motor vehicle

Abstract

Motor vehicle (1) with a trailer coupling which can be pivoted from a rest position to a working position at a rear (2) of the motor vehicle via an electrically operated drive device, with a transport device (3) which is detachably attached to the trailer coupling in a transport position (4), wherein the transport device (3) is in a horizontal position (26) with respect to the motor vehicle (1) in the transport position (4), the transport device (3) can be pivoted from the transport position (4) to an inclined loading position (5), wherein the transport device (3) can be reversibly pivoted by a predetermined pivot angle α to a lateral end (24, 25) of the transport device (3) into the inclined position of the loading position (5), and an electrically operated drive device is provided for pivoting the transport device (3).wherein a safety device is provided in an actuation system of the electrically actuated drive device which, based on predetermined parameters, prevents the trailer coupling from being actuated while driving.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a motor vehicle according to the preamble of claim 1. In particular, the invention relates to a motor vehicle with a trailer hitch to which a device for transporting objects, in particular bicycles, is detachably attached when required.

[0002] A trailer coupling for a motor vehicle is known from DE 10 2012 011 071 A1. In its rest position, the trailer coupling is located, for example, below a rear apron. From this rest position, the trailer coupling can be reversibly pivoted outwards into an operating position via an electrically actuated drive device. The drive device comprises an electric motor, a gear unit positively connected to the electric motor, and a hydraulic unit, which together form an actuation system. A control mechanism is also provided.

[0003] Comparable trailer couplings are known from DE 10 2011 118 699 A1 and DE 10 2011 014 882 A1.

[0004] From US patent 5,181,822 A, a device for transporting bicycles is known in which the bicycle can be reversibly pivoted from a transport position arranged on the transport device away from the vehicle to a loading position via a pivotable lever device.

[0005] From DE 20 2010 017 234 U1, a motor vehicle with a trailer hitch is known according to the wording of claim 1. DE 20 2010 017 234 U1 further describes a transport device that is detachably attached to the trailer hitch in a transport position, wherein the transport device is in a horizontal position relative to the motor vehicle in the transport position. The transport device can be reversibly pivoted from the transport position to an inclined loading position. Furthermore, an electrically actuated drive device for pivoting the transport device is provided. In the loading position described therein, the load-bearing element is inclined to the rear.

[0006] EP 2 338 740 A1 discloses a motor vehicle with a transport device that can be attached to the rear of the vehicle. This load carrier is reversibly pivotable between a transport position and a loading position. In the transport position, the load carrier is in a horizontal position relative to the motor vehicle. In the loading position, the load carrier is in an inclined position, with the transport device tilted by a predetermined pivot angle towards one lateral end of the transport device.

[0007] The object of the invention is to create a motor vehicle in which the loading and unloading of a transport device detachably attached to a trailer hitch is simplified.

[0008] This problem is solved by the features of claim 1.

[0009] A motor vehicle according to the invention has a trailer hitch that can be pivoted from a rest position to a working position at the rear of the vehicle via an electrically actuated drive device. A transport device is detachably attached to the trailer hitch in a transport position when required. In the transport position, the transport device is in a horizontal position relative to the motor vehicle. A safety device is provided in an actuation system of the electrically actuated drive device, which, based on predetermined parameters, prevents the trailer hitch from being actuated while driving. At least one electrically actuated drive device is provided for pivoting the transport device.

[0010] Advantageously, the transport device can be reversibly pivoted from the transport position to an inclined loading position. The pivoting is advantageously performed about an axis of rotation in the longitudinal direction x of the vehicle.

[0011] The transport device is pivoted from the transport position manually or via the electrically operated drive device to a lateral end of the transport device by a predetermined pivot angle α into the inclined position of the loading position. In particular, the possible pivot angle α depends on a minimum distance of the downwardly pivoted lateral end of the transport device in a perpendicular direction to a roadway.

[0012] Advantageously, the swivel angle α lies within a range of a maximum of +45° ≤ α ≤ 45°.

[0013] In an advantageous embodiment, the electrically actuated drive device already present on the vehicle can be controlled to pivot the transport device from a rest position to a working position and additionally to pivot it from the transport position to the loading position and back. Alternatively or additionally, in another advantageous embodiment, a second electric drive for pivoting the transport device from the transport position to the loading position and back is arranged on the vehicle.

