WO2006060972A1

WO2006060972A1 - Electromechanical module

Info

Publication number: WO2006060972A1
Application number: PCT/DE2004/002665
Authority: WO
Inventors: Martin Mader
Original assignee: Kiekert Aktiengesellschaft
Priority date: 2004-12-07
Filing date: 2004-12-07
Publication date: 2006-06-15
Also published as: DE112004003052A5; EP1819895A1

Abstract

The invention relates to an electromechanical module (1) wherein the spatial position of a component (2) that can be displaced in relation to the module (1) can be determined by means of a sliding contact (31 or 32) provided on the mobile component. In addition, at least one contact field (4) which is static on the module (1) and corresponds to the sliding contact is provided, said contact field (4) being connected to a signal line (5) for the electrical interrogation of the spatial position of the component (2), the signal line (5) and the contact field (4) being embodied by a strip conductor film (6).

Description

Electromechanical assembly

The invention relates to an electromechanical assembly in which the spatial position of a movable component with respect to the component can be determined by means of a sliding component provided on the movable component, for which purpose at least one corresponding to the sliding contact is provided on the module static contact field, wherein the contact pad with a Signal line for electrical view of the spatial position of the component is connected.

Motor vehicle door locks are made modular, usually made of plastic housing parts that hold the components stored in the housing. The included

Motor vehicle door locks movable components, such as warning lever, operating lever, mechanical locks and the like, which are provided with electrical devices for their movement.

Thus, usually in a motor vehicle door lock housing, which contains movable components, the required wiring, for the electrical loads (actuators, especially motors) and the necessary sensor for the determination of the relative spatial position of the movable components, by so-called punched grid or realized by an inserted board with etched or printed copper lines, which are often partially shed in or on the housing wall.

The position of the moving parts to be detected is determined by means of built-micro switch, or by sliding contacts, which correspond with exposed areas of etched or printed copper lines on a board as Codier- surfaces, which form closed circuits depending on the location. DE 39 24 231 C2 shows an electric drive unit for door locking devices in which a contact plate (board) is provided with conductors for cooperation with contact pieces, wherein the contact pieces are fixed to a housing located in the moving part, the position of which. At certain defined positions of the moving part, the contact pieces make electrical contact between the two conductors on the contact plate. The conductors are designed by ordinary copper wires on an epoxy resin plate and the contact pieces by biased by spring tension against the contact plate metal strip.

EP 0 059 658 B1 also shows a lock for vehicle doors in which a movable lever and a movable warning lever are provided with a position detection, with metallic blades connected to these each being supported against a pressure circuit (printed circuit board) for the production of electrical circuits wherein the printing circuit in the

Housing of the castle is held.

Similarly, US 5,240,296 shows such a lock for vehicle doors.

From US 4, 806, 712 an electrical switch for a door lock has become known, run in the resilient contact tabs on coding contact fiducies and so make contact with them.

Reliability and longevity of components are a compulsory feature in automotive engineering, with ever-increasing cost pressure and new working and production methods requiring ever more favorable and more modern subcomponents. By prolonged use of the above-described contacts with metal surfaces and mechanically prestressed resilient metal strips, these are greatly worn by abrasion, contact merging and oxidation. This eventually leads to a malfunction and necessary repair of the defective module.

The object of the invention is therefore to provide an electrical assembly with Kontaktfeidern, which has an increased life.

This object is solved by the features of claim 1.

According to the invention, provision is made for an electromechanical subassembly in which the spatial position of a component movable relative to the subassembly can be determined by means of a sliding contact provided on the movable component, for which purpose at least one static contact field (coding surface) corresponding to the wiper contact is provided on the subassembly is, wherein the contact field is connected to a signal line for the electrical interrogation of the spatial position of the component, is configured such that the signal line and the contact pad are formed by a conductor foil.

