COVERING DEVICE FOR A VEHICLE AND ACTUATOR

Abstract

A covering device (100) for a vehicle, includes: a cover (10); a drive element (40a, 40b) formed to enable a movement of the cover, wherein the drive element brings about a force which acts on the cover. The covering device has a force-limitation apparatus (30a, 30b) which limits the force brought about by the drive element to a limit force so that the covering device is protected in the event of an overload acting on the covering device and/or a user is protected when using the covering device. An actuator (200) has a drive apparatus (210) with a drive element (211); an output drive element (290); and a force-decoupling apparatus (230). The force-decoupling apparatus is formed so that it at least temporarily does not output a force taken up by the drive element or at least temporarily outputs it in a delayed manner to the output drive element.

Claims

1. A covering device (100) for a vehicle, wherein the covering device (100) has the following: a cover (10) which is formed to cover an opening and/or a recess in the vehicle; a drive element (40a, 40b) which is formed to enable a movement of the cover (10), wherein the drive element (40a, 40b) brings about a force which acts on the cover (10) and which enables the movement of the cover (10), wherein the covering device (100) furthermore has a force-limitation apparatus (30a, 30b) which limits the force brought about by the drive element (40a, 40b) to a limit force so that the covering device (100) is protected in the event of an overload acting on the covering device (100) and/or a user is protected when using the covering device (100).

2. The covering device (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the force-limitation apparatus (30a) is an automatically torque-shifting safety clutch which separates the cover (10) from the drive element (40a) when the limit force is reached.

3. The covering device (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the force-limitation apparatus (30a) has a force-take-up part (38) and a force-output part (39).

4. The covering device (100) as claimed in claim 3, wherein the force-take-up part (38) forms a part of a sliding block guide which is connected to the drive element (40a).

5. The covering device (100) as claimed in claim 3, wherein the force-take-up part (38) has a tooth region which is directly connected to an output gear wheel (41) of the drive element (40a).

6. The covering device (100) as claimed in claim 3, wherein the force-output part (39) is connected to a pivot arm (20) of the cover (10) and has an axis of rotation which corresponds to the pivot axis of the pivot arm (20).

7. The covering device (100) as claimed in claim 3, wherein the force-limitation apparatus (30a) has an elastic element, for limiting force, which elastic element is preferably arranged at least substantially within the force-take-up part (38).

8. The covering device (100) as claimed in claim 3, wherein the force-limitation apparatus (30a) is a locking body clutch which has the following: at least one groove (33) which is formed in the force-output part (39); at least one locking body (31) which, in a transmission state of the force-limitation apparatus (30), lies in the at least one groove (33); and at least one pretensioning body (32) which pushes the at least one locking body (31) into the at least one groove (33), wherein the at least one locking body (31) reversibly slips out of the at least one groove (33) when the limit torque is reached.

9. The covering device (100) as claimed in claim 3, wherein the force-limitation apparatus (30a) furthermore has a restoring mechanism (36) which is formed to restore the force-limitation apparatus (30a) to a transmission state if the overload acting on the covering device (100) is reduced or is no longer present.

10. The covering device (100) as claimed in claim 8, wherein the restoring mechanism (36) is pretensioned if the at least one locking body (31) has reversibly slipped out of the at least one groove (33) and restores the at least one locking body (31) back into the at least one groove (33) if the overload acting on the covering device (100) is reduced or is no longer present.

11. The covering device (100) as claimed in claim 9, wherein the restoring mechanism (36) is a torsion spring which is fastened with a first side to the force-take-up part (38), is fastened with a second side to the force-output part (39) and is arranged at least substantially within the force-take-up part (38).

12. The covering device (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the force-limitation apparatus (30b) has the following: a control lever (34) which is connected to the drive element (40b); and an elastic element (35) which is connected on a first side to the control lever (34) and on a second side to the cover (10), wherein the drive element (40b) pretensions the elastic element (35), and wherein the elastic element (35) brings about an opening process or closing process of the cover (10) during relief of tension.

13. The covering device (100) as claimed in claim 12, wherein the drive element (40b) pretensions the elastic element (35) by a lifting movement in such a manner that the direction of action of the elastic element (35) is reversed between the opening and closing process of the cover (10).

