Roof having wind deflector device

Abstract

The invention relates to a roof having an exposed roof opening and having a wind deflector device associated with the roof opening, comprising a wind deflector bow having lateral support arms and each comprising a deployment device, which comprises one of the two support arms, wherein the deployment device is mounted in a pivotable manner on a pivot bearing on the roof side and supports the wind deflector bow for pivoting between a rest position, which pivots downward, and an operating position, which pivots outward. According to the invention, the pivot support device has a support member on which the deployment device is supported, which support member is arranged on the roof component and rests on a support member receptacle of the roof component, and the supporting component is held on the supporting component receiving part by means of a shape locking device.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a vehicle roof having a roof opening that can be exposed and having a wind deflector device assigned to the roof opening. The wind deflector device includes a wind deflector bow with lateral support arms and respectively includes a deployment device that includes one of the two support arms. The deployment device is pivotally supported on a pivot support device on the roof side and supports the wind deflector bow for pivoting between a downward pivoted rest position and an outward pivoted operating position. The present invention also relates to a method for assembling such a wind deflector device on a vehicle roof. Background Art

[0002] A vehicle roof with a wind deflector device of this genus is known from DE 10 2012 111 915 B3. The wind deflector device includes a wind deflector bow having a central wind profile and having lateral support arms that are pivotally supported on corresponding pivot supports on the roof side and support the wind deflector bow for pivoting between a downward pivoted rest position and an outward pivoted operating position. The deployment rod is articulated on the support arm on the one hand and supported on a pivot support fixed relative to the vehicle on the other hand, which is particularly mounted on a guide rail. The support arm and the deployment rod can be assembled on the roof side or on the guide rail independently of each other as components of the deployment device by means of corresponding pivot supports, in particular by means of a screw connection. Thus, the assembly of the deployment device of the wind deflector device on a roof component (such as a guide rail) is time-consuming. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The task on which the present invention is based is to provide a vehicle roof of the type mentioned at the beginning having a wind deflector device, which is improved in terms of supporting the wind deflector device in an assembly-friendly manner, and to provide a method for simply assembling the wind deflector device of the vehicle roof mentioned above.

[0004] In the vehicle roof mentioned at the beginning, according to the present invention, this task is solved in that the pivot support device has a support member on which the deployment device is supported, the support member is arranged on a roof member and is received in a support member receiving portion of the roof member, and the support member is held in the support member receiving portion by means of a form-fitting device.

[0005] This task is also solved by a method having the features of claim 16.

[0006] Advantageous configurations of the vehicle roof according to the present invention are given in the dependent claims.

[0007] Thus, in the roof according to the invention, the deployment device of the deflector bow is supported on a support member on which components of the deployment device are supported or mounted, and the support member is configured to be mounted on the roof member in only one assembly process. Here, the support member is placed on or inserted into a support member receiving portion of the roof member and is held on the support member receiving portion by a form-fitting device. The form-fitting device is configured such that an assembly movement that can be simply implemented is sufficient for fastening the support member to the roof member or to the support member receiving portion, and this assembly movement can be carried out manually or with the aid of a simple assembly device. Since the fastening of the support member is carried out especially without screw connections or the like, the assembly of the support member is particularly simplified. Similarly, disassembly can be carried out in a simple manner.

[0008] The support member and the support member receiving portion are configured and matched to each other such that when the support member is assembled on the support member receiving portion, the support member is brought into a position on the support member receiving portion after a first movement sequence having in particular a pivoting movement and / or a sliding movement of the support member relative to the support member receiving portion, in which position the form-fitting engagement of the form-fitting device is ready. Next, the form-fitting device can be activated by a longitudinal movement of the support member relative to the support member receiving portion. The activated form-fitting device holds the support member on the support member receiving portion in the mounted position or functional position of the support member on the roof member.

[0009] Thus, the form-fitting engagement of the form-fitting device can be carried out by a simple sliding movement of the support member relative to the support member receiving portion. The fastening of the support member on the support member receiving portion by means of the form-fitting device can be released again in a simple manner by reversing the assembly movement. In particular, disassembly is carried out without a screwing process or the like.

[0010] The support member receiving portion is a component or section of the roof member, such as a guide rail of the support portion of a cover or a component of such a guide rail. The support member receiving portion can include a plurality of components or sections of the roof member on which the support member is supported and held in its mounted position by a form-fitting device, and the components or sections are, for example, the bottom walls of the lateral frame members of the roof system frame.

[0011] The deployment device includes corresponding support arms and suitably includes additional components, such as deployment arms and / or spring units, and the spring units include, for example, tension springs or helical tension springs. The deployment device especially includes all important components required for deploying the deflector bow.

[0012] Such a deployment device with its associated pivot bearing device is provided on each of the two lateral support arms of the air deflector bow. Suitably, the two support arms of the air deflector bow and the two deployment devices are arranged on both sides of the longitudinal center plane of the vehicle roof and symmetrically arranged with respect to this longitudinal center plane. The air deflector device can be formed as a net air deflector (Netzwindabweiser) and has a net which is fastened on the one hand to the air deflector bow and on the other hand to the vehicle roof side or the vehicle roof frame or to the frame cross member, and which occupies a tensioned, planar configuration in the case of the deployed air deflector bow for influencing the air flow.

[0013] The actuating element for adjusting the air deflector bow can be, for example, a part of a cover element, a part mounted on or connected or coupled to the cover element, such as an adjustment mechanism of the cover element. The configuration and movement of the actuating element or of the cover element determine the pivoting configuration of the air deflector bow. Preferably, the respective actuating element engages, for example, on each support arm of the air deflector bow, for example, slidably engages on the upper side of the support arm.

[0014] The axis names and direction names used in the description, such as "front" and "rear", "upper" and "lower", "outer" and "inner", "horizontal" and "vertical" and "lateral", "transverse" and "longitudinal" or in the transverse direction or y-direction and in the longitudinal direction or x-direction, relate to the three-dimensional xyz vehicle coordinate system, wherein the x-direction describes the vehicle longitudinal direction, the y-direction describes the vehicle transverse direction, and the z-direction describes the vehicle height direction. This coordinate system applies to the support members, wherein, for describing the arrangement of the support members, the longitudinal orientation of the support members coincides with the x-direction.

