WO2019145233A1

WO2019145233A1 - Side frame of a roof assembly for a vehicle roof

Info

Publication number: WO2019145233A1
Application number: PCT/EP2019/051278
Authority: WO
Inventors: Thomas Schütt; Sebastian Gering
Original assignee: Webasto SE
Priority date: 2018-01-29
Filing date: 2019-01-18
Publication date: 2019-08-01
Also published as: DE102018000661A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a side frame of a roof assembly for a vehicle roof, comprising an outside fastening section (10) for fastening to a vehicle roof frame (7) and an inside bearing section (11) for a roof component, wherein the side frame (2) can deform to absorb the impact energy of a colliding object, characterized in that the bearing section (11) and/or the fastening section (10) and/or an intermediate section is formed with a wall thickness or spatial structure such that a deformation region (15) assigned to the colliding object (17) is provided on the bearing section (11) and/or on the fastening section (10) or the intermediate section.

Description

Side frame of a roof assembly of a vehicle roof

The invention relates to a side frame of a roof assembly of a vehicle roof, which has an outside fastening portion for fixing to a vehicle roof frame and an inside bearing portion for a roof component, wherein the side frame for absorbing impact energy of a colliding object is deformable.

From EP 2 664 473 B1, a generic side frame of a vehicle sliding roof has become known which has, viewed in the transverse direction, side by side a first outer section and an inner second section. The first outer portion is provided for attachment of the side frame to the vehicle roof frame and includes inwardly a guide channel for supporting a movable sunroof cover. The inner section has z. B. on a mounting channel and a wheelchair guide. Conveniently, the side frame is made of an extruded aluminum profile, wherein the wall thickness of the first outer portion is thicker than the wall thickness of the second inner portion. At least a portion of the inner second portion is pivotally disposed along a weak point on the second portion with respect to the first portion to absorb impact energy from a colliding object such as the head of a vehicle occupant. The vulnerability extends linearly along the side frame, so that the inner second portion deforms in its entirety around this vulnerability. At the

Weak point can form a sharp edge when deformation of the inner second section, which may involve a risk of injury.

The invention has for its object to provide a Seitenrahmen mentioned above, which is improved in terms of its deformation for receiving Aufpral- energy.

This object is achieved according to the invention in the case of the aforementioned side frame in that the bearing section and / or the fastening section and / or an intermediate section is formed with such a wall thickness or spatial structure that the bearing section and / or the fastening section or the intermediate section is provided to the colliding object associated deformation area.

Advantageous embodiments of the invention are specified in the dependent claims.

Such a deformation region deforms in such a way that sharp edges or the like on the side frame can largely or completely be avoided, which otherwise can represent a greater risk of injury to a person unintentionally bouncing on the side frame, in particular with a head impact.

The deformation region is provided or formed on the bearing section and / or the fastening section or also on an intermediate section between the bearing section and the fastening section. The deformation region may extend continuously in the longitudinal direction of the side frame or be arranged interrupted. A plurality of differently shaped deformation regions, in particular with different deformation properties, can be used in the longitudinal direction as well as in the transverse direction of the side frame or the bearing section and / or the fastening section or also the intermediate section. be provided section. The intermediate section can contain partial regions of the bearing section and / or the fastening section or it is formed as a separate section between the bearing section and the fastening section.

Any deformation or yielding of the deformation region structure may serve to absorb impact energy of a colliding object.

The side frame with the bearing portion and the attachment portion and optionally with the intermediate portion is preferably made of metal and in particular of an aluminum extruded profile.

The bearing section can be provided for bearing, guiding or fastening a cover of an openable vehicle roof, a permanently attached cover or else a cover as well as a roller blind or a sliding headliner. The storage section may also form or contain a gully.

The roof subassembly expediently represents a sliding roof and the bearing section contains or forms a guide or a guide rail for a sliding roof cover.

A lid for closing and at least partially releasing the roof opening is any roof element that can take over this function regardless of its shape or design. Such a roof element, for example, a transparent glass lid or plastic lid, may be attached to the frame and bearing parts or molded.

According to a preferred embodiment, it is provided that the deformation region is formed by a corner region, in particular as a protruding fold or groove, between the bearing section and the fastening section and that, during object impact on the bearing section, the fold or groove is approached by mutual approach deformed both gutter walls. The folding or gutter, in particular outward or downward in the Passenger compartment protrudes, is retained even with deformation with a rounded outer profile, so that no sharp edges.

