Patent Grant
8234817
This application claims priority of German Patent Application No. 10 2005 061 610.0, filed on Dec. 21, 2005, entitled “Method and device for controlling the closing movement of a body component for vehicles”, the content of which is hereby expressly incorporated herein by way of reference.
The present invention relates to a method and a device for controlling the closing movement of a manually closable body component for vehicles, in particular for motor vehicles, e.g. a hinged door, sliding door, hinged/sliding door, bonnet, hinged cover, sliding roof or the like.
Body components of the aforementioned type are nowadays closed largely by manual actuation. Slamming or banging often introduces too much energy into the closing process, as a result of which the body component and functional components supported therein or their suspension arrangements are subjected to a high degree of stress when the body component is closed as a result of the high acceleration. This leads, on the one hand, to expensive measures to prevent rattling in order to allow for rattle-free movement of the body component even in continuous use. On the other hand, the functional components and their bearing arrangements must be designed to be able to withstand high stresses for reliable continuous operation. Nowadays, motor vehicle doors have to be designed for approximately 100,000 or more loads with forces of acceleration of 30 g to 50 g, necessitating a complex design and bearing arrangement for these functional components and increasing the costs unnecessarily. It would therefore be desirable if the operator could be prevented in a reliable manner from manually closing or banging shut body components of the aforementioned type at too high a speed.
Measures are known from the prior art in which doors or the like are closed automatically by means of an electric drive. During normal operation, the door cannot be driven or actuated manually, thereby preventing the aforementioned problems in a reliable manner. An automatic door drive of this kind is of course relatively expensive and complex safety measures have to be taken in the case of system failure.
DE 41 40 197 C2 discloses a method of moving a power-operated component, in which the door is braked to such an extent during opening or closing that closing is only possible after another command, triggered by actuating an electric switch. Locking or complete closing of the door can only be effected manually. Compared to a manually closable door, the operator in this case has to learn a new system, which is often not desirable.
Power closing aids for power closing motor vehicles are also known from the prior art, as disclosed, e.g. in DE 101 55 307 A1 and DE 103 27 448 A1. However, door closing systems of this kind require the door to be closed to what is referred to as the pre catch. The aforementioned problems can still occur during manual closing of the door to the pre catch.
The following prior art should additionally be mentioned: DE 38 16 175 C2, corresponding to U.S. Pat. No. 4,945,677, discloses a hinged sliding door for motor vehicles.
DE 103 23 001 A1, corresponding to US 2004/0020126 A1, discloses a vehicle door device with a driving and closing mechanism, in which a control mechanism is provided in order to control the actuation of the driving and closing mechanism on the basis of a door closing command and in which a detection device is provided in order to detect whether a closing member is positioned within the range in which the closing member can be brought into engagement with a latch. A driving force reducing mechanism is furthermore provided in the control mechanism for reducing the power output of the driving mechanism once the detection device has detected that the closing member is positioned within the range in which the closing member can be engaged with the latch.
DE 102 45 192 A1, corresponding to US 2006/0151231 A1, discloses a device for closing a motor vehicle door. A first lock part is coupled to a switching element, the activation of a closing aid which transfers the lock parts into a locking position being dependent on the switching state thereof.
DE 1 580 047 A, corresponding to U.S. Pat. No. 3,398,484, discloses a device for the drive of a motor vehicle door.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,359,762 B1 discloses a method for controlling a powered sliding door. According to the method, the sliding speed is measured by a sensor once a predetermined interval has elapsed after the actuation of a drive motor of the sliding door. The measured sliding speed is compared with a lower limit speed in accordance with a value of the battery voltage of the vehicle. The movement of the sliding door is stopped or reversed if the sliding speed is lower than the lower limit speed. This is supposed to prevent malfunctions as a result of an insufficient power supply to the system. In particular, a reliable pinch protection is also supposed to be effected in this manner.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,076,016 discloses a powered motor vehicle sliding door with an electromagnetic clutch in order to drive a cable for opening and closing the sliding door.
Another problem encountered when closing body components of the aforementioned type is the jamming or pinch of objects or body parts during the closing process. A reliable pinch protection is therefore also desirable.