[0015] According to a preferred embodiment, it is provided that the form-fitting device has at least two form-fitting units, wherein each form-fitting unit includes a form-fitting element on the support member and a form-fitting receptacle on the support member receptacle which is assigned to the form-fitting element. Each form-fitting unit is configured such that each form-fitting unit fixes the support member in the transverse direction and / or in the height direction in its inserted configuration on the support member receptacle. Suitably, at least one of the form-fitting units is arranged in such a form-fitting configuration in the inserted configuration of the support member: in this form-fitting configuration, the form-fitting unit supports or fixes the support member in the longitudinal direction and especially in the longitudinal direction towards the rear.

[0016] Such a form-locking element has, for example, a cylindrical bolt which has an enlarged bolt head. Suitably, such a form-locking receiving part has in particular a horizontal longitudinal guide which is configured, for example, as an elongate guide notch formed in the support member receiving part. The longitudinal guide or the guide notch has a width or height in the height direction which is matched to the diameter of the bolt received in the guide notch such that the bolt can be longitudinally displaced in the longitudinal guide and is received in the height direction substantially without play. The bolt head has a diameter which is enlarged relative to the guide notch such that the bolt head is supported on the longitudinal guide in the transverse direction. The length of the bolt is selected such that the support member is held on the support member receiving part in the transverse direction substantially without play. Each longitudinal guide contains an insertion opening into which the respective bolt can be inserted by means of the movement of the support member in the xz plane.

[0017] Therefore, it is expedient to configure at least one of the form-locking elements in such a way that the form-locking element holds the support member positioned on the support member receiving part in the transverse direction or y direction when engaged on the assigned form-locking receiving part. Forces acting on the support member in the transverse direction are supported on the support member receiving part via the at least one form-locking unit.

[0018] According to a preferred embodiment, the support member is arranged on the support member receiving part of the roof member in the longitudinal orientation or x direction, the roof member extending laterally along a roof opening, and at least two form-locking elements and the respectively assigned form-locking receiving parts are spaced apart from one another in the longitudinal orientation of the support member and in the longitudinal orientation of the support member receiving part. The greater spacing between the two form-locking elements or the assigned form-locking receiving parts provides reliable support for the support member and force support on the support member receiving part with a reduced bending moment.

[0019] According to another preferred embodiment, the first form-locking element is arranged in the region of the rear end portion of the support member, and the first form-locking receptacle assigned to the first form-locking element has a first longitudinal guide on the support member receptacle, in which the inserted first form-locking element is formed for longitudinally moving the support member along the longitudinal guide and for pivotally moving the support member vertically. It is further provided that the second form-locking element is arranged on the support member in front of the first form-locking element in the longitudinal direction, and the second form-locking receptacle assigned to the second form-locking element has a second longitudinal guide on the support member receptacle, in which the inserted second form-locking element is received in a longitudinally displaceable manner. This configuration allows the assembly of the support member, in which the support member is first pre-positioned on the support member receptacle by means of the first form-locking unit on the rear end portion of the support member. Next, the support member is moved and pivoted during the assembly movement such that the support member is also pre-positioned on the support member receptacle by means of the second form-locking unit. The subsequent longitudinal movement of the support member guides the support member into its final installed position, in which the two form-locking elements move longitudinally into the assigned form-locking receptacles.

[0020] According to a preferred embodiment, the first form-locking receptacle has an insertion opening which is arranged at the rear end portion of the first longitudinal guide, and the first form-locking element can be inserted into the first longitudinal guide through the insertion opening. The second form-locking receptacle includes an insertion opening which is arranged at the front end portion of the second longitudinal guide, and the insertion opening is formed such that the second form-locking element can be inserted during a vertical downward movement when the support member pivots about the first form-locking element, which is received in the first longitudinal guide. Suitably, the support member is in such a position during its pivoting: in this position, the first form-locking element abuts against the front end portion of the first longitudinal guide and thus determines the pivot axis for pivotally moving the support member.

[0021] According to a preferred embodiment, the form-locking device has a third form-locking unit in addition to the second form-locking unit. The third form-locking unit is configured in the same type as the second form-locking unit. Suitably, the second form-locking unit is assigned to the region of the front end portion of the support member. The third form-locking unit is assigned to the middle region of the support member with respect to the longitudinal extension of the support member. The third form-locking unit provides additional fastening and support of the support member on the support member receptacle.

[0022] Advantageously, the support member receiving portion includes a tab that extends along the roof member in an upright position or orientation, and a form-fitting receiving portion is formed on the tab. In particular, the tab is part of a guide rail that includes at least one guide track for a support device of a cover member. The guide track is arranged, for example, on the laterally outward-facing outer side of the tab. The tab, as a component of the roof member or the guide rail, is a member with sufficient strength to reliably support the support member and reliably withstand the forces acting on the support member via the air deflector device. The roof member or the guide rail is particularly formed as a metal profile or an aluminum profile.

[0023] According to a preferred embodiment, the form-fitting device has a locking element arranged on the support member, which locking element engages in a locking recess of the support member receiving portion or the tab, and the support member is held in position on the support member receiving portion or the tab in a longitudinal orientation or x-direction. Thus, the locking element locks the support member in its inserted state to prevent unwanted longitudinal movement. Advantageously, the locking element includes two opposing locking engagement surfaces that prevent longitudinal movement of the support member when engaging on the assigned and delimiting edges of the locking recess of the support member receiving portion or the tab.

[0024] According to another preferred embodiment, the locking element is arranged in an elastically deformable deformation region of the support member and can be disengaged from the locking engagement of the locking element in a transverse direction or y-direction by elastic deformation of this deformation region. This configuration facilitates disengaging the locking engagement of the locking element when removing or disassembling the support member from the support member receiving portion. This configuration also facilitates moving the locking element into its locking engagement when assembling the support member on the support member receiving portion, in which assembly the support member performs a downward movement. Here, the locking element advantageously contacts the upper edge of the support member receiving portion or the tab beside the locking recess with the inclined portion of its outward-facing end side and is moved inward by this upper edge and behind the tab, while the deformation region is deformed by lateral bulging. When the support member is subsequently longitudinally moved into its final inserted state, the locking element is pressed into the locking recess by the deformation region that springs back again.

