Panel arrangement of a front end of a passenger car equipped with a storage compartment and operating method

Abstract

Trim arrangement of a front end (1) of a passenger car equipped with a storage space (5), with a displaceable front hood (2) which can be displaced from a closed position, in which the storage space (5) is closed, into at least one open position in which the storage space (5) is accessible, and with a displacement device having at least one actuating element (8) by means of which the displaceable front hood (2) can be displaced between the closed position and the open position, wherein the actuating element (8) is designed as a capacitive or inductive sensor element (8) which is arranged in a concealed manner on at least one trim element (4) of the front end (1), wherein the sensor element (8) for actuating a front hood (2) is arranged on a front bumper trim element (4).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a fairing arrangement of a front section of a passenger car equipped with a storage compartment, according to the preamble of claim 1. Furthermore, the invention relates to an actuation method for a front hood of a fairing arrangement of a front section equipped with a storage compartment, according to the preamble of claim 4.

[0002] Generally, a variety of storage compartments or cargo spaces are known in the front or rear of the vehicle, which can be closed off by movable trim panels. In the front of the vehicle, a hood serves this purpose.

[0003] Compartmental cladding arrangements of this type are known, for example, from US 2018 / 0 179 783 A1, DE 10 2016 223 010 A1, DE 10 2013 110 596 A1, and US 2016 / 0 329 894 A1. These cladding arrangements all involve cladding arrangements in which capacitive sensor elements are provided as actuators for the respective closing and / or repositioning mechanisms of cover elements. These mechanisms allow a corresponding storage compartment to be closed and, after opening the cover element, made accessible. By actuating the sensor element without physical contact, the respective cover elements can be moved between the closed and open positions. The sensor elements are all integrated into the respective cover element.

[0004] Electrically powered passenger cars, in particular, have a front storage compartment (frunk) in the front of the vehicle. This compartment is accessible via a front panel element in the form of a hood. This hood can be moved from a closed position, in which the storage compartment is locked, to at least one open position, in which the storage compartment is accessible. Such hoods typically have a locking and / or moving mechanism by which the hood can be locked and unlocked in the closed position and / or moved between the closed and open positions. This locking and / or moving mechanism is usually operated either by a lever, handle, or similar device inside the passenger car, or by an externally located actuator, which is, for example, integrated into a vehicle emblem.

[0005] The object of the present invention is to provide a cladding arrangement and a method of the type mentioned above, by means of which a front hood of the motor vehicle can be operated in a particularly intuitive manner.

[0006] This problem is solved according to the invention by a cladding arrangement with the features of claim 1 and by a method with the features of claim 4. Advantageous embodiments with expedient further developments of the invention are the subject of the dependent claims.

[0007] The inventive panel arrangement of a front section of a passenger car, in particular an electrically powered vehicle, equipped with a storage compartment, comprises a front hood in the area of ​​the front section which can be moved from a closed position, in which the storage compartment is closed, to at least one open position, in which the storage compartment is accessible. A movement device is provided by means of which the front hood can be adjusted between the closed position and the open position.

[0008] The actuating element is designed as a capacitive or inductive sensor element, which is concealed on at least one trim element of a bumper cover at the front end of the vehicle or the front section. According to the invention, the sensor element is arranged on a front bumper trim element. It has proven particularly advantageous if the sensor element is arranged on a central web of the front bumper trim between two air intake openings at the front of the vehicle. Such a positioning of the sensor element has the particular advantage that it is located in close proximity to the front storage compartment and – unlike the hood – is not moved.Furthermore, for example, swiping movements in the vehicle's upward direction, such as a swipe up or down, can be automatically translated into a corresponding opening or closing action, thus enabling intuitive operation of the hood. Alternatively, the respective sensor element can also be located in one of the air intake openings, for example behind a trim panel or louver element, which allows the corresponding air intake opening to be at least partially closed.

[0009] Generally, a cladding element is understood to be a component that forms the outer skin or outer cladding of the vehicle and is therefore visible from the outside.

[0010] According to the invention, the sensor element is concealed. This means that the sensor element does not interfere with the surface of the respective trim element or is at least substantially unaffected from the outside by the actuating element. Consequently, on the corresponding surface of the respective trim element, in the area where the sensor element is located, there may be, for example, a pictogram, a symbol, or some other indication that draws the user's attention to the position of the sensor element. The surface itself, however, is preferably substantially unaffected by the sensor element, thus enabling, for example, a more favorable appearance and improved aerodynamics of the vehicle.

