Folding unit for folding device of motor vehicle and folding device

Abstract

The invention relates to a folding unit (1) for a folding device (2) of a motor vehicle and to a folding device (2). The folding element (5) is supported on the folding unit base (3) by means of the folding control mechanism (4). The two shaft stops (14, 15) are kinematically coupled by a connecting rod (13). In the closed position (A) of the folding control mechanism (4), the pivot journals (8, 9) are held in the pivot journal bearings (11, 12) by means of shaft stops (14, 15). Optionally, the folding control mechanism (4) can be adjusted into a folding position (B), in which the pivot journal (8) is pivotably fixed in the pivot journal bearing (11) by means of the shaft stop (14), or into a folding position (C), in which the shaft stop (15) releases the pivoting of the pivot journal (9) out of the pivot journal bearing (12); in the folded position (C), the pivot journal (9) is pivotably fixed in the pivot journal bearing (12) by means of a shaft catch (15), while the shaft catch (14) releases the pivot of the pivot journal (8) out of the pivot journal bearing (11). When the pivot shaft necks (8, 9) are pivoted out, the disengagement control surface parts (18) slide away on the pivot shaft necks (8, 9), so that the shaft stop pieces (14, 15) are adjusted between the shaft stop positions.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to a folding unit of a folding device for a vehicle, and a folding device having the folding unit or a plurality of the folding units. Background Art

[0002] It is necessary to pivot the folding element of the folding unit according to the selection around two opening axes to open the folding unit. For this purpose, it is known to use an actuating element, which the user of the folding unit must manually actuate before actually opening the folding unit, that is, before actually pivoting the folding element from its closed position, to lock the folding element at the desired opening axis. Only after this, the user can rotate the folding element or open the folding unit. This requires the user to perform at least one additional action in an undesirable manner to open this traditional folding unit. If the folding unit is arranged in the interior space of the car, it may be that the user-possibly the driver of the car-distracts the attention of the traffic in an undesirable manner. In addition, the traditional mechanism that realizes the opening of the traditional folding unit on both sides according to the selection is particularly complex and particularly weak due to the inclusion of many small and light individual components. In addition, actuating elements such as buttons, control levers, etc. destroy the design style in the interior space of the vehicle. In the traditional mechanism, another problem is to reliably prevent the undesirable opening of the folding element, especially when the car is in a traffic accident. Summary of the invention

[0003] The object of the present invention is to provide a technically particularly simple solution for being able to pivot the folding element selectively about the first pivot axis or about the second pivot axis with particularly little effort.

[0004] This technical problem is solved by the subject matter of the independent patent claims. Further possible configurations of the invention are disclosed in the dependent claims, the description and the drawings. The features, advantages and possible configurations listed in the description of one of the subject matter of the independent claims are regarded at least similarly across categories and embodiments as the features, advantages and possible configurations of the corresponding subject matter of the other independent claims, as well as the features, advantages and possible embodiments of each possible combination of the subject matter of the independent claims, which can be combined with one or more dependent claims as necessary.

[0005] According to the invention, a folding unit for a folding device for a vehicle is proposed. In addition, the invention also proposes a folding device for a vehicle having a folding unit. The folding device of the vehicle is, for example, a folding part arranged on the outer shell of the vehicle or at least partially forming the outer shell, such as a fuel tank folding part, a charging socket folding part, a door ("bumper"), a loading area cover, a luggage compartment lid, an engine compartment lid, etc. In particular, the folding device is an interior device, or the interior device has a folding device. Thus, the folding device can be, for example, a storage box with a cover, such as a center armrest with an integrated storage box, etc. The main feature of the folding unit and therefore the folding device equipped with the folding unit is that the folding element of the folding unit can be pivoted about a first pivot axis or about a second pivot axis according to the selection to open or close the folding unit.

[0006] The folding unit has a folding unit base, which is arranged to be firmly connected to a supporting structure of the car. The folding unit base is designed, for example, as a tray or a storage box and is particularly arranged in the interior space of the car. In addition, it is conceivable to form the folding unit base in the form of a frame, which is arranged on the outer shell of the car or directly behind the outer shell of the car, wherein the frame supports at least one other element of the car, such as a charging socket, a tank opening, etc. In addition, the folding unit base can be a free opening of the car, which can be opened or closed by a folding element of the folding unit. The folding unit also includes one or more folding control mechanisms. In addition, the folding unit also has the folding element mentioned above, which is supported on the folding unit base by a folding control mechanism or multiple folding control mechanisms. The folding control mechanism or multiple folding control mechanisms enable the folding element to be pivoted around the first pivot axis or around the second pivot axis according to selection, as explained in more detail below. The folding unit further comprises a first pivot journal and a second pivot journal, wherein the longitudinal center axis of the first pivot journal defines a first pivot axis about which the folding element of the folding unit can pivot, and the longitudinal center axis of the second pivot journal defines a second pivot axis about which the folding element of the folding unit can pivot. The two pivot pins or pivot axes are located in a common plane and can be arranged parallel to each other in said plane. Here, the folding element has a rectangular structure. It is also conceivable that the pivot journals or pivot axes are arranged in a mutually inclined manner in said plane. This is particularly true when the folding element is formed according to different polygons, such as trapezoids or triangles, wherein the two outer edges of the folding element, on which the pivot axes or pivot journals are arranged, run towards each other. In addition, the folding unit has a bearing element, which has a first pivot journal bearing for the first pivot journal and a second pivot journal bearing for the second pivot journal. In this case, each pivot journal bearing is designed to receive or support the corresponding associated pivot journal such that the pivot journal supported in the pivot journal bearing can be rotated or swiveled about its longitudinal center axis, ie about the corresponding pivot axis.

[0007] The (respective) folding control mechanism of the folding unit comprises a connecting rod. If the pivot axes or pivot journals are arranged parallel to each other, the connecting rod is arranged transversely to the pivot journal. If the rotation axes or pivot journals are arranged obliquely to each other, the pivot journals and the coupling rods meet each other obliquely. In addition, the folding control mechanism has a first shaft stop connection member corresponding to the first pivot journal, which is coupled to the connecting rod at the first connecting rod end of the connecting rod, in particular connected. In addition, the folding control mechanism has a second shaft stop connection member corresponding to the second pivot journal, which is coupled to the connecting rod at the second connecting rod end of the connecting rod, in particular connected. Therefore, the shaft stop connections are kinematically connected to each other via the connecting rod. This means that the movement of one shaft stop connection member causes the movement of the corresponding other shaft stop connection member.

[0008] Due to the arrangement of the components or structural elements of the folding control mechanism and their kinematic relationship to one another, the folding control mechanism can be adjusted from a closed position to a first folding position or a second folding position, depending on the selection, in which the connecting rod is arranged in a central position and the pivot journal is therefore held in the pivot journal bearing by the shaft stop connector located in the corresponding first journal position. In the first folding position, the connecting rod is arranged in a first disengaged position, so that the first pivot journal is pivotably fixed in the first pivot journal bearing by the first shaft stop connector located in the second shaft stop position. Conversely, the second shaft stop connector located in the third shaft stop position allows the second pivot journal to be pivoted out of the second pivot journal bearing. In the first folding position of the folding control mechanism, the folding unit can be pivoted on the first pivot journal, i.e., about the first pivot axis. In the second folding position, the connecting rod is arranged in a second disengaged position, so that the second pivot journal is pivotably fixed in the second pivot journal bearing by the second shaft stop connector located in the second shaft stop position. Conversely, the first shaft stop in the third shaft stop position allows the first pivot journal to pivot out of the first pivot journal bearing.In the second folding position of the folding control mechanism, the folding element can pivot on the second pivot journal, ie about the second pivot axis.

[0009] The corresponding shaft stop has a disengagement control surface portion, which is inclined toward the pivot journal arranged in the corresponding pivot journal bearing when the folding control mechanism is in the closed position. Here, the disengagement control surface portion is arranged (i.e. designed and arranged) so that when the corresponding pivot journal is pivoted out of the corresponding pivot journal bearing, the disengagement control surface portion slides out on the pivot journal, so that the corresponding shaft stop is adjusted from the first shaft stop position to the second shaft stop position at the same time as the connecting rod moves to the corresponding disengagement position.

[0010] The folding control mechanism forms a particularly simple and reliable mechanism by which the folding elements of the folding unit can be adjusted, as appropriate, about the first pivot axis or about the second pivot axis. In particular, two folding control mechanisms are provided in the folding unit for each folding element in order to support the folding unit particularly reliably on the folding unit base. For a user of the folding unit, for example an occupant of a motor vehicle, such as the driver, the folding unit offers a particularly simple and / or labor-saving possibility to open or pivot the folding elements, as appropriate, about the first pivot axis or about the second pivot axis in a highly intuitive manner and with particularly few manual movements or actions.

[0011] According to another possible embodiment of the folding unit, the (respective) folding control mechanism and the bearing element are formed on the folding unit base, wherein the pivot journal is fixed on the folding element. Alternatively, it can be provided that the (respective) folding control mechanism and the bearing element are formed on the folding element, wherein the pivot journal is fixed on the folding unit base. It is further conceivable that the folding unit has two folding control mechanisms arranged transversely to each other. Here, the first folding control mechanism or the bearing element belonging to the first folding control mechanism is formed on the folding unit base, wherein the pivot journal belonging to the first folding control mechanism is fixed on the second folding control mechanism. The second folding control mechanism and the bearing element belonging to the second folding control mechanism can be fixed, for example, on the pivot journal of the first folding control mechanism, wherein the pivot journal belonging to the second folding control mechanism is fixed on the folding element. In a similar manner, two types of folding control mechanisms can be combined with each other. Here, the first type of folding control mechanism and its first bearing element are formed on the folding unit base, and the second type of folding control mechanism and its bearing element are formed on the folding element. The pivot journals of the folding control mechanism belonging to the first type and the pivot journals of the folding control mechanism belonging to the second type are arranged at right angles to each other and are connected to each other. When the folding element is pivoted on a pivot journal of the folding control mechanism belonging to the first type, the pivot journal of the folding control mechanism belonging to the second type is kept fixed in two pivot journal bearings of the folding control structure of the second type by the pivot journal stopper of the folding control structure of the second type. Similarly, when the folding element is pivoted on a pivot journal of the folding control mechanism belonging to the second type, the pivot journal of the folding control mechanism belonging to the first type is kept fixed in two pivot journal bearings of the folding control structure of the first type by the pivot journal stopper of the folding control structure of the first type. Therefore, it is generally applicable to the folding unit that the formation of the folding control mechanism and the bearing element on the folding unit base does not exclude the formation of (another / different) folding control mechanism and its bearing element on the folding element. By the combination of two folding control mechanisms, in particular the combination of two folding control mechanism pairs, the folding unit can be designed in a particularly simple manner so that the folding element can be pivoted around four pivot axes according to the selection, for example, to the right or to the left or to the front or to the back.

