Closure device

Abstract

The invention relates to a closure device (1) comprising a foldable cover (2) for closing an access opening (3) in a specifiable manner, in particular an access opening (3) of an electric contact. A lateral end region (4) of the cover (2) is rigidly connected to a first shaft (6) which is rotatably mounted on a housing (5), and the closure device (1) has a motor which is operatively connected to a second shaft (8). According to the invention, the first shaft (6) has a first flat splined serration joint part (9), the second shaft (8) has a hollow shaft with a second flat splined serration joint part (10) which is mounted on the first shaft (6) in a rotatable and longitudinally movable manner, the first flat splined serration joint part (9) and the second flat splined serration joint part (10) are in releasable engagement with each other at the end face, and the second shaft (8) is moved longitudinally relative to the second shaft (8) during a rotational movement of the first shaft (6).

Description

[0001] locking device

[0002] The invention relates to a closure device according to the preamble of patent claim 1.

[0003] Systems or devices which have electrical connections and which are intended for outdoor operation usually have covers or

[0004] Closures that seal such a connection are used. This particularly applies to devices in the technical field of power electronics, such as electric vehicles with permanently installed batteries.

[0005] The corresponding closures are opened and closed by means of an electric drive. An electric motor is mechanically connected to a cover of the closure device. This mechanical connection is necessary for the closure device to operate in a functional state.

[0006] In the past, hinged lids that close an access opening were usually opened and closed manually. For many users, especially older ones, it's second nature to open a lid by hand and then close it manually after use. Many users don't realize that manual opening or closing isn't intended, nor that such manual opening or closing could damage the device.

[0007] Damage to the mechanical connection between the electric motor and the cover can no longer guarantee that the cover will still be able to securely close the access opening. This means that the electrical contacts can no longer be protected from dirt and water. This can lead to unintentional current flow through the contacts and device failure.

[0008] US 2022 / 0136292 A1 describes a closure device with a hinged lid for predeterminably closing an access opening of a tank or charging port, wherein a lateral end region of a lid is fixedly connected to a first shaft rotatably mounted on a housing. The closure device has a motor operatively connected to a drive means.

[0009] US 2020 / 0079210 A1 describes an opening and closing device for a fuel filler door. CN 114 150 944 B relates to a mechanism for a cover cap for motor vehicles. US 10 328 792 B2 shows a cover device.

[0010] The object of the invention is therefore to provide a closure device of the type mentioned at the outset, with which the disadvantages mentioned can be avoided and with which the functionality of the closure device is not impaired by unusual use.

[0011] According to the invention, this is achieved by the features of patent claim 1.

[0012] This ensures the functionality of the locking device and prevents it from being compromised by unusual use. This allows the access opening to be opened manually by manually lifting the lid without damaging the primary electrical drive. Likewise, it allows the access opening to be closed manually without damaging the primary electrical drive.

[0013] This ensures that neither the electric motor nor its mechanical connection to the lid is damaged or permanently deformed. This allows a person to open and / or close the lid with their hands, while still being able to open and close the lid using the provided mechanism.

[0014] The invention further relates to an automobile according to claim 13, which has a locking device according to the invention.

[0015] The invention will be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which only preferred embodiments are shown by way of example. In the drawings:

[0016] Fig. 1 is an exploded view of a preferred embodiment of a closure device; Fig. 2 is a front view of the closure device according to Fig. 1 in the assembled state;

[0017] Fig. 3 shows a rear side of the closure device according to Fig. 2;

[0018] Fig. 4 is an exploded view of the rear side according to Fig. 3;

[0019] Fig. 5 shows the front of the closure device according to Fig. 1 without housing in an elevation;

[0020] Fig. 6 the closure device according to Fig. 1 without housing in a side view;

[0021] Fig. 7 shows the locking device according to Fig. 1 without housing in a plan view;

[0022] Fig. 8 shows the rear side of the closure device according to Fig. 1 without housing in an elevation; and

[0023] Fig. 9 a detailed view of the mechanical connection between the first shaft and the second shaft.

[0024] Fig. 1 to 8 each show views of a first preferred embodiment or of parts of the first preferred embodiment of a closure device 1 with a hinged cover 2 for the predeterminable closure of an access opening 3, in particular an access opening 3 of an electrical contact, wherein a lateral end region 4 of the cover 2 is firmly connected to a first shaft 6 rotatably mounted on a housing 5, wherein the closure device 1 has a motor which is connected to a second shaft

[0025] 8 is operatively connected, wherein the first shaft 6 has a first planar spline part

[0026] 9, wherein the second shaft 8 is designed as a hollow shaft with a second planar serration part 10, which is mounted rotatably and longitudinally displaceably on the first shaft 6, wherein the first planar serration part 9 and the second planar serration part 10 are in releasable end-face engagement, and wherein upon a rotary movement of the first shaft 6 relative to the second shaft 8, the second shaft 8 is displaced longitudinally.

