EP1379752B1 - Device for automatically actuating a vehicle door - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a device for the automatic actuation of a vehicle door according to the features of the preamble of claim 1. The term "vehicle door" is understood in this application quite generally a pivotable part for closing a vehicle opening. The vehicle door can therefore be both a side door or a tailgate and the cover for closing the engine compartment or the flap for closing a roof opening of a corresponding vehicle.

There have already been proposed motor vehicles with automatically operable tailgates. In this example, the tailgate is closed or opened by the driver of the vehicle by a corresponding operation of a switch provided in the instrument panel or by a remote control. For this purpose, the switching signal generated by the switch or the remote control acts on an electronic control device, which in turn generates electrical control signals for activating an electric motor, which in turn pivots the tailgate via a downstream transmission and further transmission elements.
Such a drive is eg off DE 199 27 871 in which a drive for pivoting a vehicle door is described.

A disadvantage of these known vehicles, inter alia, that an automatic actuation of the respective vehicle door is only possible from the vehicle interior or via the remote control. Manual actuation, e.g. the tailgate by an assistant who has no remote control or no car key, is usually not possible.

The invention is based on the object, a motor vehicle with an automatically operable Specify vehicle door, in which a vehicle door located in its open position can be operated manually in a simple manner.

This object is achieved by the features of claim 1. Further, particularly advantageous embodiments of the invention disclose the dependent claims.

The invention is based essentially on the idea to arrange on the drive, preferably on one of the transmission elements of the drive, a load sensor which generates a control signal at a predetermined load of the opened vehicle door, which is then fed to the control device for further processing. In this case, the load on the opened vehicle door takes place, for example. by a corresponding manual pressure on the door or on the tailgate etc.

According to the invention, at least one of the transmission elements is designed as a coupling, which is operatively connected to the control device, so that after generation of a control signal by the load sensor, the transmission is decoupled from the vehicle door side transmission elements and the vehicle door can be closed manually.

If the drive comprises a brake, which ensures that the vehicle door is held securely in its predetermined open position, the controller must also generate a signal to solve this brake when the sensor is loaded.

In a further embodiment of the invention, the drive comprises a spindle drive, wherein caused by the motor rotation of the spindle causes axial displacement of the associated spindle nut, which in turn causes a transmission element pivoting at least one of the hinge bracket of the vehicle door. In this case, the force sensor is in turn attached to the transmission element.

The motor may preferably be an electric motor and the control device may be an electrical or electronic control device. However, it is also possible to equip the vehicle according to the invention with a hydraulic drive and to use a corresponding control device designed for such a drive.

As load sensors, depending on the structure of the drive, both force and torque sensor can be used, which may be, for example, piezo or optical deformation sensors. In this case, the sensor should advantageously be placed close to the respective hinge of the vehicle door, where either direct forces and moments act due to the action of the door or corresponding reaction forces or moments occur.

It has proven to be particularly advantageous if, in the case of a tailgate, the drive and the control device are combined in a preassemblable module, which can then be inserted and fastened during assembly of the vehicle in a corresponding receptacle in the roof rack area.

• Fig.1 eine schematisch dargestellte Seitenansicht der Heckklappe eines Kraftfahrzeuges mit einem Antrieb zum Öffnen und Schließen der Heckklappe und einer elektronischen Schaltungsvorrichtung zur Ansteuerung eines Elektromotors des Antriebes;
• Fig.2 eine perspektivische Ansicht eines Teiles des in Fig.1 dargestellten Antriebes zum Verschwenken des Scharnierbügels der Heckklappe eines Kraftfahrzeuges;
• Fig.3 eine Fig.1 entsprechende Darstellung mit einer elektronischen Schaltungsvorrichtung zur Ansteuerung einer Kupplung;
• Fig.4 eine schematische Darstellung eines Antriebes, der eine Bremse und einen Drehmomentsensor umfaßt und
• Fig.5 eine schematische Ansicht von der linken Seite auf den in Fig.4 dargestellten Antrieb, bei dem statt eines Drehmomentsensors zwei Drucksensoren zur Messung von Reaktionsmomenten vorgesehen sind.

