EP1361325A1 - Actuator for closures of vehicles - Google Patents

Abstract

Device has a hand operated element that moves a pressure pin along to move a holder, an electric switch acting on the catch via a control arrangement and a sensing element spring-loaded in its deployed position and moved by the pressure pin. The radially elastic holder is pressed with friction against peripheral profiling on the pressure pin, which can be moved into the holder by a control force greater than the frictional force. The device has a hand operated element (10) that moves a pressure pin (30) along when manually operated to move a holder (37), an electric switch (25) acting on the catch via an electronic and/or mechanical control arrangement and a sensing element (20) spring-loaded in its deployed position and moved by the pressure pin. The radially elastic holder is pressed with friction against peripheral profiling (38) on the pressure pin, which can be moved axially into the holder by an axial control force greater than the frictional force.

Description

The invention is directed to an actuator in the preamble of the claim 1 specified type. Such actuators are e.g. as a button-like Handle used in the rear of vehicles. Via connected to the handle Push pins are acted on a button of a switch, which then by electrical and / or mechanical means e.g. a closure on the vehicle actuated.

Actuators of the type mentioned in the preamble of claim 1 are around company emblems mounted on the tailgate of vehicles, which at manual pressure deform and thereby act as a handle. On On the back of the company emblem there is a pressure pin, which at Actuation of the emblem on the button of a stationary one behind it Switches and a corresponding reversal of the contacts in the Inside the switch. The push pin in this case consists of a screw, the one with its peripheral thread in one at the back of this snap fastener Handle seated screw is screwed.

The screw must have a defined one in relation to its thread Have target length that exactly with the predetermined stroke of the button is coordinated. The end of the pin acting on the button must be in the rest position the handle on the one hand and in their working position on the other hand in which the button is certain to be both its defined Extend position as well as its insertion position. Otherwise the necessary reversal of the contacts inside the switch does not effect. at this known actuator is the adjustment of the screw to the required Target length is a tedious, time-consuming process. The correct switching point will be only found by trying several times.

The invention is based, an inexpensive actuator in the task Develop the preamble of claim 1 type, which is reliable and can be adjusted quickly. This is according to the invention by the in claim 1 specified measures achieved, the following special meaning due.

The radially elastic design of the receptacle allows an automatic, exact Adjustment of the push pin. Although the push pin increases friction Should have circumferential profiles, e.g. consist of threads, he lets itself, without screwing, in the elastic absorption by exercising shift the actuating force sufficiently large axially. As a push pin can therefore as before a common screw can be used. Instead of the known A body made of elastomeric material is used for threading Has hole for clamping such a screw. The Self-adjustment of such a push pin is carried out the first time the Handle and arises for the following reason.

The invention uses the end stops located inside the switch, which, as usual in the prior art, the button due to a spring load normally position in an extended position opposite the switch housing, but transfer to a defined insertion position by pressing the button. The Extending and inserting positions determine two switch positions of the in Interiors of the switch provided stationary and movable contacts. If you look at the invention, the push pin first in an excess length in its recording positioned, the push button moves when it reaches its end stop in the Insert position reached, the pressure pin in its elastic receptacle axially back. If the pressure pin has a circumferential thread, it slips in the bore of the elastomeric body until the positioning force stops. This positioning power but subsides exactly when the pressure pin reaches its ideal target length Has. As can be seen, a first actuation of the handle is sufficient in the invention, to set the pressure pin to its exact target length in no time, which is very quick and is easy to carry out.

