DE102020114003A1 - Drive device for automotive applications - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a drive device for motor vehicle applications which is used in particular for the electric motor adjustment of a motor vehicle control element such as a motor vehicle door (1). The drive device has an electric motor (2) and a gear (3, 4, 5) following the electric motor (2). In addition, at least one sensor (6) with an associated probe element (7) is implemented, the sensor (6) and the probe element (7) being rotatable relative to one another. According to the invention, the sensor (6) and the feeler element (7) are radially spaced apart from a drive shaft (9) and are advantageously arranged in or on a component (4, 8) belonging to the device.

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, a motor vehicle flap or the like, with an electric motor, furthermore with a gear unit following the electric motor, and with at least one sensor and the associated probe element, wherein the sensor and the probe element can be moved rotatively relative to one another.

Drive devices for motor vehicle applications typically use the electric motor as the drive source, which is operated with the low voltage provided by a motor vehicle, for example a battery. Due to the limited power of the electric motor, it is necessary to use the gear unit following the electric motor to translate or reduce the rotational movements of the high-speed electric motor. In this way, even voluminous and correspondingly heavy motor vehicle control elements such as motor vehicle doors or motor vehicle flaps can be moved without any problems. Of course, such drive devices are also conceivable for other applications in or on the motor vehicle and can be used. Motor vehicle control elements such as window panes, sliding doors, tank lids, front hoods, but also seats and backrests, etc., can thus be adjusted alternatively by electric motors.

With the aid of the at least one sensor and the associated probe element, the movement of the motor vehicle control element in question is usually sensed and monitored. For this purpose, for example, the sensor is fixedly attached to or in a body, whereas the probe element is moved together with the motor vehicle actuating element. As a result, a movement-dependent signal is generated in the sensor, for which the feeler element moved together with the motor vehicle control element is responsible. The signal from the sensor can be transmitted to a control unit, which in this way monitors the movement of the motor vehicle control element and reports it to an operator, for example. In principle, it is also possible to proceed in reverse. In this case, the probe element is designed to be stationary, whereas the sensor moves together with the motor vehicle control element.

Drive devices or adjusting devices for the automatic adjustment of a motor vehicle adjusting element are for example in the DE 10 2011 103 406 B4 described. In this case, the adjustment of the adjusting element is carried out in a manner dependent on the associated detection signal of the sensor. Overall, the sensor is set up to vary the shape, strength, alignment and / or a frequency of an electric field generated by it as a function of a control signal for setting its detection sensitivity. In this way i. In connection with a capacitive proximity sensor, the actuating device can be improved in terms of its failure safety with simple means. In this case, the sensor or capacitive proximity sensor is integrated in a door handle of a motor vehicle door. The tactile element ultimately represents the vehicle user.

As part of the EP 1 832 757 A2 describes an actuating device with a Hall sensor for position detection. For this purpose, an actuator that can be displaced in the axial direction is provided. The Hall sensor element is used to detect the path for contactless detection of the axial adjustment path of the actuator. For this purpose, a Hall sensor element is designed to be stationary on the actuating device and a magnetic structure is formed on the actuator or on a part connected to the actuator. As a result, primarily linear actuating movements are recorded.

In the generic prior art according to DE 20 2009 018 219 U1 In the case of an actuating device for the electromotive adjustment of a movable adjusting element of a motor vehicle, the procedure is such that an optical sensor operating according to the mouse principle is provided. With the help of the optical sensor, the position of the adjusting element can be detected in a non-contact manner along its adjustment path. For this purpose, the sensor is arranged with respect to a reference surface in such a way that the sensor detects a relative movement with respect to the reference surface when the drive is actuated.

For this purpose, a light source aligned with the reference surface and a light detector are assigned to the optical sensor. With the help of the light detector, the image information contained in the light reflected from the reference surface can be evaluated and the relative movement data can be derived therefrom. Specifically, the reference surface in question is designed as a cylinder jacket surface of a coupling element coupled to the drive. In other words, the reference surface as a feeler element, like the associated sensor, is located on the drive shaft or the drive shaft is used as a feeler element.

Such a configuration with a feeler element implemented on or through the drive shaft has disadvantages with regard to a compact and simple structure. This design assumes that the associated optical sensor directs its light beam radially onto the drive shaft. As a result, a relatively large amount of installation space is lost or the drive shaft may have to be lengthened. In view of the sometimes unfavorable space conditions at the installation site of such a drive device, expansive structures can generally not be implemented or are disadvantageous. In addition, the known and optically working sensor device or combination of sensor and probe element is ultimately only suitable for protected installation locations. That is to say, installation locations of drive devices, which may be exposed to dust or water, are practically not available for such drive devices. - This is where the invention aims to remedy the situation as a whole.

