Vehicle Hinge Driving Apparatus

Abstract

An embodiment vehicle hinge driving apparatus includes an actuator, a housing connected to the actuator, an output shaft rotatably mounted in the housing, a transmission mechanism configured to transmit a torque from the actuator to the output shaft, and a brake unit mounted on the transmission mechanism. An embodiment method for providing a vehicle hinge driving apparatus includes rotatably mounting an output shaft in a housing that is connected to an actuator, providing a transmission mechanism that transmits a torque from the actuator to the output shaft, and mounting a brake unit on the transmission mechanism.

Claims

1. A vehicle hinge driving apparatus, the apparatus comprising: an actuator; a housing connected to the actuator; an output shaft rotatably mounted in the housing; a transmission mechanism configured to transmit a torque from the actuator to the output shaft; and a brake unit mounted on the transmission mechanism.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: the transmission mechanism comprises a plurality of gear sets by which the actuator and the output shaft are operatively connected and a plurality of transmission shafts by which adjacent gear sets are connected; and the brake unit is mounted on a transmission shaft of the plurality of transmission shafts.

3. The apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the brake unit comprises a friction member frictionally contacting the transmission shaft.

4. The apparatus according to claim 3, wherein: the friction member has a friction surface directly contacting an outer circumferential surface of the transmission shaft; and the friction surface has an arc shape corresponding to that of the outer circumferential surface of the transmission shaft.

5. The apparatus according to claim 3, wherein: the housing comprises a cavity in which the friction member is received and two guide projections opposing each other in the cavity; the friction member has two guide grooves opposing each other; and each guide projection is received in a corresponding one of the guide grooves.

6. The apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the brake unit further comprises a spring configured to apply an elastic force to push the friction member toward the transmission shaft.

7. The apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the brake unit further comprises an adjusting member configured to adjust spring tension of the spring.

8. The apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the spring is interposed between the friction member and the adjusting member.

9. The apparatus according to claim 8, wherein: the housing has a mounting hole in which the adjusting member is adjustably mounted; the mounting hole has an internal thread provided on an inner circumferential surface thereof; and the adjusting member has an external thread configured to mesh with the internal thread of the mounting hole.

10. The apparatus according to claim 9, wherein: the friction member includes a retainer recess recessed from a top surface of the friction member to a bottom surface of the friction member and a retainer projection protruding upwardly from the retainer recess; the adjusting member includes a retainer recess provided in a bottom surface of the adjusting member; a top end of the spring is supported by the retainer recess of the adjusting member; and a bottom end of the spring is supported by the retainer recess and the retainer projection of the friction member.

11. A method for providing a vehicle hinge driving apparatus, the method comprising: rotatably mounting an output shaft in a housing that is connected to an actuator; providing a transmission mechanism that transmits a torque from the actuator to the output shaft; and mounting a brake unit on the transmission mechanism.

12. The method according to claim 11, wherein: the transmission mechanism comprises a plurality of gear sets by which the actuator and the output shaft are operatively connected and a plurality of transmission shafts by which adjacent gear sets are connected; and the brake unit is mounted on a transmission shaft of the plurality of transmission shafts.

13. The method according to claim 12, wherein the brake unit comprises a friction member frictionally contacting the transmission shaft.

14. The method according to claim 13, wherein: the friction member has a friction surface directly contacting an outer circumferential surface of the transmission shaft; and the friction surface has an arc shape corresponding to that of the outer circumferential surface of the transmission shaft.

15. The method according to claim 13, wherein: the housing comprises a cavity in which the friction member is received and two guide projections opposing each other in the cavity; the friction member has two guide grooves opposing each other; and each guide projection is received in a corresponding one of the guide grooves.

16. The method according to claim 13, wherein the brake unit further comprises a spring that applies an elastic force to push the friction member toward the transmission shaft.

17. The method according to claim 16, wherein the brake unit further comprises an adjusting member that adjusts spring tension of the spring.

18. The method according to claim 17, wherein the spring is interposed between the friction member and the adjusting member.

19. The method according to claim 18, wherein: the housing has a mounting hole in which the adjusting member is adjustably mounted; the mounting hole has an internal thread provided on an inner circumferential surface thereof; and the adjusting member has an external thread configured to mesh with the internal thread of the mounting hole.

