Roof system for motor vehicle

Abstract

The invention relates to a roof system with a carrier frame having a front part and two guide rails coupled to the front part; and at least one flexible drive train which is laid along a guide path in the front part and along a guide channel of the guide rail, the drive train being laid in the cladding tube in the region of the guide path of the front part, the cladding tube being held in the guide path, and wherein the drive train is arranged in the cladding tube in the region of the guide path of the front part. An adapter part is provided at the transition of the cladding tube to the entry region of the guide channel, which adapter part compensates for tolerances between the orientation of the cladding tube and the entry region of the guide channel. According to the invention, the adapter part is arranged so as to be adjustable in the vehicle transverse direction and so as to be releasably fixed relative to the front part, the adapter part has a positively or non-positively acting receptacle for fixing the cladding tube to the adapter part, and the adapter part has at least one centering projection, the adapter part is connected with a hollow profile section of the guide rail, which is open at the end side, in a plug-in manner, which is effective in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle and causes a defined orientation of the adapter part relative to the guide rail in the vertical direction of the vehicle.

Description

Field of the Invention

[0001] The invention relates to a roof system for a motor vehicle, comprising: a load-bearing frame having a front member and two guide rails connected to the front member; and at least one flexible drive transmission system laid along a guide path in the front member and along a guide channel of the guide rail, wherein the drive transmission system is laid in a sheath tube in the region of the guide path of the front member, the sheath tube being held in the guide path, and wherein an adapter member is provided at the transition of the sheath tube to the entry region of the guide channel, which compensates for the tolerance between the orientation of the sheath tube and the entry region of the guide channel. Background Art

[0002] Such a roof system for a passenger car is known from document DE 10 2017 202 547 A1. The adapter member at least partially surrounds the sheath tube. In addition, the adapter member is fixed relative to the front member in the vertical direction and is form-fittingly oriented in the horizontal direction by a support section of the guide profile. In the longitudinal direction, the adapter member is supported in a limitedly movable manner in order to achieve axial compensation for the thermally induced length changes of the sheath tube. Summary of the Invention

[0003] It is an object of the present invention to provide a roof system of the type mentioned at the beginning, which can compensate for manufacturing and assembly tolerances in the guidance and laying of the at least one drive transmission system.

[0004] This object is achieved in that the adapter part is arranged adjustably and releasably fixably relative to the front part in the vehicle transverse direction, the adapter part has a form - or force - fitting receiving part for fixing the sheath tube at the adapter part, and the adapter part has at least one centering projection which engages in an end - side open hollow profile section of the guide rail in a plug - connection effective in the vehicle longitudinal direction, this plug - connection causing a defined orientation of the adapter part relative to the guide rail in the vehicle vertical direction. The solution according to the invention is particularly advantageously applicable to a roof system of a passenger car which has a roof assembly which is openable relative to a carrier frame or fixed relative to the carrier frame and is at least partially transparent, preferably in the form of a glass roof assembly. The guide rail can be provided for guiding the deployment and travel mechanism of the openable roof assembly and / or for guiding a sunshade web which is movably supported in the guide rail in the region of the underside of the transparent roof assembly between a rest position in which the transparent roof assembly is exposed and a sunshade position in which the transparent roof assembly is covered. The at least one flexible drive transmission system is part of a drive system which is provided for displacing the deployment and travel mechanism or for moving the sunshade web between the rest position and the sunshade position. Preferably, a transmission system is movably arranged in each guide rail, which is connected to the deployment and travel mechanism or the sunshade web. The form - or force - fitting receiving part of the adapter part for fixing the sheath tube at the adapter part is advantageously realized by clamping or latching. Preferably, the form - or force - fitting fixing in the receiving part is carried out releasably. The at least one centering projection projects in the vehicle longitudinal direction from the adapter part in the direction of the guide rail. The terms "vehicle longitudinal direction", "vehicle transverse direction" and "vehicle vertical direction" are to be understood with respect to the orientation of the roof system in the assembled state at the motor vehicle. In addition, these terms apply to the orientation of the guide rail in the vehicle longitudinal direction and the lateral extension of the front part in the vehicle transverse direction. The solution according to the invention enables the alignment of the at least one drive transmission system from the front part into the corresponding guide channel of the corresponding guide rail to be achieved independently of manufacturing and assembly tolerances, thus ensuring a defect - free and low - noise travel function of the drive transmission system.

