Open roof construction for a vehicle

Abstract

An open roof construction for a vehicle having a roof opening (1) defined in a roof portion (2, 2') of the vehicle, comprising a panel (3) and first means (5) for moving a rear side of the panel towards a position elevated relative to the closed position and above the adjoining roof portion (2'). A support rod (17) cooperates with the control slide and supports the panel in the position above the adjoining roof portion (2'). The support rod (17) is guided in the guide rail (28) and is adapted to pass through the passage opening as well. The support rod (17) takes over the support of the panel (3) from an intermediate guide connection (20) of the lifting rod (16) and the intermediate guide connection (20) is then disengaged from a guide bend (21) in the control slide (15).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to an open roof structure for a vehicle having a roof opening defined in a roof portion of the vehicle. The open roof structure includes at least: a panel movable between a closed position and an open position, wherein in the closed position the panel closes the roof opening, and in the open position the panel opens the roof opening and is at least partially positioned above an adjacent roof portion; a first means for moving a rearward side of the panel toward a position raised relative to the closed position and above the adjacent roof portion; and a means for moving a frontward side of the panel and / or supporting the frontward side of the panel. The second device, wherein the first device comprises: a lifting member slidably engaged with a control slider for moving the panel at least to a ventilated position in which the rear end of the panel is raised, the control slider and the lifting member being guided by a guide rail having at least one guide groove and extending along the longitudinal direction of the vehicle adjacent to the roof opening and below the adjacent roof portion; one or more seals closing the passage opening adjacent to the adjacent roof portion above the guide rail and allowing the lifting member to pass through in the position of the panel above the adjacent roof portion. Background Technology

[0002] For example, an open roof structure is known from EP2078630 A1.

[0003] A different type of open roof construction is known from DE 10 2005 059 285 A1. This open roof construction includes a first or rear unit comprising a crank consisting of a lift rod and a support rod connected to the upper end of the lift rod. The lift rod is pivotally and slidably connected to the panel, and a control slide is connected to a front pivot of the lift rod. Vertical movement of the lift rod is caused by a guide bend in the lift rod that slides along a control pin on a support slide carrying the support rod. Summary of the Invention

[0004] One of the objectives of this invention is to provide an improved open roof structure.

[0005] To achieve these and other objectives, the open roof structure according to the invention further includes a support rod that also engages with the control slider and supports the panel at least when the panel is positioned above the adjacent roof portion, the support rod being guided in a guide groove of the guide rail and adapted to also pass through the channel opening.

[0006] By having additional support rods guided in the same rail, they can all be moved to a position behind the roof opening, as they can all extend from the rail below the adjacent roof section to the panel above the roof section via a seal in the adjacent roof section. Due to the rearward position of the lifting members, the panel will be stably supported in all its positions, not just in the position where the support rods support the panel.

[0007] The simplest embodiment is obtained if the lifting member and the support rod are aligned in the longitudinal direction and preferably positioned such that they do not overlap in any position.

[0008] Because of the alignment of the lifting member and the support rod, no separate measures are needed to pass them through the seals in the adjacent roof section. This is further achieved because there is no overlap, allowing them to be positioned in any location even when aligned in the longitudinal direction.

[0009] In another embodiment, the lifting member and the support rod overlap only in portions where, in the position of the panel above the adjacent roof portion, these portions are completely below or above one or more seals of the passage opening.

[0010] In this embodiment, the lifting member and the support rod may be longitudinally aligned at the height of the seal in the adjacent roof portion, and may be offset relative to each other above and below the seal. At least a portion of one of the lifting member or the support rod may be laterally offset to allow overlap in one or more locations.

[0011] The support rod can be directly pivotally fixed to the panel, which allows the lifting member and the support rod to be fully aligned.

[0012] Alternatively, the support rod may be pivotally fixed to the lifting member, although hybrid solutions are also conceivable, wherein the lifting member and the support rod are connected to the panel at the same location, such that the support rod is connected both to the lifting member and directly to the panel.