[0011] Since capacitive or inductive components can be used as sensor elements according to the invention, the closing and / or relocation device of the hood can be actuated either by touching or near-touching the corresponding trim part that carries the sensor element in the immediate vicinity of this sensor element, or optionally also by a wiping movement or other, at least essentially non-contact gesture, by means of which the corresponding magnetic field of the sensor element can be influenced in such a way that an actuation command is generated by means of which the closing and / or relocation device can be actuated.

[0012] The respective capacitive or inductive sensor element can be a separate part, which, for example, is concealed on the inside or underside of the respective cladding element or is covered by the cladding element from the outside, or it can be integrated into the respective cladding element, meaning that the respective cladding element or a part of it is designed as part or a component of the sensor element. In this case, too, it is intended that the sensor element is covered by the cladding element from the outside.

[0013] The sensor element allows for a wide variety of actuation functions for the hood or the corresponding closing and / or repositioning mechanism. For example, the sensor element could be used to automatically open or close the hood.

[0014] The sensor element used comprises either one or, preferably, several sensor surfaces. Using multiple sensor surfaces allows, for example, environmental influences to be distinguished from intended operations. In particular, to achieve a control gesture, at least two sensor surfaces must be positioned one above the other. This allows, in particular, an up / down gesture in the vehicle's vertical direction to be detected. If, for example, the upper sensor surface activates first, followed by the lower sensor surface, the signal generation clearly indicates that the movement was from top to bottom. A corresponding signal is then transmitted to the closing and / or repositioning mechanism, for example, to close the hood. If the sequence is reversed, i.e., the lower sensor surface activates first and then the upper one, it is clear that the control command was directed upwards.

[0015] Furthermore, it has proven advantageous to have at least one pictogram or similar symbol indicating the presence of the sensor element on the cover element. Such a pictogram has the advantage of not unduly affecting the surface of the cover element. For example, a different color, an engraving, or the like can be used as a pictogram or other symbol. Moreover, this symbol does not necessarily have to be located in close proximity to or overlapping with the sensor element, but can also be positioned at a distance from it.

[0016] The advantages described above in connection with the cladding arrangement according to the invention arise in the same way for the method according to claim 4.

[0017] Further features of the invention will become apparent from the claims, the figures, and the description of the figures. The features and combinations of features mentioned above in the description, as well as the features and combinations of features mentioned below in the description of the figures and / or shown in the figures alone, are not only usable in the combinations specified, but also in other combinations or on their own.

[0018] The invention will now be explained in more detail with reference to a preferred embodiment and the drawings. The drawings show: Fig. 1 a perspective view of an electrically powered passenger car with a fairing arrangement according to the invention for a front section of the vehicle, which has a front hood which can be moved from the closed position shown to an open position in which a storage space in the area of ​​the front section is accessible, and Fig. 2 a partial perspective view of the front of the passenger car according to Fig. 1 with the hood open, revealing the storage space below the hood.

[0019] Fig. Figure 1 shows a perspective view of an electrically powered passenger car with a front section 1. This front section 1 is covered by several trim elements, namely a front hood 2 shown here in its closed position, respective fenders 3 and a front bumper trim element 4.

[0020] The front hood 2 is shown here made from the in Fig. 1 shown closing position in a Fig. 2. In a partial perspective view of the front section 1, the open position can be moved, in which a front storage compartment 5 (frunk) located in the area of ​​the front section 1 becomes accessible. For this purpose, in the present case, the front hood 2 must be moved from the closed position according to Fig. 1, in which this covers and thus closes the storage space 5, in order to be displaceable by a pivot axis running transversely to the side of the vehicle and horizontally at the rear end of the front hood 2. In this case, the pivot axis is formed by respective multi-link hinges 6.

[0021] Furthermore, the passenger car includes a displacement device located in the area of ​​the front section 1, by means of which the hood 2 can be locked and unlocked in the closed position and / or moved between the closed and open positions. The locking and / or displacement device can be formed by separate devices or a single device. For example, it is conceivable that a locking and / or securing device is provided by means of which the hood 2 can be fixed in the closed position, for example, to a transverse element 7 at the upper end of the bumper trim element 4. However, other locking or securing devices, in which the hood 2 is locked and fixed at a different point in its closed position, would also be conceivable.Furthermore, the locking and / or repositioning device includes, for example, a repositioning device, designed separately or as part of the locking and latching device, by means of which the front hood 2 can be automatically or actuator-driven / motor-driven repositioned between the closed position and at least one open position. This can be achieved, for example, with the aid of respective motors, actuators, or similar actuating elements, which are controlled accordingly.

[0022] The present locking and / or repositioning device can be actuated via at least one actuating element, which in this case is designed as a capacitive or inductive sensor element 8, concealed on at least one trim element, in this case the bumper trim element 4, of the front of the vehicle 1. In the present embodiment, this sensor element 8 is, for example, arranged on or behind a central web 9 of the bumper trim element 4. This central web 9 divides two air intake openings 10 at the front of the vehicle.

