Sunroof device

Abstract

To provide a sunroof device which can inhibit increase of a thickness in a vertical direction of the device caused by increase of the size of a front link.SOLUTION: A drive shoe 90 of a sunroof device 30 includes a first pressing part 96 which presses a front link 110 in a width direction from above when the drive shoe 90 moves between a full closure corresponding position and a tilt-up corresponding position.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 21

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a sunroof device. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 describes a vehicle that includes a vehicle body having a roof opening and a sunroof device installed in the roof opening. The sunroof device includes a guide rail extending in the front-rear direction, a movable panel that opens and closes the roof opening, and a mechanical bracket fixed to the movable panel. The sunroof device includes a front link that supports a front end of the mechanical bracket, a rear link that supports the mechanical bracket behind the front link, and a drive shoe that moves along the guide rail to drive the front link and the rear link. The front link has a guide hole whose longitudinal direction is the front-rear direction. The drive shoe has a guide shaft that is inserted into the guide hole of the front link.

[0003] When the movable panel is in the fully closed position and the drive shoe moves rearward, the guide shaft of the drive shoe moves along the guide hole of the front link. As a result, the front link does not move rearward. On the other hand, when the movable panel is in the fully closed position and the drive shoe moves rearward, the rear link stands up to raise the rear end of the mechanism bracket. In this way, the movable panel is placed in a tilt-up position where the rear end is higher than in the fully closed position. Furthermore, when the movable panel moves to the tilt-up position, the guide shaft of the drive shoe moves to near the rear end of the guide hole of the front link.

[0004] When the drive shoe moves rearward while the movable panel is in the tilt-up position, the guide shaft of the drive shoe moves the front link rearward. In other words, the mechanism bracket moves rearward while tilting forward. Thus, the movable panel is placed in the fully open position, which is a position rearward of the tilt-up position. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] JP 2023-56706 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] When a vehicle is traveling, a load acts upward on the movable panel according to the traveling speed. This load is transmitted from the movable panel to the front link via the mechanical bracket. At this time, an upward load acts on a portion of the front link that supports the mechanical bracket, while a reaction force of the above load acts on a portion of the front link that comes into contact with the guide shaft. Therefore, in a sunroof device such as the one described above, the front link tends to be large in size in order to increase the rigidity of the front link. In particular, the portion of the front link below the guide hole tends to be thicker in the vertical direction. As a result, the thickness of the sunroof device in the vertical direction tends to increase. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] A sunroof device that solves the above-mentioned problems includes a movable panel that moves between a fully closed position that fully closes a roof opening of a vehicle, a tilt-up position where a rear end portion of the panel is raised from the fully closed position, and a fully open position that is a position rearward of the tilt-up position and fully opens the roof opening, a front link that supports the movable panel, a rear link that supports the movable panel rearward of the front link, a guide rail that extends in the front-rear direction, and a drive shoe that moves along the guide rail and drives the movable panel via the front link and the rear link, The movable shoe causes the rear link to raise and lower the rear end of the movable panel when moving between a fully closed corresponding position where the movable panel is positioned in the fully closed position and a tilt up corresponding position where the movable panel is positioned in the tilt up position, and causes the front link to move the movable panel in the front-to-rear direction when moving between the tilt up corresponding position and the fully open corresponding position where the movable panel is positioned in the fully open position, and has a first pressing portion that presses the front link from above in the width direction when moving between the fully closed corresponding position and the tilt up corresponding position. Effect of the Invention

[0008] The sunroof device can suppress an increase in the thickness of the device in the vertical direction that would otherwise occur due to an increase in the size of the front link. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a vehicle equipped with a sunroof device. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a plan view of the vehicle. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the sunroof device. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the sunroof device. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of the guide unit of the sunroof device. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of the guide unit of the sunroof device. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the guide rail of the guide unit. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view of the front portion of the sunroof device. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is an exploded perspective view of the front portion of the sunroof device. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view of the front portion of the sunroof device. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is an exploded perspective view of the rear portion of the sunroof device. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is an exploded perspective view of the rear portion of the sunroof device. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a side view of the rear portion of the sunroof device. [Figure 14] FIG. 14 is an exploded perspective view of the mechanism bracket of the sunroof device. [Figure 15] FIG. 15 is a side view of the rear portion of the sunroof device. [Figure 16] FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 16-16 in FIG. [Figure 17] FIG. 17 is a side view of the sunroof device when the movable panel is located at the fully closed position. [Figure 18] FIG. 18 is a side view of the sunroof device when the movable panel is located at the tilt-up position. [Figure 19] FIG. 19 is a side view of the sunroof device when the movable panel is located at the lift-up position. [Figure 20] FIG. 20 is a side view of the sunroof device when the movable panel is located at the fully open position. [Figure 21] FIG. 21 is a cross-sectional view of the front portion of the sunroof device shown in FIG. [Figure 22] 22 is a cross-sectional view of the front portion of the sunroof device shown in FIG. [Figure 23]23 is a side view of the rear portion of the sunroof device shown in FIG. [Figure 24] 24 is a cross-sectional view of the front portion of the sunroof device shown in FIG. [Diagram 25] 25 is a cross-sectional view of the front portion of the sunroof device shown in FIG. [Figure 26] FIG. 26 is a side view of the rear portion of the sunroof device shown in FIG. [Figure 27] 27 is a cross-sectional view of the front portion of the sunroof device shown in FIG. [Figure 28] 28 is a cross-sectional view of the front portion of the sunroof device shown in FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0010] Hereinafter, an embodiment of a sunroof device will be described with reference to the drawings. The same type of hatching is used to indicate cross sections of members in the drawings, regardless of the material of the members.

[0011] <Configuration of this embodiment> As shown in Fig. 1, a vehicle 10 includes a vehicle body 20 and a sunroof device 30. In the figure, the direction in which the X-axis extends indicates the width direction of the vehicle 10, the direction in which the Y-axis extends indicates the front-rear direction of the vehicle 10, and the direction in which the Z-axis extends indicates the up-down direction of the vehicle 10. In the following description, the width direction of the vehicle 10, the front-rear direction of the vehicle 10, and the up-down direction of the vehicle 10 are also referred to as the width direction, the front-rear direction, and the up-down direction, respectively. In addition, in the width direction, the direction away from the center of the vehicle 10 is also referred to as the outward direction, and the direction approaching the center of the vehicle 10 is also referred to as the inward direction.

[0012] <Vehicle 20> As shown in FIG. 2, the vehicle body 20 includes a roof structure 21 that constitutes the framework of the roof. The roof structure 21 includes two side panels 22 extending in the front-rear direction, and a front panel 23 and a center panel 24 extending in the width direction. The two side panels 22 are positioned with a gap in the width direction. In a front view in the front-rear direction, the front panel 23 and the center panel 24 are curved so that the center portions in the width direction are positioned higher than both ends in the width direction. The front panel 23 connects the front ends of the two side panels 22 to each other in the width direction. The center panel 24 connects the two side panels 22 in the width direction behind the front panel 23. The roof structure 21 also includes a roof opening 25 that is defined by the two side panels 22, the front panel 23, and the center panel 24. The roof opening 25 is rectangular. The roof opening 25 can have various shapes depending on the vehicle model.

[0013] <Sunroof device 30> 2 to 4, the sunroof device 30 includes a movable panel 40, an actuator 50, two guide units 60, and two drive shoes 90. The sunroof device 30 also includes two front support portions 100, two rear support portions 130, two power transmission members 180, two mechanical brackets 190, and a plurality of bracket fastening portions 200.

[0014] 2, many of the components of the sunroof device 30 are symmetrical and disposed on the right and left sides of the roof opening 25. Therefore, hereinafter, of the symmetrical components, only the components on the right side will be described, and the description of the components on the left side will be omitted. Furthermore, the components of the sunroof device 30 will be described according to the orientation when the sunroof device 30 is mounted on the vehicle 10.

[0015] <Movable panel 40> As shown in FIG. 2, the movable panel 40 includes a panel body 41 and two panel brackets 42.

[0016] The panel body 41 is made of a material that allows light to pass through, such as glass or resin. The panel body 41 has a size corresponding to the roof opening 25. When viewed from the front in the front-rear direction, the panel body 41 is curved so that the center in the width direction is located higher than both ends in the width direction. The outer edge of the panel body 41 is preferably covered with a resin material or the like.

[0017] As shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, the two panel brackets 42 extend in the front-rear direction. The two panel brackets 42 are located on both sides of the panel main body 41 in the width direction. The cross section of the panel bracket 42 perpendicular to the longitudinal direction is L-shaped. The panel bracket 42 has a plurality of insertion holes 42a to 42c spaced apart in the front-rear direction. The plurality of insertion holes 42a to 42c penetrate the panel bracket 42 in the width direction. The insertion hole 42a is located at the front end of the panel bracket 42, the insertion hole 42b is located at the middle part of the panel bracket 42 in the longitudinal direction, and the insertion hole 42c is located at the rear end of the panel bracket 42. In a side view in the width direction, the insertion holes 42a to 42c are rectangular. The panel bracket 42 is joined to the lower surface of the panel main body 41. The panel main body 41 and the panel bracket 42 are preferably joined via a joining layer made of, for example, a resin material.

[0018] <Actuator 50> 2, the actuator 50 includes an electric motor 51, two cables 52 driven by the electric motor 51, and a conversion mechanism 53 that converts the rotational motion of the output shaft of the electric motor 51 into the linear motion of the cables 52. The electric motor 51 and the conversion mechanism 53 are fixed to the center in the width direction of the front panel 23. The cables 52 are push-pull cables that can push and pull the drive shoe 90. The cables 52 are routed along the front panel 23 and the guide unit 60.

[0019] <Guide unit 60> As shown in FIGS. 3 to 6, the guide unit 60 includes a guide rail 70 and a front guide 80. As shown in FIG.

[0020] The guide rail 70 extends in the front-rear direction. In a side view in the width direction, the guide rail 70 is slightly curved so that the rear end in the longitudinal direction is located higher than the front end in the longitudinal direction. In other words, the guide rail 70 is slightly curved so as to move upward as it advances rearward. In this embodiment, the guide rail 70 extending in the front-rear direction includes both the guide rail 70 extending straight in the front-rear direction and the guide rail 70 extending in the front-rear direction while curving. In addition, in order to simplify the following description, the longitudinal direction of the guide rail 70 is regarded as the front-rear direction, and the direction perpendicular to both the longitudinal direction and the width direction of the guide rail 70 is regarded as the up-down direction.

[0021] 5 to 7, the guide rail 70 includes a bottom wall 71, an inner wall 72, and an outer wall 73. The guide rail 70 is formed, for example, by extruding or pressing a metal material.

[0022] The bottom wall 71 has a first bottom wall 71a located in the innermost position in the width direction, a second bottom wall 71b which is a portion outside the first bottom wall 71a in the width direction, and a third bottom wall 71c located in the outermost position in the width direction. The thickness direction of the first bottom wall 71a and the third bottom wall 71c is the up-down direction. The first bottom wall 71a is located above the third bottom wall 71c. The second bottom wall 71b connects the outer end of the first bottom wall 71a and the inner end of the third bottom wall 71c in the width direction. In other words, the second bottom wall 71b connects the first bottom wall 71a and the third bottom wall 71c which are at different heights. In this respect, the thickness direction of the second bottom wall 71b is inclined with respect to the thickness direction of the first bottom wall 71a and the third bottom wall 71c. In addition, the bottom wall 71 is provided with holes for mounting components of the sunroof device 30 and for avoiding interference with the components of the sunroof device 30.

