DE102020128468A1 - Scroll spring arrangement for a darkening device, darkening device for a vehicle roof, vehicle roof and motor vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

A scroll spring arrangement (10) for a darkening device (20) has a bearing bush (13) and a scroll spring drive. The scroll spring drive comprises a supply roll holder (11), a work roll holder (12) and at least one scroll spring (15) which has a predetermined winding direction (W) and spring characteristic. The supply roll holder (11) and the working roll holder (12) are coupled to the bearing bush (13) and are each designed for winding and unwinding the scroll spring (15), the scroll spring (15) being connected on the one hand to the supply roll holder (11) and on the other hand to the Work roll holder (12) is coupled so that the scroll spring (15) in its winding direction (W) onto the supply roll holder (11) and counter to its winding direction (W) onto the work roll holder (12) can be wound up. A predetermined force component for operating a darkening element (21) of the darkening device (20) can thus be set up by means of the scroll spring drive independently of a lateral guide.

Description

The invention relates to a scroll spring arrangement for a blackout device. The invention also relates to a darkening device for a vehicle roof with such a scroll spring arrangement. The invention also relates to a vehicle roof and a motor vehicle with a blackout device.

Arrangements for vehicle roofs are known from the prior art, which have a shading system that is implemented, for example, in the form of a roller blind arrangement with a roller blind. Such a shading system serves to protect against solar radiation under a transparent roof section of the vehicle, which has a glass panorama roof or a sunroof, for example. Such a blind arrangement is, for example, from EP 2 004 430 B1 famous. In the case of such arrangements, it is always an aim to enable cost-effective production and reliable and convenient operation of the arrangement.

It is an object on which the present invention is based to enable reliable and convenient operation of a blackout device in a cost-effective manner.

The object is solved by the features of the independent patent claim. Advantageous developments are specified in the dependent patent claims.

A scroll spring arrangement according to the invention for a darkening device has a bearing bush, which forms a component of a lateral guide for guiding a darkening element of the darkening device along an extension direction. The scroll spring arrangement also has a scroll spring drive with a supply roll holder, a work roll holder and at least one scroll spring, which has a predetermined winding direction and spring characteristic. The supply roll holder and the working roll holder are coupled to the bearing bush and are each designed for winding and unwinding the scroll spring. The scroll spring is coupled to the supply roll holder on the one hand and to the work roll holder on the other hand, so that the scroll spring can be wound onto the supply roll holder in its winding direction and onto the work roll holder in the opposite direction to its winding direction. As a result, a predetermined force component for operating the darkening element can be set up independently of the lateral guide by means of the constant-force spring drive.

Reliable and convenient operation of a darkening device can be implemented in a cost-effective manner by means of the scroll spring arrangement described. The scroll spring arrangement implements in particular a scroll spring motor which, for example as an additional drive to an electric motor, supports the operation of the darkening element. In the following description, the scroll spring arrangement is mainly described in connection with a darkening element in the form of a roller blind. However, the use of the scroll spring arrangement is also conceivable for other darkening elements which can be assisted in opening and/or closing with the scroll spring drive.

It is a finding related to the present invention that conventional powered shade systems typically include a shaft assembly with one or more coil springs that are tensioned when the shade is closed. The coil springs require a winding axle or a tube to guide them, as well as complex measures to de-rattle them, such as a coated axle on a curved shaft or a damping hose on a straight shaft.

In addition, it is necessary to grease such shaft systems in order to ensure smooth running and, in addition, to de-rattle and counteract undesirable acoustic noise development. The coil springs have relatively high frictional resistance within the system, which limits the usable force and causes a relatively high hysteresis. Furthermore, the achievable extension lengths are limited by the characteristics of the coil springs. In addition, the coil springs can be overloaded or noise can be produced, a so-called "tocking". In addition, shaftless systems with coil springs are not currently feasible.

It is a further finding in connection with the present invention that conventional, manual roller blind systems are usually operated with roller springs as lateral guides, which cause the roller blind fabric to be wound up and cause the roller blind to jam in a guide rail. As a rule, such roller blind systems only have low fabric tensions in the x-direction or direction of travel, since the roller springs do not supply any appreciable tension.

