DRIVE DEVICE WITH AT LEAST ONE DRIVE UNIT AND AT LEAST ONE PLANETARY GEAR

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a drive device according to the type defined in more detail in the preamble of patent claim 1.

[0002] In general, multi-shaft planetary gears are well known and, due to their high power density, are used in many technical areas, such as bicycle hub gears or in the form of differentials, for torque transmission.

[0003] Such differentials also enable speed compensation in the transverse direction between the wheels of one axle or in the longitudinal direction between at least two axles of a four-wheel drive vehicle. The drive torque of a prime mover, which is applied as drive torque to one of the shafts of such a differential, is transferred to two additional shafts and then transferred out of the differential.

[0004] Differentials are also known in which the unhindered speed distribution in the transverse or longitudinal direction of the vehicle between two shafts of a differential can be at least partially limited. Such differentials are also called limited-slip differentials. A limited-slip differential helps in situations where friction loss is often a threat, i.e., where full power is required at both or all wheels. In snow, ice, slippery conditions, and mud, it is advantageous to have both wheels on an axle driven.

[0005] DE 10 2007 033 418 A1 discloses a drive device which falls under the wording of the preamble of claim 1.

[0006] It is the object of the invention to provide a space-saving and cost-effective drive device with which two different outputs can be driven by means of a drive unit with little control and regulation effort.

[0007] Further preferred objects may arise from the advantageous effects of the technology disclosed herein.

[0008] According to the invention, this object is achieved with a drive device having the features of patent claim 1. Advantageous further developments are the subject of the subclaims and the following description.

[0009] In the drive device according to claim 1, a drive torque can be introduced into the planetary gear via the first shaft, and an output torque can be output from the planetary gear via the second shaft or the third shaft.

[0010] According to the invention, a self-activating locking mechanism is provided which automatically locks and releases a rotational movement of the second shaft depending on the rotational positions of the second shaft and the third shaft, and automatically locks and releases a rotational movement of the third shaft depending on the rotational positions of the second shaft and the third shaft. The locking mechanism is designed such that the third shaft can be driven in rotation by the first shaft, and the second shaft is simultaneously held in rotationally fixed manner by the locking mechanism. In addition, the locking mechanism is designed such that the second shaft can be driven in rotation by the first shaft, and the third shaft is simultaneously held in rotationally fixed manner by the locking mechanism.

[0011] The drive device according to the invention makes it possible to operate two outputs via a single drive unit, which is achieved with minimal control and regulation effort. The alternating drive of the two outputs of the second shaft and the third shaft advantageously takes place without additional control by an operator or by means of a control unit, since the locking mechanism is automatically activated or deactivated depending on the rotational position of the second shaft and the rotational position of the third shaft.

[0012] For this purpose, the locking mechanism of the drive device claimed in claim 1 comprises a holding element that is fixedly connected to the third shaft. In this embodiment of the drive device, the holding element engages in a rotationally fixed associated receptacle of the locking mechanism during an operating state of the planetary gear during which the third shaft is rotationally fixedly held by the locking mechanism.

[0013] Furthermore, the locking mechanism can comprise a holding element which is fixedly connected to the second shaft and engages in a rotationally fixed associated receptacle during an operating state of the planetary gear during which the second shaft is held in a rotationally fixed manner.

[0014] The receptacles of the locking mechanism can each represent the end regions of the guide tracks of a locking slide that can be moved longitudinally between two end positions. Such a design of the drive device according to the invention is structurally simple and characterized by a small number of components, allowing the drive device to be assembled with minimal effort.

[0015] In a space-saving embodiment of the drive device according to the invention, the locking slide, which is linearly mounted in the region of a housing, extends in the radial direction of the planetary gear and is designed with an elongated hole. The elongated hole can extend in the longitudinal direction of the locking slide. In addition, the first shaft of the planetary gear can engage in the elongated hole.

[0016] The guide tracks can be provided in opposite end areas of the gate valve. It is possible to open the guide tracks in the opposite sides of the gate valve, and to insert or remove the retaining elements from the guide tracks via the open areas during a rotational movement of the second shaft and a rotational movement of the third shaft.

