DE102005048945A1 - Locking aid for e.g. tail gate of motor vehicle, has metal band that can be winded from resting position into locking position on wrapping wheel for moving locking unit, and electromotor provided in housing - Google Patents

Abstract

The aid (1) has a locking unit connected with an electromotor (14) by a transmission unit. The locking unit stands in contact with a locking latch of a door lock during locking of the vehicle door. The motor is connected with a wrapping wheel via a drive and is provided in a housing (13). The transmission unit has a metal band (5), which is connected with its one end with the locking unit or a part connected with the locking unit and its another end with the wheel such that the band can be winded from a resting position into a locking position on the wheel for moving the locking unit.

Description

The The invention relates to a closing aid to close a door provided with a door lock of a vehicle door the closed position of the vehicle door adjacent position against the restoring force a door seal in a completely closed Position of the vehicle door.

Such closing aids are for example from the publications DE 199 10 031 A1 and DE 101 28 608 A1 known. In this case, the respective closing aid comprises a bolt-shaped or bow-shaped closing element which on the one hand by means of a motor drive against the restoring force of at least one spring from a rest to a closed position is movable and which on the other hand in the rest position by a door lock associated pivotable latch is gripped around so that the closing element pulls the vehicle door (against the force of the deforming door seal) in its fully closed position during its movement in the closed position over the latch.

adversely in the known closing aids among other things, that the closing element and the drive by means of a transmission device, the e.g. from a linkage, a lever arrangement or a Nockenradverbindung consists, in are essentially rigidly interconnected. This leads under to space problems in the placement of the closing aid in Vehicle as well as a complex adaptation of the closing aid their use in different types of vehicles so that it is in usually not possible is, the known closing aids to standardize.

One Another disadvantage of known closing aids is that when using of poles the Drive unit can be realized in a relatively open design must and therefore bad against external environmental influences (splashing water, Dust and the like.) Can be sealed.

Of the Invention is the object of a closing aid of mentioned in the beginning Specify type, which in terms of the required space flexible and without costly changes is applicable to different types of vehicles, i. a high one Standardization degree. In addition, the drive should the closing aid good against external environmental influences seal.

These The object is achieved by the Characteristics of claim 1 solved. Further, particularly advantageous embodiments of the invention reveal the dependent claims.

The The invention is based essentially on the idea of a transmission device between the drive and the closing element no rigid linkage or one directly on the closing element to use acting cam, etc., but a band-shaped element to use, which with its first end with the closing element and connected with its second end with a winding wheel of the drive is such that it for displacement of the closing element against the restoring force of the first elastic element can be wound onto the winding wheel is.

One such band-shaped Connecting element allows in a simple way, a modular built-up closing aid too create, consisting of a drive module and a closing element module, preferably with linear guide, composed, wherein the two modules by the band-shaped element, e.g. a metal or fabric tape, are connectable.

at Use of such modular buildable closing aid at different types of vehicles usually has only the Closing element module (Length the linear guide) and optionally the length of the band-shaped Elementes are adapted to the respective vehicle type. An adaptation of the Drive modules of the closing aid is, however, usually not required. The drive unit can also be easily sealed very well because they are in one own housing can be accommodated and only the slot-shaped opening through which the band-shaped material through the housing wall passed through a seal (e.g., lip seal) must become. The drive unit is therefore splash-proof, which does not use the closing aid only in the rear area, but also in the side area of a motor vehicle (e.g., housing the drive module in the B-pillar).

Around to achieve that Tightening force and / or speed of the band-shaped element in the closing of the vehicle door a changing one given force and / or Speed corresponds, the winding wheel can accordingly exzenterförmig trained and on a complex power control of the drive motor thus be waived.

When Advantageously, it has been proven when it comes to the transmission the drive is a worm gear, wherein the winding wheel connected to the worm wheel.

Of course, but also a spur gear can be used, if necessary should be. In this case, the winding wheel is rotatably arranged on the corresponding spur gear of the intermediate gear.

to Realization of a pinch protection is in an advantageous embodiment the invention provided between the winding wheel and the closing element one of the band-shaped Element acted upon and from a rest position against the pressure of a second elastic element in an operating position pivoting or sliding To arrange pulley whose position can be controlled by a first sensor is such that the Sensor when reaching the operating position generates a corresponding signal, which directly or via a electronic control device acts on the drive and this stops.

Further Details and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following explained with reference to a figure Embodiment.

