Pop-up roof system for vehicles

Abstract

The invention relates to a lifting roof system for vehicles, comprising a drive device which is designed to rotate a first threaded rod and a second threaded rod arranged parallel thereto about their longitudinal axes, wherein the first threaded rod is connected directly or via an intermediate element to a third threaded rod which has a thread running counter to the first threaded rod, and wherein the second threaded rod is connected directly or via an intermediate element to a fourth threaded rod which has a thread running counter to the second threaded rod, wherein a sliding module is displaceably arranged on each of the threaded rods, wherein the first sliding module arranged on the first threaded rod and the third sliding module arranged on the third threaded rod are designed,to move towards each other in a first direction when the threaded rods rotate and to move away from each other in the opposite direction when the threaded rods rotate, and wherein the second sliding module arranged on the second threaded rod and the fourth sliding module arranged on the fourth threaded rod are designed to move towards each other in a first direction when the threaded rods rotate and to move away from each other in the opposite direction when the threaded rods rotate, wherein the threaded rods and the sliding modules arranged thereon are components of a frame construction, wherein the frame construction is connected to a substructure via connecting elements arranged on the sliding modules and wherein the frame construction is designed,to move in a first direction towards the substructure when the threaded rods rotate and to move away from the substructure when the threaded rods rotate in the opposite direction.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a novel pop-top roof system for attachment to a vehicle, for example a camper, motorhome, pick-up, sprinter or bus.

[0002] Many people consider camping to be close to nature and an ideal way to spend their holidays. Depending on personal needs, preferences, and possibilities, overnight stays are usually in a tent, caravan, or even a motorhome. In addition to the significantly lower costs compared to hotel stays, camping offers the additional advantage of being location-independent and able to change locations at will. However, the initial initial purchase costs for a caravan or motorhome are comparatively high, and renting one can also be very expensive, leaving many campers with no choice but to sleep in a tent.

[0003] Pitching or erecting a tent is possible both on natural ground, and is the most common form, and on the roofs of vehicles in the form of so-called roof tents, which are accessible via a ladder.

[0004] The disadvantage of these tents is that they don't have a solid floor, and campers usually sleep on sleeping mats or air mattresses. This is often particularly uncomfortable for older people or those with back problems, as they ideally sleep on firmer mattresses without any air cushioning.

[0005] Furthermore, solutions are known from the state of the art that provide for the installation of a pop-top cabin on a vehicle. Such a pop-top cabin is raised pneumatically and / or via a scissor system, allowing campers to sleep underneath on a mattress permanently installed in the cabin. The space between the floor and the roof of the cabin is usually limited on the sides by flaps that are either attached to the pop-top and folded down after the pop-top is extended to its maximum height, or that are attached to the floor of the cabin and folded up after the pop-top is extended to its maximum height. A typical cabin with a parallel pop-top cabin is presented online at https: / / www.youtube.com / watch?v=0EYfdMQq8q8. While this solution offers the comfort of a real mattress, it requires improvement in terms of the cabin's structure and stability.Another disadvantage is that the scissor system is freely accessible when the pop-top roof is extended, leaving the mechanism exposed to the elements. This leaves the system unprotected against dust, rain, snow, and ice.

[0006] DE 10 2022 121 084 A1 describes an arrangement with at least one frame element for a pop-up roof of a mobile home, caravan, or similar recreational vehicle. When assembled, at least one side wall portion of the pop-up roof is attached to the frame element. The frame element forms an air duct through which air can be guided into the pop-up roof.

[0007] DE 10 2021 104 861 A1 describes a recreational vehicle, in particular a mobile home, which has an alcove above a driver's seat, in particular as a sleeping area, wherein the roof area above it can be raised to expand the space and the roof area in its fully raised position is rotated by an angle about a transverse axis of the vehicle compared to its lowered position.

