Openable vehicle roof comprising a cover element, a fixed roof element and a sealing assembly

Abstract

The invention relates to an openable vehicle roof comprising a fixed roof element (14), a roof opening (22) arranged in front of the fixed roof element (14) and a roof opening system having a cover element (16), the fixed roof element (14) being provided at its front edge and at its side edges on both sides of a roof longitudinal center vertical plane with a sealing assembly (34), the rear edge of the cover element (16) being adjacent to the transverse leg (38) of the sealing assembly (34) of the fixed roof element (14) when in the closed position, a movement mechanism (24) comprising movement units on both sides, each movement unit having a deployment rod (26) which slides on the associated longitudinal leg (36A, 36B) of the sealing assembly (34) when the cover element (16) is moved in the roof longitudinal direction, the longitudinal legs (36A, 36B) of the sealing assembly (34) being connected to the transverse leg (38) via a corner piece (40A, 40B), wherein the corner piece (40A, 40B) has at least one fixing base (56, 62) on its bottom side which engages with a corresponding geometric portion (46, 50) formed on a molded portion provided by the fixed roof element (14).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to an openable vehicle roof. Background Technology

[0002] Such a vehicle roof is known in DE102019003406A1, and is particularly configured as a panoramic roof for passenger cars. This panoramic roof has a fixed roof element, which may have glass elements for forming a transparent area and specifically covering the rear area of ​​the vehicle interior located above the rear seats. Furthermore, the vehicle roof has a roof opening system including a cover element that can be moved between a closed position (top opening closed) and an open position (top opening at least partially open) by a movement mechanism. Sealing assemblies are mounted on the front edge of the fixed roof element facing the top opening and on both sides of the side edges located on either side of the longitudinal center vertical plane of the roof. In the closed position, the rear edge of the cover element contacts the lateral support legs of the sealing assembly. The movement mechanism for moving the cover element has movement units on both sides of the longitudinal center vertical plane of the roof, each movement unit having an unfolding rod that moves toward the rear of the vehicle as the cover element moves along the longitudinal direction of the roof, and is guided along the longitudinal support legs of the associated sealing assembly in the process. The unfolding rods raise the cover element, allowing it to move on the fixed top element from a closed position to an open position. As the unfolding rods move rearward from the closed position, they first move into the transition area between the lateral and longitudinal legs of the sealing assembly during the initial movement phase. This transition area loosely contacts the polyurethane frame, which surrounds the glass element like a bezel. Therefore, there is a problem that when the cover element is in the closed position, the transition area can be compressed, resulting in an unsightly appearance and compromised seal. Furthermore, frequent operation of the cover element can cause deformation of the transition area, which also affects visual appeal and seal. Movement of the transition area is also to be expected.

[0003] DE102009009283A1 discloses a top comprising a fixed top element having a circumferential sealing assembly. The sealing assembly has an interrupted ribbed sealing base. The interrupted portion engages with a protrusion on a molded portion of the fixed top element having a sealing groove for receiving the sealing base. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The object of the present invention is to provide an openable vehicle roof of the type described above that eliminates the aforementioned problems.

[0005] According to the present invention, this purpose can be achieved by an openable vehicle roof having the features described in this application.

[0006] Therefore, the present invention provides a vehicle roof comprising a fixed roof element, a roof opening located prior to the fixed roof element, and a roof opening system having a cover element movable between a closed position and an open position via a motion mechanism. In the closed position, the cover element closes the roof opening; in the open position, the roof opening is at least partially open. Sealing assemblies are mounted on the front edge and side edges located on either side of the roof's longitudinal center vertical plane of the fixed roof element. In the closed position, the rear edge of the cover element is adjacent to the lateral support leg of the sealing assembly of the fixed roof element. The motion mechanism comprises motion units located on either side of the roof's longitudinal center vertical plane, each motion unit having an unfolding rod that slides on the corresponding longitudinal support leg of the sealing assembly as the cover element moves along the roof's longitudinal direction. The longitudinal support leg of the sealing assembly is connected to the lateral support leg via corner pieces, each corner piece having at least one fixed base on its underside, the fixed base engaging with a corresponding geometry formed on a molded portion provided by the fixed roof element.

