Method of attaching functional components to a roof element of a vehicle, and vehicle roof element

• US 9,308,804 B2
• Filed: 02/12/2013
• Issued: 04/12/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 02/16/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: ROOF SYSTEMS GERMANY GmbH (CIE Automotive SA)
• Original Assignee: ROOF SYSTEMS GERMANY GmbH (CIE Automotive SA)
• Inventors: Roeder, Joachim, Vogel, Stefan, Schaper, Andre, Niscack, Martin, Hurban, Pavol, Kunze, Andreas, Wassen, Charles
• Primary Examiner(s): Hong, John C
• Application Number:
  US13/765,362
• Publication Number:
  US 20140049076A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,155 Days
• Field of Search: 298/972, 295/271, 294/58, 294/60, 296/216.09, 296/93, 296/210, 296/216.01, 296/222, 296/216.04, 296/216.06, 296/216.07, 264/255, 264/252
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 39/10 incorporating preformed parts or layers, e.g. casting around inserts or for coating articles coating a surface by casting in general B05D1/30, B29C39/126 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 41/20 incorporating preformed parts or layers, e.g. moulding inserts or for coating articles
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 44/1271 the preformed parts being partially covered
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 65/70 by moulding using a particular moulding technique, see the relevant technique , e.g. by injection B29C45/14467
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 70/763 the edges being disposed in a substantial flat plane
• CPC Class Codes: B29K 2075/00 Use of PU, i.e. polyureas or polyurethanes or derivatives thereof, as moulding material
• CPC Class Codes: B29K 2875/00 Use of PU, i.e. polyureas or polyurethanes or derivatives thereof, as mould material
• CPC Class Codes: B29L 2031/3005 Body finishings
• CPC Class Codes: B29L 2031/3011 Roof linings
• CPC Class Codes: B60J 10/16 consisting of two or more plastic materials having different physical or chemical properties B60J10/17 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60J 10/82 for movable panels in roofs
• CPC Class Codes: B60J 7/00 Non-fixed roofs; Roofs with movable panels , e.g. rotary sunroofsB60J10/00 takes precedence; window aspects B60J1/00; fixed roofs B62D25/06; mechanisms for operating wings E05F11/00, E05F15/00
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49622 Vehicular structural member making
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49885 with coating before or during assembling
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49888 Subsequently coating
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/4998 Combined manufacture including applying or shaping of fluent material

Abstract

A method of attaching functional components to a roof element of a vehicle is provided. The method including the steps of: applying a curable material in a low-viscosity state which is molded in sections by a first mold surface, wherein a second mold surface is used for further shaping sections of the curable material, and wherein an opening remains accessible towards an environment through which the curable material is introduced.

Claims

1. A method of attaching functional components to a roof element of a vehicle, including applying a curable material in a low-viscosity state which is molded in sections in an open mold cavity by a first mold surface and wherein a second mold surface is used which serves for shaping further sections of the curable material, the open mold cavity having an opening through which the curable material can be introduced.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the first mold surface is formed on a first mold part.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the first mold surface is formed on a functional part which is firmly connected with the roof element by the curable material.

4. The method according to claim 3, wherein the second mold surface is formed on a second mold part.

5. The method according to claim 4, wherein the second mold part is brought into position after part of the curable material was applied onto the first mold surface.

6. The method according to claim 5, wherein the second mold part is used to hold the functional component to be attached in position.

7. The method according to claim 6, wherein the second mold part is two separate parts.

8. The method according to claim 7, wherein the curable material is polyurethane.

9. The method according to claim 7, wherein a seal is used which is made of a material to which the curable material does not adhere.

10. The method according to claim 5, wherein the second mold part is two separate parts.

11. The method according to claim 10, wherein a further amount of the curable material is applied through the opening which is located between the two separate parts of the second mold part.

12. A method of forming a roof element for a vehicle roof with a functional part attached thereto, comprising:

applying a curable material to a portion of the roof element in a low-viscosity state;

molding the curable material in sections in an open mold cavity by a first mold surface and a second mold surface, wherein the second mold surface is defined by a pair mold parts, wherein one of the pair of mold parts is applied to the curable material after it has been applied to the portion of the roof element and an opening remains between the pair of mold parts after they are applied to the curable material, wherein the opening is accessible towards an environment through which the curable material can be introduced.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the functional part is an integral part of the curable material.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the functional part is an adhesive surface by means of which the roof element can be adhesively bonded to a vehicle structure.

15. The method of claim 13, wherein the functional part is a sealing lip.

16. The method of claim 12, wherein the functional part is a spacer.

17. The method of claim 12, wherein the functional part is a rail.

18. The method of claim 12, wherein the functional part is a centering pin.

19. The method of claim 12, wherein the functional part is a screw-on dome.