Abstract:
In a wind deflector for installation in a vehicle roof in a front area, comprising a wind deflector body which extends in a direction of extension transversely to a direction of travel, a lifting device, with which the wind deflector body can be moved between a position retracted into the vehicle roof and a position extended out of the vehicle roof and projecting beyond a contour of the upper side of the vehicle roof and thus deflecting wind, wherein the lifting device has at least one lifting unit with a mounting base and a lifting arm which is mounted with a lifting arm bearing for pivoting about a first pivot axis relative to the mounting base and engages on the wind deflector body at an end located opposite the lifting arm bearing, in order to achieve a reliable movability of the wind deflector body with devices which are as mechanically simple as possible it is suggested that an actuating unit which is supported on the mounting base and engages on the lifting arm be provided for moving the lifting arm and that the actuating unit and the lifting arm bearing be displaceable relative to one another in a direction of displacement extending transversely to the first pivot axis of the lifting arm bearing for the purpose of pivoting the lifting arm.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENT APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This patent application claims the benefit of German application No. 10 2012 102 671.8, filed Mar. 28, 2012, the teachings and disclosure of which are hereby incorporated in their entirety by reference thereto. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The invention relates to a wind deflector for installation in a front area of a vehicle roof, in particular between a windshield and a roof cutout, comprising a wind deflector body which extends in a direction of extension transversely to a direction of travel, a lifting device, with which the wind deflector body is movable between a position retracted into the vehicle roof and a position extended out of the vehicle roof and projecting beyond a contour of the upper side of the vehicle roof and thus deflecting wind, wherein the lifting device has at least one lifting unit with a mounting base and a lifting arm which is mounted with a lifting arm bearing for pivoting about a first pivot axis relative to the mounting base and which engages on the wind deflector body at an end located opposite the lifting arm bearing. 
         [0003]    Wind deflectors of this type are known from the state of the art, for example EP 0 895 889 A1. 
         [0004]    With this known solution the object is, however, to achieve a reliable movability of the wind deflector body with devices which are as mechanically simple as possible. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0005]    This object is accomplished in accordance with the invention, in a wind deflector of the type described at the outset, in that an actuating unit which is supported on the mounting base and engages on the lifting arm is provided for moving the lifting arm and that the actuating device and the lifting arm bearing can be displaced relative to one another in a direction of displacement which extends transversely to the first pivot axis of the lifting arm bearing for the purpose of pivoting the lifting arm. 
         [0006]    The advantage of the solution according to the invention is to be seen in the fact that as a result a simple actuation of the lifting arm can be realized and this allows the wind deflector body, on the one hand, to be moved between the retracted position and the extended position and, on the other hand, to be held securely both in the extended and in the retracted position. 
         [0007]    Such a relative displacement of the actuating device and the lifting arm bearing may be realized in the most varied of ways. 
         [0008]    One advantageous solution, for example, provides for a displaceable slide, which can be displaced in the direction of displacement, to be provided for the displacement of the actuating unit and the lifting arm bearing relative to one another. 
         [0009]    Such a displaceable slide represents a mechanical component which is simple to realize. 
         [0010]    In this respect, it is provided, in particular, for the displaceable slide to be guided on the mounting base by means of a displacement guide so that, as a result, the actuating unit can be realized simply and inexpensively. 
         [0011]    No further details have been given regarding the coupling between the actuating unit and the lifting arm; for example, the actuating unit could form, with the lifting arm, a pivot lever system or a toggle lever system. 
         [0012]    One advantageous solution provides for the actuating unit to engage on a guide path of the lifting arm with a guiding element which can be displaced along the guide path and for the guiding element to be movable along the guide path for the purpose of pivoting the lifting arm. 
         [0013]    This results in a solution for the coupling between the actuating unit and the lifting arm which is of a mechanically simple design. 
         [0014]    In this respect, it is expediently provided for the guide path to extend in longitudinal direction of the lifting arm. 
         [0015]    Furthermore, it is preferably provided for the guiding element to be pivotable relative to the guide path. 
         [0016]    One specific realization of the actuating unit provides, in particular, for the actuating unit to have an actuating arm which bears the guiding element and extends from an actuating base. 