[0012] In another possible configuration for the folding unit, it is provided that the folding control mechanism can be adjusted from its closed position to a first folding position by applying a first opening force to a first edge of the folding element arranged near the second pivot neck. In addition, the same folding control mechanism can be adjusted from its closed position to a second folding position by applying a second opening force to a second edge of the folding element arranged near the first pivot neck. A user who wants to pivot the folding element of the folding unit to open the folding unit, for example, grasps the first edge of the folding element and pulls on the first edge transversely to the pivot axis so that the folding element pivots around the first pivot neck, i.e., pivots around the first pivot axis. Alternatively, the user grasps the second edge of the folding element and pulls on the second edge transversely to the pivot axis so that the folding element pivots around the second pivot neck, i.e., pivots around the second pivot axis. For the folding unit, it is generally provided that the folding control mechanism is adjusted from one folding position thereof to a corresponding other folding position by first closing the folding unit, i.e., first closing the folding control mechanism from the corresponding folding position again to its closed position, so as to then adjust the folding control mechanism to the corresponding other folding position. For the folding unit, there is no provision for adjusting directly from the first folded position to the second folded position or vice versa, i.e. without first adjusting the folding control mechanism to the closed position again. Opening the folding unit or pivoting the folding element is therefore particularly simple and / or intuitive for the user, since the user simply moves the desired edge to pivot the folding element.

[0013] Another possible embodiment of the folding unit provides that the folding unit does not have an actuating element, such as a button, a lever, etc., for moving the connecting rod, so that in order to adjust the folding control mechanism from its closed position to the first folded position or to adjust the folding control mechanism from its closed position to the second folded position, this actuating element must be actuated by the user of the folding unit. This therefore eliminates the conventional opening process for the folding unit, in which the actuating element must be actuated and then the folding element must be moved. The user can simply move the corresponding edge of the folding element in order to pivot the folding element in the desired manner and correspondingly open the folding unit. In the case of this folding unit, the preselection of the pivot axis about which the folding element should be pivoted (for example, preselection by actuating a conventional actuating element) is eliminated. Overall, the opening of the folding unit is particularly simple for the user.

[0014] In order to prevent the connecting rod from moving from its center position to the disengaged position and / or vice versa in an undesirable or unintentional manner, for example due to acceleration acting on the connecting rod when the vehicle with the folding unit is driving, in a possible further improvement of the folding unit, the folding control mechanism has a locking system. The locking system is, for example, a spring-based system (for example, with a helical torsion spring, a leaf spring, etc.) and / or a magnet-based system. In particular, the locking system is designed as a locking ball system, or the locking system has a locking ball system. A locking ball cap and a locking ball spring are arranged in the locking ball retaining part of the locking ball system. Further, the locking ball system has a locking ball slot, and when the locking ball spring is in a relaxed state, the locking ball cap is translated and tensioned in the direction of the locking ball slot under the action of the locking ball spring force. In this way, if the connecting rod adjusting force acting on the connecting rod is too small to be applied to the locking ball spring by the locking ball slot through the locking ball cap, the movement of the connecting rod from one position to another position will be locked by the locking ball system. Through the locking ball system, if the connecting rod adjusting force is large enough so that the locking ball system releasing force greater than the locking ball spring force is applied to the locking ball spring from the locking ball slot through the locking ball cap, the movement of the connecting rod from one position to another position is further released by the locking ball system. The connecting rod adjusting force is directly related to the opening force applied by the user to pivot the folding element around the pivot axis, that is, around a pivot journal. If the user applies an opening force, the opening force causes the connecting rod adjusting force to be large enough so that the locking ball system releasing force greater than the locking ball spring force is applied to the locking ball spring from the locking ball slot through the locking ball cap, the movement of the connecting rod from its intermediate position to the corresponding release position is released by the locking ball system. If the connecting rod adjustment force caused by the opening force applied by the user is not enough to cause the locking ball system release force greater than the locking ball spring force to act on the locking ball spring from the locking ball slot through the locking ball cap, the movement of the connecting rod from its closed position to a disengaged position is locked by the locking ball system, thereby preventing the folding element from pivoting. Because the locking ball cap does not disengage from the locking ball slot in this case, the movement of the connecting rod is locked by the locking ball system. The locking ball spring force is particularly designed so that the expected acceleration occurring during the normal driving of the automobile with the folding unit is not enough to apply the locking ball system release force greater than the locking ball spring force to the locking ball spring. In this way, it is ensured that the folding element will not accidentally or unexpectedly pivot around a pivot axis during the normal driving of the automobile, especially without the active intervention of the user. In short, the folding element is prevented from automatically opening during normal driving.

[0015] In this context, another possible embodiment of the folding unit provides that the locking ball guide has one or more locking ball receptacles as follows:

[0016] - a first locking ball receiving portion corresponding to the middle position of the connecting rod,

[0017] - a second locking ball receiving portion corresponding to the first disengaged position of the connecting rod,

[0018] - a third locking ball receiving portion corresponding to the second disengaged position of the connecting rod,

[0019] In this way, an undesired or accidental movement of the connecting rod from a disengaged position to an intermediate position and in particular to the corresponding other disengaged position during the pivoting of the folding element about a pivot axis or pivot journal can be effectively prevented. The folding element is thus particularly securely fastened to the folding unit base, wherein an unintentional complete detachment of the folding element from the folding unit base or from the folding control mechanism is prevented.

[0020] The locking ball holder can be fixed on the bearing element in a fixed manner, wherein the locking ball slot is fixed on the connecting rod in a fixed manner. Alternatively, the locking ball holder can be fixed on the connecting rod in a fixed manner, wherein the locking ball slot is fixed on the bearing element in a fixed manner. In addition, it is conceivable that the folding unit has two or more locking ball systems, wherein the locking ball holder of the first locking ball system is fixed on the bearing element in a fixed manner and the associated locking ball guide is fixed on the connecting rod in a fixed manner. The locking ball holder of the other locking ball system can be fixed on the connecting rod in a fixed manner, and the associated locking ball slot can be fixed on the bearing element in a fixed manner.

[0021] According to another possible construction of the folding unit, the connecting rod is supported on the bearing element in a manner that it can be translated along the straight connecting rod fixing direction. Here, the corresponding shaft stop is constructed as a corresponding sliding stop, which is rigidly connected to the corresponding connecting rod end, wherein the corresponding sliding stop can be adjusted between three shaft stop positions by the translation movement of the connecting rod. In the middle position of the connecting rod, the corresponding sliding stop is arranged in the first shaft stop position, i.e., the first sliding stop position, wherein the inclined disengagement control surface portion of the sliding stop is connected to the corresponding pivot journal, so that the corresponding pivot journal is retained in the corresponding pivot journal bearing by the disengagement control surface portion. In the disengagement position of the connecting rod, wherein the corresponding other sliding stop is adjusted to the third shaft stop position, i.e., the third sliding stop position, the sliding stop is arranged in the second shaft stop position, i.e., the second sliding stop position, wherein the straight locking control surface portion of the sliding stop is connected to the corresponding pivot bearing, and the disengagement control surface portion is disengaged from the corresponding pivot bearing. In the corresponding other disengaged position of the connecting rod, the corresponding sliding stop is adjusted to a third axial stop position, i.e., the third sliding stop position, wherein the sliding stop is completely disengaged from the corresponding pivot bearing, thereby releasing the corresponding pivot bearing to allow the corresponding pivot journal to pivot in or out.

[0022] The respective sliding stop is connected, for example, to the corresponding connecting rod, so that the connecting rod and the sliding stop are fixed to each other in a force-fitting and / or material-fitting manner. It is also conceivable to form the connecting rod and the sliding stop in one piece with each other. By rigidly connecting the respective shaft stop and the connecting rod, the idea of ​​a particularly simple design of the folding control mechanism is particularly taken into account in the concept. In addition, the kinematics of the folding control mechanism are thus particularly simple, since only a simple translational movement or motion of the connecting rod is required to adjust the connecting rod between its positions.

[0023] Against this background, a possible improvement of the folding unit provides that the corresponding sliding catch has a sliding catch opening, which has a disengagement control surface portion as a first sliding catch opening cheek and an opening extension as a second sliding catch opening cheek, wherein the sliding catch opening cheeks are spaced apart from each other by an opening cheek distance, which corresponds to the diameter of the corresponding pivot journal. For example, the two opening cheeks are spaced apart from each other by the pivot journal diameter. As a result, the corresponding pivot journal is particularly firmly held in the corresponding pivot bearing, wherein the pivot journal rests on the two sliding catch opening cheeks in the sliding catch opening, thereby effectively preventing the movement of the pivot journal in its pivot bearing. As a result, it is possible to prevent the pivot journal from vibrating in its pivot bearing or in the sliding catch opening and thus generating undesirable noise. In addition, this also has an impact on the particularly high NVH quality (NVH: Noise, Vibration, Harshness) of the vehicle with the folding device.

