Vehicle with at least one swing-out vehicle door

Abstract

Vehicle, with at least one vehicle door (2) pivotably mounted on the vehicle body (1), which in turn is supported by a single pivot arm (4) absorbing all door forces, which in turn is pivotally mounted at one end by means of a pivot bearing (5) on the vehicle body (1) and at the other end by means of a pivot bearing (6) on the vehicle door (2) about a vertical axis, wherein the door-side pivot bearing (6) of the pivot arm (4) is arranged in a central section of the vehicle door (2) as viewed over its length, and wherein the pivot arm (4) is formed by a horizontally oriented arm part (4a) with a body-side and a door-side bearing part, characterized in that the bearing parts are each formed by a vertically oriented bearing bolt (4b, 4c), wherein the body-side bearing bolt (4b) has two free ends, each of which is received by a body-side bearing bushing (5a, 5b),whereas the door-side bearing bolt (4c) has a free end which is received by a door-side bearing bushing (6a), and the door-side pivot bearing (6) of the pivot arm (4) is arranged at the center of gravity of the vehicle door (2), or at least close to it.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a vehicle with at least one pivotable vehicle door according to the preamble of claim 1 of the invention.

[0002] Vehicle doors, particularly on motor vehicles, are known in a wide variety of designs. For example, DE 24 12 936 A1 discloses a motor vehicle sliding door suspended at three points. In an extended position, this door is guided so as to be displaceable parallel to the vehicle side wall and, for this purpose, has a central sliding door fitting in the form of a pivoting U-shaped bracket on its rear edge. The U-shaped bracket is pivotally attached to the door via one leg in a hinge-like deflection and is pivotally suspended via the other leg by means of bearing bushes designed as collar bushes in a bearing bore directed parallel to the vehicle side wall in the chassis of a roller carriage running in a guide rail attached to the vehicle side wall.DE 10 2004 050 229 A1 further discloses a side door for a motor vehicle, which is mounted on a vehicle side wall via a bow hinge having two pivot axes. The bow hinge is pivotally mounted on the vehicle side wall in the area of ​​one pivot axis and on the side door in the area of ​​the other pivot axis at the level of the window opening and near the front edge of the side door, whereby the side door can be opened outward parallel to the vehicle's outer wall. Furthermore, said side door is displaceable in the vehicle's longitudinal direction along at least one guide rail arranged on or in the inside of the door.What both solutions have in common is that the hinges are subject to considerable loads due to the weight of the doors and, accordingly, appropriate stabilising measures are required, such as additional hinges (DE 24 12 936 A1) and / or a particularly stable design of a single hinge used (DE 10 2004 050 229 A1).

[0003] DE 199 58 746 B4 discloses a pivoting door for a vehicle whose door leaf is mounted on a pivot arm by means of a door pivot joint. A pivoting column, mounted vertically in the vehicle and rotatable by a drive, to which the pivot arm is attached, pivots the door leaf from a closed position to an open position by means of this pivot arm. This document is silent on the specific connection of the pivoting column to the vehicle body.

[0004] From US 3 158 395 A a vehicle door is known which is connected to the vehicle body by means of a hinge arrangement with a plate-shaped arm part and with two hinges arranged at each end thereof with a common vertical pivot axis and is guided by means of a driver head in a guide slot of the vehicle body in such a way that the vehicle door follows a predetermined movement pattern in order to open it and moves laterally outwards and slightly forwards.

[0005] US Pat. No. 4,632,447 A discloses a side door of a vehicle with a hinge mechanism comprising a front support arm and a rear wishbone. The support arm and the wishbone are each hinged at one end, spaced apart from each other, to a front pillar of the vehicle body by means of a pivot joint. The other end of the support arm is hinged to a front end of the vehicle door by means of a pivot joint, while the other end of the wishbone is hinged to the vehicle door centrally in the area of ​​an armrest.

[0006] Based on this, it is the object of the invention to provide a vehicle with a further improved pivoting vehicle door which, in view of the state of the art, requires in particular less effort for the pivoting bearing of the vehicle door while minimizing the necessary free space for pivoting the vehicle door and ensuring the best possible passage through the door cutout of the vehicle body.

