DE102004036654B4 - Device for automatically closing a vehicle door - Google Patents

Abstract

A device (10) for automatically closing a vehicle door (11) is described and illustrated, comprising a drive (at 41) with which the vehicle door (11) moves from an open position (FIG. 5) to a closed position (FIG. 2 ) The special feature is that a stop element (16, 58) of the device (10) is provided, which automatically between a locking position (Fig. 6), in which it ensures that during a manual closing movement of the vehicle door (11) a very predetermined minimum distance between vehicle-side and door-side abutment surfaces (14, 15) is maintained with very large forces, preventing the vehicle door (11) from being brought into its closed position (FIG. 2), and a release position (FIG. 3), in which the transfer to its closed position (FIG. 2) permits, can be shifted.

Description

The invention relates to a device for automatically closing a vehicle door according to the preamble of claim 1.

Such devices are known and widely used and are commonly referred to as closing aids. They can be electrically, pneumatically or hydraulically driven and increase the comfort and safety in connection with the closing and opening movements of a vehicle door.

In a motor vehicle tailgate, for example, it is known that a rotary latch and a pawl element cooperating with the rotary latch are provided on the tailgate side. On the vehicle side there is a displaceable striker which can be displaced along an adjustment path.

The motor vehicle tailgate can be pivoted manually from a fully open position, in which it opens the opening to a motor vehicle loading space, about a pivot axis typically arranged in the region of the vehicle roof. Towards the end of such a manual closing movement of the vehicle door, a pre-locking position of the vehicle door is reached in which the vehicle door is locked with its free edge area on the vehicle side. The rotary latch on the vehicle door then interacts with the locking element, in particular the locking bracket, arranged on the vehicle side. A subsequent unintentional opening movement of the vehicle door is already reliably prevented in this way and thus ensures that the vehicle occupants are safe from the ingress of exhaust gases into the vehicle interior. At the same time, objects in the hold are prevented from falling out.

The vehicle door located in the pre-locking position can be transferred by the drive of the device into a closed position, in which the vehicle door lies closely against the vehicle-side frame of the loading space opening. The closing movement of the door typically takes place at least towards the end of the closing movement while exerting relatively high closing forces, sometimes of up to 1,000 N, in order to overcome the sealing pressure which is generated by elastic seals which are usually arranged in the region of the frame.

Generic devices are for example from the DE 197 37 996 C2 , the US 4,707,007 A , the DE 100 25 390 A1 as well as the WO 02/103 141 A2 known. So it shows DE 197 37 996 C2 a closing aid, in which the locking bracket can be displaced in such a way that it can reach a final latching position even if the particularly high closing forces are misused, without being impeded by the cooperating motor.

The US 4,707,007 A discloses a displaceable striker which can be gripped on one leg by a rotary latch which cooperates with the vehicle door. A motor can move the striker into the position shown in dashed lines in the manner of a closing aid. When the rotary latch is gripped around the striker, the vehicle door can trigger a switch which triggers a closing aid.

The WO 02/103 141 A2 shows a striker which can be moved between a retracted and an extended position. The closing aid has a contact element biased by a spring, which is arranged in a link of a displaceable lever element. The actuator serves to eject a striker.

Finally, the DE 100 25 390 A1 a conventional closing aid with the special feature that the striker is operatively connected to a holding element, the holding element being lockable by a pivotable pawl. This locking is used to lock the striker in its retracted position, whereby the vehicle door is held in a final locking position at the same time.

Another closing aid is from the DE 101 57 173 A1 known. There an automatically engaging locking pawl is disclosed which can lock a locking bracket including the carrier plate in the main closed position, that is to say the fully closed position of the door. The pawl is arranged in such a way that even if the motor driving the carrier plate fails and after a manual slam movement, the pawl can engage as a blocking device. In this prior art too, the pawl is used to lock the striker in its retracted positions, thereby simultaneously holding the vehicle door in a final latching position.

A device according to the preamble of claim 1, from which the invention is based, is also in the DE 101 23 187 A1 described.

Based on this prior art, the object of the invention is to develop the known device in such a way that it keeps the stress on the vehicle door low even with high manual closing forces.

The invention solves this problem with the features of claim 1 and is accordingly characterized in that a stop element is provided, which is displaceable between a blocking position in which it prevents the vehicle door from being transferred into its closed position and a release position in which it allows the transfer to its closed position.

The principle of the invention thus essentially consists in providing a stop element which can be displaced between a locking position and a release position. In the locked position of the stop element, the stop element ensures that the vehicle door cannot reach its closed position, that is to say its completely closed position into which it is to be transferred by the drive. In its locked position, the stop element prevents the vehicle door from closing completely and therefore represents an obstacle to a complete closing movement. However, the stop element can also be displaced into a release position in which it enables the vehicle door to be completely closed.

