Sliding unit for a protective device of a motor vehicle

Abstract

Sliding unit (7, 7a) for a protective device (1) of a motor vehicle, which - in the assembled state - supports an extension profile (5) of the protective device (1) in a sliding linear guide on a vehicle-fixed guide rail (6), comprising a support body (8) for connection with an end face of the extension profile (5) and at least one sliding section (11) arranged on the support body (8) for sliding contact with the guide rail (6), wherein the at least one sliding section (11) is formed on a molded part (13) which has at least one conformable hinge section (14), wherein the molded part (13) - starting from a substantially planar manufacturing shape - is spatially deformed at the hinge section (14) against an outer wall contour (15) of the support body (8) and connected to the support body (8), characterized in thatthat the at least one sliding section (11) is supported on the support body (8) in a spring-elastic manner relative to the support body (8) perpendicular to a guide direction (F) and is arranged at one end on a leg section (25) of the molded part (13) designed to be flexible, wherein the leg section (25) forms a longitudinally extended bending spring which is supported at its end facing away from the sliding section (11) on another structure of the molded part (13).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a sliding unit for a protective device of a motor vehicle according to the preamble of claim 1.

[0002] From DE 10 2004 049 462 A1 a sliding unit with the features outlined in claim 1 is known.

[0003] Another sliding unit is generally known in the field of automotive engineering. This known sliding unit is designed for a protective device in the form of a shading system for shading a vehicle roof opening. The shading system comprises a flexible, rollable panel, held at one end on a winding shaft, which can be wound up and unwound. The rollable panel is connected at its end facing away from the winding shaft to a dimensionally stable extension profile. The extension profile is linearly guided for winding and unwinding the rollable panel. For this purpose, the extension profile is provided with a known sliding unit at each of its opposite end regions. The known sliding units support the extension profile in a linearly guided manner against a vehicle-mounted guide rail. The known sliding unit has a support body that is connected to the extension profile.A sliding section is arranged on the support body, which slides against the guide rail.

[0004] The object of the invention is to create a sliding unit of the type mentioned above that enables simplified manufacturing and assembly.

[0005] This problem is solved by a sliding unit with the features of claim 1. According to the invention, the at least one sliding section is formed on a molded part that has at least one conformable hinge section. Starting from a substantially flat manufacturing shape, the molded part is spatially deformed at the hinge section, positioned against an outer wall contour of the support body, and connected to the support body. The molded part can be cast, in particular, or machined from a flat semi-finished product, for example, as a cut or stamped component. The molded part can be made of metal or, preferably, of plastic.The molded part is manufactured separately from the carrier body and, after such manufacturing, for example, after stamping or demolding from an injection mold, assumes a substantially flat manufacturing shape in a state not yet joined to the carrier body. Starting from this manufacturing shape, the molded part is spatially deformed at the joint section according to the invention and is thus connected to the carrier body in a spatially deformed form. Spatially deformed means that the molded part is not merely stretched or compressed lengthwise. Rather, the molded part is specifically bent, angled, folded, or the like at the conformable joint section. For this purpose, the joint section is designed to be conformable according to the invention. For example, the joint section can be designed to be conformable in terms of its construction and / or material.In this respect, the joint section can, in particular, have a comparatively thinner wall or a more flexible material composition than the rest of the molded part. According to the invention, the molded part is formed against the outer wall contour of the support body and connected to it. Preferably, the molded part can be formed against an end-face outer wall contour of the support body. For example, the molded part can be curved, angled in an L or U shape, or folded against the outer wall contour. "Formed against the outer wall contour" means, in particular, that the molded part is formed onto the support body by means of deformation of the joint section and can be in planar contact with it, at least partially. Advantageously, the molded part is connected to the support body by a positive or non-positive connection.Therefore, the solution according to the invention eliminates the need for costly manufacturing of the sliding unit using complex molds or the like, while still achieving a functional three-dimensional shape for the sliding unit. This allows the solution according to the invention to be particularly easy to manufacture and assemble.

