Fixed roof element with guide rails and slides

Abstract

The invention relates to a fixed roof element for a vehicle roof, comprising a flat panel, on the underside of which a guide rail (24, 24') for an adjustable roof element is arranged, the adjustable roof element comprising a slide block (28, 28') which is guided in the guide rail (24, 24'). The guide rail (24, 24') has a closed, channel-free upper side, which is formed by a cover section (46) which extends in a transverse and longitudinal direction relative to the panel and from which at least one guide web (48) projects downwards, and the slide block (28, 28') rests on the guide rail from below and is guided on the guide web (48).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to a fixed roof element for a vehicle roof. Background Art

[0002] Such fixed roof elements are known in practice and are roof elements that are components of so-called panoramic roofs and are rigidly or immovably mounted relative to the vehicle body. The fixed roof element comprises a flat panel that is formed by a glass panel and is a roof shell element, which thus forms the exterior surface of the fixed roof element. A guide rail is arranged on the lower side of the glass panel, which is used to guide the roller blind strip of the shading system of the fixed roof element. The roller blind strip is an adjustable roof element and is provided with a pull-out canopy frame, which is guided in the guide rails of the guide rails by a slider. The guide rails are respectively configured so that the slider in question engages in the associated guide rail from above. The side edges of the roller blind strip can also be guided in the guide rails, wherein these side edges are respectively introduced into the guide rails of the guide rails in question from above. In order to enable the slider and the side edges to engage in the guide rails, the guide rails must each have a sufficiently large structural height. The guide rails are attached to the flat panel at a large distance from the guide rails. Furthermore, due to their design, the guide rails must be positioned at a certain distance from the flat panel in order to ensure a free passage of the slider and the roller blind web between the guide rails and the flat panel. This also results in a need for structural space in the transverse direction of the roof, which is at the expense of the size of the roof viewing area that can be covered by the roller blind web. Due to the structural height and the open profile cross section, the loads introduced by the roller blind web can cause deformations in the guide rails, which can lead to difficulty in movement or even to the slider jamming. Summary of the invention

[0003] The object of the present invention is to provide a fixed roof element of the type mentioned at the outset, the guide rails of which can be arranged as close as possible to the flat panel and preferably in the outermost edge region of the fixed roof element, while nevertheless ensuring a reliable and non-intrusive actuation of the adjustable roof element.

[0004] This object is achieved according to the invention by a fixed roof element having the features of the invention.

[0005] According to the invention, therefore, a fixed roof element for a vehicle roof is proposed, which comprises a flat panel, on the underside of which a guide rail for an adjustable roof element is arranged, the adjustable roof element comprising a slide guided in the guide rail. The guide rail has a closed, channel-free (in particular guide channel-free) upper side, which is formed by an in particular closed cover section, which extends in a transverse direction and in a longitudinal direction relative to the panel and from which at least one guide web projects downward, wherein the slide rests on the guide rail from below and is guided on the guide web.

[0006] Due to the geometry of the guide rail according to the invention, the slide can be guided or guided under the guide rail so that the guide rail can be attached to the flat panel with its upper side in the broadest sense of the word. Therefore, since the guide rail is attached to the flat panel above the slide, there is an underside engagement of the slide. As a result, the guide rail can be positioned very close to the flat panel. By guiding the slide on guide tabs extending downward from the cover section and arranging the guide rail close to the flat panel, possible slight deformations of the guide rail under load and / or due to temperature effects do not lead to movement difficulties, which could interfere with the actuation of the adjustable roof element and / or lead to undesirable noise generation when the slide moves on the guide rail.

[0007] The guide rail according to the invention for fixing the roof element preferably has a cross section whose dimension in the transverse direction is greater than its dimension in the height direction. The ratio of the dimensions is in particular approximately 2:1 to 5:1.

[0008] Due to the low overall height of the guide rails and the slide block and the resulting close arrangement on the flat panel, less installation space is required in the direction of the roof height, which in turn has a positive effect on the head freedom of the vehicle occupants. In addition, due to its low overall height, the guide rails can be easily adapted to the curvature of the panel by bending, wherein a high degree of profile accuracy is maintained.

[0009] The guide rail can be attached to the flat panel in the broadest sense by means of the cover section extending in the transverse and longitudinal directions. Additional structural space for attachment to the flat panel is eliminated, so that the perspective area next to the guide rail is again larger than in previous solutions.

