Cover device for a vehicle floor with U-shaped fastening section

Abstract

The proposed solution relates to a covering device (A) for a slot (g) in a vehicle floor (B), along which a connecting element (H) for an interior component of a vehicle is displaceable, wherein - the covering device (H) comprises at least one covering unit (3A, 3B) with at least one covering element (32A, 32B) and - the at least one cover unit (3A, 3B) comprises a fastening section (30A, 30B) connected to the cover element (32A, 32B), which is provided for fastening the cover unit (3A, 3B) to a support element (2) of the vehicle floor (B) and relative to which the cover element (32A, 32B) is adjustable between the covering position and the adjustment position, The fastening section (30A, 30B) is U-shaped in cross-section with two opposing fastening legs (303A, 304A; 303B, 304B), wherein the fastening legs (303A, 304A; 303B, 304B) are each formed at least partially with a second material which has a higher strength than the first material, and are provided to receive a section (20A, 20B) of the support element (2) between them for fastening the cover unit (3A, 3B) to the support element (2).

Description

[0001] The proposed solution concerns a covering device for a slot in a vehicle floor.

[0002] A cover device for a vehicle is known, for example, from US 2007 / 0170743 A1. The cover device proposed therein comprises a cover unit made of a plastic material, from which, in particular, an elastically adjustable cover element of the cover unit is formed. A pair of opposing cover units and their cover elements close a slot in a vehicle floor through which a connecting element protrudes locally. In US 2007 / 0170743 A1, this connecting element serves to connect a vehicle seat to a rail arrangement arranged beneath the vehicle floor, over which the vehicle seat is movably mounted. The cover device is intended to ensure that no dirt, which could potentially impair the function of the rail arrangement, reaches the rail arrangement via the slot.Since the cover element is designed to be elastically adjustable at least in sections, the cover element can be displaced at least in sections from a covering position closing the slot by moving the connecting element along the slot and can automatically close the slot again in front of and behind the connecting element.

[0003] In the cover device known from US 2007 / 0170743 A1, a cover unit is a comparatively complex profile part that must be clamped with a fastening section between a bottom rail and a separate carrier plate.

[0004] Based on this, the proposed solution is therefore based on the object of providing a covering device in which a covering unit can be manufactured more cost-effectively and assembled more easily.

[0005] This object is achieved with a covering device of claim 1.

[0006] A proposed covering device for a slot in a vehicle floor, along which a connecting element for an interior component of a vehicle, for example a center console or a vehicle seat, is displaceable, comprises at least one covering unit with at least one covering element that is at least partially formed from a flexible material. The at least one covering element is further provided to at least partially close the slot in a covering position, in particular such that a space beneath the vehicle floor accessible via the slot is protected against contamination. At least one section of the covering element can be displaced from the covering position into an adjustment position under the action of the connecting element displaced along the slot.Furthermore, the at least one cover unit comprises a fastening section connected to the cover element, which is provided for fastening the cover unit to a support element of the vehicle floor and relative to which the cover element is adjustable, in particular elastically adjustable, between the covering position and the adjustment position. The fastening section of the proposed cover device is designed with two opposing fastening legs that are U-shaped in cross-section, wherein the fastening legs are each formed at least partially from a second material that has a higher strength than the first material. The fastening legs are provided to accommodate a section of the support element between them for fastening the cover unit to the support element.

[0007] A basic idea of the proposed solution is thus the design of the at least one cover unit of the cover device as a multi-component component, wherein a secure and reliable fastening of the cover unit to a carrier element on the vehicle floor is ensured via the fastening section with a U-shaped cross section and the stronger and possibly rigid second material, with comparatively simple assembly of the cover unit to the carrier element.

[0008] In one embodiment, the first material is an elastomer, while the second material contains a metal. The fastening legs then each comprise a metallic component, increasing the strength and thus the rigidity locally compared to the cover element.

