EP1722053B1 - Vehicle boot door apparatus and method for actuating the same - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a device for a trunk lid of a vehicle and in particular to a device with a push element, which can be controlled by means of a control device. The invention further relates to a method for actuating a boot lid and in particular to a method for the external actuation of a boot lid by means of the device according to the invention.

A trunk lid on a vehicle, such as a bus, can be manually operated. In Fig. 1, a trunk lid 1 is shown, which is arranged in a vehicle with the body 2 in a closed state. The trunk lid 1 is connected to a plurality of transmission links. A guide arm 3, which is rotatably mounted at its one end 4, is pivotally coupled at its other end 5 to the boot lid 1. A first thrust element 6 is rotatably mounted at its one end 7 and hingedly connected at its other end 8 to the boot lid 1. Is pulled on the handle of the boot lid 1, so that it is moved from a closed position to an open position, see Fig. 2, the guide arm 3 and the pusher 6 take a changed position. If the thrust element is a gas spring, it supports the position of the boot lid so that it can remain stable in its open position.

If the trunk lid 1 automatically, so externally operated, be moved from the closed position to the open position or vice versa, a drive is required. In the prior art it is known to provide the guide arm 3 at its pivot 4 with a gear which engages in a rack. The rack is coupled to a pusher which moves the rack forward or backward in the longitudinal direction of the pusher. Thus, the guide arm 3 is pivoted at its pivot point 4 about this point, so that the trunk lid 1 is movable from a closed position to an open position or vice versa. The disadvantage is that a trunk lid with such a drive can only be operated externally. If, for any reason, the boot lid is moved manually, this is because of the rigid coupling between Gear, rack and push element not possible. The only way to still achieve a manual operation of the boot lid is to solve the coupling between gear and rack or dismantle the system. The desire to switch from a third party operation of the trunk lid in a manual operation, for example, come up when the trunk lid does not reach its closed position or its open position. Such a situation can arise when the rack is dirty, individual teeth of the rack are worn or the pusher element does not achieve the maximum adjustment movement. Repairing the rack and pinion drive can be cumbersome and dangerous if the boot lid remains in a central position and, after decoupling the gear from the rack, swings into the closed position. Although the movement of the trunk lid is supported with conventional gas springs, an expansion of the rack and pinion drive is required to switch from a third-party operation in a manual operation of the boot lid.

Against this background, the invention has the object to enable a power-operated movement of a trunk lid of a vehicle, at any time a manual operation of the trunk lid without additional measures with high operating safety can be achieved.

The invention is based on the finding that an externally operated or manual actuation of the trunk lid is possible when the controlled pushing element is articulated to the guide arm of the boot lid and the pushing element is a pneumatic or a hydraulic thrust element.

The solution of the problem arises from the features of the main claim, while advantageous embodiments and further developments of the invention are the dependent claims.

The inventive device for a trunk lid of a vehicle comprises: a guide arm, which is rotatably mounted at its one end and hingedly connected at its other end to the trunk lid, at least a first thrust element which is rotatably mounted at one end and at its the other end is hingedly connected to the trunk lid, at least one second push element, which is controllable by means of a control device, so that the trunk lid is externally actuated, wherein the second thrust element is hingedly connected at its one end to the guide arm and a pneumatic thrust element, so that the trunk lid in an open position or closed position is also manually operable.

• Verriegelungszustand der Kofferraumklappe, welche sich in einer Schließposition befindet, erfassen,
• Öffnungssignal erfassen,
• Entriegelung der Kofferraumklappe veranlassen,
• zweites Schubelement mittels einer Steuerungseinrichtung derart ansteuern, dass die Kofferraumklappe geöffnet wird.

The method according to the invention for the external actuation of a boot lid with the device according to the invention for the boot lid has the steps for opening the boot lid:

• Locking state of the trunk lid, which is in a closed position detect,
• Detect opening signal,
• Unlock the trunk lid,
• second thrust element by means of a control device such that the boot lid is opened.

• Offenposition der Kofferraumklappe mittels einer Steuerungseinrichtung erfassen,
• Schließsignal mittels der Steuerungseinrichtung erfassen,
• zweites Schubelement mittels der Steuerungseinrichtung derart ansteuern, dass sich die Kofferraumklappe aus ihrer Offenposition in Richtung zu ihrer Schließposition bewegt.

