Vehicle with at least one wheel arch cover device

Abstract

Vehicle (1) with at least one wheel arch cover device (2) arranged in a wheel arch of the vehicle (1) and comprising a wheel arch cover (3) made of a solid material, which is movable from a stowed position to a covered position (AS) and back, wherein the wheel arch cover (3) in the covered position (AS) closes a wheel opening (4) of a fender (5) of the wheel arch and has several louvers (8) which are arranged successively over the wheel opening (4) at least in the covered position (AS), and wherein the wheel arch cover device (2) has a guide rail arrangement for guiding the wheel arch cover (3) from the stowed position to the covered position (AS) and back, characterized in that the guide rail arrangement has a guide rail (9) arranged on the inside of the fender (5) and extending at least partially along a curve of the wheel opening (4),and that the lamellae (8) are each arranged with one end at a common pivot point (SP) in the area of ​​a front or rear end of the wheel opening (4) formed in the fender (5) in the direction (x) of the vehicle's longitudinal axis and are designed to be telescopic in the longitudinal direction of the lamellae, wherein the other end of the respective lamella (8) is slidably connected to the guide rail (9) arranged on the inside of the fender (5) and extending at least partially along the curvature of the wheel opening (4).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a vehicle with at least one wheel house covering device according to the features of the preamble of claim 1.

[0002] The prior art, as described in US 2019 / 0 009 831 A1, describes actively extendable and retractable fender skirts. A vehicle has extendable, flexible fender skirts. Furthermore, a controller is provided for controlling the extension of the fender skirts. The flexible fender skirts extend over openings in the vehicle's wheel arches. They are stowable when the vehicle's brakes can benefit from additional cooling airflow. The fender skirts are also stowable when environmental conditions could lead to damage to the fender skirts or when steerable wheels of the vehicle would protrude from the opening.

[0003] US 11 072 374 B2 describes a variable fender skirt for a steered wheel. It includes a rigid, curved base, a tensile outer skin stretched over and connected to the base, and a structural, flexible rib assembly above the base below the skin. The rib assembly is configured to flex between a flattened shape above the base, whereby the rib assembly imparts the flattened shape to the skin above the base, and a curved shape above the base, whereby the rib assembly imparts the curved shape to the skin above the base.

[0004] WO 2014 / 078421 A2 discloses a fender skirt and an associated tire temperature control system. The tire temperature control system comprises the fender skirt surrounding one or more tires and having a movable surface, such as a fan, and / or some type of associated ventilation, such as closable slots. The fan and / or the ventilation can be operated to change the amount of air moved over the surface of the tire.

[0005] Patent applications DE 10 2012 025 638 A1 and DE 10 2012 005 670 A1 disclose a vehicle with tire protection roller blinds that, when stored, are rolled up and located over the respective wheel. The tire protection roller blinds can be unrolled by an electric motor. Guide rails arranged to the right and left of the respective wheel opening guide the tire protection roller blinds into a covering position. In the covering position, the tire protection roller blinds shield the respective wheel from incoming sunlight.

[0006] The invention is based on the object of providing a vehicle with at least one wheel house covering device which is improved compared to the prior art.

[0007] The object is achieved according to the invention by a vehicle with at least one wheel house covering device having the features of claim 1.

[0008] Advantageous embodiments of the invention are the subject of the subclaims.

[0009] A vehicle has at least one wheel house cover device arranged in a wheel house of the vehicle. This wheel house cover device has a wheel house cover that can be moved from a stowed position to a covering position and back, wherein the wheel house cover closes a wheel opening of a fender of the wheel house in the covering position.

[0010] According to the invention, the wheel house cover is made of a solid, in particular inflexible, in particular dimensionally stable, material.

[0011] According to the invention, the wheel house cover has a plurality of slats arranged successively over the wheel opening, at least in the covering position. It is also provided that the wheel house covering device has a guide rail arrangement for guiding the wheel house cover from the stowed position to the covering position and back.

[0012] Furthermore, according to the invention, the guide rail arrangement comprises a guide rail arranged on the inside of the fender and extending at least partially along a curve of the wheel opening. It is provided that the slats are each arranged with one end at a common pivot point in the region of the front or rear end of the wheel opening formed in the fender in the direction of the vehicle's longitudinal axis and are designed to be telescopic in the slat longitudinal direction, wherein the other end of the respective slat is slidably connected to the guide rail arranged on the inside of the fender and extending at least partially along the curve of the wheel opening.

[0013] Advantageously, the vehicle has at least two such wheel house covering devices, each of which is arranged in a wheel house of the same axle, in particular a rear axle, of the vehicle.

[0014] The solution according to the invention enables a reduction in air turbulence at a vehicle wheel covered by the respective wheel house cover in the covering position. This aerodynamic advantage is achieved in particular at higher speeds, for example at speeds of 80 km / h and above. With already known fixed wheel house covers there is the problem that they are not compatible with the desired appearance of modern vehicles. Due to the negligible effect of the wheel house cover at low speeds, it is therefore provided, as described, that the wheel house cover can be extended and retracted again, i.e. it can be moved from the stowed position into the covering position and back again. This makes it possible to extend the respective wheel house cover, i.e. to move it into the covering position, for example, from a predetermined minimum speed of 80 km / h, for example.This is advantageously done automatically.

