Adjustable drive unit for automotive external visibility unit

Abstract

A drive device for an adjuster (10) of an exterior visibility element of a motor vehicle, the drive device comprising: a drive mechanism (14) cooperating with a first electric motor (12), the drive mechanism (14) configured to drive a first driven element and a second driven element (70, 72), respectively, when the first electric motor (12) is energized; the drive mechanism (14) includes a coupling mechanism (18) cooperating with a second electric motor (16), the coupling mechanism (18) configured to selectively couple the drive mechanism (14) to the first driven element and the second driven element (70, 72), respectively, when the second electric motor (16) is energized.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a drive device, particularly an adjustment drive device for an external visual recognition element for an automobile.

Background Art

[0002] An adjuster for an external visual recognition element of an automobile usually includes a carrier for mounting an external visual recognition unit such as a mirror, a camera, LIDAR, and / or a display provided outside the vehicle. The carrier may be part of the housing of the external visual recognition unit or part of the external visual recognition unit. The carrier is usually adjustable relative to the base of the adjuster by a drive device, particularly an electric drive device, and is mounted on the automobile and may or may not be adjustable relative to the housing of the external visual recognition element.

[0003] The adjuster often has a plurality of adjustment axes, and in particular, the visual recognition unit is configured to be adjustable with respect to both the vertical axis in a fixed coordinate system and the horizontal axis in a fixed coordinate system. For example, when the external visual recognition unit is in the driving position, the angle through which the driver can see through the external visual recognition element can be set. And the adjustment regarding the vertical axis can usually be performed in both directions from left to right and from right to left. The adjustment of the horizontal axis can also usually be performed in two directions from bottom to top and from top to bottom. In the conventional adjustment of an external mirror, in fact, the term "mirror glass operation" is often used.

[0004] In addition, the adjuster may be configured to be able to adjust the visual recognition unit between a parking position where the carrier extends substantially along the vehicle and a deployed driving position where the carrier extends substantially transversely to the vehicle. Such an adjustment is usually called by the term "electric retraction operation".

[0005] In many embodiments, the regulator may comprise a single actuator having two drive units, each equipped with its own electric motor. The actuator performs both rotational movements for folding and unfolding the carrier, and adjustment movements for adjusting the carrier with respect to the longitudinal and / or transverse axes. In this case, the external visibility unit can be considered a two-axis electrically retractable actuator, or a mirror glass actuator with an electrically retractable function. In a regulator with such a single actuator, the rotation axis may coincide with the longitudinal adjustment axis. Such a regulator is described in EP3218226.

[0006] While such adjustment elements offer numerous advantages, they also have drawbacks. For example, these adjusters require relatively heavy spring biasing to maintain the correct position after adjustment of the vertical and horizontal axes. As a result, not only the electric motor for vertical axis adjustment but also the electric motor for horizontal axis adjustment must be designed to be relatively heavy. This leads to increased costs. Furthermore, the door module responsible for powering the adjusters for electric retraction and mirror glass operation is typically configured to supply and switch current for only one electric motor, which is relatively heavy, and may even be configured to primarily supply and switch relatively light currents. Providing a suitable door module capable of supplying and switching two relatively heavy currents to adjust the visibility unit with respect to the vertical and horizontal axes is relatively costly. [Overview of the project]

[0007] The present invention provides a drive device for a regulator that can eliminate the aforementioned disadvantages while maintaining the aforementioned advantages. The present invention is a drive device, particularly for a regulator of an external viewing element for an automobile, comprising a drive mechanism cooperating with a first electric motor. The drive mechanism is configured to drive a first driven element and a second driven element, respectively, by energizing the first electric motor, and the drive mechanism comprises a coupling mechanism cooperating with a second electric motor, the coupling mechanism being configured to selectively couple the drive mechanism with the first driven element and the second driven element, respectively, by energizing the second electric motor. By providing an electrically operated coupling mechanism in the drive mechanism, it is sufficient to have one relatively heavy first electric motor to operate the elements that are selectively driven for adjustment for each of the vertical and horizontal axes, and one relatively light electric motor to operate the coupling mechanism. Therefore, the cost of electric motors can be saved, and standard door modules can be used.

