Cover for the boot and method for producing said cover

Abstract

The invention relates to a cover (10) for the boot of a passenger car and to a method for producing the cover, comprising: a motor (9) for moving a flexible comb; a motor support (5); at least one flexible casing (2); at least one flexible comb (1) which is received in the flexible casing (2); and at least one end piece (4) of the flexible casing which is received in the motor support (5). Each flexible casing (2) is permanently connected to at least one end piece (4) by means of an injection moulding machine and each end piece (4) is detachably connected to a support (5). Each flexible casing (2) comprises, on the outside, a shaped element at the receiving point in the end piece (4). Each end piece (4) comprises, on the inside, a shaped element which is complementary to the shaped element in the flexible casing (2), and at the same time, on the outside, also comprises a shaped element. The motor support (5) comprises, on the inside, a shaped element which is complementary to the outer shaped element of the end piece (4).

Description

[0001] A trunk cover and a method for manufacturing this cover

[0002] Technical subject area

[0003] The invention relates to the field of connecting elements for driving a cover for a trunk in a vehicle, focusing in particular on providing a guide for a flexible comb of the roller blind drive.

[0004] State of the art

[0005] Currently, a trunk cover is an indispensable part of every passenger car. The main function of this cover is to ensure easy and convenient opening and closing of the trunk, protection of stored luggage or other items from sunlight, and compartmentalization of the trunk. Furthermore, it ensures the safety and protection of the trunk contents from external influences. Typically, a trunk cover consists of a

[0006] Tarpaulin, guide elements, a tarpaulin carrier, and a drive mechanism. Both manual and electric mechanisms for driving the cover are known.

[0007] Also known is the use of a spring as the drive element for the cover and a casing for this spring. With manual mechanisms, the cover is mounted in a roll on one side of the trunk and can be manually extended and retracted into its original position using a pull rod or handle. Securing in the various positions can be achieved by stops in the guide elements or by a spring and a tension member. In electrically driven mechanisms, the spring as the drive element for the cover is connected to the motor, which is operated, for example, via a button on the key, a control panel in the vehicle, or a remote control.

[0008] With an electrically operated cover, the drive spring must be secured so that it only moves in the direction of its axis. This is achieved by bonding the spring's sheath to another fixed element of the cover. Current solutions for providing cover drive, such as melting, can be costly or very time-consuming. It would therefore be advisable to find a solution that simplifies and speeds up production while reducing the financial costs of production.

[0009] Summary of the invention

[0010] The deficiencies of the solutions known in the prior art are, to a certain extent, eliminated by a cover for the trunk of a passenger car, comprising a tarpaulin, at least one tarpaulin driver for fastening in a guide element on a side wall of the trunk, a motor for moving the flexible comb, a motor support, at least one flexible casing, at least one flexible comb arranged in the flexible casing, and at least one end piece of the flexible casing arranged in the motor support, wherein the driver is fastened to the flexible comb and the motor is fastened to the motor support. Each flexible casing is permanently connected to the end piece, and each end piece is detachably connected to the motor support. The permanent connection of the end piece to the flexible casing preferably secures the flexible comb against movement outside its longitudinal axis.The detachable connection of the end piece to the motor mount preferably allows a certain degree of rotation of the flexible casing during movement and thus partially protects the flexible casing from damage during movement.

[0011] Each flexible enclosure comprises a shaped element at the receiving point in the end piece on the outside. Each end piece comprises a shaped element on the inside that is complementary to the shaped element in the flexible enclosure, and also comprises a shaped element on the outside. The motor support then comprises a shaped element on the inside that is complementary to the outer shaped element of the end piece. The motor support simultaneously comprises at least one recess for receiving the end piece, through which the shaped element of the motor support is guided.A shaped element is a specific deformation in an otherwise uniform surface, and a shaped element can be a projection or, conversely, a recess in the surface. Essentially, it is a change in the cross-section of the element in question that makes it possible to secure the individual elements - the casing, the end piece, and the motor mount - against displacement in the direction of the comb guide. Complementary shaped elements are those that engage with one another, i.e., of two adjacent shaped elements, one is a projection and the other is a recess. The end piece is preferably cylindrical in shape, and the recess inside the motor mount is preferably also cylindrical so that the end piece engages in the recess. To connect the end piece to the motor mount, a shaped element is preferably passed through both the end piece and the motor mount.

