Trim panel for a window guide device of a motor vehicle

Abstract

The invention relates to a trim panel (30) for a window guide device (20) for arrangement on a motor vehicle (10), wherein the trim panel (30) is arrangeable and fixable on the window guide device (20) in a direction (X) transverse to a course (Y) of a guide rail (25) of the window guide device (20). The invention also relates to a window guide device (20) for arrangement on a motor vehicle (10) and to a motor vehicle (10).

Description

[0001] Cover for a windshield guide device of a motor vehicle

[0002] The invention relates to a cover for a windshield guide device for installation on a motor vehicle, wherein the cover can be arranged and fixed on the windshield guide device in a direction transverse to the course of a guide rail. The invention further relates to a windshield guide device for installation on a motor vehicle and a motor vehicle with such a cover or windshield guide device.

[0003] In new vehicle generations, flush integration of the windows with the vehicle body is often desired to achieve aerodynamic, aesthetic, and functional advantages. This glazing technique, also known as flush glazing, is characterized by particularly narrow gaps between the side window and the trim panel. Here, the panes or glass surfaces are integrated into the vehicle body without any protruding edges or frames.

[0004] Unlike previous solutions, this results in reduced installation space, which necessitates adjustments to the window guide and / or window regulator mechanism. In particular, a seal must still be ensured to prevent the ingress of noise, water, and dirt. Furthermore, when integrating glass flush, it must be guaranteed that the structural integrity and safety of the vehicle are not compromised.

[0005] Against this background, an object of the invention is to improve the flush integration of vehicle door windows with the body of the motor vehicle. In particular, a cover for a window guide device is to be improved in order to enable improved sealing and / or improved ease of assembly, especially with regard to modified installation space geometries. This object is achieved by a cover for a window guide device for arrangement on a motor vehicle with the features of claim 1, a window guide device for arrangement on a motor vehicle with the features of claim 7, and a motor vehicle with the features of claim 10. The dependent claims relate to advantageous embodiments of the invention.

[0006] According to a first aspect, a cover plate for a window guide device is specified for installation on a motor vehicle, wherein the cover plate can be arranged and fixed to the window guide device in a longitudinal direction transverse to the guide rail, or is designed to be arranged and fixed in a transverse direction to the guide rail. The mounting and / or fastening direction extends, in particular, orthogonally to a longitudinal extension of the guide rail or a vertical direction and parallel to a surface of the window to be received or of the motor vehicle. Such a design of the mounting and / or fastening direction allows for a limited installation space between the window and the body of the motor vehicle, especially a vehicle door.

[0007] For improved clarity, the following descriptions sometimes use directional information based on a vehicle-mounted Cartesian coordinate system according to DIN ISO 8855. This three-dimensional Cartesian coordinate system has three mutually perpendicular axes: an X-axis pointing in the direction of travel, a Y-axis oriented perpendicular to the direction of travel (i.e., perpendicular to the vehicle), and a Z-axis oriented vertically.

[0008] According to a further aspect, a window guide device for installation on a motor vehicle is proposed, comprising a guide rail for guiding a movable window and a cover described herein. The window guide device is specifically designed to guide a window flush with a motor vehicle door. For this purpose, the window guide device has the guide rail, which defines a guide direction for the window, so that the window can be moved along the guide direction, in particular essentially in the vertical direction or Z-direction. For this purpose, the guide rail can have a guide receptacle for the window or for a sliding element of the window, which runs in particular along a longitudinal extension of the window guide device and by which the guide direction of the window is defined. This guide direction can also be referred to as the pull-off direction.This allows for a precise joint between the pane and the cover, where the direction of the joint can deviate from the direction of movement of the pane.

[0009] The guide rail or guide receptacle can be designed as a profile, with the guide receptacle itself being a cylindrical longitudinal recess extending over the entire length of the guide device. The guide direction is defined by the guide rail or guide receptacle in such a way that deviations in the movement of the disc, particularly in the X and / or Y directions of the vehicle, can be avoided or even prevented.

