OPERATING ELEMENT ARRANGEMENT FOR A MOTOR VEHICLE FOR ACHIEVING AN AUTOMATIC TOLERANCE COMPENSATION AND METHOD FOR MOUNTING THE SAME

Abstract

An operating element arrangement for a motor vehicle, with an operating element and an attachment device for connecting the operating element to a body of the motor vehicle. The operating element is mounted on the attachment device so as to be displaceable along an actuation path. An adjustment device for adjusting the actuation path has a first adjustment element, a second adjustment element frictionally coupled to the first adjustment element, an adjustment element end stop for limiting the actuation path and a threaded device. The first adjustment element is mounted so as to be rotatable over a first range of rotation angles and the second adjustment element over a second range of rotation angles about a common axis of rotation.

Claims

1. An operating element arrangement for a motor vehicle, comprising: an operating element and an attachment device for connecting the operating element to a body of the motor vehicle, wherein the operating element is mounted on the attachment device so as to be displaceable along an actuation path, wherein an adjustment device for adjusting the actuation path has a first adjustment element, a second adjustment element frictionally coupled to the first adjustment element, an operating element end stop for limiting the actuation path and a threaded device, wherein the first adjustment element is mounted so as to be rotatable over a first range of rotation angles and the second adjustment element over a second range of rotation angles about a common axis of rotation, and wherein the adjustment device is designed such that a rotary movement of the second adjustment element over a first part of the second range of rotation angles by the threaded device causes a displacement of the first adjustment element in the axial direction and takes place over a second part of the second range of rotation angles with the first adjustment element fixed in the axial direction.

2. The operating element arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the operating element is guided with respect to a base body of the attachment device by at least one guide device, and/or the operating element end stop is spaced apart from the operating element in a first position of the operating element and rests against the operating element in a second position of the operating element to limit the actuation path.

3. The operating element arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the operating element end stop is designed on the first adjustment element or is present on an intermediate component which is drive-coupled to the first adjustment element via the threaded device.

4. The operating element arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the operating element end stop engages around a spring element receptacle in which a spring element urging the operating element in the direction facing away from the operating element end stop is arranged.

5. The operating element arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the attachment device has an actuation sensor for determining a deflection of the operating element along the actuation path.

6. The operating element arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the second range of rotation angles extends from a starting angle of rotation to a final angle of rotation and is limited to the final angle of rotation by an adjustment element end stop.

7. The operating element arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the adjustment device has an adjustment element locking device which allows a rotational movement of the second adjustment element from the direction of the starting angle of rotation in the direction of the final angle of rotation over a locking angle of rotation and prevents a rotational movement of the second adjustment element from the direction of the final angle of rotation in the direction of the starting angle of rotation in the locking angle of rotation.

8. The operating element arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the threaded device is designed such that during the rotational movement of the second adjustment element in the direction of the final angle of rotation, the operating element end stop is displaced towards the operating element or a minimum distance between the base body of the attachment device and the intermediate component is increased.

9. A method for mounting an operating element arrangement to the body of a motor vehicle, wherein the operating element arrangement has an operating element and an attachment device for connecting the operating element to a body of the motor vehicle, and the operating element is mounted on the attachment device so as to be displaceable along an actuation path, wherein an adjustment device for adjusting the actuation path has a first adjustment element, a second adjustment element frictionally coupled to the first adjustment element, an operating element end stop for limiting the actuation path and a threaded device, wherein the first adjustment element is mounted so as to be rotatable over a first range of rotation angles and the second adjustment element over a second range of rotation angles about a common axis of rotation, and wherein during mounting, a rotary movement of the second adjustment element is brought about and the adjustment device is designed such that the rotary movement of the second adjustment element over a first part of the second range of rotation angles by the threaded device causes a displacement of the first adjustment element in the axial direction and takes place over a second part of the second range of rotation angles with the first adjustment element fixed in the axial direction.

10. The method according to claim 9, wherein the rotational movement of the second adjustment element during mounting takes place from a starting angle of rotation to a final angle of rotation defined by an adjustment element end stop.

