Roof structure for a motor vehicle

Abstract

The following are provided: a front roof 6, a rear roof 7 and a glass unit 9 with a rear window glass 8, a rear roof support member R0 which supports the rear roof 7 openably on a vehicle body, a front roof support member mechanism F0 which apparently supports the front roof 6, wherein the front roof support member mechanism F0 is connected to the rear roof support member R0 such that the closed states of both the front roof 6 and the rear roof 7 are achieved by means of the rear roof support member R0 and the front roof support member mechanism F0, and a glass unit support member mechanism U0 which is connected to the rear roof support member R0 and is configured to support the glass unit 9 in a closed position.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a roof structure for a motor vehicle comprising a front roof, a rear roof and a glass unit with a rear window glass.

[0002] Traditionally, a structure disclosed in U.S. patent application US 2010 / 0 283 286 A1 is known as the motor vehicle roof structure described above. That is to say, this is the motor vehicle roof structure comprising roof elements including a front roof and a rear roof, the latter fitted with a rear roof and a rear window glass, and a linkage mechanism configured to change the position of the roof elements between the use position (a closed roof position) and the stowed position (an open roof position), the rear roof being pivotably connected to the front roof and a vehicle body side link to serve as a first link of a four-bar link comprising first and second links.

[0003] Since the front roof, the rear roof and the glass unit can be closed simultaneously, the rear window glass does not become unstable in the conventional structure of the patent document described above, and therefore there are no problems with the conventional structure itself.

[0004] However, a structure can be considered in which the glass unit containing the rear window glass and the rear roof are connected by a link, and the front roof is connected to the rear roof via a linkage mechanism. In this case, the glass unit is required to be in a substantially rigid state when the front roof is closed. If the glass unit is not in a substantially rigid state when the front roof is closed, it may become unstable, and the front roof may also become unstable due to the load of the glass unit.

[0005] Therefore, in a structure where the glass unit containing the rear window glass and the rear roof are connected by a link, and the front roof is connected to the rear roof via a link mechanism, it can be difficult to achieve layout flexibility and link design flexibility in a compatible way.

[0006] US Patent 2010 / 0283286A1 describes a retractable roof comprising a roof element that includes a front roof section, a rear roof section, and a linkage mechanism for alternately linking the position of the roof element between a working position and a storage position. The rear roof panel is pivotally connected to the front roof panel and a body side panel to function as the first link of a four-bar linkage consisting of the first link and a second link.

[0007] DE 10 2008 030 240 A1 describes a roof comprising a roof frame, the set of frame sections of which is formed on a set of guides of a push rod. One of the frame sections is connected to another frame section in a closed state of the roof with respect to a direction of travel, and a front side window and a rear side window are provided on one side of the vehicle.

[0008] DE 699 16 788 T2 describes a roof extending between the upper edge of the windshield and the upper edge of an upwardly extended roll bar. The roof consists of two parts, the first part being located near the roll bar and connected to the side of the vehicle by two articulated arms. These arms can be moved between an upwardly directed position, in which the first part of the roof is located in front of the roll bar, and a rearwardly inclined position, in which the arms and the first part of the roof are located in the rear trunk.

[0009] US Patent 3,575,464 A describes a motor vehicle body with a three-piece hardtop roof. The two front sections can be moved into a storage position in the rear storage area of ​​the passenger compartment, forming an open sunroof.

[0010] It is an object of the present invention to provide a roof structure of a motor vehicle comprising the front roof, the rear roof and the glass unit with the rear window glass, which can easily stabilize the respective closed states of the front and rear roof and the glass unit and can also integrally move the front and rear roof and the glass unit by means of the link and the link mechanism.

[0011] This problem is solved by the features of the independent claims. Preferred embodiments of the present invention are the subject of the dependent claims.

