US 12,392,187 B2
Actuating apparatus for opening and closing a cover in or on a vehicle
Matthias Hegwein, Ippesheim (DE)
Assigned to Illinois Tool Works, Inc., Glenview, IL (US)
Filed by ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC., Glenview, IL (US)
Filed on May 17, 2022, as Appl. No. 17/746,602.
Claims priority of application No. 10 2021 113 334.3 (DE), filed on May 21, 2021.
Prior Publication US 2022/0372809 A1, Nov. 24, 2022
Int. Cl. E05B 83/34 (2014.01); E05B 81/06 (2014.01); E05F 1/10 (2006.01); E05F 3/10 (2006.01); E05B 17/00 (2006.01); E05B 81/18 (2014.01)
CPC E05F 1/10 (2013.01) [E05B 81/06 (2013.01); E05B 83/34 (2013.01); E05F 1/1091 (2013.01); E05F 3/10 (2013.01); E05B 17/0037 (2013.01); E05B 81/18 (2013.01); E05Y 2201/21 (2013.01); E05Y 2201/246 (2013.01); E05Y 2201/264 (2013.01); E05Y 2201/474 (2013.01); E05Y 2900/534 (2013.01)] 9 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. Actuating apparatus for opening and closing a cover in or on a vehicle, with a locking and/or arresting kinematics that cooperates with the cover, wherein the actuating apparatus comprises:
a housing, which is suitable to be installed in a vehicle;
an actuating part, which is received at least in regions in the housing and supported axially relative to the housing, wherein the actuating part cooperates with the cover and is connected or connectable to the cover in such a way that the actuating part performs a movement relative to the housing between a first position and a second position upon a movement of the cover between a closed position and an open position, wherein, in the first position, the actuating part is in a locked or arrested state; and
an elastically deformable spring system associated with the actuating part for biasing of the actuating part towards the second position of the actuating part,
wherein the locking and/or arresting kinematics is configured in such a way that a lifting of the locking or arresting is initiated and/or that the locking or arresting of the actuating part is lifted or liftable when, starting from the first position of the actuating part, the actuating part is moved further into the housing to a third position relative to the housing,
wherein the spring system is configured in order to bias the actuating part with a first biasing force or a first biasing force range towards the second position of the actuating part when the actuating part is located between the first and second positions and to bias the actuating part with a second biasing force or with a second biasing force range towards the second position of the actuating part when the actuating part is located between the first and third positions, wherein the first biasing force or the first biasing force range is different from the second biasing force or the second biasing force range;
wherein the actuating apparatus comprises a damper or spring device, which encapsulates a spring element of the spring system, wherein the damper or spring device is axially movable relative to the housing and comprises a first force transfer element facing towards the second position of the actuating part and a second force transfer element axially spaced apart therefrom, wherein the first force transfer element is movable while overcoming a biasing force relative to and towards the second force transfer element, wherein the spring system axially biases the damper or spring device towards the second position of the actuating part.