[0024] In an alternative embodiment of the folding unit, it is provided that the connecting rod is supported on the bearing element in a manner that it can be translated along the fixing direction of the connecting rod, wherein the corresponding shaft stop is constructed as a rotary stop, which is supported on the bearing element in a rotatable manner and is kinematically coupled with the corresponding connecting rod end. By the movement of the coupling rod, the corresponding rotary stop can be rotationally locked between three shaft stop positions. In the middle position of the connecting rod, the corresponding rotary stop is in the first shaft stop position, that is, in the first rotary stop angle position, wherein the rotary stop opening cheek of the rotary stop opening of the rotary stop used as the disengagement control surface part is pivoted into the corresponding pivot journal, so that the corresponding pivot journal is held in the corresponding pivot journal bearing by the rotary stop opening cheek. In the disengaged position of the connecting rod, the corresponding other rotary stopper is adjusted to the third shaft stopper position, i.e., the third rotary stopper angle position, and the corresponding rotary stopper is arranged in the second shaft stopper position, i.e., the second rotary stopper angle position, wherein the mouth base of the rotary stopper opening used as the locking control surface part pivots into the corresponding pivot bearing. In the corresponding other disengaged position of the connecting rod, the corresponding rotary stopper is arranged in the third rotary stopper position, i.e., the third rotary stopper angle position, wherein the rotary stopper opening cheek is pivoted out from the corresponding pivot bearing, so that the corresponding pivot bearing is released, so that the pivoting in or pivoting out of the corresponding pivot journal is released. By using the rotary stopper as the shaft stopper, the connecting rod can be advantageously designed to be particularly narrow or compact, whereby the folding control mechanism can be designed to be particularly compact and space-saving. In addition, the corresponding pivot journal can be particularly reliably fixed in the corresponding pivot journal bearing by the rotary stopper. In particular, the rotation axis of the corresponding rotary stopper coincides with the bearing axis of each corresponding pivot journal bearing. If the folding unit in this embodiment has a locking ball system, provision can be made for the locking ball guide to be fixed in position, for example, on a rotary stop, wherein the locking ball holder is fixed in position on the bearing element.

[0025] The kinematic coupling between the connecting rod and the corresponding rotating stopper can be realized, for example, by an articulated connection between the corresponding rotating stopper and the corresponding connecting rod end. In this case, when the connecting rod moves from a disengaged position to an intermediate position and then moves to another corresponding disengaged position, the connecting rod moves on a partial circular trajectory. In other words, by the movement of the connecting rod, the connecting rod is raised or lowered relative to the pivot axis or the pivot journal. As an alternative to this situation, the kinematic coupling between the rotating stopper and the connecting rod can be realized in the following manner, that is, the corresponding rotating stopper has a control pin extension, wherein the control pin of the control pin extension engages in the long hole formed on the corresponding connecting rod end. Here, the long hole of the connecting rod is arranged parallel to the height direction (z) of the folding control mechanism, so that the control pin moves in the corresponding long hole along the height direction through the translation movement of the connecting rod. In addition, in order to realize the kinematic coupling between the connecting rod and the rotating stopper, it is conceivable that the corresponding rotating stopper has a spur gear ring, wherein the connecting rod has a rack portion corresponding to the spur gear ring, and the rack portion is arranged or formed on the corresponding connecting rod end. The spur gear ring meshes with the associated rack part of the connecting rod, so that the rotary catch is driven by its spur gear ring through the translational movement of the connecting rod. In the case of a kinematic coupling between the rotary catch and the connecting rod in the form of a slotted hole-control pin combination and a rack-spur gear ring combination, the connecting rod moves only in translation between its various positions. In order to prevent the rotary catch from undesirably reaching and / or staying at a kinematic dead point, the folding control mechanism can have a dead point spring unit, which drives the rotary catch and / or the connecting rod away from the kinematic dead point.

[0026] In another possible embodiment, the folding control mechanism of the folding unit has a locking device, which has a locking element and a locking element receiving portion supported in a movable manner on the bearing element. In the folding position of the folding control mechanism, the locking device can be adjusted from the release position to the locking position by pivoting the pivot journal out of its pivot journal bearing. In the release position, the locking element in the release position is disengaged from the locking element receiving portion, thereby releasing the movement of the connecting rod from its disengaged position to the intermediate position. In the locked position, the locking element in the locked position is connected to the locking element retaining portion, thereby directly or indirectly forming a locking shape fit between the bearing element and the connecting rod, which locks the movement of the connecting rod out of its disengaged position. The locking device can be adjusted from the locking position to the release position by pivoting the pivot journal into its pivot journal bearing. Thereby, it is reliably prevented that the folding element is first pivoted around one of the pivot axes or one of the pivot journals and then the connecting rod accidentally releases the pivot journal about which the folding element has just pivoted. In other words, the locking device prevents the folding element from accidentally detaching from the folding control mechanism, in particular from the folding unit base.

[0027] In particular, the locking device has a locking spring unit acting between the bearing element and the locking element, which is tensioned when the locking element is arranged in the release position. When the pivot journal is pivoted out of its pivot journal bearing, the locking element moves into the locking position due to the relaxation of the locking spring unit. In the relaxed state of the locking spring unit, the locking element is held in the locking position, wherein the locking spring unit can be tensioned by the adjustment of the locking element in the direction of the release position due to the engagement of the pivot journal in its pivot bearing. This ensures that the locking element reliably engages in the locking element receptacle when the folding element is pivoted.

[0028] According to a possible improvement of the folding unit, the locking device has a locking frame pivotally supported on the bearing element as a locking element and a pivot journal bearing as a locking element receiving portion. In the locked position, the locking arm of the locking frame is inserted into the pivot journal bearing, so that a locking shape fit is formed between the connecting rod and the bearing element in the direction of the connecting rod adjustment. The locking shape fit prevents the movement of the connecting rod from the disengaged position to the intermediate position. In the release position of the locking device, the locking arm of the locking frame is disengaged from the pivot journal bearing, in particular, it is squeezed out of the pivot journal bearing by the pivot journal arranged in the pivot journal bearing. Therefore, the locking device and the folding control mechanism have a particularly small number of parts, because the pivot journal bearing has a dual functionality, that is, firstly the pivot journal is used as a bearing for the corresponding pivot journal, and secondly the pivot journal bearing is used as a locking element receiving portion of the locking device.

[0029] If a rotary stopper is used in the folding unit, the locking device can have a locking latch supported on the bearing element in a translationally movable manner as a locking element and a locking latch receiving portion arranged on the rotary stopper as a locking element receiving portion. In the locked position, the locking portion of the locking latch is connected to the locking latch receiving portion, thereby indirectly forming a locking shape fit between the bearing element and the connecting rod that is effective in the adjustment direction of the connecting rod, which is achieved by forming a rotary stopper shape fit between the rotary stopper and the bearing element, and the rotary stopper shape fit prevents the rotation of the rotary stopper and thus prevents the connecting rod from moving from its disengaged position to the center position. In the released position, the locking portion of the locking latch is disengaged from the locking latch receiving portion, i.e., the rotary stopper. This structure of the locking device is particularly suitable for the case where the connecting rod rises or falls when adjusting between its connecting rod positions, i.e., moves along a partial circular trajectory. If the rotary stop and the connecting rod are designed such that the connecting rod is moved only in translation for adjustment between its positions, the above-described locking device with a locking bracket interacting directly with the connecting rod can be used.

[0030] In another possible embodiment of the folding unit, it is provided that the folding control mechanism has an accident safety device, which has a safety element movably supported on a bearing element and a safety element receptacle arranged on a connecting rod. In the closed position of the folding control mechanism, the accident safety device can be adjusted from a rest position to an accident position by means of a triggering force associated with an accident. In the rest position, the safety element in the rest position is disengaged from the safety element receptacle, thereby releasing the movement of the connecting rod from its intermediate position in the direction of the disengaged position. In the accident position, the safety element in the triggering position engages in the safety element receptacle, thereby forming a safety form fit between the bearing element and the connecting rod, which prevents the movement of the connecting rod from its intermediate position in the direction of the disengaged position. It can be provided that the accident safety device and the locking ball system are formed as a structural unit with each other. In addition, it can be provided that the locking ball system takes over the functionality of the accident safety device. Due to the accident safety device, it can be advantageously ensured that the folding element of the folding unit does not pivot in an undesirable manner in the event of an accident in a vehicle in which the folding unit is folded. In other words, due to the accident safety device, it is ensured that the folding unit remains closed in the event of an accident. This has the advantage that objects covered behind / under the folding unit can be effectively prevented from flying out uncontrollably (particularly when the folding device with the folding unit is designed as a storage box in the interior of a vehicle, the cover of the storage box being formed by the folding element). In this way, the folding device contributes to protecting the occupants in a particularly advantageous manner.

[0031] It can be provided that in the rest position, the safety element is held in the rest position by gravity. Alternatively or additionally, it can be provided that the accident safety device has a safety spring unit, wherein in the relaxed state of the safety spring unit, the safety spring unit holds the safety element in the rest position with a safety spring force. Here, the safety spring force is lower than the expected triggering force, wherein when the safety spring unit is tensioned, the safety element can be disengaged from the rest position in the direction of the triggering position due to the triggering force. This ensures that the safety element is not accidentally adjusted into the triggering position due to force, for example due to driving over unevenness of the driving track, etc. The accident safety device can also have an electric trigger unit and / or a pyrotechnic trigger unit, which is similar to a seat belt tensioner, and the trigger device is arranged to apply a trigger force to the safety element, with which the trigger force is used to adjust the accident safety device from the rest position to the accident position. For this purpose, the electric trigger unit and / or the pyrotechnic trigger unit can be coupled to a sensor system, which in particular has a crash sensor and / or a rollover sensor. Therefore, the sensor system can be part of the vehicle or a safety system of the vehicle. For example, the electrical triggering unit and / or the pyrotechnic triggering unit can be configured such that when corresponding sensor values ​​are provided to the vehicle or its safety system via a crash and / or rollover sensor, the accident safety device is adjusted from the rest position to the accident position and thereby emits an airbag and / or seat belt tensioner ignition signal.

[0032] According to a possible improvement of the folding unit, the accident safety device has a safety frame pivotably supported on the bearing element as a safety element and a safety arm receiver arranged on the connecting rod as a safety element receiver. The safety frame of the accident safety device should not be confused with the locking lever of the locking device. The safety frame has a safety arm, which is disengaged from the safety arm receiver in the static position of the accident safety device. In the accident position of the accident safety device, the safety arm is connected to the safety arm receiver, so that a safe shape fit is formed between the bearing element and the connecting rod in the adjustment direction of the connecting rod. The safe shape fit locks the movement of the connecting rod away from its center position. In this way, the accident safety device and therefore the folding control mechanism have a particularly simple structure. Nevertheless, it is still effectively prevented that the folding element pivots in an undesirable manner in the event of an accident (i.e. in the event of excessive acceleration associated with the accident).

