Vehicle exterior structure

Abstract

Vehicle exterior structure (80) which includes the following: a roof sheet (10); a rear glass window (30) which is arranged next to the roof panel (10); a glass side edge strip (50) arranged along a side edge (33) of the rear glass window (30) up to a rear surface (12) of the roof panel (10) in a direction in which the roof panel (10) and the rear glass window (30) are aligned; and a decorative strip (60) arranged such that it faces a side surface (14) of the roof panel (10) and a side surface (57) of the glass side edge strip (50), wherein the decorative strip (60) has a constant cross-section extending in the direction in which the roof panel (10) and the rear glass window (30) are aligned; wherein the side surface (57) of the glass side edge strip (50) is a wall surface (54) facing the decorative strip (60), the decorative strip (60) has an inner lip (65) that touches the side surface (14) of the roof sheet (10) and the wall surface (54) of the glass side edge strip (50), an end surface (55) of a wall section (52) of the glass side edge strip (50) in the direction in which the roof panel (10) and the rear glass window (30) are aligned, touches the rear surface (12) of the roof panel (10) which faces the rear glass window (30), and the wall surface (54) is on the same plane as the side surface (14) of the roof sheet (10).

Description

TECHNICAL AREA

[0001] The present invention relates to a vehicle exterior structure, in particular an exterior structure comprising a roof panel, a rear window, a glass side edge strip and a decorative strip. BACKGROUND

[0002] A vehicle profile in which two types of profiles with differently shaped lips are welded together was disclosed for a vehicle structure with a roof panel and a glass window coupled together in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. The lips have different cross-sections at a connection point to a side surface of the roof panel and at a connection point to a side surface of the glass window (see, for example, JP 2004 - 136 792 A).

[0003] It is known from DE 3 720 960 A1 (see therein). Fig. 4 and Fig. 5 and the associated description), that a windshield and a roof panel are aligned in a front-to-rear direction and that the windshield is provided with an inset profile at its side edge. For the prior art, reference is also made to US 2010 / 0032974 A1 and DE 102015004982 A1. SUMMARY

[0004] The vehicle trim strip disclosed in JP 2004-136 792 A is visually unappealing due to visible welds at the joints with the roof panel and the glass window. Furthermore, the different lip shapes at the joints with the roof panel and the glass window can cause airflow disturbances along the lips, leading to noise while driving.

[0005] It is an object of the present invention to create a vehicle exterior structure that achieves improved appearance and noise reduction. This object is achieved with the vehicle exterior structure having the features of claim 1. SOLUTION TO THE PROBLEM

[0006] A vehicle exterior structure according to one aspect of the present invention comprises a roof panel, a rear window arranged adjacent to the roof panel, a glass side edge strip extending along a side edge of the rear window to a rear surface of the roof panel in the direction toward which the roof panel and the rear window are oriented, and a trim strip arranged to face a side surface of the roof panel and a side surface of the glass side edge strip. The trim strip has a constant cross-section extending in the direction toward which the roof panel and the rear window are oriented. The side surface of the glass side edge strip is a wall surface facing the trim strip. The trim strip includes a lip that contacts the side surface of the roof panel and the wall surface of the glass side edge strip.

[0007] As described above, the side surface of the glass side edge trim is a wall surface, and the lip of the trim strip has a constant cross-section running in the direction in which the roof panel and the rear window are aligned, so that the lip contacts both the side surface of the roof panel and the wall surface of the glass side edge trim. Consequently, an improved appearance is achieved, as there is no connecting edge in the trim strip, and noise reduction is achieved, as there is no disruption of the airflow along the lip of the trim strip.

[0008] In a vehicle exterior structure according to another aspect of the present invention, an end surface of a wall section of the glass side edge strip can, in the direction in which the roof panel and the rear window are aligned, contact the rear surface of the roof panel facing the rear window. The wall surface can be on the same plane as the side surface of the roof panel.

[0009] In this way, the side surface of the roof panel and the wall surface of the glass edge trim, both of which touch the lip of the decorative strip, can be joined smoothly, without a step or gap. Consequently, since there is no disruption to the airflow along the lip of the decorative strip, noise can be reduced.

