Vehicle roof with openable folding roof with tensioned cable system

Abstract

The invention relates to a vehicle roof with an openable folding roof, having a tensioning cable which tensions the folding roof in the closed state and which is fixedly anchored at one end to a front roof part of the folding roof and at the other end to a rear member fixed to the vehicle body, such that the length can be adjusted by means of a tensioning cable system in order to adjust the cable tension, the tensioning cable system comprising a latch base and a latch element and a multi-stage adjustable latch mechanism, the latch base being fixedly anchored to the member fixed to the vehicle body, the rear end of the tensioning cable being held fixedly anchored to the latch element, the latch mechanism being configured between the latch base and the latch element in the longitudinal direction such that the latch element can be adjusted only in the longitudinal direction relative to the latch base, and the latch element being held in the adjusted relative position in a form-fitting manner latched to the latch base.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a vehicle roof with an openable, foldable roof having a tension cable system. Background Technology

[0002] A motor vehicle with a foldable roof may include tension cables that, in the closed position, apply tension to the roof over a lateral peripheral region of the foldable roof extending longitudinally of the motor vehicle, thereby achieving a seal relative to the vehicle body in the roof region. For this purpose, the tension cables are disposed in side recesses of the roof and are securely attached at their ends to the front and rear roof components.

[0003] Implementations of tension cable systems with a fixed tension cable length result in low closing force; however, the length of the tension cable must be adjusted very precisely because the cable tension cannot be subsequently adjusted and thus modified.

[0004] DE 37 23 598C2 describes a vehicle roof for a motor vehicle, implemented as a folding sunroof and having multiple bow-shaped rods, which are length-adjustable in lateral roof guides and support a roof fabric. To open the folding sunroof, the bow-shaped rods—including a roof cover that is fastened to the roof fabric at the front—move rearward in the lateral guides, causing the roof fabric to wrinkle. To achieve a defined wrinkle pattern and to tension the roof fabric in the closed roof position, a tension cable is guided through the roof fabric in both left and right areas of the roof in each case. The tension cable is force-applied by a spring element to generate a defined cable tension. The spring element is implemented as a helical spring disposed in an extension of the tension cable. A disadvantage of the tension cable system with spring elements is a reduction in the overall stiffness of the system.

[0005] Furthermore, EP 2 572 913 B1 discloses a folding roof with a tension cable system, the end region of which is held to a component fixed to the vehicle body, thereby applying force via a tension spring. The tension cable system also includes a tension bar for adjusting tension and a brake for limiting the adjustment of the tension bar.

[0006] A vehicle having an openable cover, implemented as a tarpaulin, is known from GB 340,183A. The periphery of the tarpaulin is configured to accommodate a tension cable, thereby ensuring that the tarpaulin, when closed, is supported in a sealed manner on the surrounding periphery of the roof. One end of the tension cable is attached to a first end of the roof for securing to the vehicle body, while the other end is established on the opposite end of the roof by means of a lever mechanism. Any variation in cable length can be compensated for by the lever mechanism. For this purpose, the tension cable is attached to a movable lever of the lever mechanism. The lever has a cross pin. A latching fitting is provided at the end of the roof, implemented as an upwardly bent hook-shaped latching element for receiving the pin in a latching manner. Summary of the Invention

[0007] The present invention is based on the objective of constructing a vehicle roof with an openable folding roof through simple structural measures, such that the folding roof can be variably tensioned in the closed state, and thereby can be adjusted at any time and easily compensated for tolerance issues in the length of the tension cable.

[0008] According to the invention, this objective is achieved by a vehicle roof having an openable folding roof with a tension cable that tensions the folding roof in the closed state. The tension cable is fixedly anchored at one end to a front roof component of the folding roof and held at the other end to a rear component fixed to the vehicle body. The tension cable system allows for adjustment of its length to regulate cable tension. The tension cable system includes a latch base and a latch element, as well as a multi-stage adjustable latch mechanism. The latch base is fixedly anchored to the component fixed to the vehicle body. The rear end of the tension cable is held fixedly anchored to the latch element. The latch mechanism is configured longitudinally between the latch base and the latch element such that the latch element is adjustable relative to the latch base, and the latch element is held in the adjusted relative position in a form-fitting latching position to the latch base. The latch element is adjustable relative to the latch base... The latching element is adjustable only in one longitudinal direction; and wherein the longitudinal direction is the vehicle longitudinal direction; and wherein the latching element is adjustable relative to the latching base only in the rearward longitudinal direction; and wherein the multi-stage adjustable latching mechanism is formed by latching teeth on the latching element and corresponding flexible tongues on the latching base; and wherein the latching element, preferably a plastic injection molded component, is implemented as a cubic base element having opposing sides, an upper side and a lower side extending in the longitudinal direction and a side extending in the transverse direction, with latching teeth constructed on the side sides; and wherein the latching base has a cubic body for receiving the latching element, the body including a continuous square hole extending in the longitudinal direction, the body preferably being implemented as a plastic injection molded component; and wherein the flexible tongues of the latching base communicating with the latching teeth are provided on two opposing sidewalls extending in the longitudinal direction of the square hole.

