Motor vehicle

A motor vehicle has at least one vehicle seat (3) and a trim part (1) that extends in the vehicle transverse direction (FQ) behind the vehicle seat (3). A cross member (2) is arranged below and/or behind the trim part (1). The trim part (1) carries a protective element (11) on an end face (6) of the trim part (1) that faces the vehicle seat (3) to protect the trim part (1) from damage caused by contact with the vehicle seat (3).

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority under 35 USC 119 to German Patent Application No. 10 2009 033 625.7 filed on Jul. 17, 2009, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The invention relates to a motor vehicle.

2. Description of the Related Art

US 2005/0212277 A1 relates to a motor vehicle with a seat that has a backrest. A cross member extends behind the vehicle seat in the vehicle transverse direction and carries roll bars. A trim part for the cross member is arranged under the trim part or is concealed by this.

The object of the invention is to optimize a motor vehicle.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a motor vehicle with a seat that has a backrest. A cross member extends behind the vehicle seat in the vehicle transverse direction and carries roll bars. A trim part for the cross member is arranged under the trim part and a protective element attached to an end face of a trim part to protect the trim part against damage caused by the vehicle seat when the seat is moved toward the trim part or the end face. This movement of the seat may occur if the driver adjust the seat. However, the backrest of the vehicle seat also may contact the trim part in an accident, and particularly in a rear collision. In this case, the protective element ensures that the trim part is protected against damage and also damps the impact of the vehicle seat on the trim part.

The protective element preferably is arranged on the end face of the trim part so that the backrest of a vehicle seat can contact the protective element. The protective element is advantageous for vehicle seats that have a seat rest adjustment. The protective element also is advantageous in the event of a rear collision because the backrest of the vehicle seat is likely to be moved in a rear collision.

The protective element preferably is a cushion. The cushion may be formed from foamed plastics, elastomeric materials or a PUR foam. The protective element or cushion preferably is a separate component that is fastened to the trim part. Thus, the trim part may be produced from a different plastic that is dimensionally stable. The trim part preferably possesses a visually attractive surface, such as a surface that may be painted the color of the vehicle.

The protective element preferably has fastening means for fastening the protective element to the trim part. The protective element and the fastening means may be produced in one piece. In particular, the fastening means may comprise one or more grip-behind elements that reach through the end face of the trim part and are secured on the rear side the trim part.

The trim part may be of one-part or multipart design. In both embodiments, the trim part comprises a middle portion and two lateral outer portions. In this case, the outer portions are assigned to vehicle seats and each such outer part preferably carries a protective element according to the invention. The middle portion and the two lateral outer portions of the multipart trim part preferably are formed form separate components that can be fastened to one another. Alternatively, the trim part could be formed from two parts each of which has an outer portion and a part of the middle portion.

The cross members preferably are used in convertible vehicles and the trim part is suitable for such motor vehicles. The laterally outer portions of the trim part preferably have linkage passage flaps that are held movably on the trim part so that the linkage passage flaps can be open or closed. Folding top linkage parts of the convertible folding top conventionally are located in the lateral vehicle region and lie in region of the outer portions of the trim part when the folding top is in the closed position. The outer portion of the trim part preferably has a linkage passage flap that opens the way for the folding top linkage. The linkage flap is closed When the folding top is in the open position.

The invention is explained in more detail below by means of an exemplary embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

A trim part in accordance with the invention is identified by the numeral1inFIGS. 1 and 2and covers a cross member or transverse reinforcement2that lies beneath the trim part1, as shown inFIG. 2. The trim part1and the transverse reinforcement2extend in the vehicle transverse direction FQ between two side walls (not shown) of the body of the motor vehicle. The trim part1and the cross member2extend approximately between door pillars (not shown) of the motor vehicle. The transverse reinforcement2may be tied to the door pillars or merely may be connected to the body of the motor vehicle in the region of the door pillars. Other fastening points may be provided, for example on a frame, such as a module carrier behind the transverse reinforcement2.

The usual forward travel direction FR is identified by an arrow FR inFIGS. 1 and 2, and the tip of the arrow FR points in the direction of the vehicle front. A vehicle seat3is disposed in front of the trim part1and the cross member2, as shown inFIG. 2. The seat3has a backrest4with a head restraint5. The trim part1has an approximately L-shape in cross section, as shown inFIG. 2. However, the trim part1also be arranged above the cross member2and may be closed on all sides. Conversely, the trim part1may be in the form of an inverted U. In any event, the trim part1has an end wall6that faces the vehicle seat3in the travel direction FR. An upper region of the end wall6merges into a trim roof7.

