Detachable vehicle roof panel with a locking structure

Abstract

A detachable roof panel assembly for a vehicle, comprising a plurality of roof panels (21, 22) configured to be attached to and detached from a roof of the vehicle (1), and a locking unit (40) coupled to the roof of the vehicle (1) and configured to lock predetermined positions of each roof panel of the plurality of roof panels (21, 22).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a roof panel assembly detachable from a roof of a vehicle, and more particularly to a detachable roof panel assembly for a vehicle having a locking structure that can be easily locked to the roof during installation.

[0002] A technique for opening a roof of a vehicle in such a way that passengers can experience a greater sense of openness is currently used in vehicles.

[0003] For example, in some vehicle models, by allowing a passenger to travel in a state where a roof is opened by detaching a roof panel of a vehicle, the passenger can feel an expanded sense of openness.

[0004] When installing the roof panel, the passenger installs the roof panel by operating a locking lever and a locking clamp installed on the roof panel to prevent the roof panel from being separated from the roof. The vehicle is equipped with a plurality of roof panels, and each roof panel typically has a plurality of locking levers and a (for example, single) locking clamp. After the roof panel is temporarily installed by operating the locking lever to rotate it in a state where the roof panel is seated on the roof, the roof panel is locked by operating the locking clamp.

[0005] When the roof panel is separated from the roof, the roof panel is unlocked by operating the locking clamp, and the roof panel is separated by turning each locking lever.

[0006] Since the majority of roof panels are used on the roof of the vehicle, there is a problem that it is not easy to remove or install the roof panel because many parts need to be operated for removing or installing the roof panel.

[0007] As described above, there is a problem that since it is inconvenient for a passenger to attach and detach the roof panel, the frequency of removing and achieving the benefit of the roof panel is reduced.

[0008] The invention provides a detachable roof panel assembly for a vehicle having a locking structure in which a roof panel is locked or unlocked with a single operation when the roof panel is removed from or mounted on a vehicle.

[0009] A detachable roof panel assembly for a vehicle according to the invention comprises a plurality of roof panels configured to be attached to and detached from a roof of the vehicle. The assembly also comprises a locking unit coupled to the roof of the vehicle and configured to lock predetermined positions of the plurality of roof panels.

[0010] The locking unit can lock (e.g., restrict) and lock strikers on the roof panels when the plurality of roof panels are mounted on the roof.

[0011] The locking unit may include a locking bar configured to lock (e.g., restrict) the strikers or to move rearward when pushed by the strikers. The locking unit may also include a solenoid (e.g., an electromagnet device) configured to allow the locking bar to move rearward when power is applied to separate the locking bar from the striker.

[0012] A front end of the locking rod may be formed to have an inclined surface to slide toward an inner side of the solenoid when pushed by the striker.

[0013] For example, the solenoid can provide spring support for the locking rod so that the locking rod moves forward when the power is switched off.

[0014] The plurality of roof panels may include a front roof panel and a rear roof panel. The locking unit may be installed on a center roof rail of the vehicle to lock a rear end of the front roof panel and a front end of the rear roof panel.

[0015] A magnet unit may be configured to fix at least one side of each of the plurality of roof panels to the roof by a magnetic force.

[0016] The magnet unit may include a magnetic iron core in contact with steel plates installed on the plurality of roof panels, a fixed permanent magnet fixedly coupled to the magnetic iron core, a rotatable permanent magnet rotatably disposed in a position at a predetermined distance from the fixed permanent magnet of the magnetic iron core, and a coil wound around the magnetic iron core and magnetized when current is supplied to rotate the rotatable permanent magnet.

[0017] When, in a state where the steel plate is attached to the magnetic iron core, current is supplied to the coil and the rotatable permanent magnet is arranged in the same direction as the fixed permanent magnet, a magnetic path can be formed to pass through the magnetic iron core and the steel plate, so that the plurality of roof panels are fixed to the roof.

[0018] When current is supplied to the coil and the rotatable permanent magnet and the fixed permanent magnet are arranged in opposite directions, the magnetic path passing through the steel plate can be removed, so that the plurality of roof panels can be separated from the roof.

[0019] The magnet unit may be arranged on a center roof rail of the vehicle at a distance to fix a rear end of a front roof panel and a front end of a rear roof panel, and may be arranged on an upper end of a rear pillar of the vehicle to fix the rear end of the rear roof panel.