[0010] A vehicle exterior structure according to a further aspect of the present invention can further comprise a glass top edge strip arranged along an upper edge of the rear window facing the roof panel. The glass top edge strip can extend in a direction that intersects the direction in which the roof panel and the rear window are aligned. The glass top edge strip can include a top edge lip adjacent to the facing surface of the roof panel. An end section of the glass top edge strip can be welded to an end section of the glass side edge strip.

[0011] As described above, the joint between the roof flashing and the upper edge of the glass window is sealed by positioning the glass top edge strip, which includes the top edge lip, along the upper edge of the glass window. The joint between the decorative strip and the glass side edge strip is also sealed by positioning the glass side edge strip, which includes the wall surface that contacts the lip of the decorative strip, along the side edge of the glass window. Furthermore, the end sections of the glass top edge strip and the end sections of the glass side edge strip are welded together. Consequently, it becomes possible to seal preferably around the glass window while preventing any overlap between the lip of the window glazing bead and the lip of the decorative strip.

[0012] An improved appearance and reduced noise can be achieved in cases where the present invention is applied to a connection point between the roof panel and the rear window. ADVANTAGEOUS EFFECTS OF THE INVENTION

[0013] The present invention can create a vehicle exterior structure that achieves an improved appearance and noise reduction. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

[0014] Embodiments of the present invention are described with reference to the following figures, wherein: Fig. 1 a perspective view from an upper, rear position of a vehicle to which a vehicle exterior structure according to an embodiment of the present invention is applied; Fig. 2 an enlarged perspective view of the in Fig. The vehicle exterior structure shown in 1 is; Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view, which extends along line AA from Fig. 2 was undertaken; Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view, extending along line BB. Fig. 2 was undertaken; Fig. 5 an enlarged cross-sectional view of Fig. 4 is; Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view, which is drawn along line CC from Fig. 2 was undertaken; Fig. 7 an enlarged cross-sectional view of Fig. 6 is; and Fig. Figure 8 is an explanatory view showing a cross-sectional view of a decorative strip and a window pane strip of an example for comparison with embodiments of the present invention. DESCRIPTION OF THE EXECUTION FORMS

[0015] Vehicle exterior structures 80 according to embodiments of the present invention are described below with reference to the drawing. As in Fig. As shown in Figure 1, the vehicle 100 with the vehicle outer structure 80 comprises a roof panel 10, which is a vehicle outer panel, a side outer panel 20, a rear glass window 30, a glass top edge strip 40, a glass side edge strip 50, a trim strip 60, and a quarter glass window 70 on one side. The rear glass window 30 is a glass pane which is arranged next to the roof panel 10 on the rear side in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. The glass top edge strip 40 is arranged along an upper edge 32 of the rear glass window 30, while the glass side edge strip 50 is arranged along a side edge 33 of the rear glass window 30. The vehicle outer structure 80 comprises the roof panel 10, the rear glass window 30, the glass top edge strip 40, the glass side edge strip 50, and the trim strip 60.

[0016] The roof panel 10 is a metal plate that forms the roof of the vehicle 100. A side panel 20 is a metal plate designed to be connected on one outer side in the transverse direction of the vehicle. The rear window 30 is connected to the roof panel 10 via the glass top edge strip 40 and to the side panel 20 via the glass side edge strip 50. The trim strip 60 is arranged between the roof panel 10 and the side panel 20, and between the side panel 20 and the glass side edge strip 50, such that the trim strip 60 runs longitudinally and serves as a passage element extending along the roof panel 10 and the rear window 30.

[0017] With regard to the Fig. 2 and Fig. Figure 3 describes a connection point between the roof panel 10 and the rear window 30. Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view extending along line AA. Fig. 2 was carried out. As in Fig. As shown in Figure 3, an L-shaped receiving flange 13, which receives the rear window 30, is arranged on a rear surface 12 of a panel section 11 of the roof panel 10, which extends longitudinally along the vehicle. The glass top edge strip 40, made of resin, rubber, or other material, is attached to the receiving flange 13 on its upper side. The upper edge 32 of the rear window 30 is attached to the glass top edge strip 40 with its side section. The rear surface 12 forms a surface of the roof panel 10 facing the rear window 30.

