Actuating device with flexible auxiliary drive

Abstract

The invention relates to an actuating device for adjusting a vehicle flap or a vehicle door, comprising a housing (2); a drive device (5) arranged at least partially in the housing (2) for driving the vehicle flap or the vehicle door, wherein the drive device (5) comprises a drive element (7) which can be displaced along a drive axis (D) between a retracted position and an extended position and is coupled to the vehicle flap or the vehicle door; and an auxiliary drive (11) arranged in the housing (2) for supporting the drive device (5) during the displacement of the drive element (7) along the drive axis (D). An actuating device for adjusting a vehicle flap or a vehicle door, said device providing a flexible auxiliary force for manually or automatically actuating the vehicle door or the vehicle flap, is produced in that a control element (20) of a control device (18) for controlling the auxiliary drive (11) can be adjusted between a neutral position, in which the auxiliary drive (11) is deactivated, a first active position, in which the auxiliary drive (11) provides a first auxiliary force, and a second active position, in which the auxiliary drive (11) provides a second auxiliary force which is greater than the first auxiliary force.

Description

[0001] Actuator with flexible auxiliary drive

[0002] The invention relates to an adjusting device for automatically adjusting a vehicle flap or a vehicle door, wherein the adjusting device comprises a housing, a drive device arranged in the housing and an auxiliary drive for supporting or replacing the drive device.

[0003] Actuating devices are known in practice that are arranged between a pivotable vehicle flap and a vehicle body. For additional preload, the actuating devices comprise a spring system with at least one preloading means that supports the actuating movement or the current position of the vehicle door or vehicle flap when the drive device is in a rest state. The spring systems function as an auxiliary drive, which not only supports an electric drive device provided in the actuating device in adjusting the vehicle door or vehicle flap, but also facilitates manual opening of the vehicle door.

[0004] DE 10 2020 126 748 A1 discloses an adjusting device for adjusting a vehicle door or a vehicle tailgate, comprising an elongated housing and a spindle drive arranged in the housing, wherein the spindle drive comprises a spindle nut displaceable along a drive axis. The adjusting device further comprises a preloading means designed as a helical compression spring, which assists the spindle drive in adjusting the vehicle door or the vehicle tailgate.

[0005] DE 10 2022 117 394 A1 discloses an automatic door opener, particularly for use in a motor vehicle, comprising a housing, a plunger mounted longitudinally movable in the housing, and an electric plunger drive configured to move the plunger back and forth between a rest position retracted into the housing and an actuated position extending from the housing. Furthermore, the automatic door opener comprises an auxiliary drive configured to displace the plunger from the rest position to the actuated position upon activation.

[0006] It is the object of the invention to provide an actuating device for a vehicle door or a vehicle flap, which provides a flexible auxiliary force for the manual or automated operation of the vehicle door or the vehicle flap.

[0007] The above object is achieved according to the invention by an adjusting device according to claim 1.

[0008] According to the invention, an adjusting device for adjusting a vehicle door or a vehicle flap is provided, comprising a housing, a drive device arranged at least partially in the housing for driving the vehicle door or the vehicle flap, wherein the drive device comprises a drive element that is displaceable along a drive axis between a retracted position and an extended position and is coupled to the vehicle door or the vehicle flap. Furthermore, the adjusting device according to the invention comprises an auxiliary drive arranged in the housing for assisting the drive device in displacing the drive element along the drive axis.The actuating device according to the invention is characterized in that a control element of a control device for controlling the auxiliary drive is adjustable between a neutral position, in which the auxiliary drive is deactivated, a first active position, in which the auxiliary drive provides a first auxiliary force, and a second active position, in which the auxiliary drive provides a second auxiliary force that is greater than the first auxiliary force. Advantageously, the actuating device is arranged between the vehicle door or

[0009] Vehicle door and the vehicle body. In the event that the main power supply of the vehicle fails, for example after an accident, the actuating device can continue to provide an auxiliary force to open the vehicle door by means of the auxiliary drive, whereby the larger second auxiliary force is generally activated. In addition, however, it may also be necessary for an auxiliary force to be required during normal operation of the drive device, for example if the vehicle is on a slope and a correspondingly greater force is needed to open the vehicle door due to the opposing force of gravity. Likewise, the vehicle door or the vehicle door could be iced over. In this case, however, it is sufficient to simply activate the first auxiliary force in addition to ensure automatic opening of the vehicle door.

