DE102014001129A1 - Actuator, corresponding vehicle door lock and corresponding control method for an actuator - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to an actuator (10) with an electric drive (12), which in an advance operation (VB) via an extendable worm gear (14) an adjusting mechanism (16) from an initial position (AS) in an end position (ES) transferred, a return element (18), which the adjusting mechanism and the Schenkeckengetriebe (14) from the end position (ES) in the starting position (AS) transferred and an evaluation and control unit (11) for controlling the electric drive (12), and a corresponding vehicle door lock with an opening mechanism and such an actuator (10), and a corresponding driving method for an actuator. According to the invention, the evaluation and control unit (11) divides the transfer of the worm gear (14) and the adjusting mechanism (16) from the end position (ES) into the starting position (AS) in at least two phases, wherein the evaluation and control unit (11) the electric drive (12) in a first phase (I) in a return operation (RB) switches, in which the electric drive (12) with the return element (18) against static friction of the worm gear (14) acts, and wherein the evaluation and control unit (11) in a second phase, the electric drive (12) continuously between a freewheeling operation (FB) and a braking operation (BB) and switches back.

Description

The invention relates to an actuator according to the preamble of patent claim 1 and a corresponding vehicle door lock with such an actuator according to the preamble of claim 9 and a corresponding driving method for an actuator according to the preamble of claim 10.

Actuators for vehicle door locks and corresponding actuation methods for actuators are known in numerous variations. The actuators usually have an electric drive, which in an advance operation via an extendable worm gear transfers an actuating mechanism from a starting position to an end position, and an evaluation and control unit for controlling the electric drive. The actuator further has a return element, which transfers the adjusting mechanism and the worm gear from the end position to the starting position.

Furthermore, vehicle door locks with an opening mechanism and an actuator are known. The vehicle door locks are transferred via the actuator from a closed to an open state and from an open to the closed. In addition, the actuators can transfer the vehicle door locks from a locked state to the closed state and from the closed state to the locked state.

From the DE 28 18 439 A1 For example, an actuator for a vehicle door is known, which comprises an electric motor and a worm gear. The worm gear is coupled to an opening mechanism, which comprises a movably mounted element. The actuator also has a return element, wherein the worm gear is mounted axially displaceable against the return element.

The object of the invention is to provide an improved low-noise actuator, in particular for a vehicle door lock.

Furthermore, it is an object of the invention to provide a vehicle door lock with an actuator and an opening mechanism, which is designed to be quiet.

Furthermore, it is an object of the invention to provide a driving method for actuators, via which an actuating mechanism of the actuator can be converted from a low-noise starting position to an end position and back.

According to the invention the object is achieved by providing an actuator with the features of claim 1 and by providing a vehicle door lock with the features of claim 9 and by providing a driving method for an actuator with the features of claim 10.

Advantageous embodiments and further developments of the invention are specified in the dependent claims.

In order to provide an improved, low-noise actuator, in particular for a vehicle door lock, an evaluation and control unit divides the transfer of a worm gear and an adjusting mechanism from the end position to a starting position in at least two phases. In a first phase, the evaluation and control unit switches a coupled to the worm gear and the adjusting mechanism electric drive in a return operation, in which the electric drive acts with a return element against static friction of the worm gear. In a second phase, the evaluation and control unit switches the electric drive continuously between a freewheeling operation and a braking operation and back to. Advantageously, the movement of the electric drive and / or the worm gear and / or the adjusting mechanism can be specifically controlled and accelerated over the return operation of the electric drive until the static friction of the worm gear is overcome. Furthermore, the actuator according to the invention in the transfer of the actuating mechanism and / or the worm gear from an end position to an initial position advantageously have a reduced impact acoustics, since the electric drive in the second phase in braking mode generated by a restoring force of the return element movement of the worm gear and / or the adjusting mechanism can decelerate before the adjusting mechanism and / or the worm gear strike a stop. Furthermore, during braking operation, the electric drive can advantageously counteract the acceleration effect of the restoring element, so that the worm gear and / or the adjusting mechanism are not further accelerated. To the transmission noise of the worm gear and / or the electric drive and / or the adjusting mechanism can be reduced by a slower movement in an advantageous manner. In freewheeling operation of the electric drive, the return element can accelerate the movement of the electric drive and / or the worm gear and / or the adjusting mechanism in an advantageous manner. Furthermore, the evaluation and control unit can compensate for a temperature-induced inertia with respect to the mechanism in an advantageous manner by varying a first running time of the freewheeling operation and a second running time of the braking operation.

