WO2014169891A1 - Actuator for a motor vehicle lock - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to an actuator (10) with an actuating drive (20) and rod (28) for a motor vehicle, wherein the actuating drive (20) can be used to lock a motor vehicle lock by means of a Bowden cable (1) both in local and in remote operation. According to the invention, the actuator (10) comprises an actuating drive (20) with a casing (21), a rod (28) which extends out of the casing (21) or which can be moved out of the casing (21), a drive within the casing (21) which is able to move the rod (28) backwards and forwards between two different positions, and a Bowden cable (1) comprising an outer cable housing (2) and an inner cable (3), particularly one consisting of a hammered cable, wherein the Bowden cable (1) is preferably designed as a modular unit with a recess device (4) for fastening to the actuating drive (20) in such a way that a motor vehicle lock can be operated by the actuating drive (20) by means of the Bowden cable (1).

Description

 Stellelnhelt for a motor vehicle closure

The invention relates to an actuator comprising an actuator with a housing, a latch that extends out of the housing or can be moved out of the housing, a drive within the housing, which is able to move the latch between two different positions back and forth, and a Bowden cable, comprising a shell and a soul, wherein the actuator is connected by means of the Bowden cable with a motor vehicle closure or can be. An actuator comprises a drive, in particular an electric motor, and an actuator designed, for example, as a linearly displaceable bolt, which can be moved by the drive. In principle, the actuator can be moved by the drive between two positions or end positions back and forth. The drive and the actuator are housed in a housing. Such drives are referred to in the automotive field as a miniature drives.

Instead of an electric motor, a solenoid designed as a lifting magnet or a hydraulically or pneumatically operated motor can be used as the drive. As an actuator pin-like bolts are usually used.

An actuating unit for a motor vehicle closure may in particular be part of a motor-driven tank flap or charging plug lock. The latter locks a charging socket and a charging plug of an electric vehicle when charging the battery. Such a control unit can also be on a door or

[ßestätigungskopiel Flap lock of a motor vehicle work, for example, on a so-called servo lock, in which the catch of a lock - locks over the drive of a so-called pre-locking position moves into a main catch position while the corresponding door or flap against the force of the door seal in the Closing position spends.

Such actuators of actuators are often arranged directly on the device to be locked, for example on a fuel filler flap of a motor vehicle. In this case we speak of an actuator for a close-up operation. Often, however, there is a lack of sufficient space for an actuator, so that it can not be placed directly on the device to be locked. Frequently, such actuators are then arranged in so-called dead spaces of the motor vehicle, for example below a mudguard. It is understood that in these cases the separation between the actuator and motor vehicle closure of the actuator must be introduced via an extension element to the closure. For this purpose, Bowden cables that have been flexible for a long time have proven to be successful, which consist of a casing and a core, which can be displaced therein and is usually made of wire. In this case, one speaks in contrast to the above-described Nahbetrieb of an actuator for remote operation.

Manufacturers of motor vehicles are endeavoring in today's standard model and equipment variety in motor vehicles, especially for logistics and cost reasons as possible to be able to serve different requirements in vehicles with identical accessories.

The present invention relates to the connection of an actuator with a housing and a latch, which can be moved out of the housing, with the adjusting movements at Nah- and remote operation can be transferred to a locking element.

From the publication WO 2011 / l 20719 AI an actuating unit is known, which serves for locking a connection between a charging socket and a charging plug of an electric vehicle during a charging process. The actuating unit comprising an actuator with a housing and a bolt extending out of the housing is arranged above mounting flanges and a seal arranged on the bolt directly above the components to be locked. After complete production of the existing plug and socket charging connection runs as a pin-like latch actuator between the two components and thus prevents improper interruption of a sometimes lasting several hours charging. Due to the proximity of the actuator and to be locked plug connection requires no additional connection means. Such drives are, as already mentioned, also referred to as Nahantriebe. From the same document WO 2011/120 719 AI is also known to connect an actuator as described above for the Nahbetrieb about a connected to the bolt Bowden cable to a remote motor vehicle closure and thus equip as a remote drive. The Bowden cable serves as an extension of the actuator in order to actuate a spatially separate motor vehicle closure arranged. To connect the Bowden cable to the housing of the actuator, it requires a separate seal. In addition, a Bowden cable counter bearing must be designed constructively for the Bowden cable for safe operation at the connection of the motor vehicle closure. It is an object of the invention to further develop an actuating unit of the type mentioned. It is a particular object of the invention, with minimal resources and structurally simple to realize an actuator with actuator and bolt in a motor vehicle, which can be used for both the local and the remote operation for locking a motor vehicle closure.

