Actuating device for moving covers for vehicles
An actuating apparatus ( 100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600, 700 ) for moving covers ( 102, 202, 302, 402, 502, 602, 702 ), in particular flush covers, for vehicles, wherein the cover ( 102, 202, 302, 402, 502, 602, 702 ) is reversibly movable, and in particular pivotable, between a closed position and an open position in which the cover is arranged behind an outer skin of the vehicle, wherein the actuating apparatus ( 100 ) comprises the following: a kinematics for reversibly moving, in particular pivoting, the cover ( 102, 202, 302, 402, 502, 602, 702 ) between the open position and the closed position; and a first sensor apparatus ( 112, 212, 312, 412, 512, 612, 712 ) for detecting the open position and/or the closed position of the cover ( 102, 202, 302, 402, 502, 602, 702 ).
1 . An actuating apparatus to move a cover for covering a door handle recess of a vehicle, the cover moveable between a closed position in which the cover is flush with an outer skin of the vehicle, and an open position in which the cover is arranged within the handle recess behind the outer skin of the vehicle, the handle recess being configured for providing a suitable door handle engagement for a user's hand for operating the door when the cover is in the open position, the actuating apparatus comprising:
a mechanism configured to pivot the cover between the open position in which the cover is positioned in the door handle recess, and the closed position;
an electric motor configured to drive a pivoting motion of the cover via the mechanism; and
a first sensor apparatus configured to detect the mechanism to detect whether the cover is in the open position or the closed position, wherein, when the cover has been pivoted to the open position, the sensor provides an electrical signal to an electric drive of an unlocking system for unlocking the door of the vehicle.
2 . The actuating apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the mechanism comprises at least one cam disk for activating the first sensor apparatus upon a transition of the cover from the open position into the closed position.
3 . The actuating apparatus according to claim 2 , wherein the mechanism comprises a first pivot arm connected to the cover and pivotable in relation to a first pivot axis, wherein the at least one cam disk for activating the first sensor apparatus is connected to the first pivot axis.
4 . The actuating apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the actuating apparatus comprises a second sensor apparatus configured to detect a pressing movement against the cover when the cover is in its closed position.
5 . The actuating apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the actuating apparatus comprises the door handle recess which is mounted on a body interior and configured to guide movement of the mechanism during a movement between the closed position and the open position of the cover.
6 . The actuating apparatus according to claim 5 , wherein the door handle recess comprises a trough-shaped body and the mechanism extend through an opening of the trough-shaped body, and wherein the mechanism is sealed against the opening.
7 . The actuating apparatus according to claim 5 , wherein the mechanism comprises at least one cam disk for activating the first sensor apparatus upon a transition of the cover from the open position into the closed position, and wherein the cam disk is arranged outside the door handle recess.
8 . The actuating apparatus according to claim 5 , wherein the cover comprises a first end and a second end opposite to the first end, wherein the first end is rotatably connected to a first pivot arm, and wherein the second end comprises a guide element for guiding the cover in the door handle recess.
9 . The actuating apparatus according to claim 8 , wherein the door handle recess comprises a guide groove configured to receive the guide element of the cover and to guide the cover upon a movement of the cover by the mechanism.
10 . The actuating apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the mechanism comprises a first pivot arm connected to the cover and pivotable in relation to a first pivot axis, and wherein the cover is connected to the first pivot arm via a rotary joint.
11 . The actuating apparatus according to claim 10 , wherein the mechanism comprises a spring element for biasing the cover into a neutral position in relation to the first pivot arm.
12 . The actuating apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the mechanism comprises a first pivot arm connected to the cover via a first rotary joint and pivotable in relation to a first pivot axis, and wherein the mechanism comprises a second pivot arm connected to the cover via a second rotary joint and pivotable in relation to a second pivot axis, wherein the first and second pivot arms form a four-bar linkage for the cover.
13 . The actuating apparatus according to claim 12 , wherein the actuating apparatus comprises a door handle recess mounted on a body interior, and wherein the second pivot arm is fork-shaped and arranged outside the door handle recess.
14 . The actuating apparatus according to claim 13 , wherein the cover is arranged in the door handle recess and the second pivot arm is connected to the cover via one or more guide elements, and wherein the door handle recess comprises guide grooves for guiding the guide elements.
15 . A vehicle having the actuating apparatus according to claim 1 .
16 . A door handle assembly for use in a vehicle having an opening, the door handle assembly comprising:
a cover configured to move relative to the opening between an open position in which the cover is in a door handle recess, and a closed position in which the cover is flush with an outer skin of the vehicle, wherein the door handle recess is configured for providing a suitable door handle engagement for a user's hand for operating the door when the cover is in the open position;
a mechanism configured to pivot the cover between the open position and the closed position;
an electric motor configured to drive a pivoting motion of the cover via the mechanism; and
a sensor configured to detect the mechanism to detect whether the cover is in the open position or the closed position,
wherein, when the cover has been pivoted to the open position, the sensor provides an electrical signal to an electric drive of an unlocking system for unlocking the door of the vehicle.
17 . The door handle assembly according to claim 16 , wherein the mechanism comprises:
a first pivot arm connected to the cover via a first rotary joint and pivotable in relation to a first pivot axis; and
a second pivot arm connected to the cover via a second rotary joint and pivotable in relation to a second pivot axis,
wherein the first pivot arm and second pivot arm form a four-bar linkage for the cover.
18 . The door handle assembly according to claim 16 , wherein the mechanism comprises:
at least one cam disk for activating the sensor upon a transition of the cover from the open position into the closed position; and
a pivot arm connected to the cover and pivotable in relation to a pivot axis, wherein the at least one cam disk for activating the sensor is connected to the pivot axis.
19 . An actuating apparatus configured to move a cover of a door handle recess in a vehicle relative to an opening in the vehicle to the door handle recess between an open position in which the cover is in the door handle recess, and a closed position in which the cover is flush with an outer skin of the vehicle, wherein the door handle recess is configured for providing a suitable door handle engagement for a user's hand for operating the door when the cover is in the open position, the actuating apparatus comprising:
a mechanism configured to pivot the cover between the open position and the closed position;
an electric motor configured to drive a pivoting motion of the cover via the mechanism; and
a sensor configured to detect the mechanism to detect whether the cover is in the open position or the closed position,
wherein, when the cover has been pivoted to the open position, the sensor provides an electrical signal to an electric drive of an unlocking system for unlocking the door of the vehicle.
20 . The actuating apparatus according to claim 19 , wherein the mechanism comprises:
a first pivot arm connected to the cover via a first rotary joint and pivotable in relation to a first pivot axis; and
a second pivot arm connected to the cover via a second rotary joint and pivotable in relation to a second pivot axis,
wherein the first pivot arm and second pivot arm form a four-bar linkage for the cover.