Motor vehicle with an actively formable holding device for holding a curtain and method for operating a holding device of a motor vehicle

Abstract

The invention relates to a motor vehicle with at least one holding device (22) for holding an object. The holding device (22) comprises at least one activatable material (24). By activating the material (24), the shape of the holding device (22) can be changed. The holding device (22) can be brought from a non-use state to a use state by changing its shape, wherein the holding device (22) is configured to hold the object in the use state. The at least one holding device (22) is arranged in a roof area (20) of a passenger compartment of the motor vehicle and is configured to hold a partition device as the object in the use state. By means of the partition device, a first sub-area (14) of the passenger compartment can be separated from a second sub-area (16) of the passenger compartment, wherein the respective sub-areas (14, 16) can be used to accommodate at least one occupant of the passenger compartment.Furthermore, the invention relates to a method for operating a holding device (22) of a motor vehicle.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a motor vehicle with at least one holding device for holding an object. The holding device comprises at least one activatable material, wherein the shape of the holding device can be changed by activating the material. The holding device can be brought from a non-use state to a use state by changing its shape. In the use state, the holding device is configured to hold the object. Furthermore, the invention relates to a method for operating at least one holding device of a motor vehicle.

[0002] In motor vehicles, it is desirable to create privacy for individual occupants of the passenger compartment. In this context, it may be possible to provide a curtain or similar partition to separate a section of the passenger compartment. However, installing a curtain suitable for partitioning sections of the passenger compartment in motor vehicles can be challenging.

[0003] German patent DE 10 2008 021 679 A1 describes an adaptive object holder made of an active material. The object holder, which is designed, for example, to hold a cup or a bottle, is activated by activating the active material. For instance, activating the material can cause the object to be gripped by the object holder.

[0004] A disadvantage here is that the usability of the object holder is comparatively limited.

[0005] DE 10 2008 040 001 A1 describes a covering arrangement based on an active material, wherein the active material is designed to undergo a change upon receiving an activation signal, which is effective in transforming an element of the covering arrangement from a first form to a second form.

[0006] DE 20 2010 001 153 U1 discloses a vehicle component, wherein the vehicle component is made partly or completely from a textile fabric woven from wide threads and / or narrow threads of one or more natural materials.

[0007] The JP 2000 085477 A reveals a storage box device for the luggage floor.

[0008] DE 10 20211 115 562 B4 discloses a holding device with a base and a holding mechanism.

[0009] The object of the present invention is to create a motor vehicle of the type mentioned at the outset in which the holding device has extended functionality, and to provide a corresponding method for operating at least one holding device of a motor vehicle.

[0010] This problem is solved by a motor vehicle with the features of claim 1 and by a method with the features of claim 10. Advantageous embodiments with expedient further developments of the invention are specified in the dependent claims and in the following description.

[0011] In the motor vehicle according to the invention, which has at least one holding device designed to hold an object, the holding device comprises at least one activatable material. By activating the material, the shape of the holding device can be changed, whereby the holding device can be moved from a non-use state to a use state by changing its shape. In the use state, the holding device is designed to hold the object. The at least one holding device is arranged in a roof area of ​​a passenger compartment of the motor vehicle. Here, the holding device is designed to hold a partition device as the object in the use state, by means of which a first sub-area of ​​the passenger compartment can be separated from a second sub-area of ​​the passenger compartment. The respective sub-area can be used to accommodate at least one occupant of the passenger compartment.

[0012] The partition device can therefore be advantageously used to separate sections of the passenger compartment where at least one occupant of the vehicle may be located. Thus, putting the restraint device into its operational state offers a simple way to create privacy for the occupants of the passenger compartment. This only requires activating at least one of the restraint device's activatable components to change its shape. Changing the shape of the restraint device puts it into its operational state, in which the partition can be attached to the restraint device. The restraint device therefore has extended functionality.

[0013] Nevertheless, the retaining device does not interfere when it is in its non-use state. The material can be reversibly activated and deactivated, allowing the retaining device to be switched between its non-use and use states. Furthermore, when the retaining device is in use, at least two compartments within the passenger compartment can be separated or partitioned, as the partition can be held in place by the retaining device or fixed to it. Thus, private spaces or compartments can be created within the passenger compartment of the vehicle virtually on demand. This is advantageous.

