Drive device for applying an opposing force for preventing an undesired adjustment of an interior assembly

Abstract

The proposed solution relates to a drive device for adjusting an interior assembly (11, 12) of a vehicle (1), having at least - a motor-type adjusting drive (2) for generating an adjusting force, - a kinematic adjusting mechanism (4), which can be driven by means of the adjusting drive (2), for transmitting an adjusting force generated by the adjusting drive (2) to the interior assembly (11, 12), - a control device (3) for controlling the adjusting drive (2), and - an electronic detection device (22, 113) for detecting an adjustment event in which at least one external force acts on the drive device and / or on the interior assembly (11, 12). The control device (3) is configured to generate an opposing force by means of the motor-type adjusting drive (2) in response to the adjustment event being detected, which opposing force counteracts an adjustment of the interior assembly (11, 12) caused by the external force.

Description

[0001] Drive device for applying a counterforce to prevent undesired adjustment of an interior assembly

[0002] Description

[0003] The invention relates to a drive device for adjusting an interior module of a vehicle according to the preamble of claim 1.

[0004] Such a drive device comprises a motorized adjustment drive for generating an adjustment force, an adjustment kinematics driven by the adjustment drive for transmitting an adjustment force generated by the adjustment drive to the interior assembly, and a control device for controlling the adjustment drive. Furthermore, an electronic detection device is provided, via which an adjustment event can be detected in which at least one external force acts on the drive device and / or the interior assembly.

[0005] It is already widely known to adjust different types of interior assemblies using external power via a motorized adjustment drive. An interior assembly of the type described here is an assembly in the interior of a vehicle. An interior assembly of the type described here can be, for example, a vehicle seat, a console element with a storage or tray function, a monitor, a partition wall or a tray such as a table or a storage compartment. The interior assembly is not part of the vehicle body and therefore does not serve to lock the vehicle from the outside (as is the case with a vehicle door or a sunroof). The interior assembly is also not part of a vehicle's drive and steering system (such as a vehicle's steering column).The interior assembly is arranged in the interior of the vehicle and can be adjusted by a user in the interior, in particular to provide a comfort function in the interior.

[0006] For example, a vehicle seat can be adjustable to adjust the backrest angle, the longitudinal and / or transverse position, or even the rotational position within the interior to provide a comfortable seating position for a vehicle occupant. A console element can be slidable along a vehicle floor, for example, to provide storage within the vehicle interior or to enable operation of a functional assembly on the console element. A monitor can be adjustable in its swivel position, height position, and / or tilt position to enable a vehicle occupant to view the monitor comfortably.

[0007] Particularly in new interior concepts, for example, in the context of autonomous vehicles, interior components such as vehicle seats or console elements can be variably adjustable to enable vehicle occupants to enjoy a comfortable ride. Adjusting an interior component should be easy, convenient, and intuitive for the user.

[0008] The adjustment drive and / or the adjustment kinematics are often designed to be self-locking, so that the adjustment kinematics and thus the interior assembly can only be adjusted by actuating the adjustment drive, but conversely, adjustment cannot be achieved by an external force. For example, in a vehicle seat, the self-locking of a gear together with the cogging torque of an adjustment motor and any poor efficiency along the chain of effects can be responsible for the vehicle seat not lowering unintentionally when the vehicle vibrates, for example when driving on rough road surfaces. However, a design of the adjustment drive and / or the adjustment kinematics with self-locking is not necessarily desirable due to poor efficiency. This typically also entails a larger installation space requirement as well as increased weight and wear.

[0009] Against this background, the proposed solution is based on the object of providing a drive device improved in this respect. A proposed drive device for adjusting an interior module of a vehicle has at least

[0010] - a motorized adjustment drive for generating an adjustment force,

[0011] - an adjustment kinematics driven by the adjustment drive for transmitting an adjustment force generated by the adjustment drive to the interior assembly,

[0012] - an electronic control device for controlling the adjustment drive and

[0013] - an electronic detection device for detecting an adjustment event in which at least one external force acts on the drive device and / or the interior assembly.

[0014] In response to the detection of the adjustment event, the control device is configured to generate a counterforce via the motorized adjustment drive, which counteracts an adjustment of the interior assembly due to the external force.

