Sunroof structure for vehicle

Abstract

A sunroof structure (1) for a vehicle comprises: a roof glass (10) that has a dimming function and is attached to a roof panel (30) of the vehicle; and a controller (20) that controls the dimming state of the roof glass (10). The controller (20) is fixed to a cabin-side surface (10b) of the roof glass (10).

Description

Vehicle sunroof structure

[0001] The present invention relates to a sunroof structure for a vehicle.

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a vehicle equipped with a roof window glass. This roof window glass is a so-called light-controlling glass having a light-controlling function. The light-controlling state of the light-controlling glass (i.e., transparent state or opaque state) is switched depending on the voltage applied to the light-controlling glass. The voltage applied to the roof window glass is controlled by a controller.

[0003] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2020-083170

[0004] In a sunroof structure equipped with roof glass having a dimming function, the wiring to the roof glass and the wiring to accessories such as map lamps are mixed on the vehicle roof panel, which can make assembly work complicated.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide a sunroof structure for a vehicle that can suppress the complexity of assembly work.

[0006] A sunroof structure for a vehicle according to one aspect of the present invention includes a roof glass and a controller. The roof glass has a light-adjusting function and is attached to a roof panel of the vehicle. The controller controls the light-adjusting state of the roof glass. The controller is fixed to the surface of the roof glass facing the passenger compartment.

[0007] According to the above-described vehicle sunroof structure, it is possible to prevent the assembly work from becoming complicated.

[0008] Fig. 1 is a bottom view showing an example of a roof glass of a sunroof structure according to this embodiment. Fig. 2 is a perspective view of a controller. Fig. 3 is a side view showing a state in which the controller is fixed to the roof glass. Fig. 4 is an exploded perspective view illustrating the assembly process of the sunroof structure. Fig. 5 is a top view showing an opening in a headlining and its surroundings during assembly.

[0009] A sunroof structure 1 according to an embodiment will now be described with reference to the drawings. In each drawing, FR and RR indicate the front and rear in the vehicle longitudinal direction, respectively. LH and RH indicate the left and right in the vehicle width direction, respectively. UP and DN indicate the upper and lower in the vehicle vertical direction, respectively. The center of the vehicle in the vehicle width direction is referred to as the inner side in the vehicle width direction, and the opposite side from the inner side in the vehicle width direction is referred to as the outer side in the vehicle width direction. In the following description, the front and rear in the vehicle longitudinal direction, the front and rear sides in the vehicle longitudinal direction, the left and right sides in the vehicle width direction, and the upper and lower sides in the vehicle vertical direction will be simply referred to as "front," "rear," "front side," "rear side," "left side," "right side," "upper," and "lower," respectively. In the following description, elements having the same functions will be designated by the same reference numerals, and redundant description will be omitted.

[0010] Fig. 1 is a bottom view showing an example of a roof glass 10 of a sunroof structure 1. Fig. 2 is a perspective view of a controller 20. Fig. 3 is a side view showing a state in which the controller 20 is fixed to the roof glass 10. The sunroof structure 1 is applied to a roof panel 30 (see Fig. 4) of a vehicle.

[0011] As shown in FIG. 1, the sunroof structure 1 includes a roof glass 10 and a controller 20. The roof glass 10 is a glass plate having an upper surface 10a (see FIG. 3) and a lower surface 10b. The lower surface 10b is the surface of the roof glass 10 facing the passenger compartment. The roof glass 10 is attached to a roof panel 30 of a vehicle. Specifically, the lower surface 10b of the roof glass 10 is attached to an outer periphery 32 (see FIG. 4) of an opening 31 formed in the roof panel 30. The outer shape of the roof glass 10 substantially matches the outer shape of the outer periphery 32 (see FIG. 4).

[0012] The roof glass 10 includes a light-controlling film (not shown). The light transmittance or light-control state of the light-controlling film is controlled by applying a voltage from the controller 20. In other words, the roof glass 10 is a so-called light-controlling glass that has a light-controlling function. The light-controlling film is formed at least in a portion of the roof glass 10 where the transparent portion 11 is set, and is electrically connected to one end of a cable 13.

[0013] The cable 13 is, for example, a flat cable, and extends along the lower surface 10b of the roof glass 10. As described above, one end of the cable 13 is electrically connected to the light control film. On the other hand, the other end of the cable 13 is electrically connected to an end cap (connector) 14 fixed to the lower surface 10b. For convenience of explanation, the connector will be referred to as a male connector or a female connector.

[0014] The roof glass 10 includes a transparent portion 11 and a dark portion 12. The transparent portion 11 is a portion of the roof glass 10 where the dimming state set in the dimming film can be visually confirmed. Therefore, when the dimming film is set to the transparent state, the transparent portion 11 becomes transparent, and when the dimming film is set to the opaque state, the transparent portion 11 becomes opaque.

