Automobile lock controller

Abstract

The automobile lock controller includes an electric motor (11) mounted in a casing whereas the controller box (41), comprising a container (37) and a cover (38), houses the casing of the electric motor (11), comprising two longitudinal casing components (14, 15) adjoining each other at the contact plane β, the casing being mounted in the controller box (41) using at least one elastic connecting element (21, 21a, 21b) provided between the lid (38) and the first casing component (14) and between the case (37) and the second casing component (15), the elastic connecting elements (21, 21a, 21b) being under the force pressure effects of the container (37) and the cover (38) in the direction of the axis α perpendicular to the contact plane β of the casing components (14, 15).

Description

[0001] Description

[0002] Automobile lock controller

[0003] Area of technology

[0004] The invention relates to an automobile lock controller comprising an electric motor mounted in a casing and fitted with an output shaft with a worm gearing that engages with a transmission gear of the controller, mounted in a pivoting fashion in the controller box for engagement with the control elements of the lock.

[0005] State of the art

[0006] Automobile controllers with electric actuation are used notably for controlling seat and door locks. The controllers are mounted in casings, fastened with two or more fastening screws in bodywork openings so that they can control rotating or sliding lock components. The electric actuator motor rotates at a high speed and the speed of its output shaft is reduced using transmission gears with a high transmission ratio, most commonly with a worm gear. Gears with a high transmission ratio are generally noisy and their noise is transmitted to the bodywork via the fastening screws, disturbs the car driver and passengers and thus reduces their comfort. The objective of numerous technical designs is to reduce the noise level of the automobile controller while retaining its full functionality.

[0007] A technical design is known from EDO 884 436 A2 , according to which a two-part casing of the automobile central lock controller is fastened to the bodywork via at least one fastening screw, which passes through coaxially provided through holes in the casing and extending with its end into an opening in the bodywork, in which it is fastened. There is a hollow cylindrical chamber provided between the through holes in the casing, in which the fastening screw carries a noise reducer, comprising a hollow cylindrical sleeve with circumferential collars that make flattened ends, which radially extend beyond the through holes in the casing. The outer circumference of the hollow sleeve has 0- rings made of elastic rubber provided between the flattened ends and the casing walls, which comprise an elastic means of connecting the two parts of the two-part casing. However, the reduction to vibrations transmitted from the controller to the bodywork is not satisfactory because the primary source of vibrations, being the electric actuator motor, generates unreduced vibrations inside the controller casing, which the elastic mounting of the two-part casing cannot sufficiently reduce, and thus they are transmitted further into the bodywork. The disadvantage of the design according to EPO 884 436 A2 is insufficient reduction of the vibrations generated by the electric motor and transmitted into the bodywork via the fastening screws.

[0008] Essence of the invention

[0009] The objective of the invention is to eliminate the disadvantages of the state of the art and provide an automobile lock controller that will better reduce transmission of vibrations from the electric motor to the bodywork.

[0010] The shortcomings of the current state of the art are substantially eliminated, and the objective of the invention is achieved by an automobile lock controller, comprising an electric motor mounted in a casing and fitted with an output shaft with a worm gearing that engages with a transmission gear of the controller, mounted in a pivoting fashion in the controller box for engagement with the control elements of the lock, according to the invention, the essence of which consists in the fact that the controller box, comprising a container and a cover, holds an electric motor casing, comprising two longitudinal casing components adjoining each other along a contact plane, wherein the casing is mounted in the controller box via at least one elastic connecting element provided between the cover and the first casing component and between the container and the second casing component, the elastic connecting elements being under the force pressure effects of the container and the cover in the direction of the axis a perpendicular to the contact plane p of the casing components.

