Sunroof system for a vehicle with rotating drive slide

0001The invention relates to a roof system for a vehicle according to the preamble of claim 1.

0002A roof system having an operating mechanism including a front and rear device comprising a lever is known from the prior art, for example from <patcit id="pcit0001" dnum="US7828376B1"><text>US 7,828,376 B1</text></patcit>. In this prior art roof system, the levers of the front and rear devices are pivotally and slidably in engagement with a driving slide. In the closed position of the panel, the package of the operating mechanism should be as small as possible to minimize the loss of headroom in the interior of the vehicle. This may lead to a problem at the front of the mechanism where the first pivot and the panel bracket interfere with the front of the driving slide where the guide curve extends upwardly. The upward extent determines the lifting height of the lever. Lowering this guide curve will decrease the lifting height of the lever which however should be sufficient to lift the front side of the panel above the fixed roof part behind the roof opening. Changing the lever ratio would increase the lifting height, but would result in a less stable support of the panel. Creating more room for the operating mechanism would lead to a loss of headroom.

0003A roof system in which the driving slide is split up into first and second driving slide parts pivotally connected to each other, is known from <patcit id="pcit0002" dnum="EP1586475B1"><text>EP 1 586 475 B1</text></patcit>. However, this roof system suffers from the same disadvantages.

0004A roof system according to the preamble of claim 1 is known from <patcit id="pcit0003" dnum="EP1741588A1"><text>EP 1 741 588 A1</text></patcit>, <figref idref="f0010 f0011">Fig. 6</figref>. This prior art embodiment comprises an operating mechanism including a pivotable operating guide to enhance the lifting effect of the rear tilting lever.

0005It is one of the objects to further improve the prior art roof systems.

0006For these and other purposes, the invention proposes a roof system having the features according to the characterizing portion of claim 1. Favourable embodiments of the roof system are subject of the dependent claims.

0007By providing the first driving slide part with a forcing mechanism to pivot the first driving slide part at a desired position, this pivoting movement may be used to either move the first driving slide part out of the way to allow passage of another part, increase the lifting height of the lever of the front device by pivoting upwards together with the lever and/or to improve the lever ratio by moving the lever into a favourable position in the closed position of the panel as a result of the pivoting movement of the first driving slide part. This position of the first driving slide part may be extreme, i.e. projecting above or below the stationary guide rail as long as the first driving slide part moves back to a position in which the operating mechanism can move in rearward direction below the roof part behind the roof opening.

0008In one embodiment, the second pivot of the lever of the front device is engaging a guide curve in the driving slide.

0009In another embodiment, the second pivot of the lever of the front device engages a portion of the guide curve in the first driving slide part.

0010In a further embodiment, the second pivot of the lever of the front device engages a curve portion of the guide curve in the second driving slide part.

0011The first guide cam of the lever of the front device may also engage a portion of the guide curve in the first driving slide portion.

0012As an alternative, the first guide cam of the lever of the front device engages a curve portion in the second driving slide portion.

0013In one embodiment, the first driving slide part is pivotally connected to the second driving slide part near its rear end.

0014In another embodiment, the first driving slide part is pivotally connected to the second driving slide part near its front end.

0015The guide cam of the first driving slide part is preferably arranged at a distance from a pivot between the first and second driving slide parts.

0016In a further embodiment, the guide curve in the stationary guide rail is shaped such that a portion of the first driving slide part spaced from the pivot extends above or below the stationary guide rail in the closed position of the panel and is moved by the guide cam sliding through the guide curve to a position in which the first driving slide part is positioned substantially within the boundaries of the stationary guide rail.

0017A guide curve in the first driving slide part may extend at least partly forwardly and upwardly, to create additional lifting height for the lever.

