Drive rod, system, roof arrangement and procedure

Abstract

A drive rod (200) for a vehicle roof (101) is described, which has a spring element (210) extending elongated along a first direction (X), wherein the drive rod (200) has a pivot bearing slider (203) at a first end (201) and can be coupled to a drive (150) at an opposite second end (202), wherein - a first spring end (211) of the spring element (210) is arranged on the rotary bearing slider (203), - the spring element (210) on the rotary bearing slider (203) has a bend (213) and a locking area (216) for securing a drive lever (310), wherein the locking area (216) extends between the bend (213) and the first spring end (211), and the rotary bearing slider (203) can be coupled to the drive lever (310).

Description

[0001] A drive rod for a vehicle roof is specified, as is a system for a vehicle roof, in particular a system with a drive rod described herein. A roof arrangement for a vehicle roof is also specified, in particular a roof arrangement with a system described herein. Finally, a method for mounting a system for a vehicle roof is specified, in particular a method for mounting a system described herein.

[0002] A vehicle can have a cover in the roof which, starting from a closed position to close a roof opening, is first lifted at its rear by a tilting mechanism and then slid backward into an open position. DE 10 2006 045 632 B3 describes, for example, a so-called spoiler roof.

[0003] DE 10 2022 110 502 A1 relates to an arrangement for moving a cover for a vehicle roof. The arrangement comprises a guide rail, a release lever, a bearing slide, and a drive lever. A guide element of the drive lever is supported between the bearing slide and the guide rail to transmit movement of the bearing slide along a longitudinal direction to the release lever.

[0004] It is desirable to specify a drive rod for a vehicle roof that enables reliable operation. It is desirable to specify a system for a vehicle roof that enables reliable operation. It is desirable to specify a roof arrangement for a vehicle roof that enables reliable operation. It is desirable to specify a procedure for mounting a system for a vehicle roof that is simple and reliable.

[0005] According to one embodiment, a drive rod for a vehicle roof has a spring element extending elongated along a first direction. The drive rod has a pivot bearing slider at a first end. The drive rod can be coupled to a drive at a second end opposite along the first direction.

[0006] For example, the rotary bearing slider is guided in the guide rail so that it can be moved along the first direction relative to a guide rail. For example, by moving the rotary bearing slider relative to the guide rail, a mechanical component can be moved, such as a rear release lever can be pivoted.

[0007] The drive is, for example, a drive carriage that is also displaceable relative to the guide rail along the first direction. For example, the drive rod and the drive are coupled together in a first state and decoupled from each other in a second state, so that the drive is displaceable relative to the drive rod.

[0008] The first end of the spring element is located on the pivot bearing slider. The spring element has a bend at the pivot bearing slider. The spring element has a locking section for securing a drive lever. This locking section extends between the bend and the first end of the spring. The pivot bearing slider can be coupled to the drive lever.

[0009] The drive lever is designed, for example, to transfer a movement of the rotary bearing slider relative to the guide rail to another mechanical component, such as the extension lever.

[0010] The locking mechanism of the spring element reliably couples the drive lever to the swivel bearing slider. Unintentional detachment of the drive lever from the swivel bearing slider is prevented because the locking mechanism is designed to press the drive lever against the swivel bearing slider. The locking mechanism is designed to exert a force on the drive lever, thus preventing unintentional detachment. Alternatively or additionally, the locking mechanism also reduces noise during operation, particularly rattling that can result from relative movement between the swivel bearing slider and the drive lever.

[0011] The drive rod incorporates a spring element that extends along its entire or nearly its entire length. This spring element is also designed to allow torsion of the drive rod and thereby exert a restoring force. By means of torsion or rotation of the drive rod at its second end about the first direction as the axis of rotation, coupling and decoupling of the drive rod and the drive between the first and second states is possible, for example. This is described, for instance, in German patent application DE 10 2022 104 781 A1, the full disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference.