[0011] At an advantage, the container and the cover of the controller box can be connected together with fastening screws and fitted with tubelike extensions for generating the force pressure effects of the container and the cover on the elastic connecting elements. At an advantage, the elastic connecting elements can have protrusions or ends extending into the tubelike extensions and protrusions or a middle part extending into the connecting openings provided in the protrusions of the casing components. At an advantage, the connecting elements can be free arms of a U- shaped elastic clamping element. At an advantage, the connecting element can be made from one elastic piece, the middle part of which passes through the connecting openings of the protrusions, the connecting element having supporting parts of a conical shape between the middle part and the ends. At an advantage, the supporting parts of the connecting element can narrow down in the direction of the axis a from the connecting openings to the tubelike extensions, and the container and the cover have collars, which are in a force contact with the narrowing supporting parts in the direction of the axis of the connecting openings. At an advantage, an electric motor can be mounted between the casing components and fitted with an output shaft with a worm gearing, which engages with the transmission gear of the controller, the first casing component and the cover of the outer covering or the second casing component and the container of the outer covering having cylindrical extensions and an opening in the worm gearing area, into which the transmission gear of the controller extends.

[0012] The advantages of the electric motor casing according to the invention consist in the fact that the electric motor, including the output shaft, is mounted in a casing, overhung in the outer controller covering using elastic connecting elements provided between the cover and container of the automobile controller and passing through the connecting holes provided in the electric motor casing components. The overhung mounting of the electric motor casing in the outer controller covering greatly reduces the vibrations spreading from the electric motor. The elastic connecting elements are compressible along their longitudinal axis. The compression of the elastic connecting elements is achieved by the force effect of the cover and container on the connecting elements. An increase in the force effect of the cover and container on the connecting elements causes both an increase in the down pressure of the supporting parts on the longitudinal protrusions of the casing components and an increase in stiffness of the connecting elements. Thus, the elasticity of the elastic connecting elements is adjustable by changing the force effect on the controller cover and container on the connecting elements. At an advantage, a certain prestressing can be produced in the connecting element by making its middle part shorter along the longitudinal axis than the sum of the heights of the connecting openings. In such a case, inserting the connecting element into the connecting openings produces a prestressing in the connecting element. There is no stiff connection between the electric motor casing and the outer controller covering, comprising the container and the cover, that might further transmit the electric motor vibrations. Another advantage of the automobile controller electric motor casing according to the invention consists in its design simplicity and ease of installation and removal.

[0013] Explanation of drawings

[0014] The electric motor casing according to the invention is shown in the drawings, where Fig. 1 is an assembly of the container, connecting element, electric motor and control gear of the controller,

[0015] Fig. 2 is a longitudinal cross-section through the electric motor and casing,

[0016] Fig. 3 is a longitudinal cross-section through the box, casing and connecting element of the controller,

[0017] Fig. 4 is a longitudinal cross-section through the casing and connecting element, Fig. 5 is the controller in a disassembled state, and Fig. 6 is an oblique view of the automobile controller without the cover and the first casing component.

[0018] Example of invention implementation

[0019] According to Fig. 1, the electric motor 11 with the output shaft 12 and the cylindrical extension 12a with the worm gearing is mounted in the second casing component 15. The second casing component 15 is mounted via connecting elements 21 in the container 37 of the controller 41 of the automobile lock (not shown) . The worm gearing of the cylindrical extension 12a of the output shaft 12 engages with the spur gearing of the transmission gear 42 of the controller 41.

[0020] According to Fig. 2, the longitudinal cross-section shows the electric motor 11 and the output shaft 12 , which are mounted in a casing, comprising the top first casing component 14 and the bottom second casing component 315, which adjoin each other at the longitudinal contact plane _p. The longitudinal casing components 14 , 15 have, longitudinally, a first protrusion 16 and a second protrusion 17. The flat protrusions 16 , 17 have, coaxially and perpendicularly to the longitudinal contact axis _p, concentric connecting openings 18 , 19 with the axis a. The middle part 22 of the connecting element 21 passes through the connecting openings, 18 19. One, top end 25 of the connecting element 21 extends into the cover 38 and the other, bottom end 26 of the connecting element 21 extends into the container 37 of the controller 41.