[0010] The invention is based, among other things, on the idea of ​​designing a cover, in particular a cover for a B-pillar of the motor vehicle, to be functionally integrated into the window guide system. Here, the pillar furthest forward in the longitudinal direction X of the vehicle is an A-pillar, the so-called B-pillar is located between a front and a rear door, and a C-pillar is typically located behind a rear door of the motor vehicle. In particular, the cover can be arranged on a door frame in which the window is or will be received, or on a substantially vertical section of a door frame that, when the door is closed, is located in the area of ​​a vehicle-side pillar. According to the invention, it is proposed to design the cover such that it is positioned in the X-direction, or substantially parallel to a window guided by the guide rail, on the guide rail.The guide rail can be arranged as a disc guide and fastened in this direction by means of at least one connecting element in this direction of action. This allows the guide rail to form a central reference point for all joint-forming components, resulting in tight tolerances for this joint. This, in turn, enables the realization of a short and therefore controllable tolerance chain, which can contribute to dimensional accuracy and reproducible assembly quality.

[0011] Such a mounting and fastening of the cover in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle can be made possible, in particular, by ensuring that the cover does not form the receptacle for seals or sealing devices, but can be arranged separately from the rail guide device that accommodates the seals. Thus, the cover represents a purely visual component without a guiding function.

[0012] In one embodiment, the cover has at least one connecting device configured to form a detachable connection with the guide rail. In particular, the connecting device is configured to form a snap-fit ​​connection with a predetermined direction of action, namely transverse to the guide rail or in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. The cover can have a predetermined number of connecting devices along its connecting edge.

[0013] The connecting device is specifically designed to provide a mechanical connection through a positive locking action. For this purpose, the connecting device can be designed as an elastically deformable locking element that, during assembly, is guided over a detent edge in the X-direction. This creates a mechanical tension that is released abruptly as soon as the detent edge snaps into a corresponding recess or indentation. The direction of action is the direction in which a detent torque or holding force is applied and overcome. This allows the cover plate to be positioned or mounted on the guide rail in a transverse direction to accommodate confined installation spaces, particularly in the Y-direction.

[0014] The connecting device or locking element can be designed to be removable, allowing for targeted disassembly. For high strength combined with reproducible function, the connecting device can, for example, be made of plastic.

[0015] In one embodiment, the connecting device is configured to engage in a recess formed in the guide rail. This recess can have a geometric design such that a locking edge or lug of the connecting device can be positioned behind an edge of the recess during assembly, creating a positive-locking connection. The recess is designed to correspond, in particular, to a locking projection of the connecting device. The recess acts transversely to the guide rail and prevents unintentional release by pulling and / or pushing along this direction.

[0016] In one embodiment, the at least one connecting device can be fixed to at least one web element of the aperture. The web element or a mounting flange is designed orthogonal to the aperture plane in order to fix the at least one connecting device to it. The at least one connecting device can be mechanically connected to the aperture or web element by means of a separate locking connection oriented perpendicular to the main locking direction. The connecting device is attached to the web element or aperture in a direction that is orthogonal to the direction of the subsequent locking in the X-direction with the guide rail. This geometric separation of the two joining and holding directions enables targeted pre-assembly of the connecting device on the aperture, in particular without impairing the subsequent locking connection with the guide rail.Furthermore, this allows for a modular design and / or a simplified replacement of the connecting device and / or the cover.

[0017] In one embodiment, the cover plate is configured to form a stop with the guide rail. This stop is specifically designed to define a limit to the joining movement in the X-direction, i.e., along the mounting direction of the at least one connecting element. The stop is geometrically positioned and / or designed such that it prevents further displacement and / or over-pressing of the connecting element beyond a predetermined endpoint. This ensures that the cover plate can be positioned in a precisely defined end position relative to the receiving guide rail during assembly. This improves the reproducible and precise positioning of the cover plate, particularly with regard to its external appearance and the need for tight joint or gap dimensions.

