KR20080108101A - Roofliner module for motor vehicles - Google Patents

Abstract

A roofliner module forms a pre-fabricated unit, in which a windscreen roller blind assembly is integrated. Depending on the degree of integration, the roofliner module can additionally contain folding sun visors, interior mirrors, lights and switches. ® KIPO & WIPO 2009

Description

Roofliner module for motor vehicles

The present invention relates to a vehicle roof liner module.

To date, the roof liner of a vehicle consists of a rigid foil which is fixed under a metal loop and preformed inside a fabric section or body. The roof liner should aesthetically cover the body structure required to reinforce the body loop. The roof liner extends from the upper edge of the front window to the rear edge of the rear window and from the side loop vertex to the opposite loop vertex. Below the side loop apex, a side window integrated at least in the front area of the door is started.

The general shading plate of the front windshield of the vehicle is fixed separately from the roof liner to the corresponding structural part of the vehicle body. For this purpose, the screw penetrates the sheath forming the roof liner. Integral plastic moldings equipped with switches for the control of glass lifting or sliding sunroofs and switches for remote control, which may optionally be provided, are arranged only in the central area of the roof liner. Rarely, if the inner mirror is not attached to the front windshield, the inner mirror is fixed to the plastic module.

In the light blocking plate disposed in the front windshield, only a predetermined portion may protrude into the driver's field of view according to the vehicle's permissible condition. Therefore, the shading plate is not suitable for preventing the inside of a parked vehicle from insolating. Therefore, when the solar radiation through the front windshield, the inside of the vehicle is heated a lot. A so-called awning is used to hide the front windshield, which is manually fixed using a brace between the instrument panel and the corresponding receptacle of the windshield upper edge. However, this solution is cumbersome and unsatisfactory.

Although much known in the patent specification, roller blinds have not been placed on the front windshield so far for various reasons. One such reason is that it is difficult to integrate the roller blind device into the roof liner for ease of mounting, and the unnecessarily large assembly costs due to the integration raise the price of the vehicle.

In this regard, it is an object of the present invention to provide a roof liner module that facilitates the assembly of an operating unit in the front region of the roof liner.

This object is achieved in accordance with the invention by a roof liner module having the features of claim 1.

The new roof liner module includes a panel having at least an almost rectangular shape. The panel is defined by two long edges and two short edges. One of the two long edges follows the contour of the upper edge of the front window up to two A-columns. The contour of the other edge is much freer and is chosen so that an aesthetically pleasing transition is achieved with the remaining loop liner. Preferably the color of the panel is adapted to the remaining roof liner.

The two side edges, on the other hand, follow the contour of the side loop vertices, the transition line between the side region of the vehicle body and the loop. The short edges reach the transition position between the loop and the two A-columns.

The A-columns of the vehicle are individually covered independent of the roof liner module.

In this way, a support structure is formed which is relatively easy to handle and at the same time used as a visible boundary. In the support structure in the form of a panel, a number of units and modules, which are generally mounted in the vehicle roof liner area, can be visually or invisibly mounted. In particular, it comprises in accordance with the invention a roller blind device mounted to the panel. The roller blind device is preferably arranged in a position covered by the panel itself. In other words, the roller blind device is arranged between the panel of the roof liner module and the actual body loop.

In a vehicle that includes a window in the loop, the length of the loop liner module in a direction parallel to the X-axis of the vehicle may be limited by the edge of the window if the module does not have a suitable opening at the edge of the window. .

The lower side is concavely curved so that the lower side of the panel is integrated into the remaining contours of the roof liner.

Particularly rigid panels are provided when the panel is in the broadest sense almost shell form and consists of an edge or collar starting from the base plate and preferably extending continuously around the entire base. The edges or collars do not have to have the same height in all positions. The dimensions are adjusted according to the respective assembly conditions. In order to prevent friction of the roller blinds of the roller blind device, the collar or the edge is lower, especially in the area of the roller blind device.

When the panel of the roof liner module is made of plastic, ie preferably an integral plastic part, cheap manufacturing conditions are given.

In accordance with the above object, the roof liner module forms a pre-assembled unit together with the parts disposed therein, which unit is mounted to the vehicle when the vehicle is assembled. To this end, a suitable connection device is provided in the panel, which connection device consists of an opening through the set screw for the loop liner module in the simplest case.

