Electromotive drive for motor vehicle applications

Abstract

The invention relates to an electromotive drive (2 to 9) for motor vehicle applications, in particular an electromotive drive (2 to 9) in or on a motor vehicle lock (1), preferably a closing drive (2 to 9; 11, 13) for the locking mechanism (12) of a motor vehicle lock (1), which is provided with an electric motor (2) and a downstream transmission (3 to 8). In addition, a cable pulley (9) having a connected cable (13) for acting on an actuating element (11) is provided. According to the invention, the cable pulley (9) and a gearwheel (8) of the transmission (3 to 8) are mounted on the same axis at a distance from one another, such that the axis can pass through, for example, a wall of a housing (16).

Description

[0001] Kiekert AG

[0002] P24149WO

[0003] 1

[0004] Description

[0005] Electric motor drive for automotive applications

[0006] The invention relates to an electric motor drive for automotive applications, in particular an electric motor drive in or on a motor vehicle lock, preferably a closing drive for the locking mechanism of a motor vehicle lock, with an electric motor and a subsequent gearbox, and with a pulley with an attached rope for actuating an actuating element.

[0007] Electric motor drives for automotive applications are used in and on motor vehicles in a wide variety of configurations. For example, such electric motor drives are used for window panes, mirror adjustments, seat adjustments, etc. Furthermore, such electric motor drives can be combined with vehicle locks, and in particular, vehicle door locks. For example, it is conceivable to design such an electric motor drive as a so-called auxiliary locking drive, separate from the vehicle lock, and to actuate the locking mechanism inside the vehicle lock via an intermediate cable, and in particular a Bowden cable, in a pulling direction.

[0008] Such an electromechanical drive in the form of a drive arrangement for the motorized adjustment of a functional element of a motor vehicle locking assembly is described in DE 102022 121 072 A1. An actuating element or a pulley is used here, which is coupled to a gear. The gear is designed as a worm gear. A reduction gear with various gear elements is also present. The cable drive implemented here allows for the closing of a lock latch or rotary latch as part of the locking mechanism, as well as the opening of the lock latch into a push-in position. Kiekert AG

[0009] P24149WO

[0010] 2

[0011] The overall aim is to equip the aforementioned drive arrangement with high operational reliability while requiring minimal installation space. In this context, the pulley for the cable is located inside the housing of the electric motor drive. Consequently, the cable or Bowden cable connected to the pulley is inserted into the housing through an opening via a specially designed sealing grommet. This results in a relatively bulky housing design and a costly connection of the Bowden cable to the housing.

[0012] A similar principle applies to the generic and closest prior art according to US 11,885,159 B2. In this case, too, the electric motor drive is mechanically coupled to the vehicle lock via a Bowden cable, both spatially and functionally separate from the lock itself. In fact, two Bowden cables are used at this point. This allows for different actuation movements, such as engaging and disengaging the lock. Again, the pulley with the attached Bowden cable is located inside the housing of the electric motor drive, and consequently, the Bowden cable must be routed to the outside of the housing via a complex sealing mechanism. The arrangement of the relatively large pulley inside the housing results in a housing with considerable dimensions.This invention aims to remedy this situation overall.

[0013] The invention is based on the technical problem of further developing such an electric motor drive for automotive applications in such a way that a functionally reliable design is implemented with a simultaneously reduced volume and given tightness of the housing used for the electric motor drive.

[0014] To solve this technical problem, a generic Kiekert AG

[0015] P24149WO

[0016] 3

[0017] An electric motor drive for automotive applications within the scope of the present invention is characterized in that the pulley and a gear of the transmission are mounted axially at a distance from each other, so that the axis can, for example, pass through a wall.

[0018] In an advantageous embodiment, the design is usually such that the axis between the pulley and the gear passes through a wall of a housing enclosing the drive. That is, according to the invention, the pulley and the gear of the transmission are initially mounted axially aligned and spaced apart from each other. This significantly reduces the required installation space inside the housing for the electric motor drive. The axial alignment of the pulley and the gear allows the gear of the transmission to be placed inside the housing, while the pulley is located outside the housing.

[0019] The invention takes advantage of the fact that, generally, and to achieve high output torques of the gearbox, the gear and the pulley typically have a considerable diameter. By mounting them axially parallel to each other with a distance between them, the required installation space inside the housing for the electric motor drive can be reduced because, unlike in the prior art, the pulley and the gear are not placed "side by side" but rather "one above the other" according to the invention. While such a "one above the other" arrangement is also implemented in the generic prior art according to US 11,885,159 B2, this inevitably leads to an increase in the "height" of the housing due to the pulley. This is not the case according to the invention, nor is it necessary, because the pulley is located outside the housing.