The inventive method for external actuation of the boot lid with the device according to the invention for the boot lid has to close the boot lid on the steps:

• Detecting the open position of the boot lid by means of a control device,
• Detect closing signal by means of the control device,
• second thrust element by means of the control device such that the trunk lid moves from its open position towards its closed position.

• Fig. 1 eine schematische Darstellung einer Kofferraumklappe im Schließzustand einschließlich Getriebegliedern nach dem Stand der Technik;
• Fig. 2 eine schematische Darstellung der Kofferraumklappe im Offenzustand gemäß dem Stand der Technik;
• Fig. 3 eine schematische Darstellung der Kofferraumklappe mit Getriebegliedern gemäß der vorliegenden Erfindung, wobei sich die Kofferraumklappe in einem Offenzustand befindet;
• Fig. 4 eine schematische Darstellung der Kofferraumklappe mit Getriebegliedern gemäß der vorliegenden Erfindung, wobei sich die Kofferraumklappe in einer mittleren Position befindet;
• Fig. 5 eine schematische Darstellung der Kofferraumklappe mit Getriebegliedern gemäß der vorliegenden Erfindung, wobei sich die Kofferraumklappe in einer Schließposition befindet;
• Fig. 6 ein Ablaufdiagramm einer Steuerung für eine Kofferraumklappe;
• Fig. 7 eine schematische Darstellung des Schubweges des zweiten Schubelementes während einer Öffnungsbewegung und einer Schließbewegung der Kofferraumklappe gemäß der vorliegenden Erfindung;
• Fig. 8 eine Tabelle mit der Bezeichnung jeweiliger Schalter zur Durchführung des erfindungsgemäßen Verfahrens;
• Fig. 9 eine Tabelle mit Logikzuständen der jeweiligen Schalter bei jeweiligen Positionen der Kofferraumklappe gemäß der vorliegenden Erfindung;
• Fig. 10 eine Tabelle, welche unterschiedlichen Betriebszuständen einen jeweiligen Verfahrensschritt gemäß der Erfindung zuordnet;
• Fig. 11 eine schematische Darstellung einer Kofferraumklappe mit Gestell gemäß der vorliegenden Erfindung, wobei die Kofferraumklappe in einer Schließposition ist;
• Fig. 12 eine schematische Darstellung der Kofferraumklappe mit Gestell gemäß der vorliegenden Erfindung, wobei die Kofferraumklappe in einer Offenposition ist.

In the following the invention will be explained with reference to preferred embodiments with reference to the drawing. In the drawing show:

• Figure 1 is a schematic representation of a trunk lid in the closed state including gear members according to the prior art.
• 2 is a schematic representation of the boot lid in the open state according to the prior art;
• Fig. 3 is a schematic illustration of the trunk lid with gear members according to the present invention, with the trunk lid in an open condition;
• 4 is a schematic illustration of the trunk lid with gear members according to the present invention with the trunk lid in a middle position;
• Figure 5 is a schematic representation of the boot lid with gear members according to the present invention, wherein the boot lid is in a closed position.
• Fig. 6 is a flowchart of a trunk lid controller;
• 7 shows a schematic representation of the thrust travel of the second thrust element during an opening movement and a closing movement of the boot lid according to the present invention;
• 8 shows a table with the description of respective switches for carrying out the method according to the invention;
• 9 is a table showing logic states of the respective switches at respective positions of the trunk lid according to the present invention;
• 10 is a table which assigns different operating states to a respective method step according to the invention;
• FIG. 11 is a schematic illustration of a boot lid with a frame according to the present invention, with the boot flap in a closed position; FIG.
• Fig. 12 is a schematic representation of the trunk lid with frame according to the present invention, wherein the trunk lid is in an open position.

In the figures, like reference numerals are used for like parts.

In Figures 3, 4 and 5, a trunk lid 1 is shown in each case in an open position, a middle position and a closed position. The control device 10 controls a hinged thrust element 11, so that a push rod 12 can be moved forward or backward. The push rod 12 is coupled in the embodiment shown in Fig. 3 with gear members 13 and 14, wherein the gear member 13 is pivotally connected to the guide arm 3. If the push rod 12 is retracted by means of signals of the control device 10, the guide arm 3 is pivoted about its pivot point 4, so that the trunk lid 1 from the open position to a middle position, see Fig. 4, to the closed position, see FIG. 5, is moved , In Figures 3, 4 and 5, the pusher 6, which is common for manual operation of the boot lid, not shown. In order to enable a change between a third-party operation and a manual operation of the boot lid, this push element is required in addition to the controlled by a control device pusher 11.

