vehicle

Abstract

Vehicle (1) with a tailgate (2) pivotable about a horizontal pivot axis (S1), characterized in that the tailgate (2) has a roof section (3) which forms a rear section of a roof of the vehicle (1) pivotable about the pivot axis (S1), wherein the tailgate (2) in a closed state can be pivoted about the pivot axis (S1) from a normal position (NP), in which the roof section (3) is arranged at the level of laterally adjacent roof pillar regions (4), into a lowered position (AP), in which the roof section (3) is arranged lower than the laterally adjacent roof pillar regions (4), and can be pivoted from the lowered position (AP) into the normal position (NP), wherein the pivot axis (S1) can be displaced in the direction of a vehicle rear for pivoting the tailgate (2) into the lowered position (AP) and in the direction of a vehicle front for pivoting the tailgate (2) into the normal position (NP) is movable,wherein the vehicle (1) has a loading edge (5), wherein the tailgate (2) is connected to the loading edge (5) in the closed state, and wherein, - the loading edge (5) can be lowered to pivot the tailgate (2) into the lowered position (AP) and raised to pivot the tailgate (2) into the normal position (NP), and / or - a lower connecting section (6) of the tailgate (2), which is connected to the loading edge (5) when the tailgate (2) is closed, can be raised relative to an adjacent upper section of the tailgate (2) to pivot the tailgate (2) into the lowered position (AP) and can be lowered relative to the adjacent upper section of the tailgate (2) to pivot the tailgate (2) into the normal position (NP).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a vehicle according to the features of the preamble of claim 1.

[0002] A tailgate for a motor vehicle is known from the prior art, as described in DE 100 41 361 A1. The tailgate has an upper and a lower tailgate section, which are arranged so as to be movable relative to one another. The upper tailgate section is connected to the lower tailgate section in such a way that the two tailgate sections assume a folded position in the fully open position.

[0003] AT 009 695 U1 describes a motor vehicle with a convertible body. The motor vehicle with a body that can be converted without changing the basic body comprises a retractable roof section and a tailgate with a rear window. The tailgate can be lifted to lower the roof section. It has side sections that extend above the belt line and have an upper contour that slopes backwards, the front edge sections of which form an extension of the pillars of the basic body that extend to the belt line. In a first position, the rear window follows the sloping upper contour of the side sections and lies tightly against the side sections and the closed roof section. It can be pivoted into a second, approximately horizontal position, in which it rests tightly against the tailgate.

[0004] DE 103 04 932 B3 discloses a vehicle usable with an open cargo space. This vehicle is created as a variation of a closed vehicle by combining a rear roof cover and the upper part of a rear cover formed by a rear window into a single unit. As a single unit, the roof cover can be adjusted in the vehicle's longitudinal direction to overlap a roof section located in front of it. The rear window can be adjusted between an upwardly projecting opening position and a separating position lowered into the cargo space.

[0005] DE 199 43 716 A1 describes a passenger car with a variable roof / rear section. A cover of a rear roof section and a rear section are openable. The cover of the rear roof section can be pivoted down from the roof surface around a longitudinal or transverse axis running in the roof area.

[0006] A motor vehicle is known from DE 10 2013 218 387 A1. The motor vehicle is a coupe vehicle with a roofline that slopes backwards, minimizing the headroom of rear passengers. The roof has a roof frame formed by roof side members and roof cross members, in which a pop-up roof is arranged that can pivot about a pivot axis pointing in the transverse direction of the vehicle. When the motor vehicle is occupied by rear passengers, the pop-up roof can be moved, if necessary, from a first lower operating position to a second upper operating position that improves the headroom of the rear passengers.