[0014] And since the holding device is located in the roof area of ​​the passenger compartment, it is particularly easy to create a partition in the passenger compartment extending up to an upper boundary of the passenger compartment by holding the partition device, the holding device having previously been brought into the working state by activating the material.

[0015] Preferably, the holding device in its operational state is designed as a keder rail in which a keder element of the separating device can be arranged. Such a form of holding device in its operational state, designed like a channel-shaped receptacle with a retaining area for the keder element, is particularly advantageous for threading the separating device securely, easily, and quickly into the keder rail. This allows the separating device to be used quickly and efficiently in the passenger compartment to separate the first section of the passenger compartment from the second section.

[0016] Preferably, the separating device is held on the keder rail by inserting the keder element into a receiving area of ​​the keder rail, whereby the separating device is slidable along the keder rail. This allows for a very simple and cost-effective separation of the first section of the passenger compartment from the second section of the passenger compartment.

[0017] Furthermore, it is advantageous that the user can individually determine which part of the passenger compartment is to be separated from which other part by sliding the partition along the keder rail. In particular, this allows the size and / or position of the private space to be individually defined by the vehicle occupant.

[0018] Particularly when multiple grab rails are located in the roof area of ​​the passenger compartment, the user can easily select which grab rail is activated by selecting the appropriate material for each one, thus enabling the use of that grab rail for securing the partition. This is also advantageous with regard to individually adjusting the size and / or position of the private space within the passenger compartment.

[0019] Preferably, the keder element is designed as a keder strip of the separating device, wherein a base body of the separating device is provided by a flexible textile fabric. This results in a very simple design and an advantageously low weight for the separating device. Furthermore, gravity can be used to smooth out the textile fabric in the direction of gravity. This is also advantageous.

[0020] Preferably, the retaining device, when not in use, has a shape that prevents the separating device from being fixed to the retaining device. In other words, it is preferably provided that the retaining device, when not in use, is not suitable for holding the separating device. Then the retaining device is particularly unobtrusive in the roof area of ​​the passenger compartment when it is not in use. In particular, a very inconspicuous appearance of the retaining device can be achieved by putting it into the non-use state.

[0021] It has also proven advantageous if the holding device is at least partially concealed from an observer looking at the roof area from the passenger compartment when not in use. This also contributes to a very discreet integration of the holding device into the roof area.

[0022] For example, the holding device can be designed in such a way that it is completely invisible to an observer looking at the roof area when not in use. Only when the holding device is put into use does it become visible, emerging from the contours of the roof area. This is advantageous for a particularly discreet integration of at least one holding device into the roof area of ​​the passenger compartment.

[0023] The at least one holding device can be integrated into and / or arranged on the headliner of the motor vehicle. This places the at least one holding device in the passenger compartment where this is particularly advantageous for separating sections usable by the occupants of the passenger compartment using the partition device.

[0024] For example, the headliner can be provided by a trim element of the vehicle, with the at least one mounting device concealed beneath a cover layer of the trim element or trim component. This facilitates a particularly discreet integration of the at least one mounting device into the roof area of ​​the passenger compartment.

[0025] The active or shape-changing material, which enables the switching of the holding device from its used state to its unused state and back, can be provided by a variety of intelligent or morphing materials. Such morphing materials can change their shape in response to external stimuli such as changes in temperature, light, humidity, electric fields, magnetic fields, or the like. Activating the material allows for a very simple and efficient switching of the holding device between its used and unused states.

[0026] In particular, the activatable material can be a shape memory material. This makes it especially easy to return the holding device to its operating state and back again. For example, the shape memory material can be a shape memory alloy. Such a shape memory alloy can seemingly "remember" an original shape and return to it, for example, by changing the temperature. For instance, it can be designed so that heating the shape memory alloy causes the holding device to return to its original shape. Nitinol, a nickel-titanium alloy, can be used as the shape memory alloy for the holding device.

[0027] Additionally or alternatively, the activatable material can be provided by an electroactive polymer. Such polymers change their shape or size when an electric field is applied. Due to the readily controllable use of such polymers in actuators and sensors, the use of the electroactive polymer as the activatable material for the holding device is technically easy to implement.

