Front apron with maintenance flap

Abstract

Front apron (1) for a vehicle (50), comprising at least one cooling air inlet (2) in a front section (1.1) of the front apron (1), at least one maintenance opening (3) in an underbody section (1.2) of the front apron (1) and at least one maintenance flap (4), wherein a cleaning area (5) located behind the front section (1.1) of the front apron (1) is accessible via the maintenance opening (3), and wherein the maintenance opening (3) can be closed at least in sections with the maintenance flap (4), the maintenance flap (4) is movably mounted on the front apron (1), wherein the maintenance flap (4) is movable relative to the front apron (1) between at least one open position (I) and one closed position (II), and wherein the maintenance flap (4) in the closed position (II) can be reversibly connected to the front apron (1) at least in sections in order to (4) to lock in the closed position (II) at least temporarily,wherein along the circumference of at least one maintenance flap (4) and / or at least one maintenance opening (3) at least two or more than two, in particular a plurality, of positions are provided at which a connection between the front apron (1) and the maintenance flap (4) can be established at least in the closed position (II), in particular by a screw connection and / or clip connection and / or latching connection and / or via at least one hinge.

Description

The invention relates to a front apron for a vehicle having the features of independent claim 1, a vehicle having the features of independent claim 6 and a method having the features of independent claim 7.The body of vehicles, in particular of passenger cars (passenger cars) and / or trucks (trucks), is usually composed of a plurality of body parts which can emboss the external appearance of the vehicle by their respective shape and can fulfil further functions with respect to the operation and / or the safety of the vehicle. Body parts arranged at least in sections adjacent to one another can be designed at least in sections complementary to one another in their shape in order to produce the most homogeneous possible overall appearance of the vehicle.A typical body part of the above-mentioned type is the front fascia of a vehicle. In many vehicle models, the front apron is arranged under the hood, performs functions with regard to shock absorption and, by its design, makes the appearance of the vehicle in the front area substantially more precise. It is customary here for the front apron to form the front of the vehicle at least in sections on the one hand and to form the underbody of the vehicle at least in sections on the other hand. A functional and design element integrated in many front aprons are cooling air inlets in order to allow a cooling air supply to a cooler arranged behind the front apron. In order to protect the cooler from environmental influences such as, for example, ambient influences. To protect stone hammer, cooling air inlets in the front apron are often provided with grid elements (air inlet grids) which are arranged in the cooling air inlets. Due to an increasing cooling air requirement of engines and additionally for reasons of a modern vehicle design, a trend towards increasingly coarse-mesh air inlet grids in cooling air inlets of vehicles can be observed. In addition to the advantage of an increased and less resistant introduction of cooling air, this, however, leads to the disadvantage of an increasing introduction of dirt, in particular leafing, into the region between the radiator and the front apron of the vehicle (cleaning region). Increasing contamination in this area can have a negative influence on the efficient operation of the cooler and, due to the coarse-mesh air inlet grid, can moreover lead to a disadvantageous visual overall impression of the vehicle for a user, since the user can immediately recognize the contamination. At the same time, the region of a front apron lying behind a cooling air inlet is difficult or limited for a user, if at all, and / or can only be reached by a complete dismantling of the front apron.Front aprons are known from the documents DE 10 019 419 A1, DE 10 2021 112 621 A4, DE 10 2018 108 004 A1, DE 10 2014 219 747 A1 and DE 10 2017 001 898 A1.It is therefore an object of the present invention to at least partially overcome at least one of the disadvantages described above. In particular, it is the object of the invention to provide a front apron for a vehicle, a vehicle and a method which enables an improved, simpler and / or more efficient cleaning of a vehicle at least in sections, in particular in the region of the front apron.The above object is achieved by a front apron having the features of independent claim 1, by a vehicle having the features of independent claim 6 and by a method having the features of independent claim 7. Features and details which are described in connection with the front apron according to the invention naturally also apply in connection with the vehicle according to the invention and / or in connection with the method according to the invention and vice versa, so that with regard to the disclosure reference is or can always be made to the individual aspects of the invention in a mutually alternating manner.According to the invention, a front apron for a vehicle is provided, comprising at least one cooling air inlet in a front section of the front apron, at least one maintenance opening in an underbody section of the front apron, and at least one maintenance flap, wherein a cleaning area located behind the front section of the front apron and / or behind at least one or the at least one cooling air inlet is accessible via the maintenance opening, and wherein the maintenance opening can be closed with the maintenance flap at least in sections, in particular completely or substantially completely. In this case, it can be provided that at least one service opening completely breaks through the wall or the material of the front apron in the underbody section.In other words, it is provided that a front apron according to the invention comprises at least one cooling air