Opener device for a motor vehicle door

Abstract

The invention relates to an opener device for a motor vehicle door (1), which is equipped with a tappet (2), and with an electromotive drive (3, 4) and a pyro-actuator (7, 8). The electromotive drive (3, 4) and the pyro-actuator (7, 8) act selectively on the tappet (2). According to the invention, the electromotive drive (3, 4) and the pyro-actuator (7, 8) are divided into two spatially and functionally separate modules (3, 4, 5, 6; 2, 7, 8, 9). One is a drive module (3, 4, 5, 6) and the other is an actuator module (2, 7, 8, 9).

Description

[0001] Opening device for a motor vehicle door

[0002] The invention relates to a positioning device for a motor vehicle door, with a tappet, further with an electric motor drive, and with an actuator, in particular a pyroactuator, wherein the drive and the actuator work selectively on the tappet.

[0003] Opening devices for motor vehicle doors are typically used in conjunction with handleless motor vehicle doors. In fact, such opening devices ensure that, starting from a closed position of the motor vehicle door in question and after the lock has been opened, one of the motor vehicle door's leaves is opened at least far enough for an operator to swing the relevant leaf open, taking into account the gap created. The previously opened motor vehicle lock can be a so-called electric lock or a motor vehicle lock with an electric motor-driven opening drive.

[0004] Such positioning devices are generally known, as evidenced by the state of the art according to DE 10 2007 021 840 B4, and are enjoying increasing popularity. This can be attributed to the aerodynamic advantages of handleless vehicle doors over conventional designs.

[0005] Within the scope of the generic teaching according to DE 10 2020 131 792 B3, the procedure is such that a first shaft, actuated by an electric motor, is provided with a first gear. In addition, a second shaft running parallel to the first shaft and designed as a spindle, on which a second gear is arranged in a rotationally fixed manner. The second gear is operatively connected to the first gear. In addition, a spindle sleeve is provided which is operatively connected to the spindle and adjusts axially when the electric motor is running. In addition, the known and generic teaching provides a pyrotechnic device which is designed such that, if necessary, it adjusts the second gear axially and thereby releases the operative connection to the first gear. In addition, the spindle connected to the second gear and also the spindle sleeve are suddenly adjusted in the axial direction. This allows both normal operation and emergency operation to be realized.

[0006] During normal operation, the electric motor ensures that the spindle sleeve is axially adjusted via the two shafts and the spindle. If, however, the electric motor drive fails, the pyrotechnic device or the additional pyroactuator ensures that the operative connection to the first gear is released, and the spindle connected to the second gear, together with the spindle sleeve, undergoes the required sudden axial adjustment. This has proven to be fundamentally effective.

[0007] However, the known positioning device according to DE 10 2020 131 792 B3 is characterized by a relatively complex and voluminous structure. Considering that such a positioning device is typically installed inside the door leaf belonging to the motor vehicle door, problems often arise in practice regarding its placement. This is because, in addition to the motor vehicle lock described above, a window regulator often also needs to be accommodated inside the door leaf. Furthermore, loudspeakers, side airbags, additional side impact protection, etc. This often results in requirements in practice that the available installation space for the positioning device is limited and, in some cases, even fragmented. The invention aims to remedy this situation.

[0008] The invention is based on the technical problem of further developing such a positioning device in such a way that, while taking into account a compact design, it can be adapted even to difficult installation conditions with limited installation space. To solve this technical problem, the invention proposes that, in a generic positioning device for a motor vehicle door, the electric motor drive and the actuator, in particular the pyroactuator, be divided into two spatially and functionally separate modules, namely a drive module and an actuator module.

[0009] According to the invention, in a departure from the generic teaching of DE 10 2020 131 792 B3, the design is such that the entire mounting device is not accommodated and housed in a (single) associated housing. Rather, separate housings are typically provided to accommodate the electric motor drive on the one hand and the actuator on the other. The actuator can generally be one with its own electric motor drive, possibly with an output gear and worm gear. Typically, the actuator is designed as a pyroactuator.

[0010] This means that the electric motor drive and the actuator, and in particular the pyroactuator, are spatially and functionally separated from one another and define, on the one hand, the drive module with the electric motor drive and, on the other hand, the actuator module with the actuator, and in particular the pyroactuator. In this context, the drive module, like the actuator module, is each an interchangeable, complex element within the overall system, namely the mounting device according to the invention. Both the drive module and the actuator module each define a closed functional unit. The two modules are advantageously equipped with their own housing, but can also, in principle, be housed in one housing or can completely or partially dispense with such a housing.

