Vehicle and roof structure including display device for use therein

Abstract

A vehicle comprises a roof construction comprising at least one translucent panel (1) mounted in an opening (2) in a fixed roof (3) of the vehicle. The panel (1) is connected to a fixed frame (4). A roof lining is provided on the inner side of the fixed roof for concealing the fixed roof and the fixed frame from view. At least one display device (7) is capable of displaying images from its display screen (8) to occupants of the vehicle. A drive system (9) is provided for moving the display screen (8) at least into a storage position (10) and into an operating position (11) in which the display screen (8) is visible to occupants of an interior space (12) of the vehicle. In its storage position (10), the display screen (8) moves into a cavity (14) above the roof lining (13) and is thereby concealed from view and protected by the roof lining.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a vehicle having a roof structure. Background Art

[0002] For example, display devices in vehicles are known from the prior art, wherein a display device is attached to the inside of the roof of the vehicle and the display device can be easily pivoted from a storage position into an operating position in which the display screen is readable for an occupant of the vehicle.

[0003] If the vehicle is equipped with a roof construction with fixed translucent panels or a roof construction with openable translucent panels, the use of the display device becomes more complicated, especially if the roof construction is equipped with more than one translucent panel. In the case of a multi-panel roof construction, a large area of the vehicle's fixed roof is covered by these panels. In this case, it is difficult to use a display device attached to the roof because, when the display device is in the stored position, the display device will block the view through the translucent panels and the amount of light that can reach the interior. Similarly, such a display device in its stored position will affect other functions of the roof construction, for example interfering with or completely covering the translucent panels from the inside or, in the case of open panels, hindering ventilation.

[0004] From a consumer perspective, there's a trend toward increasing the size of display devices to allow occupants to view larger images. Such larger display devices are not suitable for simply rotating downward from a storage position to an operational position, as the rotating display device would move toward, or even within, the occupant's facial area. To avoid this, the display device can be moved from the storage position to the operational position in a different manner. In this case, the display device is positioned overhead in a horizontal plane, with the display screen facing downward. The display device can then be moved horizontally to the front while simultaneously rotating downward, with the front portion of the display device initially rotating downward toward the operational position. This prevents the display device from protruding into the occupant's facial area. However, even with this improved display device movement, the display device still interferes with the function of the vehicle's roof structure. Furthermore, when the display screen faces downward in its storage position, there's a risk of damage, for example, from objects moving within the vehicle interior. Furthermore, when the display device is visible within the vehicle interior in its storage position, there's an incentive for the display device to be stolen. Summary of the Invention

[0005] One of the objects of the present invention is to provide a vehicle with a roof construction to be used in conjunction with a display device which can be used independently of the function of the roof construction and which is protected from damage and theft.

[0006] The object is achieved in a roof structure and a vehicle according to the present application. A vehicle having a roof structure is provided, comprising: at least one translucent panel mounted in an opening in a fixed roof of the vehicle; a fixed frame to which the at least one translucent panel is connected; a headliner on the inner side of the fixed roof for concealing the fixed roof and the fixed frame from view; at least one display device capable of displaying an image from its display screen to an occupant of the vehicle; and a drive system for moving the display screen of the display device at least into a storage position and into an operating position in which the display screen is visible to an occupant of the vehicle interior, wherein in its storage position the display screen of the display device is moved into a cavity above the headliner and thereby concealed from view and protected by the headliner, wherein to establish the operating position the display device is moved by the drive system in a substantially horizontal plane. and a plurality of control members connected to the control unit for controlling the rotation of the plurality of control members. The plurality of control members are connected to the plurality of control members for controlling the rotation of the plurality of control members. The plurality of control members are connected to the plurality of control members for controlling the rotation of the plurality of control members.

[0007] Since the display device is positioned above the headliner when in its stored position, it is protected from damage that may be caused by moving objects in the interior space. Since the headliner also hides the display device from view, it does not attract the attention of thieves.

[0008] The headliner may surround the perimeter of the at least one translucent panel and leave an opening to allow the display device to enter and exit the cavity. According to another aspect of the present invention, the exit and entry openings may be used to establish the operational position, wherein the display device is moved by the drive system in a generally horizontal motion from its storage position and rotated along a generally horizontal axis into the operational position, whereby the front end of the display device rotates downward from the generally horizontal plane of motion and the rear end of the display device remains generally in the generally horizontal plane of motion. The movement of the display device is such that an occupant's facial area is not disturbed by the display device moving from the storage position toward the operational position.