[0010] Due to the low lever effect, the loads that occur and are introduced by the slide in the vertical and transverse direction can be absorbed by the flat panels. This makes it possible to counteract deformations of the guide rail. Impairments in movement due to deformations and tolerances can be avoided. In addition, the plastic used to produce the guide rail can be used without or with only minimal reinforcement. This in turn results in low costs for the material and the production process.

[0011] In a preferred embodiment of the fixed roof element according to the invention, the guide tab of the guide rail has a substantially inverted T-shaped cross section, wherein the guide tab is surrounded on both sides by the slide. In particular, the sliding track formed by the guide tab can be divided into a plurality of regions on the guide rail, whereby a stable support of the slide on the guide rail can be achieved. By surrounding the guide tab, a tilting of the slide can be prevented when the slide is moved.

[0012] Due to the inverted T-shaped guide tabs on which the slide is guided, the guide rail is very robust against deformation. The bending capacity is maintained. Despite the bending capacity, the guide rail can still be designed to be rigid, so that high tensile forces and cable loads can be absorbed and discharged into the flat panel.

[0013] In order to also be able to guide the drive cables for the slider, the guide rail of the fixed roof element according to the invention has a cable channel that is open at the bottom in a preferred embodiment. The cable channel extending in the longitudinal direction of the rail is offset from the guide tab in the transverse direction of the flat panel. In particular, the slider has a cable section that is attached to the drive cable and forms a side rib of the slider, which is introduced from below into the cable channel of the guide rail.

[0014] In order to laterally delimit the guide region of the guide rail, it is advantageous if the guide rail, to which the roof element is fixed, has side wings according to the invention, which preferably extend downward toward each other.

[0015] The guide rail is preferably a plastic guide rail. In order to achieve economical production of the guide rail, the guide rail is preferably a plastic extrusion and in particular a two-component plastic extrusion. Due to the deformability or flexibility of the plastic material, the course and orientation of the plastic guide rail with respect to the flat panel can be easily adapted. In particular, the course and orientation of the plastic guide rail can follow the two-dimensional curvature of the flat panel.

[0016] In a specific embodiment of the fixed roof element according to the invention, the guide rail is fixed to the flat panel by a plastic molded section which is molded onto the underside of the flat panel. The plastic molded section is preferably formed from polyurethane foam and is produced in a suitable molding tool or foaming tool.

[0017] For example, the guide rail is an insert of the plastic molded section. Therefore, during the molding process for producing the plastic molded section, the guide rail is inserted into the molding tool, bent if necessary, and attached there to the flat panel by the plastic material introduced into the corresponding cavity.

[0018] In order to ensure a secure hold of the guide rail on the plastic molded section, the guide rail can have at least one anchoring rib or anchoring groove on its top side, which is co-molded during the extrusion process for producing the guide rail.

[0019] In an alternative embodiment of the fixed roof element according to the invention, the guide rail is fixed to a retaining means which forms at least one insert of the profiled section. The retaining means comprises, for example, a clip to which the guide rail is latched.

[0020] In a specific embodiment of the fixed roof element, the slide of the fixed roof element according to the invention running under the guide rail comprises a plate-shaped base and at least one rib pointing upwards, which is bent at an angle and engages with a guide tab of the guide rail. The geometries of the guide rail and the slide are preferably coordinated with one another so that the slide is integrated into the structural space of the guide rail with a small structural space requirement. Thus, in the transverse direction, for example, only structural space is required that is predetermined by the diameter of the cable section and by the wall thickness of the at least one rib pointing upwards. Thus, a structural space-optimized packaging of the slide and the guide rail in the roof height direction and in the roof transverse direction is achieved.

[0021] In order to avoid material accumulation and at the same time achieve a reinforcement of the geometry, the guide rail can have at least one cavity which extends in the longitudinal direction of the rail but has no guiding function.

[0022] In a preferred embodiment of the fixed roof element according to the invention, the adjustable roof element is a roller blind web of a shading system, wherein the slider preferably comprises a coupling element to which the roller blind web is fastened so that the side edges of the roller blind web are guided in guide rails. With respect to the vertical longitudinal center plane of the roof, the fixed roof element comprises, in particular, on both sides, respectively, guide rails in which the relevant edges of the roller blind web are guided. The roller blind web is provided with a tensioning frame at its edge extending in the transverse direction of the roof, at the ends of which sliders designed and guided in the manner according to the invention are respectively arranged.

[0023] In a special embodiment of the fixed roof element according to the invention, the slider is constructed in multiple parts, wherein a first slider part forms a drive part and a second slider part forms a guide part which engages with the guide rail. The drive part is attached in particular to a drive cable, by actuating which the adjustable roof element can be driven. The guide part ensures that the slider is correctly guided on the guide rail.

