EP2032782A1

EP2032782A1 - Actuating device

Info

Publication number: EP2032782A1
Application number: EP07729851A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Thomas Wölfl; Michael Kalesse
Original assignee: Huf Huelsbeck and Fuerst GmbH and Co KG
Current assignee: Huf Huelsbeck and Fuerst GmbH and Co KG
Priority date: 2006-06-12
Filing date: 2007-06-04
Publication date: 2009-03-11
Anticipated expiration: 2027-06-04
Also published as: WO2007144287A1; DE102006027474A1; EP2032782B1; ATE478220T1; DE502007004801D1

Abstract

The invention relates to an actuating device (1) for a lock (30) for opening and/or closing a movable part (25) for a vehicle, in particular a door, a tail gate or the like, having a housing structure (2) and a protective flap (3) which can be moved by a motor (4), wherein this protective flap can be subjected to loading by a spring element (5) and can assume at least two position, namely a rest position, in which the protective flap (3) terminates flush with the surface of the movable part (25), and an operating position, in which a user (29) can access the actuating device (1), and having an actuating element (6) which is divided in the housing structure (2) and is intended for actuating the lock (30). In order to provide an easy-to-use, and nevertheless energy-saving, electrical or electromechanical actuating device (1) for a lock (30), it is proposed to provide a switchable coupling element (7) by way of which the spring element (5) can be uncoupled, in which case it does not act on the protective flap (3).

Description

BETA ACTURING DEVICE

Description

The present invention is directed to an actuating device for a lock according to the preamble of claim 1 for opening and / or closing a movable part of a vehicle, in particular a door, a tailgate or the like. In this case, such an actuating device has an operable by a motor protective flap, which is loadable by a spring element, and which can take at least two positions, namely a rest position in which the protective flap flush the surface of the movable part, and an operating position, in the a user can intervene in the actuator. Furthermore, an actuating element for actuating the lock is provided in or on the housing construction of the actuating device. By the actuator, the user can open and / or close the lock. The whole Actuator may be so embedded in the movable part of the vehicle that it forms a smooth front, in particular by the protective flap, with the outside of the movable part, whereby it is provided substantially hidden in the movable part. An operation of the lock takes place by the user only when the protective flap is in its operating position. The actual actuator is thus hidden within the actuator.

From the prior art, the European patent EP 1 402 138 B1 is known, which discloses a generic actuator. In this invention, two fundamentally different embodiments of the actuator are used, namely an electromechanical and a purely mechanical embodiment. The electric actuator cooperates with an electromechanical lock to open or close the movable member. In this case, an electrical switching signal or switching pulse is used to actuate the electric lock. On the other hand, in the mechanical actuator, a lever is provided inside the actuator, whereby the mechanical lock is operated. In both embodiments, the protective flap can be automatically transferred by a motor from the rest position to the operating position to provide a high level of operating comfort. However, the automatic actuation of the protective cover consumes additional energy from the engine, which normally comes from the vehicle battery when the vehicle is parked. Due to the increasing energy consumption for various systems and units in the vehicle, it is important to develop particularly economical systems. Only in this way can it be ensured that the vehicle battery provides enough energy even after a longer standstill to start the vehicle engine.

Based on the aforementioned prior art, it is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an electrical or electromechanical actuator for a lock, which has a high ease of use and is energy efficient. In addition, the actuator should remain functional even in the event of a power failure or a defect in the electrical system or electronics.

The present object is achieved by the actuating device according to the invention with the characterizing features of claim 1, which have the following special significance.