[0009] According to another aspect, the drive system includes at least one drive motor capable of driving at least one pair of flexible drive cables, the drive cables being guided through at least one pair of guide tubes. The drive cables are connected to at least one pair of mechanisms that are slidably guided through at least one pair of guide members attached to the fixed frame. In this embodiment, the display device is moved by the drive system, which is driven by an electric drive motor. The electric drive motor is electronically controlled by a control unit (not shown) and a control switch (not shown). The passenger can press the control switch to thereby move the display device from its stored position to the operating position, and vice versa. The display device can also be adjusted so that the display screen moves only slightly to achieve an optimal position relative to the passenger's field of view.

[0010] According to another aspect of the present invention, each of the mechanism devices includes a driven slide guided in a guide channel, the driven slide being driven by the drive cable; a locking slide guided in the guide channel, the locking slide being connected to the driven slide at least in the storage position; a locking lever connected to the locking slide and biased by a leaf spring to lock the locking slide to the guide member; a display lever connected to the locking slide at one end and to the display device at the other end for rotating the display device from a substantially horizontal plane to a substantially vertical plane. Each of the mechanism devices may include a front rotation pin connected to the display device and engaged in the guide channel, and further includes a rear rotation pin connected to the drive cable. Using this type of mechanism, the display device can be moved from a storage position, in which the display device is stored in a generally horizontal plane, to an operating position by first moving the display device in a longitudinally forward direction in a generally horizontal plane via the driven slide (moved in a guide channel by the drive cable) until the locking lever locks the locking slide in the guide channel to the guide member. In this position, the front swivel pin and the display lever are held in place by their pivotal connection to the locking slide and cannot move further. The drive cable continues to move further forward in the direction, and the display device follows this movement via the rear swivel pin, while the front swivel pin, which engages in the guide channel, follows a different path. The guide channel has a sharp downward bend, and at one end of the bend, the channel has an exit opening, so that the front swivel pin, and thus the lower end of the display device, follows this channel path and moves downward. The opposite end of the display lever is connected somewhere in the middle of the side of the display device and guides the lower end of the display device to its lowest position in a curved motion. To reach this position, the drive cable is stopped by the control unit. Simultaneously, during this movement, the rear swivel pin allows the display device to rotate and holds the upper end of the display device in place. The display device has now reached its operating position and is rigidly held in place so that vibrations caused by the road surface while driving the vehicle do not result in an unreadable, vibrating display screen.

[0011] According to another aspect, each of the display devices is guided by guides attached to opposite sides of the fixed frame. Thus, the display devices can be large devices extending laterally across the vehicle interior, roughly the width of the translucent panel. The display devices can be used by more than one occupant, thereby displaying two or more different images adjacent to each other on a single display screen.

[0012] According to another embodiment, two display devices are positioned adjacent to each other when viewed in the transverse direction of the vehicle and can be adjusted independently of each other, wherein each of the display devices is guided by guides attached to the sides of the fixed frame and an opposing central guide positioned substantially in a central plane in the vehicle. In this case, since each of the display devices is equipped with a control unit and a control switch, each of the display devices can be individually adjusted according to the line of sight of the occupant viewing it.

[0013] According to another aspect of the present invention, the central guide is connected to the fixed frame via front and rear beams, and optionally, an intermediate beam. The central guide is supported so that it provides rigid support for each of the display devices. Thus, in this aspect, the translucent panel has two see-through areas separated by a center console to shield the central guide from the passenger's field of view. The center console can also be used for other purposes, such as providing a storage compartment.

[0014] According to another embodiment of the present invention, the central guide is attached to a movable display support. When it is necessary to avoid a central control console, a movable display support for the display device is conceivable. The central guide can be mounted on this movable display support, and the support can be moved in the longitudinal direction so that the central guide is moved by means of a separate drive system into a position in which the display device can be moved from the storage position to the operating position in the same manner as described above.

[0015] According to a further embodiment, the display devices are positioned adjacent to each other when viewed in the longitudinal direction, and wherein the display screens of each of the display devices point in opposite directions. It is conceivable that the interior space of the vehicle is used in such a way that the occupants are not only seated adjacent to each other in the lateral direction of the vehicle, but also seated opposite to each other and facing each other in the longitudinal direction. For those occupants who are seated with their faces pointing towards the longitudinal front end of the vehicle, the stored position and the operating position of the display devices are as described above. However, when the occupant is facing the longitudinal rear of the vehicle, the stored position and the operating position of the display devices are opposite, meaning that the stored position of the display devices is located in front of the operating position when viewed in the longitudinal direction.

