Miniature drive for car locks with an axial stop for the motor spindle

Abstract

For miniature drives which are used in particular in car locks, the axial play of the motor spindle is prevented, or is at least greatly restricted, by the necessary axial stop and also the further motor stop being assigned to the housing cover of the housing. When the housing cover is placed onto the housing casing, said axial stops are inserted into corresponding guides in such a manner that said axial stops subsequently not only restrict the play of the motor spindle and ensure an always uniformly secure arrangement of the motor housing in the housing, but at the same time also make possible the substantially simpler production of the required bearing bore. Said bearing bore and the associated aperture are produced from the outer side of the housing casing during the injection molding.

Claims

1. A miniature drive for car locks and side door locks, tailgate locks or closing aids with a housing accommodating the miniature drive and a worm gear and consisting of a housing casing and housing cover, in which a motor spindle of the miniature drive is supported on the housing by means of a bearing bore and is also secured by an axial stop, wherein the axial stop assigned to the bearing bore is created in the housing cover and an aperture for the bearing bore from an external side of the housing casing; wherein the axial stop of the motor spindle and an axial motor stop are each assigned to the housing cover; and wherein the axial stops are each designed as a double web surrounding a web of the housing casing.

2. The miniature drive according to claim 1, wherein the axial stops are designed to form a single unit together with the housing cover.

3. The miniature drive according to claim 1, wherein during injection molding of the housing casing, the bearing bore is generated from an outer side of the housing casing, using a cylindrical slider in the tool.

4. The miniature drive according to claim 1, wherein the axial stops are secured by corresponding webs of the housing casing and housing cover and fixing bolts connecting the latter.

5. The miniature drive according to claim 4, wherein the recess accommodating the axial stop in the area of the bearing bore contains beveled edges.

6. The miniature drive according to claim 5, wherein the side of the axial stop facing a tip of the motor spindle contains a slope defining a wedge.

7. The miniature drive according to claim 6, wherein the axial stop contains a longitudinal slot producing a spring effect.

8. The miniature drive according to claim 7, wherein the side of the axial stop assigned to the tip of the motor spindle contains a recess accommodating the tip of the motor spindle.

9. The miniature drive according to claim 1, wherein the axial stops are secured by corresponding webs of the housing casing and housing cover and fixing bolts connecting the latter.

10. The miniature drive according to claim 1, wherein the recess accommodating the axial stop in the area of the bearing bore contains beveled edges.

11. The miniature drive according to claim 1, wherein the side of the axial stop facing a tip of the motor spindle contains a slope defining a wedge.

12. The miniature drive according to claim 1, wherein the axial stop contains a longitudinal slot producing a spring effect.

13. The miniature drive according to claim 12, wherein the side of the axial stop assigned to the tip of the motor spindle contains a recess accommodating the tip of the motor spindle.

14. A miniature drive for car locks and side door locks, tailgate locks or closing aids with a housing accommodating the miniature drive and a worm gear and consisting of a housing casing and housing cover, in which a motor spindle of the miniature drive is supported on the housing by means of a bearing bore and is also secured by an axial stop and an aperture for the bearing bore from an external side of the housing casing; wherein the axial stop of the motor spindle and an axial motor stop are each assigned to the housing cover; and wherein the recess accommodating the axial stop in the area of the bearing bore contains beveled edges.

15. An apparatus comprising: a miniature drive comprising a motor spindle; a worm gear rotationally coupled to the motor spindle; a housing casing defining a bearing bore and an aperture for the bearing bore extending from an external side of the housing casing, wherein the motor spindle extends through and is supported by the bearing bore; and a housing cover comprising an axial stop of the motor spindle and an axial motor stop.

16. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the axial stop of the motor spindle obstructs the aperture for the bearing bore when the housing cover covers the housing casing.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) FIG. 1 shows a partial top view of a miniature drive,

(2) FIG. 2 shows a side view of the miniature drive with the motor already inserted in the housing casing

(3) FIG. 3 shows the miniature drive with the motor spindle already inserted in the bearing bore

(4) FIG. 4 shows a housing casing with a respective housing cover and thus a miniature drive (motor) held on both sides by an axial stop

(5) FIG. 5 shows the working position of FIG. 4 in a slanted position with fixing bolts,

(6) FIG. 6 shows an enlarged representation of the installation position after the motor spindle has been inserted in the bearing bore,

(7) FIG. 7 shows the position of the miniature drive of FIG. 6 with the housing cover placed on the housing and thus insertion of the axial stop provided for the motor spindle and

(8) FIG. 8 shows a diagrammatically represented position with an axle stop containing a chamfered section in front of the motor spindle.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(9) FIG. 1 provides a top view of a miniature drive 1, with the housing 3 shown in an open state. As a result, the internal worm gear 2 and miniature drive 1 are clearly visible. The miniature drive 1 is positioned in a respective recess of the housing casing 4, with the motor spindle 7 being able to engage the worm gear 2 with its worm shaft 6. The tip of the motor spindle 7 is inserted in a bearing bore created from the external side 14 which can easily be accessed and created through a respective aperture 9. The required axial stop has still not been installed at this stage and must be slid into recess 22 from the top. The required axial stop of the motor is indicated by numeral 11 on the end of the motor housing 12 opposite the motor spindle 7. The housing casing 4 contains respective partial areas, subdividing the interior 15 of the housing casing 4, which are designed for accommodating the different gears of the worm gear 2 and of the motor housing.

(10) FIG. 2 shows a side view of the miniature drive 1 with the housing 3, in which the worm gear 2 and the motor housing 12 are visible. The motor housing 12 is inserted in a respective recess of the interior 15 and can be displaced in the direction of the bearing bore 8. In order to maintain the respective position, axial stops 10 and 11 must be provided on both sides, which at this point are not visible and do not exist as yet, as they are assigned to the housing cover 5, not shown.

(11) Upon reaching the position of FIG. 2, the motor housing 12 can be moved in the direction of the bearing bore 8 until the front part of the motor spindle 7 is fully supported in the bearing bore 8. This is apparent from FIG. 3. In order to secure the attained position of the miniature drive 1 or of the motor housing 12 and motor spindle 7, the housing cover 5 is placed on the housing casing as shown in FIG. 4. The figure shows that a web 16 formed in a housing casing 4 serves as guidance for the double web 17 of the housing cover 5 so that the double web 17, serving as an axial stop 10 always reaches the exact position required for securely supporting and positioning the miniature drive. On the opposite side of the housing 3 or of the housing cover 5 the figure shows the axial motor stop 11 also designed as a double web 18 and which when slid on, surrounds the web 21 in the housing casing 4 and thus also always assumes the same position. FIG. 4 and FIG. 5 show that after placing the housing cover 5 on the housing casing 4, the precise positioning of the motor housing 12 and the motor spindle 7 is secured by tightening of the fixing bolts 19 provided on both sides of the housing 3.

(12) This simple and reliable insertion of the axial stop 10, designed as a double web 17 is facilitated by the fact that the recess 22 in the housing casing 4 contains beveled edges 23, 24. This creates a type of insertion funnel 25, automatically guiding the housing cover 5 with the respective double webs 17, 18 in the right position.

(13) Whilst in FIG. 6 the housing cover 5 has not as yet been placed on the housing casing, FIG. 7 shows the respective further position, with the axial play of the motor housing 12 being effectively limited or largely prevented by the axial motor stop 11 (not shown) and the axial stop 10 assigned to the motor spindle 7.

(14) According to FIG. 7, side 28 of the axial stop 10 contains a recess 31 accommodating the respective tip 27 of the motor spindle 7 and guiding it securely. The respective part of the double web 17 also contains a longitudinal gap 30 by means of which the respective axial movement of the motor housing 12 can be resiliently supported.

(15) Lastly, FIG. 8 shows a special design of the part of the double web 17 serving as an axial stop 10, with side 28 containing a chamfered section 29 so that when inserted in the recess 22 the motor housing 12 and the motor spindle 7 are clamped together.

(16) All said characteristics and also those only shown in the figures are on their own or in combination regarded as essential parts of the invention.