Frame device for vehicle body or roof having cable guide for drive cable

Abstract

The invention relates to a frame device (1) for a vehicle body or a roof, comprising a cable guide (4) for a drive cable (3), by means of which a component movably mounted on the vehicle can be adjusted, the cable guide (4) having a guide section (8), the invention relates to a cable guide (4) for a drive cable (3), comprising a guide section (13), which supports a guide tube (10), which is inserted into the cable guide (4) and receives the drive cable (3), with the support region (13) thereof, on opposite sides in the radial direction in an alternating manner in the axial direction of the guide tube (10). The guide sections (8.1) on one side are arranged offset from each other in the radial direction relative to the guide sections (8.2) on the other side such that the guide tube (10) is held on the cable guide (4) in a serpentine course.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to a frame device for a vehicle body or a vehicle roof, which has a cable guide for a drive cable, by means of which a component movably mounted on the vehicle, such as a movably mounted cover of a sliding roof module or a roller blind device, can be adjusted, wherein the cable guide has a guide section, which supports a guide tube with its support area in the axial direction of the guide tube, alternately on sides lying opposite each other in the radial direction, wherein the guide tube is inserted at the cable guide and receives the drive cable. Background Art

[0002] Such a frame device is known from EP 2 072 303 A1. The cable guide has a guide section, which with its support region supports the guide tube, which is inserted into the cable guide and receives the drive cable, alternately in the axial direction of the guide tube on the sides lying opposite each other in the radial direction. The guide tube is held on the cable guide by means of the guide section so that the guide tube follows a guide center line in its course, which extends continuously along a straight line or in a curved region with a course having a constant curvature.

[0003] A plastic guide tube is inserted into a guide channel on a plastic component produced by injection molding, for example, on the frame of a sliding roof unit, and forms a uniform, uninterrupted guide there, in which the drive cable is guided under tensile and compressive loads. The guide channels for receiving the guide tube can be demoulded from the injection mold in a cost-effective manner. The guide tube is then pushed into the constructed guide channel.

[0004] In order to be able to introduce the plastic tube into the guide channel, due to the manufacturing tolerances of the tube side and the channel side, they must be implemented with a small gap relative to each other. However, when the guide tube is loaded with force in the transverse direction or radial direction due to the drive cable running inside, the gap allows the relative movement of the guide tube relative to the channel wall of the guide channel. On the one hand, this happens because the direction of the guide tube in the guide channel is usually implemented with at least one guide curve or guide arc, so as to establish a connection between the drive motor arranged on the frame cross member and the lateral longitudinally extending guide rail, which is used to support the cover movably. On the other hand, the drive cable in the guide tube also has a gap, which causes the drive cable to deflect radially under pressure load, and therefore applies a force in the transverse direction to the guide tube. The resulting transverse movement of the guide tube in the guide channel causes the stop noise of the guide tube on the channel wall. This situation is repeated every time the force direction on the drive cable located inside changes. Another effect that occurs is that the radial movement of the guide tube in the guide channel also causes the relative movement of the guide tube relative to the guide channel in the longitudinal direction. Here, the guide tube and the channel wall rub against each other, which can cause creaking noises. This is usually prevented by applying lubricants (grease, anti-wear varnish, etc.), by special material pairings, or by additional section-fixing of the guide tube using adhesives or mechanical means. These measures result in expensive additional costs.

[0005] The rattling noise usually occurs in relatively long, approximately straight regions of the cable guide or in regions with little curvature or in regions of the cable guide in which the contact point between the drive cable and the cable guide changes significantly, in particular during the winding of the drive cable, which can occur, for example, when the drive speed of the drive cable changes from fast to slow. In addition, load changes on the drive cable, such as tension-compression changes or changes from high load to low load, can also lead to such rattling noises.

[0006] Documents FR 2 696 515 A1, US 2011 / 0 278 882 A1 and EP 2 093 438 B1 constitute further prior art. Summary of the invention

[0007] The invention is therefore based on the object of creating a frame device of the type mentioned at the outset which, in view of the above-mentioned disadvantages, is designed with regard to improved guidance of the drive cables. This object is achieved by a frame device having the features according to claim 1. Advantageous embodiments of the invention are given in the dependent claims.

