Vehicle roof with bearing units for winding shaft

Abstract

A vehicle roof, comprising a surface element with at least one transparent roof section (24) and a roller blind arrangement (20) for selectively shading or at least partially uncovering the transparent roof section (24), which comprises a roller blind web (22), a winding shaft (26) for the roller blind web (22) and, with respect to a vertical longitudinal center plane of the roof, on both sides in each case a bearing unit (28) for the winding shaft (26) and a guide rail (30) for laterally guiding the roller blind web (22), wherein the bearing units (28) each comprise a bearing element (42) on which the winding shaft (26) is rotatably mounted, wherein the bearing elements (42) are each locked to a bearing block (40) firmly connected to an underside of the surface element, characterized in that the bearing elements (42) are each locked to the bearing block (40) firmly connected to the underside of the surface element in such a way that they are arranged in relation to the respective bearing block (40) Roof longitudinal direction (X),are secured in the roof transverse direction (Y) and in the roof vertical direction (Z), and that the bearing elements (42) each comprise a bearing hook (54) which engages in a corresponding holding geometry (46) of the respective bearing block (40), and a recess (58) into which a locking element (56) of the respective bearing block (40) engages.

Description

The invention relates to a vehicle roof having the features of the preamble of claim 1.Such a vehicle roof is known from the publication DE 10 2016 111 695 A1 and comprises a roller blind arrangement with a winding shaft, which is rotatably mounted with its two ends on a bearing unit. The bearing units each comprise a standardized section connected to a surface element of the relevant vehicle roof and a bearing element which can be latched to the standardized section and on which a bearing journal for the winding shaft is formed.The document DE 10 2016 125 284 A1 discloses a vehicle roof which comprises a roller blind arrangement which has bearing units for two roller blind webs which can be unwound in opposite directions. The bearing units are each fixed to a carrier plate which is in turn connected to the roof structure.A further vehicle roof is known from the publication DE 10 2018 108 354 B4 and comprises a fixed roof element which represents a surface element of the vehicle roof and which is provided with a transparent roof section. Furthermore, a roller blind arrangement is provided, by means of which the transparent roof section can be optionally shaded or at least partially released for controlling the incidence of light into an interior of the relevant vehicle. The roller blind arrangement comprises a roller blind web which can be wound onto a winding shaft which, with respect to a vertical longitudinal center plane of the roof, is rotatably mounted on both sides in each case on a bearing element of a bearing unit. The bearing elements are screwed to a bearing shell which is connected to the vehicle body in a fixed manner to the vehicle body. The roller blind web is guided with its lateral edges in guide rails.The object of the invention is to provide a vehicle roof of the type mentioned in the introduction which is distinguished by a high ease of assembly.This object is achieved according to the invention by the vehicle roof having the features of claim 1, by the vehicle roof having the features of claim 11 and by the vehicle roof having the features of claim 12.According to the invention, a vehicle roof is therefore proposed which comprises a surface element having at least one transparent roof section and a roller blind arrangement for the optional shading or at least partial release of the transparent roof section. The roller blind arrangement comprises a roller blind web which represents the actual shading element and can be produced in particular from an at least largely opaque material, a winding shaft onto which the roller blind web can be wound or from which the roller blind web can be unwound, and, with respect to a vertical longitudinal center plane of the roof, on both sides in each case a bearing unit for the winding shaft and a guide rail for lateral guidance of the roller blind web. The bearing units each comprise a bearing element on which the winding shaft is rotatably mounted. Furthermore, the bearing elements are each latched to a bearing block which is a component of the relevant bearing unit and is preferably connected directly to an underside of the planar element, to be precise in such a way that the bearing elements are secured with respect to the respective bearing block in the roof longitudinal direction, in the roof transverse direction and in the roof vertical direction, i.e. are held at least largely free of play.Due to the latching connection between the bearing elements and the bearing blocks, a unit which comprises the bearing elements, the roller blind web and the winding shaft can be mounted in a simple manner on the surface element already provided with the bearing blocks without tools. A