Roof modules for passenger car roofs

Abstract

The invention relates to a roof module (10) for a passenger car roof, comprising a module frame, comprising a front module frame cross piece and a rear module frame cross piece (26) and corresponding lateral module frame longitudinal pieces, and at least one roof part (20) held on the module frame. The roof module is characterized in that the front module frame cross piece (26) is designed as a shell part which can be connected to a body-in-white side shell part (22) to form a roof cross member (24) enclosing a cavity (42).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a roof module for a passenger car roof according to the preamble of claim 1. The invention also relates to a passenger car according to the preamble of claim 6. Furthermore, the invention relates to a method for producing a vehicle roof according to claim 13.

[0002] Such a roof module for a passenger car roof is known from DE 10 2015 013 751 A1 and comprises a front module frame transverse element and a rear module frame transverse element as well as corresponding lateral module frame longitudinal elements, which are connected to one another to form a surrounding at least substantially rectangular module frame. In addition, the roof module comprises at least one roof part in the form of a movable sliding roof and / or lifting roof, which is guided or mounted on the module frame.

[0003] The entire roof module is inserted into a roof opening of the vehicle body, which is delimited by transverse and longitudinal frame elements of the roof cover on the body-in-shell side. These are usually composed of two shell parts, which are joined to each other by means of corresponding flanges or the like to form a corresponding cavity. Since the roof module is placed on the roof, a relatively large amount of structural space is required overall, on the one hand for the corresponding transverse and longitudinal frame parts of the roof in the form of hollow beams and on the other hand for the corresponding module frame transverse and longitudinal parts of the roof module. Thus, for example, components of the roof module, such as, for example, the drive mechanism of the sliding and / or lifting lid, are arranged only in front of the front roof crossbeam on the body-in-shell side, as viewed in the forward direction of the vehicle. This in turn has the effect that the perspective opening of the roof module, which is available for observation by the vehicle occupants, can only extend forward to the aforementioned components, so that the clear dimensions of the perspective opening can be designed to be correspondingly small overall.

[0004] Furthermore, DE 100 46 674 A1 discloses a roof module in which the drive motor for the sliding / lifting roof is installed according to a first embodiment variant in the cavity of a front module frame cross member designed in the form of a shell. According to a second embodiment variant of the roof module, the drive motor is arranged directly below the front module frame cross member designed in the form of a hollow beam. Both embodiment variants have in common that the roof module is relatively thick at least in its front region, which has a negative effect on the headroom for the front seat passengers.

[0005] The object of the present invention is to provide a roof module for a vehicle roof and a passenger car having a roof module arranged in a roof opening, which have a relatively high rigidity while reducing the overall weight of the roof structure. The object of the present invention is also to specify a production method for a vehicle roof which is suitable for accommodating a roof module with a relatively large viewing area and which also allows a roof structure with only a low overall weight.

[0006] This object is achieved according to the invention by a roof module having the features of claim 1, an arrangement of such a roof module in a roof opening of a vehicle roof having the features of claim 6, and a method according to claim 13. Advantageous embodiments including suitable inventive developments are the subject matter of the dependent claims.

[0007] The roof module comprises a module frame and at least one roof part, the module frame having a front module frame cross member and a rear module frame cross member and corresponding lateral module frame longitudinal members, the roof part being held on the module frame. The roof module is characterized in that the module frame cross member, which is located at the front when viewed in the forward direction of travel of the passenger car, is designed as a shell part, which can be connected to the body-in-shell side shell parts to form a roof cross member enclosing a cavity. In contrast to known roof modules, in which the front module frame cross member is connected to a prefabricated and usually double-shell roof cross member, the invention therefore now provides for providing a single, i.e. common, front roof cross member for the body roof and the module frame, which is formed on the one hand by the body-in-shell side shell parts and on the other hand by the front module frame cross member as a second shell part. The roof cross member is thus a composite part, which is formed by the corresponding lower body-in-shell side shell parts and the upper roof module side shell parts, wherein the two shell parts can be formed from corresponding metal alloys, but also from plastic. Here, too, typical composite components are conceivable, i.e., one of the shells can be made of a metal material, for example, and the other shell can be made of a plastic material. However, it is important that the hollow box-shaped roof cross member is made of the body side shells and the roof module side shells (which are only present when the roof module is installed on the vehicle). Compared to the typical design of a multi-shell body-roof cross member, to which the frame cross member of the roof module is also attached or placed offset to the rear in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, the front roof cross member assembled as described above not only has a weight advantage, but also allows a reduction in the structural space to be provided in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle and thus enables an enlargement of the see-through opening for the vehicle passengers.

