DE102019134975A1 - Drive device for automotive applications - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a drive device for motor vehicle applications, in particular for the electric motor adjustment of a motor vehicle control element (1) such as a motor vehicle door. For this purpose, the device has an electric motor (2), furthermore a gear (3, 4) following the electric motor (2) and finally a holding device (7, 8, 9, 10) which optionally acts on or releases the gear (3, 4) ). According to the invention, the holding device (7, 8, 9, 10) is equipped with a sensor unit (12, 13) which detects at least the functional positions “activated” and “deactivated” of the holding device (7, 8, 9, 10).

Description

The invention relates to a drive device for motor vehicle applications, in particular for the electric motor adjustment of a motor vehicle control element such as a motor vehicle door and here preferably a motor vehicle sliding door, a motor vehicle side door or a motor vehicle tailgate, with an electric motor, furthermore with a motor following the electric motor Transmission, and with a holding device that either acts on or releases the transmission. - The motor vehicle control element is optionally moved via the electric motor and the downstream transmission, and not just in its end positions “open” or “closed”. In principle, any intermediate states can also be approached by an electric motor.

Such drive devices for motor vehicle applications are acted upon with the aid of the electric motor, which in turn is operated by the low voltage of an accumulator made available in a motor vehicle. Due to the limited power of the electric motor, it is necessary to use the gear unit following the electric motor to translate the rotary movements of the electric motor. As a result, voluminous and correspondingly heavy motor vehicle actuating elements such as motor vehicle doors and here in particular motor vehicle sliding doors, motor vehicle side doors or motor vehicle tailgates and, if applicable, motor vehicle front hoods can also be moved with the aid of the drive device in question. In principle, however, other motor vehicle actuating elements such as window panes, tank lids, mirrors or even seats can also be moved using such drive devices, specifically adjusted by an electric motor.

In the generic prior art according to the DE 20 2005 014 501 U1 describes a sliding door assembly for a motor vehicle. This has a drive and a coupling, with the help of which a feed force can be applied to the sliding door in its opening and closing direction. The coupling acts like a holding device because it blocks manual adjustment of the sliding door in the coupled state. In addition, the coupling can be brought into an intermediate coupling state with reduced transmission torque or with reduced transmission force. Finally, the clutch can also be brought into a released state in which an unimpeded electromotive application is made available. In this way, the overall operational safety in emergency operations is to be increased.

In addition, various door brake devices are described in the prior art, such as are the subject of, for example DE 10 2016 220 980 A1 or also the DE 10 2009 041 499 A1 are. The latter publication deals with a locking device for locking a motor vehicle part, the locking device being assigned an actuator. This allows a displacement movement of the motor vehicle part to be slowed down in order to be able to lock the motor vehicle part.

In the case of the pre-publication mentioned in the first place DE 10 2016 220 980 A1 it is a very general method for controlling a door brake device, in which a value corresponding to the size of a door opening is first measured. The same applies to the duration of the door opening. A braking effect is determined on the basis of these values. The braking effect is compared with a comparison value and then a force is set with which the door braking device is to act based on the comparison.

The prior art has basically proven itself when it comes to providing a drive for the motor vehicle control element in question or also for its braking, if necessary. In addition, the known procedures allow an optional locking and release of the relevant motor vehicle control element. However, up to now malfunctions can practically not be recognized. Rather, such malfunctions are only detected by an operator during operation. This can lead to problems such that, for example, if the holding device fails in its functional position, the transmission and consequently the relevant motor vehicle control element are permanently blocked. In the case of a motor vehicle sliding door or a motor vehicle tailgate, for example, this has the consequence that the motor vehicle is practically unusable and has to be towed away. This is not very convenient and is perceived as disadvantageous by vehicle users.

The invention is based on the technical problem of further developing such a drive device for motor vehicle applications in such a way that indifferent or disadvantageous functional states can be detected and remedial measures can be carried out in a targeted and convenient manner.

To solve this technical problem, a generic drive device for motor vehicle-technical applications is characterized within the scope of the invention in that the holding device is equipped with a sensor unit, which detects at least its two essential functional positions, ie the functional positions of the holding device in the sense of “activated” and “deactivated”.

