BACKGROUND

Field of the Invention

The present invention generally relates to a vehicle roof structure. More specifically, the present invention relates to a vehicle roof structure that includes a roof bow that includes a stiffening member.

Background Information

Large sports utility vehicles (SUVs), vans and panel trucks typically have large cavernous interior spaces that may or may not be part of a passenger compartment of the vehicle. Due the large nature of such interior spaces, the rearward areas of the structure that defines the large interior space can sometimes react to cornering (turning) of the vehicle by slightly elastically deforming in response to centrifugal forces. This reaction to cornering can provide the driver of the vehicle with a sense of unease. Further, the cavernous nature of such large interior spaces can often amplify noises, in particular in the rearward area of the interior space.

SUMMARY

One object of the present disclosure is to provide a rearward roof bow of a roof structure of a vehicle with a large interior space with a stiffening member that improves the driving experience of a driver operating the vehicle and reduces noises that would otherwise emanate from the rearward area of the large interior space.

Another object of the present disclosure is to provide a rearward roof bow of a roof structure of a vehicle with a large interior space with a stiffening member that improves and/or attenuates resonance frequency of the roof structure, improving the roof stiffness of the roof bow and improves ties to side roof rails for an improved ride, handling and solid structure feel of the vehicle.

In view of the state of the known technology, one aspect of the present disclosure is to provide a vehicle roof structure roof bow that includes a stiffening member. The roof bow is configured for attachment to a vehicle. The roof bow has a main section with a first end and a second end, a first overall length being measured from the first end to the second end and a first overall width being measured perpendicular to the first overall length. The main section has a forward flange section, a rearward flange section and a middle section that extend in a lengthwise direction of the roof bow between the first end and the second end. The forward and rearward directions are defined relative to a forward and rearward directions of the vehicle. The stiffening member has a panel portion with a first end and a second end, a second overall length being measured from the first end to the second end that is approximately equal to the first overall length and a second overall width being measured perpendicular to the second overall length. The first overall width of the roof bow is greater than the second overall width of the stiffening member. The panel portion has a plurality of forward projections extending from a forward edge of the panel portion at corresponding first predetermined locations and a plurality of rearward projections extending from a rearward edge of the panel portion at corresponding second predetermined locations. The plurality of forward projections are fixedly attached to the forward flange section of the roof bow. The plurality of rearward projections are fixedly attached to the rearward flange section of the roof bow such that the panel portion of the stiffening member is located between the forward flange section and the rearward flange section of the roof bow.

