SWITCH DEVICE FOR ESTABLISHING AN OPERATIVE CONNECTION IN BETWEEN TWO GEAR ELEMENTS

Abstract

A control unit for establishing a functional connection between two gearing components comprises at least one control element, which can be moved in order to switch the control unit between different switching states, wherein the at least one control element is configured to provide a retaining force between the gearing components in a first switching state, and to allow movement of the gearing components in relation to one another in a second switching state. An actuator is used to move the at least one control element. A control mechanism controls the actuator. It is provided thereby that the control mechanism is configured to activate the actuator to switch the control unit from the first switching state to the second switching state, in order to move the at least one control element to reduce the retaining force (FH) based on a predetermined delay function (VF).

Claims

1. A control unit for establishing a functional connection between two gearing components, that has at least one control element, that can be moved in order to switch the control unit between different switching states, wherein the at least one control element is configured to provide a retaining force between the gearing components in a first switching state, and to allow a relative movement of the gearing components in a second switching state, an actuator for moving the at least one control element, and a control mechanism for controlling the actuator, characterized in that the control mechanism is configured to activate the actuator to switch the control unit from the first switching state to the second switching state in order to move the at least one control element to reduce the retaining force (FH) based on a predetermined delay function (VF).

2. The control unit according to claim 1, characterized in that the delay function (VF) causes a delay in transitioning the control unit from the first switching state to the second switching state, which is greater than or equal to a predetermined minimum delay.

3. The control unit according to claim 2, characterized in that the delay is greater than 1 second, preferably greater than 2 seconds.

4. The control unit according to claim 1, characterized in that the control mechanism is configured to activate the actuator to move the at least one control element such that the retaining force during the transition of the control unit from the first switching state to the second switching state changes in a first time interval (T1) by a first amount (A1), and in a subsequent, second time interval (T2) by a second amount (A2), which is greater than the first amount (A1).

5. The control unit according to claim 4, characterized in that the control mechanism is configured to activate the actuator to move the at least one control element such that the retaining force during the transition of the control unit from the first switching state to the second switching state changes in a third time interval (T3) following the second time interval (T2) by a third amount (A3), which is less than the second amount (A2).

6. The control unit according to claim 1, characterized in that the control mechanism is configured to activate the actuator in response to a command for switching the control unit from the first switching state to the second switching state.

7. The control unit according to claim 1, characterized by a brake cover, wherein at least one control element bears in a fixed manner on the brake cover in a coupling state, bears on the brake cover in a non-braking manner in a freewheel state, and is pressed against the brake cover in a braking manner by the positioning element in a braking state.

8. The control unit according to claim 7, characterized in that the first switching state corresponds to the coupling state or the braking state, and the second switching state corresponds to the freewheel state.

9. The control unit according to claim 8, characterized by a positioning element for moving the at least one control element and a carrier, in relation to which the brake cover can rotate, and on which the positioning element and the at least one control element are moveably disposed, wherein a control gearing connects the actuator to the positioning element to move the at least one control element.

10. The control unit according to claim 9, characterized in that the control gearing has a spindle gearing.

11. A device for changing or maintaining the position of a first vehicle part, manually and/or with an electric motor, in relation to a second vehicle part, that has a control component that has a joint such that it can be pivotally disposed on the first vehicle part, wherein the control component is to be placed on the first vehicle part such that when the vehicle parts are moved in relation to one another, the control component moves in relation to the second vehicle part, an output drive element placed on the second vehicle part, functionally connected to the control component, which can be driven to move the control component in relation to the second vehicle part, and an electric motor drive mechanism for driving the output drive element, wherein the drive mechanism has a drive motor and a gearing that couples the drive motor to the output drive element, characterized in that the gearing has a switching mechanism, configured to switch the gearing between a coupling state, in which the drive motor is coupled to the output drive element, a freewheel state, in which the coupling between the drive motor and the output drive element is interrupted such that the drive element can move independently of the drive motor, and a braking state, in which the output drive element can move independently of the drive motor, but is braked thereby.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0037] The fundamental concept of the invention shall be explained in greater detail below, based on the exemplary embodiments shown in the figures. Therein:

