Positioning device for a motor vehicle door

Abstract

The invention relates to a positioning device for a motor vehicle door, which is provided in its basic design with an electric motor drive (7) for a positioning element (1, 2), furthermore with at least one sensor (6) assigned to the positioning element (1, 2), and with a movement element (9) optionally securing or releasing the positioning element (1, 2) and / or the motor vehicle door. The sensor (6) is capable at least of measuring a force engaging on the positioning element (1, 2). According to the invention, the movement element (9) can be acted upon at least independently of the operator in accordance with signals from the sensor (6).

Description

[0001] Description

[0002] Opening device for a motor vehicle door

[0003] The invention relates to a positioning device for a motor vehicle door, comprising an electric motor drive for a positioning element, further comprising at least one sensor associated with the positioning element, which is capable of at least measuring a force acting on the positioning element, and comprising a displacement element selectively acting on the positioning element and / or the motor vehicle door.

[0004] For aerodynamic reasons, attempts are increasingly being made to eliminate the need for a door handle for opening motor vehicles, especially their doors, from the outside. To still be able to open the respective motor vehicle door, such positioning devices are provided. With the help of the positioning device, the respective motor vehicle door is raised after a possibly preceded question-and-answer dialogue between the operator and the vehicle, as well as a possible preceded unlocking. A gap between the motor vehicle door and the associated motor vehicle body corresponds to this.

[0005] This gap allows the operator seeking access to, for example, reach behind the vehicle door and swing it open after the opening process. This allows access to the interior of the vehicle.

[0006] In a positioning device for a motor vehicle door, as described in DE 10 2016 105 760 A1, a first sensor is provided, associated with a drive element, which can at least distinguish between a positioning process and a manual opening process of the motor vehicle door. This is intended to provide a low weight while simultaneously improving comfort.

[0007] The further prior art according to DE 10 2018 132 666 A1 provides for a force measuring device to be accommodated in a mounting device in such a way that the movement of a gear carrier can be detected. The gear carrier represents a component of a gear unit belonging to the electric motor drive and is arranged between the mounting element and the electric motor drive.

[0008] The generic prior art according to DE 2018 132 665 A1, for a positioning device, proceeds in such a way that a gear is adjustably arranged between a positioning element and the electric motor drive, thus enabling movement of the associated motor vehicle door. Furthermore, the motor vehicle door can be held in place using the positioning element. For this purpose, a locking means and, in particular, a locking lever are additionally provided. The locking means or locking lever is electronically controllable, in particular, using the electric motor drive. The sensor can be used to detect a force acting on the positioning device. For example, the sensor detects the pulling force of an operator, thereby initiating unlocking of the locking means or locking lever.

[0009] The primary purpose of the locking device or locking lever is to enable a closing movement with the help of the positioning device. This means that the positioning device can function as a combined positioning and closing device. In this context, the sensor effectively takes on a safety function such that if excessive forces occur, the locking can be stopped, prevented, or canceled. This prevents any damage to the positioning device. The state of the art has proven itself in principle, but still offers room for improvement. For example, with such positioning devices there is the general problem that forces acting on them or on the vehicle door from the outside can not be controlled, or can only be controlled to a very limited extent. These external forces can be, for example, wind acting on the vehicle door.In practice, however, other requirements predominantly arise, such as when the motor vehicle is parked with the relevant door on an uphill or downhill gradient. In this case, the positioning device may not be able to prevent the door from opening automatically after the door has been opened, for example, due to the applied downhill force. In any case, the state of the art does not yet provide any convincing solutions for controlling the automatic opening of the motor vehicle door, especially after a positioning process. The invention aims to remedy this situation.

[0010] The invention is based on the technical problem of further developing such a positioning device in such a way that, in particular, independent opening processes of the motor vehicle door following a positioning process are controlled.

[0011] To solve this technical problem, the invention proposes, in a generic installation device, that the movement element can be or is acted upon at least independently of the operator in accordance with signals from the sensor.