[0011] In general, however, both the drive module and the actuator module represent spatially and functionally separate functional units, each equipped with its own housing. The design is further advantageously such that the actuator module incorporates the plunger. In contrast, the drive module is not equipped with a plunger.

[0012] This results in the drive module being mechanically connected to the actuator module via a connecting means, thereby acting on the plunger. This means that drive movements of the drive module generated by the electric motor are transmitted via the connecting means to the actuator module and the plunger provided there. For this purpose, the connecting means can be a cable pull, in particular a Bowden cable.

[0013] In this way, the two modules can be installed spatially separated from one another inside the vehicle door. The spatial separation and the connection with the flexible connecting element, and in particular the Bowden cable, ensure that even rugged installation conditions or those with two spatially separated installation spaces can be used for the installation of the inventive installation device. Furthermore, the two modules can each be designed compactly, so the installation space required is significantly smaller than if a installation device with an electric motor drive and actuator or pyroactuator had to be installed in combination. This represents the key advantages.

[0014] According to a further advantageous embodiment, the invention proposes that the drive module, in addition to the electric motor drive, also has a control unit and, if appropriate, an energy storage unit. The invention is based on the recognition that the motor vehicle door in question is generally equipped with its own control unit. For example, this control unit can be used to map all functions of the motor vehicle lock or motor vehicle door lock, which are also located inside the motor vehicle door. According to the invention, this control unit is now also used to control and actuate the positioning device. For example, the control unit can be used to control the electric motor drive as well as the actuator, and in particular the pyroactuator.

[0015] In this context, it is particularly advantageous if the optional energy storage unit is also provided. This makes the control unit installed inside the vehicle door virtually independent of a vehicle-mounted battery or corresponding energy storage device. This has the advantage that, in principle, all locking functions can still be implemented if the vehicle-mounted battery or energy storage unit fails. Should the electric motor drive also fail, the optional energy storage unit in conjunction with the control unit can still trigger an ignitable chemical propellant charge inside the pyroactuator, for example, which is located in a housing of the pyroactuator.As a result of the sudden expansion of the chemical propellant, a plunger is extended from the housing of the pyroactuator and ensures that, with its help, the desired opening movement of the vehicle door is ensured as an alternative to the electric motor drive of the plunger.

[0016] In this context, it has also proven advantageous to arrange the control unit, the optional energy storage unit, and the electric motor drive on a common circuit board. This provides a compact design because the circuit board accommodates all electrical / electronic components as components of the drive module. The circuit board, along with the relevant electrical / electronic components, is then enclosed in the corresponding housing.

[0017] The actuator module and the drive module are usually mechanically coupled not only via the flexible connector, but also via an electrical connecting cable. The electrical connecting cable is used for the power supply, allowing the pyroactuator to be triggered when necessary. It goes without saying that the electrical connecting cable also ensures the appropriate data transmission and a trigger signal from the control unit, which is part of the drive module, to the pyroactuator, which is part of the actuator module, when necessary.

[0018] Finally, a motor vehicle lock, and in particular a motor vehicle door lock, is usually also provided inside the vehicle door. The motor vehicle lock is designed to be functionally and spatially separate from the described mounting device. The motor vehicle lock is preferably a so-called electric lock, i.e., one equipped with an electric motor-driven opening drive. If necessary, a closing device for the motor vehicle lock can also be provided and implemented. The closing device may again be modular in design, i.e., be designed spatially and functionally separate from the motor vehicle lock and form a separate functional unit. This is, of course, only an example and is by no means to be understood as limiting.

[0019] The result is a positioning device for a motor vehicle door that, thanks to its modular design, is suitable for installation even in challenging and limited installation conditions. At the same time, its flawless functionality is ensured because, even in the event of a failure of the electric motor drive and the associated drive module, the plunger for positioning the motor vehicle door continues to be actuated by the actuator and, in particular, the pyroactuator. The mechanical coupling of the electric motor drive to the plunger, realized via a flexible connecting element, nevertheless ensures flawless normal operation, taking the modular design into account. These are the key advantages.

[0020] The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to a drawing which merely represents an exemplary embodiment; in the drawings:

[0021] Fig. 1 shows the installation device according to the invention in a schematic overview and Fig. 2 shows the actuator module as a component of the installation device according to Fig. 1 in a detailed view.

[0022] The figures depict a positioning device for a motor vehicle door 1. The motor vehicle door 1, shown only schematically in Fig. 1, may be a motor vehicle side door pivotally connected to a motor vehicle body (not shown). However, the term "motor vehicle door 1" is generally to be interpreted broadly according to the invention. In addition to pivoting side doors, this naturally also includes front hoods, tailgates, sliding doors, and even fuel tank flaps, charging port flaps, etc.

