Protective device for the interior of a motor vehicle

Abstract

Protective device for the interior of a motor vehicle, comprising a flexible protective structure (10) that is movable between a compactly stowed rest position and an extended protective position, wherein the protective structure (10) is received in the compactly stowed rest position in a cassette housing (1) that is detachably mountable in a vehicle-mounted bracket (8), and wherein the protective structure (10) is connected to a dimensionally stable extension profile (3) that is movable along a vehicle-mounted guide (7) between the rest position and the protective position of the protective structure (10), and with a guide slide (9) that is slidably guided in the vehicle-mounted guide (7) and is provided with a retaining section for detachably receiving an end face of the extension profile (3), wherein the retaining section of the guide slide (9) projects out of the vehicle-mounted guide (7) towards the center of the vehicle, characterized in thatthat the retaining section of the guide slider (9) is designed to be open at the top – in relation to a vehicle-mounted operating position – such that when the cassette housing (1) is inserted into the vehicle-mounted holder (8) in the rest position of the protective structure (10), the end face of the extension profile inevitably dips into the retaining section from above.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a protective device for a vehicle interior, in particular a cargo area, of a motor vehicle, comprising a flexible protective structure that can be moved between a compactly stowed rest position and an extended protective position, wherein the protective structure is received in the compactly stowed rest position in a cassette housing that can be detachably mounted in a vehicle-mounted bracket, and wherein the protective structure is connected to a dimensionally stable extension profile that can be moved along a vehicle-mounted guide between the rest position and the protective position of the protective structure, as well as to a guide slide that is slidably guided in the vehicle-mounted guide and is provided with a retaining section for detachably receiving an end face of the extension profile.

[0002] Such a protective device is known from EP 1 084 907 A2. The known protective device has guide rails on opposite side walls of a cargo space, in each of which a carrier is guided. The protective device has a flexible protective structure that is mounted on a winding shaft so that it can be wound and unwound. The winding shaft is rotatably mounted in a cassette housing, which is fixed to the vehicle in its operational state. At a front end region in the extension direction, the flexible protective structure has a dimensionally stable extension profile, which is held in force-limited retaining devices so that it can be moved along the guide rails and thus along the cargo space. The retaining devices are associated with the carriers, which are guided along the guide rails by means of drive transmission strings.

[0003] The object of the invention is to create a protective device of the type mentioned above which allows for easy handling by an operator.

[0004] This problem is solved by the fact that the retaining section of the guide slider projects out from the vehicle-mounted guide towards the center of the vehicle and is designed to be open at the top – in relation to a vehicle-mounted operating position – such that when the cassette housing is inserted into the vehicle-mounted holder, the end face of the extension profile inevitably dips into the retaining section from above. The solution according to the invention is particularly advantageous for a protective device in the form of a cargo area cover, in which the flexible protective structure, serving as a visual barrier and as a restraint for objects located on a cargo floor, can be moved at least largely horizontally between the rest position and the protective position.The protective device according to the invention is equally suitable for separating a cargo compartment from a passenger compartment, wherein the vehicle-mounted guide is then preferably routed at least largely along a side wall of the cargo compartment in the vertical direction of the vehicle. The solution according to the invention enables particularly easy assembly or disassembly of the cassette housing with the protective structure and the extension profile, since simply inserting the cassette housing from above into the vehicle-mounted bracket inevitably positions the extension profile in the retaining section of the guide slider. Conversely, easy removal from above is also possible without requiring any additional steps to release the extension profile from the retaining section of the guide slider.Advantageously, the vehicle-mounted bracket has a mounting receptacle on opposite sides of the cargo space or vehicle interior, allowing opposite end sections of the cassette housing to be inserted into these receptacles. Similarly, the vehicle-mounted guide also has vehicle-mounted guide tracks, preferably guide rails, on opposite sides of the cargo space or vehicle interior. Each guide slider is guided within these tracks, accommodating opposite end sections of the extension profile. This ensures that when both guide sliders move synchronously within the guide tracks or rails of the vehicle-mounted guide, the extension profile moves parallel between its rest position and the protected position of the protective structure. The guide tracks are preferably groove- or longitudinally slotted guide rails, similar to cam guides.The guide gliders then slide in these guide rails. Alternatively, the guide tracks can be provided as rib-shaped profile sections on opposite side walls of the cargo space. In this variant, the guide gliders are designed as riders that slide along the rib-shaped profile sections. The vehicle-mounted mounting brackets on opposite sides of the cassette housing are dimensioned so that, in the rest position of the extension profile, the mounting sections of the guide gliders are also positioned in the mounting brackets and are freely accessible from above.