The front windshield roller blind device has one or two winding shafts, to which the roller blinds of flexible material are fixed. Whether one or two winding shafts are used depends on the curvature of the front windshield. In the case of large curvature, two winding shafts are used to counteract a too large chordal effect compared to the front windshield. In the case of a flat front windshield, one winding shaft is sufficient, and the winding shaft may have a moderately small distance from the front windshield in the central region.

When using two winding shafts, the roller blind can cover the lower area in the unfolded state so that as small a gap as possible for insolation can be formed in the parked vehicle.

The front windshield roller blind device is preferably provided with a drive device, which drive pre-stresses each winding shaft at least in the direction in which the roller blind is deployed. The drive device is in the simplest case a spring motor formed of a spiral- or coil spring.

The simplest method of operating the front windshield roller blind device is manual operation. For this purpose a hook or eyelet is arranged on the draw rod at the front edge of the roller blind, which hook or eyelet cooperates with the hook or eyelet in the instrument cluster. The withdrawal rod is manually fixed in this position.

Since the front windshield roller blind device is used only in a stationary vehicle, one hook is sufficient because no movement occurs in the stationary vehicle that can undesirably move the front windshield roller blind. .

Depending on the vehicle body shape, it may be considered to mount the guide rails on the A-column to guide the withdrawal rod of each roller blind on at least one side. This can form an electrically actuated front windshield roller blind.

If a common flip-down shading plate is already arranged in the panel, it is preferable in terms of the widest possible preliminary assembly. The flip down shading plate may simply be placed in a panel or may be placed in a recess or pocket. The latter case is preferred because the panel is realized relatively thick due to the mounting of the winding shaft. This provides sufficient space for the light shield plate.

The light shield plate is generally made of a form stable material, but the material is flexible to minimize the risk of injury in a crash.

Lighting devices can be integrated into the panel of the roof liner module. In addition, the panel of the roof liner module can be used as a support for the inner mirror. In this case, the back or top surface of the panel is appropriately reinforced to ensure that the mirror is fixed unsteadily.

In the panel a partition which can be preferably blocked can be integrated. Sunglasses and the like can be stored in the partition.

Improvements of the invention are the subject of the dependent claims.

In the following description of the drawings the basic embodiments of the invention are described. The embodiment can be modified in various ways to suit each situation. In particular, it is shown technically briefly to facilitate understanding of the present invention and not to be difficult due to unnecessary details.

1 is a perspective view partially showing a passenger car comprising a roof liner module according to the invention viewed toward an instrument panel;

2 is an enlarged view of the roof liner module according to FIG. 1.

3 shows a roof liner module according to FIG. 1, taken along line III-III of FIG. 2;

FIG. 1 shows in simplified perspective view the interior of a passenger car 1 viewed from the direction of the removed right door. Instrument panel 2 with steering wheel 3 in front, central console 4 starting under instrument panel 2 in the leg space, and driver's seat and driver's seat next to central console 4 laterally. 6) The part is shown. The instrument panel 2 has an upper surface 7, on which a front window 8 is arranged. The front windshield 9 is arranged in the front window 8.

The front window is defined by a window lower edge located below the upper surface 7 of the instrument panel 2, a window upper edge 10 extending approximately parallel to the window lower edge, and two side edges, Only the side edge 11 of the side edges is shown. The other side edge, which is mirror symmetrical with respect to the side edge 11, is not shown.

The side edge 11 is a component of the A-column 12 and on the right side of the vehicle, another A-column is implemented that is mirror symmetrical to the column. A-column abuts the side window 13 integrated in the door.

A front roof liner module, labeled 14, is disposed above the window upper edge 10, to which the rear loop liner section 15 is connected, which extends to a rear window, not shown.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the roof liner module 14 includes a panel 16 with an integrated front windshield roller blind device 17.

The panel 16 is defined by one long front edge 18, one long rear edge 19 and two short side edges 20, 21. The side edges are immediately adjacent to the side loop vertices 22, where the loop transitions to the side wall. The front edge 18 follows the contour of the window top edge 10, while the rear edge 19 follows the line which is the shortest connection between the two side edges 20, 21 along the curvature of the roof liner. In contrast, the side edges 20, 21 again follow the body shape in the region between the top end of the A-column 12 and the start of the roof liner 15 or the roof liner module 14.

