Passenger cars with a front storage compartment

Abstract

The invention relates to a passenger car (10) with a front storage compartment (14) which is at least partially limited in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle forward by a wall (20), and with a sealing device (30) by means of which, in a closed position (S) of a front hood (28) of the passenger car (10), the storage compartment (14) can be sealed against the front hood (28), wherein at least one sealing part (34) of the sealing device (30) is held on a carrier (36) movable relative to the wall (20) and is thereby movable with the carrier (36) between a sealing position (D) for sealing the storage compartment (14) against the front hood (28) and at least one loading position (L), in which an end (E) of the sealing part (34) which points upwards in the vehicle direction at least in the sealing position (D) is arranged further downwards in the vehicle direction than in the sealing position (D).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a passenger car with a front storage space according to the preamble of claim 1.

[0002] Such a passenger car with a front-side storage compartment is already known, for example, from DE 10 2018 206 316 A1. The front-side storage compartment is at least partially delimited by a wall in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. A sealing device is provided by means of which the storage compartment can be sealed against the front hood when the front hood of the passenger car is in the closed position.

[0003] DE 10 2017 004 263 A1 discloses a motor vehicle with a front-mounted cargo space located beneath the vehicle's hood. The cargo space features a height-adjustable cargo liner. This is intended to improve loading and unloading. The cargo liner can be closed with a lid, making it completely sealed against environmental influences (dust, water).

[0004] The object of the present invention is to further develop a passenger car of the type mentioned at the outset in such a way that a particularly advantageous usability can be realized.

[0005] This object is achieved according to the invention by a passenger car having the features of claim 1. Advantageous embodiments with expedient further developments of the invention are the subject of the dependent claims.

[0006] In order to further develop a passenger car of the type mentioned at the outset in such a way that particularly advantageous usability can be realized, the invention provides that at least one sealing part of the sealing device is held on a support movable relative to the wall and is thus movable with the support between a sealing position for sealing the storage space against the front hood and at least one loading position. In particular, the support is movably held on the wall. In the loading position, an end of the sealing part pointing upwards in the vertical direction of the passenger car is arranged further down in the vertical direction of the vehicle than in the sealing position.As a result, for example, a person in the vicinity of the passenger car can, when the front hood is in its open position and the sealing part is in its loading position, move objects into the storage space and thus arrange them in the storage space and remove objects from the storage space without the person or the objects touching the sealing part and thereby, for example, being able to damage it. The invention thus makes it possible to protect the sealing part when the front storage space is being loaded and unloaded. In particular, the sealing part can be protected from damage, so that an advantageous sealing function of the sealing part and thus of the sealing device with regard to sealing the storage space against the front hood can be realized even over a long service life of the passenger car.The invention is based in particular on the following findings and considerations: Tall passenger vehicles, such as off-road vehicles or city SUVs, generally have a so-called passive front hood, designed, for example, as an engine hood. Therefore, a space arranged below the front hood in the closed position of the front hood in the vehicle's vertical direction must be passively created in order to realize advantageous deformability of the front hood downwards in the vehicle's vertical direction and, as a result, advantageous pedestrian protection. In other words, this can ensure that the front hood deforms downwards in the vehicle's vertical direction if, for example, an object or a person impacts on or against the front hood, particularly in the event of an accident.As a result, however, walls directly bordering the storage space, such as the aforementioned wall, cannot be raised particularly high toward the front hood (also known simply as the hood), or cannot be positioned very close to the front hood when viewed vertically. However, it is desirable to design the front storage space (also known as the frunk) to be dust- and watertight when the front hood is closed, in order to be able to store items safely in the front storage space.In order to seal the front storage space against the front hood when the hood is closed. As previously described, the side walls are generally spaced a considerable distance apart from the hood in the vertical direction of the vehicle when the hood is closed. The sealing device would have to be very high in the vertical direction of the vehicle so that the sealing device can rest against the side walls on the one hand and against the hood on the other hand when the hood is closed. This allows the front storage space to be advantageously sealed when the hood is closed.However, tall passenger vehicles such as off-road vehicles or city SUVs, also known as SUVs, have a very high loading sill formed by the sealing device, over which objects must be moved in order to remove them from the front storage space or to arrange them in the front storage space. As a result, when loading and unloading the front storage space, collisions could occur between the sealing device and the objects being moved into or removed from the storage space. This could damage the sealing device, so that its sealing function could be impaired or the sealing device might even have to be replaced. The aforementioned problems and disadvantages can now be avoided by the invention.Since the sealing part, and thus the aforementioned end of the sealing part, is arranged further down in the loading position in the vertical direction of the vehicle than in the sealing position, at least part of a loading edge, over which objects must be moved in order to move the objects into or remove them from the storage space, can advantageously be designed to be low in the vertical direction of the vehicle, so that, on the one hand, the storage space can be loaded and unloaded particularly conveniently. On the other hand, undesirable collisions between objects being moved into or removed from the storage space and the sealing device can be avoided, so that excessive or excessively rapid wear of the sealing device can be avoided.

