Roof rail for a motor vehicle, motor vehicle and method for assembling a roof rail to a roof of a motor vehicle

Abstract

The invention relates to a roof rail (3) for a motor vehicle (1), comprising at least one roof carrier (5) and at least one fastening device (11) for fastening the roof carrier (5) at a distal end to a roof (2) of the motor vehicle (1), wherein the fastening device (11) has a fastening element (12) in the form of an extrusion and a cover element (13) which at least partially accommodates the fastening element (12). It is proposed that the fastening element (12) bears against the cover element (13) on a side thereof which faces away from the roof carrier (5). The invention also relates to a motor vehicle (1) having a roof (2) and a roof rail (3) which is fastened to the roof (2), and to a method for assembling a roof rail (3) to a roof of a motor vehicle (1).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a roof rail for a motor vehicle, comprising at least one porch and at least one fastening device for fastening the porch at one end to the roof of the motor vehicle, wherein the fastening device comprises a fastener in the form of an extrusion and a cover that at least partially accommodates the fastener. The invention also relates to a motor vehicle having a roof and a roof rail fastened to the roof, and a method for assembling a roof rail to a motor vehicle roof. Background Art

[0002] For prior art, please refer to patent document WO2013 / 107683A1. This document describes a roof rail for a motor vehicle, comprising: at least one porch; at least one support member fastened to the porch to bridge the gap between the porch and the roof of the motor vehicle and to secure the roof rail to the roof of the motor vehicle; and at least one cover member for the support member, wherein the porch, support member, and cover member are constructed as separate components. It is proposed that at least one end region of the porch is constructed as a curved segment, the tip of which forms a roof-contacting end, the support member is constructed as an extruded member, and the support member and cover member are at least partially located within the curved segment region. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The object of the present invention is to provide a roof rail for a motor vehicle which has advantages over known roof rails, in particular in that it can be fixed to the roof of the motor vehicle in a particularly reliable and permanent manner and has a particularly pleasing design.

[0004] To achieve the above object, the present invention provides a roof rail for a motor vehicle having the features of claim 1. The present invention proposes that the fastener abuts against the cover member on its side facing away from the gallery, especially when viewed in longitudinal section.

[0005] Advantageous embodiments and advantageous developments of the invention are described in the dependent claims.

[0006] The roof rails are preferably an integral part of the motor vehicle, but can of course also be separate from it. They are used, for example, to fasten a roof rack to the motor vehicle. In this case, the roof rack is supported on the roof of the motor vehicle via the roof rails. Of course, the roof rails can also be arranged on the motor vehicle purely for visual reasons.

[0007] The roof rail comprises at least one porch and at least one fastening device. The porch, as a component of the roof rail, preferably extends in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, or at least approximately in the longitudinal direction, i.e., parallel or approximately parallel to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle, after the roof rail is assembled to the vehicle. In this case, the porch extends in the longitudinal direction over a substantial portion of the extent of the roof, preferably at least 70%, at least 80%, or at least 90%. However, other arrangements and extents of the porch are also conceivable.

[0008] For example, the gallery is designed such that, after the roof rails are assembled to the motor vehicle, the gallery is supported on the roof of the motor vehicle over at least the majority of its longitudinal extent, in particular continuously or without interruption. The gallery is preferably supported on the roof of the motor vehicle over its entire extent. However, it is also possible that the gallery is only partially supported on the roof of the motor vehicle, in particular only at the ends by means of one or more fastening devices. Similarly, the gallery can be supported on the roof at the ends by means of fastening devices and only partially spaced from the roof between the fastening devices. The roof rails proposed by the present invention can, in principle, be used for all of the gallery configurations described above.

[0009] The porch is preferably supported on the roof by a protective film, in particular made of plastic, in particular an elastomer and / or foam, which reliably prevents the roof rails from damaging the roof or vice versa, and / or creates a waterproof connection between the roof rails and the roof of the vehicle, thereby preventing moisture from the external environment from penetrating into the vehicle via the roof rails or the attachment of the roof rails to the roof. Within the scope of this specification, the protective film is considered to be an integral part of the roof. Therefore, when the roof rails are supported on the roof, it can be said that the support is achieved directly without the protective film, or that the support is preferably achieved via the protective film. In the former case, the roof rails rest directly on the roof, and in the latter case, the roof rails rest on a protective film arranged on the roof.

[0010] The gallery is fastened or fastenable to the roof of the motor vehicle at its end by means of at least one fastening device. "Fastened at its end" means that the fastening device engages one end of the gallery and connects it to the roof of the motor vehicle. In other words, the fastening device is arranged at or fastened to one end of the gallery. "Fixed" means that the gallery is completely secured by the fastening device, i.e., completely secured in the longitudinal, vertical, and transverse directions of the motor vehicle, with no play between the gallery and the roof, or at most a slight play permitted or tolerated.

[0011] Particularly preferably, the gallery is fastened to the roof of the motor vehicle using a plurality of fastening devices. In this case, each fastening device is used to fasten the gallery to the roof at one end, so that the plurality of fastening devices act on spaced ends of the gallery and fix it relative to the roof. The gallery areas between the gallery areas fastened by the fastening devices are, for example, at least partially, preferably continuously or only partially, supported on the roof of the motor vehicle or spaced continuously from the roof. In any case, the gallery is supported on the roof at least at its ends by the fastening devices, in particular, the gallery itself rests against the roof of the motor vehicle or against a protective film.

