Holding device

Abstract

In order to improve a holding device that can be mounted on the rear region of the body of a motor vehicle, the holding device comprises a pivot bearing unit that can be mounted on the rear region of the motor vehicle by means of a support unit, on which a pivot bearing unit is arranged around a transverse direction to the rear region of the body of the motor vehicle. In particular a pivot axis extending diagonally to the longitudinal centre plane pivotably supports a pivot element carrying an additional element and thus can be pivoted from a working position into a rest position and vice versa, the pivot element being provided with an additional element carrier with an insertion receptacle by means of a connecting arm, according to the invention, the end region of the additional element can be inserted into an insertion receptacle and is fixed in a form-fitting manner, the insertion receptacle extends with the central axis thereof substantially parallel to the longitudinal centre plane in the working position, and the additional element carrier comprises a receptacle body having an insertion receptacle such that the receptacle body is fixed to the connecting arm as cost-effective as possible. The receiving body is connected to the connecting arm by means of a connecting body integrally molded on the connecting arm.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a retaining device that can be mounted on the rear region of a motor vehicle body. The retaining device includes a pivot support unit that is fixedly mounted on the rear region of a motor vehicle, particularly a passenger car, by means of a carrier unit. On the pivot support unit, a pivot element carrying an additional element is pivotally supported about a pivot axis extending transversely to, and particularly obliquely to, the longitudinal median plane, thereby pivoting from a working position to a rest position and from the rest position to the working position. The pivot element is provided with an additional element carrier having an insertion receiving portion by means of a connecting arm. The additional element is insertable into the insertion receiving portion at its end region and is fixed in a form-locking manner. The insertion receiving portion extends substantially parallel to the longitudinal median plane in the working position with its central axis. The additional element carrier includes a receiving body having the insertion receiving portion. Background Technology

[0002] A problem with this retaining device is how to secure the container to the connecting arm at the lowest possible cost. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The problem is solved according to the present invention by means of a retaining device of the type described at the beginning, wherein the receiver is connected to the connecting arm by means of a connector molded in one piece on the connecting arm.

[0004] In this way, the connector, which is molded in one piece onto the connecting arm, creates the possibility of establishing a stable and optimally achievable connection with the container in a simple manner.

[0005] A particularly advantageous solution stipulates that the housing and the connector are joined together by pressure welding.

[0006] Pressure welding has significant advantages. On the one hand, it allows for the stable connection of potentially different materials, and on the other hand, it is characterized by high efficiency and short welding time.

[0007] It is particularly advantageous that the containment and the connecting body are connected to each other by friction welding, because friction welding can achieve a particularly efficient and rapid welded connection.

[0008] It is particularly advantageous that the container is connected to the connecting body by rotary friction welding, because rotary friction welding is a particularly advantageous implementation of friction welding in terms of efficiency and time consumption.

[0009] In order to implement rotary welding as efficiently as possible, it is preferable to specify that rotary friction welding is carried out by rotating the container around an axis parallel to its central axis, especially around the central axis, because this choice of axis enables an efficient manufacturing process.

[0010] In order to effectively perform this rotary friction welding, it is preferably specified that the container, as a finished shaped body, that is, a body having a final shape for its use, is provided with a welding attachment, which is connected to the connecting body by friction welding.

[0011] This welding accessory allows for friction welding with the connecting body in an advantageous manner.

[0012] Here, a suitable solution stipulates that the welding attachment of the container is arranged on the side of the container opposite to the insertion opening, thereby making the friction welding process simple.

[0013] In this case, a particularly suitable solution stipulates that the connector has a retaining surface facing the receptacle, and the supporting surface of the welding attachment is connected to the retaining surface by friction welding.

[0014] In particular, the support surface is constructed as an annular surface, which allows for optimal welding results during rotary friction welding.

[0015] Another advantageous embodiment of the solution according to the invention specifies that the connecting body forms a body component of the receptacle.

[0016] This means that the connector itself forms a body component of the container in order to establish a reliable and stable connection with it.