[0033] If a connecting rod is used in the folding unit, which is movable along a part-circular path in order to adjust between its individual connecting rod positions, the accident safety device can have a safety latch as a safety element, which is supported on a pivot journal bearing so as to be movable in translation and tilting, and a safety latch receptacle arranged on the connecting rod as a safety element receptacle. In the rest position, the safety part of the safety latch is disengaged from the safety latch receptacle, while in the accident position, the safety part of the safety latch engages in the safety latch receptacle. Thus, a safety form fit is formed between the bearing element and the connecting rod, which is effective in the adjustment direction of the connecting rod in the shape of a circular arc or a part of a circle, and which blocks the movement of the connecting rod away from its center position.

[0034] In another possible embodiment, the folding unit has a further (second) folding control mechanism and a synchronization unit, which is configured to mechanically synchronize the movement of the connecting rods. Thus, it is advantageously ensured that the two connecting rods move in the same way when adjusting from a neutral position to a disengaged position or from a disengaged position to a neutral position. This prevents one folding control mechanism from being undesirably adjusted to another position independently of the corresponding other folding control mechanism. Thus, the opening of the folding unit - i.e. the pivoting of the folding element - is made particularly easy and hassle-free for the user, and the folding element is particularly reliably held on the folding unit base by the two folding control mechanisms.

[0035] The synchronization unit can, for example, have a lever mechanism, by means of which the connecting rods are connected to one another for the purpose of motion synchronization. Alternatively or additionally, the connecting rods can be connected to one another for the purpose of motion synchronization, which is achieved in that the synchronization unit has a first toothed rack formed on a first connecting rod and a second toothed rack formed in the same manner on a second connecting rod, wherein a first synchronous spur gear directly or indirectly meshes with the first toothed rack and a second synchronous spur gear directly or indirectly meshes with the second toothed rack. Here, the synchronous spur gears are respectively connected to a synchronization shaft of the synchronization unit in a rotationally fixed manner. In particular, the synchronous spur gears mesh indirectly with the corresponding associated toothed rack, which is achieved by forming a corresponding spur gear transmission stage and / or a corresponding traction force transmission stage between the toothed rack and the synchronous spur gear. Here, the drive spur gear ring meshes directly with the corresponding toothed rack and directly or indirectly with the corresponding synchronous spur gear. Thus, when designing / structuring the folding unit, the synchronization shaft can be locally positioned as required in order to deal with boundary conditions, such as envelope problems, in a particularly effective manner.

[0036] In a possible improvement of the folding device designed as an interior device, the inner surface element of the interior device is formed by the upper side of the folding element. For example, the inner surface element can be an armrest or the like, wherein the upper side of the folding element can be padded.

[0037] In this context, and as provided in another embodiment of the interior device or the folding device, the table element of the interior device can be formed by the lower side of the folding element facing away from the upper side. For this purpose, the lower side of the folding element or the interior device is designed to be particularly smooth or flat or planar, so that in the corresponding folded position it provides the function of a table. In the closed position of the folding unit, the lower side faces the folding unit base. Thus, the user can pivot the folding element about the desired pivot axis and thus pivot the lower side of the folding element upwards, whereby the table formed by the lower side of the folding element is available to the user.

[0038] Examples of possible uses of the folding device have already been mentioned above. Furthermore, the folding device can be used as a rear door of a delivery van or truck, for example, so that the user of the delivery van can open the rear door to the right or to the left as desired, i.e., with respect to the vehicle height axis (z) in a particularly simple manner. Alternatively or additionally, the rear door can be pivoted with respect to the transverse direction (y) of the vehicle, so that the user of the delivery van can pivot the folding element forming the trunk lid of the delivery van downwards to obtain a ramp, or pivot it upwards to form a particularly large entry area for ground vehicles behind the delivery van. For vehicles with a stepped rear end (sedan, coupé, convertible, etc.), it can be provided that the folding device has a corresponding trunk lid of the vehicle as a folding element, so that the trunk lid can be opened with respect to the vehicle transverse direction (y) and / or with respect to the forward driving direction (x) of the vehicle to the right or to the left or to the front or to the rear as desired.

[0039] Further advantages, features and details of the invention can be gathered from the following description of possible embodiments and from the drawings. The features and feature combinations mentioned above in the description and the features and feature combinations shown below in the description of the drawings and / or individually in the drawings can be used not only in the respectively given combination but also in other combinations or individually without departing from the scope of the invention. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0040] In the attached picture:

[0041] Figure 1 A perspective view of a folding device is shown, the folding device comprising a folding unit with a folding control mechanism formed on a folding unit base, the folding control mechanism being adjustable from a closed position (A) to a first folding position (B) or a second folding position (C) according to selection,

[0042] Figure 2 A view showing the folding control mechanism during the closed position (A),

[0043] Figure 3 A view showing the folding control mechanism during the first folding position (B),

[0044] Figure 4 A view showing the folding control mechanism during the second folding position (C),

[0045] Figure 5 shows a perspective view of a folding unit, wherein a folding control mechanism is formed on a folding element of the folding unit and is arranged in a closed position (A),

[0046] Figure 6 Show Figure 5 A perspective view of a detail of the folding control mechanism in FIG.

[0047] Figure 7 Show Figure 5 Another perspective view of a detail of the folding control mechanism in the embodiment of the present invention, wherein the folding control mechanism is adjusted to a second folded position (C),

[0048] Figure 8 Show Figures 2 to 4 A perspective view of a detail of the folding control mechanism in the closed position (A),

[0049] Fig. 9 A schematic diagram and partial cross-sectional view showing a folding control mechanism with a locking ball system,

[0050] Fig.10 A perspective view of a folding unit is shown, wherein the folding control mechanism has a rotary stop and is arranged in a closed position (A),

[0051] Fig.11 Shown is adjusted to the first folded position (B) Fig.10 A detailed view of the rotary catch of the folding control mechanism shown,

[0052] Fig.12 The second folded position (C) is shown. Fig.10 A detailed view of the rotary catch of the folding control mechanism shown,

[0053] Fig.13 The second folded position (C) is shown. Fig.10 A schematic diagram of a folding control mechanism shown, the folding control mechanism having a locking device acting on a rotary stop,

[0054] Fig.14 Shown adjusted to the closed position (A) Fig.10 A schematic diagram of a folding control mechanism shown, the folding control mechanism having a locking device acting on a rotary stop,

[0055] Fig.15 A perspective view of a folding control mechanism is shown, wherein the folding control mechanism comprises rotating gears which are hingedly connected to each other via a connecting rod.

[0056] Fig.16 A perspective view of a folding control mechanism with a rotary stop, wherein the connecting rod has an elongated hole into which a corresponding control pin of the rotary stop engages,

[0057] Fig.17 A perspective view of a folding control mechanism with a rotary gear, wherein the connecting rod has a control rack which meshes with a corresponding control toothed ring of the rotary gear, and

[0058] Fig.18 A perspective view of a folding unit with two folding control mechanisms is shown, wherein the movement of the connecting rods is mechanically synchronized by a synchronization unit. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0059] In the following, the folding unit 1 and the folding device 2 having the folding unit 1 are described jointly. In the figures, identical and functionally identical elements are provided with the same reference numerals. For better orientation, the figures show a Cartesian coordinate system, which applies to the folding unit 1 and the folding device 2. The Cartesian coordinate system can (but does not necessarily have to) correspond to the Cartesian coordinate system of the installation location of the folding unit 1 or the folding device 2 (in particular of a motor vehicle).

[0060] Figure 1 1 shows a perspective view of a folding device 2, which has a folding unit 1, which in turn includes a folding unit base 3, on which a folding control mechanism 4 is formed. Figure 1As can be seen in the figure, the folding unit 1 can be adjusted from the closed position A to the first folding position B or the second folding position C according to the selection. The folding unit 1 or the folding device 2 is particularly suitable for automobiles, such as passenger cars, trucks, etc. The folding device 2 is mainly configured as or used for the interior device of the automobile. As an alternative or supplement to the possibility of using the folding device 2 as an interior device of the automobile, the folding device 2 can be used elsewhere on / in the automobile. Therefore, it is conceivable to use the folding device 2 as a charging socket cover, a fuel tank cover, a loading area cover, a door ("cover"), a luggage compartment cover, an engine compartment cover, etc. Here, in the present embodiment, the folding unit base 3 is designed as a storage box or storage tray for the interior device. The folding unit 1 and therefore the folding device 2 also have a folding element 5, which in this example forms the cover of the folding unit base 3 or the storage box. The folding element 5 can have a rectangular structure, as shown in the figure by way of example. Alternatively, the folding element 5 can be designed as a different polygonal structure, such as a triangle, a trapezoid, etc. In the present example, the upper side 6 of the folding element 5 or the cover is designed as an armrest and is padded in this case. The underside 7 of the folding element 5 or the cover is designed to be flat or planar, so that the underside 7 of the folding element 5 serves as a table or table for the folding device 2. Figure 1 As can be seen in the figure, the underside 7 of the folding element 5 in the closed position A faces the folding unit base 3 or the storage box and closes it. The folding unit base 3 is designed to be firmly connected to the supporting structure of the vehicle. In other words, the folding unit base 3 has a device that can be used to fix the folding unit base and the supporting structure of the vehicle to each other. It is also conceivable that the folding unit base 3 is part of the supporting structure of the vehicle. In particular, the folding unit base 3 is part of the console in the interior of the vehicle, in the present example the folding device 2 and therefore the folding unit 1 are a central armrest or a component of a central armrest.

[0061] In the present example, the folding unit 1 has two folding control mechanisms 4 for each folding element 5, which are spaced apart from each other along the longitudinal extension of the folding unit 1 (along the longitudinal direction x), so that the folding element 5 is supported on the folding unit base 3 at its two longitudinal ends spaced apart from each other along the longitudinal direction x by the corresponding folding control mechanisms 4. In the present example, the folding control mechanisms 4 are designed identically, so that only one of the folding control mechanisms 4 will be involved to keep the description as simple as possible.

[0062] The folding unit 1 has a first pivot journal 8 and a second pivot journal 9, wherein the two pivot journals 8, 9 are arranged parallel to each other in the example here and are spaced apart from each other in the transverse direction y of the folding unit 1 within the transverse extent of the folding unit 1. The pivot journals 8, 9 can alternatively be arranged obliquely to each other - in particular if the folding element 5 is not configured as a rectangle but as another polygon. Here, the longitudinal center axis of the first pivot journal 8 coincides with the first pivot axis about which the folding element 5 can pivot, and the longitudinal center axis of the second pivot journal coincides with the second pivot axis about which the folding element 5 can pivot. The folding unit 1 further comprises a bearing element 10, which comprises a first pivot journal bearing 11 for the first pivot journal 8 and a second pivot journal bearing 12 for the second pivot journal 9.

