WO2012022440A1

WO2012022440A1 - Drive arrangement

Info

Publication number: WO2012022440A1
Application number: PCT/EP2011/003976
Authority: WO
Inventors: Jörg Reinert
Original assignee: Brose Schliesssysteme Gmbh & Co. Kg
Priority date: 2010-08-18
Filing date: 2011-08-09
Publication date: 2012-02-23
Also published as: DE202010011541U1

Abstract

The invention relates to a drive arrangement for motor-powered adjustment of an adjustment element (2) of a motor vehicle lock arrangement (3), having a drive unit (4) for generating a rotational drive movement and a converter (6) for converting the rotational drive movement into an output movement which is essentially linear. It is proposed that the converter (6) has at least one cable arrangement (7) with at least one drive cable (8, 9), that the rotational drive movement brings about, as a function of the direction thereof, twisting of the at least one drive cable (8, 9) or untwisting of the at least one drive cable (8, 9) about a centre line (7c) of the cable arrangement (7), and a change in length of the cable arrangement (7) can be brought about by the twisting or untwisting, thereby generating the essentially linear output movement.

Description

drive arrangement

The present invention relates to a drive arrangement for the motorized adjustment of an adjusting element of a motor vehicle lock arrangement according to the preamble of claim 1 and to a motor vehicle lock arrangement according to the preamble of claim 24.

The motor vehicle lock arrangement in question regularly consists of a motor vehicle lock and a lock wedge arrangement assigned to the motor vehicle lock. In the foreground here is indeed a motor vehicle lock, which is associated with a side door, a tailgate, a tailgate, a trunk lid or hood of a motor vehicle, are also relevant in the present case glove compartment locks, tank lid locks o.

In motor vehicle lock assemblies, there is a general requirement to minimize the noise of each motor operation. A high noise is seen here as a loss of comfort. A known drive arrangement (EP 1 801 332 A2) is used for low-noise motorized lifting of the pawl of a motor vehicle lock by means of a cable drive. The rotational drive movement is converted via the winding of the rope in a substantially linear output movement. This known drive arrangement is inexpensive and robust. For safe operating behavior, constructive measures must be taken so that an orderly winding of the rope takes place.

Another known drive arrangement goes one step further in terms of reducing the noise during the motorized adjustment of a pawl (DE 20 2005 004 391 Ul). It is proposed here that the drive arrangement for generating drive movements has a drive arrangement with a shape memory alloy.

The known drive arrangement (DE 10 2005 052 665 A1), from which the invention proceeds, is associated with a motor vehicle lock arrangement in a variant of a particularly quiet-running closing aid. The drive arrangement

CONFIRMATION COPY tion is equipped with a cable drive, which cooperates either with the latch of the motor vehicle lock or with an adjustable closing wedge. Again, by appropriate design measures to ensure an orderly winding the rope.

The invention is based on the problem to design the known drive arrangement such and further, that a particularly quiet operation with low design effort, especially with small structural limitations, can be realized.

The above problem is solved in a drive assembly according to the preamble of claim 1 by the features of the characterizing part of claim 1. It is essential first of all to realize that the twisting of at least one drive cable about a center line of the cable arrangement leads to a shortening of the cable arrangement as a whole, wherein this shortening can be used as a linear output movement. The centerline is the line along which the at least one drive cable extends. In the event that the cable assembly has exactly one drive cable, the center line preferably extends through the drive cable.

An advantage of the twisting of the at least one drive cable is the fact that the twisting basically proceeds in an orderly fashion, without the need for any additional design measures.

Accordingly, it is proposed that at least one cable arrangement is provided with at least one drive cable, wherein the rotational drive movement of the drive unit causes a twisting of the at least one drive cable or a de-twisting of the at least one drive cable depending on their direction. In this case, it has been recognized, as explained above, that a change in length of the cable arrangement and thus the desired, substantially linear output movement can be generated by the twisting or untwisting. The proposed solution can be structurally particularly easy to implement, since no constructive measures to ensure the orderly Twisting or Entdrillens must be taken. At the same time the noise in the motor adjustment of the adjustment is extremely low. The adjusting element can be coupled directly to the cable arrangement or indirectly, possibly via an intermediate lever or the like, to the cable arrangement.

A particularly simple structure can be achieved according to claim 2, characterized in that the cable assembly has exactly one drive cable, which is twisted around the center line of the cable arrangement.

In a particularly preferred embodiment according to claim 3, on the other hand, it is provided that the cable arrangement has at least two drive cables running side by side, which according to the proposal are twisted together or untwisted from one another. The realization of several drive cables is particularly advantageous with regard to a long service life of the cable arrangement.