14. The covering device (100) as claimed in claim 13, wherein the drive element (40b) moves downward in order to initiate the opening process of the cover (10) and thus moves the control lever (34) into an upper position in which the elastic element (35) is pretensioned in the first direction of action.

15. The covering device (100) as claimed in claim 13, wherein the drive element (40b) moves upward in order to initiate the closing process of the cover (10) and thus moves the control lever (34) into a lower position in which the elastic element (35) is pretensioned in the second direction of action.

16. An actuator (200), for use in the case of a covering device (100) of a vehicle, wherein the actuator (200) has the following: a drive apparatus (210) with a drive element (211), which drive apparatus (210) is formed to provide the actuator (200) with a force; an output drive element (290) which is formed to output force from the actuator (200); and a force-decoupling apparatus (230) which is formed to take up force from the drive element (211) and output it to the output drive element (290), wherein the force-decoupling apparatus (230) is formed so that it at least temporarily does not output the force taken up by the drive element (211) or at least temporarily outputs it in a delayed manner to the output drive element (290).

17. The actuator (200) as claimed in claim 16, wherein the force-decoupling apparatus (230) has an output element (233), an input element (231) and a transmission element (232), which is arranged as a force-transmission and/or force-accumulator part between the output element (233) and the input element (231).

18. The actuator (200) as claimed in claim 17, wherein the transmission element (232) is a jaw clutch.

19. The actuator (200) as claimed in claim 17, wherein the force-decoupling apparatus (230) is an automatically torque-shifting safety clutch which separates the output element (233) from the input element (231) at least temporarily when a limit force is reached.

20. The actuator (200) as claimed in claim 17, wherein the transmission element (232) is a spring element.

21-28. (canceled)

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0116] The invention will be explained in more detail hereinbelow with reference to the description of exemplary embodiments, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0117] FIG. 1 shows a schematic plan view of a complete covering device according to a first embodiment of the present invention;

[0118] FIG. 2 shows a schematic plan view of a drive element and a force-limitation apparatus of the covering device according to the first embodiment of the present invention;

[0119] FIG. 3 shows a more detailed plan view of the force-limitation apparatus of the covering device according to the first embodiment of the present invention, wherein the force-take-up part has been cut away in order to show the construction of the force-output part;

[0120] FIG. 4 shows a schematic diagram of the covering device according to a second embodiment of the present invention;

[0121] FIG. 5 shows a covering device according to a third embodiment of the present invention;

[0122] FIG. 6 shows a schematic diagram of the covering device according to the third embodiment of the present invention, with different states of the covering device, in particular of the control lever and of the elastic element, being depicted;

[0123] FIG. 7 shows a schematic illustration of the covering device according to the third embodiment of the present invention in a closed rest position;

[0124] FIG. 8 shows a schematic illustration of the covering device according to the third embodiment of the present invention at the beginning of the opening process;

[0125] FIG. 9 shows a schematic illustration of the covering device according to the third embodiment of the present invention in an open rest position;

[0126] FIG. 10 shows a schematic illustration of the covering device according to the third embodiment of the present invention at the beginning of the closing process;

[0127] FIG. 11 shows a plan view of an actuator in a housing, with the housing cover omitted, according to one embodiment of the present invention;

[0128] FIG. 12 shows a schematic illustration of an actuator in a housing, with the housing cover omitted, according to one embodiment of the present invention;

[0129] FIG. 13 shows a schematic illustration of the actuator and its elements without the housing; and

[0130] FIG. 14 shows a plan view of a force-decoupling apparatus of the actuator.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0131] Reference will be made hereinbelow first of all to FIG. 1, which shows a schematic plan view of a complete covering device 100 according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

[0132] The covering device 100 has a cover 10, which is designed by way of example in the form of a flap and covers or closes an opening in a vehicle. A drive element 40a brings about an opening and closing operation of the cover 10, wherein a force-limitation apparatus 30a is located between the cover 10 and the drive element 40a.