[0013] The support rod can be connected to the lifting member at a position in the center portion between the ends of the lifting member, and is always kept below the seal of the channel opening.

[0014] In this way, the lifting member will support the panel in all its positions, but the lifting member will be supported by the support rod in the upward position of the panel.

[0015] Alternatively, the support rod may be connected to the lifting member at a position in the end portion of the lifting member beyond such a position where the lifting member is connected to the panel.

[0016] This allows for the rearmost arrangement of the support rod, while still maintaining connection via the lifting member.

[0017] In a preferred embodiment, the support rod takes over the lifting function of the lifting member as the panel moves upward from its closed position.

[0018] In an advantageous embodiment, the lifting member is a lifting rod that engages with the control slide via at least one and preferably two pin-bend connectors (one acting as a lower pivot, the other being ineffective when the support rod takes over the lifting function of the lifting rod).

[0019] When the panel is in the closed position, the lifting rod and the support rod preferably extend from the panel in a forward direction.

[0020] This forms the most compact arrangement of the lifting rod and support rod.

[0021] The support rod may have a lower pivot pin that is slidable relative to the control slider when the lifting member is active, and locked relative to the control slider when the support rod takes over the lifting function of the lifting member.

[0022] In this way, the control slider can slide relative to both the lifting member and the support rod.

[0023] For example, if the support rod includes a locking member near the lower pivot pin, a simple locking of the support rod relative to the control slider can be achieved, the locking member moving to its locked position relative to the control slider when the support rod is rotated to its uppermost position, in which the support rod supports the panel.

[0024] Therefore, no additional components are needed to achieve the locking action.

[0025] According to an alternative solution, a support rod is provided that also engages with the control slider and supports the panel at least in a position where the panel is above the adjacent roof portion. In this position, the support rod takes over support of the panel from a central guide connector of the lift rod, in which position the central guide connector disengages from a guide bend in the control slider. As a result, the support rod can lift the rear side of the panel to a greater height without requiring a larger control slider to guide the central guide connector to a greater height, thus achieving a greater lift height without a larger Z-package (or therefore the same lift height can be achieved with a smaller Z-package). Attached Figure Description

[0026] Further details and advantages of the invention will become clearer from the following description of embodiments of the invention with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0027] Figure 1 A perspective view of a portion of a vehicle, wherein an embodiment of the open roof structure is in the open position.

[0028] Figure 2 for Figure 1 An enlarged exploded view of a portion of the operating mechanism of the open roof structure.

[0029] Figures 3a-3c for Figure 2 Side view of the operating mechanism in three different positions.

[0030] Figure 3d According to Figure 3c The cross-sectional view of arrow III in the figure.

[0031] Figure 4a and 4b To correspond to respectively Figure 3c and 3d The view is shown, but different embodiments are illustrated.

[0032] Figure 5a and 5b For corresponding Figure 4a and 4b The view shown is one example, but another embodiment is illustrated. Detailed Implementation

[0033] Figure 1 A portion of a vehicle is shown, including a roof opening 1 defined in a (fixed) roof portion 2. A panel 3 is available in a closed position (not shown) and an open position (…). Figure 1The panel 3 moves between the closed position and the open position. In the closed position, the panel 3 closes the roof opening 1, and in the open position, the panel 3 opens the roof opening 1 and is positioned at least partially above the roof portion 2', which is adjacent to the roof opening 1 on its rear side. The rear roof portion 2' can be part of a fixed roof or formed as a separate panel that is fixed or movable.

[0034] As is known per se, such an open roof structure (also known as a top sliding roof) may include additional elements, such as a tiltable air deflector positioned in front of the roof opening 1, or, for example, an additional movable or fixed panel in a position behind panel 3 when panel 3 is in its closed position (i.e. forming roof portion 2').

[0035] Panel 3 facing from the closed position as Figure 1 The movement of the open position shown is controlled by an operating mechanism, the components of which are already in place. Figure 2 The operation of the operating mechanism is shown in the diagram. Figures 3a-3d The image is shown schematically. It should be noted that... Figure 2 3 and 3 represent operating mechanisms on a longitudinal (relative to the vehicle, i.e., the X-direction) side of the roof structure, i.e., on a longitudinal side of panel 3, and it should be understood that corresponding operating mechanisms are usually set in a mirror image on the opposite longitudinal sides.

