Actuator for a motor vehicle and locking device and method

Abstract

With the present invention, actuators known from the prior art are supposed to be developed further. For this purpose, an actuator comprises, in particular, an electric motor and a locking bar that can be moved by means of the electric motor. Moreover, the actuator comprises a lever with which the locking bar can be moved back mechanically out of its locking position. The invention moreover relates to a charging socket for an electrically driven motor vehicle. As is already known from a motor vehicle driven by an electric motor and an outlet provided in a private household, the electrical contacts of the charging socket are located protected in one or more recess(es). Into these recess(es), contacts of a charging plug which correspond therewith and are, for example, pin or rod-shaped, can be pushed for contacting. An adjacent, in particular peripherally extending, housing is provided around the one or more recess(es). A gap-shaped space, which in particular extends peripherally around the recess(es) and into which a housing of a charging plug corresponding therewith can be pushed, thus remains between the recess(es) and the adjacent housing. An actuating element with a locking bar is attached on the outside of the adjacent housing. For locking a charging plug, the locking bar can be moved by the actuating element into the adjacent housing through a corresponding opening.

Claims

1. An actuator for a motor vehicle comprising: a housing attached to a wall of the motor vehicle; a locking bar that is electrically movable between an initial position and a locking position, wherein the locking bar includes a projecting bolt; an electric drive unit for electrically moving the locking bar between the initial position and the locking position; an internal lever rotatably mounted within the housing, wherein the internal lever captures the projecting bolt to move the locking bar towards the initial position; a sealing sleeve resting against an exterior surface of the housing, wherein the sealing sleeve includes a projecting portion having an opening through which the locking bolt extends, wherein the projecting portion extends through an opening in the wall of the motor vehicle such that the locking bar extends through the opening of the projecting portion of the sealing sleeve and through the opening of the wall of the motor vehicle in the locking and initial positions; and an external lever rotatably mounted outside of the housing, wherein the external lever is manually actuatable and configured to cause rotary movement of the internal lever upon manual actuation of the external lever, wherein the projecting bolt is configured to translate the rotary movement of the internal lever by the manual actuation of the external lever to unidirectional linear manual movement of the locking bar from the locking position to the initial position, the unidirectional linear manual movement of the locking bar being only initiated when the locking bar is in the locking position.

2. An actuator according to claim 1, further comprising a releasable latching mechanism for holding the locking bar in the initial position or in the locking position.

3. An actuator according to claim 1, further comprising a guide region for guiding the locking bar and a spring engageable between the locking bar and the guide region, wherein the spring includes an elastic constricted portion and the locking bar includes a second bolt protruding therefrom that is moveable through the constricted portion of the spring when the locking bar moves between the initial position and the locking position.

4. An actuator according to claim 1, wherein the housing is sealed in a water-tight and/or dust-tight manner.

5. An actuator according to claim 1, wherein the external lever includes a handle member or an eyelet located outside of the actuator.

6. An actuator according to claim 1, wherein an axis connected between the internal lever and the external lever includes at least one peripherally extending sealing ring.

7. An actuator according to claim 1, wherein the actuator includes a sensor for detecting the position of the locking bar.

8. An actuator according to claim 7, wherein the locking bar includes a frame and a projecting portion that extends outside of the frame, and wherein an end of the frame disposed opposite from the projecting portion includes a laterally projecting arm, wherein the laterally projecting arm actuates the sensor depending on the position of the locking bar.

9. An actuator according to claim 1 further comprising a spindle for converting a rotary movement of the electric drive unit into the electric movement of the locking bar between the initial position and the locking position, wherein the electric movement of the locking bar is linear movement.

10. An actuator according to claim 1, wherein the locking bar and the wall are sealed in a dust-tight and moisture-tight manner when the locking bar is in the locking position.

11. An actuator according to claim 1, wherein the locking bar is displaced between the initial position and the locking position by at least 10 mm.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) Exemplary embodiments are explained in more detail below. Further embodiments and advantages of the invention are illustrated with reference thereto.