[0010] Particularly preferably, the drive device is designed as a spindle drive and the drive element as a spindle nut. Advantageously, the drive device comprises a spindle rod with an external thread, which is rotatably driven about the drive axis, and the spindle nut, which can be displaced linearly along the drive axis between a retracted position and an extended position by rotating the spindle rod about the drive axis.

[0011] In a preferred embodiment, the control element is rotatable about a rotational axis between the neutral position and the first active position and the second active position. Particularly preferably, the control element is rotatable about the drive axis. Advantageously, the components associated with the auxiliary drive can be arranged concentrically around the drive axis, analogous to the drive device. Due to the arrangement of the control element, which is also concentric around the drive axis, a particularly favorable option for activating the auxiliary forces is created.

[0012] In an advantageous development, the neutral position lies between the first active position and the second active position. Advantageously, the travel between the neutral position and the two active positions is minimized. Furthermore, the choice between the two active positions can be made simply by selecting a drive rotation direction for the control element. Particularly preferably, the control element has a stop that engages counterstops provided on the housing, at least in the two active positions. This advantageously ensures that the required active positions can always be assumed in a well-defined manner.

[0013] In a particularly preferred embodiment, the auxiliary drive is designed as a mechanical auxiliary drive and comprises a first pretensioning means and a second pretensioning means. Advantageously, the auxiliary drive is designed to operate independently of the vehicle's power supply after activation and can thus permanently provide an auxiliary force to assist the opening movement of the vehicle door or vehicle tailgate, particularly in an emergency where the main power supply has failed.

[0014] The first preloading means is advantageously arranged between a first stop part and a stop fixed relative to the housing, and the second preloading means is advantageously arranged between a second stop part and the stop fixed relative to the housing. Advantageously, the stop is provided by an annular step of the housing or a washer arranged between one end of the first preloading means or the second preloading means and the annular step of the housing. Advantageously, the auxiliary force provided by the auxiliary drive can be deactivated or activated by the control element retaining or releasing the two stop parts.

[0015] Since two preloading means, each with a stop part, are located in the housing, up to three different auxiliary forces can be selected by selectively selecting the retention or release of the stop parts. Advantageously, the first preloading means and the second preloading means are arranged concentrically with one another. More preferably, the first preloading means and the second preloading means are designed as helical compression springs. Particularly preferably, the spring coils of the first preloading means have a smaller outer diameter than the spring coils of the second preloading means. Advantageously, the first preloading means is radially surrounded by the second preloading means, thus achieving a particularly compact arrangement of the two preloading means.

[0016] Particularly preferably, the first stop part and the second stop part are held in a rest position in the neutral position of the control element, in which the first preloading means and the second preloading means exert no force on the drive element. The control element is advantageously designed to be axially fixed relative to the housing, but rotatable about the drive axis. In the neutral position of the control element, the first stop part and the second stop part are located below the control element and are prevented from further axial displacement toward the drive element.

[0017] In a preferred embodiment of the actuating device, the first stop part can pass the control element in the first active position of the control element, wherein the first stop part drives the drive element into an extended position under the pretension of the first pretensioning means. Accordingly, the control element is now located axially between the first stop part and the stop which is stationary relative to the housing. The first stop part strikes the drive element and drives it accordingly into the extended position. More preferably, the second stop part can pass the control element in the second active position of the control element, wherein the second stop part drives the drive element into the extended position under the pretension of the second pretensioning means.

[0018] Particularly preferably, the control element has at least a first recess with a first width and a second recess with a second width. Advantageously, the first stop part has at least one first projection which has a smaller width than the first recess. More preferably, the second stop part has at least one second projection which has a greater width than the first recess but a smaller width than the second recess. Advantageously, by rotating the control disk, an overlap of the first recess or the second recess with the first projection of the first stop part or the second projection of the second stop part can be achieved, whereby the first stop part or the second stop part can pass the control disk under the pretension of the pretensioning means assigned to them and can provide an auxiliary force to the drive element.

[0019] Further advantages, developments and features of the invention will become apparent from the following description of a preferred embodiment and from the dependent claims.

[0020] The invention will now be explained in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings using a preferred embodiment of the invention.