[0012] The present invention is a roof structure for a motor vehicle, comprising a front roof, a rear roof, and a glass unit with a rear window glass, each configured to openably cover a portion of an upper side of a cabin or interior; a rear roof support or carrier member that openably supports or carries the rear roof on a vehicle body; a front roof support or carrier member mechanism that openably supports or carries the front roof, wherein the front roof support member mechanism is connected to the rear roof support member such that the closed states of both the front roof and the rear roof are achieved by means of the rear roof support member and the front roof support member mechanism; and a glass unit support or carrier member.-Support link mechanism pivotally connected to the rear roof support link and configured to support or carry the glass unit in a closed position. The front roof support link mechanism comprises an intermediate pivot link, wherein the intermediate pivot link and the glass unit support link mechanism are connected by a connecting link, and wherein the intermediate pivot link comprises at least three pins.

[0013] Since the closed states of both the front roof and the rear roof are achieved by means of the rear roof support member and the front roof support member mechanism in the structure in which the roofs are opened or closed by simultaneously moving three elements – front roof, rear roof and glass unit – according to the present invention, respective closed states of the front roof and the rear roof can be stabilized, and furthermore, the three elements – front roof, rear roof and glass unit – can be moved integrally by means of the rear roof support member, the front roof support member mechanism and the glass unit support member mechanism.

[0014] In one embodiment of the present invention, a tonneau cover or rear cover, configured to cover part of the upper side of the cabin and having an opening for the glass unit, is provided behind the rear roof, being spaced apart from the rear roof, wherein the rear cover can be opened to a non-interference position where the rear cover does not intersect the front roof and / or the rear roof while the front roof and / or the rear roof are open or closed, and the glass unit support mechanism is configured to close the above-described opening of the rear cover with the glass unit when the front roof and the rear roof are closed and the rear cover covers part of the upper side of the cabin.

[0015] A tonneau cover or rear cover, where an opening for the glass unit is formed, is provided behind the rear roof, being spaced from the rear roof, wherein the rear cover is openable to a non-interference position where the rear cover does not intersect the front roof and / or the rear roof while the front roof and / or the rear roof are open or closed, and the glass unit support link mechanism is configured to cover the opening formed on the rear cover with the glass unit when the front roof and the rear roof are closed.

[0016] While the glass unit may be unstable at the moment immediately before the front and rear roofs are closed, because the glass unit is spaced rearward from a rear section of the rear roof, according to this embodiment, the opening described above is closed by the glass unit when the front and rear roofs are closed, thus providing the stable state. Accordingly, this embodiment is particularly effective in a case where it is necessary to move the front roof forward into a position where the front roof is fully closed, for example, when a hook provided at a front end of the front roof engages a latch or catch provided on a side of the vehicle body (see a front head section) or the like.

[0017] In another embodiment of the present invention, the connecting element is configured such that a component force is applied in a direction substantially perpendicular to a direction of rotation of the intermediate rotary element.

[0018] Since any unwanted rotation of the intermediate rotating member by the load of the glass unit acting on the intermediate rotating member is prevented by means of the glass unit support member mechanism and the connecting member due to the connection structure of the connecting member to the intermediate rotating member, according to this embodiment the glass unit can be moved by utilizing the movement of the front roof support member mechanism, thereby preventing any inappropriate load influence from the glass unit.

[0019] In another embodiment of the present invention, the glass unit support member mechanism is supported or carried in a suspended manner on an upper rear section of the rear roof support member.

[0020] According to this embodiment, the load influence of the glass unit on the front roof support link mechanism is reduced so that the opening / closing movement of the front roof can be stabilized.

[0021] According to another aspect, a procedure for providing an openable roof for a vehicle is provided, comprising the following steps: Providing a front roof, a rear roof and a glass unit with a rear window glass, each configured to openably cover a portion of the upper side of a cabin or interior space; Openable support or carrying of the rear roof on a vehicle body by means of a rear roof support or carrier element; Connecting the front roof support or beam mechanism to the rear roof beam such that closed states of both the front roof and the rear roof are achieved by means of the rear roof beam and the front roof beam mechanism (FO); and Connecting a glass unit support or support mechanism to the rear roof support such that the glass unit support mechanism supports or carries the glass unit in a closed position.

[0022] Preferably, the method further comprises the step of providing a convertible top or rear cover configured to cover part of the upper side of the cabin and having an opening for the glass unit behind the rear roof. wherein the rear cover can be opened to a non-interference position where the rear cover does not intersect the front roof and / or the rear roof while the front roof and / or the rear roof are open or closed, and / or wherein the glass unit support link mechanism is formed to cover the above-described opening of the rear cover with the glass unit when the front roof and the rear roof are closed and the rear cover covers the portion of the upper side of the cabin.

