Panel and open roof construction provided with the panel

Abstract

A panel for use in an open roof structure for a vehicle includes a generally rectangular panel body made of a transparent material and at least one elongated reinforcing bracket at least partially positioned near and securely connected to the edge of the panel body. The panel bracket is made of a material thinner than that of the panel body and includes structures for securing the reinforcing bracket to an operating mechanism configured to support the panel and control its movement. The edge of the panel body includes at least one inwardly recessed groove, and the reinforcing bracket includes at least one upwardly extending step into the recess. The upwardly extending step extends along at least a portion of the recess and is sized to accommodate a portion of the operating mechanism below it.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a panel for an open roof structure for a vehicle and an open roof structure including such a panel. Background Technology

[0002] Such panels and open roof structures are known from US 8,857,903. One solution for creating space along the Z-direction at the edge of the panel is a central panel made of glass, and a panel body made of metal sheets that completely surrounds it, as disclosed in US 5,046,779. Summary of the Invention

[0003] One of the objectives of this invention is to provide an improved panel and an open roof structure.

[0004] According to the invention, the edge of the panel body includes at least one inwardly recessed groove, and the reinforcing bracket includes at least one upward step entering the recess, the upward step extending along at least a portion of the recess and being sized to accommodate a portion of the operating mechanism.

[0005] By creating grooves only at the relevant edges of the panel, the non-glass outer surface can be kept to a minimum.

[0006] When the panel is surrounded by an encapsulating material, the encapsulating material preferably covers the reinforcing bracket at the location of a recess in the panel body. This has almost no impact on the appearance of the roof panel.

[0007] In a preferred embodiment, the reinforcing bracket at least partially supports the encapsulation material at a location in a recess in the panel body.

[0008] Therefore, the encapsulation material will not only cover the reinforcing bracket, but will also be supported by the reinforcing bracket, so that it will maintain a stable shape over a longer period of time.

[0009] In a simplified embodiment, the upward step is formed by at least one lip extending away from the rest of the reinforcing bracket. The reinforcing bracket may have an opening at the location of a recess in the panel, the opening being, for example, formed by two spaced-apart lips, the opening being smaller than the recess and at least partially filled with the encapsulating material.

[0010] This embodiment is particularly convenient if the reinforcing bracket is made of a metal sheet bent into the desired shape. If one or more openings exist, the encapsulation material layer there can be thinner than the combined thickness of the lip and encapsulation material, so that the components of the operating mechanism can be arranged closer to the upper surface of the panel at the opening between the lips.

[0011] Although the reinforcing bracket can be fixed to the underside of the panel body with adhesive, it is preferable to fix the reinforcing bracket to the underside of the panel body using the encapsulation material. Therefore, no additional fixing components are required.

[0012] In one embodiment, at least at the location where the reinforcing bracket has a structure for securing the reinforcing bracket to the operating mechanism, the reinforcing bracket is at least partially without encapsulating material on its underside away from the panel body.

[0013] This provides more space for any tools used to secure the reinforcing bracket to the operating mechanism.

[0014] When viewed in a plan view of the panel, the recesses in the panel body are preferably shaped with rounded corners having a radius of at least approximately 75-100 mm. This avoids any stress in the compact corners of the panel.

[0015] In one embodiment, the inwardly recessed groove in the edge of the panel body is spaced apart from at least one of two adjacent edges of the panel body; however, in an alternative embodiment, the inwardly recessed groove may extend along the entire edge of the panel body. In both embodiments, the inwardly recessed groove is conveniently located only on each of the two opposite edges of the panel body. This minimizes the surface area of ​​the groove. The shape of the groove can be chosen to minimize the surface area and / or provide a pleasing aesthetic.

[0016] The present invention also includes an open roof structure for a vehicle having a roof opening in its fixed roof, the open roof structure comprising one or more panels as described above. In such an open roof structure, a structure for securing the reinforcing bracket to the operating mechanism extends at the location of the recess to the level of the reinforcing bracket connecting the reinforcing bracket to the panel body. Such a structure can be formed by a panel bracket.

