Vehicle sunroof with protection of the closing mechanism and vehicle equipped with such a sunroof.
The flexible sunroof design with a discontinuously fixed protective strip addresses the issue of wind-raising and liquid accumulation, ensuring waterproofing and cost-effectiveness by eliminating the need for self-scoring fixings.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- FR2023005779
- Authority / Receiving Office
- FR · FR
- Patent Type
- Patents
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2023-06-08
- Publication Date
- 2025-04-25
- Estimated Expiration
- 2043-06-08
AI Technical Summary
Existing canvas sunroofs require additional self-scoring fixings to prevent the roof strip from being raised by wind, increasing costs and risking degradation, while also failing to effectively manage liquid accumulation.
A flexible sunroof design with a protective strip fixed discontinuously along the transverse edge, creating channels for liquid evacuation and avoiding the need for self-scoring fixings, ensuring waterproofing and cost-effectiveness.
The design maintains the protective strip in place during vehicle movement, prevents liquid accumulation, and avoids the need for self-scoring fixings, thus reducing costs and degradation risks.
Smart Images
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Abstract
Description
Title of the invention: Vehicle sunroof with protection of the closing means and vehicle equipped with such a roof.
[0001] The invention relates to a vehicle sunroof and to a vehicle equipped with such a sunroof.
[0002] It is known to produce an opening vehicle roof made of canvas. Such a roof conventionally comprises a fixed part, fixed to the roof of said vehicle, around an opening made in said roof, and a movable part connected to the fixed part by a zipper. The zipper allows rapid disassembly of the movable part relative to the fixed part. The movable part makes it possible to close the opening in the roof.
[0003] For example, document US4639035 describes a canvas sunroof comprising a movable part and a fixed part. The fixed part is fixed to the structure of the vehicle, in particular to the roof of the vehicle, connected to the movable part by a zipper. The zipper makes it possible to separate the movable part from the fixed part. When the movable part is fixed to the fixed part, the zipper is covered by a strip of fabric fixed to the face of the canvas roof facing the outside of the vehicle. This strip of fabric is fixed to the edge of the movable part and is applied against the fixed part, held against the fixed part by a hook-and-loop fastening system, known in particular under the brand name "Velcro". The hook-and-loop fastening prevents the strip of fabric from being lifted by the relative wind when the vehicle is moving.
[0004] The disadvantage of such a solution is that it requires the addition of a hook-and-loop fastener to hold the fabric strip against the fixed part and prevent it from being lifted by the relative wind when the vehicle is moving, particularly for the part facing the front of the vehicle. The addition of such a hook-and-loop fastener increases the cost of the fabric sunroof. In addition, the hook-and-loop fasteners can retain dust and other foreign matter to the point where they no longer provide reliable fastening.
[0005] The objective of the invention is to overcome these drawbacks. In particular, one of the aims of the invention is to propose a canvas sunroof comprising protection to ensure the sealing of a closure while being inexpensive and simple to produce.
[0006] This object is achieved according to the invention, thanks to a vehicle sunroof made of flexible material comprising a fixed part comprising an opening, a part movable between a closed position in which said movable part closes the opening of the fixed part and an open position in which the opening is free, the movable part being connected to the fixed part by a reversible closing means along at least one edge of said movable part, called transverse edge, when said movable part is in the closed position, so as to allow said transverse edge of the movable part to be released from the fixed part in the open position, the roof further comprises a protective strip covering said closing means along the transverse edge of the movable part when the movable part is in the closed position, said protective strip being fixed along one of these edges on the fixed part of the sunroof, remarkable in that the protective strip is fixed to the fixed part discontinuously over at least part of the length of said strip so as to form fixing zones between which are arranged zones free from fixing and to create channels allowing a liquid to escape from the space between the protective strip and the roof through the zones free from fixing.
