DE10256181A1 - Device for the automatic operation of a motor vehicle sliding door for busses and minivans has an internal drive to move the door along guide rails attached to the chassis - Google Patents

Abstract

A device for the automatic operation of a motor vehicle sliding door (10) comprises at least two guide rails (16,18) connecting to the vehicle chassis and a drive unit (20) in the door which moves the door along the rails relative to the chassis.

Description

The invention relates to a device for automatic actuation a sliding door of a motor vehicle in at least two rail-like guides is guided on a chassis of the motor vehicle.

Such devices are generally known. They are for example in buses, minibuses or minivans provided for opening and closing of sliding doors to facilitate. The problem with known devices Arrangement of a drive unit for the sliding door in the Motor vehicle: On the one hand, it is due to a limited space difficult to add the drive unit to other vehicle components, such as air conditioning or storage space on the body of the To accommodate motor vehicle. On the other hand, installation requires of known devices longer Assembly times that predominate Part on the removal and installation of vehicle seats, seat belts and parts of the interior lining.

The invention has for its object a To create a device of the type mentioned that the in the vehicle makes better use of available space and deals with less time can be installed.

The task is accomplished by a device solved with the features of claim 1 and in particular in that in the sliding door a drive unit is provided to the sliding door relative to Chassis along the guides to move.

According to the invention, the drive unit is therefore not on the vehicle chassis but in the sliding door itself. The Door interior is advantageously used in this way. At the same time it can Drive unit independent other vehicle components, such as an air conditioning system, be arranged in a manner that is optimal in terms of drive technology. Furthermore it is not necessary to have additional installation space on the vehicle body for the To provide the drive unit.

In addition, the assembly of the device according to the invention simplified and with a reduced installation time feasible. By placing the drive unit in the sliding door, it is not required, vehicle seats, seat belts and interior panels for installation the drive unit on the vehicle body and then again install. Instead, the installation of the drive unit in the sliding door take place parallel to the installation of the interior of the motor vehicle, so that the total assembly time of the motor vehicle by the Installation of the device according to the invention just increased by the time the for the pure assembly of the sliding door drive is required.

Advantageous embodiments of the invention are the subordinate claims, can be found in the description and the drawing.

This is how the drive unit works Moving the sliding door according to a first embodiment of the Invention together with a counter element firmly anchored to the chassis. Because the counter element is firmly anchored to the chassis and not for a drive movement is provided relative to the chassis, essentially none occurs Friction between counter element and chassis on, so that the sliding door with a minimal effort is movable.

The counter element can be a rope, a Straps or a chain, the ends or ends of which are fixed are connected to the vehicle chassis. Such a flexible counter element can follow the sliding movement of the door particularly well and provides in any position of the sliding door optimal power transmission between the drive unit and the counter element.

According to a further embodiment The invention is a first end of the counter element in the area - in the direction of travel seen - front end a first tour and a second end of the counter element in the area of a rear End of a second tour attached. This ensures that the sliding door is both a position in which a door opening is completely closed, and can also assume a position in which the door opening is fully open.

The drive unit can be a deflection element for the Form counter element, in particular in the area of the drive unit a first counter element section is at least approximately horizontal towards the first lead extends and a second counter element section extends obliquely thereto Direction of the second tour extends. The drive unit, which acts as a deflection element, bears this in mind Bill that the guides typically at different heights on the chassis of the motor vehicle are arranged.

According to a further embodiment the invention are a front and a rear deflection device, in particular deflection roller, for deflecting the counter element on the sliding door in the area of in the guides engaging bearing means provided for the sliding door. Through these deflection devices the counter element is inserted into the sliding door so that it is there for movement of the sliding door can interact with the drive unit.

Another object of the invention is also a method for automatically operating one in at least two rail-like guides a chassis of a motor vehicle guided sliding door, in which the sliding door through a in the sliding door provided drive unit relative to the chassis along the guides is moved.

The drive unit can be used to move move along the sliding door along a firmly anchored and in particular flexible counter element. Since the counter element is firmly anchored to the chassis, ie cannot move substantially relative to the chassis, and the sliding door is moved by a relative movement of the drive unit with respect to the counter element and thus the chassis, friction between the counter element and the chassis is essentially ruled out, so that the sliding door is moved with minimal effort.