[0038] FIG. 1 shows a schematic view of a vehicle door on a vehicle body, with a control component connected in an articulated manner to the vehicle body, that is moved when the vehicle door is pivoted in relation to the vehicle body, in the form of an arrester strap;

[0039] FIG. 2 shows an exemplary embodiment of a device for controlling and securing two vehicle parts in relation to one another;

[0040] FIG. 3 shows the drive train of the device;

[0041] FIG. 4 shows a control unit for controlling a gearing;

[0042] FIG. 5A shows the control unit in a coupling state;

[0043] FIG. 5B shows the control unit in a braking state;

[0044] FIG. 5C shows the control unit in a freewheel state;

[0045] FIG. 6 shows the control unit from below, without the carrier element;

[0046] FIG. 7 shows a separate view of a spindle gearing for the control unit, which has a spindle that can be driven by an actuator, and a spindle nut threaded on the spindle;

[0047] FIG. 8A shows a graph of the curve of a force applied to a control component, corresponding to a manual control by a user;

[0048] FIG. 8B shows a graph of a retaining force applied to the control component;

[0049] FIG. 8C shows a graph of the curve of the speed of the control component;

[0050] FIG. 9A shows a graph of the curve of a force applied to a control component, e.g. due to wind striking the control component;

[0051] FIG. 9B shows a graph of a retaining force applied to the control component; and

[0052] FIG. 9C shows a graph of a resulting speed of the control component.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0053] FIG. 1 shows a schematic view of a vehicle 1 with a vehicle body 10 and a vehicle door 11 attached in an articulated manner to the vehicle body 10 such that it can pivot over a hinge 111, which can be pivoted in an opening direction O in relation to the vehicle body 10, in order to open or close the door.

[0054] A device 2 acts between the vehicle body 10 and the vehicle door 11, which has a control component 21 in the form of an arrester strap and is used to retain and/or move the vehicle door 11 in relation to the vehicle body 10. The control component 21 in the form of an arrester strap is attached in an articulated manner to the vehicle body 10, e.g. the A-pillar of the vehicle 1, such that it can be pivoted about a joint 20, and moves when the vehicle door 11 is pivoted in relation to the vehicle body 10. The control component 21 extends at one end 211 into an interior space 110 in the vehicle door 11, and moves in this interior space 110 when the vehicle door is moved.

[0055] Perspective views of an exemplary embodiment of a device 2 of this type are shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. The control component 21 in the form of the arrester strap has a joint 20 on one end 210, which can be secured to the vehicle body 10, e.g. the A-pillar of the vehicle 1, in order to connect the control component 21 in an articulated manner to the vehicle body 10.

[0056] At the end 210 facing away from the end 211, the control component 21 extends into the interior space 110 of the vehicle door 11. The control component 21 is functionally connected to the vehicle door 11 in order to secure the vehicle door 11 in a position in relation to the vehicle body 10 and/or to allow a electric motor or manual control of the vehicle door 11 in relation to the vehicle body 10.

[0057] A force transferring element in the form of a flexible pull cable 22, e.g. a steel or plastic cable, that can transfer a pulling force, is located on the control component 21, via which the control component 21 is connected to an output drive element in the form of a cable drum 24 of a drive mechanism 3. The cable drum 24 is located on a shaft 34 extending along a longitudinal axis L, and can be rotated about the longitudinal axis L. The cable drum 24 has a cable groove encircling the cable drum 24 in the manner of a helical groove, in which segments of the pull cable 22 lie. When the cable drum 24 is rotated about the longitudinal axis L, a segment of the pull cable 220 is wound around the cable drum 24, and another segment of the pull cable 22 is unwound from the cable drum 24. The length that the pull cable 22 extends on the control component 21 does not change thereby. Instead, the rotation of the cable drum 24 results in a movement of the control component 21 along a movement direction V in relation to the cable drum 24, such that by driving the cable drum 24, the control component 21, and thus the vehicle parts 10, 11 can be moved toward one another. Alternatively, a braking effect can also be provided via the cable drum 24when the vehicle parts 10, 11 are moved toward one anotherin order to hold the vehicle parts 10, 11 in position in relation to one another, or to brake the movement if the vehicle parts are moved.