[0023] The front end of the first bottom wall 71a and the front end of the second bottom wall 71b are shifted rearward from the front end of the third bottom wall 71c. In this respect, the front end of the first bottom wall 71a and the front end of the second bottom wall 71b can be said to be cut out. The rear end of the first bottom wall 71a and the rear end of the second bottom wall 71b are shifted forward from the rear end of the third bottom wall 71c. In this respect, the rear end of the first bottom wall 71a and the rear end of the second bottom wall 71b can be said to be cut out. Here, the front end of the first bottom wall 71a refers to the end located most forward of the first bottom wall 71a, and the rear end of the first bottom wall 71a refers to the end located most rearward of the first bottom wall 71a. The same applies to the front and rear ends of the other walls.

[0024] The inner wall 72 extends from the inner end of the first bottom wall 71a. The inner wall 72 includes a first inner wall 72a extending upward from the bottom wall 71, a second inner wall 72b extending outward in the width direction from the tip of the first inner wall 72a, and a third inner wall 72c extending outward in the width direction from the first inner wall 72a below the second inner wall 72b. The thickness direction of the first inner wall 72a is the width direction, and the thickness direction of the second inner wall 72b and the thickness direction of the third inner wall 72c are the up-down direction. The front end of the inner wall 72 is aligned with the front end of the first bottom wall 71a. Similarly, the rear end of the first inner wall 72a and the rear end of the third inner wall 72c are aligned with the rear end of the first bottom wall 71a. The rear end of the second inner wall 72b is shifted forward from the rear end of the first bottom wall 71a.

[0025] The outer wall 73 extends from the center of the third bottom wall 71c in the width direction. That is, the outer wall 73 is located outward in the width direction from the inner wall 72. The outer wall 73 has a first outer wall 73a extending upward from the third bottom wall 71c, and a second outer wall 73b, a third outer wall 73c, and a fourth outer wall 73d extending inward in the width direction from the first outer wall 73a. The second outer wall 73b extends from the tip of the first outer wall 73a. The third outer wall 73c is located lower than the second outer wall 73b, and the fourth outer wall 73d is located lower than the third outer wall 73c. ​​The tip of the fourth outer wall 73d is bent toward the third bottom wall 71c. The thickness direction of the tip of the first outer wall 73a and the fourth outer wall 73d is the width direction, and the thickness direction of the part of the second outer wall 73b, the third outer wall 73c, and the fourth outer wall 73d other than the tip is the up-down direction. The length of the fourth outer wall 73d in the width direction is shorter than the length of the second outer wall 73b and the third outer wall 73c in the width direction. The front end of the outer wall 73 is aligned with the front end of the third bottom wall 71c. Similarly, the rear end of the outer wall 73 is aligned with the rear end of the third bottom wall 71c. In this respect, the rear end of the outer wall 73 is positioned further rearward than the rear end of the inner wall 72.

[0026] As shown in Figs. 5 and 6, the front guide 80 constitutes the front end of the guide unit 60. The front guide 80 is molded from, for example, a resin material. The front guide 80 has two guide grooves 81, 82 that extend downward as they move forward. The guide groove 81 is located inward in the width direction, and the guide groove 82 is located outward in the width direction. The depth direction of the guide groove 81 is inward in the width direction, and the depth direction of the guide groove 82 is outward in the width direction. The front guide 80 may be made up of two or more parts, or may be made up of a single part.

[0027] The front guide 80 is connected to the front end of the guide rail 70. At this time, the guide groove 81 is connected to the space between the second inner wall 72b and the third inner wall 72c of the guide rail 70. The guide groove 82 is connected to the space between the second outer wall 73b and the third outer wall 73c of the guide rail 70. The front guide 80 may be connected to the front end of the guide rail 70 by a so-called snap fit, or may be connected to the front end of the guide rail 70 using a fastening member such as a screw. As shown in FIG. 1, the guide unit 60 is fixed to the side panel 22 using a fastening member such as a screw.

[0028] <Drive shoe 90> 8 to 10, the drive shoe 90 includes an upper wall 91, an inner wall 92, an outer wall 93, an inner sliding portion 94, an outer sliding portion 95, a first pressing portion 96, a second pressing portion 97, and a third pressing portion 98. Since the drive shoe 90 is a component on which a relatively large load acts, it is preferable that the drive shoe 90 is made of a material with high rigidity. For example, the drive shoe 90 is preferably made by covering a metal plate bent according to the shape with a resin material.

[0029] The upper wall 91 has a rectangular plate shape. The plate thickness direction of the upper wall 91 is the up-down direction. In a plan view in the up-down direction, the short side direction of the upper wall 91 is the width direction, and the long side direction of the upper wall 91 is the front-rear direction. The first pressing portion 96 protrudes downward from the lower surface near the front end of the upper wall 91. The amount of protrusion of the first pressing portion 96 from the upper wall 91 is very small. The length of the first pressing portion 96 in the width direction is equal to the length of the upper wall 91 in the width direction. The cross-sectional shape of the first pressing portion 96 perpendicular to the width direction is uniform in the width direction. It is preferable that the cross-sectional shape of the first pressing portion 96 perpendicular to the width direction is rounded so as to be convex downward.

[0030] The inner wall 92 extends downward from the inner end of the upper wall 91 in the width direction. The plate thickness direction of the inner wall 92 is the width direction. The inner wall 92 extends forward of the upper wall 91. In other words, the front end of the inner wall 92 is located forward of the front end of the upper wall 91. The outer wall 93 extends downward from the outer end of the upper wall 91 in the width direction. The plate thickness direction of the outer wall 93 is the width direction. The outer wall 93 faces the inner wall 92 in the width direction. The outer wall 93 extends forward of the upper wall 91 and the inner wall 92. In other words, the front end of the outer wall 93 is located forward of the front end of the upper wall 91 and is located forward of the front end of the inner wall 92. The upper end of the inner wall 92 and the upper end of the outer wall 93 are connected in the width direction by the upper wall 91.

[0031] The inner sliding part 94 extends inward in the width direction from the inner wall 92. The thickness of the inner sliding part 94 in the vertical direction corresponds to the distance between the first bottom wall 71a and the third inner wall 72c of the guide rail 70 in the vertical direction. The outer sliding part 95 extends outward in the width direction from the upper end of the outer wall 93. The thickness of the outer sliding part 95 in the vertical direction corresponds to the distance between the second outer wall 73b and the third outer wall 73c of the guide rail 70 in the vertical direction. Although not shown, an end of the cable 52 of the actuator 50 is connected to the outer sliding part 95. That is, the power of the actuator 50 is transmitted to the drive shoe 90 via the outer sliding part 95.

[0032] The second pressing portion 97 protrudes outward in the width direction from a side surface near the front end of the inner wall 92. That is, the second pressing portion 97 extends toward the outer wall 93. The second pressing portion 97 has a rectangular cross section perpendicular to the protruding direction. The second pressing portion 97 is located forward of the first pressing portion 96 and lower than the first pressing portion 96. The third pressing portion 98 protrudes inward in the width direction from a side surface near the front end of the outer wall 93. That is, the protruding direction of the third pressing portion 98 is the opposite direction to the protruding direction of the second pressing portion 97. The third pressing portion 98 has a rectangular cross section perpendicular to the protruding direction. The third pressing portion 98 is located forward of both the first pressing portion 96 and the second pressing portion 97. The third pressing portion 98 is located lower than the first pressing portion 96.

[0033] As shown in FIG. 4, the drive shoe 90 is accommodated in the guide rail 70. At this time, the inner sliding portion 94 of the drive shoe 90 is sandwiched between the first bottom wall 71a and the third inner wall 72c of the guide rail 70 in the vertical direction. On the other hand, the outer sliding portion 95 of the drive shoe 90 is sandwiched between the second outer wall 73b and the third outer wall 73c of the guide rail 70 in the vertical direction. Furthermore, the drive shoe 90 is sandwiched between the first inner wall 72a and the first outer wall 73a of the guide rail 70 in the width direction. In this way, the drive shoe 90 is movable along the guide rail 70 by sliding on the bottom wall 71, the inner wall 72, and the outer wall 73 of the guide rail 70. On the other hand, the drive shoe 90 is immovable in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the guide rail 70.

[0034] <Front support part 100> As shown in FIGS. 8 to 10, the front support portion 100 includes a front link 110. As shown in FIG.

[0035] The front link 110 includes a base 111, an extension 121, a lower sliding shaft 122, an inner extension 123, an outer extension 124, an inner sliding shaft 125, an outer sliding shaft 126, and a guide shaft 127. Since the front link 110 is a component on which a relatively large load acts, it is preferable that the front link 110 is made of a material with high rigidity. For example, the front link 110 is preferably made by covering a metal plate bent according to the shape with a resin material.

[0036] The base 111 is plate-shaped. The thickness direction of the base 111 is the width direction. The base 111 has a first main surface 112 facing upward and a second main surface 113 facing rearward. The base 111 also has an inner recess 114 provided on the inner surface in the width direction of the base 111 and an outer recess 115 provided on the outer surface in the width direction of the base 111. The base 111 also has an inner upper surface 114a, an inner lower surface 114b, an inner front surface 114c, and an inner rear surface 114d as surfaces facing the inner recess 114. The base 111 has an outer upper surface 115a, an outer lower surface 115b, an outer front surface 115c, and an outer rear surface 115d as surfaces facing the outer recess 115.

[0037] The first main surface 112 has a rectangular shape in a plan view in the up-down direction. The short side direction of the first main surface 112 is the width direction, and the long side direction of the first main surface 112 is the front-rear direction. The central portion in the width direction of the first main surface 112 bulges slightly upward in the front-rear direction. The second main surface 113 has a rectangular shape in a rear view. The short side direction of the second main surface 113 is the up-down direction, and the long side direction of the second main surface 113 is the width direction. The upper end of the second main surface 113 is connected to the rear end of the first main surface 112.

[0038] As shown in FIG. 8, the depth direction of the inner recess 114 is the width direction. The inner upper surface 114a and the inner lower surface 114b intersect with the up-down direction. The front end of the inner upper surface 114a is located forward of the front end of the inner lower surface 114b. The rear end of the inner upper surface 114a is located rearward of the rear end of the inner lower surface 114b. The inner upper surface 114a and the inner lower surface 114b extend approximately parallel to the first main surface 112 of the base 111. The distance between the inner upper surface 114a and the inner lower surface 114b in the up-down direction corresponds to the distance of the second pressing portion 97 of the drive shoe 90. The front end of the inner lower surface 114b is inclined downward as it advances forward.

[0039] The inner front surface 114c and the inner rear surface 114d intersect with the front-rear direction. The upper end of the inner front surface 114c is connected to the rear end of the inner lower surface 114b. The inner front surface 114c is inclined downward toward the rear. The lower end of the inner front surface 114c extends to the lower end of the base 111. The upper end of the inner rear surface 114d is connected to the rear end of the inner upper surface 114a. The inner rear surface 114d is inclined downward toward the rear. The lower end of the inner rear surface 114d extends to the lower end of the base 111. It is preferable that the inner front surface 114c and the inner rear surface 114d are connected to the inner lower surface 114b and the inner upper surface 114a so as to be continuous with each other. The distance between the inner front surface 114c and the inner rear surface 114d in the front-rear direction corresponds to the second pressing portion 97 of the drive shoe 90.

