Closing aid for vehicle luggage compartment

Abstract

The invention relates to a closing aid for a luggage compartment (2) arranged in the front region of a vehicle (1), in particular in the form of a luggage compartment cover plate, when a luggage compartment cover (3) is in its closed position, the luggage compartment can be closed by means of the luggage compartment cover (3) in particular at least partially or at least substantially in a gas-tight manner with respect to the outside atmosphere. The auxiliary closing device is provided with a valve assembly (10). The valve assembly is configured to be activated and enable pressure relief between the volume defined by the luggage compartment (2) and the luggage compartment lid (3) in its closed position and the outside atmosphere, in particular in the event of a sudden or sudden increase in pressure in the volume defined by the luggage compartment (2) and the luggage compartment lid (3) in its closed position.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a closure assist device for a luggage compartment of a vehicle.

[0002] In particular, the invention relates to a closure assist device for a vehicle having a luggage compartment arranged in a front region of the vehicle, which luggage compartment can be closed by means of a luggage compartment cover, in particular in the form of a luggage compartment flap.

[0003] Due to the fact that the space requirement of the drive train in an electric vehicle is generally smaller compared to the space requirement of the drive train in a vehicle type having a front drive, electric vehicles generally have a luggage compartment in the front region in addition to the rear luggage compartment, in which, for example, a charging device can be accommodated. This space is sometimes also referred to as "Frunk" (Front Trunk), which is a hybrid word composed of front (German: vorne) and trunk (German: Kofferraum).

[0004] The closure assist device of the invention type is in particular part of such a luggage compartment arranged in the front region of the vehicle.

[0005] Closure assist devices of motor vehicles are in particular used for comfort and safety. For example, the document DE 10 2013 216 328 A1 discloses a vehicle door lock having a pull assist or closure assist. Further vehicle door locks having a corresponding closure device are known from the document DE 10 2013 102 814 A1.

[0006] Such vehicle door locks are closed in side doors, rear doors and also rear flaps of a vehicle. Here, an electric closure drive is used to motorically perform or support the final closure operation of the latching elements of the vehicle door lock. The flap of the vehicle is brought against the force of a seal or spring, or friction, or other counter forces from a pre-closed position into a locked main closed position. That is, the user brings the flap, for example a side door or tailgate, into a pre-closed position in which different locking elements of the lock, for example a rotating latch and a closure bracket, engage into each other at an engagement distance. Then, the latch is moved by means of the motorized drive so that it engages into a striker and pulls the flap into the locked position. This process is described in the previously mentioned documents.

[0007] In some designs, the movement, although motor-driven, is reset by a spring element upon successful closure of the door or cover. If, for example, the drive is by means of a Bowden cable acting on a closure element of the lock, the drive is switched off after the locking and latching of the closure and the Bowden cable is retracted to its initial position by spring preloading. If no clutch device is provided, the electric motor is also driven here, since it is rotationally fixedly coupled to the reset element by means of a transmission chain. The motor is thus driven from the outside and thus functions as a generator.

[0008] The closure assist devices described previously are suitable for vehicle doors or rear covers provided with corresponding door locks. This is generally not provided for additional storage spaces in the front luggage compartment, also referred to as "front trunk", i.e. in the front region of an electric vehicle in particular. In this respect, the solutions known from the prior art cannot be used for such storage spaces in the front region of an electric vehicle in particular.

[0009] Furthermore, conventional closure assist devices have a rather complex construction and require at least one electric actuator which has to be controlled accordingly in particular. In addition to the resulting weight increase, the required installation space for the electric actuator is considered a further disadvantage.

[0010] It is therefore a basic object of the present application to give a closure assist device for a luggage compartment in the front region of a vehicle which can be flexibly and easily integrated into luggage compartment systems of different vehicles with only very small space requirements.

[0011] Accordingly, the present application relates in particular to a closure assist device for a luggage compartment of a vehicle which is arranged in the front region of the vehicle, the luggage compartment being able to be hermetically closed with the aid of a luggage compartment cover, in particular at least partially with respect to the outside or at least substantially with respect to the outside, when the luggage compartment cover in the form of a luggage compartment cover panel is in its closed position.

