Opening device for a motor vehicle door element

Abstract

An opening device for a motor vehicle door element having an electric drive and an actuating means, wherein the actuating means is adjustable by means of the drive and a gear mechanism arranged between the actuating means and the drive, with the result that a movement of the door element can be made possible, and a sensor for detecting a force on the opening device, wherein the door element can be held by way of the actuating means.

Claims

1. An opening device for a motor vehicle door element, the opening device comprising: an electric drive; an actuator that is adjustable by the electric drive and a gear mechanism arranged between the actuator and the electric drive, whereby a movement of the door element is possible, wherein the gear mechanism includes a first gear mechanism stage and a second gear mechanism stage, wherein the gear mechanism is pivotably accommodated in a gear mechanism carrier of the opening device, wherein the gear mechanism carrier is pivotable about an axis fixedly arranged in the opening device, wherein the axis is a pivot axis of the first gear mechanism stage and the gear mechanism carrier includes a bearing point for the second gear mechanism stage spaced from the axis such that the second gear mechanism stage is pivotable about the axis; and a sensor configured to detect a pivoting movement of the gear mechanism carrier about the axis, wherein the motor vehicle door element is held by the actuator.

2. The opening device according to claim 1, wherein the actuator has a lock.

3. The opening device according to claim 2, wherein the lock is connected to a body of a motor vehicle in a form-fitting manner.

4. The opening device according to claim 3, wherein the lock is releasably brought into engagement with the body.

5. The opening device according to claim 2, wherein the lock is electrically controllable by an electromotive drive.

6. The opening device according to claim 5, wherein the lock has a locking slide which is configured to be displaced by the electromotive drive.

7. The opening device according to claim 6, wherein the lock includes a locking lever that is pivotable by the locking slide.

8. The opening device according to claim 6, wherein the lock includes a locking lever that is brought into engagement with a locking contour.

9. The opening device according to claim 8 further comprising a damper configured to bring the locking lever into engagement with the locking contour.

10. The opening device according to claim 6, wherein the locking slide is slidably accommodated in the actuator.

11. The opening device according to claim 2, wherein the lock is integrated into the actuator.

12. The opening device according to claim 2, wherein the lock has an emergency operation so that the lock is unlocked manually.

13. The opening device according to claim 12, wherein the emergency operation is formed from a shaft contour on a locking slide.

14. The opening device according to claim 2, wherein the lock is a locking lever.

15. The opening device according to claim 1, wherein the electric drive is arranged in a housing and the actuator is movable into and out of the housing.

16. The opening device according to claim 1, wherein the gear mechanism is engageable with a toothed rack formed on the actuator.

17. The opening device according to claim 1, further comprising a spring element configured to bias the gear mechanism carrier toward a central position.

18. The opening device according to claim 17, wherein the sensor is configured to detect pivoting of the gear mechanism carrier about the axis with respect to the biased central position of the gear mechanism carrier.

19. The opening device according to claim 17, wherein the spring element comprises a leaf spring connected to the gear mechanism carrier at a first end and a fixed bearing in the opening device at a second end opposite the first end.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

(1) The invention is explained in more detail in the following with reference to the attached drawings on the basis of a preferred exemplary embodiment. However, the principle applies that the exemplary embodiment does not limit the invention, but merely represents an embodiment. The features shown can be implemented individually or in combination with further features of the description.

(2) In the drawings:

(3) FIG. 1 is a three-dimensional view of an opening device according to the invention with an extended actuating means,

(4) FIG. 2 is a side view of the opening device with a retracted actuating means,

(5) FIG. 3 is a view of the opening device from a view according to the arrow III in FIG. 2, the actuating means being shown in the extended state and with the locking means in engagement,

(6) FIG. 4 is the view of the opening device according to the arrow III from FIG. 2 having a released locking lever,

(7) FIG. 5 is a view of the opening device according to the arrow III from FIG. 2 having an actuating means moved out of the body,

(8) FIG. 6 is a view of the opening device from the direction of arrow II from FIG. 1, a position of the opening device being shown in which a tensile load acts on the opening device, and

(9) FIG. 7 is a view of the opening device according to the arrow II from FIG. 1 in the event of a pressure load, i.e. a load in the direction of the body, acts on the opening device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(10) FIG. 1 shows a three-dimensional view of an opening device 1 with the components substantial for explaining the invention. The opening device 1 is arranged in a motor vehicle door element 2, an actuating means 3 being in engagement with a body 4. In this respect, the extended position of the actuating means 3 is shown, so that in this state the opening device 1 has moved the door element 2 over the positioning path S and has positioned it. In the position shown, the vehicle door element 2 can consequently be grasped by an operator and further opened manually.