[0133] FIG. 2 shows a schematic plan view of the drive element 40a and the force-limitation apparatus 30a. In particular, an output gear wheel 41 of the drive element 40a is shown in engagement with a tooth region of a force-take-up part 38 of the force-limitation apparatus 30a. The force, in this case the torque, is thus transmitted from the output gear wheel 41 to the force-take-up part 38 of the force-limitation apparatus 30a and from said force-take-up part to a force-output part 39.

[0134] The force-output part 39 is connected to the cover 10. As can be seen in FIG. 2, the force-take-up part 38 forms a kind of housing, in the interior of which are arranged a region of the force-output part 39 and the actual force-limiting or torque-limiting components and/or elements.

[0135] FIG. 3 shows the force-limitation apparatus 30a, from which the force-take-up part 38 has been removed in order for the construction of the force-output part 39, in particular of that region of the force-output part 39 which is arranged within the force-take-up part 38, to be shown.

[0136] In its interior, the force-limitation apparatus 30a has a torsion spring for force-limiting purposes. At least some regions of the torsion spring are arranged around a shaft-like region or shaft of the force-output part 39, wherein there is sufficient space between the shaft and the torsion spring for the components not to be hindered in any way.

[0137] By virtue of the force-take-up part 38 moving (rotating), the spring outputs the movement (directly) to the force-output part 39. The limit force or the limit torque between the drive element 40a and cover 10, or in this case between the force-take-up part 38 and force-output part 39, is determined here via the pretensioning of the spring and the spring constant/spring rate thereof.

[0138] The torsion spring therefore performs the function of transmitting force (substantially without compression) and of limiting force (with compression). If the covering device has been blocked, the torsion spring is pretensioned by the drive element to the extent where the covering device opens smoothly when the blockage is removed. Of course, this also applies correspondingly to the closing process.

[0139] Each of the two discernible ends (legs) of the torsion spring here comes into contact both with the force-take-up part 38 and with the force-output part 39. If for example the force-take-up part 38, which cannot be seen here, is rotated in a clockwise direction, the upper leg is carried along, whereas the lower leg remains in abutment against the force-output part 39. If the force-take-up part 38 is rotated in the opposite direction, the lower leg is carried along, whereas the upper leg remains in abutment against the force-output part 39. Of course, a reversal of the aforementioned principle is also conceivable here.

[0140] There is preferably an amount of play formed between the legs of the torsion spring and those regions of the force-take-up part 38 and of the force-output part 39 which carry along the limbs during a movement. The force-limitation apparatus can thus be mounted to good effect. Since the motor always rotates the force-limitation apparatus somewhat too far, the covering device nevertheless corresponds to the movement without delay.

[0141] FIG. 4 shows a schematic diagram of the covering device 100 according to the second embodiment of the present invention. The force-limitation apparatus 30a has a locking body 31, a pretensioning body 32 and a groove 33. In the transmission state of the force-limitation apparatus 30a, the locking body 31 is pushed into the groove 33 by the pretensioning body 32, and therefore this can output a force, in this case a torque, to the force-output part 39.

[0142] A pivot arm 20 of the cover 10 is fastened to the force-output part 39. The pivot axis of the pivot arm 20 and the axis of rotation of the force-output part 39 here are located along a common axis. This axis is also the axis of rotation of the force-take-up part 38.

[0143] If the cover 10 or the pivot arm 20 is then held by a braking force or braking load, and if the critical torque of the force-limitation apparatus 30a is exceeded when driving operation takes place, the locking body 31 unlatches from the groove 33. Consequently, the force-limitation apparatus 30a is then located in a non-transmission state, in which there is no torque transmitted via the locking body 31 and the groove 33.

[0144] However, the drive element 40a continues to drive the force-take-up part 38 of the force-limitation apparatus 30a, and therefore the restoring mechanism 36, in this case the torsion spring, is pretensioned. The torsion spring is fastened with its one end to a region of the force-output part 39 and with its other end to a region of the force-take-up part 38. If the force-take-up part 38 rotates and the force-output part 39 is at a standstill, the torsion spring is pretensioned correspondingly.

[0145] As a result, as soon as the braking load which has prevented the cover 10 from moving is absent, the force-output part 39 is able to follow the force-take-up part 38 into the starting position again, in which the locking body 31 lies in the groove 33 (force-transmission state).