With the proposed drive arrangement, however, not only substantially linear output movements, but also rotational output movements can be generated (claim 4). This is because the above twisting or untwisting is always accompanied by a twisting of the cable arrangement about its center line. Hereby, for example, the pivotal movement of a switching element of the motor vehicle lock arrangement can be controlled. The proposed solution has yet another decisive advantage, which results particularly clearly from the preferred embodiment according to claim 5. Here it is provided that the adjusting element is adjustable at least in an end position in block operation. The block operation has proven itself in the field of motor vehicle locks, since this can be dispensed with costly limit switch. In block mode, the end position is either simply accepted after expiry of a certain power-up time or detected by an overcurrent detection. Both variants can be realized with little effort. It is essential in the preferred embodiment according to claim 5, that the block operation by twisting the at least one drive cable, so a Shortening of the cable arrangement up to a mechanical stop, can be realized. Particularly advantageous is the fact that the twisting with a suitable design of the at least one drive cable is accompanied by a certain elasticity in the drive train. This leads to a "soft" blocking of the adjustment of the adjusting element, which is also referred to as "soft stop" and is advantageous in particular with regard to the noise reduction.The proposed solution thus enables the realization of the block operation with "soft stop" without having to take any constructive measures for the "soft stop".

In the further preferred embodiment according to claim 9, the cable assembly is guided over a cable guide tube or a cable guide rod. This makes it possible to realize a particularly high degree of operational reliability in the motorized adjustment of the adjusting element.

In the further preferred embodiment according to claim 21, it is provided that the end positions of the adjusting element correspond to Verdrillwinkeln, which are slightly below a critical Verdrillwinkels. The term "twist angle" refers to the absolute angle of a rotary drive movement starting from the non-twisted state, where the twist angle is several times greater than 360 ° skipping the drive cables leads. When twisting the drive cables extend substantially along helixformiger curves that closer and closer together in approaching the critical twist angle. When the critical twist angle is reached, there is no room for further tightening so that the drive cables are skipped, which is fundamentally accompanied by the risk of disorderly twisting. Accordingly, in the variant preferred here, it is proposed that the end positions of the adjusting element correspond to twisting angles which are at least slightly below the critical twisting angle.

According to another teaching, which also has independent significance, a motor vehicle lock arrangement according to claim 24 is claimed. It is essential that the motor vehicle lock arrangement is equipped with an adjusting element and with a proposed drive arrangement for the motorized adjustment of the adjusting element. Reference may be made to all versions of the proposed drive arrangement.

In the particularly preferred embodiment according to claim 27, the drive assembly is part of a Zuziehhilfsanordnung, by means of the drive assembly, the latch of the motor vehicle lock, possibly via the operation of at least one intermediate lever, can be brought from a Vorschließstellung motor in a main closed position. It has been shown in experiments that this application provides particularly good results with regard to the required force generation on the one hand and with regard to the resulting noise development on the other hand.

The invention will be explained in more detail below with reference to a drawing showing merely exemplary embodiments. In the drawing shows

1 is a motor vehicle lock assembly with a proposed drive assembly in a partially sectioned plan view,

Fig. 2 shows a further proposed drive arrangement in a sectional side view and

3 shows a further proposed drive arrangement in a view according to FIG. 2.

It must be pointed out in advance that only the components of the proposed drive arrangement or the proposed motor vehicle lock arrangement are shown in the drawing, which are necessary for the explanation of the teaching.

The drive assemblies 1 shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 are of a basically similar construction and differ only in some features, as will become apparent from the following explanations. While the illustration of FIG. 1 shows a proposed drive assembly 1 based on a concrete construction of a Kjaftfahrzeugschlossanordnung 3, it is 2 and 3 in each case to a very schematic representation of a proposed drive assembly 1. The following statements always apply to all embodiments, unless express reference is made to only one of the embodiments.

The drive assembly 1 is used for the motorized adjustment of an adjusting element 2 of a motor vehicle lock assembly 3. The drive assembly 1 is equipped with a drive unit 4 for generating a rotary drive movement, which has a drive motor 5 and possibly a drive downstream of the drive 5 transmission. In a particularly preferred embodiment can be dispensed with such a downstream transmission.

The drive arrangement 1 is equipped with a converter 6 for converting the rotary drive movement into a substantially linear output movement. The term "essentially linear output motion" is to be understood widely in the present case, and this also includes output movements which, for example, extend tangentially to a pivot axis 2a. This is thus provided in the arrangement shown in the drawing.

