Actuator for automotive applications

Abstract

The invention relates to an actuator for automotive applications, in particular a charging socket actuator of a motor vehicle. For this purpose, the basic design of the actuator has an electromotive drive (1), furthermore a housing (2) which accommodates the drive (1), and a flexible actuating means (3, 4) which can be acted upon by the drive (1) and passes out of the housing (2) through a feedthrough (5, 6) and which is intended to be coupled to an actuating element (8) that can be actuated by the drive (1). According to the invention, the feedthrough (5, 6) is in the form of a rotary feedthrough (5, 6) which is mounted in a receptacle (2c) of the housing (2) so as to be rotatable and secured by a holding element (7).

Description

[0001] Description

[0002] Actuator for automotive applications

[0003] The invention relates to an actuator for automotive applications, in particular a charging socket actuator of a motor vehicle for releasably locking a charging plug in a charging socket or charging socket, with an electric motor drive, further with a housing accommodating the drive, and with a flexible actuating means led out of the housing through a leadthrough.

[0004] Actuators for automotive applications are used in a wide variety of designs in and on vehicles. Their electrical power supply is typically provided by an associated vehicle battery. Accordingly, the electric drive generally relies on a high-speed electric motor, whose output shaft revolutions are reduced by a gear. This allows the desired actuating movements to be realized on the output side. These actuating movements are then transferred, for example, to an actuating element.

[0005] The actuating means leading out through the bushing can now generally be used to emergency release the actuating element. If, for example, the actuating element is a latch used to releasably lock the charging plug in the charging socket or charging outlet, the actuating element can be emergency released using the flexible actuating means, so to speak, so that the charging plug can still be removed from the charging socket if, for example, the vehicle battery fails. The flexible actuating means used in this context generally allows for variable installation. In this way, the installation location of a handle that acts on the actuating element, for example, can be designed flexibly. It is conceivable, for example, for this handle to be placed in the trunk, the engine compartment or another easily accessible location.There is a general problem here in that the manual pressures transmitted via the handle to the flexible actuating device can and do provide the emergency release without any problems.

[0006] In the generic state of the art according to DE 10 2015 106 834 A1, the actuator is designed as a so-called auxiliary closing drive and can be used to close a rotary latch. This is achieved by interposing a Bowden cable as a flexible actuating device. Emergency release via the Bowden cable is not addressed.

[0007] Of course, other applications for such actuators in automotive technology are also conceivable, for example, in connection with the implementation of electric seat adjustment, electric mirror adjustment, remote unlocking of a vehicle hatch or hood, or the operation of window regulators, to name just a few examples. All installation situations and applications are characterized, on the one hand, by the fact that the electric motor drive must be operated using the low-voltage direct current available in the vehicle, typically 12 V, 24 V, or more recently even 48 V. As a result, compact electric motors are used, whose speeds are reduced for the adjustment process.

[0008] Furthermore, such actuators are exposed to a wide range of environmental conditions and are therefore usually designed to be moisture- and media-tight. Therefore, the housing housing the actuator is largely sealed against media, particularly splashes and dust. Only through the feedthrough can the flexible actuating element be routed to the outside of the otherwise closed housing. For this purpose, the feedthrough is typically also designed to be sealed.

[0009] Such actuators for automotive applications have generally proven themselves, but still offer room for improvement. For example, the state of the art according to DE 10 2015 106834 A1 requires a more or less linear guide for the flexible actuator from the housing. However, such linear guides are generally not, or not always, feasible and implementable given the diverse installation situations. Furthermore, the diverse and varying installation situations, depending on the vehicle, require increasing flexibility, which is not guaranteed in this context.

[0010] There are already approaches in the further prior art according to DE 102 20 732 A1 to increase the number of installation variants for a motor vehicle door lock, rather than an actuator. For this purpose, the aforementioned teaching proposes that the Bowden cable leading out of the housing be rotatably mounted on the housing in a rotating socket. This allows the Bowden cable to be guided away from the housing in an arc, using an arc-shaped guide from the rotating socket.