[0063] Figure 2 FIG. 4 shows a view of the folding control mechanism 4 in the closed position A. It can be seen that the folding control mechanism 4 is designed to be mirror-symmetrical with respect to the XZ plane of the folding unit 1. Figure 2 In order to simplify the functional description of the folding unit 1, the bearing element 10 is illustrated transparently. The folding control mechanism 4 has a connecting rod 13, which is arranged transversely to the pivot journals 8 and 9, that is, arranged along the transverse direction y. The folding control mechanism 4 also includes a first shaft stop connector 14 corresponding to the first pivot journal 8 and a second shaft stop connector 15 corresponding to the second pivot journal 9. The first shaft stop connector 14 is arranged on and coupled to the first connecting rod end 16 of the connecting rod 13, while the second shaft stop connector 15 is arranged on and coupled to the second connecting rod end 17 of the connecting rod 13. The shaft stop connectors 14 and 15 are kinematically connected to each other via the connecting rod 13.

[0064] refer to Figure 3 , Figure 3 FIG. 4 shows a view of the folding control mechanism 4 during arrangement in the first folding position B, also referring to FIG. Figure 4 , Figure 4 FIG. 4 shows a view of the folding control mechanism 4 during the arrangement in the second folding position C. The function of the folding control mechanism 4 will be described in more detail below. The folding control mechanism 4 can be moved from the closed position A (where the link 13 is arranged in the central position, see FIG. 4 ). Figure 2 ) is adjusted to the first folding position B according to the selection (wherein the connecting rod 13 is arranged in the first disengaged position, see Figure 3 ) or the second folded position C (wherein the link 13 is arranged in the second disengaged position, see Figure 4). In the closed position A, in which the connecting rod 13 is arranged in the middle position, the shaft stop connectors 14, 15 are respectively arranged in the first shaft stop position, wherein the pivot journals 8, 9 are held in the pivot journal bearings 11, 12 by the shaft stop connectors 14, 15 arranged in the first shaft stop position. In the first folded position B, in which the connecting rod 13 is arranged in the first disengaged position (in the example on the left), the first shaft stop connector 14 is arranged in the second shaft stop position, and the second shaft stop connector 15 is arranged in the third shaft stop position. Here, the first pivot journal pin 8 is pivotably supported or fixed in the first pivot journal bearing 11 by the first shaft stop connector 14 arranged in the second shaft stop position. By arranging the second shaft stop connector 15 in the third shaft stop position, the second pivot journal 9 can be pivoted out of the second pivot journal bearing 12. Thus, in the first folding position B, the folding element 5 can be pivoted about the first pivot axis, i.e. about the first pivot journal 8 fixed in the first pivot journal bearing 11. In the second folding position C, in which the connecting rod 13 is arranged in the second disengaged position (in the example on the right), the first shaft stop 14 is arranged in the third shaft stop position, and the second shaft stop 15 is arranged in the second shaft stop position. Here, by arranging the first shaft stop 14 in the third shaft stop position, the first pivot journal 8 can be pivoted out of the first pivot journal bearing 11. The second pivot journal 9 is pivotably supported or fixed in the second pivot journal bearing 12 by the second shaft stop 15 arranged in the second shaft stop position. Thus, in the second folding position C, the folding element 5 can be pivoted about the second pivot axis, i.e. about the second pivot journal 9 fixed in the second pivot journal bearing 12.

[0065] The respective shaft stop connectors 14, 15 have respective disengagement control surface portions 18 which in the closed position A (see Figure 2 ) is inclined toward the corresponding pivot journal 8, 9 arranged in the corresponding pivot journal bearing 11, 12. When the corresponding pivot journal 8, 9 is pivoted out from the corresponding pivot journal bearing 11, 12, the disengagement control surface portion 18 slides out on the corresponding pivot journal 8, 9, so that the corresponding shaft stop connection 14, 15 is adjusted from the first shaft stop connection position to the second shaft stop connection position, and the connecting rod 13 moves to the corresponding disengagement position. In other words, due to the pivoting out of the corresponding pivot journals 8, 9, the connecting rod 13 is driven along the connecting rod adjustment direction, which is achieved in the following manner, that is, the corresponding pivot journals 8, 9 slide out on the disengagement control surface part 18 when pivoting out the corresponding pivot journal bearings 11, 12, so that the corresponding shaft stop connectors 14, 15 are adjusted from the first shaft stop position to the second shaft stop position, wherein, due to the motion coupling of the shaft stop connectors 14, 15, the corresponding other shaft stop connector 14, 15 is adjusted from the first shaft stop position to the third shaft stop position.

[0066] In particular, the folding unit 1 and therefore the folding device 2 have no actuating elements for the movement of the connecting rod 13, so that the user of the folding unit 1 does not have to actuate any actuating elements (except the folding element 5 itself) and does not have to adjust the folding control mechanism 4 from its closed position A to the first folding position B or adjust the folding control mechanism 4 from its closed position A to the second folding position C. By applying a first opening force 20 transverse to the pivot axis (in this example, in the Z direction) to the first edge 19 of the folding element 5 arranged near the second pivot journal 9 (see Figure 1 ), the folding control mechanism 4 can be adjusted from its closed position A to the first folding position B. By applying a second opening force 22 transverse to the pivot axis (in this example, the Z direction) to the second edge 21 of the folding element 5 arranged near the first pivot journal 8, the folding control mechanism 4 can alternatively be adjusted from the closed position A to the second folding position C. Thus, the user can open the folding unit 1 by applying the first opening force 20 or the second opening force 22 to the corresponding edges 19, 21 without operating an actuating element such as a lever, a button, etc. In short, the user can simply pull or lift the cover or folding element 5 around the first pivot axis or the second pivot axis, for example to the right or left, as selected.

[0067] In the folding unit 1, it can be provided that the folding control mechanism 4 and the bearing element 10 are formed on the folding unit base 3, wherein the pivot pins 8, 9 are fastened to the folding element 5. This is for example Figure 1 Alternatively, it can be provided in the folding unit 1 that the folding control mechanism 4 and the bearing element 10 are formed on the folding element 5, wherein the pivot journals 8, 9 are fixed on the folding unit base 3. Figure 5 It is shown in Figure 5 The folding unit 1 is shown in a perspective view, wherein the folding control mechanism 4 is formed on the folding element 5 or on the cover, wherein Figure 5 The folding control mechanism 4 is arranged in the closed position A. For the sake of clarity, Figure 6 and Figure 7 Shows Figure 5 A corresponding perspective view of a detail of the folding control mechanism 4 in FIG. Figure 6 The folding control mechanism 4 is arranged in the closed position A, and in Figure 7 The folding control mechanism 4 is arranged in the second folding position C. It can be seen that the corresponding pivot journal bearings 11, 12 and the folding element 5 or cover are fixed to each other. Here, the pivot journal bearings 11, 12 and the folding element 5, that is, the bearing element 10 or the folding element 5, are designed as an integral component, that is, for example, formed integrally with each other.

[0068] Figure 8 The arrangement in the closed position A is shown Figures 2 to 41 is a perspective view of a detail of the folding control mechanism 4 shown in FIG. 1 . The bearing element 10 is illustrated in a transparent manner here. It can be provided that the folding unit base 3 and the bearing element 10 form an integral component with each other.

[0069] exist Figure 5 It can also be seen that the folding control mechanism 4 has a locking ball system 23 that acts as a locking system. The locking ball system 23 has a locking ball retaining portion 24, a locking ball cap 25 and a locking ball sliding groove 26. Fig. 9 The locking ball system 23 is described in more detail. Fig. 9 2 shows a schematic diagram and a partial cross-sectional view of a folding control mechanism 4 having a locking ball system 23. The locking ball cap 25 and the locking ball spring 27 are arranged in the locking ball holding portion 24 of the locking ball system 23. In the relaxed state of the locking ball spring 27, the locking ball cap 25 is tensioned in a translational manner in the direction of the locking ball slot 26, so that as long as the connecting rod adjustment force 28 acting on the connecting rod 13 is small enough to be insufficient for the locking ball slot 26 to apply a locking ball system release force 29 greater than the locking ball spring force 30 used by the locking ball spring 27 to tension the locking ball cap 25 in the direction of the locking ball slot 26 to the locking ball cap 25, the movement of the connecting rod 13 from one position to another position is locked by the locking ball system 23. When the connecting rod adjusting force 28 is so large that the locking ball system release force 29 applied to the locking ball cap 25 by the locking ball slot 26 is greater than the locking ball spring force 30, the movement of the connecting rod 13 from one position to another position is released by the locking ball system 23.

[0070] In this example, the locking ball guide 26 has a first locking ball receiving portion 31 corresponding to the middle position of the connecting rod 13, a second locking ball receiving portion 32 corresponding to the first disengaged position of the connecting rod 13, and a third locking ball receiving portion 33 corresponding to the second disengaged position of the connecting rod 13. Since the positions A, B, and C are corresponding to the corresponding connecting rod positions, the locking ball receiving portions 31, 32, and 33 are corresponding to the positions A, B, and C of the folding control mechanism 4. Fig. 9 , the locking ball holder 24 is shown to be arranged in a fixed manner on the bearing element 10 , wherein the locking ball slot 26 is arranged in a fixed manner on the connecting rod 13 , but the opposite arrangement is also conceivable.