[0009] To enable the folding roof to be variably tensioned when closed, thereby allowing for adjustment and easy compensation of tolerances in the tension cable length at any time, according to the invention, the latching element is adjustable relative to the latching base, which is fixedly attached to the vehicle body, in only one longitudinal direction. The longitudinal direction herein is the vehicle's longitudinal direction. The latching base and latching element are implemented herein as mutually adjustable, such that the latching element is adjustable relative to the latching base only in a rearward longitudinal direction, and the adjustment is a multi-stage adjustable latching mechanism formed by latching teeth on the latching element and corresponding flexible tongues on the latching base.

[0010] The adjustment along the rearward longitudinal direction is specifically designed to correspond to displacement movement, and the latching element is configured to be able to move relative to the latching base in the rearward longitudinal direction.

[0011] The vehicle roof has an adjustable folding roof that can be adjusted between a closed position and an open position. In the closed position, an opening in the vehicle roof is covered, and in the open position, the opening is exposed. For example, the folding roof is implemented as a folding sunroof, which is displaced along the longitudinal axis of the vehicle to switch between the closed and open positions. For this purpose, side guide rails located on top and fixedly held on the vehicle body or frame can be provided in the vehicle roof, defining an opening between them, and the folding sunroof can move along the longitudinal axis within the side guide rails.

[0012] The folding roof has a roof fabric component and a linkage assembly, the linkage assembly being a support for the roof fabric component. For transitions between the closed and open positions, the linkage assembly, including the roof fabric component, must be adjusted. In the case of a folding sunroof, the linkage assembly includes a front roof component and one or more roof arches located behind the front roof component and extending laterally between lateral guide rails, connecting to the roof fabric component.

[0013] The roof arch support includes a front roof arch support, one or more central roof arch supports, and a rear roof arch support.

[0014] The front roof component of the linkage assembly forms a roof cover, to which a fabric cover is attached. When the vehicle roof is open, the fabric cover will wrinkle.

[0015] To tension the roof fabric in the closed state of the folding roof, tension cables are provided connected to the roof fabric of the folding roof. Advantageously, in each case, a tension cable is located in the left and right side regions of the roof and extends along the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, with each tension cable connected to the roof fabric.

[0016] The tension cable extends specifically between the front roof cover of the folding roof and the rear roof component fixed to the vehicle body or frame, with the folding roof supported on the rear roof component when open.

[0017] According to the present invention, in the assembled state of the folding roof, the tension cable can be adjusted in a force-controlled manner using a tension cable system. This avoids tolerance problems associated with a fixed tension cable length.

[0018] The latching element is configured to be adjustable relative to the latching base, thereby enabling precise adjustment of the tension in the tension cable when the vehicle roof is closed. In its adjusted relative position, the latching element is held onto the latching base in a form-fitting manner. This form-fitting latching mechanism can only be disengaged by introducing tension into the end of the tension cable attached to the latching element; therefore, cable tension is increased by adjusting the latching element in a rearward longitudinal direction relative to the latching base. In this adjusted position, the latching element is latched to the latching base in a form-fitting manner.

[0019] The length of the tension cable can be precisely adjusted by means of a small latch pitch.

[0020] The rear roof component, which is secured to the vehicle body, is advantageously achieved via a rear roof arched bar with slits in its profile. Therefore, the function of tensioning the cables can be achieved during the automatic bonding of the folded edges covering the fabric component.

[0021] The tension cable is advantageously guided and held in a sealed groove extending along the longitudinal direction of the vehicle on a lateral guide rail, in which the dynamic components of the folding roof are movably guided. Attached Figure Description

[0022] Figure 1 A bottom view of the vehicle roof, shown in the closed position, is presented, featuring an openable folding roof.

[0023] Figure 2 A three-dimensional view of a tension cable system is shown, which has tension cables for tensioning the roof fabric of a folding roof, and has components for fixing to the vehicle body, a latch base, and a latch element.

