DE102017123211A1 - Electromotive drive for automotive applications - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention is an electric motor drive for automotive applications, in particular as part of a locking device of an electrical connection device for electric or hybrid motor vehicles, which with an electric motor (8) and with a downstream multi-stage transmission, wherein the electric motor (8) and the multi-stage transmission as drive elements for acting on an actuating element, for example a locking element (6), the locking device are provided. In addition, the drive has a drive housing receiving the drive housing (13) and an emergency release (17, 18) for the actuating element. According to the invention, the emergency release (17, 18) has a separate shaft (17), which in the course of its assembly can be brought into engagement with the transmission through an opening in the drive housing (13).

Description

The invention relates to an electric motor drive for automotive applications, in particular as part of a locking device of an electrical connection device for electric or hybrid vehicles, with an electric motor, further comprising a downstream multi-stage transmission as drive elements for acting on an actuating element, such as a locking element of the locking device, further with a the drive elements receiving drive housing, and with an emergency release for the actuator.

Electromotive drives for automotive applications are widely known in practice and are used for example in conjunction with window regulators, seat adjustments, door mirrors, etc. In addition, such electromotive drives are known in connection with motor vehicle door locks, for example as Zuziehantriebe or locking drives. All electromotive drives have in common that often linear positioning movements are shown and the supply of an electric motor used at this point is carried out with low-voltage.

Such electric motor drives are increasingly being used as components and in conjunction with locking devices of an electrical connection device for electric or hybrid motor vehicles. Examples of such electric motor drives are in the DE 10 2007 002 025 A1 presented. Here, the electric motor drive is used as part of a locking device or locking device to lock a charging plug against a charging socket against removal. For this purpose, the known drive works on a movable bolt.

The releasable anchoring of a charging plug in the charging socket with the aid of a movable locking element is in connection with electrical connection devices for electric or hybrid motor vehicles of particular importance. Because the charging plug establishes an electrical connection to a charging station as part of a charging infrastructure to charge existing batteries in the electric or hybrid motor vehicle with electrical energy.

Since work is usually carried out at this point with high voltage, it is necessary to releasably anchor the charging plug in the charging socket by means of the movable locking element in order to keep any health hazards of users.

The releasable locking of the charging plug relative to the charging socket is additionally important, since this can generally be a clear assignment between the user and charging station to account for the extracted electrical energy user dependent. Such an approach is exemplified in the WO 2010/149426 A1 described. As a result, in particular a so-called "electricity jolt" can be avoided.

The locking of the charging plug in the charging socket is therefore of particular importance. Now situations can arise in practice and must be mastered, in which the electric motor for the electric motor drive has failed, blocked the downstream multi-stage transmission or otherwise observed as functional impairments. For this reason, describes the generic state of the art according to the WO 2012/101274 A1 an emergency release, with the help of which even with failed electric motor drive at least the charging plug against the charging socket emergency unlocked and thus can be removed from this.

For this purpose, the emergency release is equipped with a traction means in the aforementioned prior art, with the help of which at least a part of the actuating element or the locking element can be moved as part of the locking device. The traction means can end with its second end in a vehicle interior, whereby it can be operated by a user in an emergency. However, this presupposes that the operator basically also has access to the vehicle interior and can reach the traction means.

For example, if the electric power supply fails completely in an electric or hybrid motor vehicle, access to the motor vehicle interior is often not immediately possible, but requires, for example, an emergency unlocking of an associated motor vehicle door. All this must be accomplished in order to finally be able to actuate the emergency release for the charging plug opposite the charging socket. As a result, there is a significant loss of comfort and such a procedure is not particularly intuitive. Because the emergency unlocking usually requires a certain procedure, which is usually not familiar to a vehicle user and, for example, must first be inquired. This is where the invention starts.

The invention is based on the technical problem of further developing such an electromotive drive for automotive applications that the emergency release is directly accessible and can be applied simply and intuitively if necessary.

To solve this technical problem, a generic electric motor drive in the invention is characterized in that the emergency release has a separate shaft, which in the course of its assembly through an opening in the drive housing can be brought into engagement with the transmission. The opening in the drive housing can be a housing opening which can be closed with a cover, for example a two-part drive housing. Alternatively or additionally, however, the opening can also be realized in a wall of the drive housing.