[0020] Furthermore, the invention takes advantage of the additional circumstance that the rope connected to the pulley is thereby particularly easy to attach. Kiekert AG

[0021] P24149WO

[0022] 4

[0023] The cable or Bowden cable can be mounted. This means that connecting the cable or Bowden cable to the pulley only requires hooking the cable, for example with an end nipple, into a recess in the pulley. This can still be done even if the housing for the electric motor drive is otherwise closed. In other words, connecting the electric motor drive to the cable can still be done even if the electric motor drive is fully assembled in its housing and the housing is closed. This simplifies the installation of the electric motor drive inside or on a vehicle because the cable only needs to be hooked into the external pulley afterward, rather than having to mount the entire electric motor drive, including the housing and attached Bowden cable, as a whole.

[0024] Furthermore, this design allows for the simple implementation of the housing's essential sealing, eliminating the need for sealing grommets or special feedthroughs for the Bowden cable leading inside the housing, which are mandatory in prior art. Instead, the housing's sealing is achieved simply by sealing the wall through which the axle passes between the pulley and the gear in the area of ​​the corresponding opening.

[0025] The usual procedure involves forming the axle with a shaft journal onto which the gear and pulley are mounted. The pulley can also be subsequently fitted onto the shaft journal, which is passed through the opening in the housing of the electric motor drive.

[0026] For this purpose, the shaft journal has stop flanges at each end for the gear on one side and the pulley on the other. One or both stop flanges can be subsequently attached to the shaft journal, for example using the Kiekert AG shaft journal.

[0027] P24149WO

[0028] 5

[0029] They will be screwed together.

[0030] The transmission following the electric motor is preferably a planetary gear set with a sun gear, planet gears, planet carrier, and ring gear. The gear is generally designed as a spur gear. This allows the spur gear to easily engage with external teeth on a gear element of the transmission and mesh with these external teeth. If the aforementioned advantageous planetary gear set is used at this point, either the planet carrier or the ring gear of the planetary gear set is equipped with the external teeth into which the spur gear meshes. The pulley is mounted axially to and spaced apart from the spur gear and is located outside the housing.

[0031] To securely close the opening in the housing of the electric motor drive through which the shaft journal passes, and to seal it against ingress of dust, dirt, or moisture, for example, the spur gear is generally equipped with a seal, in particular a circumferential seal. This seal is located on a surface of the spur gear facing the wall of the housing. That is, the spur gear rests against the wall of the electric motor drive housing, which is penetrated by the shaft journal that carries the spur gear and the pulley, with the seal acting as an intermediary.

[0032] This not only provides and implements the advantageous compact design, but also prevents any leaks in this area of ​​the opening or rotary feedthrough of the shaft journal in the housing from the outset. This is of particular importance because the electric motor drive for automotive applications is not only exposed to a wide temperature range from -40 °C to +80 °C and even higher, but also to harsh environmental conditions, to which non-Kiekert AG

[0033] P24149WO

[0034] 6

[0035] This includes not only dirt, but also dust and especially moisture. It is essential to prevent such substances from penetrating the interior of the electric motor drive, as this can impair the function of the individual gear components and, in the worst case, destroy them.

[0036] This applies particularly if the individual gear components of the mandatory gearbox, and preferably the planetary gearbox, are generally made of plastic. The same applies to the housing. This reduces costs and the weight observed in this context. The planetary gearbox preferred in this context is further characterized by its ability to achieve large reduction ratios of a high-speed output shaft of the electric motor. This is of particular importance because the electric motor is typically operated with low-voltage direct current, meaning it has limited output power, yet high output torques are required, for example, to function as a pull-type drive.

[0037] The design of the individual gear components, and consequently also the spur gear, from plastic facilitates the application of the seal, and in particular the circumferential seal, to the surface of the spur gear facing the housing wall. Such a seal can be manufactured from, for example, an elastomeric plastic and easily injection-molded onto the spur gear, which is produced from a thermoplastic material. A two-component plastic injection molding process can be used for this purpose, which is particularly cost-effective.

[0038] The invention also relates to a motor vehicle lock, and in particular a motor vehicle door lock, which is equipped, for example, with a closing drive for its locking mechanism. The closing drive is advantageously equipped with the previously described electric motor drive. Kiekert AG

[0039] P24149WO

[0040] 7

[0041] The electric motor drive can also function as a push-up drive for the lock or as an electric motor opening drive for the lock.

