JP7733593B2 - car - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a vehicle having a panoramic roof panel.

Conventionally, harnesses for sensors and other devices installed above the windshield of a vehicle are routed behind the inner panel of the roof and then routed from the front pillar to the back of the inner panel.

For example, as disclosed in Patent Document 1, there is a known automobile equipped with a panoramic roof in which the windshield and roof panel are integrated. In this automobile, the harnesses for the room lamp unit and other components are routed between the roof panel and a connecting part that serves as a ceiling component attached to the interior surface of the roof panel.

Patent No. 4624225

To hide the harnesses for sensors and other devices installed in the front part of the roof, a ceiling part is required to cover the interior surface of the roof panel.

However, there is a problem in that the above-mentioned ceiling components get in the way of making the panoramic roof look attractive, wide, and flat when viewed from inside the vehicle.

The present invention was made in light of these issues, and its purpose is to provide a panoramic roof structure that looks good by eliminating or reducing the influence of ceiling components that cover the interior surface of the roof panel.

To achieve the above objective, this invention incorporates ingenuity into the wiring position of the harness.

Specifically, in the first aspect of the present invention, a center roof rail intersects the center of a roof panel covering a passenger compartment ceiling in the vehicle width direction and supports the roof panel from the inside,
a panoramic roof panel in which at least the front side of the front window portion and the roof panel portion are integrated;
an electrical component storage section provided in a front portion of the panoramic roof panel and configured to store electrical components;
a protruding portion provided on the panoramic roof panel, extending continuously in the front-rear direction between at least the electrical component storage portion and the center roof rail and bulging upward;
a harness storage space formed inside the protrusion portion, for storing a harness of the electrical component;
The harness for the electrical components is arranged in the harness storage space extending from the electrical component storage section to the center roof rail, and is located inside the harness storage space outside the interior surface of the panoramic roof panel.

With the above configuration, a protrusion that bulges upward provides space for storing harnesses, so the electrical component harnesses are positioned outside the interior surface of the panoramic roof panel. This eliminates the need to bulge the interior side of the panoramic roof panel to provide space for the harnesses, allowing the interior surface of the panoramic roof panel to be flat, improving its appearance. Note that "intersecting the center of the roof panel in the vehicle's fore-and-aft direction in the vehicle width direction" means that the center of the roof panel in the fore-and-aft direction of the vehicle may intersect perpendicularly or at an angle to the fore-and-aft direction of the vehicle. Furthermore, "extending continuously in the fore-and-aft direction at least between the electrical component storage section and the center roof rail" means, for example, that the protrusion may extend further rearward than the center roof rail.

In a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention,
the protrusion is formed by fixing a cover member to an outer surface of the panoramic roof panel, the cover member forming a storage space for the harness between the panoramic roof panel and the cover member,
the panoramic roof panel has a panel through-hole between the vehicle interior and the harness storage space,
The harness passes through the panel through-hole.

With the above configuration, the cover member is fixed to the outer surface of the panoramic roof panel, so there is no need to install the cover member on the interior side of the panoramic roof panel, allowing it to be flat, improving its appearance. Furthermore, the harness can be easily routed into the harness storage space by passing through the panel through-hole.

In a third aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention,
The panoramic roof panel is made of a resin material,
The protrusion portion is
a bulging portion of the panoramic roof panel having a concave cross section that bulges outward from the vehicle cabin and opens toward the vehicle cabin;
and a cover part that closes the opening of the bulging part to form the harness storage space.

With the above configuration, the panoramic roof itself bulges outward from the vehicle interior, and the concave cross-sectional portion is covered with a lid component, creating a harness storage space. This harness storage space can be used to route the harness, eliminating the need for the harness to pass through the panoramic roof, resulting in excellent waterproofing. Furthermore, because the harness is routed outside the interior surface, the lid component does not need to bulge out from the interior surface and does not protrude. Furthermore, because the panoramic roof panel is made of resin, it is easy to mold into a concave cross-sectional shape.

In a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the third aspect of the present invention,
The cover part has a carrier piece for supporting the harness of the electrical component in the harness storage space.

With the above configuration, the harness can be secured by the support piece, making it easy to assemble the harness and preventing noise caused by rattle of the harness.

In a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the third or fourth aspect of the present invention,
The bulging portion is covered from the outside with a protrusion cover member.

