Vehicle with a vehicle body and associated roof rails

Abstract

A vehicle (1) is described, comprising a vehicle body (3) and roof rails (2) attached to it, each extending along the vehicle roof's outer surfaces (1A) in the longitudinal direction (X). A lateral outer wall section (12) of each roof rail (2) and a corresponding upper surface (13) of the vehicle body (3) are covered by a cover plate (4). Each cover plate (4) is connected to one of the roof rails (2) by a first side section (14). A second side section (15) of each cover plate (4) forms a gap (17) with a section (16) of the upper surface (13) of the vehicle body (3), and this gap is sealed by a sealing unit (18).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a vehicle with a vehicle body and roof rails associated therewith, according to the type defined in more detail in the preamble of claim 1.

[0002] From DE 10 2012 000 827 A1, a roof rail for a motor vehicle is known, comprising at least one gallery rail and at least one support element attached to the gallery rail for bridging a gap between the gallery rail and the roof of the motor vehicle and for securing the roof rail to the roof of the motor vehicle. Furthermore, at least one cover for the support element is provided. The gallery rail, the support element, and the cover are designed as separate components. The cover has at least one fastening area, which is held in a gap formed between the gallery rail and the support element for securing the cover.

[0003] However, attaching the roof rails to the roof via the gallery rail is problematic. This area is subject to aesthetic and visual requirements, which limits the freedom in designing the structural strength of the vehicle roof.

[0004] From the next available DE 20 2014 102 150 U1, a vehicle is known with a vehicle body and roof rails connected thereto, which each extend in the area of ​​the outer sides of the vehicle roof in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, wherein a lateral outer wall area of ​​the roof rails is covered by a panel, wherein the panels are each connected to one of the roof rails with a first side area.

[0005] Other roof rails are known from DE 20 2017 107 760 U1 and EP 3 360 731 A1.

[0006] The present invention is based on the objective of providing a vehicle with a vehicle body and roof rails associated with it, in which the structural strength of the vehicle body in the connection area with the roof rails can be designed or implemented with a high degree of freedom and which has a high overall visual impression.

[0007] According to the invention, this problem is solved with a vehicle having the features of claim 1.

[0008] The vehicle according to the invention comprises a vehicle body and associated roof rails, each extending in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle in the area of ​​the outer sides of the vehicle roof.

[0009] According to the invention, a lateral outer wall area of ​​the roof rails and a corresponding upper surface of the vehicle body are covered by a panel. The panels are connected to one of the roof rails via a first side area, while a second side area of ​​the panels defines a gap with a region of the upper surface of the vehicle body. The gaps are sealed against the vehicle's surroundings by a sealing element.

[0010] The arrangement of the panels on the outside of the vehicle in relation to the outer wall areas of the roof rails and above the tops of the vehicle body allows for a load-bearing design of the vehicle body and roof rails without having to take aesthetic or visual requirements into account.

[0011] In an advantageous embodiment of the vehicle according to the invention, the panels engage with their first side sections in a groove of the roof rails. This ensures, on the one hand, a good joint appearance at the transition between the panels and the vehicle body. On the other hand, it makes it possible to easily seal the areas of the roof rails and the vehicle body covered by the panels from the vehicle's surroundings.

[0012] The grooves can each have a substantially C-shaped cross-section, and the opposing ends of the groove legs can each define an opening cross-section and lie flush against the side surfaces of the panels. This provides a simple way to connect the panels to the roof rails using a form-fit, force-fit, and / or material-fit connection, ensuring that no noises disrupting driving comfort occur in the connection area between the panels and the roof rails during operation.

[0013] Furthermore, the connection of the trim pieces to the roof rails creates a kind of pivot joint between the roof rails and the trim pieces, allowing the trim pieces to tilt relative to the roof rails. This tilting movement compensates for misalignments of the roof rails relative to the vehicle body surface resulting from manufacturing tolerances. This ensures a consistent and visually appealing gap between the trim pieces and the upper surfaces of the vehicle body.

