Articulated closure element arrangement for vehicle and vehicle

Abstract

The present invention relates to a flap arrangement (100) formed to be attached to a body (12) of a vehicle (10) so as to be openable; the invention further relates to a vehicle. The flap arrangement (100) according to the invention has a flap outer skin (110), in which a first opening (112) is provided, and a flap inner skin (120), which is attached to the interior of the flap outer skin (110). A second opening (122) substantially flush with the first opening (112) is provided in the flap inner skin (120). The flap arrangement (100) according to the invention further comprises a triggering device (130) which is arranged at least partially in the first opening (112) and the second opening (122) for triggering an opening process of the flap arrangement (100). In this case, the trigger device (130) is fastened to the flap inner skin (120) by means of an adjustable fastening device (140) and at least partially abuts against the interior of the vehicle outer skin (110).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a flap arrangement configured to be attached to the body of a vehicle for opening; and to a vehicle, particularly to a flap arrangement having a triggering device configured to detect an opening request from the vehicle operator. Background Technology

[0002] Existing technology discloses various triggering devices for vehicle flaps. Such triggering devices are conventionally mounted on movable flaps of vehicles to allow a user to open the flap. Opening is triggered by an electrical switch that outputs an electrical switching signal based on the user's actuation. In this case, the known triggering device is partially arranged in a recess in the outer skin of the flap. Therefore, it is desirable to design such a triggering device to be as compact as possible, and especially as flat as possible.

[0003] DE 10 2020 121 603 A1 describes an actuation device for mounting on a vehicle component. The actuation device thus known includes an electrical switching device having at least one electrical switching element for triggering vehicle functions, and the housing unit having at least a first housing section and a second housing section. The second housing section is movable relative to the first housing section from a rest position to an actuated position in at least some regions for actuating the switching element. Further, the switching element is arranged on the second housing section in such a way that the switching element also moves during the movement of the second housing section from the rest position to the actuated position.

[0004] Other known devices are disclosed in CN 205 089 098 U, US 2022 / 0 328 261 A1, CN 111 933 471 A, DE 10 2021004 934 A1 and WO 2017 / 168439 A1.

[0005] Purpose of the invention The object of this invention is to at least partially remedy the aforementioned disadvantages known in the prior art. In particular, one object of this invention is to achieve a compact triggering device that operates efficiently and reliably.

[0006] This objective is achieved through the flap arrangement as described in claim 1 and the vehicle as described in claim 9. Advantageous configurations are specified in the dependent claims.

[0007] This invention is essentially based on the concept of securing a triggering device to the inner skin of a flap using a fastening device, wherein the triggering device preferably abuts against the outer skin of the flap in a sealed manner. By securing the triggering device to the inner skin of the flap, the installation-related tolerances of the flap arrangement can be at least partially compensated. In particular, the tolerances of the adhesive layer connecting the inner skin of the flap to the outer skin of the flap can be at least partially compensated, in a way that reduces the impact of these tolerances on the operation of the triggering device. For example, in the case of a triggering device based on inductive or capacitive principles, the distance between the sensor device and the actuable triggering element movably arranged thereon can be adjusted in substantially the same manner in the unactuated state via multiple flap arrangements. This allows the triggering device to operate efficiently and reliably.

[0008] According to a first aspect of the invention, a flap arrangement is disclosed, which is formed to be attached to the body of a vehicle for opening. The flap arrangement according to the invention has an outer flap skin and an inner flap skin, wherein a first opening is provided in the outer flap skin, and the inner flap skin is attached to the interior of the outer flap skin. A second opening, substantially flush with the first opening, is provided in the inner flap skin. The flap arrangement according to the invention further includes a triggering device, which is at least partially disposed in the first and second openings, for triggering the opening process of the flap arrangement. In this case, the triggering device is fastened to the inner flap skin by means of an adjustable fastening device and at least partially abuts against the interior of the vehicle's outer flap skin.