[0012] In addition to the effect of torsional forces, which, for example, press a locking projection at the second end of the drive rod into a position where the drive rod is connected to the drive, the spring element according to the present disclosure has the additional function of a locking section to reliably connect the drive lever and the rotary bearing slider. The spring element already present in the drive rod is additionally used to secure the drive lever to the rotary bearing slider. The elastic locking section is an integral part of the spring element. The bend allows the locking section to be positioned so that the drive lever can be reliably secured and a desired arrangement of the drive lever on the rotary bearing slider is possible. Furthermore, the bend facilitates easy assembly of the drive lever to the rotary bearing slider.

[0013] According to embodiments, the spring element is a torsionable spring steel element. For example, the spring element is a spring steel wire element. The spring steel element is torsionable in the first direction and rotatable between the first spring end and a second spring end. The second spring end is rotatable relative to the first spring end in order to be able to move between the first state and the second state.

[0014] According to certain embodiments, the drive rod has a plastic sheath. The plastic sheath surrounds the spring element. The locking area is free of the plastic sheath. The plastic sheath serves, for example, as a sliding element to mount the drive rod in the guide rail. For example, the rotary bearing slider is made of the same plastic as the plastic sheath. The spring element extends beyond the plastic sheath at its first end and is not covered by the plastic sheath in the locking area. This allows the desired elastic deflection of the locking area and ensures reliable locking of the drive lever.

[0015] According to embodiments, the first spring end is elastically deflectable along a second direction. The first and second directions are perpendicular to each other. For example, the first spring end is deflectable along the second direction to mount the drive lever and the rotary bearing slide together. The first spring end and / or the locking section are deflectable along the second direction from a rest position to allow the drive lever to be placed onto the rotary bearing slide. The first spring end and / or the locking section elastically deform back into the rest position, so that the locking section secures the drive lever in the position coupled to the rotary bearing slide.

[0016] According to embodiments, the spring element has a longitudinally extending region along the first direction. The spring element has a first end region. The first end region adjoins the first spring end and includes the locking region. The spring element has a plurality of bends in the first end region. By means of the plurality of bends, the locking region is arranged at a distance from the longitudinal region. In particular, the locking region is arranged at a distance from the longitudinal region along the second and a third direction. The third direction is, in particular, perpendicular to the first and second directions. For example, the locking region is arranged parallel to the longitudinal region, at a distance from it, and offset from it.Thus, the securing area can be arranged at a desired position, so that the securing area is designed to enable easy assembly by means of elastic deflection of the drive lever and the rotary bearing slider and subsequently to reliably secure the drive lever.

[0017] According to one embodiment, a system for a vehicle roof comprises a drive rod according to one of the embodiments described herein. The system includes the drive lever. The drive lever has an open elongated hole. The open elongated hole is designed for coupling with a bearing journal of the rotary bearing slider.

[0018] In a coupled state, where the bearing journal extends through the elongated hole, the drive lever can pivot relative to the rotary bearing slider, with the bearing journal defining the axis of rotation. The open elongated hole allows the drive lever to be mounted onto the bearing journal. The locking mechanism of the spring element prevents the drive lever from unintentionally detaching from the bearing journal during operation.

[0019] During operation, the locking element exerts a force on the drive lever in the direction of the bearing journal and towards the opening of the elongated hole. Thus, the drive lever with the open elongated hole and the spring element with the locking element allow for easy mounting of the drive lever to the rotary bearing slide, ensuring reliable operation while the drive lever remains securely attached to the rotary bearing slide.

[0020] According to the embodiment, the locking mechanism is designed to exert a force on the drive lever in the direction of the bearing journal. This prevents the drive lever from unintentionally detaching from the bearing journal during operation, despite the open elongated hole.

[0021] According to embodiments, the drive lever is coupled to the bearing journal in a coupled state via the elongated hole. The drive lever and the rotary bearing slide are pivotable relative to each other. A limiting section of the drive lever restricts the elongated hole in one direction. This limiting section is located between the bearing journal and the locking area. The locking area exerts a force on the limiting section, pressing it towards the bearing journal. The limiting section is positioned opposite the opening of the elongated hole.

[0022] According to embodiments, the drive lever has a first lever end and an opposing second lever end. The drive lever extends elongatedly between the first and second lever ends. The elongated hole is located at the first lever end. The drive lever can be coupled to an extension lever at the second lever end.