[0007] Starting from a vehicle with at least one vehicle door pivotally mounted on the vehicle body, which in turn is carried by a single pivot arm which absorbs all door forces and which in turn is pivotally mounted at one end by means of a pivot bearing on the vehicle body and at the other end by means of a pivot bearing on the vehicle door about a vertical axis, wherein the door-side pivot bearing of the pivot arm is arranged in a middle section of the vehicle door, viewed along the length of the same, and wherein the pivot arm is formed by a horizontally oriented arm part with a body-side and a door-side bearing part, the stated object is achieved in that the bearing parts are each formed by a vertically oriented bearing pin, wherein the body-side bearing pin has two free ends, each of which is received by a body-side bearing bush,whereas the door-side bearing pin has a free end which is received by a door-side bearing bush, and that the door-side pivot bearing of the pivot arm is arranged in the center of gravity of the vehicle door, or at least close to it.

[0008] This measure advantageously minimizes the forces acting on the door-side pivot bearing, in particular tilting moments, which results in lower expenditure with regard to the stability and strength of the vehicle door itself and in particular in the area of ​​the said door-side pivot bearing.

[0009] The subclaims describe preferred developments or embodiments of the invention.

[0010] Advantageously, it can be provided that the door-side pivot bearing of the vehicle door is height-adjustable. Advantageously, the arm part of the pivot arm has a longitudinal extension "s" such that when the vehicle door is fully pivoted, the door cutout in the vehicle body is largely exposed over its entire circumference. Further advantageously, the pivot arm can be designed to be telescopic, wherein said telescoping can be achieved mechanically, hydraulically, pneumatically, or electromechanically. The door-side bearing bush can be formed by a bushing base body, which in turn, according to a first preferred embodiment, can be fastened to a rigid support part of the vehicle door by means of fastening means. The support part can expediently be formed by reinforcing plates, which in turn, when assembled, form a vertically aligned hollow profile with a closed cross-section.This measure allows the height of the fastening point for the bushing base body on the support part to be adjusted, resulting in convenient assembly and adjustment of the vehicle door in relation to the vehicle body. As further provided by the invention, the door-side bearing pin can be axially fixed but rotatably connected to the door-side bearing bush by means of a fixing bolt, which in turn penetrates a vertically aligned through-bore of the door-side bearing pin and is supported at one end on the same and at the other end on the door-side bearing bush. According to a further preferred embodiment of the invention, the door-side bearing bush can also be designed as part of a sliding guide arranged on the vehicle door. It is further proposed that the arm part of the pivot arm be arranged in or near a horizontal plane determined by an adjacent sill of the vehicle body.Furthermore, the arm part of the pivot arm can be straight or curved, viewed in the pivot plane of the pivot arm. Furthermore, the pivot arm can be formed as a welded, cast, or formed part and made of metal, such as steel or light metal, or of a plastic, such as fiber-reinforced plastic (CFRP or similar). The vehicle door can also be manually and / or externally operated. As the invention further provides, each pivot bearing can be assigned at least one known actuator that effects the pivoting movement of the pivot arm and the vehicle door supported by it. These actuators, in turn, are interconnected and coordinated in terms of control technology in such a way that a pivoting movement of the vehicle door is permitted with the minimum required lateral clearance. Said actuators can be hydraulic, pneumatic, and / or electromechanical.The vehicle door described above can be designed as a side door or a rear door. A vehicle door in the form of a rear door can be pivoted laterally on the vehicle body and designed to pivot in such a way that, when fully opened, it wraps around a corner of the body and nestles against the relevant body side panel.

[0011] The proposed vehicle with a pivoting door offers the following key advantages over conventional door systems. First, minimal lateral space is required to open the vehicle door. Furthermore, the free space created in the sill area and the wide-opening vehicle door allow for improved entry. Finally, the largely concealed support and guidance of the vehicle door, located exclusively at the bottom, allows for considerable design freedom, and also permits the installation of such a door system on coupé vehicles.