In the Fig. A closing aid according to the invention for a tailgate, not shown, of a motor vehicle is shown schematically. The closing aid 1 consists of a closing element module 2 , a drive module 3 and an electronic control device 4 ,

The closing element module 2 is formed such that it is fastened to the rear-side body of a corresponding vehicle in the region of the tailgate opening, which is opposite to the tailgate lock. The drive module 3 Although it is also fastened to or in the rear-side vehicle body, it may have a more or less large distance from the closing element module, depending on the respective space conditions of the motor vehicle.

drive module 3 and closing element module 2 are according to the invention by a displaceable in the direction of its longitudinal axis band-shaped element 5 , For example, a metal band, connected together.

The closing element module 2 essentially comprises a bow-shaped closing element 6 , which on a plate-shaped support part 7 is attached. Here is the carrier part 7 , and thus the closing element 6 , in a linear guide 8th against the restoring force of a leg spring shown in dashed lines 9 From a rest position shown in FIG. Placed displaceable in a closed position. The closed position is determined by the position of a limit switch 10 given, either by the closing element 6 yourself or one with the closing element 6 or the carrier part 7 connected switching cam (not shown) is actuated upon reaching the predetermined closed position.

At the closing element 6 or on the support part 7 is also the first end 11 of the metal band 5 (eg releasably) attached, which via a pulley 12 to the drive module 3 is guided.

The drive module 3 includes a housing 13 , which is shown in section in the figure. In the case 13 there is an electric motor 14 with downstream worm gear 15 , With the worm wheel 16 of the transmission 15 is designed as an eccentric winding wheel 17 rotatably connected, at which the second end 18 of the metal band 5 (optionally also detachable) is attached.

Between the winding wheel 17 and one with a seal 19 provided housing opening 20 for passing the metal strip 5 there is a terminal protection device 25 that has a pulley 21 includes over which the metal band 5 is guided. The pulley 21 is against the pressure of an elastic element, not shown, about an axis 22 swiveling and is over a lever 23 with a first sensor designed as a switch 24 connected.

Also, in the case 13 of the drive module 3 a likewise designed as a switch second sensor 26 provided by a corresponding contour (not shown) of the winding wheel 17 is operable.

Subsequently, the operation of the closing aid according to the invention will be discussed. Here is the closing element 6 initially in his rest position shown in FIG.

If the open tailgate to be closed, it is for example manually pressed into a position adjacent to the closed position, in which the door seal is still no significant effect on the tailgate and the dashed line in the figure, indicated closing latch 27 the tailgate lock around the closing element 6 sets and is secured by a pawl, not shown (pre-locking position). The excess energy occurring in the event of a possible slamming of the tailgate is caused by the on the closing element 6 acting leg spring 9 attenuated.

After reaching the pre-locking position of the latch 27 is generated by a corresponding touch switch (not shown), a signal which the control device 4 is fed, which in turn then an energization of the electric motor 14 of the drive module 3 causes. The torque of the electric motor 14 is about the worm gear 15 on the trained as Exzenterrad winding wheel 17 transfer. This will the metal band 5 on the winding wheel 17 wound up and due to the shortening of the metal strip 5 the closing element 6 from its rest position together with the tailgate lock - and thus also with the tailgate - along the linear guide 8th drawn.

Once the closing element 6 or a switching cam connected to this element the limit switch 10 has achieved, this generates a signal which either the power supply to the electric motor 14 directly shuts off (to prefer in case of external current) or forwards the corresponding signal to the control device for switching off 4 Next, which then performs the shutdown.

The Tailgate is then in its fully closed Position.

If it should come in the closing process of the tailgate pinching an object, such as a body part, between the tailgate and vehicle body and the closing force exceeds a defined value, due to the increasing belt tension the pulley 21 the terminal protection device 25 from its rest position into an actuation position about the axis 22 panned and the first sensor 24 through the lever 23 (For example, via a torsion spring connected to the pulley carrying the arm) is actuated. The corresponding sensor signal then on the one hand preferably causes a direct stop operation of the electric motor 14 (short reaction time) and on the other hand via the control device 4 a reversal of the direction of rotation of the electric motor 14 ,

However, since body parts usually have dimensions larger than 6 mm, the above-mentioned sensor signal does not become a stopping operation of the electric motor 14 used when the gap between the tailgate and vehicle body at the occurrence of a clamping operation is less than 6 mm. In this case, the tailgate is rather pulled further with relatively large force in its fully closed position. In this case, the distance of 6 mm (or another predetermined limit) by the contour of the winding wheel 17 set, which is chosen so that these a corresponding switching operation by means of the second sensor 26 upon rotation of the winding wheel 17 triggers a gap between the tailgate and the opposite vehicle body of 6 mm.

