DE102007004818B3 - Vehicle roof consists of roof panel located in opening and having seal profiles around its panel edge - Google Patents

Abstract

? The vehicle roof (10) comprises a mounted roof panel (14) in a roof opening (12) with a longitudinal seal profile (18) on its panel edge for sealing between the side panel edge and the side roof opening edge. There is a cross seal profile (26) around the cross-running edge of the roof panel whilst an edge piece (24) is situated in the vicinity of the roof panel edges (A) connected with the respective longitudinal seal profile and/or the cross seal profile. Below the side roof opening edge is a continuous guide rail (28) for conveyable loading of a mechanically driving unit (32).

Description

The The present invention relates to a vehicle roof with respect to a Roof opening edge sealed Dachpaneel and a longitudinally movable at the roof opening edge Action unit.

such vehicle roofs are known, for example, as openable vehicle roofs, in which the roof panel is one of several longitudinally of the vehicle forms successively arranged roof parts, from which at least one to accomplish a roof opening operation is relocatable. The longitudinally movable at the lateral roof opening edges mechanics units form a part of the opening and closing of the Vehicle roofs used adjusting mechanism.

In particular, so-called exterior-guided sunroofs (ASD) are known in which two longitudinally successively adjacent roof parts are provided in the closed state and the front roof part for opening the roof with its trailing edge upwards and then to the rear on the rear roof part is displaced. Serving for opening and closing such vehicle roofs adjustment usually includes below the lateral roof opening edges in respective guide rails longitudinally movable mounted mechanical units. Such sunroofs are z. B. from the DE 10 2005 007 031 A1 , of the DE 103 31 422 B4 and the DE 100 33 887 C1 known.

at the vehicle roofs of the kind of interest here, it is desirable that by the arrangement of seals for sealing the roof panel with respect to roof opening edges or more Roof parts and the arrangement of longitudinally movable mounted mechanical units as far as possible at the lateral roof opening edges little vertical space is claimed. A vertical space saving is for example advantageous to achieve a large headroom for vehicle occupants. For the known constructions, it is desirable that in all Operating situations a certain "safety distance" between the roof panel gasket and complied with the movable in this area mechanics units becomes. In this regard, is taken into account, that seals due to the elasticity of the sealing material used often are not exactly predetermined in their form or even their Shape and position over time can vary by the "setting behavior".

One Another problem with vehicle roofs of the here kind of interest is that the sealing requirements for the lateral panel edges mostly different from the sealing requirements for the transverse, So front and rear panel edges are, so that z. B. a one piece around Dachpaneelecken running sealing profile often no optimal Sealing effect offers.

It It is an object of the present invention to provide a vehicle roof one opposite a roof opening edge sealed Dachpaneel and a longitudinally movable at the roof opening edge To provide mechanical unit, in which a good sealing effect and despite spatial Close between the mechanical unit and roof panel seal a trouble-free Movability of the mechanical unit is guaranteed.

These Task is carried out according to the invention a vehicle roof solved according to claim 1. The dependent claims relate to advantageous developments of the invention.

The vehicle roof according to the invention includes one in a roof opening stored roof panel, at the lateral panel edges respectively a longitudinal sealing profile for sealing between the respective side panel edge and a respective lateral roof opening edge is arranged. At a transverse panel edge of the roof panel is a transverse sealing profile arranged. In the area of roof panel corners, each one of the longitudinal sealing profiles and the transverse sealing profile are adjacent, a corner piece is arranged in each case, which with the respective longitudinal sealing profile and / or the transverse sealing profile is connected. Below the side Roof opening edges is each one longitudinal guide rail for longitudinally movable Storage of an operationally passing on the area of the panel corner Mechanics unit arranged, being at the bottom of the corner piece when passing the mechanical unit operatively so with the mechanical unit in contact entering operating section provided is that the corner piece raised by this contact.

A use of mutually different longitudinal and transverse sealing profiles, which are interconnected according to a preferred embodiment on the respective, arranged in the region of a roof panel corner piece, advantageously allows a respective optimization of the two profile cross-sections. However, it is particularly important for the invention that an actuation section, which comes into contact with the mechanical unit when the mechanics unit passes by, is provided on the underside of the corner piece and the corner piece is raised by this contact. By this measure can be avoided in particular that the passing mechanic unit to the corner piece or the adjoining sealing profiles "tangled".

