Sunroof Feed Structure with Movable Excess Length Absorber

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing sunroof feed structures require space on the vehicle body for excess length absorbing parts, making attachment cumbersome and prone to malfunction due to exposure to foreign matter like rain or dust.

Innovation Solution

A sunroof feed structure with a rail system and an excess length absorber that is movable with the sunroof, eliminating the need for space on the vehicle body and protecting the absorber from external contaminants by positioning it rearward of the sunroof.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If excess length absorbing parts are attached to the vehicle body, then the electric wire can accommodate sunroof movement, but attachment becomes cumbersome and requires space on the vehicle body

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveattachment easeVSAvoidinstallation complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The excess length absorbing part is extracted from the vehicle body and relocated to the sunroof itself. The guide case is now attached to the sunroof rather than the vehicle body, eliminating the need for separate mounting operations on the vehicle body and reducing installation complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The excess length absorbing function is merged with the sunroof assembly by attaching the guide case to the sunroof. This integration eliminates the need for separate vehicle body mounting and space allocation, simplifying both attachment procedures and space requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Ease of operation

If excess length absorbing parts are attached to the vehicle body, then the electric wire can accommodate sunroof movement, but space on the vehicle body is required

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinstallation easeVSAvoidvehicle body space

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The excess length absorbing part is extracted from the vehicle body and relocated to the sunroof. The guide case is now attached to the sunroof rather than the vehicle body, eliminating the need for separate mounting operations on the vehicle body and reducing installation complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Ease of operation

If the excess length absorber is positioned exposed to the opening, then it is accessible, but foreign matter such as rain or dust can enter causing malfunction

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveaccessibilityVSAvoidmalfunction resistance

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The opening of the guide case, which could potentially allow foreign matter entry, is positioned to face upward. This converts the potential harm of exposure into a benefit where rain and dust naturally drain away, protecting the internal components while maintaining the necessary opening for wire routing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

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

Enables easy attachment and prevents malfunctioning by keeping the excess length absorber hidden from external factors, ensuring reliable power feeding to the sunroof across various positions without exposing it to rain or dust.

Implementation Method 1

the flat wire W has an elastic member 102 arranged thereon so that the flat wire W returns to its straight configuration when bent

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

an excess length absorber for winding an excess length of the electric wire, the excess length absorber being movable together with the sunroof

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMechanical winding:

Data Source

PatentUS10081233B2Sunroof feed structure and sunroof unit

Publication Date: 2018.09.25 YAZAKI CORP

AI summary

A sunroof feed structure includes: a rail fixed to a vehicle body of a vehicle; a slider movable along the rail in a front and rear direction of the vehicle; a sunroof supported by the slider, movable inside a ceiling panel of the vehicle body as a movement path, and capable of opening and closing an opening of the ceiling panel; an electric wire for power feeding between the vehicle body and the sunroof, the electric wire having one end fixed to the vehicle body and the other end fixed to the sunroof; and an excess length absorber for winding an excess length of the electric wire, the excess length absorber being movable together with the sunroof in a position rearward of the sunroof in the front and rear direction of the vehicle.