[0007] Therefore, according to the present invention, the sealing assembly of the openable vehicle roof forms a structural unit consisting of at least five interconnected elements: two longitudinal legs, one transverse leg, and two corner pieces, each corner piece connecting one longitudinal leg to the transverse leg, thus constituting a connecting element; or it forms a structural unit consisting of at least three interconnected elements, wherein one corner piece and one longitudinal leg can be manufactured by a single process, with the corner piece connected or molded to the transverse leg. The corner piece is a component of the sealing assembly, and when the cover element moves rearward, the unfolding rod of the motion mechanism for moving the cover element first slides onto the corner piece. Since at least one fixing base engages with a corresponding geometry formed on the molded portion of the fixed top element, each fixing base has a defined mounting position that is maintained even during frequent operation of the cover element. This minimizes the risk of the corner piece slipping or folding relative to the molded portion due to the unfolding rod sliding onto the corner piece or the rear edge of the cover element contacting the corner piece. This, in turn, makes the design more visually appealing and provides a high degree of sealing. This reduces the risk of water ingress into the transition area between the lateral and longitudinal legs of the sealing assembly. The fixed base prevents the corner piece from being washed away by water, thus preventing water leakage between the corner piece and the molded part. Instead, water is drained by the fixed base. The fixed base also compensates for any misalignment of the corner piece relative to the molded part. The position of the corner piece relative to adjacent parts is clearly defined by the fixed base. In the closed position, the cover element always maintains proper contact with the sealing assembly and the corner piece, ensuring a high degree of sealing.

[0008] According to the invention, the molded portion of the vehicle roof, particularly a plastic area, surrounds the panel element that secures the roof element in a frame-like manner, and through which the surface element is attached to the roof frame. For example, the molded portion is foamed from polyurethane material.

[0009] In a preferred embodiment of the openable vehicle roof of the invention, the sealing assembly is configured such that the fixing base of the corner piece aligns with a fixing rib formed on a lateral leg or associated longitudinal leg of the sealing assembly. The geometry of the fixing base engagement may be an extension of a fixing groove in which the fixing rib of the lateral leg or associated longitudinal leg is located when the sealing assembly is in the installed position.

[0010] In another preferred embodiment of the openable vehicle roof according to the invention, the risk of the sealing assembly slipping or being installed incorrectly is further reduced. The fixing base and the fixing rib are spaced apart by a recess, or the fixing rib is interrupted by a recess, or the fixing base is interrupted by a recess. The protrusion of the molded portion engages with the shape of the recess, which is disposed between the fixing base and the fixing rib, or forms an interruption of the fixing rib or the fixing base.

[0011] Since the longitudinal or transverse legs are specially designed as extrusion elements, their material is harder and more robust than that of the corner piece material. Therefore, the recess is preferably located in the area of ​​the fixing rib. On the other hand, the recess is located in the fixing base area of ​​the corner piece, that is, the recess is located on the corner piece. Its advantage is that the recess can be formed directly during the corner piece forming process without the need to process the fixing rib after extruding the transverse or related longitudinal legs.

[0012] In one specific embodiment of the openable vehicle roof of the present invention, the geometry of the molded portion of the fixed base engagement has a bottom cutout to ensure a stable connection between the corner piece and the molded portion.

[0013] In one specific embodiment of the openable vehicle roof according to the invention, each corner piece includes two fixing bases, specifically, one fixing base is located on a first leg adjacent to a lateral leg of the sealing assembly, and the other fixing base is located on a second leg adjacent to an associated longitudinal leg of the sealing assembly, the fixing bases being aligned with the corresponding fixing ribs of the lateral and longitudinal legs.

[0014] The longitudinal and transverse legs of the sealing profile can be formed from the sealing profile produced by extrusion.

[0015] In one particular embodiment of the openable vehicle roof according to the invention, the corner pieces may be made of an elastomer, particularly EPDM rubber or a thermoplastic vulcanized elastomer, each corner piece being connected to one of the longitudinal and lateral legs of the sealing assembly by vulcanization or injection molding.

