Opening device for a motor vehicle door

Abstract

The invention relates to an opening device for a motor vehicle door, in particular a handle-free motor vehicle door. The basic design of the opening device is equipped with an electromotive drive (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7) and with a paired actuator (8) for acting on a door leaf (1). The electromotive drive (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7) is equipped with at least one electric motor (2) and a gear mechanism (4, 5, 6, 7) which is connected thereto and which comprises at least one output gear (6). The drive gear (6) meshes with at least one toothed rack (8), as the actuator (8) or as part of the actuator (8). According to the invention, the gear mechanism (4, 5, 6, 7) is designed as a planetary gear mechanism (4, 5, 6, 7).

Description

[0001] Description

[0002] Opening device for a motor vehicle door

[0003] The invention relates to a positioning device for a motor vehicle door, in particular a handleless motor vehicle side door, with an electric motor drive and with an associated actuator for acting on a door leaf, wherein the electric motor drive has at least one electric motor and a gear connected thereto with at least one output gear, and wherein the output gear meshes with at least one toothed rack as an actuator or component of the actuator.

[0004] Opening devices for motor vehicle doors are known in a wide variety of designs and are promoted in the state of the art and in practice. In fact, according to the explanations in DE 10 2015 103 826 A1, such an opening device ensures that the corresponding door leaf of the motor vehicle door in question can be opened at least partially relative to a motor vehicle body. As a result, an operator or user of the motor vehicle can then grasp the door leaf through the gap created in this way and, in the example case, pivot the door leaf around its pivot axis and open it.

[0005] In principle, not only pivoting motor vehicle side doors can be equipped with such a positioning device. Alternatively, a tailgate, a sliding door, etc., can also be positioned in this manner. In principle, a motor vehicle's front hood can also be equipped with such a positioning device. The same generally applies to motor vehicle flaps such as fuel tank flaps or charging socket flaps. This means that the term "motor vehicle door" is to be interpreted broadly within the scope of the present application and includes not only pivoting motor vehicle doors, but also those that can be adjusted by sliding or other means to close openings in or on the motor vehicle.

[0006] For example, FR 2 814 771 A1 describes a positioning device that acts on a rod-shaped actuator in the manner of a spindle drive. The actuator can thus open and, if necessary, close the interacting door leaf.

[0007] The generic and closest prior art according to CN 215565284 U concerns a positioning device for a motor vehicle door that operates with a rack into which the output gear meshes. The rack can define the actuator itself or be a component of the actuator. Additional microswitches ensure that the travel of the actuator or rack thus implemented is limited. This is intended to increase efficiency and reduce costs.

[0008] The state of the art has generally proven itself, but reaches its limits when, on the one hand, the door leaf is desired to be opened as quickly as possible, and, on the other hand, this movement is hindered in some way. This can happen, for example, if the door leaf is iced up or otherwise jammed. With the known opening devices, the force is usually not (or no longer) sufficient to ensure the desired gap-like opening of the door leaf relative to the vehicle body. As a result, the affected vehicle door remains closed, and the vehicle as a whole can no longer be opened.

[0009] In fact, relatively complex gear drives are typically used in conjunction with such positioning devices. Such gear drives require a large installation volume and are heavy. Furthermore, malfunctions cannot be ruled out in this context. The fundamental problem with positioning devices is that if a door leaf is blocked, the electric motor drive will be damaged.

[0010] Such blockages are possible when, for example, the door leaf is connected to the body by a layer of ice. In order to open the door leaf, the ice layer must be broken through. A similar situation applies if, for example, a tree branch, a newspaper, etc., is inadvertently wedged between the door leaf and the opening in the body that accommodates it, or if similar blockages are observed. There are currently no convincing solutions that ensure functionality in this situation. The invention aims to provide a remedy.

[0011] The invention is based on the technical problem of further developing such a positioning device for a motor vehicle door in such a way that a simple and compact assembly is provided while taking into account a robust construction.

[0012] To solve this technical problem, the invention proposes, starting from a generic mounting device, that the gear is designed as a planetary gear.