[0023] The coupling of the drive lever and the extension lever enables the transfer of movement from the drive to the extension lever via the drive rod and the drive lever. Specifically, a relative movement of the drive relative to the guide rail along the first direction can be transferred to the drive rod, causing the drive rod to move along the first direction relative to the guide rail. This movement of the drive rod can then be transferred to the drive lever, causing the drive lever to move relative to the guide rail, for example, by being displaced along the first direction and additionally pivoted with an axis of rotation aligned along the second direction. This displacement and rotation of the drive lever allows the extension lever to pivot relative to the guide rail, with the axis of rotation of the extension lever being aligned along the second direction.

[0024] According to one embodiment, a roof assembly for a vehicle roof comprises a system with a release lever as described herein. The roof assembly includes a cover. The cover is designed for selectively closing and opening a roof opening of the vehicle roof. The release lever is coupled to the cover. The cover can be moved by means of the release lever. In particular, by pivoting the release lever, movement of the cover along the third direction, which can also be described as vertical, is possible. Specifically, by pivoting the release lever, raising and lowering a trailing edge of the cover relative to the rest of the vehicle roof is possible.

[0025] According to one embodiment, in a method for mounting a system for a vehicle roof, a locking section of a spring element is deflected. Specifically, the locking section on a pivot bearing slider is deflected against a spring force of the spring element within the locking section. A drive lever is attached to a bearing journal of the pivot bearing slider via an open elongated hole. The locking section is pivoted back, particularly into its rest position. This secures the drive lever to the bearing journal by means of the locking section.

[0026] To mount the drive lever to the rotary bearing slider, the locking section is deflected elastically. Once the drive lever is in its installed operating position, the locking section is pivoted back so that the drive lever, with its limiting section, is positioned between the locking section and the bearing journal. The locking section can thus exert a force on the drive lever, pushing it towards the bearing journal.

[0027] The open elongated hole of the drive lever and the elastically pivotable locking area allow for easy mounting of the drive lever to the bearing journal and, during subsequent operation, ensure a reliable coupling between the drive lever and the rotary bearing slider. In particular, the system described here is mounted using the method described herein. The advantages, features, and design of the system therefore also apply to the method and vice versa.

[0028] For example, the system is part of a spoiler roof where, in the opening direction, the release lever is first rotated at the rear edge of the cover to lift the rear edge. The cover is then moved relative to the release lever in the opening direction to at least partially uncover the roof opening. The release lever is held in place relative to the rest of the vehicle roof and is not moved in the opening direction together with the cover.

[0029] According to embodiments, the system is part of an externally guided sunroof, in which the tilt lever at the rear edge of the cover is moved together with the cover relative to the rest of the vehicle roof in the opening direction. The tilt lever is moved relative to the vehicle roof along the first direction, in particular in guide rails that extend along the vehicle roof in the first direction.

[0030] Further advantages, features, and developments will emerge from the following examples, which are explained in conjunction with the figures. Identical, similar, and equivalent elements can be marked with the same reference symbols across multiple figures.

[0031] They show: Fig. 1 a schematic representation of a part of a vehicle according to an exemplary embodiment, Fig. 2 a schematic representation of a drive rod according to an exemplary embodiment, Fig. 3 a schematic representation of a spring element according to an exemplary embodiment, Fig. 4 a schematic representation of a detailed view of the drive rod according to an exemplary embodiment, Fig. 5 a schematic representation of a system according to an exemplary embodiment, Fig. 6 a schematic representation of a drive lever according to an exemplary embodiment, Fig. 7 to 9 schematic representations of a system at various states during assembly according to an exemplary embodiment, Fig. 10 a schematic representation of a detailed view of the system according to an exemplary embodiment, and Fig. 11 and Fig. 12 schematic representations of the system at different states during operation.

[0032] Fig. Figure 1 shows a schematic representation of a part of a vehicle 100 according to an exemplary embodiment. The vehicle 100 has a vehicle roof 101. A roof assembly 170 is arranged on the vehicle roof. The roof assembly has a cover 103. The cover 103 is movable relative to the rest of the vehicle roof 101. Thus, a roof opening 102 of the vehicle roof 101 can be selectively closed or partially opened by the cover 103.