[0017] In order to be able to implement the self-activation of the locking mechanism with only low actuating forces, the guide tracks in one embodiment of the drive device according to the invention are each designed with track sections that run diagonally towards one another, starting from the open areas. It can be provided that the courses each enclose an acute angle with a longitudinal direction of the locking slide. The courses can be followed by further track sections that run towards one another in the longitudinal direction of the locking slide and encompass the end regions of the guide tracks. The locking slide is displaced linearly by the holding elements arranged therein via the track sections of the guide tracks that run diagonally towards one another until one of the holding elements is guided out of the guide track and the other holding element in the other guide track is held in a rotationally fixed manner in the receptacle of the guide track.

[0018] In a further embodiment of the drive device according to the invention, which can be operated in a simple manner, the track section of one slide track is adapted to the further track section of the other slide track in such a way that the holding element of the second shaft is inserted into the slide track associated with the holding element of the second shaft and held there in a rotationally fixed manner, depending on the direction of rotation of the driven first shaft. In addition, the holding element of the third shaft is simultaneously guided out of the slide track associated with the holding element of the third shaft.In addition, the track sections of the slide tracks are adapted to one another in such a way that the holding element of the third shaft is introduced into the slide track assigned to the holding element of the third shaft and is held there in a rotationally fixed manner depending on the direction of rotation of the driven first shaft, while the holding element of the second shaft is simultaneously guided out of the slide track assigned to the holding element of the second shaft.

[0019] Furthermore, it can be provided that the length of the elongated hole of the locking element in the longitudinal direction of the locking element and the vertical distances between the end regions of the guide tracks and the open regions of the guide tracks in the longitudinal direction of the locking element are coordinated with one another. In this case, one end region of the elongated hole, which faces away from the end region of the guide track in which the holding element of the second shaft or the holding element of the third shaft is held in a rotationally fixed manner, can abut against a cylindrical outer side of the first shaft. The travel of the locking slide is then limited by the first shaft in a structurally simple manner and without additional construction effort.

[0020] The automatic activation of the locking mechanism is realized in a structurally simple embodiment of the drive device according to the invention in that both the second shaft and the third shaft can be driven in rotation by the first shaft when the locking slide is in positions between its two end positions.

[0021] The end areas of the slide tracks can each be designed with undercuts, through which the retaining elements can be subjected to a holding force that acts on the retaining elements in the direction of the receptacles. This design simply prevents the automatic loosening of the rotationally fixed connection between the retaining elements and the slide tracks or the locking slide, which could otherwise be caused by vibrations, impacts, or the like.

[0022] If the outer side of the first shaft, which interacts with the end areas of the elongated hole, is an outer side of a sleeve rotatably mounted on the first shaft, the rotary drive of the first shaft is not hindered by the locking slide when the locking slide is in contact with the outer side of the first shaft.

[0023] The retaining elements can each engage with cylindrical portions of the slide tracks. This ensures in a simple manner that the drive device according to the invention can be operated with low actuating forces, since the curved outer surface of the retaining elements prevents the retaining elements from jamming in the slide tracks.

[0024] In a further embodiment of the drive device according to the invention, the first shaft of the planetary gear is designed as a sun gear, the second shaft of the planetary gear is designed as a ring gear, and the third shaft of the planetary gear is designed as a planet carrier. At least one planet gear is rotatably mounted on the planet carrier, which meshes with both the sun gear and the ring gear.

[0025] The reference of the claims to the drawings by use of reference signs is not intended to limit the scope of the claims.

[0026] Preferred developments emerge from the dependent claims and the following description. An exemplary embodiment of the invention is explained in more detail with reference to the drawing, without being limited thereto.