The invention proposes to produce the leads from and to the contactor (s) corresponding to the wiper contact and the contactor (s) themselves from a conductor foil. The advantage here is that a conductor foil has significantly improved abrasion properties, that is to say has less abrasion, than a conventional metal contact surface, in particular made of a copper conductor track. Also, the oxide formation and tendency for contact fusion is much lower than for a metal surface. This prolongs the life considerably. An advantageous embodiment of the invention provides that the conductor foil is formed by an electrically conductive carbon layer, in particular carbon lacquer. As a result, the above benefits are further enhanced.

Carbon lacquer is characterized by an excellent resistance to oxidation, whereby the good sliding properties further extend the life of the contact element.

Following, according to one embodiment of the invention, it is provided that the conductor film is produced by means of a carbon-printing process. As a result, the printed conductor and the contact field (s) can be produced in a particularly inexpensive and reliable manner, even directly on the wall of the housing itself.

Advantageously, the conductor foil is covered with a protective layer except for the areas of the contact field (s). As a result, the conductor film is protected from external influences and in advantageously electrically insulating protective layer even a multi-layered or intersecting conductor track guidance is possible. Also unwanted electrical contacts with metal components are avoided.

A preferred embodiment of the invention provides that the conductor foil is formed on a flexible polyimide foil bearing this. As a result, the conductor film is produced individually on the polyimide film, whereby it can be used as a prefabricated part in a simple operation in the housing and fixed therein. Such a flexible film is in particular much easier to handle than the previously used used boards or stamped grid.

An advantageous and therefore particularly preferred embodiment of the invention provides that a sliding contact Abhebvorrichtung is provided which rises in particular arcuately over the surface of the contact fields. As a result, a constant contact of the sliding contacts on the Kontaktfeidern or a swept running of contact conductors between lines is avoided. This protects the sliding contacts and in particular their contact tips, as well as the contact fields themselves, which further extends the life of the assembly.

It is advantageous for this purpose, the sliding contact lifting device substantially in the form of a secant portion of a circular disc. The towering form of the plane in which the contact pads are located allows a gentle flowing movement of the sliding contacts.

Advantageously, the conductor foil is at least partially embedded in an assembly wall carrying the conductor foil. As a result, an exact position fixation and complete shield against environmental influences is guaranteed.

Preferably, the movable component is part of a driven by an electric motor worm gear, in particular the worm wheel itself.

An advantageous embodiment of the invention provides that at least two mutually electrically connected sliding contacts are provided, each of which at least one contact field is assigned to the query of different positions of the movable component. As a result, a plurality of different positions of the mechanical component can be interrogated, which enables a differentiated position interrogation of complex predetermined states.

Advantageously, the contact fields are arranged concentrically to the axis of the worm wheel. As a result, a sliding contact can be used, which is attached to the worm wheel itself. Advantageously, the sliding contacts and in particular their contact tips made of a copper-beryllium alloy or coated therewith. This greatly increases the service life of the immediate contact points.

Preferably, the / the sliding contacts are resilient, wherein they are advantageously arranged so that they are biased with a force component against the surface of the contact field. As a result, a defined electrical contact is ensured.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the worm wheel is configured such that it is connected to lever devices which lock / unlock the door lock into the positions and / or can spend theft-proof and / or child-resistant.

An advantageous and therefore particularly preferred embodiment of the invention provides that a position fixing aid is provided for a flexible layer carrying the conductor film, the position fixing aid lying flush against an edge of the flexible layer or protruding through a recess or opening in the flexible layer, wherein the position fixing aid is formed in particular by the sliding contact lifting device.

The module advantageously has a connection plug which is electrically connected to the conductor film. As a result, the assembly is used particularly modular as a prefabricated part.

Further advantages, features and appropriate developments of the invention will become apparent from the further subclaims or their sub-combinations. The invention will be further explained with reference to the drawing.