[0014] For this purpose, it is advantageous if the opening cross-sections of the grooves are smaller than the cross-section of the groove adjoining the opening cross-section towards the groove base. This allows each end of the fascia board engaging in the grooves to tilt relative to the roof rails without coming into contact with the inner sides of the groove and potentially creating constraints between the fascia board and the roof rails in the area of ​​the grooves.

[0015] The panels can each be operatively connected to the roof rails in a connection area between the side sections via at least one spring-elastic coupling element. Such a spring-elastic coupling element offers a structurally simple way to establish a connection between the panels and the roof rails, while simultaneously preventing constrained positions of the panels that would impair the appearance of the joint due to the elasticity of the coupling elements.

[0016] In a structurally simple embodiment of the vehicle according to the invention, the coupling elements each comprise at least one tension spring, preferably a leaf spring, which is connected at one end to the panels and at the other end to the roof rails and exerts an actuating force on the panels directed towards the upper surfaces of the roof rails. This ensures that the panels are held by the tension springs in a position in which a visually high-quality joint appearance is maintained in the area of ​​the gap between the second side areas of the panels and the upper surfaces of the vehicle body, regardless of the position of the roof rails.

[0017] Alternatively or additionally, the coupling elements can each have at least one spring clip, which is firmly connected to the covers and, when the covers are mounted, engages in a further groove in the roof rails. Within these grooves, the clips are slidable against a spring preload and simultaneously held against disengagement. Furthermore, the spring preload of the spring clips can exert an actuating force on the covers, directed towards the upper surfaces of the roof rails.

[0018] The additional grooves can each be formed in a section of a cantilever arm of the roof rails, allowing the roof rails to engage the panels from the first side section towards the second. These cantilever arms then allow for a simple, spring-like connection of the panels between the side sections to the roof rails, resulting in a visually appealing joint appearance in the gap area.

[0019] The roof rails can each rest on a support surface of the vehicle body on one underside and be firmly attached to the vehicle body. This allows forces acting on the roof rails, such as those exerted by roof boxes attached to the roof rails via roof racks, to be supported to the desired extent within the area of ​​the vehicle body.

[0020] Furthermore, the sealing units may be arranged between the undersides of the second side sections of the panels, which face the upper surfaces of the vehicle body, and the upper surfaces of the vehicle body to seal the gap between the panels and the vehicle body. In addition, the sealing units may apply an actuating force to the panels, directed away from the upper surfaces of the vehicle body.

[0021] The elastic properties of the sealing units, in combination with the connections of the trim panels to the roof rails, enable a uniform joint pattern within the tolerance range of a series of a vehicle type to be achieved via the spring-elastic coupling elements in the area of ​​the further grooves and via the first side areas in the area of ​​the grooves. This is independent of tolerance-dependent positions of the roof rails in relation to the surfaces of the vehicle body, which, together with the second side areas of the trim panels, define the gap.

[0022] The panels can each have a stop area on their side surfaces facing the roof rail support arms. The free ends of these stop areas can abut the support arms to limit the swivel angle of the panels around the first side sections. This allows the swivel angle of the panels relative to the roof rails to be limited in a structurally simple way.

[0023] The roof rails can have, in the vertical direction above the grooves, a cross-sectional area that is constricted in the transverse direction and a cross-sectional area that extends vertically and is wider in the transverse direction. Crossbeams or roof racks can then be easily attached to the roof rails. These crossbeams extend transversely above the vehicle roof and engage the wider cross-sectional area, for example, with clamps or similar fasteners.

[0024] Furthermore, it may be provided that the roof rails, at least in the constricted cross-sectional area, have a hollow profile that includes a transversely extending web section between the side walls and delimiting the hollow profile. In this case, the roof rails in the mounting area of ​​crossbeams or roof trusses are designed with the desired high strength while maintaining a low component weight.

[0025] Further features of the invention will become apparent from the claims, the figures, and the description of the figures. The foregoing description of the features and combinations of features, as well as the features and combinations of features mentioned below in the description of the figures and / or shown in the figures alone, are not only usable in the combinations specified, but also in other combinations or on their own.