[0024] Figure 3 A three-dimensional view of the latching element as a single component is shown;

[0025] Figure 4 A three-dimensional perspective view of the latch base as a single component is shown; and

[0026] Figure 5 This shows a view of a tension cable system in its assembled state without the tension cable.

[0027] In the accompanying drawings, the same components have the same reference numerals. Detailed Implementation

[0028] Figure 1The vehicle roof 1, shown in a bottom view, has an adjustable folding roof 2, which includes a roof fabric component 3 and multiple linkage components 4 and 5 supporting the roof fabric component 3. The linkage components are a front roof cover 4 and multiple roof arches 5. In the closed state, the front roof cover 4 is supported forward on a front roof frame 7a in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. The multiple roof arches 5 extend laterally and are positioned between the front roof cover 4 and a rear roof component 6, which is fixed or immovable to the vehicle body. The front roof cover 4 and the roof arches 5 are guided in lateral guide rails 7 on the vehicle body and can move backward or forward in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle along the guide rails 7 to perform closing or opening processes, respectively.

[0029] The adjustment movement of the folding roof 2 is achieved by means of a drive unit 8, which is an electric motor. To open the folding roof 2, which is implemented as a folding sunroof, the drive unit 8 is activated, and the connecting rods 4 and 5 are adjusted rearward along the direction of the rear roof component 6 in the side guide rails 7. The roof fabric 3 is held on the connecting rods 4 and 5 and forms folds during the opening process.

[0030] With the roof closed, the roof fabric 3 is taut because it is fastened to the front roof cover 4. This ensures that, with the roof closed, the front roof cover 4 and the rear roof component 6, to which the opposite ends of the roof fabric 3 are fastened, have the greatest distance. Furthermore, the tension cable 9 is guided in the lateral region of the roof in each case. The tension cable 9 is connected to the roof fabric 3 at its lateral perimeter 3a and additionally applies tension to the roof fabric 3 when the roof is closed. The tension cable 9 extends along the lateral guide rail 7 in each case and is advantageously guided in a sealing groove provided on the guide rail. The tension cable 9 is tensioned by a tension cable system 10, which is illustrated in detail in the other figures.

[0031] For simplicity, the tension cable system 10 for one side of the folding roof is described below. A similar tension cable system is provided on the opposite side of the folding roof.

[0032] To ensure that the lateral periphery is supported in a sealed manner in the closed position, the tension cable 9 is fixedly anchored to the front roof via its front end. For force-controlled adjustment of the tension cable 9, its rear end is attached by means of the tension cable system 10.

[0033] The tension cable system 10 is held, either directly or indirectly, on the vehicle roof 1 and fixed to the rear structure of the vehicle body.

[0034] In the exemplary embodiment shown, the rear member fixed to the vehicle body is the last roof bow 5 located in the rear region of the roof. Figure 1 In the bottom view, the rear roof arched rod 5 is obscured and not visible by the rear roof component 6.

[0035] exist Figure 1 In the diagram, arrow F indicates the direction of travel. V represents the front, and H represents the rear or back.

[0036] exist Figure 2 and Figure 5 Only a section of the rear roof arch support 5 is shown. This section shows the lateral end region 5a of the roof arch support. A rectangular cutout serving as an orifice 12 is incorporated in the lateral end region 5a of the roof arch support 5. This rectangular cutout includes a first region 14 with an enlarged width B1 and a second region 16 adjacent to the first region 14 when viewed in the longitudinal direction and having laterally opposed guide strips 17. A locking tab 18 is constructed between the first and second regions, which can be bent to a locked position during assembly, as will be explained in more detail below. Figure 2 The image shows the locking position where the arm bends upwards.

[0037] The tensioning cable system 10 also includes a latch base 20 and a latch element 22. The latch element 22 is implemented as an elongated cubic base element. This base element is a plastic injection-molded component. The latch element 22 has opposing sides 24 extending in the longitudinal direction, an upper side 25 and a lower side, and a side 26 extending in the transverse direction. The longitudinal axis is indicated by line 27. In the longitudinal direction, a continuous hole 28 is configured to be approximately centered in the body. An integrally molded eyelet 30 is configured on the body at the rear side 26, and this eyelet 30 extends in the transverse direction in the installed position. A continuous guide groove 31 extending in the longitudinal direction is engaged on the upper side 25 of the body.

[0038] For example, it can also be from Figure 3 As seen in the illustration, the side 24 extending in the longitudinal direction is configured to have lateral latching teeth 32. The latching teeth 32 include a plurality of obliquely extending latching teeth 33, which, when viewed in the longitudinal direction, each latching tooth 33 has an obliquely extending tooth surface 33a oriented forward and a tooth surface 33b extending generally in the transverse direction. Therefore, the lateral latching teeth form a cedar-like structure.