[0023] According to yet another aspect, a vehicle with a roof structure as described above will be provided.

[0024] Other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become clear from the following description, which refers to the accompanying drawings. Fig. Figure 1 is a side view of a motor vehicle equipped with a roof structure of the present invention. Fig. Figure 2 is a side view showing a locking structure of a roof. Fig. Figure 3 is a side view of the roof structure of the motor vehicle when viewed from the inside, in a vehicle width direction, of the vehicle. Fig. Figure 4 is an expanded view of a main part of Fig. 3. Fig. Figure 5 is a side view showing a support or carrier structure of a rear cover. Fig. 6 is a schematic diagram that schematically shows a structure where the in Fig. 3. The roof shown is completely closed. Fig. Figure 7 is a schematic diagram of the roof structure, showing the roof in a half-open position. Fig. Figure 8 is a schematic diagram of the roof structure, showing the roof in the half-open position. Fig. Figure 9 is a schematic diagram of the roof structure, showing the roof in the half-open position. Fig. Figure 10 is a schematic diagram of the roof structure, showing the roof in the half-open position. Fig. Figure 11 is a schematic diagram of the roof structure, showing the roof in a position immediately before it was stowed away. Fig. Figure 12 is a schematic diagram of the roof structure, showing the roof's position when stowed away.

[0025] One embodiment of the present invention is described with particular reference to the drawings. The drawings show a roof structure of a motor vehicle, and Fig. Figure 1 is a side view of a motor vehicle, showing the vehicle's roof structure. Fig. 1 is a pair of right and left front columns 1, 1 (only the front column of the right side is shown in the figures) provided, and a front head section 2, which connects the respective upper end sections of the pair of right and left front columns 1, 1, is provided.

[0026] A front window glass 3 is attached to a section enclosed by the pair of right and left front pillars 1, 1 and the front head section 2 described above. A cabin or interior 5 is provided behind the front pillar 1 such that it is continuous to right and left door opening sections 4 for passenger entry / exit (only one door opening section on the right side is shown in the figures). An upper side of the cabin 5 is openable with a front roof 6, a rear roof 7, a glass unit 9 with rear window glass 8, and a convertible top or rear cover 10 with an opening (see section 10a in the figure). Fig. (designated 3) is covered. Furthermore, a roof storage section 11, where the front roof 6, the rear roof 7 and the glass unit 9 are stowed, is provided behind the cabin 5 on the vehicle body side.

[0027] Fig. Figure 2 is a side view schematically showing a locking structure of the roof (specifically the front roof 6) for the front head section 2. The front head section 2 comprises an outer head section panel 2a and an inner head section panel 2b, which are rigidly connected to each other, and has a closed head section cross-section 2c extending in one direction across the width of the vehicle. A latch 12 with a downward-shaped recess is attached to a lower section of the inner head section panel 2b. Furthermore, the front roof 6 comprises an upper roof panel 6a and an inner roof panel 6b, which are integrally formed by seam processing, and a locking device unit 13 is attached to a lower section of the inner roof panel 6b.

[0028] The locking device unit 13 comprises a working gear 15 which engages with a transmission shaft 14 which is driven forward / backward by a motor (not shown), a crank 17 which is attached to the working gear 15 via a pin 16, a connecting element 19 which is attached to a front end section of the crank 17 via a pin 18, a hook 21 which is connected to the connecting element 19 via a pin 20, and a guide groove 23 which guides a guide pin 22 which is provided to protrude from the hook 21.

[0029] When the front roof 6 is closed, the crank 17 moves forward, the guide pin 22 lowers along the guide groove 23, and a front section of the hook 21 is moved downwards, as indicated by an imaginary line (dashed two-dot line) in Fig. 2 is shown, and then the crank 17 moves backwards, so that the guide pin 22 is raised along the guide groove 22 and causes a front section of the hook 21 to engage with the latch 12, as shown by a solid line in Fig. 2 is shown. This locks the front roof 6 to the front head section 2 of a vehicle body side element.