[0015] For this purpose, it is provided in particular that the wheel house cover device has a drive unit, in particular an electric motor, for moving the wheel house cover from the stowed position to the covering position and back. The control of the drive unit is advantageously provided in a speed-dependent manner, so that the wheel house cover is automatically moved into the covering position when the predetermined minimum speed is exceeded and is automatically moved back into the stowed position when the speed falls below the predetermined minimum speed or a predetermined lower speed threshold. By specifying different speed values ​​for moving into the covering position and moving back into the stowed position, it is particularly avoided that the wheel house cover is constantly moved back and forth when the vehicle is moving within the predetermined minimum speed range.

[0016] The current speed of the vehicle is determined, for example, via a wheel speed sensor or a sensor that determines the speed using a global navigation satellite system. For this purpose, a corresponding sensor already provided in the vehicle for other functions is advantageously used, so that the wheel house cover device does not require an additional such sensor.

[0017] By covering the respective wheel, especially the rear wheels of the vehicle, at these higher speeds, for example from 80 km / h, improved aerodynamics are achieved, as air turbulence in the area of ​​the wheel house is significantly reduced. At the same time, the design of the vehicle is not compromised at low speeds, as the respective wheel house cover is then moved back into the stowed position, where it is not visible from the outside. Furthermore, unlike static wheel house covers, this wheel house cover does not hinder the removal and installation of the wheel. Therefore, disassembly of the wheel house cover is not necessary.

[0018] In one possible embodiment, it can also be provided that the wheel house cover can also be moved by a user into the covering position and back into the stowed position. For this purpose, it is particularly provided that the user can control the drive unit accordingly. Thus, for example, a corresponding control element is provided in the vehicle for the user. For example, the user can move the wheel house cover into the covering position even when the vehicle is stationary, especially when the vehicle is parked, for example as an anti-theft device for the vehicle wheel covered by the respective wheel house cover.

[0019] The wheel house cover is particularly advantageous in highly efficient vehicles, especially electric vehicles, and particularly in rear-wheel drive vehicles. In such vehicles, a large part of the braking power of the rear axle is achieved through recuperation, i.e. friction brakes are not used or are used to a much lesser extent. As a result, cooling of these friction brakes, which would require a corresponding air flow in the wheel house, is not required or only required to a correspondingly lesser extent. This means that considerably less heat is generated in the wheel house, meaning that the wheel house cover can be used without impairing brake cooling and therefore braking performance. Furthermore, this also avoids any risk of damage to the wheel house cover device due to excessive heat. For example, it can further be provided that brake discs of the friction brakes that are still provided are made of coated aluminum.This can also significantly reduce dust development when using the friction brakes, for example by up to 95%, thus also avoiding the risk of damage to the wheel house cover device due to brake dust.

[0020] The inventive design of the wheel house cover from a rigid, particularly inflexible, and particularly dimensionally stable, material avoids the disadvantages of previously known wheel house covers made from a flexible material. The use of such flexible materials poses the risk that the wheel house cover could be damaged by stone chips or objects on the road while the vehicle is moving, rendering it unusable. Furthermore, there is a risk that a sudden loss of the wheel house cover and its aerodynamic effect could, depending on the speed and driving situation, lead to a dangerous situation. Furthermore, flexible materials are susceptible to wind deformation and rapid changes in pressure conditions in the wheel house. This reduces the positive effects of the wheel house cover. Furthermore, flexible materials tend to become brittle with age and thus prone to cracking.The disadvantages mentioned are avoided by the use according to the invention of a solid, in particular inflexible, in particular dimensionally stable, material for the wheel house cover.

[0021] The material from which the wheel house cover is made is in particular a plastic, for example polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polycarbonate (PC), polypropylene (PP) or polyethylene (PE). In one possible embodiment, the wheel house cover is transparent, i.e. made of a transparent plastic. As a result, the appearance of the vehicle is retained even when the wheel house cover is positioned in the covering position, since the covered wheel is still visible through the wheel house cover. For example, the slats are each produced by injection molding and are therefore each an injection-molded part. The slats are each made of the solid, in particular inflexible, in particular dimensionally stable, material described above, in particular of plastic, in particular of one of the plastics mentioned above.In the telescopic embodiment of the slats described in more detail below, the respective slat parts of the respective slat that can be moved relative to one another are each manufactured by injection molding, thus each being an injection-molded part. The respective slat parts that can be moved relative to one another are each formed, in particular, from the above-described solid, in particular inflexible, in particular dimensionally stable, material, in particular from plastic, in particular from one of the aforementioned plastics.

[0022] The slats are, in particular, flexibly connected to one another. In particular, the slats are pivotable relative to one another, particularly outside the covering position, so that, for example, the wheel house cover can be rolled up or folded together while moving into the stowed position. Thus, in the stowed position, the slats can, for example, be rolled up or folded relative to one another, or stacked one behind the other in the direction of the vehicle's transverse axis. Depending on the available installation space in the wheel house, it can thus be provided, for example, that the wheel house cover is rolled up or folded in the stowed position, or it can also be provided, for example, that the slats are arranged one behind the other in a straight line in the direction of movement even in the stowed position, provided that sufficient installation space is available for this.

[0023] In particular, it is provided that the successive slats interlock, in particular lock, in the covering position. As a result, these interlocking slats form the wheel house cover as a solid and thus stable body in the covering position. In particular, an end stop is provided for the wheel house cover in the covering position, so that the wheel house cover strikes this end stop when it moves into the covering position, as a result of which the slats are placed against one another and thereby interlock and, in particular, lock into one another, as a result of which the wheel house cover is formed as a solid, stable body in the covering position. This prevents movement of the wheel house cover in the covering position, which could be caused by air flow and movements of the vehicle. This means that no annoying noise is generated by the wheel house cover and, moreover, its aerodynamic function is not impaired.

