Door drive for a vehicle door

Abstract

The invention relates to a door drive (1) for a vehicle door (2), comprising: a housing (10) on which a first mounting region (M1) for mounting the housing (10) on the vehicle door (2) is fixed or formed; a movement part (11) having a second mounting region (M2) for mounting the movement part (11) on a vehicle chassis (3); an electrical drive unit (12) for causing the movement part (11) to move relative to the housing (10); and a holding element (13) having a third mounting region (M3) for mounting the holding element (13) on the vehicle door (2), wherein the holding element (13) has two ends (130, 131) which can be interconnected in order to fix the holding element (13) to the housing (10).

Description

[0001] Door drive for a vehicle door

[0002] Description

[0003] The invention relates to a door drive for a vehicle door, a vehicle door with such a door drive and a method for pre-assembling a door drive.

[0004] Electric door drives allow for particularly comfortable entry and exit from a vehicle. Electric door drives can facilitate the opening and closing of even heavy doors on slopes or inclines.

[0005] Electric door drives are typically mounted inside a vehicle door. However, the available installation space there is very limited. At the same time, strong accelerations and vibrations sometimes occur within the vehicle, which is why door drives, which are usually attached to a first mounting area on the vehicle door and a second mounting area on the vehicle chassis, can rub against an inner door panel, a side window, or similar.

[0006] CN 218467423 U describes a door drive that has a third mounting area spaced apart from the other two mounting areas and to which the door drive can be mounted, for example, on the vehicle door. However, this solution can be complex to manufacture and assemble.

[0007] The task is to provide an improved door drive.

[0008] This object is achieved by an article having the features of claim 1.

[0009] According to this, a door drive for a vehicle door comprises a housing, to which a first mounting area for mounting the housing on the vehicle door is fixed or formed, an adjustment part with a second mounting area for mounting the adjustment part on a vehicle chassis, an electric drive unit for effecting a (e.g., rectilinear) adjustment of the adjustment part relative to the housing, and a holding element with a third mounting area for mounting the holding element on the vehicle door. It is provided that the holding element has two ends that can be connected to one another, in particular locked, to fix the holding element on the housing.

[0010] This is based on the realization that the same door drive design with identically constructed parts can be used in a variety of vehicle doors by flexibly and flexibly attaching the third mounting area to the housing as needed. This allows the retaining element to be pre-assembled on the housing, allowing for easier and more precise installation during installation in the vehicle door. This allows for a particularly large number of identical parts to be used, while also simplifying installation.

[0011] By connecting, in particular locking, the two ends to each other, the previously open holding element is closed in itself, in particular in the form of a clamp.

[0012] The ends of the retaining element can form the third mounting area. This allows for a particularly secure fixation of the two ends to each other.

[0013] One of the ends can have one or more locking hooks, which can be locked with one or more locking edges on the other end. This allows for particularly easy installation of the retaining element on the housing.

[0014] A screw boss can be formed on one end of the retaining element, particularly a screw boss for a self-tapping screw. This enables particularly simple installation on the vehicle door while simultaneously securely securing the ends to one another.

[0015] At the other end of the retaining element, a contact surface can be formed, e.g., facing away from the screw boss, for contact with the vehicle door. This allows the retaining element to be secured with a screw, pressing the two ends together.

[0016] For example, the retaining element has a contour that matches the housing. This enables a secure, form-fitting connection.

[0017] The retaining element can be designed to be pluggable onto the housing. In particular, the housing can be plugged through the retaining element. This allows for easy installation and precise positioning for the specific application.

[0018] It can also be provided that the retaining element can be fixed at any one of several different (in particular predetermined) positions on the housing. This allows the third mounting area to be positioned as required for the respective application, with identical parts being able to be used for the various applications.

[0019] The retaining element can be moved into a selected position on the housing when the ends are unlocked, and can be secured in the selected position on the housing by locking the ends together. This allows for particularly simple pre-assembly of the retaining element before installation in the vehicle door. This not only provides transport security but also facilitates installation in the vehicle door.

[0020] The housing can have a plurality of positive-locking elements. The retaining element can have at least one positive-locking element. It can be provided that the at least one positive-locking element of the retaining element can be brought into engagement with at least one of the positive-locking elements of the housing along the housing. This enables simple fixation in one of several predefined positions. The positive-locking elements of the housing and the at least one positive-locking element of the retaining element are each designed, for example, in the form of ribs. This enables simple production and simple positioning.