[0016] In yet another aspect of the present invention, the at least one translucent panel can be covered from the inside by a sunshade, independently of the position of the display device, to prevent light from passing through the panel. Such a sunshade can be a roll-up blind with a flexible fabric or a rigid panel such as a sunshade. All the functions of the sunshade can be used in conjunction with the functions of the roof structure, which can be a fixed panel roof structure or an openable panel roof structure.

[0017] The invention also relates to a roof construction for a vehicle. All features claimed in relation to the vehicle also apply to the roof construction. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0018] The invention will be further explained with reference to the accompanying drawings which show exemplary embodiments of a roof construction and a vehicle according to the invention.

[0019] Figure 1 A partial perspective view of a vehicle with a roof structure is shown.

[0020] Figure 2 An exploded view showing the roof structure.

[0021] Figures 3A-3C The roof structure is shown in schematic perspective views in three different positions of the display device.

[0022] Figures 4A-4D A schematic side view of a vehicle roof and roof structure is shown, illustrating four different positions of the display device.

[0023] Figures 5A-5B A perspective view showing the mechanism arrangement on one side of the display arrangement.

[0024] Figure 6 Shown along Figure 4D The cross section along line VI-VI.

[0025] Figure 7 Shown along Figure 6 Cross section along line VII-VII.

[0026] Figure 8 Shown along Figure 4D Cross section along line VIII-VIII.

[0027] Figure 9 A schematic side view of an embodiment of a vehicle roof and a roof construction comprising a movable mount for the display device is shown.

[0028] Figure 10 Show Figure 9 A schematic plan view of an embodiment of a roof structure.

[0029] Figure 11 A schematic perspective view shows an embodiment of a roof structure having a center guide.

[0030] Figure 12 A schematic side view of an embodiment of a vehicle roof and a roof structure with multiple display devices positioned facing opposite each other is shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0031] Figure 1 A vehicle, in this case a passenger car, is shown, which has a fixed roof 3 and an opening 2 therein, which is covered by a roof structure. Figure 1 The roof construction comprises a preferably translucent panel 1 . Figure 1 Fixed panels are shown, however the roof construction may also be equipped with one or more movable panels or a combination of fixed panels in the rear part of the roof opening 2 and movable panels in the front part of the roof opening 2. Further, the display device 7 is shown, which is shown in an operating position 11. The operating position 11 of the display device 7 is the position in which the occupant has an optimal view on the display screen 8 of the display device. Figure 1 , a display device 7 for a rear passenger is shown. It is conceivable that the display device 7 can be used for one or two passengers in the front of the vehicle.

[0032] Figure 2An exploded view of the roof structure is shown, illustrating the translucent panel 1, a fixed panel in this case, the sunscreen 6, shown here as a rollable (roller blind) flexible sunscreen, the display device 7, and the mechanism 18, 18' attached thereto, as well as a pair of drive cables 16, 16' and an electric motor 15 fixed to the front beam of the fixed frame 4. The fixed frame 4 further includes a pair of guides 19, 19' extending in the longitudinal direction. As can be seen from the figure, the guides 19, 19', the drive cable tubes 17, 17', the mechanism 18, 18', and its detailed components are positioned on each lateral edge of the fixed frame 4, and each of these respective left and right components is formed as a mirror image. Each of these components is numbered using a mirrored component number, given quotation marks.

[0033] exist Figure 3A In FIG. 4 , the display device 7 is shown positioned in its storage position 10 at the longitudinal rear end of the fixed frame 4 in a substantially horizontal plane. The fixed frame 4 may extend substantially horizontally, which means that, for example, Figure 4A As shown in , the guides 19, 19' extend in a curved manner with a large radius, whereby a line connecting the front and rear ends of the guides 19, 19' will extend approximately in a horizontal plane. The curvature and vertical position of the front and rear ends of the guides 19, 19' relative to each other in the fixed frame 4 can vary depending on the shape of the vehicle. However, within this definition of approximately horizontal, it is expected that a line passing through the front and rear ends of the guides 19, 19' measured in the vehicle grille will be at an angle of plus or minus 15 degrees to a precise horizontal plane. The guides 19, 19' will extend in a rearward direction to an extent that allows the display device 7 to be located in its storage position approximately completely above the roof lining 13, as will be described further below.

