Protection device for a vehicle interior

Abstract

Such a protection device is known comprising a flexible textile fabric that is held on a winding shaft in a windable and unwindable manner and can be moved between a rest position, in which the textile fabric is wound onto the winding shaft, and a protection position, in which the textile fabric is unwound from the winding shaft. The winding shaft is designed as a hollow profiled structure with a rotationally asymmetrical inner cross-section and is rotatably mounted on the vehicle in the region of the opposing end faces of the winding shaft. A winding spring is arranged in the interior of the winding shaft, said winding spring exerting a permanent torque onto the winding shaft in the winding direction and being held in a stationary manner on a winding shaft bearing at one end and on a winding spring support at the other end, said winding spring support being rotationally fixed to a winding shaft and being arranged in an axially movable manner in the hollow profiled section of the winding shaft. According to the invention, a winding shaft counter bearing which lies opposite the winding shaft bearing is provided with an axial pressing device which exerts an axial load onto one end face of the winding shaft in the direction of the opposing winding shaft bearing. The invention also relates to a use of the protection device for shading a side window of a passenger car.

Description

[0001] Protective device for a vehicle interior

[0002] The invention relates to a protective device for a vehicle interior, comprising a flexible surface structure which is held on a winding shaft in a manner that can be wound and unwound and is displaceable between a rest position wound onto the winding shaft and a protective position unwound from the winding shaft, wherein the winding shaft is designed as a hollow profile with a rotationally asymmetrical inner cross-section and is rotatably mounted on the vehicle side in the region of its opposite end faces, and wherein a coil spring is arranged inside the winding shaft, which exerts a permanent torque on the winding shaft in the winding direction, and which is held at one end stationary on a winding shaft bearing and at the other end on a coil spring carrier, which is arranged rotationally locked to the winding shaft and axially movable in the hollow profile of the winding shaft.

[0003] Such a protective device is generally known in the form of a sunshade for a passenger car's side window. A flexible sunshade structure can be moved vertically between a protective position, in which the side window is covered, and a rest position, in which the side window is uncovered. For this purpose, the sunshade structure is held in a position where it can be wound and unwound on a winding shaft, which is mounted below a vehicle sill in a side door of the passenger car that supports the side window. A coil spring is arranged in the winding shaft, which exerts a constant torque on the winding shaft in the winding direction. The winding shaft is designed as a helical spring and is held at one end by a coil spring carrier, which is longitudinally movable within a hollow profile of the winding shaft, similar to a sliding block, and is rotationally locked to the winding shaft. At the other end, the coil spring is fixed to the vehicle.

[0004] The object of the invention is to create a protective device of the type mentioned above which enables a noise-reduced function.

[0005] This problem is solved by providing a counter-bearing of the winding shaft, opposite the winding shaft bearing, with an axial pressure device that exerts an axial load on an end face of the winding shaft in the direction of the opposite winding shaft bearing. The solution according to the invention is intended both for protective devices for shading vehicle windows and for protective devices for covering or separating cargo spaces within a vehicle interior. The protective device is particularly advantageous as a shading device for a side window of a side door of a passenger car. The solution according to the invention is suitable for motor vehicles in the form of passenger cars, commercial vehicles, or trucks, but also for other vehicles on land, water, and in the air.The axial pressure device exerts a limited axial force on the end face of the winding shaft, coaxial with a rotational axis of the winding shaft, thereby compensating for tolerances in the winding shaft's functional system. It has been observed that, due to tolerances, limited axial movement of the winding shaft is possible during assembly of the winding shaft system. The solution according to the invention compensates for these tolerances. Particularly advantageously, the axial pressure device exerts an elastic axial load on the end face of the winding shaft, which reduces the tolerance-related slight axial movement of the winding shaft. This improves the running characteristics of the winding shaft during winding and unwinding processes. Furthermore, it prevents noise during winding and unwinding operations.When the protective device is designed as a shading device for a side window of a passenger car's side door, noise caused by the shading device when the side door closes is also prevented. The axial pressure device reduces or eliminates axial play in the winding shaft, which positively alters the natural frequency behavior of the winding shaft even when at rest.

