JP2003039955A - Vehicle roof structure - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a vehicle roof structure capable of securing rigidity of a vehicle body without substantial increase of weight, while improving an openness feeling in an opening state of a roof by bringing a frame member into a state out of visibility of a front-seat occupant in the opening state of the roof. SOLUTION: The rigidity of a vehicle 1 is secured by right and left roof rails 9, a rear header 11, front pillars 8, rear pillars 10, a lower structure of the vehicle body, and the frame member. The roof of the vehicle 1 is formed with a roof opening part 3, and the roof opening part 3 is closed/opened by a movable panel 4. In the opening state of the roof opening part 3 by the movable panel 4, the frame member is brought into a state that the frame member is absent near the upper end of a windshield 2. For example, the frame member is configured such that the frame member moves in the back-and-forth direction interlockingly with movement of the movable panel 4, and the frame member is positioned near the rear edge of the roof opening part 3 in the opening state of the roof opening part 3. The frame member acts as a strength member between both edges of the right and left roof rails 9 and contributes to the securing of the rigidity of the vehicle body.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a vehicle roof structure, and more particularly to a roof structure having a movable roof mechanism capable of opening a roof opening.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As a general vehicle body structure, JP-A-11-
A so-called monocoque structure as disclosed in 59489 is well known. Such a structure is
As a member that constitutes the skeleton of the upper part of the vehicle body, a roof rail that extends in the vehicle front-rear direction along the left and right sides of the roof panel, a front header that connects the front ends of the left and right roof rails in the vehicle width direction, and the left and right roof rails. The front end of the left and right roof rails is connected to the front pillar, and the rear end of the left and right roof rails is connected to the rear pillar. Further, the front pillars and the rear pillars are connected to a vehicle lower body structure including left and right side sills provided on the floor of the vehicle body. Therefore, the structural members around the vehicle interior are configured by the left and right roof rails, the front header, the rear header, the left and right front pillars, the left and right rear pillars, and the side sill, and the structural members around the passenger compartment are effectively contributed to the rigidity of the entire vehicle body. There is.

On the other hand, as a structure for providing a sunroof as a movable roof mechanism on such a vehicle body, for example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No.
In the roof of the vehicle as described in 119587,
An opening is provided at a position avoiding the left and right roof rails, the front header, and the rear header, and the opening is closed / closed.
It is known that a movable panel is slid forward and backward so as to be opened. By opening the movable panel, the occupant can have a feeling of opening and can efficiently ventilate the inside of the vehicle. Further, by making the movable panel of a light-transmissive material such as glass, sunlight or the like can be taken even when the roof opening is closed by the movable panel.

In such a conventional sunroof structure, as described above, the roof opening is formed while leaving the front header as the frame member at the front edge of the roof. Therefore, when the roof opening is completely opened. However, a relatively thick front header is present in the upper part of the field of view between the windshield and the roof opening that is open to the front passengers. A structure without a front header may be considered to improve the occupant's feeling of openness, but the front header is indispensable for ensuring the rigidity of the body of the monocoque structure as described above. It becomes necessary to reinforce the other parts of the vehicle, resulting in an increase in the weight of the vehicle body.

[0005]

The present invention has been made in view of this point, and in a vehicle body in which the structure of the upper portion of the vehicle including the roof rails, pillars, front headers, etc. contributes to ensuring the rigidity of the vehicle body, when the roof is opened, the front The header is kept out of sight of the front passengers to improve the feeling of opening when the roof is opened, and at the same time, the front header maintains the function of ensuring rigidity to maximize the rigidity of the vehicle body without substantially increasing the weight. It is intended to provide a vehicle roof structure.

[0006]

The first structure of the present invention is as follows.
A lower structure that constitutes a lower structure of a vehicle, left and right front pillars connected to the lower structure, left and right roof rails connected to the front pillar and extending along both sides of a roof portion of the vehicle, the roof rail, and In the vehicle having left and right rear pillars connected to the lower structure, at least the lower structure, the left and right front pillars, the left and right roof rails, and the left and right rear pillars can function as a structural member. An opening provided along the pillar and the roof rail, a light-transmitting windshield that closes a front portion of the opening to define a roof opening in the remaining portion of the opening, and the roof. It slides in the front-rear direction between the state where the opening is closed and the state where it is opened, and when it is in the closed state, A movable panel that is in direct direct contact with the windshield, a frame member that is fixed to the inside surface of the movable panel and moves integrally with the movable panel, and the movable panel is substantially directly in contact with the windshield. Position of the frame member when in contact,
And the movable panel is fixed to the roof rail corresponding to the position of the frame member when the roof opening is opened, and the frame member acts as a strength member between the left and right roof rails. Thus, the roof structure of the vehicle is provided with the engaged parts to which both ends of the frame member can be engaged.