1 is an exemplary representation of an inventive electromotive assembly driven by a motor worm gear,

2 shows the electromotive assembly of Figure 1 without motor and worm gear,

3 is a detailed view of the formed on a polyimide film conductor sheet with concentric Kontaktfeidern and signal lines,

4 is a plan view of a worm wheel,

Fig. 5 is a bottom view of the worm wheel

3 with visible in this view sliding contacts,

6 is a detail view of the sliding contact of FIG. 4,

7 is a schematic representation of the sliding contacts in cooperation with the sliding contact lifting device,

8 is a sectional view of Fig. 7 in the cutting direction a-a,

9 is a sectional view of Fig. 7 in the cutting direction b-b,

10 shows an exemplary representation of a further exemplary embodiment of an electromotive assembly according to the invention with a motor driven moving parts in which a linear movement can be interrogated, and

Fig. 11, the electromotive assembly of FIG. 10 without motor and movable component.

In the figures, the same reference numerals designate the same or equivalent elements.

FIG. 1 shows an electromechanical assembly 1 according to the invention, in the form of a motor vehicle door lock housing 12 (electrical component carrier) supporting the inner components.

In this case, the spatial position of a component 2 which is movable relative to the assembly 1 is to be detected. the movable component 2 is the worm wheel 15 of a worm wheel gear 14 driven by an electric motor 13, a sliding contact (31 and 32) being provided on the underside of the worm wheel 15 for detecting the movement (ie the different defined positions) (see FIG 5 and FIG. 6) which correspond statically to the module 1, ie locally fixed contactors 4 (coding surfaces) (see FIGS. 2 and 3) and corresponding to the spatial position, in electrical contact with the Kontaktfeidern standing signal lines 5 circuits formed closes.

The worm wheel 15 is configured such that it is connected with lever devices which are not shown in the conventional manner for motor vehicle door locks, which lock and unlock the door lock in the positions and / or can be anti-theft and / or child-resistant. The signal line 5 and the contact field 4 are formed by a conductor film 6 made of a carbon-coated carbon layer 7 on a flexible polyimide film 9. The advantageously prefabricated conductor film 6 on the polyimide film 9 is particularly inexpensive to produce by means of a conventional carbon-printing process.

To protect the same, or unwanted electrical contacts with components located in the assembly, the conductor film 6 may be covered with a protective layer, in particular up to the regions of the contact field 4, with a protective layer 8 which is in particular electrically insulating (see FIG 8th) .

The signal lines 5 are connected to a connection plug 17 electrically connecting the module 1 to the outside.

It can also be provided that the signal lines 5 are cast or glued partially or completely into the module wall 11. This facilitates the assembly in several steps.

In the example shown, the electric motor 13 is powered by a conductor foil 6 with power. If higher load currents, which are too high for a printed circuit film, are required, a feed line in the form of a conventional stamped grid or by means of wires can also be used to supply the electric motor, which can also be partially cast or otherwise incorporated into the module wall 11. The advantage in this case is the

Material for the assembly wall 11 a polymeric material.

Fig. 2 shows the electromotive assembly of Fig. 1 wherein the electric motor 13 and the worm gear 14 is taken out with the worm wheel 15. You can see the contact fields 4, which are connected by the signal lines 5 with the End plug 17 are connected. The polyimide film 9 which carries the signal lines 6 and the contact fields 4 is centered and held in order to facilitate assembly and to maintain a defined position on the module wall 11 by means of a position fixing aid 18, which protrudes through an opening 91 provided for this purpose (see also FIG. 3).

In this case, the position-fixing aid 18 protrudes positively through the opening 91 (also a recess lying on the edge of the polyimide film is possible) in the flexible layer 9. As a result, the contact fields 4 arranged concentrically about the axis 16 of the worm wheel 15 are defined in their position relative to the above sliding sliding contacts 31 and 32 fixed to worm wheel 15 (Fig. 4) (Figs. 5 and 6).

The sliding contacts 31 and 32 are electrically connected together and fixed to the underside of the worm wheel 15 (Figure 4) (Figure 5). The sliding contacts are mechanically biased with a force component K (Fig. 7, Fig. 8) against the surface 43 of the Kontaktfeider that they rest securely on the Kontaktfeidern 4 and ensure a secure electrical connection.