[0007] DE 10 2017 210 831 A1 describes a motor vehicle having a cargo space opening arranged at the rear of a body and a tailgate pivotably arranged on the body, which closes the cargo space opening in a closed position and releases the cargo space opening in an open position. The motor vehicle comprises a cover made of a flexible material and fastened to a vehicle section adjacent to the cargo space opening and / or defining the cargo space opening, which cover is designed and arranged such that, when the tailgate is in the open position or by pivoting the tailgate into the open position, it can be converted from a compact rest state, in which the cover is arranged on the vehicle section, into an extended functional state, in which the cover is connected to the tailgate and encloses a free space arranged between the tailgate and the cargo space opening, and vice versa.

[0008] The invention is based on the object of providing a vehicle that is improved compared to the prior art.

[0009] The object is achieved according to the invention by a vehicle having the features of claim 1.

[0010] Advantageous embodiments of the invention are the subject of the subclaims.

[0011] A vehicle has a tailgate that can be pivoted about a horizontal pivot axis.

[0012] According to the invention, the tailgate has a roof section which forms a rear section of a roof of the vehicle which can be pivoted about the pivot axis, wherein the tailgate, in a closed state, can be pivoted about the pivot axis from a normal position in which the roof section is arranged at the level of laterally adjacent roof pillar areas, into a lowered position in which the roof section is arranged lower than the laterally adjacent roof pillar areas, and can be pivoted from the lowered position into the normal position.

[0013] The solution according to the invention is therefore based in particular on a traditionally angular vehicle shape and roof contour, in particular on an SUV roof contour. This provides passengers of the vehicle, especially in a third row of seats, with maximum headroom and, in addition, a large loading height is available, even for bulky cargo. The disadvantage of such an angular, robust, box-shaped body shape, however, is a relatively high air resistance, which leads to high fuel consumption and electrical energy consumption, especially at higher speeds, for example when driving on the motorway. To avoid this, the solution according to the invention makes it possible to lower the tailgate together with its roof section and thereby create an aerodynamically more favorable roof contour, if this is possible and sensible, i.e.This is especially true when the increased interior space achieved by the high roof contour isn't required because there are no bulky cargo items or passengers in the third row. This aerodynamic optimization of the roof contour enables a reduction in fuel consumption and, in electric vehicles, a reduction in electrical energy consumption.

[0014] The aerodynamic optimization of the roof contour is achieved in the solution according to the invention by extending the tailgate forward and hinged further forward, i.e., by having the roof section that forms the rear section of the vehicle's roof, which can pivot about the pivot axis. For higher-speed travel, such as motorway or cross-country driving, this rear roof section can be lowered together with the tailgate, provided there is sufficient space available in the vehicle's interior. This improves aerodynamic efficiency by reducing air resistance.

[0015] To enable this lowering of the tailgate, the invention provides that the vehicle has a loading sill, wherein the tailgate is connected to the loading sill when closed, and wherein the loading sill can be lowered to pivot the tailgate into the lowered position and raised to pivot the tailgate into the normal position, and / or a lower connecting section of the tailgate, which is connected to the loading sill when the tailgate is closed, can be raised relative to an adjacent upper section of the tailgate to pivot the tailgate into the lowered position and lowered relative to the adjacent upper section of the tailgate to pivot the tailgate into the normal position. If the lowerable loading sill is provided, it can also be lowered, for example, for improved, more convenient loading when the tailgate is open.

[0016] According to the invention, the pivot axis can be displaced in the direction of a vehicle rear for pivoting the tailgate into the lowered position and in the direction of a vehicle front for pivoting the tailgate into the normal position.

[0017] The solution according to the invention thus enables the roof contour to be adjusted to suit the situation in terms of headroom and loading height or in terms of aerodynamic efficiency. If the vehicle is fully occupied with passengers and sufficient headroom is therefore also required in the third row of seats, and / or if a large loading height is required, the tailgate remains in its normal position, i.e. it is not lowered. If the third row of seats is not occupied or is only occupied by children who require less headroom, and if a large loading height is not required, and in particular when driving at high speeds where as little air resistance as possible should be generated in order to reduce fuel and electrical energy consumption and thus increase the range, the tailgate is pivoted into the lowered position.