[0023] In the present embodiment, the sensor element 8 is specifically designed as a capacitive sensor element, although an inductive sensor element is also theoretically conceivable. The sensor element 8 is concealed, for example, behind the corresponding trim element, in this case the bumper trim element 4 or its central web 9, so that it is not visible from the outside. This means that the respective trim element 4, or in this case the central web 9, can have a continuous surface, paint finish, or the like. For this reason, the sensor element is in Fig. 1 indicated by a dashed line.

[0024] It is clear that the sensor element can also be arranged at any other location on the bumper trim element 4. In particular, the sensor element can also be arranged behind a trim element, louver element or the like, by means of which one of the air intake openings 10 is at least partially covered.

[0025] The respective sensor element 8 generates a magnetic field which can be disrupted or influenced, in particular by touching or near-touching the cladding element 4 in the area in front of the sensor element 8, such that a corresponding electronic signal can be generated. A gesture, swiping movement, or the like performed in the immediate vicinity of the surface of the respective cladding element 4 or central web 9 can also be used to detect and generate a signal.

[0026] The crucial factor here is how the respective sensor element 8 is arranged or integrated into the corresponding cladding element 4. For example, a separate sensor element 8 can be used, which is positioned behind the corresponding cladding element 4. It is also conceivable that the cladding element 4 itself is part of the corresponding sensor 8. For instance, the cladding element 4 could be equipped with an electrically conductive element, or it could be designed as an electrically conductive element that functions as part of the sensor element 8.

[0027] The sensor element 8 is, for example, covered and thus concealed by a corresponding cover element, which can be the cladding element 4 itself, or a coating, paintwork or the like, which can be the coating, paintwork or the like of the cladding element 4.

[0028] In particular, the trim element 4 may have a corresponding pictogram or similar symbol in the area of ​​the sensor element 8, which may be created, for example, by engraving, coloring, or the like. This symbol may mark the corresponding positions at which the trim element 4 must be touched in order to, for example, actuate the locking and / or operating device, such as locking or unlocking the hood 2 in its closed position. If necessary, several sections of the pictogram or similar symbol may be designated for different functions.

[0029] With a suitable design of the sensor element 8, it is also conceivable that contactless actuation or a contactless actuation signal can be generated. For example, it is conceivable that a swiping motion upwards in the direction of the vehicle's height leads directly to an opening command, so that the hood 2 is moved from the closed position to the open position. A swiping motion in the opposite direction from top to bottom can trigger a closing command for the hood 2, so that it is moved from the open position to the closed position.

[0030] It is clear that at least one sensor element 8 is connected to a corresponding control device of the closing and / or actuating device of the front hood 2, so that the desired commands can be executed.

[0031] Overall, it is thus evident that the sensor element 8 provides an intuitively findable but inconspicuous marking of a corresponding actuating element in order to lock or unlock the front hood 2 in its closed position and / or to move the front hood 2 from the closed position to the open position and back.

Claims

[1] Trim arrangement of a front section (1) of a passenger car equipped with a storage compartment (5), comprising a movable front hood (2) which can be moved from a closed position in which the storage compartment (5) is closed to at least one open position in which the storage compartment (5) is accessible, and comprising a displacement device having at least one actuating element (8) by means of which the movable front hood (2) can be moved between the closed position and the open position, wherein the actuating element (8) is designed as a capacitive or inductive sensor element (8) which is concealed on at least one trim element (4) of the front section (1), wherein the sensor element (8) is arranged on a front bumper trim element (4) for actuating a front hood (2). [2] Cladding arrangement according to claim 1, characterized by, that the sensor element (8) is arranged on a central rib (9) of the front bumper trim element (4) between two air intake openings (10) at the front of the vehicle. [3] Cladding arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that at least one sign indicating the sensor element (8) is arranged on the cladding element. [4] Actuating method of a front hood (2) of a fairing arrangement of a front section (1) of a passenger car equipped with a storage compartment (5), in which the front hood (2), which can be moved from a closed position in which the storage compartment (5) is closed to at least one open position in which the storage compartment (5) is accessible, is moved between the closed position and the open position by means of a moving device having at least one actuating element (8), wherein the displacement of the front hood (2) between the closed position and the open position is carried out by means of a capacitive or inductive sensor element (8) as an actuating element (8) which is concealed on at least one trim element (4) of the front body (1), characterized by , that The front hood (2) is moved into an open position by means of a sensor element (8) arranged on a front bumper trim element (4) by means of a wiping movement in the direction upwards and into the closed position by means of a wiping movement downwards.

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