[0020] The detachable roof panel assembly may further include an ajar switch (e.g., a transmitter switch) configured to detect whether the installation of the plurality of roof panels is complete.

[0021] The detachable roof panel assembly may include a control unit configured to receive a signal of whether the installation of the plurality of roof panels is completed from the ajar switch, output a locking signal of the locking unit or receive an unlocking signal generated by a passenger pulling the roof panel from the locking unit, and actuate a magnet unit configured to fix the roof panel by a magnetic force.

[0022] A release button may be installed in the vehicle and configured to be actuated by the passenger before the passenger actuates a microswitch of the locking unit by pulling the roof panel. Furthermore, an output signal from the release button may be input to the control unit.

[0023] One of the plurality of roof panels may include a guide pin (e.g., a guide pin) projecting toward a roof rail of the vehicle on one side thereof. A guide bracket may also be configured to receive the guide pin in the roof rail.

[0024] A receiving groove configured to receive the guide pin may be formed in the guide holder.

[0025] The guide pin may be formed to have a smaller cross-sectional area toward an end portion thereof, and a spherical head (e.g., a ball head) may be formed at the end portion of the guide pin. An inner end portion of the receiving groove may be formed in a shape corresponding to the head.

[0026] The receiving groove may be designed such that it is inclined towards the top of the vehicle.

[0027] The receiving groove may be formed to have a greater width toward an inlet thereof.

[0028] The guide pins may be formed at intervals from each other on a front end of a front roof panel in a width direction of the vehicle. The guide brackets may be formed at intervals from each other on a front roof rail in the width direction of the vehicle.

[0029] According to the detachable roof panel assembly having the locking structure of the invention with the above configuration, it is possible to automatically lock the roof panel to the roof of the vehicle with a single operation after the roof panel is mounted. Furthermore, it is possible to lift and remove the roof panel by automatically unlocking the roof panel with a single pulling operation when removing it from the roof.

[0030] As described above, since it is not necessary to perform multiple installation or removal operations along the outline of the roof panel, user comfort is improved.

[0031] The invention is explained in more detail with reference to the drawing. The drawing shows: Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing a state in which a roof panel is mounted on a vehicle using a detachable roof panel assembly for a vehicle according to the invention; Fig. 2 is a perspective view showing a state in which the roof panel is removed from a vehicle using a detachable roof panel assembly according to the invention; Fig. 3A-3C are a perspective view, a plan view, and a side view showing a state in which a guide pin is attached to a guide holder in a detachable roof panel assembly according to the invention; Fig. 4 is a side view of a process of mounting a detachable roof panel assembly according to the invention to a front roof rail; Fig. 5 is a side view showing a state in which a detachable roof panel assembly according to the invention is mounted on a front roof rail of a vehicle; Fig. 6 is a schematic diagram of an example in which a guide pin, a locking unit, a magnet unit, a microswitch, and an ajar switch are arranged in a detachable roof panel assembly according to the invention; Fig. Figure 7 is an exploded perspective view of a locking unit in a detachable roof panel assembly according to the invention; Fig. Figure 8 is a bottom perspective view of a magnet unit in a detachable roof panel assembly according to the invention; Fig. 9A-9E are schematic representations of a functional principle of a magnet unit in a detachable roof panel assembly according to the invention; Fig. 10 is a schematic illustration of a state in which a detachable roof panel assembly according to the invention is locked; Fig. 11 is a schematic diagram showing a state in which a front roof panel is mounted in a detachable roof panel assembly according to the invention; Fig. 12 and Fig. 13 schematically illustrate a state in which a front roof panel is locked in a detachable roof panel assembly according to the invention; Fig. 14 and Fig. 15 schematically illustrates a state in which a front roof panel has been locked in a detachable roof panel assembly according to the invention; Fig. 16 and Fig. 17 schematically illustrates a state in which a front roof panel is unlocked in a detachable roof panel assembly according to the invention; Fig. 18 and Fig. 19 schematically illustrate a state in which a front roof panel is further unlocked in a detachable roof panel assembly according to the invention; Fig. 20 is a schematic diagram showing a state in which a rear roof panel is mounted in a detachable roof panel assembly according to the invention; Fig. 21 is a schematic diagram showing a state in which a rear roof panel has been mounted in a detachable roof panel assembly according to the invention; Fig. 22 is a schematic illustration of a state in which a rear roof panel in a detachable roof panel assembly according to the invention begins to be unlocked; and Fig. 23 is a schematic diagram showing a state in which a rear roof panel has been separated in a detachable roof panel assembly according to the invention.

