Closure flap

Abstract

A closure flap ( 11 ) in an outer wall of a vehicle, in particular a coach, for closing an opening in a vehicle, containing a flap element ( 1 ) and a reinforcing structure on the flap element ( 1 ). A reinforcing structure on the flap element ( 1 ) comprises adhesively bonded corner elements ( 2 a, 2 b, 2 c, 2 d ) which are joined together via longitudinal section parts ( 3 a, 3 b, 3 c, 3 d ) to form a frame-type structure.

1 . Closure flap ( 11 ) comprising a flap element ( 1 ) and a reinforcing structure mounted on the flap element ( 1 ), the reinforcing structure comprises individual frame elements ( 2   a ,  2   b ,  2   c ,  2   d ,  3   a ,  3   b ,  3   c ,  3   d ) mounted on the flap element ( 1 ) which are attached to a frame-type structure.  
   
   
       2 . Closure flap according to  claim 1 , wherein the frame elements comprise corner elements ( 2   a ,  2   b ,  2   c ,  2   d ) and longitudinally running section parts ( 3   a ,  3   b ,  3   c ,  3   d ).  
   
   
       3 . Closure flap according to  claim 2 , wherein the corner elements ( 2   a ,  2   b ,  2   c ,  2   d ) are joined to the flap element ( 1 ) via an adhesive joint.  
   
   
       4 . Closure flap according to  claim 2 , wherein the section parts ( 3   a ,  3   b ,  3   c ,  3   d ) are connected via an adhesive joint to the corner elements ( 2   a ,  2   b ,  2   c ,  2   d ) and/or to the flap element ( 1 ).  
   
   
       5 . Closure flap according to  claim 2 , wherein the flap element ( 1 ) is made from a multi-layer panel material ( 40 ).  
   
   
       6 . Closure flap according to  claim 2 , wherein the flap element ( 1 ) comprises a composite panel ( 40 ), comprising a honeycomb-shaped core ( 41 ) having outer sheet layers ( 42   a ,  2   b ), joined to the core ( 41 ) by means of adhesive bonding.  
   
   
       7 . Closure flap according to  claim 6 , wherein the honeycomb shaped core ( 41 ) and/or one or both of outer sheets layers ( 42   a ,  42   b ) are of aluminium or an aluminium alloy.  
   
   
       8 . Closure flap according to  claim 2 , wherein the corner elements ( 2   a ,  2   b ,  2   c ,  2   d ) are corner angles having a U-shaped cross-section.  
   
   
       9 . Closure flap according to  claim 6 , wherein the section parts ( 3   a ,  3   b ,  3   c ,  3   d ) are angular section strips.  
   
   
       10 . Closure flap according to  claim 9 , wherein the section strips ( 3   a ,  3   b ,  3   c ,  3   d ) form at least two section walls, a first section wall ( 6 ) runs parallel to the section surface and makes contact with the panel surface, and a second section wall ( 12 ) lies at an angle to the first section wall ( 6 ) and projects from the panel surface.  
   
   
       11 . Closure flap according to  claim 10 , wherein the section strips ( 3   a ,  3   b ,  3   c ,  3   d ) form third section walls ( 7 ) which run parallel to the first section walls ( 6 ) and, with respect to the first section walls ( 6 ), are bent in the opposite direction from the second section walls ( 12 ), whereby the first and third section walls are joined via the second section walls to form a Z-shaped section.  
   
   
       12 . Closure flap according to  claim 2 , wherein the section parts ( 3   a ,  3   b ,  3   c ,  3   d ) and/or the corner elements ( 2   a ,  2   b ,  2   c ,  2   d ) are of aluminium or an aluminium alloy.  
   
   
       13 . Closure flap according to  claim 2 , wherein the corner elements ( 2   a ,  2   b ,  2   c ,  2   d ) and section parts ( 3   a ,  3   b ,  3   c ,  3   d ) are fitted together to make up a rectangular shaped frame-type structure, whereby a corner element ( 2   a ,  2   b ,  2   c ,  2   d ) is provided at each corner of the frame-type structure.  
   
   
       14 . Closure flap according to  claim 13 , wherein a wall of the section part ( 3   d ) running parallel to the panel surface of the frame-type structure, forms a connecting structure for a torsional joint connection, in particular for a hinge.  
   
   
       15 . Process for manufacturing a closure flap according to  claim 1 , comprising the following steps: 
 preparation of a flap element ( 1 );    mounting and positioning individual frame elements ( 2   a ,  2   b ,  2   c ,  2   d ) on the flap element;    adhesively bonding the frame elements ( 2   a ,  2   b ,  2   c ,  2   d ) to the flap element ( 1 ) to make a frame-type structure.    
   
   
       16 . Process for manufacturing a closure flap according to  claim 1 , comprising the following steps: 
 preparation of a flap element ( 1 );    mounting and positioning the corner elements ( 2   a ,  2   b ,  2   c ,  2   d ) on the flap element ( 1 );    adhesively bonding the corner elements ( 2   a ,  2   b ,  2   c ,  2   d ) to the flap element ( 1 );    mounting and positioning the section parts ( 3   a ,  3   b ,  3   c ,  3   d ) on the flap element ( 1 ); and    adhesively bonding the section parts ( 3   a ,  3   b ,  3   c ,  3   d ) to the corner elements ( 2   a ,  2   b ,  2   c ,  2   d ) and/or the flap element ( 1 ).    
   
   
       17 . Process according to  claim 16 , wherein holes are provided in the flap element ( 1 ) to accommodate positioning aids for the purpose of positioning the corner elements ( 2   a ,  2   b ,  2   c ,  2   d ) on the flap element. ( 1 ).  
   
   
       18 . Process according to  claim 17 , including introducing positioning aids into the recesses in the flap element.  
   
   
       19 . Process according to  claim 17 , including providing positioning aids for positioning the corner elements ( 2   a ,  2   b ,  2   c ,  2   d ), in holes in the frame elements holes and in the flap element.  
   
   
       20 . Process according to  claim 15 , including adhesively bonding corner elements to the flap element ( 1 ).  
   
   
       21 . Process according to  claim 16 , comprising the additional steps of: 
 mounting and positioning a reinforcing section ( 4 ) on the flap element ( 1 );    adhesively bonding the reinforcing section ( 4 ) to the flap element ( 1 ) and/or the section parts ( 3   a ,  3   b ,  3   c ,  3   d ).    
   
   
       22 . Process according to  claim 21 , including providing holes in the panel element and locating therein positioning aids for the purpose of positioning the reinforcing section ( 4 ).  
   
   
       23 . Process according to  claim 22 , including engaging the positioning aids for positioning the reinforcing section ( 4 ) in holes in the reinforcing section ( 4 ).  
   
   
       24 . Process according to  claim 23 , including adhesively bonding the reinforcing section ( 4 ) to the flap element ( 1 ).