[0012] Particularly preferably, the roof rail has a plurality of porches, which are arranged on the roof of the motor vehicle, in particular in a manner spaced apart and parallel to one another. Each of these porches is fastened at its end to the roof of the motor vehicle by means of at least one fastening device. Preferably, a plurality of fastening devices, in particular exactly two fastening devices, are used to fasten each porch. In this regard, the present invention also relates to a roof rail for a motor vehicle, comprising at least one porch and a plurality of fastening devices for fastening the porch at its end to the roof of the motor vehicle, wherein each fastening device has a fastener in the form of an extruded part and a covering part that at least partially accommodates the fastener. The invention further proposes that the fastener abuts against the covering part on its side facing away from the porch.

[0013] The fasteners are in principle designed as extruded parts, i.e. they are manufactured using an extrusion process. This means that the fasteners have a continuously constant cross-section in one direction (i.e. in the extrusion direction of the extruded part produced by extrusion). Preferably, a blank is first manufactured by means of an extrusion process, which is then cut into a plurality of fasteners in mutually parallel planes, which are in particular identical. The design of the fasteners in the form of extruded parts achieves extremely high strength while reducing production costs. Particularly preferably, the fasteners are made of aluminum or an aluminum alloy. Particularly preferably, the fasteners are made of EN AW-6060 type material, in particular EN AW-6060-T66 type material. Additionally or alternatively, the material complies with the standard DIN EN 573-3T66 and / or the standard DIN EN 755-2. The material can also be referred to as 3.3206.

[0014] Because the fasteners are extruded parts, they can only adapt to the contours of the roof and porch in one direction. Therefore, the fastening device should have a cover part in addition to the cover part, which can also be called an adapter. For example, the same fastener design can be used for several roof rails, especially those with different porch designs. Each roof rail has a cover part, and the same fastener can be adapted to different porches. Consequently, the fasteners can be mass-produced, resulting in significant cost advantages.

[0015] The covering part is preferably made of plastic, in particular by means of an injection molding process, i.e. in the form of an injection-molded part. This increases the design flexibility of the covering part, so that even if the fasteners are designed as extruded parts, the fastening device can be adapted to the gallery and / or roof extremely precisely. As a result, on the one hand, the strength of the connection between the gallery and the roof is increased due to the use of the fasteners, and on the other hand, a particularly pleasing visual impression of the roof rails is achieved. Preferably, the covering part is made in a single piece from the same material, in particular by means of injection molding. In this regard, the covering part does not consist of a plurality of parts which are attached to one another, for example, in a form-fitting and / or material-fitting manner. Rather, the covering part is made in a single piece, i.e. as a single element. This also allows for efficient and cost-effective production.

[0016] In conventional roof rails, the fasteners serve solely to support and secure the porch, while the cover (if any) serves only to visually conceal the fasteners. However, according to the present invention, the cover also has a load-bearing function; in particular, the fasteners, and thus the porch, are also supported on the roof of the motor vehicle via the cover. Accordingly, the roof rail is designed such that the fasteners abut the cover on their side facing away from the porch. Thus, after the roof rail is assembled to the roof, the cover is located between the fasteners and the roof, and in particular, is clamped therein.

[0017] The fastener has a side facing the gallery in the vertical direction of the motor vehicle and a side facing away from the gallery. In addition, in particular in the vertical direction of the motor vehicle or when viewed in longitudinal section, the gallery has an upper side facing away from the motor vehicle. In the vertical direction, the side facing the gallery is arranged above the side facing away from the gallery. In other words, when the roof rails are arranged on the roof of the motor vehicle as intended, the side facing the gallery is the same as the side facing away from the roof (i.e. facing the external environment). Conversely, in this case, the side facing away from the gallery is the same as the side facing the roof (i.e. facing away from the external environment), both referring to the longitudinal section. In this regard, the fastener abuts the covering part on its side facing the roof of the motor vehicle. In other words, the fastener abuts the covering part on its side facing away from the upper side of the gallery. In another design, when the roof rails are arranged as intended, the fastener abuts the covering part with its lower side when viewed in longitudinal section.

[0018] Therefore, it is proposed that the gallery be fastened to fasteners, which in turn are supported on or fastened to the roof of the vehicle after the roof rails are assembled to the vehicle. The present invention proposes that the fasteners may only be supported directly on the roof of the vehicle, i.e., directly against the roof or protective film. However, preferably, the fasteners are at least partially supported on the roof by a cover. Particularly preferably, at least a majority of the fasteners are spaced from the roof by the cover, so that at most a small portion of the fasteners is directly supported on the roof or protective film, while the remaining portion of the fasteners is supported by the roof cover or protective film. This reliably prevents the fasteners from damaging the roof.

[0019] According to a refinement of the present invention, the cover has a fastener receptacle, in which the fastener is arranged so that it abuts against a bottom surface of the fastener receptacle, which delimits the fastener receptacle in a direction facing away from the porch and is formed by the cover. The fastener receptacle is formed on the side facing the porch and, in turn, on the side of the cover facing away from the roof. The fastener receptacle only partially penetrates the cover and is thus delimited by the bottom surface of the fastener receptacle, which is also formed by the cover. In this regard, the fastener receptacle is in the form of a recess formed in the cover.