[0012] It is proposed in accordance with the present application in particular that the closure assist device has a valve assembly which is configured to be activated in particular in the event of a sudden or abrupt increase in pressure in the volume defined by the luggage compartment and the luggage compartment cover in its closed position and to enable pressure relief between the volume defined by the luggage compartment and the luggage compartment cover in its closed position and the outside.

[0013] It is apparent that the advantages achievable with the closure assist device according to the application lie in that, by virtue of the provision of the valve assembly, the positive pressure in the luggage compartment can be removed as quickly as possible, for example when closing the luggage compartment by means of the luggage compartment lid. Here, in particular, the valve assembly can be designed in such a way that the overpressure built up in the luggage compartment is balanced in the shortest possible time during the closure of the luggage compartment lid, so that the closure of the luggage compartment lid is significantly facilitated. In the case of a closure assist device with an electric actuator, the electric actuator without the valve assembly can need to provide a corresponding amount of power to close the luggage compartment lid.

[0014] The closure assist device according to the application is particularly important, in particular in the case of a front luggage compartment application. Since the luggage compartment is generally closed in a gas-tight manner with respect to the vehicle interior, it is not possible to balance the pressure build-up corresponding formed in the luggage compartment when closing the luggage compartment by means of gas exchange with the vehicle cabin.

[0015] Pedestrian protection is additionally provided by means of the closure assist device according to the application. This is a further (additional) advantage. Pedestrian protection assemblies are increasingly provided in the front region of vehicles.

[0016] Pedestrian protection assemblies of vehicles are known in many variants. The requirements for pedestrian protection are becoming increasingly high. Here, the requirements for design, lightweight construction and / or cW values are often contrary to this.

[0017] In order to protect pedestrians, so-called "pedestrian protection foam parts" are often used between the bumper and other components behind the bumper. These foam parts have a relatively high constant hardness in most cases, which can not be optimal for pedestrian protection.

[0018] It is also known that a "safety airbag system" is provided in the front region of a vehicle as a pedestrian protection assembly.

[0019] Finally, a triggerable bonnet system is known as a pedestrian protection system. The bumper of a vehicle comprises energy-absorbing material in its construction and sensors which detect a pedestrian collision and activate the triggerable bonnet system. In this system, the bonnet hinges are released in the event of a collision, so that the rear edge of the luggage compartment lid or the bonnet can be lifted in order to increase the distance between the bonnet and the components in the engine compartment. However, the triggerable bonnet system is relatively expensive to install and is primarily suitable as a pedestrian protection assembly for vehicle types with a front-mounted engine.

[0020] The closure assist device according to the application provides a further advantage in order to be able to implement pedestrian protection at least to some extent for vehicles having a luggage compartment in the front region, which can be integrated into luggage compartment systems of different vehicles flexibly and easily with only very small space requirements.

[0021] By providing a valve assembly which is activated especially in the event of a sudden or abrupt pressure increase and which enables a pressure relief between the luggage compartment volume and the outside atmosphere, it is further achieved that the rigidity of the luggage compartment cover is reduced and that the luggage compartment cover can especially plastically or elastically deform and thus exhibit a compliant structure. In the event of an accident with a pedestrian, for example, the relatively "soft" luggage compartment cover thus forms a kind of "cushion" which at least reduces the risk of serious head or neck injuries of the person involved in the accident. In other words, the invention also reduces the risk of injuries in the event of a collision of the vehicle with a pedestrian.

[0022] Thus, on the one hand, the invention enables the closure of the luggage compartment cover to be made easier. On the other hand, the invention enables an integrated pedestrian protection in the luggage compartment system to be achieved without high-cost structural measures for this purpose. If a pedestrian, for example, hits his head against the luggage compartment cover, the pressure in the luggage compartment volume increases, as a result of which the valve assembly is activated and enables a pressure relief. As a result of this, the luggage compartment cover can deform more quickly, especially in the region of the impact site, compared to the case without a pressure relief. The plastic and / or elastic deformation of the material of the luggage compartment cover panel leads to a certain degree of "energy consumption". In other words, by providing the valve assembly, the crash energy absorption capacity of the luggage compartment cover is improved.

[0023] According to an implementation of the closure assistance device according to the invention, the valve assembly is configured to be activated especially in the event of a pressure increase caused by a deformation of the luggage compartment cover and to enable a pressure relief between a volume defined by the luggage compartment and the luggage compartment cover in its closed position and the outside atmosphere.

[0024] It is preferably proposed that the critical pressure difference value between the volume defined by the luggage compartment and the luggage compartment cover in its closed position and the outside atmosphere, which causes the valve assembly to be activated, is especially predetermined or predeterminable. The critical pressure difference value is especially selected in dependence on the free air volume in the volume defined by the luggage compartment and the luggage compartment cover in its closed position.

[0025] As a result of this, the crash energy absorption capacity of the luggage compartment cover can be adapted to the respective application situation.

[0026] According to an implementation variant of the closure assistance device according to the invention, the luggage compartment cover has a first rigidity value and / or a first crash energy absorption capacity in its closed position and a second rigidity value and / or a second crash energy absorption capacity in its closed position.

[0027] Here, the second rigidity value is greater than the first rigidity value or the first crash energy absorption capacity is higher than the second crash energy absorption capacity, due to the air volume which is especially at least substantially air-tightly enclosed by the luggage compartment and the luggage compartment cover in its closed position.

[0028] Here, the valve assembly is in particular configured such that, upon activation of the valve assembly, the rigidity or the crash energy absorption capacity of the luggage compartment lid in its closed position is reduced due to the resulting pressure relief and preferably assumes a first rigidity value or a first crash energy absorption capacity or at least a rigidity value between the first rigidity value and the second rigidity value or a crash energy absorption capacity between the first crash energy absorption capacity and the second crash energy absorption capacity.

[0029] The valve assembly is in particular used as a kind of "structural weakening device" since the valve assembly is configured to weaken the structure and / or the rigidity of the luggage compartment lid upon activation thereof.

[0030] According to an implementation of the valve assembly used in the closure assist device of the present application, it is proposed that the valve assembly has at least one valve which is received and / or fixed in a receiving opening in a wall portion delimiting the luggage compartment and / or in the luggage compartment lid itself.

[0031] The at least one valve is in particular configured such that it opens in the case of a predetermined or predeterminable pressure difference between the volume delimited by the luggage compartment and the luggage compartment lid in its closed position and the outside atmosphere.

[0032] In this regard, it is in particular conceivable that the at least one valve of the valve assembly has at least one check valve flap as a shut-off body.

[0033] However, instead of this or in addition thereto, the at least one valve of the valve assembly can also be configured as a disc check valve or a ball check valve.

[0034] It is likewise conceivable in principle that the at least one valve of the valve assembly is a weight-loaded valve, a spring-loaded valve, in particular a torsion spring-loaded valve, and / or a gravity-loaded valve.

[0035] The activation behavior of the at least one valve of the valve assembly is preferably adjustable and in particular variably adjustable. The adjustability of the activation behavior of the at least one valve of the valve assembly preferably depends on the air volume which is at least substantially airtight-enclosed by the luggage compartment and the luggage compartment lid in its closed position.

[0036] According to an implementation of the closure assist device of the present application, it is proposed that the at least one valve of the valve assembly is configured as a proportional valve, the opening behavior of which in the range of the activation pressure difference up to full opening is proportional or at least substantially proportional to the pressure difference between the luggage compartment volume and the outside atmosphere.

[0037] However, instead of this, it is also conceivable that the at least one valve of the valve assembly is preferably configured as a full-stroke valve which opens in the activated case in particular abruptly and preferably with full stroke.

[0038] Preferably, the valve assembly has a plurality of valves which are respectively received and / or fixed in receiving openings in a wall portion delimiting the luggage compartment and / or in the luggage compartment cover.

[0039] According to an implementation form of the closure assist device according to the application, it is proposed that the at least one valve of the valve assembly has a cage-like structure in which the valve seat of the valve and the closure element, in particular a valve plate, of the valve which is movable relative to the valve seat are at least partially or locally received.

[0040] The components of the valve which are movable relative to one another and in particular the functional mechanism are protected by means of such a cage-like structure. This variant is particularly suitable for embodiments in which the at least one valve is arranged / fitted in the luggage compartment box and thus has to be protected, for example, from sliding loads.