With such a structure, the frame member is movable by releasing the engagement with the roof rail, while the frame member is engaged with the roof rail at the open position and the closed position of the movable panel so that the space between the left and right roof rails is increased. It can function as a strength member to prevent relative displacement, and contributes to ensuring the rigidity of the entire vehicle body together with the left and right roof rails, rear headers, left and right front pillars, left and right rear pillars, and the lower structure of the vehicle body. Therefore, when the roof is opened, the front header moves rearward to improve the open feeling in combination with the windshield having the light transmitting property, and the rigidity of the vehicle body is maximized without substantially increasing the weight. You can Further, when the roof is closed, the windshield is in direct direct contact with the movable panel, so that the windshield and the movable panel can be smoothly continuous, which is advantageous in terms of design and aerodynamic performance.

A second structure of the present invention is a lower structure constituting a lower structure of a vehicle, left and right front pillars connected to the lower structure, and both sides of a roof portion of the vehicle connected to the front pillar. Left and right roof rails extending along the left and right rear pillars connected to the roof rail and the lower structure, and at least the lower structure,
The left and right front pillars, the left and right roof rails,
Also, in the vehicle in which the left and right rear pillars can function as structural members, an opening provided along the front pillar and the roof rail, and a front portion of the opening are closed so that the roof is provided on the remaining portion of the opening. A light-shielding windshield that defines the opening, and slides in the front-rear direction between a state in which the roof opening is closed and a state in which the roof opening is closed, and the windshield when in the closed state. A movable panel that is in direct direct contact,
A frame member fixed to the surface of the movable panel on the vehicle interior side is provided along the left and right roof rails and a frame member that moves integrally with the movable panel, and the frame member serves as a strength member between the left and right roof rails. A roof structure for a vehicle, comprising: a rail member that holds both end portions of the frame member so that the frame member slides in the front-rear direction while maintaining a working state.

With such a structure, since both ends of the frame member are always held by the rail member,
At least relative displacement between both members is prevented, and the frame member acts as a strength member regardless of its position, and the left and right roof rails, rear header,
The left and right front pillars, the left and right rear pillars, and the lower structure of the vehicle body contribute to ensuring the rigidity of the entire vehicle body. Therefore, not only when the movable panel is completely opened,
Even when the movable panel is stopped at any position between the fully open position and the fully closed position, it improves the feeling of openness in combination with the windshield having light transmittance, while increasing the vehicle body rigidity without increasing the vehicle body weight. Can be secured. Further, since the windshield is in direct direct contact with the movable panel when the roof is closed, the windshield and the movable panel can be smoothly continuously connected, which is advantageous in terms of design and aerodynamic performance.

A third structure of the present invention is a lower structure constituting a lower structure of a vehicle, left and right front pillars connected to the lower structure, and both sides of a roof portion of the vehicle connected to the front pillar. Left and right roof rails extending along the left and right rear pillars connected to the roof rail and the lower structure, and at least the lower structure,
The left and right front pillars, the left and right roof rails,
Also, in the vehicle in which the left and right rear pillars can function as structural members, an opening provided along the front pillar and the roof rail, and a front portion of the opening are closed so that the roof is provided on the remaining portion of the opening. A light-transmissive windshield that defines an opening, and the roof opening can be closed or open, and is in direct direct contact with the windshield when in the closed state. A movable panel and at least one frame member whose both ends are fixed to the left and right roof rails so as to act as a strength member between the left and right roof rails. A roof structure for a vehicle is provided rearwardly from the upper end of the windshield at a predetermined distance.

