Movable Vehicle Roof

Abstract

A movable vehicle roof has a plurality of segments which are movable relative to one another, in particular are displaceable and/or pivotable, and of which at least one has a core containing a filling structure forming cavities. The filling structure core is provided with a retaining part which engages around it in some regions at least on one side and, together with lateral elements disposed on it as a single piece, forms at least one intersecting point with the top framework.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING

FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic, sectional view of a roof segment with parts of a top framework according to the invention; and

FIG. 2 is a perspective, partial view a filling structure and parts of the retaining part.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring now to the figures of the drawing in detail and first, particularly, to FIG. 1 thereof, there is shown a roof segment 1 which is illustrated in section and belongs to a plurality of segments 1 of a movable vehicle roof, which segments are movable relative to one another, in particular are displaceable and/or pivotable. At least one of the roof segments 1 has a core containing a filling structure 3 defining cavities 2. In this case, the filling structure core 3 is provided with a retaining part 4 which engages around it in some regions at least on one side and, together with lateral elements 5 disposed on it as a single piece, forms at least one intersecting point 6 with a top framework 7.

In the embodiment illustrated in drawing FIG. 1, the retaining part 4 engages around the filling structure core 3 both on an upper side 8 and on a lower side 9. The retaining part 4 is preferably connected to the filling structure core 3 in a shaping manner, in particular is pressed onto it and/or cast into it, and forms a top layer 10 at least in some regions on the filling structure core 3. This emerges in particular from FIG. 2. The filling structure core 3 is illustrated there as a paper honeycomb structure 11, and it can clearly be seen how regions of the retaining part 4 enter into a cohesive material connection with the upper side 8 and the lower side 9 of the filling structure core 3 as a consequence of being pressed onto or cast into the cavities of the filling structure core 3, and form the top layer 10 on the upper side and lower side. The retaining part 4 may contain a polyurethane matrix and/or glass fiber mats.

At least one single-layer inside headlining section 14 is disposed on that surface 13 of the filling structure core 3 and/or of the retaining part 4 which faces the vehicle interior 12. In the embodiment illustrated in drawing FIG. 1, the inside headlining section 14 contains two layers, namely an intermediate layer 15 including a soft polyethylene foam, and a finishing inside headlining layer 16 manufactured from a textile material. Only the inside headlining layer 16 is visible to the passenger from the interior and may also be manufactured, for example, from other materials, such as leather or plastic.

The filling structure core 3 is provided with an elastic supporting layer 17 on that surface of the roof segment 1 which lies opposite the inside headlining section 14, i.e. the side directed outward when the top is closed. The supporting layer 17 of this type is advantageous in particular when a flexible vehicle roof is provided which has a flexible roof skin 18, and the latter is supported by sheet-like supporting elements 19 which are formed from the roof segments 1. Therefore the roof segments 1 according to the invention, which have the filling structure core 3 and the retaining parts 4 connected thereto, form a sheet-like supporting element 19 for a flexible vehicle roof skin 18. In this case, the vehicle roof skin 18 is fastened at least in some regions to at least one of the supporting elements 19.

The elastic supporting layer 17 serves, first, to gently support the vehicle roof skin 18 and, second, makes it possible, irrespective of the shape of the outer contour of the filling structure core 3, to ensure a defined shape of the vehicle roof skin 18 when the vehicle roof is closed.

The intersecting point 6 between the lateral element 5 and the top framework 7 is to contain at least one articulated connection; the latter can be realized, for example, by a screw 20 which is mounted rotateably at least to one connecting partner.

As is likewise apparent from drawing FIG. 1, the vehicle roof skin 18 is connected on the end side to lateral roof frame parts 21 of the top framework 7. The lateral roof frame part 21 has a sealing element 22 which serves to seal side windows.

Claims

1. A movable vehicle roof, comprising: a plurality of segments being movable relative to one another and at least one of said segments containing a core having a filling structure defining cavities therein, said core having a retaining part engaging around said filling structure in some regions at least on one side, said retaining part having lateral elements extending from it and formed as a single piece unit, said retaining part together with said lateral elements forming at least one intersecting point with a top framework.

2. The movable vehicle roof according to claim 1, wherein said retaining part engages over said filling structure at least in said some regions on an upper side and a lower side of said filling structure.

3. The movable vehicle roof according to claim 1, wherein said retaining part is connected to said filling structure in a shaping manner and forms a top layer at least in said some regions on said filling structure.

4. The movable vehicle roof according to claim 1, wherein said retaining part is formed of at least one of a polyurethane matrix and glass fiber mats.

5. The movable vehicle roof according to claim 1, wherein said filling structure contains a paper honeycomb structure.

6. The movable vehicle roof according to claim 1, further comprising an at least single-layer inside headlining section disposed on a surface of one of said filling structure and said retaining part, facing a vehicle interior.

7. The movable vehicle roof according to claim 1, further comprising an elastic supporting layer disposed on said core on a side directed outward when the movable vehicle roof is closed.

8. The movable vehicle roof according to claim 1, wherein said intersecting point between said lateral elements and said top framework includes an articulated connection.

9. The movable vehicle roof according to claim 1, wherein said filling structure together with said retaining part forms a sheet-shaped supporting element for a flexible vehicle roof skin.

10. The movable vehicle roof according to claim 9, wherein said vehicle roof skin is fastened at least in some regions to said sheet-shaped supporting element.

11. The movable vehicle roof according to claim 1, wherein said segments being movable relative to one another are at least one of displaceable and pivotable relative to one another.

12. The movable vehicle roof according to claim 3, wherein said retaining part is connected to said filling structure by one of being pressed onto said filling structure and being cast into said filling structure.

13. A method for producing a movable multi-shell vehicle roof, which comprises the steps of: preparing a section of a paper honeycomb structure;encapsulating the section of the paper honeycomb structure at least in some regions by one of injection molding and casting for shaping purposes, with a retaining part being formed, and with lateral regions of the retaining part merging into an intersecting point with a top framework; andapplying at least one layer in a sheet-shaped manner to a surface of at least one of the retaining part and the paper honeycomb structure facing an interior.

14. The method for producing a movable multi-segment vehicle roof according to claim 13, which further comprises covering the vehicle roof with a flexible top cloth spanning the vehicle roof, and the flexible top cloth is supported at least in some regions by at least one segment at least in a phasewise manner.