Roof rail for vehicle

Abstract

The roof rail is provided on a roof side of the vehicle in a lengthwise direction of the vehicle. The roof rail includes a roof-side outer panel formed with a cross-section protruding outward with respect to the vehicle and a roof-side inner panel formed with a cross-section protruding inward with respect to the vehicle. The upper portion and the lower portion of the roof side inner plate are assembled with the upper portion and the lower portion of the roof side outer plate respectively. The roof panel is removably mounted on the vehicle. When the roof panel is mounted, the roof side outer panel supports the roof panel.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a roof rail for a vehicle that facilitates sealing around an edge of a roof panel of the vehicle with a removable roof panel. Background Art

[0002] Technology has been implemented in vehicles to open the roof of a vehicle to provide a greater sense of openness to the occupants.

[0003] For example, Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, in some vehicle models, an occupant can remove the roof panel 150 of the vehicle 100, allowing the occupant to drive the vehicle 100 with the roof open and experience an enhanced sense of openness. When the occupant manually removes the roof panel 150 of the vehicle 100, only the framework, such as the roof rails 120 and the center cross member 112, remains on the roof of the vehicle 100. With the roof panel 150 removed, the occupant can experience an enhanced sense of openness.

[0004] Additionally, the doors 160 may also be removed in confined driving environments to maximize the feeling of openness.

[0005] In the case of a vehicle having a removable roof panel 150 , the roof rail 120 is manufactured by hot blow molding, and the cross section of the roof rail 120 is formed into a closed section to enhance the rigidity of the roof of the vehicle 100 .

[0006] In the case of a vehicle with a removable roof panel 150, the roof rail 120 is formed with a closed cross-section to ensure a strong appearance and sufficient rigidity when the roof panel 150 is removed. The roof rail 120 is formed with a tubular closed cross-section by hot blow molding. However, it is not easy to install a weather strip (i.e., a weather strip) for sealing the roof rail 120 with a closed cross-section and without any protruding parts on the outside.

[0007] Therefore, in some vehicle models, no sealing strip is applied between the roof rail 120 and the roof panel 150. Instead, only a glass sealing strip is applied to seal the top of the door glass. Without a sealing strip between the roof rail 120 and the roof panel 150, the sealing performance may be impaired when the vehicle is driven with the roof panel 150 reinstalled. Furthermore, external noise may not be effectively blocked.

[0008] To solve this problem, a bracket is additionally mounted on the roof rail 120, and a vehicle body weather strip is mounted on the bracket to seal the space between the roof rail 120 and the roof panel 150. However, the installation of the bracket increases the manufacturing process and component costs.

[0009] Furthermore, even if a vehicle body weather strip is applied using a bracket, sound insulation against noise from the outside is limited. Summary of the Invention

[0010] The present disclosure has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems. An object of the present disclosure is to provide a roof rail for a vehicle, which allows a weather strip to be easily installed on a vehicle having a removable roof panel.

[0011] To achieve the above objectives, a roof rail structure for a vehicle according to the present disclosure is provided. This roof rail is disposed on the roof side of the vehicle along the longitudinal direction of the vehicle and may include a roof side outer panel having a cross-section that projects outward from the vehicle and a roof side inner panel having a cross-section that projects inward from the vehicle. The upper and lower portions of the roof side inner panel are assembled with the upper and lower portions of the roof side outer panel, respectively. The roof panel is removably mounted on the vehicle and, when the roof panel is mounted on the vehicle roof, the roof side outer panel supports the roof panel.

[0012] An outer lower flange may be provided at a lower portion of the roof side outer panel facing the bottom of the vehicle. An inner lower flange may be provided at a lower portion of the roof side inner panel, the inner lower flange extending in the same direction as the outer lower flange. The outer lower flange and the inner lower flange may be assembled together, thereby assembling the lower portions of the roof side outer panel and the roof side inner panel.

[0013] A body weather strip may be assembled on the assembled outer lower flange and inner lower flange to seal the space between the door glass and the roof rail.

[0014] The body weather strip may surround the outer lower flange and the inner lower flange.

[0015] The vehicle body sealing strip can be assembled along the edge of the area where the vehicle door is installed. An upper lip is provided on the outer side of the area where the vehicle body sealing strip is bent into a circular shape to provide support for the vehicle body sealing strip.

[0016] The upper lip may support a lower end of a roof weather strip that seals around an edge of the roof panel.

[0017] The outer lower flange and the inner lower flange may be assembled together by spot welding.