[0020] The fastener is at least partially arranged in the fastener receiving portion. In this case, the fastener rests against the bottom surface of the fastener receiving portion and is supported by it. The above-mentioned "the fastener rests against the cover on its side facing away from the porch" particularly preferably means that the fastener rests against the bottom surface of the fastener receiving portion. The fastener receiving portion is preferably adapted to the fastener in shape and / or size. In particular, the fastener receiving portion and the fastener are designed so that the parallel spaced sides of the fastener rest flat on the edges that delimit the fastener receiving portion, that is, they are permanently in contact. In this way, the fastener is reliably held relative to the cover in at least one direction, in particular in the direction of the transverse axis of the motor vehicle. In any case, the arrangement of the fastener in the fastener receiving portion ensures that the cover and the fastener are reliably fixed relative to each other.

[0021] An improved solution of the present invention proposes that the fasteners arranged in the fastener receiving portion abut the bottom surface of the fastener receiving portion on the one hand, and on the other hand are at least partially flush with the edge that defines the fastener receiving portion, preferably exceeding its longitudinal extension by at least 50%, at least 60% or at least 70%. The edge defines the fastener receiving portion in the direction toward the gallery or in the direction away from the roof of the motor vehicle. The edge is designed to be continuous and circular, that is, without interruption. Particularly preferably, the edge is part of a supporting surface that defines the cover in the direction of the gallery and is adapted in shape to the fasteners, and in a preferred embodiment, the gallery is supported on this supporting surface. In this case, the supporting surface is used to support the gallery in the direction of the roof. However, it can also be proposed that the gallery does not abut the supporting surface but is arranged at a distance from the supporting surface. In this case, the supporting surface can be called the cover envelope surface, for example.

[0022] The support surface preferably encloses the cover element in the direction of the gallery. The cover element then does not contain any areas that protrude beyond the support surface. The support surface is adapted in shape to the fastener, in particular being curved precisely in one direction while extending continuously straight perpendicular to that direction. In this case, the fastener rests on one side against the bottom surface of the fastener receptacle, while the other side (i.e., the side facing the gallery) is flush with the edge and / or the support surface over at least a portion of its longitudinal extension, in particular over a substantial portion of its longitudinal extension. This flushness exists over at least 50% of the longitudinal extension of the fastener, but preferably over a greater longitudinal extension, for example, at least 60% or at least 70% of its longitudinal extension.

[0023] The improved solution of the present invention provides that the fastener has a first fastening recess and a second fastening recess, wherein the first fastening recess is configured to accommodate a first screw member for fastening the fastener to the porch, and the second fastening recess is configured to accommodate a second screw member for fastening the fastener to the vehicle roof. The fastener has at least two fastening recesses, namely the first fastening recess and the second fastening recess, and preferably has only the first fastening recess and the second fastening recess. These fastening recesses are designed as through holes, that is, they completely penetrate the fastener.

[0024] A first threaded connection is disposed in the first fastening recess, by which the fastener is fastened to the porch, while a second threaded connection is disposed in the second fastening recess, by which the fastener is fastened or can be fastened to the vehicle roof. The two fastening recesses are preferably spaced parallel to each other. This means that the longitudinal center axis of the first fastening recess is parallel to the longitudinal center axis of the second fastening recess.

[0025] The screw connectors (i.e. the first screw connector and the second screw connector) are preferably screws or bolts. Accordingly, each screw connector has at least one screw connector head section and a screw connector thread. The first fastening recess is particularly preferably a threaded recess. A thread is formed on the fastener in the first fastening recess. The thread interacts with the screw connector thread of the first screw connector to hold the first screw connector in the first fastening recess. In other words, the first screw connector is screwed into the first fastening recess. Particularly preferably, the fastener is fastened to the gallery only by means of the first screw connector and to the roof only by means of the second screw connector. In this way, a certain compensating movement is allowed or a spring action is achieved by the fastener, so that the gallery is permanently and reliably maintained on the roof.

[0026] The improved solution of the present invention provides that, viewed in longitudinal cross-section, the fastener abuts the cover member between the first and second fastening recesses. In this regard, viewed in longitudinal cross-section, the fastener's contact surface is disposed between the two fastening recesses. This contact surface abuts the cover member, which has a mating contact surface. The contact surface and the mating contact surface are in planar contact with each other, and accordingly, not just point or line contact, thereby ensuring that the fastener is securely supported on the cover member.

[0027] The present invention provides an improved solution in which both the first fastening recess and the second fastening recess extend completely through the fastener. As described above, the two fastening recesses are designed as through holes. This fastener has a simple design and is low in cost. For example, the fastening recesses are formed by drilling, so that they are in the form of holes.

[0028] An improved solution of the present invention proposes that the fastener has a base member that rests against the cover member, and a gallery connecting member extends from one side of the base member, the gallery connecting member protrudes from the base member in the direction of the gallery and accommodates a first fastening recess, and a roof connecting member extends from the other side of the base member, the roof connecting member is offset in a direction away from the gallery and accommodates a second fastening recess, wherein the roof connecting member at least partially, and in particular completely, passes through the through hole of the cover member in a direction away from the gallery.

[0029] The gallery connector is used to attach the fastener to the gallery, while the roof connector is used to attach the fastener to the roof of the motor vehicle. After the roof rails are assembled to the motor vehicle as intended, the fastener is fastened to the gallery via the gallery connector and to the roof via the roof connector. To achieve this fastening, the gallery connector has a first fastening recess, and the roof connector has a second fastening recess. The gallery connector and the roof connector are spaced apart from each other and connected to each other via a base member.