Due to the arrangement of the displaceable stop element, even when the vehicle door is closed manually with a very high expenditure of force, it can be prevented that the vehicle door strikes the vehicle-side frame of the loading space opening of the vehicle at undesired points. In this context, the invention takes into account that, in the device of the prior art, when the vehicle door is closed with very large manual closing forces, such as can be exerted by strong operating personnel, the vehicle door undesirably strikes in some areas, in particular corner areas Vehicle door can come to the vehicle frame. If a vehicle tailgate is e.g. slamming with great forces, which may be undesirable, may encounter metallic surfaces on metallic counter surfaces, which can not only damage the impact surfaces, but also damage due to the large impulse transmissions and the acting moments, e.g. from the vehicle - Tailgate arranged plastic taillights, entails.

The stop element according to the invention can prevent such damage. Due to its design, it ensures that even with a manual closing movement of the vehicle door with very large forces, a precisely predetermined minimum distance between the vehicle-side and the door-side abutting surfaces is maintained.

However, since the stop element can be shifted from its locked position into a release position, the stop element does not hinder the closing movement if an automatic closing movement is to be carried out due to the drive. The e.g. Electrical closing aid can be activated regardless of the force with which a manual type of tailgate closing was initially carried out. For this purpose, the stop element is advantageously automatically shifted from its locked position into its release position when the automatic closing movement is carried out.

With the device according to the invention, a closing movement of the door, e.g. the vehicle tailgate take place with very large or alternatively also with very low closing forces. In the event that the operator can only apply very low closing forces, the pre-locking position of the motor vehicle side door can be easily achieved due to a manual closing movement of the vehicle door. The stop element, so to speak as a precaution in the locking position, is not used at all in this case, since it is advantageously automatically displaced by the drive when the vehicle door is subsequently automatically brought into its closed position and reaches its release position before the vehicle door as a result of a further approach contacted the stop element on the vehicle-side frame. If, on the other hand, the vehicle door is closed manually with a large closing force, the stop element becomes active and is displaced into its release position during a subsequent automatic closing movement of the vehicle door, so that the vehicle door can be moved into its closed position.

It should be noted that the open position within the meaning of claim 1 is in particular a position in which the motor vehicle side door only has to travel a short distance to reach its completely closed position. This is, for example, a conventional pre-locking position in which, for example, an adjustment path of approximately 20 mm or the like has to be covered. However, a position of the motor vehicle door in which it is fully open and / or in which it is not locked on the vehicle side can also be regarded as an open position within the meaning of claim 1.

The closed position within the meaning of claim 1 is preferably to be regarded as a final locking position in which the vehicle door is completely closed and is held on the vehicle side against the sealing pressure of the rubber seals.

The invention preferably relates to a device in which the drive for automatically closing the vehicle door is arranged on the vehicle side and, for example, displaces a striker or a closing element. The rotary latch cooperating with the striker or a pawl therefor are accordingly arranged on the door side. The invention also relates to devices in which the Arrangements are made vice versa in geometric terms and the drive is attached to the door.

A motor vehicle tailgate or a motor vehicle tailgate, for example, is regarded as a vehicle door in the sense of the invention. Alternatively, however, vehicle side doors or other vehicle doors can also be considered, in which automatic closing devices, that is, closing aids, can be used in a sensible manner. This also applies to a car bonnet.

The invention relates both to vehicle doors which are pivotally arranged on a vehicle-side frame, that is to say also to doors which are axially or translationally displaceable, for example sliding doors.

The area on the vehicle, in particular the vehicle body, that essentially surrounds the vehicle opening to be closed by the vehicle door is referred to as the vehicle-side frame in the sense of the present patent application.

According to the invention, the stop element is automatically displaceable. This embodiment of the invention enables, in particular, that the stop element is always shifted from its locked position into its release position when the drive ensures that the vehicle door is automatically transferred to its closed position.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the stop element can be displaced from the drive. This enables a common drive for moving the stop element and for moving the vehicle door into its closed position, so that a separate drive can be dispensed with.

According to a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, the stop element is arranged on the vehicle side. This enables a particularly simple construction, in particular such that the stop element can cooperate with a drive arranged on the vehicle.

According to a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, the stop element is formed by a pivotable lever. This enables a particularly simple and maintenance-free design of the stop element, also over the life of the vehicle.

According to a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, the vehicle door can be locked in a pre-locking position and in a final locking position. This enables a precisely defined position of the vehicle door relative to the frame in which it must be located before the closing aid is activated. Likewise, a final detent position for the vehicle door enables a precisely defined closed state. Both positions can be secured in particular by latching latches or pawls.

According to a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, the vehicle door can be locked in a third position in which it cooperates with the stop element. This enables particularly convenient handling, since the user who has locked the vehicle door with a large force is signaled that a proper pre-closing position of the vehicle door has been reached.

According to a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, a displaceable slide is provided which carries the locking element, in particular a locking bracket or a locking bolt. The carriage can cooperate with the stop element in an advantageous manner. In this way, a particularly compact design is possible.

The arrangement of a displaceable slide also allows the provision of different locking positions of the slide with a simple and stable construction. The different locking positions of the slide element can correspond to different locking positions of the vehicle door relative to the frame.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the stop element located in the locked position projects directly or indirectly into the path of movement of the vehicle door.

