Sunroof System

Abstract

To reduce the vertical dimension required for the slider in order to secure the cable fixing member. [Solution] The slider 24 has a slider-side projection 60 that protrudes laterally from the outer surface 40A of the vertical plate portion 40, and the cable fixing member 60 has a cable-side projection 80 that protrudes from the cable fixing portion toward the outer surface 40A of the vertical plate portion 40, the slider-side projection 80 has an upward surface 62 and downward surfaces 64, 66, the cable-side projection 80 has a downward contact surface 86 that abuts against the upward surface 62 and upward contact surfaces 88, 90 that abut against the downward surfaces 64, 66, and the downward contact surfaces 64, 66 and the upward contact surface 62 are positioned offset in the front-rear direction.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a sunroof device, and more particularly to a sunroof device used in a vehicle such as an automobile.

Background Art

[0002] A sunroof device is known that includes a movable panel (sunroof panel) that opens and closes an opening formed in a roof of a vehicle, side members that extend in the front-rear direction along the left and right edges of the opening and have guide rails, a slider that is connected to the movable panel and slides on the guide rails to drive the movable panel, a drive cable that is routed to the side members, and a cable fixing member that is coupled to the drive cable and fixes the drive cable to the slider. The attachment of the cable fixing member to the slider is performed by inserting a protrusion having a rectangular cross-sectional shape provided on the cable fixing member into a rectangular opening that penetrates two longitudinal plate portions extending parallel to each other of the slider (for example, Patent Document 1).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In the above prior art, the prevention of upward movement of the cable fixing member with respect to the slider is achieved by the upper surface of the protrusion of the cable fixing member abutting against the lower surface formed on the upper edge of the opening of the slider. The prevention of downward movement of the cable fixing member with respect to the slider is achieved by the lower surface of the protrusion of the cable fixing member abutting against the upper surface formed on the lower edge of the opening of the slider.

[0005] In this fixing structure, the upper contact portion between the cable fixing member and the slider, which prevents the cable fixing member from moving upward relative to the slider, and the lower contact portion between the cable fixing member and the slider, which prevents the cable fixing member from moving downward relative to the slider, are superimposed vertically and spaced apart from each other in the vertical direction.

[0006] Therefore, the vertical dimension required for the slider to secure the cable fixing member is limited. This hinders the miniaturization of the sunroof system.

[0007] In view of the above background, the present invention aims to reduce the vertical dimension required for a slider in order to fix a cable fixing member. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] To solve the above problems, one aspect of the present invention provides a sunroof device (10) comprising: a movable panel (18) for opening and closing an opening (16) formed in the roof (14) of a vehicle (12); a side member (20) extending in the front-rear direction along the left and right edges of the opening and equipped with a guide rail (22); a slider (24) connected to the movable panel and sliding along the guide rail to drive the movable panel; a drive cable (30) routed to the side member; and a cable fixing member (28) coupled to the drive cable for fixing the drive cable to the slider, wherein the slider has a vertical plate portion (40) extending in the front-rear direction and a slider-side projection (60) projecting laterally from the outer surface (40A) of the vertical plate portion, and the cable fixing member is arranged to the side of the outer surface of the vertical plate portion and drives The cable has a cable fixing portion (29) that is fixed to the cable, and a cable-side projection (80) that protrudes from the cable fixing portion toward the outer surface of the vertical plate portion in order to engage with the slider-side projection, and the slider-side projection has a forward-facing surface (70, 114), a rear-facing surface (66, 116), an upward-facing surface (62, 98, 100, 110, 112), and a downward-facing surface (64, 68, 92, 96, 108), and the cable The bull side projection has a rearward contact surface (84, 122) that abuts the forward-facing surface, a forward-facing contact surface (82, 126) that abuts the rearward-facing surface, a downward-facing contact surface (86, 104, 106, 120, 124) that abuts the upward-facing surface, and an upward-facing contact surface (88, 90, 94, 102, 118) that abuts the downward-facing surface, and the downward-facing contact surface and the upward-facing contact surface are positioned offset in the front-rear direction.

[0009] In this embodiment, the portion forming the upward contact surface and the portion forming the downward contact surface of the cable-side protrusion are offset in the front-rear direction, thus reducing the vertical dimension of each portion of the cable-side protrusion. Therefore, the vertical dimension of the slider required to fix the cable fixing member can be reduced.

