Floor covering of a motor vehicle

Abstract

The invention relates to a floor covering (1) for a floor panel (2) of a vehicle (3), wherein the floor covering (1) comprises an insulating layer (5) for bearing on the floor panel (2), which consists of an insulating material, and a carpet layer (6) which rests on the insulating layer (5) in a thickness direction (7) of the floor covering (1) and is thus firmly connected to it, and which consists of a carpet material. The floor covering (1) has at least one floor flap (8) which is formed with a section of the insulating layer (5) and with a section of the carpet layer (6) and which is adjustably arranged on the floor covering (1) by means of a connecting area (9), so that the floor flap (8) can be pivoted about a pivot axis (10) located in the carpet layer (6) between an open position, in which it exposes a floor opening (11) penetrating the floor covering (1), and a closed position, in which it closes the floor opening (11). To improve accessibility of the bottom opening, the connecting area (9) is designed in a web-like shape, connects to the bottom flap (8) transversely to the thickness direction (7) and forms the pivot axis (10) transversely to the thickness direction (7) spaced away from the bottom flap (8).

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a floor covering for a floor panel of a vehicle according to the preamble of claim 1. The invention also relates to a vehicle equipped with such a floor covering.

[0002] In a vehicle, the passenger compartment is defined at the bottom by a floor panel. A carpet-like floor covering is usually laid on the floor panel. Functional components may be located on or in the floor panel, and these must be accessible through the floor covering. To enable such accessibility, the floor covering may be provided with a floor opening in the area of ​​the respective functional component, through which the functional component can be accessed. However, for aesthetic reasons, it may be desirable to conceal such a floor opening. For this purpose, the floor covering may be provided with a floor flap to close the opening.

[0003] A generic floor covering is known from JP H11 129830 A, wherein the floor covering has an insulating layer for resting on the floor panel, which consists of an insulating material, wherein the floor covering has a carpet layer which rests on the insulating layer in a thickness direction of the floor covering, is firmly connected thereto and consists of a carpet material, wherein the floor covering has at least one floor flap which is formed with a section of the insulating layer and with a section of the carpet layer and which is adjustably arranged on the floor covering with a connecting region, so that the floor flap can be pivoted about a pivot axis located in the carpet layer between an open position, in which it releases a floor opening penetrating the floor covering, and a closed position, in which it closes the floor opening, wherein the connecting region is designed in the shape of a web,connects to the floor flap perpendicular to the thickness direction and forms the pivot axis perpendicular to the thickness direction, spaced from the floor flap. In the known floor covering, the web-shaped connecting area is formed exclusively by a section of the carpet layer.

[0004] Vehicles are known from CN 209 022 807 U and KR 102 105 893 B1 in which a floor flap is located in the floor covering, equipped with a flap frame. The floor covering consists of a layer of carpet material.

[0005] JP S57 21387 U discloses a motor scooter in which a floor flap is incorporated into the footboard, which closes off a battery compartment. A floor covering covering the footboard is cut out in the area of ​​the floor flap, allowing the floor flap to be opened with the section of floor covering resting on it.

[0006] Other vehicles with flaps on the floor are known from JP 2016-055823 A and WO 2019 / 116560 A1.

[0007] The previously mentioned known floor flaps are comparatively large and are each located in an area of ​​the floor covering that is essentially uninsulated. In a floor flap formed by a layer of carpet material, the carpet material is elastically deformed in the area of ​​a pivot axis around which the floor flap pivots when opening and closing. In the open position of the floor flap, the elastic deformation of the carpet material creates a restoring force that automatically drives the floor flap into the closed position. If the floor flap has an additional component that increases its weight, an increased weight force can also drive the floor flap into its closed position when the floor flap is open.If a functional component on or in the floor panel needs to be accessible during assembly at a time when the floor covering has already been applied to the floor panel, the installation process will be compromised by automatically closing floor flaps. Such a requirement may exist, for example, in a battery-electric vehicle, where an underbody battery is attached to the underbody using screw points located on or in the floor panel and thus must be accessible from above.