[0017] Preferably, the body component forms at least one wall of the container, which is connected to at least one body component that supplements the body component of the container.

[0018] Therefore, this provides a simple and stable possibility for realizing a receptacle having body components according to the invention.

[0019] It is particularly advantageous here that the body component and the at least one supplementary body component are connected to each other by pressure welding.

[0020] In this case, a particularly advantageous solution according to the objective of the invention stipulates that the body component and the at least one supplementary body component are connected to each other by friction stir welding, in particular along the gap formed between the body component and the at least one supplementary body component abutting against the body component.

[0021] Advantages of this friction stir welding include that, in order to connect the body components, one of the body components is provided with a step for defining and receiving a side edge, and thus for positioning the at least other body component in the case of forming a gap between the two.

[0022] According to a specific construction of the retaining device of the present invention, the body component forms at least two walls of the container.

[0023] More advantageously, the body component is constructed in a U-shape, thus forming the three walls of the container.

[0024] In particular, in this case, it is specified that the body component forms a sidewall and two transverse walls respectively adjacent to its side.

[0025] Here, in accordance with the requirements of the destination, in the body components constructed in this way, the side walls and transverse walls are connected to each other as a single piece.

[0026] In this case, the destination also stipulates that the transverse walls are connected to each other on the side opposite to the side wall by the side walls of the supplementary body components.

[0027] The foregoing description of the solution according to the invention therefore includes, in particular, different combinations of features defined by the following sequentially numbered embodiments:

[0028] 1. A retaining device (20) mountable on the rear region (14) of the body (12) of a motor vehicle (10), the retaining device comprising a pivot support unit (30) fixedly mountable to the rear region (14) of the motor vehicle (10), particularly a passenger car, by means of a support unit (22), wherein a pivot element (32) for carrying an additional element (54) is pivotally supported on the pivot support unit about a pivot axis extending transversely, particularly obliquely, to a longitudinal intermediate plane (34), thereby pivoting from a working position (A) to a rest position (R) and from a rest position (R) to a working position (A), wherein the pivot element (32) pivotally supports an additional element (54) for carrying an additional element (54) to the pivot support unit, thereby pivoting from a working position (A) to a rest position (R) and from a rest position (R) to a working position (A), wherein the pivot element (32) pivotally supports an additional element (54) to the pivot support unit. The rotating element (32) is provided with an additional element carrier (40) having an insertion receiving portion (46) by means of a connecting arm (38), the additional element (50) being insertable into the insertion receiving portion and fixed in a form-locking manner with its end region (58), wherein the insertion receiving portion (46) extends substantially parallel to the longitudinal intermediate plane (34) with its central axis (44) in the working position (A), and wherein the additional element carrier (40) has a receptacle (42) including the insertion receiving portion (46), wherein the receptacle (42) is connected to the connecting arm (38) by means of a connector (60, 80) molded in one piece on the connecting arm (38).

[0029] 2. The holding device according to embodiment 1, wherein the receiving body (42) and the connecting body (60, 80) are connected to each other by pressure welding.

[0030] 3. The holding device according to embodiment 2, wherein the receiving body (42) and the connecting body (60, 80) are connected to each other by friction welding.

[0031] 4. The retaining device according to embodiment 3, wherein the receiving body (42) is connected to the connecting body (60) by rotational friction welding.

[0032] 5. According to the holding device of embodiment 4, the rotational friction welding is performed by the rotation of the housing (42) around an axis parallel to its central axis, in particular around its central axis (44).

[0033] 6. The holding device according to embodiment 4 or 5, wherein the receiving body (42) is provided with a welding attachment (68) as a finished molded body, the welding attachment being connected to the connecting body (60) by friction welding.

[0034] 7. The holding device according to embodiment 6, wherein the welding attachment (68) of the accommodating body (42) is arranged on the side opposite to the insertion opening (48).