To create a vehicle door lock with an actuator and an opening mechanism, which is designed to be quiet, the opening mechanism is designed as an actuating mechanism of the actuator, wherein a transfer of the opening mechanism and a worm gear of the actuator from a final position to a starting position comprises at least two phases. In a first phase, an electric drive of the actuator is switched to a return operation, the electric drive acts with a return element against static friction of the worm gear. In a second phase, the electric drive is continuously switched between a freewheeling operation and a braking operation and back.

To provide a driving method for an actuator with an electric drive, via which a control mechanism of the actuator can be quietly transferred from a starting position to an end position and back, the transfer of a worm gear and the actuating mechanism of the actuator from the end position to the starting position in at least two Split phases. In a first phase, an electric drive is switched to a return operation and acts with a return element against static friction of a worm gear. The electric drive is continuously back and switched between a freewheeling operation and a braking operation in a second phase.

The starting position of the actuating mechanism and of the worm gear is understood below to be the state in which the actuating mechanism rests against a stop or a vehicle door is closed and / or locked, and the worm gear is retracted.

Under an end position of the actuating mechanism and the worm gear, the state is understood in which the adjusting mechanism has a maximum distance to stop or the vehicle door is open, and the worm gear is extended.

The first phase of the transfer from an end position to the starting position is understood to be a period in which the electric drive is operated in the return mode. This period can be for example about 10 ms.

Under the second phase of the transfer from an end position to the starting position is understood a further period in which the electric drive is operated alternately in the braking mode or in freewheeling operation. This further period may be, for example, about 100 ms, wherein the periods between the changes may be, for example, about 20 ms.

The advantages mentioned below for the actuator according to the invention also apply to the vehicle lock according to the invention as well as the drive method according to the invention for an actuator.

In an advantageous embodiment of the actuator according to the invention, the drive contact of the electric drive can be connected in each case via at least one switching device to a supply voltage or to a ground potential or to an open terminal. Advantageously, via the energization of the electric drive, the operating mode of the electric drive can be changed quickly and easily. Furthermore, the switching device may comprise at least one field-effect transistor in order to connect the respective drive contact of the electric drive with the corresponding potential.

In a further advantageous embodiment of the actuator according to the invention, the evaluation and control unit can control the at least one switching device. Advantageously, the evaluation and control unit can be coupled for example with a temperature sensor. As a result, an inertia of the mechanism due to the temperatures in the design of the drive times can be taken into account in an advantageous manner.

In a further advantageous embodiment of the actuator according to the invention, the evaluation and control unit can activate the forward operation of the electric drive via a first control signal, in which a first drive contact with the supply voltage and a second drive contact are connected to the ground potential. Advantageously, the electric drive can convert the worm gear and the adjusting mechanism against a restoring force of the return element and against the static friction of the worm gear from the starting position to the end position in the forward operation.

In a further advantageous embodiment of the actuator according to the invention, the evaluation and control unit can activate the return operation of the electric drive via a second control signal, in which the first drive contact is connected to the ground potential and the second drive contact to the supply voltage. Advantageously, a safe acceleration of the electric drive and / or the worm gear and / or the adjusting mechanism in the direction of the end position can be initiated by the polarity reversal.

In a further advantageous embodiment of the actuator according to the invention, the evaluation and control unit can activate the braking operation of the electric drive via a third control signal, in which the first drive contact and the second Drive contact are connected to the ground potential. Advantageously, by short-circuiting the electric drive generate a braking force which counteracts the restoring force.

In a further advantageous embodiment of the actuator according to the invention, the evaluation and control unit can activate the freewheeling operation of the electric drive via a fourth control signal, in which the first drive contact and the second drive contact are connected to the open terminal. Advantageously, the electric drive can be accelerated in the freewheeling operation of the restoring force of the return element. Due to the inertia of the system, the actuator according to the invention slowly returns to its original position.

In a further advantageous embodiment of the actuator according to the invention, the adjusting mechanism can be designed as an opening mechanism of a vehicle door lock. As a result, a vehicle door lock can advantageously be simply coupled to the actuator.

In an advantageous embodiment of the method according to the invention, the drive contacts of the electric drive can each be connected to a supply voltage or to a ground potential or to an open connection.

