Device for moving a cover and method for installing said device

Abstract

A device for moving a cover (103) of a roof (101) comprises:-a guide rail (107) extending in a longitudinal direction (X); -a deployment rod (110) for raising a rear edge (106) of the cover (103); -a support bracket (130) held in the guide rail (107) so as to be displaceable in the longitudinal direction (X); -a drive rod (115) rotatably coupled at a first end (116) to the deployment rod (110) and having a guide element (120) at a second end (117) wherein the guide element (120) is supported between the support bracket (130) and the guide rail (107) in order to transmit a movement of the support bracket (130) in the longitudinal direction (X) to the deployment rod (115). The invention further relates to an installation method.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] A device for moving a cover of a vehicle roof is provided. Furthermore, a method for installing a device for moving a cover of a vehicle roof is provided, in particular for installing a device as described herein. Background Art

[0002] For example, such an arrangement with a roof cover is used to raise the cover starting from a closed position so as to first close the top opening by means of a deployment mechanism in its rear region and then displace it rearwards into an open position. DE 10 2006 045 632 B3, the content of which is hereby incorporated by reference, describes in this respect, for example, a so-called spoiler top.

[0003] It is desirable to provide a device for moving the cover of a vehicle roof that operates reliably. It is also desirable to develop a method for mounting the device that moves the cover of the vehicle roof in a reliable manner. Summary of the invention

[0004] A device for moving a cover of a vehicle roof is provided. In addition, a method for installing a device for moving a cover of a vehicle roof is provided, in particular a method for installing the device described herein. Therefore, the advantages, features and further developments of the device also apply to the method and vice versa.

[0005] According to at least one embodiment, the device has a guide rail extending in the longitudinal direction. The device has an expansion rod. The expansion rod is configured to be able to raise the rear edge of the cover. The device has a support bracket. The support bracket is held in the guide rail so as to be displaceable in the longitudinal direction. The device has a drive rod. The drive rod is rotatably coupled to the expansion rod at a first end. The drive rod has a guide element at a second end. The guide element is supported between the support bracket and the guide rail. Thus, the movement of the support bracket in the longitudinal direction can be transmitted to the expansion rod.

[0006] The drive rod and the support bracket cooperate to realize the pivoting of the deployment rod. Therefore, by the movement of the support bracket and the drive rod, the deployment rod can be pivoted relative to the guide rail to raise and lower the rear edge of the cover.

[0007] For example, the support bracket has a connection with a locking element. In a first state, the locking element can be moved in a longitudinal direction relative to the guide rail. In a second state, the locking element is locked to prevent movement in a longitudinal direction relative to the guide rail. Therefore, the support bracket can be moved in a longitudinal direction relative to the guide rail in the first state. In the second state, the support bracket is locked relative to the guide rail. In the first state, the drive rod can be moved by the support bracket to pivot the deployment rod. In the second state, the deployment rod is locked in its deployed position relative to the guide rail by the drive rod and the support bracket and the locking element. The support bracket and the drive rod are in particular components that are configured independently of each other. During operation, the support bracket and the drive rod cooperate as described above. However, in this case, no material joint connection is formed between the support bracket and the drive rod. The movement of the support bracket is transmitted to the drive rod via a shape-locking connection and / or a non-shape-locking connection.

[0008] This device allows reliable operation and requires little installation space. Due to the vertical support of the drive rod between the support bracket and the guide rail, a play-free support within the normal tolerance range can be achieved. The device can be installed in a simple and reliable manner.

[0009] According to one embodiment, the guide element has a bearing projection at the first end. The bearing projection is arranged in a recess of the bearing bracket. The bearing projection is supported on a base of the recess. Thus, in the assembled state, the guide element can be reliably fixed at the first end, and the movement of the bearing bracket can be reliably transmitted to the guide element and the drive rod.

[0010] According to another embodiment, the guide element has a protruding projection at the second end. The second end is opposite to the first end of the guide element within the longitudinal extension of the guide element. The longitudinal extension corresponds, for example, to a vertical direction or a vertical orientation in the assembled and operationally ready state. The projection projects laterally relative to the longitudinal extension. The projection is supported on the guide rail. The projection projects in a horizontal or transverse direction. Thus, the projection can surround the guide rail and be supported on the guide path of the guide rail facing the support bracket. Thus, the guide element is supported on the guide rail in the vertical direction by the projection. Thus, the guide element is supported between the guide rail and the support bracket by the projection and the supporting projection and is thus reliably held.