[0006] The solution according to the invention is particularly advantageously suited for a protective device in the form of a shading device for a motor vehicle, such as a roof, side, or rear window blind. However, the solution according to the invention can also be used for a protective device in the form of a cargo area cover or partition and is therefore not limited to shading devices.

[0007] In one embodiment of the invention, the molded part—starting from the essentially flat manufacturing shape—is angled in an essentially L-shape and / or U-shape against the outer wall contour of the support body. Consequently, the outer wall contour of the support body is at least partially covered by the molded part. If the molded part is angled in an L-shape, a first wall section of the molded part can be positioned against a first wall section of the support body, and a second wall section of the molded part can be positioned against a second wall section angled at approximately 90° to the first wall section of the support body. If the molded part is angled in a U-shape, the correspondingly angled wall sections of the molded part can be positioned against a top or bottom surface of the support body, as well as against a side surface of the support body connecting the top and bottom surfaces. This is a particularly simple embodiment of the invention to manufacture and assemble.To enable a U-shaped bending of the molded part, it is advantageous to provide two joint sections that are spaced apart from each other and oriented essentially parallel to each other.

[0008] In a further embodiment of the invention, the molded part is manufactured in one piece as an injection-molded component from plastic, and the at least one hinge section is a film hinge. The molded part can preferably be made of HDPE (high-density polyethylene). Film hinges are generally known in the field of plastics engineering. In the present case, the at least one film hinge connects two wall sections of the molded part, preferably in one piece. By means of the film hinge, the two wall sections of the molded part can thus be pivoted relative to each other to a limited extent. In this way, the molded part can be bent into an L-shape particularly easily. To enable a U-shaped bending of the molded part, it is advantageous if two film hinges spaced apart from each other and oriented essentially parallel are provided. This is a particularly cost-effective embodiment of the invention.

[0009] In a further embodiment of the invention, the molded part has at least one locking element which is engaged with a complementary counter-locking element of the carrier body. The locking element can preferably be integrally molded onto the molded part. The locking element thus serves to connect the molded part to the carrier body in a particularly simple manner. The locking element can be manufactured, in particular, in the form of a locking lug, a locking hook, a clip, or a plug. The counter-locking element is accordingly designed to be complementary, so that a secure, preferably releasable, positive-locking connection with the locking element is enabled.

[0010] Furthermore, according to the invention, at least one sliding section is supported on the support body in a spring-elastic manner relative to the support body, perpendicular to a guide direction. This spring-elastic support of the sliding section enables tolerance compensation between the sliding unit and the guide rail. In this way, a linear guide with tolerances and, in particular, low noise can be achieved. The sliding section can be resiliently supported on the support body by means of a separately provided spring element. Alternatively or additionally, the molded part can be designed to be correspondingly spring-elastic in the area of ​​the sliding section.

[0011] Furthermore, according to the invention, at least one sliding section is arranged at one end on a leg section of the molded part that is designed to be resiliently flexible. For example, the leg section – in the assembled state of the sliding unit – can be oriented parallel or perpendicular to a longitudinal direction of the extension profile. The leg section extends longitudinally and is supported at an end facing away from the sliding section on another structure of the molded part. In this way, the leg section forms a kind of flexible spring on which the sliding section is supported in a resiliently flexible manner relative to the support body, perpendicular to a guide direction.

[0012] In a further embodiment of the invention, an additional sliding section is formed on the molded part and arranged at a distance from the sliding section in the guide direction. This arrangement of two sliding sections counteracts tilting of the sliding unit when it is in a sliding position on the guide rail. This prevents the sliding unit from jamming on the guide rail.

[0013] In a further embodiment of the invention, the additional sliding section is arranged at one end on a further leg section of the molded part that is designed to be resiliently flexible. The leg sections extend longitudinally parallel, and in particular coaxially, to each other in the guiding direction, and the sliding sections are arranged at opposite end ends of the leg sections. The two leg sections can preferably be integrally connected at their opposite end ends. Consequently, the additional sliding section is also resiliently supported relative to the carrier body perpendicular to the guiding direction by means of the additional leg section. This embodiment of the invention results in a sliding unit that counteracts jamming and simultaneously allows for particularly quiet and tolerance-compliant guidance.