[0006] In one embodiment of the invention, an axial compression spring is provided as the axial compression device. This spring is arranged between the end face of the winding shaft and a vehicle-side bearing section. The axial compression spring exerts a permanent, elastic axial pressure on the end face of the winding shaft. The axial compression spring is a mechanical compression spring, designed as a helical compression spring, in the form of elastic spring tabs, or in a similar manner. The axial compression spring itself is stationary and therefore does not rotate with the winding shaft. A certain amount of friction exists between an end region of the axial compression spring, which rests against the end face of the winding shaft, and the winding shaft itself.In order to limit the sliding friction between the end face of the axial compression spring and the end face of the winding shaft, it is possible, depending on the type of material pairings between the winding shaft and the axial compression spring, to provide the axial compression spring with a sliding coating or to insert an additional sliding element, such as a sliding disc, between the axial compression spring and the end face of the winding shaft.

[0007] In a further embodiment of the invention, the axial compression spring is designed as a helical compression spring. The helical compression spring can be made of metal, preferably steel, or of a suitable plastic. In a further embodiment of the invention, the axial compression spring is designed such that, with a winding shaft having an outer diameter between 10 and 15 mm, a permanent axial contact pressure of between 3 N and 5 N is exerted on the end face of the winding shaft. This design is advantageous for a protective device in the form of a sunshade, which is assigned to a side window of a side door of a passenger car.

[0008] In a further embodiment of the invention, the helical compression spring is conically designed, tapering towards the winding shaft when mounted. This allows for a reduction in the axial length of the helical compression spring while maintaining the same axial compressive force compared to cylindrical helical compression springs. Furthermore, only a small amount of installation space is required for mounting the helical compression spring on the winding shaft system.

[0009] In a further embodiment of the invention, the helical compression spring surrounds a bearing journal of the counter bearing, which is rotationally fixed to the winding shaft and is in particular cylindrical. The bearing journal is designed as a plug that is inserted into the hollow profile of the winding shaft at its end face. The corresponding bearing plug forms the end face of the winding shaft against which the helical compression spring is supported. The cylindrical bearing journal extends into a bearing receptacle of the counter bearing, in which the bearing journal is rotatably mounted.

[0010] In a further embodiment of the invention, the bearing housing of the counter bearing can be mounted on the vehicle side without tools. The bearing housing can be designed as a plastic component that can be connected to corresponding vehicle-side support structures by means of a plug-in and / or snap-fit ​​connection. Preferably, the connection is designed to be detachable, so that easy disassembly of the winding shaft system is possible if necessary.

[0011] In a further embodiment of the invention, the hollow profile is cylindrical on the outside and has a star-shaped cross-section on the inside. The star-shaped cross-section extends over the entire length of the hollow profile. Because of the star-shaped inner cross-section, the hollow profile is also referred to as a star hollow profile.

[0012] In a further embodiment of the invention, the coil spring carrier is slidably mounted in the hollow profile and has a rotationally asymmetrical outer cross-section that is complementary to the inner cross-section of the hollow profile. Preferably, the outer cross-section of the coil spring carrier is designed in a star shape complementary to the star-shaped cross-section of the hollow profile. Due to this complementary design, the coil spring carrier can be slidably displaced within the hollow profile, coaxially to the axis of rotation of the winding shaft, like a sliding block. At the same time, the coil spring carrier is rotationally locked to the hollow profile, so that the coil spring carrier rotates with the winding shaft. Since an end face of the coil spring opposite the coil spring carrier is held stationary, the coil spring, which is designed as a torsion spring, is axially compressed or extended during rotation of the winding shaft.The sliding coil spring support compensates for the corresponding length adjustment of the coil spring.