[0011] According to at least one embodiment, the guide element has a stop at its second end. The stop is supported on the vertical guide path in the guide rail. Thus, the guide element is supported and held laterally on the guide rail. Thus, by means of the stop and the projection, the guide element is supported on the guide rail both in the vertical direction and in the transverse direction.

[0012] According to at least one embodiment, the guide element is in direct contact with the guide rail at the second end. For example, the guide element has a plastic material piece, which is supported between the support bracket and the guide rail. The plastic material of the plastic material piece is in direct contact with the guide rail in the assembled state and slides along the guide rail during operation.

[0013] According to at least one embodiment, the support bracket has a protruding area. The protruding area protrudes beside the recess in the vertical direction. The protruding area supports the guide element laterally. In addition, the protruding area helps to push the guide element reliably into the support bracket.

[0014] According to at least one embodiment, the mounting method comprises providing a guide rail extending in the longitudinal direction. A supporting bracket is provided. The supporting bracket is held in the guide rail so as to be displaceable in the longitudinal direction. A deployment rod with a drive rod is provided. The drive rod is rotatably coupled to the deployment rod at a first end. The drive rod has a guide element at a second end. The guide element moves in a vertical direction in a direction toward the deployment rod. The second end of the guide element and the guide rail are redirected relative to each other in a transverse direction. The transverse direction is oriented, in particular, transverse to the longitudinal direction and the vertical direction, and the second end of the guide element faces away from the supporting bracket. The first end of the guide element is inserted into the supporting bracket. The second end of the guide element is pivoted into the guide rail so as to be arranged between the supporting bracket and the guide rail. Therefore, the guide element is supported between the supporting bracket and the guide rail.

[0015] The method makes it possible to preassemble the deployment rod with the drive rod, for example, also with the deployment bearing seat of the deployment rod. The bearing bracket can be mounted in the guide rail independently of the deployment rod and the drive rod. The drive rod can be mounted in the guide rail in a simple manner by pivoting and inserting the bearing bracket and pivoting and locking. Thus, the connection between the drive rod and the locking element can be formed directly in the guide rail. Preassembly of the drive rod with the locking element outside the guide rail can be omitted. Thus, a simple assembly with low structural space requirements, reliable support and support that is as free of play as possible is possible.

[0016] According to at least one embodiment, the deployment support seat to which the deployment rod is pivotally fixed is inserted into the guide rail. The deployment support seat is pushed in before the first end of the guide element is inserted into the support bracket.

[0017] According to an embodiment, the device is part of a spoiler roof, wherein, at the rear edge of the lid in the opening direction, the deployment rod is first rotated to raise the rear edge of the lid. The lid moves in the opening direction relative to the deployment rod in order to at least partially release the roof opening. In this case, the deployment rod is fixed relative to the rest of the vehicle roof and does not move with the lid in the opening direction. This is different from a so-called externally guided sliding roof, for example, in which the deployment rod moves at the rear edge of the lid together with the lid in the opening direction relative to the rest of the vehicle roof. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0018] Other advantages, features and further developments will be understood from the following examples with reference to the attached drawings. Identical, similar and identically effective elements may be provided with the same reference numerals in all figures.

[0019] In the attached picture:

[0020] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of a vehicle is shown according to an example embodiment;

[0021] Figures 2 to 5 a schematic diagram showing the apparatus during installation according to an example embodiment; and

[0022] Figures 6 to 13 A schematic diagram of an apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment is shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0023] Figure 1 A vehicle 100 according to an exemplary embodiment is shown. The vehicle 100 has a roof 101. A cover 103 is arranged on the roof 101. For example, the cover 103 can be moved relative to the rest of the roof 101. Thus, the top opening 102 can be closed or partially released by the cover 103.

[0024] The vehicle has a windshield 104. The cover 103 has a front edge 105 which, in the operating state, faces the windshield 104. A rear edge 106 of the cover 103 faces away from the windshield 104 in the longitudinal direction X.