[0015] The transparent portion 11 is located directly above the opening 31 in the roof panel 30 and the opening 41 in the headlining 40 (see FIG. 4 ). Therefore, vehicle occupants can view the space outside the vehicle through the transparent portion 11 of the roof glass 10. The shape of the transparent portion 11 is not particularly limited. For example, as shown in FIG. 1 , the shape of the transparent portion 11 may be a rectangle having a side extending in the vehicle longitudinal direction and a side extending in the vehicle width direction.

[0016] The dark color portion 12 is provided on the peripheral edge of the roof glass 10. That is, the dark color portion 12 is a portion of the roof glass 10 that is set outside the transparent portion 11 so as to surround the outer periphery of the transparent portion 11. A light-blocking film (not shown) having light-blocking properties is formed in the dark color portion 12. The color of the dark color portion 12, i.e., the light-blocking film, is black, for example. Note that the color of the dark color portion 12 may be a color other than black as long as the desired light-blocking properties are achieved.

[0017] The controller 20 is an electronic control unit (ECU) that applies a predetermined voltage to the light control film of the roof glass 10 to obtain a desired light control state, and includes, for example, a central processing unit (CPU), a memory, etc. For example, the controller 20 switches the light control state of the roof glass 10 from an opaque state to a transparent state by applying a voltage. Whether the roof glass 10 becomes transparent or opaque in response to the application of voltage depends on the specifications of the light control film. The application of voltage to the roof glass 10 by the controller 20 is controlled by a body control module (hereinafter referred to as BCM), not shown.

[0018] As shown in Figures 1 and 3, the controller 20 is fixed to the lower surface 10b of the roof glass 10. For example, the controller 20 is fixed near the end cap 14 fixed to the lower surface 10b. Also, as shown in Figure 2, the controller 20 is provided with at least two connectors 21 and 22. The connectors 21 and 22 are attached to the side surface 20a of the controller 20, for example. A connector 63 of a cable 61 is attached to the connector 21. A connector 16 of a cable 15 connected to the end cap 14 is attached to the connector 22. The cable 61 is one of the cables of the harness 60 (see Figure 5) connected to the BCM.

[0019] As shown in Fig. 1, the controller 20 may be fixed to a portion of the lower surface 10b of the roof glass 10 where the dark colored portion 12 is provided. A headlining 40 (see Fig. 4) is located below the roof glass 10. The headlining 40 is attached to the roof panel 30 from below.

[0020] The controller 20 may be fixed to the front portion of the roof glass 10. For example, in a vehicle in which a radio or television antenna (not shown) is attached to the rear of the roof panel 30, the distance between the controller 20 and the antenna is longer than when the controller 20 is fixed to the rear portion of the roof glass 10. This makes it possible to reduce the effects of radiated noise from the controller 20, the cable 13, etc. In other words, it is possible to reduce the effects of so-called radio noise.

[0021] 2 and 3, a heat-resistant part 25 is attached to the upper surface 20b of the controller 20. The heat-resistant part 25 is fixed to the lower surface 10b of the roof glass 10. In other words, the controller 20 is fixed to the roof glass 10 via the heat-resistant part 25. The heat-resistant part 25 is a plate member made of a material with low thermal conductivity, such as polyamide resin.

[0022] The heat-resistant component 25 may include a pair of legs 26, 26 and a protrusion 27 provided between the pair of legs 26, 26 and fixed to the roof glass 10. That is, the heat-resistant component 25 may have a so-called hat shape. Each leg 26 is formed in a flat plate shape that is approximately parallel to the upper surface 20b of the controller 20, and functions as a mounting surface for the controller 20.

[0023] The controller 20 may be detachably attached to the heat-resistant component 25. In this case, each leg 26 and the controller 20 have portions that engage with each other. For example, as shown in FIG. 2 , elastically deformable claws 23 are provided on the edge of the top surface 20b of the controller 20. Meanwhile, notches 28 that engage with the claws 23 are formed on the edge of each leg 26. This makes it possible to easily replace the controller 20.

[0024] The protrusion 27 protrudes from the pair of legs 26, 26 toward the roof glass 10 (i.e., upward) and is spaced apart from the upper surface 20b of the controller 20. The protrusion 27 has a flat surface 27a facing the lower surface 10b of the roof glass 10. An adhesive is filled between this flat surface 27a and the lower surface 10b of the roof glass 10, and the heat-resistant part 25 is fixed to the roof glass 10.

