Wind deflector assembly

Abstract

A wind deflector assembly is movable between a retracted position below a roof opening and an extended position above the roof opening and comprises a wind deflector member extending in a transverse direction of the vehicle and having its upper end connected to an elongate member and its opposite lower end connected to a fixed member. A pair of wind deflector arms are connected to the fixed member by a slidable hinge. The wind deflector assembly is biased in a rearward longitudinal direction by means of a spring. The spring is connected to a second end of the wind deflector arms. A biasing device engages the wind deflector arms and urges the wind deflector arms towards the extended position. The biasing device comprises a first leg and a second leg which are integrally connected to each other at their first ends. The first leg loads the wind deflector assembly between the wind deflector arms and the fixed member so as to urge the wind deflector arms towards the extended position. The second leg of the biasing device engages and extends substantially along the wind deflector arms. The second end of the first leg is pivotally connected relative to the fixed member.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates to a wind deflector assembly for use in front of a roof opening of an open roof construction of a vehicle, the open roof construction comprising a fixed part and a panel, the panel being capable of closing the roof opening and at least partially opening the roof opening, wherein the wind deflector assembly is movable between a retracted position below the roof opening and an extended position above the roof opening and comprises: a wind deflector member extending in a transverse direction of the vehicle and having its upper end connected to an elongated member and its opposite lower end connected to the fixed part; a pair of wind deflector arms having their first end connected to opposite ends of the elongated member and their second end connected to the fixed part by a slidable hinge, wherein the wind deflector assembly is biased in a rearward longitudinal direction by a spring connected to the second end of the wind deflector arms, wherein a biasing device engages the wind deflector arms and urges the wind deflector arms towards the extended position. BACKGROUND

[0002] From EP 3 342 612 a prior art wind deflector assembly is known which comprises a wind deflector assembly which is slidably and pivotably connected to a fixed part and further comprises a biasing device capable of urging the wind deflector from a retracted position towards an extended position. The biasing device is rotatably mounted on the fixed part and has two legs extending from the fixed part which contribute to the biasing force. This biasing device is suitable for high speed conditions when the wind deflector is in the extended position. This biasing device can result in a relatively large force which in turn can result in a false pinching phenomenon of a pinching prevention system of the open roof construction in certain situations. SUMMARY

[0003] It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved wind deflector assembly for high speed conditions which has a biasing device which exerts a lower biasing force.

[0004] To this end, the wind deflector assembly is characterized in that the biasing device comprises a first leg and a second leg, the first leg and the second leg being integrally connected to each other at their first end, the first leg loading the wind deflector assembly between the wind deflector arms and the fixed part to urge the wind deflector arms towards the extended position, the second leg of the biasing device engaging the wind deflector arms and extending substantially along the wind deflector arms, and wherein the second end of the first leg is pivotally connected with respect to the fixed part.

[0005] In the description, the wind deflector assembly is explained by explaining the wind deflector assembly with one lateral side. It should be noted that the wind deflector assembly is mirrored from a longitudinal vertical plane along the center of the open roof construction and the vehicle.

[0006] Due to the biasing means, the force for pushing the wind deflector assembly towards the extended position and thus in an upward direction is now only formed by the first leg, which is pivotally connected to the fixed part. In the extended position of the wind deflector assembly, the biasing means still biases the wind deflector arm, so that the wind deflector member remains taut in this position. The position of the biasing means relative to the wind deflector arm and the angle of the first leg relative to the wind deflector arm are important in case the wind deflector assembly is in its extended position and the wind load caused by the high speed of the vehicle pushes the wind deflector downwards. The biasing means and its first leg avoid this downwards movement of the wind deflector, the biasing means and its first leg being arranged so that the wind load on the wind deflector member slightly influences the extended height of the extended wind deflector assembly. The horizontal backwards directed component of the wind load force is absorbed by the substantially horizontally extending slidable hinge of the wind deflector arm, which is located at a rear position of the wind deflector arm, while the vertical downwards directed component of the wind load force is absorbed by the first leg of the biasing means. The angle of the first leg relative to the wind deflector arm is chosen so that an optimal balance is created between, on the one hand, absorbing the downwards directed force pushed by the wind load force and, on the other hand, avoiding that the force is kept to an acceptable level when the panel pushes the wind deflector downwards when it is closed, avoiding a false anti-pinch catch phenomenon.

