Gear unit, electric gear motor and seat

Abstract

A gear unit (G) includes a gear housing (2) with at least one locking component (2.4, 2.4′) for a form and/or force-locking mounting of an electric motor (1) to the gear unit (G). The locking component (2.4, 2.4′) is configured as a circumferential edge or flange collar (5), in which a number of undercuts (2.4.1, 2.4.1′) are incorporated, in which the electric motor (1) can be locked by a form or force-locking connection. The gear housing (2) includes an additional locking unit (4) as an additional radial stop, which locking unit can be pressed into the locking component (2.4) to achieve a locked state. An electric gear motor (GM) includes at least one electric motor (1) and the gear unit (G). The locking component (2.4, 2.4′) can be form and/or force-lockingly connected to the motor locking element (A, A′). A seat (S) includes the electric gear motor (GM).

Claims

1. A gear unit, comprising; at least one gear housing, comprising: a first surface facing a motor; a second surface, opposite said first surface; at least one locking component comprising a plurality of undercut apertures in said first surface, a motor locking element connected to said motor, said motor locking element having a plurality of circumferentially spaced, radially extending segments; wherein said plurality of undercut apertures are connected to respective undercuts in said first surface, wherein said undercuts do not extend through said second surface; a locking unit, comprising: an axially extending through hole formed in one of said plurality of said undercut apertures, said through hole extending through said second surface; a lock pin located in said through hole to block circumferential movement of at least one of said segments in at least one of said undercuts, said lock pin extending through said second surface.

2. The gear unit as claimed in claim 1, wherein the locking component is configured as a circumferential edge or flange collar, in which a number of undercuts are incorporated, in which the electric motor is lockable by a form fit or a force fit.

3. The gear unit as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least one locking component is arranged on the at least one gear housing of the gear unit.

4. The gear unit as claimed in claim 1, wherein the locking component comprises a number of detent elements for interlocking the electric motor with the gear housing.

5. The gear unit as claimed in claim 1, wherein the motor locking element is configured to secure the electric motor immovably in the axial direction and prevented from twisting by a torque lock.

6. The gear unit as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least one locking component comprises a radially outward protruding contour arranged at a front end of an electric motor housing.

7. The gear unit as claimed in claim 6, wherein a diameter of the contour is larger than an outer diameter of the electric motor housing.

8. The gear unit as claimed in claim 6, wherein a circumferential profile of the contour has said segments which are in each case spaced apart from each other in a circumferential direction.

9. The gear unit as claimed in claim 6, wherein the locking unit is designed as a separate element.

10. The gear unit as claimed in claim 1, wherein the locking component comprises a bayonet lock.

11. The gear unit as claimed in claim 1, wherein in an assembly step, the segments are located through the undercut apertures of the first surface, wherein the segments engage the undercuts in a locking manner by rotation of the motor locking elements.

12. The gear unit as claimed in claim 1, wherein in a locked state the lock pin is located between two segments of the motor locking element.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) In the drawings:

(2) FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of a fastening arrangement of an electric motor on a gear housing according to the prior art;

(3) FIG. 2 is a schematic front view of the fastening arrangement of FIG. 1;

(4) FIG. 3 is a schematic perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of an electric motor with a motor locking element;

(5) FIG. 4 is a schematic side view of the electric motor of FIG. 3;

(6) FIG. 5 is a schematic cutout view with the motor locking element and an electric connector of the electric motor of FIG. 3;

(7) FIG. 6 is a schematic top view of the cutout in FIG. 5;

(8) FIG. 7 is schematic front views of two different exemplary embodiments of an electric motor;

(9) FIG. 8 is a schematic perspective representation of an exemplary embodiment of an electric motor with a motor locking element and a force transmitting element;

(10) FIG. 9 is a schematic front view of the electric motor of FIG. 8;

(11) FIG. 10 is a schematic perspective view of an electric motor and a multiple-piece gear housing in a non-connected state;

