Electromotive drive unit for motor vehicle applications

Abstract

The invention relates to an electromotive drive unit for motor vehicle applications. In particular, the invention relates to an electromotive drive unit for actuating a motor vehicle lock (1) and preferably a motor vehicle bonnet lock (1). For this purpose, the electromotive drive unit is equipped with an electromotive drive (4), which operates in normal operation with the interposition of a Bowden cable (5) on an actuating element (3). In addition, a handle (9) is provided for manual actuation of the actuating element (3) in emergency operation and in the event of failure of the electromotive drive (4). In addition, a pivotable locking lever (6) is achieved, which prevents the actuating element (3) from being actuated by the handle (9) during normal operation. According to the invention, a distinction is made between normal operation and emergency operation depending on the signal from a sensor (12).

Description

[0001] Description

[0002] Electric motor drive unit for automotive applications

[0003] The invention relates to an electromotive drive unit for automotive applications, in particular an electromotive drive unit for actuating a motor vehicle lock, preferably a motor vehicle hood lock, with an electromotive drive which, in normal operation, operates with the interposition of a Bowden cable on an actuating element, and with a handle for manually actuating the actuating element in emergency operation and in the event of failure of the electromotive drive, wherein a pivotable locking lever is provided which, in normal operation, prevents the actuating element from being actuated by means of the handle.

[0004] Electric motor drive units for automotive applications are used in a wide variety of ways in and on motor vehicles. For example, they can be used to operate motor vehicle locks, e.g., for electric motor opening. However, such electric motor drive units are also generally used, for example and not limited to, for seat or mirror adjustment, for pivoting screens, for operating window lifts, etc. Particularly preferred is an electric motor drive unit for actuating a motor vehicle lock, and preferably a motor vehicle hood lock. This means that in this case, the electric motor drive unit generally ensures that a motor vehicle hood lock can be opened by electric motor. The motor vehicle hood lock can be a front hood lock, a tailgate lock, etc.Of course, other vehicle locks can also be remotely opened in this way, for example, a sliding door lock. In principle, such electric motor drive units can also be used for locking and unlocking fuel tank flaps, charging port flaps, etc.

[0005] For this purpose, such electric motor drive units are typically operated with low-voltage direct current. Using the low-voltage direct current, perhaps 12 V, 24 V, or 48 V, an electric motor, which is part of the electric motor drive unit, is rotated. The rotations of the electric motor can be transmitted to a Bowden cable via a gear mechanism, which in turn performs a pulling or pushing movement and acts on the actuator to adjust it.

[0006] Since such actuators often have a safety-relevant design, as is the case with motor vehicle locks, for example, additional measures are implemented to ensure that the actuator in question can still be actuated in the event of a power failure. This is done manually using the handle. During normal operation, the electric motor drive, with the Bowden cable interposed, ensures that the actuator is actuated accordingly. However, if emergency operation occurs due to the failure of the electric motor drive, the actuator is moved as required by manually actuating the handle.

[0007] Such electric motor drive units are used particularly in electric cars to lock or unlock the front hood. In electric cars, this often involves a front trunk, a so-called "frunk". A frunk is a neologism combining the two terms "front" and "trunk". The English term for "front and trunk" means "front and trunk". With the help of the electric motor drive unit, the associated motor vehicle lock can be locked or unlocked. To do this, the electric motor drive unit works via the electric motor drive with the interposition of the Bowden cable on a locking lever or generally a locking element of the motor vehicle lock, which takes on the function of the actuating element in the context of the present application. In the case of unlocking orWhen opening the vehicle's hood lock, the electric motor drive unit acts on the pawl as an actuating element. The pawl, as usual, is a component of a locking mechanism. When actuated, it opens the door. To ensure access to the hood or the frunk in question even in the event of a power failure, an emergency actuation via a Bowden cable is provided. A handle is attached to the Bowden cable to ensure emergency actuation. This allows access to items such as luggage in the frunk even in the event of a power failure.

[0008] To switch between normal and emergency operation, the prior art according to WO 95 / 31763 A1 provides a locking lever. During normal operation, the locking lever couples the electric motor drive to the actuating element. However, during emergency operation, the locking lever directly couples the handle to the actuating element, or the locking lever generally allows the handle to act on the actuating element during emergency operation. This has proven to be generally effective.

