GB2122552A

GB2122552A - Vehicle roof assembly

Info

Publication number: GB2122552A
Application number: GB08310256A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Hiroshi Sakamoto
Original assignee: Webasto Werk W Baier GmbH and Co
Current assignee: Webasto Werk W Baier GmbH and Co
Priority date: 1982-04-16
Filing date: 1983-04-15
Publication date: 1984-01-18
Also published as: IT1194200B; DE3311441C2; GB8310256D0; FR2525157B1; ES281824U; ES281824Y; GB2122552B; IT8320609A0; FR2525157A1; DE3311441A1

Abstract

A spoiler roof assembly has a roof member 13 having, on either side of the front area guiding elements 7,9 which are adjustably guided along guide rails 6, which are connected to a fixed part of the roof, for sliding movement of the roof member. Starting from a closed position and accompanied by the raising of its trailing edge, the member can be brought into a sloping position and is rearwardly movable over the fixed part of the roof onto an open position. The operating mechanism, including the guide rails, is combined with a roof frame 4 to give a preassembled unit, which is fitted below the fixed roof skin. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Spoiler roof The invention relates to a spoiler roof.

Spoiler or lifting sliding roofs are particularly suitable for motor vehicles in which the available overall height is limited, such as is particularly the case in relatively small vehicles which, in order to save energy, have a low cw-value (i.e. a low streamlined profile).

Normally, a roof frame is fixed below the roof opening, e.g. welded to the fixed roof skin, on the vehicle assembly line. The operating parts of the spoiler roof are then constructed in or on the roof frame.

It is desirable to keep to a minimum the assembly work to be carried out on the vehicle assembly line.

The present invention provides a spoiler roof assembly for a motor vehicle adapted to be mounted in a roof opening of a motor vehicle and to close and at least partially open the said roof opening, said assembly comprising a frame for bounding the said roof opening in use, a roof member, and means for mounting the roof member on the frame and adapted to support the roof member for movement relative to the frame for opening and closing the said roof opening in use, said means being preassembled to the frame. The operating mechanism and roof frame are assembled, e.g. on the premises of the supplier and may be appropriately checked for their correct operation. Thus, on the vehicle assembly line, only the preassembled unit need be fitted.

A reinforcing frame and a water channel fitted to the latter and associated with the trailing edge of the roof opening can be incorporated into the preassembled unit.

The invention includes a motor vehicle fitted with a roof assembly as described herein.

The invention will be illustrated by the following description of a preferred and nonlimitative embodiment with reference to the attached drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a plan view of a motor vehicle equipped with a spoiler roof according to the invention.

Figures 2 to 4 are longitudinal sections through the spoiler roof along line ll-ll of Fig.

1, in three different operating positions.

Figures 5 and 6 are sections along lines V-V or VI-VI of Fig. 2.

As can be seen, a roof opening 2 is formed in the front area of the roof 1 of a vehicle A.

The roof opening 2 is surrounded by a crosssectionally substantially L-shaped packing or seal 3. Below roof 1, there is a roof frame 4, which upwardly bounds the passenger compartment of motor vehicle A. Downwardly from the roof opening 2, roof frame 4 is spaced from roof 1 and surrounds a frame opening 5 corresponding to roof opening 2.

Rectilinear guide rails 6 are mounted on the top portion of the roof frame 4 on either side of roof opening 2. In the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, the guide rails 6 run substantially parallel to roof opening 2. A transfer slide 7, as well as front and rear adjustable guide elements 8, 9 can be moved forwards and/or backwards along guide rails 6. The transfer slide 7 has a body 11, which is connected to a drive, for example an electric motor or a crank, by means of a driving member 10, e.g. in the form of a threaded cable, which is rigid in compression. Body 11 carries two laterally projecting sliding pieces 12, which engage with guide rails 6.Sliding pieces 1 2 and guiding elements 8, 9 are preferably sliding shoes made from plastic or a similar material and which in side view have a substantially elliptical configuration They engage in the preferably channel-shaped guide rail 6 and are displaceable along the latter.

