Plate in a motor vehicle with a metallic support structure

• US 20030209920A1
• Filed: 06/09/2003
• Published: 11/13/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 07/24/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Magna Car Top Systems GmbH (Magna International Incorporated), Daimler AG (Mercedes-Benz Group AG)
• Original Assignee: Magna Car Top Systems GmbH (Magna International Incorporated), Daimler Chrysler Company LLC (Stellantis NV)
• Inventors: Koch, Michael, Fuchs, Corinna
• Granted Patent: US 6,840,563 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 296/107.08
• CPC Class Codes: B60J 7/202 being characterised by moveable cover parts for closing the gap between boot lid and rearmost seats
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/3275 mounted on a horizontal surface of the vehicle, e.g. on roof, hood, trunk

Abstract

In a cover plate arrangement in a motor vehicle including a cover plate comprising at least a section with a metallic support plate structure which section is coupled to a component of the motor vehicle so as to be movable relative thereto the metallic support structure is electrically insulated with respect to any adjacent components of the motor vehicle for use as an antenna.

Claims

1. A cover plate arrangement in a motor vehicle, comprising a cover plate including at least a section with a metallic support plate structure and being coupled to a component of the motor vehicle so as to be movable relative thereto, said metallic support structure being electrically insulated with respect to any adjacent components.

2. A cover plate arrangement according to claim 1, wherein said metallic support plate structure is coupled to an adjacent component by a joint which is part of an operating mechanism.

3. A cover plate arrangement according to claim 2, wherein a drive is connected to said metallic support plate structure, said drive being electrically insulated from this metallic support plate structure.

4. A cover plate arrangement according to claim 1, wherein said cover plate arrangement is a vehicle top storage compartment cover, which is movable between a closed position, in which the compartment cover closes a vehicle top storage compartment and an open position, in which access is provided to the top storage compartment for the transfer of the vehicle top into, and out of, the top storage compartment.

5. A cover plate arrangement according to claim 4, wherein a free space between a front edge of the vehicle top storage compartment cover and a vehicle interior is covered by a cover plate which is pivotally supported on a vehicle body part, said cover plate including a section and at least said section thereof being movable relative to said vehicle body by a drive mechanism.

6. A cover plate arrangement according to claim 5, wherein at least said cover plate is connected pivotally to said vehicle body part by a pivot joint and said vehicle top is movable by means of a kinematic operating mechanism to which also said cover plate is connected for moving said cover plate together with said top operating mechanism.

7. A cover plate arrangement according to claim 5, wherein said cover plate includes a front cover part adjacent a vehicle interior, and a rear cover part adjacent the vehicle top storage compartment cover, said rear cover part being pivotally connected to the front cover part by hinges.

8. A cover plate arrangement according to claim 7, wherein said drive mechanism is connected to the front cover part so as to be capable of pivoting said rear cover part relative to said front cover part.

9. A cover plate arrangement according to claim 7, wherein said front cover part is electrically insulated with respect to said rear cover part.

10. A cover plate arrangement according to claim 7, wherein a plastic material shield is disposed between the front and rear cover parts for covering any gap therebetween.

11. A cover plate arrangement according to claim 7, wherein said front cover part includes a metallic support structure and a signal transmission cable is connected to said metallic support structure and along said drive mechanism in electrically insulated relationship therewith.

12. A cover plate arrangement according to claim 7, wherein said drive mechanism comprises a push-pull Bowden cable which is supported on said cover plate by a plastic retaining means.

13. A cover plate arrangement according to claim 7, wherein said cover plate is provided at the sides thereof with a flexible electrically insulating cover member.

14. A cover plate arrangement according to claim 11, wherein said metallic support structure comprises an injection molded magnesium part.