[0012] The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to an embodiment schematically illustrated in the drawings. They show: Fig. 1 the side view of a shell vehicle body, in the area of ​​the passenger side of a motor vehicle for better understanding in a comparative representation with both a pivoting vehicle door designed according to the invention and a conventional pivoting vehicle door, Fig. 2 the top view after Fig. 1, Fig. 3 the vehicle door supported by a swivel arm according to the invention Fig. 1 in a side view from the outside in the closed state, Fig. 4 a pivot arm in a perspective detail view as a system component of the pivoting vehicle door, Fig. 5 the body-side swivel bearing of the swivel arm according to Fig. 4 (Section II after Fig. 3), Fig. 6 the door-side pivot bearing of the pivot arm according Fig. 4 (Section II-II after Fig. 3), Fig. 7 section III-III according to Fig. 3, Fig. 8 a parallel guide in a perspective detail view as a further system component of the pivoting vehicle door, and Fig. 9 the schematic representation of the pivoting kinematics of the vehicle door carried by the pivoting arm depending on the orientation of an adjacent vehicle wheel.

[0013] The Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 initially show a shell 1 of a motor vehicle, in this case a passenger car, in the area of ​​the passenger side of the vehicle. For better understanding, both a pivoting vehicle door 2, 2' designed according to the invention and a conventional one are shown in the open state, with the conventional vehicle door 2' being indicated by dashed lines.

[0014] This comparative illustration shows the main advantage of the vehicle door 2 designed according to the invention compared to a conventional vehicle door 2' pivoted on one side, which in turn is characterized by an extremely minimized required free space for pivoting the vehicle door 2, in that the same can be pivoted largely parallel to the vehicle body 1 out of a door cutout 3 thereof or into the door cutout 3.

[0015] Such a pivoting movement is essentially realized by a single pivot arm 4 which supports the vehicle door 2 and absorbs all occurring door forces and which is pivotally mounted at one end on the vehicle body 1 and at the other end on the vehicle door 2 in pivot bearings 5, 6 about a vertical axis each.

[0016] According to the Fig. 3 and Fig. 4, the pivot arm 4 is formed by a largely horizontally oriented arm part 4a with a bearing part arranged at each end thereof in the form of a largely vertically oriented bearing pin 4b, 4c, which in turn are received by at least one bearing bush 5a, 5b; 6a arranged on the body or door side. The pivot arm 4 can be designed as a welded, cast, or formed part and can be made of metal, such as steel or light metal, or of plastic, such as a fiber-reinforced plastic. A suitable fiber-reinforced plastic, for example, is CFRP (=carbon fiber reinforced plastic) or the like.

[0017] Preferably, two bearing bushes 5a, 5b are provided on the body side, which are arranged according to the Fig. 3, Fig. 4 and Fig. 5 the ends of the body-side bearing pin 4b of the swivel arm 4, which is designed with two free ends, support both radially and axially.

[0018] In contrast, the door-side bearing pin 4c according to this embodiment has only one free end, which supports a single door-side bearing bush 6a both radially and axially.

[0019] In the present case, the door-side bearing bush 6a is formed by a bushing base body, which in turn can be fastened to a rigid support part 8 of the vehicle door 2 by means of fastening means 7, such as pins, screws or the like ( Fig. 6 and Fig. 7).

[0020] Said rigid support part 8 is formed by reinforcing plates 8a, 8b of the vehicle door 2, which in turn form a vertically aligned hollow profile with a closed cross-section when assembled, which in turn is supported on any impact beams 9 and / or the inner door panel 10 of the vehicle door 2 (in particular Fig. 3).

[0021] As already shown above, this measure allows the fastening point for the bushing base body of the bearing bush 6a on the support part 8 to be adjusted in height, which results in a comfortable assembly and adjustment of the vehicle door 2 in relation to the motor vehicle body 1 or its door opening 3.

[0022] For fixing the door-side bearing pin 4c in the door-side bearing bush 6a, a fixing pin 11 is provided, which in turn penetrates a vertically aligned through-bore 12 of the door-side bearing pin 4c and is supported at one end on the same and at the other end on the door-side bearing bush 6a and is thus axially fixed but rotatably connected to the door-side bearing bush 6a.

