An open roof construction for a vehicle

The open roof construction with a wind deflecting device addresses the issue of aero-acoustic noise in vehicles by creating turbulences in the airflow over the roof opening, effectively reducing 'booming' when the panel is open.

WO2025113815A1PCT designated stage expired Publication Date: 2025-06-05INALFA ROOF SYST GROUP
View PDF 2 Cites 0 Cited by

Patent Information

Application Number
PCT/EP2023/083999
Authority / Receiving Office
WO · WO
Patent Type
Applications
Current Assignee / Owner
Filing Date
2023-12-01
Publication Date
2025-06-05

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

Vehicles equipped with movable panel systems and lidar or camera sensors experience substantial aero-acoustic noises, known as 'booming,' due to the interaction of the sensor covers with the airflow when the panel is in an open position.

Method used

An open roof construction with a wind deflecting device that moves from a stored position to an active position above the cover, creating turbulences in the airflow to reduce aero-acoustic noise. The wind deflecting device is driven by the movement of the movable panel and includes a deflector body and a mechanism with levers and springs to achieve this functionality.

Benefits of technology

The solution effectively reduces aero-acoustic noise by creating turbulences in the airflow over the roof opening, thereby minimizing the occurrence of 'booming' when the panel is in an open position.

✦ Generated by Eureka AI based on patent content.

Smart Images

  • Figure EP2023083999_05062025_PF_FP_ABST
    Figure EP2023083999_05062025_PF_FP_ABST
Patent Text Reader

Abstract

An open roof construction for a vehicle, comprising a movable panel capable of closing and opening a roof opening in a fixed roof of the vehicle. A frame is attached to the fixed roof and extends along the edge area of the roof opening, wherein the frame is provided with means for moving the panel between the closed and the at least partly open position. A wind deflecting device is capable of influencing a stream of air flowing over the roof opening. A cover for covering a sensor is protruding from an upper surface of the fixed roof in an upward direction and is positioned at least partly in front of the roof opening and, in lateral sense, positioned symmetrically in view of a longitudinal centreline of the vehicle. The wind deflecting device is movably provided in the cover and is capable of being moved from a stored position in the cover to an active position above an external surface of the cover so as to provide turbulences in the airstream flowing over the opening in the fixed roof.
Need to check novelty before this filing date? Find Prior Art

Description

[0001] An open roof construction for a vehicle

[0002] The invention relates to a roof construction according to the preamble of claim 1 .

[0003] Nowadays vehicles may be equipped with lidar sensors or camera' s usually above the wind screen at the exterior of the vehicle . The lidar sensors or camera' s (hereinafter sensors ) may be concealed by means of a cover . Such covers may protrude above the surface of the roof of the vehicle . Vehicles may be equipped with roof constructions such as fixed panels systems or movable panel systems . In case a vehicle is equipped with a lidar sensor or a camera and a movable panel system, it is clear that the cover of the lidar sensor or the camera influences the airstream flowing over the roof of the vehicle and in particular influences the airstream when the panel is in an open position . Usually, open roof systems suf fer from the phenomena of "booming" , from pressure fluctuations that are created in the opening of the movable panel system, when the panel is in an open position and an airstream is flowing over the roof opening . Having the combination of a movable panel system and a cover for a lidar or a camera in front of the movable panel system, substantial aero-acoustic noises may occur when the panel of the roof system is in an open position .

[0004] It is therefore an obj ect of the present invention to provide an open roof construction having an improved aero acoustic performance when the panel is in an open position .

[0005] For this purpose , the open roof construction according to this invention, in a first embodiment , is equipped with a wind deflecting device which is movably provided in the cover and wherein the wind deflecting device is capable of being moved from a stored position in the cover to an active position above an external surface of the cover . The advantage of this feature is that the wind deflecting device , when the panel is opened, will move to an active position above the external surface of the cover . And thus , will influence the air flow flowing over the cover such that turbulences are created in the airflow layer in the roof opening created by the panel in the open position . According to another aspect of the invention the wind deflecting device comprises a movable deflector body capable of deflecting an air stream and a deflector mechanism capable of moving the deflector body from a stored position into an active position and wherein the movement of the deflector mechanism is being driven by the movement of the movable panel .