[0034] exist Figure 3B , the display device 7 is shown in a longitudinal forward position while still lying in a generally horizontal plane. And in Figure 3C , the display device 7 is shown in an operating position 11, in which an occupant (in this case, in the rear seat of the vehicle) can view the display screen 8 and see images on the display screen 8. The display device 7 is slid in a generally horizontal direction from its storage position 10 and in a forward direction along guides 19, 19' of the fixed frame 4 into a generally horizontal position. The display device 7 is then pivoted downwardly by its front end until it reaches its operating position 11, which is more or less vertical.

[0035] exist Figure 4A 、 Figure 4B as well as Figure 4D In the above Figure 3A 、 3B The display device 7 is shown in a side view in the same position as described in FIG3C. Figure 4C In the embodiment, an intermediate pivot position of the display device 7 is added.

[0036] exist Figure 4A In FIG, the display device 7 is depicted in its storage position 10 behind / above the roof lining 13. The roof lining 13 is an interior covering part which covers the fixed roof 3 and in this case also the frame 4 on the inside of the vehicle, at least in the area surrounding the translucent panel 1. The roof lining 13 usually has a (semi-)rigid outer shell which can be covered with any material on its visible underside. The roof lining can be attached to the fixed roof and / or the fixed frame 4 (in the Figure 6 and 8 In the figure, it is shown that the clip 35 is hooked to the guide 19, 19'). The cavity 14 is formed on the lower side by the roof lining 13 and on the upper side by the sun screen 6, or in this case by the box containing the winding shaft 36 and the sun screen 6 in the unextended state. The cavity 14 is large enough to store substantially the entire display device 7 (the mechanism device 18, 18' is in the Figure 4A The protruding portion will be on or in the guide members 19, 19'). In addition, a rectangular opening 14' is formed between the edge of the roof lining 13 and the sun screen 6 positioned above the display device 7 ( Figures 4B-4D ), so that the display device 7 can be slid into and out of its storage position 10 in the cavity 14. This opening 14' of the cavity 14 can be closable or remain open. Due to the small thickness of modern display devices 7, the opening 14' can have a very small height.

[0037] exist Figure 4B , the display device 7 is shown in a position in front of the storage position 10. The display device 7 is connected to guides 19, 19' by means of mechanism means 18, 18'. The guides 19, 19' extend in the longitudinal direction and form part of the fixed frame 4. The display device 7 is moved forward from its storage position along the guides 19, 19' in a substantially horizontal plane by the drive system 9. The display device 7 is moved along the guides 19, 19' from its storage position 10 until Figure 4BIn this position, the mechanism 18, 18' locks a portion of the mechanism 18, 18' to the guide 19, 19'. This means that the portion of the mechanism 18, 18' stops but the other portion of the mechanism 18, 18' continues to move under the driving force of the drive system 9. The display device 7 gradually rotates and moves downwards, as in Figure 4C The direction you can see in Figure 4D The substantially vertical operating position 11 in the movement. Figure 4C and 4D As can be seen from the comparison of , the downward movement of the display device 7 prevents the display device 7 from entering the facial area of the occupant and from protruding into the area of the headrest of the seat in front of the occupant.

[0038] It is also conceivable that the drive motor 15 is controlled by a control unit 27, which includes an anti-pinch system with which a pinching or collision between the display device 7 and / or the mechanism devices 18, 18' and other objects in the vehicle interior 12 is detected in order to prevent occupant injuries. The control unit 27 can detect a collision / pinch situation and, based on this, reverse or stop the movement of the display device 7.

