WO2012031586A2

WO2012031586A2 - Actuator for a motor vehicle

Info

Publication number: WO2012031586A2
Application number: PCT/DE2011/001695
Authority: WO
Inventors: Madhu S. Basavarajappa; Nicolas Cavalie; Bernardo Erices; Frank Kunst
Original assignee: Kiekert Aktiengesellschaft
Priority date: 2010-09-09
Filing date: 2011-09-07
Publication date: 2012-03-15
Also published as: DE102010040522A1; WO2012031586A3

Abstract

The aim of the invention is to further develop actuators known from the prior art. To this end, an actuator especially comprises an electric motor and a bolt that can be moved using the electric motor. The actuator additionally comprises a rotatable lever which allows the bolt to be mechanically retracted from the locking position thereof.

Description

Actuator for a motor vehicle

The invention relates to an actuator in particular for a

Motor vehicle with the features of the preamble of claim 1. The document DE 10259465 AI discloses an actuator for a fuel filler flap lock of a motor vehicle with an electric motor, which is able to rotate a spindle. A rotational movement of the spindle causes a linear displacement of a bolt. The bolt can thus be moved from a starting position to a locking position and vice versa. The latch is sealed to the outside by a bellows to protect the actuator from moisture and dirt. From the document DE 19642687 AI an actuator is known with which the connection of a charging plug and a charging socket for charging the battery of an electric motor vehicle is locked.

The document DE 102 14398 AI discloses a device which can be used for example for locking / unlocking of motor vehicle door locks, wherein the device with a

Shape memory element is equipped.

It is an object of the invention to provide a more advanced actuator.

To solve the problem, an actuator comprises a movable by means of a drive bolt. The bolt can be moved by means of the drive between a starting position and a locking position back and forth. It is in the drive in particular an electric drive. However, it may also be, for example, a pneumatic drive or a drive that converts heat into mechanical work, for example with the aid of a shape memory alloy.

But the drive can also only the bolt electrically into one

Move direction. The movement in the other direction then takes place with the aid of a tensioned spring.

The actuator thus includes, for example, the preloaded spring already described in the unpublished German patent application 102010029446, which is capable of moving the latch in a predetermined direction due to its bias, such as in the latching position. The latch can then be moved by the spring, for example in its locking position, in particular following a release of a lock. The disclosure content of this German application we include in the disclosure of the present application with a.

If a drive in the sense of the present application is present, it is not necessary to perform a corresponding work for moving the bolt manually. For example, the drive is an electric motor in order to move the bolt, for example in the manner known from the publication DE 10259465 A1, into an interlocking position. But a bolt can also be moved electrically in other ways, for example by means of an electromagnet.

In addition, the actuator for solving the task comprises a rotatably mounted lever with which the bolt manually, ie

manually operated from its locking position can be moved mechanically by a rotary motion to its original position. A person can thus grab the lever, for example, on a handle element and turn it by hand so that the bolt is thereby moved to its non-locking starting position. In a motor vehicle there is a need to be able to lock components, in particular those components that are accessible from the outside. An example of such a component is a flap for covering a capped tank filler neck to protect the contents of the tank from unauthorized access. Another example is a locking of a connection between a charging socket of a

Electric vehicle and a charging plug for charging the battery from the well-known in the document DE 19642687 AI reasons.

With the help of an electric drive, such locking can be carried out conveniently and also automatically. For example, for automatic locking, a charging socket has a sensor that can detect when a charging plug has been completely pushed into the charging socket. The sensor then activates the electric drive, which then moves the latch into its locking position.

However, if the electrical system or electronics of such an actuator disturbed, so can not be unlocked with the help of the electric drive. In the case of a flap that covers a filler neck, but unlocking is necessary to move a vehicle despite appropriately disturbed electrical or electronics can. In the case of one

locked connection between a charging socket and a

The charging plug must also be able to reliably unlock independently of any electrical or electronic faults

Vehicle to continue driving at short notice after a recharge. For this reason, the actuator according to the invention comprises a rotatably mounted lever, with which the bolt can be manually moved out of its locking position out. Of the

Actuator according to the main claim thus has a rotating mechanism for an emergency release, which can be operated manually. If the actuator is used according to the main claim in a motor vehicle, then there is the problem that the actuator must be able to cope with extreme environmental conditions. On the one hand, such an actuator is to be designed so that it has grown large temperature differences. He is to continue to construct that way

Splashing water, impact, dust and falling rocks is not damaged. To meet such requirements, is the for the

Emergency release lever provided rotatably mounted. A rotatable mounting can be especially compared to a sliding

Store particularly reliably dense without moisture or dust can pass through the seal or damage the seal. The rotatable lever is therefore of particular advantage especially when the components of the actuator, which are housed within the housing of the actuator, to be protected from dust and moisture.

