Roller blind for sliding roof assembly

0001The invention relates to a motor vehicle sliding roof system roller blind, which consists of a flexible material and has two guide elements which extend along the longitudinal edges of the roller blind and are intended to engage in a guide for the corresponding longitudinal edge.

0002Such a blind may be mounted below an opening in a vehicle roof to more or less cover the opening as desired by the vehicle occupants. If the opening is to be released, the roller blind on a winding axis aufgewickeit of this can be deducted, so that it covers the opening. So that the blind, if it is below the opening in the vehicle roof, does not sag into the vehicle interior, the longitudinal edges of the blinds are received in a guide, so that it can be kept taut across the direction of displacement. Usually, the longitudinal edges of the roller blind are angled and inserted into guide grooves of a guide rail (see the<patcit id="pcit0001" dnum="EP1010559A1"><text>EP 1 010 559 A1</text></patcit>). In this way, the desired tension in the transverse direction can be applied. The disadvantage here is that due to the angled longitudinal edges a larger height is required. This reduces the headroom in the vehicle interior. In addition, the transition region from the winding axis to the entry into the guide grooves must be covered by a veneer, which means that the veneer is wider.

0003From the <patcit id="pcit0002" dnum="DE1269782"><text>DE 1 269 782</text></patcit> For example, there is known a device for guiding the lateral edges of a curtain inside slideway slides.

0004The <patcit id="pcit0003" dnum="GB1416431A"><text>GB 1 416 431</text></patcit> shows a blackout panel for an aircraft window.

0005The <patcit id="pcit0004" dnum="US4825921A"><text>US 4,825,921</text></patcit> shows an insect screen that can be attached to windows or doors.

0006The object of the invention is to provide a roller blind, which can be accommodated in a guide with little effort and small footprint, so that it can be kept taut in the transverse direction.

0007To achieve this object, the features of the characterizing part of claim 1 are provided according to the invention in a motor vehicle sliding roof system roller blind of the type mentioned.

0008The invention is based on the fundamental consideration, the blind no longer angle laterally to penetrate it into a guide so that it can be kept taut, but apply along the longitudinal edges of the blinds designed as flat strips guide elements, which are substantially straight, ie without that they must be angled, can run into a guide associated with the corresponding longitudinal edge. The guide elements are received in the guide so that the desired bias in the transverse direction can be obtained. The use of a guide element, which in the initial state has a first cross-sectional shape, which serves to receive the guide element in the guide, and it can be brought into a second cross-sectional shape, which makes it possible to wind the roller blind, makes it possible to use a change in the shape of the guide member for that the guide member can be taken on the one hand suitable in the associated guide, but on the other hand can be wound flat on a winding axis together with the roller blind. Particularly suitable for this is a curved cross-sectional shape of the guide element. When the guide element is curved, it has a comparatively large height that can be used for secure anchoring inside the corresponding guide. In contrast, when the guide element is pressed flat, it has a comparatively small height, which corresponds essentially to the material thickness. In this state, the guide element can be wound up to save space together with the roller blind. that the guide element on the one hand can be suitably received in the associated guide, but on the other hand can be wound flat on a winding axis together with the roller blind. Particularly suitable for this is a curved cross-sectional shape of the guide element. When the guide element is curved, it has a comparatively large height that can be used for secure anchoring inside the corresponding guide. In contrast, when the guide element is pressed flat, it has a comparatively small height, which corresponds essentially to the material thickness. In this state, the guide element can be wound up to save space together with the roller blind. that the guide element on the one hand can be suitably received in the associated guide, but on the other hand can be wound flat on a winding axis together with the roller blind. Particularly suitable for this is a curved cross-sectional shape of the guide element. When the guide element is curved, it has a comparatively large height that can be used for secure anchoring inside the corresponding guide. In contrast, when the guide element is pressed flat, it has a comparatively small height, which corresponds essentially to the material thickness. In this state, the guide element can be wound up to save space together with the roller blind. Particularly suitable for this is a curved cross-sectional shape of the guide element. When the guide element is curved, it has a comparatively large height that can be used for secure anchoring inside the corresponding guide. In contrast, when the guide element is pressed flat, it has a comparatively small height, which corresponds essentially to the material thickness. In this state, the guide element can be wound up to save space together with the roller blind. Particularly suitable for this is a curved cross-sectional shape of the guide element. When the guide element is curved, it has a comparatively large height that can be used for secure anchoring inside the corresponding guide. In contrast, when the guide element is pressed flat, it has a comparatively small height, which corresponds essentially to the material thickness. In this state, the guide element can be wound up to save space together with the roller blind. which essentially corresponds to the material thickness. In this state, the guide element can be wound up to save space together with the roller blind. which essentially corresponds to the material thickness. In this state, the guide element can be wound up to save space together with the roller blind.

0009According to a further embodiment of the invention can be provided that the guide element is designed as a flat strip with a rectangular cross-section. This can, in particular if it is only partially connected to the roller blind, also be used for secure anchoring in the guide.

0010Advantageous embodiments of the invention will become apparent from the dependent claims.