To solve the problem, an actuating unit with the features of claim 1 is provided.

Such an actuator unit comprises, in an advantageous embodiment, an actuator with a housing, a latch extending from the housing or which can be moved out of the housing, and a drive within the housing which reciprocates the latch between two different positions can move, and a Bowden cable, comprising a shell and a soul, wherein the Bowden cable is designed as a modular unit with a recording device for attachment to the actuator in such a way that can be actuated by the actuator by means of the Bowden cable motor vehicle closure. The

Receiving device forms in particular at the same time an abutment against which the sheath of the Bowden cable. So it is only necessary to attach the receiving device and to connect the soul of the Bowden cable with the bolt of the adjusting unit, for example by hooking a hook-shaped end of the soul in a bore of the bolt. An additional construction for providing an abutment is not required.

In an advantageous embodiment, the receiving device is to be attached to the adjusting unit, and in particular exclusively. An actuating unit in particular comprises connecting straps for mounting the actuating unit on a component. In an advantageous Embodiment is on acquisition device designed so that it can be connected to the terminal lugs and in particular by means of a screw or rivet. It is sufficient in this embodiment, therefore, to connect the soul of the Bowden cable with the bolt of the actuating unit and to attach the receiving device to one or more terminal lugs when the acquisition unit already includes the counter-bearing.

Preferably, the Bowden cable is designed as a modular unit by common design with the receiving device for releasably securing to the actuator. As a result, corresponding actuators can be flexibly connected directly to motor vehicle locks or bridging extension devices.

In one embodiment, the Bowden cable is designed as a modular unit by common execution of the receiving device for attachment to the shell of the Bowden cable.

In a further embodiment of the invention it is provided that the Bowden cable is made of plastic and the receiving device is carried out for fastening together with the shell by at least partial molding of the shell. This embodiment results in a one-piece unit for particularly simple handling, in particular mount.

The invention also provides that the Bowden cable and / or the receiving device are made of an elastic plastic or comprise an elastic plastic. In a further embodiment of the invention it is provided that the receiving device for fastening to the actuator from a connected to the shell connection area and / or a bridge-like connecting web and / or mounting arms, which in particular abkragen from the bridge-like connecting web, is formed the mounting arms serve to secure the receiving device to the housing of the actuator. A recording device can be realized so easily and appropriately. In a preferred embodiment of the bridge-like web of the receiving device is designed as an abutment for the Bowden cable to contribute to a particularly simple and appropriate way to solve the problem. The receiving device is preferably provided with one or more threads for connection to the actuator by means of screws. Thus, an actuator can easily be screwed either on a wall or on the receiving unit, without having to change the actuator constructive.

Further, it is preferably provided for improved solution that the mounting arms of the receiving device are provided for attachment to the housing of the actuator with recesses or holes for fastening via screw connections.

The adjusting unit according to the invention is preferably provided for locking a charging plug or a fuel filler flap on a motor vehicle. The invention also relates to a Bowden cable for an actuator with actuator, which includes a shell and a soul and as a modular Assembly with a receiving device for attachment to the actuator is executed.

Preferably, the Bowden cable is designed as a modular unit with a recording device for releasably securing to the actuator.

In one embodiment, the Bowden cable for an actuator made of plastic and the receiving device is carried out together by injection molding to the shell.

On the basis of the invention, it is possible to provide an actuating unit, in which the arranged in a housing actuator for moving an executed as a bolt actuator in unchanged form for a so-called Nahbetrieb with arrangement directly to the vehicle to be locked lock, as well as on the inventive Recording device can be used by means of a Bowden cable for the so-called remote operation on a consequently arranged away from the actuator motor vehicle closure.