[0021] Fig. 1 shows a preferred embodiment of an adjusting device 1 according to the invention in a cross-sectional view.

[0022] Fig. 2 shows the adjusting device from Fig. 1 in a cross-sectional view cut perpendicular to the drive axis D.

[0023] Fig. 3 shows the actuating device in a cross-sectional view with a first activated state of the auxiliary drive.

[0024] Fig. 4 shows the adjusting device from Fig. 3 in a cross-sectional view cut perpendicular to the drive axis D.

[0025] Fig. 5 shows the actuating device in a cross-sectional view with a second activated state of the auxiliary drive 11.

[0026] Fig. 6 shows the adjusting device from Fig. 5 in a cross-sectional view cut perpendicular to the drive axis D.

[0027] Fig. 7 shows parts of the actuating device 1 in an exploded view. Fig. 8 shows the main drive 6 and the control drive 19 in an exploded view.

[0028] Fig. 1 shows a preferred embodiment of an actuating device 1 according to the invention in a cross-sectional view. The actuating device 1 comprises a housing 2, wherein the housing comprises a first housing part 3 and a second housing part 4. The first housing part 3 and the second housing part 4 are screwed together, thus forming a unit.

[0029] A drive device 5 is arranged in the housing 2, which serves to drive the vehicle flap or the vehicle door between a closed and open position during normal operation. In the preferred embodiment, the drive device 5 is designed as a spindle drive. It comprises a main drive 6 designed as an electric motor, a spindle nut 7 displaceable along a drive axis D, and a spindle rod 8 rotatably driven by the main drive 6, which is in threaded engagement with the spindle nut 7. The spindle rod 8 is rotatable about the drive axis D and has an external thread which is in threaded engagement with an internal thread of the spindle nut 7.

[0030] The spindle rod 8 is coupled at a first end 8a in a rotationally fixed manner to a worm gear 9, wherein the worm gear 9 in turn is threadedly engaged with a first worm 10. The first worm 10 is fixedly connected to an output shaft of the main drive 6. Advantageously, rotation of the first worm 10 or the output shaft of the main drive 6 drives the rotation of the spindle rod 8 about the drive axis D, whereby the spindle nut 7 can be moved between the retracted position shown here and an extended position. The upper end 7a of the spindle nut 7 thereby moves out of the housing 2 or into the housing 2 and can thus transmit a force to the vehicle flap or vehicle door to be adjusted in the opening or closing direction. Accordingly, the spindle nut 7 is a drive element for the vehicle door or vehicle flap.In addition to the drive device 5, the actuating device 1 comprises an auxiliary drive 11, which can reliably provide auxiliary power for opening the vehicle lid or the vehicle door in certain situations, particularly in the event of a power failure of the drive device 5. The auxiliary drive 11 can also support the drive device 5, for example, when the vehicle is parked on a steep slope, requiring increased force to open the vehicle door. Furthermore, increased forces may be necessary due to icing on the door.

[0031] In the embodiment shown here, the auxiliary drive 11 is designed as a mechanical auxiliary drive and comprises a first preloading means 12 designed as a helical compression spring and a second preloading means 13 designed as a helical compression spring. The first preloading means 12 has a smaller outer diameter than the second preloading means 13, wherein the first preloading means 12 is radially surrounded by the second preloading means 13 in the deactivated state of the auxiliary drive 11 shown here. Advantageously, the first preloading means 12 and the second preloading means 13 form a compact spring assembly.

[0032] The first preloading means 12 is axially clamped between an annular step 14 of the housing 2 and a first stop part 15. A washer 16 is arranged between the first preloading means 12 and the annular step 14 of the housing 2. The washer 16 has a sufficiently flat upper surface against which the first preloading means 12 rests. The second preloading means 13 is axially clamped between the annular step 14 of the housing 2 and a second stop part 17. The second preloading means 13 also rests against the upper surface of the washer 16.

[0033] The actuating device 1 further comprises a control device 18 for controlling the auxiliary drive 11. In particular, the control device 18 is designed to switch the auxiliary drive 11 between the deactivated state shown here and a first and second activated state. The control device 18 comprises a control drive 19 and a control element 20 driven by the control drive 19. The control element 20 is annular and is axially fixed in the housing 2. However, the control element 20 is mounted rotatably about the drive axis D.