For the purpose of opening or closing roof opening 2, a rigid top 1 3 is provided, which is made for example from glass, plastic, sheet metal or the like, i.e. from a transparent, translucent or opaque material. In the closed position, the edge of top 1 3 engages with seal 3, whereby in particular the underside of the top presses against the upper surface of a lower part 3a of seal 3. Top 1 3 is supported on two facing top brackets 1 4 by means of fastenings 1 4a (Fig. 5). Each of the top brackets 14 is articulated at its front end to the particular front guide element 1 8 and is rotatable about a transversely directed axis formed by a joint 21.

A tilting lever 1 5 is provided on either side of roof opening 2. Each of the tilting levers 1 5 is pivotably supported in its central area on the particular rear guiding element 19, whilst the rear end of the tilting lever is connected by means of a joint 1 8 to the associated top bracket 1 4. The transfer slide 7 and tilting lever 1 5 are in engagement with one another by means of a cam or link arrangement 1 6, 1 7 acting in the central area of the tilting lever.In the illustrated embodiment, the link arrangement includes front and rear link pins 1 6a, 1 6b of transfer slide 7, as well as front and rear link slots 1 7a, 1 7b in tilting lever 1 5. It is obvious that conversely link pins can be provided on the tilting lever and link slots in the transfer slide. The front link slot 1 7a, essentially formed in front of the pivot of tilting lever 1 5 constituted by guiding element 9, is rectilinear, whereas the rear link slot 1 7b, positioned behind the pivot of tilting lever 1 5 has a front, linear portion, which is parallel to link slot 1 7a, as well as a downwardly bent portion connected thereto at the rear. The link pins 1 6a, 1 6b are substantially at the same height.When the top is closed (Fig. 2), the front link slot 1 7a and the straight portion of the rear link slot 1 7b are essentially at the same height. When the top is closed, as can be gathered from Fig . 2, the link pins 1 6a, 1 6b are substantially symmetrical with respect to the rear guiding element 9 forming the pivot for tilting lever 1 5. The link slot 1 7a and the straight portion of link slot 1 7b are located in the vicinity of the upper edge of tilting lever 15, whilst the bent portion of link slot 1 7b extends close to the lower edge of tilting lever 1 5.

If, starting from the position according to Fig. 3, in which top 1 3 is positioned above roof opening 2 and the trailing edge of the top is opened over the fixed roof skin for ventilation purposes, the transfer slide 7 is forwardly displaced by means of driving member 10, link pins 1 6a, 1 6b slide forwards in the link slots 1 7a, 17b. For as long as the link pin 16b passes through the bent rear portion of link slot 1 7b, tilting lever 1 5 is provided clockwise about the pivot formed by guiding element 9 in Fig. 3. This causes a pivoting movement of top bracket 1 4 about joint 21, so that the trailing edge of the top is moved downwards. The roof opening 2 is closed.In the represented movement sequence, the front link pin 1 6a presses against the upper edge of the front link slot 1 7a, whilst the rear link pin 1 6b presses onto the lower edge of the rear link slot 1 7b. The transfer slide 7 continues forwards, so that link pin 1 6b passes into the front, rectilinear portion of link slot 1 7b. As a result, top 1 3 is locked in the closed position. During the forward movement of link pin 1 6a, 1 6b in link slot 1 7a, 1 7b, top 1 3 is prevented from a forward adjustment movement by an appropriate stop member or through the leading edge of said top bearing against a raised part 3b of seal 3 in the vicinity of the leading edge of roof opening 2.

However, if on starting from the position according to Fig. 2, the transfer slide 7 is moved rearwards via driving member 10, the link pins 1 6a, 1 6b move rearwards in the link slots 1 7a, 1 7b, so that firstly the top locking system is released. Tilting lever 1 5 is then pivoted counterclockwise about its pivot formed by guiding element 9 in Fig. 2. As a result, top bracket 1 4 is swung upwards about the axis of joint 21 and top 1 3 is tilted with its trailing edge, as shown in Fig. 3.Due to the fact that the distance between the link arrangement and the joint 1 8 connecting tilting lever 1 5 to top bracket 14 is smaller than the distance between the link arrangement and the guiding element 9 forming the pivot of tilting lever 15, it is ensured that joint 1 8 is raised a relatively long way, although the perpendicular spacing between the highest and lowest positions of link pins 1 6b in link slot 1 7b is relatively small. This has the advantage that the tilting open means of the spoiler roof only takes up a relatively small space in the perpendicular height, so that little head space is lost in the passenger compartment.