In a further advantageous embodiment of the method according to the invention, the forward operation of the electric drive can be activated by applying a supply voltage to a first drive contact and by applying a ground potential to a second drive contact.

In a further advantageous embodiment of the method according to the invention, the return operation of the electric drive can be activated by applying the ground potential to the first drive contact and by applying the supply voltage to the second drive contact.

In a further advantageous embodiment of the method according to the invention, the braking operation of the electric drive can be activated by applying the ground potential to the first drive contact and the second drive contact.

In a further advantageous embodiment of the method according to the invention, the freewheeling operation of the electric drive can be activated by connecting the first drive contact and the second drive contact to the open connection.

An advantageous embodiment of the invention is illustrated in the drawing and will be described below.

Showing:

1 2 shows a schematic block diagram of an exemplary embodiment of an actuator for a vehicle door lock according to the invention in various positions between a starting position and an end position,

2 a flowchart of an embodiment of an inventive driving method for an actuator.

How out 1 it can be seen has an actuator 10 , in particular for a vehicle door lock an electric drive 12 , which in a flow operation VB via an extendable worm gear 14 an actuating mechanism 16 transferred from an initial position AS in an end position ES, and an evaluation and control unit 11 for controlling the electric drive 12 on. The actuator 10 also includes a reset element 18 which the adjusting mechanism 16 and the Schenkeckengetriebe 14 transferred from the end position ES to the starting position AS. The adjusting mechanism 16 is about the worm gear 14 with the electric drive 12 coupled.

According to the invention, the evaluation and control unit shares 11 the transfer of the worm gear 14 and the actuating mechanism 16 from the end position ES to the starting position AS in at least two phases. The evaluation and control unit 11 switches the electric drive in a first phase 12 in a return operation RB, in which the electric drive 12 with the return element 18 against static friction of the worm gear 14 acts .. The evaluation and control unit 11 Switches the electric drive in a second phase 12 continuously between a freewheeling operation FB and a braking operation BB and back to.

The actuator 10 can be used for example in a vehicle door lock, not shown, which includes an opening mechanism whose function is the setting mechanism 16 takes over.

How out 1 can be further seen, Antriebskontaktete 12.1 . 12.2 of the electric drive 12 in each case via at least one switching device 13 with a supply voltage 13.1 or with a ground potential 13.2 or with an open connection 13.3 get connected. In the illustrated embodiment, the supply voltage is 13.1 about 12 volts. But there are also other supply voltages conceivable. The evaluation and control unit 11 generates control signals S1, S2, S3, S4 for driving the at least one switching device 13 , The at least one switching device 13 For example, includes at least one field effect transistor to the drive contacts 12.1 . 12.2 the electric motor with the different potentials 13.1 . 13.2 or the open connection 13.3 connect to.

How out 1a can be further seen, gives the evaluation and control unit 11 a first control signal S1 to the switching device 13 off to the forward operation VB of the electric drive 12 to activate. Based on the first control signal S1, the switching device connects 13 a first drive contact 12.1 with the supply voltage 13.1 and a second drive contact 12.2 with the ground potential 13.2 , By this energization generates the electric drive 12 a first driving force, which is the actuating mechanism designed as an opening mechanism 16 and the worm gear 16 against a restoring force of the return element 18 and against the static friction of the worm gear 14 transferred from the starting position AS in the end position ES.

How out 1b can be further seen, gives the evaluation and control unit 11 after reaching the end position ES, a second control signal S2 to the switching device 13 off to the return operation RB of the electric drive 12 to activate. In this way, the first phase of the transfer from the end position ES is initiated in the starting position AS. Based on the second control signal S2, the switching device connects 13 the first drive contact 12.1 with the ground potential 13.2 and the second drive contact 12.2 with the supply voltage 13.1 , The polarity reversal is caused by the electric drive 12 generates a second driving force opposite to the first driving force, which in the first phase of the transfer from the end position ES to the starting position AS with a restoring force of the restoring element 18 against the static friction of the worm gear 14 acts. This will cause the movement of the actuating mechanism 16 accelerated towards the end position ES. The first phase corresponds in the illustrated embodiment, a period of about 10 ms.