[0034] The control element 20 has an external gear 21 on its outer side, which is threadably engaged with a second worm 22. The second worm 22 is coupled to an output shaft of the control drive 19, so that the control element 20, in the present embodiment, can be rotated about the drive axis D upon activation of the control drive 19 between a neutral position and a first and second active position.

[0035] In the deactivated state of the auxiliary drive 11 shown here, the first stop part 15 and the second stop part 17 rest on an underside of the control element 20, so that the first pretensioning means 12 and the second pretensioning means 13 are tensioned to the maximum, but are held back by the control element 20 and do not cause any auxiliary force on the spindle nut 7 in the extension direction.

[0036] The first stop part 15 has a hollow cylindrical receptacle 15a for the spindle nut 7, wherein the hollow cylindrical receptacle 15a has an annular base 15b, which acts as a stop surface for the spindle nut 7. Accordingly, the spindle nut 7 is displaced upwards upon displacement of the first stop part 15 under the preload of the first preloading means 12. This is also possible because the external thread of the spindle rod 8 is not self-locking. In particular, a displacement of the spindle nut can also be effected manually by applying a force to the vehicle door.

[0037] Fig. 2 shows the adjusting device from Fig. 1 in a cross-sectional view cut perpendicular to the drive axis D. The cross-section runs above the control element 20. This view clearly shows that the control element 20 is designed as a control disk, with the control element 20 having two first recesses 23 and two second recesses 24 on an inner circumference, which are opposite one another. The first recesses 23 have a smaller width than the second recesses 24.

[0038] As can also be seen, the control element 20 is rotatably mounted about the drive axis D by four first bearing rollers 25. The first bearing rollers 25 are integrated into the control element 20 and are therefore rotated when the control element 20 rotates about the drive axis D. In the neutral position of the control element 20 shown here, the first stop part 15 and the second stop part 17 arranged below the control element 20 are held back from a displacement of the drive axis D, since the first stop part 15 and the second stop part 17 each have projections on an outer circumference which are arranged between the first recesses 23 and second recesses 24. Accordingly, these projections cannot pass through the control element 20. The first stop part 15 also has integrated second bearing rollers 26 which are arranged on the projections.As can be seen, the second bearing rollers 26 are still partially covered by the control element 20, so that the first stop part 15 cannot be displaced under the pretension of the first pretensioning means 12.

[0039] Fig. 3 shows the adjusting device 1 in a cross-sectional view with a first activated state of the auxiliary drive 11. In the first activated state of the auxiliary drive 11, the first stop part 15 has passed the control element 20, so that the spindle nut 7 has been displaced into the extended position under the pretension of the first pretensioning means 12. This corresponds to an opening movement of the vehicle flap or the vehicle door. The first worm 10 of the main drive 6 has a thread pitch which allows the first worm 10 to rotate about the drive axis D as a result of the rotation of the spindle rod 8. Alternatively, a slip coupling can also be provided between the output shaft and the first worm 10. The first stop part 15 now strikes a ceiling of the second housing part 4, which limits the displacement of the first stop part 15 and thus of the spindle nut 7.The rotation of the control element 20 about the drive axis D to release the first stop part 15 was effected by the control drive 19. By actuating the control drive 19, the second worm 22 was rotated such that the control element 20 was rotated about the drive axis D in a first direction of rotation until the first stop part 15 was released, as explained in more detail below. The control element 20 is then in a first active position.

[0040] In addition to being connected to the vehicle's central power supply, the control drive 19 advantageously also has a self-sufficient power supply. In particular, the control drive 19 is supplied with power by a supercapacitor, so that even in the event of a failure of the vehicle's main power supply, it is advantageously guaranteed that the control drive 19 can drive the rotation of the control element 20 about the drive axis D, and a first auxiliary force H1 can be provided by the auxiliary drive 11 in the opening direction of the vehicle door.

[0041] The second stop part 17 or the second pretensioning means 13 continues to be held back by the control element 20 in the first activated state of the auxiliary drive 11 shown here, since the control element 20 was rotated in a first direction of rotation in which the first projections 15c of the first stop part 15 could pass through the corresponding first recesses 23 of the control element 20, but the larger second projections of the second stop part 17 cannot pass through because the second recesses 24 are not arranged above the second projections of the second stop part 17. Accordingly, only the first pretensioning means 12 acts to provide the first auxiliary force H1.

