ACTUATING APPARATUS FOR OPENING AND CLOSING A COVER IN OR ON A VEHICLE

Abstract

An actuating apparatus (1) for opening and closing a cover in or on a vehicle, having a locking and/or arresting kinematics that cooperate with the cover. The actuating apparatus includes a housing (2) and an actuating part (3) received in the housing (2) and movably supported relative to the housing (2). The actuating part (3) cooperates with the cover in such a way that the actuating part (3) performs a movement relative to the housing (2) between a first position and a second position upon a movement of the cover between a closed position and an open position, wherein, in the first position, the actuating part (3) is in a locked state. The actuating apparatus (1) further includes an elastically deformable spring system (4) associated with the actuating part (3), in particular having a progressive spring characteristic.

Claims

1. Actuating apparatus for opening and closing a cover in or on a vehicle, with a locking and/or arresting kinematics that cooperates with the cover, wherein the actuating apparatus comprises: a housing, which is suitable to be installed in a vehicle; an actuating part, which is received at least in regions in the housing and supported axially relative to the housing, wherein the actuating part cooperates with the cover and is connected or connectable to the cover in such a way that the actuating part performs a movement relative to the housing between a first position and a second position upon a movement of the cover between a closed position and an open position, wherein, in the first position, the actuating part is in a locked or arrested state; and an elastically deformable spring system associated with the actuating part for biasing of the actuating part towards the second position of the actuating part, wherein the locking and/or arresting kinematics is configured in such a way that a lifting of the locking or arresting is initiated and/or that the locking or arresting of the actuating part is lifted or liftable when, starting from the first position of the actuating part, the actuating part is moved further into the housing to a third position relative to the housing, wherein the spring system is configured in order to bias the actuating part with a first biasing force or a first biasing force range towards the second position of the actuating part when the actuating part is located between the first and second positions and to bias the actuating part with a second biasing force or with a second biasing force range towards the second position of the actuating part when the actuating part is located between the first and third positions, wherein the first biasing force or the first biasing force range is different from the second biasing force or the second biasing force range.

2. The actuating apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first biasing force or the first biasing force range and/or the second biasing force or the second biasing force range is/are pre-determinable.

3. The actuating apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the spring system comprises a spring characteristic in such a way that, upon an increase in a compression of the biasing system, the biasing force acting on the actuating part increases.

4. The actuating apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the spring system comprises at least one spring having a conical or barrel-shaped design.

5. The actuating apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the spring system comprises a mixing circuit of a plurality of single springs, wherein the single springs are arranged in the mixing circuit in parallel and/or connected in series and/or interspersed at least in regions, and/or wherein the single springs are connected in the mixing circuit in a combined manner in such a way that the mixing circuit comprises a combined spring characteristic.

6. The actuating apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the spring system comprises an air or nitrogen spring.

7. The actuating apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the spring system comprises a first spring system having at least a first spring element and a second spring system having at least a second spring element, wherein the first spring system is formed with the at least one first spring element and configured in order to bias the actuating part with a biasing force towards the second position of the actuating part when the actuating part is located between the first and second positions or when the actuating part is located between the second and third positions, and wherein the second spring system is formed with the at least one second spring element and configured in order to bias the actuating part with a biasing force towards the second position of the actuating part only when the actuating part is located between the second and third positions, and to not bias the actuating part towards the second position of the actuating part when the actuating part is located between the first and second positions.

8. The actuating apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the second spring system is formed with the at least one second spring and is received or integrated in the housing in such a way that the at least one second spring of the second spring system is only compressed with the actuating part or by the actuating part or is compressible when the actuating part is located in its first position or between the first and third positions.

9. The actuating apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the second spring system comprises as the second spring element a spring-elastic component made of a spring-elastic elastomer, which is arranged outside the housing and configured in order to come into contact with the cover only when the actuating part is located in its first position or between the first and the third positions.

10. The actuating apparatus (1) according to claim 1, wherein the actuating apparatus comprises a damper or spring device, which is encapsulated at least in regions, wherein the damper or spring device is axially movable relative to the housing and comprises a first force transfer element facing towards the second position of the actuating part and a second force transfer element axially spaced apart therefrom, wherein the first force transfer element is movable while overcoming a biasing force relative to and towards the second force transfer element, wherein the spring system comprises a spring system for axially biasing the damper or spring device towards the second position of the actuating part.