[0008] The electric motor can be implemented as a low-voltage electric motor, particularly a low-voltage DC electric motor, as is commonly used in electric vehicle networks in automobiles. In this context, low voltage means that the electric motor is designed for an operating voltage of at least less than approximately 100V, even less than approximately 50V, and particularly about 24V or approximately 12V. The first and / or second electric motors can be implemented as a conventional DC electric motor, a brushless DC electric motor, a stepping motor, or an AC motor.

[0009] The maximum power absorption of the second electric motor may be less than that of the first electric motor, according to the present invention. The power absorption of the second relatively light electric motor can be, for example, less than half or less than a quarter of the power absorption of the relatively heavy first electric motor, and preferably about 10% of the power absorption of the relatively heavy first electric motor. The power absorption of the first electric motor can be less than 25W, for example about 12W, and the power absorption of the second electric motor can be less than 2.5W, for example about 1W. Advantageously, both electric motors are configured to operate at the same current.

[0010] The power supply to the first electric motor and the second electric motor may be provided by one of the vehicle's electric door modules. The electric door module switches the power supply between the first and second electric motors, but the switching power supply for the first electric motor is designed to have a relatively higher output, for example, a maximum of 25W compared to a maximum of 2.5W for the second electric motor.

[0011] The coupling mechanism under the operation of the second electric motor is adjustable between a first state in which the first electric motor is coupled to the first driven element and a second state in which the first electric motor is coupled to the second driven element, and the coupling mechanism releases the second driven element in the first state and the first driven element in the second state. The operation of the second electric motor allows the coupling mechanism to be adjusted to a neutral state, in which the coupling mechanism releases both the first and second driven elements. Thus, in each case, a relatively heavy electric motor is coupled to one of the first and second driven elements, and the other driven element is released. In the neutral state, both driven elements may be released. If the driven elements are free, they can be moved without using the first electric motor, for example, making assembly easier. The neutral state is an intermediate state between the first and second states.

[0012] The coupling mechanism is configured such that the first electric motor resists the drive of the second electric motor. By configuring the coupling mechanism to self-brake in the direction of the second electric motor, the force component branching off from the driving force of the first electric motor and acting on the coupling mechanism can resist or cancel out the relatively lighter operating force of the second electric motor.

[0013] The drive mechanism has a drive stage that cooperates with the first electric motor, and the drive stage cooperates with a first output stage to which the first driven element belongs and a second output stage to which the second driven element belongs. Therefore, additional transmission, such as a reduction in speed, can be achieved in the drive stage and / or output stage.

[0014] The drive stage may have an output element under the action of the second electric motor via the coupling mechanism. The output element is adjustable between a first position corresponding to the first state of the coupling mechanism, in which the output element of the drive stage cooperates with the first output stage, and a second position corresponding to the second state of the coupling mechanism, in which the output element of the drive stage cooperates with the second output stage. Thus, the coupling mechanism can be arranged to adjust the output element by displacement between the first and second positions, for example, rotation and / or sliding. The output element of the drive stage may, in the first position, release the second driven element, particularly the second output stage, and in the second position, release the first driven element, particularly the first output stage. The output element is adjustable to a neutral position corresponding to the neutral state of the coupling mechanism under the action of the second electric motor via the coupling mechanism, in which case both the first driven element and the second driven element are released, and in particular, both the first output stage and the second output stage are released.

[0015] The coupling mechanism has a lever arm, which is rotated by the second electric motor and has an output element of the drive stage at one end. The other end of the lever arm may have a gear section which is coupled to a gear driven, for example, via the second electric motor. Alternatively, a slot which cooperates with a cam or eccentric can also be used.

[0016] The first and second electric motors can be arranged to move relative to each other, for example, so that the first or second electric motor moves together with the lever arm. Alternatively, the first and second electric motors can be arranged in a fixed position relative to each other, for example, when the central axis of the motor shaft of the first electric motor coincides with the pivot axis of the lever arm.

[0017] The driving output element and the driven element can be implemented, for example, as a pair of cooperative gears that mesh straight with each other, or they can be composed of, for example, a cooperative worm wheel / worm gear pair or a gear / crown gear pair.

