Opening device for a motor vehicle door

Abstract

The invention relates to an opening device for a motor vehicle door, which is equipped with a tappet (3) and with an electromotive drive (4, 5) for the tappet (3). The tappet (3) is formed of at least two parts, with a drive tappet (3a) and a driven tappet (3b). The electromotive drive (4, 5) works on the drive tappet (3a), which is resiliently coupled to the driven tappet (3b) for acting on a door leaf (2) of the motor vehicle door. According to the invention, the driven tappet (3b) extends beyond the drive tappet (3a) in the direction of the door leaf (2).

Description

[0001] Kiekert AG

[0002] P24141WO

[0003] 1

[0004] Description

[0005] Opening device for a motor vehicle door

[0006] The invention relates to an opening device for a motor vehicle door, comprising a plunger and an electric motor drive for the plunger, wherein the plunger is formed in at least two parts with a drive plunger and a driven plunger, and wherein the electric motor drive acts on the drive plunger, which is elastically coupled to the driven plunger for actuating a door leaf of the motor vehicle door.

[0007] Door opening devices for motor vehicles are currently enjoying increasing popularity. This is primarily due to the fact that, in order to reduce aerodynamic drag, one or more motor vehicle doors are being designed or are being designed without an external handle. To still be able to open the vehicle door, it is generally necessary to first open the corresponding vehicle lock. Then, the door leaf is already slightly opened by the relaxing spring forces of a surrounding rubber door seal.

[0008] Additionally, and following this, a support mechanism is usually implemented to open the door leaf at least a crack. The resulting gap between the door leaf and the body allows the door leaf to be grasped and swung open. This is ensured by the support mechanism or the plunger.

[0009] Such mounting devices are described in detail, for example, in DE 10 2018 132 666 A1 and DE 102021 107177 A1. (Kiekert AG is worth mentioning.)

[0010] P24141WO

[0011] 2

[0012] In this context, WO 2019 / 076398 A1, which originates from the applicant, is also relevant.

[0013] The prior art defined by KR 102479694 B1 concerns a positioning device in which the plunger is designed in two parts, consisting of a drive plunger and a driven plunger. The driven plunger performs a sensor function. This design has generally proven successful.

[0014] However, the requirement remains to reliably detect when the door leaf lifts from the plunger in order to subsequently return the plunger to its retracted position, for example, by means of an electric motor. In fact, the aforementioned prior art uses a protruding finger at this point, which can break off or, at the very least, fails to provide a reliable signal, especially considering that the finger in question may encounter a weld, a bead, etc. The invention aims to remedy this situation.

[0015] The invention is based on the technical problem of further developing such a setting device in such a way that the removal of the door leaf from the plunger is reliably and permanently detected, taking into account a particularly robust construction.

[0016] To solve this technical problem, the invention proposes, starting from a generic mounting device for a motor vehicle door, that the output plunger overlaps the drive plunger in the direction of the door leaf.

[0017] For this purpose, the output plunger is generally equipped with a projection that overlaps the drive plunger. That is, the projection overlapping the drive plunger rests against the door leaf of the vehicle door. This allows the projection not only to have a significant surface area, but also to be deliberately designed to be stable and robust. Kiekert AG

[0018] P24141WO

[0019] 3

[0020] Furthermore, this makes it particularly easy and reliable to detect the lifting of the door leaf of the motor vehicle door from the relevant plunger.

[0021] The invention is based on the understanding that such a projecting element can not only ensure particularly secure actuation of the vehicle door leaf, but also and especially in areas where weld points, beads, etc. are present. This applies at least when the actuating device, and thus the plunger, is mounted on the body side and moves against the vehicle door or its door leaf, which is to be actuated against it.

[0022] As a rule, however, the lifting device is located on the door side, so that the plunger, for example, moves against a B-pillar of the vehicle body during the lifting process. In this case, too, the projection extending over the drive plunger offers advantages according to the invention compared to the finger provided in the prior art according to KR 102479694 B1. Such a finger can, for example, shear off or break due to tilting, because the plunger is generally made of plastic. Such mechanical shortcomings are expressly not observed according to the invention, because in this case the projection on the output plunger extends over the drive plunger and ultimately interacts with the B-pillar of the vehicle body.

