WO2011095432A1

WO2011095432A1 - Device for closing a pivoting flap and flap and motor vehicle having said device

Info

Publication number: WO2011095432A1
Application number: PCT/EP2011/051160
Authority: WO
Inventors: Thomas Heinl
Original assignee: Scherdel Innotec Forschungs- Und Entwicklungs-Gmbh
Priority date: 2010-02-02
Filing date: 2011-01-27
Publication date: 2011-08-11
Also published as: DE112011100411B4; DE112011100411A5; DE202010001670U1

Abstract

The invention relates to a device (30) for closing a pivoting flap (4), in particular a tailgate of a motor vehicle, comprising a first hinge rod side connection point (16) for a force element (14) to a hinge rod (26) of the flap (4); a second body-side connection point (20) for a force element (14) on a stationary region opposite the flap (4); and a force element (14), in particular a spring element (14), such as a tension spring or a gas compression spring, which is arranged between the first hinge rod side connection point (16) and the second body-side connection point (20). According to the invention, the first hinge rod side connection point (16) of the spring element (14) of the force element (14) can be moved so that the closing torque is increased and the flap (4) closes.

Description

Device for closing a hinged flap as well

Flap and motor vehicle with such a device

The invention relates to a device for closing a pivotable flap, in particular a tailgate of a motor vehicle, a hinged flap, in particular a tailgate of a motor vehicle, with such a device and a motor vehicle with such a flap.

Tailgates of motor vehicles are usually opened and closed manually with the assistance of tension springs or gas springs between the tailgate and a connection point on the body. For automobiles in the premium segment, more and more automatic opening and closing tailgates are offered. Automatic tailgate openings and closures are currently realized by means of a combination of spindles and compression springs. Such tailgate drives are very expensive, and therefore such automatic tailgate openings and locks are so far essentially limited to the premium segment and on hatchback vehicles.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a device for closing a hinged flap, which is simple in construction and inexpensive to produce while ensuring a reliable automatic closing of the lid. Furthermore, a pivotable flap with such a device and a corresponding motor vehicle are to be specified.

This object is solved by the subject matter of the independent patent claims. Advantageous developments emerge from the dependent claims.

A first device according to the invention for closing a pivotable flap, in particular a tailgate of a motor vehicle, comprises a first hinge bracket-side attachment point for a force element on a hinge bracket of the flap, a second body-side attachment point for a force element on a region fixed relative to the flap, and a force element, in particular a spring element, for example a tension spring or a gas spring, which is arranged between the first hinge strap-side attachment point and the second body-side attachment point. Here, the first hinge-side connection point of the force element is displaced so that the closing moment or the closing differential torque is increased, so that a closing movement of the hinge bracket and thus the flap is effected and the flap closes.

A second device according to the invention for closing a pivotable flap, in particular a tailgate of a motor vehicle, comprises a first hinge-side attachment point for a force element on a hinge bracket of the flap; a second body-side attachment point for a force element on a fixed relative to the flap area; and a force element, in particular a spring element, for example a tension spring or a gas spring, which is arranged between the first hinge bracket-side attachment point and the second body-side attachment point. In this case, the second body-side connection point of the spring element of the force element is so from a starting position in which the spring element is oriented substantially horizontally displaceable in a linear direction to a flap closing sliding position that the lever arm of the closing Federkraftöffnungsmoments reduced and thus the closing moment is increased and thus the flap closes.

Under a flap of a motor vehicle according to the invention are understood any flaps, including tailgates of motor vehicles of hatchback or Steilhecktyp and covers of motor vehicles sedan type.

The now following advantages arise in both valve closing devices according to the invention, ie both in the device for closing a pivotable flap with a sliding first hinge bracket-side connection point of the force element as well as in the device for closing a pivotable flap with movable second body-side connection point. Typically, the hinge bracket is pivotable about a hinge axis relative to a stationary portion of the device, in particular between an open position of the flap and a closed position of the flap.

The closing moment, which can also be referred to as the closing differential torque, results as the difference between the flap weighting moment acting in the closing direction of the flap, which results from the weight force of the flap and the hinge brackets and the lever arm, and the flap opening in the opposite direction acting spring force opening moment, which results from the direction of action of the force element and the lever arm lying at right angles thereto.

The hinged flap closure devices of the present invention are low cost, simple systems for automatically closing tailgates with hinged hinges. The cost of such devices is significantly reduced over conventional automatic drive closures, allowing the closure devices of the invention to be used not only on premium segment motor vehicles, but also to provide for cheaper vehicles, especially for motor vehicles in the middle class.

The locking devices according to the invention meet the safety requirements, since only low closing forces and shear forces are present in the system. Other comfort features, such as anti-trap protection, can be provided with minimal additional effort.

By moving the hinged bracket or body-side connection point, the kinematics can be influenced in such a way that closure of the flap, in particular into the closing catch of the lock, is realized. Compared with motor vehicles with a manual flap closure, in which the driver or user must manually close the flap with mechanical effort, results in a significant simplification, increased ease of use and a significant gain in comfort. The closing operation of the flap must now be initiated by the driver or user only by starting the displacement of the first hinge bracket-side or the second hinge bracket-side connection point of the force element, but no longer be carried out with force itself.

According to the invention by the displacement of the spring connection point enough kinetic energy is built to bring the flap or the lid safely in the closed flap position and in particular in the main catch of the castle. A servo lock is not necessary, but can of course be provided additionally.

The locking devices according to the invention can be provided on one or both sides of a tailgate of a motor vehicle, and they have a simple system structure.

By a continuous displacement of the first hinge-bracket-side or the second hinge-bracket-side connection point, the flap weight moment acting in the closing direction of the flap exceeds the opening spring force torque only with a low rate of change. This will ensure that the flap closes slowly and in a controlled manner.

The trapping forces occurring in the present invention in the shear area between the flap and body are low, which in itself excludes injuries and bruising of unintentionally located in the shear area between the flap and body limbs or objects and also makes the provision of additional security against trapping superfluous.

In both devices according to the invention for closing a pivotable flap, the closing movement of the flap is effected primarily by a reduction of the lever arm of the Federkraftöffnungsmoments and thus by increasing the closing differential torque.

According to a further advantage, both for the first device with spine bow-side sliding spring connection point as well as for the second Applies device with body-side movable connection point, end position sensors, ie sensors that detect the fully open and the fully closed position of the flap, omitted. This function is optionally provided by a sensor for detecting the position of the flap pivot position.

In cases in which the opening angle of the flap is greater than 90 °, ie the flap is tipped over, the displacement device often has to move the flap connection point to the maximum displacement position in order to be able to ensure a flap closure.

The closing movement of the flap is largely decoupled from the motor movement, thus a flap movement is also possible against the closing direction. According to a further advantage, the possibility of manual flap closure and flap opening remains in case of failure or malfunction of the displacement unit.

The invention required control effort is relatively low. At the same time, the invention provides a functional and practical closing and opening comfort for any flaps and in particular for the boot lid of a motor vehicle.

To realize the closing movement, the first device according to the invention for closing a pivotable flap requires only a small displacement of the displacement device in order to change the lever arm in such a way that a closing or opening movement of the flap is initiated. Accordingly, low cycle times, ie the time required for a complete closing operation or the time required for a complete opening operation can be achieved, which is particularly advantageous. Furthermore, in the first device according to the invention, the entire displacement device can be mounted in a space-saving manner on the hinge bracket and possibly enclosed by a housing, so that the required installation space is likewise low, which brings with it an additional advantage. It has also been found that, in the case of the first device, it is possible to use the connecting device which can be moved by means of the hinge bracket. point of the force element due to the small travels only low noise occur.

