DE102009040398A1 - Frame joint for vehicle cover, has frame joint lower part for connection at vehicle body, where frame joint upper part is provided for connection at vehicle cover - Google Patents

Abstract

The frame joint (1) has a frame joint lower part (2) for the connection at a vehicle body. A frame joint upper part (3) is provided for the connection at a vehicle cover. An actuator (8), particularly an actuator housing (10) is supported at the frame joint in a movable manner. An independent claim is also included for a method for operating a frame joint.

Description

The invention relates to a hinge with a hinge base for connection to a vehicle body, a hinge upper part for connection to a vehicle flap and at least one lever for movable, in particular pivotable connection of the hinge base and the hinge shell, wherein an actuator for lifting the hinge shell is arranged on the hinge , The invention further relates to a method for operating such a hinge.

For efficient pedestrian protection and especially for a head impact, vehicles must provide a sufficient deformation path in the area of the front flap, in particular in order to achieve so-called HIC (Head Injury Criterion) values. This deformation path is dependent on the specific configuration available and so far mostly insufficient. To achieve a prolonged deformation path active hinges can be installed, which include the actual hinge and an actuator. If a collision with the front flap is to be expected, the upper part of the hinge or the whole hinge with the front flap is shot up by the actuator (active impact).

DE 10 2007 033 325 A1 describes a hinge for the pivotable connection of a cover or hood on a motor vehicle, which comprises a body attachment part, a connecting arm and a hood connection part held thereon, wherein the connecting arm is hinged against the body attachment part pivotally. To realize a pedestrian protection function, the hood connection part is held at the protruding end of the connecting arm in a locked by a locking element against pivoting from a rest position joint.

DE 10 2006 037 831 A1 relates to a pyrotechnic actuator with a housing, a displaceably arranged in a cavity of the housing piston arranged thereon piston rod (the Aktorstößel) and an igniter, wherein the ignition of the igniter, a quantity of gas is released and by means of this gas quantity, the piston from a starting position, the Resting position, in an end position, the working position, is movable, wherein the piston rod on the way from the starting position to the end position or in the end position triggers a process.

In this case, it is disadvantageous that the actuator for a passive impact event, in which the actuator is not triggered, can be an obstacle in the event of deformation of the front flap, as a result of which a deformation path of the front flap is shortened.

The object of the invention is to avoid the abovementioned disadvantages and in particular to provide an active hinge in which the actuator does not substantially hinder the deformation path of the front flap even in the event of passive impact.

This object is achieved according to the features of the independent claims. Further developments of the invention will become apparent from the dependent claims.

To solve the problem, a hinge is proposed, which is at least one hinge base for connection to a vehicle body and a hinge shell for connection to a vehicle door, wherein the hinge base and the hinge shell are movably connected to each other and wherein on the hinge an actuator for lifting the hinge shell is arranged , This mechanical hinge constitutes an active hinge together with the actuator. The actuator may preferably be a pyrotechnic actuator.

The actuator is movably mounted on the hinge and prevented from moving relative to the hinge by means of at least one releasable fixing element, the fixing element being releasable when the hinge is compressed beyond its rest position. In the event of an active impact, in which the actuator triggers, the fixing element holds or fixes the actuator, so that a stroke of the actuator (possibly with the exception of a slight clearance compensation) can be used to raise the vehicle flap. In passive impact, in which the actuator does not trigger, however, the hinge is compressed and the fixing at least partially solved. By releasing the fixing in turn, the actuator is no longer hindered in its displaceability and thus can yield to the force exerted by the impact force and dive accordingly. Thus, the actuator does not hinder the deformation path of the vehicle door or not so much as in the case of a stationary actuator.

It should be noted that the vehicle body may include a chassis or a part of a body or a chassis.

The vehicle flap is, for example, a front flap or a bonnet of a vehicle. However, the approach proposed here is applicable to any hinged flap of a vehicle, e.g. As a tailgate, applicable.

A further development is that an actuator housing of the actuator on the hinge movable, in particular displaceable, and stored by means of at least one releasable fixing in his Movement is prevented relative to the hinge. As a result, freedom of movement of the actuatorically moved part of the actuator, which is referred to below as an actuator ram, can be ensured.

Another development is that the fixing element is designed as a clip or a clip. As a result, the fixing can be very easy to put on the actuator and replace it.

