DE102010063058B4 - Connecting device for a tailgate drive of a vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

Device (1) for connecting an output shaft (5) of a drive to a hinge of a vehicle tailgate, comprising:- a drive lever (10) which comprises a receptacle (12) for receiving the output shaft (5) and a link opening (11),- an adapter part (3) which comprises a pin (30), wherein the adapter part (3) can be connected to the hinge and wherein the pin (30) is guided through the link opening (11), and- a fastening element (2; 20) for holding the adapter part (3) on the drive lever (10),- wherein the pin (30) has a cylindrical bearing area (31) and a fastening area (32) for fastening to the fastening element (2; 20),- wherein the pin (30) is connected to the fastening element (2; 20) at the fastening area (32) in order to prevent the adapter part (3) from becoming detached from the drive lever (10), and- wherein the bearing area (31) is arranged in the link opening (11) of the drive lever (10) for a bearing operation and/or a sliding operation - wherein in the adapter part (3) at least one threaded hole or a welded nut is provided for fastening to the hinge.

Description

State of the art

The present invention relates to a connecting device for connecting an output shaft of a drive to a hinge of a vehicle tailgate.

It is known to operate tailgates of vehicles by means of a tailgate drive. For example, the EN 10 2006 024 349 A1 a device of this type with a drive lever that is connected to an output shaft of the drive and has a guide. A sliding block is slidably arranged in the guide. The device also comprises an adapter part with a pin that is rotatably mounted in the sliding block. However, this known device has a relatively large installation space and is relatively difficult to assemble due to the large number of different individual parts.

With the DE 102 22 290 A1 A drive for pivoting a vehicle flap of a motor vehicle that can be connected in a rotationally fixed manner to a hinge axis has become known, in which a motor shaft is arranged radially offset to the hinge axis and is connected to it in an articulated manner.

Disclosure of the invention

The device according to the invention for connecting an output shaft of a drive to a hinge of a vehicle tailgate with the features of claim 1 has the advantage of being more cost-effective to manufacture and easier to assemble. According to the invention, the number of components can be reduced and the risk of incorrect assembly is reduced.

This is achieved according to the invention in that the device has only three main components, namely a drive lever, an adapter part and a fastening element. The drive lever comprises a slotted opening and a receptacle for introducing the output shaft of the drive. The adapter part, which forms the interface to the hinge of the vehicle tailgate, comprises a pin with a bearing area, in particular a cylindrical one, and a fastening area. The bearing area is arranged in the slotted opening of the drive lever. The fastening element is fastened to the fastening area and holds the adapter part to the drive lever. By arranging the bearing area and the fastening element on a pin of the adapter part, a particularly compact structure can be realized. The bearing area carries out a bearing process and/or a sliding process in the slotted opening when the vehicle tailgate is opened/closed. The slotted opening is preferably an elongated hole, wherein a relative position between the bearing area of the pin and the slotted opening is changed during an opening process of the vehicle tailgate. The bearing area has very little sliding resistance, making it easy to open/close the vehicle tailgate. The elongated hole also serves to compensate for component tolerances that have an effect in the radial direction.

The subclaims show preferred developments of the invention.

Preferably, the pin of the adapter part comprises a contact surface which is formed between the bearing area and the fastening area of the pin. In the assembled state, the fastening element rests against the contact surface so that the fastening element has a defined position.

In order to avoid assembly errors when mounting the fastening element on the adapter part, the depth of the slotted opening is preferably smaller than the axial length of the bearing area. This ensures that the drive lever, which is arranged between the adapter part and the fastening element in the assembled state, is always freely movable.

According to a further preferred embodiment of the invention, the device further comprises a pre-tensioning element, which is particularly preferably arranged between the fastening element and the drive lever. The pre-tensioning element exerts a pre-tensioning force in the axial direction, so that noise from the device during operation, e.g. rattling or the like, can be prevented.

For simple and quick assembly, a recess for receiving the pre-tensioning element is preferably provided in the fastening element and/or in the drive lever for a defined position of the pre-tensioning element in the assembled state.

A spring element, in particular a closed wave spring, is preferably provided as the prestressing element.

For particularly quick and easy assembly, a positive connection is preferably provided between the fastening area of the pin and the fastening element. The positive connection is preferably a rivet connection by forming a free end of the fastening area. This allows the connection between the end of the pin and the fastening element can be made easily and securely without the need for additional separate individual components. The free end of the fastening area of the pin only has to be passed through a through hole in the fastening element and then the free end is deformed and the rivet connection is made. The fastening area of the pin can be cylindrical or oval or provided as a polygon, in particular triangular or square.