[0013] The inventive use of a planetary gear or planetary wheel gear as a gear following the electric motor and arranged between the electric motor and the rack firstly ensures a particularly compact design. This is because such a planetary gear has small installation dimensions on the one hand and on the other hand provides a high output gear ratio, thus enabling a rapid opening movement of the door leaf or even one with a long opening path. In principle, however, depending on the design, such a planetary gear can also be used to provide high torques or forces on the door leaf if required. Planetary gears are also characterized by a particularly robust design because any play between the individual gears is acceptable. This also provides a robust design. Such planetary gears orPlanetary gears are generally known in this context, for example from DE 10 2019 211 734 A1, but not in the way that the output gear meshes with a rack.

[0014] According to an advantageous embodiment, the output gear can be designed as a ring gear or planetary gear carrier, or can interact with one. This means that, in the preferred variant, the ring gear can, for example, assume the function of the output gear. In this case, the ring gear is advantageously equipped with outer peripheral teeth. With the aid of this outer peripheral toothing, the ring gear can then mesh with the toothing of the rack to provide the desired positioning movement.

[0015] However, it is particularly advantageous if the output gear is designed as a planetary gear carrier. In this case, the planetary gear carrier carrying the individual planetary gears takes on the function of the output gear. As is well known, the planetary gears rotatably connected to the planetary gear carrier orbit the central sun gear and, in turn, roll inside the ring gear. According to the invention, the planetary gear carrier in question now takes on the function of the output gear.

[0016] For this purpose, the planetary gear carrier is advantageously equipped with outer peripheral teeth that mesh with the rack. This means that in this variant, the planetary gear carrier takes over the function of the output gear instead of the ring gear.

[0017] In both cases, i.e. when the output gear is designed as a ring gear and when the planet gear carrier takes on the function of the output gear, the component in question of the planetary gear train itself fulfills the relevant function as the drive gear train. However, it is also conceivable that, for example, the ring gear or the planet gear carrier as components of the planetary gear train are rotationally coupled to another gear, for example, which then interacts with the rack. For reasons of compact design, however, this variant is not preferred; instead, the procedure is usually such that the planet gear carrier meshes with the toothing on its outer circumference into the rack and thus directly takes over the function of the output gear train.

[0018] Generally, the transmission also features a drive gear driven by the electric motor. In a particularly compact design, the drive gear itself is designed as a sun gear. However, the drive gear can also interact with the sun gear.

[0019] Typically, however, the drive gear itself is designed as the sun gear of the planetary gear. In this case, the drive gear typically has outer peripheral teeth meshing with a worm gear driven by the electric motor. In addition to this outer peripheral toothing, the drive gear also has a central cylindrical projection with outer peripheral teeth, which assumes the function of the sun gear in conjunction with the downstream planetary gear. This provides and implements a compact and space-saving design.

[0020] Such a compact and compact design is particularly advantageous because such positioning devices can be installed inside the door leaf, for example. They can also be integrated into the housing of a motor vehicle lock. In any case, the installation conditions there are cramped, so an overall reduction in installation volume is particularly important.

[0021] For a particularly robust design, the planetary gear is additionally equipped with an overload protection unit. This overload protection unit advantageously has at least one spring and one stop. This is usually done by connecting one arm of the spring to the ring gear. In contrast, the other arm of the spring usually rests against a stationary stop. This means that the spring is advantageously a two-arm spring, with one arm connected to the ring gear and the other arm resting against the stationary stop.

[0022] If, for example, an overload occurs because the rack, extended by the electric motor with the planetary gear system interposed, cannot or can no longer position the door leaf further relative to the body, this leads, within the advantageous design, to the planetary gear carrier, which takes over the function of the output gear, also being blocked. Without an additional overload protection unit, this can lead to damage to the electric motor, which is automatically blocked as a result. This is because the electric motor, in turn, drives the drive gear, which takes over the function of the sun gear.

