EP0911471A2 - Check and holding device for pivotally linked elements - Google Patents

Abstract

The positioner holds a door or window panel at a required angle, using an electromechanical device for continuous adjustment of the opening angle and a pair of mechanical brake pads (7,8), cooperating with a holding element (1) for the door or window panel. The brake pads are operated by an electric motor (9) controlled via an electronic evaluation device (14) with a movement sensor (13).

Description

The invention relates to a lock for different Angular positions pivoted to a fixed base, with this additionally connected components via a holding member, the electromechanical Medium mm has infinitely variable detection of the swivel positions, the one mechanical locking arrangement with two brake shoes, which in one exciting active intervention can be brought with the holding member, and dependent from a swiveling movement of the component via an electronic one Evaluation unit can be electrically activated by means of a motion sensor Have actuator for actuating the mechanical locking arrangement.

In various areas of daily life there is a need Components that can be pivoted to a fixed position in different angular positions Base are articulated in a predetermined pivot position. Examples of this are the detection of doors and windows in houses and Buildings and especially the detection of doors, hoods or Tailgates of motor vehicles.

The prior art already shows several typical solutions for this are to be described on the basis of ascertainers for motor vehicle components, but adapted accordingly for the detection of swiveling Components can be used in other technical areas.

Vehicle doors of motor vehicles typically have a so-called Door lock on, which allows the vehicle door in certain Angular positions against self-movement is determined, which in particular that Getting in and out of the motor vehicle occupants easier. Mostly mechanically working door locks are currently used, the one Locking element in the form of a holding element, also locking arm or holding rod called or band. This holding member is at one end hinged to the door frame in such a way that its pivot point outside the pivot axis of the door specified by the hinge axes lies. The holding member protrudes through an opening in the side edge of the door leaf into this; due to its eccentric linkage on the door frame executes the holding member when moving the door extension and Retraction movements relative to the door leaf. There is one in the door leaf Locking device for locking and guiding the holding member attached. This locking device typically has locking members or Clamping elements in the form of spring-loaded sliding or rolling bodies on the press against the holding element with the force of the springs. The holding link is provided with several locking recesses into which the locking elements snap into place can. Since the locking device rigidly in the extension of the holding member Door leaf is attached, the locking recesses of the holding member arrive at Open the door to a position opposite the locking device, in which the locking devices for locking the door against unintentional movement Immerse in the recesses. Are usually on the holding member two spaced-apart locking recesses or two from each other spaced groups of recesses formed around the Motor vehicle door in two open positions against accidental Secure movements. Only after overcoming one by the construction the locking device and the holding member-related minimum pressing force the door can be moved.

Such a door arrester is known for example from US-A-2,032,600 known.

A principle-related disadvantage of the known door arrester type is that that the opening positions, in which the door can be fixed, constructively are specified. In practice, however, it turns out that it is often desirable that the door can be locked in any freely definable positions. This is for example in the case of narrow parking spaces. Furthermore, the well-known Door arrester has the disadvantage that the door at the end of an opening movement partly automatically in the determined by the recesses Opening positions is pivoted; in the same way at positions in unstable intermediate positions the door by the slightest influence of wind or Toast independently notice or fall. With these unwanted Door movements can damage the paintwork on your own vehicle or that of the neighboring vehicle come because the door edge on adjacent vehicles or on garage walls or the like; furthermore, it can happen when falling, albeit too slight, personal injury. When opening the door in the steep Off-road it can happen that the restoring force of the door is greater than that "Detent force" so that a determination is not possible.

Hoods and tailgates of motor vehicles typically exist only the positions "closed" and "fully open". Especially for tailgates however, it sometimes leaves the ceiling heights of garages or parking garages not to open the flaps fully. Damage could then occur there the flaps when initially partially opened via typically built-in Gas pressure springs are automatically pushed into the end position.