11. The operating element arrangement according to claim 2, wherein the operating element end stop is designed on the first adjustment element or is present on an intermediate component which is drive-coupled to the first adjustment element via the threaded device.

12. The operating element arrangement according to claim 2, wherein the operating element end stop engages around a spring element receptacle in which a spring element urging the operating element in the direction facing away from the operating element end stop is arranged.

13. The operating element arrangement according to claim 3, wherein the operating element end stop engages around a spring element receptacle in which a spring element urging the operating element in the direction facing away from the operating element end stop is arranged.

14. The operating element arrangement according to claim 2, wherein the attachment device has an actuation sensor for determining a deflection of the operating element along the actuation path.

15. The operating element arrangement according to claim 3, wherein the attachment device has an actuation sensor for determining a deflection of the operating element along the actuation path.

16. The operating element arrangement according to claim 4, wherein the attachment device has an actuation sensor for determining a deflection of the operating element along the actuation path.

17. The operating element arrangement according to claim 2, wherein the second range of rotation angles extends from a starting angle of rotation to a final angle of rotation and is limited to the final angle of rotation by an adjustment element end stop.

18. The operating element arrangement according to claim 3, wherein the second range of rotation angles extends from a starting angle of rotation to a final angle of rotation and is limited to the final angle of rotation by an adjustment element end stop.

19. The operating element arrangement according to claim 4, wherein the second range of rotation angles extends from a starting angle of rotation to a final angle of rotation and is limited to the final angle of rotation by an adjustment element end stop.

20. The operating element arrangement according to claim 5, wherein the second range of rotation angles extends from a starting angle of rotation to a final angle of rotation and is limited to the final angle of rotation by an adjustment element end stop.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0041] In the following, the invention will be explained in greater detail with reference to the exemplary embodiments depicted in the drawings, without this restricting the invention. In the figures:

[0042] FIG. 1 shows a schematic representation of a region of a motor vehicle which has a body and an operating element arrangement attached to the body in a first embodiment,

[0043] FIG. 2 shows a schematic representation of the motor vehicle, wherein the operating element arrangement is present in a second embodiment, and

[0044] FIG. 3 shows a schematic representation of a region of the operating element arrangement in an alternative view.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0045] FIG. 1 shows a schematic representation of a motor vehicle 1, which has a body 2 and an operating element arrangement 3 arranged on the body 2 in a first embodiment. The body 2 has a supporting structure 4 to which an outer skin 5 is attached, preferably in a material-locking manner, for example by means of an adhesive 6. The operating element arrangement 3 has an operating element 7 which is arranged in a recess 8 of the body 2, in particular the outer skin 5. The operating element 7 has a base element 9, which extends at least partially or even completely through the recess 8, and a collar 10 extending from the base element 9. In the first position of the operating element 7 shown here, the collar 10 rests against a first operating element end stop 11, which is formed by an edge delimiting the recess 8.

[0046] The operating element 7 is connected to the body 2 by means of an attachment device 12, namely in such a way that the operating element 7 can be displaced with respect to the body 2 along an actuation path. The attachment device 12 has a base body 13 which is fastened to the supporting structure 4, for example in a form-fitting manner as shown. Alternatively, the attachment device 12 can be fastened to the body 2 by means of bolts. In order to achieve a defined actuation path of the operating element 9 despite the large tolerances caused, for example, by the adhesive 6 between the supporting structure 4 and the outer skin 5, the operating element arrangement 3 also has an adjustment device 14. This has a first adjustment element 15, a second adjustment element 16, a second operating element end stop 17 and a threaded device 18.

[0047] The two adjustment elements 15 and 16 are mounted so as to rotate about a common axis of rotation 19. The second adjustment element 16 is coupled to the first adjustment element 15 in a force-fitting manner, for example by engaging with the first adjustment element 15 with a press fit as shown here. It can be provided that the second adjustment element 16 completely penetrates the first adjustment element 15 in the axial direction with respect to the axis of rotation 19. In principle, however, it is sufficient for the second adjustment element 16 to only partially penetrate or engage with the first adjustment element 15.