With such a structure, the frame member functions as a strength member for preventing relative displacement between the left and right roof rails at a position where the front seat occupant does not see the vehicle. The header, the left and right front pillars, the left and right rear pillars, and the lower structure of the vehicle body contribute to ensuring the rigidity of the entire vehicle body. Therefore, when the roof is opened, the vehicle body rigidity can be maximized without substantially increasing the weight while improving the feeling of opening together with the windshield having the light transmitting property.
Further, since the windshield is in direct direct contact with the movable panel when the roof is closed, the windshield and the movable panel can be smoothly continuously connected, which is advantageous in terms of design and aerodynamic performance. Further, since the frame member is fixed to the roof, the above effect can be obtained not only when the movable panel is of the sliding type but also of the removable type.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the invention described in claims 1 to 4, when the movable panel is in a state of closing the roof opening, the windshield and the movable panel are: The windshield and the roof panel are in contact with each other via a seal member provided on at least one of the windshield and the roof panel.

With such a structure, when the movable panel closes the roof opening, rainwater and the like can be prevented from entering from the contact portion between the windshield and the movable panel while smoothly connecting the windshield and the movable panel. I can.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, the frame member is located below the front edge of the movable panel and is located above the movable panel when the movable panel is in direct contact with the windshield. It has a rain garter having an open groove shape.

With such a structure, even if rainwater or the like enters the passenger compartment from the vicinity of the seal member when the movable panel closes the roof opening, the rainwater or the like can be discharged to the outside of the vehicle. I can.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, the movable panel is light transmissive.

With such a structure, it is possible to collect light from the outside even when the roof opening is closed by the movable panel.

A seventh structure of the present invention is a lower structure constituting a lower structure of a vehicle, left and right front pillars connected to the lower structure, and both sides of a roof portion of the vehicle connected to the front pillar. Left and right roof rails extending along the left and right rear pillars connected to the roof rail and the lower structure, and at least the lower structure,
The left and right front pillars, the left and right roof rails,
Also, in the vehicle in which the left and right rear pillars can act as structural members, an opening provided along the front pillar and the roof rail, and a front portion of the opening are closed so that the roof is provided on the remaining portion of the opening. A light-transmitting windshield that defines an opening, a movable panel that can close and open the roof opening, and the left and right members that act as strength members between the left and right roof rails. At least one frame member connecting the roof rails in the vehicle width direction, and the one of the frame members that is most forward in the vehicle traveling direction when at least the movable panel is in a state of opening the roof opening. Is a roof structure of a vehicle that is configured to be located a predetermined distance behind the upper end of the windshield.

With such a structure, the frame member does not enter the occupant's field of view when the roof is opened, and the open feeling when the roof is opened can be improved in combination with the windshield having a light transmitting property. At the same time, the frame member functions as a strength member to prevent relative displacement between the left and right roof rails, and together with the left and right roof rails, the rear headers, the left and right front pillars, the left and right rear pillars, and the underbody structure of the vehicle body. It can contribute to securing the overall rigidity. Further, since the windshield is in direct direct contact with the movable panel when the roof is closed, the windshield and the movable panel can be smoothly continuously connected, which is advantageous in terms of design and aerodynamic performance.

[0020]

According to the present invention, when the roof is opened, the frame member is kept out of the view of the front seat occupant to improve the feeling of opening when the roof is opened, and the rigidity of the vehicle body can be secured substantially without increasing the weight. It is possible to provide a vehicle roof structure.

[0021]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT A preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

(First Embodiment) A first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 6. 1 and 2 are perspective views of a vehicle 1 having a roof structure according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 shows a state in which a roof opening is closed, and FIG. 2 shows a roof opening. The state is shown.

On the vehicle body, a roof rail (indicated by reference numeral 9 only on one side) extending in the vehicle front-rear direction along both left and right sides of the roof, and a rear header 11 for connecting the rear ends of the left and right roof rails in the vehicle width direction. The front ends of the left and right roof rails 9 are respectively attached to the left and right front pillars (only one side is provided with reference numeral 8), and the rear ends of the left and right roof rails 9 are respectively provided with rear pillars (only one side is provided with reference numeral 10). Are linked to. Further, the front pillar 8 and the rear pillar 10 are connected to a vehicle lower body structure including left and right side sills (only one of which has a reference numeral 13) provided on the floor of the vehicle body. Then, the lower rails 9, the rear header 11, the front pillars 8, the rear pillars 10, the side sills 13, and the like form a structural member around the vehicle interior. A front header 6 is provided so as to act as a strength member between the left and right roof rails 9 and to be movable between the vicinity of the front edge and the vicinity of the rear edge of the roof opening 3. This will be described in detail later.