[0008] Another advantage of the described assembly of the body side shell parts and the roof module side shell parts is that the cavity or the structural space of the roof cross member thus enclosed can be used additionally, in particular for the installation of other components, such as the drive of the roof part or the sunshade roller blind, so that the clear dimensions of the perspective opening for the vehicle passengers can be increased, in particular to the front. For the vehicle passengers, this means more space or a more comfortable upward view through the enlarged perspective opening of the roof module.

[0009] Particularly preferred are embodiments of the roof module in which at least one drive is provided for moving the roof element or the vehicle interior shading roller blind, wherein at least a part of the drive is arranged in a pre-assembly step on the side of the front module frame crosspiece facing the body shell side shell and fixed in a fixed position so that when the roof module is mounted on the vehicle roof, the part of the drive is arranged within the cavity. The drive is preferably an electric drive and in particular an electric motor, which drives at least one preferably tensile and compression-resistant drive cable cooperating with the roof element or the roller blind or for displacement thereof.

[0010] According to an advantageous embodiment, the cavity of the roof cross member is therefore used to accommodate drive components for the movable roof element and / or the sunshade roller blind, wherein the drive is fastened to the shell-shaped front module frame cross piece before the roof module is inserted into the roof opening. As a result, during the installation of the roof module, the drive is arranged in the cavity of the roof cross member formed by inserting the roof module from above into the roof opening, whereas previously the drive had to be arranged outside of it and thus the structural space was limited in this way. This is to say that this was not possible before, since the front roof cross member was prefabricated on the body-in-white side and therefore during the subsequent installation of the roof module, it was no longer possible to arrange the components in the cavity of the roof cross member. Since the front roof cross member is now formed or closed only when the roof module is installed, it is now possible to install the components in the roof cross member cavity, which is preferably closed in the circumferential direction. It is also advantageous if at least one component of the drive is arranged on the inner side of the front module frame cross piece facing the roof cross member cavity. When the module frame cross piece is connected to the body shell side shell, it is therefore necessary to accommodate the corresponding drive components in the cavity of the roof cross member formed.

[0011] In addition to the components of the drive, other components can of course also be installed in the cavity of the corresponding roof crossbar by being fastened, for example, to the front module frame cross member and then being positioned in the cavity during connection with the body shell side shells.

[0012] In a further embodiment of the invention, the front module frame cross-piece has a flattened section for accommodating a wind deflector on its side facing away from the body-in-white side shell, wherein the flattened section projects into the cavity of the roof cross member. The wind deflector is accommodated in the groove-shaped or trough-shaped flattened section extending over at least a majority of the length of the roof cross member. The wind deflector can thus also be installed in a very space-saving manner. Since the design according to the invention makes it possible to arrange the wind deflector significantly further forward in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle (x direction), i.e. approximately in the region of the roof frame, in contrast to the arrangement in principle behind the roof frame in the x direction as is common in known motor vehicles, this significantly improves the functioning of the wind deflector, in particular the aeroacoustics.

[0013] The advantages described above with respect to the roof module of the invention are obtained in the same manner for the passenger car according to claim 6. It is also characterized in that the front module frame crosspiece is designed as a shell part, which is connected to the shell side shell parts to form a roof crossbeam surrounding the cavity. This makes it possible to achieve a particularly advantageous positioning of the module frame crosspiece with respect to the installation space, so that, for example, a roof opening of the roof module, which is located to the rear in the x-direction opposite to the direction of travel of the passenger car, can be designed to be large, or the roof crossbeam formed by the front module frame crosspiece and the shell side shell parts can be arranged particularly far forward and thus particularly in a space-saving manner.