The provided for emergency release rotatable lever can and should be arranged in the case of a motor vehicle so that it can be operated only from the interior of a vehicle either directly or indirectly, for example by means of a Bowden cable to the bolt of the actuator in its non-locking

To move position. Since motor vehicles are basically designed such that at least one vehicle door and / or flap can also be opened purely mechanically with the aid of a key, a driver of the motor vehicle can gain access to the interior of his vehicle even if an electrical system provided for locking or Electronics is disturbed. From the inside, the driver can then manually manipulate said rotary lever of the actuator to move the latch out of its locking position. If necessary, a vehicle can be refueled or a charging plug can be removed from a charging socket be able to reliably continue a journey with the motor vehicle at short notice.

In a particularly simple embodiment of the invention, the rotatable lever comprises a rotatable inner lever, which is connected via a rotatably mounted axle with a rotatable outer lever. The inner lever is located inside the housing of the

Actuator and therefore can not be operated manually. Of the

Outside lever is located outside the actuator housing and can therefore be manually operated. The rotatably mounted axis passes through the housing of the actuator. If the outer lever is rotated, the rotational movement is transmitted via the axis to the inner lever. The Innenhebei is able to move the bolt to its original position by a corresponding rotational movement. Such an embodiment realized on technical

particularly simple and reliable way the desired

Emergency release.

In one embodiment of the invention, the actuator comprises a catch which locks the bolt in its initial position. The catch avoids the latch starting from its locking

Moved position to its original position and here undesirably moved back a little due to a rebound. The catch avoids technically simple way such an undesirable rebound effect. By the latch is moved with sufficient force in the direction of the locking position, the latch is moved out of its locked position. This releasable latching connection with a catch in an actuator is an independent invention, which can be realized independently of the other features mentioned in the claims. In one embodiment, the catch comprises a Rasfnase which engages in a locking groove when the bolt is moved to its initial position and reaches it. The detent may be resiliently connected to the latch. Inside the case is one with it

corresponding locking groove present, in which the spring-mounted locking lug is locked in the starting position. Conversely, however, the locking groove instead of the detent may be resiliently mounted, so for example by a resilient attachment to a housing inner wall. It is also possible that a detent groove is connected to the latch and an associated detent with the housing of the actuator.

In one embodiment, in the locking position, the latch is latched by or through the aforementioned catch to prevent backward movement due to rebound when the latch is moved to the end position. There can be two

correspondingly arranged locking grooves may be present. In the

Starting position engages the latch in one end position. In the locking position, the detent latches in the other detent groove. But it can also be present two correspondingly arranged locking lugs and a groove to lock both in the

Starting position as well as in the locking position.

In one embodiment of the invention, a bolt of the bolt has to be moved by an elastic constriction to move from the

Starting position to be moved to the locking position or vice versa from the locking position to the starting position. The elastic constriction may be provided by a U-shaped bent metallic wire, wherein at least one leg of the U is bulged inwardly in the direction of the other U-leg. By this embodiment, rebound movements of the bolt can be particularly reliably avoided. In one embodiment of the invention, the end of the bolt, which is able to protrude from the housing of the actuator, bevelled as the lock latch of a lock. Preferably, then, the bolt can be moved by means of spring force in the locking position. Such an actuator can be used to, for example, to close a tank flap in the same way as happens with a door with lock latch, which is pushed out by spring force: Due to the slope of the bolt is through the

Closing the flap is first pushed back, then to jump back into the locking position due to the spring force and thus to close the flap. For pushing back the flap may comprise a bolt, behind which the bolt finally returns to the locking position. In order to open the flap, the bolt is usually moved electrically. Alternatively, the bolt can be moved by the rotatable lever to its original position to open the door again.

In one embodiment of the invention, the actuator is to

used, for example via a Bowden cable to move a lock latch - in particular from the locking position - so that, for example, a latched with the trap door opened or a latched with the trap charging plug can be removed. It then does not have to be directly at the flap or at the charging socket

Space for the actuator can be provided.