20. The method according to claim 19, wherein: the friction member includes a retainer recess recessed from a top surface of the friction member to a bottom surface of the friction member and a retainer projection protruding upwardly from the retainer recess; the adjusting member includes a retainer recess provided in a bottom surface of the adjusting member; a top end of the spring is supported by the retainer recess of the adjusting member; and a bottom end of the spring is supported by the retainer recess and the retainer projection of the friction member.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0032] The above and other objects, features and advantages of embodiments of the present disclosure will be more apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0033] FIG. 1 illustrates a vehicle hinge driving apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0034] FIG. 2 illustrates a cross-sectional view, taken along line A-A of FIG. 1;

[0035] FIG. 3 illustrates a cross-sectional view, taken along line B-B of FIG. 1;

[0036] FIG. 4 illustrates a state before a first proximal drive gear of a first proximal gear set and a second proximal drive gear of a second proximal gear set are mounted in a transmission mechanism of the vehicle hinge driving apparatus illustrated in FIG. 1;

[0037] FIG. 5 illustrates a state in which the first proximal drive gear of the first proximal gear set and the second proximal drive gear of the second proximal gear set are mounted in the transmission mechanism of the vehicle hinge driving apparatus illustrated in FIG. 1;

[0038] FIG. 6 illustrates a cutaway perspective view, taken along line C-C of FIG. 1;

[0039] FIG. 7 illustrates a view, which is viewed in a direction indicated by arrow D of FIG. 3;

[0040] FIG. 8 illustrates a partial perspective view of a state in which an output shaft is coupled to a hinge rod in a vehicle hinge driving apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0041] FIG. 9 illustrates a cover of a vehicle hinge driving apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0042] FIG. 10 illustrates a vehicle hinge driving apparatus according to another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0043] FIG. 11 illustrates a view, which is viewed in a direction indicated by arrow E of FIG. 10;

[0044] FIG. 12 illustrates a perspective view of a brake unit of a vehicle hinge driving apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0045] FIG. 13 illustrates a state in which the brake unit illustrated in FIG. 12 is mounted on a second transmission shaft of a transmission mechanism;

[0046] FIG. 14 illustrates a perspective view of a friction member of the brake unit illustrated in FIG. 12;

[0047] FIG. 15 illustrates a state in which the friction member illustrated in FIG. 14 is mounted in a lower housing;

[0048] FIG. 16 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a brake unit of a vehicle hinge driving apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0049] FIG. 17 illustrates a perspective view of a lower housing of a vehicle hinge driving apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0050] FIG. 18 illustrates a perspective view of the joining of an upper housing and a lower housing in a vehicle hinge driving apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure; and

[0051] FIG. 19 illustrates a cross-sectional view, taken along line F-F of FIG. 18.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS

[0052] Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings, the same reference numerals will be used throughout to designate the same or equivalent elements. In addition, a detailed description of well-known techniques associated with embodiments of the present disclosure will be omitted in order not to unnecessarily obscure the gist of embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0053] Terms such as first, second, A, B, (a), and (b) may be used to describe the elements in exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. These terms are only used to distinguish one element from another element, and the intrinsic features, sequence or order, and the like of the corresponding elements are not limited by the terms. Unless otherwise defined, all terms used herein, including technical or scientific terms, have the same meanings as those generally understood by those with ordinary knowledge in the field of art to which the present disclosure belongs. Such terms as those defined in a generally used dictionary are to be interpreted as having meanings equal to the contextual meanings in the relevant field of art, and are not to be interpreted as having ideal or excessively formal meanings unless clearly defined as having such in the present application.

[0054] Referring to FIG. 1, a vehicle hinge driving apparatus 10 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure may be directly connected to a vehicle hinge 1 to drive the vehicle hinge 1. The vehicle hinge 1 may include a hinge bracket 2, and a hinge arm 3 pivotally connected to the hinge bracket 2 through a hinge pin 4. The hinge bracket 2 may be mounted on a portion of a vehicle body adjacent to an opening of the vehicle body through fasteners and/or the like, and the hinge arm 3 may be mounted on a door component through fasteners and/or the like. The hinge arm 3 may pivot (rotate) around an axis X3 of the hinge pin 4.

[0055] Referring to FIG. 1, the vehicle hinge driving apparatus 10 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure may include an actuator 11, a housing 12 connected to the actuator 11, an output shaft 14 rotatably mounted in the housing 12, a transmission mechanism 15 transmitting a torque of the actuator 11 to the output shaft 14, and a brake unit 16 mounted on the transmission mechanism 15.

[0056] The actuator 11 may generate a torque, and the actuator 11 may be connected to the vehicle hinge 1 through the transmission mechanism 15 and the output shaft 14. The actuator 11 may be a drive motor. In particular, the actuator 11 may be a bidirectional motor rotatable in both directions.

[0057] The actuator 11 may include an actuator shaft 11a operatively connected to the transmission mechanism 15. The actuator 11 may generate a torque around an axis X of the actuator shaft 11a. Referring to FIG. 2, a first proximal drive gear 21a of a first proximal gear set 21 may be fixed to the actuator shaft 11a of the actuator 11, and the torque of the actuator 11 may be transmitted to the transmission mechanism 15 through the actuator shaft 11a and the first proximal drive gear 21a.

