CN110945761A

CN110945761A - Actuating device for a motor vehicle

Info

Publication number: CN110945761A
Application number: CN201880048915.6A
Authority: CN
Inventors: C·特普费尔; W·施拉布斯; T·松嫩沙因
Original assignee: Kiekert AG
Current assignee: Kiekert AG
Priority date: 2017-05-24
Filing date: 2018-03-28
Publication date: 2020-03-31
Anticipated expiration: 2038-03-28
Also published as: DE102017111354A1; CN110945761B; KR20200012919A; EP3631950A1; KR102507727B1; WO2018215010A1

Abstract

The invention relates to an actuating device (1) for a motor vehicle, comprising a housing (3), in particular consisting of a housing box (2) and a housing cover, an electric drive (4), and an actuating element (6) which can be moved by the electric drive (4), wherein the actuating element (6) can be moved at least by means of a spindle drive (4, 12, 13), wherein a spindle (5) can be held in a bearing receptacle (18) under a preload force, wherein the preload force can be generated by means of a spring element (19) which can be inserted into the housing (3).

Description

Actuating device for a motor vehicle

Technical Field

The invention relates to an actuating device for a motor vehicle, comprising a housing, in particular comprising a housing box and a housing cover, an electric drive and an adjusting element, wherein the adjusting element can be moved by means of the electric drive, wherein the adjusting element can be moved at least by means of a spindle drive, wherein the spindle can be held in a bearing receptacle under pretension.

Background

Such an actuating device is preferably used in a motor vehicle in order to perform an adjusting movement. The actuating device can be integrated in or interact with a motor vehicle lock, for example. Furthermore, it is also conceivable for the actuating device to move the adjusting element, for example, for locking a tank flap or a storage compartment door. The adjustment element is therefore used at a position in the vehicle where movement has to be initiated or generated. Depending on the field of use and the arrangement on or in the motor vehicle, a tensile or compressive force can act on the adjusting element. For example, the adjusting element can also interact with a bowden cable, so that, for example, a closing movement can be produced in the motor vehicle lock. Depending on the field of use, the tensile and compressive forces, which can also be generated by the intervention of an electric drive, act alternately on the adjusting element and thus on the spindle drive.

In order to ensure, on the one hand, a sufficient play when supporting the spindle of the spindle drive, so that the spindle can be supported with as few friction losses as possible and at the same time ensure that the spindle is safely supported in the actuating device, different solutions are known. The solution is characterized in that the driven component is mounted with as little play as possible, wherein at the same time the friction losses or the mounting losses in the mounting receptacles of the driven component are reduced.

An arrangement is known from EP 0133527B 2, with which the shaft or drive shaft of a microactuator is mounted in a sliding manner. The top end of the motor shaft is supported in a disk which can at the same time be regarded as an axial stop.

DE 102013007272 a1 discloses a microactuator having a housing which accommodates the microactuator and a worm gear drive and which is composed of a housing box and a housing cover, wherein the motor shaft of the microactuator is supported in the housing via a bearing opening and is fixed there via an axial stop. In order to minimize friction in the bearing receptacle, the motor shaft has a tip end which interacts with the axial stop. The axial stop is formed by a housing cover, wherein the axial stop has a cavity which receives a corresponding tip end of the motor shaft. Furthermore, the respective portion of the axial stop has a longitudinal gap, by means of which the respective axial movement of the motor housing can be elastically supported.

From WO 2015/036837 a1, a drive unit for a motor vehicle is known, in particular in or in combination with a motor vehicle door locking system, which drive unit has a housing, a motor and an associated motor shaft. The drive unit is equipped with at least one spring element/elastic element generating an axial force on the end of the motor shaft, wherein the spring element is arranged in at least one receptacle in the housing. The spring element is substantially T-shaped in plan view and is provided with an end plate which acts on the motor shaft and two projections on both sides, at least which are arranged in the receptacle of the housing. The two extensions, together with the end plate extending between them, are arranged, in a plan view of the drive unit, predominantly transversely to the motor shaft, in such a way that the end plate bears against the end face of the motor shaft under pretensioning.