In the second device according to the invention, in particular, the advantage of easy assembly, since the body-side slidable attachment point and the displacement device can be easily mounted on the body, especially at a suitable location in the trunk.

According to a first embodiment of the first device according to the invention for closing a pivotable flap, there is provided in particular a motorized displacement device for the first hinge-arm-side attachment point of the force element, which can be attached or attached to the hinge strap. The motorized displacement device is advantageously designed so that the respective shift of the spring connection point, ie the increment, is transmitted to the control unit, which is designed such that it can evaluate this increment accordingly and be taken into account in the control process. The motorized displacement device can be designed, in particular, as a motor-gear unit or a similar device which permits a translatory movement.

The flap opening is achieved by the opening spring force opening moment resulting from spring force and lever arm exceeding the closing flap weight moment resulting from the weight of the tailgate and the center of gravity of the center of gravity. By shifting or reducing the lever arm of the spring torque, a torque underride is achieved. The consequence of this is that the flap closes automatically.

According to a further embodiment of the first device according to the invention for closing a pivotable flap, the linear displacement direction of the first hinge strap side attachment point of the spring element forms an angle to the tangent of the attachment point of the displacement device on the hinge bracket of 50 to 90 °, in particular from 80 to 90 °, and is the flap weight moment opposite directed upward. According to a first embodiment of the second device according to the invention for closing a pivotable flap, a motorized displacement device is provided for the second body-side attachment point of the force element, which may be, for example, electrical. By providing such a displacement device for the second body-side connection point, the displacement of the second body-side connection point and thus the closing of the hinge bracket and the flap can be automated. The motorized displacement device is advantageously designed so that the respective displacement of the spring connection point, ie the increment, is transmitted to the control unit, which is designed such that it can evaluate this increment accordingly and be taken into account in the control process. The motorized displacement device can be designed in particular as a motor-gear unit.

According to a further embodiment of the second device according to the invention for closing a pivotable flap, the linear displacement direction of the second body-side attachment point of the spring element forms an angle to the horizontal of 50 to 90 °, in particular 80 to 90 °, and it is directed towards the flap weight momentum upwards.

Preferably, the displacement device for the first hinge-bracket-side or the second body-side attachment point comprises a motor unit, in particular a stepper motor with gear ratio and spindle, which is designed to displace the first hinge bracket-side or the second hinge bracket-side connection point of the force element. Alternatively, the motor unit may also be pneumatic or hydraulic. Such motor units are available at low cost and are well suited for use in the closing device according to the invention. Such a motor unit only has to provide a relatively low power in order to be able to effect a closing movement of the hinge bracket and thus of the flap. An exemplary differential torque to be provided by the motor unit is between 3 and 8 Nm, in particular 6 Nm. According to a further embodiment of the two sliding devices according to the invention for the first hinge bracket side or the second body side connection point, the motor unit drives a spindle, and by the rotational movement of the spindle, a spindle nut to which the first connection point or the second connection point of the force element is connected, moved. This embodiment is particularly compact, inexpensive and reliable.

In this case, further guide rails may be provided for the spindle nut, in order to ensure a lateral force / moment relief of the spindle nut with the attached thereto first hinge side or second body-side connection point.

According to a further embodiment of the invention, the direction of displacement of the first hinge bracket-side connection point of the force element on the hinge bracket is at an angle to the effective direction of the force element, in particular at a substantially right angle.

According to a further embodiment of the invention, in the case of the displaceable formation of the second body side connection point of the force element, the displacement device can be attached or attached to a region of the motor vehicle which is fixed relative to the pivotable flap, in particular at a point in the trunk or at a region of the body.

According to a further embodiment of the invention, in the slidable embodiment of the second body-side attachment point of the force element, this second connection point is displaceable in such a way that the tensile force of the force element is reduced, thereby causing a closing movement of the hinge strap and thus of the flap, which is a reduction the acting spring force with concomitant Hebelarmveränderung result. In other words, the force element is moved a little way towards the rest position of the force element, which has a reduction of the acting spring force result. The invention also relates to a device for closing a pivotable flap, in particular a tailgate of a motor vehicle, of the type described above, which is also intended to open this flap. From the closed base state of the flap, either as an initial state or after the closure and displacement of the first hinge bracket-side or the second hinge bracket side connection point in the initial state, the flap can be opened automatically, for example, after a remote unlocking. In the closed flap position, the displaceable connection point of the spring can be brought by the displacement device in that end position in which the Federkraftöffnungsmo- ment is greater than the closing flap weight moment. In this position, the flap is held in the closed position only by locking the lock. Then, the flap can be unlocked manually or by a switch, and it oscillates automatically, as in the displacement device of the spring connection point has reached the end position and thus the spring force opening torque is greater than the closing flap weight moment. In this case, the signal can be given to the control unit by an optionally provided lock sensor in addition, that the flap is not in the closed position.

This self-opening of the flap is due to the kinematic points in the room. When the opening spring moment resulting from the force of the tension spring and its lever arm exceeds the closing flap weight moment resulting from the weight force of the flap and its lever arm, the tailgate is self-opening.

For this, after the closure of the flap, the connection point can be moved back to the starting position in order to again enable a self-opening of the flap by means of the force element.

In the case of the displaceable design of the first hinge-hanger-side attachment point of the force element, this first attachment point is displaceable therefor so that the lever arm acting at right angles to the direction of action of the force element is enlarged so that the opening spring moment becomes greater as the closing flap weight moment causing automatic opening of the hinge bracket and thus the flap.

Even with the displaceable design of the second body-side connection point, the second connection point can be moved back to its starting position after closure, in which a higher spring force acts, in order subsequently to enable self-opening of the flap again.

Due to the design of the attachment points on the hinge or side of the car, either a manual operation or an automatic closure can be made possible.

According to one embodiment of the invention, sufficient kinetic energy of the flap can be built up by displacement of the connection point, so that the flap automatically falls into the lock.

The invention further relates to a pivotable flap, in particular a tailgate of a motor vehicle with a locking device of the type described above. The first hinge-side connection point of the force element is arranged on the hinge of the flap.

According to one embodiment of the pivotable flap, a device for closing the flap of the type described here is provided on only one side, which may be sufficient to effect a reliable closing movement. A limited function, e.g. only reaching the pre-rest of the castle revealed.

A particularly reliable closing movement results when a device for closing the flap of the type described here is provided on both sides in each case.

If, in addition, at least one inclination sensor is provided, a closing function can also be provided when the vehicle is tilted, for example, on a slope. The invention further relates to a motor vehicle, in particular a motor vehicle of the sedan, hatchback or steep heel type, with a pivotable tailgate of the type described above. The second body-side attachment point of the force element is arranged on the body.

The above-described embodiments of the closure device and the resulting advantages result in the same way in the flap according to the invention and in the motor vehicle according to the invention. The embodiments and advantages are not explicitly listed again to avoid repetition.

In particular, in the case of motor vehicles of the steep -edge type, in which manual flap closures are in use, which is associated with some force and body extension, a significant increase in comfort can be achieved by the closing device according to the invention.

The locking device according to the invention is about rough construction neutral and design-neutral, they can be used in any temple hinges and transferred to different vehicle models.

The manual force and the closing force in the closing device according to the invention can be adjusted individually. Both a function with ejection / closing aid and a function with normal lock are possible. Likewise, an emergency operation, so an emergency opening can be realized. The function of the device according to the invention is temperature-stable.