Fig. 1

einen Längsschnitt durch einen als Heckverschluss an einem Kraftfahrzeug fungierenden Betätiger,

Fig. 2

eine partielle Vergrößerung des mit II in Fig. 1 verdeutlichten Bereichs nach der Montage der Bauteile, und zwar in einem Ausgangszustand,

Fig. 3,

in einer der Fig. 2 entsprechenden Darstellung den besonderen Justierfall der Erfindung, wo der Druckstift bei einer Betätigung der zugehörigen Handhabe automatisch auf seine genaue Solllänge eingestellt wird,

Fig. 4,

in einer der Fig. 2 entsprechenden Darstellung, einen Endzustand dieses Verschlusses, wenn die Handhabe wieder in ihre unbetätigte Ruheposition zurückgegangen ist, wobei der Druckstift seine vorausgehend justierte Solllänge beibehält, und

Fig. 5,

in einer zur Fig. 4 analogen Darstellung, den Endzustand eines zweiten Ausführungsbeispiels des erfindungsgemäßen Verschlusses.

Further measures and advantages of the invention result from the subclaims, the following description and the drawings. The invention is shown schematically in two exemplary embodiments in the drawings. Show it:

Fig. 1

2 shows a longitudinal section through an actuator acting as a rear lock on a motor vehicle,

Fig. 2

1 shows a partial enlargement of the area indicated by II in FIG. 1 after the assembly of the components, specifically in an initial state,

Fig. 3

in a representation corresponding to FIG. 2, the special adjustment case of the invention, where the pressure pin is automatically set to its exact desired length when the associated handle is actuated,

Fig. 4,

in a representation corresponding to FIG. 2, a final state of this closure when the handle has returned to its unactuated rest position, the pressure pin maintaining its previously adjusted desired length, and

Fig. 5,

4, the final state of a second embodiment of the closure according to the invention.

As shown in FIG. 1, in the present case the handle 10 consists of a Company emblem attached to the tailgate of a motor vehicle at 11 is. The company emblem has openings, which webs 12, 13th let arise. This makes the company emblem flexible compared to its Attachment points 11. Practice on face 14 of the company emblem manually illustrated by the force arrow 15 in FIG. 1, so deformed the company emblem looks like a membrane link. 1 and 2 is the handle 10 represented by the solid lines in their rest position, what is marked in Fig. 2 on the handle back 16 with the designation 10.1 has been. By pressing the handle 15, the handle deforms, whereby their back in the dash-dotted line in Fig. 1 and 2 indicated working position is transferred, which has been marked in Fig. 2 with 10.2. In the Actuation 15 thus moves the handle 10 by the distance 17 between the both positions 10.1 and 10.2.

This actuation 15 of the handle 10 is intended to reverse a switch 25 serve, which, according to FIG. 1, is arranged at 18 in a fixed position behind the handle 10. The internal structure and the function can be schematically illustrated in FIG. 2 detect. In the interior 23 of the switch 25 is a button 20 in one Guide 24 movable. There is at least one in the switch interior 23 movable contact 21, which is also movable with the button 20, and further at least one stationary contact 22 assigned to it. The pushbutton 20 has two Assigned end stops 26, 27, which determine two end positions of the button 20, that shown in FIGS. 2 and 4 on the one hand and FIG. 3 on the other hand and with the Auxiliary lines 20.1 and 20.2 are marked. The button 20 is under the Effect of a spring load 28, which strives to push the button 20 on the outside Position end stop 26. This is in Fig. 2 and, in solid lines, in Fig. 4 can be seen. Then the button is in its extended position 20.1.

In the extended position 20.1 there is a first switch position of the associated contacts 21, 22 in the switch 25. The contacts 21, 22 are electrical and / or mechanical control means connected to a closure. In the present 2, the contacts 21, 22 are open because the movable contact 21 in its switch-off position designated in FIG. 2 with 21.1 located. In the off position 21.1 of Fig. 2 is not on the closure acted; the closure remains in its given position, e.g. its Locking position.

The other switching position is shown in FIG. 3. Now the button 27 is in his other, already mentioned layer 20.2, which is characterized by an inner End stop 27 is determined. Now the movable contact 21 contacts the stationary contact 22. The switch 21, 22 is now in the switched-on position, what by the auxiliary line 21.2 of the movable contact 21 in Fig. 3rd is illustrated. Now the control means on the lock acted, which is then reversed, e.g. in a release position of the Closure.