[0035] 8. The retaining device according to embodiment 6 or 7, wherein the connecting body (60) has a retaining surface (62) facing the receiving body (42), and the support surface (64) of the welding attachment (68) is connected to the retaining surface (62) by friction welding.

[0036] 9. The holding device according to any one of embodiments 1 to 3, wherein the connecting body (80) forms the body component (82) of the receiving body (42').

[0037] 10. The holding device according to embodiment 8 or 9, wherein the body member (82) forms at least one wall (84, 86, 88) of the receiver (42'), the wall (84, 86, 88) being connected to at least one body member (100) of the receiver (42') supplementing the body member (82).

[0038] 11. The holding device according to embodiment 10, wherein the body component (82) and the at least one supplementary body component (100) are connected to each other by pressure welding.

[0039] 12. The retaining device according to embodiment 11, wherein the body component (82) and the at least one supplementary body component (100) are connected to each other by friction stir welding, in particular along the gap (118) formed between the body component (82) and the at least one supplementary body component (100) abutting against the body component.

[0040] 13. The retaining device according to embodiment 12, wherein, in order to connect the body parts (82, 100), one of the body parts is provided with a step (126, 128) for definingly receiving the side edge (130), and thus for positioning the other body part (100, 82) in the case of forming a gap (118) between the two.

[0041] 14. The holding device according to any one of embodiments 9 to 13, wherein the body component (82) forms at least two walls (84, 86, 88) of the receiving body (42).

[0042] 15. The holding device according to embodiment 14, wherein the body component (82) is configured in a U-shape and forms three walls (84, 86, 88) of the receiving body (82).

[0043] 16. The holding device according to embodiment 15, wherein the body component (82) forms a sidewall (84) and two transverse walls (86, 88) respectively adjacent to its side in the working position (A).

[0044] 17. The retaining device according to embodiment 16, wherein the side wall (84) and the transverse walls (86, 88) are integrally connected to each other.

[0045] 18. The holding device according to embodiment 17, wherein the transverse walls (86, 88) are connected to each other on the side opposite to the side wall (84) by the side wall (102) of the supplementary body member (100). Attached Figure Description

[0046] Other features and advantages are the subject of the following description and illustrations of some embodiments.

[0047] In the picture:

[0048] Figure 1 A side view of a motor vehicle having a retaining device according to the invention is shown;

[0049] Figure 2 A perspective view showing a first embodiment of the retaining device according to the present invention;

[0050] Figure 3 Show Figure 2 A plan view along the direction of arrow A;

[0051] Figure 4 The first embodiment is shown Figure 2 A top view taken from the direction of arrow B;

[0052] Figure 5 The diagram shows an inserted additional element with a connecting ball. Figure 4A plan view along the direction of arrow C;

[0053] Figure 6 The diagram shows the arrangement of elements without the inserted additional components. Figure 5 A schematic diagram of the side view;

[0054] Figure 7 This illustrates a similar arrangement before the container and connector are connected. Figure 6 A schematic diagram of the side view;

[0055] Figure 8 A schematic diagram showing a pivot element and an attachment element carrier according to a second embodiment of a retaining device with an inserted attachment unit according to the present invention;

[0056] Figure 9 The second embodiment is shown Figure 8 A plan view along the direction of arrow D;

[0057] Figure 10 Show along Figure 9 Cross-sectional view along centerline 10-10;

[0058] Figure 11 Show similar Figure 8 Side plan view of the pivot element and additional element carrier 40” of the third embodiment of the holding device according to the present invention;

[0059] Figure 12 Showing according to Figure 11 An enlarged perspective view of the third embodiment, and;

[0060] Figure 13 Showing according to Figure 12 The front view of the insertion receiving part. Detailed Implementation

[0061] According to the present invention, the motor vehicle 10 Figure 1 The embodiment shown includes a body 12, which carries a rear-side bumper unit 16 in a rear region 14.

[0062] Furthermore, in a first embodiment, a retaining device marked with an integral 20 is arranged in the rear area. This retaining device has a support unit arranged below and covered by the bumper unit, the support unit, such as... Figure 2 As shown, it has a crossbeam 24, which is connected to the tail region 14 by means of a side connecting element 26.