[0007] According to one aspect, the first leg at the second end comprises a male part, which forms part of the pivotal connection with the fixed part. The male part can be formed by a radius shaped bend only at the second end of the first leg. The material of the biasing means can be spring steel or another material of the same kind. This embodiment is a preferred embodiment and the second end of the first leg forms part of the pivotal connection directly.

[0008] According to another aspect, the male part engages in a rotatable manner with a female sliding bearing, which is attached to the fixed part, with its male side. The female sliding bearing in this embodiment is an open sliding bearing and can be made of any suitable material, however preferably of a plastic material. The male part of the first leg can slide rotatably in this female bearing. The bearing depth and shape are such that the male part of the first leg does not slide out of the bearing when the wind deflector assembly is in the retracted position and the extended position and the positions in between.

[0009] According to another aspect, the female sliding bearing is made of a thermoplastic material, in particular of a PET material or another material of the same kind. The PET material offers improved properties in terms of wear resistance and low noise performance as a bearing material.

[0010] According to another embodiment, the first leg can be equipped with a discrete part having a convex shape. As an alternative solution, the second end of the first leg can be equipped with a discrete part, for example a plastic molding or a plastic part clamped to the second end of the first leg. The plastic molding can be made of PET or another material of the same kind. Thus, the best combination of thermoplastic materials can be chosen for the discrete part and the slide bearing in terms of wear resistance and noise performance.

[0011] According to yet another embodiment, the concave slide bearing is equipped with a safety catch that is able to hold the first leg in case the convex part loses contact with the concave slide bearing. It is conceivable to have a safety device for the case that the vehicle with the wind deflector in the extended position is involved in a collision or the wind deflector member is damaged. The safety catch can be a pin attached to the fixed part forming a bridge around which the convex part or the discrete part of the first leg is positioned. Under normal operation of the wind deflector assembly, the pin of the safety catch does not touch the inside of the convex part of the first leg. In case of an accident or damage of the wind deflector member and the convex part or the discrete part of the first leg is lifted off the slide bearing, the pin of the safety catch holds the convex part or the discrete part of the first leg and avoids that the first leg is detached from the fixed part.

[0012] According to another embodiment, it is conceivable that the pivotal connection between the first leg and the fixed part is formed by a hinge construction formed by a pivotal pin attached to one of the fixed part and the first leg and a pivotal opening attached to the other one of the fixed part and the first leg.

[0013] According to yet another embodiment, the wind deflector assembly is equipped with a height adjustment member comprising an auxiliary piece extending from the wind deflector arm in a lateral direction close to the movable connection of the wind deflector arm to the fixed part and an adjustable end stop arranged to be slidably engaged in a longitudinal channel of the fixed part, the end stop being adjustable in an essentially longitudinal direction, and wherein the adjustable end stop is engaged with the auxiliary piece when the wind deflector member is in at least the extended position.

[0014] When the wind deflector assembly is in its uppermost extended position, the end stop engages the auxiliary member, and wherein the wind deflector assembly is moved to a lower extended position by means of the adjustment of the end stop against the auxiliary member in a substantially longitudinally forward direction, thereby lowering the vertical height of the wind deflector assembly. Height adjustment means can be necessary when the aerodynamics of a vehicle having an open roof construction require that the height of the wind deflector is adjusted with respect to the vehicle speed due to noise performance. At a certain vehicle speed, the noise performance of the open roof construction can be improved by reducing or increasing the height of the wind deflector. When the wind deflector assembly is extended, such height adjustment means fitted at both lateral sides of the wind deflector assembly can move the second end of the wind deflector arm in a longitudinally forward direction, so that the elongated member is moved to a lower height position and also to a longitudinally forward position. In this way, the height of the wind deflector assembly can be adjusted manually or automatically when the vehicle speed is increased or decreased, thereby improving the noise performance at that vehicle speed.

