Method for mounting an air guiding means, a device for adjusting the air guiding means and a detection means on a motor vehicle

Abstract

Method for mounting an air guiding means, a device for adjusting the air guiding means and a detection means on a motor vehicle, wherein the detection means comprises a memory element, the method comprising the following steps:- mounting the air guiding means, the device for adjusting the air guiding means and the detection means on the motor vehicle, characterized in that thereafter a- storage of machine-readable instructions in the memory element, wherein the instructions cause the detection means to detect whether the air guiding means is in the first or in the second position, wherein the instructions are adapted to geometric and / or magnetic conditions of the device and / or the detection means, wherein the geometric and / or magnetic conditions are influenced by the production and assembly process.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a method according to the preamble of claim 1.

[0002] Motor vehicles with air deflectors are known from the prior art. These air deflectors are often referred to as spoilers. Devices for adjusting these air deflectors are also known. These are particularly frequently used in rear spoilers to extend and retract them. These devices often use detection devices designed to detect the position (extended or retracted) of the air deflector.

[0003] The detection device typically comprises a sensor element and a memory. The memory stores machine-readable instructions that cause the detection device to detect the position of the air guide. Since tolerances exist during the manufacturing of the various components and their assembly on the vehicle, the measurement accuracy is relatively low. If a comparatively high measurement accuracy is to be achieved, the production and assembly tolerances must be as small as possible.

[0004] DE 10 2004 023 349 A1 discloses a detection device comprising a Hall sensor. To compensate for tolerances, the sensor is operated during its installation on the vehicle. If the signal output by the sensor deviates too significantly from a target signal during installation, the sensor's position is corrected until the deviation falls within a tolerance limit. In this way, the sensor's position can be adapted to the geometric and / or magnetic conditions of the specific installation situation.

[0005] In contrast, the present invention is based on the object of enabling a better adaptation of the detection means to manufacturing and assembly tolerances.

[0006] This object is achieved by a method according to claim 1. Embodiments of the invention are specified in the dependent claims. In some cases, elements and features are mentioned with respect to the method that are also described with respect to a motor vehicle. The description of these elements and features applies to both the motor vehicle and the method.

[0007] The method according to is used for mounting an air guiding means, a device for adjusting the air guiding means between a first and a second position, and a detection means on a motor vehicle. The detection means comprises a memory element in which machine-readable instructions can be stored. First, the air guiding means, the device, and the detection means are mounted on the motor vehicle. Only then are machine-readable instructions stored in the memory element. The instructions cause the detection means to detect whether the air guiding means is in the first or second position. The instructions can, in particular, be adapted to magnetic and / or geometric conditions of the device and / or the detection means. This can, in particular, be carried out in a similar manner to that described below with regard to the motor vehicle.

[0008] The motor vehicle comprises an air guiding means, a device for adjusting the air guiding means between a first position and a second position, and a detection means. In the context of this description, an air guiding means is understood to be a component that is designed to redirect air during operation of the motor vehicle and to improve the driving behavior of the motor vehicle through the forces occurring in this process. For example, the air guiding means can be designed to increase the road grip of the motor vehicle by redirecting air. The air guiding means can be a rear spoiler, for example. The first position of the air guiding means can be an extended position, and the second position can be a retracted position. In the extended position, the air guiding means protrudes further from the body of the motor vehicle than in the retracted position.

[0009] The detection means comprises a memory element containing machine-readable instructions that cause the detection means to detect whether the air guiding means is in the first or second position. The machine-readable instructions can, for example, be computer-readable instructions that are readable by the detection means. The instructions are adapted to geometric and / or magnetic conditions of the device and / or the detection means. The geometric and / or magnetic conditions are influenced by the production and assembly process. The magnetic conditions can, for example, be the magnetic field strength of a magnet if the detection means comprise, for example, a Hall sensor. The geometric conditions can include the position of the device relative to the detection means and / or relative to the air guiding means.

[0010] This adaptation is preferably achieved by writing the instructions into memory only after the air guide, device, and detection device have been installed on the vehicle. This allows the instructions to be adapted to the magnetic and geometric conditions. Most or even all deviations from an ideal case can be taken into account, as they are known. This enables particularly precise detection of the position of the air guide by the detection device. Furthermore, the design of the device, air guide, and detection device can be carried out more flexibly, as fewer tolerances need to be considered.

[0011] According to one embodiment of the invention, the detection means can comprise a sensor element. This can be, for example, a Hall sensor. The device can comprise a magnet designed to induce a magnetic flux density in the sensor element. This can be achieved, for example, by a current flowing through the sensor element. The detection means can be designed to detect the position of the air guiding means as a function of the induced magnetic flux density. For example, the magnet can be arranged on an adjusting element of the device. The adjusting element and the magnet are moved together when the air guiding means is adjusted by the device.

