Abstract:
The invention relates to a device ( 10 ), particularly for a tailgate ( 80 ) of a vehicle, comprising a camera unit ( 11 ) used to capture images of the outer region of the vehicle, and a control unit ( 2 ) used to control a part of the vehicle, said camera unit ( 11 ) and control unit ( 12 ) particularly being arranged one next to the other on the vehicle by means of a carrier element ( 13 ). At least the camera unit ( 11 ) is accommodated in a housing ( 14 ) in a protected manner, and a movable closure element ( 15 ) is provided to close a housing opening ( 14.3 ), which closure element can be moved by means of a drive unit ( 16 ) into at least two end positions (I, II), specifically a closed position (I) and an open position (II). According to the invention, the housing ( 14 ) is constructed in at least two parts ( 14.1, 14.2 ), the carrier element ( 13 ) forming a first housing part ( 14.1 ) on which the control element ( 12 ) and the camera unit ( 11 ) can be arranged, and the drive unit ( 16 ) being arrangeable on a second housing part ( 14.2 ).

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0001]    The invention relates to a device, in particular for the tailgate of a vehicle, with a camera unit that is used to acquire images of an outer area of the vehicle, and with a control unit, which is used to control a vehicle part, such as an electrical lock for the tailgate. In particular, the camera unit and the control unit are arranged close to one another by means of a support element on the vehicle. The camera unit at least is installed in a housing and protected against external environmental influences, while a movable closure element is provided to close an opening in the housing, whereby the said closure element can be moved by the drive unit into at least two end positions, namely a closed position and an open position. 
         [0002]    Furthermore, the present invention also indicates a method for operating a device, in particular for the tailgate of a vehicle, with a camera unit and a control unit. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    Numerous devices are known from the prior art, which describe a camera unit, in particular arranged on the tailgate of a vehicle, enabling the acquisition of images of the area behind the vehicle. The resulting image can then be displayed to the driver in the vehicle in order to facilitate reversing operations. To prevent dirtying of the camera unit, it is arranged behind a closure element that can be moved from a closed partition to an open position to enable the acquisition of images by the camera unit. Such a device is known, for example, from publication DE 103 51 363 A1. Moreover, various control units are arranged on modern vehicles, for example, to open the tailgate of a vehicle. From the prior art it is also known that the arrangement of such a control unit with the camera unit in a common apparatus is in the vehicle in order to use as few separate components as possible. The installation of the common apparatus is also facilitated in this way. The disadvantage, however, is that such an apparatus requires a correspondingly larger amount of space. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY 
       [0004]    The present invention provides such an apparatus with a camera unit and a control unit having a compact design, taking up limited space and, if necessary, that is easy to install. The present invention further provides an appropriate method for installing such an apparatus that enables simple installation even in a tight space. 
         [0005]    The inventive apparatus is characterized in that the housing for the camera unit is in the form of at least a two-part construction. The support element forms a first housing part on which the control unit and the camera unit, specifically in a pre-assembled state, can be arranged. A second housing part is the drive unit that is arranged specifically on an outer wall of the housing. The two-part construction of the housing enables the support element with the first housing part to be mounted on the vehicle by initially inserting it from the outside through an opening, especially in a body part, i.e. an outer side. This opening can be designed to be particularly small, because the entire apparatus with all its parts and elements does not have to pass through this opening. The second half of the housing can then be mounted on the vehicle from the inside or from an inner side of the bodywork part enabling the two housing parts to be assembled together. Thus, it is possible to avoid an elongated and narrow design of the inventive device, since the apparatus can also be supplemented on the side by the second housing part, which means that a small opening is sufficient, specifically in a body part of the vehicle. In addition to this, the apparatus according to the invention can also be used in very awkward installation spaces that do not have a large installation depth. 
         [0006]    The invention is explained through various arrangements, the dependent claims, and the following description. The features and details that are disclosed in connection with the apparatus of the invention also apply to the method of the invention, and vice versa, so that the disclosure of the individual aspects of the invention are mutually applicable. 
