Back window part seal structure for vehicle with retractable roof

Abstract

In a back window part seal structure for a vehicle with a retractable roof wherein a weather strip is used, an outer panel provided on a deck cover includes an upper overlap portion that covers a weather strip at an upper edge of a back window from diagonally above and behind the vehicle to improve the sealing property and achieve a configuration in which the assembly failure is less likely to occur.

Claims

1. A back window part seal structure for a vehicle with a retractable roof, comprising: a roof member and a back window switchable between a fully closed position in which a cabin is covered and a fully opened position in which the cabin is uncovered; and a deck cover having a window frame to be fitted with the back window, wherein the deck cover includes an outer panel located toward an outside of a vehicle body, the back window has a peripheral edge portion on which a weather strip is mounted, and the outer panel includes an upper overlap portion that covers the weather strip at an upper edge of the back window from diagonally above and behind the vehicle.

2. The back window part seal structure for a vehicle with a retractable roof of claim 1, wherein the upper overlap portion includes an end edge located at an outward position with respect to an end edge of a lighting surface of the back window.

3. The back window part seal structure for a vehicle with a retractable roof of claim 2, wherein the deck cover includes rear pillar portions located on left and right sides of the back window, and the rear pillar portions each include a side overlap portion that covers the weather strip on left and right edge portions of the back window from a rear of the vehicle.

4. The back window part seal structure for a vehicle with a retractable roof of claim 3, wherein the upper overlap portion protrudes to the rear of the vehicle beyond the side overlap portion, and covers an upper end portion of the side overlap portion from the rear of the vehicle.

5. The back window part seal structure for a vehicle with a retractable roof of claim 1, wherein the outer panel includes a decorative board provided at least at an end portion on a rear side of the vehicle, and the upper overlap portion is formed on the decorative board.

6. The back window part seal structure for a vehicle with a retractable roof of claim 2, wherein the outer panel includes a decorative board provided at least at an end portion on a rear side of the vehicle, and the upper overlap portion is formed on the decorative board.

7. The back window part seal structure for a vehicle with a retractable roof of claim 3, wherein the outer panel includes a decorative board provided at least at an end portion on a rear side of the vehicle, and the upper overlap portion is formed on the decorative board.

8. The back window part seal structure for a vehicle with a retractable roof of claim 4, wherein the outer panel includes a decorative board provided at least at an end portion on a rear side of the vehicle, and the upper overlap portion is formed on the decorative board.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) FIG. 1 is a schematic side view showing a general configuration of a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, and showing a closed state of a cabin.

(2) FIG. 2 is a schematic side view showing the general configuration of the vehicle according to the embodiment, and showing that a retractable roof and a back window are located between a use position and a retracted position, and a deck cover is at a retreated position.

(3) FIG. 3 is a schematic side view showing the general configuration of the vehicle according to the embodiment, and showing an opened state of the cabin.

(4) FIG. 4 is a plan view of the retractable roof.

(5) FIG. 5 is a plan view of the deck cover.

(6) FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line VI-VI of FIG. 5.

(7) FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the retractable roof as viewed from the rear.

(8) FIG. 8 is an enlarged view of a main part of FIG. 6.

(9) FIG. 9 is a sectional view taken along the line IX-IX of FIG. 7.

(10) FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a typical retractable roof as viewed from the rear.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(11) Embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail below, with reference to the drawings. This embodiment relates to a vehicle having a retractable roof having a back window part seal structure of the present disclosure. Note that the following description of embodiments is merely examples in nature, and is not intended to limit the scope, application, or uses of the present disclosure.

(12) A vehicle 1 according to this embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 is equipped with an opening/closing device 10. The opening/closing device 10 is switchable between a closed state in which a roof member 12 covers a top of a cabin 2 and an opened state in which the top of the cabin 2 is uncovered. The opening/closing device 10 includes a retractable roof 11, a deck cover 18, and a lock mechanism 20. First, these configurations basically in a state where the cabin 2 is closed (the state shown in FIG. 1) will be described.

(13) <Retractable Roof>

(14) FIG. 4 is a plan view of the retractable roof 11. The retractable roof 11 includes the roof member 12 and a back window 15 located behind the roof member 12. The roof member 12 extends in a longitudinal direction of the vehicle from an upper edge of a front header 3 of the vehicle 1 to an upper edge of the deck cover 18. The roof member 12 includes a front roof panel 13 and a middle roof panel 14 disposed behind the front roof panel 13. The back window 15 is a transparent member, and disposed above a storage 4 formed in a rear portion of the vehicle 1.