[0023] As soon as the planet gear carrier is blocked in the example described, the sun gear and thus the electric motor also become blocked, so that the motor would be damaged without an overload protection unit. According to the invention, however, this is prevented in particular by the spring in conjunction with the stop. This is because the overload case described means that the sun gear can still rotate - even when the planet gear carrier is blocked. This is because the ring gear ensures this. In fact, the overload case described leads to the spring, which is connected to the ring gear with one arm, being increasingly compressed. This allows the ring gear to rotate, so that the sun gear, together with the planet gears, can roll on the inner circumference of the rotated ring gear, even when the planet gear carrier is stationary.

[0024] The design also includes an overload protection unit equipped with a sensor. This sensor can advantageously detect any deformation of the spring. If the spring deformation exceeds a predetermined threshold, the sensor, thus activated, ensures that the electric motor is shut down. This prevents damage to the electric motor in all cases, even if an overload occurs and, for example, the planetary gear carrier suddenly becomes blocked.

[0025] In this case, the electric motor can initially continue to run because the sun gear continues to drive the stationary planetary gears, which then roll on the inside of the ring gear, rotating the ring gear. The rotation of the ring gear is permitted by the spring or two-arm spring until the spring has deformed a certain distance. This deformation of the spring can then be measured using the sensor.

[0026] For this purpose, the sensor is, in the simplest case, a switch, specifically a microswitch. This can, for example, detect the movement of the spring arm, which moves along with the ring gear and is connected to the ring gear. As soon as this spring arm, connected to the ring gear, covers a certain adjustment path and, for example, actuates the switch in the example case, the signal from the sensor or switch ensures that the electric motor is switched off. For this purpose, the sensor or switch is advantageously connected to a control unit, which evaluates its signal and controls the electric motor accordingly, switching it off in the example case described. This prevents both mechanical and electrical damage to the entire electric motor drive from the outset.

[0027] The result is a door-opening device for a motor vehicle door that is not only characterized by a particularly compact and reliable design. Furthermore, any blockages of the actuator or rack during the door leaf's opening movement cannot lead to mechanical or electrical damage to the electric motor drive. The additional overload protection unit ensures this. This represents the key advantage.

[0028] The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to a drawing which merely represents an exemplary embodiment; in the drawings:

[0029] Fig. 1 shows the installation device according to the invention in a schematic overview,

[0030] Fig. 2 the planetary gear used in detail and

[0031] Fig. 3 shows the installation device in side view during an exemplary deployment process.

[0032] The figures show a positioning device for a motor vehicle door. The motor vehicle door is preferably a handleless motor vehicle side door. For this purpose, the motor vehicle door or motor vehicle side door is equipped with a door leaf 1, which is only partially indicated in Fig. 3. To open the motor vehicle door and thus the door leaf 1, a force FL acting on the door leaf 1 must be overcome.

[0033] To this end, the positioning device exerts an actuating force F on the door leaf 1, which, according to the exemplary embodiment and as shown in Fig. 3, ensures that the door leaf 1 is moved "to the right." To realize and implement this in detail, the positioning device is equipped with an electric motor drive 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7. Furthermore, an actuator 8 is provided for actuating the door leaf 1. With the help of the actuator 8 moved "to the right," the door leaf 1 is actuated to also complete a movement "to the right."

[0034] For this purpose, the electric motor drive 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 consists in detail of an electric motor 2 and an output worm 3 arranged on the output shaft of the electric motor 2. The output worm 3 meshes with the outer peripheral toothing of a drive gear 4. In addition to the outer peripheral toothing, the drive gear 4 has a central cylindrical projection 4a, which also has outer peripheral toothing. This central cylindrical projection 4a with outer peripheral toothing, and thus the drive gear 4 as a whole, assumes the function of a sun gear 4 or 4a in a planetary gear 4, 5, 6, 7 within the scope of the exemplary embodiment and according to the invention.

[0035] In fact, the gearing 4, 5, 6, 7 connected to and following the electric motor 2 with its output worm 3 is designed according to the exemplary embodiment and according to the invention as a planetary gearing 4, 5, 6, 7. For this purpose, the planetary gearing 4, 5, 6, 7 not only has the aforementioned sun gear 4 or 4a.

