EP1181703B1 - Device for activating an opening mechanism and/or a closing mechanism for lockable moving parts on vehicles, such as flaps, doors or similar - Google Patents

Abstract

The device has a manual actuator that acts on at least one switch contact maker (13) when actuated and a drive for the movable part (10) that is switched by the switch (12). The movable part is mounted on the vehicle body (40) that has a rigid, incompressible wall thickness with a free part (10) of such dimensions that it bulges under pressure to activate the switch.

Description

The invention is directed to a device that in the preamble of claim 1 specified type. For this purpose, a manual actuator is provided in the motor vehicle. at its operation is acted on a switch, which has a drive to open or closing the movable vehicle part turns on. Such a drive can belong to a closure which is designed as a rotary latch. The catch is held by a pawl in the closed position and by triggering the actuator transferred to an open position. Such a device is for example the tailgate of a motor vehicle used.

In a known device (DE 34 40 442 A1), the actuator is as a Snap formed, which is arranged in a hole of the outer panel. To hold the duck button in its initial position, is a compression spring required. To protect the mechanism from dirt and moisture is the push button is covered by a foil and sealed. Upon actuation of the Push button is moved to a ball that points to a contactor next to the one Push button arranged switch interacts. This known actuator comprises several components that have to be manufactured separately and assembled together. Despite the elastic cover, dirt and moisture in the hole of the Get outside cladding.

In a device according to the gattunsgemäßen (DE 197 22 503 A1) that is Jewelery element of a rotatably mounted on the outer panel Company emblem, which in a starting position a lock body to the outside covers. The company emblem can be transferred to a release position where it releases the lock body or other actuator for the vehicle part. In the Release position serves the company emblem at the same time as a grip element around the Vehicle part, e.g. a tailgate of the vehicle, fully open. After Activation of funds was again a provision of the company emblem in his Starting position required. That's awkward.

The invention has for its object to provide a reliable device in the To develop generic term of claim 1 type, which formed inexpensive and easy to handle. This will, taking into account in the preamble mentioned measures by the in the characterizing part of claim 1 the following measures particular importance.

In the invention, a portion of the jewelry element itself becomes elastic formed deformable and thus fulfills the function of an actuator for a Switch whose contactor again either directly or indirectly in Resilience path of the jewelry element section is arranged. It lends itself in this case, according to claim 3, to, the structure of the decorative element in the form of webs to use, as it is its ornamental function or its visual information function require. The decorative element is namely by webs with intermediate Structured apertures. The invention has recognized that the webs the elastic Favoring compliance in a particular section of the jewelry element so that this area is particularly suitable to serve as an actuator of the switch.

This eliminates many components, as otherwise for below the Jewelry element provided actuator were required. Besides, that needs Jewelry element does not change its starting position at all to the actuator trigger. It suffices the relevant compliant body of the jewelry element Press to get the desired switch operation.

Fig. 1

eine erste Ausführungsform der Erfindung, nämlich einen Längsschnitt durch ein Teilstück einer Heckklappe eines Fahrzeugs; und zwar im Ruhefall,

Fig. 2

die in Fig. 2 gezeigte Vorrichtung im Betätigungsfall,

Fig. 3

eine weitere Ausbildung der erfindungsgemäßen Vorrichtung, wo die betätigbare Verformungsstelle in ein Firmenemblem integriert ist, welches auf der Außenverkleidung einer Heckklappe des Fahrzeugs sitzt, und zwar in einer Ruheposition,

Fig. 4

in einem Ausbruch von Fig. 3 die dortige Vorrichtung, während ihrer Druckbetätigung,

Fig. 5

die sich nach der Druckbetätigung von Fig. 4 ergebende Abstandslage des Firmenemblems, das jetzt als Handgriff zum vollen Öffnen der Klappe dient, und

Fig. 6 + 7

zwei abgewandelte Ausführungen der in Fig. 3 bis 5 gezeigten Vorrichtung, wenn sich das Firmenemblem in einer Abstandslage befindet.

