CONNECTING STRUCTURE FOR AN ACTUATOR CONNECTED TO AN OPENING FLAP IN AN EXTERIOR TRIM COMPONENT

Abstract

A connecting structure for connecting an actuator to an opening flap for opening and closing an exterior trim component of a motor vehicle is disclosed, wherein the connecting structure has at least one carrier arrangement, which can be connected to the opening flap, and at least one connecting section arranged on the carrier arrangement, with which the opening flap can be connected to the actuator for moving the opening flap. The invention also relates to an exterior trim component with such a connecting structure and to a motor vehicle with such an exterior trim component.

Claims

1. A connecting structure for an actuator connected to an opening flap for opening and closing an exterior trim component of a motor vehicle comprising a carrier arrangement connected to the opening flap, and a connecting section being arranged on the carrier arrangement such that the opening flap is connected with the actuator by way of the connecting section, and is moved by the actuator.

2. The connecting structure according to claim 1, wherein the opening flap is delimited by an outer edge and the carrier arrangement comprises at least one outer carrier which follows the course of the outer edge.

3. The connecting structure according to claim 1, wherein the opening flap is delimited by an outer edge and the carrier arrangement comprises at least one cross member, with the two ends of the at least one cross member arranged in the region of the outer edge.

4. The connecting structure according to claim 1, wherein the carrier arrangement comprises at least one additional carrier, with one end of the at least one additional carrier arranged in the region of the outer edge.

5. The connecting structure according to claim 3, wherein the outer carrier, the cross member and/or the additional carrier are connected to one another.

6. The connecting structure according to claim 5, wherein at least one stiffening rib is arranged on the outer carrier, the cross member and/or the additional carrier.

7. The connecting structure according to claim 1, wherein the connecting section comprises a swivel Joint or a ball joint, by way of which the opening flap is connected to the actuator for moving the opening flap.

8. An exterior trim component of a motor vehicle, comprising an opening flap which is formed by the exterior trim component and is movable relative to the exterior trim component, or which is movably fastened to the exterior trim component by way of a fastening element and is arranged in an opening in the exterior trim component, an actuator constructed to move the opening flap between an open position in which the opening flap opens the trim component or the opening and a closed position in which the opening flap closes the exterior trim component or the opening, wherein the exterior trim component has a connecting structure according to claim 1, which cooperates with the opening flap, and the actuator is connected to the connecting structure by way of the connecting section.

9. The exterior trim component according to claim 7, wherein the opening flap comprises a flat base body with a first side and a second side, and wherein the first side forms a visible side that is visible from the outside, and the carrier arrangement is connected to the base body with the second side.

10. The exterior trim component according to claim 8, wherein the carrier arrangement is connected to the base body with the second side by one or more of the group consisting of gluing, welding and clipping.

11. The exterior trim component according to claim 7, wherein the opening flap is delimited by an outer edge and the carrier arrangement surrounds the outer edge in a form-fitting manner.

12. The exterior trim component according to claim 8, wherein the carrier arrangement is connected to the base body in sections.

13. The exterior trim component according to claim 8, wherein the connecting structure has at least one receiving section for components of the motor vehicle.

14. The exterior trim component according to claim 8, wherein the exterior trim component is constructed as a bumper, and the opening flap is constructed as an air flap.

15. A motor vehicle, comprising an exterior trim component according to claim 14.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES OF THE DRAWINGS

[0037] Exemplary embodiments of the invention will now be explained in more detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein

[0038] FIG. 1A shows a basic front view of a motor vehicle which has an exterior trim component with an opening flap according to the present invention,

[0039] FIG. 1B shows a separate illustration of the opening flap shown in FIG. 1A,

[0040] FIG. 1C shows a sectional view through the exterior trim component along the section plane X-X defined in FIG. 1A,

[0041] FIG. 2A shows a plan view of a first exemplary embodiment of a connecting structure fastened on an opening flap,

[0042] FIG. 2B shows a plan view of a second exemplary embodiment of a connecting structure fastened on an opening flap,

[0043] FIG. 2C shows a plan view of a third exemplary embodiment of a connecting structure fastened on an opening flap,

[0044] FIG. 2D shows a plan view of a fourth exemplary embodiment of a connecting structure fastened on an opening flap,

[0045] FIG. 3A shows a plan view of a fifth exemplary embodiment of a connecting structure fastened on an opening flap,

[0046] FIG. 3B shows a sectional illustration along the sectional plane Y-Y defined in FIG. 3A,

[0047] FIG. 4A shows a plan view of a sixth exemplary embodiment of a connecting structure fastened on an opening flap,

[0048] FIG. 4B shows a sectional view along the sectional plane Z-Z defined in FIG. 4A

[0049] FIG. 5 shows a basic sectional illustration through a seventh exemplary embodiment of an opening flap and a connecting structure, and

[0050] FIG. 6 is a basic sectional view through an eighth embodiment of an opening flap and a connecting structure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0051] Throughout all the Figures, same or corresponding elements are generally indicated by same reference numerals.

