Abstract
The invention relates to an actuation device (3) for installing on a movable vehicle part (2), in particular in the form of a door or a hatch, having an electric switch means (20) with a switch element (21) for initiating a vehicle function and having a housing unit (10) with at least one first and second housing element (11, 12) that at least partly form a housing interior (13), in which the switch element (21) is arranged. The invention additionally relates to a vehicle (1) and to an actuation method (100).
Claims
19. An actuating device for mounting on a vehicle part comprising an electrical switching device with a switching element for triggering a vehicle function, and a housing unit having at least a first and a second housing element which at least partially form a housing interior in which the switching element is arranged, wherein a movement free space is formed between the first and second housing elements, whereby the second housing element is movable at least in regions between a rest position and an actuation position for actuating the switching element relative to the first housing element, wherein the movement free space is closed, at least in regions, by a restoring device for moving the second housing element from the actuation position into the rest position, in order to prevent liquid from penetrating into the housing interior via the movement free space, at least in regions.
20. The actuating device according to claim 19, wherein the restoring device comprises an elastic material at least for deforming or bending the restoring device during the movement of the first housing element from the actuation position to the rest position.
21. The actuator according to any one of claims 19, wherein the restoring device is configured to run around the housing interior, at least in sections, in order to prevent liquid from penetrating into the housing interior, at least in sections.
22. The actuator according to claim 19, wherein the switching element is a sensor element for inductively detecting the movement of the second housing element.
23. The actuator according to claim 19, wherein at least the switching device has a counter electrode for electromagnetic interaction with the sensor element or the counter electrode being arranged over a distance from the sensor element and interacting therewith in a contact-free manner.
24. The actuator according to claim 19, wherein the housing unit has a fastening area which runs at least in sections at least around the housing interior or the movement free space and in which the second housing element is fastened to the first housing element at least in a form-fitting or material-locking manner.
25. The actuator according to claim 19, wherein the movement free space for moving the second housing element from the rest position into the actuation position has a gap between the first and the second housing element which defines a maximum movement path of the second housing element with respect to the first housing element.
26. The actuator according to claim 19, wherein the restoring device is arranged at the gap so that the gap is sealed by the restoring device.
27. The actuator according to claim 19, wherein the first housing element has a guide section in which a counter guide section of the second housing element can be guided during the movement of the second housing element from the rest position into the actuation position
28. The actuator according to claim 19, wherein the first and second housing elements each have at least one form-fitting device for producing a form fit between the first and second housing elements in the rest position of the second housing element.
29. The actuator according to claim 19, wherein the first housing member has a connector section for providing a switching signal of the switching device for the vehicle function, the connector section extending from the first housing element at a side opposite to the second housing element.
30. The actuator according to claim 19, wherein the first housing element has at least one fastening opening for passing through a fastening device for fastening the actuation device to the vehicle part.
31. The actuator according to claim 19, wherein a sealing device is provided, by means of which at least the connector section or the fastening opening can be sealed against the penetration of liquid into the housing interior.
32. The actuator according to claim 19, wherein the sealing device and the first housing element form a multi-component plastic injection-moulded part.
33. The actuator according to claim 19, wherein the restoring device is formed integrally with the first housing element or is arranged separately between the first and the second housing element.
34. The actuator according to claim 19, wherein a vehicle emblem is arranged on an outer side of the second housing element facing away from the first housing element, which vehicle emblem is at least fastened to the second housing element or is integrated into the second housing element.
35. A vehicle comprising a vehicle part, wherein an actuation device according to claim 19 for triggering a vehicle function of the vehicle is arranged on the vehicle part.
36. A method for actuation for triggering a vehicle function of a vehicle by an actuation device according to claim 19, comprising the following steps: Activation of a switching element which is arranged in a housing interior which is at least partially formed by a first and a second housing element of the actuating device, the activation being effected by a movement of the second housing element relative to the first housing element from a rest position into an actuation position, Resilient return of the second housing element into the rest position by a restoring device which closes off a movement-free space between the first and second housing elements at least in regions and thereby simultaneously seals off the housing interior at least in regions against the penetration of liquid.
Description
[0034] Further advantages, features and details of the invention will be apparent from the following description, in which embodiments of the invention are described in detail with reference to the drawings. In this connection, the features mentioned in the claims and in the description may each be essential to the invention individually or in any combination. It schematically shows: [0035] FIG. 1 an actuation device according to the invention in a cross-sectional view, [0036] FIG. 2 the actuation device in at least partially sectioned perspective view, [0037] FIGS. 3-4 the actuation device in schematic detail view with a second housing element in a rest position and an actuation position, [0038] FIGS. 5-6 an actuation device according to the invention in schematic detail view in a further embodiment example with a second housing element in a rest position and an actuation position, [0039] FIG. 7 an actuation device according to the invention in schematic detail view in a further embodiment, [0040] FIG. 8 a schematic detailed view of an actuation device according to the invention in a further embodiment, [0041] FIG. 9 a vehicle according to the invention with an actuation device according to the invention, [0042] FIG. 10 a schematic view of process steps of a method for actuation according to the invention
[0043] In the following description of some embodiments of the invention, the identical reference signs are used for the same technical features even in different embodiments.
[0044] FIG. 1 shows an actuation device 3 according to the invention, which is designed for mounting on a, preferably movable, vehicle part 2, in particular in the form of a door or flap. The actuation device 3 has a housing unit 10, wherein a housing interior 13 is formed by a first and a second housing element 11, 12. A switching device 20 is arranged in the housing interior 13, which comprises a switching element 21 in the form of a sensor element 21 which is arranged on a printed circuit board 22 with electronic components 23. The sensor element 21 is preferably designed for inductively detecting a movement of the second housing element 12. For this purpose, a counter electrode 24 is arranged on the second housing element 12, in particular in the housing interior 13, at a distance A from the sensor element 21. An electromagnetic field can be generated by the sensor element 21, which interacts with the counter-electrode 24, so that a wear-free change in the electromagnetic field can be detected when the counter-electrode 24 moves towards the sensor element 21. The actuation takes place by the movement of the counter electrode 24 towards the sensor element 21 without contact, so that no wear can occur. Preferably, the counter electrode 24 has a planar extension on the second housing element 12. For this purpose, the counter-electrode 24 may, for example, be bonded as a foil or vapor-deposited onto the second housing element 12. The printed circuit board 22 and/or the first housing element 11 of the housing unit 10 has fastening openings 18, through which a fastening device for fastening the actuation device 3 to the vehicle part 2 can be inserted. This allows the mounting to be carried out via the housing interior 13, so that the fastening device are not visible to a user from the outside and consequently cannot disturb the external appearance. For connecting the sensor element 21 and/or the printed circuit board 22 to a vehicle electronic system, the actuation device 3 comprises a connector section 17 extending from the housing interior 13 on a side of the first housing element 11 opposite the second housing element 12. Preferably, the connector section 17 comprises electrical leads to enable electrical contacting. Additionally or alternatively, it is conceivable that the printed circuit board 22 comprises a module for wireless data transmission. In this case, the connector section 17 may be omitted, for example. The connector section 17 as well as the fastening openings 18, are in particular each circumferentially sealed by a sealing device 30, wherein the sealing device 30 in particular fulfils a sealing function when the sealing device 30 is pressed against the vehicle part 2 via the fastening device inserted through the fastening openings 18. Preferably, the sealing device 30 may be injection-molded onto the first housing element 11 in a multi-component plastic injection molding process. This results in particular in an assembly-friendly structural unit of the first housing element 11 and the sealing device 30. Furthermore, a vehicle emblem 40 is arranged on an outer side 12.3 of the second housing element 12, which can be formed integrally with the second housing element 12. The vehicle emblem 40 may, on the one hand, highlight an actuation surface to a user and, on the other hand, allow the actuation device 3 to blend into a vehicle design.
[0045] Furthermore, a restoring device 14 is arranged between the first housing element 11 and the second housing element 12 to bring the second housing element 12 into a rest position I when the second housing element 12 is in an actuation position II for actuating the switching device 20. As can be seen in FIG. 2, the restoring device 14 is thereby formed circumferentially around the housing interior 13 to prevent liquid from entering the housing interior 13. Depending on the structural design of the first and/or second housing element 11, 12, a sectional circumferential design of the restoring device 14 can also be provided in order to prevent the penetration of liquid at these sections.
[0046] The rest position I of the second housing element 12 is shown in FIG. 3. FIG. 4 shows the actuation position II of the second housing element 12. In order to enable the movement of the second housing element 12 relative to the first housing element 11 and thereby bring the counter electrode 24 closer to the sensor element 21, a movement free space 16 is formed between the first and second housing elements 11, 12. The movement free space 16 comprises an area between the housing elements 11, 12 into which the second housing element 12 can be moved and/or in which the second housing element 12 is at least partially detached from the first housing element 11 to allow relative movement. For this purpose, the first and second housing elements 11, 12 are embodied separately from one another, the second housing element 12 being guided with a counter-guide section 12.1 in a guide section 11.1 of the first housing element 11, in particular circumferentially around the movement free space 16. For this purpose, the first and second housing elements 11, 12 each have, in a fastening area 15 of the housing unit 10, one or more form-fitting device 11.2, 12.2 which, in the rest position I, bring about a form-fitting of the first and second housing elements 11, 12. In particular, the counter guide section 12.1 thereby comprises a latching means/device which latches with a mating latching device of the guide section 11.1 of the first housing element 11. In the actuation position II, the latching connection is cancelled. As can be further seen in FIGS. 3 and 4, the restoring device 14 is compressed when the second housing element 12 is moved along a direction of movement 200. The movement of the second housing element 12 thereby has a maximum movement path defined by a gap 16.1 of the movement clearance 16 between the first and second housing elements 11, 12. In the actuation position II, the second housing element 12 rests on the first housing element 11, in particular so that the actuation device 3, in particular the restoring device 14, is not damaged even in the event of a greater actuation force along the direction of movement 200. The restoring device 14 is thereby arranged such that the gap 16.1 is circumferentially sealed by the restoring device 14. Preferably, the restoring device 14 thereby biases the second housing element 12 against the direction of movement 200 in the rest position I. In this way, a sealing effect of the restoring device 14 at the gap 16.1 can also be ensured in the rest position I. In order to effect the movement from the actuation position II into the rest position I, the restoring device 14 preferably comprises an elastic material which is deformed during the movement of the second housing element 12 along the direction of movement 200 into the actuation position II, so that an elastic restoring force acts on the second housing element 12 counter to the direction of movement 200 by the restoring device 14 in the actuation position II. Thus, a compact design of the actuation device 3 can be achieved in a simple manner if the restoring device 14 combines several functions.
[0047] FIGS. 5 and 6 show a schematic detailed view of an actuation device 3 according to the invention in a further embodiment. In this case, the actuation device 3 corresponds essentially to the first embodiment example, although a fastening area 15 and the restoring device 14 have a further possible embodiment. In this case, the fastening area 15 comprises a circumferential weld 15.1, in particular in the form of a weld seam, to which a first and a second housing element 11, 12 of a housing unit 10 of the actuation device 3 are connected. The restoring device 14 is formed in the form of a reduced cross-section of the first housing element 11 between an edge region 11.3 and a central region 11.4 of the first housing element 11. As a result, the restoring device 14 closes off a movement free space 16, in particular on the vehicle side. In particular, the first housing element 11 comprises an elastic material at least at the restoring device 14. If the second housing element 12 is actuated by a user from an outer side 12.3 of the second housing element 12, the housing elements 11, 12 remain rigidly arranged relative to one another in the fastening area 15. However, in the process the second housing element 12 lowers at a gap 16.1 so that an elastic bending results at the restoring device 14, by means of which the restoring device 14 biases the second housing element 12 in the actuation position II back into the rest position I. In this case, the restoring device 14 forms part of the housing unit 10 and is formed circumferentially around a housing interior 13, so that penetration of liquids into the housing interior 13 is prevented at least in sections by the restoring device 14. In particular, the restoring device 14 assumes part of the housing function of the housing unit 10.