[0027] This ensures that the functionality of the closure device 1 is ensured and is not impaired by unusual use. This enables manual opening of the access opening 3 by manually folding up the lid 2 without damaging the primary electrical drive. Likewise, it enables manual closing of the access opening 3 without damaging the primary electrical drive. This ensures that neither the electric motor nor its mechanical connection to the lid 2 is damaged or permanently deformed. This allows a person to open and / or close the lid 2 with their hands, while still allowing the lid 2 to be opened and closed using the mechanism provided for this purpose.

[0028] The closure device 1 has a housing 5, which housing 5 has an opening which is referred to as an access opening 3. The closure device 1 is intended to be fastened to a housing of a larger device or to be integrated integrally into its housing 5. In particular, it is provided that the closure device 1 is part of a vehicle, in particular an automobile, preferably an electrically powered automobile. The vehicle is particularly preferably a passenger car. The access opening 3 is arranged in a body of the vehicle, in particular the automobile. Preferably, the vehicle is a land-based ground vehicle. In particular, the vehicle is not an aircraft and / or a watercraft.

[0029] The vehicle has an electrical contact for charging an electrical storage medium, such as an accumulator and / or a battery. This electrical contact is preferably provided for voltages between 200 V and 1500 V and is designed accordingly. Furthermore, this electrical contact can be provided for direct current and / or alternating current. Corresponding connections are arranged inside the vehicle and behind the access opening 3. The cross-sectional shape of the access opening 3 depends on the dimensions of the electrical contact. In particular, the access opening 3 has a cross-section that is round in at least some areas. As can be seen in Figs. 1 and 2, the preferred embodiment has an access opening 3 with a cross-section in the shape of a segment of a circle. Other preferred cross-sectional shapes are circular and elliptical. For the predeterminable closure of an access opening 3, the closure device 1 has a foldable orpivotable lid 2. The lid 2 is rotatably mounted on one side. For this purpose, the closure device 1 has a first shaft 6, which is rotatably mounted on or in the housing 5 of the closure device 1 about its longitudinal axis. A lateral end region 4 or a side part of the lid 2 is fixedly or non-rotatably connected to the first shaft 6. The rotatably mounted first shaft 6 represents a so-called hinge.

[0030] The closure device 1 further comprises a second shaft 8, which is operatively connected to a motor or electric motor of the closure device 1 (not shown in Figs. 1 to 9).

[0031] The motor can directly drive the second shaft 8. According to the preferred embodiment, the motor is connected to the second shaft 8 by means of a gear 16. Gears 16 generally have gear ratios that make it possible to adapt the speed and torque of the motor for driving the cover 2. Preferably, the gear 16 is designed as a worm gear 17. This results in great freedom in the positioning of the motor. A worm gear 17 has a worm shaft 18 and a worm wheel 19. The worm shaft 18 is preferably cylindrical in shape, on which helical gearing is arranged. During operation, the worm shaft 18 is connected to the motor or to a drive shaft of the motor.

[0032] The worm gear 17 has a worm wheel 19, which preferably does not have a spherical shape, as is common with worm gears 17. Instead, the worm gear 17 preferably has a cylindrical worm wheel 19. The worm wheel 19 is part of the second shaft 8. The second shaft 8 is formed at least in part by the worm wheel 19. The worm wheel 19 and the second shaft 8 can also be formed as a single piece.

[0033] According to the invention, the first shaft 6 has a first planar serration part 9, which is either an integrated, one-piece component of the first shaft 6, or which is connected in a rotationally fixed and rigid manner to a central base part of the first shaft 6.

[0034] The second shaft 8 has a second face-toothed spline 10. According to the invention, the second shaft 8 is designed as a hollow shaft, with the second face-toothed spline 10 forming an end region of the hollow shaft. The second shaft 8 is mounted on the first shaft 6. The second face-toothed spline 10 is rotatable relative to the first shaft 6 and also longitudinally displaceable thereon.

[0035] The term “plane spline part” comes from the technical field of spur gears.