How out 1c can be further seen, gives the evaluation and control unit 11 a third control signal S3 to the switching device 13 out. In this way, the second phase of the transfer from the end position ES is initiated in the starting position AS. Based on the third control signal S3, the switching device activates 13 the braking operation BB of the electric drive 12 by the switching device 13 the first drive contact 12.1 and the second drive contact 12.2 with the ground potential 13.2 combines. This generates the electric drive 12 a braking force which controls the movement of the return element 18 and / or the actuating mechanism 16 and / or the worm gear 14 decelerating. Alternatively, the evaluation and control unit 11 activate the braking operation BB even when transferring from the starting position AS in the end position ES shortly before reaching the end position ES to bouncing the actuator according to the invention 10 to prevent.

How out 1d can be further seen, gives the evaluation and control unit 11 a fourth control signal S4 to the switching device 13 out. Based on the fourth control signal S4, the switching device activates 13 the freewheeling operation FB of the electric drive 12 by the switching device 13 the first drive contact 12.1 and the second drive contact 12.2 with the open connection 13.3 combines. By the restoring force of the return element 18 becomes the movement of the actuating mechanism 16 and / or the worm gear 14 accelerated again. The evaluation and control unit 11 alternately outputs the third control signal S3 and the fourth control signal S4 until the worm gear 14 and the actuating mechanism 16 reach the end position ES. The period in which the freewheeling operation FB and the braking operation BB of the electric drive 12 alternately from the evaluation and control unit 11 be activated is in the illustrated embodiment about 100 ms, the brake mode BB and the freewheeling FB are activated for about 20 ms each. Furthermore, a temperature-induced inertia with respect to the mechanism can be compensated for by varying the first transit time of the freewheeling operation FB and / or the second transit time of the braking operation BB.

If the evaluation and control unit 11 the reaching of the end position ES recognizes, switches the evaluation and control unit 11 the electric drive 12 off or in the freewheeling operation.

How out 2 can be seen is in an inventive driving method for an actuator 10 in a step S100, the preliminary operation VB of the electric drive 12 activated and the adjusting mechanism 16 via the extendable worm gear 14 transferred from the initial position AS in an end position ES. The reset element 18 transferred in the process steps S110 to S130, the actuating mechanism 16 and the Schenkeckengetriebe 14 from the end position ES back to the starting position AS. In step S110, the flyback operation RB of the electric drive 12 activated for a defined first period of time, for example, about 10 ms and the adjusting mechanism 16 moved from the end position ES toward the starting position AS. In step S120, the braking operation BB of the electric drive becomes 12 activated for a defined second time period of, for example, about 20 ms. In step S130, for a defined third period of time, for example about 20 ms, the freewheeling operation FB of the electric drive is activated 12 switched. In step S140, it is checked if the setting mechanism 16 and the worm gear 14 have reached the starting position AS. If this is not the case, then steps S120 and S130 repeated and the electric drive 12 is continuously switched from the brake operation BB in the freewheeling operation FB and back. If the starting position AS is reached, then the electric drive 12 switched off in step S150 or switched to the freewheeling operation FB. The time interval between the first activation of the braking operation BB in step S120 until reaching the starting position AS is for example about 100 ms.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

10

actuator

11

Evaluation and control unit

12

electric drive

12.1

first drive contact

12.2

second drive contact

13

switching device

13.1

supply voltage

13.2

ground potential

13.3

open connection

14

worm gear

16

actuating mechanism

18

Return element

AS

starting position

IT

end position

S1

first control signal

S2

second control signal

S3

third control signal

S4

fourth control signal

VB

forward operation

RB

Rewind mode

BB

braking operation

FB

Freewheeling operation

S100 to S150

step

QUOTES INCLUDE IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of the documents listed by the applicant has been generated automatically and is included solely for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Cited patent literature

• DE 2818439 A1 [0004]

Claims (15)