[0058] The housing 12 may receive the transmission mechanism 15 and a portion of the output shaft 14. The housing 12 may have a first mounting end to which the actuator 11 is mounted, and a second mounting end to which a cover 13 is mounted. The first mounting end and the second mounting end may oppose each other in a longitudinal direction of the housing 12. Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, the housing 12 may include an upper housing 12a and a lower housing 12b. Referring to FIG. 18, the upper housing 12a may be detachably mounted to the lower housing 12b through a plurality of fasteners.

[0059] Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, the upper housing 12a may include a plurality of upper cavities 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, and 56 in which components of the transmission mechanism 15 are received.

[0060] Referring to FIGS. 2, 3, and 17, the lower housing 12b may include a plurality of lower cavities 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, and 66 in which components of the transmission mechanism 15 are received. In addition, the lower housing 12b may have a first output-side support recess 45a and a second output-side support recess 45b in which the output shaft 14 is selectively and rotatably supported. The first output-side support recess 45a and the second output-side support recess 45b may be a semicircular recess corresponding to an outer circumferential surface of the output shaft 14.

[0061] Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, the housing 12 may include a first side surface 121 and a second side surface 122 opposing each other on both sides thereof. Referring to FIGS. 17 and 18, the first side surface 121 may be on the left side of the housing 12, and the second side surface 122 may be on the right side of the housing 12. The first output-side support recess 45a may be adjacent to the first side surface 121, and the second output-side support recess 45b may be adjacent to the second side surface 122. The first output-side support recess 45a may be closer to the first side surface 121 than the second output-side support recess 45b, and the second output-side support recess 45b may be closer to the second side surface 122 than the first output-side support recess 45a.

[0062] Referring to FIG. 9, the cover 13 may have a through hole 13a through which the output shaft 14 extends, and an outer end portion of the output shaft 14 may protrude from the cover 13 toward the vehicle hinge 1 through the through hole 13a of the cover 13. A central vertical axis C.sub.2 of the through hole 13a may be offset from a central vertical axis C.sub.1 of the cover 13. Except for the through hole 13a, the exterior of the cover 13 may be symmetrical with respect to the axis C.sub.1. To be described below, when the torque of the transmission mechanism 15 is varied, the position of the output shaft 14 may be changed. Accordingly, the cover 13 may be reversed to both left and right sides thereof with respect to the central vertical axis C.sub.1, and thus the position of the through hole 13a of the cover 13 may be changed with respect to the central vertical axis C.sub.1 of the cover 13.

[0063] Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, the cover 13 may have a first side surface 131 and a second side surface 132 opposing each other. The first side surface 131 may be closer to the through hole 13a than the second side surface 132. Specifically, a distance L1 between the first side surface 131 and the central vertical axis C.sub.2 of the through hole 13a may be less than a distance L2 between the second side surface 132 and the central vertical axis C.sub.2 of the through hole 13a.

[0064] Referring to FIG. 1, the housing 12 may include a plurality of first end mounting lugs 91 adjacent to the first mounting end thereof, a plurality of second end mounting lugs 92 adjacent to the second mounting end thereof, and a plurality of side mounting lugs 93 adjacent to the side surfaces thereof.

[0065] Referring to FIG. 1, the actuator 11 may be joined to the first end mounting lugs 91 of the housing 12 through fasteners, and the cover 13 may be joined to the second end mounting lugs 92 of the housing 12 through fasteners. The side mounting lugs 93 of the housing 12 may be mounted on the vehicle body or the door component through fasteners.

[0066] The output shaft 14 may extend from the transmission mechanism 15 in the housing 12, and the output shaft 14 may extend through the through hole 13a of the cover 13. The output shaft 14 may connect the transmission mechanism 15 and the hinge arm 3 of the vehicle hinge 1. Accordingly, the output shaft 14 may transmit the torque received from the transmission mechanism 15 to the vehicle hinge 1.

[0067] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 3, a hinge rod 81 may be coupled to the outer end portion of the output shaft 14 through a snap ring 83, and the hinge rod 81 may extend in a direction perpendicular to an axis of the output shaft 14. A hinge adapter 82 may be fixed to the hinge rod 81, and the hinge adapter 82 may extend in a direction perpendicular to an axis of the hinge rod 81. The hinge adapter 82 may be joined to the hinge arm 3 of the vehicle hinge 1 through fasteners and/or the like.

