roof of a vehicle

Abstract

The invention relates to a roof (1) of a vehicle with a folding sliding roof, which is adjustable between a closed position and an open position for selectively closing and opening a roof opening, wherein the roof opening is limited by a roof frame (3) that can be attached to the vehicle body, wherein the roof frame (3) is assembled from individual frame parts, wherein the frame parts comprise a front cross member (3a), a rear cross member (3b) and a first and a second roof side member (3c), and wherein the first and second roof side members (3c) are connected at their ends to the cross members (3a, 3b) in connection areas, wherein the connection areas form front and rear corners (3d, 3f), and wherein areas are recessed in the corners (3d, 3f) that form openings (10) for the passage of functional elements or for access to adjust functional systems.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a vehicle roof with a folding sunroof, which is adjustable between a closed position and an open position for selectively closing and opening a roof opening, wherein the roof opening is limited by a roof frame on the vehicle body, and wherein the folding sunroof has bows extending transversely to the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, which comprise a front roof surface element and a number of guide bows and folding bows which are slidably mounted in guide rails of roof side rails of the roof frame. State of the art

[0002] It is generally known that in folding sunroofs of motor vehicles, the convertible top fabric spanning the roof opening is supported and tensioned in the closed position by crossbeams extending transversely to the vehicle's longitudinal axis. These crossbeams are divided into folding bows and guide bows, which are arranged alternately along the vehicle's longitudinal axis and are slidably mounted in guide rails of the roof frame's side rails. When the folding sunroof opens, only the folding bows are lifted from the roof, resulting in the convertible top fabric forming folds during the opening process.

[0003] The roof frame for folding sliding roofs can, for example, be manufactured as a single piece from aluminum or steel using a deep-drawing process, resulting in a trough-shaped profile. In another version, the roof frame consists of individual aluminum or steel profiles that are assembled to form the frame and welded together at the corners. The corners of the roof frame are then deep-drawn to create a cup-like shape.

[0004] A roof frame manufactured in this way forms the support frame for further functional elements of the folding sunroof and is attached to the vehicle body during the complete assembly of the motor vehicle.

[0005] A folding sunroof is known, for example, from EP 0 774 371 A2. This roof, designed as a folding sunroof, is adjustable between an open and a closed position and also comprises a plurality of transversely extending bows as well as a front and a rear roof element. Such a folding sunroof includes, on each side of the vehicle, a guide rail attached to a roof frame and a roof fabric connected to bows, which can be adjusted between an open and a closed position by means of these bows. In the closed position of the folding sunroof, the vehicle interior is spanned and covered by the roof elements and the roof fabric.

[0006] The above-described, known embodiments of folding sunroofs result in the following technical requirements and difficulties due to the size of the sunroof and the different states (closed / open). In addition, the demands on the overall aesthetic appearance of such vehicles with folding sunroofs are very high.

[0007] To achieve a seal in the side area of ​​the folding sunroof, the lateral edges of the convertible top fabric must be under tension when the sunroof is closed. For this purpose, a tension cable is provided on each side, running longitudinally along the vehicle and guided along the lateral edges of the convertible top fabric. The tension cable extends specifically between the front roof cap of the folding sunroof and a rear roof component fixed to the vehicle body, against which the folding sunroof rests when open.The tension cables are now force-controlled in a mounted position of the folding sliding roof using tension cable systems, in order to achieve an optimum in terms of tension cable stiffness and tolerance compensation, especially with longer roofs, and thus to counteract the ballooning effect sufficiently even at higher driving speeds and to keep the noise level at a refined level.

[0008] Furthermore, it is common practice to install tension straps on the folding sunroof. When the sunroof is closed, these straps counteract the Bernoulli effect and exert a force on the folding frame that opposes its spring force. Advantageously, the tension of these straps is also adjustable using tension strap systems.

[0009] One problem with using such tensioning rope and tensioning strap systems is the accessibility and adjustability of the aforementioned systems.

[0010] Furthermore, a problem, especially with long vehicle roofs, is the reduction of the required drive force through optimized design of the kinematics for adjusting the front roof cap and the existing bows.