A defined switching stroke 29 according to FIG. 2 required. Because in the present case the contacts 21, 22 - without one intermediate translation - in a ratio of 1: 1 from that in Fig. 3 by a movement arrow 42 illustrated stroke is applied to the 2 to 4 marked stroke 40 from the button 20, the switching stroke 29 Contacts 21, 22 the same. The stroke movement 42 of the button 20 must against the Effect of the spring load 28 are exercised. Does the pressure on the Button 20 after, the spring load 28 puts the button 20 back in its Extension position 20.1 back.

An intermediate member can be assigned to the switch 25, to which the Handle 10 acts to actuate the button 20. In the present case there is such an intermediate member of a leaf spring 44, which at 41 on the housing 43 of the switch 25 is attached and the spring end engages over the button 20. The leaf spring 44 can at rest at the actuation end of the button 20th but does not, by itself, exert any lifting movement 42 according to FIG Push button 20 off. The leaf spring 44 rather serves as a transmission means for the Handle 10 outgoing operations that in the invention via a special pressure pin 30 take place.

In the present case, the handle 10 does not act via a gear with one of 1: 1 different gear ratio, but by means of the aforementioned Push pin 30 directly on the leaf spring 44 and thus on the button 20. The actuating pin 30 is namely via a special connection 34 on the Back 19 of the handle 10 attached. One belongs to this connection 34 the back 19 seated body 35 made of elastomeric material 36th is formed and is therefore to be referred to below as "elastomer body". The elastomer body 35 has a bore 37 which the end of the in the clamp Push pin 30 picks up. This end of the pin is preferably one Provide circumferential profiling 38 which engages frictionally in the bore 37. A screw whose external thread can be used as the pressure pin 30 then the circumferential profile 38 is generated.

The bore 37 in the elastomer body 35, however, remains essentially Unprofiled, in particular it does not have one with the screw thread of the Push pin 30 cooperating internal thread. The elastomeric material 36 exercises rather an elastically resilient, acting radially on the pressure pin 30 Clamping force off. The bore 37 thus serves as a receptacle for the pressure pin 30, which can be positioned there by friction, but - at least in front of one First actuation of the handle 10 - in by a sufficiently large actuating force 48 this receptacle 37 is axially displaceable, as will be described in more detail becomes.

The area 45 of the handle carrying the elastomer body 35 in FIG. 2 can be used as "Pressure drop" of the handle can be called. The pressure outlet 45 is therefore in the in the present case, simply the rear 19 of the handle. Hence the above called actuation path 17 of the handle 10 of the associated route resulting therefrom, illustrated in FIG. 3 by the movement arrow 39 Longitudinal movement of the pressure pin 30 is the same. It is the one already mentioned Gear ratio 1: 1 before. Therefore, the pressure member 30 has here Case a longitudinal movement path corresponding to the actuation path 17 47 as shown in FIG. 4. As already mentioned, there could be between the handle 10 and its pressure outlet 45 are a transmission, which is another Gear ratio brings. This gear ratio would then Actuation path 17 of the handle in a correspondingly different one Convert longitudinal path 47. But none of this changes anything Operation of the invention, which proceeds in the following manner.

The actuation path 17 of the pressure outlet 45 is larger, at most equal to that above-described stroke 40 of the button 20 is formed. This is the only way to ensure that the actuation 15 of the handle 10 is actually the required Switching stroke 29 causes in switch 25. Fig. 2 shows' the initial state of the Components after their assembly. Based on the above-described pressure outlet 45 protrudes the pin 30 first with a length 31 which is greater than it mentioned longitudinal movement path 47 of FIG. 4 for reversing the switch 25 requires. This length 31 in the initial state of FIG. 2 should be the "actual length" of the Push pin 30 are referred to.