[0024] In particular, the wheel house cover is positioned on the inside of the fender when in the covering position, thus covering the wheel opening from the inside. The wheel house cover is therefore only visible in the area of ​​the wheel opening of the fender.

[0025] In one possible embodiment, the wheel house cover has a wheel opening formation which, in the covering position, is arranged in the wheel opening. This wheel opening formation is designed in particular such that it fills the wheel opening in the covering position and is flush with the outer side of the fender. It is thus formed on a side of the wheel house cover which faces outwards in the covering position. It thus forms a raised area on the outer side of the wheel house cover. This wheel opening formation creates an aerodynamically advantageous, flat connection with the wheel house to the outside when the wheel house cover is in the covering position, so that a flat outer surface of the vehicle is achieved in the area of ​​the wheel house, in particular in the area of ​​the wheel opening of the fender, thereby achieving a considerable improvement in aerodynamics.If the wheel house cover has a plurality of slats, it is provided in particular that several or all slats each have a part of the wheel opening formation corresponding to their position in the covering position.

[0026] According to the invention, the wheel house cover device comprises a guide rail arrangement for guiding the wheel house cover from the stowed position to the covering position and back. This guide rail arrangement comprises, in particular, one or more guide rails on the inside of the fender.

[0027] In order to enable the wheel house cover, on which the wheel opening formation is formed, to be moved into the covering position and in the process to enable the wheel opening formation to be inserted into the wheel opening of the fender, and in order to also enable the wheel house cover to be moved back into the stowed position, it is provided, for example, that the guide rail arrangement, in particular its guide rail or guide rails arranged on the inside of the fender, can be moved away from the inside of the fender, in particular pivoted away, and moved back to the inside, in particular pivoted.

[0028] By moving away, in particular pivoting away, from the inside, a distance is created from the inside of the fender that is sufficiently large to move the wheel house cover with its wheel opening formation past the inside of the fender into the covering position and back into the stowed position. By moving back, in particular pivoting back, to the inside of the fender, the wheel opening formation is moved outwards in the covering position and thus into the wheel opening of the fender, which enables the wheel opening formation to completely fill the wheel opening.

[0029] To move the wheel house cover with its wheel opening formation into the covering position, the guide rail arrangement or at least its guide rail or plurality of guide rails arranged on the inside of the fender is moved, in particular pivoted, away from the inside of the fender. The wheel house cover is then moved from the stowed position between the wheel and the wheel opening. The guide rail arrangement or at least its guide rail or plurality of guide rails arranged on the inside of the fender is then moved back, in particular pivoted back, to the inside of the fender, whereby the wheel opening formation of the wheel house cover is moved into the wheel opening of the fender and completely fills it.

[0030] The wheel house cover is moved back into the stowed position by first moving the guide rail arrangement, or at least its guide rail or plurality of guide rails arranged on the inside of the fender, away from the inside of the fender, thereby moving the wheel opening formation inwardly out of the wheel opening of the fender. The wheel house cover is then moved into the stowed position, for example, by rolling it up, folding it up, or retracting it.

[0031] The described movement of the guide rail arrangement or at least of the one or more guide rails arranged on the inside of the fender takes place, for example, electromagnetically or by motor, for example by an electric motor. The motorized movement, in particular pivoting, can take place, for example, by means of a joint or eccentric. For example, the drive unit for moving the wheel house cover can be used for the movement, in particular pivoting, in particular by coupling the movement of the guide rail arrangement or at least of the one or more guide rails arranged on the inside of the fender with the movement of the wheel house cover, for example by means of a joint and / or lever and / or gear arrangement, which, for example, comprises the joint or the eccentric.Such a coupling, especially a mechanical one, eliminates the need for coordination of several drives and several different movements, but rather the coordination of the different movements takes place automatically through their mechanical coupling.

[0032] The guide rail assembly includes a guide rail located on the inside of the fender and extending, at least in sections, along a curve of the wheel opening. The wheel house cover thus moves in a fan-like manner.

[0033] It is provided that the slats are each arranged with one end at a common pivot point in the region of the front or rear end of the wheel opening formed in the fender in the vehicle's longitudinal axis direction and are designed to be telescopic in the slat's longitudinal direction, wherein the other end of the respective slat is slidably connected to the guide rail arranged on the inside of the fender and running at least partially along the curve of the wheel opening. The slats can thus be pivoted, in particular by means of the drive unit, from the stowed position into the covering position, wherein they are automatically extended by the guide along the guide rail, and pivoted back into the stowed position, wherein they are automatically pushed together by the guide along the guide rail. In the stowed position, the slats are arranged one behind the other in the vehicle's transverse axis direction, iestacked in the transverse direction of the vehicle axis.

[0034] In order to enable a planar alignment of the slats in the direction of movement one behind the other in the covering position, successive slats are slidably coupled to one another, for example via guides, wherein these guides are designed in such a way that successive slats are arranged one behind the other in the direction of movement when moved into the covering position and slide over one another when moved back into the stowed position and are thereby stacked in the direction of the transverse axis of the vehicle.

[0035] The fan-shaped design of the wheel house cover is particularly advantageous when, due to space constraints, stowing it in the wheel house above the wheel is not possible. In this design, the wheel house cover is positioned in front of or behind the wheel in the stowed position, depending on the position of the pivot point.