In document DE 102007021268 a1 of this type, the threaded spindle is received in an axial and radial bearing component/bearing, wherein the bearing receptacle is movably arranged in the housing. Furthermore, a spring element is provided on the housing, which spring element protrudes into the housing interior and acts upon the bearing receptacle under a biasing force in such a way that the bearing receptacle is biased toward its predetermined position in the housing. The prior art is unsatisfactory with regard to the play-free bearing of the spindle. In particular this solution is partly complicated and combined with, for example, complicated laser welding methods. The invention is proposed for this purpose.

Disclosure of Invention

The aim of the invention is to support the spindle in an improved manner in the actuating device. In particular, the object of the invention is to provide a spring element which is simple in construction, adaptable and easy to install in order to ensure reliable clearance compensation under different loads and/or temperatures.

This object is achieved by the features of the independent claim 1. Advantageous embodiments of the invention are specified in the dependent claims. It is to be noted that the embodiments described below are not limitative, but rather any possibilities of modification of the features described in the description and in the dependent claims are possible.

The object of the invention is achieved according to claim 1 in that an actuating device for a motor vehicle is provided, which actuating device has a housing, in particular consisting of a housing box and a housing cover, an electric drive and an adjusting element which can be moved by the electric drive, which adjusting element can be moved at least by means of a spindle drive, the spindle being held in a bearing receptacle under a preload force, wherein the preload force can be generated by means of a spring element which can be inserted into the housing. The design according to the invention of the actuating device now offers the following possibilities: the spindle of the actuating device is subjected to a preload force, wherein the spring element can be inserted or inserted as a separate component into the housing. The spring element can be adjusted to individual requirements by separating it, and can thus be flexibly adapted to the requirements of the actuating device. In particular, different spring constants and/or play compensation can be achieved, which makes it possible to use the actuating device for different fields of use, wherein at the same time sufficient play compensation or sufficient pretensioning force on the spindle can be achieved.

The possibility of replaceability or the possibility of incorporating the spring element into the housing also results in the following possibilities: the spring element is mounted independently of the spindle and other components of the actuating device, which on the one hand reduces possible maintenance work and on the other hand enables the spring element to be adapted to the requirements of the actuating device. In this case, different spring elements can be used, for example, depending on the field of use, i.e., depending on the required pretensioning force, individualized spring elements can be installed. Thus resulting in an adaptability.

Actuating devices are used in motor vehicles, for example, at locations that require movement on or in the motor vehicle. The actuating device can thus be used, for example, as a closing drive of a motor vehicle lock, wherein the threaded spindle then moves an adjusting element which, for example, in turn interacts with a bowden cable or is directly connected to a lever mechanism of the closing drive. However, the actuating device may also be used at locations where a simple adjustment movement is required. For example, the actuating device may be used to latch a moveable cover or lid. One preferred field of use is tank cap closure systems. However, it is also possible to lock them, for example, at the rear seats or in flaps or covers, in order to secure them against theft.

The actuating device has a housing which is preferably designed as a plastic injection-molded component. Preferably, the housing is constituted by a housing case and a housing cover. The housing case accommodates components of the actuating device, such as the microswitch and the motor, for example, wherein the housing or the housing case can also be used to receive further fastening elements. The housing is preferably closed in a watertight manner by means of a housing cover. At the same time, the housing cover can also be used for fastening other components or also as a bearing bush, for example for an adjusting element, a spindle or a shaft.

In a preferred embodiment, the housing cover can also be used to achieve a positional fixing of the spring element. In this case, the shaped structures and/or extensions on the housing cover can interact with the shaped structures, elevations and/or extensions in the housing box and thus form, for example, support points or fastening points. Preferably, the housing cover has at least one raised portion and/or extension which can engage with the housing box in such a way that the spring element can be fastened in the housing. This ensures that the spring element is fixed in the housing as intended. At the same time, the housing cover can also serve to orient the spring element in the housing, so that a defined orientation and thus a reliable function of the spring element can be achieved.

An electric drive is preferably used as the electric drive. In this case, a direct current motor with a counterclockwise rotation and a clockwise rotation is preferably used, which is used in conventional motor vehicles, in particular in actuating devices. The electric drive can, for example, interact with a worm drive, wherein at least a part of the worm drive can be formed integrally with the spindle. In this case, a worm is arranged on the output shaft of the electric motor, which worm engages in a worm wheel of the spindle and can therefore transmit a torque to the spindle. By rotating counterclockwise and rotating clockwise, the adjusting element arranged on the spindle can be moved.