[0009] For example, each fastening leg can have a leg of a cross-sectionally U-shaped insert of the fastening section, which is at least partially surrounded by the first material. In such an embodiment, the fastening section is therefore also formed from the first material, but an insert made of the second material is provided in the fastening section - for the targeted, local increase in rigidity that is advantageous for fastening to the support element - and is optionally partially or completely embedded in the first material. For example, a U-shaped insert is formed from a metallic material. In particular, an insert for a fastening leg can be formed by a profile part with a U-shaped cross-section, for example made of aluminum or another metallic material.

[0010] In one embodiment, at least one of the fastening legs has at least one securing element for a positive and / or non-positive connection to the section of the support element, securing the fastening section to the support element. One or more securing elements are thus provided on at least one of the fastening legs to secure the connection to the section of the support element when the cover device is mounted on the support element. For example, a corresponding securing element can be designed and provided for a hooking action on the section of the support element.

[0011] In a possible further development, the at least one securing element is designed to protrude toward the other fastening leg. In particular, the at least one securing element can be formed on one fastening leg.

[0012] In principle, with a view to simplifying assembly, it is advantageous in one design variant if the fastening section is designed and intended to be plugged onto the section of the support element. The U-shaped fastening section with its reinforced and stiffened fastening legs can thus, for example, be plugged onto a web-shaped section of the support element and secured thereto.

[0013] The fastening section can, for example, be configured and provided for attachment to the section of the support element along a mounting direction that runs perpendicular to a longitudinal direction of the slot. This includes both a design variant in which the mounting direction runs perpendicular to a spatial plane along which the slot extends, and a design variant in which the mounting direction runs parallel to the spatial plane along which the slot extends.

[0014] For example, the cover unit is designed as an elongated profile part. The cover unit can thus, for example, be configured and provided to at least partially close the slot with its individual cover element over the entire length or at least a large part of the entire length of the slot.

[0015] For example, the at least one cover element is articulated to the fastening section, so that under the action of the connecting element displaced along the slot, at least a section of the cover element can be adjusted, in particular pivoted, from the covering position into the adjustment position. This includes, in particular, a design variant in which the cover element is formed together with the fastening section and an articulated connection is provided via the material of the cover element and the fastening section and the formation of a transition between the cover element and the fastening section. As a result, the cover element can then be displaced, in particular elastically displaced, relative to the fastening section at least in sections - in particular in sections along a longitudinal extension direction of the slot.

[0016] The cover element can, for example, be wedge-shaped. This includes a design variant in which the cover element, in the covering position, is supported by a support section on an outer surface of a fastening leg or a base of the fastening section connecting the two fastening legs, and the cover element tapers in cross-section from this support section in a wedge shape. If two cover units with opposing cover elements are provided in the cover device, the tapered ends of the cover elements can abut one another, sealing the slot against dirt, and can each be supported on mutually facing outer surfaces of their associated fastening sections.Supporting the cover element on a fastening section prevents, in particular, the cover element from being displaced beyond the covering position into the slot, thus providing, for example, greater protection against stepping through. The support thus prevents, for example, a person stepping onto the vehicle floor from easily displacing the cover element into the slot.

[0017] A cover element with a wedge-shaped cross-section allows for a comparatively small contact area between the cover element and the connecting element when passing through the connecting element (when sliding it along the slot). This reduces friction between the cover element and the connecting element when the connecting element is to be guided along the slot, which is protected from contamination by the cover device.

[0018] In a possible further development, the cover element can be provided with a sliding coating in order to facilitate the displacement of the cover element by the connecting element when the connecting element is moved along the slot and then also along the cover element which partially rests against the connecting element.

[0019] In one embodiment, the at least one cover unit of the cover device comprises a support section for resting on a section of the vehicle floor bordering the slot. In particular, such a support section can be configured and provided for resting on a section of a carpet of the vehicle floor.