[0058] The cable drum 24 is connected in a form fitting manner to the shaft 34 for conjoint rotation therewith. The shaft 34 is a component of a gearing 30 in the depicted exemplary embodiment, which can act on the cable drum 24 in order to move or secure the vehicle parts. The cable drum 24 is incorporated in a cable drum housing 380, secured to a housing 38 of the device 2. The cable drum housing 380 rotatably supports the cable drum, and guides the cable drum in relation to the control component 21 in a defined manner.

[0059] The drive mechanism 3 has a gearing 30, and is configured such that the vehicle door 1 can be moved with an electric motor by means of the drive mechanism 3, or manually, independently of the drive mechanism 3, or also with the support of the drive device 3, using the electric motor in the manner of a servomotor. The gearing 30 is a planetary gearing in the depicted exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 3, and has a planetary gear stage 32 with planetary gears 321, which are disposed on a carrier element 320 for conjoint rotation therewith about a rotational axis 322, and which mesh with an inner toothing 312 on a ring gear 31.

[0060] The planetary gears 321 are received axially between two carrier elements 320 such that they can rotate, of which only a lower carrier element is shown in FIG. 3. The carrier for the planet gears is thus formed by two carrier elements 320, between which the planet gears 321 are rotatably disposed.

[0061] The planet gears 321 mesh with a sun gear 326 disposed on a hollow shaft 327. The hollow shaft 327 is disposed on the shaft 34 such that it can rotate freely, and forms a spur gear 328, which meshes with a drive worm gear 371 on a motor shaft 37 driven by a drive motor 370. The hollow shaft 327 can preferably be formed as an integral part of a sun gear 326 and the spur gear 328 formed thereon. A multi-component construction is also fundamentally conceivable and possible.

[0062] The ring gear 31 forms the inner toothing 312 for engagement with the planetary gears 321. The ring gear 31 is rotatably supported on the shaft 34 by a bearing segment 318 in the form of a bearing bushing, and forms a brake cover 42 at an axial end facing away from the inner toothing 312, in which control elements 430, 431 of a control unit 4 are located, whichdriven by an actuator 40can be moved between different states.

[0063] The control unit 4 shown in an exemplary embodiment in FIGS. 4 to 7 is in the form of a drum brake, and is shown in different functional states in FIGS. 5A to 5C. The control elements 430 431 in the form of brake shoes with brake pads 434 disposed thereon are located on a carrier 41 formed by a housing component, which is attached in a stationary manner to the housing 38. The brake shoes 430, 431 are pivotally mounted about a fixed bearing 432 (see FIGS. 4 and 5A-5C) on the carrier 41, and can be controlled for switching the gearing 30 between different settings.

[0064] A positioning element 44 in the form of a cam controls the control elements 430, 431 in the form of brake shoes, which is pivotally mounted on the carrier 41, and is connected to a lever 405, and can be moved by a control gearing in the form of a spindle gearing.

[0065] The control gearing in the form of a spindle gearing has a spindle 402 and a spindle nut 404 threaded thereon, which can move in relation to one another.

[0066] The spindle 402 is rotatably mounted at its axial ends on the carrier 41 by a spherical ball bearing 403, which is a component of the housing 38 for the drive mechanism 3, and has a gear 401 on one end dedicated to an actuator 40 in the form of an electric motor, which is designed as a worm gear with a circumferential helical gearing, and is engaged with a drive worm gear 400 secured to a drive shaft of the actuator 40 for conjoint rotation therewith.