         [0017]    The solutions described thus far have been based merely on a relative movement of the actuating unit and the lifting arm bearing relative to one another. 
         [0018]    In this respect, it is possible to move either the actuating unit or the lifting arm bearing or both at the same time in order to generate this relative movement. 
         [0019]    It has, however, proven to be particularly favorable from a constructional point of view when the displaceable slide which can be displaced relative to the lifting arm bearing in the direction of displacement forms the actuating base. 
         [0020]    In this respect, it is provided, in particular, for the lifting arm bearing to be arranged securely on the mounting base whereas the displaceable slide can be displaced relative to the mounting base. 
         [0021]    With respect to the coupling between the lifting arm and the wind deflector body, no further details have so far been given. 
         [0022]    One particularly favorable solution, for example, provides for the lifting arm to be coupled to the wind deflector body with its end engaging on the wind deflector body by means of a retaining guide and to hold the body in the respective positions relative to the mounting base. 
         [0023]    This solution creates the possibility, in a particularly advantageous manner, of obtaining a sufficiently reliable coupling between the lifting arm and the wind deflector body which predetermines the individual positions in a defined manner. 
         [0024]    In this respect, it is provided, in particular, for the lifting arm to be pivotable relative to the wind deflector body about a second pivot axis, which is parallel to the first pivot axis, as a result of the retaining guide. 
         [0025]    In this respect, it is provided, in particular, for the second pivot axis to extend transversely to the direction of extension of the wind deflector body. 
         [0026]    An additional, advantageous solution provides for the retaining guide to allow, on the one hand, pivoting of the lifting arm about the second pivot axis and, on the other hand, movement of the second pivot axis in the direction of extension of the wind deflector body. 
         [0027]    As a result, it is also possible to arrange the lifting arm bearing stationarily relative to the mounting base and, on the other hand, to create the possibility, as a result of the retaining guide, of the end of the lifting arm which engages on the retaining guide moving relative to the wind deflector body in its direction of extension. 
         [0028]    Such movement may be realized, in particular, in that the retaining guide has a connecting link path, along which a guide pin, which forms the second pivot axis, can be moved. 
         [0029]    In order, in addition, to prevent the wind deflector from moving in its direction of extension when a movement thereof by the lifting units between the retracted and the extended positions is intended to take place, it is preferably provided for the wind deflector body to be guided by a guiding unit which prevents any movement of the wind deflector body in the direction of extension. 
         [0030]    The guiding unit could be a simple linear guide, wherein a linear guide is problematic, if not unsuitable for any installation in the region of a vehicle roof 
         [0031]    For this reason, one advantageous solution provides for the guiding unit to have a toggle lever guide. 
         [0032]    A toggle lever guide may be folded out and folded up in a simple manner and so it may be advantageously used in the region of a vehicle roof 
         [0033]    It is expediently provided for the toggle lever guide to be pivotable about articulated axles which extend transversely to the first pivot axis. 
         [0034]    It is provided, in particular, for the articulated axles of the toggle lever guide to extend at right angles to the first pivot axis. 
         [0035]    In conjunction with the preceding explanations of the individual embodiments it has merely been assumed that the lifting device has at least one lifting unit. 
         [0036]    It is, however, of advantage for the stable guidance of the wind deflector body when the lifting device has several lifting units. 
         [0037]    Expediently, such several lifting units are arranged symmetrically to the longitudinal central plane of the vehicle roof 
         [0038]    In addition, it is advantageously provided for the at least one lifting unit or the lifting units to be drivable by a common drive unit. 
         [0039]    Such a common drive unit could be provided laterally in the vehicle roof. 
         [0040]    For reasons of an advantageous installation, it has, however, proven to be expedient when the drive unit is arranged in a central region of the wind deflector. 
         [0041]    Furthermore, it has proven to be expedient when the drive unit is designed as a linear drive since the lifting units provided in accordance with the invention may be driven advantageously with a linear drive. 
         [0042]    A particularly favorable installation situation results when the drive unit drives lifting units, which are arranged on oppositely located sides thereof, synchronously with one another. 
         [0043]    A particularly favorable solution provides for the drive unit to perform push-pull movements extending symmetrically to the longitudinal central plane of the vehicle roof. 
