Mechanical adjustment device and air guide arrangement in the area of ​​a motor vehicle's outer body skin

Abstract

Mechanical adjustment device for an actuating element (7) of an actuating device (4) for a movable functional part in the area of ​​a motor vehicle body skin, with at least one adjustment element (6, 6a to 6c) rotatable about an axis of rotation (D), which mechanically interacts with at least one contact section (A1, A2) of the actuating element (7) for adjusting the actuating element (7) in an end position of the actuating element (7), which corresponds to an end position of the actuating element (7), characterized in that the adjustment element (6, 6a to 6c) has a control contour (10, 10a to 10c) projecting radially to the axis of rotation (D), the radial distance of which to the axis of rotation (D) changes in the direction of movement of the adjustment element (6, 6a to 6c), and that two adjustment elements (6, 6a to 6c) are provided, which correspond to the opposing end stops of two different contact sections (A1, A2) of the actuating element (7) are assigned,wherein the end stops define different end positions of the actuating element (7).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a mechanical adjustment device for an actuating element of an actuating device according to the preamble of claim 1. The invention further relates to an air guide arrangement in the area of ​​a body outer skin of a motor vehicle with an adjustable air guide element which can be displaced by means of at least one actuating element to which a previously mentioned mechanical adjustment device is assigned.

[0002] Mechanical adjustment devices for actuators, used to set corresponding end positions of the actuators, are generally known. An adjustment element in the form of a setscrew can be screwed in and out around a pivot axis relative to a stationary support section. The tip of the setscrew is in axial contact with a contact section of the actuator, thus enabling adjustment and setting of the actuator's end position.

[0003] From DE 10 2019 209 051 A1, an air guidance device for a vehicle is known which has an air guidance profile that is adjustable by means of an actuating device.

[0004] DE 20 2019 103 292 U1 discloses an adjustment device for the end position of a brake lever of a two-wheeled vehicle. The adjustment device is designed to allow the setting of an unloaded starting position of the brake lever relative to a handlebar, in order to adapt the manually operated brake lever to different hand sizes of a rider of the two-wheeled vehicle.

[0005] It is also common practice in passenger cars to integrate an air deflector in the form of a rear spoiler flush with the bodywork. The rear spoiler only extends upwards above a certain speed. Both when extended and when retracted, the rear spoiler contributes to good aerodynamics for the passenger car.

[0006] The object of the invention is to create a mechanical adjustment device and an air guide arrangement of the type mentioned above, which enable flawless function while saving installation space.

[0007] This problem is solved for the mechanical adjustment device by the features of claim 1. The at least one adjustment element is mechanically in contact with the at least one associated contact section of the actuating element during an adjustment process. The direction of movement of the adjustment element is understood to be both an axial direction of movement coaxial with the axis of rotation and a movement in the circumferential direction of the adjustment element. The solution according to the invention is fundamentally suitable for all types of mechanical adjustment devices that are associated with an actuating element for a correspondingly movable functional part. The mechanical adjustment device according to the invention is particularly advantageous for adjusting at least one end position of a rear spoiler of a passenger car, wherein the at least one adjustment element interacts with an actuating element of the rear spoiler.The rear spoiler, in its resting position integrated flush with the outer body panel of the passenger car, can be adjusted by the adjustment device to achieve a precisely flush and aligned position relative to the surrounding areas of the outer body panel. Advantageously, the mechanical adjustment device according to the invention is also designed to adjust the extended functional position of the rear spoiler. In both the retracted resting position and the extended functional position, the adjustment by the mechanical adjustment device serves to achieve particularly good aerodynamics for the passenger car.

[0008] According to the invention, two adjustment elements are provided, each assigned to opposite end stops of a section of the actuating element. This allows the adjustment device to adjust opposing end positions of the actuating element.

[0009] In this embodiment of the invention, at least one adjusting element is assigned an automatic locking device for securing the respective adjustment position of the adjusting element. The automatic locking device can be implemented by a self-locking screw thread or by additional functional elements assigned to the adjusting element. The automatic locking device is necessarily designed to be permanently engaged.

[0010] In a further embodiment of the invention, the control contour changes along the axis of rotation of the adjusting element. The radial distance of the control contour relative to the axis of rotation changes along this axis. It is advantageous for the control contour to be formed by a cone-shaped outer contour, which is preferably integrally formed on the adjusting element.