[0068] Referring to FIG. 8, the output shaft 14 may include a plurality of first projections 84a and a plurality of first recesses 84b alternately arranged in a circumferential direction thereof, and each first projection 84a and each first recess 84b may extend in a longitudinal direction of the output shaft 14. The output shaft 14 may extend through the cover 13, and the outer end portion of the output shaft 14 may protrude from the cover 13. The hinge rod 81 may have a through hole through which the end portion of the output shaft 14 extends, and the hinge rod 81 may include a plurality of second recesses 81a and a plurality of second projections 81b alternately arranged on an inner circumferential surface of the through hole in a circumferential direction thereof. The first projections 84a of the output shaft 14 may be press-fitted into the second recesses 81a of the hinge rod 81, respectively, and the second projections 81b of the hinge rod 81 may be press-fitted into the first recesses 84b of the output shaft 14, respectively. As the hinge rod 81 and the output shaft 14 are coupled by serration coupling, the output shaft 14 may be prevented from slipping in the through hole of the hinge rod 81 in a rotation direction.

[0069] Referring to FIG. 8, the output shaft 14 may include a plurality of annular recesses 84c extending in the circumferential direction thereof. The annular recesses 84c may be formed in the first projections 84a, and the plurality of annular recesses 84c may be spaced apart from each other in an axial direction of the output shaft 14. Referring to FIG. 7, the snap ring 83 may be coupled to any one of the plurality of annular recesses 84c so that the hinge rod 81 may be fixedly mounted to the output shaft 14.

[0070] According to the exemplary embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 5, the transmission mechanism 15 may include a plurality of gear sets 21, 22, 23, and 24 by which the actuator 11 and the output shaft 14 are operatively connected, and a plurality of transmission shafts 31, 32, 33, and 34 by which the adjacent gear sets 21, 22, 23, and 24 are connected.

[0071] Referring to FIGS. 1 to 5, the plurality of gear sets 21, 22, 23, and 24 may include the first proximal gear set 21 operatively connected to the actuator shaft 11a of the actuator 11, a second proximal gear set 22 operatively connected to the first proximal gear set 21, a first distal gear set 23 operatively connected to the second proximal gear set 22, and a second distal gear set 24 operatively connected to the first distal gear set 23.

[0072] The first proximal gear set 21 may include the first proximal drive gear 21a fixed to the actuator shaft 11a, and a first proximal driven gear 21b meshing with the first proximal drive gear 21a. The first proximal driven gear 21b is rotated by the first proximal driver gear 21a. The first proximal gear set 21 may have a predetermined first gear ratio (e.g., 5.5:1). Referring to FIGS. 2 and 4, an axis of the first proximal drive gear 21a may be aligned with the axis X of the actuator shaft 11a. The first proximal drive gear 21a may be a worm, and the first proximal driven gear 21b may be a worm wheel, and accordingly the first proximal gear set 21 may be a worm drive. An axis of the first proximal driven gear 21b may be perpendicular to the axis of the first proximal drive gear 21a. Referring to FIG. 2, at least a portion of the first proximal drive gear 21a may be received in a cavity 61 of the lower housing 12b, and at least a portion of the first proximal driven gear 21b may be received in a cavity 51 of the upper housing 12a.

[0073] The second proximal gear set 22 may include a second proximal drive gear 22a connected to the first proximal driven gear 21b through a first transmission shaft 31, and a second proximal driven gear 22b meshing with the second proximal drive gear 22a. The second proximal driven gear 22b is rotated by the second proximal drive gear 22a. The second proximal gear set 22 may have a predetermined second gear ratio (e.g., 8:1). The second proximal drive gear 22a may be a worm, and the second proximal driven gear 22b may be a worm wheel, and accordingly the second proximal gear set 22 may be a worm drive. An axis of the second proximal drive gear 22a may be aligned with an axis of the first transmission shaft 31, and an axis of the second proximal driven gear 22b may be perpendicular to the axis of the second proximal drive gear 22a and the axis of the first transmission shaft 31. The first proximal driven gear 21b and the second proximal drive gear 22a may be fixed to the first transmission shaft 31. The first transmission shaft 31 may include a first end portion adjacent to the actuator 11 and a second end portion relatively far from the actuator 11. The first proximal driven gear 21b may be fixed to a portion of the first transmission shaft 31 adjacent to the first end portion of the first transmission shaft 31, and the second proximal drive gear 22a may be fixed to a portion of the first transmission shaft 31 adjacent to the second end portion of the first transmission shaft 31. The lower housing 12b may have two first lower support recesses 41a and 41b supporting both end portions of the first transmission shaft 31. The axis of the first transmission shaft 31 may be perpendicular to the axis of the actuator shaft 11a. The end portions of the first transmission shaft 31 may be rotatably mounted in the corresponding first lower support recesses 41a and 41b, respectively, and the end portions of the first transmission shaft 31 may be rotatably supported in the corresponding first lower support recesses 41a and 41b through bushing, bearing, and/or the like. Referring to FIG. 3, the second proximal drive gear 22a may be received in a cavity 54 of the upper housing 12a, and the second proximal driven gear 22b may be received in a cavity 64 of the lower housing 12b.