It is of course also conceivable, based on the movement to be generated, that is to say the path and the force to be generated, to couple the gear mechanism directly to the output shaft of the electric drive and to drive the spindle indirectly. The spindle or spindle drive moves the adjusting element. The adjusting element can be mounted directly on the spindle of the spindle drive, but it is also conceivable for the spindle drive to be coupled to a rod which then forms part of the closing drive, for example.

Common to all these actuating devices is that there are different requirements on the actuating devices. On the one hand, a positioning of the spindle that is as free of play as possible should be ensured, and at the same time a low-noise operation should be possible. Furthermore, the actuating device is subject to temperature fluctuations which, in particular when the actuating device is formed predominantly from plastic components, act again on expansions and thus on tolerances in the actuating device. It should therefore be possible to produce a play-free movement of the spindle on the one hand and at the same time to compensate for tolerances. By using a spring element, a preload can be generated on the threaded spindle, so that the threaded spindle is held under the preload and can react to temperature fluctuations and loads via the drive. The structure according to the invention of the spring element ensures that: at each point in time and under different environmental conditions, a sufficient pretensioning force can be achieved, wherein at the same time the friction introduced into the spindle is minimized, so that a low-friction operation of the spindle can be ensured.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, advantages are then obtained by: at least one axial end of the spindle is held in the bearing receptacle in such a way that axial play compensation is possible. In this case, a bore in the housing, into which an axial end of the spindle can be introduced, can be used as the bearing receptacle. It is essential to the invention that at least a part of the axial end protrudes from the bearing receptacle or that the axial end is open in such a way that the spring element can interact with the axial end of the spindle. In particular, a force can be introduced into the spindle in the axial direction by means of a spring element. Preferably, the at least one spring element is arranged on an axial end of the threaded spindle. However, it is also possible to arrange a spring element on each of the axial ends of the spindle. It is also conceivable for the axial end of the spindle to be inserted into a connecting piece of the housing box, wherein a groove or a bore can be introduced into the connecting piece, so that the spindle end can be supported in the connecting piece and/or in the connecting piece and the housing cover. In this case, an axially acting force can be introduced into the spindle at each time by means of the spring element.

Preferably, the spring element is made of spring steel. The spring element is made of spring steel and is designed as a separate component, which offers the following advantages: the pretensioning force can be reliably generated after the service life is exceeded. Furthermore, a suitable spring prestress can be achieved by the choice of material. Furthermore, the steel is deformable, which in turn makes the adaptability of the spring element to the conditions in the actuating device easier to achieve.

In an advantageous manner, the spring element can be formed as a strip-shaped metal sheet. The strip-shaped metal sheet can be produced cost-effectively and can be adapted to the end of the threaded spindle or to the axial end of the threaded spindle. Furthermore, the shaping and adaptation of the strip-shaped metal sheet can be adapted in a simple manner to the geometrical installation situation in the housing. Furthermore, the formation of the spring element as a strip-shaped metal sheet offers the following advantages: while enabling reliable installation. The formation of an elongated strip-shaped metal sheet arranged transversely to the axis, that is to say extending along the housing box, simultaneously enables: this results in a reliable mounting, i.e. incorrect mounting of the spring element can be ruled out. This improves the installation safety and thus the quality of the actuating device.

In a further variant, the strip-shaped metal sheet has at least one profiled structure facing the spindle, wherein the profiled structure can be engaged with the spindle, in particular with a shaft end of the spindle. Here, by forming in a strip-shaped metal sheet, the following possibilities are achieved: on the one hand, the strip-shaped metal sheet is formed in such a way that the gap compensation can be realized through the deformation of the strip-shaped metal sheet and the screw can be held under the pretightening force. In particular, the spring constant of the strip-shaped metal sheet can be adjusted by shaping, wherein the shaping structure increases the rigidity of the strip-shaped metal sheet.

Preferably, the strip-shaped metal sheet is deformed from the housing receptacle in the direction of the spindle, so that a strip-shaped metal sheet which can be described as a bridge can be formed. Preferably, the strip-shaped metal sheet rests with a flat surface against the end of the spindle. The strip-shaped metal sheet can completely cover the shaft end.