[0012] After the cover has been installed in the vehicle, the arrangement of the individual components is, for example, as follows: The tarpaulin is attached at one end to the tarpaulin catches on the right and left, which are movably received in the guide elements on the two side walls of the trunk, and at the other end it is wound onto a roll. The guide elements can preferably be rails in which the tarpaulin catches move longitudinally. The tarpaulin catches can move in the rails from the roll with the rolled-up tarpaulin towards the trunk and back to the roll with the rolled-up tarpaulin. Preferably, each flexible comb is a spring that is attached to the catch at one end and terminates freely in a flexible sheath at the other end, passing through the motor mount and engaging with the motor-driven gear therein.As a result of the motor rotation, the spring moves and pushes or pulls the driver with the attached end of the cover. Each flexible comb is arranged within the flexible sheath, which secures the flexible comb against movement outside its longitudinal axis and at the same time protects the flexible comb from damage. Each flexible sheath is then conveniently attached to the guide element; in general, a flexible comb can be any element that allows the gear to mesh and move freely within a curved sheath. The motor support represents a casing for accommodating components that secure the flexible comb against movement outside its longitudinal axis and also includes a gear driven by a motor for moving the flexible comb and connected to this motor. The motor support can be arranged behind the reel onto which the cover is wound.Both the roll with the rolled-up tarpaulin and the motor mount with the motor for moving the flexible comb can be arranged in the trunk of the passenger car at the point where the trunk meets the back of the rear seats of the passenger car, at the same height as the upper edge of these seats. Each flexible comb preferably comprises a flexible sheath on the side of the engine mount, on which the flexible comb is attached to the tarpaulin holder, and a second flexible sheath on the side of the engine mount, where the flexible sheath ends freely. Preferably, at least two of these flexible combs are located in the trunk cover. Preferably, there are four flexible sheaths, two preferably for one flexible comb and two for a second flexible comb. Each flexible sheath preferably has the shape of a cylindrical tube.

[0013] Each flexible comb is preferably guided through the end piece into the interior of the motor mount, where it engages the motor-driven gear. Each comb is then preferably detached from the gear after a certain length and passes through the other end piece on the opposite side from the space in the motor mount into the freely ending flexible sheath. Each flexible comb that emerges from the space in the motor mount into the freely ending flexible sheath is protected by the sheath and held in the desired position. When the tarpaulin is at least partially wound onto the roll, the driver is in a position closer to the roll and the flexible comb is moved towards the motor mount. The flexible sheath can be firmly attached to the guide element on one side and to the end piece on the other side, whereby it bends between these two attachment points during displacement.The flexible comb is preferably firmly connected to the tarpaulin driver on one side and moves during the displacement of the driver in the direction of the axis and its other end is freely received in a freely ended flexible sheath on the other side of the engine mount.

[0014] The cover for the trunk of a passenger car according to the invention preferably comprises at least two end pieces and at least two recesses for receiving the end piece on opposite sides of the engine mount. Preferably, the cover for the trunk of a passenger car according to the invention comprises four end pieces and four recesses for receiving the end piece, with a flexible comb extending through two opposite end pieces. All of these end pieces can be installed and secured in the engine mount in the same way.

[0015] Each flexible comb preferably passes through two end pieces on opposite cables of the motor mount, and between these two end pieces the comb is in contact with the gear and thus with the motor drive element. The gear is preferably connected to a motor that drives it and moves the flexible comb. When two flexible combs are engaged, each comb is preferably engaged on the opposite side of the gear from the other comb, and when the gear moves, both flexible combs preferably move toward or away from the free ends of the flexible enclosures in which they are housed.

[0016] Each end piece with a flexible sheath is preferably clamped between two parts of the motor support, with the lower part of the support comprising a recess for each end piece with a flexible sheath, and the upper part of the support freely closing off the interior of the support. Preferably, the lower part of the motor support comprises four recesses for receiving the end piece. The motor support then preferably comprises two openings on one side for the inlet and outlet of the flexible comb, and on the opposite side, it preferably comprises two further openings for the inlet and outlet of the flexible comb.

[0017] Each shaped element on the outside of the flexible casing, on the inside and outside of the end piece, and on the inside of the motor mount is preferably understood to be a projection or a recess. The shaped elements of the two adjacent parts are complementary to each other. Preferably, the shaped element is a recess on the outside of the flexible casing, a projection on the inside of the end piece, a recess on the outside of the end piece, and a projection on the inside of the motor mount.

