DE102008057883A1 - Motor vehicle, has lock for holding bonnet in closed position and controller that is connected with fixing unit, where fixing unit is controlled by electrical control instructions of controller - Google Patents

Abstract

The vehicle has a bonnet (10), a lock for holding the bonnet in a closed position, and a fixing unit for fixing the bonnet. A controller is connected with the fixing unit, where the fixing unit is controlled by electrical control instructions of the controller. The controller is connected with a speed measuring unit. The controller outputs the electrical control instructions to the fixing unit depending on the information supplied by the measuring unit to the controller. Electromagnets (36) and an electric motor are provided in the fixing unit. An independent claim is also included for a method for operating a motor vehicle.

Description

The The invention relates to a motor vehicle according to the preamble of claim 1.

The Motor vehicle thus has a front flap, which in arrangement an engine under the same name also carries the hood. In a manner known per se, the motor vehicle comprises a lock for holding the front door in a closed position, namely for holding the front door on the body of the motor vehicle or to the corresponding planking parts. The castle is mostly centrally located on the front of the vehicle and stops Therefore, the front door firmly at exactly this point. additional There may be a safety hook to the lock, which is the front door at a snapping the lock still holds and only manually releasable.

Of the Developer of motor vehicles is subject in the design of Shape of the motor vehicle and in particular the shape of the front door Restrictions. On the one hand, pedestrian protection be assured, which means that the front door under the weight of a human person must yield. In an effort to to build a light-weight vehicle in order to operate it To save fuel, you also tend to the front door off To build lightweight material, in particular to design as aluminum flap. On the other hand, the front flap is subject to high speeds of the motor vehicle a high suction. In particular, if the motor vehicle developer a large flap provides, becomes a large attack surface for provided from the vehicle interior overpressure and by the airstream from the outside acting negative pressure on the one hand, so that the front flap at higher speeds could be pulled up. To counteract such forces, the front door would have to be rather heavy.

On the realization that the forces acting on the front flap are speed-dependent, based a locking device for folding body parts, which in the EP 0 899 400 A1 is described. In this locking device, the single lock is designed so that a holding force in dependence on the speed of the motor vehicle is adjustable. The mechanism is based on the pressure effects that occur when driving the motor vehicle.

In the area of the single lock for holding a front door on the body of the motor vehicle, it is from the DE 103 066 05 B4 known to use an electromagnetic element. In an engine hood lock described in this document, an electromagnetic actuator is used for electromagnetic unlocking.

several Previously known constructions that hold the front door affecting the body have proved to be inadequate, if a design of a motor vehicle with a particularly large area Front flap is desired and at the same time the legal Regulations and customer requirements in modern motor vehicle construction should be taken into account.

Consequently It is an object of the invention to show a way, as in the design of motor vehicles greater freedom the design of the front flaps (shape and / or size) can be achieved. The task is carried out by a motor vehicle the features of claim 1. to Solution of the task also involves a procedure the features according to claim 13.

According to the invention it thus different from the lock means for fixing the front door (on the body, in particular Plankungsteilen the same). One Control unit of the motor vehicle is provided with the means for Fixing connected, and the means for fixing are by electrical control commands can be controlled by this control unit.

The Invention thus provides flexibility in fixing the front door ready. The control unit can in particular Depending on the situation, once the means for the Fixation become active and the front flap in another place, at which it does the lock, hold on, eliminating the entire front door is stabilized. At other times, however, it may be advantageous if the means for fixing are not active, the front flap so exclusively by the lock, if necessary still held by a safety hook becomes.

The Situation in which the means for fixing for just fixing be brought or to cancel the fixing is particular preferably dependent on the speed of the motor vehicle. Therefore, it is a preferred embodiment when the Control device with means for measuring the speed is coupled and is designed to electrical control commands to the means for fixing as a function of at least one of the means for measuring supplied to the controller To give information.

In the simplest case, the means for fixing work so that they either completely fix the front door, so lock on the body of the vehicle at the point in question, or just completely release, so unlock after locking. Accordingly, then the speed dependency can be designed simply, namely, the controller to be designed to a Fi xing (namely, in particular, locking) the front flap on the body of the motor vehicle by the means for fixing above a (first) speed limit and canceling the fixing (in particular unlocking) of the front flap on the body by the means for fixing below a speed limit the latter speed limit value preferably being a second speed limit which differs from the first speed limit value, which is normally below the first speed limit value, so that it is not permanently locked and unlocked with slight fluctuations in the speed.

at this embodiment of the invention can be provide a large front flap and so on design that at low speeds a pedestrian protection is given, the front flap under load thus yields, at high Speeds at which large forces occur the large front flap act through the additional support by the means for fixing the arrangement but still stable.