[0018] An outer upper flange may be provided on the upper portion of the roof side outer panel, facing the vehicle. An inner upper flange may be provided on the upper portion of the roof side inner panel, overlapping the outer upper flange. The outer upper flange and the inner upper flange may be assembled together, thereby assembling the upper portions of the roof side outer panel and the roof side inner panel.

[0019] The outer upper flange and the inner upper flange may be provided to extend in opposite directions to each other.

[0020] The bottom surface of the outer upper flange may overlap with the top surface of the inner upper flange, contacting respective surfaces thereof.

[0021] The outer upper flange and the inner upper flange may be assembled together by laser welding.

[0022] The lower portions of the roof side outer panel and the roof side inner panel may be assembled together in a more outward direction relative to the vehicle than the upper portions thereof.

[0023] The roof side outer panels and the roof side inner panels may be manufactured by hot stamping.

[0024] A decorative member may be provided around the roof side inner panel in an inward direction from the roof side inner panel relative to the vehicle.

[0025] The lower end of the garnish may be located further outward relative to the vehicle than the upper end of the garnish.

[0026] An upper surface of the trim member may be located above an area where upper portions of the roof side outer panel and the roof side inner panel are assembled.

[0027] The lower end portion of the garnish may be located in a more inward direction of the vehicle than an inner lower flange that extends toward the bottom of the vehicle at a lower portion of the roof side inner panel.

[0028] An airbag may be provided between the roof side inner panel and the trim.

[0029] According to the vehicle roof rail of the present disclosure having the above-described configuration, the rigidity of the roof rail can be easily improved because the roof side outer panel and the roof side inner panel processed from high-strength steel sheets (such as hot stamped steel) are assembled to form the roof rail.

[0030] Further, the flange may be used to assemble the weather strip for assembling the roof side outer panel and the roof side inner panel, thereby improving sealing performance without requiring an additional component for applying the weather strip. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0031] Figure 1 is a schematic perspective view showing a vehicle having a roof rail for a vehicle according to the related art.

[0032] Figure 2 is a schematic perspective view showing a state in which a roof panel is removed from a vehicle having a roof rail for a vehicle according to the related art.

[0033] Figure 3 is a schematic perspective view showing a vehicle having a roof rail for the vehicle according to the present disclosure.

[0034] Figure 4 It is along Figure 3 Cross-sectional view along line II in FIG.

[0035] Figure 5is a perspective view illustrating a state in which a roof panel is removed from a vehicle having a roof rail for a vehicle according to the present disclosure.

[0036] Figure 6 It is along Figure 5 Cross-sectional view along line II-II.

[0037] Figure 7 is a perspective view showing a structure of an upper side of a vehicle having a roof rail for the vehicle according to the present disclosure.

[0038] Figure 8 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a path through which exterior noise enters a vehicle having a roof rail for a vehicle according to the present disclosure.

[0039] Figure 9 and Figure 10 An enlarged main portion perspective view and a cross-sectional view respectively illustrate a mounting area on a vehicle body weather strip having a roof rail for the vehicle according to the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0040] The following describes in detail a roof rail for a vehicle according to the present disclosure with reference to the accompanying drawings. When a component, device, element, etc. of the present disclosure is described as having a purpose or performing an operation, function, etc., the component, device, or element should be considered herein as being "configured to" satisfy the purpose or perform the operation or function.

[0041] The roof rail for a vehicle according to the present disclosure can be provided on the roof side of vehicle 1 along the longitudinal direction of vehicle 1. Such a roof rail can be provided on each side of the roof. Although only one roof rail may be mentioned below, the description should be understood as including such a roof rail on each side of the roof. The roof rail 20 can include a roof side outer panel 21 and a roof side inner panel 22. The roof side outer panel 21 can be formed with a cross-section that protrudes outward in vehicle 1. The roof side inner panel 22 can be formed with a cross-section that protrudes inward in vehicle 1. The upper and lower portions of the roof side inner panel 22 can be assembled with the upper and lower portions of the roof side outer panel 21, respectively. A roof panel 50 can be removably mounted on vehicle 1. When the roof panel 50 is installed, the roof side outer panel 21 can support the roof panel 50.

[0042] The roof rail 20 according to the present disclosure may be applied to a vehicle 1 in which a roof panel 50 is removably mounted on the vehicle 1 .

[0043] The roof rails 20 may be provided on both side ends of the roof 70 of the vehicle 1 along the longitudinal direction of the vehicle 1 , and support the side ends of the roof panel 50 when the roof panel 50 is mounted.