[0021] The at least one form-locking element of the retaining part can be arranged in a form-locking manner, for example, between two form-locking elements of the housing. This prevents the retaining element with its locked ends from slipping and leaving the selected position.

[0022] The retaining element may be provided with several, particularly flat, contact surfaces for flat contact with the housing. This enables the retaining element to be securely held to the housing.

[0023] Furthermore, the housing can, in particular, have elongated sliding surfaces along which the contact surfaces slide when the retaining element is pushed along the housing. This enables particularly simple assembly. The sliding surfaces (and / or the contact surfaces) can be coated, e.g., with a friction-reducing layer such as Teflon. However, such a coating is not necessary.

[0024] According to one aspect, a vehicle door is provided which includes a door drive according to any of the embodiments described herein. Regarding the advantages, reference is made to the above information.

[0025] According to one aspect, a method for pre-assembling a door drive according to any of the embodiments described herein is provided. The method comprises the following steps: selecting one of several different positions on the housing, pushing the retaining element onto the housing up to the selected position, and locking the ends of the retaining element together to fix the retaining element in the selected position on the housing. Regarding the advantages, reference is again made to the above statements.

[0026] The attached figures illustrate possible embodiments of the proposed solution.

[0027] Here, Fig. 1 shows a part of a vehicle door, a part of a vehicle chassis and a door drive;

[0028] Fig. 2-4 further views of the door drive according to Fig. 1;

[0029] Fig. 5A-5C show various views of a holding element of the door drive according to Fig. 1, wherein the ends of the holding element are not locked together;

[0030] Fig. 6A-6D show various views of the holding element of the door drive according to Fig. 1, wherein the ends of the holding element are locked together;

[0031] Fig. 7 is a view along the section plane AA shown in Fig. 6D; and

[0032] Fig. 8 is a view according to the section plane BB shown in Fig. 3.

[0033] Fig. 1 shows an electric door drive 1 installed on a vehicle door 2, shown only schematically here. The vehicle door 2 can be opened and closed by means of the door drive 1. The vehicle door 2 is a side door in the present case. The door drive 1 therefore represents a side door drive in this case by way of example. With the aid of the door drive 1, the vehicle door 2 can be conveniently opened and closed even on slopes or when the vehicle is tilted. Even if the vehicle door 2 is relatively heavy, the door drive 1 facilitates operation.

[0034] The door drive 1 comprises a housing 10, an adjusting part 11, and a drive unit 12. The adjusting part 11 is movable relative to the housing 10 by activating the drive unit 12. In the present case, it is provided that the adjusting part 11 is translationally movable relative to the housing 10. Specifically, the adjusting part 11 can be retracted into the housing 10 and extended out of the housing 10 for adjustment, as illustrated in Fig. 2.

[0035] The housing 10 comprises an elongated region, at the end of which an attachment 105 is attached. The elongated region of the housing 10 is made of metal, for example. The attachment 105 is made of plastic, for example, but other designs are also conceivable. The elongated region of the housing 10 has an upper elongated section 101 and a lower elongated section 102. In the example shown, the upper section 101 of the housing 10 is made of metal, and the lower section 102 is made of plastic. The adjusting part 11 can be retracted into (and extended from) the upper section 101. A spindle (or alternatively a toothed rack or the like) of the drive unit 12, by means of which the adjusting part 11 can be adjusted, is arranged in the lower section 102.

[0036] A first mounting area M1 is provided on the housing 10 for mounting the housing 10 on the vehicle door 2. In the present case, the first mounting area M1 is fixed to the attachment 105 of the housing 10, but could also be formed or fixed to the housing 10 in a different way. The first mounting area M1 is formed here by a mounting section 103, which is mounted on the attachment 15. In the present example, the first mounting area M1 comprises two screw holes. The first mounting area M1 is mounted to the vehicle door 2 at the screw holes by means of screws 14B (see, for example, Fig. 2), in this case to a pillar of the vehicle door 2 not shown in Fig. 2.

