Patent Publication Number: US-2017355299-A1

Title: Active loading surface limiter

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     This document relates to a limiting device for a loading area of a motor vehicle which has a height which is adjustable relative to the loading surface. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Motor vehicles generally have a vehicle region for the transport of objects which is arranged in the rear part of a corresponding vehicle. Particularly station wagons and vehicles of the SUV type (sport utility vehicle) are frequently used for the transport of loose objects, such as for example luggage items, sports items or items of daily use and have correspondingly large loading areas. High sills such as for example in conventional trunks of limousines, however, are particularly inconvenient for heavy loads. In order to permit easy loading and unloading of objects from a loading area which is suitable therefor, loading areas of station wagons and SUVs, therefore, frequently have no sill or a low sill. With sills which are low or not even present, however, objects, particularly small, loose and round objects may easily fall out of the loading area and become damaged at the same time. The object of the limiting device, therefore, is to prevent objects from falling out of a loading area. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     This object is achieved by a limiting device having the features described herein. 
     A first feature relates to a limiting device for a loading area of a motor vehicle. The loading area comprises a loading surface and at least one wall which defines the loading area and extends upright. One side of the loading area is accessible for loading and unloading via an access device. The limiting device is arranged on the accessible side and has a height which is adjustable relative to the loading surface. 
     The limiting device advantageously permits the securing of loose objects against inadvertently falling out of the loading area when the access device is open. 
     Preferably, in the limiting device different heights are able to be set relative to the loading surface. Advantageously, therefore, the height of the limiting device is able to be set according to the type of objects located on the loading surface, for example the size or the geometric shape. 
     In this case the limiting device is preferably configured such that the height thereof is able to be set for loading and unloading, for example in the region of the loading surface. Advantageously, in this case the limiting device does not have a disruptive effect and is not subject to any risk of damage. In this case, “for example in the region of the loading surface” means that the limiting device is ideally lowered to the height of the loading surface or slightly above the loading surface, such that an undesirable blocking action does not occur. Advantageously, in this case the limiting device may be pulled into or folded into a recess in the loading surface. 
     Preferably, the height of the limiting device is able to be set at least to such a height that a movement of an object located on the loading surface in the direction of the access device is stopped. As a result, advantageously an object is effectively prevented from accidentally falling out when the access device is open. 
     Preferably, the limiting device is able to be actively height-adjusted upwardly and downwardly by an acting force. Particularly preferably, the limiting device has an elastic element which is elastically deformable by a force in one direction such that the height of the limiting device is approximately set to the height of the loading surface and which adopts its initial state without the force, so that the limiting device adopts a height dictated by the shape of the elastic element. 
     Preferred is an embodiment of the limiting device, the height thereof being adjustable by a manually exerted force. 
     Also preferred is an embodiment of the limiting device, the height thereof being adjustable by a mechanically exerted force. Particularly preferred in this case is an embodiment of the limiting device in which the height is automatically set when the closable access device is opened, such that a movement of an object located on the loading surface is stopped in the direction of the access device. 
     In accordance with an additional aspect, the limiting device comprises a body extending across the loading surface. That body is displaceable between a retracted position and a deployed position. The limiting device also includes an elastic element biasing the body toward the deployed position. 
     In some embodiments, the body is adjacent the sill of the loading area. The body extends above the loading surface when in the deployed position. The body may extend level with or below the loading surface when in the retracted position. 
     In some embodiments, the limiting device includes an indentation provided in one of the loading surface or the sill. The indentation may receive the body when the body is in the retracted position. In some embodiments, the limiting device further includes a handle carried on the body. 
     A second feature relates to a motor vehicle having a limiting device as described. 
     A third feature relates to a method for loading and unloading the loading area of a motor vehicle comprising a limiting device as described, having the steps: 
     loading the loading area, 
     deploying the limiting device, 
     closing the access device, 
     opening the access device, 
     lowering the limiting device, 
     unloading the loading area. 
     More specifically, the step of deploying the limiting device may include raising the limiting device so as to extend upward from the loading surface of the loading area. Further, the method may include the step of positioning the limiting device adjacent a sill of the loading area so that when the limiting device is deployed and raised from the loading surface, the limiting device acts as a stop to block objects from rolling across the sill when the access device is opened. Still further, the method may include the step of extending the limiting device continuously across the sill. 