In the locking device according to the invention no anti-trap protection is necessary because no fixed mechanical positive coupling between the connection points of the spring is present. There are different comfort features possible through various electronic equipment variants.

The locking device according to the invention can also be applied at a very late point in time, for example after painting, in automobile production. It can thus be decided in the course of the assembly process at the car manufacturer, that a closing device according to the invention is to be installed and, if different variants exist, which locking device according to the invention is to be installed. Likewise, a locking device according to the invention can be retrofitted in a used car in a simple manner.

The invention will be explained in more detail with reference to embodiments with reference to the belügenden figures.

Fig. 1 shows a schematic diagram of a tailgate with a flap closing device;

Fig. 2 shows a perspective view of a first pivotable tailgate in the open state, according to a first embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 3 shows a perspective view of a flap closing device of the first pivotable tailgate of Fig. 2;

4 shows a perspective view of a second pivotable tailgate in the open state, according to a second embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of a second flap closing device of the second pivotable tailgate of Fig. 4;

Fig. 6 shows a perspective view of the traversing device for the hinge bracket-side connection point of the second pivotable tailgate of Fig. 4;

7 shows a schematic side view of a sedan-type motor vehicle with the tailgate open and with a traversing device for the body-side attachment point, according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention; Fig. 8 shows a schematic side view of the motor vehicle of Figure 7 with the tailgate in a pivoting position.

9 shows a schematic side view of the motor vehicle from FIGS. 7 and 8 with the tailgate in the closed position;

10 shows a schematic side view of a motor vehicle of the sedan type with the tailgate open and with a traversing device for the hinge-arm-side connection point, according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 11 shows a schematic side view of the motor vehicle from FIG. 10 with the tailgate in a swivel position; FIG.

Fig. 12 shows a schematic side view of the motor vehicle of Figures 10 and 11 with the tailgate in the closed position;

Figures 13, 14 and 15 show, according to a further embodiment of the invention, the uphill on a slope motor vehicle of Figures 7, 8 and 9, with the tailgate in the open flap position of FIG. 7, in the pivoted position shown in FIG. 8 and in the closed flap position according to FIG. 9; and

Figures 16, 17 and 18 show, according to a further embodiment of the invention, the uphill on a slope motor vehicle of Figures 10, 11 and 12, with the tailgate in the open flap position of FIG. 10, in the pivoted position shown in FIG. 11 and in the closed flap position according to FIG. 12.

Fig. 1 shows a schematic diagram 2 of a tailgate 4 with a flap closing device.

The following embodiments are merely exemplary in nature. Of course, other embodiments than those shown are included in the wording of the claims. The tailgate 4 shown in Fig. 1 is designed as a trunk lid of a motor vehicle of the sedan or Stufenhecktyp. The tailgate 4 is shown in Fig. 1 in the closed state, in which the main extension direction lies in the horizontal. The tailgate 4 is pivotable about a hinge pivot point 6 in the pivoting direction 12 upwards into an open position. The hinge pivot point 6 is located in FIG. 1 by way of example above the main extension direction of the tailgate 4, so that the torque ratios can be better visualized below. The hinge pivot point 6 can also be 4 or slightly lower in the plane of the main extension direction of the tailgate.

At the rear end, shown in Fig. 1 right end, the tailgate 4 has a downwardly inclined portion at the end of the handle point 10 and not shown here fernentriegelbares castle is located. The tailgate center of gravity 8 is shown in FIG. 1 by way of example approximately in the middle of the horizontal extent of the tailgate 4. At this tailgate center of gravity 8, the downwardly acting weight force F _{g of} the tailgate is visualized by means of an arrow. The lever arm h _{2 of} the tailgate 4 is also shown, it extends between the hinge pivot 6 and the tailgate center of gravity 8 in the horizontal direction. The closing flap weight moment M _to the tailgate 4 results in:

The flap closing device of the tailgate 4 comprises a tension spring 14, which extends between the hinge-hanger-side attachment point 16 and the body-side attachment point 20. In Fig. 1, this is a screw-tension spring 14, as could also be a gas spring used. The left in Fig. 1, ie in the direction of the front of the motor vehicle towards hinge-side connection point 16 is arranged in particular on a bow-shaped hinge, not shown in Fig. 1, which connects the hinge pivot 6 with the tailgate 4. The karos- series side connection point 20 is in particular on a relative to the tailgate 4 fixed area of the motor vehicle, for example in a dry / interior of the motor vehicle or arranged on a body part. The tension spring of the F _to the tension spring 14 is illustrated by way of extending in the horizontal direction arrow. The lever arm hi the tension spring 14 is shown for this purpose approximately at right angles. The opening spring moment M of the tension spring 14 results as follows:

The opening or closing movement of the tailgate 4 results from the resulting moment between the opening spring moment M _A and the closing flap weight moment M _Z u.

If M is greater than M _Z u, then there is a self-opening of the tailgate. 4

If M _{A is} smaller than M _Z u results in a torque underfoot and thus closing or closing the tailgate. 4

According to a realization on which the invention is based, the opening spring moment M _A can now be changed by a method of the hinge-hanger-side connection point 16 or of the body-side connection point 20.

An exemplary travel direction 18 of the hinge strap-side attachment point 16 in the vertical direction is shown in FIG. 1 by means of a double arrow 18. Alternatively, this direction of travel may also be inclined at an angle relative to the vertical.

Likewise, an exemplary travel direction 22 of the body-side attachment point 20 is shown in Fig. 1 by means of a double arrow. This exemplary travel direction 22 extends approximately in the vertical direction. However, the inventors have found that even a direction of travel at an angle obliquely downwards, in which not only the resulting moment M _{A is} changed, but also the tension spring 14 is also relaxed a bit, is advantageous. Fig. 2 shows a perspective view of a first pivotable tailgate 4 in the open state. Hereinafter, the terms front and rear with respect to the vehicle longitudinal axis of the motor vehicle, which includes the pivotable tailgate, and accordingly approximately as left and right in the plane of Figures 2 and 4 understood lying.

The in FIGS. 2 and 4 shown rods or beams show a test setup of the hinged tailgate with respective traversing device. In an arrangement of the flap closing device in a motor vehicle they are missing.

In Fig. 2, the tailgate is shown in the fully open state, in which its main extension direction is substantially upright. In this case, only an exemplary section of a tailgate with a hinge bracket 26, which connects the tailgate with the hinge pivot point 6, a traversing device 28 for the body-side connection point 20 of the tension spring 14 and the tension spring 14 itself are shown.

Instead of the tailgate section shown schematically, of course, a conventional motor vehicle tailgate may be attached to the hinge bracket 26, and on the other vehicle transverse side of the tailgate may additionally be provided a further traversing device 28 with tension spring 14.

The hinge bracket-side attachment point 16 of the tension spring 14 is located at a distance from the hinge pivot point 6 remote point of the hinge bracket 26, and the tension spring 14 extends substantially in the horizontal rearward direction, relative to the motor vehicle, to the body-side attachment point 20th

The body-side connection point 20 is located in its initial position in FIG. 2, in which the tension spring 14 is essentially horizontal and parallel. lel is aligned to the vehicle longitudinal axis. 2, a spindle, which will be explained in more detail in Figure 3, and guide rods can be seen, the body-side connection point 20 of the tension spring 14 can be moved, in a linear direction between the in 2, in which the spring force opening moment is maximum due to the high lever arm and the high spring force, and the flap closing displacement position, which is seen from the starting position shown in FIG. 2, a little obliquely is shifted down towards the other end of the spindle and the guide rods, and in which the lever arm and the spring force are slightly smaller, so that the spring force-opening torque is significantly reduced.