[0007] Thus advantageously, when the transverse edge is arranged at the front of the sunroof installed on a moving vehicle, the front being taken in the frame of reference of said vehicle, the protective strip is not raised by the relative wind when the vehicle is moving because it is held on the fixed part at the level of the fixing zones, the fixed part being in front of the movable part. Thus, the protective strip remains above the closing means on the transverse edge, covering it and protecting it, even when the vehicle is moving. In addition, the presence of free zones between the fixing zones allows evacuation of liquid, such as water, running down the movable part towards the fixed part, and prevents its accumulation on the protective strip, avoiding the risks of infiltration at the level of the closing means.In addition, this solution avoids the need for self-gripping fasteners to hold the protective strip against the roof and therefore the risk of deterioration of this type of fastener over time.
[0008] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the fixing of the protective strip to the fixed part in the fixing zone is carried out by sewing.
[0009] Thus advantageously, the fixing is obtained by a fixing means that is simple and quick to carry out, in particular when the protective strip and the roof are made of fabric
[0010] In another embodiment of the invention, the protective strip is distant from the fixed part in at least part of the free zone so as to create an evacuation space between the fixing zones.
[0011] Thus, advantageously, the evacuation of liquid inserted between the protective strip and the fixed roof and the movable roof is facilitated.
[0012] In another embodiment of the invention, the movable part comprises two longitudinal edges arranged at the ends of the transverse edge, said longitudinal edges both extending on the same side of the transverse edge, so that the movable part is framed at least by the transverse edge and said longitudinal edges, the closing means extending along the longitudinal edges and the transverse edge so as to fix the movable part to the fixed part when the movable position is in closed position.
[0013] Thus advantageously, the opening obtained once the movable part is in the open position is of large dimension, and the movable roof in the open position can be rolled up on itself to clear the opening in the roof. Preferably, the closing means extends continuously along the transverse edge and the longitudinal edges.
[0014] In a particular embodiment of the invention, the roof comprises two longitudinal protective strips each covering the closing means respectively along each of the longitudinal edges when the movable part is in the closed position.
[0015] Thus advantageously, the closing means along the longitudinal edges is protected by the longitudinal protective strips.
[0016] In a particular embodiment of the invention, each of the longitudinal protective strips is fixed to the movable part.
[0017] In another particular embodiment of the invention, the movable part is connected in a non-removable manner to the fixed part along a holding edge extending between the ends of the longitudinal edges opposite the transverse edge.
[0018] Thus advantageously, the movable part can be rolled to open the sunroof while remaining fixed to the sunroof by the retaining edge.
[0019] In another embodiment of the invention, the closing means is a zipper.
[0020] Thus advantageously, the closing means is a simple and quick means to use.
[0021] The invention also relates to a vehicle comprising a roof with a hole, and a roof as described above, the fixed part of which is fixed to the roof of said vehicle with the opening facing the hole in the roof, the movable part in the closed position being facing said hole.
[0022] In a particular embodiment of the vehicle, in which the transverse edge of the movable part is arranged on the side of the front of the vehicle, extending transversely to the vehicle, and the longitudinal edges extending towards the rear of the vehicle in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle.
[0023] Thus advantageously, the movable part can be opened and stored by rolling it towards the rear of the vehicle, and therefore behind the opening.
[0024] The invention will be better understood on reading the following description, given solely by way of example and with reference to the appended drawings, in which:
[0025] [Fig-1] represents a perspective view of a vehicle comprising an opening roof according to the invention.
[0026] [Fig.2] represents a perspective view of a following vehicle sunroof the invention.
[0027] [Fig.3] represents a view along section AA illustrated in [Fig.2]
[0028] [Fig.4] represents a view along section BB illustrated in [Fig.2]
[0029] [Fig.5] represents a view along the section CC illustrated in [Fig.2]
[0030] The drawings are schematic representations to facilitate understanding of the invention. Components are not necessarily drawn to scale. The same references correspond to the same components from one figure to another.
[0031] The X axis represents the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, the Y axis the transverse direction and the Z axis the vertical direction. The forward, backward, up, down directions are taken in the vehicle's reference frame.
[0032] [Fig.l] illustrates a vehicle 100 having a roof with a sunroof 1. The sunroof covers a hole (not shown) in the roof of the vehicle 1. The sunroof comprises a fixed part 11 fixed to the roof. The fixed part 11 comprises an opening closed by a movable part 12 in the closed position. The movable part 12 further comprises an open position in which the opening in the fixed part 11 is free, i.e. not closed by the movable part 12.