[0025] Suitably, the support member includes a manipulation forming portion for engaging a manipulation tool on its deformation region, and the manipulation tool causes the deformation. The support member preferably directly and without spacing abuts on the support member receiving portion or the tab by means of its deformation region. When the locking element is to be released from the locking recess, for example when removing the support member, such a manipulation forming portion facilitates bulging of the deformation region by inserting the manipulation tool. The manipulation forming portion is formed, for example, as a flat recess which is arranged on the side of the support member facing the tab and is configured for inserting a manipulation tool having, for example, a tapered tip, such as a screwdriver, from above.

[0026] According to another preferred embodiment, it is provided that the form-fitting device has a further form-fitting unit which has a hook-shaped form-fitting element which is arranged on the underside of the support member and in the locked state engages behind a assigned form-fitting receiving portion on the frame bottom of the support member receiving portion and fixes the support member in the height direction or z-direction on the support member receiving portion. The form-fitting element is, for example, a locking hook which is arranged in the front region of the support member on the underside of the support member and points downward in the longitudinal direction of the support member. The form-fitting receiving portion assigned to the locking hook includes a locking opening which is formed in the bottom of the roof member or in the frame bottom in a mating manner with the locking hook. In the installed state of the support member, the locking hook arranged in the locking opening engages behind the frame bottom bounding the locking opening in its locked state, and the locking hook has been brought into this locked state by the longitudinal movement of the support member during assembly. Thus, the locking hook of the form-fitting unit locks the support member on the frame bottom of the support member receiving portion and prevents lifting in the z-direction or height direction. This support is realized spaced apart from the support of the front form-fitting unit on the tab in the transverse direction and in addition to the support of the front form-fitting unit on the tab, such that overall improved support is provided in the z-direction, wherein the support force is divided between these two supports.

[0027] Suitably, the support member includes at least one support for the support arm, a support for the deployment rod, and a fixing device for the deployment spring. Suitably, the deployment spring is provided as a helical tension spring and extends in the longitudinal direction of the support member. The dimensions of the deployment spring, in particular its length, are configuration factors when configuring the support member and determining its length.

[0028] According to another preferred embodiment, the elongate support member has a vertical side wall and a horizontal bottom wall, and the support for the deployment device is mainly or completely formed on and / or supported on the bottom wall.

[0029] In the inserted position of the support member, the vertical side walls rest against the tabs of the support member receiving portion. The bottom wall is supported on the roof member or the guide rail. The elongate support member is in principle formed as an angular profile or an angle profile in cross-section by means of the bottom and by means of the side walls. The deployment spring is arranged on the support member above the bottom wall and laterally next to the side wall so that it is exposed. Thus, the deployment spring can be mounted on the support member and on the support arm in a simple manner.

[0030] Furthermore, it is preferably provided that the form-locking elements of the form-locking unit assigned to the tabs of the support member receiving portion are arranged on the side wall of the support member, and the form-locking elements of the form-locking unit assigned to the frame bottom of the support member receiving portion are arranged on the bottom wall of the support member.

[0031] According to another preferred embodiment, the support member has a member reinforcement or a support structure which comprises a plurality of ribs and a support fastening section which comprises a fixing device for the deployment spring. Such a member reinforcement or support structure serves to support the spring force and the force introduced into the support member via the deflector bow. Thus, in principle, the support member can be configured with a smaller wall thickness and in an open shape (such as an angular profile or an angle profile) which requires less material input. Suitably, the fastening section is supported on the side wall and can additionally be supported forward in the longitudinal direction via a support projection which is connected to and supported on the bottom wall and preferably also on the side wall. Depending on the required support, the ribs are preferably longitudinal ribs and / or transverse ribs. For example, the ribs are arranged on the upper side of the fastening section. Preferably, the fastening section is formed as a downwardly open structure and is in particular configured for forming by means of an injection molding tool for manufacturing the entire support member. Suitably, the downwardly open structure of the fastening section is reinforced on its underside or inside by ribs. The support projection can likewise be formed as a downwardly open structure and be reinforced by ribs or by a rib structure.

[0032] Thus, in a preferred configuration, the support member has a bottom wall in the front region facing the deflector bow and in the middle region, and the rear region of the support member is formed as a downwardly open support structure for the fastening section of the deployment spring which comprises a fixing device. The front region and the middle region comprise supports for the support arm and for the deployment rod.

[0033] The method according to the invention for assembling a deflector device on a roof according to any one of claims 1 to 15 or according to the above-described embodiments is characterized by the following steps:

[0034] a) Mount and support the deployment device on the support member, wherein,

[0035] - In this first assembly step, or

[0036] - After assembling the support member into its installed position on the support member,

[0037] clamp the deployment spring between the support member and the support arm,

[0038] b) Assemble the support member on the support member receiving part in such a way that the support member contacts the support member receiving part in a first assembly position by means of a first form - fit unit,

[0039] c) Perform an assembly movement that includes a pivoting movement of the support member. By means of this assembly movement, the support member contacts the support member receiving part by means of at least one additional form - fit unit, and

[0040] d) Perform an assembly movement by means of which the support member is guided in a longitudinal movement relative to the support member receiving part into its installed position, and hereby, the form - fit unit activates the corresponding form - fit engagement of the form - fit unit.

[0041] Suitably, a step with the following characteristics is provided between steps b) and c):

[0042] Perform an assembly movement by means of which the support member is positioned in such an assembly position in a longitudinal movement relative to the support member receiving part: in this assembly position, at least one additional form - fit unit is ready for form - fit engagement on the support member receiving part.

[0043] This longitudinal movement of the support member is particularly performed against the longitudinal movement of the support member in step d). Description of the Drawings

[0044] Hereinafter, the present invention will be explained in more detail with reference to the drawings according to an embodiment of a vehicle roof according to the invention. The drawings show:

[0045] Figure 1 An openable vehicle roof is shown in an isometric view, which has a cover part of the roof system, and the cover part is arranged in a closed position and covers the roof opening;

[0046] Figure 2 Shown in an isometric view Figure 1 of the vehicle roof, wherein the cover part is moved backward and the deflector device pivots outward into its functional position in the case of an open roof opening;

[0047] Figure 3 A fragment of the roof system frame is shown in an isometric view on its left front corner area, the fragment having a deflector device arranged in a lowered rest position and having a pivot bearing device for the deployment device of the deflector device;

[0048] Figure 4 The deflector device arranged in a rest position is shown in a side view, the deflector device having a support member of the pivot bearing device;