[0005] In an embodiment of the invention, a drive transmission train for moving the guide slider along the vehicle-mounted guide is routed within the guide. The drive transmission train can be a tensile- and compression-resistant belt, which is either guided circumferentially around deflection pulleys or held on at least one belt drum for winding and unwinding. Instead of a tensile- and compression-resistant belt, a tensile- and compression-resistant cable, such as a threaded cable, can also be used. Alternatively, a cable drive can be provided as the drive transmission train, which can also be routed circumferentially or, using at least one cable drum, along the vehicle-mounted guide. The drive transmission train can be moved manually or by means of a drive system.

[0006] In a further embodiment of the invention, an electric drive unit is provided to move the drive transmission train linearly within the guide. The electric drive unit preferably drives a cable or belt drum to move the belt- or cable-shaped drive transmission train within the guide. In all variants, the drive transmission train is permanently connected to the guide slider.

[0007] In a further embodiment of the invention, a movable locking element is associated with the vehicle-mounted bracket. This locking element secures the cassette housing in the bracket or releases it for removal. A movably mounted control finger is provided, which can be mechanically brought into operative contact with the locking element to move the locking element into a locked or release position. Advantageously, the locking element is spring-loaded in one direction of movement, so that the control finger only needs to act on the locking element in the opposite direction. Particularly advantageously, the spring force is applied by at least one compression spring, which loads the locking element in the direction of the locking position.In this variant, the control finger is designed to move the locking element into the release position against the spring force of the compression spring or to hold it in this release position.

[0008] In a further embodiment of the invention, the control finger is coupled to the drive transmission train. This embodiment is particularly advantageous if the transmission train can be driven by a drive system. This allows the drive system to be controlled so that the control finger releases the locking element for transition to the locked position as needed, or returns the locking element to the release position. Depending on the available installation space, the direction of operation of the control finger can be variably selected or changed in a practical embodiment of the invention.

[0009] In a further embodiment of the invention, a control device is associated with the control finger, which moves the control finger into the locking position or the release position of the locking element depending on the positioning of the cassette housing in the vehicle-mounted bracket. The control device can detect the position of the cassette housing by means of a mechanical, optical, or electrical sensor. The control device can include an electrical actuator that actuates the control finger depending on the detected position of the cassette housing. The actuator can be coupled to the drive transmission train, wherein the drive transmission train is additionally coupled to the control finger and has a travel path that enables both a normal travel function of the guide slides for the extension profile and a locking or unlocking function for the control finger.The drive transmission train thus has a dual function, as it both moves the guide sliders and actuates the control finger by means of the electric actuator.

[0010] In a further embodiment of the invention, a mechanical ejection device is associated with the cassette housing, which pushes the cassette housing upwards out of the vehicle-mounted bracket when the locking element is in the release position. The ejection device can be positioned in the cassette housing or in the vehicle-mounted bracket.

[0011] In a further embodiment of the invention, the ejection device comprises at least one spring-loaded ejection element arranged on the cassette housing or on the vehicle-mounted bracket. The at least one spring-loaded ejection element can be movably positioned on the cassette housing or on the vehicle-mounted bracket in the vertical, transverse, or longitudinal direction of the vehicle. If the at least one spring-loaded ejection element is located on the cassette housing, it is advantageously positioned at an end section of the cassette housing, preferably in an end cap of the cassette housing.