[0015] According to another aspect, the end stop is slidably arranged in a longitudinal channel of the fixed part, and wherein the end stop is driven by a flexible cable connected to the motor device. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0016] In the following, the wind deflector assembly will be further elucidated with reference to the drawings, wherein:

[0017] Figure 1 is a schematic perspective view of a vehicle roof having an open roof construction comprising a wind deflector assembly.

[0018] Figure 2 is an exploded view of a part of the open roof construction comprising the wind deflector assembly.

[0019] Fig. 3A and Fig. 3B are Figure 2 schematic side views of the wind deflector assembly of

[0020] Fig. 4 shows detail IV in Fig. 3 in a larger scale, is a schematic side view of the first leg of the biasing device and the sliding support.

[0021] Fig. 5A and Fig. 5B are a schematic side view and a cross-sectional view according to line V-V in Fig. 5A, respectively, of the first leg of the biasing device.

[0022] Fig. 6, Fig. 7A and Fig. 7B are schematic side views of an embodiment of the first leg of the biasing device in engagement with the sliding support.

[0023] Fig. 8A and Fig. 8B are schematic side views of the wind deflector assembly, further showing the principle of the height adjustment means in two positions of the wind deflector assembly. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0024] Reference Figure 1 and Figure 2 The diagram illustrates a wind deflector assembly in an open roof structure 2 of a vehicle. A roof opening 1 is shown in the vehicle roof, which can be opened and closed via a movable panel 4. Panel 4 is a rigid component made of partially transparent glass or plastic. The open roof structure 2 can be a single-panel structure or a multi-panel structure, wherein only one or more panels are openable. Furthermore, the open roof structure 2 includes a fixing member 3, through which the open roof structure 2 is connected to the vehicle body.

[0025] like Figure 2 As shown, the mounting component 3 includes guides on each lateral side, the guides being equipped with compression channels 25, 25' oriented in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle and the open roof configuration, wherein the channels in the guides can guide flexible drive cables 26, 26', which are driven by an electric motor unit 27. (The reference numerals with ' indicate similar components on opposite longitudinal sides of the mounting component 3.) The drive cables 26, 26' are connected to the panel 4 and / or the wind deflector assembly to move these components in the longitudinal direction. When the panel 4 is in the open position (here moved rearward above the vehicle roof), the wind deflector assembly is located near the front edge of the roof opening 1 in order to influence the airflow pattern above the roof opening 1.

[0026] This windshield assembly includes an elongated member 6 extending laterally and connected at each opposite end to a pair of first ends 8, 8' of windshield arms 7, 7'. Furthermore, a windshield member 5 extends along the lateral length of the elongated member 6 and connects between the elongated member 6 and a fixing member 3; that is, the windshield member 5 is attached to the elongated member 6 at its upper end and to the fixing member 3 at its lower end. It is conceivable that the windshield member 5 extends toward the ends of the windshield arms 7, 7' around a curved bend formed by the connection between the elongated member 6 and the windshield arms. The windshield member 5 comprises a flexible, breathable material, which may be elastic. Due to its breathability, air flows through the windshield member 5, and due to its aerodynamic drag, it induces air turbulence slightly rear of the windshield assembly, above the roof opening 1. These turbulences can prevent or reduce vibration.