[0011] In a further embodiment of the invention, the control contour changes in the circumferential direction relative to the axis of rotation of the adjusting element. The radial distance of the control contour to the axis of rotation changes in the direction of rotation of the adjusting element, particularly in the form of a spiral contour or a differently shaped eccentric contour. The control contour can also change both along the axis of rotation of the adjusting element and circumferentially relative to the axis of rotation of the adjusting element.

[0012] In a further embodiment of the invention, the adjusting element is rotatably mounted by means of a feed thread. This means that, during a rotational movement about the axis of rotation, the adjusting element inevitably shifts coaxially to the axis of rotation, advantageously by a corresponding screwing in or out movement relative to a stationary support section.

[0013] In a further embodiment of the invention, the control contour is helically shaped, and the pitch of the helix corresponds to the pitch of the feed thread. Thus, the control contour is helically shaped with an identical pitch relative to the pitch of the feed thread. The helical shape changes coaxially with the axis of rotation of the feed thread to achieve the desired radial change in the distance of the control contour relative to the axis of rotation.

[0014] In a further embodiment of the invention, the control contour is provided circumferentially on an eccentric part that is fixedly associated with the adjustment element. The eccentric part can be an integral component of the adjustment element or, alternatively, a separately manufactured component that is fixedly connected to the adjustment element.

[0015] In a further embodiment of the invention, the control contour is conically shaped on the adjusting element, which is rotatably mounted by means of the feed thread. The conical shape can be understood to mean either a tapered cone or a truncated cone.

[0016] In a further embodiment of the invention, the automatic locking device features a toothed arrangement. The toothed arrangement enables a positive locking of the adjusting element in the respective set adjustment position.

[0017] In a further embodiment of the invention, the gear arrangement comprises a face gear on the one hand and at least one locking tooth that can engage with the face gear on the other. The face gear can be associated either with the adjusting element or with the stationary support section, relative to which the adjusting element is rotatably mounted. In a correspondingly complementary manner, the at least one locking tooth is also provided either on the stationary support section or on the adjusting element.

[0018] In a further embodiment of the invention, the face teeth or the at least one detent tooth are axially movable to a limited extent, and the locking device comprises a spring arrangement acting coaxially to the axis of rotation of the adjusting element, which holds the face teeth and the at least one detent tooth permanently engaged with limited force. This embodiment implements a ratchet principle known to those skilled in the art. The force limitation is preferably determined by the spring force of the spring arrangement. Advantageously, the spring arrangement is formed by a helical compression spring that is arranged coaxially to the adjusting element and acts upon the adjusting element.

[0019] The problem underlying the invention is solved for the air guidance arrangement by the features of claim 12. The air guidance arrangement advantageously comprises a rear spoiler for a passenger car as an adjustable air guidance element, which is advantageously flush and aligned with the outer body skin of the passenger car in its rest position.

[0020] Further advantages and features of the invention will become apparent from the claims. Preferred embodiments of the invention are described below and illustrated with reference to the drawings. Fig. Figure 1 schematically shows a rear area of ​​a passenger car with an embodiment of an air guide arrangement according to the invention, to which an embodiment of a mechanical adjustment device according to the invention is assigned. Fig. 2 in enlarged perspective view the adjustment device according to Fig. 1 from a front side, Fig. 3 the adjustment device for the air guide arrangement according to Fig. 2, however, from a rear side in a first functional position, Fig. 4 the representation according to Fig. 3, however in a second functional position, Fig. 5 schematically an adjustment element of a further embodiment of an adjustment device according to the invention similar to the Fig. 1 to 4, Fig. 6 in perspective view the adjustment element according to Fig. 5, Fig. 7 in schematic sectional view a further adjustment element according to a further embodiment of an adjustment device according to the invention, Fig. 8 the adjusting element according to Fig. 7 in perspective view, Fig. 9 another embodiment of an adjustment device according to the invention, Fig. 10 a further embodiment of an adjustment device according to the invention for an air guide arrangement according to the Fig. 1 to 4, Fig. 11 the adjustment device according to Fig. 10 seen from an opposite side, Fig. 12 the adjustment device according to Fig. 11 in a secure position, Fig. 13 the representation according to Fig. 11, however in a secure position, Fig. 14 in enlarged perspective view the adjustment element of the adjustment device according to the Fig. 10 to 13 and Fig. 15 in a front view the adjusting element according to Fig. 14.

[0021] A passenger car 1 has a rear spoiler 3 in a rear area 2, which is adjusted between a in by means of an adjusting device 4. Fig. The rear spoiler 3, which is an air guide element according to the invention, is movably mounted in the rest position shown in Figure 1 and in a functional position shifted upwards relative to the outer body panel. In the rest position, the rear spoiler 3 is flush and aligned with a corresponding recess in the outer body panel in the rear area 2. A drive mechanism, by means of which the rear spoiler 3 can be moved between the rest position and the functional position, is assigned to the actuating device 4 in a generally known manner.