inlet. Furthermore, the front apron comprises at least one maintenance opening and also at least one maintenance flap. It is provided that at least one or the at least one cooling air inlet is located in a front section of the front apron and that the at least one or the at least one maintenance opening is arranged in an underbody section of the front apron. Furthermore, it is provided that the maintenance opening is arranged in such a way that a region behind at least one cooling air inlet is accessible through the at least one maintenance opening and the maintenance opening can be closed off with the maintenance flap at least in sections, in particular completely or substantially completely.Thus, it is provided within the scope of the invention that at least one service opening in an underbody section of a front apron according to the invention allows passage through the wall of the front apron in the underbody section. As a result of this penetration, the cleaning region located behind the front section of the front apron is thus accessible at least in sections, in which the dirt introduced through one or more cooling air inlets in the front apron collects. Thus, by opening the maintenance flap, the dirt located in this cleaning area can be removed through the maintenance opening in the underbody section of the front apron manually or with additional tools or devices (such as a vacuum cleaner). The dirt can thus be removed easily and efficiently without having to disassemble the front apron in its entirety. Thus, safe operation of the vehicle and an advantageous visual feel for a user of the vehicle can be ensured. By arranging at least one maintenance opening in the underbody section of the front fascia, an optically advantageous overall impression of the front fascia or of the vehicle for a user can be maintained at the same time.The details of front section and underbody section of a front fascia relate to an intended use or mounting of a front fascia according to the invention on a vehicle and the orientation of the front fascia associated therewith. In this case, the front section forms, at least in sections, the front of the vehicle and the underbody section forms, at least in sections, the underbody of the vehicle. In particular, the underbody is oriented at least in sections parallel or substantially parallel to the floor or the roadway and the front section is oriented orthogonally or substantially orthogonally to the floor or the roadway. It is not excluded here that individual sections of the underbody section or front section are oriented differently on account of the individual shape. Rather, the indication relates to the main alignment direction of the relevant front fascia section. The underbody section of the front fascia is preferably intended for an external observer of the vehicle, provided that the vehicle is standing on the ground (for example a roadway) or does not drive or substantially does not move. In particular, the front section of the front apron, on the other hand, is completely or substantially completely visible provided that the vehicle is standing or driving on the ground (for example a roadway).A vehicle can be of any type within the scope of the present invention. The vehicle can preferably be a passenger car or a truck. The vehicle can also be a construction machine or agricultural machine. The vehicle may have any type of drive. Thus, the vehicle can preferably be driven or drivable by an internal combustion engine, in particular an Otto or diesel engine. The vehicle can also have a fully electric or a partially electric or hybrid drive.The cleaning region is to be understood in the present case as a region to be cleaned. In other words, the cleaning area should be an area from which dirt is to be removed, in particular by a user. Viewed as a single component, the front apron is accessible in principle from all sides. Thus, when the front fascia is viewed alone, the rear side of the front fascia, which is directed towards the driver in the actual mounted state on the vehicle, is also accessible. However, when the front apron is mounted on the vehicle, this changes. After assembly, the rear side of the front apron, in particular the cleaning area behind the front section of the front apron, is no longer freely accessible to a user, since other vehicle parts directly adjoin the front apron or finish it flush therewith or otherwise impede access into the cleaning area. It thus results that a cavity formed between the front fascia and further vehicle parts (such as the radiator), i.e. an area (cleaning area) behind the front section of the front fascia, is no longer accessible to a user, provided the front fascia is mounted on a vehicle. In other words, the cleaning region situated behind the front section of the front fascia is to be understood as a region which, in particular as a cavity, extends from the rear side of the front section of the front fascia in the direction of the driver and / or of the radiator of a vehicle when the front fascia is intended to be used with a vehicle.It can be provided with respect to the present invention that the front apron comprises a plurality of, in particular at least two or more than two, cooling air inlets, in particular in a front section of the front apron. Additionally or alternatively, it can also be provided that the front apron comprises a plurality of, in particular at least two or more than two, maintenance openings in an underbody section of the front apron and / or maintenance flaps. This achieves the advantage that the accessibility for cleaning is improved in the cleaning region located behind the front section of the front apron or behind the cooling air inlet or the cooling air inlets. When using a plurality of maintenance openings, in contrast to a maintenance opening with large dimensions, there is also the advantage that a greater stability of the front apron can be maintained, in particular in the underbody section of the front apron. It can also be provided that the front apron comprises an identical number of cooling air inlets and / or maintenance openings and / or maintenance flaps.It is also