In Fig. 2, the shuttle 28 is disposed behind the hinge bracket and at a lower height level than the hinge bracket side attachment point 16. The body-side attachment point 20 is thus, starting from the initial position shown in Fig. 2, in which the flap is in the open flap position, with respect to the vehicle longitudinal direction obliquely downward and forward in a flap closing shift position of the body-side attachment point 20 slidable to a Initiate flap closing movement.

When moving the body-side connection point 20 of the tension spring 14 from the starting position shown in Figure 2 obliquely down to the valve closing-displacement position, the tension spring 14 relaxes a piece, and the lever arm of the spring force opening torque decreases. The linear displacement direction of the body-side connection point 20 of the tension spring 14 forms an angle to the horizontal of 30 to 60 °, in particular from 40 to 50 °. The closing movement is effected by a reduction of the spring force opening torque due to the reduced lever arm and the reduced tension of the tension spring 14.

3 shows a perspective view of a flap closing device 30 of the first pivotable tailgate 4. In contrast to the representation of FIG. 2, in the illustration of the first flap closing device 30 according to FIG. 3, the hinge clip 26 has been pivoted about the hinge pivot point 6 or the hinge axis of rotation 6 in such a way that the tailgate 4 fastened thereto can not be seen in Fig. 3, is in the closed position.

In Fig. 3, the flap closing device 30 and hinge bracket 26 of the other vehicle transverse side is shown as an example, because the tension spring 14 has its hinge bracket side connection point 16 left of the pivoting plane of the hinge bracket 26. A distance from the hinge axis of rotation 6 spaced, is on the hinge bracket 26th a hinged bracket side attachment piece 32 is mounted, protrudes from the outward in the vehicle transverse direction, a mounting pin on which the tension spring 14 is attached with its hinge bracket side connection point 16. The tension spring 14 extends from this hinge-side attachment point 16 to the rear, in the plane of the drawing in Fig. 3 so to the left, the main direction of the tension spring 14 is inclined obliquely downwards.

With its body-side connection point 20, the tension spring 14 is attached to a displaceable spindle nut 40 of a traversing device 28 for the body-side attachment point 20. The traversing device 28 for the body-side connection point 20 of the tension spring 14 is slightly modified relative to the displacement device 28 shown schematically in Fig. 2, in particular, its motor unit 34 extends from its front end downwards, and it has a lower inclination relative to the horizontal. The traversing device 28 has an adapter plate 38 with a slot-like guide for the sliding spindle nut 40. A spindle 36 extends between the upper end of the motor unit 34 on the front of the shuttle 28 to the rear end of the shuttle 28. On the spindle 36 is the displaceable Spindle nut 40 is arranged, which can be moved by the movement of the spindle 36 obliquely backwards up and obliquely forward and down. Fixed to the spindle nut 40 is a bow-shaped guide which extends through the slot-like recess of the guide of the adapter plate 38 and on the other hand engages around the upper end of the adapter plate 38. In the upper bow-like guide of the spindle nut 40th the body-side connection point 20 of the tension spring 14 is fixed, in particular, the tension spring 14 is hooked into an opening of the bow-like guide of the spindle nut 40. The traversing device 28 is intended to be fastened to a region of the motor vehicle which is fixed relative to the pivotable flap 4, in particular on or in the trunk or on a body part. In the method of the body-side attachment point 20 to the rear end of the shuttle 28, the opening spring force moment M _AU F is maximum as a result of the maximum spring action and due to the change in the lever arm Η _Ί , and positioning of the body-side attachment point 20 at the front end the slot-like guide in the adapter plate 38 is the opening spring moment M _AU F minimal, due to the relaxed ZuStands the tension spring 14 and the changed lever arm hi.

In a method of the body-side connection point 20 from the bottom front to the top rear, the spring force opening moment M _A UF exceeds the closing flap weight moment M _Z u, which automatically opens the hinge bracket 26 and the flap 4 from the position shown in FIG 2 causes position.

From the open position of the hinge bracket 26 with the flap 4, as shown in Fig. 2, a closing movement can be effected by moving the body-side connection point 20 from the rear position to the front bottom, because by moving the karossieriesseitigigen connection point 20 down front, the spring force opening torque MAUF is reduced and thus drops below the closing flap weight moment M _Z u, which causes an automatic closure of the hinge bracket 26 with flap 4.

Fig. 4 shows a perspective view of a second pivotable tailgate 42 in the open state.

In the perspective view of the second pivotable tailgate 42 with the traversing device 44 for the hinge bracket-side connection point 16, the design and position of the exemplary hinge bracket 26 and the exemplary tailgate cut-away correspond to those of FIG. 2, which is once a left hinge and the other is a right hinge.

In contrast to FIG. 2, the tension spring 14, which also runs essentially horizontally here, with its body-side attachment point 20 is firmly connected to a part of the motor vehicle fixed relative to the pivotable flap 4, in particular to a body part or an attachment point in the trunk, and to the connection point 16 on the hinge side the tension spring 14 is formed by the schematically shown traversing device 44 relative to the hinge bracket 26 slidably.

The hinge bracket 26 shown in FIG. 4 and the flap closing device with traversing device 44 are intended for use on the left side in the vehicle longitudinal direction, because the tension spring 14 is located outside of the hinge bracket 26 with respect to the pivoting plane of the hinge bracket 26, based on the vehicle transverse direction of the hinge bracket 26th

5 shows a perspective view of a flap closing device 46 of the second pivotable tailgate 42.

5, the second flap closing device 46 with the traversing device 44 for the hinge-side connection point 16 of the tension spring 14 from the outside, so in Fig. 4 obliquely taken from the rear, and also is the hinge bracket 26 with the attached thereto, in Fig. 5th not shown flap 4, in its closed position.

The tension spring 14 is fixed with its body-side connection point 20 on a relative to the pivotable flap 4 fixed area of the motor vehicle, in particular at a point in the trunk or on a body part. The hinge bracket-side connection point 16 of the tension spring 14 is displaceable by means of the traversing device 44. The traversing device 44 is fastened by means of a fastening piece 58 to the hinge bracket 26, at some distance from the hinge axis of rotation 6. tion piece 58 is connected to an adapter plate 54, at the front and rear end supports 56 extend outwardly. Immediately behind the front plate-like support 56 and slightly downwardly therefrom, a motor unit 48 is provided, through which a spindle 50 is driven, which extends in a direction between the supports 56. During a rotational movement of this spindle 50, a spindle nut 60 is displaced in the direction of forward or backward, and to the outside of this spindle nut 60 is a pin away, which forms the hinge strap side connection point 16 for the tension spring 14. For a good guidance of the spindle nut 60 three fixed, extending between the supports 56 guide rods 52 are provided, two of which can be seen here, and which pass through corresponding recesses of the spindle nut 60 so as to ensure a precise guidance of the spindle nut 60.

In the rearmost position of the hinge-bracket-side connection point 16, almost directly in front of the front plate-like support 56, the opening spring force moment M _{AUF is} maximally formed. By a displacement of the hinge bracket side connection point 16 from the rearmost position shown in FIG. 5, which corresponds to the closed flap position, forward, the opening spring force moment M _A U _{F is} reduced by the lever h1 is reduced. If one now wants to open the flap 4 and the hinge bracket 26 from the closed flap position shown in Fig. 5, one only has to unlock the lock of the tailgate 4, which causes an automatic flap opening, because yes, the spring force opening moment M _A U _{F is} greater than the closing flap weight moment M _Z u.

