Motor vehicle door drive, in particular motor vehicle sliding door drive

Abstract

The invention relates to a motor vehicle door drive, in particular a motor vehicle sliding door drive, comprising a door leaf which can be moved back and forth relative to a vehicle body, a drive unit (1) having an electric drive motor (5), an output shaft (18), a transmission (3) which interacts with the output shaft (18), and a deflection roller (2) for at least one flexible transmission means (11), wherein the door leaf can be moved by means of the transmission means (11), and a control unit (23) for the motor vehicle door drive, and wherein a position of the deflection roller (2) can be detected by means of a sensor (4) and can be evaluated in a control unit (23).

Description

[0001] Kiekert Aktiengesellschaft

[0002] Description

[0003] Vehicle door drive, especially vehicle sliding door drive

[0004] The invention relates to a motor vehicle door drive, in particular a motor vehicle sliding door drive, with a door leaf that can be moved back and forth relative to a body, a drive unit, with a first electric drive motor, a drive shaft, a gearbox that interacts with the drive shaft and a deflection pulley for at least one flexible transmission means, wherein the door leaf can be moved by means of the transmission means, and a control unit for the motor vehicle door drive.

[0005] Motor vehicle door drives, in particular motor vehicle sliding door drives, are used to typically open and close motor vehicle doors. The motor vehicle doors in question can, in principle, be swing doors or swing doors. This application primarily considers sliding doors or sliding doors, which, with their door leaf, ensure the closure or release of a corresponding opening in the body of the motor vehicle.

[0006] A corresponding sliding door drive for a vehicle's sliding door panel is usually located between the C-pillar and B-pillar of the vehicle body and operates the door panel via a flexible transmission element, typically a steel cable or a toothed belt. The steel cable is wound and unwound on a pulley for this purpose. The pulley, in turn, is rotated by a motor or electric motor as part of the drive system, thus providing the desired movement of the door panel. Kiekert Aktiengesellschaft

[0007] The basic concept of such a motor vehicle door drive, and in particular a motor vehicle sliding door drive, is described in the generic patent DE 10 2014 101 036 B4. A brake allows the door leaf, which can move relative to the vehicle body, to be locked or unlocked. For this purpose, the brake has a bistable locking mechanism that acts on a motor shaft of the drive motor, which is part of the drive unit.

[0008] The bistable locking mechanism can be equipped with, among other things, a spindle drive and a lever mechanism for actuating the brake. The locking or unlocking process is performed by turning the spindle clockwise or counterclockwise.

[0009] The further state of the art according to EP 1 676 972 B1 deals with an opening and closing system for a motor vehicle sliding door. In addition to a drive mechanism, a braking device is implemented, which is equipped with a braking element. The braking device has a wedge-shaped brake shoe which, for braking purposes, can be inserted into a gap between a roller supporting the sliding door and an inner wall of a guide rail associated with the roller. That is, in this case, the braking device does not interact with the drive unit, but with the door leaf.

[0010] As a result, the holding device is located in the area of ​​the guide rail for the vehicle sliding door and thus away from the drive unit, on or in the associated vehicle body. While the possibility of implementing the braking function directly at the drive unit, for example by disengaging a clutch, is also mentioned in this context, further details are not disclosed. Kiekert Aktiengesellschaft

[0011] From the generic German patent DE 10 2019 131 053 A1, a motor vehicle door drive, in particular a motor vehicle sliding door drive, is known, comprising a door leaf that can be moved back and forth relative to a vehicle body, and a drive unit as well as a holding device for the door leaf that interacts with the drive unit. The drive unit comprises an electric motor, an output shaft of the electric motor, a gearbox, and a deflection pulley for at least one flexible transmission element. The holding device comprises a holding lever designed to engage with the output shaft of the electric motor and block the door leaf. When the holding device is engaged with the drive shaft of the electric motor, the proper functioning of the holding device can be monitored by a sensor and recorded by a control unit.

[0012] The invention is based on the technical problem of further developing such a motor vehicle door drive and in particular a motor vehicle sliding door drive in such a way that in the event of a power failure the sliding door drive can resume its proper function independently.