[0007] A further finding underlying the invention is that it can be advantageous to use a cover for the front storage space provided in addition to the front hood. The front hood is movable, in particular pivotable, between the closed position and the open position relative to a structure of the passenger car, which is designed, for example, as a self-supporting body. At least in the open position of the front hood, the cover can be moved relative to the front hood and relative to the structure between a second open position and a second closed position. In particular, the front hood can be moved, for example, between the closed position and the open position of the front hood relative to the structure, relative to the wall and relative to the cover, while the cover remains in the second closed position.For example, the cover can be moved, in particular pivoted, relative to the body and relative to the wall between the second closed position and the second open position, while the front hood remains in its open position. This makes it possible, for example, to open the front hood while the cover remains closed. In the closed position of the front hood and in the second closed position of the cover, the front storage space and the cover are at least predominantly covered, and thus at least more than half or completely covered, by the front hood in the vertical direction of the vehicle. In the open position of the front hood, the front hood releases the cover and the storage space in such a way that the cover can be moved from its second closed position into its second open position relative to the wall and relative to the body.In the second closed position, the storage space is at least predominantly, in particular completely, covered and thus closed by the cover in the vertical direction of the vehicle, and in the second open position, the cover at least partially exposes the storage space in the vertical direction of the vehicle, so that in the open positions, objects from the surroundings of the passenger car can be moved into the storage space and thus arranged in and out of the storage space. In the closed positions, the cover is thus arranged between the storage space and the front hood. It can be seen that the cover can thus be an additional front hood provided in addition to the front hood. In the second closed position of the additional front hood (cover), for example, the sealing device rests, in particular directly, on the cover, whereby the storage space is sealed off, in particular against the cover.This can, for example, prevent the sealing device from resting directly against the front hood when it is in the closed position to seal off the storage space. As a result, for example, when the front hood and cover are closed, an advantageously large space can be created which is arranged below the front hood and, for example, above the cover in the closed positions of the front hood and cover. This can, for example, advantageously deform downwards in the vertical direction of the vehicle if an object or a person impacts the front hood, thereby providing advantageous pedestrian protection. In addition, the front hood itself can be advantageously designed to provide particularly good pedestrian protection.However, the use of the additional front hood (cover) provided in addition to the front hood leads to a high number of parts, high weight and high costs. This can now also be avoided by the invention since, for example, in the closed position of the front hood, an advantageously large distance running in the vertical direction of the vehicle can be realized between the wall and the front hood. The sealing device then has, for example, a large height running in the vertical direction of the vehicle in order to advantageously seal the storage space when the front hood is in the closed position. The previously described additional cover can be avoided and a large space can be created below the front hood in the vertical direction of the vehicle when the front hood is in the closed position, so that advantageous deformability of the front hood, particularly downwards in the vertical direction of the vehicle, can be ensured.Furthermore, advantageous usability of the passenger vehicle can be achieved because at least the sealing part of the sealing device with the support can be adjusted relative to the wall between the sealed position and the loading position. Thus, in the sealed position, at least part of the aforementioned loading edge is advantageously arranged far down as viewed in the vertical direction of the vehicle, so that objects can be easily and conveniently moved into and removed from the storage space without undesirable collisions occurring between these objects and the sealing device or the sealing part. Furthermore, advantageous sealing of the storage space can be ensured in the closed position of the bonnet and in the sealed position of the sealing part.