[0023] Since the protrusion in question has a significant surface area for impact on the B-pillar and is furthermore supported by the drive plunger overlapping it, a particularly mechanically robust solution is provided and implemented. This is especially true given that such support devices are often used for a so-called "icebreaker" function.

[0024] In this case, the plunger is used to break through any circumferential layer of ice that may be fixing the door leaf to the vehicle body, Kiekert AG

[0025] P24141WO

[0026] 4

[0027] This not only requires considerable driving forces for the plunger, but also a particularly robust and break-resistant solution for the plunger, which, according to the patent application, is typically made of plastic to achieve a weight-optimized solution. In any case, scenarios such as the icebreaker function or general difficulties during the setup process can be controlled particularly effectively within the scope of the present invention because the projection on the output plunger not only overlaps the drive plunger, but also rests against a head end of the drive plunger during the setup process, thus being additionally secured and supported. This is where the essential advantages lie.

[0028] In a further advantageous embodiment, the design is such that the projection encloses an elastically deformable gap with the previously mentioned head end of the drive plunger. That is, the gap between the projection and the head end in question is designed to be elastically deformable. The invention achieves this by providing the elastic coupling already described between the drive plunger and the output plunger. This is generally realized and implemented by interposing a spring for the elastic coupling between the output plunger and the drive plunger. This spring can be a coil spring. Of course, other embodiments, for example in the form of a rubber spring, a spiral spring, etc., as well as combinations thereof, are also conceivable.

[0029] With further refinement of particular importance, the drive plunger can be equipped with an adhesive element on its projection. This adhesive element serves to detachably connect it to the vehicle door leaf. This ensures that during the opening process, the door leaf rests securely against the projection, allowing the plunger and leaf to move together into the previously mentioned gap position. Once the door leaf is lifted from the projection, the detachable connection provided by the adhesive element ensures that, typically, Kiekert AG

[0030] P24141WO

[0031] 5

[0032] a relative movement occurs between the drive tappet and the output tappet, which can be detected using a sensor.

[0033] Such relative movement between the drive and driven plungers can also be observed when only the adhesive element, and not the additional spring, is provided for the elastic coupling between the driven and driven plungers. That is, in such a case, the adhesive element is implemented instead of the spring and leads to the desired relative movement. This relative movement can be detected using the sensor. In principle, the adhesive element and the spring can also be implemented together between the drive and driven plungers.

[0034] In this context, at least one sensor is generally implemented to detect the relative movement of the output plunger relative to the drive plunger, as previously described. Usually, at least two sensors are provided. In this case, a drive sensor associated with the drive plunger and an output sensor associated with the output plunger can be used. With the help of these two sensors, any relative movements between the drive plunger and the output plunger can then be detected and recorded. Such relative movements occur, for example, when the door leaf is released from the projection.As a result, the signal of the relative movement detected by the sensor can be evaluated by a control unit, which then, depending on the signal in question, acts on the electromechanical drive for the plunger in such a way that the electromechanical drive moves the plunger into its retracted, recessed position.

[0035] This ensures that, for example, after the door leaf is swung open by the operator following the setup process, the plunger does not protrude into the operator's path into the interior of the vehicle, and Kiekert AG

[0036] P24141WO

[0037] 6

[0038] potentially damaged, bent, or broken. Rather, as per the application, lifting the door leaf from the plunger immediately returns the plunger to its recessed position using the electric motor drive, thus preventing any potential damage to the plunger when subsequently entering the vehicle.

[0039] The design is usually such that the sensor can detect any changes in the gap between the drive tappet and the output tappet, or between the projection of the output tappet and the head of the drive tappet. For this purpose, the sensor may have a magnetic wheel rotatably coupled to the output tappet.

[0040] The magnetic wheel in question typically features several permanent magnets mounted on its outer circumference, which move past a stationary Hall sensor. Furthermore, the design is usually such that a drive wheel for the drive plunger and the magnetic wheel for the driven plunger are positioned opposite each other. The plunger, composed of the drive plunger and the driven plunger, is located between the drive wheel and the magnetic wheel and is extended and retracted by the movement of the drive wheel.