[0032] A detachable roof panel assembly according to the invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0033] When a controller, component, device, element, part, unit, module, or the like according to the invention is described as having a purpose or performing an operation, function, or the like, the controller, component, device, element, part, unit, or module should be considered herein as being "configured to" fulfill that purpose or perform that operation or function. Each controller, component, device, element, part, unit, module, and the like may be implemented separately or incorporated into a processor and memory, such as a non-transitory computer-readable medium, as part of the device.

[0034] A detachable roof panel assembly for a vehicle according to the invention includes a plurality of roof panels 21 and 22 detachably installed on a roof of a vehicle 1. The detachable roof panel assembly includes a locking unit 40 installed on the roof of the vehicle for locking each of the plurality of roof panels 21 and 22 in predetermined positions.

[0035] The roof of the vehicle forms a structure by a front roof rail 11 and a center roof rail 12 arranged in a width direction of the vehicle 1, and by a roof side rail 13 installed in a longitudinal direction of the vehicle to connect the side ends of the front roof rail 11 to the side ends of the center roof rail 12. A portion in which the front roof rail 11 and the roof side rail 13 are connected to each other is connected to an upper end of a front pillar, a portion in which the center roof rail 12 and the roof side rail 13 are connected to each other is connected to an upper end of a center pillar 14, and a rear end of the roof side rail 13 is connected to an upper end of a rear pillar 15.

[0036] A structure is formed by an outline of the roof of the vehicle 1, as described above. The roof panels 21 and 22 are mounted on the structure to complete the roof of the vehicle 1.

[0037] According to the invention, by installing the roof panels 21 and 22 in a detachable manner instead of a permanent installation, the roof panels 21 and 22 can be removed when necessary. Normally, the roof panels 21 and 22 are provided to be fixed to the roof of the vehicle 1. Accordingly, the present invention is provided to install the roof panels 21 and 22 to the roof of the vehicle 1 in a detachable manner.

[0038] The roof panels 21 and 22 may be provided as the front roof panel 21 and the rear roof panel 22 arranged behind the front roof panel 21. Alternatively, the front roof panel 21 and the rear roof panel 22 may be provided in a form further divided into left and right sides, or a form replacing them with left and right side roof panels divided longitudinally.

[0039] In order to fix the outlines of the plurality of roof panels 21 and 22, that is, the front roof panel 21 and the rear roof panel 22, a guide holder 11a is provided, to which a guide pin 21a is fixed, which is installed at a front end of the front roof panel 21. Furthermore, a locking unit 40 and a magnet unit 50 for fixing the outlines of the front roof panel 21 and the rear roof panel 22 are provided.

[0040] The guide bracket 11a, the locking unit 40, and the magnet unit 50 are installed on the roof to fix the outlines of the plurality of roof panels 21 and 22. The guide pin 21a and the magnet unit 50 fix the outlines of the roof panels 21 and 22 to the roof, so that the roof panels 21 and 22 are mounted on the roof. The locking unit 40 mechanically locks the plurality of roof panels 21 and 22 to prevent the plurality of roof panels 21 and 22 from being separated from the roof.

[0041] First, a fixed structure using the guide pin 21a will be described.

[0042] The guide pin 21a is formed to protrude from the front roof panel 21 of the plurality of roof panels 21 and 22 toward the front roof rail 11. The guide holder 11a for receiving the guide pin 21a is formed on the front roof rail 11. Therefore, when the guide pin 21a is inserted into the guide holder 11a, one side of the front roof panel 21 is fixed. In other words, a front end of the front roof panel 21 is fixed to the front roof rail 11.

[0043] The guide pin 21a is formed such that it projects from the front end of the front roof panel 21 toward the front roof rail 11.

[0044] A plurality of guide pins 21a are arranged at intervals from each other at the front end of the front roof panel 21. The guide holders 11a are formed or arranged at intervals from each other at positions of the front roof rail 11 corresponding to the guide pins 21a.

[0045] In order to enable the guide pins 21a to be easily inserted into the guide holders 11a, each guide pin 21a is formed to have a smaller cross-sectional area toward an end portion thereof and to have a spherical head 21b at the end portion of the guide pin 21a.

[0046] A receiving groove 11b for receiving the guide pin 21a is formed in each guide holder 11a. Specifically, an inner end portion of the receiving groove 11b is formed in a shape corresponding to a shape of the head 21b.