[0037] The adjustment part 11 has a second mounting area M2 for mounting the adjustment part 11 on a vehicle chassis 3. The vehicle chassis 3, illustrated by dashed lines in Fig. 1, supports the vehicle door 2 on hinges not shown here. The vehicle door 2 is pivotally mounted on the vehicle chassis 3.

[0038] The adjustment part 11 comprises an elongated rod 110, which can be retracted into the housing 10, and a mounting plate 111 provided at one end of the rod 110. The mounting plate 111 is arranged outside the housing 10 in every position of the adjustment part 11 relative to the housing 10. The mounting plate 110 is pivotally mounted on the rod 110 by a pivot joint 112, see, for example, Figs. 3 and 4. A screw hole 113 is formed on the mounting plate 110. The adjustment part 11 can be mounted on the vehicle chassis 3 via the screw hole 113. The mounting plate 110 thus forms the second mounting area M2.

[0039] By the electric drive unit 12 causing an adjustment of the adjustment part 11 relative to the housing 10, the door drive 1 consequently pushes the vehicle door 2 open or closed depending on the adjustment direction.

[0040] For this purpose, the drive unit 12 comprises a motor 120 and a gear 121 driven by the motor 120. In the present example, the gear 121 is operatively connected to the spindle in the housing 10 and drives it. A control unit 15 controls the operation of the drive unit 12. The door drive 1 further comprises a holding element 13 with a third mounting area M3 for mounting the holding element 13 on the vehicle door 2. The holding element 13 is fastened to the housing 10, specifically in this case to a region of the housing 10 facing away from the attachment 105. In the assembled state, the holding element 13 is closed in itself and encompasses the housing 10. The housing 10 extends through the holding element 13. Parts of the housing 10 are arranged along its length on both sides of the holding element 13.

[0041] The holding element 13 is initially unlocked for mounting on the housing 10 and can be locked for fixing thereto.

[0042] Figs. 5A-5C show the retaining element 13 in the unlocked, i.e., open, state. It can be seen that the retaining element 13 has two ends 130, 131. The retaining element 13 has sections in the shape of a flat band. The ends 130, 131 represent the open ends of the band. One end 130 of the ends 130, 131 has at least one locking hook, in this case two locking hooks 132. The other end

[0043] 131 has at least one, here two corresponding locking edges 133. The locking hooks

[0044] 132 can be locked with the locking edges 133.

[0045] Furthermore, one end (here, the end with the locking hooks 132) has a screw boss 134. The screw boss 134 has a screw hole for a self-tapping screw 14A (see, for example, Fig. 4). The screw boss 134 has several reinforcing ribs. A through hole through the screw boss 134 is arranged between the two locking hooks 132.

[0046] Two form-locking elements 135 are formed on an inner side of the retaining element 13, each in the form of a protruding rib. When the retaining element 13 is open, the form-locking elements 135 are spaced apart (or removable) so far that the retaining element can be axially plugged onto the housing 10.

[0047] 6A-6D show the holding element 13 separately in the locked state. Here, the locking hooks 132 are locked with the locking edges 133. The holding element 13 has an inner contour K, which is shaped to match the housing 10, specifically to an outer contour of the housing 10. The holding element 13 describes a U-shaped section 138 and a rectangular section 139. The U-shaped section 138 is shaped to match the lower elongated section 102, and the rectangular section 139 is shaped to match the upper elongated section 101 of the housing 10. The rectangular section 139 has a greater width than the U-shaped section 138. At the transition between the U-shaped section 138 and the rectangular section 139, a step is formed on each side. One of the two form-locking elements 135 is formed on each of the two steps. The two form-fitting sections 135 are aligned with each other.

[0048] When locked together, one end 130 abuts perpendicularly against the other end 131. An end wall of end 130 abuts flatly against the other end 131. The screw boss 134 is secured to the end wall. Side walls on either side of the screw boss 134 stabilize the end wall and thus the screw boss 134. A projection extending from the end wall forms an inclined surface that extends over the other end 131. This projection facilitates the precise positioning of the ends 130, 131 relative to one another and ensures that the ends 130, 131 are held together.

[0049] The end 131 at which the screw boss 134 is not provided has an opening for a screw 14A to be screwed into the screw boss 134 at the other end 130, as can be seen particularly from the cross-section according to Fig. 7. This end 131 forms a contact surface 137 for contact, in particular for flat contact, with the vehicle door 2, specifically with an inner door panel of the vehicle door 2.