partially pre-assembled roller blind arrangement can thus be fastened directly to the surface element without screw connection elements. The fixing takes place solely by a latching connection, wherein the latching connection secures the bearing elements and the winding shaft in the three spatial directions in a positionally accurate manner on the surface element. This results in a simple, stable assembly which can be realized with little time.The surface element of the vehicle roof according to the invention is in particular a glass-fixed element which is immovable with respect to a vehicle body shell of the vehicle in question. However, the surface element can also be a fixed plastic disk which is produced, for example, from a polycarbonate material or the like.The bearing blocks of the bearing units can be connected to the underside of the surface element via an adhesive connection. In a preferred embodiment of the vehicle roof according to the invention, however, the bearing blocks are formed directly on the underside of the planar element, i.e. the shaping of the geometry of the bearing blocks takes place in the process during the attachment to the planar element in a corresponding molding tool, which can be designed as an injection molding tool or foaming tool. In the broadest sense, in this case, the surface element constitutes an insert part during the forming out of the bearing blocks, which insert part is inserted into the forming tool and delimits there a mold cavity for forming out the bearing blocks.The guide rails of the roller blind arrangement, which guide the lateral edges of the roller blind web, are preferably likewise fastened to the underside of the surface element, for example via a fastening geometry formed for example from ribs or the like, which can be integrally formed on the surface element. The guide rails can, however, also be glued to the underside of the surface element.In a preferred embodiment of the vehicle roof according to the invention, the bearing elements each comprise a bearing hook which engages in a corresponding holding geometry of the relevant bearing block, and a recess in which a latching element of the relevant bearing block engages. By means of the bearing hooks, which preferably project outwards on the bearing elements with respect to the vertical longitudinal center planes of the roof, the bearing elements are each hooked onto the relevant bearing block. The latching element, which engages in a recess of the bearing element, in particular a recess of the bearing hook of the bearing element, secures the bearing element in question, for example in the roof longitudinal direction. The recess is preferably open on a side facing the vertical longitudinal middle plane of the roof and on an end side of the holding geometry facing at least one longitudinal direction of the roof, so that the mounting of the bearing element can be effected without problems by inserting the bearing hook in the longitudinal direction of the roof.In order to be able to bring the latching element of the bearing block into engagement with the recess of the relevant bearing element without the use of tools, it is advantageous if the bearing hook has a ramp on an end side, which interacts with the latching element during the mounting of the bearing element on the bearing block. Thus, the bearing hook can be inserted into the holding geometry of the bearing block and at the same time deform the latching element against a restoring force via the ramp. When a corresponding relative position between the relevant bearing element and the associated bearing block is reached, the latching element of the bearing block snaps into the recess of the bearing element.In order to also reliably secure the bearing element to the relevant bearing block in the roof vertical direction, the bearing blocks preferably each comprise a retaining wall in a preferred embodiment of the vehicle roof according to the invention, which retaining wall delimits the relevant bearing element on the underside. In the assembly or latching position between the bearing elements and the bearing blocks, the retaining walls ensure an exact relative position between these components in the roof vertical direction.To secure the latching position in the transverse direction of the roof, the bearing elements in a preferred embodiment of the vehicle roof according to the invention each have an engagement portion which is bounded on both sides in the transverse direction of the vehicle by a contact surface of the relevant bearing block. For example, the bearing elements each comprise a strip-like wall section which forms a type of rib which stands on the relevant bearing block, which in turn can have a rib which bears laterally against the rib forming the engagement section and forms one of the bearing surfaces. On the other hand, the engagement portion can likewise be bounded by a rib or else by a geometry which, for example, also comprises the holding geometry in which the above-described bearing hook of the bearing element engages and which forms the other of the bearing surfaces.To further improve