[0067] The spindle nut 404 is guided via a guide segment 406 along a direction of movement A toward the carrier 41, and lies in a guide track 411 on the carrier 41 such that it can slide therein. A second guide track can be formed on a half of a housing, not shown in FIGS. 4 and 5A-5C, that is placed on the carrier 41, such that the spindle nut 404 is secured in its rotational position in relation to the carrier 41, but is guided in a sliding manner along the direction of movement A.

[0068] The spindle nut 404 is coupled to a lever 405, on which the positioning element 44 is rigidly disposed. As can be seen in FIGS. 6 and 7, the spindle nut 404 has a coupling mechanism in the form of an elongated hole 407 for coupling with the lever 405, in which a coupling element in the form of a pin 408 on the lever 405 engages such that when the spindle nut 404 moves longitudinally along the spindle 402, a change in the position of the pin 408 in relation to the spindle nut 404 can be compensated for.

[0069] In order to control the control elements 430, 431, the actuator 40 drives the drive worm gear 400, which in turn rotates the gear 401 and thus the spindle 402. As a result, the spindle nut 404because it meshes with the spindle 402is moved longitudinally along the direction of movement A in relation to the spindle 402, and the lever 405 that can pivot about the pivot axis D of the positioning element 44 is moved in the positioning direction S, and the positioning element 44 is thus also pivoted about the pivot axis D.

[0070] The gearing 30 can be switched between a coupling state, a braking state, and a freewheel state via the switching mechanism 4.

[0071] In the freewheel state, (FIG. 5A), the brake shoes 430, 431 are in the freewheel state, and removed (slightly) from the brake cover 42, such that the brake cover 42 is not secured in relation to the housing 38, and no (noticeable) braking effects are caused by the brake shoes 430, 431. In this freewheel state, the cable drum 24 can fundamentally be moved independently of the drive motor 370, without moving the drive motor 370 when the cable drum 24 is moved by the output drive. In this freewheel state, it is possible to easily move the vehicle door 11 manually, independently of the drive motor 370.

[0072] The switching mechanism 4 can be switched from the freewheel state, in that by rotating the spindle 402 in the appropriate direction, the spindle nut 404 is moved, and the positioning element 44 is pivoted in order to spread apart the control elements 430, 431 in relation to one another, as can be seen in FIG. 5B. In a braking state, the brake shoes 430, 431 are pressed with less forcein comparison with the coupling stateagainst the inside of the brake cover 42, such that the ring gear 31 is not stopped, but (only) braked in a defined manner. The ring gear 31 can thus rotate in relation to the carrier 41, but is braked by the frictional bearing of the brake shoes 430, 431 on the brake cover 42.

[0073] The movement of the vehicle parts 10, 11 in relation to one another can be braked with such a braking effect, e.g. when approaching an end position, e.g. the maximum opened position, during a manual movement of the vehicle door 11. A movement that is too quick, e.g. in the case of manually slamming the vehicle door 11, can also be slowed via a defined braking.

[0074] In the braking state, the control elements 430, 431 bear on the inner surface of a dedicated brake surface 420 of the brake cover 42 (see FIG. 3) in an abrasive and therefore braking manner, such that a braking effect is obtained. When the spindle nut 404 is moved further in the direction of movement A, the positioning element 44 is rotated further about its pivot axis D, as shown in FIG. 5C, such that the control elements 430, 431 are pressed against the brake cover 42, and secured in a force fitting manner to the brake cover 42. The control unit 4 thus ends up in the coupling state, in which the brake cover 42 is held in a stationary position in relation to the carrier 41.