To avoid the aforementioned disadvantages, locks for in different angular positions pivoted to a fixed base Components become known in which the component in any Swivel position controlled automatically can be determined and released. So is next to stepless door stops with hydraulic means according to DE-PS 1459/182 and DE 3 519 203 C2 through DE 40 25 510 A1 Door arrester for motor vehicle doors become known, in which the Door holding member is designed as a flat door holding band and the two on one each Has flat jaws of the holding strap attacking locking jaws, of which one as a fixed abutment and the other with an electromagnet is connected by means of a position sensor depending on the Door operation can be activated by the vehicle user. One each Position sensor is arranged in the inner and outer door handle, with others Sensors for a pressure or pressure exerted by the vehicle user on the vehicle door Traction within the attached to the door panel Armrest can be provided.

This known door arrester works continuously, i.e. the door of the Motor vehicle can be determined in any door position, he however, has the following disadvantages:

The electromagnet for actuating the locking jaws works in just two Positions. If it is switched off, the locking jaws are excluded Active intervention with the door strap. Is it through a position indicator activated, then it is fully engaged with the door strap. Intermediate positions are not possible. This is how the well-known works Door arrester very abruptly, which is very uncomfortable when the door is operated is felt. Another disadvantage is that the door arrester only responds if the door handles or the armrest are operated manually, so that the door cannot be opened or closed at any point, e.g. typically by touching the edge of the door.

DE 41 30 782 C2 is another stepless door arrester for Motor vehicle doors become known in which the door holding member as Round rod, guided in a circular bore of a guide body, is formed, and the two each with a semicircular recess for a sliding passage of the locking rod trained locking members having. These locking devices are in relation to the door support bar arranged opposite and have a helical compression spring, which the biased two locking members away from each other. It is also one of two Locking associated pin provided by a Electromagnet can be actuated in such a way that the bolt when activated the magnet is drawn into it and the two locking elements contracts by clamping the door support rods. When deactivating the magnet drops the bolt and the helical compression spring drives it two locking members apart again.

In this known system, too, the actuation by means of a Electromagnets with disadvantage only abrupt closing and opening processes possible. Furthermore, the known door lock is very complex and constructed also has only complex parts to manufacture, so that a realization in Motor vehicle sector, with the great pressure on prices for components, is practically not possible. Furthermore, the electromagnet must to apply the necessary locking forces, dimensioned so large be that he hardly in the limited space of a motor vehicle door can be accommodated.

Such a, also referred to at the outset, the Invention from.

The invention has for its object this lock for in different angular positions pivoted to a fixed base, with this additionally connected via a holding member, the electromechanical means for infinitely variable detection of the swivel positions has a mechanical locking arrangement with two brake shoes, the can be brought into an exciting active engagement with the holding member, and one depending on a pivoting movement of the component via an electronic Evaluation unit can be electrically activated by means of a motion sensor Have actuator for actuating the mechanical locking arrangement, such train that a "gentle" determination of the component regardless of how the component is pivoted is possible.

This object is achieved according to the invention in that the actuator is an electric motor with a downstream transmission, the output shaft with at least one movable brake shoe of the brake assembly is mechanically connected.

The advantages that can be achieved with the invention are compared to the known ones Rest lockers in the fact that instead of fixed stops, the system on everyone anywhere. In particular, the advantage is included Doors in that if they are not in a notch in conventional Finders are fixed, no longer by the slightest influence can become independent, be it an unwanted opening or accidental thing Damage or injury.

Compared to the step-less door locks by means of one electrical actuator operated mechanical brake, there is the advantage of Invention in that the electric motor used can be kept small, because through its gear ratio the force required for braking can also be reached by means of a smaller electric motor. Furthermore, the Determination not abruptly, but "gently" through an appropriate structure the braking force by the electric motor and a matched one Electronics.

According to a development of the invention, the arrester is constructed such that the brake arrangement consists of a fixed brake shoe and a movably held brake shoe.
As a result, a locking force can be achieved regardless of the wear of the brake pads.