According to an advantageous embodiment, the separate shaft can be applied manually by means of a crank from outside the opening. In addition, the interpretation is usually made so that the separate shaft as part of the emergency release according to the invention with a shaft of the multi-stage transmission can be brought into engagement. In this context, usually have the separate shaft and the shaft of the multi-stage transmission via respective teeth and can thereby be engaged with each other, for example, by an axial movement of the separate shaft relative to the shaft of the multi-stage transmission.

The toothing or generally an engagement between the separate shaft as part of the emergency release on the one hand and the shaft of the multi-stage transmission on the other hand can basically be done by one or more interlocking teeth, correspondingly shaped cams, stops, radial webs or the like, as long as a rotational movement of the emergency release for the desired Actuation of the actuating element ensures and the actuator unlocked altogether. Mostly at this point a pivotal movement of the emergency release respectively an associated crank by about 90 ° is already sufficient.

In addition, the separate shaft of the emergency release is advantageously mounted in a recess of the drive housing. The recess and the separate shaft mounted therewith are generally arranged parallel to the electric motor. In addition, the recess is usually equipped with at least one locking bearing for the separate shaft.

The detent bearing generally has a fixed and a spring-loaded web. In the assembled state of the separate shaft as part of the emergency release the two aforementioned webs engage together in a groove of the shaft. For this purpose, the spring-loaded web is advantageously connected to a rocker connected to the drive housing on one side. The rocker itself may be formed integrally with the drive housing.

Such a configuration is particularly suitable for the case that the drive housing is designed as a plastic injection molded part. In this case, the drive housing and the rocker can be realized and implemented together in the course of a common manufacturing process or plastic injection molding process. The same applies to the fixed web within the recess for receiving the separate shaft. Thus, it is in the bearing for the separate shaft as part of the emergency release preferably a sliding bearing, the bearing bushes are automatically defined in associated webs or housing ribs of the drive housing in the plastic injection molding process.

In addition, since all the waves, d. H. Both the waves of the electric motor downstream multistage transmission and the separate shaft as part of the emergency release, each advantageously made of plastic, low friction coefficients (plastic-plastic) are observed at this point. In addition, thereby the weight of the electric motor drive can be kept very low.

Due to the special and inventive expression of the emergency release with the separate shaft, which is brought in the course of their assembly through the opening in the drive housing into engagement with the transmission, it is possible to equip the shaft with the crank, which outside the opening and consequently the drive housing remains in the assembled state of the separate shaft. As a result, the separate shaft and consequently the emergency release can be acted upon directly from outside the drive housing. Any and as in the prior art, for example, known from the WO 2012/101274 A1 necessary traction devices that reach into the interior of a vehicle interior and must be operated from here are expressly not required.

This eliminates additional assembly steps for the traction means, but the emergency release is designed as an integral part of the electromotive drive according to the invention. In addition, the electric motor drive can be placed so that the crank for emergency release is accessible or can be easily accessed. In addition, in principle it is possible to insert the separate shaft including crank only in the opening of the drive housing and in the recess extending behind it, if an emergency release is actually necessary and necessary. The emergency release crank can just as easily be plugged onto the separate shaft in the drive housing from the outside. As a result, any manipulation of the electric motor drive can be avoided in a simple manner. As a rule, however, the separate shaft, including the crank which is usually molded onto it, is mounted in the interior of the drive housing from the outset and stored therein.

In this case, typically only a slight rotational movement on the crank of, for example, 90 ° is sufficient to transfer the locking element of the locking device into its retracted position. In this retracted position, the locking element generally leaves a recess in the charging plug, so that the charging plug against the charging socket is free and can be removed from the charging socket. All this is also possible, and in particular in the event that the electric motor drive or its electric motor has failed in principle. Here are the main benefits.

• 1 den elektromotorischen Antrieb mit Antriebsgehäuse in einer Übersicht,
• 2A bis 2C einen Ver- und Entriegelungsvorgang zwischen Ladestecker und Ladesteckdose,
• 3 den elektromotorischen Antrieb nach der 1 im Innern des Antriebsgehäuses und
• 4 eine vergrößerte perspektivische Darstellung des Gegenstandes nach der 3.

In the following the invention will be explained in more detail with reference to drawings, which illustrate a preferred embodiment. Show it:

• 1 the electric motor drive with drive housing in an overview,
• 2A to 2C a locking and unlocking process between charging plug and charging socket,
• 3 the electric motor drive after the 1 inside the drive housing and
• 4 an enlarged perspective view of the article after the 3 ,

In the 3 an electric motor drive for automotive applications is shown. In the context of the embodiment and not limiting, the electric motor drive is a component of a locking device of an electrical connection device for electric or hybrid motor vehicles. For this purpose, in the overview drawing according to the 2A to 2C of the electric or hybrid motor vehicle in question only a bit of a body 1 to recognize. The body 1 is with a recess 2 equipped.

