DE10308067B4 - Drive arrangement for controlled multi-axis adjustment, in particular a motor vehicle rearview mirror - Google Patents

Abstract

Drive arrangement for controlled multi-axis adjustment, in particular a motor vehicle rearview mirror comprising a kugelkalottenförmiges fixed and a movable housing part, the latter having a mirror glass holder, at least two located in the stationary housing part electric motors, each with a reduction gear, means for transmitting the adjusting forces on the movable housing part, a Ball joint guide between stationary and movable housing part as well as with a cover protecting the motors and the gearbox inside the fixed housing part
characterized in that
on the movable housing part, two substantially offset by 90 °, the Kugelkalottenform the stationary housing part receiving, circular segment-shaped Innenzahnradstangen are formed, which extend into the interior of the fixed housing part to the reduction gears located there to mesh with a respective spur gear,
that on the movable housing part more about the housing circumference substantially equally distributed spring-like projections or tabs are present, which are sliding on outer peripheral portions of the fixed housing part during movement, supported, wherein the racks have a U-shaped cross-section and on the fixed housing part an extension ...

Description

The The invention relates to a drive arrangement for controlled multi-axis Adjustment, in particular of a motor vehicle rearview mirror, comprising a spherical cap-shaped fixed and a movable housing part, the latter a Mirror glass holder has, at least two in the fixed housing part located electric motors, each with a reduction gear, means to transfer the adjusting forces on the movable housing part and a ball joint guide between fixed and movable housing part, according to the preamble of patent claim 1 as an addition to patent application 101 52 813.2.

From the EP 1 063 125 A1 is an actuator for a motor vehicle previously known, where it is about to achieve a particularly high adjustment torque and a constant over the life friction force, with a small number of parts to be given and is focused on ease of mounting. According to the teaching there, at least one friction element with an adjusting element should form a single-storey means, which acts as a connecting element. Due to the arrangement of friction adjusting elements on the outside of a first element, a particularly high adjusting moment is possible and, as a result of the large friction radius, high vibration damping also results with a large holding force. An intended friction-adjusting element consists of a metal strip or a composite part with at least one toothed region, wherein the toothing is preferably embossed in the metal strip. It is also shown that the friction adjusting element can also be designed as a plastic part. In one alternative, reference is made to a multi-link chain, which forms the adjusting element and the friction element, wherein the chain is also tension-loaded. A drive engages in or between the chain links in order to transmit forces, so that a separate toothing can be omitted.

Around a pivoting about two mutually perpendicular axes to achieve each two friction adjustment or two chains are provided. The problem with the presented solution is that the friction elements almost unprotected outside a spherical cap Housing attached are and that one Manual adjustment and thus an emergency operation is difficult. In the case when the actuator shown with a memory function should be provided, are additional Position determining devices required with the friction adjusting elements to couple.

According to the actuator for pivoting a rearview mirror for motor vehicles DE 199 09 233 A1 should be used to reduce the space instead of known flat armature motors on such drives, which have a low speed and which are operable without mechanical commutation. As adjusting a spindle, a rack or a gear segment is used. Due to the low speed of the according DE 199 09 233 A1 to be used drive motor noise pollution is reduced and it should allow a low reduction ratio of a proposed gear to operate the mirror manually, without a slip or detent coupling is provided. In this manual operation, the rotor of the drive motor is rotated back, this acts as a generator, with the result that voltage pulses are induced in the existing winding, which in turn can be evaluated by an electronics to determine the relative movement of the mirror and this in due to the original position. Specifically, the drive motors are referred to particularly suitable stepper motors or synchronous motors. Furthermore, the shows DE 199 09 233 A1 on that it is expedient to dispense with a separate control for the stepper motor directly in the actuator. However, this requires a shift of the control electronics into the vehicle.

From the DE 39 14 334 C2 An adjustment device for a motor vehicle exterior mirror is previously known. The local adjustment is based on a splash-proof encapsulation of electric motors and the necessary reduction gear and refers to internal gear rods for pivoting a movable housing part. The local racks are functional only in conjunction with a conical joint, otherwise blocking the drive occurs.