[0008] DE 93 92 838 U1 describes a combination motor vehicle with a lifting roof which only begins behind a short front part of the roof which is fixedly arranged on the vehicle chassis and has an at least approximately vertical front end surface which is located at a short distance from a rear end surface of the front part of the roof which runs parallel thereto. Object of the invention

[0009] It is the object of the present invention to provide an alternative lifting roof system for attachment to a vehicle, which overcomes the aforementioned disadvantages known from the prior art and is preferably characterized by high stability, ease of use and increased weather resistance when the lifting roof is extended. General description of the invention

[0010] The invention solves this problem with the features of the claims and in particular with a lifting roof system for vehicles, comprising a drive device which is designed to rotate a first threaded rod and a second threaded rod arranged parallel to the first threaded rod, which has a thread directed in the same direction or in the same direction as the thread of the first threaded rod, wherein the first threaded rod is connected directly or via an intermediate element to a third threaded rod, which has a thread running counter to the first threaded rod, and wherein the second threaded rod is connected directly or via an intermediate element to a fourth threaded rod, which has a thread running counter to the second threaded rod, wherein a sliding module is displaceably arranged on each of the threaded rods,wherein the first sliding module arranged on the first threaded rod and the third sliding module arranged on the third threaded rod are configured to move synchronously toward one another when the threaded rods rotate in a first direction and to move synchronously away from one another when the threaded rods rotate in the opposite direction, and wherein the second sliding module arranged on the second threaded rod and the fourth sliding module arranged on the fourth threaded rod are configured to move synchronously toward one another when the threaded rods rotate in a first direction and to move synchronously away from one another when the threaded rods rotate in the opposite direction. The threaded rods and the sliding modules arranged on them are components of a frame construction, which is connected to a substructure by means of connecting elements arranged on the sliding modules and configured,to move in a first direction towards the substructure when the threaded rods rotate and to move away from the substructure when the threaded rods rotate in the opposite direction.

[0011] The drive device can be a drive device driven by an electric motor and / or mechanically, which, for example, has one or more bevel gears (e.g., cross gears and / or angular gears). In particular, according to one embodiment, the drive device has a cross gear configured to transmit a force to the first threaded rod by means of a first shaft and a first angular gear, and to the second threaded rod by means of a second shaft and a second angular gear. Alternatively, the drive device can also comprise chain systems (chains and sprockets), belt systems (belts and pulleys), and / or cable systems (cables and pulleys) in order to transmit a force to the first and second threaded rods.

[0012] In yet another alternative embodiment, the drive device of the pop-top system according to the invention can also comprise two separate motors, one of which is configured to drive the first threaded rod, and the other of which is configured to drive the second threaded rod. However, particular care must be taken to ensure that the force is transmitted synchronously to the first and second threaded rods in the form of a rotary movement.

[0013] Preferably, the first and second threaded rods have a unidirectional / co-rotating thread, i.e., both threaded rods have either a right-hand or a left-hand thread. Therefore, when both threaded rods rotate in the same direction, the two sliding modules arranged on these threaded rods also move in the same direction.

[0014] For the purposes of the present invention, a sliding module is understood to be any component with an internal thread, in particular a nut.

[0015] According to the invention, the first threaded rod is connected to a third threaded rod and the second threaded rod is connected to a fourth threaded rod, wherein the first and the third threaded rod have an opposing thread and the second and the fourth threaded rod also have an opposing thread. For example, the first and the second threaded rod have a right-hand thread, while the third and the fourth threaded rod have a left-hand thread, or vice versa. According to the invention, the first and the third threaded rod as well as the second and the fourth threaded rod are either connected to one another directly, e.g. welded to one another, or connected to one another via an intermediate element, wherein the intermediate element can be, for example, a round profile, in particular a piece of pipe.Regardless of whether the first and third and the second and fourth threaded rods are connected to one another directly or via an intermediate element, the arrangement of the threaded rods is such that the first and third threaded rods lie with their longitudinal center axes on a common straight line and the second and fourth threaded rods also lie with their longitudinal center axes on a common straight line which is parallel to the straight line on which the longitudinal center axes of the first and third threaded rods lie.

[0016] One advantage of connecting the first and third threaded rods, as well as the second and fourth threaded rods, via an intermediate element, e.g., a pipe connected to the threaded rods via couplings on both sides, is that this is generally more cost-effective than making the threaded rods longer and welding them together for a direct connection, since solid profile threaded rods are more expensive. They are also heavier, which is another argument in favor of providing an intermediate element between the first and third threaded rods, as well as between the second and fourth threaded rods.

