Patent Publication Number: US-2005116510-A1

Title: Motor vehicle roof with a center console extending in the lengthwise direction of the roof

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
      1. Field of the Invention  
      The present invention relates to a motor vehicle roof with a center console which extends in the lengthwise direction of the roof.  
      2. Description of Related Art  
      A conventional motor vehicle roof with a center console which extends in the lengthwise direction of the roof is shown in published German Patent Application 101 58 742 A1. In that design, the top of the center console forms a portion of the outer surface of the roof and two adjustable glass covers are provided on either side of the center console between the center console and the roof frame to form the outer surface of the roof in this area. On the bottom of the center console, there is a flat display which can be folded out, controls for adjusting the glass covers or for the flat display and means which provide data to the flat display.  
      In an older German patent application 103 15 635, which had not been published beforehand, a motor vehicle roof is described in which a center console, extending in the lengthwise direction of the roof, is mounted underneath the roof surface which is formed by the transparent cover. Plate-like sunscreening elements may be provided which can be moved in the lengthwise direction of the roof and which are located either completely above the center console or only laterally from the center console. The center console can contain different useful means for the passenger, for example a cubby hole, a display, lighting or ventilation.  
      In an older German patent application 103 31 271, which had not been published beforehand, a motor vehicle roof is described with a center console which is located underneath a transparent roof area and which can be pulled out in the lengthwise direction of the roof. On either side of the center console, there can be sunscreening elements which can be moved in the lengthwise direction of the roof.  
      Published German patent application 43 40 980 A1 discloses a center console for a motor vehicle roof which can be mounted in the opening of a sliding roof.  
      Great Britain patent application 2 134 464 A discloses a head liner module for a motor vehicle roof, a center console which is provided on its bottom with different function elements being integrated into the head liner module.  
      Published German patent application 100 56 041 A1 discloses a roof cap for a motor vehicle which has luggage compartments which are laterally accessible from the outside.  
      Published German patent application 37 17 826 A1 discloses a roof cap for a bus which is made as a luggage space which is accessible from underneath through a hatch in the roof.  
      German patent 196 43 188 C1 discloses a motor vehicle roof with two rigid air vents which are located in the rear roof area.  
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
      One object of the present invention is to provide a motor vehicle roof having easily accessible additional stowage space.  
      A second object of the present invention is to provide a motor vehicle roof with a center console and lateral transparent areas which includes optimum shadowing of the transparent areas with reference to the vehicle interior in a simple and space-saving manner.  
      A third object of the present invention is to provide a motor vehicle roof with a center console which enables a flexible ventilation function.  
      The above objects, and other objects, are achieved by providing a motor vehicle roof with a center console having at least one pigeonhole thereby creating additional stowage space in an aesthetically pleasing manner. The stowage space can be easily accessible to the vehicle passengers. Also, it is especially advantageous that an additional stowage space can be created which is especially easily accessible to the vehicle passengers and aesthetically pleasing in combination with movability of the glove box to provide great flexibility with respect to use by the vehicle passengers. In addition, by enhanced flexibility in the use of the center console, especially as a stowage space, an especially large shelf space can be formed, while, during use of the vehicle without a major demand for stowage space, still a relatively low structural height of the motor vehicle roof is ensured.  
      The present invention is also advantageous in that an especially space-saving support of the cover elements can be provided because the cover elements are held in the center console in the position which clears the transparent area.  