[0036] As an alternative to arranging the pivot point in the region of the front or rear end of the wheel opening formed in the fender in the direction of the vehicle's longitudinal axis, in this embodiment, which has the guide rail arranged on the inside of the fender and running at least in sections along the curve of the wheel opening, it can be provided, for example, that the pivot point is arranged on a telescopic rail which is arranged on the inside of the fender in the region of the front or rear end of the wheel opening formed in the fender in the direction of the vehicle's longitudinal axis. To move the wheel house cover into the covering position, it is then provided, for example, that this telescopic rail first extends, i.e. in the direction of the vehicle's longitudinal axis from front to rear or from rear to front over the wheel opening, and for example into an anchorage on the opposite edge area, i.e.at the opposite end, engages the wheel opening. The wheel house cover is then moved into the covering position in the manner described above by pivoting the slats along the guide rail, whereby these are extended in the manner described above in order to be able to completely cover the wheel opening. The wheel house cover is therefore also opened out like a fan here. Moving it back into the stowed position takes place in the opposite way, i.e. first the slats are pivoted together and then the telescopic rail is retracted. The pivoting of the slats and the extension or retraction of the telescopic rail can, for example, also take place simultaneously, at least in sections.In this variant, the pivot point is positioned via the telescopic rail in the direction of the vehicle's longitudinal axis, for example, centrally in the wheel opening, which achieves a uniform fan-like formation of the wheel house cover in the covering position.

[0037] If the wheel house cover has a wheel opening formation, it can also be provided here that the guide rail and / or the pivot point and / or, if present, the telescopic rail can be moved away from the inside of the fender and back to it. To move into the covering position, the slats are first pivoted and then moved towards the inside of the fender to move the wheel opening formation into the wheel opening of the fender. Moving into the stowed position is carried out in the opposite direction, i.e., first moving away from the inside of the fender and then pivoting the slats.

[0038] In order to ensure the best possible sealing of the wheel house by the wheel house cover in the covering position, brushes and / or seals can be provided on the fender at the edge of the wheel house cover arranged in the covering position.

[0039] Particularly if the wheel house cover is made of transparent material, a cleaning device can be provided, for example, in the direction of movement of the wheel house cover between its covering position and its stowed position. This cleaning device comprises, for example, at least one brush, along which the wheel house cover is moved during movement into the stowed position to wipe off dirt.

[0040] Embodiments of the invention are explained in more detail below with reference to drawings.

[0041] Showing: Fig. 1 schematically shows a vehicle with a wheel house cover in an embodiment of a wheel house covering device belonging to the prior art in a covering position closing a wheel opening of a fender, Fig. 2 schematically shows the vehicle with a further embodiment of the wheel house covering device not covered by the patent claims, wherein the wheel house covering is arranged in a stowed position, Fig. 3 schematically shows the vehicle with the embodiment of the wheel house covering device according to Fig. 2, wherein the wheel house cover is arranged in an intermediate position, Fig. 4 schematically shows the vehicle with the embodiment of the wheel house covering device according to Fig. 2, wherein the wheel house cover is arranged in the covering position, Fig. 5 schematically shows an embodiment of the wheel house covering device according to the invention, wherein the wheel house cover is arranged in the covering position, Fig. 6 schematically shows an embodiment of the wheel house cover not covered by the patent claims in the covering position, Fig. 7 schematically shows a similar embodiment of the wheel house cover, also not covered by the patent claims, as in Fig. 6 in a different perspective, and Fig. 8 schematically shows a further embodiment of the wheel house covering device not covered by the patent claims.

[0042] Corresponding parts are provided with the same reference numerals in all figures.

[0043] Based on the Fig. 1 to 8, a vehicle 1 is described below with at least one wheel house covering device 2, which is arranged in a wheel house of the vehicle 1 and has a wheel house cover 3, which is movable from a stowed position into a covering position AS and back, wherein the wheel house cover 3 in the covering position AS closes a wheel opening 4 of a fender 5 of the wheel house. Fig. 1 shows a prior art embodiment of the wheel house covering device 2, which Fig. 2 to 4 show an embodiment not covered by the patent claims and its operation, Fig. 5 shows an embodiment of the invention and its operation, the Fig. 6 and Fig. 7 show a further embodiment of the wheel house cover 3 not covered by the patent claims and Fig. 8 shows a possible mechanical design, particularly of the Fig. 1 shown first embodiment.

[0044] Advantageously, the vehicle 1 has at least two such wheel house covering devices 2, each arranged in a wheel house of the same axle, in particular a rear axle HA, of the vehicle 1. This solution enables a reduction of air turbulence at a wheel 6 of the vehicle 1 covered by the respective wheel house cover 3 in the covering position AS.

[0045] Since this aerodynamic advantage is achieved particularly at higher speeds, for example, at speeds above 80 km / h, and in order to avoid fixed covers that are incompatible with the desired appearance of modern vehicles 1, the respective wheel house cover 3 is extendable and retractable, i.e., movable from the stowed position into the covering position AS and back. This makes it possible to extend the respective wheel house cover 3, for example, from a predetermined minimum speed of, for example, 80 km / h, i.e., to move it into the covering position AS. This advantageously occurs automatically.

[0046] For this purpose, it is provided in particular that the wheel house covering device 2 has a drive unit 7, in particular an electric motor, for moving the wheel house covering 3 from the stowed position into the covering position AS and back, as shown for example in Fig. 8. The control of the drive unit 7 is advantageously provided in a speed-dependent manner, so that the wheel house cover 3 is automatically moved into the covering position AS when the specified minimum speed is exceeded, and is automatically moved back into the stowed position when the speed falls below the specified minimum speed or a specified lower speed threshold. By specifying different speed values ​​for moving into the covering position AS and moving back into the stowed position, it is particularly avoided that the wheel house cover 3 is constantly moved back and forth when the vehicle 1 is moving within the specified minimum speed range.

