JP7633922B2 - Device for a vehicle roof and vehicle roof - Google Patents

Description

A device for a vehicle roof of a motor vehicle and a device for moving a vehicle roof, in particular a movable cover for closing a roof opening of the vehicle roof, are presented. Furthermore, a vehicle roof for a motor vehicle, in particular a vehicle roof having the device described herein, is presented.

An arrangement with a movable cover for a vehicle roof can be designed as a so-called spoiler roof, as described, for example, in DE 10 200 03 133 A1.

German Patent Publication No. 10 2012 106 545 (A1)

It is desirable to provide an apparatus for a vehicle roof that allows for reliable operation.It is further desirable to provide a vehicle roof that allows for reliable operation.

According to at least one embodiment, an apparatus for a vehicle roof with a roof opening is presented, the apparatus comprising:
a longitudinally slidable cover for closing the roof opening;
A guide rail disposed on the vehicle roof;
an opening/closing lever pivotable relative to the guide rail, the cover being longitudinally slidable relative to the opening/closing lever to open the roof opening;
a drive carriage for pivoting the opening/closing lever, the drive carriage being guided along a guide rail so as to be slidable in a longitudinal direction;
the opening/closing lever has a first connecting portion with the guide rail and a second connecting portion with the guide rail,
The first connecting portion and the second connecting portion are spaced apart from each other in the longitudinal direction, and the opening/closing lever is configured to be slidable in the longitudinal direction relative to the guide rail in a stepwise manner;
the first coupling part comprises a coupling link and a sliding pin guided in the coupling link, the drive carriage is operatively connected to the opening/closing lever in the region of the opening/closing lever associated with the second coupling part, whereby the opening/closing lever is pivoted and slidably moved relative to the guide rail ;
A movable slider is disposed at the rear end of the opening/closing lever, and a cover carrier is slidably disposed within the movable slider .

This device is especially designed for so-called spoiler roofs , where the opening/closing lever is first rotated or pivoted in the opening direction in order to lift the rear end of the cover at the rear edge. The cover is then slid in the opening direction relative to the opening/closing lever in order to at least partially open the roof opening. The opening/closing lever is now held against the rest of the vehicle roof and is not slid in the opening direction together with the cover. The further the cover is slid backwards relative to the opening/closing lever, the greater the force that must be held by means of the opening/closing lever and the greater the vibrations of the cover when the vehicle is moving. It has long been desirable to overcome this and the solution described in the present application makes it possible to improve it.

This differs, for example, from so-called externally guided sliding roofs , in which the opening and closing lever at the rear edge of the cover is slid together with the cover in the opening direction relative to the rest of the vehicle roof, where the problems mentioned above do not occur. However, such a roof cannot be used as a replacement for a spoiler roof, since it is structurally completely different and, moreover, the use of a spoiler roof or an externally guided roof depends on the suitability of the respective vehicle base.

The opening/closing lever of the device described herein can slide stepwise in the longitudinal direction of the guide rail. Alternatively, the opening/closing lever can be locked relative to the guide rail in order to prevent the cover from moving longitudinally with it during sliding relative to the guide rail. Starting from a cover closed position, in which the cover closes the roof opening, the opening/closing lever is pivoted in order to raise the rear end of the cover (so-called ventilation position ) . The device described herein below allows the opening/closing lever to slide a given distance in the opening direction before it is locked relative to the guide rail and the cover is slid further in the opening direction relative to the opening/closing lever. This improves the support points of the cover on the opening/closing lever and on the guide rail compared to the prior art. It is possible to make the natural frequencies of the device, in particular the natural frequencies of the open cover, higher. It is possible to make the bearing forces of the opening/closing lever at the end facing the guide rail lower.

For this purpose, the opening/closing lever has two spaced apart connections with guide rails. A longer support ratio can therefore be achieved with the opening/closing lever, which allows for a larger opening width . This means that in the maximum open position, the cover can be positioned relatively farther back than with conventional spoiler mechanisms. In conventional spoiler mechanisms , the opening/closing lever is arranged at only one pivot point on the guide rail, which , in addition , cannot slide longitudinally.

The first connection with the connecting link and the sliding pin allows the opening/closing lever to rotate and pivot. According to one embodiment, the connecting link is formed in the opening/closing lever and the sliding pin is fixedly formed in the guide rail. It is also possible for the sliding pin to be formed in the opening/closing lever and the connecting link to be formed in the guide rail. The first connection allows a connection between the opening/closing lever and the guide rail, which is simple and inexpensive to realize. In addition, the guide rail allows a relatively long support ratio for the opening/ closing lever, which can slide longitudinally relative to the guide rail.

The drive carriage is driven, for example, indirectly or directly, by the electric motor of the device. The drive carriage is arranged near the opening/closing lever, i.e. in particular at the rear end of the cover in the closed position. The drive carriage is slid longitudinally to pivot and longitudinally slide the opening/closing lever. After completion of the pivoting and sliding movements, for example, the drive carriage is locked against the guide rail. To close the roof opening, the drive carriage moves in the opposite direction, so that the opening/closing lever is slid forward and pivoted back, whereby the cover is closed.

The position or direction information used, such as "rear" or "front", applies with respect to the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, which can also be called horizontal or the X-axis direction of a mathematical coordinate system. The raising or lowering of the cover is performed essentially vertically or in the Z-axis direction of a mathematical coordinate system. The rear area of the cover is to be understood as the area pointing towards the rear of the vehicle, for example with the center of the cover as the base point.