[0033] The vehicle 100 has a windshield 104. The cover 103 has a leading edge 106. In its normal operating state, the leading edge faces the windshield 104. A trailing edge 107 of the cover 103 faces away from the windshield 104 along a first direction X.

[0034] The movement of the cover 103 is achieved by means of a system 300. The system 300 is, in particular, part of the roof assembly 170. The roof assembly 170 has, for example, a guide rail 109 which is connected to the vehicle roof 101. In particular, the guide rail 109 extends along the first direction X. For example, a guide rail 109 and a system 300 are arranged on each side of the roof opening 102. The second direction Y is, in particular, perpendicular to the first direction X.

[0035] The location or direction references used, such as rear or front, top or bottom, left or right, refer to a longitudinal axis of the vehicle and a typical direction of travel for a vehicle 100 in operational condition. The longitudinal axis of the vehicle can also be referred to as the horizontal axis or X-axis in its corresponding first direction X. The transverse axis of the vehicle can also be referred to as the horizontal axis or Y-axis in its corresponding second direction Y. The vertical axis of the vehicle can also be referred to as the vertical axis or Z-axis in its corresponding third direction Z. The third direction Z is, in particular, perpendicular to the first direction X and the second direction Y. The vertical, transverse, and longitudinal directions are thus, in particular, each perpendicular to the others.

[0036] The system 300, which is constructed identically on both sides of the roof opening 102, has a drive rod 200 which is in Fig. 2 is shown.

[0037] The drive rod 200 extends along the first direction X between a first end 201 and a second end 202. In the operational state, the second end 202 faces the windshield 104. In the operational state, the first end 201 faces away from the windshield 104.

[0038] A locking projection 231 is provided at the second end 102. The locking projection 231 is, for example, made of a plastic. The locking projection 231 extends radially perpendicular to the first direction X.

[0039] The locking projection 231 is rotatable about the first direction X, in particular relative to a support projection 232. The drive rod 200 has the support projection 232. The locking projection 231 and the support projection 232 are spaced apart from each other along the first direction X. The drive rod 200 is designed so that it can be twisted to allow the locking projection 231 and the support projection 232 to rotate relative to each other.

[0040] By rotating the locking projection 231, the drive rod can be selectively displaced relative to the guide rail 109 along the first direction X or locked relative to the guide rail 109, thus blocking relative movement along the first direction X. By rotating the locking projection 231 relative to the guide rail 109, the drive rod 200 can be selectively locked relative to the guide rail 109 or displaced.

[0041] The support projection 232 extends radially and, in particular, projects perpendicularly to the first direction X. During operation, the support projection 232 is guided, for example, in a guide track of the guide rail 109. The support projection 232 is guided in the guide track such that displacement along the first direction X relative to the guide rail 109 is possible. However, rotation about the first direction X is blocked. Thus, the support projection 232 is held relative to the guide rail 109, while the locking projection 231 is rotated.

[0042] A rotary bearing slider 203 is provided at the first end 201 of the drive rod 200. The rotary bearing slider is guided slidably in a guide track of the guide rail 109. The rotary bearing slider 203 is guided in the guide rail so as to be displaceable along the first direction X relative to the guide rail. The rotary bearing slider 203 is made of a plastic. The rotary bearing slider 203 has a bearing pin 204 for coupling with a drive lever 310 (for example, Fig. 6).

[0043] The drive rod 200 has a spring element 210. The spring element 210 is formed, in particular, from spring steel wire. The spring element 210 extends, in particular, along the first direction X along the entire drive rod 200. The spring element 210 extends, in particular, between the second end 202 and the first end 201. As will be explained in more detail below, the spring element 210 is bent several times at the first end 201.

[0044] The spring element 210 enables the locking projection 231 to experience a restoring force when rotated from its rest position. The spring element 210 is designed to exert a spring force and / or a torsional force on the locking projection 231, causing it to rotate in the first direction X when deflected from its rest position. In particular, the spring force and / or torsional force of the spring element 210 acts on the locking projection 231 because the support projection 232 is held in the guide rail 109, and thus the spring element 210 is twisted between the locking projection 231 and the support projection 232 when the locking projection 231 rotates.