(12) FIG. 11 is a schematic sectional representation of the electric motor and the gear housing of FIG. 10;

(13) FIG. 12 is a schematic perspective view of an electric motor and a single-piece gear housing in a non-connected state;

(14) FIG. 13 is a schematic rear view of the electric motor and the gear housing of FIG. 12;

(15) FIG. 14 is a schematic perspective representation of the electric motor and the gear housing of FIG. 12 in the connected state;

(16) FIG. 15 is another schematic perspective representation of the electric motor and the gear housing of FIG. 12 in the connected state;

(17) FIG. 16 is a schematic perspective view of the electric motor during its fastening to the gear housing;

(18) FIG. 17 is a schematic perspective view of a cutout view with a gear housing section with a locking component and a detent lug;

(19) FIG. 18 is a schematic perspective view of the electric motor and the gear housing with the locking component of FIG. 17 in the connected state;

(20) FIG. 19 is a schematic perspective view of the gear housing with the locking component of FIG. 17;

(21) FIG. 20 is a schematic seat with a length adjusting unit;

(22) FIG. 21 is a schematic perspective view of another exemplary embodiment of a fastening arrangement B with an alternative motor locking element and an alternative locking component;

(23) FIG. 22A is a schematic perspective view of the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 21;

(24) FIG. 22B is a schematic perspective view of the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 21;

(25) FIG. 22C is a schematic perspective view of the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 21;

(26) FIG. 23A is a schematic side view of the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 21;

(27) FIG. 23B is a schematic sectional view, taken along line XXIIIB of FIG. 23A, of the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 21;

(28) FIG. 24 is a schematic perspective view of the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 21; and

(29) FIG. 25 is a schematic perspective view of the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 21.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

(30) Referring to the drawings, FIG. 1 shows in a perspective representation a fastening arrangement B of an electric motor 1 on a gear unit G according to the prior art. The electric motor 1 and the gear unit G form a gear motor or actuator for an adjusting unit, especially a seat adjusting unit, such as a height adjusting unit of the prior art.

(31) The gear unit G comprises at least one gear housing 2. FIG. 2 of the prior art shows a front view of the traditional fastening arrangement B of FIG. 1.

(32) The electric motor 1 is for example a d.c. motor and it comprises a rotatably mounted rotor (not shown in detail) with a rotor shaft 1.4, which rotates about a motor axis M. The rotor is surrounded by a stator, likewise not shown. The rotor and the stator are situated in a common electric motor housing 1.1. Each front end of the electric motor housing 1.1 is formed by a bearing plate 1.1.1, 1.1.2 in the form of a housing cover.

(33) Furthermore, at each front end of the electric motor housing 1.1 there is arranged a bearing journal 1.2.1, 1.2.2 positioned coaxially to the motor axis M. The bearing journals 1.2.1, 1.2.2 are each led through the corresponding bearing plate 1.1.1, 1.1.2 and protrude axially outward from said bearing plate 1.1.1, 1.1.2. The bearing journals 1.2.1, 1.2.2 each have a through opening, wherein the rotor shaft 1.4 is led through the bearing journal 1.2.1. The rotor shaft 1.4 faces toward the gear housing 2 of the gear unit G, which is connected to a gearing 3 arranged in the gear housing 2 (see FIG. 10). The electric motor 1 and the gearing 3 form in the connected state a gear motor.

(34) For the electric power supply of the electric motor 1, it is provided with an electric connector 1.3. The electric connector 1.3 here is designed as a plug, which is connected to an outer circumference of the electric motor housing 1.1, in particular being interlocked with it. The electric connector 1.3 is connectable by means of certain connection components (not shown) to an on-board network of a vehicle in which the seat S is arranged.