The invention is based on the technical problem of further developing such a drive device for motor vehicle applications in such a way that a compact structure is made available which has a high level of functional reliability even at installation locations that are unfavorable with regard to environmental influences.

To solve this technical problem, a generic drive device for automotive applications is characterized within the scope of the invention in that the sensor and the probe element are arranged radially spaced apart from a drive shaft and advantageously in or on the device's own components.

The invention therefore deliberately relies on a radial spacing between the sensor and probe element compared to the drive shaft. As a result, the sensor and the probe element can be attached at locations within the drive device or within a housing of the drive device that provide the necessary installation space. These locations are advantageously the device's own components, that is to say components that are mandatory and required for the drive device anyway. Both the sensor and the feeler element are now advantageously placed in or on such device-specific components. In principle, however, only the sensor or only the pushbutton element can be attached in or on the device's own component.

The drive shaft in question usually belongs to the electric motor and / or at least one rotary component and, in particular, the gear wheel. In addition, the design is advantageously made such that the probe element is designed to be rotatable and the sensor to be stationary.

Here, an embodiment has proven to be particularly favorable in which the pushbutton element is arcuate. Most of the time, the probe element has a circular arc-shaped design, specifically in relation to the drive shaft or an associated drive axis as the center. In this way, the feeler element - as described - can be placed at a distance from the drive shaft without problems in the interior of a housing for the drive device that is already present. The housing consequently functions as a component belonging to the facility.

In this case, an embodiment has proven to be particularly favorable in which the feeler element is arranged in or on the previously mentioned rotary component and in particular the gearwheel as a component belonging to the device, to which gearwheel the drive shaft in question belongs. As a result of the arrangement of the feeler element in or on the gear wheel or, in general, the rotary component, the feeler element experiences the radial spacing provided according to the invention in comparison to the drive shaft from the outset and as it were automatically. The feeler element can particularly advantageously be embedded in a recess in the gear wheel or rotary component.

The invention is based on the knowledge that the rotary component or gear wheel is often produced in the sense of an injection molding process, for example from plastic or metal, so that in this context the recess in question for receiving the probe element can be defined from the outset.

In this context, it has also proven to be advantageous if the drive shaft and the rotary component or gear wheel are connected to one another, for example, are produced in one go by a one-piece molding process or injection molding process. This can be a plastic injection molding process or a metal injection molding process.

In this way, the probe element and / or the sensor can each be integrated into a component that is already present or the device-specific component of the drive device. The component in question for receiving the probe element is generally the rotary component and, in the specific individual case, the gear wheel already mentioned and already present. In this way, on the one hand, no additional installation space is required for the pushbutton element, because there is space for it in the recess on the rotary component or gear wheel. On the other hand, the feeler element automatically and immediately has a more or less protected arrangement inside the housing of the drive device.

The sensor can for its part advantageously be in a carrier component and / or the already mentioned housing of the drive device as the facility's own component. The carrier component can generally be part of the housing or, for example, a separate holder that is present in the interior of the housing or is typically used for other applications. Since the housing and the carrier component are generally also produced by a molding process or injection molding process and in particular a plastic injection molding process, comparable to the rotating component or gear wheel, the sensor can be integrated particularly advantageously into the carrier component and / or the housing. This is generally done in such a way that the sensor is introduced into the carrier component in question and / or the housing in the course of its manufacturing process (ie during the manufacturing process of the carrier component or housing). For example, the sensor may be encapsulated in plastic during this process and is thereby integrated directly into the carrier component or the housing.

In this way, strictly speaking, the sensor - comparable to the probe element - likewise does not require any additional installation space, but uses the housing or the carrier component or generally the device-specific components and typically a recess provided here as a mounting location. With the option of overmoulding the sensor with plastic, a protected and permanent solution is also presented, which is also suitable for adverse mounting locations with, for example, high levels of dust and water at the mounting location of the drive device and still provides the desired and reliable functionality. The same applies to the pushbutton element, which can also be encapsulated with plastic.

As a result, a drive device for motor vehicle applications is made available that is particularly compact. Essentially, this can be traced back to the fact that the radially spaced attachment of the sensor as well as the probe element in comparison to the drive shaft opens up the possibility of integrating both the sensor and the probe element into the device's own components or attaching them to these components. With a view of the probe element, these device-specific components are the rotary component or gear wheel, while the support component or the housing for the drive device is used as the device-specific component for attaching the sensor.

