RU2435679C2 - Retractable element of car roof - Google Patents

Abstract

FIELD: transportation. ^ SUBSTANCE: invention refers to a car (1) with passenger cabin (10). The car (1) features left roof railing (11a) and right roof railing (11b) as top finish of respective cabin side structure. Retractable roof element (16) is provided between left and right roof railings (11a, 11b). The roof element (16) runs along car (1) width in the area between left and right roof railings (11a, 11b) and retracts vertically upwards so as to shift from closed horizontal to open horizontal position and increase effective volume of cabin (10). Front transversal part (18) is located between left and right roof railings (11a, 11b) along movement direction in front of retractable roof element (16), and spoiler (19) for deflection of oncoming air flow is located between part (18) and retractable element (16). Spoiler (19) is connected pivotally to front transversal part (18) and/or to retractable roof element (16), and shifts together with element (16) by rotation during upward movement of retractable element (16) from closed to open position. ^ EFFECT: improved cabin enlargement on the run. ^ 8 cl, 4 dwg

Description

The present invention relates to cars with a passenger compartment, and the cars have left and right roof rails as the upper end of the corresponding side structure of the body, and a retractable roof element is formed between the left and right rails.

In general, cars are known having a retractable roof element, the purpose of which is to obtain an enlarged passenger compartment. Such an enlarged cabin is required, for example, when parking, when passengers in the cabin are free to move or even get up.

Such vehicles are referred to as minibuses, which do not belong to the cars considered here and are generally equipped with equipment for car tourism.

From DE 10302749 A1 there is known a roof for a passenger car of this kind, which has an opening overlapped by a rigid roof element, which with its trailing edge can be raised around the front transverse axis of the car to an extended position. In this case, the roof element extends in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle from approximately the front fairing over the windshield to at least the supporting surface of the rear seatbacks, which are approximately vertically elongated upward. To move the roof from a closed position to an open one, it can be rotated around a hinge located in the area of the fairing in the front zone above the windshield, so that for passengers in the inside of the body behind the front seats there may be more freedom for the head, but in the rear zone of the car only a slight increase in space is achieved. Only due to the rotation of the roof element around the front axle in the area of the windshield there is no worthy mention of the increase in the cabin. Thus, the problem underlying the invention should be solved here - to create more space in the car in the area of the rear seats. A general increase in the passenger compartment, which also extends to and above the front seats, is not possible with the help of the well-known roof for passenger cars.

Therefore, the objective of this invention is to create a passenger car with a lifting roof, through which it is possible to increase the interior during the trip.

This problem, based on a passenger car with a lifting roof, is solved according to the restrictive part of paragraph 1 of the claims in combination with its distinguishing features. Other preferred embodiments of the invention are set forth in the dependent claims.

The technical essence of the invention lies in the fact that the roof element in the area between the left and right roof rails extends across the width of the car and can be moved vertically upward by lifting movement so that it falls from a horizontal closed position to a horizontal open position in order to increase the storage space for baggage in the cabin.

If the roof moves from a horizontal closed position to a horizontal open position, the roof element performs a parallel lifting movement in the vertical direction without turning in its hinge. Due to this parallel lifting movement, the interior is enlarged over the entire base area of the roof element, and the corresponding horizontal open and closed positions are understood in such a way that the roof does not incline, rotate or rotate, but performs only a lifting movement similar to a lifting platform without changing its horizontal position. It is only thanks to this plane-parallel lifting movement that it is possible to carry out an effective increase in the cabin, and this increase is manifested not only in the enlarged area for the head above the row of rear seats of the car, but also in the front area of the lifting roof, the same height difference can be used as an increased cabin. In this case, the roof extends from the left side to the right side body structure, and the roof rails form the upper end of the side body structures. The roof rails are formed by roof braces, which can also consist of reinforcing metal sheets or the like, force-sensing elements. In this case, the roof rails pass between the side structures of the body in the area of D-pillars (additional rear pillars) from the left to the right sides of the car, so that, for example, a rear door can be attached in this area. In any case, roof rails describe the upper stiffness frame of a car, which remains after removing the outer skin of the body. Due to the implementation of the roof element for approximately the entire width of the car, a maximum increase in the interior can be achieved by sliding the roof element.