[0023] As in particular the Fig. 2 and Fig. As can be further seen in Figure 3, the door-side pivot bearing 6 of the pivot arm 4 is arranged in a central section of the vehicle door 2, viewed along its length, preferably at, or at least close to, the center of gravity of the vehicle door 2. As a result, the forces acting on the door-side pivot bearing 6, in particular tilting moments, are significantly minimized.

[0024] As will certainly be easily understood by the expert, by selecting the longitudinal extension “s” of the arm part 4a of the pivoting arm 4, the maximum door cutout 3 to be exposed by the vehicle door 2 during the opening process can be adjusted.

[0025] Preferably, however, the arm part 4a of the pivot arm 4 has a longitudinal extension “s” such that when the vehicle door 2 is pivoted out completely, the door cutout 3 in the motor vehicle body 1 is largely fully exposed, thereby allowing comfortable entry or exit and / or comfortable loading or unloading.

[0026] If, on the other hand, the maximum longitudinal extension “s” of the arm part 4a of the pivot arm 4 is limited due to, for example, certain construction conditions, it is advisable to design the door-side bearing bush 6a as part of a sliding guide arranged on the vehicle door 2, which, after the maximum pivoting movement of the vehicle door 2, allows a subsequent longitudinal displacement of the same along a guide guide assigned to the vehicle door 2 (not shown in detail).

[0027] Likewise, the swivel arm 4 can be telescopically moved by means of mechanically, hydraulically, pneumatically or electromechanically operated actuating means known per se and not shown in detail (arrow 23 according to Fig. 9), whereby a guidance of the vehicle door 2 during the opening and closing process of the same is permitted which deviates from a conventional circular path and is further optimised with regard to the desired smallest possible lateral clearance required.

[0028] As in particular the Fig. 3, the vehicle door 2 is further assigned a positive guide in the form of a mechanical parallel guide 13 corresponding to the pivot arm 4, which in turn ensures a collision-free door position with respect to the vehicle body 1.

[0029] Said parallel guide 13 is also designed in accordance with the swivel arm 4 with a possibly telescopic guide arm 13a and end-side bearing pins 13b, 13c, which in turn are supported via bearing bushes 14a, 14b; 15 and via an associated connecting means 16 on the motor vehicle body 1 or via a connecting means 17 on the vehicle door 2 ( Fig. 8).

[0030] Preferably, both the pivot arm 4 or its arm part 4a and the parallel guide 13 or its guide arm 13a are arranged in or near a horizontal plane determined by an adjacent sill 18 of the motor vehicle body 1, whereby a disruptive influence of the same during entry and exit or loading and unloading is avoided.

[0031] Fig. Figure 9 shows, very schematically, the pivoting kinematics of the vehicle door 2 supported by the pivot arm 4, with the vehicle door 2 shown in several operating positions. During the pivoting movement, the vehicle door 2 moves along a circular path or, if the pivot arm 4 and guide arm 13a are telescopically extendable, along a different path, but maintains its conventional parallel position to the vehicle body 1.

[0032] As from Fig. 9, the arm part 4a of the swivel arm 4 can, contrary to the straight designs according to the Fig. 2, Fig. 3 and Fig. 4 can also be curved when viewed in the pivoting plane of the same, which allows for improved adaptation to specific installation conditions.

[0033] In extensive tests, it has proven advantageous to arrange door handles of the vehicle door 2 (not shown in detail here) preferably above the center of gravity of the same in order to minimize as far as possible adverse tilting moments acting on the door-side pivot bearing 6, in particular during a manual opening or closing process.

[0034] In addition to a manual operation of the vehicle door 2, an external actuation, for example by means of hydraulic or pneumatic cylinders known per se or also electromechanically, is also conceivable and is accordingly included in the invention (not shown in detail).

[0035] As regards, in particular, vehicle doors 2 in the form of side doors which are designed to be pivotable according to the invention, it has proven expedient in the context of said tests to move the steerable vehicle wheels 19, in particular front wheels, into a position before opening the vehicle door 2 such that no hindrance to the opening process of the vehicle door 2 is caused.

[0036] As from Fig. 9, due to the envelope curve 20 described by the vehicle wheel 19 or its tire in the pivoted-out state of the vehicle wheel 19, it would be unavoidable to hinder the opening process of the vehicle door 2 by pivoting forward.