Thus, the actuator of the invention remains functional even in the event of a power failure, the protective flap must also be manually operable. For this purpose, the user must also be able to manually rotate or pivot the protective flap in order to be able to intervene in the actuating device. After the user has operated the lock to open or close the movable part, the protective flap must move automatically to its rest position, otherwise the actuator remains open, which may, for example, unpleasant driving noise. For this purpose, the protective flap is loaded with a spring, whereby it can be independently transferred to its idle position even in the event of a power failure from its operating position. Thus, the full functionality of the actuator is guaranteed in case of power failure. However, it follows for normal operation, that is, if there is sufficient energy for the actuator, that the motor must work for the operation of the protective flap against the existing spring on the protective flap. Consequently, the engine consumes significantly more energy in normal operation to move the protective flap from the rest position to the operating position. Also, a significantly more powerful motor is necessary so that at all the necessary forces or torques can be applied. The present invention now provides, in addition, to use a switchable coupling element, whereby the spring element can be decoupled, so that it does not permanently act on the protective flap. This makes it possible to decouple the spring element of the protective flap in normal operation, and then to transfer the protective flap without great resistance or high torque from the engine from the rest position to the operating position. By this measure, it is also possible to save electrical energy, especially at standstill of the vehicle when the energy comes from the vehicle battery. Thus, on the one hand, a high level of operating comfort can be achieved for the actuating device and, on the other hand, an energy-saving system can be achieved.

Further technical features and embodiments of the actuating device according to the invention will become apparent from the subclaims 2 to 13.

In a further measure improving the invention, the motor is used for actuating the protective flap at the same time for switching the coupling element. For this purpose, a gear and / or a lever mechanism between the engine and the coupling element may be provided, whereby the motor indirectly switches the coupling element. Instead of the motor for the operation of the protective flap can also serve an additional electromechanical actuator for switching the coupling element. This electromechanical actuator may include a lifting magnet. Of course, the additional electromechanical actuator consist of a further motor.

In order to use a particularly robust and reliable coupling element, this should have a dog clutch, a friction clutch or a magnetic coupling. The dog clutch and the friction clutch are usually switched by a longitudinal movement, so that a mechanical actuation is necessary. The magnetic coupling, however, can be switched purely electrically, so that no further components are necessary. In order to obtain the most space-saving design, the coupling element can be mounted on a rotary or pivot axis of the protective flap. If the spring element for the return of the protective flap as a torsion spring, in particular a spiral or leg spring is configured, the spring element and / or the coupling element can be arranged on the rotary or pivot axis for the protective flap. This results in a particularly compact and solid structure for the actuating device according to the invention. It is advisable to arrange the spring element and the coupling element between the movable protective flap and the fixed housing construction. In this variant, it is conceivable to provide the spring element between the protective flap and the coupling element. However, optionally, the spring element can also be arranged between the housing construction and the coupling element. Furthermore, it has proven to be expedient to have the suspension element engage in the middle of the width of the protective flap in order to avoid bending or tension across the width of the protective flap. It is also conceivable to have one or more spring elements engage the protective flap, which are distributed as evenly as possible over the width of the protective flap and expediently all can be decoupled.

Thus, the actuator in an emergency, in the z. B. is a power failure, works properly, it is recommended that the coupling element, the spring element decoupled only when the engine is activated for the protective flap. Consequently, the spring element acts on the protective flap even in the event of a power failure and can only be decoupled if sufficient energy is available for the movement of the protective flap and thus also for the decoupling of the spring element.

In normal operation, the motor provides for the protective flap for their provision from the operating position to the rest position. In order to avoid a quick snap back of the protective flap from the operating position to the rest position during emergency operation, a damper element can additionally act on the protective flap, whereby the protective flap is slowly transferred from the operating position to the rest position. Since the motor in normal operation does not move the protective flap jerkily or quickly, it does not have to work against the damper element. Thus, no additional energy for the adjustment of the protective flap is required in the use of a damper element.

If the actuator is used to operate a mechanical lock, a mechanical actuator in or on the housing construction is used, this mechanical actuator can be configured as a lever, knob or the like. Thus, the user can through a tensile or compressive movement transmit the required forces via the mechanical actuator to the mechanical lock.

For power transmission or torque transmission, a linkage or a Bowden cable or the like may be provided between the mechanical actuator and the mechanical lock. It is also conceivable that the mechanical actuator acts directly on the mechanical lock, so that additional force or torque transmission means are not required.

