Automobile roof structure

Abstract

To obtain a roof structure of a motor vehicle which enables easy replacement of a roof.SOLUTION: A roof structure 10 of a motor vehicle includes: a front roof cross member 16 extending in a vehicle width direction at a front end of a roof part 12 of a motor vehicle V; a roof panel 24 in which a front end is fixed to the front roof cross member 16; and a windshield glass 14 in which an upper end is fixed to the front roof cross member 16 at the vehicle front relative to the front end of the roof panel 24.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a roof structure for an automobile. [Background technology]

[0002] In the vehicle sunroof structure described in Patent Document 1 below, the vehicle body and sunroof device are configured so that the sunshade can be inserted and removed from the front or rear of the shade slide rail. In this structure, the sunshade can be inserted and removed from the front or rear of the sunroof device when the sunroof device is attached to the vehicle body. This makes it easy to insert and remove the sunshade, prevents the sunshade from becoming dirty during manufacturing, and makes it easier to replace the sunshade. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2004-114927 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In order to improve profitability in the automobile value chain, it is possible to add value to used cars by replacing their normal roofs with panoramic roofs. However, in general automobiles, it is difficult to replace the roof panel with a panoramic roof because it is complicated to remove the roof panel from the car body.

[0005] SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT EMBODIMENT In consideration of the above, an object of the present invention is to provide an automobile roof structure that allows easy roof replacement. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The first aspect of the present invention relates to a roof structure for an automobile comprising a roof cross member extending in the vehicle width direction at the front end of the roof portion of the automobile, a roof panel having a front end fixed to the roof cross member, and a windshield having an upper end fixed to the roof cross member on the vehicle front side relative to the front end of the roof panel.

[0007] According to the first aspect, the roof cross member extends in the vehicle width direction at the front end of the roof portion of the automobile. The roof panel has a front end fixed to the roof cross member, and the windshield has an upper end fixed to the roof cross member on the vehicle front side relative to the front end of the roof panel. Therefore, when reupholstering the roof, the front end of the roof panel can be removed from the roof cross member while the upper end of the windshield remains fixed to the roof cross member. This makes it easier to reupholster the roof compared to conventional roof structures in which the upper end of the windshield is fixed to the front end of the roof panel.

[0008] The second aspect of the automobile roof structure of the present invention is the same as the first aspect, and comprises a headliner covering the roof panel from the inside of the vehicle compartment, the headliner having an outer periphery liner portion that constitutes the outer periphery of the headliner, and a central liner portion that constitutes the central portion of the headliner, is separated from the outer periphery liner portion, and is fixed to the roof panel.

[0009] According to the second aspect, the headliner that covers the roof panel from the inside of the vehicle compartment is divided into an outer peripheral liner portion and a central liner portion. The outer peripheral liner portion constitutes the outer peripheral portion of the headliner. The central liner portion constitutes the central portion of the headliner, and is separated from the outer peripheral liner portion and fixed to the roof panel. Therefore, when replacing the roof, the central liner portion can be removed together with the roof panel, eliminating the need to remove and install the entire headliner. This makes it even easier to replace the roof.

[0010] The third aspect of the present invention is a roof structure for an automobile in the first aspect, which comprises a roof panel and a headliner covering the roof panel from the inside of the vehicle compartment, and the headliner has an outer periphery liner portion that constitutes the outer periphery of the headliner, and a central liner portion that constitutes the central portion of the headliner, is separated from the outer periphery liner portion, and is fixed to the roof panel.

[0011] According to the third aspect, the headliner that covers the roof panel from the inside of the vehicle compartment is divided into an outer peripheral liner portion and a central liner portion. The outer peripheral liner portion constitutes the outer peripheral portion of the headliner. The central liner portion constitutes the central portion of the headliner, and is separated from the outer peripheral liner portion and fixed to the roof panel. Therefore, when replacing the roof, the central liner portion can be removed together with the roof panel, eliminating the need to remove and install the entire headliner. This makes it easier to replace the roof. Effect of the Invention