In the following the invention will be pure by way of example using a preferred embodiment and with reference to the attached Drawing described. Show it:

1 is a schematic side view of a motor vehicle sliding door guided in two guides in the closed state; and

2A - 2D schematic plan views of the sliding door from 1 in various closed states, which range from (A) fully closed to (D) fully open.

1 shows the sliding door 10 of a motor vehicle in a state in which it is through a door frame 12 limited door opening 14 completely closed. In the illustrated embodiment, it is a right door of the vehicle, which is seen from outside the vehicle. A front end of the vehicle would be on the right in the drawing and a rear end would be on the left. To open the door opening 14 must have the sliding door 10 to the rear (to the left in the drawing).

The sliding door 10 is in two, essentially horizontal rail-like guides 16 . 18 slidably mounted on the chassis of the motor vehicle. A first, top tour 16 is in an area of medium height of the vehicle and - in terms of vehicle orientation - offset in parallel behind a second, lower guide 18 arranged. The front second lead 18 is below that through the sliding door 10 door opening to be locked 14 arranged.

In the sliding door 10 is a drive unit 20 housed to the sliding door 10 relative to the chassis along the guides 16 . 18 to move. The drive unit 20 can have, for example, an electric motor for driving one or more drive gears, not shown, which have a correspondingly configured counter element 22 are engaged.

The counter element 22 is at least partially flexible and formed in the illustrated embodiment by a toothed belt, the ends of which are firmly anchored to the vehicle chassis. There is a first, upper end 24 of the counter element 22 in the area of a front end, as seen in the direction of travel 26 the rear upper guide 16 and a second, lower end 28 of the counter element 22 in the area of a rear end 30 the front guide 18 attached.

Between its ends anchored to the chassis 24 . 28 becomes the counter element 22 redirected several times. Starting from its upper end 24 extends a first, upper end section 32 of the counter element 22 first - seen in the direction of travel - to the rear. Through one on the sliding door 10 rotatably mounted first pulley 34 becomes the counter element 22 deflected by 180 °, so that a first counter element section 36 is formed, which is from the first deflection roller 34 to the drive unit 20 extends. The drive unit 20 is at such a height on the sliding door 10 attached that the first counter element section 36 parallel to the first tour 16 and thus runs essentially horizontally.

The drive unit 20 directs the counter element 22 in turn such that a second counter element section 38 forwards and diagonally down towards a front end 40 the bottom guide 18 extends. The angle that the second counter element section 38 with the first counter element section 36 includes, is approximately 130 ° in the illustrated embodiment. Because the angle of the width of the sliding door 10 and the vertical distance of the guides 16 . 18 depends on each other, it can also take values other than 130 ° between 90 ° and 180 °.

In a lower front corner area of the sliding door 10 is a second pulley 42 provided on the sliding door. This second pulley 42 directs the oblique second counter element section 38 in a parallel to the lower guide 18 and thus essentially horizontally running second, lower end section 44 of the counter element 22 around. As mentioned above, the bottom is 28 of the counter element 22 , ie the lower end section 44 of the counter element 22 , in the area of the rear end 30 the bottom guide 18 firmly anchored to the chassis.

Like that 2A to 2D can be seen is the sliding door 10 with the help of storage equipment 46 . 48 slidable in the guides 16 . 18 held. A rear, upper storage device 46 reaches into the upper guide 16 one, and a front, lower bearing means 48 reaches into the lower guide 18 on. The storage means 46 . 48 each have a swivel part 50 on that articulated with an approach 52 the sliding door 10 connected is. At the approach 52 opposite side of each swivel part 50 are two roles each 54 provided accordingly in the top guide 16 and lower leadership 18 are led.

So that an outer surface 56 the sliding door 10 when the sliding door is closed it is flush with the door opening 14 completes the surrounding body of the motor vehicle, have the guides 16 . 18 each have a front end portion 16A . 18A on, which is angled towards the vehicle interior.