[0013] The problem is solved by the features of independent claim 1. Advantageous embodiments of the invention are specified in the dependent claims. It should be noted that the embodiments described below are not limiting; rather, any number of variations of the features described in the description and the dependent claims are possible.

[0014] The object of the invention is achieved by providing a motor vehicle door drive, in particular a motor vehicle sliding door drive, comprising a door leaf movable back and forth relative to a body, a drive unit, a first electric drive motor, an output shaft, Kiekert Aktiengesellschaft

[0015] The invention comprises a gearbox interacting with the output shaft, a deflection pulley for at least one flexible transmission element, wherein the door leaf is movable by means of the transmission element, and a control unit for the vehicle door drive, wherein the position of the deflection pulley can be detected by a sensor and evaluated by the control unit. The inventive design of the vehicle door drive now makes it possible to directly detect the position of the deflection pulley and thus draw conclusions about the position of the door leaf or the sliding door. By detecting the position of the deflection pulley, it is possible to deduce the current position of the sliding door. In conjunction with the control unit and the position detection of the deflection pulley, the position of the sliding door can therefore be automatically detected after a power failure.To do this, the sliding door simply needs to be moved until the sensor can determine the position of the deflection roller. Then the control unit can detect the position of the sliding door and the regular operation of the sliding door can be resumed.

[0016] The vehicle door drive according to the invention is preferably used on vehicle sliding doors. These sliding doors are used, for example, on vans, but also on passenger cars on the driver's and passenger's side. For this purpose, the sliding door is held in a closed position by means of at least one vehicle lock and is preferably electrically operated. In addition to the main lock, which usually holds the sliding door at the B-pillar or C-pillar, secondary locks are also used, which, for example, allow the sliding door to be additionally held in the closed position in the case of very tall or wide doors. Preferably, the locking system associated with the vehicle door drive—main, secondary, or auxiliary lock—is electrically operated. Electrically operated here means that the locking system can be unlocked electrically. After the locking system has been unlocked, the sliding door can be moved freely. Kiekert Aktiengesellschaft

[0017] After the sliding door is electrically unlocked and thus released, the drive unit acts on the sliding door, enabling fully electric operation. The drive unit comprises at least one drive motor and an output shaft arranged on the drive motor. The output shaft can interact directly or indirectly with the deflection roller and drive the deflection roller in both directions of rotation. To absorb impacts on the sliding door, such as an interruption of the closing process, for example, if a person or object comes into contact with the moving door, the output shaft can interact with the deflection roller via a spring-loaded coupling. A braking device or holding device can also be arranged on the output shaft, which simultaneously serves as the drive shaft for the deflection roller. Preferably, a gear is arranged on the output shaft to drive the deflection roller.The gear then forms an interacting transmission with the output shaft via the teeth of the idler pulley. The teeth are located directly on the idler pulley and are preferably formed integrally with it. Depending on the design of the vehicle door drive, the idler pulley itself is capable of driving a toothed belt or winding or unwinding a steel cable. Thus, the drive unit can move the idler pulley, and the door leaf can be moved via the flexible transmission element.

[0018] The door leaf is moved by the drive unit, which is controlled by a control unit. For example, if the operator generates a mechanical or electrical signal while the sliding door is closed—for instance, by pulling an exterior door handle—the locking system associated with the door leaf is electrically unlocked, and the door opens. The control unit thus processes the opening command by first unlocking the locking system and then activating the drive unit.

[0019] The mechanism is set so that the sliding door can be moved from the closed position to an open position. If, in any position of the door leaf, the power supply to the control unit, the drive unit, or the vehicle fails, the sensor can detect the position of the door leaf or sliding door, and proper operation of the sliding door can be resumed. To do this, the control unit simply needs to activate the drive unit or move the sliding door until the sensor detects the position of the guide rollers, allowing the control unit to evaluate the sensor signal and determine the position of the door leaf or sliding door.