[0012] Within the scope of the invention, the movement element is initially actuated independently of an operator or the intervention of an operator. This means that the movement of the movement element is predominantly and at least operator-independent. The movement element is actuated depending on signals from the sensor. If the sensor assigned to the positioning element registers a low or even decreasing force, for example during the positioning process using the electric motor drive, this indicates that the motor vehicle door moved using the positioning device is also subjected to external forces. These external forces can be, for example, a gust of wind or gravitational forces that act on the motor vehicle door when the vehicle is parked on a slope.

[0013] In order to be able to determine such an external force additionally acting on the motor vehicle door or an associated motor vehicle wing, the invention generally proceeds in such a way that a time-dependent force curve, for example, for acting on the setting element is stored as a target force in a control unit which is already provided for actuating the electric motor drive and for reading out the sensor. This time-dependent force curve can be an averaged force curve which has been previously recorded or determined, for example, by operating the setting device several times in a motor vehicle on a level surface and then recording the respective curve of the force detected by the sensor over time and then averaging it. It is of course also possible to average orA standardized force curve over time is stored in the control unit from the outset, based on previously determined values. This target force is compared with the actually measured actual force for deviations. If the actual force is below the target force, this indicates additional forces acting on the vehicle door (and acting in the opening direction).

[0014] In addition, it is also possible to simply measure the actual force acting on the support element (determined by the sensor) (independent of time) and compare it with the target force stored in the control unit. This target force represents the maximum force that occurs when the support element is acted upon when the vehicle is on a level surface. As soon as the measured actual force falls below this target force, this indicates that additional external forces are acting on the vehicle door or its wing, for example, in the form of wind or gravity.

[0015] The target force, which is stored in the control unit and compared with the actual force acting on the sensor, can also simply be configured as an averaged force acting on the support element (rather than the maximum force as before), which is then observed when the vehicle is on level ground and no additional force, such as wind, is acting on the vehicle door. In the same way, a corresponding target force curve can be defined over time and stored in the control unit.

[0016] In all cases, the target force or the target force curve over time is compared with the actual force actually acting on the positioning element or the actual force curve over time. As soon as the comparison shows that the actual force or the actual force curve over time indicates that an additional external force is acting on the door leaf of the vehicle door, the control unit ensures that the positioning element is acted upon.

[0017] The loading of the movement element as a result of an external force acting on the motor vehicle door corresponds to the movement element holding the positioning element or the motor vehicle door in place. In this way, the invention ensures that, following a positioning process using the positioning device according to the invention, the raised motor vehicle door cannot swing open uncontrollably. This prevents any damage to the motor vehicle door as well as, for example, accident situations in which the motor vehicle door in question swings open onto a cycle path, for example, and a cyclist could collide with the motor vehicle door in question.According to the invention, all of this is prevented by the fact that when an external force acts on the motor vehicle door, and taking into account the risk of unintentional full opening, the movement element comes into play and ensures that the positioning element and / or the motor vehicle door is held in place by means of the movement element. This represents the key advantages.

[0018] Specifically, the movement element can engage a locking bolt or striker, which is generally located on the corresponding vehicle door. However, it is also possible for the movement element to engage behind another hook or recess in the vehicle door, thus ensuring that the vehicle door cannot swing open uncontrollably.

[0019] Since the previously mentioned target force or the target force curve over time is stored in the control unit, there is also the option of not only preventing the vehicle door from opening automatically when an external force acts on the vehicle door, thus ensuring that the actual force acting on the vehicle door or the actual force curve over time is ultimately "below" the target force or the target force curve over time. There is also the additional option of using the sensor assigned to the positioning element to determine an additional external force acting on the movement element when the movement element is held in place, which can be traced back to an operator who wants to open the vehicle door, for example. This additional force can then be used by the control unit to deactivate or deactivate the movement element depending on this.ensures that the movement element releases the positioning element and / or the vehicle door.