The converter 6 has a cable arrangement 7. In an embodiment not shown, the cable assembly 7 is equipped with exactly one drive cable, wherein the rotational drive movement causes depending on the direction of a twisting of a drive cable or a de-twisting of a drive cable around the center line 7c of the cable assembly 7 and by twisting or Entdrillen a change in length of the cable assembly 7 and thus the substantially linear output movement can be generated.

In a particularly preferred embodiment, however, it is provided that the cable assembly 7 has at least two adjacent drive cables 8, 9. Here and preferably exactly two drive cables 8, 9 are provided. For the application examples discussed here, it has proved to be advantageous if up to five drive cables 8, 9 are provided. All following explanations for an arrangement with two drive cables 8, 9 apply correspondingly to an arrangement with exactly one drive cable and to an arrangement with more than two drive cables. It is essential in the exemplary embodiments shown that the rotational drive movement of the drive unit 4, here the drive motor 5, depending on their direction, a twisting of the drive cables 8, 9 with each other or a de-twisting of the drive cables 8, 9 causes each other, wherein by twisting or Entdrillen a change in length of the cable assembly 7 and thus the desired, substantially linear output movement can be generated.

In the drawing, the cable assembly 7 at the drive end end 7a is rotatable, but axially immovable and rotationally fixed at the output end 7b, but axially displaceable, namely arranged on the adjusting element 2. The axis of rotation corresponds to the center line 7c of the cable arrangement 7.

The adjusting element 2 is here and preferably an actuating lever 10, which is pivotable about a pivot axis 2a. A twisting of the drive cables 8, 9 causes a shortening of the cable arrangement 7, which is necessarily connected to an adjustment of the adjustment element 2 in Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 to the left.

The twisting or untwisting of the drive cables 8, 9 is always accompanied by a twisting of the cable arrangement 7 about its center line 7c. This has already been mentioned above. In a particularly preferred embodiment, this is used for generating a rotational output movement at a point of the cable arrangement 7. This makes it possible to produce with the one drive arrangement 1 both a linear output movement and a rotational output movement. In this case, the output movement at a location on the drive-side end 7a of the cable arrangement 7 is more pronounced than at a point on the output-side end 7b of the cable arrangement 7.

Here and preferably, the adjusting element 2 is adjustable at least in an end position in block operation. In the exemplary embodiments shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the adjusting element 2 runs in front of a block 1 1 in the case of an adjustment directed towards the drive unit 4. It is understood that this adjustment goes back to a shortening of the cable arrangement 7. The adjustment of the adjusting element 2 against a block 11 can be used for the automatic shutdown of the drive unit 4, here the drive motor 5. In this case, it is preferable for the drive unit 4 to switch off when the blocking of the adjusting element 2 is detected, the detection of the blocking being zugsweise on an overcurrent detection o. The like. Going back. Particularly advantageous here is the fact that the cable assembly 7 during the twisting of the drive cables 8, 9 usually still has a certain elasticity, as far as the twist angle is below the already explained critical twist angle. This makes it easy to implement the block operation with the already explained "soft stop".

Numerous variants are conceivable for the design of the at least one drive cable 8, 9. Regardless of the number of drive cables 8, 9 find preferably beaten ropes application.

In the event that the cable assembly 7 has a single drive cable, it is preferably such that the drive cable is configured accordingly as a beaten rope, wherein the direction of twisting is rectified to the direction of impact of a drive cable. This prevents that the shock of the drive cable dissolves when twisting.

It is different if the cable arrangement 7 has at least two drive cables 8, 9. Preferably, the drive cables 8, 9 are designed in each case as struck cables with the same impact direction, the direction of twisting being preferably opposite to the direction of impact of the drive cables 8, 9. The goal here is again to prevent loosening of the shock of the drive cables 8, 9 during twisting. The drive cables 8, 9 can also be designed as braided ropes. In this case, the twisting can readily take place in one or the other direction.

It has been shown in experiments that the use of a braided rope offers particular advantages in a cable arrangement 7 with only a single drive cable. In particular, a particularly ordered winding behavior of a drive cable during twisting has been shown.

In certain applications, it may be advantageous, in particular with regard to the elastic behavior of the drive cables 8, 9, to use the drive cables 8, 9 as Monofilaments, and not as above composed of a number of fibers.

For the material of the drive cables 8, 9 numerous variants are conceivable. Pre preferably find high-strength plastic materials, especially Kevlar ^®, polyester, polyethylene o. Like. Application.

It is also conceivable that the drive cables 8, 9 or the fibers of the drive cables 8, 9 are coated in order to reduce the friction generated during twisting and the wear occurring during twisting.

Finally, it is conceivable that the drive cables 8, 9 have an absorbent fiber core which is treated in such a way that a friction-reducing substance emerges from it under tensile loading.