[0075] In the coupling state (FIG. 5C), the brake cover 42 cannot move in relation to the housing 38 due to the stopping effect of the brake shoes 430, 431, such that the ring gear 31 is held in position in relation to the housing 38. A force flow is produced in this coupling state between the hollow shaft 327 and the cable drum 24, such that the drive motor 370 is coupled to the cable drum 24 via the gearing 30, and the cable drum 24 can be moved with an electric motor, or the cable drum 24 is held in position due to the self-inhibiting of the gearing 30 (when the drive motor 370 is not activated).

[0076] As can be seen in FIGS. 5A to 5C, the brake shoes 430, 431 are pretensioned toward their freewheel setting (FIG. 5C) via tensioning elements 433 in the form of tension springs. To move the brake shoes 430 431 from the freewheel setting, the positioning element 44 pushes the brake shoes 430, 431 apart, and thus toward the brake cover 42. This takes place counter to the effect of the tensioning elements 433. In order to return the brake shoes 430, 431 toward the freewheel setting, the positioning element 44 is pivoted back, the brake shoes 430, 431 follow the positioning element 44 due to the effects of the tensioning elements 433, and thus move back toward the freewheel setting.

[0077] The control unit 4 is used for switching the device between the different states described herein. If the vehicle door 11 is to be moved by an electric motor, the control unit 4 switches to the coupling state, such that there is a force flow between the drive motor 370 and the cable drum 24, such that moving forces between the vehicle door 11 and the vehicle body 10 can act to move the vehicle door 11 between its closed position and its open position.

[0078] If instead, the vehicle door 11 is to be held in position, the control unit 4 is switched to the braking state, for example, in order to hold the vehicle door 11 in place. The vehicle door 11 is thus held in position by with a predetermined retaining force (braking) via the drive mechanism 3 and the force flow through the control unit 4.

[0079] If a user desires to move the vehicle door 11 manually, and grabs the vehicle door 11 for this, this intention on the part of the user can be detected, e.g., via appropriate sensors, e.g. movement sensors or acceleration sensors on the vehicle door 11. In particular, the control mechanism 5 (see FIG. 4) can be configured to evaluate sensor signals in order to conclude that a user intends to move the door based on an acceleration of the vehicle door 11 or based on a change in the movement speed, or based on a force applied to the vehicle door 11.

[0080] If such an intention has been detected, the control unit 4 is switched to its freewheel state, such that the vehicle door 11 can freely be moved manually.

[0081] In order to prevent an abrupt switching from the braking state to the freewheel state, and thus an abrupt initiation of movement of the vehicle door 11, the control mechanism 5 controls the control unit 4 such that the switching from the one first switching state, corresponding to the braking state, to the second switching state, corresponding to the freewheel state, takes place in a delayed manner.

[0082] This is plotted on a graph in FIGS. 8A to 8C. Thus, with a manual movement by a user, a force FD is applied to the vehicle door 11, which changes abruptly (nearly instantly) at a point in time t1, as is shown in FIG. 8A. If such a force to the vehicle door 11 is detectede.g. based on a measurement of the force applied to the vehicle door 11, or a measurement of the acceleration of the vehicle door 11then the control mechanism 5 activates the actuator 40 of the control unit 4 such that the retaining force FH of the control elements 430, 431 is changed on the basis of a delay function VF that changes in a continuous manner, as shown in FIG. 8B. The retaining force FH provided by the control unit 4 thus does not change abruptly when transitioning from the braking state to the freewheel state, but instead in a controlled, delayed manner, based on the given delay function VF.

[0083] The delay function VF provides for a smooth, continuous, constantly differential change in the retaining force FH, such that at the start of the switching procedure, the retaining force FH changes only a small amount A1 in a first time interval T1, but by a greater amount A2 in a subsequent second time interval T2 (which is the same length as the first time interval T1), and at the end of the switching procedure, the retaining force FH again changes only by a small amount A3 in a third time interval T3 (which is the same length as the first time interval T1 and the second time interval T2). The changes in the retaining force FH thus take place at the start and the finish of the switching procedure with a small increase (in the amount), such that the switching is damped at the start and finish.

