Passenger car with a movable roof part

Abstract

The invention relates to a passenger car with a rear vehicle seat row (12) arranged behind a front vehicle seat row (10), which is accessible via rear side doors (16) and which can be covered by a roof part (32) of a vehicle roof (18), which comprises a roof element (34) which can be displaced from an over-covering position into at least one avoidance position by means of a displacement mechanism for entering or exiting the rear vehicle seat row (12), respectively, wherein the roof element (34) has respective roof beams (36, 38) which can be displaced along with the roof element (34), and wherein the roof element (34) together with the roof beams (36, 38) can be displaced at least substantially out of alignment with a roof opening (48) in the vehicle roof (18) in the vehicle longitudinal direction to the rear into the region of a rear roof part (22) into the avoidance position.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a passenger car according to the preamble of claim 1.

[0002] Such a passenger car comprises a front row of seats and at least one rear row of seats, which is accessible via rear side doors and which can be covered by a central roof section of a vehicle roof comprising at least one roof element that can be displaced between a covered position and an open position by means of a displacement mechanism. A motor vehicle with a landaulet body is known, for example, from DE 1 505 704 C.

[0003] Furthermore, the "HiPhi X" passenger car from the manufacturer "Human Horizons" features a vehicle body in which, for entry and exit into and out of the rear row of seats, respective roof elements of the roof section located above the rear row of seats can be moved from an overhead position to an evasive position. The two roof elements are hinged to a central pillar running in the vehicle's longitudinal direction around a respective pivot axis running in the vehicle's longitudinal and horizontal direction, similar to gullwing doors or wing elements. When the respective rear side door is opened, the roof elements are pivoted upward to allow easy entry into the vehicle.

[0004] However, such a structure requires a relatively large amount of space above the vehicle roof, allowing the roof elements to pivot upward when a passenger gets in or out of the vehicle. This can sometimes be problematic in parking garages or similar situations.

[0005] The object of the present invention is therefore to provide a passenger car of the type mentioned at the outset, in which a displacement of the corresponding roof element of the roof part above the rear row of vehicle seats is possible in a more space-saving manner.

[0006] This object is achieved according to the invention by a passenger car having the features of claim 1. Advantageous embodiments with expedient further developments of the invention are specified in the dependent claims.

[0007] The passenger car according to the invention comprises a front vehicle seat row and a rear vehicle seat row, which are accessible via respective front and rear side doors. The rear vehicle seat row can be covered or is covered by a roof part of a vehicle roof, which comprises a roof element that can be displaced from an over-cover position into at least one escape position by means of a displacement mechanism for entering or exiting the rear vehicle seat row.

[0008] In order to create a passenger car in which little installation space is required above the vehicle roof to move the roof element from the overhead position to the deflection position, the invention provides that the roof element can be displaced at least substantially out of overlap with an opening in the vehicle roof in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle to the rear into the region of a rear roof part into the deflection position. The rear roof part arranged behind the opening in the vehicle roof, within which the roof element is arranged in the overhead position, can be part of a tailgate or can be fixed. By displacing the roof element to the rear in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, it is thus possible for little or no space to be required above the vehicle roof to move the roof element into the region of the rear roof part into the deflection position.For example, it is conceivable to move the roof element upwards and essentially horizontally over the rear roof section. Alternatively, it is also conceivable to raise the rear roof section, which may be part of the tailgate, for example, and retract the roof element underneath it, i.e., to lower it inside or underneath the rear roof section. Likewise, by moving the roof element into the area of the rear roof section, it is easily possible to open the opening above the rear row of vehicle seats in the vehicle roof without requiring significant space above the vehicle roof.

[0009] According to the invention, it is further provided that the roof element has respective roof beams that can be moved along with the roof element. Typically, such a vehicle roof has respective lateral roof beams, which, on the one hand, delimit the vehicle roof to the side doors below and, on the other hand, stabilize the vehicle roof. By appropriately moving the respective roof beams, a very stable vehicle roof can be created, which, on the other hand, can be moved particularly conveniently for entry and exit from the vehicle or for open-top driving.

[0010] In a further embodiment of the invention, the roof element can also be moved into the evasive position for open-top driving. Thus, moving the roof element from the overlap with the opening in the vehicle roof above the rear row of seats can be used not only for entry and exit, but also as a landaulet structure for open-top driving.