[0074] The first distal gear set 23 may include a first distal drive gear 23a connected to the second proximal driven gear 22b through a second transmission shaft 32, and a first distal driven gear 23b meshing with the first distal drive gear 23a. The first distal driven gear 23b is rotated by the first distal drive 23a. The first distal gear set 23 may have a predetermined third gear ratio (e.g., 5:1). The first distal drive gear 23a may be a spur gear, and the first distal driven gear 23b may be a spur gear having an outer diameter greater than that of the first distal drive gear 23a. An axis of the second transmission shaft 32 may be parallel to the axis of the first transmission shaft 31, and the axis of the second transmission shaft 32 may be offset with respect to the axis of the first transmission shaft 31. An axis of the first distal drive gear 23a may be aligned with the axis of the second transmission shaft 32. The second transmission shaft 32 may include a first end portion adjacent to the actuator 11 and a second end portion relatively far from the actuator 11. The lower housing 12b may have two second lower support recesses 42a and 42b supporting both end portions of the second transmission shaft 32. The second proximal driven gear 22b may be fixed to a portion of the second transmission shaft 32 adjacent to the first end portion of the second transmission shaft 32, and the first distal drive gear 23a may be fixed to a portion of the second transmission shaft 32 adjacent to the second end portion of the second transmission shaft 32. The end portions of the second transmission shaft 32 may be rotatably mounted in the corresponding second lower support recesses 42a and 42b, respectively, and the end portions of the second transmission shaft 32 may be rotatably supported in the corresponding second lower support recesses 42a and 42b through bushing, bearing, and/or the like. A recess 42c may be provided to receive a central portion of the second transmission shaft 32 between the two second lower support recesses 42a and 42b. Referring to FIG. 3, the first distal drive gear 23a may be received in a cavity 65 of the lower housing 12b. Referring to FIG. 2, the first distal driven gear 23b may be received in a cavity 52 of the upper housing 12a and a cavity 62 of the lower housing 12b.

[0075] The second distal gear set 24 may include a second distal drive gear 24a connected to the first distal driven gear 23b through a third transmission shaft 33, and a second distal driven gear 24b meshing with the second distal drive gear 24a. The second distal driven gear 24b is rotated by the second distal drive gear 24a. The second distal gear set 24 may have a predetermined fourth gear ratio (e.g., 3:1). The second distal drive gear 24a may be a spur gear, and the second distal driven gear 24b may be a spur gear having an outer diameter greater than that of the second distal drive gear 24a.

[0076] According to an exemplary embodiment, an axis X1 of the third transmission shaft 33 may be parallel to the axis of the second transmission shaft 32, the axis X1 of the third transmission shaft 33 may be offset with respect to the axis of the second transmission shaft 32, and the axis X1 of the third transmission shaft 33 may be offset with respect to the axis X of the actuator shaft 11a. According to another exemplary embodiment, the axis X1 of the third transmission shaft 33 may be aligned with the axis X of the actuator shaft 11a.

[0077] An axis of the second distal drive gear 24a may be aligned with the axis X of the third transmission shaft 33. The third transmission shaft 33 may include a first end portion adjacent to the actuator 11 and a second end portion relatively far from the actuator 11. The lower housing 12b may have a third lower support recess 43a rotatably supporting the first end portion of the third transmission shaft 33, and the first end portion of the third transmission shaft 33 may be rotatably supported in the third lower support recess 43a through bushing, bearing, and/or the like. The second output-side support recess 45b may be located opposite the third lower support recess 43a, and the second end portion of the third transmission shaft 33 may be rotatably supported in the second output-side support recess 45b through bushing, bearing, and/or the like. The first distal driven gear 23b may be fixed to a portion of the third transmission shaft 33 adjacent to the first end portion of the third transmission shaft 33, and the second distal drive gear 24a may be fixed to a portion of the third transmission shaft 33 adjacent to the second end portion of the third transmission shaft 33. The second distal driven gear 24b may be fixed to a fourth transmission shaft 34. The lower housing 12b may have a fourth lower support recess 44a rotatably supporting the fourth transmission shaft 34, and the fourth transmission shaft 34 may be rotatably supported in the fourth lower support recess 44a through bushing, bearing, and/or the like. An axis X2 of the fourth transmission shaft 34 may be aligned with the axis of the second transmission shaft 32. Referring to FIG. 2, the second distal drive gear 24a may be received in a cavity 53 of the upper housing 12a and a cavity 63 of the lower housing 12b. Referring to FIG. 3, the second distal driven gear 24b may be received in a cavity 56 of the upper housing 12a and a cavity 66 of the lower housing 12b.