[0023] In any case, the opening device for the motor vehicle door 1, shown schematically in Fig. 1, is equipped with a plunger 2, which can be seen and understood in detail in the enlarged representation in Fig. 2. The plunger 2 can be moved overall in its axial direction A, as indicated by a double arrow in Fig. 2. This allows the motor vehicle door 1 to be moved into a gap position relative to the motor vehicle body (not shown). In this gap position, an operator is able to grasp the motor vehicle door 1 via the formed engagement gap and swing it open completely. This allows the motor vehicle door 1 to be designed without handles.

[0024] In addition to the plunger 2, the basic structure includes an electric motor drive 3, 4, which can be seen in the overview illustration in Fig. 1. For this purpose, the electric motor drive 3, 4 has an electric motor 3 and a gear 4 following the electric motor 3 and which is basically optional. It can be seen that the electric motor drive 3, 4, together with a control unit 5, is accommodated in a circuit board 6. This means that the control unit 5 and the electric motor drive 3, 4 are arranged on the circuit board 6. This may also apply to an optional energy storage unit (not shown). In addition to the electric motor drive 3, 4, an actuator 7, 8 is also provided, which, according to the exemplary embodiment and not restrictively, is designed as a pyroactuator 7, 8, as can best be understood from Fig. 2. For this purpose, the pyroactuator 7, 8 has a sleeve ora housing 7 containing an ignitable chemical propellant charge. As soon as the chemical propellant charge is ignited, its sudden expansion causes a plunger 8 mounted in the housing 7 to extend. During its extension, the plunger 8 acts on a pivoting lever 9, which can be seen in Fig. 2, which is thereby pivoted about its axis clockwise according to the exemplary embodiment and thereby moves against a stop 10 on the plunger 2. As a result, the plunger 2 is extended in the axial direction A relative to the motor vehicle door 1 during this process and generally moves against the motor vehicle body (not shown). As a result, the motor vehicle door 1 is opened, taking into account the engagement gap already mentioned.

[0025] The same thing happens when the electric motor drive 3, 4 is actuated. In this case, a connecting means 11 between the electric motor drive 3, 4 and the plunger 2 ensures that the plunger 2 is also moved in the axial direction A and, according to the exemplary embodiment, "to the right" in order to position the motor vehicle door 1 relative to the motor vehicle body.

[0026] According to the exemplary embodiment, the flexible connecting means 11 is a Bowden cable or cable pull, which can be subjected to both tension and pressure. From Fig. 2, it can be seen that the Bowden cable, with a pin 12 at its end, moves against one end of the tappet 2, thereby causing the described axial movement of the tappet 2 in the axial direction A. For this purpose, the pin 12 can move into a corresponding recess in the tappet 2 or simply against the end face of the tappet 2. The tappet 2, like the gear 4, is made of plastic and / or metal. This keeps manufacturing costs low and provides a weight-optimized solution. Finally, from the basic structure and a comparison of Figures 1 and

[0027] 2, an additional electrical connection line 13 is provided, which, according to the exemplary embodiment, leads from the circuit board 6 to the pyroactuator 7, 8. The electrical line 13 can be used to supply power to the pyroactuator 7, 8. Furthermore, the pyroactuator 7, 8 can be activated by the control unit 5 if necessary.

[0028] Finally, the overview shown in Fig. 1 shows a motor vehicle lock 14 inside the motor vehicle door 1. Furthermore, a closing device 15 is provided for the motor vehicle lock 14. In this context, a further flexible connecting element 16 ensures that mechanical closing movements generated by the closing device 15 are transmitted to the motor vehicle lock 14. This is, of course, an option that is implemented in the exemplary embodiment, but is not mandatory.

[0029] Of particular importance for the invention is the fact that not only the electric motor drive 3, 4 and the pyroactuator 7, 8 operate selectively on the plunger 2. This allows both normal operation, which will be described in more detail below, and emergency operation. Furthermore, the electric motor drive 3, 4 and the pyroactuator 7, 8 are divided into two spatially and functionally separate modules 3, 4, 5, 6; 2, 7, 8, 9. In fact, one can see a drive module

[0030] 3, 4, 5, 6 and, on the other hand, an actuator module 2, 7, 8, 9. Both modules 3, 4, 5, 6; 2, 7, 8, 9 are equipped with their own and associated housing 17, 18.

[0031] In fact, the drive module 3, 4, 5, 6 is a separate functional unit, spatially and functionally formed from the actuator module 2, 7, 8, 9. For this purpose, the drive module 3, 4, 5, 6 includes, but is not limited to, the previously described electric motor drive 3, 4, the control unit 5, and the circuit board 6. The actuator module 2, 7, 8, 9, in contrast, is equipped with the plunger 2, the pyroactuator 7, 8, and finally the lever 9. This, of course, is only an example and is in no way limiting.