[0011] However, this is a motor vehicle door lock and not an actuator for automotive applications and there is always a risk that the rotary union will be dismantled unintentionally.

[0012] Such unintentional disassembly is due to the fact that the actuator is first fixed and then coupled to the actuated actuator element by means of the flexible actuating means extending from the housing. This coupling between the flexible actuating means and the actuating element can result in the flexible actuating means or the Bowden cable being unintentionally disassembled, for example, being completely or partially pulled out of the housing that houses it. This is particularly disadvantageous given that the electric motor located inside the housing, and in particular the gearbox that usually follows it, is exposed to environmental influences and consequently suffers damage immediately or over a medium period of time.

[0013] Considering the state of the art according to DE 102 20 732 A1, an electric motor drive is not implemented inside the housing, and therefore an emergency release via the Bowden cable leading out of the housing is also in vain. Instead, the locking elements inside the housing can be operated from outside the housing via the Bowden cable.

[0014] The present invention is based on the problem of further developing such an actuator for automotive applications in such a way that a large number of installation variants are covered, taking into account a compact and media-tight as well as permanently functional design.

[0015] To solve this technical problem, a generic actuator within the scope of the invention is characterized in that the feedthrough is designed as a rotary feedthrough, which is rotatably mounted in a receptacle of the housing and secured by a holding element.

[0016] In contrast to the generic prior art according to DE 10 2015 106 834 A1, the flexible actuating element is not guided straight out of the housing, but rather with a rotary union. Since the rotary union is rotatably mounted in the housing holder, the flexible actuating element, which is guided outside the housing through the rotary union, can generally be guided in a curve away from the housing. Depending on the orientation of the rotary union, almost all conceivable installation situations can be mastered. This applies regardless of whether an emergency release of an actuating element or latch is or can be carried out with the help of the flexible actuating element via a handle connected to it. Or whether an actuating movement is guided outwards via the flexible actuating element using the electric motor drive arranged in the housing.

[0017] In addition, according to the invention, the rotary union is not only rotatably mounted in the housing receptacle, but is additionally secured by means of the holding element. The holding element therefore ensures that the rotary union is not accidentally disassembled from the housing. This applies both when the actuator is mounted, for example, inside a motor vehicle, and when an adjusting movement and, in particular, emergency release is to be initiated from outside the housing via a handle into the interior via the flexible adjusting means. The holding element also ensures that the rotary union remains in the housing receptacle and the accidental disassembly already described at the beginning is avoided. This is where the key advantages lie. According to an advantageous embodiment, the rotary union is designed as a curved guide or has such a guide.It is recommended that the rotary union be aligned essentially parallel to a center plane of the housing. This allows the actuating element passing through the rotary union to exit the housing at an angle to the center plane, via the rotary union in a curved path.

[0018] For reasons of cost-effective and simple production, the rotary union is generally made of plastic and in particular designed as a plastic molded part. Plastic injection molded parts have proven to be particularly practical for this purpose. In this way, the rotary union can additionally and advantageously be equipped with a connected sealing grommet. The sealing grommet is also made of plastic, namely an elastomeric plastic. In order to captively connect the holding element to the housing receptacle and to ensure the desired security of the rotary union, the holding element is generally detachably fastened to the housing receptacle. For this purpose, the holding element has locking hooks that engage under locking projections in the receptacle when installed. Installation is also made easier if the holding element is designed with lateral guide webs.During assembly, the lateral guide bars of the retaining element engage in corresponding guide grooves in the holder. This simultaneously aligns the retaining element and then secures it with the help of the locking projections, which are gripped by the locking hooks.

[0019] The retaining element, like the rotary union, is a molded plastic part. In this case, too, the use of a plastic injection-molded part has proven particularly advantageous.

[0020] The mount is generally molded onto the plastic housing. The housing itself is also a plastic injection-molded part. This makes it possible to manufacture and produce the mount and housing in a single plastic injection-molding process.

[0021] Finally, the actuating means is advantageously designed as a Bowden cable with a core and sheath. The core extends through the rotary union. Furthermore, the rotary union can thus act as a sheath for the core, at least in sections.