[0033] As illustrated in [Fig.2], the movable part 12 is connected to the fixed part 11 by a reversible closing means 2 along at least one edge of said movable part 12, called transverse edge 121, when said movable part 12 is in the closed position, so as to allow said transverse edge 121 of the movable part 12 to be released from the fixed part 11 in the open position. That is to say, the closing means 2 comprises a locked state in which the movable part 12 is fixed to the fixed part 11 along its transverse edge 121, and an unlocked state in which said transverse edge is not fixed to the fixed part 11.
[0034] The roof further comprises a protective strip 13 covering said closing means 2 along the transverse edge 121 of the movable part 12 when the movable part 12 is in the closed position. Said strip 13 is fixed on one of these edges to the fixed part 11 of the sunroof, along the opening. That is to say that the protective strip 13 is fixed on the fixed part 11 along an edge of the opening facing the transverse edge 121 of the movable part when the movable part 12 is in the closed position.
[0035] The protective strip 13 is fixed to the fixed part 11 in a discontinuous manner over at least part of the length of said protective strip 13 so as to form fixing zones 131 between which are arranged free fixing zones 132 and to create channels allowing a liquid to drain from the space defined between the protective strip 13 and the roof 1, through the free zones 132. Thus, if a liquid, such as rainwater, comes to flow and accumulate between the protective strip 13 and the fixed part 1 and / or the movable part 12, said liquid can drain through the free zones 132.
[0036] As illustrated in [Fig.2] and in [Fig.3], the protective strip 13 is fixed to the fixed part 11 by several fixing zones 131 separated two by two by a free zone 132. In other words, there is a succession of free zones 132 and fixing zones 131. The fixing zones 131 comprise for example stitching points 133 fixing the protective strip 13 to the fixed part 11 to fix the protective strip 13 to the fixed part 11.
[0037] For example, the fixing zones 131 extend in the main direction of the protective strip 13 over a length greater than 2 cm, or even 5 cm. In the figures, the main direction of the protective strip 13 corresponds to the transverse direction Y of the vehicle 1, and the transverse edge 121 also extends in this same transverse direction Y. The free zones 132 also extend, for example, in the main direction of the protective strip 13, for example over a length greater than or equal to 2 cm, or even 5 cm. Those skilled in the art will adapt these lengths according to the flow and strength requirements of the fixing to be produced.
[0038] In the free zones 132, the protective strip 13 is distant from the fixed part 11 so as to create an evacuation space 134 between the fixing zones 131, as illustrated in [Fig.4]. That is to say, the protective strip 13 does not touch the fixed part 11 so as to create an evacuation space. If a liquid, such as water, accumulates between the protective strip 13 and the fixed part 11 as well as the movable part 12, it can flow through this evacuation passage. The channel thus formed is for example of a maximum height of 5 mm. The protective strip 13 is therefore in contact with the fixed roof 11 in the fixing zones 131 and distant from the fixed roof 11 in the free zones 132.
[0039] As illustrated in [Fig.2], in order to be able to create a large opening in the sunroof 1, the movable part 12 comprises two longitudinal edges 122, 123 each arranged at the ends of the transverse edge 121. These longitudinal edges 122, 123 both extend on the same side of the transverse edge 121, so that the movable part 12 is framed at least by the transverse edge 121 and said longitudinal edges 122, 123. The closing means 2 extends along the longitudinal edges 122, 123 and the transverse edge 121 so as to fix the movable part 12 to the fixed part 11 when the movable part 12 is in the closed position. In other words, the longitudinal edges 122, 123 and the transverse edge follow the periphery of the opening of the fixed part 11 when the movable part 12 is in the closed position.Two longitudinal protective strips 15, 16 each cover the closing means 2 respectively along each of the longitudinal edges 122, 123 when the movable part 12 is in the closed position.
[0040] The movable part 12 is connected in a non-removable manner to the fixed part 11 along of a retaining edge 124 extending between the ends of the longitudinal edges 122, 123 opposite the transverse edge 121. The roof 1 is thus formed of a single-piece flexible wall comprising a cutout forming the opening in the fixed part. The cutout creates the transverse edge 121 and the longitudinal edges 122, 123 of the movable part 12. The cutout follows an open path, such as for example the three edges of a rectangle as illustrated in [Fig.2], so as to maintain a link between the movable part and the fixed part along the retaining edge 124. The protective strips 13, 15, 16 are also made of flexible material. For example, the sunroof 1 and the protective strips 13, 15, 16 are made of waterproof fabric.