[0012] According to one embodiment of the invention, the device can be designed to adjust the air guiding means by a linear movement. In this case, for example, a plunger on which the magnet is arranged can be used as the adjusting element. When the air guiding means is adjusted, the plunger is moved linearly by the same distance as the magnet. Thus, the position of the air guiding means can be determined from the magnetic flux density induced by the magnet in the sensor element.

[0013] According to one embodiment of the invention, the device can be designed to adjust the air guiding means by a rotational movement. In this case, the adjusting element can be moved in a rotational manner when the air guiding means is adjusted. The magnet is also moved in a rotational manner, so that the position of the air guiding means can be determined from the magnetic flux density induced by the magnet in the sensor element.

[0014] According to one embodiment of the invention, the instructions can define a first and a second switching threshold. The detection means can be configured to detect that the air guiding means is in the first position when the magnetic flux density induced in the sensor element is greater than the first switching threshold. Furthermore, the detection means can be configured to detect that the air guiding means is in the second position when the magnetic flux density induced in the sensor element is lower than the second switching threshold. The switching thresholds can be adapted, in particular, to the magnetic and / or geometric conditions.

[0015] According to one embodiment of the invention, the first switching threshold may correspond to a higher induced magnetic flux density than the second switching threshold.

[0016] According to one embodiment of the invention, the detection means can comprise a sensor element. This can be, for example, a Hall sensor. The device can comprise a magnet designed to induce a magnetic flux density in the sensor element. The detection means can be designed to detect the position of the air guiding means as a function of the magnetic flux density. The instructions can define a first and a second switching threshold. The detection means can be designed to detect that the air guiding means is in the first position when the magnetic flux density induced in the sensor element is greater than the first switching threshold. Furthermore, the detection means can be designed to detect that the air guiding means is in the second position when the magnetic flux density induced in the sensor element is less than the second switching threshold.The switching thresholds can be adapted to the magnetic and / or geometric conditions of the device and / or the detection means.

[0017] According to one embodiment of the invention, the first switching threshold can correspond to an induced magnetic flux density that is lower than the maximum possible induced magnetic flux density by a first tolerance value. The maximum possible induced magnetic flux density is understood to be the maximum flux density when the device, the detection means, and the air guiding means are mounted on the motor vehicle.

[0018] The first tolerance value is advantageous for accounting for environmental influences such as temperature fluctuations, which affect the induced magnetic flux density. Furthermore, the air guide is sometimes exposed to relatively large forces during operation of the motor vehicle, for example, due to vibrations, so that slight relative movements between the air guide and the detection device can occur even though the device does not adjust the air guide.

[0019] According to one embodiment of the invention, the second switching threshold can correspond to an induced magnetic flux density that is greater than the minimum possible induced magnetic flux density by a second tolerance value. The minimum possible induced magnetic flux density is understood to be the minimum flux density when the device, the detection means, and the air guiding means are mounted on the motor vehicle. The second tolerance value has similar advantages to the first tolerance value.

[0020] Further features and advantages of the present invention will become clear from the following description of preferred embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings. The same reference numerals are used for identical or similar components and for components with identical or similar functions. Fig. 1 is a schematic side view of a device for adjusting an air guiding means and a detection means according to an embodiment of the invention, wherein the air guiding means is in a retracted position; Fig. 2 a schematic side view of the device and the detection means of Fig. 1, wherein the air guiding means is in an extended position; and Fig. 3 a schematic graphic representation of the course of the magnetic flux density induced in a sensor element as a function of the position of an adjusting element of the device from Fig. 1.

[0021] The device for adjusting the air guiding means comprises an adjusting element 100, which is designed to adjust the air guiding means from a first to a second position and vice versa with a linear movement. A magnet 101 is arranged on the adjusting element 100, which induces a magnetic flux density in a Hall sensor 102. The induced magnetic flux density depends on the position of the magnet 101. Since the magnet 101 is arranged on the adjusting element 100, it is moved linearly by the same distance as the adjusting element 100 when the air guiding means is adjusted. Thus, the position of the air guiding means can be derived from the induced magnetic flux density.

[0022] The relationship between the induced magnetic flux density and the position of the adjusting element 100 is shown in Fig. 3. The position of the adjustment element 100 is plotted in the x-direction and the magnetic flux density in the y-direction. The magnetic flux density assumes its maximum possible value of 300 when the magnet 101 is closest to the Hall sensor 102. This can, for example, be the case in Fig. 1 shown position.