[0011] During the initial adjustment of the folding sunroof's opening process, the roof panel is first lifted by lateral linkages held in lateral guide channels and simultaneously moved rearward. The required drive force depends significantly on the longitudinal distance between the connection element (between the linkage and the guide channel) and the front end of the roof panel. Reducing this distance results in a stiffer roof panel that is less susceptible to lift, which is particularly desirable for longer folding sunroofs.

[0012] Another folding sliding roof is known from document DE 10 2022 200 886 B3.

[0013] Document DE 10 2008 046 332 B4 discloses a vehicle roof with a roof frame comprising at least one frame cross member and at least one frame side member, each containing at least one drive cable guide channel, wherein the drive cable guide channel in the frame cross member is connected to the drive cable guide channel in the frame side member in a connection area of ​​the frame cross member with the frame side member, and wherein an upwardly open wind deflector channel is formed in the frame cross member, which is crossed by the drive cable guide channel, and wherein a molded part is provided in the connection area of ​​the frame cross member with the frame side member, in which a further guide channel for the drive cable is provided, which is connected at one end to the drive cable guide channel in the frame cross member and at the other end to the drive cable guide channel in the frame side member.wherein the molded part with its further guide channel crosses the water-carrying wind deflector channel and terminates in a non-water-carrying area on the frame cross member. The object of the invention is to further develop a roof for a vehicle which includes a folding sliding roof movable between an open position and a closed position, in such a way that the aforementioned problems are avoided or solved.

[0014] This task is achieved by the features mentioned in claim 1.

[0015] The roof frame of the folding sliding roof is composed of individual parts and is connected, preferably welded, in the connection areas that form the corners.

[0016] The individual components of the roof frame are a first and second roof side rail, as well as a front cross member and a rear cross member. These components are designed as frame parts in such a way that areas are left open at the corners, creating openings when the roof frame is assembled.

[0017] The roof frame defines an essentially rectangular roof opening.

[0018] The following advantages result from providing openings in the corner areas of the roof frame for the folding sliding roof.

[0019] In comparison to the previously manufactured one-piece roof frame with a trough-shaped structure produced using a deep-drawing process, the roof frame can be manufactured from individual parts with a greater drawing depth (z-direction). This allows the guide rails attached to the side elements to be made higher in the z-direction, extending below the seal. This optimizes the force transmission into the roof surface component and enables an optimized translation of the adjustment kinematics.

[0020] The optimized translation of the adjustment kinematics can be achieved by reducing the distance between the leading edge of the roof surface component and its connection to the guide rail via a control element in the x-direction, compared to the prior art. This is possible because the guide rail can be guided forward in the x-direction through the openings in the front corners of the roof frame.

[0021] The guide rail is a functional element. Reducing this distance results in a stiffer roof component that is less susceptible to buoyancy, which is particularly important for larger roof areas.

[0022] The creation of openings in the rear corners of the roof frame provides access in the rear roof area to functional systems such as the tensioning strap systems and the tensioning cable systems for adjusting their tension, thus also making it possible to adjust the tension when the folding sunroof is closed.

[0023] The tension strap and cable systems allow for force-controlled adjustment of the tension of the tension cable or strap, thus adapting to the specific folding sunroof. It is advantageous to be able to pull in the direct line of force exerted by the tension strap or cable, which is achieved by the design of the openings in the rear corners.

[0024] The x, y, z directions correspond to the directions of a standard vehicle coordinate system, where x denotes the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, y the transverse direction, and z the vertical direction.

[0025] The side panels of the roof frame run in the x direction when mounted on the vehicle. The cross elements run accordingly in the transverse direction.

[0026] "Front" in the context of the invention means facing the front of the vehicle. "Rear" in the context of the invention means facing the rear of the vehicle. Description of the invention; Description of the figures Fig. Figure 1 shows a view of a folding sunroof from below without a roof cover in the closed position. Fig. Figure 2 shows the roof frame according to the invention. Fig. Figure 3 shows a section of the folding sliding roof in the front corner area with guide rail, guide bracket, roof surface component and roof cover. Fig. Figure 4 shows an enlarged perspective detail view of the front corner area of ​​the roof frame with opening. Fig. Figure 5 shows a perspective view of the folding sliding roof in the rear corner area from below, looking at the tension cable and tension strap system in the area of ​​the roof frame opening.