[0025] The movement of the cover 103 is generated by an unfolding mechanism. The unfolding mechanism has, for example, a guide rail 107 connected to the vehicle roof 101. For example, a drive cable is guided in the guide rail 107. For example, the drive cable is in contact with an electric drive motor and other components of the unfolding mechanism in order to move the cover 103 relative to the rest of the vehicle roof 101. The unfolding mechanism has a device 200, which will be explained in more detail below.

[0026] For example, the device 200 is configured in the manner of a spoiler top. The device 200 has a deployment rod 110, in particular in the form of a rear deployment rod 110. The rear deployment rod 110 serves to raise and lower the rear edge 106 of the cover 103. When the cover 103 is displaced in the X direction to the open position relative to the rest of the roof 101, the rear deployment rod 110 is locked with the guide rail. The cover 103 is displaced in the X direction relative to the deployment rod 110 in order to be displaced to its open position. In this respect, the exemplary embodiment of the spoiler top is similar to Figure 1 The exemplary embodiments shown in are different. Figure 1 In the example, a so-called externally guided sliding roof is shown, wherein the deployment rod 110 is moved together with the cover 103 in the opening direction relative to the rest of the vehicle roof at the rear edge 106 of the cover 103. For this type of sliding roof as well as for other embodiments of a sliding roof, the device 200 and the mounting method described in this example can also be used accordingly.

[0027] The position indications or direction indications used, such as rear or front, top or bottom, left or right, are relative to the vehicle longitudinal axis and the normal direction of travel of the operable vehicle 100. The vehicle longitudinal axis may also be referred to as the horizontal axis or X-axis in the relevant X-direction. The vehicle transverse axis may also be referred to as the horizontal axis or Y-axis in the relevant Y-direction. The vehicle vertical axis may also be referred to as the vertical axis or Z-axis in the relevant Z-direction. The vertical direction, transverse direction, and longitudinal direction are all perpendicular to each other.

[0028] Figure 2 The device 200 for mounting the deployment rod 110 before the guide rail 107 is shown.

[0029] The deployment rod 110 is coupled to the deployment support seat 140 so as to hold the deployment rod 110 in a pivotable manner. The drive rod 115 is pivotally connected to the deployment rod 110. In particular, the drive rod 115 is connected to the deployment rod 110 at a central area of ​​the deployment rod 110. A rotation connection 118 ( Figure 3 ).

[0030] The drive rod 115 has a first end 116 and a second end 117. A rotational connection 118 is formed on the first end 116 of the drive rod 115.

[0031] At the opposite second end 117 of the drive rod 115 a guide element 120 is formed. The guide element 120 is in particular made of a plastic material. Thus, at the second end 117 of the drive rod 115 a plastic material piece 127 is arranged. For example, the plastic material piece 127 is injection-molded onto a metal portion of the drive rod 115. The plastic material piece 127 is configured to be held and guided in a guide rail.

[0032] In a first step, the guide rail 107 and the unfolding support 140 on which the unfolding rod 110 is mounted are separately provided. In addition, a cover bracket 160 is provided, which carries the cover 103 and serves as an interface for fixing the cover 103. For example, the cover bracket 160 is guided and supported in the guide rail 107 in the area of ​​the front edge 105.

[0033] During installation, the cover bracket 160 is coupled to the cover slider 111. The cover slider 111 is arranged at one end of the deployment rod 110. Through the cover slider 111, the cover 103 is supported by the cover bracket 160 on the deployment rod 110 and thus on the guide rail 107. By pivoting the deployment rod 110, the cover bracket 160 can thus be raised and lowered relative to the guide rail 107 in the Z direction.

[0034] A support bracket 130 (e.g., Figure 4 ). The support bracket 130 is guided in the guide rail 107 so as to be displaceable in the longitudinal direction X. For example, the support bracket 130 is part of a longitudinally displaceable swivel support. For example, the support bracket 130 is made of a plastic material. The support bracket 130 is held and guided in the guide rail so as to be displaceable in the X direction and to be blocked from movement in the Z and Y directions.