[0049] Figure 5 Shown in a side view according to Figure 4 is the deflector device arranged in an outward pivoted functional position, the deflector device having a support member;

[0050] Figure 6 The support member is shown in an isometric side view;

[0051] Figure 7 The support member in a mounted position on the roof member, locked by form-fitting means, is shown in a side view;

[0052] Figure 8 Shown in a sectional view according to Figure 7 section A-A in is the support member in a mounted position on the roof member;

[0053] Figure 9 Shown in a cross-sectional view according to Figure 7 section B-B is the support member in its arrangement on the roof member;

[0054] Figure 10 Shown in a side view according to Figure 4 is a fragment of the support member shown in an enlarged schematic view, the fragment having a latching element arranged on a deformation area of the support member;

[0055] Figure 11 The support member is shown in a bottom view, the support member having an opening for a form-fitting element engaging into the opening;

[0056] Figure 12 The support member is shown in an isometric view, the support member having a support for the deployment device and having a reinforcement structure of the support member;

[0057] Figure 13 The underside of the support member is shown in an isometric view, the underside having laterally protruding form-fitting elements and having a reinforcing support structure;

[0058] Figure 14 The support member is shown in a bottom view;

[0059] Figure 15 The support member in a first assembly position when assembled on the roof member is shown in an isometric view;

[0060] Figure 16 The support member in a second assembly position is shown in an isometric view;

[0061] Figure 17 The support member in a third assembly position is shown in an isometric view;

[0062] Figure 18 The support member in a fourth assembly position is shown in an isometric view; and

[0063] Figure 19 The support member in an assembled installed state of the support member is shown in an isometric view. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0064] The openable roof 2 of a vehicle 1 (such as a passenger car) has a roof system having a cover 3 which can be lifted at its rear edge 5 from a closed position ( Figure 1 ) in a roof opening 4 and can be adjusted to a ventilation position, and can be moved from the lifted ventilation position with its rear edge 5 via a roof surface 6 adjacent to the rear of the roof opening 4 in the vehicle longitudinal direction or roof longitudinal direction to an open position ( Figure 2 ). Such a roof system is, for example, an externally guided sliding roof or a spoiler roof. In principle, the rear roof surface 6 can be formed by a roof fixed relative to the vehicle or can also be formed by a movable roof part.

[0065] The roof system has a roof system frame 7 which is constructed substantially rectangularly and on which the cover 3 is movably supported. Suitably, a drive device for adjusting the cover 3 is also arranged on the roof system frame 7. The roof system frame 7 is fastened to the roof or the roof frame in such a way that the roof system frame surrounds the roof opening 4.

[0066] The support device for supporting the cover 3 is configured in such a way that the cover 3 can be displaced on both sides of the roof opening 4 along a lateral guide rail 10 arranged on the roof side by means of a front cover support unit 9 arranged below the front region 8 of the cover of the support device and is pivotally supported relative to the guide rail, and can be pivoted outwards to the ventilation position of the cover by means of a rear cover support unit 11 which is also suitably supported on the guide rail 10 and has, for example, a rear deployment rod. Preferably, the guide rail 10 is molded on a lateral frame member 12 of the roof system frame 7 ( Figure 3)above. The lateral frame member 12 is, for example, a light metal extrusion profile. Such a support device for the cover part 3 is known, for example, from DE 10 2014 014171 B4.

[0067] The roof structure is largely symmetrical with respect to the vertical longitudinal central plane of the roof 2, such that the following description is based on components arranged on a longitudinal side or the left longitudinal side of the roof opening 4 or on the left lateral frame member 12.

[0068] The air deflector device 14 assigned to the front edge 13 of the roof opening 4 (see Figure 2 and 5 ) includes an air deflector bow 15, which has lateral support arms 16 on both sides, and the support arms extend backward in the longitudinal direction or x-direction. The pivot support device 17 of the air deflector device 14 ( Figure 5 ) includes a support member 18 (for example, see Figures 3 to 6 and 12), and the support member is mounted on the roof member 19. Preferably, the roof member 19 is formed by the front section of the lateral frame member 12. In principle, the air deflector device 14 can also be arranged on a section of the fixed roof, such that the roof member 19 is a component fixed relative to the roof or is mounted on a component fixed relative to the roof.

[0069] The support member 18 supports the deployment device 20 of the air deflector device 14 ( Figure 5 ). The deployment device 20 at least includes the support arms 16 of the air deflector bow 15 and suitably also includes other components, and the other components are, for example, deployment rods 21 and deployment force devices, especially deployment springs, and the deployment springs are in the form of coil springs or tension springs. In particular, the deployment device 20 includes all components configured to movably support the air deflector bow 15.

[0070] The air deflector device 14 has an air deflector net 23 (see Figure 5 ), and the air deflector net is fastened to the air deflector bow 15 at its upper edge and is fastened to the roof side or to the roof system frame 7, especially to the front frame cross member 25 of the roof system frame 7 ( Figure 3 ) at its lower edge by means of a net base strip 24 or the like, and occupies a tensioned planar configuration in the case of the deployed air deflector bow 15 for influencing the air flow. For example, the lateral frame member 12 and the front frame cross member 25 are connected to each other by screwing and / or gluing, and can also be integrally formed in an alternative configuration.

[0071] The support member 18 is in its installed state ( Figure 3) is arranged longitudinally oriented on the roof member 19 and is arranged in a manner oriented parallel to the guide rail 10 of the roof member 19 or the lateral frame member 12. Here, the front end portion 26 of the support member points forward in the direction towards the air deflector bow 15, and the rear end portion 27 of the support member points backward in the opposite direction. The support member 18 includes a first support 28( Figure 12 ) and a second support 29. The first support is for supporting the support arm 16, and the second support is for supporting the deployment rod 21. Relative to the longitudinal extension of the support member 18, the first support 28 is arranged in the middle region 30 of the support member 18, and the second support 29 is arranged in the region of the front end portion 26 of the support member 18. The two supports 28 and 29 have longitudinally extending support guides 31 and 32. The support arm 16 is supported on the support guide at its rear end portion 33, and the deployment rod 21 is supported on the support guide at its rear end portion 34 by means of respective sliding elements or sliding bolts or the like in a manner that can pivot about a transverse axis and can move longitudinally in a sliding manner. The deployment rod 21 is supported on the support arm 16 at its front end portion 35 in a manner that can pivot about a transverse pivot axis.