[0027] It shows: Fig. 1 a simplified three-dimensional view of a vehicle with a drive device that actuates a vehicle flap to close and release an opening of a vehicle body of the vehicle; Fig. 2 one in Fig. 1 more specifically marked area II in a side view and in an operating state of the vehicle flap in which the vehicle flap closes the opening of the vehicle body; Fig. 3 one Fig. 2 corresponding representation of the vehicle flap in the partially open state; Fig. 4 Area II in a Fig. 2 corresponding representation in an operating state of the vehicle flap in which the vehicle flap completely releases the opening; Fig. 5a bis Fig. 5g a drive device for opening and closing the vehicle door and for operating a charging socket in a three-dimensional view obliquely from above; Fig. 6a bis Fig. 6d a side view of the drive device according to Fig. 5a bis Fig. 5g starting from a closed position of the vehicle door to an open position of the vehicle door; Fig. 7a bis Fig. 7f each show side views of the drive device without the vehicle flap and the charging socket, starting from an operating state of the drive device in which the vehicle flap closes an opening in the vehicle body, up to an operating state of the drive device in which the vehicle flap has moved into its open position; Fig. 8a bis Fig. 8d the drive device during an operating state during which the vehicle flap is in its open position and the charging socket is moved from a rest position to an active position; Fig. 9a bis Fig. 9d respectively Fig. 8a bis Fig. 8d corresponding representations of the drive device during the operating state, which Fig. 8a bis Fig. 8d is based, whereby the charging socket and a linear guide associated with the charging socket are not shown; Fig. 10a one Fig. 7a corresponding representation of the drive device in an operating state of the drive device, in which the vehicle flap is arranged in its open position and the charging socket is arranged in its rest position; and Fig. 10b one Fig. 10a corresponding representation of the drive device in an operating state in which the vehicle flap is in its open position and the charging socket is in its active position.

[0028] Fig. 1 shows a vehicle 1 with a vehicle body 2 and a drive device 3, which can comprise at least one internal combustion engine, at least one electric machine or a combination of at least one internal combustion engine and at least one electric machine.

[0029] In the present case, the vehicle 1 has a vehicle flap 4 at the rear, which is provided for closing and uncovering an opening 5 in the vehicle body 2. The opening 5 is a charging recess through which an electrical connector system can be operatively connected to a corresponding coupling element arranged within the vehicle body 2 or beneath the outer skin of the vehicle 1 in order to charge an electrical energy storage device of the vehicle 1. The vehicle flap thus represents a so-called charging flap, which is essentially designed as a flat or plate-like element.

[0030] Fig. 2 shows one in Fig. 1 more specifically marked area II, which includes the vehicle flap 4. The vehicle flap 4 is in Fig. 2 shown in an operating state in which the opening 5 is completely closed by the vehicle door 4. In addition, Fig. 3 one of the Fig. 2 corresponding representation of the vehicle flap 4 in an operating state in which the opening 5 is partially released by the vehicle flap 4 and in which the vehicle flap 4 is partially pivoted upwards in the vehicle vertical direction z within the vehicle body. In the Fig. 4 In the operating state of the vehicle flap 4 shown, the opening 5 of the vehicle flap 4 is released.

[0031] Fig. 5a shows a three-dimensional partial view of a drive device 6 for opening and closing the vehicle flap 4 and for adjusting an at least partially in Fig. 5a The charging socket 7 shown here represents an electrical coupling element for charging an electrical energy storage device of the vehicle 1. The drive device 6 comprises a drive unit 6A, which is not shown in detail in the drawing and can be designed as a conventional electric motor. In addition, the drive device 6 comprises a three-shaft planetary gear 8, which has a ring gear 9, a planet carrier 10, and a sun gear 11. Rotatably mounted on the planet carrier 10 are three planet gears 12, which mesh with both the ring gear 9 and the sun gear 11.

[0032] A drive shaft of the drive unit 6A of the drive device 6 is operatively connected to the sun gear 11, whereby a drive torque of the drive unit 6A can be introduced into the planetary gear 8 via the sun gear 11. The ring gear 9 is connected to the vehicle flap 4 via a lever element 13. The vehicle flap 4 can thus be moved from its closed position to its open position by the drive unit 6A of the drive device 6 in the manner described in more detail below. The planetary carrier 10 is connected to the charging socket 7 via a further lever element 30 in order to move the charging socket 7 along a linear guide 14 from a Fig. 5a shown resting position into one in Fig. 8d to transfer the effective position shown in more detail.