[0040] As shown in Figs. 9 and 10, the depth direction of the outer recess 115 is the width direction. The outer upper surface 115a and the outer lower surface 115b intersect with the vertical direction. The front end of the outer upper surface 115a is located rearward of the front end of the outer lower surface 115b. The rear end of the outer upper surface 115a is located rearward of the rear end of the outer lower surface 115b. The outer upper surface 115a and the outer lower surface 115b extend approximately parallel to the first main surface 112 of the base 111. The vertical distance between the outer upper surface 115a and the outer lower surface 115b corresponds to the third pressing portion 98 of the drive shoe 90. However, the front end of the outer upper surface 115a is inclined so as to face upward as it advances forward.

[0041] The outer front surface 115c and the outer rear surface 115d intersect with the front-rear direction. The upper end of the outer front surface 115c is connected to the rear end of the outer lower surface 115b. The outer front surface 115c is inclined downward toward the rear. The lower end of the outer front surface 115c extends to the lower end of the base 111. The upper end of the outer rear surface 115d is connected to the rear end of the outer upper surface 115a. The outer rear surface 115d is inclined downward toward the rear. The lower end of the outer rear surface 115d extends to the lower end of the base 111. It is preferable that the outer front surface 115c and the outer rear surface 115d are connected to the outer lower surface 115b and the outer upper surface 115a so as to be continuous with each other. The distance between the outer front surface 115c and the outer rear surface 115d in the front-rear direction corresponds to the third pressing portion 98 of the drive shoe 90.

[0042] As shown in Figs. 8 to 10, the extension 121 extends rearward from the rear end of the base 111. The extension 121 extends from below the second main surface 113 of the base 111. The lower sliding shaft 122 bulges downward from near the rear end of the extension 121. The lower surface of the lower sliding shaft 122 is arc-shaped in a side view in the width direction. The inner extension 123 protrudes inward in the width direction from a position slightly shifted forward from the rear end of the extension 121. On the other hand, the outer extension 124 protrudes outward in the width direction from the rear end of the extension 121. The bottom surface of the outer extension 124 is flush with the bottom surface of the extension 121. On the other hand, the upper surface of the outer extension 124 is inclined upward as it proceeds in the protruding direction of the outer extension 124. In other words, the outer extension portion 124 has a length in the up-down direction that increases as it advances outward in the width direction.

[0043] The inner sliding shaft 125 extends inward in the width direction from the tip of the inner extension portion 123. The upper and lower surfaces of the inner sliding shaft 125 are arc-shaped in a side view in the width direction. The outer sliding shaft 126 extends outward in the width direction from the upper end of the outer extension portion 124. The upper surface of the outer sliding shaft 126 is arc-shaped in a side view in the width direction. The guide shaft 127 is cylindrical. The axial direction of the guide shaft 127 is the width direction. The guide shaft 127 extends inward and outward in the width direction from the front link 110.

[0044] As shown in Fig. 4, the front link 110 is housed in the guide unit 60. More specifically, the lower sliding shaft 122 of the front link 110 is in contact with the second bottom wall 71b of the guide rail 70. The inner sliding shaft 125 of the front link 110 is sandwiched between the first bottom wall 71a and the third inner wall 72c of the guide rail 70. The outer sliding shaft 126 of the front link 110 is in contact with the second outer wall 73b of the guide rail 70 from below. In addition, both ends of the guide shaft 127 of the front link 110 are accommodated in the guide grooves 81 and 82 of the front guide 80, respectively.

[0045] The front support part 100 engages with the drive shoe 90 inside the guide unit 60. More specifically, the front link 110 is located between the inner wall 92 and the outer wall 93 of the drive shoe 90. In other words, the inner wall 92 of the drive shoe 90 is located between the inner wall 72 of the guide rail 70 and the front link 110, and the outer wall 93 of the drive shoe 90 is located between the outer wall 73 of the guide rail 70 and the front link 110.

[0046] As shown in Figs. 8 to 10, the first pressing portion 96 of the drive shoe 90 contacts the first main surface 112 of the front link 110 from above. The second pressing portion 97 of the drive shoe 90 contacts the inner upper surface 114a of the front link 110 from below. The third pressing portion 98 of the drive shoe 90 contacts the outer lower surface 115b of the front link 110 from above. In other words, the first pressing portion 96 and the third pressing portion 98 of the drive shoe 90 press the front link 110 downward. On the other hand, the second pressing portion 97 of the drive shoe 90 presses the front link 110 upward.

[0047] <Rear support portion 130> 11 to 13, rear support part 130 includes link guide 140, rear link 150, link holder 160, connecting shaft 171, guide support shaft 172, link support shaft 173, and panel fastening part 174. Since a relatively large load acts on the components of rear support part 130, it is preferable that they are made only of metal materials or that a metal material is used as a core material.

[0048] The link guide 140 has a flat plate shape. The link guide 140 has a first slide hole 141 penetrating in the plate thickness direction. The first slide hole 141 has an arc shape when the rear link 150 is viewed from the plate thickness direction. In the state shown in Figs. 11 to 13, the first slide hole 141 is gently curved downward as it proceeds rearward.

[0049] The rear link 150 has two link plates 151, a connection plate 152 connecting the two link plates 151, and two sliding protrusions 153 protruding from each of the two link plates 151. The two link plates 151 are plate-shaped. The plate thickness direction of the two link plates 151 is the width direction. The two link plates 151 are integrated by the connection plate 152. One sliding protrusion 153 protrudes outward from the tip of the link plate 151 located on the inner side in the width direction. The other sliding protrusion 153 protrudes inward from the tip of the link plate 151 located on the outer side in the width direction. In other words, the two sliding protrusions 153 protrude in a direction approaching each other in the width direction. There is a gap between the two sliding protrusions 153 in the width direction.

[0050] The link holder 160 has a first holder 161 that holds the link guide 140, a second holder 162 that holds the rear link 150, a rail fixing portion 163 fixed to the guide rail 70, and a panel fixing portion 164 fixed to the center panel 24 of the vehicle body 20.

[0051] The first holder 161 has a slit 161a and a second sliding hole 161b. The slit 161a extends in the front-rear direction in a plan view in the up-down direction, and extends downward in a rear view. The slit 161a includes a portion having a width substantially equal to the plate thickness of the link guide 140 and a portion wider than the plate thickness of the link guide 140. The second sliding hole 161b penetrates the first holder 161 in the width direction. That is, the second sliding hole 161b is connected to the slit 161a. The second sliding hole 161b extends in the front-rear direction in a side view in the width direction of the first holder 161. The second sliding hole 161b is an elongated hole whose length in the front-rear direction is longer than its length in the up-down direction. The second holder 162 is located inward of the first holder 161 in the width direction and forward of the first holder 161. The second holder 162 has a support hole 162a that penetrates the second holder 162 in the width direction. The rail fixing portion 163 extends forward from the front end of the first holder 161. On the other hand, the panel fixing portions 164 are located on both sides of the first holder 161 in the width direction.

[0052] The connecting shaft 171 connects in the width direction between a longitudinal center portion of the link guide 140 and a longitudinal center portion of the rear link 150. In this way, the link guide 140 and the rear link 150 are capable of relative rotation around the axis of the connecting shaft 171.

[0053] The guide support shaft 172 extends inward and outward in the width direction from the base end of the link guide 140. Both ends of the guide support shaft 172 are inserted into the second slide hole 161b of the first holder 161 of the link holder 160. At this time, the link guide 140 is accommodated in the slit 161a of the first holder 161. In this way, the link guide 140 is rotatable about the axis of the guide support shaft 172 relative to the link holder 160. In addition, the link guide 140 is movable together with the guide support shaft 172 in the front-rear direction, which is the direction in which the second slide hole 161b is formed, relative to the link holder 160.

[0054] The link support shaft 173 passes through a base end of the rear link 150 and a support hole 162a of the link holder 160. In this manner, the rear link 150 is rotatable about the axis of the link support shaft 173 relative to the link holder 160.

[0055] As shown in FIG. 4, the rear support portion 130 is fixed to the rear end of the guide rail 70. More specifically, the rail fixing portion 163 of the link holder 160 is fixed to the third bottom wall 71c of the guide rail 70. At this time, the tip end of the link guide 140 and the tip end of the rear link 150 are disposed between the inner wall 72 and the outer wall 73 of the guide rail 70. On the other hand, the base end of the link holder 160 and the base end of the rear link 150 are disposed below the bottom wall 71 of the guide rail 70. As shown in FIG. 13, when the sunroof device 30 is mounted on the vehicle body 20, the panel fixing portion 164 is fixed to the center panel 24 of the vehicle body 20 via the panel fastening portion 174. In this respect, the rear support portion 130 is fixed to both the center panel 24 and the guide rail 70.

[0056] <Power transmission member 180> As shown in FIGS. 8 and 11, the power transmission member 180 includes a rod 181, a plurality of sliding portions 182, a support wall 183, a transmission shaft 184, and a check 185.

[0057] The rod 181 is rod-shaped. The longitudinal direction of the rod 181 is the front-rear direction. The rod 181 is preferably slightly curved similarly to the guide rail 70. The multiple sliding portions 182 are provided on a surface of the rod 181 that faces outward in the width direction. The multiple sliding portions 182 are provided at intervals in the longitudinal direction of the rod 181.

[0058] 11 and 12, the support wall 183 extends upward from the rear end of the rod 181. The plate thickness direction of the support wall 183 is the width direction. In a side view in the width direction, the upper surface of the support wall 183 is arc-shaped. The transmission shaft 184 is cylindrical. The transmission shaft 184 extends inward in the width direction from the support wall 183.

[0059] 8 to 10, the check 185 is located forward of the rod 181. Depending on the position of the drive shoe 90, the check 185 switches between a state in which power transmission from the drive shoe 90 to the rear support part 130 is permitted and a state in which power transmission from the drive shoe 90 to the rear support part 130 is restricted. In this embodiment, the check 185 is not an essential part, and therefore is simply illustrated in the figures.

[0060] As shown in FIG. 4, the power transmission member 180 is accommodated in the guide rail 70. More specifically, the rod 181 and the check 185 are located between the third bottom wall 71c and the third outer wall 73c of the guide rail 70. The sliding parts 182 are located between the first outer wall 73a and the fourth outer wall 73d of the guide rail 70. The support wall 183 is in contact with the second outer wall 73b of the guide rail 70. Thus, the power transmission member 180 is movable in the front-rear direction along the guide rail 70 by sliding on the bottom wall 71 and the outer wall 73 of the guide rail 70. Here, the power transmission member 180 is disposed close to the outer wall 73 of the guide rail 70 in the width direction, and therefore cannot slide on the inner wall 72 of the guide rail 70. On the other hand, the power transmission member 180 is not movable in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the guide rail 70.