[0035] For example, Figure 6 As shown, the support bracket 130 has a connection 133 with a locking element 150. For example, the locking element is a torsion bar. For example, the locking element 150 can be coupled to a drive bracket (not explicitly shown). For example, the drive bracket can in turn be coupled to a drive of the device 200 so as to pivot and displace the cover 103 in the longitudinal direction.

[0036] The locking element 150 can be locked to the guide rail 107 or the drive bracket. By means of the locking element 150, the longitudinal movement of the drive bracket relative to the guide rail 107 can be transmitted to the support bracket 130. By means of the locking element 150, a locking action can be performed relative to the guide rail 107, thereby preventing the longitudinal movement of the support bracket 130 relative to the guide rail 107.

[0037] Figure 3 The device 200 is shown during assembly when the deployment bearing 140 is coupled to the guide rail 107. The cover bracket 160 is coupled to the cover slide 111. The deployment rod 110 is in its deployed position, in which the deployment rod 110 extends substantially in the vertical direction Z. In this position, the rear edge 106 of the cover 103 is raised in the operationally ready state.

[0038] The drive rod 115 is oriented so that the guide element 120 is not arranged in the guide rail 107. The drive rod 115 is not yet coupled to the support bracket 130. First, the deployment rod 110 is thus connected to the guide rail 107. Subsequently, the drive rod 115 is connected to the support bracket 130, as shown in FIG. Figure 4 and Figure 5 shown.

[0039] The drive rod 115 rotates around the rotation axis 112 ( Figure 7 ) pivots so that the guide element 120 moves toward the guide rail 107.

[0040] In order to introduce the guide element 120 into the guide rail, the second end 117 is redirected in the Y direction relative to the guide rail 107. As a result, the guide element 120 is moved in particular away from the guide wall 108. As a result, the deployment lever 110 is redirected, in particular at its second end 117, from the rest and operating position so that the guide element 120 can be moved in the direction towards the support bracket 130 over the guide wall 108 and other projections of the guide rail 107. Alternatively or additionally, a part of the guide rail 107, in particular the part with the guide wall 108, can also be redirected in the transverse direction so that the guide element 120 can be moved in the direction towards the support bracket 130. The guide wall 108 can also be referred to as a guide web or guide flange.

[0041] The relative reorientation of the guide element 120 and the guide rail 107 away from each other is sufficiently great that a laterally projecting projection 124 of the guide element 120 is moved past the guide wall 108. The projection 124 may also be referred to as a bearing web.

[0042] Once the projection 124 has moved past the guide wall 108 ( Figure 5 ), the guide element 120 and / or the guide rail 107 are moved back into the rest and operating position so that the projection 124 is arranged below the guide wall 108. The projection 124 is then supported in the Z direction on a horizontal guide path 128 of the guide wall 108 facing the support bracket 130. The horizontal guide path 128 extends in the transverse direction Y, in particular in the XY plane. The horizontal guide path 128 guides the guide element 120 along the transverse direction Y. The horizontal guide path 128 axially supports the guide element 120 in the vertical direction Z.

[0043] In the Z direction, the position of the guide element 120 is defined in the upward direction by the protrusion 124 and the guide wall 108. The protrusion 124 can slide along the guide wall 108 in the X direction.

[0044] At the second end 117, the guide element 120 is supported by a stop 125 on a vertical guide path 109 of the guide wall 108 in a transverse direction Y. The vertical guide path 109 extends in a vertical direction Z, in particular in an XZ plane. The vertical guide path 109 guides the guide element 120 horizontally in the transverse direction Y. The vertical guide path 109 supports the guide element 120 axially in the transverse direction Y. The stop 125 protrudes beyond the projection 124 in the Z direction in order to guide the guide element 120 with its second end 122 on the guide rail 107 in a defined manner in the Y and Z directions.

[0045] At the opposite first end 121 of the guide element 120, the bearing projection 123 of the guide element 120 is introduced into the recess 131 of the bearing bracket 130. The bearing bracket 130 has a protruding area 132, which protrudes in the Z direction beside the recess 131. In order to introduce the bearing projection 123, the bearing projection 123 is guided in the protruding area 132 so as to reach the recess 131 in a reliable manner. For example, when the projection 124 has not yet engaged behind the guide wall 108, the bearing projection 123 is already in contact with the protruding area 132. Therefore, the second end 122 can be redirected in the transverse direction Y relative to the guide rail 107, while the first end 121 of the guide element 120 is supported on the protruding area 132.