[0039] exist Figure 5A and 5B In FIG, the display device 7 and parts of the mechanism devices 18, 18' are shown from two viewing sides. Figure 5A and 5B In the figure, the display device 7 is drawn in the operating position 11. For the sake of clarity, the guides 19, 19' have been omitted to better see the detailed components of the mechanism 18, 18'. In both figures, the left side of the figure shows the front of the fixed frame 4 and is guided by the guides 19, 19' (not shown here, but in the figure). Figure 7 and 8A portion of the drive cable 16, 16' is shown in a channel 21, 21' of the guide 19, 19' (shown in FIG). This portion of the drive cable 16, 16' is attached to the driven slide 20, 20'. A second section of the drive cable 16, 16' is shown between the driven slide 20, 20' and the connection to the display device 7. This second section, like the first section of the drive cable 16, 16', is guided in the channel 21, 21' of the guide 19, 19' and connects the driven slide 20, 20' to a rear swivel pin 28, 28' located on the side of the display device 7. A display lever 25, 25' extends from approximately the middle of the side of the display device 7 to the locking slide 22, 22'. The display lever 25, 25' is pivotally connected to the display device 7 and to the locking slide 22, 22'. In this operating position 11 of the display device 7, the locking slide 22, 22' is locked to the guide channel 21, 21'. This secure connection is made by a portion of the locking slide 22, 22', which is a locking lever 23, 23'. The locking lever 23, 23' is pivotally connected to the locking slide 22, 22' and is secured by a leaf spring 24, 24' ( Figure 7 ) is biased so that the locking levers 23, 23' tend to be pushed in the downward direction. In the operating position 11 of the display device 7, the locking levers 23, 23' lock the locking slides 22, 22' in the guides 19, 19' because the locking levers 23, 23' protrude into holes in the flanges of the channels 21, 21' in the guides 19, 19'. Thus, the locking levers 23, 23' and thus the locking slides 22, 22' are locked to the guides 19, 19' and form the axis of rotation of the display levers 25, 25'.

[0040] With the help of Figure 6 and 7 The construction of the locking slides 22, 22' and the locking rods 23, 23' will be further explained. Figure 6 In FIG, the display device 7 is shown in an operating position. Adjacent to the display device 7, a display lever 25, 25' extends from its pivot connection to the locking slide 22, 22'. Only in the center of the locking slide 22, 22' is the locking lever 23, 23' shown with its nose protruding through a hole in the guide 19, 19'. The locking slide 22, 22' is slidably mounted in the channel 21, 21' in the guide 19, 19'. In this section, the drive cable 16, 16' is also shown in the cable portion of the guide channel 21, 21'.

[0041] exist Figure 7 in Figure 7The right side of the figure shows the locking slide 22, 22' in more detail. The locking lever 23, 23' rotates about the locking lever pivot, and the leaf spring 24, 24' is shown biasing the locking lever 23, 23' from above in a downward direction. Here, the locking lever nose is also clearly shown protruding through the locking lever hole in the guide channel 21, 21'. On the left side, the driven slide 20, 20' is shown. In the case that the display device 7 is moved from its operating position 11 to the storage position 10, the drive cable 16, 16' (in Figure 7 (not shown) will move toward the rear of the vehicle, Figure 7 19 '. The driven slide 20, 20', connected to the drive cable 16, 16', will also move to the right and eventually engage with the locking slide 22, 22'. The protruding portion of the driven slide 20, 20' will move into the locking slide 22, 22' and will cause the locking rod 23, 23' to move upward, overcoming the biasing force of the leaf spring 24, 24'. In this way, the nose of the locking rod 23, 23' will be lifted out of the locking rod hole in the guide 19, 19'. With the locking rod nose lifted out of the hole in the upward direction, the locking slide 22, 22' is unlocked from the guide 19, 19' and moves in a backward movement together with the driven slide 20, 20' along the channel 21, 21' in the guide 19, 19' to the storage position 10 of the display unit 7.

[0042] exist Figure 8 In the figure, it is shown that Figure 4D , section along line VIII-VIII in FIG. This section shows the rear swivel pins 28, 28' attached to the sides of the display device 7 and their connection to the drive cables 16, 16'. Also shown here is the electrical connection of the display device 7 to the vehicle's electrical system. This connection is made via a so-called flat cable 34. The flat cable extends from the display device 7 in the guide channels 21, 21' to a position behind the operating position 11 of the display device 7, where it is connected to the vehicle's electrical system. The flat cable 34 can follow the movement of the display device 7 by folding over along the distance between the instantaneous position of the display device 7 and the fixed position of connection to the vehicle's electrical system.

[0043] exist Figure 9 、 10Two further embodiments are shown in Figures 1 and 11. These embodiments may be advantageous in situations where two or more display devices, instead of one display device 7, are positioned adjacent to each other when viewed in a landscape orientation. For example, where two display devices 7 (one for each occupant) are positioned adjacent to each other, each display device 7 needs to be independently adjustable to the occupant's optimal line of sight. This would be difficult with the system described above, which has guides and mechanisms 18, 18' on each side of the fixed frame 4.