According to at least one embodiment, the opening/closing lever has a shape in which , in the operable state, its length in the longitudinal direction is always longer than its length in the lateral and vertical directions, the lateral and vertical directions for example running transversely to the longitudinal direction, i.e. in the folded state, the drive carriage is particularly longer in the longitudinal direction than in the vertical direction, whether the cover is in its closed position , in the ventilating position or in the open position. This allows an advantageous support ratio for the cover in the ventilating and open positions. Regardless of the degree of pivoting, the opening/closing lever is particularly always longer in the longitudinal direction than in the vertical direction.

According to at least one embodiment, the opening/closing lever comprises a longitudinally extending portion . The longitudinally extending portion extends in the longitudinal direction, for example over at least 25% of the longitudinal extension of the cover in the closed position . The length of the longitudinally extending portion is thus, for example, at least one quarter of the longitudinal extension of the cover. The length of the longitudinally extending portion depends, inter alia, on the desired support ratio of the cover in the ventilated position and/or in the open position. It is also possible for the opening/closing lever to extend over more than 10% of the longitudinal extension of the cover, over more than 20% of the longitudinal extension range of the cover, over 30% or more of the longitudinal extension of the cover, for example up to 50% of the longitudinal extension of the cover.

The longer the longitudinal extension of the opening/closing lever, the further the end of the opening/closing lever on the cover side can be moved backwards. This allows for high natural frequencies and low bearing forces and favorable support ratios. In the outwardly pivoted position, which is assigned to the ventilation position and/or the open position of the cover , the opening/closing lever extends many times longer in the longitudinal direction than in the vertical direction, for example 3, 5, 7 or 10 times longer . Other longitudinal to vertical ratios of the longitudinal extension are of course also possible.

According to at least one embodiment, the second connection comprises a lift connection link. The lift connection link is fixed to the guide rail. The second connection comprises a lift pin . The lift pin is formed on the opening/closing lever. The lift pin is guided in the lift connection link. When the opening/closing lever is slid longitudinally, the lift pin moves along the lift connection link. The lift connection link has a shape such that the opening/closing lever end is lifted and the opening/closing lever is pivoted thereby. The shape of the lift connection link further enables the opening/closing lever to slide longitudinally.

According to at least one embodiment, the opening/closing lever has a drive link. The drive carriage has a drive pin. The drive pin is guided in the drive link, thereby translating the sliding movement of the drive carriage into the movement of the opening/closing lever. The drive link has a course that allows the movement of the rear opening/closing lever end along the vertical direction and allows the opening/closing lever to slide longitudinally.

According to at least one embodiment, an apparatus for a vehicle roof with a roof opening is presented, the apparatus comprising:
a longitudinally slidable cover for closing the roof opening;
A guide rail disposed on the vehicle roof;
an opening/closing lever pivotable relative to the guide rail, the cover being longitudinally slidable relative to the opening/closing lever to open the roof opening;
a drive carriage for pivoting the opening/closing lever, the drive carriage being guided along a guide rail so as to be slidable in a longitudinal direction;
the opening/closing lever has a first connecting portion with the guide rail and a second connecting portion with the guide rail,
The first connecting portion and the second connecting portion are spaced apart from each other in the longitudinal direction, and the opening/closing lever is configured to be slidable in the longitudinal direction relative to the guide rail in a stepwise manner;
the first coupling part comprises a coupling link and a sliding pin guided in the coupling link, the drive carriage is operatively connected to the opening/closing lever in the region of the opening/closing lever associated with the second coupling part, whereby the opening/closing lever is pivoted and slidably moved relative to the guide rail;
A lift connection link fixedly formed on the guide rail and guiding a lift pin formed on the opening/closing lever, and a drive connection link formed on the opening/closing lever and guiding a drive pin of the drive carriage have mutually opposing courses. The courses of the lift connection link and the drive connection link intersect at least in the closed position of the cover. The drive connection link has a course in which the drive connection link first moves further away from the guide rail along the opening direction and then approaches the guide rail along the opening direction. For example, the drive connection link has a substantially horizontally extending part and an inclined part. This allows a so-called tolerant flat, in which a longitudinal sliding of the drive pin does not cause a sliding or pivoting of the opening/closing lever.

The lift connecting link has a course in which the lift connecting link extends at an incline in the longitudinal direction first and then extends substantially horizontally, so that starting from the closed position, the opening/closing lever can first be pivoted, and then the opening/closing lever is slid in the longitudinal direction until the lift pin reaches the end of the lift connecting link.

According to at least one embodiment, the opening/closing lever has a longitudinally protruding portion which , when the cover is in the open position, protrudes longitudinally beyond the fixed roof element . The protruding portion protrudes in particular rearward. In the ventilation position and in the open position, the protruding portion is arranged behind the first and second connecting portions. In the closed position, the protruding portion is arranged longitudinally in front of the fixed roof element . By longitudinally sliding the opening/closing lever against the guide rail, it is possible to arrange the protruding portion above the fixed roof element . This allows for a large natural frequency and a low bearing force at the opening/closing lever and a longer bearing ratio at the opening/closing lever. The leverage transferred from the cover to the opening/closing lever is smaller the further the protruding portion of the opening/closing lever extends rearward .