A primary object of the present invention is to at least partially mitigate the aforementioned problems. According to other aspects of this invention, a method and a device of the type mentioned at the outset should be designed in such a manner that the body component enters the completely closed state in a reliable manner with comparatively little, particularly defined residual kinetic energy. According to other aspects of this invention, a method and a device of the aforementioned type should furthermore be provided in a simple manner such that the complexity of the design and bearing arrangement of functional components of the body component can be reduced. According to other aspects of this invention, a reliable pinch protection should furthermore be ensured.
These and other objects are solved according to the present invention by a method according to claim 1 and a device having the features according to claim 18. Other advantageous embodiments form the subject matter of the related dependant claims.
The present invention therefore departs from a method for controlling the closing movement of a manually closable body component for vehicles, in particular for motor vehicles, e.g. a hinged door, sliding door, hinged/sliding door, bonnet, hinged cover, sliding roof or the like. In the method, during the closing movement, departing from an opened position, the body component passes through a first movement range in which the body component is moved towards the closed position without any action by a control member, following the first movement range, the body component then passing through a second movement range in which the closing movement of the body component is varied in such a manner by the action of the control member that the residual kinetic energy of the body component does not exceed a predetermined limit value after passing through the second movement range.
While the body component can be closed, in particular also banged shut, manually without restrictions in the first movement range, varying the state of movement irrespective of the speed or kinetic energy predetermined in the first movement range ensures that the body component enters the closed state at a comparatively low speed and with comparatively little kinetic energy. The functional elements of the body component and their bearing arrangements can therefore be designed in a simpler and less stable manner according to the invention, offering considerable cost advantages. Nevertheless, reliable continuous operation of the body component can be ensured according to the invention.
According to another embodiment, the residual kinetic energy at the end of the second movement range is not sufficient to close the body component automatically or to transfer it to a pre catch or main catch of a lock. Damage to the body component and its functional elements and their bearing arrangements as a result of excessive acceleration at the beginning of or during the closing process can thus be avoided in an even more reliable manner.
According to another embodiment, following the second movement range, the body component passes through a third movement range in which a driving device drives it to the pre catch or main catch of the lock. In this third movement range, the body component is therefore closed under controlled, preset conditions, as a result of which damage to the body component and its functional elements and their bearing arrangements as a result of excessive speed during entry into the closed state can be prevented according to the invention.
The closing process according to the invention is characterised by a high degree of user-friendliness. The operator simply has to slam or bang the body component shut manually at the beginning of the closing process. A control unit then ensures that the body component is braked sufficiently. The body component is then power closed or closed automatically. A habituation effect rapidly sets in during operation, so that the operator rapidly learns to slam or bang the body component shut at a sufficient speed and relies on the remainder of the closing process being carried out automatically in a safe and reliable manner.
According to another embodiment, the driving device is driven by exhausting an energy storage device which is replenished during the manual opening and/or closing of the body component by braking or damping an opening and/or closing movement. By converting some of the energy introduced when opening and/or closing the body component manually, not only is energy saved for driving the power closing aid in the third movement range, but the body component can also have a simpler design. In particular, a separate energy supply, in particular, power supply, for a drive for the power closing aid can also essentially be dispensed with.
According to another alternative embodiment, the energy storage device is replenished by operating a servomotor serving for an movement function other than the closing and/or opening of the body component, e.g. by a window lifter motor, a lock drive, a central locking motor or an electric arm rest servomotor. The use of one and the same drive motor for different functions helps to save on costs and weight.
According to another embodiment, the body component is driven to the pre catch or main catch of the lock by an electric motor in the third movement range. The closing movement is thus preferably effected in such a manner that, in the case of jamming or pinch, either the drive is overridden or the motor reverses so as to produce a pinch protection function. As a result of the low closing speed in the third movement range, according to the invention, jamming or pinch cannot lead to greater damage in any case.
According to another embodiment, the closing movement of the body component is braked by means of a coupleable braking device until the predetermined residual kinetic energy level has been reached. A clutch device can be provided to this end. Or, the geometric design of the body component, the associated vehicle opening and the arrangement of the braking device ensure that the braking device is only coupled to the closing movement of the body component when the second movement range is reached, without the use of an additional clutch device.
According to another embodiment, the braking rate of the braking device increases as the closing speed of the body component increases, preferably in a non-linear manner. This results in a gentle, smooth, continuous transition of the closing movement from the second to the third movement range, thereby allowing for great ease of operation and leading to more trouble-free continuous operation.
