Holding device

Abstract

To form a holding device mountable on a rear area of ​​the body of a motor vehicle, comprising a pivot bearing unit that is fixed to the rear area of ​​a motor vehicle, in particular a passenger vehicle, by means of a carrier unit, on which a pivot element carrying an attachment element is pivotably mounted about a pivot axis extending transversely, in particular obliquely, to a longitudinal median plane, and is thereby pivotable from a working position to a rest position and vice versa, wherein the pivot element is provided by means of a connecting arm with an attachment element carrier having a plug-in receptacle, into which an attachment element with an end area can be inserted and positively fixed, wherein the plug-in receptacle extends with its central axis essentially parallel to the longitudinal median plane in the working position and wherein the attachment element carrier comprises a receiving body which has the plug-in receptacle,To improve the process and fix the receiving body to the connecting arm as cost-effectively as possible, it is proposed that the receiving body be connected to the connecting arm by means of a connecting body integrally molded onto the connecting arm.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a holding device mountable on a rear area of ​​the body of a motor vehicle, comprising a pivot bearing unit that can be mounted fixedly to the rear area of ​​the motor vehicle, in particular a passenger vehicle, by means of a carrier unit, on which a pivot element carrying an attachment element is pivotably mounted about a pivot axis extending transversely, in particular obliquely, to a longitudinal median plane and is thereby pivotable from a working position to a rest position and vice versa, wherein the pivot element is provided by means of a connecting arm with an attachment element carrier having a plug-in receptacle into which an attachment element with an end area can be inserted and positively fixed, wherein the plug-in receptacle extends with its central axis essentially parallel to the longitudinal median plane in the working position and wherein the attachment element carrier comprises a receiving body.which has the insertion slot.

[0002] The problem with such holding devices is to fix the receiving body to the connecting arm in the most cost-effective way possible.

[0003] This problem is solved according to the invention in a holding device of the type described above by connecting the receiving body to the connecting arm by means of a connecting body integrally molded onto the connecting arm.

[0004] A connecting body that is molded in one piece onto the connecting arm in this way makes it possible to create a stable and optimally achievable connection to the receiving body in a simple manner.

[0005] One particularly advantageous solution involves connecting the receiving body and the connecting body by pressure welding.

[0006] The pressure welding process has the great advantage that it allows for a stable connection of potentially different materials, characterized by high efficiency and short welding times.

[0007] It is particularly advantageous if the receiving body and the connecting body are joined together by friction welding, since friction welding enables a particularly efficient and quickly realizable welded connection.

[0008] It is particularly advantageous if the receiving body is connected to the connecting body by rotary friction welding, since rotary friction welding represents a particularly advantageous embodiment of friction welding in terms of efficiency and time expenditure.

[0009] In order to carry out rotary welding as efficiently as possible, it is preferably provided that rotary friction welding is carried out by rotating the receiving body around an axis parallel to its central axis, in particular around its central axis, since such a choice of axis enables an efficient manufacturing process.

[0010] In order to efficiently perform such rotary friction welding, it is preferably provided that the receiving body is a finished body, i.e., a body with an end form for use, and is provided with a weld attachment which is connected to the connecting body by friction welding.

[0011] Such a welding approach advantageously allows for the realization of friction welding with the joining body.

[0012] One practical solution is to arrange the welding point of the receiving body on a side of the receiving body opposite an insertion opening, so that the friction welding process can be easily implemented.

[0013] One particularly advantageous solution provides that the connecting body has a holding surface facing the receiving body, to which a support surface of the weld attachment is connected by friction welding.

[0014] In particular, the support surface is designed as a ring surface, which allows for optimal welding results in rotary friction welding.

[0015] Another advantageous embodiment of the solution according to the invention provides that the connecting body forms a body part of the receiving body.

[0016] This means that the connecting body itself forms a part of the receiving body in order to establish a reliable and stable connection with it.

[0017] It is preferably provided that the body part forms at least one wall of the receiving body, which is connected to at least one body part of the receiving body that complements this body part.

[0018] This provides a simple and stable way to realize the receiving body with a body part according to the invention.

[0019] It is particularly advantageous if the body part and at least one complementary body part are connected by pressure welding.

[0020] In this case, a particularly advantageous solution to the problem according to the invention provides that the body part and the at least one supplementary body part are connected to each other by friction stir welding, in particular along a gap formed between the body part and the at least one supplementary body part adjoining it.

[0021] For such friction stir welding, it is advantageous if, for joining the body parts, one of them is provided with steps for the defined reception of side edges and thus for positioning the at least other body part, forming the gap between them.