[0033] During a first operating phase, the drive unit 6A of the drive device 6 drives the sun gear 11 in the direction of rotation D1, which is why the ring gear 9 is also rotated in the direction of rotation D1. At the same time, the planet carrier 10 is held in a rotationally fixed manner by a locking mechanism 15 of the drive device 6. For this purpose, a holding element 21, which is firmly connected to the planet carrier 10, engages in a rotationally fixed receptacle 22 of a locking slide or locking slide 16.

[0034] Due to the rotation of the ring gear 9, the vehicle lid 4 performs a lifting movement and is thereby moved away from a sealing unit 17 essentially in the vehicle transverse direction x or toward the vehicle interior. For this purpose, control tracks 18A, 18B are provided in the lever element 13, into which a coupling element 19A, 19B engages. The coupling elements 19A, 19B are firmly connected to the vehicle lid 4. In addition, the coupling elements 19A, 19B engage in body-mounted guide tracks 20, 201 of a guide system. The guide tracks 20, 201 each comprise a first guide track section 20A or 201A and a second guide track section 20B or 201B.

[0035] In the closed position of the vehicle flap 4, the coupling elements 19A, 19B are each arranged in the first end regions of the control tracks 18A, 18B and the guide track sections 20A, 201A. If the lever element 13 is moved by the drive unit 6A via the planetary gear 8 by rotation of the ring gear 9 from the position shown in Fig. 5a shown rotational position to the one in Fig. 5b shown position is adjusted or rotated, the coupling elements 19A, 19B slide along the control tracks 18A, 18B and in the guide track sections 20A, 201A of the guide tracks 20, 201 until the coupling elements 19A, 19B reach second end regions of the control tracks 18A, 18B. During this rotary movement of the lever element 13 and the sliding along of the coupling elements 19A, 19B in the control tracks 18A, 18B and in the control track sections 20A, 201A of the guide tracks 20, 201, the vehicle flap 4 executes the prescribed lifting movement starting from the closed position in the direction of the vehicle interior.

[0036] If the lever element 13 is further moved out of the position shown in Fig. 5b shown position in the Fig. 5c shown operating position, the vehicle flap 4 is moved in the vehicle vertical direction z from the position shown in Fig. 5b shown position into the Fig. 5c shown position under the outer skin of the vehicle body 2. If the drive unit 6A drives the ring gear 9 via the sun gear 11 and the planet gears 12 further in the direction of rotation D1, the vehicle flap 4 is moved from the position shown in Fig. 5c shown position over the Fig. 5d into the Fig. 5e shown position, in which the vehicle flap 4 is arranged in its so-called open position.

[0037] In the open position, the vehicle tailgate 4 completely exposes the opening 5 of the vehicle body 2. In addition, when the vehicle tailgate 4 is in the open position, a further holding element 23 of the locking mechanism 15 engages in a further, rotationally fixed receptacle 24 of the locking slide 16. The further holding element 23 is fixedly connected to the ring gear 9. Thus, when the sun gear 11 is driven further in the direction of rotation D1 by the drive unit 6A of the drive device 6, the ring gear 9 is held rotationally fixed by the locking mechanism 15. The receptacles 22 and 24 of the locking mechanism 15 each represent end regions of guide tracks 25, 26 of the locking slide 16 or locking slide, which can be moved longitudinally between two end positions. The holding elements 21 and 23 each engage with cylindrical regions in the guide tracks 25, 26. In a preferred embodiment, the rotation angle range of the ring gear 9 can be limited to approximately 80°.

[0038] The locking slide 16 is mounted in the region of a housing 27 for linear displacement and extends in the radial direction of the planetary gear 8. Additionally, the locking slide 16 is designed with an elongated hole 28. A sun gear shaft 29 engages in the elongated hole 28 and interacts with the drive shaft of the drive unit 6A. The elongated hole 28 extends essentially in the longitudinal direction of the locking slide 16.