[0014] Preference is given to the following embodiments of passenger cars, in which, after the roof module has been installed in the roof side body opening, the front module frame cross member is also connected at its end directly to the A-pillar or is connected to the A-pillar by means of at least one connection element, such as a connection bracket or the like. In this way, a relatively high body rigidity can be achieved despite the space-saving design of the combined roof cross member-module frame cross member-shell structure, which is relatively flat in the vertical direction of the vehicle (z direction) and relatively short in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle (x direction). In this regard, in a preferred embodiment, it is provided that the front module frame cross member and the shell side shell part, which are designed as shell parts, each have a flange, at which they abut against each other and are also connected to each other there. As a result, when the module frame cross member is connected to the A-pillar, the cavity delimited between these parts of the roof cross member, which is designed approximately in the form of a hollow beam, is approximately closed at the end.

[0015] In a particularly advantageous embodiment of a passenger car ( Figure 1 ) provides that the front module frame cross member projects with its front end below the front windshield of the motor vehicle and that the front windshield is supported from below by the front module frame cross member in its rear upper lateral edge region. This means that the front windshield is placed on the front roof cross member and in particular on its upper shell formed by the front module frame cross member of the roof module and is preferably fastened thereto, in particular by means of adhesive bonding and / or a detachable mechanical connection such as a screw connection.

[0016] In an alternative embodiment of a sedan ( Figure 3 ), the body side shell part protrudes forwards beyond the front module frame cross member with a flange, the front windshield is fixed on the flange, and the front module frame cross member is also placed and fixed on the flange, set back in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. This embodiment allows the front windshield to be pre-connected, especially glued, or can be connected, especially glued, to the body side shell part, and then the roof module is installed in the roof opening of the vehicle body and the front roof cross member is complementarily formed by placing the front module frame cross member.

[0017] In addition, an embodiment of a passenger car is preferred, in which the windshield adjoins the front transverse edge of the cover part of the roof module with its rear upper transverse edge. Thus, a gap or seam is formed between the windshield and the movable cover part arranged in the closed position, which gap or seam extends in the transverse direction of the vehicle. Since the cover part extends in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle until it is close to the windshield, the front roof crossbar of the vehicle body arranged below it is partially covered or covered upwards by both the windshield and the cover part of the roof module.

[0018] Another advantageous embodiment of the present invention ( Figure 1 ) provides that the front module frame crosspiece and the body-in-shell side shell end at least substantially flush at the front and that the front module frame crosspiece projects rearwardly beyond the body-in-shell side shell with one end. As a result, the connecting flanges of the two shells can be arranged very far forward, so that the largest cavity of the roof crossbar formed can be used, for example, for the installation of corresponding components of the roof module. Further functional areas can be provided at the rearwardly projecting end of the front module frame crosspiece, for example, a receptacle for sealing a movable roof cover part of the roof module.

[0019] Finally, it has proven to be advantageous if the front module frame crosspiece is provided with a flattened section for accommodating a spoiler on its side facing away from the shell side shell, wherein the flattened section projects into the cavity of the roof cross member to such a depth that the front module frame crosspiece and the shell side shell can be connected to one another or are connected to one another in the region of the roof cross member. The above-described connection of the two shells, preferably centrally as viewed in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, has the particular advantage that the resulting roof cross member can be designed to be particularly stable and rigid. Furthermore, the size of the corresponding cavity of the roof cross member can be varied by positioning the connection point of the two shells, in order, for example, to obtain a stable cavity, especially in the front region, which can fully fulfill the function of the previous shell side roof cross member.

[0020] In order to achieve this object, a method according to claim 13 is also proposed. The method provides that, in order to produce a vehicle roof equipped with a roof module according to one of claims 1 to 5, firstly a lower shell part forming a roof cross member part arranged at the upper transverse edge of the vehicle windshield is connected to a corresponding A-pillar which, in the finished state of the vehicle, serves to laterally hold and delimit the windshield. Subsequently, the roof module according to the invention is installed from above into the roof opening of the vehicle roof which is delimited by the roof frame on the body side. In this case, the front module frame cross member, which is designed in the form of a shell, is placed on the body side / body side lower shell part (which together enclose a cavity) and connected thereto. Therefore, the front roof cross member on the body side is only built or completed by installing the roof module.

[0021] According to a first embodiment variant of the method, only after the roof module has been installed in the roof opening of the vehicle body is the windshield installed in the front opening which is delimited laterally by the A-pillars, above by the upper roof crossbeam and by the lower body side crossbeam, also referred to as the lower windshield crossbeam, and connected there, in particular adhesively bonded, to the components delimiting the front opening. This results in a very narrow frame structure of the roof and thus of the roof module in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, which also has only a low overall height. As already mentioned above, this results in clear advantages in the possible installation of at least a part of the drive for moving the roof part and / or the roller blind for the vehicle interior.

