Electric-motor-driven drive unit for motor vehicle applications

Abstract

The invention relates to an electric-motor-driven drive unit for motor vehicle applications, in particular for use in conjunction with a motor vehicle lock and preferably a motor vehicle door lock (1). The electric-motor-driven drive unit is equipped with: an electric motor (6); an actuating element (5) that can be moved by means of the electric motor (6); and an emergency power source (8) for supplying the electric motor (6) in the event of failure of a main power source (7). The emergency power source (8) is in turn electrically connected to a printed circuit board (9). According to the invention, the printed circuit board (9) has a recess (13, 14) which at least partially accommodates the emergency power source (8).

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 for use in conjunction with a motor vehicle lock, preferably a motor vehicle door lock, having an electric motor, furthermore having an actuating element movable by means of the electric motor, and having an emergency energy source for supplying the electric motor in the event of failure of a main energy source, wherein the emergency energy source is electrically connected to a circuit board.

[0004] Electric motor drive units for automotive applications are characterized by the fact that they are first and typically powered by the direct current available inside such a motor vehicle, for example, 12 V, 24 V, or even 48 V. In addition to this electrical energy supply, such electric motor drive units for automotive applications are characterized by their compact design due to the limited installation space. Furthermore, a low weight is generally desired so as not to place unnecessary strain on the overall weight of the vehicle. In addition, such electric motor drive units for automotive applications must also function over a wide temperature range and must not fail. For example, temperatures from -40 °C to almost 100 °C must be mastered.

[0005] Typical areas of application for such electric motor drive units in automotive technology include adjusting mirrors, seats, headlights, etc. In principle, such electric motor drive units can also be used to drive tailgates, door leafs, or hatchbacks in general. In all of these cases, the electric motor acts on an actuating element that can be moved with its help, which effects the desired actuating movement. The actuating element can generally be levers, rods, or Bowden cables, to name just a few examples. Since the electric motors used in this case are usually small and therefore designed to run quickly, a gearbox is usually connected downstream of the electric motor, which in turn acts on the actuating element.

[0006] During normal operation, the electric motor is supplied with the required electrical power by the main energy source. The main energy source is typically a vehicle-mounted accumulator, which may be installed inside a vehicle body. If the accumulator in question fails, and consequently the main energy source fails, it is often necessary for the electric motor drive unit to be able to perform adjustment movements without any changes. This is particularly true if such an electric motor drive unit is used in conjunction with a motor vehicle lock, and preferably a motor vehicle door lock. Here, the electric motor drive unit can be designed, for example, as an opening drive.In this case, the electric motor operates, if necessary with the interposition of a gear, on an actuating element that can be moved by means of the electric motor, which in the example considered is or can be a pawl or a lever interacting with it.

[0007] In the case of the opening drive in question, the electric motor acts directly or indirectly on the locking pawl to open it. This is often referred to as an electric lock or the electrical opening achieved with it. In order to be able to open the vehicle lock in question in the event of a failure of the main power source, an emergency power source is provided. This ensures that, in the event of a failure of the main power source, the electric motor is supplied with the necessary electrical energy to carry out the described opening process or electrical opening. For this purpose, the emergency power source is electrically connected to the circuit board.

[0008] In the context of the present application, a printed circuit board is generally a plate made of an insulating material such as plastic, which is equipped with applied conductive tracks. The conductive tracks can be in the form of a lead frame or can be applied to the circuit board, for example by printing. In principle, however, the circuit board can also be part of a housing. The circuit board itself usually carries an electronic control unit, which is used to power the electric motor and sends the corresponding control signals. Because the emergency power source is electrically connected to the circuit board, if the main power source fails, not only the electric motor is sufficiently supplied with electrical power, but also the control unit, so that in this case functionality, for example electrical opening, is guaranteed unchanged in an emergency.

[0009] The generic prior art according to DE 10 2020 100 405 A1 concerns an intelligent locking arrangement with an actuator module. For this purpose, the actuator module is equipped with an ECU / actuator assembly and an ECU cover (ECU = Electric Circuit Unit; electronic control unit). A printed circuit board (PCB) is also provided. With the help of a backup power supply unit in the form of supercapacitors or backup batteries, the necessary electrical energy can still be supplied in the event of a power failure of the vehicle battery. This has proven to be fundamentally successful. However, the known supercapacitors are arranged vertically on the circuit board, which, in conjunction with their significant size, leads to increased installation space requirements.DE 101 11 085 A1 concerns a motor vehicle door lock comprising a housing, an electric drive, and a circuit board. The drive and circuit board are designed in such a way that they form an assembly and are installed as an assembly in the housing. For this purpose, the circuit board can be equipped with a recess.

