MODULAR, MOTORIZED DRIVE SYSTEM, MODULE, USE AND PRODUCTION METHOD THEREFOR

Abstract

A module for a modular, motorized drive system, in particular for doors, wherein the modular system is designed such that a number of modules arranged linearly one behind the other along a longitudinal axis of the modular system form a functional group of the drive system is provided. The modular system includes at least one of a number of latching elements on a front side of the module orthogonal to the longitudinal axis and a number of receiving elements, which are complementary to the latching elements, on a rear side of the module orthogonal to the longitudinal axis and opposite the front side, wherein the receiving elements are designed to form a mechanical connection to the latching elements of a further module which is arranged with its front side parallel to the rear side of the module.

Claims

1-17. (canceled)

18. A modular, motorized drive system, a. wherein a number of modules arranged linearly one behind the other along a longitudinal axis of the modules form a functional group of the drive system, b. wherein each of the modules comprises at least one of a number of latching elements on a front side orthogonal to the longitudinal axis and a number of receiving elements complementary to the latching elements on a rear side opposite the front side and orthogonal to the longitudinal axis, c. wherein the latching elements of a first module forming a mechanical connection with the receiving elements of a second module adjacent to the first module along the longitudinal axis, wherein d. the receiving elements of the first module and the latching elements of the second module are designed to cooperate positively along the longitudinal axis to prevent loosening of the mechanical connection, e. wherein at least one of the latching elements and the receiving elements comprise at least one undercut against loosening of the mechanical connection along the longitudinal axis.

19. A drive system according to claim 18, wherein the latching elements comprise a number of latching lugs and the receiving elements comprise a number of depressions complementary to the latching lugs.

20. The drive system according to claim 18, wherein at least one of the modules comprises at least one separating element for the non-destructive disconnection of the mechanical connection.

21. The drive system according to claim 18, wherein at least one of the modules comprises a cage for receiving components of the module, the cage comprising at least one of the latching elements and the receiving elements and being designed to absorb forces acting along the longitudinal axis.

22. The drive system according to claim 18, wherein at least one of the modules comprises at least one predetermined breaking point, wherein a breaking force of the predetermined breaking point is less than a release force that must be applied along the longitudinal axis to release the connection the module from the other module.

23. The drive system according to claim 18, wherein at least one of the modules comprises a number of anti-rotation elements for securing the module, on a housing of the modular drive system, against rotation of the module around the Longitudinal axis, the anti-rotation elements comprising a number of at least one of grooves and projections.

24. The drive system according to claim 18, wherein the functional group is selected from: a. a motor; b. a transmission; c. a clutch; d. a brake; e. a bearing and f. a threaded spindle.

25. The drive system according to claim 18, wherein one of a plurality of the modules and all modules, correspond to one another with respect to the shape and arrangement of the latching elements and receiving elements.

26. The drive system according to claim 18, wherein one of the modules comprises a threaded spindle and a bearing, the bearing being designed for absorbing forces acting along the longitudinal axis.

27. Use of a drive system according to claim 18 for actuating a door.

28. A production method for a modular, motorized drive system according to claim 18, with at least the following steps: a. manufacturing of modules for the drive system; b. testing the function of the individual modules and c. assembling the modules after testing to form the drive system.

29. The production method according to claim 28, wherein by storing the modules after manufacture and before assembly during a storage period at a storage temperature, the storage period being at least one of 24 hours and the storage temperature being above a glass transition temperature of a material of the modules.

30. The production method according to claim 29, wherein the testing is carried out before or after the storing).

31. The production method according to claim 28, wherein the assembling comprises preloading the modules.

32. The production method according to claim 28, wherein the drive system is designed for actuating doors.

33. The modular, motorized drive system of claim 18, wherein the motorized drive system is for doors.

34. A production method for a modular, motorized drive system according to claim 28, wherein the method is for doors.

35. The production method according to claim 28, wherein the drive system is designed for actuating vehicle doors.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION

[0045] Some of the embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the following figures, wherein like designations denote like members, wherein:

[0046] FIG. 1 shows a schematic representation of a module according to embodiments of the invention;

[0047] FIG. 2 shows a schematic detailed view of a connection between two modules;

[0048] FIG. 3a shows schematic views of a cage of a module according to embodiments of the invention;

[0049] FIG. 3b show schematic perspective representations of the cage of FIG. 3a:

[0050] FIG. 3c show schematic perspective representations of the cage of FIG. 3a;

[0051] FIG. 4a shows schematic views of a further cage of a module according to embodiments of the invention;

[0052] FIG. 4b show schematic perspective representations of a further cage of a module of FIG. 4a;

[0053] FIG. 4c show schematic perspective representations of a further cage of a module of FIG. 4a:

[0054] FIG. 5 shows a schematic illustration of a drive system according to embodiments of the invention;