[0014] In a further embodiment of the invention, a spring element is provided that is operatively connected to the at least one sliding section. This spring element is supported at one end by the support body and at the other end by the molded part and, in the assembled state, exerts a spring force on the sliding section against the guide rail. The spring element thus serves to preload the sliding section in the direction of the guide rail. This allows for tolerance compensation and enables particularly quiet guidance of the sliding unit along the guide rail. The spring element can be provided as an alternative or additional element to a spring-elastic design of the molded part in the area of ​​the sliding section. The spring element can, for example, be designed as a leaf spring, a torsion spring, or a coil spring.If, in addition to at least one sliding section, a further sliding section is provided, the spring element can also be assigned to the further sliding section and operatively connected to it.

[0015] In a further embodiment of the invention, the spring element is manufactured in the form of a leaf spring and is arranged in a form-fitting manner in a recess of the molded part, in particular overmolded with plastic. If the sliding section is arranged on a leg section of the molded part, it is advantageous if the leaf spring is inserted or plugged into a recess of the leg section extending in the longitudinal direction of the leg section.

[0016] In a further embodiment of the invention, the at least one sliding section is convex, in particular hemispherical. This shape of the sliding section enables only point contact and thus particularly low friction of the sliding section against the guide rail. Furthermore, the convex shape counteracts tilting of the sliding unit on the guide rail.

[0017] The invention also relates to a protective device, in particular a shading device, for a motor vehicle with a flexible surface structure which is held at one end on a winding shaft and can be wound up and unwound, and which is connected at the other end to a dimensionally stable extension profile which can be linearly guided and displaced at opposite end faces on a vehicle-fixed guide rail, wherein the extension profile is slidably supported on one of the guide rails by means of at least one sliding unit designed according to one of the preceding claims.

[0018] Further advantages and features of the invention will become apparent from the claims and from the following description of preferred embodiments of the invention, which are illustrated with reference to the drawings. Fig. Figure 1 shows in a schematic perspective view an embodiment of a protective device according to the invention, which is provided with an embodiment of a sliding unit according to the invention. Fig. 2 in an enlarged schematic perspective view the protective device with the sliding unit according to Fig. 1 in an area I according to Fig. 1, Fig. 3 in a schematic, highly simplified overview, the sliding unit according to the Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 in a first state, Fig. 4 in a schematic, highly simplified side view, the sliding unit according to the Fig. 1 to 3 in a second state, Fig. 5, Fig. 6 in each a more detailed, perspective view, the sliding unit according to the Fig. 1 to 4 in the first state ( Fig. 5) according to Fig. 3 or the second state ( Fig. 6) according to Fig. 4 and Fig. 7 in a schematic perspective view a further embodiment of a sliding unit according to the invention in a first state according to the Fig. 3 and Fig. 5.

[0019] According to Fig. 1 is a protective device in the form of a shading device 1 arranged on a roof opening 2 of a motor vehicle (not shown in detail). The shading device 1 has a flexible surface structure in the form of a roller blind 3, which is held at one end on a winding shaft 4 so that it can be wound up and unwound. The winding shaft 4 extends longitudinally in the transverse direction Y of the vehicle and is located in a rearward area of ​​the roof opening 2 with respect to a longitudinal direction X of the vehicle. At the other end, the roller blind 3 is connected to a dimensionally stable extension profile 5, which extends longitudinally in the transverse direction Y of the vehicle and can be linearly guided at opposite ends on a vehicle-mounted guide rail 6. The roller blind 3 is guided between a wound-up release position ( Fig. 1) and transferable to a protective position ( Fig. 2) In the release position, the extension profile 5 assumes a rearward end position with respect to the vehicle's longitudinal direction X, whereby the roller blind 3 is essentially completely wound onto the winding shaft 4 and the roof opening 2 is neither shaded nor uncovered. As shown by Fig. As can be seen in Figure 2, the extension profile 5 assumes a forward end position in the protective position, whereby the roller blind 3 is essentially completely unwound from the winding shaft 4 and the roof opening 2 is shaded. For illustrative purposes, the roller blind 3 is shown in Fig. 2 not shown.