         [0007]    In the device according to the invention, it may be arranged that the housing opening for the camera unit used to acquire images of the exterior of a vehicle is arranged at least in the first housing part. The movable closure element as well as the camera unit, may also be arranged in the first housing part. In this case, the movable closure element has a fixed axis of rotation that is specially designed on a supporting shaft. Thus, it is possible from a manufacturing point of view to assemble the control unit and the camera unit with the support element, which further facilitates assembly in the vehicle. In addition, this can significantly reduce the number of parts of the apparatus. To this end, the drive unit can be arranged in the second housing part, specifically on the outside, i.e. the exterior surface of the housing, to drive the movable closure element via at least one connection element. 
         [0008]    To this end, an opening in the second housing part may be provided for the connection element. Thus the manufactured apparatus is substantially comprises only two parts, i.e. the support element with the first housing part, and the second housing part. By assembling the two housing parts, the apparatus according to the invention can be assembled so that it is functionally effective. 
         [0009]    To facilitate the assembly of the housing parts, a linear guide may be provided between the first housing part or the support element and the second housing part. In this way, the second housing part can be laterally moved, i.e. substantially perpendicularly to the direction of movement of the camera unit in order to be slid towards the first housing part. 
         [0010]    Furthermore, it is conceivable within the scope of the invention that a labyrinth seal may be provided between the first housing part and the second housing part in order to seal the assembled parts. Here, in particular, the labyrinth seal may be formed by the linear guide. Thus from a technical perspective, a particularly elegant sealing of the housing may be produced. At least one snap-lock connection may be provided in order to securely connect the housing parts together. This results in a secure connection being simultaneously obtained simply by assembling the two housing parts together. Of course, the two housing parts may be screwed, riveted, bonded or welded together. However, no additional tools are required by using a snap-lock connection between the two housing parts. In addition, the snap-lock connection is reversibly detachable but still keeps the two housing parts securely together. 
         [0011]    According to the invention, in the apparatus it may be that the support element forms at least the first flat wall of the housing on which a sealing element is arranged in order to interact with the housing edge of second housing part. In this way, this first housing wall constitutes a lateral wall of the housing that protrudes backwards in the direction of movement of the camera on the support element. Likewise, the support element may form two housing walls of the housing, whereby the first housing wall is designed to be flat and is arranged to be substantially perpendicular to the second housing wall while the second housing wall has a housing opening that is closable by the closure element. The closure element may be provided to protect the camera unit and/or the control unit, whereby the respective units are then protectively placed in the housing of the apparatus. If the control unit is arranged in the housing of the apparatus, dirtying of the operating part can be largely avoided, as the latter will also be protected by the closure element. The aforementioned drive unit may also be arranged inside the housing of the apparatus in order to be protected against external environmental influences. Optionally, it is conceivable that the control unit and/or the drive unit may be arranged outside the housing, specifically via a snap-lock connection. Thus, only the most sensitive units, such as the camera unit, would be housed within the protected housing. This would also mean that the space required for the apparatus according to the invention would be reduced to a minimum. Thus it is also possible to use standard components for the control unit and the drive unit, which may reduce the cost of production. 
         [0012]    In the device according to the invention, the camera unit may be arranged to be movable in the housing, whereby in the closed position I, the camera unit is positioned behind the closure element in the housing, while in the open position II it is uncovered by the closure element for image acquisition. In this way, the camera unit may be driven by the drive unit to move at least in the housing and, if necessary, outside the housing. The aforementioned drive unit may be identical to the drive unit for the closure element. In particular, the camera unit may be connected to a drive mechanism for the closure element, so that the camera unit and the closure element may be driven simultaneously by the drive unit. Thus the number of components of the apparatus may be significantly reduced. 
         [0013]    Further, it is conceivable that the camera unit is supported to be movable on a slide in the housing, whereby the slide serves both as the actuator arm for the closure element while also being driven by the connection element. The slide serving as the actuator arm is therefore a part of the drive mechanism for the closure element. It is also conceivable that the slide and the camera unit are integral, whereby the camera unit is secured positively to the slide, in particular by means of a snap-lock. 