[0042] The result is an electric motor drive for automotive applications that offers diverse application possibilities and is characterized by a particularly compact design and advantageous installation. This is essentially due to the fact that the actuation of an associated actuator, for example, a latch for a vehicle lock, is achieved via the cable or the interposed Bowden cable using the electric motor drive. This allows both the electric motor drive according to the invention and the vehicle lock actuated by it to be flexibly mounted in different locations and mechanically coupled to each other via the interposed cable or Bowden cable.Naturally, the electric motor drive can also be directly linked to the vehicle lock and housed together with it in a common casing.

[0043] As a rule, however, the electric motor drive is located separately and independently of the vehicle lock, either inside or on the vehicle. This is particularly true if the electric motor drive functions as a closing drive, a pushing mechanism, or a locking device. Combinations are also conceivable such that the electric motor drive according to the invention actuates both a plunger for implementing a pushing mechanism and a closing pawl as part of a closing device. All of this is achieved with a particularly compact, reliable, and robust design, while simultaneously reducing manufacturing and assembly costs. These are the key advantages.

[0044] The invention is described below using only one embodiment as an example. Kiekert AG

[0045] P24149WO

[0046] 8

[0047] The illustrative drawing explains this in more detail; it shows:

[0048] Fig. 1 shows the electromechanical drive according to the invention inside an associated motor vehicle door in conjunction with a locally separate motor vehicle lock actuated by it in a first functional state,

[0049] Fig. 2 shows the object according to Fig. 1 in a further second functional state,

[0050] Fig. 3 shows the invention in detail in a view in the direction of X as depicted in Fig. 1 in one variant and

[0051] Fig. 4 shows the object according to Fig. 3 in perspective from a viewing direction Y corresponding to the representation in Fig. 1.

[0052] The figures show an electric motor drive 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 for automotive applications. According to the exemplary embodiment, the electric motor drive 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 is housed inside a vehicle door indicated in Figures 1 and 2 and serves to actuate a vehicle lock 1 that is spatially and functionally separate from it. The vehicle lock 1 has a locking mechanism or rotary latch 12 and a pull-type latch 11 that actuates the rotary latch 12. This pull-type latch is actuated by a cable 13, which connects to the electric motor drive 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9. The cable 13 is a Bowden cable.

[0053] The electromechanical drive 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 comprises an electric motor 2 and a subsequent gearbox 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8. A pulley 9 with the attached cable 13 or Bowden cable is also provided for actuating an actuating element 11. The actuating element 11 is, without limitation, the previously mentioned pull-up pawl 11, by means of which the rotary latch 12, as part of the locking mechanism of the Kiekert AG, is engaged.

[0054] P24149WO

[0055] 9

[0056] The motor vehicle lock 1 is actuated in a pulling direction, i.e., pivoted clockwise in Fig. 2.

[0057] A comparison of Figures 1, 2 and 3, 4 shows that the transmission 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 has a gear 8 on its output side, which, according to the invention and as shown in Figures 3 and 4, is coupled to the pulley 9. Alternatively or additionally, the transmission 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 can also be connected on its output side to two gears 14, 15, wherein gear 14 is connected to a planet carrier 7, which will be described in more detail below, and in turn sets the gear 15 coupled to it into rotation. The gear 15 meshes with a toothing of a plunger 10 of a setting device 10, 14, 15 realized in this way, which is also indicated in principle in Fig. 3, but is not necessarily actuated by the electromotor drive 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 according to the invention or does not necessarily have to be actuated.Rather, within the scope of the invention and as illustrated in Figures 3 and 4, the electric motor drive 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 primarily serves to actuate a closing device 11, 13 for the locking mechanism of the motor vehicle lock 1 or the rotary latch 12 therein. Together with the closing device 11, 13, the electric motor drive 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 defines a closing drive 2 to 9; 11, 13.

[0058] The electric motor drive 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 has on its input side the previously mentioned electric motor 2, which meshes with a gear 3 provided on the input side of the gearbox 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 via a worm gear on its output shaft. This causes the gear 3 to rotate. A sun gear 4 of a planetary gearbox 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 implemented at this point is located coaxially and rotationally fixed to the gear 3.

