Vehicular Sunroof Movable Panel Gap Design

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing vehicular sunroof units can generate strange sounds during the open operation due to the clothing member being sandwiched and pulled between the movable panel and the arm, leading to noise issues.

Innovation Solution

A vehicular sunroof unit design featuring a movable panel with a sliding portion that includes a front sliding portion and a rear sliding portion, where a gap is generated between the front sliding portion and the arm during the open operation, preventing the screen from being sandwiched and reducing noise.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If the movable panel moves from the full closed position to the rear of the vehicle, then the screen is developed to suppress traveling wind, but the screen may be sandwiched between the movable panel and the arm causing strange sounds

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetraveling wind suppressionVSAvoidstrange sound generation

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The sliding portion is divided into two separate segments: a front sliding portion and a rear sliding portion. This segmentation allows the front sliding portion to maintain a gap with the arm during movement, preventing the screen from being sandwiched and eliminating strange sounds, while the rear sliding portion continues to provide wind suppression functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The front sliding portion acts as an intermediary element between the movable panel and the arm. By maintaining a gap between the front sliding portion and the arm, it prevents direct contact that would otherwise sandwich the screen, thereby eliminating the source of strange sounds while allowing the system to maintain its wind suppression function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If the screen is developed in the roof opening space, then traveling wind is suppressed, but the screen requires space that may interfere with the movement range of the movable panel

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetraveling wind suppressionVSAvoidmovable panel movement

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The sliding portion is segmented into front and rear portions that operate in different movement ranges. The front sliding portion operates in a first sliding range where it maintains a gap with the arm, while the rear sliding portion operates in a second sliding range closer to the front. This segmentation allows the screen to be developed for wind suppression without interfering with the full movement range of the movable panel.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Object-affected harmful factors

If the arm rotates to support the screen during movement, then the screen is properly positioned for wind suppression, but the arm may contact the movable panel causing friction and noise

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetraveling wind suppressionVSAvoidfriction and noise

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The front sliding portion serves as an intermediary that maintains a gap with the arm during movement. This prevents direct contact and friction between the arm and the movable panel, eliminating noise generation while still allowing the arm to rotate and support the screen for effective wind suppression.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The design anticipates potential contact between the arm and movable panel by providing a front sliding portion that maintains a predetermined gap. This beforehand cushioning prevents the screen from being sandwiched and eliminates friction and noise before they can occur during the movement operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

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

The design effectively suppresses the generation of strange sounds during the open operation by maintaining a gap between the front sliding portion and the arm, ensuring quiet operation and improved functionality.

Implementation Method 1

an arm that rotates about a shaft line extending in a width direction of the vehicle between a developing position of developing the screen and a storing position of storing the screen

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMechanical rotation:

Implementation Method 2

and is biased toward the developing position

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMechanical force:

Implementation Method 3

The movable panel includes a sliding portion that positions the arm by sliding with the arm

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Data Source

PatentUS11292323B2Vehicular sunroof unit

Publication Date: 2022.04.05 AISIN CORP

AI summary

In a sunroof unit, a movable panel includes a front sliding portion and a rear sliding portion that position an arm by sliding with the arm. When the movable panel moves in a second sliding range being a movement range of the movable panel when the rear sliding portion slides with the arm, a gap is generated between the front sliding portion and the arm.