According to a further preferred embodiment, provision is made for the deformation region to be formed by at least one areal weakening zone of the bearing section and the weakened zone to be deformed in the region of the object impact onto the otherwise positionally stable bearing section. The area weakening zone can be z. B. deform as a concave depression or indentation in the bearing section. Sharp edges are avoided.

In accordance with a further preferred embodiment, it is provided that the deformation region is formed by a double or multiple wide fold between the bearing section and the fastening section and that the folds deform and move against each other during the impact of the object on the bearing section and in particular tear. The double or multiple folding of the wall or of a web of the bearing section or of the fastening section or of an intermediate section can offer improved deformability.

In accordance with a further preferred embodiment, it is provided that the deformation region is formed by a hollow chamber wall between the bearing section and the fastening section and that the hollow chamber walls can deform and break, in particular, as a result of fold formation during object impact on the bearing section on weakening lines or zones of weakness.

In accordance with a further preferred embodiment, it is provided that the deformation region is formed by a hollow chamber wall between the bearing section and the fastening section, wherein the outer hollow chamber wall has a greater resistance to deformation than the inner hollow chamber wall, and that in the case of deforming or yielding displacing due to impact of the bearing portion, the inner hollow chamber wall deforms more than the outer hollow chamber wall. In accordance with a further preferred embodiment, it is provided that the deformation region is formed by a honeycomb structure between the bearing section and the fastening section, and the honeycomb structure is deformed during the impact of the object on the bearing section, in particular under compression.

Expediently, the deformation region is formed by a hollow chamber wall between the bearing section and the fastening section, wherein the outer hollow chamber wall has a weakened zone and the inner hollow chamber wall is connected to the fastening section at an angle forming a corner. In the case of deformation-induced deformation or yielding displacement of the bearing section, the outer hollow chamber wall ruptures at the weakening zone, while the inner hollow chamber wall deforms at the corner and pivots about the corner. The inner hollow chamber wall can have a weakening zone in the region of the corner, which facilitates pivoting and, in particular, predetermines the region of pivoting.

According to a further preferred embodiment, it is provided that the deformation region is formed by a hollow chamber wall between the bearing section and the fastening section and the two hollow chamber walls are formed in a channel-like or v-shaped cross-section and are arranged next to one another and impact on the object during impact Deformation deforming bearing section wrinkles, especially tear.

Basically, the hollow chamber walls of the deformation regions of the embodiments described above are formed with such rigidity that the respective bearing section is held in normal operation with sufficient strength and no deformation occurs. Furthermore, the deformation region with a hollow chamber wall can also be designed in such a way that an increase in the rigidity is nevertheless achieved with sufficient deformability. On the other hand, a design of the deformation areas with hollow chamber walls can also be achieved with reduced wall thicknesses Deformation resistance can be achieved. In this way, a weight saving can be achieved in the side frame according to the invention.

Such deformation areas or hollow chamber walls can accordingly be designed specifically with regard to deformation when certain loads or impact forces occur, and certain deformation areas can also be formed over the length of the side frame as well as over certain sections of the side frame. Conveniently, it can be provided that the bearing section pivots in the deformation of the deformation region with respect to the fastening section without its own deformation or deformation of its shape. This can be z.

B. by appropriate design of the strengths or the deformation capabilities of the deformation range and the bearing section can be achieved.

The above-mentioned embodiments can be provided individually on a side frame according to the invention as well as in any desired combinations. The invention will be explained in more detail on the basis of exemplary embodiments of the invention according to side frames with reference to the drawing. It shows:

1 is a perspective view of a left half of a sliding roof unit of an openable vehicle roof with a left sliding roof side frame for supporting a sliding roof cover (not shown).

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the side frame attached to a vehicle roof frame in a first embodiment; FIG. Fig. 2a is a cross-sectional view of the side frame of Fig. 2 with a deformed frame or bearing portion after an impact of a vehicle occupant; 3 shows a cross-sectional view of the side frame in a second embodiment;

Fig. 3a is a cross-sectional view of the side frame of Fig. 3 with a deformed frame or bearing portion after impact of a vehicle occupant;

4 shows a cross-sectional view of the side frame in a third embodiment; 4a in a cross-sectional view of the side frame of Figure 4 with a deformed frame or bearing portion after a collision of a vehicle occupant.

