Spring frame for a shading device for a transparent roof area of ​​a motor vehicle, method for its manufacture and shading device with such a spring frame

Abstract

Spring frame (2) for a shading device (1) of a transparent roof area of ​​a motor vehicle made of a spring-elastic frame profile which has a cross-section that is rotationally asymmetrical relative to its central longitudinal axis, wherein the frame profile is bent into a substantially rectangular frame and opposite profile ends (6a, 6b) of the frame profile are connected to each other in an overlapping manner to form the circumferentially closed frame, characterized in that both profile ends (6a, 6b) are plastically twisted and wound around each other by forming several helical turns, thereby achieving a positive locking connection of the profile ends (6a, 6b) to each other along the central longitudinal axis.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a spring frame for a shading device for a transparent roof area of ​​a motor vehicle made of a spring-elastic frame profile which has a cross-section that is rotationally asymmetrical relative to its central longitudinal axis, in particular a rectangular cross-section, wherein the frame profile is bent into a substantially square frame and opposite profile ends of the frame profile are connected to each other in an overlapping manner to form the circumferentially closed frame.

[0002] Spring frames made of spring steel wire are commonly used to suspend flexible shading structures. After being fitted with the shading material, the frame is simply inserted from inside the vehicle, below a transparent section of the roof, within the area of ​​the headliner. The spring steel wire serves as the longitudinal frame profile. It is bent into a closed frame so that the wire ends overlap. These overlapping ends are then welded together or firmly connected using a separate component such as a sleeve or ring.

[0003] From AU 199 60 65 729 A1, a tension frame covered with a textile shading structure is known, which serves to shade a window of a passenger car. The tension frame is made of a steel wire, the ends of which are joined by means of a clip to create a completely closed frame. This frame is covered with a textile fabric or a film structure.

[0004] The object of the invention is to create a spring frame, a method for manufacturing the spring frame and a shading device of the type mentioned above, which enable a particularly simple and cost-effective construction.

[0005] For the spring frame, the problem underlying the invention is solved by plastically twisting and wrapping both profile ends together, each forming several helical turns, thereby achieving a positive-locking connection between the profile ends along the central longitudinal axis. Plastic twisting is understood to mean a permanent twist. The twisting of the two profile ends preferably takes place separately from each other before the twisted profile ends are joined. According to the invention, it is also possible to align the profile ends overlapping each other and then twist them together, forming several helical turns. In addition to the twisting and joining of the profile ends, the frame profile is permanently, i.e., plastically, bent to form the essentially rectangular tension frame.The solution according to the invention eliminates the need for an additional process step in the manufacture of the spring frame. In contrast to the prior art, neither an additional welding process nor an additional component is required to join the profile ends. This results in a cost-effective yet functionally reliable solution. A spring frame is understood to be a spring-elastic, essentially rectangular frame that can spring into a defined functional position under preload. This position allows for clamping and tensioning with sections of the headliner that surround the transparent roof area on the interior side of a vehicle.

[0006] In one embodiment of the invention, the intertwined profile ends are pressed against each other in the area of ​​the helical windings. This provides additional security for the connection between the profile ends, preventing them from separating without damage.

[0007] In a further embodiment of the invention, the compression is achieved by flattening the wound profile ends orthogonally to the central longitudinal axis of the frame profile. The helical windings are flattened from opposite sides – radially to a central longitudinal axis of the frame profile.

[0008] In a further embodiment of the invention, the frame profile is made of spring steel wire. The spring steel wire preferably has a rectangular cross-section.

[0009] For the method of manufacturing the spring frame, in which a spring-elastic frame profile having a rotationally asymmetrical cross-section relative to its central longitudinal axis is bent into a substantially rectangular frame in a first process step, and in which opposite profile ends are joined together in an overlapping manner in a further process step to form a circumferentially closed frame, the problem underlying the invention is solved by achieving the overlapping connection of the profile ends by plastically twisting both profile ends, each forming several helical turns, and wrapping the helical turns around each other to achieve a positive-locking connection of the profile ends along the central longitudinal axis.This allows for the particularly cost-effective yet reliable production of a spring frame suitable for use as a shading device for a transparent roof area of ​​a motor vehicle. The wrapping is preferably carried out after the twisting. Alternatively, the wrapping can be done simultaneously with the twisting. In this case, the profile ends are laid parallel to each other and then twisted together.

[0010] In this embodiment of the process, the intertwined profile ends are pressed together. The pressing is particularly advantageous when the intertwined profile ends are flattened orthogonally to the central longitudinal axis of the frame profile. This enables a particularly secure connection of the profile ends and thus a particularly secure design of a closed, essentially rectangular frame, which is used as a spring frame.

[0011] For the shading device of the type mentioned above, the problem underlying the invention is solved by the features of claim 8. The flexible shading structure is preferably a knitted textile fabric that has a sufficient degree of blackout to enable shading of a transparent roof area. The flexible shading structure is stretched over the spring frame. The shading structure preferably has a circumferential hem in which the spring frame runs.

