DE102020124797A1 - Method for operating a flap of a motor vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

Method for actuating an automatic flap of a motor vehicle, the flap being arranged on a body of the motor vehicle so that it can pivot via a hinge, and a first actuator being provided which is arranged on the one hand in a stationary manner on the body and on the other hand on the flap and/or the hinge, wherein the first actuator changes its axial length when energized, for opening or closing the flap, wherein a sensor is provided for detecting a pivoting position and/or a vibration of the flap, wherein a sensor signal can be evaluated by a control unit and the first actuator of the control unit can be energized, characterized by the following method steps: - energizing the first actuator until the flap has assumed a defined position, - evaluating the sensor signal when the flap is vibrating, - further energizing the first actuator until the vibration has subsided. Because of the method according to the invention, an unusual Real swinging or swinging of the flap is prevented.

Description

The invention relates to a method for actuating a flap of a motor vehicle with the features from the preamble of patent claim 1.

For the technical environment, for example, refer to the German Offenlegungsschrift DE 10 2012 018 093 A1 pointed out. A motor vehicle door and a method for loading such a motor vehicle door are known from this published application. The subject matter of this published application is a motor vehicle door and a method for acting on said motor vehicle door in terms of braking/locking it or pulling it shut/opening. The motor vehicle door is equipped with a door leaf with a drive, a magnetic device as part of the drive and finally at least one sensor assigned to the door leaf. According to the invention, the magnetic device is energized by a control unit for selectively braking, holding or pulling, opening the door leaf depending on a determined using the sensor speed and / or position of the door leaf relative to a motor vehicle body.

Next is from the German Offenlegungsschrift DE 10 2015 119 505 A1 a door component with a controllable damper device is known. A method for damping a pivoting movement of a door, in particular of a motor vehicle, with an adjustable and controllable damping device is disclosed. Here, a pivoting movement of the door is at least partially damped in a controlled manner between a closed position and an open position. A damping valve of the damping device is set electrically as required and the set damping properties are permanently de-energized.

Next is from the German Offenlegungsschrift DE 10 2004 048 184 A1 an actuating device for a tailgate or a vehicle door is known. It is an actuation device for a vehicle door arranged on a vehicle body, in particular a tailgate, boot lid or the like, with a drive unit acting on the vehicle door in the course of opening and/or closing. A measuring device is assigned to the vehicle door, with which changes in force acting on the tailgate during opening and/or closing can be detected.

In order to enable the tailgates of motor vehicles to open, they are connected to the vehicle body via hinges. When the tailgate is open (fully open or in an intermediate position), this can lead to an unwanted swinging movement (seesaw). Owners of higher-value motor vehicles like to see this seesaw as insignificant. The cause can be insufficient rigidity and/or a lack of vibration damping in the overall system of tailgate, hinge, hinge bracket, other connections, etc. Concepts that provide a clip hinge (clip-shaped hinge arm) have a rather higher risk of a tailgate rocking.

The trigger for the seesaw is e.g. B. the opening process of the tailgate by manual operation or manual stimulation, getting in and out of people in and out of the motor vehicle, loading and unloading of the motor vehicle, interruptions in the flap run of an automatic tailgate and wind stimulation.

The object of the present invention is to provide a method with which the rocking of an automatic tailgate of a motor vehicle can be reduced or prevented.

This object is achieved by the method steps in the characterizing part of patent claim 1.

Advantageous developments of the method according to the invention are described in the dependent claims.

The described activation of the at least one actuator or the drive of the flap, in particular a tailgate of a motor vehicle, eliminates the "rigid connection" (this refers to the actuator itself and not to the overall system which is elastic), so that the swinging movement of the flap leads to a slight lifting movement (ideally pushing in and out) on the actuator or drive and causes damping via the internal friction in the drive (e.g. spindle, spindle nut, gear, electric motor, bearings, guides, etc.). , which then leads to a rapid decay of the overall oscillation. A loss/change in the flap opening angle can be compensated for by triggering the at least one drive again at the end of the process.

The activation of the actuator (applied voltage or current) can be constant or according to a defined course (e.g. sine function with a defined frequency and amplitude, equal or different to the system vibration, controlled or over a defined time, oscillating or alternating ).

