Roof Panel Link Mechanism Inversion for Lifting Prevention

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional link mechanisms for roof panels in vehicles fail to provide sufficient rigidity to prevent lifting due to aerodynamic forces when the roof panel is in a fully closed state, despite the use of link restricting mechanisms.

Innovation Solution

Restricting either the front connecting link member or the rear connecting link member to the vehicle body instead of restricting their rotational movement, using a link restricting mechanism that includes an engaging member and a biasing member to ensure high rigidity and prevent lifting.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If a link restricting mechanism with engaging pin and hook member is used to restrict the link mechanism, then rigidity of the link mechanism is improved, but the rigidity obtained is not enough and the roof panel can still rotate slightly relative to the vehicle body and roof panel

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverigidity of link mechanismVSAvoidprevention of roof panel lifting

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of restricting the connecting link members directly (which are rotatable), the invention restricts one end of the connecting link member to the vehicle body. This inversion of the restriction target provides more stable and reliable rigidity, preventing the roof panel from lifting by making the link mechanism itself non-rotatable at one end.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

2Ease of operation

If the connecting link members are restricted to each other using engaging pin and hook member, then movements of the link mechanism are restricted, but the connecting link members can still rotate slightly relative to the vehicle body and roof panel

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverestriction of link mechanism movementsVSAvoidholding rigidity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The invention inverts the restriction approach by anchoring one end of the connecting link member to the vehicle body instead of restricting the link members to each other. This provides superior holding rigidity while still allowing the link mechanism to operate smoothly during opening/closing movements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The restriction is applied locally at one specific end of the connecting link member (either front or rear end) rather than throughout the entire link mechanism. This localized restriction provides sufficient holding rigidity where needed while maintaining the operational flexibility of the overall mechanism.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentUS7837250B2Opening/closing device for roof panel

Publication Date: 2010.11.23 WEBASTO AG

AI summary

To reliably prevent lifting of a roof panel when the roof panel is fully closed. To provide a roof panel (12) to a vehicle body (1) capable of opening/closing a vehicle cabin space (11), a link mechanism (3) for supporting the roof panel (12) at the vehicle body (1) having a front connecting link (33) rotatably connected to both of the vehicle body (1) and the roof panel (12), and a rear connecting link (34) rotatably connected to both of the vehicle body (1) and the roof panel (12) at rear side of a vehicle relative to front connecting link (33), and link restricting mechanism (500) for restricting the rear connecting link (34) to the vehicle body (1) when the roof panel (12) is in fully closed state over the vehicle cabin space (11).