[0020] It can be advantageous if the position of the guide roller can be detected indirectly via the sensor. Depending on the size of the door and the drive mechanism used, it can be beneficial for the sensor signal to be detected indirectly. To detect even larger sliding door movements and to determine the exact position of the door, it can be advantageous if the sensor indirectly detects the position of the guide roller or the door leaf. For example, when closing very large sliding doors, i.e., very wide openings in a vehicle, the guide roller must make a large number of revolutions to fully open or close the door leaf.In order to be able to detect an exact position of the door leaf even in these cases, it can be advantageous to provide a means for transmitting the rotational movement between the sensor and the deflection pulley, in order to be able to detect a specific door position, for example by means of a suitable translation.

[0021] If the sensor can be actuated by means of a control cam driven by the deflection pulley, this results in an advantageous further development of the invention. Transmission means, for example a reduction gear, can be arranged between the sensor and the deflection pulley. In order to now use the sensor to... Kiekert Aktiengesellschaft

[0022] To accurately detect the position of the sliding door or door leaf, a control cam can be incorporated into the transmission element. If the sensor is, for example, a microswitch with a switching flag, this enables quiet, reliable, and consistently stable interaction between the sensor and the control cam. In other words, a control cam can generate precise activation of the sensor or the detection of a switching signal at the sensor. Alternatively, instead of a control cam, a sensitive sensor, such as a Hall sensor, could be used, and the position could be indirectly detected via a magnet that enters the sensor's operating range.

[0023] The deflection pulley can have teeth, which can be integrated into the pulley itself. The deflection pulley thus forms part of the gearing of a transmission for actuating the sensor, and the integration of the gear into the deflection pulley reduces the number of components required. This offers a further advantage regarding the assembly of the drive unit. The direct movement of the gear on the deflection pulley and the one-piece design of the deflection pulley with its integrated teeth also ensure reliable position detection of the deflection pulley.

[0024] In a further embodiment, at least one gear stage, and in particular two or more gear stages, is arranged between the deflection roller and the sensor. To enable precise detection of the position of the deflection roller and thus the sliding door, it can be advantageous to arrange a gear stage between the deflection roller and the sensor. Preferably, a toothed section is formed on the deflection roller, which engages with at least one other gear and, for example, actuates the sensor via a control contour on the other gear. Preferably, two gear stages can also be used, for example, to enable a larger Kiekert Aktiengesellschaft

[0025] The door movement, or a corresponding reduction ratio, can be adjusted to precisely determine the position of the deflection pulley. The number of gear stages, as well as the number of gear ratios within each stage, can then be adapted to the sliding door's travel distance, allowing for precise alignment of the deflection pulley. This precise position of the deflection pulley can thus also be described as the alignment or position detection position. Preferably, a control cam is integrated into the last gear stage, specifically into the last gear. Since the gear stages only need to transmit movement and minimal forces, they are preferably made of plastic, and at least the gears within them are made of plastic. This allows the control cam to be integrated into the last gear stage in a single piece, which is both structurally advantageous and easy to manufacture.

[0026] A means for aligning the cable drum can be provided on the deflection pulley and / or the gear stage. During assembly of the drive unit, it must be ensured that the gear stages, or at least one gear stage, are aligned such that the control cam makes direct contact with the sensor in the aligned position. It has proven advantageous to provide an alignment means on at least one gear stage. Preferably, the alignment means is located on the last gear stage and more preferably in the area of ​​the control cam. For assembly of the drive unit, the deflection pulley and the single, double, or multi-gear stages must be arranged such that the alignment means is precisely positioned to accurately detect the alignment position of the deflection pulley.

[0027] It has proven advantageous to arrange the alignment device as a mounting boss on the deflection pulley and / or the gear stage. A mounting boss can be easily integrated into the deflection pulley, as it can, for example, simply be inserted into an opening on the pulley. (For mounting: Kiekert Aktiengesellschaft)

[0028] The mounting boss can then be integrated or installed into the drive unit using, for example, an alignment aid or a special device, allowing for precise positioning of the deflection pulley relative to the sensor or the sensor's switching mechanism. Alternatively, an opening could be provided on the last gear stage and the control cam, into which a mounting boss can be inserted. The precise alignment of the mounting boss can then be achieved using an alignment aid and / or a marking on the drive unit and / or an installation device. In any case, the mounting boss is easily integrated into the drive unit and can be removed again after the deflection pulley and / or gear stages have been precisely aligned.The precise alignment of the unit for capturing the sensor signal is of great importance, since only with a precisely aligned measuring device can the sensor signal be captured at the correct location and in the correct position of the deflection pulley.