[0022] One specific embodiment of the holding device according to the invention provides that the body part forms at least two walls of the receiving body.

[0023] It is even more advantageous if the body part is U-shaped and thus forms three walls of the receiving body.

[0024] In this case, it is specifically provided that the body part forms a side wall and two transverse walls adjoining each other on one side of the same.

[0025] It is expediently provided that the side wall and the transverse walls of the body part thus formed are connected to each other in one piece.

[0026] In this case, it is also expedient to provide that the transverse walls are connected to each other on one side opposite the side wall by a side wall of the supplementary body part.

[0027] The foregoing description of solutions according to the invention thus includes in particular the various combinations of features defined by the embodiments numbered below: 1. A holding device (20) mountable on a rear area (14) of the body (12) of a motor vehicle (10), comprising a pivot bearing unit (30) mountable to the rear area (14) of a motor vehicle (10), in particular a passenger vehicle, by means of a carrier unit (22), on which a pivot element (32) carrying an attachment element (54) is pivotably mounted about a pivot axis (36) extending transversely, in particular obliquely, to a longitudinal median plane (34), and is thereby pivotable from a working position (A) to a rest position (R) and vice versa, wherein the pivot element (32) is provided by means of a connecting arm (38) with an attachment element carrier (40) having an insertion receptacle (46), into which an attachment element (50) with an end area (58) can be inserted and positively fixed,wherein the insertion receptacle (46) in the working position (A) extends with its central axis (44) substantially parallel to the longitudinal median plane (34) and wherein the attachment element carrier (40) comprises a receiving body (42) which has the insertion receptacle (46), wherein the receiving body (42) is connected to the connecting arm (38) by means of a connecting body (60, 80) integrally formed on the connecting arm (38). 2. Holding device according to embodiment 1, wherein the receiving body (42) and the connecting body (60, 80) are connected to each other by pressure welding. 3. Holding device according to embodiment 2, wherein the receiving body (42) and the connecting body (60, 80) are connected to each other by friction welding. 4. Holding device according to embodiment 3, wherein the receiving body (42) is connected to the connecting body (60) by rotary friction welding. 5. Holding device according to embodiment 4, wherein the rotary friction welding is carried out by rotating the receiving body (42) about an axis parallel to its central axis (44), in particular about the central axis (44) of the same. 6. Holding device according to embodiment 4 or 5, wherein the receiving body (42) is provided as a finished body with a weld attachment (68) which is connected to the connecting body (60) by friction welding. 7. Holding device according to embodiment 6, wherein the weld attachment (68) of the receiving body (42) is arranged on a side opposite an insertion opening (48). 8. Holding device according to embodiment 6 or 7, wherein the connecting body (60) has a holding surface (62) facing the receiving body (42), to which a support surface (64) of the weld attachment (68) is connected by friction welding. 9. Holding device according to one of embodiments 1 to 3, wherein the connecting body (80) forms a body part (82) of the receiving body (42'). 10. Holding device according to embodiment 8 or 9, wherein the body part (82) forms at least one wall (84, 86, 88) of the receiving body (42') which is connected to at least one body part (100) of the receiving body (42') supplementing this body part (82). 11. Holding device according to embodiment 10, wherein the body part (82) and the at least one supplementary body part (100) are connected to each other by pressure welding. 12. Holding device according to embodiment 11, wherein the body part (82) and the at least one supplementary body part (100) are connected to each other by friction stir welding, in particular along a gap (118) formed between the body part (82) and the at least one supplementary body part (100) adjoining it. 13. Holding device according to embodiment 12, wherein, for connecting the body parts (82, 100), one of them is provided with steps (126, 128) for the defined reception of side edges (130) and thus for positioning the other body part (100, 82) forming the gap (118) between them. 14. Holding device according to one of embodiments 9 to 13, wherein the body part (82) forms at least two walls (84, 86, 88) of the receiving body (42). 15. Holding device according to embodiment 14, wherein the body part (82) is U-shaped and forms three walls (84, 86, 88) of the receiving body (82). 16. Holding device according to embodiment 15, wherein the body part (82) in the working position (A) forms a side wall (84) and two transverse walls (86, 88) adjoining each other on one side of the same. 17. Holding device according to embodiment 16, wherein the side wall (84) and the transverse walls (86, 88) are integrally connected. 18. Holding device according to embodiment 17, wherein the transverse walls (86, 88) are connected to each other on a side opposite the side wall (84) by a side wall (102) of the supplementary body part (100).