[0011] In a further embodiment of the invention, the roof element can be displaced into the avoidance position depending on the opening or closing movement of the side doors. The displacement of the roof element can, for example, occur synchronously with the opening or closing of the rear side doors, for example, during a short-stroke release of the side windows of the side doors so that they can be opened.

[0012] A further advantageous embodiment provides that the roof element can be displaced into the evasive position depending on a sensor device. Such a sensor device can, for example, detect an obstacle that impedes the displacement of the roof element between the covering position and the evasive position, or, for example, also sense rain or the like that could negatively impact the comfort of the respective seat occupants. The sensor device can prevent the displacement of the roof element or, for example, issue an acoustic or visual warning.

[0013] A particularly convenient placement of the roof element can be achieved by moving it into the escape position in a cargo space or interior of the passenger car.

[0014] A further advantageous embodiment of the invention provides that the flap can be moved to move the roof element into the deflection position or from this position into an open position. A particularly advantageous solution can be achieved by providing a corresponding dual function for the tailgate, namely, on the one hand, to cover a cargo area and, on the other hand, to open and close a corresponding space for accommodating the roof element.

[0015] A further advantageous embodiment provides for the roof element to be movable into the deflection position outside the rear roof section. This results in a particularly easy-to-move roof element.

[0016] In a further embodiment of the invention, the front row of vehicle seats can be covered by a front roof section of the roof, which comprises a front roof element that can be moved into at least one evasive position by means of a displacement mechanism. This also provides a way to simplify entry and exit for occupants of the front row of vehicle seats and to enable open-top driving.

[0017] Finally, it has proven advantageous if the front roof element can be moved around a cross member of the windshield frame. This allows for a simple shift between a covering position and a corresponding evasive position.

[0018] Further advantages, features, and details of the invention will become apparent from the following description of a preferred embodiment and from the drawings. The features and combinations of features mentioned above in the description, as well as the features and combinations of features mentioned below in the description of the figures and / or shown alone in the figures, can be used not only in the respective combinations specified, but also in other combinations or on their own, without departing from the scope of the invention.

[0019] Showing: Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a four-door passenger car with a front and a rear row of vehicle seats, wherein the rear row of vehicle seats can be covered by a roof part of the vehicle roof, which comprises a roof element, in the present case shown in a cover position covering the rear row of vehicle seats; Fig. 2 a perspective view of the passenger car according to Fig. 1, whereby a tailgate of the motor vehicle is opened from its Fig. 1 is moved into an open position, so that a storage space is released to accommodate the roof element of the rear roof section; Fig. 3 a perspective view of the passenger car according to Fig. 2, in which the beginning of a rearward displacement movement in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle to the rear into the area of the rear roof part, which includes the tailgate, can be seen; Fig. 4 a perspective view of the passenger car analogous to the Fig. 1 to 3, wherein the roof element for covering the rear roof part or the rear row of vehicle seats is shown in the further course of the displacement movement from the covering position into an evasive position below the tailgate; Fig. 5 a side view of the passenger car according to the Fig. 1 to 4, wherein the opening in the vehicle roof above the rear row of vehicle seats is released by displacing the corresponding roof element in the vehicle longitudinal direction rearward under the tailgate in the region of the rear roof part into the evasive position; Fig. 6 a side view of the passenger car according to Fig. 5, wherein furthermore the front vehicle seat row is covered by a front roof part of the vehicle roof, which comprises a front roof element which is displaced upwards from the covering position around a cross member of a windshield frame; Fig. 7 another side view of the passenger car analogous to the Fig. 5 and Fig. 6, wherein in the present case the rear row of vehicle seats is covered by a roof element which is displaced from its covering position about a pivot axis in the region of a B-pillar into an evasive position; Fig. 8 a further perspective view of the passenger car with the roof element closed above the rear row of vehicle seats; Fig. 9 a perspective view of the passenger car analogous to Fig. 8, whereby the roof element above the rear row of vehicle seats consists of the Fig. 8 shown covering position into an evasive position below a rear window of the tailgate in the area of the rear roof section; and in Fig. 10 a further perspective view of the passenger car with an alternatively designed roof element, which is displaced outside the vehicle roof in the area of the rear roof part into the avoidance position.

[0020] In the figures, identical or functionally identical elements are provided with the same reference symbols.