[0028] Additionally or alternatively, the activatable material can be provided by a thermoplastic. Such a thermoplastic material can be heated until it softens. Then, by appropriate thermoforming, the material can be brought into the desired shape. After cooling, the material retains the new shape, in which the holding device can be configured, particularly in its operational state.

[0029] Additionally or alternatively, the activatable material can be provided by a hydrogel. Such a hydrogel, formed from a polymer, can bind a comparatively large amount of water and change its shape and size by absorbing water. This also makes it very easy and efficient to bring the holding device into its operating state.

[0030] Furthermore, the shape and size of a body formed from the hydrogel can be influenced by changing the pH value and / or temperature. This can also be used very easily to bring at least one holding device into working order.

[0031] Preferably, by bringing at least one holding device into its operational state and attaching the separating device to at least one holding device, a single vehicle seat and / or a group of vehicle seats can be separated from the second part of the passenger compartment as the first part of the passenger compartment. This allows for excellent fulfillment of the respective wishes of the occupants of the passenger compartment with regard to the separation of individual parts of the passenger compartment.

[0032] For example, multiple restraint devices can be arranged in the roof area of ​​the passenger compartment, each of which can be individually controlled by activating the respective device's component. This allows the user or occupant of the passenger compartment to easily activate the restraint device(s) they wish to use for attaching at least one partition. This facilitates a high degree of customization of the passenger compartment with regard to separating its various sections.

[0033] In the inventive method for operating at least one holding device of a motor vehicle, which is designed to hold an object, the holding device comprises at least one activatable material. Activating the material changes the shape of the holding device, thereby bringing it from a non-use state to a use state. In the use state, the holding device is configured to hold the object. The at least one holding device is arranged in a roof area of ​​a passenger compartment of the motor vehicle, and by being brought into the use state, the holding device is configured to hold the object as a separating device.By means of the separating device, a first sub-area of ​​the passenger compartment can be separated from a second sub-area of ​​the passenger compartment, wherein the respective sub-area can be used or is usable for accommodating at least one occupant of the passenger compartment.

[0034] In such a procedure, the extended functionality provided by the holding device can be used to advantage. In particular, after the holding device has been put into operation, the separating device can be attached to the holding device to demarcate the sections of the passenger compartment from one another. This is advantageous.

[0035] The advantages and preferred embodiments described for the motor vehicle according to the invention apply analogously to the method according to the invention and vice versa.

[0036] The invention therefore also includes further developments of the method according to the invention, which have features as already described in connection with the further developments of the motor vehicle according to the invention. For this reason, the corresponding further developments of the method according to the invention are not described again here.

[0037] The motor vehicle according to the invention is preferably designed as a motor vehicle, in particular as a passenger car or truck, or as a passenger bus.

[0038] The invention also includes combinations of the features of the described embodiments. The invention therefore also includes realizations that each exhibit a combination of the features of several of the described embodiments, provided that the embodiments have not been described as mutually exclusive.

[0039] The following are exemplary embodiments of the invention described. This is illustrated by: Fig. 1 schematically a motor vehicle in which a partition device designed as a curtain separates a front part of the passenger compartment from a rear part of the passenger compartment; Fig. 2. Partially, one on the headliner of the motor vehicle according to Fig. 1. Holding device of the motor vehicle arranged or integrated into the roof lining of the motor vehicle, wherein the holding device is brought into a state of use by activating an activatable material, in which the holding device is designed as a keder rail; Fig. 3. Sectional view of the separating device designed in the manner of a curtain, which has a keder strip as a keder element that is inserted into a receiving space of the in Fig. 2 can be threaded into the keder rail shown; Fig. 4 schematically the curtain according to Fig. 3, whose keder strip fits into the keder rail according to Fig. 2 is threaded; and Fig. 5 schematically possible placements of holding devices in the area of ​​the roof lining of the motor vehicle, whereby different sub-areas of the passenger compartment can be separated from each other by bringing the holding devices into the state of use, by threading corresponding curtains into the keder rails thus provided.

[0040] The exemplary embodiments described below are preferred embodiments of the invention. In these exemplary embodiments, the described components each represent individual features of the invention, which can be considered independently of one another and each further develops the invention independently. Therefore, the disclosure is intended to include combinations of features of the embodiments other than those shown. Furthermore, the described embodiments can also be supplemented by further features of the invention already described.

[0041] In the figures, identical reference symbols denote functionally equivalent elements.