11. The actuating apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the actuating part is formed by the first force transfer element of the damper or spring device, and wherein a stop1 is provided, which is formed in the housing, wherein the stop is configured in order to limit a stroke of motion of the second force transfer element of the damper or spring device into the housing, wherein the stop is configured in order to block a movement of the second force transfer element of the damper or spring device further into the housing when the actuating part is in its first position.

12. The actuating apparatus according to claim 10, wherein a spring stiffness of the damper or spring device is stronger than a spring stiffness of the spring system1of the biasing system.

13. The actuating apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the damper or spring device is configured as a fluid damper.

14. The actuating apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the actuating apparatus further comprises an electromotive actuator, for the as-needed movement of the cover between the closed position and the open position after unlocking of the actuating part.

15. The actuating apparatus according to claim 1, which further comprises sensors for detecting the first, second, and/or third position of the actuating part.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0047] Exemplary embodiments of the actuating apparatus according to the invention are described in further detail below, with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0048] The figures show:

[0049] FIG. 1 schematically and in a cut view, a first exemplary embodiment of the actuating apparatus according to the invention, wherein the actuating part or the cover is in the closed and locked/arrested position (=first position of the actuating part);

[0050] FIG. 2 schematically and in a cut view, the first exemplary embodiment of the actuating apparatus according to the invention according to FIG. 1, but in a state in which the cover and the actuating part are in the compressed state for unlocking the actuating part (=third position of the actuating part);

[0051] FIG. 3 schematically and in a cut view, the first exemplary embodiment of the actuating apparatus according to the invention, but in a state in which the cover and the actuating part are each in the open state (=second position of the actuating part);

[0052] FIG. 4 schematically, the spring characteristic of the elastically deformable spring system used in the first exemplary embodiment of the actuating apparatus;

[0053] FIG. 5 schematically and in a cut view, a second exemplary embodiment of the actuating apparatus according to the invention, wherein the actuating part is in the closed and locked/arrested position (=first position of the actuating part);

[0054] FIG. 6 schematically and in a cut view, the second exemplary embodiment of the actuating apparatus according to the invention according to FIG. 5, but in a state in which the actuating part is in the compressed state for unlocking the actuating part (=third position of the actuating part);

[0055] FIG. 7 schematically and in a cut view, the second exemplary embodiment of the actuating apparatus according to the invention, but in a state in which the actuating part is in the open state (=second position of the actuating part);

[0056] FIG. 8 schematically and in a cut view, a third exemplary embodiment of the actuating apparatus according to the invention, wherein the actuating part is in the closed and locked/arrested position (=first position of the actuating part);

[0057] FIG. 9 schematically and in a cut view, the third exemplary embodiment of the actuating apparatus according to the invention according to FIG. 8, however, in a state in which the actuating part is in the compressed state for unlocking the actuating part (=third position of the actuating part); and

[0058] FIG. 10 schematically and in a cut view, the third exemplary embodiment of the actuating apparatus according to the invention, but in a state in which the actuating part is in the open state (=second position of the actuating part).

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0059] A first exemplary embodiment of the actuating apparatus 1 according to the invention will first be described with reference to the drawings in FIG. 1 to FIG. 4.

[0060] The actuating apparatus 1 comprises a housing 2 having an approximately cylindrical, axial cavity in which an actuating part 3, in particular in the form of a tappet, is receivable. In the cavity, there is furthermore an elastically deformable spring system 4 in the form of a coil spring with a progressive spring characteristic, which supports itself on an abutment at its lower end. At its upper end, it surrounds a peg of the actuating part 3, which is in particular configured as a tappet, at the lower end.

[0061] Depending on its position in FIG. 1 to FIG. 3, the actuating part 3 extends to varying lengths into the housing 2.

[0062] In the illustration of FIG. 1, the actuating part 3 is in its first locked/arrested position, and the cover cooperating with the actuating part 3 (not shown in the drawings) is in its closed position.

[0063] If the actuating part 3 is pushed from its first locked/arrested position according to FIG. 1 by pressure from above further downwards into the housing 2, the spring of the elastically deformable spring system 4 is further compressed, and the actuating part 3 as well as the corresponding locking and/or arresting kinematics are transferred in the compressed and actuated state as shown in FIG. 2. In the third position of the actuating part 3 shown in FIG. 2, this is in the unlocked state.

[0064] Then, due to the biasing force acting on the actuating part 3 by the elastically deformable spring system 4, the actuating part 3 together with the cover is transferred into the open position shown in FIG. 3, in which the actuating part 3 is present in its second position.

[0065] In FIG. 1 to FIG. 3, a blocking recess 14 can be seen on the outside of the actuating part 3. In this blocking recess 14, a blocking latch 15 can engage in order to block the actuating part 3 and thus to block the cover in a locked/arrested position of the actuating part 3 in the housing 2.