Fig. 6 shows the sliding contacts 31 and 32 which have been punched from a one-piece resilient metal strip (for example, a copper alloy). The actual contact points have been molded into the metal strip as hemispherical or pointed cone-shaped depressions (see further details in FIGS. 6 to 8).

In the example, the shorter sliding contact 32 (FIG. 6) remains in electrical contact with the contact field 42 (FIG. 3) in all defined spatial positions of the movable component 2 (worm wheel 15). The longer sliding contact 31 is at a first defined spatial position "A" (FIG. 6) of the movable component 2 with the contact field 41a in electrical Contact and at a second defined spatial position in electrical contact with the contact pad 41b. This ensures a query of the spatial positions via electrical currents flowing through the respective closed circuits via contact pads 42 and 41a or 42 and 41b.

So that no unnecessary Abriebe be caused by the mechanically biased sliding contacts 31 and 32 when gluing the contact fields 4 and optionally intervening signal lines - and in particular the edges - a sliding contact Abhebvorrichtung 10 is provided (see Fig. 6), which in particular arcuately over the surface the contact fields 4 rises. The sliding contact 31 is lifted off the surface 20, 43 when the sliding contact lifting device 10 is overrun (spatial position "B" in FIG. 6), thereby enormously increasing the service life of the already very long-lasting carbon-fiber contact pads FIGS. 7 and 8 each show a sectional view in the direction aa (spatial position "A") or bb (spatial position "B").

The sliding contact lifting device 10 can be formed from the material of the assembly wall 11 and, as in the example shown, integrally formed with the position fixing aid 18.

So that the sliding contact 31 is lifted and placed on the contact areas 41a and 41b in a particularly continuous and gentle manner, the sliding contact lifting device 10 essentially has the shape of a secant section of a circular disk.

So that the contact tips 33 of the sliding contacts 31 and 32 and are particularly durable, they are made of a copper beryllium alloy or coated with a layer of such an alloy. 10 shows an inventive electromechanical assembly 1 according to a second embodiment.

In this case, unlike the first embodiment, not a rotational movement of a worm wheel, but a linear movement of an actuating lever is evaluated.

The movable component 2 is the substantially linearly displaceable operating lever 21 which is connected via a rotatable connection 23 with a mounted on the module wall 11 of the motor vehicle door lock housing 12 coupling lever 22. The coupling lever 22 is moved by a tab 24, which cooperates with a threaded rod 25 which is driven by a gear 26 by an electric motor 13.

To query the spatial position of the actuating lever 21 again contact pads 41 a, 41 b and 42 are provided, you form via signal lines 5 and the sliding contacts 31 and 32 depending on the defined position different closed circuits.

The signal lines 5 are again connected to a connection plug 17.

So that the wear of the Kontaktfeider 4 and / or the sliding contacts 31 and 32 remains minimized again, a sliding contact lifting device 10 is again provided, which is designed as the sliding contact lifting device of FIGS. 7 to Fig. 9 and acts.

The sliding contacts 31 and 32 are electrically connected to each other made of a metal strip which is resiliently biased against the surface of the contact pads 4. The Sliding contacts are cast in the example shown in the operating lever 21.

The shorter sliding contact 32 remains in the example in all defined spatial positions of the movable component 2 (operating lever 21) with the contact pad 42 in electrical contact. The longer sliding contact 31 is in electrical contact with the contact field 41a in a first defined spatial position of the movable component 2 and in electrical contact with the contact field 41b in the case of a second defined spatial position. As a result, a query of the spatial positions via electrical currents flowing through the respective closed circuits via contact pad 42 and 41a or 42 and 41b and the signal lines 5, guaranteed.

In contrast to the first exemplary embodiment, here the signal lines 5 and the contact fields 4 have been applied directly to the module wall 11 by means of a carbon lacquer forming the carbon layer 7.

Fig. 11 shows the signal lines 5 and the contact pads 4 before the assembling step in which the operating and coupling levers have been inserted.