(2) In the Figures:

(3) FIG. 1: shows an actuator from the outside

(4) FIG. 2: shows an actuator from the inside

(5) FIG. 3: shows a lever

(6) FIG. 4: shows a housing shell

(7) FIG. 5: shows an actuator with an emergency release device comprising a rotatable lever

(8) FIG. 6: shows the guidance of the locking bar of the actuator

(9) FIG. 7: shows the locking bar and the U-shaped spring of the actuator

(10) FIG. 8: shows the mechanism of the emergency release device

(11) FIG. 9: shows the locking bar with a latching lug for latching into latching grooves

(12) FIG. 10: shows a section through the region of the locking bar

(13) FIG. 11: shows a remote actuation by means of a Bowden cable

(14) FIG. 12: shows a component with a latching bolt for remote actuation

(15) FIG. 13: shows an outside view of a region of the body with a charging socket of an electric vehicle

(16) FIG. 14: shows an inside view of a region of the body with a charging socket of an electric vehicle

(17) FIG. 15: shows the charging plug and charging socket

(18) FIG. 16: shows the charging plug and charging socket in the fully connected state

(19) FIG. 17: shows the charging socket

(20) FIG. 18: shows the charging plug

(21) FIG. 1 shows an actuator 1 with a connection socket 2, via which the actuator can be connected to an electrical power source. The actual drive unit for the locking bar is accommodated within the housing. The housing consists of two half shells 3a and 3b that are connected to each other with four screws. A preferably strip-shaped seal consisting, for example, of rubber or another elastic material, is located between the two half shells 3a and 3b in order to connect the two half shells 3a and 3b with each other in a dust-tight and moisture-tight manner. A stretchable membrane 3c can be part of the half shell 3a in order to be able to compensate any pressure differences. The membrane consists of a stretchable material. If very small pressure differences are also to be compensated, the membrane 3c consisting of flexible material comprises at least one annularly extending wave crest and/or at least one annularly extending wave trough. Preferably, there are several annularly extending wave troughs and wave crests.

(22) The housing 3a, 3b comprises two projecting tabs 4 which are attached to opposite walls of the housing and are bent in a U-shape. The tabs 4 serve for attaching the actuator 1, for example by means of screws, to another component, such as to a charging socket of a motor vehicle, for example, via which a battery of an electrically driven motor vehicle can be charged. The actuator 1 comprises a locking bar 5 which can be linearly displaced by an electric motor located in the housing 3a, 3b. An eyelet 6 of a lever projects from a lateral wall of the housing 3a, 3b, by means of which the locking bar 5 can be moved mechanically back towards the housing 2, starting from its locking position projecting over the housing 3a, 3b. The eyelet 6 can be easily captured and moved by manual actuation, for example by means of a Bowden cable hooked into the eyelet 6 in a manner suitable therefor.

(23) In one exemplary embodiment, the stroke of the locking bar is at least 10 mm in order to be able to lock a desired component, such as a fuel filler lid or a connection between a charging plug and a charging socket, particularly reliably and securely by means of the locking bar.

(24) A sealing sleeve 7, which is pressed tightly against a component to which the actuator is attached, and which is placed on the housing 3a, 3b from the outside, extends around the locking bar 5. The sealing sleeve contributes to dust and moisture being incapable of entering the interior of the actuator, so that pertinent standards, particularly also the standard IP 67, can be satisfied. Due to its flat shape, the sealing sleeve moreover virtually does not enlarge the required construction space.

(25) FIG. 2 illustrates the actuator from FIG. 1 without the housing half or housing shell 3a. As is already known from DE 102 59 465 A1, a thread spindle 8 located therein can be driven by an electric motor 9 located therein.

(26) A rotary movement of the spindle causes a translatory, i.e. linear, movement of the carriage 10. A sensor, i.e. a microswitch 11, is disposed adjacent to the thread of the spindle. A ramp 10 is mounted on the carriage 12. The microswitch is actuated by the ramp 12 by a translatory movement of the carriage 10, and the position of the carriage 10, and consequently also the position of the locking bar 5 connected thereto, is thus detected. In the illustrated example, the ramp is arranged in such a way that the microswitch 11 is actuated when the locking bar 5 is moved out of its locking position, i.e. back into the housing 3a, 3b.

(27) One or both of the housing halves 3a and 3b provide a channel through which the bolt 13 of the lever with the eyelet 6 is guided. The end of the bolt 13 opposite from the eyelet 6 is capable, given a corresponding movement, of pushing against a projection 14 of the carriage 10 and move back the latter in such a way that the locking bar 5 connected to the carriage is moved out of its locking position. A peripherally extending furrow 15 with a sealing ring 16 located thereinas shown in FIG. 3is provided adjacent to this end of the bolt 13. The sealing ring 16 provides for a moisture-tight and dust-tight connection towards the adjacent peripherally extending channel wall. If required, several sealing rings for the bolt, disposed one behind the other, can also be provided.