[0030] Fig. Figure 3 is a side view of the roof structure of the motor vehicle when viewed from the inside, in the vehicle width direction, of the vehicle, and Fig. Figure 4 is an expanded view of a main part of Fig. 3. As it is in Fig. As shown in Figure 3, a front roof support bracket 24 (hereinafter simply referred to as the bracket 24) is attached to a lower section of the inner roof panel 6b of the front roof 6. Furthermore, the rear roof 7 described above comprises an upper roof panel 7a and an inner roof panel 7b, which are integrally formed.

[0031] The glass unit 9 described above comprises a front panel 9a and a rear panel 9b, which are frame members. As shown in Fig. As shown in Figure 3, the rear window glass 8 is attached to a rear surface of the rear panel 9b using an adhesive, and a unit support or carrier bracket 25 (hereinafter simply referred to as the bracket 25) is attached to the center of a front surface of the front panel 9a using an attachment element, such as a clip. The rear cover 10 described above is positioned behind the rear roof 7 and has an opening 10a for the glass unit 9. That is to say, the glass unit 9 is positioned such that it is spaced rearward from a rear section of the rear roof 7.

[0032] As it is in Fig. 3 and Fig. As shown in Figure 4, a rear roof support member R0 is provided on the vehicle body for the opening support of the rear roof 7. This rear roof support member R0 comprises a member (longitudinal member) R1 (drive member) extending substantially in a longitudinal direction along the vehicle, and a member (vertical member) R2 extending substantially in a vertical direction along the vehicle, which are integrally connected in an approximately T-shape in the vehicle side view. A working gear 26 is integrally formed on a lower section of the rear roof support member R0, and a shaft 27 (a drive member base end shaft) positioned on a lower section of the vertical member R2 is pivotably mounted on a body side section 28 of the vehicle body side element via a bracket 29.Furthermore, a drive gear 31 is attached to the superstructure side section 28 via a transmission shaft 30, and the drive gear 31 engages with the working gear 26. The drive gear 31 is driven forwards / backwards by a motor (not shown).

[0033] As it is in Fig. As shown in Figure 3, the longitudinal member R1 of the rear roof support member R0 extends substantially in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle from a position corresponding to the rear roof 7, and an attachment section 32 is integrally formed on a section of the longitudinal member R1 corresponding to the rear roof 7. This attachment section 32 is attached to a lower section of the inner roof panel 7b using an attachment element 33, such as a bolt. A front end section of the longitudinal member R1 described above is pivotally mounted on a front section of the bracket 24 via a pin 34.

[0034] As it is in Fig. 3 and Fig. As shown in Figure 4, a front roof support or girder mechanism F0 is provided for opening and supporting the front roof 6. This front roof girder mechanism F0 is connected to the rear roof girder R0.

[0035] As it is in Fig. As shown in Figure 4, the front roof support link mechanism F0 described above comprises a first link F1 (a first control link) extending substantially in the vertical direction, a second link F2 (a second control link) formed in an approximately triangular shape, and a third link F3 (a front roof panel control link) extending substantially in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle.

[0036] As it is in Fig. As shown in Figure 3, a lower section of the first link F1 described above is pivotably connected to a superstructure side section 28 at a position located above and below the transmission shaft 30 via a shaft 35 (base end shaft), and an upper section of the first link F1 is pivotably connected to a lower vertex of three vertices of the second link F2 via a pin 36.

[0037] A rear section of the third link F3 is pivotably connected to a rear vertex of three vertices of the second link F2 via a pin 37, and a front section of the third link F3 is pivotally connected to a rear section of the bracket via a pin 38.

[0038] Furthermore, an upper vertex, which is the remainder of the three vertices of the second member F2, is pivotably connected to an upper section of the vertical member R2 via a pin 38 (apex axis). The respective closed roof states (so-called fully closed states) of the front roof 6 and the rear roof 7 are maintained by both the rear roof support member R0 and the front roof support member mechanism F0, as shown in Fig. 3 is shown.