The trim part has a middle portion8and outer portions9that lie laterally on the outside of the motor vehicle. In this regard,FIG. 1illustrates the outer portion9at the left vehicle side. The right side of the middle portion8adjoins another outer portion that is not illustrated, but which is a mirror image of the outer portion9illustrated inFIG. 1. Thus, the trim part1has two outer portions9at opposite left and right ends of the middle portion8. The trim part1may be produced in one piece so that the middle portion8and the two outer portions9define a single part. However, the middle portion8and the two outer portions9preferably are formed from separate components that are joined together to produce a continuous trim part1. Each outer portion9of the illustrated embodiment has a connecting surface10that faces the middle portion8and is covered by the middle portion8when the trim part1is mounted.

At least one protective element11is attached to the end face6of the trim part1. The protective element11preferably is a sheet with an approximately oval contour, as shown inFIG. 1. Angular contours also could be provided. Alternatively, a strip-shaped protective element11could be arranged behind the respective vehicle seat3and could extend over the vehicle width. The protective element11projects beyond the end face6in the forward direction FR and thus forms a stop for the backrest4of the vehicle seat3. The protective element11is a cushion and thus can protect the trim1against damage caused by the backrest4of the vehicle seat3. The protective element11could be fastened to the end face6by adhesive bonding. However, a positive connection between the protective element11and trim part1is preferred. For this purpose, fastening means12preferably project from the rear surface of the protective element11. The fastening means12reach through perforations13,14on the end face6of the trim part1and are secured on the rear surface of the end face6. The fastening means12are grip-behind elements and, as can be seen inFIG. 2, engage over the respective margin of the perforation13or14. The lower fastening means12is hook-shaped and can be suspended in an approximately horizontal position when reaching through the lower perforation13in the trim part1. The protective element11then can be swung up so that the upper fastening means12can reach through the upper perforation14and connect to the trim part1. The upper fastening means12is a mushroom pin or the like with a shank15and a cap16. The shank15has a diameter approximately equal to the inside diameter of the perforation14. The cap16is larger than the shank15and can engage around the periphery of the upper perforation14. Similarly, the hook-shaped lower fastening means12engages around at least part of the periphery of the lower perforation13, as shown clearly inFIG. 2. The protective element and the fastening means12preferably define an integral or unitary structure, and may be formed, for example from a foamed plastic. Thus, the fastening means12can be elastic and can be tied in a simple way into the trim part1by reaching through the perforations13and14.

A supporting element18is arranged between the cross member2and the inner or rear surface17of the end face6of the trim part1, as shown inFIG. 2. Thus, the supporting element18helps to support the trim part1with respect to the cross member2and helps to hold the trim part1in position. A portion of the supporting element18is at a part of the inner surface17of the end face6behind the protective element11and between the lower fastening means12and the cross member2.

A marginally open recess19is defined at the outer portion9of the trim part1, as shown inFIG. 1. The marginally open recess19is open with respect to a side margin20of the trim part1facing the body side wall, and to a rear margin21of the trim part1. A linkage passage flap22is disposed in the marginally open recess19and is held movably on the trim part1or on a vehicle part lying beneath the trim part1. The linkage passage flap22can be moved out of the recess19. Thus, the recess19can be opened for the passage of a folding top linkage of a folding top when the folding top assumes a closing position spanning the passenger space23shown inFIG. 2. When the folding top, not illustrated, is in the open position, the folding top linkage is moved out of the region of the recess19, and the linkage passage flap22closes the recess19or linkage passage orifice. The linkage passage flap22thus is adjustable between a closing and an open position as a function of a position of the folding top, not shown.

As evident fromFIG. 2, the protective element11is disposed to protect the trim part1against damage caused by the backrest4in the event of a movement of the vehicle seat3or the backrest4opposite to the travel direction FR. The protective element11is formed from an elastically deformable material. Thus, the trim part1is protected against damage even when the vehicle seat3or the backrest4presses with corresponding force against the protective element11. Additionally, the spacer18supports the end face6of the trim part1with respect to the cross member2and hence further prevents damage to at least the end wall6of the trim part1in the event of the force by the vehicle seat3or its backrest4that could urge the trim part1toward the cross member2.