[0008] In series production of such vehicles, the floor covering is installed before the underfloor battery, so access to the screw connection points must be ensured through the floor covering. Furthermore, in the current solutions, the floor flap is located directly at the edge of the floor opening when open, which can impair accessibility to the floor opening or the respective functional component.

[0009] The present invention addresses the problem of providing an improved or at least a different embodiment for a floor covering of the type described above or for a vehicle equipped therewith, which is characterized in particular in that the accessibility to the floor opening is improved and / or the tendency for the opened floor flap to close automatically is reduced.

[0010] This problem is solved according to the invention by the subject matter of the independent claims. Advantageous embodiments are the subject matter of the dependent claims.

[0011] The invention is based on a floor covering that has an insulating layer made of insulating material and a carpet layer made of carpet material. The insulating layer forms an underside of the floor covering, which rests on the floor panel of the vehicle when the floor covering is installed in the vehicle, while the carpet layer forms an upper side of the floor covering, which faces the passenger compartment when the floor covering is installed in the vehicle. The insulating layer and the carpet layer are arranged one above the other and next to each other in a thickness direction of the floor covering. The insulating material is different from the carpet material. The insulating material is, for example, a foamed plastic. The carpet material can be, for example, a textile product, such as velour. In this two-ply or two-layer floor covering, at least one floor flap is formed, which has a section of the insulating layer and a section of the carpet layer.The floor flap is adjustably arranged on the remaining floor covering adjacent to the floor flap with the aid of a connecting area. The floor flap can be pivoted between an open position and a closed position about a pivot axis located in the carpet layer. In the open position, the floor flap exposes a floor opening penetrating the floor covering, which it closes in the closed position. When the floor covering is mounted on the vehicle, the respective functional component, such as a screw connection point, can be accessed through the floor opening when the floor flap is open. To improve accessibility of the floor opening and in particular to reduce the tendency of the open floor flap to close automatically, the connecting area is designed in a web-shaped manner so that the connecting area adjoins the floor flap transversely to the thickness direction of the floor covering.The connecting area is also configured to form the pivot axis at a distance from the base opening perpendicular to the thickness direction. The web-shaped connecting area extending perpendicular to the thickness direction thus creates a significant distance between the base flap and the pivot axis. In the open position, the base flap is thus positioned relatively far from the base opening, improving accessibility to the base opening.

[0012] According to a first solution according to the invention, the connecting region is also formed with a section of the insulation layer and with a section of the carpet layer. This particularly simplifies an integral construction for the floor flap and the connecting region. Furthermore, this first solution according to the invention provides that the insulation layer of the connecting region is shaped such that, when the floor flap is in the open position, the insulation layer of the connecting region rests on the carpet layer of the floor covering adjacent to the connecting region and secures the floor flap in the open position. In other words, the shape of the insulation layer is deliberately selected such that, when the floor flap is in the open position, the insulation layer can be supported on the carpet layer of the floor covering adjacent to the connecting region. This support automatically holds the floor flap in the open position.This measure is particularly important for series production of the vehicle when the respective functional component, such as a screw connection point, must still be accessible after the floor covering has been installed. Once the floor opening no longer needs to be accessible, the floor flap can be easily closed. The insulation material and carpet material are sufficiently elastic to elastically deform the form-fitting areas that secure the floor flap in the open position when appropriate closing pressure is applied, thus closing the floor flap.

[0013] According to an advantageous development, a distance of the pivot axis from the floor opening, measured perpendicular to the thickness direction, can be selected to be at least as large as the thickness of the insulation layer in the connection area, measured in the thickness direction. This measure results in the insulation layer in the connection area being able to be completely moved out of the opening cross-section that can be closed by the floor flap when the floor flap is open. In particular, the insulation layer in the connection area then no longer forms an obstacle that impairs the accessibility of a functional component through the floor opening.