[0017] If its operating mechanism includes a front support and a rear support, which are adapted to move at least the rear edge of the panel in a vertical direction, then the inward recess of the panel body can be formed at least at the location of the rear support, since this component typically requires the most space in the Z-direction. Such a rear support can, for example, include a rotatable element, such as a linkage, having an upper pivot fixed relative to the panel at the location of the recess in the panel.

[0018] If the open roof configuration includes a front panel and a rear panel, each panel may include an inwardly recessed groove such that the groove in the front panel opens toward and is adjacent to a groove in the rear panel. This forms an advantageous unit between the two panels. Attached Figure Description

[0019] Referring to the accompanying drawings, further details and advantages derive from the following description, wherein:

[0020] Figure 1A and 1B A perspective view of a vehicle roof having an open roof structure including panels, wherein the open roof structure is shown in both a closed and an open position.

[0021] Figure 2A , 2B 2C are plan views of three embodiments of the panel according to the present invention.

[0022] Figure 3A A sectional side view of the panel and its operating mechanism according to the prior art.

[0023] Figure 3B A perspective view of a reinforcing bracket and a panel bracket based on existing technology.

[0024] Figure 3C , 3D Based on 3E Figure 3A A larger-scale sectional view of lines CC, DD, and EE in the diagram.

[0025] Figure 4A For such a view, the view corresponds to Figure 3A The view and according to Figure 2A The lines IV A-IV A in the diagram are shown, but only the first embodiment of the invention is illustrated.

[0026] Figure 4B-4E For such a view, the view corresponds to Figure 3B-3E The view shows the panel of the present invention, but also illustrates a first embodiment of the panel.

[0027] Figures 5A-5E For such a view, the view corresponds to Figures 4A-4E The view shown is of the second embodiment of the invention.

[0028] Figure 6 For such a view, the view corresponds to Figure 4C The view shown is of the present invention, but another embodiment of the invention is illustrated. Detailed Implementation

[0029] First refer to Figure 1A and1B This example illustrates a vehicle (such as a bus) with an open roof configuration. The open roof configuration is for opening and closing at least one roof opening 1 in a fixed roof portion 2 of the vehicle, and includes at least one movable panel, particularly a rigid, at least partially (semi-)transparent panel 3, which can be moved in a manner not shown in detail but known per se to open and close the roof opening 1. Typically, it is well known that the movable panel 3 is guided in a longitudinal guide mounted to or formed in the fixed roof portion 2 along the longitudinal side of the roof opening 1. A user-operated device, such as a motor or crank (not shown), is operably coupled to the panel 3 via cables and other operating mechanisms to selectively move the panel 3 between its open and closed positions. Figure 1A In the illustration, the closed panel 3 is shown as being positioned where it closes the roof opening 1, and... Figure 1B In this invention, the roof opening 1 is opened by moving upward and backward above the fixed roof portion 2. This invention can be used in all types of open roof constructions including one or more panels.

[0030] Panel 3 includes panel body 4, which is specifically made of glass or plastic to reduce the weight of panel 3.

[0031] In order to increase the rigidity of panel 3 and thereby reduce the deformation of panel under load, panel 3 is provided with a reinforcing component consisting of one or more reinforcing brackets 5 attached along the longitudinal side of panel body 4 to the lower side of panel body 4, wherein at least two reinforcing brackets 5 are present.

[0032] Figures 3A-3E The panel 3 and the reinforcing bracket 5 are shown according to the prior art. Figure 3A The panel 3 is shown to be movably supported by an operating mechanism 6. The operating mechanism 6 is shown very schematically, but can be configured, for example, as disclosed in US 8,857,903, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. The front link 7 and rear link 8 of the operating mechanism 6 are pivotally connected to a panel support 11 via pivots 9 and 10, respectively. The panel support 11 is used to attach the operating mechanism 6 to the panel 3, and particularly to a reinforcing bracket 5 of the panel 3. The reinforcing bracket 5 and the panel support are plate-shaped components with bends and tabs, preferably formed of thick, bent metal plates, particularly steel.