[0063] Furthermore, a pivot support unit, marked integrally with a 30, is maintained on the load-bearing unit 22, particularly in the middle region of the crossbeam 24. A pivot element is pivotally supported on this pivot support unit around a pivot axis 36, which extends transversely to the longitudinal center plane 34 of the vehicle body 12, which is also the longitudinal center plane 34 of the retaining device 20. Figures 2 to 4 ).

[0064] In the first embodiment, an add-on element carrier 40 extends from a pivot element 32 and includes a connecting arm 38 extending from the pivot element 32. A receptacle, marked 42, is connected to the connecting arm, the receptacle forming an insertion receiving portion 46 extending therein along a central axis 44, with a receiving opening 48 in its direction of travel opposite to the forward direction, such as... Figure 2 and 5 As shown, for example, the connecting ball carrier 56, which carries the connecting ball 52 at the end 54 as an additional element 50, can be inserted into the end region 58 which is opposite to the end 54.

[0065] like Figure 1 As shown, the additional element carrier 40 is arranged in working position A relative to the bumper unit such that it extends below the lower edge 18 of the bumper unit 16, i.e., on its side facing the lane 28, and thus the insertion receiving portion 46 is freely accessible for insertion into the end region 58 of the connecting ball carrier 56, wherein, in working position A, the centerline extends in the longitudinal intermediate plane of the vehicle or in the longitudinal intermediate plane 34 of the retaining device 20.

[0066] In particular, when the pivot axis 36 extends transversely to, and especially obliquely to, the longitudinal intermediate plane 34 of the vehicle, the insertion receiving portion 46 extends transversely to the longitudinal intermediate plane 34 with its central axis 44 in the rest position R, and extends obliquely in the direction of the lane 28.

[0067] The pivotable support of pivot element 32 around pivot axis 36 creates the following possibilities, such as Figure 3 As shown, the additional component carrier 40 pivots from below the lower edge 18 from the working position A to... Figure 3 The resting position R, indicated by the dashed line, is such that in the working position A, the housing 42 is located below the lower edge 18 of the bumper unit 16, and in the resting position R, the auxiliary element carrier 40, and therefore the housing 42, is located above the lower edge 18 of the bumper unit 16, covered by the bumper unit 16, and is thus arranged outside the visible range of the bumper unit 16 and the vehicle body 12. In the resting position R, the centerline 44 extends transversely to the longitudinal center plane 34 of the vehicle or the longitudinal center plane 34 of the retaining device 20.

[0068] like Figures 5 to 7 As shown, a connector, marked integrally with the designation 60, is arranged on the connecting arm 38 extending from the pivot element 32. In particular, it is one-piece molded on the connecting arm. The connector has a retaining surface 62 extending transversely to, and in particular perpendicularly to, the central axis 44 of the insertion receiving portion 46. This retaining surface is connected to the support surface 64 of the welding attachment 68 of the receiving portion 42.

[0069] Preferably, the support surface 64 is constructed as an annular surface 66 of the welded attachment 68 of the housing 42, extending concentrically with the central axis 44.

[0070] The connection between the annular surface 66 and the retaining surface 62 is achieved by rotational friction welding, wherein the receptacle 42 is rotated coaxially with the central axis 44 and pressed against the non-rotating retaining surface 62 with the annular surface 66. Thus, through friction between the annular surface 66 and the retaining surface 62, the material of the retaining surface 62 and the annular surface 66, especially steel, is heated to the welding temperature, and a material layer reaching the welding temperature is formed between the annular surface 66 and the retaining surface 62. This material layer hardens after the rotation of the annular surface 66 is completed, and permanently connects the connector 60 and the receptacle 42.