         [0044]    Additional features and advantages of the invention are the subject matter of the following description as well as the drawings illustrating several embodiments. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0045]      FIG. 1  shows a side view of a motor vehicle according to the invention with a wind deflector; 
           [0046]      FIG. 2  shows a perspective view from the front of a bodywork cutout for a wind deflector body of the wind deflector positioned in the retracted position in the region of the windshield; 
           [0047]      FIG. 3  shows a perspective view similar to  FIG. 2  of a wind deflector with a wind deflector body in an extended position; 
           [0048]      FIG. 4  shows a view in the direction of arrow A in  FIG. 3  of the wind deflector according to the invention in the extended position; 
           [0049]      FIG. 5  shows a view in the direction of arrow B in  FIG. 3  with an exploded illustration of the wind deflector according to the invention with a wind deflector body in an extended position; 
           [0050]      FIG. 6  shows an enlarged partial view of an area B in  FIG. 4  with illustration of the wind deflector body in its retracted position; 
           [0051]      FIG. 7  shows a section along line  7 - 7  in  FIG. 6 ; 
           [0052]      FIG. 8  shows a view similar to  FIG. 6  with illustration of the wind deflector body in an intermediate position between the retracted and the extended positions; 
           [0053]      FIG. 9  shows a section along line  9 - 9  in  FIG. 8 ; 
           [0054]      FIG. 10  shows a view similar to  FIG. 8  with parts not apparent in  FIG. 8  and illustrated by dashed lines; 
           [0055]      FIG. 11  shows a schematic partial illustration of lifting units arranged on one side of the longitudinal central plane in a perspective view similar to  FIG. 4  with a drive unit and a position of the lifting arms which corresponds to the extended position of the wind deflector body; 
           [0056]      FIG. 12  shows a view in the direction of arrow C in  FIG. 11 ; 
           [0057]      FIG. 13  shows a view similar to  FIG. 11  with a position of the lifting arms which lies between the extended and the retracted positions of the wind deflector body; 
           [0058]      FIG. 14  shows an illustration similar to  FIG. 12  in the position in  FIG. 13 ; 
           [0059]      FIG. 15  shows an illustration similar to  FIG. 11  with a position of the lifting arms which corresponds to the retracted position of the wind deflector body, and 
           [0060]      FIG. 16  shows a view similar to  FIG. 12  of the position in  FIG. 15 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0061]    A motor vehicle, in particular a convertible vehicle, which is illustrated in  FIG. 1  and designated as a whole as  10 , has a vehicle body  12  which comprises inter alia—when observed in the direction contrary to a direction of travel F—a hood  14 , a windshield  16  arranged adjoining the hood  14 , a vehicle roof  18  adjoining the windshield  16 , possibly a rear window  20  and a trunk lid  22 . 
         [0062]    As illustrated in  FIGS. 2 and 3 , the windshield  16  is adjoined, between A pillars  17  of the vehicle body  12 , by a front area  24  of the vehicle roof  18 , wherein the vehicle roof  18 , according to  FIG. 1 , is provided with a roof cutout  30  which can be closed, follows on from the front area  24  and can be closed or opened up by a movable roof section which is not illustrated. Such a movable roof section can be formed, for example, by a folding roof or a retractable or a detachable roof. 
         [0063]    The roof cutout  30  extends over part of the vehicle roof  18  and has, contrary to the direction of travel F, an extension which is greater than an extension of a closed roof section which possibly still remains. 
         [0064]    In order to avoid the effects of drafts in the interior of the vehicle body  12  when the roof cutout  30  is open, in particular in the area of the passengers, a wind deflector  40  is provided between the windshield  16  and a front edge  32  of the roof cutout  30  in the front area  24  connecting the A pillars  17  and this wind deflector has a wind deflector body  42  which, as illustrated in  FIG. 2 , can be positioned in a retracted position such that an upper side  44  of the wind deflector body is aligned with a contour  46  of the upper side of the vehicle body  12  at the transition between windshield  16  and vehicle roof  18  and in the front area  24 , i.e. does not project beyond it and does not impair the overall optical impression of the contour  46  of the upper side. 
         [0065]    In this position, the wind deflector body  42  is, however, inoperative. 
