Motor vehicle equipped with a pedestrian protection device

Abstract

Motor vehicle with a motor vehicle body (13) which has several vehicle pillars (18), wherein at least one vehicle pillar (18) is covered by a trim element (19), and a pedestrian protection device (80) which has an unfolding mechanism (35, 55, 81) for moving the trim element (19) between a retracted inactive state and an extended active state, wherein the trim element can be moved between the inactive state and the active state by means of an unfolding mechanism with at least one lever element.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a motor vehicle with a motor vehicle body which has several vehicle pillars, wherein at least one vehicle pillar is covered by a trim element, and a pedestrian protection device which has an unfolding mechanism for moving the trim element between a retracted inactive state and an extended active state.

[0002] In a frontal collision between a motor vehicle and a pedestrian, the pedestrian's body is known to be thrown over or onto the hood of the vehicle and impacts the windshield area. Although even the impact of a pedestrian on the windshield can cause significant injuries, the A-pillars of the vehicle, which, along with the B-pillars, C-pillars, and D-pillars, form the vehicle's pillars, are considered the most dangerous parts of the windshield area. The A-pillars form part of the structure of a motor vehicle body and extend upwards and backwards from the area of ​​the rear corners of the hood along the respective side edges of the windshield.The A-pillars, along with other components, contribute to the stability of the vehicle body and are therefore relatively rigid in order to support both the windshield and the roof during normal driving and also in a rollover accident. These structural requirements for the A-pillars make it difficult to design them in such a way as to absorb sufficient impact energy from a pedestrian to prevent serious injury.

[0003] One known way to reduce the risk of injury to a person in the event of a pedestrian impact with the A-pillar is to install a pedestrian airbag at the A-pillar. This airbag inflates in front of the A-pillar when vehicle sensors detect an impending or ongoing collision with a pedestrian. The airbag then covers the A-pillar, thus reducing the risk of injury to the pedestrian.

[0004] A disadvantage of such pedestrian airbags is that they require a relatively large installation space. This is because the initially folded and / or rolled airbag pack is quite large, and the gas generator required to inflate the airbag is also large due to the volume of gas needed for sufficient inflation. Both of these factors complicate the integration of conventional pedestrian airbags. Mounting a pedestrian airbag module within the A-pillar necessitates a larger A-pillar, thus restricting the driver's view. Furthermore, such pedestrian airbags are designed for single use only and must be completely replaced afterward, regardless of whether an impact with the pedestrian protection device actually occurred.

[0005] An alternative embodiment of a pedestrian protection device known from the prior art is that the pedestrian protection device has a cover element, i.e., an exterior component, which covers the vehicle pillar, wherein the cover element is adjustable between a retracted and an extended position. In the active state of the pedestrian protection device, the cover element is extended. In the inactive state of the pedestrian protection device, the cover element is retracted. For adjusting the cover element, the pedestrian protection device has an deployment mechanism, which is designed such that the cover element and / or the component of the deployment mechanism cushion and / or dampen the impact of a pedestrian. Such an embodiment is disclosed, for example, in DE 10 2020 124 824 A1.

[0006] From DE 10 2004 058 991 A1, a retractable air guide element, in particular a wind deflector, is known which can be adjusted between a retracted and an extended position by means of an adjustment unit with a double-action unit and an actuator. From DE 10 2011 115 205 A1, a retractable air guide element is also known which has an adjustment device with a linear actuator and an adjustment element designed as a leaf spring.

[0007] CH 462 411 A and DE 34 39 293 A1 each disclose a jack with a scissor mechanism which has two double-strike units.

[0008] DE 101 16 716 A1 discloses a hinge device for an adjustable front hood, which has a first lever element rotatably mounted on a support structure about an axis of rotation and a second lever element rotatably mounted on the support structure, wherein the lever elements are rotatably connected to each other in such a way that, in the event of a translational movement of the second lever element caused by an actuator, the lever elements move relative to each other.

[0009] JP 2006 - 282 105 A discloses a pedestrian protection system of a motor vehicle, wherein the pedestrian protection system is designed such that when a front hood is adjusted, an element of a vehicle column is also moved, wherein an adjustment unit for adjusting the element of the vehicle column is operatively connected to an adjustment unit for adjusting the front hood via a cable.