Depending on the vehicle body shape, the panel 16 has a trapezoidal shape with nearly rectangular or slightly curved sides.

The panel 16 is embodied in a shell form and includes a base 23, with a collar 24 protruding upwards around the edge of the base.

Since all sides of the collar 24 are closed, the collar is used as a reinforcement for the base 23 at the same time. The visible side of the base forms the lower side of panel 16 in relation to FIG. 3.

As shown, the base 23 and the collar 24 consist of a relatively thin walled integral plastic molded part, which is reinforced by appropriate braces and bars as required to obtain the required rigidity.

The measures required to connect the roof liner module 14 to the vehicle body are not shown in the schematic, because the measures are specific to each shape. In order to mount and secure the roof liner module 14 to the roof of the vehicle body from the inside of the vehicle body, a connection device is provided.

When the light blocking plates 27 and 28 are in the parking position, two recesses or pockets 25 and 26 which receive them are arranged side by side in front of the driver's seat 5 and the passenger seat 6 in the base 23. The light shielding plates 27 and 28 are general rigid foamed parts with corresponding contours, and in some cases mirrors and lighting devices can be arranged therein, as known in the prior art.

The light shielding plate 27 is connected to the panel 16 in a rotatable and pivotable manner through a rotary hinge 29. The rotary hinge 29 is fixed to the base 32 of the pocket 25 by the flange plate 31.

As shown, the pocket 25 has a shape that matches the circumferential contour of the light shielding plate 27.

For the light shielding plate 28 a corresponding rotatable and pivotable fixture in the form of a rotary hinge 33 fixed in the pocket 26 is provided.

The depth of the pocket 25 corresponds to the gap needed to allow the fingers to grab and turn the light blocking plates 27 and 28 plus the thickness of each of the light blocking plates 27 and 28.

The rotatable hinges 29, 33 can pivot each of the light shielding plates 27, 28 approximately parallel to the window upper edge 10 about the horizontal axis, and also rotate the light shielding plates 27, 28 pivoted down. The downward pivoting shading plates 27, 28 can be rotated about a vertical axis to move in front of the side window 13 next to the A-column 12.

Also, on the visible side of the base 23, an arm 34 is connected to the panel 16. The free end of the arm 34 supports the inner mirror 35 by a ball-and-socket joint. In addition, in the panel 16, the lighting devices 36, 37, 38 of the interior lighting system of the vehicle 1 are integrated. As shown by way of example for the lighting device 36, the lighting device comprises a housing 39, which is inserted into a corresponding opening in the base 23 of the panel 16. The electrical connection for the lighting device 36 is schematically shown at 40. Two switches 41 schematically shown for the manipulation of the lighting devices 36, 37, 38 are inserted into the base 23 of the panel 16. The switches can be operated from the position sitting on the driver's seat 5 and the passenger seat 6.

Two winding shafts 42 are each rotatably supported next to the long edges 18 in the inner chamber defined by the shell form of the panel 16. 3, only the left one of the two winding shafts 42 included in the roller blind device 17 is shown in FIG. 3. In FIG. 2 the left winding shaft is shown in dashed lines, because the shaft is obscured by panel 16 when viewed from the driver's field of view. The winding shaft 42 is freely rotatably supported in a known manner between the consoles suitably fixed to the panel 16 or integrally formed with the panel. Consoles of this type are well known and therefore not shown in detail.

One edge of the flexible roller blind 43 is fixed to the tubular winding shaft 42, and the movable free edge of the roller blind is connected to the withdrawal rod 44. The lead rod 44 includes a hook 45 that can hook the lead rod to a corresponding eyelet, not shown, on the upper surface 7 of the instrument panel 2. An actuation tab 46 is also connected to the draw rod 44, and the actuation tab 46 can be grasped with one hand to operate the draw rod 44 and to unfold the roller blind 43.

In order to wind the roller blind 43 back to the winding shaft 42, a spring motor 47 is arranged in a known manner inside the winding shaft. The spring motor 47 is for example formed of a coil spring, one end of which is fixed in the tubular winding shaft 42 in a known manner, while the opposite end is connected to the bearing console for the winding shaft 42. It is fixed so as not to rotate. The winding shaft 42 is prestressed in the winding direction of the roller blind 43 by the spring motor 47.