4b shows a cross-sectional view of the side frame of FIG. 4 with a demolished frame or bearing section after the impact of a vehicle occupant;

5 shows a cross-sectional view of the side frame in a fourth embodiment;

5a in a cross-sectional view of the side frame of FIG. 5 with a deforming region of the frame or bearing section formed and deformed as a deformation structure; FIG. 5b is a cross-sectional view of the side frame of FIG. 5 with the deformation area cut away; FIG. 6 shows in a cross-sectional view the side frame in a fifth embodiment with a hollow-chamber structure as the deformation region;

6a shows a cross-sectional view of the side frame of FIG. 6 with a deformed hollow-chamber structure;

7 shows a cross-sectional view of the side frame in a sixth embodiment with a hollow-chamber structure as the deformation region; 7a shows a cross-sectional view of the side frame of FIG. 7 with a deformed hollow-chamber structure;

8 shows a cross-sectional view of the side frame in a seventh embodiment with a hollow-chamber structure as the deformation region;

8a shows a cross-sectional view of the side frame of FIG. 8 with a deformed hollow-chamber structure;

9 shows in a cross-sectional view the side frame in an eighth embodiment with a hollow-chamber structure as the deformation region; and

9a shows a cross-sectional view of the side frame of FIG. 9 after deformation of the deformation region.

A roof subassembly of a vehicle in the form of a sliding roof unit 1, shown in partial view in FIG. 1, laterally has a side frame 2, which contains a guide rail 3, on which an unillustrated cover of the sunroof unit 1 is mounted and for releasing or closing a roof opening 4 is adjustable between a release position and a closed position. The sunroof unit 1 further comprises a front frame element 5 and a rear frame element 6, the z. B. are formed as flat panels or contain such and each in the vehicle transverse direction erstre- bridges and which are connected to each other via the side frames 2, of which in Fig. 1, only the left in the direction of travel arranged side frame 2 is shown. The right in the direction of travel side frame 2 is formed mirror-symmetrically to the left in the direction of travel side frame 2. The explanations of the exemplary embodiments are made on the basis of this left side frame 2.

The sunroof unit 1 is mounted in its installed position on a vehicle roof frame 7 which (see FIG. 2) has a roof frame flange 8 at each of its longitudinal sides towards the roof opening 4, on the underside 9 of which a longitudinally extending fastening section or mounting leg 10 of the roof roof flange 8 is provided Side frame 2 is firmly attached. The side frame 2 is z. B. made of metal and in particular of an aluminum extruded profile.

The side frame 2 further includes a bearing portion 11 which extends inwardly adjacent and along the attachment portion 10, e.g. B. the guide rail 3 or a guideway for a bearing device of the lid forms and, for example, U-shaped and open at the top with an inner vertical leg 12 and an outer vertical leg 13 and a bottom 14 is formed. The guide rail 3 forms z. B. a guideway of a bearing device or a plain bearing of the lid of the sunroof.

A corner region in the transition between the outer vertical leg 13 and the bottom 14 is formed as outwardly bulging deformation region 15 z. B. in the form of an obliquely downwardly and outwardly projecting fold or channel 16 forms. Upon impact of an object 17 such. B. a head of a vehicle occupant on the bearing portion 11 (see Fig. 2a, symbolized by arrow F) and in particular against the bottom 14 pivots the bottom 14 together with the inner vertical leg 12, each having a comparatively high Fes- activity , Under deformation of the deformation region 15 and the channel 16, the two groove walls 18 and 19 approach each other. In contrast to a deformation of the bearing section 11 about a linear pivot axis or deformation axis, the deformation area 15 present here forms no sharp edge, which could increase a risk of injury, but he performs in its entirety together with the bearing section 11 and the guide rail 3 from a compensating movement.

In the embodiment of a side frame 2 according to the invention shown in FIG. 3, the deformation region 15 is formed by at least one flat weakening zone 20 of the bearing section 11. The weakening zone 20 is z. B. formed on a curved transition portion between the inner vertical leg 12 and the bottom 14 and deforms in the impact area of the object 17 and the head on the bearing rail 11 (Fig. 3a), which otherwise due to sufficient strength stable in position.