With the above configuration, by covering the bulging portion of the transparent panoramic roof with the protrusion cover member, it is easy to prevent internal components such as harnesses for electrical components wired within the bulging portion from being visible from the outside.

In a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect,
The protrusion and the harness storage space are integrally formed with the panoramic roof panel made of resin.

With the above configuration, the protrusions and harness storage space are formed integrally with the panoramic roof panel itself, eliminating the need for lid components, protrusion cover members, etc., reducing the number of parts and ensuring waterproofing.

In a seventh aspect of the present invention, in any one of the first to sixth aspects of the present invention,
The external shape of the protrusion extends continuously to the rear side of the roof panel portion.

The above configuration allows for a more flowing form than when the protrusions end at the front of the roof panel, improving the design of the entire roof panel, including the protrusions.

In an eighth aspect of the present invention, in any one of the first to seventh aspects of the present invention,
An electrical component other than the electrical component is built into the inside of the protrusion or in the external shape of the protrusion on the rear side of the roof panel.

With the above configuration, the space created by the protrusion can be effectively utilized to add electrical components such as high-mounted stop lamps, increasing added value.

As explained above, according to the present invention, the harness for the electrical components is placed in the harness storage space that runs from the electrical component storage section to the center roof rail, and is placed inside this harness storage space outside the interior surface of the panoramic roof panel. This eliminates or reduces the influence of the ceiling components that cover the interior surface of the roof panel, resulting in a panoramic roof structure that looks good.

1 is a perspective view showing a vehicle body according to first to fourth embodiments of the present invention, with some parts omitted. 1 is a central cross-sectional view of a vehicle body according to first to fourth embodiments of the present invention. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in FIG. 1. FIG. 3 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of part B in FIG. 2 . 2 is a cross-sectional view corresponding to line AA in FIG. 1 according to a modified example of the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view corresponding to line AA in FIG. 1 according to a second embodiment. FIG. 3 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of part B in FIG. 2 according to a second embodiment. FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view corresponding to line AA in FIG. 1 according to a modified example of the second embodiment. FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view corresponding to line AA in FIG. 1 according to a third embodiment. FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view corresponding to line CC of FIG. 1 according to a fourth embodiment.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

(Embodiment 1)
1 and 2 show a vehicle body 1 of an automobile according to embodiments 1 to 4 of the present invention. Like a normal automobile, this automobile includes wheels, an engine, a hood, a trunk, seats, a steering wheel, side doors, etc., but these are not shown.

The vehicle body 1 comprises a main body 2 that defines the passenger compartment 5 and includes a floor frame 2a, fenders 2b, a dash panel 2c, and a rear frame 2d. The main body 2 includes left and right front pillars 3 on the front side of the passenger compartment, and an instrument panel 4 is provided at the front. Although not shown, various electronic devices, control devices, meters, etc. are provided within the instrument panel 4.

The upper side of the passenger compartment 5 of the vehicle body 2 is covered as a whole by a curved panoramic roof panel 10. The panoramic roof panel 10 is fitted and fixed into a wide opening 2e formed on the upper surface of the vehicle body 2 and surrounded by the front pillars 3, cowl top 6, etc. In this embodiment, the front side 12a and rear side 12b of the roof panel portion 12 that forms the ceiling side of the vehicle body 2 are entirely covered by the panoramic roof panel 10; however, it is also possible that only the front window portion 14 and the front side 12a of the roof panel portion 12 are covered by the integrated panoramic roof panel 10, and the rear side 12b is covered by a frame made of, for example, non-transparent resin or metal.

The panoramic roof panel 10 may be made of inorganic glass or a molded resin. Inorganic glass is scratch-resistant and easy to maintain strength. On the other hand, molded resin panels are made from materials such as PC (polycarbonate), PET (polyethylene terephthalate), PBT (polybutylene terephthalate), and PC/ABS alloy (polycarbonate/acrylonitrile butadiene styrene), and because they are molded, they are easy to create complex shapes.

In this embodiment, the center roof rail 13 intersects the roof panel portion 12 in the vehicle width direction at the center of the vehicle's fore-and-aft direction, supporting the roof panel portion 12 from the inside. In this embodiment, the center roof rail 13 intersects perpendicularly to the vehicle's fore-and-aft direction, but it may intersect at an angle toward the front or rear of the vehicle, or it may intersect with the center line of the vehicle's fore-and-aft direction at the tip of its V- or U-shape when viewed from above. In this embodiment, the front and rear of the panoramic roof panel 10 are molded as a single unit at the center roof rail 13, but separate pieces may also be connected.

