TRIM ELEMENT HAVING A RECEPTACLE FOR A WARNING TRIANGLE, TAILGATE HAVING A TRIM ELEMENT, AND MOTOR VEHICLE HAVING SUCH A TAILGATE

Abstract

A trim element for a tailgate of a motor vehicle. A receptacle is formed in the trim element which is open towards an inside of the vehicle and in which a warning triangle received in a case can be placed or is placed. The receptacle has: a rear wall portion having at least one elastic clamping element; two front restraining portions; a support portion; and the clamping element, the front restraining portions and the support portion are designed in such a way that they are in a form-fitting and/or force-fitting connection with the case when the warning triangle is placed. The rear wall portion has a guide portion above the clamping element which is curved concavely towards the inside of the vehicle and along which the case of the warning triangle can be introduced into or removed from the receptacle.

Claims

1-13. (canceled)

14. A trim element for a tailgate of a motor vehicle, wherein a receptacle is formed in the trim element which is open towards an inside of the vehicle and in which a warning triangle received in a case can be placed or is placed, wherein the receptacle has: a rear wall portion having at least one elastic clamping element; two front restraining portions; a support portion; wherein the clamping element, the front restraining portions and the support portion are designed in such a way that they are in a form-fitting and/or force-fitting connection with the case when the warning triangle is placed, wherein the rear wall portion has a guide portion above the clamping element which is curved concavely towards the inside of the vehicle and along which the case of the warning triangle can be introduced into or removed from the receptacle.

15. The trim element according to claim 14, wherein the receptacle has two lateral centering elements, each of which has an introduction portion inclined relative to a vertical direction, and a receiving portion adjoining the introduction portion and extending essentially in the vertical direction.

16. The trim element according to claim 15, wherein the two introduction portions are designed in such a way that they form a V-shaped, in particular funnel-like, lateral guide for the case.

17. The trim element according to claim 14, wherein the support portion has two lateral sub-portions spaced apart from each other.

18. The trim element according to claim 17, wherein the distance created between the two sub-portions can be designed such that the rear wall portion forms a recessed grip between the two sub-portions.

19. The trim element according to claim 14, wherein the clamping element is integrally formed with the rear wall portion, wherein transition regions with reduced material thickness are arranged between the clamping element and the rear wall portion, such that the clamping element is movable relative to the rear wall portion deforming the transition portions.

20. The trim element according to claim 14, wherein the receptacle has two clamping elements.

21. The trim element according to claim 20, wherein each clamping element is arranged above one of the two sub-portions.

22. The trim element according to claim 14, wherein the front restraining portions are arranged laterally on the receptacle and spaced apart from each other, such that the rear wall portion or the case of the warning triangle placed in the receptacle is visible between the two front restraining portions.

23. The trim element according to claim 14, wherein the front restraining portions have several rib-like projections on their inner receiving surface facing the case of the warning triangle and/or in that several rib-like projections are formed on the rear wall portion and/or in that several rib-like projections are formed on the support portion.

24. The trim element according to claim 14, wherein the clamping element has a latching portion which is engageable or engaged with the case, in particular with an upper edge of the case, when the warning triangle is placed.

25. A tailgate for a motor vehicle having a trim element according to claim 14.

26. A motor vehicle having a tailgate according to claim 25, wherein the receptacle provided in the trim element is accessible from the inside of the vehicle.

27. The trim element according to claim 15, wherein the support portion has two lateral sub-portions spaced apart from each other.

28. The trim element according to claim 16, wherein the support portion has two lateral sub-portions spaced apart from each other.

29. The trim element according to claim 15, wherein the clamping element is integrally formed with the rear wall portion, wherein transition regions with reduced material thickness are arranged between the clamping element and the rear wall portion, such that the clamping element is movable relative to the rear wall portion deforming the transition portions.

30. The trim element according to claim 16, wherein the clamping element is integrally formed with the rear wall portion, wherein transition regions with reduced material thickness are arranged between the clamping element and the rear wall portion, such that the clamping element is movable relative to the rear wall portion deforming the transition portions.

31. The trim element according to claim 17, wherein the clamping element is integrally formed with the rear wall portion, wherein transition regions with reduced material thickness are arranged between the clamping element and the rear wall portion, such that the clamping element is movable relative to the rear wall portion deforming the transition portions.