Further details and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following with reference to figures explained embodiments. Show it:

• Fig.1 a schematically illustrated side view of the tailgate of a motor vehicle with a drive for opening and closing the tailgate and an electronic circuit device for controlling an electric motor of the drive;
• Fig.2 a perspective view of a part of in Fig.1 Drive shown for pivoting the hinge strap of the tailgate of a motor vehicle;
• Figure 3 a Fig.1 corresponding representation with an electronic circuit device for driving a clutch;
• Figure 4 a schematic representation of a drive, which comprises a brake and a torque sensor and
• Figure 5 a schematic view from the left side to the in Figure 4 shown drive in which instead of a torque sensor, two pressure sensors are provided for measuring reaction moments.

In Fig.1 1 is the tailgate of a motor vehicle, which is pivotally mounted on hinge bracket 2 on the roof rack 3 of the corresponding vehicle. The tailgate 1 is in its open position.

The hinge bracket 2 is connected to a drive 4 mounted on the roof rack 3. In this case, the drive 4 comprises an electric motor 5, a transmission 6 connected downstream thereof, a spindle drive 7 connected to the transmission 6 and a further transmission element 8. The transmission element 8 is pivotably connected to the hinge bracket 2 about an axis 9 extending perpendicular to the image plane.

On the transmission element 8, a strain transducer 10 is further attached as a force sensor whose output is connected via an electrical line 11 to an electronic control device 12. The control device 12 is also connected via a corresponding electrical line 13 to the electric motor 5 and causes its switching and optionally also the specification of the direction of rotation.

If the tailgate 1 is to be closed, it is initially pressed manually in the direction of the arrow designated 14. The force sensor 10 generates a corresponding signal, which is supplied via the line 11 of the control device 12. This compares the signal with a predetermined desired value and generates when the setpoint value is exceeded a release signal which initiates activation of the electric motor 5. About the gear 6, the spindle drive 7 and the transmission element 8, the tailgate 1 is then automatically pivoted to its closed position.

Once the tailgate 1 has reached its closed position, one with the controller causes 12 connected switch 15 is a shutdown of the electric motor. 5

Fig.2 gives a practical embodiment of a part of in Fig.1 illustrated drive 4 again. In this case, the drive in turn comprises an electric motor, not shown, with a downstream, also not shown, which acts on the spindle drive 7. The spindle drive 7 consists of a rotatable by the electric motor or the gear spindle 16 and a rotation of the spindle 16 axially displaceable spindle nut 17. The spindle nut 17 is connected via the transmission element 8 with the hinge bracket 2 of the tailgate 1, wherein the side of the Transmission element 8 of the trained as a strain gauge force sensor 10 is attached.

At the in Figure 3 illustrated Ausführungsbeispie! the release signal generated by the control device 12 does not act on the electric motor 5, but on an electromagnetic clutch 18 which is arranged between the gear 6 and the spindle drive 7. When pressure is applied to the tailgate 1 in this case, therefore, no automatic closing of the tailgate 1, but a decoupling of the transmission 6 of the other transmission elements, so that the tailgate 1 can be closed manually, without this process by the transmission 6 or the electric motor 5 is inhibited.

In Figure 4 a further drive is shown, which in turn comprises an electric motor 5 which is connected to a first acting on a clutch 18 gear 6 '. The clutch 18 is in turn connected via a brake 19 with a second gear 6 ", which acts via a torque sensor 10 on a hinge bracket 2 pivoting crank lever 20. The brake 19 serves to fix the hinge bracket 2 and thus also the vehicle door, not shown in FIG a certain pivoted position.

Via the line 11, the sensor signals of the torque sensor 10 reach the control device 12 (FIG. Fig.1 and 3 ), and via the lines 21 and 22, the signals to release the brake 19 and the clutch 18 are transmitted to allow a manual actuation of the vehicle door.

The arrangement of the above-described elements of in Figure 4 illustrated drive can of course be varied. However, the sensor 10 should be placed as close as possible to the hinge 2, where either direct forces and moments due to the action on the vehicle door or corresponding reaction forces or moments occur. To determine direct forces, it is recommended to arrange the sensor 10, for example, on the spindle, the spindle nut, the transmission element, the crank lever, the hinge bracket, the vehicle door, etc. For measuring moments, the sensor 10 can be arranged on the drive shaft, the gears of the transmission or the clutch.

