Motor vehicle with a slat device

Abstract

Motor vehicle with a slat device (2) with at least one frame (4) in which a plurality of slats (6) are arranged, wherein in the vehicle longitudinal direction (x) behind the slat device (2) there is a wall (8) which is parallel to the slat device (2) and whose size corresponds at least approximately to the size of the frame (4), characterized in that the distance between the slat device (2) and the wall (8) is between 5 and 30 cm, and the wall (8) can be illuminated on the side facing the slat device (2).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a motor vehicle with a slat device according to the preamble of patent claim 1.

[0002] Virtually all modern vehicles with an internal combustion engine have a radiator, which ensures adequate cooling of the engine while driving. A radiator grille is typically located in front of the radiator, providing a visually appealing air intake opening. This grille often consists of a frame in which several spaced-apart slats are arranged.

[0003] DE 102018 113 067 A1 already discloses a motor vehicle with a radiator grille assembly through which air can flow from the exterior of the vehicle into an engine compartment. The radiator grille assembly comprises a frame arranged around at least one radiator grille element. A blocking element is provided behind the radiator grille element, which can be configured as a flat plate with one or more through-openings.

[0004] Furthermore, EP 3 831 655 A1 discloses a louvre device for a motor vehicle, comprising at least one frame to which several louvres are attached, which are spaced apart from one another and lie in a plane. Furthermore, the louvre device has a lighting unit. The light from the lighting unit spreads between at least two adjacent louvres.

[0005] The object of the invention is to provide a motor vehicle with a louvre device which has a particularly high-quality appearance.

[0006] This object is achieved by a motor vehicle having a slat device with the features of patent claim 1.

[0007] According to the invention, a motor vehicle has a louvre device with at least one frame in which several louvres are arranged. The frame spans a flat or slightly curved surface. All louvres extend within this surface. Located behind the louvre device in the vehicle's longitudinal direction is a wall that is parallel to the louvre device and whose size corresponds at least approximately to the size of the frame.

[0008] In modern motor vehicles, electric drives are increasingly being used instead of internal combustion engines. In a motor vehicle with an exclusively electric drive, an air intake opening for a radiator is no longer necessary. Over the decades, however, the radiator grille has developed into a key differentiating feature for the various vehicle manufacturers and vehicle classes. For this reason, a louvre device is sometimes still installed in exclusively electrically powered passenger vehicles without an air intake opening behind it. According to the invention, a wall is arranged essentially parallel to the louvre device. This wall is at least partially visible from the outside through the louvres. The visual appearance of the vehicle can therefore be influenced by the design of the texture and color of this wall.By using different colors and surface finishes on the wall, the visual appearance can be significantly altered. This allows for the creation of a particularly high-quality wall, which thus enhances the appearance of the vehicle, as well as, if necessary, a completely customized design according to the customer's personal wishes.

[0009] The distance between the louvre system and the wall in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle is between 5 and 30 cm. This distance is large enough to give the louvre system, with the wall behind it, a certain spatial depth and thus a three-dimensional appearance. At the same time, this distance does not create the impression of an unused hollow space.

[0010] The wall can be illuminated on the side facing the slat device. The lighting emphasizes the visually high-quality appearance of the slat device with the wall, particularly at dusk and in the dark. The illuminated wall then shimmers through the slats of the slat device and enables a specific light signature. In addition, the wall can preferably be illuminated in multiple colors or with different colors. In this way, the motor vehicle can have a changing appearance from the outside, which can be changed, for example, depending on the ambient light, the driver's mood or the time of year. The lighting device can be arranged, for example, on the side of the slats facing the wall, in the areas adjacent to the wall to the sides and / or top and / or bottom.

[0011] Preferably, the wall is connected to the frame of the louvre system on both sides. This eliminates any visible gap between the wall and the louvre system, which could detract from the high-quality appearance. Furthermore, only one connection to the vehicle is required for the louvre system and the wall together.

[0012] A particularly flexible option for wall lighting is provided by a wall with an illuminated display on the side facing the slatted system. This allows any motif and / or color to be projected onto the display and thus onto the wall.

[0013] The slat device at least partially conceals the wall when viewed from the outside. The slats of the slat device preferably have a surface with a high reflectance of preferably at least 0.8 for visible light, at least on the sides opposite the wall and those adjacent to neighboring slats. Visible light ranges from red with a wavelength of approximately 750 nm to violet with a wavelength of approximately 400 nm. The reflectance indicates what proportion of the light striking the surface is reflected. With a high reflectance, the light striking the slats from the outside and the light from the illuminated wall is largely reflected by the slats. Depending on the shape and arrangement of the slats, multiple reflections can also occur. This has a significant influence on the resulting visual appearance.Similar to a crystal chandelier, the multiple reflections can create a particularly high-quality appearance. It has proven particularly advantageous if the side of the slats facing the wall has a matte finish. This matte finish can be achieved, for example, by sandblasting the side of the slats facing the wall. This matte finish has proven very important for creating a high-quality reflective pattern and a uniform lighting pattern. Alternatively, the side of the slats facing the wall can have a contrasting finish. This finish can be customized according to customer requirements and influences the visual appearance.