[0066] An electric motor 13 is used for this purpose, which is also preferably received in the housing 2 and cooperates with the blocking latch 15, for example via a gear, and can thus adjust the latter in its direction extending perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the actuating part 3 between a blocking position that engages with the blocking recess 14 and a release position that is retracted from the blocking recess 14.

[0067] A gear rack can also be provided for manual release, wherein, for example, a pulling force can be applied to the rack via a bowden pull (not shown in more detail in the drawings), whereby the blocking latch 15 can be pulled out of the blocking recess 14, for example in the event of a failure of the electric motor 13 or in the event of a failure of the electrical supply.

[0068] As already indicated, in the actuating apparatus 1 shown in FIG. 1 to FIG. 3, for biasing the actuating part 3 to its second position shown in FIG. 3, an elastically deformable spring system 4 with a progressive spring characteristic is used. FIG. 4 schematically shows the characteristic curve of the elastically deformable spring system 4 used in the first exemplary embodiment of the actuating apparatus 1.

[0069] Although in FIG. 1 to FIG. 3, the spring associated with the elastically deformable spring system 4 has a cylindrical design, due to the material property (not shown in the drawings), it has an overall progressive spring characteristic shown by way of example in FIG. 4. According to this progressive spring characteristic, as the compression increases, the biasing force is increased, which acts on the actuating part 3.

[0070] Instead of a spring having a cylindrical design and different materials, a spring, for example with a conical spring design or with a mixing circuit of single springs, can also be used as an elastically deformable spring system 4.

[0071] Embodiments of the actuating apparatus 1 according to the invention, in which mixing circuits of single springs are used as the elastically deformable spring system 4 in order to achieve a progressive spring characteristic, are described below with reference to the drawings in FIGS. 5 to 7 and 8 to 10.

[0072] A further (second) exemplary embodiment of the actuating apparatus 1 according to the invention is first described in the following with reference to the drawings in FIG. 5 to FIG. 7.

[0073] The actuating apparatus 1 comprises a housing 2, which is suitable for being installed in a vehicle.

[0074] Moreover, the actuating apparatus 1 comprises an actuating part 3, which is received at least in regions in the housing 2 and movably supported axially relative to the housing 2, wherein the actuating part 3 cooperates with the cover and in particular is connected or connectable to a cover (not shown) in such a way that the actuating part 3 performs a movement relative to the housing 2 between a first position and a second position upon a movement of the cover in the axial direction between a closed position and an open position, wherein, in the first position, the actuating part 3 is in a locked/arrested state.

[0075] Specifically, FIG. 5 shows a state of the actuating apparatus 1 in which the actuating part 3 is in the first position, which corresponds to a closed position of the cover.

[0076] By contrast, in FIG. 7, the actuating apparatus 1 is shown in a state in which the actuating part 3 is in its second position, which corresponds to the open position of the cover.

[0077] The (first) position of the actuating part 3 shown in FIG. 5 corresponds in particular to a locked/arrested position of the actuating part 3.

[0078] In order to lift the locking/arresting of the actuating part 3 so that the actuating part 3 can then be moved from the first position shown in FIG. 5 into the second position shown in FIG. 7, the actuating part 3 must be moved further into the housing 2, and more specifically into the housing 2, to a third position, as indicated in FIG. 6.

[0079] The associated locking and/or arresting kinematics of the actuating apparatus 1 is not shown in FIG. 5 to FIG. 7. This locking and/or arresting kinematic is preferably a locking and/or arresting kinematics as described, for example, in publication DE 10 2018 123 945 A1 or in publication DE 10 2008 057 933 A1.

[0080] As indicated in FIG. 5 to FIG. 7, the exemplary embodiment of the actuating apparatus 1 shown therein comprises an elastically deformable spring system 4 associated with the actuating part 3 in order to move the actuating part 3 towards the second position of the actuating part 3 (cf. FIG. 7), respectively.

[0081] Specifically, the elastically deformable spring system 4 is configured in order to bias the actuating part 3 with a first (relatively low) biasing force towards the second position of the actuating part 3 when the actuating part 3 is located between the first and second positions and to bias the actuating part 3 with a second (relatively high) biasing force towards the second position of the actuating part 3 when the actuating part 3 is located between the second and third positions.

[0082] In the embodiment shown in FIG. 5 to FIG. 7, a damper or spring device 7, which is in particular encapsulated at least in regions, is used to implement the biasing mechanism.