[0039] The cable tensioning system 10 also includes a latch base 20, which is fixedly held to the component 5 fixed to the vehicle body, such that relative movement between the component 5 fixed to the vehicle body and the latch base 20 is impossible in the assembled state.

[0040] The latch base 20 has a cubic body 34 for receiving the latch element 22, the body 34 including a continuous square hole 36 extending longitudinally. The body 34 is also implemented as a plastic injection-molded component. Inclined, flexible tongues 38, communicating with the inclined latch teeth of the latch element 22, are formed on two opposing sidewalls 37 of the square hole 36. In the assembled state, the flexible tongues 38 engage with the latch teeth of the latch element 22. Therefore, when viewed longitudinally in the assembled state, the corresponding latch teeth and corresponding flexible tongues alternate. Due to the inclined configuration of the latch teeth and flexible tongues, relative movement between the latch element and the latch base 20 can only occur in one direction. This direction of movement is determined by… Figure 5 The arrow PFSpann in the diagram represents this.

[0041] Due to the pitch of the latching teeth and the pitch of the flexible tongue, and because the latching teeth on both sides engage in the corresponding flexible tongues constructed on the sidewall 37, during relative movement, due to the offset of the pitch, the two opposing flexible tongues engage once every 0.4 mm.

[0042] For example, it can also be from Figure 4 As seen in the illustration of a single component, a guide web 35, communicating with the guide groove 31 of the latching element 22, is integrally molded in the region of the square hole, thereby extending centrally in the longitudinal direction on the upper defining wall of the square hole 36. Furthermore, the lateral region 39 of the body 34, extending in the longitudinal direction, is provided with a continuous guide groove 40. The guide groove 40 is constructed in a manner corresponding to the guide strip 17 of the element 5 fixed to the vehicle body.

[0043] Figure 2 and Figure 5 The assembly state of the tensioned cable system 10 is shown.

[0044] The latching element 22 is first inserted into the square hole in the latching base 20. A guide groove in the guide web of the latching base serves as an insertion aid. As explained above, this can only be done in one direction. The latching teeth of the latching element engage in a form-fitting manner with the latching tongue of the latching base.

[0045] Furthermore, in the assembled state, the latch base 20 remains inserted and locked in the component 5 fixed to the vehicle body. When assembling the latch base 20, the cube body is inserted into the first region 14 of the gap and pushed into the corresponding guide groove 17 by means of the lateral guide groove 40 of the cube body. In this assembled position, the locking tab 18 is aligned with the guide bar 17, thereby allowing the latch base 20 to be inserted. In the inserted position, the locking tab 18 then bends upward in the vertical direction, so that the body can no longer move relative to the component 5 fixed to the vehicle body (locked position).

[0046] Once the latch base and latch element have been assembled, the tension cable 9 is finally guided from front to back through the hole 28 and secured through the rear end region of the tension cable 9 to the eyelet 30 overmolded in the body. Figure 2 The image shows the assembly state without the tension cable 9 being secured to the eyelet.

[0047] When securing the tension cable, the desired cable tension is first pre-adjusted. The final adjustment of the cable tension is performed force-controlled on the fully assembled folding roof. For this purpose, the rear end of the tension cable, secured to the eyelet, is guided outward through a lateral region extending longitudinally from the folding roof, introducing a defined tension. Due to this force, the latching element 22 shifts within the latching base 20 according to the latching pitch. Once the desired cable tension is achieved, the latching teeth latch in a form-fitting manner within the latching base, whereby the latching teeth are alternately supported on the flexible tongue.

[0048] Thanks to the fine latching pitch of the latching teeth, precise adjustment of cable tension, as well as subsequent adjustments, can be easily made without the need for any other tools.