[0010] In the above embodiment, the slider-side projection includes a first projection (60A, 60L, 60M, 60P, 60R) having an upward surface that abuts against the downward contact surface of the cable-side projection, and a second projection (60B, 60C, 60D, 60G, 60H, 60J, 60K, 60N) having a downward surface that abuts against the upward contact surface of the cable-side projection, wherein the first projection may be positioned lower than the second projection.

[0011] According to this embodiment, the overall vertical dimension required for the slider to fix the cable fixing member can be reduced.

[0012] In the above embodiment, the slider-side projection has two second projections positioned spaced apart from each other in the front-rear direction, and the first projection may be positioned between the two second projections.

[0013] In this embodiment, the cable fixing member is reliably prevented from tilting vertically relative to the slider. Furthermore, since the cable fixing member is attached to the slider by engaging the cable-side projection with the slider-side projection, the slider with the attached cable member is easy to handle.

[0014] In the above embodiment, the two second projections and the first projection may be separated from each other.

[0015] According to this embodiment, the cable-side projection can be constructed from a single projection. This improves the rigidity of the cable-side projection.

[0016] In the above embodiment, the two second projections and the first projection may be formed integrally with each other.

[0017] According to this embodiment, the rigidity of the slider-side protrusion is improved.

[0018] In the above aspect, the second protruding piece arranged on the front side may have the rear-facing surface, and the second protruding piece arranged on the rear side may have the front-facing surface.

[0019] According to this aspect, the front-rear dimension required for the slider to fix the cable fixing member can be reduced.

[0020] In the above aspect, the slider-side protruding portion may have two of the first protruding pieces arranged at positions spaced apart from each other in the front-rear direction, and the second protruding piece may be arranged between the two first protruding pieces.

[0021] According to this aspect, it is surely prevented that the cable fixing member inclines in the vertical direction with respect to the slider. Further, by engaging the cable-side protruding portion with the slider-side protruding portion, the cable fixing member is attached to the slider, so that the handling of the slider to which the cable member is attached is good.

[0022] In the above aspect, the two first protruding pieces and the second protruding piece may be formed independently of each other.

[0023] According to this aspect, the cable-side protruding portion can be constituted by one protruding piece. Thereby, the rigidity of the cable-side protruding portion is improved.

[0024] In the above aspect, the two first protruding pieces and the second protruding piece may be integrally formed with each other.

[0025] According to this aspect, the rigidity of the slider-side protruding portion is improved.

Advantages of the Invention

[0026] According to the above aspects, the vertical dimension of the slider can be reduced.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0027] [Figure 1]Plan view of the roof portion of a vehicle equipped with a sunroof device according to the present invention [Figure 2] Perspective view of the slider and cable fixing member used in the sunroof device of Embodiment 1 [Figure 3] Exploded perspective view of a partial cross-section of the slider and cable fixing member of Embodiment 1 [Figure 4] Side view of a partial cross-section of the slider and cable fixing member of Embodiment 1 [Figure 5] Perspective view of the cable fixing member of Embodiment 1 [Figure 6] Side view of the cable fixing member of Embodiment 2 [Figure 7] Side view of the cable fixing member of Embodiment 3 [Figure 8] Side view of the cable fixing member in Embodiment 4 [Figure 9] Side view of the cable fixing member of Embodiment 5 [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0028] An embodiment of the sunroof device according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the figures. In the following description, the front-rear, left-right, and up-down directions will correspond to the directions shown in the figures, which are the same as the front-rear, left-right, and up-down directions of the vehicle.

[0029] <Embodiment 1> Embodiment 1 will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 5.

[0030] As shown in Figure 1, the sunroof device 10 is installed on the roof 14 of the vehicle 12. The sunroof device 10 has a substantially rectangular movable panel 18 that opens and closes a substantially rectangular opening 16 formed in the roof 14. The movable panel 18 is called the sunroof panel and is made of plate glass or the like.

[0031] The sunroof device 10 has left and right metal side members 20 that extend substantially horizontally in the front-rear direction along the left and right edges of the opening 16. Each side member 20 is fixed to the roof 14 (vehicle body) and has a guide rail 22 that extends substantially horizontally in the front-rear direction. A slider 24 is slidably mounted on each guide rail 22 in the front-rear direction. Each slider 24 is connected to the corresponding left and right sides of the movable panel 18 by a link member 26 (see Figure 3).

[0032] Each slider 24 has the ends of the left and right drive cables 30 (see Figure 2) secured to it by a cable fixing member 28 (see Figure 2). The left and right drive cables 30 are routed to the corresponding side members 20, extend rearward from the rear end of the side members 20, and include portions that extend in the left-right direction, guided by a guide pipe 32 fixed to the roof 14.