All connection points and geometry of the actuator, as well as the structure itself with the seals around the latch area are retained. The receiving device is used for mounting on the mounting arms and storage of the Bowden cable. At the existing mounting portion of the housing of the actuator which is preferably carried out integrally with the Bowden cable receiving device is preferably screwed. The abutment for the Bowden cable, which is integrated in the receiving device, avoids an embodiment of the motor vehicle lock to be locked which functions as an abutment. The Bowden cable itself forms the link between the actuator and the motor vehicle closure of the claimed actuator. Preferably, the core of the Bowden cable is a compacted cable and in particular when the Bowden cable is connected to an actuating unit and / or is used in a motor vehicle.

Preferably, the compacted side is a hammered rope. The preparation is such that first a "normal" rope is wound and this is then compressed in a hammer mill by blows. For a compression, it is also possible to pull the rope through a drawing die. The effect is that the material flows into the empty spaces between the individual strands. The rope is basically a metallic wire rope consisting of a plurality of metallic wires. In the case of a compacted rope in particular the outer wires are not circular in section.

A Bowden cable installation in a vehicle takes place in relatively small radii. The hammered rope is much more flexible here, but can still transmit compressive forces to a certain extent. Therefore, its use in a motor vehicle is of particular advantage. For this reason, the soul of the Bowden cable preferably has a tail designed in such a way that it can be connected to the latch of the actuating unit in a tension-proof and pressure-resistant manner in order to be able to transmit both tensile forces and compressive forces. In particular, one end of the bolt can be inserted into a recess of the end piece or vice versa, so as to connect the end piece of the soul with the bolt suitable tensile and pressure resistant. Preferably, the recess is T-shaped in order to transmit forces evenly. If the recess in the end piece is T-shaped, then the end region of the bolt is correspondingly T-shaped. The invention will be shown with reference to an advantageous embodiment of Figures 1 to 5. Show it:

Figure 1: Actuator according to the prior art

Figure 2: Actuator according to FIG. 1 in the installed position

 Figure 3: Actuator with inventive Bowden cable

Figure 4: section through the Ahschlussbereich the actuator

Figure 5: An assembled actuator before assembly

Figure 6: cables for Bowden cable

Figure 7: section through rope for a Bowden cable

 Figure 8: pressure and tensile strength connection between bar and soul Figure 9: End of the soul with bar

FIG. 1 shows an actuating unit (10) as known from document WO 2011/120 719 A1. The actuating unit (10) serves to lock a charging plug, not shown here, with a charging socket during the charging process of an electric vehicle. The actuating unit (10) comprises an actuator (20) and a bolt (28) which can be moved back and forth by the actuator (20) and which is shown in the locked position in FIG. The actuator (20), which is designed as an electric motor (not shown), is arranged in a housing (21) which is covered by a cover (22). The optionally driven by the electric motor via a gear or a spindle latch (28) extends in the locked position out of the housing (21). The actuator (20) has a rotatable, via a Bowden cable not shown to be actuated lever (24) for emergency unlocking of the vehicle interior in case of power failure. This Bowden cable is suspended in a bearing (31) on the cover (22) of the housing (21). The housing (21) of the actuator (20) is further provided in the region of the bolt (28) with a flat gasket (26). In addition, still another seal (27) may be provided, via which the Actuator (20) particularly reliable sealed against a wall of another component, eg. B. one with the bolt (28) to be locked charging plug, can be pressed. In addition, the actuator (20) comprises a connection socket (30) with electrical contacts arranged therein for insertion of a connection plug for the power supply of the electric motor.