[0052] FIG. 1 shows in a front view a motor vehicle 10, which includes an exterior trim component 12. The exterior trim component 12 has two opening flaps 16 which are formed by the exterior trim component 12. For this purpose, the exterior trim component 12 has corresponding openings 14. The opening flaps 16 are designed such that they can be moved relative to the rest of the exterior trim component 12. In FIG. 1A, the opening flap 16 is designed as an air flap 18, so that when the air flap 18 is in an open position, as illustrated in FIG. 1A, air can be guided into the interior of the exterior trim component 12. There, the air can be used, for example, to cool an unillustrated intercooler.

[0053] In FIG. 1B, the opening flap 16 is shown separately in a plan view. The opening flap 16 has a flat base body 20 having a first side 22 and a second side 24. The first side 22 of the base body 20 is the visible side 26, which is visible from the outside. In FIG. 1A, one looks at the visible side 26 of the base body 20, while in FIG. 1B, one looks at the second side 24. A connecting structure 28 which is used in particular to stiffen the base body 20 is arranged on the second side 24 of the base body 20.

[0054] Because the opening flap 16 is formed by the trim component 12, the opening flap 16 forms a transition section 30 in which the opening flap 16 can be bent and thus moved relative to the rest of the trim component 12. A connecting section 32, with which the opening flap 16 can be connected to an actuator 33 (see FIG. 1C) constructed to move the opening flap 16 between an open position and a closed position, is arranged on the connecting structure 28.

[0055] The opening flap 16 has an outer edge 34 which delimits the base body 20. The connecting structure 28 includes a carrier arrangement 31 with an outer carrier 35, which essentially follows the course of the outer edge 34. In addition, the carrier arrangement 31 of the connecting structure 28 includes a cross member 36, which is arranged with its two ends in the region of the outer edge 34. In addition, the carrier arrangement 31 has three additional carriers 38 which each have a respective end arranged in the region of the outer edge 34 and which run from the respective ends to the interior of the base body 20. The outer carrier 35, the cross member 36 and the additional carriers 38 are connected to one another so as to form a framework 40. In the illustrated example, the connecting section 32 is arranged on the cross member 36, while the transition section 30 is arranged on the base body 20 spaced apart from the connecting structure 28.

[0056] FIG. 1C shows a cross section through the exterior trim component 12 along the section plane X-X defined in FIG. 1A. It can be seen that the opening flap 16 is bendable in the transition section 30 and is therefore movable relative to the rest of the exterior trim component 12. In addition, the actuator 33 can be seen, with which the opening flap 16 can be moved between the open position and the closed position. The actuator 33 is connected to the opening flap 16 via the connecting section 32 arranged on the connecting structure 28.sub.1. The actuator 33 can be activated, for example, via a control system (not shown) of the motor vehicle 10, depending on the operating state, in order to thus move the opening flap 16 between the open position and the closed position.

[0057] FIGS. 2A to 2D show four different embodiments of the connecting structure 28.sub.1-28.sub.4 according to the invention, each in a top view of the second side 24 of the opening flap 16. In the first exemplary embodiment of the connecting structure 28.sub.1 shown in FIG. 2A, the connecting structure 28, includes the aforementioned cross member 36 and the likewise aforementioned outer carrier 35, with the outer carrier 35 forming a receiving section 42 in which a component of the motor vehicle 10, for example, a distance sensor or wiring can be arranged. In the first embodiment, the connecting section 32 is arranged on the cross member 36.

[0058] FIG. 2B shows a second exemplary embodiment of the connecting structure 28.sub.2, which largely corresponds to the first exemplary embodiment of the connecting structure 28.sub.1; however, the outer carrier 35 in this embodiment does not form a receiving section 42.