The function of the holding device can consequently be checked with the aid of the sensor unit and transmitted to a control unit, for example. With the help of the control unit, a vehicle user can be comprehensively informed about any malfunctions or a permanent functional position of the holding device. In addition, this makes it possible to adapt the drive-related loading of the motor vehicle actuating element on the one hand and that of the holding device on the other hand to one another and to coordinate them with one another. In fact, the electric motor to act on the transmission and thus initiate a movement of the motor vehicle actuating element will usually only be acted upon when the holding device has safely assumed or is maintaining its functional position “deactivated”. Conversely, the holding device is normally only "activated" in its functional position when a possible actuating movement with the aid of the electric motor has been completed and the motor vehicle actuating element is at rest.

As a result, not only can any malfunctions of the holding device be properly detected. Instead, the proper functioning and movement of the holding device can also be monitored during operation. Finally, the motorized control of the motor vehicle control element, its braking and, if necessary, its locking can be optimally adapted to one another so that, on the one hand, the mechanical components are protected and damage is avoided and, on the other hand, disruptive control noises are prevented and the acoustics are improved overall. This is where the main advantages can be seen.

According to an advantageous embodiment, the holding device is equipped with an adjusting element for interaction with a braking element on the transmission. The sensor unit provided according to the invention generally detects movements of the actuating element. For this purpose, the adjusting element can in principle be designed as a linearly movable slide. In principle, however, an adjusting element that can be moved in rotation can also be used.

The brake unit is generally designed as a brake disk equipped with a contour on the outer circumference. If the adjusting element is the preferably used linearly movable slide, it can easily interact in this way with the contour in question on the brake disk. In this case, the design is usually made such that the slide or, in general, the actuating element, in the “activated” functional position of the holding device, engages in the contour of the brake disc to block it. At the same time, this locks the motor vehicle control element. This can be done in practically any desired position, previously i. V. m. The gearbox following the electric motor and thus by the motor vehicle control element.

In contrast, the slide in the "deactivated" functional position ensures that the slide releases the brake disc. Consequently, in this “deactivated” functional position, the electric motor can work on the gearbox and thus move the motor vehicle control element connected to the gearbox into the desired position. Because in this case the motor vehicle control element is free from the holding device.

The sensor unit is generally designed in two parts with a button and a sensor. The design is also made in such a way that the button is arranged on the actuating element, while the sensor is fixed in place. In principle, it is also possible to proceed in reverse. In this case, the sensor is attached to the actuating element and follows its movements, while in this case the button is arranged in a stationary manner.

The button can be firmly connected to the actuator as a whole. Embodiments have proven to be particularly favorable here in which the button is embedded in the actuating element or is directly connected to the actuating element. In fact, one can work here in such a way that the button is glued to the actuating element or glued into the actuating element. A joint encapsulation of the actuating element with the button attached to it is also conceivable.

In addition to such, as it were, direct application of the pushbutton by the actuating element, it is also possible for the pushbutton to be attached to a transmission element following movements of the actuating element and consequently to be acted upon indirectly. In this case, the movements of the actuating element are first passed on to the transmission element, to which the button is then attached in order to be able to detect its movements again with the aid of the sensor, which is attached in a stationary manner.

The sensor unit or the button and the sensor can be a contactless button and sensor. An optical sensor unit can be used here. In this case, the button is, for example, one or more markings which, together with the actuating element, follow its movements. The movement of the markings can then be scanned with the aid of the stationary sensor, which in this case is, for example, an LED, a laser diode or the like including a receiver. In other words, a light signal is emitted by the sensor, reflected on the button or the marking, received in the sensor's receiver and evaluated with regard to the movement of the markings.

In addition to such an optically operating sensor unit, which also detects the movements of the actuating element in a contactless manner, a magnetically operating sensor unit can also be used for contactless detection. In the case of a magnetically operating sensor unit, one or more permanent magnets are generally used which, in the example, are connected to the actuating element. The permanent magnets follow the movement of the adjusting element and can be scanned with the help of a Hall sensor. As a result, signals are again generated on the output side of the Hall sensor, which reflect the movement of the actuating element and can be evaluated in the control unit already addressed and connected.

In principle, sensor units that operate differently are also conceivable and are encompassed by the invention. For example, it is possible to work with sound waves or ultrasound waves reflected on a structured surface as a button, which are transmitted again by the sensor and received and evaluated by a receiver provided there after their reflection on the moving button. In principle, the sensor unit can ultimately work not only in a non-contact manner, but also in a tactile manner. In this case it is conceivable that the control element is equipped with a contour that is detected with the aid of a probe moved along it and converted into corresponding signals. For this purpose, the button can be moved within a current-carrying coil, similar to a displacement sensor, and here cause a change in the inductance, which in turn depends on the tactile path.

