Motor vehicle comprising a roof rail and a roof rack and roof structure arranged on the roof rail for a motor vehicle

Abstract

To provide a motor vehicle with a roof rack, wherein the roof rack can be held in a horizontal orientation, a motor vehicle (100) comprising a roof rail (11) and a roof rack (12) arranged on the roof rail (11) is proposed, wherein it is provided that the roof rack (12) has a lower part (13) arranged on the roof rail (11) and an upper part (14) pivotably attached to the lower part (13) and at least one, preferably first, drive (15), and that the upper part (14) is pivotable relative to the lower part (13) by means of the at least one drive (15).

Description

The present invention relates to a motor vehicle, in particular an off-road vehicle or a pickup truck, comprising a roof rail and a roof rack arranged on the roof rail. The present invention further relates to a roof structure for a motor vehicle comprising a roof rail and a roof rack. Roof racks, such as roof baskets or roof boxes, are commonly mounted on roof rails for motor vehicles, especially SUVs and pickup trucks. Particularly with tall vehicles, the roof rack is often difficult for shorter people to reach. Furthermore, when driving on uneven terrain, items placed on the roof rack can shift or fall off due to the vehicle's tilt. DE 199 30 004 A1 discloses a motor vehicle with a roof rack system which can be attached via roof rails, wherein two spaced-apart guides with an outwardly open guide slot are formed parallel to the longitudinal direction of the motor vehicle at least in the area of ​​the roof for a carrier system. US Patent 12,054,122 B1 discloses a transport system for a motor vehicle comprising a rail arranged vertically and horizontally at the rear and on the roof of the vehicle. One or more trolleys interact with the rail and are designed to lift a load from ground level to the vehicle roof for storage and transport. KR 10 2019 0 057 707 A discloses a lifting device for a carrying box which is arranged on a roof rail of an automobile. A roller carriage is arranged at a lower area of ​​the carrying box and attached to the roof rail and can slide along the roof rail in the longitudinal direction. DE 10 2021 200 505 B4 discloses a device for transporting objects on the roof of a vehicle with an electrical connection to the vehicle's electrical system, comprising at least one roof rail and a conductor rail arranged inside the at least one roof rail and a corresponding vehicle-side conductor rail, which are electrically connected to each other, wherein the vehicle-side conductor rail is connected to the vehicle's electrical system, and at least one electrical connection point for an electrical consumer on the at least one roof rail and / or a holding device and a device for transmitting the electrical energy to the holding device, wherein the connection of the vehicle's conductor rails and the at least one roof rail is effected by means of at least one screw.wherein the transmission of electrical energy takes place via a flat contacting contact of the busbars and the at least one screw is galvanically isolated from the busbars. DE 20 2019 105 694 U1 discloses a support assembly comprising a cargo frame, a boom frame, and an actuation system. The system moves the cargo frame from a stowed position to an intermediate position by displacing the cargo frame and the boom frame relative to an anchor frame. Furthermore, the system moves the cargo frame from the intermediate position by displacing the cargo frame relative to the boom frame to enable pivoting the cargo frame relative to the boom frame into a loading position. The anchor frame is attached directly to roof beams of a vehicle or directly to a loading platform of a vehicle. The cargo frame is designed to support cargo in such a way that the cargo is coupled to the cargo frame in motion. The cables of the actuation system move the cargo frame.when the cargo frame is moved from the stowed position to the loading position and a locking assembly is provided that transitions between an unlocked and a locked position, wherein the locking assembly in the unlocked position allows movement of the boom frame relative to the anchor frame when the cargo frame is moved from the stowed position to the intermediate position, wherein the locking assembly in the locked position blocks movement of the boom frame relative to the anchor frame when the cargo frame is moved from the intermediate position to the loading position, wherein the locking assembly includes a latch that pivots in response to movement of the boom frame relative to the anchor frame, the pivoting serving to transition the locking assembly between the unlocked position and the locked position, and the latch is retracted from a recess,when the locking assembly is in the unlocked position, and the bolt