Device for the motorized actuation of doors

Abstract

The invention relates to a device for the motorized actuation of doors, in particular vehicle doors, comprising an electric motor (1), wherein the electric motor (1) drives a threaded spindle (4) which is provided with an external thread and which engages with a spindle nut (6) provided with an internal thread, wherein a push rod (7) is attached to the spindle nut (6). The rotation axis of the electric motor (1), this rotation axis forming the drive axis (a), is oriented parallel to the rotation axis of the threaded spindle (4), this rotation axis forming the output axis (b), and the electric motor (1) is arranged next to the threaded spindle (4) on the longitudinal side.

Description

[0001] Device for motorized operation of doors

[0002] The invention relates to a device for the motorized operation of doors, in particular vehicle doors, comprising an electric motor, wherein the electric motor drives a threaded spindle which is provided with an external thread and which engages with a spindle nut provided with an internal thread, wherein a push rod is fastened to the spindle nut.

[0003] Typically, the opening and closing of a vehicle door is done manually by the user without assistance. However, devices are also known that allow the vehicle doors to be operated motor-driven. Such devices are used, for example, in luxury vehicles or armored vehicles. One such device is known from DE 10 2019 121 638 A1, among others.

[0004] The device, also referred to as an actuator, has an electric drive to enable the motor-driven pivoting of the vehicle door. It comprises an electric motor and a rotary-to-linear converter device that converts the rotary movement of the electric motor into a translational movement of an extendable coupling element or push rod. The device is mounted on the vehicle door, and the opposite end of the push rod is movably attached to the vehicle body.

[0005] The device comprises a lead screw, which is driven in rotation by the electric motor. The rotational axis of the electric motor is aligned parallel to the rotational axis of the spindle. The electric motor is arranged behind the spindle, viewed in the longitudinal direction of the device. The spindle is provided with an external thread and includes a spindle nut with an internal thread, which engages the spindle. The push rod is attached to the spindle nut. This converts the rotary movement of the electric drive into a linear movement of the push rod. A controllable braking device is provided to decelerate the rotary movement.

[0006] Confirmation copy Due to the installation of the spindle, electric motor and braking device arranged one behind the other in the longitudinal direction of the device, the known device requires a relatively large installation space, which is generally not available in the vehicle door because other components such as motors and mechanisms for raising and lowering the window, locking technology, etc. are installed in the door.

[0007] To avoid this disadvantage, a door drive device is known from DE 10 2018 131 933 A1 in which the longitudinal axes of the drive unit and the output unit are aligned parallel to each other, thereby reducing the required installation space in the longitudinal direction of the device.

[0008] Based on this prior art, the invention is based on the object of creating a device for the motorized operation of doors, in particular vehicle doors, which is compact in design and therefore requires less space. According to the invention, this object is achieved with the features of patent claim 1. The invention creates a device for the motorized operation of doors, in particular vehicle doors, which is compact in design and therefore requires little space. By omitting the braking device customary in the prior art, the installation space requirement is reduced. As a result, the device has a further reduced length overall than the devices known from the prior art.

[0009] Advantageously, the drive axle is connected to the output axle via a gear. The gear transfers power from the drive axle to the output axle. At the same time, the speed of the door's opening and closing process can be influenced by the gear ratio. The gear ratio also allows for a smaller electric motor, further saving space. A braking device can be provided, arranged coaxially with the electric motor.

[0010] The braking device is preferably a magnetorheological brake. This type of braking device allows for continuous adjustment of the braking effect. Furthermore, such brakes have an exceptionally short response time in the millisecond range, allowing for immediate stopping of the movement in an emergency. At the same time, high braking torques can be generated.

[0011] In a further development of the invention, the longitudinal axis of the push rod is aligned parallel to the drive and output axes. The parallelism of all three axes supports the compact design of the device according to the invention.

[0012] Further developments and refinements of the invention are specified in the remaining subclaims. Embodiments of the invention are illustrated in the drawings and described in detail below. They show:

[0013] Figure 1 shows a three-dimensional representation of a device according to the invention;

[0014] Figure 2 shows a three-dimensional representation of a device according to the invention in another embodiment;

[0015] Figure 3 shows a three-dimensional representation of a device according to the invention in a further embodiment;

[0016] Figure 4 shows the device provided with a housing from Figure 3;

[0017] Figure 5 to

[0018] Figure 6 shows the device from Figure 4 and a partial section of the device from Figure 3 with the installation space dimensions shown;

[0019] Figure 7 shows the three-dimensional representation of the device without motor, braking device, gear and holding element;

[0020] Figure 8 shows the front view of the device shown in Figure 3. The device chosen as an exemplary embodiment serves for the motorized operation of doors, in particular vehicle doors. It comprises an electric motor.