[0024] The first slide member may form the plate-like base, which is preferably oriented substantially parallel to the main plane of the guide rail. Preferably, at least one upwardly directed rib is formed on the second slide member, which is angled to engage with the guide tab of the guide rail.

[0025] Preferably, the first slide part and the second slide part are connected to each other in a captive manner. For example, the first slide part has a latching piece for this purpose, and the latching piece engages with the latching matching element of the second slide part.

[0026] In order to orient the first and second slide parts precisely relative to each other during assembly, one of the two slide parts can comprise a positioning nose which engages in a corresponding recess of the other slide part.

[0027] For attachment to the extension frame of the roller blind web, it is advantageous if the second slide part comprises in one piece a connecting rod which is connected to the extension frame of the roller blind web or of the adjustable roof element.

[0028] The slide for fixing the roof element according to the invention is preferably a plastic injection-molded part. In the case of a multi-part construction of the slide, the individual slide parts are also preferably formed as plastic injection-molded parts.

[0029] Further advantages and advantageous embodiments of the subject matter of the invention can be gathered from the description, the drawings and the claims. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0030] An exemplary embodiment of a fixed roof element according to the invention is schematically shown in simplified form in the drawing and is explained in more detail in the following description.

[0031] Figure 1 a perspective top view of a vehicle roof with a fixed roof element having a shading system;

[0032] Figure 2 A bottom view of a half of a fixed roof element with rails of a shading system;

[0033] Figure 3 Fastening of roof elements and guide rails Figure 2 The section along line III-III in ;

[0034] Figure 4 A perspective view of the guide rails together with the sliders of the pull-out tent frame of the shading system;

[0035] Figure 5 Cross-sections of guide rails and slides;

[0036] Figure 6 A perspective view of an alternative embodiment of a slider for pulling a tent frame; and

[0037] Figure 7 Guide rails and base Figure 6 Cross section of the slider. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0038] The drawing shows a vehicle roof 10 which is designed as a fixed roof and is provided with a roof recess 12 in which a fixed roof element 14 is arranged. The fixed roof element 14 is fixed in the roof recess 12 in a manner immovable relative to the vehicle body and comprises a shell element 16 which is made of laminated safety glass and forms the exterior surface of the vehicle roof 10. In the sense of the invention, the shell element 16 is a flat panel.

[0039] The fixed roof element 14 is designed at least largely mirror-symmetrically with respect to a vertical longitudinal center plane of the roof. The description of the fixed roof element 14 will be described below in part only with respect to the region arranged on the left side with respect to the forward driving direction of the vehicle concerned, which is located at the left side. Figure 2 The region arranged to the right of the vertical longitudinal center plane of the roof with respect to the forward driving direction is obtained in a similar manner.

[0040] The fixed roof element 14 has a substantially rectangular perspective area 18 which can be shaded by means of a shading system 20 which comprises a roller blind web 22 as a shading element or adjustable roof element. The roller blind web 22 is guided on both sides with side edges in guide rails 24 extending in the longitudinal direction of the roof with respect to a vertical longitudinal center plane of the roof. The roller blind web 22 is provided with a pull-out frame 26 at its edge arranged at the front in the extension direction, which is guided in the guide rails 24 with its ends respectively via slides 28. The roller blind web 22 is fixed to a winding shaft 30 at its edge facing away from the pull-out frame 26. By operating the drive assembly 32, the roller blind web 22 can be adjusted between a released position and a shielding position. The drive device includes drive cables 34A and 34B, which are driven by a common drive motor 36 and are respectively connected to the sliders 28 of the awning frame 26. In the released position, the perspective area 18 is released, and in the shielding position, the perspective area 18 is at least partially covered by the roller blind web 22.

[0041] The winding shaft 30 is provided with a winding spring acting in the winding direction, onto which the blind web 22 is wound when the see-through area 18 is released, and from which the blind web 22 is unwound when the see-through area 18 is blocked. The winding shaft 30 is supported at each of its two ends on a support device 38, which is fixed to the underside of the housing element 16 at the rear side via the respective guide rails 24. The support device 38 serves, on the one hand, to support the winding shaft 30 and, on the other hand, to center the material of the blind web 22 so that its edges enter exactly into the respective guide rails 24.

[0042] A plastic molded section 40 made of polyurethane foam is molded onto the underside of the housing element 16. The plastic molded section 40 is molded onto the housing element 16 in a foaming tool using a foaming process or RIM (Reaction-Injection-Molding) process.