is at least partially engaged in the recess, when the locking assembly is in the locked position. CN 1 11 619 461 A relates to an automatic lifting frame for a trunk lid in a swing-arm design for vehicles. It comprises a mounting frame, a swing arm, a trunk mounting frame, a motor, and a counterbalancing mechanism. The mounting frame, the swing arm, and the trunk mounting frame are connected via a pivot shaft and a counterbalancing shaft to form a zigzag structure. The motor is connected to the mounting frame and drives the swing arm via a motor shaft and the pivot shaft, causing it to rotate. The counterbalancing mechanism comprises a synchronizing belt, a drive pulley, and a driven pulley. The drive pulley is connected to the mounting frame, and the driven pulley is connected to the trunk mounting frame.As the swivel arm rotates, the counterbalancing mechanism drives the trunk mounting frame, via the counterbalancing shaft, to rotate in the opposite direction to the swivel arm. This maintains a fixed position. The roof-mounted trunk can be automatically moved to the side or rearward. Its height is reduced in the process, allowing users to easily access and store items. US Patent 6,398,091 B1 pertains to a vehicle roof rack specifically designed for use with a pickup truck. The rack comprises a pair of elongated roof rails designed to be securely attached to an exterior surface of the vehicle's body. Each roof rail consists of a first section, the length of which is dimensioned to extend over the roof of the cab section of the vehicle, and a second section that extends down along the rear of the cab section. A crossbar is attached between the second sections of the roof rail. At least one clamp is included, which can be attached to the crossbar. The clamp has two pins designed to support the outermost ends of the forks of a bicycle's front fork once the bicycle's front wheel is removed.The bicycle can therefore be secured upright on the pickup truck bed without external fastening ropes. Furthermore, the vehicle-mounted luggage box does not occupy any significant storage space on the truck bed when not in use. US Patent 2,931,528 A discloses a roof rack for motor vehicles, consisting of a pair of side guide rails, each having a horizontal front end section extending longitudinally over the roof of a motor vehicle, and a horizontal rear end section designed to extend longitudinally over a low trunk section. In addition, there is a central climbing section curved upward and forward between the end sections, which can extend upward behind the roof. Furthermore, there is a first device that supports the front end sections and is attached to side roof gutters on a car roof, and a second device that supports the rear end sections and is attached to the rear bumper of a car. A box body is also included.At the front and rear ends are pairs of rollers that support the front end of the box body on the rails. Lifting arms are hinged to the ends of the rear pair; these arms are actuated in response to a forward movement of the box body, lifting and aligning the rear end. A device for moving the box body forward comprises a cable winding roller rotatably mounted on the first device transversely to the vehicle's axis of symmetry, as well as winding cables functionally connected to the roller. DE 10 2021 123 511 B3 relates to a roof rack with at least one lighting device which is protected on a carrier part, wherein the carrier part includes a cover with at least two light passage openings, each of which is assigned to a lighting device.To improve the functionality of the roof rack, the two light openings associated with the lighting device are arranged side by side in a spectacle-like manner, the lighting device comprising an LED strip, the lighting device resting against a circumferential collar with an interposed seal, which limits each of the light openings and is integrally connected to the cover, the carrier part being combined with a front roof basket profile, the carrier part and the cover being combined with the front roof basket profile in such a way that a front cross member is created on which only a total of four light openings are visible on the outside, arranged in pairs in a spectacle-like manner. The object of the present invention is to provide a motor vehicle with a roof rack, wherein the roof rack can be held in a horizontal orientation. To solve the problem underlying the invention, a motor vehicle, in particular an off-road vehicle or a pickup truck, is proposed, comprising a roof rail and a roof rack arranged on the roof rail, wherein it is provided that the roof rack has a lower part arranged on the roof rail and an upper part pivotably attached to the lower part and at least one, preferably first, drive, and that the upper part is pivotable relative to the lower part by means of the at