(15) The retractable roof 11 includes a roof drive mechanism 30 (see FIG. 4) capable of changing positions of the roof member 12 and the back window 15 between the use position (a fully closed position) in which the cabin is covered and the retracted position (a fully opened position) in which the cabin is uncovered. More specifically, the roof drive mechanism 30 has a roof drive motor (not shown) and a roof link mechanism 31 connecting the roof drive motor and the retractable roof 11. The roof link mechanism 31 transfers rotational power of the roof drive motor to the front roof panel 13, the middle roof panel 14, and the back window 15. Thus, the retractable roof 11 is movable between the use position (shown in FIG. 1) and the retracted position (shown in FIG. 3). The retractable roof 11 in the use position is located outside the storage 4 to cover the cabin 2. The retractable roof 11 in the retracted position is retracted in the storage 4, thereby uncovering the cabin 2.

(16) <Deck Cover>

(17) FIG. 5 is a plan view of the deck cover 18. FIG. 6 is a sectional view taken along the line VI-VI of FIG. 5. FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the retractable roof 11 and the deck cover 18 as viewed from the rear. FIG. 8 is an enlarged view of a main part of FIG. 6. FIG. 9 is a sectional view taken along the line IX-IX of FIG. 7.

(18) As shown in FIG. 1, the deck cover 18 is disposed behind the roof member 12 and above the storage 4. Specifically, the deck cover 18 covers the cabin 2 from behind, and closes a top opening of the storage 4. The deck cover 18 is provided with a window frame 19 to be fitted with the back window 15.

(19) The deck cover 18 is driven by a deck drive mechanism (not shown). Specifically, the deck drive mechanism includes a deck drive motor, and a deck link mechanism which links the deck drive motor and the deck cover 18 together. The deck link mechanism transfers rotational power of the deck drive motor to the deck cover 18. Thus, the deck cover 18 is movable between a home position (shown in FIGS. 1 and 3) and a retreated position (shown in FIG. 2, for example).

(20) The deck cover 18 in the home position covers the top opening of the storage 4, and allows the back window 15 to be fitted in the window frame 19 in the deck cover 18. The deck cover 18 in the retreated position is located further rearward and obliquely upward than in the home position, and uncovers the top opening of the storage 4. Thus, the deck cover 18 in the retreated position allows the retractable roof 11 to move between the use position and the retracted position.

(21) The deck cover 18 includes an outer panel 35 located toward the outside of the vehicle body. The back window 15 has a peripheral edge portion on which a weather strip 40 is mounted. The outer panel 35 includes an upper overlap portion 36 that covers the weather strip 40 at an upper edge of the back window 15 from diagonally above and behind the vehicle.

(22) As shown in FIG. 8, the back window 15 has a peripheral edge portion on which a back window support 16 is mounted. The back window support 16 includes an inner peripheral end edge serving as an end edge 16a of a lighting surface of the back window 15. The upper overlap portion 36 includes an end edge 36a located at an outward position of the window surface with respect to the end edge 16a of the lighting surface of the back window 15.

(23) On the other hand, the deck cover 18 of the vehicle 1 includes rear pillar portions 25 located on the left and right sides of the back window 15. As shown in FIG. 9, the rear pillar portion 25 includes a side overlap portion 26 that covers the weather strip 40 on the left and right edge portions of the back window 15 from the rear of the vehicle. The upper overlap portion 36 protrudes to the rear of the vehicle beyond the side overlap portion 26, and covers an upper end portion of the side overlap portion 26 from the rear of the vehicle.

(24) In this embodiment, the outer panel 35 of the deck cover 18 includes a decorative board 37 provided at least at an end portion on the rear side of the vehicle. The upper overlap portion 36 is formed at an end edge portion of the rear of the decorative board 37.

(25) <Lock Mechanism>

(26) The lock mechanism 20 is attached to a front end of a lower surface (surface toward the inside of the cabin) of the front roof panel 13. The lock mechanism 20 includes a hook member (not shown) which is able to engage with a striker (not shown) fixed to a body (front header 3) of the vehicle 1. When the retractable roof 11 is in the use position, the hook member engages with the striker so as to lock the roof member 12 and the front header 3 together.

(27) Operation of Opening/Closing Device

(28) The opening operation and the closing operation of the opening/closing device 10 will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3. The opening operation is performed to bring the retractable roof 11 in the use position to the retracted position. The closing operation is performed to bring the retractable roof 11 in the retracted position to the use position.

(29) In the opening operation, the lock mechanism 20 unlocks the front header 3. Further, the deck cover 18 in the home position moves toward the retreated position. Then, the retractable roof 11 in the use position moves toward the retracted position.

(30) Specifically, the front roof panel 13, the middle roof panel 14, and the back window 15 independently pivot via a plurality of link members including arms so that they move together toward the storage 4 (see, e.g., FIG. 2). When the front roof panel 13, the middle roof panel 14, and the back window 15 are stored in the storage 4 in a folded state, the deck cover 18 in the retreated position returns to the home position (see FIGS. 3 and 9). Thus, the cabin 2 is in the opened state.

(31) To close the cabin 2 in the opened state, first, the deck cover 18 in the home position moves toward the retreated position. Then, the retractable roof 11 in the retracted position moves toward the use position.

