Vehicle Roof Panel Front Device Inversion for Compact Sliding
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle roof systems face limitations in compactness and modularity, particularly in allowing the panel to open to a large extent and requiring complex tools for different panel lengths, due to the placement of slide shoes on panel brackets.
Innovation Solution
The lever of the front device is pivotally connected to the panel and supported by a front slide-shoe, eliminating the need for a slide-shoe on the panel bracket, allowing the lever and driving slide to be positioned at the front and enabling the panel to slide rearwardly extensively, while maintaining stability and compactness through strategically positioned slide-shoes and a pin-curve assembly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the slide-shoe is placed on the panel bracket, then the panel can be supported, but the front device becomes less compact and the panel cannot slide far rearwardly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the conventional arrangement by placing the slide-shoe on the lever of the front device instead of on the panel bracket. This inversion allows the lever and driving slide to be positioned at the front of the panel, enabling the panel to slide far rearwardly while keeping the front device compact.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the slide-shoe is placed on the panel bracket, then the panel can be supported, but the front device becomes less modular and requires complicated tools for different panel lengths
Solution Approach 1:
The patent achieves universality by making the front device (lever with integrated slide-shoe and driving slide) independent of panel length. The same front device can be used with different panel lengths, and only the panel bracket needs to be adapted, thereby improving modularity and reducing the need for complicated tools.
3Length of moving object
If the lever is positioned at the front of the panel, then the panel can slide far rearwardly, but the front device requires integrated slide-shoe and driving slide
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the slide-shoe and driving slide into the lever of the front device, creating an integrated component assembly. This merging allows the lever and driving slide to be positioned at the front of the panel, enabling extensive rearward sliding while maintaining a compact structure through component integration.
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 configuration allows for a more compact and stable front device, enabling the panel to open the roof opening significantly without space issues, improves modularity by allowing the same front device to work with different panel lengths, and simplifies the panel bracket design, facilitating easier assembly and operation.
Implementation Method 1
a curve of the pin-curve assembly is provided with a first curve section extending mainly in horizontal direction and allowing a corresponding pin to slide along
Implementation Method 2
locking curve section extending mainly in vertical direction when a corresponding pin is positioned in the locking curve section in order to allow the driving slide to rotate the lever due to a displacement of the cam of the lever through a curved front portion of the stationary guide curve
Implementation Method 3
the lever of the front device is in engagement with two stationary guide curves one on each lateral side of the lever by means of two slide-shoes
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3a~3b
Figure 4
AI summary
A roof system for a vehicle having a roof opening comprises a closure panel and a stationary guide rail (6), for guiding an operating mechanism. The operating mechanism comprises a front device including a lever for moving the front edge of the closure panel in a vertical direction. A driving slide is in each guide rail and is drivable by a drive member in order to move the closure panel through the front device. The lever of the front device is connected to the driving slide through a pin-curve assembly, is provided with a slide-shoe which is in engagement with a stationary guide curve and is pivotally in engagement with the closure panel. A curve of the pin-curve assembly is provided with a first curve section extending in horizontal direction and a locking curve section extending in vertical direction. When the pin is in the locking curve section the driving slide rotates the lever due to the slide-shoe moving through a curved front portion of the stationary guide curve.