[0039] As further explained in Fig. 3 and Fig. As shown in Figure 4, a glass unit support or support mechanism U0 is provided, which is connected to the rear roof support member R0 and supports the glass unit 9 in a closed position (a position where the opening 10a is closed). This glass unit support mechanism U0 is configured to close the opening 10a described above through the glass unit 9 when the front roof 6 and the rear roof 7 are closed, as shown in Figure 4. Fig. 3 is shown.

[0040] As it is in Fig. As shown in Figure 3, the glass unit support member mechanism U0 described above is supported or carried in a suspended manner on a rear section of the longitudinal member R1 of the rear roof support member R0, in other words on a top rear section of the rear roof support member R0.

[0041] This means that the glass unit support mechanism U0 comprises, as described in Fig. 3 and Fig. As shown in Figure 4, a front link U1, positioned essentially at the front, and a rear link U2, positioned essentially at the rear, are connected. An upper end section of the front link U1 is pivotally connected to a rear section of the longitudinal link R1 via a pin 40, and a lower end section of the front link U1 is pivotally connected directly above the bracket 25 via a pin 41. Furthermore, an upper end section of the rear link U2 is pivotally connected to a rear section of the longitudinal link R1 via a pin 42, and a lower end section of the rear link U2 is pivotally connected directly below the bracket 25 via a pin 43. The front link U1, the rear link U2, the pins 40-43, a section of the longitudinal link R1, and a section of the bracket 25 constitute a four-bar link.

[0042] The front-roof support link mechanism F0 described above includes the second link F2 as an intermediate rotating link, and a connecting link C1, which connects the second link F2 and the front link U1 of the glass unit support link mechanism U0, is provided. The connecting link C1 is configured to apply a component force in a direction substantially perpendicular to a direction of rotation of the second link F2 (in a direction that does not rotate the second link F2).

[0043] This means that a rear end section of the connecting member C1 is pivotably connected to a central section, in the vertical direction, of the front member U1 via a pin 44, and a front end section of the connecting member C1 is pivotally connected to a section of the second member F2, which is located near the pin 36, via a pin 45, such that a downward extension line connecting the pins 44, 45 passes through or near the pin 36.

[0044] Thus, any unwanted rotation of the second link F2 by a load of the glass unit 9 acting on the second link F2 is prevented by means of the glass unit support link mechanism U0 and the connecting link C1 due to the connection structure of the connecting link C1 to the second link F2, so that the glass unit 9 is moved by utilizing the movement of the front roof support link mechanism F0, thereby preventing any inappropriate load influence on the glass unit 9.

[0045] The relationships between the glass unit support link mechanism U0 and the glass unit 9 are defined as follows. That is, the center of gravity of the glass unit 9 is positioned behind the rear link U2 of the glass unit support link mechanism U0, and the pin 41 is positioned in front of and above the pin 43, so that a stress derived from the load of the glass unit 9 acts in a pulling direction of the front link U1, thereby reducing the load on the connecting link C1 and the second link F2 (see Fig. 3). < Rear roof control 7 >

[0046] An opening / closing operation of the rear roof 7 is directly controlled by the rear roof support member R0, where the longitudinal member R1 and the vertical member R2 are integrally formed (see Fig. 6 - 12). < Front roof control 6 >

[0047] An opening / closing operation of the front roof 6 is controlled by a first four-bar link comprising the shaft 27 (the drive link base end shaft), the pin 39 (front end axle) of the second link F2, the pin 36 and the shaft 35 (base end shaft) of the first link F1, in which the pin 36 is positioned at the front relative to a line L1 connecting the shaft 35 and the pin 39, and the respective shafts 27, 35 are attached to the vehicle body, and a second four-bar link comprising the pin 34 provided at a tip of the longitudinal link R1 and the shaft 27, the pin 38 provided at a tip of the third link F3, and the pin 37 provided at a rear end of the second link F2, in which the pin 38 is positioned via a line L2 connecting the pins 37, 34 connects.