[0049] List of reference numerals

[0050] 1 vehicle roof

[0051] 2-fold roof

[0052] 3. Top cover fabric parts

[0053] 4. Front roof cover

[0054] 5. Roof arched rods

[0055] 6 Rear roof components

[0056] 7 guide rails

[0057] 8 drive units

[0058] 9 tensioned cables

[0059] 10-Tension Cable System

[0060] 12 rectangular cuts

[0061] 14 First District

[0062] 16 Second Region

[0063] 17 guide strips

[0064] 18 locking tabs

[0065] 20 latch base

[0066] 22 latching elements

[0067] 24 sides

[0068] 25 Upper side

[0069] 26 side view

[0070] 28 holes

[0071] 30 holes

[0072] 31 guide groove

[0073] 32 latch teeth

[0074] 33 latch teeth

[0075] 33a Inclined tooth surface

[0076] 33b tooth surface

[0077] 34 main bodies

[0078] 35 guiding web

[0079] 36 square holes

[0080] 37 sidewalls

[0081] 38. Flexible tongue-shaped part

[0082] 39 Lateral areas

[0083] 40 guide groove

Claims

1. A vehicle roof having an openable folding roof (2), the vehicle roof having a tension cable (9) that tensions the folding roof (2) in a closed state, and the tension cable (9) being fixedly anchored at one end to a front roof component of the folding roof (2) and held at the other end to a rear component fixed to the vehicle body, thereby allowing adjustment of the length by means of a tension cable system (10) to adjust the cable tension. The tension cable system (10) includes a latch base (20) and a latch element (22) and a multi-stage adjustable latching mechanism. The latch base (20) is fixedly anchored to the rear member fixed to the vehicle body. The rear end of the tension cable (9) is held fixedly anchored to the latch element (22). The latching mechanism is configured in the longitudinal direction between the latch base (20) and the latch element (22) such that the latch element (22) is adjustable relative to the latch base (20), and the latch element (22) is held in the adjusted relative position to latch the latch base (20) in a form-fitting manner. in, The latching element (22) is adjustable relative to the latching base (20) along only one longitudinal direction; and wherein the longitudinal direction is the vehicle longitudinal direction; and wherein the latching element (22) is adjustable relative to the latching base (20) along only the rearward longitudinal direction; and wherein the multi-stage adjustable latching mechanism is formed by latching teeth (32) on the latching element (22) and corresponding flexible tongues (38) on the latching base (20); and wherein the latching element (22) is implemented as a cubic base element having a longitudinal direction The latch teeth (32) are formed on the side (24) extending toward opposite sides (24), the upper side (25) and the lower side, and the side (26) extending in the lateral direction; and wherein the latch base (20) has a cubic body (34) for receiving the latch element (22), the body (34) including a continuous square hole (36) extending in the longitudinal direction; and wherein a flexible tongue (38) of the latch base (20) communicating with the latch teeth is provided on two opposite sidewalls extending in the longitudinal direction of the square hole (36).

2. The vehicle roof according to claim 1, wherein, The latching installation between the latching element (22) and the latching base (20) is designed such that the installation can only be canceled by the tension acting on the tension cable (9), and the relative movement in the longitudinal direction between the latching element (22) and the latching base (20) for adjusting the length of the tension cable and increasing the cable tension can be achieved by the tension, and the latching element (22) can be latched to the latching base (20) in the adjusted relative position in a form-fit manner.

3. The vehicle roof according to claim 1, wherein, The folding roof (2) includes multiple linkage components having a front roof cover (4) and a roof bow (5) extending in the lateral direction; and wherein the rear component fixed to the vehicle body is the last roof bow (5) located in the rear region of the vehicle roof, and the front roof component is the front roof cover (4).

4. The vehicle roof according to claim 3, wherein, The roof bow rod (5) for securing the latch base (20) to the vehicle body has a cutout and at least one locking tab (18) at its end side, the locking tab (18) being adjustable to an assembled position and a locked position.

5. The vehicle roof according to claim 1, wherein, The latching teeth (32) include a plurality of inclined latching teeth (33), which, when viewed along the longitudinal direction, each latching tooth (33) has an inclined tooth surface (33a) oriented forward and a tooth surface (33b) extending generally along the transverse direction.

6. The vehicle roof according to claim 1, wherein, The latching element (22) has a continuous hole (28) in the longitudinal direction, the hole (28) being centered.

7. The vehicle roof according to claim 1, wherein, The eyelets for attaching the tension cable (9) are provided on the side (26) at the rear of the body in the installation position.

8. The vehicle roof according to claim 7, wherein, The eyelets for attaching the tension cable (9) are integrally molded on the side (26) at the rear of the body in the installation position.

9. The vehicle roof according to claim 1, wherein, The latch base (20) has an integrally molded guide web (35), which communicates with the guide groove of the latch element (22) as an insertion aid.

10. The vehicle roof according to claim 1, wherein, In the assembled state, the tension cable (9) originates from the front side (26) extending in the lateral direction, passes through the hole (28) of the latching element (22) and is fixedly attached to the eyelet (30).

11. The vehicle roof according to claim 1, wherein, The latching element (22) is a plastic injection molded component.

12. The vehicle roof according to claim 1, wherein, The main body (34) is implemented as a plastic injection molded component.

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