It is also a development that the clip has at least two mutually spaced clip projections for clasping the actuator, in particular of the actuator housing. By the two clip projections can be achieved tilt-safe positioning of the clip on the actuator. Moreover, by means of the distance between the two projections, it is easy to set a measure of the inhibition of the movement of the actuator (eg in the form of a game) relative to the hinge.

In addition, it is a development that the fixing element can be pressed off by means of the actuator. This results in a particularly compact and easy zusammenzusetzendes active hinge.

Furthermore, it is a further development that the fixing element can be pressed off by means of an actuator ram when the actuator ram is pressed into or in the direction of the actuator housing. This results in a particularly simple and fault-tolerant design.

A next development is that the Aktorstößel impinges upon pressing in the actuator housing on the fixing and presses the fixing away, in particular laterally depressed. The Aktorstößel is not hindered during its movement in the active impact case. In addition, so the Abdrück- or detachment movement of the fixing element is precisely defined.

In particular, it is a development that the Aktorstößel impinges upon depression in the actuator housing on a slope of the fixing. Due to the slope, a force or a pulse of Aktorstößels can be easily redirected for pushing the fixing.

An alternative embodiment is that the fixing element is arranged and arranged to be pressed by the hinge or the vehicle door. For this purpose, the hinge or the vehicle door can be equipped with a projection which is placed on the fixing element in a passive impact event.

A next refinement is that the fixing element is set up and arranged to receive reaction forces acting on the actuator when the actuator is triggered.

A further embodiment is that the hinge further comprises at least one lever for pivotally movable connection of the hinge lower part and the hinge upper part. By means of such a compact hinge, the vehicle door is particularly easy and wide open to the body.

However, other types of hinges or opening elements are generally usable, e.g. B. linearly movable elements.

Yet another embodiment is that the actuator in an actuator holder movable, in particular displaceable, is mounted, wherein the actuator holder is attached to the lower hinge part. This results in a sufficient space for the actuator.

Furthermore, it is an embodiment that the Aktorstößel is intended to contact the hinge upper part, z. B. for pressing the hinge in the active impact case. Alternatively, the Aktorstößel contact, for example, a lever which lifts the hinge upper part of the lower hinge part.

The above object is also achieved by a method for operating a hinge, wherein when the hinge is compressed (passive impact), the fixing element is at least partially released from the actuator.

According to one embodiment, when the actuator is triggered (active crash), the fixing element can absorb reaction forces acting on the actuator.

It is a further embodiment that the actuator is triggered due to a recognition of an upcoming impact on the vehicle door. This supports use in an active crash case.

The vehicle flap may be, for example, a front flap, a tailgate and / or a side flap.

In the following figures, the invention will be described schematically with reference to an embodiment.

Show it:

1 in an oblique view, a movable by means of an actuator hinge partially in an exploded view;

2 in side view of the hinge 1 in a quiet location;

3 in side view of the hinge 1 in a swung position;

4 in side view of the hinge 1 in a depressed position.

1 shows in an oblique view and 2 shows a side view of a hinge 1 for connecting a vehicle flap, in particular front flap, to a motor vehicle. The hinge 1 is in its starting position or rest position.

The hinge has a hinge base 2 for attachment to the motor vehicle, in particular its body, and a two-part hinge upper part 3 for fastening the vehicle door on. The hinge shell 3 is from an upper hinge shell 4 and a lower hinge shell 5 composed, which are mutually pivotable. To attach the vehicle door is the upper hinge shell 4 intended. The hinge base 2 and the hinge shell 3 are pivotally connected to each other via two connecting arms, via a short link 6 and a long handlebar 7 , The short handlebar 6 and the long handlebar 7 are each at their ends with the hinge base 2 or with the lower hinge upper part 5 pivotally connected.

In an active crash event, a possible upcoming impact of an object collided head-on with the vehicle is detected, e.g. B. by a crash sensor. In this case, the vehicle door is lifted up to mitigate the impact of the object on the vehicle door. To lift the vehicle door is a pyrotechnic actuator 8th provided, which by means of a sleeve-like actuator holder 9 on the hinge base 2 is attached

The actor 8th has an actuator housing 10 with a cylindrical basic shape and one in the actuator housing 10 slidably mounted Aktorstößel 11 on. The actuator ram 11 has at its free end a rounded and laterally projecting plunger head 12 on, which in the rest position shown a defined minimum distance from the lower hinge upper part 5 having. The actuator housing 10 , has widenings at both ends 13a . 13b on, namely an upper broadening 13a at an upper end where the actuator ram 11 from the actuator housing 10 protrudes, and a lower broadening 13b at an opposite lower end of the actuator housing 10 , The actuator housing 10 can in the actuator holder 9 be slidably mounted.