A preferred embodiment of the invention provides that the body structure comprises at least A (front), B (middle), C (rear) and / or D (additional rear) pillars, and the roof element extends in the longitudinal direction of the passenger car from at least B-racks to D-racks. Due to the passage of the roof element, which can perform the same rise along the entire length in the longitudinal direction, the increase in space in the cabin can be maximized. Since, according to the invention, the rising roof element starts above the B-pillars, an increase in the cabin above the level of the head is achieved already above the front seats.

Preferably, the upper rear region of the car body is bounded by the rear door, wherein the roof element in the closed position is adjacent to the upper region of the rear door and together with it forms the completion of the outer skin of the car. The execution of the roof element is such that it in the closed position ends with the upper edge of the rear door and forms a smooth transition of the outer skin of the body. At the same time, the roof element is completed by the rear door of the car, taking into account the corresponding gap value, while in the region of the rear side windows, which are located between the C-pillar and the D-pillar, the roof element has a laterally oriented downward inclined region that extends deeper than the rear car door. Thus, in particular, the roof element is adapted to the contour of the car in the area of roof rails, i.e. in the upper lateral structures of the body, as well as in the rear region. The roof element may comprise a steel sheet or consist of a composite material, for example, fiberglass or carbon fiber material. Further, there is the possibility that the roof has a multicomponent structure, so that the roof element, for example, has a roof upholstery element in which, from the passenger compartment, lighting devices or the like can be arranged.

One other exemplary embodiment of the present invention provides that between the left and right roof rails in the direction of movement in front of the roof element passes the front transverse part, and between it and the roof element is a spoiler. This spoiler is pivotally connected to the front transverse part and / or to the roof element, and by means of the lifting movement of the roof element from the closed position to the open position, the spoiler moves with it due to the pivoting movement. The spoiler has the function of a fairing or aerodynamic means, since the roof element can be moved to the appropriate position during the movement of the car or the car will start moving with at least the open roof element. In the extended position of the roof element, a vertical open area arises between it and the roof railing, into which an incoming air stream penetrates when the car moves. Therefore, it is required to provide a spoiler in the front region of the roof element in the direction of the windshield, which is integrated into the roof plane in the closed position of the roof element and is turned obliquely upward in the open position of the roof element. Therefore, a swivel joint is required between the spoiler and the front cross member, as well as between the spoiler and the roof element. For proper kinematics, the articulation between the spoiler and the front cross member or the rest of the car roof can have a linear guide in the front region of the roof element, so that the articulation can follow it when lifting the roof element. If now the roof element is moved to the open position, then below the spoiler turned upward, additional space with a volume of, for example, 14 liters is formed, while a volume of about 200 liters can form under the roof element. Thus, with the help of a retractable roof element in the cabin, additional space can be useful for transporting large people or objects when the car is ready to move with the open roof element. For this, the roof element can change the corresponding position, i.e. move from open to closed and back, even while driving.

According to one preferred development of the present invention, it is provided that at least between the roof element and the left and right roof rails and / or in the area of the rear door is provided a protective device comprising a tarpaulin or textile structure. It can be made, like a truck awning, and be waterproofed between the roof element and the roof railing. If the roof element is now in the open position, the protective device is pulled between the roof element and the roof railing and forms a side or otherwise circumferential wall. If, on the contrary, the roof element is closed, then the protective device is folded into the space provided for this (camera), and this device is not visible either from the passenger compartment or from the outside of the car. The device protects both from humidity or dampness, and from the flow of oncoming air, so that neither humidity nor wind can get into the cabin. Additionally, it may be provided that between the roof element and the roof railing an additional sealing means is provided that seals the roof element in the closed position.