[0026] It shows: Fig. 1 a three-dimensional side view of a roof rail of a vehicle; Fig. 2 an enlarged view of one in Fig. 1 more precisely marked area II of the roof railing; Fig. 3 A sectional view of the roof rail, an area of ​​the vehicle body located below it, and a panel along a Fig. 2 marked section line III-III; Fig. 4 A sectional view of the roof rail, the area of ​​the vehicle body located below it, and the trim along a Fig. 2 marked section line IV-IV; Fig. 5 a three-dimensional partial cross-sectional view of an area of ​​a further embodiment of the roof rail, in which the cover for tolerance compensation is operatively connected to a support arm of the roof rail via a flexible coupling element designed as a spring clip; Fig. 6 a essentially Fig. 5 corresponding cross-sectional view of the roof rail, the vehicle body and the cover, wherein the cover is operatively connected to the support arm of the roof rail via a tension spring and the spring clip.

[0027] Fig. Figure 1 shows a three-dimensional partial representation of a vehicle 1 and a roof rail 2, which is connected to a vehicle body 3. In Fig. 2 is an enlarged view of one in Fig. 1 more precisely marked area II of the roof rail 2 is shown, which includes one end of the roof rail 2. Fig. 3 and Fig. Figures 4 show sectional views of the roof rail 2, the vehicle body 3, and a panel 4 along a [unclear] Fig. 2 more precisely marked section line III-III or IV-IV.

[0028] From the representation according to Fig. It can be seen from Figure 3 that the roof rail 2 rests on a support surface 6 of an adapter element 7 in the area of ​​an underside 5. The adapter element 7 is firmly connected to the roof rail 2 of the vehicle body 3 via a screw connection 8 and engages at least partially in a roof channel 3A in the vehicle's vertical direction Z. A roof channel sealing unit 3B is provided between the roof rail 2 and the areas of the vehicle body 3 that define the roof channel 3A.

[0029] The adapter element 7 rests with its underside 9 on a support surface 10 of the vehicle body 3 and is firmly connected to the vehicle body 3 via a further screw connection 11. Furthermore, the roof rail 2 extends along the outer side 1A of the vehicle roof in the longitudinal direction X almost over the entire length of the roof and is firmly attached to the vehicle body 3 via three adapter elements 7.

[0030] A lateral outer wall area 12 of the roof rail 2 and a top surface 13 of the vehicle body 3 facing or associated with the outer wall area 12 are covered by the cover 4, which extends almost over the entire length of the roof rail 2. The cover 4 is connected to the roof rail 2 by a first side area 14, and a second side area 15 of the cover 4, together with an area 16 of the top surface 13 of the vehicle body 3, defines a gap 17. The gap 17 is sealed against the surroundings 19 of the vehicle 1 by a sealing unit 18. For this purpose, the sealing unit 18 is positioned between the second side area 15 of the cover 4 and the top surface 13 of the vehicle body 3 to seal the gap 17 between the cover 4 and the vehicle body 3. The aperture 4 is subjected to an actuating force directed away from the top 8 of the vehicle body 3 by the sealing unit 18.

[0031] In this case, the cover 4 engages with its free end of the first side section 14 in a groove 20 of the roof rail 2. The groove 20 has a substantially C-shaped cross-section. The cover 4 forms an acute angle with the vehicle's vertical direction Z, with the first side section 14, in the installed position of the cover 4, being located above the second side section 15 in the vehicle's vertical direction Z. Furthermore, the second side section 15 of the cover 4 is positioned further outwards in the vehicle's transverse direction Y than the first side section 14 of the cover 4.

[0032] Additionally, the cover 4 engages in a further groove 23 of a support arm 24 of the roof rail 2 in a connection area 21 assigned to the roof rail 2 between the side areas 14 and 15 with a clip-like connecting element 22. The support arm 24 engages under the cover 4 from the first side area 14 towards the second side area 15. Depending on the specific application, the connecting element 22 extends over the entire length of the cover 4 or comprises several connecting element sections spaced apart from each other in the longitudinal direction X of the vehicle.