[0018] As in Fig. As shown in Figure 1, the glass top edge strip 40 is a band-shaped element that extends along the rear surface 12 of the roof panel 10 in the transverse direction of the vehicle, intersecting the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. As shown in Fig. As shown in Figure 3, the glass top edge strip 40 comprises a body 41 extending transversely to the vehicle, a top edge lip 42 projecting from the body 41 to the rear surface 12 of the roof panel 10 and extending transversely to the vehicle, and a foot section 43 projecting from the lower surface of the body 41 to the upper surface of the receiving flange 13 and extending transversely to the vehicle. A lower surface 34 of the rear window 30 is attached to the upper surface of the body 41 with adhesives, such as double-sided adhesive tape. A water-repellent urethane strip 35 is arranged between the upper surface of the receiving flange 13 on the rear of the vehicle of the foot section 43 and the lower surface 34 of the rear window 30. The upper edge lip 42 rests against the rear surface 12 of the roof sheet 10 in order to seal the connection point with the rear surface 12 by pressing against the rear surface 12.This prevents water from entering.

[0019] With regard to the Fig. 2, Fig. 4 and Fig. Section 5 below describes a connection point between the roof sheet 10 and the side outer panel 20. Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view drawn along a line BB. Fig. 2 was undertaken, and Fig. Figure 5 is an enlarged cross-sectional view around the decorative strip 60, which is in Fig. 4 is shown. As in Fig. As shown in Figure 4, the roof panel 10 includes an L-shaped connecting flange 15 on a side surface 14, extending in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. A panel part 21 of the outer side panel 20 includes an L-shaped connecting flange 23 on a central side surface 22 of the vehicle, extending in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. As shown in Fig. As shown in Figure 5, the side surface 14 of the roof panel 10 and the vehicle center side surface 22 of the outer side panel 20 face each other. The connecting flanges 15, 23 overlap and are welded together, so that the connecting flange 15 is on the upper side in the vertical direction of the vehicle.

[0020] As in the Fig. 4 and Fig. As shown in Figure 5, the trim strip 60 is a ribbon-shaped component made of cast resin, rubber, or other material. The trim strip 60 comprises an upper section, which is part of the vehicle's exterior design (hereinafter referred to as "design section 61"), two foot sections 62 extending downwards from the design section 61, an outer lip 64 projecting from one of the foot sections 62 on the side of the outer side panel 20 towards the vehicle's central side surface 22 of the outer side panel 20, and an inner lip 65 projecting from the other foot section 62 on the side of the roof panel 10 towards the side surface 14 of the roof panel 10. The foot sections 62 are connected to each other by a lateral rib 66 and form a cavity 63 enclosed by the design section 61, the two foot sections 62, and the lateral rib 66.The design section 61, the foot sections 62, the outer lip 64 and the inner lip 65 all have a constant cross-section extending in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle.

[0021] As in Fig. As shown in Figure 5, the decorative strip 60 is fitted from above into a gap between the side surface 14 and the vehicle's center side surface 22 to seal the connection point with the outer side panel 20 by means of the outer lip 64, which contacts the vehicle's center side surface 22, and the connection point with the roof panel 10 by means of the inner lip 65, which contacts the side surface 14. The lower ends of the foot sections 62 are arranged so that they contact the upper surface of the connecting flange 15.

[0022] The outer side of the side panel 20, in the transverse direction of the vehicle, curves downwards and is connected to a rear surface of the vehicle 100. On the rear surface side, the side panel 20 includes a flange 24. The quarter-glazed window 70 is attached to a stepped section of the flange 24 via a seal 71.

[0023] With reference to the Fig. 2, Fig. 6 and Fig. 7 below describes a connection point between the side outer panel 20 and the rear glass window 30. Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view extending along line CC. Fig. 2 was undertaken, and Fig. Figure 7 is an enlarged cross-sectional view around the decorative strip 60, which is in Fig. 6 is shown.