An electrical component storage section 30 is provided on the interior front surface of the panoramic roof panel 10, above the driver's seat and passenger seat, for storing various sensors, room lamps, and other electrical components. The electrical component storage section 30 is made of, for example, a resin molded part, and its shape is not particularly limited; it may also support a rearview mirror (not shown).

As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the panoramic roof panel 10 is provided with a protruding stripe 20 that extends continuously in the fore-and-aft direction at least between the electrical component storage section 30 and the center roof rail 13 and bulges upward. As in this embodiment, the external shape of this protruding stripe 20 may extend continuously to the rear side of the roof panel section 12. This makes it easier to give the protruding stripe 20 a flowing, streamlined form, improving design. The protruding stripe 20 may also end near the center roof rail 13.

A continuous harness storage space 32 is provided inside this protrusion 20 to store the electrical component harness 31.

As shown in Figures 2 to 4, the electrical component harness 31 is arranged in a harness storage space 32 that extends from the electrical component storage section 30 to the center roof rail 13. The electrical component harness 31 is arranged inside the harness storage space 32, outside the interior surface 10c of the panoramic roof panel 10.

In this embodiment, as shown enlarged in Figures 3 and 4, the protrusion 20 is formed by fixing a cover member 21 to the outer surface (top surface) of the panoramic roof panel 10. The cover member 21 forms a harness storage space 32 between itself and the panoramic roof panel 10. The cover member 21 is made of a molded product made of, for example, PP (polypropylene), ABS (acrylonitrile butadiene styrene), or PC (polycarbonate) resin. In this embodiment, the cover member 21 has a triangular cross section, and is bonded and fixed to the outer surface of the panoramic roof panel 10 with adhesive 22, thereby creating a triangular cross-sectional harness storage space 32 inside. Harness retaining ribs 21a are provided on the underside of the cover member 21 at appropriate intervals in the front-to-rear direction, preventing the harness 31 from rattling.

As shown in Figure 4, the panoramic roof panel 10 has, for example, a circular panel through-hole 10a between the vehicle interior and the harness storage space 32, through which the harness 31 passes. For example, this panel through-hole 10a is provided with a seal member 33 made of rubber or elastomer, and the harness 31 is inserted tightly into the harness through-hole 33a provided in the center of this seal member 33, thereby creating a watertight seal.

The harness 31 passes through this harness through-hole 33a, extends rearward through the harness storage space 32, and then extends laterally across the vehicle via the center roof rail 13. After that, it passes between the side roof rails 7 and the interior trim of each part of the front pillar 3 and is pulled into the instrument panel 4.

The area through which the harness 31 passes is coated with a ceramic coating 23 in black or other colors on the inner surface of the panoramic roof panel 10. This makes the harness 31 invisible, improving its appearance.

As described above, according to this embodiment, the harness 31 for the electrical components is located outside the interior surface 10c of the panoramic roof panel 10, allowing the interior surface of the panoramic roof panel 10 to be flat, improving its appearance.

--Modification of the first embodiment--
5 shows a modified example of the first embodiment of the present invention, which differs from the above embodiment in that the shape of the panoramic roof panel 110 is different. In the following modified examples and embodiments, the same parts as those in FIGS. 1 to 4 are designated by the same reference numerals, and detailed descriptions thereof will be omitted.

As shown in Figure 5, the panoramic roof panel 110 of this modified example is formed so that a pair of positioning ribs 110a extend continuously on the outer surface along the protrusion portion 120. This panoramic roof panel 110 is a resin molded product, and the positioning ribs 110a are molded integrally during molding.

For example, adhesive 22 may be applied between the outer side surfaces of the pair of positioning ribs 110a and the inner surface of the cover member 21 to secure the cover member 21 in place.

In this modified example, the cover member 21 can be attached along the pair of positioning ribs 110a, which has the advantage of making positioning easy and preventing the cover member 21 from slipping out of place.

(Embodiment 2)
6 and 7 show a second embodiment of the present invention, which differs from the first embodiment in that a panoramic roof panel 210 also serves as a protrusion 220.

In this embodiment, the panoramic roof panel 210 is made of an easily moldable resin material, and the protrusion 220 is composed of a bulging portion 210a of the panoramic roof panel 210 that has a concave cross-section and bulges outward from the vehicle cabin and opens toward the interior of the vehicle cabin (downward), and a lid part 221 that closes the opening 210b of this bulging portion 210a to form the harness storage space 32.