[0022] In order to enable the rear spoiler 3 to be aligned exactly flush and in line with the outer body skin in its rest position, and in order to achieve an aerodynamically good and consistent air guidance function across the entire width of the rear spoiler 3 – viewed in the transverse direction of the vehicle – in its extended functional position, the adjusting device 4 for the rear spoiler 3 is equipped with a following, based on the Fig. 2 to 4 described mechanical adjustment device assigned.

[0023] The actuating device 4 has an actuating cylinder 8 for the rear spoiler 3, which can be moved upwards in the vehicle direction. Mechanically coupled to the actuating cylinder 8 is an actuating element 7, which is plate-like and rotatable about an unspecified axis of rotation. The actuating element 7 is part of a multi-link system that is mechanically coupled to the actuating cylinder 8. The actuating element 7 is rotatably mounted relative to a vehicle-mounted support plate 5. An unspecified helical tension spring acts on the actuating element 7, exerting a permanent torque eccentrically to the axis of rotation. According to the over-center principle, this torque presses the actuating element 7 against one of two end stops formed by the adjustment device described in more detail below. One end stop ( Fig. 3) for the rest position of the rear spoiler 3 and the other end stop ( Fig. 4) intended for the functional position of the rear spoiler 3. The alignment of the unspecified coil spring in each of the two end positions is determined by the Fig. 3 and Fig. 4 clearly visible.

[0024] The mechanical adjustment device comprises two identical adjustment elements 6, each rotatably mounted in corresponding bearing areas of the support plate 5 about a rotational axis. The bearing areas of the support plate 5 form stationary support sections according to the invention.

[0025] The adjusting elements 6 according to the Fig. 2 to 4 are as shown in the illustrations according to the Fig. Designed and mounted in 10 to 15. Both adjustment elements 6 are identical in design, so that the following description of one adjustment element 6 suffices.

[0026] Both adjustment elements 6 are rotatably mounted about a rotational axis D in a corresponding bearing flange 12 of the carrier plate 5. The bearing flange 12 of the carrier plate forms a stationary support section. Each adjustment element 6 has a substantially cylindrical base body, which is provided on one end face with tool engagement surfaces 11 and an arrow-shaped adjustment indicator 15. Fig. Figure 2 shows the adjusting device 4 from the rear of the passenger car 1. This view shows the end face of the adjusting elements 6, which is provided with the tool engagement surfaces 11 and the adjustment indicator 15. The respective bearing flange 12 has an alignment aid complementary to the adjustment indicator 15, which defines a neutral position of the adjusting element 6 when the adjustment indicator 15 points towards this alignment aid.

[0027] On an opposite side of the carrier plate 5, the base body of the adjusting element 6 is provided with an eccentric disc, which is integrally formed with the base body of the adjusting element 6. The eccentric disc is provided with a control contour 10 that expands spirally towards the axis of rotation D and projects radially outwards towards the axis of rotation D. As the Fig. The control contour 10 extends from a section coaxial to the outer shell of the cylindrical base body in the area of ​​the adjustment indicator 15 in a counterclockwise radial direction to the axis of rotation D spirally outwards in the manner of a worm gear over a circumference of 360°.

[0028] The actuator 7 forms two system sections A1 and A2 ( Fig. 3 and Fig. 4) With one attachment section A1, the actuating element 7 rests radially against the lower adjustment element 6 relative to the axis of rotation D in the rest position of the rear spoiler 3. Attachment section A1 rests radially against the control contour 10 of the adjustment element 6. In the upper end position of the rear spoiler 3, i.e., in its functional position, attachment section A2 rests against the control contour 10 of the upper adjustment element 6. In both end positions, the actuating element 7 can be slightly displaced about its pivot point by correspondingly rotating the respective adjustment element 6, thus necessarily allowing for slight readjustment of the rear spoiler 3 in either of the two end positions. The attachment of the respective attachment section A 1,On the outer side of the control contour 10 of the respective adjusting element 6, the rotational position of the actuating element 7 relative to its pivot point can be changed by simply mechanically rotating the respective adjusting element 6. Essentially stepless adjustment is possible within a rotational angle range of up to 360° for the adjusting element 6. If the adjusting element 6 is rotated beyond 360°, a jump in the system section A inevitably occurs. 1, A2 from the radially largest distance of the control contour 10 to the radially smallest distance of the control contour 10 relative to the axis of rotation D.