[0072] On the one hand, the deployment spring 22 is fastened or suspended on a fixing device 36( Figure 12 ) in the region of the rear end portion 27 of the support member 18. The fixing device is particularly formed as a spring suspension device. On the other hand, the deployment spring 22 is fastened or suspended on a fixing device 37 or a suspension device. The fixing device or the suspension device is arranged on the support arm 16 at such a position above the support portion of the rear end portion 33 of the support arm or the first support 28 that the deployment spring exerts the pulling force of the deployment spring on the support arm 16 in the outward pivoting direction of the air deflector bow 15.

[0073] The support arm 16 has a sliding track 38 on its upper side. The cover member 4 has an engagement member (not shown) assigned to the sliding track 38. The engagement member is formed, for example, in the form of a control slider and is suitably formed adjacent to the front edge of the cover member by means of the polyurethane foam portion of the cover member on the lower side of the cover member. In the outward pivoting functional position of the air deflector device( Figure 5) In [description], the cover member 4 is in the following position: in this position, the roof opening 4 is at least partially open, and in this position, the cover member is removed from the air deflector device 14 or from the support arm 16. The deployment spring 22 holds the air deflector bow 15 in an outward pivoted position via its engagement on the support arm 16. In this outward pivoted position, the air deflector mesh 23 is tensioned, and the similarly upwardly pivoted deployment rod 21 is arranged in a rear stop position in its support 29 on the support member 16 at its rear end 34. When the cover member 4 is opened from its closed position to the open position, the above-described position of the air deflector bow 15 of the member with the deployment device 20 is traversed in the reverse movement process.

[0074] In principle, the elongate support member 18 is formed in cross-section as an angular profile having a bottom wall 39 and side walls 40, and is in particular manufactured as an injection molding, which is made of, for example, metal and preferably made of plastic. The support member 18 is arranged on the support member receiving portion 41 of the roof member 19 in its installed position ( Figure 3 ). The support member receiving portion 41 includes a tab 42, which is arranged upright on the roof member 19 and extends along the roof member 19. For example, the tab 42 is part of a guide rail 10, which includes at least one guide track 43 for the support device of the cover member 4. The guide track 43 is arranged on the laterally outwardly facing outer side 44 of the tab 42. The support member 18 is arranged on the opposite inner side 45 of the tab 42 such that the support member faces the tab 42 with its side wall 40 and in particular directly abuts against the tab 42 ( Figure 3 and 9 ), wherein the front end portion 26 of the support member points forward in the direction towards the air deflector bow 15, and the rear end portion 27 of the support member points backward in the opposite direction.

[0075] The support member 18 is held on the tab 42 of the support member receiving portion 41 by a form-fitting device 46 ( Figure 7 and 14)). The form - locking device 46 comprises three form - locking units 47, 48 and 49. The first form - locking unit 47, which is rearward relative to the support member 18, has a form - locking element 50. The form - locking element is formed in the form of a cylindrical bolt 51 and projects laterally outwards from the side wall 40 near the rear end portion 27 of the support member 18. The cylindrical bolt has an enlarged bolt head 52. Additionally, the form - locking unit 47 has a form - locking receiving portion 53, which is assigned to the form - locking element 50 and is formed on the tab 42 of the support - member receiving portion 41 in the form of a longitudinal guide portion 54 parallel to the guide rail 10. Suitably, the longitudinal guide portion 54 is formed by an elongated guide notch in the tab 42. The longitudinal guide portion 54 is configured such that it has an insertion opening 55 at its rear end, so that the form - locking element 50 can be inserted into the longitudinal guide portion 54 via the insertion opening 55 and is guided in the longitudinal guide portion 54 with substantially no clearance in the vertical direction and can move longitudinally. The bolt head 52 of the form - locking element 50 holds the form - locking element 50 locked in the lateral direction on the tab 42, and the diameter of the bolt head is larger than the height of the longitudinal guide portion 54 in the height direction or z - direction.

[0076] The second form - locking unit 48, which is forward relative to the support member 18, has a form - locking element 56. The form - locking element is formed in the same type as the form - locking element 50 of the first form - locking unit 47 and projects laterally outwards from the side wall 40 near the front end portion 26 of the support member 18. Additionally, the front form - locking unit 48 has a form - locking receiving portion 57, which is assigned to the form - locking element 56 and is formed on the tab 42 of the support - member receiving portion 41 in the form of a longitudinal guide portion 58 parallel to the guide rail 10 and with the same type of configuration as the longitudinal guide portion 54. The longitudinal guide portion 58 has an insertion opening 59 at its front end, which opens upwards, and the form - locking element 56 can be inserted into the longitudinal guide portion 58 from above via this insertion opening.

[0077] The third form-locking unit or the intermediate form-locking unit 49 is arranged between the first form-locking unit 47 and the second form-locking unit 48 and has a form-locking element 60 which is formed in the same type as the two form-locking elements 50 and 56 and projects laterally outwards from the side wall 40 in the central region 30 of the support member 18 (for example at a distance from the rear end 27 of the support member 18 which is one third of the length of the support member 18). Additionally, the intermediate third form-locking unit 49 has a form-locking receptacle 61 which is assigned to the form-locking element 60 and is formed on the tab 42 of the support member receptacle 41 in the form of a longitudinal guide 62 parallel to the guide rail 10 and in the same type of configuration as the longitudinal guide 58 of the second form-locking unit 48. The longitudinal guide 62 has an insertion opening 63 at its front end which opens upwards, and the form-locking element 60 can be inserted into the longitudinal guide 62 from above via this insertion opening.

[0078] Additionally, the form-locking device 46 has a latching element 64 ( Figure 6 , 9 and 10) which projects laterally outwards from the side wall 40 of the support member 18 in the transverse direction and is arranged in the region of the upper edge 65 of the side wall 40 and is approximately arranged between the intermediate form-locking element 60 and the front form-locking element 56. The tab 42 has a latching notch 67 ( Figure 7 ) on its upper edge 66 which is assigned to the latching element 64, and when the support member 18 is arranged in the installed state, the latching element 64 is received in this latching notch in the latched state. Suitably, the latching element 64 is formed in the form of a cuboid block which has end faces 68 and two opposing lateral latching engagement faces 69, and the latching element projects from the side wall 40 such that in the latched state it is arranged at least at the same height (level equal) as the outer side 44 of the tab 42 with its end face 68 or suitably also projects beyond this outer side. The latching element 64 is received in the latching notch 67 with almost or completely no clearance in the longitudinal direction or x-direction by means of its two latching engagement faces 69. The two latching engagement faces 69 block the longitudinal movement of the support member 18 when engaging on the assigned and delimiting edge 70 of the tab 42 of the latching notch 67.