[0021] According to Fig. 3, the longitudinal cross-section shows the casing components 14 , 315, which adjoin each other at the longitudinal contact plane _p. The casing components 14 , 15 have a hollow cylindrical recess, the axis of which lies on the contact plane of the casing components 14 , 315. The cylindrical recess of the casing components 14 , 15 receives the output shaft 12 of the electric motor, fitted with a cylindrical extension 12a, which is mounted in a pivoting fashion in the cylindrical recess of the casing components 14 , 15. The casing components 14 , 15 are provided with flat protrusions 16 , 17 , which have coaxial connecting openings 18 , 19. The casing components 14 , 15 adjoin each other at the contact plane _p. The controller box comprises a cover 38 and a container 37. The cover 38 of the box has a first tubelike extension 35 , and the container 37 of the box has a second tubelike extension 36 , both facing each other and coaxial along the axis a perpendicular to the contact plane _p. The controller box, comprising the container 37 and the cover 38 , houses the electric motor casing, comprising two longitudinal casing components 14 , 15 adjoining each other at the contact plane _p. The electric motor casing is mounted in the controller box via the first elastic connecting element 21a provided between the cover 38 and the first casing component 14 and via the second elastic connecting element 2 lb provided between the container 37 and the second casing component 15 , the elastic connecting elements 21a, 2 lb being under the force pressure effects of the container 37 and the cover 38 in the direction of a perpendicular to the contact plane _p of the casing components 14 , 15. The connecting elements 21a, 2 lb are shown as free arms of the elastic U-shaped clamping element 21c, made of one piece. The container 37 and the cover 38 of the controller 41 box are connected together with fastening screws 46 , as shown in Fig. 3 below, and fitted with tubelike extensions 35 , 36 for generating the force pressure effects of the container 37 and the cover u on the elastic connecting elements 21a, 2 lb . The elastic connecting elements 21a, 2 lb have cylindrical protrusions 2 Id, 2 le , which extend into the tubelike extensions 35, 36, and cylindrical protrusions 21 f , 21g, which extend into the connecting openings 18 , 19 provided in the protrusions 16 , 17 of the casing components 14 , 225. The first tubelike extension 35 and the second tubelike extension 36 are sliding towards the connecting elements 21a, 2 lb, which are provided between the protrusions 16 , 17 of the casing components 14 , 15. At an advantage, the material of the elastic connecting elements 21a, 2 lb can be elastomer, TPM thermoplastic, thermoplastic rubber or elastic plastic. At an advantage, the elasticity of the connecting elements 21a, 2 lb is particularly in the direction of the axis a of the connecting openings 18 , 19. The connecting elements 21a, 2 lb are free arms of the elastic U-shaped clamping element 21c. The container 37 and the cover 38 of the controller 41 box are connected together with fastening screws and fitted with tubelike extensions 35 , 36 for generating the force pressure effects of the container 37 and the cover 38 on the elastic connecting elements 21a, 2 lb . The elastic connecting element 21a has, on its opposite sides, cylindrical protrusions 2 Id, 21 f and the elastic connecting element 2 lb has, on its opposite sides, cylindrical protrusions 2 le , 21g. The elastic connecting elements 21a, 2 lb have cylindrical protrusions 2 Id, 2 le , extending into the tubelike extensions 35 , 36 , and cylindrical protrusions 21 f , 21g, extending into the connecting openings 18 , 19 provided in the protrusions 16 , 17 of the casing components 14 , 15.

