DUMMY BUFFER

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a dummy buffer for adjusting body components, such as front or rear lids, of, for example, passenger cars, a mounting set, a method for positioning body components and a use of a stop element.

[0002] Body components, such as hoods and tailgates, are usually connected to the respective vehicle body via hinges. In a stop position, the body component is still engaged or locked in a locking device and also rests against, for example, two stop buffers, so that the body component, together with the adjoining exterior body parts, forms a substantially closed unit. Such stop buffers are usually adjustable in height and length. When correctly adjusted, the respective body component rests against the locking device, for example, the tailgate lock, and the hinges as a counterbearing with a predetermined preload.During vehicle manufacture, this stop position of the body component, including a specified preload, is adjusted with considerable manual effort, for example, using "dummy buffers." This primarily serves to determine a desired distance between the respective body component and the body structure. This determined distance can then be transferred to the final stop buffer to be installed. The problem with this is that, depending on the closing speed or closing force, the dummy buffer is pressed in to different extents, which may make it impossible to determine the correct distance or preload value. Adjustment without dummy buffers is also known, but this has the disadvantage that the component to be adjusted must be opened and closed several times to achieve the correct preload. This process is therefore extremely time-consuming.

[0003] DE 10 2009 013 074 A1 relates to a stop buffer arrangement for vehicle flaps, comprising a bearing section which can be fixed to a vehicle body, a holding section which can be adjusted relative to the bearing section, a buffer section and a spring which can be arranged between the holding section and the buffer section.

[0004] DE 20 2014 105 963 U1 relates to a hood stop assembly for adjusting a selected height position of a hood of a vehicle with respect to a support frame for the hood.

[0005] It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a dummy buffer, an assembly set, a method for positioning body components and a use of a dummy buffer which enable a quick and efficient adjustment of body components, in particular to one another.

[0006] This object is achieved by a dummy buffer according to claim 1, by a mounting set according to claim 7, by a method according to claim 8 and by a use according to claim 10. Further advantages and features emerge from the subclaims as well as the description and the attached figures.

[0007] According to the invention, a dummy buffer for adjusting body components or body flaps, such as rear or front flaps of, for example, passenger cars, comprises an arrangement region and a stop region, which are resiliently mounted relative to one another, wherein the arrangement region is designed for the arrangement of the stop element on a first component and wherein the stop region is designed as a stop for a second component, and wherein the dummy buffer comprises a locking mechanism which is designed to lock, fix or lock a position or orientation of the stop region relative to the arrangement region. The first component can be the movable body component, such as, for example, the rear flap. The second component is possibly a vehicle or body frame or a vehicle or body structure. Alternatively, the design is also reversed.For example only, the first component is referred to below as the tailgate and the second component as the body structure. The tailgate expediently comprises a corresponding arrangement section for arranging the arrangement area of the dummy buffer. A positive and / or non-positive connection or fastening is expediently provided for this purpose. A type of bayonet lock, for example, is advantageous, as this enables both quick attachment and quick release of the dummy buffer. In a preferred embodiment, the stop area comprises a stop surface, which is, for example, spherical or in the shape of a circular segment or a half-shell.The stop area and / or the stop surface are expediently made of a material which enables secure contact / rest against the body structure, wherein the material is selected in particular to ensure that the body structure cannot be scratched or, more generally, damaged. The stop area and / or the stop surface is / are expediently made of a suitable rubber material or coated with such a material. Alternatively, the stop area and / or the stop surface can also be made of metal, particularly if, for example, the body structure is provided with a suitable material at the corresponding point. In principle, the dummy buffer can be made of metal or plastic, for example, or a combination of the aforementioned materials. The major advantage is that the stop area and / or the stop surface can be made of metal or plastic, or a combination of the aforementioned materials.whose stop surface is spring-mounted relative to the arrangement area, thereby compensating for any overswing of the tailgate when closing. The spring mechanism therefore always ensures that the stop area rests against the body structure in the respective end or closed position of the tailgate. Secure contact is guaranteed regardless of the closing force and closing speed. When closing the tailgate, depending on the closing force and / or closing speed, an "overswing" can occur; i.e., the tailgate is briefly displaced closer towards the body structure than intended in the actual end, closed, or stop position. The spring or spring element is designed to absorb or cushion this "overswing." Without this spring mechanism, the stop area would remain in a "too low" position, so to speak.If, after closing the tailgate, it is opened again to measure the distance between the arrangement area and the stop area or stop surface, this value would be too small. This disadvantage is effectively avoided by the present spring-loaded mounting. A second important advantage is the provision of a locking mechanism, which is designed to lock the position or location of the stop area relative to the arrangement area. In other words, the aforementioned state of the stop area or its position is "frozen" or fixed in the closed, end, or stop position of the tailgate.

