DE102022110927A1 - Cladding device for a front area or rear area of a motor vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

A cladding device for a front area (2) or rear area (3) of a motor vehicle (1) has at least one cladding element (5), which is designed like a plate on an outer surface (6) forming a vehicle contour. On the inside of the vehicle, the outer surface (6) has at least one receptacle (8) for at least one component (9, 10, 11, 12, 13) from the group of radar device (9), sensor device (13), camera device (10) and light device (11, 12) provided. At least one ventilation chamber (14) is formed in the cladding element (5), which has at least one air inlet (15) for temperature-controlled air (L) and at least one air outlet (22). The ventilation chamber (14) is arranged in relation to the at least one component (9, 10, 11, 12, 13) in such a way that the air guided in the ventilation chamber (14) is directed to the component (9, 10, 11, 12, 13 ) bordering area (18) is tempered to a defined temperature range.

Description

The technology according to the invention relates to a cladding device for a front area or rear area of a motor vehicle with at least one cladding element, which is designed like a plate on an outer surface forming a vehicle contour, according to the type defined in more detail in the preamble of patent claim 1.

The outer contour of modern vehicles is formed in the front area and rear area by cladding devices of the type mentioned at the beginning with cladding elements made of plastic or a composite material, which are also referred to as “bumpers” and, in the case of the front area, can also form the area conventionally referred to as the “radiator grille”. Such cladding elements are shaped like a plate or panel with curvatures corresponding to the vehicle design and generally extend over at least a large part of the vehicle width. To achieve optimal air resistance values, front fairings in particular are designed with as few openings and unevenness as possible. Numerous electrical and electronic components required for driving, such as sensors. B. for measuring a distance to an obstacle during a parking maneuver or during regular driving, cameras for transmitting images of the surroundings to a driver and lighting devices are usually inserted into the cladding element behind its outer surface and attached to structural parts of the cladding element.

In order to ensure that these electrical and electronic components function in all weather conditions, in practice heating foils or other heating devices are installed in the area of said components, which have the task of protecting these components, for example, from snow and ice deposits and thus preventing cameras Due to corresponding deposits, it is not possible to transmit images in the desired quality, or measurement results, for example. B. a radar sensor can be falsified.

In the DE 10 2011 107 216 A1 a radome is described for a transmitting and receiving device for radar waves, which is intended for arrangement in a motor vehicle. To introduce heat into the radome and thus to melt ice and snow in front of the radome, a heating device is arranged flatly between a support structure and a cover layer of the radome that covers the support structure.

The EP 1 646 266 A2 shows a heating foil on a polymeric inner surface of a front module/bumper, the heating foil being in operative connection with a radar transmitting and receiving unit and the radar signal can therefore be used in its function in adverse, especially winter, weather conditions. The polymer heating foil is designed with integrated conductor tracks in the form of meanders.

The DE 10 2016 225 668 A1 discloses a plastic component with a sensor on a motor vehicle, the plastic component having at least one area on which the sensor is attached to the inside of the vehicle. Within this area, conductive elements made of a material that can be stimulated by induction are applied to deice the sensor. Furthermore, a coil for inductive heating of the conductive elements is attached to the inside of the vehicle.

In all of these solutions, a heating device must be arranged directly on the sensor and partly in the radiation area of the sensor, which requires a lot of design effort.

Furthermore, it is from the DE 101 49 337 A1 known to guide an air flow using the engine's waste heat via an air duct into the environment in front of a radar sensor in a front component in order to eliminate or prevent a deposition of precipitation in solid or liquid form.

However, the disadvantage here is that outlets for the heated air have to be arranged in front of the corresponding sensors, which significantly limits design freedom and/or visually undesirable air outlets are visible.