[0014] In another embodiment, it can be provided that the carpet layer of the floor flap merges undivided or in one piece into the carpet layer of the connecting area. The insulation layer of the floor flap can also merge in one piece or in one piece into the insulation layer of the connecting area. In this respect, the carpet layer and the insulation layer at the floor flap and at the connecting area are configured continuously or in the same material or are made from a single piece. The carpet layer of the connecting area can now merge in the area of ​​the pivot axis in one piece or in one piece into the carpet layer of the floor covering adjacent to the floor opening. Accordingly, the floor covering, including the floor flap and the connecting area, is manufactured from a single piece, i.e., continuously or in the same material.The insulation layer of the connecting area can now be separated from the insulation layer of the floor covering adjacent to the floor opening, for example, by means of a gap, recess, or indentation. This eliminates the need for deformation of the insulation layer below the pivot axis for pivoting the floor flap around the pivot axis. The elastic deformations required for opening and closing the floor flap then occur exclusively in the carpet layer.

[0015] The floor flap and the connecting area can be conveniently formed in the floor covering by cutting them free. In other words, the floor flap and the connecting area are cut free after the floor covering has been produced with a continuous, continuous carpet layer. The cutting is carried out in such a way that the floor flap and the connecting area remain connected to the rest of the floor covering in the area of ​​the pivot axis.

[0016] A shape suitable for this securing function can basically be designed as desired. Preferably, however, it can be provided that the insulation layer in the connecting area has two side walls that are spaced apart from one another and run transversely to the pivot axis and are inclined to a normal plane running perpendicular to the pivot axis. The inclination is such that the insulation layer of the connecting area in the area of ​​these side walls rests on the carpet layer of the floor covering adjacent to the connecting area when the floor flap is in the open position and secures the floor flap in the open position. For example, the side walls can converge from the pivot axis towards the floor flap and / or diverge from the pivot axis towards an underside of the insulation layer facing away from the carpet layer. With converging side walls, their distance from one another decreases in the specified direction.For diverging side walls, their distance from each other increases in the specified direction. The angle of inclination of the respective side wall relative to the normal plane can be at least 10°, preferably at least 15°, with the angle of inclination expediently being limited to a maximum of 45°, preferably a maximum of 30°.

[0017] According to a second solution according to the invention, the floor flap is enclosed at the edges by a flap frame which is fastened to the floor flap and which has locking elements which, in the closed position of the floor flap, interact with counter-locking elements which are formed in or on an edge region of the floor covering surrounding the floor opening. The flap frame can thus be used to secure the closed position of the floor flap. Furthermore, the flap frame forms an aesthetically pleasing border for the floor flap. The flap frame can have a protruding collar which, in the closed position of the floor flap, rests on the carpet layer in the edge region, whereby a gap between the floor flap and the floor opening is covered by the flap frame or its collar in the closed position.

[0018] The locking elements that lock the flap frame to the edge area are designed to be relatively easy to release, allowing the bottom flap to be opened and closed multiple times. This can be achieved, for example, by ensuring the locking elements are sufficiently elastic. To permanently secure the flap frame to the bottom flap, any fastening method can be used, such as bonding or welding. A locking connection is preferred here, but this is designed to be significantly more rigid and, in particular, does not need to be removable.

[0019] Another advantageous embodiment proposes that the floor covering and the floor flap be recessed in the area of ​​the flap frame, i.e., form a depression. As a result, the flap frame can be recessed in the floor covering. In particular, the flap frame can be arranged with its upper side facing away from the insulation layer flush with the upper sides of the floor flap and the floor covering adjacent to the floor opening, both of which face away from the insulation layer. The recessed arrangement of the flap frame achieves an aesthetically pleasing integration of the entire floor flap into the floor covering. Furthermore, the recessed arrangement avoids any disruptive contours on the floor covering.

[0020] A vehicle according to the invention, which is preferably a passenger car, has a floor panel that defines a passenger compartment at the bottom and is equipped with a floor covering of the type described above. The floor panel has a functional component, such as a screw connection point, in the region of the respective floor opening, which is accessible when the floor flap is open. In particular, the vehicle can be a battery-electric vehicle that has an underfloor battery that is attached to the underbody of the vehicle by means of several screw connections, wherein these screw connections are accessible from the passenger compartment, namely each through a floor opening in the floor covering.

[0021] Further important features and advantages of the invention emerge from the subclaims, from the drawings and from the associated description of the figures based on the drawings.