[0033] Regardless of the specific design of the connecting element 22, after its installation in the further groove 23, the connecting element 22 establishes a firm connection between the support arm 24 and the cover 4. In its installed state, the cover 4 conceals the underlying area of ​​the roof rail 2 and the vehicle body 3 from the surroundings 19 of the vehicle 1 and presses the sealing unit 18 against the upper surface 8 of the vehicle body 3 in a sealing manner.

[0034] Furthermore, the roof rail 2 is designed in the vehicle's vertical direction Z above the groove 20 with a cross-sectional area 2A that is constricted in the vehicle's transverse direction Y and with a cross-sectional area 2B that adjoins this in the vehicle's vertical direction Z and is wider in the vehicle's transverse direction Y. The constricted cross-sectional area 2A and the wider cross-sectional area 2B offer a simple way to attach roof racks running in the vehicle's transverse direction Y to the roof rail 2, for example, using clamps.

[0035] The roof rail 2 is designed as an extruded profile, preferably made of die-cast aluminum or the like. The roof rail 2 is designed, among other things, in the constricted cross-sectional area 2A and in the wider cross-sectional area 2B with a hollow profile that includes a web section 2C extending in the transverse direction Y of the vehicle and between side walls 2D, 2E of the hollow profile.

[0036] A good joint appearance is present in the area of ​​gap 17 when the roof rail 2 is in a predefined mounting position. Unfavorable component tolerances in the connection areas of the roof rail 2 to the vehicle body 3 cause the actual position of the roof rail 2 to deviate from the predefined mounting position to such an extent that the width of gap 17 and thus the joint appearance between the cover 4 and the vehicle body 3 is unacceptably affected.

[0037] Fig. Figure 5 shows a further development of vehicle 1 according to Fig. 1, in which the connection of the cover 4 to the roof rail 2 enables a pivoting movement of the cover 4 relative to the roof rail 2 around the first side area 9 of the cover 4, as described in more detail below. This allows component tolerances and resulting misalignments of the cover 4 relative to the vehicle body 3 to be compensated for, and a high-quality joint appearance in the area of ​​the gap 17 is achieved regardless of the component tolerances.

[0038] In the case of vehicle 1 according to Fig. 5 The cover 4 engages with its free end of the first side section 9 in a groove 205 of the roof rail 2. The groove 205 essentially has a C-profile cross-section. Furthermore, towards each other, ends 25, 26 of groove legs 27, 28 define an opening cross-section 29 of the groove 205 and lie flush against side surfaces 30, 31 of the cover 4.

[0039] The opening cross-section 29 of the groove 205 is smaller than the groove cross-section 33 adjoining the opening cross-section 29 in the direction of a groove base 32 of the groove 142, into which the free end of the first side region 14 of the aperture 4 projects. This causes the inner sides of the groove legs 27 and 28 to be spaced away from the side surfaces 30, 31 of the aperture 4, which allows a rotational or tilting movement of the aperture 4 between the two ends 25, 26 of the groove legs 27, 28.

[0040] Additionally, the cover 4 is operatively connected to the support arm 24 of the roof rail 2 in a connection area 34 assigned to the roof rail 2 between the side areas 9 and 10 via a spring clip 35A of a spring-elastic coupling element 35. Depending on the specific application, the coupling element 35 extends over the entire length of the cover 4 or comprises several coupling element sections spaced apart from each other in the longitudinal direction X of the vehicle.

[0041] The spring-elastic coupling element 35 comprises a web 36 that extends essentially perpendicularly from the underside 31 of the cover 4, which faces the support arm 24, towards the support arm 24 and transitions into an end-end dome area 37. The cross-section of the dome area 37 is larger than the cross-section of the web 36 and, with its rounded outer surface, forms a free head end of the coupling element 35, with which the coupling element 35 engages in a further groove 38 of the roof rail 2.

