Vehicle roof system

Abstract

The present invention discloses a vehicle roof system for closing and opening a roof opening (2a) formed in a fixed roof panel (2) of a vehicle with a moveable roof panel (4), in which an onboard device (30) is located in a laterally central part of the fixed roof panel (2) adjacent to a front edge of the roof opening, and an electric motor (24) for actuating the moveable roof panel is also located adjacent to the front edge of the roof opening but in a laterally offset and longitudinally overlapping relationship with the onboard device. As the electric motor and onboard device do not overlap each other in plan view, the thickness of the roof can be minimized. As the electric motor and onboard device overlap each other in side view, the distance between the upper edge of the front windshield and the front edge of the roof opening can be minimized, and this improves the field of view of the vehicle occupants.

Description

technical field [0001] The invention relates to a vehicle roof system comprising a movable roof and a drive unit for actuating the roof between a position closing a window in the roof and a position exposing the window. Background technique [0002] A roof system, also called a sunroof system, is widely used in passenger cars to selectively open and close a window formed in a roof. A typical vehicle roof system includes a movable roof and a drive unit for actuating the movable roof between a position for closing the window and a position for exposing the window. A pair of guide rails is fixedly fastened to the fixed top panel and extends along both sides of the roof window, and the movable top panel is supported by these guide rails via sliders so as to be slidable in the front-rear direction. An electric motor is located in the center of the front edge of the roof window, and a pair of push-pull cables connected to the corresponding slide is actuated by the electric motor ...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

However, the molds used to mold the front frame become more complex, and this increases manufacturing costs

And, since the guide tube part formed in the front frame does not completely cover the push-pull cable, grease cannot be accommodated in the guide tube part, so the defined guide surface is not smooth enough

[0008] Also, when the guide tube portion is integrally formed with the front frame, the radius of curvature cannot be reduced as much as with conventional steel guide tubes

The resulting increase in frictional drag requires the use of a more powerful electric motor, which in turn results in a thicker roof

Also, the large radius of curvature requires an increase in the front and rear dimensions of the front frame, and this requires the leading edge of the roof window to be positioned farther back than desired

If the roof window is located too far back in the roof, the passenger's view through the roof window is too vertical, limiting the passenger's field of vision and reducing the benefits of the sunroof system

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