[0020] The support section can be connected to the fastening section and, in a cross-sectional view, extend away from the cover element. A more uniform transition between the cover element and the vehicle floor can be provided via the support section. If appropriate, when resting on a carpet of the vehicle floor, the support section can assist in holding the carpet down in the edge region towards the slot. In the case of a carpet, tolerance compensation can also take place via the support section, so that the carpet is always covered by the cover unit in the edge region. For example, the support section is also made from the first, flexible (possibly elastic) material and / or is designed in the shape of a tab.

[0021] Part of the proposed solution is also a floor assembly for a vehicle, with a variant of a proposed covering device and a support element to which the covering device is attached below a vehicle floor.

[0022] Such a support element can, for example, be part of a rail arrangement or be attached to a rail arrangement provided for the movable mounting of the interior component. Such a rail arrangement is then provided, for example, beneath the vehicle floor, so that the connecting element connected to the rail arrangement protrudes through the slot and protrudes from the vehicle floor.

[0023] The attached figures illustrate possible embodiments of the proposed solution.

[0024] Here we show: Fig. 1 shows a cross-sectional view of a floor assembly with an embodiment variant of a proposed cover device in a vehicle, wherein the cover device comprises two cover units plugged onto a carrier element in the form of a carrier plate with a fastening section that is U-shaped in cross section; Fig. 2 an enlarged section of the view of the Fig. 1 with a view of one of the cover units; Fig. 3 in with the Fig. 1 corresponding view of the cover device with cover elements in the form of sealing lips displaced upwards by a connecting element for an interior component; Fig. 4 a partial perspective view of the floor assembly of the Fig. 1 to 3; Fig. 5 a perspective view of the second embodiment of a floor assembly, in which cover units of the cover device are not attached perpendicular to the vehicle floor, but parallel thereto to one or more support elements; Fig. 6 a cross-sectional view of the cover device of the Fig. 5.

[0025] The Fig. 1 shows a cross-sectional view of a vehicle floor formed by a floor plate B and a carpet T arranged thereon. A rail arrangement is provided beneath the vehicle floor, which includes, among other things, a lower rail 1 fixed to the body. On the lower rail 1, a Fig. 1, the upper rail of the rail arrangement (not shown) is movably mounted in order to movably mount an interior component, such as a center console or a vehicle seat, above the vehicle floor. At least one connecting element in the form of a retaining bracket H is provided for connecting the interior component to the rail arrangement, and here in particular to the movable upper rail. This retaining bracket H extends through an elongated slot g in the vehicle floor and protrudes through it, so that the interior component can be connected to the retaining bracket H above the vehicle floor.

[0026] To prevent dirt from entering the gap g and simultaneously keep the retaining bracket H movable along the slot g, a cover device A is provided. The cover device A comprises a cover assembly 3 with two cover units 3A, 3B, each designed as elongated profile parts. These cover units 3A and 3B are arranged opposite one another transversely to a longitudinal direction L of the slot g (see FIG. Fig. 4). Each cover unit 3A, 3B has, among other things, a cover element in the form of a sealing lip 32A or 32B, which in this case has a wedge-shaped cross-section. The tapered ends of the sealing lips 32A, 32B are located in the Fig. 1. If the retaining bracket H is moved along the slot g, it can displace the sealing lips 32A, 32B upwards in sections from their respective covering positions in the area of the abutting sealing lips 32A, 32B. The sealing lips 32A, 32B are each pivotally connected to a fastening section 30A, 30B of an associated cover unit 3A or 3B. Under the action of the retaining bracket H moved along the slot g, the two sealing lips 32A, 32B can thus pivot upwards in sections from their respective covering positions and automatically close the slot g again in front of and behind the retaining bracket H.