[0022] According to a second embodiment variant of the method, the front windshield is already connected, in particular adhesively bonded, to a flange of the shell side shell protruding forward in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, preferably even before the roof module is inserted into the roof opening of the vehicle body shell. The joining region of the shell part for forming the cross-piece of the front module frame on the shell side shell is therefore set back toward the rear, as viewed in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle.

[0023] Further advantages and details of the present invention will be found in the following description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0024] Figure 1 A partial view along a section extending in the vehicle vertical direction and in the vehicle longitudinal direction shows a first embodiment of a roof module being arranged in a roof opening of a first embodiment of a passenger car roof in the region of a front roof cross member of a vehicle body arranged adjacent to a vehicle windshield;

[0025] Figure 2 A perspective view of the lower shell of the front roof cross member on the body-in-white side, on which a plurality of drive components of a drive mechanism for a movable cover part of a roof module are shown in their installed position;

[0026] Figure 3 The detailed view along a section extending in the vehicle vertical and longitudinal direction shows a second embodiment of a roof module being arranged in a roof opening of a second embodiment of a passenger car roof in the region of a front roof cross member of a vehicle body arranged adjacent to the vehicle windshield.

[0027] exist Figure 1 1 shows the arrangement of a roof module 10 in a roof opening 12 of a passenger car roof in a partial sectional view along sections extending in the vehicle longitudinal direction (x direction) and in the vehicle vertical direction (z direction) and arranged laterally offset relative to the vehicle longitudinal center axis with respect to the vehicle transverse direction (y direction). Here, a front windshield 14, which is often also referred to as a windshield, can be seen first, whose rear upper transverse edge 16 adjoins a front transverse edge 18 of a roof cover part 20 of the roof module 10, which will be described in more detail below.

[0028] The body side / body-in-white side roof opening 12 of the vehicle into which the roof module 10 can be installed is defined by the longitudinal roof frame members extending in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle and the roof frame transverse members (also referred to as longitudinal beams and transverse beams, respectively) connecting them and extending in the transverse direction of the vehicle. The roof frame transverse members / transverse beams are also referred to as roof crossbeams. The roof frame longitudinal members and transverse members are usually and therefore also in a particularly preferred embodiment of the present invention respectively constructed in accordance with a shell configuration, that is, each body side frame member is respectively composed of at least two shell members, which are joined to each other by means of corresponding flanges or the like to form a corresponding cavity. The frame members may also be respectively provided with reinforcement means and with outer guard plates facing the outer side of the vehicle. It is important that among the longitudinal roof frame members and transverse members, at least the front roof frame transverse member or the front roof crossbeam is designed in accordance with a shell configuration.

[0029] In addition Figure 1 In the figure, a shell part 22 of a roof cross member 24, which will be described in more detail below, can be seen, which is connected to a corresponding A-pillar (not shown here) for laterally holding and delimiting the front windshield 14. The shell part 22 is an integral component of the motor vehicle body, also referred to as the body-in-white or load-bearing structure. The shell part 22 is a part of the roof frame of the motor vehicle body that delimits the roof opening 12.

[0030] The shell 22 is made of the same metal sheet, for example, from which the corresponding shell forming the A-pillar is also formed. Of course, other materials based on corresponding metal alloys or plastic materials can also be imagined. In a preferred embodiment, the shell 22 is a deep-drawn part, which is formed into a hollow body with one side open by a corresponding deep-drawing method from a metal sheet blank (such as a plate, sheet, strip, etc.) or from a corresponding semi-finished product. It is important that the shell 22 extends between the A-pillars and is fixedly connected to the A-pillars with its ends or at its ends.

[0031] The invention provides that the shell 22 forms a front roof cross member 24 of the vehicle body, or at least forms the main body of the roof cross member 24, to which reinforcements, insulation materials, etc. can be subsequently placed. Unlike in known vehicles, the roof cross member 24 is therefore not a typical hollow profile, at least not before the roof module 10 according to the invention is mounted on the vehicle body, as will be described in detail below.