[0021] 1 . In the embodiment, the device also comprises a braking device

[0022] 2, which is arranged coaxially with the electric motor 1. The rotational axis of the electric motor 1 and the braking device 2 forms the drive axis a. A plug-in clamp 3 is arranged between the electric motor 1 and the braking device 2. In the exemplary embodiment, the plug-in clamp 3 provides the electrical connection between the electric motor 1 and the braking device 2.

[0023] Braking device 2 is used to slow down or stop a door movement, for example, when a sensor installed on the door detects an obstacle. In this case, the sensor sends a signal to the software controlling the door, which in turn activates the braking device. The braking device can then first slow down and then stop the movement to prevent a collision.

[0024] The braking device 2 in the exemplary embodiment is formed by a magnetorheological brake. Such brakes use magnetorheological fluids. These are variable or controllable fluids, which consist, for example, of a fluid, in particular mineral oils, synthetic oils or silicone oils, but also other neutral fluids, which contain magnetically active particles. Instead of a liquid, a powder can also be used. Such magnetically active particles can be made of carbonyl iron, for example. If the fluid is exposed to a magnetic field, the magnetic particles in the fluid combine. This changes the fluid into a semi-solid. If the magnetic field is removed, the fluid returns to its liquid state. To generate the magnetic field required for the brake to function, the braking device contains

[0025] To generate the magnetic field required to influence the magnetic particles, an electric coil is arranged in the braking device 2. By changing the magnetic field, the strength of the fluid can be influenced. The braking effect occurs when the coil is supplied with current, which increases the strength of the fluid. If the power supply is interrupted, the particles break their connection and the semi-solid state is dissolved again. The braking device designed in this way allows for continuous adjustment of the braking effect.

[0026] The use of a magnetorheological brake offers the advantage of a compact design. Furthermore, this type of braking device allows for greater braking torques compared to the brakes typically used in motor-operated door systems, such as drum, motor, or band brakes, or even permanent magnets.

[0027] In a modification of the exemplary embodiment, the braking device can be omitted, thereby further reducing the installation space. In such a design without a braking device, the function of the braking device is taken over by the electric motor. In this case, the braking effect is generated by the electric motor changing its direction of rotation when the movement of the door is to be slowed down or stopped. The braking effect is additionally supported by the inertia of the entire drive system. In this case, the reversal of the direction of rotation of the electric motor is programmed into the software provided for controlling the door. As soon as the door sensor detects an obstacle, it sends a signal to the software, which then sends the signal to change the direction of rotation to the electric motor. The electric motor 1 drives a threaded spindle 4, which is provided with an external thread, via the drive axis a.The axis of rotation of the threaded spindle 4 forms the output axis b of the device. The drive axis a is connected to the output axis b via a gear 5. In the exemplary embodiment according to Figure 1, the gear 5 is a combination of planetary gear and synchronous belt gear, while in the exemplary embodiment according to Figure 2 it is a spur gear. Other types of gears such as a worm gear or double worm gear, as shown in the exemplary embodiment according to Figure 3, or a combination of planetary gear and angular gear can also be used. In the gear 5 shown in Figure 3, which is designed as a double worm gear, the drive axis a is designed like a worm shaft and therefore has helical gearing 51 in sections.

[0028] The helical gearing 51 meshes with a first worm gear 52, which is arranged on a shaft 53. At the end facing away from the worm gear 52, the shaft 53 has a helical gearing 54. The helical gearing 54 meshes with a second worm gear 55, which is arranged on the output axis b. The correspondence of the helical gearing 51 with the worm gear 52 forms a first gear or worm gear stage. In the exemplary embodiment, the helical gearing 51 has an angle ß = 52° and the worm gear 52 an angle ß = 13.1°. The helical gearing 54 and the worm gear 55 form a second gear or worm gear stage. The angle ß of the helical gearing 54 is 45° and the angle ß of the worm gear 55 is 17.6°. Other angles are of course also possible up to 90° per gear stage.

[0029] Shaft 53 is clearly skewed. In the exemplary embodiment, it has an angle of 65° to the horizontal alignment of the drive axis a and the output axis b. At the same time, the shaft 53 in the exemplary embodiment has an angle of 15° to the vertical, as can be seen in Figure 5. The angles selected in the exemplary embodiment, both for the toothing of the two gear or worm gear stages and for the shaft, result in considerably smoother running because they result in rolling action on the tooth flanks rather than meshing. Furthermore, very high gear ratios can be achieved with very little installation space.

