Modular Sliding Roof System Adaptable Frame Elements
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing technologies for sliding or tilting roofs in vehicles require separate constructions and tools for different vehicle roof geometries, leading to high production costs due to the need for identical roof contours and varying D-lines, resulting in increased costs for adapting to different vehicle roof widths and lengths.
Innovation Solution
A modular system with adaptable cover and frame elements, utilizing interchangeable tool parts to adjust the geometry of the sliding or tilting roof components, allowing the same kinematics and components to be used across various vehicle roof sizes, thereby reducing production costs and enabling cost-effective realization for different vehicle roofs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If separate sliding or tilting roofs are constructed for different vehicle roof geometries, then the roof can be precisely adapted to specific vehicle variants, but production costs increase due to the need for different tools and separate constructions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal tool that can produce multiple different frame elements and cover elements for various vehicle roof geometries. The tool includes interchangeable tool parts (such as different forming inserts or molds) that allow the same tool to manufacture different roof components without requiring separate dedicated tools for each vehicle variant, thereby reducing production costs while maintaining adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The tool is divided into modular, interchangeable parts that can be swapped out depending on the required roof geometry. This segmentation allows the tool to be reconfigured for different vehicle variants without replacing the entire tooling system, enabling cost-effective production of adapted roof components.
2Ease of manufacture
If the same kinematics and components are used across various vehicle roof sizes, then production costs are reduced, but the roof opening geometry must be standardized
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a universal tool design that can produce frame elements and cover elements for different roof opening geometries using the same basic tool structure. By incorporating interchangeable tool parts, the system maintains economy of scale while accommodating geometric variations required for different vehicle variants.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a modular system for sliding or pop-up roofs (10, 10') for application in different roof openings (20, 24) of vehicle roofs (12, 22), wherein the sliding or pop-up roof has at least one cover element (14, 14'), a kinematic system with a roof drive (21) for displacing the cover element (14, 14') between a position opening the roof opening and a position closing the roof opening, and a frame element for arranging the cover element and the kinematic system with the roof drive on the respective vehicle roof, wherein customised frame elements (16, 16') and cover elements (14, 14') are provided for adapting to different roof openings.