Sunroof Rear Link Structure With Resin Sliding Surface
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Solution Overview
Problem
The rear link in existing sunroof apparatuses requires a large size due to the need for a guide groove that penetrates through it, leading to potential size and structural issues.
Innovation Solution
A sunroof apparatus design that includes a rear link with a base portion covered by a resin covering portion, featuring a sliding surface off the base portion's width direction, and a power transmission member with sliding shafts that facilitate smooth movement between tilted-down and standing positions, reducing the need for a sliding groove in the base portion and enhancing rigidity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a guide groove is provided in the rear link to accommodate the guide shaft, then the rear link can support the movable panel, but the rear link size increases due to the need for the groove to penetrate through the plate thickness
Solution Approach 1:
A resin covering portion is introduced as an intermediary component that covers the base portion of the rear link. The sliding surface is formed on this covering portion instead of directly on the base portion, eliminating the need for the guide groove to penetrate through the base portion. This mediator allows the sliding function to be achieved while maintaining a compact rear link structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The rear link is constructed using composite materials: a metal base portion providing structural strength and a resin covering portion providing the sliding surface. This composite structure allows the sliding surface to be formed on the resin covering portion rather than requiring a penetrating groove in the metal base portion, thus reducing the overall size of the rear link while maintaining functional integrity.
2Device complexity
If the sliding surface is provided on the base portion, then the structure is simple, but the rear link width increases due to the need for sliding grooves on both sides
Solution Approach 1:
The resin covering portion serves as a mediator that consolidates the sliding surfaces. Instead of providing sliding grooves on both sides of the base portion, the covering portion is provided with sliding surfaces that accommodate both sliding shafts, thereby reducing the rear link width while maintaining the necessary sliding functionality.
3Reliability
If the guide groove penetrates through the rear link, then the guide shaft can be accommodated, but the structural rigidity decreases due to the weakened cross-section
Solution Approach 1:
The resin covering portion acts as a mediator that provides the sliding surface without requiring a penetrating groove in the base portion. The sliding surfaces are formed on the covering portion, which allows the guide shaft to be accommodated while maintaining the integrity and rigidity of the base portion structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The composite structure of metal base portion and resin covering portion allows the sliding function to be achieved on the resin layer without compromising the metal base portion's structural rigidity. The base portion maintains its full cross-sectional integrity while the covering portion provides the necessary sliding surfaces.
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 minimizes the rear link's width, stabilizes its posture, and prevents rattling, while allowing smooth movement and absorbing manufacturing errors, thus simplifying the structure and enhancing rigidity.
Implementation Method 1
the covering portion includes a sliding surface that slides on the sliding shaft
Data Source
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AI summary
In a sunroof apparatus (30), a rear link (150) includes a base portion (151) having a plate shape and a covering portion (152) being made of a resin material and covering the base portion(151). The covering portion (152) includes a sliding surface (155) that slides on a sliding shaft (184). The sliding surface (155) is located off the base portion (151) in a width direction.