[0146] FIG. 5 is a schematic plan view of a covering device 100 according to a third embodiment of the present invention. The covering device 100 of the third embodiment likewise has a drive element 40b, said drive element performing a lifting movement. The covering device 100 furthermore has a control lever 34, the position of which can be altered by means of the drive element 40b from an upper position to a lower position, and vice versa.

[0147] The control lever 34 is connected to the pivot arm 20 via an elastic element 35. The elastic element 35, in turn, is a torsion spring, which is fastened with its one side in a spring bearing on the control lever 34 and is fastened with its other side on a spring bearing in the pivot arm 20.

[0148] The elastic element 35 or the torsion spring can be pretensioned by the movement of the control lever 34. For ease of illustration of the covering device 100, the elastic element 35 has been arranged in front of the control lever 34 in FIG. 5 and the rest of the figures. In actual fact, however, it is arranged, in the installed state, between the pivot arm 20 and the control lever 34.

[0149] The pivot arm 20 is designed differently to the pivot arm 20 of the first embodiment. In particular, the pivot arm 20 is in the form of a swan neck, wherein the pivot axis runs through the head. The pivot arm 20 is furthermore accommodated in a housing 90.

[0150] The operating principle of the covering device 100 according to the third embodiment differs from that of the first and second embodiments.

[0151] This is shown in combined fashion in FIG. 6. FIG. 6 depicts various spring positions of the elastic element 35 and various positions of the control lever 34.

[0152] Position A shows the elastic element (referred to hereinbelow as spring) in the closed rest position of the covering device 100. In this position, the control lever 34 is arranged in its lower position U. If the drive element 40b travels downward, the control lever 34 is transferred into its upper position O.

[0153] If the control lever 34 is in its upper position O, that is to say at the beginning of the opening process of the cover 10, the spring has been pretensioned in position B. The spring is then relieved of tension, and brings about the opening movement of the cover 10 in the process.

[0154] When the spring reaches position C, the cover 10 is located in its open rest position. If the drive element 40b then travels upward, the control lever 34 is moved into its lower position U and the spring is pretensioned in position D.

[0155] When the spring is relieved of tension from position D into position A, the cover 10 closes before it is located once again in its closed rest position.

[0156] The process can then begin anew.

[0157] The various positions of the covering device 100 according to the third embodiment are illustrated even more precisely in the following FIGS. 7 to 10.

[0158] FIG. 7 here shows the closed rest position of the cover 10, in which the spring or the elastic element 35 applies a closing torque to the pivot arm 20. The drive element 40b holds the control lever 34 in its lower position U.

[0159] In FIG. 8, the drive element 40b has moved the control lever 34 into its upper position O and the elastic element 35 is visibly pretensioned. The pretensioning is also achieved here by the spring being turned or reversed. The pivot arm 20 is then subjected to an opening moment, which results in the cover 10 opening.

[0160] FIG. 9 illustrates the open rest position, in which the cover 10 is fully open. The elastic element 35 continues to subject the pivot arm 20 to an opening torque. In this state, the space behind the cover 10 is exposed, and for example refueling can take place.

[0161] FIG. 10 shows the beginning of the closing process of the cover 10. Here, the drive element 40b has moved the control lever 34 into its lower position U again, and therefore the elastic element 35, once again, has been reversed and pretensioned. Accordingly, a closing moment acts on the pivot arm 20.

[0162] If the elastic element 35 is relieved of tension, the state described in FIG. 7 is re-established.

[0163] As an alternative to the first, second and third embodiments of the covering device 100, it would also be conceivable for the drive element 40 to open the cover 10 by a direct displacement, wherein an elastic element is arranged in series, as a force-limitation apparatus, between the drive element 40 and the cover 10 or the pivot arm 20.

[0164] Moreover, it would be conceivable, as an alternative, for the drive element 40 to actuate an eccentric which drives the cover 10 or the pivot arm 20. This makes it possible to achieve a longer distance and an improved transmission ratio. Here too, an elastic element is arranged in series as an overload protector in this case.