[0013] In a further embodiment of the invention, a drive system is provided to move the flat structure in at least one direction between the rest position and the protective position. The drive system preferably comprises an electric motor drive. The solution according to the invention is therefore suitable for both electrically movable flat structures and manually extendable flat structures. When a drive system is provided, a dimensionally stable extension profile of the flat structure is advantageously guided between the rest position and the protective position of the flat structure by means of a guide device, either by lateral guide tracks or by at least one guide rod that engages the extension profile and can be moved by the electric motor drive in the extension direction of the flat structure.

[0014] Further advantages and features of the invention will become apparent from the claims and from the following description of a preferred embodiment of the invention, which is illustrated with reference to the drawings.

[0015] Fig. 1 schematically shows an embodiment of a protective device according to the invention for a vehicle interior in a partially extended intermediate position of a flexible surface structure,

[0016] Fig. 2 schematically shows the protective device according to Fig. 1, but in a rest position of the surface structure, and

[0017] Fig. 3 shows an exploded view of a section of the protective device according to Figs. 1 and 2 at the level of a counter bearing of a winding shaft, wherein the winding shaft is axially loaded by an axial compression spring, and

[0018] Fig. 4 shows an enlarged, perspective view of a section of the protective device according to Figs. 1 and 2 in the area of ​​the counter bearing according to Fig. 3, but in its fully assembled state. A protective device 1 in the form of a shading device for a side window of a side door of a passenger car according to Figs. 1 to 4 has a flexible surface structure 3 that serves to shade the side window. The surface structure 3 is extendable in the vertical direction of the vehicle between a rest position wound onto a winding shaft 5 (Fig. 2) and a protective position that covers the side window to shade it. Fig. 1 schematically shows an intermediate position of the surface structure 3 in which the surface structure 3 is partially withdrawn from the winding shaft 5. In the illustrated embodiment, the surface structure 3 is made of a knitted textile fabric.The surface structure 3 is connected at its front end region in the extension direction to a dimensionally stable extension profile 4, which in the illustrated embodiment is provided with a handle (not specified in more detail) in order to be able to manually move the extension profile 4 and thus also the surface structure 3 between the rest position and the protective position.

[0019] In an embodiment of the invention not shown, a drive system is associated with the extension profile to move the extension profile, and thus also the surface structure, between the rest position and the protective position. The drive system can have a guide rod that engages the extension profile centrally. Alternatively, the extension profile can be guided in parallel, movable tracks in the area of ​​its opposite end faces between the rest position and the protective position.

[0020] A rear end face of the surface structure 3, opposite the extension profile 4, is held on the winding shaft 5. The winding shaft 5 is rotatably mounted about an axis of rotation D in the area of ​​a vehicle-side door structure 2. For this purpose, the winding shaft 5 is supported at one end face (on the right side in Figures 1 and 2) on a door-mounted winding shaft bearing 6. An opposite end face of the winding shaft 5 is rotatably mounted on a counter bearing 7, which is also door-mounted and thus vehicle-mounted.

[0021] The winding shaft 5 is subjected to a constant torque in the winding direction by a winding shaft 10 designed as a helical torsion spring. The coil spring 10 is held in the area of ​​the winding shaft bearing 6 by a stationary coil spring holder 9. An opposite end of the coil spring 10 is held in a coil spring carrier 11. The coil spring carrier 11 is slidably mounted coaxially to the axis of rotation D in a hollow profile 13 of the winding shaft 5, similar to a sliding block. Simultaneously, the coil spring carrier 11 is rotationally locked to the winding shaft 5 to allow the desired torsion of the coil spring 10 during rotation of the winding shaft 5. The sliding movement of the coil spring carrier 11 ensures that the coil spring carrier 11 is guided by the inevitable change in length of the coil spring 10, depending on its torsional state.