In the recess 2 there is a charging socket 3 , The charging socket 3 can be electrically and releasably locking with a charging plug 4 coupled, which in addition to the recess 2 in the body 1 inserted and electrically connected to the charging socket 3 is coupled.

For this purpose, has the charging plug 4 over in the 2A to 2C only indicated plug contacts 5 which are in associated sockets 5 ' inside the charging socket 3 intervention. Of course, the reverse can also be done. In this case, the charging socket 3 with the plug contacts 5 equipped, in the corresponding sockets 5 ' of the charging plug 4 releasably intervene.

To the charging plug 4 with the charging socket 3 releasably lock, is a movable locking element 6 intended. In the movable locking element 6 In the exemplary embodiment, this is a locking pin or locking ram, which is made of plastic. In alternative embodiments, the locking element 6 also be made of a metal. The locking element 6 accesses the releasable locking of the charging plug 4 opposite the charging socket 3 in an associated recess 7 in the charging plug 4 a, and head-side. In addition, the locking element engages 6 during the locking process in a further recess 7 ' in the charging socket 3 one.

The 2C shows the locked state of the charging plug 4 opposite the charging socket 3 whereas the 2A respectively. 2 B the unlocked state. The locking element 6 can be opposite the recess 7 respectively. 7 ' Move to the latch between the charging plug 4 and the charging socket 3 manufacture respectively suspend. For this purpose correspond movements of the locking element 6 in its longitudinal direction, as indicated by a double arrow in the 1 is indicated. For the actuating movements of the locking element 6 ensures according to the embodiment of the invention, the electric motor drive.

The electric motor drive is in its own drive housing 13 taken up and from the drive housing 13 housed in total. This applies to all elements of the drive, an electric motor 8th and an electric motor 8th includes downstream multi-stage transmission. The transmission has a first shaft 9 , a second wave 10 , a third wave 11 and a locking lever 119 on which the locking element 6 is applied. The locking lever 119 is about the electric motor 8th and the waves 9 - 11 set in motion, causing the locking element 6 is moved. The locking lever 19 becomes perpendicular to a plane in which the waves 9 - 11 are arranged, proceed. In the embodiment, the locking lever 119 and the locking element 6 integral with each other.

The locking element 6 has a stepped design with a projection 127 on, leaving the locking element 6 a first, higher lying contact surface 129 on the lead 127 and a second, lower, bearing surface 128 having. The relative figures "higher" and "lower" refer to a distance to a housing-side end of the locking element 6 , With the help of two contact surfaces 128 . 129 can be detected, whether the charging plug 4 sufficiently deep into the charging socket 3 has been introduced. This exploits that the locking element 6 in normal operation, ie with sufficiently low introduction of the charging plug 4 in the charging socket 3 , both the recess 7 of the charging plug 4 passes through as well as into the recess 7 ' the charging socket intervenes to lock. The recesses 7 . 7 ' are chosen with respect to their size and orientation to each other so that in normal operation, the locking element 6 through the recess 7 in the charging plug 4 is performed and with the lead 129 into the recess 7 ' the charging socket 3 is introduced, whereas the second bearing surface 128 on a surface of the charging plug 3 comes to rest and the movement of the locking element 6 is stopped by it. In addition, it monitors how long the electric motor 8th the drive before stopping the locking element 6 has been operated, for example, by monitoring a number of rotations of one of the waves 9 - 10 or via a power consumption of the electric motor 8th , As a result, it can be determined whether the normal operation is present. Is the charging plug 3 not sufficiently deep introduced, already comes the first bearing surface 129 at the projection 127 on the charging plug 3 to lie and the locking element 6 is already stopped before. In addition, a third situation can be detected, namely when the charging plug 3 is broken and thus a secure locking is not guaranteed even with a sufficiently deep introduction. In this case, the locking element can be 6 lower than in normal operation.

Because the locking element 6 in the drive housing 13 is stored, a total of one ready-to-assembly or a built-in module is available. In addition, an outer side on the drive housing contributes to this 13 provided seal 12 at, through which the locking element 6 through the drive housing 13 passed through to the outside. Of course, fall under the invention also solutions in which the drive and the charging socket 3 be accommodated in a common housing, which is not shown.