[0078] The output shaft 14 may be connected to the second distal driven gear 24b, and the output shaft 14 may be located opposite the fourth transmission shaft 34. That is, the output shaft 14 and the fourth transmission shaft 34 may face each other with the second distal driven gear 24b interposed therebetween. The axis of the output shaft 14 may be aligned with an axis of the second distal driven gear 24b and the axis X2 of the fourth transmission shaft 34. The first output-side support recess 45a may be located opposite the fourth lower support recess 44a, and the output shaft 14 may be received in the first output-side support recess 45a. The output shaft 14 may be rotatably supported in the first output-side support recess 45a through bushing, bearing, and/or the like. Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, the axis of the through hole 13a of the cover 13 may be aligned with the axis X2 of the fourth transmission shaft 34, and the axis of the output shaft 14 may be aligned with the axis X2 of the fourth transmission shaft 34. The output shaft 14 may be rotatably received in the first output-side support recess 45a. The first side surface 131 of the cover 13 may be aligned with the first side surface 121 of the housing 12, and the second side surface 132 of the cover 13 may be aligned with the second side surface 122 of the housing 12. Accordingly, the output shaft 14 may be located on the right side of the cover 13 as illustrated in FIG. 7.

[0079] As the actuator 11 drives, the first proximal drive gear 21a may rotate, and the first proximal driven gear 21b may be rotated by the first proximal drive gear 21a. For example, the first gear ratio of the first proximal gear set 21 may be 5.5:1. The torque from the actuator 11 may increase based on the first gear ratio of the first proximal gear set 21 and be transmitted to the second proximal gear set 22.

[0080] As the torque is transmitted from the first proximal gear set 21 to the second proximal gear set 22 through the first transmission shaft 31, the second proximal drive gear 22a of the second proximal gear set 22 may rotate, and accordingly the second proximal driven gear 22b may be rotated. For example, the second gear ratio of the second proximal gear set 22 may be 8:1. The torque from the first proximal gear set 21 may increase based on the second gear ratio of the second proximal gear set 22 and be transmitted to the first distal gear set 23.

[0081] As the torque is transmitted from the second proximal gear set 22 to the first distal gear set 23 through the second transmission shaft 32, the first distal drive gear 23a of the first distal gear set 23 may rotate, and accordingly the first distal driven gear 23b may be rotated. For example, the third gear ratio of the first distal gear set 23 may be 5:1. The torque from the second proximal gear set 22 may increase based on the third gear ratio of the first distal gear set 23 and be transmitted to the second distal gear set 24.

[0082] As the torque is transmitted from the first distal gear set 23 to the second distal gear set 24 through the third transmission shaft 33, the second distal drive gear 24a of the second distal gear set 24 may rotate, and accordingly the second distal driven gear 24b may be rotated. For example, the fourth gear ratio of the second distal gear set 24 may be 3:1. The torque from the first distal gear set 23 may increase based on the fourth gear ratio of the second distal gear set 24 and be transmitted to the output shaft 14.

[0083] The transmission mechanism 15 may include the proximal gear set that is close to the actuator 11 and the distal gear set that is relatively far from the actuator 11. The proximal gear set may include the first proximal gear set 21 and the second proximal gear set 22, and the proximal gear set may be a worm drive. The distal gear set may include the first distal gear set 23 and the second distal gear set 24, and the distal gear set may be a spur gear set. Accordingly, the torque transmitted from the actuator 11 to the output shaft 14 may significantly increase through the two worm drives and the two spur gear sets.

[0084] FIG. 10 illustrates a transmission mechanism 15a of a vehicle hinge driving apparatus according to another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. Referring to FIG. 10, in the vehicle hinge driving apparatus according to another exemplary embodiment, the second distal gear set 24 may be detached from the transmission mechanism 15a, and the cover 13 in the state of FIG. 5 may be reversed to the left and right (180°) with respect to the central vertical axis C.sub.1 of the cover 13 so that the first side surface 131 of the cover 13 may be aligned with the second side surface 122 of the housing 12 and the second side surface 132 of the cover 13 may be aligned with the first side surface 121 of the housing 12. Accordingly, the through hole 13a of the cover 13 may be aligned with the axis X1 of the third transmission shaft 33, and the output shaft 14 may be connected to the first distal driven gear 23b of the first distal gear set 23 so that the axis of the output shaft 14 may be aligned with the axis X1 of the third transmission shaft 33. Accordingly, the output shaft 14 may be located on the left side of the cover 13 as illustrated in FIG. 11.