The procedure for the external operation of the trunk lid according to the invention will be described below, see also Figures 6 to 10. From a central office, for example, the control panel of the driver of the vehicle, only two signals can be delivered to the control device for the boot lid. Either the control device is supplied with a signal for opening or closing the boot lid. If the trunk lid is in a closed position, see Fig. 11, and locked and a manual operation is possible (in Fig. 6 referred to as "manual operation"), from the center of an opening signal (in Fig. 6 with "command") to the control device are dispensed. This signal may be required for a certain period of time, such as 3 seconds, to continue the process of opening the trunk lid. If the opening signal is detected in total shorter than, for example, the predetermined 3 seconds, this is interpreted as a cancellation of the opening process, so that only a manual operation of the boot lid is possible. If the opening signal is then fed back to the control device, this must be present during the entire predetermined period of time, so that the process for opening the boot lid is not aborted. If the opening signal has lasted longer than the predetermined period of time, the boot lid is unlocked in a next step. This process can be done relatively quickly, for example within of 0.5 seconds. In a next step (Phase 1, see Fig. 7 above), the trunk lid is opened quickly so that it leaves the closed position quickly. A displacement sensor detects the path traveled by the push rod 12, so that after reaching a predetermined stroke, the phase 1 is completed. Immediately thereafter joins the phase 2, in which the trunk lid is opened at a normal speed. This phase 2 is completed when the proposed stroke has been covered by the push rod 12, for example, a total of 242.0 mm, see Fig. 7, so that the trunk lid has reached its open position, see Fig. 12. This position is by means of a Switch E4 detected, see Fig. 7 and Fig. 8. The position is then held, and the foreign operation of the trunk lid is completed. Subsequently, a manual operation of the boot lid is possible again.

If an abort signal is detected by the control device during unlocking or phase 1 or phase 2, the movement of the boot lid is interrupted. The message "Cancel by driver" is sent to a central controller. If, within a predetermined period of time, for example 10 seconds, the opening signal is given to the control device again, the opening movement is continued. This mode is called "Braked Stop", see Fig. 6. If within the specified time period of z. B. 10 seconds, an opening signal is not detected again, this is interpreted such that the termination of the opening movement is finally provided. Then only a manual operation of the boot lid is possible. It may be provided that the termination signal of the control device is supplied so long until the boot lid is manually operated. This achieves high security.

After canceling the opening movement of the trunk lid can be carried out according to the invention subsequently only a manual operation. It is irrelevant whether the boot lid is moved back into the closed position or for the first time in the open position. Only after reaching one of the two positions is detected by a switch that the trunk lid has reached an end position, wherein it is held in this position. This confirmation signal of reaching the open position or the closed position is a prerequisite for another external operation to be carried out again.

Analogous to the opening movement, the externally operated closing movement of the boot lid occurs. First, it is detected whether the trunk lid is in the open position. If this is the case, it is then checked whether the control device detects a closing signal. Analogous to the opening movement of this closing signal must be supplied during a certain period of the controller. If the closing signal is shorter overall than the predetermined time duration, the closing movement is interrupted, whereupon only manual actuation of the boot lid is possible. If the closing signal is supplied to the control device for longer than during the predetermined period of time, a rapid closing movement is carried out in a phase 1, see FIG. 7 below. The boot lid thus leaves its open position relatively quickly. In a subsequent phase 2, the flap is moved at normal speed. Shortly before the closing position, the boot lid is held in position for 2 seconds, before it is tightened rapidly in the subsequent phase 3, so that it reaches the closed position. This closed position is detected by means of a switch, wherein the control device is supplied with an associated signal. If, during the closing of the boot lid during the phase 1, the phase 2, the adjoining predetermined time period or during the subsequent phase 3, an abort signal is detected by the control device, the closing movement is interrupted ("braked stop"). If no further closing signal is supplied to the control device within a predetermined period of time, the closing movement is finally terminated. Then only a manual operation of the boot lid is possible. However, if a new closing signal is detected within this predetermined period, the shooting movement is continued until either a new stop signal is detected or the closed position is reached.