To the actor 8th especially when triggered substantially stationary with respect to the hinge 1 to keep is an in 1 only for clarity of the hinge 1 remotely located shown fixing in the form of a clamp 14 intended. The clip 14 is sideways on the actuator 8th placed. The clip 14 has an elongate base part 15 on, on the side two clip-like or clip-like projections 16 . 17 stick out, which is the actuator housing 10 clasping surround. Here is a distance between the two projections 16 . 17 so dimensioned that an upper projection 16 the two projections 16 . 17 directly below the upper broadening 13a and a lower lead 17 the two projections 16 . 17 directly above the actuator holder 9 on the actuator housing 10 attaches. This will cause a backward movement of the actuator 8th in which the upper broadening 13a on the actuator holder 9 moved, prevented or at least limited. A forward movement of the actuator 8th gets through the lower broadening 13b limited.

For simplified positioning, the bracket 14 further at its lower end another projection 18 on which the actor 8th from below can at least partially embrace. At its upper end, the bracket 14 In addition, a laterally arranged Abdrückvorsprung 19 on, which at least one upward slope 20 having.

3 shows the hinge 1 in an extended position, as in the case of detection of a collision by actuation of the actuator 8th is achieved in the active impact case. When actuating the actuator 8th moves the actuator ram 11 , z. B. pyrotechnically driven at high speed from the actuator housing 10 out. After overcoming the distance to the lower hinge shell 5 the plunger head hits 12 on an underside of a contact plate 21 of the lower hinge shell 5 and causes pivoting of the lower hinge shell 5 upwards in the extended position, whereby also the upper hinge upper part 4 from the lower hinge shell 5 is swung upwards.

When deflecting or pivoting the lower hinge shell 5 (and thus also the upper hinge shell 4 and the vehicle door), a reaction force or counterforce is applied to the actuator 8th on which the actor 8th in the backward movement (down) urges. This reaction force is determined by the (in 3 not shown) bracket 14 added as the bracket 14 the actuator housing 10 with respect to the backward movement on the actuator holder 9 supported. In other words, a triggered actuator 8th the clip 14 a part of a force path between the actuator housing 10 and the actuator holder 9 and picks up accordingly the actuator housing 10 acting forces and directs them to the actuator holder 9 further. Consequently, the actuator remains 8th essentially in its initial position, and a stroke of the Aktorstößels 11 is essentially completely used for lifting the vehicle door. In other words, the brace serves 14 in an active crash case, the actuator 8th as a whole to fix the actuator holder and thus prevent the actuator 8th then through the actuator holder 9 slides to the back.

4 shows the hinge 1 in the event that a collision occurs on the flap in a passive crash without the actuator 8th has triggered, or in the event that the actor 8th already triggered and has been pushed back following.

In this case, the vehicle flap on the upper hinge upper part 4 a downward force F or force component exerted, as indicated by the arrow F. The impact of an object should be dampened as much as possible. For this purpose, it is advantageous if the vehicle door can yield as much as possible and can absorb energy before it encounters fixed parts. A firm with the hinge 1 connected actuator 8th could represent such a fixed part, which hinders further yielding of the vehicle door.

To allow for the yielding of the vehicle door, the clip is 14 (in 4 not shown) removably attached and can be pressed. So can the clip 14 from the actor 8th at least partially solved before the hinge 1 has been pushed down so far by the impact that it is on the actuator 8th encounters. Consequently, the actor is 8th now in the actuator holder 9 freely or displaceably mounted with a reduced force. Will the actor 8th pressed down, z. B. by the movement of the lower hinge shell 5 , he can so long through the actuator holder 9 Run downwards until the upper widening 13a on the actuator holder 9 strikes. This stop position is in 4 shown.

The clip 14 can be pressed off by the lower hinge upper part 5 the actuator ram 11 in the actuator housing 10 suppressed. This pushes the plunger head 12 from above on the slope 20 the push-off projection 19 (please refer 1 ), making one on the bracket 14 acting substantially laterally directed force the clip away from the actuator. This happens z. B. in that the laterally directed force on the upper projection 16 the bracket 14 acts.