Prefers are the means of fixing not only by electrical control commands can be controlled by the control unit, but work itself electric. The control commands can therefore simultaneously the means for fixing betrei ben. So can the funds for fixing comprise an electromagnet, the z. B. between two positions is reciprocating and at one position a lock and at the other position unlocked causes.

Just like that The means for fixing can also be an electric motor include.

It There are numerous possibilities, such as the means of fixation can be designed. In the design of the funds for fixing can on in conventional motor vehicle designs existing conditions are built. So it is common in motor vehicles, to provide rubber buffers on the front flap, so that the front flap is cushioned against the body. The rubber buffers are typically provided far from the central castle. The Rubber buffers can be screwed into the front flap. Through the rubber buffers can the height of the front door in closed position Adjust to the body. Through the rubber buffers So there are elements, on the one hand, the front door and the other touch the body. Therefore, it is advantageous if the means for fixing comprise a locking member, which during fixing attacks on the rubber buffer. It does not have then at the front flap no be provided separate element on which the means for fixing can attack.

One however, such a rubber buffer can attack by its shape facilitate a locking member. So the rubber buffer can have a foot, where a shoulder is provided, e.g. B. by the foot a pin is arranged and represents nothing other than one Broadening of the rubber buffer against the journal. Then a bifurcated locking member when fixing the rubber buffer, namely in particular said pin, with respect the vehicle vertical axis above the shoulder and thus above the Include foot. Act forces on the front flap, which pull up the front flap, thus becomes the shoulder against the Locking member pressed, and the rubber buffer, the locking member not penetrate, the front flap is thus over the Rubber buffers held to the body.

The fork-shaped locking member can be arranged on a lever be, which folds down for fixing and to release the fixation again folds back. The lever can z. B. by the above already mentioned Electromagnets are moved back and forth.

There Rubber buffers are not rigid elements, there may be variations come in their relative position to the body. Therefore, it is advantageous if the locking member is guided in the process of fixing so that it definitely surrounds the rubber buffer. To lead the locking member is in particular a backdrop advantageous. The locking member then braces on the backdrop and turns z. B. opposite a suspension so that the open Side of the fork shape of the locking member points to the rubber buffer, so that the fork-shaped locking member surrounds the rubber buffer, when it is led to the rubber buffer. The latter can when folding the said lever done.

To fix the front flap on the body, a separate bracket is arranged in another embodiment of the front flap, the z. B. from the same material as the front door, typically made of metal, and is therefore particularly stable. The means for fixing must then comprise only one locking member which engages in fixing in the bracket. The locking member may, for. B. be a simple pin that is translationally movable, z. B. by said electric motor drives a gear whose rotational movement is translated via a spindle in a translational movement. Likewise, the locking member may also be a hook which can be brought into two different Verkippzustände. In addition to the possibility that an electric motor directly rotates the hook in a starting point for tilting, here a translational movement of the hook can be accompanied by a tilting. The translational movement can in the manner described above by the electric motor, gears and the spindle take place.

The inventive method for operating a Motor vehicle comprises the steps: Provision of a motor vehicle with one in a lock at a first point of the bodywork the motor vehicle held front door. This provision of the motor vehicle typically occurs at each stop of the motor vehicle. If the front door is open before, it must getting closed. Now the motor vehicle is set in motion, namely in particular to a predetermined speed exceeded is. Beyond the predetermined speed of the motor vehicle the front flap now fixed at a second point of the body (in particular locked), by different from the castle Medium.

Consequently the front door is only on at low speeds the first body of the body held at higher However, speeds both at the first and at the second place the body. This allows the mechanical behavior adjust the front flap. At low speeds can They are held resilient to pedestrian protection to ensure. At high speeds it can be stabilized so they have forces at such high speeds work, does not yield.

Prefers the method comprises the further step of canceling the fixation (ie the unlocking) of the front flap at the second point below a predetermined speed. It may be the same Speed is above which fixing is preferred the fixation, however, at a slightly lower speed lifted again.

There a pedestrian protection up to a speed of about 50 km per hour makes sense, the predetermined Speeds are around this value. For example, above 55 km per hour, the front flap in the second position of the body be unlocked and unlocked below 45 km per hour become.

The inventive method can be extended be that at third or further places of the body Front flap fixed above a predetermined speed becomes. For example, at a central front on the motor vehicle arranged lock symmetrically to both sides of the flap respective breakpoint be provided.

following preferred embodiments of the invention below Referring to the drawing described in the

1 shows a section of a motor vehicle according to the invention in section,

2 one in the motor vehicle 1 rubber buffer inserted,

3 the arrangement 1 seen from below,

4 a locking device used in a second embodiment of the invention and

5 a used in a third embodiment of the invention, relative to the closure device 4 modified closure device shows.

A section in 1 shown front door of a motor vehicle, of which an inner panel with 10 is designated and typically has the function of a hood, should be held on the body of the motor vehicle. A component of the body is in 1 shown in sections and with 12 designated. The front flap 10 is by means of a in the 1 Castle not shown held on the body. By the invention, an additional holding possibility is now provided, such that the front flap at a different location of the lock of the front door 10 not from the bodywork component 12 can solve.

In the embodiment of 1 This happens in the area of a rubber buffer 14 , A rubber buffer like the rubber buffer 14 is usually provided with front flaps away from the actual castle and serves to support the front flap 10 on the bodywork component 12 , The rubber buffer 14 has a basic body 16 on. A conventional rubber buffer essentially consists exclusively of exactly one such basic body. The main body 16 is a substantially cylindrical element in which a spiral groove 18 is provided. The spiral groove 18 can act like a screw thread. The main body 16 is thus in an opening in the front door 10 screwed. The main body 16 has a support surface 20 on, when he closes the front door 10 on the bodywork component 12 to come to rest. The distance between the front flap 10 and the bodywork component 12 in the area of the rubber buffer 14 is determined by how far the main body 16 in the front flap 10 , namely her inner panel, is screwed.

In the invention will now be a conventional rubber buffer with the main body 16 for another section 22 extended, which is cone-shaped. Another section 22 also includes a foot area 24 one. The foot 24 is conical tet, being at the transition between the pin 22 and the foot 24 one shoulder 26 is formed, the foot 24 So at Ro tationssymmetrie a larger diameter than the pin 22 having. It is now in the bodywork component 12 provided an opening through which the foot 24 and the pin 22 when closing the front door 10 sail right through. Now, under predetermined conditions, a fork-shaped locking member 28 from a resting position over in 3 shown position in the in 1 shown position spent in it the pin 22 embraces. The fork-shaped locking member 28 has a recess 30 on whose dimensions are chosen so that the fork-shaped element 28 the pin 22 can exactly embrace that but the foot 24 the recess 30 then not be able to penetrate.

Will now be in 1 upward force on the front flap 10 exerted, blocked the fork-shaped locking member 28 the foot 24 of the rubber buffer 14 so that the vehicle door 10 on the bodywork component 12 is held. Thus, the forked locking member locks 28 the front flap 10 on the bodywork component 12 ,

The fork-shaped locking member 28 is pivotable on a lever 32 stored, which in turn pivots in a warehouse 34 is stored. The lever 32 can be tilted by placing an in 3 only schematically shown electromagnet 36 is energized and an element is thereby moved by the electromagnet. So, starting from the situation in 3 a movement of the fork-shaped locking member 28 on the rubber buffer 14 to be achieved by the entire electromagnet 36 starting from the situation in 3 moved to the left, z. B. to an in 3 not shown permanent magnets.

During the movement of the fork-shaped locking member 28 on the rubber buffer 14 to become a curved outer surface 38 the fork-shaped locking member 28 in a backdrop 40 guided. Such a backdrop 40 is on both sides of the fork-shaped locking member 28 and the rubber buffer 14 arranged and fitting to the outside surface 38 the fork-shaped locking member 28 designed so that even when not quite straight in the opening in the bodywork component 12 dipped pin 22 the fork-shaped locking member 28 as he moves, he grabs the pins and finally engages them.

The electromagnet 36 is used to lock the front door 10 on the bodywork component 12 then activated when a predetermined speed of the motor vehicle has exceeded a threshold. This means the front door 10 below the speed threshold in the area of the rubber buffer 14 can swing freely, leaving the front door 10 is held only by the actual castle and a pedestrian protection exists, namely the front door 10 so under the burden of a human person in the rubber buffer 14 gives way. Pedestrian protection is no longer sensible above certain speeds. However, it is advantageous if the front door 10 at high speeds at another point on the bodywork component 12 is held. At high speeds, namely by the bodywork component 12 Interior provided pressure on the front door 10 exerted, and the wind creates a suction on the front door 10 so that the front flap 10 experiences a force in the upward direction. By locking by means of the fork-shaped locking member 28 in the area of the rubber buffer 14 is now the front flap 10 held at a point other than the actual castle so that it does not yield to the forces. The front flap 10 can be designed in particular very large area. By the presently provided additional locking the vehicle designers also have greater freedom in the design of the front door 10 ,

While in the embodiment according to the 1 to 3 is linked to an existing construction, namely the presence of a rubber buffer 14 and only the rubber buffer 14 is slightly modified, can also be used separately to lock the front door outside the actual castle a bracket 42 be provided. Such a temple is in the 4 and 5 shown. It is assumed that the hanger 42 is attached to the inner panel of a front door and dives when closing the front door through an opening in the bodywork component to which the front door is to be attached. In the temple 42 can now engage a locking member, which is the bracket 42 locked. In the embodiment according to 4 this locking member is a pin 44 , in the embodiment of 5 a catch 46 , which is shown in phantom in a position in which the temple 42 is not locked, and which is shown in solid line in a position in which he the bracket 42 locked.