(32) Specifically, the front roof panel 13, the middle roof panel 14, and the back window 15 independently pivot via the plurality of link members so that they move together toward the cabin 2 (see, e.g., FIG. 2). Thereafter, the retractable roof 11 reaches the use position, and the deck cover 18 in the retreated position returns to the home position (see FIGS. 1 and 7). Thus, the cabin 2 is in the closed state. Thereafter, the lock mechanism 20 is locked to the front header 3.

(33) When the retractable roof 11 reaches the use position, the weather strip 40 mounted on the peripheral edge portion of the back window 15 comes into contact with a sealing surface 41 of the deck cover 18, and the watertight state is established. The weather strip 40 has a side edge portion covered from the rear side by the side overlap portion 26, and has an upper edge portion further covered from the rear side by the upper overlap portion 36.

Advantages of Embodiment

(34) According to this embodiment, the upper overlap portion 36 and the side overlap portion 26 cover the weather strip 40 on the upper edge portion and the left and right edge portions from the rear of the vehicle. Thus, both the back window 15 and the weather strip 40 at the edge portion of the back window 15 are always located at far sides of the upper overlap portion 36 and the side overlap portion 26. Thus, even if the positional relations of the back window 15 and the weather strip 40 with respect to the upper overlap portion 36 and the side overlap portion 26 change due to an assembly error for each product (vehicle), they are not located at near sides of the upper overlap portion 36 and the side overlap portion 26. Thus, the edge portion of the weather strip 40 is always invisible from the rear of the vehicle 1, and the deterioration of appearance of the vehicle 1 as a product can be reduced, thereby improving the yield.

(35) According to this embodiment, the upper overlap portion 36 and the side overlap portion 26 cover the weather strip 40. Thus, even under a severe condition for the retractable vehicle 1, such as using strong water pressure during car washing to wash away dust and dirt accumulated on the upper edge portion and the left and right edge portions of the weather strip 40, the water with high pressure is not directly sprayed on the weather strip 40. That is, the water pressure is received by the upper overlap portion 36 and the side overlap portion 26, and the dust or the like accumulated on the weather strip 40 is washed away by the water having a slowed momentum. This can provide so adequate sealing property that the water may not intrude into the cabin 2.

(36) According to this embodiment, the end edge 36a of the upper overlap portion 36 is located at an outward position with respect to the end edge 16a of the lighting surface of the back window 15. Thus, the lighting surface is less likely to be small, and the lack of the amount of light in the cabin 2 can be reduced.

(37) According to this embodiment, the upper overlap portion 36 covers the upper edge portion of the side overlap portion 26 from the rear of the vehicle. Thus, when the back window 15 is viewed from the rear of the vehicle 1, the side overlap portion 26 is located at a near side of the back window 1, and the upper overlap portion 36 is located further at a near side of the side overlap portion 26. Thus, the appearance of the upper edge portion of the side overlap portion can be improved. In addition, water droplets at the time of rain or the like flow from the surface of the upper overlap portion 36 to the surface of the side overlap portion 26, and thus dust and dirt are less likely to accumulate in the weather strip 40.

(38) According to this embodiment, the upper overlap portion 36 of the deck cover 18 is formed on the decorative board 37, and the decorative board 37 can be integrated with or separated from the deck cover 18. Thus, the degree of freedom of design can be increased.

Other Embodiments

(39) The above embodiment may be configured as follows.

(40) In the embodiment described above, the weather strip 40 on the upper edge portion and the left and right edge portions of the back window 15 is covered by the upper overlap portion 36 and the side overlap portion 26 from the rear of the vehicle 1. If the assembly error of the product causes variations of the parts, the upper edge portion of the weather strip 40 is likely to be conspicuous. Thus, at least the upper overlap portion 36 is effective to reduce the deterioration of appearance. In addition, if the upper edge portion of the weather strip is covered with the upper overlap portion 36, the sealing property is more effective than that of a typical configuration in which the upper overlap portion is not provided.

(41) In the embodiment described above, the weather strip 40 on the upper edge portion and the left and right edge portions of the back window 15 is covered by the upper overlap portion 36 and the side overlap portion 26 from the rear of the vehicle 1. The deck cover 18 may be configured so that the weather strip 40 on the lower edge portion of the back window 15 is also covered from the rear of the vehicle. Thus, the appearance and the sealing property can be further improved.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

(42) As described above, the present disclosure is useful for a back window part seal structure in which a weather strip is provided on a peripheral edge portion of a back window.

DESCRIPTION OF REFERENCE CHARACTERS

(43) 1 Vehicle 2 Cabin 11 Retractable Roof 12 Roof Member 15 Back Window 16a Edge of Lighting Surface 18 Deck Cover 19 Window Frame 25 Rear Pillar Portion 26 Side Overlap Portion 35 Outer panel 36 Upper Overlap Portion 36a End Edge 37 Decorative Board 40 Weather Strip