         [0014]    The snap-lock may in this case be designed in particular as a clip connection, so that simple mounting of the camera unit on the slide is possible, as for example, where a clip on the slide can grip behind an edge of the camera unit. In addition, the camera unit may be actually arranged on the slide in order to obtain particularly secure support, whereby disturbing influences such as vibrations during image acquisition by the camera unit may be largely avoided. The slide itself may be connected on one side with the closure element and on the other side to the connection element, which in turn, is connected to the drive unit. Accordingly, the closure element may be driven indirectly by the drive unit via the drive mechanism, whereby the slide for the camera unit represents a transfer element. To this end, the slide may be arranged to be rotatable on the closure element, whereby in particular only one axis of rotation is used, while the camera unit is arranged between two fixed rotary points of the axis of rotation to permit image acquisition. Bearings on both sides of the slide at the pivot points of the closure element can also contribute to the stability of the entire drive mechanism for the camera unit. The closure element itself may be rotatably mounted on the support element via a support shaft, in particular in the area of the housing opening. In this way, the closure element only rotates around the above-mentioned support shaft. The camera slide with the camera unit on the apparatus of the invention is simultaneously moved by this rotational movement in order to move the camera unit to its image acquisition position. 
         [0015]    In the context of the present invention, it may also be provided that the camera unit and/or the closure element may be fixed in an interlocking and/or form-fitting manner in at least two end positions I, II. The additional interlocking and/or form-fitting fixing of the camera unit and/or the sealing element ensures on the one hand that a simple raising of the closure element is not possible in the closed position I, while, on the other hand, the camera unit is also secured against mechanical vibrations in the open position II of the sealing element. 
         [0016]    In the method according to the invention, an apparatus, in particular for the tailgate of a vehicle, has a camera unit that is used for the image acquisition of the exterior of the vehicle, and a control unit for the operation of a vehicle part such as an electric lock for a tailgate, whereby the camera unit and the control unit in particular are arranged beside one another by means of a support element on the vehicle, and at least the camera unit is housed in a protected housing, while a movable closure element is provided to close an opening in the housing whereby the said closure element is movable by a drive unit to at least two end positions I, II, i.e. a closed position I and an open position II. In the case of this apparatus, it may also be the apparatus according to the invention described above. 
         [0017]    Furthermore, it is provided in the method according to the invention that in a first assembly step, a part of the apparatus is mounted through an opening in a body part of the vehicle from outside, i.e. from an outer side, and that in a further assembly step, the remainder of the apparatus is mounted from the inside, i.e. from the other side, whereby the housing for the camera unit is formed by assembling the parts. Thus, it is also possible to assemble the apparatus through a very small opening on the vehicle because the apparatus is in two parts. Consequently, the fully assembled device may be adjusted to fit the available space. The use of the apparatus is possible even in a very limited space. In particular, the two-sided mounting of the apparatus from the outside and the inside enables optimum adaptation to the space available for the device. Of course, this assembling of the two parts together must be as simple as possible, otherwise the required assembly time, and therefore the costs, would increase unnecessarily. 
         [0018]    In the method according to the invention, it can be arranged that at least the housing is constructed in at least two parts, whereby the support element forms a first housing part in which the control unit and the camera unit are located, while the support element is mounted from the outside through the opening on the vehicle in the first assembly step. In a further step, the housing halves are assembled, and the drive unit is arranged on the second housing part. Thus, a cover in the form of the second housing part is not simply pushed onto the first housing part, but the second housing part itself has main components of the apparatus in addition to the housing. It is also conceivable here that the camera unit is not arranged on the first housing part, but in the second housing part, and is arranged in the housing parts in the closed housing assembly. Even the control unit may only need to be connected to the support element in an additional assembly step, after the first assembly step. When assembling the housing parts, an electrical cable for the camera unit may also be connected simultaneously; this cable may be connected to the remainder of the vehicle electronics via an opening in the housing. To give the electrical cable adequate room for movement in the housing, it may be sealed with a bellows seal in the housing, which matches a larger opening in the housing. 