Based on the stated prior art and the described findings of the inventors, it is a preferred task of the technology according to the invention to reduce or eliminate at least one disadvantage of a previously known solution or to propose an alternative solution. In particular, a preferred object of the technology disclosed here is to provide a cladding device for a front area or rear area of a motor vehicle of the type mentioned at the outset, which is improved with regard to at least one of the following factors: manufacturing time, manufacturing costs, complexity of manufacturing, utilization of installation space, operational safety, sustainability, Strength, overall weight, component reliability and visual appearance.

Other preferred tasks may arise from the beneficial effects of the technology disclosed herein.

The task(s) is/are solved by the subject matter of patent claim 1. The patent claims dependent thereon represent preferred embodiments.

A cladding device for a front area or rear area of a motor vehicle is therefore proposed, with at least one cladding element, which is designed like a plate on an outer surface forming a vehicle contour, with at least one receptacle on the inside of the vehicle on the outer surface for at least one component from the group of radar device, sensor device, camera device and lighting device is provided.

According to the invention, at least one ventilation chamber is formed in the cladding element, which has at least one air inlet for temperature-controlled air and at least one air outlet, the ventilation chamber being arranged relative to the at least one component in such a way that the air guided in the ventilation chamber is in an area adjacent to the component tempered within a defined temperature range.

In the present technology according to the invention, air is used in a simple manner as the temperature control medium, which is directed to the components to be tempered in a targeted and controllable manner, which means, for example. B. local heating devices such as a heating foil are unnecessary.

Because air ducts can be easily integrated into the cladding element, several components to be supplied with tempered air can advantageously be supplied from a single air source.

In the present sense, the term “plate-like” is to be understood in its broadest meaning. This does not only mean flat plate elements, but rather panels with a curved or bulging shape depending on the vehicle design, which differ in particular from a classic version of a ribbed radiator grille with a large number of air passage openings.

In an advantageous embodiment, the area bordering the component to be tempered can include a space arranged between the component and the outer surface of the cladding element. There can be a space between the z. B. designed as a sensor, camera or light component and the outer surface can be part of the ventilation chamber or be formed by it, or this space can be tempered in a predefined manner by the ventilation chamber arranged in the adjacent area.

For example, in individual cases it may be sufficient for an air line guided to the side of the room or an air line or ventilation chamber arranged on a side of the component facing away from the room to sufficiently temper the area around the component and the space between the component and the outer surface. In individual cases, heating or cooling of the entire cladding element can also take place through at least one ventilation chamber and air lines, in particular if the cladding element is made using a thermally conductive plastic composite material, e.g. B. is made with a thermally conductive component such as graphite.

An advantageous embodiment can provide that a line supplying air to the at least one air inlet is formed integrally with the cladding element. Such a one-piece design can be easily implemented, particularly in the case of plastic cladding elements produced by injection molding or laser processing.

Starting from the ventilation chamber, the air outlet can release at least some of the air directly into the environment. Alternatively, the air guided through the air outlet can be directed into at least one air-discharging line. The air-discharging line can in turn be designed integrally with the cladding element in a simple manner that saves installation space and building materials.

It can be particularly advantageous from an energy perspective if an air return is provided between the air outlet and the air inlet.

In order to generate a desired air flow, a fan can be arranged in the line supplying air. Micro fans that can be operated with a motor vehicle's electrical system are commercially available in a wide variety of designs.

The air supply line can be connected to a temperature control device for heating or cooling the air supplied to the air inlet. For heating, such a temperature control device can, in the simplest case, be a heating wire which is arranged in the air-carrying line. Heating elements and also heat exchangers for cooling are known to the person skilled in the art in a wide variety of designs from the trade, so that the person skilled in the art can choose the type and size that is suitable for the given performance requirements and installation space conditions.

Alternatively or additionally, the at least one air-supplying line can be arranged adjacent to a heat source or can receive exhaust air from a heat source. Such heat sources in the vehicle front area and vehicle rear area are in particular a lighting device in the form of LEDs or a laser. Modern vehicle designs often provide for a large number of LEDs in the front and rear of the vehicle, the waste heat of which can be used sensibly in the proposed manner.