[0012] Further advantages and features of the invention will become apparent from the claims and from the following description of preferred embodiments of the invention, which are illustrated with reference to the drawings. Fig. 1, Fig. 2 to Fig. Figure 3 shows in perspective an embodiment of a protective device according to the invention for a cargo space of a motor vehicle in different functional positions, Fig. Figure 4 shows an enlarged section of a side wall area of ​​the cargo space according to the Fig. 1, Fig. 2 to Fig. 3 at the height of a vehicle-mounted bracket of the protective device according to the Fig. 1, Fig. 2 to Fig. 3, Fig. 5 in another perspective view the side wall according to Fig. 4 in the area of ​​a vehicle-mounted guide of the side wall and the vehicle-mounted bracket according to Fig. 4, Fig. 6 in perspective view an end cap of a cassette housing of the protective device according to the Fig. 1, Fig. 2 to Fig. 3, Fig. 7 in perspective view another end cap of a further embodiment of a protective device according to the invention similar Fig. 6, Fig. 8 in perspective view an end cap of another cassette housing of another protective device similar to the Fig. 1, Fig. 2 to Fig. 3, Fig. 9 in perspective view another end cap of a cassette housing of a further embodiment of a protective device according to the invention, Fig. 10 a sectional view through a section of the protective device according to the Fig. 1, Fig. 2 to Fig. 3 in a section plane spanned by a vehicle transverse direction and a vehicle vertical direction, Fig. 11 the sub-area according to Fig. 10, however, in a sectional view of a section plane spanned by a vehicle longitudinal direction and a vehicle transverse direction, Fig. 12 the representation according to Fig. 10, but with an inserted cassette housing, Fig. 13 the representation according to Fig. 11, however with an inserted cassette housing, Fig. 14 the representation according to Fig. 12 in the locked state of the cassette housing, Fig. 15 the representation according to Fig. 13, however, with the cassette housing locked, Fig. 16 a representation of a further embodiment of a protective device according to the invention Fig. 4 and in the sectional view according to Fig. 14, but with an additional ejection element, Fig. 17 the section view analogously Fig. 15 of the protective device according to Fig. 16, Fig. 18 the sectional view according to Fig. 16, however in a different functional position of a locking element, Fig. 19 the sectional view according to Fig. 17, however, in the functional position of the locking element according to Fig. 18, Fig. 20 the sectional view according to Fig. 18, however in a different functional position and Fig. 21 the sectional view according to Fig. 19, but in a different functional position.

[0013] A protective device in accordance with the Fig. 1, Fig. 2, Fig. 3, Fig. 4, Fig. 5, Fig. 6, Fig. 7, Fig. 8, Fig. 9, Fig. 10, Fig. 11, Fig. 12, Fig. 13, Fig. 14, Fig. 15, Fig. 16, Fig. 17, Fig. 18, Fig. 19, Fig. 20 to Fig. 21 is provided within the interior of a passenger car, specifically in a rear cargo area of ​​the interior. The protective device comprises a cassette housing 1 in which a winding shaft is rotatably mounted. The cassette housing 1 is provided with a longitudinally extended, rigid hollow profile, which is closed at its opposite end faces by an end cap 2. Corresponding bearing journals for the rotatable mounting of the winding shaft are provided in the end caps 2. A flexible protective structure 10 in the form of a cover sheet is wound and unwound onto the winding shaft. The protective structure 10 is connected at its front end face (in the unwinding direction) to a rigid extension profile 3, which extends over the entire width of the protective structure 10.The extension profile 3 has a guide extension 5 at each of its opposite end face regions, which projects outwards in a web-like manner transverse to an extension direction of the protective structure 10.

[0014] The cassette housing 1 is attached in its vehicle-mounted operating state in a vehicle-mounted bracket, which has an upwardly open mounting receptacle 8 in the area of ​​opposite side walls 6 of the cargo space.

[0015] In addition, a vehicle-mounted guide rail 7 of a vehicle-mounted guide extends along each of the opposite side walls 6 of the cargo space, along which the extension profile 3 can be moved rearward in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle towards a rear area. An extended protective position of the protective structure 10 and thus also of the extension profile 3 is indicated by the Fig. 3. A retracted rest position of the protective structure 10 and thus of the extension profile 3 is evident in Fig. 1 shown. The representation according to Fig. Figure 2 shows a partially extended intermediate position of the shading structure 10.

[0016] To accommodate the guide extensions 5 of the extension profile 3, guide slides 9 are provided in the guide rails 7. These slides project inwards towards the center of the cargo space in a transverse direction across the guide rail 7 and are designed as an upwardly open retaining section, also referred to as a support section. Each support section has an approximately horizontally oriented base and, at a rear end in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, a rear support wall section, and at a front end in the longitudinal direction of the base, a front support wall section. The two support wall sections are spaced far enough apart in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle to allow the respective guide extension 5 to be received in the support section by inserting the guide section 5 into the support section from above. As can be seen from the Fig. 1, Fig. 2 to Fig. As can be seen in Figure 3, the respective guide extension 5 of the extension profile 3 is inserted into the support sections from above in the wound-up rest position of the protective structure 10. For this purpose, the respective retaining receptacle 8 is recessed in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle to such an extent that not only the cassette housing 1 with its end caps 2 can be inserted into the retaining receptacle 8 from above, but also the guide extensions 5 of the extension profile 3. The side wall 6 is drawn inwards above the respective guide rail 7 in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, extending rearwards beyond the retaining receptacle 8, so that an upper cover section of the side wall 6 projects beyond the guide rail 7 towards the center of the cargo space in the transverse direction of the vehicle.This also covers the movement path of the respective support section of the guide glider 9, so that the guide extension 5 of the extension profile 3 cannot be removed upwards from the support section of the guide glider 9 along the guide rail 7. Removal upwards is only possible in the rest position of the protective structure 10, in which the guide gliders 9 have moved forwards into the upwardly open retaining recess 8. The retaining recess 8 is sufficiently large to allow access to the respective guide glider 9 from above.