The bulge portion 210a in this embodiment has a triangular cross-sectional bulge shape similar to the cover member 21 in the first embodiment, but the bulge portion 210a is integrally molded into the panoramic roof panel 210 itself.

Since this bulge 210a is a transparent resin molded part, it is desirable to apply an opaque coating 223 to the outer surface. This prevents the harness 31, lid part 221, and other internal components from being visible from the outside.

The lid part 221 is made of, for example, PP or elastomer, and preferably has a flat underside with a shape that minimizes the formation of a step with the interior surface 210c of the panoramic roof panel 210. The harness 31 is fixed to a support piece 221a integrally formed on the upper surface of the lid part 221. The shape of this support piece 221a is not particularly limited, but in this embodiment it is a pair of claws that can expand and contract as shown in Figure 6. The lid part 221 is fixed to the inner surface of the bulge portion 210a of the panoramic roof panel 210 with adhesive 22 or double-sided tape. It is preferable that the lid part 221 be opaque to hide the harness 31.

In this way, in this embodiment, the lid part 221 can be attached by fitting it from below along the inner surface of the bulge part 210a. This makes the lid part 221 easy to attach, eliminates the complicated positioning required for the cover member 21, and prevents problems such as the cover member 21 coming off. Furthermore, there is no need to provide a panel through-hole 10a for inserting the harness 31, so waterproofing is maintained.

In addition, a support piece 221a that supports the electrical component harness 31 is formed on the harness storage space 32 side of the cover part 221, making it easy to assemble the harness 31 and preventing abnormal noise caused by rattle of the harness 31.

--Modification of the second embodiment--
FIG. 8 shows the protrusion 320 and its surroundings of a panoramic roof panel 310 according to a modified example of the second embodiment of the present invention, which differs from the second embodiment in that the outside of the bulge 310a is covered with a protrusion cover member 321.

Unlike the second embodiment, the bulge 310a of this modified example has a flat upper end (tip side) and is covered from the outside by a protrusion cover member 321 with a triangular cross section. The inner surface of this protrusion cover member 321 and the outer surface of the bulge 310a are bonded and fixed with adhesive 22 or double-sided tape. The configuration of the lid component 221 is the same as in the second embodiment.

For example, by constructing this protrusion cover member 321 from an opaque resin molded part, metal member, etc., it is possible to easily prevent internal components such as the electrical component harness 31 and cover member 221 from being visible from the outside without applying an opaque coating 223.

(Embodiment 3)
FIG. 9 shows a third embodiment of the present invention, which differs from the above-described embodiments in that a protrusion 420 is integrally formed on the panoramic roof panel 410 itself.

In other words, in this embodiment, the panoramic roof panel 410 is integrally molded from a resin material so that a continuous cavity (harness storage space 32) is formed inside the protrusion 420 when the panoramic roof panel 410 is molded by gas injection or the like.

For this reason, as in the first embodiment, it is advisable to provide a harness through-hole 31a at an appropriate position on the panoramic roof panel 410 and insert the harness 31 into the harness storage space 32 via a sealing member 33.

In this embodiment, the outer surface of the transparent protrusion 420 is covered with an opaque coating 223, preventing the contents from being visible from the outside.

In this embodiment, there is no need to provide the lid part 221, protrusion cover member 321, etc., as in embodiment 2 above, which reduces the number of parts and ensures waterproofness.

(Embodiment 4)
FIG. 10 shows a fourth embodiment of the present invention, which differs from the above-described embodiments in that an additional electrical component is provided inside the protrusion 520 .

In this embodiment, the protrusion 520 is formed by covering the outer surface of the panoramic roof panel 510 with a cover member 521 made of a translucent material with a triangular cross section. For example, only the rear protrusion 520 may be configured as shown in Figure 10, and the portion in front of it may be configured in the same way as in the above embodiments.

Other electrical components, such as a light-emitting tube extending forward and backward, an antenna 534, etc., are built into the interior of the protrusion 520 or into the exterior shape of the protrusion 520 on the rear side of the roof panel 12, in addition to the electrical components provided in the electrical component storage section 30. In the case of a light-emitting tube, the cover member 521 that constitutes the protrusion 520 can be made of a translucent material to improve the aesthetic appearance.

