System for a vehicle roof

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11801899-B2
Application number	US-202217826912-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	May 27, 2022
Priority date	Jun 1, 2021
Publication date	Oct 31, 2023
Grant date	Oct 31, 2023

Abstract

A system for a vehicle roof, the system includes a roof structure defining a roof opening and a functional type roof assembly, the functional type roof assembly including a functional type panel and an intermediate frame supporting the functional type panel, the intermediate frame having an outer peripheral edge configured to be mounted to the roof structure such that the roof opening is watertightly sealed by the functional type roof assembly, the outer peripheral edge of the intermediate frame having contour features consistent with those of an outer peripheral edge of a standard type panel, the outer peripheral edge of the standard type panel being configured to be mounted to the roof structure when the roof opening is watertightly sealed by the standard type panel in place of the functional type roof assembly.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. A system for a vehicle roof, the system comprising:
a roof structure defining a roof opening, and
a functional type roof assembly comprising:
a functional type panel, and
an intermediate frame supporting the functional type panel, the intermediate frame having an outer peripheral edge configured to be mounted to the roof structure such that the roof opening is watertightly sealed by the functional type roof assembly,
wherein the intermediate frame comprises an intermediate section extending inwards from the outer peripheral edge of the intermediate frame, forming a first downward step structure,
wherein the intermediate section defines an intermediate opening, and a glue string is applied along the intermediate section such that the functional type panel is glued onto the intermediate section to watertightly seal the intermediate opening,
wherein the intermediate frame further comprises an inner peripheral edge extending inwards from the intermediate section, forming a second downward step structure, the inner peripheral edge being unloaded and including a free end extending horizontally so as to increase the stiffness of the intermediate frame, and
wherein the outer peripheral edge of the intermediate frame has contour features consistent with those of an outer peripheral edge of a standard type panel.

2. The system according to claim 1 , further comprising a sealing member disposed between the outer peripheral edge of the intermediate frame and the roof structure.

3. The system according to claim 2 , wherein the outer peripheral edge of the intermediate frame is welded to the roof structure by a plurality of spot welds formed on the roof structure.

4. The system according to claim 3 , further comprising roof moldings disposed on two side portions of the outer peripheral edge of the intermediate frame that extend parallel to a longitudinal direction of the vehicle roof so as to cover the plurality of welding points.

5. The system according to claim 1 , wherein the functional type panel is configured as a glass panel, a solar panel or a plastic panel.

6. The system according to claim 1 , further comprising roof rails for assisting in carrying items on the vehicle roof disposed on two side portions of the outer peripheral edge of the intermediate frame that extend parallel to a longitudinal direction of the vehicle roof.

7. The system according to claim 1 , wherein the contour features comprise at least one of a curvature, a shape, and a size.

8. The system according to claim 1 , wherein the intermediate frame is formed of a steel plate by stamping.

9. A vehicle comprising:
a chassis; and
a system for a vehicle roof coupled to the chassis, the system comprising:
a roof structure defining a roof opening, and
a functional type roof assembly comprising:
a functional type panel, and
an intermediate frame supporting the functional type panel, the intermediate frame having an outer peripheral edge configured to be mounted to the roof structure such that the roof opening is watertightly sealed by the functional type roof assembly,
wherein the intermediate frame comprises an intermediate section extending inwards from the outer peripheral edge of the intermediate frame, forming a first downward step structure,
wherein the intermediate section defines an intermediate opening, and a glue string is applied along the intermediate section such that the functional type panel is glued onto the intermediate section to watertightly seal the intermediate opening,
wherein the intermediate frame further comprises an inner peripheral edge extending inwards from the intermediate section, forming a second downward step structure, the inner peripheral edge being unloaded and including a free end extending horizontally so as to increase the stiffness of the intermediate frame, and
wherein the outer peripheral edge of the intermediate frame has contour features consistent with those of an outer peripheral edge of a standard type panel.

10. The vehicle according to claim 9 , further comprising a sealing member disposed between the outer peripheral edge of the intermediate frame and the roof structure.

11. The vehicle according to claim 10 , wherein the outer peripheral edge of the intermediate frame is welded to the roof structure by a plurality of spot welds formed on the roof structure.

12. The vehicle according to claim 11 , further comprising roof moldings disposed on two side portions of the outer peripheral edge of the intermediate frame that extend parallel to a longitudinal direction of the vehicle roof so as to cover the plurality of welding points.

13. The vehicle according to claim 9 , wherein the functional type panel is configured as a glass panel, a solar panel or a plastic panel.

14. The vehicle according to claim 9 , further comprising roof rails for assisting in carrying items on the vehicle roof disposed on two side portions of the outer peripheral edge of the intermediate frame that extend parallel to a longitudinal direction of the vehicle roof.

15. The vehicle according to claim 9 , wherein the contour features comprise at least one of a curvature, a shape, and a size.

16. The vehicle according to claim 9 , wherein the intermediate frame is formed of a steel plate by stamping.

Assignees

• Volvo Car Corp

Inventors

• Runius Hakan
• Aronsson Malin

Classifications

• B62D25/06 Primary

  Fixed roofs (non-fixed roofs or like shelters B60J7/00; roof liners B60R13/02; insulating elements B60R13/08) · CPC title

• B62D25/02

  Side panels {(B62D33/046 takes precedence; sideboards for open load compartments B62D33/023)} · CPC title

• B62D27/023

  Assembly of structural joints · CPC title

• B62D65/06

  the sub-units or components being doors, windows, openable roofs, lids, bonnets, or weather strips or seals therefor {(assembling sealing arrangements with vehicle parts, e.g. doors, windows B60J10/45)} · CPC title

• B62D25/07

  having water drainage or guide means integral with roof structure · CPC title