If a fan and/or a temperature control device is used, this can be connected to a control/regulating device which controls the fan and/or the temperature control device depending on data from at least one sensor device. For example, a temperature-sensing sensor device can be used to detect whether the component in question needs to be heated or cooled. Also can z. B. a signal from a precipitation sensor, possibly in combination with data from an outdoor thermometer, can be used to control and regulate the air flow and air temperature control.

In a further embodiment, it can be advantageous if a filter is arranged in the at least one line supplying air. In this way, e.g. B. the entry of polluting particles into the air duct can be prevented.

In a structurally advantageous embodiment of the invention, the at least one ventilation chamber and/or the at least one air-supplying or air-removing line can be formed at least partially between two mutually spaced walls of the cladding element, in particular between the outer surface and a wall of the cladding element parallel thereto. An embodiment with an at least partially double-walled panel is suitable for this, with the at least one ventilation chamber and/or the at least one air-carrying line forming a flat ventilation layer between the walls.

Likewise, depending on the application and installation space conditions, the at least one ventilation chamber and/or the at least one line supplying or removing air can be at least partially designed as a channel-like cavity.

The at least one air-supplying line or air-removing line and/or the ventilation chamber(s) can also be formed, at least in some areas, by separate hoses or similar components. In particular, light guides installed in the cladding element can often be used to guide air.

Particularly from an aerodynamic point of view and with regard to a simple and cost-effective vehicle construction, it is advantageous if the outer surface has a seamless, homogeneous base area which extends over at least half of the vehicle width. Such a base area can be given a three-dimensional appearance even in flat areas through foiling and laser processing.

In particular, the outer surface can be designed to be opaque from the outside in such a way that the at least one component arranged behind it, which forms a sensor, a camera device or a light device, is not visible.

The outer surface is expediently transparent, at least in the area of a light device, for light emitted to the outside by the light device and/or has a transparency required for the respective function, at least in the area of a radar device, a camera device or sensor device.

An emblem, usually a trademark of the vehicle manufacturer, can also be arranged in the outer surface integrally or as a separate component, in the area of which at least one of the components to be tempered is arranged if necessary.

The invention is not limited to the specified combination of the features of the independent claim or the claims dependent thereon. There are also possibilities to combine individual features with one another, even if they emerge from the claims, the following description of embodiments or directly from the drawing. Reference in the claims to the drawings by use of reference numerals is not intended to limit the scope of the claims.

The technology disclosed here will now be explained in more detail using the figures in the drawing.

• 1 eine stark vereinfachte Draufsicht auf ein Fahrzeug mit einer Verkleidungsvorrichtung für einen Frontbereich; und
• 2 eine Prinzipskizze eines Ausschnitts der Verkleidungsvorrichtung der 1.

It shows:

• 1 a highly simplified top view of a vehicle with a cladding device for a front area; and
• 2 a schematic sketch of a section of the cladding device 1 .

Referring to 1 A motor vehicle 1 is shown in a highly schematic top view, which is an electric vehicle whose front area 2 does not have a radiator grill through which air flows like a vehicle driven by an internal combustion engine.

Instead, in the front area 4 there is one described in more detail below and in 2 cladding device 4 shown in principle, which can in principle also be used on a rear area 3 of the motor vehicle 1 with appropriate adaptations.

The cladding device 4 has a cladding element 5 which occupies the classic area of a radiator grille and a bumper. The cladding element 5 represents a plate-like plastic component, the outer surface 6 of which forms the vehicle contour in the front area 2.

The plastic used for the cladding element 5 can be PC, PMMA, acrylic or a composite material. The cladding element 5 can also be made in several parts using several materials.

On a side of the wall forming the outer surface 6 that faces the vehicle interior, several receptacles 8 are provided for a component 9, 10, 11, 12, 13 each, which has a radar device 9, a camera device 10, a light device 11 forming daytime and nighttime running lights, a further light device 12 designed as decorative lighting and a z. B. sensor device 13 collecting environmental data. Only possible versions of components 9 to 13 are mentioned as examples, without restricting them to the functionalities mentioned. The components 9 to 13 can also be provided in any number that makes sense for the respective application.