least one drive. The roof rail can comprise a first railing bar and a second railing bar, wherein the first railing bar and the second railing bar are each arranged parallel to a longitudinal direction of the vehicle at one side edge of the vehicle roof. In other words, the first railing bar is attached to the right side of the vehicle roof, for example, and the second railing bar is preferably attached to the left side of the vehicle roof. The lower part of the roof rack can also be designed in the form of a frame. According to the invention, the upper part can be pivoted relative to the lower part by means of the drive. Preferably, the upper part can be pivoted about a pivot axis oriented transversely to the longitudinal direction of the vehicle and, more preferably, arranged at the front of the lower part and / or upper part in the direction of vehicle travel. Due to the pivotability of the upper section relative to the lower section, the upper section's inclination relative to the vehicle is adjustable. In particular, the upper section can be brought into or held in a horizontal or horizontal orientation by means of the (preferably first) drive mechanism, regardless of the position or location where the roof rack is mounted on the roof rails or the vehicle roof. Furthermore, when driving on uneven terrain, the vehicle's inclination can be compensated for, ensuring the upper section remains in a horizontal orientation. Preferably, the roof rack, in particular the upper part, is a roof box, roof case or roof basket. A roof basket is a grid-like basket designed to hold items, thus providing additional luggage space, especially for outdoor equipment. In principle, the roof rack, especially the upper part, can be designed in any shape suitable for transporting objects on the roof rack. For example, the roof rack, especially the upper part, can also be a bicycle rack or a ski rack. Preferably, the at least one drive is a linear drive, preferably electric, or a hydraulic drive comprising a hydraulic cylinder and a pump. An electric linear actuator is particularly advantageous because it can be directly powered by electrical energy from a vehicle battery or alternator. A further advantage is that the roof rack is designed to be movable along the roof rails in a longitudinal direction of the vehicle. The roof rack can thus be moved forwards or backwards along the roof rails in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. The upper part of the roof rack can always be held in a horizontal orientation by means of the, preferably first, drive mechanism, for example, if the roof rails are not straight but have a curved or arched shape. Furthermore, improved loading capacity of the roof rack can be achieved if the roof rack is in a position, for example in a position located at the rear of the vehicle, at a lower level relative to the ground. Preferably, a locking mechanism is provided by means of which the roof rack can be locked in a front position and / or a rear position as viewed along the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. A further advantage is that the roof rack can be moved along the roof rails in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle by means of at least one, preferably a second, drive. While it is possible to provide for the roof rack to be moved along the roof rails in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle using the first drive, a second drive is preferably provided, by means of which the roof rack can be moved along the roof rails. It is provided that the motor vehicle has a passenger compartment with a vehicle roof and a loading area, preferably open, that the roof rail has a curved profile with a first, preferably straight, section arranged on the vehicle roof, a second, preferably straight, section arranged on, in particular above, the loading area, and a transition section arranged between the first section and the second section, and that the at least one, preferably first, drive is arranged to keep the upper part horizontal when the roof rack is arranged in the area of ​​the transition section and / or is moved over the transition section. The loading area is preferably located behind the passenger compartment in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. The vehicle in question is preferably a so-called pickup truck. The roof rails have a curved, approximately S-shaped profile. The first section of the roof rails, in particular the first and second rails within this section, are largely straight and positioned above the vehicle roof. The second section of the roof rails, in particular the first and second rails within this section, is located on or above the cargo bed. This means, in particular, that the second section of the roof rails, specifically the first and second rails within this section, is attached to or