[0020] The extension profile 5 is supported at its opposing end faces by means of a sliding unit 7 on the respective guide rail 6. The two sliding units 7 are identical in this case, so that, to avoid repetition, only the following descriptions will be made. Fig. The left sliding unit 7, visible in relation to the vehicle's transverse direction Y, is described. The description applies equally to the right sliding unit 7.

[0021] As shown by the Fig. As can be seen in Figures 3 to 6, the sliding unit 7 has a support body 8. In the assembled state of the sliding unit 7, the support body 8 is positively connected to the extension profile 5 at least in the longitudinal direction X of the vehicle. The support body 8 can be relatively movable relative to the extension profile 5 to a limited extent in the transverse direction Y of the vehicle, so that any dimensional and / or positional tolerances between the guide rail 6 and the extension profile 5 in the transverse direction Y of the vehicle can be compensated for. For this purpose, the support body 8 is provided with a projection 9 that is inserted into an opening 10 at the end face of the extension profile 5. As can be seen in particular from the Fig. 4 and Fig. As can be seen in Figure 6, the sliding unit 7 is provided with at least one sliding section 11, which is intended for sliding contact with a guide surface 12 of the guide rail 6.

[0022] In the present case, at least one sliding section 11 is formed on a molded part 13. The molded part 13 has at least one conformable hinge section 14. The molded part 13 is formed from a substantially flat manufacturing shape, as shown in the Fig. 3 and Fig. 5 can be seen, the joint section 14 is spatially reshaped and attached to an outer wall contour 15 of the support body 8 ( Fig. 4 and Fig. 6) and connected to the carrier body 8. In this case, the molded part 13 is manufactured as an injection-molded component made of plastic. The at least one hinge section 14 is designed as a film hinge. HDPE (high-density polyethylene) is chosen as the plastic composition in this case, although this is not mandatory.

[0023] In this respect, the molded part 13 is based on the Fig. 3 and Fig. Figure 5 shows the part only partially mounted on the carrier body 8 for better illustration. The molded part 13 is essentially planar in the XY plane and has the manufacturing shape described above. Here, the molded part 13 is manufactured with this planar shape as a plastic injection-molded component. The final result is based on the Fig. 4 and Fig. 6 The visible shape of the molded part 13 is only produced during the final assembly with the carrier body 8 by bending the molded part 13 at the at least one hinge section 14.

[0024] In the present case, the molded part 13 has a further hinge section 16, which is also designed in the form of a film hinge. The molded part is formed from the essentially flat manufacturing shape ( Fig. 3, Fig. 5) essentially U-shaped, angled against the outer wall contour 15 of the support body 8. In the embodiment according to the Fig. In parts 1 to 6, the molded part is angled in a U-shape in the direction of the vehicle's longitudinal direction X. Alternatively, it is also possible that the molded part 13 is angled in a U-shape against the support body 8 in the direction of the vehicle's transverse direction Y.

[0025] The molded part 13 in this case has a first subsection 17, a second subsection 18 and a third subsection 19. In the manufacturing process, the subsections 17, 18, 19 are essentially aligned in a plane with respect to each other ( Fig. 3, Fig. 5) The first section 17 and the second section 18 are integrally connected to each other by means of the hinge section 14 and are articulated relative to each other. The second section 18 and the third section 19 are integrally connected to each other by means of the further hinge section 16 and are articulated relative to each other.