According to one preferred embodiment provides the mechanical unit a part of a Verstellmechanik to Bewerkigung of roof opening and roof closing operations an openable vehicle roof represents.

The Lifting the corner piece, which by starting the mechanical unit against the operating section of the corner piece is effected, preferably with a degree (stroke), which ensures that other sections of the corner piece as the operation section when driving past the mechanical unit not in contact with the mechanical unit can come. For the Below described embodiment of the invention (externally guided sunroof) can in practice z. B. a lifting by a few mm already sufficient for this.

In an embodiment it is provided that the vehicle roof is designed as an openable vehicle roof is, wherein the roof panel in question to accomplish a roof opening process can be displaced or a fixed roof section (not displaceable) can form.

In a preferred embodiment For example, the vehicle roof is designed as an externally guided sunroof. in which the roof panel in the closed position of the roof, the rear of two in the longitudinal direction successively arranged roof parts and in which the front of the two roof parts to open the roof to the rear over the the former roof panel is displaceable.

in this connection can be provided on both sides of the vehicle respectively, longitudinally movable Mechanic unit, for example, have a release lever, which when open Roof between the longitudinal sealing profile and the side roof opening edge protrudes upward from the vehicle roof contour to the over to the rear the roof panel relocated displaced roof part.

In an embodiment is provided that the transverse sealing profile for sealing between the transverse panel edge and a transverse edge a further roof part is provided, which in the sealing a acting from above on the transverse sealing profile and / or the corner piece Force component exercises. Such a design is often very different in practice establish advantageous. The principle problem that arises here the force component acting from above (at least after a longer period of operation) causes a setting process in the region of the transverse seal or of the corner piece, has due to the interaction of the invention between the corner piece and the passing mechanic unit but no impairment the functional safety in the corner result.

A (at least in certain operating situations) from above on the transverse sealing profile acting force component may in particular z. B. thereby show that the transverse seal profile an upstanding Profile lip, that of the respective other roof part (temporarily or permanently) is charged down.

In in a known manner, the transverse sealing profile not only a sealing effect own a further vehicle part, but also a function for the discharge of water in the transverse direction.

What the design of the longitudinal sealing profile As well as the transverse sealing profile, it may be advantageous recourse to known per se designs and materials become. For example, you can this sealing profiles molded from foam plastic, in particular be extruded. It can one or more hollow chambers and one or more sealing lips be provided. The profile seals can in a conventional manner at the relevant panel edges be attached, z. B. formed on the panel or a panel frame, adhered to the panel edge or held in a form-fitting manner (eg infected or inserted in a groove).

at attachment of the sealing profiles on the relevant panel edges is unnecessary a separate attachment of the corner piece on the roof panel. Since the corner piece with at least one of the two adjacent sealing profiles is connected (z. B. molded), this "floating" in place be held.

In a preferred embodiment is the corner piece formed as a plastic molding, wherein the connection to the or the subsequent one Sealing profiles more preferably realized by spraying or foaming is. In this way, very easy to install, z. B. a U-shaped or annular prefabricated closed "sealing frame" prefabricated, which is attached to the edge of the panel. In the latter case, for. B. all four corner regions according to the invention be educated.

In one embodiment, it is provided that the corner piece has at least one portion which extends further down than the actuating portion. In other words, this is Embodiment of the operating portion provided in a region on the underside of the corner piece, which is "relatively high", which z. B. is advantageous for a functionally optimized design of the Betätigungsabschitts is (eg., Form design and / or surface texture).

Especially is the last mentioned execution then especially interesting if the corner piece for some reason a relatively far reaching down and to be designed in a certain way (and thus as an operating section often unsuitable) functional section should have. This is z. For example a development of the invention of the case in which the transverse sealing profile including the top of the preferred associated corner piece one Has function for the discharge of water in the transverse direction to the outside and that to the outside derived water from the corner piece down into one at the roof opening edge running in the longitudinal direction Passing water channel shall be. The longitudinal Gully can hereby attached in particular to the guide rail or from the guide rail be self-trained. For a reliable one Water transfer from corner into the gully or guide rail is it great Advantage, serving as a "drip flap" section of the corner piece to protrude relatively far down, preferably to "within the gutter contour". A collision However, the mechanical unit with such a drip lip can by the lifting according to the invention of the corner piece reliable be prevented.