[0030] The threaded spindle 4 engages with a spindle nut 6, which is provided with an internal thread. A push rod 7 is fastened to the spindle nut 6. The push rod 7 is provided with an eyelet 8 at its end facing away from the spindle nut 6, by means of which the push rod 7 is articulatedly fastened to a vehicle component (not shown). In the area adjacent to the eyelet 8, the push rod 7 is surrounded by a moisture protection 9. The device according to the invention is provided with holding elements that enable the device to be fastened in a vehicle door. Of the holding elements, only the holding element 10, which is arranged facing the eyelet 8, is shown in the figures. The motor 1 is clearly fastened to the holding element 10. In addition, the threaded spindle 4 and thus the output axis b are rotatably mounted in the holding element 10. Furthermore, the push rod 7 passes through the holding element 10 and is guided axially displaceably therein.The threaded spindle 4 and consequently the output shaft b are also rotatably mounted in the retaining element (not shown) located on the side facing away from the eyelet 8, as is the drive shaft a. The device is surrounded by a housing (not shown) in the area between the two retaining elements. When the device is assembled, the retaining elements form the front ends of the housing.

[0031] A printed circuit board or circuit board 11 is arranged on one long side of the device. The circuit board 11 has a guide frame 12 on its long side facing the floor, in which a carriage 13 is guided. In the exemplary embodiment, the carriage 13 is provided with a magnet. The carriage 13 is connected to the spindle nut 6. For this purpose, a guide 14 provided with a vertically aligned slot is arranged on the carriage 13, in which a horizontally aligned pin arranged on the spindle nut 6 is guided. This is therefore a floating bearing.

[0032] Sensors are arranged on the circuit board 11 in the area of ​​the guide frame 12. In this example, these sensors are Hall sensors. Other sensors can be used. The position of the carriage 13 and thus the position of the spindle nut 6 can be determined via these sensors. This allows the position of the eyelet 8 to be determined, which in turn allows the position of the vehicle door to be determined.

[0033] In the device described here, according to the invention, the drive axis a, which forms the axis of rotation of the electric motor 1 and the braking device 2, is aligned parallel to the output axis b, which forms the axis of rotation of the threaded spindle 4. Likewise, the longitudinal axis of the push rod 7 is aligned parallel to both the drive axis a and the output axis b. As can be seen, the electric motor 1 and the braking device 2 are arranged on the longitudinal side of the threaded spindle 4. The electric motor 1 and the braking device 2 are thus positioned laterally next to the threaded spindle 4.

[0034] In the axial direction, the electric motor 1 and the braking device 2, with their required attachments such as the plug-in clamp 3, have an overall length corresponding to that of the threaded spindle 4. The device according to the invention is therefore very compact compared to the prior art devices for motorized door operation, in which the electric motor and / or the braking device are arranged on the rotational axis of the threaded spindle. Due to the solution according to the invention, the length of the device is significantly shorter than that of the prior art devices.

[0035] When the device for opening a door is operated, the electric motor 1 is switched on, causing the drive axis a to rotate. The threaded spindle 4 is rotated via the gear 5, causing the spindle nut 6 to move axially on the threaded spindle 4. This results in an axial movement of the push rod 7, during which the push rod 7 extends. Manual assistance from the user is possible but not absolutely necessary for opening the door. The process is stopped when the push rod 7 has reached its maximum travel distance specified by the device control system or the braking device 2 is actuated. The electric motor 1 then switches off.

[0036] To close the door, the electric motor 1 is also activated, but the drive axis a rotates in the opposite direction. This also rotates the threaded spindle 4 in the opposite direction, causing the spindle nut 6 to move towards its starting position, which retracts the push rod 7 and closes the door. In both directions of movement, the movement can be dampened before the end position is reached by the intervention of the braking device 2, which further increases comfort. The braking device can also be automatically deactivated, for example in the event of an accident, so that the door can be opened without motor assistance. This ensures that helpers can open the vehicle doors in any event. For this reason, the threaded spindle 4 and the gear 5 are not self-locking.

[0037] The electric motor 1 or the braking device 2 can have an adjustable haptic function that allows the user to actively perceive the respective opening or closing position when manually opening or closing the vehicle door. For example, a resistance or a gradual locking function can be simulated that the user feels and must overcome if necessary to be able to open or close the door further. This can convey to the user that the door will remain in this position upon reaching such a locking position and will not open or close further on its own.

[0038] The device can also be equipped with an emergency stop. This is activated when the vehicle door encounters resistance during opening or closing. This resistance is then detected by a suitable sensor, so that the opening or closing process is immediately interrupted by actuating the brake device. At the same time, the electric motor can be switched off.

[0039] The device according to the invention for motorized door operation is extremely compact. In particular, if, as in the exemplary embodiment, the braking device 2 is integrated into the device and arranged coaxially with the electric motor 1 on the drive axis a, an extremely space-saving design results. Reference is again made to Figure 3 and Figures 4 to 6, with Figures 4 and 5 showing the device with a housing 15. The installation space of the assembly, consisting of the components electric motor 1, braking device 2, gear 5, and threaded spindle 4, is less than 2645500 mm 3 , where the installation space is composed of the length L, width B and height H of the assembly. With appropriate selection of components and their dimensions, an installation space of less than 1224000 mm can also be realized. 3 or 1436500 mm 3 is and certainly 1036000 mm 3 can accept.