[0071] By referring again Figure 2, a possible implementation scheme of the folding unit 1, in particular its folding control mechanism 4, is now described, in which the connecting rod 13 is supported on the bearing element 10 in a manner that it can be translated along a straight connecting rod adjustment direction (in particular, parallel to the transverse direction y of the folding unit 1). Here, the corresponding shaft stop connectors 14, 15 are designed as corresponding sliding stop connectors 34, 35 and are rigidly connected to the connecting rod 13 at the corresponding ends of the connecting rod ends 16, 17. The corresponding sliding stop connectors 34, 35 can be adjusted between three shaft stop positions by a translational movement of the connecting rod 13, in particular a pure translational movement, that is, they can be adjusted between a first sliding stop position, a second sliding stop position and a third sliding stop position. In the middle position of the connecting rod 13, that is, in the closed position A of the folding control mechanism 4 (see Figure 2 ), the two sliding stoppers 34, 35 are respectively arranged in the first shaft stop position, that is, they are respectively arranged in the first sliding stop position. Here, the inclined disengagement control surface portion 18 of the sliding stoppers 34, 35 is connected to the corresponding pivot journal bearings 11, 12, so that the corresponding pivot journals 8, 9 are supported or retained in the corresponding pivot journal bearings 11, 12 by the disengagement control surface portion 18. In the first disengagement position of the connecting rod 13, that is, in the first folding position B of the folding control mechanism 4 (see Figure 3 ), the first sliding stopper 34 is adjusted to the second axial stop position, i.e., the second sliding stopper position, in which the straight locking control surface portion 36 of the first sliding stopper 34 is engaged in the first pivot journal bearing 11. Because the disengagement control surface portion 18 and the locking control surface portion 36 are directly adjacent in the transverse direction y, wherein the locking control surface portion 36 is arranged between the disengagement control surface portion 18 and the connecting rod 13, in the second sliding stopper position in which the locking control surface portion 36 is engaged in the pivot journal bearing 11, the disengagement control surface portion 18 of the first sliding stopper 34 is disengaged from the first pivot journal bearing 11. In the second disengagement position of the connecting rod 13, i.e., in the second folding position C of the folding control mechanism 4 (see Figure 4 ), the first sliding stopper 34 is adjusted to the third shaft stopper position, i.e., the third sliding stopper position, in which the first sliding stopper 34 is completely disengaged from the first pivot journal bearing 11, thereby releasing the first pivot journal bearing 11 to allow the first pivot journal 8 to pivot in or out. The second sliding stopper 35 is adjusted to the corresponding sliding stopper position by movement of the connecting rod 13 in the opposite direction to the first sliding stopper 34. In other words, when the first sliding stopper 34 is adjusted to the second sliding stopper position, the second sliding stopper 35 is adjusted to the third sliding stopper position. If the first sliding stopper 34 is adjusted to the third sliding stopper position, the second sliding stopper 35 is adjusted to the second sliding stopper position.

[0072] In this example, the corresponding sliding stop members 34, 35 have corresponding sliding stop member openings 37, as shown in Figure 8 As shown in the figure. The sliding catch opening 37 has a disengagement control surface portion 18 and a locking control surface portion 36 as a first sliding catch opening cheek 38. As a second sliding catch opening cheek 39, the sliding catch opening 37 has an opening extension, wherein the first sliding catch opening cheek 38 and the second sliding catch opening cheek 39 are spaced apart from each other by an opening cheek distance, which corresponds to the diameter of the corresponding pivot journal 8, 9. This means that when the adjustment coupling rod 13 leaves its center position, the relevant pivot journal 8, 9 is released to pivot out of the corresponding pivot journal bearing 11, 12 by pulling the sliding catch opening 37 away from the relevant pivot journal 8, 9, so that the corresponding pivot journal 8, 9 disengages from the sliding catch opening.

[0073] according to Fig.10 Explaining a second possible embodiment of the folding unit 1, Fig.10 A perspective view of a folding unit 1 is shown, wherein the folding control mechanism 4 has rotary gears 40, 41 as shaft stop connectors 14, 15 and is arranged in a closed position A. Here, the connecting rod 13 is supported on the bearing element 10 so as to be movably along a connecting rod adjustment direction, wherein in this case the connecting rod adjustment direction can be formed to be linear according to a circular arc. The corresponding shaft stop connectors 14, 15 constructed as corresponding rotary gears 40, 41 are rotatably supported on the bearing element 10 and are kinematically coupled to the corresponding connecting rod ends 16, 17. By the movement of the connecting rod 13, the corresponding rotary gears 40, 41 can be rotationally adjusted between three shaft stop positions, that is, they can be rotationally adjusted between a first rotation gear angle position, a second rotation gear angle position and a third rotation gear angle position. As shown in Fig.10 As shown in the figure, when the connecting rod 13 is in its middle position, the two rotary gears 40, 41 are respectively in the first shaft blocking position, that is, in the first rotary gear angle position. The rotary gear opening cheek 42 of the corresponding rotary gear opening 43 of the corresponding rotary gear 40, 41 serves as a disengagement control surface portion 18 or has a disengagement control surface portion 18. In the first rotary gear angle position, the rotary gear opening cheek 42 with the disengagement control surface portion 18 is pivoted into the corresponding pivot journal bearing 11, 12, so that the corresponding pivot journal 8, 9 is held in the corresponding pivot journal bearing 11, 12 by the rotary gear opening cheek 42.

[0074] Fig.11 Shows Fig.10Detailed view of the rotary gears 40, 41 of the folding control mechanism 4 adjusted to the first folding position B, wherein it can be seen that in the first disengaged position of the connecting rod 13, i.e. in the first folding position B, the first rotary gear 40 is adjusted to the second shaft blocking position, i.e. adjusted to the second rotary gear angular position, wherein the bottom 44 of the rotary blocking member opening 43 serving as the locking control surface portion 36 is pivoted into the first pivot journal bearing 11.

[0075] Fig.12 Shows Fig.10 Detailed view of the rotary gears 40, 41 of the folding control mechanism 4 adjusted to the second folding position C, wherein the connecting rod 13 is arranged in a second disengaged position, in which the first rotary gear 40 is adjusted to the third shaft blocking position, i.e., to the third rotary gear angular position, in which the rotary blocking member opening cheek 42 is pivoted out of the first pivot journal bearing 11, so that the first pivot journal bearing 11 is released for pivoting in or out of the first pivot journal 8. Fig.11 and Fig.12 It can be seen from the overview that the second rotary gear 41 moves or rotates in the opposite direction to the first rotary gear 40. When the first rotary gear 40 is arranged in the second rotary gear angular position, the second rotary gear 41 is arranged in the third rotary gear angular position. If the first rotary gear 40 is arranged in the third rotary gear angular position, the second rotary gear 41 is adjusted to the second rotary gear angular position. The rotary gears 40, 41 are particularly supported on the bearing element 10 so that the corresponding rotary gear rotation axis (about which the corresponding rotary gear 40, 41 is adjusted between the rotary gear angular positions) coincides with the corresponding associated pivot axis. If the folding unit 1 in this embodiment has a locking ball system 23, it can be provided that the locking ball slot 26 is fixed to one of the rotary gears 40, 41 in a fixed manner, for example, wherein the locking ball holder 24 is fixed to the bearing element 10 in a fixed manner.

[0076] By seeing again Figure 2 , it is explained that the folding control mechanism 4 of the folding unit 1 in this example has a locking device 45, which has a locking element 46 and a locking element receiving portion 47 supported in a movably manner on the bearing element 10. Here, the folding control mechanism 4 has this locking device 45 for each pivot axis, that is, for each pivot journal 8, 9. By pivoting the corresponding pivot journal 8, 9 out of the pivot journal bearing 11, 12 to which it belongs, the corresponding locking device 45 can be moved from the release position (see Figure 2 ) is adjusted to the locked position (see Figure 3 and Figure 4). In the release position of the locking device 45, the movement of the connecting rod 13 from its disengaged position in the direction of the intermediate position is released, which is achieved by disengaging the locking element 46 from the locking element receiving portion 47 in the release position. The movement of the connecting rod 13 away from its disengaged position is locked, which is achieved by directly or indirectly forming a locking shape fit 48 between the bearing element 10 and the connecting rod 13, wherein the locking element 46 is engaged in the locking element receiving portion 47 in the locked position. In other words, the locking shape fit 48 is formed by the locking element 46 being engaged in the locking element receiving portion 47 in the locked position. In the folding positions B and C of the folding control mechanism 4, the locking device 45 can also be adjusted from the locked position to the released position by pivoting the corresponding pivot journals 8 and 9 into their corresponding pivot journal bearings 11 and 12.

[0077] In the present example, the locking device 45 has a locking spring unit 49 acting between the bearing element 10 and the locking element 46, by means of which the respective locking element 46 is tensioned in the direction of its locking position. Thus, the locking spring unit 49 is tensioned when the locking element 46 is arranged in the release position, wherein the locking spring unit 49 moves into the locking position due to the relaxation of the locking spring unit 49 when the respective pivot journal 8, 9 is pivoted out of the respective pivot journal bearing 11. In the relaxed state, the locking spring unit 49 holds the locking element 46 in the locking position, wherein the locking spring unit 49 can be tensioned by adjusting the locking element 46 in the direction of the release position, wherein the adjustment of the locking element 46 in the direction of the release position is achieved by inserting the respective pivot journal 8, 9 into the associated pivot journal bearing 11, 12.

[0078] The locking device 45 has, for example, a locking frame 50 pivotably supported on the bearing element 10 as a locking element 46, wherein the locking device 45 in this case has a pivot journal bearing 11, 12 as a locking element receiving portion 47. In the locked position of the locking device 45, the locking arms 51 of the locking frame 50 engage in the corresponding pivot journal bearing 11, 12, so that a locking form fit 48 effective in the adjustment direction of the connecting rod is formed between the connecting rod 13 and the bearing element 10, and the locking form fit 48 prevents the movement of the connecting rod 13 from its disengaged position in the direction of the center position. In the release position, the locking arms 51 of the locking frame 50 disengage from the pivot journal bearing 11, 12, which is achieved in particular by the pivot journals 8, 9 engaged in the pivot journal bearings 11, 12 squeezing out the locking arms 51.

[0079] If the folding unit 1 has rotary stops 40, 41, the locking device 45 can have a locking bolt 52 supported on the support element 10 (for example in a translationally movable manner) as the locking element 46, wherein in this case the locking device 45 has a locking bolt receptacle 53 arranged, for example, on the rotary stops 40, 41 as the locking element receptacle 47. Such a configuration of the locking mechanism 45 is Fig.13 and Fig.14 In Fig.10 The detailed schematic diagram of the folding control mechanism 4 is illustrated in FIG. Fig.13 The figure shows how the folding control mechanism 4 is arranged in the second folding position C, wherein in the locking position of the locking device 45, the locking portion 54 of the locking bolt 52 is connected to the locking latch receiving portion 53, whereby a locking shape fit 48 effective in the connecting rod adjustment direction is indirectly formed between the supporting element 10 and the connecting rod 13, which is achieved by forming a rotary stop shape fit 55 between the rotary stop 40 and the supporting element 10, and the rotary stop shape fit 55 blocks the adjustment of the rotary stop 41 and thus blocks the movement of the connecting rod 13. Fig.14 , the folding control mechanism 4 is in the closed position A, wherein it can be seen that the locking latch 52, in particular the locking portion 54, is disengaged from the rotary stop 40 by engaging the first pivot pin 8 into the first pivot pin bearing 11 and thereby squeezing the locking latch 52 out.