In order to allow the roller blind 43 to unfold preferably, the front edge 18 of the panel 16 ends properly spaced from the front windshield 9 as shown in FIG. A gap 48 may be formed between 9) and the front edge 18.

The gap 48 may extend over the entire width of the front edge 18 depending on the formation of the front windshield roller blind device 17, or when two winding shafts 42 are used as shown. It can be divided into two sections.

If the front windshield 9 has a curvature, it may be contemplated to use one continuous winding shaft instead of two winding shafts 42 or the curved winding shaft as known in the art. Use may be considered.

In addition, one guide rail 49 may be arranged in each of the two A-columns 12, and the associated end of the lead-out rod 44 is guided to the guide rail. The front windshield roller blind device 17 can be electrically operable when the guide rail 49 is provided in the A-column 12 or in its inner lining.

The assembly of the device is as follows:

After manufacture of the panel 16, the panel is first equipped with lighting devices 36, 37, 38 and a switch 41. The electrical devices are wired together and a connection cable is provided for connecting the electrical components to the vehicle electrical system. Subsequently, the rotary hinges 29, 33 are fixed in structural positions on the panel 16. Each of the rotary hinges 29 and 33 may be first equipped with flip-down light blocking plates 27 and 28. In the case where the flip-down shading plates 27 and 28 comprise reflective makeup mirrors, the lighting device can further be connected to existing wiring. For this purpose the cable extends through the rotary hinge 29 or 33 in a known manner. Therefore, the cable is not visible from the outside and is not damaged.

Next, the winding shaft 42 on which the spring motor 47 and the roller blind 43 were first mounted can be assembled to the panel 16. In addition, an inner mirror 35 is mounted to the arm 31.

In this way, since the pre-assembled module 14 comprises a plurality of operating units, the operating units no longer need to be individually mounted to the roof liner.

The module 14 thus provided and fully mounted is secured entirely under the vehicle body roof during vehicle manufacture. Subsequently or first the remaining roof liner section 15 is mounted. The assembly of the entire module 14 in the vehicle is complete after the connection of the electrical system.

In the assembled state, the roof liner module 14 extends from the side loop vertex 22 to the opposite loop vertex as shown in FIG. 1, ie the module extends over the entire loop width.

The device according to the invention forms a space in which the window roller blind device is easily assembled, in particular aesthetically unobtrusive. Without the solution according to the invention, each part must be assembled separately and it may be necessary to fasten the roof liner under the wiper shaft after mounting the winding shaft.

The user can operate the light shielding plate, the inner mirror, and the lighting device as conventionally.

If the vehicle is parked in daylight and strong solar radiation through the front window 8 is to be prevented, the user grasps the tab 46 on the window roller blind in question and the draw rod 44 with the roller blind fixed thereto. Pull down using tab 46. At the bottom of the withdrawal movement, the hook 45 is fixed to the corresponding eyelet, not shown, on the upper surface 7 of the instrument panel 2.

In FIG. 1, the roller blind 43 is completely pulled in front of the driver's seat 5 and the driver's seat 6. This substantially shields the front window 8. Only a narrow gap between the two roller blinds 43 and a gap between the adjacent edge and the side edge 11 of the roller blind 43 remain. Through this, the amount of incident radiation is small and the internal space cannot be heated much. Heating takes place substantially by heat conduction through the bodywork structure. The greenhouse effect due to solar radiation through the front windshield is prevented.

To refold each roller blind 43, the user releases the hook 45 again and manually pulls out the draw rod 44. The spring motor 47 winds the roller blind 43 on the winding shaft 42. The winding is terminated when the withdrawal rod hits the stopper, which is arranged on panel 16 and provided for this purpose.

The roof liner module forms a prefabricated unit incorporating the front windshield roller blind device. In addition, the roof liner module may further include flip-down shading plates, internal mirrors, lighting devices and switches, depending on the degree of integration.