According to another embodiment of the invention, a self-locking Gearbox or a self-locking electric motor used. That’s it possible with advantage, with simple means after reaching the State of the engine, i.e. the overall system in the bring currentless state.

A constant locking force can be achieved if according to a Further development of the invention constructed the electronic evaluation unit is that after reaching a predetermined current, the electric motor is switched off. The motor then also presses the movable brake shoe constant pressure on the holding member with the fixed brake shoe as Abutment.

To cause the articulated component to fly violently into the end position prevent, the lock is according to a development of the invention built up that the holding member a recognizable by the motion sensor End mark for self-triggering a brake locking process.

Further features and advantages of the invention result from the Description of an embodiment shown in the drawing.

Fig. 1

in einer prinzipiellen Darstellung die Anbringung eines erfindungsgemäßen Feststellers in einer Tür eines Kraftfahrzeuges, und

Fig. 2

einen bevorzugten Aufbau des erfindungsgemaßen Feststellers.

Show it:

Fig. 1

in a basic representation, the attachment of a lock according to the invention in a door of a motor vehicle, and

Fig. 2

a preferred structure of the inventive lock.

The lock has a band-shaped holding member 1, which in the 1 with one end on a bearing block 2 the A or B pillar 3 of the vehicle body is articulated. The holding member 1 can also be a rod-shaped or disc-shaped body or the like.

With its free end, the holding member 1 projects into the door leaf 4, which is hinged to the column 3 via hinges 5, 6 in the usual manner.

The arrester according to the invention is arranged inside the door leaf 4. He consists of a mechanical locking arrangement, the two brake shoes 7, 8 has, between which the holding member 1 is guided longitudinally, and which can be brought into active engagement on both sides with the holding member 1, wherein the brake shoe 7 is driven and the brake shoe 8 is fixed, and from an electric motor 9 connected to the locking arrangement, the can be activated via terminals 10. By building this Locking arrangement can advantageously have a uniform locking force in the Locking system achieved regardless of the wear of the brake pads become.

In the example of Fig. 1, the holding member 1 on the A or B pillar 3 is the Vehicle body articulated and the locking device in the door leaf 4 housed. However, it can also be reversed, i.e. the holding member 1 hinged to the component to be pivoted and the locking device is housed in a corresponding space in the vehicle body.

As shown in Fig. 2, the drive shaft of the motor 9 is with a self-locking gear 11 connected, which in turn via a corresponding engagement element is in active engagement with the brake shoe 7. The electric motor 9, the transmission 11 and the brake shoes 7, 8 are in one Housing 12 installed, which in Fig. 1 for the sake of clarity not is shown.

The electric motor is preferably connected so that its current consumption is limited to a predetermined value. This is always a constant Pressure force exerted on the drivable brake shoe 7 via the gear 11, the fixed brake shoe 8 serves as an abutment. The gearbox serves to reduce the speed while increasing the torque.

The lock also has a motion sensor 13, which is located in the housing 12 is arranged adjacent to the holding member 1, the movement or Stop the holding member and thus the door 4 recognizes and to one intelligent electronics 14 reports.

The holding member 1 has a mark recognizable for the sensor 13 on. It consists of a material that can be magnetized and has one Surface structuring when moving the holding member from the sensor is recognized, e.g. a gearing.

The sensor 13 for motion detection can be used, for example, as a Hall sensor or be designed as a potentiometer. The Hall sensor has the advantage of Insensitivity to dirt and the low cost. The detection of the Movement by means of a potentiometer is a technically elegant solution since every Position of the holding member can be recognized; however, it requires one higher effort.

The movement of the holding member can also be attached to it Barcode can be recognized in connection with a reflex light barrier.

The intelligent electronics, which preferably contain a micropozressor, processes the signals of the motion sensor 13 and controls on the output side correspondingly, the electric motor 9 via its connections 10 for closing and opening the locking arrangement 7, 8 while limiting the current consumption the engine 9.

