JP2023542126A - Actuators for automotive applications - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention comprises an electric motor (9) and at least one gear stage (4, 5, 6) connected downstream of the electric motor (9) and having a drive wheel (11) and an output wheel (12). A motor vehicle actuator (1) comprising actuating means (3) actuatable by gear stages (4, 5, 6), the gear stages (4, 5, 6) comprising gear components (11, 12). ) at least continuously in the guideable region. [Selection diagram] Figure 1

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to an actuator for automotive applications, in particular for automotive closure devices, the actuator having an electric motor and at least one gear stage, the at least one gear stage being connected downstream of the electric motor. and has a drive wheel and an output wheel, the actuating means being operable by a gear stage, the gear stage having means for guiding the gear component at least in a region.

[0002] More and more electrically actuated actuators are being used in today's motor vehicles to improve the comfort of the motor vehicle or to enable safe operation of the motor vehicle. To improve comfort, electrically adjustable exterior mirrors, seat adjustment devices or headlight adjustment devices are to be mentioned, to name a few. Increase safety when operating a car, for example in that the actuator is used to lock a charging socket or to increase the safety of a car, for example in the case of a fuel filler flap lock be able to.

[0003] In addition to these common uses for actuators, the latter are also used in connection with motor vehicle closing devices, for example as closing drives or for locking motor vehicle locks. Furthermore, such an actuator can be used to move so-called electrically operable lock retention devices for closing motor vehicle doors.

[0004] Existing space in motor vehicles is limited, in part because multiple functions can and should be performed in motor vehicles. To meet this requirement, high demands are placed on the gear stage of the actuator. In addition to a compact design, it must be possible to generate and transmit sometimes even high forces through the gear stages.

[0005] Accordingly, within the scope of DE 10 2010 003 044 A1 a multi-stage gearing for adjusting a structural unit of a motor vehicle is described. The structural unit can be a seat adjustment device, an exterior mirror adjustment device or a headlight adjustment device, and in principle also a window lifter. Known multi-stage gear systems work with a first gear stage consisting of a worm and a spur gear or worm wheel meshing with the worm. The second gear stage is also implemented. The second gear stage consists of an evoloid pinion and an output wheel meshing with it. A worm-engaging spur or worm wheel is coupled to the evoloid pinion. In this way, a compact gearing is provided which is also capable of transmitting high torques.

[0006] DE 102017125819 A1 also discloses an actuator for automotive applications, in which an electric motor acts on a drive train, which in turn moves an actuating element. An evoloid pinion forming a spur gear stage with the output wheel of the first gear stage is arranged in the drive train, preferably on the drive shaft of the electric motor.

[0007] In order to be able to provide a compact actuator that allows for large gear ratios, has high efficiency and is reversible at the same time, unpublished DE 10 2020101 362.0 proposes a crown gear stage. An actuator having the following is disclosed. Crown gear stages allow high gear ratios at the same time as high efficiency. In particular, a compact design of the actuator is ensured by the crown gear stage.

[0008] High efficiency and compact design place high demands on actuator construction. Here, the components of the gear stage, which are mostly made of plastic, can be operated at least in the region of their technical limits, especially when large forces are generated. The limits of what is technically possible can be reached, for example if very high forces have to be generated by the actuator. For example, closing a side door may require a force of 500 N to move the door to the closed position. For example, closing drives or electrically operated locking devices, so-called servo-locking devices, are used in this case.

[0009] DE 10 2014 005 656 A1 discloses a gear structure which ensures engagement of the gear stages even within a limited range, in order to be able to operate the gear stages within a limited range. This publication aims to prevent the skipping of gear elements, in particular toothed segments, that engage with each other and thus reduce wear and noise emissions of the gear elements. For this purpose, a locking element is provided which prevents the gear element from drifting apart in the limit position.

[0010] The prior art presents solutions for compact, high ratio safety gear stages for actuators in automotive applications. Although the application has proven successful in principle, it reaches its limits when there is not sufficient installation space available to ensure reliable engagement of the gear elements. This is where the invention lies.

overview

[0011] The present invention is based on the technical problem of providing an actuator for automotive applications that ensures a maximum degree of safety in the gear stages during the transmission of forces compared to the prior art so far. It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an improved actuator for automotive applications. In particular, the aim of the invention is to provide an actuator that has a compact design and allows maximum safety in the transmission of large forces within gear stages.