[0039] The above-described design of the locking mechanism 15, in conjunction with the planetary gear 8, enables the vehicle flap 4 and the charging socket 7 to be actuated essentially sequentially one after the other via a single drive unit 6A or a single electric motor or alternately in order to move the vehicle flap 4 between its open position and its closed position or its closed position and to move the charging socket 7 between its in Fig. 5f shown resting position and its Fig. 5g shown effective position in the vehicle transverse direction y.

[0040] During a rotary drive by the drive unit 6A of the drive device 6, the charging socket 7 is moved via the linear guide 14 essentially in the vehicle transverse direction y between the rest position and the active position. In this case, an adjustment of the charging socket 7 and an adjustment of the vehicle lid 4 are coordinated with one another such that the charging socket 7 is in the active position when the vehicle lid 4 is open and in the rest position when the vehicle lid 4 is closed. In this case, a vertical distance between a side 31 of the charging socket 7, which faces an outer side of the vehicle body 2, in the active position of the charging socket 7 and in the vehicle transverse direction y is smaller than in the rest position of the charging socket 7. The rest position of the charging socket 7 is in Fig. 5f shown, while the charging socket 7 in Fig. 5g shown in their effective position.

[0041] Fig. 6a bis Fig. 6d each show a side view of the drive device 6 together with the vehicle flap 4 and the charging socket 7 during an operating state during which the vehicle flap 4 is moved from the closed position to its open position and during which the charging socket 7 is positioned in its rest position. From the illustrations according to Fig. 6a bis Fig. 6d It can be seen that the holding element 21, which is firmly connected to the ring gear 9, is guided in the direction of the guide track 25 of the locking slide 16 during the rotary drive of the ring gear 9 and the associated lifting and pivoting movement of the vehicle flap 4. Shortly before reaching the open position of the vehicle flap 4, the holding element 21 engages in the Fig. 6c shown manner into the guide track 25. If the ring gear 9 is rotated further in the direction of rotation D1, the locking slide 16 is linearly adjusted by the holding element 21 in the radial direction R8 of the planetary gear 8. In this case, the locking slide 16 is moved from the position shown in Fig. 6c presented position increasingly in the Fig. 6d shown position, in which the holding element 21 is not yet completely arranged in the receptacle 22. If the holding element 21 is completely arranged in the receptacle 22, the ring gear 9 is blocked by the locking slide 16 against further rotation in the direction of rotation D1.

[0042] Fig. 7a bis Fig. 7f each show partial side views of the drive device 6 without the vehicle flap 4 and the charging socket 7. The illustrations according to Fig. 7a bis Fig. 7f show the drive device 6 during a change in operating state, starting from an operating state in which the vehicle lid 4 is in its closed position to an operating state in which the vehicle lid 4 is in its open position. The charging socket 7 remains in its rest position.

[0043] In Fig. 7a The further holding element 23, which is firmly connected to the planet carrier 10, is firmly arranged in the further receptacle 24 of the locking slide 16. The planet carrier 10 is thus held in a rotationally fixed manner by the locking slide 16. If the drive unit 6A of the drive device 6 drives the ring gear 9 in the direction of rotation D1, the lever element 13 is moved out of the Fig. 7a presented position increasingly in the Fig. 7b At the same time, the holding element 21 rotates together with the ring gear 9 in the direction of the guide track 25 of the locking slide 16. Upon further rotation of the ring gear 9, the holding element 21 engages in the guide track 25 and adjusts the locking slide 16 in the radial direction R8 of the planetary gear 8. The further holding element 23 is thereby in the Fig. 7c shown manner from the further receptacle 24 of the locking slide 16, so that the rotationally fixed connection between the locking slide 16 and the planet carrier 10 is released.

[0044] The guide tracks 25 and 26 of the locking slide 16 are each provided in the end regions of the locking slide 16. Additionally, the guide tracks 25 and 26 are open in the region of opposite sides 16A, 16B of the locking slide 16. Thus, the retaining elements 21 and 23 can be inserted into and removed from the guide tracks 25 and 26 via the open regions of the guide tracks 25 and 26 during a rotational movement of the ring gear 9 and the planet carrier 10.