      The present invention is also advantageous in providing a flexible ventilation function in an aesthetically pleasing manner. In particular, an adverse aesthetic effect on the appearance of the roof surface can be avoided in the time intervals in which a ventilation function is not desired since then it is not necessary to raise the ventilation flaps. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       FIG. 1  shows a schematic perspective of a first embodiment of a motor vehicle roof of the present invention from overhead;  
       FIG. 2  shows a view similar to  FIG. 1  but of a modified embodiment of the present invention;  
       FIG. 3  shows a cross sectional view of the motor vehicle roof from  FIG. 1 ;  
       FIG. 4  shows a schematic perspective of another embodiment of the motor vehicle roof of the present invention from the vehicle interior;  
       FIGS. 5 and 6  show schematic perspectives of two embodiments of the outer roof surface of the motor vehicle roof from  FIG. 4 ;  
       FIG. 7  shows a view similar to  FIG. 4  but of a modified embodiment of the present invention;  
       FIG. 8  shows a schematic cross sectional view of the motor vehicle roof from  FIG. 7 ;  
       FIG. 9  shows a schematic perspective of the outer roof surface of the motor vehicle roof from  FIG. 7 ;  
       FIGS. 10-12  show views similar to  FIGS. 7-9  but of a modified embodiment of the present invention;  
       FIG. 13  shows a schematic perspective of another embodiment of the motor vehicle roof of the present invention from the vehicle interior;  
       FIG. 14  shows a schematic perspective of another embodiment of the motor vehicle roof of the present invention from the vehicle interior;  
       FIG. 15  shows a schematic cross section of the motor vehicle roof from  FIG. 14  with cover elements located in the rest position;  
       FIG. 16  shows a schematic perspective of the outer roof surface of another embodiment of a motor vehicle roof of the present invention with the center console pulled out to the top;  
       FIG. 17  shows a view like  FIG. 16  but with the center console shown in the rest position;  
       FIGS. 18-20  show schematic perspective views of other embodiments of the motor vehicle roof of the present invention from the vehicle interior; and  
       FIG. 21  shows a schematic perspective of the outer roof surface of another embodiment of a motor vehicle roof of the present invention with the ventilation flaps raised. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       FIGS. 1 and 3  show a first embodiment of a motor vehicle roof of the present invention with a center console  10  which is mounted fixed on the body and which extends in the lengthwise direction of the roof; the top of the console in this area forming the outer surface of the roof. To either side of the center console  10 , there is one transparent area  14  which extends from the center console  10  to the body-mounted limit  12 , the top of this transparent area forming the outer surface of the roof in this area. The front end of the center console is followed by another transparent area  16  which extends over the entire width of the roof and its top forms the outer roof surface in this area. The top of the center console  10  is provided in its central area with eyes  18  which can be used to fix belts and/or other devices for roof loads (not shown in  FIG. 3 ).  
      As shown in  FIG. 3 , the center console is made as a cubby hole which is accessible from the vehicle interior and which extends over the entire width of the center console  10 . The cubby hole is open on the left side as shown in  FIG. 3 , the cross section of the cubby hole being essentially C-shaped.  
      The top of the center console  10  is higher than the lateral limits  12  and the transparent areas  14  so that the top of the center console  10  projects up above the transparent areas  14 . The transparent areas  14  are arched slightly upward in the transverse direction of the roof. The top of the center console  10  is also arched slightly upward.  
       FIG. 2  shows a modified embodiment with the top of the center console  10  being essentially flush with the edge of the respective transparent area  14  which borders the center console  10  at the time. Overall the top of the center console  10  and the transparent areas  14  are arched up in the manner of a dome with respect to the lateral limits  12 .  
      In general, the transparent areas  14  can be formed by glass or plastic panes.  
       FIG. 4  shows a schematic of the bottom of a motor vehicle roof in the manner of  FIGS. 1 and 2 . The bottom of the center console  10  projects downwardly with respect to the edge of the transparent areas  14  which borders the center console  10 . In the area of the center console  10  which projects downwardly, there are several flaps  20  positioned laterally which can be opened from the vehicle interior in order to make accessible the cubby holes which are formed in the center console  10 . As shown in  FIG. 4 , on the bottom of the center console  10 , different function elements such as for example lighting elements  22 , ventilation openings  24  and a flat display  26  which can be folded down, are provided. Additional function elements can be provided, for example, controls, acoustic converters, especially speakers, display elements, power supply connections, folding mirrors, attachment eyes, or luggage nets.  
      On the two sides of the center console  10 , there is one cross brace  28  at a time which is located underneath the corresponding transparent area  14  and which extends in the transverse direction from the center console  10  to the respective lateral limit  12 . The cross braces  28  can act as a support for the respective transparent area  14 .  
       FIGS. 5 and 6  show two examples for the configuration of the surface of the motor vehicle roof from  FIG. 4 . In both cases, the top of the center console  10  is flush with the edge of the respective transparent area  14  which adjoins the center console  10 , and the top of the center console  10  and the lateral transparent areas  14  are arched upward in the manner of a dome with respect to the lateral limit  12 .  
      FIGS.  7  to  9  show a modified embodiment of a motor vehicle roof with a center console  10 . In contrast to the embodiment from  FIG. 4 , the bottom of the center console is essentially flush with the edge of the respective transparent area  14  which adjoins the center console  10 . The transparent areas  14  rest directly on the cross braces  28 .  
      Another difference of the embodiment of FIGS.  7  to  9  relative to the embodiment of FIGS.  4  to  6  is that the center console  10  is made such that its top projects up with respect to the transparent areas  14  which are made essentially even.  
      FIGS.  10  to  12  show an embodiment which has been modified with respect to the embodiment of FIGS.  7  to  9 , in which the center console  10  is made such that both the top of the center console  10  projects up with respect to the edge of the transparent areas  14  which borders the center console  10  as well as the bottom of the center console  10  projects down with respect to the edge of the transparent areas  14  which borders the center console  10 . Furthermore, on the bottom of the center console  10  there is a strip-shaped lighting means  22  which extends in the lengthwise direction.  
      Of course, the roof console  10  also has at least one cubby hole (not shown in the Figures) in the embodiments of FIGS.  7  to  12 .  