[0015] The proposed solution is based on the basic idea of ​​applying an electronically controlled counterforce, which, upon detection of an adjustment event, counteracts an external force to such an extent that no undesired adjustment of the interior assembly occurs. A proposed drive device is thus capable of not only controlling a targeted adjustment of an interior assembly of a vehicle via the motorized adjustment drive, but also of counteracting an undesired adjustment with the aid of the adjustment drive in the event of an adjustment event. This enables, for example, a drive device with a control unit-based adjuster (i.e.a control device integrated in a control unit in combination with a motorized adjustment drive, including motor-integrated electronics), which, with a self-locking adjustment drive and self-locking adjustment kinematics, counteracts an undesired adjustment of an interior module due to external forces by specifically applying a counterforce. In particular, the proposed solution can also contribute to increasing the range of electric vehicles. Due to the increase in efficiency through the use of a self-locking adjustment drive, the travel current required for regular operation of the drive device can be lower. An energy storage device of the vehicle provided for driving the vehicle and operating the drive device may therefore be subjected to less load.An adjustment kinematics is understood here in particular to mean an adjustment mechanism with several (at least two) adjustable components, via which an adjustment force generated by the motorized adjustment drive can be transmitted to the interior module for its adjustment.

[0016] An adjustment event that can be detected by the electronic detection device is defined as any driver or operating situation not induced by the adjustment drive in which an external force acts on the drive device and / or the interior assembly that could fundamentally lead to its adjustment. It is not necessary for the electronic detection device to detect the application of an external force to the drive device and / or the interior assembly itself.Rather, it may be sufficient for a corresponding situation to be detected, for example, by a change in the adjustment position of at least one monitored component that is not part of the drive device or the interior module, and / or for a corresponding situation to be signaled by a signal that can be received and processed by the detection device and indicates that external forces are acting (in particular) on the drive device and / or the interior module that exceed a tolerated level. For example, the electronic detection device can detect or receive a signal that parts of the vehicle's interior are vibrating and / or that the vehicle is traveling over rough road conditions.Alternatively or additionally, the detection device for detecting an adjustment event can detect an adjustment of a component of the drive device or the interior assembly, for example, an adjustment of a component of an adjustment motor of the adjustment drive, and here in particular a rotor, in order to infer the occurrence of an adjustment event. This particularly includes the possibility of electronically detecting an adjustment event before an unwanted movement or adjustment of a component of the interior assembly occurs. For example, using a gyro sensor, a relevant acceleration in the interior assembly or the vehicle can be detected before an actual unwanted movement.

[0017] In mechanics, self-locking refers to the frictional resistance that prevents two adjacent bodies from slipping or twisting. A gearbox is self-locking when the gearbox can be driven via the input shaft but not via an output shaft. Self-locking in gearboxes can also be characterized by a high gear ratio or low efficiency (usually <50%). In a worm gear or spindle gear, self-locking is usually achieved when the pitch angle of a worm thread or spindle thread is smaller than the arctangent of the static friction coefficient.

[0018] The adjustment kinematics are preferably non-self-locking. Therefore, a torque on the output side can, in principle, cause the adjustment kinematics to move during movement.

[0019] In one embodiment, the control device is configured, in response to the detection of the adjustment event via the motorized adjustment drive and the counterforce generated thereby, to reset at least one component of the adjustment drive and / or at least one component of the adjustment kinematics to a target position and to hold the at least one component in the target position via the generated counterforce while the external force continues to be applied. A target position to be assumed can be defined, in particular, by a position within a target range. Consequently, if the component to be adjusted is within the target range, it is assumed that a target position has been assumed.In particular, any resetting of the at least one component of the adjustment drive and / or of the at least one component of the adjustment kinematics can depend on whether an adjustment of this component can be detected using the electronic detection device in order to detect the occurrence of an adjustment event. For example, based on any undesired adjustment of a specific component of the adjustment drive that is not induced by the actuation of the adjustment drive, it can be detected that an external force is causing an adjustment of the component and thus possibly of the interior assembly or would cause it to be adjusted if the monitored component were further adjusted. The control device then controls the motorized adjustment drive in order to return the component to the target position or into a target range and to hold it at this target position.If the specified target position or a position within a target range is reached again, this can be detected and checked, for example, by sensors using the detection device.

[0020] Detecting whether the target position has been reached can generally also take into account a hysteresis or a tolerance window. In this case, this means, for example, overcompensating for an adjustment movement that has already occurred, detected, and is attributable to an adjustment event, so that a corresponding adjustment becomes less likely or can occur less frequently. For example, it can be provided that, starting from a certain deviation from a target position, the respective component is adjusted in the opposite direction by a defined amount (defined by the tolerance window) beyond the target position as a result of the generated counterforce.