0018Further details and advantages of the invention will become more clear from the following description of embodiments of the roof system with reference to the drawings. <ul id="ul0001" list-style="none" compact="compact"><li><figref idref="f0001">Fig. 1</figref> is a partial perspective views of an automobile provided with a roof system according to the invention.</li><li><figref idref="f0002">Fig. 2a</figref> is an exploded view of the parts of a first embodiment of an operating mechanism on one side of the closure panel of the roof system.</li><li><figref idref="f0003">Figs. 2b - 2d</figref> are side views of the operating mechanism of <figref idref="f0002">Fig. 2a</figref> in 3 different positions.</li><li><figref idref="f0004">Fig. 3a</figref> is an enlarged exploded side view of a further embodiment of the operating mechanism in the roof system.</li><li><figref idref="f0005">Fig. 3b - 3d</figref> are views corresponding to those of <figref idref="f0003">Figs. 2b - 2d</figref>, but showing the second embodiment of the operating mechanism.</li><li><figref idref="f0006 f0007">Fig. 4a - 4d</figref>, <figref idref="f0008 f0009">5a - 5d</figref>, <figref idref="f0010 f0011">6a -6d</figref>, <figref idref="f0012 f0013">7a - 7d</figref> and <figref idref="f0014 f0015">8a - 8d</figref> are views corresponding to those of <figref idref="f0004 f0005">Figs. 3a - 3d</figref>, but showing further embodiments of the operating mechanism in the roof system. The embodiments of <figref idref="f0010 f0011">Figs. 6</figref> and <figref idref="f0012 f0013">7</figref> do not form part of the invention.</li></ul>

0019<figref idref="f0001">Fig. 1</figref> shows part of a vehicle, in particular an automobile, which comprises at least a roof opening 1 defined in a (stationary) roof part 2. A closure, here in the form of a closure panel 3, is movable between a closed position (not shown) in which it closes the roof opening 1, and an open position (shown in <figref idref="f0001">Fig. 1</figref>) in which it opens the roof opening 1 and in which it is positioned at least partially above the roof part 2, here the fixed roof part adjoining the rear edge of the roof opening 1.

0020As is known per se such an roof system (which is also known as a top slider roof) could comprise additional elements, such as for example a tiltable wind deflector positioned ahead of the roof opening 1, or further movable or stationary panels, for example in a position behind the panel 3 when it is in its closed position. In fact, in the present embodiment, the roof part behind the roof opening 3 is formed by a roof panel 3' which may be a stationary roof panel or a movable panel.

0021<figref idref="f0002 f0003">Fig. 2</figref> show the parts of an operating mechanism for closure panel 3 in order to move it between the closed and open positions. One of the longitudinal sides of closure panel 3 is shown, and it is noted that the same parts, albeit in mirror image, are present on the other longitudinal side of panel 3. The panel 3 comprises a glass or plastic transparent or metal non-transparent sheet 4 supported on the longitudinal sides by a panel bracket 5 fixed to sheet 4, for example by encapsulation material and/or any other means, i.e. bolted to a reinforcement frame which is encapsulated to sheet 4 (not shown). At each longitudinal side edge of roof opening 1 there is provided a stationary guide rail 6 having several guide grooves in which parts of the operating mechanism are slidably guided. The guide rails 6 are straight or slightly curved in order to follow the curvature of the vehicle roof.

0022To move closure panel 3 in longitudinal (along a guide rail 6, only schematically shown in <figref idref="f0005 f0006 f0007 f0008 f0009 f0010 f0011 f0012 f0013 f0014 f0015">Figs. 3 - 8</figref>) and vertical (substantially perpendicular to the guide rail 6) directions, the operating mechanism comprises a front device 7 to move the front side of closure panel 1 in vertical direction and a rear device 8 to move the rear side of closure panel 3 in vertical direction, i.e. up and down. Of course, both devices are also used to move closure panel 3 in longitudinal or horizontal direction, i.e. back and forth.

0023The front device 7 includes a lever 9. In this document, "lever" is used to indicate an element which has a pivoting axis near both operative ends and has a length measured between these pivoting axes which is substantially larger than an effective width and thickness measured perpendicularly thereto. Any guide cam is positioned substantially between these pivoting axes, as seen lengthwise. Such pivoting axis is called pivot or pivot pin, but encompasses all structures that enable at least a pivoting movement of two connected parts.