[0045] The drive rod 200 has a plastic sheath 230. The plastic sheath 230 surrounds the spring element 210 along the first direction X. In particular, the plastic sheath 230 surrounds the spring element 210 almost completely except at the second end 201 at the rotary bearing slider 203. It is also possible that the plastic sheath 230 does not extend as shown in Fig. The plastic sheathing 230 is not a continuous structure as shown in Figure 2, but rather forms individual, spaced-apart plastic glides on the spring element 210. The plastic sheathing 230 serves in particular to stabilize the drive rod 200. Furthermore, the plastic sheathing 230 can prevent the spring element 210 from buckling when a force acts in the first direction X. In addition, the plastic sheathing 230 enables, for example, low-friction sliding of the drive rod 200 relative to the guide rail 109.

[0046] Fig. Figure 3 shows a schematic representation of the spring element 210 of the drive rod 200, with the plastic sheathing 230 not shown.

[0047] The spring element 210 extends along the first direction X between a first end region 221 and a second end region 222. The first end region 221 adjoins a first spring end 211. The second end region 222 adjoins a second spring end 212. The second spring end 212 is located at the second end 202 of the drive rod 200. A deformation 217 of the spring element 210 is formed in the second end region 222. The spring element 210 has the deformation 217 in the second end region 222. For example, the spring element 210 is bent, flattened, or otherwise deformed from its original shape to form the deformation 217, which is particularly non-rotationally symmetric. The locking projection 231 is formed around the deformation 217, for example, by injection molding.The forming 217 supports the locking projection 231 and serves to prevent rotation between the plastic locking projection 231 and the spring element 210.

[0048] Correspondingly, a further deformation 218 is incorporated into the spring element 210 at the location where the support projection 232 is provided. This further deformation 218 serves to prevent rotation between the support projection 232 and the spring element 210. The rotational forces that occur during operation are thus reliably transmitted from the locking projection 231 and the support projection 232 to the spring element 210.

[0049] The spring element 210 has a longitudinal region 220 that extends along the first direction X. The two deformations 217, 218 are formed on the longitudinal region 220.

[0050] In the first end section 211, the spring element 210 is bent several times, as also shown in detail in Fig. Figure 4 shows that, starting at the first end 211, the spring element 210 extends along the longitudinal direction X to a first bend 213. At the first bend 213, the spring element 210 is bent by 180°. A locking area 216 is thus formed between the first end 211 and the first bend 213.

[0051] Starting from the first bend 213, the spring element 210 extends in a first extension area 223 again along the first direction X until a second bend 214. At the second bend 214, the spring element 210 is again bent by 180°.

[0052] Following the second bend 214, the spring element 210 extends in a second extension area 224 again along the first direction X until a third bend 215. At the third bend 215, the spring element is again bent by 180°. The longitudinal section 220 follows the third bend 215.

[0053] More or fewer than the three bends 213, 214, 215 are also possible.

[0054] The second bend 214 and the third bend 215 are arranged within the rotary bearing slide 203. The second bend 214 and the third bend 215 are surrounded by the plastic of the rotary bearing slide 203. Since the rotary bearing slide is guided in the guide rail 109 in such a way that rotation about the first direction X is blocked, the first end region 221 of the spring element 210 is also secured against rotation about the first direction X. The complex deformation of the spring element 210 in the first end region 221, in particular with the second bend 214 and the third bend 215, secures the spring element 210 relative to the rotary bearing slide 203 against relative movement between the spring element 210 and the rotary bearing slide 203.

[0055] At the third bend 215, the spring element 210 is, for example, formed essentially along the second direction Y, such that the second extension area 224 is arranged essentially offset along the second direction Y relative to the longitudinal area 220. As in Fig. As shown in Figure 4, an additional slight offset along the third direction Z is also possible.

[0056] At the second bend 214, the spring element 210 is essentially bent along the third direction Z. A slight offset along the second direction Y is also possible. The first extension area 223 is thus essentially offset along the third direction Z relative to the longitudinal area 220 and also offset along the first direction X and the second direction Y.

