position A, the vehicle door element 4 is to be moved into an open position E, the housing 12 is moved by means of the electric drive 9 in the direction of arrow P1 and in the Figure 1 Proceed to the left.

[0044] The opening O is in the Figure 2The housing 12 of the spring accumulator 18 was moved to the left in the direction of arrow P1, thereby relaxing the first spring element 14 and transferring the energy to the actuating device 7. The electric drive 8 thus only controls the release of the energy from the spring accumulator 18. Only a small amount of motor power is therefore required to raise the door element 4, since the motor relaxes the spring element 14, which in turn advantageously results in short operating times for raising the door element 4. If the actuating device 7 is moved as shown in the Figure 2As shown, moving the actuator 7 to the left in the direction of arrow P1 transmits its movement to the drive unit 3 via the Bowden cable 2. A pivotally mounted lever 19 within the drive unit 3 can be pivoted about its pivot axis 20 in the direction of arrow P2. The pivoting movement of the lever 19, in conjunction with the actuating rod 5, then causes the vehicle door element 4 to be raised.

[0045] In the Figure 3 The diagram now shows the state in which the vehicle door element 4 requires increased force to open. For the usual opening of the vehicle door element 4, the housing 12 of the spring accumulator 18 was moved in the direction of arrow P1 into the open position O. Due to, for example, an iced-up door seal, the actuating device 7 could not follow the movement of the housing 12 under the force of the first spring element 14. In this case, the second spring element 15 is now activated.

[0046] Moving the housing 12 beyond the open position O in the direction of arrow P1 to the left into an ice-breaking position E results in the additional tensioning of the second spring element 15. In this case, the spring forces of the first and second spring elements 14, 15 combine to produce an increased force, so that even if the vehicle door element 4 becomes jammed or frozen shut, a sufficient and increased force FH is available.

[0047] Advantageously, the electric drive 8 only needs to tension a spring or release the spring elements 14, 15, thus enabling operation with low electrical power. Low electrical power necessitates only small motors and small dimensions for the drive elements. After the vehicle door element 4 has been erected, the spring accumulator 18 is returned to its position in the Figure 1Return to the starting position A shown. Reference symbol list

[0048] 1. Mounting device 2. Bowden cable 3. Drive unit 4. Vehicle door element 5. Actuating rod 6. Vehicle body 7. Actuating device 8. Electric drive 9. Worm gear 10. Worm wheel 11. Transmission device 12. Housing 13. Interior of the housing 14. First spring element 15. Second spring element 16. Contact surface 17. Mounting surface 18. Spring accumulator 19. Lever 20. Swivel axis P, P2 Arrow A Starting position O Opening position E Icebreaking position F, F H Tensile force

Claims

1. Opening device (1) for a motor vehicle door element (4) for opening the door element (4) by means of an actuator (7), the opening device (1) having an electric drive (8) and an actuator (7), it being possible for the actuator (7) to be operated by means of the electric drive (8), a spring accumulator (18) being arranged between the electric drive (8) and the actuator (7), the spring accumulator (18) being designed to support the movement of the actuator (7), characterized in that the spring accumulator (18) has a first spring element (14) and at least one second spring element (15), it being possible for the spring elements (14, 15) to be tensioned and / or relaxed sequentially from one another and by means of the electric drive (8).

2. Opening device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the spring accumulator (18) is tensioned in an initial position (A).

3. Opening device (1) according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that by means of the spring accumulator (18) being relaxed, the door element (4) can be operated, in particular pivoted.

4. Opening device (1) according to any of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the door element (1) can be transferred from a closed position to an open position (O) by means of the opening device (4).

5. Opening device (1) according to any of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the spring elements (14, 15) can be operated by the drive (8) in such a way that the spring forces (F, FH) add up.

6. Opening device (1) according to any of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the actuator (7) of the spring accumulator (18) is designed as a tension means, it being possible for a tension force (F, FH) to be transferred to a drive unit (3) of the door element (4) by means of the tension means, the drive unit (3) being configured in such a way that the door element (4) is mechanically opened by means of the actuator (7).

7. Opening device (1) according to claim 6, characterized in that a Bowden cable (2) is arranged between the spring accumulator (18) and the drive unit (3).