[0018] This pivoting of the tailgate and the associated lowering or raising of the loading sill and / or the lower connecting section of the tailgate occurs, in particular, automatically, for example, through an operator's operation, such as pressing a button, by a vehicle user, or fully automatically if, for example, sensors detect that the aforementioned requirements, in particular for pivoting down into the lowered position, are met. The vehicle thus has an automated morphing function. In particular, safety functions are also integrated, such as anti-pinch protection and / or preventing the tailgate from pivoting down if there are obstacles in the interior, such as passengers and / or cargo objects.The solution according to the invention provides a vehicle user with two vehicle shapes in one vehicle, so that a vehicle with a large interior is available to him when required and, furthermore, a vehicle with optimized aerodynamic efficiency is available when this large interior is not required.

[0019] Embodiments of the invention are explained in more detail below with reference to drawings.

[0020] Showing: Fig. 1 schematically shows a perspective view of a vehicle with a tailgate in a lowered position, Fig. 2 schematically shows a first embodiment of the vehicle with a tailgate in a normal position, Fig. 3 schematically shows the first embodiment of the vehicle with the tailgate in the lowered position, Fig. 4 schematically shows a second embodiment of the vehicle with a tailgate in the normal position, and Fig. 5 schematically shows the second embodiment of the vehicle with the tailgate in the lowered position.

[0021] Corresponding parts are provided with the same reference numerals in all figures.

[0022] The Fig. 1 to 5 show exemplary embodiments of a vehicle 1 with a tailgate 2 pivotable about a horizontal pivot axis S1 running in the vehicle transverse axis direction, which tailgate 2 in a normal position NP of this tailgate 2 has a roof shape of a vehicle 1 designed as a large SUV, as in the Fig. 2 and Fig. 4 shown.

[0023] Such a large SUV (vehicle 1) is characterized by an angular, robust body shape reminiscent of classic off-road vehicles, allowing occupants to sit comfortably in a third row of seats with ample headroom and a pleasantly spacious feel. However, due to the box-like body shape, vehicle 1 exhibits relatively high aerodynamic drag. This leads to high fuel consumption or, in the case of an electric vehicle, high electrical energy consumption, particularly at higher speeds, for example, when traveling on the highway or on long-distance journeys.

[0024] To increase aerodynamic efficiency, both a cross-sectional area in the aerodynamic flow and an aerodynamic drag coefficient could be optimized. However, this would lead to conflicting objectives, forcing a designer or end customer to choose between fuel consumption / efficiency on the one hand and the feeling of space and headroom in the rear of the vehicle 1 and loading options and comfort on the other.

[0025] The solution described below offers the possibility of partially resolving this conflict of objectives by allowing vehicle 1 to switch between the angular body shape with its generous feeling of space and generous loading options and the aerodynamically optimised body shape. The angular body shape is used in particular at relatively low speeds or when carrying out transport tasks, i.e. with bulky cargo and / or tall passengers in the third row of seats. The aerodynamically optimised body shape is used in particular at higher speeds when the third row of seats is unoccupied or only occupied by small people, e.g. children, and no bulky cargo needs to be transported.

[0026] To make this possible, it is provided that the tailgate 2 has a roof section 3 which forms a rear section of a roof of the vehicle 1 which can be pivoted about the pivot axis S1, wherein the tailgate 2 in a closed state can be pivoted about the pivot axis S1 from a position in the Fig. 2 and Fig. 4 shown normal position NP, in which the roof section 3 is arranged at the level of laterally adjacent roof beam areas 4, into a position shown in the Fig. 1, Fig. 3 and Fig. 5, in which the roof section 3 is arranged lower than the laterally adjacent roof rail areas 4, and from the lowered position AP, it can be pivoted back into the normal position NP. The pivoting from the normal position NP into the lowered position AP about the pivot axis S1 is schematically illustrated by the first arrows P1.