[0017] Because the first and third threaded rods in the pop-top roof system according to the invention have an oppositely rotating thread, but due to their connection to one another rotate in the same direction when rotating about their longitudinal center axis, the sliding modules arranged on these threaded rods move synchronously in opposite directions, i.e. when the threaded rods rotate in a first direction about their longitudinal center axes, the sliding modules arranged displaceably on the threaded rods move synchronously towards one another, while when the threaded rods rotate in an opposite second direction about their longitudinal center axes, they move synchronously away from one another.The same applies to the sliding modules arranged on the second and fourth threaded rods, which, due to the opposing threads of both threaded rods on which they are arranged, also move synchronously towards each other when the threaded rods rotate in a first direction about their longitudinal center axes, and move synchronously away from each other when the threaded rods rotate in an opposite second direction about their longitudinal center axes.

[0018] Since each sliding module is connected to a substructure belonging to the pop-top roof system according to the invention via a connecting element, the distance between the substructure and a frame structure enclosing the sliding modules changes with each movement of the sliding modules on the threaded rods. In addition to the sliding modules, the threaded rods and optionally present intermediate elements, as well as preferably also the preferably present shafts, the cross gear, and the angle gears, are part of the frame structure. The latter is so named because, according to one embodiment of the pop-top roof system according to the invention, the aforementioned components frame the space it is intended to enclose on three sides. An additional frame element, which connects the ends of the second and fourth threaded rods and forms the fourth side of the frame, can also be part of the frame structure.In general, however, the frame construction is to be understood as a flat structure which comprises at least the threaded rods, optional intermediate elements and the sliding modules arranged on the threaded rods, preferably in the form of a plate into which the threaded rods, the sliding modules and optionally further components are integrated.

[0019] Preferably, the connecting elements arranged on the sliding modules between the frame structure and the substructure are designed to be continuously positioned at any angle between 0° and 90° to the substructure. In particular, the connecting elements are arranged at a first end on the substructure and are connected to it, for example, by a hinge. The second end of the connecting elements, opposite the first end, is connected to one of the sliding modules arranged on one of the threaded rods.

[0020] The sliding modules can each be moved along the entire length of the threaded rod, or alternatively, stops can be provided on the threaded rods to limit the range of movement of the sliding modules along the longitudinal axes of the threaded rods. In a position where the sliding modules arranged on the first and third threaded rods, as well as the sliding modules arranged on the second and fourth threaded rods, are at the smallest possible distance from each other, the frame construction contacts the substructure, i.e., the connecting elements are at a 0° angle to the substructure. This position of the pop-up roof system is also referred to as the "retracted position."In a position in which the sliding modules arranged on the first and third threaded rods as well as the sliding modules arranged on the second and fourth threaded rods have the greatest possible distance from each other, the frame structure is spaced as far as possible from the substructure, i.e. the connecting elements are at a 90° angle to the substructure as well as to the frame structure. This position of the pop-up roof system is also referred to as the "extended position". It is easy to see that the distance that each sliding module can travel on its associated threaded rod between one threaded end or attachment point and its opposite threaded end or attachment point corresponds to the distance that the frame structure can be moved away from the substructure, which in turn corresponds to the height of the pop-up roof system's cabin.

[0021] According to one embodiment, the four threaded rods each have a length between 50 and 100 cm, e.g. between 70 and 80 cm, although a longer length could also be easily realized and would lead to a greater height of the cabin and to a greater length of the lifting roof system.

[0022] Preferably, the pop-top roof system according to the invention also comprises a first wall element and an opposite second wall element, each of which is arranged with a longitudinal side on the substructure, wherein the first wall element is fastened with its opposite longitudinal side to the sliding module displaceably arranged on the third threaded rod and the sliding module displaceably arranged on the fourth threaded rod, and wherein the second wall element is fastened with its opposite longitudinal side to the sliding module displaceably arranged on the first threaded rod and the sliding module displaceably arranged on the second threaded rod. The first wall element thus forms the front wall of the cabin, and the second wall element forms the rear wall of the cabin.Due to the described arrangement on the sliding modules, both wall elements are moved from a first position in which they rest against the substructure when the lifting roof system is extended into a position in which they are finally arranged at a 90° angle to both the substructure and the frame construction.