• - Klappengeschwindigkeit (unterschiedliche Bewegungsenergie);
• - Verzögerungskurven (Unterschiede bei Soft-Stopp / automatischem Stoppen und abruptem Abbruch einer Klappenbewegung, beispielsweise durch einen äußeren Taster, in der Regel ein Tastendruck);
• - Fahrzeuglage (Änderung der Klappenschwerpunktslage);
• - Klappenposition (ebenfalls Änderung der Klappenschwerpunktslage)
• - Gewichtsvarianten der Klappe (andere Masse/anderes Nachschwingverhalten.

The type of control can take place depending on the following influencing factors:

• - Flap speed (different kinetic energy);
• - deceleration curves (differences between soft stop / automatic stop and abrupt termination of a flap movement, for example by an external button, usually a button press);
• - Vehicle position (change in flap center of gravity);
• - Flap position (also changing the flap center of gravity)
• - Weight variants of the flap (different mass/different post-oscillation behavior.

It is also conceivable to detect the flap vibration or the excitation of a vibration via sensors present in the motor vehicle (e.g. the evaluation of a ride height sensor and/or acceleration sensor, the signals from which indicate loading or unloading of the motor vehicle, getting in or out advised by passengers). An acceleration sensor in the tailgate can also detect movement of the tailgate. As soon as an undesired flap vibration is detected, the actuator, for example a spindle drive, is activated according to the invention.

Furthermore, the actuation can also generally take place after each stopping of the tailgate. The same applies after manual actuation (recognisable, for example, via Hall sensors in the actuator and/or acceleration sensor in the flap). The method according to the invention allows annoying swinging/seesaws of the tailgate to subside more quickly without the use of additional damping elements (e.g. gas springs, active/passive dampers) and without additional stiffening measures (costs, installation space, weight) and thus leads to significantly higher customer satisfaction.

• - Bestromen des ersten Aktors, bis die Klappe eine definierte Lage eingenommen hat,
• - Auswerten des Sensorsignals, ob die Klappe in Schwingung ist,
• - Wenn die Klappe in Schwingung ist,
• - weiteres Bestromen des ersten Aktors, bis die Schwingung abgeklungen ist.

According to the invention, a method for actuating an automatic flap, in particular a tailgate of a motor vehicle, is proposed, the flap being arranged on a body of the motor vehicle so that it can pivot via a hinge and at least one first actuator being provided which is fixed on the one hand on the body and on the other hand on the flap and / or the hinge is arranged. In this case, the at least first actuator changes its axial length when energized in order to open or close the flap, a sensor also being provided for detecting a pivoting position and/or a vibration of the flap. The sensor signal can be evaluated by a control unit and the at least first actuator can be energized by the control unit, with the following method steps:

• - energizing the first actuator until the flap has assumed a defined position,
• - Evaluation of the sensor signal, whether the flap is vibrating,
• - When the flap is vibrating,
• - Continue energizing the first actuator until the vibration has subsided.

• - Wenn die Klappe in Schwingung ist,
• - Weiteres gleichphasiges Bestromen des ersten und zweiten Aktors, bis die Schwingung abgeklungen ist.

In a further development of the invention, a second actuator is provided according to patent claim 2, with which the following method steps can be carried out:

• - When the flap is vibrating,
• - Further in-phase energizing of the first and second actuator until the oscillation has subsided.

• - Wenn die Klappe in Schwingung ist,
• - Weiteres gegenphasiges Bestromen des ersten und zweiten Aktors, bis die Schwingung abgeklungen ist.

It is also possible according to patent claim 3, if a second actuator is provided, to carry out the following method steps:

• - When the flap is vibrating,
• - Further energizing of the first and second actuators in antiphase until the oscillation has subsided.

• - Wenn die Klappe in Schwingung ist,
• - Weiteres konstantes oder nach einem definierten zeitlichen oder definierten pegelveränderlichem Verlauf Bestromen zumindest des ersten Aktors, bis die Schwingung abgeklungen ist.

According to claim 4, the first actuator and / or the second actuator can be controlled with the following method steps:

• - When the flap is vibrating,
• - Another constant current or according to a defined time or defined level-changing profile energizing at least the first actuator until the oscillation has subsided.

Of course, both actuators can also be supplied with current in this way, provided there are two.

• - Wenn die Klappe in Schwingung ist,
• - Manuelles Triggern des weiteren Bestromen des zumindest ersten Aktors, bis die Schwingung abgeklungen ist.

A particularly preferred method according to claim 5 are the following method steps:

• - When the flap is vibrating,
• - Manual triggering of further energizing of at least the first actuator until the oscillation has subsided.

In this case, too, both actuators, if present, can be triggered manually. This is particularly useful when, for example, a garage is built so low that it is not possible to open the tailgate completely without damaging the tailgate.