Other variants for the design of the drive cables 8, 9 are possible. It must be made clear that all statements on the design of the at least two drive cables 8, 9 also apply to a drive cable, which is the only drive cable of the cable arrangement 7.

In the illustrated and insofar preferred embodiments, the drive cables 8, 9 have the same diameter. However, it can also be advantageous that drive cables 8, 9 of different diameters find application. In this context, one possible variant is that the radially inner lying drive cables 8, 9 have a larger diameter than the radially outer drive cables. The term "radial" here always refers to the center line 7c of the cable arrangement 7. It is also conceivable that a central drive cable 8, 9 is provided with a diameter which is greater than the diameter of the remaining drive cables 8, 9.

Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 show that the cable assembly 7 is surrounded at least over part of its length by a cable guide tube 12. This cable guide tube 12 protects the drive cables 8, 9 against environmental influences such as moisture and dirt. In addition, it can be used to mechanically connect the drive unit 4 to the motor vehicle lock arrangement 3, provided that the drive unit 4 is separated from the motor vehicle lock arrangement 3 in the rest. gene is arranged. The cable guide tube 12 may in principle be part of a housing of the motor vehicle lock assembly 3.

Instead of the above Seilfuhrungsrohrs 12 may also be provided a cable guide rod, in which case the cable assembly 7 surrounds the cable guide rod at least over part of its length.

The cable guide tube 12 or the cable guide rod can be designed straight as shown in the drawing, or bent. For optimal utilization of the existing space but it may also be provided that the cable guide tube 12 or the cable guide rod is designed to be flexible. In the case of the application of a cable guide tube 12 then results in a first approximation, an arrangement in the manner of a Bowden cable.

The illustration according to FIG. 2 shows that the drive cables 8, 9 in the non-twisted state each have a clear distance from one another, which is preferably at least the diameter of the drive cables 8, 9. If the drive cables 8, 9 have different diameters, the clearance is preferably at least the diameter of the diameter-strongest drive cable 8, 9. By a suitable adjustment of this distance, the orderly twisting of the drive cables 8, 9 can be further optimized.

It can be seen from the illustration in the figures, the fact that at the drive end end 7a and the output side end 7b of the cable assembly 7 each Seilaufiiahme 13, 14 is provided for the drive cables 8, 9, here and preferably the drive-side Seilaufiiahme 13 in one Swivel bearing 15 is mounted, which further preferably also provides an axial bearing 16 for the Seilaufiiahme 13.

The drive-side Seilaufiiahme 13 is coupled in the illustrated and so far preferred embodiment with a drive shaft 17 of the drive unit 4, in particular connected. In principle, the drive-side Seilaufiiahme 13 may also be an integral part of the drive shaft 17 of the drive unit 4. The drive-side Seilaufiiahme 13 is preferably a possibly multi-piece plastic part, at least in sections has been produced by plastic injection molding. The same is preferably true for the output side cable receptacle 14th

The output-side cable receptacle 14 is preferably mounted rotatably relative to the center line 7c of the cable arrangement 7. This non-rotatable mounting on the adjusting element 2 in the present case to some extent forms the counter bearing for the twisting movement.

The drive cables 8, 9 run in the embodiment shown in FIG. 2 at the drive-side end 7 a and the output-side end 7 b of the cable arrangement 7 each eccentric to the center line 7 c of the cable assembly 7 in the respective cable holder 13, 14 a. In the embodiment shown in Fig. 1, this is only provided on the drive-side end 7a. It has been shown in experiments that with such, eccentric running-in of the drive cables 8, 9, an orderly twisting can be achieved even under extreme environmental influences such as vibrations or the like.

However, in the above, eccentric running-in of the drive cables 8, 9, it must also be ensured that no radial kink occurs at the respective cable entry point 13a, 14a during the twisting in the drive cable 8, 9. By "radial kink" is meant a kink, which is due to a radial change in direction of the rope course.

The formation of kinks would lead to notch effects that would reduce the service life of the respective drive cable 8, 9. It is therefore proposed that an expansion device 18, 19 is provided on the drive-side end 7a or on the output-side end 7b of the cable arrangement 7 on the respective cable receptacle 13, 14, which in a region in front of the respective cable entry point 13a, 14a has a radial minimum position of the drive cables 8 9 ensures that no kinking occurs at the respective cable inlet point 13a, 14a during twisting in the drive cable 8, 9.

Particularly good results with regard to the service life of the drive cables 8, 9 have been found when the expansion device 18, 19 is configured substantially conically, as shown, on the center line 7c of the cable arrangement 7 is aligned and, essentially conically tapered, extending from the cable inlet point 13a, 14a of the drive cables 8, 9 away.