[0008] According to the invention, the guide sections on one side are arranged offset relative to the guide sections on the other side in the radial direction, so that the guide tube is held on the cable guide in a course that follows the serpentine line.

[0009] Due to the radial offset of the guide segments or the supporting areas of the guide segments, the guide tube is slightly tensioned from guide segment to guide segment in a serpentine manner. Between the supporting areas on the guide segments, this serpentine-shaped deformation is imposed on the guide tube during assembly by insertion into the guide channel formed by the guide segments, wherein radial play is eliminated. The guide tube is subjected to radial prestressing relative to the guide channel. This prestressing produces a frictional fit on the guide segment of the guide channel due to the prestressing, thereby also preventing a longitudinal displacement of the guide tube relative to the guide channel or relative to the guide segment.

[0010] In this way, further measures such as greasing the guide tube or using more expensive materials which can slide against each other without noise or fixing the guide tube and guide channel to each other by gluing or other mechanical locking are omitted.

[0011] Such a drive cable of the frame device is, for example, a spiral cable having a tensile and compressive core and a coil around the core, which is surrounded by a cable sheath. The drive cable practically meshes with a drive pinion of the drive motor and can be adjusted longitudinally along a cable guide. Such a drive cable is known, for example, from DE 10 2015 104 068 A1 and DE 102018 125 647 A1.

[0012] Such a frame device is, for example, part of the frame of a sliding roof module which is provided for installation in a roof opening of a vehicle roof. The frame device is in particular a frame transverse part which connects two lateral frame longitudinal parts of the sliding roof module to one another. The sliding roof cover is a component which is movably mounted on the vehicle and which is movable by means of a bearing arrangement which is adjustable by means of a drive cable. The movably mounted component can also be a roller blind arrangement or another component to be adjusted.

[0013] Furthermore, the frame device according to the invention can be developed in such a way that the supporting regions of the one lateral and the other lateral guide segments have corresponding center lines which are arranged radially offset relative to one another.

[0014] In this case, the frame device according to the invention can be realized in such a way that the respective center line of the respective support region is formed by the cylinder axis of the approximately semi-cylindrical inner contour of the support region.

[0015] Furthermore, the frame device according to the invention can be implemented in such a way that the supporting areas of the guide segments on one side and on the other side are arranged radially so that their center lines are offset by a center deviation, preferably by the same center deviation, relative to a reference center line of the guide channel of the cable guide formed by the guide segments.

[0016] Furthermore, the frame device according to the invention can be designed such that a respective radial center deviation of the respective support regions relative to the reference center line is 0.1 mm to 0.3 mm and / or a center deviation of two adjacent, mutually opposing support regions relative to each other is 0.2 mm to 0.6 mm.

[0017] Furthermore, it can be provided that the guide segments on one of the two side surfaces are arranged with their support regions radially offset relative to a reference center line of the guide channel of the cable guide formed by the guide segments. Alternatively, it can be provided that the guide segments on one of the two side surfaces and the guide segments on the other opposite side surface are arranged with their support regions radially offset relative to a reference center line. This reference center line extends centrally and continuously in the cable guide, and there is no alternating radial offset of the guide segments. The reference center line is thus the center line of the guide tube which remains undeformed in the form of a serpentine line.

[0018] In particular, it is provided that the guide section or the supporting area holds the guide tube so that the guide tube has a cross-sectional shape that remains constant over its course. Therefore, the guide tube is held in the guide channel without forming a local narrowing or contraction.

[0019] Practically, it is provided that the support region holds the guide tube fixedly and without play in the axial direction by means of a friction fit on the support region. Since an axial relative movement between the guide tube and the support region is prevented, possible causes of squeaking noises are eliminated.

