Trim arrangement
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- DE · DE
- Patent Type
- Patents
- Current Assignee / Owner
- DR ING H C F PORSCHE AG
- Filing Date
- 2019-07-17
- Publication Date
- 2026-07-30
AI Technical Summary
Existing methods for aligning decorative elements across movable components in motor vehicles, such as doors and consoles, face challenges due to large tolerance chains, leading to imprecise and costly adjustments.
An adjustment device with an attachment, internal thread, and adjusting screw, where the screw's end face rests on a support surface to prevent axial movement, allowing precise height adjustments while maintaining flexibility in other directions, using standard components and minimizing structural interference.
Enables precise and cost-effective alignment of paneling parts in motor vehicles, allowing for easy adjustment in multiple directions without blocking lateral movements, thus simplifying assembly and ensuring aesthetic alignment of decorative elements.
Smart Images
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Abstract
Description
[0001] The invention relates to an adjustment device with which the relative position of a trim part in a motor vehicle can be adjusted.
[0002] Interior trim panels in a vehicle can feature decorative elements, such as lines, patterns, seams, and parting lines, that extend across different trim panels. Therefore, the relative position of these trim panels must be precise to avoid any perceived aesthetic misalignment of the decorative elements. This is particularly true for components of a vehicle that move relative to each other, such as a car door and an interior console, where larger tolerances exist, making precise alignment of the decorative elements more difficult.
[0003] From US patent 6,357,957 B1, it is known to engage a vertically oriented adjusting screw, screwed into a projection of a substructure of the fairing part, in an opening of a vehicle segment to be covered by the fairing part. For this purpose, the vehicle segment has a wider and a narrower opening area. One end of the adjusting screw can first be inserted into the wider opening area and then moved laterally together with the fairing part, so that a circumferential groove provided in one end region of the adjusting screw can be inserted into the narrower opening area of the vehicle segment. The axially oriented side walls of the groove can abut against the material of the vehicle segment that defines the narrower opening, thus preventing axial relative displacement of the adjusting screw to the vehicle segment.When the adjusting screw is turned, the end area of the adjusting screw remains fixed in axial direction to the vehicle segment, and the trim piece can move along the thread of the adjusting screw in a vertical direction, so that a height offset of the trim piece to the vehicle segment can be set via the screw-in depth of the adjusting screw in the socket.
[0004] There is a constant need to adjust the relative position of a trim panel in a motor vehicle precisely and cost-effectively.
[0005] The object of the invention is to demonstrate measures that enable a cost-effective and precise adjustment of the relative position of a trim part in a motor vehicle.
[0006] The problem is solved according to the invention by an adjustment device having the features of claim 1. Preferred embodiments of the invention are specified in the dependent claims and the following description, each of which can individually or in combination represent an aspect of the invention.
[0007] According to the invention, an adjustment device for positioning a trim part in a motor vehicle is provided with a projection extending from a substructure of the trim part, an internal thread provided on the projection, an adjusting screw passing through the projection and screwable into the internal thread, and a support projection extending from a vehicle segment to be covered with the trim part, wherein the support projection has a support surface for a one-sided end face of the adjusting screw.
[0008] When mounting the trim panel to the vehicle segment, the trim panel and / or the end face of the adjusting screw may rest against the vehicle segment. If the adjusting screw is then tightened, any gap that may exist between the end face of the adjusting screw and the support surface of the support bracket can be overcome. If the end face of the adjusting screw rests against the support surface of the support bracket, further axial relative movement between the adjusting screw and the support bracket can be blocked by the support bracket.As the adjusting screw is tightened further, its end face remains fixed axially relative to the support of the vehicle segment, and the trim panel can move along the thread of the adjusting screw. This allows for adjustment of the trim panel's offset, particularly a vertical offset, relative to the vehicle segment by varying the screw's insertion depth in the support. Preferably, the trim panel is then fixed to the vehicle segment, for example, by clamping it to the vehicle segment using screws. These screws are designed to accommodate relative movement caused by the adjusting screw.For this purpose, a fastening screw of the screw connection can be guided in a slotted hole and / or inserted into a fastening opening with the help of washers, which has a significantly larger opening area than the cross-sectional area of the fastening screw.