[0018] The coupling mechanism has arms arranged to be translationally movable, in particular two arms arranged to be movable in opposite directions. Such arms can be used to operate, for example, a sliding coupling, which can engage or disengage components of the drive unit, and release or prevent the components of the drive unit from being released.

[0019] The coupling mechanism may also consist of a planetary gear mechanism, for example, a planetary gear transmission with two outputs, where one output is fixed and the other is used as a drive output element.

[0020] The present invention also relates to an adjuster for an external visibility element of an automobile, the adjuster comprising a drive unit, one of the modifications described herein, a first output stage for driving upward and downward rotational movement of the external visibility element, and a second output stage for driving inward and outward rotational movement of the external visibility element. The adjuster may also already comprise an external visibility unit coupled to the first and / or second driven elements, such as a mirror glass, a LiDAR sensor, or a camera. The external visibility unit may be directly coupled to the output stage, or indirectly, for example, via a carrier. The external visibility unit and / or carrier may be hinged via a hinge mechanism to a base, for example, mounted on the door of an automobile, and may be adjustable relative to the base under the influence of an adjuster drive. The adjustment drive can be carried out using a first and / or second output stage that does not self-actuate in the neutral state of the coupling mechanism. Thus, when the coupling mechanism releases the driven element of the output stage, the external visual recognition element can remain in its position even when an external force up to a limit value acts, and when an external force exceeding the limit value acts, it is adjusted to that position without the first electric motor being driven and / or without damaging the output stage. When the coupling mechanism is in the neutral state, the external visual recognition element can be held in a fixed position up to the limit value of the external force, for example, with the help of the friction of the adjustment device.

[0021] More advantageous embodiments are shown in the dependent claims. Each of the above aspects is optional, each aspect can be combined with each other, and it will be obvious that the elements of the above aspects can be separated from their context and used independently or in combination with only a part of the described aspects.

Brief Description of Drawings

[0022] The present invention will be further described based on examples of embodiments of the regulator illustrated in the drawings. Each drawing is as follows.

[0023] [Figure 1] An example of a visual recognition element equipped with a regulator known in the prior art is shown. [Figure 2] An example of a drive device and a regulator according to this specification is shown. [Figure 3] Details of the example in FIG. 2 are shown. [Figure 4] The lower side of the example in FIG. 2 is shown. [Figure 5] Another example of a drive device and a regulator according to this specification is shown. [Figure 6] Details of the example in FIG. 5 are shown. [Figure 7] Another example of a drive device and a regulator according to this specification is shown. [Figure 8] Details of the example in FIG. 7 are shown. [Figure 9] An example of a coupling mechanism according to this specification is shown. [Figure 9B] Shows the details of the coupling mechanism of FIG. 9. [Figure 10] Shows another example of the coupling mechanism according to this specification. [Figure 11] Shows a cross-section of the shaft along line AA of FIG. 10. [Figure 12] Shows an example of the output stage and the regulator according to this specification. [Figure 13] Shows a cross-section of the shaft along line AA of FIG. 12.

[0024] Note that the figures are shown merely as examples of embodiments and should never be regarded as limiting.

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0025] In the following detailed description of the figures, reference numerals are used to refer to the embodiments shown in the figures.

[0026] In all embodiments, the adjuster 10 can be configured as part of an external visibility element 44, such as the example shown in Figure 1, which is already known from the prior art. The external visibility element 44 comprises a base 74 of the adjuster 10 to be mounted on a vehicle, and a carrier 46 that is rotatable around a first hinge axis 50 and a second hinge axis 52 relative to the base 74 by an adjuster. As shown in Figure 1, the external visibility element 44 may include a carrying frame 48 that is rotatable around the first hinge axis 50 relative to the base 74, and the carrier 46 is rotatable around the second hinge axis 52 relative to the carrying frame 48. The carrier 46 may include a cap that covers the adjuster element and on which external visibility units such as an external mirror, camera, LIDAR and / or display can be mounted. The operation of the hinges that enable the rotation of the carrier 46 relative to the base 74 is similar to the operation of the hinges in the embodiments described, for example, on pages 6, line 14 to page 10, line 7 of WO2016 / 076713. By driving the first element 70, the carrier 46 is pivoted around the first hinge axis 50, and by driving the second element 72, the carrier 46 is pivoted around the second hinge axis 52. In this way, the external visibility unit associated with the carrier can be adjusted.