In the cladding element 5, several ventilation chambers assigned to the components 9 to 13 are formed, one of which, for example, occupies the space between the radar device 9 and the outer surface 6 2 is shown.

The ventilation chamber 14 has an air inlet 15, which is connected to an air supply line 16, via which an air flow symbolized by the arrow L can be supplied. The air can be tempered by a heating device 17 arranged in the supply line 16 in such a way that, during operation of the motor vehicle 1, it sets an area 18 in the ventilation chamber 14, which borders on the component 9 forming a radar device, to a defined temperature range of, in this case, greater than 5 degrees Celsius tempered. In this way, the accumulation of snow and ice on the outer surface 6 is prevented.

The predefined temperature range can also be selected differently and, in the case of cooling, can contain an upper limit that ensures the functionality of an electronic component when the vehicle is exposed to heat. In winter conditions, a minimum temperature of at least approximately 5 degrees Celsius appears to be advantageous because this temperature prevents snow and ice from depositing on the outer surface. Depending on the thermal conductivity of the materials and the speed of travel, the minimum temperature can also be higher or lower. Ultimately, it should be tailored to the specific conditions of implementation.

In the embodiment shown, the line 16 supplying air to the air inlet 15 is integral, i.e. H. formed in one piece with the cladding element 5.

In the present case, a fan 19 is arranged in the air supply line 16 upstream of the heating device 17, which conveys the required amount of air into the ventilation chamber 14.

The fan 19 and the heating device 17 are connected via a control circuit to a control/regulating device 20, which detects temperature values on the component 9 by a temperature-measuring sensor device 21 and reads them in as control parameters. In this way, the fan 19 and the heating device 17 are regulated as needed.

At the air outlet 22 of the ventilation chamber 14, in the embodiment shown, instead of a likewise possible discharge of the air to the environment, an air-discharging line 23 is provided, which, like the air-supplying line 16, is designed integrally with the cladding element 5 and is guided in such a way that a Air return 24 is formed into the air supply line 16.

In order to filter out dirt particles from the circulating air flow, a filter 25 is preferably arranged in front of the fan 17 in the line 16 supplying air. However, particularly with an air return 24, another arrangement is also possible, e.g. B. in the air-discharging line 23, or the use of at least one further filter is conceivable.

In the exemplary embodiment shown, the ventilation chamber 14 is designed as a thin ventilation layer between the wall forming the outer surface 6 and the inner wall 7 spaced therefrom, while the air supply line 16 and the air removal line 23 are designed as channel-like cavities in structural parts 26 which are only symbolically indicated . In the present case, the structural parts 26 protect the cladding element 5 against deformation and are designed, for example, as material thickenings, ribs, etc.

To increase efficiency, in the exemplary embodiment shown, the air supply line 16 is guided past a heat source, which here forms the decorative lighting 12 arranged around a vehicle emblem and designed with numerous LEDs. In further embodiments, it is also conceivable to feed the exhaust air from heat-generating devices into the air-supplying line 16 in order to keep the heating requirement as low as possible in winter outside temperatures.

Reference symbols

1

motor vehicle

2

Front area

3

Rear area

4

Disguise device

5

Cladding element

6

Outer surface, wall

7

wall

8th

Recording

9

Component, radar device

10

Component, camera device

11

Component, lighting device

12

Component, lighting device, heat source

13

Component, sensor device

14

Ventilation chamber

15

Air intake

16

Air supply line

17

Temperature control device, heating device

18

Area

19

Fan

20

Control/regulation device

21

Sensor device

22

Air outlet

23

Air discharging line

24

Air return

25

filter

26

Structural part

27

Vehicle emblem

L

Airflow

QUOTES INCLUDED IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of documents listed by the applicant was 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 102011107216 A1 [0004]
• EP 1646266 A2 [0005]
• DE 102016225668 A1 [0006]
• DE 10149337 A1 [0008]

