Opening device for a motor vehicle door element

Abstract

The invention relates to an opening device (1) for a motor vehicle door element (2), in particular a side door (2), comprising an electrically operated door lock, an electrical drive unit (5), an adjustment means (4) and a spring element (20), located between the adjustment means (4) and the drive unit (5), and also comprising at least one sensor for sensing a position of the adjustment means (4), wherein the spring element (20) is designed as an overload protection (10).

Description

Description On adjusting device for a motor vehicle door element The invention relates to an actuating device for a motor vehicle door element, in particular a side door, comprising an electrically actuated door lock, an electric drive unit, an actuating means and a spring element arranged between the actuating means and the drive unit, as well as at least one sensor element for detecting a position of the actuating means. Today's motor vehicles are increasingly being equipped with comfort features. For example, to make getting into a vehicle easier and to influence the aesthetic and aerodynamic design, motor vehicles are being equipped without an external door handle. However, it is also conceivable that an external door handle is provided, but that this simply transmits a switching signal to the vehicle door lock for opening. To enable entry into doors without an external handle or to facilitate electrically assisted opening, so-called opening devices or door risers are used, which are sometimes also referred to as door stays. From DE 10 2011 015 669 A1, an opening device for motor vehicle doors has become known, with which a door can be moved from a closed position to an open position. The door lock can be opened by means of an electrical impulse. To do this, the locking mechanism of the door lock must first be unlocked, preferably electrically, so that the door can be opened. If, for example, the pressure of the door seal is sufficient, If the door is not sufficient to move the door from the closed position to the open position, the door can be moved into the open position using the positioning device. An open position is defined in such a way that the operator of the motor vehicle is able to grasp the door so that he can open the door completely. The opening device is an electric drive which acts mechanically on the motor vehicle door in the form of a pivoting movement of the levers via a drive pawl and an inside and outside lever. DE 10 2016 105 760 A1 discloses an opening device for a motor vehicle door with a base plate, furthermore with a drive element mounted on the base plate and a drive, wherein a first sensor is provided which is assigned to the drive element and which distinguishes at least between an opening process and a manual opening process. The opening device comprises a drive which can be driven via a sensor and a control unit. A flexible connecting means then enables a pivoting of a transmission lever which in turn enables an opening movement via a drive lever and a drive slide. In order to enable the door to be moved, the drive slide moves linearly and out of an opening in a bodywork, so that an unlocked and unlocked door can be opened at least in part.The end position of the drive slide can be detected by means of a second stationary sensor, so that the drive can be switched off again. From DE 10 2019 117 540 A1 an electric motor drive for a motor vehicle door with an electric motor, further with a following and connected to the electric motor a transmission and with at least one sensor for position or force detection. With the help of the sensor for position and / or force detection, for example, the position of the vehicle door being acted upon can be determined. Alternatively, it is possible to use the sensor to record the force exerted by the electric motor drive on the vehicle door in question. Depending on the position reached or the force exerted, a control unit can then brake or reverse the electric motor drive with the help of the sensor signals. Despite the known and proven state of the art, it has been shown that the drive unit must be protected from overload, particularly in cases where manual intervention is performed on the door element. The invention aims to provide a solution to this problem. The invention is based on the technical problem of further developing the electromotive system in such a way that a mechanically robust solution is provided throughout the product cycle. This object is achieved by the features of independent patent claim 1. Advantageous embodiments of the invention are specified in the subclaims. It should be noted that the exemplary embodiments described below are not limiting; rather, any desired variations of the features described in the description and the subclaims are possible. According to patent claim 1, the object of the invention