In one embodiment of the invention, the actuator has a sensor, such as a ikroschalter, which is capable of detecting the position of the bolt and in particular in the manner described in the unpublished German patent application 102010029446 way. For this purpose, the bolt with a

Ramp connected, which is able to actuate a microswitch when the latch is moved out of its locking position. Conversely, the ramp can also be arranged so that this Microswitch actuated when the latch is moved into its locking position. The sensor may be connected to a display, which is arranged, for example, inside a vehicle. The driver of a vehicle can thus inform about which position takes the bolt of the actuator.

Overall, such an actuator can be built very small. An actuator according to the invention is in particular part of a lock for a flap, with which a filler neck is covered, or part of a lock for a charging socket of an electrically driven

Motor vehicle with a charging plug. Serves the actuator in one embodiment of the invention, the locking of a connection between a charging socket of an electric vehicle and a

Charging plug, so the bar or a remotely operated by means of the actuator latch preferably for locking purposes in one

Recess or in a hole in a housing wall of the charging plug in order to effect a simple and compact way the locking. Preferably, the actuator is then attached from the outside to a housing wall of the charging socket. It is also preferable that the charging socket and plug are such that they are connected by a pure translational movement. For a connection so no rotational movement in the manner known from DE 19642687 AI is required. This embodiment of the invention requires a relatively small installation space, since no space for a rotational movement in a housing must be provided, which at the same time protects against accidental contact with the electrical contacts.

The housing of the actuator is also basically dustproof and moisture-tight, at least in the

built-in condition. The latch can be through a bellows

be sealed. However, it is preferred for such a seal a flat, applied to the housing of the actuator Sealing sleeve, in order to get along with a small space. The actuator can be installed with its

Sealing collar against a wall of a component to be pressed, whereby the connection between the wall of the component and the actuator is sealed to a high degree of moisture and dust. Relevant standards relating to protection against moisture and dust can easily be met.

In one embodiment, the space of the component is or can also be sealed so that it is dustproof and moisture-proof, into which the bolt extends for the purpose of locking. An example of such a component with a moisture and dust sealable space into which the bolt of an actuator extends, does not go out of the

previously published German patent application 10201 0003523. It is in such a component in particular a

Charging socket for an electric vehicle, suitable dust and

can be sealed moisture-proof either through a lid or through a charging plug. We include the disclosure of the German patent application 10201 0003523 in the present application with a. Overall, such is one

Entire device with an actuator available, which has a particularly small space and is very well protected inter alia against moisture and dust. The actuator can also have multiple latches, if a component is to be locked particularly secure. In each bar may be a reinforcing pin that is able to stabilize the protruding part of the bar. The invention will be explained in more detail with reference to an embodiment. Hereof, further embodiments and advantages of the invention are illustrated. Show it

Fig. 1: comprising actuator with emergency release device

a rotatable lever

Fig.2: Guide the bolt of the actuator

Fig.3: Latch and U-shaped spring of the actuator

Figure 4; Mechanism of emergency release device

Fig.5: Latch with locking lug for engagement in locking grooves

Fig.6: section through the area of the bolt

Fig.7: Remote control with the help of a Bowden cable

Fig.8: Component with trap for remote control

Fig.9: Exterior view of a body area with charging socket of a

electric vehicle

Fig. 10 Interior view of a body area with charging socket one

electric vehicle

1 shows an actuator 1 with a rotatable lever 2, which is arranged outside the housing 3 of the actuator 1. Of the

Steep drive 1 comprises a latch 4, which is shown in Figure 1 in its locking position. In the locking position, the latch 4 extends out of the housing 3. If the rotatable lever 2 is rotated counterclockwise, the latch 4 is moved in the direction of the housing 3 and thus in the direction of its end position due to a mechanical connection. The lever 2 comprises an eyelet 5, in which the end of a Bowden cable can be hung. In addition, there is on the same surface of the housing 3, a suspension 6, to here the outer shell of a Bowden cable to mount properly. Using the hinged Bowden cable then the lever 2 remote-controlled opposite to

Clockwise to be turned, for example, the

Emergency unlocking device from the interior of a vehicle

to be able to press.

The housing 1 is also at the latch 4 with a flat

Sealing sleeve 7 provided. In addition, a sealing ring 8 may be provided in order to be able to press the actuator against a wall of a further component in a particularly reliable manner.