[0042] Fig. 4 shows the adjusting device from Fig. 3 in a perpendicular to the

[0043] A cross-sectional view of the drive axis D. This view shows that the control element 20, designed as a control disk, has been rotated 45° counterclockwise around the drive axis D relative to the neutral position shown in Fig. 2, into a first active position. As a result, the first recesses 23 lie over the first projections 15c of the first stop part 15, whereby the first stop part 15 is no longer prevented from moving. It is also clearly visible that the second bearing rollers 26 associated with the first projections 15c are now fully visible.

[0044] Fig. 5 shows the actuating device 1 in a cross-sectional view with a second activated state of the auxiliary drive 11. In this second activated state of the auxiliary drive 11, the control element 20 was rotated by means of the control drive 19 about the drive axis D in a second direction of rotation opposite to the first direction of rotation into a second active position in which, in addition to the first stop part 15, the second stop part 17 could also pass the control element 20. Accordingly, in the second activated state of the auxiliary drive 11, a second auxiliary force H2 is provided for the spindle nut 7, which is provided by the first pretensioning means 12 and the second pretensioning means 13.

[0045] Overall, the auxiliary force H2 is composed of the individual preload forces of the first preloading means 12 and the second preloading means 13. Advantageously, the first preloading means 12 and the second preloading means 13 are connected in parallel. In the exemplary embodiment shown here, the auxiliary force H1 provided by the first preloading means 12 is 400 N. The preload force provided by the second preloading means 13 is 600 N, so that the second auxiliary force H2 in the second activated state shown here is 1000 N, which, due to the series connection, is the sum of the two preload forces of the first preloading means 12 and the second preloading means 13.

[0046] Fig. 6 shows the adjusting device from Fig. 5 in a perpendicular to the

[0047] Drive axis D cut-away cross-sectional view. In this view, it can be seen that the control element 20, designed as a control disc, has been rotated 45° clockwise around the drive axis D relative to the neutral position shown in Fig. 2 into a second active position. As a result, the first recesses 23 lie over the first projections 15c of the first stop part 15, whereby the first stop part 15 is no longer prevented from being displaced.

[0048] In contrast to the first activated state, the second recesses 24 are arranged both over the first projections 15c of the first stop part 15 and over the two opposing second projections 17c of the second stop part 17. The second stop part 17 also has first projections 17b, which have a similar width to the first projections 15c of the first stop part 15. Advantageously, the first stop part 15 and the second stop part 17 could thus pass the control element 20 and exert a second auxiliary force H2 on the spindle nut 7.

[0049] Fig. 7 shows a portion of the adjusting device 1 in an exploded view. This view shows that the spindle nut 7 has a rounded rectangular outer circumference, with an end cap 27 attached to the upper end 7a of the spindle nut 7. Furthermore, an anti-rotation element 28 is provided between the end cap 27 and a sealing ring 29, with the anti-rotation element 28 being non-rotatably coupled to the spindle nut 7 and the second housing part 4.

[0050] This advantageously ensures that the spindle nut 7 is secured against rotation relative to the housing 2 or the second housing part 4.

[0051] An intermediate ring 30 is arranged between the first housing part 3 (not shown here) and the second housing part 4, which is provided for a better and tight connection between the first housing part 3 and the second housing part 4. As can also be seen, the control element 20 is annular and comprises an annular base body 20a. At the top, a radially outwardly directed collar 20b is formed on an outer side of the base body 20a. An inner ring 20c is formed on the inside of the base body 20a, with the first recesses 23 and the second recesses 24 being arranged on the inner ring 20c. The first recesses 23 and the second recesses 24 are directed radially inward. The external gear 21 is arranged on an axial extension 20d of the base body 20a.

[0052] The first stop part 15 has a circumferential collar 15d on an upper edge of the hollow cylindrical receptacle 15a, from which the first projections 15c protrude radially outward. Grooves 15e are provided on an upper side of the first projections 15c of the first stop part 15, which serve to support the second bearing rollers 26. In addition to the rolling body 26a, the second bearing rollers 26 have bearing rods 26b on both sides, which are inserted into the grooves 15e. It can also be seen that the annular base 15b has a central opening through which the spindle rod 8 is guided. In the exemplary embodiment shown here, the first stop part 15 has four first projections 15c, which are arranged around the outer circumference of the collar 15d, each offset by 90° from one another.

