WO2017087142A1

WO2017087142A1 - Module component for actuating a part which is movably mounted on a support component in or on an automobile

Info

Publication number: WO2017087142A1
Application number: PCT/US2016/059607
Authority: WO
Inventors: Roland Och
Original assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
Priority date: 2015-11-17
Filing date: 2016-10-29
Publication date: 2017-05-26
Also published as: DE102015119843A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a module component for actuating a part which is movably mounted on a support component in or on an automobile, comprising a housing body and an actuating body which is at least partially enclosed by the housing body and is rotatable in the housing body and which is connectable in a rotatingly fixed manner to the movably mounted part, further comprising an actuating device which is likewise at least partially enclosed by the housing body and which, after rotation of the actuating body, which has been performed out of a closing position in a first rotation direction, is configured to rotate by spring-loaded pretensioning the actuating body in a second rotation direction into an opening position, and which, after rotation of the actuating body, which has been performed counter to the spring-loaded pretensioning in the first rotation direction, is configured to rotate the actuating body out of the opening position, again by spring-loaded pretensioning, in the second rotation direction beyond the closing position into the closing position and to arrest said actuating body in the closing position, and comprising a damper which is likewise at least partially enclosed by the housing body and which dampens the rotation movement of the actuating body, wherein the module component as a preassembled unit with the housing body is fastenable in a rotationally fixed manner to the support component of the automobile.

Description

MODULE COMPONENT FOR ACTUATING A PART WHICH IS MOV ABLY MOUNTED ON A SUPPORT COMPONENT IN OR ON AN AUTOMOBILE

The invention relates to a module component for actuating a part which is movably mounted on a support component in or on an automobile. An actuating device with push-push kinematics for actuating a flap mounted pivotably in an automobile is known for example from DE 10 2008 057 933 B4. The actuating device comprises a pusher which cooperates with an internal side of the flap and pivots the latter open in accordance with the push-push kinematics by overpressing the flap located in the closing position inward into a partially open position, from which the flap can be pivoted fully open manually. It is in this case desired, particularly in the interior of automobiles, for the pivoting movement of a flap to run in a dampened manner. To this end, additional dampers are required, for example rotary dampers. The known actuating devices comprise a plurality of individual parts, which are put together and disposed individually for each application case. This increases the complexity, not least through complex assembly. In addition, in the prior art there is high sensitivity to component tolerances.

Proceeding from the outlined prior art, the invention is based on the object of providing a module component for actuating a part which is movably mounted on a support component in or on an automobile, which is easy to produce and assemble and has less sensitivity to component tolerances.

The invention achieves the object by way of the subject matter of independent claim 1. Advantageous configurations can be found in the dependent claims, the description and the figures.

The invention achieves the object by way of a module component for actuating a part which is movably mounted on a support component in or on an automobile, comprising a housing body and an actuating body which is at least partially enclosed by the housing body and is rotatable in the housing body and which is connectable in a rotatingly fixed manner to the movably mounted part, further comprising an actuating device which is likewise at least partially enclosed by the housing body and which, after rotation of the actuating body, which has been performed out of a closing position in a first rotation direction, is configured to rotate by spring- loaded pretensioning the actuating body in a second rotation direction into an opening position, and which, after rotation of the actuating body, which has been performed counter to the spring- loaded pretensioning in the first rotation direction, is configured to rotate the actuating body out of the opening position, again by spring-loaded pretensioning, in the second rotation direction beyond the closing position into the closing position and to arrest said actuating body in the closing position, and comprising a damper which is likewise at least partially enclosed by the housing body and which dampens the rotation movement of the actuating body, wherein the module component as a preassembled unit with the housing body is fastenable in a rotationally fixed manner to the support component of the automobile.

The movably mounted part can be a flap mounted movably on or in an automobile, in particular a flap mounted pivotably on a support component. It can be for example a flap for closing a storage compartment, a beverage container, an electrical outlet, an ashtray or the like. It can also be a part mounted movably on the external side of the automobile, for example a movably, in particular pivotably mounted flap for closing a fuel filler opening or an electrical charging port.