[0027] Windshield arms 7, 7' are connected to a fixed member 3 via slidable hinges 10, 10', each hinge including a pin connected to a second end 9, 9' of the windshield arms 7, 7', the pin sliding in a slot extending longitudinally along the vehicle and connected to the fixed member 3. Tension springs 11, 11' are attached to the second ends 9, 9' of the windshield arms 7, 7' and to the fixed member 3 at their opposite ends. Springs 11, 11' ensure that when the windshield is in its extended position, the slidable hinges 10, 10' are always in their rearward position, ensuring that the extended positions are always identical. Springs 11, 11' also prevent the hinges 10, 10' from wobbling within the slot. Furthermore, biasing devices 12, 12' are provided, including a first leg 13, 13' and a second leg 14, 14'. The second legs 14 and 14' are mounted on the windshield arms 7 and 7', and the first legs 13 and 13' are pivotally connected relative to the fixed component 3. Furthermore, in Figure 2 The diagram shows adjustable end stops 24 and 24' driven by flexible drive cables 26 and 26', which are connected to an electric motor device 27 that drives the drive cables 26 and 26'. The end stops 24 and 24' can engage with auxiliary members 23 and 23' (as shown in Figures 8A and 8B), which extend laterally into the windshield arms. The end stops 24 and 24' can slide within channels 25 and 25' in the fixed member 3. When the windshield assembly is in the extended position, the end stops 24 and 24' can move forward. This movement causes the windshield arms 7 and 7' (via the auxiliary members) to move forward, thereby moving the elongated member 6 forward and to a lower height position, as can be seen in Figure 8B.

[0028] In Figures 3A and 3B, the wind deflector arms 7 and 7' are shown in the retracted and extended positions, respectively. When panel 4 is closed, the wind deflector assembly is... (only when panel 4 is closed...) Figure 1 (As shown in the diagram) Pushed down to the retracted position. Panel 4 includes a sliding pad or other component to slidably push the windshield assembly downward. Normally, when panel 4 is closed, windshield arms 7, 7' are engaged by panel 4. In the retracted position, elongated member 6 is pushed down below opening 1 in the vehicle roof. Biasing devices 12, 12' are fully compressed in this position and bias the windshield arms in a vertically upward direction.

[0029] The biasing device includes first legs 13, 13' and second legs 14, 14', which are integrally connected to each other at their first ends 15, 15'. However, in this retracted position, the windshield arms 7, 7' and the remainder of the windshield assembly are held in the retracted position by the panel 4. The pin in the sliding hinge 10, 10' at the second ends 9, 9' of the windshield arms 7, 7' is now substantially located in the front region of the slot. Springs 11, 11' now bias the second ends 9, 9' of the windshield arms 7, 7' rearward in the longitudinal direction and extend to their maximum length. Once the panel 4 slides to the open position, the windshield assembly moves gradually in a substantially vertical direction toward the extended position. This upward movement is caused by the biasing force of the biasing devices 12, 12'. The biasing force is mainly caused by the bending of the biasing device near the ends 15 and 15' of the first legs 13, 13' and the second legs 14, 14', but the deformation of the legs themselves can also cause the biasing force.

[0030] The pins in the sliding hinges 10, 10' now move to the rear of the slot, and the lengths of the springs 11, 11' are now reduced, but the second ends 16, 16' of the first legs 13, 13' are still biased in the longitudinal rearward direction. Once the extended position is reached, the windshield assembly 5 is fully taut; however, the biasing devices 12, 12' still apply a biasing force to the windshield arms 7, 7', which is lower than the biasing force when the windshield assembly 5 is in the retracted position, because the angle between the first legs 13, 13' and the second legs 14, 14' has increased, and the spring action has therefore been reduced to some extent. The comparison of Figures 3A and 3B illustrates the variation. Together, the biasing devices 12, 12' and the springs 11, 11' ensure reliable movement of the windshield assembly between its retracted and extended positions in both the longitudinal and vertical directions.

[0031] As shown in Figures 3B and 4, the convex components 17, 17' of the first legs 13, 13' of the biasing devices 12, 12' are pivotally engaged with concave sliding supports 18, 18', which are connected to the fixing component 3. The concave sliding supports 18, 18' have sufficiently large surfaces to accommodate the complete surrounding of the convex components 17, 17' of the first legs 13, 13' in both the retracted and extended positions of the windshield assembly. The second legs 14, 14' of the biasing devices 12, 12' are clamped within the windshield arm (not shown) by snap-fit ​​or by form-locking (e.g., by screws or by a support bracket and screws) to secure the second legs 14, 14' relative to the windshield arm 7, 7'.

