motor vehicle

Abstract

Motor vehicle (1) comprising a body (2) with a roof frame (3) comprising two roof frame sections (4) extending on both sides in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, and a headliner (14) arranged below the roof (10), which is connected to the roof frame section (4) by its side edges (15) via an elongated connecting element (17) in each case, wherein an air duct (19) extending in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle is formed on one or both sides of the vehicle, which is bounded by the roof frame section (4), the headliner (14) and a sealing element (20) extending between the headliner (14) and the roof frame section (4) and which communicates with the interior of the vehicle via one or more ventilation openings (22).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a motor vehicle comprising a body with a roof frame comprising two roof frame sections extending on both sides in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, and a headliner arranged below the roof.

[0002] Motor vehicles typically have a ventilation system that allows air to enter the vehicle interior. The air flows into the cabin through air vents distributed throughout the vehicle. Ventilation of the front area, where the driver and front passenger sit, is usually achieved via air vents located on the left and right sides of the dashboard, as well as above or within the center console. A blower, as part of the ventilation system, draws air through ducts to the adjustable air vents, from where it is blown into the cabin. Because these air vents are positioned in front of the driver and front passenger, they are exposed to the airflow from the front or at a slight angle. This can provide a degree of comfort, especially in summer when the air is cooled, as the occupants can direct the airflow more or less directly towards them.However, not everyone finds this pleasant, which is why the fan speed is often turned down significantly to avoid drafts, or the air vents are adjusted so that the air is blown past the person. Both of these approaches ultimately have a negative impact on the cooling effect and therefore on comfort. When the fan speed is low and the air volume is low, only weak cooling is possible, and the sides of the upper body, in particular, are not cooled at all or only minimally, leaving them more or less exposed to sunlight through the windows. Positioning the fans to the side also results in only a reduced cooling effect, if any, as the cool air simply flows into other areas of the room.

[0003] DE 10 2008 005 894 A1 discloses a vehicle in which air can be blown downwards from the area of ​​the side roof pillar, meaning that the air flows downwards to the side of the person sitting in the adjacent seat. DE 37 44 500 A1 also discloses a vehicle in which such an airflow is provided, wherein a corresponding pipe or hose with appropriate outlet openings is installed on the roof side. Further prior art is disclosed in DE 101 40 387 A1.

[0004] The invention is based on the problem of providing a motor vehicle with a simply designed means of improved ventilation in the area of ​​the vehicle sides.

[0005] To solve this problem, the invention provides a motor vehicle comprising a body with a roof frame comprising two roof frame sections extending longitudinally on both sides of the roof, and a headliner arranged below the roof, the headliner being connected to the roof frame section by its side edges via an elongated connecting element, wherein an air duct extending longitudinally in the direction of the vehicle is formed on one or both sides of the vehicle, which is bounded by the roof frame section, the headliner and a sealing element extending between the headliner and the roof frame section and which communicates with the vehicle interior via one or more ventilation openings.

[0006] The vehicle according to the invention features an air duct provided on at least one side, preferably on both sides of the vehicle, which is bounded in a very simple manner by a roof frame section already provided on the vehicle, i.e., a body-side component, the headliner already provided, and a sealing element extending between the headliner and the roof frame section. This air duct, extending in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, is therefore bounded and defined by components that are already present on the vehicle. Only the sealing element, which limits the duct to the interior of the vehicle, needs to be provided additionally. This means that the integration of such a roof frame-side air duct is achieved in a simple manner.This air duct, which is naturally connected to a corresponding supply duct so that air is supplied to it via a blower or similar ventilation system, communicates with one or more ventilation openings leading to the vehicle interior, allowing the air to be blown out into the vehicle interior. Since the air duct is positioned on a roof section that is directly adjacent to a side of the vehicle, these ventilation openings are necessarily also located on the side of the vehicle. As a result, the air exiting them flows downwards and falls along the side of the vehicle, i.e., along the adjacent window and interior trim.This allows for the creation of a lateral air curtain flowing downwards over the vehicle window and the interior door trim, providing very pleasant lateral cooling. This also prevents overheating caused by solar radiation entering through the window and the heating of the trim panels, etc. This means that, especially in summer, a corresponding curtain of cool air can be generated parallel to the side window, enabling comfortable cooling. The occupant can then adjust the actual frontal ventilation via the dashboard vents to a lower setting, precisely because of the cooling air curtain from the side.Furthermore, since the amount of cooling air blown out, forming the air curtain, is also adjustable, the cooling air volume can be set to create a very pleasant interior climate and, consequently, draft-free ventilation comfort. In particular, the design of the roof-side air duct, which is almost entirely contained by existing components and separated from the vehicle interior only by the sealing element extending between the headliner and the roof frame section, allows for very simple, compact, and cost-effective integration of this ventilation system into the vehicle.