[0036] Figure 2 This illustrates one component of the operating mechanism. The mechanism is connected to panel 3 via panel bracket 4. Figure 3d The panel support 4 is secured to the underside of the panel near its longitudinal edge in any known manner, for example, by encapsulation or by attachment to another encapsulation component (see [link to encapsulation component]). Figure 3d The operating mechanism includes a first or rear device 5 and a front or second device 6.

[0037] The front or second device 6 includes a rod 7. The rod 7 includes a lower pivot, here a pivot pin 8, an upper pivot connector 9 pivotally connecting the rod 7 to the panel support 4 of the panel 3, and an intermediate guide connector 10 in the form of a cam. Near the intermediate guide connector 10, but on the other side of the rod 7, i.e., on the side opposite to components 8, 9, and 10, a guide member 11 in the form of a guide cam is arranged. This guide member 11 is adapted to slide into a fixed guide bend 12. The fixed guide bend includes a rear portion 12' extending substantially parallel to the panel 3 when in the closed position. Figure 3dThe guide member 11 has a generally elliptical shape, and the height of the guide bend 12 varies along its length, depending on the orientation of the guide bend 12 and the protruding orientation of the rod 7 and the variation of that orientation along the length of the guide bend 12. The second or front device 6 supports the front side of the panel 3 and moves it in a vertical direction.

[0038] The pivot pin 8 and the intermediate guide connector 10 engage in their own guide bends 13, 14 in the control slider 15, but in this embodiment, these bends 13, 14 are combined into a single bend. The shapes of the bends 13, 14 are selected to achieve the desired movement of the front side of the panel 3. The control slider is configured to control the vertical (Z) and horizontal (X) movement of the control panel 3.

[0039] The rear assembly or first assembly 5 includes a lifting member, which here takes the form of a lifting rod 16 and a support rod 17. The lifting rod 16 includes a lower pivot, here a pivot pin 18, an upper pivot connector 19 that pivotally and continuously secures the lifting rod 16 to the panel support 4 of the panel 3, and an intermediate guide connector 20, here in the form of a guide pin. Pins 18 and 20 engage their own guide bends 21 and 22 in the control slider 15, the shapes of which are selected to achieve the desired movement of the rear side of the panel 3. When pins 18 and 20 are in their guide bends 21 and 22, they support the rear side of the panel 3 via the lifting rod 16 and the control slider 15.

[0040] Further details and operation of the first and second means of the operating mechanism are disclosed in US 7,828,376, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0041] exist Figures 3a-3c As shown, the guide bend 22 of the intermediate guide connector 20 of the lifting rod 16 is widened and opened on its upper side by an opening 23, so that when the control slider 15 reaches its end position relative to the first device 5 and the second device 6 and its rods 7 and 16, the intermediate guide connector 20 and thus the lifting rod 16 can move freely in the upward direction.

[0042] Figures 3a-3d Further shown is that the support rod 17 is arranged behind the lifting rod 16. In this case, there is an upper pivot connector 24 through which the support rod 17 is directly connected to the bracket 4 of the panel 3. The support rod 17 has a hook-like shape, with the short upper hook perpendicular to the rest of the support rod 17. As a result, in the closed position of the panel 3 ( Figure 3aIn the closed position of panel 3, it may extend around and close to lift rod 16. In the closed position of panel 3, the majority of rods 16 and 17 extend side-by-side in generally the same direction. The main portion of support rod 17 extends generally horizontally, and the upper hook portion extends generally vertically toward the upper pivot connector 24 behind the upper pivot connector 19 of lift rod 17. This allows the small package along the Z-direction to simultaneously avoid overlap of the two rods 16 and 17. This non-overlapping allows the rods to be aligned along the longitudinal direction (X-direction) of the open roof construction.