[0008] According to one embodiment, the dummy buffer comprises a base body extending along a longitudinal direction, with the stop region being movably mounted along the longitudinal direction. In the assembled or installed state of the dummy buffer, the longitudinal direction expediently extends along a closing tangent of the tailgate in the region of the dummy buffer.

[0009] According to a preferred embodiment, the dummy buffer comprises a spring mechanism, by means of which the stop region is mounted, in particular resiliently. According to one embodiment, the spring mechanism comprises a spring element, for example in the form of a coil spring. Alternatively or additionally, a rubber or elastomer element can also be used. According to various embodiments, additionally or alternatively, hydraulic and / or pneumatic systems can also be used to provide the spring effect or a damping effect. According to preferred embodiments, the spring travel provided is approximately 3-10 mm, preferably approximately 4-8 mm. Typical spring stiffnesses, in particular when using a coil spring, are, for example, in a range of approximately 1 to 3 N / mm, for example approximately 2 N / mm.

[0010] According to the invention, the locking mechanism can be operated remotely.

[0011] This is particularly advantageous because, in many vehicle types or variants, such as sedans, the dummy buffer(s) are not accessible in the tailgate's closed, end, or stop position. This is certainly possible in some station wagons. However, accessibility is usually a problem, so it is particularly advantageous in this case that the locking mechanism can be operated remotely, for example, from outside the vehicle or body structure. A mechanic can therefore conveniently stand next to the vehicle or body structure and then use the locking mechanism to determine the position or location of the stop area relative to the arrangement area, lock it, secure it, etc. The dummy buffer expediently comprises actuating means designed to actuate the locking mechanism, particularly remotely.

[0012] According to one embodiment, the locking mechanism is, for example, mechanically designed, with the actuating means(s) being designed as a Bowden cable. According to one embodiment, the mechanically designed locking mechanism is based, for example, on the principle of self-locking. By means of the Bowden cable, a correspondingly designed bushing inside the stop element can be tightened / displaced and locked by providing corresponding wedge surfaces or wedge elements. The design is not critical and can be interpreted by a person skilled in the art on a case-by-case basis. According to one embodiment, the dummy buffer has, for example, a corresponding, in particular external, sleeve, via which the bushing fixed inside the dummy buffer by self-locking can be loosened again by twisting.

[0013] According to an alternative embodiment, the locking mechanism is electrically and / or magnetically configured. For example, a coil or magnet can be provided in the dummy buffer, which can be actuated by applying current, so that the position or location of the stop area can be fixed. Release is then very easily achieved, for example, by interrupting the current flow again, or vice versa.

[0014] Depending on the design of the locking mechanism, the actuating means(s) may also be designed to be "virtual / contactless", for example if the actuation is or can be carried out wirelessly, for example by transmitting a radio signal.

[0015] The invention also relates to an assembly set comprising at least two dummy buffers according to the invention, as well as an actuating device, wherein the at least two stop elements each have a locking mechanism and actuating means and wherein the actuating device is designed to actuate the actuating means, in particular even simultaneously.

[0016] A tailgate, for example, is fixed or adjusted in a closed, end, or stop position using two dummy buffers. By simply actuating the actuating device, both stop elements or their locking mechanisms can then be activated, for example, "at the push of a button." This enables very quick adjustment of the tailgate, particularly because the dummy buffers do not have to be fixed individually or one after the other, but can be activated simultaneously via the actuating device. Regarding the actuating device, the above-mentioned provisions regarding the actuating means or the locking mechanism essentially apply. In this respect, the actuating device can also be a mechanical system. Alternatively, an electrical and / or magnetic design is also possible, particularly with the aid of wireless data transmission, for example, using radio signals.

[0017] The invention further relates to a method for positioning or adjusting body components relative to one another, comprising the steps: Providing a dummy buffer according to the invention, which has an arrangement region and a stop region that are resiliently mounted relative to one another; arranging the at least one dummy buffer in or on a first component; positioning the first component and / or a second component relative to one another, wherein a position or location of the stop region relative to the arrangement region is changed; remotely locking or locking the position or location of the stop region.