[0061] A rear portion of the power transmission member 180 engages with the rear support portion 130 inside the guide rail 70. More specifically, as shown in Fig. 13, a transmission shaft 184 of the power transmission member 180 is inserted into a first slide hole 141 of the link guide 140. Therefore, when the power transmission member 180 moves in the front-rear direction, the transmission shaft 184 slides against the inner surface of the first slide hole 141.

[0062] <Mecha bracket 190> 14, the mechanical bracket 190 includes a main bracket 191, a front bracket 194, and a sliding rail 195. Since the mechanical bracket 190 is a component on which a relatively large load acts, it is preferable that the mechanical bracket 190 be made of a highly rigid material such as metal.

[0063] The main bracket 191 extends in the front-rear direction. In the front-rear direction, the main bracket 191 has the same length as the panel bracket 42 of the movable panel 40. The main bracket 191 has an upper wall 192 and a side wall 193. The upper wall 192 is plate-shaped. The plate thickness direction of the upper wall 192 is the up-down direction. The side wall 193 is plate-shaped. The plate thickness direction of the side wall 193 is the width direction. The side wall 193 extends downward from an inner end of the upper wall 192 in the width direction. The side wall 193 has a plurality of fastening holes 193a to 193c spaced apart in the front-rear direction. The fastening hole 193a is provided at a front end of the side wall 193, the fastening hole 193b is provided at a middle part of the side wall 193 in the longitudinal direction, and the fastening hole 193c is provided at a rear end of the side wall 193. The fastening holes 193a to 193c may or may not be threaded holes. If the fastening holes 193a to 193c are not threaded holes, nuts are required in the first and second assembly steps described below.

[0064] The front bracket 194 is L-shaped when viewed from the front in the front-rear direction. The front bracket 194 is joined to the front end of the main bracket 191. The slide rail 195 has an I-shaped cross section perpendicular to the longitudinal direction. In the front-rear direction, the length of the slide rail 195 is less than the length of the upper wall 192. The slide rail 195 is joined to the upper wall 192 with the rear end of the slide rail 195 and the rear end of the upper wall 192 coinciding. The front bracket 194 and the slide rail 195 may be joined to the main bracket 191 by, for example, welding.

[0065] 3 and 4, the front end of the mechanical bracket 190 is connected to the front end of the front link 110. More specifically, the front bracket 194 is connected to the front link 110 via a guide shaft 127. The front bracket 194 and the front link 110 are capable of relative rotation about the axis of the guide shaft 127. In this way, the front link 110 supports the front end of the mechanical bracket 190. In addition, in this regard, when the position of the front link 110 in the up-down direction changes, the front end of the mechanical bracket 190 moves up and down.

[0066] Although not shown in the figures, the rear end of the sliding rail 195 of the mechanical bracket 190 engages with the two sliding protrusions 153 of the rear link 150. More specifically, the sliding rail 195 of the mechanical bracket 190 is sandwiched in the width direction between the two sliding protrusions 153 of the rear link 150. In this way, the rear link 150 supports the mechanical bracket 190 behind the front link 110. In addition, in this regard, when the position of the rear link 150 in the up-down direction changes, the rear end of the mechanical bracket 190 moves up and down.

[0067] <How to fix the movable panel 40> The process of fixing the movable panel 40 will now be described. The process of fixing the movable panel 40 is carried out after the assembly of the sunroof device 30 is completed except for the movable panel 40. The process of fixing the movable panel 40 includes an alignment process, a first assembling process, and a second assembling process.

[0068] As shown in FIG. 3, the alignment process is performed in a state where the components of the sunroof device 30 are accommodated in the guide unit 60. The alignment process is a process of aligning the multiple insertion holes 42a to 42c of the panel bracket 42 with the multiple fastening holes 193a to 193c of the mechanical bracket 190. In the alignment process, the two fastening holes 193a, 193c of the mechanical bracket 190 are exposed from the guide unit 60, but the fastening hole 193b of the mechanical bracket 190 is hidden by the guide unit 60. More specifically, the fastening hole 193a of the mechanical bracket 190 is exposed at a point located forward of the front guide 80. Moreover, the fastening hole 193c of the mechanical bracket 190 is exposed at a point located rearward of the inner wall 72 of the guide rail 70. For this reason, only the two fastening holes 193a, 193c of the mechanical bracket 190 and the two insertion holes 42a, 42c of the panel bracket 42 can be aligned in the alignment process.

[0069] The multiple insertion holes 42a-42c of the panel bracket 42 are larger than the multiple fastening holes 193a-193c of the mechanical bracket 190. This makes it possible to finely adjust the position of the panel bracket 42 relative to the mechanical bracket 190. For example, the position of the panel bracket 42 is finely adjusted relative to the mechanical bracket 190 in order to eliminate gaps and steps between the panel main body 41 and the surrounding structure of the roof opening 25.

[0070] The first assembly process is a process performed following the positioning process. The first assembly process is a process of fastening the panel bracket 42 to the mechanical bracket 190. More specifically, in the first assembly process, the bracket fastening portion 200 is passed through the fastening hole 193a of the mechanical bracket 190 and the insertion hole 42a of the panel bracket 42. In addition, the bracket fastening portion 200 is passed through the fastening hole 193c of the mechanical bracket 190 and the insertion hole 42c of the panel bracket 42. Next, the panel bracket 42 is fastened to the mechanical bracket 190 by the two bracket fastening portions 200. When the first assembly process is completed, the front end of the panel bracket 42 is fixed to the front end of the mechanical bracket 190, and the rear end of the panel bracket 42 is fixed to the rear end of the mechanical bracket 190. In other words, when the first assembly process is completed, it is possible to open and close the movable panel 40 by driving the actuator 50. The bracket fastening portion 200 may be a screw, a rivet, or another fastening member.

[0071] The second assembling step is performed in a state in which the movable panel 40 is slightly opened after the first assembling step is completed. More specifically, the second assembling step is performed in a state in which the fastening hole 193b of the mechanical bracket 190 is exposed from the guide unit 60. The second assembling step is a step in which the panel bracket 42 is fastened to the mechanical bracket 190 by passing the bracket fastening portion 200 through the fastening hole 193b of the mechanical bracket 190 and the insertion hole 42b of the panel bracket 42. When the second assembling step is completed, the center of the panel bracket 42 in the front-rear direction is fixed to the center of the mechanical bracket 190 in the front-rear direction.

[0072] In this way, the panel bracket 42 and the mechanical bracket 190 are fastened by a plurality of bracket fastening parts 200. In the following description, the rearmost fastening part among the plurality of fastening parts between the mechanical bracket 190 and the panel bracket 42 is referred to as the "fastening part Fx". As shown in FIG. 15, the fastening part Fx is located rearward of the rear end of the inner wall 72 of the guide rail 70 and forward of the rear end of the outer wall 73 of the guide rail 70. As shown in FIG. 16, the fastening part Fx is located inward in the width direction from the rear link 150 and inward in the width direction from the link guide 140. In other words, neither the link guide 140 nor the rear link 150 is present at a position inward in the width direction from the center of the fastening part Fx. For this reason, in the first assembly step, a tool can easily access the fastening part Fx from the inside in the width direction.

[0073] <Action of this embodiment> <Function when the movable panel 40 is opened> The operation of the sunroof device 30 when the movable panel 40 is opened will now be described.

[0074] The sunroof device 30 opens the movable panel 40 by moving the driving shoe 90 backward by the actuator 50. As shown in FIG. 17, when the driving shoe 90 is located at the fully closed corresponding position, the movable panel 40 is located at the fully closed position. As shown in FIG. 18, when the driving shoe 90 moves to the tilt-up corresponding position, the movable panel 40 is located at the tilt-up position where the rear end is higher than the fully closed position. As shown in FIG. 19, when the driving shoe 90 moves to the lift-up corresponding position, the movable panel 40 is located at the lift-up position where the front end is higher than the tilt-up position. As shown in FIG. 20, when the driving shoe 90 moves to the fully open corresponding position, the movable panel 40 is located at the fully open position rearward of the lift-up position. The fully closed position is the position when the movable panel 40 fully closes the roof opening 25, and the fully open position is the position when the movable panel 40 fully opens the roof opening 25. The positional relationship between the driving shoe 90 and the movable panel 40 will be described in detail below.

[0075] <When the drive shoe 90 is in the fully closed position> 17, when the drive shoe 90 is in the fully closed position, the guide shaft 127 of the front link 110 is located near the front end and near the bottom end of the front guide 80. In other words, the front link 110 is located at the frontmost position in its range of movement in the front-rear direction. Furthermore, the front link 110 is located at the bottommost position in its range of movement in the up-down direction.

[0076] As shown in FIG. 21, the first pressing portion 96 of the drive shoe 90 presses the first main surface 112 of the front link 110 downward. On the other hand, the second pressing portion 97 of the drive shoe 90 presses the inner upper surface 114a of the front link 110 upward. As shown in FIG. 22, the third pressing portion 98 of the drive shoe 90 presses the outer lower surface 115b of the front link 110 downward. In this respect, the first pressing portion 96, the second pressing portion 97, and the third pressing portion 98 of the drive shoe 90 sandwich the front link 110 in the vertical direction. As described above, the movement of the drive shoe 90 in the direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the guide rail 70 is restricted. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 21 and FIG. 22, the first pressing portion 96 and the third pressing portion 98 of the drive shoe 90 restrict the rotation of the front link 110 in the first rotation direction R11. 21, the second pressing portion 97 of the drive shoe 90 restricts the rotation of the front link 110 in the second rotation direction R12.

[0077] Here, the guide shaft 127 of the front link 110 is accommodated in guide grooves 81, 82 of the front guide 80 that are inclined upward as they move rearward. In other words, when the front link 110 tries to move in the fore-aft direction, the front link 110 tries to rotate. For this reason, restricting the rotation of the front link 110 also restricts the movement of the front link 110 in the fore-aft direction. Note that the rotation of the front link 110 here refers to rotation about the base end of the front link 110.

[0078] As shown in FIG. 17, when the drive shoe 90 is in the fully closed position, the power transmission member 180 is located at the frontmost position in the movement range in the front-rear direction. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 23, the transmission shaft 184 of the power transmission member 180 is located near the front end of the first slide hole 141 of the link guide 140. As a result, the link guide 140 is located at the frontmost position in the movement range in the front-rear direction. At this time, the guide support shaft 172 that rotatably supports the link guide 140 is located near the front end of the second slide hole 161b of the link holder 160. Also, the link guide 140 is inclined so as to follow the guide rail 70. That is, the link guide 140 is rotated most in the second rotation direction R22 around the axis of the guide support shaft 172. On the other hand, the rear link 150 connected to the link guide 140 via the connecting shaft 171 is inclined so as to follow the guide rail 70, similar to the link guide 140. In other words, the rear link 150 rotates about the axis of the link support shaft 173 in the second rotation direction R32 to the maximum.

[0079] 17, when the drive shoe 90 is in the fully closed position, the front end of the mechanical bracket 190 supported by the front link 110 is lowered. Also, the rear end of the mechanical bracket 190 supported by the rear link 150 is lowered. As a result, the movable panel 40 is lowered in both the front and rear directions. In this way, the movable panel 40 is disposed in the fully closed position.