[0020] A preferred embodiment provides that each guide segment has a radial setback at one end of its support region, which ends face the free space between two adjacent guide segments arranged on the same side. Such a setback is formed, for example, as a semi-annular radial expansion. This avoids contact between the guide tube and the guide segment at the end of the guide segment facing the free space. Sharp-edged injection burrs that may occur during injection molding in an injection molding mold are then always formed at that position on the guide segment that excludes unfavorable contact with the guide tube.

[0021] The guide section with the frame device is practically manufactured by injection molding or plastic injection molding in an injection molding mold with two mold halves. The guide section can be fastened to the frame device or can be fastened as a separate component, for example by bonding, screws or by a latching connection. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0022] The frame device according to the present invention will be explained in more detail below based on an embodiment with reference to the accompanying drawings. It shows:

[0023] Figure 1 A frame device for a sliding roof module of a vehicle roof in an isometric view;

[0024] Figure 2 In isometric view Figure 1 A partial enlarged view of the frame device is shown with the guide channel and the guide tube inserted therein;

[0025] Figure 3 Guiding channel in top view;

[0026] Figure 4 In accordance with Figure 3 A guide channel with a guide tube inserted therein in a longitudinal section along the section line AA;

[0027] Figure 5 In accordance with Figure 3 a guide channel with a guide tube inserted therein in a transverse section along section line BB of ; and

[0028] Figure 6 The guide section of the guide channel in a transverse section in the enlarged representation. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0029] A frame device 1 ( Figure 1 ) is a frame cross member which connects the two lateral frame longitudinal members of the sliding roof module to each other. The frame device 1 can be both a front frame cross member and a rear frame cross member. Such a sliding roof module is known, for example, from DE 102008 064 548 A1. Each of the two frame longitudinal members comprises a guide rail. The cover of the sliding roof module is movably supported on the guide rail by means of corresponding bearing devices and can be displaced along the guide rail by means of a drive device. The drive device has a drive motor 2 which is arranged on the frame device 1. Each of the two bearing devices is connected via a drive cable 3 (such as Figure 2 2 (shown in Figure 1 for example) is connected to the drive motor 2. Each drive cable 3 is known, for example, as a spiral cable. The drive cable 3 meshes with the drive pinion of the drive motor 2 so that the drive cable 3 can be moved for longitudinal adjustment. Such a drive cable 3 is known, for example, from DE 10 2015 104068 A1 and from DE 10 2018 125 647 A1.

[0030] The frame device 1 has two cable guides 4 which extend from the drive motor 2 to each of the two lateral end regions 5 of the frame device 1 and form a guide arc 6 in the end region 5 which forms a transition to an adjacent longitudinal frame part (not shown) and a cable guide arranged thereon. The frame device 1 has a second drive motor 7, from which two such cable guides 4' also extend to the two lateral end regions 5. The second drive motor 7 is provided for adjusting a roller blind device supported on the sliding roof module and for this purpose is connected via drive cables to a traction bow which is displaceably supported on guide rails of the two lateral longitudinal frame parts.

[0031] Each cable guide 4 has a guide section 8, which forms a guide channel 9 for a guide tube 10. The guide sections 8 are arranged alternately on the opposite sides of the guide channel 9. The first guide section 8.1 is arranged on the first side. Two adjacent first guide sections 8.1 are spaced apart from each other by a certain distance, gap or free space 11. The second guide section 8.2 is arranged on the second side opposite to the first side. Two adjacent second guide sections 8.2 are spaced apart from each other via this type of free space 11. The first guide section 8.1 and the second guide section 8.2 are offset from each other in the axial direction of the guide channel 9 so that each guide section 8 is opposite to the free space 11.

[0032] Each guide section 8 forms a substantially half-shell-shaped component in the, for example, plate-shaped supporting structure 12 of the frame device 1, which is open towards one of the two side faces of the supporting structure 12 ( Figure 5 The supporting structure 12 with the guide section 8 is preferably produced from plastic by injection molding in an injection molding tool.