[0026] In the based on the Fig. 4 and Fig. In the state of the molded part 13, which is fully connected to the carrier body 8 as shown in Figure 6, the third section 19 rests against a lower horizontal wall section 20 of the carrier body 8. The second section 18 rests against a lateral vertical wall section 21 of the carrier body 8. The first section 17 rests against an upper horizontal wall section 22 of the carrier body. In this way, starting from the essentially flat manufacturing shape, the molded part 13 is formed in the aforementioned U-shape, angled against the outer wall contour 15.

[0027] For connection to the carrier body 8, the molded part 13 has a locking element 23. The carrier body 8 is provided with a counter-locking element 24 designed to complement the locking element 23. In this case, the counter-locking element 24 is arranged on the upper horizontal wall section 22. The locking element 23 is in the form of a plug, and the counter-locking element is in the form of a bore whose diameter is matched to the plug. Of course, a different design for the locking and counter-locking elements is also possible.

[0028] The at least one sliding section 11 is supported on the support body 8 in a spring-elastic manner relative to the support body 8 perpendicular to a guide direction F (see in particular Fig. 4) The guide direction F extends parallel to the longitudinal direction X of the vehicle. This spring-loaded support of the at least one sliding section 11 allows for tolerance compensation perpendicular to the guide direction F or in the vertical direction Z of the vehicle between the at least one sliding section 11 and the guide surface 12.

[0029] The at least one sliding section 11 is arranged at one end on a leg section 25 of the molded part 13, which is designed to be flexible and elastic. In this case, the leg section 25 extends in the longitudinal direction X of the vehicle, although this is not mandatory. The leg section 25 has a substantially C-shaped cross-sectional profile and, accordingly, a rearward recess 26. In a region facing away from the sliding section 11 in the longitudinal direction X of the vehicle, the leg section 25 is supported in the vertical direction Z of the vehicle against the support body 8. In this case, the leg section 25 is supported against the upper horizontal wall section 22. This results in a flexible and elastic design of the leg section 25 when the sliding section 11 is subjected to a load directed perpendicular to the guide direction F.

[0030] Furthermore, an additional sliding section 27 is formed on the molded part 13 and spaced apart from the sliding section 11 in the guide direction F. The additional sliding section 27 is arranged on a further leg section 28 which is designed to be flexible and elastic. The leg sections 25 and 28 extend coaxially to each other in the guide direction F. In this case, the leg sections 25 and 28 are integrally connected. The sliding sections 11 and 27 are arranged at opposite end faces of the leg sections 25 and 28, respectively. Like the sliding section 11, the sliding section 27 serves as a sliding bearing on the guide surface 12 of the guide rail 6.

[0031] The sliding sections 11 and 27 are convex, more precisely hemispherical. This prevents the sliding unit 7 from tilting on the guide rail 6.

[0032] Furthermore, the sliding unit 7 is provided with two additional sliding sections 29, 30, which are characterized in particular by Fig. 4 are evident. The sliding sections 29, 30 are formed on the third subsection 19 of the molded part 13. In the assembled state, the sliding sections 29, 30 rest against a lower guide surface 31 of the guide rail 6 in a sliding manner. In contrast to the sliding sections 11, 27, the sliding sections 29, 30 are fixedly supported on the support body 8 perpendicular to the guide direction F.

[0033] Based on Fig. Figure 7 shows a further embodiment of a sliding unit 7a according to the invention. The embodiments of the sliding units 7 and 7a according to the invention have an essentially identical structure with regard to their structural and functional features. Components and sections that are identical in the sliding units 7 and 7a are provided with identical reference numerals. To avoid repetition, identical components and sections are referred to as in the embodiment according to Figure 7. Fig. 7 not explained separately.

[0034] Instead, reference is made to the revelation in connection with the sliding unit 7 according to the Fig. 1 to 6 referred.