According to at least one embodiment, an apparatus for a vehicle roof with a roof opening is presented, the apparatus comprising:
a longitudinally slidable cover for closing the roof opening;
A guide rail disposed on the vehicle roof;
an opening/closing lever pivotable relative to the guide rail, the cover being longitudinally slidable relative to the opening/closing lever to open the roof opening;
A drive carriage for pivoting the opening/closing lever, the drive carriage being guided along a guide rail so as to be slidable in a longitudinal direction;
and a separate drive carriage,
the opening/closing lever has a first connecting portion with the guide rail and a second connecting portion with the guide rail,
The first connecting portion and the second connecting portion are spaced apart from each other in the longitudinal direction, and the opening/closing lever is configured to be slidable in the longitudinal direction relative to the guide rail in a stepwise manner;
the first coupling part comprises a coupling link and a sliding pin guided in the coupling link, the drive carriage is operatively connected to the opening/closing lever in the region of the opening/closing lever associated with the second coupling part, whereby the opening/closing lever is pivoted and slidably moved relative to the guide rail;
The cover has a front edge that faces away from the opening/closing lever in the longitudinal direction when the cover is in the closed position. The cover has a cover connecting link at the front edge. For example, the cover has a cover carrier, and the cover connecting link is formed in the cover carrier. A separate drive carriage engages with the cover connecting link, and the cover is slid in the longitudinal direction. The separate drive carriage is, for example, directly connected to a drive cable, and the drive cable transmits the driving force of the electric motor to the separate drive carriage.

The drive carriage and the further drive carriage are in particular temporarily connected to one another so that the movement of the further drive carriage is transmitted to the drive carriage. This allows, for example, pivoting and sliding of the opening and closing lever.

The further drive carriage and the drive carriage are decoupled from each other so that the movement of the further drive carriage is not transmitted to the drive carriage and thereby to the opening/closing lever, whereby the further drive carriage is slidable relative to the drive carriage and the opening/closing lever, for example to allow the cover to slide between a ventilating position and an open position.

According to at least one embodiment, the device comprises a cover slider. The cover slider is fixedly and rigidly attached to the cover. For example, the cover has a cover carrier and the cover slider is rigidly attached to the cover carrier of the cover. The cover slider is in particular not pivotable relative to the cover or is arranged on a lever that is pivotable relative to the cover. This allows a space-saving guidance of the front edge of the cover. The imaginary axis of rotation of the cover between the closed position and the ventilation position can be arranged as far forward as possible. The imaginary axis of rotation is the axis about which the cover actually rotates . This imaginary axis of rotation can be deviated from the mechanical axis of rotation about which the cover is pivotally held. This allows the cover to slide relatively far backwards in the opening direction, since the mechanical parts of the front edge of the cover require little space and installation space.

According to at least one embodiment, a vehicle roof for a motor vehicle is equipped with a device according to at least one embodiment described herein. The vehicle roof has a cover . The cover and the roof opening are dimensioned such that the roof opening can be closed by the cover alone at least rearward in the opening direction at the rear end of the cover. The roof opening is, for example, an opening in a fixed roof of a motor vehicle made of sheet metal. The size of the roof opening and the size of the cover are matched such that the rear end of the cover is arranged directly adjacent to the fixed roof, thereby allowing the roof opening to be closed by the cover . Thus, in the ventilation position and in the open position, the protruding part of the opening/closing lever is arranged above the fixed roof part of the vehicle roof, i.e. in particular above the sheet metal roof, but not above the roof opening.

According to another embodiment, a vehicle roof is provided with a device according to at least one of the embodiments described herein. The vehicle roof has a cover and a further cover . The cover and the further cover as well as the roof opening are dimensioned, for example, such that the cover and the further cover can be arranged together in the roof opening in the closed position . The cover and the further cover as well as the roof opening are dimensioned, for example, such that the roof opening can be closed together with the cover and the further cover. The further cover is arranged in the roof opening immovably relative to the rest of the vehicle roof, in particular in an operationally fixed state. In the closed position , the cover is arranged in the roof opening in front of the further cover and both covers together close the roof opening. In the open position , the cover is arranged above the further cover. The further cover thus continues to close a part of the roof opening, in particular the rear part. In the open position, the protruding part of the opening lever therefore protrudes above the further cover.

The support points of the opening/closing lever and the cover on the guide rail are improved. The natural frequency of the device, especially the natural frequency of the open cover, can be increased. The support force of the opening/closing lever on the guide rail side can be reduced.
Further advantages, features and developments are disclosed below by way of example illustrated with the aid of figures, in which the same or similar and similarly acting elements are commonly provided with the same reference numerals in all figures.

1 is a schematic diagram of a vehicle roof according to one embodiment. 1 is a schematic diagram of a vehicle roof portion according to one embodiment. FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an apparatus according to one embodiment. 1 is a schematic diagram of a portion of an apparatus according to one embodiment; 1 is a schematic diagram of a portion of an apparatus according to one embodiment; FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a locking device according to one embodiment. 1 is a schematic diagram of a portion of an apparatus according to one embodiment; FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a device according to one embodiment in a closed position. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a device according to one embodiment in a closed position. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of an apparatus according to an embodiment with the opening and closing lever pivoted; FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of an apparatus according to an embodiment with the opening and closing lever pivoted; FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of an apparatus according to an embodiment with the opening and closing lever pivoted; FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a device according to one embodiment in an open position. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a device according to one embodiment in an open position. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a device according to one embodiment in an open position. FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of an opening/closing lever according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a portion of a locking device according to one embodiment. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a support ratio according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a support ratio according to an embodiment.