[0006] It is advantageous to use the movement of the panel to drive the movable deflector body . This solution enables the deflector body being driven by the drive motor of the movable panel . That is , the drive motor of the movable panel moves the panel , the panel moves the deflector mechanism which in turn moves the deflector body . No separate drive motor is required to drive the deflector body .

[0007] According to another aspect of the invention the deflector mechanism is attached to opposite ends of the deflector body and comprises left and right first levers hingably attached to the frame and left and right second levers hingably attached to an inner portion of the cover and wherein the first and second levers are in movably engaged with each other, and further the deflector mechanism comprises at least a spring biasing the deflector body, preferably towards the active position, and at least a part of the deflector mechanism is placed inside the cover . The advantage of having the deflector mechanism at opposite sides of the wind deflector body is that it gives a good support to the deflector body under dynamic circumstances of the vehicle . This is a preferred embodiment , because of the mechanism that moves the deflector body is for a larger part concealed inside the cover . This is advantageous for aesthetical reasons but also for reasons of aerodynamics . In such case the individual parts of the deflector mechanism are not subj ected to an airstream and thus the aero-acoustic performance is better .

[0008] According to another aspect of this invention in the stored position of the deflector body, the deflector mechanism is in contact with the panel in the closed position and wherein in the active position of the deflector body the wind deflector mechanism is not in contact with the panel being in the at least partly open position . In case the panel is in its closed position there is no need to create turbulences in the air by the wind deflecting device and so the wind deflecting device is inactive . Once the panel is opened, the panel will slide rearward from its closed position and thus the deflector mechanism is released from the load on the deflector mechanism that kept the deflector body in the stored position . The deflector mechanism is now being biased by a spring biased in a vertical upward direction and so the deflector body is moved upwardly to protrude above the external surface of the cover in its active position .

[0009] According to another aspect of this invention when the panel is nearing the closed position, the deflector mechanism is in slidable contact with a pair of slide pads connected to the panel . Such slide pads are made of plastic material and are shaped such that a sliding engagement with the deflector mechanism is feasible during the approach of the panel towards its fully closed position .

[0010] According to other embodiments of this invention the deflector body is either of a hingable flap, a spoiler and an aerodynamical obstructing body . The deflector body may be a flap which is positioned with its rotation axis in transverse direction at the frontal side of the flap, such that when the flap is in its active position the rear edge of the flap is raised above the external surface of the cover . In another embodiment the deflector body is a spoiler whereby when the spoiler body is raised above the external surface of the cover an airstream may pass the spoiler below and above . In a third embodiment of the deflector body, the body is formed as an aerodynamical obstructing body which in its active position protrudes above the external surface of the cover and to a certain extent , depending on its aerodynamical shape , obstructs the airflow over the cover . In each of the forementioned embodiments the purpose of the bodies is to create turbulences in the airflow, flowing over the roof opening .