[0028] Further features and advantages are the subject of the following description and the graphic representation of some embodiments.

[0029] The drawing shows: Fig. 1 a side view of a motor vehicle with a holding device according to the invention; Fig. 2 a perspective view of a first embodiment of the holding device according to the invention; Fig. 3 a top view in the direction of arrow A in Fig. 2; Fig. 4 a top view from above in the direction of arrow B in Fig. 2 of the first embodiment; Fig. 5 a side view in the direction of arrow C in Fig. 4 with attached mounting element with a coupling ball; Fig. 6 a representation of the side view according to Fig. 5 without the attached mounting element; Fig. 7 a representation of the side view similar Fig. 6 before connecting the receiving body to the connecting body; Fig. 8 a representation of the pivoting element and the attachment element carrier of a second embodiment of the holding device according to the invention with the attachment unit inserted; Fig. 9 a side view in the direction of arrow D in Fig. 8 of the second embodiment; Fig. 10 a cut along line 10-10 in Fig. 9; Fig. 11 a side view similar Fig. 8 on the swivel element and the attachment element carrier 40" of a third embodiment of the holding device according to the invention; Fig. 12 an enlarged perspective view of the third embodiment according to Fig. 11 and Fig. 13 a front view of the insertion recess according to Fig. 12.

[0030] A in Fig. 1 The illustrated embodiment of a motor vehicle 10 according to the invention comprises a body 12 which carries a rear bumper unit 16 on a rear area 14.

[0031] Furthermore, a first embodiment of a holding device designated as a whole by 20 is arranged at the rear, which has a support unit 22 arranged under and concealed by the bumper unit 16, which, as in Fig. 2 shown, has a cross member 24 which is connected to the rear area 14 by means of lateral connecting elements 26.

[0032] Furthermore, a pivot bearing unit designated as a whole by 30 is held on the support unit 22, in particular in a central area of ​​the cross member 24, on which a pivot element 32 is pivotably mounted about a pivot axis 36 extending transversely to a longitudinal median plane 34 of the body 12, which is also a longitudinal median plane 34 of the holding device 20 ( Fig. 2, Fig. 3 to Fig. 4).

[0033] In a first embodiment, an attachment element carrier 40 extends from the pivoting element 32, comprising a connecting arm 38 extending from the pivoting element 32, to which a receiving body designated as a whole by 42 is connected, forming an insertion recess 46 extending in the receiving body along a central axis 44, in the receiving opening 48 of which lies opposite to the forward direction of travel, as shown in the Fig. 2 and Fig. 5 shown, for example as an attachment element 50, a coupling ball carrier 56 carrying a coupling ball 52 at one end 54 with an end area 58 opposite the end 54 can be inserted.

[0034] As in Fig. As shown in Figure 1, the attachment element carrier 40 is arranged in a working position A relative to the bumper unit 16 such that it extends below a lower edge 18 of the bumper unit 16, i.e. on a side of the same facing a roadway 28, and thus the insertion receptacle 46 for inserting the end region 58 of the coupling ball carrier 56 is freely accessible, wherein the central axis 44 extends in the working position A in the longitudinal center plane of the vehicle or the longitudinal center plane 34 of the holding device 34.

[0035] In particular, in the case of a pivot axis 36 running transversely, especially obliquely, to the longitudinal median plane 34 of the vehicle, it is provided that the insertion receptacle 46 in the rest position R extends with its central axis 44 transversely to the longitudinal median plane 34 and is inclined in particular in the direction of the roadway 28.

[0036] Due to the pivotable mounting of the pivot element 32 about the pivot axis 36, it is possible, as in the Fig. 3 shows the attachment element carrier 40 from the working position A, in which the receiving body 42 is located below the lower edge 18 of the bumper unit 16, passing under the lower edge 18 into a position in the Fig. 3 to pivot to rest position R shown in dashed lines, in which the attachment element carrier 40 and thus in particular also the receiving body 42 is concealed by the bumper unit 16 above the lower edge 18 of the bumper unit 16 and is thus arranged outside a field of vision of the bumper unit 16 and the body 12, wherein in the rest position R the central axis 44 extends transversely to the vehicle longitudinal median plane 34 or the longitudinal median plane 34 of the holding device 20.

[0037] As in Fig. 5, Fig. 6 to Fig. As shown in Figure 7, a connecting body designated as a whole by 60 is arranged on the connecting arm 38 extending from the pivoting element 32, in particular integrally formed, which has a holding surface 62 extending transversely, in particular perpendicularly to the central axis 44 of the insertion receptacle 46, which is connected to a support surface 64 of a weld attachment 68 of the receiving body 42.