1 is a schematic view of a vehicle roof 101 of a motor vehicle 100. The vehicle roof 101 is in particular a part of the motor vehicle 100, in particular a part of a passenger car. The vehicle roof 101 is equipped with a device 200. The device 200 has a cover 103. The cover 103 is used to close a roof opening 102. The roof opening can be closed and at least partially opened by sliding the cover 103 in a longitudinal direction X. For this purpose, the cover 103 is slidable in the X direction relative to a fixed roof member 129 of the vehicle roof 101.

1 is a view of the cover 103 in the closed position, in which it closes the roof opening 102. From the closed position, the cover 103 is liftable in a vertical direction Z and slidable in a longitudinal direction X, so that the roof opening 102 can be at least partially opened.

The device 200 is configured in particular as a kind of spoiler roof. For example, as shown diagrammatically in Figures 2 to 5, the device 200 has an opening/closing lever 109, also called a rear opening/closing lever 109. This opening/closing lever 109 is used to raise and lower a rear edge 107 of the cover 103. The rear edge 107 is arranged opposite to a front edge 106 of the cover 103 in the longitudinal direction X. The front edge 106 of the cover 103 faces towards the windshield 104 of the motor vehicle 100.

The opening/closing lever 109 is supported on a guide rail 108. The guide rail 108 is arranged in the longitudinal direction X and connects with the body 105 of the motor vehicle 100 in the lateral direction Y next to the roof opening 102. On both sides of the roof opening 102, one guide rail 108 with the associated opening mechanism is arranged in each case. The opening mechanisms or devices 200 are configured similarly and correspondingly to one another on both sides. Only one side is described below , the description also corresponding to the opposite side in the lateral direction Y of the roof opening.

The opening/closing lever 109 is supported on the guide rail 108 by means of a first connecting part 111 and by means of a second connecting part 112. The first connecting part 111 and the second connecting part 112 have a distance 113 between them in the longitudinal direction X. The distance 113 is, for example, at least a quarter of the longitudinal direction X of the roof opening, but the distance 113 can be larger or smaller. For example, the distance 113 is larger than 5 cm, in particular larger than 30 cm, and is at most around 50 cm.

In the first connecting portion 111, a sliding pin 115 is formed on the guide rail 108. The sliding pin 115 extends in the lateral direction Y.

The first connection 111 has a connecting link 114 formed in the opening/closing lever 109. In particular, the connecting link 114 is formed at a first end 131 of the opening/closing lever 109. The first end 131 of the opening/closing lever 109 faces the windshield 104. The connecting link 114 has a course that extends substantially linearly in the longitudinal direction X.

The sliding pin 115 is arranged in the connecting link 114. The opening/closing lever 109 is therefore supported on the guide rail 108 by means of the connecting link 114 and by means of the sliding pin 115. The support of the first connection 111 is designed in such a way that the opening/closing lever 109 is slidable in the longitudinal direction X. This is made possible by the connecting link 114. In the closed position of the cover (see also, for example, Figs. 8 and 9), the sliding pin 115 is arranged at the rear end of the connecting link 114, i.e. at the end of the connecting link 114 facing away from the windshield 104. In the ventilation position and especially in the open position of the cover, the sliding pin 115 is arranged at the front end of the connecting link 114, i.e. at the end of the connecting link 114 facing towards the windshield 104.

The second connection 112 includes a lift connection link 122. The lift connection link 122 is fixedly disposed relative to the guide rail 108 , for example being a part of the guide rail 108. It is also possible that the lift connection link 122 is formed in a separate component and that this component is rigidly connected to the guide rail 108.

The lift pin 123 is guided in the lift connecting link 122. The lift pin 123 is formed in the opening/closing lever 109 (see also Fig. 7, Fig. 16). The course 126 of the lift connecting link 122 starts from an end with a steeply rising part in the front direction X, i.e. facing the windshield 104. The lift connecting link 122 then has a part that extends substantially linearly in the longitudinal direction X. Along the movement along the lift connecting link 122, starting from the closed position of the cover, the lift pin 123 first rises in the vertical direction Z and then slides in the longitudinal direction X without further movement in the vertical direction Z. Similarly , the rear end 132 of the opening/closing lever 109 is also first raised substantially in the vertical direction Z and then slides in the X direction.

The movement of the opening/closing lever 109 is caused by the drive carriage 110 (see also FIG. 17 ). In the illustrated embodiment, the drive carriage 110 is driven by a connection (FIG. 3 ) with a further drive carriage 130. The further drive carriage 130 is connected to an electric motor by a drive cable 139, for example a threaded cable that is resistant to tension and pressure. During operation, the drive cable 139 slides the further drive carriage 130 in the longitudinal direction X. This sliding starts with the cover 103 in the closed position and is transmitted to the drive carriage 110 by means of a locking device 135 (FIG. 6 ). The drive carriage is also slid backwards in the longitudinal direction X. In the process, the drive pin 125 of the drive carriage 110 moves along the drive connection link 124 of the opening/closing lever 109.

The drive connection link 124 has a course 127 in the opposite direction to the course 126 of the lift connection link 122. At its front end , i.e. the end facing the windshield 104, the course 127 of the drive connection link 124 first has a horizontal section extending in an approximately longitudinal direction. This section essentially serves as a tolerance adjustment in which the drive pin 125 can be moved in the longitudinal direction X without inducing a movement of the opening/closing lever 109. The course 127 then descends. If the drive pin 125 is located in this descending section and the drive carriage 110 is slid further rearward, the opening/closing lever 109 is lifted because the lift pin 123 is in the opposite ascending section of the lift connection link 122.