[0165] FIG. 11 shows a plan view of an actuator 200 according to the present invention, the actuator being arranged in a housing 300. In order to be able to see into the interior of the actuator housing, the cover of the actuator housing 300 has been omitted here.

[0166] It is easy to see, in particular from this perspective, the space-saving way in which the individual elements are accommodated in the housing 300. This is possible, in particular, also as a result of the specific combination of worm wheels and gear wheels and the space-saving design of the force-decoupling apparatus, which will be described hereinbelow. The housing 300 itself is designed such that it at least substantially follows the contours of the outer components (i.e. those which are adjacent to the housing 300) of the actuator. This gives rise to the housing 300 being of irregular shape, but of extremely space-saving design.

[0167] FIG. 13 shows the actuator 200 in a view in which the housing 300 has also been omitted so that the elements of the actuator 200 can be seen even more clearly.

[0168] Reference is made hereinbelow to FIGS. 11, 12 and 13. It can be seen in FIGS. 11, 12 and 13 that the actuator 200 has a drive apparatus 210. The drive apparatus 210 is, for example, an electric motor. The drive apparatus 210 has a drive element 211, which is connected to an output spindle of the electric motor, the drive element 211 being designed in the form of a worm wheel.

[0169] The drive element 211 is coupled to a drive transmission element 220, and therefore force can be transmitted from the drive element 211 to the drive transmission element 220. In particular, torque is transmitted from the drive element 211 to the drive transmission element 220.

[0170] The drive transmission element 220 has a gear wheel 220a and a worm wheel 220b (evident, in particular, in FIG. 13), which are formed integrally with one another. This means that they are formed in one piece with one another.

[0171] In particular, the drive element 211 transmits torque to the gear wheel 220a of the drive transmission element 220.

[0172] The arrangement of the worm wheel and gear wheel makes it possible for the shaft of the drive element 211 and the shaft of the drive transmission element 220 to be offset through 90°, good utilization of space therefore being possible.

[0173] The drive transmission element 220, more specifically the worm wheel 220b of the drive transmission element 220, is connected to an input element 231 of a force-decoupling apparatus 230. The input element 231 is connected to an output element 233 via a transmission element 232—in this case in the form of a leg spring.

[0174] The input element 231 and the output element 233 each have a region on which a gear wheel is formed.

[0175] The output element 233 is connected to an output drive transmission element 240, the output drive transmission element 240 likewise being a gear wheel. The output drive transmission element 240 is furthermore connected to an output drive element 290, which then transmits force to an output drive spindle 291.

[0176] It can be seen to good effect in particular in FIG. 13 that there is enough space in the region of the output drive transmission element 240 (alongside the force-decoupling apparatus 230) to arrange a position monitoring device, that is to say position monitoring elements. In particular, it is possible for a Hall sensor, which monitors the position of the output drive transmission element 240, to be arranged in said region.

[0177] As can be seen in particular in FIG. 11 or 12, the output drive element 290 is arranged on an outer corner of the housing 300. This makes it possible for the output drive spindle 291 likewise to be able to be arranged on the outer corner of the housing 300. This allows the output drive spindle 291 to be able to be arranged in a colinear manner in relation to a pivot axis of the covering device. Drive power can thus also be transmitted directly to the hinge arm/axis.

[0178] The output drive element 290 has an outer toothing formation and an inner toothing formation (for example also in Torx form). In particular, the outer toothing formation is connected to the output drive transmission element 240 and the inner toothing formation is connected to the output drive spindle 291, which in turn has an outer toothing formation.

[0179] As far as the transmission ratio is concerned, it can be seen, in particular, that there is a step-down ratio from the drive element 211 to the drive transmission element 220 and the transmission ratio remains substantially equal from the drive transmission element 220 to the input element 231. There is a step-down ratio from the output element 233 to the output drive transmission element 240 and a step-up ratio from the output drive transmission element 240 to the output drive element 290.