[0010] DE 10 2004 037 317 A1 discloses a pedestrian protection device for a motor vehicle, wherein a structural component is provided for adjusting the compliance of an external vehicle component, for example, the hood or a fender. The compliance is adjustable by allowing the structural component, or a support component, to be moved between an active and an inactive state. For this purpose, the structural component has two links connected by a hinge, wherein an actuator engages in the hinge between the links and is designed to move the structural component between a bent and an unbent state.

[0011] The object of the invention is to provide an alternative pedestrian protection device which offers a pedestrian sufficient protection in the event of an impact on the pillars of a motor vehicle and is simple, space-saving and reversible.

[0012] The problem is solved by the features of claim 1.

[0013] The unfolding mechanism comprises at least one lever element rotatably mounted on a support structure about an axis of rotation, which is connected to the cladding element and is operatively connected to an adjusting element that can be displaced translationally by an actuator, wherein the adjusting element has a chamfered working surface which interacts with the lever element in such a way that, during a translational movement of the adjusting element, the lever element slides on the chamfered working surface of the adjusting element in such a way that the lever element rotates about the axis of rotation and the cladding element shifts between the retracted inactive state and the extended active state.

[0014] The adjusting element has a plane inclined relative to the adjustment direction due to its chamfered working surface. In the retracted, inactive state, the lever element is aligned in the direction of the adjustment direction, while in the extended, active state, it is aligned parallel to the chamfered working surface. Specifically, in the inactive position, the lever element rests against the inclined working surface of the adjusting element with a chamfered counter-working surface at one end. This counter-working surface forms the same angle with the direction of adjustment as the working surface of the adjusting element. In the active position, the lever element rests against the working surface of the adjusting element with one side surface, such that the lever element is rotated about the axis of rotation by the angle of the working surface.To adjust the pedestrian protection device between the active and inactive states, only the adjustment element needs to be moved translationally, whereby the lever element automatically aligns itself accordingly due to the inclined effective surface of the adjustment element.

[0015] In its inactive state, the pedestrian protection device is positioned on the vehicle pillar in such a way that it is not visible to a person viewing the vehicle. Upon impact with the vehicle, i.e., upon detection of an impending impact, the pedestrian protection device is activated. The deployment mechanism then moves the guard element so that it is spaced away from the vehicle pillar and is capable of absorbing and / or dampening a pedestrian's impact.

[0016] This design of the pedestrian protection device allows the extension of the cladding element to be reliably triggered by a simple translational movement of the adjusting element, enabling a simple and space-saving design of the pedestrian protection device. Furthermore, this design allows the pedestrian protection device to be reversible, enabling it to be easily switched between active and inactive states multiple times. In particular, the pedestrian protection device can be moved to the active state when a pedestrian is at risk of colliding with the vehicle pillar.If no impact occurred in the area of ​​the vehicle pillar, or only a minor impact occurred, and the pedestrian protection device is undamaged, the pedestrian protection device can be reset to the inactive state so that it is available for the next use.

[0017] Preferably, the lever element is rotatably connected at one end to the cladding element and at one end to the adjusting element, with the lever element being rotatably mounted between the two ends about the axis of rotation. This gives the lever element a rocker-like design, whereby the forces required for adjusting the cladding element by the actuator and the forces absorbed by the actuator due to the impact on the cladding element can be adjusted by means of the distances between the axis of rotation and the two ends, the distances of which can be specifically selected.

[0018] In a preferred embodiment, the actuator comprises an electric motor and a threaded spindle unit, the latter being interposed between the electric motor and the adjusting element. This allows for a space-saving actuator, as the threaded spindle unit converts the rotary motion of the electric motor into a translational motion of the adjusting element. Specifically, a stator of the electric motor is attached to the support structure, and the rotor is rotationally fixed to a spindle nut of the threaded spindle unit, which is operatively connected to a threaded spindle connected to the adjusting element. When the rotor, and thus the spindle nut, rotates, the threaded spindle, and consequently the adjusting element, moves translationally.

[0019] Preferably, the threaded spindle unit is connected to the adjusting element via a ball joint, which allows tolerances to be compensated for. The adjusting element is preferably guided on the support structure in the adjustment direction.