[0005] In a design of the invention, the adapter part has a latching receiving part for form - fittingly arresting the sheath tube. In the assembled state of the adapter part, the latching receiving part preferably opens downwards in the vehicle vertical direction, so that the sheath tube can be latched from below.

[0006] In a further design of the invention, the adapter part is provided with an oblong hole extending in the vehicle transverse direction and is provided with a mechanical fastening element, in particular a fastening bolt, which extends through the oblong hole and is connected to the front part. The oblong hole enables the mobility of the adapter part in the vehicle transverse direction. Once the desired orientation of the adapter part in the vehicle transverse direction has been reached, the mechanical fastening element fixes the adapter part relative to the front part.

[0007] In a further design of the invention, the at least one centering projection is coordinated with the inner contour of the hollow profile section in its outer contour such that a gapless plug-in connection between the centering projection and the hollow profile section is obtained. The at least one centering projection is inserted in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle into the open end side of the hollow profile. Thereby, a defined orientation between the adapter part and the hollow profile section of the guide rail is ensured in the vertical direction of the vehicle. After the centering projection is inserted into the hollow profile section of the guide rail, the adapter part can also be fixed relative to the front part in the transverse direction of the vehicle by means of mechanical fastening elements, since the insertion of the centering projection advantageously also defines the orientation of the adapter part relative to the guide rail in the transverse direction of the vehicle.

[0008] In a further design of the invention, the at least one centering projection is integrally molded on the adapter part. According to the invention, the at least one centering extension is fixedly connected to the adapter part in all implementation variants such that the orientation of the centering projection compulsorily causes a corresponding tracking and complementary orientation of the adapter part. Particularly advantageously, the centering projection is fixedly connected to the adapter part by integral molding. The adapter part is preferably made of metal or plastic.

[0009] In a further design of the invention, the adapter part is designed as a plate-shaped and integrally manufactured as a plastic component. Here, not only the at least one centering projection is integrally molded on the plate-shaped adapter part, but also a receiving part, preferably a latching receiving part, for stopping the covering tube at the adapter part is molded.

[0010] In a further design of the invention, two centering projections are provided, which are arranged parallel to each other side by side and can be inserted in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle into two hollow profile sections of the guide rail arranged side by side with each other. This design improves the stability of the connection and orientation between the adapter plate and the guide rail. In addition, the risk of warping or tipping of the adapter part relative to the guide rail is reduced.

[0011] In a further design of the invention, the centering projection is implemented as a rib-shaped. In the case where the adapter part is manufactured as a plastic component, this design is particularly advantageous, since on the one hand simple manufacturability can be obtained and on the other hand high stiffness of the centering projection can be obtained.

[0012] In a further design of the invention, the sheathing tube has an expansion part at the end side, and the receiving part of the adapter part is provided with an annular groove-shaped pocket part which is open towards one side in the vehicle vertical direction and which is adapted to the expansion part in such a way that the expansion part - in the assembled state - is positively locked in the pocket part in the vehicle longitudinal direction. The expansion part forms a crimp of the positive end of the sheathing tube. The annular groove-shaped pocket part is arranged to receive the expansion part at the end side of the sheathing tube when the sheathing tube is inserted into the receiving part in such a way that the wall part of the annular groove-shaped pocket part forms a stop for the expansion part in the vehicle longitudinal direction. Thus, the sheathing tube cannot be moved in the vehicle longitudinal direction in the receiving part of the adapter part, but is positively locked in the vehicle longitudinal direction.

[0013] In a further design of the invention, the pocket part and the receiving part are open towards the same side - as viewed in the vehicle vertical direction - in order to ensure that the sheathing tube is inserted or snapped into the receiving part in the vehicle vertical direction. Preferably, the annular groove-shaped pocket part is open downwards in the vehicle vertical direction, similar to the receiving part, so that the sheathing tube together with its expansion part can be inserted into the receiving part and the annular groove-shaped pocket part from below here.

[0014] In a further design of the invention, the entry area of the guide channel is expanded at the end side. This end-side expansion part is arranged opposite to the expansion part at the end side of the sheathing tube. Thereby, edges in the area of the end side of the guide channel or at the positive end of the sheathing tube are avoided, which could cause noise during the running operation of the drive transmission system. Preferably, a pitch cable, also known as a flexible shaft, is provided as the drive transmission system. Alternatively, a flexible rack can be provided as the drive transmission system.