The front end of tilting lever 1 5 extends over the pivot (guiding element 9) of tilting lever 1 5 in the forwards direction and carries a guiding member 1 9 which, when tilting lever 1 5 is pivoted out of the position of Fig.

2 into that of Fig. 3, passes through a cutout 20 in the upper web of guide rail 6 and can then be displaced along the guide rail. Guiding member 19, in conjunction with guiding element 9 and guide rail 6 maintains tilting lever 1 5 in the position according to Figs. 3 and 4, so that top 1 3 is supported. However, if the top 1 3 is transferred from the tilted open position (Fig. 3) into the closed position (Fig. 2), guiding member 19 passes out of guide rail 5 via cutout 20. If, starting from the position of Fig. 2, the transfer slide 7 moves rearwards, guiding member 1 9 engages with a stop face 20a in the vicinity of cutout 20, so that a rearward displacement of top 1 3 is prevented.This ensures that during a rearward movement of transfer slide 7, the top is tilted open, before it is carried rearwards by the transfer slide 7.

For as long as top 1 3 is aligned with roof opening 2, joint 21 supporting the top bracket 14 is located on the front guiding element 8 in front of the leading edge of roof opening 2. When the top 1 3 is then brought from the closed position of Fig. 2 into the opened position of Fig. 3, the leading edge of top 1 3 moves gradually upwards. The leading edge of the top does not dip under the support plane thereof formed by the lower part 3a of seal 3. This ensures that during the opening movement of top 13, seal 3 is not exposed to undesired stresses. The stability of the overall arrangement is improved as a result-of the relatively long lever arms through advancing the pivot of top bracket 14.

If, starting from the position according to Fig. 3, transfer slide 7 is moved further rearwards and carries with it top 13, through the engagement of link pins 1 6a, 1 6b on the rear ends of link slots 1 7a, 1 7b, guiding element 9 and guiding member 1 9 also running in guide rail 6, cooperate in order to keep the tilting lever 1 5 in the tilted open position. Top 1 3 can be brought into the open position according to Fig. 4 in this way and as a result a particularly rigid and robust arrangement is obtained. This is helped by the fact that the joint 1 8 between top bracket 14 and tilting lever 1 5 is positioned in such a way that it is below the trailing edge of roof opening 2, when the top is in the open position.

In the case of the represented spoiler roof, the roof frame 4 and the operating mechanism C used for opening and sliding the top 1 3 and which essentially comprise guide rails 6, transfer slide 7, top brackets 14 and tilting lever 1 5 are combined into a preassembled standard unit. In the preassembled state, said unit is pressed against a reinforcing frame 30 by means of a flexible sealing part 32, which rests on an all-round, substantially horizontally bent edge 4a of roof frame 4. Reinforcing frame 30 is positioned below the fixed roof skin 1 and envelopes the edge of the roof opening 2. In the vicinity of the trailing edge 2a of roof opening 2, a water channel 33 is fixed to reinforcing frame 30 and carries on a raised leg member, projecting into opening 2, a seal 34.When top 1 3 is closed, seal 34 engages against its underside (Fig. 2). In the vicinity of the front and side edges of roof opening 2, the actual roof frame 4 forms a water channel. Reinforcing frame 30 can, for example, be spot welded to the bent part of roof skin 1 carrying seal 3. Clips 35 can be provided for securing the preassembled unit and said clips engage with part of the outside and underside of roof frame 4 and press the latter from below against reinforcing frame 30. In turn, clips 35 are detachably fixed by means of screws 36 and nuts 37 to brackets 38, which are fixed to the vehicle.