[0059] FIG. 2C shows a third exemplary embodiment of the connecting structure 28.sub.3 according to the invention, which largely corresponds to the connecting structure 28 shown in FIGS. 1A to 1C. The connecting structure 28.sub.3 according to the third exemplary embodiment has a total of three additional carriers 38 which each run in an approximately Y-shaped pattern between the outer carrier 35 and the cross member 36. In this exemplary embodiment, the outer carrier 35, the cross member 36 and the additional carriers 38 form a framework 40. In the first, second and third exemplary embodiment of the connecting structure 28.sub.3, the connecting section 32 is arranged on the cross member 36.

[0060] FIG. 2D shows a fourth exemplary embodiment of the connecting structure 28.sub.4 according to the invention, which largely corresponds to the third exemplary embodiment. In addition, however, stiffening ribs 44 are provided, which give the carrier arrangement 31 additional rigidity. In addition, in this exemplary embodiment, the opening flap 16 is designed as a separate component and is fastened to the trim component 12 in an opening 45 of the trim component 12 by a hinge-shaped fastening element 43. The fastening element 43 is designed such that the opening flap 16 is not, as in the other exemplary embodiments, bent when moving between the open position and the closed position in the transition section 30, but is instead rotated about an axis of rotation T. The opening 45 is open in the open position, while the opening 45 is closed in the closed position.

[0061] FIG. 3A shows a fifth exemplary embodiment of the connecting structure 28.sub.5 according to the invention in a plan view and in FIG. 3B in a sectional view along the sectional plane Y-Y defined in FIG. 3A. As can be seen in particular from FIG. 3B, the outer carrier 35 engages here around the outer edge 34 of the opening flap 16, thus creating a positive connection between the carrier arrangement 31 and the opening flap 16. A portion of the outer carrier 35 is therefore visible from the visible side 26. This portion can be designed, for example, as a decorative strip for setting the opening flap 16 apart from the rest of the exterior trim component 12. The embodiments of the connecting structure 28.sub.1 to 28.sub.4 shown in FIGS. 2A to 2D can be connected to the opening flap 16 in this way.

[0062] As also seen from FIGS. 3A and 3B, the connecting structure 28.sub.5 of the fifth exemplary embodiment also has the previously mentioned stiffening ribs 44, which in this exemplary embodiment are arranged on the cross member 36 and the additional carrier 38.

[0063] FIGS. 4A and 4B show a sixth exemplary embodiment of the connecting structure 28.sub.6 according to the invention analogous to the illustrations of FIGS. 3A and 3B. In this case, the connecting structure 28.sub.6 is connected to the opening flap on the second side 24, for example by gluing, welding or clipping. The connecting structure 28.sub.6 is therefore not visible from the first side 22.

[0064] FIG. 5 shows a seventh exemplary embodiment of a connecting structure 28.sub.7 and an opening flap 16 in a schematic sectional illustration. The connecting section 32 is constructed in the form of a swivel joint 46, so that the actuator 33 (not shown here) can be connected to the opening flap 16 for rotation about a fixed rotation axis A. In the connected state, both tensile and compressive forces can be transmitted between the actuator 33 and the opening flap 16.

[0065] Furthermore, the connecting structure 28.sub.7 is in this case clipped to the opening flap 16 by a positive connection. For this purpose, the opening flap 16 has a number of projections 48 which form an undercut. The projections 48 are guided through corresponding through openings 50 in the connecting structure 28.sub.7. The projections 48 have a certain elasticity, so that they are slightly compressed, particularly in the area forming the undercuts, when they passed through the through openings 50. When the connecting structure 27 is in contact with the opening flap 16, the compressed areas return to their starting position, thus establishing the positive connection.

[0066] FIG. 6 shows an eighth exemplary embodiment of a connecting structure 28.sub.8, likewise in a schematic sectional illustration. In this case, the connecting section 32 is designed as a ball joint 52, so that the actuator 33 can be connected to the opening flap 16 for rotation about any axis. In this case, too, both tensile and compressive forces can be transmitted between the actuator 33 and the opening flap 16. Furthermore, the connecting structure 28 is here fastened to the opening flap 16 with an adhesive 54.

[0067] Not shown is an embodiment where the connecting section 32 is designed as a bellow, which forms a swivel joint. The connecting structure 28 can be produced, for example, with a two-component injection molding process, with the bellow being implemented with a rubber-like plastic.

[0068] While the invention has been illustrated and described as embodied in a connecting structure as described, it is not intended to be limited to the details shown since various modifications and structural changes may be made without departing in any way from the spirit of the present invention. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and practical application to thereby enable a person skilled in the art to best utilize the invention and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated.

[0069] What is claimed as new and desired to be protected by Letters Patent is set forth in the appended claims and their equivalents: