System for opening a vehicle front cover

Abstract

The invention relates to a system (20) for automatically opening a front cover (11) of a vehicle (10), having an actuator (21) arranged to move the front cover (11) and a load receiving means (22) arranged to receive a load of the front cover (11).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a system for opening a vehicle hood, comprising an actuator configured to move the hood and a load receiving device configured to receive a load from the hood. Furthermore, this invention relates to a vehicle having such a system. Background Technology

[0002] Unlike traditional internal combustion engine vehicles—where the engine is covered or protected by a hood or engine cover—in electric vehicles, the electric motor and / or drivetrain are typically located below the vehicle floor. This allows for additional storage space in the front area of ​​such electric vehicles, which can be enclosed by a hood.

[0003] The electric drive mechanism for the front cover can be arranged vertically or horizontally. Typically, a screw drive mechanism is used for actuation, which has an integrated mechanical spring that receives the main load of the front cover, where the electric drive mechanism overcomes the manual force required to move the cover. Therefore, the hinge point of such a screw drive mechanism must be chosen such that the provided lever is sufficient to support the front cover not only in the closed position but also in the open position, and the force consumption necessary for the screw drive mechanism during opening can be evenly distributed. Summary of the Invention

[0004] In this context, the object of the present invention is to improve an opening mechanism for a vehicle hood. In particular, the opening mechanism should be improved in such a way as to improve its positioning within the vehicle, especially by reducing the installation space required.

[0005] This objective is achieved by a system for automatically opening a vehicle hood having the features of claim 1 and a vehicle having such a system having the features of claim 7. The dependent claims relate to advantageous further improvements of the invention.

[0006] According to a first aspect, a system for automatically opening a vehicle hood is provided, the system comprising: an actuator configured to move the hood; and a load receiving device configured to receive a load on the hood or to support it against the vehicle, wherein the actuator can be arranged at a distance from the load receiving device.

[0007] By utilizing a load-receiving device to receive the load, weight, or gravity of the hood, supporting it against the vehicle or compensating for it, the actuator can reduce the load. Thus, the actuator can be used, at least substantially, solely to induce the hood's dynamics. In other words, the system achieves functional and spatial separation of the kinematics and dynamics for opening the hood. Consequently, the actuator's size can be determined to be smaller and / or lighter, and in particular, it allows the actuator and load-receiving device to be arranged independently of each other within the vehicle.

[0008] The hood, also known as an engine hood or radiator cover, constitutes an outer covering of the vehicle, typically positioned longitudinally in front of the windshield. Here, the engine hood is specifically an openable and closable component in the front region of the vehicle body and can be configured to enclose a vehicle area where the engine and / or luggage storage space may be located.

[0009] In the context of this invention, the automatic opening, particularly of the front cover, can occur without any applied force. This can be triggered, for example, by an operating element in the form of a button, voice control, and / or gesture control. Thus, a control signal can be sent to an actuator, causing or potentially causing the front cover to move.

[0010] The movement of the hood here, particularly the opening movement of the edge of the hood arranged opposite to at least one hinge axis from a closed state to an open state, makes the area covered by the hood accessible. For this purpose, the hood can be fixed or can be fixed to the vehicle, for example by means of a hinge, particularly a four-joint hinge, so as to realize this opening movement of the hood.

[0011] Actuators, particularly structural units of drive technology, are configured to convert electrical signals, for example, from a front cover control device, into mechanical motion. Actuators can be configured as hydraulic, pneumatic, and / or electromechanical operating mechanisms and are particularly configured to induce or at least support, especially continuously induce or at least support, movement of the front cover from an initial state to a final state.

[0012] The load receiving device is specifically configured to receive loads, particularly the gravity of the front cover, in such a way that a portion of the total weight of the front cover, particularly substantially all of it, is received by the load receiving device, thereby reducing the gravity of the front cover acting on the actuator and allowing the front cover to move by means of the actuator in a state of near-force equilibrium.

[0013] The actuator and load receiving device are configured to be rotatably fixed to the hood at one end, particularly about a (hinge) axis. At the opposite end, the actuator or load receiving device is also configured to be rotatably / or pivotally fixed to the vehicle and, in particular, to the vehicle body or vehicle frame, so as to support the hood against the vehicle, especially during movement or in the open state.

[0014] This invention is particularly based on the concept of functionally separating the screw drive or spring support, or dividing them into two components, such that the support of the front cover is undertaken by a single functional component, namely the load-receiving device, thereby reducing the load on the actuator and allowing it to be placed in a location that provides usable installation space, especially under unfavorable or suboptimal leverage conditions. Thus, an opening mechanism is provided that delivers a balanced opening motion even in tight installation spaces.

