Vehicle body with adhesively bonded vehicle roof along with a method for manufacturing a motor vehicle

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2016176274-A1
Application number	US-201514971346-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Dec 16, 2015
Priority date	Dec 18, 2014
Publication date	Jun 23, 2016
Grant date	—

Abstract

A vehicle body is disclosed having a roof materially joined to the vehicle body via adhesive bonding. A locking structure is provided that holds the roof on the vehicle body, securing it against detaching in the vertical direction of the vehicle and allowing a movement by the roof relative to the vehicle body, in particular a temperature-induced expansion movement, in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle and/or transverse direction of the vehicle. The locking structure includes a latching element and a counter-latching element such as a stop element that is engages with the latching element.

First claim

1 - 15 . (canceled)

16 . A vehicle body having a roof mounted and materially joined to the vehicle body via adhesive bonding, and further comprising a locking structure configured to hold the roof on the vehicle body, secure the roof against detaching in a vertical direction of the vehicle body and allow a temperature-induced expansion movement by the roof relative to the vehicle body in at least one of a longitudinal direction and transverse direction of the vehicle.

17 . The vehicle body according to claim 16 , wherein the locking structure is configured to securely retain the roof on the vehicle body so that the roof is not be moved the vertical direction of the vehicle during a dip painting process.

18 . The vehicle body according to claim 16 , therein the locking structure is configured to provide a positive connection with the vehicle body during placement of the roof on the vehicle body.

19 . The vehicle body according to claim 16 , wherein the locking element generate a retaining force for holding the roof against the vehicle body in a predetermined installation position in the vertical direction, and permitting a temperature-induced expansion movement of the roof relative to the vehicle body in the longitudinal direction and the transverse direction.

20 . The vehicle body according to claim 16 , wherein the locking structure generates a retaining force that, in a dip painting process, holds the roof against the vehicle body in a predetermined installation position in the vertical direction, and permits a temperature-induced expansion movement of the roof relative to the vehicle body in the longitudinal direction and the transverse direction.

21 . The vehicle body according to claim 16 , wherein the locking structure is arranged on at least one of the vehicle body and the roof.

22 . The vehicle body according to claim 21 , wherein the locking structure comprises a latching element and a counter-latching element configured to engage with the latching element, wherein one of the latching element and the counter-latching element being formed on the vehicle body, and the other of the latching element and the counter-latching element being formed on the roof.

23 . The vehicle body according to claim 22 , wherein the counter-latching element is formed on a material section of a roof frame structure of the vehicle body, and lies adjacent to a joining area of the roof frame structure having an adhesive.

24 . The vehicle body according to claim 23 , wherein the latching element is formed on an edge section of the roof lying adjacent to the joining area.

25 . The vehicle body according to one of claims 24 , wherein at least a portion of the latching element and the counter-latching element extend in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle.

26 . The vehicle body according to claim 16 , wherein the roof comprises a material having aluminum or aluminum alloy.

27 . The vehicle body according to claim 26 , wherein the vehicle body comprises a material having steel or steel alloy.

28 . A vehicle body having a roof mounted and materially joined to the vehicle body via adhesive bonding and further comprising a locking structure including a first latching element formed on the vehicle body and a second latching element form on the roof configured to engage with the first latching element to hold the roof on the vehicle body, secure the roof against detaching in a vertical direction of the vehicle body and allow a temperature-induced expansion movement of the roof relative to the vehicle body in a longitudinal direction and a transverse direction of the vehicle.

29 . A method for manufacturing a motor vehicle having the vehicle body in combination with the roof according to claim 28 , wherein the vehicle body and roof are first manufactured as a vehicle shell, after which the vehicle shell is painted using a dip painting process to form a painted vehicle shell.

30 . The method according to claim 29 , wherein the dip painting processes comprises a cathodically dip painting process.

31 . The method according to claim 29 , further comprising subjecting the painted vehicle shell is subjected to a thermal paint drying process.

32 . A motor vehicle comprising a vehicle body according to claim 28 .

Assignees

• Gm Global Tech Operations Inc

Inventors

• Lange Marcus

Classifications

• B60J10/32

  using integral U-shaped retainers · CPC title

• B62D25/06 Primary

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

• B62D27/026

  Connections by glue bonding (in general F16B11/00; processes C09J5/00) · CPC title

• B60J10/34

  using adhesives · CPC title

• B62D23/00 Primary

  Combined superstructure and frame, i.e. monocoque constructions ({having impact absorbing means B62D21/15; } superstructure {or monocoque structure} sub-units {or parts or details thereof} B62D25/00 {; characterised by the material thereof B62D29/00}) · CPC title