Air deflector for a vehicle

Abstract

Air guiding device (12) for a rear area (10) of a vehicle; with a mounting element (13) via which the air guiding device (12) can be mounted on the rear area (10) of the vehicle; with an air guiding element (14) which can be displaced between a retracted rest position and an extended operating position; with a displacement device (15) having a first displacement element and a second displacement element, via which the air guiding element (14) can be displaced between the rest position and the operating position; with a closure device (19) by means of which a gap (18) formed between the air guide element (14) and the mounting element (13) in the extended operating position of the air guide element (14) can be closed, wherein the closure device (19) is designed as a textile fabric which can be stretched to close the gap (18); characterized in that the closure device (19) has a central textile fabric section (20) and lateral textile fabric sections (21, 22), wherein the middle textile fabric section (20) serves to close the gap (18) between the displacement elements of the displacement device (15) and can be stretched by stretching the middle textile fabric section, wherein the lateral textile fabric sections (21, 22) serve to close the gap (18) laterally next to the central textile fabric section (20) and can be clamped via a respective pre-tensioned bracket (23, 24).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to an air guiding device for a vehicle.

[0002] DE 10 2013 110 363 A1 discloses an air guiding device for a rear area of ​​a vehicle. The air guiding device known from this prior art has a mounting element by means of which the air guiding device can be mounted on a rear area of ​​the vehicle. Furthermore, this air guiding device has an air guiding element and a displacement device with displacement elements, wherein the air guiding element can be displaced between a retracted rest position and an extended operating position via the displacement elements of the displacement device. Furthermore, it is already known from this prior art for an air guiding device to have a closure device in the form of a textile fabric by means of which a gap formed between the air guiding element and the mounting element in the extended operating position of the air guiding element can be closed.According to DE 10 2013 110 363 A1, the gap in the area formed between the displacement elements of the displacement device can be closed using the textile fabric. The gap can be closed laterally next to the displacement elements using rigid closure elements, i.e., not using the textile fabric. From DE 10 2013 110 363 A1, it is therefore known to close the gap across its entire extent transverse to the vehicle's longitudinal direction using a closure device, specifically between the displacement elements of the displacement device using a textile fabric and laterally adjacent to it using rigid closure elements.

[0003] By completely closing the gap, a high level of effectiveness of the air deflection device can be ensured. However, the air deflection device known from DE 10 2013 110 363 A1 has a relatively complex structure.

[0004] FR 2 982 568 B1 discloses a further air guiding device for a vehicle with an air guiding element which can be displaced between a retracted rest position and an extended operating position, and with a closing device by means of which a gap which forms between the air guiding element and a rear window in the extended operating position of the air guiding element can be closed, wherein the closing device is designed as a flat structure which can be unwound from a roll to close the gap.

[0005] The object of the invention is to create a novel air guiding device with high effectiveness and simple construction.

[0006] This object is achieved by an air guiding device according to claim 1. According to the invention, the closure device has a central textile fabric section and lateral textile fabric sections, wherein the central textile fabric section serves to close the gap between the displacement elements of the displacement device and can be opened up by stretching the central textile fabric section, and wherein the lateral textile fabric sections serve to close the gap laterally next to the central textile fabric section and can each be opened up via a pre-tensioned bracket.

[0007] In the air guiding device according to the invention, the entire gap—not only the area between the displacement elements of the displacement device, but also the adjacent side gaps—is closed by the textile fabric. For this purpose, the textile fabric has a central textile fabric section and lateral textile fabric sections.

[0008] The middle section of the fabric serves to close the gap between the transfer elements of the transfer device. This middle section of the textile fabric can be expanded by stretching it.

[0009] The lateral textile fabric sections, which serve to close the gap laterally adjacent to the central textile fabric section, can be stretched using pre-tensioned brackets.

[0010] The air guiding device according to the invention allows a highly effective sealing of the gap that forms in the operating position between the mounting element and the air guiding element of the air guiding device with a simple structure.

[0011] According to a further development, at least one piping extends along an upper edge of the central textile fabric section and along an upper edge of the lateral textile fabric sections, via which these fabric sections engage the air guide element. This is particularly preferred to ensure a simple construction of the air guide device. The textile fabric is connected to the air guide element via the piping over its entire extent transversely to the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, i.e., both in the region of the central textile fabric section and in the region of the lateral textile fabric sections.