The course 127 of the drive link 124 has in the central area another substantially horizontally oriented section, which is associated, for example, with the ventilation position of the cover 103. Here too, the course in the longitudinal direction X serves as a tolerance adjustment. A descending section is then provided in the drive link 124 so that the opening/closing lever 109 can be slid backwards in the longitudinal direction X to its final position. When the opening/closing lever 109 has been fully pivoted in the vertical direction Z and slid in the longitudinal direction X, the connection between the drive carriage 110 and the further drive carriage 130 is released. The drive carriage 110 is locked relative to the guide rail 108, so that the drive carriage 110 and the opening/closing lever 109 cannot be moved any further when the further drive carriage 130 is slid further in the longitudinal direction X in order to slide the cover 103 further backwards. To close the cover 103, the operating sequence proceeds in the opposite direction. The further drive carriage 130 is first slid backwards to the drive carriage 110. Furthermore, the locking device 135 connects both drive carriages 110, 130 to one another, so that the opening/closing lever 109 is again pulled forward and pivoted downwards .

The opening/closing lever 109 has a shape 117. The shape 117 extends more in the longitudinal direction X than in the lateral direction Y and the vertical direction Z. The opening/closing lever 109 therefore has a length 118, which is many times longer than the height 119 in the vertical direction Z. For example, the length 118 is many times longer than the height 119, even in the pushed-up position of the opening/closing lever 109, which is assigned to the ventilation position or the open position of the cover 103. For example, the length 118 is two times longer, three times longer, four times longer, five times longer or up to ten times longer than the height 119. This results in a large spacing 113.

Starting from a rear part 116, which is assigned to the second connection part 112 and to a second end 132 of the opening/closing lever 109, the opening/closing lever 109 has a longitudinally extending portion 120 which extends forward in the longitudinal direction X in the direction of the windshield 104. This portion also extends longitudinally forward in the longitudinal direction X, in particular in the lifted position of the opening/closing lever 109. In the closed and ventilation positions of the cover 103, the longitudinally extending portion 120 extends along a longitudinal extension 121 of the cover (FIG. 1). The longitudinal extension of the cover extends in the longitudinal direction X between the front edge 106 and the rear edge 107. From the rear end 132 , the longitudinally extending portion 120 extends forward in the longitudinal direction X, in the direction of the windshield 104 , for example by one-fifth, one-quarter, one-third or more, for example up to half or two- thirds , of the longitudinal extension 121 of the cover 103, when the cover 103 is closed and in the ventilation position.

The opening/closing lever 109 has a locking groove 142 at the rear 116. The locking groove 142 opens rearward in the longitudinal direction X. The drive carriage 110 has a locking pin 143. This locking pin 143 is disposed in the locking groove 142 when the cover 103 is in the closed position. Using this locking pin 143, the opening/closing lever 109 is pulled downward along the vertical direction Z and held in the vertical direction Z in order to close the cover 103 from the ventilation position . This allows the cover 103 to be securely closed and maintained in the closed position even when a strong force is applied.

The cover 103 has, for example, a cover carrier 140. The cover has, for example, a flat panel, in particular a glass panel. The cover carrier 140 is arranged on this panel. At its front end facing the windshield 104, the cover carrier 140 has a cover slider 134. The cover slider 134 is fixedly and immovably attached to the cover carrier 140 and in particular cannot be pivoted relative to the cover carrier 140. It is also possible for the cover slider 134 to be rotatable relative to the cover carrier 140 about an axis of rotation extending in the lateral direction Y. However, according to the present embodiment, the cover slider 134 is immovable relative to the cover carrier 140 in the longitudinal direction X and/or in the vertical direction Z. The cover slider 134 is guided in a guide rail 108 and is used for lifting and moving the front edge 106 of the cover 103.

A cover connecting link 133 is formed on the cover carrier 140 in order to tilt up and pull down the front edge 106 of the cover 103 in the vertical direction Z. The cover connecting link 133 has a portion that starts from its front end facing the windshield 104 and extends substantially linearly in the longitudinal direction X. A cover pin 144 of the separate drive carriage 130 is arranged in the cover connecting link 133. Even if the cover pin 144 slides in the longitudinal direction X within a linear range, the front edge 106 does not slide significantly in the longitudinal direction X. The opening/closing lever 109 is pushed up and the rear edge 107 is lifted , and the cover pin 144 reaches the lowered portion of the cover connecting link 133 to open the roof opening 102. When the cover pin 144 is located in the lowered portion of the cover connecting link 133, the sliding movement of the further driving carriage 130 is transmitted to the cover carrier 140 and the cover 103 is slid in the longitudinal direction X.

The locking device 135 is realized as a locking member 138, for example by means of a tension- and pressure-resistant drive cable. The locking member 138 is fixedly connected to the drive carriage 110 and extends forward in the longitudinal direction X. The locking member 138 can be selectively connected to or disconnected from another drive carriage 130 by means of a locking pin 136 and can be locked in the longitudinal direction X with the guide rail 108. The locking member 138 is guided, for example, in a locking connection link 137 of the guide rail 108. To be decoupled from the other drive carriage 130 and to be locked in the longitudinal direction X with the guide rail 108, the locking pin 136 rotates, for example, around an axis of rotation corresponding to the longitudinal direction X. When the locking pin 136 is connected to the other drive carriage 130, the locking pin 136 is directed in the lateral direction Y. When the locking pin 136 is locked with the guide rail 108 , the locking pin 136 is oriented in the vertical direction Z.