0024The lever 9 comprises an upper pivotal connection, pivotally connecting the lever 9 to the panel bracket 5 of panel 3 by means of a first pivot pin 10, a lower pivoting axis, here a second pivot pin 11, and an intermediate guide connection, here in the form of a first guide cam 12. In the vicinity of the first guide cam 12, but on the other side of the lever 9, i.e. on the side opposite to the parts 10, 11 and 12, there is arranged a second guide cam 13. This second guide cam 13 is adapted to be in sliding engagement with a stationary guide curve 14. The stationary guide curve 14 includes a rear portion 14' extending substantially parallel to guide rail 6 (here forming part of it), and a front portion 14" extending substantially perpendicularly to the rear portion 14' and connecting to it through a bend. As second guide cam 13 has a substantially oval shape, the height of stationary guide curve 14 varies along its length depending on orientation of the guide curve 14, but also on the projected orientation of lever 9 and the variation of this orientation of the lever 9 along the length of the guide curve 14.

0025In <figref idref="f0002 f0003">Fig. 2</figref> it is shown that the front portion 14" of the stationary guide curve 14 is made in a plastic part which is attached to stationary guide rail 6 which is attached to the vehicle roof 2, either directly or through a frame. The main part of rear portion 14' of stationary guide curve 14 will generally be formed by flanges of stationary guide rail 6 (not shown). The stationary guide curve 14 locks the horizontal movement of panel 3 when it is in its forward position (through portion 14"), and locks the vertical movements of panel 3 when it is in rearward positions (through portion 14').

0026The second pivot pin 11 and the first guide cam 12 co-operate with a driving slide 15 which will generally be connected directly to a driving mechanism, for example an electric motor or hand crank driving a push and pull cable (not shown) through a cable connector 26. The driving slide 15 is slidably guided in a groove of stationary guide rail 6 and determines the movements of the panel 3. The driving slide 15 includes a front guide curve, here a guide slot, 16 in which second pivot pin 11 and first guide cam 12 slidably engage. Although second pivot pin 11 and first guide cam 12 could have their own guide curve in the driving slide 15, the structure can be simplified by sliding them in a single guide curve, in which the guide paths of pin 11 and cam 12 may slightly overlap, as shown. The front guide curve 16 includes a substantially vertical front locking portion 16', a lower front portion 16", an inclined intermediate portion 16"' and a higher rear portion 16"". The extent of the front guide curve 16 partly determines the vertical movements of the front edge of the panel 3.

0027The above operating mechanism is very similar to the one disclosed in <patcit id="pcit0004" dnum="US7828376B"><text>US 7,828,376</text></patcit>.

0028However, in the present operating mechanism and as is shown in <figref idref="f0002 f0003">Fig. 2</figref>, driving slide 15 includes a first (here front) driving slide part 15' and a second (here rear) driving slide part 15". First and second driving slide parts 15', 15" are pivotally connected to each other through a pivot 17. This pivot 17 enables first driving slide part 15' to pivot with respect to second driving slide part 15", which is only slidable in stationary guide rail 6. The pivoting movement of first driving slide part 15' is caused by engagement of a guide cam 18 in guide curve 19 of stationary guide rail 6. Guide curve 19 is partly made in a plastic part 20 attached to stationary guide rail 6 and partly in a groove in stationary guide rail 6. Guide curve 19 includes a lower front portion 19' and a higher rear portion 19" connected by an inclined connecting portion 19"'. This inclined portion 19"' causes the rotation or pivoting movement of the first driving slide part 15' and is arranged at a position where such pivoting movement is desired. It is conceivable that a pivoting movement of the first driving slide part 15' is caused at more than one position.

0029The second or rear device 8 of the operating mechanism includes a lever 21. This lever 21 comprises an upper pivotal connection or first pivot pin 22, a lower pivoting axis or second pivot pin 23, and a guide cam 24. Both levers 9 and 21 extend in opposite directions, that is the front lever 9 extends from its connection to the panel 3 backwardly and downwardly, whereas the rear lever 21 extends forwardly and downwardly from the panel 3. As a result, both levers can be controlled be the same driving slide 15 having a relatively short length, whereas the levers 9 and 21 connect to the panel 3 at a position near the front or rear edge respectively. This close connection to the front and rear edge of the panel 3 makes the support of the panel 3 very stable.