[0048] The first adjustment element 15 is drive-connected to an intermediate component 20 via the threaded device 18. Here, the first adjustment element 15 forms a first part of the threaded device 18, namely an external thread, and the intermediate component 20 forms a second part of the threaded device 18, namely an internal thread. The external thread of the first adjustment element 15 engages with the internal thread of the intermediate component 20, so that a rotational movement of the first adjustment element 15 causes an axial displacement of the intermediate component 20.

[0049] The operating element end stop 17 is formed on the intermediate component 20. Furthermore, a spring 21 is arranged between the attachment device 12 or its base body 13 and the intermediate component 20, which urges the intermediate component 20 away from the attachment device 12, i.e. in the direction of the operating element 7. An actuation sensor 22 is also arranged on the intermediate component 20, by means of which an actuation of the operating element 7 can be sensed. The operating element end stop 17 delimits a spring element receptacle 23 in which a spring element 24 is arranged, which rests on the one hand on the intermediate component 20 and on the other hand on the operating element 7. The spring element 24 urges the operating element 7 in the direction of the first operating element end stop 11, i.e. away from the operating element end stop 17, which forms a second operating element end stop 17.

[0050] In the illustrated embodiment, a seal 25 is also arranged between the attachment device 12, in particular its base body 13, and the supporting structure 4, which on the other hand is connected to the operating element 7. The seal 25 seals the recess 8 directly on its inner side, so that the penetration of moisture is reliably prevented. The adjustment device 14 serves to set an actuation path along which the operating element 7 can be displaced, in particular to set a length s of the actuation path. For this purpose, the distance between the operating element 7 resting on the first operating element end stop 11 and the second operating element end stop 17 can be adjusted, namely by means of the adjustment device 14.

[0051] When mounting the operating element arrangement 3 on the body 2, the attachment device 12 is first connected to the supporting structure 4. The spring 21 urges the intermediate component 20 in the direction of the operating element 7 until it rests against the outer skin 5 and is supported there. For example, the supporting structure 4 has a recess 26 through which the intermediate component 20 extends. By means of the spring 21, the desired length s of the actuation path is already set. However, when the operating element 7 is actuated, the intermediate component 20 can first be deflected by compressing the spring 21, so that the operating element 7 can be displaced beyond the actuation path.

[0052] For this reason, the second adjustment element 16 is rotated during mounting so that it takes the first adjustment element 15 with it due to the force-fitting connection. Due to the resulting rotational movement of the first adjustment element 15, the threaded device 18 causes the first adjustment element 15 to move out of the intermediate component 20 or the distance of a collar 27 of the first adjustment element 15 from the intermediate component 20 to increase. This is indicated by arrow 28. The first adjustment element 15 is carried by the second adjustment element 16 in the circumferential direction until the collar 27 rests against the attachment device 12 or the base body 13.

[0053] Subsequently, the first adjustment element 15 is blocked so that the second adjustment element 16 rotates relative to the first adjustment element 15. During mounting, the second adjustment element 16 is rotated from a starting angle of rotation to a final angle of rotation. The final angle of rotation is defined by an adjustment element end stop 29, against which the second adjustment element 16 rests in the final angle of rotation, for example with a boom 30. With the described design of the operating element arrangement 3, a quick and efficient installation on the motor vehicle is implemented.

[0054] FIG. 2 shows the motor vehicle 1 with the operating element arrangement 3 in a second embodiment. With regard to the basic structure, reference is made to the above explanations and the differences are discussed below. These consist in the fact that the intermediate component 20 is omitted. The first adjustment element 15 now interacts with the attachment device 12 or its base body 13 via the threaded device 18. In addition to the elements already mentioned, there is a power connection 31, by means of which, for example, a lighting of the operating element 7 can be supplied with electrical power. Such a power connection 31 can of course also be provided in the first embodiment.

[0055] The sealing of the operating element arrangement 3 is again carried out using the seal 25. However, it goes without saying that the seal 25 can also be omitted and replaced by other seals. For example, in this case it would be useful to arrange a seal between the first adjustment element 15 and the attachment device 12. A further seal would have to be provided between the actuation sensor 22 and the attachment device 12 and a third seal would have to be used to seal the power connection 31. The latter can, for example, be in the form of an elastic bellows in which an electrical line of the power connection 31 runs. If the seal 25 is omitted, a drainage connection could also be present which opens into a space between the operating element 7 and the attachment device 12. The drainage connection allows moisture present in the room to be drained away towards the outside environment, preferably due to the influence of gravity on the moisture.