[0047] In particular, the receiving groove 11b is formed such that it has a larger width toward an inlet of the receiving groove 11b, so that the guide pin 21a can be easily inserted. In other words, as shown in Fig. 3B, an inner surface of the receiving groove 11b is formed along a line L1 to have a larger width toward the inlet thereof. Therefore, the receiving groove 11b guides the guide pin 21a so that it can be inserted and released in the width direction of the vehicle 1.

[0048] Furthermore, an upper surface of the receiving groove 11b is formed to be inclined upward. A lower surface of the receiving groove 11b is substantially flat, but the upper surface of the receiving groove 11b is formed to be inclined toward the top of the vehicle 1 (see line L3). This guides the guide pin 21a so that it can be inserted and released in a height direction of the vehicle 1.

[0049] In addition, the inner end portion of the receiving groove 11b is formed to correspond to the shape of the head 21b to limit the movement of the guide pin 21a in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle 1.

[0050] With this structure, after the guide pin 21a is inserted into the receiving groove 11b, when the front end of the front roof panel 21 on which the guide pin 21a is formed is tilted to be inclined downward, a rear end of the front roof panel 21 is moved downward to enable the front roof panel 21 to be mounted.

[0051] The magnetic unit 50 fixes at least one side of the roof panels 21 and 22 to the roof using a magnetic force. The magnetic unit 50 does not mechanically lock the roof panels 21 and 22, but fixes the roof panels 21 and 22 using a magnetic force to limit the movement of the plurality of roof panels 21 and 22.

[0052] Steel plates 21e and 22c are respectively installed on the front roof panel 21 and the rear roof panel 22. Therefore, the steel plates 21e and 22c are fixed by the magnet unit 50.

[0053] The magnet unit 50 includes a magnetic iron core 51 in contact with the steel plates 21e and 22c, and a fixed permanent magnet 52 fixedly installed on the magnetic iron core 51. The magnet unit 50 also includes a rotatable permanent magnet 53 rotatably installed at a position of the magnetic iron core 51 at a predetermined distance from the fixed permanent magnet 52. The magnet unit 50 also includes a coil 54 wound around the magnetic iron core 51 and magnetized when an electric current is supplied to rotate the rotatable permanent magnet 53.

[0054] The magnetic iron core 51 forms a magnetic path with the fixed permanent magnet 52. However, when the rotatable permanent magnet 53 is rotated by the magnetization of the coil, a magnetic path is formed to the rotatable permanent magnet 53, the magnetic iron core 51 and the steel plates 21e and 22c to fix the front roof panel 21 to the rear roof panel 22.

[0055] In other words, when an electric current is supplied to the coil 54 to magnetize the coil 54 so that the rotatable permanent magnet 53 is arranged in the same direction as the fixed permanent magnet 52, when the steel plates 21e and 22c are attached to the magnetic iron core 51, the magnetic path is formed to pass through the magnetic iron core 51 and the steel plates 21e and 22c to fix the plurality of roof panels 21 and 22 to the roof.

[0056] When the rotating permanent magnet 53 and the fixed permanent magnet 52 are arranged in different directions by magnetizing the coil 54 in an opposite direction, when the front roof panel 21 and the rear roof panel 22 are fixed by the magnetic force, the magnetic path passing through the steel plates 21e and 22c is opened. Therefore, the front roof panel 21 and the rear roof panel 22 can be separated from each other.

[0057] The Fig. 9A-9E show a process in which the rear roof panel 22 is fixed.

[0058] Fig. 9A shows a state before the rear roof panel 22 is in contact with the roof.

[0059] When the steel plate 22c of the rear roof panel 22 is close to the magnetic iron core 51 (see Fig. 9B), the magnetic path to the fixed permanent magnet 52, the magnetic iron core 51, and the steel plate 22c is formed. Therefore, the rear roof panel 22 cannot be stably fixed. In this state, a current is supplied to the coil 54 to rotate the rotatable permanent magnet 53 so that the fixed permanent magnet 52 and the rotatable permanent magnet 53 are arranged in the same direction (see Fig. 9C and Fig. 9D). Then, when the fixed permanent magnet 52 and the rotatable permanent magnet 53 are arranged in the same direction, the magnetic path passing through the rotatable permanent magnet 53 and the steel plate 22c is formed. Therefore, the rear roof panel 22 is stably fixed by the magnetic force.