[0017] The cassette housing 1 is locked in its functional position, inserted into the mounting receptacle 8 of the vehicle-mounted bracket, by at least one locking element 11. The locking element 11 is positioned in the vehicle-mounted mounting receptacle 8. The locking element 11 is guided in the side wall 6 so that it can be linearly displaced in the transverse direction of the vehicle within a limited range. The locking element 11 is operated according to the Fig. 10, Fig. 11, Fig. 12, Fig. 13, Fig. 14, Fig. 15, Fig. 16, Fig. 17, Fig. 18, Fig. 19, Fig. 20 to Fig. 21 is permanently pressurized in a transverse direction towards the center of the cargo space by means of a helical compression spring 15. This forces the locking element 11, in its unloaded initial position, into its locked position, where it protrudes from an opening in a wall section of the retaining receptacle 8 (see, among others, [reference]). Fig. 4).

[0018] The cassette housing 1 has a locking receptacle 13 on its end cap 2 facing the locking element 11, into which the locking element 11 can immerse in its locking position ( Fig. 14, Fig. 15, Fig. 16 to Fig. 17).

[0019] In the embodiment according to the Fig. Figures 4 and 16 to 21 additionally assign an ejection device with an ejection element 12 to the cassette housing 1. This ejection element has a leading-edge and interacts with a complementary bevel on a lower edge region of the end cap 2, so that the end cap 2 is pushed upwards in the vehicle-mounted retaining holder 8 when the end cap 2 is not locked by the locking element 11. The ejection element 12 is permanently compressed towards the center of the cargo space by an ejection spring 18 designed as a helical compression spring. When the cassette housing 1 is manually inserted into the retaining holder 8 by an operator and pressed downwards, the end cap 2 necessarily pushes the ejection element 12 back outwards in the transverse direction of the vehicle, as shown in the illustrations. Fig. 16 and Fig. 18 can be taken from it.

[0020] When the cassette housing 1 is inserted from above into the retaining receptacle 8, the locking element 11 is inevitably also pressed outwards in a transverse direction into the opening by the angled lower edge of the end cap 2, so that the end cap 2 can be pressed downwards until it reaches the bottom of the retaining receptacle 8. This moves the end cap 2 downwards far enough that a lower edge of the locking receptacle 13 is positioned below the locking element 11. This allows the compression spring 15 to force the locking element 11 into the locking receptacle 13, thus locking the end cap 2 and consequently the cassette housing 1 in the retaining receptacle 8.

[0021] To move the locking element 11 out of this locked position, a control finger 6 is linearly movable in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle within the guide rail 7 of the vehicle-mounted guide. The locking element 11 also has a chamfer 17 at the level of a leading-edge contour of the control finger 16. When the control finger 16 is moved forward in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle within the guide rail 7, it encounters the chamfer 17 and thereby necessarily pushes the locking element 11 into its release position, in which the locking element 11 is inserted outwards into the opening of the retaining receptacle 8 in the transverse direction of the vehicle. The control finger 16, which is linearly guided in a guide groove of the guide rail 7, is displaced by an electrical actuator of a control unit in a manner not shown in detail.The control device can be operated manually by means of a corresponding actuator on a side sill of the side wall 6. Alternatively, the actuator can be operated electrically to move the control finger 16 forward or backward along the guide rail 7 in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. As soon as the control finger 16 has pushed the locking element 11 outward in the transverse direction of the vehicle, the cassette housing 1 is released and can be removed upwards, including the extension profile 3, in its rest position. Conversely, the cassette housing 1, including the extension profile 3, can also be reinserted into the retaining mounts 8. Advantageously, a locking element 11 is provided in only one of the two retaining mounts 8, while on the opposite side, only a fixed retaining cam is positioned in the retaining mount 8.To mount the cassette housing 1, the cassette housing 1 can first be inserted at an angle into this retaining cam with the opposite end cap 2 and then pressed downwards in the area of ​​the illustrated retaining receptacle 8, resulting in the desired locking by means of the movable locking element 11.