In this way, a particularly compact and cost-effective design can be implemented because the probe element and / or the sensor are generally integrated into the manufacturing process of the device's own component. As a result, the pushbutton element and the sensor are not only precisely positioned in the device's own component in question, but can also be protected from adverse environmental influences by any plastic encapsulation and thus ensure permanent and reliable operation of the drive device. This is where the main advantages can be seen.

• 1 die erfindungsgemäße Antriebseinrichtung für kraftfahrzeug-technische Anwendungen schematisch in einer Übersicht,
• 2 ein Getrieberad mit zugehörigem Tastelement und
• 3 das Tastelement ohne Getrieberad i. V. m. dem Sensor in einem Ausschnitt aus 1.

In the following, the invention is explained in more detail with reference to a drawing showing only one embodiment; show it:

• 1 the drive device according to the invention for motor vehicle-technical applications schematically in an overview,
• 2 a gear wheel with associated feeler element and
• 3 the probe element without gear wheel i. V. with the sensor in a cutout 1 .

In the figures, a drive device for motor vehicle applications is shown. In fact, the drive device is one that can only be used in the 1 indicated motor vehicle door 1 can be moved as a motor vehicle actuator. At the motor vehicle door 1 it may be a motor vehicle side door that is in the 1 can perform indicated pivoting movements. A from the motor vehicle door corresponds to this 1 completed opening angle α .

Now to the movement of the motor vehicle door 1 to realize and implement is an electric motor 2 intended. The electric motor 2 works on a gear 3 , 4th , 5 with the help of which the motor vehicle door 1 indirectly or directly by the opening angle α is pivoted.

To do this is the electric motor 2 Equipped on its output-side shaft with a worm, which is connected to a first gear wheel 3 combs. The first gear wheel 3 is with a second gear wheel 4th and finally an output-side gear wheel 5 engaging which the movements of the electric motor 2 on the motor vehicle door 1 transmits in the example. Of course, a different structural design can also be made in this context. The only decisive factor is that the motorized adjustment of the motor vehicle door 1 takes place rotationally and accordingly at least one rotationally operating gear wheel 4th is used, which will be considered in more detail below.

At least one sensor is part of the basic structure 6th with associated pushbutton element 7th . The details of the sensor 6th as well as the pushbutton element 7th are essentially based on a comparative consideration of the 2 and 3 . In fact, it shows 2 that before already mentioned gear 4th as part of the electric motor 2 following gear 3 , 4th , 5 . At the gear 4th it is a device-specific component, ie a compulsory and already present component of the drive device. The same applies to a carrier component to be described in more detail below 8th , which is used for receiving or placing the probe element 7th serves. That is, the gear wheel 4th and the support member 8th provide the institution's own components 4th , 8th represent.

According to the invention are now the sensor 6th and the tactile element 7th radially spaced compared to a drive shaft 9 arranged. Also are the sensor 6th and the tactile element 7th rotatively movable relative to one another. That is, the sensor 6th can opposite the tactile element 7th perform a rotary relative movement. It is also possible that the feeler element 7th opposite the sensor 6th is moved relatively rotatively, as is the case in the exemplary embodiment. In principle, there is also a respective relative rotational movement of both the sensor 6th as well as the pushbutton element 7th conceivable.

At the drive shaft 9 it concerns a gear wheel 4th associated drive shaft 9 . Instead of the gear wheel 4th In principle, another rotary component can also be used for receiving and attaching the probe element 7th act, but this is not shown in detail. In any case, the sensor is according to the invention 6th and the tactile element 7th radially spaced compared to the drive shaft 9 arranged and also in or on the device-specific components already mentioned 4th , 8th placed.

In detail is the tactile element 7th designed to be rotatable, whereas the sensor 6th has a fixed design and installation. Based on a comparative consideration of the 2 and 3 one recognizes that the tactile element 7th when the electric motor is applied 2 the rotational movements of the gear wheel 4th with respect to one of the drive shaft 9 defined axis follows. In contrast, the sensor is 6th stationary on the stationary support component 8th appropriate.

The tactile element 7th is evidently the 2 arcuate and in particular arcuate with respect to that of the drive shaft 9 defined drive axis or axis designed as the center. You can also see that the tactile element 7th into a recess 4a of the gear wheel 4th is let in. With the pushbutton element 7th In the exemplary embodiment, it is a permanent magnet, which can basically be designed with two or three poles. Of course, a multi-pole design is also conceivable.