However, if the actuator according to the invention operated with an electromechanical lock, it is recommended that the electrical actuator as a switch, button, pressure sensor or the like to design. Also, this actuator is easily accessible for a user to arrange within the actuator. The electrical or electronic signal of the actuating element used can then be forwarded via a control line directly or indirectly via a control unit to the electric lock.

In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, a front flap can be used in addition, which is arranged adjacent to the protective flap movable, whereby the lock is mechanically actuated. This additional front flap can be used instead of the mechanical actuator. It is also conceivable that it is used in addition to the electrical and / or mechanical actuator so as to ensure even in the event of a power failure that an electromechanical lock can still be actuated.

Furthermore, in the case of the actuating device according to the invention it can be provided that an approach of a user to the actuating device can be detected by a sensor, which is arranged in particular on or in the protective flap and serves to control the motor for the protective flap. As soon as this sensor detects an approach of a user, the protective flap is automatically transferred to its operating position. The sensor used, for example, from a consist capacitive or inductive proximity sensor. It can also contain a piezo element. The proximity sensor can be arranged in or on the protective flap. The protective flap itself may be provided with a screen which is adapted to both color and the material condition of the front of the moving part. The sensor can then be placed between the panel and the actual protective flap. It is also conceivable that, in the case of a metallic diaphragm, this can be used as part of the sensor. Furthermore, it is conceivable that the actuating element is arranged on or in the movable front flap. The actuating element itself may have a sensor, a piezo element, switches, microswitches or the like.

The actuating device according to the invention can be configured as an outside door handle. The present invention is also directed to a vehicle, in particular a motor vehicle, with an actuating device according to one of claims 1 to 13.

Further advantages, features and details of the invention will become apparent from the following description in which several embodiments of the invention are described in detail with reference to the drawings. Show it:

1 a shows a rear view of an actuating device according to the invention with a closed protective flap,

1 b shows a cross section through the actuating device from FIG. 1 a,

1 c shows a three-dimensional view of the actuating device from FIG. 1 a,

Fig. 2a is a three-dimensional view of another invention

Actuating device with a decoupled coupling element,

2b shows a cross section through the actuating device of Fig. 2, Fig. 3a is a three-dimensional view of an additional inventive

Actuating device with a decoupled coupling element and a partially opened protective flap,

3b shows a cross section through the actuating device from FIG. 3,

4 a top view of an actuating device arranged in a movable part,

5 is a plan view of a further actuating device, which is arranged in a movable part, in particular a motor vehicle door,

6a shows a cross section through a further actuating device according to the invention with a manually opened protective flap,

Fig. 6b is a cross-section through the actuator of Fig. 6a with an automatically opened protective flap and

7 shows a cross-section through a Kraftsperreinheit on an inventive

Actuator.

In Fig. 1 a, an embodiment of the actuating device 1 according to the invention is shown in the rear view. This actuator 1 is fixedly arranged by the housing structure 2 on the movable member 25. For this purpose, 2 fastening holes 28 are provided in the housing construction, whereby the actuating device 1 can be screwed, riveted or locked, for example, on the movable part 25. Thus, the actuator 1 is immovably fixed to a door, flap or the like that the movable member 25 represents. On the back 27 of the actuator 1 may additionally be a housing cover or a screen or the like may be arranged so that the actuator 1 is at least visibly completed towards the rear. The actuator 1 of FIGS. 1 a, b and 1 c has an electrical actuator 6 for actuating an electromechanical lock 30 in the normal case. In addition to the protective flap 3, a movable front flap 1 1 is provided in or on the actuating device 1, whereby the electromechanical lock 30 is mechanically actuated even in an emergency. In Fig. 1 a, b and c, the protective flap 3 is in its rest position and the coupling element 7 is coupled, whereby the spring element 7 acts directly on the protective flap 3. In this rest position, at least one rubber element between the housing construction 2 and the protective flap 3 can serve as a stop 18. Normally, the actual operation of the protective flap 3 by the engine 4 via a transmission 9, which z. B. on the left side of the motor 4 or the housing construction 2 is arranged and can perform an indirect actuation of the protective flap 3. Thus, the protective flap 3 is automatically reset in a manual operation, the spring element 5 is provided, which consists in the present case of a coil spring which is arranged around the axis of rotation 3b of the protective flap 3. Further, the annular coupling element 7 is arranged around the rotation axis 3b, whereby the spring element 5 is to be switched ineffective. The coupling element 7 has in the present case a dog clutch, which is mechanically switchable by the actuator 8. The actuator 8 is fixedly fixed to the protective flap 3 and is pivoted with an actuation of the protective flap 3 with. The actuator 8 is used for longitudinal adjustment of the right half of the coupling 7b of the coupling element 7. This allows the claws of the coupling element 7 are brought into engagement or disengaged.