[0007] The sealing element itself is preferably a simple elastic sealing strip, in particular a soft foam sealing strip. This sealing strip ultimately serves only a limiting function; it is intended merely to laterally confine the longitudinal air duct. High gas tightness is not required here, as the air duct only carries air that is already supplied to the vehicle interior. Such a sealing strip, especially a soft foam sealing strip, possesses sufficient elasticity to be easily integrated into the more or less narrow space and to perform its sealing or limiting function. Furthermore, it is an extremely simple and cost-effective component.

[0008] The sealing strip itself is conveniently attached to the headliner, preferably by gluing, and presses firmly against the roof frame section. This ensures that during installation, the sealing element automatically conforms to the roof frame section, thus forming and defining the channel. The sealing strip is therefore slightly compressed and then automatically presses against the roof frame section.

[0009] Regarding the arrangement and design of the ventilation openings, two different configurations are conceivable. According to a first embodiment of the invention, one or more ventilation openings can be located in the headliner itself, within the area that defines the air duct. This means that the headliner itself has one or more openings, for example, circular or elongated, slit-like openings, from which air can flow out. These openings are arranged in the side edge area of ​​the headliner, i.e., as close as possible to the side window, and the openings can also have a preferred direction that defines or influences the direction of airflow. This means that they are preferably oriented either substantially parallel to the adjacent side window or towards the side window.

[0010] Alternatively, it is conceivable to incorporate one or more ventilation openings into the connecting element. This connecting element ensures the stable attachment of the headliner to the adjacent roof frame section. It is an elongated part that is attached to a corresponding roof frame rebate, with the rebate engaging, for example, in a corresponding clamping slot of the connecting element, and which has a corresponding laterally open recess into which the side edge of the headliner engages. This connecting element, which is located directly adjacent to or bordering the air duct, can then be provided with the ventilation opening(s) that communicate with the air duct. This means that this connecting element not only serves a fastening function but also a ventilation function.

[0011] To guide air from the air duct to the ventilation opening(s) of the connecting element, the headliner can be geometrically designed so that air can flow from the duct to the ventilation openings via, for example, molded channels or corresponding geometric structures. Alternatively, a spacer profile can be attached to the edge of the headliner, particularly by gluing it in place. This spacer profile, which is fixed to the connecting element along with the headliner, forms a connection between the ventilation opening(s) and the air duct. This spacer profile, which engages with the edge of the headliner in a corresponding clamping groove or similar feature of the connecting element, essentially defines the airflow connection between the air duct and the ventilation openings, allowing air to flow through.The spacer profile can have an elongated base with projecting transverse ribs, the base resting against the headliner and the transverse ribs against the connecting element. Consequently, a multitude of transverse channels are formed along the spacer profile, for which the rib structure serves.

[0012] The connecting element itself is preferably a door sealing element against which an adjacent door rests when closed. This means that a component already provided by the system, namely the door sealing element, simultaneously serves as a retaining element for the headliner and, according to the above-described embodiment of the invention, is optionally also provided with ventilation openings.

[0013] As described, the air duct needs to be supplied with air, which then flows out through the ventilation openings. For this purpose, the air duct is connected to a corresponding supply duct. This is preferably located on a trim panel of a body pillar, particularly a B-pillar. The B-pillar adjoins the door when viewed from the rear of the vehicle and is usually covered by a corresponding trim panel. A suitable supply duct can be provided on this trim panel; this duct runs vertically and is connected to a downstream duct running along the vehicle floor, which is coupled to a blower. Air can then be easily supplied via this connection, after the supply duct communicates with the air duct.