[0012] The object is achieved according to the invention by the features of independent claim 1. Advantageous developments of the invention are indicated in the subclaims. It is pointed out that the exemplary embodiments described below are not limiting. Rather, any options for variations of the features described in the description and the dependent claims as well as the drawings are possible.

[0013] According to claim 1, the object of the invention is achieved by providing an actuator for a motor vehicle application, in particular a closure device of a motor vehicle, which actuator comprises an electric motor and downstream of the electric motor. at least one gear stage connected and having a drive wheel and an output wheel, and actuating means operable by said gear stage, the gear stage at least in a continuously guideable region. Have the means to guide you. The inventive design of the actuator makes it possible to transmit large forces continuously through the gear stages with minimal structural measures. In particular, the continuous guidance of the gear components makes it possible to ensure safety during operation at all times, even under changing loads. The continuous engagement of the guide means during the engagement of the gear components makes it possible to produce a compact design that can at the same time ensure safe force transmission at all times.

[0014] Actuators associated with the present invention are used in automotive applications. As explained in the introduction, these may be actuators for closing mechanisms, locks, seat adjustment devices or locks for charging sockets of electric vehicles, to name a few exemplary technical applications. good. The actuator has actuating means, which can be, for example, in the case of a charging socket lock, a locking pin that secures the plug and socket during the charging process. In this case, for example, when the plug is not inserted correctly, i.e. the locking pin cannot move into its intended opening, but moves relative to the plug housing, extreme Situations may arise. During movement and striking of the plug housing, high loads occur on the gear stages of the actuating means. The electric motor or the control device for the electric motor detects the current consumption, determines that the current consumption is increasing, and stops the electric motor. However, the change in current consumption occurs with a certain delay, so that the electric motor cannot be stopped immediately when the stop position is reached, but only for a few milliseconds thereafter. During this time, very high forces act on the gear stage and can be absorbed by the continuous engagement of the guide means without jumping the toothed segments of the gear stage.

[0015] As the electric motor, a small DC motor is preferably used, which can provide a high force to the actuator due to its high rotational speed and large gear ratio.

[0016] According to the present invention, it is preferable to use a crown gear stage that requires a minimum installation space as the gear stage. In particular, it is possible to arrange or form the central axis of the drive wheel at right angles, preferably approximately at right angles, to the central axis of the output wheel. As a result, there is the possibility of arranging the output wheel in the longitudinal direction of the drive wheel to provide a gear stage which can be essentially limited by the width of the electric drive. Therefore, the compactness of the transmission device can be advantageously combined with a high transmission ratio and high efficiency.

[0017] An advantageous design variant of the invention occurs when the gear component has guiding means. According to the invention, gear components can be guided continuously. However, it has been found that if the gear of the gear stage itself has a guide means, there is an advantage that the size can be further reduced. In particular, further structural guide means can be omitted, with the result that additional structural freedoms are possible. In this case, the gear components, ie the drive wheel and the output wheel, engage one another in such a way that, on the one hand, force transmission is ensured, and on the other hand, the mutually engaged gear wheels are guided simultaneously. The gear stage thus performs a dual function. On the one hand there is a driving function and on the other hand a guiding function.

[0018] A further design variant of the invention is obtained if the guiding means are provided by a form fit between the gear components, in particular the drive wheel and the output wheel. As a result of the form-fitting, guiding means can be provided which are formed by the gear component itself. In particular, the form-fitting provides a guiding means to ensure axial distance and/or engagement conditions between the gear components during force transmission. Thereby, even if the allowable range changes depending on the operating time of the actuator, it is possible to prevent the engagement condition from changing. The conformal fit between the gear components can be designed in such a way that on the one hand the axial distance is ensured and on the other hand the engagement conditions are ensured. In order to achieve a compact design of the gear stage, form-fitting can provide a structurally simple means. Further means for fixing the position can be omitted.

[0019] It has proven particularly advantageous to form the gear stage as a crown gear stage. By using a crown gear stage, it is possible to provide a gear stage that requires a minimum installation space. In particular, the central axis of the drive wheel can be formed at right angles, preferably approximately at right angles, to the central axis of the output wheel. As a result, it is possible to arrange the output wheel in the longitudinal direction of the drive wheel to provide a gear stage that is substantially limited by the width of the electric drive. Therefore, gear compactness can be advantageously combined with high gear ratios and high efficiency. Furthermore, the crown gear stage offers the possibility of resetting. That is, the crown gear stage can be reset manually. This provides the advantage that the actuating element can be manually reset in the event of a power supply failure.