[0008] Further advantages, features, and details of the invention will become apparent from the following description of some preferred embodiments and from the drawings. These show: Fig. 1 shows a partial schematic and sectional side view of a first embodiment of a passenger car with a front storage space; Fig. 2 shows a further schematic and sectional side view of the first embodiment; Fig. 3 shows a partial schematic and sectional side view of a second embodiment of the passenger car; Fig. 4 shows a further schematic and sectional side view of the second embodiment; and Fig. 5 shows a partial schematic and sectional side view of a third embodiment of the passenger car.

[0009] In the figures, identical or functionally identical elements are provided with the same reference symbols.

[0010] Fig. 1 shows a detail in a schematic and sectional side view of a passenger car 10, at the front 12 of which a storage space 14, also referred to as a cargo space, is arranged. Since the storage space 14 is arranged at the front 12 and thus in a front region of the passenger car 10, the storage space 14 is also referred to as a front-side storage space, front cargo space, front-side cargo space or frunk. The storage space 14 itself, that is to say viewed on its own, has an opening 16 through which objects to be transported can be moved from an environment 18 of the passenger car 10 into the storage space 14 and thus arranged in the storage space 14. In addition, objects initially arranged in the storage space 14 can be moved out of the storage space 14 via the opening 16 and thus moved into or onto the environment 18, and thus removed from the storage space 14.

[0011] Out of Fig. 1 shows that the storage space 14 in the longitudinal direction of the passenger car 10, also referred to simply as the vehicle, is at least partially directly delimited to the front by a wall 20, which in this case is designed as a solid and inherently rigid body. The wall 20 is a wall of a loading space element 22. The loading space element 22 also has an inherently rigid floor 24, which in this case is designed as a solid body, by which the storage space 14 is delimited downwards, in particular completely, in particular directly, in the vertical direction of the passenger car 10. The loading space element 22 also has an inherently rigid rear wall 26, which in this case is designed as a solid body and by which the storage space 14 is at least partially and directly delimited to the rear in the longitudinal direction of the passenger car 10.Furthermore, the loading space element 22 has side walls (not visible in the figures) by which the storage space 14 is delimited, for example, in the transverse direction of the passenger car 10, on both sides and in each case directly and in each case at least partially.

[0012] The passenger car 10, whose interior, also referred to as passenger cell or passenger compartment or cabin, is formed by a body of the passenger car 10, for example, designed as a self-supporting body of the passenger car 10, also has a front hood 28, also referred to simply as a hood, which is movable, in particular pivotable, between a closed position S and at least one open position relative to the body and relative to the loading space element 22 and thus relative to the wall 20. The front hood 28 is also referred to as a front flap and can be designed, for example, as a hood. The front hood 28 is between the Fig. 1, the storage space 14 is movable, in particular pivotable, between the closed position S shown in FIG. 1, which covers the opening 16 upwards, in particular completely, in the vertical direction of the passenger car 10 and thus closes it, and the at least one open position which exposes at least a partial area of ​​the opening 16. It can be seen that the storage space 14 is a volume that is delimited by the loading space element 22 and is thereby, in particular directly, limited.