[0014] In small vehicles without rear seats, the air duct can only extend towards the front of the vehicle, running alongside the driver and front passenger. In larger vehicles with rear seats, the air duct can extend forward and backward from its opening at the B-pillar-side intake duct, creating an air curtain on both the driver's and front passenger's sides as well as on the rear sides.

[0015] Further advantages and details of the present invention will become apparent from the exemplary embodiments described below and from the drawings. These show: Fig. 1 A cutaway partial view of a motor vehicle according to the invention in the area of ​​the roof frame and the headliner according to a first embodiment Fig. 2 a cutaway partial view of a motor vehicle according to the invention in the area of ​​the roof frame and the headliner according to a second embodiment Fig. 3 A partial side view of a motor vehicle according to the invention to illustrate the arrangement of the feed channel.

[0016] Fig. Figure 1 shows a partial view of a motor vehicle 1 according to the invention, comprising a body 2 with a roof frame 3 comprising two roof frame sections 4 extending longitudinally on both sides of the vehicle, which in this case are formed over three overlapping body sheet metal layers 5, 6, 7, which lie one above the other at their respective ends, forming a fold 8, 9, and are attached to one another. The actual roof 10 then adjoins the respective roof frame section 4.

[0017] Adjacent to the roof frame 3, or roof frame section 4, is a vehicle door 11, with one such roof frame section 4 and one vehicle door 11 being provided on each side of the vehicle. When closed, the vehicle door rests against a door seal 12, which is attached to the fold 9 of the roof frame section 4, thus providing a seal to the vehicle interior. The door seal 12 has a longitudinal clamping slot 13 into which the fold 9 is clamped.

[0018] Furthermore, a headliner 14 is provided, which extends below the roof 10 as well as the two roof frame sections 4 and which is also attached to the respective door seal 12 with its two side edges 15. For this purpose, each door seal 12 has a further longitudinal clamping groove 16 into which the respective edge 15 of the headliner 14 engages or is clamped in place. The door seal 12 is therefore a connecting element 17 by means of which the headliner 14 is firmly connected to the roof frame 3 or the respective roof frame section 4.

[0019] Between the headliner 14 and the roof frame 3, or rather the roof frame section 5, in addition to a head airbag 18, which deploys from the headliner 14 when inflated, an air duct 19 is also formed. This air duct is bounded above by the roof frame section 5, specifically by the inner body sheet metal layer 7, and below by the headliner 14. Towards the outside of the vehicle, the air duct 19 is bounded by the connecting element 17, in this case the door seal 12, which, as described, is attached to both the roof frame section 4 and the headliner 14. On the other side, a sealing element 20 is provided, which here is designed as a sealing strip 21, specifically as a soft foam sealing strip.This sealing strip 21 is preferably adhered to the headliner 14 so that, during assembly, when the headliner 14 is clamped in the connecting elements 17, it automatically runs against and rests against the body break surface 7. This allows the air duct 19, extending longitudinally in the vehicle, to be easily limited on this side. This means that, in this embodiment of the invention, the only additional component required for limiting and forming the air duct 19 is the sealing strip 21.

[0020] Furthermore, one or more ventilation openings 22 are provided in the headliner 14, for example, several ventilation holes that point towards the vehicle interior and through which the air duct 19 communicates with the vehicle interior. An example of the arrangement of these ventilation openings is shown in Fig. Figure 2 shows a side view from inside the vehicle, and from which it can be seen that a plurality of such ventilation openings 22 are provided. These can have an exhaust direction predetermined by their bore axis, obliquely towards the adjacent window pane.

[0021] The air duct 19 communicates with a supply duct 23, which, as indicated by arrow P1 in Fig. As shown in Figure 2, air is supplied via a corresponding inlet duct structure by a blower, meaning that this entire ventilation arrangement is integrated into the vehicle's ventilation system. The inlet duct 23 runs vertically upwards along the B-pillar 24 of the vehicle, on a pillar trim covering the pillar 24. At the outlet point, in this embodiment, the air duct 19 branches off to both sides, i.e., towards the front and rear of the vehicle, so that a corresponding downward air curtain, indicated by arrows P2, can be generated both on side 25 adjacent to the driver (and correspondingly on the other side for the front passenger) and on side 26 adjacent to a rear passenger.