is achieved in that an opening device for a motor vehicle door element, in particular a side door, is provided, comprising an electrically actuated door lock, an electric drive unit, an actuating means and a spring element arranged between the actuating means and the drive unit, and at least one sensor for detecting a position of the actuating means, wherein the spring element is designed as an overload protection device. The design of the opening device according to the invention now creates the possibility of mechanically ensuring that the electric motor and the gear unit following the electric motor or connected to it are not damaged. The drive is not damaged even if the motor supplies incorrect values ​​or no values ​​at all.In addition, the overload element can be used to ensure that, for example, obstacles that directly slow down the movement of the vehicle door do not lead to mechanical damage to the electric motor or the gearbox, which would result in complex and costly repairs without such an overload element. Furthermore, the overload element opens up the further possibility that, for example, if the electric motor fails, the corresponding vehicle door can still be closed. This is particularly important in the event of a power failure or after an accident. In addition, the sensor integrated into the overload element is advantageously positioned on the output side. In fact, the sensor can be arranged at or near an output of the gearbox, an output shaft, or at the output of an electric motor. The transmission of the rotary motion of the electric motor to the gearbox and thus to the overload element can typically be rotary. However, within the scope of the invention, it is also possible for the gearbox following the electric motor to ensure a linear adjustment of an actuating device on the output side, so that the overload element with the integrated sensor on the output side also operates in a linear direction. In addition, the invention ensures that the sensor in question has virtually no reaction to any mechanical play in or on the electric motor and in particular within the gearbox, but instead only queries the position reached on the output side by an associated actuating element. The actuating element in question is usually the previously mentioned motor vehicle door or motor vehicle hatch. Alternatively, it can also be a window pane or another actuating element within a motor vehicle. In either case, damage to the electric motor and the downstream gearbox is effectively prevented by mechanical means and by the overload element, preventing damage to the electric drive.At the same time, the sensor on the output side ensures flawless position detection of the actuator connected to the electric motor drive, as well as the accurate determination of the forces acting on the actuator in question. This is ensured by the sensor's mounting on the output side, which, according to the invention, is integrated into the overload element. According to an advantageous embodiment, the overload element is usually two-part with a spur gear and an engaging f enden end disc. The spur gear is in turn typically equipped with an associated spur toothing, via which an output element is mechanically acted upon, which in turn is operatively connected to the actuating element to be acted upon. For this purpose, the output element can be designed, for example, as an output rod, output cable or the like, which is mechanically coupled to the actuating element to be acted upon, specifically is connected to the vehicle door. The end plate engaging the spur gear generally has at least one spring-loaded coupling element. This spring-loaded coupling element transmits a torque acting on the end plate to the spur gear. If the torque acting on the end plate is higher than, for example, an overload torque, the spring-loaded coupling element slips, and the force associated with the overload torque cannot be transmitted from the end plate to the spur gear. Furthermore, the design is such that the spring-loaded coupling element, with which the end plate is connected to the spur gear, deforms depending on the torque and exhibits a certain torsional rigidity. The torque-dependent deformations of the coupling element can be detected by the sensor integrated into the overload element and converted into corresponding force signals. For this purpose, several spring-loaded coupling elements are usually provided in or on the front plate. It has also proven effective if the coupling elements are arranged radially on the are distributed around the circumference of the face plate. The sensor generally interacts with a probe element. The sensor is usually connected to the spur gear and the probe element to the face plate in order to detect any relative movements between the face plate and the spur gear. Such relative movements are permitted by the intermediate coupling element. The