[0021] The target position can, for example, be stored in a memory of the control device using the control device after an adjustment of the interior assembly has been completed under the influence of an adjustment force generated by the adjustment drive. After completion of a user-controlled or automatically triggered targeted adjustment of the interior assembly, a position assumed by at least one component of the drive device can thus be stored in order to evaluate any subsequent displacement of this component without actuation of the adjustment drive as a possible occurrence of an adjustment event, which must lead to the generation of the counterforce.If a user-controlled or automatically triggered adjustment of the interior module to a predetermined target position has been completed, a target position of a component of the drive device, for example one that is monitored by sensors, is saved in order to counteract any detected undesired adjustment from this target position due to an external force using the adjustment drive. Saving a target position can include setting the position assumed after a targeted adjustment as the target position. The detection device therefore only checks, based on any subsequently generated detection signals (possibly taking into account an adjustment direction), whether a change in position occurs without the adjustment drive being actuated. This includes, in particular, detection signals being generated by at least one or exactly one Hall sensor or rotor position sensor, with the signal changing per revolution orAngular degrees can be measured within one revolution and a change in position can be inferred by counting the revolutions, e.g. using a control unit coupled to the sensor.

[0022] In principle, the applied counterforce can be varied over time using the control device. This can also be used to accommodate a change in external force, for example.

[0023] The proposed solution is particularly suitable, as already explained above, for self-locking adjustment drives and self-locking adjustment kinematics. Accordingly, one design variant also provides for the adjustment drive to include a non-self-locking gear. Thus, in the presence of external forces, the adjustment kinematics cannot be held in a specific adjustment position by a self-locking mechanism in the adjustment drive. For this purpose, the counterforce is generated using the motorized adjustment drive. By avoiding a non-self-locking gear as part of the adjustment drive, the adjustment drive can generally be made lighter and more compact. Furthermore, a faster response is achieved when adjustment of the interior assembly is actually desired.

[0024] In one possible design variant, a short-circuit brake is provided for generating the counterforce or for increasing the counterforce. This allows an adjustment motor of the adjustment drive to generate a braking effect, particularly permanently, when an adjustment of a monitored component is imminent or when a vehicle-side signal, such as a crash warning, is received by the detection device.

[0025] As already explained here, the detection device can in principle be provided for monitoring at least one component of the adjustment drive and / or for monitoring at least one component of the adjustment kinematics. In principle, it is of course possible, alternatively or additionally, to monitor the interior module itself in order to determine whether a possible adjustment event has occurred. However, if an adjustment of the interior module or part thereof is considered to be decisive for whether an adjustment event has occurred, this is generally not desirable from a comfort perspective. It is therefore considered advantageous if an undesired adjustment due to external forces is already counteracted within the adjustment drive and / or the adjustment kinematics before an adjustment of the interior module that is noticeable or visible to a user occurs.

[0026] For monitoring purposes, the detection device can comprise a monitoring sensor system with at least one sensor. For example, optical, magnetic, or capacitive sensors are conceivable for this purpose, in particular sensors with which a changed adjustment position can be detected. For example, at least one Hall sensor or an analog, magnetic rotor position sensor is provided. Alternatively or additionally, a radar or lidar sensor and / or a camera can be used. One embodiment provides, alternatively or additionally, sensorless monitoring of at least one component of the adjustment drive and / or the adjustment kinematics. For example, sensorless monitoring of a component of an adjustment motor of the adjustment drive can be carried out based on measurable and electronically analyzable motor parameters, such as induction voltage or motor impedance.For example, sensorless monitoring can be provided by evaluating electrical signals representative of corresponding motor parameters on a DC motor of the motorized adjustment drive.

[0027] In one embodiment, the detection device is designed to monitor the adjustment position of a rotor of the adjustment motor in order to determine a possible adjustment event that triggers the generation of the counterforce. As explained, such monitoring can be carried out using sensors, for example, using a monitoring sensor system of the detection device, or sensorless.

