DE102012005104A1 - Functional device for mounting and adjusting taillight at outside of main portion of e.g. sedan car, has adjusting elements whose position is changed in adjustment direction to adjust location of vehicle lamp relative to main portion - Google Patents

Abstract

The functional device has an opening that is formed at vehicle component mounting receptacle retained at vehicle portion for accommodating attachment element. An adjuster is coupled to the adjusting portion of vehicle (1) for adjusting vehicle lamp (5) relative to vehicle main portion (2). The location of vehicle lamp is adjusted relative to the vehicle main portion by changing the position of adjusting elements of adjuster in adjustment direction, so that the surface normal to contact point of main portion is made oblique with respect to the adjustment direction. An independent claim is included for a vehicle.

Description

The present invention relates to a functional arrangement for fastening and adjusting a vehicle part, in particular a vehicle lamp, on the outside of the body of a vehicle. It comprises the vehicle part and a fastening part formed on the vehicle part, which faces the body when the vehicle part is arranged as intended, and by which a fastening element engaging from inside through the body can be received such that the vehicle part is firmly held on the body. The functional arrangement according to the invention further comprises an adjusting device coupled to the vehicle part, by means of which the position of the fastened vehicle part relative to the body is adjustable. The present invention further relates to a vehicle having such a functional arrangement.

On the outside of a vehicle body, various functional units must be provided, in particular vehicle lights such as the headlights or taillights. Further such functional units are z. B. Sensor devices, mirrors or trim It is expedient to prefabricate such functional units as separate modules and then attach as a vehicle part on the outside of the vehicle body.

The arrangement and attachment of the vehicle part is known per se. The vehicle part is z. B. accurately inserted into a recess in the vehicle body. It attacks z. B. a positive fit in the recess. It also has, for example, engagement means with the body in which it is hooked to increase the lateral tightness in the body.

This results in the problem that due to manufacturing tolerances, the exact position of the vehicle part relative to the vehicle body after the actual assembly still needs to be adjusted to avoid misalignment of the functional unit. A malposition would not only be aesthetically unfavorable if necessary, but also unwanted functional impairments or side effects may occur. A misaligned vehicle light would z. B. does not illuminate the desired area or even dazzle other road users.

For this reason, functional arrangements have been proposed for attaching and adjusting on the outside of a vehicle body, in which the vehicle part is first preassembled, so that it is firmly connected to the body. By means of an additional adjusting device, the relative position of the vehicle part to the body can be subsequently adjusted. The DE 101 21 114 A1 describes, for example, a vehicle lamp with adjustable attachment. The vehicle lamp can be fastened from the inside of the vehicle body by means of a threaded bolt protruding into the interior region of the vehicle body. By means of a mounted on the inside of the threaded bolt tool holder, the position of the already mounted vehicle light can be conveniently adjusted.

Depending on the geometry of the affected parts, several aspects have to be considered. First, the adjustment should be connected at a later date with the least possible effort. It should be borne in mind that such an adjustment may also be carried out at a final inspection or for maintenance purposes. The adjustment should therefore be possible with standard tools and without dismantling the vehicle. Secondly, it should be considered that the provision of an adjusting device restricts as little as possible the design freedom with respect to the vehicle part to be mounted.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a functional arrangement for attaching and adjusting a vehicle part of the type mentioned above and a vehicle with such a functional arrangement that allow the simplest possible adjustment with the greatest possible design freedom with respect to the vehicle part to be mounted.

This object is achieved by a functional arrangement with the. Characteristics of claim 1 and solved by a vehicle having the features of claim 5. Advantageous training and further developments emerge from the dependent claims.

The functional arrangement according to the invention is characterized in that the adjusting device comprises an adjustable adjusting element whose position relative to the vehicle part in a defined adjustment direction is variable. The adjusting element can be brought into physical contact with the body at least at one point of contact, wherein the position of the fastened vehicle part relative to the body can be adjusted by changing the position of the adjusting element in the direction of adjustment. The surface normal is at the least one point of contact obliquely in relation to the adjustment direction. The position of the adjusting element can thus, if the vehicle part is intended to be arranged and fastened to the body, be moved in the direction of adjustment until it touches the body at a first contact point. At the point of contact or possibly the contact line or contact surface, a compulsive force is generated by the sufficient mechanical rigidity of the body, which deflects the force in the direction of adjustment. The surface normal at the point of contact can be chosen in this way be that an arbitrarily slanted angle results to the adjustment direction. This results in the design freedom of aligning the adjustment element, as it is most advantageous for the existing part geometry.