[0012] According to a further development, a piping extends along a lower edge of the central textile fabric section, via which the central textile fabric section engages the mounting element. The prestressed brackets extend along a lower edge of the lateral textile fabric sections, are connected to the lower edge of the respective lateral textile fabric section, and are also hinged to the mounting element. This is also preferred to ensure a simple construction of the air guiding device.

[0013] The central textile fabric section, which is to be stretched over the stretch, is attached to the mounting element via the piping that extends along the lower edge. The side textile fabric sections are attached to the brackets at their lower edges.

[0014] Preferably, the lateral edges of the lateral textile fabric sections are edged in a slack material. This allows for particularly advantageous tensioning of the lateral fabric sections. The edging of the lateral edges keeps them in a precise, defined shape in the operating position of the air guiding device, while allowing them to be laid down in a defined manner in the rest position.

[0015] According to a further development, the air guiding device has a pre-tensioned bow that engages the textile fabric. A central section of the bow engages the central textile fabric section and articulates its side legs to the mounting element. The optional pre-tensioned bow, which interacts with the central textile fabric section, counteracts any age-related reduction in the tension of the textile fabric and can thus ensure a defined tension of the central textile fabric section over the entire service life of the air guiding device.

[0016] Preferred developments of the invention will become apparent from the dependent claims and the following description. Exemplary embodiments of the invention are explained in more detail, without being limited thereto, with reference to the drawings. Herein: Fig. 1 a rear area of ​​a vehicle with an air guiding device, the air guiding element of which is moved into the operating position; Fig. 2 the air guiding device in the operating position from the rear; Fig. 3 the air guiding device in the operating position from the front; Fig. 4 the locking device of the air guiding device in the operating position from the front.

[0017] The present invention relates to an air guiding device for a rear area of ​​a vehicle.

[0018] Fig. 1 shows a section of a rear area 10 of a vehicle, wherein an air guiding device 12 according to the invention is positioned in the rear area 10 below a rear window 11 of the vehicle. Fig. 1 shows the air guiding device 12 in the extended operating position.

[0019] The air guiding device 12 has a mounting element 13 (see Fig. 2 and Fig. 3), via which the air guiding device 12 can be mounted on the rear area 10 of the motor vehicle, namely on a body structure of the rear area 10 of the motor vehicle. Furthermore, the air guiding device 12 has an air guiding element 14, which can be moved between a retracted rest position and an extended operating position. In the retracted rest position, the air guiding element 14 is integrated into the body structure in the rear area 10 of the motor vehicle, whereas in the extended operating position of the air guiding element 14, the same is moved out of the rear area 10, namely out of the body structure of the rear area 10.

[0020] To move the air guide element 14 between the retracted rest position and the extended operating position, the air guide device comprises a displacement device 15 comprising a first displacement element 16 and a second displacement element 17. The displacement elements 16, 17 of the displacement device 15 can be designed, for example, as telescopic cylinders, via which the air guide element 14 can be raised and lowered relative to the mounting element 13 during the transfer between the retracted rest position and the extended operating position.

[0021] In the extended operating position of the air guide element 14, a gap 18 forms between the air guide element 14 and the mounting element 13.

[0022] To seal the gap 18, which forms in the extended operating position between the air guiding element 14 and the mounting element 13 of the air guiding device 12, the air guiding device 12 comprises a closing device 19. This closing device 19 is formed by a textile fabric which can be stretched to close the gap 18 in the extended operating position of the air guiding element 14. Fig. 4 shows the stretched textile fabric or the stretched closure device 19 without the mounting element 13 and without the air guiding element 14 of the air guiding device 12.

[0023] The closure device 19, which is designed as a textile fabric, has a central textile fabric section 20 and lateral textile fabric sections 21, 22.

[0024] The central textile fabric section 20 of the closure device 19 serves to close the gap 18 between the displacement elements 16, 17 of the displacement device 15, wherein this central textile fabric section 20 can be stretched in the extended operating position to seal the gap 18 by stretching the same.

[0025] The lateral textile fabric sections 21, 22 of the closure device 19 serve to close the gap 18 laterally next to the central textile fabric section 20, wherein the same can be clamped via a respective pre-tensioned bracket 23, 24 in the extended operating position of the air guide element 14.