[0009] In a preferred configuration of the flap arrangement according to the invention, the triggering device has a housing unit and an electrical switching device. The housing unit has a first housing element and a second housing element movably arranged relative to the first housing element. The electrical switching device is arranged within the housing unit and has a triggering element and a sensor device configured to detect movement of the triggering element. In this case, the first housing element is fastened to the inner skin of the flap by means of an adjustable fastening device and at least partially abuts against the interior of the outer skin of the vehicle. The triggering element may be a separate element. Alternatively, the triggering element may be part of the housing unit and / or, for example, at least partially attached to the housing unit by means of a metallic coating.

[0010] The second housing element is preferably movably mounted relative to the first housing element by means of an elastic spring device, in such a way that the spring device pretensions the second housing element in the direction of the outer skin of the flap when the triggering device is not actuated.

[0011] In another advantageous configuration, the flap arrangement according to the invention further includes a sealing arrangement disposed between the triggering device and the outer skin of the flap, and configured to seal between the two. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the sealing device is also configured to seal between a first housing element and a second housing element.

[0012] In another preferred configuration of the flap arrangement according to the invention, the adjustable fastening device is configured to at least partially compensate for the installation tolerance of the triggering device on the inner skin of the flap. The adjustable fastening device preferably has at least one threaded connection, or has a riveted connection, a welded connection, an adhesive connection, a clamping device, or a locking clamping device. Preferably, any installation tolerance of the triggering device on the inner skin of the flap is at least partially compensated by adjusting the torque via at least one threaded connection.

[0013] In another advantageous configuration, the flap arrangement according to the invention further includes a mark attached to a triggering device and having an actuating surface for actuating the triggering device. Thus, a vehicle user can express his or her desire to open the flap arrangement by correspondingly pushing the vehicle's mark.

[0014] According to another aspect of the invention, a vehicle is disclosed having a body and a flap arrangement according to the invention, which is arranged on the body and can be opened. The flap arrangement is preferably a tailgate or a front cover of the vehicle. Attached Figure Description

[0015] Further advantages and features of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art by putting the teachings described herein into practice and by considering the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 A schematic representation of a vehicle having a flap arrangement according to the invention is shown. Figure 2 A schematic cross-sectional representation of the flap arrangement according to the invention is shown, and Figure 3 It shows Figure 2 A magnified view of detail III. Detailed Implementation

[0016] Figure 1 A schematic representation of a vehicle 10 having a flap arrangement 100 according to the invention is shown, the flap arrangement being movably attached to the vehicle body 12. The vehicle 10 in... Figure 1The vehicle 10 is illustrated by way of example as a road vehicle. In other configurations, the vehicle 10 can be any other vehicle, such as an agricultural vehicle, a rail vehicle, a watercraft (such as a ship), or an aircraft (such as an airplane). Therefore, the flap arrangement 100 according to the invention can be any flap arrangement that can be attached to the vehicle 10 in a manner that allows it to be opened and closed, such as a hood, tailgate, side door, charging plug flap, fuel filler flap, or other flaps that can release or deactivate vehicle functions.

[0017] exist Figure 1 As indicated, the flap arrangement 100 has a triggering device 130 for initiating the opening process of the flap arrangement 100. The user of the vehicle 10 can express his or her desire to open the flap arrangement 100 by actuating the triggering device 130. The triggering device 130 is configured to generate a trigger signal upon actuation and transmit it to a control device (not explicitly shown), which is further configured to actuate an actuator unit (not explicitly shown) to electrically open the flap arrangement 100. The opening movement of the flap arrangement 100 can be performed at least partially rotatably and / or at least partially translated and / or at least pivotally relative to the body 12 of the vehicle 10.

[0018] Figure 2 A schematic cross-sectional view through a flap arrangement 100 according to the invention is shown. The flap arrangement 100 has an outer flap skin 110 and an inner flap skin 120, in which a first opening 112 is provided. The inner flap skin is preferably attached to the interior of the outer flap skin 110 by means of an adhesive layer 105 (e.g., adhesive beads). A second opening 122 is provided in the inner flap skin 120, substantially flush with the first opening 112. The outer flap skin 110 and the inner flap skin 120 are, for example, sheet elements that are formed in a familiar manner into a vehicle flap, such as a tailgate. Alternatively, the outer flap skin 110 and / or the inner flap skin 120 may involve plastic elements.