[0011] The open roof construction according to the invention, in another embodiment comprises a movable panel capable of closing and at least partly opening a roof opening in a fixed roof of the vehicle , a frame being attached to the fixed roof and extending along the edge area of the roof opening wherein the frame is provided with means for moving the panel between the closed and the at least partly open position, a wind deflecting device capable of influencing a stream of air flowing over the roof opening and provided with a deflector body and a wind deflecting net wherein the wind deflecting device is capable of being retracted in a stored position in a pocket formed in the frame and an active position in which the wind deflecting device protrudes above an upper surface of the fixed roof to enable the wind deflecting net to extend taut , a cover for covering a sensor, the cover mounted on the frame and protruding above an upper surface of the fixed roof and the cover being positioned at least partly in front of the roof opening and in lateral sense positioned symmetrically in view of a longitudinal centreline of the vehicle , and extending into a longitudinal direction rearwardly and wherein the roof opening seen in lateral direction is provided with a frontal edge extending from the cover in a lateral direction away from the centre line of the vehicle and a centre area edge in close vicinity from the cover lying rearwardly of the frontal edge and wherein the wind deflecting device is at least provided near a frontal edge of the roof opening . In such case that the roof opening at the front part is shaped with a central area edge which substantially follows the curvature of the rear part of the cover and at either side of this central area edge equipped with frontal edges being curved with large radii it is required to have a wind deflecting device at least in these frontal edge areas .

[0012] According to an embodiment of this invention the wind deflecting device comprises a pair of deflector bodies each of which extending parallel to each of the frontal edges of the roof opening and each deflector body at opposite ends is provided with a deflector arm each of which being pivotally connected to the frame and each of the deflector bodies is equipped with a wind deflecting net whereby the wind deflecting net is being connected on one end to the deflector body and on an opposite end to the frame . The airflow streaming through the wind deflecting net open parts form little turbulences rear of the wind deflector device in the air layer flowing over the roof opening . Such little turbulences avoid or at least reduces the aero acoustic phenomena so called "booming" .

[0013] According to another embodiment of this invention the wind deflecting device comprises a deflector body extending parallel to the frontal edges and in parallel to the centre area edge of the roof opening and the deflector body at opposite ends is provided with a deflector arm each of which being pivotally connected to the frame and the deflector body is equipped with a wind deflecting net extending only in the area of the frontal edges whereby the wind deflecting net is being connected on one end to the wind deflector body and on an opposite end to the frame . In case it is possible or required from an engineering point of view ( for instance due to lack of available space ) it is conceivable in this embodiment to extend the deflector body all the way from the far left side to the far right side of the roof opening . In such case the shape of the deflector body follows the shape of the roof opening also in the centre area edge of the roof opening, however the wind deflecting net is applied only in the frontal edge areas of the roof opening . In this embodiment the wind deflecting device requires two wind deflector arms each at opposite lateral sides of the deflector body .

[0014] According to yet another embodiment of this invention the wind deflecting device comprises a deflector body extending parallel to the frontal edges and parallel to the centre area edge of the roof opening and the deflector body at opposite ends is provided with a deflector arm each of which being pivotally connected to the frame and the deflector body is equipped with a wind deflecting net extending in the areas of the frontal edges and in the area of the centre area edge whereby the wind deflecting net is being connected on one end to the wind deflector body and on an opposite end to the frame . In such case the shape of the deflector body follows the shape of the roof opening also in the centre area edge of the roof opening, and the wind deflecting net is applied completely along the frontal edge areas and the central edge areas of the roof opening . In this embodiment the wind deflecting device requires two wind deflector arms each at opposite lateral sides of the deflector body .

[0015] Further details and advantages of the invention will become clear from the following description with reference to the drawings showing embodiments of the roof construction according to the invention .

[0016] Fig . 1A and IB are schematic views of the vehicle with the roof construction according to the invention wherein the panel is shown in closed position ( fig . 1A) and in an open position ( f ig . IB ) .

[0017] Figs . 2A and 2B are schematic plan views of the roof construction wherein the panel is shown in a closed position ( fig . 2A) and in an open position ( fig . 2B ) . Fig. 3A is a section taken along line IIIA-IIIA in fig. 2A, showing a section through the lidar and the wind deflector device of a first embodiment of the deflector body.

[0018] Figs. 3B and 3C are sections taken along line IIIB-IIIB respectively line IIIC-IIIC showing the deflector mechanism in one embodiment in a stored, respectively an active position.

[0019] Fig. 4A is a section taken along line IIIA-IIIA in fig. 2A. showing a section though the lidar and the wind deflector device of a second embodiment of the deflector body.