[0027] The cover units 3A and 3B are each designed as multi-component components. In particular, the sealing lips 32A, 32B are each made entirely of an elastomer. Thus, upwardly pivoted sections of the sealing lips 32A, 32B can automatically fold back down into their covering position after passing the retaining bracket H. A support section 322A or 332B of a sealing lip 32A, 32B ensures that the respective sealing lip 32A, 32B only folds back down into its covering position. The sealing lip 32A, 32B is supported in its covering position on the respective fastening section 32A or 32B via the support section 322A or 332B. This also prevents the respective sealing lip 32A, 32B from folding downwards due to a load applied from above, for example by the foot of a vehicle occupant.The support thus provides comparatively high protection against penetration of the sealing lips 32A, 32B.

[0028] In order to facilitate both the assembly of the cover units 3A and 3B and their fixing, each fastening section 30A, 30B of a cover unit 3A or 3B has a U-shape in cross-section. In the assembled state of a cover unit 3A or 3B, a support web 20A, 20B of a support plate 2 is received between the fixing legs 303A, 304A or 303B, 304B of a respective fixing section 30A or 30B, which support web is connected to the body-mounted lower rail 1. The support webs 20A, 20B can in principle be part of a single support plate 2 or part of two support plates 2 each fixed to the lower rail 1. By way of example, the support plate 2 is in the embodiment variant of the Fig. 1 is fixed to a connecting section 10 of the lower rail 1 facing the vehicle floor, for example by one or more welded joints or by one or more adhesive joints. In particular, at least one first welded or adhesive joint can be provided on a surface of the connecting section 10 facing the floor plate B, and at least one second welded or adhesive joint can be provided on a lateral wall of the connecting section 10.

[0029] In the Fig. In the embodiment shown in Figure 1, the support webs 20A and 20B each protrude into the slot g, essentially perpendicular to an xy spatial plane along which the vehicle floor extends. The corresponding cover unit 3A, 3B, with the fastening section 30A, 30B with a U-shaped cross-section, is attached from above along an assembly direction -z to the support webs 20A, 20B, which thus protrude upwards but are located entirely within the slot g.

[0030] To support a stable connection between the respective cover unit 3A, 3B and an associated support web 20A, 20B, stiffening is provided on the fastening section 30A, 30B by a U-shaped insert 300A, 300B made of a metallic material, for example, aluminum. In the assembled state, the respective insert 300A, 300B extends along the longitudinal direction L of the slot g (parallel to the spatial direction x) and is embedded in the elastic material from which the sealing lips 32A and 32B are each made.

[0031] To fix a respective cover unit 3A, 3B to the associated support web 20A, 20B, a plurality of securing elements in the form of hooking elements 301A or 301B are formed on an outer fastening leg 303A or 303B of a fastening section 30A or 30B. These hooking elements 301A and 301B each protrude in the direction of the respective other fastening leg 304A or 304B and engage in the associated support web 20A or 20B when the respective cover unit 3A or 3B has been plugged onto the support sheet 2. The hooking elements 301A, 301B counteract the upward removal of the respective cover unit 3A, 3B (in the +z direction).A fastening section 30A, 30B with a U-shaped cross section, which is reinforced by a metallic and also U-shaped cross section, elongated insert 300A, 300B, thus encompasses the respective support web 20A or 20B and is secured thereto in a form-fitting and / or force-fitting manner via the hooking elements 301A, 301B.

[0032] As can be seen particularly from the enlarged view of the Fig. 2, for which a cover unit 3B is visible, the sealing lip 32B merges into the fastening section 30B via a pivoting section 321B in the region of a base connecting the two fastening sections 303B, 304B. In the region of this pivoting section 321B, the sealing lip 32B can be folded upwards relative to the fastening section 30B, which has a U-shaped cross-section, about a pivot axis parallel to the longitudinal direction L. The same applies to the opposite cover unit 3A.