[0022] It is understood that the features mentioned above and those to be explained below can be used not only in the respective combinations specified, but also in other combinations or on their own, without departing from the scope of the invention. Components mentioned above and those to be mentioned below of a higher-level unit, such as a device, a device, or an arrangement, which are designated separately, may form separate parts or components of this unit or be integral areas or sections of this unit, even if this is shown differently in the drawings.

[0023] Preferred embodiments of the invention are illustrated in the drawings and are explained in more detail in the following description, wherein the same reference numerals refer to the same or similar or functionally identical components.

[0024] They show, schematically, Fig. 1 an isometric sectional view through a floor covering in the area of ​​a floor flap, Fig. 2 an isometric view of the floor covering with the floor flap open, Fig. 3 a view as in Fig. 2, but from a different perspective, Fig. 4 a highly simplified plan view of the floor covering with the floor flap closed, Fig. 5 a simplified sectional view according to a section line V in Fig. 4, Fig. 6 a plan view as in Fig. 4, but in a different embodiment, Fig. 7 a sectional view according to section line VII in Fig. 6, Fig. 8 an enlarged detail VIII from Fig. 1, Fig. 9 a view from below of a flap frame.

[0025] Fig. 1 shows a section of a floor covering 1, which, in the assembled state, rests on a floor panel 2 of a vehicle 3 (not shown). The floor panel 2 defines a passenger compartment 4 on the vehicle 3 at the bottom. The floor covering 1 is placed on an upper side of the floor panel 2 facing the passenger compartment 4. The floor covering 1 is expediently glued to the floor panel 2.

[0026] The floor covering 1 has an insulating layer 5 made of an insulating material, which is intended to rest on the floor panel 2. The floor covering 1 also has a carpet layer 6 made of a carpet material, which rests on the insulating layer 5 in a thickness direction 7 of the floor covering 1 and is firmly connected thereto. The carpet layer 6 and the insulating layer 5 can expediently be glued to one another. It is also conceivable for the insulating layer 5 to be foamed onto the carpet layer 6. The floor covering 1 or its insulating layer 5 can be glued to the floor panel 2. The insulating layer 5 has a thickness in the thickness direction 7 that is at least twice and preferably at least four times greater than the thickness of the carpet layer 6.

[0027] The floor covering 1 has at least one floor flap 8, which is arranged between a Fig. 1 and 4 to 8 shown closed position and one in the Fig. 2 and Fig. 3 shown open position. It is clear that the floor covering 1 can have several such floor flaps 8. The respective floor flap 8 is formed with a section of the insulation layer 5 and with a section of the carpet layer 6. The floor flap 8 is adjustably arranged on the floor covering 1 adjacent to the floor flap 8 with the aid of a connecting area 9. The connecting area 9 defines a pivot axis 10 about which the floor flap 8 can be pivoted between the open position and the closed position. This pivot axis 10 lies in the carpet layer 6 and is realized by elastic deformation of the carpet material. In the open position, the floor flap 8 releases a floor opening 11 which completely penetrates the floor covering 1 and through which, for example, a functional component 12 arranged on or in the floor panel 2 is accessible. In the example of the Fig. In Figure 1, the functional component 12 is indicated by a hole in the base plate 2 and can, for example, represent a screw connection point. In the closed position, the base flap 8 closes the base opening 11.

[0028] The connecting area 9 adjoins the floor flap 8 transversely, i.e., perpendicular to the thickness direction 7, and is designed in the shape of a web or rather as a web. The web-shaped connecting area 9 forms the pivot axis 10 at its end remote from the floor flap 8, i.e., transversely to the thickness direction 7, spaced from the floor opening 11 or from the floor flap 8. The connecting area 9 is also formed with a section of the insulation layer 5 and with a section of the carpet layer 6. In the example shown, the connecting area 9 is designed such that a distance 13 of the pivot axis 10 from the floor flap 8, measured perpendicular to the thickness direction 7, is at least as large as, and preferably greater than, a thickness 14 of the insulation layer 5 in the connecting area 9, measured in the thickness direction 7.