Other embodiments of the locking device 135 are possible, for example the locking member 138 is formed as a fixed locking lever, as a resilient flexible locking member 138, or in other ways. The locking member 138 and the locking device 135 are formed such that the movement of the separate drive carriage 130 can be temporarily transferred to the drive carriage 110, and the drive carriage 110 can be immovably locked with respect to the guide rail 108 in other states.

10 to 12 show the device 200 with the opening/closing lever 109 at least partially lifted. The rear end 132 of the opening/closing lever 109 is lifted in the vertical direction Z compared to the closed position of the cover 103. For this , the drive carriage 110 is slid in the longitudinal direction X and the drive pin 125 is slid on the drive connecting link 124. The lift pin 123 is however arranged in the steeply rising part of the lift connecting link 122. The opening/closing lever 109 has not yet been slid significantly in the longitudinal direction X. Only the rear edge 107 of the cover 103 is lifted . The front edge 106 of the cover 103 has not yet been moved significantly either. The cover slider 134, which is arranged on the cover carrier 140 and faces outwards in the Y direction, has not yet been moved significantly. The connecting link 114 has not yet been slid significantly relative to the sliding pin 115.

13 to 15 show the device 200 in the open position of the cover 103. Compared to the ventilation position of FIGS. 10 to 12, the drive carriage 110 is slid further backwards in the longitudinal direction X until the lift pin 123 is located at the end of the lift connecting link 122. The drive pin 125 is accordingly slid to the rear end of the drive connecting link 124. The opening/closing lever 109 is thus raised to its maximum lift position and slid backwards in the longitudinal direction X. For this purpose , the connecting link 114 is also slid relative to the sliding pin 115.

The opening/closing lever 109 is reliably supported by two spaced apart first and second coupling parts 111, 112 in the open and ventilation positions of the cover 103 shown, as well as in the closed position of the cover 103. Therefore, particularly in the open position, the force exerted on the device 200 via the open cover 103 can be reliably supported by the guide rail 108 and the body 105. Thus, the cover 103 can slide relatively far backwards.

In the fully open position, the connecting link 114 of the opening/closing lever is arranged in front of the cover pin 144 in the longitudinal direction X. In the fully open position, the further drive carriage 130 is arranged behind the connecting link 114. The further drive carriage 130 and the cover pin 144 are arranged between the two ends 131, 132 of the opening/closing lever 109 in the longitudinal direction X in the fully open position. The further drive carriage 130 and the cover pin 144 are arranged between the sliding pin 115 and the lift pin 123 in the fully open position. In the fully open position, the longitudinally extending part 120 of the opening/closing lever 109 extends from back to front in the longitudinal direction X past the further drive carriage 130. The further drive carriage 130 is arranged next to the opening/closing lever 109 in the lateral direction Y in the fully open position.

In particular, it is also possible for the opening/closing lever 109 to be formed with a rearwardly projecting portion 128, which in the open position of the cover (partially) overlaps the rear fixed roof element 129. This allows the cover carrier 140 to be supported relatively behind and in particular above the fixed roof element 129. Support of the cover carrier 140 as far back as possible in the longitudinal direction X, thus reducing the leverage on both the first and second connections 111, 112 via the cover carrier 140. A moving slider 141, which is arranged at the rear end 132 of the opening/closing lever 109 and in which the cover carrier 140 is slidably supported, is arranged above the fixed roof element 129 in the open position of the cover 103.

The fixed roof element 129 is, for example, a separate cover arranged in the roof opening 102. It is also possible that the fixed roof element 129 is part of the vehicle body or a plate element forming the vehicle roof 101 and surrounding the roof opening 102. The device 200 is configured in such a way that in order to fully open the cover 103, the elements of the device 200 and other mechanical elements do not have to be under the fixed roof element 129. In particular, the separate drive carriage 130 advances, for example, only to the extent of the lift connection link 122. The movement of the cover carrier 140, by means of the cover connection link 133 arranged very significantly forward on the cover carrier 140, causes the cover carrier 140 to slide far backwards and opens the roof opening 102 far.

FIG. 18 shows the force and lever ratio at the cover support points A and B when the cover 103 is open. The further back the front support point A, i.e. in particular the cover slider 134, is located, the more the roof opening 102 can be opened. However, a minimum distance i is required between the support points A and B in order to be able to support the cover 103 reliably. Furthermore, a leverage force acts, since the distance L between the front support point A and the rear edge 107 of the cover 103 is clearly longer than the distance k between the front support point A and the moving slider 141 supporting the cover 103. The difference between L and k results in a leverage force that is smaller the further back the moving slider 141 is located. The protruding portion 128 thereby allows a reduction in the leverage force, since the ratio of k to L is improved in comparison with an opening/closing lever that does not protrude to the rear. On the other hand, if the leverage force is reduced, the minimum distance i is also reduced. This is because less forces act overall and therefore the cover 103 can be reliably supported even with a smaller i. In order to reduce the minimum distance i, a longitudinally extending opening/closing lever 109 is further provided which makes it possible to support the cover 103 in front of the support point A, which is explained in more detail below in FIG.

19 shows the force and lever ratios at the first and second connectors 111, 112 when the cover 103 is open. The movable slider 141 is arranged in its rearmost position in the longitudinal direction X and is arranged on the fixed roof element 129. At the first connector 111 in front of the opening/closing lever 109, a lever is applied which is determined by the distance f between two points C and B, where B is the point of application of the force at the movable slider 141 and C is the point of application of the force at the sliding pin 115 and the connector link 114. Furthermore, the force to be introduced is determined by the distance 113 or by e between points C and D, where D corresponds to the point of application at the second connector 112, the lift connector link 122 and the lift pin 123.

