Vehicle Moonroof Adjacent to Windshield and Backlite
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Solution Overview
Problem
Designing vehicles with panoramic moonroofs poses challenges in maintaining styling, occupant headroom, safety, torsional rigidity, complexity, and durability, as large moonroofs compromise rigidity and headroom, while smaller ones introduce additional glass panels that mar styling and increase complexity and maintenance demands.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle design featuring a moveable moonroof that is adjacent to both the windshield and backlite in its closed position, providing a uniform glass appearance with only two split lines, improving headroom and durability, and enhancing torsional rigidity by positioning the rear cross-member forward to increase load path proximity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Shape
If a large panoramic moonroof is used, then styling and uniform glass appearance are improved, but torsional rigidity decreases and headroom is impinged
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the large panoramic glass area into multiple separate glass panels (windshield, front side windows, rear side windows, backlite) joined by structural pillars. This segmentation allows the moonroof to maintain a large uniform appearance while the pillars preserve structural integrity and torsional rigidity.
Solution Approach 2:
The moonroof assembly is positioned within the vehicle body structure, with the drive motor nested in the rear center area. The glass panels are nested between the body pillars, allowing the large glass area to fit within the structural framework without compromising strength.
2Shape
If a large panoramic moonroof is used, then styling and uniform glass appearance are improved, but occupant headroom decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent positions the moonroof drive motor in the rear center area and uses a compact folding mechanism that moves the moonroof panel along the B-pillar and C-pillar areas. This spatial arrangement in multiple dimensions allows the large glass appearance while preserving vertical headroom for rear passengers.
3Shape
If additional glass panels are added to achieve uniform appearance, then styling is improved, but design complexity and maintenance demands increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs the moonroof system with a universal structure where the same basic components (glass panels, pillars, mounting systems) serve multiple functions. The front and rear glass panels can serve as both structural elements and aesthetic features, reducing the need for specialized parts and simplifying the overall design.
4Shape
If additional glass panels are added to achieve uniform appearance, then styling is improved, but durability decreases due to increased leak paths
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges adjacent glass panels and structural pillars into integrated assemblies. The front glass panel is joined with the A-pillar and B-pillar structures, while the rear glass panel is integrated with the C-pillar and rear window frame. This merging reduces the number of separate joints and potential leak paths compared to fully separate panel designs.
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle includes a windshield, a backlite spaced from the windshield, and a moonroof. The moonroof is moveable relative to the windshield and the backlite between a closed position and an open position. When in the closed position, the moonroof is adjacent to both the windshield and the backlite.