ROOF STRUCTURE WITH A BELLOW

Abstract

A roof construction for a motor vehicle, including a displaceable roof element which is displaceable between a retracted out-of-use position and an extended use position, wherein the roof element in its extended use position is in a spaced-apart position relative to a body of the vehicle. Arranged on the roof element is a folding bellows which, when the roof element is in the use position, assumes an opened state and bridges a gap between the roof element and the body, and which, when the roof element is in the out-of-use position, assumes a compressed state collapsed in folds. The folding bellows has a layer structure with at least two different layers.

Claims

1-30. (canceled)

31. A roof construction for a motor vehicle, comprising a displaceable roof element which is displaceable between a retracted out-of-use position and an extended use position, wherein the roof element in the extended use position is in a spaced-apart position relative to a body of the vehicle, wherein there is arranged on the roof element a folding bellows which, when the roof element is in the use position, assumes an opened state and bridges a gap between the roof element and the body, and which, when the roof element is in the out-of-use position, assumes a compressed state collapsed in folds, wherein the folding bellows comprises a layer structure which has at least two different layers.

32. The roof construction according to claim 31, wherein the layer structure has three layers.

33. The roof construction according to claim 31, wherein the different layers are fixed to one another.

34. The roof construction according to claim 31, wherein the layer structure comprises layers of different materials.

35. The roof construction according to claim 31, wherein the layer structure comprises at least one layer of a textile material, in particular of a woven fabric, further in particular of a polyester woven fabric.

36. The roof construction according to claim 35, wherein the layer of textile material faces an exterior of the folding bellows.

37. The roof construction according to claim 31, wherein the layer structure comprises two layers, in particular of textile material, between which a joining layer is arranged.

38. The roof construction according to claim 31, wherein the layer structure comprises at least one layer of a plastics material or having a coating of plastics material.

39. The roof construction according to claim 37, wherein the joining layer is provided by a layer of a plastics material or comprises a coating of plastics material.

40. The roof construction according to claim 38, wherein the plastics material is provided by a thermoplastic plastics material and/or of a material such as PTFE (polytetrafluoroethylene), PU (polyurethane), PES (polyester).

41. The roof construction according to claim 38, wherein the plastics material is meltable, in particular hot-meltable.

42. The roof construction according to claim 31, wherein the different layers are fixed to one another in regions, in particular areally.

43. The roof construction according to claim 31, wherein the different layers are fixed to one another point-wise or line-wise.

44. The roof construction according to claim 31, wherein the layer structure is of flexible configuration.

45. The roof construction according to claim 31, wherein the layer structure is of resilient configuration.

46. A folding bellows for a roof construction for a motor vehicle, wherein the folding bellows can be transferred from an opened state into a compressed state collapsed in folds, comprising a layer structure which has at least two different layers.

47. The folding bellows according to claim 46, wherein the layer structure has three layers.

48. The folding bellows according to claim 46, wherein the different layers are fixed to one another.

49. The folding bellows according to claim 46, wherein the layer structure comprises layers of different materials.

50. The folding bellows according to claim 46, wherein the different layers are fixed to one another in regions, in particular areally.

Description

[0053] Further advantages will become apparent from the dependent claims not cited and from the exemplary embodiments of the invention illustrated in the drawings. In the drawings:

[0054] FIG. 1 shows, in a schematic, perspective view, a first exemplary embodiment of a roof construction mounted on a vehicle, having a roof element which is in an extended use position, wherein the folding bellows is in the opened state,

[0055] FIG. 2 shows, in a comparable illustration, the roof construction according to FIG. 1 with the roof construction in the out-of-use position and with the folding bellows collapsed in the compressed state,

[0056] FIG. 3 shows, in a partially cutaway schematic view, a portion of an exemplary embodiment of a folding bellows according to the invention of the roof construction of FIG. 1 in the opened state, approximately along sectional line III-III in FIG. 1.

[0057] FIG. 4 shows, in a schematic illustration according to FIG. 3, a portion of the folding bellows of FIG. 3 in a compressed state collapsed in folds,

[0058] FIG. 5 shows, in an enlarged, partially cutaway, schematic detail view, the folding bellows approximately according to the reference circle V in FIG. 3, wherein a layer structure comprising three layers or plies is shown,

[0059] FIG. 6 shows a folding bellows modified with respect to FIG. 5 in a schematic, partially cutaway illustration similar to FIG. 5, showing the different layers and material types, and

[0060] FIG. 7 shows, in a perspective, broken away, schematic, partially exploded view, the layer structure of the folding bellows according to FIG. 6, showing the three different layers.