32. The trim element according to claim 18, wherein the clamping element is integrally formed with the rear wall portion, wherein transition regions with reduced material thickness are arranged between the clamping element and the rear wall portion, such that the clamping element is movable relative to the rear wall portion deforming the transition portions.

33. The trim element according to claim 15, wherein the receptacle has two clamping elements.

Description

[0023] Further advantages, features and details of the invention will become apparent from the claims, the following description of preferred embodiments, and referring to the drawings. In the drawings:

[0024] FIG. 1 shows a simplified, schematic perspective representation of a sub-section of a trim element having a receptacle and a warning triangle received therein;

[0025] FIG. 2 shows a simplified, schematic perspective representation of the trim element of FIG. 1 having a receptacle without a warning triangle;

[0026] FIG. 3 shows a simplified, schematic top view of a side of the trim element facing the inside of the vehicle having a receptacle and a warning triangle received therein;

[0027] FIG. 4 shows a simplified, schematic top view of a side of the trim element facing away from the inside of the vehicle having a receptacle and a warning triangle received therein;

[0028] FIG. 5 shows a simplified, schematic top view of the side of the trim element facing away from the vehicle interior having a receptacle without a warning triangle;

[0029] FIG. 6 shows simplified sectional views in sub-figures A) and B) which roughly correspond to the section lines A-A and B-B of FIG. 3.

[0030] FIGS. 1 and 2 show a simplified and schematic perspective representation of a sub-section of a trim element 10 for a tailgate (not shown) of a motor vehicle. The reference coordinate system shown in FIG. 1 shows a longitudinal direction X, a transverse direction Y and a vertical direction Z, wherein these directions relate in particular to a motor vehicle in which the trim element 10 is installed. In relation to an installed condition in the motor vehicle, FIGS. 1 and 2 show a direction of view directed obliquely backwards to a side 12 of the trim element 10 facing the inside of the vehicle.

[0031] A receptacle 14 is provided in the trim element 10. The receptacle 14 is provided for receiving a warning triangle (not visible) placed in a case 16 (FIG. 1). It should be noted that the term warning triangle can also be used hereinbelow to represent the case 16 and can be identified with the same reference numeral.

[0032] The receptacle 14 is formed by a rear wall portion 18, two front restraining portions 20, and a support portion 22. In this example, the support portion 22 is divided into two sub-portions 22a, 22b. They are situated on the left and right side, respectively. A gap 24 forming a kind of recessed grip is formed between the two sub-portions 22a, 22b. Relative to an extension of receptacle 14 in the transverse direction Y, the recessed grip 24 is provided approximately centrally.

[0033] In the embodiment shown, two clamping elements 26 are provided in the rear wall portion 18. The clamping elements 26 are designed to be elastic so that they can be deformed when the case 16 of the warning triangle is inserted or removed. The rear wall portion 18 has a guide portion 28 above the clamping element 26 which is curved concavely towards the inside of the vehicle. The warning triangle 16 can be introduced into the received position shown in FIG. 1 along this guide portion 28 or removed from this position along the guide portion 28.

[0034] When the case 16 is inserted, the two clamping elements 26 are in contact with an upper rear edge 30 of the case 16. In particular, the clamping elements have a respective latching portion 27 resting against and/or being engaged with the edge 30. This secures the case in the vertical direction Z. Furthermore, the clamping elements 26 apply forward- and/or downward-acting forces so that the case is pressed against the front restraining portions 20 and/or the sub-portions 22a, 22b. Elastic deflection of the clamping elements 26 is achieved in particular by providing transition regions 32 between the clamping elements 26 and the rear wall portion 18. The transition regions 32 have a lower material thickness than the rear wall portion and/or the clamping elements 26 themselves. Accordingly, the clamping elements 26 can be moved and/or deflected forwards and/or backwards relative to the longitudinal direction X by elastic deformation of the transition regions 32. The clamping elements 26 are integrally formed with the rear wall portion 18.

