Flat section of the outer skin of the bodywork of a motor vehicle

US7150494B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft · DE

Inventors

• Christopher Edward Bangle · Bra, IT
• Klaudia Kruse · Munich, DE
• Fernando Pardo · Moorpark, US
• Christine Schwarz · Munich, DE
• Verena Weiss · Munich, DE
• Reinhard Mehn · Haimhausen, DE
• Christian Bischoff · Maumee, US
• Sven Lancier · Munich, DE
• Anders Warming · Malibu, US
• Juergen Ringer · Au in der Hallertau, DE
• Werner Haumayr · Schwanau, DE
• Helmut Pulz · Erding, DE
• Alfred Neureiter · Karlsfeld, DE
• Silke Schroeder · Freising, DE
• Martin Meusel · Munich, DE
• Mario Greco · Munich, DE
• Edwin Pistorius · Olching, DE
• Raphael Von Schuttenbach · Ingolstadt, DE
• Andreas Von Schuttenbach · Ingolstadt, DE
• Peter Ratz · Herrsching am Ammersee, DE
• Bjoern Koop · Starnberg, DE
• Detlef Helm · Mauth, DE
• Bernd Nurtsch · Haag in Oberbayern, DE
• Daniel Schaefer · Port Washington, US
• John W. Krieger · Oxnard, US
• Michael Vincent Scully · Munich, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: Jun 23, 2003
• Grant date: Dec 19, 2006
• Expiry date: Jul 30, 2023

Classification

• Technology area (CPC Y): Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
• CPC primary: Y02T10/88
• WIPO field: Transport
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

An at least partially moveable motor-vehicle outer skin is already known per se. An actuator formed of a polymer and/or ion-exchanging and/or other material exhibiting various conformations is provided so that the outer skin can be moved. This material is moveable as a result of physical or chemical effects. The novel outer skin of a motor vehicle requires no expensive tools for the production thereof. The flat section of the outer skin of the bodywork of a motor vehicle is made of a flexible material. A flexible material such as material for convertible top covers is easily moveable yet the surface thereof cannot be increased. This material is tensed at least over one part of the rib of the motor vehicle, e.g. over a space frame. At least one mechanically moveable adjusting element is provided beneath or on top of the edge of the section enabling the outer skin to be deformed. The adjusting element is normally connected to the rib of the motor vehicle.