[0180] FIG. 14 shows a relatively large illustration of the force-decoupling apparatus 230. It can also be seen here that the construction of the force-decoupling apparatus 230 is an extremely space-saving one. Thus, at least certain regions of the transmission element 232 (in this case the spring element, more specifically the leg spring) are received in the output element 233. The output element 233, in turn, is received in the input element 231. The leg spring is arranged such that a first end of the leg spring 232a is arranged at a first longitudinal end of the output element 233 (and also of the input element 231). A second end 232b of the leg spring is arranged at least substantially at the opposite longitudinal end of the input element 231, and also of the output element 233.

[0181] In this example, force is transmitted from the input element 231 to the output element 233 via the ends 232a and 232b of the spring element. This force transmission is described in more detail hereinbelow:

[0182] If the gear wheel of the input element 231 in FIG. 11 moves in the clockwise direction, then a first carry-along region 231a of the input element 231 carries along the first end 232a of the spring element in the clockwise direction, and therefore the spring element, if the output element 233 is blocked, is pretensioned or, if the output element 233 is not blocked, transmits force to the output element 233. For force transmission between the spring element and output element 233, the second end 232b of the spring element comes into contact, or is in contact, with a second force-transmission region 233b of the output element 233.

[0183] In other words, if the output element 233 has not been blocked, the force is transmitted from the input element 231, more specifically the carry-along region 231a, to the first end 232a of the spring element, from the first end 232a to the second end 232b, and from the second end 232b of the spring element to the output element 233 or the second force-transmission region 233b thereof.

[0184] This progression of movement can serve, for example, to open the covering device. In this case, blockage of the output element 233 could be explained by the covering device, for example, being iced up. The opening energy is then stored in the transmission element 232, that is to say the spring element.

[0185] A similar progression arises when the input element 231 rotates in the counterclockwise direction. In this case, the second carry-along region 231b carries along the second end 232b of the spring element in the counterclockwise direction, and therefore, at the first end 232a of the spring element, force is transmitted to the output element 233 on a first force-transmission region 233a.

[0186] If the output element 233 can move freely, i.e. is not blocked, the force is transmitted from the second end 232b at least substantially directly to the first end 232a of the spring element, and the input element 231 is made to rotate by means of the first end 232a.

[0187] If the output element 233 is blocked (for example because the user's finger is located between the covering device and opening which is to be closed), the force, rather than being transmitted directly to the input element 231, is stored on an interim basis by the spring element. The risk of injury can thus be straightforwardly reduced. As soon as the output element 233 is free again, the energy or force stored in the spring element is output to the output element 233.

[0188] It is only in this example that the actuator 200 is designed with a transmission element 232 in the form of a spring element. As an alternative, it would be just as well conceivable for the actuator to be designed with a transmission element 232 in the form of a jaw clutch, or for use to be made of the force-limitation apparatus (for example 30a forming a torque-limitation means).

[0189] Moreover, it would, of course, also be conceivable to replace the force-limitation apparatus 30a of the covering device 100 with a force-decoupling apparatus 230 with input element 231, output element 233 and transmission element 232. The transmission element 232 here can be both a spring element and a jaw clutch. In principle here, the force-take-up part 38 of the force-limitation apparatus 30a would be replaced by the input element 231 and the force-output part 39 would be replaced by the output element 233.

LIST OF REFERENCE SIGNS

[0190] 100 Covering device [0191] 10 Cover [0192] 20 Pivot arm [0193] 30a, 30b Force-limitation apparatus [0194] 31 Locking body [0195] 32 Pretensioning body [0196] 33 Groove [0197] 34 Control lever [0198] 35 Elastic element [0199] 36 Restoring mechanism [0200] 38 Force-take-up part [0201] 39 Force-output part [0202] 40a, 40b Drive element [0203] 41 Output gear wheel [0204] 90 Housing [0205] 200 Actuator [0206] 210 Drive apparatus [0207] 211 Drive element [0208] 220 Drive transmission element [0209] 230 Force-decoupling apparatus [0210] 231 Input element [0211] 231a First carry-along region [0212] 231b Second carry-along region [0213] 232 Transmission element [0214] 232a First end of the transmission element [0215] 232b Second end of the transmission element [0216] 233 Output element [0217] 233a First force-transmission region [0218] 233b Second force-transmission region [0219] 240 Output drive transmission element [0220] 290 Output drive element [0221] 291 Output drive spindle [0222] 300 Housing