[0009] The adjusting screw can be designed as a standard component or based on a standard component, so that the adjustment device can be correspondingly cost-effective. In particular, it is not necessary to thread the adjusting screw through an opening in the vehicle segment. Instead, the trim panel can simply be roughly aligned on the vehicle segment. Finer alignment can be achieved using the at least one adjustment device, whereby preferably several adjustment devices can be provided for fine-tuning the trim panel relative to the vehicle segment, which is in particular part of the vehicle's body shell, in different directions.Since the adjusting screw rests flat on the support surface of the mounting bracket with its end face and is not inserted into an opening in the vehicle segment, relative movement of the trim panel perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the adjusting screw is still possible and is not blocked by the adjusting screw striking the vehicle segment laterally. This means that even after an adjustment of the relative position using the adjustment direction, for example in the vertical direction to adjust a height offset, further adjustment of the relative position, for example in the horizontal direction, is still easily possible. The adjustment direction thus allows for further adjustments in other coordinate directions, so that it is not necessary to precisely align the adjusting screw in coordinate directions perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the adjusting screw during the initial rough alignment of the trim panel relative to the vehicle segment.This simplifies assembly while still allowing precise alignment of the trim panel to the vehicle segment in different coordinate directions. By having the adjusting screw's end face rest against the support surface, cost-effective components enable precise adjustment of the trim panel's relative position to the vehicle segment in one coordinate direction without blocking adjustment in other directions. This allows for cost-effective and precise adjustment of the trim panel's relative position in a motor vehicle.
[0010] In particular, a guide projection extending from the substructure of the cladding part is provided between the projection and the support projection. This guide projection has a through-hole for guiding the shank of the adjusting screw in a predefined direction. The projection and the guide projection are, in particular, part of a single-piece hollow chamber. This prevents or at least reduces tilting of the adjusting screw. A clearance fit is formed between the shank of the adjusting screw and the through-hole of the guide projection. The hollow chamber results in a particularly rigid and dimensionally stable one-piece connection, ensuring that the through-hole and the internal thread remain axially aligned with each other even under mechanical load.
[0011] In particular, the adjusting screw has a frustoconical and / or frustopyran-shaped end region extending away from the screw head and encompassing the end face, wherein the end region particularly has a concavely curved surface. The end region is particularly unthreaded and may taper in the region of the end face to a cross-section that is smaller than the core diameter of the adjusting screw thread. The end region particularly has a longitudinal extension extending beyond a typical chamfer. The longitudinal extension of the end region is particularly larger than the diameter of the end face and may, for example, correspond approximately to the outer diameter of the adjusting screw thread. Preferably, the diameter of the end face is approximately half the core diameter or the outer diameter of the adjusting screw thread.Additionally or alternatively, the end section can have a truncated cone-shaped, concave surface geometry. Due to the truncated cone shape of the adjusting screw's end section, the end face can have a correspondingly smaller area compared to the cross-sectional area in the threaded region of the adjusting screw. This allows for a correspondingly small frictional area between the adjusting screw and the support, resulting in a correspondingly smaller frictional force opposing rotation of the adjusting screw and / or displacement perpendicular to its longitudinal direction. The adjusting screw can, in particular, be based on a standard screw that is only machined in its end section to create the truncated cone shape.
[0012] Preferably, the support bracket, which can be manufactured particularly from a flat sheet metal piece, has a completely closed, and especially openingless, top surface encompassing the support area. This allows the support bracket to be manufactured cost-effectively. In particular, no openings are provided in the support bracket, at least in the surface area that can come into contact with the end face of the adjusting screw. This does not block or impede the movement of the adjusting screw along the top surface of the support bracket. Furthermore, any structural impairment of the support bracket's strength caused by an opening is avoided. The support bracket can thus achieve additional stiffening of the vehicle segment and / or, compared to a support bracket with an opening, be dimensioned smaller and more cost-effectively to provide the desired strength.
[0013] Preferably, the minimum cross-sectional area of the adjusting screw is defined by its end face. No area with a diameter smaller than the end face is provided in the adjusting screw. This eliminates the need for a groove in the screw shaft. It also avoids any impairment of the adjusting screw's strength that would be required to create a groove, which would involve additional effort.
[0014] In particular, the head of the adjusting screw has a contour for receiving a tool tip. This contour can geometrically correspond to the contour of a tool. The adjusting screw can thus be turned using a tool aligned longitudinally with the screw, in particular a screwdriver, hex key, wrench, or similar. This allows the adjusting screw, as well as the mounting and support projection, to be positioned at a distance from the outer surface of the fairing part, so that the adjustment mechanism can be located further inside the fairing part. The distance between the screw head and the outer surface of the fairing part can be easily bridged by a sufficiently long shaft of the tool used, especially a standardized one.This minimizes the risk that, in an extreme position where the adjusting screw is screwed out to its maximum extent, the adjusting screw protrudes from the fairing part and / or hits a cover covering the adjusting device.