[0020] In a preferred embodiment, the unfolding mechanism comprises two lever elements, each rotatably mounted on the support structure about an axis of rotation, which are connected to the cladding element. At least one of the two lever elements is operatively connected to an adjusting element that can be translationally displaced by an actuator. The lever elements are additionally mounted on the cladding element in such a way as to be translationally displaceable. The translational displacement of the lever elements relative to the cladding element is necessary to compensate for the change in length caused by the adjustment of the lever elements. Such a mounting of the lever elements on the cladding element can be achieved, for example, by means of an elongated hole formed in the cladding element through which a bolt attached to the lever element is inserted.Preferably, both lever elements are operatively connected to each of an adjusting element that can be translationally displaced by the actuator.

[0021] The problem is also solved by the features of claim 7.

[0022] According to claim 7, the unfolding mechanism comprises at least one double-strike unit, which has two lever elements rotatably connected to each other, wherein a first lever element is rotatably connected to the cover element and a second lever element is rotatably connected to a support structure, wherein an adjusting element, which can be translationally displaced by the actuator, is connected to the lever elements at the rotatable connection between the two lever elements, such that during a translational movement of the adjusting element, the lever elements displace relative to each other in such a way that the cover element shifts between the retracted inactive state and the extended active state. The translational displacement of the adjusting element shifts the pivot point, or...The pivot point between the two lever elements changes the angle defined by them, thereby altering the distance between the two attachment points of the two-piece mechanism to the trim panel and the support structure. This change in distance allows the trim panel to be moved between its retracted, inactive state and its extended, active state. A spring element biases the two-piece mechanism in the extension direction, pushing it out of its retracted, neutral position.

[0023] The pedestrian protection device according to claim 7 can also be designed in such a way that a simple translational movement of the adjusting element can reliably cause the extension of the cladding element, whereby the pedestrian protection device can be designed to be simple, space-saving and reversible.

[0024] Preferably, the actuator comprises an electric motor and a threaded spindle unit, the threaded spindle unit being interposed between the electric motor and the adjusting element. This allows for a space-saving actuator, with the threaded spindle unit converting the rotary motion of the electric motor into a translational motion of the adjusting element. In particular, a stator of the electric motor is attached to the support structure, and the rotor is rotationally fixed to a threaded spindle, which is operatively connected to a spindle nut connected to the adjusting element. When the rotor, and thus the threaded spindle, rotates, the spindle nut, and consequently the adjusting element and the pivot point between the two lever elements, shift translationally.

[0025] Preferably, the deployment mechanism comprises two identical double-strike units, which are preferably connected by a common threaded spindle unit. This allows both double-strike units to be simultaneously switched between the active and inactive states by actuating the actuator, enabling the pedestrian protection device to withstand higher loads and to be designed in a space-saving manner.

[0026] In a preferred embodiment, an additional threaded spindle unit is provided, which has a thread pitch opposite to and higher than that of the threaded spindle unit. The additional threaded spindle unit is connected to the actuator and acts on the two-stroke unit such that the two-stroke unit is loaded in the extension direction. The additional threaded spindle unit has a threaded spindle that can be driven by the actuator and a spindle nut that interacts with the threaded spindle. The spindle nut has engagement projections through which the additional threaded spindle unit acts on the two-stroke unit.

[0027] Preferably, the additional threaded spindle unit is integrated into the threaded spindle unit, using a single threaded spindle which has two sections with different pitches, with the spindle nut of the threaded spindle unit and the additional threaded spindle unit being arranged on the different sections.

[0028] The auxiliary threaded spindle unit allows the two-stroke unit to be loaded, particularly during the initial phase of the adjustment movement, from the retracted position towards the extended position. Due to its higher thread pitch, the auxiliary threaded spindle unit provides a greater feed rate than the main threaded spindle unit, thus pushing the two-stroke unit out of the retracted position. Once the spindle nut of the auxiliary threaded spindle unit has reached a defined translational distance, the thread ends, and the threaded spindle can rotate freely without any further pitch, thereby also ending the load exerted by the auxiliary threaded spindle unit on the two-stroke unit.

[0029] Preferably, the axis of rotation around which the second lever element is rotatably mounted on the support structure is oriented at an angle to the axis of rotation around which the first lever element is rotatably mounted on the trim element, such that the trim element additionally tilts when adjusted between the inactive and active states. In this way, the trim element, when extended into the active state, can be tilted and moved towards the windshield, thereby covering the transition between the windshield and the vehicle pillar, in particular the A-pillar.