According to a further preferred embodiment of the invention, the fastening element preferably has at least one recess and the drive lever has at least one projection corresponding to the recess. The projection protrudes in the axial direction on the drive lever, with a play between the recess and the projection. This makes it possible to pre-position the adapter part so that the adapter part can be mounted in a preferred position. By providing a form-fitting connection with play between the recess and the projection, movement of the adapter part is limited. The play between the recess and the projection limits both a stroke of the adapter part in the link and a pivoting angle of the adapter part. It should be noted that the recess can also be provided on the drive lever and the projection in the fastening element.

The invention further relates to a tailgate drive with a device according to the invention for connecting an output shaft of a drive, in particular an electric motor, to a hinge of a vehicle tailgate.

drawing

• 1 eine schematische, perspektivische Ansicht einer Vorrichtung gemäß einem ersten Ausführungsbeispiel der Erfindung,
• 2 eine perspektivische Darstellung von Einzelbauteilen der Vorrichtung von 1,
• 3 eine schematische Schnittansicht der montierten Vorrichtung von 1,
• 4 eine schematische Draufsicht auf eine Kulisse eines Antriebshebels gemäß einem zweiten Ausführungsbeispiel der Erfindung, und
• 5 eine schematische Ansicht einer Vorrichtung gemäß einem dritten Ausführungsbeispiel der Erfindung.

Preferred embodiments of the invention are described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawing. In the drawing:

• 1 a schematic, perspective view of a device according to a first embodiment of the invention,
• 2 a perspective view of individual components of the device of 1 ,
• 3 a schematic sectional view of the assembled device of 1 ,
• 4 a schematic plan view of a link of a drive lever according to a second embodiment of the invention, and
• 5 a schematic view of a device according to a third embodiment of the invention.

Preferred embodiments of the invention

The following is based on the 1 to 3 a device 1 for connecting an output shaft 5 of a drive to a hinge of a vehicle tailgate according to a first embodiment of the invention is described in detail.

As from 2 As can be seen, the device 1 comprises a drive lever 10, an adapter part 3, a fastening element 2 and a spring element 4. The adapter part 3 forms the interface to a hinge (not shown) of a vehicle tailgate, wherein threaded holes 35 are provided in the adapter part 3 for fastening to the hinge. Alternatively, instead of the threaded hole 35, a nut can also be welded to the adapter part 3. It should also be noted that the projections described above can also be provided on the fastening part 20 and the correspondingly formed recesses can be formed in the drive lever 10. The adapter part 3 further comprises a pin 30 with a bearing area 31 and a fastening area 32. Between the bearing area 31 and the fastening area 32 there is a contact surface 33 oriented in the radial direction. Both the bearing area 31 and the fastening area 32 are cylindrical.

The drive lever 10 comprises a slotted opening 11, which in this embodiment is provided as an elongated hole. Furthermore, a receptacle 12 in the form of a through-opening for receiving the output shaft 5 of a drive is provided in the drive lever 10. The output shaft 5 is, for example, a splined shaft, which can be mounted in a corresponding form of the receptacle 12 by means of a force-fitting and form-fitting connection.

As from 2 As can be seen, the spring element 4 of this embodiment is an annular closed wave spring which is arranged between the drive lever 10 and the fastening element 2. The fastening element 2 is disk-shaped and has a continuous assembly opening 21 and an annular groove 22 on the side facing the drive lever 10. The annular groove 22 serves to accommodate the spring element 4, which on the one hand makes assembly easier and on the other hand prevents the spring element 4 from being overpressed during assembly. It should be noted that the preload of the spring element 4 can also be adjusted via a gap width and a depth of the annular groove 22.

As from 3 As can be seen, the fastening element 2 is positively attached to the adapter part 3 by means of a rivet connection 6. the rivet connection 6 is made of a material at a free end 34 of the pin 30. For assembly, the pin 30 is first guided through the slotted opening 11 of the drive lever 10, then the spring element 4 and the fastening element 2 are guided over the remaining area of the pin 30 protruding from the slotted opening 11 and then the rivet connection 6 is produced by forming the free end 34 of the pin. The annular groove 22 provided in the fastening element 2 prevents the spring element 4 from being overpressed. The annular groove 22 preferably has a depth corresponding to the thickness of the spring element 4. In the assembled state, the fastening element 2 lies directly on the contact surface 33 of the pin 30. As can be seen from 3 As can be seen, a length I of the bearing area 31 is slightly greater than a depth t of the gate opening 11. This ensures that the assembly process does not lead to the adapter part 3 becoming jammed in the gate opening 11. Any axial play a remaining after assembly is now compensated for by the spring element 4.

Thus, according to the invention, a device 1 for connecting an output shaft 5 to a hinge of a vehicle tailgate can be provided, which has a simplified structure and can be manufactured using known, cost-effective processes. Furthermore, according to the invention, an integration of additional components, in particular those which counteract noise development, such as the spring element 4, for compensating for free play, can be made possible in a simple manner.