[0033] A drive unit 34 is provided in the roof 14, approximately in the left-right direction, behind the opening 16. The drive unit 34 has an electric motor 36 and a pinion (not shown) driven by the electric motor 36, and synchronously drives the left and right drive cables 30 in the routing direction.

[0034] The movable panel 18 moves in the front-to-back direction and opens and closes the opening 16 when the left and right drive cables 30 are driven synchronously by the drive unit 34.

[0035] Next, the fixing structure of the cable fixing member 28 to the slider 24 will be described with reference to Figures 2 to 5. The following description concerns the fixing structure of the cable fixing member 28 to the right-hand slider 24, with the left side sometimes referred to as the inner side and the right side as the outer side. Note that the fixing structure of the cable fixing member 28 to the left-hand slider 24 is symmetrical to the fixing structure to the right-hand side, so its description will be omitted.

[0036] The slider 24 is a resin molded product and, as shown in Figures 2 to 4, has a groove-shaped cross-section and vertical plate portions 40 and 42 that are spaced apart from each other and extend along the front-rear direction. The front of the outer surface 40A of the outer vertical plate portion 40 has a front rail engagement portion 48 formed thereon, which has a pair of upper and lower projections 44 and 46 that project to the right from the outer surface 40A. The rear of the outer surface 40A of the outer vertical plate portion 40 has a rear rail engagement portion 54 formed thereon, which has a pair of upper and lower projections 50 and 52 that project to the right from the outer surface 40A. The front rail engagement portion 48 and the rear rail engagement portion 54 are slidably engaged with the horizontal piece portion 22A of the guide rail 22 (see Figure 4).

[0037] The slider 24 has a slider-side projection 60 that protrudes to the right (outward) from the outer surface 40A of the vertical plate portion 40. The slider-side projection 60 includes a flat central first projection 60A with a substantially horizontal central upward surface 62, a front second projection 60B with a substantially horizontal front downward surface 64 and a substantially vertical rearward surface 66, and a rear second projection 60C with a substantially horizontal rear downward surface 68 and a substantially vertical frontward surface 70.

[0038] The central first projection 60A, the front second projection 60B, and the rear second projection 60C are provided as separate projections separated from each other in the front-rear direction; in other words, they are each independent projections. The front second projection 60B is positioned at a distance in front of the central first projection 60A. The rear second projection 60C is positioned at a distance behind the central first projection 60A. That is, the front second projection 60B and the rear second projection 60C are positioned at a distance from each other in the front-rear direction, and the central first projection 60A is positioned between the front second projection 60B and the rear second projection 60C.

[0039] A front gap 65 is provided between the central first projection 60A and the front second projection 60B. A rear gap 69 is provided between the central first projection 60A and the rear second projection 60C. The front gap 65 and the rear gap 69 are set to a size that allows the front connecting portion 80D and the rear connecting portion 80E of the cable-side projection 80, described later, to enter from the right.

[0040] The rear second projection 60C is integrally formed with the upper projection 50 of the rear rail engagement portion 54. The forward-facing surface 70 is common to the approximately vertical rear surface of the projection 50.

[0041] The amount of protrusion of the slider-side projection 60 to the right from the outer surface 40A of the vertical plate portion 40 may be the same as the amount of protrusion in the same direction of the projections 44 and 46 of the front rail engagement portion 48 and the projections 50 and 52 of the rear rail engagement portion 54.

[0042] The front second projection 60B is positioned in front of the central first projection 60A, and the rear second projection 60C is positioned behind the central first projection 60A. As a result, the central first projection 60A, the front second projection 60B, and the rear second projection 60C are positioned offset from each other in the front-rear direction on the vertical plate portion 40. Consequently, the front downward-facing surface 64, the central upward-facing surface 62, and the rear downward-facing surface 68 are positioned offset from each other in the front-rear direction on the vertical plate portion 40.

[0043] The portion of the front second projection 60B that forms the front downward-facing surface 64 and the portion of the rear second projection 60C that forms the rear downward-facing surface 68 are positioned at the same height as each other. The central first projection 60A is positioned lower than the portion of the front second projection 60B that forms the front downward-facing surface 64 and the portion of the rear second projection 60C that forms the rear downward-facing surface 68.

[0044] With this arrangement, the central upward-facing surface 62, the front downward-facing surface 64, and the rear downward-facing surface 68 of the slider-side protrusion 60 are positioned at the same height.