[0027] The present invention generally provides a drive device, more particularly a drive device for a motorized external visibility element 10 for an automobile. The drive device comprises a drive mechanism 14 cooperating with a first electric motor 12, the drive mechanism 14 being configured to drive first and second driven elements 70, 72, respectively, when the first electric motor 12 is energized. The drive mechanism 14 comprises a coupling mechanism 18 cooperating with a second electric motor 16, the coupling mechanism 18 being configured to selectively couple the drive mechanism 14 with the first and second driven elements 70, 72, respectively, when the second electric motor 16 is energized. The effects and advantages of the drive have already been described in the above summary, and these effects and advantages are inserted hereby by reference.

[0028] In the first embodiment, as shown in Figures 2-4, the coupling mechanism 18 includes a lever arm 28 that can pivot around a pivot axis 36. A first electric motor 12 is located on or at the first end of the lever arm 28. The output element 26 is a worm driven by the first electric motor 12. The second end of the lever arm 28 is connected to a second electric motor 16, thereby making it rotatable. The rotation of the second end of the lever arm 28 by the second electric motor 16 also rotates the first electric motor and the worm 26. In this way, the worm 26 is selectively connected to a first driven element 70 and a second driven element 72. The rotation causes the worm 26 to mesh with, for example, a worm gear 38 which is the first output stage 22, and as a result, the first driven element 70 is driven. Furthermore, the worm 26 meshes with the worm gear 40, which is the second output stage 24, and as a result, the second element 72 is driven.

[0029] The angle to which the lever arm 28 can rotate can be set such that the worm 26 has a neutral position free from the first output stage 22 and the second output stage 24. In the example in Figure 4, the second electric motor 12 is connected to the lever arm 28 by a wheel 42 that is eccentrically connected to the rotor of the second electric motor 16. The eccentric wheel 40 is received between the two arms at the second end of the lever arm 28. By adjusting the rotational position of the rotor of the motor 16, the lever arm 28 is rotated by the eccentric wheel 42.

[0030] Figures 5 and 6 show an example of a second embodiment similar to the embodiment described above. Instead of positioning the first electric motor 12 at the end of the lever arm 28, the electric motor 12 is positioned concentrically with the oscillating shaft 36. That is, the central axis of the rotor of the first electric motor 12 coincides with the oscillating shaft 36. The first electric motor 12 may be fixedly installed within the regulator 10. This configuration has the advantage that a flexible electrical connection to the first electric motor is not required. The first electric motor drives the output element 26 via a drive stage 20. An example of the drive stage 20 shown in Figure 6 may consist of a first motor gear 25a connected to the rotor of the first electric motor and an output gear 25b connected to the output element 26.

[0031] The output element 26 may be a worm driven by the first electric motor 12, similar to the first embodiment, and this worm can be selectively coupled to the first driven element 70 or the second driven element 72 using the coupling mechanism 18.

[0032] In the example shown in Figure 5, the second electric motor 16 is connected to the lever arm 28 by a second motor gear 25c connected to the rotor of the second electric motor 16. The gear 25c engages with the toothed end or gear portion 25d of the lever arm 28 and rotates, thereby rotating the lever arm 28. The second electric motor 16 may also be connected to the lever arm 28, and the gear 25c of the second electric motor meshes with a gear portion 25d fixedly connected to the frame 46.

[0033] In a third embodiment, an example of which is shown in Figures 7 and 8, the output element 26 may be a gear 25b having linear teeth. The output element 26 may be a normal gear, or it may be a composite gear 26 having a central portion and two side portions, with the side portions having a smaller diameter than the central portion, as shown in the figures. The first side of the gear 26 is coupled to the first driven element 70 by the pivot of the lever arm 28. This may be done, for example, by the gear engaging with the first crown gear 54 of the first output stage 22. The second side of the gear 26 is coupled to the second driven element 72 by the pivot of the lever arm 28. This may be done, for example, by the gear 26 engaging with the second crown gear 56 of the second output stage 24. By using the composite gear 26, the power transmission from the first electric motor 12 to the first driven element 70 or the second driven element 72 is reduced to, for example, reach a desired adjustment speed for the external visibility element. By giving different diameters to different sides, this reduction can be defined for each driven element 70, 72. The gear 26 is driven by a drive worm 58 connected to the rotor of the first electric motor 12.