[0033] Each guide section 8 has a support area 13 with an approximately semi-cylindrical inner contour 14, which is matched to the cylindrical shape and size of the guide tube 10 so that the guide tube 10 inserted into the guide channel 9 rests flatly against it. When the guide tube 10 is assembled, it is pushed axially into the guide channel 9 (the assembly direction is according to Figure 4 Each guide section 8 comprises a conically shaped introduction bevel 15 which is arranged in front of the support area 13 in the assembly or insertion direction.

[0034] The first guide section 8.1 on one side is arranged with its support area 13 offset relative to the support area 13 of the second guide section 8.2 on the other side in the radial direction, so that the guide tube 10 is held on the cable guide 4 in a serpentine-like course. In the straight-running section of the guide channel 9, the center line 16 of the cylinder axis of the corresponding support area 13, which forms the semi-cylindrical inner contour 14, is radially offset by a center deviation 17 relative to a reference center line 18, which extends as a straight line in the cable guide 4 with the linear guidance and retention of the guide tube 10, wherein the center line 16 of the support area 13 of each guide section 8 does not have such a center deviation. The center deviation 17 of the support area 13 is realized in a corresponding manner in the curved or arc-shaped section of the guide channel 9. As a result, the guide tube 10 obtains its serpentine-like course. The guide tube 10, which is preferably made of plastic, is deformed accordingly.

[0035] The guide tube 10 is subjected to radial prestressing relative to the guide section 8 of the guide channel 9, so that it is received in the guide channel 9 without radial play. This prestressing produces a friction-locking contact on the support area 13 of the guide section 8. This prevents longitudinal displacement of the guide tube 10 in the guide channel 9. The guide tube 10 deformed along the serpentine line does not change its cross-sectional shape. In particular, no narrowing of the guide tube 10 occurs.

[0036] The respective radial center deviation 17 of the support region 13 relative to the reference center line 18 is, for example, approximately 0.1 mm to 0.3 mm. Thus, the center deviation 17 of two adjacent and mutually opposite support regions 13 relative to each other is approximately 0.2 mm to 0.6 mm, which corresponds to the sum of the distance from the center deviation 17 of the support region 13 of the guide segment 8 on one side to the reference center line 18 and the distance from the center deviation 17 of the support region 13 of the guide segment 8 on the other opposite side to the reference center line 18, or corresponds to the distance between two center lines 16 of the opposite guide segment 8.

[0037] Each support region 13 forms only a first subregion of the guide segment 8 in the axial direction. Figure 4 In FIG. 1 , the axial length of the corresponding support region is shown as a double arrow P2. The introduction bevel 15 adjoining the support region 13 forms a second subregion of the guide section 8 in which the guide tube 10 is not supported. Figure 4 In FIG. 1 , the axial length of the free region that does not provide support is shown as a double arrow P3 . These free regions P3 as transition regions to the support region 13 or P2 enable bending deformation of the guide tube 10 .

[0038] For a guide tube 10 with a diameter of 8 mm and a wall thickness of 1 mm, the axial length of each free area P3 is, for example, about 7 mm to 10 mm. P3 can be determined based on the rigidity of the pipe, which depends on the material and its elasticity or elastic modulus, the wall thickness and the diameter. The deformation of the guide tube 10 should occur in this area without local "buckling" and the force for pushing the guide tube 10 in will not increase excessively, which depends on the deformation work of the guide tube itself and the friction resistance caused by the prestress.

[0039] The axial length of the support area 13 or P2 is about 2 mm to 15 mm. Compared with the axial length of the free area P3, the axial length of the support area is less important for the desired prestressing force and has less influence on the insertion force when the guide tube 10 is inserted. The length of P2 is determined by the total length of the corresponding unsupported area of ​​the guide tube 10 or the free area P3 related to this. If this unsupported area of ​​the guide tube 10 is too long, the guide tube 10 may be squeezed out of the half-open guide channel 9 due to the large lateral forces acting on the guide tube 10 (which may have already occurred during normal operation or due to inertial forces acting in a collision situation through the drive cable 3).