     The advantages of the method correspond to the advantages of the limiting device. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES 
       The limiting device and method are described in more detail with reference to the figures, in which: 
         FIG. 1  shows a schematic view of a conventional loading area; 
         FIG. 2  shows a schematic view of a conventional, loaded loading area; 
         FIG. 3 a    shows a schematic view of a loading area with a ramp-like embodiment of the limiting device; 
         FIG. 3 b    shows the embodiment of the limiting device according to  FIG. 3 a    with an object pressing down the limiting device; 
         FIG. 3 c    shows the embodiment according to  FIG. 3 a    in the blocked position; 
         FIG. 3 d    shows the embodiment according to  FIG. 3 a    in the closed position; 
         FIG. 4 a    shows a schematic view of a loading area with a beam-like embodiment of the limiting device; 
         FIG. 4 b    shows the embodiment according to  FIG. 4 a    with an object pressing down the limiting device; 
         FIG. 4 c    shows the embodiment according to  FIG. 4 a    in the blocked position; 
         FIG. 5 a    shows a schematic view of a loading area with a board-like embodiment of the limiting device; 
         FIG. 5 b    shows the embodiment of  FIG. 5 a    with an object pressing down the limiting device; 
         FIG. 5 c    shows the embodiment of  FIG. 5 a    in the blocked position; 
         FIG. 6 a    shows a schematic view of a loading area with a board-like manually operable embodiment of the limiting device; 
         FIG. 6 b    shows the embodiment of  FIG. 6 a    with an object pressing down the limiting device; 
         FIG. 6 c    shows the embodiment of  FIG. 6 b    in the blocked position; and 
         FIG. 7  shows a flow diagram of an embodiment of the method. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     In the view according to  FIG. 1 , a loading area  1  of a vehicle comprises a loading surface  2 . The loading area  1  is defined by at least one wall  3  adjoining the loading surface  2  and extending upright, i.e. perpendicular or approximately perpendicular to the loading surface. The wall  3  may be a wall of the motor vehicle or even a rear wall of a seat bench. The loading area  1  is accessible on at least one side. The accessible side is delimited by an access device  4  which is conventionally configured as a closable door or flap. The loading surface  2  is designed to be substantially flat, ideally entirely flat. A loading direction of the loading area  1  is indicated by the arrow  5 . 
     A loading area  1  with objects  6  which are located on the loading surface  2  is shown in  FIG. 2 . A direction in which objects  6 , particularly objects of round shape, roll out or slip out of the loading area and thus inadvertently fall out and may become damaged is indicated by the arrow  7 . In this case, the movement of objects  6  from the loading area  1  is facilitated by a sill  8  of the loading area  1  which is not present or by a low sill. The sill  8  is arranged in the region of the access device  4  for delimiting the loading surface  2 . 
     In the view of  FIG. 3 a   , an embodiment of a limiting device  10  is arranged adjacent to or in the region of the sill  8 . The limiting device  10  has a body that is ramp-like or, in other words, configured as a device in the form of a board or a flap which is able to be deployed, such that the opening of the ramp faces in the direction of the loading surface  2 , i.e. of the loading area  1 , and at the same time blocks a movement of an object from the direction of the loading surface  2 . The lifting movement of the limiting device  10  is indicated by the arrows  10   a . In this case the limiting device  10  comprises at least one elastic element  11 , for example a spring  11 . If a force acts on the device, for example due to the load of an object  6  which is pushed from the accessible side  4  onto the loading surface  2 , the limiting device  10  is pressed down against the action of the spring  11  ( FIG. 3 b   ). The direction of movement of the object  6  is indicated by the arrows  6   a . Without the action of an external force, i.e. for example that a load does not act on the limiting device  10 , the limiting device  10  is deployed by the action of the spring  11 , so that it blocks a movement from the loading surface  2  in the direction of the accessible side  4  ( FIG. 3 c   ). In one embodiment according to  FIG. 3 d   , the limiting device  10  comprises a latching function which permits the limiting device  10  to remain in position when it is pressed down and in which a further pressing down effects a release of the limiting device  10  so that it once again blocks the loading surface. It is possible to imagine this, for example, as a push button of a ballpoint pen, in which repeated pressing permits the ink reservoir of the ballpoint pen to extend or retract. 
     In this case the limiting device  10  is configured to reach a height so that it exceeds the height of the sill  8 , such that objects are prevented from rolling out ( FIG. 3 a   ). For example the limiting device  10  is set to a height such that it is approximately level with the center of gravity of one or more objects  6  located on the loading surface  2 ; a lower height, however, is also sufficiently effective to stop a movement of the objects  6 . The height of the limiting device  10  may, for example, be up to 10 cm above the height of the sill. One embodiment of the limiting device  10  according to the view of  FIG. 4  is able to be adjusted in height in the vertical direction. The limiting device  10  is configured to be a rectangular parallelepiped, so that for example it may have the shape of a beam-like sill. Objects  6  may be effectively prevented thereby from rolling out or falling out, when it has been set to a corresponding height ( FIG. 4 a   ). As set forth for the embodiment according to  FIG. 3 , a height of a few centimeters, for example 10 cm, is sufficient therefor. Alternatively, in the embodiment according to  FIG. 4  the limiting device  10  is adjustable to any height, in order to prevent effectively objects  6  on the loading surface  2  from falling out. The limiting device  10  in this embodiment is also connected to at least one elastic element  11  which may be a spring as in  FIG. 3 . This spring is arranged, for example, on the lower face of the limiting device  10  or integrated in the limiting device  10  as, in particular, may be seen in  FIG. 4 c   . If a force acts on the device, for example by the load of an object  6 , which is pushed from the direction of the accessible side  4  onto the loading surface  2 , the limiting device  10  is pressed down against the action of the spring  11 , i.e. for example lowered in a recess  12  provided therefor ( 4   b ). Without the action of an external force, i.e. for example no load acting on the limiting device  10 , the limiting device  10  is lifted by the action of the spring so that it blocks the loading surface  2  in the direction of the accessible side  4  ( FIG. 4 c   ). In an embodiment equivalent to the view of  FIG. 3 d   , the limiting device  10  in this case also has a latching function which permits the limiting device  10  to remain in position when it is pressed down, and in which further pressing down effects a release of the limiting device  10  so that it once again blocks the loading surface. 