[0020] This means that the control unit applies pressure to the deactivated movement element depending on sensor signals and when an additional external force is applied to hold the positioning element or the vehicle door in place. In this case, the pressure applied to the deactivated movement element corresponds to the positioning element or the vehicle door being held in place. At the same time, the design is such that the control unit applies pressure to the activated movement element depending on sensor signals and again when an additional external force is applied to release the positioning element or the vehicle door. In this case, the positioning process itself is terminated and the movement element is activated.If external signals of an acting force, detectable by the sensor, are detected when the vehicle door is open and the travel element is activated, the control unit interprets this as corresponding to an operator's request, for example, to fully open the vehicle door. This opening request is then interpreted and implemented by the control unit when the travel element is activated and, depending on the sensor signals, so that the travel element releases the opening element or the vehicle door.

[0021] This is, of course, only necessary if the movement element has previously been activated and has held the positioning element or vehicle door in place. Such a procedure is usually coupled to the additional external force that occurs. Furthermore, within the scope of the invention, this occurs independently of the operator. In principle, however, the movement element can also be actuated both independently of the operator and dependent on the operator.

[0022] With operator-dependent activation of the catch element, it is conceivable that the operator could use the movement element to lock the vehicle door. It is also conceivable in this context that the activated movement element is or can be released as an emergency release.

[0023] According to an advantageous embodiment, the sensor can be assigned to the electric motor drive. It has proven particularly advantageous if the sensor is integrated into the electric motor drive. Such integration can be advantageously implemented by using the sensor to measure the electrical current consumed by the electric motor as a component of the electric motor drive. Strictly speaking, this does not require a separate and additional sensor; rather, the course of the electrical current and the current consumed by the electric motor can be recorded over time.

[0024] Generally, however, the sensor is designed to measure the output force generated by the electric motor drive. In this context, the sensor can be designed as a force sensor. In this case, the sensor is a force sensor associated with a Bowden cable of the drive.

[0025] In order to actuate the movement element, for example, to transition it from its activated, holding state to the deactivated, releasing state and vice versa, the electric motor drive can actuate the movement element. However, the movement element is generally equipped with its own electric motor drive. This electric motor drive can be actuated by the control unit based on sensor signals. This means that the control unit not only reads the sensor and actuates the electric motor drive for the positioning element based on this. The control unit can also control and actuate the movement element's own electric motor drive based on sensor signals.

[0026] According to a further advantageous embodiment, the design is such that the travel element and its own associated electric motor drive are combined to form a technologically independent safety catch module. This means that this safety catch module can, for example, be equipped with its own housing and, as a technologically independent unit, can be combined with the positioning device according to the invention or not. Furthermore, it is possible to design the positioning device completely independently and separately from a usually additionally provided motor vehicle lock, and in particular, a motor vehicle door lock.

[0027] According to an advantageous embodiment, the invention also relates to a motor vehicle lock, and in particular a motor vehicle door lock, equipped with the above-described positioning device. In this case, the positioning device is integrated into the motor vehicle lock in question. This makes it possible for the electric motor drive for the positioning element to be designed, preferably simultaneously, as a closing drive for a locking mechanism that is required anyway. The locking mechanism is generally composed of a rotary latch and a pawl.

[0028] This means that in this case, the electric motor drive not only supplies the actuation of the raising element and the previously described opening process. Conversely, the electric motor drive can also act as a closing drive on the locking mechanism, ensuring that it can be moved, for example, from a pre-locking position to a main locking position.