In its locked position, the stop element can protrude directly into the path of movement of the vehicle door and, for example, come into contact with a region of the outer contour of the vehicle door, which also includes, for example, the rotary latch or material regions arranged immediately adjacent to it. In its locked position, the stop element can also protrude indirectly into the path of movement of the vehicle door, for example in such a way that it detects the movement of a transmission element, e.g. of a slide element, which is also displaced when the vehicle door closes. The transmission element can be blocked by the stop element located in the locked position in the manner of a spacer and in this way also prevent a closing movement of the vehicle door into its closed position.

• 1 ein erstes Ausführungsbeispiel der erfindungsgemäßen Vorrichtung in sehr schematischer Ansicht, wobei lediglich das Funktionsprinzip der Vorrichtung dargestellt ist,
• 2 ein zweites Ausführungsbeispiel der erfindungsgemäßen Vorrichtung mit einem in Endrastposition befindlichen Schieberelement entsprechend einer in Endrastposition befindlichen Fahrzeugtür,
• 3 die Vorrichtung gemäß 2 mit in Öffnungsposition befindlicher Sperrklinke,
• 4 die Vorrichtung gemäß 3, bei der die Sperrklinke weiter in Öffnungsrichtung verschwenkt ist,
• 5 die Vorrichtung gemäß 4 mit ausgefahrenem Schlittenelement, entsprechend in Vorrastposition befindlicher Fahrzeugtür,
• 6 die Vorrichtung gemäß 5 mit in einer Durchwurf-Schutz-Position befindlichem Schlittenelement bzw. entsprechend befindlicher Fahrzeugtür,
• 7 die Vorrichtung gemäß 6 mit in Freigabeposition befindlichem Anschlagelement,
• 8 die Vorrichtung in einer Position vergleichbar mit 5, bei der eine Überlastkupplung aktiv ist, und
• 9 die Vorrichtung gemäß 8, bei der der Antrieb bei aktivierter Überlastkupplung weiter fortgeschritten ist.

Further advantages result from the non-cited subclaims and from the following description of two exemplary embodiments shown in the figures. In it show:

• 1 a first embodiment of the device according to the invention in a very schematic view, only the functional principle of the device is shown,
• 2 2 shows a second exemplary embodiment of the device according to the invention with a slide element located in the final locking position corresponding to a vehicle door located in the final locking position,
• 3 the device according to 2 with pawl in opening position,
• 4 the device according to 3 , in which the pawl is pivoted further in the opening direction,
• 5 the device according to 4 with extended slide element, corresponding to the vehicle door in the pre-locking position,
• 6 the device according to 5 with a slide element located in a throw-away protection position or a correspondingly located vehicle door,
• 7 the device according to 6 with the stop element in the release position,
• 8th the device in a position comparable to 5 , where an overload clutch is active, and
• 9 the device according to 8th , in which the drive has advanced further when the overload clutch is activated.

The device designated 10 in its entirety in the figures is initially intended to be based on the exemplary embodiment of FIG 1 are explained purely schematically:

1 shows schematically and in a broken away section of a motor vehicle tailgate 11 that are in the closing direction x against a body 12 , that is, against the circumferential body-side frame, for example a motor vehicle rear opening, can be closed. The car tailgate 11 is typically around an arranged in the area of the vehicle roof and essentially transverse to the direction of travel x the vehicle aligned, not shown pivot axis pivotable. The in 1 illustrated section from the tailgate edge 11 and vehicle frame 12 can, for example, in the area of the free edge of the tailgate 11 are located, that is in the area of the bottom of the tailgate when the tailgate is closed.

The tailgate 11 has a butt edge 14 , which is typically formed by a metallic surface. Likewise, the frame of the vehicle body 12 a metallic bump 15 assigned. To due to a closing movement of the vehicle door 11 an immediate collision of the metal surfaces 14 . 15 to prevent what would cause damage is located along the vehicle frame 12 typically one or a plurality of sealing elements 13 ,

With known closing aids 10 it is necessary that, as a result of a manual closing movement of the vehicle door, a pre-locking position of the vehicle door 11 is reached in the contact area 14 a predetermined distance D to the abutment surface on the vehicle 15 occupies. This distance can be 20 mm, for example. The distance is usually dimensioned such that, contrary to the representation of the 1 with the vehicle door in the pre-locked position 11 the butt edge 14 the vehicle door 11 the outside 19 the seal 13 at least partially touched. In this way it can be achieved that when the vehicle door is in the pre-locking position 11 penetration of exhaust gases into the vehicle interior is prevented.

In the 1 Closing aid, not shown, ensures when the vehicle door 11 is in its pre-locking position for a full pull-up of the butt surface 14 to the mating face 15 until a final stop position is reached. The pull-in movement is usually accomplished by a drive which is in 1 is also not shown. The abutting surfaces are in the final click position 14 and 15 except for one due to the spatial expansion of the compressed seal 13 required distance from each other. Towards the end of the closing movement towards the in 1 fully closed position of the vehicle door, not shown 11 the closing forces have to be increased increasingly as the seal continues to compress 13 increasingly higher clamping forces required.

