Windabweiser

Abstract

Wind deflector (W) for the wind-facing side at a roof opening in a vehicle, wherein a roof part movable in the longitudinal direction of the motor vehicle is arranged in the roof opening, wherein the wind deflector (W) is arranged to be extendable from a non-functional position in a bearing base (L) into a functional position relative to the bearing base (L) via at least one link (1) which is pivotally connected to the bearing base (L) on one side and to the wind deflector (W) on the other side, wherein the wind deflector (W) can be moved from the non-functional position to the functional position by means of the at least one linkage (1) via at least one energy storage device acting on it, wherein the at least one link (1) is arranged parallel to the direction of extension of the wind deflector (W), wherein a first end of the respective link (1) is pivotally mounted in a pivot bearing (2) in the bearing base (L) for the wind deflector (W), and a second end of the respective link (1) is pivotally mounted in a further pivot bearing (3) on the wind deflector (W), wherein the wind deflector-side pivot bearing (3) is arranged on the leeward side of the wind deflector (W) facing the bearing base (L), and wherein, in order to provide a wide support for the wind deflector, the pivot bearing (2) on the bearing base (L) is arranged in an inward direction relative to the wind deflector-side pivot bearing (3) on the wind deflector (W). wherein a helical spring (6) acts as a force storage device on the handlebar (1), which is mounted under preload on one side at a bearing (5) of the bearing base (L) and on the other side at a bearing point (7) on a pivot arm (8) which is integrally connected to the handlebar (1), wherein the helical spring (6) arranged on the handlebar (1) causes the wind deflector (W) to extend into the functional position when the roof opening is opened, under the influence of a preload force of the helical spring. characterized by the fact that by means of a pulling element (11) acting on the wind deflector (W) or on the handlebar (1) the wind deflector (W) can be returned to the non-functional position, as a pulling element (11) a pulling cable (11) with a spring element (15) integrated into the pulling cable, acting as a pinch protection and being a helical spring (15) subjected to tensile stress, engages the handlebar (1) or the pivot bearing (3) on the wind deflector side or the wind deflector (W) itself, wherein the pulling cable (11) can be driven movably by means of a drive consisting of an electric motor (14) and a spindle drive (13), and wherein the pulling cable (11) is connected to the spindle drive (13) via a console (12), The extension and retraction of the wind deflector (W) is fully automatic, depending on the closing and opening of the vehicle's roof section, whereby the electric motor (14), the spindle drive (13) and the pull cable (11) attached to the linkage (1) trigger the retraction of the wind deflector (W) into the non-functional position when the roof opening is closed, namely at the same moment when the roof opening is to be closed or partially closed, and thus causes the pull cable (11) to move through the spindle drive (13) and the deflections on the console (12) when the wind deflector (W) moves from the functional position to the non-functional position by pivoting the linkage (1) towards the bearing base (L), thereby pre-tensioning the helical spring (6) to extend the wind deflector (W) back into the functional position.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a wind deflector according to the preamble of claim 1.

[0002] To prevent unwanted drafts or turbulence and the resulting noise, wind deflectors are installed on the roof openings of vehicles, such as sunroofs, convertible tops, and the like, to direct the oncoming airflow when they are open. These deflectors typically extend from the leading edge of the roof opening into the airflow, covering essentially the entire width of the opening.

[0003] Numerous different designs are known from patent literature and the market. Common designs include those where the wind deflector automatically deploys under spring tension, or those with a separate locking mechanism that may require manual operation for deployment.

[0004] DE 10 2013 110 143 A1 discloses a wind deflector according to the preamble of claim 1, namely a wind deflector of the second category which can be individually set up as needed by means of a push-push locking device.

[0005] DE 102 32 917 A1 reveals another wind deflector.

[0006] The wind deflector shown and described in DE 10 2004 050 513 B3 can only be erected after a locking device has been activated.

[0007] Two-part windbreak devices, especially for convertibles, are known from the publications DE 10 2004 037 482 A1, DE 10 2004 061 758 A1, DE 10 2006 059 918 A1, DE 10 2006 024 641 A1, DE 10 2009 005 818 A1, DE 10 2010 053 070 A1 and DE 10 2010 062 840 A1, in which the so-called wind deflector, which is intended to prevent the inflow of wind or turbulence from the rear of the vehicle into the passenger compartment, can be pivoted from a non-use position to a use position either manually or by means of adjusting devices or with the aid of a drive. DE 10 2009 005 818 A1 shows a wind deflector that is to be automatically extended into the operating position depending on a measurement variable relevant to the vehicle speed.

[0008] German patent DE 10 2006 023 912 A1 discloses a lamellar wind deflector which can be raised from the non-use position to a use position and returned again via a crank-operated rocker arm. The rocker arm can be operated manually or electrically.

[0009] DE 10 2007 039 986 A1 discloses and describes a foldable, collapsible, collapsible and / or rollable wind deflector system for a motor vehicle with an opening convertible top, which is to be automatically brought into the operating position by means of a spring mechanism. The spring mechanism is optionally to be supported by an electric actuator and / or a pneumatic and / or hydraulic actuator.