[0029] The result is a positioning device that, in a strikingly simple manner, prevents the independent opening of a corresponding motor vehicle door due to external forces. Such external forces result in the positioning element being actuated by the positioning element, independent of any operator intervention, in accordance with signals from the sensor. In this case, the positioning element actually ensures that the positioning element or the motor vehicle door is held in place. This prevents any damage to the motor vehicle door or its involvement in an accident. These are the key advantages. The invention is explained in more detail below using a drawing that represents only one exemplary embodiment; in the drawings:

[0030] Fig. 1 shows the installation device according to the invention in conjunction with an associated motor vehicle lock in a first functional position or before the installation process,

[0031] Fig. 2 the motor vehicle lock according to Fig. 1 including the setting device after completion of a setting process and

[0032] Fig. 3 shows another view of the object according to Figs. 1 and 2 with the movement element shown there.

[0033] The figures show a positioning device for a motor vehicle door (not shown in detail). In fact, all that can be seen of the motor vehicle door in question is a locking bolt 8, which can be seen particularly in Fig. 2. The locking bolt 8 is connected to an end wall of the motor vehicle door in question and interacts with a locking mechanism (also not shown in detail), consisting essentially of a rotary latch and pawl, of a motor vehicle lock into which the positioning device is integrated. The closed state of the motor vehicle door corresponds to the locking bolt 8 being fully or almost fully retracted into the motor vehicle lock, as shown in Fig. 1. In contrast, Fig. 2 shows a functional position in which the locking bolt 8, and thus the motor vehicle door, has been raised.In the described case, the locking bolt 8 is located on the door side and the vehicle lock is located on the body side. Of course, the procedure can also be reversed.

[0034] The setting device according to the invention is used to set up the locking bolt 8. For this purpose, it has a setting element 1, 2. The setting element 1, 2 is in turn composed of a setting lever 1 on the one hand and a setting slide 2 connected to it on the other. Due to the combined effect of the setting lever 1 in conjunction with the setting slide 2, the locking bolt 8 can be moved from its retracted position shown in Fig. 1 during a setting process into a set up position shown in Fig. 2. As a result, a gap is observed between the motor vehicle door and a motor vehicle body, which can be reached behind by an operator following the setting process in order to be able to fully open the motor vehicle door.

[0035] The support element 1, 2 is actuated by means of a toggle lever assembly 3, which is pivotally mounted about an axis 4 and actuated by means of an electric motor drive 7. For this purpose, the electric motor drive 7 operates on a Bowden cable 5. Furthermore, the figures show that a sensor 6 is provided.

[0036] In the exemplary embodiment, the sensor 6 is a force sensor 6, which is assigned to the Bowden cable 5. In fact, the Bowden cable 5 is connected to the electric motor drive 7 via the force sensor 6.

[0037] Consequently, if the electric motor drive 7 acts on the toggle lever assembly 3 via the Bowden cable 5 in such a way that the toggle lever assembly pivots about its axis 4, in turn acting on the positioning element 1, 2, the forces acting on the Bowden cable 5 and applied by the electric motor drive can be measured using the sensor 6. To raise the motor vehicle door, the toggle lever assembly pivots counterclockwise about its axis 4.

[0038] 1, 2 and 3 it becomes clear that a movement element 9 is also provided. With the help of the movement element the setting element 1, 2 and / or the motor vehicle door can in principle be selectively held or released. For this purpose, according to the exemplary embodiment the movement element 9 is not restrictively designed as a catch hook 9. The catch hook 9 can selectively hold the locking bolt 8 in the activated state or release it in the deactivated state. For this purpose the catch hook 9 is equipped with its own electric motor drive 10. The electric motor drive 10 ensures that the catch hook 9 can be pivoted about its axis 11 as shown in Fig. 3. In principle, however, the catch hook 9 can also be designed differently. This means that within the scope of the invention a catch element 9 generally ensures that the locking bolt 8 is selectively held or released.

[0039] For this purpose, the catch element or catch hook 9, or its associated electric motor drive 10, is connected to a control unit 12. The same applies to the sensor or force sensor 6 and the electric motor drive 7 for applying pressure to the positioning element 1, 2.