         [0066]    As illustrated in  FIG. 3 , the wind deflector body  42  can be moved into an extended position, in which the wind deflector body  42  brings about guidance of a flow of air  48  over the vehicle roof  18  in such a manner that the flow of air  48  does not enter the interior of the vehicle body  12  through the roof cutout  30  or only to a limited extent. 
         [0067]    For this purpose, as illustrated in  FIG. 3 , a lifting device  50  is provided which has, for example, lifting units  54  which are arranged symmetrically to a longitudinal central plane  52  of the vehicle body  12  and on both sides thereof as well as a guiding unit  56  for the wind deflector body  42 . 
         [0068]    As illustrated in  FIG. 4  and  FIG. 5 , the wind deflector body  42  is held, for example, by a support  62  which can be moved by the lifting units  54 , for example, two respective lifting units  54  arranged on either side of the longitudinal central plane  52  and symmetrically to it, relative to a mounting base  64  which is integrated in the front area  24  of the vehicle roof  18  between the windshield  16  and the front edge  32  of the roof cutout  30 , wherein the respective lifting units  54  are arranged on the mounting base  64  and, depending on the position thereof, hold the support  62  in the extended position illustrated in  FIGS. 4 and 5  or move the support  62  into a retracted position, in which the support  62  is arranged at a slight distance from the mounting base  64  or rests on it. 
         [0069]    In addition, the guiding unit  56  is designed such that it guides the support  62  together with the wind deflector body  42  so as to be non-displaceable transversely to the longitudinal central plane  52 , wherein the function of the guiding unit  56  will be explained in detail in the following. 
         [0070]    As illustrated in  FIGS. 4 and 5 , each of the lifting units  54  comprises a lifting arm  70  which is mounted on the mounting base  64  with a first end  72  so as to rotatable about a first pivot axis  74  and engages with another second end  76  on a retaining guide  78  of the support  62 . 
         [0071]    As illustrated in  FIGS. 6 and 7  which show the retracted position of a lifting unit as well as in  FIGS. 8 and 9  which show the extended position of a lifting unit, the first pivot axis  74 , about which the respective lifting arm  70  is pivotable relative to the mounting base  64 , extends approximately parallel to the longitudinal central plane  52 . 
         [0072]    In the retracted position, the lifting arm  70  is pivoted to such an extent in the direction of the mounting base  64  that it forms with the mounting base  64 , for example, an angle of &lt;20°, even better an angle of &lt;15°. 
         [0073]    In this respect, the lifting arm  70  extends relative to the mounting base  64  away from a lifting arm bearing  80  determining the first pivot axis  74  as far as the retaining guide  78  which is connected to the support  62  for the wind deflector body  42 . 
         [0074]    For example, the lifting arm bearing  80  is formed by a bolt  82  which passes through receptacles  84  in the mounting base  64  and penetrates a bolt receptacle  86  which is provided in the respective lifting arm  70 . 
         [0075]    The bolt  82  is, for example, rotatable either in the receptacles  84  or in the bolt receptacle  86  so that, as a result, pivoting of the lifting arm  70  relative to the mounting base  64  is possible. 
         [0076]    The retaining guide  78  is formed by guide pins  92  which project from the lifting arm  70  on both sides thereof and of which each of the guide pins  92  engages in a connecting link path  94  of a guide bar  96  of the retaining guide  78 , wherein the guide bar  96  is held on the support  62 . 
         [0077]    The guide pin  92  is, therefore, on the one hand movable in a longitudinal direction  98  of the connecting link path  94  and rotatable about a second pivot axis  102  relative to the connecting link path  94  and, therefore, also to the guide bar  96 . 
         [0078]    The second pivot axis  102  extends, in particular, parallel to the first pivot axis  74  and both pivot axes  74  and  102  are preferably aligned essentially parallel to the longitudinal central plane  52 , i.e. they form with the longitudinal central plane  52  at best an angle of at the most 10° while the wind deflector body  42  extends with its direction of extension  66  transversely to the longitudinal central plane  52  and, therefore, also transversely to the pivot axes  74  and  102 . 