When approaching a user 29 to the actuator 1, the following sequence takes place. The approach of the user 29, in particular his hand or his finger is from a proximity sensor 10, the z. B. may consist of a capacitive or inductive sensor detected. This sensor 10 provides a corresponding signal to a control unit, not shown, whereupon the motor 4 is driven to transfer the protective flap 3 from the rest position to the operating position. However, before the motor 4 moves the protective flap 3, the actuator 8, which may for example consist of a solenoid, also controlled by the control unit to switch the coupling element 7, whereby the spring element 5 is decoupled before the movement of the protective flap 3. Thus, the motor 4 does not work against the spring element 5 to move the protective flap 3. Now that the protective flap 3 has been opened manually or automatically (see Fig. 3b), the user 29 can reach into the actuator 1 to actuate the electrical and / or mechanical actuator 6.

In Fig. 2a is shown how the actuator 8, the coupling element 7 switches - before the motor 4 moves the protective flap from the rest position - in which it removes or separates the right half of the coupling 7b from the left half coupling 7a. Consequently, no connection between the left and right coupling half 7a, b is present, whereby the spring element 5 is decoupled in such a way that it no longer has any influence on a movement of the protective flap 3. Thus, the spring element 5 builds in an electrical actuation of the protective flap 3 no bias, so that subsequently the protective flap 3 can independently transfer from the operating position to the rest position. The spring element 5 is arranged in the present case between the housing construction 2 and the coupling element 7, in particular the left coupling half 7a. If the coupling element 7 is engaged, a movement of the protective flap 3 via the right half of the coupling 7b, which is arranged non-rotatably on the protective flap 3, transmitted to the spring element 5 and a corresponding bias to reset the protective flap 3 constructed. The spring element 5 is on the left side rotatably attached to the housing structure 2. With the right-hand end of the coil spring, the spring element 5 rotatably engages the left-side coupling half 7a. The transmission of a movement of the protective flap 3 takes place in the embodiments of FIGS. 1 to 3 via the right-side coupling half 7b, provided that the coupling element 7 is engaged. The right half 7b of the coupling element 7 is arranged on the one hand longitudinally displaceable on the rotation axis 3b and on the other hand on the adjustment axis 8a of the actuator 8. This axis 8a is arranged parallel to the rotation axis 3b. The actuator 8 is itself stationary on the protective flap 3, wherein the associated adjusting axis 8a by a Reinforcing rib 3c of the protective cover 3 protrudes to receive the right coupling half 7b. By a manual or automatic operation of the protective flap 3 is a rotation of the adjusting axis 8a about the axis of rotation 3b of the protective flap 3 and thus a rotation of the right coupling half 7b instead, which leads to a rotation of the spring element 5 in the engaged state of the coupling element 7.

In Figs. 2 and 3 further embodiment of the actuator 1 according to the invention are shown, wherein normally a mechanical actuator 6 is used, in contrast to the embodiment of FIGS. 1. In this case, the movable front flap 1 1, which has a rotation The front flap 11 and the protective flap 3 can form a closed surface in order to continue or design the entire surface of the movable part 25 in a pleasing manner.