The invention proposes a module component which forms a complete drive unit for actuating the movably mounted part including dampening. A housing body at least partially encloses the further constituent parts of the module component and thus forms the frame of the module component. The module component according to the invention can be preassembled easily and in particular in an automated manner as a complete drive unit, in particular at a location away from the subsequent point of use. At the point of use, all that is then necessary is to fasten the housing body to the support component of the automobile and to connect the actuating body to the movably mounted part. The module component according to the invention is a standard component which can be used in different fields of application, in particular for actuating different movably mounted parts, without requiring individual adaptation or assembly of individual components. By way of the standard module component according to the invention, in addition to simplification of the production and assembly, less sensitivity to component tolerances is achieved, since all that is necessary is to fasten the housing body to the support component and the actuating body to the movably mounted part.

The housing body can enclose the actuating body, the actuating device, and the damper in a cup-like manner. The housing body can form a hollow cylinder, one end of which is closed by a base. It is then in particular a cup which is closed on all sides apart from an opening at the end of the hollow cylinder and into which the actuating body and the other constituent parts of the module component according to the invention are inserted. This results in a particularly compact and simple design. The actuating body can likewise have a (hollow-) cylindrical basic shape.

The housing body can comprise at least one latching installation by way of which said housing body is latchable to the support component of the automobile. The latching connection can comprise for example several latching arms which latch in corresponding latching receptacles in the support component. As a result of a suitable configuration of the latching arms and/or as a result of a suitable stop, the rotationally fixed disposition of the housing body on the support component is ensured. Via the latching connection, the whole module component is fastened easily to the support component, for example a trim part in the interior of an automobile or a fuel filling or charging recess in the exterior of an automobile.

The actuating device can be an actuating device with push-push kinematics. Such actuating devices are known in various forms. They frequently comprise what is known as a cardioid cam along which a control element moves during a movement cycle of the actuating body and thus of the movably mounted part. Thus, for example as a result of the movably mounted part being pivoted, the actuating body can be rotated. If the movably mounted part is a flap, said flap can be overpressed inward from its closing position, regularly counter to spring-loaded pretensioning of the push-push kinematics, whereupon the push-push kinematics move the flap, with subsequent releasing of the flap by the spring-loaded pretensioning, into a partially or completely open position, in particular by rotation of the actuating body. If the flap is subsequently pivoted or pushed back manually into and slightly beyond the closing position counter to the spring-loaded pretensioning of the push-push kinematics, the spring-loaded pretensioning of the push-push kinematics moves the flap, after subsequent releasing of the latter, back into the closing position again and arrests the flap in this closing position.

The actuating device can comprise a radial cam which is configured on the external side of the actuating body, and a track ball which during rotation of the actuating body runs between the actuating body and an internal side of the housing body in the radial cam. The radial cam then realizes in particular push-push kinematics. The radial cam can accordingly be what is known as a cardioid cam. It can in particular be a control groove introduced into the external side of the actuating body. The ball can be for example a metal ball. The housing body, the actuating body and the damper can otherwise consist of plastics material. The track ball is disposed between an internal wall of the housing body and an external wall of the actuating body. During a corresponding movement of the actuating body in the housing body, it runs in the radial cam configured in the external wall of the actuating body. In the internal wall of the housing body, there can be configured an axial recess or groove in which the track ball runs as it runs through the radial cam. With the actuating body in the closing position, the track ball can be received in a locking receptacle of the radial cam. With the actuating body in the opening position, the track ball can be received in an unlocking receptacle of the radial cam. The opening position can also be realized by a suitable stop.

According to a further configuration, spring-loaded pretensioning can be provided by a helical spring which is disposed in an annular receptacle of the actuating body and the first end of which is fastened to the housing body. The helical spring can be in particular a metal helical spring. The spring is disposed in an annular receptacle, for example an annular groove configured coaxially with the longitudinal axis of the actuating body. The helical spring forms a torsion spring which is twisted upon relative rotation between the actuating body and housing body. In the closing position of the actuating body, the spiral spring is held in the actuating body under spring-loaded pretensioning. On the internal side of the base, facing the actuating body, of the housing body a receptacle can be configured, in which a spring leg of the first end, facing the housing body, of the helical spring is received, such that this end is held fixedly on the housing body. The opposite end of the helical spring is secured to the actuating body in a rotationally fixed manner, such that rotation of the actuating body relative to the housing body results in the helical spring being twisted.