[0032] It functions as follows. In normal operation, the closed motor vehicle door 1 is first opened. For this purpose, the motor vehicle lock 14 is opened by an electric motor, and the motor vehicle door 1 is slightly raised by the spring forces generated by a circumferential rubber door seal. This is achieved with the aid of the control unit 5. The control unit 5 then ensures that the electric motor drive 3, 4 is actuated so that the plunger 2 executes the opening movement of the motor vehicle door 1. This control command corresponds to the electric motor 3 generating rotational movements of the optional transmission, which result in pressure being applied to the flexible connecting means 11 or the Bowden cable.

[0033] This pressure on the connecting element 11 is remotely transmitted via the end pin 12 to the plunger 2, which is a component of the actuator module 2, 7, 8, 9. As a result, the plunger 2 extends in the axial direction A and bears against the motor vehicle body (not shown), so that the motor vehicle door 1 is opened overall, taking into account the described gap or engagement gap. An operator can now fully swing the motor vehicle door 1 open.

[0034] If, however, taking into account the normal operation described above, the electric motor drive 3, 4 fails because, for example, the electrical power supply to the electric motor drive 3, 4 is interrupted or has failed for some other reason, the control unit 5 switches to emergency operation. This results in the control unit 5 actuating the pyroactuator 7, 8 via the electrical connecting line 13. The ignition of the chemical propellant inside the housing 7 caused in this way ensures that the plunger 8 of the pyroactuator 7, 8 suddenly extends and pivots the lever 9 clockwise as shown in Fig. 2. As a result, the lever 9 takes the plunger 2 along in the axial direction A via the stop 10 on the plunger 2 and, alternatively, ensures that the motor vehicle door 1 once again performs the desired opening movement.Now the operator can again grasp the motor vehicle door 1 via the gap or engagement gap that is formed and swing it open completely.

[0035] List of reference symbols:

[0036] 1 vehicle door

[0037] 2 pestles

[0038] 3 electric motor

[0039] 4 gearboxes

[0040] 3, 4 electric motor drive

[0041] 3, 4, 5, 6 drive module

[0042] 2, 7, 8, 9 Actuator module

[0043] 5 Control unit

[0044] 6 circuit board

[0045] 7 housings

[0046] 8 stamps

[0047] 7, 8 Pyroactuator

[0048] 9 swivel lever

[0049] 10 stops

[0050] 11 connecting devices

[0051] 12 end tenon

[0052] 13 electrical connecting cable

[0053] 14 Motor vehicle lock

[0054] 15 Closing device

[0055] 16 flexible connecting means

[0056] 17, 18 Housing

[0057] A axial direction

Claims

Patent claims 1. A device for opening a motor vehicle door (1), comprising a tappet (2), further comprising an electric motor drive (3, 4), and an actuator (7, 8), in particular a pyroactuator (7, 8), wherein the drive (3, 4) and the actuator (7, 8) selectively act on the tappet (2), characterized in that the electric motor drive (3, 4) and the actuator (7, 8) are divided into two modules (3, 4, 5, 6; 2, 7, 8, 9) which are spatially and functionally separate from one another, namely a drive module (3, 4, 5, 6) and an actuator module (2, 7, 8, 9).

2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that both modules (3, 4, 5, 6; 2, 7, 8, 9) are equipped with their own housing (17, 18).

3. Device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the actuator module (2, 7, 8, 9) has the plunger (2).

4. Device according to claim 3, characterized in that the drive module (3, 4, 5, 6) is mechanically connected to the actuator module (2, 7, 8, 9) via a connecting means (11) and thereby acts on the plunger (2).

5. Device according to claim 4, characterized in that the connecting means (11) is designed as a cable pull, in particular as a Bowden cable.

6. Device according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the drive module (3, 4, 5, 6) has, in addition to the electric motor drive (3, 4), a control unit (5) and, if appropriate, an energy storage unit.

7. Device according to claim 6, characterized in that the control unit (5), the optional energy storage unit and the electric motor drive (3, 4) are arranged on a printed circuit board (6).

8. Device according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the actuator module (2, 7, 8, 9) and the drive module (3, 4, 5, 6) are coupled to one another via an electrical connecting line (13).

9. Device according to claim 8, characterized in that the electrical connecting line (13) serves for the energy supply and, if necessary, data transmission of or to the actuator (7, 8).

10. Device according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that a motor vehicle lock (14) is additionally provided, functionally and spatially separate, in particular an electric lock, optionally with a closing device (15).

Images