[0020] Figs. 4B and 4C are sections taken along line IIIB-IIIB respectively line IIIC-IIIC showing the deflector mechanism a second embodiment in a stored, respectively an active position of a second embodiment of the deflector body.

[0021] Fig. 5A is a section taken along line IIIA-IIIA in fig. 2A. showing a section though the lidar and the wind deflector device of a third embodiment of the deflector body.

[0022] Figs. 5B and 5C are sections taken along line IIIB-IIIB respectively line IIIC-IIIC showing the deflector mechanism in a third embodiment in a stored, respectively an active position of a third embodiment of the deflector body.

[0023] Fig. 6A is a schematical view of the roof construction according to a second main embodiment.

[0024] Fig. 6B is a schematical plan view of the roof construction according to a first embodiment of the wind deflecting device .

[0025] Figs. 6C and 6D are sectional views showing the wind deflecting device in a first embodiment.

[0026] Fig. 7A is a schematical view of the roof construction according to a second embodiment.

[0027] Fig. 7B is a schematical plan view of the roof construction according to a second embodiment of the wind deflecting device.

[0028] Fig. 8A is a schematical view of the roof construction according to a third main embodiment.

[0029] Fig. 8B is a schematical plan view of the roof construction according to a third embodiment of the wind deflecting device .

[0030] Referring to figs. 1A, IB a vehicle is shown with in its fixed roof 3 an open roof construction and in front of the open roof construction a cover 7 for a lidar or another type of sensor 8 . The cover 7 is placed symmetrical in view of a longitudinal centreline 10 of the vehicle . The open roof construction may be a so-called top slider system whereby the movable panel 1 moves from a closed position to an open position over the surface 9 of the rear part of the fixed roof 3 . Referring to figs . 2A and 2B, the roof construction comprises a frame 4 which extends around the perimeter of the roof opening 2 . At the front of the roof opening 2 , the cover 7 is mounted on the frame 4 . The cover 7 has a shape such that a rear part of the cover 7 protrudes rearwardly towards the roof opening 2 . In this area the frame 4 is shaped in parallel to the shape of the bottom rear part of the cover 7 , such that the complete bottom part of the cover 7 rests on the frame 4 . Movable panel 1 of the open roof construction at its front edge 1 ' has a recess that matches the shape of the rear bottom part of the cover 7 seen in a plan view . The frame 4 is provided with means 5 for moving the panel

[0031] 1 between the closed and the at least partly open position . Such means may be mechanisms attached to the panel and on an opposite end slidably guided in guides which are fixedly attached to the frame 4 . According to another embodiment of this invention, the cover 7 is connected to the frame 4 , however a part of the cover 7 may extend in a longitudinal direction rearwardly beyond a front area of the roof opening 2 . In such case part of the cover 7 is not supported by the frame 4 . Such embodiment may be used when front edge 1 ' of the panel 1 and the front edge 2 ' of the roof opening 2 seen from left to right side of the roof opening

[0032] 2 are substantially straight or curved with a large radius . In such an embodiment , the panel 1 will then slide underneath the cover 7 which is protruding in the roof opening 2 , seen in a plan view .

[0033] Referring to fig . 3A, which shows a cross section through the sensor 8 , in this case a lidar, and further the cover 7 , the frame 4 and the movable panel 1 . As can be seen, from figs . 3A and 3B the panel 1 is in its closed position and is adj acent to the bottom edge of the cover 7 and a seal makes a watertight yet openable sealing between the cover 7 and the movable panel 1 . In the area of the external surface 11 of the cover 7 in fig . 3A a wind deflecting device 6 is shown having a movable deflector body 12 which is shown in two positions . An inactive position whereby the deflector body 12 is hidden in the cover 7 (seen in a side view) is shown in solid lines and an active position (in dotted lines) , in which the deflector body 12 is raised above the external surface 11 of the cover 7. In the active position the deflector body 12 (shown in fig 3C) , in this particular embodiment a hingable flap 17, causes the wind stream that flows over the cover 7 to turbulate in the area behind the cover 7. This turbulence in the airflow occurring in the area of the roof opening 2 avoids or at least reduces the aero-acoustic phenomena of "booming".