         [0079]    By pivoting the lifting arms  70  about the pivot axis  74 , the wind deflector body  42  with the support  62  may be moved from the retracted position illustrated in  FIGS. 6 and 7  into the extended position illustrated in  FIGS. 8 and 9 , wherein the retaining guide  78  offers the possibility of the guide pins  92 , on the one hand, being able to turn about the second pivot axis  102  relative to the guide bar  96  and, at the same time, being able to migrate along the connecting link path  94  of the guide bar  96  from one end area  104  of the connecting link path  94 , for example an end area  104  of the connecting link path  94  located outwards with respect to the longitudinal central plane  52 , into an oppositely located end area  106  of the connecting link path  94 , for example an end area  106  of the connecting link path  94  located inwards with respect to the longitudinal central plane  52 . 
         [0080]    As a result, the second ends  76  of the lifting arms  70  may be moved relative to the support  62  without the support  62  experiencing any displacement transversely to the longitudinal central plane  52 . 
         [0081]    An actuating unit designated as a whole as  110  is provided for pivoting the respective lifting arm  70  of the respective lifting unit  54 . 
         [0082]    This actuating unit  110  comprises a displaceable slide  114  which is guided for displacement in the mounting base  64  by a displacement guide  112 , wherein the displaceable slide  114  is preferably guided on both sides by a respective displacement guide  112  and, therefore, can be moved in a direction of displacement  116  which extends transversely, preferably at right angles, to the first pivot axis  74 . 
         [0083]    An actuating arm  120  extends from the displaceable slide  114  and this, as illustrated in  FIGS. 7 and 9 , bears at one end area  122  facing away from the displaceable slide  114  lateral extensions  124  which engage in sliding guide paths  126  extending along the respective lifting arm  70  and can, therefore, be moved along the sliding guide paths  126  in a longitudinal direction  128  of the respective lifting arm  70 . 
         [0084]    The extensions  124  are arranged, for example, relative to the displaceable slide  114  such that the extensions  124  can move along a path  130  which runs parallel to the displacement guides  112  but at a distance from them and preferably such that the path  130  extends on a side of the first pivot axis  74  facing the wind deflector body  42 . 
         [0085]    The movement of the extensions  124  along the path  130  results, when the extensions  124  have a maximum distance from the pivot axis  74 , in the extensions  124 , as illustrated, for example, in  FIG. 7 , being located in an end area  132  of the sliding guide paths  126  which is located closest to the retaining guide  78  so that, in this case, the respective lifting arm  70  forms a minimum angle with the mounting base  64  while the extensions  124 , when they have the smallest distance from the pivot axis  74 , as illustrated in  FIG. 9 , are located in an end area  134  of the sliding guide paths  126  which is arranged closest to the first pivot axis  74 . 
         [0086]    As a result, displacement of the actuating arm  120  leads as a result of displacement of the displaceable slide  114  to either the lifting arm  70  being in the refracted position, as illustrated in  FIGS. 6 and 7 , or moving from this retracted position in the direction of the extended position, as illustrated in  FIGS. 8 to 10 , wherein the actuating arm  120  is moved, for example, to such an extent in the direction of the first pivot axis  74  that the respective lifting arm  70  extends with an angle close to 90° in relation to the mounting base  64 , i.e. transversely, as far as possible at right angles, to it. 
         [0087]    In order to be able to position the lifting arm  70  in the refracted position with as small an angle relative to the mounting base  64  as possible, the path  130  preferably extends at an angle to the mounting base  64 , namely such that the extensions  124  are arranged in the retracted position at as small a distance relative to the mounting base  64  as possible while the distance of the extensions  124  from the mounting base  64  increases with increasing movement in the direction of the extended position. 
         [0088]    The function of the entire lifting device  50  may be explained, in particular, on the basis of the schematic illustrations according to  FIGS. 11 ,  13  and  15 , supplemented by  FIGS. 12 ,  14  and  16 . 
         [0089]    In order to enable a motor-driven movement of the individual lifting units  54 , a central drive unit  140  is preferably provided and this has, for example, a drive motor  142  which drives drive spindles  144  which extend on respective, oppositely located sides of the longitudinal central plane  52  and preferably transversely, in particular at right angles, to the longitudinal central plane  52 . 