Provision can be made in particular for the second end of the helical spring which faces the base of the annular groove, in the state in which said second end of the helical spring is inserted in the annular receptacle, to be compressed in relation to the passive cross section of the helical spring, and for relative rotation between the actuating body and the second end of the helical spring to be prevented only by frictional engagement between the helical spring and a wall of the annular receptacle. Thus, at this second end that faces the movable part during operation, the helical spring does not have a spring leg held for example in a form-fitting manner in a receptacle of the actuating body. Rather, the helical spring pushes with this end, for example by way a cross-sectional widening of the helical spring or a cross-sectional narrowing of the annular receptacle, against the wall of the receptacle and is thus reliably secured against relative rotation in relation to the actuating body by frictional engagement. Advantageously, this configuration provides in particular easy assembly.

According to a further configuration, provision can be made for the damper to be a rotary damper which is disposed in a central receptacle of the actuating body and has a damper housing and a damper element which is rotatably disposed in the damper housing, wherein the damper housing or the damper element is connected in a rotationally fixed manner to the housing body and the respective other of the damper housing and the damper element is connected in a rotationally fixed manner to the actuating body. They generally have a damper element having a rotor component which rotates in a damper housing in a viscous mass, for example a viscous liquid. As a result, a rotary movement is dampened.

The connection of the damper housing or damper element to the housing body can be a form- fitting connection. Alternatively or in addition, the connection of the damper housing or damper element to the actuating body can be a form-fitting connection. For example, the damper housing can have on its external side at least one axial protrusion or at least one axial groove which then engages in a form-fitting manner with at least one axial groove or at least one axial protrusion, respectively, on the internal side of the actuating body. The damper element can have, on its side facing the base of the housing body, at least one protrusion or at least one recess which then engages in a form-fitting manner with at least one recess or at least one protrusion, respectively, on the internal side of the base of the housing body.

According to a further configuration, the actuating body can have an axle journal which is connectable to the movably mounted part and which in the assembled state forms the rotation axle of the movably mounted part. To this end, the axle journal can be connected to the movably mounted part for example by a form fit and/or by latching or else by pressing. The axle journal makes it particularly easy to dispense with an additional axle component. Rather, the axle journal is merely plugged into the movable part, with the rotation axle being formed as a result.

The housing body and the actuating body can be rotatably interconnected by means of a latching connection. The latching connection prevents any axial movement of the actuating body out of the housing body. Such a latching connection can be mounted in a particularly easy and automated manner.

The invention also relates to an automobile having at least one part which is movably mounted on a support component in or on the automobile, comprising at least one module component according to the invention, wherein the actuating body is connected in a rotationally fixed manner to the movably mounted part, and wherein the module component as a preassembled unit with the housing body is fastened in a rotationally fixed manner to the support component of the automobile.

An exemplary embodiment of the invention is explained in more detail in the following text with reference to figures, in which, schematically:

Fig. 1 shows a side view of a module component according to the invention, shows a plan view of the module component from fig. 1,

Fig. 3 shows an exploded illustration of the module component from fig. 1, Fig. 4 shows a sectional view through the module component from fig. 1 in the state connected to a movably mounted part,

Fig. 5 shows a perspective view of the module component from fig. 1 without a housing body,

Fig. 6 shows a first side view of the illustration from fig. 5, Fig. 7 shows a second side view of the illustrated from fig. 5, Fig. 8 shows a third side view of the illustrated from fig. 5, Fig. 9 shows a fourth side view of the illustrated from fig. 5, and Fig. 10 shows a fifth side view of the illustrated from fig. 5.

Unless specified otherwise, identical reference signs in the figures denote identical items.

The module component shown in the figures serves for example to actuate a flap mounted pivotably on a support component in or on an automobile. The module component has a hollow-cylindrical housing body 10, one end of which is closed by a housing base 12. Formed on the housing body 10 are two elastic latching arms 14, by way of which the standard module component shown in fig. 1 is fastenable as a preassembled unit to a support component of the automobile in a rotationally fixed manner. On its peripheral surface, the housing body 10 has a stop protrusion 15 which, when the housing body is latched to the support component, is received in a form-fitting manner in a corresponding stop receptacle, such that the housing body is fastened to the support component in a rotationally fixed manner.

The housing body 10 encloses an actuating body 16 having a (hollow-)cylindrical basic form in a cup-like manner, that end of the actuating body 16 that faces away from the housing base 12 in the assembled state being closed by a base. The actuating body 16 has a protruding central axle journal 18, which is connectable, for example by a form fit and/or latching, to a flap to be mounted pivotably on the support component. In this way, the axle journal 18 forms the pivot axle of the flap. Part of the flap is illustrated in fig. 4 at the reference sign 19. It has a receptacle 21 for the axle journal 18.