[0059] The planetary gear set 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 consists of the sun gear 4 already mentioned, the planet gears 5 meshing with the sun gear 4, a planet gear carrier 7 supporting the planet gears 5, and finally a ring gear 6. Kiekert AG

[0060] P24149WO

[0061] 10

[0062] together, in which the planet gears 5 rotate. Furthermore, the output gear 8 is provided, which is coupled to the pulley 9. In addition, the ring gear 6, according to the exemplary embodiment, is equipped with an outer circumferential toothing that meshes with the gear 8, which, according to the exemplary embodiment, is a spur gear 8.

[0063] Figures 3 and 4 show that, according to the invention, the pulley 9 and the gear 8 of the transmission 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 are mounted axially aligned and spaced apart from each other. In this way, the common axis of the output gear 8 and the pulley 9 can pass through a wall of a housing 16 that encloses and surrounds the electric motor drive 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9. That is, the pulley 9 is arranged outside the housing 16. The common axis of the gear 8 and the pulley 9 passes through an opening 17 in the housing 16, sealing it, as will be explained in more detail below. This allows the housing 16 to be designed to be dustproof and splashproof.

[0064] The common axis between the pulley 9 and the gear or spur gear 8 is formed and defined by a shaft journal 18, which can be partially seen in section in Fig. 4. The shaft journal 18 is equipped with end flanges 19 and 20. A gear-side flange 19 may be permanently connected to the shaft journal 18, while the pulley-side flange 20 is detachably coupled to the shaft journal 18, for example, by screws. In this way, the gear 8 and the shaft journal 18, including the journal-side flange 19, can be pre-assembled inside the housing 16. The pulley 9 can then be placed onto the shaft journal 18 from the outside and secured to the shaft journal 18 using the disc-shaped flange 20. Afterward, it is only necessary to attach the cable 13 or Bowden cable to the pulley 9.to couple with this, so that subsequently the electromechanical drive 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 according to the embodiment in a pulling direction works on the motor vehicle lock 1 and also works Kiekert AG.

[0065] P24149WO

[0066] 11

[0067] can.

[0068] As already explained, the gear or spur gear 8 meshes with the external teeth of the ring gear 6 or, more generally, a corresponding gear element 6, 7 of the transmission 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8. This means that, in principle, the gear or spur gear 8 could also be driven by, for example, the planet carrier 7 instead of the ring gear 6. In either case, a rotational movement of the ring gear 6 in this example, or of the planet carrier 7, causes the gear or spur gear 8 to rotate. The same applies to the pulley 9, which is non-rotatably coupled to it via the shaft journal 18. The rotational movement of the pulley 9 is converted into a tensile movement of the cable 13, which in turn acts on the pawl 11, which pulls the locking mechanism inside the vehicle lock 1. For this purpose, the pull-tab 11 acts on the rotary latch 12 shown in this case such that it forms a position shown in the Fig.2. Performs a suggested clockwise swiveling movement.

[0069] To ensure the tightness of the housing 16, even in the area of ​​its opening 17, the gear 8 or spur gear 8 is equipped with a seal 8a. In fact, the individual components of the planetary gear 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, or of the gear 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 as a whole, are each made of plastic. This also applies to the plunger 10 as part of the mounting device 10, 14, 15, as well as the other gears 14, 15 provided in this context.

[0070] As a result, the gear or spur gear 8 can be equipped with the molded-on seal 8a. It is conceivable that this is a two-component plastic component 8, 8a, wherein the gear or spur gear 8 is, for example, made of a thermoplastic material, whereas the seal, and in particular the circumferential seal 8a, is made of an elastomeric material, which is molded onto the thermoplastic gear 8. This can be seen at Kiekert AG.

[0071] P24149WO

[0072] 12

[0073] This is related to a two-component injection molding process for plastics.

[0074] The operating principle is as follows. In Fig. 1, the electric motor drive 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 ensures that the plunger 10, as part of the opening device 10, 14, 15, is acted upon in the direction of the arrow shown in Fig. 1. This causes the vehicle door, equipped with the electric motor drive 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, to open relative to the vehicle body that receives and supports it.

[0075] To achieve this, the electric motor 2 ensures that the gear 3 performs the clockwise rotation shown in Fig. 1. The same applies to the sun gear 4, so that the meshing planet gears 5 rotate in the counterclockwise direction indicated there. The same applies to the planet carrier 7, which supports the planet gears 5. The ring gear 6 remains stationary in this case.

[0076] The counterclockwise pivoting planetary gear carrier 7 causes a counterclockwise movement of the coupled gear 14, which is transmitted in the same direction of rotation to the further gear 15 coupled to the gear 14. This gear 15, by engaging the teeth of the plunger 10, causes the plunger to extend in the direction of the arrow relative to the vehicle door and raise the vehicle door relative to the vehicle body. It should be emphasized, however, that the raising device 10, 14, 15 is merely an option and does not necessarily have to be provided or implemented in connection with the electromechanical drive 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 according to the invention.