[0030] The problem is also solved by the features of claim 11.

[0031] According to claim 12, the unfolding mechanism comprises a first lever element rotatably mounted about an axis of rotation on a support structure and a second lever element rotatably and translationally displaceable on the support structure, wherein the lever elements are rotatably connected to one another such that, upon a translational movement of the second lever element caused by an actuator, the lever elements displace relative to each other such that the first lever element rotates about the axis of rotation and the cover element shifts between the retracted inactive state and the extended active state. The actuator is connected to the second lever element via a cable pulley unit. This allows the actuator to be designed simply and in a space-saving manner. A cable is attached to the second lever element, which is wound onto or unwound from a pulley during the adjustment between the active and inactive states.

[0032] The translational displacement of the second lever element relative to the support structure changes the distance between the rotatable bearing of the second lever element on the support structure and the rotatable bearing of the first lever element on the support structure, whereby the change in distance is compensated for in such a way that the rigidly designed lever elements tilt and an adjustment between the active state and the inactive state takes place.

[0033] By such a design of the pedestrian protection device according to claim 11, a simple translational movement of the second lever element can reliably cause the extension of the cladding element, whereby the pedestrian protection device can be designed to be simple, space-saving and reversible.

[0034] In a preferred embodiment, the unfolding mechanism comprises two first lever elements and two second lever elements, wherein the first lever elements are connected to the cover element and at least one of the two second lever elements is translationally displaceable by the actuator, the first lever elements being additionally mounted on the cover element in such a way as to be translationally displaceable. The translational displacement of the lever elements relative to the cover element is necessary to compensate for the change in length caused by the adjustment of the first lever elements. Such mounting of the first lever elements on the cover element can be achieved, for example, by means of an elongated hole formed in the cover element into which a bolt attached to the lever element is inserted. Preferably, both second lever elements are operatively connected to the actuator.

[0035] In a preferred embodiment, the deployment mechanism is arranged within the vehicle column such that it is not visible to a person viewing the vehicle when inactive. This allows the deployment mechanism to be positioned within the existing cavity of the vehicle column. Crucially, the deployment mechanisms must be designed to be so compact that they can be positioned within the cavity without increasing the installation space of the vehicle column.

[0036] Several embodiments of the invention are explained in more detail with reference to the drawings. Fig. Figure 1 shows a section of a motor vehicle in side view, Fig. Figure 2a shows a first embodiment of a pedestrian protection device for a vehicle column of the motor vehicle. Fig. 1 in inactive state, Fig. Figure 2b shows the first embodiment of the pedestrian protection device for a vehicle column of the motor vehicle. Fig. 1 in active state, Fig. Figure 3 shows a second embodiment of a pedestrian protection device for a vehicle column of the motor vehicle. Fig. 1 in the active state, and Fig. Figure 4 shows a third embodiment of a pedestrian protection device for a vehicle column of the motor vehicle. Fig. 1 in active state.

[0037] The Fig. Figure 1 shows the front section of a motor vehicle 10, which basically has a windshield 12 and a vehicle body 13. The vehicle body 13 includes, among other things, a roof 14, a hood 16, and several pillars 18, wherein in the Fig. Figures 1 to 4 each show an A-pillar, which forms a vehicle pillar 18, adjacent to the windshield 12 and a vehicle door 15. The vehicle pillar 18 is covered on the outside by a trim element 19.

[0038] The Fig. 2a, Fig. 2b, Fig. 3 and Fig. Figure 4 shows three different versions of a pedestrian protection device 30, 50, 80, which all have in common that the cladding element 19 for the vehicle column 18 can be moved between an active state and an inactive state in order to cushion and dampen an impact of a pedestrian on the vehicle column 18 in the active state.

[0039] In the Fig. 2a and Fig. Figure 2b shows a first embodiment of the pedestrian protection device 30, which comprises an actuator 31 and an unfolding mechanism 35. The unfolding mechanism 35 has two adjusting elements 381, 382 and two lever elements 441, 442. The adjusting elements 381, 382 are mounted on a support structure 181 of the vehicle column 18 so as to be translationally displaceable and can be moved translationally in opposite directions by the actuator 31. The lever elements 441, 442 are rotatably mounted on the support structure 181 about a first axis of rotation D1 and are also rotatably connected to the cladding element 19 about a second axis of rotation D2. The lever elements 441, 442 are additionally connected to the cladding element 19 so as to be translationally displaceable by means of an elongated hole 461, 462 formed in the cladding element 19.