         [0019]    Furthermore, it may be provided in the method according to the invention that the apparatus is held by at least one fixing element, specifically a fixing bracket on the vehicle. In this way the fixing element is at least form-fitting and the fixing element for fixing the apparatus is merely pushed on. A tool-free assembly of the entire apparatus on the vehicle is thereby possible. Further assembly steps may be performed after the first assembly step, i.e. the partial insertion of the apparatus from the outside through the opening on the vehicle, whereby the said further sequence of steps may be varied. Thus, in the next assembly step, the device and the housing may be assembled first, and then the attachment of the apparatus to the vehicle effected. It is also conceivable that the attachment of the first part of the apparatus is applied first to the vehicle, and only then is the assembly of the parts of the apparatus affected. It is also conceivable that the apparatus is attached to the vehicle in the first assembly step, and a corresponding snap-lock brought into play. In this case, an additional fixing of the device using a further fixing element, in particular in the form of a fixing bracket, is avoided. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0020]    Further advantages, features and details of the invention will become apparent from the following description in which the invention is illustrated with reference to the drawings. The features mentioned in the claims and in the description of the apparatus and the method according to the invention may be essential to the invention either individually or in any combination. The figures show: 
           [0021]      FIG. 1 : a three-dimensional view of the device according to the invention in the closed position I of the closure element, 
           [0022]      FIG. 2 : a three-dimensional view of the apparatus of  FIG. 1 , however with the closure element in the open position, 
           [0023]      FIG. 3 : an exploded view of the apparatus with all the essential components, 
           [0024]      FIG. 4 : a cross-section of an assembled device according to the invention with the closure element in the open position, 
           [0025]      FIG. 5 : a cross-section through the apparatus of  FIG. 4 , but with the closure element in an intermediate position, 
           [0026]      FIG. 6 : a cross-section through the apparatus of  FIGS. 4 and 5 , but with the closure element in the closed position I, 
           [0027]      FIG. 7   a : a three-dimensional view of the apparatus during the first assembly step, 
           [0028]      FIG. 7   b : a three-dimensional view of the apparatus of  FIG. 7   a  in a further assembly step, 
           [0029]      FIG. 7   c : a three-dimensional view of the apparatus in a further assembly step, in which the housing parts are assembled together, and 
           [0030]      FIG. 8 : a sectional view through the connection area between the vehicle or body part and the apparatus, as well as the closure element. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0031]    In  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the inventive apparatus  10  is shown in its mounted position on a body part  80  of a vehicle, whereby body part  80  is in the form of a tailgate. To the left and right of apparatus  10  (as viewed in  FIGS. 1 and 2 ), the openings  84  for the number plate lights of the vehicle, which are arranged adjacent to the opening  83  for the apparatus  10  (see also  FIG. 7   a ) can be seen. In  FIG. 1 , the apparatus  10  is shown with all its components. In this case, a control unit  12  is arranged to the left of a camera unit  11  on a support element  13  of the apparatus  10 , according to the invention. The camera unit  11  is protected against environmental influences by being located inside a housing  14 , whereby an electrical cable  27  is led out of the housing  14  for the camera unit  11  by means of a waterproof bellows seal  28 . The electrical cable  27  has a first connector  27 . 1 , which serves to connect the camera unit  12  on the vehicle side. A second connector  27 . 2  is provided at the other end of the electrical cable  27  to connect the camera unit  11  to the electrical cable  27 . The above-mentioned bellows seal  28  serves to seal the housing  14  securely against external environmental influences even in the event of larger movements of the electrical cable  27 . 