According to another embodiment, the braking rate of the braking device is varied as a function of the determined speed and/or acceleration of the closing movement or of the determined closing path traveled by the body component. An electronic control device, in particular a microprocessor, is preferably provided to this end, continuously monitoring the momentum of the body component and intervening in a controlling manner in order to ensure the setpoint state of movement at the end of the second movement range.
According to another embodiment, the braking rate of the braking device is furthermore varied as a function of the model or manufacturer of the body component, the position of the vehicle, the identification of a user of the vehicle and/or an output signal from a logic unit, in particular a fuzzy logic unit or a neural network. The fuzzy logic unit or the neural network allows the electronic control unit to learn a typical closing process of an operator, who can also be identified, and to intervene in the closing process in a suitably controlling manner in the knowledge of a typical closing process.
A method according to any of the preceding claims, in which the limits between the movement ranges are constant.
Another aspect of the present invention relates to an electronic control program which, when the latter is executed by a processor means, e.g. a control IC or microprocessor, ensures that the aforementioned steps of the method of controlling the closing movement of a body component of the aforementioned type are carried out.
Another aspect of the present invention relates furthermore to a device for controlling the closing movement of a body component of the aforementioned type, as described hereinbefore.
The invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, from which further features, advantages and objects to be solved will become clear. In these drawings:
a is a schematic diagram showing a mechatronic door closing system according to this invention;
b shows a purely mechanical door closing system according to this invention;
c shows a mechatronic door closing system according to this invention, in which an electric motor serving for another movement function serves to charge a mechanical energy storage device;
a-5d show exemplary embodiments of a mechatronic door closing system according to
a and 8b are front and rear views respectively of the door closing system according to
a and 9b are front and rear views respectively of the door closing system according to
a and 10b are front and rear views respectively of the door closing system according to
a and 11b are front and rear views respectively of the door closing system according to
a and 12b are front and rear views respectively of the door closing system according to
a and 13b are front and rear views respectively of the door closing system according to
a and 14b are front and rear views respectively of the door closing system according to
In all of the Figures, elements or groups of elements which are identical or which exercise similar effects are designated by identical reference numerals.
A method for controlling the closing movement of a motor vehicle hinged door according to the invention will now be described with reference to
According to the right-hand column of
The first movement range is followed by a second movement range in which the door closing movement is braked, with the aim that the door should not exceed a predetermined maximum speed or maximum kinetic energy level at a predetermined angle, which is 11° in the exemplary embodiment shown, although the invention is not to be limited thereto. This maximum speed or maximum kinetic energy level is predetermined in such a manner according to the invention that the door cannot be closed automatically, i.e. without an additional drive, as a result of the residual kinetic energy at the end of the second range. The drive also remains switched off during the braking in the second movement range. Controlled braking of the door closing movement in the second movement range is obtained by suitable opening and closing of the clutch until the defined setpoint conditions with respect to door speed, torque, kinetic energy and the like are fulfilled at the end of the second range. As will be described in more detail hereinafter, some of the kinetic energy of the door can be stored temporarily in an energy storage device by closing the clutch and engaging the braking device, this then serving for a driving device for power closing the door in a third movement range following the second movement range. Energy storage devices of this kind can be based on a mechanical, pneumatic, hydraulic, electrical, magnetic or, in principle, even chemical method of operation.
The aforementioned conditions at the end of the second range (with an opening angle of approximately 11° in the exemplary embodiment shown) can, in particular, be selected in such a manner that safety aspects are taken into account. This may be: observing a maximum jamming or pinch force in the rear or front region of the door, in particular in the region of the vehicle B-column, e.g. in compliance with legal requirements; observing a maximum closing speed so that when the door enters a sealing section and the door lock enters an associated locking section, in particular locking bolt, a maximum negative acceleration is not exceeded, so that an excessively stable design for the door elements and their suspension or bearing arrangements is not absolutely necessary according to the invention. In particular, excessive slamming of the door can thus also be prevented in a reliable manner.