The support structures 27 and side walls of the electromechanical assembly 1 are formed onto the module wall 11 with signal lines 5 and contact tags 4 applied thereto-for example, by an injection molding method. LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1 electromechanical assembly 2 movable component

31, 32 sliding contact

33 sliding contact tip

4 contact field 41a, 41b contact field 42 contact field

43 Surface of the contact field

5 signal line

6 trace film

7 carbon layer 8 protective layer

9 polyimide film 91 opening

10 sliding contact lifting device

11 module wall 12 motor vehicle door lock housing

13 electric motor

14 worm gear

15 worm wheel

16 Worm wheel axis 17 Connection plug

18 position fixing aid

19 flexible layer

20 surface

21 operating lever 22 coupling lever

23 rotatable connection

24 riders

25 threaded rod

26 gearbox 27 support structure

Claims

claims

1. Electromechanical assembly (1), in which the spatial position of a relative to the assembly (1) movable component (2) by means of a provided on the movable component sliding contact (31 or 32) can be determined, for this purpose at least one with the sliding contact corresponding contact field (4) is provided on the module (1), wherein the contact field (4) is connected to a signal line (5) for electrical interrogation of the spatial position of the component (2), characterized in that the signal line (5 ) and the contact field (4) are formed by a conductor foil (6).

2. Electromechanical subassembly according to claim 1, characterized in that the conductor foil (6) by an electrically conductive carbon layer (7), in particular carbon lacquer, is formed.

3. Electromechanical subassembly according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the conductor foil (6) is produced by means of a carbon-printing process.

4. Electromechanical subassembly according to one of claims 1 to 3, in that there is covered, with the exception of the areas of the contact field (s) (4), the conductor track foil (6) with a protective layer (8).

5. Electromechanical assembly according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the conductor foil (6) is formed on this carrying flexible polyimide film (9).

6. Electromechanical subassembly according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that a sliding contact lift-off device (10) is provided, which protrudes in particular arcuately over the surfaces of the Kontaktfeider (4).

7. Electro-mechanical assembly according to claim 6, characterized in that the sliding contact lifting device (10) substantially has the shape of a secant portion of a circular disk.

8. Electromechanical subassembly according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the conductor film (6) is at least partially embedded in an assembly wall (11) carrying the conductor film.

9. Electromechanical assembly according to claim 8, characterized in that the module wall (11) is made of polymeric material.

10. Electromechanical subassembly according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the electromechanical subassembly (1) is a part of a motor vehicle door lock, in particular a motor vehicle door lock housing (12).

11. Electromechanical assembly according to claim 10, characterized in that the movable component (2) is part of a by means of an electric motor (13) driven worm gear (14), in particular the worm wheel (15) itself, is.

12. Electromechanical subassembly according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least two electrically connected to each other

Sliding contacts (31, 32) are provided, each of which at least one contact field (41a, 41b, 42) is assigned to the query of different positions of the movable component (2).

13. Electromechanical subassembly according to one of claims 11 to 12, in that there are arranged the contact fields (4, 41a, 41b, 42) concentric to the axis (16) of the worm wheel (15).

14. Electromechanical assembly according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the / the sliding contacts (31, 32) are resilient, wherein they are arranged so that they with a force component (K) against the surface (43) of the contact field (4 ) are biased.

15. Electromechanical assembly according to one of claims 11 to 14, characterized in that the worm wheel (15) is designed so that it communicates with lever devices in connection / unlocked the door lock in the positions and / and theft-proof and / or can spend child-safe.

16. Electromechanical assembly according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a position fixing aid (18) for a Leiterbahnfo- lie (6) carrying the flexible layer (9) is provided, wherein the position fixing aid is flush with an edge of the flexible layer or by a Recess or opening (91) protrudes in the flexible layer, wherein the position fixing aid is formed in particular by the sliding contact lifting device (10).

17. Electromechanical subassembly according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the subassembly (1) has a connection plug (17) which is electrically connected to the conductor film (6).