[0043] The advantage of this vertical alignment is that... Figure 3d The diagram shows a rearward position of panel 3, in which panel 3 extends above the adjacent roof portion 2'. Between the roof portion 2' and the laterally adjacent fixed roof 2, there is a channel opening 25, typically closed by hollow spherical seals 26 and 27. These seals 26, 27 can be deformed by a lift rod 16 and a support rod 17 to move through the channel opening 25. Due to the alignment of the two rods 16, 17 and their relatively small thickness, the deformation of the seals 26 and 27 can be kept small, thereby reducing their wear.

[0044] Another advantage of aligning rods 16 and 17 is that both rods 16 and 17 can be guided into the same slot in the guide rail 28 of the operating mechanism. This guide rail 28 extends from the front of the roof opening 1 to a position below the roof section 2'. This single guide rail 28 simplifies the structure and minimizes the Y-packaging of the operating mechanism.

[0045] Figure 3d As shown, the pivot pin 18 of the lifting rod 16 extends in the opposite direction to the lower pivot pin 29 of the support rod 17. Figure 2 and 3b A sub-section 15' of the control slider 15 is shown, which is laterally offset from the control slider 15 and includes a straight slot or bend 30 for the lower pivot pin 29 of the support rod 17. At a small distance from the lower pivot pin 29 is a locking member 31, which may be in the form of a cylindrical wall portion concentric with the pivot pin 29. During upward rotation of the support rod 17, when the locking member 31 is positioned at the front end of the slot 30, it can lock behind the wall portion 32 of the sub-section 15' of the control slider 15 to lock the support rod 17 in its X-position within the control slider 15. Figure 3a As shown, the lifting rod 16 has a groove 33 in its rear side facing the support rod 17 to receive the locking member 31 in the closed position of the panel 3, so that the locking member 31 does not adversely affect the close proximity of the two rods 16, 17 in the closed position of the panel 3.

[0046] Figures 3a-3d The operation of the rear device 5 is as follows.

[0047] exist Figure 3a In the middle, panel 3 is in its closed position, so both levers 16 and 17 are in their lowest (most horizontal) positions. Control slider 15 is in its forwardmost position, so pins 18 and 20 of lifting lever 16 are in their rear positions in guide bends 21 and 22. Lower pivot pin 29 of support lever 17 is also in its rear position in slot 30.

[0048] Figure 3b The position of the operating mechanism is shown, with panel 3 in its ventilated position, and the rear of panel 3 raised by lifting rod 16. The intermediate guide connector 20 of the lifting rod is near its front position in guide bend 22, while the lower pivot pin 29 of support rod 17 has also reached its near front position in slot 30. Rod 7 of the front device 6 is responsible for locking panel 3 in its front position, specifically locking guide member 11 in the vertical front portion 12” of the fixed guide bend 12.

[0049] Figure 3c The position of the operating mechanism is shown, where panel 3 can move rearward above the adjacent roof portion 2'. Now, the lever 7 of the front assembly 6 locks panel 3 to the control slider 15 in the X-direction, while the locking member 31 hooks behind the wall portion 32 to lock the lower pivot pin 29 of the support rod 17 relative to the control slider 15 in the X-direction. Because panel 3 is locked in the X-direction relative to the control slider 15, the support rod 17 is rotatably locked, as rotation of the support rod 17 would require X-movement of panel 3 relative to the control slider 15. The intermediate guide connector 20 of the lift rod 16 moves to an invalid position below, within, or even above the opening 23 between the guide bends 21 and 22, as it is no longer supported by the control slider 15. Therefore, support for the rear side of panel 3 is now entirely provided by the support rod 17. Therefore, the support rod 17 can lift the rear side of the panel 3 to a higher height without the need for a larger control slider 15 to guide the intermediate guide connector 20 to a higher height, thereby achieving a greater lifting height without a larger Z-package (or thus the same lifting height can be achieved with a smaller Z-package).