conceivable within the scope of the invention that at least one service opening is assigned to each cooling air inlet or that at least one service opening is located in the region of each cooling air inlet. The fact that a service opening is located in a region of a cooling air inlet can be understood in the present case to mean that a sectional plane can be defined which, with respect to an intended use of the front apron 1 on a vehicle 50, extends orthogonally to the floor or to the roadway and along a longitudinal extent of the vehicle 50 and intersects both the cooling air inlet and the service opening at least in sections. In this connection, it can furthermore be provided that, with respect to a plane or view oriented orthogonally to this sectional plane, the edges of the maintenance opening do not extend beyond the edges of the cooling air inlet to which the maintenance opening is assigned.It can furthermore be provided that at least one, preferably coarse-mesh, air inlet grille is arranged in at least one cooling air inlet. In this case, it can also be provided that the cooling air inlet is completely or substantially completely lined by at least one air inlet grille. This means that the grid extends completely or substantially completely between the edges of the cooling air inlet.Within the scope of the invention, it is provided that at least one maintenance flap is movably mounted on the front apron, in particular via a hinge, wherein the maintenance flap is movable relative to the front apron between at least one open position and one closed position, in particular continuously. The movement of the maintenance flap from the open position into the closed position and vice versa can be a pivoting movement or a rotational movement about an axis of rotation which is fixed in particular with respect to the front fascia. The maintenance flap can thus be mounted rotatably on the front apron. The axis of rotation can be oriented horizontally or substantially horizontally or vertically or substantially vertically. The movement of the maintenance flap from the open position into the closed position and vice versa can also be a sliding movement or a translatory movement. The maintenance flap can thus preferably be mounted translationally or displaceably on the front apron. The translation axis, i.e. the axis along which the translation movement takes place, can be aligned here preferably horizontally or substantially horizontally and / or at least in sections parallel or substantially parallel to the underbody section of the front fascia.A closed position is to be understood in the present case as a position of the maintenance flap in which the maintenance flap closes and / or covers at least one, in particular exactly one, maintenance opening at least in sections, preferably completely or substantially completely. An open position is to be understood in the present case as a position of the maintenance flap in which at least one, in particular exactly one, maintenance opening is at least partially, in particular completely, exposed by the maintenance flap and is thus at least partially accessible, in particular for carrying out a cleaning process.A horizontal orientation refers in the present case to an intended use of a front apron according to the invention on a vehicle, in which the front section is oriented at least in sections orthogonally or substantially orthogonally to the floor or the roadway and the underbody section is oriented at least in sections parallel or substantially parallel to the floor or the roadway. It is not excluded here that individual sections of the underbody section or front section are oriented differently on account of the individual shaping. Rather, the indication relates to the main alignment direction of the relevant front fascia section.Furthermore, it is provided that at least one maintenance flap, in particular in the closed position and / or the open position, can be connected at least in sections reversibly to the front apron. Furthermore, it can be provided that at least one maintenance flap, in particular in the closed position and / or the open position, can be connected at least in sections in a form-fitting and / or force-fitting and / or firmly bonded manner to the front apron. The connection between the maintenance flap and the front apron can at least partially serve to lock the maintenance flap in the closed position and / or the open position. The maintenance flap is normally locked in the closed position at least during operation or during conventional use of the vehicle and serves to prevent dirt being introduced and any wind noise from the maintenance opening during vehicle operation. Locking the maintenance flap in the open position offers the advantage that the maintenance flap does not interfere with the cleaning process when the vehicle is cleaned in the open state and offers the user a corresponding free space for action.The connection between the service flap and the front apron can be designed, in particular in the open position and / or the closed position, at least partially as a screw connection. This results in the advantage of a simple and permanent type of connection. The connection between the front apron and the service flap, in particular in the open position and / or the closed position, can also be designed at least partially as a clip connection and / or a snap connection. This results in the advantage of particularly simple and comfortable handling of the connection mechanism.To produce a screw connection between the front apron and the service flap, it can be provided that the front apron has at least one bore in the region of at least one service opening. The bore may be provided with an internal thread. Furthermore, it can be provided that the service flap has at least one bore, in particular at least one through bore, wherein in the closed position of the service flap at least one bore in the service flap can be arranged at least partially in overlapping relationship with at least one bore in the front fascia, so that the service flap can be connected to the front fascia by a screw connection.It is further provided