Roof Frame Actuator Relocation for Cabin Height
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional motor vehicle structures with opening roofs have a reduced passenger compartment height due to wide extruded supports and the placement of the sunroof actuating motor, which limits rear passenger visibility and space.
Innovation Solution
A motor vehicle structure with a roof frame that extends to the lower rear crossmember, allowing the actuating member to be positioned behind the second row seats, thus increasing cabin height and visibility, and utilizing a hollow tubular roof frame for robustness and cable housing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the sunroof actuating motor is placed in the center or at the rear of the frame at the level of the separation between the frame and the rear window, then the sunroof can be actuated, but the height of the passenger compartment is reduced and the upper view of the rear passengers is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The actuating member is relocated from the vertical space above the rear passengers to the horizontal space behind the rear parcel shelf. This dimensional shift moves the motor from occupying vertical volume (reducing passenger headroom) to occupying horizontal volume (behind the shelf), thereby resolving the contradiction between sunroof actuation capability and passenger compartment height.
2Strength
If wide extruded supports are used to support the sunroof, then the sunroof structure is robust, but the space available for the passage of light and for the opening that can be cleared by the sunroof is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a composite roof frame structure combining aluminum extrusions with integrated reinforcement elements. This allows the supports to maintain adequate strength while reducing their cross-sectional area compared to conventional all-metal extrusions, thereby increasing the light passage area and sunroof opening clearance without compromising structural integrity.
3Volume of moving object
If the roof frame is extended to the lower rear crossmember, then the actuating member can be relocated to increase cabin height, but the roof frame structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The extended roof frame structure serving as the mounting platform for the actuating member also functions as the structural support for the rear parcel shelf and the mounting points for the glazed rear part. This multi-functionality approach allows the frame extension to achieve multiple objectives simultaneously: increasing cabin height by relocating the motor, providing structural support, and enabling glazed panel installation, thereby reducing overall system complexity despite the extended frame length.
Data Source
Figure 1~3
Figure 4~6
AI summary
The invention concerns a motor vehicle structure comprising a body, the top of part of which supports a roof frame (10). This frame (10) defines at least one opening and is configured to be able to act as a support for at least one movable roof closing one part of the opening and for at least one glazed rear part forming a rear windscreen closing another part of the opening. The rear part (12) of the roof frame (10) rests on a lower rear crossmember (6) of the body. A support (20) for an actuation member (21) for actuating the movable roof is housed at the rear of the vehicle, between a rear shelf structure (7) and the lining (8) of same, close to the rear part (12) of the frame (10). This support (20) is preferably incorporated into the roof frame (10). The invention also concerns a roof frame incorporating a support for an actuation member and a roof formed with such a frame.