Vehicle sunshade mounting structure

Abstract

The vehicle sunshade mounting structure allows for easy integration of the sunshade into the vehicle's sunroof assembly. [Solution] The vehicle sunshade mounting structure includes a support column incorporated into a mounting element configured to be movable relative to the roof of the vehicle when the sunshade mounting structure is mounted on the vehicle. The sunshade mounting structure further includes a hole formed in the sunshade which is incorporated into the sunroof assembly. The sunshade is attached to the mounting element by passing the support column through the hole. The tabs of the sunshade are configured to wrap around at least a portion of the mounting element so that the sunshade mounting structure is not visible to occupants seated in the passenger compartment of the vehicle when the sunshade is attached to the support column and the sunshade mounting structure is mounted on the vehicle.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The subject matter described herein relates to a sunroof assembly for a vehicle, and more particularly, to a structure that attaches a sunshade of the sunroof assembly to a movable part of the sunroof assembly to enable deployment and storage of the sunshade.

Background Art

[0002] Various structures and methods for attaching a sunshade to a sunroof assembly of a vehicle include adhesives, tapes, and / or mechanical fasteners. Such attachment structures and methods can increase the labor and material costs associated with attaching the sunshade. Also, in the final production version of the vehicle, such attachment structures may be visible and exposed to passengers located in the passenger compartment of the vehicle. Adhesives and other sunshade attachment interfaces visible to passengers in the passenger compartment of the vehicle can be unsightly and may degrade the perceived quality of the vehicle as a whole.

Summary of the Invention

[0003] In one aspect of the embodiments described herein, a vehicle sunshade attachment structure is incorporated into a sunroof assembly of a vehicle. The vehicle sunshade attachment structure includes a support pillar incorporated into an attachment element configured to be movable relative to the roof of the vehicle when the sunshade attachment structure is attached to the vehicle. The sunshade attachment structure further includes a hole formed in a sunshade incorporated into the sunroof assembly. The sunshade is attached to the attachment element by passing the support pillar through the hole.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0004] The accompanying drawings incorporated herein and constituting part thereof illustrate various systems, methods, and other embodiments of the present disclosure. Boundaries of elements illustrated in the drawings (e.g., boxes, groups of boxes, or other shapes) will be understood to represent one embodiment of the boundary. In some embodiments, one element may be designed as multiple elements, or multiple elements may be designed as a single element. In some embodiments, an element shown as an internal component of another element may be implemented as an external component, and vice versa. Furthermore, elements may not be drawn to scale. Similar elements in the same or different drawings may be given the same reference numerals.

[0005] [Figure 1] Figure 1 is a schematic perspective view showing a sunroof assembly incorporating a vehicle sunshade mounting structure according to an embodiment described herein. [Figure 2] Figure 2 is a diagram showing an enlarged portion of a schematic perspective view of Figure 1, and shows a portion of a sunshade attached to a drive shoe using a vehicle sunshade mounting structure according to the embodiment described herein. [Figure 3] Figure 3 is a schematic plan view showing a portion of the deployable edge of the sunshade shown in Figure 2, and indicates the tabs of the sunshade. [Figure 4] Figure 4 is another perspective view schematically showing the portion of the sunshade shown in Figure 2. [Figure 5] Figure 5 is a schematic side cross-sectional view showing a sunshade mounting structure according to the embodiments shown in Figures 1, 3, and 4. [Figure 6] Figure 6 is a schematic perspective view showing the lower side of one side of the sunroof assembly when installed in the passenger compartment, taken from the perspective of a passenger inside the passenger compartment. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0006] Embodiments described herein relate to a vehicle sunshade mounting structure incorporated into a vehicle sunroof assembly. The vehicle sunshade mounting structure comprises a support incorporated into a mounting element configured to be movable relative to the roof of the vehicle when the sunshade mounting structure is installed in the vehicle. The sunshade mounting structure further includes a hole formed in the sunshade incorporated into the sunroof assembly. The sunshade is attached to the mounting element by passing the support through the hole. The sunshade tab is configured to wrap around at least a portion of the mounting element so that the sunshade mounting structure is not visible to occupants seated in the passenger compartment of the vehicle when the sunshade is attached to the support and the sunshade mounting structure is installed in the vehicle.