Fig. 5 shows an embodiment in which the designated 4 'complete drive is pivotally mounted in a carrier 23. On the drive 4 'is at least one torque arm 24, which acts on two opposing pressure sensors 10, which are supported on the carrier 23. The drive 4 'is connected via a serving as a transmission element crank lever 20 pivotally connected to the hinge bracket 2.

If a force is manually exerted on the vehicle door, and thus on the hinge bracket 2, not shown, then the latter presses via the crank lever 20 against the drive 4 ', which presses the torque arm 24 against one of the two pressure sensors 10. The corresponding sensor 10 then generates a signal which is supplied via electrical lines 11 of the control device, not shown, which then - depending on which of the two sensors generates a control signal - the vehicle door closes or further opens.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

Tailgate, vehicle door

2

hinge bracket

3

roof rack

4,4 '

drives

5

Electric motor, engine

6,6 ', 6' '

transmission

7

spindle drive

8th

Transmission element, part

9

axis

10

Load sensor, force sensor, extensometer, torque sensor, pressure sensor

11

management

12

control device

13

management

14

arrow

15

switch

16

Spindle, part

17

Spindle nut, part

18

clutch

19

brake

20

Crank lever, transmission element, part

21

management

22

management

23

carrier

24

torque arm

Claims (8)

1. Motor vehicle having an automatically actuable vehicle door (1), in particular a side door or a tailgate of the motor vehicle, having a control device (12) and having a drive (4; 4'), which comprises a motor (5) with a gear assembly (6) connected downstream and at least one transmission element (8; 20) arranged between the gear assembly (6) and the vehicle door (1), the drive (4; 4') comprising at least one load sensor (10) which, at a predetermined loading of the open vehicle door (1), produces a control signal which is fed to the electronic control device (12) for further processing, characterized in that at least one coupling (18) is arranged between the motor (5) and the transmission element (8, 20) of the drive (4; 4'), and in that the coupling (18) is operatively connected to the control device (12) in such a manner that, after a control signal is produced by the load sensor (10), the elements of the drive (4; 4') on the motor side are decoupled from the elements of the drive (4; 4') on the transmission element side, so that the vehicle door (1) can be actuated manually.
2. Motor vehicle according to Claim 1, characterized in that a brake (19) is arranged between the motor (5) and the transmission element (8; 20) of the drive (4; 4'), which brake is operatively connected to the control device (12) in such a manner that, after a control signal is produced by the load sensor (10), the brake (19) is released and the coupling (18) decoupled.
3. Motor vehicle according to either of Claims 1 and 2, characterized in that the motor (5) is an electric motor and the control device (12) is an electric or electronic control device.
4. Motor vehicle according to one of Claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the load sensor (10) is a force or torque sensor.
5. Motor vehicle according to Claim 4, characterized in that the force or torque sensor (10) is a piezo sensor or optical deformation sensor.
6. Motor vehicle according to one of Claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the drive (4) comprises a spindle drive (7), a rotation of a spindle (16) brought about by the motor (5) causing an axial displacement of a spindle nut (17) which, for its part, uses the transmission element (8) to bring about a pivoting of at least one of the hinge straps (2) of the vehicle door (1), and in that the force sensor (10) is fastened to the transmission element (8).
7. Motor vehicle according to one of Claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the load sensor (10) is arranged on the hinge strap (2) or on a part (8, 16, 17, 20) of the drive (4; 4') that is adjacent to the hinge strap (2).
8. Motor vehicle according to Claim 1, characterized in that the drive (4') is mounted in a support (23) in a manner such that it can pivot about its longitudinal axis and uses a torque converter bearing (24) to act on at least one pressure sensor (10) in such a manner that, when the hinge strap is loaded, it attempts to pivot the drive (4'), so that the torque converter bearing (24) presses against the pressure sensor (10) and the latter produces a corresponding electric control signal.

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