[0015] In a further design of the invention, the front part and the adapter part are provided with mutually complementary holding formations which enable a pre-adjustment of the adapter part relative to the front part and relative to the guide rail. This design enables a pre-adjustment of the adapter part relative to the front part. Furthermore, when orienting and assembling the adapter part relative to the guide rail, relative to the front part and relative to the guide path for the drive transmission system, the holding formations serve as assembly aids. Advantageously, the holding formation of the front part includes at least one guide rib and at least one bridging tab, while the holding formation of the adapter part includes at least one guide groove complementary to the guide rib and at least one holding tab which bridges the lower bridging tab. Description of the Drawings

[0016] Further advantages and features of the invention result from the claims and from the following description of the preferred embodiments of the invention shown in the drawings.

[0017] Figure 1 One embodiment of a roof system according to the invention for use in the roof area of a passenger car is shown in a perspective view,

[0018] Figure 2 Shown in a further enlarged perspective view according toFigure 1 A section of the roof system

[0019] Figure 3 Shows, in another perspective view, another section of the roof system according to Figure 1 another section of the roof system

[0020] Figure 4 Shows, in a perspective view, another section of the roof system according to Figures 1 to 3 wherein the front component is omitted

[0021] Figure 5 Shows a perspective view similar to Figure 4

[0022] Figure 6 Shows, in an enlarged view, a longitudinal section through the connection region between the front component according to Figures 1 to 5 and the guide rail, and

[0023] Figure 7 Shows, in an enlarged perspective view, a section according to Figure 4 wherein the front component and the guide rail are omitted DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0024] According to Figures 1 to 7 The roof system 1 according to is provided for the roof area of a passenger car and is assembled here from below at the roof body load-bearing structure of the roof area of the passenger car. The roof system 1 has a carrier frame, which is formed by a front component 2 and two guide rails 3 extending rearward in the vehicle longitudinal direction from the front component 2 and by a rear component not shown in more detail. In the assembled state of the carrier frame, the front component 2 and the rear component extend in the vehicle transverse direction at the lower side of the roof body load-bearing structure in the roof area, while the guide rails 3 extend in the vehicle longitudinal direction. The two guide rails 3 are oriented parallel to each other and leave a free space therebetween that can be covered by a light-shielding curtain 4, which is held on a winding shaft in a rollable and deployable manner. The winding shaft is rotatably supported at the rear component of the carrier frame and extends in the vehicle transverse direction. The light-shielding curtain 4 has a shape-stable pulling profile 5 at the positive end region of its front part in the pulling direction, which is movably supported in the guide rails 3 in the vehicle longitudinal direction at its opposite end sides.

[0025] According to Figure 2 and Figure 3 the load-bearing frame is shown here from below

[0026] The roof area has a fixed transparent roof assembly in the form of a glass roof assembly. In another embodiment not shown of the present invention, instead of the fixed roof assembly, a roof assembly movably supported between a closed position and an open position is provided.

[0027] ​In order to displace the drawn profile 5 in the guide rail 3, a drive system is provided, which has an electric drive motor, not shown in detail, with a transmission device, which is designed to drive two flexible drive transmission systems. The drive transmission systems are guided in corresponding guide paths 7 of the front member 2 and are embodied as pitch cables in the illustrated embodiment. In order to guide the flexible drive transmission systems in the front member 2, sheathing tubes 6 are provided, which are designed in a hollow cylindrical shape and are laid in the guide paths 7 of the front member 2. Here, for each side of the load-bearing frame and thus for each guide rail 3, a sheathing tube 6 is respectively provided, in which the working systems of the corresponding drive transmission systems are respectively guided. The working systems are introduced into the corresponding guide channels F of the corresponding guide rails 3 at the front side and are respectively connected to the sliders at the positive ends of the drawn profile 5. The two working systems of the two drive transmission systems can be synchronously displaced relative to each other by means of the electric motor of the drive system, so that a desired parallel displacement of the drawn profile 5 between the rest position and the light-shielding position of the light-shielding flap 4 can be obtained. In addition to the working systems, each drive transmission system has an idle system, which is forced to move when the drive transmission system is displaced. It is formed by the section of the drive transmission system opposite to the working system. Depending on the position of the working system, the idle system is guided in the idle channels of the opposite guide rails 3 or in the corresponding idle paths of the front member 2. The corresponding sheathing tubes for the idle systems are provided with the reference numeral 8.