[0044] A front cross member 11 and roof rails 20 may be arranged around the roof 70 of the vehicle 1, a center cross member 12 may be arranged along the width direction of the vehicle 1, and a roof panel 50 may be supported by the front cross member 11, the roof rails 20, and the center cross member 12. Specifically, the front cross member 11 may support the front end of the roof panel 50, the roof rails 20 may support both side ends of the roof panel 50, and the center cross member 12 may support the middle portion of the roof panel 50. The rear end portion of the roof panel 50 may be supported by the rear pillar 15. The middle portion of the roof rail 20 may be supported by the center pillar 13. The area where the front cross member 11 and the roof rail 20 are connected may be supported by the front pillar 14.

[0045] When the roof panel 50 is removed from the vehicle 1 , the roof rails 20 may be exposed to the outside of the vehicle 1 , defining the appearance of the roof-side end portion of the vehicle 1 .

[0046] The following describes one roof rail 20, but the description is applicable to both left and right roof rails 20. The roof rail 20 according to the present disclosure may include a roof side outer panel 21 formed with a cross-section protruding outward relative to the vehicle 1, and may include a roof side inner panel 22 assembled to the roof side outer panel 21. The roof side outer panel 21 and the roof side inner panel 22 may be assembled together to form a closed cross-section.

[0047] The roof side outer panel 21 may be configured to protrude outward relative to the vehicle 1. The roof side outer panel 21 and the roof side inner panel 22 may be assembled together to form a closed cross section.

[0048] The roof side outer panel 21 and the roof side inner panel 22 can each be manufactured by hot stamping. The roof side outer panel 21 and the roof side inner panel 22 can each be manufactured by hot stamping. The upper and lower parts can then be assembled separately, ensuring the same strength as when the roof rail is manufactured by hot blow molding.

[0049] The lower portion and the upper portion of the roof side outer panel 21 may be respectively provided with an outer lower flange 21 b and an outer upper flange 21 a for assembly with the roof side inner panel 22 .

[0050] The roof side inner panel 22 may be configured to protrude inwardly relative to the vehicle 1. Since the roof side inner panel 22 is configured to protrude inwardly on the vehicle 1, the roof side outer panel 21 and the roof side inner panel 22 may be assembled together to form a closed cross section.

[0051] The lower portion and the upper portion of the roof side inner panel 22 may be further provided with an inner lower flange 22 b and an inner upper flange 22 a , respectively.

[0052] By assembling the roof side outer panel 21 and the roof side inner panel 22 to form the roof rail 20 having a closed cross-section, the roof rail 20 may become a structure defining a side end portion of the roof 70 .

[0053] An outer lower flange 21b may be provided on a lower portion of the roof side outer panel 21, extending toward the bottom of the vehicle 1. An inner lower flange 22b may be provided on a lower portion of the roof side inner panel 22, extending in the same direction as the outer lower flange 21b.

[0054] The outer lower flange 21b and the inner lower flange 22b can be assembled together by welding or other suitable processes, thereby assembling the lower portions of the roof side outer panel 21 and the roof side inner panel 22. In one example, the outer lower flange 21b and the inner lower flange 22b can be assembled together by spot welding. Furthermore, the outer lower flange 21b and the inner lower flange 22b can be exposed at the bottom of the roof rail 20, allowing the vehicle body weather strip 42 to be directly assembled to the assembled outer lower flange 21b and the inner lower flange 22b. The exposure of the outer lower flange 21b and the inner lower flange 22b facilitates spot welding of the two flanges using a welding torch, thereby facilitating easy assembly of the vehicle body weather strip 42 to the assembled flanges.

[0055] When the door glass 61 on the door of vehicle 1 is raised to its maximum height, the vehicle body weather strip 42 seals the space between the roof rail 20 and the top of the inner side of the door glass 61. Conventionally, roof rails are manufactured using hot-blow molding, making it difficult to attach the vehicle body weather strip 42 to them. Therefore, the vehicle body weather strip 42 must be omitted or a bracket for attaching the vehicle body weather strip 42 must be installed. However, the outer lower flange 21b and the inner lower flange 22b can be assembled together at the bottom of the roof rail 20 in an exposed state, allowing the vehicle body weather strip 42 to be directly attached to the assembled outer lower flange 21b, 22b. During assembly, the vehicle body weather strip 42 can wrap around the outer lower flange 21b, 22b. When the vehicle body weather strip 42 is fully assembled, the outer lower flange 21b, 22b may not be visible from the outside of the vehicle 1.