[0045] Furthermore, the slide tracks 25 and 26 each comprise track sections 34, 35 extending obliquely toward one another from the open areas, the paths of which each form an acute angle with a longitudinal direction of the locking slide 16. The track sections 34, 35 are adjoined by further track sections 36, 37 extending toward one another in the longitudinal direction of the locking slide 16, which terminate in the end regions or receptacles 22, 24 of the slide tracks 25, 26.

[0046] The track sections 34, 36 of the link track 25 are adapted to the track sections 35, 37 of the link track 26 in such a way that the holding element 21 of the ring gear 9 is inserted into the link track 25 and held there in a rotationally fixed manner depending on the direction of rotation D1 or the opposite direction of rotation D2 of the driven first shaft or the driven sun gear 11, respectively, while the holding element 23 of the planet carrier 10 is simultaneously guided out of the link track 26. In addition, the track sections 34 to 37 of the link tracks 25, 26 are adapted to one another in such a way that the holding element 23 of the planet carrier 10 is inserted into the link track 26 and held there in a rotationally fixed manner depending on the direction of rotation D2 of the sun gear 11, respectively, while the holding element 21 of the ring gear 9 is simultaneously guided out of the link track 25.

[0047] In addition, a length L28 of the elongated hole 28 of the locking slide 16 and vertical distances L25, L26 between the end regions 22, 24 of the guide tracks 25, 26 and the open regions of the guide tracks 25, 26 are coordinated with one another in the longitudinal direction of the locking slide 16. The coordination is such that in each case an end region of the elongated hole 28, which faces away from the end region 22 or 24 of the guide track 25 or 26, in which the holding element 21 of the ring gear 9 or the holding element 23 of the planet carrier 10 is held in a rotationally fixed manner, rests against a cylindrical outer side 38 of the sun gear shaft 29 and in each case further adjustment of the locking slide in the radial direction R8 of the planetary gear 8 is not possible.

[0048] In addition, the locking slide 16 and the planetary gear 8 are coordinated with one another in such a way that both the ring gear 9 and the planet carrier 10 can be driven in rotation by the sun gear shaft 29 and the sun gear 11, respectively, when the locking slide 16 is in positions between its two end positions.

[0049] The end regions or receptacles 22, 24 of the slide tracks 25, 26 can each be designed with undercuts. The undercuts can be used to apply a holding force to the retaining elements 21 and 23, which acts on the retaining elements 21, 23 in the direction of the receptacles 22, 24. This provides a simple design that prevents unwanted loosening of the operative connection between the locking slide 16 and the retaining elements 21, 23 when the retaining elements 21, 23 are each arranged in the receptacles 22, 24.

[0050] The outer side 38 of the sun gear shaft 29, which cooperates with the end regions of the elongated hole 28, can in one embodiment of the vehicle 1 be an outer side of a sleeve 39 rotatably mounted on the sun gear shaft 29.

[0051] Fig. 8a shows the drive device 6 in an operating state in which the vehicle flap 4 is arranged in a position which almost corresponds to the open position of the vehicle flap 4 and in which the charging socket 7 is in its rest position.

[0052] The locking slide 16 of the locking mechanism 15 is in Fig. 8a arranged in an intermediate longitudinal position in which the ring gear 9 and the planet carrier 10 are driven in rotation when the sun gear 11 rotates, since neither the holding element 21 is arranged in the receptacle 22 nor the further holding element 23 is arranged in the further receptacle 24. If the sun gear 11 is rotated from the Fig. 8a If, in the operating state of the drive device 6 shown in FIG. 1, the drive unit 6A is further driven in the direction of rotation D1, the rotary drive of the drive unit 6A causes the holding element 21 of the ring gear 9 to be moved out of the Fig. 8a shown position into the Fig. 8b shown position, in which the holding element 21 is completely arranged in the receptacle 22 of the slide track 25 and the ring gear 9 is held in a rotationally fixed manner by the locking slide 16.