[0036] Instead, individual planetary gears 5, orbiting the sun gear 4 or 4a, mesh with the sun gear 4 or 4a. The planetary gears 5 are, in turn, rotatably connected to a planetary gear carrier 6. The planetary gears 5 rotate within a ring gear 7, which is equipped with inner peripheral teeth for this purpose. This is best seen in Fig. 2.

[0037] According to the illustrated embodiment, the planetary gear carrier 6 of the planetary gear set 4, 5, 6, 7 assumes the function of the output gear 6 of the respective transmission or planetary gear set 4, 5, 6, 7. In principle, the ring gear 7 can also assume the function of the output gear 6. For this purpose, the planetary gear carrier 6 is equipped with a toothing on its outer circumference, with the aid of which the planetary gear carrier 6 engages the linear toothing of the rack 8. According to the illustrated embodiment, the rack 8 simultaneously assumes the function of the actuator 8.

[0038] Of further particular importance is an overload protection unit 9, 10, which is a component of the planetary gear 4, 5, 6, 7, or rather, is connected to and interacts with the planetary gear 4, 5, 6, 7 in question. For this purpose, the overload protection unit 9, 10 is equipped with at least one spring 9 and one stop 10.

[0039] To implement this in detail, the overload protection unit 9, 10 is equipped with a spring 9 connected to the ring gear 7. In fact, the spring 9 according to the exemplary embodiment is equipped as a two-arm spring with a first arm 9a and a second arm 9b. The first arm 9a is connected to the ring gear 7. For this purpose, the ring gear 7 has a stop 7a, with the aid of which the first arm 9a of the spring 9 can be loaded. However, this only occurs when an overload occurs, as will be explained in more detail below.

[0040] The other, second arm of the two-armed spring 4, in contrast, is connected to the stationary stop 10 or interacts with the stop 10 in question. For this purpose, the stop 10 can be designed as a component of a housing accommodating the setting device. Furthermore, the illustration in Fig. 3 also shows that a sensor 11 assigned to the overload protection unit 9, 10 is provided. In the exemplary embodiment, the sensor 11 is a switch, in particular a microswitch. The sensor or switch 11 is connected to a control unit 12 which evaluates its signals. Furthermore, the control unit 12 can be used to energize and, in particular, switch off the electric motor 2. This applies at least in the event that the spring 9 exceeds a predetermined threshold during its deformation in the event of an overload.In fact, this threshold corresponds to the first arm 9a of the spring 9, which is acted upon by the ring gear 7 via its stop 7a, being deformed to such an extent that the arm 9a in question reaches the sensor or switch 11 and thus generates a signal. This signal is interpreted by the control unit 12 to mean that an overload has occurred and the electric motor 2 must be switched off to protect against possible damage. It functions as follows. During normal operation and when the load or force FL acting on the door leaf 1 is low, the electric motor 2, via its output worm 3, ensures that the drive gear 4 is set in rotation. These rotations correspond within the scope of the exemplary embodiment and according to the side view in Fig.2 means that the drive gear 4, via its central cylindrical projection 4a as a sun gear, sets the individual planet gears 5 and with them the planet gear carrier 3 carrying them in rotation, namely about the common axis of rotation A. In fact, during such an installation process in normal operation, rotations of the planet gear carrier 6 about the axis or axis of rotation A in question correspond to this in a counterclockwise direction, as indicated in Fig. 3. The counterclockwise movement of the planet gear carrier 6 has the effect that the planet gear carrier 6, which engages with the toothed rack 8 with its outer peripheral toothing, acts on the toothed rack 8 in such a way that it is moved "to the right". The same applies to the door leaf 1.