[0043] like Figure 3 As shown, the plastic molded section 40, which is molded in one piece or in multiple pieces onto the underside of the housing element 16, receives the guide rails 24 as inserts, more precisely, so that the guide rails 24 are respectively embedded with their closed, channel-free upper sides in the plastic molded section 40. The guide rails 24 each have a flank 42 and 43, which are approximately half-lapped by the plastic molded section 40 and are designed to be inclined relative to the main plane of the respective guide rail 24. The flanks 42 and 43 of the guide rails extend toward each other from the plastic molded section 40. The guide rails 24 each have an anchoring rib 44 on their upper side, which extends in the longitudinal direction and is designed with an undercut, into which the plastic molded section 40 engages.

[0044] The guide rail 24 has a plate-shaped cover section 46 extending in the transverse and longitudinal directions in the broadest sense, on the upper side of which anchoring ribs 44 are formed and from the lower side of which a guide tab 48 projects downwards, which has a substantially inverted T-shaped cross section. In addition, two guide ribs 50 and 52 project downwards from the cover section 46, which delimit a cable channel 54 which is open downwards through a gap 56. The guide ribs 50 and the guide tab 48 delimit a guide rail 58 which is open downwards. On the side facing away from the guide rail 58, the guide tab 48, together with the flank facing the see-through area 18, delimits a guide rail 60 which is also open downwards. The relevant slide 28 of the pull-out tent frame 26 is guided in the guide rails 58 and 60 or on the guide tab 48.

[0045] like Figure 4 and Figure 5 As shown, the slide 28 has a first slide part 62 and a second slide part 64. The first slide part 62 is a driving part of the slide 28, which includes a plate-shaped base 66, to which a cable section 68 is externally connected with respect to the perspective area 18, and the cable section forms a side rib of the first slide part 62 and is guided into the cable channel 54 of the guide rail 24. The cable section 68 is molded onto the drive cable 34A or 34B guided into the cable channel 54 concerned. A locking piece 70 and a positioning nose 72 are molded on the upper side of the plate-shaped base 66. The second slide part 64 is fixed and positioned on the plate-shaped base 66 of the first slide part 62 by the locking piece 70 and the positioning nose 72.

[0046] The second slide part 64 comprises a base 74, on which the latching piece 70 acts, and which is located on the plate-shaped base 66 of the first slide part 62. Two upwardly directed ribs 76 and 78 extend from the base 74, which are designed to be bent at an angle and engage with the guide tabs 48 of the guide rails or engage from below in the guide rails 58 and 60. A connecting rod 80 pointing inward in the transverse direction engages with the rib 76 engaging in the built-in guide rail 60, which is connected to the extension tent frame 26.

[0047] The first slide part 62 and the second slide part 64 are each designed as a plastic injection-molded part.

[0048] The material of the blind web 22 attached to the extension frame 26 is also attached to the second slide part 64 of the slide 28 so that it is guided with its side edges in the respective guide track 60 of the corresponding guide rail 24. The slide 28 is arranged in front of the blind web 22 in the extension direction.

[0049] Figure 6 and Figure 7 A guide rail 24 ′ and a slide 28 ′ of one-piece construction are shown.

[0050] Corresponding to Figures 1 to 5 In the embodiment of the present invention, the guide rail 24 ′ comprises a cover section 46 extending in the longitudinal and transverse direction, from which a guide tab 48 projects downwards, which has a substantially inverted T-shaped cross section. Furthermore, side wings 42 and 43 and a guide rib 50 project downwards from the cover section 46. The guide rib 50 and the side wings 42, which are located outside with respect to the perspective area 18 of the fixed roof element 14, delimit a cable channel 54. The guide rib 50 and the guide tab 48 delimit a guide rail 58, and the inner side wings 43 and the guide tab 48 delimit a guide rail 60.

[0051] A cavity 82 is formed in the outer flank 42 of the guide rail 24 , which cavity increases the rigidity of the guide rail 24 .

[0052] The one-piece slide 28' comprises a plate-shaped base 66, from which a cable section 68 projects at the lateral outer edge, which is guided in the cable channel 54 of the guide rail 24'. The slide 28' also has two ribs 76 and 78, which point upward, are angled and engage with the guide tabs 48 of the guide rail 24' or are guided in the guide rails 58 and 60 of the guide rail 24'. In addition, a connecting rod 80 for attaching the extension awning frame 26 and a coupling element are formed on the slide 28', to which the material of the roller blind web 22 can be fixed so that it is guided with its corresponding side edge in the guide rail 60 of the relevant guide rail 24'.