Claims (18)

Cladding device for a front area (2) or rear area (3) of a motor vehicle (1), with at least one cladding element (5), which is designed like a plate on an outer surface (6) forming a vehicle contour, with at least one receptacle on the inside of the vehicle on the outer surface (6). (8) is provided for at least one component (9, 10, 11, 12, 13) from the group of radar device (9), sensor device (13), camera device (10) and light device (11, 12), characterized in that in At least one ventilation chamber (14) is formed in the cladding element (5), which has at least one air inlet (15) for temperature-controlled air (L) and at least one air outlet (22), the ventilation chamber (14) being part of the at least one component (9 , 10, 11, 12, 13) is arranged such that the air guided in the ventilation chamber (14) tempers an area (18) bordering the component (9, 10, 11, 12, 13) to a defined temperature range. cladding device Claim 1 , characterized in that the area (18) bordering the component (9, 10, 11, 12, 13) is between the component (9, 10, 11, 12, 13) and the outer surface (6) of the cladding element (5 ) arranged space includes. cladding device Claim 2 , characterized in that the space arranged between the component (9, 10, 11, 12, 13) and the outer surface (6) of the cladding element (5) is formed by the ventilation chamber (14). Cladding device according to one of the Claims 1 until 3 , characterized in that a line (16) supplying air to the at least one air inlet (15) is formed integrally with the cladding element (5). Cladding device according to one of the Claims 1 until 4 , characterized in that at least one line (23) discharging air from the air outlet (22) is provided, which is formed integrally with the cladding element (5). Cladding device according to one of the Claims 1 until 5 , characterized in that an air return (24) is provided between the air outlet (22) and the air inlet (15). Cladding device according to one of the Claims 4 until 6 , characterized in that a fan (19) is arranged in the air supply line (16). Cladding device according to one of the Claims 4 until 7 , characterized in that the air supply line (16) is connected to a temperature control device (17) for heating or cooling the air supplied to the air inlet (15). Cladding device according to one of the Claims 7 or 8th , characterized in that the fan (19) and / or the temperature control device (17) is connected to a control / regulating device (20), which controls the fan (19) and / or the temperature control device (17) depending on data from at least one Sensor device (21) controlled. Cladding device according to one of the Claims 8 or 9 , characterized in that the temperature control device (17) is designed to heat and/or cool the air supplied to the at least one air inlet (15). Cladding device according to one of the Claims 4 until 10 , characterized in that a filter (25) is arranged in the at least one air supply line (16). Cladding device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the ventilation chamber (14) and/or the at least one air-supplying line (16) or air-removing line (23) is at least partially between two mutually spaced walls (6, 7) of the cladding element ( 5), in particular between the outer surface (6) and a wall (7) of the cladding element (5) parallel thereto. Cladding device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least one air-supplying line (16) or air-removing line (23) is at least partially designed as a channel-like cavity. Cladding device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least one air-supplying line (16) or air-removing line (23) and/or the ventilation chamber (14) is at least partially formed by a light guide. Cladding device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the line (16) supplying the at least one air borders on a heat source (12) or receives exhaust air from a heat source, the heat source (12) being formed in particular by a lighting device. Cladding device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the outer surface (6) has a seamless, homogeneous base area which extends over at least half of a vehicle width. Cladding device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the outer surface (6) is designed to be opaque from the outside in such a way that the at least one component (9, 10, 11, 12, 13) arranged behind it is not visible, the outer surface being at least in the The area of a light device (12, 13) is transparent to a light emitted to the outside by the light device (12, 13) and/or at least in the area of a radar device (9), a camera device (10) or sensor device (13) for the respective Function required transparency. Cladding device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that an emblem (27) is arranged in the outer surface (6), in the area of which at least one of the components (9, 10, 11, 12, 13) is optionally arranged.

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