[0012] Further advantages and features of the invention will become apparent from the claims. A preferred embodiment of the invention is described below and illustrated with reference to the drawings. Fig. Figure 1 schematically shows an embodiment of a shading device according to the invention with an embodiment of a spring frame according to the invention, Fig. 2 in enlarged view a section II of the spring frame according to Fig. 1, Fig. 3a in a further enlarged view a profile end of a frame profile of the spring frame according to the Fig. 1 and Fig. 2, Fig. 3b two opposite profile ends of the frame profile of the spring frame according to the Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 and Fig. 4 in enlarged schematic representation an additional process step of flat pressing the two helically twisted profile ends according to the Fig. 2, Fig. 3a and Fig. 3b.

[0013] A shading device 1 according to Fig. The shading device 1 is designed for installation in the interior of a passenger car below a transparent roof section. The shading device 1 is pre-tensioned and supported against opposite sides of a headliner panel below the transparent roof section. Corresponding headliner sections enclose the transparent roof section as interior trim elements of the vehicle. The shading device 1 has a spring frame 2, which is made of a longitudinally extended frame profile, in this case a spring steel wire. The longitudinally extended frame profile has a rotationally asymmetrical cross-section, in the illustrated embodiment a rectangular cross-section. A flexible shading structure 3, in this case a knitted textile fabric, is stretched over the spring frame 2, so that the shading structure 3 extends over the entire enclosed area of ​​the tensioning frame 2.For clarity, the flexible shading structure is shown in 3 in . Fig. 1 is shown only in sections. The shading structure 3 has a continuous hem 4 around its edge, in which the frame profile 2 extends.

[0014] The frame profile 2 is first formed as a longitudinally extended extruded profile into the essentially rectangular frame shape according to Fig. 1. Bent. Then, profile ends 6a and 6b are joined together in a connection area 5 by bending each profile end 6a, 6b according to the Fig. 3a and Fig. 3b is plastically twisted, forming several helical turns around a central longitudinal axis of the frame profile. The helically twisted profile ends 6a and 6b are then processed according to... Fig. 2 wrapped around each other, so that a positive fit is achieved between the profile ends 6a and 6b along the central longitudinal axis of the frame profile of the spring frame 2 in the connection area 5.

[0015] In addition, according to the invention Fig. 4. Flattening of the connection area 5 is provided by two press punches 7 pressing together the helically twisted profile ends 6a and 6b from opposite sides radially to the central longitudinal axis of the frame profile of the spring frame 2 – and thus orthogonally to this central longitudinal axis. The pressing force is chosen to be large enough that the helically twisted profile ends 6a and 6b are plastically deformed and flattened.

[0016] By connecting the profile ends 6a and 6b according to the Fig.1 to 4 create a closed, surrounding frame over which the flexible shading structure 3 can be stretched. Preferably, the shading structure 3 is stretched onto the spring frame 2 after the spring frame is completed by folding the hem 4 around the frame profile of the profile frame 2 and then sewing or welding the hem to achieve a fully stretched state of the shading structure 3.

Claims

[1] Spring frame (2) for a shading device (1) of a transparent roof area of ​​a motor vehicle made of a spring-elastic frame profile having a cross-section that is rotationally asymmetrical relative to its central longitudinal axis, wherein the frame profile is bent into a substantially rectangular frame and opposite profile ends (6a, 6b) of the frame profile are connected to each other in an overlapping manner to form the circumferentially closed frame, characterized by , that both profile ends (6a, 6b) are plastically twisted and wound around each other, forming several helical turns, thereby achieving a positive connection between the profile ends (6a, 6b) along the central longitudinal axis. [2] Spring frame (2) according to claim 1, characterized by , that the intertwined profile ends (6a, 6b) are pressed against each other in the area of ​​the helical windings. [3] Spring frame (2) according to claim 2, characterized by, that the compression is achieved by flattening the wrapped profile ends (6a, 6b) orthogonal to the central longitudinal axis of the frame profile. [4] Spring frame (2) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the frame profile is made from a spring steel wire. [5] Method for manufacturing a spring frame (2) wherein a spring-elastic frame profile having a rotationally asymmetrical cross-section relative to its central longitudinal axis is bent into a substantially rectangular frame in a first process step, and wherein opposite profile ends (6a, 6b) are joined together in an overlapping manner in a further process step to form a fully enclosed frame, characterized by, that the overlapping connection of the profile ends (6a, 6b) is achieved by a plastic twisting of both profile ends (6a, 6b) with each forming several helical turns and a winding of the helical turns around each other, achieving a form-fit connection of the profile ends (6a, 6b) along the central longitudinal axis. [6] Method according to claim 5, characterized by , that the wrapped profile ends (6a, 6b) are pressed against each other. [7] Method according to claim 5 or 6, characterized by , that the compression is produced by flattening the wrapped profile ends (6a, 6b) orthogonally to the central longitudinal axis of the frame profile. [8] Shading device (1) of a transparent roof area of ​​a motor vehicle with a spring frame (2) according to one of claims 1 to 4, and with a flexible shading structure (3) which is mounted on the spring frame (2) and is stretched over a surface by the spring frame (2).

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