[0023] If the adjustment element 100 is in the Fig. 2 and the air guide is thus extended, the magnetic flux density is low, for example between 0 and 20% of its maximum value 300.

[0024] In Fig. 3 also shows a first switching threshold 301 and a second switching threshold 302. These switching thresholds 301 are set after assembly of the device for adjusting the air guide means and the detection means, including the Hall sensor 102, and are adjusted to the maximum possible value 300 and the minimum possible value 300. For example, a value of 60% of the maximum possible value 300 is selected for the first switching threshold 301. A value of 40% of the maximum possible value 300 can be selected for the second switching threshold 302.

[0025] If a magnetic flux density higher than the first switching threshold 301 is induced in the Hall sensor 102, it is detected that the air guide means is in the extended position ( Fig. 2). If a magnetic flux density is induced in the Hall sensor 102 that is lower than the second switching threshold 302, it is detected that the air guide means is in the retracted position ( Fig. 1).

[0026] The Fig. The area 303 shown in Figure 3 relates to magnetic flux density values ​​that lie between the two switching thresholds 301 and 302. When such values ​​are detected, the air guiding means is in a position between the retracted and extended positions. During the intended use of the device, the air guiding means, and the detection means without malfunction, this is the case when the air guiding means is retracted or extended. In certain cases, it can be advantageous if the area 303 is particularly large, since this provides a relatively large travel range for the adjustment element 100 and thus also for the air guiding means.

[0027] The exact form of the Fig. The curve shown in Figure 3 depends on geometric and magnetic conditions, which are influenced by assembly and production tolerances. By defining the switching thresholds 301 and 302 after assembly of the device for adjusting the air guide means and the detection means, including the Hall sensor 102, production and assembly deviations from an ideal case can be taken into account. Thus, the distance between the two switching thresholds 301 and 302 can be selected to be particularly large, enabling particularly precise measurement and a relatively large range 303 for the linear movement of the adjustment element 100. This can be used, for example, for a more flexible design of the device for adjusting the air guide means.

Claims

[1] Method for mounting an air guiding means, a device for adjusting the air guiding means and a detection means on a motor vehicle, wherein the detection means comprises a storage element, the method comprising the following steps: - Mounting the air guiding means, the device for adjusting the air guiding means and the detection means on the motor vehicle, characterized in that thereafter a - storing machine-readable instructions in the memory element, wherein the instructions cause the detection means to detect whether the air guiding means is in the first or in the second position, wherein the instructions are adapted to geometric and / or magnetic conditions of the device and / or the detection means, wherein the geometric and / or magnetic conditions are influenced by the production and assembly process. [2] Method according to the preceding claim,characterized byin that the detection means comprises a sensor element (102), wherein the device comprises a magnet (101), wherein the magnet (101) is designed to induce a magnetic flux density in the sensor element (102), and wherein the detection means is designed to detect the position of the air guiding means as a function of the magnetic flux density, wherein the instructions define a first switching threshold (301) and a second switching threshold (302), wherein the detection means is designed to detect that the air guiding means is in the first position when the magnetic flux density induced in the sensor element (102) is greater than the first switching threshold (301), and wherein the detection means is designed to detect that the air guiding means is in the second position when the magnetic flux density induced in the sensor element (102) is less than the second switching threshold (302), and wherein the switching thresholds (301;302) are adapted to the magnetic and / or geometric conditions of the device and / or the detection means; [3] Method according to the preceding claim, characterized by that the first switching threshold (301) is calculated such that it corresponds to an induced magnetic flux density which is lower by a first tolerance value than the maximum possible induced magnetic flux density (300). [4] Method according to one of the two preceding claims, characterized by that the second switching threshold (302) is calculated such that it corresponds to an induced magnetic flux density which is greater than the minimum possible induced magnetic flux density by a second tolerance value. [5] Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized byin that the detection means comprises a sensor element (102), wherein the device comprises a magnet (101), wherein the magnet (101) is designed to induce a magnetic flux density in the sensor element (102), and wherein the detection means is designed to detect the position of the air guiding means as a function of the magnetic flux density. [6] Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the device is designed to adjust the air guiding means by a linear movement. [7] Method according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized by that the device is designed to adjust the air guiding means by a rotational movement. [8] Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized byin that the instructions define a first switching threshold (301) and a second switching threshold (302), wherein the detection means is designed to detect that the air guiding means is in the first position when the magnetic flux density induced in the sensor element (102) is greater than the first switching threshold (301), and wherein the detection means is designed to detect that the air guiding means is in the second position when the magnetic flux density induced in the sensor element (102) is less than the second switching threshold (302). [9] Method according to the previous claim, characterized by that the first switching threshold (301) corresponds to a lower induced magnetic flux density than the second switching threshold (302).

Images