0030The slidable connection between the rear lever 21 of the rear device 8 and the driving slide 15, in this case the second driving slide part 15", is accomplished by the engagement of the second pivot pin 23 and the guide cam 24 with a rear guide curve 25. Rear guide curve 25 might be considered as two separate guide curves or slots, one for the second pivot pin 23 and one for the guide cam 24 as the paths of movement thereof do not overlap. The guide curve 25 includes a lower front portion 25', a higher front portion 25", a high rear portion 25"' and a lower rear portion 25"". The second pivot pin 23 slides only in front portions 25' and 25", whereas guide cam 24 moves in rear portions 25"' and 25"".

0031The operation of the roof assembly's operating mechanism will be explained mainly with reference to <figref idref="f0003">Figs. 2b - 2d</figref>.

0032In <figref idref="f0003">Fig. 2b</figref>, panel 3 is shown in its closed position in which panel 3 closes opening 1 in roof part 2 (<figref idref="f0001">Fig. 1</figref>). The panel 3 will be pulled forcedly by the operating mechanism with its seals in engagement with roof part 2, so that no leakage of noise from the environment to the interior of the vehicle will occur. The seals (not shown) may either be fixed to panel 3 or to stationary roof part 2, or even to both. In this closed position both levers 9 and 21 of front and rear devices 7, 8 are in their lowest position. This is accomplished by their engagement with driving slide 15 which is in its front position in guide rail 6. In this front position of driving slide 15, second pivot pin 11 of lever 9 is positioned near the rear ends of higher rear portion 16"" of front guide curve 16, whereas first guide cam 12 is positioned near the rear end of lower front portion 16" of curve 15. The second guide cam 13 of lever 9 is positioned at the lower end of front portion 14" of stationary guide curve 14. This substantially vertical front portion 14" of stationary guide curve 14 provides a very stable lock against sliding movements of panel 3 of the operating mechanism. The upper wall of front guide curve 16 keeps guide cam 12 down and due to the arrangement of this intermediate guide cam near first pivot pin 10, and due to the position of pivot pin 10 near the front edge of panel 3 there is provided a very stable closed position of panel 3 at least near the front edge.

0033The first driving slide part 15' is pivoted to its most downward position due to the engagement of its guide cam 18 with lower front portion 19' of stationary guide curve 19. As a result, the front end of driving slide 15 has a relatively low profile when in its front position enabling driving slide to move below any seal structure or other stationary part at the front of the roof system, while the front of first driving slide part 15' may easily move below panel bracket 5 and first pivot pin 10.

0034The lever 21 of rear device 8 is in its downward position due to the position of guide cam 24 near the lower rear end of rear portion 25"" of rear guide curve 25, and the position of second pivot pin 23 in higher front portion 25". Also here, guide cam 24 is positioned relatively close to first pivot pin 22 to panel 3, so that, if guide cam 24 is kept in its lowest position the rear portion of panel 3 can hardly move.

0035In the position of <figref idref="f0003">Fig. 2c</figref> driving slide 15 has been moved over a distance rearwardly while panel 3 is kept substantially in its front position due to the engagement of second guide cam 13 with substantially vertical front locking portion 14" of stationary guide curve 14 preventing a sliding movement of panel 3. However, second guide cam 13 has been moved slightly upwardly in this vertical front portion 14" due to the movement of second pivot pin 11 through higher rear portion 15"" and the movement of first guide cam 12 through lower front portion 15" of front guide curve 15.

0036The movement of second pivot pin 23 of rear lever 21 from lower rear portion 25"" to high rear portion 25"', rear lever 21 has been pivoted upwardly so that the rear edge of panel 3 has been moved to a position above roof panel 3' or roof part 2, so that a venting position is created.

