U.S. patent application number 09/822844 was filed with the patent office on 2002-02-21 for arrangement for controlling the movement of a rearward-side air guiding system on motor vehicles.
Invention is credited to Erdelitsch, Georg, Haecker, Walter, Jagodizinski, Thomas, Mueller, Herbert, Preis, Johannes.
Application Number | 20020021022 09/822844 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 7637310 |
Filed Date | 2002-02-21 |
United States Patent
Application |
20020021022 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Erdelitsch, Georg ; et
al. |
February 21, 2002 |
ARRANGEMENT FOR CONTROLLING THE MOVEMENT OF A REARWARD-SIDE AIR
GUIDING SYSTEM ON MOTOR VEHICLES
Abstract
Arrangement for controlling the movement of a rearward-side air
guiding system on motor vehicles, the rearward-side air guiding
system having a rear spoiler provided on a rearward-side hood and a
rear wing connected therewith, and the rear wing being movable by
means of the arrangement from a retracted inoperative position into
an extended operative position and vice versa. The arrangement for
controlling the movement of the rear wing includes at least two
telescopic tilt-out devices and one connection respectively between
a driving device and the telescopic tilt-out device. The driving
device contains a motor and at least one hydraulic cylinder, so
that, when the motor (17) is triggered, a pressure is built up in
the at least one hydraulic cylinder (18,18') which can be
transmitted to the telescopic tilt-out devices (16, 16') and has
the effect that the rear wing (12) is moved against a spring force
into its operative position.
Inventors: |
Erdelitsch, Georg;
(Wiernsheim-Iptingen, DE) ; Haecker, Walter;
(Tamm, DE) ; Jagodizinski, Thomas; (Leonberg,
DE) ; Mueller, Herbert; (Nuernberg, DE) ;
Preis, Johannes; (Lenfeld, DE) |
Correspondence
Address: |
CROWELL & MORING LLP
Intellectual Property Group
P. O. Box 14300
Washington
DC
20044-4300
US
|
Family ID: |
7637310 |
Appl. No.: |
09/822844 |
Filed: |
April 2, 2001 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
296/180.1 ;
296/180.5 |
Current CPC
Class: |
Y10S 180/903 20130101;
B62D 37/02 20130101; Y02T 10/82 20130101; B62D 35/007 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
296/180.1 ;
296/180.5 |
International
Class: |
B62D 035/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Mar 31, 2000 |
DE |
100 16 334.3 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. An arrangement for controlling movement of a rearward-side air
guiding system on motor vehicles, the system having a rear spoiler
provided on a rearward-side hood and a rear wing connected with
said rear spoiler wherein said rear wing is moveable by the
arrangement from a retracted inoperative position into an extended
operative position and vice versa, the arrangement for controlling
the movement of the rear wing comprising: a driving device having a
motor and at least one hydraulic cylinder; at least two telescopic
tilt-out devices; a connection device positioned between the
driving device and the telescopic tilt-out devices; wherein, when
the motor is triggered, pressure is built up in said at least one
hydraulic cylinder and transmitted to said telescopic tilt-out
devices whereby the rear wing is moved into its operative position
against a spring force.
2. The arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the telescopic
tilt-out device has an outer tube held in position on the rear
spoiler and a first inner tube connected with the rear wing, and
the first inner tube of the telescopic tilt-out device is displaced
in the outer tube in the longitudinal direction.
3. The arrangement according to claim 2, wherein the first inner
tube contains a second inner tube which has a smaller diameter, is
firmly connected with the outer tube and cannot be moved, and a
spring is arranged between the outer wall of the smaller second
inner tube and the interior wall of the first inner tube, so that
the spring is tensioned or relaxed during a movement of the inner
tube.
4. The arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the displaceable
first inner tube has a bayonet catch on its end facing the rear
wing, by means of which bayonet catch the telescopic tilt-out
device can be fastened on the rear wing.
5. The arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the driving
device, viewed in the transverse direction of the vehicle, is
arranged approximately in the center, and the driving device has as
many outputs as telescopic tilt-out devices and one hydraulic
connection respectively is arranged between the outputs and the
telescopic tilt-out devices.
6. The arrangement according to claim 1, wherein one hydraulic
cylinder respectively exists for each telescopic tilt-out device,
and the hydraulic cylinders are connected with one another in the
direct proximity of their outputs by way of a nozzle.
7. A rearward-side air guiding system for a motor vehicle, said
system comprising: a rear spoiler provided on a rearward-side hood;
a rear wing connected with said rearward rearward-side hood; a
driving device for moving said rear wing from a retracted
inoperative position into an extended operative position and back
into said retracted inoperative position, said driving device
comprising: a motor and at least one hydraulic cylinder; at least
two telescopic tilt-out devices; a connection device positioned
between the driving device and the telescopic tilt-out device
wherein when said motor is triggered, pressure is built up in said
at least one hydraulic cylinder and transmitted to the telescopic
tilt-out devices whereby the rear wing is moved into its operative
position against a spring force.