An interesting feature of the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1 is the fact that a widening device 18 is provided only at the drive-side end 7 a of the cable arrangement 7.

The embodiment according to FIG. 1 is also interesting with regard to the fixing of the drive cables 8, 9 in the drive-side cable receiver 13. Here it is provided that the drive cables 8, 9 are connected to each other within the cable receptacle 13 and clamped together by means of a clamping element 20. In principle, it is conceivable that the clamping element 20 is designed in the manner of a clamping bush. Advantageously, the clamping element 20 is designed metallic and always exerts a certain tension on the drive cables 8, 9 from. Alternatively or additionally, it can be provided that the above connection of the drive cables 8, 9 is provided on the output-side cable receptacle 14.

Particularly advantageous in terms of manufacturing technology is an embodiment in which the drive cables 8, 9, in particular the above clamping element 20, are encapsulated in the plastic injection molding process at the drive-side end 7a and / or at the output-side end 7b of the cable arrangement 7. Other mounting options include gluing, pressing, welding o. Like ..

It has been pointed out above that with the proposed drive arrangement 1, rotational output movements can also be generated. It is preferably such that an adjustable, in particular pivotable switching element 25, 30 is provided, which is pivotable by means of the output torque in different switching positions. It is further preferably provided that the transition from one switching position to the other switching position requires overcoming a certain overturning moment. This makes it possible to ensure that the switching of the switching element 25, 30 proceeds in a reproducible manner.

The switching element 25, 30 may have very different functions. In general, it may be advantageous that the switching element 25, 30 Part of a clutch assembly or a switchable gear assembly is. This will be explained in detail below.

Fig. 3 shows a proposed drive assembly 1, the basic structure corresponds to the structure of the drive assembly 1 shown in FIG. 2. In the sense of a clear representation, the guide tube 12 has been omitted in Fig. 3. Fig. 3 shows two advantageous variants for the use of the above-mentioned output torque. In a preferred variant, a driver 27 is provided here, which is rotatable about a driver axis 27a and which is penetrated by the two drive cables 8, 9. In this case, the drive cables 8, 9 extend in each case at the same distance from the driver axle 27a through the driver 27. The twisting of the drive cables 8, 9 is thus accompanied by a rotation of the driver 27 about its driver axis 27a. About the rocker 28, which is pivotable about the rocker axis 28a, the rotational output movement of the driver 27 is directed to the switching element 25. The above-mentioned tilting moment is realized here and preferably via a tilt spring 26. A variant, which in principle can also be provided in addition to the above embodiment "with driver 27", is that a switching element 30 can be coupled to the output-side cable receiver 14. Here, the cable-side cable receiver 14 with the switching element 30 is around the switching element axis 29 Here, too, it is advantageously provided that the transition from one switching position to the other switching position requires overcoming a certain overturning moment be referred to the following explanations.

Fig. 1 shows an embodiment in which the adjusting element 2 is adjustable between at least two end positions, wherein the drive cables 8, 9 in all end positions at least slightly twisted and thus slightly axially, ie in the direction of the center line 7c of the cable assembly 7, are biased. This can be advantageous to avoid unwanted play in the drive train and to ensure a direct response of the converter 6 to a rotary drive movement of the drive unit 4.

Fig. 2, however, shows that the drive cables 8, 9 are not twisted in the illustrated end position. This is advantageous in that before twisting a certain freewheel arises, which favors the easy starting of the drive motor 5.

The geometry of the proposed cable arrangement 7 always results in the above-mentioned, critical twist angle whose exceeding leads to skipping the drive cables 8, 9. Preferably, it is now provided that the end positions of the adjusting element 2 correspond to Verdrillwinkeln, which are at least slightly below the critical twist angle, in particular at least below 98% of the critical twist angle. This ensures the above-mentioned skipping of the drive cables 8, 9.

Also interesting is the effect that the elasticity of the cable assembly 7 is virtually zero when reaching the critical twist angle. So if the above block operation with "soft stop" can be realized, it is advisable to design the arrangement so that when blocking a significant distance to the critical twist angle is maintained.

With the proposed drive arrangement 1 only tensile stresses can be applied to the adjusting element 2. Accordingly, it is preferably such that the adjusting element 2 is spring-loaded in such a way that the drive arrangement 1 permits bi-directional motor adjustability of the adjusting element 2. In this context, it can also be provided that the adjusting element 2 is spring-loaded, in particular by means of an ippfeder, in such a way that the adjusting element 2 can be adjusted to and fro between two end positions is. Again, the drive assembly 1 exerts exclusively tensile stresses on the adjusting element 2.