In the exemplary embodiment illustrated in FIG. 4, the deformation region 15 is formed by a double wide fold 21 of the bearing section 11 and / or the fastening section 10 and is arranged in particular as an intermediate section between the bearing section 11 and the fastening section 10. The fold 21 deforms upon impact of the object 17 on the bearing portion 11 (shown by way of example in Fig. 4a), which in particular remains even dimensionally stable and shrinks in its entirety, wherein the fold 21 deforms accordingly. The convolution 21 may, for. B. due to lower strength or thinner wall thickness of the material of the fold 21 break or tear (Fig. 4b).

In the exemplary embodiment illustrated in FIG. 5, the deformation region 15 is formed by a hollow chamber wall 22 between the bearing section 11 and the fastening section 10 and, in particular, as an intermediate section between the bearing section 11 and the fastening section 10, and the hollow chamber walls deform on the bearing section 11 during object impact in particular on lines of weakness or weakening zones 23, in particular wrinkles-forming (see FIG. 5a), or they can also tear (FIG. 5b). The hollow chamber wall 22 may, for. B. be a part of the outer leg 13.

In the exemplary embodiment illustrated in FIG. 6, the deformation region 15 has a hollow chamber wall 24 between the bearing section 11 and the bearing element. fastening portion 10, wherein the outer hollow chamber wall 25 has a greater deformation resistance than the inner hollow chamber wall 26. When deformation-induced deformation or yielding displacement of the bearing section 11, the inner hollow chamber wall 26 deforms at a predetermined weakening or folding 27 or it collapses, while the outer Hohlkam- merwand 25, the z. B. is formed of a stronger or thicker material, undergoes a lesser deformation, z. B. bends only slightly inward or upward. The yielding, moving or pivoting bearing portion 11 preferably remains dimensionally stable.

In the exemplary embodiment illustrated in FIG. 7, the deformation region 15 is formed by a honeycomb structure 28 between the bearing section 11 and the fastening section 10. During the object collision, the honeycomb structure 28 deforms on the bearing section 11, which moves toward the fastening section 10 and in particular upsets and / or folds the honeycomb structure 28. When the honeycomb structure 28 is deformed, high impact energy can be absorbed while the displacement path of the bearing section 11 can be comparatively small.

In the exemplary embodiment illustrated in FIG. 8, the deformation region 15 is formed by a hollow chamber wall 29 between the bearing section 11 and the fastening section 10 and, in particular, each as a part of the bearing section 11 and the fastening section 10. The outer hollow chamber wall 30 includes a weakening zone 31 and the inner hollow chamber wall 32, the z. B. is formed by the leg 13 is under a corner 33 form the angle with the mounting portion 10 is connected. An object impact on the bearing section 11 pivots this around the corner 33, wherein the outer hollow chamber wall 30 ruptures at the weakening zone 31, while the inner hollow chamber wall 32 with the bearing section 11 remains substantially dimensionally stable. The inner hollow chamber wall 32 may have a weakening zone 37 at the corner 33 in the region at the transition to the fastening section 10, which is intended to facilitate pivoting or bending at the corner 33, but preferably the inner hollow chamber wall 32 should not tear. In the exemplary embodiment illustrated in FIG. 9, the deformation region 15 is formed by a hollow chamber wall 34 between the bearing section 11 and the fastening section 10. The two hollow chamber walls 35 and 36 do not have a planar cross-section, but they are arranged in a trough-like manner or with side-facing vertexes or in a V-shape next to one another. Upon object impact on the bearing section 11, the hollow chamber walls 35 and 36 deform due to the displacement of the bearing section 11, in which they fold up expediently. The bearing portion 11 with the leg 12 and the bottom 14 is suitably dimensionally stable.

Combinations of the different deformation ranges can be provided on the side frame 2. Over the length of the side frame z. For example, different embodiments may be formed.

The axis and direction designations used in the description such. B. "front" and "back", "top" and "bottom", "outside" and "inside", "horizontally" and "vertically" and "laterally", "transversely" and "longitudinally" and in the transverse direction and longitudinally refer to a three-dimensional xyz vehicle coordinate system.