[0032] The roof module 10 comprises a module frame which is preferably closed in the circumferential direction and has a receiving opening for the roof part 20, which is composed of a front module frame cross-piece 26 and a rear module frame cross-piece (not shown in the figure) and lateral module frame longitudinal pieces which connect these module frame cross-pieces. In this embodiment, the module frame has an overall rectangular shape. The module frame cross-piece and the module frame longitudinal pieces can be designed in one piece or in multiple pieces and can be joined or connected in another way to form a corresponding assembly.

[0033] In a preferred embodiment, it is provided that, with respect to the module frame parts, at least the front module frame cross-piece 26 is a shell part, i.e., it is open on one side or has a hollow body open on one side. In the context of the present invention, the term "shell" or "shell part" refers to a flat supporting structure, i.e., in particular an object whose thickness is very small compared to the other dimensions. In this case, the object can be curved or have a curve when viewed in cross section. Additionally or alternatively, the object can also be provided with an at least partially angular cross-sectional shape with at least one recess, or in the extreme case in the form of a plate or disk, so that in the case of the module frame cross-piece 26 it is ultimately designed in the form of a cover or closing plate for the body side shell part 22.

[0034] Here, the module frame cross member 26 can be a deep-drawn part similar to the shell 22, which is formed into a hollow body open on one side from a metal sheet blank (such as a plate, sheet, strip, etc.) or a corresponding semi-finished product by means of a corresponding deep-drawing method. Obviously, the module frame cross member 26 and the shell 22 as a vehicle body component can also be made of different materials, for example, one of them is made of metal and the other is made of plastic material.

[0035] The roof part 20 is mounted on the module frame, where it can be moved in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle and / or can be moved outward with its rear end. Here, according to a special embodiment of the roof module, in addition to the movable roof part 20, another roof part can also be provided, which is fixedly arranged on the roof frame or module frame.

[0036] When the roof module 10 is installed in the vehicle, the shell part 22 of the roof frame forms the lower shell part, and when the roof module 10 is installed in the roof opening 12 of the vehicle body, the front module frame cross piece 26 on the roof module side is placed on the lower shell part from above. The shell part 22 and the module frame cross piece 26 are connected to each other, for example, glued to each other, and together form a hollow beam, wherein the module frame cross piece 26 acts as a second shell part in this case.

[0037] The roof module 10 or its arrangement on the vehicle roof is now characterized in particular in that the upper module side shell part or module roof frame cross piece 26 and the lower body shell side shell part 22 together form a front roof cross member 24, which extends at least partially covered by the rear end of the windshield 14, or the windshield 14 is supported by the front roof cross member in the region of its rear transverse edge 16, but this is not the case in the vehicle body. Figure 1 Not shown.

[0038] In particular, from Figure 12 , it can be seen that the module frame crosspiece 26, which can be made of one or more parts and, for example, of a metal alloy or plastic or a hybrid configuration, extends forward with one end 31 as far as below the windshield 14 and ends essentially flush with the front end of the body side shell 22, wherein the two shells 22, 26 have corresponding flanges 28, 30, which are connected by an adhesive structure in the form of at least one adhesive bead 32. Instead of such an adhesive structure, other joint connections and / or mechanical connections are of course also conceivable.

[0039] The module frame crosspiece 26 extends further to the rear, that is, in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle (x direction), than the shell side shell 22 and projects beyond it with an end 34. Before the end 34, the two shells 22, 26 are connected by at least one further glue channel 36 arranged between a flange 38 of the shell side shell 22 and a wall 40 of the module frame crosspiece 26. The two shells 22 and 26 now enclose a hollow space 42 that is closed all around, or form the box-shaped contour of the roof crossbar 24.

[0040] In the embodiment shown in the figures, the roof cross member 24 has, on its top side, i.e., on the side facing the roof part 20, a profile / flattened portion 44 having a substantially U-shaped cross section, which is positioned relative to the front windshield 14 at a distance measured in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle (x direction), and whose depth is such that the flattened portion with its bottom directly abuts against the lower shell part 22 and is additionally connected to the lower shell part 22 precisely here by means of at least one additional glue channel 46. Thus, the hollow space 42 of the roof cross member 24 is divided into two chambers, namely a front chamber 48 and a rear chamber 50, by the flattened portion 44, whereby the stability of the roof cross member 24 is further improved.