[0015] In the context of this invention, the spaced-apart arrangement specifically refers to the fact that the actuator and the load receiving device are separate components that can be arranged independently in or on the vehicle and are not physically directly connected. This allows the actuator and the load receiving device to be placed separately in a usable installation space, thereby enabling advantageous placement, particularly in confined spaces.

[0016] In one embodiment, the load receiving device is mechanically operable. Here, the load receiving device, such as a spring element, may have a pneumatic or hydraulic actuation mechanism configured to receive forces or gravity emanating from the front cover, particularly in the axial direction, thereby reducing the weight that the actuator must apply to move the front cover.

[0017] In one embodiment, the load receiving device is configured to support the hood against the vehicle. For this purpose, the load receiving device can be connected to the hood via a hinged connection and to the vehicle via another hinged connection, such that gravity, particularly acting vertically, is transferred to or introduced into the vehicle by the load receiving device and therefore does not need to be received by the actuator. Here, the hinged connection can form a hinge point on the hood or on the vehicle. Thus, the actuator can be designed to be smaller because the load or burden it must receive or overcome can be reduced.

[0018] In one embodiment, the load receiving device is configured to at least substantially completely receive the load of the hood or support it against the vehicle. Here, the design load of the load receiving device can be a running load during operation or during the opening movement.

[0019] In one embodiment, the actuator is electrically operable. Here, in particular, a signal from the front cover control device can be used to activate an electrical mechanism configured to move the front cover. Here, the actuator may, for example, include an electric motor with a transmission mechanism configured to achieve lateral movement by axially moving at least two elements relative to each other.

[0020] In one embodiment, the actuator is configured to perform linear motion. This enables the opening motion of the hood. The hood is connected to the vehicle, in particular, via at least one rotatable joint or hinge, to enable rotational movement about a hinge axis and to allow the hood to move about the axis at a predetermined angle.

[0021] According to another aspect, a vehicle is proposed having a system as described herein, wherein the actuator and the load receiving device are respectively connected at one end of their respective ends to the hood and at one end of their other ends to the chassis and / or body of the vehicle. Here, in particular, a hinged connection device can be used to provide connection with vehicle components. The desired movement of the hood can be achieved through the hinged connection of the actuator and / or the load receiving device.

[0022] Especially in electrically powered vehicles, the available installation space in the front area is limited, making it difficult to easily accommodate, for example, a conventional arrangement of a one-piece hood opening device, particularly located in the A-pillar area. The proposed system, through the thus provided two-piece division of function or components, enables the opening mechanism to be placed within such limited installation space.

[0023] In one embodiment, the actuator is arranged at a distance spaced from the hinge axis of the hood. It may be specified that the actuator and / or load-receiving device are arranged on the hinge element connecting the hood and the vehicle to stabilize the hood, chassis, or vehicle body. In other embodiments, a separate stabilizing element may be used to prevent deformation of the hood due to forces applied during opening.

[0024] In one embodiment, the connection point of the actuator to the vehicle's chassis and / or body is spaced at least 30 cm from the A-pillar in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. By functionally separating load reception via a load-receiving device and movement actuation via the actuator, the actuator can be arranged away from the hood hinge mounted in the A-pillar area, as load bearing reduces the force required for opening. The distance from the A-pillar optimizes the use of mounting space in the front region of the vehicle.

[0025] In one embodiment, the actuator and the load receiving device are arranged spaced apart from each other in the vehicle's lateral direction and / or longitudinal direction and particularly in the vehicle's vertical direction. Here, the actuator and load receiving device may be arranged parallel to each other and / or offset angularly from each other in the closed and / or open positions. In some embodiments, one actuator and one load receiving device may be provided on each side of the vehicle. In other embodiments, an asymmetrical arrangement may be provided, for example, to accommodate spatial constraints. Attached Figure Description

[0026] Other advantages and applications of the invention will become apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

[0027] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of an embodiment of a vehicle according to the invention is shown, the vehicle having a system according to the invention for automatically opening the vehicle hood.

[0028] Figure 2 Shown from Figure 1 A second view of an embodiment of a vehicle according to the present invention.

[0029] Figure 3 Shown from Figure 1 and Figure 2 The third view of an embodiment of a vehicle according to the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0030] Figure 1 A schematic side view of a vehicle 10 having a front cover 11 according to a first embodiment of the present invention is shown.