[0013] The passenger car 10 has a sealing device 30, which is designed, for example, separately from the load compartment element 22 and separately from the front hood 28. By means of the sealing device 30, the storage space 14 can be sealed or is sealed against the front hood 28 in the closed position S of the front hood 28. For this purpose, the sealing device 30 can be supported or is supported, on the one hand, at least indirectly, in particular directly, on the load compartment element 22 and, on the other hand, in particular directly, on the front hood 28 which is in the closed position S. It can be seen that the front hood 28 has an underside U which, in the closed position S, points downwards in the vertical direction of the vehicle and faces the storage space 14, against which underside the sealing device 30 rests, in particular directly, in the closed position S.Preferably, the sealing device 30 is designed such that it extends in the circumferential direction of the storage space 14 and the opening 16 completely around the opening 16, in particular around an edge region R of the loading space element 22 that delimits the opening 16, in particular directly.

[0014] Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 shows a first embodiment of the passenger car 10. In the first embodiment, the sealing device 30 has at least or exactly two sealing parts, namely a first sealing part 32 and a second sealing part 34. The respective sealing part 32, 34 is formed, for example, from an elastically deformable material, in particular from rubber. In order to be able to realize a particularly advantageous usability of the passenger car 10, the sealing part 34 is held on a support 36, also referred to as a platform or designed as a platform, which, as illustrated by a double arrow 38, is movable relative to the wall 20 in the vertical direction of the vehicle.Thus, the sealing part 34 and the support 36 are translationally movable in the vertical direction of the vehicle relative to the wall 20, in particular relative to the loading space element 22, which is also referred to as the storage space element, in such a way that the sealing part 34 is arranged in the vertical direction of the vehicle relative to the wall 20 with the support 36 between a . Fig. 1 shown sealing position D and one in Fig. 2 is translationally movable. The sealing part 34 has an end E which points upwards in the sealing position D and in the present case also in the loading position L in the vertical direction of the vehicle, so that the sealing part 34 in the sealing position D and in the present case also in the loading position L ends upwards in the vertical direction of the passenger car 10 at the end E. It can be seen that the end E in the sealing position D and in the closed position S rests, in particular directly, on the front hood 28, in particular on the underside U, whereby the storage space 14 can be sealed or is sealed. In the loading position L, however, the end E is arranged further down in the vertical direction of the vehicle than in the sealing position D.As a result, at least a portion of a loading sill, over which objects must be moved in order to move the objects into or out of the storage space 14, can advantageously be located far down in the loading position L and viewed in the vertical direction of the vehicle, so that objects that are to be moved into or out of the storage space 14 can be moved over this advantageously low portion of the loading sill. This prevents unwanted collisions between these objects and a portion of the loading sill, and also prevents collisions between these objects and the sealing part 34 or the sealing device 30 as a whole.

[0015] Out of Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 that, in the first embodiment, the passenger car 10 has a receiving space 40, which is also referred to as a chamber or is designed as a chamber. In the loading position L, at least a partial region of the sealing part 34 is arranged in the receiving space 40. In the sealing position D, at least the aforementioned partial region of the sealing part 34 is arranged outside the receiving space 40 and, in the vertical direction of the vehicle, above the receiving space 40. Thus, the sealing part 34 can be advantageously protected in the loading position L, in particular from collisions with objects that are moved into or out of the storage space 14.

[0016] It can also be seen that in the first embodiment, a spring 42, which in this case is designed as a solid body and thus as a mechanical spring, is arranged in the receiving space 40 and is to be tensioned or is tensioned when the sealing part 34 is moved from the sealing position D into the loading position L. In the present case, the spring 42 is compressed and thereby tensioned when the sealing part 34 is moved from the sealing position D into the loading position L and thus into the receiving space 40. Thus, in the loading position L, the spring 42 provides a spring force by means of which, for example, the sealing part 34 can be moved upwards in the vertical direction of the vehicle and thus from the loading position L into the sealing position D. In addition, the spring force can, for example, hold the sealing part 34 in, in particular direct, support contact with the underside U when the front hood 28 is in the closed position S.This ensures advantageous sealing of the storage space 14.