(35) For the fastening of the electric motor 1 on the gear housing 2 there are provided two flanges 1.5, each with a through opening. The flanges 1.5 are arranged on the power takeoff side of the electric motor 1 and protrude radially outward from the bearing plate 1.1.1. By way of the flanges 1.5, the electric motor 1 is connected in force fit to the gear housing 2. For example, connection elements are led through the through openings of the flanges 1.5, being situated on protrusions of the gear housing 2. The connection elements for example are connection pins, screws, bolts, etc.

(36) The electric motor 1 and the gearing 3 in the connected state form for example a gear motor for executing a vertical movement of a seat S, for example, or a lengthwise movement of at least one upper rail O represented in FIG. 20, which is connected to a seat portion of the seat S. The gear motor for example as an actuator for a vertical movement drives the seat portion of the seat S and moves it up or down. Alternatively, the gear motor in an embodiment as an actuator for a lengthwise movement can drive the upper rail O and move it in a longitudinal direction relative to a lower rail (not shown) fixed to the vehicle.

(37) On account of the flanges 1.5, which protrude radially outward from the bearing plate 1.1.1 of the electric motor housing 1.1 at the power takeoff side, a diameter of the electric motor 1 is enlarged in this area, so that a correspondingly large structural space is required for the arrangement of the gear motor.

(38) Moreover, an installation position of the electric motor 1 in regard to a rotation and arrangement position relative to the gear housing 2 is firmly prescribed, so that a position, especially an angular position, of the electric connector 1.3 relative to the gear housing 2 is likewise firmly prescribed.

(39) In order to reduce the structural space requirement for the gear motor and also for a flexible arrangement of the electric motor 1 at least in terms of a rotation and arrangement position relative to the gear housing 2, an alternative fastening arrangement B′ is proposed, which shall be described more closely below.

(40) The invention shall be described below with the aid of the fastening arrangement B′ between electric motor 1 and gear unit G. Alternatively, the fastening arrangement B′ may also be provided between the electric motor 1 and a not further represented support element of a seat S (see FIG. 20), wherein the support element of the seat S is equipped similarly, like the following described gear unit G, with a corresponding fastening component, especially a corresponding locking component 2.4.

(41) For this, FIGS. 3 and 4 show an exemplary embodiment of an electric motor 1 without gear unit G, FIG. 3 showing the electric motor 1 in perspective view and FIG. 4 showing the electric motor 1 in side view.

(42) The electric motor 1 comprises a motor locking element A, having a contour K, which protrudes radially outward from the electric motor housing 1.1. In particular, the motor locking element A is arranged at the front end of a power takeoff side of the electric motor 1. A diameter of the motor locking element A is larger than an outer diameter of the electric motor housing 1.1. Preferably, however, the motor locking element A protrudes only slightly beyond the outer diameter of the electric motor housing 1.1, so that the structural space requirement for the electric motor 1 is less than that of the electric motor 1 described in FIGS. 1 and 2.

(43) The motor locking element A can be designed as a single piece with the bearing plate 1.1.1 of the power takeoff side of the electric motor 1, as shown for example in FIG. 3. Alternatively, the motor locking element A can also be designed as a single piece with the electric motor housing 1.1 and protrude from one edge, which is connected to the bearing plate 1.1.1. It is also conceivable for the motor locking element A to be a separate component, which is connected to the electric motor housing 1.1 and/or to the bearing plate 1.1.1, for example by a material bond.

(44) An outer circumference of the motor locking element A has uniformly distributed segments SG, in order to make possible a flexible arrangement of the electric motor 1 relative to the gear housing 2. In the following, the motor locking element A shall be described more closely.

(45) FIGS. 5 to 7 show exemplary embodiments of the motor locking element A, FIG. 5 showing in perspective view a cutout detail with the motor locking element A and the electric connector 1.3 of the electric motor 1. FIG. 6 shows a top view of the cutout detail of FIG. 5. FIG. 7 shows two different exemplary embodiments of an electric motor 1 with a motor locking element A.