[0024] As in Fig. As shown in Figure 6, the panel part 21 of the outer side panel 20 on the vehicle's central side surface 22 comprises an L-shaped receiving flange 25 extending longitudinally along the vehicle and accommodating the rear window 30. The receiving flange 25 is continuous in the longitudinal direction along the vehicle with the connecting flange 23, which is shown above with reference to Figure 6. Fig. As described in section 5, the glass side edge strip 50, made of resin, rubber, or another material, is attached to the mounting flange 25 on the upper side. The side edge 33 of the rear glass window 30 is attached to the glass side edge strip 50 with its side section.

[0025] As in Fig. As shown in Figure 6, the glass side edge strip 50 is a band-shaped element that extends along the side edge 33 of the rear glass window 30 in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. As shown in Fig. As shown in Figure 7, the glass side edge strip 50 comprises a body 51 extending longitudinally in the vehicle, a wall section 52 projecting upwards from an edge section of the body 51 on the vehicle exterior in the vehicle transverse direction and extending longitudinally in the vehicle, and a foot section 53 projecting downwards from the body 51 and extending longitudinally in the vehicle. A wall surface 54 of the wall section 52 on the exterior in the vehicle transverse direction is a side surface 57 of the glass side edge strip 50. The wall surface 54 faces the vehicle mid-side surface 22 of the outer side panel 20. As shown in Fig. As shown in Figure 7, the wall surface 54 is on the same plane as the side surface 14 of the roof sheet 10, which is in the Fig. 4 and Fig. 5 is shown. As in Fig. As shown in Figure 2, the wall section 52 reaches the rear surface 12 of the roof panel 10 such that an end surface 55 of the wall section 52 on the front of the vehicle touches the rear surface 12 of the roof panel 10. In this way, the wall surface 54 touches the rear surface 12.

[0026] As in Fig. Figure 2 shows an end section 56 of the glass side edge strip 50 on the front of the vehicle connected to an end section 46 of the glass top edge strip 40 on the outside in the transverse direction of the vehicle at the corner of the rear glass window 30.

[0027] As in Fig. As shown in Figure 7, the lower surface 34 of the rear window 30 is attached to the upper surface of the body 51 of the glass side edge strip 50 using adhesives, such as double-sided adhesive tape. A water-repellent urethane strip 35 is arranged between the upper surface of the receiving flange 25 on the inside of the foot section 53 in the transverse direction of the vehicle and the lower surface 34 of the rear window 30.

[0028] Similar to above with reference to the Fig. 4 and Fig. 5 described includes the Fig. The decorative trim shown in Figure 7 comprises a design section 61 extending in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, foot sections 62, an outer lip 64, and an inner lip 65. The cross-section of these elements is identical to the cross-section described above with reference to the Fig. 4 and Fig. The decorative trim described in section 5 has been described.

[0029] As in Fig. As shown in Figure 7, the decorative strip 60 is fitted from above into a gap between the vehicle's center side surface 22 and the wall surface 54 to seal the connection to the side outer panel 20 by the outer lip 64, which contacts the vehicle's center side surface 22, and the connection to the glass side edge strip 50 by the inner lip 65, which contacts the wall surface 54 of the glass side edge strip 50. The lower ends of the foot sections 62 are arranged so that they contact the upper surface of the receiving flange 25.

[0030] As described above, the decorative strip 60 is a passage element with a constant cross-section that extends along the roof panel 10 and the rear window 30 in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. The outer lip 64 runs accordingly in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. In this way, no air disturbances occur along the outer lip 64, since the air channel, which runs from the outer lip 64 and the vehicle's mid-side surface 22, is in the Fig. 4, Fig. 5, Fig. 6 to Fig. The 7 shown side outer panels 20 are formed, with identical cross-sections along lines BB and CC. Fig. 2.