[0035] As is furthermore apparent in FIG. 2, rib-like projections 34 can be formed on the sub-portions 22a, 22b on which the case 16 rests. Rib-like projections 36 can also be provided in the rear wall portion 18, in particular in the region of the projections 34 of the sub-portions 22a, 22b. In particular, such rib-like projections 34, 36 serve to improve the clamping effect on the case 16 received in the receptacle 14, while at the same time reducing friction compared to a full-surface contact of the case 16 and, for example, the rear wall portion 18, which in particular facilitates removal of the warning triangle and/or the case 16.

[0036] Taking into account both FIGS. 1 and 2, it is also apparent that the front restraining portions 20 are arranged laterally on the receptacle 14 and spaced apart from each other so that the rear wall portion (FIG. 2) or the case 16 (FIG. 1) of the warning triangle placed in the receptacle 14 is visible between the two front restraining portions 20.

[0037] FIG. 3 shows a top view of the trim element 10 having the receptacle 14 and the warning triangle 16 received therein. The viewing direction corresponds to the longitudinal direction X, looking from the inside to a tailgate (not shown) on which the trim element 10 is attached.

[0038] Components that have already been described referring to FIGS. 1 and 2 are designated with the same reference numerals in FIG. 3.

[0039] FIGS. 4 and 5 show the trim element 10 from its rear side 38. That means the viewing direction is from the rear onto the trim element 10 that has not (yet) been installed in a tailgate.

[0040] In FIG. 4, the case 16 of the warning triangle is received in the receptacle 14. FIG. 5 shows the receptacle 14 without a case 16.

[0041] The representations in FIGS. 4 and 5 show lateral centering elements 40. The centering elements 40 have a respective introduction portion 42 inclined relative to the vertical direction Z. Furthermore, a respective receiving portion 44 is adjacent to the introduction portion 42 extending essentially vertically and/or parallel to the vertical direction Z. The introduction portions 42 are designed in such a way that they form a V-shaped and/or funnel-like lateral guide for the case 16. Correspondingly, the case 16 is positively centered, particularly when being inserted into the receptacle 14, and subjected to a clamping force and retained between the two receiving portions 44.

[0042] It is also apparent in FIG. 5 that rib-like projections 48 can be provided on the sides 46 of the front restraining portions 20 facing the receptacle 14. In other words, the rib-like projections 48 are arranged on the rear side 46 of the restraining portions 20. These rib-like projections 48 also serve to improve the clamping effect on the case 16 received in the receptacle 14. Thus full-surface contact of the case with the restraining portions 20 can be avoided, which has a favorable effect on the forces to be applied when removing the case 16.

[0043] Sub-figures A) and B) of FIG. 6 show two simplified sectional views corresponding to the section lines A-A and B-B, respectively, of FIG. 3. These representations clearly show the guide portion 28 of the rear wall portion 18 of the trim element 10 which is curved concavely towards the inside of the vehicle (arrow FI). FIG. 6A further shows the clamping force applied to the upper edge 30 of the case 16 by the clamping element 26. Furthermore, the support portion 22 or its sub-portion 22b can also be seen. FIG. 6B shows the front restraining portion 20 against which the case 16 rests. FIGS. 6A and 6B further show a curved double-headed arrow illustrating the guided introduction into or removal from the receptacle 14 of the case 16or .

[0044] The receptacle 14 provided in the trim element 10 allows the warning triangle to be placed in its case in a tailgate region of a motor vehicle in a safe and visible manner The configuration of the receptacle 14 with the curved rear wall portion 18 (guide portion 28) and the recessed grip 24 allows for easy removal of the warning triangle in its case 16, in particular with an open tailgate when the trim element 10 and, thus, the case 16 are usually arranged overhead in an essentially horizontal manner This would roughly correspond to a situation where the representations of FIGS. 6A and 6B are rotated by 90 degrees counterclockwise. When the tailgate is in the open position, the warning triangle can be removed from the receptacle by simply moving an arm down and forwards. Furthermore, the receptacle is designed in such a way that the case 16 of the warning triangle is clearly visible in the receptacle 14 even when stowed, so that the warning triangle can be found quickly even in a state of emergency such as a breakdown or a collision. The configuration of the receptacle 14 also enables the warning triangle to be safely stored in its case 16 without rattling and without any elements or tools having to be actuated or used either to insert the case 16 into or to remove it from the receptacle 14.