Fig. 4 shows the final state of the actuator according to the invention, where the pressure pin 30 compared to the described pressure outlet 45 of the handle 10 has defined, designated 32 designated length. Because, as already mentioned was the longitudinal movement path 47 from the pressure pin 30, which here Actuating path 17 of the handle 10 corresponds to greater than the stroke 40 of the Button 20 is, is usually between the adjusted pressure pin 30 and the button 20 covered with the leaf spring 44 has a defined free gap 46, which is substantially the same as the difference between the actuation path 17 of the pressure outlet 45 and the stroke 40 of the button 20. It therefore depends to the pressure pin 30 from its local actual length 31 to that of FIG. 4 apparent target length 32 to adjust. That had to be in the state of the art the following cumbersome way.

As mentioned above, in the prior art was that of a screw trained pressure pin 30 in a thread in the area of Screw outlet 45 described above. To adjust the Screw length to the prescribed setpoint 32 therefore had to Screw 30 are screwed back accordingly. This is a tedious one time consuming process. In addition, the space between the actuating screw end and the button 20 or him associated leaf spring 44 is very small, what the rotation of the screw in the Thread absorption difficult. Whether after several screw connections in the state of Technology the correct target length 32 of the screw was reached had to be tried become. To do this, you had to switch the outputs of switch 25 with appropriate contact electrical indicators. The invention solves this adjustment work very much elegant, comfortable way, as is illustrated by FIG. 3.

3, a first pressure actuation 15 is exerted on the handle 10, whereby the handle in Fig. 3 indicated by dash-dotted lines Rest position transferred to the drawn working position 10.2 has been. The pressure outlet 45 on the back of the handle 10 has thus (because of the 1: 1 transmission mentioned) around the one already mentioned several times Actuating path 17 moves. In FIG. 2, however, those shown in FIG. 4 are also visible Ideal relationships are shown in dash-dot lines. All that is required is that in FIG. 2 also mentioned already mentioned target length 32, but the given one Actual length 31 is an excess length, which is illustrated by 33 in FIG. 2. The actuating end of the pressure pin 30, which determines the actual length 31, is located in Fig. 2 in a too high marked with the auxiliary line 30.1 Starting position. In the aforementioned first actuation 15 of the handle 10 takes the end of the push pin 30 protruding too far at 30.1 prematurely via the Leaf spring 44 with the button 20, so that this can be seen in FIG. 3 inner end stop 27 before reaching the final working position 10.2 the handle 10 comes to rest. This will in the last phase on the Actuation path 17 via the button 20 resting at the stop 27 through the Force arrow 48 illustrated in FIG. 3 is exerted on the pressure pin 30.

This actuating force 48 overcomes that between the receptacle 37 and hers Document 30 existing friction and causes the pressure pin in axially pushes its receptacle 37 in the direction of arrow 50.

This axial displacement 50 ends when the restoring force 48 ends. This is of course, the case when the pressure pin 30 opposite the pressure outlet 45 the handle 10 takes exactly the required target length 32. Then located 3, the actuating pin end in the ideal, by the Auxiliary line 30.2 in Fig. 3 illustrated end position. With this axial displacement 50 slips the circumferential profile from the pressure pin 30 under appropriate elastic radial deformation in the receptacle 27.

The radial clamping force then acting in the final state 30.2 Elastomer body 35 exerts on the pressure pin 30, is sufficient around the pressure pin 30 to fix in this ideal target length 32. After printing is finished 15, when the handle 10 has reached its rest position 10.1 of FIG. 4 again, the target length 32 remains fixed. It is also retained when the handle is on a later actuation again in their dash-dotted lines in Fig. 4 Working position 10.2 is operated. The restoring force acting on the button 20 its spring load 28 is not sufficient to the existing To overcome the clamping effect of the elastomer body 35 on the pressure pin 30. Around but to ensure that the target length 32 is fixed under all circumstances, 2 in the initial state of FIG introduce, which then after completion of the adjustment shown in Fig. 3 harden and thereby permanently secure the target length 32.

Instead of a stroke movement 42, the button 20 could also have a different movement execute between its two layers 20.1 and 20.2, e.g. a Pivoting movement.