[0031] Since the wall surface 54 is on the same plane as the side surface 14 of the in the Fig. 4 and Fig. In the roof panel 10 shown in Figure 5, there is no step between an air duct extending from the inner lip 65 and the side surface 14 of the roof panel. Fig. 4 and Fig. 5 is formed by the roof sheet 10 shown, and an air channel is formed by the inner lip 65 and the wall surface 54 of the Fig. 6 and Fig. The glass side edge strip 50 shown in Figure 7 is formed. These air channels have identical cross-sections along lines BB and CC. Fig. 2. Furthermore, there is no gap between the side surface 14 of the roof panel 10 and the wall surface 54, since the end surface 55 of the wall surface 54 touches the rear surface 12 of the roof panel 10. In this way, the air duct continues seamlessly in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, thus preventing any airflow disturbances along the inner lip 65. This reduces noise while the vehicle 100 is in motion.

[0032] Furthermore, the trim strip 60 is a through-element with a constant cross-section that runs along the roof panel 10 and the rear window 30 in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. Since the design section 61 does not include a weld seam of a conventional vehicle trim strip such as those described in JP 2004-136792 A, the appearance can be improved and the impression of a seamless continuation in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle can be given.

[0033] With reference to Fig. Section 8 describes a comparative example of the present invention. In the comparative example in Fig. 8 The shape of the cross-section of the glass side edge strip 50 is aligned such that it is identical to the shape of the cross-section of the glass top edge strip 40. As in Fig. As shown in Figure 8, the glass side edge strip 50 comprises a body 51 extending in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle and a side edge lip 58 projecting from the body 51 to the outside in the transverse direction of the vehicle. Because the side edge lip 58 of the glass side edge strip 50 and the inner lip 65 of the trim strip 60 block each other, the joint between the trim strip 60 and the glass side edge strip 50 cannot be effectively sealed.

[0034] In contrast, in the vehicle exterior structure 80 according to an embodiment of the present invention, the connection point between the trim strip 60 and the glass side edge strip 50 can be effectively sealed, while an overlap between the side edge lip 58 of the glass side edge strip 50 and the inner lip 65 of the trim strip 60 is prevented, since there is no side edge lip 58 as in the one shown in Fig.The design is revealed in the comparative example shown in Figure 8. The seal between the decorative strip 60 and the glass side edge strip 50 is achieved by providing the glass side edge strip 50 with the wall surface 54 that contacts the inner lip 65 of the decorative strip 60. Furthermore, the rear glass window 30 can preferably be sealed around its circumference, since the end section 46 of the glass top edge strip 40 and the end section 56 of the glass side edge strip 50 are welded together at a corner of the rear glass window 30.

Claims

[1] Vehicle exterior structure (80) comprising the following: a roof sheet (10); a rear glass window (30) which is arranged next to the roof panel (10); a glass side edge strip (50) arranged along a side edge (33) of the rear glass window (30) up to a rear surface (12) of the roof panel (10) in a direction in which the roof panel (10) and the rear glass window (30) are aligned; and a decorative strip (60) arranged such that it faces a side surface (14) of the roof panel (10) and a side surface (57) of the glass side edge strip (50), wherein the decorative strip (60) has a constant cross-section extending in the direction in which the roof panel (10) and the rear glass window (30) are aligned; wherein the side surface (57) of the glass side edge strip (50) is a wall surface (54) facing the decorative strip (60), the decorative strip (60) has an inner lip (65) that touches the side surface (14) of the roof sheet (10) and the wall surface (54) of the glass side edge strip (50), an end surface (55) of a wall section (52) of the glass side edge strip (50) in the direction in which the roof panel (10) and the rear glass window (30) are aligned, touches the rear surface (12) of the roof panel (10) which faces the rear glass window (30), and the wall surface (54) is on the same plane as the side surface (14) of the roof sheet (10). [2] Vehicle outer structure (80) according to claim 1, wherein a glass top edge strip (40) is arranged along an upper edge (32) of the rear glass window (30) which faces the roof panel (10), the glass top edge strip (40) extends in a direction that intersects the direction in which the roof panel (10) and the rear glass window (30) are aligned, the glass top edge strip (40) has a top edge lip (42) which adjoins a facing surface (12) of the roof sheet (10), and an end section (46) of the glass top edge strip (40) is welded to an end section (56) of the glass side edge strip (50).

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