[0025] The shape of the heat-resistant part 25 is not limited to a hat shape, and may be, for example, a flat plate parallel to the upper surface 20b of the controller 20, or any other shape as long as it securely engages with the controller 20. Furthermore, if the heat from the roof glass 10 does not interfere with the operation of the controller 20, or if the heat generated by the controller 20 itself is not excessively large, high performance is not required for the heat insulation properties of the heat-resistant part 25 or the heat dissipation properties of the controller 20. In this case, the shape of the heat-resistant part 25 can be simplified, and in some cases the heat-resistant part 25 can be omitted. In the latter case, the upper surface 20b of the controller 20 can be directly fixed to the lower surface 10b of the roof glass 10 with an adhesive.

[0026] Fig. 4 is an exploded perspective view illustrating the assembly process of the sunroof structure 1. Fig. 5 is a top view showing the opening 41 in the headlining 40 and its surroundings during assembly. For ease of explanation, an example is shown in which the controller 20 is directly fixed to the underside 10b of the roof glass 10. In this example, the fixing position of the controller 20 is set to the front portion of the roof glass 10.

[0027] First, the controller 20 is fixed to the underside 10b of the roof glass 10. Furthermore, one end of the cable 13 is attached to the end cap 14, and the other end of the cable 13 is attached to the connector 22 of the controller 20 (see FIG. 3). Note that there may be cases where a roof glass assembly is prepared in which the controller 20 is fixed to the roof glass 10 in advance and the end cap 14 and the connector 22 are wired in advance. In this case, the above-mentioned work of fixing the controller 20 and the work of connecting the end cap 14 and the connector 22 can be omitted.

[0028] Next, the roof glass 10 is fixed to the vehicle body. Specifically, the roof glass 10 is attached to the roof panel 30 from above. The roof glass 10 is fixed to the roof panel 30, for example, with an adhesive. At this time, the roof glass 10 is fixed to the roof panel 30 with its lower surface 10b facing downward. The opening 31 in the roof panel 30 has a shape whose inner peripheral edge surrounds at least the transparent portion 11, end caps 14, and controller 20 of the roof glass 10 in a top view. Therefore, when the roof glass 10 is attached to the roof panel 30, the transparent portion 11, end caps 14, and controller 20 are located inside the opening 31 in a top view.

[0029] Next, the headlining 40 is fixed to the vehicle body. Specifically, the headlining 40 is attached to the roof panel 30 from below. An opening 41 is formed in the headlining 40. The opening 41 has approximately the same dimensions as the transparent portion 11 of the roof glass 10, and is located directly below the transparent portion 11 when the headlining 40 is attached to the roof panel 30.

[0030] An opening 42 is also formed in the headlining 40. The opening 42 is open toward the vehicle interior. An accessory 50 such as a lighting device or a video device is attached to the opening 42. The lighting device is, for example, a map lamp or a reading light, and the video device is, for example, a ceiling monitor. For example, if the accessory 50 is a map lamp, the opening 42 is formed in front of the opening 41.

[0031] 5, when the headlining 40 is attached to the roof panel 30, at least a portion of the socket 21a of the connector 21 is located in an area that overlaps with the opening 42 in a top view. In other words, the controller 20 is fixed to the lower surface 10b of the roof glass 10 so as to satisfy this condition.

[0032] Furthermore, when the headlining 40 is attached to the roof panel 30, a harness 60 is already routed in the vehicle body. The harness 60 includes at least two cables 61, 62 connected to the BCM. A connector 63 is attached to an end of the cable 61, and a connector 64 is attached to an end of the cable 62. The connectors 63, 64 are pre-positioned in an area of ​​the roof panel 30 that corresponds to the opening 42. Therefore, when the headlining 40 is attached to the roof panel 30, the connectors 63, 64 can be positioned inside the opening 42 in a top view.

[0033] Next, the harness 60 is connected to the controller 20 and the accessory 50. As described above, when the roof glass 10 and the headlining 40 are attached to the roof panel 30, part or all of the socket 21a of the connector 21 is located in an area that overlaps with the opening 42 in a top view. The connectors 63 and 64 are located within the opening 42 in a top view. The worker grasps the connector 63 through the opening 42 and attaches the connector 63 to the socket 21a. The worker also grasps the connector 64 through the opening 42 and attaches the connector 64 to the accessory 50. The accessory 50 is then attached to the opening 42, completing the assembly process.

[0034] The position of the opening 42 is not limited to being in front of the opening 41, and can be changed depending on the type of accessory 50 attached to the opening 42. For example, if the accessory 50 is a reading light for the rear seats, the opening 42 is disposed to the left or right of the opening 41. In this case, the controller 20 is also disposed to the left or right of the transparent portion 11 in accordance with the position of the opening 42. Furthermore, if the accessory 50 is a ceiling monitor for the rear seats, the opening 42 is disposed behind the opening 41. In this case, the controller 20 is also disposed behind the transparent portion 11 in accordance with the position of the opening 42. The number of openings 42 is not limited to one. If multiple openings 42 are formed, the controller 20 will be located above any one of the multiple openings 42.