[0029] To ensure that the adjusting element 6 retains its set adjustment position, each adjusting element 6 is assigned a self-locking, mechanical locking device 13, 14, 16, which is described below. Fig. 10 to 13 are described in more detail. The eccentric disc of the adjusting element 6 has a face toothing 13 on one end face facing the carrier plate 5 and thus the vehicle-mounted bearing flange 12, which is described by the Fig. 10 to 15 is clearly visible. This face tooth 13 is stationary, i.e. on the carrier plate 5, and is associated with a locking tooth 14, which engages axially in a form-fitting manner in the face tooth 13 to block a rotational movement of the eccentric disc and thus of the adjusting element 6.

[0030] The actuating element 7 is in permanent mechanical coupling to the actuating cylinder 8 via the unspecified multi-joint. Consequently, when the actuating element 7 is connected to one of the adjusting elements 6 by means of the respective system section A 1,When A2 is in contact, a rotation of the respective adjusting element 6 can lead to a complementary rotation of the actuating element 7 about its pivot point, which inevitably also shifts the actuating cylinder 8 slightly upwards or downwards in the same way – depending on the direction of rotation of the actuating element 7. This allows the desired adjustment of the rear spoiler 3 relative to the adjacent body skin to be achieved.

[0031] To ensure the automatic and forced engagement of the locking tooth 14 with the face gear 13, the adjusting element 6 is mounted in the bearing flange 12 with limited axial movement, coaxially to the axis of rotation D. A spring assembly 15, in this case a helical compression spring, is provided coaxially to the base body of the adjusting element 6. This spring assembly is supported on one side by an end face of the eccentric disc of the adjusting element 6 opposite the face gear 13 and on the other side by a support plate that is part of the stationary carrier plate 5. The spring assembly 15 is permanently preloaded between this support plate and the end face of the eccentric disc.The corresponding tooth flanks of the locking tooth 14 on the one hand and the face toothing 13 on the other hand are designed in such a way that a rotation of the adjusting element 6 in both directions of rotation is made possible by an operator without great effort and yet a sufficient blocking force, i.e. a positive locking force, is given in the circumferential direction as soon as the locking tooth 14 engages in a complementary tooth recess of the face toothing 13.

[0032] Based on the Fig. 5 to 9 further embodiments of adjustment elements 6a to 6c are provided, which are used in the same way in the adjustment device of the positioning device 4 according to the Fig. 1 to 4 can be used as in the embodiment according to the Fig. 10 to 15. The adjusting elements 6a to 6c are rotatably mounted about a rotational axis D relative to a vehicle-fixed support section in the same manner as in the embodiment according to the Fig. 1 to 4 is the case. All adjustment elements 6a to 6c serve to relocate a corresponding section of the actuating element 7, as shown by the Fig. 3 and Fig. 4 is evident. To avoid repetition, only the slightly different operating principles for adjusting the actuating element 7, for which the adjustment elements 6a to 6c are provided, will be discussed below.

[0033] Both the adjusting element 6a and the adjusting element 6b are provided with a screw thread 9, 9b serving as a feed thread, since in both embodiments the adjustment of the contact section of the adjusting element 7 is achieved by a longitudinal displacement of the adjusting element 6a, 6b in addition to a rotational movement relative to the axis of rotation D. The bearing flange facing the carrier plate is therefore provided with a complementary internal thread into which the adjusting element 6a, 6b can be screwed or unscrewed relative to it. The adjusting element 6a is provided with a conical section rotationally symmetrical to the axis of rotation D, the outer contour of which defines the control contour 10. The adjusting element 6a has tool engagement surfaces 11 at an end face opposite the feed thread 9.Manually screwing the adjusting element 6a in or out inevitably displaces the conical control contour 10 coaxially to the axis of rotation D, which in turn inevitably displaces the contact section of the actuating element 7 radially outwards or inwards relative to the axis of rotation D. The helical tension spring, which is located in the . Fig. 3 and Fig. As shown in Figure 4, a permanent attachment of the system sections A1 or A2 to the conical control contour 10 in the respective end position of the actuating element 7 is ensured.