[0041] In addition, the U-shaped flat portion 44 extending in the vehicle transverse direction and thus approximately in the shape of a groove is used to accommodate or install a deflector 52 therein, and when the roof component 20 is moved rearward in the vehicle longitudinal direction (x direction) or when the roof component 20 is opened upward in the vehicle vertical direction (z direction), the deflector moves out beyond the outside of the module frame cross member 26 to guide air through the opening opened by the roof component 20.

[0042] In combination with the perspective view showing the side shell member 22 of the body in white Figure 2It can be seen that various drive components of the roof module 10 are provided, for example an electric drive 54 for the roof part 20, an electric drive 56 for a roller blind for shading the vehicle interior (assuming that the roof part 20 is light-transmissive) and corresponding drive cables 58, which are usually tensile and compressive resistant, for moving the roof part 20 and the roller blind. In the pre-assembled state of the roof module 10, preferably all components, but at least the electric drive 54 for the roof part 20 and the at least one associated / corresponding drive cable to be connected to the roof part 20, are arranged on the roof module 10. At least the electric drive 54 is located on the roof module 10 in such a way that it is arranged in the cavity 42 of the roof crossbar 24 in the roof module 10 installed on the motor vehicle.

[0043] In this case, it is conceivable, for example, that all drive components 54 , 56 , 58 are pre-mounted on the corresponding side of the module frame cross piece 26 of the roof module 10 , so that the placement of the drive components 54 , 56 , 58 in the cavity 42 of the roof cross member 24 is automatically achieved when the roof module 10 is finally mounted on the roof.

[0044] like Figure 1 As shown, the drive mechanisms 54 and 56 are mounted by means of a mount 57 on the side of the shell-shaped module frame cross member 26 that forms the inner wall of the cavity 42 of the roof cross member 24, and in this embodiment are actually mounted in such a way that the drive mechanisms 54, 56 are suspended downward from the shell of the module frame cross member in the z direction and are simultaneously arranged contactlessly with respect to the remaining walls of the cavity 42, in particular with respect to the body side shell 22. Therefore, tight tolerances for the module frame and the vehicle body are not required here.

[0045] Finally, you can Figure 1 It can be seen in FIG. 3 that the rear end 34 of the front module frame cross piece has further functional areas, such as a stop 60 for the support and seal 62 on the side of the roof part 20 which is adjustable in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle.

[0046] It can thus be seen in general that a roof module 10 is provided here, wherein, when the roof module 10 is installed in the roof opening 12 of the vehicle roof, the front module frame cross piece 26 is assembled with the shell part 22 provided on the body side to form a roof cross member 24, and more precisely, the resulting cavity 42 is fully utilized in this case, and corresponding functional components such as drive components 54, 56, 58 are installed in this cavity. By installing various components, the rear end 34 of the module frame cross piece 26 can end further forward with respect to the longitudinal direction of the vehicle (x direction), so that the roof opening adjoining the rear end 34 can be extended further forward. As a result, the perspective opening 64 is designed to be larger, that is, it has a larger clear dimension. That is, the perspective opening 64 has at least a larger clear length (clear width), which results in better passenger comfort. By installing various functional components in the cavity 42 of the roof cross member 24, it is also possible to save structural space that needs to be provided separately outside the roof cross member 24. Furthermore, the overall weight of the vehicle can be reduced with at least approximately the same body rigidity, since the shell-shaped module frame cross member 26 and the shell side shell members 22 complement each other to form a hollow, highly rigid roof cross member 24 .

[0047] Figure 3 A second exemplary embodiment of a passenger car is shown with a roof module 10 according to the invention. Identical parts are provided with the same reference numerals, so that reference is hereby made to the description of the preceding figures. Figure 1 The main difference between the embodiments of the embodiment of the present invention is that the flange 28 of the shell part 22 of the body side is extended forward, or according to another embodiment, the flange 30 of the front module frame cross member 26 is shortened accordingly. As a result, the windshield 14 can be connected to the shell part 22 as shown in the figure, and then the roof module 10 can be installed in the roof opening and the roof cross member 24 is completed here. The front module frame cross member 26 also rests with its flange 30 on the flange 28 of the shell part 22 and is connected to it, especially also glued. In this embodiment, it is advantageous that the windshield 14 can be easily pre-installed in the body opening and can be fixed to the components that define the opening (A-pillar, lower cross member, shell part 22), and then the roof module 10 is installed.

