TANDEM DRIVE DEVICE

Abstract

A tandem drive device for at least one adjustable vehicle part, in particular for a sliding roof system, preferably comprising at least two sliding roof elements such as, for example, a glass roof and a roller shutter, wherein the tandem drive device includes at least a first drive system having a first gear mechanism and a first drive motor, and a second drive system having a second gear mechanism and a second drive motor, as well as a common control circuit for the first drive motor and the second drive motor, wherein the first gear mechanism and the second gear mechanism as well as the control circuit are accommodated in a common housing.

Claims

1. A tandem drive device for a sliding roof system comprising at least two sliding roof elements comprising: at least a first drive system having a first gear mechanism and a first drive motor, and a second drive system having a second gear mechanism and a second drive motor, and a common control circuit for the first drive motor and the second drive motor, wherein the first gear mechanism, the second gear mechanism, and the control circuit are accommodated in a common housing.

2. The tandem drive device according to claim 1, wherein the common control circuit is integrated in a controller board.

3. The tandem device according to claim 1, further comprising a common electronics system cover.

4. The tandem drive device according to claim 1, wherein the first drive motor and/or the second drive motor are/is at least in part disposed outside the common housing.

5. The tandem device according to claim 1, wherein the common housing, at least when viewed in a lateral view, is configured so as to be at least substantially quadrangular.

6. The tandem drive device according to claim 1, comprising only one vehicle-interface apparatus plug connector.

7. The tandem drive device according claim 1, wherein at least the first gear mechanism and the second gear mechanism are mutually disposed so as to be axially symmetrical.

8. The tandem drive device according to claim 1, wherein the first gear mechanism and the second gear mechanism overlap at least in portions in an axial direction defined by a rotation axis of the first drive motor.

9. The tandem drive device according to claim 1 wherein the first gear mechanism and the second gear mechanism do not overlap in an axial direction defined by a rotation axis of the first drive motor.

10. The tandem drive device according to claim 1 wherein a rotating direction of the first drive motor is counter to a rotating direction of the second drive motor.

11. Use of a tandem drive device according to claim 1 for a sliding roof system comprising at least two sliding roof elements.

12. A sliding roof system comprising at least two sliding roof elements and a tandem drive device according to claim 1.

13. A motor vehicle comprising a system according to claim 12.

14. The tandem drive device according to claim 1, wherein the common control is integrated in a substantially rectangular controller board.

15. The tandem device according to claim 1, wherein the common housing, at least when viewed in a lateral view, is configured so as to be at least substantially rectangular.

16. The tandem drive device according claim 1 wherein the first drive system and the second drive system being are mutually disposed so as to be axially symmetrical.

17. The sliding roof system of claim 12, wherein the at least two sliding roof elements comprise a glass roof and a roller shutter.

Description

[0036] The disclosure will be described hereunder by means of exemplary embodiments which are described in more detail by means of the illustration:

[0037] FIG. 1 shows a schematic lateral view of a tandem drive device according to the disclosure;

[0038] FIG. 2 shows a schematic lateral view of a further tandem drive device according to the disclosure; and

[0039] FIG. 3 shows a schematic lateral view of a further tandem drive device according to the disclosure.

[0040] The same reference signs are used for identical and functionally equivalent parts in the description hereunder.

[0041] FIG. 1 in a schematic view shows a first gear mechanism 11 as well as a second gear mechanism 12. The first gear mechanism 11 by way of a first force transmission means 13 (first cable train) is operatively connected to a first adjustable vehicle part (in particular a glass roof of a sliding roof systemnot shown). The second gear mechanism 12 by way of a second force transmission means (cable train) is operatively connected to a second adjustable vehicle part (in particular a roller shutter of a sliding roof systemnot shown). Accordingly, the respective adjustable vehicle parts can be adjusted by way of the gear mechanisms 11, 12. The first gear mechanism 11 is driven by a first drive motor 15. The second gear mechanism 12 is driven by a second drive motor 16.

[0042] The first gear mechanism 11, the second gear mechanism 12, as well as a (schematically shown) control circuit 17 (controller board) are disposed in a common housing 18. The drive motors (electric motors) 15, 16 are disposed outside this housing 18. Furthermore provided is also an electronics system cover 19 (likewise indicated in only a schematic manner) by way of which the control circuit 17 (controller board) is covered (or can be covered, respectively). A supply of power (in particular electric power) as well as a supply of signals to the tandem drive device can take place by way of a (common) apparatus plug connector 20.

[0043] FIGS. 2 and 3 show further embodiment of the tandem drive device according to the disclosure, having in particular further details in terms of the gear mechanisms 12, 13. It is illustrated here in that (in FIG. 2 as well as FIG. 3) the first drive motor 15 by way of a (worm) shaft 15a drives a (worm) gear 15b. In turn, an (output) sprocket 15c is (optionally indirectly) driven by way of the gear 4, the force transmission means 13 in turn then being driven by way of said (output) sprocket 15c. Further details of the gear mechanism can be configured, for example, as described in DE 197 34 815 C1 (cf. in the latter in particular reference signs 2, 3, 4, 4A, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 10A-10E). The second drive motor 16, and the second gear mechanism 12, respectively, (in FIG. 2 as well as in FIG. 3) are assigned analogous gear mechanism elements 16a, 16b, and 16c.

[0044] The embodiments of FIGS. 2 and 3 differ in particular in terms of the disposal of the gear mechanisms 11, 12 and (associated therewith) the structure of the respective housing 18.

[0045] An embodiment having a comparatively small extent in the X-direction is shown in FIG. 2. In this embodiment, the gear mechanisms 11, 12 overlap when viewed in the X-direction. In contrast, the embodiment according to FIG. 3 has an enlarged extent in the X-direction but an extent of extremely small dimensions in the Y-direction. The extent in the Z-direction can be identical in the embodiments according to FIGS. 2 and 3.

[0046] It can specifically apply to the embodiment according to FIG. 2: extent in the Y-direction=90-110 mm; extent in the Y-direction=160-190 mm; extent in the Z-direction=28-38 mm. It can apply to the embodiments according to FIG. 3: extent in the X-direction=110-130 mm; extent in the Y-direction=110-130 mm; extent in the Z-direction=28-38 mm.

[0047] The gear mechanisms 11, 12 of the embodiment according to FIG. 3 do not overlap in the Y-direction.

[0048] It is to be pointed out at this juncture that all parts described above, considered by themselves and in any combination, in particular the details illustrated in the drawings, are part of the description. Modifications thereof are familiar to the person skilled in the art.

REFERENCE SIGNS

[0049] 11 First gear mechanism [0050] 12 Second gear mechanism [0051] 13 First force transmission means (cable train) [0052] 14 Second force transmission means (cable train) [0053] 15 First drive motor (electric motor) [0054] 16 Second drive motor (electric motor) [0055] 17 Control circuit (controller board) [0056] 18 (Common) housing [0057] 19 Electronics system cover [0058] 20 Apparatus plug connector