[0022] In the illustrated embodiments according to the Fig. 6, Fig. 7, Fig. 8 to Fig. 9 corresponds to end cap 2 according to Fig. 6 of the end cap 2, as explained in more detail above.

[0023] In the case of an end cap 2a according to Fig. 7 An ejection element 14 is provided not in the area of ​​the vehicle-mounted retaining device 8, but rather on the end cap 2a itself. This ejection element 14 is movable in the longitudinal direction of the cassette housing. The vehicle-mounted retaining device 8 has a complementary, stationary counter-profiling with which the spring-loaded ejection element 14 interacts. The spring loading of the ejection element 14 is provided by an ejection spring integrated in the end cap 2a, designed as a helical compression spring, which permanently compresses the ejection element 14 laterally outwards, i.e., towards an end face of the end cap 2a. On opposite sides of the end cap 2b, two ejection elements 14b are provided, which are mounted in the end cap 2b in opposite directions, allowing linear movement in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle – relative to a ready-to-use position of the end cap 2b in a retaining device 8.At least one compression spring acting on the ejector elements 14b is integrated into the end cap 2b. The retaining receptacle 8 has fixed counter-profilings positioned complementarily to the ejector elements 14b. When the end cap 2b is inserted into the retaining receptacle, these counter-profilings bear against the ejector elements 14b and press them inwards. A locking element (not shown) is designed to engage in the locking receptacle 13b and secure the end cap 2b in the retaining receptacle. As soon as the locking mechanism in the area of ​​the locking receptacle 13b is released, the spring forces of the at least one ejector spring forcefully push the ejector elements 14b forwards and backwards in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. This causes them to slide upwards along the fixed counter-profilings, tilting the end cap 2b and thus also the cassette housing upwards.

[0024] In the embodiment according to Fig.9 The end cap 2c is provided with an ejector element 14c, which is linearly movable downwards in a bottom-side receptacle of the end cap 2c in the upward direction of the vehicle. At least one ejector spring, which exerts a permanent downward pressure on the ejector element 14c, is integrated into the end cap 2c. The end cap 2c has a locking receptacle 13c on its front face, which functions analogously to the locking receptacle 13, 13a, or 13b described above. QUOTES INCLUDED IN THE DESCRIPTION

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

[0000] EP 1 084 907 A2

[0002]

Claims

Protective device for the interior of a motor vehicle, comprising a flexible protective structure (10) that is movable between a compactly stowed rest position and an extended protective position, wherein the protective structure (10) is received in the compactly stowed rest position in a cassette housing (1) that is detachably mountable in a vehicle-mounted bracket (8), and wherein the protective structure (10) is connected to a dimensionally stable extension profile (3) that is movable along a vehicle-mounted guide (7) between the rest position and the protective position of the protective structure (10), and with a guide slide (9) that is slidably guided in the vehicle-mounted guide (7) and is provided with a retaining section for detachably receiving an end face of the extension profile (3), characterized in thatthat the retaining section (carrier section) of the guide slider (9) projects out of the vehicle-mounted guide (7) towards the center of the vehicle and is designed to be open at the top – in relation to a vehicle-mounted operating position – such that when the cassette housing (1) is inserted into the vehicle-mounted holder (8) in the rest position of the protective structure (10), the end face of the extension profile inevitably dips into the retaining section from above. Protective device according to claim 1, characterized in that a drive transmission train for displacing the guide slider (9) along the vehicle-fixed guide (7) is laid in the guide. Protective device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that an electric drive unit is provided to move the drive transmission train linearly in the guide. Protective device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a movable locking element (11) is associated with the vehicle-mounted bracket, which secures the cassette housing (1) in the bracket or releases it for removal, and that a movably mounted control finger (16) is provided, which can be mechanically brought into operative contact with the locking element (11) in order to move the locking element (11) into a locking position or a release position. Protective device according to claim 4, characterized in that the control finger (16) is coupled to the drive transmission train. Protective device according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that a control device is assigned to the control finger (16) which moves the control finger (16) into the locking position or the release position of the locking element (11) depending on a positioning of the cassette housing (1) in the vehicle-fixed holder (8). Protective device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a mechanical ejection device is associated with the cassette housing (1) which pushes the cassette housing (1) upwards out of the vehicle-mounted holder (8) in the release position of the locking element (11). Protective device according to claim 7, characterized in that the ejection device has at least one spring-loaded ejection element (12) which is arranged on the cassette housing or on the vehicle-mounted bracket (8).

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