On the other hand, the roof panel is provided between the left and right roof rails extending from the substantially central portion of the vehicle roof in the front-rear direction to the rear.
12 is fixed, and an opening is formed from the front edge of the roof panel 12 to the cowl portion of the vehicle body. The front part of the opening is partially closed by a windshield 2 made of glass, the left and right edges of which are fixed to the front pillar 8 and the front edge of which is fixed to a cowl (not shown). A roof opening 3 is defined in the remaining area.

The roof opening 3 is formed by the movable panel 4
Blocked / opened. The movable panel 4 has a flat plate shape and substantially matches the roof opening 3. Further, the material is glass, which is light-transmissive, and a seal member 5 made of an elastic body is provided around the glass. Further, the movable panel 4 is supported by a movable panel driving unit (not shown), and the movable panel driving unit closes the roof opening 3 as shown in FIG. 1 and the roof opening 3 as shown in FIG. It is moved to and from the position where 3 is opened. The movable panel 4 comes into contact with the windshield 2 via the seal member 5 when in the closed position.

The movable panel drive unit is, for example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-
The structure described in No. 119587 can be used, and the movable panel 4 is moved while sliding along the side surface of the roof inside the vehicle compartment in response to an operation of an opening / closing switch (not shown) by an occupant. It is also possible to stop the movable panel 4 with the roof opening 3 partially opened.

On the other hand, FIG. 3 which is a sectional view taken along the line AA of FIG.
As shown in FIG. 4, a front header 6 including a frame member 61 extending in the vehicle width direction and a trim 62 covering the frame member 61 and covering the frame member 61 in the vicinity of the front edge of the movable panel 4 is attached to the frame member 61.
The movable panel 4 is fixed to the inner surface of the vehicle interior via 64. Therefore, the front header 6 is integrated with the movable panel 4 as the movable panel 4 slides, and is located at the frontmost position below the upper edge of the windshield 2 and at the rearmost position substantially away from the occupant's view. And a position near the rear edge of the roof opening 3 which is the position of the roof opening 3. Further, the front header 6 is used when the movable panel 4 closes the roof opening 3, that is, the front header 6
Is located at the frontmost position, and when the movable panel 4 opens the roof opening 3, that is, when the front header 6 is located at the rearmost position, the lock member 7 is fixed to the roof, and Together with the left and right roof rails 9, the rear header 11, the left and right front pillars 8, the left and right rear pillars 10, the left and right side sills 13, and other lower parts of the vehicle body, they contribute to ensuring the rigidity of the entire vehicle body.

As shown in FIG. 4, which is an enlarged perspective view of a member on the left side in the vehicle traveling direction, the lock member 7 is an engaging portion (latch) unit 71 provided at both ends of the front header 6 and the engaging portions thereof. Corresponding to, the engaged portion (pin) 72 (front side) provided at the position where the engaging portion can engage with the front header located at the frontmost position and at the rearmost position in the vehicle body. (Only shown). Further, the latch unit 71 includes a grip portion 713 that grips the pin 72 and a first actuator 71 that grips and releases the grip portion 713.
1, and the grip portion 713 fixed to the front header 6
And a second actuator 712 that integrally moves the first actuator 711 in the vehicle width direction.
As such a mechanism, for example, a lock mechanism for fixing the roof to the vehicle body with the roof closed in a conventional movable roof vehicle can be used.

Specifically, as shown in FIG. 5 which is a sectional view taken along the line BB of FIG. 4 (the trim 62 is not shown),
While the latch unit 71 is fixed to both ends of the frame member 61 via the second actuator 712, the position where the front header 6 is fixed on the roof rail 9 of the vehicle, that is, the position where the movable panel 4 closes the roof is completely set. Pins 72 as engaged parts are provided at two positions, i.e., a position where the pin 72 is opened to. When they are engaged with each other, the latch unit 71 and the pin 72 are firmly engaged so that the frame member 61 acts as a strength member between the left and right roof rails 9. On the other hand, on the right side in the vehicle traveling direction, a structure having a symmetrical structure and the same function as the lock member 7 is provided. The pins 72 can be appropriately provided in accordance with the opening degree of the roof, in addition to the two positions where the movable panel 4 closes the roof and the position where the movable panel 4 is completely opened as described above.