[0042] In Fig. Figure 1 schematically shows a motor vehicle 10, which has a passenger compartment 12. Within the passenger compartment 12, a first sub-area 14 can be separated or partitioned from a second sub-area 16 by using a partition 18 designed like a curtain. To enable the partition 18 to be installed easily and with minimal effort in the passenger compartment 12, the motor vehicle 10 has at least one retaining device 22 in a roof area 20 of the passenger compartment 12. The retaining device 22 is located in Fig. 2 shown in sections and perspectives, whereby the in Fig. 2 The holding device 22 shown is in a state of use.

[0043] According to Fig. 2 The holding device 22 is designed as a keder rail in the operating state of the holding device 22, wherein a keder strip 28 of the separating device 18 (compare Fig. 3) can be inserted or threaded. The holding device 22 has at least one activatable material 24, whereby the shape of the holding device 22 can be changed by activating the material.

[0044] In Fig. Figure 2 shows the holding device 22, designed as a keder rail, in the state of use in which the keder rail is provided due to the activation of the material 24 by the holding device 22. The shape-changing material 24, or activatable material 24, or morphing material 24, can be Fig. 2 in particular be integrated into a headliner 30 of the motor vehicle 10, the headliner 30 being the upper boundary of the passenger compartment 12. Since the material 24 can be activated as required, the keder rails can be provided in the headliner 30 as needed. And separating devices 18, for example in the form of the in Fig. The 3 curtains shown schematically can be threaded into the keder rails and moved along the keder rails.

[0045] In Fig. Figure 3 shows a perspective view of a loop area 32 of the curtain or the separating device 18, through which the keder strip 28 is provided. The keder strip 28, designed in the manner of such a loop, can be easily threaded into the receiving space 26 of the keder rail.

[0046] In the loop section 32 of the separating device 18, a stiffening element (not shown here), for example in the form of a flexible rod, can be arranged or accommodated. The rod serving as a stiffening element can be made of a plastic or the like. However, it is also possible to provide the welt 28 by sewing around a free end section of the separating device 18, without an additional stiffening element being arranged in the loop section 32.

[0047] A base body 34 of the separating device 18 is preferably provided by a flexible textile surface structure (compare Fig. 3).

[0048] The shape-changing or activatable material 24 can, for example, be a shape memory alloy, whereby alternatively or additionally many other mechanisms are possible to bring the holding device 22 into the service state when required (compare Fig. 2) to effect. The material 24 used in the headliner 30 can be activated if required, thereby forming or making the keder rail appear.

[0049] The specific stimulus required to activate material 24 depends on the type of material 24. For example, if material 24 is a shape-memory alloy, heating can cause deformation of the material 24 and thus of the holding device 22.

[0050] In contrast, with a magnetic shape-memory alloy, the shape of the holding device 22 can be changed by applying a magnetic field. And if the material 24 is designed, for example, as an electroactive polymer, the shape of the holding device 22 can be changed by applying an electric field, thus changing the shape of the keder rail as needed (compare Fig. 2) be provided.

[0051] The separating device 18, designed here as a curtain, with the sewn-in keder strip 28, can be threaded into the keder rail provided by bringing the holding device 22 into the operating state. Fig. Figure 3 shows the state in which the keder strip 28 of the separating device 18 is threaded into the keder rail.

[0052] By using the curtain or partition 18 in the passenger compartment 12 of the motor vehicle 10, private rooms or sections can be easily and effectively separated from one another in the passenger compartment 12.

[0053] Depending on where at least one holding device 22 is arranged in the roof area 20 of the passenger compartment 12, different sub-areas of the passenger compartment 12 can be separated from one another. This is intended to be illustrated with reference to Fig. 5 will be explained.

[0054] For example, it is possible to separate a vehicle seat in the form of a driver's seat 36 from a passenger seat 38 and / or from a rear row of seats 40 by threading a curtain or similar separating device 18 into a first holding device 22. Fig. Figure 5 also shows a second holding device 22, by means of which the passenger seat 38 can be separated from the driver's seat 36 and from the rear row of seats 40.