relative movement depends on the torque applied to the face plate and to be transmitted, i.e. the previously mentioned torque-dependent deformation of the coupling element is measured with the help of the sensor in conjunction with the probe element. For this purpose, the sensor can be connected to the previously mentioned control unit, which in turn derives force signals from the signals. In principle, however, the opposite procedure can also be used. In this case, the sensing element is connected to the spur gear and the sensor to the end disk. The sensor and sensing element can be a Hall sensor and a permanent magnet as the sensing element. In principle, however, a sensing element in the form of, for example, an optical light source, such as an LED, is also conceivable, which interacts with a sensor in the form of a photoresistor. Other contactless sensor or sensing element combinations are also conceivable, as are contact combinations. This includes, for example, a rotary potentiometer, which can also basically take on the function of a sensor and sensing element. In the context described above, the sensor is usually designed as a force sensor. In addition to the force sensor, a position sensor can also be integrated into the mounting device. tion can be realized. The position sensor is usually connected to the overload element on the output side or arranged downstream of the overload element in terms of drive technology. In this way, the absolute position of the vehicle door or the vehicle hatch or of the actuating element in general can be determined with the help of the position sensor, without the upstream overload element influencing the corresponding sensor signals. This is because the position sensor is arranged downstream of the overload element on the output side, i.e. usually in the immediate vicinity of the output element, which is then connected to the vehicle door or vehicle hatch. Finally, the overload element can be connected to a ring gear, resulting in an advantageous embodiment of the invention. The overload element is usually provided on an intermediate shaft between the ring gear and the output element. By using the ring gear, the electric motor drive can be designed to be particularly compact, because in this way at least one further gear as part of the transmission can engage inside the ring gear, so that an overlap is observed between the upstream gear and the ring gear when viewed from above, which favors a compact design. According to a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, in addition to the described overload function, a so-called holding function can also be implemented. In this case, the electric motor drive according to the invention ensures that the actuating element actuated by it, usually the motor vehicle door or motor vehicle lid, is blocked in a specific position belonging to the holding function. This can This can generally be achieved mechanically by blocking the electric motor and / or the transmission downstream of it. An electrical blocking of the electric motor or the transmission downstream of it is also conceivable if the self-locking forces observed at this point are sufficiently large. Advantageously, the actuating device according to the invention makes it possible to provide an electric motor drive for automotive applications which is mechanically particularly robust, but at the same time also provides comprehensive information about the respective position of the actuating element and the forces acting on it via integrated sensors. The opening device is connected to an electrically operated door lock. An electrically operated door lock is characterized in that a locking mechanism integrated in the door lock can be unlocked electrically. The locking mechanism preferably has a rotary latch and a pawl, although two or more pawls and / or blocking levers and / or locking levers can also hold the rotary latch in the closed position. In the simplest embodiment, the locking mechanism has a rotary latch and a pawl, with the locking mechanism having a closing moment in a main locking position. In addition, there are locking mechanisms that are characterized by an opening moment, at least in the main locking position. In these cases, an additional locking or blocking lever holds the pawl in the main locking position. Regardless of the design of the locking mechanism, the locking mechanism in an electrically operated door lock can be electrically unlocked, so that the door element is released and can be freely pivoted. Free Pivoting also means that a door stop strap can be present on the door element, provided the door element is a pivoting side door. After the locking mechanism is electrically unlocked, a command or signal follows that activates the electric drive and releases the spring mechanism. This allows the door element to be moved into an open position by the opening device.