[0080] Reference again Figure 2 , it can be seen from the figure that the folding control mechanism 4 of the folding unit 1 has an accident safety device 56, which has a safety element 57 supported in a movably manner on the bearing element 10 and a safety element receiving portion 58 arranged on the other connecting rod 13. In the closed position A of the folding control mechanism 4, the accident safety device 56 can be adjusted from the rest position to the accident position by a triggering force depending on the accident. In the rest position of the accident safety device 56, the safety element 57 in the rest position is disengaged from the safety element receiving portion 58, thereby releasing the movement of the connecting rod 13 from its intermediate position to the disengaged position. On the contrary, in the accident position of the accident safety device 56, the safety element 57 in the disengaged position is connected to the safety element receiving portion 58, so that a safety form fit (not shown) is formed between the bearing element 10 and the connecting rod 13, and the safety form fit blocks the movement of the connecting rod 13 from its intermediate position to the disengaged position.

[0081] In the accident safety device 56, it can be provided that in the rest position, the safety element 57 is held in the rest position by gravity. In this case, the accident safety device 56 has a safety spring unit 59, which holds the safety element 57 in the rest position with a safety spring force in the relaxed state. In this case, the safety spring force is less than the expected triggering force due to the accident, so that by tensioning the safety spring unit 59, the safety element 57 can be disengaged from the rest position in the direction of the triggering position due to the triggering force. In this example, it is further provided that the accident safety device 56 has a triggering unit 60 that functions according to the electrical principle and / or the pyrotechnic principle. For example, the triggering unit 60 can be an electrical actuator or an electronic actuator, which is configured to adjust the safety element 57 from the rest position to the triggering position by correspondingly controlling the actuator. The actuator can receive this control signal, for example, from a sensor system or a control unit of the vehicle, which is configured to detect whether the vehicle with the folding unit 1 has an accident. Alternatively or in addition, the triggering unit 60 can be a gas generator, which can be used in a similar manner, for example, for airbags and / or seat belt tensioners. When an accident of the motor vehicle is detected, the pyrotechnic triggering device receives an ignition signal from a sensor system and / or a control unit of the motor vehicle, whereupon the safety element 57 is deflected by the pyrotechnic device from the rest position into the triggering position.

[0082] In the present example, the accident safety device 56 has a safety bracket 61 pivotably mounted on the bearing element 10 as a safety element 57, wherein the accident safety device 56 in this case has a safety arm receptacle 62 arranged on the connecting rod 13 as a safety element receptacle 58. Here, the safety bracket 61 has a safety arm 63, which is disengaged from the safety arm receptacle 62 in the rest position and engages into the safety arm receptacle 62 in the accident position. Thus, a safety form fit (not shown) is formed between the bearing element 10 and the connecting rod 13 that is effective in the connecting rod adjustment direction and that blocks the movement of the connecting rod 13 out of its center position.

[0083] Fig.15 , Fig.16 and Fig.17 The folding control mechanism 4 is shown in each case in a perspective view and - not exhaustively - three possibilities of how the rotary steps 40 , 41 and the connecting rod 13 can be coupled to one another are shown. Fig.15In the folding unit 1 - in particular in its folding control mechanism 4 - it can be provided that the corresponding rotary gear 40, 41 and the connecting rod 13 (i.e. the corresponding one of the connecting rod ends 16, 17) are coupled to each other, which is achieved by a corresponding rotary hinge 64 formed between the corresponding rotary gear 40, 41 and the corresponding connecting rod end 16, 17. For this purpose, the corresponding rotary gear 40, 41 has a corresponding pivot hinge pin 65, which engages in a pivot hinge pin receiving portion 66 of the corresponding connecting rod end 16, 17. A reverse design of the rotary hinge 64 is also conceivable, in which the corresponding connecting rod end 16, 17 has a rotary hinge pin 65, which engages in a pivot hinge pin receiving portion 66 formed on the corresponding rotary gear 40, 41. According to Fig.16 , the two rotary gears 40, 41 can be kinematically coupled to each other via the connecting rod 13, which is achieved by providing the corresponding rotary gears 40, 41 with corresponding control pins 67, which protrude from the control pin extension 68 of the corresponding rotary gears 40, 41 and engage in an elongated hole 69 arranged parallel to the height direction z of the folding unit 1 or the folding control mechanism 4. The corresponding elongated hole 69 is formed on or forms the corresponding connecting rod end 16, 17. Under the translation adjustment or movement of the connecting rod 13, the control pin 67 moves in the corresponding elongated hole 69 along the height direction z, wherein the rotary gears 40, 41 rotate accordingly. According to Fig.17 In the folding unit 1 or its folding control mechanism 4, it can be provided that the rotary gears 40, 41 are kinematically coupled to each other, which is achieved by the respective rotary gears 40, 41 having a toothed ring part 70, wherein the connecting rod ends 16, 17 are formed as corresponding rack parts 71 or have rack parts 71. The teeth of the toothed ring part 70 correspond to the teeth of the rack part 71, wherein the respective toothed ring part 70, i.e. the respective rotary gear 40, 41, and the respective rack part 71, i.e. the connecting rod 13, mesh with each other. By means of the translation adjustment of the connecting rod 13, the rotary gears 40, 41 are rotationally driven via the toothed connection between the respective toothed ring part 70 and the respective rack part 71. In order to prevent the folding control mechanism 4 from reaching a kinematic dead point and in particular from undesirably staying in this position, the folding control mechanism 4 has a dead point spring unit 72, which tensions the connecting rod 13 and / or the rotary gears 40, 41 away from the kinematic dead point.

[0084] exist Fig.18, a perspective view of a folding device 2 (in particular a folding unit 1) is shown, wherein the folding device 2 has a folding control mechanism 4, wherein the movement of the connecting rod 13 is mechanically synchronized by a synchronization unit 73. The synchronization unit 73 may have a lifting mechanism (not shown), by which the connecting rods 13 are connected to each other to achieve movement synchronization. Here, the corresponding connecting rod 13 has a corresponding synchronization rack 74, which can be arranged on the second sliding stop opening cheek 39 or at least partially form the second sliding stop opening cheek 39, for example. Alternatively, the corresponding synchronization rack 74 can be arranged or formed at other positions on the connecting rod 13. The synchronization unit 73 further has two synchronization spur gears 75, which are respectively connected to a common synchronization shaft 76 in a torsionally fixed manner. The synchronization spur gears 75 are directly or indirectly meshed with the synchronization rack 74, so that the movement of the connecting rod 13 is kinematically dependent on each other, i.e., kinematically coupled to each other. In the present example, the synchronization unit 73 has a synchronization gear stage 77 , here a spur gear stage, which drives a spur gear ring 78 which meshes on the one hand with the corresponding synchronization rack 74 and on the other hand (directly or indirectly) with the corresponding associated synchronization spur gear 75 .