         [0032]    The apparatus  10  is shown from the same perspective in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , whereby only the rear side  12 . 1  of the control unit  12  can be seen. The control unit  12  may be operated manually, e.g. by hand, for which a support opening  13 . 5  is provided in the support element  13 , and through which the operator can reach the control unit  12 . The housing  14  is arranged on the support element  13  for the camera unit  11  on the right next to the control unit  12 . A housing opening  14 . 3  is also provided to the right of the support opening  13 . 5  to enable the camera unit  11  to acquire images. The housing opening  14 . 3  may be moved by a movable closure element  15  between a closed position I, and an open position II.  FIG. 1  shows the closure element  15  in the closed position I so that the complete camera is housed securely in the housing  14 . The adjustment of the closure element  15  between the end positions I and II is effected by a drive unit  16  and, indirectly via a connection element  22  and a drive mechanism  23 . The drive unit  16  is arranged on an outer wall  19  of the housing  14  via snap-lock connections that are stationary and torque proof. Two circular cams are also arranged on the outer wall of the housing  14  to ensure secure torque-proof fixing of the drive unit  16  on the support element  13  and the apparatus  10  (shown in  FIG. 3 ). 
         [0033]    In  FIG. 2 , the camera unit  11  is shown in its operating position, for which purpose the closure element  15  is arranged in the open position II. Thus, the closure element  15  frees up the housing opening  14 . 3  to enable the camera unit  11  to acquire images. A viewable area  11 . 2  of the camera lens  11 . 1  is shown in  FIG. 2  in the form of a viewable cone. In this case, the viewable area  11 . 2  is so aligned that it views a vehicle edge on the one hand, while on the other hand, it is directed towards the natural horizon. Thus in the acquired image, the vehicle&#39;s driver also receives information on the rear view with respect to the specific position of the vehicle. The viewable area  11 . 2  is shown here in  FIG. 4  from a side view. 
         [0034]    In  FIG. 3 , the apparatus  10  of  FIGS. 1 and 2  is shown in the non-assembled state in an exploded view. The support element  13  is used for the reception and fixing of the control unit  12  and the camera unit  11 , which are arranged in the two-part housing  14 . The other components of the apparatus  10  are also connected directly or indirectly with the support element  13 . This includes, for example, the drive unit  16 , which is connected to the support element  13  via the housing  14 . The movable camera unit  11  is connected with the closure element  15  via a slide  24 , whereby the slide  24  forms a part of the drive mechanism  23 . A snap-lock  25  in the form of a protruding clip element is provided to fix the camera unit  11  on the slide  24 . The slide  24  holds the full camera unit  11 , so that secure fixing is guaranteed. The lens  11 . 1  of the camera unit  11  projects outwards between two pivots  24 . 2  of the slide  24 , which serve to connect the slide  24  with the closure element  15  via a fixed axis of rotation  24 . 1 . To this end, the connection element  15  is arranged on two parallel support arms  15 . 2 , which protrude from the inside of the closure element  15 , while their ends have an opening  15 . 3  for the pivots  14 . 2  of the slide  24 . To simplify the assembly of the apparatus  10 , the support arms  15 . 2  are flattened at their outer ends, so that the pivots  24 . 2  of the slide  24  can push away the support arms  15 . 2  slightly on assembly, so that subsequently a form-fit but rotatable connection between the slide  24  and the closure element  15  can be achieved. To this end, the support arms  15 . 2  are designed to be slightly resilient. The closure element  15  also has a fixed axis  13  on the support element  15 . 1 , which is formed by the support shaft  29 . A movement of the slide  24  causes the closure element  15  to be rotated to and fro between its end positions I, II. The slide  24  also has an actuator arm  24 . 3 , which interacts mechanically with the connection element  22  in the assembled state of the apparatus, for which purpose an opening  24 . 4  is provided in the actuator arm  24 . 3 , in which an eccentric cam  22 . 2  of the connection element  22  engages in a form-fitting manner. On the one hand, the connection element  22  is connected to slide  24 , specifically to the actuator arm  24 . 3 , and on the other hand to the drive unit  16 , which provides the rotation of the connection element  22 . The camera unit  11  may thus move in the slide  24  and closure element  15  through the rotational movement introduced by the drive unit  16 . It should be mentioned at this point that the closure element  15  is able to close not only the housing opening  14 . 3 , but also the aforementioned support opening  13 . 5  for the control unit  12 . The control unit  12  may also be provided within the housing  14 , like the drive unit  16 . In the present case, however, the control unit  12 , as well as the drive unit  16 , are connected directly or indirectly with the support element  13  outside the housing  14 . 