[0009] However, the state of the art is subject to improvement in that possible misuse of the handle during normal operation cannot be ruled out. This could potentially result in functional problems or even mechanical damage. The invention aims to remedy this situation.

[0010] The invention is based on the technical problem of further developing such an electric motor drive unit for automotive applications in such a way that the functional reliability is increased and, in particular, a clear distinction can be made between normal operation and emergency operation.

[0011] To solve this technical problem, the invention proposes that, in a generic electric motor drive unit for automotive applications, a distinction is made or can be made between normal operation and emergency operation depending on the signal from a sensor.

[0012] In this respect, switching between normal operation and emergency operation takes place depending on the sensor signal.

[0013] This means that, according to the invention, it is ensured that, during normal operation, the motor vehicle lock cannot be actuated using the handle for manually actuating the actuating element. This is because, during normal operation, the locking lever prevents the actuating element from being actuated using the handle. For this purpose, according to an advantageous embodiment, a lever drive is provided for the pivoting locking lever. Furthermore, the sensor in question is advantageously connected to a control unit. The control unit actuates the lever drive in accordance with signals from the sensor.

[0014] In this way, in conjunction with the pivoting locking lever and the associated lever drive, an electrically operated clutch is provided. This electrically operated clutch distinguishes between normal and emergency operation.

[0015] During normal operation, the locking lever prevents the vehicle lock from being actuated using the handle. However, if emergency operation occurs, for example, in the event of a power failure, the locking lever, which can no longer be actuated using the lever drive, allows the vehicle lock to be actuated using the handle in emergency operation.

[0016] If the handle is actuated during normal operation, this triggers a signal at the sensor. Normally, the unactuated handle is monitored by the sensor and thus the control unit. If the handle is actuated, a corresponding signal from the sensor is transmitted to the control unit. In this case, the control unit ensures that the locking lever is pivoted via the lever drive. This prevents the handle from interacting with the actuating element, effectively preventing any incorrect actuation or collisions.

[0017] This means that the control unit actuates the lever drive based on signals from the sensor. If the sensor detects that the handle is being actuated, the control unit uses the lever drive to pivot the locking lever, thus preventing the handle from interacting with the control element when actuated.

[0018] To achieve this in detail, the lever drive typically features a worm gear that engages with a toothing of the locking lever. This allows the locking lever to be pivoted using the lever drive. The locking lever also typically has a spring acting on it.

[0019] The spring is designed to bias the locking lever toward its engaged position. This means that when the locking lever is not under pressure (by the lever drive), the spring ensures that the locking lever can assume its engaged position. In this engaged position, the locking lever ensures that it can be actuated using the handle.

[0020] If the electrical power supply to the electric motor drive is interrupted or fails, the lever drive can no longer pivot the locking lever. In this case, the locking lever remains in its engaged position. This is ensured by the spring acting on the locking lever. Furthermore, any signals from the sensor are irrelevant in such a case, because the lever drive cannot be actuated anyway.

[0021] If the handle is actuated in such a case, it can advantageously be mechanically coupled to the actuating element via a so-called two-stroke movement. To achieve this, the procedure is as follows: during the first stroke of the handle, an actuating lug is actuated by means of a Bowden cable connected to the handle. This actuating lug typically interacts with an actuating lever assigned to the locking lever. The first stroke of the handle ensures that the actuating lever releases the locking lever when actuated.

[0022] During a second stroke of the handle, the actuating lug can now engage with a sliding element or the adjusting element. During this second stroke, the sliding element or adjusting element is moved into the desired position by means of the handle and the Bowden cable.

[0023] In this context, the actuating lever assigned to the locking lever ensures that, when the handle is unloaded and the electrical power supply to the electric motor drive fails, the locking lever is safely moved into its engaged position by means of its associated spring. Furthermore, the actuating lever holds the locking lever, which has been pivoted by the lever drive, in this pivoted position, even if the lever drive is no longer being actuated by the control unit. This is conceivable in the event of a failure of the electrical power supply following the adjustment of the locking lever.This ensures that the locking lever maintains its pivoted position and prevents the actuating lug from interacting with the sliding element or the actuating element when additional force is applied by the handle. This prevents any malfunctions.