8. The air guiding system according to claim 7, wherein the
telescopic tilt-out device has an outer tube held in position on
the rear spoiler and a first inner tube connected with the rear
wing, and the first inner tube of the telescopic tilt-out device is
displaced in the outer tube in the longitudinal direction.
9. The air guiding system according to claim 7, wherein the first
inner tube contains a second inner tube which has a smaller
diameter, is firmly connected with the outer tube and cannot be
moved, and a spring is arranged between the outer wall of the
smaller second inner tube and the interior wall of the first inner
tube, so that the spring is tensioned or relaxed during a movement
of the inner tube.
10. The air guiding system according to claim 7, wherein the
displaceable first inner tube has a bayonet catch on its end facing
the rear wing, by means of which bayonet catch the telescopic
tilt-out device can be fastened on the rear wing.
11. The air guiding system according to claim 7, wherein the
driving device, viewed in the transverse direction of the vehicle,
is arranged approximately in the center, and the driving device has
as many outputs as telescopic tilt-out devices and one hydraulic
connection respectively is arranged between the outputs and the
telescopic tilt-out devices.
12. The air guiding system according to claim 7, wherein one
hydraulic cylinder respectively exists for each telescopic tilt-out
device, and the hydraulic cylinders are connected with one another
in the direct proximity of their outputs by way of a nozzle.
Description
[0001] This application claims the priority of German Patent
Document 100 16 334.3, filed Mar. 31, 2000, the disclosure of which
is expressly incorporated by reference herein.
BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The invention relates to the arrangement for controlling the
movement of a rearward-side air guiding system on the motor
vehicle.
[0003] German Patent Document DE 197 41 321 A1 describes a
rearward-side air guiding system which is composed of a rear
spoiler provided on a rearward-side hood and of a rear wing
connected with the rear spoiler, and the rear wing being movable by
means of a driving device from a retracted inoperative position
into an extended operative position and vice versa. In the case of
this known system, the driving device consists of a central geared
motor which, by way of flexible drive shafts, is connected with two
telescopic tilt-out devices carrying the rear wing. Each telescopic
tilt-out device consists at least of an outer tube held in position
on the rear spoiler and an inner tube connected with the rear wing,
which inner tube carries out a linear displacement movement.
[0004] The arrangement according to the invention improves upon the
known arrangement in that it can be implemented without high
mechanical expenditures, and the restoring movement takes place
automatically on the basis of the integrated spring arrangement.
The providing of a hydraulic arrangement for the transmission of
energy has the advantage that, in comparison to mechanical
arrangements, it is significantly more resistant to wear and
simultaneously generates less noise.
[0005] The providing of a fixedly mounted outer tube and of an
inner tube, which can be displaced therein in the longitudinal
direction, has the advantage that the construction provides an
overall aesthetic appearance in the extended position of the rear
wing and simultaneously, because of the visible cylindrical shape
and the smooth surface, no dirt can be deposited which, in turn,
increases the durability.
[0006] A bayonet catch on the telescopic tilt-out device for the
connection with the rear wing has the advantage that the mounting
is very simple and that, also in the event of a repair, the
connection can be opened without any problems and subsequently can
be reestablished.
[0007] Another advantage is achieved by a nozzle between the two
hydraulic cylinders which, in the event of a non-uniform movement,
ensures that a compensation of the hydraulic medium takes place
between the hydraulic cylinders and the telescopic tilt-out devices
which move in a uniform manner and therefore ensure a harmonic
overall movement of the rearward-side air guiding system.
[0008] Other objects, advantages and novel features of the present
invention will become apparent from the following detailed
description of the invention when considered in conjunction with
the accompanying drawings.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0009] Embodiments of the invention are illustrated in the drawing
and will be explained in detail in the following.
[0010] FIG. 1 is a perspective basic view diagonally from the rear
of the air guiding system, the driving device and the telescopic
tilt-out devices;
[0011] FIG. 2 is a view of the drive unit with the connection to
the telescopic tilt-out devices without any air guiding system;
[0012] FIG. 3 is a detailed view of the driving device; and
[0013] FIG. 4 is a detailed view of a telescopic tilt-out
device.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0014] FIG. 1 is a basic perspective view diagonally from the rear
of an air guiding system 10 which is composed of a stationary rear
spoiler arranged on the rear top side and of a rear wing 12
connected therewith. The rear spoiler 11 is arranged on the
rearward end of a rearward-side hood 13. The rear wing 12 can be
displaced by means of a driving device 14 from a retracted
inoperative position into an extended operative position and vice
versa. The driving device 14 consists of a motor which, viewed in
the transverse direction of the vehicle, is arranged approximately
in the center. From the driving device 14, two connections 15 and
15' respectively extend to a telescopic tilt-out device 16 and 16'
carrying the rear wing 12. In FIG. 1, two spaced telescopic
tilt-out devices 16 and 16' are provided for holding the rear wing
12.