[0041] For this purpose, the drive wheel is coupled to the electric motor drive. As long as the assembled plunger does not strike the door leaf of the vehicle door, the drive plunger and the driven plunger move synchronously during this process. The projection on the driven plunger is spaced apart from the head of the drive plunger, taking the gap into account. As a result, the stationary Hall sensor, or the sensor for measuring any relative movements between the two plungers, detects a regular sequence of square wave signals. These signals result from the permanent magnets located on the outer circumference of the magnet wheel moving uniformly past the stationary Hall sensor. Kiekert AG

[0042] P24141WO

[0043] 7

[0044] As soon as the output plunger, with its projection overlapping the drive plunger, reaches the door leaf of the vehicle door, the gap between the projection on the output plunger and the head of the drive plunger is closed against the force of the elastic spring that couples the two plunger components. That is, the projection overlapping the drive plunger comes to rest against the head of the drive plunger, and the gap between the projection and the head is closed.

[0045] Once the door leaf of the vehicle door has reached its opening position, it can be lifted from the plunger. This causes the elastic spring between the drive plunger and the driven plunger to move the driven plunger, restoring the gap and its projection away from the head of the drive plunger. This results in the relative movement between the drive plunger and the driven plunger that needs to be detected. In this example, this relative movement can be detected by the magnetic wheel and interpreted by the aforementioned control unit as indicating that the door leaf has been lifted from the plunger and that the plunger can be returned to its starting position by the electric motor.

[0046] The result is a particularly robust and durable installation device that also allows for the implementation of an icebreaker function using the integrated plunger. Furthermore, the relative movement between the drive plunger and the driven plunger can be reliably detected by the magnetic wheel in the sensor example. This ensures that when the door leaf is subsequently swung open by an operator after the installation process, the plunger is safely returned to its rest position, thus preventing any potential damage to the plunger. These are the key advantages. Kiekert AG

[0047] P24141WO

[0048] 8

[0049] The invention will now be explained in more detail with reference to a drawing that illustrates only one embodiment; the drawing shows:

[0050] Fig. 1 shows the installation device according to the invention in its resting state in the retracted position and

[0051] Fig. 2 shows the object according to Fig. 1 in an extended position with the door leaf of the motor vehicle door raised.

[0052] The figures show a support device for a motor vehicle door or its door leaf 2, which is positioned, or is intended to be positioned, opposite a motor vehicle body 1, which is also indicated. For this purpose, an electric motor drive 4, 5 is provided, which, according to the exemplary embodiment, essentially consists of an electric motor 4 (indicated) and a drive wheel 5. The drive wheel 5 is designed as a gear 5 and engages with a toothed section 6 of a plunger 3.

[0053] It can be seen that, according to the exemplary embodiment and without limitation, the plunger 3 is designed in two parts, consisting of a drive plunger 3a and an output plunger 3b. The drive plunger 3a is elastically coupled to the output plunger 3b for actuating the door leaf 2 of the motor vehicle door 2, which is indicated in the figures. According to the exemplary embodiment, a spring 10 provides the elastic coupling between the two plungers 3a and 3b.

[0054] For this purpose, the spring 10 is arranged in a longitudinal slot 11 of the drive plunger 3a. A guide web 12 of the output plunger 3b engages in the longitudinal slot 11. Furthermore, the design is such that the spring 10, which is a coil spring, drops down at the bottom of the longitudinal slot 11 at its base and rests against the guide web 12 at its head. As a result, the retracted state of the plunger 3, as shown in Fig. 1, corresponds to the guide web 12 being held in contact with the opposite end of the longitudinal slot 11 of the drive plunger by the spring 10. (Kiekert AG)

[0055] P24141WO

[0056] 9

[0057] 3a. This creates a gap S between a projection 13 on the output plunger 3b and a head end 14 of the drive plunger 3a.

[0058] As soon as the electric motor drive 4, 5 acts on the plunger 3 and thus on the drive plunger 3a by engaging the gear 5 at this point with the toothing 6 in the direction of opening A, as can be seen in Fig. 2, the projection 13 of the output plunger 3b moves against the door leaf 2 of the vehicle door 2. This initially causes the spring 10 to be compressed, so that the guide rib 12 moves away from its contact at the end of the longitudinal gap 11 inside the drive plunger 3a. This results in a relative movement between the drive plunger 3a and the output plunger 3b, which is detected by means of at least one sensor 8, 15 or a sensor assembly 8, 15.