[0084] Accordingly, the movement speed VD of the vehicle door 11 is damped, as shown in FIG. 8C. The movement speed VD of the vehicle door 11 does not change abruptly at the time t1, in particular, when the desire to move the door has been detected, but instead, changes continuously in a constantly increasing manner between the first time t1 and a second time t2.

[0085] The switching procedure is thus delayed as a result of the delay function VF. In particular, this can result in a delay of more than 1 second, preferably more than 2 seconds, or even more than 5 seconds.

[0086] The delay is measured as the time between the start of the switching procedure from the first switching state (time t1) until reaching the second switching state (time 2).

[0087] It is also possible to vary the retaining force FH when a force is applied to the vehicle door 11, e.g. a gust of wind, such that the vehicle door 11 is held reliably in an open position, even when subjected to strong winds, as shown in FIGS. 9A to 9C. As a resultwhen it has been determined that the door is being subjected to a strong wind FD, as shown in FIG. 9Athe retaining force FH can be adjusted to the wind force FD (FIG. 9B), in order to dampen a movement (VD in FIG. 9C) as much as possible, and in particular to prevent an uncontrolled movement of the vehicle door 11, e.g. a slamming thereof.

[0088] The fundamental concept of the invention is not limited to the exemplary embodiments given above, and instead can be implemented in fundamentally entirely different ways.

[0089] A control unit of the type described herein can be used with entirely different devices. In this regard, the use on a device for changing or maintaining the position of a vehicle door is to be understood to be merely exemplary. A control unit of the type described herein can theoretically be used for functionally connecting any gearing components.

LIST OF REFERENCE SYMBOLS

[0090] 1 vehicle

[0091] 2 body

[0092] 11 vehicle door

[0093] 110 door interior

[0094] 111 door hinge

[0095] 2 device

[0096] 20 joint

[0097] 21 control component (arrester strap)

[0098] 210, 211 end

[0099] 22 flexible force transferring element (pull cable)

[0100] 24 cable drum

[0101] 3 drive mechanism

[0102] 30 gearing

[0103] 31 ring gear

[0104] 312 inner toothing

[0105] 318 bearing segment

[0106] 32 planetary gear stage

[0107] 320 carrier element

[0108] 321 planet gears

[0109] 322 rotational axis

[0110] 326 sun gear

[0111] 327 hollow shaft

[0112] 328 spur gear

[0113] 34 shaft

[0114] 37 motor shaft

[0115] 370 drive motor

[0116] 371 drive worm gear

[0117] 38 housing

[0118] 380 cable drum housing

[0119] 4 switching mechanism

[0120] 40 actuator

[0121] 400 drive worm gear

[0122] 401 gear

[0123] 402 gearing element (spindle)

[0124] 403 ball bearing

[0125] 404 gearing element (spindle nut)

[0126] 405 lever

[0127] 406 guide segment

[0128] 407 coupling mechanism

[0129] 408 coupling element

[0130] 409 motor shaft

[0131] 41 carrier

[0132] 411 guide track

[0133] 42 brake cover

[0134] 420 brake surface

[0135] 430, 431 control elements (brake shoes)

[0136] 432 fixed bearing

[0137] 433 tension spring

[0138] 434 brake pad

[0139] 44 positioning element

[0140] 5 control mechanism

[0141] A direction of movement

[0142] A1, A2, A3 amount

[0143] D pivot axis

[0144] FD force applied to vehicle door

[0145] FH retaining force

[0146] K calibration distance

[0147] L longitudinal axis

[0148] O opening direction

[0149] S positioning direction

[0150] T1, T2, T3 time intervals

[0151] V movement direction

[0152] VD movement speed

[0153] VF delay function

[0154] X opening direction

[0155] X1-X3 location