In the sense of the invention an oblique angle is not equal to 0 °, 90 ° or 180 °. If one meets the convention that the adjustment direction has the orientation to the body and shows the surface normal of the body to the outside, so arise angles greater than 90 ° and less than 180 °. Especially advantageous are angles in a range between 100 ° and 135 °, which avoid too steep or almost frontal impact of the adjusting element on the body.

Advantageously, the adjusting element on the side at which it can be brought into physical contact with the body, wedge-shaped or chamfered. As a result, when adjusting the adjusting element in the adjustment direction, the angle with which the adjusting element touches the body at the point of contact, d. H. the direction of the surface normal at the point of contact, regardless of the exact geometry of the body specified. The surface normal of the wedge-shaped or beveled side of the adjusting element forms an angle greater than 0 ° and less than 90 ° with the setting direction in the previously adopted conventions. Especially advantageous in this case are angles in a range between 45 ° and 80 °.

The adjusting device comprises an adjusting bush, which is firmly connected to the vehicle part. It is z. B. formed as a one-piece injection molded part with at least the housing of the vehicle part. The adjusting element is guided in this adjusting device. The position is chosen so that the adjusting device is well accessible when properly arranged to the body. The oblique angle with which the physical contact with the body takes place, can be adapted to the preferred for accessibility from the outside position of the adjusting device.

According to one embodiment of the invention, it is provided that the adjusting element comprises an adjusting screw and an adjusting profile and that the adjusting screw is guided in the internal thread of an adjusting bush connected to the vehicle part. In this case, the lying in the direction of adjustment end of the adjusting screw is rotatably mounted in the Justierprofil. The adjustment profile can be brought into physical contact with the body at the at least one contact point. Such an embodiment of the adjusting element offers the advantage of easy handling when setting. The space required for setting up the tools for the setting process is low and only a screwdriver is needed.

The relevant end of the adjusting screw is z. B. by means of a ball and socket ball pair or other rotationally symmetric configurations rotatably mounted in the back of Justierprofils. The adjustment profile typically engages laterally in a rail on the vehicle part, which guides the Justierprofil, prevents lateral slippage of the Justierprofils and allows movement relative to the vehicle part in the direction of adjustment.

As an alternative to the adjusting screw and other adjustment elements are conceivable, for. B. rotatable locking pins with incremental locking positions.

The parts of the adjusting device are preferably made of a rigid material. They are z. B. made of the same plastic as the housing of the vehicle part by injection molding. They may alternatively or additionally include metal or be made entirely of metal.

The functional arrangement according to the invention is particularly advantageous in the event that the vehicle part is a tail light. A tail lamp benefits to this effect in particular from the previously mentioned advantages, because on the one hand is typically to attach to a corner position of the body, which offers a skewed mounting geometry relative to the body. Furthermore, taillights include an increasing number of lighting functions and contribute to the aesthetic appeal of the vehicle. Depending on the vehicle type, z. As sedan or station wagon, arise different implications and requirements with respect to the adjacent vehicle openings, d. H. Trunk lid or tailgate. Design freedom for the choice of attachment and the use of available space are particularly important here.

According to the invention, a vehicle is equipped with a previously described functional arrangement, wherein preferably an oblique angle to the vehicle longitudinal axis and vehicle transverse axis direction of force is defined by the engaging in the mounting bracket fastener in which the vehicle part is held on the body. For the vehicle according to the invention, the advantages mentioned so far for the functional arrangement.

In one embodiment of the vehicle according to the invention it is provided that the fastening element engaging in the fastening receptacle is a spring screw with a defined holding force. This allows the attachment of the vehicle part with exactly one central bolt on the body of the vehicle. The force of the spring screw can be canceled again to a defined extent. If, in particular, the surface normal at the at least one point of contact of the adjusting element with the body is aligned substantially parallel to the direction of force of the fastening element, forces acting laterally on the pair of fastening receptacle / fastening element can thus be largely avoided. As a result, damage to the adjusting element by z. B. overspeeding prevent.

In a further embodiment of the vehicle according to the invention, the adjusting direction of the adjusting element lies substantially in the vehicle longitudinal direction or in the vehicle transverse direction. The adjustment of the adjusting element in the direction of the vehicle longitudinal axis or the transverse axis of the vehicle has the advantage that the adjusting element can be better aligned with the vehicle openings, which are usually opening parallel or perpendicular to the vehicle longitudinal axis, such as doors and tailgates. Due to the oblique position of the surface normal at the point of contact between the adjusting element and the body, a z. B. for reasons of space oblique fastening force of the vehicle part relative to the body are repealed. The choice of the adjustment direction can thus always be easily accessible and selected independently of the space geometry of the vehicle part perpendicular to the vehicle outer skin. The effect of the adjusting element is predetermined by the surface normal at the point of contact. In an adjustment direction in the X direction, the adjustment effect in the X-Y direction (side), in the X-Z direction (vertical) or in the X-Y-Z direction (side and vertical) can be deflected.