[0024] The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to a drawing which merely represents an exemplary embodiment; in the drawings:

[0025] Fig. 1 to 9 the electromotive drive unit according to the invention in different functional positions and

[0026] Fig. 10 shows the object according to Figures 1 to 9 in another perspective view reduced to the elements essential to the invention.

[0027] The figures depict an electric motor drive unit for automotive applications. Specifically, it is an electric motor drive unit used to actuate a motor vehicle lock 1 (only indicated in Figure 1). According to the exemplary embodiment, the actuation of the motor vehicle lock 1 corresponds to the opening of a locking mechanism 2, 3 (only indicated therein) consisting of a rotary latch 2 and a pawl 3. To this end, the electric motor drive unit acts on a pawl 3, which in this case pivots clockwise about its axis, so that the rotary latch 2, which was previously rusted by this, also pivots clockwise and releases a previously trapped locking bolt or lock holder (not explicitly shown), and thus an associated motor vehicle door or motor vehicle hood.

[0028] According to the exemplary embodiment, and not restrictively, the motor vehicle lock 1 is a motor vehicle hood lock 1 which serves to lock the front hood or tailgate of the associated motor vehicle. This also applies only as an example and is in no way restrictive. For alternative locking, an electric motor drive 4 is provided which operates on the motor vehicle lock 1 with the interposition of a Bowden cable 5. For this purpose, the electric motor drive 4 can indirectly act on an actuating element 3 of the motor vehicle lock 1 in such a way that the motor vehicle lock 1 cannot be opened via the actuating element 3 in the locked state, but can be opened in the unlocked state because in this case a pawl 3 can be acted upon as the actuating element 3.The pawl 3 corresponds to the rotary latch 2, which in this case can be opened when the pawl 3 is acted upon and in the unlocked state. However, the drive usually acts directly on the pawl 3 as the actuating element 3, lifting it from the rotary latch to open the locking mechanism 2, 3.

[0029] For this purpose, the electric motor drive 4 may be equipped with an electric motor, which, for example, with the interposition of a spindle-Z-spindle nut gear, pulls or pushes the Bowden cable 5. This allows the unlocked and locked, as well as the open, position of the motor vehicle lock 1 to be realized and implemented. The pawl 3 as the actuating element 3 can, in turn, be actuated manually or by an electric motor. According to the exemplary embodiment, a handle 9 is provided for this purpose, which is connected via a Bowden cable 10 to the input side of an electrical coupling device 17, which will be described in more detail below. On the output side of this electrical coupling device 17, a further Bowden cable 18 acts on the actuating element 3 or the pawl 3 and, with the aid of the handle 9, can lift it from its engagement with the rotary latch 2, thereby opening the motor vehicle lock 1.This requires that the vehicle lock 1 be unlocked. Furthermore, in this case, the electrically actuated coupling device 17 must allow manual actuation of the actuating element 3 using the handle 9. This is only possible in the emergency mode described below.

[0030] If, however, normal operation is present, the electrically actuated coupling device 17 is interrupted, and a central locking lever 6, provided in this case, prevents the actuating element 3 from being actuated via the handle 9, the input-side Bowden cable 10, and the output-side Bowden cable 18, thus enabling emergency actuation and thus emergency operation. This is prevented by the locking lever.

[0031] A sliding element 7 interacts with the central, pivotable locking element 6. A second input-side Bowden cable 8 can also be seen, to which the handle 9 or another handle (not shown) can be connected. Using the handle 9 and consequently the input-side Bowden cable 10, an end-side actuating lug 11 can be actuated, which can best be understood by comparing Figures 1 and 10.

[0032] The basic structure also includes a sensor 12, which can be seen in particular in Figure 10 and indicated in Figure 1, which is connected to a control unit 13.

[0033] The control unit 13 can therefore evaluate signals from the sensor 12. Furthermore, the design is such that, during normal operation and when the handle 9 is not actuated, the actuating lug 11 rests against the sensor 12 or acts upon it. As soon as the handle 9 is actuated, this corresponds to a change in the signal from the sensor 12, which is transmitted to the control unit 13. The control unit 13 detects this signal change and, depending on the signals from the sensor 12, actuates a lever drive 14 for the pivotable locking lever 6. This lever drive 14, with the aid of a worm 14, ensures that the locking lever 6 can be pivoted. For this purpose, the worm 14 engages in an associated toothing on the locking lever 6, which can be seen in particular in Figure 10. A spring 15 is also provided which acts upon the locking lever 6.By means of the spring 15, the locking lever 6 is urged in the direction of its engagement position shown in Figure 1.