[0045] The cable fixing member 28 is a resin molded product and, as shown in Figures 2 to 5, is positioned to the right (outer) of the outer surface 40A of the vertical plate portion 40, and has a cable fixing portion 29 and a cable-side projection 80. The end 30A of the drive cable 30 is fixed to the cable fixing portion 29. The cable-side projection 80 protrudes downward from the cable fixing portion 29 toward the outer surface 40A of the vertical plate portion 40 in order to engage with the slider-side projection 60. The amount of protrusion of the cable-side projection 80 may be the same as the amount of protrusion of the slider-side projection 60, or slightly less than the amount of protrusion of the slider-side projection 60.

[0046] The cable-side projection 80 has a substantially horizontal central downward contact surface 86 that abuts against the central upward surface 62 of the slider-side projection 60, a substantially horizontal front upward contact surface 88 that abuts against the front downward surface 64 of the slider-side projection 60, and a substantially horizontal rear upward contact surface 90 that abuts against the rear downward surface 68 of the slider-side projection 60.

[0047] In other words, the central upward-facing surface 62 of the central first projection 60A is in contact with the central downward-facing contact surface 86 of the cable-side projection 80 of the cable fixing member 28. The front downward-facing surface 64 of the front second projection 60B is in contact with the front upward-facing contact surface 88 of the cable-side projection 80. The rear downward-facing surface 68 of the rear second projection 60C is in contact with the rear upward-facing contact surface 90 of the cable-side projection 80.

[0048] The cable-side protrusion 80 further has a substantially vertical forward-facing contact surface (front end surface) 82 that abuts against the rear-facing surface 66, and a substantially vertical rear-facing contact surface (rear end surface) 84 that abuts against the forward-facing surface 70.

[0049] As shown in Figure 5, the central downward contact surface 86 is located on the central part 80A (central third projection) in the front-rear direction of the cable-side projection 80. The front upward contact surface 88 is located in front of the central downward contact surface 86 and is located on the front part 80B (front fourth projection) of the cable-side projection 80. The rear upward contact surface 90 is located behind the central downward contact surface 86 and is located on the rear part 80C (rear fourth projection) of the cable-side projection 80.

[0050] The cable-side projection 80 has a front connecting portion 80D that connects the central portion 80A and the front portion 80B, and a rear connecting portion 80E that connects the central portion 80A and the rear portion 80C. It is configured as a single, substantially rectangular projection that is long in the front-rear direction and has a hat-shaped side cross-section. In other words, the central portion 80A that constitutes the central third projection, the front portion 80B that constitutes the front fourth projection, and the rear portion 80C that constitutes the rear fourth projection are formed integrally with each other.

[0051] As a result, the rigidity of the cable-side protrusion 80 is improved compared to when the central part 80A, the front part 80B, and the rear part 80C are separated.

[0052] The forward-facing contact surface 82, the front upward-facing contact surface 88, the central downward-facing contact surface 86, the rear upward-facing contact surface 90, and the rearward-facing contact surface 84 are positioned at the cable-side protrusion 80 at positions offset from each other in the front-rear direction.

[0053] The central portion 80A, which constitutes the central downward contact surface 86, is positioned higher than the front portion 80B, which constitutes the front upward contact surface 88, and the rear portion 80C, which constitutes the rear upward contact surface 90. As a result, the central downward contact surface 86, the front upward contact surface 88, and the rear upward contact surface 90 of the cable-side protrusion 80 are positioned at the same height as each other.

[0054] The cable fixing member 28 is attached to the slider 24 by moving the cable fixing member 28 from the right side of the slider 24 towards the outer surface 40A of the vertical plate portion 40 of the cable fixing member 28 (to the left). This movement causes the front connecting portion 80D and the rear connecting portion 80E to enter the front gap portion 65 and the rear gap portion 69, and the cable-side protrusion 80 of the cable fixing member 28 engages with the slider-side protrusion 60 of the slider 24 in the upper, lower, front, and rear directions.

[0055] As shown in Figure 4, the forward contact surface 82 of the cable-side projection 80 abuts against the rearward-facing surface 66 of the slider-side projection 60, and the rearward-facing contact surface 84 of the cable-side projection 80 abuts against the forward-facing surface 70 of the slider-side projection 60. This prevents the cable fixing member 28 from moving in the front-rear direction relative to the slider 24.