[0019] The triggering device 130 is at least partially disposed in the first opening 112 and at least partially disposed in the second opening 122, and is configured to trigger the opening process of the flap arrangement 100. Specifically, the triggering device 130 is arranged such that it protrudes only slightly or not at all beyond the flap outer skin 110. In other configurations, it may be desirable for the triggering device 130 to be lowered or raised relative to the flap outer skin 110.

[0020] The triggering device 130 is fastened to the inner skin 120 of the flap by means of an adjustable fastening device 140. For this purpose, such as Figure 2As shown, preferably, the inner flap skin 120 has a cylindrical fastening region 124 that extends entirely away from the outer flap skin 110 and can form a flange. The fastening section 136 of the triggering device 130 can then be fastened to the fastening region 124 of the inner flap skin 120 by means of a fastening device 140 to attach the triggering device 130 to the inner flap skin 120. Figure 2 As schematically shown, the fastening device 140 may have a threaded connection. Alternatively, the fastening device may be a riveted connection, a welded connection, a clamp, or an adhesive connection.

[0021] The triggering device 130 has a sensor unit 132 and a housing unit 134. The sensor unit is configured to detect the desired opening process of the trigger flap arrangement 100. The housing unit has a first housing element 133 and a second housing element 135. The first housing element is configured to attach to the vehicle inner skin 120, particularly to the fastening region 124. The second housing element is at least partially movably arranged relative to the first housing element 133, moving from a starting position to a trigger position. The first housing element 133 has a fastening section 136, through which the first housing element 133 and thus the triggering device 130 are fastened to the flap inner skin 120, particularly the fastening region 124, by means of a fastening device 140. On the opposite side, the first housing element 133 at least partially abuts against the interior of the vehicle outer skin 110.

[0022] The flap arrangement 100 also has a sealing arrangement 150, which is arranged between the triggering device 130 and the flap outer skin 110 and is formed to seal between them. Specifically, as Figure 2 As shown, it is preferable that the sealing arrangement 150 has a shape that extends at least partially around the first opening 112 and seals the area between the first housing element 133 and the flap outer skin 110.

[0023] The triggering device 130 further includes an elastic reset device 160, which movably mounts the second housing element 135 relative to the first housing element 133 in such a way that the reset device 160 pre-tensions the second housing element 135 in the direction of the flap outer skin 110 when the triggering device 130 is not actuated.

[0024] The sensor unit 132 may include an electrical detection unit 137, which is fastened to the first housing element 133 and configured to detect movement of the trigger element 138 relative to the electrical detection unit 137. The trigger element 138 may, for example, be made of a conductive material and fastened to the second housing element 135. In particular, the sensor unit 132 may be based on the principle of inductance or capacitance, in which case a change in the distance between the detection unit 137 and the actuable trigger element 138 movably arranged thereon may cause a change in capacitance or inductance, and thus determine the desired opening of the flap arrangement.

[0025] The trigger element 138 can be mounted on the first housing element 133 by means of the mounting device 139. Alternatively, the trigger element 138 can be rigidly attached to the second housing element 135, for example, to a protrusion 131 of the second housing element 135, which is formed to move the trigger element 138 in the direction of the detection unit 137 when the triggering device 130 is actuated.

[0026] For further reference Figure 3 The figure shows Figure 2 As can be seen from the enlarged view of detail III, the second housing element 135 is connected to the first housing element 133 by means of a locking device 170 in a manner that ensures the mobility of the second housing element 135 relative to the first housing element 133. The locking device 170 may have a stop 172, which is configured to separate the second housing element 135 from the first housing element 133. Simultaneously, the stop 172 may provide a limiting member that at least partially restricts the movement path of the second housing element 135 relative to the first housing element 133.

[0027] Preferably, the second housing element 135 has a vehicle marking (not shown) that forms an actuating surface for moving the second housing element 135 from a starting position to a trigger position. Thus, the vehicle operator can press the vehicle marking on the tailgate, thereby issuing and triggering his or her request for the automatic opening of the flap arrangement 100.