[0022] As can be seen in Fig. 3, the hollow profile of the winding shaft 5 is cylindrical in the area of ​​its outer surface. An inner cross-section of the hollow profile 13, however, is star-shaped and therefore rotationally asymmetric. An outer contour of the winding spring carrier 11 is rotationally asymmetric complementary and thus star-shaped complementary to the inner cross-section of the hollow profile 13, in order to allow, firstly, sliding movement of the winding spring carrier 11 within the hollow profile 13 and, secondly, to enable the winding spring carrier 11 to rotate when the hollow profile 13 rotates about the axis of rotation D.

[0023] The winding shaft 5 is rotatably mounted in the area of ​​the winding shaft bearing 6 relative to a pin-shaped bearing extension of the door-fixed winding spring holder 9. For this purpose, the winding shaft 5 has a bearing bushing inserted at its end face, which slidably surrounds the cylindrical bearing extension of the winding spring holder 9 coaxially with respect to the axis of rotation D. The winding spring holder 9 provides axial support for one end face of the bearing bushing in the area of ​​the winding shaft bearing 6.

[0024] In the area of ​​the opposite counter bearing 7, the winding shaft 5 is rotatably mounted by a bearing plug 8, which is rotatably mounted in a door-fixed and thus vehicle-fixed bearing receptacle. The bearing plug 8 has a cylindrical bearing journal, not further specified, projecting coaxially to the axis of rotation D from an end face of the bearing plug 8 outwards, i.e., away from the winding shaft 5, and which is rotatably mounted in the bearing receptacle about the axis of rotation D. An axial clearance exists between this bearing receptacle of the counter bearing 7 and an end face of the bearing plug 8, which forms the end face of the winding shaft 5. An axial compression spring F is accommodated in this clearance, coaxially surrounding the bearing journal of the bearing plug 8 and extending at an outer end face (as shown in the figure).1 and 2 (left) are axially supported on an axial support surface of the door-mounted bearing housing and on its opposite end face of the bearing plug 8, and thus on the end face of the winding shaft. The axial compression spring F is designed as a helical compression spring made of metal, preferably steel, or of a plastic.

[0025] As can be seen from Figs. 3 and 4, the axial compression spring F is designed as a conical helical compression spring, with corresponding spring coils of the axial compression spring F tapering conically from the end face of the bearing receptacle to the end face of the bearing plug 8 and thus to the end face of the winding shaft.

[0026] The axial compression spring F is mounted between the bearing housing and the end face of the winding shaft under permanent preload. In the illustrated embodiment, the winding shaft 5 has an outer diameter of approximately 13 mm. The axial compression spring F generates a permanent axial contact pressure of 4 N on the end face of the winding shaft 5.

[0027] The axial compression spring F does not rotate with the winding shaft 5 and the corresponding bearing plug 8. Rather, it remains stationary and is thus firmly supported against the door structure in the area of ​​the bearing receptacle. The inner end face of the axial compression spring F rests against the end face of the bearing plug 8 in a sliding manner. The axial compression spring F therefore exerts a limited, permanent axial force on the winding shaft system, which consists of the winding shaft 5, the winding shaft bearing 8, the winding spring 10, the winding spring support 11, and the bearing plug 8.

[0028] To reduce noise during torsional movements of the coil spring 10, the coil spring 10 is encased on the outside by a coil spring sleeve 12 made of an elastic plastic material. This prevents the coil spring 10 from rubbing directly against the inner wall of the hollow profile 13.

[0029] In the illustrated embodiment, the hollow profile 13 is manufactured as an aluminum hollow profile using the extrusion process. Other embodiments of the invention may utilize different materials and dimensions for the winding shaft and the associated functional components of the winding shaft system.