[0012] As described above, in the automobile roof structure according to the present invention, the roof can be easily replaced. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0013] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view showing a configuration of a front passenger compartment of an automobile to which an automobile roof structure relating to a first embodiment is applied. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing the roof structure of the automobile according to the first embodiment, showing a cut surface taken along line F2-F2 in FIG. [Diagram 3] 5 is a cross-sectional view corresponding to FIG. 2 and showing an automobile roof structure relating to a second embodiment. FIG. [Figure 4] 10 is a cross-sectional view corresponding to FIG. 2 and showing an automobile roof structure relating to a third embodiment. FIG. [Diagram 5] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view corresponding to FIG. 2 and showing an automobile roof structure according to a comparative example. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0014] <First embodiment> Hereinafter, an automobile roof structure 10 according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Fig. 1 and Fig. 2. Note that the arrows FR, LH, and UP shown appropriately in each figure indicate the forward direction (travel direction), leftward, and upward directions of the vehicle, respectively. Hereinafter, when the directions of front-rear, left-right, and up-down are simply used in the description, they will indicate front-rear in the front-rear direction of the vehicle, left-right in the left-right direction of the vehicle (vehicle width direction), and up-down in the up-down direction of the vehicle, unless otherwise specified.

[0015] (composition) As shown in Fig. 1 and Fig. 2, an automobile V to which an automobile roof structure 10 according to this embodiment is applied is, for example, a hatchback type, a sports utility vehicle type, or a station wagon type vehicle, and has a roof portion 12 which is the ceiling of the passenger compartment. This roof portion 12 is a normal roof, and extends from an upper end of a windshield glass 14 which is a windshield to the rear side of the vehicle. This roof portion 12 includes a front roof cross member 16 which is a roof cross member, a roof panel 24, and a headliner 32 which is a roof head lining. In Fig. 1, 40 is a front seat, 42 is an A-pillar garnish, 44 is a B-pillar garnish, 46 is a room mirror, 48 is a sun visor, and 50 is an assist grip.

[0016] The front roof cross member 16 extends in the vehicle width direction at the front end of the roof portion 12 and constitutes a part of the frame of the vehicle body. The front roof cross member 16 is composed of an outer panel 18 and an inner panel 20. The outer panel 18 and the inner panel 20 are manufactured, for example, by press forming sheet metal. The outer panel 18 is plate-shaped with the vehicle width direction as the longitudinal direction and the vehicle vertical direction as the plate thickness direction. The inner panel 20 is in the vehicle width direction as the longitudinal direction and has an inverted hat-shaped cross section with the upper side open as viewed from the vehicle width direction. The inner panel 20 is disposed below the outer panel 18, and the front and rear flange portions are joined to the outer panel by means of welding or the like. As a result, the outer panel 18 and the inner panel 20 form a closed cross section extending in the vehicle width direction.

[0017] Both ends of the front roof cross member 16 in the vehicle width direction are connected to roof side rails (not shown) provided on both sides of the roof portion 12 in the vehicle width direction. The upper end (rear end) of the windshield glass 14 is disposed above the front end of the front roof cross member 16. The upper end of the windshield glass 14 is fixed (bonded) to the front end of the front roof cross member 16 using a structural adhesive 22.

[0018] The roof panel 24 is composed of an outer panel 26 and an inner panel 28, and forms the design surface of the roof portion 12. The outer panel 26 and the inner panel 28 are manufactured, for example, by press-forming sheet metal. The outer panel 26 is plate-shaped with its thickness direction aligned with the vertical direction of the vehicle, and extends in the front-rear direction and width direction of the vehicle. The inner panel 28 is frame-shaped in plan view with its thickness direction aligned with the vertical direction of the vehicle, and is disposed below the outer panel 26. The outer peripheral end of the outer panel 26 and the inner panel 28 are joined by hemming.

[0019] The front end of the roof panel 24 is disposed above the front of the front roof cross member 16, near the vehicle rear side of the upper end of the windshield glass 14. The front end of the roof panel 24 is fixed (adhered) to the front of the front roof cross member 16 using a structural adhesive 30. That is, in this embodiment, the upper end of the windshield glass 14 is fixed to the front roof cross member 16 near the vehicle front side of the front end of the roof panel 24. A liner fixing portion 28A having an inverted hat-shaped cross section when viewed from the vehicle width direction is formed in the front of the inner panel 28 of the roof panel 24, rearward of the front roof cross member 16.

[0020] The headliner 32 is an inner lining of the roof portion 12, and covers the roof panel 24 from the inside of the vehicle compartment. The headliner 32 is made of, for example, resin, has a plate shape with a plate thickness direction in the vertical direction of the vehicle, and extends in the vehicle front-rear direction and the vehicle width direction. The headliner 32 is divided into an outer peripheral liner portion 34 and a central liner portion 36. The outer peripheral liner portion 34 constitutes the outer periphery of the headliner 32, and the central liner portion 36 constitutes the center of the headliner 32. The outer peripheral liner portion 34 has a plate thickness direction in the vertical direction of the vehicle, and is a frame-shaped plate in a plan view. The outer peripheral liner portion 34 is fixed to the front roof cross member 16 and the left and right roof side rails using a sun visor 48, an assist grip 50, etc., like a headliner of a general normal roof.