[0034] The hingable flap 17 is moved by a pair of deflector mechanisms 13, 13' , which mechanisms in turn are moved by a pair of slide pads 16, 16' fixedly attached to the movable panel 1. The deflector mechanisms 13, 13' in this embodiment are placed for the larger part inside the cover 7 on both sides of, and just adjacent to, the sensor 8 in a longitudinal direction. Both mechanisms 13, 13' are moved by the slide pads 16, 16' fixed to the movable panel 1. The upward movement of the deflector body 12 towards the active position is caused by the biasing influence of a pair of springs 20, 20' connected to the deflector mechanism 13, 13' and the downward movement of the deflector body 12 towards the inactive, stored position is caused by the closing movement of the movable panel 1, whereby the slide pads 16, 16' push one end of the deflector mechanism 13, 13' in a downward direction. The deflector mechanism 13, 13' comprise at least left and right first levers 14, 14' hingably attached to the frame 4 and left and right second levers 15, 15' hingably attached to an inner portion of the cover 7 and the first and second levers 14, 14' ; 15, 15' are in movable engagement with each other and further the deflector mechanism 13, 13' comprises at least springs 20, 20' biasing the deflector body 12.

[0035] In Fig. 3B the panel 1 is in its closed position and the slide pad 16, 16' pushes down a first lever end 14A, 14A' of the first pair of levers 14, 14' at both lateral sides of the sensor 8. These lever pairs 14, 14' each have a hinge 22, 22' which is attached to the frame 4 and a second lever end 14B,

[0036] 14B' , the latter being movably engaged with a first lever end

[0037] 15A, 15A' of a second lever pair 15, 15' . The respective first lever ends 15A, 15A' of the second lever pair 15, 15' are provided with a slot hole 23, 23' and the second lever end 14B,

[0038] 14B' of the first pair of levers 14, 14' are provided with pins 24, 24' which are slidably engaged in the slot hole 23, 23' . The second lever pair 15, 15' is provided with hinges 25, 25' which are attached to the inner part of the cover 7. A second lever end 15B, 15B' of the second lever pair is biased by the spring 20, 20' which is a push spring, biasing the second lever end 15B, 15B' of the second pair of levers 15, 15' in an upward direction. A hingable rod 21, 21' is hingably connected on one end to the second lever end 15B, 15B' of the second pair of levers 15, 15' and on another end, the rod 21, 21' is hingably connected to an inner portion of the hingable flap 17. Thus, when the movable panel 1 is being moved to an open position, the panel 1 slides away from the first lever end 14A, 14A' of the pair of first levers 14, 14' , so the first lever end 14A, 14A' of the pair of first levers 14, 14' is no longer pressed down. After the panel 1 has been moved away from the first pair of levers 14, 14' (see fig. 3C) and due to the biasing force of the spring 20, 20' the second lever end 15B, 15B' of the second pair of levers 15, 15' is being moved upwardly. Said movement is passed on by the connected hingable rod 21, 21' to the hingable flap 17, such that the flap 17 is moved in an upward direction with its rear edge to the active position.