[0050] Three contact surfaces 136A-136C are formed on the rectangular section 139. The contact surfaces 136A-136C are flat. Two of the contact surfaces 136A, 136C are opposite each other and aligned parallel to each other. Another contact surface 136B is aligned perpendicular to the other two contact surfaces 136A, 136C.

[0051] When the retaining element 13 is mounted on the housing 10, the contact surfaces 136A-136C slide along sliding surfaces 104A-104C of the housing 10. The sliding surfaces 104A-104C are formed on the upper elongated section 101. The sliding surfaces 104A-104C are each flat. The sliding surfaces 104A-104C are each elongated. The opened retaining element (cf. Fig. 5A-5C) can be slid along the sliding surfaces 104A-104C, as illustrated in Fig. 4. Depending on the vehicle in which or on which vehicle door the door drive 1 is to be mounted, the retaining element 13 can be pushed closer or closer onto the housing 10. For this purpose, the retaining element 13 can be plugged onto the housing 10. The holding element 13 is plugged onto the housing 10 along a plugging direction S and pushed to a predetermined position P on the housing 10.

[0052] A plurality of positive locking elements 100 are formed on the housing 10. As can be seen particularly from Figs. 1-3 and 8, the positive locking elements 100 are each designed in the form of a rib. The positive locking elements 100 are arranged in a row along the length of the housing 10. The length of the housing 10 is parallel to the displacement direction of the adjustment part 11 relative to the housing 10, see in particular Fig. 2. The length of the housing 10 is also parallel to the insertion direction S.

[0053] The form-locking elements 100 are formed at the transition between the two sections 101, 102 of the housing 10, specifically at a bend between the two sections 101, 102. As can be seen in particular from Fig. 8, the form-locking elements 135 of the holding element 13 can each be arranged between two adjacent form-locking elements 100 of the housing 10.

[0054] In the vehicle, the length of the housing 10 runs along the vehicle longitudinal direction X. Thus, the housing 10 allows the mounting of the holding element 13 at several possible positions P along the length of the housing 10 and accordingly along the vehicle longitudinal direction X.

[0055] The two ends 130, 131 of the retaining element 13 can be connected to one another to fix the retaining element 13 to the housing 10. Once the retaining element 13 is arranged at the selected position P, the ends can be locked together. The two positive-locking elements 135 of the retaining element 13 engage between the positive-locking elements 100 of the housing 10, thereby locking them together. The retaining element 13 can be fixed at any of several different positions P on the housing 10. The contact surfaces 136A-136C of the retaining element 13 then lie in flat contact with the housing 10, specifically with the sliding surfaces 104A-104C at the corresponding position P.

[0056] A method for pre-assembling the door drive 1 thus comprises selecting one of several different positions P on the housing 10, pushing the retaining element 13 onto the housing 10 up to the selected position P, and locking the ends 130, 131 of the retaining element 13 together to fix the retaining element 13 in the selected position P on the housing 10. The self-tapping screw 14A can also be pre-assembled. This means that it only needs to be screwed tight to the vehicle door 2 after being threaded through a keyhole.

[0057] Pre-assembled in this way, the holding element 13 is secured in the correct position P for transport and during installation on the vehicle door 2. There, the self-tapping screw 14A is then screwed through a hole in the inner door panel into the screw boss 134. The two ends 130, 131 are pressed even more tightly together and pressed against the inner door panel with the contact surface 137. The pre-assembly of the holding element 13 acts as an assembly aid during installation via a keyhole on the inner door panel. The contact surface 137 faces away from the screw boss 134. The holding element 13 then secures the housing 10 against movement in the directions Y and Z perpendicular to the vehicle's longitudinal direction without play. Unlike door drives commonly used in practice with only two installation areas, this prevents chafing on the inside of the vehicle door and also allows a smaller distance to be selected, thus resulting in a flatter vehicle door design.In the assembled state, the door drive 1 is then mounted on the three spaced-apart mounting areas M1-M3.

