Guide element for a motor vehicle body and method for adjusting a movement gap

Abstract

Guide element (3) for a motor vehicle body (1), wherein the guide element (3) is provided for adjusting a movement gap between a frame (5) of the motor vehicle body (1) and a cover of the motor vehicle body (1) closing the frame (5), comprising a plate (9) and a slide (10) axially movably arranged on the plate (9), wherein the plate (9) is immovably fixed to the frame (5) by means of at least one fastening means (16), characterized in that the slide (10) is designed to be lockable on the plate (9) with the fastening means (16) fixing the plate (9) to the frame (5), wherein a locking element (19) and a grey zone cover (7) positively connected to the locking element (19) are arranged, wherein the grey zone cover (7) is arranged between the slide (10) and the locking element (19).

Description

The invention relates to a guide element for a motor vehicle body according to the preamble of claim 1 and to a method for adjusting a movement gap according to claim 13. Vehicle bodies feature guide elements that allow for adjusting the gap between a cover, such as a trunk lid or hood, and the body frame. These guide elements are attached to a side panel designed to create this gap with the cover. In a first step, the guide element is pre-assembled so that it can move, generally axially along a specific axis. In a second step, the guide element is precisely positioned using the cover, and finally, in a third step, it is locked into place. Patent DE 102 53 766 B4 discloses a guide element and a method for adjusting a lid of a motor vehicle body. An axially acting guide element in the form of a buffer is provided, which is used to adjust the lid relative to the frame plane of the lid. The guide element is arranged on the lid. Patent DE 44 24 632 C2 describes a removable guide element that is designed to slide on a plate. With the aid of a handle and an attached strap, the guide element can be manually moved on the plate even when the lid is closed. Patent DE 42 26 437 B4 discloses a guide element for the automatic adjustment of a gap dimension between two components. A guide wedge of the guide element is movably arranged on a plate of the guide element. The guide wedge is locked onto the plate after the cover has been adjusted by means of saw teeth formed on the plate and on the guide wedge. From DE 2012 207 902 A1 a support device for a closed flap of a vehicle is known, which is positionally adjustable before its attachment. The object of the present invention is to provide an improved guide element for a motor vehicle body. A further object is to provide an improved method for adjusting a movement gap. The object of the invention is achieved by a guide element for a motor vehicle body with the features of claim 1. The further object is achieved by a method for adjusting a movement gap with the features of claim 13. Advantageous embodiments with expedient and non-trivial further developments of the invention are specified in the respective dependent claims. A guide element according to the invention for a motor vehicle body is provided for adjusting a movement gap between a frame of the motor vehicle body and a cover of the motor vehicle body that closes the frame. It comprises a plate and a slider arranged axially movably on the plate. The plate is fixed immovably to the frame by means of at least one fastening means. According to the invention, the slider is designed to be lockable to the plate by means of the fastening means that fix the plate to the frame. The advantage of the guide element according to the invention is the secure positioning of the slider due to the fastening element, which is also the fastening element for the plate. The plate itself is held firmly to the frame by the fastening element in a first assembly step of the guide element. This means that, since the fastening element also holds the slider loosely, i.e., axially displaceable, at least in the first assembly step, the slider is fixed at least two-dimensionally and thus against rotation. In one embodiment, the slide has at least one mounting opening which is fully penetrable by the fastening element and designed to allow movement of the slide. This limits axial movement of the slide, thereby improving process reliability. In particular, if the mounting opening of the slide is designed as an elongated hole, the possibility of relative movement of the fastening element to the slide is realized exclusively in the axial direction. The guide element according to the invention is secured against rotation during cover adjustment due to the common connection between the plate and the slider. A particular advantage is that, when installing a gray zone aperture, the slider does not need to be disassembled; instead, only the locking element can be removed from the guide wedge by simply rotating it, thus releasing the bayonet lock, or by releasing another locking mechanism. This preserves the original cover setting and, consequently, the set movement gap, even during repairs or maintenance. This, in turn, reduces the typically required repair or maintenance time. This means a reliable adjustment of the cover and a reliable assembly of all other components on the assembly line to the vehicle body. The risk of damage is also reduced. A second aspect of the invention relates to a method for adjusting a movement gap, wherein the movement gap is formed between a frame of a motor vehicle body and a cover of the motor vehicle body that closes the frame. A guide element is provided for adjusting the movement gap, in particular a guide element according to one of claims 9 to 12, which comprises a plate and a slide arranged axially movable on the plate. In a first step, the guide element is pre-assembled on the frame, with the plate fixed to the frame and the slide axially movable on the plate. In a second step, the slide is pushed completely against a stop and, after reaching the stop, is held with a pre-tightening torque. In a third step, the cover is closed and aligned relative to the frame, whereby it is pressed against the slide.In a fourth step, the cover is opened and the slide (10) is locked with a final torque. Due to the pre-assembly of the guide element, which includes fixing the plate (usually a positive-locking and force-locking connection of the plate to the frame) and loosely positioning the slide, which is axially movable on the plate, a stable position of the slide is achieved in the first step, allowing it to be displaced only axially. This is necessary to achieve precise adjustment of the cover relative to the frame. The inventive method ensures a high level of process reliability during assembly and adjustment of the movement gap. In the inventive method, a gray zone cover is integrated, which is typically used in so-called SBBR covers (parking-brake-turn-indicator-taillight covers). The advantage here is that only the locking element of the guide element needs to be removed, while the slider remains in its original position. In other words, the SBBR cover is decoupled from a guide wedge of the guide element, which is designed to adjust the movement gap. This also allows for reduced working times, particularly during repairs or maintenance. Further advantages, features, and details of the invention