[0010] The invention is based on the objective of realizing a particularly simple wind deflector that can be extended or retracted either automatically or manually, and above all, that can be adjusted at any time.

[0011] This problem is solved by wind deflectors according to claim 1.

[0012] A simple helical spring attached to the handlebar acts as the energy storage device for moving the wind deflector from its inactive to its active position. A simple pull cable attached to the handlebar acts as the tensioning element for returning the wind deflector from its inactive to its inactive position. This cable is driven by an electric motor and spindle gear. A spring element, also a simple helical spring, is integrated into the pull cable. This tension spring integrated into the pull cable provides a simple pinch protection mechanism to prevent injuries when retracting the wind deflector from its inactive to its inactive position.

[0013] The steering linkage is pivotally mounted in swivel bearings on one side of the wind deflector facing away from the wind and towards the bearing base for the wind deflector, and on the other side at the bearing base for the wind deflector.

[0014] The handlebar is arranged parallel to the direction of extension of the wind deflector to allow it to be moved.

[0015] The wind deflector extends and retracts fully automatically. Extension occurs when the roof opening, for example a sunroof, is opened, via the energy storage device / helical spring located on the handlebar; the wind deflector returns to its inactive position via an electric motor and spindle drive, and the pull cable attached to the handlebar, and is triggered at the same moment the roof opening is to be closed or partially closed.

[0016] It is conceivable to actuate the movement of the wind deflector using only one linkage. Preferably – especially with wider roof constructions – a linkage is arranged perpendicular to the airflow direction, essentially at each end of the wind deflector. The pivot bearings are positioned at their base, offset inwards relative to the pivot bearings on the wind deflector, thus providing a particularly wide support for the wind deflector.

[0017] When two - or even more - linkages are arranged to allow the wind deflector to be moved, it is conceivable to equip only one linkage with a drive via a pull element to return the wind deflector to the non-use position.

[0018] The drawing shows and describes an embodiment of the subject matter of the invention. Features, preferred further developments, and details of the invention will be explained in more detail below with reference to this embodiment.

[0019] The invention is not limited to the embodiment shown and described. A modified version is also conceivable for other windbreak devices, for example, wind deflectors for convertibles. It shows: Fig. 1. A view of a handlebar in a non-functional position for the operation of a wind deflector; Fig. 2 the view of the driver Fig. 1 in functional position, i.e. with the wind deflector extended; Fig. 3 a cutout for the bearing of the handlebar in the bearing base for the wind deflector with the pulling element that engages the handlebar for the movement of the wind deflector in the non-functional position of the wind deflector; Fig. 4. Pull the handlebar with a pulling element attached to it. Fig. 3 in the functional position of the wind deflector; and Fig. 5. Partially the wind deflector, its bearing base, the linkage for moving the wind deflector and the components for moving the linkage or wind deflector.

[0020] The Fig. 1 and Fig. Figure 2 shows a schematic representation of the arrangement and function of a handlebar according to the invention, as well as the mounting of the handlebar on the one hand on the wind deflector and on the other hand on the bearing base for the wind deflector. This can be, for example, on the front edge of a roof opening or on a windshield frame and / or a cowl of a vehicle.

[0021] This is in Fig. 1. The handlebars or wind deflector are shown in the non-functional position; in the Fig. Figure 2, on the other hand, shows the wind deflector extended into its functional position for influencing the airflow around the vehicle by means of the handlebars. The schematic representations in the Fig. Figures 1 to 5 are merely excerpts; depending on the vehicle, one or more handlebars may extend across the width of the wind deflector or roof opening, and likewise one or more drives may also be present (see Fig. 5) be arranged.

[0022] W denotes a flat, lamellar wind deflector. This wind deflector W is arranged at the leading edge of a roof opening in a mounting base L, which can, for example, be part of a windshield frame or a cowl. A link 1 is pivotally mounted in a pivot bearing 2 within the mounting base L. The other end of the link 1 is pivotally mounted in a pivot bearing 3 on the wind deflector W. The pivot bearing 3 is located on the side of the wind deflector W not exposed to the airflow, facing its mounting base L.

[0023] Reference numeral 4 denotes a locking device, if required, to secure the handlebar 1 or the wind deflector W in its non-functional position, which will not be described further here - for details see DE 10 2013 110 143 A1.

[0024] The Fig. 3 and Fig. Figure 4 shows the linkage of the linkage 1 in the pivot bearing 2 at the bearing base L. At the bearing base L, a helical spring 6 is mounted under preload at a bearing 5. The helical spring 6 is also articulated at a bearing point 7 on a pivot arm 8, which is integrally connected to the linkage 1. The helical spring 6 acts on the linkage 1 via the bearing point 7 and the pivot arm 8, in order to move the linkage 1 and thus the wind deflector W from the non-functional position ( Fig. 1 or Fig. 3) into the functional position ( Fig. 2 or 4). The maximum pivoting of the handlebar, and thus the maximum travel of the wind deflector D, can be adjusted via a limit stop 9, which is integrally molded onto the handlebar 1. This adjustment is made via an adjustable stop 10 in the bearing base L.