The latch unit 71 is electrically driven in response to a switch operation of an occupant that moves the movable panel 4, and as a series of operations with the movement of the movable panel, the pair of left and right latch units 71 are synchronized, Corresponding pin
Engage and disengage with 72. The operation of one side will be described with reference to FIGS. 6 (a) to 6 (c).

When the occupant operates the switch to move the movable panel 4 in the engaged state shown in FIG. 6 (a), the first operation is performed as shown in FIG. 6 (b).
Actuator 711 opens the grip 713 and releases it from the pin 72. Then, the second actuator 712 pulls the released grip portion 713 together with the first actuator 711 inward in the vehicle width direction (FIG. 6C), and the grip portion 713 and the pin 72 interfere with each other when the front header 6 slides. Move it to a position that you do not want. After that, the movable panel 4 and the front header 6 are moved.

On the other hand, when the movement of the movable panel is completed, the second actuator 712 moves the grip portion 713 together with the first actuator 711 to the outside in the vehicle width direction, and the grip portion 713 is pinned.
72 is moved to a position where it can be gripped (Fig. 6 (b)). Then, the first actuator 711 moves the grip portion 713 to the pin 72.
Is driven so as to grip (FIG. 6 (a)), and then the gripping portion 7 in a state where the second actuator 712 grips the pin 72.
Energize 13 until the specified load occurs in the vehicle width direction,
The operation ends. Since the latch unit 71 and the pin 72 are provided on the left and right sides of the vehicle, the front header 6 generates tension between the left and right roof rails by the urging of the grip portion 713 by the second actuator 712 in the retracting direction. It will be.

Therefore, when the roof opening 3 is opened from the closed state, if the occupant operates the opening / closing switch, the latch unit 71 is released from the pin 72 as described above, and the movable panel drive section is moved to the movable panel 4 and The front header 6 is moved rearward to open the roof opening 3, and after the roof opening 3 is completely opened, the latch unit 71 engages with the pin 72 corresponding to the open position as described above. Is performed. Therefore, the roof opening 3
When the vehicle is open, the front header 6 does not exist in the front upper part of the front occupant, and in combination with the windshield having the light transmitting property, the occupant obtains a feeling of opening that cannot be obtained by the conventional sunroof. In addition, the frame member 61 acts as a strength member for preventing relative displacement of the left and right roof rails by generating tension between the left and right roof rails 9, and contributes to the improvement of the rigidity of the vehicle body.

On the other hand, when the roof opening 3 in the open state is closed, when the occupant operates the opening / closing switch, the latch unit 71 is released from the pin 72 as described above, and the movable panel drive unit is moved to the movable panel 4. Also, the front header 6 is moved forward to bring the roof opening 3 into the closed state, and after the roof opening 3 is completely closed, the latch unit 71 engages with the pin 72 corresponding to the closed position as described above. A series of operations is performed. Even in the closed state, the frame member 61 similarly acts as a strength member between the left and right roof rails 9 and contributes to improving the rigidity of the vehicle body.

Further, referring to FIG. 3 again, the front header 6 is provided with a rain garter 63. As described above, the front header 6 is provided with the window when the movable panel 4 closes the roof opening 3, that is, when the movable panel 4 and the windshield 2 are in close contact with each other via the seal member 5. It is located at the upper edge of the shield 2, that is, below the seal member 5. So Rain Garter
The 63 has a shape that is located below the front edge of the movable panel 4 and opens upward so that rainwater and the like that enter from the gap between the seal member 5 and the windshield 2 fall inside thereof. It is configured to discharge the dropped water to the outside of the vehicle through a drainage mechanism (not shown).

(Second Embodiment) The structure of the front header may be different from that of the first embodiment, and the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 1, 2 and 7 to 9. The form will be described below.

The structure of the vehicle body, the movable panel 4 and its drive mechanism is the same as that of the first embodiment, and the description thereof is omitted.