[0039] Referring to figs. 4A-4C, the deflector body 12 is in this embodiment a spoiler 18. This means that the airflow that flows over the cover 7 is partly lead underneath and partly above the spoiler body 18. The deflector mechanism 13, 13' principle works partly the same as for the embodiment of figs. 3A- 3C. Except that the embodiment of figs. 4A-4C is not provided with a hingable rod 21, 21' . In the embodiment of figs. 4A-4C the biasing force of springs 20, 20' is applied to the second lever end 15B, 15B' of the pair of second levers 15, 15' which are directly connected to the deflector body 12 and so in this embodiment the spoiler body 18 is pushed upwardly to its active position. Same as in the previous embodiment of Figs. 3A-3C, the deflector body 12 of embodiment figs. 4A-4C is lowered from its active position to its stored position by the closing movement of the panel 1. Whereby the slide pads 16, 16' on the movable panel 1 push the first lever ends 14A, 14A' in a downward direction thereby moving the deflector mechanism 13, 13' such that the deflector body 12 moves in a downward direction to the stored position. Referring to figs . 5A-5C, the deflector body 12 is in this embodiment an obstructing body 19 . The airstream that flows over the cover 7 is deflected by this obstructing body 19 such that it generates turbulences in the airstream that flows over the roof opening 2 The movement of this obstructing body 19 from the stored position to the active position above the external surface 11 of the cover 7 and the interaction of the panel 1 and slide pads 16 , 16 ' with the deflector mechanisms 13 , 13 ' and the obstructing body 19 is the same as described for the embodiment of figs . 4A-4C .

[0040] According to another embodiment of this invention at least a part of the wind deflector mechanism 13 , 13 ' is placed outside the cover 7 . In case the space within the cover 7 is limited, it may be advantageous to have a part of the deflector mechanism 13 , 13 ' outside the cover 7 .

[0041] Referring to fig . 6A a vehicle is shown with an open roof construction shown in a position whereby the movable panel 1 is in an open position and whereby a cover 7 for a sensor 8 is shown . At the frontal edge 32 , 32 ' of the roof opening 2 adj acent and on each side of the cover 7 , a wind deflecting device 6 ' is shown in its active position above the upper surface 9 of the fixed roof 3 . The wind deflecting device 6 ' is capable of being retracted from the active position downwardly to a stored position in a pocket 31 in the frame 4 referring to fig . 6B the wind deflecting device 6 ' in this embodiment comprises two deflector bodies 29 , 29 ' which are mirror image shaped . Each of the deflector bodies 29 , 29 ' on the respective ends are provided with deflector arms 35 , 35 ' which arms are hingably attached to the frame 4 . A wind deflecting net 30 , 30 ' is connected on one end to each of the deflector bodies 29 , 29 ' and on another end to the frame 4 . in the frontal edge areas 32 , 32 ' . The front part of the roof opening 2 is split up in the forementioned frontal edges 32 , 32 ' which extend on both lateral sides of the cover 7 , from an area j ust adj acent of the cover 7 to the lateral side edge of the roof opening 2 . Just behind the cover 7 the centre edge area 33 extends at both sides of the cover 7 from an area partly at the lateral sides of the rear part of the cover 7 to the centre line 10 of the vehicle . The wind deflecting device 6 ' is pushed down from an active position to a stored position by means of the panel 1 . The panel 1 is equipped with slide pads which come into slidable contact with the deflector bodies (29, 29' ; 34) when the panel 1 is nearing its closed position. The slide pads push the respective deflector bodies (29, 29' ; 34) downwardly into the stored position.

[0042] Referring to fig. 6C a section is shown through the cover 7 and through the sensor 8 further showing the centre area edge 33. In fig. 6D a section is shown along line VID in fig. 6B, showing the deflector body 29, 29' in its active position. The deflecting net 30, 30' is attached on one end to the deflector body 29, 29' , and on an opposite end attached to the frame 4. In fig. 6D the wind deflector body 29, 29' is shown in its active position protruding above the upper surface 9 of the fixed roof 3 and whereby the wind deflecting net 30, 30' is kept in a taut condition. In a stored position the deflector bodies 29, 29' are hidden in the pocket 31, which is a cavity formed in the frame 4.