[0018] Positioning specifically refers to the closing of the corresponding movably mounted body component (first or second component). In a closed, end, or stop position, the body component, for example, the tailgate, is engaged in a locking device, such as a tailgate lock. Thanks to the spring-loaded mounting, the stop area of the dummy buffer reliably rests against the opposing component, regardless of the closing force and closing speed. Remote locking now advantageously allows for the "freezing" of this state.

[0019] The advantages and features mentioned in connection with the dummy buffer apply analogously and accordingly to the procedure and to the aforementioned assembly set, and vice versa.

[0020] The method can expediently also include one or more of the following method steps. According to the invention, the method step "measuring the dummy buffer" is provided in all cases, whereby these again refer to the "tailgate" example: Opening the tailgate; removing the dummy buffer; measuring the dummy buffer, in particular measuring a distance or transferring a distance of the stop area relative to the arrangement area to a stop buffer; the stop buffer is the element that is to be installed in the finished vehicle; during the aforementioned transfer, an additional dimension is expediently already automatically taken into account for the stop buffer, whereby a desired preload can be set; at this point, it should be mentioned that the dummy buffer is significantly more complex in its design than the stop buffer, so that the dummy buffer should be understood as a tool for correctly adjusting the "final" stop buffer; installing the stop buffer(s) at the locations where the dummy buffers were previously mounted.

[0021] According to one embodiment of the method, the aforementioned positioning of the first and / or second component comprises deforming the respective component, in particular elastically. A large, flat component, such as a tailgate, always has a certain dimensional deviation due to its size, for example in relation to its width. Simply put, the tailgate is, for example, slightly warped or crooked, whereby this warping can be caused, for example, by the painting process. In the closed, end or stop position of the tailgate, this can lead, for example, to the problem that the tailgate is slightly too high on one side, for example the right, while it is slightly too low on the other side, for example the left. This offset can advantageously be compensated for by, for example, slightly pressing on the right side of the tailgate, with sufficient force until a desired position / orientation is reached.In this state, the locking mechanisms of the dummy buffers are actuated. Using the aforementioned actuation device, the locking mechanisms can advantageously even be activated simultaneously, if necessary. In the present example, this means that by pressing on the tailgate, the stop area in the right-hand part of the tailgate is shifted slightly toward the arrangement area, while the stop area in the left-hand part of the tailgate slightly increases its distance relative to the arrangement area.

[0022] However, thanks to the spring-loaded mounting, both stop areas remain in contact with the body structure. The tailgate is now in its desired position, and this position can be adjusted by operating the locking mechanisms. The tailgate is thus ideally aligned and preloaded via the dummy buffers, particularly in such a way that height differences to adjacent components, gap dimensions, etc., are ideally adjusted or adjusted as desired. The entire process is particularly simple because the locking mechanisms can be operated remotely.

[0023] Finally, the invention also relates to the use of a dummy buffer according to the invention for assembling vehicle bodies or for adjusting body components, in particular relative to one another. In particular, and preferably, this refers to the adjustment of hoods, such as engine hoods, or tailgates, such as trunk lids, doors, movable flaps, such as fuel tank flaps, or other attachments. Regarding the use, the advantages mentioned in connection with the dummy buffer, the assembly kit, and the method apply analogously and accordingly, and vice versa.

[0024] Further advantages and features will become apparent from the following description of an embodiment of a dummy buffer with reference to the attached figures.

[0025] They show: Fig. 1: an embodiment of a dummy buffer; Fig. 2: a sketched arrangement of the Fig. 1 known dummy buffer.

[0026] Fig. 1shows a dummy buffer 20 comprising a base body 26 which extends along a longitudinal direction L. The dummy buffer 20 has a substantially flat arrangement region 22, from which several, for example two, pins 36 extend (only one being visible in the view shown here). These pins 36 serve to fasten or position the arrangement region 22 to a body structure or vehicle flap (not shown here) and, in particular, prevent the dummy buffer 20 from twisting about the longitudinal direction L. A stop region 24 is resiliently arranged at a distance a1 relative to the arrangement region 22. In the embodiment shown here, the suspension is realized via a spring element 30. The dummy buffer 20 is shown partially in section, whereby it can be seen that the spring element 30 is an internal coil spring.Alternatively, the spring element 30, for example the coil spring, could also be arranged externally. The double arrow, identified by the reference symbol x, indicates the mobility of the stop region 24 along the longitudinal direction L. A locking mechanism 40 is formed inside the dummy buffer 20, which serves to lock or latch the stop region 24 in a desired or predetermined position / location. In the embodiment shown here, the locking mechanism 40 can be actuated, in particular remotely, via an actuating means 42 in the form of a Bowden cable. For this purpose, the Bowden cable has an appropriate length, which is dimensioned, for example, such that the locking mechanism 40 can be operated from outside the body structure (not shown here). In the embodiment shown here, the locking mechanism is mechanically designed and is based on the principle of self-locking.A rotatable sleeve 44 is provided to release or unlock the locking mechanism 40. The exact design of this mechanical solution will not be discussed further here.