Alternatively, it is possible that the converter 6 comprises two cable assemblies 7, wherein the one cable arrangement of the adjustment of the adjusting element 2 in a Adjusting direction and the other cable arrangement of the adjustment of the adjusting element 2 in the other adjustment direction is used.

For the embodiment of the proposed motor vehicle lock assembly 3 numerous variants are conceivable. Advantageously, the motor vehicle lock arrangement 2 is equipped with a motor vehicle lock 21 with the closing elements latch 22 and pawl (not shown). Furthermore, the motor vehicle lock arrangement 3 is regularly assigned a closing wedge arrangement 23 assigned to the motor vehicle lock 21.

Preferably, the drive assembly 1 is part of the motor vehicle lock 21, as shown in the drawing. Alternatively, it can also be provided that the drive assembly 1 is part of the striker assembly 23.

The motor vehicle lock 21 is preferably designed as a motor vehicle door lock, which may be associated with a side door, a rear door, a tailgate, a trunk lid or a hood of a motor vehicle. In this case, the motor vehicle lock 21 is preferably equipped with a lock mechanism, wherein the lock mechanism can be brought into different functional states such as "locked" and "unlocked". In the functional state "unlocked", the associated motor vehicle door or the like can be opened by actuating an inside door handle and an outside door handle. "Locked" in the functional state can not be opened from the outside, but from the inside. Other exemplary functional states are the known functional states "anti-theft" and "child-proof". To set the various functional states, at least one adjustable functional element is provided here and preferably. Preferably, the drive assembly 1 is part of the lock mechanism, wherein by means of the drive assembly 1, the functional element of the lock mechanism, possibly via the operation of at least one intermediate lever, can be brought into different functional positions by a motor. Here, the functional element or an element coupled to the functional element corresponds to a control element 2 in the above sense. Alternatively, the functional element may be an above switching element 25, 30 or coupled to a switching element 25, 30. In the illustrated and so far preferred embodiment, it is provided that the drive assembly 1 is part of a Zuziehhilfsanordnung and that by means of the drive assembly 1, the latch 22 of the motor vehicle lock 21 in the above sense, here and preferably via the operation of an intermediate lever (14), motor from a Vorschließstellung in the illustrated main closed position can be brought. For this purpose, the drive assembly 1 engages the actuating lever 2 (adjusting), which can be brought via the intermediate lever 24 into engagement with the latch 22.

In another preferred variant, it is also provided that the drive assembly 1 is part of a Zuziehhilfsanordnung. However, it is here so that by means of the drive arrangement, a closing wedge 23 a of the striker assembly 23, possibly via the actuation of at least one intermediate lever, can be brought from a prelocking position into a main closed position by a motor. It can be provided, for example, that the adjustable striker 23a or a lever coupled to the striker 23a is an adjusting element 2 in the above sense.

The proposed solution is found to be particularly advantageous in the design of the drive assembly as part of a Zuziehhilfe. One reason for this is that for the implementation of Zuziehhilfsfunktion forces of considerable height must be applied, which can be handled by twisting the drive cables with a suitable design easily.

The considerable amount of the above forces leads to problems with the aforementioned noise reduction requirements, in particular if the cinching assistance function is to be executed in block operation. Again, the proposed solution is particularly advantageous, since the "soft stop" effect described above can be realized without further ado.

Even with the applications "closing aid" and "opening aid", the above-mentioned rotary output movement can preferably be used advantageously with the realization of a shift lever 25, 30 advantageous. For example, the shift lever 25, 30 in one pivot position, a low gear ratio and in the other switching position, a high gear ratio between the linear drive movement and the desired setting movement. This can be advantageous if, in normal operation, jamming of the closing wedge or the latch or the pawl occurs. In such a case, the direction of rotation of the drive motor 5 is reversed, which leads to a switching of the switching element 25, 30 after exceeding the above tilting moment. The resulting, high gear ratio then leads to an execution of the Zuziehhilfsfünktion or the Öffhungshilfsfunktion with a correspondingly higher output force.

As part of the Öffhungshilfe an advantageous variant is to use the switching element 25, 30 in terms of a central locking lever, for example, to set the functional state "unlocked" and "locked". For electric locks, this is a particularly compact variant for the realization of mechanical redundancy.

Another preferred variant provides that the proposed drive assembly 1 is part of a motor Öffhungshilfe, by means of the drive assembly 1, the pawl of the motor vehicle lock 21, possibly via the operation of at least one intermediate lever, can be lifted. It is conceivable here that the pawl or a lever coupled to the pawl is an adjusting element 2 in the above sense.