[0047] The current speed of vehicle 1 is determined, for example, via a wheel speed sensor or a sensor that determines the speed using a global navigation satellite system. For this purpose, a corresponding sensor already provided in vehicle 1 for other functions is advantageously used, so that the wheel house cover device 2 does not require such an additional sensor.

[0048] By covering the respective wheel 6, in particular the rear wheels of the vehicle 1, at these higher speeds, for example from 80 km / h, improved aerodynamics are achieved, as air turbulence in the area of ​​the wheel house is significantly reduced. At the same time, the design of the vehicle 1 is prevented from being compromised at low speeds, because then the respective wheel house cover 3 is moved back into the stowed position, in which it is not visible from the outside, as shown, for example, in Fig. 2. In contrast to static covers, this wheel house cover 3 does not impede the removal and installation of the wheel 6. Therefore, removal of the wheel house cover 3 is not necessary.

[0049] In one possible embodiment, it can also be provided that the wheel house cover 3 can also be moved by a user into the covering position AS and back into the stowed position. For this purpose, it is particularly provided that the user can control the drive unit 7 accordingly. Thus, for example, a corresponding control element is provided in the vehicle 1 for the user. For example, the user can move the wheel house cover 3 into the covering position AS even when the vehicle 1 is stationary, in particular when the vehicle 1 is parked, for example as an anti-theft device for the wheel 6 of the vehicle 1 covered by the respective wheel house cover 3.

[0050] The wheel house cover 3 is particularly advantageous in highly efficient vehicles 1, in particular electric vehicles, and in particular in vehicles 1 with rear-wheel drive. In such vehicles 1, a large part of the braking power of the rear axle HA is achieved through recuperation, i.e. friction brakes are not used or are used to a significantly lesser extent. As a result, cooling of these friction brakes, which would require a corresponding air flow in the wheel house, is not required or is required only to a correspondingly lesser extent. This means that considerably less heat is generated in the wheel house, so that the wheel house cover 3 can be used without impairing brake cooling and thus braking performance. Furthermore, this also avoids the risk of damage to the wheel house covering device 2 due to excessive heat. For example, it can further be provided that brake discs of the friction brakes that are also provided are made of coated aluminum.This also allows the development of dust when using the friction brakes to be significantly reduced, for example by up to 95%, so that the risk of damage to the wheel house cover device 2 by brake dust is also avoided.

[0051] In the solution described here, it is particularly provided that the wheel house cover 3 is made of a rigid, in particular inflexible, and in particular dimensionally stable, material. This avoids the disadvantages of previously known covers made of a flexible material, because the use of such flexible materials poses the risk that the cover could be damaged by stone chips or objects on the road while the vehicle 1 is moving, thus rendering it unusable. Furthermore, there is then the risk that a sudden loss of the cover and its aerodynamic effect could lead to a dangerous situation, depending on the speed and driving situation. Furthermore, flexible materials are susceptible to wind deformation and rapid changes in pressure conditions in the wheel house. This reduces the positive effects.Furthermore, flexible materials tend to become brittle with age and thus prone to cracking. These disadvantages are avoided by using a rigid, particularly inflexible, and particularly dimensionally stable, material for the wheel house cover 3.

[0052] The material from which the wheel house cover 3 is formed is, in particular, a plastic, for example, polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polycarbonate (PC), polypropylene (PP), or polyethylene (PE). In one possible embodiment, the wheel house cover 3 is transparent, i.e., made of a transparent plastic. As a result, even when the wheel house cover 3 is positioned in the covering position AS, the appearance of the vehicle 1 is retained, since the covered wheel 6 remains visible through the wheel house cover 3. For example, the wheel house cover 3 is produced by injection molding and is therefore an injection-molded part.

[0053] The wheel house cover 3 advantageously has a plurality of slats 8, which are arranged one after the other over the wheel opening 4, at least in the covering position AS, in particular one after the other in the direction of movement. For example, the slats 8 are each produced by injection molding and are thus each an injection-molded part. The slats 8 are each formed in particular from the above-described solid, in particular inflexible, in particular dimensionally stable, material, in particular from plastic, in particular from one of the plastics mentioned above. In the telescopic embodiment of the slats 8 described in more detail below, the respective slat parts 8.1, 8.2 of the respective slat 8, which can be moved relative to one another, are each produced by injection molding and are thus each an injection-molded part. The respective slat parts 8.1, 8.2 of the respective slat 8 are in particular each formed from the above-described solid, in particular inflexible, in particular dimensionally stable, material, in particular from plastic, in particular from one of the above-mentioned plastics.

[0054] The slats 8 are, in particular, flexibly connected to one another. In particular, the slats 8 are pivotable relative to one another, particularly outside the covering position AS, so that, for example, rolling up or folding up the wheel house cover 3 during movement into the stowed position is possible. Thus, in the stowed position, the slats 8 can, for example, be rolled up or folded relative to one another or stacked one behind the other in the vehicle's transverse axis direction y. Depending on the available installation space in the wheel house, it can thus be provided, for example, that the wheel house cover 3 is rolled up or folded in the stowed position, or it can also be provided, for example, that the slats 8 are arranged one behind the other in a straight line in the direction of movement even in the stowed position, provided that sufficient installation space is available for this.