[0061] Exemplary embodiments of the invention are described by way of example in the following description of the figures, also with reference to the drawings. For the sake of clarity—also inasmuch as different exemplary embodiments are concerned—identical or comparable parts or elements or regions are denoted by identical reference signs, in some cases with the addition of lowercase letters.

[0062] Features which are described only in relation to one exemplary embodiment can also be provided within the scope of the invention in any other exemplary embodiment of the invention. Such modified exemplary embodiments—even if they are not illustrated in the drawings—are included in the invention.

[0063] All the disclosed features are essential to the invention on their own. The disclosed content of the associated priority documents (copy of the preliminary application) and of the cited publications and of the described devices of the prior art is hereby also included in its entirety in the disclosure of the application, also for the purpose of incorporating individual or multiple features of these documents into one or into multiple claims of the present application.

[0064] The folding bellows denoted in its entirety by the reference numeral 10 and a roof construction denoted in its entirety by the reference numeral 11 will first be explained with reference to FIG. 1:

[0065] FIG. 1 shows, in a schematic view, a vehicle 12 which is a motorhome, a so-called camper, which is used, for example, for tourist purposes and provides convenient overnight accommodation. Without discussing the interior of the vehicle in detail, a comparison of FIGS. 1 and 2 clearly shows that the vehicle 12 has a displaceable roof element 13. The displaceable roof element 13 can comprise, for example, a frame-like structure 42 which surrounds a sheet-form part 43. The roof element 13 can be displaced manually or optionally also in a motor-driven or motor-assisted manner from a retracted out-of-use position 17 illustrated in FIG. 2 into an extended use position 16 illustrated in FIG. 1, in which an interior of the vehicle 12 is expanded.

[0066] FIGS. 1 and 2 are to be interpreted only schematically: In particular, when the roof element 13 is in the state in which it is in the out-of-use position 17 according to FIG. 2, its upper side 40 can also be flush with the upper side 42 of the vehicle 12—contrary to what is illustrated in FIG. 2.

[0067] As is indicated in the figures, the roof element 13 can comprise a frame structure 42. The frame structure 42 can extend around a sheet-form portion 43 formed along a plane. It can thereby be provided in particular that the frame structure 42 is also formed along a plane. The invention also includes the case where the roof element 13 is solid. The invention further includes the case where the roof element 13 is not formed along a plane but extends, for example, along an arbitrary space curve and is curved, for example, once or multiple times. The roof element 13 can, for example, additionally also comprise transparent windows, not shown, and/or shading devices, in particular for windows.

[0068] In the exemplary embodiment of the invention according to FIG. 1, the frame structure 42 is filled by a sheet-form element 43, for example by a body skin, for example of metal or plastics material.

[0069] FIG. 1 shows—only schematically—two pop-up devices 25a and 25b. These serve to transfer the roof element 13 into the extended use position 16 according to FIG. 1 and to hold it in that position. In the out-of-use position 17 of the roof element 13 illustrated in FIG. 2, the pop-up device 25a on the right in the direction of travel of the vehicle 12 is not visible. It is advantageously enclosed or overlapped by the contours of the roof construction 11 and/or by contours of the body 14 of the vehicle 12.

[0070] The pop-up device 25a is illustrated only schematically in FIG. 1. In the exemplary embodiment, the pop-up device 25a comprises two rods 38a, 38b. The rod 38a is pivotably articulated via the articulation 39a with the vehicle body 14 and via a second articulation 39d with the roof element 13. The rod 38b is articulated via a first articulation 39b with the vehicle body 14 and via a second articulation 39c with the roof element 13.

[0071] The two rods 38a, 38b are connected together in an articulated manner via a middle articulation 39e. In particular, the pop-up device 25a provides a kind of concertina grille.

[0072] Not illustrated but advantageously provided as an additional component of the pop-up device 25a is an articulated joint or other suitable holding device which ensures that the pop-up device 25a can keep the extended roof element 13 in the use position 16. The pop-up device 25 can also comprise, for example, spring elements or the like, not shown.

[0073] In the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 1, the roof element 13 is oriented with its sheet-form part 43 along a plane. Further exemplary embodiments, not shown, in which the sheet-form part 43 has any desired contour in space are likewise included in the invention.