[0085] Reference numerals list

[0086] A Closed position

[0087] B First folding position

[0088] C Second folded position

[0089] 1 Folding unit

[0090] 2 Folding device

[0091] 3 Folding unit base

[0092] 4 Folding control mechanism

[0093] 5 Folding elements

[0094] 6 upper side

[0095] 7 Lower side

[0096] 8 First pivot journal

[0097] 9 Second pivot journal

[0098] 10 Bearing elements

[0099] 11 First pivot journal bearing

[0100] 12 Second pivot journal bearing

[0101] 13 Connecting rod

[0102] 14 First shaft stopper

[0103] 15 Second shaft stopper

[0104] 16 First connecting rod end

[0105] 17 Second connecting rod end

[0106] 18 Detachment from control surface

[0107] 19 First Edge

[0108] 20 First opening force

[0109] 21 The Second Edge

[0110] 22 Second opening force

[0111] 23 Locking ball system

[0112] 24 Locking ball retaining part

[0113] 25 Locking ball cap

[0114] 26 Locking ball slide

[0115] 27 Locking ball spring

[0116] 28 Connecting rod adjustment force

[0117] 29 Locking ball system release force

[0118] 30 Locking ball spring force

[0119] 31 First locking ball receiving portion

[0120] 32 Second locking ball receiving portion

[0121] 33 Third locking ball receiving portion

[0122] 34 first sliding stopper

[0123] 35 second sliding stopper

[0124] 36 Locking control surface section

[0125] 37 Sliding stop opening

[0126] 38 first sliding stopper cheek

[0127] 39 second sliding stopper cheek

[0128] 40 First rotation gear

[0129] 41 Second rotation gear

[0130] 42 Rotary stop opening cheek

[0131] 43 Rotary stop opening

[0132] 44 bottom

[0133] 45 Locking device

[0134] 46 Locking element

[0135] 47 Locking element receiving portion

[0136] 48 Locking form fit

[0137] 49 Locking spring unit

[0138] 50 Locking bracket

[0139] 51 Locking arm

[0140] 52 Locking latch

[0141] 53 Locking latch receiving portion

[0142] 54 Locking part

[0143] 55 Rotary stopper form fit

[0144] 56 Accident safety device

[0145] 57 Security Element

[0146] 58 Security element receiving unit

[0147] 59 Safety spring unit

[0148] 60 Trigger Unit

[0149] 61 Safety rack

[0150] 62 Safety arm receiving part

[0151] 63 Safety Arm

[0152] 64 Rotary hinge

[0153] 65 Swivel hinge pin

[0154] 66 Rotary hinge pin receiving portion

[0155] 67 Control pin

[0156] 68 Control pin extension

[0157] 69 Long hole

[0158] 70 Ring gear part

[0159] 71 Rack part

[0160] 72 dead point spring

[0161] 73 Synchronous unit

[0162] 74 Synchronous rack

[0163] 75 Synchronous spur gear

[0164] 76 Synchronous shaft

[0165] 77 Synchronous gear stages

[0166] 78 Drive spur gear

Claims

1. A folding unit (1) for a folding device (2) for a vehicle, wherein: The folding unit (1) comprises: - a folding unit base (3), which is arranged to be fixedly connected to a supporting structure of the vehicle, – folding control mechanism (4), - a folding element (5), which is supported on the folding unit base (3) via the folding control mechanism (4), - a first pivot journal (8) and a second pivot journal (9), a bearing element (10) having a first pivot journal bearing (11) for the first pivot journal (8) and a second pivot journal bearing (12) for the second pivot journal (9), The folding control mechanism (4) comprises: – connecting rod (13), - a first shaft stop (14, 34, 40) corresponding to the first pivot journal (8), the first shaft stop (14, 34, 40) being coupled to the connecting rod (13) at the first connecting rod end (16), - a second shaft stop (15, 35, 41) corresponding to the second pivot journal (9), the second shaft stop (15, 35, 41) being coupled to the connecting rod (13) at the second connecting rod end (17), The folding control mechanism (4) is capable of being adjusted from a closed position (A) to a first folding position (B) or a second folding position (C) according to selection, wherein in the closed position (A), the connecting rod (13) is arranged in a central position, and thus the pivot journal (8, 9) is held in the pivot journal bearing (11, 12) by the shaft stop connector (14, 15, 34, 35, 40, 41) in the corresponding first shaft stop position; in the first folding position (B), the connecting rod (13) is arranged in a first disengaged position, and thus the first pivot journal (8) is pivotally fixed in the first shaft stop connector (14, 34, 40) in the second shaft stop position. The connecting rod (13) is arranged in a second disengaged position, and thus the second pivot journal (9) is pivotally fixed in the second pivot journal bearing (12) by the second shaft stopper (15, 35, 41) in the second shaft stopper position, and the first shaft stopper (14, 34, 40) in the third shaft stopper position releases the first pivot journal (8) from pivoting out of the first pivot journal bearing (11). The corresponding shaft stop connection (14, 15, 34, 35, 40, 41) has a disengagement control surface portion (18), and the disengagement control surface portion (18) is inclined toward the pivot journal (8, 9) arranged in the corresponding pivot journal bearing (11, 12) in the closed position (A) of the folding control mechanism (4), wherein when the corresponding pivot journal (8, 9) is pivoted out from the corresponding pivot journal bearing (11, 12), the disengagement control surface portion (18) slides out on the pivot journal (8, 9), thereby adjusting the corresponding shaft stop connection (14, 15, 34, 35, 40, 41) from a first shaft stop position to a second shaft stop position by moving the connecting rod (13) to the corresponding disengagement position.

2. The folding unit (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that: The folding control mechanism (4) and the bearing element (10) are designed on the folding unit base (3), wherein the pivot journals (8, 9) are fixed on the folding element (5).

3. The folding unit (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that: The folding control mechanism (4) and the bearing element (10) are designed on the folding element (5), wherein the pivot journals (8, 9) are fixed on the folding unit base (3).

4. The folding unit (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The folding control mechanism (4) moves from its closed position (A): - adjustable into a first folded position (B) by exerting a first opening force (20) on a first edge (19) of the folding element (5) arranged close to the second pivot journal (9), - adjustable into a second folded position (C) by exerting a second opening force (22) on a second edge (21) of the folding element (5) arranged close to the first pivot journal (8).

5. The folding unit (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The folding unit (1) does not have an actuating element for moving the connecting rod (13), so that the folding control mechanism (4) can be adjusted from its closed position (A) to the first folding position (B) and the folding control mechanism (4) can be adjusted from its closed position (A) to the second folding position (C) without the need for the user of the folding unit (1) to actuate such an actuating element.

6. Folding unit (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The folding control mechanism (4) has a locking system designed as a locking ball system (23), a locking ball cap (25) and a locking ball spring (27) are arranged in a locking ball holding portion (24) of the locking system, wherein the locking ball system (23) has a locking ball slot (26), and the locking ball cap (25) is tensioned in a translational manner in the direction of the locking ball slot (26) by the locking ball spring force (30) in the relaxed state of the locking ball spring (27), so that the movement of the connecting rod (13) from one position thereof to another position thereof: – when the connecting rod adjusting force (28) acting on the connecting rod (13) is too small to allow the locking ball system release force (29) greater than the locking ball spring force (30) to be applied to the locking ball spring (27) by the locking ball slot (26) through the locking ball cap (25), the locking ball system (23) is locked, – When the connecting rod adjusting force (28) is large enough to apply a locking ball system releasing force (29) greater than the locking ball spring force (30) to the locking ball spring (27) through the locking ball cap (25) via the locking ball slot (26), the locking ball system (23) is released.

7. The folding unit (1) according to claim 6, characterized in that: The locking ball slot (26) has one or more locking ball receiving parts (31, 32, 33) as follows: - a first locking ball receiving portion (31) corresponding to the middle position of the connecting rod (13), - a second locking ball receiving portion (32) corresponding to the first release position of the connecting rod (13); - a third locking ball receiving portion (33) corresponding to the second release position of the connecting rod (13).

8. Folding unit (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The connecting rod (13) is supported on the bearing element (10) in a manner that allows translational movement in a straight connecting rod adjustment direction, wherein the corresponding shaft stop connectors (14, 15) are constructed as sliding stop connectors (34, 35), which are rigidly connected to the corresponding connecting rod ends (16, 17), wherein the corresponding sliding stop connectors (34, 35) can be adjusted by translational movement of the connecting rod (13) between three shaft stop positions, namely: – in the middle position of the connecting rod (13), the sliding stop (34, 35) can be adjusted to a first sliding stop position, wherein the inclined disengagement control surface portion (18) of the sliding stop (34, 35) engages in the associated pivot journal bearing (11, 12), so that the associated pivot journal (8, 9) is held in the associated pivot journal bearing (11, 12) via the disengagement control surface portion (18), - in the disengaged position of the connecting rod (13), in which the other of the sliding stop elements (34, 35) is adjusted to a third sliding stop position, the sliding stop elements (34, 35) being adjustable to a second sliding stop position, wherein the straight locking control surface portion (36) of the sliding stop element (34, 35) engages in the associated pivot journal bearing (11, 12) and the disengagement control surface portion (18) is disengaged from the associated pivot journal bearing (11, 12), – In a corresponding other disengaged position of the connecting rod (13), the sliding stop member (34, 35) can be adjusted to a third sliding stop position, wherein the sliding stop member (34, 35) is completely disengaged from the corresponding pivot journal bearing (11, 12), thereby releasing the corresponding pivot journal bearing (11, 12) to allow the corresponding pivot journal (8, 9) to pivot in or out.

9. The folding unit (1) according to claim 8, characterized in that: The corresponding sliding stopper (34, 35) has a sliding stopper opening (37), which has the disengagement control surface portion (18) as a first sliding stopper opening cheek (38) and an opening extension as a second sliding stopper opening cheek (39), wherein the sliding stopper opening cheeks (38, 39) are spaced apart from each other by an opening cheek distance, which corresponds to the diameter of the corresponding pivot journal (8, 9).

10. Folding unit (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The folding control mechanism (4) has a locking device (45), the locking device (45) has a locking element (46) movably supported on the bearing element (10) and a locking element receiving portion (47), and in the folding position (A, B, C) of the folding control mechanism (4): - by pivoting the pivot journal (8, 9) out of the pivot journal bearing (11, 12) of the pivot journal, the locking device (45) is adjusted from a release position to a locking position, in which the locking element (46) in the release position is disengaged from the locking element receiving portion (47), thereby releasing the movement of the connecting rod (13) from its disengaged position in the direction of the intermediate position, in which the locking element (46) in the locking position is engaged in the locking element receiving portion (47), thereby directly or indirectly forming a locking shape fit (48) between the bearing element (10) and the connecting rod (13), and the locking shape fit (48) locks the movement of the connecting rod (13) away from its disengaged position, In the folded position (A, B, C) of the folding control mechanism (4), the locking device (45) can be adjusted from a locked position to a released position by pivoting the pivot journal (8, 9) into the pivot journal bearings (11, 12) of the pivot journal.

11. The folding unit (1) according to claim 10, characterized in that: The locking device (45) comprises a locking frame (50) as the locking element (46) and pivotably supported on the bearing element (10) and the pivot journal bearings (11, 12) as the locking element receptacles (47), wherein the locking arms (51) of the locking frame (50): - engages in the pivot journal bearing (11, 12) in the locked position, so that a locking form fit (48) effective in the adjustment direction of the connecting rod (13) is formed between the connecting rod (13) and the bearing element (10), said locking form fit (48) preventing a movement of the connecting rod (13) from its disengaged position in the direction of the center position, – Disengagement from the pivot journal bearings (11, 12) in the release position.

12. Folding unit (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The folding control mechanism (4) has an accident safety device (56), which has a safety element (57) movably supported on the bearing element (10) and a safety element receptacle (58) arranged on the connecting rod (13), wherein in the closed position (A) of the folding control mechanism (4), the accident safety device (56) is activated by a triggering force depending on an accident: - can be adjusted out of a rest position in which the safety element (57) in the rest position disengages from the safety element receiving portion (58), thereby releasing the movement of the connecting rod (13) from its intermediate position in the direction of the disengaged position, – can be adjusted into an emergency position, in which the safety element (57) in the trigger position is engaged in the safety element receiving portion (58), thereby forming a safety shape fit between the bearing element (10) and the connecting rod (13), and the safety shape fit blocks the movement of the connecting rod (13) from its intermediate position to the disengaged position.

13. The folding unit (1) according to claim 12, characterized in that: The accident safety device (56) comprises a safety frame (61) as a safety element (57) which is pivotally supported on the bearing element (10) and a safety arm receiving portion (62) arranged on the connecting rod (13) as a safety element receiving portion (58), wherein a safety arm (63) of the safety frame (61) is disengaged from the safety arm receiving portion (62) in a static position, and in an accident position the safety arm (63) is engaged in the safety arm receiving portion (62), thereby forming a safety shape fit between the bearing element (10) and the connecting rod (13) that is effective in the adjustment direction of the connecting rod, and the safety shape fit locks the movement of the connecting rod (13) away from the center position of the connecting rod.

14. Folding unit (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The folding unit (1) further comprises another folding control mechanism (4) and a synchronization unit (73), through which the movement of the connecting rod (13) is mechanically synchronized.

15. A folding device (2) for a motor vehicle, comprising a folding unit (1) designed according to any one of the preceding claims.

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