[0022] The result is an actuator for automotive applications that is not only characterized by reliable and long-lasting operation, because the housing and the rotary union can each be designed to be splash- and dust-proof. Additionally, it is possible to route the flexible actuating element or Bowden cable through the rotary union to the outside of the housing in virtually any direction. This allows for the design or representation of virtually all conceivable installation situations, including the electric motor drive and consequently the housing, and a handle for actuating the flexible actuating element. This means that the actuator according to the invention enables reliable operation, taking into account a virtually unlimited number of installation variations. These are the key advantages.

[0023] The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to a drawing which merely represents an exemplary embodiment; in the drawings:

[0024] Fig. 1A shows the actuator according to the invention in the form of a charging socket actuator of a motor vehicle in an overview within the framework of a first particularly preferred variant,

[0025] Fig. 1 B the actuator in a further second conceivable variant,

[0026] Fig. 2 shows a section of the actuator in the area of ​​a rotary union for a flexible actuating device during an assembly process and

[0027] Fig. 3 the rotary union in assembled and ready-to-use condition.

[0028] The figures show an actuator for automotive applications. The actuator is a charging socket actuator of a motor vehicle. With the help of the charging socket actuator, a charging plug S indicated in Figs. 1A and 1B can be locked in an associated charging socket or charging socket D on the vehicle. For this purpose, the charging socket actuator has an electric motor drive 1 and a housing 2 that accommodates the drive 1 and encloses it in a media-tight manner. The electric motor drive 1 located inside the housing 2 can be designed in any detail. Typically, an electric motor is used here, with the help of which a locking element R can be acted upon as an actuating element R in the variant according to Fig. 1A. In fact, with the help of this locking element R, the charging plug S can be releasably locked in the charging socket D.For this purpose, a gearbox is installed downstream of the electric motor.

[0029] Furthermore, Fig. 1A also shows a flexible actuating means 3, 4, which according to the exemplary embodiment is designed as a Bowden cable with a core 3 and sheath 4. For this purpose, the flexible actuating means or Bowden cable 3, 4 is guided through a bushing 5, 6 into the housing 2 (cf. Fig. 2). According to the exemplary embodiment in Fig. 1A, a handle H acts on the actuating means 3, 4, which can be actuated manually and is located, for example, in the trunk, in the engine compartment or otherwise accessible. In this way, the locking element R can be emergency released in the event of a failure of the electric motor drive 1 in the housing 2 in order to be able to remove the charging plug S from the charging socket D.

[0030] In the alternative embodiment shown in Fig. 1B, the electric motor drive 1 operates via the flexible actuating means 3, 4, which in this case extends outward from the housing 2, on the locking element R as the actuating element R. This is a conceivable, albeit not preferred, variant. Typically, the flexible actuating means 3, 4 is used for the emergency release of the locking element R or the actuating element R.

[0031] It can be seen that the housing 2 according to the exemplary embodiment is designed in two parts with a housing base 2a and a cover 2b. The housing base or the housing shell 2a and the cover 2b are connected to one another in a liquid-tight and dust-tight manner in the assembled state with the interposition of a seal (not shown) in order to protect the electric motor drive 1 located inside from environmental influences during operation of an associated motor vehicle, such as moisture or dust. The feedthrough 5, 6 through the housing 2 for the flexible actuating means 3, 4 is designed according to the exemplary embodiment and according to the invention as a rotary feedthrough 5, 6. The rotary feedthrough 5, 6 is rotatably mounted in a receptacle 2c of the housing 2. The receptacle 2c is formed onto the housing 2 according to the exemplary embodiment. Specifically, the receptacle 2c is aThe housing shell 2a is a molded-on component, with the receptacle 2c and the housing base or the housing shell 2a together being designed as a single-piece plastic injection-molded part. The cover 2b is also designed as a plastic injection-molded part.

[0032] In the assembled state, the rotary union 5, 6 is additionally secured with a retaining element 7 for storage within the housing's receptacle 2c. The retaining element 7 is also designed as a plastic molded part, specifically as a plastic injection-molded part.