In the DE 100 46 482 A1 is also disclosed an actuator for a set on a motor vehicle mirror glass with a drive housing, which is fixed relative to the motor vehicle and accommodates at least one electric drive in a drive chamber. In addition, a support element is provided for the mirror discs, wherein the support member is pivotally mounted about two different pivot axes relative to the drive housing and driven by the at least one electric drive. In order to provide an actuator for a mirror to be adjusted available, are integrated in the electronic components as possible to save volume, the drive housing is in two parts to form a component chamber for receiving electronic components, wherein the component chamber is separated from the drive chamber. The drive housing is formed substantially spherical cap. For pivoting the carrier element relative to the drive housing are two adjustment provided, which are fixed relative to the carrier element and slidably guided on the drive housing.

According to the teaching EP 1 063 128 A2 Among other things, a control for the adjusting motors of an exterior rearview mirror is known, wherein the exterior rearview mirror first comprises a carrier for attachment to a vehicle body and a housing.

The casing is on the carrier rotatably mounted for angular movement about a first axis. Besides that is an electric motor having an output shaft which is operative to effect a Angular movement of the housing is arranged around the first axis of rotation provided.

Of the Electric motor is controlled so that the housing around the first axis of rotation optionally at a first speed or a second speed rotates. The controller contains For this purpose, a measuring device for determining the angle to which the casing has been moved, wherein the measuring device comprises a counter for counting the number of revolutions the output shaft comprises.

to height adjustment the mirror element relative to the housing is a second axis of rotation provided with a second electric motor with output shaft. Also In this case, the controller comprises a measuring device for determining the angle at which the mirror element was moved.

The Control of the second electric motor is such with a vehicle gear selector connected, that the mirror element is tilted downwards when the reverse gear is inserted.

From the DE 198 52 873 A1 a method and a device for adjusting at least one optical device of a vehicle is known, according to which in a specific embodiment of the invention values for the desired observation direction of a mirror and / or values for the desired position of a display device and / or values for optical properties of a display device in an evaluation and control unit are stored.

These Setpoints can then retrieved by the evaluation and control unit when needed and the optical devices taking into account the determined Eye position adjusted to the desired Setpoints can be achieved.

such Setpoints can be either fixed or in a calibration of the operator.

Of the Calibration process can be triggered, for example, by the operator, wherein inputting the desired Setpoints in a simple manner by a teach-in procedure. It allows the evaluation and control unit to manually adjust the one or several optical devices, for example by means of a connected to the evaluation and control unit control member. To achieving the desired Target position is detected by the evaluation and control unit. For this can in the relevant setting device of the optical device a suitable sensor may be provided, the signal of which is the evaluation and control unit supplied becomes.

At the adjustable rearview mirror after DE 199 08 888 A1 a special damping device is provided, which consists of a spring steel sheet ring having a plurality of inwardly projecting projections, which in turn are formed as arcuate spring arms.

The actuator for a mirror after DE 199 12 761 A1 refers to a possible parallel arrangement of the motors in conjunction with angle gearboxes.

In the publication DE 100 06 220 A1 It is about a technical solution that relates to a motor pivoting device for motor vehicle mirrors, where it is explained that the housing has a section which can accommodate a circuit board.

The DE 44 26 338 A1 discloses in a very general manner the formation of an interface device which is mountable in the vicinity of a side exterior mirror of a motor vehicle door to enable the control of various functionalities. Details of the structure of a mirror drive arrangement are not apparent from this document.

Out The above, it is therefore an object of the invention, a further developed Drive arrangement for controlled multi-axis adjustment in particular of a motor vehicle rear-view mirror, this being designed as an intelligent device with the The goal of maximum integration electrical or electronic functions at the same time reduced Wear the necessary mechanical elements.

Furthermore, it is about being able to work mechanically and constructively with low adjustment forces in order to achieve a manual adjustment for emergency operation, but ultimately also to ensure adequate mirror damping, especially at high vehicle speeds. The achieved attenuation and native stability against un However, desired adjustment may not limit the desired possibility of the aforementioned emergency operation or z. B. lead to damage of elements of the drive or the mirror glass with manual adjustment.

The solution The object of the invention is achieved with a drive arrangement according to the feature combination according to claim 1.

at the drive assembly for controlled multi-axis adjustment, in particular a motor vehicle rearview mirror, is resorted to known spherical cap housing parts, wherein a movable housing part having the mirror glass holder. In the stationary housing part There are drive motors with a corresponding reduction gear and means for transmitting the adjusting forces on the movable housing part. The housing parts are preferably held with each other with a ball joint guide and fixed in a pivoting manner.