Regardless of whether the protective flap 3 is manually or automatically moved by the motor 4 into the operating position (see Fig. 2b - arrow 31), the user 29 can now reach into the actuating device 1. By pulling out the front flap 1 1 (see Fig. 3b - arrow 32), a mechanical actuation of the lock 30 is possible. In this case, the rotational or pivoting movement of the front flap 1 1 and the mechanical actuator 6 can be transmitted indirectly via a Bowden cable 14, a linkage 15 or directly to the lock 30. In the exemplary embodiments from FIGS. 1 to 3, an actuation of the front flap 1 1 is transmitted indirectly via a Bowden cable 14 to the lock 30. For this purpose, a receptacle 14a for the soul of the Bowden cable is provided on the front flap 1 1, in the vicinity of the rotary or pivot axis 1 1 b. On the stationary housing construction 2, the receptacle 14b for the sheath of the Bowden cable 14 may be arranged adjacent to the receptacle 14a for the soul. By the right-side pulling or turning the front flap 1 1 - from the perspective of the top view of the front 26 - the distance between the receptacle 14 a and the receptacle 14 b is increased (see, for example, Fig. 2a and 3a), whereby the soul of the Bowden cable 14th is pulled out of the shell. In FIGS. 1 b, 2 b and 3 b, cross sections through the exemplary embodiments from the respective FIGS. 1 to 3 are shown, which clearly show the movement of the protective flap

3 emerges. In addition, it is visible how the engine 4 via the transmission 9, which includes a cam 9a, the protective flap 3 is actuated. In Fig. 1 b, the protective flap 3 is in its rest position. After the proximity sensor 10, which may be arranged on the rear side of the protective flap 3, has detected an approach of a person 29, the coupling element 7 is decoupled and the motor 4 is activated.

In Fig. 2b the coupling element 7 is decoupled (see Fig. 2a) and the motor

4 has already rotated the cam 9a counterclockwise so far that the cam 9b, which is arranged on the cam 9a, is already in engagement with the guide groove 3e on the protective flap 3. This guide groove 3e is arranged below the pivot point 3b of the protective flap 3, so that a rotation of the cam plate 9a in the counterclockwise direction leads to a rotation of the protective flap 3 in the clockwise direction. Despite the first movement of the motor 4 in Fig. 2b, the protective flap 3 is still in its rest position.

In FIG. 3b, the protective flap 3 has then been moved out of its rest position, with the coupling element 7 having decoupled the spring element 5 from the protective flap 3 (see FIG. 3a). Consequently, the engagement in the actuator 1 is released. A position sensor 17, which is provided in the embodiment of FIG. 3, can serve to determine the position of the protective flap 3. Likewise, another position sensor can also detect the position of the movable front flap 11. The signals supplied by the position sensors can be sent to the control unit for further processing.

Since the protective flap 3 has been actuated automatically by the motor 4 in FIGS. 3a, b, it must also be transferred from the operating position to the rest position by the motor 4. In the normal case, namely, the spring element 5 is ineffective connected by the switchable coupling element 7. FIG. 4 shows the plan view of an actuating device 1 with an electrical actuating element 6. The hand of a user 29 engages through the open protective flap 3 into the actuating device. In the embodiment of Fig. 1, no movable front flap 1 1 is provided to provide a mechanical opening of the lock 30 in an emergency. Rather, the lock 30 is opened or closed exclusively via the electrical actuator 6.

In FIG. 5, however, a further embodiment of the actuating device 1 according to the invention is shown, which additionally has a movable front flap 1 1. This front flap 11 is arranged above the protective flap 3 and forms a closed surface with the protective flap 3 and the surface of the movable component 25. The door lock 30 is shown schematically in the movable component 25, which consists of a driver's door in FIG , Both the protective flap 3 and the movable front flap 1 1 are arranged on hinges 13 on the housing structure 2 movable. The arrows 32 on the front flap 1 1 indicate that the front flap 1 1 can be swung out or pulled upwards out of the surface of the movable part 25. The front flap 1 1 in FIG. 5 may additionally be provided with an electrical actuator 6. It is also conceivable that the front flap 1 1 itself represents a mechanical actuator 6 for the lock 30 or that a further mechanical actuator 6 is disposed within the actuator 1.