[0015] FIG. 2 illustrates the driving device with the connection to
the telescopic tilt-out devices without any air guiding system, the
same reference numbers being used for identical components. It is
again clearly illustrated here that the driving device 14 is in
each case connected by way of connections 15 and 15' with the
telescopic tilt-out devices 16 and 16'. For this purpose, the drive
unit has two outputs 19 and 19' to which the connections 15 and 15'
are joined for forming the hydraulic unit.
[0016] The method of operation of the driving device in connection
with the telescopic tilt-out devices is to be explained in the
following by means of FIGS. 2 and 3.
[0017] FIG. 3 is a partially sectional view of the driving device
14. The driving device 14 contains a motor 17 which is arranged in
a cylindrical housing 18. On the side of the driving device 14
situated opposite the motor 17, two hydraulic cylinders 18 and 18'
are arranged side-by-side with one hydraulic cylinder 18 being
connected by way of an output 19 with the first connection 15 which
extends to the telescopic tilt-out device 16. The pistons 21 and
21', which are both moved from the motor 14 by way of a
corresponding constructive design, move in each case in the
hydraulic cylinders 18 and 18'. When the motor 17 is triggered, a
corresponding pressure is built up in the hydraulic cylinders 18
and 18', which pressure, by way of the outputs 19 and 19' as well
as by way of the connections 15 and 15', causes a corresponding
movement of the telescopic tilt-out devices 16 and 16'. The
constructive design for the movement of the pistons 21 and 21' is
as follows. In the housing 20 of the drive unit 14, a centrally
arranged threaded spindle 22 is provided which is fixedly connected
with the motor 17 and on which a slide 23 is movably arranged. When
the motor 17 is triggered, this slide 23 moves in the direction of
the side of the drive unit 14 situated opposite the motor 17. One
connection element 24 and 24' respectively is provided from the
slide to the pistons 21 and 21', which connection element 24 and
24' moves the pistons into the direction of a reduction of the size
of the hydraulic cylinder and thus, in the piston--cylinder unit,
by way of the hydraulic effect and the connection with the
telescopic tilt-out devices, the latter are then moved into their
operative position. The mutually connected components--connection
element 24, 24' and piston 21, 21'--are connected with a definable
play which permits a relative movement of these two components with
respect to one another. At the outputs 19 and 19' of the hydraulic
cylinders, a nozzle 25 is provided by means of which, in the event
of a varying movement of the telescopic tilt-out devices, for
example, because of a leakage of hydraulic liquid in one of the
cylinders, a compensation of the hydraulic liquid and therefore
again a uniform movement of the two telescopic tilt-out devices 16
and 16' is ensured, so that a harmonic sequence of the movements of
the rear wing is achieved. The connection of the connection element
and the piston with a definable play makes it possible that, when
the rear wing is returned into its inoperative position, the system
can be completely depressurized, whereby a gap-free fit of the rear
wing on the rear spoiler is obtained.
[0018] FIG. 4 is a partially sectional representation of a
telescopic tilt-out device 16, so that its construction and method
of operation can be explained by means of the figure. The
telescopic tilt-out device comprises a stationary outer tube 26 and
in inner tube 27 which can be displaced in the vertical direction,
the stationary outer tube 26 being fastened on the stationary rear
spoiler 11, and the displaceable inner tube 27 being connected with
the rear wing 12. The basic function of the telescopic tilt-out
device is illustrated in the initially cited German Patent Document
DE 197 43 321 A1. When the air guiding system is controlled for a
moving-out of the rear wing, the inner tube 27 is moved out of the
stationary outer tube 26. In the arrangement according to the
invention, an input 28 is provided on the side of the telescopic
tilt-out device 16 which is situated on the side facing the rear
spoiler, to which input 28 the connection 15 which is not shown
here is led for transmitting the hydraulic liquid. In the
displaceable inner tube 27, another centrally arranged inner tube
29 of a smaller diameter is arranged which is firmly anchored
analogous to the outer tube. The displaceable inner tube 27
essentially has the shape of a sleeve with a closed bottom on the
side facing the rear spoiler. The centrally arranged inner tube 26
projects only through an opening on the closed bottom so that, when
the rear wing moves out, the displaceable inner tube 27 moves along
on the fixedly mounted centrally arranged inner tube 29. The
displaceable inner tube 27 has an end piece 39 which, in the
center, is connected with a connecting rod 40 which, in turn, is
disposed in the fixedly mounted, centrally arranged inner tube 29.