[0055] FIG. 6 shows a schematic representation of a production method according to embodiments of the invention; and

[0056] FIG. 7 shows a schematic view of a drive system according to embodiments of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0057] FIG. 1 shows a schematic illustration of a module 100 according to embodiments of the invention for a modular drive system. The module 100 comprises a front 101 side orthogonal to a longitudinal axis LA of the module 100 and a rear side 102 opposite the front side 101. At least one latching element 110, for example a locking lug, is arranged on the front side 101. On the rear side 102, there is at least one receiving element 120, which is complementary to the latching element 110, for example a depression which is complementary to the latching lug. A plurality of modules 100 can be arranged linearly one behind the other along the longitudinal axis LA and mechanically connected to one another, for example inserted into one another, via the latching elements 110 and receiving elements 120.

[0058] The module 100 shown comprises a cage 150 for receiving forces acting along the longitudinal axis LA. The cage 150 can contain at least one functional group of the drive system or parts thereof (not shown). The module 100 shown further comprises an anti-rotation element 180, for example a groove extending parallel to the longitudinal axis LA, for securing the module 100 against rotation about the longitudinal axis LA, for example on a housing of the drive system. The latching element 110, the receiving element 120 and/or the anti-rotation element 180 can be part of the cage 150.

[0059] FIG. 2 shows a schematic detailed view of a connection between two modules 100. A receiving element 120 of a first module 100 is shown in the form of a projection, against which a latching element 110 of the second module 100 rests in the form of a latching hook. The latching element 110 and the receiving element 120 are shaped in such a way that they interact in a form-fitting manner with respect to a movement relative to one another parallel to the longitudinal axis LA of the modules 100.

[0060] The latching element 110 comprises a predetermined breaking point 160, which is designed so that the axial force AK acting on the locking element 110 parallel to the longitudinal axis, at which the predetermined breaking point 160 breaks, is less than the necessary axial force to separate the latching element 110 from the receiving element 120. The connection of the modules 100 can additionally be secured by a radial force RK acting radially to the longitudinal axis on the latching element 110, which prevents the latching element 110 from bending away from the receiving element 110. The radial force RK can be applied, for example, in that the latching element 120 bears against a housing (not shown) of the drive system.

[0061] FIG. 3 shows schematic views of a cage 150 of a module 100 according to embodiments of the invention. FIG. 3a shows a schematic side view of the cage 150. The cage 150 shown comprises a number of latching elements 110 in the form of locking hooks, each having an undercut HS, on a front side 101 orthogonal to the longitudinal axis LA. On a rear side 102 opposite the front side 101, the cage 150 comprises a number of receiving elements 120 in the form of depressions complementary to the latching elements 110, which also have undercuts HS. The undercuts HS securely hold together cages 150 along the longitudinal axis LA against axial forces along the longitudinal axis LA.

[0062] The cage 150 shown comprises a number of anti-rotation elements 180 in the form of incisions parallel to the longitudinal axis LA, into which, for example, projections of a housing (not shown) of the drive device can engage to prevent rotation of the cage 150 about the longitudinal axis LA.

[0063] FIGS. 3b and 3c show schematic perspective representations of the cage 150 of FIG. 3a.

[0064] FIG. 4 shows schematic views of a further cage 150 of a module 100 according to embodiments of the invention. FIG. 4a shows a schematic side view of the cage 150. FIGS. 4b and 4c show schematic perspective representations of the cage 150 of FIG. 4a.

[0065] The cage 150 shown in FIG. 4 differs from the cage 150 shown in FIG. 3 in that it does not have any latching elements 110 on the front side 101. Due to the lack of the latching elements 110, a module 100 with such a cage 150 is particularly suitable as a terminating module at the beginning or at the end of a row of linearly connected modules 100 for a drive system along the longitudinal axis LA. For example, a housing (not shown) or another function group (not shown) of the drive system not carried by a module 100 can be connected to the front side 101 without latching elements 110. For a rotation-proof connection to the drive system, the cage 150 can have a number of anti-rotation elements 180, for example in the form of projections on the front side 101.

[0066] According to embodiments of the invention, it is also conceivable that a module 100 has latching elements 110 on its front side 101 but no receiving elements 120 on its rear side 102. Such a module 100 could form a termination module at an end of a row of modules 100 connected linearly one behind the other along their longitudinal axis LA opposite a cage 150 as shown in FIG. 4.

[0067] FIG. 5 shows a schematic illustration of a drive system 200 according to embodiments of the invention. The drive system 200 shown comprises a number of modules 100 arranged linearly one behind the other along their longitudinal axis LA. The modules 100 each comprise at least one functional group 170 of the drive system 200.