positioned on the body panels that laterally define the cargo bed. When the vehicle is in a horizontal orientation, the first and second sections are also essentially horizontally aligned.The second section, which is located on or above the loading platform, lies vertically below the first section along the vehicle's vertical axis. The transition section between the first and second sections thus runs diagonally to the vehicle's vertical axis and longitudinal axis, and may have curved sections, particularly at the ends where the first and second sections meet. This allows the roof rack, especially the roof box or roof basket, to be moved along the roof rails from a front position on the vehicle roof to a rear position above the loading platform and vice versa. Because the roof rack is at a lower level in the second position above the loading platform than in the first position above the vehicle roof, loading the roof rack is improved, especially for shorter individuals.To prevent objects from slipping or falling out of the roof rack, in particular the roof basket or roof box, when driving over the transition section, the upper part is held in a horizontal orientation by means of at least one, preferably first, drive when driving over the transition section. When driving off-road or on uneven terrain, the roof rack can also be locked in the transition section, so that the roof rack, especially the upper part, can be pivoted both upwards and downwards, thus compensating for the inclination of the vehicle. A further advantage is that the roof rail includes a power rail, and that the roof rack includes an electrical contact for drawing power from the power rail, the electrical contact preferably being designed as a sliding contact. It may be particularly preferred that the at least one drive, in particular the first drive and / or the second drive, receives electrical current via the busbar and the electrical contact, and / or that the roof rack has a socket for a consumer. The power rail can thus supply electrical power to at least one drive, in particular the first drive and / or the second drive. In addition, the roof rack can be equipped with a socket for another device. For example, a cooler can be mounted on the roof rack and powered via the roof rack's socket. Preferably, the roof rack is attached to the roof rails by means of wheels or rollers. The (preferably second) drive for moving the roof rack along the roof rails in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle can be an electric motor. In particular, at least one of the wheels or rollers can be driven by its own electric motor. Alternatively, the roof rack can also be moved along the roof rails by means of a pull cable running inside the roof rails. It is further preferably provided that the roof rail has a substantially circular cross-section. Advantageously, at least one, preferably two, wheels or rollers are provided at each corner of the roof rack above the roof rail and rolling along it. Furthermore, preferably at least one, preferably at least two, wheels or rollers are provided at each corner of the roof rack, arranged below the roof rail and rolling along it. A further advantage is that the roof rail has a toothed contour, and that the roof rack includes a gear which engages in the toothed contour, with the at least one, preferably the second, drive driving the gear. Preferably, at least one of the wheels or rollers is designed as a gear. Particularly preferably, the roof rack includes at least two gears and / or at least two of the wheels or rollers are designed as gears. Preferably, at least one gear is arranged on a first, preferably left, side of the roof rack and a second gear on an opposite, preferably right, side of the roof rack. This prevents the roof rack from tilting when moving along the roof rails. The tooth profile can be designed similarly to a rack and pinion, following the contour of the roof rails. The engagement of the driven gear with the tooth profile ensures a secure and slip-free movement of the roof rack along the roof rails. Furthermore, this slip-free movement allows the current position of the roof rack to be precisely determined at any time. Precise determination of the roof rack's current position is particularly advantageous for controlling the at least one, preferably the first, drive unit to ensure the roof rack's horizontal alignment. Additionally, the tooth profile, in conjunction with the gear, can be used to lock the roof rack in any desired position. For example, the gear can be locked, or a wedge-type element can be provided that engages with the tooth profile in addition to the gear. It is advantageous to provide that the roof rack includes a lighting device, in particular a light strip, with at least one light source, in particular a headlight, wherein the at least one light source