[0030] The base member abuts the cover member, with the contact surface of the base member and the mating contact surface of the cover member in planar contact. The roof connector, at least on its side facing away from the gallery or toward the roof, does not abut the cover member but is instead positioned within a through-hole in the cover member. The through-hole extends completely through the cover member in a direction facing away from the gallery, opening toward the roof. This ensures that the fastener is securely fastened to the roof because the forces acting between the fastener and the roof are directly transmitted, not just indirectly through the cover member.

[0031] A refinement of the present invention provides that the roof connector protrudes from the through-hole on the side facing away from the porch, in particular, protruding beyond the cover. Accordingly, the roof connector is designed to be supported directly on the roof after the roof rails are assembled to the vehicle. In this case, the roof connector preferably protrudes beyond the cover so that the cover is not deformed, and in particular, not compressed, when the fastener is fastened to the roof via the second screw connection.

[0032] A refinement of the present invention provides that the cover member has a blind cavity on its side facing away from the porch, the second fastening recess extending into the blind cavity, and the bottom surface of the blind cavity formed by the cover member forms an edge that continuously delimits the second fastening recess. The blind cavity only partially penetrates the cover member, preferably penetrating no more than 30%, no more than 40%, or no more than 50% in the direction of the longitudinal center axis of the second fastening recess. Preferably, the blind cavity is delimited by a continuous edge in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal center axis. For example, in cross-section, the blind cavity may be polygonal, particularly rectangular, or circular.

[0033] The blind cavity is bounded in the direction of the gallery by a bottom surface. This bottom surface forms an edge that continuously delimits or surrounds the second fastening recess. Preferably, the dimension of the blind cavity in a radial direction relative to the longitudinal center axis of the second fastening recess is at least 50%, at least 75%, or at least 100% greater than the dimension of the roof connector in the same direction. This ensures sufficient flexibility of the cover element in the area of ​​the second screw connection.

[0034] A further development of the invention provides that the roof connection element has a projection on the base element that is equal to or greater than at least one wall thickness of the cover element and / or the wall thickness of the bottom surface of the fastening element receptacle in the region of the blind hole.

[0035] According to a refinement of the present invention, the fastener includes a support protrusion disposed on the cover member, extending from the roof connector on a side facing away from the base member. The support protrusion is offset relative to the roof connector in a direction facing the base member when viewed in longitudinal section, and the fastener abuts the cover member in a supporting manner. The fastener also includes an additional support protrusion for supporting the fastener relative to the cover member. In longitudinal section, this support protrusion is supported on a side of the roof connector facing away from the base member. Consequently, during or after assembly of the roof rail to the vehicle, the force applied by the second screw member to the fastener is uniformly applied to the cover member, which in turn reliably supports the fastener, effectively preventing the fastener from tilting.

[0036] The improved solution of the present invention provides that the roof connector is U-shaped in longitudinal cross-section, thereby forming a screw neck receptacle for positively accommodating the screw neck of the second screw. Due to its U-shape, the roof connector is offset relative to the base member of the fastener. Specifically, the roof connector has a plurality of legs, with the second fastening recess formed in one of the legs. This leg is attached to the base member on one side and to the support protrusion on the other side via two other legs. The two legs are spaced apart from each other, that is, arranged so that the screw neck receptacle is located between them in longitudinal cross-section.

[0037] The second fastening recess opens into the screw neck section receptacle, either on the side facing the porch or on the side facing away from the vehicle roof. The screw neck section receptacle is configured to receive the screw neck section of the second screw member in a form-fitting manner. The screw neck section refers to the preferably polygonal, in particular quadrilateral or rectangular, body of the second screw member, which preferably continues onto the screw head section. The screw neck section can also be referred to as a thread neck or screw neck.

[0038] The screw neck section receptacle and the screw neck section are configured such that, after the roof rail is assembled to the motor vehicle, the screw neck section is located in the screw neck section receptacle and is retained therein in a form-fitting manner in a circumferential direction relative to the longitudinal center axis of the second screw. In other words, the second screw is held in a rotationally fixed manner relative to the fastener by means of the screw neck section and the screw neck section receptacle. This makes it easy to assemble the roof rail or to fasten the fastener to the roof of the motor vehicle, in particular by screwing a nut onto the second screw. Here, the second screw extends through a recess formed in the roof. On the side of the roof facing away from the roof rail, i.e., inside the motor vehicle, the nut is screwed onto the second screw so that the roof is accommodated, in particular, clamped between the nut and the fastener.

[0039] According to an improved embodiment of the present invention, the fastener has a recess on its side facing the porch, which is configured as a screw head section receptacle, in which the screw head section of the second screw member is arranged. The screw head section receptacle is preferably located adjacent to the screw neck section receptacle. For example, the screw head section receptacle has only a shallow depth. In particular, the depth of the screw head section receptacle is at most 5%, at most 2.5%, or at most 1% of the depth of the screw neck section receptacle. The screw head section receptacle allows for easy and reliable positioning of the screw head section of the second screw member.