that along the circumference of at least one service flap and / or at least one service opening, at least two or more than two, in particular a plurality, of positions (connection positions) are provided at which a connection between the front apron and the service flap can be produced at least one of the closed positions, in particular by a screw connection and / or clip connection and / or latching connection and / or via at least one hinge. The connection at each connection position can be formed at least in sections in a form-fitting and / or force-fitting and / or materially bonded and / or reversible manner. The connecting positions can be distributed at least partially in equidistant sections over the circumference of the maintenance flap and / or the maintenance opening that can be closed by the maintenance flap. The types of connection can be the same or at least partially different at all connection positions. Thus, it can be provided that a positive and / or non-positive and / or material and / or reversible connection between at least one service flap and the front apron is formed by at least one hinge, preferably arranged on one side of the service flap or service opening. In addition, it can be provided that further connection possibilities are provided in order, for example, to lock the maintenance flap on the front apron in an open position and / or a closed position. In other words, it can be provided within the scope of the invention that the maintenance flap is connected to the front apron in a positive and / or non-positive and / or positive and / or reversible manner via at least one hinge and is mounted on the front apron in a movable manner via the hinge, so that the maintenance flap can be moved between an open position of a closed position, wherein the maintenance flap can be locked at the front apron at least temporarily in the closed position and / or the open position, in particular via at least one additional connection, preferably a screw connection, a clip connection and / or a locking connection. Locking the service flap in the closed position at a plurality of connecting positions results in the advantage that improved securing of the service flap on the front apron in the closed position can be achieved and that disturbing vibrations of the service flap during operation of the vehicle can be reduced or avoided.It can furthermore be provided within the scope of the invention that at least one service flap is connected at least in sections in a form-fitting and / or force-fitting and / or material-fitting and / or reversible manner to the front skirt, wherein the connection between the service flap and the front skirt is preferably formed, in particular by a hinge, in such a way that it remains at least partially, in particular completely, during a movement of the service flap from the open position into the closed position. This results in the advantage that when the service flap is opened and in particular also when the service flap is opened unintentionally, the service flap remains on the front apron and a loss of the service flap can thus be effectively avoided.It can be provided within the scope of the invention that at least one maintenance flap is mounted on the front apron movably, in particular rotatably or pivotably, via at least one hinge, in particular a film hinge or a rotary hinge or a tab hinge or a rolled hinge, or is connected to the front apron at least in sections in a form-fitting and / or force-fitting and / or materially bonded and / or reversible manner.With regard to the use of a film hinge, the advantage results that the service flap can be formed materially integrally with the front apron or can form a monolithic component with the front apron. Thus, it can be provided that the apron, in particular in the region of at least one service opening and / or service flap, is formed at least in sections from a plastic or as an injection molded part and the service flap and the film hinge are an integral component of the apron. In other words, it can thus be provided that at least a part of the apron and at least one maintenance flap and the film hinge are designed as a common injection-molded part. With regard to the use of a rotary hinge, the advantage of a vertically oriented axis of rotation of the maintenance flap results.To realize a rotary hinge, it can be provided that the front apron is connected by at least one, preferably exactly one, in particular at least partially rotationally symmetrical, connecting means, which forms the axis of rotation of the rotary hinge or the maintenance flap. The connecting means can be designed, for example, as a bolt or screw or as a rivet. The maintenance flap can be pivoted with respect to the front apron in a particularly space-saving manner by means of a pivot hinge. The maintenance flap can furthermore be designed at least in sections as a prestressed spring, preferably a leaf spring, which exerts a spring force, in particular a compressive force, on the front apron without the application of force to the maintenance flap. This spring force thus reliably fixes the maintenance flap in the closed position and / or open position. For moving the maintenance flap, the latter can be loaded by a user with a counterforce directed counter to the prestressing force and moved or pivoted with respect to the front apron. With regard to the use of a tab hinge or rolled hinge, there is also the advantage of a particularly cost-effective and simple embodiment.It is also conceivable for at least one maintenance flap to be mounted on the front apron so as to be movable, preferably displaceable, particularly preferably translationally displaceable, via at least one link, or to be connected thereto at least in sections in a form-fitting and / or force-fitting and / or reversible manner. For this purpose, it can be provided that at least one link, in particular at least two links, is formed on the front fascia, in particular in the underbody section of the front fascia, wherein the service flap, in particular at least one edge of the service flap, is formed at least in sections in such a way that it can be brought