Roller blind systems with other side guides, such as a sewn plastic strip, are usually wound with a deflected cable pull. Accordingly, such roller blind systems, which are wound and pretensioned with a complex cable system, have a relatively complex structure. Usually there is one Coupling via a traction cable from a bow to a cable drum on the shaft or on the shaft with associated compensating springs.

In addition, with manually operated roller blinds, the actuating force usually increases over the travel distance due to friction. In particular, for a comfortable and reliable operation of the roller blind, the user regularly desires an actuating force that is as constant as possible.

A blackout device, in particular in the form of a roller blind system, can be implemented by means of the scroll spring arrangement described, which can be operated easily and conveniently. The scroll spring arrangement has a simple structure and can be produced inexpensively and enables reliable operation of a roller blind. This is achieved in particular by the additionally provided scroll spring drive, which, depending on the configuration of the scroll spring or scroll springs, enables a predetermined support when the blind is opened and/or closed electrically or manually.

The supply roll holder can be designed as a rotatable bushing or have such a bushing. Alternatively or additionally, the supply roll holder can have a supply journal, by means of which the scroll spring is guided, since the scroll spring forms a ring on the inside in a wound state. In this case, the supply pin is preferably designed so that it rattles and has damping elements, such as a plastic.

Furthermore, the scroll spring can be arranged and designed in such a way that it can be wound in the winding direction from the supply roll holder onto the work roll holder.

In particular, the bearing bush also forms a component for centering the fabric of a roller blind fabric, which implements the blackout element. In addition, the scroll spring arrangement can have a guide pin for centering the material and/or lateral guidance of the darkening element.

According to a further development of the scroll spring arrangement, the bearing bush, the supply roll holder and the work roll holder are each designed as cylindrical components which are connected to one another by means of a wall of the scroll spring arrangement. A clear and space-saving structure can thus be implemented. The components described can be connected at a distance from one another by means of the wall. Alternatively, for example, the work roll mount and the bearing bush are connected to each other and coupled as a common cylindrical component to the stock roll mount by means of the wall. The brackets are, for example, designed or connected to the wall in a rotationally fixed manner, and the bearing bush can rotate relative to the wall.

According to a preferred development of the scroll spring arrangement, the bearing bush and the work roll holder form a common cylindrical component of the scroll spring arrangement.

According to a further development of the scroll spring arrangement, the scroll spring drive includes a further scroll spring, which has a predetermined winding direction and spring characteristic. The further scroll spring is coupled on the one hand to the supply roll holder or to another supply roll holder and on the other hand to the working roll holder, so that the further scroll spring can be wound onto the supply roll holder or the further supply roll holder in its winding direction and onto the working roll holder in the opposite direction to its winding direction.

According to a further development of the scroll spring arrangement, the winding direction of the respective scroll spring is oriented counter to a winding direction of the darkening element of the darkening device to be operated.

According to a further development of the scroll spring arrangement, the spring characteristic of the respective scroll spring is designed to be constant, increasing or degressive in a predefined manner, so that a specified torque can be set up for operating the darkening element of the darkening device by means of the scroll spring drive.

According to a further development of the scroll spring arrangement, it also includes a gear, by means of which the scroll spring on the working roll holder can be coupled to a darkening element. Such a gear stage is arranged, for example, in connection with a roller blind between the scroll spring winding on the working roller holder and the connection to the roller blind. The supply roll holder and the working roll holder are connected to each other via the roller blind spring. An unwinding or winding speed of the blind changes depending on a respective winding diameter.

The scroll spring arrangement can include one or more scroll springs, which are used as a drive independently of a lateral guide of the darkening device. The respective scroll spring does not move in a guide rail, but is wound up onto an associated storage roll holder with one end in the winding direction. The respective other end is placed against the winding direction on the associated work roll holder attached. In particular, the work roll mount may be a common mount for two or more scroll springs to provide a desired torque. In addition, the work roll mount may correspond to the bearing bush or be formed as an extended bearing bush. Alternatively, the power roller mount and the roller blind bearing bushing can form two interconnected components.

The winding direction of the respective scroll spring on the working roll holder is chosen opposite to the winding direction of a roller blind fabric, so that the scroll spring is wound onto the working roller holder against its bending direction when the blind is unwound for closing or shading. This preloads the scroll spring and the resulting torque can be used to wind up the blind fabric when the blind is opened.