[0023] The pop-top roof system according to the invention preferably also comprises a third wall element and an opposite fourth wall element, each of which is arranged independently of one another with one long side on the substructure, wherein in an extended state in which the substructure and the frame structure are each arranged at a 90° angle to the first wall element and the second wall element, they rest against the frame structure with the opposite long side. In this way, the frame structure, the substructure and the four wall elements define a cabin between them when the pop-top roof system is in the extended state. In this cabin, a mattress can be arranged on the floor, i.e. the substructure, or integrated into it, which mattress is also protected from above by the frame structure when retracted.When folded together, the third and fourth wall elements preferably rest on the mattress.

[0024] Optionally, each of the four wall elements can have a window and / or a door or access, independent of the other wall elements.

[0025] Further optionally, each of the four wall elements can be locked independently of the other wall elements with an adjacent wall element and / or the frame construction and thus fixed in its position.

[0026] According to one embodiment, the four wall elements of the pop-top roof system according to the invention are each made of a foldable material, for example a fabric, cloth or tent material.

[0027] Alternatively, the four wall elements can each be made of a solid material, with each of the four wall elements being arranged independently of the other three wall elements with one long side either on the substructure or on the frame structure, in particular via an articulated connection. After the pop-up roof system has been extended, during which the first and second wall elements are preferably also extended, the third and fourth wall elements arranged between the first and second wall elements can then be folded upwards by 90° along the long side with which they are arranged on the substructure, so that together with the first and second wall elements as well as the substructure and the frame structure they delimit a space between them which can serve as a cabin and in which a mattress is preferably integrated into the substructure or arranged on it.

[0028] A particular advantage of the present invention is that, in this state, in which the frame structure, the substructure, and the four wall elements define a cabin, no components of the pop-top system are located outside the cabin. In particular, the threaded rods and the sliding modules arranged on them are integrated into the frame structure and are therefore not located outside the cabin when the pop-top system is extended, nor are they accessible from the outside when the pop-top system is retracted. Therefore, these components are reliably protected from dust, rain, snow, ice, and other weather influences.

[0029] Further advantages of the pop-top system according to the invention are that it is very stable, particularly more stable than pop-top systems with a scissor mechanism. Furthermore, the pop-top system according to the invention can be extended and retracted very quickly, e.g., at the push of a button. This even includes extending and retracting the front and rear walls, so that only the two side walls need to be folded down manually to erect the cabin.

[0030] Preferably, the pop-top roof system according to the invention in each embodiment has fastening elements for fastening to a vehicle, which are arranged in particular on the substructure. Detailed description of the invention

[0031] The invention will now be described in more detail by means of embodiments and with reference to the figures, which schematically - in the Fig. 1 shows a schematic view of an arrangement of components of the lifting roof system according to the invention, - in the Fig. 2 shows an embodiment of a lifting roof system according to the invention in the retracted state, - in the Fig. 3 shows an embodiment of a lifting roof system according to the invention in the half-extended state, - in the Fig. 4 shows an embodiment of a lifting roof system according to the invention in the extended state, and - in the Fig. 5 shows a further embodiment of a lifting roof system according to the invention.

[0032] The Fig. 1 shows a schematic view of an arrangement of components according to an embodiment of the pop-top roof system according to the invention, in which the components are not connected to one another for the sake of clarity. In the embodiment shown, an electric motor 11 drives a drive device 1 which consists of a cross gear 12, a first shaft 13 and a first angle gear 14, as well as a second shaft 15 and a second angle gear 16. The force transmitted by the drive device 1 is transferred to the first threaded rod 2 and the second threaded rod 3 arranged parallel to the first threaded rod. In this embodiment, the first threaded rod 2 and the second threaded rod 3 have a thread in the same direction, e.g. both have a right-hand thread or both have a left-hand thread.At their respective ends facing away from the angular gears 14, 16, the first threaded rod 2 and the second threaded rod 3 are each connected to a round profile 10, wherein the round profile 10, which is connected to the first threaded rod 2, is connected to a threaded rod 4 at its end opposite the threaded rod 2, and wherein the round profile 10, which is connected to the second threaded rod 3, is connected to a threaded rod 5 at its end opposite the threaded rod 3. According to the invention, the first threaded rod 2 and the third threaded rod 4 have an opposing thread, as do the second threaded rod 3 and the fourth threaded rod 5. Sliding modules 6, which are arranged so as to be displaceable on each of the threaded rods 2, 3, 4, 5, are shown in the . Fig. 1 not shown.