[0071] In order to fix the end region 58 of the additional element 50 in the housing 42, the housing has an insertion opening 74 in each of its opposing sidewalls 72, through which a fixing bolt 76 can be inserted. The fixing bolt also penetrates the insertion portion of the end region 58 of the additional element 50 into the insertion housing 46 in the area of ​​an opening not shown, so as to fix it in the housing 42.

[0072] In the second embodiment, the retaining device 20, the supporting unit 22, the crossbeam 24 and the connecting element 26 are constructed in the same way as in the first embodiment.

[0073] Furthermore, the pivot support unit 30, the pivot element 32, and the pivot shaft 36 are constructed in the same manner as in the first embodiment.

[0074] Furthermore, in the working position A and the stationary position R, the orientation of the additional element carrier 40', the container 42', and the central axis 44 is the same as in the aforementioned embodiments.

[0075] Unlike the previous embodiments, the additional element carrier 40' forms a connector 80, which is particularly one-piece molded on the connecting arm 38, and is particularly constructed as a body part 82 of a receiver 42' held on the connecting arm 38.

[0076] The body component 82, in relation to the working position A, includes a side wall 84 and transverse walls 86, 88 adjacent to the side wall 84 on both sides, so that the body component 82 is generally U-shaped, and the insertion receiving portion 46' in the working position A is defined by the side wall 84 on the longitudinal side 94, by the transverse wall 86 on the upper side 96, and by the transverse wall 88 on the lower side 98.

[0077] On the open side 90 of the body component 82 opposite to the side wall 84, for example away from the connecting arm 38, a separate side wall 102 is inserted between the transverse walls 86 and 88 as a supplementary body component 100 to the housing 42'. This separate side wall forms another longitudinal side 104 of the insertion housing 46' opposite to the longitudinal side 94, and is connected to the transverse walls 86 and 88 by welding.

[0078] The connection with the sidewalls 86, 88 is achieved, in particular, by friction stir welding using a rotating friction stirring head 114 with a tapered tip, which is driven to rotate about its own axis of symmetry 116 and moves along the gap 118 between the transverse walls 86, 88 and the outer edge of the individual sidewalls 102 forming the supplementary body component 100.

[0079] During friction stir welding, in order to define the individual sidewall 102 forming the supplementary body component 100 as positioned relative to the body component 100 connected to the connecting arm 38 in the illustrated embodiment on the sidewalls 86, 88, the body component 82 is provided with steps 126, 128 in the regions of the transverse walls 86, 88, respectively. These steps form extended support surfaces 132, 134 at a defined distance from the longitudinal side 94 of the sidewall 84, and their side edges 130 define the accommodating of the individual sidewall 102 forming the supplementary body component 100 and the positioning surfaces 136, 138 that define the gap 118, respectively.

[0080] The material molten by friction stir welding, especially molten steel, hardens upon cooling in the gap 118, resulting in a permanent and robust connection between the subbody 82 and the individual sidewalls 102, thereby giving the containment 42' the required stability.

[0081] In the second embodiment, insertion openings 74' for fixing bolts 76 are provided on the sidewall 84 and the separate sidewall 102 to fix the end region 58 of the additional element 50.

[0082] In the third embodiment, as Figures 11 to 13 As shown, a variation of the second embodiment is illustrated. Unless otherwise specified below, reference is made entirely to the second embodiment.

[0083] Unlike the second embodiment, in the sub-body 82', on the open side facing the connecting arm 38, a separate sidewall 102' as a supplementary body component 100' is inserted. This separate sidewall is connected not only to the transverse walls 86, 88, but also to the end wall 142 of the additional element carrier 40' molded on the connecting arm 38, so that the insertion receiving portion 46' is closed by the end wall 142 on the side opposite to the receiving opening 48'.

[0084] In this embodiment, the gap 118' extends along the outside of the individual sidewall 102', along the upper transverse wall 86', along the end wall 142, and then along the lower transverse wall 88' or vice versa.

[0085] Similarly, in the third embodiment, the connections to the transverse walls 86', 88' and the end wall 142 are all achieved along the gap 118' by friction stir welding, as described in the second embodiment.