[0027] The schematic in the Fig. The roof 1 shown in Figure 1 for a vehicle is designed as a folding sliding roof and is configured for at least partial opening and closing of a roof opening 2. The roof opening 2 of the roof 1 is bounded by a surrounding roof frame 3, which includes a front cross member 3a, a rear cross member 3b and opposing, parallel side roof members 3c extending in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle.

[0028] The adjustable folding sunroof extends from the front cross member 3a at the front V to the rear cross member 3b in the rear area H of the vehicle.

[0029] The roof side rails 3c are designed for the linear displacement or relocation of a roof surface component 4 in the longitudinal direction x of the vehicle by means of guide rails 5. The longitudinal direction of the vehicle is designated in the drawings by the x-coordinate, the transverse direction by the y-coordinate, the front by V, and the rear by H. The adjustment movement of the roof surface component 4 along the guide rails 5 is indicated by the double arrow VStell.

[0030] In the following embodiment, roof surface component 4 is designed as a roof surface component. A roof covering is attached to the roof surface component in a manner known to those skilled in the art.

[0031] In the open position, the roof opening 2 is released; in the closed position, the roof opening 2 is covered and completely closed by the roof surface component 4 and the canopy cover attached to the roof surface component 4 ( Fig. 1; Convertible top cover is in the Fig. (1 not shown). The convertible top cover is attached in a known manner to bows 8, which extend transversely from one guide rail 5 to the opposite guide rail 5 and serve to tension the convertible top cover in the closed position. The guide bows are slidably mounted at their ends on the respective guide rail 5 via sliding elements. The folding bows rest on the guide rails 5 and serve to form the folds. Guide bows and folding bows alternate in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. This basic structure and functionality are known to those skilled in the art.

[0032] The movement of the roof component 4 with its convertible top cover from the closed to the open position, and vice versa, is accomplished by means of a drive unit comprising a drive motor 6, a drive shaft, a drive pinion, and two rigid drive cables 9a and 9b. The drive cables 9a and 9b extend longitudinally in the area of ​​the roof side rails 3c within the roof frame 3. In these linear guide sections, the drive cables 9a and 9b are connected to the roof component 4, so that movement of the drive cables 9a and 9b displaces the roof component 4 translationally relative to the roof frame 3 in the direction of the double arrow VStell within the guide rails 5.

[0033] The Fig. Figure 2 shows the roof frame 3 according to the invention in a top view. The roof frame 3 is assembled from individual parts, namely a first and second roof side rail 3c, a front cross rail 3a, and a rear cross rail 3b. The individual parts are manufactured as frame components using a deep-drawing process. The first and second roof side rails 3c are connected at their ends to the cross elements in connection areas, thus forming the circumferential roof frame 3 shown. The connection areas form front and rear corners 3d and 3f. As can be seen in the drawing, areas are recessed in the corners 3d and 3f, which form openings 10 in the assembled state. The connection areas are created by a welded joint.

[0034] Fig. Figure 3 shows a section of the folding sliding roof in a front corner area with a guide rail 5 and a guide track 12 for the positively controlled guidance for lifting and moving the roof panel 4 in the z and x directions. As can be seen from the illustration, a control element 14 is mounted in a guide track 15 of the guide track 12. The control element 14 is hinged to a side area of ​​the roof panel 4.

[0035] The guide cam 12 has a front end area 12a and a height Hz in the z-direction of approximately 44mm.

[0036] From the Fig. Figure 4, which shows an enlarged perspective detail view of the front corner area of ​​the roof frame with opening 10 and guide bracket 12, shows that the guide bracket 12 is passed forward through the opening 10 in the x-direction by means of its front end area 12a.

[0037] This design significantly reduces the distance A between control element 14 and the leading edge 4a of the roof surface component 4 in the x direction compared to the prior art. The distance A as shown in the Fig. The dimension shown in section 3 is approximately 84 mm in the illustrated embodiment.