[0074] In the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 1, the roof element 13 is oriented so as to be inclined slightly at an angle relative to the upper side 41 of the fixed, non-displaceable portion of the roof of the vehicle 12. Accordingly, the front edge 44 of the roof construction 11 has a larger gap 19b relative to the vehicle body 14 than the rear edge 45 of the roof construction 13. The front gap is denoted 19b, the rear gap 19a. The two gaps 19a and 19b can be the same or different.

[0075] However, the invention also includes roof constructions, not shown, in which the gaps 19a, 19b are identical.

[0076] In the spaced-apart position 18 of the roof element 13 according to FIG. 1, the gap 19a, 19b between the roof element 13 and the body 14 is bridged by a folding bellows 10. The folding bellows 10 is arranged in particular on the outside of the pop-up devices 25a, 25b.

[0077] Based on the circumferential direction 46 of the roof element 13, the folding bellows 10 is closed all the way round. In the opened state, the folding bellows 10 in the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 1 provides the entire wall region of the expanded interior of the vehicle 12.

[0078] In the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 1, the folding bellows 10 is thus configured in the manner of a tubular or cylindrical sleeve.

[0079] The invention equally includes roof constructions and folding bellows, not shown, in which the folding bellows is formed only in some portions in the circumferential direction 46 and comprises only material regions or parts of a wall of the expanded interior.

[0080] In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, a folding bellows 10 according to the invention is closed in the circumferential direction. In further exemplary embodiments, the folding bellows is open or interrupted in the circumferential direction.

[0081] As is apparent at first sight from comparing FIGS. 1 and 2, the folding bellows 10 is in an opened state 20 when the roof element 13 is in the use position 16. To this end, the folding bellows 10 is fixed with a first fixing region 47 indirectly or directly to the body 14 of the vehicle 12 and is fixed with a second fixing region 48 indirectly or directly to the roof element 13. The dimensions of the folding bellows 10 are, for example, such that, based on a maximum extension movement of the roof element 13, the length of the folding bellows in the extension direction Y is such that the folding bellows 10 is taut when the roof element 13 is in its use position. A corresponding illustration is shown in FIG. 3.

[0082] If the roof element 13 is transferred from the use position 16 according to FIG. 1 into its out-of-use position 17 according to FIG. 2, and if the roof element 13 is accordingly brought closer to the body 14, the gaps between the first fixing region 47 and the second fixing region 48 of the folding bellows become smaller. The folding bellows 10 therefore collapses in a compressed state.

[0083] Such a compressed state of the folding bellows 10 is shown in the illustrations of FIGS. 2 and 4. FIG. 4 is to be interpreted only schematically. FIG. 4 shows various fold plies 22a, 22b and a certain fold length 23. However, this is illustrated only for the purpose of showing the principle.

[0084] How the folding bellows 10 collapses in concrete terms depends on the geometry. Advantageously, the vehicle body 14 provides on the inside a receiving compartment for receiving the compressed folding bellows 10 collapsed in folds 22a, 22b.

[0085] It should be pointed out here, that, unlike in the schematic diagram of FIG. 2, the folding bellows 10 in the compressed state is generally covered or concealed by part of the body 14 of the vehicle 12 or by a screen element and—unlike in FIG. 2—a cover for the folding bellows 10 in the compressed state is also provided to protect the folding bellows from weather effects. A receiving compartment for the compressed folding bellows can be provided for this purpose on the body 14—which is not illustrated in the figures.

[0086] FIG. 4 shows, schematically, an even collapse in folds with a constant fold length 23. This is also to be interpreted only schematically. The collapse of the folding bellows 10 in folds 22a, 22b can take place with a constant fold length 23 or with different fold lengths 23. In particular, the fold length 23 of the individual folds 22, 22b when a folding bellows 10 is actually collapsed can of course vary.

[0087] In the region in which two different fold plies 22a, 22b are adjacent to one another there is a bending region 37a, 37b.

[0088] In folding bellows of the prior art, kinks or tears can form in particular along these bending regions. In order to prevent this, a particular layer structure 24 is provided according to the invention.

[0089] As is apparent from FIGS. 5 to 7, the folding bellows 10 consists in this exemplary embodiment of a layer structure 24 having three layers, comprising an outside layer 26 which faces the exterior of the vehicle 12 or the exterior of the folding bellows 10, an inside layer 27 which faces the interior of the vehicle 12 or the interior of the folding bellows 10, and an intermediate joining layer 28.