[0033] Accordingly, under the effect of the retaining angle H displaced along the slot g, the sealing lip 32A and 32B folds upwards in accordance with the Fig. 3 possible. In particular, this Fig. 3 again shows that, due to the wedge-shaped geometry of the sealing lips 32A, 32B, a comparatively small contact area with the tapered ends of the sealing lips 32A and 32B, and thus a comparatively low friction, exists when the retaining bracket H is moved along the slot g. This supports the displacement and thus the partial upward folding of the sealing lips 32A and 32B. Additionally, a sliding coating can also be provided on the sealing lips 32A and 32B if necessary to further reduce friction.

[0034] As can be seen from the cross-sectional views of the Fig. 1, Fig. 2 and Fig. 3 and the perspective top view of the Fig. 4, each cover unit 3A, 3B of the cover assembly 3 of the cover device A also has an elongated and tab-shaped support section in the form of a support tab 31A, 31B extending laterally away from the slot g. The respective support tab 31A, 31B provides tolerance compensation to the edge of the carpet T adjacent to the slot g. In addition, the carpet T is held down in the area adjacent to the slot g by the support tab 31A, 31B, which is also made of the same material as the sealing lip 32A or 32B and - at least partially - the fastening section 30A or 30B.

[0035] In the version of the Fig. 5 and Fig. 6, the cover device A is also designed with a cover assembly 3 comprising two cover units 3A and 3B, whose cover units 3A and 3B are each designed as elongated profile parts. In contrast to the embodiment of the Fig. 1 to 4, however, the two cover units 3A and 3B are not pluggable along a mounting direction -z running perpendicular to the xy spatial plane to the support webs 20A, 20B of a support plate 2 fixed to the bottom rail. Rather, in the embodiment of the Fig. 5 and Fig. 6, the support webs 20A, 20B are designed to protrude toward one another within the slot g. A cover unit 3A or 3B is thus provided via the U-shaped fastening section 30A or 30B for installation parallel to the xy spatial plane. Thus, for example, when mounting the cover device A to the vehicle floor, one cover unit 3A is inserted onto the support web 20A along the spatial direction -y, while the other opposite cover unit 3B is inserted onto the support web 20B along the opposite mounting direction +y.

[0036] A covering device A of the Fig.1 to 4 or 5 to 6, with their cover units 3A and 3B, each designed as a multi-component component, are characterized by a small number of components, high functional integration, and extremely simple assembly, without compromising the sealing of a slot g in the floor against the ingress of dirt. At the same time, a retaining bracket H extending through the slot g can be moved along the slot g with only a slightly increased adjustment force. List of reference symbols 1 bottom rail 10 connecting section 2 support plate (support element) 20A, 20B support web 3 Cover assembly 300A, 300B insert 301A, 301B Back-hook element(s) 302A, 302B outer surface 303A, 303B 1. Mounting leg 304A, 304B 2. Mounting leg 30A, 30B mounting section 31A, 31B support tab (support section) 321B swivel section 322A, 322B support section 32A, 32B Sealing lip (cover element) 3A, 3B cover unit A cover device B base plate g slot H Bracket (connecting element) L Longitudinal direction T Carpet QUOTES CONTAINED IN THE DESCRIPTION

[0000] This list of documents submitted by the applicant was generated automatically and is included solely for the convenience of the reader. This list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions. Cited patent literature

[0000] US 2007 / 0170743 A1 [0002, 0003]