[0018] In one embodiment, the aperture's web element is configured to form the stop. This stop can be realized by the web element being integrated into or molded onto the aperture. The web element is functionally designed to simultaneously serve as a fixing device for the at least one connecting element on the aperture and as a mechanical end stop in the assembly or X-direction, thus fulfilling a dual function. This design achieves high assembly precision because the connecting element can be held in a predefined installation position, thereby improving the repeatability of the aperture assembly.In one embodiment, the guide rail and the aperture can be arranged relative to each other, particularly by means of the at least one connecting device, such that an outer surface of a disk guided by the guide device and an outer surface of the aperture lie in a continuously curved surface, particularly a common one, so that a smooth, visually and / or aerodynamically homogeneous transition is created between the two elements. This arrangement allows for high-quality integration of the visible outer surfaces.

[0019] In one embodiment, a sealing device is arranged between the aperture and the guide rail. This sealing device is, in particular, arranged on the guide rail such that a sealing line of the at least one sealing device differs from a guide direction of the disc, especially in a longitudinal direction of the vehicle. The sealing line is, in particular, a boundary line or area where the at least one sealing device and the disc meet and ensure a seal to prevent the ingress or escape of sound, liquids, gases, or other substances.

[0020] The sealing line is thus determined or defined by the design or arrangement of at least one sealing device on the guide rail and relative to the disc. Because the sealing line and the guide direction or guide mounting of the disc are fixed separately or at a distance from each other on or by means of the guide rail, the disc can be moved along the guide direction or opened and / or closed independently of the sealing device. This can, for example, improve the compression of the sealing device and / or the uniformity of the contact pressure, thereby increasing the service life of the sealing device.

[0021] According to a further aspect, a motor vehicle is proposed comprising at least one cover described herein and / or at least one window guide described herein, whereby the effects and / or advantages described herein can be utilized. Such a design allows for a flush finish with a narrow gap between the window and the cover on the motor vehicle, while simultaneously simplifying the installation of the cover on the motor vehicle.

[0022] Further advantages and application possibilities of the invention will become apparent from the following description in conjunction with the figures.

[0023] Fig. 1 shows a schematic representation of a motor vehicle comprising a disc guide device for arrangement on a motor vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0024] Fig. 2 shows a schematic representation of a disc guide device for arrangement on a motor vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0025] Fig. 1 shows a motor vehicle 10 having a disc guide device 20 with a cover 30 for such a disc guide device 20 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0026] The motor vehicle 10 has a window 12 and a window guide 20, the window guide 20 having a guide rail 25 configured to guide the window 12 along a predetermined guide direction R. The window guide 20 is attached to a vertical (B-)pillar of a door frame 15 of the motor vehicle 10 and is configured to at least partially accommodate a cover 30 of the motor vehicle 10 for cladding the window guide 20 and / or the substantially vertical pillar 15. This allows the window guide 20 to at least partially geometrically reference the cover 30.

[0027] Furthermore, the disc guide device 20 has at least one sealing device 35 adjacent to the disc 12, wherein the sealing device 35 is arranged on the disc guide device 20 or guide rail 25 such that a sealing line differs from the guide direction R or can form an angle with it, at least partially. The sealing device 35 can comprise a first sealing device arranged on the disc 12 and a second sealing device arranged between the disc 12 and the cover 30, wherein the first sealing device is configured to provide a sealing effect in the transverse direction Y of the vehicle and the second sealing device is configured to provide a sealing effect in the longitudinal direction X of the vehicle. The disc guide device 20 is configured to guide the disc 12 such that the disc 12 experiences maximum sealing pressure in a closed state.

[0028] Fig. 2 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of the disc guide device 20 for arrangement on a motor vehicle 10 from Fig. 1.