For attachment of the actuator (20) laterally projecting tabs (23) are arranged on the housing (21). A wall of the tab (23) is arranged parallel to the base of the housing (21) of the actuator (20). This is adjoined by a vertical wall which is perpendicular to the base of the housing (21). Both walls of the tabs (23) comprise a recess (23 a) or bore, for example by means of a screw connection (23 b) the actuator (20) on a further component, for. As a charging plug of a motor vehicle, not shown here to be able to fasten, in different positions depending on the particular requirement. FIG. 2 shows the actuating drive (20) according to FIG. 1 in the installed position, specifically for the direct locking of a connection (50) of charging socket and charging plug arranged below the setting unit (20) and shown only schematically. The additional actuators (40) shown in addition in Fig. 2 is used to lock a cap for the plug (50) outside the loading times. It can be seen that the actuator (20) is arranged directly on the plug surface (50) via the tabs (23) sealing as described in Fig. 1. The person skilled in the art also speaks here of a so-called near-drive of the actuating unit (20). Nahantrieb means the immediate vicinity of the actuator (20) to be locked to the closure of a motor vehicle. Figure 3 shows an actuator (10) according to the invention with a designed as a modular unit Bowden cable (1), for example, for driving a spatially remote from the actuator (20), not shown charging plug (50) of a motor vehicle. In contrast to the Nahantrieb mentioned above in Fig. 2 with arrangement of the actuator (20) directly on the charging socket (50) one speaks in this case of a so-called remote drive with the Bowden cable (1) as a link between the actuator (20) and motor vehicle closure , The Bowden cable (1) comprises a sheath (2) and a core (3) and the end-side to be connected to a locking unit, not shown, driving pin (5). For connection to the bolt (28) of the actuator (20) is preferably made of wire Bowden cable soul (3) formed as a hook, which can be mounted in a corresponding recess (29) of the bolt (28) of the actuator (20) , In the direction of the actuator (20) of the Bowden cable (1) according to the invention is modularly connected to the receiving device (4). The receiving device (4) comprises the molded onto the shell (2) section (4a), in the distribution of this section (4a) of the Bowden cable counter-bearing bridge bridge (4b) then, of which the mounting arms (4c ) with the connecting lugs (23). The middle bridge bridge configured area (4b) of the receiving device (4) also bridges the connection of the Bowden cable core (2) to the bolt (28) of the actuator (20). The abutment portion of the Bowden cable (1) is formed in the bridge-like web (4b), in such a way that directly the Bowden cable (1) is added and at the same time the sealing connection via the actuator-seal (27) is produced. It is readily apparent that the mounting arms with the tabs (23), for example via screw connections (23b) can be connected to the actuator (20). The sleeve-shaped end portions of the mounting arms (4c) are preferably with a Provided internal thread in order to screw the actuator to it can.

In a synopsis of FIGS. 2 and 3, the inventive value of the claimed actuator (10) is particularly clear, namely the fact that the mounted in the so-called close range actuator (20) according to FIG. 2 in the application of FIG. 3 adopted unchanged can be used on the one hand sealing directly to a motor vehicle lock to be locked as well as the same sealing to the present invention modular with a receptacle (4) equipped Bowden cable (1) in the remote mode also for a motor vehicle closure.

FIG. 4 shows a section through the connecting region of the receiving device (4) to the actuator (20) with the seals (26, 27) on the adjusting housing (21) and a foam pad optionally additionally mounted for sealing the bolt (28) ( 7). The clawing of the bridge-like web (4b) on the housing (21) shows the stable configuration of the Bowden cable thrust bearing. The hook-shaped core (3) of the Bowden cable (1) is inserted into the recess (29) of the bolt (28).

Figure 5 shows the control unit (10) fully assembled, comprising an actuator (20) and the present invention modular with the receiving device (4) running Bowden cable (1). Obviously, the sealing connection between the receiving device (4) and the actuator (29) as well as the compactness of the actuator for easy mounting. The figure 6 shows above a non-compacted rope, in the middle of a compacted by hammering rope and down by a hammering high density rope. In particular, a high-density rope is used as the soul of the Bowden cable.