[0048] When the longitudinal link R1 leans backwards for stowage, in particular the pin 39 approaches the shaft 35 and the pin 36 rotates forwards relative to the pin 39 in the first four-bar link (see Fig. 7) A pin (shaft) distance is set such that when pin 36 rotates forward, pin 37 of the second four-bar link rotates forward relative to pin 39, pin 34 moves closer to pin 37, and pin 38 rotates upward relative to pin 34. This causes the front roof 6 to move backward approximately parallel to itself, approaching a horizontal position in its closed position (see Fig. 6) and its storage position (see Fig. 12). < Control of glass unit 9 >

[0049] An opening / closing operation of the glass unit 9 is controlled by the first four-bar link described above, a third four-bar link comprising the front link U1 and the rear link U2 (parallel link), which are supported and spaced apart from each other on the rear section of the longitudinal link R1, and the connecting link C1, which connects the front link U1 and the second link F2, which constitutes the parallel link. When the longitudinal link R1 leans backward for stowage, in particular the pin 39 approaches the shaft 35 and the pin 36 moves forward in the first four-bar link (see Fig. 7).

[0050] When the pin 36 rotates forward relative to the pin 39, the lateral link (see links U1, U2) is pulled forward relative to the longitudinal link R1 via the connecting link C1, and the glass unit 9 is pulled slightly forward relative to the longitudinal link R1 like a pendulum swing or deflection and leans forward so that the rear roof 7 covers the glass unit 9 (see Fig. 9) After the forward movement of the pin 45 of the connecting link C1 of the second link F2 slows down, the rear roof 7 and the glass unit 9 swing integrally from bottom to front around the shaft 27, thereby turning them over (see Fig. 10, Fig. 11 and Fig. 12).

[0051] The closing process of the roof is achieved by the drive in the reverse direction of the opening process. The front roof 6 is moved stably to the closed position by the first four-bar link and the second four-bar link (see Fig. 6), and the glass unit 9 is moved in accordance with the movement of the front roof 6.

[0052] Even in the case of the storage-type roof, where the glass unit 9 is provided separately from the rear roof 7 and is unstable according to its configuration until the glass unit 9 has completely closed the opening 10a, the present structure is configured in such a way as to prevent any influence of disturbances, such as a oscillation of the glass unit 9, on the positioning accuracy for the front roof 6.

[0053] Fig. Figure 5 is a side view showing a support or carrier structure of the rear cover 10 as viewed from inside the vehicle. As shown in Fig. As shown in Figure 5, the rear cover 10 comprises an upper plate 10b and a lower plate 10c, which together form a frame structure, and includes the opening 10a for the glass unit 9 as described above. Furthermore, the rear cover 10 has a rear cover support bracket 50 (hereinafter simply referred to as the bracket 50) on its lower section.

[0054] Furthermore, two basic end shafts 51, 52 are provided on the superstructure side section 28, which are spaced apart from each other in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, and links 53, 54, which represent a parallel link, are each attached to the basic end shafts 51, 52.

[0055] A front end section of link 53, which is a drive side, is pivotally connected directly below the bracket 50 via a pin 55, and a front end section of link 54, which is an output side, is pivotally connected to a lower section of the center, in the longitudinal direction, of the bracket 50 via a pin 56. The base end shaft 51 described above is driven forwards / backwards by a special drive motor for the rear cover 10, which is different from the roof-side drive motor.

[0056] When the drive motor rotates forward, the respective links 53, 54 of the parallel link rotate in an ascending direction (a clockwise direction). Fig. 5) to lift the rear cover 10 upwards and backwards, as indicated by an imaginary line in Fig. 5 is shown, namely via the bracket 50, so that the rear cover 10 is opened to a non-interference position where the rear cover 10 does not intersect the front roof 6 or the rear roof 7 when the roofs 6, 7 are opened or closed.