In a further embodiment of the vehicle according to the invention, the adjusting element is accessible through a joint between the vehicle part and a closed vehicle opening, in particular the tailgate or the boot lid. The adjustment of the vehicle part can thus be carried out with the vehicle closed and thus possibly parked or parked. This is advantageous in the final production control and very easy to maintain. "Accessible" in the sense of the invention comprises in particular that the joint allows passage of a standard tool (eg a screwdriver) suitable for adjusting the adjusting element. The adjusting element is further arranged and aligned so that it is not otherwise adjusted by the vehicle part. It is arranged in particular laterally on the vehicle part.

In a further development of the vehicle according to the invention it is provided that the adjusting element is arranged in a hidden by a panel gap between the body and vehicle part and the adjusting element is accessible through an opening in the aperture by a tool for adjusting the adjusting element. As a result, the adjustment can be hidden behind the aperture and the joint aesthetically advantageous, the opening in the aperture in turn with an easy-to-remove closure z. B. a rubber cap, can be covered. In this way, the adjusting element is not even visible when the vehicle opening is open.

The invention will now be explained in more detail with reference to an embodiment with reference to the figures.

1 shows a vehicle with a rear light built according to the invention,

2 shows schematically a sectional view of a functional assembly for attaching and adjusting a tail lamp to the body of a vehicle according to the embodiment of the invention,

3 shows a detail from the in the 2 shown sectional view and

4 shows the functional arrangement of 2 in a perspective view of the back of the not yet mounted tail light.

In the 1 is a vehicle 1 shown by the taillights 5 according to an embodiment of the invention on the outside of the body 2 attached and through a seam of the tailgate 3 are adjustable as related to the 2 to 4 will be explained in more detail.

In the 2 schematically is a lying in the plane of the vehicle longitudinal axis X and vehicle transverse axis Y sectional view of the functional arrangement 4 for attaching and adjusting the tail light 5 at the body 2 illustrated according to the embodiment of the invention. The back of the tail light 5 and the outside of the body 2 are shaped for this purpose so that both parts can be arranged accurately to each other. The tail light 5 is a so-called SBBR light, which provides the functions for parking light, brake light, flashing light and reversing lights in a light housing.

To attach the tail light 5 is at the back of the case 6 a screw holder 7 integrated. The tail light 5 is by means of a spring screw 8th at the body 2 fixable. For this, the screw part engages 9 the spring screw 8th through the body 2 through and is in the screw receptacle 7 screwed. During assembly, the screw part 9 preferably until it stops in the screw receptacle 7 screwed. Because the screw shell 11 through a ring flange 12 at the passage through the body 2 is prevented, is under construction of a defined counterforce, the spring part 10 compressed, creating a defined tight fit of the tail light 5 at the body 2 is achieved.

For several reasons, it is advantageous to the mounting direction B, passing through the axis along the spring screw 8th and the screw holder 7 is fixed, obliquely ie obliquely, to align with respect to the vehicle longitudinal axis X. In the illustrated embodiment, the angle between the mounting direction B and the vehicle longitudinal axis X is about 60 °. As a result, on the one hand, a secure fit of the tail light 5 with only one spring screw 8th allows, because the extension of the fastening direction B near the geometric center and the center of gravity of the tail light 5 lies and the tail light 5 evenly in the receiving space of the body 2 is pulled. In addition, the sloping shoring has the further advantage that during the initial assembly of the inside of the body 2 the route through the interior structure and the lining of the body 2 is the shortest. The assembly is thus simpler and may possibly still in advanced mounting state of the vehicle 1 done because the way the spring screw 8th is relatively easily accessible from the inside by the body. Furthermore, the oblique shoring is advantageous because it sets up the least dependencies on other design, installation and maintenance aspects. In particular, the position of the spring screw 8th not hindering further assembly.

For adjusting the already attached tail light 5 an adjusting device is provided, by means of which the position of the fastened vehicle part 5 relative to the body 2 is adjustable. The adjusting device comprises a fixed to the housing 6 the tail light 5 connected adjusting bush 13 which has an internal thread. The adjusting bush 13 is in accordance with the embodiment in one piece as an injection molded part of the same material with the housing 6 educated. Alternatively, it can also be subsequently sprayed or fastened in another way.