[0034] Finally, the invention fundamentally provides an actuating lever 16 associated with the locking lever 6. The actuating lever 16 is mounted in a fixed, rotatable manner. For this purpose, the actuating lever 16 may be connected to a housing accommodating the entire electrically actuated coupling device 17. When actuated, the actuating lever 16 releases the locking lever 6, as will be explained in more detail below. For this purpose, the actuating lever 16 is actuated by the aforementioned actuating lug 11, which can be moved by means of the handle 9.

[0035] The mechanism works as follows. If, during the transition from Figure 1 to Figure 2, the Bowden cable 10 is moved "to the right" via the handle 9—as indicated in Figure 2—by manually applying pressure to the handle 9, this movement can be registered using the sensor 12. According to the exemplary embodiment, the sensor 12 is a switch, specifically a microswitch. As a result of this registered movement of the handle 9, the control unit 13 connected to the sensor or switch 12 ensures that the locking lever 6 leaves its previously assumed or pivoted-in position, as shown in Figure 1, and is pivoted outward. The lever drive 14 ensures this.

[0036] In the further sequence from Figure 2 to Figure 3, the actuating lug 11, actuated by the handle 9 with the interposition of the Bowden cable 10, is in its "right" end position. The locking lever 6 assumes its fully extended or swung-away position relative to the sliding element 7. Furthermore, Figure 3 shows that the actuating lever 16 engages under a stop or pin on the locking lever 6. In this way, the actuating lever 16, in addition to the lever drive 14, ensures that the locking lever 6 maintains its extended or swung-away position. This also applies in principle if the electrical power supply is interrupted in this functional position.

[0037] During the further transition from Figure 3 to Figure 4, it can be seen that the handle 9 is no longer being acted upon, so that the actuating lug 11 moves back "to the left" together with the Bowden cable 10. This ends the first stroke of the handle 9. Furthermore, during the further transition from Figure 4 to Figure 5, this return movement results in the actuating lug 11, with a pin attached to it, working on the actuating lever 16. This is pivoted counterclockwise during the transition from Figure 4 to Figure 5, thereby releasing the previously trapped locking lever 6. If the lever drive 14 is still energized in the state shown in Figure 5 and the electrical power supply is present or sufficient, the locking lever 6 retains its pivoted or swung-out position.

[0038] However, the exemplary embodiment depicts a situation in which the electrical power supply has failed. As a result, the lever drive 14 can no longer actuate the locking lever 6, and instead, the locking lever 6 is moved toward its pivoted-in position by means of the associated spring 15.

[0039] Since during this process the actuating lug 11 has pivoted the actuating lever 16 away from its engagement with the locking lever 6, the locking lever 6 can consequently move into its pivoted-in position relative to the sliding element 7 during the further transition from Figure 5 to Figure 6. This is ensured by the spring 15 acting on the locking lever 6.

[0040] If, starting from Figure 5 and moving to Figure 6, the handle 9 is acted upon again in a second stroke, so that the actuating lug 11 is again moved "to the right," this results, as shown in Figure 7 and in the further transition to Figure 8, in the actuating lug 11 engaging the sliding element 7. As a result, the sliding element 7 can then be acted upon with the second stroke of the handle 9. This moves together with the actuating lug 11 and, during the backward movement of the handle 9, "to the right" in the exemplary embodiment. As a result, the actuating element or pawl 3 is pivoted away from the rotary latch 2 with the aid of the Bowden cable 18 via the handle 9 and, if the electrical power supply fails, during the second stroke of the handle 9, so that the locking mechanism 2, 3 and thus also the front hood (not shown) can be opened in emergency operation.Figure 9 now shows the backward movement of the actuating lug 11 after the release of the handle 9 following the second stroke. This corresponds to the fact that, as shown in Figure 9, the basic position shown in Figure 1 has been assumed again.