[0033] The Fig. Figure 2 shows an embodiment of a pop-top roof system according to the invention in the retracted state. The frame structure 7 rests on the substructure 9, so that all components integrated into the frame structure 7, in particular the threaded rods 2, 3, 4, 5 with the sliding modules 6 arranged thereon, are not accessible from the outside.

[0034] The Fig. 3 shows an embodiment of the pop-top roof system according to the invention in the half-extended state. As can be seen, a sliding module 6a, 6b, 6c, 6d is arranged on each of the threaded rods 2, 3, 4, 5. Connecting elements 8 connect the frame structure 7 to the substructure 9. Since the first threaded rod 2 and the third threaded rod 4, as well as the second threaded rod 3 and the fourth threaded rod 5, have an opposing thread, but due to their connection to one another rotate in the same direction when rotating about their longitudinal center axis, the sliding modules 6a and 6c or 6b and 6d, which are arranged on these threaded rods, move synchronously in opposite directions, i.e. when the threaded rods 2, 3, 4, 5 rotate in a first direction about their longitudinal center axes, the sliding modules 6a and 6c or 6b and 6d, which are arranged displaceably on the threaded rods, move6b and 6d move synchronously towards each other, while they move synchronously away from each other when the threaded rods rotate in an opposite second direction about their longitudinal central axes.

[0035] The Fig. 4 shows the same embodiment of the lifting roof system according to the invention as in Fig. 3, but in the extended state. In this state, the sliding modules 6a, 6b, 6c, and 6d are located at the ends of the threaded rods 2, 3, 4, and 5, respectively, and the connecting elements 8 are arranged at right angles to both the frame structure 7 and the substructure 9.

[0036] The Fig.5 shows a further embodiment of the lifting roof system according to the invention, in which the lifting roof system has two drive devices 1, one of which is designed to rotate the first threaded rod 2 (as well as the round profile 10 connected to it and the third threaded rod 4 connected to it), and the other of which is designed to rotate the second threaded rod 3 (as well as the round profile 10 connected to it and the fourth threaded rod 5 connected to it). Both drive devices 1 are designed to rotate the threaded rods driven by them completely synchronously about their longitudinal center axes. In the embodiment shown, a first wall element 17 and an opposite second wall element 18, which are each connected to the substructure 9 via a longitudinal side, are extended when the lifting roof system, iewhen the sliding modules 6a, 6b, 6c, 6d slide toward the outward-facing ends of the threaded rods. A third and a fourth wall element (not shown) could each be arranged with one of their long sides on the substructure 9 and, by a 90° folding movement, be moved with their opposite long side toward the frame structure 7, so that the four wall elements 17, 18, 19, 20, together with the substructure 9 and the frame structure 7, define a cabin.

[0037] The features of the invention disclosed in the above description, in the claims and in the figures may be essential both individually and in any combination for the realization of the invention in its various embodiments. List of reference symbols: 1 drive device 2 First threaded rod 3 Second threaded rod 4 Third threaded rod 5 Fourth threaded rod 6, 6a, 6b, 6c, 6d sliding module 7 Frame construction 8 Connecting element 9 Substructure 10 round profile 11 Electric motor 12 cross gears 13 first wave 14 first bevel gear 15 second wave 16 second bevel gear 17 first wall element 18 second wall element 19 third wall element 20 fourth wall element