4 shows a device according to a second embodiment of the invention, wherein identical or functionally identical parts are designated with the same reference numerals as in the first embodiment. In 4 only a section of the drive lever 10 is shown, which is directed in the direction of the fastening element 2. An additional recess 13 is provided along the circumference of the link opening 11, which serves to accommodate the spring element 4. It should be noted here that the annular groove 22 in the fastening element 2 can be dispensed with or both the annular groove 22 and the recess 13 can be provided to accommodate the spring element 4. Otherwise, this embodiment corresponds to the previous embodiment, so that reference can be made to the description given there.

5 shows a device 1 according to a third embodiment of the invention, wherein again identical or functionally identical parts are designated with the same reference numerals as in the previous embodiments. The third embodiment additionally enables pre-positioning of the adapter part 3, so that assembly of the adapter part 3 is only possible in a predetermined position. For this purpose, a fastening element 20 is provided, which has two recesses 25, 26 on the side. The recesses 25, 26 are formed continuously in the axial direction XX and are rectangular in this embodiment. Furthermore, two rectangular projections 15, 16 are provided on the drive lever 10, which protrude in the axial direction XX. The projections have a shape which corresponds to the shape of the recesses 25, 26, wherein there is a play between the recesses 25, 26 and the projections 15, 16. A distance s between the projections 15, 16 and the bottom area of the recesses 25, 26 limits a pivot angle α of the adapter part 3 relative to the drive lever 10. A width b of the recesses 25, 26 limits a stroke of the adapter part 3 in the longitudinal direction Z of the gate opening 11. Thus, by positioning the fastening element 20 on the projections 15, 16, the adapter part 3 can be pre-positioned. A final fastening of the fastening part 20 to the fastening area 32 of the pin can be carried out before or after mounting the adapter part on the vehicle tailgate. It should be noted that the arrangement of the recesses and projections can also be reversed, ie the projections are provided on the fastening element 20 and the recesses are provided on the drive lever 10, whereby a movement of the adapter part is limited.

It is also possible for the fastening element 20 to be loosely inserted into the pin or projections 15, 16 for positioning the adapter part 3 and, after the adapter part 3 has been fixed, to be rotated by 90° and then fixed to the fastening area 32 of the pin 30 by means of the rivet connection 6. This makes it possible to exploit the freedom of movement of the bearing area 31 over the entire axial length of the gate opening 11. Otherwise, this embodiment corresponds to the previous embodiments, so that reference can be made to the description given there.

Claims (10)

Device (1) for connecting an output shaft (5) of a drive to a hinge of a vehicle tailgate, comprising: - a drive lever (10) which comprises a receptacle (12) for receiving the output shaft (5) and a link opening (11), - an adapter part (3) which comprises a pin (30), wherein the adapter part (3) can be connected to the hinge and wherein the pin (30) is guided through the link opening (11), and - a fastening element (2; 20) for holding the adapter part (3) on the drive lever (10), - wherein the pin (30) has a cylindrical bearing area (31) and a fastening area (32) for fastening to the fastening element (2; 20), - wherein the pin (30) is connected to the fastening element (2; 20) at the fastening area (32) in order to prevent the adapter part (3) from becoming detached from the drive lever (10), and - wherein the bearing area (31) is arranged in the link opening (11) of the drive lever (10) for a bearing process and/or a sliding process - wherein at least one threaded hole or a welded nut is provided in the adapter part (3) for fastening to the hinge. Device (1) according to Claim 1 , characterized by a contact surface (33) which is arranged on the pin (30) between the bearing region (31) and the fastening region (32), wherein the fastening element (2) rests on the contact surface (33). Device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a depth (t) of the link opening (11) is smaller than an axial length (I) of the bearing region (31). Device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, further comprising a prestressing element (4) which provides an axial prestress, wherein the prestressing element (4) is arranged between the fastening element (2) and the drive lever (10). Device (1) according to Claim 4 , characterized in that the fastening element (2) and/or the drive lever (10) has a recess (13; 22) for receiving the pretensioning element (4). Device (1) according to Claim 4 or 5 , characterized in that the prestressing element (4) is a spring element, a corrugated spring. Device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by a positive connection between the fastening region (32) of the pin (30) and the fastening element (2). Device (1) according to Claim 7 , characterized in that the positive connection comprises a rivet connection (6) by deforming a free end (34) of the fastening region (32). Device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that - the fastening element (20) has at least one recess (25, 26) and the drive lever (10) has at least one projection (15, 16) corresponding to the recess (25, 26) which projects in the axial direction (XX), wherein a play (s) is present between the recess (25, 26) and the projection (15, 16), or - that the fastening element (20) has at least one projection which projects in the axial direction (XX) and the drive lever (10) has at least one recess corresponding to the projection, wherein a play (s) is present between the projection and the recess. Tailgate drive for a vehicle tailgate, comprising a device (1) according to one of the preceding claims.

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