If during the opening movement or closing movement of the trunk lid, the control device or the compressed air is defective or is no longer available, the boot lid remains immediately in the current position and falls or rises to the nearest end position. This movement is very slow. All valves are de-energized, so that only a purely mechanical movement is possible.

• Meldung von der Steuerungseinrichtung "Vorratsdruck zu gering"
• Meldung von der Steuerungseinrichtung "Geschwindigkeit > 3 km/h"
• Ausfallen der Steuerungseinrichtung
• Identifizierte Fehler in der Programmlogik
• Unlogische Steuerbefehle

The trunk lid control is switched to manual or manual when one of the following conditions is true:

• Message from the control device "Supply pressure too low"
• Message from the control unit "Speed> 3 km / h"
• Failure of the control device
• Identified errors in the program logic
• Illogical control commands

reference numeral

1

Trunk lid

2

body

3

guide

4

one end of the guide arm, pivot bearing

5

other end of the guide arm

6

first push element

7

one end of the thrust element, swivel bearing

8th

other end of the pusher

9

control line

10

control device

11

second push element

12

pushrod

13

transmission member

14

transmission member

15

Turnstile with microswitch

16

Release cylinder for trunk lid handle

Claims (37)

1. Device for a luggage compartment flap (1) of a vehicle, whereby the device features:

   • guide arm (3) whose one end (4) is slewably located and whose other end (5) is connected with the luggage compartment flap (1) in an articulated manner,

   • at least one first thrust element (6) whose one end (7) is slewably located and whose other end (8) is connected with the luggage compartment flap (1) in an articulated manner,

   • at least one second thrust element (11) which can be triggered by means of a control unit (10) so that the luggage compartment flap (1) can be externally actuated,
   whereby the one end of the second thrust element (11) is connected with the guide arm (3) in an articulated manner and said second thrust element (11) is a pneumatic thrust element, so that the luggage compartment flap (1) can also manually be brought into an open position or a shut position.
2. Device according to Claim 1, characterised in that the first thrust element (6) is a pneumatic thrust element.
3. Device according to Claim 1 or 2, characterised in that the other end of the second thrust element (11) is slewably mounted.
4. Device according to one of the Claims 1 to 3, characterised in that the second thrust element (11) is a hydraulic thrust element.
5. Procedure for the external actuation of a luggage compartment flap (1) with a device according to one of the Claims 1 to 4, whereby the procedure for opening the luggage compartment flap (1) includes the following steps:

   • acquiring the locking status of the luggage compartment flap (1), which is in a shut position,

   • acquiring the opening signal,

   • initiating the unlocking of the luggage compartment flap (1),

   • triggering the second thrust element (11) by means of a control unit (10) in such a way that the luggage compartment flap (1) will be opened.
6. Procedure according to Claim 5, characterised in that the control unit (10) records the opening signal continuously.
7. Procedure according to Claim 6, characterised in that the control unit (10) continuously records the opening signal during a defined period of time.
8. Procedure according to the Claims 5 to 7, characterised in that the procedure will be aborted if the control unit (10) on the whole records the opening signal for a period shorter than a defined period of time.
9. Procedure according to Claim 8, characterised in that manual actuation of the luggage compartment flap (1) is possible after interruption of the procedure.
10. Procedure according to the Claims 5 to 9, characterised in that the second thrust element (11) is triggered thus that in a first phase the luggage compartment flap (1) is quickly moved out of its locked position.
11. Procedure according to Claim 10, characterised in that the second thrust element (11) is triggered thus that in a second phase following the first phase the luggage compartment flap (1) is slowly moved in the direction of an open position.
12. Procedure according to Claim 11, characterised in that the first phase ends and the second phase begins if the thrust element has been shifted by a defined path.
13. Procedure according to Claim 11, characterised in that the second thrust element (11) is triggered thus that the movement of the luggage compartment flap (1) is stopped after the open position has been reached.
14. Procedure according to Claim 13, characterised in that the reaching of the open position is recorded by means of a switch and that an associated signal is sent to the control unit (10).
15. Procedure according to the Claims 5 to 14, characterised in that the unlocking of the luggage compartment flap (1) will be interrupted if the control unit (10) records an abort signal during the unlocking of the luggage compartment flap (1).
16. Procedure according to the Claims 10 to 15, characterised in that the movement of the luggage compartment flap (1) will be interrupted in the first phase if the control unit (10) records an abort signal during the movement of the luggage compartment flap (1).
17. Procedure according to the Claims 11 to 16, characterised in that the movement of the luggage compartment flap (1) will be interrupted in the second phase if the control unit (10) records an abort signal during the movement of the luggage compartment flap (1).
18. Procedure according to the Claims 15 to 17, characterised in that the unlocking action or the movement in the first phase or the movement in the second phase will be continued if the control unit (10) again records an opening signal.
19. Procedure according to the Claims 15 to 17, characterised in that the unlocking action or the movement in the first phase or the movement in the second phase will be aborted if the control unit (10) does not record an opening signal after a predetermined period of time.
20. Procedure according to Claim 19, characterised in that after the movement of the luggage compartment flap (1) has been aborted said flap (1) can no longer be actuated externally but only manually until it has reached either the open or shut position.
21. Procedure for the external actuation of a luggage compartment flap (1) with a device according to one of the Claims 1 to 4, whereby the procedure for closing the luggage compartment flap (1) includes the following steps:

    • acquiring the open position of the luggage compartment flap (1) by means of a control unit (10),

    • acquiring the closing signal by means of the control unit (10),

    • triggering the second thrust element (11) by means of the control unit (10) so that the luggage compartment flap (1) is moved out of its open position in the direction of its shut position.
22. Procedure according to Claim 21, characterised in that the control unit (10) records the closing signal continuously.
23. Procedure according to Claim 22, characterised in that the control unit (10) continuously records the closing signal during a defined period of time.
24. Procedure according to Claim 23, characterised in that the procedure will be aborted if control unit (10) records the closing signal for a period shorter than the defined period of time.
25. Procedure according to Claim 24, characterised in that after abortion of the procedure manual actuation of the luggage compartment flap (1) is possible.
26. Procedure according to Claim 24 or 25, characterised in that the second thrust element (11) is triggered so that in a first phase the luggage compartment flap (1) is quickly moved out of its open position.
27. Procedure according to Claim 26, characterised in that the second thrust element (11) is triggered so that in a second phase following the first phase the luggage compartment flap (1) is slowly moved in the direction of its shut position.
28. Procedure according to Claim 27, characterised in that the second thrust element (11) interrupts the movement for a predetermined period of time after the second phase has ended.
29. Procedure according to Claim 28, characterised in that the second thrust element (11) is triggered so that in a third phase the luggage compartment flap (1) is quickly moved into its shut position after a predetermined period of time has elapsed.
30. Procedure according to Claim 29, characterised in that the reaching of the shut position of the luggage compartment flap (1) is recorded by means of a switch, whereby an associated signal is supplied to the control unit (10).
31. Procedure according to the Claims 26 to 30, characterised in that the movement of the luggage compartment flap (1) will be interrupted in the first phase if the control unit (10) records an abort signal during the movement of the luggage compartment flap (1).
32. Procedure according to the Claims 27 to 31, characterised in that the movement of the luggage compartment flap (1) will be interrupted in the second phase if the control unit (10) records an abort signal during the movement of the luggage compartment flap (1).
33. Procedure according to the Claims 28 to 32, characterised in that the movement of the luggage compartment flap (1) will be interrupted in the predetermined period of time following the second phase if the control unit (10) records an abort signal during the movement of said luggage compartment flap (1).
34. Procedure according to the Claims 29 to 33, characterised in that the movement of the luggage compartment flap (1) will be interrupted in the third phase if the control unit (10) records an abort signal during the movement of said luggage compartment flap (1).
35. Procedure according to the Claims 31 to 34, characterised in that the movement of the luggage compartment flap (1) will be continued in the first phase or in the second phase or in the predetermined period of time following the second phase or in the third phase if the control unit (10) again records a closing signal.
36. Procedure according to the Claims 31 to 34, characterised in that the movement of the luggage compartment flap (1) will be aborted in the first phase or in the second phase or in the predetermined period of time following the second phase or in the third phase if the control unit (10) records no closing signal after a predetermined period of time.
37. Procedure according to Claim 36, characterised in that after the movement of the luggage compartment flap (1) has been aborted said flap (1) can no longer be actuated externally but only manually until it has reached either the open or shut position.

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