the positional accuracy of the roller blind arrangement, the bearing elements in a preferred embodiment of the vehicle roof according to the invention each comprise at least one centering nose which engages in a centering receptacle of the relevant bearing block in the longitudinal direction of the roof. When mounting the bearing elements on the bearing blocks, the centering lugs are inserted into the centering receptacles. In the locked state, the centering lugs are securely arranged in the centering receptacles. The centering lugs ensure in particular a positional accuracy of the bearing elements in the roof vertical direction. In the transverse direction of the roof, the centering lugs can be arranged in the centering receptacles with play. It is also conceivable, however, for the centering lugs to be arranged in the centering receptacles without play in the transverse direction of the vehicle.In order to ensure a positional accuracy of the bearing elements of the bearing units, which preferably each represent a substance centering, with respect to the guide rails, it is advantageous if the bearing elements each comprise at least one centering pin on an end side facing the relevant guide rail, which pin engages in an associated channel of this guide rail. For example, a centering pin dips into a channel in which a drive cable for a tension bow is also guided, to which the roller blind web is connected. A further centering pin can engage in a channel which is arranged on a side of the relevant guide rail facing the vertical longitudinal center plane of the roof. At this centering pin, a corresponding lateral edge of the roller blind web can run or be guided into a guide channel of the relevant guide rail.To secure the bearing elements to the guide rails, the bearing elements can furthermore each have at least one latching hook which comprises a hook section which engages in a hole of the relevant guide rail. For example, the latching hook dips into a channel of the guide rail, wherein the hook section of the latching hook engages into the hole which is introduced into the guide rail in the region of this channel in the transverse direction of the guide rail and forms a positioning recess.In order to further increase the ease of assembly of the vehicle roof according to the invention, the bearing elements can each have a bearing pin which is oriented in the transverse direction of the roof and to which a drain strip for the roller blind web is fastened. The drain strip can also be pre-assembled in this way and fastened with the unit of bearing elements, roller blind web and winding shaft to the underside of the surface element with little assembly effort.The bearing elements of the vehicle roof according to the invention are formed in particular from injection-molded plastic components, on which all the elements are formed in one piece, which are required for fixing the bearing elements to the bearing blocks and for mounting the winding shaft and, if appropriate, the outlet strip for the roller blind web.In a special embodiment, the bearing block of the vehicle roof according to the invention has a base plate on which the geometries for fixing the relevant bearing element are formed. For example, the holding geometry for the bearing hook and also the centering receptacle for the centering nose of the bearing element are formed in one piece on the base plate.Further advantages and advantageous embodiments of the subject matter of the invention can be derived from the description, the drawing and the patent claims. All combinations of at least two features disclosed in the description, the claims and / or the figures fall within the scope of the invention. Each feature mentioned in the description can therefore be part of the claimed subject matter in itself independently of the further features and / or concreteizations mentioned in the respective context.An exemplary embodiment of a motor vehicle having a vehicle roof according to the invention is shown in a schematically simplified manner in the drawing and is explained in more detail in the following description. It shows: FIG. 1 shows a perspective top view of a vehicle roof with a fixed roof element; FIG. 2 shows a half bottom view of the fixed roof element with a guide rail and a bearing unit of a roller blind arrangement; FIG. 3 shows a perspective inner view of the bearing unit in conjunction with a winding shaft and a guide rail of the roller blind arrangement; FIG. 4 is an external perspective view of the bearing unit together with the winding shaft and the guide rail; FIG. 5 shows a further perspective inner view of the bearing unit together with the winding shaft and the guide rail; FIG. 6 is a view corresponding to FIG. 5, but without a guide rail; FIG. 7 is a rear view of the bearing unit together with the winding shaft; FIG. 8 is a plan view of the bearing unit together with the winding shaft and the guide rail; FIG. 9 is a plan view of the bearing unit together with the winding shaft and the guide rail during assembly; and FIG. 10 is an external perspective view of the bearing unit together with the winding