(28) As FIG. 4 illustrates, the housing half 3a comprises an inner peripherally extending furrow 17 into which an, in particular elastic, sealing strip is inserted. Along this strip, there is then a moisture-tight and dust-tight connection between the two housing halves 3a and 3b. Furthermore, the housing half 3a comprises a channel-shaped bore 18 for guiding the bolt 13.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

(29) An actuator can thus be successfully provided which is only 60 mm in length when the locking bar is located in the housing, and which can be even shorter. If the locking bar 5 is moved out of the housing into its locking position, the length is extended by 10 mm. Without the electrical connector 2, the maximum required width is 47 mm. Not including the eyelet 6, the thickness is no more than 30 mm.

(30) In the manner known from DE 102 59 465 A1, the spindle of the actuator can be connected to a suitably biased spring which is capable of rotating the spindle in such a way that the locking bar can thereby be moved into a desired direction.

(31) FIG. 5 shows an actuator 101 with a rotatable lever 102 disposed outside the housing 103 of the actuator 101. The actuator 101 comprises a lever 104 which is shown in its locking position in FIG. 5. In its locking position, the locking bar 104 extends out of the housing 103. If the rotatable lever 102 is rotated counter-clockwise, then, due to a mechanical connection, the locking bar 104 is moved towards the housing 103 and thus towards its end position. The lever 102 comprises an eyelet 105 into which the end of a Bowden cable can be hooked. Moreover, a hooking portion 106 is provided on the same surface of the housing 103 in order to be able to suitably hook in the outer sheath of a Bowden cable here. The lever 102 can then be rotated counter-clockwise, remotely controlled, by means of the hooked-in Bowden cable, for example to be able to actuate the emergency release device from within a vehicle.

(32) At the locking bar 104, the housing 103 is moreover provided with a flat sealing sleeve 107. A sealing ring 108 may be provided additionally in order to be able to particularly reliably press the actuating element tightly against a wall of a further component.

(33) The actuating element 101 comprises a socket 109 with electrical contacts located therein in order to be able to connect it to an electrical plug. Through it, the actuator 101, particularly the drive unit andif providedelectrical or electronic sensors, are supplied with power, in order to be able to move the locking bar 104 by means of an electrical drive unit and optionally supply sensors with power and/or forward signals of the sensors. In order to be able to attach the actuator 101, the housing 103 comprises laterally projecting tabs 110. A wall of the tab 110 is disposed parallel to the base area of the housing 103 of the actuator 101. A perpendicular wall, which extends perpendicularly to the base area of the housing 103, is adjacent thereto. Both walls of the tabs 110 comprise a recess or bore, in order to be able to attach the actuator to another component by means of a screw-connection, for example, in different positions depending on the respective requirements.

(34) FIG. 6 illustrates the guidance of the locking bar 104 within the housing. The region of the locking bar 104 that can be extended out of the housing is connected to a rectangular frame 111. A guide member 112 of the housing or of the housing half 113 is located within the frame 111. The end of the frame 111 which is disposed opposite from the projecting part of the locking bar 104 comprises a bolt 114, which in FIG. 6 projects upwards, and a laterally projecting arm 115 with a ramp-shaped underside. Depending on the position of the locking bar 104, the lateral arm 115 actuates a microswitch 116. The position of the locking bar 104 can be electronically detected by the microswitch 116.

(35) There is, in the region serving for guiding the locking bar 104, a spring bent in a U-shape, or an elastically behaving wire 117 bent in a U-shape. The legs of the wire 117 bulge towards the inside. The cooperation between the locking bar 104 and the spring 117 is shown in FIG. 7.

(36) In this FIG. 7, it is illustrated that there is another bolt 118 of the locking bar 104 which protrudes towards the spring 117 and extends in between the legs of the spring 117. If the locking bar 104 is moved from its initial position into the locking position or vice versa, the bolt 118 has to bend the narrowed portion of the spring 117, which is provided by the bulge or indentation 117a, outwards against a spring force in order to arrive at the respectively other position. Thus, the locking bar is retained in the respective position (initial position or locking position) by the spring 117. Any perceptible movement of the locking bar due to a rebounding effect is prevented by the spring 117.