[0034] In a fourth embodiment, an example of which is shown in Figure 9, the coupling mechanism 18 comprises a first arm 30 and a second arm 32 that are translatable. Both arms 30 and 32 may be provided with racks that mesh with a pinion 76 connected to the rotor of a second electric motor. The rotation of the pinion 76 can cause both arms to be translated. When both arms 30 and 32 are engaged with the pinion 76 on opposite sides, when the pinion 76 rotates in a first direction, the first arm 30 moves toward the output element 26 and the second arm 32 moves toward the output element 26. When the pinion 76 rotates in a second direction opposite to the first direction, the first arm 30 moves toward the output element 26 and the second arm 32 moves toward the output element 26.

[0035] The output element 26 may also be the output of the composite planetary gear mechanism 34. At each output stage, a drive worm 58 connected to the rotor of the first electric motor 12 is driven, thereby driving the sun gear 34a via a worm wheel 34a' rigidly coupled in the planetary gear mechanism 34. The translatable arms 30, 32 may each have a stopper at its end configured to engage with one of the gears on the output shaft of the planetary gear system 34. Both arms 30, 32 have a stopping position where their respective ends with stoppers engage with the corresponding set of teeth 34b of the composite planetary gear mechanism 34. This restricts the rotation of the output shaft, and the other output shaft, formed by the planetary gear carrier 34c of the planetary gear mechanism 34, forms the output of the output element 26. The planetary gear carrier 34c and the output element 26b operate as a single unit. This output can transmit rotation to the first driven element 70 or the second driven element 72 via a gear. In the example shown in Figure 9, the output element 26 engages with the crown gear of either the first output stage 22 or the second output stage 24.

[0036] A fifth embodiment, an example of which is shown in Figures 10 and 11, is equivalent to the fourth embodiment described above in terms of the coupling mechanism. In this embodiment, the translatable arms 30 and 32 each have drive gears 60 and 62 that extend laterally with respect to the translational direction. The first drive gear 60, which is connected to the first translatable arm 30, can be attached to a shaft fixed to the first arm 30 by snap fitting. The second drive gear 62 can be similarly connected to the second translatable arm 32. The first drive shaft 64 passes through the first drive gear, and the second drive shaft passes through the second drive gear 62. Due to the translation of the two arms 30 and 32, the drive gears 60 and 62 slide on the drive shafts 64 and 66, respectively. The first drive shaft 64 and the second drive shaft 66 may have couplings that are rigidly coupled to them and engage with the inner teeth of the drive gears 60 and 62 associated with the drive shafts 64 and 66.

[0037] The first translatable arm 30 has a connection position in which the first drive gear 60 connected to the end of the first translatable arm 30 engages with the connecting portion 68 of the first drive shaft 64, thereby transmitting the rotation of the drive worm 58 to the first drive shaft 64 via the first drive gear 60 and the connecting portion 68. The first translatable arm 30 also has a release position in which the first drive gear 60 connected to the end of the first translatable arm 30 is released from the connecting portion 68 of the first drive shaft 64, thereby preventing the rotation of the drive worm 58 from being transmitted to the first drive shaft 64. The second translatable arm 32 also has a connected position, in which the second drive gear 62 connected to the end of the second translatable arm 32 engages with the connecting portion 68 of the second drive shaft 66, thereby transmitting the rotation of the drive worm 58 to the second drive shaft 66 via the second drive gear 62 and the connecting portion 68. The second translatable arm 32 also has a released position in which the second drive gear 62 connected to the end of the second translatable arm 32 is released from the connecting portion 68 of the second drive shaft 66, thereby preventing the rotation of the drive worm 58 from being transmitted to the second drive shaft 66. Since the two arms 30 and 32 translate in opposite directions, only one of them is always in the connected position.