Another preferred embodiment is that the motor vehicle lock assembly 3 is associated with a tank lid. Such lock arrangements regularly have a simple adjustable locking element, which must be adjusted by motor to unlock. Preferably, this blocking element or a lever coupled to the blocking element is an adjusting element 2 in the above sense.

Finally, it is conceivable that the motor vehicle lock assembly 3 is assigned to a glove box, wherein here also a simple blocking element can be provided. It is conceivable that the blocking element or a lever coupled to the blocking element is designed as an adjusting element 2 in the above sense.

Claims

claims

1. Drive arrangement for the motorized adjustment of an adjusting element (2) of a motor vehicle lock arrangement (3), comprising a drive unit (4) for generating a rotary drive movement and a converter (6) for converting the rotary drive movement into a substantially linear output movement,

characterized,

the converter (6) has at least one cable arrangement (7) with at least one drive cable (8, 9) such that the rotational drive movement, depending on the direction thereof, causes the at least one drive cable (8, 9) to twist or untwist the at least one drive cable Drive cable (8, 9) about a center line (7c) causes the cable assembly (7) and by twisting or untwisting a change in length of the cable assembly (7) and thus the substantially linear output movement is generated.

2. Drive arrangement according to claim 1, characterized in that the cable arrangement (7) has exactly one drive cable, that the rotational drive movement depending on their direction, a twisting of the drive rope or a de-twisting of the drive cable about the center line (7c) of the cable arrangement (7) causes and by twisting or untwisting a change in length of the cable assembly (7) and thus the substantially linear output movement can be generated.

3. Drive arrangement according to claim 1, characterized in that the cable arrangement (7) at least two juxtaposed drive cables (8, 9), that the rotational drive movement in dependence on the direction of a twisting of the drive cables (8, 9) with each other or a Untwisting the drive cables (8, 9) from each other about the center line (7c) causes the cable assembly (7) and by twisting or untwisting a change in length of the cable assembly (7) and thus the substantially linear output motion can be generated.

4. Drive arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that by twisting or untwisting at one point of the rope Arrangement (7) a rotational output movement about the center line (7c) of the cable assembly (7) can be generated.

5. Drive arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the adjusting element (2) at least in an end position in

Block operation is adjustable and that this adjustment by a twisting of the at least one drive cable (8, 9) can be generated, preferably, that the drive unit (4) when blocking the adjustment (2) switches off, more preferably, that the detection of blocking on an overcurrent detection o. The like goes back.

6. Drive arrangement according to claim 2 and optionally according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that the drive cable is designed as a beaten rope and that the direction of twisting is rectified to the direction of impact of a drive rope.

7. Drive arrangement according to claim 3 and optionally according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that the drive cables (8, 9) are designed as beaten ropes with the same direction of impact, preferably that the direction of twisting to the direction of impact of the drive cables (8, 9) is opposite.

8. Drive arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least one drive cable (8, 9) comprises a fiber material containing Kevlar ^® , polyester, polyethylene or the like.

9. Drive arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the cable arrangement (7) is surrounded by a cable guide tube (12) at least over part of its length, or in that the cable arrangement (7) surrounds a cable guide bar over at least part of its length ,

10. Drive arrangement according to claim 3 and optionally according to one of claims 4 to 9, characterized in that the drive cables (8, 9) in the non-twisted state each have a clearance from one another, preferably that the clear distance of the drive cables (8, 9) of each other at least the diameter of the drive cables (8, 9) or at least the diameter of the diameter-strongest drive cable (8, 9).

11. Drive arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at the drive-side end (7a) and at the output end (7b) of the cable assembly (7) each have a cable receptacle (13, 14) for the at least one drive cable (8, 9) is, preferably, that the drive-side cable receptacle (13) is mounted in a pivot bearing (15), more preferably that the pivot bearing (15) and an axial bearing (16) for the cable receptacle (13) provides.

12. Drive arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the output-side cable receptacle (14) relative to the center line (7c) of the cable assembly (7) is rotatably mounted.

13. Drive arrangement according to claims 3, 11 and possibly according to claim 12, characterized in that the drive cables (8, 9) at the drive end (7a) and / or at the output end (7b) of the cable assembly (7) each eccentric to the center line (7c) of the cable arrangement (7) in the respective cable receptacle (13, 14) run into. 14. Drive arrangement according to claim 13, characterized in that on the drive-side end (7a) and / or on the driven-side end (7b) of the cable arrangement (7) on the respective cable receptacle (13, 14) an expansion device (18, 19) is provided, in a region in front of the respective cable entry point (13a, 14a) ensures a radial minimum position of the drive cables (8, 9) such that no radial kink occurs at the respective cable entry point (13a, 14a) during twisting in the drive cable (8, 9) , preferably that in the respective cable receptacle (13,

14) incoming drive cables (8, 9) to the expansion device (18, 19) nestle.