[0057] Fig. Figures 6-12 are schematic diagrams that schematically show the positions of the roof from the fully closed position to the fully open position in sequence. Fig. 6 is the schematic diagram that schematically shows a structure in which the in Fig. 3. The roof shown is completely closed. Fig. Figure 7 is the schematic diagram of the roof structure, where the roof is in a semi-open position. Fig. Figure 8 is the schematic diagram of the roof structure, where the roof is in the semi-open position (a roof opening angle of approximately 50 degrees). Fig. Figure 9 is the schematic diagram of the roof structure, where the roof is in the semi-open position (roof opening angle of approximately 70 degrees). Fig. Figure 10 is the schematic diagram of the roof structure, where the roof is in the semi-open position (roof opening angle of approximately 100 degrees). Fig. Figure 11 is the schematic diagram of the roof structure, where the roof is in a position immediately before it was stowed (roof opening angle of approximately 130 degrees), and Fig. Figure 12 is a schematic diagram of the roof structure, showing the roof's position when stowed (roof opening angle of approximately 137 degrees). The roof opening angle figures (orders of magnitude) described above are merely examples, and the actual roof opening angle should not be limited to these figures (orders of magnitude). Fig. 6 - 12 a line which connects the wave 27 and the pin 34, shown by a dashed line α, and a line which connects the pin 39 and the dashed line α perpendicularly, shown by a dashed line β.

[0058] In a case where the front roof 6, the rear roof 7, the glass unit 9 and the rear cover 10, which are in the fully closed roof state in Fig. 3 and Fig. 6 are positioned and stored in the fully open state (complete storage state), as described in Fig. As shown in Figure 12, the rear cover is raised to the non-collision position, which is defined by the imaginary line in Fig. 5 is shown where the rear cover 10 does not meet the roofs 6, 7 by means of the links 53, 54, as shown in Fig. 5 is shown.

[0059] When the rear roof support member R0 is caused to move out of the in Fig. 3 and Fig. In the state shown in Figure 6, to lean backwards, the pin 39 approaches the shaft 35 described above, the distance between the two 39 and 35 is reduced, the pin 37 rotates around the pin 39, and the third link F3 is pushed upwards. This moves the front roof 6 backwards, thus preventing it from leaning backwards, compared to the rear roof support member R0 (see Figure 6). Fig. 7).

[0060] When the rear roof support member R0 is rotated further rearward, the front roof 6, the rear roof 7, and the glass unit 9 are all stowed in the roof storage section 11, as shown in Fig. 1 is shown, where they are in Fig. 8 - 11 shown states of the one in Fig. The process is completed from the state shown in section 7. In this case, the rear roof 7 and the glass unit 9 are flipped from the fully closed roof state (see section 7). Fig. 6), but the front roof 6 is not reversed and covers the rear roof 7 and the glass unit 9, which have been stowed away. In the figures, an arrow Fr indicates the front of the vehicle, an arrow Re indicates the rear of the vehicle, and an arrow UP indicates the top or upward side of the vehicle.

[0061] The roof structure of the motor vehicle, as described above, comprises the front roof 6, the rear roof 7, the glass unit 9 with the rear window glass 8, the rear roof support member R0, which supports or carries the rear roof 7 openably on the vehicle body, the front roof support member mechanism F0, which apparently supports or carries the front roof 6, wherein the front roof support member mechanism F0 is connected to the rear roof support member R0 such that the closed states of both the front roof 6 and the rear roof 7 are achieved by means of the rear roof support member R0 and the front roof support member mechanism F0, and the glass unit support member mechanism U0, which is connected to the rear roof support member R0 and is configured to support or carry the glass unit 9 in the closed position (see Fig. 3).

[0062] Since the closed states of the front roof 6 and the rear roof 7 are achieved by means of the rear roof support member R0 and the front roof support member mechanism F0 in the structure in which the roofs are opened or closed by simultaneously moving the three elements front roof 6, rear roof 7 and glass unit 9, according to the present structure, respective closed states of the front roof 6 and the rear roof 7 can be stabilized and, in addition, the three elements front roof 6, rear roof 7 and glass unit 9 can be moved integrally by means of the rear roof support member R0, the front roof support member mechanism F0 and the glass unit support member mechanism U0.Since the position of the front roof 6 can be controlled, the opening / closing of the front roof 6 can also be carried out in a compact manner by maintaining its position horizontally or holding its position, which can properly reduce wind resistance.