[0057] At the first bend 213, the spring element 210 is essentially bent in the second direction Y, so that the securing area 216 along the third direction Z is at least initially at approximately the same height as the first extension area 223.

[0058] The locking area 216 can be configured in a way that effectively supports the assembly and locking function described below. In particular, the locking area 216 is offset from the longitudinal area 220 along the first direction X, along the second direction Y, and along the third direction Z.

[0059] The first extension area 223, the first bend 213, and the locking area 216 are arranged in an exposed manner and are not enclosed by the plastic of the rotary bearing slide 203. Thus, relative movement of the locking area 216 with respect to the rotary bearing slide 203 is possible. The locking area 216 and the first extension area 223 can be moved towards each other, in particular by means of an elastic deformation of the spring element 210. The first end 211, for example, can be deflected elastically along the second direction Y towards the first extension area 223 and then moved away again.

[0060] Fig. Figure 5 shows a schematic representation of the system 300 with the drive rod 200.

[0061] The drive rod 200 is detachably coupled at its second end 202 to a drive 150. In particular, it is possible to selectively connect the drive rod 200 to the drive 150 to drive a displacement of the drive rod 200 along the first direction X relative to the guide rail 109, and to decouple it from the drive 150 and lock it to the guide rail 109, so that the locking projection 231 is engaged with the guide rail 109 and a relative movement along the first direction X between the guide rail 109 and the drive rod 200 is blocked.

[0062] At the first end 201, the drive rod 200 has the rotary bearing slider 203.

[0063] The drive lever 310 is coupled to the bearing pin 204 of the rotary bearing slider 203. The locking section 216 of the spring element 210 secures the coupling between the drive lever 310 and the rotary bearing slider 203, as will be explained in more detail below.

[0064] The drive lever 310 is coupled to the bearing pin 204 at a first lever end 311. At an opposite second lever end 312, the drive lever 310 is coupled to an opening lever 160. The opening lever 160 is coupled to a lid support 108 by means of a lid slider 114. The lid support 108 is, for example, part of the lid 103. As also in the Fig. 11 and Fig. As shown in Figure 12, the lid support 108 can be raised and lowered by pivoting the release lever 160 relative to the guide rail 109 in order to raise and lower the rear edge 107 of the lid 103.

[0065] The pivoting of the extension lever 160 is driven by the drive 150, whose movement is transmitted to the extension lever 160 via the drive rod 200 and the drive lever 310. The drive lever 310 is pivotable relative to the rotary bearing slider 203, so that the second lever end 312 can be raised and lowered along the third direction Z relative to the guide rail.

[0066] Fig. Figure 6 shows a schematic representation of the drive lever 310. At its first end 311, the drive lever 310 has an open slot 313. The slot 313 is open at an opening 314, allowing the bearing pin 204 to be inserted into the slot 313. Opposite the opening 314, the drive lever 310 limits the slot 313 by means of a limiting section 315. At its second end 312, the drive lever 310 has an interface for coupling with the extension lever 160.

[0067] Fig. Figures 7 to 9 schematically show different states of the assembly of the drive lever 310 on the rotary bearing slider 203.

[0068] As in Fig. As shown in Figure 7, the drive lever 310 is pivoted onto the rotary bearing slide 203 from above. Initially, the drive lever 310 is arranged in a position above the rotary bearing slide 203, which in Fig. 7 is labelled 310a. The drive lever 310 is already coupled to the release lever 160 at this point. The first lever end 311 is pivoted downwards towards the bearing pin 204. The locking section 216 of the spring element 210 is deflected towards the first extension section 223 to release the bearing pin 204.

[0069] The locking section 216 is elastically spring-loaded and can be deflected from its rest position to allow the first lever end 311 to pivot onto the bearing pin 204. For example, the shape of the locking section 216 has a configuration that allows a deflection 110 ( Fig. 9) in the direction of the first extension area 223 when the first lever end 311 is pressed down onto the locking area 216. For example, the locking area 216 has an inclined flank which, when a force is applied down onto the locking area 216 from the first lever end 311, deflects the locking area 216 in the direction of the first extension area 223. It is also possible that the first extension area 223 is deflected manually or with a tool, alternatively or additionally, without the drive lever 310 coming into contact with the locking area 216.