Claims

[1] Lifting roof system for vehicles, comprising a drive device (1) which is designed to rotate a first threaded rod (2) and a second threaded rod (3) arranged parallel to the first threaded rod (2) about their longitudinal axes, wherein the first threaded rod (2) is connected directly or via an intermediate element (10) to a third threaded rod (4) which has a thread running counter to that of the first threaded rod (2), and wherein the second threaded rod (3) is connected directly or via an intermediate element (10) to a fourth threaded rod (5) which has a thread running counter to that of the second threaded rod (3), wherein a sliding module (6) is displaceably arranged on each of the threaded rods (2, 3, 4, 5), wherein the first sliding module (6a) arranged on the first threaded rod (2) and the third sliding module (6c) arranged on the third threaded rod (4) are designed to rotate when the threaded rods (2,4) to move towards one another in a first direction and to move away from one another in the opposite direction when the threaded rods (2, 4) rotate, and wherein the second sliding module (6b) arranged on the second threaded rod (3) and the fourth sliding module (6d) arranged on the fourth threaded rod (5) are designed to move towards one another in a first direction when the threaded rods (3, 5) rotate and to move away from one another in the opposite direction when the threaded rods (3, 5) rotate, wherein the threaded rods (2, 3, 4, 5) and the sliding modules (6a, 6b, 6c, 6d) arranged thereon are components of a frame construction (7) which is connected to a substructure (9) via connecting elements (8) arranged on the sliding modules (6a, 6b, 6c, 6d), wherein the frame construction (7) is designed to move towards one another in a first direction when the threaded rods (2, 3, 4,5) to move in a first direction towards the substructure (9) and to move away from the substructure (9) in an opposite direction when the threaded rods (2, 3, 4, 5) rotate. [2] Lifting roof system for vehicles according to claim 1, characterized by that the connecting elements (8) arranged on the sliding modules (6) are designed to be arranged continuously at any angle between 0° and 90° to the substructure (9). [3] Lifting roof system for vehicles according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterized by that the first threaded rod (2) is connected to the third threaded rod (4) and the second threaded rod (3) is connected to the fourth threaded rod (5) via round profiles (10). [4] Lifting roof system for vehicles according to one of the preceding claims, characterized bythat the drive device (1) is a drive device driven by an electric motor (11) or mechanically, which has a cross gear (12) which is designed to transmit a force to the first threaded rod (2) by means of a first shaft (13) and a first angular gear (14) and to the second threaded rod (3) by means of a second shaft (15) and a second angular gear (16). [5] Lifting roof system for vehicles according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the threaded rods (2, 3, 4, 5) each have a length between 50 and 100 cm. [6] Lifting roof system for vehicles according to one of the preceding claims, characterized bya first wall element (17) and an opposite second wall element (18), each of which is arranged with a longitudinal side on the substructure (9), wherein the first wall element (17) is fastened with its opposite longitudinal side to the third sliding module (6c) displaceably arranged on the third threaded rod (4) and to the fourth sliding module (6d) displaceably arranged on the fourth threaded rod (5), and wherein the second wall element (18) is fastened with its opposite longitudinal side to the first sliding module (6a) displaceably arranged on the first threaded rod (2) and to the second sliding module (6b) displaceably arranged on the second threaded rod (3). [7] Lifting roof system for vehicles according to claim 6, characterized bya third wall element (19) and an opposite fourth wall element (20), each of which is arranged independently of one another with a longitudinal side on the substructure (9) or on the frame structure (7), wherein, in the case that it is arranged with a longitudinal side on the substructure (9), in a state in which the substructure (9) and the frame structure (7) are each arranged at a 90° angle to the first wall element (17) and the second wall element (18), it abuts the frame structure (7) with the opposite longitudinal side, and in the case that it is arranged with a longitudinal side on the frame structure (7), in a state in which the substructure (9) and the frame structure (7) are each arranged at a 90° angle to the first wall element (17) and the second wall element (18), it abuts the substructure (9) with the opposite longitudinal side, whereby the frame structure (7),the substructure (9) and the four wall elements (17, 18, 19, 20) define a cabin between them. [8] Lifting roof system for vehicles according to one of claims 6 or 7, characterized by that the four wall elements (17, 18, 19, 20) are each made of a foldable material. [9] Lifting roof system for vehicles according to one of claims 6 or 7, characterized by that the four wall elements (17, 18, 19, 20) are each made of a solid material, wherein each of the four wall elements (17, 18, 19, 20) is arranged independently of the other three wall elements with one long side either on the substructure (9) or on the frame construction (7). [10] Lifting roof system for vehicles according to one of claims 6 or 7, characterized bythat in a state in which the frame construction (7), the substructure (9) and the four wall elements (17, 18, 19, 20) delimit a cabin between them, no components of the lifting roof system are located outside the cabin.

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