[0059] In fact, according to the exemplary embodiment, the sensor device 8, 15 consists of several permanent magnets 8 circumferentially arranged around a magnetic wheel 7, 8 and a stationary Hall sensor 15. According to the exemplary embodiment, the Hall sensor 15, as well as the electric motor drive 4, 5, is connected to a control unit 19. This also applies to a further Hall sensor 16, which can detect when the plunger 3 is fully retracted into the vehicle body 1 or into a gap therein. Correspondingly, a further permanent magnet 17 provided at the end of the plunger 3 overlaps with the further stationary Hall sensor 16 and triggers a corresponding signal, which is interpreted by the control unit 19 as a signal or end signal. The functional state shown in Fig. 1 corresponds to this.

[0060] A comparison of Figures 1 and 2 reveals that the projection 13 on the output plunger 3b is additionally equipped with an adhesive element 18. According to the exemplary embodiment, the adhesive element 18 is designed as a permanent magnet, which detachably adheres to the door leaf 2 of the vehicle door as soon as the output plunger 3b reaches the door leaf 2. Kiekert AG

[0061] P24141WO

[0062] 10

[0063] The adhesive element 18 can replace the spring 10 in the longitudinal gap 11 of the drive plunger 3a or between the drive plunger 3a and the output plunger 3b. As soon as the door leaf 2 rests against the adhesive element 18, a reliable and robust detection of any removal of the door leaf 2 from the adhesive element 18 can be achieved. For this purpose, the adhesive element 18 can be equipped with its own sensor (not shown). Generally, however, this involves a relative movement between the drive plunger 3a and the output plunger 3b, which can be detected by the sensor device 8, 15 and reported to the control unit 19. In this embodiment, the adhesive element 18 and the spring 10 work together or are implemented as a single unit.

[0064] The plunger 3, or rather both the drive plunger 3a and the output plunger 3b, are each made of plastic. The same applies to the gear 5 as well as the magnet wheel 7, 8, which consists of a plastic wheel 7 with permanent magnets 8 attached to its circumference. It can be seen that, for the rotary coupling of the magnet wheel 7, 8, the output plunger 3b is equipped with a toothed section 9 into which corresponding teeth of the magnet wheel 7, 8, equipped with the permanent magnets 8, engage.

[0065] The operating principle is as follows. As soon as the electromechanical drive 4, 5 is energized by the control unit 19, such that the gear 5 interacting with the drive plunger 3a performs a counterclockwise movement as indicated in Fig. 2, the erection process in the direction of arrow A corresponds to this. As long as the projection 13 on the output plunger 3b does not come into contact with the door leaf 2 during this process, the drive plunger 3a and the output plunger 3b move synchronously. Any relative movement is not registered by the magnet wheel 7, 8 or the permanent magnets 8 implemented therein in conjunction with the Hall sensor 15. Kiekert AG

[0066] P24141WO

[0067] 11

[0068] However, as soon as the plunger 3 moves against the door leaf 2, the projection 13 moves towards the head end 14, so that the gap S approaches zero and the projection 13 comes to rest against the head end 14. Simultaneously, the spring 10 is compressed. Furthermore, this process results in the output plunger 3b not only no longer following the movement of the drive plunger 3a in direction A, but rather appearing to move in the opposite direction, i.e., towards retraction E. This counter-movement and the associated relative movement between the drive plunger 3a and the output plunger 3b are then reported to the control unit 19 by means of the Hall sensor 15.Following this, the drive plunger 3a and the output plunger 3b move synchronously again, because the door leaf 2 is opened with the help of the plunger 3, in the direction of the opening direction A, by the gear 5 moving both plunger components 3a, 3b together while simultaneously opening the door leaf 2 in the opening direction A.