[0010] DE 197 24 725 C1 concerns a device for electrically adjusting the interior or exterior mirrors of a motor vehicle. Two miniature electric motors are mechanically and electrically mounted on a single circuit board. An additional emergency power source is not mentioned.

[0011] Accordingly, the present invention is based on the technical problem of further developing such an electric motor drive device for automotive applications in such a way that the installation space requirement is reduced compared to the previous state of the art.

[0012] To solve this technical problem, the invention proposes, in an electric motor drive unit of the design described above, that the printed circuit board has a recess which at least partially accommodates the emergency energy source.

[0013] This means that, according to the invention, the emergency power source is at least partially accommodated or "sunken" into the recess in question. In contrast to the prior art according to DE 10 2020 100 405 A1, the emergency power source is no longer positioned vertically on the circuit board, but is at least partially immersed in the recess in question. This reduces the required installation space and makes the electric motor drive unit more compact compared to the prior art.

[0014] This assessment is all the more true if, according to an advantageous design, the recess is designed such that its cross-section is adapted to the emergency power source. Furthermore, the approach is usually such that the emergency power source extends completely or partially through the recess, for example, half protruding from the top and half protruding from the bottom of the circuit board. The latter variant, in particular, is characterized by a particularly small installation space requirement because the emergency power source is, as it were, divided longitudinally by the circuit board. One half protrudes from the top of the circuit board, while the other half extends from the bottom.

[0015] A solution that is further optimized with regard to the required installation space is characterized by the fact that the emergency power source is accommodated in the recess in the longitudinal direction and parallel to the plane of the circuit board. In this case, the emergency power source is connected to the circuit board in a "horizontal" manner or is accommodated in the recess. This is because the longitudinal direction of the emergency power source is arranged parallel to the plane of the circuit board. As a result, in contrast to the prior art, the emergency power source is not positioned vertically on the circuit board, but rather is oriented horizontally and parallel to the plane of the circuit board, thus, in a sense, lying parallel to the circuit board in the corresponding recess.

[0016] To ensure that the emergency power source is electrically connected to the circuit board, the emergency power source has additional electrical connecting lines, which are coupled to the circuit board. Furthermore, it has proven advantageous for the emergency power source to be detachably secured in the recess. This allows the emergency power source to be replaced if necessary. This is further enhanced by the inventive measure, according to which the electrical connecting lines are also detachably connected to the emergency power source and / or the circuit board.

[0017] The emergency power source, in turn, can consist of several batteries and / or capacitors, especially supercapacitors, i.e., capacitors with particularly high capacity. In this case, it has proven effective to place the batteries and / or capacitors in a common recess. However, it is also possible for the batteries and / or capacitors to each have their own recess. Of course, both batteries and capacitors can also be used in combination as an emergency power source.

[0018] Either way, the electric motor drive unit for automotive applications according to the invention is characterized by its particularly small installation space requirement. This can be attributed to the fact that the circuit board accommodating the emergency power source is equipped with at least one recess for the corresponding emergency power source. Since the emergency power source is placed entirely or partially within the recess, or can even extend through this recess, protruding structures are avoided from the outset. This represents the key advantages.

[0019] The invention also relates to the use of a previously described electric motor drive unit in conjunction with a motor vehicle lock and preferably a motor vehicle door lock. In this case, the invention relates to a motor vehicle lock equipped with at least one locking mechanism, essentially consisting of a rotary latch and a pawl, and with the previously described electric motor drive unit.

[0020] Of course, the described electric motor drive unit can also be used in conjunction with a window lift drive. The electric motor drive unit can also be used in conjunction with a mirror adjustment, a seat adjustment, a flap drive for a tailgate, etc. In all of these cases, the specific application areas benefit from the advantage of reduced installation space requirements, meaning the electric motor drive unit can be easily mounted inside or on an associated vehicle body. This is especially true if the electric motor drive unit is used in conjunction with a vehicle lock, so that the drive unit in question and the vehicle lock can be housed in a common housing, which in turn is housed in the door leaf of the vehicle door or vehicle flap equipped with the vehicle lock in question.