[0041] The application also relates to a vehicle having a luggage compartment which is arranged in a front region of the vehicle and which can be closed, in particular at least partially, gas-tight relative to the outside atmosphere or at least substantially relative to the outside atmosphere by means of a luggage compartment cover, in particular when a luggage compartment cover in the form of a luggage compartment cover panel is in its closed position. It is proposed in particular that the vehicle has a closure assist device of the type described above.

[0042] The application will be described in more detail below with reference to the drawings.

[0043] In the drawings:

[0044] Figure 1 A vehicle is shown schematically and in isometric view, having a luggage compartment arranged in a front region of the vehicle and an exemplary embodiment of the closure assist device according to the application;

[0045] Figure 2 A first exemplary embodiment of a valve of the closure assist device according to the application is shown schematically and in exploded view;

[0046] Figure 3 An exemplary embodiment of a valve according to the application is shown schematically and in isometric view; Figure 2

[0047] Figure 4A An exemplary embodiment of a valve according to the application is shown schematically and in cross-sectional view in the open state; Figure 2

[0048] Figure 4B An exemplary embodiment of a valve according to the application is shown schematically and in cross-sectional view in the closed state; Figure 2

[0049] Figure 5A ​​​schematically and in isometric view a second exemplary embodiment of a valve of the closure assist device of the invention;

[0050] Figure 5B schematically and in cross-sectional view a second exemplary embodiment of a valve according to Figure 5A the invention in mounted and closed state;

[0051] Figure 5C schematically a detail of Figure 5B the invention;

[0052] Figure 6 schematically and in isometric view a further exemplary embodiment of a valve of the closure assist device of the invention;

[0053] Figure 7 schematically and in isometric view a further exemplary embodiment of a valve of the closure assist device of the invention;

[0054] Figure 8 schematically and in isometric view a further exemplary embodiment of a valve of the closure assist device of the invention;

[0055] Figure 9A schematically and in isometric view a further exemplary embodiment of a valve of the closure assist device of the invention; and

[0056] Figure 9B schematically and in isometric exploded view an exemplary embodiment of a valve according to Figure 9A the invention.

[0057] The invention relates in particular to a closure assist device for a vehicle 1 having a luggage compartment 2 arranged in a front region of the vehicle 1, which luggage compartment is (as Figure 1 schematically indicated in the figures) at least partially sealed against the outside atmosphere by means of the luggage compartment cover 3, in particular by means of the luggage compartment cover panel, when the latter is in its closed position. In Figure 1 the figures, the vehicle 1 is shown in a state in which the luggage compartment cover 3 is in its open position.

[0058] The closure assist device has a valve assembly 10 which is configured to be activated and to enable pressure relief between the volume defined by the luggage compartment 2 and the luggage compartment cover 3 in its closed position and the outside atmosphere in the event of a sudden or abrupt increase in pressure in the volume defined by the luggage compartment 2 and the luggage compartment cover 3 in its closed position.

[0059] The valve assembly 10 of the closure assist device has at least one valve which is received and / or fixed in a receiving opening in a wall portion delimiting the luggage compartment 2 and / or in the luggage compartment cover 3 itself. In Figure 1The middle pure exemplary indicates that the at least one valve of the valve assembly 10 is received in the luggage compartment lid 3 itself.

[0060] The exemplary embodiments of the valve 10 for the inventive closure aid will be described below with reference to the illustrations of Figures 2 to 8 The valve 10 shown there is in particular a pressure relief valve.

[0061] In the exemplary embodiment of the pressure relief valve 10 shown in Figures 2 to 8 is configured as a disc check valve, wherein a spring 15 provides a blocking action on the valve 10. The sealing body is embodied in the form of a flat, in particular circular, plate or disc (valve plate 11), wherein other designs of the valve plate are also conceivable. A screw or pin 20 is used for the guidance.

[0062] In detail and in particular in the exploded view of Figure 2 It can be seen that the screw or pin 20 is connected centrally to the valve plate 11 and at 90° to the longitudinal extent of the valve plate 11.

[0063] The screw or pin 20 extends in the assembled state of the pressure relief valve 10 through a sleeve-like element 14 of the valve holder 12 and thus receives the pressure spring or coil spring 15. At the tip region of the screw 20, a thickening or fixing is provided in order to prevent the spring 15 received by the screw 20 from possibly exiting.