In contrast, the sensor is 6th according to the embodiment as a Hall sensor 6th educated. As a result, movements of the probe element or permanent magnets lead 7th compared to the sensor or Hall sensor 6th to the fact that this corresponds to the movements of the gear wheel 4th different magnetic field strengths are detected as a function of movement and sent to a control unit that is only indicated 10 transmitted. The control unit 10 can now be based on these movement-dependent electrical signals of the sensor or Hall sensor 6th on the movement of the gear wheel 4th and consequently the motor vehicle door driven by it on the output side 1 inferring. Accordingly, using the control unit 10 also the previously mentioned opening angle without any problems α the motor vehicle door 1 recorded and processed further. It is conceivable here, depending on the opening angle α to implement collision protection.

As already explained, is the probe element or the permanent magnet 7th into the recess 4a of the gear wheel 4th let in. For example, the feeler element 7th adhesive in the recess in question 4a being held. But it is also possible that the feeler element 7th in the course of the manufacturing process of the gear wheel 4th to be enclosed by the material used. An example can be the gear wheel 4th together with the drive shaft 9 are designed overall as a plastic injection-molded part, the probe element 7th is integrated into this plastic injection molding process to make it directly into the gear wheel 4th to embed.

The same thing happens with the sensor 6th performed. Indeed, the sensor finds 6th in or on the previously mentioned carrier component 8th an arrangement. Basically, the sensor can 6th but also in or on a housing 11th be attached to the drive device. There is the further possibility of using the sensor 6th into the carrier component in question 8th or the case 11th to integrate. Indeed, the support component 8th or the housing 11th typically also produced by a molding process or injection molding process. The sensor is exemplary 6th in the carrier component 8th or the housing 11th introduced in the course of its manufacturing process and, in particular, encapsulated with plastic. This will make the sensor 6th at the same time placed protected inside the drive device. The same may apply to the tactile element 7th are valid. As a rule, however, the procedure here is that the pushbutton element 7th adhesive inside the recess 4a is recorded so that the magnetic field lines emanating from it are not or practically not weakened by a plastic coating. In general, however, this is also possible because plastic practically does not lead to a weakening or hardly at all.

Anyway, one leads in the 3 indicated rotational movement of the gear wheel 4th around the through the drive shaft 9 defined axis in the clockwise or counterclockwise direction indicated there, so that this results in a changing magnetic field on the part of the sensor or Hall sensor 6th is captured. This changing magnetic field or a movement-dependent magnetic field strength is generated by the Hall sensor 6th converted into an electrical signal, which in turn is transmitted by the control unit 10 evaluated and converted into a respective value for the opening angle α the motor vehicle door 1 is implemented.

List of reference symbols

1

Motor vehicle door

2

Electric motor

3, 4, 5

transmission

3

first gear

4th

second gear wheel

4a

Recess

5

third gear

6th

sensor

7th

Tactile element

8th

Carrier component

9

drive shaft

10

Control unit

11

casing

4, 8

facility-owned components

α

Opening angle

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 102011103406 B4 [0004]
• EP 1832757 A2 [0005]
• DE 202009018219 U1 [0006]

Claims (10)

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 (1), a motor vehicle flap or the like, with an electric motor (2), furthermore with a gear unit ( 3, 4, 5), and with at least one sensor (6) and associated probe element (7), the sensor (6) and the probe element (7) being rotatively movable relative to one another, characterized in that the sensor (6) and the probe element (7) are arranged at a radial distance from a drive shaft (9) and advantageously in or on the device's own components (4, 8). Establishment according to Claim 1 , characterized in that the drive shaft (9) belongs to the electric motor (2) and / or at least one rotary component, in particular a gear wheel (4). Establishment according to Claim 1 or 2 , characterized in that the probe element (7) is designed to be rotatable and the sensor (6) to be stationary. Setup according to one of the Claims 1 until 3 , characterized in that the feeler element (7) is arcuate. Establishment according to Claim 4 , characterized in that the feeler element (7) is designed in the shape of a circular arc in relation to a drive axis defined by the drive shaft (4) as the center point. Setup according to one of the Claims 1 until 5 , characterized in that the feeler element (7) is arranged in or on the gear wheel (4). Establishment according to Claim 6 , characterized in that the feeler element (7) is let into a recess (4a) of the gear wheel (4). Setup according to one of the Claims 1 until 7th , characterized in that the sensor (6) is placed in a carrier component (8) and / or a housing (11). Establishment according to Claim 8 , characterized in that the sensor (6) is integrated into the carrier component (8) and / or the housing (11). Setup according to one of the Claims 7 until 9 , characterized in that the sensor (6) is introduced into the carrier component (8) and / or the housing (11) in the course of its manufacturing process, for example, it is encapsulated with plastic.

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