According to the right-hand column of
According to
The door is then held closed, the drive switched off and the clutch opened. In the case of a mechanical power closing aid, the power closing aid can therefore be returned to its starting position. According to the left-hand column of
During the entire door opening and closing process, sensors can monitor the state of movement and/or the surroundings of the door. As will be described hereinafter, output signals from these sensors can be output to an electronic control unit for controlling the door movement. These sensors can sometimes also be replaced by purely mechanically operating feelers, as described hereinafter. An example of a sensor for detecting the opening angle and, derived therefrom, the angular speed and the angular acceleration of a hinged door is a potentiometer, provided on a door hinge or coupled thereto. Sensors of this kind may of course also be produced resistively, capacitatively, magnetically, optoelectronically or in some other manner. Sensors for detecting a state of jamming or pinch, which can also be detected by an electronic control device, in order to trigger breaking or reversing of the door can also be produced in a comparable manner.
Another example of a sensor of this kind will be clear from
The closing behaviour of a vehicle door according to the present invention when it is slammed shut manually at different initial speeds will now be described with reference to
According to the invention, advance (proactive) braking of the door can also be achieved by means of an electronic control device. For example, if a comparatively high initial speed or dynamic accelerating door slamming is detected, it may be provided that the clutch is closed relatively early or that the braking device is engaged relatively early in order to close the door more gently than in the case where the door is slammed or guided shut comparatively slowly. Furthermore, in the case of an electronic control device, the closing of the clutch can also be made dependent on the user by identifying the user. An additional fuzzy logic unit which “learns” typical closing behaviour for the respective user can be provided to this end. The respective user is identified in this connection, e.g. by means of a chip card or RF tag carried by the latter and the data sets determined for the respective door closing process are averaged or “learnt” to give a normal data set for a normal door closing process for the respective operator. If the fuzzy logic unit signals to the control device that typically very heavy door slamming is to be expected from the person about to actuate it, it can be provided according to the invention that the control device closes the clutch earlier in order to engage the braking device and produce gentle closing of the door even in the case of high initial speeds or dynamic door slamming. Finally, another parameter which can influence the action of the electronic control unit according to the invention may be the position of the vehicle. If the vehicle parks, e.g. on a slope with expected additional acceleration of the door during closing, the electronic control unit can intervene proactively earlier than in the case of horizontal alignment of the vehicle.
Embodiments of door closing systems according to the invention will now be described with reference to
b shows a door closing system according to the present invention operating exclusively with mechanical elements. The angular sensor according to
c shows a door closing system according to the invention with a central electronic control unit in which the energy storage device 13 is additionally charged by an additional electric motor 16 provided in the door 1 and serving a purpose other than the adjustment or movement of the door 1, e.g. as a window lifter motor, lock drive, central locking motor or electric arm rest servomotor. Deviating from
a shows a mechatronic braking and drive unit 30 in a state for opening the door lock (not shown). According to
According to
According to
In the state according to
The electric motor 12 then reverses in order to move the spindle nut 43 in the spindle nut cage 44 to the right in
The main catch of the door lock is detected by a sensor situated in the door lock, the output signal of which is evaluated by an electronic control unit. The electronic control unit then reverses the electric motor 12 once again in order to move the spindle nut 43 in the spindle nut cage 44 back to the left by rotating the spindle 41. The driving element 50 engaging in the spindle nut 43 thus relaxes the cable 180. In this state, if the door lock remains in the main catch, then it is held closed. The lifting magnet 55 then moves the lifter 56 back so that the spring-loaded pivoted lever 59 pivots backwards about the pivot axis 58 in a counter-clockwise direction and the snap-in hook 60 of the pivoted lever 59 engages once again in the recess 49 in the spindle nut 43. In this state, the door remains held closed in the main catch. In this state, the spindle nut cage 44 is situated at the right end of the spindle 41 and the spindle nut 43 is situated at the left end of the spindle nut cage 44.
The door lock is opened in the known manner by actuating the door handle. The door is then pivoted open manually. The coupling rod 11 pulls the running carriage 45 along the spindle 41 to the left, as shown in
By pivoting the door open further, the running carriage 45 is finally transferred to an end position corresponding to the state in which the door is pivoted open to the maximum extent. A stop provided at the left edge of the spindle nut cage 44 or running carriage 45 can thus come to bear against a stop surface of the housing 31. Rubbery-elastic damping elements (not shown in
The clutch 32 is open in all of the phases according to
As described hereinbefore, according to another embodiment, a distance sensor can permanently monitor the outer surface of the door for collision with obstacles. If the electronic control unit detects that there is a risk of collision between the vehicle door and an obstacle, according to this further embodiment, the clutch 32 can be closed at any time during the manual pivoting open operation of the door in order to brake the pivoting movement of the door by braking and subsequently blocking the rotational movement of the spindle 41 and to hold the door at rest (collision protection). The arresting action of the clutch 32 can be overcome by pivoting the door inwards manually. If this is detected by the door sensor, the electronic control unit releases the clutch 32 again in order to allow the vehicle door to be pivoted closed. Or, the electronic control unit cancels the arresting of the door by releasing the clutch 32 once a predetermined interval has elapsed.