[0046] The coupling of the guide element 120 to the support bracket 130 is configured such that a movement of the support bracket 130 relative to the guide rail 107 in the longitudinal direction X is transmitted to the guide element 120. Thus, the guide element 120 and thus the drive rod 115 can be moved relative to the guide rail 107 in the longitudinal direction X by the support bracket 130. This displacement of the drive rod 115 in turn leads to a pivoting of the deployment rod 110.

[0047] At the first end 121, the guide element 120 is supported on a base 134 ( Figure 7 The base 134 may also be referred to as a lower support segment.

[0048] In the Z direction, the guide element 120 is therefore supported in the downward direction on the base 134 of the recess 131 of the support bracket 130 and in the upward direction on the guide path 128 of the guide rail 107 via the projection 124. By means of the protruding area 132 and the stop 125, the guide element 120 is positioned in a defined manner in the transverse direction Y.

[0049] The device 200 can be mounted in a simple and reliable manner. The guide rail 107 can be coupled to the support bracket 130. Independently of this, the deployment support seat 140 can be coupled to the deployment rod 110 and the drive rod 115. After that, the two subassemblies are mounted together. The drive rod 115 can be introduced into the guide rail 107 and coupled to the support bracket 130 by redirection or slight elastic deformation. Due to the protrusion 124, the stop 125 and the support protrusion 123, the drive rod 115 is held in a reliable and relatively gap-free manner. Through the engagement of the support protrusion 123 in the recess 131, the movement of the support bracket 130 can be further reliably transmitted to the drive rod 115.

[0050] Figures 6 to 13 Other views and cross-sections of device 200 are shown.

[0051] Especially in Figure 6 and Fig. 9 As can be seen in FIG. 1 , the plastic material part 127 is supported in a secure manner in the Z direction on the guide wall 108 between the guide rail 107 and the support bracket 130. The guide element 120 or the plastic material part 127 extends in the longitudinal extension 126 ( Figure 6 and Figure 7 In the longitudinal extension 126, the plastic material part 127 is supported on the guide rail 107 at a first end 121 via a support bracket 130. In the longitudinal extension 126, the plastic material part 127 is supported directly on the guide rail 107 at a second end 122 via a projection 124 and a stop 125.

[0052] The deployment rod 110 has a pin 119 ( Figure 3 ), the pin is in the slotted expansion member 141 ( Figure 7 ) is guided in the longitudinal direction. The pin 119 can also be referred to as a bearing pin. The slotted deployment member 141 is particularly formed in the deployment support seat 140 and is used to pivot the deployment rod 110 as required during the movement of the drive rod 115 in the longitudinal direction X.

[0053] For example, Figure 7 , 8 , 10 and 11 show that the formation of the recess 131 and the corresponding support protrusion 123 is to enable the drive rod 115 to be easily pivoted when the deployment rod 110 is pivoted. Nevertheless, the recess 131 is formed so that the movement force can be reliably transmitted in the longitudinal direction X.

[0054] As in Fig.12 and Fig.13 As can be seen in particular, in the operationally ready state, the unfolding support seat 140 is mounted at the rear end 113 of the guide rail 107. The drive rod 115 extends forward along the X direction and is held and guided in the guide rail at its front second end 117 by the guide element 120.

[0055] For assembly, the drive rod 115 is elastically pressed into the guide rail 107 in the Y direction so that the guide element 120 snaps into the guide rail 107. For assembly, the guide rail 107, the drive rod 115 or both are temporarily elastically deformed so that the protrusion 124 engages behind the guide wall 108.

[0056] Overall, the device 200 can be installed in a reliable and simple manner and requires a relatively small amount of installation space.