[0056] During mounting of the operating element arrangement 3 on the motor vehicle 1, the first adjustment element 15 is again first rotated from the starting angle of rotation in the direction of the final angle of rotation, i.e. until the second adjustment element 16 interacts with the adjustment element end stop 29. Over this mounting angle of rotation, the second adjustment element 16 drives the first adjustment element 15 via the force-fitting connection, namely until the first adjustment element 15 with the second operating element end stop 17 rests on the operating element 7 and this in turn rests on the first operating element end stop 11. By turning the second adjustment element 16, the first adjustment element 15 is pushed against the operating element 7 and the latter is displaced in the direction of the first operating element end stop 11 until it rests against it.

[0057] Consequently, the operating element 7 is held clamped between the two operating element stops 11 and 17, so that the length of the actuation path is initially zero. In order to set the desired length of the actuation path, the second adjustment element 16 is therefore rotated counter to the mounting direction of rotation, whereby the first adjustment element 15 is in turn taken along and moves away from the operating element 7. The second adjustment element 16 is rotated counter to the mounting direction of rotation up to a defined angle of rotation in which the second operating element end stop 17 has the desired distance from the operating element 7, so that the desired length of the actuation path is set.

[0058] FIG. 3 shows a schematic representation of a region of the operating element arrangement 3 in an alternative view. In particular, the second adjustment element 16 is shown in different rotation angle positions with respect to the common rotation axis 19. An arrow 32 shows the rotational movement of the second adjustment element 16 from the starting rotation angle to the final rotation angle, in which the second adjustment element 16 interacts with the adjustment element end stop 29 or rests against it. Between the starting angle of rotation and the final angle of rotation there is a locking angle of rotation which is defined by an adjustment element locking device 33.

[0059] The adjustment element locking device 33 is designed such that it allows the rotational movement of the second adjustment element 16 starting from the starting angle of rotation in the direction of the final angle of rotation over the locking angle of rotation. In the opposite direction, i.e. opposite to the mounting direction of rotation, the rotational movement of the second adjustment element 16 is limited to the locking angle of rotation. The second adjustment element 16 is thus displaced from the final angle of rotation back in the direction of the starting angle of rotation, according to the arrow 34, however, only up to the locking angle lying between the starting angle of rotation and the final angle of rotation.

[0060] The difference between the final angle of rotation and the locking angle of rotation is dimensioned such that after turning the second adjustment element 16 from the final angle of rotation to the locking angle of rotation, the desired length of the actuation path is set, i.e. the desired distance between the second operating element end stop 17 and the operating element 7 resting against the first operating element end stop 11 is present.

[0061] The described design of the operating element arrangement 3 or of the motor vehicle 1 has the advantage that the operating element arrangement 3 can be quickly mounted on the body 2 of the motor vehicle 1, while at the same time the actuation path is adjusted to the desired length. During mounting, the second adjustment element 16 is always rotated over the same range of rotation angles, regardless of the tolerances. The adjustment of the actuation path takes place automatically.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS

[0062] 1 motor vehicle [0063] 2 body [0064] 3 operating element arrangement [0065] 4 supporting structure [0066] 5 outer skin [0067] 6 adhesive [0068] 7 operating element [0069] 8 recess [0070] 9 base element [0071] 10 collar [0072] 11 1. operating element end stop [0073] 12 attachment device [0074] 13 base body [0075] 14 adjustment device [0076] 15 1. adjustment element [0077] 16 2. adjustment element [0078] 17 2. operating element end stop [0079] 18 threaded device [0080] 19 axis of rotation [0081] 20 intermediate component [0082] 21 spring [0083] 22 actuation sensor [0084] 23 spring element receptacle [0085] 24 spring element [0086] 25 seal [0087] 26 recess [0088] 27 collar [0089] 28 arrow [0090] 29 adjustment element end stop [0091] 30 boom [0092] 31 power connection [0093] 32 arrow [0094] 33 adjustment element locking device [0095] 34 arrow