[0085] Since the second distal gear set 24 is detached from the transmission mechanism 15a in the exemplary embodiment illustrated in FIG. 10, the transmission mechanism 15a may be able to transmit a relatively reduced output torque compared to the transmission mechanism 15 according to the exemplary embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 5. For example, an output torque of approximately 95 N.m may be required to drive a relatively heavy door component (e.g., 15 kg or more) such as a trunk lid or a door of a medium/large sized vehicle, and the transmission mechanism 15 according to the exemplary embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 5 may be able to transmit a relatively high output torque (maximum 95 N.m) to the output shaft 14 through the four gear sets 21, 22, 23, and 24. Meanwhile, an output torque of approximately 32 N.m may be required to drive a relatively light door component (e.g., less than 15 kg) such as a trunk lid or a door of a small sized vehicle, and the transmission mechanism 15a according to the exemplary embodiment illustrated in FIG. 10 may be able to transmit a relatively low output torque (maximum 32 N.m) to the output shaft 14 through the three gear sets 21, 22, and 23. That is, as the second distal gear set 24 is detached, the gear ratio may be relatively reduced, and thus the output torque of the output shaft 14 may be varied accordingly.

[0086] As illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 10, when a required output torque is varied according to types of vehicles, the position of the output shaft 14 may be reversed to the left and right through the left-right reverse of the cover 13, and thus the number of gear sets of the transmission mechanism 15 or 15a may be easily changed.

[0087] In a state in which the actuator 11 is stopped, a torque (hereinafter, referred to as “back drive torque”) generated due to the weight of the door component itself or other external forces may be transmitted from the output shaft 14 to the actuator 11 through the transmission mechanism 15. When the back drive torque is transmitted to the actuator 11 through the transmission mechanism 15, an overload may be transmitted to a portion of the transmission mechanism 15 and/or the actuator 11. For example, when the actuator 11 stops in a state in which the door component is fully or partially opened, the back drive torque may act on the output shaft 14 due to the weight of the door component itself.

[0088] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 6, the brake unit 16 may be mounted on the transmission mechanism 15, and the brake unit 16 may convert the back drive torque into a brake torque using friction. In particular, as the brake unit 16 directly contacts at least one transmission shaft of the plurality of transmission shafts 31, 32, 33, and 34, a frictional force may be generated between the brake unit 16 and at least one transmission shaft so that the brake torque may be generated. The brake unit 16 may be mounted on at least one transmission shaft of the plurality of transmission shafts 31, 32, 33, and 34 so that each of the gear sets 21, 22, 23, and 24 may be prevented from being damaged by the back drive torque.

[0089] Referring to FIGS. 12 to 14, the brake unit 16 may include a friction member 71 frictionally contacting the transmission shaft, a spring 72 applying an elastic force to push the friction member 71 toward the transmission shaft, and an adjusting member 73 adjusting spring tension of the spring 72.

[0090] According to an exemplary embodiment, the brake unit 16 may be mounted on the second transmission shaft 32 among the plurality of transmission shafts 31, 32, 33, and 34. Accordingly, the brake unit 16 may be disposed between the first distal gear set 23 and the second proximal gear set 22 so that the back drive torque may be converted into the brake torque, and thus the deformation or damage of the second transmission shaft 32 may be prevented, and the back drive torque may be prevented from being transmitted to the actuator 11. That is, the transmission of the back drive torque between the first distal gear set 23 which is a spur gear set and the second proximal gear set 22 which is a worm drive may be blocked so that the first proximal gear set 21 and the second proximal gear set 22 may be prevented from being damaged by the back drive torque, and the transmission of the overload to the actuator 11 may be reliably blocked.

[0091] Referring to FIGS. 12 to 15, the friction member 71 may include a friction surface 71a directly contacting an outer circumferential surface of the second transmission shaft 32, and the friction surface 71a may have an arc shape corresponding to that of the outer circumferential surface of the second transmission shaft 32. The are shape of the friction surface 71a may have the same radius as that of the second transmission shaft 32. Accordingly, the friction surface 71a and the second transmission shaft 32 may tightly contact each other. When the back drive torque is transmitted to the second transmission shaft 32 in a state in which the actuator 11 is stopped, the second transmission shaft 32 may be rotated by the back drive torque, and the back drive torque may be converted into the brake torque by the frictional force generated between the friction surface 71a and the second transmission shaft 32.

