US 7,922,239 B2 · Motor vehicle body with an adapter carrier for a roof module, accompanying adapter carrier, as well as a method for its manufacture

Abstract

A motor vehicle body is proposed with a roof-carrying frame, upon which an adaptor carrier is placed and secured for holding roof windows, sliding roofs, roof opening systems and/or roof module variants, and an adapter carrier suitable for installation in a motor vehicle body according to the invention. A corresponding method of manufacturing is also proposed for a motor vehicle body with a roof-carrying frame.

Drawings

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Drawings

Claims7

Dependent claims

A motor vehicle body comprising:

at least two pairs of columns, which are interconnected to form a roof-carrying frame by two structural components extending in the longitudinal direction of the motor vehicle as well as two structural components extending in the transverse direction of the motor vehicle, the two structural components extending in the transverse direction including a front transverse structural component and a rear transverse structural component, and each of the two structural components extending in the longitudinal direction comprising lateral skins that form a hollow space, and a lateral roof structural element between the lateral skins and residing in the hollow space;
a single-piece adapter carrier formed from a weldable material and welded to the roof-carrying frame and secured thereto, in order to accommodate roof windows, sliding roofs, roof opening systems and/or roof module variants in the adapter carrier, wherein a front section of the adapter carrier is coupled to the front transverse structural component and resides above the front transverse structural component, a rear section of the adapter carrier is coupled to the rear transverse structural component and resides above the rear transverse structural component, the front transverse structural component and the front section of the adapter carrier together define and border a first hollow chamber therebetween, and the rear transverse structural component and the rear section of the adapter carrier together define and border a second hollow chamber therebetween, and wherein a first side section of the adapter carrier is coupled to a first one of the two structural components extending in the longitudinal direction and resides above the lateral skins and above the lateral roof structural element of the first structural component extending in the longitudinal direction, a second side section of the adapter carrier is coupled to a second one of the two structural components extending in the longitudinal direction and resides above the lateral skins and above the lateral roof structural element of the second structural component extending in the longitudinal direction, and wherein the first and second side sections of the adapter carrier extend in the transverse direction and away from the two structural components extending in the longitudinal direction;
and
a roof element coupled to and overlying the adapter carrier, wherein a front section of the roof element overlies the front transverse structural component, overlies the front section of the adapter carrier, and overlies the first hollow chamber, wherein a rear section of the roof element overlies the rear transverse structural component, overlies the rear section of the adapter carrier, and overlies the second hollow chamber, wherein a first side section of the roof element overlies the first side section of the adapter carrier, and wherein a second side section of the roof element overlies the second side section of the adapter carrier.

1 more element

A motor vehicle body comprising:

a roof-carrying frame comprising:
a first longitudinal structural component extending in the longitudinal direction of the motor vehicle, and comprising first lateral skins that form a first hollow space and a first lateral roof structural element coupled between the first lateral skins and residing in the first hollow space;
a second longitudinal structural component extending in the longitudinal direction of the motor vehicle, and comprising lateral skins that form a second hollow space and a second lateral roof structural element coupled between the second lateral skins and residing in the second hollow space;
a front transverse structural component extending in the transverse direction of the motor vehicle;
a rear transverse structural component extending in the transverse direction of the motor vehicle;
a single-piece adapter carrier formed from a weldable material and welded to the roof-carrying frame, in order to accommodate roof windows, sliding roofs, roof opening systems and/or roof module variants in the adapter carrier, the adapter carrier comprising:
a first side section coupled to the first longitudinal structural component, the first side section residing above the first lateral skins and above the first lateral roof structural element, and the first side section extending away from the first longitudinal structural component in the transverse direction of the motor vehicle;
a second side section coupled to the second longitudinal structural component, the second side section residing above the second lateral skins and above the second lateral roof structural element, and the second side section extending away from the second longitudinal structural component in the transverse direction of the motor vehicle;
a front section coupled to the front transverse structural component, the front section residing above the front transverse structural component, wherein the front section and the front transverse structural component together define and border a first hollow chamber therebetween;
a rear section coupled to the rear transverse structural component, the rear section residing above the rear transverse structural component, wherein the rear section and the rear transverse structural component together define and border a second hollow chamber therebetween;
and
a roof element coupled to and overlying the adapter carrier, the roof element comprising:
a lowermost surface, wherein no portion of the adapter carrier resides above the lowermost surface of the roof element;
a first side portion overlying the first side section of the adapter carrier, wherein no portion of the first side portion resides above the first longitudinal structural component of the roof-carrying frame;
a second side portion overlying the second side section of the adapter carrier, wherein no portion of the second side portion resides above the second longitudinal structural component of the roof-carrying frame;
a front portion overlying the front transverse structural component, overlying the front section of the adapter carrier, and overlying the first hollow chamber;
and
a rear portion overlying the rear transverse structural component, overlying the rear section of the adapter carrier, and overlying the second hollow chamber.

15 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Description5,119 words

Summary3,025 words

#This application is a U.S. National-Stage entry under 35 U.S.C. §371 based on International Application No. PCT/EP2006/008326, filed Aug. 25, 2006, which was published under PCT Article 21(2) and which claims priority to German Application No. DE 10 2005 044 283.8, filed Sep. 16, 2005.