[0080] <When the drive shoe 90 moves from the fully closed position to the tilt-up position> As shown in Figs. 17 and 18, when the drive shoe 90 moves backward from the fully closed corresponding position to the tilt-up corresponding position, the drive shoe 90 moves relative to the front link 110. More specifically, as shown in Figs. 21 and 24, the first pressing part 96 of the drive shoe 90 moves backward along the first main surface 112 of the front link 110. Also, the second pressing part 97 of the drive shoe 90 moves backward along the inner upper surface 114a of the front link 110. As shown in Figs. 22 and 25, the third pressing part 98 of the drive shoe 90 moves backward along the outer lower surface 115b of the front link 110. At this time, the first pressing part 96, the second pressing part 97, and the third pressing part 98 of the drive shoe 90 slide against the first main surface 112, the inner upper surface 114a, and the outer lower surface 115b of the front link 110, respectively.

[0081] As shown in FIG. 24, when the drive shoe 90 approaches the tilt-up corresponding position, the second pressing portion 97 of the drive shoe 90 enters between the inner upper surface 114a and the inner lower surface 114b of the front link 110. That is, the second pressing portion 97 of the drive shoe 90 is sandwiched in the vertical direction by the inner upper surface 114a and the inner lower surface 114b of the front link 110. As shown in FIG. 25, when the drive shoe 90 approaches the tilt-up corresponding position, the third pressing portion 98 of the drive shoe 90 enters between the outer upper surface 115a and the outer lower surface 115b of the front link 110. That is, the third pressing portion 98 of the drive shoe 90 is sandwiched in the vertical direction by the outer upper surface 115a and the outer lower surface 115b of the front link 110.

[0082] In this respect, the inner upper surface 114a and the inner lower surface 114b of the front link 110 correspond to a "first inner clamping portion" that vertically clamps the second pressing portion 97 of the drive shoe 90. The outer upper surface 115a and the outer lower surface 115b of the front link 110 correspond to a "first outer clamping portion" that vertically clamps the third pressing portion 98 of the drive shoe 90.

[0083] The timing at which the second pressing portion 97 of the drive shoe 90 enters between the inner upper surface 114a and the inner lower surface 114b of the front link 110 may be any timing when the drive shoe 90 is moving backward between the fully closed corresponding position and the tilt-up corresponding position. In other words, at the above timing, the drive shoe 90 may be moving to a position closer to the tilt-up corresponding position than the fully closed corresponding position, or may be moving to a position closer to the fully closed corresponding position than the tilt-up corresponding position. The same applies to the timing at which the third pressing portion 98 of the drive shoe 90 enters between the outer upper surface 115a and the outer lower surface 115b of the front link 110.

[0084] As described above, when the drive shoe 90 approaches the tilt-up corresponding position, the manner in which the drive shoe 90 restricts the rotation of the front link 110 changes. In particular, as shown in Fig. 24, in addition to the first pressing portion 96 and the third pressing portion 98 of the drive shoe 90, the second pressing portion 97 restricts the rotation of the front link 110 in the first rotation direction R11. Also, as shown in Fig. 25, in addition to the second pressing portion 97 of the drive shoe 90, the third pressing portion 98 also restricts the rotation of the front link 110 in the second rotation direction R12.

[0085] 21, 22, 24, and 25, when the drive shoe 90 moves rearward from the fully closed corresponding position toward the tilt-up corresponding position, the drive shoe 90 moves relative to the front link 110. Therefore, except for the sliding resistance between the drive shoe 90 and the front link 110, substantially no rearward load acts on the front link 110. In other words, the posture of the front link 110 does not change substantially, so the front end of the movable panel 40 remains lowered.

[0086] 17 and 18, when the drive shoe 90 moves from the fully closed corresponding position to the tilt-up corresponding position, the power transmission member 180 moves rearward together with the drive shoe 90. As shown in Figures 23 and 26, when the power transmission member 180 moves rearward, the transmission shaft 184 of the power transmission member 180 slides in the first sliding hole 141 of the link guide 140 in the rear support portion 130. At this time, the transmission shaft 184 of the power transmission member 180 pushes the link guide 140 rearward.

[0087] Here, the link guide 140 can move rearward along the second slide hole 161b together with the guide support shaft 172, and can rotate in the first rotation direction R21 around the axis of the guide support shaft 172. However, the link guide 140 is connected to the rear link 150, which is immovable in the front-rear direction but rotatable around the axis of the link support shaft 173, via the connecting shaft 171. Therefore, the part of the link guide 140 to which the connecting shaft 171 is connected and the part of the rear link 150 to which the connecting shaft 171 is connected are displaced in the same manner. In other words, the part of the link guide 140 to which the connecting shaft 171 is connected can only move along a rotation trajectory around the axis of the link support shaft 173. Therefore, the position and rotation angle of the link guide 140 are uniquely determined by the position of the transmission shaft 184 of the power transmission member 180. In addition, since the link guide 140 and the rear link 150 are connected by the connecting shaft 171 , the rotation angle of the rear link 150 is also uniquely determined by the position of the transmission shaft 184 of the power transmission member 180 .

[0088] Therefore, the link guide 140 rotates in the first rotation direction R21 while moving rearward in accordance with the amount of rearward movement of the power transmission member 180. Also, the rear link 150 rotates in the first rotation direction R31 in accordance with the change in position of the connecting shaft 171. In this way, the rear end of the mechanism bracket 190 supported on the tip of the rear link 150 rises. As a result, the rear end of the movable panel 40 rises. In this regard, when the drive shoe 90 moves from the fully closed corresponding position to the tilt-up corresponding position, it causes the rear link 150 to raise the rear end of the movable panel 40.

[0089] As shown in FIG. 26, when the drive shoe 90 moves to the tilt-up corresponding position, the power transmission member 180 moves to the rearmost position in the movement range in the front-rear direction. As a result, the link guide 140 moves to the rearmost position in the movement direction in the front-rear direction and rotates to the furthest position in the first rotation direction R21. In addition, the guide support shaft 172 supporting the link guide 140 moves to the vicinity of the rear end of the second slide hole 161b of the link holder 160. Meanwhile, the rear link 150 rotates to the furthest position in the first rotation direction R31. As a result, the rear end of the mechanism bracket 190 supported by the rear link 150 rises. Therefore, the rear end of the movable panel 40 also rises. In this way, the movable panel 40 is disposed in the tilt-up position.

[0090] When the drive shoe 90 moves to the tilt-up corresponding position, the check 185 of the power transmission member 180 stops the transmission of power from the drive shoe 90 to the link guide 140. More specifically, when the drive shoe 90 moves rearward from the tilt-up position, the power transmission member 180 stops moving rearward. As a result, the postures of the link guide 140 and the rear link 150 are maintained constant. In other words, the movable panel 40 maintains a state in which the rear end is raised.

[0091] When the drive shoe 90 is located rearward from the tilt-up corresponding position, if the power transmission member 180 moves forward or backward, the posture of the rear link 150 may change. For this reason, the sunroof device 30 preferably includes a configuration for positioning the power transmission member 180 so as not to move in the forward or backward direction when the drive shoe 90 moves rearward from the tilt-up position.

[0092] <When the drive shoe 90 moves from the tilt-up corresponding position to the lift-up corresponding position> As shown in Figures 18 and 19, when the drive shoe 90 moves backward from the tilt-up corresponding position toward the lift-up corresponding position, the engagement relationship between the drive shoe 90 and the front link 110 changes. More specifically, as shown in Figures 24 and 27, the first pressing portion 96 of the drive shoe 90 moves away from the first main surface 112 of the front link 110. Also, the second pressing portion 97 of the drive shoe 90 moves away from the inner upper surface 114a and the inner lower surface 114b of the front link 110. As shown in Figures 25 and 28, the third pressing portion 98 of the drive shoe 90 moves away from the outer upper surface 115a and the outer lower surface 115b of the front link 110. In other words, the first pressing portion 96, the second pressing portion 97, and the third pressing portion 98 of the drive shoe 90 no longer restrict the rotation of the front link 110.

[0093] As the drive shoe 90 continues to move rearward, the second pressing portion 97 of the drive shoe 90 comes into contact with the inner rear surface 114d of the front link 110. Meanwhile, the third pressing portion 98 of the drive shoe 90 comes into contact with the outer rear surface 115d of the front link 110. As the drive shoe 90 continues to move rearward, the second pressing portion 97 of the drive shoe 90 pushes the inner rear surface 114d of the front link 110 rearward. Meanwhile, the third pressing portion 98 of the drive shoe 90 pushes the outer rear surface 115d of the front link 110 rearward. In other words, the drive shoe 90 pulls the front link 110 rearward.

[0094] When the driving shoe 90 pulls the front link 110 backward, the guide shaft 127 of the front link 110 moves along the guide grooves 81, 82 of the front guide 80. That is, the front link 110 rotates in the first rotation direction R11 while moving backward. At this time, the lower sliding shaft 122 of the front link 110 slides against the second bottom wall 71b of the guide rail 70. Also, the inner sliding shaft 125 of the front link 110 slides against the first bottom wall 71a and the third inner wall 72c of the guide rail 70. Also, the outer sliding shaft 126 of the front link 110 slides against the second outer wall 73b of the guide rail 70. As a result, the front end of the front link 110 moves backward and rises relative to the rear end. That is, the front end of the mechanical bracket 190 supported by the front link 110 rises. Therefore, the front end of the movable panel 40 also rises. In this regard, when the drive shoe 90 moves from the tilt-up corresponding position to the lift-up corresponding position, the drive shoe 90 causes the front link 110 to lift the front end of the movable panel 40 .

[0095] 27 and 28, when the driving shoe 90 moves to the lift-up corresponding position, the rotation of the front link 110 is completed. That is, the inner end of the guide shaft 127 of the front link 110 moves from the guide groove 81 of the front guide 80 to between the second inner wall 72b and the third inner wall 72c of the guide rail 70. Also, the outer end of the guide shaft 127 of the front link 110 moves from the guide groove 82 of the front guide 80 to between the second outer wall 73b and the third outer wall 73c of the guide rail 70. Meanwhile, the lower sliding shaft 122 and the inner sliding shaft 125 of the front link 110 are maintained in contact with the guide rail 70, but the outer sliding shaft 126 of the front link 110 moves away from the guide rail 70.

[0096] When the driving shoe 90 moves to the lift-up corresponding position, the driving shoe 90 covers the extension portion 121 of the front link 110 from above. Then, as shown in FIG. 27, the rear end of the inner sliding portion 94 of the driving shoe 90 faces the inner extension portion 123 of the front link 110 in the front-rear direction. As shown in FIG. 28, the rear end of the outer wall 93 of the driving shoe 90 faces the outer extension portion 124 of the front link 110 in the front-rear direction. Furthermore, the upper wall 91 of the driving shoe 90 faces the second main surface 113 of the front link 110 in the front-rear direction. In this embodiment, there are slight gaps between the inner sliding portion 94 of the driving shoe 90 and the inner extension portion 123 of the front link 110 and between the outer wall 93 of the driving shoe 90 and the outer extension portion 124 of the front link 110. Meanwhile, the upper wall 91 of the driving shoe 90 and the second main surface 113 of the front link 110 are in contact with each other.