The direction of displacement of the first attachment point 16 of the tension spring 14 is accordingly approximately at right angles to the tangent which bears against the hinge bracket 26 at the location of the attachment piece 58. In the closed flap position shown in Fig. 5, the tension spring 14 is aligned approximately horizontally. In the opened flap position, in which the attachment piece 58 is rotated about the hinge pivot point 6 upwards and which is shown in Fig. 4, the tension spring 14, viewed from the rear to the front, slightly upwards. From the open flap position shown in FIG. 4, in which the spindle nut 60 and the connection point 16 are arranged directly behind the rear plate-like support 56, one has to close the flap 4, the spindle nut 60 and thus the hinging connection point 16 by the motor unit 48 and the rotational movement of the spindle 50 to move forward, thereby the opening spring force moment M _A U _{F is} reduced and drops below the closing flap weight torque M _Z u, so that an automatic closing movement of the hinge bracket 26 and the flap 4 is effected ,

The opening and closing mechanism of the flap is divided into 4 movement sections: First, starting from the closed flap position, for example by remote unlocking of the lock, in a first movement section, the self-opening flap movement by means of the tension spring 14, as described. Then, in a second movement section, the attachment point 16 is displaced, as also described. In this case, the closing flap weight torque exceeds the opening spring moment, and the flap 4 falls slowly and controlled (third movement section), and locks the lock. Finally, the connection point 16 returns to the starting position, after which self-opening by means of the tension spring is again possible since the opening spring moment is greater than the closing flap moment.

6 shows a perspective view of the traversing device 44 for the hinge-hanger-side attachment point 16 of the second pivotable tailgate 42.

In this case, the traversing device 44 is shown in a detached position from the hinge bracket 26 without attachment piece 58 and without tension spring 14.

The three guide rods 52 can be seen between the rear support 56 and the upper end of the motor unit 48, and also the spindle 50, which ends a short distance in front of the rear support 56, can be seen well. Furthermore, fastening holes 62 can be seen in the adapter plate 54, by means of which the adapter plate 54 and thus the entire traversing device 44 can be fastened to the attachment piece 58 of the hinge bracket 26.

FIG. 7 shows a schematic side view of a motor vehicle 64 of the type with an open tailgate 4 and with a travel device 28 for the body-side attachment point 20, according to one exemplary embodiment of the invention.

In this case, you can look in the trunk of the motor vehicle 94 and the entire hinge bracket 26 together with the hinge pivot 6, the shuttle 28 for the body-side connection point 20 and the tension spring 14 with its hinge-side connection point 16 and its body-side, movable connection point 20 recognize. For a better illustration, the lower, bent part of the hinge bracket 26 shown in FIG. 7 is shown greatly enlarged, at its in Fig. 7 above subsequent straight area the tailgate 4 is attached. In Fig. 7, only the arranged on the left side of the motor vehicle 64 hinge bracket 26 can be seen, as well as of course a right hinge bracket is present. 7 for the body-side connection point 20 is arranged in a rear left area of the trunk of the motor vehicle 64, preferably this displacement device 28 is out of the field of vision of a user who is behind the trunk in a left and / or arranged on the upper side or corner of the trunk.

On the inside of the tailgate 4, a sensor 68 is arranged for the tailgate position. This sensor 68 detects the angular pivotal position of the tailgate 4 and passes it on to a control unit not shown in FIG.

Furthermore, a sensor 66 for the motor vehicle position is arranged on or in the vehicle, which is arranged directly below the traversing device 28 in the exemplary embodiment of FIG. Just as well, this sensor 66 can also be arranged at a different location of the motor vehicle. This message Sor 66 is designed to detect a motor vehicle misalignment at least in the vehicle longitudinal direction, that is, for example, a motor vehicle standing on a slope, but preferably also a motor vehicle misalignment in the transverse direction of the motor vehicle, that is to say a motor vehicle inclined at an angle to the slope.

As can be clearly seen in Fig. 7, the hinge bracket side attachment point 16 of the tension spring 14 is spaced a distance from the hinge pivot point 6, and the body-side attachment point 20 is located in the lowermost position within the shuttle 28 shown as a schematic rectangle.

7, the opening angle of the flap 4 detected by the sensor 68 is 80 degrees, and the body-side attachment point 20 of the tension spring 14 is in the home position. The travel is accordingly 0 millimeters, and the tension spring 14 is oriented at an angle of about 15 degrees to the horizontal rearward top.

As described with reference to the schematic diagram of Fig. 1, the Klappengewichtsmoment, which results from the weight of the flap 4 and the hinge brackets 26 and the lever arm, acts in the valve closing direction, ie from the opened flap position in Fig. 7 to the later with reference 9 closed flap position shown. Counteracting this closing flap weighting moment is the spring force opening moment, which results from the direction of action of the tension spring 14 and the lever arm h lying at right angles thereto. This lever h is shown in Fig. 7. In the opened flap position in FIG. 7, the spring force opening torque is greater than or equal to the closing flap weight moment, so that the tailgate 4 remains in the open position 4.

FIG. 8 shows the motor vehicle 64 from FIG. 7 with the tailgate 4 in a swivel position.

In the swivel position shown in FIG. 8, the main extension direction of the tailgate 4 forms an angle of about 65 degrees with the horizontal, and this angle is detected by the sensor 68 and passed to the control unit.

The body-side attachment point 20 is located in a flap closing displacement position, in which it has been moved by the traversing device 28. The flap closing shift position is a little over halfway, about two-thirds of the way between the lower home position shown in FIG. 7 and the maximum shift position, not shown, at the top of the shuttle 28. The spring 14 arranged in the pivoting position shown in FIG. 8 at an angle to the horizontal of about 20 degrees.

In FIGS. 7 to 9, the traversing device 28 is arranged behind the hinge bracket and at a higher height level than the hinge-arm-side connection point 16. The body-side attachment point 20 is thus, starting from the lower starting position shown in Fig. 7, in which the flap is in the opened flap position, with respect to the vehicle longitudinal direction nachezu perpendicular to the flap closing shift position of the body-side attachment point 20 shown in FIG slidable to initiate a flap closing movement.

By the method of the body-side attachment point 20 from the starting position shown in FIG. 7 in the flap closing shift position shown in FIG. 8, as can be clearly seen in a comparison of Figures 7 and 8, the lever arm h of the spring force opening torque is reduced by a few millimeters, the Spring 14 but not relaxed, which is sufficient that the spring force opening torque falls below the opposite acting closing flap weight moment, thus causing a closing movement of the flap 4.

In the flap closure, the hinge bracket side attachment point 16 moves a distance away from the shuttle 28, further biasing the spring 14, re-increasing the spring force opening torque and decelerating the door closing movement. FIG. 9 shows the motor vehicle 64 from FIGS. 7 and 8 with the tailgate 4 in the closed position.

Here, the body-side connection point 20 of the tension spring 14 has been reversed by the shuttle 28 back to the starting position.

The tailgate 4 has an opening angle to the horizontal of 0 degrees, the travel of the body-side connection point 20 is 0 millimeters and the tension spring 14 is arranged almost horizontally. It encloses an angle of less than 5 degrees with the horizontal.