[0027] Fig. 2 now shows the essentially Fig. 1known dummy buffer 20, comprising a base body 26 which extends along a longitudinal direction L. The dummy buffer 20 is arranged via an arrangement region 22 in or on a first component 11, wherein the first component 11 could be, for example, a tailgate of a vehicle. The dummy buffer 20 comprises a stop region 24, which serves as a stop relative to a second component 12, which can be, for example, a vehicle frame or a body structure. The reference symbol a2 designates a distance between the arrangement region 22 and the stop region 24, wherein this distance of the stop region 24 can be fixed relative to the arrangement region 22 by actuating a locking mechanism of the dummy buffer 20 (not visible here). The distance can then be measured or, if necessary, also taking an additional amount into account, transferred to a stop buffer, which is then finally installed.Furthermore, a fastening device 32 can be seen on the dummy buffer 20, which comprises a plurality of balls 34. These balls 34 can be pressed radially outwards with respect to the longitudinal direction L, whereby bracing with the first component 11 is achieved. This enables the dummy buffer 20 to be fixed along the longitudinal direction L relative to the first component 11. The radial displacement of the balls 34 is achieved by rotating on a link 32'. Twisting of the dummy buffer 20 about the longitudinal direction L is prevented in particular by pins 36, which are already shown in the . Fig. 1 are known. A sleeve 44 is designed to be rotatable, since the rotational movement unlocks the locking mechanism. List of reference symbols

[0028] 11First component 12Second component 20Dummy buffer 22Arrangement area 24Stop area 26Base body 30Spring element 32Fastening device 32'Link 34Ball 36Pin 40Locking mechanism 42Fastener, Bowden cable 44(rotatable) sleeve a1, a2Distances LLongitudinal direction

Claims

1. Dummy buffer (20) for use as a tool for adjusting a stop buffer to be finally installed, comprising an arrangement region (22) and a stop region (24), which are mounted resiliently with respect to each other, wherein the arrangement region (22) is designed to arrange the dummy buffer (20) on a first component (11), and wherein the stop region (24) is designed as a stop for a second component (12), and wherein the dummy buffer (20) comprises a locking mechanism (40), which is designed to lock a position / location of the stop region (24) relative to the arrangement region (22), characterized in that the locking mechanism (40) can be remotely operated.

2. Dummy buffer (20) according to Claim 1, comprising a main body (26), which extends along a longitudinal direction (L), and wherein the stop region (24) is mounted movably along the longitudinal direction (L).

3. Dummy buffer (20) according to Claim 1 or 2, comprising a spring mechanism, by means of which the stop region (24) is mounted.

4. Dummy buffer (20) according to any of the preceding claims, comprising actuating means (42), which are designed to actuate the locking mechanism (40).

5. Dummy buffer (20) according to Claim 4, wherein the locking mechanism (40) is of mechanical form, and wherein the actuating means are in the form of a Bowden cable (42).

6. Dummy buffer (20) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the locking mechanism (40) is of electrical and / or magnetic form.

7. Assembly set, comprising at least two dummy buffers (20) according to any of the preceding claims, and an actuating device, wherein the at least two dummy buffers (20) each have a locking mechanism (40) and actuating means (42), and wherein the actuating device is designed to actuate the actuating means (42), in particular simultaneously.

8. Method for positioning body components with respect to each other, comprising the steps of: - providing at least one dummy buffer (20) according to any of Claims 1 to 6; - arranging the at least one dummy buffer (20) in a first component (11); - positioning the first component (11) and / or a second component (12) relative to each other, wherein a position / location of the stop region (24) relative to the arrangement region (22) is changed here; - remotely locking the position / location of the stop region (24); - removing and measuring the dummy buffer (20) to transfer a distance of the stop region (24) relative to the arrangement region (22) to a final stop buffer.

9. Method according to Claim 8, wherein the positioning of the first component (11) and / or of the second component (12) comprises elastic deformation of the respective component (11, 12).

10. Use of a dummy buffer (20) according to any of Claims 1-6 for assembling vehicle bodies and / or for adjusting body components.