[0021] The central liner portion 36 is plate-shaped with the thickness direction being in the vertical direction of the vehicle, and extends in the longitudinal direction and width direction of the vehicle. The central liner portion 36 has a main body portion 36A fitted inside the outer peripheral liner portion 34, and a fixed flange portion 36B that protrudes in a flange-like shape from the outer periphery of the main body portion 36A to the upper side of the outer peripheral liner portion 34. The fixed flange portion 36B is overlapped with the lower surface of the liner fixing portion 28A formed at the rear end of the inner panel 28 of the roof panel 24, and is fixed to the liner fixing portion 28A using a fixing device such as a clip (not shown). This makes the central liner portion 36 integrated with the roof panel 24. The lower surface of the main body portion 36A of the central liner portion 36 is continuous with the lower surface of the outer peripheral liner portion 34 in the same plane, and forms the ceiling surface of the vehicle compartment together with the lower surface of the outer peripheral liner portion 34.

[0022] Although not shown in the drawings, a rear roof cross member extending in the vehicle width direction is disposed at the rear end of the roof portion 12. The rear end of the roof panel 22 is fixed to the rear roof cross member using a structural adhesive.

[0023] (Action and Effects) Next, the operation and effects of this embodiment will be described. In the automobile roof structure 10 configured as described above, the front roof cross member 16 extends in the vehicle width direction at the front end of the roof portion 12 of the automobile V. The roof panel 24 has a front end fixed to the front roof cross member 16, and the windshield glass 14 has an upper end fixed to the front roof cross member 16 near the vehicle front side of the front end of the roof panel 24. Therefore, when replacing the roof, i.e., replacing a normal roof with a panoramic roof, the front end of the roof panel 24 can be removed from the front roof cross member 16 while the upper end of the windshield glass 14 remains fixed to the front roof cross member 16. This makes it easier to replace the roof compared to the comparative example 100 shown in FIG. 5.

[0024] The comparative example 100 shown in FIG. 5 is a conventional typical roof structure, in which the roof panel 24 and the front roof cross member 17 are formed by a single panel. In this comparative example 100, the upper end of the windshield glass 14 is fixed to a flange portion 24A formed at the front end of the roof panel 24. When replacing the roof in this comparative example 100, it is necessary to remove the windshield glass 14 from the vehicle body before removing the roof panel 24 from the vehicle body. Furthermore, after the panoramic roof is attached to the vehicle body, it is necessary to attach the windshield glass 14 to the vehicle body again. This makes the replacement of the roof complicated, but in this embodiment, the above-mentioned work of removing and attaching the windshield glass 14 is not necessary, making it easier to replace the roof.

[0025] Moreover, in this embodiment, the head liner 32 that covers the roof panel 24 from the inside of the vehicle compartment is divided into an outer peripheral liner portion 34 and a central liner portion 36. The outer peripheral liner portion 34 forms the outer peripheral portion of the headliner 32. The central liner portion 36 forms the central portion of the headliner 32, and is separated from the outer peripheral liner portion 34 and fixed to the roof panel 24. Therefore, when replacing the roof, the central liner portion 36 can be removed together with the roof panel 24, eliminating the need to remove and install the entire headliner 32. This makes it even easier to replace the roof.

[0026] 5, in a configuration in which the headliner 32 is not divided into the outer peripheral liner portion 34 and the central liner portion 36, when changing from a normal roof to a panoramic roof, the undivided headliner 32 must be removed from the vehicle body and replaced with a headliner similar to the outer peripheral liner portion 34. In this case, in addition to the sun visors 48 and assist grips 50, it is also necessary to remove room lamps (not shown), etc., making the replacement work complicated, but this can be avoided in this embodiment.

[0027] Next, another embodiment of the present invention will be described. Note that the same reference numerals as in the first embodiment are used for configurations and functions that are basically the same as those in the first embodiment, and descriptions thereof will be omitted.