[0016] The present invention also relates to an openable vehicle roof comprising a fixed roof element, a roof opening located prior to the fixed roof element, and a roof opening system having a cover element movable between a closed position and an open position via a motion mechanism. In the closed position, the cover element closes the roof opening; in the open position, the roof opening is at least partially open. Sealing assemblies are mounted on the front edge and side edges located on either side of the roof's longitudinal center vertical plane of the fixed roof element. In the closed position, the rear edge of the cover element is adjacent to the lateral support leg of the sealing assembly of the fixed roof element. The motion mechanism comprises motion units located on either side of the roof's longitudinal center vertical plane, each motion unit having an unfolding rod that slides on the corresponding longitudinal support leg of the sealing assembly as the cover element moves along the roof's longitudinal direction. The longitudinal support legs of the sealing assembly are respectively connected to the lateral support legs via corresponding corner pieces. A molded portion provided by the fixed roof element for securing the sealing assembly has a protrusion that engages with a recess formed on a corner piece fixing base or a recess formed between the corner piece fixing base and a fixing rib of the lateral support leg or the corresponding longitudinal support leg of the sealing assembly.

[0017] Other advantages and advantageous embodiments of the invention can be seen from the description and accompanying drawings. Attached Figure Description

[0018] The figure schematically illustrates one embodiment of an openable vehicle roof designed according to the present invention, which will be described in more detail below.

[0019] Figure 1 It is a perspective top view of the vehicle's roof, with modular inserts on top to form the panoramic top section; Figure 2 This is a perspective top view of the modular insert, with the cover element in the closed position; Figure 3 This is a perspective top view of the modular insert, with the cover element in the open position; Figure 4 This is a perspective view of the sealing assembly of the fixed top element of the modular insert; Figure 5 This is a top view of the left front corner area when the fixed top component is in the installation position, and the cover component is in the closed position; Figure 6 It is along Figure 5 Cross-sectional view with centerline 1 passing through the top; Figure 7 It is along Figure 5 Cross-sectional view of centerline 2 passing through the top; Figure 8 It is along Figure 5 Cross-sectional view of the center line 3 passing through the top; Figure 9 It is along Figure 5 Cross-sectional view with centerline 4 passing through the top; Figure 10 This is a perspective view of the front left corner area of ​​the fixed top component, where the sealing assembly has been removed; Figure 11 This is another perspective view of the front left corner area of ​​the fixed top component, where the sealing assembly has been removed; Figure 12 This is an internal perspective view of the front right corner area of ​​the sealing assembly; and Figure 13 This is another perspective view of the right front corner area of ​​the sealing assembly. Detailed Implementation

[0020] The figure shows a vehicle roof 10 designed as a panoramic roof, having a top opening 12 in which a fixed roof element 14 and a cover element 16, both of which are part of a modular insert 18, in which... Figure 2 and Figure 3 Shown separately, it is connected to the rest of the top structure via a top frame and forms a support member that secures the top element 14 and the cover element 16. The top frame 20 of the insert 18 forms a top opening 22, which can be selectively closed or opened by the movable cover element 16.

[0021] Cover element 16 is part of the top opening system, which can be moved to the closed position by the motion mechanism 24. Figure 2 ) and open location ( Figure 3 The top opening 22 can be moved between the closed and open positions. In the closed position, the top opening 22 is closed, and in the open position, the top opening 22 is at least partially open. Figure 3 As can be seen, when in the open position, the cover element 16 moves at least partially onto the fixed top element 14. On the other hand, when in the closed position, the cover element 16 is completely in front of the fixed top element 14, specifically, at least largely flush with or aligned with the fixed top element 14.

[0022] The motion mechanism 24 includes motion units located on either side of a vertical plane at the top longitudinal center. Each motion unit has a deploying rod 26, which pivots, or deploys, so that the cover element 16 rises relative to the fixed top element 14 when the cover element 16 moves. Furthermore, each deploying rod 26 moves longitudinally along the vehicle when the cover element 16 moves longitudinally. The guide rails are formed on the longitudinal legs 28A, 28B of the top frame 20. Specifically from… Figure 3 As can be seen, when the cover element 16 moves, the unfolding rod 26 moves along the relevant lateral edge of the fixed top element 14.

[0023] The fixed top element 14 includes a glass panel 30, which is rigidly fixed to the top frame 20 by a polyurethane molding portion 32 that surrounds the glass panel 30 in a frame-like manner.