[0007] To simplify and clarify the illustrations, it will be understood that, where appropriate, reference numerals are repeated between different drawings to indicate corresponding or similar elements. In addition, several specific details are provided to allow for a full understanding of the embodiments described herein. However, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the embodiments described herein can be implemented without these specific details.

[0008] Figure 1 is a schematic perspective view of a sunroof assembly 20 incorporating a vehicle sunshade mounting structure (generally designated by reference numeral 21) according to an embodiment described herein. The sunroof assembly 20 is coupled to the roof 98 of a vehicle (not shown) by, for example, one or more exemplary fasteners and / or one or more exemplary fastening methods or techniques. Furthermore, the sunroof assembly 20 in Figure 1, or at least a portion thereof, is positioned within an opening extending through the roof 98. The roof opening can be, for example, a relatively large opening in the roof 98 having a size and / or shape that can accommodate one or more sunroof assembly components.

[0009] The sunroof assembly 20 may include a variety of elements. Some of the possible elements of the assembly 20 are shown in the drawings and described below. It will be understood that the sunroof assembly 20 does not need to include all of the elements shown in Figure 1 or described herein. The sunroof assembly 20 may have any combination of the various elements shown in the drawings. Furthermore, the sunroof assembly 20 may have additional elements in addition to those shown in the drawings and described herein.

[0010] In one or more configurations, the sunroof assembly 20 may include a frame 22 configured to which other elements of the sunroof assembly are attached. The frame 22 may be fixed to the vehicle roof 98 within the vehicle roof opening for mounting the sunroof assembly 20 to the vehicle. The frame 22 may include a first side 24, a second side 26 located opposite the first side 24, a front 28, and a rear 30. The first side 24 and the second side 26 may extend parallel or substantially parallel to the vehicle's longitudinal axis FA1. The front 28 and the rear 30 may be located along (and perpendicular to) the vehicle's longitudinal axis FA1. In the illustrated embodiment, when the sunroof assembly 20 is installed in the vehicle in its final use configuration, the first side 24 is the right side of the frame 22, and the second side 26 is the left side of the frame 22. Various sides 24, 26, 28, and 30 of the frame 22 can be combined to form an opening 97 that leads from the outside of the vehicle to the passenger compartment 99 of the vehicle when the sunroof assembly 20 is installed in the vehicle.

[0011] In one or more configurations, the frame 22 may incorporate a pair of opposing sunshade guide tracks or rails 32a, 32b extending along a first side 24 and a second side 26 of the frame, so that the sunshade 38 of the sunroof assembly can easily move between an open position and a closed position. More specifically, the first track 32a may extend along the first side 24 of the frame, and the second track 32b may extend along the second side 26 of the frame opposite to the first track 32a, providing a path or guideway through which the movable sunshade component can move.

[0012] As is well known in the related fields, the sunroof assembly 20 may include a “sunroof” (e.g., a glass panel) (not shown) configured to be controllable to move between an open position and a closed position in a known manner. When the sunroof is moved to the open position, the passenger compartment 99 of the vehicle is exposed to the environment outside the passenger compartment 99. In the closed position, the opening 97 is physically blocked by the sunroof. To move the sunroof to the open position, the sunroof can be retracted into a cavity provided between the vehicle’s headliner and roof 98.

[0013] Referring to Figure 1, in one configuration, the sunroof assembly 20 may further include a foldable sunroof shade (or "sunshade") 38. The sunshade 38 may be configured to be controllable by the user to unfold and retract in a well-known manner between an open position (exposing an opening 97 that exposes the passenger compartment 99 of the vehicle to the external environment) and a closed position where the sunshade 38 is positioned between the external environment and the passenger compartment 99. The closed sunshade 38 may also help reduce glare and the temperature of the passenger compartment 99 and prevent damage to the upholstery by blocking ultraviolet rays. The closed sunshade 38 may be semi-transparent so that a predetermined amount of visible light enters the passenger compartment 99 through the sunshade 38. In one configuration, the sunshade material is porous so that air can flow between the external environment and the passenger compartment 99.