[0040] The improved solution of the present invention proposes that the gallery connecting member forms a top support for the gallery bottom wall on the side facing away from the gallery, and the bottom wall is retained between the top support and the screw head section of the first screw member in a form-fitting manner. In order to fasten the gallery to the fastener, the fastener is introduced into the gallery so that the gallery bottom wall abuts the top support. Then, the first screw member is arranged in the first fastening recess and connected or screwed to the fastener. Specifically, the screw head section of the first screw member pushes the gallery bottom wall onto the gallery connecting member or its top support and holds it there. This roof rail design enables the gallery to be easily and quickly fastened to the fastener.

[0041] According to an improved embodiment of the present invention, the roof connector extends, viewed in longitudinal cross-section, in a direction away from the porch to at least the same length as the first screw connection. Preferably, the roof rail is designed so that after the roof rail is secured to the roof of the motor vehicle, both the roof connector and the first screw connection are supported on the roof or protective film. This reliably prevents the first screw connection from loosening.

[0042] The improved solution of the present invention proposes that, viewed in longitudinal cross-section, the gallery connector protrudes beyond the base member of the fastener. The gallery connector protrudes beyond the base member in both directions (i.e., in the direction of the gallery and in the direction of the roof of the motor vehicle), forming two protrusions extending in opposite directions. This allows the fastener and the cover member to be securely fastened to each other in a form-fitting manner.

[0043] An improved solution of the present invention proposes that the cover has an additional through hole, the first fastening recess passes into the additional through hole and / or the gallery connecting member is embedded in the additional through hole, so that the first screw member is at least partially arranged in the additional through hole. Thereby, in addition to the through hole, the cover also has another through hole, and this other through hole also completely passes through the cover. The additional through hole is arranged so that the first fastening recess passes into it. In addition, the gallery connecting member is preferably embedded in the additional through hole, so that the cover is fixed in a form-fitting manner relative to the fastener at least in the longitudinal direction. In each of the above-mentioned design solutions, the first screw member is embedded in the additional through hole. This ensures that the fastener and the cover can be fastened to the gallery simply and quickly.

[0044] According to an improved embodiment of the present invention, the fasteners and the cover are hooked into a recess at the end of the gallery, so that the bottom wall abuts the top support of the fastener and the cover. The recess of the gallery is formed, for example, by a notch in the bottom wall. Accordingly, the upper side of the gallery completely overlaps the recess. The fasteners and the cover are preferably hooked into the recess of the gallery, so that the bottom wall abuts the top support and the cover. Furthermore, the upper side of the gallery is preferably supported on the cover, and for this purpose has a shape-matched support profile. Accordingly, a reliable and aesthetically pleasing attachment of the gallery to the roof of a motor vehicle is achieved.

[0045] The improved solution of the present invention proposes that the form-fitting retainer arranged on the fastener interacts with the matching form-fitting retainer of the pressing mechanism in a form-fitting manner, and the pressing mechanism overlaps the second fastening recess on one side of the gallery frame, wherein the retainer of the pressing mechanism on the side facing away from the matching form-fitting retainer interacts with the matching retainer of the covering member in a form-fitting manner, so that the pressing mechanism is retained on the fastener and the covering member in a latching manner.

[0046] The pressing mechanism is used to fasten the second screw member to the fastening member and the covering member. To this end, the second screw member is arranged in the second fastening recess, and the pressing mechanism is then arranged above the second screw member, in particular above the screw member head section of the second screw member. Specifically, the pressing mechanism pushes the second screw member onto the fastening member, in particular into the screw member head section receptacle. Preferably, the pressing mechanism has a protrusion protruding in the direction of the second screw member, which abuts against the second screw member or even embeds in a driving profile of the second screw member, such as a grooved driving profile, a cross driving profile, or a hexagonal driving profile.

[0047] Seen in longitudinal section, the pressing mechanism is retained on the fastener or the covering member on the opposite side of the second screw connection in a form-fitting manner. For this purpose, a retainer and a matching form-fitting retainer are used. The matching form-fitting retainer interacts with the form-fitting retainer of the fastener in a form-fitting manner, and the retainer interacts with the matching retainer of the covering member in a form-fitting manner. For example, the form-fitting retainer is designed as a form-fitting recess, in particular an insertion recess, while the matching form-fitting retainer is designed as a form-fitting protrusion or an insertion protrusion. The retainer is preferably designed as a locking protrusion, while the matching retainer is designed as a locking recess. This design enables the pressing mechanism to be quickly fastened to the fastener and the covering member.

[0048] The present invention further relates to a motor vehicle comprising a roof and a roof rail fastened to the roof, in particular a roof rail according to the present description, wherein the roof rail comprises at least one porch and at least one fastening device for fastening the porch at one end to the roof of the motor vehicle, wherein the fastening device comprises a fastening element in the form of an extruded part and a covering element at least partially accommodating the fastening element. It is provided that the fastening element, on its side facing away from the porch, abuts against the covering element, such that the covering element is clamped between the fastening element and the roof.

[0049] The advantages of the motor vehicle and the roof rail design are described above. The motor vehicle and the roof rail can be improved according to the description within the scope of this specification, and reference is made to these embodiments.

[0050] The present invention also relates to a method for assembling a roof rail, in particular a roof rail according to the present description, to a motor vehicle roof, wherein the roof rail comprises at least one porch and at least one fastening device for fastening the porch at one end to the roof of the motor vehicle, wherein the fastening device comprises a fastening element in the form of an extruded part and a covering element that at least partially accommodates the fastening element. It is provided that the fastening element, on its side facing away from the porch, is arranged in abutting relation to the covering element, such that the covering element is clamped between the fastening element and the roof.