The actuator 1 comprises a socket 9 with therein

electrical contacts to connect this with an electrical plug can. This is the actuator 1 and that

in particular the drive and - if available - electric or electronic sensors supplied with power to the squad! 4 with the help of an electric drive and possibly power sensors. To fix the actuator 1, the housing 3 comprises laterally projecting tabs 10. A wall of the tab 10 is arranged parallel to the base of the housing 3 of the actuator 1. This is adjoined by a vertical wall perpendicular to the base of the housing 3 runs. Both walls of the tabs 10 include a recess or bore to

For example, by means of a screw to be able to fasten the actuator to another component, in

different positions depending on the respective

Requirement.

In the figure 2, the leadership of the bolt 4 is illustrated within the housing. The area of the bolt 4, which is out of the case

can be moved out, is connected to a rectangular frame 11. Within the frame 11 is a

Guide element 12 of the housing or the housing half 13. Das End of the frame 11, which is arranged opposite to the projecting part of the bolt 4, comprises a vertically projecting in the figure 2 bolt 14 and a laterally projecting arm 15 with ramped bottom. Depending on the position of the bolt 4, the lateral arm 15 actuates a microswitch 1ό.

By the microswitch 16, the position of the bolt 4 can be detected electronically.

In the region which serves to guide the bolt 4, there is a U-shaped bent spring or a U-shaped bent, elastically restrained wire 17. The legs of the wire 17 are dented inwards. The interaction between the latch 4 and the spring 17 is shown in FIG. In this figure 3 it is illustrated that there is a further bolt 18 of the bolt 4, which protrudes in the direction of the spring 17 and which extends between the legs of the spring 17. Will the latch 4 of his

Starting position moved to the locking position or vice versa, the bolt 18 must be provided by the bulge or indentation 17 a narrowing of the spring 17 against a spring force

Bend apart to get to the other position.

By the spring 1, the bolt is thus in the respective position

(Home position or locking position) held. A noticeable movement of the bolt due to a rebound effect is avoided by the spring 17.

In the figure 4 is shown, in what way using the rotatable outer lever 2 of the latch 4 from the locking position in the

Starting position can be moved. For this purpose, the

External lever 2 connected via an axis with an inner lever 19. The inner lever 19 abuts against the protruding bolt 14 of the bolt 4. If the outer lever 2 opposite to the clockwise direction as described twisted, so this rotary motion is transmitted to the Inner lever 19. The inner lever 19 detects the bolt 14 and thus moves it together with the latch 4 in the starting position. The axis 20, which connects the inner lever 19 with the outer lever 2, comprises a sealing ring 21. By means of the sealing ring 21 is achieved that the axis 20 dustproof and moisture-proof against the

Housing of the actuator is sealed so that along this axis 20 no dust and moisture can get into the interior of the housing 3 of the actuator 1. The embodiment of the bolt 4 shown in FIG. 4 comprises a latching nose 22, which is resiliently mounted on the frame 11 via an arm 23. The in the locking position opposite the

Housing 3 projecting portion of the bolt 4 is provided at its end with a slope 24 which is able to act as a slope of a case of a lock.

In the figure 5, the operation of the resilient arm 23 is illustrated with the locking lug 22 attached thereto. The latching nose 22 can engage in a recess or latching groove 25 in the

Starting position and in the locking position. These

Locking connection additionally ensures that the bolt 4 very reliable in its locking position or in his

Output division is held. Rebound effects are thus avoided.

FIG. 6 shows a section through the region of the bolt 4 which serves to lock. Within the sealing sleeve 7, there may accordingly be one or two further sealing rings 26 and 27. Of the

Sealing ring 26 is adjacent - preferably dust and moisture-proof - to the latch 4 and thus ensures a tight connection between the housing 3 and the latch 4 in this area. The further sealing ring 27 also contributes to a tight connection between the Seal sleeve 7 and because of the housing 3 and in particular when the gasket †† e against a wall 28 of another component is pressed. In addition, a dust-proof and moisture-proof connection is created in a particularly reliable manner between the wall 28 and the adjacent region of the bolt 4.

FIG. 7 shows a use of the actuator with which a trap 30 is operated remotely via a Bowden cable. A hook-shaped, attached to the cable of the Bowden cable end is hooked on the one hand in an eye of the bolt of an actuator 1. On the other hand, the other end of the cable is hooked into a corresponding holder of the case 30, as Figure 8 shows.