[0037] In order to counteract this circumstance, at least one door opening sensor 21 is assigned to the vehicle door 2, which in turn is connected to an electronic control and regulating device - ECU - which in turn is connected to one or more means 22 which are suitable for pivoting the vehicle wheel(s) 19 in such a way that said obstruction is not present, for example by transferring the vehicle wheels 19 into a straight-ahead position or into a slightly inclined position which allows a collision-free opening of the vehicle door 2.

[0038] The electric motor of an existing, known electromechanical power steering system, which can also function as a parking assistant, is advantageously used as the means 22 for pivoting the vehicle wheels 19. Other suitable, known devices, such as hydraulically or pneumatically actuated devices for pivoting the vehicle wheels 19, are certainly also conceivable and are therefore also encompassed by the invention.

[0039] Furthermore, said door opening sensor 21 can be connected via the electronic control and regulating device - ECU - to one or more means suitable for transferring the vehicle body 1 to a favorable height level when the vehicle door 2 is operated, for example with the aid of a wheel suspension known per se with spring and / or damper adjustment, which can be carried out electromechanically, hydraulically or pneumatically, to raise the vehicle body 1 and lower it back to normal level at least at the beginning of the vehicle's journey (not shown in detail).

[0040] Furthermore, it may also prove advantageous in this context and is also encompassed by the invention, when the vehicle door 2 is operated, to automatically, preferably electromechanically, move an exterior mirror (not shown in detail here but known per se) adjacent to the vehicle door 2 at least from a folded-out position to a folded-in position, whereby the necessary free space for pivoting a front vehicle door 2 can be further minimized (not shown in detail). Advantageously, in preparation for a journey, ie after the vehicle door 2 has been closed, the exterior mirror is to be moved back into its original folded-out operating position, preferably similarly sensor-controlled.

[0041] The same can also apply to any additional extendable running board provided on high-built vehicles, which can be moved automatically, i.e., sensor-controlled hydraulically, pneumatically or electromechanically, from a retracted position to an extended position and back again when the vehicle door 2 is operated (not shown in detail).

[0042] The above embodiment is based on a pivot arm 4 with a mechanical parallel guide 13. According to a further embodiment, not shown in detail here but easily understandable to a person skilled in the art, while avoiding the aforementioned parallel guide 13, each pivot bearing 5, 6 is assigned at least one actuator known per se, which effects the pivoting movement of the pivot arm 4 and the vehicle door 2 supported by it. These actuators, in turn, are then interconnected and coordinated in terms of control and regulation technology in such a way that a pivoting movement of the vehicle door 2 is permitted with the minimum required lateral clearance. Said actuators can be hydraulic, pneumatic, and / or electromechanical.

[0043] Furthermore, the above embodiments are based on a side door of a vehicle / motor vehicle. However, the invention is not limited to said side door, but also encompasses a rear door (not shown in detail), which can similarly be suspended or hinged on the side of the vehicle body 1 and operable.

[0044] The vehicle door 2 or rear door is expediently designed to pivot so that, when fully opened, it is guided around a corner of the body and closely hugs the relevant body side panel. This allows the rear door to pivot up to approximately 90° around the body's vertical axis. List of reference symbols 1 vehicle body 2 vehicle door (according to the invention) 2' vehicle door (conventional) 3 Door cutout 4 swivel arm 4a Armrest 4b Bearing bolt (body side) 4c Bearing bolt (door side) 5 Swivel bearing (body side) 5a Bearing bush 5b Bearing bush 6 pivot bearing (door side) 6a Bearing bush 7 Fasteners 8 Support part 8a Reinforcing plate 8b Reinforcing plate 9 impact beams 10 inner door panel 11 fixing bolts 12 through holes 13 Parallel guidance 13a Guide arm 13b Bearing bolt 13c bearing bolt 14a bearing bush 14b Bearing bush 15 Bearing bush 16 connecting elements 17 Connection devices 18 sills 19 Vehicle wheel 20 Envelope (vehicle wheel 19) 21 Door opening sensor 22 Means for pivoting (vehicle wheel 19) 23 Telescoping (swivel arm 4)