[0060] The locking unit 40 mechanically locks at least one side of the plurality of roof panels 21 and 22. Furthermore, the locking unit 40 locks the outlines of the plurality of roof panels 21 and 22 at a predetermined location. The locking unit 40 locks the plurality of roof panels 21 and 22, which are fixed by the guide pin 21a and the magnet unit 50, to prevent the roof panels 21 and 22 from being separated from the roof.

[0061] The locking unit 40 includes a locking rod 44 for locking a striker 21c provided on the plurality of roof panels 21 and 22 or moving rearward when pushed by the striker 21c. The locking unit 40 also includes a solenoid 42 for moving the locking rod 44 rearward when an electric current is supplied to separate the locking rod 44 from the striker 21c.

[0062] The locking rod 44 is installed such that it is slid on a base 41 of the locking unit 40.

[0063] A solenoid fixing unit 41a for receiving the solenoid 42 is formed on the base 41. Furthermore, an operating groove 41b is formed in the base 41. The operating groove 41b is a space where the striker 21c enters and exits. Furthermore, the operating groove 41b locks and unlocks the entry and exit of the striker 21c. The locking rod 44 is slidably installed to lock the striker 21c or move backward when pressed by the striker 21c in the operating groove 41b.

[0064] The locking rod 44 is formed to have an inclined surface 44a to slide inward from the solenoid 42 when a front end of the locking rod 44 is pushed by the striker 21c.

[0065] When an electric current is supplied, the solenoid 42 moves the locking rod 44 rearward to separate the locking rod 44 from the striker 21c.

[0066] When the electrical current is turned off, the solenoid 42 resiliently supports the locking rod 44 so that the locking rod 44 moves forward.

[0067] A release rod 45 is installed parallel to the locking rod 44, and a lock holder 46 is provided for locking the release rod 45. The locking rod 45 locks the striker 21c together with the locking rod 44.

[0068] The locking rod 44 and the release rod 45 are arranged between two cover panels 43. A partition panel 47 is arranged between the locking rod 44 and the release rod 45. A fixing bolt is mounted by passing through the cover panel 43, the locking rod 44, the release rod 45, and the cover panel 43. Furthermore, a bearing 48 is inserted into an outer side of the fixing bolt to reduce friction during operation.

[0069] In the figures, only a locking operation between the front roof panel 21 and the locking unit 40 is shown, and the rear roof panel 22 is also locked by the same operation.

[0070] An Ajar switch 62 for detecting whether the installation of the plurality of roof panels 21 and 22 is completed is installed on the locking unit 40.

[0071] In addition, the locking unit 40 has a microswitch 49 which is actuated when the passenger pulls the roof panels 21 and 22 to separate the plurality of roof panels 21 and 22.

[0072] A control unit 70 is configured to receive information, such as a signal from the Ajar switch 62, indicating whether the installation of the plurality of roof panels 21 and 22 is complete. The control unit 70 is also configured to output a locking signal to the locking unit 40 or receive an unlocking signal generated by the passenger pulling the plurality of roof panels 21 and 22 from the locking unit 40. Furthermore, the control unit 70 is configured to actuate the magnet unit 50 to fix the roof panels 21 and 22 using the magnetic force.

[0073] Fig. 6 shows the installation relationship between the guide pins 21a, the locking units 40, the magnet units 50, the ajar switches 62, the microswitches 49, the front roof panel 21 and the rear roof panel 22. As in Fig. 6, it is desirable that the number of locking units 40 used to secure the roof panels 21 and 22 be small. One locking unit 40 is installed to fix the front roof panel 21, and two locking units 40 are installed to fix the rear roof panel 22. As a result, the configuration reduces mechanical operation and allows the roof panels 21 and 22 to be easily fastened and detached.

[0074] Each locking unit 40 is installed on the center roof rail 12 of the vehicle 1 to lock the rear end of the front roof panel 21 and a front end of the rear roof panel 22. In other words, a module plate 30 is installed on the center roof rail 12, and some or all of the locking units 40, the magnet units 50, the ajar switches 62, the micro switches 49, and the like are installed on the module plate 30.

