Movable Slider Unit for Vehicle Roof Tolerance Compensation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing roof systems for motor vehicles with tilt-and-slide roof elements face challenges in compensating for manufacturing tolerances, thermal expansions, and dynamic loads during rough surface driving, which current slider units are unable to effectively absorb.
Innovation Solution
A slider unit with a movable slide body and mounting unit that allows movement in multiple directions and pivoting about predefined axes, utilizing a clearance and/or elastic compensation elements to balance dynamic loads, eliminating the need for additional damping devices and simplifying the system design.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the slider unit uses a fixed rigid mounting structure, then the structural design is simpler, but it cannot compensate for dynamic loads and tolerances during rough surface driving
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting unit incorporates a slide body that is movable relative to the mounting unit in at least two directions and/or pivotable about two axes within predefined limits. This dynamic mounting structure allows the slider unit to adapt to dynamic loads and tolerances during rough surface driving, eliminating the need for additional damping devices while maintaining reliable compensation.
2Reliability
If additional damping devices are added to compensate for dynamic loads, then the compensation performance is improved, but the structural design becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The damping function is integrated into the mounting unit itself through the movable slide body design. The slide body's ability to move and pivot within predefined limits provides inherent damping capability, merging the compensation function into the existing mounting structure and eliminating the need for separate damping devices.
3Manufacturing precision
If the slide body is rigidly fixed in the mounting unit, then the manufacturing precision is easier to achieve, but it cannot absorb tolerances and thermal expansions
Solution Approach 1:
The slide body is designed to be movable relative to the mounting unit in at least two directions and/or pivotable about two axes within predefined limits. This dynamic design inherently absorbs manufacturing tolerances and thermal expansions, making the system less sensitive to precision requirements while maintaining ease of manufacture.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The slider unit effectively compensates for dynamic loads and tolerances, ensuring stable operation of the roof system during adjustments and driving over rough surfaces, without the need for additional damping, resulting in a simpler structural design.
Implementation Method 1
an elastic compensation element is provided which is arranged between the mounting unit and the slide body. The movability and/or pivotability of the slide body relative to the mounting body is made possible at least in part by an elastic deformation of the compensation element. In addition, jolt-like dynamic loads are damped, and thus particularly well compensated for, by elastic deformation of the compensation element.
Implementation Method 2
The slide body can be at least in part formed of an elastic material. Accordingly, at least some of the movability and/or pivotability of the slide body relative to the mounting body is provided by elastic deformations of the slide body itself. In addition, jolt-like loads are damped by elastic deformations of the slide body.
Data Source
AI summary
A slider unit for a roof system of a motor vehicle has a slide body and a mounting unit which has a recess in which the slide body is accommodated. The slide body is mounted in the mounting unit such that, relative to the mounting unit, the slide body is movable in at least two directions in each case limited to a predefined distance and/or is pivotable about two axes limited to a predefined angle.