On the other hand, in the vicinity of the front edge of the movable panel 4, more specifically, at the position shown in FIG. 7 which is a sectional view taken along the line AA of FIG.
A front header 6 including a trim 62 attached to and covering the 61 is provided, and the upper surface thereof is bonded to the rear surface of the movable panel 4. Further, as will be described later in detail, the frame member 61 has two rollers 611 provided at both ends thereof in the vehicle front-rear direction so as to be separated from each other, and has a constant cross section extending along the vehicle traveling direction and the left and right roof rails 9. The rail member 14 is firmly fixed to the rail member 14. Therefore, the frame member 61 is integrated with the movable panel 4 as the movable panel 4 slides while maintaining the state where the rollers 611 at both ends thereof are held by the rail member 14, and the windshield 2 at the frontmost position. It moves in the front-rear direction between a position below the upper edge and a position in the vicinity of the rear edge of the roof opening 3 which is the rearmost position and substantially deviates from the occupant's view.

The details of the frame member 61 and the rail member 14 and the relationship between them will be described below with reference to FIG. 8 which is a perspective view showing the left end of the frame member in the vehicle traveling direction and a cross section taken along the line CC in FIG. This will be specifically described with reference to FIG. 9 which is a diagram.

As shown in FIG. 8, the frame member 61 is composed of upper and lower two steel plates 612 and 613, and the two rollers 611 are attached to both ends thereof as described above. A rain garter 63, which will be described in detail later, is attached to the upper surface of the frame member. Although not shown on the right side of the frame member, the frame member has a symmetrical structure to the left side.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 9, the rail member 14 is
As an example, it is formed by extrusion molding of aluminum and has a uniform substantially C-shaped cross-section along its longitudinal direction. It is firmly fixed to the roof rail 9. The rail member 14 holds the roller 611 of the frame member 61, and the connecting portion between the roller 611 and the frame member 61 engages with the open edge portion of the rail member 14 in cross-sectional view. The rail member 14 also functions as a guide for guiding the sliding movement of the movable panel. 9 shows the structure on the left side in the vehicle traveling direction, the rollers 611 of the frame member 61 are held inside the rail member 14 on the right side as well, and the frame member 61 is supported by the rail members 14 on both the left and right sides. While keeping the state of being held, it is possible to slide smoothly along the rail member 14 in the front-rear direction as the movable panel 4 moves as described above. In FIG. 9, the trim 62 is not shown.

Therefore, since the frame member 61 is not allowed to be displaced with respect to the rail member at least by the amount of the gap existing between the left and right rail members 7 and the left and right rollers 611, the relative relative distance between the frame member 61 and the rail member is increased. The displacement is substantially prevented and the member can function as a strength member, which contributes to improvement in rigidity around the opening. As a result, the left and right roof rails 9, the rear header 11, the left and right front pillars 8, the left and right rear pillars 10, the left and right side sills 13, and the like, contribute to ensuring the rigidity of the entire vehicle body together with the lower structure of the vehicle body.

In opening the roof opening 3 from the closed state, if the occupant performs the opening / closing switch, the movable panel drive unit moves the movable panel 4 rearward so that the roof opening 3 is opened. At that time, the front header 6 integrally moves rearward as the movable panel 4 moves. Therefore, when the roof opening 3 is open, the front header 6 does not exist in the front upper part of the front seat occupant, and in combination with the windshield having the light transmitting property, the occupant cannot obtain the conventional sunroof. You can get a sense of openness. Further, even in the opened state, the frame member 61 of the front header 6 is maintained in the state of being held by the rail member 14 fixed to the left and right roof rails 9 as described above, and therefore acts as a strength member between the left and right roof rails 9. This contributes to ensuring the rigidity of the vehicle body and preventing deformation of the vehicle body especially in the event of a side collision or rollover.

On the other hand, when closing the roof opening in the open state, if the occupant operates the opening / closing switch, the movable panel drive unit moves the movable panel 4 forward so that the roof opening 3 is closed. Become. that time,
The front header 6 integrally moves forward along with the movement of the movable panel 4 to a position below the upper end of the windshield 2. Even in the closed state, it goes without saying that the frame member 61 acts as a strength member between the left and right roof rails 9 and contributes to improving the rigidity of the vehicle body.

Further, referring again to FIG. 7, the front header 6 is provided with a rain garter 63. As described above, the front header 6 is provided with the window when the movable panel 4 closes the roof opening 3, that is, when the movable panel 4 and the windshield 2 are in close contact with each other via the seal member 5. It is located at the upper edge of the shield 2, that is, below the seal member 5. So Rain Garter
The 63 has a shape that is located below the front edge of the movable panel 4 and opens upward so that rainwater and the like that enter from the gap between the seal member 5 and the windshield 2 fall inside thereof. It is configured to discharge the dropped water to the outside of the vehicle through a drainage mechanism (not shown).