Claims

[1] Vehicle, with at least one vehicle door (2) pivotally mounted on the vehicle body (1), which in turn is carried by a single pivot arm (4) which absorbs all door forces and which in turn is pivotally mounted at one end by means of a pivot bearing (5) on the vehicle body (1) and at the other end by means of a pivot bearing (6) on the vehicle door (2) about a vertical axis, wherein the door-side pivot bearing (6) of the pivot arm (4) is arranged in a middle section of the vehicle door (2) as seen over the length of the latter, and wherein the pivot arm (4) is formed by a horizontally aligned arm part (4a) with a body-side and a door-side bearing part, characterized byin that the bearing parts are each formed by a vertically aligned bearing pin (4b, 4c), wherein the body-side bearing pin (4b) has two free ends which are each received by a body-side bearing bush (5a, 5b), whereas the door-side bearing pin (4c) has a free end which is received by a door-side bearing bush (6a), and in that the door-side pivot bearing (6) of the pivot arm (4) is arranged in the center of gravity of the vehicle door (2), but at least close to it. [2] Vehicle according to claim 1, characterized by that the door-side pivot bearing (6) of the vehicle door (2) is adjustable in height. [3] Vehicle according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by that the arm part (4a) of the pivot arm (4) has a longitudinal extension “s” such that when the vehicle door (2) is pivoted completely, the door cutout in the vehicle body (1) is fully exposed. [4] Vehicle according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the swivel arm (4) is designed to be telescopic. [5] Vehicle according to claim 4, characterized by that said telescoping of the swivel arm (4) is accomplished mechanically, hydraulically, pneumatically or electromechanically. [6] Vehicle according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the door-side bearing bush (6a) is formed by a bush base body which in turn can be fastened to a rigid support part (8) of the vehicle door (2) by means of fastening means (7). [7] Vehicle according to claim 6, characterized by that the support part (8) is formed by reinforcing plates (8a, 8b) which, when assembled, form a vertically aligned hollow profile with a closed cross-section. [8] Vehicle according to claim 6 or 7, characterized bythat the fastening point for the socket base body on the support part (8) is adjustable in height. [9] Vehicle according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the door-side bearing pin (4c) is connected axially fixedly but rotatably to the door-side bearing bush (6a) by means of a fixing pin (11), which in turn penetrates a vertically aligned through-bore (12) of the door-side bearing pin (4c) and is supported at one end on the same and at the other end on the door-side bearing bush (6a). [10] Vehicle according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the door-side bearing bush (6a) is part of a sliding guide arranged on the vehicle door (2). [11] Vehicle according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the arm part (4a) of the swivel arm (4) is arranged in or near a horizontal plane determined by an adjacent sill (18) of the vehicle body (1). [12] Vehicle according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the arm part (4a) of the swivel arm (4) is designed to be straight or curved when viewed in the swivel plane thereof. [13] Vehicle according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the swivel arm (4) is designed as a welded, cast or formed part. [14] Vehicle according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the swivel arm (4) is made of metal, such as steel or light metal, or of a plastic, such as a fiber-reinforced plastic (CFRP or similar). [15] Vehicle according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the vehicle door (2) can be operated manually and / or by external means. [16] Vehicle according to one of the preceding claims, characterized bythat each pivot bearing (5, 6) is assigned at least one actuator which effects the pivoting movement of the pivot arm (4) and of the vehicle door (2) carried by it, which actuators are in turn interconnected and coordinated in terms of regulation and control technology in such a way that a pivoting movement of the vehicle door (2) is permitted with the smallest required lateral clearance. [17] Vehicle according to claim 16, characterized by that the actuators are of hydraulic, pneumatic and / or electromechanical type. [18] Vehicle according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the vehicle door (2) is a side or rear door. [19] Vehicle according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that a vehicle door (2) in the form of a rear door is pivotally attached to the side of the vehicle body (1). [20] Vehicle according to claim 19, characterized bythat the rear door is designed to be pivotable in such a way that, when fully opened, it is guided around a corner of the body and nestles against the relevant side wall of the body.

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