At the movable housing part are two substantially offset by 90 °, the spherical cap shape of the stationary housing part receiving circular segment-shaped internal gear elements molded or in operative connection with the mirror glass holder, wherein the elements substantially correspond to an arcuate rack. This arched Racks extend into the interior of the fixed housing part into and work with the reduction gears located there together. Specifically, a comb takes place each with a spur gear for power transmission and displacement the rack and ultimately the mirror glass holder or mirror holder.

Farther are more on the movable housing part over the case coverage Essentially equally distributed spring-like, downward extensions or Tabs are present, which are at outer peripheral portions of the fixed Housing part, Sliding on movement, support. About these feathery processes, the quasi the stationary housing part clasp like a clamp, a guide of the housing parts with each other with desired Stability, but also with positive influences on the damping of the entire system.

Of Furthermore, the racks have a substantially U-shaped cross-section, being on the stationary housing part an extension is present, which engages in the open area of the U to Purpose of the mentioned Slide.

According to the invention, it is provided that the driving and evaluation electronics, which includes a memory, during first activation after installation, assembly or repair by applying the operating voltage causes a reference run of the engine, wherein the end positions of the adjustment detected and stored automatically become. This can be over appropriate software algorithms take place, in the sense of a Teach-in procedure.

At long last can still be an additional, inside the fixed housing part, the preferably stepper motors and the gearboxes located there protective Cover are located.

With the above features succeed, all for the adjustment sheltered mechanical elements in a single housing body, so that a particularly high reliability even under extreme conditions of use.

to Minimization of the necessary installation space are the axes of the electric motors arranged substantially parallel to each other and the motors even closely adjacent. about a bevel gear becomes a 45 ° offset achieved and there is the power transmission to the spur gear drive wheels for the racks or the internal gear elements. The spur gear drive wheels close one Angle of preferably 90 °.

The Overall construction of the housing let yourself consider as a split level, with the fixed housing part in a lower, first level, a free space for the control and evaluation as well as in one above located second space or second level for the engines and transmissions is divided.

The first level is through an outer cover accessible held.

Ausgestaltend are on the fixed housing part columnar or cylindrical Fixing bolts that stabilize the housing dome at the same time.

The mentioned projections or tabs on the upper, movable housing part are preferably each in pairs opposite each other trained and have a length, which is essentially half of the height of Ball dome of the stationary housing part corresponds.

in the Sliding area of the racks is the fixed housing part designed so that this one groove guide or forms part of such a leadership.

In this embodiment, the internal gear elements are circular segment-shaped and form quasi a quarter circle. Alternatively, semi-circular segments can be used, which then almost diagonally extending over the housing or the housing bottom. These semicircular racks can then each have an attachment point for the mirror glass holder at their ends, with the result that greater forces can be absorbed, which is particularly advantageous in manual or emergency operation.

The used three-stage gearbox on the one hand is not self-locking, On the other hand, it sets undesirable ones adjusting forces, z. B. at high speeds, a sufficient resistance contrary, so that the desired damping according to the task is reachable.

In an embodiment with inserted stepper motors or piezo actuators, these can z. B. in dependence from the driving speed, be subjected to a defined voltage, so that a resistance to undesirable Adjustment results, the quasi as a braking force out of the arrangement be referred to by the electronic locking of the engine can.

The Concept of present invention provides to integrate an electronics, which allows the mirror as a module as independent as possible from the rest to carry out a motor vehicle, so that this an independent one represents complete subelement. For this purpose, a control is provided, the LIN bus capable is. For example, this controller can be connected to a subnetwork be, which is located in the vehicle door.

at a further embodiment invention, the integrated controller has the possibility for directly driving the stepper motors via power drivers, one Software stop of the stepper motors before the hardware stop of this, the Recognition of a manual adjustment of the mirror glass and automatic referencing this to the previous value as well as a memory function for a preferred one or multiple mirror settings. In addition, the controller can also Activate a folding device or a folding motor or switch off this when reaching the stop position.

Further Functions that can be met by the electronics are activating the mirror heating and switching off this after a predetermined heating time, the switching on and off of a door outside light, activating an electrochromic glass coating for modification the mirror reflectance and much more.