Departing from the state according to
Finally, the aforementioned second angular range or movement range is reached, as detected by the door sensor and the electronic control unit, in which the rotational movement of the spindle 41 is braked by suitable closing of the clutch 32, until a setpoint state of movement of the door is finally reached at the end of the aforementioned second angular range, in which, e.g. the maximum angular speed or kinetic energy of the door does not exceed a preset maximum value.
In order to brake the rotational movement of the spindle 41, the clutch 32 can be closed permanently by a force predetermined by the electronic control unit in order to brake the rotational movement in a controlled manner in accordance with a characteristic curve predetermined by the electronic control unit. Alternatively, the rotational movement of the spindle 41 can also be braked by alternating closing and opening of the clutch 32 in accordance with a braking characteristic curve predetermined by the electronic control unit.
Finally, in the case of a door opening angle predetermined by the electronic control unit, the aforementioned third opening range of the door is reached, in which the electric motor 12 is switched on and the clutch 32 closed, so that the motor 12 moves the running carriage 45 and the spindle nut 43 coupled thereto further to the right at a speed predetermined by the electronic control unit by rotating the spindle 41, towards the closed position according to
When the door is power closed further, the running carriage 45 with the spindle nut 43 coupled thereto is adjusted further to the right until the tab 53 of the driving element 50 finally engages once again in the corresponding recess on the outer circumference of the spindle nut 43. The braking and drive unit 30 is thus finally transferred to the state according to
As described hereinbefore, the braking and drive unit allows for continuous, smooth braking of the door to a desired state of movement preset by an electronic control unit. When the door is pivoted open, it can be stopped at any time if there is a risk of collision with an obstacle. The door is closed in that the operator simply slams the door shut. The door is thus braked to such an extent that the residual kinetic energy of the door at the end of the aforementioned second range is no longer sufficient for automatic closing and/or locking of the door. When the aforementioned third range is reached, on the other hand, a power closing device is activated automatically and power closes the door automatically at least to the pre catch. Motor-driven locking of the door lock is then effected. The operator very rapidly gets used to this sequence of movements, so that, after corresponding habituation, the operator will slam the vehicle door shut with only comparatively little force already sufficient to transfer the door without excessive action by the braking device to the aforementioned third movement range in which the power closing device acts automatically in order to close the door. Excessive slamming of the door is therefore prevented as a result of the habituation effect of the operator. The simpler design of the functional elements of the vehicle door and their suspension or bearing arrangements made possible as a result allows for considerable cost savings according to the invention.
The aforementioned functionality can also be achieved by means of a drive and braking unit operating without an electronic control unit, and will now be described by way of example with reference to
More precisely, the energy storage and drive unit 76 includes three discs 80, 81 and 82 rotatably mounted at a distance from one another. The discs 80-82 are mounted to rotate about the central pivot 83 supported in a pivot bearing region 714 of the left housing plate 710 of the housing 71 and an opposing bearing region in the right housing plate 711. The discs 80, 82 are connected together in a torsion-resistant manner by means of the pivot. The central rotary disc 81 can be rotated relative to the unit formed by the discs 80, 82. The left rotary disc 80 is semi-circular with a substantially radially extending guide slot 90 in which a spring suspension bolt 86 slidably guided therein is supported and in which the upper end of the tension spring 84 is suspended, as well as with an arcuate guide slot 91 extending over an angular range of approximately 45° in which a guide bolt 92 is slidably supported. A spring suspension bolt 89 is slidably supported in a substantially radially extending guide slot 95 on the central rotary disc 81, the lower end of a tension spring, or in the embodiment according to
The energy storage and drive unit 76 is mounted in the housing 71 in such a manner that the left and central rotary discs 80, 81 are mounted in the interior of the housing, while the right rotary disc 82 is mounted outside the housing 71 on the rear face thereof, so that the bolt 97 projects through the sickle-shaped recess 716 formed in the right housing plate 711. The housing plates 710, 711 are rigidly connected together by means of a plurality of screw bolts 712 with spacer sleeves 713 provided therebetween. As shown in
The door arrester unit 73 is fastened to the right housing plate 711 in such a manner that the axis 732 projects through the recess 717 on the upper edge of the right housing plate 711 and the gear 733 meshes with the outer teeth 105 of the right rotary disc 82. The right rotary disc 82 therefore serves as a drive for the unit 70. A braking system with a high break-away torque, in particular a defined break-away torque, serves as the door arrester 73, the continuing torque being small so that once the high break-away torque has been overcome (overcoming the holding force of the door), the door can be moved further smoothly once again. A braking system of this kind can be produced for example in the known manner by means of a wrap spring or the like.