[0068] For example, a first module 100 according to the order of the modules 100 along the longitudinal axis LA includes a motor 171, for example an electric motor, and a transmission 172, in particular adapted to the motor 171. A second module 100 comprises, for example, a clutch 173, in particular an overload clutch for protecting a door (not shown) driven by the drive system 200, in particular a vehicle door, or a connection element (not shown), such as a ball stud, that connects the drive system 200 to the door from overload.

[0069] A drive system 200 according to embodiments of the invention can be designed particularly advantageously such that the overload clutch triggers when the load is less than a maximum load that can be absorbed by the door, the connecting element and the drive system 200 without damage. Furthermore, the drive system 200 is advantageously designed such that its maximum load is less than the respective maximum load on the door and the connecting element. This ensures that in the event of a malfunction or incorrect operation, it is not the door or the connecting element that is damaged, but rather only the drive system 200, which is generally easier to replace.

[0070] A third module 100 includes, for example, a brake 174, for example a disc brake. A fourth module comprises, for example, a further coupling 173, for example an elastic coupling for damping vibrations of the drive system 200 or a tappet to separate the brake 174 from the drive system 200. A fifth module 100 comprises, for example, a bearing 175, in particular for absorbing forces acting parallel to the longitudinal axis LA, and a threaded spindle 176 for moving a door (not shown). Other arrangements of the functional groups 170 are also conceivable within the scope of embodiments of the present invention.

[0071] FIG. 6 shows a schematic illustration of a production method 300 according to embodiments of the invention. The production method 300 shown comprises manufacturing 310 of modules 100, for example by installing generic functional groups 170 of a drive system 200 in cages 150 of modules 100, the cages 150 being produced, for example, by injection moulding. Manufacturing 310 may include marking 311 of manufactured modules 100, each with an individual mark, for example a QR code. In the example shown, manufacturing 310 is followed by storing 320 of modules 100, in particular for a storing period of more than 24 hours.

[0072] Testing 330 of the modules 100, for example by laser scanning, can follow the storing 320, for example. The result of the testing 330 can be documented and assigned, for example on the basis of the mark, to a specific module 100.

[0073] If the testing 330 shows that the modules 100 meet their specifications, the modules 100 can then be assembled 340 into a drive system 200. If testing 330 reveals that module 100 does not meet its specifications, reworking 331 and retesting 330 may be performed on module 100 until the specifications are met.

[0074] FIG. 7 shows a schematic view of a drive system 200 according to embodiments of the invention with four modules 100 arranged one behind the other along their longitudinal axis LA, of which only the cages 150a, 150b, 150c are shown for the sake of clarity. A first cage 150a has a flat rear side 102, for example for arrangement on an inner wall of a housing (not shown) of the drive system. On its front side opposite the rear side 102, the first cage 150a has a number of latching elements 110, which engage in receiving elements 120 on the rear side of a second cage 150b, and in particular thereby prevent the second cage 150b from rotating relative to the first cage 150a.

[0075] The second cage 150b and an adjoining third cage 150b are for example constructed the same way as the cage 150 shown in FIG. 3. Along the longitudinal axis LA, the third cage 150b is followed by a fourth cage 150c, which is constructed, for example, like the cage 150 shown in FIG. 4. The second cage 150b, the third cage 150b and the fourth cage 150c are interconnected by latching elements 110 on the front of the second cage 150b and third cage 150b and receiving elements 120 on the rear side of the third cage 150b and fourth cage 150c. The latching elements 110 engage, for example, in the receiving elements 120 such that the cages 150b, 150c are positively connected to one another with mechanical play along the longitudinal axis LA. Due to the mechanical play, the latching elements 110 can be easily inserted into the receiving elements 120 when the drive system 200 is assembled.

[0076] Although the invention has been illustrated and described in greater detail with reference to the preferred exemplary embodiment, the invention is not limited to the examples disclosed, and further variations can be inferred by a person skilled in the art, without departing from the scope of protection of the invention.

[0077] For the sake of clarity, it is to be understood that the use of a or an throughout this application does not exclude a plurality and comprising does not exclude other steps or elements.

REFERENCE SIGN LIST

[0078] 100 Module [0079] 101 Front side [0080] 102 Rear side [0081] 110 Latching element [0082] 120 Receiving element [0083] 150 Cage [0084] 160 Predetermined breaking point [0085] 170 Functional group [0086] 171 Motor [0087] 172 Transmission [0088] 173 Clutch [0089] 174 Brake [0090] 175 Bearing [0091] 176 Threaded spindle [0092] 180 Anti-rotation element [0093] 200 Drive system [0094] 300 Production method [0095] 310 Manufacturing [0096] 311 Marking [0097] 320 Storing [0098] 330 Testing [0099] 331 Postprocessing [0100] 340 Assembling [0101] AK axial force [0102] LA longitudinal axis [0103] RK radial force