[0056] The upper portions of the roof side outer panel 21 and the roof side inner panel 22 may be assembled with the outer upper flange 21 a and the inner upper flange 22 a , respectively.

[0057] An outer upper flange 21 a may be provided on an upper portion of the roof side outer panel 21 , extending inward relative to the vehicle 1 .

[0058] On the other hand, an inner upper flange 22a may be provided on an upper portion of the roof side inner panel 22 so as to overlap with the outer upper flange 21a.

[0059] By assembling the outer upper flange 21 a and the inner upper flange 22 a in an overlapping state, the upper portions of the roof side outer panel 21 and the roof side inner panel 22 can be assembled.

[0060] In this case, the inner upper flange 22a may be provided to extend in the opposite direction to the outer upper flange 21a. When the outer upper flange 21a extends inward in the vehicle 1, the inner upper flange 22a may extend outward in the vehicle 1.

[0061] Furthermore, the bottom surface of the outer upper flange 21 a may overlap with the top surface of the inner upper flange 22 a so as to be in contact with the corresponding surfaces, that is, such that their corresponding surfaces are in contact with each other.

[0062] Therefore, the outer upper flange 21a and the inner upper flange 22a can be assembled together in a direction that does not cause collision.

[0063] The outer upper flange 21a and the inner upper flange 22a can be assembled by welding (such as laser welding) to ensure that the weld joint is not exposed to the outside of the vehicle 1. Due to the low heat generated, laser welding can minimize deformation of the weld joint, which can facilitate the assembly of the outer upper flange 21a and the inner upper flange 22a that overlap when facing opposite directions. Specifically, laser welding using steel filler wire can facilitate better gap tolerance, weld strength, and appearance quality.

[0064] The roof side outer panel 21 and the roof side inner panel 22 may be formed so that lower portions thereof are assembled in more outward positions relative to the vehicle 1 rather than upper portions thereof.

[0065] In other words, the outer lower flange 21b on the roof side outer panel 21 may be located further outward on the vehicle 1 than the outer upper flange 21a. Similarly, the inner lower flange 22b on the roof side inner panel 22 may be located further outward on the vehicle 1 than the inner upper flange 22a.

[0066] The garnish 31 may be provided around the roof side inner panel 22 , facing inward from the roof side inner panel 22 relative to the vehicle 1 .

[0067] The trim member 31 may surround the roof side inner panel 22 and define the interior appearance of the roof rail 20 .

[0068] The trim member 31 may be located above the assembly area of the outer upper flange 21 a and the inner upper flange 22 a , thereby ensuring that the assembled upper portion of the roof side outer panel 21 and the roof side inner panel 22 may not be exposed to the outside of the vehicle 1 .

[0069] The lower end of the garnish 31 may be located further inward than the inner lower flange 22b on the vehicle 1. In addition, as described above, the assembled lower portion of the roof side outer panel 21 and the roof side inner panel 22 may be exposed to the outside of the vehicle 1, thereby allowing the vehicle body weather strip 42 to be assembled.

[0070] The lower end of the garnish 31 may be located further outward on the vehicle 1 than the upper end of the garnish 31 . This may be because the lower portion of the roof side inner panel 22 is also located further outward on the vehicle 1 than the upper portion of the roof side inner panel 22 .

[0071] When the roof panel 50 is removed, the appearance of the roof rail 20 may be defined by the roof side outer panel 21 .

[0072] An airbag 32 may be provided between the roof side inner panel 22 and the trim 31. The airbag 32, which is deployed during a side collision, may be provided in the space between the roof side inner panel 22 and the trim 31 to protect an occupant in a collision accident.

[0073] The roof panel 50 may be removable. When the roof panel 50 is installed, the glass weather strip 43 may be fitted onto the weather strip retainer 51 provided on the side end of the roof panel 50, ensuring that the glass weather strip 43 seals against the top of the door glass 61. The upper inner side of the door glass 61 may also be sealed against the vehicle body weather strip 42.

[0074] When the roof panel 50 is installed, the space between the roof rail 20 and the roof panel 50 can be doubly sealed by the glass weather strip 43 and the body weather strip 42, thereby significantly reducing wind noise caused by airflow between the roof panel 50 and the roof rail 20 when the vehicle 1 is traveling. Figure 8 43 and then bypass the vehicle body seal strip 42. Figure 8 The length of the path will increase, resulting in a better sound insulation structure.