Point B is offset backwards with respect to point D, because the protruding portion 128 protrudes backwards. The further backward point B is slid, the smaller the force exerted by the open cover 103 on the lever 109 , because the leverage resulting from the ratio of L to k is smaller (FIG. 18). The leverage of the cover area located behind point B is thus smaller. For example, when the cover 103 is fully open, the ratio of the distance between the cover slider 134 and the moving slider 141 to the length of the cover 103 between the cover slider 134 and the rear edge 107 is greater than 0.25, in particular greater than 0.28 or greater than 0.3. Also ratios with the lowest possible force on the moving slider 141 are possible. For example, the support ratio e:f is as large as possible in order to keep the force on the second connection 112 as small as possible.

The force to be held by the opening/closing lever 109 depends in particular on the ratio f:e. The smaller the ratio f:e, the more evenly the force to be absorbed by the opening/closing lever 109 is distributed to the application points C and D. The closer the ratio f:e is to, for example, a value of 1.0, the more evenly the force to be absorbed by the opening/closing lever 109 is distributed to the application points C and D. With the length of the protruding portion 128 kept constant, the further forward the first connecting part 111 is disposed, the smaller the force to be absorbed at point D. With the distance 113, or e between points C and D, being larger, the smaller the force to be absorbed at point D with the distance between points D and B in the longitudinal direction X being kept constant.

The force to be absorbed at points A and D can be reduced either by using the protruding portion 128 to move the action point B of the movable slider 141 backward, or by using the vertically extending portion 120 of the opening/closing lever 109 to position the first connection portion 111 relatively far forward.

The use of connecting links 114 or 122 and 124 to realize not only the first connecting portion 111 but also the second connecting portion 112 allows flexible design of individual lengths and expansions based on the desired opening width and achievable force ratios.

The support ratio of the opening/closing lever 109 can be reliably adjusted so that a wide opening width can be realized. The support point B of the moving slider 141 for supporting the cover carrier 140 is shifted rearward. The opening/closing lever 109 is supported at two support points, the first connecting part 111 and the second connecting part 112. The front support point of the first connecting part 111 is supported on the connecting link 114 in the opening/closing lever 109 and on the sliding pin 115 fixed to the guide rail 108. This makes it possible to act on the rotational movement of the opening/closing lever 109 via an advantageously selected connecting link guide, which gives the moving slider 141 an additional stroke and results in a relatively large support ratio of the opening/closing lever 109.

The support ratio resulting from positions B and C, which act on the cover carrier 140 and the opening/closing lever 109 in the longitudinal direction at the permanent position D, respectively, can be adjusted to one another even in the case of a comparatively large opening width . The maximum support force acting on the point of application D corresponds, for example, to a conventional machine, in which the opening/closing lever projects perpendicularly to the vertical direction Z and in particular rearward above the fixed roof component 129 in the open roof state. For example, a force acts on the point of application D which is, for example, less than 10% greater, for example 6% to 9% greater, than the force acting on the point B of the movable slider 141. Other force ratios are of course also possible, for example a length f of approximately 440 mm and a length e of approximately 400 mm. For example, the difference between the lengths e and f is greater than 10 mm and less than 50 mm.

The drive of the opening/closing lever 109 is realized by means of the drive carriage 110 and by means of a locking device 135 to the further drive carriage 130. A drive pin 125 is formed for this in the drive carriage 110, which runs in a drive connection link 124 in the opening/closing lever 109. The drive connection link 124 is formed as a cross connection link to the lift connection link 122. In addition, the drive connection link 124 has flats that adjust the tolerances for the closed and ventilated positions. Furthermore, any transmission ratio can be realized using the drive connection link 124. The connection or locking between the drive carriage 110 and the further drive carriage 130 or the guide rail 108 is carried out, for example, by means of a locking pin 136 rotatable about a longitudinal axis or by means of another locking device.

Due to the mechanism of the front edge 106 of the cover 103, a second control connection link in the cover carrier 140 is not necessary . Only one slider 134 is used in the cover carrier 140, which is arranged significantly forward on the cover 103 , in particular as close as possible to the imaginary rotation axis of the cover 103. This allows a large opening width in the longitudinal direction X. In addition, the space-saving locking device 135 allows a large opening width of the roof opening 102 and a smooth locking action with less noise. The number of components can be reduced compared to other conventional mechanisms . This reduces the complexity and the device 200 can be realized at low cost. Overall, a high natural frequency is achieved in the open state of the cover 103. At the support point behind the second connection 112 of the opening/closing lever 109, low bearing forces can be achieved due to the longer support ratio of the opening/closing lever 109.

It is also possible to realise a vehicle roof 101 in which the vehicle roof has only one cover for closing the roof opening 102, namely the movable cover 103, since no mechanical parts have to be slid backwards under the fixed roof member 129.

The implementation using the connecting link 114, the lift connecting link 122 and the drive connecting link 124 allows for a large degree of design freedom and ample tolerance margin. Overall, the device 200 can be realized with a relatively small number of components. The device 200 allows for reliable opening and closing of the roof opening 102.