According to
The damping unit 74 includes a base plate 741 with two supporting brackets 743, 744 provided thereon, between which, according to
As shown for example in
The method of operation of the mechanical braking and drive unit according to
The case of a vehicle door completely closed and held closed will be taken as the initial state, as shown in
a and 9b show the unit 70 once the door has been pivoted open by approximately 19°. The coupling rod with the rack 740 has moved slightly compared to
a and 10b show the unit 70 after manual pivoting open of the door by approximately 21°. The springs 84, 87 are further pretensioned in this state. In addition to the pretensioned lower pivoted lever 752, the pretensioned upper pivoted lever 755 is now also pivoted backwards in a counter-clockwise direction so that the latch mechanism formed jointly by the pivoted levers 752, 755 cooperates with the circumferential projection 110 in order to prevent the central rotary disc 81 from rotating in reverse. In other words, the latch mechanism prevents the tension springs 87 serving to lock the door lock from relaxing. As shown in
Further manual pivoting open of the door finally results in the state according to
Pivoting the door closed finally results in the state according to
A damping cylinder the braking or damping rate of which is high for high door closing speeds, but low for low door closing speeds is advantageously used to this end. A small tensile force exerted by the tension spring 84 is therefore already sufficient to power close the door in a reliable manner against the damping or braking force exerted by the damping cylinder 746.
Power closing the door further finally results in the position according to
Power closing the door further, driven by the tension spring 84, finally results in the state according to
As described hereinbefore, the door is also braked in a controlled manner in the second movement range by the mechanical braking and drive unit according to
As will be readily clear to the person skilled in the art studying the preceding description, the spring mechanism of the energy storage and drive unit 76 according to
Instead of the hydraulic or pneumatic damping and braking cylinder 746 according to
As described hereinbefore, the speed of the drive unit for locking the door lock and transferring the door from the pre catch to the main catch is reduced to a considerable extent, so that even comparatively large counter forces as a result of seals on the edge of the body opening can be overcome in a simple manner.
Although the door closing system according to the invention has been described hereinbefore with reference to a motor vehicle hinged door, the door closing system according to the invention is also suitable for any manually closable body components of motor vehicles, e.g. sliding doors, hinged/sliding doors, bonnets, hinged covers, sliding roofs or the like. In principle, however, the door closing system according to the invention is also suitable in a corresponding manner for manually closable closing elements of any track-bound or rail-bound vehicles, such as, e.g. doors of railway carriages or entrance doors of suburban railway vehicles or trams.
The door closing system according to the invention allows for the continuous, jam-free closing of closing elements of this kind. As a result of the comparatively low speed or comparatively low residual kinetic energy level of the closing element in the aforementioned third movement range, no dangerous state of jamming or pinch is possible according to the invention. Obstacles such as, e.g. a human hand or a body part, can easily push the closing element back in the third movement range. Greater force or pressure is only applied by the closing element once it has passed through the third movement range, i.e. when the closing element has already dropped into the pre catch, and the jamming or pinch of objects or body parts is prevented in a reliable manner. Only in the following fourth movement range is the closing element locked by locking the lock and thus completely power closed.
As a result of the considerably lower slamming energy of the closing element according to the invention, the stresses applied to functional elements of the closing element or their bearing arrangements as a result of the slamming of the closing element are reduced considerably, this allowing for a considerable potential saving according to the invention.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10 2005 061 610 | Dec 2005 | DE | national |
| Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind | 371c Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/EP2006/069818 | 12/18/2006 | WO | 00 | 2/11/2009 |
| Publishing Document | Publishing Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| WO2007/071641 | 6/28/2007 | WO | A |
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