While in the first embodiment of FIGS. 1 to 4 the elastomer body 45 sits at the pressure outlet 45 of the handle 10 and there then the pressure pin 30 positioned, is a mirror image in the second embodiment of FIG Arrangement provided. 5 are used to designate analog components The same reference numerals as in Fig. 1 are used, which is why the previous one Description applies. It is sufficient to deal with the differences here.

The difference compared to the first exemplary embodiment is that in Fig. 5 is an analog pressure pin 49 axially connected to the button 20 '. The end equipped with circumferential profiles 38 'also engages in a bore of one with it elastically connected elastomer body 35 '. In this second The exemplary embodiment is the pressure pin 49 and the one assigned to it Elastomer body 35 'connected to the switch 25 as a unit. The on that Pressure outlet 45 on the back 19 of the handle 10 is therefore free.

When the handle 10 is actuated, the pressure outlet 45 'thus encounters it facing end 51 of the elastomer body 35 ', whereby on the one hand in analog 3 is possible. With the analog adjustment process 5, the pressure outlet 45 'of 10 hits the free end 51 of the Elastomer body 35 ', which then acts as a "counter pressure point". In this The elastomer body 35 then falls with respect to that with the button 20 connected push pin 49 axially longitudinally displaced until here too There is a previously defined gap 46 'between 51 and 45'.

Reference symbol list:

10

Handle, company emblem

10.1

Rest position of 10 (Fig. 2, 4)

10.2

Working position of 10 (Fig. 3)

11

Attachment point of 10

12

first bridge of 10

13

second bridge of 10

14

Front of 10

15

Force arrow of the pressure actuation of 10 (Fig. 1, 3)

17

Distance between 10.1, 10.2, actuation path (Fig. 2)

18

Attachment of 25

19

Back of 10

20

Button (Fig. 1 to 4)

20 '

Button (Fig. 5)

20.1

Extension position of 20 (Fig. 2, 4)

20.2

Insertion position of 20 (Fig. 3)

21

moving contact

21.1

OFF position of 21 (Fig. 2)

21.2

Switch-on position of 21 (Fig. 3)

22

dormant contact

23

Housing interior, switch interior

24

Guided tour for 20 in 23

25

switch

26

outer end stop of 20 in 25 (Fig. 2)

27

inner end stop of 20 in 25 (Fig. 2)

28

Spring load of 20 (Fig. 2)

29

Switching stroke of 21 between 21.1 and 21.2 (Fig. 2), stroke

30

Push pin, screw

30.1

Starting position of 30 (Fig. 2)

30.2

End position of 30 (Fig. 3, 4)

31

Length of 30 (Fig. 2)

32

Target length of 30 (Fig. 2, 3, 4)

33

Excess length of 30 (Fig. 2)

34

Connection between 30, 35 (Fig. 2)

35

Body, elastomer body (Fig. 2 to 4)

35 '

Elastomer body (Fig. 5)

36

elastomeric material of 35 (Fig. 2)

37

Holder for 30, hole in 35 (Fig. 2)

38

Circumferential profile of 30 (Fig. 2 to 4)

38 '

Circumferential profile of 49 (Fig. 5)

39

Longitudinal movement of 30 (Fig. 3)

40

Stroke of 20 (Fig. 3, 4)

41

Attachment of 19 (Fig. 2)

42

Arrow of the lifting movement of 20 (Fig. 3)

43

Housing of 25 (Fig. 2)

44

Leaf spring (Fig. 2)

45

Pressure outlet of 10 (Fig. 2 to 4)

45 '

Pressure outlet of 10 (Fig. 5)

46

free gap between 30 and 20 (Fig. 4)

46 '

free gap between 45 'and 51 (Fig. 5)

47

Longitudinal travel of 30 (Fig. 4)

48

Force arrow of the positioning force of 20 for 30 (Fig. 3)

49

Push pin (Fig. 5)

50

Axial displacement from 30 to 37 (Fig. 3)