The corner can be formed in one or more parts. Independently of it is appropriate, the actuating section of the corner piece friction optimized. For example, this can be a corresponding Coating of the corner piece at least in the area of the actuating section (For example, lubricating varnish, flock, etc.) may be provided.

to Friction reduction can alternatively or additionally also the shape design of the operating section and thus entering into operative contact Section of the mechanical unit to be optimized (eg inclined surfaces, etc.).

In an embodiment is provided that the operating section at the bottom of the corner piece is designed like a runner.

Of the for example, skid-type actuating section can be a piece of one piece represent made of plastic or plastic foam corner piece. Alternatively, the operation section manufactured separately and subsequently at the bottom of the corner piece be attached. Also in this regard is z. B. a two-component injection molding process conceivable to use different materials for a corner piece carcass and the operation section (eg projection).

In a more specific embodiment is the operating section formed by a sliding cap which is captive (eg latched) attached to a downwardly projecting fastening projection of the corner piece is.

to Training the operating section or of the whole corner piece or a separately manufactured and fixed sliding cap or skid are z. As HDPE and PTFE often well suited, especially if the thus coming into contact section of the mechanical unit also is formed of such a plastic material or of metal.

The Invention will now be described with reference to embodiments with reference on the attached Drawings closer explained. They show:

1 is a detail view of a motor vehicle with an externally guided sunroof, shown in the closed position,

2 is one of the 1 corresponding view, shown with open sunroof,

3 FIG. 15 is a perspective view of a detail of a seal assembly that is in the vehicle roof of the 1 and 2 is used,

4 shows the seal arrangement of 3 in a top view from below,

5 is a perspective view of a detail of a seal assembly according to another embodiment, and

6 shows the seal arrangement of 5 from a different perspective (from below).

The 1 to 4 illustrate a first embodiment of a vehicle roof 10 with one in a roof opening 12 stored first roof panel 14 and one in the longitudinal direction adjoining, also in the roof opening 12 stored second roof panel 16 ( 1 ). The roof panels can z. B. be formed as glass elements each transparent.

In this embodiment, the vehicle roof 10 designed as so-called externally guided sunroof (ASD). The first roof panel 14 is vehicle-proof in the roof opening 12 stored and thus forms a solid roof section. The closed roof ( 1 ) at the front adjoining second roof panel 16 can in in a known manner exhibited by an adjustment mechanism with a trailing edge upwards and then backwards over the rear roof panel 14 be pushed. This opened state of the vehicle roof 10 is in 2 shown. Deviating from this embodiment could also for the rear roof panel 14 a displaceability be provided (eg stroke possibility for issuing the trailing edge).

In all Figures are a longitudinal direction x, a transverse direction y and a vertical direction z of the vehicle a corresponding labeled coordinate system specified.

The panel 14 is at its lateral edges each with a longitudinal sealing profile 18 ( 4 ), which is the panel 14 seals against the relevant of the two roof opening edges, in the illustrated embodiment by lateral roof bars 20 and 22 ( 1 and 2 ) are formed.

The 3 and 4 show details of the panel 14 provided seal assembly. The area shown can be found on the vehicle roof 10 in an area that is in 1 marked A, ie in the area of a left front corner of the fixed roof panel 14 , In the following, only the design in this corner region A will be discussed in detail, since due to the overall symmetrical roof design, the seal arrangement in the area of the right front panel corner is designed accordingly and therefore does not require its own description.

As it is from the 3 and 4 it can be seen, is the longitudinal sealing profile 18 via a connecting piece or corner piece 24 with a transverse sealing profile 26 connected, which at the front transverse edge of the panel 14 is arranged. In the in 1 this situation is shown at the front edge of the panel 14 fixed transverse sealing profile 26 for sealing against the second roof panel arranged in the longitudinal direction x in front of it 16 , Notwithstanding this embodiment, the corner piece could 24 even with only one of the profiles 18 and 26 be connected.

Below the of the roof pillars 20 and 22 formed lateral roof opening edges extends in the longitudinal direction x each have a guide rail 28 for the longitudinally displaceable mounting of a mechanic unit operatively passing by the area of the panel corner A. 32 the adjustment mechanism.