[0028] If a monitoring sensor system is provided, it can be arranged and configured to detect the occurrence of an adjustment event via an adjustment of a component of an adjustment motor of the adjustment drive, and thus in particular of a rotor of the adjustment motor, caused by the external force. This includes, for example, the monitoring sensor system comprising at least one Hall sensor for monitoring a rotor of the adjustment motor. A double or multiple Hall sensors can also be provided to detect a direction of rotation of the rotor and, from this, to infer the presence of an adjustment of the rotor not induced by the adjustment drive and thus an adjustment event.If only one Hall sensor is used on a rotor of the adjustment motor, additional information on the direction of rotation and / or the direction of gravity, for example, via vehicle-mounted electronics, can be evaluated by the detection device to determine whether an adjustment event has occurred. For example, the direction of gravity acting on a component is important if an adjustment with a height component is to be performed via the adjustment drive.

[0029] The monitoring sensors can generally be located entirely or at least partially on a circuit board of the motorized adjustment drive. In particular, the monitoring sensors can be integrated into the adjustment motor and connected to a circuit board of the adjustment drive containing control electronics via at least one signal line. An adjustment motor of the adjustment drive can, for example, be a DC motor, in particular a brushless DC motor (BLDC motor).

[0030] For sensorless monitoring of a DC motor, e.g., by monitoring the adjustment position of a DC motor's rotor, a detection device can be provided that uses an inductive voltage divider or a measuring voltage pulse. When using an inductive voltage divider, for example, two motor phases are subjected to pulses or alternating voltage, and a voltage measurement is performed on a third motor phase. Thus, the position of the rotor influences the individual inductances and thus a measurable tap voltage. If a measuring voltage pulse is used, this can be applied to the motor phases. Increases in the (phase) currents in the time domain then indicate a (changed) adjustment position of the rotor.

[0031] In an alternative design variant, a motor impedance is measured using the detection device for sensorless monitoring of the rotor's adjustment position. This allows rotation of a commutator of the DC motor at standstill to be detected, allowing conclusions to be drawn about a possible change in the rotor's adjustment position due to external forces and thus the presence of an adjustment event.

[0032] In one embodiment, the detection device is configured to detect an adjustment event using a vehicle-side sensor signal. For this purpose, at least one sensor already present on the vehicle is used, the sensor signal of which can be transmitted to the detection device. The vehicle-side sensor signal can then be used to signal, for example, a journey on rough road surface, an off-road journey, or a vibration on the vehicle body and / or in the vehicle interior that exceeds at least one tolerance threshold. In such a case, a trigger criterion for activating a counter-control mode of the control device is considered to be met, so that in response to this, the counterforce is generated in order to resume and maintain a current (target) position of components of the adjustment kinematics and, if applicable, in particular of the motorized adjustment drive.In one embodiment, the detection device is configured to detect a change in the adjustment position of at least one component of the adjustment drive and / or at least one component of the adjustment kinematics as a function of an operating mode of the drive device and, in response thereto, to reinitialize a reference position for the at least one component, which is decisive for the detection of an adjustment event. For example, a change in the adjustment position that has occurred but was (initially) undetected and unwanted, e.g., a rotation, can then be detected by the detection device in a monitoring sensor system that takes relative positions into account and trigger a reinitialization of a reference position (for a target position desired by the user), e.g., after a deep sleep, a transport mode, or an idle running of a battery that supplies the electronics of the drive device with energy.

[0033] In one embodiment, the detection device can be configured to be (first) switched into a detection mode by an activation signal generated by the vehicle and received by the detection device, or by an activation signal generated by a sensor of the detection device. In this mode, an adjustment event can be detected by the detection device. The detection device can thus be operated, for example, in a sleep mode, from which the detection device only switches to a detection mode in response to an activation signal. From this detection mode, a switch to a counter-control mode is then possible in order to control the adjustment drive to generate the counterforce if an adjustment event is subsequently detected. Possible operation in a sleep mode offers considerable energy savings potential.A detection device is thus, for example, only switched to a more energy-requiring detection mode when, based on the current driving situation of the vehicle or an electronically (sensor- or sensorless-detected) changed adjustment position of a component of the drive device and / or the interior assembly, it becomes apparent that disruptive external forces exceeding a tolerable threshold may act on the interior assembly, potentially leading to an undesired adjustment of the interior assembly. This may also include, for example, a detected journey on a rough road, an off-road journey, or a vibration on the vehicle body and / or in the vehicle interior that exceeds at least a tolerance threshold, leading to the generation of an activation signal.In response to an activation signal, a complete electronic system of the drive device or at least of the adjustment drive, including the control device, can also be switched from a power-saving standby mode to an adjustment mode.