It may also be advantageous if the strip metal sheet has at least one additional bend, in particular in the end region of the strip metal sheet. The following possibilities are provided by the multiple deformations and/or bends of the strip-shaped metal sheet or the spring element: the spring element is reliably positioned in the housing. In this case, a bend at the respective end of the strip-shaped metal sheet can be used to establish a positive connection between the housing and the spring element. The combination of the curvature and the profiling thus produces a cross-sectional shape of the strip-shaped metal sheet, which is described as an M-shape, which on the one hand enables a secure positioning and support of the strip-shaped metal sheet in the housing and on the other hand enables the introduction of pretensioning forces into the spindle.

In an advantageous manner, the profiling can generate a pretension and at the same time be used for gap compensation if, for example, the spindle experiences a length expansion due to a temperature difference. At each instant of time it is thus ensured that: the spindle is securely received in the housing and is supported in the housing under pretension. On the one hand, reliable mounting of the spindle can be ensured, and at the same time, mounting noise can be suppressed. A minimum of bearing friction between the strip metal sheet and the spindle can also be achieved by an advantageous embodiment of the strip metal sheet.

An advantageous embodiment variant of the invention results if the spring element can be inserted into the housing in a form-fitting manner. The form-locking section between the spring element and the housing is preferably located at a radial end of the strip-shaped metal sheet. For this purpose, the housing and/or the strip-shaped metal sheet can have corresponding moldings and/or, for example, a securing element, with which the strip-shaped metal sheet can be clamped, for example, in the housing. However, it is also conceivable that the strip-shaped metal sheet can be inserted into the housing by means of a fit, in particular a press fit, in order to thus ensure a secure fastening of the strip-shaped metal sheet in the housing.

Another preferred embodiment is obtained by: the spring element can be inserted into the housing box and can be fixed by means of the housing cover. The insertion of the spring element is thereby made easier, i.e. the spring element can be inserted into the housing with play. A manual and easy mounting can be ensured if the strip-shaped metal sheet or the spring element is inserted into the housing or into the housing box and can also be grasped by an operator, for example. The fixing of the spring element is then effected by the housing cover. The housing cover can receive the spring element again in a form-fitting manner and/or be positioned in the housing such that the spring element assumes its fixed end position only when the housing cover is fixedly connected to the housing box. For this purpose, the strip-shaped metal sheet and/or the housing box can be positively engaged with the housing cover.

A further advantageous embodiment variant of the invention results if the width of the strip-shaped metal sheet is greater than or equal to the diameter of the shaft end of the spindle. Since the strip-shaped metal sheet has a width at least equal to the diameter of the shaft end abutting against the strip-shaped metal sheet, it is ensured that the shaft end abuts completely against the strip-shaped metal sheet. By the shaft end bearing completely against the strip-shaped metal sheet, a uniform force transmission between the shaft end and the spring element can be ensured. It is to be taken into account here that the shaft end can also be tapered, i.e. tapered, for example, in order to generate as little friction as possible between the shaft end and the pretensioned strip metal sheet. Preferably, the strip-shaped metal sheet is made of spring steel, so that low friction losses can be ensured on the basis of the material pairing of the plastic spindle and the steel strip-shaped metal sheet. The arrangement according to the invention of the spring element ensures a reliable pretensioning of the spindle with simple constructional measures.

Drawings

The invention is explained in detail below according to a preferred embodiment with reference to the drawings. However, the following principles apply: the examples do not limit the invention, but merely represent one embodiment. The features shown may be implemented individually or in combination in other combinations with the features of the description and the claims.

The figures show that:

fig. 1 shows a three-dimensional plan view of an actuating device, which does not comprise a housing cover, but rather an adjusting part and a spindle of an electric drive; and is

Fig. 2 shows a detailed view of an actuating device designed according to the invention, which comprises a spring element acting against the shaft end of the threaded spindle.

Detailed Description

The actuating device 1 is shown in fig. 1 in a three-dimensional view of a housing box 2. For clarity of illustration of the invention, the housing 3 is shown without a housing cover. The actuating device 1 has an electric drive 4, a spindle 5, an adjusting element 6, a microswitch 7, a bowden cable 8, an electrical contact device 9 and an elastic fastening element 10, wherein the elastic fastening element 10 is mounted in an extension 11 of the housing box 2. The spindle 5 has a worm wheel 12 integrally molded on the spindle 5, wherein said worm wheel interacts with a worm mounted on a driven shaft 13 of the electric drive 4.