In the event that the vehicle door 11 from its fully open, for example essentially horizontal position relative to the vehicle, is closed manually, the manual closing movement can take place with different forces, depending on which operator performs the closing movement. If the vehicle tailgate or tailgate is closed with particularly high closing forces, there is a risk that the impact surface 14 with great force on the counter-impact surface 15 impinges in an undesirable manner, due to the quite large mass of a motor vehicle tailgate as well as due to the large dimensions and the moments and leverage forces that occur in spite of the existing seal 13 such contacting of the butt surface 14 and mating face 15 are practically impossible.

According to the invention is a stop element 16 provided between his in 1 blocking position shown in solid lines and its release position shown in dashed lines along the displacement direction y is relocatable.

It should be noted that the in 1 With x designated closing direction can coincide, for example, with the direction of travel of the vehicle and consequently the direction of the arrow y according to 1 corresponds to the transverse direction of the vehicle.

The stop element in the locked position 16 has a stop surface 17 on that with the vehicle door side abutting surface 14 can come into contact if the vehicle door is closed manually with very large closing forces. If the surfaces come into contact 14 and 17 , is that between the surfaces 14 and 15 remaining distance e less than the distance D , In case of contacting the butt surfaces 14 and 17 takes the vehicle door 11 relative to the frame fixedly arranged on the vehicle side 12 a position to be referred to as a throw protection position. The vehicle door 11 can also be locked in this position if necessary. Alternatively, the vehicle door 11 when contacting the butt surface 14 and stop surface 17 but also spring back slightly or remain in the position without locking. The stop surface 17 can also be formed by a slightly elastic buffer element or the like, in particular made of plastic.

Due to the in 1 Drive, not shown, starting from a vehicle door in a throw-away protection position, now completely closes the vehicle door 11 would take place in their closed position, the stop element 16 actually in the way of such a closing movement and would hinder it.

According to the stop element 16 however in one in 1 releasing position shown in dashed lines are shifted, in which it can dip into a recess arranged in the vehicle door and a complete closing movement of the vehicle door 11 is no longer prevented in the final locking position described above. It should be noted that the embodiment of the 1 is to be understood only as an example and schematically. That with there 16 designated stop element can be axially, in particular linearly displaceable. Likewise, the stop element could be pivotally attached to the vehicle frame or in a geometrically inverted arrangement on the vehicle door 11 be arranged. Finally, it is also conceivable that the stop element 16 can dip into a recess in the vehicle frame, which in 1 is not shown.

Finally, it is noted that in all of the exemplary embodiments it is of course also possible to provide a plurality of displaceable stop elements which are arranged, for example, at a distance from one another in the circumferential direction of the vehicle opening to be closed by the vehicle door.

Based on 2 to 9 A second exemplary embodiment will now be described, which is a device in a very concrete form 10 for automatically closing a vehicle door.

The vehicle door is in 2 not shown. 2 shows a mounting plate 20 , which is typically fastened on the vehicle side, that is to say on the frame or in the vicinity of an edge of the vehicle opening to be closed by the vehicle door.

For a better overview is in 2 a geometric arrangement has been chosen which corresponds to the geometric arrangement of the 1 similar. The mounting plate 20 shows the part of the lock that is arranged on the vehicle side, a free end of the pivotable vehicle tailgate opposite in the closed state.

On the mounting plate 20 is a sled element 21 arranged, which between a in 2 shown lowest position and one in 5 shown top position along the direction of the double arrow P is relocatable. On the sled element 21 is a striker 22 firmly arranged. The striker 22 has two of the sled member 21 essentially vertically projecting striker legs 23a and 23b and the free ends of the striker legs 23a and 23b interconnecting along the direction of the double arrow P extending striker arm 23c ,

The striker 22 cooperates with an in 2 Not shown, arranged on the door side catch, which with a fork mouth between the striker legs 23a and 23b Immerse the remaining opening and the 2 upper striker arm 23a can undertake.

On the mounting plate 20 are leadership elements 24a . 24b arranged for an exact, straight-line guidance when moving the slide element 21 to care. In addition, it should be noted at this point that the slide element 21 if necessary also swiveling on the mounting plate 20 can be attached. Such alternative embodiment, in which the striker element 22 together with the slide element 21 is pivotable, but is not shown in the figures.

The slide element 21 is from a spring element 25 in the direction of extension, i.e. with respect 2 upward, burdened. The spring element 25 For this purpose, it is supported on an abutment (not shown) which is fixed to the mounting plate and presses with its other end against the underside 26 of the slide element 21 ,

With the slide element 21 acts a pawl 27 together, around a pivot axis 28 swiveling on the mounting plate 20 is attached. The pawl 27 is loaded counterclockwise by a spring, not shown, in its locking direction and acts with its free locking end 29 with a recess 30 in the slide element 21 together. The pawl is located 27 in its locked position according to 2 , it prevents the slide element from extending 21 from its in 2 shown final stop position. In this context it should be noted that the in 2 illustrated final locking position of the slide element corresponds to a final locking position of the vehicle door, ie a position of the door in which it is completely closed and at most approximated to the frame on the vehicle.

The pawl 27 is about a pivot axis 31 swiveling with a pawl lever 32 connected. The pawl lever 32 has an elongated hole at its left end 33 on in which a spigot 34 an intermediate lever 35 is led. The intermediate lever 35 is about a swivel axis fixed to the mounting plate 36 pivotable.