Claims (23)

As a roof liner module 14 for a roof liner of a vehicle 1, in particular a passenger car, the front of the roof liners 14, 15 are defined by the upper edge 10 of the front window 8 and the side windows 13. The loop liner module 14 is defined by at least nearly trapezoidal or rectangular shape 23, defined by two long edges and two short edges 18, 19, 20, 21. And a front windshield roller blind device (17) mounted to the panel (16), The edge 18 of one of the long edges approximately follows the contour of the upper edge 10 of the front window 8 of the vehicle 1 and extends to near the roof side edge, The other long edge 19 extends at least partially almost straight, extending to near the loop side edge, The two short edges (20, 21) follow the contour of the loop lateral edge in the region between at least almost two long edges (18, 19). 2. The panel (16) according to claim 1, wherein the panel (16) is at least substantially shell shaped and consists of a base (23) and an edge or collar (24) starting from the base (23), the edge or collar being in an assembled state up The roof liner module, characterized in that the base (23) is facing the interior of the vehicle (1). 2. The roof liner module of claim 1 wherein the panel is a plastic molded part. 2. The roof liner module of claim 1 wherein the panel is an integral plastic molded part. The roof liner module of claim 1 wherein the roof liner module is a preassembled unit. The roof liner module according to claim 1, wherein the roof liner module extends near the transition point between the vehicle roof and the A-column (12) of the roof in a mounted state. The windshield roller blind device (17) according to claim 1, wherein the front windshield roller blind device (17) comprises one or two winding shafts (42), the longitudinal axis of which is an elongated edge (18) adjacent the front window (8). A loop liner module characterized in that extends parallel to the. The windshield roller blind device (17) according to claim 1, wherein the front windshield roller blind device (17) comprises a drive device (47), by which the winding shaft (42) is wound at least by the front windshield roller blind device (17). Loop liner module, characterized in that rotated in the direction. 8. The roller according to claim 7, wherein the front windshield roller blind device (17) comprises one preferably flexible roller blind (43) per winding shaft (42) and is movable in front of the front window (8). Loop liner module, characterized in that the withdrawal rod (44) is assigned to the edge of the blind. 10. The hook or eyelet (45) according to claim 9, characterized in that the lead rod (44) comprises a hook or eyelet (45) capable of securing the lead rod (44) to a suitable hook or eyelet in the front windshield lower edge area. Roof liner module. The roof liner module according to claim 1, wherein a guide rail 49 is integrated in at least one of the regions of the A-column 12, and at least one end of the lead rod 44 is guided in the guide rail. . A roof liner module according to claim 1, characterized in that the panel (16) is supported by pivotable and rotatable light shielding plates (27, 28). 13. The roof liner module according to claim 12, wherein the fixing part of the corresponding light shield plate (27, 28) is disposed adjacent to each short edge (20, 21). 13. The roof liner module of claim 12, wherein the roof liner module includes recesses 25, 26 that at least approximately match the shape of the light shielding plates 27, 28 for installation of the light shielding plates 27, 28, wherein the recesses The roof liner module, characterized in that accommodates when the light shield plate (27, 28) is not used. 13. The roof liner module according to claim 12, wherein the light blocking plates (27, 28) are made of a form stable material. The roof liner module according to claim 1, wherein lighting devices (36, 37, 38) are integrated in the panel (16). 17. The roof liner module according to claim 16, wherein the lighting devices (36, 37, 38) comprise at least three lighting elements. The roof liner module according to claim 1, wherein at least one button or switch 41 is arranged on the panel 16 to control at least one electronic and / or electrical component of the vehicle 1. . The loop liner module of claim 1, wherein the transmit- and / or receive device is integrated. 2. The roof liner module according to claim 1, wherein an inner mirror (35) is mounted on the panel (16). The roof liner module according to claim 1, wherein the panel (16) preferably comprises a closureable partition. As a vehicle 1, in particular a passenger car with roof liners 14, 15, the front of the roof liner is defined by the upper edge 10 of the vehicle front window 8, the side is defined by the roof side edges and The roof liner 14, 15 consists of two sections, and the area adjacent the vehicle front window 8 is formed of the roof liner module 15 according to claim 1. Vehicle characterized in that the. 23. Components 43 of the front windshield roller blind device 17 according to claim 22, in particular as a passenger car with roof liners 14, 15, between the roof liner 14 and the front window 8 A gap (48) for the passage of the vehicle.

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