[0048] FIG. 7 shows a further example of an actuation device according to the invention in schematic detail. Here, a restoring device 14 is arranged between the housing elements 11, 12 and a further restoring device 14 is provided, which is formed as a reduced cross-section of a first housing element 11. The first and second housing elements 11, 12 are connected to each other at a fastening area 15. If the second housing element 12 is now actuated and pressed in the direction of the first housing element 11, on the one hand the restoring device 14 between the housing elements 11, 12 is compressed and on the other hand the further restoring device 14 of the first housing element 11 is elastically bent. Both restoring device 14 may complement each other in an actuation position II of the second housing element 12 to jointly apply a restoring force. The restoring device 14 between the housing elements 11, 12 thereby seals a movement free space 16 for moving the second housing element 12, so that a screw connection or a sectional connection, for example, can be provided in the fastening area 15. Preferably, the restoring device 14 between the housing elements 11, 12 is thereby formed completely circumferentially around the housing interior 13. The further restoring device 14 of the first housing element 11 further prevents liquid from penetrating from the lower edge region.
[0049] FIG. 8 shows an actuation device 3 according to the invention, which is designed essentially in accordance with the first embodiment. In this case, the vehicle emblem 40 is materially-locking connected to a housing unit 10 of the actuation device 3 via a latching connection. The housing unit 10 has two housing elements 11, 12 which are of plate-like design. In this way, a low overall height of the actuation device 3 can be achieved. Thereby, the vehicle emblem 40 and the second housing element 12, to which the vehicle emblem 40 is fastened, in particular in a form-fitting manner, are formed in a curved manner, whereby a housing inner space 13 between the housing elements 11, 12 is enlarged. Furthermore, the distance A between the counter electrode 24 and the sensor element 21 is clearly visible.
[0050] FIG. 9 shows a vehicle 1 according to the invention with a movable vehicle part 2, on which an actuation device 3 according to the invention is arranged. In particular, the actuation device 3 may be configured according to one of the preceding embodiments.
[0051] FIG. 10 further shows a method for actuation 100 in schematic representation of method steps. Here, an activation 101 of a switching element 21, which is arranged in a housing interior 13 between a first and a second housing element 11, 12, is effected by a movement of the second housing element 12 relative to the first housing element 11 from a rest position I to an actuation position II. Subsequently, an elastic return 102 of the second housing element 12 to the rest position I is effected by a restoring device 14, which at the same time seals the housing interior 13 against an ingress of liquid at least in certain areas. The process sequence of the method for actuation 100 is further illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4 or 5 and 6, and vice versa in each case.
[0052] The foregoing explanation of the embodiments describes the present invention solely in the context of examples. Of course, individual features of the embodiments can be freely combined with each other, provided that this is technically sensible, without leaving the scope of the present invention.
List of Reference Signs
[0053] 1 Vehicle
[0054] 2 Vehicle part
[0055] 3 Actuation device
[0056] 10 Housing unit
[0057] 11 First housing element
[0058] 11.1 Guide section
[0059] 11.2 Form-fitting device
[0060] 11.3 edge region
[0061] 11.4 central region
[0062] 12 Second housing element
[0063] 12.1 Counter guide section
[0064] 12.2 Form-fitting device
[0065] 12.3 Outside from 12
[0066] 13 Housing interior
[0067] 14 Restoring device
[0068] 15 Fastening area
[0069] 15.1 circumferential weld
[0070] 16 movement free space
[0071] 16.1 Gap
[0072] 17 Connector section
[0073] 18 Fastening opening
[0074] 20 Switching device
[0075] 21 Switching element, in particular sensor element
[0076] 22 Printed circuit board
[0077] 23 Electronic component
[0078] 24 Counter electrode
[0079] 30 Sealing device
[0080] 40 Vehicle emblem
[0081] 100 Method for actuation
[0082] 101 Movement of 12
[0083] 102 Elastic reset of 12
[0084] 200 Direction of movement
[0085] I Rest position
[0086] II Actuation position
[0087] A Distance/gap between 21 and 24