(11) The opening device has an electric drive 5, a gear mechanism 6, a force measuring device 7, a housing 8, and the actuating means 3. The drive 5 is preferably formed from an electric direct current motor with an output shaft 9 and a gear wheel 10 located on the output shaft 9. In this exemplary embodiment, the gear mechanism 6 has a multi-stage design, a first gear mechanism stage 11 being in direct engagement with the output of the electric drive 5 in engagement. A second gear mechanism stage 12 is driven by means of the first gear mechanism stage 11, the second gear mechanism stage 12 being in engagement with a toothed rack 13 on the actuating means 3. The actuating means 3 can consequently be adjusted in the direction of the arrow PI via the drive 5 and the two gear mechanism stages 11, 12. The actuating means 3 can be moved out of the housing 8 and into the housing in the direction of the arrow P1.

(12) A gear mechanism carrier 14 forms a first fixed bearing for the first gear mechanism stage 11, the second gear mechanism stage 12 being accommodated in the opening device 1 in a pivotable manner by means of the gear mechanism carrier 14. In this exemplary embodiment, a leaf spring 15 is fastened to the gear mechanism carrier 14, the leaf spring 15 being firmly connected to the gear mechanism carrier 14 on one side and being arranged in a fixed bearing 16 on the side opposite the gear mechanism carrier 14. To detect a pivoting movement of the gear mechanism carrier 14, a sensor 17, in particular a Hall sensor, is arranged in a stationary manner in the opening device 1 and is connected to a control device (not shown) by means of electrical contacts 18. Of course, the sensor 17 can also be arranged on the gear mechanism carrier 14.

(13) A guide means 19 is arranged in the opening device 1 on the opposite side of the actuating means 3 from the toothed rack 13 in order, on the one hand, to allow for a smooth operation of the actuating means 3 and, at the same time, to provide stable guidance for the actuating means 3. The guide means 19 can be, for example, a bearing or a roller or a combination of a bearing, roller, and/or damping means.

(14) The actuating means 3 has an electric drive 20, the output shaft 21 of which drives a spindle 22 in this exemplary embodiment, the spindle 22 extending into a locking slide 23 and interacting with the locking slide 23. The locking slide 23 is slidably accommodated in the actuating means 3. The locking slide 23 works together with a locking lever 24, the effect of which is explained in more detail below.

(15) An emergency operation 25 can also be seen in FIG. 1, which in this embodiment is designed as a shaft contour, the locking slide 23 being manually operable by means of the emergency operation 25, so that the locking lever 24 can be manually brought out of engagement with the body 4 and in particular with a locking contour 26.

(16) The electrical contacting of the drives 5, 20 and the sensor 17 are not explicitly shown, the electrical components 5, 17, 20 being electrically connected to a control unit (not shown) within the opening device 1 and/or the motor vehicle itself.

(17) FIG. 2 shows a side view of the opening device 1 according to the arrow II from FIG. 1, the actuating means 3 being shown in a retracted position. The same components are provided with the same reference signs. The axis 27 of the first gear mechanism stage 11 can be clearly seen, the axis 27 being fixedly arranged in the opening device 1 and at the same time forming a pivot axis 27 for the gear mechanism carrier 14. The gear mechanism carrier 14 contains a bearing point 28 for the second gear mechanism stage 12, the second gear mechanism stage 12 and in particular the bearing point 28 being shown in a starting position A. The gear mechanism carrier 14 can be pivoted about the starting position A in both directions via the axis 27 in the direction of the arrow P2. By means of the leaf spring 15, the gear mechanism carrier 14 is held in the starting position A and is spring-loaded.

(18) The retracted position of the actuating means 3 shown in FIG. 2 corresponds to a closed door element 2, the actuating means being shown moved into the opening device 1 in the direction of the arrow P3. The door element 2 is held in the closed position by means of a motor vehicle lock, for example.

(19) In FIG. 3, a view of the opening device 1 from the direction of arrow III in FIG. 2 is shown. In FIG. 3, the actuating means 3 is shown in a maximally extended position in which the opening device 1 has moved the door element 2 over the travel path or adjusting path S. The locking means 29 secures the door element 2 in the holding position. In this exemplary embodiment, the locking means 29 is formed from the drive 20, the spindle drive 22, the locking slide 23, and the locking lever 24. The locking lever 24 is accommodated in the actuating means 3 so as to be pivotable about the axis 30. The locking lever 24 engages with an extension 31 in an undercut 32 of the locking contour 26. The locking lever 24 is pivoted into the locking contour 26 by the locking slide 23, the locking lever 24 executing a pivoting movement about the axis 30. At the end, the actuating means 3 can have a damping means 33 in order to allow for a low-noise interaction between the opening device 1 and the body 4.