[0015] Preferably, the internal thread is cut into the shoulder or formed by a nut connected to the shoulder, in particular a clip / snap nut, weld nut, or rivet nut. The nut itself can form the shoulder. This allows the internal thread to be provided in a cost-effective and easy-to-assemble manner.
[0016] The adjusting screw is particularly preferably oriented essentially in the Z-direction, the X-direction, or the Y-direction. The Z-direction corresponds to the vertical direction, while the X-direction corresponds to the direction of travel of the vehicle and the Y-direction to the horizontal transverse direction of the vehicle. When the adjusting screw is oriented in the Z-direction, the substructure can automatically bear directly or indirectly against the vehicle segment via the adjusting screw, using its own weight. However, it is also possible to orient the adjusting device in a direction other than the Z-direction, so that the relative position of the fairing part can also be adjusted in a different direction. Preferably, two or more adjusting devices are provided, each of which can, in particular, make an adjustment in different directions.
[0017] Preferably, the guide element can be abutted against the support element to limit the maximum possible relative position of the trim panel to the vehicle segment. This allows the guide element to define an extreme relative position of the trim panel. This prevents impact and bending of a part of the trim panel that is softer than the guide element. This, for example, prevents damage to the plastic covering of the substructure.
[0018] The substructure is particularly advantageous for defining a maximally close relative position of the trim panel to the vehicle segment, allowing it to be abutted against the vehicle segment. This enables the substructure to define an extreme relative position of the trim panel. This prevents impact and bending of a part of the trim panel that is softer than the substructure. In particular, the maximally close relative position of the trim panel to the vehicle segment is defined by both the substructure and the guide attachment, thus preventing the trim panel from tilting.
[0019] The invention further relates to a trim arrangement for a motor vehicle, in particular for a motor vehicle door, comprising a trim part having at least one decorative element and a vehicle segment to be covered by the trim part, wherein the relative position of the trim part to the vehicle segment is adjustable by means of an adjusting device acting on a substructure of the trim part and the vehicle segment, which can be designed and further developed as described above. By the flat contact of the adjusting screw with its end face against the support surface, a precise adjustment of the relative position of the trim part to the vehicle segment in one coordinate direction can be achieved using cost-effective components, without blocking adjustment of the relative position in other coordinate directions, thus enabling a cost-effective and precise adjustment of the relative position of a trim part in a motor vehicle.
[0020] Preferably, the cladding part has a cover for closing the adjustment mechanism, which is attached directly or indirectly to the substructure, and in particular is detachably attached. The cover can, for example, be clipped to the substructure. The surface of the cover is integrated into the contour of the surface of the rest of the cladding part. This makes the adjustment mechanism easily accessible, allowing the relative position of the cladding part to be adjusted, if necessary, even after installation.
[0021] The invention is explained below by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings and preferred embodiments, wherein the features shown below can represent an aspect of the invention, either individually or in combination. The drawings show: Fig. 1 a schematic perspective view of a cladding arrangement, Fig. 2 a schematic perspective partial sectioned detail view of the cladding arrangement made of Fig. 1, Fig. 3 a schematic sectional view of a first embodiment of an adjustment device of the cladding arrangement made of Fig. 1 in a first state, Fig. 4 a schematic sectional view of a second embodiment of an adjustment device of the cladding arrangement made of Fig. 1 in a second state and Fig. 5 a schematic sectional view of the adjustment device Fig. 4 in a third state.
[0022] The in Fig. 1. Shown fairing arrangement 10 in a motor vehicle, a trim part 12 on, which in the illustrated embodiment is an interior trim panel of a side door. The trim panel 12 features linear decorative elements 14on, which are located on a fixed console 16 continue the vehicle's design. This will result in an offset of the decorative elements. 14 between the trim panel 12 and the console 16 This can be avoided by being below a structure with a substructure 18 of the fairing part 12 Removable clip-on lid 20 an adjustment device 22 planned.
[0023] As in Fig. 2 shows the substructure 18 a protruding approach that is grouped together to form a hollow chamber 24 and a leadership approach 26 on, into which an adjustment screw 28 It is plugged in. Below the guide approach 26 is a support approach 30 a vehicle segment 32 provided, which is made from a bent flat sheet metal and is compatible with the rest of the vehicle segment 32for example, it may be glued, welded, screwed or riveted.