[0034] The adjusting element 6b is similar in construction to the adjusting element 6a. The essential difference is that the adjusting element 6b has a helical control contour 10b, the radial distance of which to the axis of rotation D changes helically along the longitudinal extent of the adjusting element 6b. Depending on the rotational position of the adjusting element 6b, the contact section A is therefore 1,A2 of the adjusting element 7 is supported on the control contour 10b in the radial direction to the axis of rotation D, either closer to or further away from the axis of rotation D. It is essential for the adjusting element 6b that the helical pitch of the helical control contour 10b and the pitch of the feed thread 9b, which is designed as a screw thread, must be identical. The helical control contour 10b widens continuously from the feed thread 9b towards the end face of the adjusting element 6b, which has the tool engagement surfaces, in the manner of a spiral with the helical shape superimposed.

[0035] Both the feed thread 9 and the feed thread 9b are designed to be self-locking in conjunction with the complementary internal threads of the associated bearing flanges of the stationary support plate 5, so that an adjustment position once set does not change automatically.

[0036] The adjustment device according to Fig. 9 has an adjusting element 6c, which is also rotatably mounted about a rotational axis D in the stationary support plate 5. The adjusting element 6c has an integrally formed eccentric disc that is in contact with the actuating element 7 radially to the rotational axis D. Possible rotational movements of the adjusting element 6c and corresponding displacement movements of the actuating element 7 are indicated by the corresponding double arrows. The adjusting device according to Fig. Figure 9 is shown only schematically. The eccentric disc has a circumferential rim on its outer circumference, which forms the control contour 10c. Depending on the rotation of the adjusting element 6c, the actuating element 7 is displaced radially to the axis of rotation D. The adjusting element 6c is not associated with an automatic locking device. The automatic locking device of the adjusting element 6 according to the Fig. 10 to 13 is similarly achieved by slight modification of the adjusting element 6c, however, also in the adjusting device according to Fig. 9 usable.

Claims

[1] Mechanical adjustment device for an actuating element (7) of an actuating device (4) for a movable functional part in the area of ​​a body outer skin of a motor vehicle, with at least one adjustment element (6, 6a to 6c) rotatable about a pivot axis (D), which mechanically interacts with at least one contact section (A1, A2) of the actuating element (7) for an adjustment of the actuating element (7) in an end position of the actuating element (7), corresponding to an end position of the actuating element (7), characterized by, that the adjusting element (6, 6a to 6c) has a control contour (10, 10a to 10c) projecting radially to the axis of rotation (D), the radial distance of which to the axis of rotation (D) changes in the direction of movement of the adjusting element (6, 6a to 6c), and that two adjusting elements (6, 6a to 6c) are provided, which are assigned to the opposite end stops of two different application sections (A1, A2) of the actuating element (7), wherein the end stops define different end positions of the actuating element (7). [2] Mechanical adjustment device according to claim 1, characterized by , that at least one adjusting element (6, 6a, 6b) is assigned an automatic locking device to secure the respective adjustment position of the adjusting element (6, 6a, 6b). [3] Mechanical adjustment device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the control contour (10a, 10b) changes along the axis of rotation (D) of the adjustment element (6a, 6b). [4] Mechanical adjustment device according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized by , that the control contour (6, 6b, 6c) changes in the circumferential direction relative to the axis of rotation (D) of the adjustment element (6, 6b, 6c). [5] Mechanical adjustment device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the adjusting element (6a, 6b) is rotatably mounted by means of a feed thread (9, 9b). [6] Mechanical adjustment device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the control contour (10b) is helically shaped, and that a pitch of the helix shape corresponds to a pitch of the feed thread (9b). [7] Mechanical adjustment device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the control contour (10, 10c) is provided on the circumference side of an eccentric part which is fixedly assigned to the adjustment element (6, 6c). [8] Mechanical adjustment device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by, that the control contour (10a) is conically formed on the adjusting element (6a) which is rotatably mounted by means of the feed thread (9). [9] Mechanical adjustment device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the automatic safety device has a gear arrangement. [10] Mechanical adjustment device according to claim 9, characterized by , that the gear arrangement has a face gear (13) on the one hand and at least one locking tooth (14) that can be engaged with the face gear (13) on the other hand. [11] Mechanical adjustment device according to claim 10, characterized by, that the face gear (13) or the at least one detent tooth (14) are axially movable to a limited extent, and that the locking device has a spring arrangement (16) acting coaxially to the axis of rotation (D) of the adjusting element (6), which holds the face gear (13) and the at least one detent tooth (14) permanently in engagement relative to each other with limited force. [12] Air guide arrangement in the area of ​​a body outer skin of a motor vehicle with an adjustable air guide element which can be displaced by means of at least one actuating element (7) to which a mechanical adjustment device for adjusting two different end positions of the actuating element according to one of the preceding claims is assigned.

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