[0036] According to the invention, the first face-serrated part 9 and the second face-serrated part 10 are in releasable end-to-end engagement, and therefore in mechanical contact, provided the drive is exclusively via the motor or the motor is stationary and the cover is not moved externally. The first and second face-serrated parts 9, 10 form a face toothing which is free of connecting screws and in which the two face-serrated parts 9, 10 are not firmly connected to one another. Instead, it is provided that upon a rotary movement of the first shaft 6 relative to the second shaft 8, the second shaft 8 is displaced longitudinally. This releases the force- or torque-transmitting connection between the two face-serrated parts 9, 10, which, however, continue to physically touch one another.

[0037] The first face serration part 9 and the second face serration part 10 each have flat or plane and opposite or identical contact surfaces.

[0038] In order to support this longitudinal displacement of the second shaft 8 and thus the decoupling of the motor and the transmission 16, 17, it is further preferably provided that a first angle 11 between two adjacent contact surfaces and a surface roughness of the contact surfaces are designed such that a predeterminable moment of the first shaft 6, therefore a certain lifting force on the cover 2, displaces the second shaft 8 along the longitudinal extent of the first shaft 6 and lifts it from a rest position. This interrupts the spur gearing. The angles 11 are to be selected such that the resulting force acting normally on the contact surfaces can be divided into a Y force in the direction of the longitudinal extent of the two shafts 6, 8 and an X force in the direction normal to the longitudinal extent of the two shafts 6, 8, wherein the Y force is large enough to lift the second shaft 8. Fig.Figure 9 shows a detailed view of the two face-tooth spline parts 9, 10 and the first angle 11. In practice, first angles 11 between 100° and 140° have proven advantageous. This applies when both shafts 6, 8 are made of steel.

[0039] In addition to the size of the first angle 11 and its influence on the forces in the X and Y directions, the static friction and the inertial mass of the second shaft 8 also influence the functionality of an actually implemented locking device 1 . Furthermore, the bearing of the second shaft 8 on the first shaft 6 and the resistance of this bearing also play a role. As already mentioned above, the preferred materials for the two shafts 6, 8 and the gear 16 are different steels. Other preferred materials are brass, bronze, and light metal alloys comprising aluminum and / or titanium. The density of the materials used influences their mass and can be taken into account.

[0040] Static friction is strongly influenced by the surface roughness of the contact surfaces. It has proven advantageous for the functionality of the closure device 1 in question if the contact surfaces have a roughness level between N4 and N9.

[0041] If a fluid, such as a so-called lubricant, is arranged between the two face-serrated parts 9, 10, its influence on the force transmission and the friction can be taken into account when selecting the first angle 11 and / or the surface roughness of the contact surfaces.

[0042] As already explained, the second shaft 8 is arranged or mounted on the first shaft 6 so as to be longitudinally displaceable. It is preferably provided that the first shaft 6 has two regions with different diameters 13, 15, i.e. a first longitudinal region 12 with a first diameter 13 and a second longitudinal region 14 with a second diameter 15, wherein the first diameter 13 is larger than the second diameter 15. With this design, the first face-serrated part 9 can form the transition between the first longitudinal region 12 and the second longitudinal region 14. The second longitudinal section 14 of the first shaft 6 serves as a bearing for the second shaft 8. The second shaft 8 is therefore arranged on the second longitudinal section 14 of the first shaft 6.

[0043] The closure device 1 preferably has at least one spring 21, which spring 21 presses the second shaft 8 toward the first splined part 9. As shown in Figs. 5, 6, and 8, the spring 21 preferably encompasses the first shaft 6 and bears against a support 23, which is fastened to the first shaft 6 by means of a nut 24. The first shaft 6 has a thread—not shown in the figures—on which thread the nut 24 is screwed. This thread does not extend through the first shaft 6 to the splined parts 9, 10 and does not establish a fixed connection between them. The selection of the spring 21 and / or its preload enable simple fine-tuning of the closure device 1.

[0044] The preceding paragraphs explain how the closure device 1 is to be designed to enable safe manual opening and / or closing of the opening 2. In order to ensure motor-driven opening and closing of the opening with the closure device 1, it is preferably provided that the gear 16 is designed such that, when the second shaft 8 is driven by the motor - for motor-driven lifting or folding up of the lid 2 - a resultant force acts on the second shaft 8, which is directed in the longitudinal direction of the first shaft 6 onto the first planar serration part 9, and which force has a size or amount such that the lid 2 - while maintaining the connection between the two planar serration parts 9, 10 - is pivoted or lifted in a predeterminable direction, thereby opening the access opening 3.This is primarily influenced by the shape of the gears and the gear ratio of the gearbox 16. The gear ratio is easily determined by the responsible designer according to the usual calculations during the design of each gearbox 16.