shaft and the guide rail during assembly.The drawing shows a detail of a motor vehicle 10 which is provided with a vehicle roof 12 which has a fixed roof element 14. The fixed roof element 14 is arranged in a roof cutout 16 of the vehicle roof 12 and fastened therein such that it cannot move relative to a vehicle body. The fixed roof element 14 comprises as a surface element a glass fixed element 18, to the underside of which a roller blind arrangement 20 is fastened, which comprises as shading element a roller blind web 22, by means of which a central, transparent section 24 of the fixed roof element 14 can be optionally shaded or at least partially released.The roller blind arrangement 20, which is designed to be substantially mirror-symmetrical with respect to a vertical longitudinal center plane of the roof, comprises, in addition to the roller blind web 22, a winding shaft 26, onto which the roller blind web 22 can be wound up or from which the roller blind web 22 can be unwound, and, with respect to the vertical longitudinal center plane of the roof, on both sides in each case a bearing unit 28 for the winding shaft 26 and a guide rail 30, in which, among other things, a respective lateral edge of the roller blind web 22 is guided. At the edge facing away from the winding shaft 26, the roller blind web 22 is provided with a tension bow 32 which extends in the transverse direction of the roof and which is guided with its ends on both sides in each case in one of the guide rails 30. The tension bow 32 is connected on both sides within the guide rails 30 to a drive cable 34 which is driven by means of a common drive motor 36.Between the winding shaft 26 and the tension bow 32, the roller blind arrangement 20 furthermore has a drain strip 38, on the underside of which the roller blind web 22 is guided.The bearing units 28 of the roller blind arrangement 20 each comprise a bearing block 40 and a bearing element 42 which is latched to the respective bearing block 40 in a positionally accurate manner. In the latched or mounted position, the bearing elements 42 are thus secured at least largely without play with respect to the bearing blocks 40 in the roof longitudinal direction X, in the roof transverse direction Y and in the roof vertical direction Z.The bearing blocks 40 each comprise a base plate 44 which is directly connected to the underside of the glass-fixed element 18 and on which a block-like holding geometry 46, a longitudinal rib 48 and a centring receptacle 50 are formed in one piece. The holding geometry 46 comprises a receiving region 52 for a bearing hook 54 of the bearing element 42 and a tab-like latching element 56, which is aligned substantially at right angles to the base plate 44 and engages in a lateral recess 58 of the bearing hook 54 in the assembly position. The receiving region 52 is delimited in the roof vertical direction Z by a retaining wall 57, which is formed in the present case from two parallel brackets, between which the latching element 56 is arranged. The receiving region 52 is open on its side pointing in the direction of the vertical longitudinal center plane of the roof via a slot, so that the bearing hook 54 can engage. In addition, the receiving region 52 is open for the insertion of the bearing hook 54 at least on its rear end side.The bearing elements 42 each formed as an integral injection-molded part each comprise a strip-like rear or wall section 60 aligned at least approximately at right angles to the plane of the glass fixed element 18, on the outer side of which the bearing hook 54 is formed and on the inner side of which a bearing journal 62 for the winding shaft 26 is formed. The strip-like rear section 60 has an upper edge region which extends in the roof longitudinal direction X and constitutes an engagement section and, in the installed position, bears against the base plate 44 from below. Laterally, the engagement portion abuts on the one hand on the longitudinal rib 48 and on the other hand on the holding geometry 46, so that the bearing element 42 is secured to the bearing block 40 in the roof transverse direction Y. The longitudinal rib 48 and the holding geometry 46 thus each form a contact surface for the rear section 60.Furthermore, the bearing elements 42 each comprise a front centering section 64, which is widened in the roof transverse direction Y with respect to the rear section 60 and on which a centering nose 66 is formed, which dips into the centering receptacle 50 of the bearing block 40 in the roof longitudinal direction X.On the end face, a cylindrical centering pin 68 is arranged on the centering section 64, which engages in a channel 70 of the guide rail 30, in which channel the drive cable 34 for the tension bow 32 is also guided. A further centering pin 72 is formed on the inner edge of the bearing element 42 and dips into an inner channel 74 of the guide rail 30. The centering pin 72 also serves for guiding the relevant lateral edge of the roller blind web 22, so that this edge runs cleanly into the relevant guide track of the guide rail 30. The edge region of the roller blind web 22, starting