[0040] In this way, the sensor or force sensor 6 is fundamentally capable of loading the catch element 9, or rather, depending on its signals, the catch element 9, independently of the operator. This means that as soon as an external force acting on the motor vehicle door is detected by the sensor or force sensor 6 with the aid of the control unit 12, the control unit 12 ensures that the catch hook 9 is loaded via the electric motor drive 10.

[0041] Specifically, this means, starting from the closed state of the motor vehicle lock and consequently at the start of the setting process, that the electric motor drive 7 acts on the setting element 1, 2 in such a way that the locking bolt 8 moves to the left from its position in Fig. 1 when transitioning to Fig. 2. During this process, the force exerted by the electric motor drive 7 via the Bowden cable 5 on the setting element 1, 2 is measured using the sensor or force sensor 6. If, during this measurement of the force at the sensor 6, it turns out that this measured actual force is, for example, below a target force stored in the control unit 12 or is located, as already described in the introduction, this indicates that an additional external force is acting on the motor vehicle door.This can be caused, for example, by gravitational forces caused by parking the associated vehicle on a slope.

[0042] According to the invention, this then results in the locking element 9 being acted upon after the locking bolt 8 has completed the setup process or completed a setup path as shown in Fig. 2. According to the exemplary embodiment, this occurs entirely independently of the operator and in accordance with signals from sensor 6.

[0043] In fact, starting from the beginning of the deployment process and the closed state of the motor vehicle door, the catch element 9 is in its deactivated position as shown in Fig. 1. This corresponds to the fact that the catch element 9 no longer holds or engages behind the locking bolt 8. As soon as the deployment process is completed and the functional position according to Fig. 2 has been reached, the separate electric motor drive 10 assigned to the catch element 9 ensures that the catch element 9 is transferred from its previously assumed deactivated position, or position releasing the locking bolt 8, to a position holding the locking bolt 8 when external forces act. This corresponds to a pivoting movement of the catch element or catch hook 9 around the axis 11 in a clockwise direction, as shown in Fig. 3.

[0044] This - as already mentioned - only happens when an additional external force acts on the setting element 1, 2 with the help of the sensor 6, which works in addition to the force generated on the setting element 1, 2 by the electric motor drive 7. If the locking bolt 8 and thus the setting device or the associated motor vehicle door is now in its raised position and the setting process has ended, as shown in Fig. 2, a force acting on the locking bolt 8 can again be measured with the help of the sensor or force sensor 6, using the control unit 12. This state can, for example, be reported to the control unit 12 with the help of a displacement sensor of the motor vehicle door. In such a case and with the catch element 9 activated, this force may correspond to an operator attempting to open the motor vehicle door held in place by the catch element 9. Such an application of force now leads to an activation of the catch element 9 orThe catch element 9 holding the locking bolt 8 means that, with the aid of the control unit 12, the electric motor drive 10 acts on the catch element or catch hook 9 in such a way that, in the illustration according to Fig. 3, it performs a counterclockwise movement around its axis 11. This corresponds to the locking bolt 8 being released. During this process and after the completion of the setting process, the electric motor drive 7 is not in operation. Nevertheless, the sensor 6, which is practically interposed between the electric motor drive 7 and the Bowden cable 5, ensures that, in the described case, forces acting on the locking bolt 8 or the motor vehicle door can be measured using the sensor 6. These forces are interpreted and evaluated by the control unit 12 such that the catch element or catch hook 9 releases the locking bolt 8.

[0045] The catching element or the catching hook 9 and the associated separate electric motor drive 10 can be designed as a technologically independent catching module 9, 10. In this context, the catching module 9, 10 may have its own housing. Furthermore, it is within the scope of the invention if the setting device is designed as a whole independent and detached from the motor vehicle lock. This means that the variant shown in the exemplary embodiment with the motor vehicle lock and integrated setting device represents only one option. By integrating the setting device into the motor vehicle lock, it is possible for the electric motor drive 7 for the setting element 1, 2 to be used preferably and at the same time as a closing drive for a locking mechanism that is not shown in more detail or has already been mentioned. In this case, the electric motor drive 7 ensures that the locking mechanism is actuated in one working direction orThe direction of rotation ensures that the locking mechanism consisting of the rotary latch and pawl is closed. For this purpose, the electric motor drive 7 can actuate the rotary latch directly or indirectly.