According to an alternative configuration, the winding direction of the supply and work rolls can be identical. In this way, a very flat characteristic curve with low moments can be realized, which can be useful, for example, for roller blinds that can be operated manually. An adaptation of the characteristic can then be set via a winding diameter of the scroll spring and a working roll diameter. A roller spring motor then essentially causes the roller blind fabric to be wound up without any significant tensile forces on it.

Blackout devices are possible with only one scroll spring assembly and one scroll spring motor on one side of the vehicle roof. However, due to the symmetry, a scroll spring arrangement should preferably be provided on both opposite sides of the vehicle roof. Furthermore, scroll spring arrangements can be formed in which a plurality of scroll springs are wound from their own supply roll mounts onto a common working roll mount or bearing bush. In addition, coupling via a gearbox is also possible.

The scroll spring motors that can be implemented using the scroll spring arrangement can provide relatively high speeds. A torque or spring characteristic can be set to be almost constant, slightly increasing or also degressive. A wrapping of the constant force springs around the storage roll holder and the working roll holder or the bearing bush takes place almost without friction. The scroll spring arrangement therefore has no significant hysteresis. The usable torques can be adjusted through the design of the constant force spring design. A curvature and/or a curvature diameter, with which the respective scroll spring can be produced, can influence the spring characteristic in a predetermined manner in order to provide a constant or degressive force component, for example. A falling torque is suitable, for example, to compensate for frictional effects when operating the blind.

The scroll spring arrangement described offers various advantages. Among other things, constant force springs are usually significantly cheaper than coil springs. In addition, constant force springs only require relatively small supply rolls instead of axles or tubes that extend over the entire width of the blind. A spring axis is usually arranged concentrically to the fabric roll and supply rolls are provided, for example, in front of or behind the fabric roll. Thus, by means of the scroll spring arrangement described, a contribution can be made to a space-saving structure. In addition, shaftless systems and, in particular, simple systems are also possible by means of the scroll spring arrangement, which contain a plastic tube for winding the blind fabric. In this way, synchronous winding of the fabric sides of the blind fabric can be set up in a simple manner. In addition, this enables further cost savings in the design of a darkening device.

Compared to constant force springs, coil springs have almost linear torque characteristics. The relatively high torque in the state in which the blind is closed is usually not required and causes high stress on the system and can also cause significant noise emissions, which is caused, for example, by a driving motor which is against the forming torque works.

Due to the fact that the constant force springs are used independently of the lateral guide, the constant force spring arrangement can be used with all lateral guides or roller blinds without lateral guides. Among other things, the scroll spring arrangement can also be installed with roller blind systems that have plastic side guides. In the case of plastic side guides, there is usually a cable solution in connection with manually operated roller blinds, which is relatively complex and not very robust. In particular, the scroll spring arrangement also enables uncomplicated and cost-effective retrofitting of existing systems and can contribute to a longer service life of such a blackout device thanks to the supporting scroll spring drive.

According to a further aspect, a darkening device according to the invention for a vehicle roof has at least one embodiment of the scroll spring arrangement described above. The blackout device further includes a blackout element that acts as an up and down ckelbares roller blind is formed and which is coupled by means of the bearing bush with the scroll spring drive of the scroll spring assembly. The roller blind can thus be guided within a guide channel of a side guide of the darkening device from a first, releasing state into a second, darkening state, and a predetermined shading for a vehicle interior can be set up as a result.

According to a further aspect, a vehicle roof according to the invention for a motor vehicle has an embodiment of the darkening device which is coupled to a roof skin of the vehicle roof.

According to a further aspect, a motor vehicle according to the invention is disclosed which has an embodiment of the vehicle roof described above, which is fixedly coupled to a roof body of the motor vehicle.

Because the darkening device, the vehicle roof and the motor vehicle each comprise at least one embodiment of the scroll spring arrangement described above, properties and features of the scroll spring arrangement are also disclosed for the darkening device, the vehicle roof and the motor vehicle and vice versa.