When opening the tailgate energized the electronic control device 4 the electric motor 14 in - opposite to the closing process - opposite direction. The metal band will now be from the winding wheel 17 unwound and the closing element 6 is by the thigh spring 9 pulled back to his rest position.

The signal for opening the tailgate can simultaneously the tailgate lock and the closing aid 1 be supplied. This reduces the force required to open the tailgate lock.

The Invention is self-evident not limited to the embodiment described above. So must the Displacement of the closing element not necessarily over a linear guide respectively. Instead of a leg spring, the rest position of the closing element also be done by at least one cylinder spring, which is laterally to corresponding support surfaces of the support part and the leadership supported.

Further must to Activation of the drive is not necessarily the electric motor on or can be turned off, but it can also be a gearbox with switchable Coupling be provided.

Furthermore, it must be in the electronic control device 4 not be a separate device, but in the control device may be part of the central vehicle electronics or it may be in the drive module 3 be integrated and thus form part of this module.

1

closing aid

2

Closing element module

3

drive module

4

(Electronic) control device

5

band-shaped element, Metal band, transmission device

6

closing element

7

support part

8th

Linear guide, guide

9

Leg spring, first elastic return element

10

limit switch

11

first The End

12

idler pulley

13

casing

14

Electric motor, motor drive

15

Worm gear transmission

16

worm

17

winding wheel

18

second The End

19

poetry

20

housing opening

21

idler pulley

22

axis

23

lever

24

first sensor

25

Clamping protection device

26

second sensor

27

closing event

Claims (9)

Closing aid for closing a vehicle door provided with a door lock from a position adjacent to the closed position of the vehicle door against the restoring force of a door seal into a completely closed position of the vehicle door having the features: a) the closing aid ( 1 ) includes one with a motor drive ( 14 ) via a transmission device ( 5 ) connected closing element ( 6 ), which in closing the vehicle door in engagement with a latch ( 27 ) of the door lock and against the load of at least one first elastic return element ( 9 ) is operable from a rest position to a closed position, wherein the closing element ( 6 ) has pulled the vehicle door to the fully closed position, b) the motor drive ( 14 ) is via a transmission ( 15 ) with a winding wheel ( 17 ) connected; c) the transmission equipment ( 5 ) comprises a band-shaped element which with its first end ( 11 ) with the closing element ( 6 ) or one with the closing element ( 6 ) connected part and with its second end ( 18 ) with the winding wheel ( 17 ) is connected, such that the band-shaped element ( 5 ) for displacement of the closing element ( 6 ) from the rest position to the closed position on the winding wheel ( 17 ) can be wound up. Closing aid according to claim 1, characterized in that it is in the band-shaped element ( 5 ) is a metal or fabric band. Closing aid according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the winding wheel ( 17 ) is formed eccentric, such that the closing force and speed of the band-shaped element ( 5 ) When closing the vehicle door corresponds to a pre-given force and / or speed curve. Closing aid according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that it is in the transmission ( 15 ) is a worm gear, wherein the winding wheel ( 17 ) with the worm wheel ( 16 ) is rotatably connected. Closing aid according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that between the winding wheel ( 17 ) and the closing element ( 6 ) a terminal protection device ( 25 ) is provided, one of the band-shaped element ( 5 ) acted upon and from a rest position in an operating position pivoting or sliding deflection roller ( 21 ) whose position is determined by a first sensor ( 24 ) is controllable, such that upon reaching the operating position of the deflection roller ( 21 ) the first sensor ( 24 ) generates a corresponding signal, which on the motor drive ( 14 ) acts. Closing aid according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that it is in the motor drive ( 14 ) is an electric motor. Closing aid according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the closing element ( 6 ) on a support part ( 7 ) is arranged, which in a linear guide ( 8th ) to be led. Closing aid according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that it is in the first elastic return element ( 9 ) is a thigh spring. Closing aid according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the closing aid ( 1 ) at least two separate modules ( 2 . 3 ), which via the band-shaped element ( 5 ) are connectable to each other; that the first module is a closing element module ( 2 ), that along a tour ( 8th ) arranged from its rest position to its closed position sliding closure element ( 6 ) with the corresponding restoring elements acting in the direction of the rest position ( 9 ) and at least one limit switch ( 10 ) to define the closed position and that the drive module ( 3 ) from a housing ( 13 ), in which the motor drive ( 14 ) with the downstream transmission ( 15 ) and the winding wheel ( 17 ) and optionally a terminal protection device ( 25 ) are arranged and the housing ( 13 ) one with a seal ( 19 ) provided housing opening ( 20 ) for the passage of the band-shaped element ( 5 ) having.