[0024] As in Fig. 3 is shown in the approach 24 through an approach based on 24 clipped-on snap nut, an internal thread 34 trained, into which the adjusting screw 28 with an external thread 36 It is screwed in. The adjusting screw has a profile towards the support attachment. 30 facing front face 38 on, which are attached to a support surface 40 of the hole-free support attachment 30 can hit when the adjusting screw 28 into the internal thread 34 is screwed in, as in Fig. 4 shown. The adjusting screw can be used for this purpose. 28 a screw head 42 with, for example, a hexagonal inner contour 44 have to adjust the screw 28to twist with a tool shaped like a hexagon. If the end face 38 at the support surface 40 adjacent adjusting screw 28 further into the internal thread 34 When screwed in, the approach can 24 together with the trim panel 12 on the adjusting screw 28 migrate upwards, causing a height offset of the cladding part 12 to the vehicle segment 32 can be set as in Fig. 5 shown. If an additional offset in the horizontal direction is to be set, the trim part can be 12 together with the adjusting screw 28 on the support surface, which lies primarily in a horizontal plane 40 slide off without blocking any relative movement.
[0025] At the in Fig. 4 and Fig. 5 illustrated embodiment of the adjusting device 22The adjusting screw indicates 28 compared to the one in Fig. 2 and Fig. 3 illustrated embodiment of the adjusting device 22 one of the screw head 42 groundbreaking, frustoconical and facing the front surface 38 towards the tapered end area 46 on. The one with the frustoconical end region 46 end face formed at its narrowest point 38 This results in a smaller surface area, so that frictional effects between the front surface 38 the adjusting screw 28 and the support surface 40 of the support approach 30 can be reduced. QUOTES INCLUDED IN THE DESCRIPTION
[0000] This list of documents cited by the applicant was automatically generated and is included solely for the reader's convenience. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA accepts no liability for any errors or omissions. Cited patent literature
[0000] US 6357957 B1
[0003]
Claims
[1] Adjustment device for positioning a trim panel (12) in a motor vehicle, with a projection (24) extending from a substructure (18) of the cladding part (12), an internal thread (34) provided on the projection (24), an adjusting screw (28) which passes through the extension (24) and can be screwed into the internal thread (34) and a support projection (30) from a vehicle segment (32) to be covered with the cladding part (12), wherein the support attachment (30) has a support surface (40) for an end face (38) of the adjusting screw (18). [2] Adjustment device according to claim 1 characterized by, that between the projection (24) and the support projection (38) a guide projection (26) projecting from the substructure (18) of the cladding part (12) is provided, wherein the guide projection (26) has a through-opening for passing a screw shaft of the adjusting screw (28) in a predefined direction, wherein in particular the projection (24) and the guide projection (26) are part of a one-piece hollow chamber. [3] Adjustment device according to claim 1 or 2 characterized by , that the guide element (26) can be attached to the support element (30) to limit a maximum close relative position of the fairing part (12) to the vehicle segment (32). [4] Adjustment device according to one of claims 1 to 3 characterized by , that the substructure (18) can be attached to the vehicle segment (32) to define a maximally close relative position of the fairing part (12) to the vehicle segment (32). [5] Adjustment device according to any one of claims 1 to 4 characterized by, that the adjusting screw (28) has a frustoconical and / or truncated pyramidal end region (46) extending away from a screw head (42) and encompassing the end face (38), wherein the end region (46) in particular has a concavely curved surface. [6] Adjustment device according to any one of claims 1 to 5 characterized by , that the support element (30), which can be produced in particular from a flat sheet, has a completely closed, in particular opening-free, top surface encompassing the support surface (40). [7] Adjustment device according to any one of claims 1 to 6 characterized by , that the minimum cross-sectional area of the adjusting screw (28) is given by the end face (38). [8] Adjustment device according to any one of claims 1 to 7 characterized by , that a screw head (42) of the adjusting screw (28) has a contour (44) for receiving a tool tip. [9] Adjustment device according to any one of claims 1 to 8 characterized by , that the internal thread (34) is cut into the projection (24) or is formed by a nut connected to the projection (24), in particular a clip / snap nut or weld nut or rivet nut. [10] Adjustment device according to any one of claims 1 to 9 characterized by , that the adjusting screw (28) is substantially aligned in the Z direction or in the X direction or in the Y direction. [11] Trim arrangement for a motor vehicle, in particular for a motor vehicle door, comprising a trim part (12) having at least one decorative element (14) and a vehicle segment (32) to be covered by the trim part (12), wherein a relative position of the trim part (12) to the vehicle segment (32) is adjustable by an adjusting device (22) acting on a substructure (18) of the trim part (12) and the vehicle segment (32) according to one of claims 1 to 10. [12] Cladding arrangement according to claim 11 characterized by , that the cladding part (12) has a cover (20) for closing the adjustment device (22), which is attached directly or indirectly to the substructure (18), in particular detachably.