[0042] The further groove 38 essentially has a tapered U-shaped cross-sectional profile that narrows above a groove base 39 towards an opening cross-section 40 of the further groove 38. Lateral spring arm sections 42, 43 extend from a tip 41 of the coupling area 37. When the coupling element 35 is clipped in, these sections are pre-tensioned against the inner sides of the further groove 38 due to an inherent spring preload. Due to the design of the further groove 38 and the spring clip 35A, the operative connection between the spring clip 35A and the further groove 38 of the support arm 24 results in a force acting or directed towards the upper surface 13 of the vehicle body 3 being applied to the cover 4, which then...which pivots the second side area 15 of the aperture 4 around the first side area 14 towards the top 13 of the vehicle body 3 and seals the sealing unit 18 against the top 13 of the vehicle body 3.

[0043] The further groove 38 of vehicle 1 according to Fig. 5 is like the further groove 23 of vehicle 1 according to Fig. 1 arranged in a cantilever area or in the area of ​​a free end of the support arm 24, which engages the aperture 4 starting from the first side area 14 in the direction of the second side area 15.

[0044] The aperture 4 has a stop area 44 in the area of ​​its side surface 31, which faces the roof rail 2, which with its free end 45 comes to rest against the support arm 24 from a defined pivot angle of the aperture 4 about the first side area 14 in the direction of the support arm 24 and limits an adjustment of the second side area 14 of the aperture 4 relative to the support arm 24 and the upper surface 13 of the vehicle body 3.

[0045] Fig. Figure 6 shows another embodiment of vehicle 1 in a substantially Fig. Figure 5 shows a corresponding illustration in which the spring-elastic coupling element 35 comprises a tension spring 35B in addition to the spring clip 35A. The tension spring 35B, which is preferably made of steel and can be designed as a leaf spring, is connected at one end to the cover 4 and at the other end to the roof rail 2 via the spring clip 35A, and exerts an actuating force on the cover 4 directed towards the upper surface 8 of the vehicle body 3. The tension spring 35B can also either be formed in one piece and extend substantially over the entire length of the cover 4 or comprise spaced-apart tension spring sections.

[0046] The in Fig. The embodiment of vehicle 1 shown in Figure 6 otherwise has the same structural design and the same functionality in the area of ​​the roof rail 2, the vehicle body 3 and the respective connecting panel 4 as the embodiment of vehicle 1 according to Figure 6. Fig. 5, which is why reference is made to the above description. Fig. 1 to Fig. 5 is referred to.

[0047] Both in the design of vehicle 1 according to Fig. 5 as well as in the embodiment of vehicle 1 according to Fig. 6. By means of the coupling element 35, compensation for a misalignment of the roof rail 2 with respect to the predefined mounting position is possible. Via the coupling unit 35, a distance between the underside 31 of the cover 4 and the support arm 24 can vary depending on the misalignment of the cover 2 such that the width of the gap 17 has a defined value due to the spring constants of the coupling element 35 and the sealing unit 18, regardless of any misalignment of the roof rails 2, and that widenings or narrowings of the gap width that would impair the joint pattern of the gap 17 are avoided. Reference symbol list 1 vehicle 1A Vehicle roof exterior 2 roof rails 2A constricted cross-sectional area 2B wide cross-sectional area 2C Bridge area 2D, 2E Side wall of the hollow profile 3 Vehicle body 3A Roof duct 3B Roof duct sealing unit 4 aperture 5 Underside of the roof rails 6. Contact surface of the adapter element 7 Adapter element 8 screw connection 9 Underside of the adapter element 10 Contact surface of the vehicle body 11 more screw connections 12. Side exterior wall area of ​​the roof railing 13 Top of the vehicle body 14 first side area of ​​aperture 4 15 second side area of ​​aperture 4 16 Area of ​​the upper surface of the vehicle body 17 gaps 18 Sealing unit 19. Vehicle surroundings 20 Nut 205 Nut 21 Connection area 22 Connecting element 23 more nuts 24 support arm 25, 26 End of the nut leg 27, 28 Nutschenkel 29 Opening cross-section of the groove 202 30, 31 Side surface of the aperture 32 Groove base of the groove 205 33 Groove cross-section of groove 205 34 Connection area of ​​the aperture 35 resilient coupling element 35A Spring Clips 35B tension spring 36 Bridge 37 Dome area 38 more grooves 39 Groove base of the next groove 38 40 Opening cross-section of the further groove 38 41 Top of the dome area 42, 43 lateral spring arm sections 44 Stop area 45 free end of the stop area X Vehicle longitudinal direction Y Vehicle transverse direction Z Vehicle lifting direction