at least in sections into a positive connection with at least one link. In particular, it can be provided that the form fit between the service flap and the slotted link is designed such that a translatory movement of the service flap can be carried out along a, preferably only one, in particular linear, translation axis relative to the front apron.It is also conceivable that at least one sealing means for producing a sealing effect between the service flap and the front skirt, preferably at least in the closed position of the service flap, is arranged on the service flap and / or the front skirt, in particular on at least one service opening or the edge of a service opening. In other words, the sealing effect between the service flap and the front apron should preferably be achieved in the closed position of the service flap. This results in the advantage that the entry of dirt and / or moisture through the maintenance flap into an area lying behind the front section of the apron during operation of the vehicle can be reduced or avoided. In this case, it can be provided that the sealing means is designed to be elastic at least in sections. In particular, it is conceivable in this context that the sealing means, when the service flap is in the closed position, is at least partially compressed or pressurized. In this way, on the one hand, a particularly good sealing effect can be achieved and, on the other hand, a clearance-free connection between the maintenance flap and the front apron can be achieved. Thus, disturbing noises caused by vibrations of the maintenance flap can be effectively reduced or avoided.Within the scope of the invention, it is optionally possible for the service flap and / or the front apron to be formed at least in sections from a plastic, in particular as an injection-molded part. This results in the advantage of particularly simple and cost-effective production. Preferably, at least one service flap and / or the front apron can be formed at least in sections from polypropylene, polyethylene and / or polyurethane. The service flap can also be formed at least in sections from a metallic material, in particular from aluminum or a fiber composite material, preferably from carbon.The above object is furthermore achieved by a vehicle according to the invention comprising at least one front fascia according to the invention, in particular a front fascia according to one of Claims 1 to 7. In particular, the use of a front apron according to the invention on a vehicle makes it possible for an area lying behind the front apron to be made accessible by at least one service flap in the front apron and thus an at least partial cleaning of this area can be carried out simply and effectively without a prior dismantling of the front apron from the vehicle.The above object is furthermore achieved by a method according to the invention for cleaning at least in sections a vehicle according to the invention, in particular a vehicle according to claim 6. It is provided that at least the following steps are carried out, in particular in the sequence indicated: a) passing an arm and / or a cleaning tool through at least one service opening of the front apron at least in sections into an area located behind the front section of the front apron, b) removing dirt from the area located behind the front section of the front apron, c) removing the arm and / or the cleaning tool from the area located behind the front section of the front apron and / or at least the service opening.It can be provided that the method is carried out successively and / or at least partially simultaneously with respect to at least two, preferably more than two, maintenance openings. It is furthermore conceivable for the cleaning tool to be a clamp or a gripper or a dust cleaner, in particular the suction pipe of a vacuum cleaner.It can also be provided within the scope of the invention that, within the scope of the method, additionally, in particular before step a), at least one of the following steps is carried out:releasing at least one connection between the service flap and the front apron,moving the maintenance flap from a closed position into an open position,establishing at least one, in particular at least positively locking, connection between the service flap and the front apron for locking the service flap in the open position.It can also be provided within the scope of the invention that, within the scope of the method, additionally, in particular after step c), at least one of the following steps is carried out:releasing at least one connection between the service flap and the front apron,moving the maintenance flap from an open position into a closed position,establishing at least one connection between the service flap and the front apron for locking the service flap in the closed position.Further advantages, features and details of the invention will become apparent from the following description, in which a plurality of exemplary embodiments of the invention are described in detail with reference to the drawings. The features mentioned in the claims and in the description can be essential to the invention individually or in any combination. This shows FIG. 1 shows a schematic side view of a vehicle according to the invention with a front apron according to the invention, FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view of a front apron according to the invention, FIG. 3 shows a schematic plan view of an underbody section of a front apron according to the invention, FIG. 4 shows a schematic sectional view of a front apron according to the invention, FIG. 5 shows a schematic sectional view of a front apron according to the invention, FIG. 6 shows a schematic plan view of an underbody section of a front apron according to the invention, FIG. 7 shows a schematic view of an underbody section of a front apron according to the invention, FIG. 8 shows a schematic view of an underbody section of a front apron according to the invention, FIG. 9 shows a schematic view of an underbody section of a front apron according to the invention, FIG. 10 shows a schematic view of an underbody section of a