100 Automobile 101 Vehicle roof 102 Roof opening 103 Cover 104 Front window 105 Body 106 Front edge 107 Rear edge
108 guide rail 109 opening/closing lever 110 driving carriage 111 first connecting portion 112 second connecting portion 113 interval 114 connecting link 115 sliding pin 116 portion
117 Shape 118 Length 119 Height 120 Vertically extending part
121 Cover longitudinal extension range 122 Lift connecting link 123 Lift pin 124 Drive connecting link 125 Drive pin 126, 127 Course 128 Projection portion
129 Fixed roof member
130 Another driving carriage 131, 132 end
133 Cover connecting link 134 Cover slider 135 Locking device 136 Locking pin 137 Lock connecting link 138 Locking member
139 Drive cable 140 Cover carrier 141 Moving slider 142 Locking groove 143 Locking pin 144 Cover pin 200 Device for vehicle roof X Longitudinal direction Y Lateral direction Z Vertical direction A, B, C, D Points of application e, f, i, k, L Distance

Claims (7)

An apparatus for a vehicle roof having a roof opening (102), comprising:
a cover (103) slidable in the longitudinal direction (X) for closing said roof opening (102);
a guide rail (108) arranged on the vehicle roof (101);
an opening/closing lever (109) pivotable relative to the guide rail (108), the cover (103) being slidable in a longitudinal direction (X) relative to the opening/closing lever (109) to open the roof opening (102);
a drive carriage (110) for pivoting the opening/closing lever (109), the drive carriage (110) being guided along the guide rail (108) so as to be slidable in the longitudinal direction (X);
The opening/closing lever (109) has a first connecting portion (111) with the guide rail (108) and a second connecting portion (112) with the guide rail (108),
the first connecting portion (111) and the second connecting portion (112) are spaced apart from each other in the longitudinal direction (X), and the opening/closing lever (109) is configured to be slidable in the longitudinal direction (X) relative to the guide rail (108) in a stepwise manner;
the first connection (111) comprises a connecting link (114) and a sliding pin (115) guided in the connecting link (114), the drive carriage (110) is operatively connected to the opening/closing lever (109) in a region (116) of the opening/closing lever (109) associated with the second connection (112), whereby the opening/closing lever (109) pivots and slides relative to the guide rail (108);
a lift connection link (122) fixedly formed on the guide rail (108) and guiding a lift pin (123) formed on the opening/closing lever (109), and a drive connection link (124) formed on the opening/closing lever (109) and guiding a drive pin (125) of the drive carriage (110) have mutually opposite courses (126, 127), so that the lift connection link (122) and the drive connection link (124) cross at least in the closed position of the cover (103). 2. The device for a vehicle roof according to claim 1, characterized in that the opening/closing lever (109) has a portion (128) projecting in the longitudinal direction (X), which portion projects in the longitudinal direction (X) beyond a fixed roof member ( 129 ) in the open position of the cover. An apparatus for a vehicle roof having a roof opening (102), comprising:
a cover (103) slidable in the longitudinal direction (X) for closing said roof opening (102);
a guide rail (108) arranged on the vehicle roof (101);
an opening/closing lever (109) pivotable relative to the guide rail (108), the cover (103) being slidable in a longitudinal direction (X) relative to the opening/closing lever (109) to open the roof opening (102);
a drive carriage (110) for pivoting the opening/closing lever (109), the drive carriage (110) being guided along the guide rail (108) so as to be slidable in the longitudinal direction (X);
and a further drive carriage (130),
The opening/closing lever (109) has a first connecting portion (111) with the guide rail (108) and a second connecting portion (112) with the guide rail (108),
the first connecting portion (111) and the second connecting portion (112) are spaced apart from each other in the longitudinal direction (X), and the opening/closing lever (109) is configured to be slidable in the longitudinal direction (X) relative to the guide rail (108) in a stepwise manner;
the first connection (111) comprises a connecting link (114) and a sliding pin (115) guided in the connecting link (114), the drive carriage (110) is operatively connected to the opening/closing lever (109) in a region (116) of the opening/closing lever (109) associated with the second connection (112), whereby the opening/closing lever (109) pivots and slides relative to the guide rail (108);
The cover (103) has a cover connecting link (133) at a front edge (106) which faces away from the opening/closing lever (109) in the longitudinal direction (X) when the cover (103) is in a closed position, and the separate drive carriage (130) engages with the cover connecting link (133) to slide the cover (103) in the longitudinal direction (X). 4. The device for a vehicle roof according to claim 3, characterized in that the drive carriage (110) and the further drive carriage (130) can be connected to each other in order to transmit the sliding movement of the further drive carriage (130) to the drive carriage (110), and the drive carriage (100) and the further drive carriage (130) can be decoupled from each other in order to allow the further drive carriage (130) to slide relative to the drive carriage (110) in the longitudinal direction ( X) . 4. An arrangement for a vehicle roof according to claim 1 or 3 , characterized in that it comprises a cover slider (134) fixed to the cover (103). A vehicle roof having a roof opening (102),
A device (200) for a vehicle roof according to claim 1 or 3 ,
and a cover (103), characterized in that the cover (103) and the roof opening (102) are dimensioned such that the roof opening (102) can be closed by the cover (103) at a rear edge (107) of the cover (103). A vehicle roof having a roof opening (102),
A device (200) for a vehicle roof according to any one of claims 1 to 5 ,
The cover (103),
and another cover (129), wherein the cover (103) is disposed on top of the other cover (129) in an open position, and the cover (103) and the other cover (129) and the roof opening (102) are dimensioned such that both the cover (103) and the other cover (129) are disposed within the roof opening (102).

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