The control unit in all embodiments described here has the following function: It receives as input the vehicle position, the flap position and the increment, ie the travel of the displacement device and possibly also the signal of an optionally provided lock sensor. Furthermore, the control unit receives a corresponding closing signal via a push-button provided, for example, on the dashboard, on the tailgate or on a vehicle key, which initiates the control procedure, as described with reference to FIGS. 7 to 18. Of course, the control unit has a suitable power supply, which can be provided by the battery or the alternator of the engine of the motor vehicle, and the control unit can additionally supply the sensor (s) and the motorized traction device with appropriate voltage. The control unit is able to perform a flap closure in the closed, locked position of the flap from any position of the vehicle. Furthermore, the control unit can also carry out a current monitoring of the motorized traversing device. In this case, the control unit can track the flap movement time-dependent and refer to the respective flap position, and an emergency operation, ie a flap opening upon deviation of the actual flap position signal from an expected flap position signal is also possible.

With reference to FIGS. 7 to 9, the closing operation of the tailgate 4 will be explained as follows. Starting from the open flap position shown in FIG. 7, the tailgate 4 is to be closed. For a user gives a corresponding signal to the control unit. The control unit determines, taking into account the known weight of the flap 4 together with hinge brackets 26 and the lever arm at the opening angle of 80 degrees, the flap closing displacement position for krosserieseitigen connection point 20 of the tension spring 14. For the control unit can also take into account the vehicle position, yes here 0 degrees both in vehicle longitudinal and in the vehicle transverse direction, and thus no wool plays.

The valve closing displacement position determined by the control unit corresponds to the traveling position of the body-side attachment point 20 between the starting position and the maximum displacement position at which the spring force opening torque becomes smaller than the closing flap weight torque due to the reduced lever arm h, thereby initiating a flap closing movement.

As is clear from a comparison of the total length of the tension spring 14 in the open flap position shown in FIG. 7 and the pivot position of the flap of FIG. 8, the closing operation is thus not by a change in the tensile force of the tension spring 14, but by a change in the lever h of the spring force opening torque started.

Now, if the sensor 68 reports a specific, either predetermined or calculated flap pivot angle, which is 65 degrees in the present embodiment, a reversal of the body-side connection point 20 of the tension spring 14 is at least partially back towards the starting position in a reversing position, whereby the spring force opening torque increases again and the closing speed of the tailgate 4 is braked slightly. The reversing position can, as shown in FIG. 9, correspond to the starting position of the body-side connection point 20 of the tension spring 14, or it can be arranged between the flap opening shown in FIG. closing shift position and the starting position shown in Fig. 7 are.

During the closing process of the tailgate 4, this kinetic energy builds up and, in addition, the valve closing torque increases as a result of the increase in the valve closing moment lever arm.

By reversing the body-side connection point 20 of the tension spring 14, the speed and thus the force and kinetic energy with which the tailgate 4 reaches the closed position is reduced.

As a result, the risk of injury, especially bruising of unintentionally clamped limbs between the body and the tailgate 4 limbs and the risk of damage from unintentionally clamped between the body and the tailgate 4 limbs significantly, and the materials, especially the castle are spared.

The opening of the tailgate 4 from the closed flap position shown in FIG. 9 to the opened flap position shown in FIG. 7 is effected by moving the body-side attachment point 20 from the starting position to the maximum displacement position, in which case the pulling action of the tension spring 14 is significantly greater plays as when closing, and optionally under manual support of a user.

10 shows a schematic side view of a motor vehicle 64 of the sedan type with the tailgate 4 open and with a traversing device 44 for the hinge-arm-side connection point 16, according to an embodiment of the invention.

Again, you can look in the trunk of the motor vehicle 64 and the entire hinge bracket 26 together with hinge pivot point 6, the traversing device 44 for the hinge-side connection point 16 and the tension spring with its sliding hinge-side connection point 16 and its fixed body-side connection point 20 recognize. Again, the lower, curved portion of the hinge bracket 26 is shown greatly enlarged for clarity, and at its in Fig. 10 above subsequent straight area the tailgate 4 is attached. In Fig. 10, only the arranged on the left side of the motor vehicle 64 hinge bracket 26 can be seen, as well as of course a right hinge bracket 26 is present.

The traversing device 44 for the hinge-bracket-side connection point 16 is arranged directly on the hinge bracket 26 and indeed a distance from the hinge pivot point 6.

In the present exemplary embodiment, the traversing device 44 is arranged approximately midway between the hinge pivot point 6 and the end of the bent region of the hinge bracket 26 shown in FIG. 10 at the bottom right. The traversing device 44 is attached to the hinge bracket 26 so that the hinge bracket side connection point 16 can be moved at an angle to the hinge bracket 26 which forms an angle of about 80 to 90 degrees with the tangent passing through the point of the hinge bracket 26 to which the traversing device 44 attaches. The direction of travel of the hinge-bracket-side attachment point 16 from the starting position shown in FIG. 10 is shown in FIG. 10 by means of an arrow.

The body-side attachment point 20 is located in a rear upper region of the trunk, preferably on the left side wall thereof.

Furthermore, a sensor 70 is provided, which attaches to the traversing device 44. The sensor 70 is designed to detect the angular pivot position of the tailgate 4 and the position of the motor vehicle 64. Alternatively, this sensor 70 analogous to the embodiment of FIGS. 7 to 9 also be designed so that it can detect only the angular pivot position of the tailgate 4, and that in addition a separate sensor for detecting the position of the motor vehicle is present. 10, the opening angle of the tailgate 4, which is detected by the sensor 70, 80 degrees, the hinge-side connection point 16 of the tension spring 14 is in its home position, with a travel of 0 mm, and the Tension spring 14 is aligned at an angle of about 15 degrees to the horizontal rearward top.

As described with reference to the schematic diagram of Fig. 1, the Klappengewichtsmoment that results from the weight of the flap 4 and the hinge brackets 26 and the lever arm, in the valve closing direction, ie from the open flap position in Fig. 10 to the later with reference on Fig. 12 designated closed flap position. Opposing this closing flap weight moment is the spring force opening moment, which results from the effective direction of the tension spring 14 and the lever arm h lying at right angles thereto. This lever arm h is shown in Fig. 10. In the opened flap position in FIG. 10, the spring force opening element is greater than or equal to the closing flap weight moment, so that the tailgate 4 remains in the open position.

Furthermore, a control unit (not shown in FIG. 10) is provided, to which the flap pivoting angle is transmitted by the sensor 70 and which controls the traversing device 44 as a function of a closing command by a user such that the hinging-side connection point 16 as described below with reference to FIG 10 to 12 explained.

Fig. 1 1 shows the motor vehicle 64 of FIG. 10 with the tailgate 4 in a pivot position.

In the pivoted position shown in FIG. 11, the main direction of extension of the tailgate 4 makes an angle of about 65 degrees with the horizontal, and this angle is detected by the sensor 70 and transmitted to the control unit.

The hinge bracket-side connection point 16 of the tension spring 14 is located in a flap closing displacement position, in which he has been moved by the traversing device 44. The flap closing displacement position corresponds to the maximum displacement position and is compared to the starting position shown in Fig. 10 on the opposite side of the hinge bracket 26, and that at the opposite end of the shuttle 44, based on the hinge bracket 26th

As a result, the lever arm h of the spring force opening torque is reduced by a few millimeters, so that the spring force opening torque has dropped below the opposing closing flap weight torque and thus initiated a closing movement of the flap 4. The spring 14 is aligned almost horizontally in the pivot position shown in FIG. 1 1, it includes with the horizontal an angle of less than 5 degrees.

FIG. 12 shows the motor vehicle 64 from FIGS. 10 and 11 with the tailgate 4 in the closed position.