[0014] In an advantageous embodiment, the parameters for the safety device consist at least in that the trailer coupling can only be actuated when the trailer coupling is swung out into the working position and the trailer coupling with the attached transport device can only be swung out when the motor vehicle is parked.

[0015] Advantageously, distance sensors are arranged at the lateral ends of the transport device.

[0016] In an advantageous embodiment, the transport device is a bicycle carrier.

[0017] One embodiment of the invention is described below with reference to the only Fig. 1. Described as an example. The Fig. Figure 1 shows the rear 2 of a motor vehicle 1. A transport device 3 is arranged in a known manner on a trailer hitch (not visible). In the embodiment shown, the transport device 3 is a bicycle carrier.

[0018] In the Fig. Figure 1 shows two working positions, 4 and 5, of the bicycle carrier 3. In the horizontal working position 4, the bicycle carrier 3 is in a horizontal position and is securely attached to the trailer hitch. Working position 4 is therefore a transport position.

[0019] In the second working position 5, the bicycle carrier 3 is in a loading position in which a bicycle (not shown) can be moved from a roadway 6 onto a mounting base 7 of the bicycle carrier 3.

[0020] The mounting base 7 has in the Fig. In the embodiment shown in Figure 1, two channel-like rails with a substantially U-shaped cross-section are provided. Two mounting devices 10a and 10b, and 11a and 11b, are provided on each of the respective rails 8 and 9. A bracket 12 is pivotably and lockably arranged on the mounting base 7.

[0021] In the Fig. 1. The bracket 12 is in a vertical position 13. In the vertical position 13 of the bracket 12, bicycles located on the mounting base 7 in the rails 8 and 9 can be attached using fastening means not shown.

[0022] The bracket 12 can be pivoted from the vertical position 13 away from the rear 2 of the motor vehicle 1 towards the mounting base 7 of the bicycle carrier 3 in order to open or close a tailgate 14 of the motor vehicle 1.

[0023] The bicycle carrier 3 has taillights 15, 16 and brake lights 17, 18 on opposite side edges 20 and 21 at its rear end 19. The taillights 15, 16 and the brake lights 17, 18 are supplied with power via a power line 22, which is connected to the electrical system of the motor vehicle 1 via a plug 23.

[0024] As from the Fig. As can be seen from Figure 1, the bicycle carrier 3 in transport position 4 has a distance z on a level road surface 6. 3,4 up. The distance z 3,4 In transport position 4, for example, at 20 cm ≤ z 3,4 The distance should be ≤ 40 cm, depending on the vehicle type. 3,5 , minIn the loading position 5 of the bicycle carrier 3, a minimum distance of 5 cm ≤ z is observed at one of its downwardly inclined ends 24. 3,5 , min ≤ 10 cm.

[0025] A swivel angle α of the bicycle carrier 3 in the loading position 5 is in the Fig. 1 α ≤ 23°. The swivel angle can also be larger depending on the ground clearance and may, for example, be α ≤ + / - 45°.

[0026] In the illustrated embodiment, the bicycle carrier 3 is pivoted downwards and to the left towards the roadway 6. In another position, the bicycle carrier 3 can be positioned with its right end 25 (viewed from the rear) towards the roadway 6 while maintaining the minimum distance z. 3,5 , min have been swung.

[0027] In one embodiment, the bicycle carrier 3 is pivoted from the loading position 5 to the transport position 4 and back to the loading position 5 via a continuously pivotable or tiltable trailer hitch. In the illustrated embodiment, the trailer hitch rotates about an axis of rotation extending in the longitudinal direction x of the vehicle.

[0028] Taking into account the minimum distance z 3,5 , min In the loading position 5, the bicycle carrier 3 can be pivoted from the horizontal arrangement 26 of the bicycle carrier 3 in the transport position 4 to the inclined arrangement 27 of the loading position 5 by the pivot angle α which depends on the inclination of the roadway 6.

[0029] In one embodiment, the twisting of the trailer coupling is carried out by the existing electrically actuated drive device, for example according to the electrically actuated drive device known from DE 10 2012 011 071 A1 and / or by a second electrically actuated drive device.