[0050] Figure 4a and 4bA second embodiment of the rear assembly 5 is shown, differing only in the connection between the rods 16, 17 and the bracket 4 of the panel 3. The lifting rod 16 now extends rearward beyond the upper pivot connector 19 to allow the support rod 17 to be connected to the lifting rod 16 rather than directly to the bracket 4 of the panel 3. Therefore, the upper pivot pin 24 of the support rod 17 now extends through a hole in the rear portion of the lifting rod 16. Figure 4b This is illustrated. The bracket 4 terminates at the front of the support rod 17, and the pivot pin 24 extends behind the rear end of the bracket 4. The upper ends of the lifting rod 16 and the support rod 17 now overlap and are therefore not longitudinally aligned with each other. Therefore, one of the rods 16 and 17 should be offset laterally so that when both rods are in their upper positions, the lower portions of the rods 16 and 17 align downwards from the Z-position above the seals 26 and 27 to their lower ends.

[0051] Figure 5a , 5b Another embodiment of the rear assembly 5 is shown, in which the support rod 17 is connected to the lift rod 16 in a different manner. The support rod 17 is now shorter than in the previous embodiment and is connected to the lift rod 16 in the central portion between the upper pivot pin 19 and the lower pivot pin 18. The position of the upper pivot pin 24 of the support rod 17 is such that, in an upper position where the panel 3 can move above the roof portion 2', the upper pivot pin 24 of the support rod 17 remains below the seals 26, 27 of the passage opening 25. This means that only the lift rod 16 extends through the passage opening 25 and the support rod 17 remains always below the seals 26, 27. Therefore, the rods 16, 17 are not longitudinally aligned and the support rod 17 at least partially overlaps with the lift rod 16 without interfering with the rear assembly 5 passing through the passage opening 25. The lift rod 16 always supports the panel 3, but in the lower position of the panel 3 via the intermediate guide connector 20 and in the upper position of the panel 3 via the support rod 17.

[0052] The support rod 17 is always shorter than the lifting rod 16 and is only effective in its upward rotation position, thus providing stable support for the panel 3 directly or through the lifting rod 16.

[0053] In this embodiment, the support rod 17 will also have a locking member, which is the locking member as in the previous embodiment, or any other locking member, which locks the support rod 17 to at least prevent the sliding movement of the lower pivot pin 29 of the support rod 17.

[0054] As will be apparent from the foregoing, this invention provides a simple yet highly stable operating mechanism for open-roof structures. Due to the support rod, the panel can be tilted to a relatively high position without requiring the slider to be very high, because the intermediate guide connector of the lift rod becomes ineffective at its higher position. The upwardly rotating support rod then takes over the support from the intermediate guide connector.

[0055] This invention is not limited to the embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings and described above, and can be varied in different ways within the scope of this invention. For example, the lower pivot of the lifting rod can also be directly guided into the guide groove of the guide rail. Features of different embodiments can be combined to obtain other embodiments.

Claims

1. An open roof construction for a vehicle, the vehicle having a roof opening (1) defined in a roof portion (2, 2') of the vehicle, the open roof construction comprising at least: Panel (3) movable between a closed position in which it closes the roof opening and an open position in which it opens the roof opening and is positioned at least partially above an adjoining roof portion (2'), first means (5) for moving the rear side of the panel towards a position elevated relative to the closed position and above the adjoining roof portion, and second means (6) for moving and / or supporting the front side of the panel, wherein the first means (5) comprise: a lifting member (16) pivotably fixed to the panel (3) and slidably cooperating with a control slide (15) for moving the panel at least to a ventilation position in which the rear end of the panel is elevated, the control slide (15) and the lifting member (16) being guided by a guide rail (28) having at least one guide slot and extending alongside the roof opening and below the adjoining roof portion (2') in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, one or more seals (26, 27) closing a passage opening (25) alongside the adjoining roof portion (2') above the guide rail (28) and allowing the passage of the lifting member (16) in the position of the panel (3) above the adjoining roof portion (2'), characterized in that the first means (5) further comprise a support bar (17) also cooperating with the control slide and supporting the panel at least in the position of the panel above the adjoining roof portion (2'), the support bar (17) being guided in the guide slot of the guide rail (28) and also adapted to pass through the passage opening (25), wherein the support bar (17) is pivotably fixed to the panel (3) or to the lifting member.