0037<figref idref="f0003">Fig. 2d</figref> shows a further position of panel 3, in which the front edge of panel 3 has been lifted upwardly and panel 3 has been slid rearwardly over adjacent roof part 2'. The sliding movement of panel 3 has been made possible by moving second guide cam 13 out of locking front portion 14" of stationary guide curve 14. This has been accomplished by the upward tilting movement of lever 9 due to the entry of first guide cam 12 into vertical front locking portion 16' of front guide curve 16 in first driving slide part 15'. The vertical pivoting movement of front lever 9 is enhanced by the upward pivoting movement of first driving slide part 15' caused by the movement of its guide cam 18 through inclined portion 19'" to higher rear portion 19" of stationary guide curve 19. Due to this pivoting movement, the height of front locking portion 16' of front guide curve 16 and therefore height of driving slide 15 may be kept low, leading to a small package of the operating mechanism at the front of the roof system.

0038In the position of <figref idref="f0003">Fig. 2d</figref>, levers 9 and 21 and therefore panel 3 are now locked in sliding direction with respect to driving slide 15. The first guide cam 12 is kept in its position in front locking portion 16' due to the engagement of second guide cam 13 with rear portion 14' of stationary guide curve 14 preventing a vertical movement of lever 9. Thus, in the position of <figref idref="f0003">Fig. 2d</figref>, panel 3 and the operating mechanism move as a unit. The roof panel 3' rearwardly of roof opening 1 is bordered at its longitudinal sides by a slot (not shown), so that driving slide 15 may be slid far rearwardly below roof panel 3', whereas panel 3 may move over this roof panel 3, because rear lever 21 or even also front lever 9 may project through this slot above guide rail 6 in a manner known per se.

0039<figref idref="f0004 f0005">Figs. 3a - 3d</figref> show a second embodiment of the operating mechanism. The main difference with the first embodiment is that second pivot pin 11 of front lever 9 is not in engagement with front guide curve 16 in front driving slide part 15' but with stationary guide rail 6, for example in a manner as disclosed in <patcit id="pcit0005" dnum="US8857903B1"><text>US 8,857,903 B1</text></patcit>. As a result, front driving slide part 15' can be kept shorter as front guide curve 16 is shorter, including only portions 16' and 16". The operation and structure of other parts in the operating mechanism are similar to those in the first embodiment.

0040<figref idref="f0006 f0007">Figs. 4a - 4d</figref> show a third embodiment of the operating mechanism. Again, first driving slide part 15' is pivotally connected to rear driving slide part 15", but now pivot 17 is arranged at the front of first and second driving slide parts 15', 15''. When front driving slide part 15' is now pivoted downwardly in the closed position of panel 3, first guide cam 12 is positioned low and therefore the vertical distance between first guide cam 12 and first pivot pin 10 should be larger. This larger distance and a greater vertical extent of guide curve 19 in front driving slide part 15' results in a sufficient upward lifting movement of the front of panel 3 without the front of first driving slide part 15' being moved in upward position. Also the leverage of lever 9 is improved. Due to the upward pivoting movement of the rear end of first driving slide part 15', the height of this first driving slide part 15' becomes smaller and fits within the height of stationary guide rail 6 when guide cam 18 is in higher portion 19" of guide curve 19.

0041Front portion 14' of stationary guide curve 14 is now less vertical, so that lever 9 will pivot upwardly while moving rearwardly. From the position of <figref idref="f0007">Fig. 4c</figref>, front driving slide part 15' will pivot upwardly and the movement of lever 9 will be determined by the movement of first guide cam 12 through inclined portion 16" of guide curve 16 in front driving slide part 15', pivoting movement of front driving slide part 15' and movement of second guide cam 13 through inclined portion 14' of stationary guide curve 14. When first driving slide part 15' pivots upwardly, the angle of inclined portion 16" of guide curve 16 becomes smaller and thus the vertical movement of first pivot pin 10 of lever 9 is reduced when first guide cam 12 progresses through inclined portion 14' of guide curve 14. As in the second embodiment, second pivot pin 11 is engaged in stationary guide rail 6.