[0064] For this purpose, as shown in Figure 6 , Figure 7 and Figure 8 different solutions are considered. In the exemplary embodiment shown in Figure 6 in the tip region of the screw 20, a protrusion is integrally connected to the screw 20, for example by gluing or welding.

[0065] According to the embodiment shown in Figure 7 a clamping ring 17 can also be used for the fixing.

[0066] According to the illustrations of Figure 8 a countersunk slot pin 18 or the like can also be used. A resilient click function for holding the coil spring by means of an anchoring foot is also conceivable.

[0067] The valve holder 12 has latching elements 13 in the form of latching lugs distributed on its outer circumference, which are used to fix the valve holder 12 at the opening of the bodywork component 100.

[0068] In detail and in particular it can be seen from the sectional views in Figure 4A and Figure 5B that the latching elements 13 engage through the opening of the bodywork component 100 and thus engage the periphery of the opening in the bodywork component 100.

[0069] The valve carrier 12 also has a seal 16 which surrounds the valve carrier 12 and which, in the assembled state of the pressure relief valve 10, seals the opening in the bodywork component in a ring-like manner and serves, inter alia, to seal the valve plate 11 in the closed state.

[0070] The valve carrier 12 is preferably injection-moulded from a plastics material. The seal 16 is likewise made of a plastics material and can be formed together with the valve carrier 12 in a two-component injection-moulding process.

[0071] In Figures 5A to 5C a variant of the pressure relief valve 10 is shown. This embodiment differs, inter alia, from the embodiments shown in Figure 2 , Figure 3 and Figures 4A to 4B in that the seal 16 which surrounds the valve carrier 12.

[0072] In detail, the peripheral region of the receiving opening of the bodywork component 100 is received between double-lip seals 19 which are preferably formed together with the valve carrier 12 in a two-component injection-moulding process. The double-lip seals 19 thus serve to secure the pressure relief valve 10 and to provide a sealing effect.

[0073] In Figure 9A and Figure 9B a further exemplary embodiment of the valve of the closure aid of the application is shown. In terms of structure and function, this further embodiment of the valve corresponds to the first exemplary embodiment of the valve according to Figure 2 and Figure 3 However, in the exemplary embodiment of the valve according to Figure 9A and Figure 9B a mechanical contact protection is provided in the form of a cage-like structure 21 in which the valve seat of the valve and the closure element (valve plate 11) of the valve which is movable relative to the valve seat are at least partially or locally received.

[0074] The cage-like structure 21 serves as a protection for the built-in functional mechanism of the valve. Such a protection is required when the valve is installed in the luggage compartment itself and, for example, has to be protected from sliding loads.

[0075] The application is not limited to the embodiments shown in the drawings, but is derived from the overall view of all the features disclosed herein.

[0076] List of reference signs

[0077] 1 vehicle

[0078] 2 luggage compartment / front luggage compartment

[0079] 3 luggage compartment cover / luggage compartment flap

[0080] 10 pressure relief valve / valve / valve assembly

[0081] 11 valve plate

[0082] 12 valve holder

[0083] 13 latching element

[0084] 14 sleeve-like element

[0085] 15 pressure spring / coiled spring

[0086] 16 seal

[0087] 17 clamping ring / clamping washer / retaining washer

[0088] 18 countersunk head slot pin

[0089] 19 double lip seal

[0090] 20 screw / pin

[0091] 21 cage structure

[0092] 100 body component

Claims

1. A closing aid for a luggage compartment (2) configured in the front region of a vehicle (1), wherein when a luggage compartment cover (3), particularly in the form of a luggage compartment cover plate, is in its closed position, the luggage compartment can be sealed airtightly, particularly at least partially, or at least substantially, relative to the outside atmosphere by means of the luggage compartment cover (3), wherein the closing aid has a valve assembly (10) configured to be activated, particularly in the event of a sudden or abrupt increase in pressure in the volume defined by the luggage compartment (2) and the luggage compartment cover (3) in its closed position, and to enable pressure relief between the volume defined by the luggage compartment (2) and the luggage compartment cover (3) in its closed position and the outside atmosphere.