         [0090]    Spindle nuts  146  are seated on these drive spindles  144  and may be displaced in a direction of displacement  148  either away from the drive unit  140  or towards it when the drive spindles are rotated. 
         [0091]    The respective spindle nuts  146  arranged on either side of the longitudinal central plane are coupled via coupling rods  152  and  154  to the displaceable slides  114  of the lifting units  54  respectively located on one side of the longitudinal central plane  52  and so the displaceable slides  114  which are respectively located on one side of the longitudinal central plane  52  and, therefore, also the actuating arms  120  thereof may be displaced together and synchronously either away from the longitudinal central plane  52  or towards it. 
         [0092]    If, as illustrated in  FIG. 11 , the actuating arms  120  are displaced into their position located closest to the longitudinal central plane  52 , the extensions  124  arranged on the actuating arms  120  have the effect that the respective lifting arms  70  extend transversely to the displaceable slides  114  and, therefore, also transversely to the mounting base  64  and are in their extended position, in which the lifting arms  70 , without this being illustrated in  FIG. 11 , hold the wind deflector body  42  in its maximum extended position. 
         [0093]    If the spindle nuts  146  are now moved away from the longitudinal central plane  52  as a result of the drive spindles  144  being rotated, the actuating arms  120  with the extensions  124  also move away from the longitudinal central plane  52  and cause, as illustrated, for example, in  FIG. 13 , an increasing inclination of the lifting arms  70  of the respective lifting units  54  and, therefore, a reduction in the angle between them and the mounting base  64 . 
         [0094]    The movement of the actuating arms  120  is brought about in the direction away from the longitudinal central plane  52  for such a time until the actuating arms  70  of the individual lifting units  54 , as illustrated in  FIG. 15 , form the smallest angle with the mounting base and, therefore, move the wind deflector body  42  into the retracted position and keep it in this position, wherein, in this case, the actuating arms  120  are also positioned at a maximum distance from the longitudinal central plane  52 . 
         [0095]    Supplementary to  FIGS. 11 ,  13  and  15 , the functioning of the guiding unit  56  can also be explained in  FIGS. 12 ,  14  and  16 . 
         [0096]    The guiding unit  56  is designed such that it comprises two toggle lever arms  162  and  164  which, for their part, are connected by a joint  166  with an articulated axle  168  and, on the other hand, are connected at their outer ends via joints  172  and  174  with articulated axles  176  and  178 , one time to the support  62  and another time to the mounting base  64 . 
         [0097]    In this respect, the articulated axles  168 ,  176  and  178  run parallel to one another and preferably transversely to the first pivot axes  74 , in particular at right angles to them, and, therefore preferably also at right angles to the longitudinal central plane  52 . 
         [0098]    As a result, the guiding unit  56 , on account of its arrangement and effect between the support  62  of the wind deflector body  42  and the mounting base  64 , prevents any movement of the support  62  and the wind deflector body  42  relative to the mounting base  64  transversely to the longitudinal central plane  52  since the toggle lever arms  162  and  164  prevent movements in the direction of the articulated axles  168 ,  176  and  178  whereas they allow other movements at right angles to the articulated axles  168 ,  176  and  178 . 
         [0099]    These other movement are, however, prevented by the lifting units  54 , insofar as they would run parallel to the pivot axes  74  and  102 , on account of the fact that the first pivot axes  74  and the second pivot axes  102  extend transversely to the direction of extension  66  of the support  62  and the wind deflector body  42 . 
         [0100]    As a result, on account of the alignment of the articulated axles  168 ,  176  and  178  of the guiding unit  56  and the pivot axes  74  and  102  of the lifting units  54  relative to one another, only movements of the support  62  of the wind deflector body  42  are possible overall which extend at right angles to the articulated axles  168 ,  176  and  178  and the pivot axes  74  and  102  and, therefore, transversely to the mounting base  64  in a lifting direction  180  which extends parallel to the longitudinal central plane  52 . 
         [0101]    As a result of the alignment of the articulated axles  168 ,  176  and  178  transversely or at right angles to the pivot axes  74  and  102  of the lifting units  54  it is ensured that the support  62  with the wind deflector body  42  can be moved in the lifting direction  180  only away from the mounting base  64  into the extended position and in the direction of the mounting base  64 , i.e. into the retracted position.