[0033] A comparative analysis of Figs. 1A and B and 2 clearly shows that the locking element R in the variant according to Fig. 1A can be emergency unlocked via the flexible actuating means 3, 4 or the connected handle H. The alternative embodiment shown in Fig. 1B, however, ensures that the locking element R is actuated via the flexible actuating means 3, 4 with the aid of the electric motor drive 1. The locking element R can be releasably locked in the charging socket D using the locking element R.

[0034] The locking of the charging plug S in the charging socket D typically occurs after an authorization check of a user wishing to charge. Only when the charging plug S is properly locked in the charging socket D and the user authorization check has been positively completed does electrical current flow via the charging plug S, the charging socket D and all the way to a battery on the vehicle that is to be electrically charged. The rotary union 5, 6 as a whole - just like the housing 2 - is designed to be media-tight, i.e. it prevents any moisture, dust, dirt, etc. from penetrating the interior of the housing 2 via the flexible adjusting means 3, 4 leading to the outside. For this purpose, the rotary union 5, 6 is made in detail from plastic and has a curved guide 5 on the one hand and a sealing grommet 6 connected to it on the other.The sealing grommet 6 on the housing side seals the rotary union 5, 6 against the housing 2.

[0035] From Figs. 2 and 3, it can be seen that the rotary union 5, 6 is rotatably mounted in the receptacle 2c of the housing 2 and is secured with the retaining element 7. For this purpose, the retaining element 7 engages in the receptacle 2c of the housing 2 in a locking and releasable manner.

[0036] As already explained, the rotary union 5, 6 has a curved guide 5 and the sealing grommet 6 connected to it on the housing side. In addition, the design is such that the rotary union 5, 6 is aligned essentially parallel to a center plane of the housing 2 and the flexible actuating means 3, 4 guided thereby is led out of the housing 2 at an angle to the center plane, namely with the help of the curved guide 5. Depending on the orientation of the curved guide 5 inside the receptacle 2c of the housing 2, which forms a bearing, very different angles of the flexible actuating element 3, 4 can be realized with respect to the center plane of the housing 2. This means that practically any conceivable installation situation can be realized and implemented for the actuator or its housing 2 on the one hand and the locking element R acted upon by the flexible actuating means 3, 4 as the actuating element R on the other.

[0037] The releasable fixing by means of the holding element 7 in the receptacle 2c of the housing 2 is achieved in that the holding element 7 engages in the receptacle 2c in a releasable, locking manner. For this purpose, the holding element 7, as shown in Fig. 2, is equipped with locking hooks 8 which engage under locking projections 11 inside the receptacle 2c when assembled. In addition, the holding element 7 is additionally formed with lateral guide webs 9 which engage in corresponding guide grooves 10 in the receptacle 2c for assembly. In this way, it is ensured that the holding element 7 is guided correctly and, according to the exemplary embodiment, predominantly vertically during assembly, so that the holding element 7 can engage correctly in the receptacle 2c which has a U-shaped cross-section. As soon as the holding element 7 has reached its assembly position, the locking hooks 8 engage under the locking projections 11 in the receptacle 2c.In the assembled state of the rotary union 5, 6 achieved in this way, not only is the rotary union 5, 6 secured against involuntary disassembly, but it is also ensured that the sealing grommet 6 made of an elastomeric plastic provides and can provide the necessary sealing in the area of ​​an opening for receiving the rotary union 5, 6 with respect to the housing 2.

[0038] As already explained, the flexible actuating means 3, 4 is designed as a Bowden cable with the core 3 and the sheath 4. As shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the core 3 extends through the rotary union 5, 6. Furthermore, the rotary union 5, 6 is designed, at least in sections, as a sheath 4 of the Bowden cable 3, 4 or functions as such a sheath, namely at least in the area of ​​the curved guide 5 and the sealing grommet 6.