[0038] Preferably, the support surface 64 is designed as a ring surface 66 of the weld attachment 68 of the receiving body 42, extending concentrically to the central axis 44.

[0039] The connection between the annular surface 66 and the holding surface 62 is made by rotary friction welding, wherein the receiving body 42 is rotated coaxially to the central axis 44 with the annular surface 66 being pressed against the non-rotating holding surface 62, so that through friction between the annular surface 66 and the holding surface 62 the material forming the holding surface 62 and the annular surface 66, in particular the steel, heats up to welding temperature and forms a material layer at welding temperature between the annular surface 66 and the holding surface 62, which hardens after the rotation of the annular surface 66 has ceased and permanently joins the connecting body 60 to the receiving body 42.

[0040] To fix the end section 58 of the attachment element 50 in the receiving body 42, the latter is provided in the area of ​​its opposing side walls 72 with a through-hole 74 through which a retaining bolt 76 can be inserted, which also passes through the section of the end section 58 of the attachment element 50 inserted into the insertion receptacle 46 in the area of ​​an opening not shown, in order to fix it in the receiving body 42.

[0041] In a second embodiment, the holding device 20 and the support unit 22 as well as the crossbeam 24 and the connecting elements 26 are designed in the same way as in the first embodiment.

[0042] Furthermore, the pivot bearing unit 30 with the pivot element 32 and the pivot axis 36 are designed in the same way as in the first embodiment.

[0043] Furthermore, the attachment element carrier 40' with the receiving body 42' and the central axis 44 is also aligned in the working position A and the rest position R in the same way as described in the preceding embodiment.

[0044] In contrast to the preceding embodiment, the attachment element carrier 40' forms a connecting body 80, in particular integrally formed on the connecting arm 38, and in particular designed as a body part 82 of the receiving body 40' held on the connecting arm 38.

[0045] In relation to the working position A, the body part 82 comprises a side wall 84 and transverse walls 86, 88 adjoining this side wall 84 on both sides, so that the body part 82 is U-shaped overall and in the working position A the insertion recess 46' is bounded on a longitudinal side 94 by the side wall 84 and on a top side 96 by the transverse wall 86 and on a bottom side 98 by the transverse wall 88.

[0046] On the open side 90 of the body part 82 opposite the side wall 84, for example facing away from the connecting arm 38, a separate side wall 102 is inserted between the transverse walls 86 and 88 as a supplementary body part 100 of the receiving body 42', which forms a further longitudinal side 104 of the insertion receptacle 46' opposite the longitudinal side 94 and is connected to the transverse walls 86 and 88 by welding.

[0047] The connection to the transverse walls 86 and 88 is carried out in particular by friction stir welding with a rotating friction stir head 114 having a conical tip 112, which is driven rotating about its own axis of symmetry 116 and moves along a gap 118 between the transverse walls 86, 88 and an outer edge that forms the supplementary body part 100 separate side wall 102.

[0048] In order to be able to position the separate side wall 102, which in particular forms the supplementary body part 100, in a defined manner relative to the body part 100 connected to the connecting arm 38 in the illustrated embodiment relative to the transverse walls 86 and 88, the body part 82 is provided in the area where the transverse walls 86 and 88 are each provided with steps 126 and 128, which form support surfaces 132 and 134 extending at a defined distance from the longitudinal side 94 of the side wall 84 and which form positioning surfaces 136 and 138 between the separate side wall 102 forming the supplementary body part 100 with its side edges 130 and which each limit the gap 118.

[0049] The material melted into the gap 118 by friction stir welding, in particular the molten steel, solidifies upon cooling and results in a permanently strong connection between the partial body 82 and the separate side wall 102, so that the receiving body 42' has the required stability.

[0050] In the second embodiment, the side wall 84 and the separate side wall 102 are provided with the through-holes 74' for the retaining bolt 76 to secure the end area 58 of the attachment element 50.

[0051] In a third embodiment, shown in Fig. 11, Fig. 12 to Fig. 13, which represents a modification of the second embodiment, is, insofar as not expressly described below, fully incorporated by reference to the second embodiment.

[0052] In contrast to the second embodiment, a separate side wall 102' is inserted into the partial body 82' on an open side facing the connecting arm 38 as a supplementary body part 100', which in this case is not only connected to the transverse walls 86' and 88', but also to an end wall 142 of the attachment element carrier 40" which is formed on the connecting arm 38, so that the insertion recess 46' is closed off on its side opposite the receiving opening 48' by the end wall 142.