[0055] In particular, it is provided that the successive slats 8 interlock, in particular lock, in the covering position AS. As a result, these interlocking slats 8 form the wheel house cover 3 as a solid and thus stable body in the covering position AS. In particular, an end stop is provided for the wheel house cover 3 in the covering position AS, so that the wheel house cover 3 strikes this end stop when it moves into the covering position AS, whereby the slats 8 are placed against one another and thereby interlock and in particular lock to one another, whereby the wheel house cover 3 is formed as a solid, stable body in the covering position AS. This prevents any movement of the wheel house cover 3 in the covering position AS, which could be caused by air flow and movements of the vehicle 1.This means that the wheel house cover 3 does not produce any disturbing noises and its aerodynamic function is not impaired.

[0056] It is particularly provided that the wheel house cover 3 is arranged in the covering position AS on an inner side of the fender 5 and thus covers the wheel opening 4 from the inside, as shown for example in Fig. 1. The wheel house cover 3 is thus only visible in the area of ​​the wheel opening 4 of the fender 5.

[0057] In particular, it is provided that the wheel house cover device 2 has a guide rail arrangement for guiding the wheel house cover 3 from the stowed position into the covering position AS and back. This guide rail arrangement has, in particular, one or more guide rails 9 on the inside of the fender 5.

[0058] In the prior art embodiment according to Fig. 1, the guide rail arrangement has a guide rail 9 on each side of the wheel opening 4 in the vehicle longitudinal axis direction x on the inside of the fender 5, wherein the guide rails 9 are each aligned in the vehicle vertical axis direction z. In this embodiment, the movement of the wheel house cover 3 along the inside of the fender 5 thus takes place in the vehicle vertical axis direction z. The wheel house cover 3 is thus positioned in the stowed position, at least in sections, above the wheel 6. For example, it is rolled up there or the slats 8 are folded together. If there is sufficient installation space in the vehicle transverse axis direction y, it can, for example, also be arranged horizontally aligned above the wheel 6 in the stowed position and extend in the vehicle transverse axis direction y.If the wheel house cover 3 has the slats 8, these are then arranged, for example, in a straight line one behind the other as in the covering position AS, but in the stowed position they are aligned horizontally.

[0059] The functionality of this embodiment of the wheel house cover device 2 is similar, for example, to the functionality of a roller shutter, or the wheel house cover device 2, in particular its wheel house cover 3, is designed as such a roller shutter. If the wheel house cover 3 has the slats 8, these are aligned horizontally in their longitudinal extension in this embodiment. The wheel house cover 3 is thus lowered from the stowed position into the covering position AS along the guide rails 9 and raised from the covering position AS into the stowed position.

[0060] In the embodiment not covered by the patent claims according to the Fig. 2 to 4, the guide rail arrangement comprises a guide rail 9 arranged above the wheel opening 4 on the inside of the fender 5 and extending in the vehicle's longitudinal axis direction x. This guide rail 9 is in the Fig. 2 to 4 cannot be seen because it is covered by the fender 5.

[0061] In this embodiment, the movement of the wheel house cover 3 along the inside of the fender 5 thus takes place in the vehicle longitudinal axis direction x, for example from front to rear into the covering position AS, whereby in the stowed position it is thus arranged in front of the wheel 6. The Fig. 2 to 4 show this movement sequence, with the wheel house cover 3 in Fig. 2 is arranged in the stowed position and in Fig. 4 is arranged in the covering position AS. Fig. 3 shows the transition from the stowed position to the covering position AS or from the covering position AS to the stowed position.

[0062] Alternatively, the wheel house cover 3 can be moved from the rear to the front into the covering position AS, whereby it is arranged behind the wheel 6 in the stowed position.

[0063] This embodiment of the wheel house cover device 2, in particular the wheel house cover 3, is thus, at least when using the slats 8, for example, a roller shutter, which, however, is not moved up and down, but rather laterally, i.e., in the direction x of the vehicle's longitudinal axis. The slats 8 are thus arranged vertically with their longitudinal extension.

[0064] Here too, the wheel house cover 3, particularly when using the slats 8, can be rolled up in the stowed position, for example, or the slats 8 can be folded together. If there is sufficient installation space in the vehicle's longitudinal axis direction x, it can also be provided here, for example, that the wheel house cover 3 is arranged vertically aligned in front of or behind the wheel 6 in the stowed position and extends in the vehicle's longitudinal axis direction x. If it has the slats 8, these are then arranged, for example, in a straight line one behind the other as in the covering position AS. The wheel house cover 3 is therefore only arranged shifted forwards, in front of the wheel 6, or backwards, behind the wheel 6, compared to the covering position AS.

[0065] In order to also stabilize a lower edge of the wheel house cover 3 in the covering position AS in this embodiment, it can be provided, for example, that a telescopic guide rail (not shown here) is provided on this lower edge. This telescopic guide rail is arranged in the region of a front or rear end, in the vehicle longitudinal axis direction x, of the wheel opening 4 formed in the fender 5, i.e. in a lower region at the front or rear of the wheel opening 4, on the inside of the fender 5. To move the wheel house cover 3 into the covering position AS, it is then provided, for example, that this telescopic guide rail first extends, i.e. in the vehicle longitudinal axis direction x from front to rear or from rear to front over the wheel opening 4, and engages, for example, in an anchorage on an opposite edge region, i.e. at an opposite end, of the wheel opening 4.Subsequently, the wheel house cover 3 is moved along the two guide rails 9 into the covering position AS. The return to the stowed position occurs in the reverse manner, i.e., first, the wheel house cover 3 is moved back and then the telescopic guide rail is retracted. This telescopic guide rail, if present, is advantageously also a component of the guide rail arrangement.