In addition, a stamp-shaped arrangement 30 is contained centrally
in the inner tube 29, which stamp-shaped arrangement 30 is not
moved along during a movement of the movably arranged inner tube 27
for the moving-out of the telescopic tilt-out devices 16 and 16'.
On the end of the connecting rod 40 facing the rear spoiler, an end
piece 34 is arranged such that a hollow space 31 is created which
is part of the hydraulic system. When the motor of the drive unit
is triggered, hydraulic liquid is pumped into this hollow space 31
and, by way of this pressure, the connecting rod 40 with the end
piece 39 is hydraulically moved such that, as a result of the fixed
connection with the inner tube 27, a displacement of the inner tube
27 out of the outer tube 26 takes place. Between the inner tube 27
and the smaller inner tube 29, a spring 32 is arranged which is
only partially shown here. During the moving-out of the
displaceable unit, the closed bottom of the displaceable inner tube
27 takes along the spring 32 and tensions it against its spring
force during the movement of the rear wing 12. The tensioned spring
causes a restoring of the displaceable unit in an interaction with
a pressure reduction during the return movement of the slide 23 by
the motor 17. The spring 32 thereby promotes the return movement of
the pistons in the hydraulic cylinders by its relaxation operation.
On the rear-wing-side end of the telescopic tilt-out device, a
bayonet catch 33 is provided for fastening the telescopic tilt-out
device on the rear wing, which bayonet catch 33 permits a very
simple mounting of the telescopic tilt-out device on the rear
wing.
[0019] In the following, the implementation of the compensation of
the hydraulic liquid is to be described which takes place by way of
the nozzle 25 of the drive unit 14 mentioned with respect to FIG.
3. In principle, by way of this nozzle, a compensation of hydraulic
liquid will always take place when in one of the two hydraulic
systems the pressure is higher than in the other. It was found that
the compensation is the most effective, when the telescopic
tilt-out device has moved out and a correspondingly high pressure
therefore exists in the hydraulic cylinders. For reinforcing this
effect, a second spring 35 is provided in the case of both
telescopic tilt-out devices within the smaller inner tube 29 in the
area of the stamp-shaped arrangement 30. The stamp-shaped
arrangement 30 is essentially composed of two parts 30a and 30b,
between which the second spring 35 is situated. In the case of a
pressure buildup by a corresponding controlling of the motor 17,
hydraulic liquid is pumped into the hollow space 31, and the
connecting rod with its end piece 34 is therefore moved in the
direction of the stamp-shaped arrangement 30 until the end piece 34
has reached the stamp-shaped arrangement 30. This can be detected,
for example, by way of a correspondingly arranged end position
switch 41. In FIG. 3, this end position switch is arranged on the
stamp-shaped arrangement, specifically on the side facing the end
piece 34. However, an attachment on the moving end piece 34 is also
conceivable. When the rear wing has moved out so far that this
position has been reached, part 30a of the stamp-shaped arrangement
30 is pressed against the spring force of the spring 35 against the
part 30b. As a result of the spring 35, the pressure in the
hydraulic system increases, and in the event that one of the two
telescopic tilt-out devices has moved out farther than the other,
the pressure in this hydraulic system will then be higher, and a
corresponding compensation will take place by way of the nozzle
25.
[0020] For monitoring the movement of the telescopic tilt-out
device, switches are provided between the outer tube 26 and the
inner tube 27, which each detect the position of the inner tube.
These switches for controlling the movement of the telescopic
tilt-out devices can be provided in both telescopic tilt-out
devices as well as in only one tilt-out device. In a meaningful
manner, a monitoring of the implemented compensation operations can
also take place and, in the event of a disproportionately high
number of compensation operations, a conclusion can be drawn with
respect to an error in the system, which can then be visually
and/or acoustically indicated to the driver.
[0021] This hydraulic movement of the rear wing of the air guiding
arrangement is characterized by a simple construction which is free
of mechanical parts which are subject to wear.
[0022] In addition to the use of hydraulic liquid, the use of any
other suitable medium, such as cooling liquid, is also
conceivable.
[0023] The foregoing disclosure has been set forth merely to
illustrate the invention and is not intended to be limiting. Since
modifications of the disclosed embodiments incorporating the spirit
and substance of the invention may occur to persons skilled in the
art, the invention should be construed to include everything within
the scope of the appended claims and equivalents thereof.
* * * * *