The adjusting device further comprises an adjustable adjusting screw 14 , whose position is variable by turning in the direction of adjustment E, which is parallel to the vehicle longitudinal axis X. In adjustment direction E, the adjusting screw engages 14 into an adjusting wedge 15 which is in physical contact with a part of the bodywork 2 can be brought. The adjusting wedge 15 is at the body 2 bevelled side facing.

By a forward movement of the adjusting screw 14 in the adjustment direction E is the Justierkeil 15 pushed in the direction of adjustment until it comes in contact with the body. For this purpose is at the lying in the direction of adjustment E end of the adjusting screw 14 formed in the direction of the vehicle interior, a ball head, which is rotatable in one at the back of the Justierkeils 15 trained ball socket engages. This is the adjustment screw 14 rotatable, without the rotational movement on the Justierkeil 15 transferred to. Due to the ball-and-ball socket pair, only the translational movement in the adjustment direction E or back again is transmitted.

At a certain position of the adjusting screw 14 became the adjustment wedge 15 pushed so far forward that he was at the point of contact 17 the first time with the body 2 comes into contact. The surface normal F of the tapered side of the adjusting wedge 15 is skewed with respect to the adjustment direction E. From this position, with continued adjustment of the adjustment screw 14 in the direction of adjustment E exerted a constraining force through which the tail light 5 is shifted laterally outwards and thus becomes adjustable in this direction, as still in connection with the 3 is explained in more detail.

The adjusting screw 14 is through a fugue 18 between the tail light 5 and the sealing lip 21 the closed tailgate 3 accessible. The joint 18 is typically a few mm to one cm wide so that a screwdriver can be pushed through and operated. In this way, at the final inspection at the end of the production of the vehicle 1 or at a later date, e.g. B. for maintenance purposes, the tail light 5 be adjusted, even without the tailgate 3 to have to open.

In the 3 is a detail of the functional arrangement 4 from the 2 shown. The slope of the adjustment wedge 15 has an angle of 90 ° relative to the mounting direction, with the tail light 5 at the body 2 is held. The surface normal F of the tapered side of the adjusting wedge 15 is thus parallel to the mounting direction 11 During the adjustment process, the adjusting wedge touches 15 the bodywork 2 at the point of contact 17 , Further screwing in the adjusting screw 14 in the adjustment direction E then slides the beveled side of the Justierkeils 15 at the point of contact 17 deeper into the gap between the case 6 the tail light 5 and the body 2 is formed. The adjusting wedge 15 generates a counterforce in the direction of the surface normal F, which depends on the adjustment screw 14 and thus on the Justierbuchse 13 and the housing rigidly connected thereto 6 the tail light 5 is transmitted. By the counterforce thus generated is the screw part 9 the spring screw 8th something pulled out and thus the position of the tail light 5 adjusted. The parallel alignment of the surface normal F and thus the counterforce with the holding force of the spring screw 8th Make sure there is damage to the spring bolt 8th is avoided by transverse forces.

The adjusting wedge 15 itself becomes in a groove between Justierbuchse 13 and housing 6 guided to allow a direct power transmission. To a lateral slipping or lateral play of Justierkeils 15 In the groove, a guide rail can prevent 16 on the housing 6 be provided (see 4 ).

To open the tailgate 3 the gap between the body 2 and the housing 6 the tail light 5 To hide, this is usually through a so-called Grauzonenblende 19 covered. The gray zone aperture 19 thus also covers the adjusting device. For free access to the adjustment screw 14 Maintain is in the gray zone panel 19 an opening 20 provided by a screwdriver for adjusting the adjusting screw 14 can be introduced. The adjusting screw 14 is in an unscrewed state 14 ' shown in dashed lines. The opening 20 is closed with a cap.

In the 4 is a perspective view of the functional arrangement 4 from the back of the not yet mounted tail light 5 shown. The screw holder 7 is in a central position. On the gray zone screen 19 facing side, the housing 6 a plate-shaped part, in each of which the upper end and the lower end of each adjusting bushing 13 and a guide rail 16 are formed. The plate-shaped part was either as a one-piece plastic injection molded part with the housing 6 made or to the housing 6 sprayed in a second process step.