[0053] Since the width of the first projections 15c is smaller than the width of the first recesses 23 and the second recesses 24, an overlap of the first projections 15c with the first recesses 23 and the second recesses 24 is achieved upon rotation of 45° counterclockwise from the neutral position in which the first recesses 23 are located centrally between the first recesses 23 and the second recesses 24. Since the outer diameter of the collar 15d of the first stop part 15 is smaller than the inner diameter of the inner ring 20c of the control element 20, the first stop part 15 can pass the control element 20 upon rotation of 45° clockwise or counterclockwise.

[0054] The first preloading means 12 has an outer diameter that is equal to or smaller than the outer diameter of the collar 15d of the first stop part 15, so that the underside of the collar 15d provides a flat stop surface for the first preloading means 12. This ensures that the first stop part 15 is always preloaded toward the spindle nut 7 or in the extension direction of the spindle nut 7.

[0055] The second stop part 17 has an annular base body 17a, from which two first projections 17b and two second projections 17c extend radially outward. The first projections 17b of the second stop part 17 are located below the first projections 15c of the first stop part 15. The first projections 17b of the second stop part 17 have substantially the same width as the first projections 15c of the first stop part 15, whereas the second projections 17c of the second stop part 17 have a greater width than the first projections 15c of the first stop part.

[0056] The upper sides of the first projections 17b of the second stop part 17 are slightly lowered below the upper side of the annular base body 17a, so that the first stop part 15 is advantageously secured against rotation relative to the second stop part 17 when the first projections 17b of the second stop part 17 are prestressed against the first projections 15c under the prestress of the second prestressing means 13. The second projections 17c of the second stop part 17 each have a step 17d, whereby the first projections 15c of the first stop part are also secured against rotation relative to the second projections 17c. The second projections 17c have a greater overall width than the first projections 15c of the first stop part 15.

[0057] In the exemplary embodiment shown here, the two first projections 17b and the two second projections 17c of the second stop part 17 are each located opposite one another, or a first projection 17b is arranged on the base body 17a offset by 90° from a second projection 17c. Thus, an overlap of the second recesses 24 and the second projections 17c is only achieved when the control element 20 is rotated 45° clockwise, so that the second stop part 17 is released only in this one direction of rotation. The first projections 17b of the second stop part, on the other hand, can pass through both during a 45° clockwise and counterclockwise rotation. The outer diameter of the base body 17a corresponds approximately to the outer diameter of the collar 15d of the first stop part 15. The outer diameter of the second pretensioning means 13, on the other hand, corresponds approximately to the outer diameter of the opposing first projections 17b and 17c.second projections 17c and is thus larger than the outer diameter of the first prestressing means 12. Advantageously, the undersides of the first projections 17b and the second projections 17c of the second stop part 17 form the corresponding stop surfaces for the second prestressing means 13.

[0058] Fig. 8 shows the main drive 6 and the control drive 19 in an exploded view. As can be seen here, the housing 2 comprises a third housing part 32, which is screwed to the first housing part 3. The main drive 6 is designed as an electric motor and can be connected to a control unit (not shown here) and to the vehicle's main power supply via a connection board 6a. The output shaft 6b of the main drive 6 is coupled in a rotationally fixed manner to the first worm 10. The first worm 10 is then in threaded engagement with the worm wheel 9 in the installed state to drive the rotation of the spindle rod 8.

[0059] The control drive 19 is designed as an electric motor and is connected via an electrical connection 19a both to the main power supply of the vehicle and to a supercapacitor 31. The output shaft 19b of the control drive 19 is connected in a rotationally fixed manner to the second worm gear 22. Advantageously, the control drive 19 can be supplied with power in normal operation as well as in emergency operation, in which the main power supply of the vehicle is interrupted. Furthermore, in the event that the main power supply of the vehicle has been restored, it is possible to return the control element 20 of the control device 18 to the neutral position. In particular, the first stop part 15 and the second stop part 17 can be pushed back under the control element 20 by adjusting the spindle nut 7 into the retracted position and then by appropriate

[0060] By controlling the control drive 19, the control element 20 is moved into the neutral position so that the control element again holds the first stop part 15 and the second stop part 17 in the deactivated position.

