Vehicle Roof Drive System with Pivoting Compensating Element
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing drive systems for movable roof parts in vehicles face challenges in efficiently transferring the roof part into various intermediate and end positions without obstructing adjacent components, leading to increased overall height and reduced headroom within the vehicle.
Innovation Solution
The drive system employs a compensating element, such as a pivoting compensating lever with a control section and compensating extension, and a latching arrangement, allowing the roof part to be moved past adjacent components by synchronizing the movement of the control carriage and guide arrangement, reducing the need for multiple guide tracks and enabling a single guide level, thus lowering the overall height and increasing headroom.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple guide tracks are used to transfer the roof part into different positions, then the roof part can be reliably transferred without contacting adjacent components, but the overall height of the drive system increases and headroom within the vehicle decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple guide tracks into a single guide level by integrating the functions of separate guide tracks into one unified structure. The compensating element works in conjunction with the single guide track to achieve the same reliable transfer function that previously required multiple separate tracks, thereby reducing the overall height of the drive system and increasing headroom.
Solution Approach 2:
The compensating element acts as an intermediary mechanism that enables the roof part to be transferred reliably along a single guide level. It compensates for positional variations and ensures smooth transfer without contacting adjacent components, replacing the need for multiple guide tracks while maintaining transfer reliability.
2Length of stationary object
If the drive system is designed with higher headroom, then more space is available within the vehicle interior, but the complexity of the drive system increases
Solution Approach 1:
The single guide level is designed to perform multiple functions that previously required separate guide tracks. It handles both the transfer of the roof part into different positions and the coordination with the compensating element, reducing overall system complexity while enabling increased headroom.
Solution Approach 2:
The compensating element introduces dynamic adjustment capabilities that allow the drive system to adapt to different positions and configurations within a single guide level. This dynamic mechanism simplifies the overall structure compared to multiple fixed guide tracks while maintaining the ability to achieve various roof part positions.
3Length of stationary object
If a single guide level is used to reduce overall height, then headroom increases, but the roof part may contact adjacent components during movement
Solution Approach 1:
The compensating element serves as an intermediary that prevents direct contact between the roof part and adjacent components during transfer along the single guide level. It absorbs and compensates for positional variations, ensuring smooth passage without interference while maintaining the reduced overall height of the drive system.
Solution Approach 2:
The compensating element dynamically adjusts parameters such as position and orientation during the transfer process, allowing the roof part to navigate through the limited space of a single guide level without contacting adjacent components. This parameter adjustment enables safe transfer within the constrained vertical space.
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
This solution allows for reliable transfer of the roof part into different positions without contacting adjacent components, reducing the overall height of the drive system and increasing headroom within the vehicle, while maintaining functional reliability and simplicity.
Implementation Method 1
The front end area of the carrier strip is pivotally mounted on a compensating element about a swivel joint which can be displaced into different positions relative to a front guide arrangement of the deployment mechanism depending on the movement position of the roof part
Data Source
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AI summary
A drive system of this type, comprising at least one support rail attached laterally to the roof section, at least one control slide which is linearly movable via a drive means in a guide track extending laterally along the roof section, at least one tilting mechanism which pivots, raises and lowers the support rail and thus the roof section, and a fixed roof section arranged in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle behind the movable roof section, wherein the movable roof section can be pivoted from a closed position into a raised position and lowered into an open position and moved rearward under the roof section, is known.According to the invention, the support strip is pivotally mounted at its front end region on a compensating element about a pivot joint, which can be moved into different positions relative to a front guide arrangement of the opening mechanism depending on the movement position of the roof part.