[0035] The effects of the sunroof structure 1 according to this embodiment will be described.

[0036] (1) The sunroof structure 1 includes a roof glass 10 having a light-adjusting function and attached to a roof panel 30 of a vehicle, and a controller 20 that controls the light-adjusting state of the roof glass 10. The controller 20 is fixed to the underside 10b of the roof glass 10 (i.e., the surface facing the passenger compartment). This allows the length of the cable 13 to be shorter than when the controller 20 is installed somewhere other than the roof glass 10 (e.g., a rear pillar). The cable 13 is routed along the underside 10b of the roof glass 10 within the area where the roof glass 10 is located when viewed from above or below, connecting the roof glass 10 and the controller 20. This prevents the cable 13 from becoming tangled with other components during installation of the roof glass 10, thereby minimizing the complexity of the assembly process.

[0037] (2) The roof glass 10 may have a dark-colored portion 12 at its edge, and the controller 20 may be fixed to a portion of the underside 12b of the roof glass 10 where the dark-colored portion 12 is provided. In this case, the controller 20 is located between the dark-colored portion 12 and the headlining 40 in the vertical direction of the vehicle and is hidden by them. Therefore, the controller 20 is difficult to see from both the outside and the passenger compartment of the vehicle, improving the design of the vehicle. Furthermore, by pre-wiring the end cap 14 and the connector 22 within the area of ​​the dark-colored portion 12, the wiring work required after the roof glass 10 is fixed to the vehicle body can be reduced, thereby improving work efficiency.

[0038] (3) The sunroof structure 1 may include a headlining 40 having an opening 42 that opens toward the vehicle interior, and the controller 20 may include a connector 21 having a receptacle 21a for the harness 60 (specifically, the cable 61). Furthermore, at least a portion of the receptacle 21a may be located in an area that overlaps with the opening 42 in a top view. In this case, using the opening 42 as an access port facilitates the wiring of the harness 60 to the controller 20. Furthermore, when an accessory 50 is attached to the opening 42, the wiring of the harness 60 to the controller 20 and the wiring of the harness 60 (specifically, the cable 62) to the accessory 50 can be performed without intervening between other processes. In other words, these wiring operations can be completed essentially in one step by using the opening 42 as an access port.

[0039] (4) The sunroof structure 1 may include a heat-resistant part 25 attached to the controller 20. In this case, the controller 20 is fixed to the roof glass 10 via the heat-resistant part 25. The heat-resistant part 25 suppresses heat transfer from the roof glass 10, which is heated by sunlight, to the controller 20. This makes it possible to prevent thermal runaway of the controller 20.

[0040] (5) The heat-resistant part 25 may include a protrusion 27 that is spaced apart from the controller 20 and fixed to the roof glass 10. In this case, a cavity 29 is formed between the protrusion 27 and the controller 20, making it even more difficult for heat from the roof glass 10 to be transmitted to the controller 20. In addition, heat generated by the controller 20 itself is also more easily released from the upper surface 20b, improving the heat dissipation performance of the controller 20.

[0041] The above-described embodiments are merely examples described to facilitate understanding of the invention. The technical scope of the invention is not limited to the specific technical matters disclosed in the above-described embodiments, but also includes various modifications, changes, alternative technologies, etc. that can be easily derived therefrom.

[0042] 1 sunroof structure, 10 roof glass, 12 darkened portion, 20 controller, 21 connector, 21a socket, 25 heat-resistant part, 26 leg, 27 protrusion, 30 roof panel, 40 headlining, 42 opening

Claims

1. A sunroof structure for a vehicle, comprising: roof glass having a dimming function and attached to a roof panel of a vehicle; and a controller that controls the dimming state of the roof glass, wherein the controller is fixed to the surface of the roof glass facing the passenger compartment.

2. A sunroof structure for a vehicle as described in claim 1, wherein the roof glass has a dark-colored portion with light-blocking properties at its edge, and the controller is fixed to the portion of the surface where the dark-colored portion is provided.

3. A sunroof structure for a vehicle as described in claim 2, comprising a headlining having an opening that opens toward the passenger compartment, the controller including a connector having a harness receptacle, and at least a portion of the receptacle is located in an area that overlaps with the opening in a top view.

4. A sunroof structure for a vehicle according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising a heat-resistant part attached to the controller, the controller being fixed to the roof glass via the heat-resistant part.

5. The sunroof structure for a vehicle according to claim 4, wherein the heat-resistant part includes a protrusion spaced apart from the controller and fixed to the roof glass.

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