[0056] Furthermore, the central downward contact surface 86 of the cable-side projection 80 abuts against the central upward-facing surface 62 of the slider-side projection 60, and the front upward-facing contact surface 88 and the rear upward-facing contact surface 90 of the cable-side projection 80 abut against the front downward-facing surface 64 and the rear downward-facing surface 68 of the slider-side projection 60, respectively. This prevents the cable fixing member 28 from moving vertically relative to the slider 24.

[0057] In this way, the cable fixing member 28 is fixed to the slider 24 by restricting its movement in the front-to-back direction relative to the slider 24, and also by restricting its movement in the up-to-down direction relative to the slider 24.

[0058] The central upward-facing surface 62, the front downward-facing surface 64, and the rear downward-facing surface 68 of the slider-side projection 60 are positioned offset from each other in the front-rear direction. Accordingly, the central downward-facing contact surface 86, the front upward-facing contact surface 88, and the rear upward-facing contact surface 90 of the cable-side projection 80 are also positioned offset from each other in the front-rear direction. This allows the vertical dimensions of the slider 24 to be reduced compared to when they are in the same position in the front-rear direction. In other words, the vertical dimensions required for the slider 24 to fix the cable fixing member 28 can be reduced. This makes it possible to design a more compact sunroof device 10 with the slider 24.

[0059] Furthermore, the central first projection 60A of the slider-side projection 60 is positioned lower than the portion where the front second projection 60B forms the front downward-facing surface 64 and the portion where the rear second projection 60C forms the rear downward-facing surface 68. The central upward-facing surface 62, the front downward-facing surface 64, and the rear downward-facing surface 68 are all at the same height, and the central downward-facing contact surface 86, the front upward-facing contact surface 88, and the rear upward-facing contact surface 90 of the cable-side projection 80 are all at the same height. As a result, the vertical dimensions of the slider 24 can be further reduced. This makes it possible to design the sunroof device 10 having the slider 24 to be even more compact.

[0060] The amount of protrusion of the slider-side projection 60 from the outer surface 40A of the vertical plate portion 40 to the right is the same as the amount of protrusion in the same direction of the protrusions 44 and 46 of the front rail engagement portion 48 and the protrusions 50 and 52 of the rear rail engagement portion 54. The amount of protrusion of the cable-side projection 80 is the same as, or slightly less than, the amount of protrusion of the slider-side projection 60. As a result, the structure for fixing the cable fixing member 28 to the slider 24 fits within the left-right space required for engagement between the slider 24 and the guide rail 22. This prevents the left-right dimensions of the sunroof device 10 from being increased by the fixing structure of the cable fixing member 28 to the slider 24.

[0061] The contact points between the front downward-facing surface 64 and the front upward-facing contact surface 88, and between the rear downward-facing surface 68 and the rear upward-facing contact surface 90, are positioned on both the front and rear sides of the contact point between the central upward-facing surface 62 and the central downward-facing contact surface 86. This prevents the cable fixing member 28 from rotating clockwise and counterclockwise relative to the slider 24, as seen in Figure 4, around the contact point between the central upward-facing surface 62 and the central downward-facing contact surface 86. In other words, it is reliably prevented the cable fixing member 28 from tilting vertically relative to the slider 24.

[0062] Furthermore, since the slider 24 does not require an opening for attaching the cable fixing member 28, there is no reduction in rigidity due to the opening.

[0063] Since the rearward-facing surface 66 is formed on the front second projection 60B and the frontward-facing surface 70 is formed on the rear second projection 60C, the front-to-back dimensions required for the slider 24 to fix the cable fixing member 28 can be reduced compared to the case where these are provided in a different location from the front second projection 60B and the rear second projection 60C.

[0064] <Embodiment 2> Embodiment 2 will be described with reference to Figure 6. In Figure 6, parts corresponding to those in Figure 4 are given the same reference numerals as those in Figure 4, and their descriptions are omitted.

[0065] The slider-side projection 60 is configured as a single, elongated projection having a substantially horizontal central upward-facing surface 62, a substantially horizontal front downward-facing surface 64, a substantially vertical rearward-facing surface 66, a substantially horizontal rear downward-facing surface 68, and a substantially vertical forward-facing surface 70, and has an inverted hat-shaped side end. In other words, the slider-side projection 60 is integrally formed with a central second projection 60G (central part) having a central upward-facing surface 62, a front second projection 60H (front part) having a front downward-facing surface 64 and a rearward-facing surface 66, and a rear second projection 60J (rear part) having a rear downward-facing surface 68 and a forward-facing surface 70.