[0022] A second embodiment of how such a channel structure can be realized is described in Fig. 3 shown. The basic structure is as per regard to Fig. As already described in Figure 1, the motor vehicle 1 also has a body 2 with a roof frame 3 comprising the two side roof frame sections 4. A headliner 14 is also provided, which is connected to the respective roof frame sections 4 via the connecting element 17, again in the form of the door seal 12. A sealing strip 21 is also provided. Unlike the design according to Figure 1, the roof frame section 4 is... Fig. 1. Here, the ventilation openings 22 are not formed on the headliner itself, but on the connecting element 17, i.e., the door seal 12. A spacer profile 27 is provided, which has an elongated base 28 and several transverse ribs 29 running perpendicular to it. This spacer profile 27 is glued to the headliner 14 at the edge 15, and consequently engages with the edge 15 in the clamping groove 16.

[0023] The transverse ribs 29 form a multitude of transverse connecting channels through which the air duct, which is also formed here between the inner body panel 7 and the headliner 14 and sealed laterally by the sealing element 20, communicates with the ventilation openings 22 of the connecting element 17, i.e., the door seal 12. The spacer profile 27 therefore serves, on the one hand, to clamp and fix the headliner in the clamping slot 16, and on the other hand, to form the transverse channels for guiding the air supplied via the air duct 19.

[0024] The arrangement of the ventilation openings 22 and the course of the air duct 19 can again be as shown in Fig.Figure 2 is shown as an example. For vehicles without a rear seat, the air duct 19 can of course only run from the B-pillar-side supply duct 23 to the front of the vehicle, i.e., to the side of the driver or passenger.

Claims

[1] Motor vehicle (1) comprising a body (2) with a roof frame (3) comprising two roof frame sections (4) extending on both sides in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, and a headliner (14) arranged below the roof (10), the headliner being connected to the roof frame section (4) by its side edges (15) via an elongated connecting element (17) in each case, wherein an air duct (19) extending in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle is formed on one or both sides of the vehicle, which is bounded by the roof frame section (4), the headliner (14) and a sealing element (20) extending between the headliner (14) and the roof frame section (4) and which communicates with the interior of the vehicle via one or more ventilation openings (22). [2] Motor vehicle (1), according to claim 1, characterized by , that the sealing element (20) is an elastic sealing strip (21). [3] Motor vehicle (1), according to claim 2, characterized by, that the sealing strip (21) is a soft foam sealing strip. [4] Motor vehicle (1), according to claim 2 or 3, characterized by , that the sealing strip (21) is attached to the headliner (14), in particular glued, and is pressed against the roof frame section (4). [5] Motor vehicle (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the one or more ventilation openings (22) in the headliner (14) are formed in the area bounding the air duct (19). [6] Motor vehicle (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized by that one or more ventilation openings (22) are formed in the connecting element (17). [7] Motor vehicle (1) according to claim 6, characterized by, that a spacer profile (27) is arranged, in particular glued, on the edge area of ​​the headliner (14), which is fixed together with the headliner (14) to the connecting element (17) and which forms a connection between the ventilation opening(s) (22) and the air duct (19). [8] Motor vehicle (1) according to claim 7, characterized by , that the spacer profile (27) has an elongated base (28) with transverse ribs (29) projecting from it, wherein the base (28) rests against the headliner (14) and the transverse ribs (29) rest against the connecting element (17). [9] Motor vehicle (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the connecting element (17) is a door sealing element (12) against which an adjacent door (11) rests in the closed state. [10] Motor vehicle (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by, that the air duct (19) is connected to a supply duct (23) which is provided on a cover of a body pillar, in particular a B-pillar (24). [11] Motor vehicle (1) according to claim 10, characterized by , that the air duct (19) extends from the point of connection with the feed duct (23) in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle only forwards or forwards and backwards.

Images