[0029] If the deflection pulley is part of a worm gear drive, in particular a worm gear, a further embodiment of the invention arises. The deflection pulley itself has a receptacle for the flexible transmission element and can, for example, be designed as a winding shaft. A winding shaft is advantageous when, for example, a wire rope is wound and unwound to move the door leaf along one side of a motor vehicle. If the deflection pulley itself is provided with external teeth, a further gear can engage in the external teeth to drive the deflection pulley. It has proven advantageous if the drive is designed with a worm gear stage. The worm gear stage can be implemented with a small footprint, for example, by arranging a worm on the output shaft of the motor, with the worm engaging a worm gear on the deflection pulley.This allows for a safe transfer of drive power from the motor to the deflection pulley while requiring minimal space. The deflection pulley can therefore be used in a Kiekert AG (public limited company).

[0030] In a further embodiment of the invention, the winding roller comprises an external toothing for drive purposes and a toothing for driving the gearbox for the sensor device. The deflection roller thus performs various functions, which may also include accommodating the alignment device.

[0031] The deflection pulley, as a component of the drive unit, is typically a winding pulley for the flexible transmission element. This flexible transmission element generally consists of a cable or rope. In principle, two ropes can also be wound and unwound on the winding pulley. The two ropes may be guided over a deflection pulley, similar to the teachings according to EP 1 676 972 A2 or DE 10 2019 131 053 A1, and their respective ends may be mechanically connected to the reciprocating door leaf and secured by a holding device. Consequently, the winding and unwinding of one or both ropes on the winding pulley is linked to the desired movement of the door leaf or sliding door leaf in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle body.

[0032] The result is a vehicle door drive system that both drives and brakes the corresponding door leaf, for example, in a partially open position relative to the vehicle body or on a sloping road. Furthermore, the door leaf can be fixed in any desired position relative to the vehicle body using the holding device.

[0033] The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and a preferred embodiment. However, it is important to note that this embodiment does not limit the invention but merely represents an advantageous configuration. The features shown can be used individually or in combination with other features. Kiekert Aktiengesellschaft

[0034] Features of the description as well as the patent claims can be implemented individually or in combination.

[0035] It shows:

[0036] Fig. 1 shows a three-dimensional view of a drive unit for a motor vehicle door drive, showing only the components essential for explaining the invention; and

[0037] Fig. 2 shows a top view of the deflection pulley and the gear stages for actuating the sensor.

[0038] Figure 1 shows the drive unit 1 in a three-dimensional representation and in a view of the deflection pulley 2, the gear stage 3, the sensor 4, the electric motor 5, the worm gear 6, and part of the holding device 7. In this embodiment, the deflection pulley 2 is designed as a multifunctional component. The deflection pulley 2 comprises a winding drive 8, a worm gear 9, and an integrated toothed section 10. A steel cable 11 is indicated on the winding drive as an example. A drive carriage for a sliding door, for instance, can be mounted using the steel cable 11. Depending on the rotational movement of the deflection pulley 2, a different tensile force F can then be applied to the steel cable 11.

[0039] In this embodiment, the toothing 10 is part of the gear stage 3. The gear stage 3 has two additional gears 12 and 13, which together form a reduction gear 3. A control cam 14 is also arranged on the gear 13, and the control cam 14 can be engaged with the sensor 4. A mounting boss 15 is also visible in the area of ​​the control cam 14, and the mounting boss 15 serves to align the deflection pulley and, in particular, to position the gear 3 relative to the deflection pulley 2. Kiekert Aktiengesellschaft

[0040] In this embodiment, the sensor 4 is designed as a microswitch 4 and is provided with a switching flag 16. The switching flag 16 can engage with the control cam 14 of the further gear 13, and thus actuate the switching device or the microswitch 4.