With his regarding 2 lower end is the intermediate lever 35 about a pivot axis 37 swivels to a finger protection lever 38 hinged. The function of the finger protection lever will be explained later. The finger protection lever 38 is about the swivel axis 37 pivotable to a pull lever 39 hinged. The pull lever 39 is about a pivot axis 40 swiveling on a drive wheel 41 attached, which in the direction of the arrow u around its central axis 42 can rotate endlessly. The drive wheel 41 For this purpose, it is motor-driven, for example driven by an electric motor (not shown) and has two cams which are arranged offset circumferentially by approximately 120 ° or 240 ° 43a . 43b on that with a locking lever 44 cooperate. The locking lever 44 is about a swivel axis fixed to the mounting plate 45 pivotable and for this purpose, for example, by an actuator, not shown, such as a microswitch, displaceable.

2 shows a locking position of the locking lever 44 , in which this works together with the cam 43a a rotation of the drive wheel 41 clockwise around the swivel axis 42 prevented.

The finger protection lever 38 points to his regarding 2 left end of a stop surface 46 on that with a fixed stop on the mounting plate side 47 cooperates. The exact functioning of the stop surface 46 and stop 47 will be explained later.

At his regarding 2 right end has the finger protection lever 38 moreover a hook-like end 48 on which is an inclined sliding surface 49 has. The sliding surface 49 acts with a counter sliding surface 50 together, on a two-armed lever 51 is arranged. The lever 51 is about a swivel axis fixedly arranged on the mounting plate side 52 pivotable.

The counter sliding surface 50 is at a free end of the matter 2 lower lever arm 73 attached and can for example also from a rotatable roller 53 to be provided.

The two-armed lever 51 couples the hook end 48 of the finger protection lever 38 to the slide element 21 , To do this, the second lever arm dips 54 of the two-armed lever 51 with a coupling element 55 , for example a pin or the like., In a slot-like recess 56 in the slide element 21 on.

The hook-shaped end 48 of the finger protection lever 38 is via a connecting lever 57 also with a stop element 58 connected. The stop element 58 is designed as a two-armed lever and around a pivot axis that is fixedly arranged on the mounting plate side 59 pivotable.

The stop element 58 is between its in 2 shown release position and its example in 5 Lock position shown shiftable. In its locked position, the stop element 58 with his head area 60 with the bottom 26 of the slide element 21 interact. The head area 60 consists for example of plastic and provides a stop surface with its top 61 ready the the bottom 26 of the slide element 21 can contact if necessary.

The operation of the device according to the invention 10 according to the 2 to 9 is as follows:

2 shows the slide element in the final locking position 21 , In the 2 Vehicle door, not shown, also has not illustrated catch the regarding 2 upper frame leg 23a of the striker 22 caught and is therefore equally in a final detent position, in which it lies closely against the vehicle-side edge of the vehicle opening. A typically provided, but not absolutely necessary sealing element according to 1 is very strongly compressed in this case.

The end position of the slide element 21 is due to the pawl in the locked position 27 by falling into the recess 30 against the force of the spring element 25 locked. The door is thus held securely in the final click position.

If the vehicle door is to be opened from this position, it is therefore necessary that the slide element 21 in terms of 2 is shifted upwards. For this purpose, the locking lever is first actuated 44 such that it clockwise slightly around its pivot axis 45 pivoted and the cam element 43a releases. The drive, not shown, can be the drive wheel 41 now clockwise around its pivot axis 42 turn, the articulation point 40 the pull lever 39 on the drive wheel 41 a movement along a circular path 62 about the pivot axis 42 going around. The pull lever 39 is due to a rotation of the drive wheel 41 in terms of 2 Translationally shifted to the right. The movement of the pull lever 39 is more complicated, however, because the pull lever 39 due to its articulated connection with the drive wheel 41 and with the finger protection lever 38 at the same time undergoes a swiveling movement in space.

At the same time, the intermediate lever pivots 35 counterclockwise around its pivot axis 36 taking the pawl lever 32 with, relocated this 2 thus essentially to the left. The pawl lever 32 pulls on the pawl 27 and pivots it clockwise around its pivot axis 28 so the locking nose 29 from the recess 30 comes out and the slide element 21 releases.

4 illustrates a situation according to 3 where the drive wheel 41 still slightly clockwise u around the central axis 42 has been rotated so that the locking tab 29 the pawl 27 from the outer contour of the slide element 21 has clearly discontinued.

It should be noted that the two-armed lever element 51 via a spring element 63 with the finger protection lever 38 connected is. As a result of a rotary movement of the drive wheel 41 clockwise from the position according to 2 into position according to 3 was with the pull lever 39 also the finger protection lever 38 in terms of 2 essentially shifted to the right. As a result, the spring element exercises 63 a moment on the two-armed lever 51 from around its pivot axis 52 counterclockwise into its in 3 position shown pivoted. The coupling element strikes in this position 55 at the regarding 3 top margin 64 of the elongated hole 56 on.