[0048] In summary, it should be noted that the design of the roof module 10 according to the invention or the design of the passenger car body into which the roof module can be installed allows practically all components for adjusting the roof part 20 and possibly the at least one roller blind (if any), in particular drive mechanisms, drive cables, guide rails / profile rails / profile rails, etc., to be installed on the roof module or its module frame in a pre-assembly step, so that the roof module can finally be provided to the body at least substantially fully functional and can be installed. Obviously, at this point the at least one roof part 20 is also pre-installed / installed on the roof module.

Claims

1. A roof module (10) for a passenger car roof, comprising a module frame and at least one roof component (20) held on the module frame, the module frame comprising a front module frame transverse member (26) and a rear module frame transverse member and corresponding lateral module frame longitudinal members, characterized in that: The front module frame cross piece (26) is designed as a shell part, which can be connected to the body-in-white side shell part (22) to form a roof cross member (24) surrounding a cavity (42), wherein the front module frame cross piece (26) is provided with a flat section (44) for accommodating a spoiler (52) on its side facing away from the body-in-white side shell part (22), which protrudes into the cavity (42) of the roof cross member (24).

2. The roof module (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that: At least one drive mechanism (54, 56) is provided for displacing the roof component (20) relative to the module frame or for displacing a roller blind for shading the vehicle interior, and at least a portion of the drive mechanism (54, 56) is arranged on a side of the front module frame cross member (26) facing the body-in-white side shell member (22) in a pre-assembly step and is fixed in a position-invariable manner, so that when the roof module is installed on the roof, the portion of the drive mechanism (54, 56) is arranged within the cavity (42).

3. The roof module according to claim 2, characterized in that: The drive mechanism (54, 56) includes a motor, which is suspended on the front module frame cross member (26) and is also spaced apart from the body-in-white side shell member (22) in the vertical direction.

4. The roof module (10) according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that: The drive mechanism (54, 56), in particular the motor, is held on the front module frame cross member (26) at a distance in the horizontal direction from at least one of the two side walls of the body side shell member (22).

5. A passenger car having a roof and a roof module (10) according to one of claims 1 to 4 inserted into a roof opening (12), the roof having a roof crossbar (24) connected to a corresponding A-pillar for lateral support and delimiting a front windshield (14), characterized in that: The front module frame cross member (26) is constructed in the form of a shell member, which is connected to the body-in-white side shell member (22) to form the roof cross member (24) surrounding a cavity (42).

6. The car according to claim 5, characterized in that: The front module frame cross member (26) is also directly connected to the A-pillar at its end or connected to the A-pillar by means of at least one joint.

7. The car according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that: The front module frame cross member (26) protrudes with a front end portion (31) below the front windshield (14) of the car, and the front windshield (14) is supported from below by the front module frame cross member (26) in its rear upper lateral edge region.

8. The car according to any one of claims 5 to 7, characterized in that: The front module frame cross member (26) and the body-in-white side shell member (22) end at least substantially flush at the front, and the front module frame cross member (26) protrudes rearward beyond the body-in-white side shell member (22) with an end portion (34).

9. The car according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that: The body side shell part (22) protrudes forward beyond the front module frame cross member (26) with a flange (28), the front windshield (14) is fixed on the flange, and the front module frame cross member (26) is also set back in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle and abuts against and is fixed on the flange (28).

10. The car according to any one of claims 5 to 9, characterized in that: The flat section (44) projects into the cavity (42) of the roof cross member (24) to such a depth that the front module frame cross member (26) and the shell side shell part (22) can be connected to one another in the region of the roof cross member (24).

11. The car according to any one of claims 5 to 10, characterized in that: The rear upper transverse edge (16) of the front windshield (14) adjoins the front transverse edge (18) of the top cover part (20) of the roof module (10).

12. A method for producing a vehicle roof provided with a roof module (10) according to one of claims 1 to 4, wherein: The vehicle roof has a front roof cross member (24) in the form of a shell, wherein the roof cross member (24) is assembled from at least two shell parts (22, 26) defining a cavity (42) between them, wherein the lower shell part (22) is connected to a corresponding A-pillar for lateral support and defining a front windshield (14), and the upper shell part is formed by a front module frame cross member (26) of the roof module (10), and wherein, when the roof module (10) is installed in the roof opening (12) of the vehicle roof, the front module frame cross member (26) is placed on the lower shell part on the body side and connected thereto to form the front roof cross member (24).

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