[0069] After a certain opening path, the electric motor drive 4, 5 is stopped by the control unit 19. This opening path can be detected by the sensor 8, 15. If, in this opening position, the door leaf 2 is removed from the plunger 3, this causes the output plunger 3b to move further in the opening direction A, with the drive plunger 3a remaining stationary, thus re-establishing the gap S. This is due to the spring 10 releasing when the door leaf 2 is removed.

[0070] This relative movement at the end of the setup process of the output plunger 3b relative to the drive plunger 3a is detected by the magnetic wheel 7, 8 in conjunction with the Hall sensor 15 and can be registered by the control unit 19. In fact, this signal is interpreted by the control unit 19 as a kind of start signal indicating that the door leaf 2 has been removed from the plunger 3, so that the plunger 3 can subsequently be retracted into its retracted position shown in Fig. 1. Here, the spring 10 is relaxed, and the electric motor drive 4, 5 is actuated by the control unit 19 in the retraction direction E until the Kiekert AG

[0071] P24141WO

[0072] 12

[0073] The plunger 3 has reached its fully retracted position relative to the vehicle body 1, as illustrated in Fig. 1. A further signal is generated upon reaching this end position, or the fully retracted position, such that the permanent magnet 17 aligns with the Hall sensor 16. The control unit 19 interprets this signal as indicating that the plunger 3 has once again reached its retracted position, end position, or starting position inside the vehicle body 1. This causes the electric motor drive 4, 5 to stop. Kiekert AG

[0074] P24141WO

[0075] 13 List of reference symbols

[0076] 1 Motor vehicle body

[0077] 2 Motor vehicle door, door leaf

[0078] 3 pestles

[0079] 3a Drive plunger

[0080] 3b Output plunger

[0081] 4 electric motor

[0082] 5 drive wheel

[0083] 4, 5 electric motor drive

[0084] 6 gear teeth

[0085] 7, 8 magnetic wheel

[0086] 8 permanent magnets

[0087] 9 gear teeth

[0088] 10 springs

[0089] 8, 15 Sensor, Sensor device

[0090] 11 Longitudinal gap

[0091] 12 Guide bridge

[0092] 13 lead

[0093] 14 Head end

[0094] 15, 16 Hall sensor

[0095] 17 Permanent magnet

[0096] 18 adhesive element

[0097] 19 Control unit

[0098] S gap

[0099] A Installation direction

[0100] E Entry direction

Claims

Patent claims 1. Opening device for a motor vehicle door, comprising a plunger (3) and an electric motor drive (4, 5) for the plunger (3), wherein the plunger (3) is formed in at least two parts with a drive plunger (3a) and a driven plunger (3b), and wherein the electric motor drive (4, 5) acts on the drive plunger (3a), which is elastically coupled to the driven plunger (3b) for actuating a door leaf (2) of the motor vehicle door, characterized by the fact that the output plunger (3b) extends over the drive plunger (3a) in the direction of the door leaf (2).

2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the output plunger (3b) is equipped with a projection (13) that overlaps the drive plunger (3a).

3. Device according to claim 2, characterized in that an elastically deformable gap (S) is provided between the projection (13) and a head end (14) of the drive plunger (3a).

4. Device according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that the output plunger (3b) is equipped on its projection (13) with an adhesive element (18) for releasable coupling with the door leaf (2) of the motor vehicle door.

5. Device according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that at least one sensor (8, 15) is implemented with the aid of which a relative movement of the output plunger (3b) relative to the drive plunger (3a) can be detected.

6. Device according to claim 5, characterized in that at least two sensors (8, 15) are provided, namely a drive sensor associated with the drive plunger (3a) and a drive sensor associated with the output plunger (3b).

7. Device according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that changes in the gap (S) are detected by means of the sensor (8, 15).

8. Device according to one of claims 5 to 7, characterized in that the sensor (8, 15) has a magnetic wheel (7, 8) rotatably coupled to the output plunger (3b).

9. Device according to claim 8, characterized in that the magnet wheel (7, 8) is equipped with several outer circumferential permanent magnets (8) which are moved past a stationary Hall sensor (15).

10. Device according to claim 8 or 9, characterized in that a drive wheel (5) for the drive plunger (3a) and the magnet wheel (7, 8) for the output plunger (3b) are opposite each other.

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