Further measures and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the dependent claims, the following description and the drawings. In the drawings, the invention is shown in several embodiments. Show it:

Fig. 1

a first embodiment of the invention, namely a longitudinal section through a portion of a tailgate of a vehicle; at rest,

Fig. 2

the device shown in Fig. 2 in the actuation case,

Fig. 3

a further embodiment of the device according to the invention, where the actuatable deformation point is integrated in a company emblem which sits on the outer panel of a tailgate of the vehicle, in a rest position,

Fig. 4

in an outbreak of Fig. 3, the local device, during its printing operation,

Fig. 5

the resulting after the printing operation of Fig. 4 distance position of the company emblem, which now serves as a handle for full opening of the flap, and

Fig. 6 + 7

two modified embodiments of the device shown in FIGS. 3 to 5, when the company emblem is in a distance position.

In the embodiment of Figs. 1 and 2, the actuator for the switch is a Company emblem 25 with circular outline 24, which is an elastic has deformable portion 23. The company emblem 25 has a logo, which is composed of a plurality of webs 23, 27. The webs 23, 27 meet a specific ornamental function and may have a visual information content and consist of letters and / or an image. Between the bridges there are openings. In the present embodiment is even a Separating section 26 between two webs 23, 27 is provided, which is the one web 23rd make it flexible. The web 23 is fixed at one end in the peripheral region 24 attached, but at its opposite free end 28 flexible. The bridge 23 fulfills the function of a flexible bar. He will, in the sense of the arrow 20 "of Fig. 4 opposite the adjacent, rigid web 27 inside, against the switch 12 deformed and comes in the position 23 '. This is in Fig. 2 by a Deformationsweg 29 marked. The company emblem is in one Neighboring area 22 of the body integrated.

As can be seen from Fig. 2, the company emblem 25 belongs to a Unit 30, which is completely pre-assembled by itself and the following components includes. There is first a mounting plate 17, on the back 18 of the already mentioned microswitch 12 is attached to its housing. A guided tour 14 am Switch housing extends through a provided in the mounting plate 17 breakthrough 19, whereby the contact-making pin 13 on the inside 31 of the mounting plate 17th to come to rest. In front of the contact pin 13, a continuous, in Fig. 1 and 2 only indicated by dash-dotted lines elastic membrane 33 may be arranged, the Part of the assembly 30 is and over the entire plate inside 31 extends sealingly. The company emblem 25 is, together with the membrane 33 and a peripheral seal 34 fixed to the mounting plate 17, e.g. by screws. Of course, these mounting screws do not affect the Flexibility of the above-described resilient location 23. This unit 30 is in a recognizable from Fig. 2 cutout 32 in the adjacent area mentioned 22nd the outer panel installed.

If the exercise of force 20 of FIG. 2 ends, then the company logo 25 ensures inherent elasticity for making the bodywork stand out of her Actuating position 23 'returns to its initial position 23 of Fig. 1. If necessary, this restoring action can also be achieved by additional, elastic means, like leaf springs, are supported. Usually this is not necessary, especially also the membrane 33 has a certain resilience. The membrane 33 is namely, anxious to move into their apparent from Fig. 1 curved position, which their stable position.

It is understood that instead of a Firmenemblems 25 others Decorative elements on the outer panel of the vehicle, the function of Actuator according to the invention could take over for a microswitch. Man. could be e.g. Use the trim parts of a vehicle. But would be suitable also on Vehicle already provided naming parts, such as. Type designations of a Vehicle.

In the third embodiment of Fig. 3 to 5 is a unit 21 of a Attachment 50 and an insert 37 before, wherein in the essay 50 also a Company logo 51 is integrated. This unit 21 is prefabricated and in the Neighboring area 22 of the body mounted. Unlike the previous one Embodiment of Fig. 1 and 2 is here integrated in the essay 50 Company logo 51 of the same motor 15 movable, which is also for operation of the closure not shown in detail is useful. Fig. 5 shows the distance position 50.2, where the cap 50 an angle α of about 45 ° with respect to his Touch position 50.1 in Fig. 3 occupies.

The insert 37, on the other hand, rests. He forms the inner layer of this assembly 21, consists made of elastomeric material and sits in a cutout 32 of the outer lining 40th This inner layer 37 forms an elastic seal and has a central curvature 38 in front of the contactor 13 of a switch 12 which sits on the carrier 36. In a Distance position shown in FIG. 5 is a lock cylinder 48, the emergency in a Key operation of the tailgate allowed by an opening 39 in the Inner layer 37 accessible. The lock cylinder 48 is mounted on a carrier 36.