[0046] In this context, the electric motor drive 7 can be equipped with an (integrated) clutch (not expressly shown). This allows switching between the function as a closing drive on the one hand and as a lifting drive on the other. The control unit 12 can be used for this purpose. For the closing function of the electric motor drive 7, the catch hook 9 can also be used in principle. In any case, there is the particular advantage that the sensor 6 or force sensor 6 can be used both when closing and when lifting in order to be able to determine the force applied to the corresponding motor vehicle door with the help of the control unit 12. Furthermore, the electric motor drive 7 is used in both cases.

[0047] In the other working direction or direction of rotation, the electric motor drive 7 can then provide the actuation of the setting element 1, 2 when the locking mechanism is open. For this purpose, the clutch, for example controlled by the control unit 12, may previously provide a corresponding actuation in the other working direction.

[0048] The positioning element 1, 2 and also the catch element or catch hook 9 can be arranged in parallel or spaced-apart planes to one another, namely parallel to a lock case 13 in which the locking mechanism (not expressly shown) and the positioning device as a whole are mounted. However, it is also possible to place the positioning element 1, 2 and the catch element 9 on different sides of the lock case 13, again in parallel planes to one another. The sole decisive factor is the fact that both the positioning slide 2 as a component of the positioning element 1, 2 and the catch element or catch hook 9 can interact with the locking bolt 8 in the manner described.

[0049] List of reference symbols

[0050] Adjusting lever 1

[0051] Installation element 1 , 2

[0052] Slider 2

[0053] Knee lever arrangement 3

[0054] Axis 4

[0055] Bowden cable 5

[0056] Sensor / Force Sensor 6

[0057] Drive 7

[0058] Locking bolt 8

[0059] Catch hook / catch element 9

[0060] Catch module 9, 10

[0061] Drive 10

[0062] Axis 11

[0063] Control unit 12

Claims

Patent claims 1. Opening device for a motor vehicle door, comprising an electric motor drive (7) for an opening element (1 , 2), further comprising at least one sensor (6) associated with the opening element (1 , 2), which is capable of measuring at least a force acting on the opening element (1 , 2), and comprising a traversing element (9) that selectively acts upon the opening element (1 , 2) and / or the motor vehicle door, characterized in that the traversing element (9) can be actuated at least independently of the operator according to signals from the sensor (6).

2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the traversing element (9) can be actuated both independently of the operator and dependently on the operator.

3. Device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the sensor (6) is associated with the electromechanical drive (7).

4. Device according to claim 3, characterized in that the sensor (6) is integrated into the electromechanical drive (7), for example measuring an electric current absorbed by an electric motor.

5. Device according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that the sensor (6) measures an output force generated by the electric motor drive (7).

6. Device according to claim 5, characterized in that the sensor (6) is designed as a force sensor (6) associated with a Bowden cable (5) of the electromechanical drive (7).

7. Device according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that a control unit (12) is provided which acts on the electromotor drive (7) and reads the sensor (6).

8. Device according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the traversing element (9) is equipped with its own electromechanical drive (10), which can be actuated by means of the control unit (12) according to signals from the sensor (6).

9. Device according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the traversing element (9) and the own electromechanical drive (10) are designed as a technologically independent capture module (9, 10).

10. Motor vehicle lock, in particular motor vehicle door lock, characterized by an installation device according to one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the electromechanical drive (7) for the installation element (1 , 2) is preferably also designed as a closing drive for a locking mechanism.

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