To the Purpose of the intended universality of the drive assembly including integrated electronics as well as z. B. Left and right side mirrors are by their Shape coded connector or plug connector used. This succeeds in connection with the parent, central control of the motor vehicle for information about the Operating position as well as z. B. over to win the type of the respective vehicle, so that thereafter on a existing software performs a basic calibration of the mirror drive, without it complicated manipulations at the vehicle manufacturer needs.

The Electronics has a communication with a higher-level bus system mentioned LIN transceiver and a microcontroller which serves for communication and which causes the actuation of the power actuators, which in turn the Stepper motors for the mirror glass adjustment and / or the drive motor for the folding mechanism activate.

The Power output stages for converting the controller signals into the necessary ones phase currents for the Motor process here clock commands, on and off and the specification of the direction of rotation. Furthermore, a circuit for step detection integrated, which serves for manual adjustment and generator Engine operation to capture the current position and if necessary to correct. For the purpose of this function, it is necessary that Electronics with continuous current, so-called permanent plus to supply.

Out security it is expedient when crossing a predetermined maximum current value, the system into a de-energized State to convict for example, in case of damage by vandalism or the like undesirable discharging of the motor vehicle battery to avoid.

The also integrable circuit for the z. B. DC drive the Anklappmotors has a means for detecting the current consumption increase, the As a rule, then occurs when the engine is against a resistance runs respectively his Has reached folding or final position.

to Optimal utilization of the installation space in the dome-shaped housing can be flexible printed circuit boards with a corresponding equipment Find employment. Flexible connecting wires that lead to contact pins, which with a mirror glass heating coating, serve as well as the housing side executed Snap-in connections to minimize the assembly work or the Efforts in completing the drive assembly with a corresponding Mirror glass and integration into an outer housing.

The fact that in the drive itself all wesentli Chen electronic control functions are integrated, for example, it is possible to provide the mirror outer housing a button or a similar switching device, with the help of which even after leaving the vehicle and switching off the ignition z. B. can be done folding the mirror or activating a momentary lighting.

At the Use of stepper motors is the final position determination the adjustment by detection of operating current and phase position for the engines realized.

At the Use of DC motors can limit the end position the adjustment made by detecting the blocking current of the motors. In a variant of a bus capable electronic phaser with standard DC motors and potentiometers as a position encoder, the end position determination by blocking current detection or by detecting the not changing despite motor control Deputy acknowledgment values in the event of a stop after the maximum possible Adjustment be made.

by virtue of the fact that the Blockierstromerfassung the engines is highly temperature and operating voltage dependent, There is another approach according to the invention, in particular even when controlling a mirror collapsible motor and not there given limit switch during a first Normal running current average values. This too is in the frame a teach-in procedure possible. In a sudden strong increase over the predetermined mean value can be the behavior di / dt as recognition of an attack, d. H. evaluated an end position or a fault and for one Power interruption or shutdown be taken care of.

The Invention will be described below with reference to an embodiment and below With the help of a figure closer explained become.

The FIG. 1 shows a side view of the drive arrangement with fixed and movable housing part as well as the mirror glass holder, an interior view with the stepper motors and reduction gears and a section along the Line A-A according to FIG. Figure center.

As can be seen in the figure, the drive assembly has a fixed housing part 1 with z. B. cylindrical fastening bolts which are provided distributed over the circumference.

A movable housing part 2 has spring tab-like extensions 10 , which is the spherical cap shape of the stationary housing part 1 to take part in order to provide additional guidance.

Between stationary housing part 1 and the movable housing part 2 there is a ball joint guide 3 ,

The movable housing 2 can as an integral, but also as an extra component, the actual mirror glass holder 11 include.

The stepper motors 4 are closely adjacent with parallel axis position located inside the housing and have on the output side bevel gears, which with another bevel gear 5 of the transmission 6 form a corresponding mating.

Two racks each 7 mesh with a spur gear of the transmission, with the result that the circular segment shape having racks can move up or down, in order to achieve the desired multi-axis adjustment of the mirror glass holder 11 respectively to ensure a mirror attached there.

According to embodiment, the arcuate racks 7 designed with a U-shaped cross-section. The corresponding recess 12 the rack 7 interacts with a casing extension, forming a guide. The resulting tongue and groove guide is in the figure, section AA with the reference numeral 13 shown.

A protective cover 8th is located inside the fixed housing part. This cover 8th encapsulates the engines as well as the gears and part of the arched racks 7 , This results in a double protection in that on the one hand run the racks inside the housing and additionally the gear and engine compartment by means of cover 8th is encapsulated.