[0053] If the sun gear 11 is driven further in the direction of rotation D1, the planet carrier 10 is moved from the Fig. 8a und Fig. 8b the rotational position shown in the Fig. 8c shown rotational position, in which the further holding element 23 no longer engages in the guide track 26 and the further lever element 30 is opposite the Fig. 8a und Fig. 8b shown positions. Fig. 8d shows the drive device 6 in an operating state in which the vehicle flap 4 is arranged completely in its open position and the charging socket 7 has been moved into its operative position. In this operating state of the drive device 6, the further holding element 23 engages in a form-fitting manner in a recess 40 of the locking slide 16, which recess is provided on the side 16B of the locking slide 16. A position of the further holding element 23 and a position of the recess 40 are coordinated with one another in such a way that the further holding element 23 blocks a linear actuating movement of the locking slide 16 when there is a form-fitting connection between the further holding element 23 and the locking slide 16 in the region of the recess 40, as long as the sun gear 11 is not driven in rotation in the direction of rotation D2 by the drive unit 6A of the drive device 6.

[0054] A drive of the sun gear 11 in the direction of rotation D2 starting from the Fig. 8d The operating state of the drive device 6 shown causes the charging socket 7 to first be moved from the active position to its rest position and then the vehicle flap 4 to be moved from the open position to its closed position.

[0055] Fig. 9a bis Fig. 9d represent essentially Fig. 8a bis Fig. 8d corresponding side views of the drive device 6 and the vehicle flap 4. Fig. 9a bis Fig. 9d the charging socket 7 and the linear guide 14 associated with it are not shown, in particular in the operating state of the drive device 6, which is in each case Fig. 8b and in Fig. 9b is shown, the position of the further holding element 23 can be seen from the drawing.

[0056] Fig. 10a und Fig. 10b each show a side view of a part of the drive device 6 without the vehicle flap 4 and the charging socket 7. Fig. 10a an operating state of the drive device 6 is shown in which the vehicle flap 4 is completely in its open position, while the charging socket 7 is arranged in its rest position. In contrast, Fig. 10b the drive device 6 in the operating state in which the vehicle flap 4 is arranged in its open position, while the charging socket 7 is in its active position.

[0057] In general, the vehicle 1 has an innovative charging socket mechanism in which the control of a rotary drive of a drive unit 6A, such as an electric motor or the like, is carried out via a planetary gear and a self-activating locking mechanism associated with the planetary gear for the actuation of the charging socket 7 and the vehicle flap 4.

Claims

1. A drive device (6) comprising at least one drive unit (6A) with at least one planetary gear (8) having a first shaft (11), a second shaft (9), and at least a third shaft (10), wherein a drive torque of the drive unit (6A) can be introduced into the planetary gear (8) via the first shaft (11), and an output torque can be output from the planetary gear (8) via the second shaft (9) and the third shaft (10), wherein a self-activating locking mechanism (15) is provided, by means of which the second shaft (9) and the third shaft (10) of the planetary gear (8) can be alternately rotationally fixed, while the second shaft (9) or the third shaft (10) can be rotationally driven by the drive unit (6A) via the first shaft (11), characterized in that the locking mechanism (15) comprises a holding element (23) which is fixedly connected to the third shaft (10) and, during an operating state of the planetary gear (8), in which the third shaft (10) is held in a rotationally fixed manner, engages in a rotationally fixed associated receptacle (24).

2. Drive device according to claim 1 characterized in that the locking mechanism (15) comprises a holding element (21) which is fixedly connected to the second shaft (9) and, during an operating state of the planetary gear (8) in which the second shaft (9) is held in a rotationally fixed manner, engages in a rotationally fixed associated receptacle (22).

3. Drive device according to claim 2, characterized in that the receptacles (22, 24) of the locking mechanism (15) each represent end regions of guide tracks (25, 26) of a locking slide (16) that can be displaced longitudinally between two end positions.

4. Drive device according to claim 3, characterized in that the locking slide (16), which is longitudinally movable between two end positions, is linearly mounted in the region of a housing (27) and extends in the radial direction (R8) of the planetary gear (8) and is designed with an elongated hole (28) into which the first shaft (11) engages and which extends in the longitudinal direction of the locking slide (16) in the locking slide (16).