15. Drive arrangement according to claim 14, characterized in that the expansion device (18, 19) is configured substantially conically, on the center line (7c) of the cable assembly (7) is aligned and, conically tapering substantially, from the cable inlet point (13a , 14a) of the drive cables (8, 9) extends away.

16. Drive arrangement according to claim 3 and optionally according to one of claims 4 to 15, characterized in that the drive cables (8, 9) at the non-Nebsseitigen end (7a) and / or at the output-side end (7b) of the cable arrangement (7) within the respective cable receptacle (13, 14) connected to each other, in particular by means of a clamping element (20) are clamped together, preferably, that the clamping element (20) is designed in the manner of a clamping bush.

17. Drive arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least one drive cable (8, 9) on the drive side

End (7 a) and / or at the output end (7 b) of the cable assembly (7) in the plastic injection molding is encapsulated.

18. Drive arrangement according to claim 4 and optionally according to one of claims 5 to 17, characterized in that a particular pivotable switching element (25, 30) is provided which is adjustable by means of the rotary output movement in different switching positions, in particular pivotable, preferably, that the transition from one shift position to the other shift position requires overcoming a tilting moment.

19. Drive arrangement according to claim 18, characterized in that the switching element (25) or with the switching element (25) coupled intermediate element (27) at one point between the two cable receptacles (13, 14) is coupled to the cable assembly (7), or that the switching element (30) is coupled to the drive-side cable receptacle (14).

20. Drive arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the adjusting element (2) is adjustable between at least two end positions and that the drive cables (8, 9) are at least slightly twisted in all end positions and thus at least slightly biased axially.

21. Drive arrangement according to claim 3 and optionally according to one of claims 4 to 20, characterized in that from the geometry of the cable arrangement (7) results in a critical Verdrillwinkel whose exceeding leads to a skipping of the drive cables (8, 9), and that the end positions of the adjustment Elements (2) correspond to Verdrillwinkeln that are at least slightly below the critical twist angle, in particular at least below 98% of the critical twist angle.

22. Drive arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the adjusting element (2) is spring-loaded such that the drive arrangement (1) allows a bidirectional motor adjustment of the adjusting element (2).

23. Drive arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the converter (6) has two cable arrangements and that the one cable arrangement (7) of the adjustment of the adjusting element (2) in an adjustment direction and the other cable arrangement (7) of the adjustment of the adjustment (2) serves in the other adjustment direction.

24. Motor vehicle lock arrangement with an adjusting element (2) and with a drive arrangement (1) for the motorized adjustment of the adjusting element (2), characterized

in that the drive arrangement (1) is designed according to one of the preceding claims.

25. Motor vehicle lock arrangement according to claim 24, characterized in that the motor vehicle lock arrangement (3) has a motor vehicle lock (21) with the closing elements latch (22) and pawl and possibly a motor vehicle lock (21) associated with the striker assembly (23) and that the drive arrangement ( 1) is part of the motor vehicle lock (21) or the striker assembly (23).

26. A motor vehicle lock arrangement according to claim 24 or 25, characterized in that the motor vehicle lock (21) has a lock mechanism and that the lock mechanism can be brought into different functional states such as "locked" and "unlocked" that at least one adjustable to adjust the various functional states Functional element is provided that the drive assembly (1) is part of the lock mechanism and that by means of the drive assembly (1) the functional element, possibly via the actuator tion of at least one intermediate lever, can be brought into different functional positions by motor.

27. Motor vehicle lock arrangement according to claim 24 or 25, characterized in that the drive arrangement (1) is part of a Zuziehhilfsanordnung and that by means of the drive assembly (1) the latch (22) of the motor vehicle lock (21), possibly via the operation of at least one intermediate lever ( 24), can be brought from a prelocking position into a main closed position by a motor.

28. Motor vehicle lock arrangement according to claim 24 or 25, characterized in that the drive arrangement (1) is part of a Zuziehhilfs- arrangement and that by means of the drive assembly (1) a closing wedge (23a) of the closing wedge assembly (23), optionally via the operation of at least one Intermediate lever, motor can be brought from a prelocking in a main closed position.

29. Motor vehicle lock arrangement according to claim 24 or 25, characterized in that the drive arrangement (1) is part of a motor opening aid and that by means of the drive arrangement (1), the pawl of the motor vehicle lock (21), possibly via the operation of at least one intermediate lever, motorized lift is.