[0092] Referring to FIG. 15, the lower housing 12b may include a cavity 18 in which the friction member 71 is received, and two guide projections 19 opposing each other in the cavity 18. Referring to FIG. 14, the friction member 71 may have two guide grooves 74 opposing each other. Referring to FIG. 15, each guide projection 19 may be received in the corresponding guide groove 74, and accordingly the guide grooves 74 of the friction member 71 may be guided to the guide projections 19 of the lower housing 12b, respectively, so that the movement of the friction member 71 may be accurately guided along the cavity 18 of the lower housing 12b. Referring to FIGS. 15 and 17, the recess 42c in which the central portion of the second transmission shaft 32 is received may be provided in the bottom of the cavity 18.

[0093] Referring to FIGS. 14 to 16, the friction member 71 may have a retainer recess 71b recessed from a top surface thereof to a bottom surface thereof, and a retainer projection 71c protruding upwardly from the retainer recess 71b.

[0094] The spring 72 may apply the spring force to push the friction member 71 toward the second transmission shaft 32. The spring 72 may be interposed between the friction member 71 and the adjusting member 73 so that the spring 72 may be stably supported between the friction member 71 and the adjusting member 73.

[0095] Referring to FIG. 16, a mounting boss 17 having a mounting hole may be provided to the upper housing 12a, and the adjusting member 73 may be adjustably mounted in the mounting hole of the mounting boss 17. The mounting hole of the mounting boss 17 may have an internal thread 17a provided on an inner circumferential surface thereof. An axis of the adjusting member 73 may be aligned with an axis of the mounting hole of the mounting boss 17. Referring to FIG. 12, the adjusting member 73 may have an external thread 73a provided on an outer circumferential surface thereof. Referring to FIG. 16, the external thread 73a of the adjusting member 73 may mesh with the internal thread 17a of the mounting boss 17 of the upper housing 12a. The adjusting member 73 may include a driver recess 73c provided in a top surface thereof, and a retainer recess 73b provided in a bottom surface thereof. A top end of the spring 72 may be supported by the retainer recess 73b of the adjusting member 73, and a bottom end of the spring 72 may be supported by the retainer recess 71b and the retainer projection 71c of the friction member 71.

[0096] As the adjusting member 73 is rotated by a driver, the adjusting member 73 may move along an axial direction thereof. As the adjusting member 73 moves along the axis of the mounting hole of the mounting boss 17, the tension of the spring 72 may be adjusted between the retainer recess 73b of the adjusting member 73 and the retainer recess 71b of the friction member 71.

[0097] The brake unit 16 may support the central portion of the second transmission shaft 32, thereby preventing the deformation of the second transmission shaft 32, and effectively suppressing vibration and noise generated during the operation of the actuator 11. In particular, even if the friction surface 71a of the friction member 71 is worn as it contacts the second transmission shaft 32, the tension of the spring 72 may be adjusted by the adjusting member 73 so that the friction surface 71a of the friction member 71 may continuously maintain uniform friction with the second transmission shaft 32, and accordingly the back drive torque may be stably converted into the brake torque. Thus, the transmission of the back drive torque to the actuator 11 may be blocked or minimized, and the open state of the door component may be stably maintained. Specifically, when the door component is opened, the brake unit 16 may provide the brake torque to the output shaft 14 through the transmission mechanism 15 or 15a so that the door component may be prevented from being closed by its own weight.

[0098] At least one transmission shaft of the plurality of transmission shafts 31, 32, 33, and 34 may be received between an upper support recess of the upper housing 12a and a lower support recess of the lower housing 12b so that it may be rotatably supported in the upper support recess of the upper housing 12a and the lower support recess of the lower housing 12b, and the upper support recess of the upper housing 12a and the lower support recess of the lower housing 12b may have a semicircular shape matching the outer circumferential surface of the transmission shaft. For example, as the third transmission shaft 33 is received between the third lower support recess 43a of the lower housing 12b and the upper support recess 46a of the upper housing 12a as illustrated in FIG. 19, the third transmission shaft 33 may be rotatably supported in the third lower support recess 43a of the lower housing 12b and the upper support recess 46a of the upper housing 12a. A support projection 46 may protrude from the upper housing 12a toward the lower housing 12b, and the support recess 46a may be provided in a bottom end of the support projection 46.

[0099] As set forth above, the vehicle hinge driving apparatus according to exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure may have a compact size to minimize loss in the space of the vehicle adjacent to the vehicle hinge, and be capable of safely protecting the transmission mechanism and/or the actuator when the torque generated by the weight of the door component itself is transmitted to the actuator.

[0100] In particular, as the brake unit has a simple structure, the number of components constituting the brake unit may be reduced, and thus the weight and manufacturing cost of the brake unit may be reduced.

[0101] Hereinabove, although the present disclosure has been described with reference to exemplary embodiments and the accompanying drawings, the present disclosure is not limited thereto, but may be variously modified and altered by those skilled in the art to which the present disclosure pertains without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure claimed in the following claims.