According to another preferred embodiment of the present invention, it is provided that raising the roof element from the closed position to the open corresponds to a vertical movement of 50 to 400 mm, preferably 100 to 300 mm, particularly preferably 200 mm. To perform the lifting movement, the roof element is moved vertically with the help of a lifting device, and this lifting device is located between the roof element and the roof railing and has an electric drive, and the roof element moves in the horizontal position throughout the entire rise. The lifting device includes an electric drive and a mechanical part connected to it, for example, in the form of a screw-nut system or other mechanism producing linear motion in the vertical direction. According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a crank mechanism is provided at respective corner points of the quadrangular roof, which makes it possible to achieve the same vertical lifting movement. If the electric drive is switched on, the cranked levers move to the corresponding angular position in order to lift, for example, by 200 mm. To move the roof element from open to closed position, one revolution in the direction of rotation of the electric drive is sufficient, moreover, the screw-nut system can be self-braking, so that its locking using the corresponding element may be required only as an additional option.

Other measures that improve the invention are given in the dependent claims or are presented below together with a description of preferred embodiments of the invention based on the drawings, on which:

figa is a first perspective view of a car with a roof element according to the invention in the open position;

fig.1b is a second perspective view of the roof element of a car according to figa;

figure 2 is a perspective view of a car with a spoiler and a lifting device for actuating the roof element according to the invention;

figure 3 is a perspective view of a car with a closed roof element according to the invention.

The car 1 shown in FIGS. 1a and 1b is shown in FIG. 1a in a perspective view from the front, and in FIG. 1b in a perspective view from the rear. The passenger car 1 is laterally limited by the so-called lateral body structures, which in the upper final region at the level of the head line in the passenger car consist of or form left and right roof rails 11a and 11b. Depending on the model of car 1 and the number of doors, the length of rails 11a and 11b in the direction of movement is limited in front by the A-rack 12 and then goes through the B-rack 13 and C-rack 14 to the roof railing of the D-rack 15, limiting from the rear. Between left and right with a railing 11a and 11b on top of the passenger car 1, a roof element 16 according to the invention is fixed, which can move in the vertical direction. The magnitude of the roof element 16 is such that it starts approximately at the level of the B-pillar 13 and extends to the rear door 17 and ends in a closed position flush with it to form a continuous outer skin of the body. In front, in the direction of movement, the roof element 16 first passes to the spoiler 19, the spoiler 19 being pivotally located between the roof element 16 and the front transverse part 18 of the car roof. In the closed position of the roof element 16, the spoiler 19 is also located flat in the plane of the roof. If the roof element 16 moves vertically upward to a horizontal open position, the spoiler 19 is rotated into an inclined position in which it can function as a fairing, since the roof element 16 can even move from the closed position to the open and is exposed to an incoming air stream.

Between the roof element 16 and the roof rail 11a and 11b, a protective device 20 is provided having a tarpaulin or textile structure. It is tensioned in accordance with figa and 1b between the roof element 16 and rails 11a, 11b, as well as the rear door 17, so that the textile or canvas material is stretched into a flat surface. However, if the roof element 16 is moved to the closed position, the protective device 20 is folded in such a way that it is invisibly placed between the roof element 16 and the rails 11a, 11b. The material of the protective device 20 may correspond to the convertible top of the convertible, which also can be folded into the folding top box provided for this.

Figure 2 shows a passenger car 1 with the location of the roof element 16 according to the invention, the element 16 itself being removed for a better image of the remaining components. Figure 2 shows that the passenger car 1 has an opening located on the roof side, which opens the passenger compartment 10. Thus, the roof element (not shown here) forms the completion (final element) of the passenger compartment 10 located on the roof side. The opening in the roof of the passenger vehicle 1 extends from the front transverse part 18 or the spoiler 19 to the rear door 17. On the side, the opening is limited by the left and right rails 11a and 11b. In other words, the opening in the longitudinal direction of the car passes approximately from the B-pillar 13 through the C-pillar 14 to the D-pillar 15, and a notch is created in front so that the spoiler 19 can be recessed into the roof plane and only in the extended position of the roof element 16 tilts under angle of attack, as shown in figure 2. To perform the lifting movement of the roof element, a lifting device 21 is provided, which according to the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 2 comprises crank-and-link elements driven, for example, by a screw-nut system. Thus, it is possible to provide, respectively, inside the left and right rails 11a, 11b, an electric drive that drives the lead screw. The spoiler 19 is located inside the front transverse part 18 of the roof of the car 1 in a hinged receiving element, and this receiving element can be moved in the direction of movement of the car 1 to provide the appropriate kinematics for tracking when extending the roof element. Thus, the spoiler 19 inside the plane of the normal roof can also be sunk in the horizontal closed position of the roof element and, due to the corresponding movement, occupy an inclined position in which the hinged connection of the spoiler 19 with the roof element moves in the vertical direction, and the hinged connection of the spoiler 19 with the front transverse part 18 performs horizontal movement.