[0040] Each guide segment 8 has a radial setback 19 at the end of its support region 13 facing the free space 11, which is a semi-annular expansion that does not contact or support the guide tube 10. The setback 19 is formed by the corresponding half mold F1 or F2 of the injection molding mold (see Figure 6 , the movement direction of the two half molds is indicated by arrows), which, when the injection molding tool is closed, extend through the free space 11 opposite the guide section 8. If a sharp-edged injection burr is to appear between the two half molds F1 or F2 at the edge 20 of the setback 19 during injection molding of the frame device 1 with the cable guide 4, such an injection burr has no negative effect on the guide tube 10 because it does not come into contact with the guide tube 10. The radial setback 19 is, for example, about 0.2 mm to 0.5 mm.

[0041] Reference numerals list

[0042] 1 Frame device

[0043] 2 Drive motor

[0044] 3 Drive cables

[0045] 4 Cable guide

[0046] 5 End area

[0047] 6 Guide Arc

[0048] 7. Drive Motor

[0049] 8 Boot Segment

[0050] 8.1 Boot Segment

[0051] 8.2 Boot Segment

[0052] 9 Guide Channel

[0053] 10 Guide tube

[0054] 11. Free Space

[0055] 12 Load-bearing structure

[0056] 13 Support Area

[0057] 14 Inner contour

[0058] 15 Lead-in bevel

[0059] 16 Centerline

[0060] 17 Center Deviation

[0061] 18 Reference center line

[0062] 19 Indent

[0063] 20 Edge

Claims

1. A frame device (1) for a vehicle body or a vehicle roof, the frame device having a cable guide (4) for a drive cable (3), by means of which a component movably mounted on the vehicle can be adjusted, in, The cable guide (4) has a guide section (8) having a support area (13) which supports the guide tube (10) alternately in the axial direction of the guide tube on sides which are opposite to each other in the radial direction, and the guide tube is inserted into the cable guide (4) and receives the drive cable (3). It is characterized in that The guide section (8.1) on one side is arranged offset relative to the guide section (8.2) on the other side in the radial direction, so that the guide tube (10) is held on the cable guide (4) in a course following a serpentine line.

2. The frame device (1) according to claim 1, wherein: The supporting areas (13) of the one lateral and the other lateral guide sections (8.1, 8.2) have respective center lines (16) which are arranged radially offset relative to one another.

3. The frame device (1) according to claim 2, wherein: The respective center line (16) of the respective support region (13) is formed by the cylinder axis of the approximately semi-cylindrical inner contour (14) of said support region.

4. The frame device (1) according to claim 2 or 3, wherein: The support areas (13) of the guide segments (8.1, 8.2) of the one side and the other side are arranged radially so that their center lines (16) are offset by a center deviation (17), preferably by the same center deviation (17), relative to a reference center line (18) of a guide channel of the cable guide (4) formed by the guide segments (8).

5. The frame device (1) according to claim 4, wherein: The radial center deviation (17) of the corresponding support area (13) relative to the reference center line (18) is 0.1 mm to 0.3 mm, and / or the center deviation of two adjacent, mutually opposite support areas (13) relative to each other is 0.2 mm to 0.6 mm.

6. The frame device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, in, The guide segment (8.1 or 8.2) on one of the two side surfaces is arranged so that the support area (13) of the guide segment is radially offset relative to a reference center line (18) of a guide channel (9) of the cable guide (4) formed by the guide segment (8.1 or 8.2), or the guide segment (8.1) on one of the two side surfaces and the guide segment (8.2) on the other opposite side surface are both arranged so that their support areas (13) are radially offset relative to the reference center line (18).

7. The frame device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, in, The supporting region (13) holds the guide tube (10) in such a way that the guide tube has a cross section that remains constant over the course of the guide tube.

8. The frame device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, in, The support region (13) holds the guide tube (10) securely and without play in the axial direction by means of a friction fit on the support region (13).

9. The frame device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, in, Each guide segment (8) has a radial setback (19) at the end of its support region (13) facing the free space (11).

10. The frame device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, in, The guide section (8) with the frame device (1) is produced by injection molding in an injection molding tool having two mold halves (F1, F2).

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