[0053] Reference numerals list

[0054] 10 Roof

[0055] 12 Roof notch

[0056] 14 Securing the roof elements

[0057] 16 Housing components

[0058] 18 Perspective Area

[0059] 20 Shading system

[0060] 22 Roller blind strip

[0061] 24, 24' rail

[0062] 26 Tent frame

[0063] 28, 28' Slide

[0064] 30 Scrolls

[0065] 32 Drive components

[0066] 34A, B drive cable

[0067] 36 Drive motor

[0068] 38 Support device

[0069] 40 Plastic molding section

[0070] 42 Flanker

[0071] 43 Flanker

[0072] 44 Anchor rib

[0073] 46 Cover Section

[0074] 48 Guide tab

[0075] 50 Guide ribs

[0076] 52 Guide ribs

[0077] 54 Cable Channels

[0078] 56 Gap

[0079] 58 Guide Track

[0080] 60 Guide Track

[0081] 62 first slider member

[0082] 64 second slider component

[0083] 66 base

[0084] 68 Cable Section

[0085] 70 Locking piece

[0086] 72 Positioning the nose

[0087] 74 Base

[0088] 76 ribs

[0089] 78 Ribs

[0090] 80 Connecting rod

[0091] 82 Cavity

[0092] 84 Coupling element

Claims

1. A fixed roof element for a vehicle roof, comprising a flat panel, on the underside of which two guide rails are arranged for an adjustable roof element, the adjustable roof element being a roller blind web (22) of a shading system, the roller blind web (22) being provided with a tensioning frame (26), the respective side edges of the roller blind web (22) being guided in respective guide rails, characterized in that The extension tent frame (26) comprises at its two ends a slide which is guided in a respective guide rail, each guide rail having a closed, channel-free upper side formed by a cover section (46) which extends in a transverse and longitudinal direction relative to the panel and from which at least one guide tab (48) projects downwards, and the slide rests on the guide rail from below and is guided on the guide tab (48).

2. The fixed roof element according to claim 1, characterized in that The guide web (48) has a substantially inverted T-shaped cross section and is surrounded on both sides by the slide.

3. The fixed roof element according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that The guide rail has a cable channel (54) which is open downward.

4. The fixed roof element according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that The guide rail has side wings (42, 43).

5. The fixed roof element according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that The guide rails are plastic extrusions.

6. A fixed roof element according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that The guide rail is attached to the flat panel via a plastic molded section (40) which is molded onto the underside of the flat panel.

7. The fixed roof element according to claim 6, characterized in that The guide rail is an inserted part of the plastic molded section (40).

8. The fixed roof element according to claim 7, characterized in that The guide rail has at least one anchoring rib (44) on its upper side.

9. The fixed roof element according to claim 6, characterized in that The guide rail is fastened to a retaining device which forms at least one insert of the profiled section.

10. A fixed roof element according to any one of claims 1 to 2 and 7 to 9, characterised in that The slide comprises a plate-shaped base (66) and at least one upwardly directed rib (76, 78) which is angled and engages with a guide tab (48) of the guide rail.

11. A fixed roof element according to any one of claims 1 to 2 and 7 to 9, characterised in that The slide has a cable section (68) to which the drive cables (34A, 34B) are attached and which forms a side rib and is guided in the guide rail.

12. A fixed roof element according to any one of claims 1 to 2 and 7 to 9, characterised in that The slide comprises a coupling element to which the roller blind web (22) is fastened so that the side edge of the roller blind web (22) is guided in the guide rail.

13. A fixed roof element according to any one of claims 1 to 2 and 7 to 9, characterised in that The slide is constructed in multiple parts, with a first slide part (62) forming a drive part and a second slide part (64) forming a guide part which engages with the guide rail.

14. The fixed roof element according to claim 13, characterized in that The first slide component (62) has a locking piece (70) which engages with at least one locking mating element of the second slide component (64).

15. The fixed roof element according to claim 13, characterized in that The first slide part (62) comprises a cable section (68) to which the drive cables (34A, 34B) are attached and which forms a side rib and is guided in the guide rail.

16. The fixed roof element according to claim 13, characterized in that The first slide member or the second slide member has a positioning nose (72) for the other slide member.

17. A fixed roof element according to any one of claims 1 to 2, 7 to 9 and 14 to 16, characterised in that The slide comprises in one piece a connecting rod (80) which is connected to a tensioning frame (26) of the adjustable roof element.

18. The fixed roof element according to claim 4, characterized in that The side wings extend downwardly toward each other.

19. The fixed roof element according to claim 5, characterized in that The guide rail is a two-component plastic extrusion.

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