[0014] Ideally, the surface of the slats is made of chrome or stainless steel. Both materials have a high degree of reflection. Furthermore, chrome-plated or stainless steel slats have a very attractive, high-quality appearance.

[0015] Preferably, the slats are rotatable about a longitudinal axis. This allows the visibility of the wall behind the slat device to be specifically altered depending on the shape of the slats. The reflection of light from the slats also changes depending on the position of the slats, so that the appearance can be varied by adjusting the position of the slats. It is even possible to continuously change the position of the slats while the vehicle is moving, and thus the visual appearance of the slat device with the wall.

[0016] Further advantageous embodiments are the subject of subclaims.

[0017] The drawing illustrates an exemplary embodiment of the invention, based on which the invention will be described in more detail below. The sole figure shows a schematic perspective view of a front area of the front end of a passenger vehicle.

[0018] The passenger vehicle shown in sections has a front end located in front of the passenger cell in which the passengers sit during the journey. The front end serves, among other things, to absorb a significant portion of the crash energy in the event of a frontal crash so that the passenger cell remains as undamaged as possible and the passengers are thus protected as best as possible. A louvre device 2 is arranged at the front end region of the front end as viewed in the vehicle's longitudinal direction x. The louvre device 2 extends primarily in the vehicle's transverse direction y and in the vehicle's vertical direction z and is arranged centrally as viewed in the vehicle's transverse direction y. The louvre device 2 has a minimal curvature: the two lateral regions of the louvre device 2 are located slightly further back in the vehicle's longitudinal direction x than the central region.

[0019] The louvre device 2 consists of a circumferential frame 4 and a plurality of louvres 6 arranged within the frame 4. The louvres 6 all have an arcuate cross-section and extend in the vehicle height direction z from bottom to top within the frame 4. The vertical longitudinal axes of all louvres 6 are parallel to one another. The louvres 6 are mounted in the frame 4 so they can rotate about their longitudinal axes. They border the frame 4 directly above and below with a barely visible gap. The louvres 6 are made of stainless steel with a reflection index of more than 0.8.

[0020] Located behind the slat device 2, viewed in the vehicle's longitudinal direction x, at a distance of approximately ten to fifteen centimeters, is a wall 8 that is arranged parallel to the slat device 2. The wall 8 is approximately the same size as the slat device 2 in the vehicle's transverse direction y and in the vehicle's vertical direction z. The wall 8 is connected to the frame 4 of the slat device 2 via two lateral webs 10 that are integral with the wall 8. A lighting strip is arranged above and below the wall 8, which illuminates the wall 8 when switched on. Ideally, the wall 8 is illuminated very evenly. The lighting strips can also be designed so that the color of the light they emit can be changed. The lighting strips can preferably switch on automatically when the brightness of the ambient light falls below a defined threshold.If necessary, the luminous intensity of the lighting strips can also be varied depending on the brightness of the ambient light.

[0021] The wall 8 can be seen through the slats 6 from the exterior of the vehicle. The slats 6 can be rotated about their longitudinal axes and, depending on their position, obscure the visibility of the wall 8 to a greater or lesser extent. When the wall 8 is illuminated, part of the light reflected by the wall 8 usually emerges between the slats 6 and is thus visible from the exterior of the vehicle. Another part of the light reflected by the wall 8 strikes the slats 6 and is largely reflected by them. This can result in multiple reflections. The light reflected by one slat 6 can therefore strike an adjacent slat 6 and be reflected again by it, so that part of the repeatedly reflected light is visible from the exterior of the vehicle. This can create lighting effects that can give the slat device 2 with the wall 8 arranged behind it a very high-quality appearance.

[0022] In a particular embodiment, it is also conceivable that the slats 6, due to their position, do not allow a direct view of the wall 8 from the outside. However, the light reflected by the wall 8 from the lighting strips hits the slats 6 and partially exits forward between the slats 6 due to multiple reflections on the slats 6, so that it is visible from the exterior of the vehicle.

[0023] Depending on the position of the slats 6, the appearance of the slat device 2 and the light reflected from the wall 8 can be additionally varied.

Claims

[1] Motor vehicle with a slat device (2) with at least one frame (4) in which a plurality of slats (6) are arranged, wherein in the vehicle longitudinal direction (x) behind the slat device (2) there is a wall (8) which is parallel to the slat device (2) and whose size corresponds at least approximately to the size of the frame (4), characterized by that the distance between the slat device (2) and the wall (8) is between 5 and 30 cm, and the wall (8) can be illuminated on the side facing the slat device (2). [2] Motor vehicle according to claim 1, characterized by that the wall (8) is connected on both sides to the frame (4) of the slat device (2). [3] Motor vehicle according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the wall (8) can be illuminated in different colors. [4] Motor vehicle according to claim 3, characterized bythat the wall (8) has a display on the side facing the slat device (2). [5] Motor vehicle according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the slats (6) of the slat device (2) have, at least on the sides opposite the wall and adjacent to adjacent slats, a surface with a high degree of reflection of preferably at least 0.8 for visible light. [6] Motor vehicle according to claim 5, characterized by that the surface of the slats (6) is made of chrome or stainless steel. [7] Motor vehicle according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that at least one slat (6) is rotatable about its longitudinal axes. [8] Motor vehicle according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the slats (6) have an arcuate cross-section.

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