(46) In the exemplary embodiment of the electric motor 1 shown at the left, the motor locking element A has six semicircular segments SG, which are uniformly distributed about the outer circumference of the motor locking element A. In the exemplary embodiment of the electric motor 1 shown at the right, the motor locking element A has six rectangular segments SG, which are uniformly distributed about the outer circumference of the motor locking element A.

(47) FIGS. 8 and 9 show the exemplary embodiment of the electric motor 1 shown at the left in FIG. 7 in different views. In particular, FIG. 8 shows the electric motor 1 in perspective view, the rotor shaft 1.4 being provided with a force transmitting element 1.6, which in this case represents a thread for forming a spindle drive with the gearing 3. FIG. 9 shows the electric motor 1 of FIG. 8 in a front view.

(48) FIGS. 10 and 11 show the electric motor 1 of FIGS. 8 and 9 and the gear unit G, especially the gear housing 2, in a non-connected state. In particular, FIG. 9 shows the electric motor 1 of FIGS. 8 and 9 and the gear housing 2 in perspective view. FIG. 11 shows the electric motor 1 of FIGS. 8 and 9 and the gear housing 2 in a front view.

(49) The gear housing 2 has a multiple-piece configuration and comprises two parts, which are joined together by a force fit. For this, in the present exemplary embodiment, four screws 2.3 are provided. Alternatively, other connection components can also be used.

(50) The gear housing 2 receives the gearing 3 or at least a portion of the gearing 3, which forms together with the force transmitting element 1.6 on the rotor shaft 1.4 a spindle drive, for which a pinion 3.1 is arranged in the gear housing 2, which is connectable to the force transmitting element 1.6 and which is connected at the power takeoff side to a shaft 3.2, which in turn is connectable indirectly in a manner not shown to the upper rail O.

(51) Moreover, the gear unit G, especially the gear housing 2, comprises a locking component 2.4 corresponding to the motor locking element A, in which the motor locking element A can engage in form fit and/or force fit, especially in a precision fit. For this, the locking component 2.4 is designed for example as the negative form of the motor locking element A. Moreover, the locking component 2.4 in the present exemplary embodiment is designed in two pieces.

(52) As the motor locking element A has several segments SG which have an identical shape and are uniformly distributed about the outer circumference of the motor locking element A, various rotary positions D of the electric motor 1 relative to the gear housing 2 are possible, depending on the number of segments SG. The segments SG are formed as projecting lugs, tongues, or cams, and protrude radially from the motor locking element A.

(53) For example, the motor locking element A has six segments SG, as shown for example in FIG. 11. The rotational gradation here for the rotary position D of the electric motor 1 and therefore that of the electric connector 1.3 in the installed position of the electric motor 1 relative to the gear housing 2 is 60°. That is, the electric motor 1 can be arranged in six different rotary positions D relative to the gear housing 2, the rotary positions D being offset from each other by an angle of 60° with respect to the motor axis M of the electric motor 1.

(54) Alternatively, the motor locking element A may also have more than six segments SG, so that a finer rotational gradation is possible. For example, the motor locking element A has eight or ten segments SG.

(55) In a mounting of the gear motor where the electric motor 1 is connected to the gear unit G, especially the multiple-piece gear housing 2, the electric motor 1 can be connected to the gear housing 2 by means of the motor locking element A and the two-piece locking component 2.4 by form fit and/or force fit, especially by friction locking, and free of play by means of prestressing. The prestressing is generated by screw fitting the gear housing 2.

(56) FIGS. 12 and 13 show the electric motor 1 and the gear housing 2 in each case in the non-connected state without the gearing 3 and the force transmitting element 1.6, which is part of the gearing 3. In particular, FIG. 12 shows the electric motor 1 and the gear housing 2 in perspective view. FIG. 13 shows a rear view of the electric motor 1 and the gear housing 2, the electric motor 1 being arranged behind the gear housing 2 in the direction of observation.

(57) The gear housing 2 and thus the locking component 2.4 here are designed as a single piece.