[0033] Figure 3B and 3C The pivot 10 between the link 8 and the panel support 11 is shown, and Figure 3D The attachment between the panel bracket 11 and the reinforcing bracket 5 is shown via screws 12 and nuts 13.

[0034] Figure 3C , 3D As further shown in 3E, the reinforcing bracket 5 is attached to the panel body 4 via an encapsulation material 14 (e.g., PU), which is molded around the reinforcing bracket 5 and is molded to the underside of the panel body 4. The outer edge 15 of the encapsulation material 14 is configured to support the panel seal 24. Figure 3A (at the rear edge facing panel 3') or in conjunction with the main body seal 16.

[0035] Figures 4-6 illustrate embodiments of the panel and open roof construction according to the invention. To reduce the Z-packing (in the vertical direction) of the open roof construction or to improve the characteristics of the moving parts of the operating mechanism (such as its links), it would be advantageous to position the components of the operating mechanism 6 as close as possible to the upper side of the panel 3 (in this case, especially the pivot 10 between the rear link 8 and the panel support 11).

[0036] Figure 2A and 4A -4E illustrates a first embodiment of a panel and an open roof structure, wherein the open roof structure has a movable front panel 3 and a fixed rear panel 3'. Figure 2A As shown, the opposing longitudinal side edges of the panel body 4 of panel 3 each include at least one inwardly recessed groove 17 (an additional groove may be provided, for example, at the front / left side of the panel). In this case, the groove 17 is positioned in the region of the pivot 10 of the rear link 8, as... Figure 4C As shown in the figure, the panel body 4 terminates inside the outer edge 15 of the encapsulation material 14. The reinforcing bracket 5 is shaped such that the lip 18 curves out from the rest of the bracket 5 to form an upward step into the recess 17, see [reference]. Figure 4B To conceal the lip 18 from above, the encapsulating material 14 is molded to fill the groove 17 above the lip 18. Figure 4C The lip 18 is positioned as high as possible, partly to create space below it and partly to allow sufficient encapsulation material layer 14 above it so that the upper surface of the panel body 4 is flush with the upper surface of the encapsulation material 14 within the recess 17. Because the encapsulation material is supported by the lip 18, it retains its shape despite its relatively small thickness. Outside the lip 18, the encapsulation material layer 14 is thicker and therefore sufficiently stable. Because the lip 18, made of a material such as metal, particularly steel, can be thinner than the glass or plastic of the panel body 4, a few millimeters of height can be gained at the pivot 10. Figure 4C As shown, in this embodiment, the pivot 10 is indeed located relative to the panel 3 at a position greater than... Figure 3CThe pivot 10 is positioned at a horizontal height according to existing technology. In fact, in Figure 4C As can be seen, at the position where pivot 10 connects to panel support 11, the horizontal position of panel support 11 is the same as that of reinforcing support 5 at the position where it connects to panel body 4 (i.e., at...). Figure 4C The horizontal level at the left side is roughly the same (in) Figure 3C In the middle, the panel bracket 11 is at a lower level than the left side of the reinforcing bracket 5. This allows for improvements to the open roof structure. First, the panel 3 can be positioned closer to the open roof structure. Figure 4A The frame, represented by line 19, reduces the Z-packing. On the other hand, the extra space can be used to redesign link 8 and / or its guiding elements to generate greater lift and / or greater stability in the open position of panel 3.

[0037] When viewed in a plan view of the panel, the groove 17 in the panel body 4 is shaped with rounded corners, the rounded corners having a radius of at least 75-100 mm. This is to avoid thermal stress or other stresses along the groove 17.