[0097] As shown in FIG. 27, the second pressing portion 97 of the drive shoe 90 is sandwiched between the inner front surface 114c and the inner rear surface 114d of the front link 110 in the front-rear direction. Similarly, as shown in FIG. 28, the third pressing portion 98 of the drive shoe 90 is sandwiched between the outer front surface 115c and the outer rear surface 115d of the front link 110 in the front-rear direction. In this respect, the inner front surface 114c and the inner rear surface 114d of the front link 110 correspond to a "second inner clamping portion" that sandwiches the second pressing portion 97 of the drive shoe 90 in the front-rear direction. Also, the outer front surface 115c and the outer rear surface 115d of the front link 110 correspond to a "second outer clamping portion" that sandwiches the third pressing portion 98 of the drive shoe 90 in the front-rear direction. In this embodiment, there is a small gap between the second pressing portion 97 of the drive shoe 90 and the inner front surface 114c of the front link 110, and between the third pressing portion 98 of the drive shoe 90 and the outer front surface 115c of the front link 110.

[0098] <When the drive shoe 90 moves from the lift-up corresponding position to the fully open corresponding position> As shown in Figures 19 and 20, when the drive shoe 90 moves rearward from the lift-up corresponding position to the fully-open corresponding position, the drive shoe 90 pushes the front link 110 rearward. More specifically, as shown in Figure 27, the second pressing portion 97 of the drive shoe 90 pushes the inner rear surface 114d of the front link 110 rearward, and as shown in Figure 28, the third pressing portion 98 of the drive shoe 90 pushes the outer rear surface 115d of the front link 110 rearward. Then, the front link 110 moves rearward along the guide rail 70 together with the drive shoe 90.

[0099] When the front link 110 moves rearward together with the driving shoe 90, the inner end of the guide shaft 127 slides against the second inner wall 72b and the third inner wall 72c of the guide rail 70, and the outer end of the guide shaft 127 slides against the second outer wall 73b and the third outer wall 73c of the guide rail 70. In addition, the lower sliding shaft 122 slides against the second bottom wall 71b of the guide rail 70, and the inner sliding shaft 125 slides against the first bottom wall 71a and the third inner wall 72c of the guide rail 70. Therefore, when the front link 110 moves rearward along the guide rail 70, the front link 110 maintains a posture in which the front end is elevated relative to the rear end.

[0100] At the point where the front link 110 moves rearward along the guide rail 70, the mechanical bracket 190 supported by the front link 110 also moves rearward. That is, the movable panel 40 moves rearward. At this point, when the drive shoe 90 moves from the lift-up corresponding position to the fully-open corresponding position, the drive shoe 90 causes the front link 110 to move the movable panel 40 rearward.

[0101] When the drive shoe 90 moves rearward from the tilt-up corresponding position, the mechanical bracket 190 moves rearward relative to the rear link 150. At this time, the two sliding protrusions 153 of the rear link 150 and the sliding rails 195 of the mechanical bracket 190 slide against each other. In other words, the part of the mechanical bracket 190 that is supported by the rear link 150 gradually changes. However, the fact remains that the part of the mechanical bracket 190 that is supported by the rear link 150 is rearward of the part that is supported by the front link 110.

[0102] 20, when the drive shoe 90 moves to the fully closed position, the front link 110 moves to the rearmost position in its range of movement in the front-rear direction. As a result, the mechanism bracket 190 moves to the rearmost position in its range of movement in the front-rear direction. In this way, the movable panel 40 is disposed in the fully open position.

[0103] <Function of the Movable Panel 40 During Closing Operation> The operation of the sunroof device 30 when the movable panel 40 is closed will now be briefly described.

[0104] The sunroof device 30 opens the movable panel 40 by moving the drive shoe 90 forward with the actuator 50. More specifically, the sunroof device 30 moves the drive shoe 90 from a fully open corresponding position to a fully closed corresponding position, thereby moving the movable panel 40 from the fully open position to the fully closed position.

[0105] When the drive shoe 90 moves from the fully-open corresponding position to the lift-up corresponding position, the upper wall 91 of the drive shoe 90 pushes the second main surface 113 of the front link 110 forward. As a result, the front link 110 moves forward along the guide rail 70. On the other hand, when the drive shoe 90 moves from the fully-open corresponding position to the lift-up corresponding position, no power is transmitted from the drive shoe 90 to the link guide 140 via the power transmission member 180. As a result, the attitudes of the link guide 140 and the rear link 150 do not change.

[0106] As described above, when the driving shoe 90 moves from the fully open corresponding position to the lift-up corresponding position, the front link 110 supporting the front end of the mechanical bracket 190 moves forward. On the other hand, the posture of the rear link 150 supporting the mechanical bracket 190 behind the front link 110 does not change. As a result, the movable panel 40 moves forward. At this time, the mechanical bracket 190 moving forward together with the movable panel 40 slides against the rear link 150. When the driving shoe 90 reaches the lift-up corresponding position, the movable panel 40 is disposed at the lift-up position. In this respect, when the driving shoe 90 moves from the fully open corresponding position to the lift-up corresponding position, the front link 110 moves the movable panel 40 forward.

[0107] When the drive shoe 90 moves from the lift-up corresponding position to the tilt-up corresponding position, the drive shoe 90 pushes the second main surface 113 of the front link 110 forward, in the same manner as when the drive shoe 90 moves from the fully open corresponding position to the lift-up corresponding position. However, when the drive shoe 90 moves forward from the lift-up corresponding position, the guide shaft 127 of the front link 110 moves along the front guide 80. Therefore, the front link 110 rotates in the second rotation direction R12 while moving forward. On the other hand, when the drive shoe 90 moves from the lift-up corresponding position to the tilt-up corresponding position, no power is transmitted from the drive shoe 90 to the link guide 140 via the power transmission member 180. Therefore, the attitudes of the link guide 140 and the rear link 150 do not change.

[0108] As described above, when the drive shoe 90 moves from the lift-up corresponding position to the tilt-up corresponding position, the front link 110 supporting the front end of the mechanical bracket 190 rotates in the second rotation direction R12. On the other hand, the posture of the rear link 150 supporting the mechanical bracket 190 behind the front link 110 does not change. As a result, the front end of the movable panel 40 descends. In this respect, when the drive shoe 90 moves from the lift-up corresponding position to the tilt-up corresponding position, the drive shoe 90 causes the front link 110 to descend the front end of the movable panel 40.

[0109] Thereafter, when the drive shoe 90 reaches the tilt-up corresponding position, the movable panel 40 is disposed in the tilt-up position. When the drive shoe 90 reaches the tilt-up corresponding position, the first pressing portion 96 of the drive shoe 90 contacts the first main surface 112 of the front link 110. In addition, the second pressing portion 97 of the drive shoe 90 contacts the inner lower surface 114b of the front link 110. In addition, the third pressing portion 98 of the drive shoe 90 contacts the outer upper surface 115a of the front link 110. In this way, the drive shoe 90 restricts the rotation of the front link 110.

[0110] When the drive shoe 90 moves from the tilt-up corresponding position to the fully closed corresponding position, the drive shoe 90 moves forward relative to the front link 110. On the other hand, when the drive shoe 90 moves from the tilt-up corresponding position to the fully closed corresponding position, the power of the drive shoe 90 is transmitted to the power transmission member 180. Therefore, when the drive shoe 90 moves forward from the tilt-up corresponding position, the transmission shaft 184 of the power transmission member 180 moves forward, causing the link guide 140 to move forward and rotate in the second rotation direction R22. As a result, the rear link 150 rotates in the second rotation direction R32.

[0111] As described above, when the drive shoe 90 moves from the tilt-up corresponding position to the fully closed corresponding position, the position and posture of the front link 110 supporting the front end of the mechanical bracket 190 do not change. Meanwhile, the rear link 150 supporting the mechanical bracket 190 behind the front link 110 rotates in the second rotation direction R32. As a result, the rear end of the movable panel 40 descends. In this respect, when the drive shoe 90 moves from the tilt-up corresponding position to the fully closed corresponding position, the rear link 150 lowers the rear end of the movable panel 40. Thereafter, when the drive shoe 90 reaches the fully closed corresponding position, the movable panel 40 is disposed in the fully closed position.

[0112] <Effects of this embodiment> (1) As shown in FIG. 15, the rearmost fastening portion Fx between the panel bracket 42 and the mechanical bracket 190 is located behind the rear end of the inner wall 72 of the guide rail 70 and in front of the rear end of the outer wall 73 of the guide rail 70. In other words, the fastening portion Fx is exposed from the inner wall 72 of the guide rail 70. Therefore, the inner wall 72 of the guide rail 70 does not interfere with the fastening operation of the movable panel 40 to the mechanical bracket 190. Furthermore, the sunroof device 30 can bring the rearmost fastening portion Fx between the panel bracket 42 and the mechanical bracket 190 closer to the bottom wall 71 of the guide rail 70 in the up-down direction. Specifically, the fastening portion Fx is located lower than the second outer wall 73b of the guide rail 70 in the up-down direction. In other words, the sunroof device 30 can bring the rear end of the movable panel 40 closer to the bottom wall 71 of the guide rail 70 when the movable panel 40 is placed in the fully closed position. As a result, the sunroof device 30 can reduce its thickness in the vertical direction when the movable panel 40 is placed in the fully closed position.

[0113] (2) The sunroof device 30 includes a power transmission member 180 that transmits power from the drive shoe 90 to the link guide 140. The power transmission member 180 is configured to be able to move along the guide rail 70 by sliding on the bottom wall 71 and the outer wall 73 of the guide rail 70. Therefore, even if the rear end of the inner wall 72 of the guide rail 70 is located forward of the rear end of the outer wall 73, the movement of the power transmission member 180 is not affected.

[0114] (3) As shown in Fig. 16, when the movable panel 40 is disposed in the fully closed position, the rearmost fastening portion Fx between the panel bracket 42 and the mechanical bracket 190 is located inward in the width direction from the rear link 150. Therefore, when the fastening work of the fastening portion Fx is performed from the inside in the width direction, the rear link 150 does not get in the way. Therefore, the fastening work of the fastening portion Fx is not complicated.

[0115] (4) When the drive shoe 90 is located between the fully closed position and the tilt-up position, a vertical load may act on the movable panel 40. For example, when the vehicle 10 is traveling, an upward load according to the traveling speed acts on the upper surface of the movable panel 40. When a user riding in the vehicle 10 pushes the movable panel 40, an upward load acts on the lower surface of the movable panel 40. On the other hand, when there is snow on the movable panel 40, a downward load acts on the upper surface of the movable panel 40. When a load acts on the movable panel 40, the load also acts on the front link 110 that supports the front end of the movable panel 40.

[0116] As shown in FIG. 21 and FIG. 24, the drive shoe 90 has a first pressing part 96 that presses the first main surface 112 of the front link 110 from above across the width direction when the drive shoe 90 is located between the fully closed corresponding position and the tilt-up corresponding position. Therefore, when an upward load acts on the front link 110, the front link 110 is suppressed from moving upward. The drive shoe 90 also has a second pressing part 97 that sandwiches the front link 110 in the vertical direction together with the first pressing part 96. Therefore, when a downward load acts on the front link 110, the front link 110 is suppressed from moving downward. Note that the downward load that may act on the movable panel 40 is smaller than the upward load that may act on the movable panel 40. Therefore, the rigidity of the part of the front link 110 that contacts the second pressing part 97 may be smaller than the rigidity of the part of the front link 110 that contacts the first pressing part 96.