[0066] This configuration improves the rigidity of the slider-side projection 60 compared to the case where the central second projection 60G, the front second projection 60H, the rear second projection 60J, and the rear second projection 60J are configured separately.

[0067] The rearward-facing surface 66, the front downward-facing surface 64, the central upward-facing surface 62, the rearward-facing surface 66, the rear downward-facing surface 68, and the frontward-facing surface 70 are positioned at mutually offset positions in the front-rear direction on the slider-side projection 60.

[0068] The cable-side projection 80 has a central third projection 80F, a front fourth projection 80G positioned in front of the central third projection 80F, and a rear fourth projection 80H positioned behind the central third projection 80F, each separated from the others in the front-rear direction and functioning as three independent projections. The central third projection 80F, the front fourth projection 80G, and the rear fourth projection 80H are positioned in the cable fixing member 28 at positions offset from each other in the front-rear direction.

[0069] The central third projection 80F has a substantially horizontal central downward-facing contact surface 86. The front fourth projection 80G has a substantially horizontal front upward-facing contact surface 88 and a substantially vertical forward-facing contact surface 82. The rear fourth projection 80H has a substantially horizontal rear upward-facing contact surface 90 and a substantially vertical rearward-facing contact surface 84. The forward-facing contact surface 82, the central downward-facing contact surface 86, the front upward-facing contact surface 88, the rear upward-facing contact surface 90, and the rearward-facing contact surface 84 are positioned offset from each other in the front-rear direction.

[0070] In Embodiment 2, the slider-side projection 60 is integrally formed by a single projection, and the cable-side projection 80 is divided by three individual projections. Except for the fact that the integral and divided configurations of the projections are reversed compared to Embodiment 1, Embodiment 2 is substantially the same as Embodiment 1.

[0071] Therefore, the same effects and benefits as in Embodiment 1 can be obtained in Embodiment 2.

[0072] <Embodiment 3> Embodiment 3 will be described with reference to Figure 7. In Figure 7, parts corresponding to those in Figure 4 are given the same reference numerals as those in Figure 4, and their descriptions are omitted.

[0073] The central first projection 60A of the slider-side projection 60 is configured as two projections, one at the front and one at the rear, that are independent of each other and separated in the front-rear direction. The slider-side projection 60 further has a central second projection 60D between the two central first projections 60A. The central second projection 60D has a central downward-facing surface 92. The central downward-facing surface 92 is provided at the same height as the front downward-facing surface 64 and the rear downward-facing surface 68.

[0074] The cable-side projection 80 has two central downward contact surfaces 86, one at the front and one at the back, which individually contact the central upward surface 62 of each central first projection 60A. The cable-side projection 80 further has a central upward contact surface 94 between the two central downward contact surfaces 86, which contacts the central downward surface 92 of the central second projection 60D. The central upward contact surface 94 is provided at the same height as the front upward contact surface 88 and the rear upward contact surface 90.

[0075] As a result, in Embodiment 3, the same operation and effect as in Embodiment 1 are obtained, and the contact between the added central downward-facing surface 92 and the central upward-facing contact surface 94 more reliably prevents the cable fixing member 28 from moving upward relative to the slider 24. This improves the fixing strength of the cable fixing member 28 to the slider 24.

[0076] <Embodiment 4> Embodiment 4 will be described with reference to Figure 8. In Figure 8, parts corresponding to those in Figure 4 are given the same reference numerals as those in Figure 4, and their descriptions are omitted.

[0077] The slider-side projection 60 has a central second projection 60K with a substantially horizontal central downward-facing surface 96, a front first projection 60L with a substantially horizontal front upward-facing surface 98 and a substantially vertical rearward-facing surface 66, and a rear first projection 60M with a substantially horizontal rear upward-facing surface 100 and a substantially vertical frontward-facing surface 70.

[0078] The central second projection 60K, the front first projection 60L, and the rear first projection 60M are provided as separate projections separated from each other in the front-rear direction; in other words, they are each independent projections. The front first projection 60L is positioned at a distance in front of the central second projection 60K. The rear first projection 60M is positioned at a distance behind the central second projection 60K. That is, the front first projection 60L and the rear first projection 60M are positioned at a distance from each other in the front-rear direction, and the central second projection 60K is positioned between the front first projection 60L and the rear first projection 60M.