FIG. 8 shows a section through a component 31, which comprises the trap 30. By means of a spring 32, the latch 30 is moved to the locking position and held in this position. With the help of

Bowden cable 29, the latch 30 can be moved from the locking position into the component 31 in order subsequently to be able to solve, for example, a flap or a connection between a charging socket and a charging plug.

FIG. 9 shows a charging socket 33 of an electric vehicle from the outside, which can be driven by means of an electric motor. About the charging socket 33, a battery can be charged, from which the electric motor of the electric vehicle receives its power.

The charging socket can first be closed with a flap 34 moisture and dustproof. In addition, there is a flap 35, which is able to close the area of the body by the charging socket 33 is!

In FIG. 10, the region from FIG. 9 is shown from the inside. There are two actuators 36 and 37. The actuator 36 is used to lock a connection between the charging socket and

Charging plug. The actuator 37 is used to lock a flap, such as the flap 35, to prevent unauthorized access to the

Charging socket 33 to prevent.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1 actuator

2 rotatable outer lever

3 housing

4 bars

5 eyelet

6 suspension

7 Talking session

8 sealing ring

9 electrical connection

10 tabs

11 frames

12 guide element

13 housing half

14 bolts

15 arm

16 microswitch

17 U-shaped wire or spring

17a indentation / bulge 18 bolts

19 inner lever

20 axis

21 sealing ring

22 latch

23 resilient arm

24 slope

25 recesses

26 sealing ring

27 sealing ring

28 wall of another component

29 Bowden cable

30 trap

31 component

32 spring

33 charging socket

34 flap with a small footprint

35 Flap with a large footprint

36 actuator

37 actuator

Claims

Actuator especially for a motor vehicle with a latch (4) and a drive for moving the bolt between a starting position and a locking position, characterized in that the actuator comprises a rotatably mounted lever (2, 19}, with which the bolt (4 ) from his

locking position can be moved mechanically by a rotary motion to its original position.

Actuator according to claim 1, with a rotatable, located inside the housing of the actuator inner lever (19) and with a rotatable, outside of the housing of the actuator (1) located outer lever (2) connected to the outer lever so via an axis (20) in that a rotational movement of the outer lever (2) can be transmitted to the inner lever (19) for moving the bolt (4) in the direction of the starting position.

Actuator according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the bolt (4) comprises a protruding bolt (14) against which the rotatably mounted lever (19) for moving the bolt (4) can be pivoted in the direction of initial position.

Actuator in particular according to one of the preceding

Claims with a bolt (4) and a drive for a

Moving the bolt between a starting position and a locking position, characterized by a detent, in particular a detent (22) for locking the bolt (4) in its initial position and / or in its locking position.

Actuator according to one of the preceding claims with an elastic constriction (19) and a bolt (18) of the bolt (4), which is moved through the constriction (19), when the bolt (4) from the starting position into the locking

Position or vice versa.

6. Actuator according to one of the preceding claims with

a water and / or dust-tight sealed housing (3).

7. Actuator according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the rotatable lever (2, 19) comprises a handle element or an eyelet (5) which is located outside of the housing (3) of the actuator (1),

8. Actuator according to one of the preceding claims, wherein an axis (20) connected to the rotatable lever (2, 19) comprises at least one circumferential sealing ring (21).

9. Actuator according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the actuator (1) via a sensor (16), with which the position of the bolt (4) can be detected.

10. Actuator according to the preceding claim, wherein the bolt (5) with an arm (15) is connected, with which the sensor (16) can be actuated.

11. Actuator according to one of the preceding claims with a on the housing (3) of the actuator (1) and on the latch (4) adjacent the sealing sleeve (7).

12. Actuator according to the preceding claim, wherein the

Sealing collar (7) is pressed against a wall (28) of a further component, through which the bolt (4) extends in its locking position.

13. Actuator according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the bolt (4} can be moved by at least 10 mm.

14. Motor vehicle with at least one actuator according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the rotatable lever (2) arranged and / or reachable that this only from

Interior of the motor vehicle can be operated from.

15. Electrically powered motor vehicle according to one of

previous claims, wherein an actuator (1) is mounted on a wall of a charging socket for locking with a charging plug, and in particular by means of a

Screw connection.