(37) FIG. 8 shows in which way the locking bar 104 can be moved from the locking position into the initial position by means of the rotatable external lever 102. For this purpose, the external lever 102 is connected to an internal lever 119 via an axis 120. The internal lever 119 rests against the projecting bolt 114 of the locking bar 104. If the external lever 102 is turned in a counter-clockwise direction as described, this rotary movement is transmitted onto the internal lever 119. The internal lever 119 captures the bolt 114 and thus moves it into the initial position together with the locking bar 104. The axis 120 connecting the internal lever 119 to the external lever 102 comprises a sealing ring 121. Using the sealing ring 121, the axis 120 is successfully sealed in a dust-tight and moisture-tight manner against the housing of the actuator, so that no dust or moisture can enter the interior of the housing 103 of the actuating element 101 along this axis 120.

(38) The embodiment of the locking bar 104 shown in FIG. 8 comprises a latching lug 122 which, via an arm 123, is resiliently attached to the frame 111. The region of the locking bar 104 that in the locking position projects over the housing 103 is provided at its end with an inclined portion 124 that is capable of acting like an inclined portion of a latching bolt of a lock.

(39) FIG. 9 illustrates the mode of operation of the resilient arm 123 with the latching lug 122 attached thereto. The latching lug 122 is able to latch into a recess or latching groove 125, both in the initial position as well as in the locking position. Additionally, this latching connection ensures that the locking bar 104 is very reliably retained in its locking position or in its initial position. Rebounding effects are thus avoided.

(40) FIG. 10 shows a section through the region of the locking bar 104 that serves for locking. According to it, one or two further sealing rings 126 and 127 can be present within the sealing sleeve 107. In particular, there are two rings, which preferably have a different hardness in order to be able to seal particularly reliably if selected suitably. The sealing ring 126 is adjacentpreferably in a dust-tight and moisture-tight mannerto the locking bar 104 and thus provides for a tight connection between the housing 103 and the locking bar 104 in this region. The other sealing ring 127 contributes to a tight connection between the sealing sleeve 107 and the housing 103, particularly when the sealing sleeve is pressed against a wall 128 of another component. Moreover, a dust-tight and moisture-tight connection is thus particularly reliably created between the wall 128 and the adjacent region of the locking bar 104.

(41) FIG. 11 shows a use of the actuator with which a latching bolt 130 is remotely actuated through a Bowden cable. A hook-shaped end attached to the cable of the Bowden cable is, on the one hand, hooked into an eyelet of the locking bar of an actuator 101. On the other hand, the other end of the cable is hooked into a corresponding bracket of the latching bolt 130, as FIG. 12 shows.

(42) FIG. 12 shows a section through a component 131 comprising the latching bolt 130. The latching bolt 130 is moved into the locking position and held in this position by means of a spring 132. By means of the Bowden cable 129, the latching bolt 130 can be moved from the locking position into the component 131 in order to then be able to release, for example, a lid or a connection between a charging socket and a charging plug.

(43) FIG. 13 shows a charging socket 133 of an electric vehicle from the outside, which can be driven by means of an electric motor. A battery, from which the electric motor of the electric vehicle draws its power, can be charged via the charging socket 133.

(44) The charging socket can first be closed in a moisture-tight and dust-tight manner by means of a lid 134. Additionally, there is a lid 135 that is capable of closing that region of the body in which the charging socket 133 is located.

(45) FIG. 14 shows the region from FIG. 13 from the inside. There are two actuators 136 and 137. The actuator 136 serves for locking a connection between the charging socket and the charging plug. The actuator 137 serves for locking a lid, for example the lid 135, in order to prevent unauthorized access to the charging socket 133.

(46) FIG. 15 shows a section through a charging socket 201 and a charging plug 202. The charging plug 202 has not yet completely been pushed into the charging socket 201. The charging socket 201 is provided with resiliently mounted electrical contacts 203 located in recesses 204. Two recesses are shown. An electrically conductive contact which can be pressed further towards the bottom against a biased spring 205 is located at the bottom of each hollow-cylindrical recess.

(47) Because the charging plug 202 has not yet completely been pushed into the socket, its contacts 206 do not yet touch the contacts 203 of the charging socket. A lateral wall 207 of the charging socket extends around the recesses 204, so that a peripherally extending gap 208 remains. Into this cylindrically extending gap 208, a corresponding lateral, cylindrically peripherally extending wall 209 of the charging socket 202 is pushed in order to connect the charging plug 202 to the charging socket 201.

(48) An actuating element 210 comprising a locking bar 211 is attached at one location to the lateral wall 207. The actuating element 210 comprises a motor, which is not shown, and by means of which the locking bar 211 is moved. A rotary movement of the motor is in that case converted into a translatory movement, for example by means of a spindle which is not shown. Moreover, the actuating element 210 can also comprise a sensor, i.e. a microswitch, for example, by means of which the position of the locking bar 211 can be detected. Thus, it is possible to establish and signal by means of such a sensor whether or not the locking bar 211 is located in its locking position.