[0034] Alternatively or additionally, it can be provided that the detection device in a sleep mode carries out a check at predefined times and thus in particular cyclically for the presence of an activation event that leads to a change to the detection mode, or for the presence of an adjustment event that already triggers the generation of the counterforce. For example, the detection device in sleep mode can wake up cyclically and carry out a check for a possible change in the adjustment position of a component, such as a rotor, caused by an external force in order to detect an adjustment event. The detection device can thus be configured to carry out a - comparatively power-saving - polling with which the change in the adjustment position of a component of the adjustment drive and / or a component of the adjustment kinematics is monitored.

[0035] In one embodiment, an accelerometer of the detection device and / or a Hall sensor and / or an analog, magnetic rotor position sensor can be provided to generate an activation signal. For example, activation of the control device (e.g., implemented in a control unit of the drive device) can then only occur through at least one activation signal generated by an accelerometer. Such an accelerometer can, for example, be integrated as a component in the electronics of the adjustment drive, in particular in a microcontroller of the control device. Alternatively or additionally, Hall signals or analog signals (directly or with a comparator or similar) can be used as a wake-up source for the control device.

[0036] Part of the proposed solution is also a vehicle seat with a variant of a proposed drive device. In one variant of such a vehicle seat, for example, a self-locking seat height adjustment is provided with the drive device, in particular using a BLDC motor as part of the adjustment drive. With the aid of a control device, in particular integrated into a control unit of the seat height adjustment, a counterforce can be specifically generated via the adjustment drive in response to a possibly detected adjustment event. This counterforce counteracts an undesirable change in the seat height unless the adjustment drive is specifically controlled for this purpose.

[0037] Various applications for a drive device of the described type are conceivable and possible. In one application, the interior module can be implemented, for example, by a vehicle seat. The drive device can be designed, in particular, to adjust a backrest of the vehicle seat relative to a seat part of the vehicle seat. Alternatively, the drive device can be designed for seat longitudinal adjustment. Alternatively, the drive device can be designed for seat height adjustment.

[0038] In another application, the interior assembly can be implemented, for example, by a console element, such as a center console, an armrest, a table or another assembly in the vehicle interior.

[0039] The attached figures illustrate possible embodiments of the proposed solution.

[0040] Here we show:

[0041] Figure 1 is a schematic view of a vehicle with various

[0042] Interior assemblies and a variant of a proposed drive device;

[0043] Figure 2 schematically shows components of a proposed

[0044] Drive device for adjusting an interior assembly of the vehicle of Figure 1;

[0045] Figure 3 shows a control device of the drive device according to the

[0046] Figure 2 showing additional components;

[0047] Figure 4 shows a possible sequence for operating the drive device.

[0048] Figure 1 shows a schematic view of a vehicle 1 which forms an interior enclosed by a vehicle body 10, in which different interior components, for example in the form of vehicle seats 11 and console elements 12 and, if appropriate, further interior components such as monitors, partition walls, shelves, storage compartments or the like, are arranged.

[0049] Within the framework of new interior concepts, for example in connection with autonomously driving vehicles, interior assemblies 11, 12 can be variably adjustable in the interior of a vehicle 1.

[0050] For example, an interior assembly 11 in the form of a vehicle seat can be variably adjustable in order to adjust the vehicle seat along an adjustment plane defined by a vehicle longitudinal direction X and a vehicle transverse direction, and also to rotate it about a vehicle vertical axis Z if necessary. Furthermore, assemblies of the vehicle seat, for example, a seat part 111 or a backrest part 112, can be adjustable in order to adapt the position of the respective assembly. For example, the backrest part 112 can be adjustable in its inclination. Furthermore, the seat part 111 can be adjustable in its height position along an adjustment direction V1 and also in its inclination position.

[0051] For adjusting an interior assembly 11, 12, a drive device with a motorized adjustment drive 2 is provided, as schematically shown in Figure 1. The adjustment drive 2 is configured as an electric motor and can be operated to move an associated interior assembly 11, 12 between different positions by means of an electric motor.

[0052] In principle, each interior assembly 11, 12 to be adjusted or a subassembly of an interior assembly 11, 12 to be adjusted, for example the backrest part 112 of a vehicle seat, can be assigned its own electromotive adjustment drive 2, wherein the adjustment drives 2 can be connected, for example, to a common control device 3, so that the control device 3 jointly controls the adjustment drives 2 for adjusting the associated interior assembly 11, 12.

