Rollo Assembly Aligning Pins for Guide Channel Precision

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing open roof constructions for vehicles do not effectively maximize daylight performance due to limitations in the design of rollo assemblies, which hinder the alignment and guiding of rollo screen edges and operating beam ends during assembly and disassembly.

Innovation Solution

The rollo assembly incorporates aligning means with fixed position channels and translatable aligning pins that ensure proper alignment and smooth guiding of the rollo screen edges and operating beam ends, allowing for a detachable unit that can be assembled and disassembled without obstructing the roof opening, thereby maximizing daylight performance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If the guide channels are divided into removable first guide channel part and second guide channel part, then the rollo assembly can be disassembled for maintenance and the effective roof opening is maximized, but the alignment precision between parts may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of assembly and disassemblyVSAvoidalignment precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The guide channel is divided into a first guide channel part (removable) and a second guide channel part (fixed), allowing the rollo assembly to be disassembled for maintenance while maintaining proper alignment through aligning pins that ensure precise positioning when reassembled

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Aligning pins are provided to preliminarily establish the correct alignment between the first and second guide channel parts before the rollo screen and operating beam are installed, ensuring that the split guide channels will work together seamlessly without requiring complex adjustment procedures

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Ease of operation

If the aligning pins are made translatable between release position and aligning position, then the ease of assembly is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of assemblyVSAvoidalignment mechanism complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The aligning pins are designed to be translatable between a release position (for easy assembly/disassembly) and an aligning position (for precise positioning), providing dynamic adaptability that simplifies the assembly process while ensuring proper alignment when engaged

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP3176016B1Rollo assembly
Publication Date: 2019.04.03 INALFA ROOF SYST GROUP
  • EP3176016B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3176016B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3176016B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A rollo assembly intended for use in an open roof construction for a vehicle, comprises a rotatable winding shaft, a rollo screen of which a rear end can be wound on or off said winding shaft and of which an opposite forward end is provided with an operating beam, and opposite guide channels for in a longitudinal direction guiding opposite side edges of the rollo screen and opposite ends of the operating beam. Each of the guide channels is divided into a removable first guide channel part closest to the winding shaft and a second guide channel part further away from the winding shaft, wherein aligning means are provided for, in an assembled position of the rollo assembly, aligning respective ones of the first and second guide channel parts.