On the carrier 36, two levers 47 articulated at 49. The lever 47 carry the essay 50th

As best seen in Fig. 5, the attachment 50 is multilayered in itself formed, consisting of the outer company emblem 51, a back of it arranged extensively elastic membrane 52 and a dimensionally stable grip plate 53, which can be made of metal. The company emblem 51 consists of relatively dimensionally stable material, namely plastic, but has openings 54, which in the central region of this outer layer 51 give sufficient bending elasticity. The company emblem 51 is formed in three dimensions, and has openings 54 in relief between the written or pictorial symbols. The openings 54 are closed on the back of the expandable membrane 52 and thus sealed. The underlying grip plate 53 is seated at the free ends of the lever 47 and has a defined point a hole 55. The three layers 51, 52, 53 of the article 50 are in their periphery 24 firmly connected. In the middle part of the tower There is 50 between the handle plate 53 and the bendable overlying layers 51, 52 a sufficient distance.

Normally, the recognizable from Fig. 3, by an auxiliary line 50.1 characterized contact position 50.1 before, where the assembly 21 on the inner layer 37th in the cutout 32 of the outer panel 40 tightly rests. In this case, the sticks out central camber 38, the elastic inner layer 37 through the hole 55 of the handle plate and comes, as shown in FIG. 3, in alignment with a yielding point 23 of the company emblem 51. The compliance arises in the case of FIG. 6 recognizable pressure actuation 20 noticeable. In the company emblem 51 is the Yield point 23 transferred to its depressed position 23 'recognizable there, where the underlying curvature of the elastic inner layer 37 into the area of the handle plate hole 55 has been pressed and there is a flattening 38 ' receives. As a result, the contactor 13 is pressed and the switch 12 is actuated. The handle plate 53 limits the pressure actuation 20 of the actuated deformation point 23 'according to FIG. 2.

The operation of the switch 12 sets via an electronic control unit not shown in detail the drive 15 effective, the first, as already mentioned, the closure the tailgate 10 is transferred to an opening ready position. The same motor drive 15 is, expediently after a short delay, also for Movement of the unit 50 used. This movement takes place via the lever 47, the be swung out. It comes to the distance already mentioned several times of Fig. 5, which is marked there with the auxiliary line 50.2. Now the Handle plate 53 are engaged behind by the human hand 56 to the Tailgate 10 in the sense of the movement arrow 11 of Fig. 7 in the full To convert the unfolding situation. The purpose of this is illustrated by the force arrow 57 Opening force.

From their distance position 50.2, the assembly 50 is either manually or motor returned to its contact position 50.1 of Fig. 6. That can be synonymous with Close the tailgate automatically run off.

The device according to FIGS. 3 to 5 could also be used as a stationary attachment 50 or be integrated as an insert in the outer lining 40, if you have the function of a Handle according to FIG. 5 does not want to use. In this case, the handle plate 53 and the lever 47 omitted. But it remains the outer layer 51 as a company emblem exist, which is deposited by gasket layers 52 and / or 37 and in the already described manner with the contact member 13 of the switch 12 through Actuating pressure 20 acts as shown in FIG. 4.

If the electrical equipment of the vehicle should be defective and therefore too the switch 12 and the drive 15 do not work, the tailgate 10 can be still open. The attachment 50 has namely, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 5 to recognize is, at the bottom of a back cutout 58, for the fingertip accessible to a human hand. By manual pulling can then be Uncouple the lever 47 from a coupled to the motor 15 locking position and allow a manual swinging of the assembly to that of FIG. 5 recognizable distance position. Then, as already mentioned, that is usually located below the unit 50 lock cylinder 48 frontally through the Opening 39 of the inner layer 37 accessible and allowed via an emergency key the already mentioned opening the tailgate.

FIG. 6 shows a modified embodiment of the device from FIGS. 3 to 5 shown. All you have to do is cover the differences, while the rest the previous description applies. In this case, the levers 47 are non-rotatable with a Bearing shaft 59 connected. The shaft 59 is driven by a gear 60, which is downstream of the motor 15.

The emergency previously described in the last embodiment is also included this modified embodiment of FIG. 6 applicable. In this case is between the bearing shaft 59 and the gear 60, a detent coupling is provided, e.g. out a magnetic coupling may exist, which acts via permanent magnets. By Exercising a sufficiently large opening force uncouples the Magnetic coupling and the levers 47 go into "freewheeling".