Starting from a position according to 4 is the slide element 21 completely released and is due to the spring element shown only schematically 25 now in his in 5 shown top position shifted. This displacement movement is accompanied by a further rotation of the drive wheel 41 clockwise around its pivot axis 42 until the cam element 43b on the locking lever that has now been swung back 44 strikes.

In the 5 shown position of the slide element 21 is the pre-locking position of the slide element 21 , The locking position of the slide element 21 can correspond to a pre-locking position of the vehicle door.

For clarification, it should be noted that the slide element is in the pre-locking position 21 is actually not in a latched position, but via the coupling element 55 of the two-armed lever 51 just being held. Likewise, the vehicle door, which is in the pre-latched position, is not locked, but is only locked.

In this pre-latching position of the vehicle door, which is designed, for example, as a tailgate, the tailgate can, for example, be opened manually, for example by actuating a handle flap which acts on the rotary latch not shown on the door, so that the frame leg 23a of the striker 22 is released and the car door can be opened.

If the vehicle door is then closed again manually, a fork leg of the rotary latch gets between the two frame legs 23a . 23b and gets caught there. The motor vehicle door is then, assuming a customary manual closing force, locked in a pre-locking position in which it is held securely on the vehicle body in an open position in the sense of the present patent application. In this position, the butt surface on the vehicle door is apart from a gap D (see. 1 ) already approximated to a mating surface on the vehicle.

As an addition of clarity is in 5 the distance D , corresponding to the maximum adjustment path of the slide element 21 shown in dashed lines.

When the vehicle door is in the pre-locking position, the device according to the invention can 10 be started to automatically close the vehicle door. For this, starting from a position according to 5 , first the locking lever 44 from its in 5 shown locking position pivoted clockwise, so that the cam element 43b is released and the drive, not shown, the drive wheel 41 can drive clockwise. By rotating the drive wheel 41 the pull lever turns clockwise 39 and equally the one on the pull lever 39 articulated finger protection levers 38 in terms of 5 essentially shifted to the left. This position shows for example 7 , Starting from the position according to 5 it becomes clear that if the finger protection lever is continuously shifted 38 regarding the 5 the hook end to the left 48 with its sliding surface 49 on the counter sliding surface 50 of the two-armed lever 51 slides along and the lever 51 thereby clockwise around its swivel axis 52 pivoted. By pivoting the two-armed lever 51 clockwise, the coupling element 55 by interacting with the bottom 65 the slot-like recess 56 ensure that the slide element 21 in terms of 5 is shifted axially downward and initially, for example, its in 7 shown position reached, which corresponds to an intermediate state. The drive thus transfers the actual tensile force to the slide element 21 via the drive wheel 41 , the pull lever 39 and the finger protection lever 38 on the two-armed lever 51 which is immediate, in the sense of a retracting movement of the slide element 21 , attacks this.

Usually, starting from a position according to 7 the drive wheel continuously rotates clockwise from the drive until the in 2 shown end position is reached, in which the cam element 43a on the locking lever 44 is applied. The slide element is in this position 21 according to its lowest position 2 in which the pawl 27 into the recess 30 has collapsed and the slide element 21 axially secures.

In the following, an overload clutch function of the device according to the invention should be based on the 7 to 9 to be discribed:

In the case of automatic closing aids, that is to say devices for automatically closing a vehicle door, one should refrain from carrying out closing movements of the vehicle door over large adjustment paths with large closing forces, in order to prevent one in the event of obstacles, for example limbs projecting into the path of movement of the vehicle door complete closing movement is carried out. It is conceivable, for example, that as a result of a manual closing movement of the vehicle door into its pre-latching position, the fingertips of the user are still within the path of movement of the vehicle door and an accidental or unintentional triggering of the drive for transferring the vehicle door from its pre-latching position into its final latching position pinches and injures the limbs could. It should be noted in particular that typical adjustment paths between the pre-locking position and the final locking position are approximately 20 mm and that such an overload clutch or a comparable safety mechanism should be effective at least within the first 14 mm of the closing movement.

7 shows a position of the closing element 22 between the pre-locking position and the final locking position. The closing element 22 has most of the way D already traveled. There remains a path of length to be covered S until the bottom 26 of the slide element 21 a fixed stop surface on the mounting plate side 74 reached. The distance S can be chosen arbitrarily and is preferably 6 mm. Along this relatively small remaining adjustment path, there is practically no possibility that limbs can still be trapped.

Starting from a position according to 5 became with continuous rotation of the drive wheel 41 the finger protection lever clockwise 38 essentially shifted to the left and has according to 7 reached a position in which a finger edge on the edge of the finger protection lever 66 an opposite edge 67 of the stop 47 happened. Once the edges 66 . 67 the stopper ensures that they have passed each other 47 making sure that the finger protection lever 38 no further than desired clockwise around its pivot axis 37 can pivot and consequently also its hook-like end 48 not from the lower lever arm 73 can solve. A correspondingly favorable geometric arrangement of the levers can also ensure that the remaining distance S the slide element with a large closing force 21 continues until its underside 26 on the mounting plate fixed stop 74 strikes.

In the event that there are obstacles in the path of movement before the slide element during the movement of the vehicle door from its pre-locking position into its final locking position 21 its in 7 position shown are reached on the closing element 22 Tensile forces regarding 7 exercised upwards. The closing element 22 is held, so to speak, slightly.