FIG. 7 illustrates by a sectional illustration the difference between an uncompressed side (left illustration) and the compressed rope (right illustration). By compacting the cross-section of the individual metallic wires has been deformed and is no longer continuous circular. FIG. 8 shows the connection of the core 2 of a Bowden cable to the bolt 28 of an actuating unit with the aid of a molded zamak end piece, which is connected to the bolt 28 in such a way that both pressure and tensile forces from the bolt 28 into the core 2 can be transmitted. FIG. 9 illustrates that insertion of the bolt 28 into this zamak end piece 60 is sufficient to connect the core 2 to the end piece 60 in a tension-proof and pressure-resistant manner. The mounting is therefore very fast and easy. As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the zamak end has a T-shaped recess into which the T-shaped end of the bolt 28 is brought into for connection.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1: Bowden cable

2: Case of the Bowden cable

 3: Soul of the Bowden cable

 4: Recording device

 4a: Attachment of the recording device

 4b: bridge-like web of the recording device

4c: mounting arms of the receiving device

 5: End of the soul

6: Connecting hook Bowden cable to actuator 7: sealing pad

 10: Actuator

 20: Actuator

 21: housing

22: cover

 23: Connecting lug

 23a: recesses

 23b: screw

 24: lever emergency unlocking

25: Suspension Bowden cable - emergency lock

26: seal

 27: seal

 28: Latch

 29: recess

30: Connection plug

 40: Actuator charging lid

 50: charging plug

 60: Zamak tail

Claims

claims An actuator unit (10) comprising an actuator (20) having a housing (21), a latch (28) extending from the housing (22) or which can be moved out of the housing (21), and a drive within the housing (21) capable of reciprocating the latch (28) between two different positions, and a Bowden cable (1) comprising a shell (2) and a core (3), in particular of a compressed rope, the Bowden cable (1) is preferably designed as a modular unit with a receiving device (4) for attachment to the actuator (20) in such a way that by the actuator (20) by means of the Bowden cable (1) a motor vehicle closure can be actuated. 2. Actuator (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that the Bowden cable (1) is designed as a modular unit with the receiving device (4) for releasably securing to the actuator (20). 3. Actuator (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that the Bowden cable (1) as a modular unit by common execution of the receiving device (4) with the sheath (2) of the Bowden cable (1) is executed. 4. Actuator according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the Bowden cable (1) is made of plastic and the receiving means (4) for fixing together with the shell (2) by at least partial molding of the shell (2) is executed. Actuating unit (10) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the Bowden cable (1) and / or on the receiving device (4) are made of an elastic plastic or comprise an elastic plastic. Actuating unit (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the receiving device (4) for attachment to the actuator (20) from a connection to the shell (2) connection area (4a), a bridge-like connecting web (4b) and from the connecting web (4b) projecting mounting arms (4c) for securing the receiving device (4) to the housing (21) of the actuator (20) is formed. Actuating unit (10) according to the preceding claim, characterized

characterized in that the bridge-like web (4b) of the receiving device (4) is designed as an abutment for the Bowden cable (1). 8. Actuator unit (10) according to one of the two preceding claims, characterized in that the mounting arms (4c) of the receiving device (4) for attachment to the housing (21) of the actuator (20) with recesses or holes (23a) for Fastening screw connections (23b) are provided. Actuating unit (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the receiving device (4) is provided with one or more threads for connection to the setting unit by means of screws. Bowden cable (1) for an actuator (10) with actuator (20) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the Bowden cable (1) comprises a sheath (2) and a core (3) and as modular unit with a receiving device (4) for attachment to the actuator (20) is executed. 11. Bowden cable (1) for an actuator (20) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the Bowden cable (1) as a modular unit with a recording device (4) for releasably securing to the actuator (20) is executed. 12. Bowden cable according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the receiving device (4) comprises an abutment for the Bowden cable casing (2) and / or two holes or fork-shaped tabs for attaching the receiving unit to an actuating unit by means of screws or rivets. 13. Bowden cable (1) for an actuator (20) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the Bowden cable (1) is made of plastic and the receiving device (4) together with the shell (2) by at least partial molding to the shell (2) is executed. 14. Bowden cable (1) according to the preceding claims, characterized in that the Bowden cable (1) and / or the receiving device (4) are made of an elastic - plastic or comprise an elastic plastic. 15. Bowden cable (1) in particular according to the preceding claims, characterized in that the core (3) of the Bowden cable is a compacted rope. 16. Bowden cable according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the soul (3) of the Bowden cable zug- and pressure-tight with the latch (28) is connected to an actuating unit and in particular by means of a Zamak end piece (60).