Actuator, in particular for a vehicle door lock, with an electric drive ( 12 ), which in a flow mode (VB) via an extendable worm gear ( 14 ) an actuating mechanism ( 16 ) from an initial position (AS) to an end position (ES), a reset element ( 18 ), which the adjusting mechanism and the Schenk corner transmission ( 14 ) transferred from the end position (ES) in the starting position, and an evaluation and control unit ( 11 ) for controlling the electric drive ( 12 ), characterized in that the evaluation and control unit ( 11 ) the transfer of the worm gear ( 14 ) and the actuating mechanism ( 16 ) from the end position (ES) to the starting position (AS) in at least two phases (I, II), wherein the evaluation and control unit ( 11 ) the electric drive ( 12 ) in a first phase in a return operation (RB), in which the electric drive ( 12 ) with the return element ( 18 ) against static friction of the worm gear ( 14 ), and wherein the evaluation and control unit ( 11 ) in a second phase the electric drive ( 12 ) continuously switches between a freewheeling operation (FB) and a braking operation (BB) and back. Actuator according to claim 1, characterized in that drive contacts ( 12.1 . 12.2 ) of the electric drive ( 12 ) in each case via at least one switching device ( 13 ) with a supply voltage ( 13.1 ) or with a ground potential ( 13.2 ) or with an open connection ( 13.3 ) are connectable. Actuator according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the evaluation and control unit ( 11 ) the at least one switching device ( 13 ). Actuator according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the evaluation and control unit ( 11 ) via a first control signal (S1) the forward operation of the electric drive ( 12 ), in which a first drive contact ( 12.1 ) with the supply voltage ( 13.1 ) and a second drive contact ( 12.2 ) with the ground potential ( 13.2 ) connected is. Actuator according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the evaluation and control unit ( 11 ) via a second control signal (S2) the return operation (RB) of the electric drive ( 12 ), in which the first drive contact ( 12.1 ) with the ground potential ( 13.2 ) and the second drive contact ( 12.2 ) with the supply voltage ( 13.1 ) connected is. Actuator according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the evaluation and control unit ( 11 ) via a third control signal (S3) the braking operation (BB) of the electric drive ( 12 ), in which the first drive contact ( 12.1 ) and the second drive contact ( 12.2 ) with the ground potential ( 13.2 ) are connected. Actuator according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the evaluation and control unit ( 11 ) via a fourth control signal (S4) the freewheeling operation (FB) of the electric drive ( 12 ), in which the first drive contact ( 12.1 ) and the second drive contact ( 12.2 ) with the open connection ( 13.3 ) are connected. Actuator according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the adjusting mechanism ( 16 ) is designed as an opening mechanism of a vehicle door lock. Vehicle door lock with an actuator ( 10 ) and an opening mechanism, characterized in that the actuator ( 10 ) is executed according to one of claims 1 to 8. Actuation method for an actuator with an electric drive ( 12 ), which in a flow mode (VB) via an extendable worm gear ( 14 ) an actuating mechanism ( 16 ) from an initial position (AS) to an end position (ES), and a reset element ( 18 ), which the adjusting mechanism and the Schenk corner transmission ( 14 ) transferred from the end position (ES) in the starting position, characterized in that the transfer of the worm gear ( 14 ) and the actuating mechanism ( 16 ) is divided from the end position (ES) into the starting position (AS) in at least two phases (I, II), wherein in a first phase (I) of the electric drive ( 12 ) is switched into a return operation (RB) and with the return element ( 18 ) against static friction of the worm gear ( 14 ), and wherein the electric drive ( 12 ) is continuously switched in a second phase (II) between a freewheeling operation (FB) and a braking operation (BB) and back. Method according to claim 10, characterized in that drive contacts ( 12.1 . 12.2 ) of the electric drive ( 12 ) each with a supply voltage ( 13.1 ) or with a ground potential ( 13.2 ) or with an open connection ( 13.3 ) are connectable. A method according to claim 10 or 11, characterized in that the flow operation of the electric drive ( 12 ) by applying a supply voltage ( 13.1 ) to a first drive contact ( 12.1 ) and by applying a ground potential ( 13.2 ) to a second drive contact ( 12.2 ) is activated. Method according to one of claims 10 to 12, characterized in that the return operation (RB) of the electric drive ( 12 ) by applying the ground potential ( 13.2 ) to the first drive contact ( 12.1 ) and by applying the supply voltage ( 13.1 ) to the second drive contact ( 12.2 ) is activated. Method according to one of claims 10 to 13, characterized in that the braking operation (BB) of the electric drive ( 12 ) by applying the ground potential ( 13.2 ) to the first drive contact ( 12.1 ) and the second drive contact ( 12.2 ) is activated. Method according to one of claims 10 to 14, characterized in that the freewheeling operation (FB) of the electric drive ( 12 ) by connecting the first drive contact ( 12.1 ) and the second drive contact ( 12.2 ) with the open connection ( 13.3 ) is activated.

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