Claims

[1] Cover device for a slot (g) in a vehicle floor, along which a connecting element (H) for an interior component of a vehicle is displaceable, wherein - the covering device (A) comprises at least one covering unit (3A, 3B) with at least one covering element (32A, 32B) which is at least partially formed from a flexible material and which is intended to at least partially close the slot (g) in a covering position, and which can be displaced with at least one section from the covering position into an adjustment position under the action of the connecting element (H) displaced along the slot, and - the at least one cover unit (3A, 3B) comprises a fastening section (30A, 30B) connected to the cover element (32A, 32B), which is provided for fastening the cover unit (3A, 3B) to a support element (2) of the vehicle floor and relative to which the cover element (32A, 32B) is adjustable between the covering position and the adjustment position, characterized by in that the fastening section (30A, 30B) is U-shaped in cross-section with two fastening legs (303A, 304A; 303B, 304B) lying opposite one another, wherein the fastening legs (303A, 304A; 303B, 304B) are each formed at least partially with a second material which has a higher strength than the first material, and are provided to receive a section (20A, 20B) of the support element (2) between them for fastening the cover unit (3A, 3B) to the support element (2). [2] Cover device according to claim 1, characterized bythat the first material is an elastomer and the second material contains a metal. [3] Cover device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by that a fastening leg (303A, 304A; 303B, 304B) each has a leg of a cross-sectionally U-shaped insert (300A, 300B) of the fastening section (30A, 30B), which is at least partially surrounded by the first material. [4] Cover device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that at least one of the fastening legs (303A, 304A; 303B, 304B) has at least one securing element (301A, 301B) for a positive and / or non-positive connection to the section (20A, 20B) of the support element (2) securing the fastening section (30A, 30B) to the support element (2). [5] Cover device according to claim 4, characterized bythat the at least one securing element (301A, 301B) projects in the direction of the other fastening leg (304A, 303A; 304B, 303B). [6] Cover device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the fastening section (30A, 30B) is designed and provided for attachment to the section (20A, 20B) of the carrier element (2). [7] Cover device according to claim 6, characterized by that the fastening section (30A, 30B) is designed and provided for attachment to the section (20A, 20B) of the carrier element (2) along a mounting direction (-z; -y, y) which runs perpendicular to a longitudinal extension direction (L) of the slot (g). [8] Cover device according to claim 7, characterized by that the mounting direction (-z) is perpendicular to a spatial plane (xz-plane) along which the slot (g) extends. [9] Cover device according to claim 7, characterized bythat the mounting direction (-y, y) runs parallel to a spatial plane (xz-plane) along which the slot (g) extends. [10] Cover device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the cover unit (3A, 3B) is designed as an elongated profile part. [11] Cover device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the at least one cover element (32A, 32B) is articulated to the fastening section (30A, 30B) so that under the action of the connecting element (H) displaced along the slot (g), at least a section of the cover element (32A, 32B) can be pivoted from the covering position into the adjustment position. [12] Cover device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the cover element (32A, 32B) is wedge-shaped in cross section. [13] Cover device according to claim 12, characterized byin that the cover element (32A, 32B) is supported in its covering position with a support section (322A, 322B) on an outer surface (302A, 302B) of a fastening leg (303A, 303B) or a base of the fastening section (32A, 32B) connecting the two fastening legs (303A, 304A; 303B, 304B), and the cover element (32A, 32B) tapers in a wedge shape in cross section starting from the support section (322A, 322B). [14] Cover device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the cover unit (3A, 3B) comprises a support section (31A, 31B) for resting on a section of the vehicle floor bordering the slot (g), in particular for resting on a section of a carpet (T) of the vehicle floor. [15] Cover device according to claim 14, characterized bythat the support portion (31A, 31B) is connected to the fastening portion (30A, 30B) and extends away from the cover element (32A, 32B) in a cross-sectional view. [16] Cover device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the covering device (A) comprises two covering units (3A, 3B) with opposing covering elements (32A, 32B), the sections of which in the covering position jointly close the slot (g). [17] Floor assembly for a vehicle, comprising a covering device (A) according to one of the preceding claims and a support element (2) to which the covering device (A) is fastened below a vehicle floor. [18] Floor assembly according to claim 17, characterized by that the support element (2) is part of a rail arrangement or is fixed to a rail arrangement which is provided for the displaceable mounting of the interior component. [19] Floor assembly according to claim 17 or 18, characterized by that the carrier element (2) is connected to a rail (1) of the rail arrangement via one or more welded joints and / or via one or more adhesive joints.

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