The use of a plurality of adjusting elements according to the invention for each vehicle part to be adjusted has the advantage that the adjustment in the vertical direction can be differentiated by the independent adjustment of the adjusting elements. For example, is it necessary that due to manufacturing tolerances, the lower half of the tail light 5 must be more laterally adjusted than the upper half, so the lower adjustment screw can be screwed further than the upper adjustment screw.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

vehicle

2

body

3

tailgate

4

functional arrangement

5

SBBR light

6

casing

7

screw receptacle

8th

spring screw

9

screw part

10

spring part

11

screw cover

12

annular flange

13

Justierbuchse

14

adjusting screw

14

Adjustment screw in the unscrewed state

15

adjusting wedge

16

guide rail

17

point of contact

18

Gap

19

Gray zone panel

20

opening

21

Sealing lip of the tailgate

B

mounting direction

e

Setting direction

F

surface normal

X

vehicle longitudinal axis

Y

Vehicle transverse axis

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 10121114 A1 [0005]

Claims (10)

Functional arrangement ( 4 ) for fastening and adjusting a vehicle part, in particular a vehicle lamp ( 5 ), on the outside of the body ( 2 ) of a vehicle ( 1 ) - the vehicle part ( 5 ), - one on the vehicle part ( 5 ) formed fastening receptacle ( 7 ), which in the intended arrangement of the vehicle part ( 5 ) of the body ( 2 ) and through which one from the inside through the body ( 2 ) cross-fastening element ( 8th ) is receivable so that the vehicle part ( 5 ) on the body ( 2 ), and - one with the vehicle part ( 5 ) coupled adjusting device, by means of which the position of the fastened vehicle part ( 5 ) relative to the body ( 2 ) is adjustable, characterized in that - the adjusting device an adjustable adjusting element ( 14 . 15 ) whose position relative to the vehicle part ( 5 ) in a defined adjustment direction (E) is variable and which at least one touch point ( 17 ) with the body ( 2 ) in physical contact is bar, wherein by changing the position of the adjusting element ( 14 . 15 ) in the adjustment direction (E) the position of the fastened vehicle part ( 5 ) relative to the body ( 2 ), and - the surface normal (F) at the least one point of contact ( 17 ) is skewed with respect to the adjustment direction (E). Functional arrangement ( 4 ) according to claim 1, characterized in that the adjusting element ( 14 . 15 ) on the side at which it with the body ( 2 ) in physical contact is bar, wedge-shaped or bevelled. Functional arrangement ( 4 ) according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that - the adjusting element ( 14 . 15 ) an adjusting screw ( 14 ) and an adjustment profile ( 15 ), - the adjusting screw ( 14 ) in the internal thread of a with the vehicle part ( 5 ) connected adjusting bushing ( 13 ), and - in the adjustment direction (E) lying end of the adjusting screw ( 14 ) rotatable in the Justierprofil ( 15 ), which at the at least one touch point ( 17 ) in physical contact with the body ( 2 ) can be brought. Functional arrangement ( 4 ) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the vehicle part is a tail lamp ( 5 ). Vehicle ( 1 ) with a functional arrangement ( 4 ) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein preferably by the in the mounting receptacle ( 7 ) engaging fastener ( 8th ) is defined an oblique to the vehicle longitudinal axis (X) and vehicle transverse axis (Y) direction of force (B), in which the vehicle part ( 5 ) on the body ( 2 ) is held. Vehicle ( 1 ) according to claim 5, characterized in that in the fastening receptacle ( 7 ) cross-fastener a spring screw ( 8th ) with a defined holding force. Vehicle ( 1 ) according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that the surface normal (F) at the at least one point of contact ( 17 ) of the adjusting element ( 14 . 15 ) with the body ( 2 ) substantially parallel to the direction of force (B) of the fastener ( 8th ) is aligned. Vehicle ( 1 ) according to one of claims 5 to 7, characterized in that the adjustment direction (E) of the adjusting element ( 14 . 15 ) is substantially in the vehicle longitudinal direction (X) or in the vehicle transverse direction (Y). Vehicle ( 1 ) according to one of claims 5 to 8, characterized in that the adjusting element ( 14 . 15 ) through a joint ( 18 ) between the vehicle part ( 5 ) and a closed vehicle opening ( 3 ), in particular the tailgate or the trunk lid, is accessible. Vehicle ( 1 ) according to one of claims 5 to 9, characterized in that - the adjusting element ( 14 . 15 ) in one through an aperture ( 19 ) hidden space between body ( 2 ) and vehicle part ( 5 ) is arranged and - the adjusting element ( 14 . 15 ) through an opening ( 20 ) in the aperture ( 19 ) by a tool for adjusting the adjusting element ( 14 . 15 ) is accessible.

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