[0083] In the embodiment shown in FIG. 5 to FIG. 7, this damper or spring mechanism 7 is embodied as a cylinder-piston arrangement and comprises a first force transfer element 8 facing toward the second position of the actuating part 3 and a second force transfer element 9, which is axially spaced apart therefrom. It is provided that a spring element 10 is arranged between the first and second force transfer elements 8, 9 in order to bias the first force transfer element 8 towards the second force transfer element 9 in such a way that the first force transfer element 8 is only movable relative to and towards the second force transfer element 9 by overcoming the biasing force of the spring element 10.

[0084] In addition, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 5 to FIG. 7, an (additional) spring system 11 associated with the elastically deformable spring system 4 is used in order to axially bias the damper or spring device 7 towards the second position of the actuating part 3 (cf. FIG. 7). In this case, the damper or spring device 7 can be moved axially at least in regions relative to the housing 2.

[0085] Specifically, it is provided in this context that the actuating part 3 of the actuating apparatus 1 is in particular formed by the first force transfer element of the damper or spring device 7.

[0086] As shown in FIG. 5 to FIG. 7, in this embodiment, there is further provided a stop 12, which is preferably formed in the housing 2. The stop 12 is configured in order to limit a stroke of movement of the damper or spring device 7 into the housing 2.

[0087] In particular, the stop 12 is configured in order to block a movement of the second force transfer element of the damper or spring device 7 further into the housing 2 when the first force transfer element 8, which assumes the function as the actuating part 3, is present in its first position (cf. FIG. 5). When the actuating part 3 is then pushed further into the housing 2 in order to unlock the locking and/or arresting kinematics or to unlock the actuating part 3, the biasing force exerted by the spring element 10 arranged in the damper or spring device 7 must be overcome.

[0088] The biasing force or spring stiffness of the spring element 10 of the damper or spring device 7 is preferably greater than the spring stiffness of the spring system 11 of the elastically deformable spring system 4.

[0089] Referring now to FIGS. 8-10, a further embodiment of the actuating apparatus 1 according to the invention will be described.

[0090] In structural terms, this embodiment substantially corresponds to the embodiment described previously with reference to the drawings in FIG. 5 to FIG. 7, although a different configuration for a mixing circuit of single springs 5, 6 is now employed.

[0091] Specifically, in the embodiment of the actuating apparatus 1 according to the invention shown in FIG. 8 to FIG. 10, it is provided that the elastically deformable spring system 4 comprises a first spring system 5 having at least a first spring element and a second spring system 6 having at least a second spring element.

[0092] The first spring system 5 is formed with the at least one first spring element and is configured in order to bias the actuating part 3 of the actuating apparatus 1 with a biasing force towards the second position of the actuating part 3 (cf. FIG. 10) when the actuating part 3 is located between the first and second positions or when the actuating part 3 is located between the second and third positions.

[0093] By contrast, the second spring system 6 is formed with the at least one second spring element and configured in order to bias the actuating part 3 with a biasing force towards the second position of the actuating part 3 only when the actuating part 3 is located between the second and third positions, and, in particular, to not bias the actuating part 3 towards the second position of the actuating part 3 when the actuating part 3 is located between the first and second positions.

[0094] In the further embodiment of the actuating apparatus 1 according to the invention as shown in FIG. 8 to FIG. 10, the second spring system 6 is formed with the at least one second spring and is received or integrated in the housing 2 in such a way that the at least one second spring of the second spring system 6 is only compressed with the actuating part 3 or by the actuating part 3 or is compressible when the actuating part 3 is located in its first position or between the first and third positions.

[0095] However, instead of a second spring system 6, which is received or integrated in the housing 2, it is also conceivable that the second spring system comprises as the second spring element a spring-elastic component and in particular a component made of a spring-elastic elastomer, which is preferably arranged outside the housing 2 and configured in order to come into contact with the cover only when the actuating part 3 is located in its first position or between the first and third positions.

[0096] The invention is not limited to the embodiments shown in the drawings, but rather results when all of the features disclosed herein are considered together.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS

[0097] 1 Actuating apparatus

[0098] 2 Housing

[0099] 3 Actuating part

[0100] 4 Elastically deformable spring system

[0101] 5 First spring system

[0102] 6 Second spring system

[0103] 7 Damper or spring device

[0104] 8 First force transfer element

[0105] 9 Second force transfer element

[0106] 10 Spring element of the damper or spring device

[0107] 11 Spring system

[0108] 12 Stop

[0109] 13 Actuator

[0110] 14 Blocking recess

[0111] 15 Blocking latch