In the embodiment of Fig. 7 is a comparison with FIG. 6 modified, drive 61st shown, consisting of a motor, in particular an electric motor, and a transmission can exist. The output member of the transmission here is a rack 62, which in a gear 63 engages. The gear 63 is rotatably connected to the levers 47 and together with these pivotable about its pivot point 49.

In Fig. 7, the retracted position 62 of the rack is shown in solid lines. Your Ausfahrlage 62 'is indicated by dash-dotted lines. It is present when the Attachment 50 in its in the penultimate embodiment in Fig. 3 shown Contact position is located. Also in this case is in case of emergency a manual Moving the attachment 50 of the outer panel 40 possible. That's enough to use it a double rack, or again the above Magnetic coupling to use between the movable transmission parts.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

10

Tailgate (in Zuklapplage), moving vehicle part

11

Motion arrow of 10 when opening

12

switch

13

Contactor of 12, longitudinally moving resilient pin

14th

Guide for 13 in the switch housing

15

Drive, electric motor to open 10

16

Motion arrow of 13

17

mounting plate

18

Back of 17

19

Breakthrough in 17

20

Power arrow for 23

21

unit

22

Neighboring area to 21

23

Deformation point (in starting position)

23 '

indented position of 23

24

Periphery, peripheral connection between 51, 52, 53 out of 50

25

Company emblem in 21

26

Separating cut between 23, 27

27

rigid section of 21 and 25 respectively

28

free section end of 23

29

Flexibility of 23

30

Assembly of 17, 12, 33, 34, 21, 25

31

Plate inside of 17

32

Cutout in 40

33

elastic membrane over 17

34

Peripheral seal at 30

35

Lines between 12, 15 (Fig. 1, 2)

36

Carrier for 12

37

Insert, deformable inner layer

38

central vaulting of 37 (in starting position)

38 '

Flattening of 38 in the actuation case

39

Opening in 37 for 48 (FIG. 5)

40

Exterior panel of 10

47

lever

48

lock cylinder

49

Anlenkstelle from 47 to 36

50

Article from 51, 52, 53

50.1

Contact position of 50 (FIGS. 3, 4)

50.2

Distance position of 5.0 (FIG. 5)

51

Company emblem, ornament element

52

stretch-elastic membrane

53

dimensionally stable grip plate

54

Opening in 51

55

Hole in 53

56

engaging human hand (Fig. 5)

57

Opening force for 10

58

rear section of 50 (FIGS. 3, 5)

59

Bearing shaft of 47 (Figure 6)

60

Gearbox (Fig. 6)

61

Drive (Fig. 7)

62

Rack (retractable)

62 '

Departure position of 62

63

Gear (Fig. 7)

α

Angular motion of 50 between 50.1, 50.2

Claims (21)