[0022] According to Fig. 4, the longitudinal cross-section shows the casing components 14 , 15 , which adjoin each other at the longitudinal contact plane _p. The casing components 14 , 15 have a hollow cylindrical recess 12b, the axis of which lies on the contact plane _p of the casing components 14 , 15. The cylindrical recess 12b of the casing components 14 , 15 receives the output shaft 12 fitted with a cylindrical extension 12a with a worm gearing. The casing components 14 , 15 are provided with flat protrusions 16 , 17 , which have coaxial connecting openings 18 , 19. The middle part 22 of the connecting element 21 passes through the first connecting opening 18 provided in the first protrusion 16 of the first casing component 14 , and the second connecting opening 19 provided in the second protrusion 17 of the second casing component 215. The middle part 22 of the connecting element 21 connects on the top first side to the first supporting part 23 and on the bottom second side to the second supporting part 24. The supporting parts 23 , 24 have, on their side facing the connecting openings 18 , 19 , a radial overlap relative to the connecting openings 18 , 19. The supporting parts 23 , 24 of the connecting element 21 adjoin its ends 25 , 26. The ends 25 , 26 of the connecting element 21 extend into the tubelike extensions 35 , 36 of the outer covering, comprising a container 37 and a cover 38. The free ends of the tubelike extensions 35 , 36 are fitted, or are in one piece at an advantage, with collars 31 , 32 , which are in a force contact with the supporting parts 23 , 24 in the direction of the axis a of the connecting openings 18 , 19. The supporting parts 23 , 24 are in a force contact with the collars 31 , 32 of the controller 41 outer covering, sliding towards the supporting parts 23 , 24 via the force effect in the direction of the axis a of the connecting openings 18 , 19. At an advantage, the force effect is generated by a screwed joint (not shown) between the cover 38 of the outer covering and the container 37 of the outer covering. The supporting parts 23 , 24 can have the shape of collars adjoining the protrusions 16 , 17 of the casing 13 or can, at an advantage, narrow down in the direction of the axis a from the connecting openings 18 , 19 , and the inner edges 33 , 34 of the collars 31 , 32 adjoining the narrowing supporting parts 23 , 24 can be rounded or bevelled at an advantage. The casing 13 of the electric motor 11 , comprising the first casing component 14 and the second casing component 15 , is provided in the inner space of the two-part outer covering of the controller 41 , comprising a container 37 and a cover 38. At an advantage, the connecting element 21 is made of a single piece of elastic material. At an advantage, the material of the elastic connecting elements can be elastomer, TPM thermoplastic, thermoplastic rubber or elastic plastic. At an advantage, the elasticity of the connecting element 21 is particularly in the direction of the axis a of the connecting openings 18 , 19. The connecting elements 21 can be installed so that the connecting element 21 is first extended by traction in the direction of its longitudinal axis, then pulled through the connecting openings 18 , 19 , then the traction is loosened and the connecting element returns to its initial shape, and the supporting parts 23 , 24 exert pressure on the flat protrusions 16 , 17 of the casing components 14 , 15. Alternatively, the connecting elements 21 can also be installed so that the connecting elements 21 are pushed with their second cylindrical ends 26 into the second tubelike extensions 36 of the container 37 , the second casing component 15 with the first casing component 14 are pushed, by the force effect in the direction of the axis a, onto the middle part 22 of the connecting elements 21 and then the first tubelike extensions 35 of the cover 38 are pushed onto the first cylindrical ends 25 of the connecting elements 21 The force effect of the collars 31 , 32 on the supporting parts 23 , 24 of the connecting element 21 in the direction of the axis a of the connecting openings 18 , 19 cause compression of the connecting element 21 and a force down pressure between the protrusions 16 , 17 of the casing components 14 , 15.

[0023] According to Fig. 5, the casing of the electric motor and the outer covering of the controller are shown in a disassembled state. The outer covering of the controller comprises a container 37 , to which the cover 38 is connected via fastening screws 46. The fastening screws 46 pass through the first fastening casts 44 of the cover 38 and extend into the second fastening casts 45 of the container 37. The inner space of the outer covering comprising the container 37 and the cover 38 houses the flexibly mounted casing of the electric motor 11 , comprising a second casing component 15 and a first casing component 14 , connected together flexibly via connecting elements (not shown) . The force effect of the fastening screws 46 push the cover 38 to the container 37. The pushing of the cover 38 to the container 37 causes compression of the connecting elements on the first top side via the first tubelike extensions 35 and on the second opposite side via the second tubelike extensions 36. The compression of the connecting elements causes the pushing of the first supporting parts 23 and the second supporting parts u to each other and a force down pressure of the casing component 14 to the casing component 15.

[0024] According to Fig. 6, the electric motor 11 with the output shaft 12 and the cylindrical extension 12a with the worm gearing is mounted in the second casing component 15. The second casing component 15 is mounted via connecting elements 21 flexibly between the container 37 and the cover (not shown) of the controller 41. The first casing component and cover (not shown) of the outer covering of the controller 41 of the second casing component 15 and the container 37 of the outer covering of the controller 41 have, in the area of the worm shaft 12 , an opening 40 for the transmission gear (not shown) of the controller 41 of the automobile lock (not shown) .