[0079] The portion of the front first projection 60L that constitutes the front upward surface 98 and the portion of the rear first projection 60M that constitutes the rear upward surface 100 are positioned at the same height as each other. The central second projection 60K is positioned higher than the portion of the front first projection 60L that constitutes the front upward surface 98 and the portion of the rear first projection 60M that constitutes the rear upward surface 100.

[0080] In this arrangement, the central downward-facing surface 96, the front upward-facing surface 98, and the rear upward-facing surface 100 are offset from each other in the front-to-back direction and are also positioned at the same height.

[0081] The cable-side projection 80 is integrally formed with a central fourth projection 80J, a front third projection 80K positioned in front of the central fourth projection 80J, and a rear third projection 80L positioned behind the central fourth projection 80J. The central fourth projection 80J has a central upward contact surface 102 that abuts against the central downward surface 96. The front third projection 80K has a front downward contact surface 104 that abuts against the front upward surface 98. The rear third projection 80L has a rear downward contact surface 106 that abuts against the rear upward surface 100. Thus, the cable-side projection 80 is composed of a single projection and has an inverted hat-shaped side cross-section.

[0082] The central upward contact surface 102, the front downward contact surface 104, and the rear downward contact surface 106 of the cable-side protrusion 80 are offset from each other in the front-rear direction and are positioned at the same height.

[0083] Therefore, the same effects and benefits as in Embodiment 1 can be obtained in Embodiment 4.

[0084] <Embodiment 5> Embodiment 5 will be described with reference to Figure 9. In Figure 9, parts corresponding to those in Figure 4 are given the same reference numerals as those in Figure 4, and their descriptions are omitted.

[0085] In Embodiment 5, the slider-side projection 60 is composed of a single projection having a central downward-facing surface 108, a front upward-facing surface 110 positioned in front of the central downward-facing surface 108, and a rear upward-facing surface 112 positioned behind the central downward-facing surface 108, and has a hat-shaped side cross-section. In other words, the slider-side projection 60 is integrally formed with a central second projection 60N that constitutes the central downward-facing surface 108, a front first projection 60P that constitutes the front upward-facing surface 110, and a rear first projection 60R that constitutes the rear upward-facing surface 112. The front end surface of the slider-side projection 60 constitutes a forward-facing surface 114. The rear end surface of the slider-side projection 60 constitutes a rearward-facing surface 116.

[0086] The front upward-facing surface 110, the central downward-facing surface 108, and the rear upward-facing surface 112 are offset from each other in the front-rear direction and are positioned at the same height.

[0087] The cable-side projection 80 has a central upward-facing contact surface 118 on the central third projection 80M, a front downward-facing contact surface 120 and a rearward-facing contact surface 122 on the front fourth projection 80N, and a rear downward-facing contact surface 124 and a frontward-facing contact surface 126 on the rear fourth projection 80P. The rearward-facing contact surface 122, the front downward-facing contact surface 120, the central upward-facing contact surface 118, the rear downward-facing contact surface 124, and the frontward-facing contact surface 126 are offset from each other in the front-rear direction. The front downward-facing contact surface 120, the central upward-facing contact surface 118, and the rear downward-facing contact surface 124 are positioned at the same height from each other.

[0088] The central upward contact surface 118 contacts the central downward contact surface 108. The front downward contact surface 120 and the rear downward contact surface 124 contact the front upward contact surface 110 and the rear upward contact surface 112, respectively. The rearward contact surface 122 contacts the front contact surface 114. The front contact surface 126 contacts the rearward contact surface 116.

[0089] In Embodiment 5, the slider-side protrusion 60 has substantially the same configuration as the cable-side protrusion 80 in Embodiment 1, and the cable-side protrusion 80 has substantially the same configuration as the slider-side protrusion 60 in Embodiment 1.

[0090] Therefore, the same effects and benefits as in Embodiment 1 can be obtained in Embodiment 4.

[0091] Although the present invention has been described above in terms of preferred embodiments, as will be easily understood by those skilled in the art, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments and can be modified as appropriate without departing from the spirit of the invention.

[0092] For example, the shapes of the slider-side projection 60 and the cable-side projection 80, and the configuration of the surfaces in each direction provided on the slider-side projection 60 and the cable-side projection 80, are not limited to the above embodiment and may be modified in various ways. The drive device 34 for the drive cable 30 may be located in front of the opening 16. The rearward-facing surfaces 66, 116 and the forward-facing surfaces 70, 114 may be provided in the intermediate parts in the front-rear direction of the corresponding projections.