will become apparent from the following description of preferred embodiments and with reference to the drawings. The features and combinations of features mentioned above in the description, as well as the features and combinations of features mentioned below in the figure description and / or shown in the figure alone, can be used not only in the combinations specified, but also in other combinations or individually, without departing from the scope of the invention. The figures show: Fig. 1 in a perspective view of a section of a motor vehicle body designed to receive a guide element according to the invention; Fig. 2 in a perspective view of the motor vehicle body according to Fig. 1 with a guide element according to the invention in a first position; Fig. 3 in a perspective view of the motor vehicle body according to Fig. 4.Fig. 1 with the guide element according to the invention in a second position, Fig. 4 in an exploded view the guide element according to the invention with a grey zone cover, Fig. 5 in a perspective view the motor vehicle body according to Fig. 1 with the guide element according to the invention in a third position, Fig. 6 in a perspective view the motor vehicle body according to Fig. 1 with the guide element according to the invention and with mounted grey zone cover, Fig. 7 in a perspective view the motor vehicle body according to Fig. 6 with a locking element in an assembly position, and Fig. 8 in a perspective view the motor vehicle body according to Fig. 6 with the locking element in an end position. Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a section of a motor vehicle body 1 of a motor vehicle 2, which is designed to receive a guide element 3 according to the invention, which is shown in particular in Figure 4. In the illustrated embodiment, the guide element 3 is received on a rear fender 4 of the motor vehicle body 1. The guide element 3 could also be attached at another location on the motor vehicle body 1. The motor vehicle body 1 extends along a vertical axis X, a longitudinal axis y, and a lateral axis Z. The guide element 3 serves to adjust a cover (not shown in detail); in the present embodiment, it is a cover at the rear of the vehicle body 1, which could be a trunk lid or a hood. This depends on the arrangement of the vehicle's engine. The guide element 3 could also be located at the front of the vehicle 2. Generally, a movement gap exists between a frame 5 of the vehicle body 1, which is closed by means of the cover, and the cover itself. This movement gap is aligned by means of the guide element 3. A sealing channel 6 is formed in the frame 5, which is sealed by means of a so-called gray zone baffle 7, which is shown in particular in Fig. 4. To receive the guide element 3 on the vehicle body 1, receiving openings 8 are formed that penetrate the frame 5. The receiving openings 8 are in the form of bores for the force-fit and form-fit fastening of the guide element 3 by means of screws. Two receiving openings 8 are provided to ensure secure locking of the guide element 3. The guide element 3 comprises a plate 9 and a slide 10, which is movably arranged on the plate 9. In the present embodiment, the slide 10 is axially movable on the plate 9 in the direction of the vertical axis X of the vehicle body 1. For axial guidance, a plate surface 11 facing the slide 10 has two guide rails 12 in which the slide 10 engages. A slide surface 13 facing the plate 9 is designed to be complementary to the plate surface 11, at least in the area of ​​the guide rails 12. To attach the guide element 3 to the vehicle body 1, the plate 9 has first mounting openings 14 and the slider 10 has second mounting openings 15, wherein these mounting openings 14, 15 are designed to completely penetrate both components 9, 10, such that fasteners 16 can be inserted through both components 9, 10 and engage in the receiving openings 8. In other words, the plate 9 and the slider 10 are fastened with the same fasteners 16. The second fastening openings 15 are designed in the form of elongated holes, so that axial movement of the slider 10 on the plate 9 is possible, particularly when the plate 9 is attached to the frame 5. In a first step of the procedure for adjusting the movement gap, the guide element 3 is pre-assembled using the fastening means 16, which in this embodiment are in the form of screws, as shown in Fig. 2, such that the slide 10 is movable. In a second step of the assembly, the slider 10 is pushed completely upwards along the vertical axis X, i.e., towards the roof of the vehicle body 1, in the direction of the arrow, as shown in Fig. 2, whereby the fastening elements 16 abut against their respective ends 17 of the elongated holes 15 facing the frame 5. In other words, the first end 17 of the elongated hole 15 forms a stop. The guide element 3 is in a second position, as shown in Fig. 3, held in place by a pre-tightening torque. Likewise, a second end 27 of the elongated hole 15 forms an opposite stop when adjusting the movement gap. Fig. 4 shows an exploded view of the gray zone aperture 7 with the guide element 3. The plate 9 and the slide 10 are additionally secured with setting element 18 in the form of washers. The gray zone aperture 7 is arranged between the slide 10 and a locking element 19. In a third step, before attaching the gray zone aperture 7, the cover is closed. During closing and adjustment of the movement gap, the cover presses against a guide wedge 20 of the slider 10, or is pressed against it manually. Since the slider 10 is loosely pre-assembled, its axial movement occurs due to the support of the cover against the guide wedge 20. In other words, the slider 10 is pushed downwards in the direction of the arrow, as shown in Fig. 5. It is only pushed downwards as far as is necessary to adjust the movement gap. In a fourth step, the lid is opened and the fastening means 16 are subjected to a final torque, whereby the slider 10 is locked in its final position. In a fifth step, the grey zone aperture 7, which has a first opening 21 for at least partial reception of the guide element 3, is arranged on the frame 5. In a sixth step, the locking element 19, which has a second opening 22 for receiving the guide wedge 20, is pushed over the guide wedge 20 and in a seventh step is arranged by a rotation or locking in the first opening 21 to form a positive connection with the grey zone aperture 7, in the direction of the arrow, as shown in Fig. 8. The first opening 21 is adapted to the circumference 23 of the locking element 19 to ensure a secure seal. This is necessary so that the sealing channel 6, in which the guide element 3 is arranged, is completely closed. In the present embodiment, the first opening 21 is triangular in shape. The locking element 19 has a similarly shaped circumference 23, but it is larger, such that the first opening 21 is completely enclosed by the circumference 23. The locking element 19 can be locked onto the slide 10. In this embodiment, the locking mechanism is designed as a bayonet fitting. For this purpose, the guide wedge 20 has pins 24. An annular web 25 facing the guide wedge 20 encompasses the second opening 22 and has a hook-shaped guide slot 26 for receiving the pins 24. By rotating the locking element 19, the pins 24 engage in the receiving section of the guide slot 26.