[0029] The carpet layer 6 of the floor flap 8 merges continuously into the carpet layer 6 of the connecting area 9. The insulation layer 5 of the floor flap 8 merges continuously into the insulation layer 5 of the connecting area 9. The carpet layer 6 of the connecting area 9 merges continuously into the carpet layer 6 of the floor covering 1 adjacent to the floor opening 11 in the area of ​​the pivot axis 10. In contrast, the insulation layer 5 of the connecting area 9 is separated from the insulation layer 5 of the floor covering 1 adjacent to the floor opening 11. In the example of the Fig. 1, this separation is effected by a recess 15 which extends substantially over the entire thickness 14 of the insulating layer 5.

[0030] The floor flap 8 and the connecting area 9 can be formed in the floor covering 1 particularly easily by cutting them free. A cutting line begins in the area of ​​the pivot axis 10, follows the connecting area 9, then runs along the connecting flap 8 and then again follows the contour of the connecting area 9 and ends in the area of ​​the pivot axis 10. In the area of ​​the pivot axis 10, the cut-free unit consisting of the floor flap 8 and the connecting area 9 remains connected to the remaining floor covering 1 at least via the carpet layer 6.

[0031] As explained below, particularly with reference to the Fig. 2 to 7, the insulation layer 5 in the connecting area 9 can be shaped such that the insulation layer 5 in the connecting area 9 rests on the carpet layer 6 of the floor covering 1 adjacent to the connecting area 9 in the open position of the floor flap 8 and thus holds the floor flap 8 in its open position in a form-fitting manner. Fig. 2 and Fig. 3 shows how the insulation layer 5 is supported in a support area 16 on the carpet layer 6. The position of the support area 16 is shown in Fig. 1 indicates the closed position.

[0032] The insulation layer 5 can be applied in the connection area 9 according to the Fig. 4 to 7 have two spaced-apart side walls 17 which extend transversely to the pivot axis 10. In the Fig. 4 to 7, a normal plane 18 is shown, which runs perpendicular to the pivot axis 10 and is perpendicular to the drawing plane. The side walls 17 are inclined relative to this normal plane 18. Fig. 4 and Fig. 5 show a different orientation of the inclination than the Fig. 6 and Fig. 7. In the Fig. 4 and Fig. 5, the inclination between the side walls 17 and the normal plane 18 occurs in a plane in which the thickness direction 7 lies. In the example of Fig. 6 and Fig. 7, the inclination between the side walls 17 and the normal plane 18 occurs in a plane in which the floor covering 1 extends or which runs perpendicular to the thickness direction 7. It is clear that these two basic variants can also be combined with each other in any way, so that the side walls 17 are inclined relative to the normal plane 18 both in the thickness direction 7 and transversely thereto.

[0033] Due to the inclination of the side walls 17 relative to the normal plane 18, the support areas 16 are formed on the underside of the insulation layer 5 facing away from the carpet layer 6, which, when the floor flap 8 is open, allow support on the carpet layer 6 and thus secure the open position. In the example of the Fig. 4 and Fig. 5, the side walls 17 diverge in a direction oriented from the pivot axis 10 to the underside of the insulation layer 5. In the example of Fig. 6 and Fig. 7, the side walls 17 converge in a direction oriented from the pivot axis 10 towards the bottom flap 8.

[0034] According to the Fig. 1 to 4, 8 and 9, the bottom flap 8 can be enclosed by a flap frame 19 at the edge. The flap frame 19 is fastened to the bottom flap 8, for example by means of a permanent latch 20, which can be realized, for example, by means of comparatively stiff and widely overlapping latching elements 21. Furthermore, several latching elements 22 are formed on the flap frame 19, which are configured comparatively elastically and can interact with complementary counter-latching elements 23. These counter-latching elements 23 are according to Fig. 8 is formed in or on an edge region 24 of the floor covering 1, which surrounds the floor opening 11. With the aid of these locking elements 22, which can be designed as locking hooks, and the associated counter-locking elements 23, which can be designed as locking openings, a releasable locking mechanism 25 for the floor flap 8 in its closed position can be realized.