[0044] Instead of the previous embodiment, a central guide 29 is now provided, which extends in the longitudinal direction in the center of the vehicle.

[0045] exist Figure 11 In the embodiment, central guide member 29 is a fixed guide member having multiple channels 21, 21' for guiding drive cables 16, 16' and mechanisms 18, 18' (not shown). These channels 21, 21' are required for driving and guiding display device 7 from the left and right central areas. For the left and right outer sides, the aforementioned guide members 19, 19' and mechanisms 18, 18' mounted on fixed frame 4 can be used. In this case, central guide member 29 is attached to the front and rear beams 32 of frame 4. Intermediate beams may also be provided to support central guide member 29.

[0046] In order to prevent the central guide 29 from blocking the view toward the outside through the translucent panel 1 or blocking a portion of the light entering through the panel 1, Figure 9 and 10 In the embodiment shown, the center guide 29 is placed on the display bracket 33. When the display device 7 is in its operating position 11, the display bracket 33 is moved to its forward position. When the display device 7 is to be moved to its storage position, one or more of the display devices 7 are first pivoted to their generally horizontal position, where they lie flat against the underside of the display bracket 33. The display bracket 33 is then moved rearwardly, along with the display device 7, above the headliner 13. This ensures that when the display device 7 is not in use, the display bracket 33 does not obstruct the view through the panel 1 or the light entering through the panel 1. The display bracket 33 can be provided with its own drive mechanism to independently pivot the display device 7, or the drive motor 15 and drive cables 16, 16' can be used to slide the display bracket 33. The display bracket 33 will therefore also have channels 21, 21' on the outside. Other mechanisms for driving the display device 7 and the display bracket 33 are also conceivable.

[0047] exist Figure 12, an embodiment is shown in which the passengers are not only seated adjacent to each other facing the longitudinal forward direction, but also opposite each other and thus facing each other. The display devices 7 for the rear-facing passengers can be stored in a similar manner behind the front portion of the roof lining 13 and each of these display devices 7 can be moved into the operating position 11 in a mirrored manner compared to the movement operation of the display devices 7 for the passengers facing the forward direction.

[0048] The present invention is not limited to the examples described above and shown in the accompanying drawings and can be modified in various other ways. For example, the motor 15 is shown at the front lateral end of the fixed frame 4, but alternatively, the motor 15 can be placed at the rear lateral side of the fixed frame 4. The sunshade 6 in the drawings is a rollable flexible sunshade, but it can also be a rigid sunshade of some type, or it can be a darkening layer incorporated into a so-called switchable panel 1. The display device 7 can be of any commercially available type, including, for example, a display device consisting of a separate (fixed) image projector and a movable display screen.

Claims

1. A vehicle having a roof structure, comprising: at least one translucent panel (1) mounted in an opening (2) in a fixed roof (3) of the vehicle, a fixed frame (4), to which the at least one translucent panel (1) is connected, a roof lining on the inner side of the fixed roof for hiding the fixed roof and the fixed frame from view, at least one display device (7) capable of displaying images from its display screen (8) to an occupant of the vehicle, and a drive system (9) for moving the display screen (8) of the display device (7) at least into a storage position (10) and into an operating position (11) in which the display screen (8) is visible to an occupant in an interior space (12) of the vehicle, wherein the display screen (8) of the display device (7) is moved in its storage position (10) into the cavity (14) above the roof lining (13) and is thus hidden from view and protected by the roof lining, wherein, in order to establish the operating position (11), the display device (7) is moved by the drive system (9) out of its storage position (10) in a substantially horizontal plane and subsequently rotated about a substantially horizontal axis into the operating position (11), whereby the front end of the display device (7) is moved downward from the substantially horizontal plane and the rear end of the display device (7) remains substantially in the substantially horizontal plane, wherein the drive system (9) comprises at least one drive motor (15) capable of driving at least one pair of flexible drive cables (16, 16'), the drive cables being guided in at least one pair of guide tubes (17, 17'), the drive cables being connected to at least one pair of mechanism devices (18, 18') being slidably guided to at least one pair of guide members (19, 19'), the guide members being attached to the fixed frame (4), Each of the mechanism devices (18, 18') comprises a driven slide (20, 20') guided in a guide channel (21, 21'), wherein the driven slide (20, 20') is driven by the drive cable (16, 16'), It is characterized in that each of the mechanism devices (18, 18') further comprises: a locking slide (22, 22') guided in the guide channel (21, 21'), the locking slide (22, 22') being connected to the driven slide (20, 20') at least in the storage position (10); a locking rod (23, 23'), the locking rod (23, 23') being connected to the locking slide (22, 22') and being biased by a leaf spring (24, 24') to lock the locking slide (22, 22') to the guide.