Claims

Guide element (3) for a motor vehicle body (1), wherein the guide element (3) is provided for adjusting a movement gap between a frame (5) of the motor vehicle body (1) and a cover of the motor vehicle body (1) closing the frame (5), comprising a plate (9) and a slide (10) axially movably arranged on the plate (9), wherein the plate (9) is immovably fixed to the frame (5) by means of at least one fastening means (16), characterized in that the slide (10) is designed to be lockable on the plate (9) with the fastening means (16) fixing the plate (9) to the frame (5), wherein a locking element (19) and a grey zone cover (7) positively connected to the locking element (19) are arranged, wherein the grey zone cover (7) is arranged between the slide (10) and the locking element (19). Guide element (3) according to claim 1, characterized in that the slide (10) has at least one fastening opening (15) which is fully penetrable by the fastening means (16) and is designed for movement of the slide (10). Guide element (3) according to claim 2, characterized in that the fastening opening (15) of the slide (10) is designed in the form of an elongated hole. Guide element (3) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the locking element (19) is formed to completely encompass the guide element (3). Guide element (3) according to claim 4, characterized in that the locking element (19) is connected to the guide element (3) by means of a positive locking connection. Guide element (3) according to claim 5, characterized in that the positive locking between locking element (19) and guide element (3) is designed in the form of a bayonet lock or a latching mechanism. Guide element (3) according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that, in order to bring about the positive locking between locking element (19) and guide element (3), the guide element (3) has pins (24) which are designed to engage in a guide slot (26) of the locking element (19). Guide element (3) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the locking element (19) can be brought into its end position by a rotary movement. Guide element (3) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the locking element (19) has a second opening (22) for receiving a guide wedge (20) of the guide element (3). Guide element (3) according to claim 9, characterized in that the grey zone aperture (7) has a first opening (21) for at least partial reception of the guide element (3). Guide element (3) according to claim 10 characterized in that the locking element (19) has a circumference (23) which is larger than the first opening (21) of the grey zone aperture (7). Guide element (3) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the guide element (3) is arranged on the frame (5). Method for adjusting a movement gap, wherein the movement gap is formed between a frame (5) of a motor vehicle body (1) and a cover of the motor vehicle body (1) that closes the frame (5), wherein a guide element (3) according to one of claims 9 to 12 is provided, which comprises a plate (9) and a slide (10) arranged axially movably on the plate (9), wherein: - in a first step, the guide element (3) is pre-assembled on the frame (5), wherein the plate (9) is fixed to the frame (5) and the slide (10) is axially movable on the plate (9); - in a second step, the slide (10) is pushed completely against a stop (17) and, after reaching the stop (17), is held with a pre-tightening torque; - in a third step, the cover is closed and aligned with respect to the frame (5), whereby it is pressed against the guide wedge (20) of the slide (10).- in a fourth step the cover is opened and the slide (10) is locked with a final torque, and - in a further step a gray zone aperture (7) is arranged on the frame (5) at least partially receiving the guide element (3), and then in a further step the locking element (19) is arranged at least partially receiving the guide element (3) and at least partially covering the gray zone aperture (7), and then in a further step a positive locking connection of the locking element (19) with the guide element (3) is established.

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