[0079] The side wall 40 of the support member 18 has a deformable region 71 which can be elastically deformed ( Figure 6 and 10) The latching element 64 is arranged on this deformation region. Below the deformation region 71, the side wall 40 has an elongate notch 72 such that the deformation region 71 is connected to the side wall 40 only via its front section 73 and its rear section 74. Thereby, elastic deformability of the deformation region 71 in the transverse direction can be achieved such that by means of a lateral bulging of the deformation region 71 carrying the latching element 64, the latching element 64 is moved out of the latching notch 67 in the transverse direction or the y-direction. Depending on the configuration and material of the support member 18 and taking into account the desired elastic deformability of the deformation region 71, the length, width and configuration of the deformation region 71 defined by the notch 72 are selected.

[0080] The support member 18 is assembled on the support member receiving part 41 such that first ( Figure 15 ) the support member 18 is positioned with its rear end 27 in the region of the rear form-fitting receiving part 53 such that the rear form-fitting element 50 can be inserted into the insertion opening 55. Here, the support member 18 is supported on the upper edge 66 of the tab 42 by means of its intermediate form-fitting element and assumes an inclined or assembled position pivoted upwards with the front edge 26 of this support member, and this support member pivots to Figure 16 the assembled position shown. In this position, the support member 18 moves outwards, wherein the rear form-fitting element 50 moves forward in the rear longitudinal guide 54 until the front end of this longitudinal guide and the intermediate form-fitting element 60 reaches the intermediate insertion opening 63 ( Figure 17 ). Next, the support member 18 pivots downwards ( Figure 18 ) into a position in which this support member is arranged parallel to the guide rail 10 and parallel to the upper edge 66 of the tab 42. In this movement, the intermediate form-fitting element 60 and the front form-fitting element 56 have descended into their respective longitudinal guides 62 or 58.

[0081] When the support member 18 pivots downwards from Figure 17 the position to Figure 18 the position, the latching element 64 contacts the upper edge 66 of the tab 42 next to the latching notch 67. The lower section of the end side 68 of the latching element 64 is formed by means of such an inclined part 75 that the upper edge 66 of the tab 42 contacts this inclined part 75 when the latching element 64 descends, and laterally presses the latching element 64 inwards in the transverse direction by means of the bulging deformation region 71 and positions this latching element on the inner side 45 of the tab 42.

[0082] In the last step (from Figure 18 to Figure 19During the movement of (), the support member 18 moves backward, wherein the support member is guided in the assigned longitudinally guiding longitudinal guides 54, 58 and 62 by three form-locking elements 50, 56 and 60. The locking element 64 pre-tensioned by the deformation region 71 against the inner side 45 of the abutment tab 42 slides towards the locking notch 67 and is pressed into the locking notch 67 by the deformation region 71 deformed back into its initial state when reaching the locking notch 67. Here, the two form-locking elements 56 and 60 can bear against or be spaced apart from the rear ends of the two longitudinal guides 58 or 62.

[0083] The support member 18 has a manipulation forming part 76 ( Figure 9 and 10 ) on its deformation region 71, which is used to engage a manipulation tool that causes the deformation or bulging of the deformation region 71. The manipulation forming part 76 is formed, for example, as a flat recess in the deformation region 71 on the side facing the tab 42, and the recess is formed for inserting a manipulation tool with, for example, a tapered tip, such as a screwdriver. With the manipulation tool or the screwdriver, the deformation region 71 elastically deformed in the transverse direction is pushed laterally away from the tab 42, so that the locking element 64 is also pushed out of the locking notch 67 laterally until the support member 18 can be shifted upward. Here, the locking element 64 slides on the inner side 45 of the tab 42.

[0084] The form-locking device 46 includes another form-locking unit 96, which has a form-locking element with a particularly hook-shaped form, in the form of a fixed locking hook 77 ( Figure 4 and 6 ), and the locking hook is arranged or molded close to the lower side 78 of the bottom wall 39 of the support member 18 in the longitudinal direction behind the second support member 29, protruding downward and pointing backward with its free hook end 79. The support member receiving part 41 includes a form-locking receiving part assigned to the form-locking element or the locking hook 77, in the form of a locking opening 80 ( Figure 11 ). The locking opening 80 is formed on the frame bottom 81 of the frame member 12 or the roof member 19 with such dimensions and positions that during the assembly of the support member 18 and when the support member pivots downward from the Figure 17 state to the Figure 18 state, the locking hook 77 can drop through the locking opening 80, and the frame bottom forms another part of the support member receiving part 41. When the support member 18 is then longitudinally displaced from the Figure 18 state to the Figure 19When in the position state, the locking hook 77 engages with the bottom 81 of the frame, and a form-fit locking of the locking hook 77 on the bottom 81 of the frame in the z-direction is formed, and thus a locking of the support member 18 is formed to prevent lifting in the height direction or the z-direction.

[0085] Preferably, the support member 18 is formed as an injection-molded plastic part and has at least one member reinforcement or support structure that supports the force of the tension spring or the deployment spring 22. The support member 18 includes a fastening section 82( Figure 12 ), which has a fixing device 36, and the deployment spring 22 is suspended on this fastening section and thus fixed on the support member 18. The fastening section 82 is molded on the inner side 83 of the side wall 40 in the region of the rear end portion 27 of the support member 18 and extends substantially in the lateral direction over the width of the bottom wall 39. The lateral outer wall 84 bounds the fastening section 82 on the side opposite to the side wall 40. The outer wall 84 is formed as a planar extension of the edge 85 of the bottom wall 39 of the support member 18. The bottom 39 terminates in front of the fastening section 82 in the longitudinal extension of the support member 18. The fastening section 82 is formed as a downwardly open structure and is particularly configured for forming by means of an injection molding tool.