[0032] Figure 4 shows in more detail the convex components 17 and 17' that engage with the first legs 13 and 13' in the concave sliding supports 18 and 18'. As described above, the convex components 17 and 17' may be curved portions of the first legs 13 and 13' of the biasing devices 12 and 12'. In Figure 4, the connection between the first legs 13 and 13' and the convex components 17 and 17' shows that, viewed longitudinally, the convex components 17 and 17' are open at the rear. It is conceivable that the convex components 17 and 17' are open at the front.

[0033] Figures 5A and 5B show safety fasteners 20, 20', which may be attached to pins of the fixed member 3 like a bridge, and where convex members 17, 17' at the second ends 16, 16' of the first legs 13, 13' substantially completely surround the pins of the safety fasteners 20, 20'. In normal operation, the convex members 17, 17' do not engage with the pins of the safety fasteners 20, 20'. Only in abnormal circumstances, such as in the event of a collision with a vehicle, will the convex members 17, 17' be lifted from the sliding supports 18, 18', and as a safety measure, the pins of the safety fasteners 20, 20' will hold the convex members 17, 17' in place.

[0034] Figures 6, 7A, and 7B illustrate further embodiments of the second ends 16, 16' of the first legs 13, 13' of the biasing devices 12, 12'. In Figure 6, the second ends 16, 16' include discrete components 19, 19', which are injection-molded convex-shaped components made of plastic, molded to the second ends 16, 16' of the first legs 13, 13'. It is conceivable that the discrete components 19, 19' are solid components made of thermoplastic material, or include a hole located at the center of rotation, such that the discrete components 19, 19' are functionally adapted to be combined with the safety fasteners 20, 20' as described above.

[0035] Figure 7A shows a fixed hinge configuration in which discrete components 19”, 19″' are attached to the ends of first legs 13, 13'. These plastic discrete components 19”, 19″' include holes 22, 22' through which pins 21, 21' are arranged. These pins 21, 21' are attached to hinge block 29, which is attached to fixed component 3. It is conceivable that pins 21, 21' and holes 22, 22' are interchangeable, since pins 21, 21' are attached to the plastic components, and holes 22, 22' are formed in hinge block 29, which is located on fixed component 3. Figure 7B shows a similar hinge configuration, but here slots 22, 22' are formed in the plastic molded components 19”, 19″', thereby ensuring easy assembly of the baffle assembly to fixed component 3.

[0036] Figures 8A and 8B show height adjustment members 28, 28'. Figure 8A shows the upper position of the wind deflector assembly, with the elongated member 6 at its highest position. End stops 24, 24' engage with auxiliary members 23, 23' on the wind deflector arms 7, 7'. End stops 24, 24' are adjustable components that slidably engage in longitudinal channels 25, 25' formed in guides that are part of the fixing member 3. End stops 24, 24' are driven by flexible drive cables 26, 26', which are driven by an electric motor device 27 (see...). Figure 2 In Figure 8B, the end stops 24, 24' move forward via a drive system consisting of drive cables 26, 26' and motor assembly 27. The pins of the sliding hinges 10, 10' move a distance X in the forward direction, reaching a position substantially in the front region of the slots in the sliding hinges 10, 10'. The springs 11, 11' are extended, and the wind deflector arms 7, 7' have already moved the distance X in the forward direction, but have also lowered their height Y by a certain amount at the position of the elongated member 6. Therefore, the elongated member 6 is now positioned at a lower position, which alters the aerodynamic surface of the wind deflector member 5, and thus the aerodynamic surface of the wind deflector assembly.