• 1 eine schematische, perspektivische Ansicht eines Fahrzeugdachs mit einer Verdunkelungsvorrichtung,
• 2 ein Ausführungsbeispiel einer Rollfederanordnung für die Verdunkelungsvorrichtung nach 1 in einer perspektivischen Ansicht, und
• 3 die Rollfederanordnung für die Verdunkelungsvorrichtung in einer seitlichen Ansicht.

Exemplary embodiments of the invention are explained below using schematic drawings. Show it:

• 1 a schematic, perspective view of a vehicle roof with a blackout device,
• 2 an embodiment of a scroll spring assembly for the blackout device 1 in a perspective view, and
• 3 the scroll spring arrangement for the blackout device in a side view.

Elements of the same construction and function are identified with the same reference symbols across the figures. For reasons of clarity, not all of the elements shown are identified with associated reference symbols in all of the figures.

1 shows a schematic view of a vehicle roof 1 for a motor vehicle, which has a cover system 3 . The vehicle roof 1 is firmly coupled to the rest of the roof body. The cover system 3 is integrated in the vehicle roof 1 and coupled to a roof skin 2 of the vehicle roof 1 . The cover system 3 comprises, for example, a sliding sunroof cover in order to selectively close a roof opening in the vehicle roof 1 or at least partially release it. Alternatively, the cover system 3 includes a transparent roof element, such as a panorama roof, which is firmly closed or installed. In this case, an immovable transparent roof element is provided.

A scroll spring arrangement 10 is coupled to the vehicle roof 1 . As below based on the 1 until 3 is explained, the scroll spring arrangement 10 enables a reliable and convenient operation of a blackout device 20 in a cost-effective manner. The blackout device 20 implements a roller blind system and has a roller blind 21 as a blackout element, which is designed to be wound up and down in order to allow light to enter a vehicle interior if necessary of the motor vehicle to reduce. This can be driven by motors and/or done manually by moving a pull bow 22 which is coupled to the roller blind 21 . The roller blind 21 can thus be unwound from a bearing bush 13 and closed in an extension direction L, which also corresponds to the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, in order to shade the vehicle interior. Conversely, the roller blind 21 can also be opened again and wound up onto the bearing bush 13 in order to release the incidence of light again.

2 shows a perspective view of the scroll spring arrangement 10, which has the bearing bush 13 and also a guide pin 14, each of which forms a component of a fabric centering and a lateral guide for guiding the blind 21 along the extension direction L. On the one hand, the optional guide pin 14 delimits a guide channel 17 of the lateral guide, in which a guide strip of the roller blind 21 can be guided in order to roll up and unwind the roller blind 21 in a directed and reliable manner. In addition, a connection section 18 is illustrated, which enables the scroll spring arrangement 10 to be coupled to adjacent components of the darkening device 20, such as a guide rail.

The scroll spring arrangement 10 also has a scroll spring drive with a supply roll holder 11, a work roll holder 12 and at least one scroll spring 15, which has a predetermined spring characteristic and bending direction or winding direction W. The supply roll holder 11 and the working roll holder 12 are coupled to the bearing bush 13 and/or the guide pin 14 by means of a wall 16 and are each designed for winding and unwinding the scroll spring 15 . The scroll spring 15 is coupled on the one hand to the supply roll holder 11 and on the other hand to the work roll holder 12, so that the scroll spring 15 in its winding direction W onto the supply roll holder 11 and counter to its winding direction W onto the working roll holder 12, so that a predetermined force component for operating the roller blind 21 can be set up independently of the lateral guide by means of the constant-force spring drive (see Fig. 2 and 3 ).

the 3 shows the scroll spring assembly 10 in a side view. When rolling up and down, the scroll spring 15 does not move in the guide rail or in the guide channel 17, but is transferred from the supply roll holder 11 to the working roll holder 12 or vice versa. When the roller blind 21 is closed or unwound from the bearing bush 13, the scroll spring 15 is wound up on the working roll holder 12 in the opposite direction to its winding direction W. The winding direction W on the work roll holder 12 is thus oriented counter to a winding direction R of the blind 21 when the blind 21 is unwound or closed, as is shown in FIGS 2 and 3 is indicated with arrow symbols. In other words, the scroll spring 15 according to in 3 Illustrated view on the work roll holder 15 has a spiral that increases clockwise and decreases counterclockwise. The roller blind 21 forms according to in 3 illustrated view on the bearing bush 13 a spiral, which becomes smaller in the clockwise direction and larger in the counter-clockwise direction.