[0077] In fact, the primary purpose of the invention is that the electric motor drive 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 mainly ensures the closing of the locking mechanism or rotary latch 12 of the vehicle lock 1. For this purpose, the electric motor 2 is operated in the opposite direction compared to the scenario in Kiekert AG.

[0078] P24149WO

[0079] 13

[0080] The motor 2 in Fig. 1 is energized. This results in the gear 3, driven on the output side by the electric motor 2, being rotated counterclockwise, as shown in Fig. 2. This also applies to the sun gear 4, which is rotatably coupled to it. Consequently, the planet gears 5 perform the clockwise rotation indicated in Fig. 2, which, with the planet carrier 7 stationary, results in the ring gear 6 being moved counterclockwise.

[0081] The counterclockwise movement of the ring gear 6 is transmitted to the spur gear 8 via the external teeth of the ring gear 6. This causes the spur gear 8 to rotate clockwise, which then also applies to the coaxially mounted pulley 9 in this example.

[0082] This clockwise rotation of the pulley 9 is transmitted to the vehicle lock 1 via the connected cable 13. In fact, during this process, the cable 13 is subjected to a pulling force by the pulley 9. As shown in Fig. 2, this pulling force causes the pawl 11 to pivot the rotary latch 12 clockwise about its axis, so that the rotary latch 12, or the locking mechanism inside the vehicle lock 1, is subjected to a pulling force. Kiekert AG

[0083] P24149WO

[0084] 14 List of reference symbols

[0085] Motor vehicle lock 1

[0086] Drive 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9

[0087] Electric motor 2

[0088] Gear 3

[0089] Sun wheel 4

[0090] 5 planetary gears

[0091] Ring gear 6

[0092] Planetary gear carrier 7

[0093] Spur gear 8

[0094] Perimeter seal 8a

[0095] Pulley 9

[0096] Pestle 10

[0097] Actuating element, pull-out latch 11 Pull-out device 11 , 13

[0098] Mounting device 10, 14, 15

[0099] Rotary latch 12

[0100] Rope 13

[0101] Gear 14

[0102] gear 15

[0103] Case 16

[0104] Opening 17

[0105] Wave pin 18

[0106] Flange 19

[0107] Flange 20

[0108] Stop flanges 19, 20

Claims

Kiekert AG P24149WO 15 Patent claims 1. Electric motor drive (2 to 9) for automotive applications, in particular an electric motor drive (2 to 9) in or on a motor vehicle lock (1), preferably a pull-to-close drive (2 to 9; 11, 13) for the locking mechanism (12) of a motor vehicle lock (1), with an electric motor (2) and a subsequent gearbox (3 to 8), and with a pulley (9) with an attached rope (13) for actuating an actuating element (11), characterized by the fact that the pulley (9) and a gear (8) of the transmission (3 to 8) are mounted axially at a distance from each other, so that the axis can, for example, pass through a wall of a housing (16).

2. Drive according to claim 1, characterized in that the axis between the pulley (9) and the gear (8) passes through the wall of a housing (16) enclosing the drive (2 to 9).

3. Drive according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the axle is formed by a shaft journal (18) onto which the gear (8) and the pulley (9) are mounted.

4. Drive according to claim 3, characterized in that the shaft journal (18) has end-side stop flanges (19, 20) for the gear (8) on one side and the pulley (9) on the other.

5. Drive according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the transmission (3 to 8) following the electric motor (2) is designed as a planetary gear set (4 to 8). Kiekert AG P24149WO 16 6. Drive according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the gear (8) is designed as a spur gear (8).

7. Drive according to claim 6, characterized in that the spur gear (8) meshes with an external toothing on a gear element (6, 7) of the transmission (3 to 8).

8. Drive according to claim 7, characterized in that a planet carrier (7) or a ring gear (6) of the planetary gear set (4 to 7) is equipped with external teeth.

9. Drive according to one of claims 6 to 8, characterized in that the spur gear (8) has a seal (8a), in particular a circumferential seal, on its surface facing the wall.

10. Motor vehicle lock (1), in particular motor vehicle door lock, with for example a closing drive (2 to 9; 11 , 13) for its locking mechanism (12), characterized by the fact that the closing drive (2 to 9; 11 , 13) is designed with an electric motor drive (2 to 9) according to one of claims 1 to 9.

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