[0040] The assembly, consisting of the components electric motor 1, braking device 2, gear unit 5 and threaded spindle 4, has a length L, i.e. in the longitudinal direction, of less than 290 mm. If the dimensions of the components are smaller or if the braking device 2 is missing, the assembly extends in the longitudinal direction to a maximum of only 270 mm or a maximum of only 250 mm. The width H of the assembly is, depending on the size of the components in the assembly or if the braking device 2 is missing, less than 100 mm or a maximum of 90 mm or a maximum of 80 mm, whereas the width B of the assembly - again depending on the size of the components in the assembly or if the braking device 2 is missing - is less than 80 mm or a maximum of 70 mm or a maximum of 60 mm. A length L of 250 mm, a height H of 74 mm and a width B of 56 mm for the assembly are certainly achievable. This means that the device according to the invention is, in comparison to competitive products, e.g.Mercedes-Benz AG, BMW AG, IM Motors, or Geely Automotive require only 40% or less of the usual installation space. This leads to significantly increased flexibility in the design of vehicle doors. The available space inside the doors is very limited. Furthermore, in addition to the technology for opening and closing the door, a drive for operating the window and the window itself, as well as technology for locking and unlocking, must be installed. Added to this is the space required for a door airbag, including its deployment mechanism. 1 and its propellant. Consequently, a more compact design of the motorized door operating device provides more space for the other components.

Claims

Patent claims 1 . Device for the motorized operation of doors, in particular vehicle doors, comprising an electric motor (1), wherein the electric motor (1) drives a threaded spindle (4) which is provided with an external thread and which engages with a spindle nut (6) provided with an internal thread, wherein a push rod (7) is fastened to the spindle nut (6), characterized in that the axis of rotation of the electric motor (1), which forms the drive axis (a), is aligned parallel to the axis of rotation of the threaded spindle (4), which forms the output axis (b), and in that the electric motor (1) is arranged on the longitudinal side next to the threaded spindle (4).

2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the drive axle (a) is connected to the output axle (b) via a gear (5).

3. Device according to claim 2, characterized in that the gear (5) is a gear combination of planetary gear and synchronous belt gear.

4. Device according to claim 2, characterized in that the gear (5) is a spur gear.

5. Device according to claim 2, characterized in that the gear (5) is formed by at least one worm gear stage.

6. Device according to claim 2, characterized in that the gear (5) is a gear combination of planetary gear and angular gear.

7. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a braking device (2) is provided which is arranged coaxially to the electric motor (1).

8. Device according to claim 7, characterized in that the braking device (2) is a magnetorheological brake.

9. Device according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that a plug-in clamp (3) is arranged between the electric motor (1) and the braking device (2).

10. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the longitudinal axis of the push rod (7) is aligned parallel to the drive axis (a) and the output axis (b). 11 . Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a circuit board (11) is provided.

12. Device according to claim 11, characterized in that the board (11) has a guide frame (12) in which a carriage (13) is guided.

13. Device according to claim 12, characterized in that the carriage (13) is connected to the spindle nut (6).

14. Device according to claim 13, characterized in that a guide (14) provided with a vertically aligned elongated hole is arranged on the carriage (13), in which a pin arranged on the spindle nut (6) and horizontally aligned is guided.

15. Device according to claim 13 or 14, characterized in that sensors are arranged on the circuit board (11) in the region of the guide frame (12).

16. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that two worm gear stages are formed.

17. Device according to claim 16, characterized in that the worm gear stages are connected to one another via a shaft (53).

18. Device according to claim 17, characterized in that the shaft (53) is skewed.

19. Device according to claim 18, characterized in that the shaft (53) is aligned at an angle of 65° to the horizontal and at an angle of 15° to the vertical.

20. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that software is provided for controlling the door.

21. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the installation space of the assembly, consisting of the components electric motor 1, braking device 2, gear 5 and threaded spindle 4, is less than 2645500 mm 3 where the installation space is composed of the length L, width B and height H of the assembly.

22. Device according to one of claims 1 to 19, characterized in that the installation space of the assembly, consisting of the components electric motor 1, gear 5 and threaded spindle 4, is less than 2645500 mm 3where the installation space is composed of the length L, width B and height H of the assembly.

23. Device according to claim 21, characterized in that the assembly has a length L of less than 290 mm, whereas the height H of the assembly is less than 100 mm and the width B of the assembly is less than 80 mm.

24. Device according to claim 22, characterized in that the The length L of the assembly is less than 290 mm, whereas the Height H of the assembly is less than 100 mm and width B of the assembly is less than 80 mm.

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