The pencil 44 is caused by translational movement in the 4 shown position. This movement is powered by an electric motor 48 provided a gear 50 drives it with another gear 52 combs, which with a wave 54 is coupled in an element 44 in the transition to the wave 54 provided spindle gear engages.

A tilting of the hook 46 in the solid line position can also by a translational movement of an element, namely the element 56 , which causes a head area 58 the hook ge is knocking. The hook is in a foot area 60 rotatably mounted. In a translatory movement of the element 56 the hook tilts 46 , The translational movement of the element 56 The same happens by means of a gear ratio and a spindle gear as the translational movement of the pen 44 ,

In the embodiment according to the 1 to 3 An electromagnet is used to secure the front door 10 on the bodywork component 12 to lock. In the embodiments according to 4 and 5 becomes an electric motor 48 provided.

electromagnet 36 and electric motor 48 have in common that they can be activated by current control, so that the front door is locked to the body component. Such a current control can be done by a control unit in the vehicle, for. B. the central control unit in the vehicle. The control unit is to receive information about the speed, is thus coupled with means for measuring the speed and receives from the same signals, are transmitted via the information. The above-mentioned threshold criterion can then be used by the central controller to decide whether the solenoid 36 or the electric motor 48 to activate or not.

QUOTES INCLUDE IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list The documents listed by the applicant have been automated generated and is solely for better information recorded by the reader. The list is not part of the German Patent or utility model application. The DPMA takes over no liability for any errors or omissions.

Cited patent literature

• EP 0899400 A1 [0004]
• - DE 10306605 B4 [0005]

Claims (14)

Motor vehicle with a front flap ( 10 ) and a lock for holding the front door ( 10 ) in a closed position, characterized by means other than the lock ( 28 . 34 . 36 ; 44 . 48 . 50 . 52 . 54 ; 46 . 48 . 50 . 52 . 54 . 56 . 58 ) for fixing the front flap ( 10 ), wherein the motor vehicle has a control device connected to the means for fixing and the means for fixing by electrical control commands can be controlled by the control unit. Motor vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the control device coupled with means for measuring the speed, thereby characterized in that the control unit is designed to electrical control commands to the means for fixing depending on at least one of the means for measuring the controller provide information supplied. Motor vehicle according to claim 2, characterized in that the control unit is designed to fix the front door ( 10 ) on a body ( 12 ) of the motor vehicle by the means for fixing above a speed limit value and a release of the fixing of the front flap ( 10 ) on the body ( 12 ) by the means for fixing below a speed limit. Motor vehicle according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the means for fixing an electromagnet ( 36 ). Motor vehicle according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the means for fixing an electric motor ( 48 ). Motor vehicle according to one of Claims 1 to 5, in which on the front flap ( 10 ) a rubber buffer ( 14 ) to cushion the front flap ( 10 ) opposite the body ( 12 ), characterized in that the means for fixing a locking member ( 28 ) which, when fixed to the rubber buffer ( 14 ) attacks. Motor vehicle according to claim 6, characterized in that the rubber buffer a foot ( 24 ), on which a shoulder ( 26 ) is provided, and that a fork-shaped locking member ( 28 ) when fixing the rubber buffer ( 14 ) with respect to the vehicle's vertical axis above the shoulder ( 26 ) surrounds. Motor vehicle according to claim 7, characterized in that the fork-shaped locking member ( 28 ) on a lever ( 34 ) is arranged. Motor vehicle according to claim 7 or 8, characterized by a slide ( 40 ) for guiding the fork-shaped locking member ( 28 ) in the process of fixing. Motor vehicle according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that on the front flap a bracket ( 42 ) is arranged and the means for fixing a locking member ( 44 . 46 ), which when fixing in the bracket ( 42 ) intervenes. Motor vehicle according to claim 10, characterized in that the locking member is a pin ( 44 ), which is translationally movable. Motor vehicle according to claim 10, characterized in that the locking member is a hook ( 46 ), which can be brought into two different Verkippzustände. Method for operating a motor vehicle, comprising the steps of: providing a motor vehicle with a front flap held in a lock at a first position of the body of the motor vehicle, moving the motor vehicle, setting the front flap above a predetermined speed of the motor vehicle 10 ) at a second location of the body ( 12 ) by means other than the lock ( 28 . 34 . 36 ). Method according to claim 13, with the further step: - canceling the fixing of the front flap ( 10 ) in the second position of the body ( 12 ) below a predetermined speed.