[0058] Mounting areas M1-M3 represent screw points. The third screw point (third mounting area M3) provides additional locking of the side door drive to the inner door panel. The retaining element 13 represents a clamp. The contact surfaces 136A-136C represent clamping surfaces. The positive locking elements 100, 135 form a tongue and groove system.

[0059] List of reference symbols

[0060] 1 door drive

[0061] 10 housings

[0062] 100 Form final element

[0063] Section 101, 102

[0064] 103 Assembly section

[0065] 104A-104C sliding surface

[0066] 105 Essay

[0067] 11 Adjustment part

[0068] 110 rod

[0069] 111 Mounting plate

[0070] 112 Swivel joint

[0071] 113 screw hole

[0072] 12 Drive unit

[0073] 120 engine

[0074] 121 gearboxes

[0075] 13 Holding element

[0076] 130, 131 End

[0077] 132 locking hooks

[0078] 133 locking edge

[0079] 134 screw dome

[0080] 135 Form final element

[0081] 136A-136C contact surface

[0082] 137 contact area

[0083] 138 U-shaped section

[0084] 139 rectangular section

[0085] 14A, 14B screw

[0086] 15 Control unit

[0087] 2 vehicle doors

[0088] 3 vehicle chassis

[0089] K Contour

[0090] M1-M3 assembly area

[0091] P Position

[0092] S Plug direction

Claims

Claims 1. Door drive (1) for a vehicle door (2), comprising: a housing (10) on which a first mounting area (M1) for mounting the housing (10) on the vehicle door (2) is fixed or formed, an adjustment part (11) with a second mounting area (M2) for mounting the adjustment part (11) on a vehicle chassis (3), an electric drive unit (12) for effecting an adjustment of the adjustment part (11) relative to the housing (10) and a holding element (13) with a third mounting area (M3) for mounting the holding element (13) on the vehicle door (2), characterized in that the holding element (13) has two ends (130, 131) which can be connected to one another to fix the holding element (13) on the housing (10).

2. Door drive (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the ends (130, 131) of the holding element (13) form the third mounting area (M3).

3. Door drive (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that one of the ends (130) has locking hooks (132) which can be locked with locking edges (133) of the other end (131).

4. Door drive (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a screw dome (134) for a self-tapping screw (14A) is formed at one of the ends (130).

5. Door drive (1) according to claim 4, characterized in that at the other of the ends (131) a contact surface (137) facing away from the screw dome (134) is formed for contact with the vehicle door (2).

6. Door drive (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the holding element (13) has a contour (K) matching the housing (10).

7. Door drive (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the holding element (13) can be plugged onto the housing (10).

8. Door drive (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the holding element (13) can be fixed at any one of several different positions (P) on the housing (10).

9. Door drive (1) according to claim 8, characterized in that the holding element (13) is movable into a selected one of the different positions (P) on the housing (10) in an unlocked state of the ends (130, 131) and can be fixed in the selected position (P) on the housing (10) by locking the ends (130, 131) together.

10. Door drive (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the housing (10) has a plurality of positive locking elements (100) and the holding element (13) has at least one positive locking element (135), wherein the at least one positive locking element (135) of the holding element (13) can be brought into engagement along the housing (10) with at least one of the positive locking elements (100) of the housing (10).

11. Door drive (1) according to claim 10, characterized in that the form-locking elements (100) of the housing and the at least one form-locking element (135) of the holding element (13) are designed in the form of ribs.

12. Door drive (1) according to claim 10 or 11, characterized in that the at least one form-locking element (135) of the holding part (13) can be arranged in a form-locking manner between two form-locking elements (100) of the housing (10).

13. Door drive (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the holding element (13) has a plurality of flat contact surfaces (136A-136C) for flat contact with the housing (10).

14. Door drive (1) according to claim 13, characterized in that the housing (10) has longitudinally extending sliding surfaces (104A-104C) along which the contact surfaces (136A-136C) slide when the holding element (13) is pushed along the housing (10).

15. Vehicle door (2) with a door drive (1) according to one of the preceding claims.

16. Method for pre-assembling a door drive (1) according to one of claims 1 to 14, comprising: Selecting one of several different positions (P) on the housing (10), Attach the retaining element (13) to the housing (10) up to the selected position (P) and Locking the ends (130, 131) of the holding element (13) together to fix the holding element (13) in the selected position (P) on the housing (10).

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