front apron according to the invention, and FIG. 11 shows a schematic view of a method according to the invention.FIG. 1 shows a schematic side view of a vehicle 50 according to the invention with a front fascia 1 according to the invention. the front fascia 1 is arranged in front of the vehicle 50 under the engine hood and comprises a front portion 1.1 and an underbody portion 1.2. In this case, the front section 1.1 forms the front 50.1 of the vehicle 50 at least in sections and is oriented at least in sections orthogonally or substantially orthogonally to the ground or the roadway. The underbody section 1.2, on the other hand, forms the underbody 50.2 of the vehicle 50 at least in sections and is oriented parallel or substantially parallel to the floor or the roadway at least in sections. The front section 1.1 of the front apron 1 is completely or substantially completely visible to an external observer of the vehicle 50 in a conventional use of the vehicle 50 in road traffic, while the underbody section 1.2 of the front apron 1 is not or substantially not visible.FIG. 2 shows a schematic perspective view of a front apron 1 according to the invention, wherein only the front section 1.1 and not the underbody section 1.2 of the front apron 1 is visible due to the perspective. The front apron 1 comprises in the present case three cooling air inlets 2 in the front section 1.1. In the central cooling air inlet 2, a coarse-mesh air inlet grid 2.1 is also arranged, which completely lines the cooling air inlet 2 or extends completely between the edges of the cooling air inlet 2. An illustration of an air inlet grid 2.1 in the case of the remaining cooling air inlets 2 has been omitted here. However, it can naturally be provided within the scope of the invention that these cooling air inlets 2 are likewise provided with an air inlet grille 2.1.FIG. 3 shows a schematic view of the underbody section 1.2 of the front fascia 1 shown in FIG. 2, the front fascia 1 comprises a maintenance opening 3 in the underbody section 1.2 of the front fascia 1 and a maintenance flap 4, wherein a cleaning region 5 lying behind the front section 1.1 of the front fascia 1 is accessible through the maintenance opening 3 and wherein the maintenance opening 3 can be closed or in the present case is closed by the maintenance flap 4. Thus, the maintenance opening 3 lies below the maintenance flap 4 with reference to FIG. 3 or is covered or closed by the latter in the present case. The maintenance flap 4 is thus located in a closed position II. By opening the maintenance flap 4, the dirt located in the cleaning region 5 located behind the front section 1.1 can be removed through the maintenance opening 3 in the underbody section 1.2 of the front apron 1 manually or with additional tools or devices (such as a vacuum cleaner). The dirt can thus be removed easily and efficiently without having to disassemble the front apron 1 in its entirety from the vehicle 50. Thus, safe operation of the vehicle 50 and an advantageous visual feel for a user of the vehicle 50 can be ensured. By arranging at least one maintenance opening 3 in the underbody section 1.2 of the front fascia 1, an optically advantageous overall impression of the front fascia 1 or of the vehicle 50 can be maintained for a user at the same time.FIG. 4 shows a schematic sectional view of a front apron 1 according to the invention according to FIGS. 1 and 2, respectively. The corresponding sectional plane is marked in FIG. 3 as plane A and extends with respect to an intended use of the front apron 1 on a vehicle 50 orthogonally to the ground or to the roadway and along a longitudinal extension of the vehicle 50, i.e. from the front apron 1 in the direction of the driver. In this case, it is initially only schematically shown that the service flap 4 is movably mounted on the front apron 1, so that the service flap 4 can be moved continuously between an open position I and a closed position II. With reference to FIG. 4, the movement of the service flap 4 is a pivoting movement about an axis of rotation oriented in the viewing direction with reference to FIG. 4, which thus extends in the horizontal direction along a transverse extension of the vehicle 50 with respect to an intended use of the front fascia 1 on a vehicle 50. The maintenance flap 4 is thus pivotably mounted on the front apron 1.FIG. 5 shows a different type of movable mounting of the maintenance flap 4 on the front apron 1 with respect to FIG. 4. The maintenance flap 4 is mounted translationally or displaceably on the front apron 1. The movement of the maintenance flap 4 from an open position I into a closed position II thus takes place by a translatory displacement of the maintenance flap 4 relative to the front fascia 1 along a linear translation axis, wherein in the present case the translation axis is aligned horizontally along or substantially along a longitudinal extension of the vehicle 50.In the open position I, the maintenance opening 3 is exposed by the maintenance flap 4. It can correspondingly pass through the maintenance opening 3 or a cleaning tool can be passed through it in order to remove dirt from the cleaning region 5 lying behind the front section 1.1 of the front apron 1. In the closed position II, on the other hand, the maintenance opening 3 is closed by the maintenance flap 4, so that during operation of the vehicle 50 no dirt and / or moisture can be introduced through the maintenance opening 3 into the cleaning region 5.FIG. 6 shows a schematic top view of an underbody section 1.2 of a front apron 1 according to the invention, wherein the front apron 1 comprises a plurality of maintenance openings 3 in the underbody section 1.2. This achieves the advantage that the accessibility to the cleaning region 5 for a user is thus improved overall.FIG. 7 schematically shows a part of an underbody section 1.2 of a front apron 1 according to the invention with a service opening 3 and a service flap 4, wherein the viewing direction corresponds to that of FIGS. 4 and 5. The maintenance flap 4 is connected in a positive-locking manner on one side of the maintenance flap 4 to the front apron 