(49) A sealing sleeve, which is not shown, and which comes close to the locking bar 211, is located between the housing of the actuating element 210 and the adjacent wall 207 of the charging socket. Because of this sealing sleeve, no dust and no moisture is able to enter through these two walls from the outside to the locking bar 211 of the actuating element 210.

(50) At the upper edge of the lateral peripherally extending wall 207, there is a peripherally extending furrow into which a sealing ring 212 consisting of elastic rubber is pressed. Further sealing rings can be provided which extend around the openings of the recesses 204. A folding lid 213 with which the opening of the charging socket 201 can be closed is attached to the socket 201.

(51) One or more microswitches 214 are attached to the bottom of the gap 208. Such a microswitch may, however, also reach through the lateral wall 207 into the gap 208 near the bottom.

(52) FIG. 16 shows the situation in which the charging plug 202 has completely been pushed into the charging socket 201. The contacts 206 of the charging plug 202 now push the contacts 203 of the charging socket 201 towards the bottom against the spring force. The lateral wall 209 now actuates the microswitch 14. The actuated microswitch 214 causes the actuating element to have moved the locking bar 211 through an opening in the lateral wall 207 of the charging socket. If the microswitch 214 has been actuated by the charging plug, then an opening in the lateral outer wall 209 is aligned with the opening in the lateral wall 207. The locking bar is pushed also through this further opening. Thus, the connection between the charging socket and the charging plug has been locked. A plate-shaped region 215 of the charging plug is in that case pushed against the sealing ring 212 of the charging socket, so that the charging socket is thereby closed in a dust-tight and moisture-tight manner. If there are further sealing rings (additionally or alternatively) extending around the openings of the above-mentioned recesses, then they can contribute, additionally or alternatively, to the recesses being closed in a dust-tight and moisture-tight manner.

(53) FIG. 17 shows the charging socket 201 with a lid 213 which is capable of closing the inner region of the charging socket 201 in a dust-tight and moisture-tight manner. If the lid 213 closes the charging socket, the lid 213 also pushes against the provided sealing ring(s) 212. The lid 213 can also have a wall element or a tab which in the closed state of the lid extends into the gap 208 in the region of the locking bar 211, in order thus to be locked by the locking bar 211 by means of a corresponding opening or recess. This wall element or tab can also trigger the locking by actuating the sensor 214.

(54) Additionally or alternatively, the electrical contacts 206 of the charging plug 202 can also be resiliently mounted. Expediently, the contacts 206 of the charging plug 202 are also located in additional, for example cylindrical, recesses, in order thus to protect against inadvertent touching in an improved manner.

(55) FIG. 18 shows the charging plug 202 individually in order to show its configuration in an improved manner.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS

(56) 1 Actuator 2 Connection socket 3a, 3b Half shells 3c Membrane 4 Tabs 5 Locking bar 6 Eyelet 7 Sealing sleeve 8 Thread spindle 9 Electric motor 10 Carriage 11 Microswitch 12 Ramp 13 Bolt 14 Projection 15 Furrow 16 Sealing ring 17 Furrow 18 Bore 101 Actuator 102 Rotatable external lever 103 Housing 104 Locking bar 105 Eyelet 106 Hooking portion 107 Sealing sleeve 108 Sealing ring 109 Electrical connector 110 Tabs 111 Frame 112 Guide member 113 Housing half 114 Bolt 115 Arm 116 Microswitch 117 U-shaped wire or spring 117a Indentation/Bulge 118 Bolt 119 Internal lever 120 Axis 121 Sealing ring 122 Latching lug 123 Resilient arm 124 Inclined portion 125 Latching recesses 126 Sealing ring 127 Sealing ring 128 Wall of another component 129 Bowden cable 130 Latching bolt 131 Component 132 Spring 133 Charging socket 134 Lid with small base area 135 Lid with large base area 136 Actuator 137 Actuator 201: Charging socket 202: Charging plug 203: Electrical contacts 204: Recesses 205: Biased spring 206: Electrical contacts 207: Lateral wall 208: Peripherally extending gap 209: Cylindrically peripherally extending wall 210: Actuating element 211: Locking bar 212: Sealing ring 213: Folding lid 214: Microswitch 215: Plate-shaped region of the charging plug