[0090] In the exemplary embodiments in FIGS. 5 to 7, the outside layer 26 is formed by a woven fabric 29, for example by a woven fabric of polyester. A corresponding woven fabric structure, which comprises a plurality of fibers or threads running in different directions, is shown in FIG. 6. The woven fabric 29 can have a regular or irregular structure of fibers.

[0091] In one exemplary embodiment of the invention, the outside layer 26 and the inside layer 27 are advantageously provided by a textile material. There are suitable, in addition to woven fabrics, also knitted fabrics or non-crimped fabrics. The material for the fibers of the woven fabric can be chosen as desired.

[0092] The joining layer 28, which is located between the two outer layers 26, 27, consists of or comprises a plastics material which is meltable under the action of heat.

[0093] FIG. 7 shows the corresponding layer structure 24 in a schematic illustration, in which the front regions, facing a viewer of FIG. 7, of the layers are arranged spaced apart from one another for the purposes of the illustration.

[0094] The three layers 26, 27, 28 can be fixed to one another as follows: The joining layer 28 or middle layer can consist of a hot-melt adhesive or of a thermoplastic or of a plastics material which softens under the action of heat. As a result of the action of heat, the material of the plastics material can melt for a short time and penetrate the structure of the outside layer 26 and of the inside layer 27.

[0095] FIG. 6 shows melted material regions 36a, 36b of the joining layer 28, which have penetrated or entered the outside layer 26 and the inside layer 27 beyond the layer boundaries 49a, 49b, illustrated in FIG. 6 by broken lines, which were originally present prior to melting.

[0096] After melting of the layers 28, the supply of further warmth or heat is interrupted. The melted material cools and thereby hardens. The three layers 26, 27, 28 are then fixedly joined together permanently.

[0097] The layer thicknesses of the three layers 26, 27, 28 can be chosen differently according to the intended use and requirements.

[0098] For conventional requirements, a total wall thickness of the layer structure 24, that is to say the sum of the three layers 26, 27, 28, of from 0.2 to 3 mm, in particular of approximately 1.2 mm, has been found to be particularly advantageous. Further advantageously—unlike what is shown in FIG. 6 and FIG. 7—the wall thicknesses of the outer layers 26, 27 are greater than the wall thickness of the middle joining layer 28 after melting.

[0099] The outside layer 26 has an outer side 30 and an inner side 31. The middle layer has an outer side 32 and an inner side 33. The inside layer 27 has an outer side 34 and an inner side 35.

[0100] The melted material regions 36a, 36b of the middle layer 28 or joining layer extend beyond the previously fixed outer sides 32 and inner sides 33, or layer boundaries 49a, 49b, of the inside layer and penetrate the structures of the outside layer 26 and of the inside layer 27. Such penetration of the melted material regions 36a, 36b is assisted by pressure rollers or calendar rollers or at least by the application of a contact pressure.

[0101] Extensive fixing of the various layers 26, 27, 28 to one another extensively over their entire surface is thereby provided.

[0102] It should be noted that, in further exemplary embodiments of the invention, such penetration of melted material regions and/or other regions of the adhesive or plastics material into the structures of the two outer layers 26, 27 does not take place or is not required. It can merely be provided in such cases, for example, that bonding is achieved over a large area without penetration of the material regions or adhesive regions into the outer layers 26, 27.

[0103] The layer structure 24 of the folding bellows 10 according to the invention makes it possible to achieve flexibility and stretchability properties and at the same time to generate elastic restoring forces in the bending regions 37: The collapsing behavior of the folding bellows 10 is thereby improved.

[0104] Even under frequent stress and when extreme compressive forces are applied, for example in the case where the folding bellows is not collapsed in the previously determined and intended manner, visible kink and folding points or the marks thereof, and thus the development of tears, can be avoided.

[0105] Likewise, point loads or linear loads can be mitigated by distributing the forces over large surface portions.

[0106] The layer structure 24 of the folding bellows according to the invention is in this respect in particular also capable of transmitting forces and distributing forces.

[0107] The present invention can be used in different roof constructions, which can be referred to, for example, as an elevating roof, raised roof or pop-up roof.

[0108] The layer structure 24 according to the invention of the folding bellows 10 permits particularly advantageous forms of the folding bellows 10 in terms of tightness, haptics, stretchability, kink resistance and also ease of installation.

[0109] For example, the fixing regions 47, 48 of the folding bellows 10 can be fixed to the body 14 or the roof element 13 in a particularly simple manner owing to the particular properties of the layer structure 24.