The sliding door is in the closed state 10 in its foremost position - as seen in the direction of travel ( 2A ). The storage means are in this position 46 . 48 each in the end areas of the front sections 16A . 18A of the guides 16 . 18 ,

The pulleys 34 . 42 for the counter element 22 are in the area of the articulated connection between the swivel part 50 and approach 52 the storage means 46 . 48 arranged. An articulated axis is preferably used 58 the swivel part 50 and approach 52 formed joint at the same time as a bearing axis for the deflection rollers 34 . 42 ,

As in the 2A to 2D is shown, the counter element 22 through the pulleys 34 . 42 not just within a vertical, sliding door 10 deflected essentially parallel plane, but also in a perpendicular, ie horizontal plane. Because the pulleys 34 . 42 a greater distance from the outer surface 56 the sliding door 10 than the drive unit 20 have, the counter element sections 36 . 38 between the drive unit 20 and the pulleys 34 . 42 not parallel to the sliding door 10 but diagonally to the inside of the vehicle. The top end 24 of the counter element 22 is in the area of the front end 26 the top guide 16 on a C-pillar 60 the vehicle body 62 anchored. The bottom end 28 of the counter element 22 is in the area of the rear end 30 the bottom guide 18 attached to the chassis of the vehicle.

Below is the automatic operation of the sliding door 10 based on 2A to 2D explained in more detail. The starting point is the in 2A Shown closed state of the sliding door 10 which of the situation of 1 equivalent.

If the drive unit 20 to open the sliding door 10 is activated, the drive unit works 20 so with the counter element 22 together that the drive unit 20 on the counter element 22 pulls along. Because the counter element 22 is firmly anchored to the vehicle chassis and is therefore in the direction of movement of the sliding door 10 can not move significantly relative to the vehicle chassis, the drive unit moves 20 when activated relative to the counter element 22 and thus relative to the vehicle chassis. Because of the attachment of the drive unit 20 in the sliding door 10 is activated when the drive unit is activated 20 consequently also the sliding door 10 moved relative to the vehicle chassis.

During the in 2A to 2D shown operation of opening the sliding door 10 becomes the sliding door 10 - seen in the direction of travel - moved backwards (to the left in the figures). The storage means move 46 . 48 the sliding door 10 towards the rear ends of the guides 16 . 18 until the sliding door is fully open 10 who in

2D is shown, each at the rear end of the guides 16 . 18 have arrived. The distance between the upper pulley increases during the opening process 34 and the anchor point of the upper end 24 of the counter element 22 , Because the total length of the counter element 22 in return, the distance between the lower pulley increases 42 and the anchor point of the lower end 28 of the counter element 22 from. During the length of the lower end section 44 So the upper end section becomes shorter and shorter 32 always longer.

Like from the 2C and 2D together with 1 the first end section runs 32 of the counter element 22 inside the top guide 16 , Due to the strongly angled front section 16A the leadership 16 gets the end section 32 of the counter element 22 in the area of curvature of the guide 16 with an inner wall of the guide 16 in contact when the sliding door 10 has reached an approximately half-open state ( 2C ). Because the counter element 22 but firmly anchored to the chassis, it cannot move in the direction of the sliding door 10 move relative to the chassis and therefore not on the inner wall of the guide 16 grind along. As a result, no undesirable frictional forces are generated. The touch of the counter element 22 and leadership 16 in the area of the curvature of the guide 16 is therefore not critical.

The closing process of the sliding door 10 takes place accordingly in the reverse direction, with the lower end portion 44 of the counter element 22 when the sliding door moves 10 - seen in the direction of travel - extended to the front (to the right in the drawing) and the upper end section 32 shortened accordingly.

In the illustrated embodiment, the first guide 16 in the area of an average height of the vehicle and - in terms of vehicle orientation - behind the door opening 14 and the second lead 18 below the door opening 14 arranged so that the sliding door 10 to open the door opening 14 is pushed back.

The first tour can also be in front of the door opening 14 be arranged so that the door would have to be opened by moving the sliding door forward, that is to say in the direction of travel. It would also be possible for the second guide not to be below the door opening 14 but to be placed above it. In addition, the first guide does not have to be arranged in a region of an average height of the vehicle. It could equally be provided in the area of the height of an upper or lower limit of the door opening.

An overall arrangement would also be conceivable three tours, namely a tour in front of or behind the door opening and one tour each above and below the door opening.