[0043] Referring to figs. 7A-7C another embodiment is shown whereby the difference between this embodiment and the previous embodiment of figs. 6A-6D is that the deflector body 34 is a one-piece body extending all the way from a left side lateral edge area of the frame 4 along the rear of the cover 7 to the opposite right side lateral edge of the frame 4. The deflector body 34 thus has a discontinuous shape following substantially the shape of the rear edge of the cover 7. The wind deflecting net 30,30' is similarly attached between the wind deflector body 34 and the frame 4, as described in embodiment of fig. 6A-6D. So, this means that the wind deflecting net 30, 30' is placed only in the frontal edge area 32, 32' .

[0044] Referring to figs. 8A-8C, wherein yet another embodiment is shown. In this embodiment the wind deflector body 34 is a one-piece body extending completely from a left side lateral edge area of the frame 4 along the rear of the cover 7 to the opposite right side lateral edge of the frame 4, same as in the embodiment of figs. 7A-7C. However, in this embodiment of figs.8A-8C the wind deflecting net 36 continuously extends between the deflector body 34 and the frame 4 along the frontal edges 32, 32' and the central edge area 33. The invention is not limited to the embodiments described before and shown in the drawings which may be varied widely within the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. In principle, it would be possible to combine features of the various aspects and embodiments shown and described. For instance, it is conceivable that in the open roof construction of the invention a combination of the wind deflect- ing device 6, mounted in or on the cover 7, is mounted with the wind deflecting device 6' in one of the embodiments mounted along the frontal edge 32, 32' as described before.

Claims

CLAIMS1. An open roof construction for a vehicle comprising a movable panel (1) capable of closing and at least partly opening a roof opening (2) in a fixed roof (3) of the vehicle, a frame (4) being attached to the fixed roof (3) and extending along the edge area of the roof opening (2) , wherein the frame (4) is provided with means (5) for moving the panel(I) between the closed and the at least partly open position, a wind deflecting device (6) capable of influencing a stream of air flowing over the roof opening (2) , a cover (7) for covering a sensor (8) , the cover (7) protruding from an upper surface (9) of the fixed roof (3) in an upward direction and being positioned at least partly in front of the roof opening (2) and, in lateral sense, being positioned symmetrically in view of a longitudinal centreline (10) of the vehicle, characterized in that the wind deflecting device (6) is movably provided in the cover (7) and wherein the wind deflecting device (6) is capable of being moved from a stored position in the cover (7) to an active position above an external surface(II) of the cover (7) .

2. The open roof construction according to claim 1, wherein the wind deflecting device (6) comprises a movable deflector body (12) capable of deflecting an air stream and a deflector mechanism (13, 13' ) capable of moving the deflector body (12) from a stored position into an active position and wherein the movement of the wind deflector mechanism (13, 13' ) is being driven by the movement of the movable panel (1) .

3. The open roof construction according to claim 2, wherein the deflector mechanism (13, 13' ) is attached to opposite lateral ends of the deflector body (12) and comprises at least left and right first levers (14, 14' ) hingably attached to the frame (4) and left and right second levers (15, 15' ) hingably attached to an inner portion of the cover (7) and wherein the first and second levers (14, 14' ; 15, 15' ) are movably engaged with each other and further the deflector mechanism (13, 13' ) comprises at least a spring (20, 20' ) biasing the deflector body (12) , preferably towards the active position.

4. The open roof construction according to claims 2 or 3, wherein at least a part of the deflector mechanism (13, 13' ) is placed inside the cover (7) .

5. The open roof construction according to claims 2 or 3, wherein in the stored position of the deflector body (12) , the deflector mechanism (13, 13' ) is in contact with the panel (1) being in the closed position and wherein in the active position of the deflector body (12) the deflector mechanism (13, 13' ) is not in contact with the panel (1) being in the at least partly open position.

6. The open roof construction according to claim 5, wherein, when the panel (1) is nearing the closed position, the deflector mechanism (13, 13' ) is in slidable contact with a pair of slide pads (16, 16' ) connected to the panel (1) .