[0086] Alternatively, in the second and third embodiments, it is possible, however, that the connection between the subbody 82 or 82' and the individual sidewalls 102, 102' along the gap 118 or 118' is produced by laser welding.

Claims

1. A retaining device (20) mountable on the rear region (14) of the body (12) of a motor vehicle (10), the retaining device comprising a pivot support unit (30) fixedly mountable to the rear region (14) of the motor vehicle (10), particularly a passenger car, by means of a support unit (22), on which a pivot element (32) for carrying an additional element (54) is pivotally supported about a pivot axis extending transversely, particularly obliquely, to a longitudinal median plane (34), thereby pivoting from a working position (A) to a rest position (R) and from a rest position (R) to a working position (A). in, The pivot element (32) is provided with an additional element carrier (40) having an insertion receiving portion (46) via a connecting arm (38), the additional element (50) being insertable into the insertion receiving portion and fixed in a form-locking manner at its end region (58), wherein the insertion receiving portion (46) extends substantially parallel to the longitudinal intermediate plane (34) with its central axis (44) in the working position (A), and wherein the additional element carrier (40) has a receptacle (42) including the insertion receiving portion (46), characterized in that the receptacle (42) is connected to the connecting arm (38) by means of a connector (60, 80) one-piece molded on the connecting arm (38).

2. The holding device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The container (42) and the connectors (60, 80) are connected to each other by pressure welding.

3. The holding device according to claim 2, characterized in that, The container (42) and the connectors (60, 80) are connected to each other by friction welding.

4. The holding device according to claim 3, characterized in that, The container (42) is connected to the connector (60) by rotational friction welding.

5. The holding device according to claim 4, characterized in that, The rotary friction welding is performed by the rotation of the housing (42) around an axis parallel to its central axis, in particular around its central axis (44).

6. The holding device according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that, The container (42) is provided with a welding attachment (68) as a finished molded body, and the welding attachment is connected to the connector (60) by friction welding.

7. The holding device according to claim 6, characterized in that, The welding attachment (68) of the container (42) is arranged on the side opposite to the insertion opening (48).

8. The holding device according to claim 6 or 7, characterized in that, The connector (60) has a retaining surface (62) facing the receptacle (42), and the support surface (64) of the welding attachment (68) is connected to the retaining surface (62) by friction welding.

9. The holding device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, The connector (80) forms a body component (82) of the container (42).

10. The holding device according to claim 8 or 9, characterized in that, The body component (82) forms at least one wall (84, 86, 88) of the container (42), and the wall (84, 86, 88) is connected to at least one body component (100) of the supplementary body component (82) of the container (42').

11. The holding device according to claim 10, characterized in that, The body component (82) and the at least one supplementary body component (100) are connected to each other by pressure welding.

12. The holding device according to claim 11, characterized in that, The body component (82) and the at least one supplementary body component (100) are connected to each other by friction stir welding, particularly along the gap (118) formed between the body component (82) and the at least one supplementary body component (100) abutting the body component.

13. The holding device according to claim 12, characterized in that, In order to connect the body parts (82, 100), one of the body parts is provided with a step (126, 128) for definingly receiving the side edge (130), and thus for positioning the other body part (100, 82) in the case of forming a gap (118) between them.

14. The holding device according to any one of claims 9 to 13, characterized in that, The body component (82) forms at least two walls (84, 86, 88) of the container (42).

15. The holding device according to claim 14, characterized in that, The body component (82) is configured in a U-shape and forms the three walls (84, 86, 88) of the container (82).

16. The holding device according to claim 15, characterized in that, The body component (82) forms a sidewall (84) and two transverse walls (86, 88) adjacent to its side in the working position (A).

17. The holding device according to claim 16, characterized in that, The sidewall (84) and the transverse walls (86, 88) are connected to each other in one piece.

18. The holding device according to claim 17, characterized in that, The transverse walls (86, 88) are connected to each other on the side opposite to the side wall (84) via the side wall (102) of the supplementary body component (100).

Images