Figure 3 shows a passenger car 1 with a roof element 16 according to the invention in the closed position. To illustrate the size-to-length ratios, the image also shows A-pillar 12, B-pillar 13, C-pillar 14 and D-pillar 15, with the D-pillar 15 adjacent to the rear door 17. In particular, FIG. 3 shows the position spoiler 19 in the closed position of the roof element 16. Spoiler 19 is also located flat in the plane of the roof between the front transverse part 18 and the roof element 16. Thereby, the goal is achieved that the passenger car 1 with the retracted roof element 16 does not have aerodynamic imperfections and does not substantially optically differ from a traditional passenger car with a rigid or solid and, therefore, vertically non-moving roof.

The invention in its implementation is not limited to the presented preferred examples. On the contrary, you can come up with many options that can find application in the execution, fundamentally different from the presented solutions.

List of Reference Items

1 - car

10 - salon

11 - roof railing

12 - A-pillar

13 - B-pillar

14 - C-pillar

15 - D-rack

16 - roof element

17 - back door

18 - front transverse part

19 - spoiler

20 - protective device

21 - lifting device

Claims (8)

1. A passenger car (1) with a passenger compartment (10), the passenger car (1) having a left roof railing (11a) and a right roof railing (11b) as a completion of the corresponding side structure of the body, and between the left and right roof rails (11a) , 11b) a retractable roof element (16) is made, which in the region between the left and right roof rails (11a, 11b) extends across the width of the car (1) and is made to extend vertically upward by lifting movement in such a way that it moves from horizontal closed position I am in a horizontal open position to increase the useful volume of the passenger compartment (10), and between the left and right roof rails (11a, 11b) in the direction of movement in front of the sliding element (16) of the roof is the front transverse part (18), and between it and the sliding a spoiler (19) for deflecting an incoming air stream, which is pivotally connected to the front transverse part (18) and / or to the sliding element (16) of the roof, the spoiler (19) by lifting movement of the sliding element (16) roof from closed I'm in an open position moves with it due to the rotary movement. 2. Passenger car (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the side structure of the body has at least an A-pillar (12), a B-pillar (13) and a C-pillar (14) or a D-pillar ( 15) and that the roof element (16) in the longitudinal direction of the car (1) extends from at least the B-pillar (13) to the C-pillar (14), and preferably to the D-pillar (15). 3. A passenger car (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the upper rear region of the passenger car (1) is limited by a rear door (17) that is rotatable upward and that the roof element (16) in the closed position adjoins the upper rear region door (17) and together with it forms the completion of the outer skin of the car. 4. Passenger car (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that at least between the roof element (16) and the left and right roof rails (11a, 11b) and / or in the area of the rear door (17) is provided device (20), including a canvas and / or textile structure. 5. Passenger car (1) according to claim 4, characterized in that the protective device (20) in the open position of the roof element (16) is stretched between it and the roof rails (11a, 11b), and in the closed position it is folded between the roof rails ( 11a, 11b) and the roof element (16) to an invisible position outside the vehicle (1) and from the passenger compartment (10). 6. The passenger car (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the roof element (16) during the movement of the passenger car (1) is configured to be moved from the retracted to the extended position or the passenger car (1) is configured to start moving, at least in the open position of the roof element (16). 7. Passenger car (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the rise of the roof element (16) from the closed position to the open position corresponds to a vertical movement of 50-400 mm, preferably 100-300 mm, particularly preferably 200 mm. 8. A passenger car (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the roof element (16) can be vertically moved by means of a lifting device (21), this device being located between the roof element (16) and the roof railing (11) and has electric drive, and the roof element (16) throughout the rise moves in a horizontal position.

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