• 1 zeigt eine Aufsicht auf eine von einer Karosserie „losgelöste“ Heckklappe eines Kraftfahrzeuges.
• 2 zeigt schematisch eine Kinematik für eine Heckklappe eines Kraftfahrzeuges.
• 3 zeigt beispielhaft einen Aktor.

The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to three figures.

• 1 shows a top view of a vehicle body “detached” tailgate.
• 2 shows schematically a kinematics for a tailgate of a motor vehicle.
• 3 shows an example of an actuator.

The following apply in the 1 until 3 the same reference numerals for the same components.

1 shows a top view of a “detached” from a body, not shown, 1 of a motor vehicle, here a tailgate, which is to be operated automatically, ie can be opened and closed by at least one actuator 3, 4. A pivoting movement of the flap 1 is shown symbolically with a double arrow.

The flap 1 is connected via two hinges 2 to the body of the motor vehicle in a swinging manner, only one hinge 2 being numbered. Furthermore, in the present exemplary embodiment, two actuators, i. H. a first actuator 3 and a second actuator 4 are provided, which are arranged on the one hand stationary on the body and on the other hand on the hinges 2. A direct connection of the actuators 3, 4 to the flap 1 is also possible.

The first actuator 3 and the second actuator 4 change their axial length when energized. With this change in length, the flap 1 is changed in its pivoting angle, i.e. opened or closed, shown in 2 . A sensor, not shown, is also provided for detecting a pivoting position and/or a vibration of the flap 1, a sensor signal being able to be evaluated by a control unit, also not shown. In addition, the first actuator 3 and the second actuator 4 can be energized by the control unit in order to change their length for opening or closing the flap 1 . In another exemplary embodiment, only a single actuator 3, 4 can be provided, with the second actuator 3, 4 also being able to be replaced by a damping element.

• - Bestromen des ersten Aktors, bis die Klappe eine definierte Lage eingenommen hat,
• - Auswerten des Sensorsignals, ob die Klappe 1 in Schwingung ist,
• - Wenn die Klappe in Schwingung ist, weiteres Bestromen des ersten Aktors 3, bis die Schwingung abgeklungen ist.

As already stated, the flap 1 is connected to the body of the motor vehicle via at least one hinge 2, usually two hinges 2. During the opening/closing movement, or in the open position, external influences can, as also already shown, lead to vibration excitation and the flap 1 shows an insignificant teetering. In order to prevent this teetering of the flap 1, the following method steps are proposed according to the invention:

• - energizing the first actuator until the flap has assumed a defined position,
• - Evaluation of the sensor signal to determine whether flap 1 is vibrating,
• - If the flap is in vibration, further energizing the first actuator 3 until the vibration has subsided.

This method applies when only a first actuator 3 is provided.

• - Wenn die Klappe 1 in Schwingung ist,
• - Weiteres gleichphasiges Bestromen des ersten und zweiten Aktors 3, 4 bis die Schwingung abgeklungen ist.

If, as in the present exemplary embodiment, a first actuator 3 and a second actuator 4 are provided, the following method steps are recommended:

• - If flap 1 is vibrating,
• - Further energizing the first and second actuators 3, 4 in phase until the oscillation has subsided.

• - Wenn die Klappe 1 in Schwingung ist,
• - Weiteres gegenphasiges Bestromen des ersten und zweiten Aktors 3, 4 bis die Schwingung abgeklungen ist.

A further variant of the method according to the invention with two actuators 3, 4 is characterized by the following method steps:

• - If flap 1 is vibrating,
• - Further energizing of the first and second actuators 3, 4 in phase opposition until the oscillation has subsided.

• - Wenn die Klappe 1 in Schwingung ist,
• - Weiteres konstantes oder nach einem definierten zeitlichen oder definierten pegelveränderlichem Verlauf Bestromen, zumindest des ersten Aktors 3 und/oder des zweiten Aktors 4 bis die Schwingung abgeklungen ist.

To optimize the decay behavior, the following process steps are suggested:

• - If flap 1 is vibrating,
• - Another constant current or according to a defined time or defined level-changing profile energizing, at least the first actuator 3 and / or the second actuator 4 until the oscillation has subsided.

• - Wenn die Klappe 1 in Schwingung ist,
• - Manuelles Triggern des weiteren Bestromen des zumindest ersten Aktors 3 und/oder zweiten Aktors 4, bis die Schwingung abgeklungen ist.