[0030] The electric motor of the first, already existing electrically operated drive device serves to pivot the trailer hitch from its usually invisible resting position, for example under a rear apron of the vehicle 1, into the working or operating position facing away from the rear of the vehicle 2. The pivoting of the trailer hitch occurs, for example, about a rotation axis extending in the transverse direction y of the vehicle.

[0031] The existing electric motor can, by means of an intermediate device, for example a cam box, perform the pivoting movement from the rest position to the operating position and the pivoting movement from the transport position 4 of the bicycle carrier 3 attached to the trailer hitch to the inclined position 27 of the loading position 5.

[0032] In another embodiment, a separate, electrically operated drive device is provided for pivoting the bicycle carrier 3 from the loading position 5 into the transport position 4 and back into the loading position 5.

[0033] In a known manner, a safety device is provided by which operation of the bicycle carrier 3 from the transport position 4 and the loading position 5 is only possible under predetermined conditions.

[0034] For example, a switching device can be connected to a safety device. The safety device prevents accidental activation of the trailer hitch swivel mechanism while driving. The safety device only allows the (switch-on) or (operating) signal to be transmitted to the corresponding electric motor of the electrically operated drive device when certain parameters are met.

[0035] A first parameter is, for example, that vehicle 1 is in a parked position. For vehicle 1 with an automatic transmission, the parked position can be indicated by the gear selector being in position "P". For vehicle 1 with a manual transmission, an engaged parking brake can trigger the signal transmission. A second parameter is, for example, that the trailer hitch is in the extended operating position.

[0036] To attach the bicycle carrier 3, the trailer hitch of a stationary vehicle 1 is first pivoted outwards from its resting position into its operating position. The bicycle carrier 3 is then attached to the trailer hitch in the (horizontal) transport position 4 in the usual manner.

[0037] For the subsequent loading process, the bicycle carrier 3 is pivoted by the selected and possible pivot angle α, dependent on the surroundings, to the respective desired side into the loading position 5. The pivot angle α is selected such that the respective lateral end 24, 25 of the bicycle carrier 3 pivots by the minimum distance z. 3,5 , min from lane 6 in the inclined loading position 5.

[0038] After the bicycle is secured to the bicycle carrier 3, the electrically operated drive device is activated, pivoting the bicycle carrier 3 from the loading position 5 to the horizontal position 26 of the transport position 4. The unloading process for a bicycle on the bicycle carrier 3 is carried out in reverse order.

Claims

[1] Motor vehicle (1) with a trailer coupling which can be pivoted from a rest position to a working position at a rear (2) of the motor vehicle via an electrically operated drive device, with a transport device (3) which is detachably attached to the trailer coupling in a transport position (4), wherein the transport device (3) is in a horizontal position (26) with respect to the motor vehicle (1) in the transport position (4), the transport device (3) can be pivoted from the transport position (4) to an inclined loading position (5), wherein the transport device (3) can be reversibly pivoted by a predetermined pivot angle α to a lateral end (24, 25) of the transport device (3) into the inclined position of the loading position (5), and an electrically operated drive device is provided for pivoting the transport device (3),wherein a safety device is provided in an actuation system of the electrically actuated drive device which, based on predetermined parameters, prevents the trailer coupling from being actuated while driving. [2] Motor vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the swivel angle α is determined by a minimum distance z 3,5 , min the downward pivoted lateral end (24, 25) of the transport device (3) to a roadway (6) is dependent. [3] Motor vehicle according to claim 2, wherein the swivel angle α is in a range of at most +45° ≤ α ≤ 45°. [4] Motor vehicle according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the electrically actuated drive device already present on the motor vehicle (1) can be additionally controlled to pivot the transport device (3) from the transport position (4) to the loading position (5) and back, and / or that a second electric drive for pivoting the transport device (3) from the transport position (4) to the loading position (5) and back is arranged in the motor vehicle (1). [5] Motor vehicle according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the parameters for the safety device consist at least in that the trailer coupling can only be actuated when the trailer coupling is swung out into the working position and the trailer coupling with the transport device (3) attached to it can only be swung out when the motor vehicle (1) is parked. [6] Motor vehicle according to claim 5, wherein distance sensors are arranged at the lateral ends (24, 25) of the transport device (3). [7] Motor vehicle according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the transport device (3) is a bicycle carrier.

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