[0028] <Second embodiment> FIG. 3 shows a cross-sectional view of an automobile roof structure 60 according to a second embodiment of the present invention. In this roof structure 60, the outer panel 26 of the roof panel 24 is made of resin. The outer peripheral end of this resin outer panel 26 is fixed (bonded) to the outer peripheral end of the inner panel 28 using a structural adhesive 62. In this second embodiment, the hemming process for the outer panel 26 and the inner panel 28 in the first embodiment is not necessary, so that the processing time for the hemming process and the manufacturing cost of the jig can be reduced. Note that in this second embodiment, both the outer panel 26 and the inner panel 28 may be made of resin.

[0029] <Third embodiment> FIG. 4 shows a cross-sectional view of a roof structure 70 for an automobile according to a third embodiment of the present invention. In this roof structure 70, the outer panel 26 of the roof panel 24 is made of resin, as in the second embodiment. The inner panel 28 of the roof panel 24 is fixed to the front roof cross member 16 using a bolt 72 and a nut 74. The head of the bolt 72 is disposed on the upper side of the inner panel 28 and fixed to the upper surface of the inner panel 28 by means of welding or the like. The threaded portion of the bolt 72 penetrates the inner panel 28 and the outer panel 18 of the front roof cross member 16 and protrudes to the lower side of the outer panel 18. A nut 74 is screwed into the threaded portion of the bolt 72, and the inner panel 28 and the outer panel 18 are fastened and fixed. The inner panel 20 of the front roof cross member 16 is formed with a tool insertion hole 76 for inserting a tool for rotating the nut 74.

[0030] In this third embodiment, the structural adhesive 30 (see Figures 2 and 3) that bonds the front end of the roof panel 24 to the front roof cross member 16 in the first and second embodiments is omitted. Instead, a sealant 78 made of, for example, a foam material is sandwiched between the front end of the roof panel 24 and the front roof cross member 16. This creates a seal between the front end of the roof panel 24 and the front roof cross member 16. In this embodiment, since the front end of the roof panel 24 is not bonded to the front roof cross member 16, it becomes easier to remove the roof panel 24 from the front roof cross member 16, making roof reupholstering even easier.

[0031] In the above embodiments, the present invention is applied to a hatchback, sports utility vehicle, or station wagon type automobile V, but the present invention is not limited to this and can be applied to other types of automobiles. For example, if the automobile to which the present invention is applied is a sedan type, the rear end of the roof panel and the upper end (front end) of the rear glass are fixed separately to the rear roof cross member provided at the rear end of the roof portion using structural adhesive.

[0032] In addition, in each of the above embodiments, the upper end of the windshield glass 14 is fixed to the front roof cross member 16, but as in the comparative example shown in Fig. 5, the upper end of the windshield glass 14 may be fixed to the front end of the roof panel 24. Even in this case, the head liner 32 is divided into an outer peripheral liner portion 34 and a central liner portion 36, making it easier to replace the roof.

[0033] In addition, in each of the above embodiments, the headliner 32 is configured to be divided into the outer peripheral liner portion 34 and the central liner portion 36, but the headliner 32 may be configured to be undivided, as in the comparative example shown in Fig. 5. Even in this case, the upper end of the windshield glass 14 is fixed to the front roof cross member 16 separately from the roof panel 24, making it easier to replace the roof.

[0034] In addition, the present invention can be practiced with various modifications without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Furthermore, the scope of the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments. [Explanation of symbols]

[0035] 10 Automobile roof structure 12 Roof section 14 Windshield Glass 16 Front roof cross member (roof cross member) 24 Roof Panel 32 Headliner 34 Outer liner 36 Central liner section 60 Roof structure 70 Roof structure V Automobile

Claims

[Claim 1] A roof cross member extending in a vehicle width direction at a front end portion of a roof portion of the automobile; A roof panel having a front end portion fixed to the roof cross member; a windshield having an upper end portion fixed to the roof cross member on a vehicle front side relative to the front end portion of the roof panel; a headliner that covers the roof panel from the inside of the vehicle interior; Equipped with The roof panel is composed of an outer panel and an inner panel arranged below the outer panel, and an outer peripheral end of the outer panel is joined to an outer peripheral end of the inner panel, the headliner has an outer peripheral liner portion constituting an outer peripheral portion of the headliner, and a central liner portion constituting a central portion of the headliner, the central liner portion being separated from the outer peripheral liner portion and fixed to the roof panel, A roof structure for an automobile, wherein a front end portion of the central liner portion is fixed to the inner panel on the vehicle rear side relative to the roof cross member.

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