[0028] from Figure 3To further clarify, the sealing device 150 seals, on the one hand, the area between the flap outer skin 110 and the triggering device 130 (particularly with the first housing element 133), and on the other hand, the area between the first housing element 133 and the second housing element 135. For this purpose, the sealing device 150 has a first sealing region 152 and a second sealing region 154, the first sealing region being formed to seal the area between the flap outer skin 110 and the triggering device 130 (particularly with the first housing element 133), and the second sealing region being formed to seal the area between the first housing element 133 and the second housing element 135. The first sealing region 152 and the second sealing region 154 are preferably integrally formed with each other or formed as a single piece. Alternatively, the sealing regions 152 and 154 may involve separate sealing elements.

[0029] By attaching the trigger device 130 to the inner flap skin 120 and providing an adjustable fastening device 140, any installation tolerances of the flap arrangement 100 (e.g., adhesive layer 105) are at least partially compensated for, in such a way that the impact of installation tolerances on the operation of the trigger device 130 is reduced. Specifically, in the case of a sensor device 134 based on inductive or capacitive principles, the distance between the detection unit 137 and the actuable trigger element 138 movably arranged thereon can be adjusted in substantially the same manner in the unactuated state via multiple manufactured flap arrangements 100. As a result, the trigger device 130 can operate efficiently and reliably. For example, by tightening the threaded connection 140 with a predetermined torque, the first housing element 133 and the outer flap skin 110 can be securely supported without damaging the first housing element 133. Simultaneously, the substantially predetermined spacing can be automatically adjusted within permissible tolerances via the internal dimensions of the trigger device 130.

Claims

1. A flap arrangement (100) configured to be attached to the body (12) of a vehicle (10) for opening, wherein, The flap arrangement (100) has the following features: - Flip-type outer skin (110), in which a first opening (112) is provided. - A flap inner skin (120) attached to the interior of the flap outer skin (110), wherein a second opening (122) substantially flush with the first opening (112) is provided in the flap inner skin (120); and - A triggering device (130), which is at least partially disposed in the first opening (112) and the second opening (122), is used to trigger the opening process of the flap arrangement (100). The triggering device (130) is fastened to the inner flap skin (120) by means of an adjustable fastening device (140) and at least partially abuts against the interior of the outer skin (110) of the vehicle.

2. The flap arrangement (100) as described in claim 1, wherein, The triggering device (100) has: - Housing unit (134), the housing unit having a first housing element (133) and a second housing element (135) movably arranged relative to the first housing element (133); and - A sensor device (132) is arranged in the housing unit (134), the sensor device having a trigger element (138) and a detection unit (137), the detection unit being configured to detect the movement of the trigger element (138). The first housing element (133) is fastened to the inner flap skin (110) by means of the adjustable fastening device (140) and at least partially abuts against the interior of the outer skin (110) of the vehicle.

3. The flap arrangement (100) as described in claim 2, wherein, The second housing element (135) is movably mounted relative to the first housing element (133) by means of an elastic reset device (160) in such a way that the reset device (160) pre-tensions the second housing element (135) in the direction of the flap outer skin (110) when the trigger device (130) is not actuated.

4. The flap arrangement (100) as described in any of the preceding claims, further comprising: - A sealing arrangement (150) is arranged between the triggering device (130) and the flap outer skin (110) and is formed to seal between the triggering device and the flap outer skin.

5. The flap arrangement (100) as described in claim 4, wherein, The sealing device (150) is also configured to seal between the first housing element (133) and the second housing element (135).

6. The flap arrangement (100) as described in any of the preceding claims, wherein, The adjustable fastening device (140) is configured to at least partially compensate for the installation tolerance of the triggering device (130) on the inner skin (120) of the flap.

7. The flap arrangement (100) as described in any of the preceding claims, wherein, The adjustable fastening device (140) has at least one threaded connection, or has a riveted connection, a welded connection, an adhesive connection, a clamping device, or a locking clamping device.

8. The flap arrangement (100) as described in any of the preceding claims, further comprising: - A mark, which is attached to the triggering device (130) and has an actuating surface for actuating the triggering device (130).

9. A vehicle (100) having: - Body (12); and - The flap arrangement (100) as described in any of the preceding claims is arranged on the vehicle body (12) in an openable manner.

10. The vehicle (10) as claimed in claim 9, wherein, The flap arrangement is the tailgate (100) or front cover of the vehicle (10).

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