[0039] The sealing grommet 6 is not only flexible in terms of its diameter and made of an elastomeric plastic. Fig. 2 also shows that the sealing grommet 6 is also equipped with bellows adjacent to the curved guide 5. This not only allows the sealing grommet 6 to be flexibly adapted to the opening in the housing 2 in terms of its diameter, but also allows the housing-side sealing grommet 6 to be axially compressed if necessary during assembly of the rotary union 5, 6 and, together with the bellows, additionally ensure a media-tight closure of the opening through which the rotary union 5, 6 and the core 3 are guided into the interior of the housing 2.

[0040] With the aid of the electric motor drive 1 in the housing 2, the locking element R is "locked" and "unlocked" according to its positions in the variant shown in Fig. 1A. This allows the locking element R to be moved relative to the charging socket D or the aligned holes in the charging socket D on the one hand and the charging plug S on the other hand when the charging plug S is plugged in. The "locked" state of the locking element R corresponds to this. In contrast, the "unlocked" state corresponds to the locking element R being retracted relative to the aligned holes, so that the charging plug S can be removed from the charging socket D.

[0041] In the embodiment of Fig. 1A, the locked and unlocked positions are assumed using the electric motor drive 1 in the housing 2. In the event that the electric motor drive 1 fails, the locking element R can be emergency unlocked using the handle H and the flexible actuating means 3, 4 actuated by it. This corresponds to the locking element R being moved back to its "unlocked" position. In the embodiment of Fig. 1B, the actuating movements of the electric motor drive 1 are transmitted directly to the locking element R via the flexible actuating elements 3, 4.

[0042] Finally, it should be emphasized that the described embodiment of the actuator and the actuating means 3, 4 is only one example of the application of the actuator according to the invention. The actuator can equally well be implemented in connection with the various fields of application already described in the introduction. This is not shown in detail.

[0043] List of reference symbols

[0044] Drive 1 Housing 2

[0045] Case back 2a

[0046] Housing shell 2a

[0047] Lid 2b

[0048] Recording 2c

[0049] Adjusting agent 3, 4

[0050] Bowden cable 3, 4

[0051] Soul 3

[0052] Coat 4

[0053] Bow guidance 5

[0054] Sealing grommet 6

[0055] Rotary union 5, 6

[0056] Holding element 7

[0057] Locking hook 8

[0058] Guide rails 9

[0059] Guide grooves 10

[0060] Locking projections 11

[0061] Charging socket D

[0062] Charging plug S

[0063] Locking element R

[0064] Handle H

Claims

Patent claims 1. Actuator for automotive applications, in particular a charging socket actuator of a motor vehicle, with an electric motor drive (1), furthermore with a housing (2) receiving the drive (1), and with a flexible actuating means (3, 4) led out of the housing (2) through a lead-through (5, 6), characterized in that the lead-through (5, 6) is designed as a rotary lead-through (5, 6) which is rotatably mounted in a receptacle (2c) of the housing (2) and secured by a holding element (7).

2. Actuator according to claim 1, characterized in that the rotary feedthrough (5, 6) has a curved guide (5) or is designed as such.

3. Actuator according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the rotary feedthrough (5, 6) is aligned substantially parallel to a center plane of the housing (2) and the actuating means (3, 4) guided thereby leads out of the housing (2) at an angle to the center plane.

4. Actuator according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the rotary feedthrough (5, 6) is made of plastic and is in particular designed as a plastic molded part.

5. Actuator according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the rotary feedthrough (5, 6) has a connected sealing grommet (6).

6. Actuator according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the holding element (7) is equipped with locking hooks (8) which engage under the locking projections (11) in the receptacle (2c) in the mounted state.

7. Actuator according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the holding element (7) is formed with lateral guide webs (9) which engage in corresponding guide grooves (10) in the receptacle (2c) for assembly.

8. Actuator according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the holding element (7) is made of plastic and in particular as a plastic molded part.

9. Actuator according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the receptacle (2c) is formed onto the housing (2) made of plastic.

10. Actuator according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the flexible actuating means (3, 4) is designed as a Bowden cable (3, 4) with a core (3) and a sheath (4), the core (3) passing through the rotary feedthrough (5, 6) and the rotary feedthrough (5, 6) acting as a sheath (4) at least in sections.

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