[0075] In addition, a release button 61 may be operated before removing the front roof panel 21 and the rear roof panel 22. In certain examples, a plurality of release buttons 61 may be installed. In other words, a release button 61 may be installed on at least one inner side of each roof panel 21 and 22 of the vehicle 1. Each release button 61 is connected to the control unit 70 so that a microswitch 49 is operated after the release button 61 is operated by the passenger. This is done to prevent the locking units 40 and the magnetic units 50 from being unlocked when a microswitch 49 is pressed regardless of the passenger's intention. In other words, the locking units 40 and the magnetic units 50 are unlocked only when a signal is input from a microswitch 49 after a signal is input from an unlock button 61.

[0076] An operation of the detachable roof panel assembly for a vehicle having the above configuration is described below.

[0077] Fig. 10 is a schematic diagram showing a state in which the roof panel assembly according to the invention is mounted on the roof of the vehicle.

[0078] As in Fig. 10, the front end of the front roof panel 21 is fixed to the front roof rail 11 by the guide pin 21a, a portion of the rear end thereof is locked by the locking unit 40, and the remaining portion of the rear end is fixed by the magnet unit 50.

[0079] First, the front end of the front roof panel 21 is tilted downward to allow the front roof panel 21 to enter the front roof rail 11 so that the guide pin 21a is inserted into the corresponding guide holder 11a (see Fig. 11).

[0080] When the front end of the front roof panel 21 is coupled to the front roof rail 11, the rear end of the front roof panel 21 is pulled downward so that the rear end of the front roof panel 21 is in contact with the module plate 30 (see Fig. 12).

[0081] When the rear end of the front roof panel 21 moves downward, the striker 21c of the front roof panel 21 passes the locking rod 44 and the release rod 45 of the locking unit 40, while it is possible that the locking rod 44 and the release rod 45 move downward (see Fig. 13).

[0082] After the striker 21c has passed the locking rod 44 and the release rod 45, the locking rod 44 and the release rod 45 are moved forward by a spring mounted in the solenoid 42 to lock the striker 21c and hence the rear end of the front roof panel 21.

[0083] In addition, when the downward movement of the rear end of the front roof panel 21 is completed, a signal of the completed or finished installation of the front roof panel 21 is output from the Ajar switch 62 to the control unit 70.

[0084] Upon receiving the signal of the completed installation of the front roof panel 21 from the ajar switch 62, the control unit 70 actuates the magnet unit 50 to fix the position of the rear end of the front roof panel 21 corresponding to the magnet unit 50 by means of the magnetic force.

[0085] With such a process, the front and rear ends of the front roof panel 21 are respectively fixed to the front roof rail 11 and the middle roof rail 12 (see Fig. 14 and Fig. 15).

[0086] To remove the front roof panel 21, the passenger operates the release button 61 and then pulls down a handle 21d formed on a lower surface of the front roof panel 21 (see Fig. 16 and Fig. 17).

[0087] When the front roof panel 21 is pulled down, the front roof panel 21 presses the microswitch 49, so that the signal from the microswitch 49 is output to the control unit 70. In particular, since the release button 61 is operated first, an output signal from the microswitch 49 is a valid signal.

[0088] When the signal from the microswitch 49 positioned under the front roof panel 21 is input to the control unit 70, the control unit 70 actuates the locking unit 40 and the magnet unit 50 which lock the rear end of the front roof panel 21 to unlock the rear end of the front roof panel 21.

[0089] When the control unit 70 operates the locking unit 40 to unlock, unlocks because the locking rod 44 and the unlocking rod 45 are moved rearward by the solenoid 42 (see Fig. 19), the locking unit 40 the rear end of the front roof panel 21.

[0090] When the control unit 70 actuates the magnet unit 50 so that the fixed permanent magnet 52 and the rotatable permanent magnet 53 are aligned in opposite directions, the steel plate 21e of the front roof panel 21 is not fixed by the magnet unit 50.

[0091] As described above, when the rear end of the front roof panel 21 is unlocked, the passenger first lifts the rear end of the front roof panel 21 so that it is separated from the center roof rail 12 (see Fig. 18). In addition, when the front end of the front roof panel 21 is separated from the front roof rail 11 so that the guide pin 21a is separated from the corresponding guide bracket 11a, the front roof panel 21 can be removed.

[0092] In a process of assembling the rear roof panel 22, when the rear roof panel 22 is moved downward so that the front and rear ends of the rear roof panel 22 are respectively seated at the front end of the center roof rail 12 and the upper end of the rear pillar 15, the rear roof panel 22 is fixed to the front end of the center roof rail 12 and the upper end of the rear pillar 15.