The clip 14 Alternatively, it can be pressed by the lower hinge upper part 5 , the upper hinge shell 4 or the vehicle door from the top of the bracket 14 presses, in particular on a slope of the bracket. This can be the lower hinge shell 5 , the upper hinge shell 4 or the vehicle door has a projection that the Abdrückvorsprung 19 can contact.

Of course, the present invention is not limited to the embodiment shown.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

hinge

2

Hinge lower

3

Hinge cover

4

Upper hinge top

5

lower hinge top

6

short handlebar

7

long handlebar

8th

actuator

9

actuator holder

10

actuator housing

11

actuator tappet

12

ram head

13a

upper broadening

13b

lower broadening

14

clip

15

base

16

upper projection

17

lower lead

18

head Start

19

Abdrückvorsprung

20

slope

21

contact plate

F

arrow

QUOTES INCLUDE IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of the documents listed by the applicant has been generated automatically and is included solely for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Cited patent literature

• DE 102007033325 A1 [0003]
• DE 102006037831 A1 [0004]

Claims (14)

Hinge ( 1 ), at least comprising - at least one hinge base ( 2 ) for connection to a vehicle body and - a hinge upper part ( 3 ) for connection to a vehicle flap, wherein - the lower hinge part ( 2 ) and the hinge top ( 3 ) are movably connected to each other and wherein - on the hinge ( 1 ) an actor ( 8th ) for lifting the hinge upper part ( 3 ), characterized in that the actuator ( 8th ), in particular an actuator housing ( 10 ) of the actuator ( 8th ), on the hinge ( 1 ) is movably mounted and by means of at least one releasable fixing element ( 14 ) in its movement relative to the hinge ( 1 ) is prevented, wherein the fixing element ( 14 ) is at least partially releasable when the hinge ( 1 ) is compressed beyond its rest position. Hinge ( 1 ) according to claim 1, wherein the fixing element ( 14 ) as a bracket ( 14 ) is configured. Hinge ( 1 ) according to claim 2, wherein the clip ( 14 ) at least two mutually spaced clip projections ( 16 . 17 ) for clasping the actuator ( 8th ), in particular of the actuator housing ( 10 ), having. Hinge ( 1 ) according to one of the preceding claims, in which the fixing element ( 14 ) by means of the actuator ( 8th ) is abdrückbar. Hinge ( 1 ) according to claim 4, wherein the fixing element ( 14 ) by means of an actuator ram ( 11 ) is abdrückbar, if the Aktorstößel ( 11 ) in an associated actuator housing ( 10 ) is pressed. Hinge ( 1 ) according to claim 5, wherein the actuator ram ( 11 ) when pressed into the actuator housing ( 10 ) on the fixing element ( 14 ) and the fixing element ( 14 ) abuts laterally. Hinge ( 1 ) according to claim 6, wherein the actuator ram ( 11 ) when pressed into the actuator housing ( 10 ) on a slope ( 20 ) of the fixing element ( 14 ). Hinge ( 1 ) according to one of claims 1 to 3, in which the fixing element ( 14 ) is arranged and arranged by the hinge ( 1 ) or the vehicle door to be pressed. Hinge ( 1 ) according to one of the preceding claims, in which the fixing element ( 14 ) is arranged and arranged, when the actuator is triggered ( 8th ) to absorb reaction forces acting on the actuator. Hinge ( 1 ) according to one of the preceding claims, further comprising at least one lever ( 6 . 7 ) for the pivotable connection of the hinge lower part ( 2 ) and the hinge shell ( 3 ). Hinge ( 1 ) according to one of the preceding claims, in which the actuator ( 8th ) in an actuator holder ( 9 ) is movably mounted, wherein the actuator holder ( 9 ) on the hinge base ( 2 ) is arranged. Hinge ( 1 ) according to one of claims 10 or 11 in combination with claim 5, wherein the actuator ram ( 11 ) is provided, the hinge upper part ( 3 ) to contact. Method for operating a hinge ( 1 ) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein when the hinge ( 1 ) is compressed, the fixing element ( 14 ) at least partially by the actor ( 8th ) is solved. Method according to Claim 13, in which the actuator ( 8th ) is triggered due to detection of an upcoming impact on the vehicle door.

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