Due to the structure described, the scroll spring 15 is prestressed when the shade 21 is closed and the resulting torque can be used to wind up the shade 21 when it is opened.

Since the scroll spring 15 is used independently of the lateral guide, the scroll spring arrangement 10 can be used with lateral guides or also with roller blinds without lateral guides. In particular, the scroll spring arrangement 10 enables an uncomplicated and cost-effective retrofitting of existing systems and can contribute to a longer service life of the darkening device 20 and increase maintenance cycles due to the supporting scroll spring drive.

Reference List

1

vehicle roof

2

roof skin

3

lid system

10

scroll spring assembly

11

supply roll holder

12

work roll holder

13

bearing bush

14

pilot

15

scroll spring

16

Wall

17

guide channel

18

connection section

20

blackout device

21

Blackout element / roller blind

22

drawbar

L

Extraction direction / longitudinal axis

R

Winding direction of the roller blind

W

Winding direction scroll spring

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

• EP 2004430 B1 [0002]

Claims (10)

Scroll spring arrangement (10) for a darkening device (20), having: - A bearing bush (13) which forms a component of a lateral guide for guiding a darkening element (21) of the darkening device (20) along an extension direction (L), and - a scroll spring drive with a supply roll holder (11), a work roll holder (12) and at least one scroll spring (15) which has a predetermined winding direction (W) and spring characteristic, the supply roll holder (11) and the work roll holder (12) having the bearing bush ( 13) and are each designed for winding and unwinding the scroll spring (15), and wherein the scroll spring (15) is coupled on the one hand to the supply roll holder (11) and on the other hand to the work roll holder (12), so that the scroll spring (15) in its winding direction (W) onto the supply roll holder (11) and counter to its winding direction (W) onto the working roll holder (12), so that a predetermined force component for operating the darkening element (21) can be set up independently of the lateral guide by means of the constant-force spring drive. Scroll spring arrangement (10) after claim 1 , in which the supply roll holder (11), the working roll holder (12) and the bearing bush (13) each form cylindrical components which are connected to one another by means of a wall (16) of the scroll spring arrangement (10). Scroll spring arrangement (10) after claim 1 or 2 , in which the bearing bush (13) and the work roll holder (12) form a common cylindrical component of the scroll spring arrangement (10). Scroll spring arrangement (10) according to one of the preceding claims, in which the scroll spring drive comprises a further scroll spring which has a predetermined winding direction and spring characteristic, the further scroll spring being connected on the one hand to the supply roll holder (11) or to another supply roll holder and on the other hand to the working roll holder (12) is coupled, so that the further scroll spring can be wound up in its winding direction onto the supply roll holder (11) or the further supply roll holder and counter to its winding direction onto the work roll holder (12). Scroll spring arrangement (10) according to one of the preceding claims, in which the winding direction (W) of the respective scroll spring (15) is oriented counter to a winding direction (R) of the darkening element (21) of the darkening device (20) to be operated. Scroll spring arrangement (10) according to one of the preceding claims, in which the spring characteristic of the respective scroll spring (15) is designed to be constant, increasing or degressive in a predetermined manner, so that a predetermined torque can be set up for operating the darkening element (21) of the shade device (20) by means of the scroll spring drive . Scroll spring assembly (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising: a gear by means of which the scroll spring (15) on the working roll holder (12) can be coupled to a darkening element (21). Darkening device (20) for a vehicle roof (1), having: - A scroll spring arrangement (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, and - a darkening element (21), which is designed as a roller blind that can be rolled up and down and which is coupled to the roller spring drive of the roller spring arrangement (10) by means of the bearing bush (13), so that the roller blind is guided within a guide channel (17) of a side guide of the darkening device (20) can be converted from a first, releasing state into a second, darkening state, and a predetermined shading for a vehicle interior can be set up as a result. Vehicle roof (1) for a motor vehicle, comprising: a darkening device (20). claim 8 , which is coupled to a roof skin (2) of the vehicle roof (1). Motor vehicle, comprising: a vehicle roof (1). claim 9 , which is firmly coupled to a roof body of the motor vehicle.

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