[0053] Using the drive device, an associated interior assembly 11, 12 can be adjusted along a defined movement path. For example, a vehicle seat can be displaced longitudinally along the vehicle's longitudinal direction X along a movement path defined by guide rails relative to a vehicle floor. A backrest part 112 can also be pivoted about a defined pivot axis 110 relative to the seat part 111, for example, along an adjustment direction V2 toward the seat part 111.

[0054] However, it is also conceivable that an interior assembly 11, 12 can be moved freely along a vehicle floor of the vehicle 1 and thus can be freely adjusted within the interior and, for example, locked at defined anchor points within the interior. In this respect, it is not mandatory to provide guide rails, for example, to define a fixed, predetermined path of movement.

[0055] The control device 3, which is integrated, for example, into a control unit, is coupled to a detection device 22. This detection device 22 is integrated, by way of example, into the adjustment drive 2 in Figure 1, although this is not mandatory. The electronic detection device 22 is configured and provided to detect an adjustment event in which at least one external force acts on the adjustment drive 2. Under the effect of the external force, there is a risk that at least one component of the adjustment drive 2 and / or an adjustment kinematic system coupled to the adjustment drive 2 for adjusting an assembly of an interior module 11, 12—here, for example, the vehicle seat 12—will be displaced without the adjustment drive 2 being actuated.For example, the detection device 22 can be used to electronically detect (sensor-based or sensorless) whether the motor vehicle 1 is traveling on rough road conditions and thus poses a risk of an assembly of the interior assembly 11, 12 being undesirably displaced. A counterforce is then generated via the control device 3 with the aid of the adjustment drive 2, which counteracts any undesirable displacement or adjustment caused thereby. Such electronic counter-control with the aid of the adjustment drive 2 is particularly advantageous if the adjustment drive 2 is designed to be non-self-locking and thus, for example, with a non-self-locking gear, and if a DC motor, in particular a BLDC motor, is used as the adjustment motor for the adjustment drive 2.

[0056] The detection device 22 integrates, for example, a monitoring sensor system with one or more Hall sensors to monitor the adjustment position of a component of the adjustment drive, e.g., the adjustment position of a rotor of the adjustment motor. If, for example, a displacement of the rotor beyond a value classified as permissible, and in this case in particular in a specific direction of rotation, is detected by sensors without actuation of the adjustment motor, the presence of an adjustment event is concluded and the control device 3 is prompted to take countermeasures. The control device 3 then controls the adjustment motor to return the rotor to a previously assumed target position or into a target range and to hold the rotor at the target position or within a predefined target range.

[0057] The detection device 22 can also be designed and provided for sensorless monitoring. For example, with a BLDC motor of the adjustment drive 2, an inductive voltage divider can be used to infer a possibly changed rotor position based on a tapped voltage. Alternatively, a measuring voltage pulse can be used to evaluate current increases in the time domain and, on this basis, to infer a possibly changed rotor position. If a differently designed DC motor is provided, the motor impedance, for example, can be measured using the detection device 22. A rotation of the commutator of the DC motor at standstill leads to a changed motor impedance and can thus be interpreted as an indication that an undesirable change in the rotor position has occurred.

[0058] For alternative or additional sensory detection of an adjustment position of the backrest part 112, the latter can integrate a backrest sensor 113. A backrest sensor 113 provided on the backrest part 112 then also represents a detection device within the meaning of the proposed solution, with the aid of which an adjustment event can be inferred for countermeasures using the control device 3. If, for example, a vibration of the backrest part 112 is sensed via the backrest sensor 113, the control device 3 can actuate the adjustment drive 2 for countermeasures, which acts via adjustment kinematics and here in particular on a fitting that rotatably couples the backrest part 112 to the seat part 111 in order to hold the backrest part 113 in the assumed position relative to the seat part 111.

[0059] The exemplary embodiment of a proposed drive device shown in Figure 1 thus allows for electronic position control, for example, to absorb special loads occurring on the adjustment drive 2 and the downstream adjustment kinematics (i.e., loads that exceed the extent of a normal adjustment) and to counteract these loads electronically. This can enable easier integration of a self-locking gear into the adjustment drive 2 and / or the associated adjustment kinematics. A corresponding self-locking design typically requires less space, is lighter, and is subject to less wear.