As another electrical component, although not shown in detail, a high-mounted stop lamp 535 may be provided on the rear end surface of the protrusion 520, as shown in Figures 1 and 2. The harness 31 leading to these antennas 534 and high-mounted stop lamps 535 is fixed, for example, to the retaining claws 524a of the retaining disc 524 in the harness storage space 32, and is routed from the instrument panel 4 through the front pillar 3, center roof rail 13, and harness storage space 32 to the rear end of the protrusion 520.

This embodiment has the advantage that the space created by providing the protrusion 520 can be effectively utilized to add electrical components.

The above embodiments are essentially preferred examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention, its applications, or uses.

1. Body
2. Body
2a Floor frame
2b Fender
2c Dash panel
2d rear frame
2e opening
3. Front pillar
4. Instrument panel
5 Vehicle compartment
6 Cowl top
10, 110, 210, 310, 410, 510 Panoramic roof panel
10a Panel through hole
12 Roof panel section
12a front side
12b rear side
13 Center roof rail
14 Front window section
20,120,220,320,420,520 Projection part
21 Cover member
21a Rib
22 Adhesive
23 Ceramic coating
30 Electrical component storage section
31 Harness
31a Harness through hole
32 Harness storage space
33 sealing member
110a Positioning rib
210a bulge
210b opening
210c Indoor surface 221 Lid part
221a Holding piece
223 Painting
310a bulge
321 Protrusion cover member
521 Cover member
524 Retaining plate 524a Retaining claw 534 Antenna (electrical component)
535 High-mount stop lamp (electrical parts)

Claims (8)

a center roof rail (13) that crosses the center of the roof panel (12) covering the passenger compartment ceiling in the vehicle width direction and supports the roof panel (12) from the inside;
a panoramic roof panel (10, 110, 210, 310, 410, 510) in which at least the front side of the front window portion (14) and the roof panel portion (12) are integrated;
an electrical component storage section (30) provided in a front portion of the panoramic roof panel (10, 110, 210, 310, 410, 510) for storing electrical components;
a protrusion (20, 120, 220, 320, 420, 520) provided on the panoramic roof panel (10, 110, 210, 310, 410, 510), extending continuously in the front-rear direction between at least the electrical component storage section (30) and the center roof rail (13), and bulging upward;
a harness storage space (32) formed inside the protrusion (20, 120, 220, 320, 420, 520) for storing a harness (31) of the electrical component;
The vehicle is characterized in that the harness (31) of the electrical components is arranged in the harness storage space (32) extending from the electrical component storage section (30) to the center roof rail (13), and is located inside the harness storage space (32) outside the interior surface of the panoramic roof panel (10, 110, 210, 310, 410, 510). the protrusion (20) is formed by fixing a cover member (21, 521) to the outer surface of the panoramic roof panel (10, 110, 510), the cover member forming a storage space for the harness (31) between the panoramic roof panel (10, 110, 510) and the panoramic roof panel;
The panoramic roof panel (10, 110, 510) has a panel through-hole (10a) between the vehicle interior and the harness storage space (32),
2. The automobile according to claim 1, wherein the harness (31) passes through the panel through-hole (10a). The panoramic roof panel (210, 310) is made of a resin material,
The protrusions (220, 320) are
a bulging portion (210a, 310a) of the panoramic roof panel (210, 310) having a concave cross section that bulges outward from the vehicle cabin and opens toward the vehicle cabin;
2. The automobile according to claim 1, further comprising a cover part (221) that closes the openings (210b, 310b) of the bulges (210a, 310a) to form the harness storage space (32). 4. The automobile according to claim 3, wherein the cover part (221) has a support piece (221a) for supporting the harness (31) of the electrical component in the harness storage space (32). 5. The automobile according to claim 3, wherein the bulge (310a) is covered from the outside with a protrusion cover member (321). 2. The automobile according to claim 1, wherein the protrusion (20) and the harness storage space (32) are integrally formed with the panoramic roof panel (410) made of resin. 7. The automobile according to claim 1, wherein the external shape of the protrusion (20, 120, 220, 320, 420, 520) extends continuously to the rear side of the roof panel (12). 8. The automobile according to claim 1, wherein other electrical components (534, 535) separate from the electrical components are built into the interior of the protrusion (20, 120, 220, 320, 420, 520) or the exterior shape of the protrusion (20, 120, 220, 320, 420, 520) on the rear side of the roof panel portion (12).