(20) In FIG. 4, the position of the locking slide 23 is shown, in which, for example, the operator has manually grasped the door element 2 and applies a force F to the opening device or the door element 2 in the direction of the arrow P4. This operation of the opening device 1 or the door element 2 can be detected by means of the sensor 17, as will be explained in more detail below. The movement of the opening device 1 in the direction of the arrow P4 causes the electric drive 20 to be activated, so that the locking slide 23 is withdrawn within the actuating element 3 in the direction of the arrow P5. By pulling back the locking slide 23, the locking lever 24 is released and can be pivoted about the axis 30.

(21) In FIG. 5, the position of the locking lever 24 is now shown, into which the locking lever 24 comes upon further operation or movement of the door element 2. The locking lever 24 pivots in the direction of the arrow P6 around the axis 30 in the actuating means 3 and thus comes out of engagement with the locking contour 26. The door element 2 can now be moved freely and the actuating means 3 can be moved into the opening device 1.

(22) In FIG. 6, a side view from the direction of the arrow II from FIG. 1 onto the opening device 1 is shown again. A position of the gear mechanism carrier 14 is shown which the gear mechanism carrier 14 assumes when a tensile force FZ acts on the actuating means 3. It is consequently a force measurement by means of the sensor (17). This tensile force FZ acts when the locking means 29 is in engagement with the locking contour 26 and a movement in the direction of the arrow P7 is also initiated in the opening device 1, for example by manually grasping and opening the door element 2. The gear mechanism carrier 14 pivots by the angle 1, whereby the gear mechanism carrier 14 is displaced by the angle 1, the adjustment angle 1 being present around the starting position A in a clockwise direction. This pivoting of the gear mechanism carrier 14 can be detected by means of the stationary sensor 17. A curvature 34 of the leaf spring 15 around the rest position R can also be clearly seen. The leaf spring 16 is accommodated in a stationary but pivotable manner in the fixed bearing 16. FIG. 6 thus shows the situation into which the opening device 1 gets when the opening device has moved the door element 2 and the door element 2 is, for example, gripped and opened by an operator. The sensor 17 detects this tensile force FZ of the operator and initiates unlocking of the locking means 29 in the form described above.

(23) FIG. 7 now shows the situation in which a compressive force FD is introduced into the opening device 1. Due to the compressive force FD, the gear mechanism carrier 14 is pivoted counterclockwise in the direction of the angle 2 around the axis 27, which in turn can be detected by means of the sensor 17 and the relative movement between the sensor 17 and the gear mechanism carrier 14. The leaf spring 15 in turn experiences a curvature 35. In this case, the drive 5 of the actuating means 3 would be activated by the controller and the actuating means 3 would be moved into the opening device 1. This case can occur, for example, if the operator wants to manually close the motor vehicle again immediately after opening. In this case, manual closing can be supported or automatic closing can be initiated by means of the opening device 1. The opening device 1 then acts as a closing device for the door element 2, the door element 2 being drawn into a closed position by means of the electric drive 5, the gear mechanism 10, 12, the actuating means 3, and the locking means 29. For closing, the extension 31 of the locking means 29 engages behind the locking contour 26 on the body 4.

LIST OF REFERENCE SIGNS

(24) 1 Opening device 2 Motor vehicle door element 3 Actuating means 4 4 Body 5, 20 Drive 6 Gear mechanism 7 Force measuring device 8 Housing 9, 21 Output shaft 10 Toothed gear 11 First gear mechanism stage 12 Second gear mechanism stage 13 Toothed rack 14 Gear mechanism carrier 15 Leaf spring 16 Fixed bearing 17 Sensor 18 Electrical contacts 19 Guide means 22 Spindle drive 23 Locking slide 24 Locking lever 25 Emergency operation 26 Locking contour 27, 30 Axis 28 Bearing point 29 Locking means 31 Extension 32 Undercut 33 Damping means 34, 35 Curvature S Travel P1, P2, P3, P4, P5, P6, P7 Arrow A Starting position F Force FZ Traction FD Compressive force R Rest position 1, 2 Angle