[0060] Figure 2 shows an example of the interaction of various components of a proposed drive device. The control device 3, with its electronics, acts on an adjustment motor 20 of the adjustment drive 2. The adjustment motor 20, in turn, is coupled to a gear 21—here, a non-self-locking and thus self-locking-free gear—which in turn acts on an adjustment kinematics 4. Such an adjustment kinematics 4 comprises, for example, at least two interconnected components of an adjustment mechanism, via which an adjustment force generated by the adjustment motor 20 and transmitted via the gear 21 is converted to adjust an interior module 11, 12.

[0061] Figure 3 illustrates a variant of the control device 3 and in particular parts of the electronics integrated therein. The control device 3 shown also integrates parts of the detection device 22, here in the form of a rotor position sensor 32, with which the position of a rotor of the adjustment motor 20 of the adjustment drive 2 is monitored. Furthermore, the control device 3 in Figure 3 comprises a connector 30, via which the control device 3 is supplied with power and / or connected to a bus system of the vehicle 1. If necessary, button inputs are also provided via the connector. Furthermore, in Figure 3, an external circuit 31, a power output 32 and a motor contact (for the adjustment motor 20), as well as a transceiver 34 and a microcontroller 35 are exemplary parts of the control device 3. The microcontroller 35 integrates evaluation logic for detecting an adjustment event.For this purpose, the microcontroller 35 evaluates measurement signals from the rotor position sensor system 36, for example signals from one or more Hall sensors or an analog, magnetic rotor position sensor, via which a changed position of a rotor of the adjustment motor 2 can be detected.

[0062] Figure 4 shows a flowchart for an exemplary method that can be implemented with a variant of a proposed drive device. Following a possible standstill 40 following a properly performed motorized adjustment of an interior module 11, 12, a target position assumed is monitored. Consequently, according to a step 42 of Figure 4, it is monitored whether a rotor position of a rotor of the adjustment motor 20 changes beyond a stored threshold value and thus, without actuation of the adjustment drive 2, the rotor of the adjustment motor 20 may rotate undesirably due to externally applied forces. Such monitoring can be preceded by an optional query 41 as to whether a corresponding detection mode for monitoring the rotor position has been activated.

[0063] If no change is detected during monitoring of the rotor position, the (self-locking) adjustment drive 2 remains at a standstill. If, on the other hand, a change in the rotor position beyond a stored threshold value (e.g., a predetermined number of Hall pulses) is detected, the control device 3 controls the adjustment motor 20 in accordance with step 43 of Figure 4 to rotate the rotor back to an originally assumed target position. In particular, the adjustment motor 20 is then controlled to adjust the rotor in an opposite direction, i.e., opposite to a previously determined direction of rotation due to externally induced forces, until the target position is reached. Reaching the target position can also include detecting only an adjustment of the rotor up to a target range - for example, by detecting a certain number of Hall pulses in the opposite direction.If, according to step 44 of Figure 4, the reaching of a corresponding target position has been electronically determined, the motor control by the control device 3 is terminated in a subsequent step 45.

[0064] Instead of the monitoring described above using sensors or sensorless evaluation of measured motor parameters, e.g., using an inductive voltage divider, a measurement voltage pulse, or a measurement of the motor impedance, detection of an adjustment event can also be provided by one or more accelerometers, which are not necessarily provided on the rotor of the adjustment motor 20. For example, an accelerometer can also be integrated as a component in the control device 3 and, in particular, the microcontroller 35.

[0065] Furthermore, the control device 3 can take into account additional control information or vehicle information for controlling the adjustment motor 20, such as vehicle inclination and / or measurement signals from vehicle-mounted (additional) sensors, in particular optical or capacitive sensors, in particular radar or lidar sensors and / or cameras, in particular sensors provided for monitoring the interior. The concept underlying the invention is not limited to the exemplary embodiments described above, but can also be implemented in other ways. The interior module can be implemented by very different assemblies in the interior of a vehicle and is therefore not limited to a vehicle seat or a console element.An interior assembly can also be, for example, a monitor, a shelf (for example in the form of a table or the like), a partition wall, a storage compartment or the like.