(58) FIGS. 14 and 15 show an arrangement of the electric motor 1 on the gear unit G, especially on its gear housing 2, which form in the assembled state an electric gear motor GM. The gear housing 2 in this case has a single-piece design and is connected to the force transmitting element 1.6. The gearing 3 is not shown, for reasons of clarity. In particular, FIG. 14 shows the electric motor 1 and the gear housing 2 in perspective view with an inside of the gear housing 2. FIG. 15 shows the electric motor 1 and the single-piece gear housing 2 in perspective view with an outside of the gear housing 2.

(59) FIG. 16 shows in perspective view the electric motor 1 and the single-piece gear housing 2 during the assembly process, wherein the gearing 3 is not shown for reasons of clarity.

(60) The electric motor 1 is pushed axially into the gear housing 2 in a first arrow direction s1 until the motor locking element A abuts against the locking component 2.4. After this, the electric motor 1 is rotated in a second arrow direction s2 until the motor locking element A is received in form fit and/or force fit in the locking component 2.4. By means of a plurality of detent elements R, the form fit and/or force fit connection between the motor locking element A and the locking component 2.4 can be interlocked. The motor locking element A and the locking component 2.4 form here a bayonet lock BA.

(61) The detent elements R in the present exemplary embodiment are formed by means of undercuts 2.4.1 in the locking component 2.4, as shown for example by FIGS. 16 and 17.

(62) FIG. 17 shows in perspective view a partial rear view of the locking component 2.4 with undercuts 2.4.1, each of which is provided with a detent lug 2.4.2. In particular, one side of the locking component 2.4 is shown, facing away from the electric motor 1.

(63) During the assembly process, the motor locking element A is interlocked in the undercuts 2.4.1 by means of rotating the segments SG. Alternatively, an interlocking can also be ensured by a slight rotation of the segments SG of the motor locking element A, where the motor locking element A is rotatable relative to the electric motor housing 1.1.

(64) FIG. 18 shows in perspective view a rear view of the electric motor 1 and the gear housing 2 in the connected state, the electric motor 1 being arranged behind the gear housing 2 in the direction of observation.

(65) FIG. 19 shows in perspective view a rear view of the gear housing 2 without the electric motor 1.

(66) FIG. 20 shows a seat S with a length adjusting unit L, the seat S being for example a vehicle seat.

(67) FIGS. 21 to 25 show schematically in different views a further exemplary embodiment for a fastening arrangement B″ of an electric gear motor GM.

(68) FIG. 21 shows the gear housing 2 with an additional locking unit 4. The locking unit 4 is configured as an additional lock pin or a lug or tongue projecting from the gear housing 2. The locking unit 4 is designed as a separate element, which is held on the gear housing 2 in form fit or force fit, for example being plugged in and locked.

(69) The locking unit 4 serves as an additional radial stop. In this way, the electric motor 1 is fixable in the radial direction in a non-rotatable manner. For this, the locking unit 4 facing away from the electric motor 1 and protruding from the locking component 2.4′ is configured such that, in the assembled state of gear unit G and electric motor 1, it can be pressed in the direction of the electric motor 1 into the locking component 2.4′, especially into the flange collar 5, so that the closure, especially the bayonet lock BA′, is locked and cannot be opened. For this, the locking unit 4 in the locked state not shown here projects beyond the side of the locking component 2.4′ facing toward the electric motor 1, also not shown here.

(70) The gear housing 2 comprises an alternative locking component 2.4′ to receive and lock in form fit and/or force fit an alternative motor locking element A′, which is designed in a corresponding manner to the alternative locking component 2.4′.

(71) The locking component 2.4′ here has a lengthened flange collar 5. There may optionally be arranged in the flange collar 5 one or more encircling slots 6. The slot or slots 6 serve in particular for a visual checking and indication of the locking of the motor locking element A′ in the locking component 2.4′ and thus for indication of the locked state.