     A further embodiment of the limiting device  10  which is able to be adjusted in height in the vertical direction is shown in  FIG. 5 , wherein the limiting device  10  in this case is narrower than in  FIG. 4 . The limiting device  10  in the embodiment according to  FIG. 5  has the shape of a board which faces upwardly with the narrow long side and screens the loading area in a height-adjustable manner toward the accessible side. By setting the limiting device  10  to a specific height, objects  6  are not able to fall or roll out of the loading surface  2 . To this end, in this embodiment the limiting device  10  is also connected to an elastic element  11  which may be a spring as in  FIGS. 3 and 4 . This spring is arranged, for example, on the lower face of the limiting device  10  or integrated in the limiting device  10 , as may be seen in particular in  FIG. 5 c   . If a force acts on the device, for example, by the load of an object  6  which is pushed from the direction of the accessible side  4  onto the loading surface  2 , the limiting device  10  is pressed down counter to the action of the spring  11 , i.e. for example lowered in a recess  12  provided therefor ( FIG. 5 b   ). Without the action of an external force, i.e. for example without a load acting on the limiting device  10 , the limiting device  10  is lifted by the action of the spring, so that it blocks the loading surface  2  in the direction of the accessible side  4  ( FIG. 5 c   ). In an embodiment equivalent to the view of  FIG. 3 d    the limiting device  10  in this case also has a latching function which permits the limiting device  10  to remain in position when it is pressed down, and in which when pressed down further effects a release of the limiting device  10  so that it once again blocks the loading surface. 
     In an alternative embodiment, the limiting device  10  is moved by the force of a motor (not shown), particularly an electric motor, i.e. adjusted in height. This possibility is particularly suitable for the embodiments of the limiting device  10  shown in  FIGS. 4 and 5 . To this end the limiting device  10  is coupled to the electric motor which, upon a control command, adjusts the height of the limiting device  10  upwardly or downwardly. In this case, the limiting device  10  is able to be adjusted to its greatest possible height, lowered in the recess  12  or set to any height between these positions. The corresponding control commands are preferably provided manually, for example by an input device, for example a switch which is arranged in the loading area. 
     It is also possible that the height is automatically set according to control commands provided by a control device (not shown). In this case, the control device may react to the open state of the access device  4 . Preferably, the limiting device  10  is lowered when the access device  4  is closed, i.e. lowered in the recess  12 . When the access device  4  is opened, the limiting device  10  is raised so that loose, particularly round, objects  6  are protected from falling out. 
     In a further embodiment, the limiting device  10  is able to be set, both automatically and manually, so that when the access device is opened the limiting device  10  is raised but may be lowered manually, if required. 
     In a further embodiment, a motor-driven limiting device  10  is also coupled to an elastic element  11 . Thus, for example, it is possible that the limiting device  10  is raised by being driven by motor during opening and is pressed down counter to the force of the elastic element  11 . This is advantageous, for example, during loading when, by the action of the load to be loaded, the limiting device is pressed down counter to the force of the elastic element during the actual loading time. 
     In a further embodiment according to the view of  FIG. 6  the limiting device  10  is directly moved manually, i.e. it is adjustable in height by the manual action of force by a person. To this end, at least one handle  13 , in the embodiment shown two handles  13 , is/are arranged on the limiting device  10 , the person being able to act thereon in order to adjust the limiting device  10  upwardly or downwardly. Ideally, in this embodiment devices for latching are arranged on the limiting device  10 , said devices permitting different heights to be set. 
     In a method according to an embodiment according to  FIG. 7  for loading a loading area  1 , in a first step S 1  the loading area  1  is loaded, i.e. at least one object  6  is moved onto the loading surface  2 . At the same time, the limiting device  10  is pressed down by means of the object  6  counter to the force of the spring  11 , or lowered manually or mechanically. In a second step S 2 , the limiting device  10  is manually or mechanically raised by the force of the spring  11  to a sufficient extent that objects present on the loading surface are not able to fall out, and in particular round objects are not able to roll out. In a third step S 3 , the access device located on the accessible side  4  is closed. In a fourth step S 4 , the access device is opened. In a fifth step S 5 , the limiting device  10  is lowered again for unloading or further loading of objects  6  into the loading area  1 . At the same time, depending on the embodiment, the limiting device may be lowered by setting by means of an input device and after loading raised again, or manually lowered by means of handles  13  on the limiting device  10  and raised or pressed down counter to the force of an elastic element  11  by a load or manually. In a sixth step S 6 , the loading area  1  is unloaded. Alternatively, the loading area  1  in step S 6  may also be loaded further.