Claims

PATENT CLAIMS 1. An adjusting device for adjusting a vehicle flap or a vehicle door, comprising a housing (2), a drive device (5) arranged at least partially in the housing (2) for driving the vehicle flap or the vehicle door, wherein the drive device (5) comprises a drive element (7) which is displaceable along a drive axis (D) between a retracted position and an extended position and is coupled to the vehicle flap or the vehicle door, an auxiliary drive (11) arranged in the housing (2) for assisting the drive device (5) in displacing the drive element (7) along the drive axis (D), characterized in that a control element (20) of a control device (18) for controlling the auxiliary drive (11) between a neutral position, in which the auxiliary drive (11) is deactivated, a first active position,in which the auxiliary drive (11) provides a first auxiliary force (H1) and a second active position in which the auxiliary drive (11) provides a second auxiliary force (H2) which is greater than the first auxiliary force (H1), 2. Adjusting device according to claim 1, characterized in that the drive device (5) is designed as a spindle drive and the drive element (7) is designed as a spindle nut.

3. Adjusting device according to claim 2, characterized in that the drive device (5) comprises a spindle rod (8) with an external thread, which is driven rotatably about the drive axis (D), and the spindle nut, which can be moved between a retracted position of a extended position can be displaced linearly along the drive axis (D) by rotating the spindle rod around the drive axis (D).

4. Adjusting device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the control element (20) is rotatable about an axis of rotation between the neutral position and the first active position and the second active position.

5. Adjusting device according to claim 4, characterized in that the control element (20) is rotatable about the drive axis (D).

6. Adjusting device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the neutral position of the control element (20) lies between the first active position and the second active position.

7. Adjusting device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the auxiliary drive (11) is designed as a mechanical auxiliary drive and comprises a first pretensioning means (12) and a second pretensioning means (13).

8. Adjusting device according to claim 7, characterized in that the first pretensioning means (12) is arranged between a first stop part (15) and a stop (14) which is stationary relative to the housing and the second pretensioning means (13) is arranged between a second stop part (17) and the stop (14) which is stationary relative to the housing.

9. Adjusting device according to claim 8, characterized in that the stop (14) is provided by an annular step of the housing (2) or a washer (16) arranged between one end of the first prestressing means (12) or the second prestressing means (13) and the annular step of the housing (2).

10. Adjusting device according to claim 8 or 9, characterized in that the first pretensioning means (12) and the second pretensioning means (13) are arranged concentrically to one another. 11 . Adjusting device according to claim 10, characterized in that the first pretensioning means (12) and the second pretensioning means (13) are designed as helical compression springs.

12. Adjusting device according to claim 11, characterized in that the spring coils of the first prestressing means (12) have a smaller outer diameter than the spring coils of the second prestressing means (13).

13. Adjusting device according to claim 12, characterized in that the first prestressing means (12) is radially surrounded by the second prestressing means (13).

14. Adjusting device according to one of claims 8 to 13, characterized in that the first stop part (15) and the second stop part (17) are held in a rest position in the neutral position of the control element (20), in which the first pretensioning means (12) and the second pretensioning means (13) do not exert any force on the drive element (7).

15. Adjusting device according to one of claims 8 to 14, characterized in that the control element (20) is axially fixed relative to the housing (2), but rotatable about the drive axis (D).

16. Adjusting device according to one of claims 8 to 15, characterized in that the first stop part (15) and the second stop part (17) are located below the control element (20) in the neutral position of the control element (20) and are supported by a further axial displacement in the direction of the drive element (7) is prevented.

17. Adjusting device according to one of claims 8 to 16, characterized in that the first stop part (15) can pass the control element (20) in the first active position of the control element (2) and the first stop part (15) drives the drive element (7) into an extended position under the pretension of the first pretensioning means (12).

18. Adjusting device according to claim 17, characterized in that the second stop part (17) can pass the control element (20) in the second active position of the control element (20) and the second stop part (17) drives the drive element (7) into the extended position under the pretension of the second pretensioning means (13).

19. Adjusting device according to one of claims 8 to 18, characterized in that the control element (20) has a first recess (23) with a first width and a second recess (24) with a second width and the first stop part (15) has at least one first projection (15c) which has a smaller width than the first recess.

20. Adjusting device according to claim 19, characterized in that the second stop part (17) has a second projection (17c) which has a greater width than the first recess (23), but a smaller width than the second recess (24).

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