The worm wheel 12 can be driven in both directions of movement by the electric drive 4, so that the adjusting element 6 and thus the bowden cable 8 can be adjusted along the threaded spindle 5 in the direction of the arrow P. The movement of the adjusting element 6 can be detected by means of a microswitch 7. The microswitch 7 and the electrical contact 9 for the electric drive 4 can be connected, for example, to a conductive path/conductor track integrated in the housing box 2, wherein the conductive path 14 can be contacted by means of a plug 15.

The axial end 16 of the spindle 5 is received in a bearing structure 18 designed as a rib 17. Here, the rib 17 for the axial end 16 of the spindle 5 and the fulcrum 18 are formed integrally with the housing box 2. The axial end 16 bears under pretension against a spring element 19 shown in fig. 2.

The spring element 19 is inserted into the housing box 2 in a form-fitting manner. The spring element 19 has a profile 20 which extends in a planar manner in an abutment region 21 and thus provides a flat surface 21 for abutment against the axial end 16. On the side ends 22, 23 of the strip-shaped metal sheet 19, bends are provided which enable a secure fastening of the spring element 19 in the housing box 2. The form-locking part is received in the housing box 2 by the

projections

26, 27 in a form-locking manner. The

projections

26, 27, the profiling 20 and the

bends

24, 25 enable a secure retention of the spring element 19 in the housing box. At the same time, the spring element 19 is fastened in the housing box 2 in such a way that a preload force can be introduced into the spindle 5.

If the lead screw 5 expands, for example due to heating, the lead screw 5 expands in the direction of arrow P1. This expansion is taken up by the spring element 19 and this at the same time ensures a reliable bearing of the spindle 5 in the actuating device 1.

List of reference numerals:

1 actuating device

2 case

3 case

4 electric drive

5 leading screw

6 adjusting part

7 micro-gap switch

8 Bowden cable

9 electric contact

10 elastic fixing piece

11 extension part

12 worm wheel

13 driven shaft

14 conductive path

15 plug

16 axial end portion

17 Rib

18 support structure

19 spring element

20 forming structure

21 contact area, flat surface

22, 23 side end

24, 25 bending part

26, 27 projection

P arrow head

P1 arrow

Claims

1. An actuating device (1) for a motor vehicle, having a housing (3), in particular consisting of a housing box (2) and a housing cover, an electric drive (4) and an adjusting part (6) which can be moved by the electric drive (4), wherein the adjusting part (6) can be moved at least by means of a spindle drive (4, 12, 13), wherein a spindle (5) can be held in a bearing receptacle (18) under pretension,

it is characterized in that the preparation method is characterized in that,

the pretensioning force can be generated by means of a spring element (19) which can be inserted into the housing.

2. The actuating apparatus (1) as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that at least one axial end (16) of the spindle (5) is held in a bearing receptacle (18) in such a way that an axial play compensation is possible.

3. The actuating device (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the spring element (19) is made of spring steel.

4. The actuating device (1) according to any of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the spring element (19) can be formed as a strip-shaped metal sheet (19).

5. Actuating device (1) according to claim 4, characterized in that the strip-shaped metal sheet (19) has at least one profiled structure (20) facing the screw (5), wherein the profiled structure (20) is engageable with the screw (5), in particular with a shaft end (16) of the screw (5).

6. Actuating device (1) according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that the strip-shaped metal sheet (19) has at least one additional bend (24, 25), in particular an additional bend (24, 25) in an end region (22, 23) of the strip-shaped metal sheet (19).

7. The actuating apparatus (1) as claimed in one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the spring element (19) is inserted into the housing (3) in a form-fitting manner.

8. The actuating device (1) according to any of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the spring element (19) can be inserted into the housing box (2) and can be fixed by means of the housing cover.

9. The actuating apparatus (1) according to any one of claims 4 to 8, characterized in that the width of the strip-shaped metal sheet (19) is greater than or equal to the diameter of the shaft end (16) of the screw (5).

10. The actuating apparatus (1) according to any of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the spring element (19) can be fastened by means of a bearing cap.