[0041] It can be seen that a distinction is made between normal operation and emergency operation depending on the signal from sensor 12. Ultimately, the system switches from normal operation to emergency operation and, if necessary, back again depending on the signal from sensor 12. As soon as the sensor 12 registers manual actuation of the handle 9, the control unit 13 ensures that the lever drive 14 is actuated. As a result of this actuation of the lever drive 14, the locking lever 6 is moved from its pivoted-in position, which it is always in during normal operation, to the pivoted-out position and held in this position. As a result of this, the locking lever 6 ensures that the actuating lug 11 cannot engage in the sliding element 7. This makes manual actuation of the actuating element 3 via the handle 9 impossible. I.e.As long as normal operation and thus a sufficient electrical power supply are maintained, any actuation of the handle 9 is ineffective. This is ensured by the electrically actuated clutch or clutch device 17, which in this case "disengages" the handle 9 from the actuating element 3. However, if the power supply is interrupted and the locking lever 6 assumes or maintains its pivoted-in position, the system switches to emergency operation, as it were, and the electrically actuated clutch device 17 returns to its "engaged" state.

[0042] However, if the electrical power supply fails during operation, the locking lever 6 is initially moved back into its pivoted-out position and held in this pivoted-out position by means of the actuating lever 16. The subsequent failure of the electrical power supply then results in the lever drive 14 no longer being able to hold the locking lever 6 in this pivoted-out position against the force of its associated spring 15, and the locking lever 6 instead moving into the pivoted-in position. However, this first requires that the actuating lever 16, which holds the locking lever 6 in its pivoted-out position, is pivoted via the handle 9 and the actuating lug 11. This releases the locking lever 6 from the actuating lever 16, and the spring 15 can pivot the locking lever 6.

[0043] Only when the actuating lever 16 releases the locking lever 6 and, at the same time, the electrical power supply to the lever drive 14 is interrupted or no longer sufficient does the locking lever 6 pivot inward under the force of the spring 15. With a second stroke of the handle 9, the actuating lug 11 can then engage the sliding element 7 because the locking lever 6 assumes its retracted position and, consequently, can no longer prevent the actuating lug 11 from engaging the sliding element 7. This means that the signal from the sensor 12 is evaluated by the control unit 13 and implemented to switch from normal operation to emergency operation and, if necessary, back again. This also requires a possible failure or reduction in the electrical power supply.

[0044] List of reference symbols:

[0045] Motor vehicle lock 1

[0046] Rotary latch 2

[0047] Pawl 3

[0048] Lock 2, 3

[0049] Drive 4

[0050] Bowden cable 5

[0051] Locking lever 6

[0052] Sliding element 7

[0053] Bowden cable 8

[0054] Handle 9

[0055] Actuating lug 11

[0056] Sensor 12

[0057] Control unit 13

[0058] Lever drive 14

[0059] Spring 15

[0060] Operating lever 16

[0061] Coupling device 17

Claims

Patent claims 1 . Electromotive drive unit for automotive applications, in particular an electromotive drive unit for actuating a motor vehicle lock (1), preferably a motor vehicle hood lock (1), with an electromotive drive (4) which, in normal operation, operates on an actuating element (3) with the interposition of a Bowden cable (5), and with a handle (9) for actuating the actuating element (3) in emergency operation and in the event of failure of the electromotive drive (4), wherein a pivotable locking lever (6) is provided which, in normal operation, prevents the actuation of the actuating element (3) by means of the handle (9), characterized in that a distinction is made between normal operation and emergency operation depending on the signal from a sensor (12).

2. Unit according to claim 1, characterized in that the sensor (12) is connected to a control unit (13).

3. Unit according to claim 2, characterized in that the control unit (13) acts on a lever drive (14) for the pivotable locking lever (6).

4. Unit according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that the control unit (13) acts on the lever drive (14) in accordance with signals from the sensor (12).

5. Unit according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that the lever drive (14) acts on the locking lever (6) via a worm (14) engaging in a toothing of the locking lever (6).

6. Unit according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the locking lever (6) has a spring (15) acting on it.

7. Unit according to claim 6, characterized in that the spring (15) urges the locking lever (6) toward its engaged position.

8. Unit according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that an actuating lever (16) is associated with the locking lever (6).

9. Unit according to claim 8, characterized in that the actuating lever (16) releases the locking lever (6) when acted upon.

10. Unit according to claim 8 or 9, characterized in that the actuating lever (16) is actuated by an actuating lug (11) which can be moved with the handle (9).

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