This holding the locking element 22 due to obstacles, if a threshold force of, for example, 250 N is exceeded, the two-armed lever 51 on a rotation in Clockwise is prevented, or such a rotation is only possible with the application of correspondingly large forces. The pair of surfaces of the sliding surface 49 and sliding surface 50 now behaves in such a way that the surfaces do not adhere to one another with a correspondingly high frictional force, as in the normal case, and for a pivoting of the two-armed lever 51 can worry, but that the pair of surfaces detach from each other and the sliding surface 49 along the sliding surface 50 slides. The hook-shaped end 48 of the finger protection lever 38 can in this way on the free end of the lower lever arm 73 of the two-armed lever 51 slide past so that the in 8th shown position results. At the same time, the finger protection lever 38 pivoted clockwise such that its stop surface 46 in the area of the stop 47 device, so that if the vehicle door continues to close, the surface may stop 46 on the stop surface 47 could come.

The striking could cause further rotation of the drive wheel 41 prevent, and thus ensure that trapped limbs in the movement gap between the vehicle door 11 and frame 12 not be pinched any further. In fact, the device 10 however, designed in such a way that such a stop never occurs, but that the end of the hook is used when obstacles are jammed 48 of the finger protection lever 38 always under the lever arm 73 of the two-armed lever 51 dives through and in this way from the closing element 21 is decoupled.

The stop stop 47 but poses like this 7 makes it clear, sure that in case the marginal edge 66 of the finger protection lever 38 at the corresponding edge 67 of the stop 47 is passed, when the vehicle door is closed further, a pivoting of the finger protection lever 38 can no longer be done clockwise. This geometry takes into account the fact that the last millimeters of travel, for example the last 6 mm, have to be covered against the sealing pressure with very high closing forces, whereby it can practically be excluded that limbs or other obstacles can penetrate into such a small gap, or even then are in the movement gap.

If according to 8th the finger protection function has been triggered and the pair of sliding surface 49 and counter sliding surface 50 has been decoupled, the drive wheel 41 continue to be moved clockwise until the cam member 43a on the locking lever 44 is applied. This constant rotation of the drive wheel 41 however, does not lead to a displacement of the slide element 21 ,

The vehicle door is when the cam element strikes 43a and locking lever 44 not closed properly. However, a detector (not shown) can determine that the door is not closed properly, so that remedial action can be taken and the obstacle protruding into the path of movement of the vehicle door can be removed.

The device 10 can also be designed to be reversible after triggering the finger protection function, with the actuation of the locking lever 44 starting from a position according to 9 the drive wheel 41 can be turned clockwise and the finger protection lever 38 with its hook-shaped end 48 on the lower lever arm 73 of the two-armed lever 51 can pass until the in 5 shown pre-locking position of the vehicle door is reached.

In the following, the function of the stop element 58 are explained:

Starting from a position according to 5 in which the slide element 21 is maximally extended, that is, in terms of its 5 topmost position, the vehicle side door can be closed manually. The motor vehicle side door can initially be in a fully open position, for example, in which it completely clears an opening on the vehicle side. If a particularly high closing force is applied when the door is closed manually, the slide element would become without the provision of special stop elements 21 in his in 2 bottom position shown with stops on the stop 74 drive in and the pawl 27 into the recess 30 occur and accordingly for locking the slide element 21 to care. However, the problems described above can occur in such a way that abutting surfaces 14 the vehicle door with mating surfaces 15 come into contact with the body in an undesired manner and cause damage to vehicle parts.

This prevents the stop element 58 in the following way:

The stop element 58 is between one in 2 shown release position and one in 5 shown, counterclockwise pivoted locking position shiftable. The stop element 58 is designed as a two-armed lever and has a reference 5 lower coupling element 67 on, which is, for example, cone-shaped and in an elongated hole 68 in the connecting lever 57 is arranged. The stop element 58 is preferably counterclockwise in its in 5 shown locking position spring loaded into it. However, it can result a rotational movement of the drive wheel caused by the drive, not shown 41 and by a corresponding shift of the chain of lever elements 39 . 38 and 57 based on the locked position 5 clockwise to its release position 7 be pivoted.

The slide element is located 21 in its extended position according to 5 , the locking element can be closed by manually closing the fully opened vehicle door with great force 21 drive in until the bottom 26 of the slide element 21 the top 61 of the stop element 58 contacted. This contact situation is in 6 shown and requires a correspondingly strong closing of the door, with the vehicle door being moved closer to the vehicle-side frame beyond its pre-locking position.

How out 6 results, is in this as a throw-through prevention position of the slide element 21 identifiable position the pawl 27 in their locked position and with their locking nose 29 in a second recess 69 on the slide element 21 sunken. The second recess 69 is closer to the fixed stop 74 than the first notch 30 , The throwing prevention position of the slide element 21 is automatically locked in this way, so that precisely defined positions of the various lever elements are possible and predetermined.