#The present invention relates to a motor vehicle body and more particularly to a motor vehicle body with a roof-carrying frame. The invention further relates to a method of manufacturing the motor vehicle body with a roof-carrying frame.

#Known from practice are motor vehicles equipped with a sliding roof, a sunroof, a lifting roof, a sun/sliding roof or some other roof opening system and/or a roof module variant (in short: roof module). These vehicles differ from conventional standard vehicles in the simple, closed, metal standard roof skin present there. These vehicles with opening roofs share in common that they are manufactured by opening the conventional, closed roof skin and inserting the respectively desired roof module from an already preassembled vehicle, e.g., as discussed in DE 88 16 505 U1. The motor vehicle sliding roof discussed therein exhibits two frames, specifically a welded-in frame and a screwed-in frame. The sliding roof is here secured in the second frame, the screwed-in frame, which is in turn screwed in the central area of the welded-in frame. The first frame, meaning the welded-in frame, which hence incorporates the screwed-in frame including roof module, is welded with the remaining roof skin in a roof opening specially generated for this purpose in the already present roof skin.

Brief description of the drawings14 figures

#The present invention will hereinafter be described in conjunction with the following drawing figures, wherein like numerals denote like elements, and

#FIG. 1 a simplified schematic view of a conventional sheet metal roof with a roof opening for accommodating a conventional roof module, perspective top view;

#FIG. 2 an adapter carrier according to the invention in a schematically simplified, perspective top view;

Detailed description1,767 words

#The following detailed description is merely exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit the invention or the application and uses of the invention. Furthermore, there is no intention to be bound by any theory presented in the preceding background or the following detailed description.

#A conventional motor vehicle roof 1 shown on FIG. 1 exhibits a roof skin 3 and an opening 5 for a roof module. The longitudinal direction of the motor vehicle for the accompanying motor vehicle (the latter not shown in any greater detail) is labeled X. Three sections Ib-Ib, IIb-IIb and IIIb-IIIb on FIG. 1 are denoted by intersecting lines, wherein the arrows shown on the lines indicate the viewing direction on the respective sectional plane. The marked sections will be extensively discussed below in the following figures.

#The motor vehicle roof 1 shown on FIG. 1 is in a state where the roof skin 3 already has a corresponding opening 5 for a roof module, but no roof module has yet been attached in the latter. As readily visible from FIG. 1, the roof skin 3 is a thin, conventional motor vehicle roof sheet, which in the exemplary embodiment depicted here is not reinforced in its central region by any additional supporting or roof structural elements.

Facts

Application

12/065,199Filed 25 Aug 2006

Priority

DE 10 2005 044 28316 Sep 2005

Published

US 2008/0231086 A125 Sep 2008

Granted

12 Apr 2011

Term ends

27 Dec 2026

Estimated · how

20 years from earliest known nonprovisional domestic filing plus recorded patent term adjustment, including 124 days of adjustment. Maintenance-fee lapses, terminal disclaimers and statutory extensions have not been checked. The continuity chain may be incomplete; this is not an enforceability determination.

Classification4 codes

B62D 25/06
Superstructure or monocoque structure sub-units; Parts or details thereof not otherwise provided for: fixed roofs
Y10T 29/49
Metal working: method of mechanical manufacture
B62D
Motor vehicles
Y10T
Technical subjects covered by former us classification

Timeline

16 Sep 2005Priority claimedDE 10 2005 044 283
25 Aug 2006Application filedUS 12/065,199
29 Feb 2008Assigned to GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.assignment of assignor's interest
25 Sep 2008PublishedUS 2008/0231086 A1
4 Feb 2009Assigned to United States Department of the Treasurysecurity agreement
16 Apr 2009Assigned to Citicorp USA, Inc. AS Agent for Bank Priority Secured Parties, Citicorp USA, Inc. AS Agent for Hedge Priority Secured Partiessecurity agreement
20 Aug 2009Assigned to GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.release of security interest
21 Aug 2009Assigned to GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.release of security interest
27 Aug 2009Assigned to United States Department of the Treasurysecurity agreement
28 Aug 2009Assigned to Uaw Retiree Medical Benefits Trustsecurity agreement
4 Nov 2010Assigned to GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.release of security interest
5 Nov 2010Assigned to GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.release of security interest
8 Nov 2010Assigned to Wilmington Trust Companysecurity agreement
10 Feb 2011Assigned to GM Global Technology Operations LLCchange of name
12 Apr 2011GrantedUS 7,922,239 B2
7 Nov 2014Assigned to GM Global Technology Operations LLCrelease of security interest
12 Oct 2026TodayWithin its term
27 Dec 2026Term endsEstimated, includes 124 days of adjustment

Motor vehicle body with an adapter carrier for a roof module, accompanying adapter carrier, as well as a method for its manufacture

Life of this patent

Motor vehicle body with an adapter carrier for a roof module, accompanying adapter carrier, as well as a method for its manufacture

Life of this patent

Life of this patent

Abstract

Drawings

Drawings

Claims7

Description5,119 words

Drawings

Classification4 codes

Life of this patent

Description5,119 words