from the winding shaft, is guided via a deflection surface 84 of the centering section 64 to the centering pin 72 and into the associated guide track of the guide rail 30.On the centering section 64, a pin 82 is also formed laterally on the inside, to which the drain strip 38 is fastened.Furthermore, two elastic latching hooks 76 are formed on the end face of the centering section 64 of the bearing element 42, each of which latching hooks has a hook section 78 which, in the assembly position, is in engagement with a respective hole 80 of the guide rail 30 introduced in the transverse direction.During the assembly of the roller blind arrangement 20, which is illustrated in particular with reference to FIGS. 9 and 10, a unit which comprises the bearing elements 42 arranged on both sides, which can be regarded as material centring means, the winding shaft 26 with the roller blind web 22 and the outlet strip 38 in assembled manner, is guided to the underside of the roof fixing element 18 and then displaced from behind in the roof longitudinal direction X such that the bearing hooks 54 are inserted into the receiving regions 52 of the holding geometries 46. Here, ramps 59 which are formed on the bearing hooks 54 of the bearing elements 42 ride on the latching elements 56 of the bearing blocks 40, with the result that the latching elements 56 are deformed in the roof transverse direction Y according to the arrow Y in FIG. 9. As soon as the recesses 58 of the bearing hooks 54 are positioned next to the latching elements 56, the latching elements 56 snap into the recesses 58. At the same time, the centering lugs 66 enter the centering receptacles 50 and the centering pins 68 and 72 enter the channels 70 and 74 of the guide rail 30. The latching hooks 76 likewise engage in the corresponding channels of the guide rail 30, wherein the hook sections 78 snap into the holes 80 of the guide rails 30 in the end position. The two bearing elements 42 are thus each arranged in a positionally accurate manner with respect to the respective bearing block 40 and the respective guide rail 30 on the underside of the glass fixed element 18. In this case, the holding geometry 46 which engages under the bearing hook 54 and engages with the latching element 56 in the recess 58 of the bearing hook 54 secures the relevant bearing element 42 in the roof longitudinal direction X and in the roof vertical direction Z. The centring nose 66 which dips into the centring receptacle 50 carries out a further securing in the roof vertical direction Z. The latching hooks 76 with the hook portions 78 ensure a securing or freedom from play likewise in the roof longitudinal direction X. The strip-like rear portion 60 which is arranged between the longitudinal rib 48 and the holding geometry 46 and the bearing hook 54 which is arranged in the correspondingly formed receiving region 52 ensure the positionally accurate arrangement of the bearing elements 42 in the roof transverse direction Y.List of reference characters10 Motor vehicle 12 vehicle roof 14 fixed roof element 16 roof cutout 18 glass fixed element 20 roller blind arrangement 22 roller blind web 24 section 26 winding shaft 28 bearing unit 30 guide rail 32 tension bow 34 drive cable 36 drive motor 38 outlet strip 40 bearing block 42 bearing element 44 base plate 46 holding geometry 48 longitudinal rib 50 centering receptacle 52 receiving region 54 bearing hook 56 latching element 57 holding wall 58 recess 59 ramp 60 rear section 62 bearing journal 64 centering section 66 centering nose 68 centering pin 70 channel 72 centering pin 74 channel 76 latching hook 78 hook section 80 hole 82 pin 84 deflection surface

Claims

Vehicle roof, comprising a surface element with at least one transparent roof section (24) and a roller blind arrangement (20) for optional shading or at least partial release of the transparent roof section (24), which comprises a roller blind web (22), a winding shaft (26) for the roller blind web (22) and, with respect to a vertical longitudinal center plane of the roof, on both sides in each case a bearing unit (28) for the winding shaft (26) and in each case a guide rail (30) for lateral guidance of the roller blind web (22), wherein the bearing units (28) in each case comprise a bearing element (42) on which the winding shaft (26) is rotatably mounted, wherein the bearing elements (42) are in each case locked to a bearing block (40) which is fixedly connected to an underside of the surface element, characterized in that the bearing elements (42) are in each case locked to the bearing block (40) which is fixedly connected to the underside of the surface element, The invention is also directed to a method of securing the bearing elements relative to the respective bearing block (40) in the longitudinal direction (X) of the roof, in the transverse direction (Y) of the roof and in the vertical direction (Z), and in that the bearing elements (42) each comprise a bearing hook (54), which engages in a corresponding holding geometry (46) of the respective bearing block (40), and a recess (58), in which a latching element (56) of the respective