Is based on a position 6 the device 10 the drive wheel 41 after releasing the locking lever 44 rotated clockwise, the 6 right margin 70 of the elongated hole with the coupling element 67 of the stop element 58 in contact and can pivot this clockwise. It should also be noted that the stop element 58 an elongated hole 71 has and in this way on a mounting plate fixedly arranged mounting pin 72 is slidably mounted. The mounting pin 72 also represents the swivel axis 59 for the stop element 58 represents.

As a result of continuous rotation of the drive wheel 41 clockwise the stop element 58 clockwise to its release position (e.g. 2 ) shifted. The coupling element follows 55 of the second lever arm 54 of the two-armed lever 51 with the lower stop surface 65 of the elongated hole 56 of the slide element 21 in contact and can slide element 21 , since its movement from the stop element 58 is no longer prevented in the in 2 Shift the final stop position shown. In addition, it should be noted that with a displacement of the stop element 58 , starting from a position according to 6 , also a relocation of the pawl 27 from the in 6 shown locking position in their example in 3 shown release position goes hand in hand on the pawl lever element 32 a traction regarding 6 to the left of the intermediate lever element 35 is exercised, which is slightly counterclockwise about its pivot axis 36 is pivoted.

It is particularly important that the stop element 58 whenever the slide element 21 is extended, pivoted into its locking position, and then, in particular towards the end of the closing movement of the door, from which the lever elements 39 . 38 . 57 existing linkage is shifted into its release position, i.e. automatically, so that the sliding element 21 can move into its final stop position.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

10

Device, closing aid

11

Tailgate, vehicle tailgate, tailgate edge, tailgate, vehicle door

12

Body, vehicle frame, frame, vehicle body

13

Seal, sealing element

14

Butt surface 11 , Contact surface, butt edge, surface

15

Butt surface 12 , Mating face, surface

16

stop element

17

Contact surface, butt surface

18

19

Outside v. 13

20

mounting plate

21

Slide element, slide element, closing element, sliding element, locking element

22

Striker, striker element, striker

23a, b, c

Striker leg, frame leg

24

guide element

25

spring element

26

Bottom of 21

27

pawl

28

swivel axis

29

Locking, locking nose

30

recess

31

swivel axis

32

Pawl lever, pawl, lever element

33

Long hole

34

spigot

35

Intermediate lever, intermediate lever element

36

swivel axis

37

swivel axis

38

Finger protection lever, lever element

39

Pull lever, lever element

40

Swivel axis, articulation point

41

drive wheel

42

Central axis, swivel axis

43 a, b, c

Cam, cam element

44

locking lever

45

swivel axis

46

Contact surface, surface

47

Holding stop, stop surface

48

Hook end, hook-like end, hook-shaped end

49

sliding surface

50

Counter sliding surface, sliding surface

51

Lever, lever element

52

swivel axis

53

role

54

2. Lever arm

55

coupling element

56

Recess, slot

57

Connection lever, lever element

58

stop element

59

swivel axis

60

head area

61

Stop surface, top

62

orbit

63

Spring, spring element

64

Edge of 56

65

lower margin of 56 , lower stop surface

66

Edge of 38 , Edge

67

Coupling element, edge, edge

68

Long hole

69

(2nd rest), recess

70

(End of 68 ), Edge

71

Long hole

72

(Pin), mounting pin

73

lower lever arm of 51

74

Stop surface, stop

x

Closing direction, driving direction

D

Gap, distance

y

Direction of displacement, arrow

P

arrow

u

rotation

e

distance

S

Remaining distance 6mm

Claims (11)

Device (10) for automatically closing a vehicle door (11), comprising a drive (at 41) with which the vehicle door (11) can be opened from an open position ( 5 ) in a closed position ( 2 ) can be transferred, characterized in that a stop element (16, 58) of the device (10) is provided, which automatically between a locking position ( 6 ), in which it ensures that with a manual closing movement of the vehicle door (11) with very large forces, a precisely predetermined minimum distance between the vehicle-side and door-side abutting surfaces (14, 15) is maintained, whereby there is a transfer of the vehicle door (11) into it closed position ( 2 ) prevented, and a release position ( 3 ) in which there is the transfer to its closed position ( 2 ) permits, is relocatable. Device (10) after Claim 1 , characterized in that the stop element (16, 58) can be displaced by the drive (at 41). Device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the stop element (16, 58) is arranged on the vehicle side. Device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the stop element (16, 58) is formed by a pivotable lever. Device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the open position ( 5 ) a pre-locking position and the closed position ( 2 ) is a final stop position. Device (10) after Claim 5 , characterized in that the vehicle door (11) in the pre-locking position ( 5 ) and in the final click position ( 2 ) can be locked. Device (10) after Claim 6 characterized in that the vehicle door (11) is in a third position ( 6 ; Throw-through protection position) in which it cooperates directly or indirectly with the stop element (16, 58). Device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the device (10) has a displaceable slide element (21). Device (10) after Claim 8 , characterized in that the slide element (21) carries a locking element (22), in particular a locking bracket (22). Device (10) after Claim 8 or 9 , characterized in that the stop element (58) cooperates with the slide element (21). Device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the stop element (58) in its locked position ( 6 ) protrudes directly or indirectly into the path of movement of the vehicle door (11).

Images