[0027] In the normal position NP, the vehicle 1 thus has the angular body shape, and in the lowered position AP, the vehicle 1 has the aerodynamically optimized body shape, in particular due to the roof section 3, which is lowered due to the downward pivoting of the tailgate 2 and forms the rear section of the roof of the vehicle 1. By pivoting the tailgate 2 into the lowered position AP, an aerodynamically favorable roof line sloping backwards is created.

[0028] Since the tailgate 2 is connected to a loading edge 5 of the vehicle 1 in the closed state, in particular is locked thereto by a lock, in order to enable this pivoting of the tailgate 2 in the closed state, it can also be provided in a possible embodiment that the loading edge 5 can be lowered to pivot the tailgate 2 into the lowered position AP and raised to pivot the tailgate 2 into the normal position NP, as shown in the Fig. 2 and Fig. 3. The lowering of the loading edge 5 is shown in the Fig. 1 and Fig. 3 shown by second arrows P2.

[0029] In a further embodiment, in order to enable this pivoting of the tailgate 2 in the closed state, it can be provided that a lower connecting section 6 of the tailgate 2, which is connected to the loading edge 5 in the closed state of the tailgate 2, in particular is locked thereto by a lock, can be raised to pivot the tailgate 2 into the lowered position AP relative to an adjacent upper section of the tailgate 2 and can be lowered to pivot the tailgate 2 into the normal position NP relative to the adjacent upper section of the tailgate 2, as shown in the Fig. 4 and Fig. 5. The lifting of this lower connecting section 6 is shown in the Fig. 1 and Fig. 5 shown by third arrows P3.

[0030] In the solution described here, the tailgate 2 is hinged further forward and can be moved not only upwards but also downwards, with the lowerable loading sill 5 and / or the liftable lower connecting section 6 of the tailgate 2 being provided for this purpose. If the lowerable loading sill 5 is used, it can also be lowered, for example, for simplified and more convenient loading of the vehicle 1.

[0031] When a loading compartment of vehicle 1 is used for bulky cargo and / or when the third row of seats is in use, the tailgate 2 is closed normally and remains in the normal position NP. For aerodynamically efficient driving of vehicle 1, when there is no bulky cargo and the third row of seats is not in use, the tailgate 2 is pivoted downward into the lowered position AP. To enable this, the loading edge 5 is also lowered and / or the lower connecting section 6 of the tailgate 2 is raised.

[0032] In the examples presented here, it is particularly provided that a rear door section 7 of the tailgate 2 is pivotably connected to the roof section 3 via a further horizontal pivot axis S2 running in the direction of the vehicle's transverse axis. This means that a front edge of the roof section 3 is pivotably connected to a front section 8 of the roof of the vehicle 1 via the first pivot axis S1, and the rear door section 7 is pivotably connected to a rear edge of the roof section 3 via the further pivot axis S2. This makes it possible to open the loading space of the vehicle 1 by only pivoting the rear door section 7 upwards about the further pivot axis S2, without moving the roof section 3, thereby enabling a wide opening of the rear door section 7 and preventing the entire tailgate 2 from pivoting too far upwards. Fig. 2 and Fig. 4 show the tailgate 2 in the open state, ie with the rear wall door section 7 pivoted upwards into an opening position, and additionally in the closed state, ie with the rear wall door section 7 pivoted downwards into a closing position and locked.

[0033] In order to enlarge the loading space opening, for example, when the rear wall door section 7 is in the opening position, the roof section 3 can also be pivoted upwards about the first pivot axis S1 if the tailgate 2 was not yet in the normal position NP at the time of opening, but in the lowered position AP.

[0034] The further pivot axis S2 also serves to adjust the alignment of the rear door section 7 during the pivoting of the tailgate 2 into the lowered position AP, as shown in the Fig. 3 and Fig. 5 by means of a fourth arrow P4. The rear wall door section 7 is pivoted backwards and upwards about the further pivot axis S2, in particular only slightly, in order to somewhat compensate for the downward and forward pivoting of the rear wall door section 7 caused by the pivoting of the entire tailgate 2 about the first pivot axis S1 and to maintain the correct alignment with the loading edge 5. Accordingly, the pivoting of the rear wall door section 7 occurs in the opposite direction when the tailgate 2 is pivoted back from the lowered position AP to the normal position NP.