bearing block (40) engages.Vehicle roof according to Claim 1, characterized in that the recess (58) is formed on the bearing hook (54).Vehicle roof according to Claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the bearing hook has a ramp (59) on an end side, which ramp interacts with the latching element (56) when the bearing element (42) is mounted on the bearing block (40).Vehicle roof according to one of Claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the bearing blocks (40) each comprise a retaining wall (57) which delimits the relevant bearing element (42) on the underside.Vehicle roof according to one of Claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the bearing elements (42) each have an engagement portion which is preferably of strip-like design and is bounded on both sides in the transverse direction (Y) of the vehicle by a contact surface of the relevant bearing block (40).Vehicle roof according to one of Claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the bearing elements (42) each comprise at least one centring nose (66) which engages in a centring receptacle (50) of the relevant bearing block (40) in the roof longitudinal direction (X).Vehicle roof according to one of Claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the bearing elements (42) each comprise at least one centring pin (68, 72) on an end side facing the relevant guide rail (30), said centring pin engaging into a channel (70, 74) of this guide rail (30).Vehicle roof according to one of Claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the bearing elements (42) each comprise at least one latching hook (76) on an end side facing the relevant guide rail (30), said latching hook engaging with its hook portion (78) into a hole (80) of the relevant guide rail (30).Vehicle roof according to one of Claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the bearing elements (42) each have a bearing journal (82) which is aligned in the roof transverse direction (Y) and to which a drain strip (38) for the roller blind web (22) is fastened.Vehicle roof according to one of Claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the bearing blocks (40) each comprise a base plate (44) which preferably bears over the full surface area on the underside of the planar element.Vehicle roof, comprising a surface element with at least one transparent roof section (24) and a roller blind arrangement (20) for optional shading or at least partial release of the transparent roof section (24), which comprises a roller blind web (22), a winding shaft (26) for the roller blind web (22) and, with respect to a vertical longitudinal center plane of the roof, on both sides in each case a bearing unit (28) for the winding shaft (26) and in each case a guide rail (30) for lateral guidance of the roller blind web (22), wherein the bearing units (28) in each case comprise a bearing element (42) on which the winding shaft (26) is rotatably mounted, wherein the bearing elements (42) are in each case locked to a bearing block (40) which is fixedly connected to an underside of the surface element, characterized in that the bearing elements (42) are in each case locked to the bearing block (40) which is fixedly connected to the underside of the surface element, in that they are secured relative to the respective bearing block (40) in the roof longitudinal direction (X), in the roof transverse direction (Y) and in the roof vertical direction (Z), and in that the bearing elements (42) each have an engagement portion which is of strip-like design and is bounded on both sides in the vehicle transverse direction (Y) by a contact surface of the respective bearing block (40).Vehicle roof, comprising a surface element with at least one transparent roof section (24) and a roller blind arrangement (20) for optional shading or at least partial release of the transparent roof section (24), which comprises a roller blind web (22), a winding shaft (26) for the roller blind web (22) and, with respect to a vertical longitudinal center plane of the roof, on both sides in each case a bearing unit (28) for the winding shaft (26) and in each case a guide rail (30) for lateral guidance of the roller blind web (22), wherein the bearing units (28) in each case comprise a bearing element (42) on which the winding shaft (26) is rotatably mounted, wherein the bearing elements (42) are in each case locked to a bearing block (40) which is fixedly connected to an underside of the surface element, characterized in that the bearing elements (42) are in each case locked to the bearing block (40) which is fixedly connected to the underside of the surface element, in that they are secured relative to the respective bearing block (40) in the longitudinal direction (X) of the roof, in the transverse direction (Y) of the roof and in the vertical direction (Z) of the roof, and in that the bearing elements (42) each comprise at least one centring nose (66) which engages in a centring receptacle (50) of the respective bearing block (40) in the longitudinal direction (X) of the roof.

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