[0051] With regard to advantages and possible advantageous developments, reference is again made to the statements within the scope of this description.

[0052] Without departing from the scope of the present invention, the features and feature combinations described in the above summary, in particular the features and feature combinations described in the following description of the figures and / or shown in the figures, can be used not only in the respective combinations given, but also in other combinations or alone. The present invention should be considered to include embodiments that are not explicitly shown or described in the description and / or drawings but are implied by or can be derived from the described embodiments. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0053] The present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings, but is not intended to limit the present invention.

[0054] In the picture:

[0055] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of a region of a motor vehicle having a roof and roof rails fastened to the roof, wherein the roof rails have at least one gallery and fastening means for fastening the gallery to the roof;

[0056] Figure 2 A schematic diagram showing a cover of a fastening device;

[0057] Figure 3 A schematic diagram showing a fastening device having a fastener in addition to a cover;

[0058] Figure 4 A schematic longitudinal section through a region of a motor vehicle is shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0059] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of a region of a motor vehicle 1 having a roof 2 and roof rails 3 is shown. The roof rails 3 are fastened to the roof 2. A protective film 4 is arranged between the roof 2 and the roof rails 3 to prevent damage to the roof 2 and the roof rails 3. The protective film 4 can also be considered as a portion of the roof 2, so that the roof 2 is partially provided with the protective film 4, i.e., the portion where the roof rails 3 are supported on or in contact with the roof 2. The roof rails 3 have a gallery 5. In principle, the roof rails 3 can have any number of galleries 5. In this case, the multiple galleries 5 are preferably parallel to each other. Only the gallery 5 is described below. If there are multiple galleries 5, the following statements apply similarly to each of these galleries 5.

[0060] The gallery 5 has, on its side facing away from the roof 2, an upper side 6 which is curved in the direction of an end 7 facing the roof 2. Side walls 8 extend from the upper side 6, only one of which can be seen in this figure. The side walls 8 are parallel to each other and preferably extend over a large part of the extension of the gallery 5. The gallery 5 is at least partially delimited below by a bottom wall 9, which is connected to the upper side 6 via the side walls 8. The bottom wall 9 has a smaller extension in the longitudinal direction of the roof longitudinal rail 3 than the upper side 6 and the side walls 8. This forms a recess 10 in the region of the end 7 (not shown in this figure). The fastening device 11 is embedded in the recess 10 and is thus arranged on the gallery 5 at the end.

[0061] The fastening device 11 is used to fasten the porch 5 to the roof 2 of the motor vehicle 1 at its end. The fastening device 11 includes a fastener 12 and a cover 13. Both the fastener 12 and the cover 13 are integrally formed from the same material. The fastener 12 is an extruded part, while the cover 13 is an injection-molded part and is manufactured by injection molding. The fastener 12 is preferably made of metal, particularly aluminum or an aluminum alloy. The cover 13 is made of a different material than the fastener 12, and in particular, has a lower strength. The cover 13 is preferably made of plastic, such as a thermoplastic.

[0062] Fastener 12 is fastened to porch 5 via first screw 14 and to roof 2 of motor vehicle 1 via second screw 15. As shown, protective film 4 has notches 16 and 17 for screws 14 and 15. Fastener 12 has a first fastening recess 18 and a second fastening recess 19 (not shown). After roof rail 3 is assembled to roof 2 of motor vehicle 1, first screw 14 is positioned in first fastening recess 18, and second screw 15 is positioned in second fastening recess 19.

[0063] The fastener 12 includes a base member 20. A gallery connector 21 extends from one side of the base member 20 in the longitudinal direction, while a roof connector 22 extends from the other side of the base member 20. A first fastening recess 18 is formed in the gallery connector 21, and a second fastening recess 19 is formed in the roof connector 22. The gallery connector 21 protrudes from the base member 20 both in the direction toward the gallery 5 and away from the gallery 5, thereby extending from the base member 22 to form a protrusion forming the gallery connector 21. The roof connector 22 is offset from the base member 20 in the direction away from the gallery 5, or protrudes in this direction. Preferably, the roof connector 22 protrudes further from the base member 20 in the direction away from the gallery 5 than the gallery connector 21.

[0064] The roof connecting element 22 is U-shaped in longitudinal section. Accordingly, it has legs 23, 24, and 25, with leg 23 connected to the base element 20 and the support projection 26 via legs 24 and 25. Legs 24 and 25 are parallel to each other and extend from leg 23. Legs 24 and 25 are spaced apart from each other, with a screw neck receptacle 27 located between them. Furthermore, a second fastening recess 19, formed in leg 23 and extending completely through it, opens into screw neck receptacle 27. In the region of legs 24 and 25, the fastener 12 has a recess designed as a screw head receptacle 28.

[0065] The cover 13 has a fastener receiving portion 29, which is delimited by a fastener receiving portion bottom surface 30 in a direction facing away from the porch 5. The fastener 12 is supported on the fastener receiving portion bottom surface 30 by means of an abutment surface 31, which in turn forms a counter abutment surface 32. A through-hole 33 and a further through-hole 34 extend from the fastener receiving portion 29. Through-holes 33 and 34 extend completely through the cover 13 or the fastener receiving portion bottom surface 30 in the direction of the roof 2.