The following process steps make it particularly user-friendly:

• - If flap 1 is vibrating,
• - Manual triggering of further energizing of at least the first actuator 3 and/or the second actuator 4 until the oscillation has subsided.

2 shows a top view of a hinge 2 with two hinge or flap positions, a closed flap (first hinge position) is numbered 5, an open flap (second hinge position) is numbered 6. The hinge 2 is connected in a stationary manner to the body of the motor vehicle via a bracket 9 . In contrast, a wing of the hinge 2 that is not numbered separately can be pivoted about an axis of rotation 8 . At a point 7 for the actuator 3, 4 is the bracket of the Hinge 2 can be displaced along a dashed arrow 11 by a change in length of the actuator 3, 4, i.e. this is the displacement path between a closed position and an open position of the flap 1. Two openings 10 are provided at the end of the bracket of the hinge 2, which are Attachment points of the flap 1 to the hinge 2 is. A pivoting angle of the flap 1 between the closed position and the open position is numbered 12.

In other embodiments, of course, the wing of the hinge 2 can be designed completely differently, the method according to the invention still being applicable.

3 shows a section through an actuator 3, 4 shown as an example, which can also appear completely different in other exemplary embodiments, ie hydraulic, electrohydraulic, pneumatic, etc. actuators 3, 4 can also be used.

In the present exemplary embodiment, the actuator 3, 4 has a pivot point 16 for the body and, diametrically opposite this, a pivot point 17 for the flap 1. Within the actuator 3, 4, an electric motor 13 and a gear with a spindle 14 and a spring element 15 are arranged. When the electric motor 13 of the actuator 3, 4 is energized, the length of the actuator 3, 4 can be changed via the gear and the spindle, and the flap 1 can thus be opened and closed.

When an unwanted vibration of the flap 1 is detected by the sensor, according to the invention a defined activation, energizing of the actuator 3, 4, for example a spindle drive as shown here, takes place. As a result of this measure, a damping effect is generated by the actuator 3, 4 and the vibration is thus reduced or completely eliminated.

Reference List

1.

flap

2.

hinge

3.

first actor

4.

second actor

5.

Flap closed

6.

flap open

7.

Point of attack actor

8th.

Axis of rotation hinge

9.

body

10

Flap attachment point

11.

displacement path

12.

swivel angle

13.

engine

14

Gear / Spindle

15

spring element

16

Body pivot point

17

Flap/hinge hinge point

QUOTES INCLUDED IN DESCRIPTION

This list of the documents cited 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 102012018093 A1 [0002]
• DE 102015119505 A1 [0003]
• DE 102004048184 A1 [0004]

Claims (5)

Method for actuating an automatic flap (1) of a motor vehicle, the flap (1) being arranged on a body of the motor vehicle so that it can pivot via a hinge (2) and a first actuator (3) being provided which is fixed on the one hand on the body and on the other hand is arranged on the flap (1) and/or the hinge (2), the first actuator (3) changing its axial length when energized, for opening or closing the flap (1), a sensor being provided for detection a pivoting position and/or a vibration of the flap (1), in which case a sensor signal can be evaluated by a control unit and the first actuator (3) can be energized by the control unit, characterized by the following method steps: - energizing the first actuator (3) until the flap (1) has assumed a defined position, - evaluating the sensor signal to determine whether the flap (1) is vibrating, - if the flap (1) is vibrating, - further energizing of the first actuator (3), until the vibration has subsided. procedure after claim 1 , wherein a second actuator (4) is provided for opening or closing the flap (1) and the first and second actuators (3, 4) can be energized by the control unit, characterized by the following method steps: - If the flap (1 ) is oscillating, - Further in-phase energizing of the first and second actuator (3, 4) until the oscillation has subsided. procedure after claim 1 , wherein a second actuator (4) is provided for opening or closing the flap (1) and the first and second actuators (3, 4) can be energized by the control unit, characterized by the following method steps: - If the flap (1 ) is oscillating, - Further energizing of the first and second actuators (3, 4) in antiphase until the oscillation has subsided. Procedure according to one of Claims 1 until 3 , characterized by the following method steps: - If the flap (1) is vibrating, - Further constant current or after a defined time or defined level-changing course energizing at least the first actuator (3) until the vibration has subsided. Procedure according to one of Claims 1 until 4 , characterized by the following method steps: - If the flap (1) is vibrating, - Manual triggering of further energizing of at least the first actuator (3) until the vibration has subsided.

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