[0020] A further design variant of the invention is achieved when the drive wheel has an extension, which extension can be guided into the output wheel. The drive wheel is preferably received in a form-fitting manner on the drive shaft of the electric motor and extends in the direction of the output wheel. If the gear stage is designed, for example, as a crown gear stage, the first part of the drive wheel can have a toothing formed from one, two, three or more teeth. The trailing second part of the drive wheel forms an extension that serves as a guiding means in the gear stage. This extension can be used as a means of guiding the output wheel. It has proven advantageous if the output wheel has a guide groove and the extension extends at least in the area within the guide groove. This structurally advantageous introduction of the extension in the guide groove provides a number of advantages. A first advantage is that the drive wheel can be formed in one piece, which facilitates mounting on the drive shaft of the electric motor. A second advantage arises from the fact that the guide groove can also be formed integrally on the output wheel. A third advantage is due to the structural interaction of the extension and the guide groove, since the guide means can be integrated into the gear stage itself. The number of components can be reduced to a minimum and the advantages of functional reliability can be combined with structural advantages. As a result, a gear stage is provided which works independently of tolerances, or at least almost independently of tolerances, has a compact design and provides high functional reliability.

[0021] A further advantageous design variant of the invention is obtained if the actuator has a housing and the gear stage is further guideable by the housing. The guiding means may be provided by the gear stage itself. Additional fixing and guidance of the gear stage components can be achieved by the housing itself engaging the gear stage. If the electric motor with drive wheel and output wheel is mounted or received in the housing, it can be further guided by the housing cover, further increasing the functional reliability. On the one hand, the output wheel can be mounted, for example, by the housing cover, and on the other hand, the bearing point for the drive wheel can be provided by the housing cover.

[0022] In this case, it has proven particularly advantageous if the extension can be guided by the housing. If the drive wheel has a receiving area, a gear area and an extension, the extension can on the one hand serve as a guiding means for interacting with the output wheel. However, the extension can also be designed to protrude from the area of engagement with the output wheel to provide a bearing point for the drive wheel. This structural engagement allows for the further mounting of a drive shaft and also allows for the mounting of a drive wheel in addition to guidance.

[0023] The actuator has at least two gear stages, and at least one gear stage can be designed as a crown gear stage. Guiding the drive wheel to the output wheel constitutes the possibility that the first gear stage as a crown gear stage integrates the advantages of a crown gear stage in the actuator and thus ensures high operating reliability. The second gear stage is preferably designed as a regulating wheel stage, so that on the one hand high gear ratios can be achieved and on the other hand established technology can be used. The actuator or actuating means may then enable linear drive of the actuating means, for example via further gear stages. Overall, a reliable introduction of force into the gearwheel of the actuator is thus guaranteed, and as a result of the structural design, the axial distance is guaranteed and a drive independent of the tolerances of the actuating means is made possible.

[0024] Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in more detail based on preferred embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the principle applies that the exemplary embodiments are not limiting of the invention, but are merely advantageous embodiments. The features indicated can be implemented individually or in combination with further features of the description as well as the claims.
[0025]
FIG. 1 shows a three-dimensional view of an actuator with linearly adjustable actuation means. FIG. 2 shows a view of the actuator of FIG. 1, and FIG. 2 shows the actuator with a housing cover.

Detailed description of the invention

[0026] FIG. 1 shows a three-dimensional view of an actuator 1 in a three-dimensional view and a view of an open housing 2. As shown in FIG. In this embodiment, the actuator 1 has linearly adjustable actuation means 3. The actuating means can serve, for example, to lock the fuel filler flap or the charging plug. In this embodiment, the actuator 1 has a first gear stage as a crown gear stage 4, a second gear stage as a spur gear stage 5, and a third gear stage as a toothed rack stage 6. . The crown gear stage 4 is mounted on the first shaft 7 and the spur gear stage 5 and the toothed rack stage 6 are mounted on the second shaft 8. The gear stages 4, 5, 6 are driven by an electric motor 9 and a drive shaft 10 of the electric motor 9. An electric motor 9 and shafts 7, 8 are received on at least one side of the housing 2.

[0027] The crown gear stage 4 is formed from a drive wheel 11 and an output wheel 12. All gear components 4, 5, 6 are arranged inside 13 of housing 2. The drive wheel 11 is received in a form-fitting manner on the drive shaft 10 of the electric motor 9 . The drive wheel 11 is divided into functional areas. The drive wheel 11 has a receiving area 14 , a gear area 15 and a guiding area 16 in the form of an extension 16 . The crown gear stage 4 further includes a crown gear 17, a guide groove 18, and a spur gear 19. In this embodiment, the crown gear 17, the guide groove 18, and the spur gear 19 are integrally formed.