[0038] Figures 5A-5E A second embodiment of panel 3 is shown. Figure 5A and 5B Clearly shown, the recess 17 is longer and also present at the location of the screws and nuts 12, 13 used to attach the panel support 11 to the reinforcing support 5. The encapsulating material 14 at the location of the recess 17 is now supported by two lips 20, 21 spaced apart from each other, such that an opening 22 exists between them. This opening is partially filled with encapsulating material 14 such that the thickness of the encapsulating material 14 in the opening 22 is less than the combined thickness of the lips 20, 21 and the covering encapsulating material 14. Therefore, the pivot 10 can be positioned closer to the upper side of the panel 3.

[0039] In this embodiment, screw 12 can also be positioned closer to the upper side of panel 3. To allow for the insertion and tightening of screw 12 by a tool (not shown), the encapsulating material 14 is partially removed at the lower side of the reinforcing bracket 5, such as... Figure 5D As shown in the image.

[0040] Figure 6 Another embodiment of the panel is shown, wherein the reinforcing bracket 5 is fixed to the panel body 4 not by encapsulating material but by adhesive 23. Encapsulating material 14 is only used to cover the outer side of the panel body via edge 15 and to cover the recess 17 (in...). Figure 6 The lip 18 of the reinforcing bracket 5 (not shown in the image) Figure 6 It is not shown in the middle, but is represented by 5).

[0041] Figure 2B and 2C The deformation of panel 3 is shown relative to the shape and position of groove 17. Figure 2B In the middle, the groove 17 extends along the entire longitudinal side edge of the panel body 4. The reinforcing bracket 5 will be shaped such that there will be sufficient lips 20, 21 along the entire length of the reinforcing bracket to support the encapsulation material 14.

[0042] exist Figure 2C In this design, the open roof structure includes a (movable) front panel 3 and a (movable or fixed) rear panel 3'. Each panel 3, 3' includes inwardly recessed recesses 17, 17' such that the recess 17 in the front panel 3 opens toward and is adjacent to the recess 17' in the rear panel 3'. The connecting recesses 17, 17' create a merging effect between the two panels 3, 3', and if the rear panel 3' is adjustable at the front (e.g., to allow the front to move downward so that the front panel 3 can slide further rearward), the recess 17' in the rear panel 3' can also create space for a portion of the operating mechanism beneath the rear panel 3'.

[0043] Based on the foregoing, the present invention provides an open roof structure and a panel for use therein, the panel enabling a reduction in panel thickness at a desired location above the operating mechanism to reduce the overall Z-pack or improve the operating mechanism's operation.

[0044] Detailed embodiments of the invention are disclosed herein; however, it should be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely examples of the invention, which can be implemented in various forms. Therefore, the specific structural and functional details disclosed herein should not be construed as limiting, but merely as the basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching those skilled in the art to utilize the invention in various ways with any suitable specific structure contemplated. In particular, features set forth and described in the individual dependent claims can be applied in combination, and thus any advantageous combination of such claims and embodiments is disclosed.

[0045] Furthermore, the terms and phrases used herein are not limiting but rather provide an understandable description of the invention. When used herein, the term "a" is defined as one or more. When used herein, the term "multiple" is defined as two or more. When used herein, the term "another" is defined as at least a second or more. When used herein, the term "comprising" and / or "having" is defined as including (i.e., open-ended language). When used herein, the term "connection" is defined as a connection, but not necessarily a direct connection.

[0046] Therefore, the invention has been described, and it will be apparent that the invention can be varied in many ways. Such modifications should not be considered as departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, and all such modifications, which will be apparent to those skilled in the art, are intended to be included within the scope of the following claims.

Claims

1. A panel for an open roof structure of a vehicle, comprising: The panel body is a generally rectangular panel made of a transparent material, and at least one elongated reinforcing bracket is at least partially positioned near and securely connected to the edge of the panel body. The reinforcing bracket is made of a material thinner than the panel body and includes structures for securing it to an operating mechanism configured to support the panel and control its movement. The edge of the panel body includes at least one inward groove spaced from at least one of two adjacent edges of the panel body, and the reinforcing bracket includes at least one upward step entering the groove, the upward step extending along at least a portion of the groove and the upward step being sized to accommodate a portion of the operating mechanism below it.