[0066] In one possible embodiment, the guide rail arrangement comprises a guide rail 9 arranged on the inside of the fender 5 and extending, at least in sections, along a curve of the wheel opening 4. In this embodiment, the wheel house cover 3 thus moves in a fan-like manner. Fig. 5 shows an example of such an embodiment of the wheel house covering device 2. In particular, it is provided that the slats 8 are each arranged with one end at a common pivot point SP in the region of the front or rear end of the wheel opening 4 formed in the fender 5 in the vehicle longitudinal axis direction x and are designed to be telescopic in the slat longitudinal direction, wherein the other end of the respective slat 8 is slidably connected to the guide rail 9 arranged on the inside of the fender 5 and running at least in sections along the curve of the wheel opening 4. In the example shown, these ends of the respective slat 8 are formed by one of the mutually displaceable slat parts 8.1, 8.2.

[0067] The slats 8 are thus, as in Fig. 5 by means of a movement arrow P, in particular by means of the drive unit 7, pivotable from the stowed position into the covering position AS, wherein they are each automatically extended by the guide along the guide rail 9, and pivotable back into the stowed position, wherein they are each automatically pushed together by the guide along the guide rail 9. This means that the slat parts 8.1, 8.2 of the respective slat 8 are automatically displaced relative to one another in this way.

[0068] In the stowed position, the slats 8 are arranged one behind the other in the vehicle transverse axis direction y, for example, i.e. stacked in the vehicle transverse axis direction y. In order to enable a flat alignment of the slats 8 one behind the other in the direction of movement in the covering position AS, successive slats 8 are slidably coupled to one another, for example via guides, wherein these guides are designed such that successive slats 8 are arranged one behind the other in the direction of movement when moved into the covering position AS and slide over one another when moved back into the stowed position and are thereby stacked in the vehicle transverse axis direction y.

[0069] This fan-shaped embodiment is particularly advantageous when, due to space constraints, stowing in the wheel house above the wheel 6 is not possible. In the stowed position, the wheel house cover 3 in this embodiment is arranged in front of or behind the wheel 6, depending on the positioning of the pivot point SP.

[0070] In one possible embodiment, it is provided that the wheel house cover 3, as shown for example in the Fig. 5 and Fig. 6, has a wheel opening formation 10 which, in the covering position AS, is arranged in the wheel opening 4. This wheel opening formation 10 is designed in particular such that it fills the wheel opening 4 in the covering position AS and is flush with an outer side of the fender 5. It is thus formed on a side of the wheel house cover 3 which is directed outwards in the covering position AS. The wheel opening formation 10 thus forms an elevation on the outer side of the wheel house cover 3. By means of this wheel opening formation 10, when the wheel house cover 3 is in the covering position AS, an aerodynamically advantageous flat connection with the wheel house to the outside is achieved, so that a flat outer surface of the vehicle 1 is achieved in the region of the wheel house, in particular in the region of the wheel opening 4 of the fender 5, thereby achieving a considerable improvement in aerodynamics.If the wheel house cover 3 has a plurality of slats 8, it is provided in particular that several or all slats 8 each have a part of the wheel opening formation 10 corresponding to their position in the covering position AS, as shown in FIGS. Fig. 5 and Fig. 6 shown as an example.

[0071] In order to enable the wheel house cover 3, on which the wheel opening formation 10 is formed, to be moved into the covering position AS and, in the process, to enable the wheel opening formation 10 to be inserted into the wheel opening 4 of the fender 5, and also to enable the wheel house cover 3 to be moved back into the stowed position, it is provided, for example, that the guide rail arrangement, in particular its guide rail 9 or guide rails 9 arranged on the inside of the fender 5, can be moved away, in particular pivoted away, from the inside of the fender 5 and moved back, in particular pivoted, to the inside. By moving away, in particular pivoting away, from the inside, a distance is created from the inside of the fender 5 that is sufficiently large to move the wheel house cover 3 with its wheel opening formation 10 past the inside of the fender 5 into the covering position AS and back into the stowed position.By moving back, in particular pivoting back, to the inside of the fender 5, the wheel opening formation 10 is moved outwards and thus into the wheel opening 4 of the fender 5, whereby the wheel opening formation 10 is enabled to completely fill the wheel opening 4.

[0072] To move the wheel house cover 3 with its wheel opening formation 10 into the covering position AS, the guide rail arrangement or at least its guide rail 9 or plurality of guide rails 9 arranged on the inside of the fender 5 is moved, in particular pivoted away, from the inside of the fender 5. The wheel house cover 3 is then moved out of the stowed position between the wheel 6 and the wheel opening 4. Thereafter, the guide rail arrangement or at least its guide rail 9 or plurality of guide rails 9 arranged on the inside of the fender 5 is moved back, in particular pivoted back, to the inside of the fender 5, whereby the wheel opening formation 10 of the wheel house cover 3 is moved into the wheel opening 4 of the fender 5 and completely fills it.The wheel house cover 3 is moved back into the stowed position by first moving the guide rail arrangement, or at least its guide rail 9 or plurality of guide rails 9 arranged on the inside of the fender 5, away from the inside of the fender 5, thereby moving the wheel opening formation 10 inwardly out of the wheel opening 4 of the fender 5. The wheel house cover 3 is then moved into the stowed position, for example, by rolling it up, folding it up, or retracting it.