         [0035]    The two-part housing  14  is formed by the first housing part  14 . 1 , which projects rearwards from the support element  13  as a first flat housing wall  13 . 1 . A sealing element  20  may also be arranged as shown along the housing wall edge  13 . 1  to effect a particularly good sealing of the housing  14 . The second housing part  24 . 2  represents a second part  10 . 2  of the apparatus  10 , which is assembled after the first step of the assembly of the first part  10 . 1  of the apparatus  10  on the body part  80 . A linear guide  17  is provided between the two housing parts  14 . 1  and  14 . 2 , whereby the second housing part  14 . 2  is pushed laterally (i.e. substantially perpendicular to the direction of movement  11 . 3  of the camera unit  11 ) onto the first housing part  14 . 1 . The linear guide  17  also simultaneously forms a labyrinth seal  18  in order to tightly seal the connections edges  14 . 4  of the housing  14 . In addition, the supplemental seal  31  shown in  FIGS. 7   a  and  7   b  may be used in the area of the linear guide  17 . 
         [0036]    As can be clearly seen in  FIG. 3 , the drive unit  16  is held positively from the outside on the second housing part  14 . 2  by the snap-lock connection  21 . The connection element  22  protrudes from the inside of the second housing part into the drive unit  16 . Thus, the housing parts  14 . 1  and  14 . 2  may be securely connected with one another; the snap-lock connections  19  are provided above, below and/or to the side on the outer housing wall in order to interact with the first housing part  14 . 1 . 
         [0037]    A cross-section through the assembled apparatus  10  is shown in the  FIG. 4 , whereby the closure element  15  is in its open position II and the camera unit  11  may effect the image acquisition. The section shown in  FIG. 4  runs parallel to the lateral outer wall in the housing  14  on which the drive unit  16  is mounted, whereby the section extends through the connection element  22 . The closure element  15  is mounted on the fixed axis of rotation  15 . 1  on the support element  13 , specifically by means of the support shaft  29 . In this operating position of the camera unit  11 , the latter is mounted more or less centrally in the housing  14  so that the distance between the second connector  27 . 2  and the housing walls is designed to be approximately equal. The axis of rotation  22 . 1  of the connection element  22  is defined by the drive unit  16 , whereby the eccentric cam  22 . 2  interacts with the connection element  22  and slide  24  for movement of the camera unit  11  and the closure element  15 . To this end, the connection element  22  is rotated counter-clockwise about its fixed axis of rotation  22 . 1  in order to move the closure element from its open position II into its closed partition  1 .  FIG. 5  shows an intermediate position of the camera unit  11  and the closure element  15 . In this way, the connection element  22  is rotated counterclockwise by approximately 90° around the axis of rotation  22 . 1 , whereby the slide  24  is drawn further into the housing interior. In this intermediate position, the second connector  27 . 2  almost touches the housing inner wall of the housing  14 . As the slide  24  is connected to the two pivot points  24 . 2  of the support arms  15 . 2  of the closure element  15 , the closure element  15  is also rotated on the support element  13 . 
         [0038]      FIG. 6  now shows the camera unit  11  in its position of rest while the closure element  15  is shown in its closed position I. The camera unit  11  has been drawn as far as possible into the housing  14  while the closure element  15  securely closes the housing opening  14 . 3 . In this position, the second connector  27 . 2  now touches the opposite housing inner wall (compared to the intermediate position of  FIG. 5 ). In addition, the actuator arm  24 . 3  of the slide  24  almost touches the same housing inner wall. The connection element  22  is rotated about 180° by the drive unit  16  about the axis of rotation  22 . 1  in order to move the closure element  15  from its closed position Ito its open position II and vice versa. The camera unit  11  can only be moved from the closed position I illustrated in  FIG. 6  by a clockwise rotation of the connection element  22 . It should be mentioned at this point that the closure element  15 , the slide  24  and/or the camera unit  11  are also secured in an interlocking and/or form-fitting manner in the end positions I, II. 