In both the first and second embodiments, the front header 6 is not fixed to the movable panel 4 as in the present embodiment, but is movable by being connected to the movable panel drive section. It may be configured to move back and forth in synchronization with the movement of the panel 4.

Further, as described above, in both the first and second embodiments, the windshield 2 is made of glass, as is well known, and the movable panel 4 is also made of glass and is light transmissive. Therefore, when the roof opening 3 is closed, it is possible to collect light from the outside, which contributes to improving the feeling of opening, and the upper edge of the windshield 2 and the front edge of the movable panel 4 are provided on the movable panel 4 side. Directly contacted via the sealed seal member 5, so-called glass toe
It becomes glass, and the part from the windshield to the roof on the outer surface of the vehicle has a continuous shape, which contributes to the improvement of the appearance and aerodynamic performance of the vehicle 1.

The light-transmissive movable panel 4 is not limited to one made of glass, but may be made of resin. Further, the movable panel 4 may not have a light transmitting property, and in that case, it can be formed from a material such as a steel plate or a resin.

(Third Embodiment) A third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. Figure 10 and Figure
11 is an overall perspective view of a vehicle 1 provided with a roof structure according to a second embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 10 showing a closed state of the roof, and FIG. 11 showing an opened state of the roof. The vehicle body structure other than the front header 6, the windshield 2, the movable panel 4, and the movable panel drive unit are all of the same aspect as in the first and second embodiments.

On the other hand, the frame member 61 constituting the front header 6 is different from that of the first and second embodiments, as shown in FIG. 12, which is a sectional view taken along the line DD in FIG. It is fixed by welding or the like between the left and right roof rails 9 at a position spaced a predetermined distance rearward from the upper edge of the windshield 2, that is, at a position substantially outside the field of view of the front seat occupant, and functions as a strength member. Therefore,
In both cases where the movable panel 4 is in a position where the roof opening 3 is opened and where the roof opening 3 is closed, the front header 6 does not enter the view of the front seat occupant, and a feeling of opening is provided. Can be improved. In this case, needless to say, the front header 6 needs to be provided so as not to interfere with the sliding locus of the movable panel 4, and in the present embodiment, the sliding locus of the movable panel 4 is placed inside the vehicle interior. It is provided around.

(Other Embodiments) Still other embodiments can be considered based on the first to third embodiments of the present invention. For example, the movable panel may be configured to be detachable by an occupant's operation from the outside of the vehicle instead of being slidable as in the present embodiment. In that case, the front header is configured to move rearward from the vicinity of the upper edge of the windshield by using a mechanism similar to that of the movable panel drive unit described above, or, as in the second embodiment, the front seat occupant does not. It is fixed by welding or the like between the left and right roof rails at a position substantially outside the field of view.

Further, the front header is made movable as in the first embodiment, and the range of movement is rearward of the upper edge of the windshield, that is, at a position substantially outside the view of the front seat occupant and the roof opening. It may be between the position near the trailing edge. With such a structure, the use of the light-transmissive movable panel allows the front seat occupant to have a feeling of opening regardless of whether the movable panel is open or closed, and the roof opening is completely opened when the roof opening is opened. It can be opened.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a roof closed state of a vehicle including a roof structure according to first and second embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a roof open state of a vehicle having a roof structure according to the first embodiment and the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along the line AA of FIG. 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged perspective view showing the left side of the lock member in the vehicle traveling direction.

5 is a sectional view taken along the line BB of FIG.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an operating state of a latch unit.

FIG. 7 is a sectional view taken along the line AA of FIG. 1 in the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing a left end portion of a frame member.