From this adjustment mechanism is in 2 a left lever 30 to recognize which in the open state of the sunroof 10 a left rear portion of the rearwardly displaced second panel 16 supported. On the right side of the vehicle a corresponding right-hand lever is arranged. The lever 30 protrudes in the situation illustrated between the left longitudinal sealing profile 18 and the left roof rail 20 upwards out of the roof contour and with one end on the panel 16 hinged and stored at the other end pivotally mounted on the operatively passing on the panel corner A mechanical unit. Part of this mechanic unit 32 is in 3 to recognize. The mechanical unit is in a conventional manner z. B. by pressure-resistant drive cable to the rear (negative x-direction) proceed to the vehicle roof 10 to open and move forward (positive x-direction) to close the roof.

At the bottom of the corner piece 24 is a skid 34 provided, which during the passage of the mechanical unit 32 (in positive or negative x-direction) operatively so comes into contact with the mechanical unit that the corner piece 24 being raised by this contact (in z direction).

This reliably prevents the mechanical unit 32 on the seal arrangement, in particular the corner piece 24 "entangled", which would cause a number of problems (eg impairment of the sealing function, damage to the seal and / or the mechanical unit, impairment of the mobility of the mechanical unit, contamination by abrasion of sealing material, etc.).

All these serious disadvantages in practice are due to the desired and well-defined interaction between the mechanical unit 32 and the corner piece 24 (more precisely, its skid 34 ) in extremely space-saving way avoided. When the mechanical unit 32 Passing the corner A in the x-direction, so runs a designated section of the mechanical unit 32 in a well-defined way against the skid 34 and push the skid 34 and thus the whole corner piece 24 by a certain amount in z-direction upwards.

In the illustrated embodiment, the corner piece is made as a plastic molding, the compounds on the one hand to the longitudinal sealing profile 18 and on the other hand to the transverse sealing profile 26 were accomplished by a molding process.

The skid 34 forms one with front and rear inclined surfaces (contact surfaces) 36 respectively. 38 provided projection on the underside of the corner piece 24 ,

In the illustrated embodiment has the transverse sealing profile 26 also the function of adding water in (positive and negative) y-direction the laterally adjoining corner pieces 24 from where the drained water into the mutual guide rails 28 is handed over.

In the 3 and 4 is a drip 40 to recognize, from which to the corner piece 24 reaching water in a longitudinal gutter area of the guide rail 28 drips. To reliably all water in the means of the guide rail 28 Passed realized water longitudinal guidance, the Abtropflippe protrudes 40 relatively far down. Without the provided according to the invention special interaction between the mechanical unit 32 and the skid 34 There would be the danger (or it would be inevitable) that when opening and closing the vehicle roof, a part of the mechanical unit 32 with the drip-flop 40 collided.

at the following description of another embodiment be for equivalent components use the same reference numbers, each supplemented by a small letter "a" to distinguish the embodiment. there is essentially only due to the differences to those already described Exemplary embodiment received and by the way hereby expressly refer to the description of the previous embodiment.

The 5 and 6 illustrate again a possible design of a seal arrangement for in 1 with A designated corner area.

In 5 is clearly one on a cross seal profile 26a obliquely (backwards and upwards) protruding sealing lip 60a to recognize that when closing the vehicle roof by a front roof part to pressure down (in the negative z direction) is charged. Over time, this leads to a certain setting process for the transverse sealing profile 26a together with a subsequent corner piece 24a , A consequent deeper intrusion of the corner piece 24a However, in the guide rail assembly (not shown) is again unproblematic due to the special interaction of a passing in the x-direction mechanical unit with a sliding portion 34a at the bottom of the connector 24a ,

In 6 is good an inward profile area 64a of the longitudinal sealing profile 18a to recognize, which is introduced as a fastening portion in a corresponding mounting groove on the side panel edge. The transverse sealing profile 26a also has an inwardly directed profile area 66a for such a positive attachment to the relevant panel.