[0066] List of reference symbols

[0067] 1 motor vehicle

[0068] 10 Vehicle body

[0069] 11 Vehicle seat (interior assembly)

[0070] 110 Swivel axis

[0071] 111 Seat part

[0072] 112 Backrest part

[0073] 113 Backrest sensor (detection device)

[0074] 12 Console element (interior assembly)

[0075] 2 adjustment drive

[0076] 20 (Adjustable) Motor

[0077] 21 gearboxes

[0078] 22 Detection device

[0079] 3 Control device

[0080] 30-36 Control component

[0081] 4 Adjustment kinematics

[0082] V1 , V2 adjustment direction

[0083] X Vehicle longitudinal axis

[0084] Z Vehicle vertical axis

Claims

Patent claims 1. Drive device for adjusting an interior assembly (11, 12) of a vehicle (1), with at least - a motorized adjustment drive (2) for generating an adjustment force, - an adjustment kinematics (4) driven by the adjustment drive (2) for transmitting an adjustment force generated by the adjustment drive (2) to the interior assembly (11 , 12), - a control device (3) for controlling the adjustment drive (2) and - an electronic detection device (22, 113) for detecting an adjustment event in which at least one external force acts on the drive device and / or the interior assembly (11, 12), characterized in that the control device (3) is configured to generate a counterforce in response to the detection of the adjustment event via the motorized adjustment drive (2), which counteracts an adjustment of the interior assembly (11, 12) due to the external force.

2. Drive device according to claim 1, characterized in that the control device (3) is configured to, in response to the detection of the adjustment event via the motorized adjustment drive (2) and the counterforce generated therein, to effect a return of at least one component of the adjustment drive (2) and / or at least one component of the adjustment kinematics (4) to a target position and to hold the at least one component at the target position via the generated counterforce while the external force continues to be applied.

3. Drive device according to claim 2, characterized in that the target position is specified as a position within a target range.

4. Drive device according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that the control device (2) includes a memory and is configured to store the target position after an adjustment of the interior assembly (11, 12) has been completed under the influence of an adjustment force generated by the adjustment drive.

5. Drive device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the adjusting drive (2) comprises a non-self-locking transmission (21).

6. Drive device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the adjusting drive (2) can be operated as a short-circuit brake for generating the counterforce or for increasing the counterforce.

7. Drive device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the detection device (22, 113) is provided for monitoring at least one component of the adjustment drive (2) and / or the adjustment kinematics.

8. Drive device according to claim 7, characterized in that the detection device (22) is provided to monitor an adjustment position of a rotor of the adjustment motor (20).

9. Drive device according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that detection device (22) comprises a monitoring sensor (36) which is designed to detect the occurrence of an adjustment event via an adjustment of a component of an adjustment motor (20) of the adjustment drive (2) caused by the external force.

10. Drive device according to claim 9, characterized in that the monitoring sensor system (36) for monitoring the rotor comprises at least one Hall sensor or at least one analog magnetic rotor position sensor.

11. Drive device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that an adjustment motor (20) of the adjustment drive (2) is a DC motor, in particular a brushless DC motor.

12. Drive device according to claims 8 and 11, characterized in that the detection device (22) is provided to use an inductive voltage divider or a measuring voltage pulse for monitoring an adjustment position of the rotor of the brushless DC motor (20).

13. Drive device according to claims 8 and 11, characterized in that the detection device (22) is provided to measure a motor impedance for monitoring an adjustment position of the rotor of the DC motor (20).

14. Drive device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the detection device (22, 113) is configured to detect an adjustment event by means of a vehicle-side sensor signal.

15. Drive device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the detection device (22, 113) is configured to cyclically perform a check for a possible change in the adjustment position of at least one component of the adjustment drive (2) and / or at least one component of the adjustment kinematics (4) in order to detect an adjustment event.

16. Drive device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the detection device (22, 113) is configured to detect a change in the adjustment position of at least one component of the adjustment drive (2) and / or at least one component of the adjustment kinematics (4) depending on an operating mode of the drive device and, in response thereto, to reinitialize a reference position for the at least one component which is relevant for the detection of an adjustment event.

17. Drive device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that - the detection device (22, 113) is configured to be put into a detection mode by an activation signal generated by the vehicle and received at the detection device (22, 113) or by an activation signal generated by a sensor of the detection device (22, 113), in which an adjustment event can be detected by the detection device (22), and / or - the control unit (3) is configured to be switched from a standby mode to an adjustment mode in which the adjustment drive (2) is controlled by an activation signal generated by the vehicle and received by the control unit (3) or by an activation signal generated by a sensor of the detection unit (3).

18. Drive device according to claim 17, characterized in that an accelerometer of the detection device (22, 113) and / or a Hall sensor and / or an analog, magnetic rotor position sensor is provided for generating the activation signal.

19. Vehicle seat with a drive device according to one of the preceding claims.

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