[0045] The design of the gear 16 as described in the previous paragraph can generate a resulting force during a mechanical closing process, which also acts in the longitudinal direction of the first shaft 6, but is directed away from the first planar serrated part 9. To ensure the connection between the first and second serrated parts 9, 10, the spring 21 can preferably be designed with a correspondingly designed spring constant or spring rate. In the preferred position of the locking device 1 in an automobile, the closing process is further assisted by gravity.

[0046] The worm gear 17 has a cylindrical worm wheel 19. This enables the movement of the second shaft 8 in the longitudinal direction of the first shaft 6. Most known worm gears have worm wheels with a spherical shape. However, such a shape would restrict or inhibit the movement of the second shaft 8 in the longitudinal direction of the first shaft 6.

[0047] The teeth 20 of the worm gear 19 are arranged at a second angle 22 to the rotational axis 7 of the worm gear 19. This second angle 22 influences the resistance exerted by this gear connection when lifting the second shaft 8. Furthermore, this second angle 22 influences the force generated by the motor during the driven closing process and transmitted via the gears 16, 17. It has proven advantageous if the second angle 22 is between 10° and 20° to the rotational axis 7 of the worm gear 19.

[0048] The following are principles for understanding and interpreting the disclosure in question.

[0049] Characteristics are usually introduced with the indefinite article "ein, eine, eines, einer." Therefore, unless the context indicates otherwise, "ein, eine, eines, einer" is not to be understood as a numerical term. "Substantially" in conjunction with a numerical value includes a tolerance of ± 10% around the specified figure, unless the context indicates otherwise.

[0050] For ranges of values, the endpoints are included unless the context indicates otherwise.

Claims

P A T E N T A N S P R Ü C H E 1 . Closure device (1) with a hinged cover (2) for the predeterminable closure of an access opening (3), in particular an access opening (3) of an electrical contact, wherein a lateral end region (4) of the cover (2) is fixedly connected to a first shaft (6) rotatably mounted on a housing (5), wherein the closure device (1) has a motor which is operatively connected to a second shaft (8), characterized in that the first shaft (6) has a first planar serration part (9), that the second shaft (8) is designed as a hollow shaft with a second planar serration part (10), which is rotatably and longitudinally displaceably mounted on the first shaft (6), that the first planar serration part (9) and the second planar serration part (10) are in releasable end-face engagement, and that upon a rotational movement of the first shaft (6) relative to the second shaft (8) the second shaft (8) is displaced longitudinally.

2. Closure device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the first planar serration part (9) and the second planar serration part (10) each have flat and opposite contact surfaces.

3. Closure device (1) according to claim 2, characterized in that a first angle (11) between two adjacent contact surfaces and a surface roughness of the contact surfaces are designed such that a predeterminable moment on the first shaft (6) displaces the second shaft (8).

4. Closure device (1) according to claim 3, characterized in that the first angle (11) is between 100° and 140°.

5. Closure device (1) according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that the contact surfaces have a roughness degree between N4 and N9.

6. Closure device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the first shaft (6) has a first longitudinal region (12) with a first diameter (13) and a second longitudinal region (14) with a second diameter (15), that the first diameter (13) is larger than the second diameter (15), and that the first planar serration part (9) forms the transition between the first longitudinal region (12) and the second longitudinal region (14).

7. Closure device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the motor is connected to the second shaft (8) by means of a gear (16).

8. Closure device (1) according to claim 7, characterized in that the gear (16) is designed such that a force acts on the second shaft (8) when it is driven by the motor, which force is directed in the longitudinal direction of the first shaft (6) onto the first planar serration part (9), and which force has an amount which is so great that the cover (2) - while maintaining the connection of the two planar serration parts (9, 10) - is pivoted in a predeterminable direction.

9. Closure device (1) according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that the gear (16) is designed as a worm gear (17) with a helical cylindrical worm shaft (18), and that the motor is connected to the worm shaft (18).

10. Closure device (1) according to claim 9, characterized in that the worm gear (17) has a cylindrical worm wheel (19), and that the worm wheel (19) is part of the second shaft (8).

11. Closure device (1) according to claim 10, characterized in that the teeth (20) of the worm wheel (19) have a second angle (22) between 10° and 20° to the axis of rotation (7) of the worm wheel (19).

12. Closure device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that the closure device (1) has at least one spring (21) which urges the second shaft (8) in the direction of the first planar splined part (9).

13. Automobile, in particular passenger car, with an electrical contact for charging an electrical storage medium, which contact has an access opening (3) in a body of the automobile, wherein a closure device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 12 is arranged at the access opening (3).

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