[0038] In the closed room - in the Fig.In the roof state shown in Figure 1, the convertible top cover 7 is taut. This tension of the convertible top cover 7 is supported by adjustable tensioning cable systems 18. For this purpose, a tensioning cable 17 is guided in each of the side roof areas, which is connected to the convertible top cover 7 at the side edges and applies additional tension to it when the roof is closed. The tensioning cable 17 runs along the side guide rails 5 and is advantageously guided in a sealing groove arranged on the guide rails 5. The tensioning cable 17 is put under tension by the tensioning cable system 18. The tensioning cable system is held indirectly or directly to a rear body-mounted component, usually the rear flat roof bow of the roof 1.The tension cable system 18 is an adjustable system such that the cable tension can be set both for the initial adjustment due to manufacturing tolerances and for readjustment of the cable tension over the service life of the folding sunroof. For this purpose, the cable tension system 18 must also be accessible when the folding sunroof is closed.

[0039] The formation of the openings 10 in the rear corners 3f of the roof frame 3 provides access to the tension cable systems 18 in the rear roof area.

[0040] Furthermore, the folding sliding roof includes adjustable tension strap systems 16, which must also be freely accessible in the rear corners 3f of the roof frame 3 for adjusting the tension of the tension straps.

[0041] The tensioning strap systems 16 are also held indirectly or directly on a rear body-fixed component, usually on the rear flat roof bow of the roof.

[0042] Tensioning strap systems 16 comprise tensioning straps whose tension can be adjusted. The arrangement and design of tensioning strap systems are generally known. Tensioning straps serve to hold down the height-adjustable folding bows when the folding sunroof is closed and counteract the spring force that causes the folding bows to rise and form folds.

[0043] The formation of the openings 10 in the rear corners 3f of the roof frame 3 provides access to the tensioning strap systems 16 in the rear roof area. Reference symbol list 1 roof 2 Roof opening 3 roof frames 3a front crossbeam 3b rear crossbeam 3c Roof side rails 3D front corners 3f back corners 4 Roof surface component 4a Leading edge 5 guide rails 6 Drive motor 7 Convertible top cover 8 bows 9a Drive cable 9b Drive cable 10 Breakthrough 12 Leadership backdrop 12a front end area 14 Control element 15 Guide rail 16 tensioning strap system 17 Tensioning cable 18 Tension cable system

Claims

Roof (1) of a vehicle with a folding sliding roof, which is adjustable between a closed position and an open position for selectively closing and opening a roof opening, wherein the roof opening is limited by a roof frame (3) that can be attached to the vehicle body, wherein the roof frame (3) is assembled from individual frame parts, wherein the frame parts comprise a front cross member (3a), a rear cross member (3b) and a first and a second roof side member (3c), and wherein the first and second roof side members (3c) are connected at their ends to the cross members (3a, 3b) in connection areas, wherein the connection areas form front and rear corners (3d, 3f), and wherein areas are recessed in the front corners (3d) which are the openings (10) for the passage of functional elements, wherein the functional elements are guide rails (12) which are attached to the roof side members (3c),wherein the guide tracks (12) are designed for the positively controlled guidance for lifting and displacing a front roof surface component (4) of the folding sliding roof, and wherein areas are recessed in the rear corners (3f) which provide access for adjusting functional systems, wherein the functional systems are arranged as tension strap systems (16) and as tension cable systems (18) on a rear body-fixed component of the roof (1) and are accessible through the openings in the rear corners (3f) for adjusting the tension of tension cables of the tension cable system (18) or tension straps of the tension strap system (16). Roof (1) of a vehicle according to claim 1, characterized in that the frame parts are manufactured in a deep-drawing process and the assembled roof frame (3) has a trough-shaped structure. Roof (1) of a vehicle according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the connection areas are produced in a welding process. Roof (1) of a vehicle according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the roof (1) comprises a convertible top cover (7) and bows (8), wherein the bows (8) comprise alternately arranged height-fixed sliding guide bows and height-adjustable folding bows, which each extend in a transverse direction from a guide rail (5) attached to the roof side rail (3c) to an opposite guide rail (5) attached to the roof side rail (3c) and which serve to tension the convertible top cover (7) in the closed position.

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