1 via a hinge 6. The hinge 6 is designed as a film hinge 6.1. Front apron 1 and maintenance flap 4 are therefore designed at least in sections in the same material or as a common injection molded part. The maintenance flap 4 thus forms an integral component of the front apron 1.The rotation or pivot axis of the maintenance flap 4 is oriented along the viewing direction with reference to FIG. 7. This corresponds to a horizontal or to an orientation parallel or substantially parallel to the ground or the roadway.The service flap 4 is mounted on the front apron 1 such that it can be pivoted via the film hinge 6.1, so that the service flap 4 can be pivoted from an open position I into a closed position II or vice versa and at the same time connected to the front apron 1 in a materially integral manner. During the movement of the maintenance flap 4 from the open position I into the closed position II or vice versa, the connection between the maintenance flap 4 and the front apron 1 thus remains at least partially maintained, in particular at least with respect to the hinge 6. This also applies to further embodiments of hinge connections listed below.On another side of the maintenance flap 4, the maintenance flap 4 is furthermore connected in a positively locking manner to the front apron 1 via a latching connection. For this purpose, a latching hook 8 is formed on the service flap 4, which can be brought at least in sections into a form-fitting connection with the front fascia 1 or the underbody section 1.2 of the front fascia 1 in a closed position II of the service flap 4. The latching connection is reversible, i.e. can be released and restored in a non-destructive manner by a user, for example in order to initially open the service flap 4, to carry out a cleaning process in the cleaning region 5 and then to close the service flap 4 again and to lock it on the front apron 1 in the closed position II.FIG. 8 schematically shows a part of an underbody section 1.2 of a front apron 1 according to the invention with a service opening 3 and a service flap 4, wherein the viewing direction corresponds to that of FIG. 7. The maintenance flap 4 is connected in a positive-locking manner on one side of the maintenance flap 4 to the front apron 1 via a hinge 6. The hinge 6 is designed as a rolled hinge 6.2. Front apron 1 and maintenance flap 4 are therefore connected to one another in a form-fitting manner at least in sections via hinge 6.The service flap 4 is mounted on the front apron 1 such that it can be pivoted via the rolled hinge 6.2, so that the service flap 4 can be pivoted from an open position I into a closed position II and at the same time is connected with the front apron 1 in a form-fitting manner.The rotation or pivot axis of the maintenance flap 4 is oriented along the viewing direction with reference to FIG. 8. This corresponds to a horizontal or to an orientation parallel or substantially parallel to the ground or the roadway.On another side of the maintenance flap 4, the maintenance flap 4 is furthermore connected in a positively locking and force-locking manner to the front apron 1 via a screw connection. For this purpose, a bore 9 is provided on the front apron 1 in the underbody section 1.2 in the region of the maintenance opening 3, which bore has an internal thread. Furthermore, the service flap 4 has a bore 9 designed as a through bore, which in the closed position II of the service flap 4 can be arranged at least partially overlapping the bore 9 in the front skirt 1, so that the screw 10 can be guided through the bore 9 in the service flap 4 into the bore 9 in the front skirt 1 and the screw connection can be produced.FIG. 9 schematically shows a part of an underbody section 1.2 of a front apron 1 according to the invention with a service opening 3 and a service flap 4, wherein the viewing direction corresponds to that of FIG. 8. The maintenance flap 4 is connected in a positive-locking manner on one side of the maintenance flap 4 to the front apron 1 via a hinge 6. The hinge 6 is designed as a rotary hinge 6.3.The service flap 4 is mounted on the front apron 1 such that it can be pivoted via the pivot hinge 6.3, so that the service flap 4 can be pivoted from an open position I into a closed position II. The rotary hinge 6.2 is formed in the present case by a rotationally symmetrical connecting means 11 which is designed as a rivet 11 and forms the axis of rotation of the rotary hinge 6.2. For this purpose, through-holes are provided in the front apron 1 and the maintenance flap 4 in order to be able to pass the connecting means through the front apron 1 or the maintenance flap 4. The rotation or pivot axis of the maintenance flap 4 is oriented orthogonally or substantially orthogonally to the viewing direction with reference to FIG. 8. This corresponds to a vertical or to an orientation orthogonal or substantially orthogonal to the ground or the roadway.The maintenance flap 4 is furthermore at least partially designed and prestressed as a leaf spring or a leaf spring element. The prestress is designed in such a way that the service flap 4 exerts a spring force on the front fascia 1 or the underbody section 1.2 of the front fascia 1 in the closed position II. This spring force fixes the service flap 4 reliably in the closed position II. To move the service flap 4, the latter can be loaded by a user with a counterforce directed counter to the prestressing force and moved or pivoted with respect to the front apron 1.Furthermore, a sealing means 7 is arranged on the maintenance flap 4, by means of which sealing means a sealing effect between the maintenance flap 4 and the front apron 1 is achieved at least in the closed position II of the maintenance flap 4. This results in the advantage that the entry of dirt and / or moisture through the service flap 4 into a region lying behind the front section 1.1 of the front apron 1 can be reduced or avoided during operation of the vehicle 50.FIG. 10 schematically shows a part of an underbody section 1.2 of a front apron 1 according to the invention with a service opening 3 and a service flap 4, wherein the viewing direction corresponds to