[0086] The fastening section 82 includes a suspension opening 86( Figure 12 and 13 ), and a suspension tab 88. The suspension opening is formed in the upper wall 87 of the fastening section 82. The suspension tab bounds the suspension opening 86, and the suspended deployment spring 22 is supported on the suspension tab. The upper wall 87 is arranged on the side wall 40 in a manner having a vertical offset from the upper edge 65 of the side wall 40. The spacing of the suspension opening 86 and the suspension tab 88 from the side wall 40 and the vertical offset of the upper edge 87 are coordinated with the dimensions of the deployment spring 22 and particularly with the diameter of this deployment spring. Therefore, the configuration of the fastening section 82 is matched for receiving the deployment spring 22 on the support member 18 in a space-saving manner.

[0087] The suspension tab 88 that supports the force of the deployment spring 22 is arranged substantially at the height of the form-fit element 50 of the rear form-fit unit 47 in the longitudinal direction of the support member 18. With this configuration, the bending moment is minimized when supporting the spring force acting on the tab 42 via the form-fit element 50.

[0088] In addition, the support member 18 has at least one reinforcing rib 89 and suitably has a plurality of reinforcing ribs 89( Figure 12 and 14 ), which connect the upper wall 87 of the fastening section 82 to the side wall 40 and are arranged side by side. Such reinforcing ribs 89 strengthen and reinforce the support member 18 in the region of the fastening section 82.

[0089] The support member 18 has, for example, two longitudinal ribs 90 as additional member reinforcements or support structures( Figure 13 ), which reinforce the fastening section 82 on their inner or lower sides and support the spring force on the support member 18 in the longitudinal direction.

[0090] Furthermore, the support member 18 has a support projection 91( Figures 12 to 14 ), which extends forward from the fastening section 82 in the longitudinal direction up to the first support 28. The support projection 91 has an outer wall 92 on its upper side, which covers the downwardly open structure of the support projection 91 at such a height that sufficient space is reserved for the unfolding spring 22 arranged thereon. The outer wall 92 is molded on the side wall 40, the bottom wall 39, and the front wall 93 of the fastening section 82. Thus, the support projection 91 can also support the spring force on the support member 18. The support projection 91 has a lower or inner member reinforcement in the form of a plurality of transverse ribs 94, which reinforce the outer wall 92 on the lower side. Furthermore, a rib structure 95 is provided, which has a plurality of coherent ribs and forms a longitudinal reinforcement and a transverse reinforcement in the inner or lower side of the support projection 91 in the front region of the support projection. The rib structure 95 reinforces the support projection 91 and thus suitably reinforces the support member 18 in the region of the form-locking element 60 of the intermediate third form-locking unit 49. Thus, it is ensured that the spring force is also reliably conducted via this form-locking element 60 to the tab 42.

[0091] When assembling the support member 18, the support arm 16 and the unfolding rod 21 are mounted on the assigned supports 28 or 29 of the support arm 18. The unfolding spring 22 can be fastened not only before assembling the support member 18 but also after inserting the support member on the support member 18 and the support arm 16.

[0092] List of Reference Signs

[0093] 1 Vehicle

[0094] 2 Roof

[0095] 3 Cover

[0096] 4 Roof opening

[0097] 5 Rear edge

[0098] 6 Roof surface

[0099] 7 Roof system frame

[0100] 8 Front region

[0101] 9 Front cover support unit

[0102] 10 Guide rail

[0103] 11 Rear cover part support unit

[0104] 12 Frame member

[0105] 13 Front edge

[0106] 14 Air deflector device

[0107] 15 Air deflector bow

[0108] 16 Support arm

[0109] 17 Pivot support device

[0110] 18 Support member

[0111] 19 Roof member

[0112] 20 Deployment device

[0113] 21 Deployment rod

[0114] 22 Deployment spring

[0115] 23 Air deflector net

[0116] 24 Net base slat

[0117] 25 Frame transverse member

[0118] 26 Front end part

[0119] 27 Rear end part

[0120] 28 First support

[0121] 29 Second support

[0122] 30 Middle region

[0123] 31 Support guide

[0124] 32 Support guide

[0125] 33 Rear end part

[0126] 34 Rear end part

[0127] 35 Front end part

[0128] 36 Fixing device

[0129] 37 Fixing device

[0130] 38 Sliding track

[0131] 39 Bottom wall

[0132] 40 Side wall

[0133] 41 Support member receiving part

[0134] 42 Tab

[0135] 43 Guide rail

[0136] 44 Outer side

[0137] 45 Inner side

[0138] 46 Form-locking device

[0139] 47 First form-locking unit

[0140] 48 Second form-locking unit

[0141] 49 Third form-locking unit

[0142] 50 Form-locking element

[0143] 51 Bolt

[0144] 52 Bolt head

[0145] 53 Form-locking receiving part

[0146] 54 Longitudinal guide part

[0147] 55 Insertion opening

[0148] 56 Form-locking element

[0149] 57 Form-locking receiving part

[0150] 58 Longitudinal guide part

[0151] 59 Insertion opening

[0152] 60 Form-locking element

[0153] 61 Form-locking receiving part

[0154] 62 Longitudinal guide part

[0155] 63 Insertion opening

[0156] 64 Locking element

[0157] 65 Upper edge

[0158] 66 Upper edge

[0159] 67 Locking notch

[0160] 68 End side

[0161] 69 Locking engagement surface

[0162] 70 Edge

[0163] 71 Deformation area

[0164] 72 Notch

[0165] 73 Front section

[0166] 74 Rear section

[0167] 75 Inclined part

[0168] 76 Manipulating and forming part

[0169] 77 Locking hook

[0170] 78 Lower side

[0171] 79 Hook end

[0172] 80 Locking opening

[0173] 81 Frame bottom

[0174] 82 Fastening section

[0175] 83 Inner side

[0176] 84 Outer wall

[0177] 85 Edge

[0178] 86 Hanging opening

[0179] 87 Upper wall

[0180] 88 Hanging tab

[0181] 89 Reinforcing rib

[0182] 90 Longitudinal rib

[0183] 91 Support projection

[0184] 92 Outer wall

[0185] 93 Front wall

[0186] 94 Transverse rib

[0187] 95 Rib structure

[0188] 96 Form-locking unit.