The actuating body 16 furthermore has an annular groove-like receptacle 20, formed concentrically with its longitudinal axis, for a helical spring 22. At its first end which faces the housing base 12 in the assembled state, the helical spring 22 has a spring leg 24 which is bent at an angle and is received in a form-fitting manner in a receiving groove 26 of the housing body 10 in the assembled state. In the region of its second end located opposite the first end, the helical spring 22 has a cross-sectional widening 26, such that this second end of these helical spring 22 presses against the wall of the annular receptacle 20 in the assembled state and thus prevents rotation of the second end in the annular receptacle 20. The actuating body 16 is secured against axial movement out of the housing body 10 for example by means of a peripheral latching ring 28 latching in an associated annular latching receptacle 30 of the housing body 10. The latching connection between the housing body 10 and actuating body 16 does allow the actuating body 16 to rotate in the housing body 10, however. As a result of the described fixing of the helical spring 22, a rotation of the actuating body 16 in the housing body 10 results in the helical spring 22 being twisted.

The actuating body 16 furthermore has a central receptacle 32 in which a rotary damper 34 is received. The rotary damper 34 has a damper housing 36 in which a damper element 38 is rotatably disposed. The damper housing 36 has, on its external side, an axial protrusion 40 which engages in an axial cutout 42 in the actuating body 16 in the assembled state and thus secures the damper housing 36 in the housing body 16 in a rotationally fixed manner. On its top side facing the housing base 12, the damper element 38 has two protrusions 44 which are received in corresponding receptacles 46 of the housing base 12 in the assembled state. As a result, the damper element 38 is connected to the housing body 10 in a rotationally fixed manner. The damper element 38 comprises for example a rotor that rotates in a viscous mass, for example a damper fluid, filled into the damper housing 36. Relative rotation between the housing body 10 and the actuating body 16 and thus the flap is therefore dampened.

Finally, a radial cam 48 in the form of a control groove has been introduced into the external side of the actuating body 16. A track ball 50 runs in the radial cam 48 in the illustrated example. As can be seen for example in fig. 4, an axial groove 52 is formed in the internal side of the housing body 10, such that the track ball 50 runs in the radial cam 48 and the axial groove 52 between the external side of the actuating body 16 and the internal side of the housing body 10.

The configuration of the radial cam 48 and is the associated actuation of the flat 19 are intended to be explained in more detail with reference to figures 6 to 10. The radial cam 48 has an assembly portion 54 that extends around approximately a quarter of the periphery of the actuating body 16 and extends perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis, extending from top to bottom in fig. 6, of the actuating body 16. Following first assembly, the track ball 50 is located at the start of the assembly portion 54, as can be seen in fig. 6. In order to complete assembly, the actuating body 16 is rotated out of the position shown in fig. 6 with the helical spring 22 being twisted and thus generating spring-loaded pretensioning through approximately 180°, wherein the track ball 50 passes into the cardioid cam portion of the radial cam 48 shown schematically in a side illustration in figures 7 to 10. In particular, the track ball 50 passes, by way of suitable deflection faces, via the intermediate position shown in fig. 7, into the locking receptacle 56 of the radial cam 48 shown in fig. 8, in which it is held by the spring-loaded pretensioning of the helical spring 22. This position corresponds to the closing position of the actuating body 16 and of the flap 19. If the flap 19 is overpressed inward, counter to the spring- loaded pretensioning of the helical spring 22, out of the closing position, the track ball 50 passes, again guided by corresponding deflection faces of the cardioid cam in a manner known per se, into the intermediate position shown in fig. 9. If the flap 19 and thus the actuating body 16 are now released, the track ball 50 moves, in a manner driven by the spring-loaded pretensioning of the helical spring 22, along the return path 60 of the radial cam 48 back to the start of the cardioid cam, as shown in fig. 10. This corresponds to the opening position of the actuating body and of the flap. A suitable stop between the actuating body 16 and the housing body 10, for example the protrusion 62, shown in fig. 3, of the actuating body 16 and an associated recess in the housing body 10, prevents the track ball 50 from being able to move along the assembly portion 54 back into the preassembly position shown in fig. 6. Of course, this stop could also be realized in some other way, for example by the flap itself, namely the maximum opening angle thereof. Thus, it is for example possible for the module component according to the invention to be connected to the pivotably mounted flap via the axle journal 18 only in the assembly position shown in fig. 8, and for the flap to subsequently reach its maximum opening angle in the position of the track ball 50 according to fig. 10.