[0070] The drive lever 310 is placed on the bearing journal 204 via the elongated hole 313. The opening 314 allows the bearing journal 204 to penetrate into the elongated hole 313. When the drive lever 310 is in the position shown in Fig. 7, which is marked as 310b, the bearing pin 204 is arranged in the elongated hole 313 and the drive lever 310 is in its operating position.

[0071] The locking section 216 can be pivoted back and springs back elastically. The locking section 216 is then arranged above the limiting section 315. The limiting section 315 is arranged between the locking section 216 and the bearing pin 204. A force 219 acts on the locking section 216 ( Fig. 10) on the limiting section 315 to securely hold the drive lever 310 on the bearing pin 204. The locking area 216 of the spring element 210 thus prevents the drive lever 310 from detaching from the bearing pin 204 despite the opening 314 in the elongated hole 313.

[0072] As in Fig. As shown in Figure 9, the locking area 216 and / or the first extension area 223 undergo a deflection 110 along the second direction Y during assembly. Once the first lever end 311 is in the operational position on the bearing journal 204, the locking area 216 and / or the first extension area 213 undergo a reverse deflection, so that the locking area 216 is positioned on the limiting section 315. In particular, in the operational state, the locking area 216 is in contact with the drive lever 310 at the first lever end 311 on the limiting section 315.

[0073] Fig. Figure 10 schematically shows a force 219 exerted by the locking section 216 on the limiting section 315 of the drive lever 310. This force acts from the limiting section 315 towards the opening 314 of the elongated hole 313. Thus, the force 219 counteracts the detachment of the drive lever 310 from the bearing journal 204 through the opening 314. The force 219 also reduces rattling noises during operation, as the drive lever is pressed against the bearing journal 204 with preload. The locking section 216 is shaped to allow the rotational movement of the drive lever 310 around the bearing journal 204. Fig. 11 and Fig. Figure 12 schematically shows the pivoting of the raising lever 160 to raise and lower the rear edge 107 of the cover 103.

[0074] Fig. Figure 11 shows the system 300 in a closed position of the cover 103, in which the cover 103 closes the roof opening 102. The opening lever 160 is pivoted. To open the opening lever 160, the pivot bearing slider 203 is moved rearward in the first direction X. For this purpose, the drive rod 200 is moved rearward by the drive 150 in the first direction X. This movement is transmitted to the drive lever 310 at the bearing pin 204. Due to the coupling of the drive lever 310 at the second lever end 312 with the opening lever 160, the displacement of the first lever end 311 of the drive lever 310 in the first direction X rearward results in a pivoting of the drive lever 310.

[0075] The second lever end 312 of the drive lever 310 is moved upwards along the third direction Z. This causes the opening lever 160 to pivot out, so that the lid slider 114 moves upwards along the third direction Z, as shown in Fig.Figure 12 shows that this raises the rear edge 107 of the cover. The process for lowering the rear edge 107 is carried out in reverse order. During the pivoting of the drive lever 310, the drive lever is reliably held at the first lever end 311 on the bearing pin 204, since the spring element 210 exerts the force 219 on the first lever end 311 by means of the locking section 216.

[0076] The spring element 210 of the drive rod 200 enables, by means of the single component of the spring element 210, both the functionality of locking and unlocking the drive rod 200 by means of the locking projection 231 and the torsional spring force required for this purpose, as well as the securing of the drive lever 310 to the bearing pin 204 by means of the securing area 216 and the force 219 that can be exerted thereon.