[0063] In the embodiment of the present invention, the rear cover 10, which is configured to cover part of the upper side of the cabin 5 and which has the opening 10a for the glass unit 9, is further provided behind the rear roof 7, being spaced apart from the rear roof 7, wherein the rear cover 10 is openable to the non-interference position where the rear cover 10 does not intersect the front roof 6 or the rear roof 7 while the front roof 6 or the rear roof 7 is open or closed, and the glass unit support mechanism U0 is configured to close the opening 10a formed in the rear cover 10 by the glass unit 9 when the front roof 6 and the rear roof 7 are closed and the rear cover 10 covers part of the cabin 5 (see Fig. 3 and Fig. 5).

[0064] While the glass unit 9 may be unstable at a moment immediately before the front roof 6 and the rear roof 7 are closed, because the glass unit 9 is spaced aft from a rear section of the rear roof 7, according to this structure, the opening 10a described above is closed by the glass unit 9 when the front roof 6 and the rear roof 7 are closed, thus providing the properly stable state. Accordingly, this structure is particularly effective in a case where it is necessary to move the front roof 6 forward into a position where the front roof 6 is fully closed, for example, when the hook 21, which is provided at the front end of the front roof 6, engages the latch or catch 12, which is located on the vehicle body side (see the in Fig. 2 front head section shown 2) or the like is provided.

[0065] In the embodiment of the present invention, the front-roof support member mechanism R0 comprises the intermediate rotating member (see the second member F2), and the connecting member C1, which connects the intermediate rotating member (the second member F2) and the glass unit support member mechanism U0, is provided, wherein the connecting member C1 is configured such that a component force is applied in a direction substantially perpendicular to the direction of rotation of the intermediate rotating member (the second member F2) (see Fig. 3).

[0066] Since any unwanted rotation of the intermediate pivot (the second pivot F2) caused by a load from the glass unit 9 acting on the intermediate pivot (the second pivot F2) is prevented by the glass unit support mechanism U0 and the connecting element C1 due to the connection structure of the connecting element C1 to the intermediate pivot (the second pivot F2), the glass unit 9 can be moved according to this structure by utilizing the movement of the front roof support mechanism F0, thereby preventing any undue load influence on the glass unit 9. Furthermore, the position adjustment between the roofs can be easily carried out, and the positioning accuracy and sealing performance can be improved.

[0067] In the embodiment of the present invention, the glass unit support member mechanism U0 is supported or carried in a suspended manner on the upper rear section of the rear roof support member R0 (see Fig. 3).

[0068] According to this structure, the load influence of the glass unit 9 on the front roof support link mechanism F0 is reduced so that the opening / closing movement of the front roof 6 can be stabilized.

[0069] In accordance with the present invention and the embodiment described above, the intermediate rotary member of the present invention corresponds to the second member F2 of the embodiment. However, the present invention is not intended to be limited to the embodiment described above, and any other modifications or improvements may be made within the scope of protection of the present invention as defined by the appended claims. While in the embodiment described above the longitudinal member R1 and the vertical member R2 are integrally combined during punching to form the rear roof support member R0, thereby increasing yield, the rear roof support member R0 can be formed from a single sheet of material.

Claims

[1] Roof structure for a motor vehicle, comprising: a front roof (6), a rear roof (7) and a glass unit (9) with a rear window glass (8) configured to each openably cover a portion of the upper side of a cabin; a rear roof support member (R0) which supports the rear roof (7) in an opening manner on a vehicle body; a front roof support link mechanism (F0) which supports the front roof (6) in an opening manner, wherein the front roof support link mechanism (F0) is connected to the rear roof support link (R0) such that the closed states of both the front roof (6) and the rear roof (7) are achieved by means of the rear roof support link (R0) and the front roof support link mechanism (F0); and a glass unit support member mechanism (U0) pivotably connected to the rear roof support member (R0) and configured to support the glass unit (9) in a closed position, wherein the front roof support link mechanism (F0) comprises an intermediate pivot link (F2), wherein the intermediate rotating member (F2) and the glass unit support member mechanism (U0) are connected by a connecting member (C1), and wherein the intermediate rotary member (F2) comprises at least three pins. [2] Roof structure of the motor vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the connecting member (C1) is configured such that a component force is applied in a direction substantially perpendicular to a direction of rotation of the intermediate rotating member (F2). [3] Roof structure of the motor vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the intermediate rotating member (F2) is formed in an approximately triangular shape.

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