10

sliding door

12

doorframe

14

doorway

16

guide

16A

front section

18

guide

18A

front section

20

power unit

22

counter-element

24

Counter-element end

26

lead end

28

Counter-element end

30

lead end

32

end

34

idler pulley

36

Against element portion

38

Against element portion

40

lead end

42

idler pulley

44

end

46

bearing means

48

bearing means

50

pivoting part

52

approach

54

roll

56

outer surface

58

joint axis

60

C-pillar

62

body

Claims (13)

Device for automatically operating a sliding door ( 10 ) of a motor vehicle, which in at least two rail-like guides ( 16 . 18 ) is guided on a chassis of the motor vehicle, the sliding door ( 10 ) a drive unit ( 20 ) is provided to the sliding door ( 10 ) relative to the chassis along the guides ( 16 . 18 ) to move. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the drive unit ( 20 ) to move the sliding door ( 10 ) with a counter element firmly anchored to the chassis ( 22 ) interacts. Device according to claim 2, characterized in that the counter element ( 22 ) has a rope, a belt or a chain, the ends or ends of which ( 24 . 28 ) are firmly connected to the vehicle chassis. Device according to claim 3, characterized in that the ends ( 24 . 28 ) of the counter element ( 22 ) in the area of the guided tours ( 16 . 18 ) are attached to the vehicle chassis. Device according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that a first end ( 24 ) of the counter element ( 22 ) in the area of a front end - seen in the direction of travel ( 26 ) a first tour ( 16 ) and a second end ( 28 ) of the counter element ( 22 ) in the area of a rear end ( 30 ) a second tour ( 18 ) is attached. Device according to one of claims 2 to 5, characterized in that the drive unit ( 20 ) a deflection element for the counter element ( 22 ) forms, in the area of the drive unit ( 20 ) in particular a first counter element section ( 36 ) at least approximately horizontally in the direction of the first guide ( 16 ) extends and a second counter element section ( 38 ) diagonally towards the second tour ( 18 ) extends. Device according to one of claims 2 to 6, characterized in that a rear and a front deflection device ( 34 . 42 ), in particular deflection roller, for deflecting the counter element ( 22 ) on the sliding door ( 10 ) in the area of in the guides ( 16 . 18 ) intervening storage means ( 46 . 48 ) the sliding door ( 10 ) are provided. Device according to one of claims 2 to 7, characterized in that by a rear attachment point ( 24 ) of the counter element ( 22 ) on the chassis and the rear deflection device ( 34 ) a rear end section ( 32 ) of the counter element ( 22 ) and through a front attachment point ( 28 ) of the counter element ( 22 ) on the chassis and the front deflection device ( 42 ) a front end section ( 44 ) of the counter element ( 22 ) is formed, with actuation of the drive unit ( 20 ) the rear end cut ( 32 ) can be shortened or extended and the front end section ( 44 ) can be extended or shortened accordingly. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first guide ( 16 ) in an area of medium height of the vehicle and - seen in the direction of travel - offset parallel behind the second guide ( 18 ) is arranged and that the second guide ( 18 ) below one through the sliding door ( 10 ) door opening to be locked ( 14 ) is arranged. Method for automatically actuating one in at least two rail-like guides ( 16 . 18 ) sliding door guided on a chassis of a motor vehicle ( 10 ) where the sliding door ( 10 ) through a in the sliding door ( 10 ) provided drive unit ( 20 ) relative to the chassis along the guides ( 16 . 18 ) is moved. A method according to claim 10, characterized in that the drive unit ( 20 ) to move the sliding door ( 10 ) on a firmly anchored to the chassis and in particular flexible Counter element ( 22 ) moved along. A method according to claim 11, characterized in that the counter element ( 22 ) by the drive unit ( 20 ) and through a on the sliding door ( 10 ) provided - seen in the direction of travel - rear and front deflection device ( 34 . 42 ) is redirected. A method according to claim 11 or 12, characterized in that when the drive unit ( 20 ) a rear end section ( 32 ) of the counter element ( 22 ) shortened or lengthened and a front end section ( 44 ) of the counter element ( 22 ) is extended or shortened.