The individual features disclosed in the description and with reference to the exemplary embodiments may be combined with the subject matter of the invention in its general form in any technically expedient arrangements and configurations.

List of reference sunroof unit 20 weakening zone side frame 21 folding

Guide rail 22 hollow chamber wall roof opening 23 weakening zone front frame element 24 hollow chamber wall rear frame element 25 outer hollow chamber wall vehicle roof frame 26 inner hollow chamber wall Dachrahmenflansch 27 folding

Bottom 28 honeycomb structure

Fastening section 29 Hollow-chamber wall Bearing section 30 Outer hollow-chamber wall inner leg 31 Weakening zone outer leg 32 Inner hollow-chamber wall Floor 33 Corner

Deformation area 34 hollow chamber wall channel 35 hollow chamber wall object 36 hollow chamber wall channel wall 37 weakening zone channel wall

Claims

claims

A side frame of a roof assembly of a vehicle roof, comprising an outer side fixing portion (10) for fixing to a vehicle roof frame (7) and an inner bearing portion (11) for a roof component, wherein the side frame (2) for absorbing impact energy of a colliding object is deformable,

characterized,

in that the bearing section (11) and / or the fastening section (10) and / or an intermediate section is formed with a wall thickness or spatial structure such that the bearing section (11) and / or the fastening section (10) or the Intermediate portion of the colliding object (17) associated deformation region (15) is provided.

2. side frame according to claim 1,

characterized in that the deformation region (15) is formed by a corner region formed as a protruding groove (16) between the bearing section (11) and the fastening section (10) and when the object impacts the bearing section (11) the channel (11) 16) deformed by mutual approach of their two channel walls (18, 19).

3. side frame according to claim 1 or 2,

characterized in that the deformation region (15) of at least one flat weakening zone (20) of the bearing portion (11) is formed and the weakened zone (20) deformed in the region of the object impact on the otherwise positionally stable bearing portion (11).

4. side frame according to one of claims 1 to 3,

characterized in that the deformation region (15) of a double wide fold (21) between the bearing portion (11) and the mounting portion (10) is formed and the folds deform the object collision on the bearing portion (11) and move against each other and in particular tear.

Side frame according to one of claims 1 to 4,

characterized in that the deformation region (15) of a hollow chamber wall (22) between the bearing portion (11) and the fastening portion (10) is formed and the hollow chamber walls upon object impact on the bearing portion (11) at lines of weakness or weakening zones (23) in particular can deform and tear as a result of wrinkles.

Side frame according to one of claims 1 to 5,

characterized in that the deformation region (15) of a hollow chamber wall (24) between the bearing portion (11) and the fastening portion (10) is formed, wherein the outer hollow chamber wall

(25) has a greater resistance to deformation than the inner hollow chamber wall (26), and in the case of deformation-induced deformation or subsequent displacement of the bearing section (11), the inner hollow chamber wall

(26) deforms more than the outer hollow chamber wall (25).

Side frame according to one of claims 1 to 6,

characterized in that the deformation region (15) is formed by a honeycomb structure (28) between the bearing section (11) and the attachment section (10), and the honeycomb structure (28) strikes the bearing section (11) during the object impact. in particular deformed under compression.

Side frame according to one of claims 1 to 7,

characterized in that the deformation region (15) of a hollow chamber wall (29) between the bearing portion (11) and the fastening portion (10) is formed, wherein the outer hollow chamber wall (30) has a weakening zone (31) and the inner hollow chamber wall (32) is connected to the fastening section (10) at an angle forming a corner (33), and the outer hollow chamber wall (30) is connected to the weakened zone (31) if the bearing section (11) deforms or gives way displaceably. ruptures while the inner hollow chamber wall (32) deforms at the corner (33) and pivots about the corner (33).

9. side frame according to one of claims 1 to 8,

characterized in that the deformation region (15) of a hollow chamber wall (34) between the bearing portion (11) and the fastening portion (10) is formed and the two hollow chamber walls (35, 36) in cross-section trough-shaped or v-shaped and formed side by side are arranged and deform during the object impact on the bearing portion (11) wrinkle-forming, in particular tear.

10. Side frame according to one of claims 1 to 9,

characterized in that the roof assembly represents a sliding roof and the bearing portion (11) is a guide for a Schiebedachde- ckel or a guide rail (3).