[0037] The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, which may vary widely within the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A windshield assembly for use in front of a roof opening (1) of an open roof structure (2) of a vehicle, the open roof structure (2) including a fixing member (3) and a panel (4) capable of closing the roof opening (1) and at least partially opening the roof opening (1). in, The windshield assembly is movable between a retracted position below the roof opening (1) and an extended position above the roof opening (1), and includes: A windshield component (5) extends in the lateral direction of the vehicle and is connected at its upper end to an elongated member (6) and at its opposite lower end to the fixing member (3). A pair of wind deflector arms (7, 7'), each of the pair of wind deflector arms being connected at a first end (8, 8') to one of the opposite ends of the elongated member (6), and each of the pair of wind deflector arms being connected at a second end (9, 9') to the fixed member (3) via a slidable hinge (10, 10'). The wind deflector assembly is biased in the rearward longitudinal direction by means of springs (11, 11'), which are connected to the second end (9, 9') of each wind deflector arm (7, 7'). The biasing device (12, 12') engages each windshield arm (7, 7') and pushes the windshield arm (7, 7') toward the extended position. The biasing device (12, 12') includes a first leg (13, 13') and a second leg (14, 14'), wherein the first leg (13, 13') and the second leg (14, 14') are integrally connected to each other at the first end (15, 15') of the first leg (13, 13') and the second leg (14, 14'). The first leg (13, 13') extends between the windshield arm (7, 7') and the fixing member (3) to cooperate with the second leg to push the windshield arm (7, 7') towards the extended position, and The second leg (14, 14') of the biasing device (12, 12') engages with at least a portion of the windshield arm (7, 7') and extends substantially along at least a portion of the windshield arm (7, 7'), wherein the second end (16, 16') of the first leg (13, 13') is pivotally connected relative to the fixing member (3). The first leg (13, 13') is the only biasing connector of the biasing device (12, 12') extending between the fixed member (3) and the windshield arm (7, 7'), such that the force for pushing the windshield assembly toward the extended position is formed solely by the first leg (13, 13').

2. The wind deflector assembly according to claim 1, in, The first leg (13, 13′) includes a convex member (17, 17′) at the second end (16, 16′), the convex member forming part of a pivotal connection with the fixed member (3).

3. The wind deflector assembly according to claim 2, in, The convex component (17, 17') of the first leg (13, 13') rotatably engages the concave sliding support (18, 18') via its convex side, the concave sliding support (18, 18') being attached to the fixed component (3).

4. The wind deflector assembly according to claim 3, wherein, The concave sliding support (18, 18′) is made of thermoplastic material.

5. The wind deflector assembly according to claim 3, wherein, The concave sliding support (18, 18') is made of PET material.

6. The wind deflector assembly according to claim 1, wherein, The first leg (13, 13′) is equipped with a discrete component (19, 19′) at its second end (16, 16′), the discrete component (19, 19′) having a convex shape.

7. The wind deflector assembly according to claim 3, wherein, The concave sliding support (18, 18′) is equipped with a safety fastener (20, 20′) that can retain the first leg (13, 13′) in the event that the convex component (17, 17′) loses contact with the concave sliding support (18, 18′).

8. The wind deflector assembly according to claim 1, wherein, The pivotal connection between the first leg (13, 13′) and the fixed component (3) is formed by a hinge structure.

9. The wind deflector assembly according to claim 1, wherein, The wind deflector assembly is equipped with a height adjustment member (28) and movable end stops (24, 24'). The height adjustment member (28) includes an auxiliary member (23, 23') that extends laterally from the wind deflector arm (7, 7') near a movable connection between the wind deflector arm (7, 7') and the fixed member (3). The movable end stops (24, 24') are configured to slidably engage in a longitudinal channel (25, 25') in the fixed member (3). The movable end stops (24, 24') are movable in a substantially longitudinal direction, and wherein the movable end stops (24, 24') engage with the auxiliary member (23, 23') when the wind deflector member (5) is in at least an extended position.

10. The wind deflector assembly according to claim 9, wherein, When the wind deflector assembly is in its extended position, the movable end stop (24, 24') engages with the auxiliary member (23, 23'), and wherein the wind deflector assembly moves to a lower extended position by means of the movable end stop (24, 24') abutting against the auxiliary member (23, 23') in a substantially longitudinal forward direction, thereby reducing the vertical height of the wind deflector assembly.

11. The wind deflector assembly according to claim 10, wherein, The movable end stop (24, 24′) is slidably arranged in the longitudinal channel (25, 25′) in the fixed member (3), and wherein the movable end stop (24, 24′) is driven by a flexible cable (26, 26′) connected to the motor device (27).

Images