[0117] The drive shoe 90 is configured to sandwich the front link 110 in the vertical direction between the first pressing portion 96 and the second pressing portion 97. Therefore, it is easier to make the thickness of the front link 110 in the vertical direction thinner than in a comparative example in which the front link has a guide hole and the drive shoe has a guide shaft that is inserted into the guide hole. As a result, the sunroof device 30 can suppress an increase in the thickness of the device due to the front link 110.

[0118] (5) As described above, when the sunroof device 30 is in use, the upward load acting on the front link 110 is greater than the downward load. That is, in the drive shoe 90, the load acting on the first pressing portion 96 is greater than the load acting on the second pressing portion 97. In this regard, in the drive shoe 90, the first pressing portion 96 is provided on the upper wall 91 that connects the inner wall 92 and the outer wall 93 in the width direction. Therefore, in the sunroof device 30, the upper wall 91 and the first pressing portion 96, which are subjected to a high load, can be configured to have high rigidity. On the other hand, in the drive shoe 90, the second pressing portion 97 extends outward in the width direction from the inner wall 92. That is, the second pressing portion 97 is configured so that one end portion in the width direction is supported. Therefore, in the sunroof device 30, the second pressing portion 97, which is not subjected to a high load, can be easily configured.

[0119] (6) As shown in Fig. 22, the drive shoe 90 has a third pressing portion 98 that presses the front link 110 from above at a position different from the first pressing portion 96. Therefore, when an upward load is transmitted to the front link 110, the drive shoe 90 can press the front link 110 from above with the first pressing portion 96 and the third pressing portion 98. Therefore, the load on the first pressing portion 96 is reduced compared to when the front link 110 is pressed by only the first pressing portion 96.

[0120] (7) For example, as shown in Figs. 21 and 22, when the movable panel 40 is placed in the fully closed position, if an upward load acts on the movable panel 40, the front link 110 tries to rotate in the first rotation direction R11. Here, the distance from the rotation axis of the front link 110 to the axis of the guide shaft 127 is Lp, and the load acting on the guide shaft 127 via the movable panel 40 is Fp. The guide shaft 127 is a connecting portion of the front link 110 with the movable panel 40, and is a portion on which the load transmitted from the movable panel 40 acts. In addition, the distance from the rotation axis of the front link 110 to the contact point between the front link 110 and the first pressing portion 96 is L1, and the load acting on the contact point, which is the force by which the first pressing portion 96 presses the front link 110, is F1. The distance from the rotation axis of the front link 110 to the contact point between the front link 110 and the third pressing part 98 is defined as L3, and the load acting on the contact point, that is, the force with which the third pressing part 98 presses the front link 110, is defined as F3. Considering the balance of the force moments in the above case, the following equation holds:

[0121] Fp Lp = F1 L1 + F3 L3…(Equation 1) 24 and 25, when the movable panel 40 is placed in the tilt-up position and an upward load acts on the movable panel 40, the front link 110 tries to rotate in the first rotation direction R11. However, in this case, the second pressing part 97 is in contact with the inner lower surface 114b of the front link 110, so the second pressing part 97 can press the front link 110. Here, the distance from the rotation axis of the front link 110 to the contact point between the front link 110 and the second pressing part 97 is L2, and the load acting on the contact point, that is, the force by which the second pressing part 97 presses the front link 110, is F2. Considering the balance of the force moment in the above case, the following equation is established.

[0122] Fp·Lp=F1·L1+F2·L2+F3·L3…(Formula 2) In the drive shoe 90, the third pressing portion 98 is located forward of the first pressing portion 96. Therefore, since it is easy to increase the distance L3, it is easy to reduce the loads F1 and F3 in (Equation 1) and easy to reduce the loads F1, F2, and F3 in (Equation 2). As a result, the loads on the first pressing portion 96, the second pressing portion 97, and the third pressing portion 98 of the drive shoe 90 are reduced.

[0123] (8) As described above, when an upward load acts on the movable panel 40 disposed in the fully closed position, (Equation 1) holds. Also, when an upward load acts on the movable panel 40 with the drive shoe 90 moved rearward from the fully closed corresponding position, (Equation 1) holds. However, in this case, the loads F1 and F3 become larger in that the distance Lp does not change while the distances L1 and L3 become shorter. In other words, the loads on the first pressing portion 96 and the third pressing portion 98 of the drive shoe 90 become higher.

[0124] In this regard, in the sunroof device 30 of this embodiment, when the drive shoe 90 approaches the tilt-up corresponding position, the second pressing portion 97 of the drive shoe 90 comes into contact with the inner lower surface 114b of the front link 110. In other words, the second pressing portion 97 of the drive shoe 90 is sandwiched between the inner upper surface 114a and the inner lower surface 114b of the front link 110. Therefore, in this situation, when an upward load acts on the movable panel 40, the load F2 is generated, and thus (Equation 2) is established. As a result, the load on the first pressing portion 96 and the third pressing portion 98 of the drive shoe 90 is reduced.

[0125] (9) When a downward load acts on the movable panel 40 that is placed in the fully closed position, the following equation holds: Fp·Lp=F2·L2…(Formula 3) Equation 1 also holds when a downward load acts on the movable panel 40 with the drive shoe 90 moved rearward from the fully closed position. In this case, however, the load F2 increases because the distance Lp does not change while the distance L2 decreases. In other words, the load on the second pressing portion 97 of the drive shoe 90 increases.

[0126] In this regard, in the sunroof device 30 of this embodiment, when the drive shoe 90 approaches the tilt-up corresponding position, the third pressing portion 98 of the drive shoe 90 comes into contact with the outer upper surface 115a. In other words, the third pressing portion 98 of the drive shoe 90 is sandwiched between the outer upper surface 115a and the outer lower surface 115b of the front link 110. For this reason, in this situation, when a downward load acts on the movable panel 40, the following equation is established at the point where a load F3 is generated.

[0127] Fp Lp = F2 L2 + F3 L3…(Equation 4) That is, the load F2 is prevented from increasing at the point where the load F3 occurs, and as a result, the load on the second pressing portion 97 of the drive shoe 90 is reduced.

[0128] (10) When the drive shoe 90 is in the tilt-up corresponding position, the inner upper surface 114a and the inner lower surface 114b of the front link 110 sandwich the second pressing portion 97 of the drive shoe 90 in the vertical direction. Similarly, the outer upper surface 115a and the outer lower surface 115b of the front link 110 sandwich the third pressing portion 98 of the drive shoe 90 in the vertical direction. Therefore, in a situation where a load acts on the movable panel 40 arranged in the tilt-up position, a load that is biased in the width direction is unlikely to act on the front link 110. As a result, the front link 110 is prevented from twisting around an axis in the front-rear direction.

[0129] 27, when the drive shoe 90 moves between the lift-up corresponding position and the fully-open corresponding position, the first pressing portion 96 and the second pressing portion 97 of the drive shoe 90 sandwich the drive shoe 90 in the front-rear direction. Therefore, the sunroof device 30 can suppress rattling in the front-rear direction between the drive shoe 90 and the front link 110 when the drive shoe 90 moves between the lift-up corresponding position and the fully-open corresponding position.

[0130] (12) As shown in Fig. 27, when the drive shoe 90 is located between the lift-up corresponding position and the fully-open corresponding position, the inner front surface 114c and the inner rear surface 114d of the front link 110 sandwich the second pressing portion 97 of the drive shoe 90 in the front-rear direction. As shown in Fig. 28, the outer front surface 115c and the outer rear surface 115d of the front link 110 sandwich the third pressing portion 98 of the drive shoe 90 in the front-rear direction.

[0131] Here, assume that a large forward load acts on the movable panel 40 when the drive shoe 90 is located between the lift-up corresponding position and the fully-open corresponding position. In this case, the large forward load is transmitted to the front link 110, so that the inner rear surface 114d of the front link 110 abuts against the second pressing portion 97 of the drive shoe 90 and the outer rear surface 115d of the front link 110 abuts against the third pressing portion 98 of the drive shoe 90. Therefore, the drive shoe 90 can receive the load on both sides of the front link 110.

[0132] Also, assume that a large rearward load acts on the movable panel 40 when the drive shoe 90 is located between the lift-up corresponding position and the fully-open corresponding position. In this case, the large rearward load is transmitted to the front link 110, so that the inner front surface 114c of the front link 110 abuts against the second pressing portion 97 of the drive shoe 90 and the outer front surface 115c of the front link 110 abuts against the third pressing portion 98 of the drive shoe 90. Therefore, the drive shoe 90 can receive the load on both sides of the front link 110.

[0133] (13) As shown in Fig. 27, when the drive shoe 90 is located between the lift-up corresponding position and the fully-open corresponding position, the inner sliding portion 94 of the drive shoe 90 and the inner extension portion 123 of the front link 110 face each other in the front-rear direction. As shown in Fig. 28, when the drive shoe 90 is located between the lift-up corresponding position and the fully-open corresponding position, the outer wall 93 of the drive shoe 90 and the outer extension portion 124 of the front link 110 face each other in the front-rear direction.

[0134] Here, assume that a large forward load acts on the movable panel 40 when the drive shoe 90 is located between the lift-up corresponding position and the fully open corresponding position. In this case, the large forward load is transmitted to the front link 110, so that the inner extension 123 of the front link 110 abuts against the inner sliding portion 94 of the drive shoe 90, and the outer extension 124 of the front link 110 abuts against the outer wall 93 of the drive shoe 90. Therefore, the drive shoe 90 can receive the load on both sides of the front link 110.

[0135] (14) As shown in Figures 27 and 28, when the drive shoe 90 is located between the lift-up corresponding position and the fully-open corresponding position, the upper wall 91 of the drive shoe 90 and the second main surface 113 of the front link 110 face each other in the front-rear direction. Therefore, when a large rearward load acts on the movable panel 40 while the drive shoe 90 is located between the lift-up corresponding position and the fully-open corresponding position, the second main surface 113 of the front link 110 comes into contact with the upper wall 91 of the drive shoe 90. In this way, the drive shoe 90 can bear the load at its center in the width direction.

[0136] (15) As shown in Figures 21 and 22, when the drive shoe 90 moves between the fully closed corresponding position and the tilt-up corresponding position, the guide shaft 127 of the front link 110 slides against the front guide 80. Also, the inner sliding shaft 125 and the outer sliding shaft 126 of the front link 110 slide against the guide rail 70. In other words, the front end of the front link 110 slides against the guide rail 70 on both sides in the width direction, and the rear end of the front link 110 slides against the guide rail 70 on both sides in the width direction. This makes it easier to maintain the posture of the front link 110.

[0137] <Example of change> This embodiment can be modified as follows: This embodiment and the following modifications can be combined with each other to the extent that there is no technical contradiction.

[0138] The cross-sectional shape of the guide rail 70 perpendicular to the longitudinal direction can be changed as appropriate. In other words, the guide rail 70 may have any shape as long as the components of the sunroof device 30, such as the drive shoe 90, can slide in the front-rear direction.

[0139] The shape of the driving shoe 90 and the shape of the front link 110 can be changed as appropriate. Some examples will be described below. The shapes of the first pressing portion 96, the second pressing portion 97, and the third pressing portion 98 of the drive shoe 90 can be changed as appropriate. For example, the first pressing portion 96, the second pressing portion 97, and the third pressing portion 98 may be cylindrical and extend in the width direction.