[0017] For example, a person can press the sealing part 34 downwards, particularly when the front hood 28 is open, and thereby move it from the sealing position D into the loading position L. For example, a locking device (not visible in the figures) is provided, by means of which, for example, the sealing part 34 can be locked or is locked in the loading position L, particularly against the spring force. After unloading or loading the storage space 14, the locking device can be unlocked, for example, whereupon the locking device allows the sealing part 34 to move from the loading position L into the sealing position D. Thus, the sealing part 34 can be moved from the loading position L into the sealing position D by means of the spring force. In particular, the aforementioned person can, for example, move the sealing part 34 back from the loading position L into the sealing position D after loading and unloading.

[0018] Fig. 3 and Fig. 4 show a second embodiment of the passenger car 10. In the second embodiment, the carrier 36 and the sealing part 34 are pivotable about a pivot axis SA relative to the wall 20, so that the sealing part 34 is pivotable about the pivot axis SA relative to the wall 20 between the loading position L and the sealing position D. In Fig. 3, an arrow 44 illustrates a pivoting of the sealing part 34 from the sealing position D into the loading position L. For example, in the longitudinal direction of the passenger car 10, a recess 46 formed as a depression adjoins the storage space 14 towards the front, which is delimited, for example, by the loading space element 22. In the loading position L, the sealing part 34 and the carrier 36 are each at least partially arranged in the recess 46. This advantageously prevents unwanted collisions between objects being moved into or removed from the storage space 14 and the sealing part 34.

[0019] In the second embodiment, the support 36 is a further wall, which will be explained below. In the second embodiment, the wall 20 is, for example, a first end wall, and the second support 36 is, for example, a second end wall. In this case, a first partial area TB1 of the storage space 14 is delimited in the vehicle longitudinal direction towards the front, in particular directly, by the wall 20, thus by the first end wall. In the sealed position D, a second partial area TB2 of the storage space 14, which adjoins the first partial area TB1 upwards in the vehicle longitudinal direction, in particular directly, is delimited in the vehicle longitudinal direction towards the front, in particular directly, by the second end wall, thus by the support 36. As can be seen from Fig. 3 is that in the sealing position D the second end wall is arranged flush with the first end wall and adjoins the first end wall upwards in the vertical direction of the vehicle. For example, the pivot axis SA is defined by a joint or a hinge, by means of which the support 36 is pivotally held on the wall 20. As can be seen particularly clearly from the arrow 44, the support 36 and thus the sealing part 34 can be pivoted forwards in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle from the sealing position D into the loading position L relative to the wall 20. For example, the recess 46 is let into a front, horizontal wall of the loading space element 22.

[0020] For example, a Fig. 3 and Fig. 4, a spring element (not shown) is provided which can be tensioned, for example, by moving the sealing part 34 from the sealing position D into the loading position L and thereby provides a spring force by means of which the sealing part 34 and the carrier 36 can be pivoted from the loading position L into the sealing position D. In the first embodiment and in the second embodiment, the sealing part 34 is a front sealing part which adjoins at least a part of the storage space 14 towards the front in the vehicle's longitudinal direction. The previous and following statements regarding the sealing part 34 can also be easily applied to any other sealing parts which adjoin at least a respective part of the storage space 14 towards the rear, for example in the vehicle's transverse direction and / or longitudinal direction.In the second embodiment, for example, each time a person attempts to push objects over the sealing part 34, the sealing part 34 can be pivoted in a loading direction in which a force acts on the sealing part 34 when the respective object comes into contact with the sealing part 34. This advantageously protects the sealing part 34 from damage.