[0024] When the cover element 16 is in the closed position, a sealing assembly 34 is provided on the fixed top element 14 to isolate the outside environment from the inside environment of the vehicle, such as... Figure 4 As shown, the sealing assembly is U-shaped and includes: two longitudinal legs 36A and 36B, which extend along the respective lateral edges of the fixed top element 14; and a lateral leg 38, which extends in the lateral direction of the vehicle and engages with the cover element 16 when it is in the closed position. The longitudinal legs 36A and 36B of the sealing assembly 34 are connected to the lateral leg 38 via so-called corner pieces 40A and 40B. As the cover element 16 moves in the top longitudinal direction, the unfolding rod 26 slides on the longitudinal legs 36A and 36B of the sealing assembly 34. In the initial position, the longitudinal legs 36A and 36B of the sealing assembly 34 engage with corresponding lateral seals 42, which are connected to the portion of the top 10 surrounding the top opening 12.

[0025] The longitudinal legs 36A, 36B and the transverse leg 38 of the sealing assembly 34 are extruded profiles, for example, made of EPDM or TPV materials. To improve the sliding properties of EPDM or thermoplastic vulcanized elastomer materials, friction-improving additives, such as graphite, polytetrafluoroethylene, perfluoropolyether, silicone, polyurethane, polyurethane dispersions, carbon black and / or similar materials, can be coated or mixed with them.

[0026] Corner fittings 40A and 40B are made of elastomers, such as thermoplastic vulcanized elastomers or injection-molded materials, such as ethylene propylene diene monomer (EPDM) rubber, and may also be mixed with or coated with friction-modifying additives, particularly graphite, polytetrafluoroethylene, and / or lubricants. Corner fittings 40A and 40B are attached to the longitudinal legs 36A and 36B and the transverse leg 38 in a form-fit manner by vulcanization.

[0027] To secure the sealing assembly 34 to the polyurethane molded portion of the top element 14, the longitudinal legs 36A, 36B of the sealing assembly 34 have fixing ribs 44 on their side facing the glass panel 30. Each fixing rib 44 has a broadly mushroom-shaped cross-section and engages with a corresponding groove-shaped geometry 46 formed on the polyurethane molded portion 32. The geometry 46 is provided with a bottom cutout.

[0028] The lateral support leg 38 of the sealing assembly 34 has a fixing rib 48 on its bottom side, which is also broadly mushroom-shaped in cross-section and engages with a corresponding geometric part 50 formed on the base of the polyurethane molding part 32 in a groove shape and provided with a bottom cutout.

[0029] Corner pieces 40A and 40B are rectangles in a general sense. Each corner piece has a first leg 52 and a second leg 54. The first leg is adjacent to the corresponding longitudinal leg 36A or 36B of the sealing assembly 34, and the second leg is adjacent to the transverse leg 38 of the sealing assembly 34. A fixing base 56 is formed on the leg 52, which aligns with the fixing rib 44 of the corresponding longitudinal leg 36A or 36B but is separated by a recess 58. This recess 58 is formed by mechanically cutting the fixing rib 44 to a certain length after extruding the corresponding longitudinal leg 36A or 36B. In the installed state, the recess 58 engages with the protrusion 60 formed in the geometry 50 of the polyurethane molding portion 32, while the fixing rib 48 engages with the geometry 50.

[0030] A fixing base 62 is formed on the bottom side of the second leg 54 of each of the corner pieces 40A and 40B. The fixing base 62 is adjacent to and aligned with the fixing rib 48 of the transverse leg 38. The fixing base 62 is also engaged with the geometry 50, which is engaged with the fixing rib 48 of the transverse leg 38.

[0031] To better ensure the precise installation of the sealing assembly 34 on the polyurethane molding portion 32, a protrusion 64 is formed in the geometry 50, which engages with the recess 66 of the interrupted fixing rib 48.

[0032] List of reference numerals 10 vehicle roofs 12 top opening 14 Fixed top components 16-piece cover element 18 Embedded Components 20 top frame 22 Top Opening 24 Sports Organizations 26 unfolding rods 28A, 28B longitudinal support legs 30 glass panel 32 Polyurethane molding part 34 Sealing Components 36A, 36B longitudinal support legs 38 lateral support legs 40A and 40B corner fittings 42 Lateral sealing section 44 fixed ribs 46 Geometry Section 48 fixed ribs 50 Geometry Section 52 First leg 54 Second leg 56 Fixed Base 58 recesses 60 protrusions 62 fixed base 64 protrusions 66 recesses