[0014] In one or more configurations, the sunshade 38 may be formed from a foldable material having properties such as suitable UV absorption characteristics. In certain arrangements, the sunshade 38 may be configured to be retractable (and extendable from) a spring-loaded roller 40 connected to a frame 22. The sunshade 38 may be unwound from the roller 40 by the operation of a suitable drive mechanism as described herein. The sunshade 38 can be unwound from the roller 40 in direction D1 by the associated drive mechanism and moved to its closed position. In some examples, the sunshade 38 may be formed from a suitable polymer film (e.g., Mylar®) or a suitable fabric (e.g., polyester mesh or woven fabric).

[0015] In one or more configurations, the sunshade 38 may have a main body 38b that can be unwound from the roller 40 to a closed position or is configured to be deployable in order to cover the opening 97. The main body 38b of the sunshade may also have a deployable edge 38e (an edge located opposite to the end of the sunshade 38 wound around the roller 40 and configured to be movable along the opening 97 in order to open and close the opening 97). The sunshade 38 may also have one or more tabs 38f extending from the main body 38b so that they can be separated from the main body and folded away. Figure 3 is a schematic plan view showing a portion of the deployable edge of the sunshade of Figure 2, and shows the tabs 38f of the sunshade. Although the drawing shows one tab 38f for illustrative purposes, the sunshade 38 may include a pair of tabs 38f for attachment to corresponding sunshade mounting elements 34 (described in further detail below) configured to be movable relative to the roof 98 of the vehicle along one of the guide tracks 32a, 32b, respectively, with each tab extending from a body portion 38b adjacent to the first side 24 and second side 26 of the frame 22, respectively. Each tab 38f may have a hole 38g formed therein so that the sunshade 38 can be attached to the corresponding sunshade mounting element 34. A notch 38n may be formed between the tab 38f and a portion of the body portion 38b of the sunshade, including a deployable edge 38e.

[0016] As is well known in the related art, the sunroof assembly 20 may include (or be operably connected to) one or more drive mechanisms (not shown) so that the sunshade 38 can easily move between an open position and a closed position. For example, in one configuration, a preferred drive mechanism may include one or more motors (not shown) and one or more cables, belts, chains, etc. (not shown) that operably connect the motors (or more) to sunshade mounting elements configured to be movable relative to the roof 98 of the vehicle along each of the guide tracks 32a, 32b.

[0017] In one configuration, the movable mounting element of the sunshade mounting structure may be in the form of a drive shoe 34 configured to slide or roll along one of the associated guide tracks 32a, 32b of the sunshade. The arrangement in the drawing shows a pair of opposing drive shoes 34, 134. In another configuration, a separate drive shoe, including a support as described herein, may be configured to slide or roll along each of the opposing sunshade guide tracks 32a, 32b. Cables, belts, chains, etc., may be connected and configured to transmit energy from a motor(s) to the drive shoes 34, 134 by generating tension in the cables, belts, chains, etc., and simultaneously tensioning the drive shoes 34, 134 in a first direction D1 and / or a second direction D2 extending parallel to the guide tracks along the corresponding guide tracks 32a, 32b. Referring to the drawings, in one configuration, each drive shoe may be attached to an associated roller element 36 (Figure 4) configured to allow the drive shoe to move easily and smoothly relative to the corresponding sunshade guide track.

[0018] Referring to the drawings, a drive shoe 34 according to one embodiment described herein may include a main body 34a and a support column 34b extending from the main body 34a. The main body 34a may have an inner surface 34g, a front edge 34h extending adjacent to the inner surface 34g, and an outer surface 34j extending adjacent to the front edge 34h. The inner surface 34g may be configured to face the occupant compartment 99 of the vehicle when the sunroof assembly 20 is installed in the vehicle in its final use configuration. The front edge 34h may be configured to face the forward direction of the vehicle when the sunroof assembly 20 is installed in the vehicle in its final use configuration. The outer surface 34j may be configured to face away from the occupant compartment 99 of the vehicle when the sunroof assembly 20 is installed in the vehicle in its final use configuration. In one or more configurations, the support column 34b extends from the main body along the outer surface.