[0025] Fig.Figure 5 shows – again in part – the wind deflector W in its extended functional position. The wind deflector is automatically moved into the functional position by the preload force of the helical spring 6 via the link 1, which is pivotally mounted at the pivot bearing 2 on the bearing base L, and via the pivot bearing 3 on the wind deflector. To return it to the non-functional position, a pull cable 11 acts as a pull element on the link 1, the pivot bearing 3, or directly on the wind deflector W. This pull cable is connected via a bracket 12 to a spindle drive 13. The spindle drive is driven by an electric motor 14. To move the wind deflector W from the functional position to the non-functional position by pivoting the link 1 towards the bearing base L, the pull element or pull cable 11 is moved through the spindle drive and the deflections on the bracket 12.The helical spring 6 is pre-tensioned accordingly to extend the wind deflector W back into the functional position.

[0026] To prevent the pinching of, for example, a hand or fingers during the automatic retraction of the wind deflector W from the functional position to the non-functional position and the associated closing or reduction of the gap between the wind deflector W and its bearing base L, a spring element = a helical spring 15 subjected to tension is integrated into the pull element / pull cable 11, which acts as overload protection in the event of an unexpected stop during the retraction of the wind deflector W and helps to prevent injuries.

[0027] The extension and retraction of the wind deflector W is fully automatic, depending on whether the vehicle's roof is closed or opened. Reference symbol list W Wind deflectors L storage base 1 handlebar 2 swivel bearings at bearing base 3 swivel bearings on wind deflectors 4 Locking device 5 bearings 6 coil spring 7 bearing point 8 swivel arm 9 Limit stop 10 lifting equipment 11 Pulling element / pulling rope 12 console 13 Spindle gears 14 Electric motor 15 coil spring

Claims

[1] Wind deflector (W) for the windward side at a roof opening in a vehicle, wherein a roof part movable in the longitudinal direction of the motor vehicle is arranged in the roof opening, wherein the wind deflector (W) is arranged to be extendable from a non-functional position in a bearing base (L) into a functional position relative to the bearing base (L) via at least one link (1) which is pivotally connected to the bearing base (L) on one side and to the wind deflector (W) on the other side, wherein the wind deflector (W) can be moved from the non-functional position to the functional position by means of the at least one linkage (1) via at least one energy storage device acting on it, wherein the at least one link (1) is arranged parallel to the direction of extension of the wind deflector (W), wherein a first end of the respective link (1) is pivotally mounted in a pivot bearing (2) in the bearing base (L) for the wind deflector (W), and a second end of the respective link (1) is pivotally mounted in a further pivot bearing (3) on the wind deflector (W), wherein the wind deflector-side pivot bearing (3) is arranged on the leeward side of the wind deflector (W) facing the bearing base (L), and wherein, in order to provide a wide support for the wind deflector, the pivot bearing (2) on the bearing base (L) is arranged in an inward direction relative to the wind deflector-side pivot bearing (3) on the wind deflector (W). wherein a helical spring (6) acts as a force storage device on the handlebar (1), which is mounted under preload on one side at a bearing (5) of the bearing base (L) and on the other side at a bearing point (7) on a pivot arm (8) which is integrally connected to the handlebar (1), wherein the helical spring (6) arranged on the handlebar (1) causes the wind deflector (W) to extend into the functional position when the roof opening is opened, under the influence of a preload force of the helical spring. characterized by , that by means of a pulling element (11) acting on the wind deflector (W) or on the handlebar (1) the wind deflector (W) can be returned to the non-functional position, as a pulling element (11) a pulling cable (11) with a spring element (15) integrated into the pulling cable as a pinch protection, which is a helical spring (15) to be subjected to tension, engages the handlebar (1) or the pivot bearing (3) on the wind deflector side or the wind deflector (W) itself, wherein the pulling cable (11) can be driven movably by means of a drive consisting of an electric motor (14) and a spindle drive (13), and wherein the pulling cable (11) is connected to the spindle drive (13) via a console (12), The extension and retraction of the wind deflector (W) is fully automatic, depending on the closing and opening of the vehicle's roof section, whereby the electric motor (14), the spindle drive (13) and the pull cable (11) attached to the linkage (1) trigger the retraction of the wind deflector (W) into the non-functional position when the roof opening is closed, namely at the same moment when the roof opening is to be closed or partially closed, and thus causes the pull cable (11) to move through the spindle drive (13) and the deflections on the console (12) when the wind deflector (W) moves from the functional position to the non-functional position by pivoting the linkage (1) towards the bearing base (L), thereby pre-tensioning the helical spring (6) to extend the wind deflector (W) back into the functional position. [2] Wind deflector according to claim 1, characterized by, that in the area of ​​the ends of the wind deflector (W) a guide (1) is arranged transversely to its direction of airflow. [3] Wind deflector according to claim 2, characterized by , that a pull rope (11) attaches to only one of the handlebars (1). [4] Wind deflector according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized by , that a limit stop (9) is integrally formed on the handlebar (1), and an adjustable stop (10) is provided in the bearing base (L) to adjust the maximum pivoting of the handlebar (1) and thus the maximum mobility of the wind deflector (W).

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