Emergency operating tool

Abstract

Emergency actuation tool for at least one concealed functional unit (20) of a vehicle, comprising at least one tool head (4) for the functional unit having an actuating element (5), wherein the actuating element (5) is designed with a positive locking element (10) complementary to the functional unit (20) and at least one marking (11, 12) is attached to the emergency actuating tool, which serves as an indicator for a relative position (RS1, RS2) of the actuating element (5) to the concealed functional unit (20), characterized in that the positive locking element (10) is designed as an eyelet (10) that fits a hook-shaped locking element of the functional unit (20).

Description

[0001] The invention is based on an emergency actuation tool for a concealed functional unit of a vehicle, according to the preamble of claim 1.

[0002] Such an emergency operating tool in the form of a mechanical hand tool is known from DE 10 2008 024 917 A1. It serves to manually operate a locking device when the automatic drive has failed. The functional unit, in this case the locking device, is mounted under an opening in the outer skin and is thus concealed by this outer skin.

[0003] German patent DE 198 01 853 C1 describes emergency-operated functional units, specifically locking devices for a convertible top compartment lid. The locking units are connected to a mechanical mechanism via a cable. For emergency operation, a tool can be applied to the mechanical mechanism to actuate the locking devices. The locking devices are concealed beneath the convertible top compartment lid when it is in the closed position. In the event of a mechanical failure, the convertible top, which is in an open position beneath the compartment lid, must first be manually unlocked to open the compartment lid.

[0004] The object of the invention is to provide an emergency actuation tool of the type mentioned above, in which a convenient and safe emergency actuation is nevertheless possible with concealed functional units.

[0005] This problem is solved with an emergency actuation tool having the features specified in claim 1. Advantageous embodiments are the subject of the dependent claims.

[0006] The main advantages achieved with the invention are as follows: the emergency actuation tool according to the invention can be easily brought into a relative position to the functional unit by means of the marking, so that the functional unit can be actuated via the emergency actuation tool. Because the functional unit is concealed, the actuating element can be positioned relative to the functional unit via the marking according to the invention in such a way that the actuating element can engage with the functional unit, for example, to unlock or generally actuate it. The marking according to the invention allows the relative position of the actuating element to the functional unit to be achieved easily, thus enabling safe emergency actuation of the functional unit. The marking according to the invention therefore increases the convenience for the vehicle user.

[0007] In a preferred embodiment, the actuating element is equipped with a positive locking element that is designed to complement the functional unit. A particularly preferred embodiment of the positive locking element is designed as an eyelet that fits a hook. Typically, locking elements for convertible top compartment lids are designed as hook-shaped latches that secure the lid in the closed position. The eyelet allows the emergency operating tool to be attached to the latch, thus enabling emergency operation.

[0008] According to a particularly preferred embodiment, the actuating tool has a further marking that serves as an indicator for a second relative position of the actuating element to the concealed functional unit. For example, the first marking can be used to move the emergency actuating tool into a first relative position with respect to the functional unit, in which, for instance, the actuating element is moved past an obstacle. The second marking can then be used to move the actuating element into the second relative position with respect to the functional unit, in which the actuating element can engage with the functional unit.

[0009] According to a further development of the invention, the emergency actuation tool has a handle that is arranged at a distance from the tool head or the actuating element. The markings can, for example, be attached to the handle.

[0010] The features described and shown in this application can be used individually or combined with any other described and shown feature. This also applies to a feature that is combined with another described and / or shown feature.

[0011] The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to an exemplary embodiment and the drawing. The drawing shows: Fig. 1. An emergency operating tool in a top view. Fig. 2 the emergency operating tool in a first relative position, Fig. 3 a detailed view of an outer skin part of a vehicle, Fig. 4 the actuating tool in a second relative position and Fig. 5 the actuating tool in an end position.

[0012] Fig. Figure 1 shows an emergency actuating tool 1, which is essentially L-shaped and has a first leg 2 and a second leg 3, wherein the first leg 2 is longer than the second leg 3. At the free end of the first leg 2, a tool head 4 is formed, which is equipped with an actuating element 5 for a Fig. The emergency operating tool 1 is equipped with a functional unit of a motor vehicle, indicated in Figure 5. The second leg 3 essentially serves as a handle 6 or grip, enabling the emergency operating tool 1 to be rotated about its longitudinal axis 7, which runs parallel to the first leg 2. Particularly in the area of ​​the handle 6, the emergency operating tool can be equipped with further tool heads 8, 9, with which other functional units of the vehicle can be operated in an emergency. In a preferred embodiment, the functional units described here are those specific to a vehicle with a movable roof assembly (not shown). These can be, for example, convertible top latches, convertible top compartment lids, linkage flaps, or the like.In the event of a failure of these functional units, it is often necessary to be able to operate the unit via an emergency release mechanism, so that, for example, the convertible top latch can be locked, the convertible top compartment lid can be unlocked, or flaps can be operated. It would also be conceivable to use the emergency release tool to operate a roof mechanism, for example, in the case of a sliding roof or a convertible top.

[0013] In the exemplary embodiment, the tool head 4 with its actuating element 5 is designed as a positive locking element which has a contour that fits a functional unit, so that the latter can be actuated in an emergency by engaging the actuating element 5 with the functional unit. In the illustrated exemplary embodiment, the positive locking element is realized as an eyelet 10, which is produced, for example, by appropriately bending the free end of the long leg 2.