[0019] Referring to the drawings, in the embodiments described herein, the vehicle sunshade mounting structure 21 may include a support column described herein that is incorporated into a mounting element (e.g., a drive shoe 34). Figures 2 and 5 show a support column 34b extending from the main body 34a of the drive shoe. Referring particularly to Figure 5, in one configuration, the support column 34b includes a base 34r and a shoulder 34s extending from the base 34r.

[0020] Referring to the drawings, a garnish 42 may extend between mounting elements 34 and 134 to attach a portion of the sunshade 38. The garnish 42 may include a main body 42a, a first end 42b extending from the main body 42a, and a second end 42c extending from the main body 42a on the opposite side of the first end 42b. In the drawings, the first end 42b of the garnish is shown connected to the first drive shoe 34, and the second end 42c of the garnish is shown connected to the second drive shoe 134.

[0021] The garnish 42 may also have an inner surface 42g, a front edge 42h extending adjacent to the inner surface 42g, and an outer surface 42j extending adjacent to the front edge 42h. The inner surface 42g of the garnish may be configured to face the passenger compartment 99 of the vehicle when the sunroof assembly 20 is installed in the vehicle in its final use configuration. The front edge 42h of the garnish may be configured to face the forward direction of the vehicle when the sunroof assembly 20 is installed in the vehicle in its final use configuration. The outer surface 42j of the garnish may be configured to face away from the passenger compartment 99 of the vehicle when the sunroof assembly 20 is installed in the vehicle in its final use configuration.

[0022] In one or more configurations, a portion of each drive shoe 34, 134 may be configured to cover or clamp the associated portion of the deployable edge 38e of the sunshade body to the garnish 42. For example, Figure 2 shows a configuration in which a portion 34c of the drive shoe 34 secures a portion of the deployable edge 38e to the garnish 42.

[0023] Referring to the drawings, the sunshades 38 can be attached to each of the drive shoes 34, 134 by inserting the struts of each drive shoe into the holes 38g of the corresponding tabs 38f of the sunshades. For example, FIGS. 2 and 5 show the strut 34b inserted into the hole 38g of the tab. The sunshade 38 can contact the strut 34b along the edge 38f of the hole 38g so that the sunshade 38 is prevented from detaching from the strut 34b by the contact between the shoulder 34s and the edge 38f of the hole 38g.

[0024] By attaching the sunshades 38 to the movable attachment elements 34, 134 using struts, the attachment elements are movable in the direction D1 (towards the front of the vehicle), and accordingly, the attached garnish 42 and the deployable edge 38e of the sunshade 38 also move in the direction D1 away from the roller 40 of the sunshade, partially or completely covering the opening 97. Conversely, by moving the attachment elements 34, 134 in the direction D2 (towards the rear of the vehicle), the deployed sunshade 38 can be wound up and stored on the spring-loaded roller 40.

[0025] FIG. 6 is a perspective view seen from the viewpoint of an occupant in the passenger compartment 99, schematically showing the lower side of one side of the sunroof assembly 20 when installed in the passenger compartment 99. Referring to the drawings, particularly FIG. 6, in one or more configurations, the tab 38f of the sunshade, the sunshade mounting element (drive shoe) 34, and the support column 34b are such that, as described above, when the sunshade 38 is attached to the support column 34b and the sunshade mounting structure 21 is installed on the vehicle, the tab 38f can be configured and arranged to wrap around at least a part of the outer surface 34j of the mounting element so that the sunshade mounting structure 21 cannot be visually recognized by an occupant seated in the passenger compartment 99 of the vehicle (i.e., in the perspective view shown in FIG. 6) before the tab 38f is attached to the support column 34b. Also, in one or more configurations, the tab 38f of the sunshade, the sunshade mounting element (drive shoe) 34, and the support column 34b can be configured and arranged such that when the sunshade 38 is attached to the support column 34b and the sunshade mounting structure 21 is installed on the vehicle, the tab 38f can wrap around a part of the mounting element 34 so that the part of the mounting element around which the tab 38f is wrapped cannot be visually recognized by an occupant seated in the passenger compartment of the vehicle. Additionally, in one or more configurations, the garnish 42 and the sunshade 38 can be configured such that when the part of the sunshade 38 including the deployable edge 38e is wrapped around the garnish 42, the part of the garnish around which the deployable edge 38e is wrapped cannot be visually recognized by an occupant seated in the passenger compartment 99 of the vehicle, and the part of the sunshade 38 including the deployable edge 38e can be wrapped around at least a part of the inner surface 42g of the garnish, the front edge 42h of the garnish, and the outer surface 42j of the garnish.