2. The panel according to claim 1, characterized in that, The panel is surrounded by an encapsulating material, which covers the reinforcing bracket at a location in a recess in the panel body.

3. The panel according to claim 2, characterized in that, The reinforcing bracket at least partially supports the encapsulation material at a location in the recess within the panel body.

4. The panel according to claim 3, characterized in that, The upward step is formed by at least one lip extending away from the rest of the reinforcing bracket.

5. The panel according to claim 3, characterized in that, The reinforcing bracket has an opening at the location of the groove in the panel body, the opening being formed by at least two spaced-apart lips, the opening being smaller than the groove and at least partially filled with the encapsulation material.

6. The panel according to claim 1, characterized in that, The reinforcing bracket is fixed to the lower side of the panel body by encapsulation material.

7. The panel according to claim 6, characterized in that, At least at the location where the reinforcing bracket has a structure for securing the reinforcing bracket to the operating mechanism, the reinforcing bracket is at least partially without encapsulating material on its underside away from the panel body.

8. The panel according to any one of claims 1-3, characterized in that, The reinforcing bracket is fixed to the lower side of the panel body with adhesive.

9. The panel according to claim 1, characterized in that, When viewed in a plan view of the panel, the groove in the panel body is shaped to have rounded corners with a radius of at least 75 mm.

10. The panel according to claim 1, characterized in that, The inward grooves in the edge of the panel body are spaced apart from the two adjacent edges of the panel body.

11. The panel according to claim 1, characterized in that, The inward grooves are provided only on each of the two opposite edges of the panel body.

12. An open roof configuration for a vehicle, the vehicle having a roof opening in its fixed roof, the open roof configuration comprising: The panel includes a generally rectangular panel body made of a transparent material, and the panel is movable between a closed position that closes the roof opening and an open position that at least partially opens the roof opening. An operating mechanism is located on at least one side of the panel, the operating mechanism being configured to be fixed to the panel to support the panel and control the movement of the panel. The panel further includes at least one elongated reinforcing bracket, which is at least partially positioned near and securely connected to the edge of the panel body. The reinforcing bracket is made of a material thinner than that of the panel body and includes structures for securing it to the operating mechanism. The edge of the panel body includes at least one inwardly recessed groove, and the reinforcing bracket includes at least one upward step entering the recess, the upward step extending along at least a portion of the recess and the upward step being sized to accommodate a portion of the operating mechanism below it, such that the structure for securing the reinforcing bracket to the operating mechanism extends at the location of the recess until the reinforcing bracket is connected to the horizontal level of the reinforcing bracket of the panel body.

13. The open roof structure according to claim 12, characterized in that, The operating mechanism includes a front support and a rear support, which are adapted to move at least the rear edge of the panel in a vertical direction, and an inward groove of the panel body is formed at least at the position of the rear support.

14. The open roof structure according to claim 13, characterized in that, The rear support includes a rotatable element having an upper pivot fixed relative to the panel at the location of the recess in the panel body.

15. The open roof structure according to claim 14, characterized in that, The rotatable element is a connecting rod.

16. The open roof structure according to any one of claims 12-15, characterized in that, It includes a front panel and a rear panel, each panel including an inwardly facing recess such that the recess in the front panel opens toward and is adjacent to the recess in the rear panel.

17. The open roof structure according to any one of claims 12-15, characterized in that, The inward groove extends along the entire edge of the panel body.

18. The open roof structure according to any one of claims 12-15, characterized in that, The inward groove in the edge of the panel body is spaced apart from at least one of the two adjacent edges of the panel body.

19. The open roof structure according to any one of claims 12-15, characterized in that, The reinforcing bracket is adhered to the underside of the panel body by at least one of the encapsulation material and adhesive.

20. The open roof structure according to any one of claims 12-15, characterized in that, The structure used to fix the reinforcing bracket to the operating mechanism is formed by a panel bracket.

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