In this case, the hinge bracket-side connection point 16 of the tension spring 14 is in a reversing position, in which he has been moved by the traversing device 44.

The reversing position of the hinge bracket-side connection point 16 is in the embodiment of FIG. 12 approximately in the middle between the initial position shown in FIG. 10 and in the maximum displacement position shown in FIG. 11. The reversing position in FIG. 11 is merely exemplary, it may also be about one-third of the way between the home position shown in FIG. 10 and the flap closing displacement position shown in FIG. 11, or it may correspond to the home position.

The hinge bracket-side connection point 16 of the tension spring 14 is approximately laterally adjacent to the hinge bracket 26 and in particular adjacent to the Hinge fixing the traction device 44. The tailgate 4 thus has an opening angle to the horizontal of 0 degrees, and the tension spring 14 is in the closed position shown in FIG. 12 almost horizontal, it forms an angle of less than 5 degrees with the horizontal. With reference to FIGS. 10 to 12, the closing operation of the tailgate 4 will be explained as follows. Starting from the opened flap position according to FIG. 10, the tailgate 4 should be closed. For this purpose, a user gives a corresponding signal to the control unit, which, taking into account the known weight of the tailgate 4 together with the hinge bracket 26 and the lever arm at an opening angle of 0 degrees, the flap determines the displacement position for the hinge-side connection point 16 of the tension spring 14.

This flap closing displacement position corresponds to the movement position of the hinge bracket side attachment point 16 by the displacement device 44 between the starting position and the maximum displacement position at which the spring force opening element becomes smaller than the closing flap weight moment due to the reduced lever arm h, thereby initiating a flap closing movement.

The hinge bracket-side attachment point 16 of the tension spring 14 then remains in the valve closure displacement position shown in Fig. 11 until the sensor 70 reports a particular, either predetermined or calculated flap swing angle. This flap pivot angle of 65 degrees to the horizontal is shown in Fig. 11. From reaching this pivot angle through the tailgate 4, a reversal of the hinge bracket side connection point 16 of the tension spring 14 in the reversing position.

As a result, the spring force opening torque is increased again, and the closing movement of the tailgate 4 is slowed down somewhat. When closing the tailgate 4, this kinetic energy builds up. When the tailgate 4 enters the closed position, which is shown in Fig. 12, thus, the kinetic energy of the tailgate 4 acts downward, and acting through the tension spring Zugfederenergie acts upward.

By reversing the connection point to the reversing position, the upward-acting tensile spring energy is increased, and thus the actually acting force and the actually constructed energy of the tailgate 4 at the time of reaching the closed position is reduced. This significantly reduces the risk of injuries, in particular bruising of limbs unintentionally clamped between the body and the tailgate 4 and the risk of damage to limbs clamped unintentionally between the body and the tailgate 4, and also the materials, in particular the lock spared.

As is apparent from a comparison of the total length of the tension spring 14 in the open flap position shown in FIG. 10 and the pivot position of the flap of FIG. 11, the closing operation is not by a change in the tensile force of the tension spring 14, but by a change in the lever h Spring force opening torque achieved.

Opening the tailgate 4 from the closed flap position shown in FIG. 12 to the opened flap position shown in FIG. 10 is accomplished by moving the hinge strap side attachment point 16 to the maximum displacement position, with the pulling action of the tension spring 14 playing a significantly greater role than in FIG Closing, and possibly under manual support of a user.

Figures 13, 14 and 15 show, according to a further embodiment of the invention, the motor vehicle 64 with the tailgate 4 in the open flap position shown in FIG. 7, with the tailgate 4 in the pivoted position shown in FIG. 8 and the tailgate 4 in the closed flap position shown in FIG. 9, wherein in this embodiment, the motor vehicle 64 is uphill on a slope.

The angle of the road and thus the vehicle level form an angle of α to the horizontal. This angle α is approximately 7 degrees in Figures 13, 14 and 15, and it is reported by the sensor 66 to the control unit.

The tension spring 14 and the shuttle 28, the motor vehicle related flap positions of 80 degrees (Fig. 13), 65 degrees (Fig. 14) and 0 degrees (Fig. 15) and the positions of the body-side connection point 20: starting position at the bottom with Referring to the shuttle 28 in Fig. 13, flap closing shift position in an upper area with respect to Traversing device 28 in Fig. 14, and reversing position at the bottom with respect to the shuttle 28 in Fig. 15 correspond to those of Figures 7 to 9. During the closing operation, starting from the opened flap position shown in FIG. 13, which is also from a corresponding input signal is initiated by a user to the control unit, now also the motor vehicle inclination is taken into account. For this purpose, the control unit determines, taking into account the known weight of the flap 4 together with hinge bracket 26 and the lever arm at the opening angle of 73 degrees (= 80 degrees - 7 degrees) to the global horizontal closing the flap weight moment and the accordingly required flap closing displacement position for the body side Connection point 20 of the tension spring, and the body-side connection point 20 is moved from its initial position shown in FIG. 13 in the flap closing shift position shown in FIG. 14.

This flap closing displacement position corresponds to the traveling position of the body-side attachment point 20 between the starting position and the maximum displacement position at which the spring force opening torque due to the reduced lever arm h becomes smaller than the closing flap weight torque, thereby initiating a flap closing movement.

The flap closing shift position in Fig. 14 is only exemplary in nature. Due to the inclination of the motor vehicle, in FIG. 14, compared to FIG. 8, a flap closing displacement position with a smaller displacement path, that is, a flap closing displacement position closer to the starting position, would be sufficient to reduce the spring force opening torque to such an extent falls below closing flap weight torque and a flap closing movement is started.

From reaching a certain, either predetermined or calculated flap pivot angle, which is about 65 degrees to the vehicle longitudinal center plane and thus due to the motor vehicle tilt 58 degrees to the global horizontal, as shown in FIG. 14, a reversal of the bodywork 1160

35

tigen connection point 20 of the tension spring 14 in the reversing position shown in Fig. 15. The flap pivot position is for this purpose reported by the sensor 68 to the control unit, which can be done either continuously or after one or more predetermined time intervals.

By this reversing the spring force opening torque and thus the upward acting of the spring force is increased, and the closing movement of the tailgate 4 is braked slightly.

Figures 16, 17 and 18 show, according to another embodiment of the invention, the motor vehicle 64 with the tailgate 4 in the open flap position of FIG. 10, with the tailgate 4 in the pivoted position of FIG. 11 and the tailgate 4 in the closed flap position shown in FIG. 12, wherein in this embodiment, the motor vehicle 64 is uphill on a slope.

The angle of the road and thus the vehicle level also form an angle of α to the horizontal. This angle α is approximately 7 degrees in Figures 16, 17 and 18, and it is reported by the sensor 70 to the control unit.

The tension spring 14 and the traction device 44, the motor vehicle related flap positions of 80 degrees (Fig. 16), 65 degrees (Fig. 17) and 0 degrees (Fig. 18) and the positions of the hinge bracket side connection point 16: starting position at the bottom with Referring to the shuttle 44 in Fig. 16, flap closing shift position at the top with respect to the shuttle 44 in Fig. 17, and reversing position approximately centrally with respect to the shuttle 44 in Fig. 18 are similar to those shown in Figs. 10 to 12. During the closing process, starting from the opened flap position according to FIG. 16, which is likewise initiated by a user by a corresponding input signal to the control unit, the motor vehicle inclination is now additionally taken into account. For this purpose, the control unit determines taking into account the known weight of the flap 4 together with the hinge bracket 26 and the lever arm at the opening angle of 73 degrees (= 80 degrees - 7 degrees) to the global horizontal closing the flap weight moment and thus required flap closing displacement position for the hinge strap side connection point sixteenth the tension spring, and the hinge bracket-side connection point 16 is moved from its initial position shown in FIG. 16 in the flap closing displacement position shown in FIG. 17.