[0029] The window guide assembly 20 is attached to the body, the pillar 15, or the door frame by means of a fastening element 16. The cover 30 for the window guide assembly 20 is arranged on the guide assembly 20 in a direction X transverse to the course of a guide rail Y and can be fixed to it by means of a connecting element 21. The guide rail 25 and the cover 30 are arranged relative to each other such that an outer surface 42 of the window 12, which can be guided by the guide assembly 25, and an outer surface 32 of the cover 30 lie in a common, continuously curved surface. For this purpose, the cover 30 has a connecting element 21 which is configured to form a detachable connection with the guide rail 25 or with an engagement 24 formed therein.The connecting device 21 is connected to the cover 30 by means of a bridge device 22 formed on the cover 30, wherein the bridge device 22 is configured to form a stop 23 with the guide rail in order to limit an assembly movement in the X direction.

[0030] The disc guide device 20 has the guide rail 25, which is configured to guide the disc 12 along the predetermined guide direction R. For this purpose, the guide rail 25 has a guide receptacle 55, which is configured to receive a sliding element 52 arranged on the disc 12 or a sliding head arranged at the end of the sliding element 52 spaced apart from the disc 12. A sealing element 35, which is attached to the guide rail 25 or the disc guide device 20, is attached to the guide rail 25 or the disc guide device 20 and is abutting the disc 12. The sealing element 35 has a first sealing element 35a arranged on the disc 12 to provide a sealing effect in the transverse direction Y of the vehicle, and a second sealing element 35b arranged in a joint between the disc 12 and the cover 30 to provide a sealing effect in the longitudinal direction X of the vehicle.The sealing devices 35 are arranged on the guide rail 25 such that the sealing line formed between the disc 12 and the sealing device 35 differs from the guide direction R. This separation of the sealing lines and the guide direction R allows the disc 12 to move freely from a closed and sealed state, thereby reducing wear on the sealing devices 35. REFERENCE SYMBOL LIST.

[0031] 10 motor vehicle

[0032] 12 discs

[0033] 15 Column of a door frame

[0034] 16 Fasteners

[0035] 20 Disc guide device 21 Connecting device

[0036] 22 Bridge equipment

[0037] 23 attacks

[0038] 24 Backstabbing

[0039] 25 guide rail

[0040] 30 aperture

[0041] 32 aperture outer surface

[0042] 35 Sealing device

[0043] 42 Disc outer surface

[0044] 52 sliding element

[0045] 55 Guide recording

[0046] R guide device

[0047] X Vehicle longitudinal direction

[0048] Y Vehicle transverse direction

[0049] Z Vehicle lifting direction

Claims

REQUIREMENTS 1. Aperture (30) for a window guide device (20) for arrangement on a motor vehicle (10), wherein the aperture (30) can be arranged and fixed on the window guide device (20) in a longitudinal direction (X) of the vehicle transverse to a course (Z) of a guide rail (25).

2. Aperture (30) according to the preceding claim, wherein the aperture (30) has at least one connecting device (21) which is configured to form a detachable connection with the guide rail (25).

3. Aperture (30) according to the preceding claim, wherein the at least one connecting device (21) is configured to engage in a recess (24) formed in the guide rail (25).

4. Aperture (30) according to one of the two preceding claims, wherein the at least one connecting device (21) can be fixed to at least one bridge device (22) of the aperture (30).

5. Aperture (30) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the aperture (30) is configured to form a stop (23) with the guide rail (25).

6. Aperture (30) according to the preceding claim, wherein the bridge device (22) of the aperture (30) is configured to form the stop (23).

7. Disc guide device (20) for arrangement on a motor vehicle (10), comprising a guide rail (25) for guiding a movable disc (12) and a cover (30) according to one of the preceding claims.

8. A disc guide device (20) according to the preceding claim, wherein the guide rail (25) and the aperture (30) can be arranged relative to each other such that an outer surface of a disc (12) that can be guided by means of the guide device (25) and an outer surface of the aperture (30) lie in a continuously curved surface.

9. A disc guide device (20) according to one of the two preceding claims, wherein a sealing device (35) is arranged between the aperture (30) and the guide rail (25).

10. Motor vehicle (10) comprising at least one aperture (30) according to one of claims 1 to 6 and / or at least one window guide device (20) according to one of the three preceding claims.

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