[0041] The electric motor 5 can be mounted, for example, in the body of a motor vehicle using a mounting flange 17. A coupling 19 is arranged on an output shaft 18 of the motor 5, and the coupling can, for example, serve to absorb shocks to the sliding door. A worm gear 22 is operatively connected to the electric motor 5 next to the bearing points 20, 21. The worm gear meshes with the worm gear 9, so that the worm gear 9 can be driven by the electric motor 5 via the output shaft 18, the coupling 19, and the worm gear 22, thus transmitting force from the electric motor 5 to the pull cable 11. A part of the holding device 7 is also visible at one outer end of the output shaft, enabling the drive unit 1 to securely hold the sliding door in an open position.

[0042] Figure 2 shows a top view of the deflection pulley 2. When the output shaft 18 is driven by the electric motor 5, the worm 22 meshes with the worm gear 9, thus enabling the winding roller 8 to be driven. If a power failure occurs in the vehicle, the position of the door leaf must be determinable to ensure its proper operation. A switching signal from the microswitch 4 can be used for this purpose, with the microswitch 4 being electrically connected to a control unit 23. In the event of a power failure and subsequent restoration of power in the vehicle, the deflection pulley 2 can be driven by the electric motor 5 until the control cam 14 engages with the switching flag 16 and activates the microswitch.

[0043] 4 actuated. In this position, the control unit 23 receives a signal from the microswitch 4, thus establishing a clear alignment position or position detection position for the sliding door. The position of the deflection roller, or indirectly the position of the sliding door, can therefore be detected by the drive unit constructed according to the invention, and in particular by the control of the sensor 4. After the position of the sliding door or the deflection roller 2 has been detected, the proper operation of the sliding door can be resumed. The control unit 23 therefore uses the sensor signal from the sensor 4 for position detection and, accordingly, for further movement of the sliding door element. Kiekert Aktiengesellschaft

[0044] Reference symbol list

[0045] 1 drive unit

[0046] 2 pulleys

[0047] 3rd gear stage, reduction gear 4th sensor, microswitch

[0048] 5 electric motor

[0049] 6 worm gears

[0050] 7 Holding device

[0051] 8 winding drive

[0052] 9 worm gear

[0053] 10 gear teeth

[0054] 11 steel cables

[0055] 12, 13 gear

[0056] 14 Control curve

[0057] 15 Mounting mandrel

[0058] 16 Switch flag

[0059] 17 Mounting flange

[0060] 18 Output shaft

[0061] 19 Clutch

[0062] 20, 21 Storage area

[0063] 22 snail

[0064] 23 Control unit

[0065] F tractive force

Claims

Kiekert Aktiengesellschaft Patent claims 1. Motor vehicle door drive, in particular motor vehicle sliding door drive, with a door leaf movable back and forth relative to a body, a drive unit (1) with an electric drive motor (5), an output shaft (18), a transmission (3) interacting with the output shaft (18), and a deflection roller (2) for at least one flexible transmission means (11), wherein the door leaf is movable by means of the transmission means (11), and a control unit (23) for the motor vehicle door drive, characterized in that a position of the deflection roller (2) can be detected by means of a sensor (4) and evaluated in a control unit (23).

2. Motor vehicle door drive according to claim 1, characterized in that a position of the door leaf can be determined by means of the control unit (23).

3. Motor vehicle door drive according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the position of the deflection roller (2) can be detected indirectly by means of the sensor (4).

4. Motor vehicle door drive according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the sensor (4) can be actuated by means of a control cam (14) driven by the deflection roller (2).

5. Motor vehicle door drive according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that a toothing (10) is integrated into the deflection roller (2).

6. Motor vehicle door drive according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that at least one gear stage (3), in particular two or more gear stages, is arranged between the deflection roller (2) and the sensor (4). Kiekert Aktiengesellschaft 7. Motor vehicle door drive according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that a means for aligning (15) the deflecting roller (2) is arranged on the deflecting roller (2) and / or the gear stage (3).

8. Motor vehicle door drive according to claim 7, characterized in that the means for aligning (15) is arranged as a mounting dome (15) on the deflection roller (2) and / or the gear stage (3).

9. Motor vehicle door drive according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the deflection roller (2) is part of a worm gear drive (9, 22), in particular a worm gear (9).

10. Motor vehicle door drive according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the control cam (14) can be formed as an integral part of a gear (12, 13) of the transmission stage (3).

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