[0093] Furthermore, not all of the components shown in the above embodiments are necessarily essential, and they can be appropriately selected and omitted as long as they do not deviate from the spirit of the present invention. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0094] 10: Sunroof device 12: Vehicles 14: Roof 16:Aperture 18: Movable panel 20: Side Member 22: Guide rail 24: Slider 28: Cable fixing component 29: Cable fixing part 30: Drive cable 40: Vertical board section 40A:Outside surface 60: Slider side protrusion 60A: Central first projection 60B: Front second protrusion 60C: Second rear protrusion 60D: Central second projection 60G: 2nd central protrusion 60H: Front second protrusion 60J: Second rear protrusion 60K: 2nd central protrusion 60L: Front first protrusion 60M: Rear side first protrusion 60N: Central second projection 60P: Front first projection 60R: Rear side first protrusion 62: Central upward-facing surface 64: Front downward-facing surface 66: Backward-facing side 68: Rear downward-facing surface 70: Forward-facing side 80: Cable side protrusion 80A: Central part (center third protrusion) 80B: Front section (front fourth projection) 80C: Rear (4th rear protrusion) 80F: 3rd central protrusion 80G: Front fourth projection 80H: 4th rear protrusion 80J: 4th center protrusion 80K: Front third projection 80L: Third protrusion on the rear side 80M: 3rd central protrusion 80N: Front fourth projection 80P: 4th protrusion on the rear side 82: Forward contact surface 84: Rear-facing contact surface 86: Central downward contact surface 88: Front upward contact surface 90: Rear upward contact surface 92: Central downward-facing surface 94: Central upward contact surface 96: Central downward-facing surface 98: Front upward-facing surface 100: Rear side facing upward 102: Central upward contact surface 104: Front downward contact surface 106: Rear downward contact surface 108: Central downward-facing surface 110: Front upward-facing surface 112: Rear upward-facing surface 114: Forward-facing side 116: Rearward-facing side 118: Central upward contact surface 120: Front downward contact surface 122: Rear-facing contact surface 124: Rear downward contact surface 126: Forward contact surface

Claims

1. A movable panel that opens and closes an opening formed in the roof of the vehicle, Side members extending in the front-rear direction along the left and right edges of the opening and equipped with guide rails, A slider connected to the movable panel and sliding along the guide rail to drive the movable panel, The drive cable routed to the side member, A sunroof device comprising a cable fixing member connected to the drive cable and for fixing the drive cable to the slider, The slider has a vertical plate portion extending along the front-rear direction and a slider-side projection portion projecting laterally from the outer surface of the vertical plate portion. The cable fixing member has a cable fixing portion that is positioned to the side of the outer surface of the vertical plate portion and fixed to the drive cable, and a cable side projection that protrudes from the cable fixing portion toward the outer surface of the vertical plate portion in order to engage with the slider side projection, The slider-side protrusion has a forward-facing surface, a rear-facing surface, an upward-facing surface, and a downward-facing surface. The cable-side protrusion has a rearward contact surface that abuts the forward surface, a forward contact surface that abuts the rearward surface, a downward contact surface that abuts the upward surface, and an upward contact surface that abuts the downward surface. The slider-side projection includes a first projection having an upward-facing surface that abuts against the downward-facing contact surface of the cable-side projection, and a second projection having a downward-facing surface that abuts against the upward-facing contact surface of the cable-side projection, wherein the first projection is positioned lower than the second projection. The cable-side projection includes a third projection that overlaps the first projection vertically and has a downward contact surface, and a fourth projection that overlaps the second projection vertically and has an upward contact surface. A sunroof device in which the downward contact surface and the upward contact surface are positioned offset from each other in the front-rear direction.

2. The sunroof device according to claim 1, wherein the slider-side projection has two second projections positioned spaced apart from each other in the front-rear direction, and the first projection is positioned between the two second projections.

3. The sunroof device according to claim 2, wherein the two second projections and the first projection are separated from each other.

4. The sunroof device according to claim 2, wherein the two second projections and the first projection are integrally formed with respect to each other.

5. The sunroof device according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the second projection positioned at the front has the rearward-facing surface, and the second projection positioned at the rear has the forward-facing surface.

6. The sunroof device according to claim 1, wherein the slider-side projection has two first projections positioned spaced apart from each other in the front-rear direction, and the second projection is positioned between the two first projections.

7. The sunroof device according to claim 6, wherein the two first projections and the second projections are formed independently of each other.

8. The sunroof device according to claim 6, wherein the two first projections and the second projections are integrally formed with respect to each other.

Images