[0021] Finally, Fig.5 shows a third embodiment of the passenger car 10. In the third embodiment, the loading space element 22 has at least or exactly two loading space parts, namely a first loading space part 48 and a second loading space part 50. The loading space part 48 has, for example, the floor 24 and the wall 20 and, for example, at least a respective part of the side walls and a first part of the rear wall 26. The loading space part 50 has, for example, a second part of the rear wall 26, a respective second part of the respective side wall and the support 36, which, for example, in the third embodiment too is designed or functions as the second end wall at least in the sealing position D. It can be seen that the second loading space part 50 and thus the support 36 and the sealing part 34 are translationally movable in the vertical direction of the vehicle relative to the loading space part 48, which is illustrated by double arrows 52.In the third embodiment, for example, the entire sealing device 30 is held on the loading space part 50 and is thus translationally movable with the loading space part 50 in the vertical direction of the vehicle relative to the loading space part 48. In this case, the sealing device 30 is designed as a single piece, i.e., formed from a single piece. Thus, for example, in the third embodiment, the sealing parts 32 and 34 are designed as a single piece, i.e., formed from a single piece. Therefore, the sealing parts 32 and 34 can be moved together and, in particular, simultaneously between the loading position L and the sealing position D relative to the wall 20, in this case, translationally moved.

[0022] A receptacle 54 is provided, formed for example by the loading space part 48. In the loading position L, at least a first partial region of the loading space part 50 is arranged in the receptacle 54. Furthermore, it is conceivable that, for example, in the loading position L, at least a second partial region of the sealing device 30 and thus of the sealing parts 32 and 34 is arranged in the receptacle 54. In the sealing position D, the first partial region and preferably also the second partial region are arranged outside the receptacle 54 and, in the vertical direction of the vehicle, above the receptacle 54. A spring device 56 is also provided, which has at least one spring element. For example, the spring device 56 is arranged in the receptacle 54. By moving the sealing parts 32 and 34 and thus the loading space part 50 from the sealing position D into the loading position L, the spring device 56 is tensioned, which thereby provides a spring force.By means of the spring force, for example, the loading space part 50 and the sealing device 30 and the sealing parts 32 and 34 can be moved, in this case translationally, from the loading position L into the sealing position D relative to the wall 20.

[0023] If, for example, an object or a person, such as a pedestrian, impacts the front hood 28 in the closed position S, so that an accident-related force acts on the front hood 28, particularly from top to bottom in the vertical direction of the vehicle, the sealing device 30 and the load compartment part 50 can avoid this force and move downwards in the vertical direction of the vehicle relative to the load compartment part 48. Excessive resistance opposing this impact can thus be avoided, whereby particularly high pedestrian protection can be provided. In addition, the sealing device 30 can be held in advantageous support with the front hood 28, for example by means of the spring force, whereby the storage space 14 can be sealed particularly advantageously.

Claims

[1] Passenger car (10) with a front-side storage space (14) which is at least partially delimited by a wall (20) in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, and with a sealing device (30) by means of which the storage space (14) can be sealed against the front hood (14) in a closed position (S) of a front hood (28) of the passenger car (10), characterized by that at least one sealing part (34) of the sealing device (30) is held on a support (36) which is movable relative to the wall (20) and is thereby movable with the support (36) between a sealing position (D) for sealing the storage space (14) against the front hood (28) and at least one loading position (L), in which an end (E) of the sealing part (34) which points upwards in the vertical direction of the vehicle at least in the sealing position (D) is arranged further down in the vertical direction of the vehicle than in the sealing position (D). [2] Passenger car (10) according to claim 1, characterized bythat the carrier (36) and the sealing part (34) are translationally movable relative to the wall (20). [3] Passenger car (10) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by that the carrier (36) and the sealing part (34) are pivotable relative to the wall (20). [4] Passenger car (10) according to claim 3, characterized by that the carrier (36) and the sealing part (34) can be pivoted forwards in the vehicle longitudinal direction relative to the wall (20) from the sealing position (D) into the loading position (L). [5] Passenger car (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by in that a first partial area (TB1) of the storage space (20) is delimited to the front in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle by the wall (20), wherein in the sealed position (D) a second partial area (TB2) of the storage space (14) adjoining the first partial area (TB1) upwards in the vertical direction of the vehicle is delimited to the front in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. [6] Passenger car (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that in the sealing position (D) at least a partial area of the carrier (36) is arranged flush with the wall (20) and adjoins the wall (20) upwards in the vertical direction of the vehicle.

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