Claims

1. An openable vehicle roof, comprising a fixed roof element (14), a roof opening (22) disposed in front of the fixed roof element (14), and a roof opening system having a cover element (16) movable between a closed position and an open position by means of a movement mechanism, wherein in the closed position the cover element closes the roof opening (22) and in the open position the roof opening (22) is at least partially open, wherein the fixed roof element (14) is provided with sealing components (34) at its front edge and at its side edges located on both sides of a vertical plane at the longitudinal center of the roof, wherein when in the closed position... At that time, the rear edge of the cover element (16) is adjacent to the transverse support leg (38) of the sealing assembly (34) of the fixed top element (14), the motion mechanism (24) includes motion units located on both sides of the vertical plane at the top longitudinal center, each motion unit having an unfolding rod (26), when the cover element (16) moves in the top longitudinal direction, the unfolding rod (26) slides on the corresponding longitudinal support leg (36A, 36B) of the sealing assembly (34), the longitudinal support legs (36A, 36B) of the sealing assembly (34) are all connected to the transverse support leg (38) via corner pieces (40A, 40B), characterized in that, The corner pieces (40A, 40B) have at least one fixing base (56, 62) on their bottom side, which engages with a corresponding geometry (46, 50) formed on the molded portion provided by the fixing top element (14), and the fixing base (56, 62) is aligned with a fixing rib (44, 48) formed on the transverse leg (38) or the associated longitudinal leg (36A, 36B) of the sealing assembly (34).

2. The openable vehicle roof according to claim 1, characterized in that, The fixing base (56) is spaced apart from the fixing rib (44) by a recess (58), or the fixing rib (48) is interrupted by a recess (66), or the fixing base is interrupted by a recess, the protrusions (60, 64) of the molded portion engage with the recesses (58, 66), the recesses are disposed between the fixing base (56) and the fixing rib (44), or form an interruption of the fixing rib (48) or the fixing base.

3. The openable vehicle roof according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The geometric portion (46, 50) of the molded part that engages with the fixed base (56, 62) has a bottom cutout.

4. An openable vehicle roof, comprising a fixed roof element (14), a roof opening (22) disposed in front of the fixed roof element (14), and a roof opening system having a cover element (16) movable between a closed position and an open position by means of a movement mechanism, wherein in the closed position the cover element closes the roof opening (22) and in the open position the roof opening (22) is at least partially open, wherein the fixed roof element (14) is provided with sealing components (34) at its front edge and at its side edges located on both sides of the vertical plane at the longitudinal center of the roof, when in the closed position At that time, the rear edge of the cover element (16) is adjacent to the transverse support leg (38) of the sealing assembly (34) of the fixed top element (14), the motion mechanism (24) includes motion units located on both sides of the vertical plane at the top longitudinal center, each motion unit having an unfolding rod (26), when the cover element (16) moves in the top longitudinal direction, the unfolding rod (26) slides on the corresponding longitudinal support leg (36A, 36B) of the sealing assembly (34), the longitudinal support legs (36A, 36B) of the sealing assembly (34) are all connected to the transverse support leg (38) via corner pieces (40A, 40B), characterized in that, The fixed top element (14) provides a molded portion for fixing the sealing assembly (34) with protrusions (60, 64) that engage with recesses (58, 66) formed on the fixing base of the corner piece or between the fixing base (56) of the corner piece (40A, 40B) and the fixing ribs (44) of the transverse leg (38) or associated longitudinal leg of the sealing assembly (34), each corner piece (40A, 40B) having a first leg. (54) and a second leg (52), the first leg (54) is adjacent to the transverse leg (38) of the sealing assembly (34), the second leg (52) is adjacent to the relevant longitudinal leg (36A, 36B) of the sealing assembly (34), and a fixing base is formed on the first leg (54) and the second leg (52), each fixing base (56, 62) being aligned with the relevant fixing rib (44, 48) of the transverse leg (38) or the relevant longitudinal leg (36A, 36B).

5. The openable vehicle roof according to claim 4, characterized in that, The longitudinal legs (36A, 36B) and the transverse legs (38) are both formed of sealing profiles.

6. The openable vehicle roof according to claim 4, characterized in that, The corner pieces (40A, 40B) are connected to one of the longitudinal legs (36A, 36B) and the transverse legs (38) by vulcanization or injection molding.

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