[0014] The emergency actuation tool 1 has a first and a second marking 11, 12, which in the exemplary embodiment are formed on the first leg 2. The markings 11 and 12 are arranged along the leg 2 at a distance from the tool head 4. Both markings 11 and 12 are also spaced apart from each other, with the spacing also measured along the longitudinal direction of the leg 2. In the illustrated exemplary embodiment, the markings 11 and 12 are formed as protrusions on the surface of the leg 2. They can, for example, be ring-shaped. Instead of protrusions, the markings 11, 12 could also be a different color than the surface of the emergency actuation tool. It would also be conceivable to form the markings 11, 12 as differently colored inserts or inserts made of a different material than the material of the handle 3.In the exemplary embodiment, the handle 6 is designed as a plastic part which extends at least partially over the leg 2 with a projection 13. The first leg 2 is preferably made of metal and is connected to the plastic part of the handle 6, preferably by clipping. Furthermore, it can be seen that the projection 13 of the handle 6 has the markings 11, 12.

[0015] In Fig. 2 is the emergency actuation tool 1, which, incidentally, is shown in another embodiment without the tool head 9, for the emergency actuation of the only in Fig. The functional unit 20 shown in Figure 5 is attached. The leg 2 with the tool head 4 and the actuating element 5 is pushed under a cover of an outer skin of the body, here a convertible top compartment lid 14, with the functional unit 20 being located under the outer skin or the convertible top compartment lid 14. A movable roof assembly 15 is stored in an open position in a storage compartment in the vehicle (not shown in detail here), the storage compartment being at least partially closed by the convertible top compartment lid 14. With a front roof tip 16, the movable roof assembly 15 abuts a trim element 17 of the vehicle. In order for the functional unit covered by the outer skin or the convertible top compartment lid 14 to be actuated via the emergency actuating tool 1, the emergency actuating tool 1 is inserted with its leg 2 into the Fig. In position 2 shown, it is pushed under the convertible top compartment cover 14 and rests on the laid-down roof assembly 15. How Fig. As shown in Figure 2, the emergency operating tool 1 is pushed under the outer skin or the convertible top compartment cover 14 up to the first mark 11, so that the mark 11 is just barely not covered by the outer skin or the convertible top compartment cover or its edge 14'. The orientation of the emergency operating tool 1, relative to the vehicle's longitudinal axis FL and transverse axis FQ, is such that the long leg 2 extends in the direction of the vehicle's transverse axis FQ and the short leg 3 with its tool head 8 points towards the rear of the vehicle. In this first relative position RS1, in which the first mark 11 is adjacent to the edge 14', the actuating element 5 is still at a distance from the functional unit measured in the vehicle's transverse direction FQ. However, the actuating element 5 is oriented so that it can be guided past an obstacle (not shown) located in front of the functional unit.In order to ensure that the actuating element 5 can also be aligned with the correct position in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle with respect to the functional unit, an opening 18 is formed on the convertible top compartment lid 14 adjacent to its edge 14', through which the leg 2 of the in . Fig. 3 emergency actuating tool 1 (not shown) is inserted through. In order for the tool head 4 or the actuating element 5 to be guided past the obstacle 19 visible through the opening 18, the emergency actuating tool 1 is rotated about its longitudinal axis 7 at the handle ( Fig. 1) rotated by approximately 90° so that the short leg 3 - starting from the first relative position RS1 in Fig. 1 - stands approximately upright and thus runs roughly parallel to the vehicle's vertical direction (not shown here). Then the emergency operating tool 1 is used, as Fig. 4 shows that, in the transverse direction of the vehicle FQ, the actuator is inserted further through the opening 18 in the direction of arrow PF until the second marking 12 is just barely not obscured – as seen from above – by the edge 14' of the convertible top compartment cover 14. This achieves a second relative position RS2, in which the actuating element 5 is aligned relative to the functional unit 20 such that further rotation in the direction of arrow 19 engages the actuating element 5 with the only Fig. 5 indicates the functional unit 20 is engaged and actuated, i.e., unlocked, when the emergency actuation tool 1 is in Fig.The emergency release tool 1 assumes the end position ES shown in Figure 5, in which the leg 3 points towards the front of the vehicle along the longitudinal axis FL. Afterwards, the emergency release tool 1 can be removed from opening 18 and the convertible top compartment cover 14 can be opened manually. Of course, it is conceivable that the convertible top compartment cover 14 has several functional units that can be manually unlocked using the emergency release tool 1.

Claims

[1] Emergency actuation tool for at least one concealed functional unit (20) of a vehicle, comprising at least one tool head (4) for the functional unit having an actuating element (5), wherein the actuating element (5) is formed with a positive locking element (10) complementary to the functional unit (20) and at least one marking (11, 12) is attached to the emergency actuation tool, which serves as an indicator for a relative position (RS1, RS2) of the actuating element (5) to the concealed functional unit (20), characterized by , that the form-locking element (10) is designed as an eyelet (10) that fits a hook-shaped locking element of the functional unit (20). [2] Emergency actuation tool according to claim 1, characterized by a further marking (11, 12) which serves as a further indicator for a second relative position (RS2) of the actuating element (5) to the concealed functional unit (20). [3] Emergency actuation tool according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by , that a handle (6) is formed on the emergency actuation tool at a distance from the tool head (4).

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