After inserting and securing the preassembled unit, it is merely necessary to connect top 1 3 to top brackets 14 by means of fastenings 14a. This considerably simplifies and speeds up the assembly process. Thus, a few simple manipulations are all that is necessary on the vehicle assembly line. Sealing part 32 compensates manufacturing imprecisions.

It can also be coated with an adhesive, to ensure a further improved joining of frame 4 and reinforcing frame 30.

Fixing members corresponding to screws 36 can, according to a modified embodiment, also extends through overlapping portions of roof frame 4 and reinforcing frame 30, so that clips 35 are rendered superfluous.

According to a further modified embodiment, the preassembled unit additionally comprises the reinforcing frame 30. The assembly unit incorporating the reinforcing frame 30, can be pressed from below against the fixed roof skin 1 by means of clips 35. Between reinforcing frame 30 and the edge of the fixed roof skin 1 surrounding roof opening 2 is appropriately introduced an elastic sealing part corresponding to sealing part 32 and this not only has a sealing function, but also compensates tolerances.

Claims

1. A spoiler roof assembly for a motor vehicle adapted to be mounted in a roof opening of a motor vehicle and to close and at least partially open the said roof opening, said assembly comprising a frame for bounding the said roof opening in use, a roof member, and means for mounting the roof member on the frame and adapted to support the roof member for movement relative to the frame for opening and closing the said roof opening in use, said means being preassembled to the frame.

2. A roof assembly as claimed in Claim 1 wherein the roof member is mounted on the frame for movement from a closed position to an open position by an initial tilting movement followed by a sliding movement relative to the frame.

3. A roof assembly as claimed in Claim 2 wherein the means for mounting the roof member to the frame comprises a pair of guide rails extending longitudinally of the frame.

4. A roof assembly as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the roof member is temporarily detached from said means for mounting so that the frame and means for mounting the roof member may be installed in a vehicle and the roof member may then be mounted thereon.

5. A roof assembly as claimed in any preceding claim further comprising a reinforcing frame upon which the said frame is mounted

6. A roof frame as claimed in Claim 5 wherein the frame is mounted upon the reinforcing frame from below by detachable fixing members.

7. A roof assembly as claimed in Claim 5 or Claim 6 wherein an elastic sealing member is interposed between the frame and the reinforcing frame.

8. A roof assembly as claimed in any one of Claims 5 to 7 wherein the reinforcing frame comprises a water channel along the trailing edge thereof.

9. A roof assembly as claimed in Claim 8 wherein there is a seal member on the inside edge of the water channel which seals against the underside of the roof member when the roof member is in the closed position.

10. A roof assembly substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

11. A motor vehicle comprising a spoiler roof assembly as claimed in any one of the preceding claims.

1 2. A spoiler roof for motor vehicles with a top for the closing and at least partial opening of a roof opening and which in the front areas carries front guiding elements on either side, which are adjustably guided along guide rails connected to a fixed part of the roof and positioned laterally of the roof opening, whereby the top, starting from a closed position and accompanied by the raising of its trailing edge, can be brought into a sloping position and rearwards over the fixed part of the roof into an open position, characterised in that a reinforcing frame extending around the complete periphery of the roof opening is provided and that the operating mechanism, including the guide rails is combined with a roof frame to form a preassembled unit, which is fitted below the fixed roof skin.

13. Spoiler roof according to Claim 1 2 characterised in that top is constructed for subsequent assembly with the operating mechanism installed in the vehicle as part of the preassembled unit.

14. Spoiler roof according to Claims 1 2 or 13, characterised in that the presassembled unit is pressed from below against the reinforcing frame by means of detachable fixing members and whilst interposing an elastic sealing member.

1 5. Spoiler roof according to Claims 1 2 or 13, characterised in that the reinforcing frame forms an additional part of the preassembled unit.

16. Spoiler roof according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the reinforcing frame carries a water channel extending along the trailing edge of the roof opening.

1 7. Spoiler roof according to Claim 16 characterised in that there is a seal on the raised leg member of the water channel and when the top is in the closed position, the seal engages with the underside thereof.