[0018] The molded element on the outside of each end piece can be guided through the entire circumference of the end piece in order to extend the contact during engagement of molded elements on the outside of the end piece and the inside of the engine mount, thus reducing the possibility of accidental disengagement of individual molded elements. Guiding the molded element through the entire circumference of the end piece also has the advantage that the end piece can rotate, preferably to a certain extent, within the engine mount during movement of the cover driver, thereby reducing the possibility of damage to the flexible casing during rotation. For the required engagement of the molded elements on the outside of the end piece and the inside of the engine mount, the molded element on the inside of the engine mount is preferably guided through the entire circumference of the recess for receiving the end piece.

[0019] The deficiencies of the known solutions are further eliminated to some extent by a method for attaching the end piece to the flexible casing for the flexible comb of the trunk cover, in which a shaped element is formed in the part of the flexible casing for receiving the end piece in the flexible casing and a shaped element is formed on the inside of the engine support in the recess for the end piece. Subsequently, the flexible casing, at least with the part for receiving the end piece, is moved into a tool for producing the end piece of an injection molding machine, into which the melt is injected to form an end piece with an outer shaped element that is complementary to the shaped element of the engine support. The end piece is permanently connected to the flexible casing and is then inserted into a recess in the engine support, wherein the outer shaped element of the end piece and the

[0020] Form element of the engine mount engage

[0021] The production of a permanent connection between the end piece and the flexible casing by means of an injection moulding machine simplifies and accelerates production to some extent and at the same time reduces production costs compared to the connection of the flexible casing to the end piece by, for example, melting.

[0022] Explanation of drawings

[0023] The essence of the invention is further explained by means of embodiments which are described with the aid of the accompanying drawings, which show:

[0024] Fig. 1 is a schematic representation of a detail of the attachment of the cylindrical end piece to the flexible sheath for the first exemplary embodiment

[0025] Fig. 2 is a schematic representation of the AA section of the attachment of the cylindrical end piece to the flexible sheath according to Fig. 1 for the first exemplary embodiment

[0026] Fig. 3 is a schematic representation of the view of the cover for the trunk of a passenger car

[0027] Embodiments of the invention

[0028] The invention is explained in more detail using exemplary embodiments with reference to the corresponding drawings. The cover 10 for the trunk of a passenger car shown in Fig. 3 in the first exemplary embodiment comprises a tarpaulin, two tarpaulin drivers for fastening in a guide element on the side wall of the trunk, one driver for the guide element on the right side and one driver for the guide element on the left side, a motor 9 for moving the flexible comb 1 and a motor support 5. Furthermore, the cover 10 for the trunk comprises four flexible sheaths 2, two flexible combs 1, which are each arranged in two flexible sheaths 2, and four end pieces 4 of the flexible sheath 2, which are arranged in the motor support 5, wherein each driver is fastened to a flexible comb 1 and the motor is fastened to the motor support 5.