[0021] In the Fig. 1 to 4 each show a perspective view of a four- or five-seater passenger car with a front row of vehicle seats 10 and a rear row of vehicle seats 12. The front row of vehicle seats 10 is accessible via respective front side doors 14 arranged on both outer sides of the vehicle, and the rear row of vehicle seats 12 is accessible via rear side doors 16 arranged on the respective sides of the vehicle.

[0022] The present passenger car comprises a vehicle roof 18 with a hatchback 20, a rear roof part of the vehicle roof, which extends rearwardly from respective C-pillars 24 in relation to the vehicle longitudinal direction, also by a tailgate 26 or one which comprises a rear loading space 28 in its Fig. 1. In relation to the vehicle's longitudinal direction, a central roof section 32 of the vehicle roof 18 extends between the respective B-pillars 30 and the previously explained C-pillars 24, which in the present case comprises a roof element 34 shown hatched for clarity. The roof element 34 comprises respective roof spars 36, 38 extending between the laterally corresponding B-pillar 30 and the corresponding C-pillar 24, as well as a flat roof skin section 40, which can be formed, for example, from sheet metal, plastic, or glass.

[0023] In order to make entry or exit into or from the rear vehicle seat row 12 more comfortable for a seat occupant, the roof element 34 is made of the Fig. 1, in which the roof element 34 together with its roof beams 36, 38 and the roof skin part 40 is integrated flush into the vehicle roof 18, into an evasive position in the vehicle longitudinal direction to the rear and downwards, in which position it is located in the area of the rear roof part 22.

[0024] According to the Fig. 1 to 4, the tailgate 26, which is assigned to the rear roof part 22, is first opened according to the Fig. 2, the roof element 34 - essentially the two roof beams 36, 38 and the roof skin part 40 - is displaced around its rear lower end about an imaginary pivot axis by means of the arrows 42 indicated in FIG. 2, so that the upper end of the tailgate 26 is extended and raised. The roof element 34 - essentially the two roof beams 36, 38 and the roof skin part 40 - is displaced into the loading space 28 thus opened by means of the displacement mechanism 44, which is only schematically indicated by a box, from the Fig. 1 into an escape position in the area of the rear roof part 22. The displacement mechanism 44 can, for example, comprise a corresponding lever kinematics with a respective four-point joint bearing per side of the roof element 34 as well as an electric, pneumatic or hydraulic drive, by means of which the roof element 34 can be moved according to the Fig. 3 and Fig. 4 shown arrows 46 into the area below the tailgate 26 or into the loading space 28. As soon as the roof element 34 is completely within the loading space 28 or is arranged in overlap with the tailgate 26, the latter can be displaced, for example, about the imaginary pivot axis at its rear lower end and thus the upper end of the tailgate 26 can be lowered again, so that it can be moved from its open position back into its Fig. 1. By moving the roof element 34 from the position shown in Fig. 1 shown covering or closed position into the avoidance position below the tailgate 26 or within the rear loading space 28, an opening 48 in the middle roof part 32 of the vehicle roof 18 is thus released, as shown in Fig. 5 is illustrated in a side view of the passenger car.

[0025] Since the roof element 34, including the roof spars 36, 38, and the roof skin part 40, is thus completely relocated rearward in the vehicle's longitudinal direction into the area of the rear roof part 22, this results in particularly convenient entry and exit for the seat occupants when they open the corresponding rear side door 16. In this case, there is no obstruction by a part of the roof element 34; rather, the vehicle roof in the central roof part 32 is completely removed.

[0026] The control of the roof element 34 from the covering position into the evasive position can be adapted to the opening of the respective side door, similar to a short-stroke release of a corresponding side window of the respective side door for opening and entering the rear vehicle seat row 12. Conversely, of course, after closing the respective rear side door 12, the roof element 34 can be moved again from the evasive position into the covering position, so that the roof opening 48 of the rear roof part 22 is closed again after a vehicle occupant has entered or exited the rear vehicle seat row 12.