[0026] Detailed embodiments are disclosed herein. However, it should be understood that the disclosed embodiments are intended to be illustrative only. Accordingly, the specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be construed as limiting, but merely as the basis for the claims and as representative grounds for teaching those skilled in the art to employ the embodiments herein in various substantially any suitable detailed structures. Furthermore, the terms and phrases used herein are not intended to be limiting, but rather to illustrate possible embodiments in an easy-to-understand manner. Various embodiments are shown in Figures 1 to 6, but embodiments are not limited to the illustrated structures or uses.

[0027] As used herein, the terms "a" and "an" are defined as one or more. As used herein, the term "plurality" is defined as two or more. As used herein, the term "another" is defined as at least two or more. As used herein, the terms "including" and / or "having" are defined as comprising (i.e., open language). As used herein, the expression "...and at least one of..." refers to and encompasses any possible combination of one or more of the enumerated items relating to it. For example, the expression "at least one of A, B, and C" includes A only, B only, C only, or any combination thereof (e.g., AB, AC, BC, or ABC).

[0028] Aspects of this specification can be embodied in other forms without departing from their spirit or essential attributes. Therefore, please refer to the following claims, rather than the above-described specification, to understand the scope of this specification.

Claims

1. A vehicle sunshade mounting structure, When the sunshade mounting structure is attached to the vehicle, a support column is incorporated into the mounting element, which is configured to be movable relative to the roof of the vehicle, The holes formed in the sunshade, Equipped with, The sunshade is attached to the mounting element by inserting the support column into the hole, and the sunshade is a vehicle sunshade mounting structure.

2. The vehicle sunshade mounting structure according to claim 1, wherein the mounting element is a drive shoe operably connected to a drive mechanism configured to move the sunshade from an open position to a closed position.

3. The vehicle sunshade mounting structure according to claim 1, wherein the sunshade includes a foldable main body and tabs extending from the main body so as to be foldable independently of the main body, and the holes are formed in the tabs.

4. The vehicle sunshade mounting structure according to claim 3, wherein the tab and the mounting element are configured such that the tab can be wrapped around a portion of the mounting element so that the sunshade mounting structure is not visible to an occupant seated in the passenger compartment of the vehicle when the sunshade is attached to the support column and the sunshade mounting structure is installed in the vehicle.

5. The vehicle sunshade mounting structure according to claim 3, wherein the tab and the mounting element are configured such that when the sunshade is attached to the support column and the sunshade mounting structure is installed in the vehicle, the portion of the mounting element around which the tab is wrapped is not visible to an occupant seated in the passenger compartment of the vehicle.

6. The vehicle sunshade mounting structure according to claim 1, wherein the support column includes a base and a shoulder portion extending from the base, and the sunshade contacts the support column along the edge of the hole such that contact between the shoulder portion and the edge of the hole prevents the sunshade from detaching from the support column.

7. The vehicle sunshade mounting structure according to claim 1, wherein the portion of the sunshade, including the deployable edge, is configured to be wrapped around the garnish such that the deployable edge of the sunshade is not visible to an occupant seated in the passenger compartment of the vehicle when the portion of the sunshade, including the deployable edge, is wrapped around the garnish.

8. The vehicle sunshade mounting structure according to claim 1, wherein the portion of the sunshade, including the deployable edge of the sunshade, is configured to be able to wrap around the portion of the garnish such that when the portion of the sunshade, including the deployable edge of the sunshade, is wrapped around the garnish, the portion of the garnish around which the deployable edge is wrapped is not visible to an occupant seated in the passenger compartment of the vehicle.

9. A sunroof assembly comprising the sunshade mounting structure described in claim 1.

10. A vehicle comprising the sunshade mounting structure described in claim 1.

Images