[0057] Reference numerals list

[0058] 100 vehicles

[0059] 101 Roof

[0060] 102 Top opening

[0061] 103 Cover

[0062] 104 Windshield

[0063] 105 front edge

[0064] 106 rear edge

[0065] 107 rails

[0066] 108 Guide Wall

[0067] 109 vertical guide path

[0068] 110 expansion rod

[0069] 111 Cover Slider

[0070] 112 Rotation axis

[0071] 113 rail end

[0072] 115 driving rod

[0073] 116 First End

[0074] 117 Second End

[0075] 118 Rotating Connection

[0076] 119 pins

[0077] 120 guide element

[0078] 121 first end of the guide element

[0079] 122 second end of the guide element

[0080] 123 Support protrusion

[0081] 124 bulge

[0082] 125 stopper

[0083] 126 vertical extension

[0084] 127 Plastic material parts

[0085] 128 horizontal guide paths

[0086] 130 support bracket

[0087] 131 concavity

[0088] 132 Prominent Area

[0089] 133 Connection

[0090] 134 base

[0091] 140 Expand support seat

[0092] 141 slotted expansion piece

[0093] 150 locking elements

[0094] 160 cover bracket

[0095] 200 devices

[0096] X vertical direction

[0097] Y horizontal direction

[0098] Z vertical direction

Claims

1. A device for moving a cover (103) of a vehicle roof (101), comprising: - a guide rail (107) extending in a longitudinal direction (X), - a deployment rod (110) for raising the rear edge (106) of the cover (103), - a support bracket (130) which is held in said guide rail (107) and is displaceable in the longitudinal direction (X), - a drive rod (115) which is rotatably coupled to the deployment rod (110) at a first end (116) and has a guide element (120) at a second end (117), wherein the guide element (120) is supported between the support bracket (130) and the guide rail (107) in order to transmit the movement of the support bracket (130) in the longitudinal direction (X) to the deployment rod (110).

2. The device according to claim 1, wherein: The guide element (120) has a supporting projection (123) at a first end (121), wherein the supporting projection (123) is arranged in a recess (131) of the supporting bracket (130) and supported on a base (134) of the recess (131).

3. The device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: The guide element (120) has a protruding protrusion (124) at the second end (122), wherein the second end (122) is opposite to the first end (121) in the longitudinal extension (126) of the guide element (120), and the protrusion (124) protrudes transversely relative to the longitudinal extension (126) and is supported on the guide rail (107).

4. The device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein: The guide element (120) has a stop (125) at its second end (122), which stop (125) is supported on the vertical guide path (109) of the guide rail (107).

5. The device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein: The guide element is in direct contact with the guide rail (107) at a second end (122).

6. The device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein: The guide element (120) has a plastic material part (127) which is supported between the bearing bracket (130) and the guide rail (107).

7. The device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein: The support bracket (130) has a connection portion (133) with a locking element (150), wherein in a first state, the locking element (150) is displaceable in a longitudinal direction (X) relative to the guide rail (107), and in a second state, the locking element (150) is locked to prevent movement in the longitudinal direction (X) relative to the guide rail (107).

8. The device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein: The support bracket (130) has a protruding area (132) that laterally supports the guide element (120).

9. A method for installing a device (200) for a cover (103) for a mobile vehicle roof (101), comprising: - providing a guide rail (107) extending in the longitudinal direction (X), - providing a support bracket (130) which is held in said guide rail (107) and is displaceable in the longitudinal direction (X), - providing a deployment rod (110) with a drive rod (115) which is rotatably coupled to the deployment rod (110) at a first end (116) and has a guide element (120) at a second end (117), - moving the guide element (120) in a vertical direction (Z) in the direction towards the deployment rod (110), wherein the vertical direction (Z) is oriented transversely to the longitudinal direction (X), - redirecting the second end (122) of the guide element (120) and the guide rail (107) relative to each other in a transverse direction (Y), wherein the second end (122) of the guide element (120) faces away from the support bracket (130), wherein the transverse direction (Y) is oriented transversely to the longitudinal direction (X) and the vertical direction (Z), - inserting the first end (121) of the guide element (120) into the support bracket (130), and - Pivoting the second end (122) of the guide element (120) into the guide rail (107) so that - Arranging the guide element (120) between the support bracket (130) and the guide rail (107) such that the guide element (120) is supported between the support bracket (130) and the guide rail (107).

10. The method according to claim 9, wherein: The method comprises: - before inserting the first end (121) of the guide element (120) into the support bracket (130), inserting the deployment support seat (140) with the deployment rod (110) into the guide rail (107).

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