1. Device for activating an opening mechanism and/or a closing mechanism of lockable movable parts (10) on vehicles, such as flaps (10), doors or the like, which when opened allow access at least to certain areas within the interior of the vehicle,
   comprising a manual actuator which during actuation acts on at least one contact maker (13) of at least one switch (12),
   wherein the actuated switch (12) switches on a drive for opening or closing the movable vehicle part (10),
   comprising an outer skin (4) on the vehicle or on the movable vehicle part (10), such as a door skin,
   and comprising a decorative element (51), such as a company emblem (51), a model designation, or a decorative part, for decorative purposes and optionally having a visual information content arranged before, on and/or in the outer skin (40),
   characterised in that
   the decorative element (51) according to its decorative character and/or its information content is divided into strips (23,27) with openings (54) provided therebetween,
   and at least one portion (23) of the strips (27) is elastically yielding (23') and forms the actuator for the switch (12).
2. Device according to claim 1, characterised in that the contact maker (13) of the switch (12) is arranged either directly or indirectly, i.e. via transmission members (33), in the yielding path (29) of the decorative element portion (23).
3. Device according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterised in that the contact-providing strip (23) of the decorative element (51) is flexible and when bent acts on the microswitch (12) in order to make contact.
4. Device according to claim 3, characterised in that between adjacent strips (23, 27) of the decorative element (21) at least one separating cut (26) is arranged
   and that the separating cut (26) increases the flexural elasticity of the strip (23) or strips functioning as the switch actuator.
5. Device according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterised in that the decorative element (51) consists of an insert or an attachment (50) which is movable relative to the outer skin (40) between at least two positions (50.1, 50.2),
   in that the attachment (50), after pressure actuation (20) of the yielding strip (23), can be transferred from a substantially flush or parallel contact position (50.1) relative to the surrounding neighbouring area (42) of the outer skin into a projecting spaced position (50.2),
   and in that the attachment (50), projecting when in its spaced position (50.2), forms a hand grip for manually fully opening or closing the movable vehicle part.
6. Device according to claim 5, characterised in that the insert or attachment (50) is foldable (α) relative to the neighbouring area (42) of the outer skin and is located in an angled position when in the spaced position (50.2).
7. Device according to claim 5 or 6, characterised in that the spaced position (50.2) of the decorative element (51) is a position ready for opening from where the fully opened position of the vehicle part (10) is realised by a further manual movement.
8. Device according to one of the claims 5 to 7, characterised in that the projecting attachment (50) can be returned, after a renewed actuation, from the spaced position (50.2) into its contact position (50.1).
9. Device according to one or more of claims 5 to 8, characterised in that the reversal of the attachment (50) between its contact and spaced positions (50.1, 50.2) is realised by the same drive which serves for opening or closing the movable vehicle part (10) or the corresponding lock.
10. Device according to claim 9, characterised in that a lever (47) supporting the foldable attachment (50) or insert is connected for rotation with a bearing shaft (59) and the bearing shaft (59) is movable by the motor or transmission (60) of the drive (50).
11. Device according to claim 9, characterised in that the foldable attachment (50) or insert is connected for rotation, in the area of its axis (49), with a gear wheel (63),
    wherein the gear wheel (63) engages a tooth rack (62) and the tooth rack (62) is longitudinally movable by the motor (50) or a transmission arranged downstream of the motor of the drive.
12. Device according to one of the claims 1 to 11, characterised in that a locking coupling is connected within the members of the drive (15) extending to the attachment (50) or insert,
    in that the locking coupling in the normal situation is engaged and makes possible the motor-driven movement of the attachment (50) or insert,
    and in that in an emergency the locking coupling is automatically releasable in order then to transfer the attachment (50) or insert manually from its contact position (50.1) into its spaced position (50.2).
13. Device according to claim 12, characterised in that the locking coupling acts magnetically.
14. Device according to one of claims 5 to 13, characterised in that the attachment (50) or insert of the outer skin (40) has several locations (23) which are effective for actuation of one or more contact makers (13) of one or more switches (12)
    and in that these different actuating locations (23) perform different functions on the vehicle.
15. Device according to claim 14, characterised in that one actuation location (23) serves for opening and another for closing of the movable vehicle part and/or that these actuation locations (23), in conformity therewith, serve to perform a movement of the attachment (50) or insert between the contact position (50.1) and the spaced position (50.2).
16. Device according to one or more of claims 1 to 15, characterised in that the switch (12) responds by means of its contact maker (13) to different magnitudes of deformation of the actuating location
    and in that different degrees of deformation of the actuating location trigger different functions in the vehicle, such as opening of the door, on the one hand, and closing of the door, on the other hand.
17. Device according to one of claims 5 to 16, characterised in that a stationary insert (37, 39) is arranged under the movable attachment (50) in the outer skin (40)
    and in that the insert and attachment (37, 39; 50) comprise, at least over areas thereof, several layers (51, 52, 53), which upon pressure actuation (20) are deformable together but separately with regard to their layers.
18. Device according to claim 17, characterised in that the attachment (50) and the insert (37, 39) form a modular unit (21) jointly mountable on the outer skin (40) of the vehicle.
19. Device according to claim 17 or 18, characterised in that an inner layer (37) of the insert consists of elastomeric material and covers a cutout (32) in the outer skin (40) of the vehicle so as to form a seal
    and in that the contact maker (13) and optionally the switch (12) and further functional parts for the vehicle, such as a locking cylinder (48), are arranged in the area of the cutout (32).
20. Device according to one of claims 17 to 19, characterised in that on the backside of the outer layer (51) of the attachment (50) provided with strips (23) and openings (54) is disposed a membrane (52) which is elastically expandable and which closes off the empty spaces of the openings (54).
21. Device according to one or more of claims 5 to 20, characterised in that a layer of the insert or attachment (37; 50) consists of an inherently rigid material, such as metal, and forms an inherently rigid plate (53),
    and in that the plate (53) has a hole (55) through which, during actuation, the pressure actuation force (20) is transmitted onto the deformable area of a further layer (38) arranged underneath.

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