2. The open roof construction of claim 1, characterized in that The lifting member (16) and the support bar (17) are aligned in the longitudinal direction.

3. The open roof construction of claim 1, characterized in that The lifting member (16) and the support bar (17) are positioned such that they do not overlap in any position.

4. The open roof construction of claim 1, characterized in that The lifting member (16) and the support bar (17) only overlap in such portions that are completely below or above the one or more seals (26, 27) of the passage opening (25) in the position of the panel above the adjoining roof portion.

5. The open roof construction of claim 1, characterized in that The support bar (17) is pivotably fixed to the lifting member, and at least a portion of one of the lifting member (16) or the support bar (17) is laterally offset to allow overlap in one or more positions.

6. The open roof construction of claim 1, characterized in that The support bar (17) is connected to the lifting member (16) at a position in an end portion of the lifting member (16) that is connected to the panel (3) beyond a position (19).

7. The open roof construction according to any of claims 1 - 6, characterized in that During the upward movement of the panel (3) from its closed position, the support bar (17) takes over the lifting function of the lifting member (16).

8. The open roof construction of claim 7, characterized in that The lifting member (16) is a lifting bar cooperating with the control slide (15) through at least two pin-ellipses connections (18, 21; 20, 22), one of which acts as a lower pivot, the other of which is inactive when the support bar (17) takes over the lifting function of the lifting bar.

9. The open roof construction of claim 8, characterized in that When the panel is in the closed position, the lifting bar and the support bar (17) extend in a forward direction from the panel (3).

10. The open roof construction of claim 7, characterized in that The support bar (17) has a lower pivot pin (29) which is slidable relative to the control slide (15) when the lifting member (16) is active and is locked relative to the control slide (15) when the support bar (17) takes over the lifting function of the lifting member (16).

11. The open roof construction of claim 10, characterized in that The support bar (17) comprises a locking member (31) near the lower pivot pin (29) which moves into its locking position relative to the control slide (15) when the support bar (17) is rotated to its uppermost position in which the support bar (17) supports the panel (3).

12. The open roof construction of claim 11, characterized in that The lower pivot pin (29) of the support bar (17) is slidable in a slot (30) which is formed in a laterally offset sub-portion (15') of the control slide (15).

13. An open roof construction for a vehicle, the vehicle having a roof opening (1) defined in a roof portion (2, 2') of the vehicle, the open roof construction comprising at least: Panel (3) movable between a closed position in which it closes the roof opening and an open position in which it opens the roof opening and is positioned at least partially above an adjoining roof portion (2'), first means (5) for moving the rear side of the panel towards a position elevated relative to the closed position and above the adjoining roof portion, and second means (6) for supporting the front side of the panel, wherein the first means (5) comprise a lifting lever pivotally fixed to the panel (3) and cooperating with a control slide (15) for moving the panel at least to a ventilation position in which the rear end of the panel is elevated, the lifting lever comprising an intermediate guide connection cooperating with a guide curve in the control slide (15) for controlling the height of the panel (3) and supporting the panel (3), the control slide (15) and the lifting lever being guided by a guide rail (28) having a guide groove and extending at least alongside the roof opening (1) in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, characterized in that the first means (5) further comprise a support lever (17) pivotally fixed to the panel (3) or to the lifting lever and also cooperating with the control slide (15) and supporting the panel (3) at least in the position in which the panel is above the adjoining roof portion (2'), the support lever (17) taking over the support of the panel (3) from the intermediate guide connection of the lifting lever at least in the position of the panel (3) above the adjoining roof portion (2'), in which position the intermediate guide connection is disengaged from the guide curve in the control slide (15).

14. The open roof construction of claim 13, characterized in that The support lever (17) is connected to the lifting lever at a position in the central portion between the ends of the lifting lever, and the support lever (17) is always held below one or more seals (26, 27).

Images