[0030] As can be seen in Figures 3 and 4, the bearing plug 8 is inserted into the end face of the hollow profile 13 in a rotationally locked manner, thereby holding the bearing plug 8 in the hollow profile 13 by friction. The bearing journal of the bearing plug 8 (not shown in detail) is rotatably mounted in a bearing receptacle 14, which axially flanks the axial compression spring F at its end face. The bearing receptacle 14 is designed as a plastic component, which is connected to corresponding door-mounted support structure components for holding the bearing receptacle 14 and thus the winding shaft 5. Figure 3 shows that the bearing receptacle 14 forms integrally molded locking tabs, which enable tool-free assembly of the bearing receptacle 14 onto corresponding door-mounted support structure components of the counter bearing 7 (not shown in detail). A corresponding support structure component 15 can be seen in Figure 4.The support structure component 15 is part of a support housing that surrounds the winding shaft 5. The support housing 15 is provided, in a manner not shown in detail, with a through-slot in the region of its upper surface, through which the flat structure 3 can be extended upwards or retracted downwards for winding onto the winding shaft 5. The through-slot is preferably designed such that, when the extension profile 4 moves in the winding direction of the winding shaft 5, it abuts an outer edge of the through-slot of the support housing 15 in its rest position, thus assuming its rest position.

[0031] The permanent axial pressure exerted by the axial compression spring F on the winding shaft system compensates for tolerances within the winding shaft system. This prevents axial movement of the winding shaft 5. Furthermore, the permanent axial contact pressure on the end face of the winding shaft 8 positively alters the natural frequency behavior of the winding shaft 5. The solution according to the invention prevents noises that can occur during winding or unwinding of the sheet structure 3, or when the side door is closed or opened in the area of ​​the winding shaft system.

Claims

Patent claims 1. Protective device (1) for a vehicle interior, comprising a flexible surface structure (3) which is held on a winding shaft (5) so as to be wound and unwound and which is displaceable between a rest position wound onto the winding shaft (5) and a protective position unwound from the winding shaft (5), wherein the winding shaft (5) is designed as a hollow profile (13) with a rotationally asymmetrical inner cross-section and is rotatably mounted on the vehicle side in the region of its opposite end faces, and wherein a coil spring (10) is arranged inside the winding shaft (5), which exerts a permanent torque on the winding shaft (5) in the winding direction, and which is held stationary at one end on a winding shaft bearing (6) and held at the other end on a coil spring carrier (11), which is arranged rotationally locked to the winding shaft (5) and axially movable in the hollow profile (13) of the winding shaft (5), characterized in thatthat a counter bearing (7) of the winding shaft (5) opposite the winding shaft bearing (6) is provided with an axial pressure device (axial pressure spring (F)) which exerts an axial load on an end face of the winding shaft (5) in the direction of the opposite winding shaft bearing (6).

2. Protective device (1) according to claim 1 , characterized in that an axial compression spring (F) is provided as an axial pressure device, which is arranged between the end face of the winding shaft (5) and a vehicle-side bearing section.

3. Protective device (1) according to claim 2, characterized in that the axial compression spring (F) is designed as a helical compression spring.

4. Protective device (1) according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that the axial compression spring (F) is designed such that, in the case of a winding shaft (5) with an outer diameter between 10 and 15 mm, a permanent axial contact pressure of between 3 N and 5 N is exerted on the end face of the winding shaft (5).

5. Protective device (1) according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that the helical compression spring coaxially surrounds a bearing journal which is rotationally fixed to the winding shaft (5), in particular a cylindrical bearing journal.

6. Protective device (1) according to claim 5, characterized in that the bearing pin is rotatably mounted in a bearing receptacle (14) which can be mounted on the vehicle side without tools.

7. Protective device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the hollow profile (13) is cylindrical on the outside and provided with a star-shaped cross-section on the inside.

8. Protective device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the coil spring carrier (11) is slidably mounted in the hollow profile (13) and has a rotationally asymmetrical, in particular star-shaped, outer cross-section which is complementary to the inner cross-section of the hollow profile.

9. Protective device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a drive system is provided to move the surface structure in at least one direction between the rest position and the protective position.

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