[0055] Additionally or alternatively, a Fig. 5. A further holding device 22, shown schematically, is used to separate the front section 14 from the rear section 16 of the passenger compartment 12, as shown schematically in Figure 5. Fig. Figure 1 shows that the separating device 18 or the curtain can be arranged behind the front vehicle seats in the form of the driver's seat 36 and the front passenger seat 38 and in front of the rear row of seats 40.

[0056] Furthermore, in Fig. 5 schematically shown further holding devices 22 which can be used to separate individual seats 42 from each other in the area of ​​the rear seat row 40.

[0057] The arrangements and the number of holding devices 22 in the motor vehicle 10 according to Fig. Figure 5 is only an example. Accordingly, the representation in Fig. 5 merely illustrates how, by bringing the at least one holding device 22 into the operating state, in which the at least one holding device 22 preferably holds a respective keder rail (compare Fig. 2) is provided in which the passenger compartment 12 of the motor vehicle 10 private rooms or private sub-areas can be created.

[0058] Overall, the examples show how, by applying the shape-changing or activatable material 24 in the headliner 30 of the motor vehicle 10, separate rooms can be provided in the passenger compartment 12 for the partition curtain or partition device 18.

Claims

[1] Motor vehicle (10) with at least one holding device (22) for holding an object, wherein the holding device (22) has at least one activatable material (24), wherein by activating the material (24) a shape of the holding device (22) can be changed, wherein the holding device (22) can be brought from a non-use state to a use state by changing the shape, and wherein the holding device (22) in the use state is configured to hold the object, characterized by, that the at least one holding device (22) is arranged in a roof area (20) of a passenger compartment (12) of the motor vehicle (10), wherein the holding device (22) is designed to hold a separating device (18) in the state of use, by means of which a first sub-area (14) of the passenger compartment (12) can be separated from a second sub-area (16) of the passenger compartment (12), wherein the respective sub-area (14, 16) can be used to accommodate at least one occupant of the passenger compartment (12). [2] Motor vehicle (10) according to claim 1, characterized by , that the holding device (22) is designed as a keder rail in the state of use, in which a keder element (28) of the separating device (18) can be arranged. [3] Motor vehicle (10) according to claim 2, characterized by, that the separating device (18) is held on the keder rail by inserting the keder element (28) into a receiving space (26) of the keder rail, wherein the separating device (18) is slidable along the keder rail. [4] Motor vehicle (10) according to claim 3, characterized by , that the keder element is designed as a keder strip (28) of the separating device (18), wherein a base body (34) of the separating device (18) is provided by a flexible textile surface structure. [5] Motor vehicle (10) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the holding device (22) in the non-use state has a form in which it is prevented that the separating device (18) can be fixed to the holding device (22), and / or that the holding device (22) in the non-use state is at least partially hidden from an observer looking from the passenger compartment at the roof area (20). [6] Motor vehicle (10) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by , that at least one holding device (22) is integrated into a roof liner (30) of the motor vehicle (10) and / or is arranged on a roof liner (30) of the motor vehicle (10). [7] Motor vehicle (10) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the activatable material (24) is provided by a shape memory material, in particular by a shape memory alloy, and / or by an electroactive polymer. [8] Motor vehicle (10) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the activatable material (24) is provided by a thermoplastic and / or by a hydrogel. [9] Motor vehicle (10) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by, that by bringing the at least one holding device (22) into the state of use and by attaching the separating device (18) to the at least one holding device (22) as the first part of the passenger compartment (12) a single vehicle seat (36, 38) of the motor vehicle (10) and / or a group of vehicle seats (42) of the motor vehicle (10) can be separated from the second part of the passenger compartment (12). [10] Method for operating at least one holding device (22) of a motor vehicle (10) which is designed to hold an object, wherein the holding device (22) has at least one activatable material (24), wherein by activating the material (24) a shape of the holding device (22) is changed, wherein the holding device (22) is brought from a non-use state to a use state by changing the shape, and wherein the holding device (22) in the use state is designed to hold the object, characterized by, that the at least one holding device (22) is arranged in a roof area (20) of a passenger compartment (12) of the motor vehicle (10), wherein the holding device (22) is designed by being brought into the state of use to be able to hold the object a separating device (18), by means of which a first sub-area (14) of the passenger compartment (12) can be separated from a second sub-area (16) of the passenger compartment (12), wherein the respective sub-area (14, 16) can be used to accommodate at least one occupant of the passenger compartment (12).

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