[0035] In order to enable the described pivoting of the tailgate 2 in the closed state from the normal position NP into the lowered position AP and back, compensation in the direction of the vehicle's longitudinal axis is also provided. This also serves in particular to maintain the correct alignment of the rear wall door section 7 to the loading edge 5. It is therefore provided that the horizontal first pivot axis S1, about which the roof section 3 of the tailgate 2 is pivotally arranged on the front section 8 of the roof of the vehicle 1, can be displaced in the direction of the vehicle rear to pivot the tailgate 2 into the lowered position AP and in the direction of the vehicle front to pivot the tailgate 2 into the normal position NP. The displacement in the direction of the vehicle rear is provided in the Fig. 3 and Fig. 5 is shown schematically by means of a fifth arrow P5.

[0036] The described movements, which are required for pivoting the tailgate 2 into the lowered position AP and for pivoting it back into the normal position NP, occur in particular automatically and in a coordinated manner, in particular in order to maintain the alignment of the rear wall door section 7 to the loading edge 5 at all times and to avoid tilting and the resulting possible damage to the locking mechanism of the tailgate 2. The pivoting of the tailgate 2 into the lowered position AP and the pivoting back into the normal position NP occur, for example, based on an operating command, for example by pressing a corresponding operating button, by a vehicle user, or, for example, fully automatically, for example when a sensor system of the vehicle 1 determines that predetermined conditions are met.For example, it can be provided that the tailgate 2 is automatically pivoted into the lowered position AP if the sensors detect that the loading space and the third row of seats are empty and a predetermined speed limit is exceeded.

Claims

[1] Vehicle (1) with a tailgate (2) pivotable about a horizontal pivot axis (S1), characterized bythat the tailgate (2) has a roof section (3) which forms a rear section of a roof of the vehicle (1) that can be pivoted about the pivot axis (S1), wherein the tailgate (2), in a closed state, can be pivoted about the pivot axis (S1) from a normal position (NP), in which the roof section (3) is arranged at the level of laterally adjacent roof pillar areas (4), into a lowered position (AP), in which the roof section (3) is arranged lower than the laterally adjacent roof pillar areas (4), and can be pivoted from the lowered position (AP) into the normal position (NP), wherein the pivot axis (S1) can be displaced in the direction of a vehicle rear for pivoting the tailgate (2) into the lowered position (AP) and can be displaced in the direction of a vehicle front for pivoting the tailgate (2) into the normal position (NP), wherein the vehicle (1) has a loading edge (5),wherein the tailgate (2) is connected to the loading edge (5) in the closed state, and wherein, - the loading edge (5) can be lowered to pivot the tailgate (2) into the lowered position (AP) and raised to pivot the tailgate (2) into the normal position (NP), and / or - a lower connecting section (6) of the tailgate (2), which is connected to the loading edge (5) when the tailgate (2) is closed, can be raised relative to an adjacent upper section of the tailgate (2) to pivot the tailgate (2) into the lowered position (AP) and can be lowered relative to the adjacent upper section of the tailgate (2) to pivot the tailgate (2) into the normal position (NP). [2] Vehicle (1) according to claim 1, characterized by that the roof section (3) is connected to a rear wall door section (7) of the tailgate (2) via a further horizontal pivot axis (S2). [3] Vehicle (1) according to claim 2, characterized bythat the rear wall door section (7) can be pivoted backwards and upwards about the further pivot axis (S2) to pivot the tailgate (2) into the lowered position (AP) and forwards and downwards about the further pivot axis (S2) to pivot the tailgate (2) into the normal position (NP).

Images