With the help of the drive performs the trained as an actuator locking element 6 Stellbewegungen against a leadership 14 . 15 , The leadership 14 . 15 is formed in two parts according to the embodiment and consists essentially of a stationary housing guide 14 in the drive housing 13 on the one hand and a movable support 15 on the other hand, as respective guiding components 14 . 15 together.

The drive is made in detail by the electric motor 8th together, which over the first wave 9 and a gearing there 122 on the second wave 10 works and puts them into rotation. The gearing 122 the first wave 9 is designed as evoloid toothing The second wave 10 in turn meshes with a gearing 123 with the third wave 11 , Also the gearing 123 the second wave 10 can be designed as evoloid toothing. The Evoloid gearing provides a high to very high gear ratio of, for example, 1:30, 1:80, 1: 140 or 1: 320 in a relatively compact space requirement. The third wave 11 carries the bend or the eccentric pin 17 at which the locking element 6 or the recess 16 for the eccentric pin 17 supported. It can be seen that the respective axes of the individual waves 9 . 10 . 11 parallel to the longitudinal extent of the electric motor 8th are arranged and run, so that the drive builds compact overall and in the small-volume drive housing 13 Takes place.

The third wave 11 points next to a first toothing 124 that with the teeth 123 the second wave meshes, a second gearing 125 on, on one of the first gearing 124 opposite end of the third shaft 11 is arranged. The second gearing 125 serves to drive a switch operation 130 , via which a microswitch is actuated. By means of the actuation of the microswitch, a rotation of the third shaft takes place 11 detected. The microswitch detects how far the third wave is 11 has rotated or how long the drive has been in operation.

Of particular inventive importance is then still an emergency release 17 . 18 for the actuator or the locking element 6 in the example case. The emergency release 17 . 18 has a separate shaft according to the embodiment 17 on. This wave 17 is separate and independent of the previously described waves 9 . 10 . 11 designed and designed the multi-stage transmission.

The separate wave 17 can be manually with the help of an end crank 18 apply. According to the invention, the separate shaft 17 through an opening in the drive housing 13 be brought into engagement with the multi-stage transmission. When opening the drive housing 13 in the example case, this is a housing opening, which in the top view after the 3 is shown. The housing opening can be closed, for example, by a lid. In addition, the wave in question reaches through 17 another lateral opening in a wall of the drive housing 13 , This can cause the crank 18 detachable to the shaft 17 be plugged. To the side opening in the drive housing 13 closes a recess 19 on which the separate shaft 17 takes up and storage of the shaft 17 in the drive housing 13 serves.

The recess 19 extends from the side opening in the drive housing, largely parallel to the electric motor 8th , The same applies to those in the recess 19 mounted separate shaft 17 , This is also parallel to the electric motor 8th as well as the recess 19 arranged.

According to the embodiment, the separate shaft 17 in assembled condition with the third shaft 11 engage the multi-stage transmission. At the third wave 11 it is the wave 11 the third gear stage according to the embodiment. The assembly of the separate shaft 17 together with the connected crank 18 takes place in the in 1 shown arrow direction, ie in the axial direction. The assembly in this direction is possible and can be accomplished particularly simply by the fact that the third wave 11 and the separate shaft 17 via respective toothings 23 or in general, have an intervention coupled with each other. In the embodiment, as in 4 it can be seen, the gearing 23 on the side of the third wave 11 as a single tooth 126 executed. The intervention by the teeth 23 is also in the 3 played. In any case, the gearing ensures 23 for turning movements of, for example, about 90 ° of the crank 18 on the third wave 11 and thus the locking element 6 for an emergency release to be described later.

Based on the presentation in the 3 you realize that the the separate shaft 17 receiving recess 19 with at least one rest camp 20 . 21 for the separate shaft 17 equipped. The rest camp 20 . 21 in turn has a fixed footbridge 20 and a spring-loaded bridge 21 , Both bridges 20 . 21 engage in the assembled state of the separate shaft 17 together in a groove 24 the separate wave 17 one. In connection with the intervention or the toothing 23 between the separate shaft 17 and the third wave 11 ensures the engagement of the two webs 20 . 21 in the groove 24 Total for a perfect axial and radial bearing of the separate shaft 17 in the recess 19 of the drive housing 13 ,

It can be seen that the spring-loaded web 21 to a seesaw 22 connected to the bridge in the manner of a spring 21 acts. The seesaw 22 is one-sided with the drive housing 13 connected. D. h., Designed as a spring and acting rocker 22 is with its one end to the drive housing 13 coupled. In contrast, the other end of the rocker 22 free, leaving the separate shaft 17 in the recess 19 through the opening in the drive housing 13 through in the 3 used arrow shown and in the recess 19 can be locked. For this purpose, the spring-loaded bridge engages 21 in the groove 24 one, once the separate shaft 17 the in the 3 has reached mounting position and also the engagement or toothing 23 between the respective cam end of the separate shaft 17 and the third wave 11 is present and is observed.