[0140] The positions of the first pressing portion 96, the second pressing portion 97, and the third pressing portion 98 of the drive shoe 90 can be changed as appropriate. For example, in a side view of the drive shoe 90, the third pressing portion 98 may be located rearward of the first pressing portion 96, or may be located rearward of the second pressing portion 97.

[0141] The third pressing portion 98 of the drive shoe 90 can be omitted. In this case, it is preferable that the outer upper surface 115a, the outer lower surface 115b, the outer front surface 115c, and the outer rear surface 115d of the front link 110 are omitted.

[0142] The drive shoe 90 does not need to press the front link 110 downward with the second pressing portion 97 near the tilt-up corresponding position. In this case, the inner lower surface 114b and the inner front surface 114c of the front link 110 can be omitted.

[0143] In the drive shoe 90, the positional relationship in the width direction between the second pressing portion 97 and the third pressing portion 98 may be reversed. In other words, the drive shoe 90 may have the third pressing portion 98 on the inside in the width direction and the second pressing portion 97 on the outside in the width direction.

[0144] In the front link 110, the front end of the inner lower surface 114b may be aligned with the front end of the inner upper surface 114a, and the front end of the outer upper surface 115a may be aligned with the front end of the outer lower surface 115b. In this case, when the drive shoe 90 is located in the fully closed position, the second pressing portion 97 is sandwiched between the inner upper surface 114a and the inner lower surface 114b. Also, when the drive shoe 90 is located in the fully closed position, the third pressing portion 98 is sandwiched between the outer upper surface 115a and the outer lower surface 115b.

[0145] In the front link 110, the positional relationship between the lower sliding shaft 122, the inner sliding shaft 125, and the outer sliding shaft 126 can be changed as appropriate. For example, the lower sliding shaft 122, the inner sliding shaft 125, and the outer sliding shaft 126 may be aligned in the width direction. In other words, the lower sliding shaft 122, the inner sliding shaft 125, and the outer sliding shaft 126 may be positioned so as not to be misaligned in the front-rear direction.

[0146] The guide shaft 127 may be fixed to the front bracket 194 of the mechanical bracket 190. In this case, it is preferable that the front link 110 has a hole into which the guide shaft 127 is inserted. It is also preferable that the front link 110 and the mechanical bracket 190 are relatively rotatable around the axis of the guide shaft 127.

[0147] The link guide 140 of the rear support portion 130 can be omitted. In this case, the rear link 150 preferably has a guide hole that penetrates the rear link 150 in the width direction, into which the transmission shaft 184 of the power transmission member 180 is inserted. The rear link 150 is preferably configured so that it can rotate about the axis of the link support shaft 173 by sliding between the transmission shaft 184 of the power transmission member 180 and the guide hole. The guide hole may be a guide groove that does not penetrate the rear link 150 in the width direction.

[0148] The power transmission member 180 may include an inner sliding wall that slides on the inner wall 72 of the guide rail 70, and an outer sliding wall that slides on the outer wall 73 of the guide rail 70. In other words, the power transmission member 180 may be configured to be able to slide on the bottom wall 71, the inner wall 72, and the outer wall 73 of the guide rail 70.

[0149] The positional relationship in the width direction between the rearmost fastening portion Fx of the panel bracket 42 and the mechanism bracket 190 and the rear link 150 can be changed as appropriate. For example, when the movable panel 40 is disposed in the fully closed position, the fastening portion Fx may be located outward in the width direction from the rear link 150. In addition, the fastening portion Fx and the rear link 150 do not necessarily have to be positioned so as to overlap in the width direction. For example, the fastening portion Fx may be located forward of the front end of the rear link 150 or rearward of the rear end of the rear link 150.

[0150] <Technical philosophy> The technical ideas that can be understood from the above-described embodiment and modified examples will be described. [Aspect 1] A movable panel that moves between a fully closed position that fully closes a roof opening of a vehicle, a tilt up position in which a rear end portion of the panel is raised from the fully closed position, and a fully open position that is a position rearward of the tilt up position and fully opens the roof opening, a front link that supports the movable panel, a rear link that supports the movable panel rearward of the front link, a guide rail that extends in the front-rear direction, and a drive shoe that moves along the guide rail and drives the movable panel via the front link and the rear link, and the drive shoe drives the movable panel. a tilt-up corresponding position for positioning the movable panel at the fully open position and a fully closed corresponding position for positioning the movable panel at the fully closed position, the rear link raises and lowers the rear end of the movable panel, and a front link moves the movable panel in the front-to-rear direction when the movable panel moves between the fully closed corresponding position and the fully open corresponding position for positioning the movable panel at the fully open position, the sunroof device having a first pressing portion that presses the front link from above in the width direction when the movable panel moves between the fully closed corresponding position and the tilt-up corresponding position.

[0151] [Aspect 2] A sunroof device as described in aspect 1, wherein the drive shoe has a second pressing portion located lower than the first pressing portion and vertically sandwiching the front link together with the first pressing portion, the guide rail has a bottom wall, an inner wall extending upward from the bottom wall, and an outer wall extending upward from the bottom wall outward in the width direction from the inner wall, the drive shoe has an inner wall located between the inner wall of the guide rail and the front link, an outer wall located between the outer wall of the guide rail and the front link, and an upper wall connecting the inner wall and the outer wall in the width direction, and the first pressing portion is provided on the upper wall and the second pressing portion is provided on one of the inner wall and the outer wall.

[0152] [Aspect 3] The sunroof device of Aspect 2, wherein the drive shoe has a third pressing portion that is positioned forward of the first pressing portion and presses the front link from above when the drive shoe moves between the fully closed corresponding position and the tilt up corresponding position.

[0153] [Aspect 4] The movable panel moves to a lift-up position where its front end is raised higher than the tilt-up position, and this position is between the tilt-up corresponding position and the fully-open corresponding position. When the position of the drive shoe that places the movable panel in the lift-up position is defined as the lift-up corresponding position, the drive shoe causes the front link to raise and lower the front end of the movable panel when moving between the tilt-up corresponding position and the lift-up corresponding position, and causes the front link to move the movable panel in the fore-and-aft direction when the drive shoe moves between the lift-up corresponding position and the fully-open corresponding position. In the sunroof device described in aspect 3, the first pressing portion is located rearward of the second pressing portion, and the first pressing portion and the second pressing portion sandwich the front link in the fore-and-aft direction when the drive shoe moves between the lift-up corresponding position and the fully-open corresponding position.

[0154] [Aspect 5] The sunroof device of Aspect 3, wherein the front link has a first inner clamping portion that clamps the second holding portion in the vertical direction when the drive shoe is positioned in the tilt-up corresponding position, and a first outer clamping portion that clamps the third holding portion in the vertical direction.

[0155] [Aspect 6] The sunroof device of Aspect 4, wherein the front link has a second inner clamping portion that clamps the second holding portion in the front-to-rear direction when the drive shoe moves between the lift-up corresponding position and the fully open corresponding position, and a second outer clamping portion that clamps the third holding portion in the front-to-rear direction.

[0156] [Aspect 7] The front link has an inner sliding shaft extending inward in the width direction at a base end of the front link, and an outer sliding shaft extending outward in the width direction at a base end of the front link, the inner sliding shaft and the outer sliding shaft contacting the guide rail when the drive shoe moves at least between the fully closed corresponding position and the tilt up corresponding position. A sunroof device as described in any one of Aspects 1 to 6. [Explanation of symbols]

[0157] 10...vehicle, 20...vehicle body, 25...roof opening, 30...sunroof device, 40...movable panel, 60...guide unit, 70...guide rail, 71...bottom wall, 72...inner wall, 73...outer wall, 90...drive shoe, 91...upper wall, 92...inner wall, 93...outer wall, 96...first pressing portion, 97...second pressing portion, 98...third pressing portion, 110...front link, 111...base, 112...first main surface, 113...second main surface, 114...inner recess, 114a...inner upper surface (first inner clamping portion) , 114b...Inner lower surface (first inner clamping part), 114c...Inner front surface (second inner clamping part), 114d...Inner rear surface (second inner clamping part), 115...Outer recessed part, 115a...Outer upper surface (first outer clamping part), 115b...Outer lower surface (first outer clamping part) ), 115c...outer front surface (second outer clamping part), 115d...outer rear face (second outer clamping part), 125...inner sliding shaft, 126...outer sliding shaft, 150...rear link, 180...power transmission member, 190...mechanical bracket, Fx...fastening part.

Claims

1. a movable panel that moves between a fully closed position at which the roof opening of the vehicle is fully closed, a tilt-up position at which the rear end portion of the panel is raised from the fully closed position, and a fully open position at a position rearward of the tilt-up position at which the roof opening is fully opened; A front link supporting the movable panel; a rear link supporting the movable panel rearward of the front link; A guide rail extending in the front-rear direction; a drive shoe that moves along the guide rail and drives the movable panel via the front link and the rear link, The drive shoe causes the rear link to raise and lower the rear end of the movable panel when the movable panel moves between a fully closed corresponding position where the movable panel is placed at the fully closed position and a tilt-up corresponding position where the movable panel is placed at the tilt-up position, and causes the front link to move the movable panel in the front-rear direction when the movable panel moves between the tilt-up corresponding position and a fully open corresponding position where the movable panel is placed at the fully open position, and has a first pressing portion that presses the front link from above in the width direction when the movable panel moves between the fully closed corresponding position and the tilt-up corresponding position. Sunroof device.

2. the drive shoe has a second pressing portion that is located below the first pressing portion and that vertically sandwiches the front link together with the first pressing portion, The guide rail has a bottom wall, an inner wall extending upward from the bottom wall, and an outer wall extending upward from the bottom wall outward in the width direction from the inner wall, the drive shoe has an inner wall located between the inner wall of the guide rail and the front link, an outer wall located between the outer wall of the guide rail and the front link, and an upper wall connecting the inner wall and the outer wall in a width direction, The first pressing portion is provided on the upper wall, The second pressing portion is provided on one of the inner wall and the outer wall. The sunroof apparatus according to claim 1 .

3. The drive shoe has a third pressing portion that is located forward of the first pressing portion and presses the front link from above when the drive shoe moves between the fully closed corresponding position and the tilt-up corresponding position. The sunroof apparatus according to claim 2.

4. The movable panel is configured to move to a lift-up position where a front end portion of the movable panel is raised higher than the tilt-up position, When the position of the drive shoe that disposes the movable panel in the lift-up position is a position between the tilt-up corresponding position and the fully-open corresponding position, the lift-up corresponding position is defined as When the drive shoe moves between the tilt-up corresponding position and the lift-up corresponding position, the drive shoe causes the front link to raise and lower the front end of the movable panel, and when the drive shoe moves between the lift-up corresponding position and the fully-open corresponding position, the drive shoe causes the front link to move the movable panel in the front-rear direction, In the drive shoe, the first pressing portion is located rearward of the second pressing portion, When the drive shoe moves between the lift-up corresponding position and the fully-open corresponding position, the first pressing portion and the second pressing portion sandwich the front link in the front-rear direction.

4. The sunroof apparatus according to claim 3.

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