[0011] The actuating means is preferably arranged in the door element, like the door lock, but can also be arranged in the body, i.e. opposite the door element in the motor vehicle. The actuating means is preferably located flush in an opening in the door element, so that there can be no hindrance for an operator of the motor vehicle, provided the actuating means is in the retracted state. The actuating means itself is moved out of the opening when the actuating device is actuated and can be brought into engagement with the body or the door element in order to move the door element into the open position. The actuating element is preferably made of a metallic material, but can also be designed as a plastic component or hybrid component.The actuating element preferably consists of a steel material, wherein at least one damping means, such as an elastic plastic, can be arranged in the engagement area with the body or the door element. The invention will be explained in more detail below with reference to an exemplary embodiment and the accompanying drawing. However, the principle applies that the exemplary embodiment does not limit the invention, but merely represents an advantageous embodiment. The illustrated The features can be used individually or in combination with other Features of the description and the patent claims may be set out individually or in combination. It shows: Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of an actuating device, with particular reference to the drive unit and the actuating means. Figure 1 shows a basic illustration and a side view of an opening device 1. The opening device 1 is installed in a side door 2 of a motor vehicle and interacts with the body of the motor vehicle via an actuating means 4. The actuating means 4 is shown in a position in which it is moved out of the opening device 1. The position of the motor vehicle door 2 shown is therefore the position in which the motor vehicle door 2 has been opened by a gap S. The installation of the opening device 1 is advantageously carried out at a free end of the side door 2, in particular in the area of ​​a door lock. The body part 3 shown can therefore represent, for example, a B-pillar of a motor vehicle. The actuating device is shown in a schematic diagram and shows only the components necessary to explain the invention. The drive unit 5 comprises an electric motor 6, a first worm gear stage 7, a second spur gear stage 8 and a third spur gear stage 9. The third spur gear stage 9 is equipped with an overload protection device 10, wherein a gear 11 is directly in engagement with a rack 12 of the actuating means 4. The third spur gear stage 9 is equipped with an overload protection device 10, so that in the event of an overload of the drive unit 5, the overload protection device 10 serves as a safety element for the drive unit 5. The electric motor 6, in turn, is connected to a plug 14 via a control line 13, whereby the actuating device 1 is connected to a control unit via the plug. The electric motor drive 5, 6 is equipped with an electric motor 6. The electric motor 6 is actuated by means of the control unit 15. On the output side, the electric motor 6 operates via an output shaft on an output worm 16, which sets a worm gear 17 in rotation. The worm gear 17 in turn meshes with the spur gear stage 8, which in turn sets the second spur gear stage 9 in motion. The second spur gear stage 9 engages on the output side with the teeth of a ring gear 18, the ring gear 18 being part of the overload protection device 10. Clutch elements 19 are arranged inside the ring gear 18 and engage in the ring gear by means of a spring element 20. A force can therefore be transmitted to the gear 11 via the ring gear 10 and the clutch elements 19. If too much force is exerted on the actuating means 4, which can occur, for example, when the door element 2 is held, the coupling elements 19 slide out of the ring gear 10 and thus prevent an excessive load from being transmitted to the drive unit 5 and the electric motor 6. With the aid of the coupling element 19, a force acting on the end plate of the ring gear 18 and generated by the electric motor 6 generated torque is ultimately transferred to the actuator, as long as this torque is below an overload In fact, if this overload torque is exceeded, the clutch element 18 slips and the end disk or ring gear 18 can no longer transmit its rotation to the other gear stages. According to the illustrated embodiment, several spring-loaded coupling elements 19 are implemented in or on the ring gear 18. The coupling elements 19 are each distributed radially around the circumference of the ring gear 18, specifically according to the exemplary embodiment with a corresponding angular distance from the center. In fact, according to the exemplary embodiment, a total of six coupling elements 19 are implemented, each distributed radially around the circumference of the ring gear 18 at an angular distance of approximately 60°. The respective clutch element 19 consists of a clutch slide 19 and a spiral spring 20 acting on the clutch slide 19, which preloads the clutch slide 19 radially outward into contact with the inside of the ring gear 19. For this purpose, the respective clutch slide 19 is mounted for linear displacement in a corresponding radial recess of the ring gear. In this way, the clutch element 19 can be deformed depending on the torque. The construction of the positioning device according to the invention thus makes it possible to provide a robust system for positioning a door element, so that no excessive load can be introduced into the drive unit 5, whereby a long service life of the positioning device can be ensured. Reference symbol list 1 On adjusting device 2 side doors 3 Body 4 setting agents 5 Drive unit electric motor Worm gear stage 8 , 9 Spur gear stage 10 Overload fuse 11 gear 12 rack 13 Control line 14 plugs 15 Control unit 16 Output worm 17 Worm gear 18 ring gear 19 Coupling element 20 spring element S gap

Claims

Patent claims 1. An actuating device (1) for a motor vehicle door element (2), in particular a side door (2), comprising an electrically actuated door lock, an electric drive unit (5), an actuating means (4) and a spring element (20) arranged between the actuating means (4) and the drive unit (5), as well as at least one sensor for detecting a position of the actuating means (4), characterized in that the spring element (20) is designed as an overload protection device (10).

2. Actuating device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the drive unit (5) has at least one gear stage (7, 8, 9).

3. Adjusting device (1) according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the overload protection device (10) is designed in two parts with a spur gear (10) and a front disk engaging thereon.

4. An adjusting device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the end disc has at least one spring-loaded coupling element (19) for transmitting torque to the spur gear (10).

5. Adjusting device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that several spring-loaded coupling elements (19) are provided in or on the end plate.

6. An adjusting device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the respective coupling element (19) is arranged radially on the circumference of the end plate.

7. An adjusting device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the sensor cooperates with a probe element, the sensor being connected to the spur gear (10) and the probe element being connected to the end disk.

8. An adjusting device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the sensor is designed as a force sensor.

9. An adjusting device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that a position sensor is provided in addition to the force sensor.

10. An adjusting device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the overload protection device is connected to the ring gear (18) of the gear (7, 8, 9).

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