[0038] When the output element 26 is connected to the first driven element 70 or the second driven element 72, a force opposite to the force exerted by the second electric motor 16 is applied to the associated translationable arms 30, 32. To prevent the operating force of the second electric motor 16 from being canceled out or offset, the connection between the rotor of the second electric motor 16 and the pinion 76 engaged with the racks of each translationable arm 30, 32 may have a pin inserted into a slotted hole or a knee joint rod system. This prevents physical backlash of the translationable arms 30, 32 relative to the second electric motor 16.

[0039] A common feature in all embodiments is that the first driven element 70 can be part of the first output stage 22, and the second driven element 72 can be part of the second output stage 24. The driven elements 70 and 72 may be gears that engage with the shaft via the first pivot shaft 50 and the second pivot shaft 52, as shown in the figure. The driven elements 70 and 72 may also mesh with the output element 26, such as the first worm gear 38 and the second worm gear 40, the first crown gear 54 and the second crown gear 56, or the first drive gear 6 and the second drive gear 62 in the embodiments described above. The output stages 22 and 24 may be implemented as shafts having worms that are driven by the output element 26 and mesh with gears that are connected to or part of the driven elements 70 and 72. This transmission reduces the rotational speed of the first electric motor 12, thereby causing the first driven element 70 or the second driven element 72 to rotate at a lower rotational speed due to the rotation of the first electric motor 12. Further reduction can be achieved by adding planetary gears to the shafts of the output stages 22 and 24, examples of which are shown in Figures 12 and 13. When the planetary gears engage with the output element 26, the rotation of the planetary gears is transmitted to the shafts of the output stages 22 and 24 with a delay.

[0040] The present invention further provides a regulator 10 for an external visibility element 44 for an automobile. This regulator comprises a drive unit, one of the modifications described herein, a first output stage 22 for driving upward and downward rotational movement of the external visibility element, and a second output stage 24 for driving inward and outward rotational movement of the external visibility element. The effects and advantages of the regulator 10 have already been described in the summary of the invention, and these effects and advantages are inserted hereby by reference.

[0041] In one embodiment, the adjustment element 10 may be provided together with an external visibility unit, such as a mirror glass or camera, coupled to a first driven element 70 and / or a second element 72. The external visibility unit may be directly coupled to the output stage, or it may be indirectly coupled, for example, via a carrier 46. The external visibility unit and / or carrier 46 may be hinged to a base 74, for example, attached to the door of a car, via a hinge mechanism, and may be adjustable relative to the base 74 by an adjustment drive.

[0042] It will be clear that each of the illustrated and described apparatuses and each of the illustrated and described apparatuses are also to be understood as individually described and shown. It will also be clear that the apparatuses and elements can be used individually and / or in combination with at least one other element described or illustrated.

[0043] Furthermore, it should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the exemplary embodiments described herein. Many modifications are possible.

[0044] Therefore, this drive unit can also be used for driving purposes other than adjusting the adjustment devices of an automobile's exterior vision unit, such as adjusting the air guide flaps of an automobile to improve aerodynamic characteristics.

[0045] Such modifications will be obvious to those skilled in the art and should be understood to fall within the scope of the present invention as described in the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0046] 10 - Regulator 12 - First electric motor 14 - Drive mechanism 16 - Second electric motor 18 - Coupling mechanism 20 - Drive stage 22 - First output stage 24 - Second output stage 25a - First motor gear 25b - Output gear 25c - Second motor gear 25d - Gear section 26 - Output elements 28 - Lever Arm 30 - First (translatable) arm 32 - Second (translatable) arm 34 - Planetary gear mechanism 36 - Rotary shaft 38 - First worm gear 40 - Second worm gear 42 - Eccentric Wheel 44 - Exterior Visual Elements 46 - Career 48 - Carrying Frame 50 - First hinge axis 52 - Second hinge axis 54 - First Crown Gear 56 - Second Crown Gear 58 - Drive worm 60 - First drive gear 62 - Second drive gear 64 - First drive shaft 66 - Second drive shaft 68 - Joint 70 - First driven element 72 - Second driven element 74 - Bass 76 - Pinion