Is it now a failure of the electric motor 8th Thus, by a manual application of the releasable with the shaft 17 connected crank 18 the locking element 6 nevertheless from the recess 7 in the charging plug 4 removed and realized in this way an emergency release. The seesaw 22 is in the embodiment in one piece to the drive housing 13 made of plastic. Also the waves 9 to 11 and associated gears are designed as plastic components and in particular plastic injection molded parts. As a result, the illustrated electric motor drive can be made particularly compact and lightweight and are achieved in a simple way low friction coefficients in the respective plastic plain bearings. Both the respective waves 9 to 11 the multi-stage gearbox as well as the separate shaft 17 The emergency release are each slide-mounted in the drive housing 13 , Here are pairs of materials (plastic-plastic) with low friction against.

The assembly of the electric motor drive according to the invention is carried out so that initially a lower shell of the drive housing shown 13 with the electric motor 8th and the multi-stage transmission. This is the electric motor 8th and the individual waves 9 to 11 placed inside the lower shell. It can be seen that the individual waves 9 to 11 are arranged parallel to each other.

After the lower shell or the drive housing 13 been fitted in this way in the course of pre-assembly, either the upper shell or the already mentioned cover of the drive housing 13 put on or during the final assembly the separate shaft 17 in the recess 19 through the opening in the drive housing 13 inserted and engaged with the third shaft 11 to be brought. In addition, it is basically possible, the separate gear shaft 17 including crank 18 only in an emergency, ie in an actual wave emergency release, through the opening into the recess 19 and to couple with the transmission as described. Alternatively, in an emergency and simply crank the crank 18 on the wave 17 be plugged.

The locking element 6 , the leadership 14 . 15 and the drive as a whole define a locking device as part of the connecting device for electric or hybrid motor vehicles. The locking device provides present primarily for the releasable locking between the charging socket 3 and the charging plug 4 according to the individual phases as shown in the 2A to 2C ,

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 102007002025 A1 [0003]
• WO 2010/149426 A1 [0006]
• WO 2012/101274 A1 [0007, 0018]

Claims (9)

Electromotive drive for automotive applications, in particular as part of a locking device of an electrical connection device for electric or hybrid motor vehicles, with an electric motor (8), further comprising a downstream multi-stage transmission, wherein the electric motor (8) and the multi-stage transmission as drive elements for acting on an actuating element , For example, a locking element (6), the locking device are provided, further comprising a drive housing receiving the drive housing (13), and with an emergency release (17, 18) for the control element, characterized in that the emergency release (17, 18) has a separate Shaft (17), which in the course of its assembly through an opening in the drive housing (13) can be brought into engagement with the transmission. Drive to Claim 1 , characterized in that the separate shaft (17) can be acted upon manually by means of a crank (18) from outside the opening. Drive to Claim 1 or 2 , characterized in that the separate shaft (17) and a shaft (11) of the multi-stage transmission via respective teeth (23) are engageable with each other. Drive to one of the Claims 1 to 3 , characterized in that the separate shaft (17) of the emergency release (17, 18) in a recess (19) of the drive housing (13) is mounted. Drive to one of the Claims 1 to 4 , characterized in that the recess (19) and thus the separate shaft (17) mounted therein are arranged parallel to the electric motor (8). Drive to one of the Claims 1 to 5 , characterized in that the recess (19) with at least one locking bearing (20, 21) for the separate shaft (17) is equipped. Drive to Claim 6 , characterized in that the detent bearing (20, 21) is equipped with a fixed web (20) and a spring-loaded web (21) which in the assembled state of the separate shaft (17) together in a groove (24) of the separate shaft (20). 17) intervene. Drive to Claim 7 , characterized in that the spring-loaded web (21) is connected to a rocker (22) connected to the drive housing (17) on one side. Drive to Claim 8 , characterized in that the rocker (22) and the drive housing (17) are integrally formed.

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