[0040] To adjust the pedestrian protection device 30 between a retracted inactive state and an extended active state, the adjusting elements 381, 382 each have an actuating surface 421, 422 facing the corresponding lever element 441, 442, which is inclined. The lever elements 441, 442 each have an inclined counter-actuating surface 431, 432 at their ends facing the adjusting elements 381, 382. In the inactive state, the lever elements 381, 382 with their counter-actuating surfaces 431, 432 rest against the inclined actuating surfaces 421, 422, the counter-actuating surfaces 431, 432 being inclined such that the actuating surfaces 421, 422 and the counter-actuating surfaces 431, 432 are parallel to each other. In the active state, the effective surfaces 421, 422 lie against the side surfaces 451, 452 of the lever elements 441, 442 in such a way that the lever elements 441, 442 are aligned parallel to the inclined effective surface 381, 382.

[0041] The actuator 31 for the translational displacement of the adjusting elements 381, 382, ​​and thus for adjusting the cladding element 19 between the inactive and active states, i.e., between a retracted and an extended position, comprises an electric motor 32 with a stator 321 and a rotor 322 attached to the support structure 181, and a threaded spindle unit 34 with a spindle nut 341 and two threaded spindles 361, 362. The spindle nut 341 is rotationally fixed to the rotor 322. The threaded spindles 361, 362 are operatively connected to the spindle nut 341 on one side and each to an adjusting element 381, 382 via a ball joint 401, 402 on the other.

[0042] When the pedestrian protection device 30 is moved from the inactive state to the active state, the electric motor 32 is controlled by a control unit (not shown) electrically connected to the stator 321, causing the spindle nut 341 to rotate together with the rotor 322. The rotation of the spindle nut 341 causes a translational movement of the threaded spindles 361, 362 and the adjusting elements 381, 382 in opposite directions. During the translational movement of the adjusting elements 381, 382, ​​the lever elements 441, 442 slide along the effective surfaces 421, 422 of the adjusting elements 381, 382 until the side surfaces 451, 452 of the lever elements 441, 442 bear against the effective surfaces 421, 422. This causes the lever elements 441, 442 to be rotated from a position aligned in the adjustment direction of the adjustment elements 421, 422 to a position aligned parallel to the effective surfaces 421, 422 and the axis of rotation D1 to be rotated.

[0043] In the Fig. Figure 3 shows a second embodiment of the pedestrian protection device 50, which has an actuator 51 and an adjusting device 54 with an unfolding mechanism 55. The unfolding mechanism 55 has two double-action units 551, 552, each comprising a first lever element 561, 562 and a second lever element 581, 582, wherein the lever elements 561, 562, 581, 582 are rotatably connected to each other within a double-action unit 551, 552, i.e., rotatably about an axis of rotation D2. The first lever elements 561, 562 are rotatably connected at their ends to the cladding element 19 about an axis of rotation D3. The second lever elements 581, 582 are rotatably connected at their ends to the support structure 181 about an axis of rotation D1.An adjusting element 591, 592 is arranged on the rotatable connection between the two lever elements 561, 562, 581, 582, wherein both adjusting elements 591, 592 are connected to the actuator 51 in such a way that the adjusting elements 591, 592 can be displaced translationally.

[0044] The actuator 51 has an electric motor 52, which is coupled to the adjusting elements 591, 592 via a threaded spindle unit 60. The threaded spindle unit 60 has a single threaded spindle 64 and two spindle nuts 621, 622. The threaded spindle 64 is rotationally fixed to a rotor of the electric motor 52. Each spindle nut 621, 622 is fixedly connected to the adjusting element 591, 592, so that the adjusting elements 591, 592 move together with the spindle nuts 621, 622. For this purpose, the threaded spindle 64 has a thread 641, 642, which interacts with the corresponding spindle nut 621, 622.