[0053] In this embodiment, the gap 118' thus runs along the outside of the separate side wall 102' along the upper transverse wall 86' along the end wall 142 and then along the lower transverse wall 88' or vice versa.

[0054] In the third embodiment, the connection with the transverse walls 86' and 88' and the end wall 142 is also made along the gap 118' by friction stir welding as described in the second embodiment.

[0055] Alternatively, in the second and third embodiments, it is also possible to create the connection between the partial body 82 or 82' and the separate side wall 102, 102' by laser welding along the gap 118 or 118'.

Claims

[1] A holding device (20) mountable on a rear area (14) of the body (12) of a motor vehicle (10), comprising a pivot bearing unit (30) that is fixed to the rear area (14) of a motor vehicle (10), in particular a passenger vehicle, by means of a carrier unit (22), on which a pivot element (32) carrying an attachment element (54) is pivotably mounted about a pivot axis (36) extending transversely, in particular obliquely, to a longitudinal median plane (34), and is thereby pivotable from a working position (A) to a rest position (R) and vice versa, wherein the pivot element (32) is provided by means of a connecting arm (38) with an attachment element carrier (40) having an insertion receptacle (46), into which an attachment element (50) with an end area (58) can be inserted and positively fixed,wherein the insertion receptacle (46) in the working position (A) extends with its central axis (44) substantially parallel to the longitudinal median plane (34) and wherein the attachment element carrier (40) comprises a receiving body (42) which has the insertion receptacle (46) , characterized by , that the receiving body (42) is connected to the connecting arm (38) by means of a connecting body (60, 80) integrally formed on the connecting arm (38). [2] Holding device according to claim 1, characterized by , that the receiving body (42) and the connecting body (60, 80) are connected to each other by pressure welding. [3] Holding device according to claim 2, characterized by , that the receiving body (42) and the connecting body (60, 80) are joined together by friction welding. [4] Holding device according to claim 3, characterized by , that the receiving body (42) is connected to the connecting body (60) by rotary friction welding. [5] Holding device according to claim 4, characterized by , that the rotary friction welding is carried out by rotating the receiving body (42) about an axis parallel to its central axis (44), in particular about the central axis (44) of the same. [6] Holding device according to claim 4 or 5, characterized by , that the receiving body (42) is provided as a finished formed body with a weld attachment (68) which is connected to the connecting body (60) by friction welding. [7] Holding device according to claim 6, characterized by , that the welding attachment (68) of the receiving body (42) is arranged on a side opposite an insertion opening (48). [8] Holding device according to claim 6 or 7, characterized by , that the connecting body (60) has a holding surface (62) facing the receiving body (42), to which a support surface (64) of the weld attachment (68) is connected by friction welding. [9] Holding device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized by , that the connecting body (80) forms a body part (82) of the receiving body (42). [10] Holding device according to claim 8 or 9, characterized by , that the body part (82) forms at least one wall (84, 86, 88) of the receiving body (42) which is connected to at least one body part (100) of the receiving body (42') that complements this body part (82). [11] Holding device according to claim 10, characterized by , that the body part (82) and the at least one complementary body part (100) are joined together by pressure welding. [12] Holding device according to claim 11, characterized by , that the body part (82) and the at least one supplementary body part (100) are connected to each other by friction stir welding, in particular along a gap (118) formed between the body part (82) and the at least one supplementary body part (100) adjoining it. [13] Holding device according to claim 12, characterized by, that to connect the body parts (82, 100) one of them is provided with steps (126, 128) for the defined reception of side edges (130) and thus for positioning the other body part (100, 82) forming the gap (118) between them. [14] Holding device according to any one of claims 9 to 13, characterized by , that the body part (82) forms at least two walls (84, 86, 88) of the receiving body (42). [15] Holding device according to claim 14, characterized by , that the body part (82) is U-shaped and forms three walls (84, 86, 88) of the receiving body (82). [16] Holding device according to claim 15, characterized by , that the body part (82) in the working position (A) forms a side wall (84) and two transverse walls (86, 88) adjoining each other on one side of the same. [17] Holding device according to claim 16, characterized by, that the side wall (84) and the transverse walls (86, 88) are joined together in one piece. [18] Holding device according to claim 17, characterized by , that the transverse walls (86, 88) are connected to each other on one side opposite the side wall (84) by a side wall (102) of the supplementary body part (100).

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