is preferably rotatable. The light strip can also be called a light bar. Such light strips are particularly common on SUVs and pickup trucks. The light strip is preferably attached to a front edge of the upper section. In a preferred embodiment, the at least one light source is rotatably mounted on the roof rack. Thus, when the roof rack is in a forward position on the vehicle roof, the light source can emit light forward in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle to improve visibility while driving, especially at night. If the roof rack is in a rearward position, particularly on the second section of the roof rails at the cargo bed, the light source can be rotated 180° to illuminate the cargo bed or the roof rack itself. Furthermore, the light source can be used for ambient lighting when camping. A further solution to the problem underlying the invention consists of a roof structure for a motor vehicle described above, comprising a roof rail and a roof rack, wherein the roof rack has a lower part that can be arranged on the roof rail and an upper part that is pivotably attached to the lower part and has at least one, preferably first, drive, and wherein the upper part can be pivoted relative to the lower part by means of the at least one drive. The roof rails and roof rack can be designed in accordance with the roof rails and roof rack of the aforementioned motor vehicle. A preferred embodiment of the invention is explained in more detail below with reference to the accompanying figures. Figure 1 shows a motor vehicle with a roof rack arranged on a roof rail above the vehicle roof; Figure 2 shows the motor vehicle with a roof rack arranged in a transition section of the roof rail; and Figure 3 shows the motor vehicle with a roof rack arranged above a loading platform. Figure 1 shows a motor vehicle 100, which is designed as a pickup truck 10. The motor vehicle 100 comprises a roof structure 200 having a roof rail 11 and a roof rack 12. The roof rack 12 comprises a lower section 13 arranged on the roof rail 11 and an upper section 14 pivotably attached to the lower section 13. A first drive 15 (Fig. 2) is also provided to pivot the upper section 14 relative to the lower section 13 about a pivot axis 17 oriented transversely to the vehicle's longitudinal direction 16 and located at the front of the roof rack 12. The roof rack 12, in particular the upper section 14, is designed as a roof basket 18. The first drive 15 is an electric linear drive 19 (Fig. 2). The roof rail 11 has a curved profile and comprises a straight first section 22 arranged on the vehicle roof 20 of a passenger compartment 21 and a straight second section 23, which is arranged on or above the loading platform 24. A transition section 25 is arranged between the first section 22 and the second section 23. The roof rack 12 is movable along the roof rail 11 in the direction of the vehicle's longitudinal axis 16. For this purpose, the roof rack 12 has rollers 26 which engage the roof rail 11 and roll along it. At least one of the rollers 26 is designed as a gear 27, which is driven by a second drive 28 (Fig. 2) and engages with a toothed contour 29 of the roof rail 11. By driving the gear 27 by means of the second drive 28, the roof rack 12 can be moved along the roof rail 11. The roof rail 11 also has a busbar 30, and the roof rack 12 includes an electrical contact 31 for drawing current from the busbar 30. The first drive 15 and the second drive 28 can be supplied with electrical power via the busbar 30 and the electrical contact 31. In Fig. 1, the roof rack 12 is positioned at the front, above the vehicle roof 20, in the direction of the vehicle's longitudinal axis 16. The roof rack 12 can be moved rearward in the longitudinal direction 16 of the vehicle by means of the second drive 28 and the gear 17 engaging the toothed contour 29. In Fig. 2, the roof rack 12 is positioned in the area of ​​the transition section 25. In this position, the upper part 14 is pivoted relative to the lower part 13 by means of the first drive 15, so that the upper part 14 maintains a horizontal orientation. If the roof rack 12 is moved further rearward to the position shown in Fig. 3 above the loading platform 24, it is at a lower height and is therefore easier to load. After loading, the roof rack 12 can be moved back into the first position above the vehicle roof 20 shown in Fig. 1.When the transition section 25 is crossed, the upper part 14 is pivoted by the drive 15 and held in a horizontal or horizontal orientation so that no objects arranged on or in the upper part 14 can slip or fall out. In the position of the roof rack 12 shown in Fig. 2 in the area of ​​the transition section 25, the roof rack 12 can also be locked. When driving on uneven terrain, the upper part 14 can be pivoted both upwards and downwards in this position