[0045] The unfolding mechanism 55 additionally features an auxiliary threaded spindle unit 70, which is integrated into the threaded spindle unit 60 such that an auxiliary thread 72 is formed on the threaded spindle 64, with a spindle nut 73 interacting with the auxiliary thread 72. On an outer surface of the spindle nut 73, engagement projections 74 are arranged which act on the lever elements 561, 581 at the beginning of an adjustment from the inactive state to the active state. The auxiliary thread 72 is configured opposite to the thread 641 and has a higher pitch relative to the thread 641. Furthermore, the lever elements 581, 582 are each pre-tensioned in the direction of the active position by a spring element 761, 762.

[0046] When the pedestrian protection device 50 is moved from the inactive state to the active state, the electric motor 52 is controlled by a control unit (not shown) electrically connected to the stator of the electric motor 52, causing the threaded spindle 64 to rotate together with the rotor of the electric motor 52. The rotation of the threaded spindle 64 causes a translational movement of the spindle nuts 621, 622 of the threaded spindle unit 60 and thus of the adjusting elements 591, 592 as well as the spindle nut 73 of the auxiliary threaded spindle unit 70. The actuating projections 74, which move translationally with the spindle nut 72, and the spring elements 761, 762 push the two-stroke units 551, 552 out of their zero positions, with the subsequent movement of the two-stroke units 551, 552 occurring exclusively through the translational displacement of the adjusting elements 591, 592.

[0047] In the Fig.Figure 4 shows a third embodiment of the pedestrian protection device 80, which includes an actuator 90 and an unfolding mechanism 81. The unfolding mechanism 81 has two first lever elements 821, 822 and two second lever elements 841, 842, wherein a first lever element 821, 822 and a second lever element 841, 842 are each rotatably connected to each other about a pivot axis D3. The first lever elements 821, 822 are rotatably connected at their ends to the cladding element 19 about a pivot axis D4 and rotatably connected to a support structure 181 about a pivot axis D1. The first lever elements 821, 822 are movably mounted on the cladding element 19 by means of an elongated hole 881, 882. The second lever elements 841, 842 are rotatable at their ends with the support structure 181 about a rotation axis D2 and are connected in a translationally displaceable manner by means of an elongated hole 861, 862.

[0048] The actuator 90 has an electric motor 92 and a cable pull unit 94, wherein the electric motor 92 is connected via the cable pull unit 94 to the two second lever elements 841, 842 in such a way that the second lever elements 841, 842 can be translationally displaced within the elongated hole 861, 862.

[0049] When the pedestrian protection device 80 is moved from the inactive state to the active state, the electric motor 92 is controlled by a control unit (not shown) electrically connected to the stator of the electric motor 92, thereby retracting a cable 96 of the cable pull unit 94, in particular winding it onto a cable pulley. The translational displacement of the second lever elements 841, 842 along the elongated holes 861, 862 changes the distance between the axes of rotation D2 and the axes of rotation D1. This change in distance is compensated for by tilting the rigidly designed lever elements 821, 822, 841, 842 accordingly, thereby moving the cover element 19 between the active and inactive states.