[0041] If, during this process, the door leaf 1 is blocked from the outset by a large force FL acting on it, or if it is blocked after the rack 8 has traveled a certain distance, this will result in the planet gear carrier 6, which engages with the rack 8 with its outer peripheral toothing, also becoming blocked. To ensure that the still rotating sun gear 4 or 4a, as well as the planetary gear set 4, 5, 6, 7 as a whole, and also the electric motor 2 providing the drive and its output worm 3, are not damaged during this process, further movement of the sun gear 4 or 4a is permitted, at least for a certain period of time. This is because the unchanged rotational movement of the sun gear 4 or 4a, with the block stationary or the planet gear carrier 6 blocked, causes the ring gear 7 to rotate via the planet gears 5, which move along with the sun gear 4 or 4a.Until now, the ring gear 7 was at rest during the described normal operation and at low loads FL on the door leaf 1.

[0042] However, if the described overload case occurs, the unchanged rotary movement of the sun gear 4 or 4a together with the planet gears 5 with the planet gear carrier 6 stationary causes the ring gear 7 to rotate. This rotation of the ring gear 7 is permitted because the stop 7a of the ring gear 7 deforms the first arm 9a of the spring 9 relative to the second, stationary arm 9b during this process. This means that the overload case corresponds to the ring gear 7, in the example shown, performing a clockwise movement around the common axis A. This clockwise movement of the ring gear 7 leads to the deformation of the two-arm spring 9. Specifically, the deformation of the two-arm spring 9 corresponds to the first arm 9a of the two-arm spring 9, which rests against the stop 7a of the ring gear 7, being moved towards the second, stationary arm 9b. This movement of the first arm 9a towards the second arm 9b in a clockwise direction around the axis orRotation axis A continues until the first arm 9a of the spring 9 reaches the sensor 11 and triggers it. The described clockwise rotation of the ring gear 7 corresponds to a counterclockwise rotation in the rear view shown at this point in Fig. 3.

[0043] The signal from sensor 11 is interpreted by the control unit 12 as an overload condition. Accordingly, the control unit 12 ensures that the electric motor 2 is shut down when the preset deformation threshold of the spring 9 is exceeded. This prevents any mechanical damage to the electric motor drive 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 altogether.

[0044] 1 door leaf

[0045] 3 output worm

[0046] 2 electric motor

[0047] 4, 4a Sun gear

[0048] 5 planetary gears

[0049] 6 planetary gear carriers

[0050] 7 Ring gear 7a Stop

[0051] 8 rack

[0052] Actuator 8

[0053] 9 Two-arm spring 9a first arm

[0054] 11 Sensor

[0055] 12 Control unit

[0056] A axis of rotation

[0057] R Help

Claims

Patent claims 1. A positioning device for a motor vehicle door, in particular a handleless motor vehicle side door, with an electric motor drive (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7), and with an associated actuator (8) for acting on a door leaf (1), wherein the electric motor drive (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7) has at least one electric motor (2) and a gear (4, 5, 6, 7) connected thereto with at least one output gear (6), and wherein the output gear (6) meshes with at least one toothed rack (8) as an actuator (8) or component of the actuator (8), characterized in that the gear (4, 5, 6, 7) is designed as a planetary gear (4, 5, 6, 7).

2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the output gear (6) is designed as a ring gear (7) or planet gear carrier (6) or interacts with the latter.

3. Device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the ring gear (7) or the planet gear carrier (6) has a toothing on the outer circumference which meshes with the rack (8).

4. Device according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the planetary gear (4, 5, 6, 7) is equipped with a drive gear (4) acted upon by the electric motor (2).

5. Device according to claim 4, characterized in that the drive gear (4) is designed as a sun gear (4) or interacts with it.

6. Device according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that an overload protection unit (9, 10) is provided.

7. Device according to claim 6, characterized in that the overload protection unit (9, 10) is provided with at least one spring (9) and one stop (10) is equipped.

8. Device according to claim 6 or 7, characterized in that the overload protection unit (9, 10) has a spring (9) connected to the ring gear (7) with one arm (9a), which spring rests with its other arm (9b) against a stationary stop (10).

9. Device according to one of claims 6 to 8, characterized in that the overload protection unit (9, 10) is equipped with a sensor (11).

10. Device according to claim 9, characterized in that the sensor (11) detects a deformation of the spring (9) and switches off the electric motor (2) when a predetermined threshold is exceeded.

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