       FIG. 13  shows another embodiment of a motor vehicle roof with a center console  10  in which different function elements are provided on the bottom of the center console  10 , and, specifically, lighting elements  2 , mirrors which can fold out sideways, attachment eyes  32  for transport of articles of clothing or the like, a 12-volt power supply connection  34  and a luggage net  36 . Laterally on the lower part of the center console  10 , there are several openings  38  for the cubby holes which are formed in the center console  10 . Furthermore, a flat lighting element  40  is provided on the back end of the bottom of the center console  10 .  
      Underneath the transparent areas  14  on the two sides of the center console  10  there are cover elements  42  which can be moved in the lengthwise direction of the roof in order to prevent overly strong light incidence through the transparent areas  14  into the vehicle interior (in  FIG. 13  the left transparent area  14  is hidden by these cover elements  42  with respect to the vehicle interior). The cover elements  42  can be made in the conventional manner as retractable shades or as plates which can be moved in the lengthwise direction of the roof wherein the lateral limit  12  and the corresponding side of the center console  10  are used as the guide for the respective cover element  42 .  
       FIGS. 14 and 15  show a modified embodiment of the center console with cover elements in which the cover elements  42  can be moved in the transverse roof direction instead of in the lengthwise roof direction. The cover elements are made plate-shaped and are located in pairs opposite one another in the transverse direction of the roof. There are two pairs of these cover elements  42  which are separated by a cross brace  28 . The cover elements  42  are movably supported on their front and their back ends in the transverse direction of the roof, the cross braces  28  being included as a guide.  
      The dimensions of the center console  10  and the cover elements  42  are chosen such that in the position in which two cover elements (arranged in pairs opposite one another) are positioned to clear the respective transparent area  14  for unobstructed light incidence into the vehicle interior, these two cover elements  42 , as shown in  FIG. 15 , lie on top of one another and are deposited completely in a cavity or storage space  44  which is made in the center console  12 .  
       FIGS. 16 and 17  show another embodiment of a motor vehicle roof with a center console  10 . The center console being movable in the vertical direction of the roof between a rest position which is shown in  FIG. 17  and an operating position which is shown in  FIG. 16 . The top of the center console  10  in the operating position is higher than in the rest position. As shown in  FIG. 16 , the center console  10  in the operating position forms a shelf space  46  which is accessible laterally above the fixed roof surface. The fixed roof surface is preferably formed between the center console  10  and the lateral limit  12  to either side of the center console  10  as a transparent area  14 .  
      In the operating position as shown in  FIG. 16 , a gap forms laterally between the fixed roof surface  14  and the top of the center console  10  and it is used as access to the shelf space  46 . The gap can be closed by a tarpaulin  48 . The tarpaulin  48  can be closed by means of zippers  50  and is made as a reinforced fabric.  
      The front end  52  of the top of the center console  10  is made as a section which acts as a wind deflector in the operating position and which can be raised for the operating position with its back end.  
      As shown in  FIG. 17 , the top of the center console  10  in the rest position is integrated into the fixed roof surface  14 , this also applying to the front end  52 .  
      FIGS.  18  to  20  schematically show another embodiment of the motor vehicle roof with a center console  10  wherein, on the bottom of the center console  10 , there are two glove boxes accessible from the vehicle interior and moveable in the lengthwise direction of the roof along the center console  10 . As shown in  FIG. 19 , two additional glove boxes  54  can be inserted from underneath, i.e. by movement in the vertical direction of the roof in the center console  10  if necessary. By opposite motion the glove boxes can be removed again from the center console  10 .  
      On the bottom of the front end section of the center console  10 , there is a luggage pocket  56  (see  FIG. 18 ).  
      On the back end of the bottom of the center console  10 , there is an additional brake light  58 , while the center console is provided laterally with lighting elements  60  which run in the lengthwise direction of the roof.  
       FIG. 21  shows another embodiment of a motor vehicle roof with a center console  10 , wherein on either side of the center console  10 , between the center console  10  and the lateral limit  12 , a lateral area  62  is provided which is preferably made transparent. The rear section of the two lateral areas  62  is made as a ventilation flap  64  which can be raised on its back end. When the ventilation flaps  64  are raised, a ventilation gap forms between their back edge and the fixed roof surface.  
      The top of the center console  10  is made in one piece with the front fixed section of the lateral area  62  and the top of the center console being arched up with respect to the side area  62 .  
      Preferably, the top of the center console and the lateral area  62 , including the ventilation flaps  64 , are made of polycarbonate.  
      In the other embodiments, especially in the embodiments shown in  FIGS. 2, 5 ,  6 ,  8 ,  9 ,  11 , and  12 , the top of the center console  10  can be made in one piece with the lateral transparent areas  14 , preferably polycarbonate being chosen as the material.