[0021] The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to a drawing which merely represents an exemplary embodiment; in the drawings:

[0022] Fig. 1 the electric motor drive unit for automotive applications and specifically the use in conjunction with a motor vehicle lock,

[0023] Fig. 2 the electric motor drive unit in an overview and

[0024] Fig. 3A, 3B two different variants of the circuit board including emergency power source as part of the electric motor drive unit.

[0025] The figures depict an electric motor drive unit for automotive applications. Specifically, and according to Fig. 1, the use of the electric motor drive unit in conjunction with a motor vehicle lock and, as shown, a motor vehicle door lock 1. The electric motor drive unit, which will be described in more detail below, represents a component of the motor vehicle door lock 1 in the specific example. A housing 2 is provided for this purpose, which encloses both the motor vehicle door lock 1 and the electric motor drive unit located inside. Fig. 1 also shows a lock plate 3, which serves to rotatably support a rotary latch 4 (also shown) and a concealed locking pawl 5 in the usual manner.

[0026] In the specific example, the locking mechanism 4, 5 can be opened by means of the electric motor drive unit or by using an electric motor 6 (shown in Fig. 2) as a component of the electric motor drive unit. For this purpose, the electric motor 6 shown in Fig. 2 acts directly or indirectly on the pawl 5. Since the electric motor drive unit is not limited to an electric motor opening drive for the locking mechanism 4, 5, applying pressure to the pawl 5 in an opening direction results in the rotary latch 4, which is locked to the pawl 5 in the closed position, being able to open with spring support. This means that the electric motor 6 acts directly or indirectly on the pawl 5 as an actuating element 5 that can be moved by means of the electric motor 6.

[0027] In fact, a gear mechanism following the electric motor 6 is generally provided, with the aid of which the pawl 5 is lifted from its engagement with the rotary latch 4. For this purpose, the gear mechanism (not explicitly shown) may act on a release lever (also not shown), with the aid of which the pawl 5 is lifted from the rotary latch 4 as described. In normal operation, the electrical power supply to the electric motor 6 and consequently to the electromotive drive unit arranged and described inside the motor vehicle door lock 1 is provided by a main power source 7, indicated in Fig. 1. The main power source 7 is generally located inside a motor vehicle body (not shown).

[0028] In contrast, the motor vehicle door lock 1 shown in Fig. 1 is located inside a door leaf 16 of a motor vehicle door, which is only indicated in Fig. 1. The motor vehicle door can also be a tailgate, a hood, or, more generally, a motor vehicle flap.

[0029] In addition to the main energy source 7, an emergency energy source 8, which can be seen in Figures 2 and 3A, 3B, is also implemented in the exemplary embodiment. The same applies to the main energy source 7. The emergency energy source 8 is electrically connected to a printed circuit board 9. The printed circuit board 9, in turn, carries a control unit 10 and, according to the exemplary embodiment, further electrical / electronic elements 11, which are or can be one or more sensors with the aid of which, for example, the respective position of the rotary latch 4 and / or the pawl 5 can be queried. The sensors, not shown in detail, are connected to the control unit 10, which processes their signals. In addition, the control unit 10 accommodated by the printed circuit board 9 ensures that the electric motor 6 is controlled with its aid. This can occur depending on signals from the sensors.

[0030] For example, the electrical opening process is usually linked to the detection of the rotary latch 4's assumption of the closed position shown in Fig. 1 using a sensor. If, due to an operator request, the locking mechanism 4, 5 is opened, the control unit 10 receives a corresponding opening signal. This may originate from a remote control, a door handle switch, etc. As a result, the control unit 10 sends a signal to the electric motor 6 to release the pawl 5 from its engagement with the rotary latch 4.

[0031] The electrical power supply to the control unit 10, as well as to the entire circuit board 9 and the additional electrical / electronic elements 11, is provided during normal operation by the main power source 7. This also ensures that the emergency power source 8 is charged or maintains its charge level during normal operation. Should the main power source 7 fail, for example, because it is discharged or a connecting line to the circuit board 9 is interrupted, the previously described electrical opening process takes place using the electrical energy provided by the emergency power source 8. For this purpose, the emergency power source 8 is electrically connected to the circuit board 9. This occurs via electrical connecting lines 12, which can be seen in Figures 3A and 3B.Of particular importance for the invention is the fact that the circuit board 9 has a recess 13, 14 that at least partially accommodates the emergency power source 8. In the variant according to Fig. 3A, the recess 13 is one that is predominantly designed as a rectangular recess 13 and in which the emergency power source 8 is accommodated in the longitudinal direction and parallel to the plane of the circuit board 9. Furthermore, the design of this variant according to Fig. 3A is such that two capacitors or supercaps 15 are arranged in the longitudinal direction and parallel to the plane of the circuit board 9 and are accommodated together in the recess or rectangular recess 13 in question in the example case.