that of FIG. 9. The maintenance flap 4 is mounted on the front apron 1 via two slotted guides 12 so as to be movable or displaceable and is connected thereto at least in sections in at least a form-fit manner. For this purpose, two connecting links 12 are formed on opposite sides of the maintenance opening 3 on the front fascia 1 or the underbody section 1.2 of the front fascia 1, and the maintenance flap 4 is formed in such a way that it can be brought at least in sections into a form-fitting connection with the connecting links 12. The form fit between the slide links 12 and the maintenance flap 4 is designed such that the maintenance flap 4 is displaceable in translation via the slide links 12 along only one linear translation axis relative to the front fascia 1. In this case, the translation axis is oriented along the viewing direction with respect to FIG. 9.FIG. 11 shows a schematic view of a method according to the invention, wherein the following steps are carried out, in particular in the sequence indicated: a) passing 110 of an arm and / or a cleaning tool at least in sections through at least one service opening 3 of the front apron 1 into an area located behind the front section 1.1 of the front apron 1, b) removing (120) dirt from the area located behind the front section 1.1 of the front apron 1, c) removing (130) the arm and / or the cleaning tool from the area located behind the front section 1.1 of the front apron 1 and / or at least the service opening 3.List of reference characters1 Front apron 1.1 Front section 1.2 Underbody section 2 Cooling air inlet 2.1 Air inlet grille 3 Maintenance opening 4 Maintenance flap 5 Cleaning region 6 Hinge 6.1 Film hinge 6.2 Rolled hinge 6.3 Rotary hinge 7 Sealing means 8 Latching hook 9 Bore 10 Screw 11 Connecting means / rivet 12 Link 50 Vehicle 50.1 Front 50.2 Underbody 100 Method 110 Lead-through 120 Removal 130 Removal I Open position II Closed position

Claims

Front apron (1) for a vehicle (50), comprising at least one cooling air inlet (2), in a front section (1.1) of the front apron (1), at least one maintenance opening (3), in an underbody section (1.2) of the front apron (1) and at least one maintenance flap (4), wherein a cleaning region (5) located behind the front section (1.1) of the front apron (1) is accessible via the maintenance opening (3), and wherein the maintenance opening (3) can be closed with the maintenance flap (4) at least in sections, the maintenance flap (4) being movably mounted on the front apron (1), wherein the maintenance flap (4) is movable relative to the front apron (1) between at least one open position (I) and a closed position (II), and wherein the maintenance flap (4) in the closed position (II) is at least partially reversibly connectable to the front apron (1) in order to at least temporarily lock the maintenance flap (4) in the closed position (II), wherein at least two or more than two, in particular a plurality, positions are provided along the circumference of at least one maintenance flap (4) and / or at least one maintenance opening (3), at which positions a connection between the front apron (1) and the maintenance flap (4) is producible at least in the closed position (II), in particular by a screw connection and / or clip connection and / or latching connection and / or via at least one hinge.Front apron (1) according to claim 1, characterised in that the maintenance flap (4) in the open position (I) can be brought at least in sections into a form-fit and / or force-fit and / or reversible connection with the front apron (1) in order to lock the maintenance flap (4) in the open position (I) at least temporarily.Front apron (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the maintenance flap (4) is movably mounted on the front apron (1) and / or is connected to the front apron (1) via at least one hinge (6), in particular a film hinge (6.1) or a rolled hinge (6.2) or a rotary hinge (6.3).Front apron (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one sealing means (7) for producing a sealing effect between the maintenance flap (4) and the front apron (1) is arranged on the maintenance flap (4) and / or the front apron (1).Front apron (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the maintenance flap (4) and / or the front apron (1) is formed at least in sections from a plastic, in particular as an injection-molded part.Vehicle (50) comprising at least one front apron (1) according to one of Claims 1 to 5.Method (100) for cleaning a vehicle (50) at least in sections according to claim 6, wherein at least the following steps are carried out, in particular in the sequence indicated: a) passing (110) an arm and / or cleaning tool at least in sections through a maintenance opening (3) of the front apron (1) into a cleaning area (5) located behind the front section (1.1) of the front apron (1), b) removing (120) dirt from the cleaning area (5) located behind the front section (1.1) of the front apron (1), c) removing (130) the arm and / or the cleaning tool from the cleaning area (5) located behind the front section (1.1) of the front apron (1) and / or the maintenance opening (3).Method (100) according to claim 7, characterised in that additionally, in particular before step a), at least one of the following steps is carried out: - releasing at least one connection between the service flap (4) and the front skirt (1), - moving the service flap (4) from a closed position (II) into an open position (I), - establishing at least one connection between the service flap (4) and the front skirt (1) for locking the service flap (4) in the open position (I).Method (100) according to one of claims 7 or 8, characterised in that, additionally, in particular after step c), the following step is carried out: - releasing at least one connection between the service flap (4) and the front skirt (1), - moving the service flap (4) from an open position (I) into a closed position (II), - establishing at least one connection between the service flap (4) and the front skirt (1) for locking the service flap (4) in the closed position (II).

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