FIGS. 6 a, b show a further exemplary embodiment of the actuating device 1. In this case, a power lock unit 16 is used to design the movable front flap 1 1 quasi-stationary in its rest position. Only after overcoming a predefined resistance force can then the front door 1 1 move easily. A comparable power blocking unit 16 is shown in greater detail in FIG. 7. This has a snap closure 19, whereby the front flap 1 1 indirectly, z. B. via the lever 12 which is arranged on the movable front flap 1 1, is held in a form-fitting manner in the rest position. Furthermore, this embodiment differs from the actuator 1 over the others Embodiments, since a special connecting element 23 between the protective flap 3 and the motor 4 is arranged. This connecting element 23 has a slot 24 which serves to guide a bolt 3d on a lever of the protective flap 3. In Fig. 5, the protective flap 3 was manually - without the help of the motor 4 - transferred to its operating position. By the movement of the protective flap 3 from the rest position to the operating position of the driving pin 3d slides in the slot 24 of the connecting element 23 from top to bottom. By the spring element 5, not shown, which is also decoupled via the coupling element 7 of the protective flap 3, the protective flap 3 is independently traceable from the operating position to the rest position. Here again the driving pin 3d slides in the slot 24 from bottom to top.

The protective flap 3 has been moved in Fig. 6b by the motor 4 in its operating position, wherein the stopper 18 touches. To actuate the protective flap 3 is again the connecting element 23. In this case, the driving pin 3d does not slide in the slot 24 back and forth, since he is the whole time at the top stop of the slot 24. The necessary restoring force for the automatically operated protective flap 3 is applied in this case by the motor 4, in which the connecting element 23 is moved by the motor 4 upwards, whereby the driving pin 3d slides from the upper stop in the slot 24 to the lower stop. Now that the driving pin 3d comes to rest on the lower stop of the slot 24, the motor 4 presses the protective flap 3 by the connecting element 23 in the rest position. Subsequently, the spring element 5 is engaged again by the switchable coupling element 7, whereby the protective flap 3 remains in its rest position. Thereafter, the motor 4 can again move the connecting element 23 down until again the driving pin 3d comes to rest at the upper stop of the slot 24.

Furthermore, it can be seen from the exemplary embodiment in FIGS. 6 a, b that the protective flap 3 and the front flap 1 1 can be provided with a diaphragm 3a or 11a, in order to uniformly continue the surface of the movable component 25. Between the diaphragm 3a and the actual protective flap 3, the Proximity sensor 10 may be arranged. It is also conceivable that the proximity sensor 10 is located on the back of the protective flap 3. If a metallic diaphragm 3a is used, it can also be used as a proximity sensor 10.

In FIG. 7, by way of example, a force-locking unit 16, which does not permanently act on the front flap 11, is shown with a snap closure 19. In this case, in the rest position of the front flap 1 1 a positive connection between the holder 20, which is arranged for example on the housing structure 2 and the lever 12, which acts on the front flap 1 1 causes. For this purpose, in particular spherical recesses 21 may be provided on the lever 12, which cooperate with spring-loaded bearing pin 22 from the holder 20. These bearing pins 22 may also have spherical heads, which are designed to be complementary to the spherical recesses 21. In the rest position of the front flap 1 1, the bearing pin 22 engage with their heads positively in the recesses 21, whereby the desired resistance of the power blocking unit 16 is effected. Now, if a tensile or compressive force is exerted on the movable front flap 1 1, this movement causes the lever 12 push the two bearing pin 22 against their springs in the holder 20. Once the bearing pin 22 no longer engage in the recesses 21, no longer acts a predetermined resistance force of the power lock unit 16. Thus, the movable front flap 1 1 after overcoming the resistance force is easily actuated to mechanically actuate the lock 30. After actuation, the front flap 1 1 can be brought back into the rest position, in which the lever 12 again forms a positive connection with the holder 20 via the bearing pin 22. The present snap closure 19 is only an exemplary embodiment, since only a left or right side bearing pin 22 with a corresponding left or right side recess 21 may be present. Also, the bearing pin 22 may be configured differently. For example, the power lock unit 16, as shown in the embodiments of FIGS. 1 to 3, also directly on the movable front flap 1 1 attack. Finally, it should be mentioned that any combination of the technical features of the actuator 1 from the individual embodiments is possible, as long as they are not explicitly excluded. Likewise, the illustrated embodiments of the actuator 1 may include other not shown electrical, electronic or mechanical components.