[0041] In the embodiment of [Fig. 2], each of the longitudinal protective strips 15, 16 is fixed to the movable part 12, as illustrated in [Fig. 5]. In the embodiment shown in the figures, the longitudinal protective strips 15, 16 are fixed continuously along their length.
[0042] The closing means is for example a zipper, known under the name “Eclair” fastener, trademark of the company “Eclair Prym”.
[0043] As illustrated in [Fig.l], the transverse edge 121 is arranged on the front side of the vehicle 100, extends transversely to the vehicle, and the longitudinal edges 122, 123 extend towards the rear of the vehicle 100 in the longitudinal direction X of the vehicle.
Claims
Claims
1. Sunroof (1) for a vehicle (100) made of flexible material comprising a fixed part (11) comprising an opening, a movable part (12) between a closed position in which said movable part (12) closes the opening of the fixed part (11) and an open position in which the opening is free, the movable part (12) being connected to the fixed part (11) by a closing means (2) reversible along at least one edge of said movable part (12), called the transverse edge (121), when said movable part (12) is in the closed position, so as to allow said transverse edge (121) of the movable part (12) to be released from the fixed part (11) in the open position, the roof (1) further comprises a protective strip (13) covering said closing means (2) along the transverse edge (121) of the movable part (12) when the movable part (12) is in the open position. closed,said protective strip (13) being fixed along one of its edges on the fixed part (11) of the sunroof, characterized in that the protective strip (13) is fixed to the fixed part (11) discontinuously over at least part of the length of said strip (13) so as to form fixing zones (131) between which are arranged free fixing zones (132) and to create channels allowing a liquid to escape from the space between the protective strip (13) and the roof (1) through the free fixing zones (132).,
2. Roof (1) according to the preceding claim, wherein the fixing of the protective strip (13) on the fixed part (11) in the fixing zone (131) is carried out by a seam (133).
3. Roof (1) according to one of the preceding claims, in which the protective strip (13) is distant from the fixed part (11) in at least part of the free zone (132) so as to create an evacuation space (134) between the fixing zones (131).
4. Roof (1) according to one of the preceding claims, the movable part (12) of which comprises two longitudinal edges (122, 123) arranged at the ends of the transverse edge (121), said longitudinal edges (122, 123) both extending on the same side of the transverse edge (121), so that the movable part (12) is framed at least by the transverse edge (121) and said longitudinal edges (122, 123), the closing means (2) extending along the longitudinal edges (122, 123) and the transverse edge (121) so as to fix the movable part (12) to the fixed part (11) when the movable part (12) is in the closed position.
5. Roof (1) according to the preceding claim, comprising two longitudinal protective strips (15, 16) each covering the closing means (2) respectively along each of the longitudinal edges (122, 123) when the movable part (12) is in the closed position.
6. Roof according to the preceding claim, each of the longitudinal protective strips (15, 16) of which is fixed to the movable part (12).
7. Roof (1) according to one of claims 4 to 6, the movable part (12) of which is connected in a non-removable manner to the fixed part (11) along a retaining edge (124) extending between the ends of the longitudinal edges (122, 123) opposite the transverse edge (121).
8. Roof (1) according to one of the preceding claims, the closing means (2) of which is a zipper.
9. Vehicle (100) comprising a roof (1) according to one of the preceding claims, the vehicle comprising a roof with a hole, the fixed part (11) being fixed to the roof of said vehicle (100) with the opening opposite the hole in the roof, and the movable part (12) in the closed position being opposite said hole.
10. Vehicle according to the preceding claim, the sunroof of which is according to claim 4 combined with one of claims 1 to 8, the transverse edge (121) of which is arranged on the side of the front of the vehicle (100), extending transversely to the vehicle (100), and the longitudinal edges (122, 123) extending towards the rear of the vehicle in the longitudinal direction (X) of the vehicle.