This flap closing displacement position corresponds to the traveling position of the hinge bracket side attachment point 20 between the starting position and the maximum displacement position at which the spring force opening torque due to the reduced lever arm h becomes smaller than the closing flap weight moment, thereby initiating a flap closing movement.

The flap closing shift position in Fig. 17 is only exemplary in nature. Due to the inclination of the motor vehicle in Fig. 17, compared to Fig. 11, a Klappeschließ-shift position with a smaller displacement, so closer to the starting position lying Klappeschließ- shift position would be sufficient to reduce the Federkraftöffnungsmoment so much that it falls below closing flap weight torque and a flap closing movement is started.

From reaching a certain, either predetermined or calculated flap pivot angle, which is thus about 58 degrees to the vehicle level and due to the motor vehicle tilt 58 degrees to the global horizontal, as shown in FIG. 17, a reversal of the hinge strap side connection point 16 of the tension spring 14 in the in Fig. 18 Reversing position shown. The flap pivot position is for this purpose reported by the sensor 70 to the control unit, which can be done either continuously or after one or more predetermined time intervals. By this reversing the spring force opening torque and thus the upwardly acting spring force is increased, and the closing movement of the tailgate 4 is braked slightly.

The duration of the closing operations described with reference to FIGS. 7 to 18 usually moves within a few seconds, for example 3 seconds. When the flap reaches the lock, the closed flap position can be detected by an optional lock provided sensor, and a corresponding signal can be transmitted from the lock sensor to the control unit, indicating to the control unit the end of the closing operation.

Claims

claims

5 1. A device (30) for closing a pivotable flap (4), in particular a tailgate of a motor vehicle, comprising

a first hinge bracket-side attachment point (16) for a force element (14) on a hinge bracket (26) of the flap (4);

a second body-side attachment point (20) for a force element o (14) at a fixed relative to the flap (4) area; and

a force element (14), in particular a spring element (14), for example a tension spring or a gas spring, which is arranged between the first hinge-arm-side attachment point (16) and the second body-side attachment point (20),

wherein the first hinge-side attachment point (16) of the spring element (14) of the force element (14) is displaceable so that the closing moment is increased, thus closing the flap (4).

2. Device (30; 46) according to claim 1, wherein a particular motorized displacement device (44) for the first hinge bracket-side connection point (16) of the force element (14) on the hinge bracket (26) is attachable / is attached.

3. Device (46) according to claim 2, wherein the linear displacement direction of the first hinge side attachment point (16) of the spring element (14) at an angle to the tangent of the attachment point of the displacement device (44) on the hinge bracket (26) of 50 to 90 °, in particular from 80 to 90 °, forms.

4. Device (46) for closing a pivotable flap (4), in particular a tailgate of a motor vehicle, comprising

a second body-side attachment point (20) for a force element (14) on a relative to the flap (4) fixed area; and a force element (14), in particular a spring element (14), for example a tension spring or a gas spring, which is arranged between the first hinge-side attachment point (16) and the second body-side attachment point (20),

wherein the second body-side attachment point (20) of the spring element (14) of the force element (14) is displaceable from a starting position in the linear direction to a flap closing displacement position, that the lever arm of the spring force opening moment is reduced and thus the closing moment is increased and thus the flap ( 4) closes.

5. Device (30; 46) according to claim 4, wherein a motor-displacement device (28; 44) in particular for the second body-side attachment point (20) of the force element (14) is provided.

6. Device (46) according to claim 5, wherein the linear displacement direction of the second body-side connection point (20) of the spring element (14) forms an angle to the horizontal of 50 to 90 °, in particular from 80 to 90 °.

The apparatus (30; 46) according to any one of claims 2, 3, 5 or 6, wherein said displacement means (28; 44) comprises a motor unit (34; 48), in particular a stepper motor with gear ratio and spindle adapted to to move the first hinge-side attachment point (16) of the force element (14) or the second body-side attachment point (20) of the force element (14).

The apparatus (30; 46) of claim 7, wherein the motor unit (34; 48) drives a spindle (36; 50), and wherein by the rotational movement of the spindle (36; 50) a spindle nut (40; which the first hinge-side attachment point (16) or the second body-side attachment point (20) of the force element (14) is connected, is displaceable.

9. Device (30; 46) according to claim 8, further comprising guide rails (52) for the spindle nut (40; 60) for force-moment relief, in particular for lateral force release.

10. The device (46) according to any one of claims 1 to 3 and 7 to 9, wherein in the case of the displaceable design of the first hinge bracket-side connection point (16) of the force element (14) of this first connection point (16)

5 is displaceable, that the lever arm (hi) acting at right angles to the direction of action (F _pull ) of the force element (14) is reduced so that the spring force opening moment (Ma _U f = pull xh ^ becomes smaller than the closing flap weight moment (M _zu = F _g xh ₂ ), which results from the weight force (F _g ) of the flap (4) and its lever arm (h ₂ ), whereby a closing movement of the hinge bracket o (26) and thus the flap (4) is effected.

1 1. A device (46) according to any one of claims 1 to 3 and 7 to 10, wherein the displacement direction of the first hinge bracket side connection point (16) of the force element (14) on the hinge bracket (26) at an angle to the Wir-

5 direction (F _Zu9 ) of the force _element (14), in particular at a substantially right angle thereto.

12. Device (30) according to any one of claims 4 to 9, wherein in the case of the displaceable formation of the second body-side connection point (20) of the force element (14), the displacement device (28) on a relative to the pivotable flap (4) fixed portion of the motor vehicle , in particular at a point in the trunk or at an area on the body is attachable.

13. Device (30) according to one of claims 4 to 9 or 12, wherein in the displaceable embodiment of the second body-side attachment point (20) of the force element (14), this second body-side attachment point (20) is displaceable so that the active force (F _2ug ) of the force element (14) is reduced, whereby a closing movement of the hinge bracket (26) and thus the flap (4) is effected.

14. Device (30, 46) according to one of the preceding claims, which is also intended to open the flap (4), in particular the tailgate of a motor vehicle.

15. Device (30; 46) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein by constructive design of the attachment points hinge or Karros- series side optionally a manual operation or an automatic closure is possible.

16. Device (30; 46) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein sufficient kinetic energy of the flap (4) by displacement of the connection point (16, 20) is constructed so that the flap (4) automatically falls into the lock.

17. A pivotable flap (4), in particular a tailgate of a motor vehicle, comprising a device for closing (30; 46) thereof according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the first hinge-side connection point (16) of the force element (14) on the hinge bracket (26) of Flap (4) is arranged.

18, flap (4) according to claim 17, wherein only on one side a device for closing (30, 46) of the flap (4) is provided according to one of the preceding claims.

19, flap (4) according to claim 17 or 18, wherein on both sides in each case a device for closing (30; 46) of the flap (4) is provided according to one of the preceding claims.

20. flap (4) according to any one of claims 17 to 19, wherein at least one inclination sensor is provided to provide a closing function in case of misalignment of the vehicle, for example. On the slope.

21. Motor vehicle, in particular a motor vehicle of the sedan, hatchback or steep tail type, comprising a pivotable tailgate (4) according to any one of claims 17 to 20, wherein the second body-side connection point (20) of the force element (14) is arranged on the body.