Bezu qszei chen l iste

Actuator Housing design Protective cover a Cover for 3 b Rotary or swivel axis of 3 c Reinforcement ribs of 3 d Carriage bolt e Guide groove Motor for 3 Spring element for 3 Actuator Clutch element a Left half of coupling b Right half of coupling Actuator a Adjustment axis (longitudinally displaceable) Transmission a Cam b Cam 0 Sensor 1 front cover 1a cover for 11 1b pivot axis of 11 2 lever of 11 3 hinge of 3 or 8 4 support for Bowden cable 4a receptacle for the soul 4b receptacle for the cover

linkage

Power blocking unit

position sensor

Stop for 3

snap lock

bracket

recess

bearing bolt

connecting element

Slot in 23 movable component

front

back

Mounting holes for 2

Finger of a user

lock

Arrow for movement of 3

Arrow for movement of 1 1

Claims

Patent claims

1 . Actuating device (1) for a lock (30) for opening and / or closing a movable part (25) of a vehicle, in particular a door, a tailgate or the like, with a housing construction (2) and a protective flap which can be moved by a motor (4) (3), these by a

Spring element (5) is resilient and can assume at least two positions, namely a rest position in which the protective flap (3) flush the surface of the movable part (25) terminates, and an operating position in which an intervention by a user (29) in the

Actuating device (1) is possible, and provided in the housing construction (2) actuating element (6) for actuating the lock (30), characterized in that a switchable coupling element (7) is present, whereby the spring element (5) is decoupled, so that it does not affect the protective flap (3).

2. Actuating device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the motor (4) or an electromechanical actuator (8) for switching the coupling element (7) is used.

3. Actuating device (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the coupling element (7) has a dog clutch, a friction clutch or a magnetic coupling.

4. Actuating device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the coupling element (7) on a rotary or pivot axis (3b) of the protective flap (3) is mounted.

5. Actuating device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the lock (30) is actuated mechanically by the actuating element (6), wherein the actuating element (6) is designed as a lever, knob or the like.

6. Actuating device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the lock (30) is electrically operable by the actuating element (6), wherein the actuating element (6) comprises a switch, button, pressure sensor or the like.

7. actuating device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the spring element (5) between the protective flap (3) and the coupling element (7) is arranged.

8. Actuating device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the spring element (5) has a torsion spring, in particular a spiral or leg spring.

9. actuating device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the protective flap (3) via a transmission (9), in particular a cam mechanism, by the motor (4) is movable.

10. Actuating device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that on the protective flap (3) engages a damper element, whereby the protective flap (3) is slowed down from the operating position to the rest position can be transferred.

1 1. actuator (1) according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that by a sensor (10) which is arranged in particular on or in the protective flap (3) and for driving the motor (4), an approximation a user (29) to the actuating device (1) can be detected, whereby the protective flap (3) during the approach is automatically transferred to the operating position.

12. Actuator (1) according to one of claims 1 to 1 1, characterized in that the coupling element (7), the spring element (5) only decoupled when the motor (4) is activated to move the protective flap (3).

13. Actuating device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that a protective flap (3) adjacent the front flap (1 1) is arranged to be movable, whereby the lock (30) is mechanically actuated.

14. Vehicle, in particular motor vehicle with an actuating device (1) according to one of the preceding claims.