Claims

[1] Vehicle (1) with a vehicle body (3) and with roof rails (2) attached thereto, each extending in the area of ​​the outer sides (1A) of the vehicle roof in the longitudinal direction (X), wherein each lateral outer wall area (12) of the roof rails (2) and each upper surface (13) of the vehicle body (3) associated with one of the outer wall areas (12) are covered by a panel (4), wherein the panels (4) are each connected to a first side area (14) with one of the roof rails (2), and wherein a second side area (15) of the apertures (4) and an area (16) of the top (13) of the vehicle body (3) define a gap (17), each of which is sealed by a sealing unit (18). [2] Vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the panels (4) with their first side areas (14) each engage in a groove (20; 205) of the roof rails (2). [3] Vehicle according to claim 2, wherein the grooves (205) each have a substantially C-profile cross-section, and wherein towards each other ends (25, 26) of groove legs (27, 28) each define an opening cross-section (29) of the groove (205) and are flush with side surfaces (30, 31) of the covers (4). [4] Vehicle according to claim 3, wherein the opening cross-sections (29) of the grooves (205) are each smaller than a groove cross-section (33) adjoining the opening cross-section (29) in the direction of a groove base (32). [5] Vehicle according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the panels (4) are each in a connection area (21) assigned to the roof rails (2) between the side areas (14, 15) via at least one spring-elastic coupling element (35) to the roof rails (2). [6] Vehicle according to claim 5, wherein the coupling elements (5) each comprise at least one tension spring (25B) which is connected at one end to one of the panels (4) and at the other end to one of the roof rails (2) and which exerts an actuating force on the panels (4) directed towards one of the upper surfaces (8) of the vehicle body (3). [7] Vehicle according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the coupling elements (25) each have at least one spring clip (25A) which are fixedly connected to the covers (4) and are each held slidably in a further groove (38) of the roof rails (2) against a spring preload of the spring clips (25B), and wherein the spring preload acts on the covers (4) each with an actuating force directed towards the upper surfaces (8) of the vehicle body (3). [8] Vehicle according to claim 7, wherein the further grooves (38) are each formed in a region of a cantilever arm (24) of the roof rails (2), with which the roof rails (2) engage the panels (4) starting from the first side region (14) in the direction of the second side region (15). [9] Vehicle according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the roof rails (2) each rest on a support surface (6) of an adapter element (7) in the area of ​​a bottom surface (5) and are firmly connected to the vehicle body (3). [10] Vehicle according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the sealing units (18) are arranged between the undersides (31) of the second side areas (14) of the panels (4) and the tops (13) of the vehicle body (3) to seal the gap (17) between the panels (4) and the vehicle body (3), and the panels (4) are each subjected to an actuating force directed away from the tops (13) of the vehicle body (3). [11] Vehicle according to one of claims 8 to 10, wherein the panels (4) have a stop area (44) in the area of ​​their side surfaces (31) facing the roof rails (2), the free ends (45) of which come to rest against the support arms (24) from a defined pivot angle of the panels (4) about the first side areas (14) in the direction of the support arms (24). [12] Vehicle according to one of claims 2 to 11, wherein the roof rails (2) in the vehicle vertical direction (Z) above the grooves (17) each have a cross-sectional area (2A) constricted in the vehicle transverse direction (Y) and a cross-sectional area (2B) adjoining it in the vehicle vertical direction (Z) and wider in the vehicle transverse direction (Y). [13] Vehicle according to claim 12, wherein the roof rails (2) have at least in the constricted cross-sectional area (2A) a hollow profile comprising a web area (2C) extending in the transverse direction (Y) of the vehicle, which extends between side walls (2D, 2E) that define the hollow profile.

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