[0066] The roof connector 22 is arranged in the through-hole 33; the gallery connector 21 is partially embedded in the passage opening 34. The gallery connector 21, the roof connector 22, the through-hole 33 and the through-hole 34 are dimensioned such that the fastener 12 is retained in the fastener receptacle 29 in a form-fitting manner. The fastener receptacle 29 is framed by a continuous edge 35. Remote from the fastener receptacle 29, the cover 13 preferably has a support profile 36, which is adapted in shape and size to the inside of the gallery 5 so that the support profile 36 supports the end 7 of the gallery 5 by lying against the end 7 of the gallery 5 on the inside.

[0067] In addition to the aforementioned elements, the roof rail 3 has a hold-down mechanism 37 that, after the roof rail 3 has been assembled to the roof 2, engages the second screw 15 and thereby retains it in the second fastening recess 19. This prevents both the screw neck 38 from coming out of the screw neck receptacle 27 and the screw head 39 from coming out of the screw head receptacle 28. The hold-down mechanism 7 is preferably fastened to the fastener 12 and the cover 13 in a latching manner. To this end, a positive-fit retainer 40 is formed on the fastener 12, which interacts in a positive-fit manner with a matching positive-fit retainer 41 of the hold-down mechanism 7.

[0068] Seen in longitudinal section, the counter-positive retainer 41 is configured with a retainer 42 on its side facing away from the pressing mechanism 7. This retainer 42 interacts in a latching manner with a counter-retainer 43 configured on the cover 13. The pressing mechanism 7 has a projection 44 that projects in the direction of the second screw 15. This projection 44 is designed to abut against the screw head section 39 after the roof rail 3 is assembled to the roof 2, thereby retaining the second screw 15 in the second fastening recess 19. Furthermore, the projection 44 can positively engage with the driving contour of the second screw 15 and engage therein, thereby securing the second screw 15 in a rotationally fixed manner.

[0069] Figure 2 1 shows a schematic diagram of the cover 13. In this figure, it is clear to see the through-holes 33 and 34, which both completely penetrate the bottom surface 30 of the fastener receiving portion. Within the scope of this description, reference is made to the full description of the further statements regarding the cover 13.

[0070] Figure 3The diagram shows a fastening device 11 with screw connections 14 and 15 arranged thereon. This figure particularly clearly shows how the pressing mechanism 7 is fastened to the fastener 12 and the cover 13. It can also be seen that the fastener 12 is flush with the edge 35 of the cover 13.

[0071] Figure 4 A longitudinal section through a region of motor vehicle 1 is shown, again showing roof rails 3, gallery 5, and fastening device 11, along with roof 2 of motor vehicle 1. This figure shows recess 10 formed at the end of gallery 5, into which fastening device 11 engages. Fastening element 12 is preferably completely accommodated within gallery 5. Cover 13 is designed to completely bridge the distance between one end of bottom wall 9 and one end of upper side 6 of gallery 5 in the longitudinal direction of gallery 5, so that cover 13 rests on upper side 6 on one side and on bottom wall 9 on the other, thus closing, in particular completely, recess 10. In this case, side walls 8 preferably rest against cover 13 on opposite sides. Particularly preferably, cover 13 rests on bottom wall 9, with upper side 6 supported on cover 13, namely, on support profile 36. Fastening element 12 and cover 13 hook into recess 10 in gallery 5 and are secured there.

[0072] The above-described design of motor vehicle 1, and in particular the design of roof rails 3, allows for a particularly reliable, cost-effective, and aesthetically pleasing fastening of porch 5 to roof 2 of motor vehicle 1. This is achieved, in particular, by designing fastener 12 as an extruded part and using cover 13 as an adapter. In this case, fastener 12 ensures sufficient strength for fastening device 11, while cover 13 allows for adaptability to different porches 5 and / or different roofs 2 without changing fastener 12.