[0029] The flexible sheath 2 is permanently connected to the end piece 4 and the end piece 4 is detachably connected to the motor mount 5. The permanent connection between the end piece 4 and the flexible sheath 2 is shown in Fig. 2 and the detachable connection between the end piece 4 and the motor mount 5 is shown in Fig. 1. In the first exemplary embodiment, which is shown in Fig. 1 and Fig. 2, the end piece 4 has a cylindrical shape and the flexible sheath 2 comprises a recess 3 at the point at which it is received in the end piece 4 from the outside, and the end piece 4 comprises a projection on the inside which engages in the recess 3 of the flexible sheath 2.The end piece 4 further comprises a recess 6 on its outer side, which extends in the center of the cylindrical end piece 4 over the entire circumference, and the motor mount 5 comprises a projection 7 on its inner side, wherein the end piece 4 is placed with its recess 6 on the projection 7 of the motor mount. The motor mount 5 simultaneously comprises a recess 8 for receiving the cylindrical end piece 4, of which the projection 7 of the motor mount is a component. This projection 7 of the motor mount is located in the center of the recess 8 for receiving the end piece. In the first embodiment, this recess is cylindrical, just like the end piece 4.The flexible sheath 2, which is attached at one end to the end piece 4 and at the other end to the guide element of the tarpaulin, has the shape of a cylindrical tube in the first embodiment, and a flexible comb 1 is guided through its interior, passing through the end piece 4 into the interior of the motor mount 5, where it engages with a gear connected to the motor 9 for moving the flexible comb. After a certain section, the flexible comb 1 detaches from the gear again and, on the other side of the motor mount 5, passes through a second end piece 4 and further outwards into another flexible sheath 2, which has a free end. In another embodiment, the sheath 2 can have a shape other than that of a cylindrical tube.The flexible casing 2 in this embodiment is a tube made of a material that allows the tube to be bent without damage, and a flexible spiral spring forms the flexible comb T. In the first embodiment, four cylindrical end pieces 4 are arranged inside the motor support 5, as shown in Fig. 3, two in parallel next to each other in both end parts in the longer direction of the motor support 5, wherein each pair of end pieces 4 on opposite sides, where one end piece 4 lies on one side in the longer direction of the motor support 5 and the second end piece 4 lies on the side opposite the first end piece 4 in the longer direction of the motor support 5, carries a single flexible comb 1 which runs through the flexible casing 2.In the first embodiment, the motor mount 5 comprises two removable parts, the lower part comprising four cylindrical recesses 8 for receiving the four end pieces 4, and the upper part covering the entire interior of the motor mount 5. In another embodiment, two end pieces 4 can be arranged in the motor mount 5 on opposite sides in the longer direction of the motor mount 5. In the second embodiment, the flexible casing 2 comprises a projection on the outside at the point where it is received in the end piece 4, and the end piece 4 comprises a recess on the inside into which the projection of the flexible casing 2 engages. The end piece 4 further has a projection on its outside which runs over the entire circumference in the center of the end piece 4, and the motor mount 5 has a recess on its inside, the end piece 4 engaging with its projection in the recess of the motor mount 5.The motor mount 5 also comprises a recess 8 for receiving the cylindrical end piece, wherein a cutout on the inside of the motor mount 5 is part of this recess. In another exemplary embodiment, the flexible casing 2 comprises a recess 3 on the outside at the receiving point in the end piece 4, and the end piece 4 comprises a projection on the inside through which the end piece 4 engages in the recess 3 of the flexible casing. The end piece 4 further comprises a projection on its outside that runs over the entire circumference in the middle of the end piece 4, and the motor mount 5 comprises a recess on its inside, wherein the end piece 4 engages with its projection in the recess of the motor mount 5. The motor mount 5 also comprises a recess 8 for receiving the cylindrical end piece, wherein a recess on the inside of the motor mount § is part of this recess.

[0030] In a further exemplary embodiment, the flexible casing 2 comprises a projection on the outside at the point where it engages the end piece 4, and the end piece 4 comprises a recess on the inside into which the projection of the flexible casing 2 engages. The end piece 4 further comprises a recess on its outside that runs over the entire circumference in the center of the end piece 4, and the motor mount 5 comprises a projection on its inside, wherein the end piece 4 is placed with its recess onto the projection 7 of the motor mount. The motor mount 5 simultaneously comprises a recess 8 for receiving the cylindrical end piece 4, wherein the projection 7 on the inside of the motor mount is part of this recess.

[0031] The invention further relates to a method for producing the trunk cover 10 according to the invention. In a first embodiment, this method comprises the following steps:

[0032] « Creating a recess around the entire circumference of the flexible casing 2 at the receiving point of the flexible casing 2 in the cylindrical end piece 4 and creating a projection on the inside of the motor mount 5,

[0033] « Inserting the flexible sheath 2 into the tool of the cylindrical end piece 4 in the injection molding machine, injecting the melt into the tool and producing the cylindrical end piece 4.

[0034] ® Inserting the cylindrical end piece 4 into the cylindrical recess inside the motor mount 5 and engaging the projection on the inside of the motor mount in the recess on the outside of the cylindrical end piece

[0035] The tool for the precise production of the end piece 4 varies depending on the individual embodiments. For the first embodiment, a tool is produced, the use of which creates an end piece 4 comprising a recess on the outside. In another embodiment, a tool can be produced, the use of which creates an end piece 4 comprising a projection on the outside. In further embodiments, recesses and projections are formed on the inside of the motor mount 5 and on the outside of the flexible casing 2, depending on the type of tool used for the end piece 4, so that all shaped elements of the two adjacent components are complementary and the mutual fit of these shaped elements is ensured.