Claims

[1] motor vehicle with a motor vehicle body (13) which has several vehicle pillars (18), wherein at least one vehicle pillar (18) is covered by a trim element (19), and a pedestrian protection device (30) which has an unfolding mechanism (35) for relocating the cladding element (19) between a retracted inactive state and an extended active state, characterized by , that The unfolding mechanism (35) comprises at least one lever element (441, 442) rotatably mounted on a support structure (181) about an axis of rotation (D1), which is rotatably connected to the cladding element (19) and is operatively connected to an adjusting element (381, 382) that can be displaced translationally by an actuator (31), wherein the adjusting element (381, 382) has a chamfered working surface (421, 422) which interacts with the lever element (441, 442) such that, during a translational movement of the adjusting element (381, 382), the lever element (441, 442) slides on the chamfered working surface (421, 422) of the adjusting element (381, 382) such that the lever element (441, 442) rotates about the axis of rotation (D1). twisted and the cladding element (19) shifts between the retracted inactive state and the extended active state. [2] Motor vehicle according to claim 1, characterized by, that the lever element (441, 442) is rotatably connected at a first end to the cladding element (19) and operatively connected at a second end to the adjusting element (381, 382), wherein the lever element (441, 442) is rotatably mounted between the two ends about the axis of rotation (D1). [3] Motor vehicle according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by , that the actuator (31) has an electric motor (32) and a threaded spindle unit (34), wherein the threaded spindle unit (34) is interposed between the electric motor (32) and the adjusting element (381, 382). [4] Motor vehicle according to claim 3, characterized by , that the threaded spindle unit (34) is connected to the adjusting element (381, 382) via a ball joint (401, 402). [5] Motor vehicle according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by, that the unfolding mechanism (35) has two lever elements (441, 442) which are rotatably mounted on the support structure (181) about an axis of rotation (D1) and which are connected to the cladding element (19), wherein at least one of the two lever elements (441, 442) is operatively connected to an adjusting element (381, 382) which can be displaced translationally by the actuator (31), and wherein the lever elements (441, 442) are additionally displaceably mounted on the cladding element (19). [6] Motor vehicle according to claim 5, characterized by , that both lever elements (441, 442) are operatively connected to each of an adjusting element (381, 382) which can be moved translationally by the actuator (31). [7] Motor vehicle with a motor vehicle body (13) having several vehicle pillars (18), wherein at least one vehicle pillar (18) is covered by a trim element (19), and a pedestrian protection device (50) having an unfolding mechanism (55) for moving the trim element (19) between a retracted inactive state and an extended active state, wherein the unfolding mechanism (55) has at least one double-strike unit (551, 552) having two lever elements (561, 562, 581, 582) rotatably connected to each other, wherein a first lever element (561, 562) is rotatably connected to the trim element (19) and a second lever element (581, 582) is rotatably connected to a support structure (181), wherein an actuator is connected to the rotatable connection between the two lever elements (561, 562, 581, 582). (51) translationally displaceable adjusting element (591, 592) with the lever elements (561, 562, 581,582) is connected in such a way that, during a translational movement of the adjusting element (591, 592), the lever elements (561, 562, 581, 582) shift relative to each other in such a way that the cladding element (19) shifts between the retracted inactive state and the extended active state, , characterized by , that the double-action unit (551, 552) is loaded in the extension direction by a spring element (761, 762). [8] Motor vehicle according to claim 7, characterized by , that the actuator (51) has an electric motor (52) and a threaded spindle unit (60), wherein the threaded spindle unit (60) is interposed between the electric motor (52) and the adjusting element (591, 592). [9] Motor vehicle according to claim 7 or 8, characterized by, that an additional threaded spindle unit (70) is provided which has a thread pitch opposite to and higher than that of the threaded spindle unit (60), wherein the additional threaded spindle unit (70) is connected to the actuator (51) and acts on the two-stroke unit (551) in such a way that the two-stroke unit (551) is loaded in the extension direction. [10] Motor vehicle according to any one of claims 7 to 9, characterized by , that a pivot axis (D1), about which the second lever element (581, 582) is rotatably mounted on the support structure (181), is oriented at an angle relative to a pivot axis (D3), about which the first lever element (561, 562) is rotatably mounted on the cladding element (19), such that the cladding element (19) additionally tilts when adjusted between the inactive state and the active state. [11] motor vehicle with a motor vehicle body (13) which has several vehicle pillars (18), wherein at least one vehicle pillar (18) is covered by a trim element (19), and a pedestrian protection device (80) which has an unfolding mechanism (81) for relocating the cladding element (19) between a retracted inactive state and an extended active state, characterized by , that The unfolding mechanism (81) comprises a first lever element (821, 822) rotatably mounted about an axis of rotation (D1) on a support structure (181) and a second lever element (841, 842) rotatably and translationally displaceable on the support structure (181), wherein the lever elements (821, 841) are rotatably connected to one another such that, in the event of a translational movement of the second lever element (841, 842) caused by an actuator (90), the lever elements (821, 822, 841, 842) displace relative to each other such that the first lever element (821, 822) rotates about the axis of rotation (D1) and the cover element (19) shifts between the retracted inactive state and the extended active state, wherein the actuator (90) is connected to the second lever element (841, 842) via a cable pull unit (94). Lever element (841, 842) is connected. [12] Motor vehicle according to claim 11, characterized by, that the unfolding mechanism (81) has two first lever elements (821, 822) and two second lever elements (841, 842), wherein the first lever elements (821, 822) are connected to the cladding element (19) and at least one of the two second lever elements (841, 842) is translationally displaceable by the actuator (90), wherein the first lever elements (821, 822) are additionally translationally displaceable on the cladding element (19) [13] Motor vehicle according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the unfolding mechanism (35, 55, 81) is arranged within the vehicle column (18).

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