[0028] The corresponding sheathing tubes 6, 8 do not extend into the guide rails 3, but are only respectively laid in the area of the front member 2. In order to ensure a low-tolerance transition of the drive transmission systems from the sheathing tube 6 of the front member 2 to the corresponding guide channels F of the corresponding guide rails 3, an adapter member 11 is provided. The adapter member 11 is embodied as a plastic component and is designed in a substantially plate-shaped manner. The adapter member 11 has a channel-shaped receiving portion 18 that is open downward in the vehicle vertical direction and extends in the vehicle longitudinal direction in the assembled state of the adapter member 11. Locking tabs 19 are associated with the opposite wall portions of the receiving portion 18, which positively lock the sheathing tube 6 in the receiving portion 18 in the vehicle vertical direction. The receiving portion 18 is coordinated with the cylindrical outer dimension of the sheathing tube 6 in such a way that the sheathing tube 6 opens a channel when inserted into the receiving portion 18 and is oriented in the vehicle longitudinal direction. The locking tabs 19 prevent the sheathing tube 6 from being able to slide out of the receiving portion downward in the vehicle vertical direction. In addition, the receiving portion 18 is associated with an annular groove-shaped pocket 21 at the rear end area facing the guide rail 3, into which the end-side expansion 20 of the front positive end of the sheathing tube 6 is inserted.

[0029] The bottom of the receiving portion 18 is curved in a groove shape in order to enable the sheathing tube 6 to be placed substantially flush. In addition to the receiving portion 18, for the sheathing tube of the idle system, another groove-shaped recess 22 is provided in the adapter member 11, which enables the sheathing tube of the idle system to be oriented parallel to the sheathing tube 6 of the working system.

[0030] The adapter part is provided with two centering ribs 13, 14 serving as centering projections, which project from the rear side of the adapter part 11 in the direction of the guide rail 3 and sink into the channel sections 10 and 9 of the guide rail 3 that are open towards the front part 2 at the end side in the assembled state of the adapter part 11 and the guide rail 3. The centering ribs 13, 14 and the open hollow profile sections of the channel sections 9, 10 form a plug connection acting in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. Here, the centering rib 14 is located above the guide channel F of the guide rail, and the centering rib 13 is arranged in the adjacent channel section 10 of the guide rail 3. This channel section 10 is used to fasten the roof lining of the interior space of the passenger car.

[0031] The guide channel F of the guide rail 3 (which is aligned with the sheathed tube 6 of the drive transmission system in the assembled state of the adapter part 11) is provided with a tapered expansion 22 at its front positive end (i.e., at its entry area), which is adjacent to the expansion 20 of the sheathed tube 6.

[0032] The adapter part 11 has two forward-projecting retaining tabs 23 at its front edge region opposite to the centering ribs 13, 14, which engage the two bridging tabs 24 of the front part 2 from below in the vehicle vertical direction in the assembled state of the adapter part 11. These retaining tabs 23, together with the guide grooves 16 in the bottom of the plate-shaped adapter part 11 and the corresponding dome-shaped guide ribs 15 projecting downward in the vehicle vertical direction, are used for the pre-adjustment and pre-assembly of the adapter part 11 and form mutually complementary retaining formations in the sense of the present invention. The bridging tabs 24, which also serve as retaining formations, have a net width in the vehicle transverse direction that enables the mobility of the retaining tabs 23. In the same way, the dome-shaped guide ribs 15 are also provided with a smaller extension in the vehicle transverse direction than the slit-shaped guide grooves 16 that also extend in the vehicle transverse direction, so that the adapter part 11 can be pre-assembled in the area of the lower side of the front part 2 by means of the retaining tabs 23 and these two guide ribs 15 without being finally fixed.

[0033] To fix the adapter part 11 relative to the front part, two mechanical fastening elements in the form of headed bolts 12 are provided at present, which can be screwed into the not-shown internal threads on the lower side of the front part 2. The respective screw shafts of the headed bolts 12 pass through the oblong holes 17. These two oblong holes 17 have their longitudinal extensions in the vehicle transverse direction and are arranged on the opposite sides of the receiving parts 18 and 22 in the bottom of the adapter plate 11 in alignment with each other but spaced apart in the vehicle transverse direction. These two headed bolts 12 serving as fastening bolts are slightly tightened for the pre-fixation of the adapter part 11 until a plug connection is established between the channel sections 9, 10 of the guide rail 3 and the centering ribs 13, 14, thereby achieving the aligned orientation between the guide channel F and the sheathed tube 6. Then the headed bolts 12 are firmly tightened, whereby the adapter part 11 is fixed relative to the front part 2 and relative to the guide rail 3.