[0035] According to the Fig. 1 and Fig. 8, the floor covering 1 and the floor flap 8 can form a recess 26 matching the flap frame 19, in which the flap frame 19 is recessed in the closed position of the floor flap 8. The recess 26 is expediently matched to the flap frame 19 in such a way that the flap frame 19 runs flush with an upper side of the floor covering 1 in the closed position of the floor flap 8. The flap frame 19 can have a collar 27 projecting laterally beyond the floor flap 8, which collar 27 is particularly suitable in the Fig. 2 and Fig.3 is clearly visible. This collar 27 rests on the carpet layer 6 of the edge region 24 in the closed position of the floor flap 8, whereby a gap 28 is completely covered which forms between the floor flap 8 and the edge region 24 when the floor flap 8 is closed.

Claims

[1] Floor covering (1) for a floor panel (2) of a vehicle (3), - wherein the floor covering (1) has an insulating layer (5) for resting on the floor panel (2), which consists of an insulating material, - wherein the floor covering (1) has a carpet layer (6) which rests on the insulation layer (5) in a thickness direction (7) of the floor covering (1), is firmly connected thereto and consists of a carpet material, - wherein the floor covering (1) has at least one floor flap (8) which is formed with a section of the insulation layer (5) and with a section of the carpet layer (6) and which is adjustably arranged on the floor covering (1) with a connecting region (9), so that the floor flap (8) can be pivoted about a pivot axis (10) located in the carpet layer (6) between an open position, in which it releases a floor opening (11) penetrating the floor covering (1), and a closed position, in which it closes the floor opening (11), - wherein the connecting region (9) is web-shaped, adjoins the bottom flap (8) transversely to the thickness direction (7) and forms the pivot axis (10) transversely to the thickness direction (7) spaced from the bottom flap (8), characterized by , - that the connecting area (9) is formed with a section of the insulation layer (5) and with a section of the carpet layer (6), - that the insulating layer (5) of the connecting area (9) is shaped such that the insulating layer (5) of the connecting area (9) rests on the carpet layer (6) of the floor covering (1) adjacent to the connecting area (9) in the open position of the floor flap (8) and secures the floor flap (8) in the open position. [2] Floor covering (1) according to claim 1, characterized by , - that a distance (13) of the pivot axis (10) from the bottom flap (8) measured perpendicular to the thickness direction (7) is at least as large as a thickness (14) of the insulation layer (5) in the connection area (9) measured in the thickness direction (7). [3] Floor covering (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by , - that the carpet layer (6) of the floor flap (8) merges undivided and / or in one piece into the carpet layer (6) of the connecting area (9), - that the insulation layer (5) of the bottom flap (8) merges undivided and / or in one piece into the insulation layer (5) of the connecting area (9), - that the carpet layer (6) of the connecting area (9) in the area of ​​the pivot axis (10) merges undivided and / or in one piece into the carpet layer (6) of the floor covering (1) adjacent to the floor opening (11), - that the insulation layer (5) of the connecting area (9) is separated from the insulation layer (5) of the floor covering (1) adjacent to the floor opening (11). [4] Floor covering (1) according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized by , - that the floor flap (8) and the connecting area (9) in the floor covering (1) are formed by free cutting. [5] Floor covering (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by , - that the insulating layer (5) in the connecting region (9) has two side walls (17) which are spaced apart from one another and extend transversely to the pivot axis (10) and are inclined to a normal plane (18) extending perpendicular to the pivot axis (10). [6] Floor covering (1) according to the preamble of claim 1, characterized by , - that the floor flap (8) is enclosed at the edge by a flap frame (19) which is fastened to the floor flap (8) and which has locking elements (22) which, in the closed position of the floor flap (8), interact with counter-locking elements (23) which are formed in or on an edge region (24) of the floor covering (1) which encloses the floor opening (11). [7] Floor covering (1) according to claim 6, characterized by , - that the floor covering (1) and the floor flap (8) are recessed in the area of ​​the flap frame (19), so that the flap frame (19) is arranged with its upper side facing away from the insulation layer (5) flush with the upper sides of the floor flap (8) facing away from the insulation layer (5) and of the floor covering (1) adjacent to the floor opening (11). [8] Vehicle (3), in particular passenger car, - with a floor panel (2) which defines a passenger compartment (4) at the bottom, - with a floor covering (1) according to one of the preceding claims, - wherein the base plate (2) has a functional component (12), such as a screw connection point, in the region of the respective base opening (11), which is accessible when the base flap (8) is open.

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