5. Drive device according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that the guide tracks (25, 26) are each provided in opposite end regions of the locking slide (16), wherein the guide tracks (25, 26) are open in the region of mutually opposite sides (16A, 16B) of the locking slide (16), and the holding elements (21, 23) can be inserted into and removed from the guide tracks (25, 26) via the open regions of the guide tracks (25, 26) during a rotational movement of the second shaft (9) and the third shaft (10).

6. Drive device according to claim 5, characterized in that the guide tracks (25, 26), starting from the open areas, are each designed with track sections (34, 35) extending obliquely toward one another, the courses of which each form an acute angle with a longitudinal direction of the locking slide (16), and which are adjoined by further track sections (36, 37) extending toward one another in the longitudinal direction of the locking slide (16), and comprising the end areas (22, 24) of the guide tracks (25, 26).

7. Drive device according to claim 6, characterized in that the track section (34 or 36) of a guide track (25 or 26) is adapted to the further track section (37 or 35) of the other guide track (26 or 25) in such a way that the holding element (21) of the second shaft (9) is, depending on the direction of rotation (D1) of the driven first shaft (11), inserted into the guide track (25) which is assigned to the holding element (21) of the second shaft (9) and is held there in a rotationally fixed manner, while the holding element (23) of the third shaft (10) is simultaneously guided out of the guide track (26) which is assigned to the holding element (23) of the third shaft (10), and in that the holding element (23) of the third shaft (10) is, depending on the direction of rotation (D2) of the driven first shaft (11), inserted into the guide track (26), which is assigned to the holding element (23) of the third shaft (10) and is held there in a rotationally fixed manner, while the holding element (21) of the second shaft (9) is simultaneously guided out of the guide track (25) which is assigned to the holding element (21) of the second shaft (9).

8. Drive device according to one of claims 4 to 7, characterized in that a length (L28) of the elongated hole (28) of the locking slide (16) in the longitudinal direction of the locking slide (16) and vertical distances (L25, L26) between the end regions (22, 24) of the guide tracks (25, 26) and the open regions of the guide tracks (25, 26) in the longitudinal direction of the locking slide (16) are matched with one another such that an end region of the elongated hole (28) facing away from the end region (22, 24) of the guide track (25, 26) in which the holding element (21) of the second shaft (9) or the holding element (24) of the third shaft (10) is held in a rotationally fixed manner bears against a cylindrical outer side (38) of the first shaft (11).

9. Drive device according to one of claims 3 to 8, characterized in that both the second shaft (9) and the third shaft (10) can be rotationally driven by the first shaft (11) when the locking slide (16) is in positions between its two end positions.

10. Drive device according to one of claims 3 to 9, characterized in that the receptacles (22, 24) of the guide tracks (25, 26) are each designed with undercuts, via which the holding elements (21, 23) can each be subjected to with a holding force, which acts on the holding elements (21, 23) in the direction of the receptacles (22, 24).

11. Drive device according to claim 9 or 10, characterized in that the outer side (38) of the first shaft (11), which cooperates with the respective end regions of the elongated hole of the locking slide (16), is an outer side of a sleeve (39) rotatably mounted on the first shaft (11).

12. Drive device according to one of claims 3 to 11, characterized in that the holding elements (21, 23) each engage with cylindrical portions in the guide tracks (25, 26) of the locking slide (16).

13. Drive device according to one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that the first shaft (11) is designed as a sun gear, the second shaft (9) as a ring gear, and the third shaft (10) as a planetary carrier, wherein at least one planetary gear (12) is rotatably mounted on the planetary carrier (10), which planetary gear meshes with both the sun gear (11) and the ring gear (9).

14. Drive device according to one of claims 3 to 13, characterized in that at least one of the holding elements (23) of the locking mechanism (15) can be inserted into a recess (40) of the locking slide (16) in a form-fitting manner, wherein a position of the holding element (23) and a position of the recess (40) are correlated with one another such that the holding element (23) blocks a linear actuating movement of the locking slide (16) during a form-fitting connection between the holding element (23) and the locking slide (16) in the region of the recess (40).