• – Auch bei Fahrzeugdachkonstruktionen, bei welchen sehr wenig Bauraum für die Dichtungsanordnung eines Dachpaneels vorhanden ist, kann ein Eckstück ("Formecke") zur Verbindung eines Längsdichtungsprofils mit einem Querdichtungsprofil sicher angebracht werden, da durch die besondere Gestaltung (und die Flexibilität des Materials der Dichtungsprofile) das Eckstück beim Vorbeifahren der Mechanikeinheit ausweicht.
• – Selbst wenn das Eckstück bzw. die Dichtungsprofile von oben belastet werden und diese Komponenten sich auf Dauer setzen und somit tiefer in die Mechanik hineinragen werden, so werden daraus sich ergebende Nachteile durch die erfindungsgemäße Gestaltung vermieden.
• – Durch die mit der Erfindung erzielte größere Unabhängigkeit vom Setzverhalten der beteiligten Dichtungskomponenten können vorteilhaft auch kostengünstigere Materialien mit einem schlechteren Setzverhalten verwendet werden.
• – Das Eckstück braucht nicht gesondert befestigt zu werden, sondern kann auch "freischwebend" zwischen den sich anschließenden Dichtungsprofilen (Extrudate) angebracht werden.

In summary, the embodiments of the invention described above offer the following advantages in particular:

• - Even with vehicle roof structures in which there is very little space for the sealing arrangement of a roof panel, a corner piece ("Formecke") for connecting a longitudinal sealing profile with a transverse sealing profile can be securely attached because of the special design (and the flexibility of the material of the gaskets ) the corner piece evades when driving past the mechanical unit.
• - Even if the corner piece or the sealing profiles are loaded from above and these components are permanent and thus protrude deeper into the mechanics, it resulting disadvantages are avoided by the inventive design.
• - Due to the achieved with the invention greater independence from the setting behavior of the sealing components involved can also be used advantageously cheaper materials with poorer settling behavior.
• - The corner piece does not need to be attached separately, but can also be "floating" between the adjoining sealing profiles (extrudates) are attached.

10

vehicle roof

12

roof opening

14

rear roof panel

16

front roof panel

18

Longitudinal sealing profile

20

left roof rail

22

right roof rail

24

Corner piece ("Form corner")

26

Cross sealing profile

28

guide rail

30

out lever

32

action unit

34

skid

36

front sloping surface

38

rear sloping surface

40

drip lip

60

sealing lip

64

Focus area

66

Focus area

Claims (6)

Vehicle roof ( 10 ) with one in a roof opening ( 12 ) mounted roof panel ( 14 ), on whose lateral panel edges each have a longitudinal sealing profile ( 18 ) is arranged for sealing between the lateral panel edge and a lateral roof opening edge, wherein at a transverse panel edge of the roof panel ( 14 ) a transverse sealing profile ( 26 ) in the region of roof panel corners (A), each one of the longitudinal sealing profiles ( 18 ) as well as the transverse sealing profile ( 26 ) are adjacent, in each case a corner piece ( 24 ) is arranged, which with the respective longitudinal sealing profile ( 18 ) and / or the transverse sealing profile ( 26 ), wherein below the lateral roof opening edges in each case a longitudinal guide rail ( 28 ) for the longitudinally displaceable mounting of a mechanic unit operatively passing by at the area of the panel corner (A) ( 32 ) is arranged, and wherein at the bottom of the corner piece ( 24 ) when driving past the mechanical unit ( 32 ) is operatively connected to the mechanical unit ( 32 ) contacting operating section ( 34 ) is provided that the corner piece ( 24 ) is raised by this contact. Vehicle roof ( 10 ) according to claim 1, wherein the corner piece ( 24 ) both with the respective longitudinal sealing profile ( 18 ) as well as with the transverse sealing profile ( 26 ) connected is. Vehicle roof ( 10 ) according to claim 1 or 2, formed as an externally guided sunroof, in which the roof panel ( 14 ) in the closed position of the roof the rear of two longitudinally successively arranged roof parts ( 14 . 16 ) and in which the front ( 16 ) of the two roof parts ( 14 . 16 ) for opening the roof ( 10 ) to the rear via the roof panel ( 14 ) is displaceable. Vehicle roof ( 10 ) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the transverse sealing profile ( 26 ) for sealing between the transverse panel edge of the roof panel ( 14 ) and a transverse edge of another roof part ( 16 ) is provided, which in the sealing a from above on the transverse sealing profile ( 26 ) and / or the corner piece ( 24 ) exerting force component. Vehicle roof ( 10 ) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the corner piece ( 24 ) is formed as a plastic molding. Vehicle roof ( 10 ) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the corner piece ( 24 ) at least one section ( 40 ), which extends further down than the actuating portion ( 34 ).