0011The invention will be described below with reference to a preferred embodiment, which is illustrated in the accompanying drawings. In these show:<ul><li><figref idref="f0001">FIG. 1</figref> a perspective view of a vehicle roof with a roller blind according to the invention;</li><li><figref idref="f0001">FIG. 2</figref> a schematic side view of a roller blind invention;</li><li><figref idref="f0002">FIG. 3</figref> schematically a section along the plane III-III of <figref idref="f0001">FIG. 1</figref>;</li><li><figref idref="f0002">FIG. 4</figref> on an enlarged scale the section IV of <figref idref="f0001">FIG. 2</figref>; and</li><li><figref idref="f0003">FIG. 5</figref> in a view corresponding to that of <figref idref="f0002">FIG. 3</figref> an alternative embodiment of the invention.</li></ul>

0012In <figref idref="f0001">FIG. 1</figref> a vehicle roof 5 can be seen, which is provided with an opening 7. The opening 7 is associated with a cover 9 of a sunroof system. The lid 9 can between a closed position in which it closes the opening 7, and a in<figref idref="f0001">FIG. 1</figref> shown, open position. Below the lid 9 and below the opening 7, a roller 10 is arranged. The roller blind 10 can be moved forwards and backwards relative to the vehicle. When the shade 10 is fully pushed back, the opening 7 is fully released. Fresh air and sunlight then have free access to the vehicle interior. When the shade 10 is fully pushed forward, the opening 7 is covered by the shade. Fresh air and sunlight can thus reach the vehicle interior only to a limited extent.

0013The shade 10 is made of a flexible material, such as fabric or a plastic film. At its front edge a bow 12 is provided, on which a vehicle occupant can attack to move the blind forward or backward. Laterally along the opening 7, two guides 14 extend, in which the two longitudinal edges of the roller blind, so viewed in the vehicle longitudinal direction of the right and the left edge of the blind 10, are added. In the region of the rear end of the opening 7 is a Wikkelachse 16 on which the blind 10 can be wound up. The winding axis 16 is usually acted upon by a spring, so that the roller blind 10 is automatically recorded on the winding axis 16 when the bow 12 is moved backwards.

0014Along the longitudinal edges of the roller blind 10, ie in the area associated with the guides 14, each roller blind is provided with a guide element 18, which in the embodiment of <figref idref="f0002">FIG. 3</figref> is designed as a thin metal strip of spring plate. The guide member 18 has in its initial state, so if no external forces act on it, in<figref idref="f0002">FIG. 3</figref> visible, curved cross-sectional shape. The roller blind 10 is connected to the guide member 18 only on the outer half of the guide member 18 with this, so from the outer edge to about the apex of the guide element 18. This area is in<figref idref="f0002">FIG. 3</figref> designated by the reference numeral 20. The roller blind 10 may be glued to the guide member 18 in particular.

0015The guide 14 has in section a generally rectangular cross section, in the interior of the guide member 18 is attached together with the edge portion of the roller blind 10 attached to it. On the side directed toward the center of the vehicle, the guide has a leg 22 which engages between the roller blind 10 and the section of the guide element 18 directed toward the vehicle center, ie into the region in which the roller blind 10 is not glued to the guide element 18. The guide member 18 can thereby be supported below the leg to keep the shade 10 stretched in the transverse direction.

0016In order to wind the blind 10 on the winding axis 16, the guide element 18 is made of the in <figref idref="f0002">FIG. 3</figref> shown first cross-sectional shape brought into a second cross-sectional shape. This is in<figref idref="f0002">FIG. 4</figref> shown (see the transition area indicated by the arrow P). After leaving the guide 14 and when winding on the winding axis 16, the guide member 18 is pressed flat so that it has a rectangular cross-section, the height of the material thickness of the guide member 18 corresponds. In this state, the shade 10 can be wound together with the guide elements 18 to save space.

0017In addition to the curvature in the transverse direction, the guide member 18 may also be curved in the longitudinal direction, so that it rolls up automatically. In this way, can be dispensed with the usual Aufrollfeder on Wikkelachse 16. At the same time you get a constant pulling force. Another effect is an increase in the displacement force, so that it receives a self-locking. Thus, a manually operated roller blind remains in any intermediate position, without an additional roller brake is necessary.

0018In <figref idref="f0003">FIG. 5</figref> an alternative embodiment is shown. For the components known from the first embodiment, the same reference numerals are used, and reference is made in this regard to the above explanations.

0019The difference to that in the <figref idref="f0002">FIGS. 3 and 4</figref> illustrated embodiment is that the in <figref idref="f0003">FIG. 5</figref> shown guide member 18 has a flat, rectangular cross-section of house. For receiving in the guide 14, as in the embodiment according to the<figref idref="f0002">FIGS. 3 and 4</figref>, the blind 10 is connected to only one half of the guide member 18, so that the other half can be received behind the leg 22.

0020When the shade 10 is wound on the winding axis 16, the edge portion of the shade is rotated slightly, so that the guide member 18 flat against the shade 10. In this state, it is then wound up together with the roller blind 10 on the winding axis 16.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

0021<dl id="dl0001" compact="compact"><dt>5</dt><dd>vehicle roof</dd><dt>7</dt><dd>opening</dd><dt>9</dt><dd>cover</dd><dt>10</dt><dd>roller blind</dd><dt>12</dt><dd>Spriegel</dd><dt>14</dt><dd>guide</dd><dt>16</dt><dd>winding axis</dd><dt>18</dt><dd>guide element</dd><dt>20</dt><dd>connecting area</dd><dt>22</dt><dd>leg</dd></dl>