2. The vehicle according to claim 1, characterized in that The headliner (13) surrounds the surrounding edge of the at least one translucent panel (1) and leaves an opening to enable the display device to enter and exit the cavity.

3. The vehicle according to claim 1, wherein: Each of the mechanism devices (18, 18') further comprises a display lever (25, 25') connected on one end to the locking slide (22, 22') and on the other end to the display device (7) for rotating the display device (7) from a substantially horizontal plane to a substantially vertical plane.

4. The vehicle according to claim 3, characterized in that Each of the mechanism devices (18, 18') further comprises a front rotation pin (26, 26') connected to the display device (7) and engaged in the guide channel (21, 21'), and further comprises a rear rotation pin (28, 28') connected to the drive cable (16, 16').

5. The vehicle according to claim 1, wherein: Each of the display devices (7) is guided by guides (19, 19') attached to opposite sides of the fixed frame (4).

6. The vehicle according to claim 1, wherein: Two display devices (7) are positioned adjacent to each other when viewed in a transverse direction of the vehicle and can be adjusted independently of each other.

7. The vehicle according to claim 6, characterized in that Each of the display devices (7) is guided by guides (19, 19') at the sides of the fixed frame (4) and an opposing central guide (29) positioned substantially in the center plane (30) of the vehicle.

8. The vehicle according to claim 7, characterized in that The central guide (29) is connected to the fixed frame (4) through front and rear beams (32), or the central guide (29) is attached to a movable display bracket (33).

9. The vehicle according to claim 6, characterized in that The display devices (7) are positioned adjacent to each other when viewed in a longitudinal direction, and wherein the display screen (8) of each of the display devices (7) points in opposite directions.

10. The vehicle according to claim 1, wherein: The at least one translucent panel (1) can be covered from the inside by a sun screen (6) independently of the position of the display device (7) to block light arriving through the panel.

11. The vehicle according to claim 10, characterized in that The sun screen is in the form of a roll-up screen which can be rolled onto or unrolled from a winding shaft which can be positioned above the cavity for the at least one display device.

12. A roof structure for a vehicle, comprising: at least one panel (1) mounted in an opening (2) in a fixed roof (3) of the vehicle, a fixed frame (4), to which the at least one translucent panel (1) is connected, at least one display device (7) capable of displaying images from its display screen (8) to an occupant of the vehicle, a drive system (9) for moving the display screen (8) of the display device (7) at least into a substantially horizontal storage position (10) and into an operating position (11) in which the display screen (8) is visible to an occupant in an interior space (12) of the vehicle, wherein the fixed frame (4) comprises longitudinal guides (19, 19') for the display screen (8) so that the drive system (9) can move the display screen (8) into its storage position (10) at the ends of the guides so that after the roof structure is installed in the vehicle, the display screen (8) will be covered from below by the vehicle's roof lining in its storage position, wherein, in order to establish the operating position (11), the display device (7) is moved by the drive system (9) out of its storage position (10) in a substantially horizontal plane and subsequently rotated about a substantially horizontal axis into the operating position (11), whereby the front end of the display device (7) is moved downward from the substantially horizontal plane and the rear end of the display device (7) remains substantially in the substantially horizontal plane, wherein the drive system (9) comprises at least one drive motor (15) capable of driving at least one pair of flexible drive cables (16, 16'), the drive cables being guided in at least one pair of guide tubes (17, 17'), the drive cables being connected to at least one pair of mechanism devices (18, 18') being slidably guided to at least one pair of guide members (19, 19'), the guide members being attached to the fixed frame (4), Each of the mechanism devices (18, 18') comprises a driven slide (20, 20') guided in a guide channel (21, 21'), wherein the driven slide (20, 20') is driven by the drive cable (16, 16'), It is characterized in that each of the mechanism devices (18, 18') further comprises: a locking slide (22, 22') guided in the guide channel (21, 21'), the locking slide (22, 22') being connected to the driven slide (20, 20') at least in the storage position (10); a locking rod (23, 23'), the locking rod (23, 23') being connected to the locking slide (22, 22') and being biased by a leaf spring (24, 24') to lock the locking slide (22, 22') to the guide.

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