[0035] The sliding unit 7a differs from the sliding unit 7 only in that an additional spring element 32 is provided. The spring element 32 is supported at one end by the support body 8 and at the other end by the molded part 13. Consequently, the spring element 32 exerts a spring force on the sliding section 11 against the guide rail 6. In this case, the spring element 32 is manufactured in the form of a leaf spring. The spring element 32 is positively inserted into the rear recess 26 of the leg section 25. For additional fixation in the recess 26, the spring element 32 can be overmolded with plastic. The spring element 32 extends longitudinally in the guide direction F and – in a fully assembled state of the molded part 13 – is supported in the vehicle's vertical direction Z against the support body 8.In this arrangement, the spring element 32 is additionally assigned to the further sliding section 27 and thus extends longitudinally as a continuous leaf spring essentially over the entire length of the leg sections 25, 28. The spring element 32 is supported approximately centrally on the upper horizontal wall section 22 with respect to its longitudinal extent. By means of the spring element 32, an additional spring preload of the sliding section 11 and the further sliding section 14 in the direction of the guide surface 12 can be achieved.

Claims

[1] Sliding unit (7, 7a) for a protective device (1) of a motor vehicle, which - in the assembled state - supports an extension profile (5) of the protective device (1) in a sliding linear guided manner on a vehicle-fixed guide rail (6), comprising a support body (8) for connection with an end face of the extension profile (5) and at least one sliding section (11) arranged on the support body (8) for sliding contact with the guide rail (6), wherein the at least one sliding section (11) is formed on a molded part (13) which has at least one conformable hinge section (14), wherein the molded part (13) - starting from a substantially planar manufacturing shape - is spatially deformed at the hinge section (14) against an outer wall contour (15) of the support body (8) and connected to the support body (8), characterized by, that the at least one sliding section (11) is supported on the support body (8) in a spring-elastic manner relative to the support body (8) perpendicular to a guide direction (F) and is arranged at one end on a leg section (25) of the molded part (13) designed to be spring-elastic, wherein the leg section (25) forms a longitudinally extended bending spring which is supported at its end face away from the sliding section (11) on another structure of the molded part (13). [2] Sliding unit (7, 7a) according to claim 1, characterized by , that the molded part (13) - starting from the essentially flat manufacturing shape - is essentially L-shaped and / or U-shaped and angled against the outer wall contour (15) of the carrier body (8). [3] Sliding unit (7, 7a) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by , that the molded part (13) is manufactured in one piece as an injection-molded component made of plastic and that at least one joint section (14) is a film hinge. [4] Sliding unit (7, 7a) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the molded part (13) has at least one locking element (23) which is locked to a complementary counter-locking element (24) of the carrier body (8). [5] Sliding unit (7, 7a) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that a further sliding section (27) is formed on the molded part (13) and is arranged spaced apart in the guide direction (F) from the sliding section (11). [6] Sliding unit (7, 7a) according to claim 5, characterized by , that the further sliding section (27) is arranged at one end on a further leg section (28) of the molded part (13) which is designed to be spring-elastic, wherein the leg sections (25, 28) are extended longitudinally parallel, in particular coaxially, to each other in the guide direction (F), and wherein the sliding sections (11, 27) are arranged at opposite end faces of the leg sections (25, 28). [7] Sliding unit (7a) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that a spring element (32) is provided which is operatively connected with the at least one sliding section (11), which is supported at one end on the support body (8) and at the other end on the molded part (13) and - in the assembled state - exerts a spring force on the sliding section (11) against the guide rail (6). [8] Sliding unit (7a) according to claim 7, characterized by , that the spring element (32) is manufactured in the form of a leaf spring and is arranged in a form-fitting manner in a recess (26) of the molded part (13), in particular overmolded with plastic. [9] Sliding unit (7, 7a) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that at least one sliding section (11) is convex, in particular hemispherical in shape. [10] Protective device (1), in particular a shading device, for a motor vehicle with a flexible surface structure (3) which is held at one end on a winding shaft (4) and which is connected at the other end to a dimensionally stable extension profile (5) which is linearly guided and displaceable at opposite end ends on a vehicle-fixed guide rail (6), wherein the extension profile (5) is slidably supported on one of the guide rails (6) by means of at least one sliding unit (7, 7a) designed according to one of the preceding claims.

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