by means of the drive 15 to compensate for the changing inclination of the vehicle 100. The roof rack 12 further comprises a lighting device 32, which is designed in the form of a light bar 33 and includes at least one light source 34 in the form of a headlight 35. The headlight 35 can be rotated about a vertical axis or vehicle vertical axis 36 and thus, in the position shown in Fig. 1, directed forward. In Figs. 2 and 3, the headlight 35 is directed rearward and serves to illuminate the roof rack 12 or the loading platform 24. In the rearward position of the headlight 35 shown in Figs. 2 and 3 for illuminating the loading platform 24, its luminous intensity may be reduced. Reference symbol list 100 Motor vehicle 200 Roof structure 10 Pickup truck 11 Roof rails 12 Roof rack 13 Lower section 14 Upper section 15 First drive 16 Vehicle longitudinal direction 17 Swivel axis 18 Roof basket 19 Linear drive 20 Vehicle roof 21 Passenger compartment 22 First section 23 Second section 24 Loading area 25 Transition section 26 Roller 27 Gear 28 Second drive 29 Gear contour 30 Power rail 31 Electrical contact 32 Lighting device 33 Light bar 34 Light source 35 Headlight 36 Vehicle vertical axis

Claims

Motor vehicle (100), in particular an off-road vehicle or pickup truck (10), comprising a roof rail (11) and a roof rack (12) arranged on the roof rail (11), wherein the roof rack (12) has a lower part (13) arranged on the roof rail (11) and an upper part (14) pivotably attached to the lower part (13) and at least one, preferably first, drive (15), and that the upper part (14) is pivotable relative to the lower part (13) by means of the at least one drive (15), characterized in that the motor vehicle has a passenger compartment (21) with a vehicle roof (20) and a loading area (24), that the roof rail (11) has a curved profile with a first section (22) arranged on the vehicle roof (20), a second section (23) arranged on the loading area (24), and a transition section arranged between the first section (22) and the second section (23). (25) exhibitsand that the at least one drive (15) is provided to keep the upper part (14) horizontal when the roof support (12) is arranged in the area of ​​the transition section (25) and / or is moved over the transition section (25). Motor vehicle (100) according to claim 1, characterized in that the roof rack (12), in particular the upper part (14), is a roof box or roof case or roof basket (18), and / or that the at least one drive (15) is a, preferably electric, linear drive (19), or a hydraulic drive comprising a hydraulic cylinder and a pump. Motor vehicle (100) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the roof rack (12) is arranged on the roof rail (11) so as to be movable in a longitudinal direction of the vehicle. Motor vehicle (100) according to claim 3, characterized in that the roof rack (12) can be moved in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle along the roof rail (11) by means of at least one, preferably by means of a second, drive (28). Motor vehicle (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the roof rail (11) comprises a current rail (30), and that the roof rack (12) comprises an electrical contact (31) for taking current from the current rail (30), wherein the electrical contact (31) is preferably designed as a sliding contact. Motor vehicle (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least one drive (15, 28), in particular the first drive (15) and / or the second drive (28), receives electric current via the busbar (30) and the electrical contact (31), and / or that the roof rack (12) has a socket for a consumer. Motor vehicle (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the roof rack (12) is attached to the roof rail (11) by means of wheels or rollers (26), wherein preferably the roof rail (11) has a toothed contour (29), and wherein the roof rack (12) comprises a gear (27) which engages in the toothed contour (29), wherein the at least one, preferably the second, drive (28) drives the gear (27). Motor vehicle (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the roof rack (12) comprises a lighting device (32), in particular a light strip (33), with at least one light source (34), in particular a headlight (35), wherein the at least one light source (34) is preferably rotatable. Roof structure for a motor vehicle (100) according to one of the preceding claims, comprising a roof rail (11) and a roof rack (12), characterized in that the roof rack (12) has a lower part (13) that can be arranged on the roof rail (11) and an upper part (14) that is pivotably attached to the lower part (13) and at least one, preferably first, drive (15), and that the upper part (14) can be pivoted relative to the lower part (13) by means of the at least one drive (15).

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