         [0039]      FIGS. 7   a  to  7   c  show the various assembling steps involved in the installation of the inventive apparatus  10  in the vehicle. 
         [0040]      FIG. 7   a  shows how a first part  10 . 1  of the apparatus  10  is guided from the outside through the opening  83  in the body part  80 , and where the openings  84  for the number plate lights can also be seen next to the opening  83  on the left and right. Here, the second part  10 . 2  of the apparatus  10  is missing as this does not have to pass through the opening  83 . The second part  10 . 2  is formed in the present example by the second housing part  14 . 2  on which the drive unit  16  and the connection element  22  are also installed. As can be easily seen, the control unit  12  as well as the camera unit  11  in the slide  24  and the closure element  15  are already arranged on the first part  10 . 1  of the apparatus  10 . To achieve a flush mounting, a recess is provided around the rectangular aperture  83  in the body part  80  to fix the apparatus  10 , which interacts with the edge of the support element  13 , whereby the seal  30  is also provided on the inner side of the support element  13  to interact with the recessed edge of the opening  83 . 
         [0041]    In a further assembly step, the apparatus  10  is either completed or first fixed to the body part  80 . To this end, a fixing element  26  is used as shown in  FIG. 3 . This fixing element  26  can be designed like a bracket that is guided along between a projection on the support element  13  and the inside  82  of the body part  80 , so that the apparatus  10  is positively held by the bracket-like fixing element  26 . Of course, other fixing elements  26  are conceivable, such as hook-shaped, specifically cone-shaped latching elements which interact with matching openings in the body part  80  or screws or the like. 
         [0042]    In  FIG. 7   b , the first part  10 . 1  of the apparatus  10  is arranged on the body part  80 . In this case, the second part  10 . 2  of the apparatus  10  is missing from the apparatus  10 . This is formed inter alia by the second housing part  14 . 2 . Thus, the drive unit  16  may be easily connected to the driving mechanism  23  or the slide  24 ; this is arranged in an assembly position for which assembly aids can be provided. Likewise, the drive unit  16  and the connection element  22  are arranged in a corresponding assembly position on the second housing part  14 . 2 , for which assembly aids may also be provided. In the position of the inventive apparatus  10  in  FIG. 7   b , only the second housing part  14 . 2  needs to be slid over the linear guide  17  on the first housing part  14 . 1 , whereby there is an automatic connection between the slide  24  and the connection element  22 , as the two parts  22 ,  24  are in the assembly position. In this case, the eccentric cam  22 . 2  of the connection element  22  engages positively in the opening  24 . 2  of the actuator arm  24 . 3  of the slide  24 . 
         [0043]      FIG. 7   c  shows the assembly of the parts  10 . 1  and  10 . 2  of the apparatus  10  and the two housing parts  14 . 1  and  14 . 2 . The connection of the housing  14  can only be effected via the lateral sliding of the second housing part  14 . 2  towards the first housing part  14 . 1  and the support element  13 . Then, if necessary, the assembly aids for the slide  24  and the connection element  22  are removed and the installation of the apparatus  10  on the body part  80  is completed. As the two housing parts  14 . 1  and  14 . 2  are connected with one another in a form-fitting manner via the latching connections  19 , no further support or connection of the housing  14  is needed. Thereafter, the apparatus  10  only has to be electrically connected to the other vehicle electronics, for which various electrical connectors may be provided for the respective components  11 ,  12 ,  16 . 
         [0044]      FIG. 8  shows a sectional view of a possible sealing of the inventive apparatus  10  on the body part  80 . To this end, various sealing elements can be provided on the edge of the aperture  83  and/or on the circumferential edge of the support element  13 .  FIG. 8  shows how the oppositely disposed sealing between the body part  80  and the support element  13  also forms a labyrinth seal. Likewise, a seal between the support element  13  and the closure element  15  is arranged to seal the housing  14  optimally.