2. The closure auxiliary device according to claim 1, The valve assembly (10) is configured to be activated in the event of increased pressure, particularly due to deformation of the luggage compartment cover (3), and to enable pressure relief between the volume defined by the luggage compartment (2) and the luggage compartment cover (3) in its closed position and the outside atmosphere.

3. The closure auxiliary device according to claim 1 or 2, in, The critical pressure difference between the volume defined by the luggage compartment (2) and the luggage compartment cover (3) in its closed position, which causes the valve assembly (10) to be activated, and the outside atmosphere, is particularly predetermined or can be predetermined.

4. The closure auxiliary device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, The luggage compartment cover (3) has a first stiffness value or a first impact energy absorption capacity in its open position and a second stiffness value or a second impact energy absorption capacity in its closed position, wherein the second stiffness value or the second impact energy absorption capacity is particularly greater than the first stiffness value or the first impact energy absorption capacity due to the air volume enclosed, in particular, at least substantially airtight, by the luggage compartment (2) and the luggage compartment cover (3) in its closed position.

5. The closure auxiliary device according to claim 4, The valve assembly (10) is configured such that, when the valve assembly (10) is activated, the stiffness or impact energy absorption capacity of the luggage compartment cover (3) in its closed position decreases due to the resulting pressure relief and exhibits the first stiffness value or the first impact energy absorption capacity, or exhibits a stiffness value between the first stiffness value and the second stiffness value, or an impact energy absorption capacity between the first impact energy absorption capacity and the second impact energy absorption capacity.

6. The closure assist device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, The valve assembly (10) is configured to reduce the structure and / or stiffness of the luggage compartment cover (3) when it is activated.

7. The closure assist device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, The valve assembly (10) has at least one valve, which is received and / or fixed in an receiving opening in the wall defining the luggage compartment (2) and / or in the luggage compartment cover (3).

8. The closure auxiliary device according to claim 7, The at least one valve is configured to open when a predetermined or predeterminable pressure difference is reached between the volume defined by the luggage compartment (2) and the luggage compartment cover (3) in its closed position and the outside atmosphere.

9. The closure auxiliary device according to claim 7 or 8, The valve assembly (10) wherein at least one valve has at least one check valve disc as a shut-off body.

10. The closure assist device according to any one of claims 7 to 9, The valve assembly (10) wherein at least one valve is configured as a disc check valve or a ball check valve; and / or The at least one valve in the valve assembly (10) is: a weight-loaded valve, a spring-loaded valve, especially a torsion spring-loaded valve, and / or a gravity-loaded valve.

11. The closure assist device according to any one of claims 7 to 10, The valve assembly (10) wherein at least one valve has a cage structure (21) in which the valve seat and the valve’s movable closure relative to the valve seat, in particular the valve plate (11), are at least partially or partially received.

12. The closure assist device according to any one of claims 7 to 11, The activation behavior of at least one valve of the valve assembly (10) is particularly variable and adjustable, and particularly preferably depends on the air volume enclosed, at least substantially airtight, by the luggage compartment (2) and the luggage compartment cover (3) in its closed position.

13. The closure assist device according to any one of claims 7 to 12, The valve assembly (10) wherein at least one valve is configured as a proportional valve, the opening behavior of which, from the start-up differential pressure to full opening, is proportional or at least substantially proportional to the following factors: the differential pressure between the volume defined by the luggage compartment (2) and the luggage compartment cover (3) in its closed position and the outside atmosphere, and / or wherein at least one valve of the valve assembly (10) is implemented as a full-stroke valve, which opens particularly abruptly and preferably at full stroke upon start-up.

14. The closure assist device according to any one of claims 1 to 13, The valve assembly (10) therein has a plurality of valves, each of which is received and / or fixed in an receiving opening in the wall defining the luggage compartment (2) and / or in the luggage compartment cover (3).

15. A vehicle (1) having a luggage compartment (2) disposed in the front region of the vehicle (1), wherein when a luggage compartment cover (3) in particular in the form of a luggage compartment cover is in its closed position, the luggage compartment can be sealed airtightly, at least partially or at least substantially, relative to the outside atmosphere by means of the luggage compartment cover (3), wherein the vehicle (1) has a closing aid according to any one of claims 1 to 14.

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