Either way, a drive device for motor vehicle applications is made available and described, which not only provides comprehensive information about the adjusting movements of the holding device. Instead, by monitoring the movement of the holding device, its function can be adapted to that of the electric motor for the motor vehicle control element. As a result, a mechanical drive chain is not unnecessarily stressed and acoustic advantages are observed. This is where the main advantages can be seen.

Finally, there is also the option of calibrating the sensor unit. This is because the signal made available on the output side of the sensor unit is transmitted to the control unit and here can be brought into congruence with an actuating path covered by the actuating element. Assuming a largely linear dependence of the signal on the travel range, the desired calibration can be carried out, for example, starting from the starting point of the holding device and its functional position “activated” up to the end point and the functional position “deactivated”. This is where the main advantages can be seen.

• 1 ein Kraftfahrzeug mit der erfindungsgemäßen Antriebseinrichtung
• 2 die erfindungsgemäße Antriebseinrichtung reduziert auf die wesentlichen Bauteile in einer ersten Ausführungsvariante und
• 3 den Gegenstand nach der 2 in einer abgewandelten Ausführungsform.

The invention is explained in more detail below with the aid of a drawing showing only one exemplary embodiment; show it:

• 1 a motor vehicle with the drive device according to the invention
• 2 the drive device according to the invention reduced to the essential components in a first variant and
• 3 the subject after the 2 in a modified embodiment.

In the figures, a drive device for motor vehicle applications is shown. With the aid of the drive device, according to the exemplary embodiment and not by way of limitation, a motor vehicle control element 1 procedure, which in the example is the wing of a motor vehicle sliding door 1 acts. This is basically an electric motor 2 realized that on a the electric motor 2 following gear 3 , 4th is working. This way it becomes a wave 5 set in rotations, which in the example are via a cable 6th for the back and forth movement of the door leaf or the motor vehicle sliding door 1 cares.

A holding device is then of particular importance 7th , 8th , 9 , 10, with the help of which the transmission 3 , 4th and thus the connected motor vehicle control element 1 can optionally be applied or released. This is the purpose of the gearbox 3 , 4th on the output side or an output shaft 5 ' according to the embodiment with a braking element 11 equipped, which in the context of the embodiment is a brake disc 11 acts with a contour only indicated in the figures on its outer circumference.

The holding device 7th , 8th , 9 , 10 is in detail with an actuator 7th equipped, with the help of which the holding device 7th , 8th , 9 , 10 with the braking element in question 11 on the gearbox 3 , 4th or on the output side of the gearbox 3 , 4th provided Output shaft 5 can interact. This is the control element 7th according to the embodiment as a slide 7th designed, which is designed to be linearly movable. To the linear movement of the control element or slide 7th to realize, has the holding device 7th , 8th , 9 , 10 its own electric motor 10 on, which has one on its output shaft 9 arranged worm a worm wheel 8th with an eccentric cam located on it 8a can put in rotations. A rotation of the worm wheel 8th leads over the eccentric cam 8a to the fact that the adjusting element or the slide 7th can take at least two positions “activated” and “deactivated”.

In the "activated" function position, the slide engages 7th into the contour on the outer circumference of the brake disc 11 one and ensures that the brake disc 11 blocked. As the brake disc 11 non-rotatably with the output shaft 5 ' is coupled, this leads to the fact that a total of the to the output shaft 5 connected sliding door 1 or its door leaf is locked and blocked. In contrast, the “deactivated” functional state of the holding device corresponds 7th , 8th , 9 , 10 and thus the slide 7th to that the brake disc 11 is released because the slide 7th not in the contour on the outer circumference of the brake disc 11 intervenes. This allows the brake disc 11 rotate freely. The same also applies to the output shaft 5 ' so that the motor vehicle sliding door 1 is not hindered in its movements in the example.

Of particular importance for the invention is the fact that the holding device 7th , 8th , 9 , 10 additionally with a sensor unit 12th , 13th is equipped. Using the sensor unit 12th , 13th can at least the previously mentioned function positions “activated” and “deactivated” of the holding device 7th , 8th , 9 , 10 detected and sent to a control unit 14th be transmitted. To do this, the sensor unit sits down 12th , 13th in the exemplary embodiment from a button 12th and a sensor 13th together, is consequently designed in two parts. With the button 12th In the exemplary embodiment, it is one or more permanent magnets. In contrast, the sensor is 13th designed as a stationary Hall sensor.