51

free end of 35, counter pressure point

Claims (10)

Actuators for closures on vehicles
with a handle (10) which, when operated manually (15), moves a pressure pin (30) longitudinally (39),
and the pressure pin (30) engages with a receptacle (37) via circumferential profiles (38), such as a thread, and the receptacle (37) is also moved when the handle (10) is actuated (15),
with an electrical switch (25) which has a stroke-movable button (20) and acts on the closure via electrical and / or mechanical control means,
The stroke movement (42) between an insertion position (20.2) and an extension position (20.1) of the push button (20) is determined by end stops (26, 27) in the switch housing (43) and corresponds to two different switching positions (21.1, 21.2),
the button (20) is spring-loaded (28) in the direction of its extended position (20.1)
and the longitudinal movement (39) of the pressure pin (30) resulting when the handle (10) is actuated causes the stroke movement (42) of the button (20),
characterized in that the receptacle (37) is designed to be radially elastic and is frictionally pressed onto the peripheral profiles (38) of the pressure pin (30),
that the pressure pin (30) is axially displaceable (50) in the elastic receptacle (37) by means of an axial actuating force (48) exceeding the frictional connection,
that - before an initial actuation (15) of the handle (10) - the pressure pin (30) has an excess length (33) with respect to its receptacle (37)
and that - when the handle (10) is actuated for the first time - the pressure pin (30) from the button (20), which is supported on the end stop (27) determining its axial insertion position (20.2), automatically to that desired length (32 ) is axially pushed back (50) and fixed in the receptacle (37),
in which - for future actuations (15) of the handle (10) - the longitudinal movement path (47) of the pressure pin (30) is adapted to the predetermined stroke path (29) of the push button (20) required for switch reversal (21.1, 21.2). Actuator according to Claim 1, characterized in that a pressure outlet (45) belonging to the handle (10) acts on the button (20) via the pressure pin (30),
that the actuation path (17) of the pressure outlet (45) is designed to be larger / identical than the stroke path (40) of the button (20),
that - after the first actuation (15) of the handle (10) - between the adjusted pressure pin (30) on the one hand and a counter pressure point which is assigned to the pressure pin (30) for the purpose of stroke actuation (42) of the button (20), on the other hand, a defined free gap (46) is arranged and that this gap (46) is substantially equal to the difference between the actuation path (17) of the pressure outlet (45) and the stroke path (40) of the button (20). Actuator according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that an intermediate member (44) is arranged between the push pin (30) and the button (20), which translates the longitudinal movement (39) of the push pin (30) into a lifting movement (42) of the button (20) converts. Actuator according to claim 3, characterized in that the intermediate member consists of a leaf spring (44) which sits on the switch housing (43) (41) and engages over the button (20). Actuator according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the pressure pin (30) is axially aligned with the stroke (40) of the button (20). Actuator according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the receptacle consists of a bore (37) in a body (35) made of elastomeric material (36) (elastomer body 35). Actuator according to claim 6, characterized in that the elastomer body (35) sits on the pressure outlet (45) of the handle (10) and positions the pressure pin (30) on the pressure outlet (45). Actuator according to one of claims 2 to 6, characterized in that the pressure pin (49) with the button (20 ') is axially fixed and carries the elastomer body (35') at its free pin end,
that the pressure outlet (45 ') of the handle (10) is aligned with the elastomer body (35')
and that the free end of the elastomer body (35 ') which faces the pressure outlet (45') of the handle (10) forms the counterpressure point (51),
which - after the first actuation of the handle (10) - includes the defined gap (46 ') with the pressure outlet (45') of the handle (10). Actuator according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the handle (10) is a push button which can be manually operated (15) on the viewing side (14) and has the pressure outlet (45) for the button (20) on the rear (19) , Actuator according to one of Claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the handle (10) is a membrane member which can be manually operated (15) on the viewing side (14) and which has the pressure outlet (45) for the button (20) on the rear (19) ,

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