[0036] In addition to the aforementioned connection of the end piece 4 to the engine support S and the flexible sheath 2, such a method for manufacturing the cover 10 for the trunk of a passenger car may also further comprise receiving the comb(s) in the sheath(s), engaging the gear in the comb(s), closing the lower part of the engine support 5 with the upper part, connecting the flexible combs 1_ to the drivers, connecting the second ends of the corresponding flexible sheaths 2 to the guide elements on the driver, etc.

[0037] List of reference symbols

[0038] 1 • flexible comb

[0039] 2 - flexible sheath

[0040] 3 - Recess of the flexible sheath

[0041] 4 - End piece

[0042] 5 - Engine mount

[0043] 6 - Recess of the cylindrical end piece

[0044] 7 ~ Engine mount projection

[0045] 8 - Recess for receiving the end piece

[0046] 9 - Engine

[0047] 10 - Trunk cover

Claims

1. A cover (10) for the trunk of a passenger car, comprising a tarpaulin, at least one tarpaulin driver for fastening in the guide element on the side wall of the trunk, a motor (9) for moving the flexible comb, a motor mount (5), at least one flexible casing (2), at least one flexible comb (1) received in the flexible casing (2), and at least one end piece (4) of the flexible casing (2) received in the motor mount (5), wherein each driver is attached to a flexible comb (1) and the motor (9) is attached to the motor mount (5), characterized in that each flexible casing (2) is permanently connected to at least one end piece (4) and each end piece (4) is detachably connected to the motor mount (5), wherein each flexible casing (2) comprises a shaped element from the outside at the receiving point in the end piece (4).each end piece (4) comprises on the inside a complementary shaped element to the shaped element in the flexible casing (2) and at the same time comprises a shaped element on the outside, wherein the motor support (5) comprises on the inside a complementary shaped element to the outer shaped element of the end piece (4) and the motor support (5) simultaneously comprises at least one recess (8) for receiving the end piece, through which the shaped element of the motor support (5) is guided., 2. Cover (10) for the trunk of a passenger car according to claim 1, characterized in that each flexible sheath (2) has the shape of a cylindrical tube.

3. Cover (10) for the trunk of a passenger car according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that each flexible comb (1) passes through the end piece (4) into the interior of the engine support (5), where it is engaged in a gear driven by the engine (9).

4. Cover (10) for the trunk of a passenger car according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises at least two end pieces (4) with at least two flexible coverings (2) and at least two recesses (8) for receiving the end piece on opposite sides of the motor mount (5). Cover (IG) for the trunk of a passenger car according to claim 4, characterized in that each flexible comb (1) passes through two end pieces (4) on opposite sides of the engine support (5), and between these two end pieces (4) the flexible comb (1) is in contact with the drive element of the engine (9). Cover (10) for the trunk of a passenger car according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that each end piece (4) is clamped between two parts of the engine support (5) by a flexible sheath (2), the lower part of the support comprising a recess (8) for each end piece (4) with a flexible sheath (2), and the upper part of the engine support (5) clamps each end piece (4) in the lower part of the engine support (5). Cover (10) for the trunk of a passenger car according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that each shaped element on the outside of the flexible casing (2), the inside and outside of the end piece (4) and the inside of the engine support (5) is a projection or a recess, wherein in each case two adjacent shaped elements are a recess and a projection.

8. Cover (10) for the trunk of a passenger car according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the shaped element is recessed on the outside of each end piece (4) around the entire circumference of the end piece (4) 9. Method for producing the cover (10) for the trunk of a passenger car, characterized in that in the part of the flexible casing (2) for receiving the end piece (4) a shaped element is formed in the flexible casing (2) and a shaped element is formed on the inside of the engine support (5) in the recess (8) for receiving the end piece (4), wherein the flexible casing (2) is subsequently inserted at least with the part for receiving the end piece (4) into the tool for producing the end piece (4) in the injection molding machine into which a melt is injected and an end piece (4) is formed with an outer shaped element complementary to the shaped element of the motor support (5), wherein the end piece (4) is non-detachably connected to the flexible casing (2), wherein the end piece (4) is then introduced into the recess (8) for receiving the end piece in the interior of the motor support (5), wherein the outer shaped element of the end piece (4) and the shaped element of the motor support (5) engage with one another.

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