Tiltable Sunroof Virtual Pivot Axis Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional vehicle sunroof designs face issues with seal overcompression and noise due to the positioning of the rotation axis, requiring additional processes and premium materials, and struggle with component integration and cost in single-panel sunroofs.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle sunroof device with a virtual pivot axis defined by upwardly and downwardly facing support surfaces on a bracket, allowing tilting without physical fasteners, which optimizes the rotation locus and reduces component size and cost, eliminating seal overcompression and noise.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the rotation axis is positioned below the roof panel opening, then the sunroof can achieve closed and lowered positions, but the seal experiences overcompression and generates noise during rotation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent raises the rotation axis from a position below the roof panel opening to a position above it, changing the vertical dimension of the rotation mechanism. This dimensional change repositions the seal's path of motion, eliminating the fore/aft movement that causes overcompression and noise while maintaining all required sunroof positions and functions.
2Reliability
If a physical pivot axis with fasteners is used, then the panel can be securely mounted, but additional manufacturing processes and premium materials are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the physical fasteners and joining processes from the rotation mechanism, replacing them with a virtual pivot axis defined by the geometric relationship between the movable front guide and fixed guide block. This eliminates the need for additional manufacturing processes such as creating pivot holes or attaching fasteners, while maintaining secure panel mounting through the mechanical constraint of the guide-block engagement.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the traditional mechanical pivot axis system (requiring physical fasteners and joining processes) with a virtual pivot axis system based on geometric constraint. The virtual axis is defined by the interaction between the movable front guide's slot and the fixed guide block's pin, eliminating the need for premium materials and complex manufacturing while maintaining structural integrity.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the rotation axis is raised above the guide rail, then seal overcompression is reduced, but component packaging space is reduced and manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a movable front guide that can shift position dynamically, allowing the virtual rotation axis to be raised above the stationary guide rail without requiring additional permanent packaging space. The movable guide's ability to adjust position enables the high rotation axis configuration to be achieved within the existing component envelope, avoiding the need for increased packaging volume.
4Ease of manufacture
If a conventional single-panel sunroof design is used, then fitment is simplified, but there is insufficient vertical support for the pivot bearing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a movable front guide as an intermediary component that provides the necessary vertical support for the rotation mechanism in single-panel sunroof designs. This guide component acts as a mediator between the panel and the fixed guide block, enabling the virtual pivot axis to function without requiring additional vertical support structures, thus maintaining fitment simplicity while providing adequate strength.
Data Source
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AI summary
A vehicle sun roof device includes a panel for covering an opening in a roof of the vehicle. The panel can be moved horizontally to uncover the opening or tilted to raise its rear end section to a venting position. A drive system for tilting the panel includes front and rear shoes. The rear shoe tilts the panel by applying a force to the rear end section of the panel. The front shoe includes an upwardly facing support surface and a downwardly facing support surface. A bracket fixed to the panel and extending in the front-to-rear direction of the vehicle includes an upwardly facing bearing surface and a downwardly facing bearing surface arranged to slidably engage the downwardly facing support surface and the upwardly facing support surface, respectively, of the front shoe. The support surfaces and the bearing surfaces are configured to define a virtual pivot axis for the panel as the panel tilts.