[0073] Reference Signs List

[0074] 1 Motor Vehicle

[0075] 2 Roof

[0076] 3 Roof rails

[0077] 4. Protective film

[0078] 5. Pergola

[0079] 6 upper side

[0080] 7 ends

[0081] 8 Sidewall

[0082] 9 bottom wall

[0083] 10 concavity

[0084] 11 Fastening device

[0085] 12 Fasteners

[0086] 13 Cover

[0087] 14 First screw connection

[0088] 15 Second screw connection

[0089] 16 Gap

[0090] 17 Gap

[0091] 18 First fastening notch

[0092] 19 Second fastening notch

[0093] 20 base piece

[0094] 21 Pergola connector

[0095] 22 Roof connector

[0096] 23 legs

[0097] 24 legs

[0098] 25 legs

[0099] 26 Support protrusion

[0100] 27 Screw neck section receiving portion

[0101] 28 Screw head section receiving portion

[0102] 29 Fastener receiving portion

[0103] 30 bottom surface of fastener receiving portion

[0104] 31 contact surface

[0105] 32 mating surfaces

[0106] 33 through holes

[0107] 34 through holes

[0108] 35 Edge

[0109] 36 support profile

[0110] 37 Pressing mechanism

[0111] 38 Screw neck

[0112] 39 screw connection head section

[0113] 40-shaped retainer

[0114] 41 pairs of matching retainers

[0115] 42 Retainer

[0116] 43 Paired Retainers

[0117] 44 protrusion

Claims

1. A roof rail (3) for a motor vehicle (1), comprising at least one porch (5) and at least one fastening device (11), the fastening device (11) being used to fasten the porch (5) to the roof (2) of the motor vehicle (1) at its end, wherein: The fastening device (11) comprises a fastener (12) in the form of an extruded part and a cover (13) at least partially accommodating the fastener (12), the fastener (12) having a first fastening recess (18) and a second fastening recess (19), wherein the first fastening recess (18) is configured to accommodate a first screw (14) for fastening the fastener (12) to the porch (5), and the second fastening recess (19) is configured to accommodate a second screw (15) for fastening the fastener (12) to the roof (2), It is characterized by: The fastener (12) between the first fastening recess (18) and the second fastening recess (19) in longitudinal section abuts against the cover (13) on its side facing away from the gallery (5). The cover (13) has a fastener receiving portion (29), the fastener (12) is arranged in the fastener receiving portion (29) so that the fastener (12) abuts against a fastener receiving portion bottom surface (30), the fastener receiving portion bottom surface (30) delimiting the fastener receiving portion (29) in a direction away from the gallery (5) and formed by the cover (13), and The fastener (12) has a base member (20) resting against the cover member (13), and a gallery connecting member (21) extends from one side of the base member (20), the gallery connecting member (21) protrudes from the base member (20) in the direction of the gallery (5) and accommodates the first fastening recess (18), and a roof connecting member (22) extends from the other side of the base member (20), the roof connecting member (22) is biased in a direction away from the gallery (5) and accommodates the second fastening recess (19), wherein the roof connecting member (22) at least partially penetrates the through hole (33) of the cover member (13) in a direction away from the gallery (5).

2. The roof rail (3) according to claim 1, characterized in that The roof connecting member (22) protrudes from the through hole (33) on the side facing away from the gallery (5).

3. The roof rail (3) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The cover (13) has a blind hole on its side facing away from the gallery (5), the second fastening recess (19) leads into the blind hole, and the bottom surface of the blind hole formed by the cover (13) forms an edge that continuously defines the second fastening recess (19).

4. The roof rail (3) according to claim 3, characterized in that The roof connecting part (22) has a projection on the base part (20), which is equal to or greater than at least one wall thickness of the cover part (13) and / or the wall thickness of the bottom surface (30) of the fastener receiving portion in the region of the blind cavity.

5. The roof rail (3) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that The fastener (12) has a supporting protrusion (26), which is arranged on the cover (13), extends from the roof connecting member (22) on the side facing away from the base member (20), is offset relative to the roof connecting member (22) in a direction facing the base member (20) when viewed in longitudinal section, and the fastener (12) abuts against the cover (13) in a supporting manner.

6. The roof rail (3) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that The roof connecting member (22) is U-shaped in longitudinal section, so that it forms a screw neck section receiving portion (27) for receiving the screw neck section (38) of the second screw member (15) in a form-fitting manner.

7. The roof rail (3) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that The gallery connecting member (21) forms a top support for the bottom wall (9) of the gallery (5) on the side facing away from the gallery (5), and the bottom wall (9) is retained between the top support and the screw head section of the first screw member (14) in a form-fitting manner.

8. The roof rail (3) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that The cover (13) has another through hole (34), the first fastening recess (18) is connected to the other through hole (34) and / or the gallery connecting member (21) is embedded in the other through hole (34), so that the first screw member (14) is at least partially arranged in the other through hole (34).

9. A motor vehicle (1) comprising a roof (2) and a roof rail (3) according to any one of the preceding claims fastened to the roof (2).

10. A method for assembling a roof rail (3) according to any one of claims 1 to 8 to a roof of a motor vehicle (1), wherein: The roof rail (3) comprises at least one porch (5) and at least one fastening device (11), the fastening device (11) being used to fasten the porch (5) to the roof (2) of the motor vehicle (1) at its end, wherein the fastening device (11) comprises a fastener (12) in the form of an extruded part and a covering part (13) at least partially accommodating the fastener (12), the fastener (12) having a first fastening recess (18) and a second fastening recess (19), wherein the first fastening recess (18) is configured to accommodate a first screw (14) for fastening the fastener (12) to the porch (5), and the second fastening recess (19) is configured to accommodate a second screw (15) for fastening the fastener (12) to the roof (2), It is characterized by: The fastener (12) between the first fastening recess (18) and the second fastening recess (19) is arranged on the cover (13) in a planar abutment manner on the side facing away from the gallery (5) in a longitudinal section, so that the cover (13) is clamped between the fastener (12) and the roof (2). The cover (13) has a fastener receiving portion (29), the fastener (12) is arranged in the fastener receiving portion (29) so that the fastener (12) abuts against a fastener receiving portion bottom surface (30), the fastener receiving portion bottom surface (30) delimiting the fastener receiving portion (29) in a direction away from the gallery (5) and formed by the cover (13), and The fastener (12) has a base member (20) resting against the cover member (13), and a gallery connecting member (21) extends from one side of the base member (20), the gallery connecting member (21) protrudes from the base member (20) in the direction of the gallery (5) and accommodates the first fastening recess (18), and a roof connecting member (22) extends from the other side of the base member (20), the roof connecting member (22) is biased in a direction away from the gallery (5) and accommodates the second fastening recess (19), wherein the roof connecting member (22) at least partially penetrates the through hole (33) of the cover member (13) in a direction away from the gallery (5).

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