[0093] When the rear roof panel 22 is moved downwards (see Fig. 20) so that each of the front and rear ends of the rear roof panel 22 passes the locking unit 40, the striker of the rear roof panel 22 passes the locking rod 44 and the release rod 45 of the locking unit 40, which lock the rear roof panel 22. As a result, the rear roof panel 22 is locked with the locking unit 40. When the rear roof panel 22 is moved downward and locked with the locking unit 40, the rear roof panel 22 actuates the ajar switch 62 to detect the completed or finished installation of the rear roof panel 22.

[0094] Upon receiving the signal of the completed installation of the rear roof panel 22 from the Ajar switch 62, the control unit 70 actuates the magnet unit 50 for fixing the rear roof panel 22 to fix the steel plate 22c of the rear roof panel 22 (see Fig. 22).

[0095] As described above, when each of the front and rear ends of the rear roof panel 22 is mounted, the locking unit 40 and the magnet unit 50 lock the front and rear ends of the rear roof panel 22 to complete the installation of the rear roof panel 22.

[0096] To remove the rear roof panel 22, the passenger presses the release button 61 and then operates the microswitch 49 by pulling the rear roof panel 22 by means of the handle 22d formed on the lower surface of the rear roof panel 22 (see Fig. 22).

[0097] When the microswitch 49 is actuated after the release button 61 is actuated, the locking unit 40 and the magnet unit 50 that fix the rear roof panel 22 are unlocked, and the passenger lifts the rear roof panel 22 to complete the removal of the rear roof panel 22.

Claims

[1] A detachable roof panel assembly for a vehicle, the detachable roof panel assembly comprising: a plurality of roof panels (21, 22) configured to be attached to and detached from a roof of the vehicle (1), and a locking unit (40) coupled to the roof of the vehicle (1) and configured to lock predetermined positions of each roof panel of the plurality of roof panels (21, 22). [2] A detachable roof panel assembly according to claim 1, wherein the locking unit (40) is configured to lock and lock strikers (21c) coupled to each roof panel of the plurality of roof panels (21, 22) when the plurality of roof panels (21, 22) are mounted on the roof. [3] A detachable roof panel assembly according to claim 2, wherein the locking unit (40) comprises: a locking rod (44) configured to lock the locking brackets (21c) or to be moved rearward when pressed by the locking brackets (21c), and a solenoid (42) configured to allow the locking rod (44) to move rearward when an electric current is supplied to separate the locking rod (44) from the striker (21c). [4] A detachable roof panel assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the plurality of roof panels (21, 22) comprise a front roof panel (21) and a rear roof panel (22), and wherein the locking unit (40) is installed on a center roof rail (12) of the vehicle (1) to lock a rear end of the front roof panel (21) and a front end of the rear roof panel (22). [5] A detachable roof panel assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising a magnet unit (50) configured to fix at least one side of each of the plurality of roof panels (21, 22) to the roof by a magnetic force. [6] A detachable roof panel assembly according to claim 5, wherein the magnet unit (50) comprises: a magnetic iron core (51) in contact with steel plates (21e, 22c) on each of the plurality of roof panels (21, 22), a fixed permanent magnet (52) which is fixedly arranged on the magnetic iron core (51), a rotatable permanent magnet (53) rotatably arranged in a position at a predetermined distance from the fixed permanent magnet (52) of the magnetic iron core (51), and a coil (54) wound around the magnetic iron core (51) and magnetized when an electric current is supplied to rotate the rotatable permanent magnet (53). [7] A detachable roof panel assembly according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the magnet unit (50) is arranged on a central roof rail (12) of the vehicle (1) at a distance to fix a rear end of a front roof panel (21) of the plurality of roof panels (21, 22) and a front end of a rear roof panel (22) of the plurality of roof panels (21, 22), and is arranged on an upper end of a rear pillar (15) of the vehicle (1) to fix a rear end of the rear roof panel (22). [8] A detachable roof panel assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 7, further comprising an ajar switch (62) configured to detect whether the installation of the plurality of roof panels (21, 22) is completed. [9] A detachable roof panel assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein one of the plurality of roof panels (21, 22) comprises: a guide pin (21a) projecting towards a roof rail (11, 12) of the vehicle (1) on one side thereof, and a guide holder (11a) configured to receive the guide pin (21a) in the roof rail (11, 12). [10] A detachable roof panel assembly according to claim 9, wherein a receiving groove (11b) configured to receive the guide pin (21a) is formed in the guide holder (11a).

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