During the push button 12th on the actuator or the slide 7th is attached, the sensor has 13th on the other hand via a stationary arrangement. The button 12th is fixed to the actuator or the slide according to the embodiment 7th connected, can for example be glued into this, glued to it or together with a plastic covering of the button 13th be attached to this by overmolding. So in any case goes the embodiment according to 2 in front.

With the variant after the 3 In contrast, the design is such that the button 12th on a transmission element 15th is appropriate. In the case of the transmission element 15th In the exemplary embodiment, it is a gearwheel 15th , which with one on the outside of the slide 7th Attached teeth combs. A linear movement of the slide 7th consequently leads to the rotation of the gear 15th or the transmission element 15th and thus also for the rotation of the permanent magnets attached to it. These rotations can in turn with the help of the Hall sensor 13th detected and sent to the control unit 14th be transmitted.

The electric motor 2 for loading the gear 3 , 4th and thus the motor vehicle control element 1 is included as well as the sensor 13th to the control unit 14th connected. In addition, it is also the control element 7th loading motor 10 with the help of the control unit 14th controlled. In this way the control unit can 14th depending on the signals from the sensor 13th and thus the perfect functionality of the control element or slide 7th as well as depending on its movement between the two function positions "activated" and "deactivated" the electric motors 2 , 10 control accordingly.

That is, as long as the motor vehicle sliding door 1 with the help of the electric motor 2 and the downstream transmission 3 , 4th is moved, the control unit closes 14th a loading of the electric motor 10 and thus the holding device 7th , 8th , 9 , 10 out. This is typically only "activated" when the motor vehicle sliding door 1 in the example has safely reached its desired position. The electric motor is reversed 2 to act on the motor vehicle sliding door 1 in the example only applied when the holding device 7th , 8th , 9 , 10 safe the output shaft 5 has released or the slide 7th from the brake disc 11 has been withdrawn.

The signal from the sensor 13th generally depends linearly or predominantly linearly on the travel distance completed by the linearly movable slide 7th from. This allows the travel or the sensor unit 12th , 13th be calibrated as already described in the introduction.

List of reference symbols

1

Motor vehicle control element

2

Electric motor

3, 4

transmission

5

wave

5 '

Output shaft

6th

Cable

7th

Control element, slide

8th

Worm wheel

8a

Eccentric cam

9

Output shaft

10

Electric motor

11

Brake element / brake disc

12, 13

Sensor unit

14th

Control unit

15th

Transmission element, gear

QUOTES INCLUDED IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of the documents listed by the applicant was 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.

Patent literature cited

• DE 202005014501 U1 [0003]
• DE 102016220980 A1 [0004, 0005]
• DE 102009041499 A1 [0004]

Claims (10)

Drive device for motor vehicle applications, in particular for the electric motor adjustment of a motor vehicle control element (1) such as a motor vehicle door, with an electric motor (2), furthermore with a gear (3, 4) following the electric motor (2), and with a Transmission (3, 4) optionally loading or releasing holding device (7, 8, 9, 10), characterized in that the holding device (7, 8, 9, 10) is equipped with a sensor unit (12, 13) which at least the Functional positions “activated” and “deactivated” of the holding device (7, 8, 9, 10) are detected. Establishment according to Claim 1 , characterized in that the holding device (7, 8, 9, 10) has an adjusting element (7) for interaction with a braking element (11) on the gear (3, 4). Establishment according to Claim 1 or 2 , characterized in that the sensor unit (12, 13) detects movements of the adjusting element (7). Setup according to one of the Claims 1 to 3 , characterized in that the adjusting element (7) is designed as a linearly movable slide (7). Setup according to one of the Claims 1 to 4th , characterized in that the braking element (11) is designed as a brake disc (11) equipped with a contour on the outer circumference. Establishment according to Claim 5 , characterized in that the adjusting element (7) in the "activated" functional position of the holding device (7, 8, 9, 10) engages in the contour of the brake disc (11) to block it, and in the "deactivated" functional position the brake disc (11 ) releases. Setup according to one of the Claims 1 to 6th , characterized in that the sensor unit (12, 13) is designed in two parts with button (12) and sensor (13). Establishment according to Claim 7 , characterized in that the button (12) is attached to the adjusting element (7) and the sensor (13) is designed to be stationary or vice versa. Establishment according to Claim 7 or 8th , characterized in that the button (12) is firmly connected to the adjusting element (7). Setup according to one of the Claims 7 to 9 , characterized in that the button (12) is attached to a transmission element (15) which scans the movement of the actuating element (7).

Images