[0075] When the roof panel 50 is removed, the upper inner surface of the door glass 61 may contact the vehicle body weather strip 42 , thereby sealing the space between the roof rail 20 and the top of the door glass 61 , thereby supporting the top of the door glass 61 .

[0076] When the roof panel 50 is installed on the roof, the roof panel 50 may also be sealed by the roof weather strip 41 assembled on the front cross member 11 and the center cross member 12. In this case, an upper lip 44 may be provided to support the roof weather strip 41.

[0077] The upper lip 44 may be installed on the outer side of the area where the body weather strip 42 is bent into a circular shape to provide support for the body weather strip 42. The upper lip 44 may support the rear surface of the bent portion of the body weather strip 42, which is fitted along the edge of the installation area of the door 60, and also support the roof weather strip 41 to prevent the roof weather strip 41 from sagging.

Claims

1. A roof rail, wherein: The roof rail is arranged on the roof side of the vehicle along the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. The roof rails include: a roof side outer panel formed with a cross section protruding outward relative to the vehicle; and a roof side inner panel formed with a cross section protruding inwardly relative to the vehicle, The upper and lower portions of the roof side inner panel are assembled with the upper and lower portions of the roof side outer panel, respectively. A roof panel is removably mounted on the vehicle, and the roof side outer panels support the roof panel when the roof panel is mounted on the roof of the vehicle.

2. The roof rail according to claim 1, wherein: An outer lower flange is provided at a lower portion of the roof side outer panel facing the bottom of the vehicle. An inner lower flange is provided at the lower portion of the roof side inner panel in the same extending direction as the outer lower flange. The outer lower flange and the inner lower flange are assembled together, so that the lower portions of the roof side outer panel and the roof side inner panel are assembled together.

3. The roof rail according to claim 2, wherein: A vehicle body weather strip is assembled on the assembled outer lower flange and inner lower flange to seal the space between the door glass and the roof rail.

4. The roof rail according to claim 3, wherein: The vehicle body weather strip surrounds the outer lower flange and the inner lower flange.

5. The roof rail according to claim 3, wherein: The vehicle body sealing strip is installed along the edge of the area where the vehicle door is installed. An upper lip is provided on the outer side of the area where the vehicle body sealing strip is bent into a circular shape to provide support for the vehicle body sealing strip.

6. The roof rail according to claim 5, wherein: The upper lip supports a lower end portion of a roof weather strip that seals around an edge of the roof panel.

7. The roof rail according to claim 2, wherein: The outer lower flange and the inner lower flange are spot welded together.

8. The roof rail according to claim 1, wherein An outer upper flange is provided on an upper portion of the roof side outer panel facing inward relative to the vehicle. An inner upper flange is provided on the upper portion of the roof side inner panel overlapping with the outer upper flange. The outer upper flange and the inner upper flange are assembled together, so that the upper portions of the roof side outer panel and the roof side inner panel are assembled together.

9. The roof rail according to claim 8, wherein: The outer upper flange and the inner upper flange extend in opposite directions to each other.

10. The roof rail according to claim 8, wherein A bottom surface of the outer upper flange overlaps a top surface of the inner upper flange, wherein the bottom surface and the top surface are in contact with each other.

11. The roof rail according to claim 8, wherein The outer upper flange and the inner upper flange are laser welded together.

12. The roof rail according to claim 1, wherein The lower portions of the roof side outer panel and the roof side inner panel are assembled at positions further outward relative to the vehicle than the upper portions of the roof side outer panel and the roof side inner panel.

13. The roof rail according to claim 1, wherein The roof side outer panel and the roof side inner panel are hot stamped.

14. The roof rail according to claim 1, wherein A trim member is provided in an inward direction from the roof side inner panel relative to the vehicle so as to surround the roof side inner panel.

15. The roof rail according to claim 14, wherein A lower end portion of the garnish is located further outward relative to the vehicle than an upper end portion of the garnish.

16. The roof rail according to claim 14, wherein An upper surface of the garnish is located above a region where the upper portions of the roof side outer panel and the roof side inner panel are assembled.

17. The roof rail according to claim 14, wherein: A lower end portion of the garnish is located further inward relative to the vehicle than an inner lower flange that extends toward a bottom of the vehicle at the lower portion of the roof side inner panel.

18. The roof rail according to claim 14, wherein An airbag is provided between the roof side inner panel and the decorative member.

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