(72) FIGS. 22A to 22C show the alternative fastening arrangement B″ with the alternative locking component 2.4′ and the alternative motor locking element A′ in detail. The fastening arrangement B″ here has four segments SG′ instead of six segments SG, especially detent tongues or detent lugs.

(73) FIG. 22A shows the gear housing 2 with the alternative locking component 2.4′, comprising the flange collar 5 with the slots 6. The locking component 2.4′ has undercuts 2.4.1′, in which the segments SG′ engage in a locking manner by rotation. The number of undercuts 2.4.1′ corresponds to the number of segments SG′. The segments SG′ here, for example projecting lugs, cams, or tongues, are held by friction force in the respective undercut 2.4.1′. In addition, detent elements R, such as detent lugs, detent hooks or detent ribs, can be arranged in the respective slot-shaped undercut 2.4.1′, in which the segments SG′ additionally engage in form fit, especially in a locking manner.

(74) The undercuts 2.4.1′ can be formed in the region of the optional slots 6 of the locking component 2.4′. Thus, in the engaged state when the respective segment SG′ is arranged in the corresponding undercut 2.4.1′, especially being held in form fit and/or force fit, for example in a locking manner, an outer end face SS of the segment SG′ is visible through the corresponding slot 6. For this purpose, the outer end face SS can be marked for example, especially in color.

(75) The locking unit 4 in the non-locked state shown here still projects beyond the side of the locking component 2.4′ facing away from the electric motor 1, not shown here, as in the previously described FIG. 21.

(76) FIG. 22B shows the gear unit G and the electric motor 1 before being assembled. The electric motor 1 is pushed axially according to the arrow direction s1 into the gear housing 2, until the motor locking element A′ abuts against the locking component 2.4′. Then the electric motor 1 is rotated in the arrow direction s2, until the motor locking element A′ is locked by form fit and/or force fit in the locking component 2.4′, especially in the undercut 2.4.1′. The motor locking element A′ and the locking component 2.4′ of the gear unit G form here a bayonet lock BA′. The locking unit 4 in the non-locked state shown here still projects beyond the side of the locking component 2.4′ facing away from the electric motor 1, as in the previously described FIG. 22a.

(77) FIG. 22C to 23B show the gear unit G and the electric motor 1 in the locked state of the fastening arrangement B″ in various views. FIG. 22C shows a perspective view and FIGS. 23A and 23B show a side view and a sectional view in the region of the fastening arrangement B″.

(78) As shown in FIG. 23B, only two segments SG′ of the motor locking element A′, especially segments situated opposite each other, are arranged in the undercut 2.4.1′ of the locking component 2.4′ such that they are visible from the outside through the corresponding slot 6 in the flange collar 5 of the locking component 2.4′. The other two oppositely situated segments SG′ are arranged in the respective undercut 2.4.1′ such that they abut against a stop 7 of the locking component 2.4′ and limit the locking movement of the electric motor 1. In addition, the electric motor 1 is secured and locked in the rotational direction by means of the bayonet lock BA′.

(79) The locking unit 4 can be placed between the two above-indicated segments SG′ of the motor locking element A′ such that the motor locking element A′ is lockable or is locked in the bayonet lock BA′.

(80) FIG. 24 shows the electric gear motor GM, especially the gear unit G and the electric motor 1 with the additional locking unit 4 in the assembled and not yet locked state. In order to arrive at the locked state, the locking unit 4 must be pressed in the direction of the first arrow direction s1.

(81) FIG. 25 shows the gear unit G and the electric motor 1 with additional locking unit 4 pressed in, in the assembled and therefore locked state on account of the pressed-in locking unit 4. The locking unit 4 here is pressed into the locking component 2.4′, especially into the flange collar 5, in the direction of the electric motor 1 according to the arrow direction s1 and therefore blocks the bayonet lock BA′, especially the segments SG′.

(82) While specific embodiments of the invention have been shown and described in detail to illustrate the application of the principles of the invention, it will be understood that the invention may be embodied otherwise without departing from such principles.