Claims

1. A drive device for a motor vehicle external visibility element adjuster (10), wherein the drive device comprises a drive mechanism (14) cooperating with a first electric motor (12), The drive mechanism (14) is configured to drive the first driven element and the second driven element (70, 72) respectively when the first electric motor (12) is energized, and the drive mechanism (14) includes a coupling mechanism (18) that cooperates with the second electric motor (16). The coupling mechanism (18) is configured to selectively connect the drive mechanism (14) with the first driven element and the second driven element (70, 72) when the second electric motor (16) is energized. The maximum power absorption of the second electric motor (16) is less than the maximum power absorption of the first electric motor (12), and the first electric motor and the second electric motor (12, 16) are low-voltage DC electric motors, with a voltage of approximately 12V or approximately 24V, in a drive system.

2. The drive device according to claim 1, wherein power is supplied to the first electric motor and the second electric motor (12, 16) by an electric door module of the automobile.

3. The drive device according to claim 1, wherein the coupling mechanism (18) under the operation of the second electric motor (16) is adjustable between a first state in which the first electric motor (12) is connected to the first driven element (70) and a second state in which the first electric motor (12) is connected to the second driven element (72).

4. The drive device according to claim 3, wherein the coupling mechanism (18) can be adjusted to a neutral state by the action of the second electric motor (16), and in the neutral state, the coupling mechanism (18) releases both the first driven element and the second driven elements (70, 72).

5. The drive device according to claim 1, wherein the coupling mechanism (18) is configured to self-brake in the driving direction of the second electric motor (16), thereby suppressing the driving of the second electric motor (16) by the first electric motor (12).

6. The drive mechanism (14) has a drive stage (20) that cooperates with the first electric motor (12), The drive device according to claim 3, wherein the drive stage (20) cooperates with a first output stage (22) to which the first driven element belongs and a second output stage (24) to which the second driven element belongs.

7. The drive device according to claim 6, wherein the drive stage (20) includes an output element (26), and the output element (26), which is under the action of the second electric motor (16) via the coupling mechanism (18), is adjustable between a first position corresponding to the first state of the coupling mechanism (18) in which the output element (26) of the drive stage (20) cooperates with the first output stage (22), and a second position corresponding to the second state of the coupling mechanism (18) in which the output element (26) of the drive stage (20) cooperates with the second output stage (24).

8. The output element (26) is adjustable to a neutral position corresponding to the neutral state of the coupling mechanism (18) under the action of the second electric motor (16) via the coupling mechanism (18). The drive device according to claim 7, wherein in the neutral position, both the first driven element and the second driven element (70, 72) are released.

9. The coupling mechanism (18) has a lever arm (28), The drive device according to claim 1, wherein the lever arm (28) is rotated by the second electric motor (16) and has an output element (26) of a drive stage (20) at one end.

10. The drive device according to claim 9, wherein the output element (26) and the driven elements (70, 72) are composed of a cooperative gear pair, a worm wheel / worm gear pair, or a gear / crown gear pair.

11. The drive device according to claim 1, wherein the coupling mechanism (18) has arms (30, 32) arranged to be translatably arranged.

12. The drive device according to claim 7, wherein the output element (26) includes the output of the planetary gear mechanism (34).

13. The drive mechanism (14) has a drive stage (20) that cooperates with the first electric motor (12), The aforementioned drive stage (20) includes an output element (26), The drive device according to claim 11, wherein the output element (26) includes the output of the planetary gear mechanism (34).

14. A regulator (10) for an external visibility element (44) of an automobile, comprising: a drive device according to any one of claims 1 to 13; a first output stage (22) for driving upward and downward rotational movement of the external visibility element; and a second output stage (24) for driving inward and outward rotational movement of the external visibility element.

15. The regulator according to claim 14, further comprising an external visibility unit connected to the first driven element and / or the second driven element (70, 72).

16. The regulator according to claim 14, wherein the first output stage and / or the second output stage (22, 24) in the neutral state are not self-damping.

17. The regulator according to claim 15, wherein the first output stage and / or the second output stage (22, 24) in the neutral state are not self-damping.

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