Vehicle Roof Roller Blind Assembly with Movable Guide Elements

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing vehicle roofs with roller blind arrangements are difficult to install after the roof is fixed to the vehicle body shell, as the installation space becomes inaccessible, limiting the ability to retrofit or adjust the blind system post-installation.

Innovation Solution

The vehicle roof design features lateral bearing units with movable roller blind guide elements that can be fixed to the roof-mounted support section from below, allowing for modular assembly and retrofitting of the roller blind arrangement, enabling installation and adjustment even after the roof is attached to the vehicle body.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If the roller blind arrangement is completely preassembled before roof installation, then the assembly structure is stable and complete, but the installation space becomes inaccessible and retrofitting is impossible

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveassembly completenessVSAvoidretrofit capability
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The bearing unit is divided into two independent parts: a bearing block fixed to the bearing shell and a roller blind guide element that can be separately positioned and fixed to the roof-mounted support section. This segmentation allows the roller blind arrangement to be assembled in stages, enabling retrofitting after roof installation while maintaining assembly stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The bearing block is preliminarily fixed to the bearing shell during module assembly, while the roller blind guide element is left unfixed until the final positioning step. This preliminary action allows the structure to be prepared in advance while retaining the flexibility to complete the assembly later when the roof is installed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Ease of operation

If the roller blind arrangement is assembled from above, then the bearing units can be easily positioned, but the installation requires the roof to be accessible from above and complicates automated assembly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepositioning easeVSAvoidautomated assembly capability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of assembling the roller blind arrangement from above, the bearing shell is fixed to the roof-mounted support section from below, and the roller blind guide elements are positioned and fixed from below as well. This inversion simplifies automated assembly and allows installation after the roof is mounted, while the bearing block still provides stable positioning.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The bearing block acts as an intermediary component that is fixed to the bearing shell and provides a stable base from which the roller blind guide element can be positioned. This intermediary structure enables easy positioning while allowing access from below for automated assembly operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Quantity of substance

If the roller blind arrangement covers the maximum roof area, then the shading coverage is maximized, but the roof viewing area is obstructed

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveshading coverageVSAvoidroof viewing area
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The roller blind arrangement is designed with lateral bearing units positioned at the edges of the transparent roof section, concentrating the shading function at the boundaries while leaving the central roof area clear for viewing. This local quality approach maximizes shading coverage where needed while preserving the roof viewing area.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentEP3774419B1Vehicle roof comprising a roller blind asembly with roller bearing support units.
Publication Date: 2022.07.13 WEBASTO AG
  • EP3774419B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3774419B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3774419B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a vehicle roof comprising at least one transparent roof section, a support section fixed to the roof, and a roller blind arrangement (15) for selectively shading or at least partly exposing the transparent roof section, wherein said roller blind arrangement has at least one roller blind unit (16, 17) which comprises a roller blind (18, 19) that can be wound up to form a roller blind winding (20, 21) and a respective lateral bearing unit (30) on both sides with respect to the vertical longitudinal central plane of the roof. The roller blind winding (20, 21) is arranged between two lateral bearing units (30), and the roller blind arrangement (15) comprises a bearing shell (24), on which the at least one roller blind unit (16, 17) is secured via the lateral bearing units (30) and which is fixed to the at least one support section from below. The bearing units (30) each comprise a bracket (301), which is fixed to the bearing shell (15), and a roller blind guide element which can be displaced in a pre-installation position with respect to the bracket and is secured in an installed position to the support section fixed to the roof.