[0073] The described movement of the guide rail arrangement or at least of the one or more guide rails 9 arranged on the inside of the fender 5 takes place, for example, electromagnetically or by motor, for example by an electric motor. The motorized movement, in particular pivoting, can take place, for example, by means of a joint or eccentric. For example, the drive unit 7 for moving the wheel house cover 3 can be used for the movement, in particular pivoting, in particular by coupling the movement of the guide rail arrangement or at least of the one or more guide rails 9 arranged on the inside of the fender 5 with the movement of the wheel house cover 3, for example by means of a joint and / or lever and / or gear arrangement, which, for example, comprises the joint or the eccentric.Such a coupling, especially a mechanical one, eliminates the need for coordination of several drives and several different movements, but rather the coordination of the different movements takes place automatically through their mechanical coupling.

[0074] In order to enable the wheel house to be sealed as effectively as possible by the wheel house cover 3 in the covering position AS, brushes and / or seals can be provided, for example, on the fender 5 at the edge of the wheel house cover 3 arranged in the covering position AS.

[0075] In particular, if the wheel house cover 3 is made of transparent material, a cleaning device can be provided, for example, in the direction of movement of the wheel house cover 3 between its covering position AS and its stowed position. This cleaning device comprises, for example, at least one brush, along which the wheel house cover 3 is moved during movement into the stowed position in order to wipe off dirt.

[0076] Fig. 8 shows a possible mechanical design not covered by the patent claims, in particular of the Fig. 1. With a correspondingly different arrangement, this mechanical design is also suitable for the Fig. 2 to 4 can be used. It would have to be aligned in such a way that the arrow, which is Fig. 8 shows the vehicle vertical axis direction z, the vehicle longitudinal axis direction x would show.

[0077] The illustrated wheel house cover device 2 comprises the wheel house cover 3, in the illustrated example with the wheel opening formation 10. In the illustrated example, this wheel house cover 3 is only one part. In other examples, it can be divided into the multiple slats 8 in the manner described above. The wheel house cover device 2 also comprises the guide rail arrangement, which advantageously has two parallel guide rails 9 on both sides of the wheel house cover 3. For reasons of clarity and due to the purely schematic representation, only one of the guide rails 9 is shown here.

[0078] In this example, rollers 11 are provided on the wheel house cover 3 for coupling to the guide rails 9. In other examples, these can also be eyelets or sliding elements or other elements. Fig. 5 and Fig. 7 also shows such connecting elements for the movable, in particular displaceable, connection of the wheel house cover 3, in particular the respective slat 8, with the respective guide rail 9 by way of example.

[0079] The wheel house cover device 2 shown also has the drive unit 7, with which the wheel house cover 3 can be moved from the stowed position to the covering position AS and back. Fig. 8 shows the wheel house cover 3 in the transition from the stowed position to the covering position AS. In the upper area of ​​the wheel house covering device 2, a storage space 12 is provided for the wheel house cover 3 arranged in the stowed position. Here, it is arranged in the stowed position, for example, in the form in which it is in Fig. 8, or when the wheel house cover 3 has a plurality of slats 8, for example, in a folded or rolled-up form. The size of this storage space 12, shown here only schematically and simplified, thus depends on the respective space requirements for accommodating the wheel house cover 3 arranged in the stowed position.

[0080] To move the wheel house cover 3 by means of the drive unit 7, the wheel house cover 3 is coupled to the drive unit 7 by means of a coupling element 13. This is shown in Fig.8 is a highly simplified schematic, as only the basic principle is illustrated. Depending on the design of the drive unit 7 and the wheel house cover 3, various couplings are possible. The coupling element 13 can accordingly have one or more components. For example, the coupling is effected via a gear or in another way, for example via a shaft driven by the drive unit 7, to which the wheel house cover 3 is directly connected for rolling up or to which the wheel house cover 3 is connected with one or more chains or one or more belts. However, other variants for such coupling elements 13 are also possible.

Claims

[1] Vehicle (1) with at least one wheel house covering device (2) which is arranged in a wheel house of the vehicle (1) and has a wheel house cover (3) which is made of a solid material and which is movable from a stowed position into a covering position (AS) and back, wherein the wheel house cover (3) in the covering position (AS) closes a wheel opening (4) of a fender (5) of the wheel house and has a plurality of slats (8) which are arranged successively over the wheel opening (4) at least in the covering position (AS), and wherein the wheel house covering device (2) has a guide rail arrangement for guiding the wheel house cover (3) from the stowed position into the covering position (AS) and back, characterized byin that the guide rail arrangement has a guide rail (9) arranged on the inside of the fender (5) and running at least in sections along a curve of the wheel opening (4), and in that the slats (8) are each arranged with one end at a common pivot point (SP) in the region of a front or rear end of the wheel opening (4) formed in the fender (5) in the vehicle's longitudinal axis direction (x) and are designed to be telescopic in the slat longitudinal direction, wherein the other end of the respective slat (8) is displaceably connected to the guide rail (9) arranged on the inside of the fender (5) and running at least in sections along the curve of the wheel opening (4). [2] Vehicle (1) according to claim 1, characterized by that the successive slats (8) interlock in the covering position (AS). [3] Vehicle (1) according to claim 2, characterized bythat the slats (8) are rolled up in the stowed position, or folded relative to one another or stacked one behind the other in the transverse axis direction (y) of the vehicle. [4] Vehicle (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by in that the wheel house cover (3) is arranged on an inner side of the mudguard (5) in the covering position (AS), wherein the wheel house cover (3) has a wheel opening formation (10) which, in the covering position (AS), is arranged in the wheel opening (4), filling the wheel opening (4). [5] Vehicle (1) according to claim 4, characterized by that several or all slats (8) each have a part of the wheel opening formation (10) corresponding to their position in the covering position (AS). [6] Vehicle (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized bythat the wheel house covering device (2) has a drive unit (7) for moving the wheel house cover (3) from the stowed position into the covering position (AS) and back.

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