[0034] The outer contours of the centering ribs 13, 14 are coordinated with the net cross-sections of the channel sections 9, 10 of the guide rail 3 such that the centering ribs 13, 14 can be inserted into the open end sides of the channel sections 9, 10 without play in the vehicle vertical and in the vehicle transverse direction. Thereby, an angular orientation between the adapter part 11 and the channel sections 9, 10 of the guide rail 3 is predefined in the vehicle longitudinal direction, which also compulsorily ensures the alignment orientation of the receiving part 18 relative to the guide channel F. This also ensures the alignment orientation of the sheathing tube 6 captured in the receiving part 18 of the adapter part 11 relative to the guide channel F.

[0035] The receiving part 22 is forced into alignment with a non-illustrated free channel of the guide rail 3, which is oriented parallel to the guide channel F and serves to guide a free system of a drive transmission system of a working system that can travel in the opposing guide rails 3.

Claims

1. A roof system for a motor vehicle, having: a load-bearing frame (1) having a front member (2) and two guide rails (3) connected to the front member (2); and at least one flexible drive transmission system laid along a guide path (7) in the front member (2) and along a guide channel (F) of the guide rail (3), wherein, The drive transmission system is laid in a sheathing tube (6) in the region of the guide path (7) of the front component (2), the sheathing tube being held in the guide path (7), and wherein an adapter component (11) is provided at the transition of the sheathing tube (6) to the entry region of the guide channel (F), which compensates for the tolerance between the sheathing tube (6) and the orientation of the entry region of the guide channel (F), characterized in that the adapter component (11) is arranged relative to the front component (2) so as to be adjustable and releasably fixable in the vehicle transverse direction, the adapter component (11) having a receiving portion (18) which acts in a form-fitting or force-fitting manner for fixing the sheathing tube (6) at the adapter component (11), and the adapter component (11) having at least one centering projection (13, 14) which engages in a plug-in connection acting in the vehicle longitudinal direction with the end-side open hollow profile section of the guide rail (3), the plug-in connection causing a defined orientation of the adapter component (11) relative to the guide rail (3) in the vehicle vertical direction.

2. The roof system according to claim 1, wherein The adapter component (11) has a latching receiving portion for form-fittingly arresting the sheathing tube (6).

3. The roof system according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that The adapter component (11) is provided with an oblong hole (17) extending in the vehicle transverse direction, and a mechanical fastening element, in particular a fastening bolt (12), is provided which extends through the oblong hole (17) and is connected to the front component (2).

4. The roof system according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, The at least one centering projection (13, 14) is coordinated with the inner contour of the hollow profile section in its outer contour such that a play-free plug-in connection can be obtained between the centering projection (13, 14) and the hollow profile section, in particular in the vehicle transverse direction and in the vehicle longitudinal direction.

5. The roof system according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, The at least one centering projection (13, 14) is integrally molded at the adapter component (11).

6. The roof system according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, The adapter component (11) is designed in a plate shape and is integrally manufactured as a plastic component.

7. The roof system according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, Two centering projections (13, 14) are provided which are arranged parallel to each other side by side and which can be inserted in the vehicle longitudinal direction into two hollow profile sections of the guide rail (3) arranged side by side.

8. The roof system according to claim 7, characterized in that, The centering projection (13, 14) is implemented in a rib shape.

9. The roof system according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, The sheathing tube (6) has an expansion portion (20) at the end side, and the receiving portion (18) of the adapter component (11) is provided with an annular groove-shaped pocket (21) which is open towards one side in the vehicle vertical direction, and the pocket is adapted to the expansion portion (20) such that the expansion portion (20) is form-fittingly arrested in the pocket (21) in the vehicle longitudinal direction in the assembled state.

10. The roof system according to claim 9, characterized in that, Viewed in the vehicle vertical direction, the pocket (21) is open towards the same side as the receiving portion (18) in order to ensure that the sheathing tube (6) is inserted or snapped into the receiving portion (18) in the vehicle vertical direction.

11. The roof system according to claim 9 or 10, characterized in that, The entry region of the guide channel (F) is expanded at the end side.

12. The roof system according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, The front part (2) and the adapter part (11) are provided with mutually complementary retaining profiling, which enables pre-adjustment of the adapter part (11) relative to the front part (2) and relative to the guide rail (3).

13. The roof system according to claim 12, characterized in that, The retaining profiling of the front part includes at least one guide rib (15) and at least one bridging tab (24), and the retaining profiling of the adapter part (11) includes at least one guide groove (16) complementary to the guide rib (15) and at least one retaining tab (23) complementary to the bridging tab (24).

14. An adapter part for a roof system according to any one of the preceding claims.

Images