[0025] References

[0026] 11 electric motor

[0027] 12 output shaft

[0028] 12a cylindrical extension (with worm gearing)

[0029] 12b cylindrical recess (of electric motor casing)

[0030] 13 casing (of electric motor)

[0031] 14 first casing component

[0032] 15 second casing component

[0033] 16 first protrusion

[0034] 17 second protrusion

[0035] 18 first connecting opening

[0036] 19 second connecting opening

[0037] 21 connecting element

[0038] 21a first connecting element

[0039] 21b second connecting element

[0040] 21c clamping element

[0041] 21d cylindrical protrusion

[0042] 21e cylindrical protrusion

[0043] 21f cylindrical protrusion

[0044] 21g cylindrical protrusion

[0045] 22 middle part (of connecting element)

[0046] 23 first supporting part (of connecting element)

[0047] 24 second supporting part (of connecting element)

[0048] 25 first end (of connecting element)

[0049] 26 second end (of connecting element)

[0050] 31 first collar

[0051] 32 second collar

[0052] 33 first inner edge

[0053] 34 second inner edge

[0054] 35 first tubelike extension

[0055] 36 second tubelike extension

[0056] 37 container

[0057] 38 cover

[0058] 40 opening

[0059] 41 controller 42 transmission gear

[0060] 44 first fastening cast

[0061] 45 second fastening cast

[0062] 46 connecting screw a axis of connecting openings p contact plane

Claims

AMENDED CLAIMS received by the International Bureau on Claims24January2025(24.01.2025)

1. An automobile lock controller, including an electric motor (11) mounted in a casing and fitted with an output shaft (12) with a worm gearing, which engages with a transmission gear (42) of a controller, mounted in a pivoting fashion in a controller box (41) for engagement with control elements of the lock, characterised in that the controller box (41), comprising a container (37) and a cover (38), houses a casing of the electric motor (11), comprising two longitudinal casing components (14, 15) adjoining each other at a contact plane 0, the casing being mounted in the controller box (41) using at least one elastic connecting element (21 , 21a, 21b) provided between a cover (38) and the first casing component (14) and between the container (37) and the second casing component (15), the elastic connecting elements (21 , 21a, 21b) being elastic in the direction of an axis a perpendicular to the contact plane 0 of the casing components (14, 15) whereas the container (37) and the cover (38) of the controller box (41) are connected together with fastening screws (46) and fitted with tubelike extensions (35, 36) being in force contact with the elastic connecting elements (21 , 21a, 21b).

2. An automobile lock controller according to claim 1 , characterised in that the elastic connecting elements (21 , 21a, 21b) have protrusions (21 d, 21 e) or ends (25, 26) extending into the tubelike extensions (35, 36) and protrusions (21f, 21g) or a middle part (22) extending into connecting openings (18, 19) provided in the protrusions (16, 17) of the casing components (14, 15).

3. An automobile lock controller according to the claims 1 or 2, characterised in that the connecting elements (21a, 21b) are free arms of a II- shaped elastic clamping element (21c).

4. An automobile lock controller according to the claims 1 or 2 through 4, characterised in thatAMENDED SHEET (ARTICLE 19)the connecting element (21) is made from one elastic piece with a middle part (22) passing through the connecting openings (18, 19) of the protrusions (16, 17), the connecting element (21) having supporting parts (23, 24) of a conical shape between the middle part (22) and the ends (25, 26).

5. An automobile lock controller according to claim 4, characterised in that the supporting parts (23, 24) of the connecting element (21) narrow down in the direction of the axis a from the connecting openings (18, 19) to the tubelike extensions (35, 36), and the container (37) and the cover (38) have collars (31 , 32), which are in a force contact with the narrowing supporting parts (23, 24) in the direction of the axis a of the connecting openings (18, 19).AMENDED SHEET (ARTICLE 19)

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