[0077] Mounting the drive lever 310 to the bearing pin 204 is straightforward, as the drive lever 310, with its open elongated hole 313, can simply be slipped onto the bearing pin 204 and is then reliably held in place by the locking element 216. The spring element 210, already present in conventional drive rods 200, is enhanced with the additional functionality of the locking element 216. For this purpose, the spring element 210 is extended from the plastic sheath 230 at its first end section 221 and bent several times to form the locking element 216. This ensures simple and reliable assembly as well as reliable operation. Reference sign 100 vehicles 101 Vehicle roof 102 Roof opening 103 lids 104 Windscreen 106 Leading edge 107 trailing edge 108 lid supports 109 Guide rail 110 deflection 114 lid gliders 150 drive 160 awning levers 170 Roof arrangement 200 drive rod 201 first end 202 second end 203 swivel bearing sliders 204 bearing journals 210 spring element 211 first spring end 212 second spring end 213 first bend 214 second bend 215 third bend 216 Security area 217 Transformation 218 further transformations 219 force 220 longitudinal area 221 first end area 222 second end range 223 first area of ​​application 224 second area of ​​application 230 plastic coating 231 Locking projection 232 Support projection 300 System 310 Drive lever 311 first lever end 312 second lever end 313 Slotted hole 314 Opening 315 Boundary section X first direction Y second direction Z third direction

Claims

[1] Drive rod for a vehicle roof (101), wherein the drive rod (200) has a spring element (210) extending elongated along a first direction (X), wherein the drive rod (200) has a pivot bearing slider (203) at a first end (201) and can be coupled to a drive (150) at an opposite second end (202), wherein - a first spring end (211) of the spring element (210) is arranged on the rotary bearing slider (203), - the spring element (210) on the rotary bearing slider (203) has a bend (213) and a locking area (216) for securing a drive lever (310), wherein the locking area (216) extends between the bend (213) and the first spring end (211), and the rotary bearing slider (203) can be coupled to the drive lever (310). [2] Drive rod according to claim 1, wherein the spring element (210) is a torsionable spring steel element. [3] Drive rod according to claim 1 or 2, comprising a plastic sheath (230) surrounding the spring element (210), wherein the locking area (216) is free from the plastic sheath (230). [4] Drive rod according to one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the first spring end (211) is elastically deflectable along a second direction (Y), wherein the first direction (X) and the second direction (Y) are perpendicular to each other. [5] Drive rod according to one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the spring element (210) has a longitudinal region (220) extending along the first direction (X), wherein the spring element (210) has a plurality of bends (213, 214, 215) in a first end region (221) adjoining the first spring end (211) and including the locking region (216), such that the locking region (216) is arranged spaced apart from the longitudinal region (220). [6] System for a vehicle roof, wherein the system (300) comprises: - a drive rod (200) according to one of claims 1 to 5, - the drive lever (310), wherein the drive lever (310) has an open elongated hole (313) for coupling with a bearing pin (204) of the rotary bearing slider (203). [7] System according to claim 6, wherein the securing area (216) is configured to exert a force (219) on the drive lever (310) in the direction towards the bearing pin (204). [8] System according to claim 6 or 7, wherein in a coupled state: - the drive lever (310) is coupled to the bearing pin (204) by means of the elongated hole (313), so that the drive lever (310) and the rotary bearing slider (203) can pivot relative to each other, and a limiting section (315) of the drive lever (310) is arranged between the bearing pin (204) and the locking area (216), wherein the limiting section (315) limits the elongated hole (313) in one direction. [9] System according to one of claims 6 to 8, wherein the drive lever (310) extends between a first lever end (311) and a second lever end (312), wherein the elongated hole (313) is arranged at the first lever end (311) and the drive lever (310) can be coupled to an extension lever (160) at the second lever end (312) in order to transmit a movement of the drive (150) by means of the drive rod (200) and the drive lever (310) to the extension lever (160). [10] Roof arrangement for a vehicle roof (101) wherein the roof arrangement (170) comprises: - a system (300) according to claim 9, - a cover (103) for selectively closing and opening a roof opening (102) of the vehicle roof (101), wherein the release lever (160) is coupled to the cover (103) in order to move the cover (103) by pivoting the release lever (160). [11] Method for mounting a system (300) for a vehicle roof (101), the method comprising: - Deflection of a locking area (216) of a spring element (210) on a rotary bearing slider (203) against a spring force of the spring element (210), - Mounting a drive lever (310) with an open elongated hole (313) onto a bearing pin (204) of the rotary bearing slider (203), - Swinging back the safety area (216), and thereby - Securing the drive lever (310) to the bearing pin (204) by means of the locking area (216).

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