[0032] In the variant according to Fig. 3B, however, the design is such that the recess 13, 14 is designed as a circular recess 14, so that the emergency power source 8 or the two capacitors or supercapacitors 15 in this case extend completely or partially through the respective circular recess 14. As a result, the emergency power source 8 in this variant protrudes halfway from the top and halfway from the bottom of the circuit board 9. Of course, other divisions are also conceivable. In either case, this results in a particularly compact structure because the emergency power source 8 is fully or partially immersed in the respective recess 13, 14 in the circuit board 9 or is accommodated therein.

[0033] The emergency power source 8 can be detachably fastened in the respective recess 13, 14. For this purpose, it is conceivable that the respective emergency power source 8 is equipped with, for example, latching hooks or other detachable fastening means, or such detachable fastening means additionally ensure the attachment of the emergency power source 8 to or in the respective recess 13, 14. The previously mentioned electrical connecting lines 12 from the emergency power source 8 to the circuit board 9 can also be designed to be detachable. It is conceivable that the connecting lines 12 are detachably connected to the circuit board 9 or detachably to the emergency power source 8, or to both. It can be seen that the cross-section of the recess 13, 14 is adapted to the emergency power source 8. Furthermore, the emergency power source 8 can be composed of several batteries or the several capacitors 15 within the scope of the illustrated example.In the variant according to Fig. 3A, the respective capacitors 15 are placed in a common recess 13, the rectangular recess 13. In contrast, in the variant according to Fig. 3B, a respective circular recess 14 is provided for the associated capacitor 15 and for its reception. In all cases, however, this results in the emergency power source 8 being at least partially immersed in the circuit board 9 or even reaching through, or being able to reach through, the circuit board 9. This means that the housing 2 accommodating the described electromotive drive unit can be designed to be compact and small.

[0034] List of reference symbols: Motor vehicle lock or motor vehicle door lock Housing Lock plate Rotary latch Pawl , 5 Locking mechanism Electric motor Main energy source Emergency energy source Printed circuit board 0 Control unit 1 Electrical / electronic elements 2 Connecting line 3 Recess, rectangular recess 4 Circular recess 3, 14 Recess 5 Supercap, capacitor 6 Door leaf

Claims

Patent claims 1. Electromotive drive unit for automotive applications, in particular for use in conjunction with a motor vehicle lock, preferably a motor vehicle door lock (1), with an electric motor (6), furthermore with an actuating element (5) which can be moved by means of the electric motor (6), and with an emergency energy source (8) for supplying power to the electric motor (6) in the event of a main energy source (7) failing, wherein the emergency energy source (8) is electrically connected to a printed circuit board (9), characterized in that the printed circuit board (9) has a recess (13, 14) which at least partially accommodates the emergency energy source (8).

2. Unit according to claim 1, characterized in that the recess (13, 14) is adapted in terms of its cross-section to the emergency energy source (9).

3. Unit according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the emergency energy source (8) extends completely or partially through the recess (13, 14), for example protruding halfway from an upper and lower side of the printed circuit board (9).

4. Unit according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the emergency energy source (8) is received in the recess (13, 14) in the longitudinal direction and parallel to the plane of the circuit board (9).

5. Unit according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the emergency energy source (8) is coupled to the circuit board (9) via additional electrical connecting lines (12).

6. Unit according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the emergency energy source (8) is detachably fastened in the recess (13, 14).

7. Unit according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that the connecting lines (12) are detachably connected to the emergency energy source (8) and / or the circuit board (9).

8. Unit according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the emergency energy source (8) is composed of several batteries and / or capacitors (15), in particular supercaps.

9. Unit according to claim 8, characterized in that the batteries and / or capacitors (15) are placed in a common recess (13) or each have their own recess (14).

10. Motor vehicle lock, with at least one locking mechanism (4, 5) consisting essentially of a rotary latch (4) and a pawl (5), and with an electric motor drive unit according to one of claims 1 to 9.

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