[0028] In this embodiment, the guide means 20 are formed from an extension 16 on the drive wheel 11 and the guide groove 18 is formed on the output wheel 12. The extension 16 engages in a form-fitting manner in the groove 18 of the output wheel 12, so that a positive engagement and a consequent safe force transmission in the crown gear stage can be achieved. The structural design of the guide means 20 makes it possible to ensure a high functional reliability of the actuator 1 with minimal structural effort and a minimum number of parts.

[0029] The drive shaft 10 is driven via the electric motor 9 to transmit force or torque to the crown gear stage 4. The crown gear 17 is formed integrally with the spur gear 19 and can transmit torque to the spur gear stage 5. The spur gear stage 5 is operatively connected to the gear 21 of the toothed rack stage 6, so that the actuating means 3 can be moved from the housing 2 into the housing 2 by means of the toothed rack stage 6. The actuating means 3 are shown to be movable through the seal. Furthermore, a circumferential housing seal 23 interacts with the housing cover 24 to seal the housing 2.

[0030] Figure 2 shows the actuator 1 in the view according to Figure 1, additionally fitted with a housing cover 24. It can be seen that the housing cover 24 provides bearing means 25, 26, 27 for the actuator 1. The first bearing means 25 are for fixing the electric motor 9 in a secure and play-free manner in the housing 2 . The cylindrical extension 27 serves as bearing means 27 for the shaft 7 of the crown gear 17 of the crown gear stage 4 . It can also be seen that the bearing point 26 of the drive wheel 11 is provided by the housing cover 24. The bearing point 26 engages the extension 16 of the drive wheel 11 at least in a region. Thereby, a bearing point 26 of the drive wheel 1 can be provided by the bearing means 26, and the functional reliability of the actuator 11 can be further increased. As a result of the inventive design of the actuator 1, it is possible to ensure a compact design of the actuator 1, which is able to transmit high forces and which engage with each other even in extreme situations, especially in the crown gear stages 4. Skipping of toothed segments can be prevented.

Explanation of the sign

1...actuator,
2...housing,
3...operating means,
4...Gear stage, crown gear stage,
5...Spur gear stage,
6...Toothed rack stage,
7, 8...axis,
9...Electric motor,
10... Drive shaft,
11... Drive wheel,
12...Output wheel,
13...Inside of the housing,
14...receptive area,
15...Gear area,
16...Guide area, extension part,
17...Crown gear,
18...Guide groove,
19...Spur gear,
20...guidance means,
21...Gear,
22...Seal,
23...housing seal,
24...housing cover,
25, 26, 27...Bearing means.

Claims (10)

an electric motor (9), at least one gear stage (4, 5, 6) connected downstream of said electric motor (9) and having a drive wheel (11) and an output wheel (12); and actuating means ( 3), an actuator (1) for a motor vehicle, in particular for a motor vehicle closing device, comprising:
Said actuation means (3) are operable by said gear stages (4, 5, 6), said gear stages (4, 5, 6) guiding gear components (11, 12) at least in a region. An actuator (1) characterized in that it has means (20) for activating, said gear components (11, 12) being continuously guideable. Actuator (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the gear components (11, 12) have means (16, 18, 20) for guiding. The means for guiding (16, 18, 20) may be provided by a positive fit between the gear components (11, 12), in particular the drive wheel (11) and the output wheel (12). Actuator (1) according to claim 2, characterized in that it can. Actuator (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that at least one gear stage (4, 5, 6) is a crown gear stage (4). Any of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that there are at least two gear stages (4, 5, 6) and at least one gear stage (4, 5, 6) is a crown gear stage (4). The actuator (1) according to item 1. 6. The drive wheel (11) according to claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the drive wheel (11) has an extension (16), which can be guided into the output wheel (12). Actuator (1) according to any one of the claims. 7. The output wheel (12) according to any of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the output wheel (12) has a guide groove (18), and the extension (16) extends at least in an area within the guide groove (18). The actuator (1) according to item 1. Claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the actuator (1) has a housing (2, 24), by means of which the gear stage (4, 5, 6) can be further guided. 7. The actuator (1) according to any one of 7. Actuator (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the extension (16) can be guided by the housing (2, 24). Actuator (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the drive wheel (11) and/or the output wheel (12) can be formed in one piece.

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