In a lower room 9 of the stationary housing part 1 is the required control and evaluation (not shown). There are also the necessary interfaces for the power supply or the LIN bus connection available.

To solve the contradiction of the desired ease of transmission and low adjustment forces on the one hand and the necessary damping or inhibition of the system against unwanted adjustment at high speeds on the other hand is provided to provide the electronic drive circuit for the stepper motors with such a mode that an electrical blocking the motors is possible by these quasi generate holding forces. Such electronics are in stepper motors by the necessary multi-phase Control easy to implement.

According to embodiment is assumed by a three-stage gearbox, which depends on the speeds commercial Stepper motors is tuned. Of course, it lies in the constructive Discretion of the person working here Professional, also provide a gear other types of gradation, namely in coordination with the necessary restoring forces on the one hand and the engine characteristics on the other hand.

It has been shown by the spherical cap shape of the housing parts with in the bottom area tapered mounting option on the z. B. aforementioned bolt or cylinder extensions a compact arrangement is present, which optimized particularly favorable in drag coefficient Mirror exterior housing can be installed is.

Regarding the inherent stability the system when adjusting or when reaching the Verstellend- or Sollage is the interaction between the groove guide the arched one Racks and the grasping or stapling of feathery projections or Tabs with functional, as these elements each with the Inside or outside the spherical cap of the fixed housing part in a slidable Connection stand.

Everything in all, it succeeds with the invention, one with a view to functionality and multivalency much improved drive arrangement for controlled multi-axis Specify, in particular, a motor vehicle rear-view mirror, from both the mechanical-constructive side over a high reliability has and which is able, through an existing intelligent control and to take on management tasks using a bus system, otherwise to be handled by the electronics of the motor vehicle itself.

1

fixed housing part

2

portable housing part

3

Ball joint guide between fixed and movable housing part

4

stepper motors

5

bevel gear

6

transmission

7

arcuate rack

8th

cover or encapsulation for Engine / transmission compartment

9

Free space for control and evaluation electronics in the first, lower level of the stationary housing part 1

10

feathery projections or tabs

11

Mirror glass holder

12

Recess in the arcuate rack 7

13

Guide between arcuate rack 7 and a molded extension of the housing

Claims (7)

Drive arrangement for controlled multi-axis adjustment, in particular a motor vehicle rearview mirror comprising a kugelkalottenförmiges fixed and a movable housing part, the latter having a mirror glass holder, at least two located in the stationary housing part electric motors, each with a reduction gear, means for transmitting the adjusting forces on the movable housing part, a Ball joint between stationary and movable housing part and with a inside the fixed housing part, a motor and the transmission protective cover characterized in that the movable housing part two substantially offset by 90 °, the Kugelkalottenform the stationary housing receiving, circular segment-shaped Innenzahnradstangen are formed, the extend into the interior of the fixed housing part to the reduction gears located there, to each with a spur gear z comb u that several on the housing circumference substantially equally distributed spring-like projections or tabs are present on the movable housing part, which are sliding on outer peripheral portions of the fixed housing part during movement, supported, wherein the racks have a U-shaped cross-section and on the fixed housing part has an extension is, which engages in the open area of the U-shape to form a sliding guide, further wherein the fixed housing part in a first, lower level a space for the control and evaluation and in a second level above the space for the motors and having the transmission and the control and evaluation electronics upon first activation after installation, installation or repair by applying the operating voltage causes a reference run of the motors, the end positions of the adjustment are automatically detected and stored. Arrangement according to claim 1, characterized that when using stepper motors, the end position determination the adjustment by detection of operating current and phase position for the engines he follows. Arrangement according to claim 1, characterized in that when using DC motors the final position determination of the adjustment by detecting the blocking current of the motors takes place. Arrangement according to claim 3, characterized that for the final position determination additionally the feedback values a position encoder are detected. Arrangement according to claim 3, characterized that determines an average current value at Normalverstell run and this as a reference to the safe Recognition of the end positions is stored. Arrangement according to claim 5, characterized in that that when recognizing a sudden Current increase, which over the predetermined average current value, to an end position detection or disorder concluded and the power supply is terminated or interrupted. Arrangement according to one of claims 3 to 6, characterized by their use for controlling a mirror folding device.