Roof panel for a motor vehicle

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9834253-B2
Application number	US-201615005484-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jan 25, 2016
Priority date	Jan 24, 2015
Publication date	Dec 5, 2017
Grant date	Dec 5, 2017

Abstract

A roof panel for the passenger cabin of a motor vehicle includes a composite or plastic panel-like body and a metal frame that runs continuously along a periphery of the plastic body. The metal frame prevents the thermal expansion of the plastic body at high temperatures, so the expansion of the entire roof panel approximates that of an equivalent metal roof panel. Specifically, the uninterrupted encircling structure of the frame absorbs forces resulting from thermal expansion of the plastic body.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A roof panel for the passenger cabin of a motor vehicle comprising:
a plastic panel that includes a first component and a second component;
a metal frame continuously extending around a periphery along an edge of the plastic panel;
a plurality of connecting wires that extend across an opening defined in the metal frame, the plurality of connecting wires being thinner than the metal frame, an interspace defined between the plurality of connecting wires;
the metal frame and the connecting wire being embedded within the plastic panel between the first component and the second component, at least one of the first component and the second component being received within the interspace and fixed to the other of the first component and the second component.

2. The roof panel according to claim 1 , wherein the frame comprises a wire having a cross section defining a simple closed curve.

3. The roof panel according to claim 2 , wherein the wire is embedded in the plastic panel.

4. The roof panel according to claim 1 , wherein at least one of the first and second components comprise a fiber-reinforced plastic panel.

5. The roof panel according to claim 1 , wherein at least one of the plurality of connecting wires has two ends, wherein the at least one of the plurality of connecting wires is fastened to the frame at each of the two ends.

6. The roof panel according to claim 5 , wherein the plurality of connecting wires forms a braid.

7. The roof panel according to claim 5 , wherein the plurality of connecting wires forms a mesh.

8. The roof panel according to claim 7 , wherein the plurality of connecting wires are fastened to each other at an intersection points of the mesh.

9. The roof panel according to claim 1 , further comprising a groove extending along at least a portion of the periphery configured to receive a bead of adhesive for securing the roof panel to an adjacent body structure.

10. The roof panel according to claim 9 , wherein the second component has a shorter peripheral edge than the first component such that the groove is defined between the second component and the first component.

11. The roof panel according to according to claim 1 further comprising at least one rib extending in a transverse direction to the plastic panel and joined therewith.

12. The roof panel according to claim 11 , wherein the at least one rib is attached to a surface of the second component of the plastic panel, the surface of the second component facing away from the first component.

13. The roof panel according to claim 11 , further comprising a plurality of ribs connected as a single part in a transverse roof arch.

14. The roof panel according to claim 13 , wherein the plurality of ribs comprises a ladder-like structure having a pair of side rails extending along opposite lateral edges of the roof panel and at least one rung extending between the pair of side rails.

15. The roof panel according to claim 1 , further comprising a structural element with opposing longitudinal connecting elements, opposing transverse connecting elements, and a plurality of ribs;
wherein the structural element is attached to a surface of the second component, the surface of the second component facing away from the first component;
wherein the longitudinal connecting elements and the transverse connecting elements are disposed proximate the periphery of the plastic panel, and wherein the plurality of ribs extend between the longitudinal connecting elements; and
wherein the longitudinal connecting elements and the transverse connecting elements include a frame groove that receives the metal frame.

16. A roof panel for the passenger cabin of a motor vehicle comprising:
a plastic panel that includes a first component and a second component;
a perforated metal structure that includes a frame continuously extending around a periphery of the plastic panel, the perforated metal structure including a plurality of connecting wires arranged as a mesh and extending across an opening defined in the metal frame, the plurality of connecting wires being thinner than the metal frame, an interspace defined through the mesh of the plurality of connecting wires, the perforated metal structure being embedded within the plastic panel between the first component and the second component with the first component and the second component fused together via the interspace; and
a structural element with opposing longitudinal connecting elements, opposing transverse connecting elements, and a plurality of ribs;
the longitudinal connecting elements and the transverse connecting elements disposed proximate the periphery of the plastic panel, and the plurality of ribs extending between the longitudinal connecting elements;
the longitudinal connecting elements and the transverse connecting elements including a frame groove that receives the frame;
the structural element being attached to a surface of the second component, the surface of the second component facing away from the first component;
the longitudinal connecting elements and the transverse connecting elements defining a flank of the roof panel, the first component extending from the flank; and
an adhesive groove being defined between the flank and the first component, the adhesive groove configured to receive an adhesive configured for attaching the roof panel to a vehicle.

Assignees

• Gm Global Tech Operations Llc

Inventors

• Mildner Udo
• Teske Lothar

Classifications

• B62D29/004

  the metal being over-moulded by the synthetic material, e.g. in a mould · 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