So in the state in which the holding member 1 between the brake shoes 7, 8 is clamped, the system can work without power to the vehicle battery, but also not unnecessarily stressing the electric motor the gear 11 is designed as a self-locking gear that the controlled mechanical tension state holds, although by the electronics 14 the motor 9 is deactivated after reaching the clamping state. This is the lock in the functional position regardless of the battery. At a Failure of the battery can definitely result in the door being closed is to be opened without power, or through from an open position Apply a small force, such as that used to overcome the Latching forces are required in known locks, opened or closed become.

Self-locking can also be used instead of a self-locking gear be carried out by means of a self-locking motor.

The detector according to the invention works as follows:

The mechanical position is in the closed position of the motor vehicle door 4 Locking arrangement 7, 8 open; the electric motor 9 is without current. The door 4 can be opened freely.

Opening the door 4 activates the door arrester, for example by the signal of the door contact switch, which the interior lighting of the Motor vehicle turns on. The door 4 is then in a certain Position stopped, the standstill of the Door 4 recognized. The electronics 14, the output signal of the Motion sensor 13 is supplied sets the electric motor 9 in motion via its drive spindle or the output shaft of the preferably in it Integrated gear 11 presses the brake pad 7 on the holding member 1, the in turn is supported on the fixed brake pad 8. That is the door 4 clamped in the position stopped by the driver or front passenger. The System is tuned so that the brake pads 7 and 8 on the holding member 1st exert a fixed force, specified by the current limit in the Electric motor 9 so as to have a desired constant over the lever arm To generate opening or closing torque on door 4.

If this moment is overcome by manually turning the door further, the movement sensor 13 detects the movement and reports this via a signal to the electronics 14, which turns the motor back, whereby the brake shoes 7, 8 release the holding member 1 again. The door can then be moved freely again until the next stop of the door by the vehicle occupant.

So that the door 4 does not fly from the closed state into the end stop can, the holding member 1 receives at least one lead end mark, which is from Motion sensor 13 is detected and via the electronics 14 for braking the door leads at this point. Likewise, exceeding a maximum Speed can be recognized by the electronics and the motor switch on to brake the door if it opens too quickly. At a This limitation in the electronics is not a closing movement of the door switched on. The size of the speed and the direction of door movement can be electronically from the signal curve of the motion sensor 13th detect.

2 can also be used for others pivotable components, for example for hoods and flaps from Vehicles, find use in different angular positions are pivotally hinged to the vehicle body.

Claims (9)

Locking device for components pivotally pivoted to a fixed base and additionally connected to this via a holding member, which has electromechanical means for continuously locking the pivoting positions, which has a mechanical locking arrangement with two brake shoes (7, 8) that engage in an exciting active engagement can be brought to the holding member (1) and have an actuator which can be activated electrically for actuating the mechanical locking arrangement (7, 8), depending on a pivoting movement of the component via an electronic evaluation unit (14) by means of a movement sensor (13), characterized in that the actuator is an electric motor (9) with a downstream transmission (11), the output shaft of which is mechanically connected to at least one movably held brake shoe (7) of the brake arrangement. Locking device according to claim 1, characterized in that the brake arrangement consists of a fixed brake shoe (8) and a movable brake shoe (7). Lock according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the electric motor (9) or the gear (11) are designed to be self-locking. Locking device according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the electronic evaluation unit (14) is constructed in such a way that the electric motor (9) is switched off after a predetermined current value has been reached. Locking device according to one of Claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the holding member (1) has an end mark which can be recognized by the motion sensor (13) for the self-triggering of a brake locking process. Locking device according to one of Claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the holding member (1) bears a marking which can be recognized by the motion sensor (13). Locking device according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the electronic evaluation unit (14) is constructed in such a way that it detects the height and direction of the gravity movement from the signals of the movement sensor (13). Lock according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the holding member (1) is rod-shaped, band-shaped or disk-shaped. Lock according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the motion sensor contains a Hall sensor.

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