[0031] The front cover 11 is rotatably connected to the vehicle 10 via a hinge 13 about a hinge axis. The vehicle 10 also has a system 20, or opening mechanism, for automatically opening the front cover 11 of the vehicle 10.

[0032] The actuator 21 of system 20 is configured to move the hood 11, and the load receiving device 22 is configured to receive the load, or gravity, of the hood 11 or to support it against the vehicle 11. The actuator 21 and the load receiving device 22 are arranged spaced apart from each other in the longitudinal direction L of the vehicle.

[0033] On the front cover 11 Figure 1In the closed state shown, actuator 21 and load receiving device 22 are shown retracted and in a horizontal position. Both actuator 21 and load receiving device 22 are connected at one end to the hood 11 and at the other end to the vehicle 10 or its chassis or body. As can be seen in the figure, actuator 21 is longitudinally spaced from the hinge axis 13 of the hood 11 and from the A-pillar of the vehicle 10. The A-pillar 12 is a vertical vehicle support surrounding the windshield and the front roof area of ​​the vehicle. The A-pillar 12 is shown only symbolically here.

[0034] Figure 2 Shown from Figure 1 Another schematic side view of the vehicle 10, in which the hood 11 is shown in the open state.

[0035] During the opening motion, in particular, the load receiving device 22, which is capable of mechanical operation, can support the load of the front cover 11 or the front cover 10 against the vehicle 10 via the connection parts 22a and 22b and keep it in the open state. The load receiving device 22 is connected to the front cover 11 or the vehicle 10 via the connection parts.

[0036] The actuator 21 is electrically operable and configured to perform a linear opening motion, allowing the front cover 11 to move from a closed state to, or rather, be placed in an open state. Here, the actuator 21 is also connected to the front cover 11 or the vehicle 10 via connection points 21a and 21b. By arranging the actuator 21 and the load receiving device 22 at a distance, the installation space within the vehicle area can be utilized more efficiently.

[0037] Figure 3 Shown from Figure 1 and Figure 2 A schematic top view of vehicle 10 shows a symmetrical arrangement of two actuators 21 and two load receiving devices 22. Here, the longitudinal axes of the actuators 21 and the load receiving devices 22 form an angle and are arranged offset relative to each other in the lateral direction Q of the vehicle. This allows for optimized utilization of the installation space within vehicle 10.

[0038] List of reference numerals

[0039] 10 vehicles

[0040] 11 front cover

[0041] 12A Column

[0042] 13 hinges

[0043] 20 system, or rather, opening mechanism

[0044] 21 actuators

[0045] 21a Actuator and front cover connection point

[0046] 21b Actuator Connection Point with Vehicle

[0047] 22 payload receiving devices

[0048] 22a Connection between the load receiver and the front cover

[0049] 22b Connection point between the load receiver and the vehicle

[0050] L Vehicle longitudinal axis

[0051] Q vehicle transverse axis

Claims

1. A system (20) for automatically opening the front cover (11) of a vehicle (10), comprising an actuator (21) configured to move the front cover (11) and a load receiving device (22) configured to receive a load on the front cover (11), wherein, The actuator (21) can be arranged at a distance from the load receiving device (22).

2. The system (20) according to the preceding claim, wherein, The load receiving device (22) can operate mechanically.

3. The system (20) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, The load receiving device (22) is configured to support the front cover (11) against the vehicle (10).

4. The system (20) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, The load receiving device (22) is configured to receive the load of the front cover (11) at least substantially completely.

5. The system (20) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, The actuator (21) is capable of electrical operation.

6. The system (20) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, The actuator (21) is configured to perform linear motion.

7. A vehicle (10) having the system (20) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, The actuator (21) and the load receiving device (22) are respectively connected at one end of the front cover (11) and at the other end of the vehicle (10) to the chassis and / or body.

8. The vehicle (10) according to the preceding claim, wherein, The actuator (21) is arranged at a distance from the hinge axis (13) of the front cover (11).

9. The vehicle (10) according to the preceding claim, wherein, The connection points (21a, 21b) of the actuator (21) with the chassis and / or body of the vehicle (10) are spaced at least 30 cm apart from the A-pillar (12) of the vehicle (10) in the longitudinal direction (L).

10. The vehicle (10) according to any one of the preceding two claims, wherein, The actuator (21) and the load receiving device (22) are arranged at a distance from each other in the vehicle's lateral direction (Q) and / or in the vehicle's longitudinal direction (L).

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