[0026] How best Fig. 3, in the extended operating position of the air guiding element 14, the central, stretched textile fabric section 20 extends from the bottom rear to the top front, whereas the lateral, stretched textile fabric sections 21, 22 extend from the bottom front to the top rear.

[0027] The fabric of the closure device 19 is a one-piece fabric, with the lateral textile fabric sections 21, 22 being connected to the central textile fabric section 20 via further textile fabric sections 25. In the extended operating position, the lateral textile fabric sections 21 and 22 as well as the central textile fabric section 20 extend in the vehicle's longitudinal direction, with these fabric sections 20, 21, and 22 serving to seal the gap 18.

[0028] The textile fabric sections 25, which connect the central textile fabric section 20 to one of the lateral textile fabric sections 21, 22 on both sides, extend in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle in the operating position of the air guide element 14 and prevent air flow in this area.

[0029] How best Fig. 4, a piping 29 extends along an upper edge 26 of the central textile fabric section 20 and along an upper edge 27, 28 of the lateral textile fabric sections 21, 22, via which piping these fabric sections 20, 21 and 22 firmly engage the air guide element 14. In the illustrated embodiment of the Fig. 4, the piping 29 is designed as a continuous component which, in the extended operating position, extends transversely to the vehicle's longitudinal direction over both lateral fabric sections 21, 22 and the central fabric section 20, wherein a weakening, namely a material weakening 30, is introduced into the piping 29 in the transition area between the two lateral fabric sections 21, 22 and the central fabric section 20. In contrast, it is also possible to construct the piping 29 in several parts, so that individual piping 29 then extend along the upper edges 26, 27 and 28 of the fabric sections 20, 21 and 22.

[0030] A further piping 31 extends along a lower edge 32 of the central textile fabric section 20. The central textile fabric section 20 is firmly connected to the mounting element 13 of the air guiding device 12 via this piping 31.

[0031] The pre-tensioned brackets 23 and 24 extend along lower edges 33, 34 of the lateral textile fabric sections 21 and 22, wherein the lateral textile fabric sections 21, 22 firmly engage the respective bracket 23, 24 via their lower edges 33, 34.

[0032] Each of the brackets 23, 24 is pivotally mounted on the mounting element 13 of the air guiding device 12 via lateral bearing points 35. In the area of ​​at least one bearing point 35 of each bracket 23, 24, a spring element (not shown) is preferably positioned, which preloads the respective bracket 23, 24 such that the respective bracket 23, 24 is pressed into its rest position due to the spring force of the respective spring element, so that the respective bracket 23, 24 is accordingly pivoted against the spring force of the spring element when the air guiding device 12 is moved into the extended operating position.

[0033] The lower end 33, 34 of the respective lateral textile fabric section 21, 22 is therefore displaced, in contrast to the lower end 32 of the central textile fabric section 20, when the air guiding device 12 is displaced relative to the mounting element 13.

[0034] Then, when the air guiding device 12 is displaced from its extended operating position towards the retracted rest position, the pre-tensioned brackets follow the spring force of the spring element, which pushes the brackets 23, 24 towards the Fig. 3, whereby the lateral textile fabric sections 21, 22 are then laid down in the rest position in a defined manner.

[0035] How Fig. 3, lateral edges 36 of the lateral textile fabric sections 21, 22 are enclosed, namely in a flexible material, preferably in an elastomer material, such as a TPE material. This ensures that the lateral textile fabric sections 21, 22 always assume a defined contour in the extended operating position of the air guiding device 12, which contour is predetermined by the enclosed edges 36 of these fabric sections 21, 22.

[0036] It should be noted again that the upper edges 26, 27, and 28 of the fabric sections 21 and 22 are each firmly connected to the air guiding element 14 of the air guiding device 12 via at least one piping 29. The lower edge 32 of the central fabric section 20 is firmly connected to a mounting element 13 of the air guiding device 12 via another piping 39. The lower edges 33, 34 of the lateral textile fabric sections 21, 22 are firmly connected to the pre-tensioned brackets 23, 24, which are movable relative to the mounting element 13 when the air guiding device 12 is moved between the rest position and the operating position.The sheet sections 25, which connect the lateral sheet sections 21, 22 with the central sheet section 20, are firmly connected to the mounting element 13 in sections at the bottom, namely adjacent to the central sheet section 20, whereas at the front, i.e. adjacent to the brackets 23, 24, these sections 25 are loose in order to enable a defined clamping and laying down of the same when transferring between the rest position and the operating position.

