Vehicle Roof Guide Track Layout for Smooth Panel Transfer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing open roof constructions face issues with the transition of the lifting device to the guiding device, causing alignment problems and a 'take-over point' that can lead to inefficiencies and instability in the movement of the closure element.
Innovation Solution
The open roof construction integrates a lifting device and guiding device with a forcing mechanism that allows them to share the same lateral position, with the lifting device connected to the rear guide track, ensuring precise alignment and smooth transfer, and includes a guide track system that enables continuous engagement with the rear guide track, reducing the need for switches in the rear support.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the lifting device and guiding device are integrated with separate lateral positioning, then the required movements of the closure element can be achieved, but the width or package of the rear support increases
Solution Approach 1:
The lifting device and guiding device are merged into a single integrated unit that performs both lifting and guiding functions simultaneously. The guide track of the lifting device connects to the rear guide track, allowing the guiding device to move continuously between connected guide tracks without requiring separate lateral positioning, thus reducing the width of the rear support while maintaining full movement capability.
2Device complexity
If the lifting device and guiding device are positioned beside each other, then structural simplicity is achieved, but alignment problems and take-over points cause instability
Solution Approach 1:
The guide track of the lifting device connects to the rear guide track during rearward movement, creating a continuous guided path for the guiding device. This continuous engagement eliminates take-over points where the guiding device would otherwise need to switch between separate lifting and guiding tracks, ensuring stable and reliable movement throughout the entire range of motion.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the lifting device is disconnected from the rear guide track, then structural flexibility is achieved, but precise alignment and smooth transfer cannot be ensured
Solution Approach 1:
The lifting device is pre-connected to the rear guide track, establishing precise alignment before the closure element begins its movement. This preliminary connection ensures that the guide tracks are properly aligned from the start, enabling smooth transfer and continuous engagement without requiring post-positioning adjustments or complex realignment mechanisms during operation.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3a~4
Figure 5a~5c
AI summary
An open roof construction for a vehicle, having an opening (1) in its fixed roof (2), comprises a stationary part (3) to be attached to the vehicle roof and at least one closure element (4) which is movably supported by said stationary part. A rear guide track (7) is mounted at least substantially rearward of the roof opening. The closure element (4) is supported by a rear support (9) including a lifting device (10) and a guiding device (11) for engagement in said rear guide track (7) upon rearward movement of the closure element (4). The lifting device (10) includes a height-adjustable, in particular rotatable, movable element (16; 23) which has a forcing mechanism (12) determining the position of the lifting device (10). The lifting device (10) is movably connected to the stationary part (3) and includes a guide track (18) for the guiding device (11) that is connected to the closure element (4), which guide track (18) of the lifting device (10) connects to the rear guide track (7) during at least a part of the rearward movement of the closure element (4) to allow the guiding device (11) thereof to move between the guide track (18) of the lifting device (10) and the rear guide track (7). At least the forcing mechanism (12), the guiding device (11), and the rear guide track (7) are arranged such with respect to each other that they are substantially in the same lateral position.