[0027] In this case, the roof element 34 can not only be moved from the cover position to the selection position for entry and exit, but, for example, the roof element 34 can also be moved to the evasive position for open-top driving. This can be achieved, for example, by appropriate control with a central control unit or the like. Furthermore, the roof element 34 can also be moved to the evasive position and back depending on a sensor device. This can also detect, for example, whether the roof element 34 is being opened for entry or exit and / or for open-top driving in the event of rain. Fig. 6 shows in a perspective view analogous to Fig. 5 the passenger car, wherein in addition to the roof element 34 above the rear vehicle seat row 12, a roof element 50 of a front roof part 52 of the vehicle roof 18 from the in Fig. 5 shown cover position into a Fig. 6. The roof element 50 of the front roof section 52 extends essentially from an upper cross member 54 of a windshield frame or from the respective A-pillars 58 in the vehicle's longitudinal direction to the rear as far as the respective B-pillars 30. The roof element 50 comprises respective roof members 60 and a roof skin part 62, which cover the front vehicle seat row 10 between the respective front side doors 14 and can thus be displaced with their rear end upwards into the avoidance position when displaced according to the arrow 54 about a pivot axis running in the region of the front cross member 54. This releases a corresponding opening 66 in the front roof section 52 of the vehicle roof 18, so that here too better entry and exit is possible or, if necessary, the corresponding roof element can also be opened when driving with the roof down.

[0028] According to Fig. 7 shows an alternative embodiment in a further side view of the passenger car, wherein in the present case the rear roof element 34 has not been displaced into the area of the rear roof part 22, but analogously to the roof element 50 above the front vehicle seat row 14 also with a rear end in the vehicle vertical direction upwards according to the arrow 68. In this case the roof element 34 is pivoted about an imaginary pivot axis, which runs in the area on the upper side of the B-pillars 30, accordingly between the covering position and the in Fig. 7 shown evasive position. In the Fig. 8 to 10 show alternative embodiments of the roof element 34 above the rear row of vehicle seats in respective perspective views. The roof element 34 there is according to Fig. 8 in its covering position above the rear vehicle seat row 12, from which it can be removed either - as in Fig. 9 - below a rear window 70 or according to Fig. 10 outside the rear window 70 of the passenger car, which is designed as a notchback vehicle in the present case, can be moved into the avoidance position. In the embodiment according to Fig. 9, the roof element 34 is displaced underneath the rear window 70, which has previously been pivoted upwards with its upper end region, after which the rear window 70 can be displaced back into its closed position, for example, whereby the roof element 34 is then located inside the rear window 70 in the interior of the motor vehicle. In the embodiment according to Fig. 10, however, the roof element 34 covers the rear window 70 on the outside. Accordingly, the roof element 34 is then designed in particular to be transparent and made of a corresponding plastic or glass. QUOTES CONTAINED IN THE DESCRIPTION

[0000] This list of documents submitted by the applicant was generated automatically and is included solely for the convenience of the reader. This list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions. Cited patent literature

[0000] DE 1 505 704 C

[0002]

Claims

[1] Passenger car with a rear vehicle seat row (12) arranged behind a front vehicle seat row (10, 12), which is accessible via rear side doors (16) and which can be covered by a roof part (32) of a vehicle roof (18) comprising a roof element (34) which can be displaced from an over-cover position into at least one avoidance position by means of a displacement mechanism for entering or exiting the rear vehicle seat row (12), characterized by that the roof element (34) has respective roof spars (36, 38) which can be displaced together with the roof element (34) and that the roof element (34) together with the roof spars (36, 38) can be displaced at least substantially out of overlap with a roof opening (48) in the vehicle roof (18) in the vehicle longitudinal direction to the rear into the region of a rear roof part (22) into the avoidance position. [2] Passenger car according to claim 1, characterized bythat the roof element (34) can also be moved into the avoidance position for open driving. [3] Passenger car according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by that the roof element (34) can be displaced into the evasive position depending on an opening or closing movement of the side doors (14). [4] Passenger car according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the roof element (34) can be displaced into the evasive position depending on a sensor device. [5] Passenger car according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the roof element (34) can be moved into the avoidance position in a loading space (28) of the passenger car. [6] Passenger car according to claim 5, characterized by that a tailgate (26) can be moved to move the roof element (34) into the evasive position or out of this into an open position. [7] Passenger car according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the roof element (34) can be moved into the avoidance position outside the rear roof part (22). [8] Passenger car according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the front vehicle seat row (10) can be covered by a front roof part (52) of a vehicle roof (18), which comprises a front roof element (50) which can be displaced into at least one avoidance position by means of a displacement mechanism. [9] Passenger car according to claim 9, characterized in that the front roof element (50) is displaceable around a cross member (56) of a windshield frame.

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