[0037] According to an advantageous development of the invention, the air guiding device 12, as in Fig. 4, a prestressed bow 37 that interacts with and engages the central textile fabric section 20. The bow 37 has a central section 38 that firmly engages the central textile fabric section 20, as well as two lateral legs 39 that engage the mounting element 13 of the air guiding device 12 via pivot joints 40. These legs 39 also engage the sections 25 of the textile fabric. The bow 37, like the brackets 23, 24, is pre-tensioned, namely preferably via spring elements in the region of at least one rotary joint 40, wherein this spring element presses the bow 37 into a rest position, so that when the air guiding device is displaced, starting from the rest position into the operating position, the bow 37 is displaced around the rotary joints 40 into its operating position against the spring force of the respective spring element.The bow 37 also serves to precisely clamp the central textile fabric section 20 in the operating position to counteract possible aging and a reduction in the elasticity of the textile fabric. The textile fabric is preferably a polyester knit.

[0038] In Fig. 1, recesses are provided in the mounting element 13 in an area extending in front of the central fabric section 20 in the extended operating position of the air guiding device 12. If the vehicle has a rear engine, air can be directed toward the rear engine through these recesses. If the vehicle does not have a rear engine, the mounting element 13 is preferably completely closed in order to direct the air over the air guiding element 14 of the air guiding device 12.

Claims

[1] Air guide device (12) for a rear area (10) of a vehicle; with a mounting element (13) via which the air guide device (12) can be mounted on the rear area (10) of the vehicle; with an air guide element (14) which can be moved between a retracted rest position and an extended operating position; with a displacement device (15) comprising a first displacement element and a second displacement element, by means of which the air guide element (14) can be displaced between the rest position and the operating position; with a locking device (19) by which a gap (18) forming between the air guide element (14) and the mounting element (13) in the extended operating position of the air guide element (14) can be closed, wherein the closure device (19) is designed as a textile surface structure which can be stretched to close the gap (18); characterized by , that the closure device (19) has a central textile fabric section (20) and lateral textile fabric sections (21, 22), wherein the middle textile surface section (20) serves to close the gap (18) between the displacement elements of the displacement device (15) and can be stretched by extending the middle textile surface section, wherein the lateral textile surface section (21, 22) serve to close the gap (18) laterally next to the central textile surface section (20) and can each be stretched over a pre-tensioned bracket (23, 24). [2] Air guide device (12) according to claim 1, characterized by, that the middle textile surface section (20) and the lateral textile surface sections (21, 22) extend transversely to the longitudinal direction of the vehicle in the operating position, wherein at each lateral end of the middle textile surface section (20) one of the lateral textile surface sections (21, 22) is connected via a textile surface section (25) extending in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle in the operating position. [3] Air guide device (12) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by , that at least one keder (29) extends along an upper edge (26) of the middle textile surface section (20) and along an upper edge (27, 28) of the lateral textile surface sections (21, 22), over which the surface sections (20, 21, 22) engage the air guide element (14). [4] Air guide device (12) according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized by, that a keder (21) extends along a lower edge (32) of the middle textile fabric section (20), via which the middle textile fabric section (20) engages the mounting element (13). [5] Air guide device (12) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized by , that the pre-tensioned brackets (23, 24) extend along a lower edge (33, 34) of the lateral textile surface section (21, 22), are connected to the lower edge (33, 34) of the respective lateral textile surface section (21, 22) and are pivotally mounted on the mounting element (13). [6] Air guide device (12) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized by , that the lateral edges (36) of the lateral textile surface structure sections (21, 22) are enclosed in a flexible material. [7] Air guide device (12) according to claim 6, characterized by, that the lateral edges (36) of the lateral textile surface structure sections (21, 22) are bound with an elastomer material, in particular a TPE material. [8] Air guide device (12) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized by a prestressed bow (37) engaging the textile surface structure (19), which engages the middle textile surface structure section (20) with a middle section (38) and which pivotally engages the mounting element (13) with lateral legs (39). [9] Air guide device (12) according to claim 8, characterized by , that the lateral legs (39) of the bow (37) engage the textile surface sections (25) which extend in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle in the operating position.

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