FIG. 9 is a sectional view taken along the line CC in FIG. 1 according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a roof closed state of a vehicle including a roof structure according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing a roof open state of a vehicle including a roof structure according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

12 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line DD of FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 vehicle 2 windshield 3 Roof opening 4 movable panels 5 Seal member 9 Roof rail 14 Rail member 61 Frame member 63 Rain Garter 71 Engagement part (latch) 72 Engagement part (pin)

Claims (7)

[Claims] 1. A lower structure constituting a lower structure of a vehicle,
Left and right front pillars connected to the lower structure, left and right roof rails connected to the front pillar and extending along both sides of the roof portion of the vehicle, and left and right rear pillars connected to the roof rail and the lower structure. In a vehicle having at least the lower structure, the left and right front pillars, the left and right roof rails, and the left and right rear pillars as a structural member, an opening provided along the front pillar and the roof rail. A windshield having a light-transmitting property, which closes the front part of the opening to define the roof opening in the remaining part of the opening, and a state of closing the roof opening and a state of opening the roof opening. Slides back and forth between and in direct contact with the windshield when in the closed condition A moving panel, a frame member fixed to a surface of the movable panel on the vehicle interior side, and moving integrally with the movable panel, and the frame when the movable panel is in substantially direct contact with the windshield. The frame member is fixed to the roof rail corresponding to each of the position of the member and the position of the frame member when the movable panel is in the state of opening the roof opening, and the frame member is provided between the left and right roof rails. A roof structure for a vehicle, comprising: engaged parts to which both ends of the frame member are engageable so as to act as a strength member. 2. A lower structure constituting a lower structure of a vehicle,
Left and right front pillars connected to the lower structure, left and right roof rails connected to the front pillar and extending along both sides of the roof portion of the vehicle, and left and right rear pillars connected to the roof rail and the lower structure. In a vehicle having at least the lower structure, the left and right front pillars, the left and right roof rails, and the left and right rear pillars as a structural member, an opening provided along the front pillar and the roof rail. A windshield having a light-transmitting property, which closes the front part of the opening to define the roof opening in the remaining part of the opening, and a state of closing the roof opening and a state of opening the roof opening. Slides back and forth between and in direct contact with the windshield when in the closed condition A moving panel, a frame member fixed to a surface of the movable panel on the vehicle interior side, and moving integrally with the movable panel, and provided along the left and right roof rails, respectively, and the frame member is provided between the left and right roof rails. And a rail member that holds both ends of the frame member so as to slide in the front-rear direction while maintaining a state of functioning as a strength member in the vehicle roof structure. 3. A lower structure that constitutes a lower structure of a vehicle,
Left and right front pillars connected to the lower structure, left and right roof rails connected to the front pillar and extending along both sides of the roof portion of the vehicle, and left and right rear pillars connected to the roof rail and the lower structure. In a vehicle having at least the lower structure, the left and right front pillars, the left and right roof rails, and the left and right rear pillars as a structural member, an opening provided along the front pillar and the roof rail. A windshield having a light-transmitting property, which closes the front part of the opening to define the roof opening in the remaining part of the opening, and a state in which the roof opening is closed and a state in which the roof opening is opened. A movable panel that can be taken and is in direct direct contact with the windshield when in the closed state, At least one frame member whose both ends are fixed to the left and right roof rails so as to act as a strength member between the left and right roof rails, and the most forward frame member in the vehicle traveling direction is the frame member. A roof structure for a vehicle that is provided a predetermined distance behind the top of the windshield. 4. A seal member, wherein the windshield and the movable panel are provided on at least one of the windshield and the roof panel when the movable panel is in a state of closing the roof opening. The roof structure for a vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the roof structure is in contact with the roof structure. 5. The frame member is positioned below a front edge of the movable panel when the movable panel is in a state of substantially direct contact with the windshield, and
The roof structure for a vehicle according to any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising a rain garter having an upward groove shape. 6. The vehicle roof structure according to claim 1, wherein the movable panel has a light-transmitting property. 7. A lower structure that constitutes a lower structure of a vehicle,
Left and right front pillars connected to the lower structure, left and right roof rails connected to the front pillar and extending along both sides of the roof portion of the vehicle, and left and right rear pillars connected to the roof rail and the lower structure. In a vehicle having at least the lower structure, the left and right front pillars, the left and right roof rails, and the left and right rear pillars as structural members, an opening provided along the front pillar and the roof rail. A windshield having a light-transmitting property, which closes the front part of the opening to define the roof opening in the remaining part of the opening, and a state in which the roof opening is closed and a state in which the roof opening is opened. The movable roof panel and the left and right roof rails are installed so that they act as strength members between the left and right roof rails. At least one frame member connected in the vehicle width direction, wherein at least the one of the frame members that is most forward in the vehicle traveling direction is the above-mentioned frame member when the movable panel is in a state of opening the roof opening. A vehicle roof structure that is configured to be located a predetermined distance behind the top of the windshield.