If the flap is now closed again manually, counter to the spring-loaded pretensioning of the helical spring 22, out of the completely open position shown in fig. 10, the track ball 50 moves along the outgoing path 64 of the cardioid cam, via the intermediate position shown in fig. 7, back into the position shown in fig. 8, in which it is received in the locking receptacle 56. The movement cycle is thus concluded.

It should also be noted that the housing body 10, the actuating body 16 and also the damper housing 36 and the damper element 38 of the rotary damper 34 can consist of plastics material, for example each produced integrally by an injection-molding process. The helical spring 22 can consist for example of a metal material, such as spring steel. The track ball 50 can likewise consist for example of a metal material. Of course, it is also conceivable, however, for the track ball 50, and also the helical spring 22, to consist of a plastics material.

Claims

1. Module component for actuating a part which is movably mounted on a support component in or on an automobile, comprising a housing body (10) and an actuating body (16) which is at least partially enclosed by the housing body (10) and is rotatable in the housing body (10) and which is connectable in a rotatingly fixed manner to the movably mounted part, further comprising an actuating device which is likewise at least partially enclosed by the housing body (10) and which, after rotation of the actuating body (16), which has been performed out of a closing position in a first rotation direction, is configured to rotate by spring-loaded pretensioning the actuating body (16) in a second rotation direction into an opening position, and which, after rotation of the actuating body (16), which has been performed counter to the spring-loaded pretensioning in the first rotation direction, is configured to rotate the actuating body (16) out of the opening position, again by spring-loaded pretensioning, in the second rotation direction beyond the closing position into the closing position and to arrest said actuating body (16) in the closing position, and comprising a damper which is likewise at least partially enclosed by the housing body (10) and which dampens the rotation movement of the actuating body (16), wherein the module component as a preassembled unit with the housing body (10) is fastenable in a rotationally fixed manner to the support component of the automobile.

2. Module component according to claim 1, characterized in that the housing body (10) encloses the actuating body (16), the actuating device, and the damper in a cup-like manner.

3. Module component according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the housing body (10) comprises at least one latching installation by way of which said housing body (10) is latchable to the support component of the automobile.

4. Module component according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the actuating device is an actuating device with push-push kinematics.

5. Module component according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the actuating device comprises a radial cam (48) which is configured on the external side of the actuating body (16), and a track ball (50) which during rotation of the actuating body (16) runs between the actuating body (16) and an internal side of the housing body (10) in the radial cam (48).

6. Module component according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that spring-loaded pretensioning is provided by a helical spring (22) which is disposed in an annular receptacle (20) of the actuating body and the first end of which is fastened to the housing body (10).

7. Module component according to claim 6, characterized in that the second end of the helical spring (22) which faces the base of the annular receptacle (20), in the state in which said second end of the helical spring (22) is inserted in the annular receptacle (20), is compressed in relation to the passive cross section of the helical spring (22), and that relative rotation between the actuating body (16) and the second end of the helical spring (22) is prevented only by frictional engagement between the helical spring (22) and a wall of the annular receptacle (20).

8. Module component according to one of claims 6 to 7, characterized in that the damper is a rotary damper (34) which is disposed in a central receptacle (32) of the actuating body and has a damper housing (36) and a damper element (38) which is rotatably disposed in the damper housing (36), wherein the damper housing (36) or the damper element (38) is connected in a rotationally fixed manner to the housing body (10) and the respective other of the damper housing (36) and the damper element (38) is connected in a rotationally fixed manner to the actuating body (16).

9. Module component according to claim 8, characterized in that the connection to the housing body (10) is a form-fitting connection and/or in that the connection to the actuating body (16) is a form-fitting connection.

10. Module component according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the actuating body (16) has an axle journal (18) which is connectable to the movably mounted part and which in the assembled state forms the rotation axle of the movably mounted part.

11. Module component according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the housing body (10) and the actuating body (16) are rotatably interconnected by means of a latching connection.

12. Automobile having at least one part which is movably mounted on a support component in or on the automobile, comprising at least one module component according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the actuating body (16) is connected in a rotationally fixed manner to the movably mounted part, and wherein the module component as a preassembled unit with the housing body (10) is fastened in a rotationally fixed manner to the support component of the automobile.