7. The open roof construction according to claims 2, 5 or 6, wherein in the deflector body (12) is either of a hinge able flap (17) , a spoiler (18) and an aerodynamical obstructing body (19) .

8. An open roof construction for a vehicle comprising a movable panel (1) capable of closing and at least partly opening a roof opening (2) in a fixed roof (3) of the vehicle, a frame (4) being attached to the fixed roof (3) and extending along the edge area of the roof opening (2) wherein the frame (4) is provided with means (5) for moving the panel (1) between the closed and the at least partly open position, a wind deflecting device (6' ) capable of influencing a stream of air flowing over the roof opening (2) and provided with a deflector body (29, 29' ; 34, 34' ) and a wind deflecting net (30, 30' ) wherein the wind deflecting device (6' ) is capable of being retracted in a stored position in a pocket (31) formed in the frame (4) and an active position in which the wind deflecting device (6' ) protrudes above an upper surface (9) of the fixed roof (3) to enable the wind deflecting net (30, 30' ) to extend taut, a cover (7) for covering a sensor (8) , the cover (7) being mounted on the frame (4) and protruding above the upper surface (9) of the fixed roof (3) and the cover (7) being positioned at least partly in front of the roof opening (2) and, in lateral sense, being positioned symmetrically in view of alongitudinal centreline (10) of the vehicle, and extending into a longitudinal direction rearwardly, wherein the roof opening (2) , as seen in lateral direction, is provided with a frontal edge (32, 32' ) extending from the cover (7) in a lateral direction away from the centre line (10) of the vehicle and a centre area edge (33) in close vicinity of the cover (7) lying rearwardly of the frontal edge (32, 32' ) , characterized in that the wind deflecting device (6' ) is at least provided near a frontal edge (32, 32' ) of the roof opening ( 2 ) .

9. The open roof construction of claim 8, wherein the wind deflecting device (6' ) comprises a pair of deflector bodies (29, 29' ) each of which extending opposite of the cover (7) and parallel to each of the frontal edges (32, 32' ) of the roof opening (2) and each deflector body (29, 29' ) at opposite ends is provided with a deflector arm (35, 35' ) each of which being pivotally connected to the frame (4) and each of the deflector bodies (29, 29' ) is equipped with a wind deflecting net (30, 30' ) , whereby the wind deflecting net (30, 30' ) is connected on one end to the wind deflector body (29, 29' ) and on an opposite end to the frame (4) .

10. The open roof construction of claim 8, wherein the wind deflecting device (6' ) comprises a deflector body (34) extending parallel to the frontal edges (32, 32' ) and parallel to the centre area edge (33) of the roof opening (2) and the deflector body (34) at opposite ends is provided with a deflector arm (35, 35' ) each of which being pivotally connected to the frame (4) and the deflector body (34) being equipped with a wind deflecting net (30, 30' ) extending only in the area of the frontal edges (32, 32' ) , whereby the wind deflecting net (30, 30' ) is connected on one end to the wind deflecting body (34) and on an opposite end to the frame (4) .

11. The open roof construction of claim 8, wherein the wind deflecting device (6' ) comprises a deflector body (34) extending parallel to the frontal edges (32, 32' ) and parallel to the centre area edge (33) of the roof opening (2) and the deflector body (34) at opposite ends is provided with a deflector arm (35, 35' ) each of which being pivotally connected to the frame (4) and the deflector body (34) is equipped with a winddeflecting net (36) extending in the areas of the frontal edges (32, 32' ) and in the area of the centre area edge (33) whereby the wind deflecting net (36) is being connected on one end to the wind deflecting body (34) and on an opposite end to the frame ( 4 ) .

Citation Information

Patent Citations

  • Vehicle roof comprising an environment sensor and cleaning device

    WO2021185525A1

  • Roof module for forming a vehicle roof having a cleaning nozzle

    WO2023030810A1