Claims

1. A vehicle roof (2) having a removable roof opening (3) and having an air deflector device (14) assigned to the roof opening (3), the air deflector device comprising an air deflector bow (15) with lateral support arms (16) and each comprising an unfolding device (20), the unfolding device comprising one of the two support arms (16), in, The unfolding device (20) is pivotably supported on a pivot support (17) on the roof side and supports the wind deflector bracket (15) for pivoting between a downwardly pivoted rest position and an outwardly pivoted operating position. It is characterized in that The pivot support device (17) has a support member (18), on which the deployment device (20) is supported. The support component (18) is arranged on a roof component (19) and is seated on a support component receptacle (41) of the roof component (19), and the support component (18) is held on the support component receptacle (41) by means of a form-fitting device (46).

2. The vehicle roof (2) according to claim 1, It is characterized in that The form-locking device (46) has at least two form-locking units (47, 48, 49), wherein each form-locking unit (47, 48, 49) comprises a form-locking element (50, 56, 60) on the support component (18) and a form-locking receiving portion (53, 57, 61) on the support component receiving portion (41), the form-locking receiving portion being assigned to the form-locking element (50, 56, 60).

3. The vehicle roof (2) according to claim 2, It is characterized in that The support member (18) is arranged on a support member receiving portion (41) of the roof member (19) in a longitudinal orientation, the roof member extends laterally along the roof opening (4), and at least two form-locking elements (50, 56, 60) and respectively associated form-locking receiving portions (53, 57, 61) are spaced apart from each other in the longitudinal orientation of the support member (18) and in the longitudinal orientation of the support member receiving portion (41).

4. The vehicle roof (2) according to claim 2 or 3, It is characterized in that A first form-locking element (50) is arranged in the region of a rear end (27) of the support member (18), and a first form-locking receptacle (53) assigned to the first form-locking element (50) has a first longitudinal guide (54) on the support member receptacle (41), in which the first form-locking element (50) inserted into the first longitudinal guide is formed for longitudinally displacing the support member (18) along the longitudinal guide (54) and for vertically pivoting the support member (18), and A second form-locking element (56 or 60) is arranged on the support component (18) in front of the first form-locking element (50) in the longitudinal direction, and a second form-locking receiving portion (57 or 61) assigned to the second form-locking element (56 or 60) has a second longitudinal guide portion (58 or 62) on the support component receiving portion (41), and the second form-locking element (56 or 60) inserted in the second longitudinal guide portion is received in the second longitudinal guide portion in a manner that allows longitudinal movement.

5. The vehicle roof (2) according to any one of claims 2 to 4, It is characterized in that At least one of the form-fitting elements (50, 56, 60) is configured in such a way that when it is engaged on an associated form-fitting receiving portion (53, 57, 61), it holds the support component (18) in position on the support component receiving portion (41) in a transverse direction or in a y-direction.

6. The vehicle roof (2) according to any one of claims 2 or 5, It is characterized in that The support member receptacle (41) has a web (42) which extends along the roof member (19) in an upright position and on which the form-fitting receptacle (53, 57, 61) is formed.

7. The vehicle roof (2) according to any one of claims 2 to 6, It is characterized in that The form-locking device (46) has a locking element (64) arranged on the support member (18), which is locked in a locking recess (67) of the support member receptacle (41) or the web (42), and the support member (18) is kept positioned on the support member receptacle (41) or on the web (42) in a longitudinal orientation or in the x-direction.

8. The vehicle roof (2) according to claim 7, It is characterized in that The latching element (64) is arranged in an elastically deformable deformation region (71) of the support component (18) and can be released from a latching engagement of the latching element in a transverse direction or y-direction by elastic deformation of the deformation region (71).

9. The vehicle roof (2) according to claim 8, It is characterized in that The support component (18) has an actuating formation (76) at a deformation region (71) of the support component for engaging an actuating tool which causes the deformation.

10. The vehicle roof (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, It is characterized in that The support structure (18) has a support (28) for the support arm (16), a support (29) for the deployment rod (21) and a fixing device (36) for the deployment spring (22).

11. The vehicle roof (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 10, It is characterized in that The form-locking device (46) has a further form-locking unit (96), which has a hook-shaped form-locking element, which is arranged on the lower side (78) of the support member (18) and engages with an associated form-locking receiving portion on the frame bottom (81) of the support member receiving portion (41) in a locked position, and keeps the support member (18) fixed on the support member receiving portion (41) in the height direction or z direction.

12. The vehicle roof (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 11, It is characterized in that The elongated support member (18) has vertical side walls (40) and a horizontal bottom wall (39), and the support for the deployment device (20) is mainly or completely formed and / or supported on the bottom wall (39).

13. The vehicle roof (2) according to claim 12, It is characterized in that The form-locking elements (50, 56, 60) of the form-locking unit (47, 48, 49) assigned to the web (42) of the support component receiving portion (41) are arranged on the side wall (40) of the support component (18), and the form-locking elements (96) of the form-locking unit (96) of the frame bottom (81) assigned to the support component receiving portion (41) are arranged on the bottom wall (39) of the support component (18).

14. The vehicle roof (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 13, It is characterized in that The support component (18) has a component reinforcement or support structure, which contains a plurality of ribs (90, 94, 95) and supports a fastening section (82) which contains a fixing means (36) for the expansion spring (22).

15. The vehicle roof (2) according to any one of claims 12 to 14, It is characterized in that The support member (18) has the bottom wall (39) in the front area and in the middle area (30), and the rear area of ​​the support member (18) is formed as a downwardly open support structure, which is used for the fastening section (82) of the expansion spring (22), and the fastening section contains the fixing device (36).

16. Method for mounting a wind deflector device (14) on a vehicle roof (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 15, It is characterized in that The method comprises the following steps: a) installing and supporting the deployment device (20) on the support member (18), wherein: - in this first assembly step, or - after the support member (18) has been assembled into the installed position of the support member, clamping the expansion spring (22) between the support member (18) and the support arm (16), b) mounting the support component (18) on the support component receptacle (41) in that the support component (18) contacts the support component receptacle (41) in a first mounting position by means of a first form-fitting unit (47), c) performing an assembly movement, which comprises a pivoting movement of the support component (18), by means of which the support component (18) contacts the support component receiving portion (41) by means of at least one further form-fitting unit (48, 49, 96), and d) performing an assembly movement, by means of which the support component (18) is guided in a longitudinal movement relative to the support component receptacle (41) into an installed position of the support component, and in this process the form-locking units (47, 48, 49, 96) activate the corresponding form-locking engagement of the form-locking units.

Images