0042<figref idref="f0008 f0009">Figs. 5a - 5d</figref> show a fourth embodiment of the operating mechanism. First driving slide part 15' pivots with respect to the second driving slide part with pivot pin 17 at its front end like in the <figref idref="f0006 f0007">Fig. 4</figref> embodiment, but now second driving slide part 15" is extended in forward direction beyond pivot pin 17 to accommodate front portions 16' and 16" of guide curve 16 engaged by first guide cam 12 of lever 9. Now rear portions 16"' and 16"" of guide curve 16 are accommodated in first driving slide part 15' and is engaged by second pivot pin 11 like in the first embodiment. Guide curve 19 in stationary guide rail 6 now has a high front portion 19' and a low rear portion 19", allowing rear end of lever 9 to move from a high position in the front position of panel 3 to a low position in portion 19" when panel 3 is in rear positions. Thus, first driving slide part 15' fits within stationary guide rail 6 when panel 3 is moved rearwardly (as shown in <figref idref="f0009">Figs. 5c and 5d</figref>), while the high position of second pivot pin 11 at the rear end of lever 9 (as shown in <figref idref="f0009">Fig. 5b</figref> with panel 3 closed) enables a more favourable lever ratio of lever 9.

0043<figref idref="f0010 f0011">Figs. 6a - 6d</figref> show a fifth embodiment of the operating mechanism, not according to the invention. In this embodiment, only lever 21 of rear device 8 is shown as it is lever 21 that is in engagement with pivotable first driving slide part 15'. As is shown, first driving slide part 15' is now provided with front portions 25' and 25" of rear guide curve 25 engaged by second pivot pin 23 of lever 21. First driving slide part 15' pivots with respect to second driving slide part 15" by means of pivot 17 at the front end of first driving slide part 15' and in a central section of second driving slide part 15". Guide curve 19 in stationary guide rail 6 has a short high front portion 19', a rearwardly and downwardly inclining portion 19"", and a low rear portion 19". Again a high position of second pivot pin 23 of lever 21 when panel 3 is closed (<figref idref="f0011">Fig. 6b</figref>) enables a favourable lever ratio as this pivot pin 23 is moved downwardly when lever 21 rotates (<figref idref="f0011">Fig. 6c</figref>). Also, the downward pivoting movement of the rear end of first driving slide part 15' allows it to be positioned within the height of stationary guide rail 6 so that operating mechanism can be moved below stationary roof part 2 or rear panel 3' in rearward positions of panel 3 (<figref idref="f0011">Fig. 6d</figref>).

0044<figref idref="f0012 f0013">Figs. 7a - 7d</figref> show a sixth embodiment of the operating mechanism, not according to the invention. In this embodiment, which is a variation on the embodiment of <figref idref="f0010 f0011">Fig. 6</figref>, pivot 17 has been moved to a rear section of second driving slide part 15" so that rear portions 25"' and 25"" of rear guide curve 25 are provided in first driving slide part 15'. Now, guide cam 24 is in engagement with first driving slide part 15', which is again pivoting by means of pivot 17 that is arranged at the front end of first driving slide part 15'. Guide curve 19 in stationary guide rail 6 now has a low front portion 19', a rearwardly and upwardly inclined portion 19"' and a high rear portion 19". In the closed position of panel 3 and thus the front position of driving slide 15 (<figref idref="f0013">Fig. 7b</figref>), rear end of first driving slide part 15' is in a downward position projecting locally below stationary guide rail 6 and is positioned within the height of stationary guide rail 6 in rearward positions of driving slide 15.

0045<figref idref="f0014 f0015">Figs. 8a - 8d</figref> shows a seventh embodiment of the operating mechanism. In this embodiment, front lever 9 has been extended rearwardly so that its second pivot pin 11 can engage in rear portions 16"' and 16"" of guide curve 16, which are now provided in second driving slide part 15". Moreover, second guide cam 13 is now positioned in line with second pivot pin 11 and engages stationary guide curve 14. Stationary guide curve 14 again has a front vertical locking portion 14', but rear portion 14" now connects to the lower end of vertical locking portion 14'. Locking of front lever 9 with respect to driving slide 15 in rearward positions thereof takes place by means of front portion 16"' of guide curve 16, which extends substantially vertically downwardly. The front portion 19' of stationary guide curve 19 is relatively long, so that the front side of panel 3 is lifted only when panel 3 has almost reached its fully open position. Guide cam 18 of first driving slide part 15' is then moved from low front portion 19' to high rear portion 19".

0046From the foregoing it will be clear that the invention provides an operating mechanism for an roof system that enables a low building height, sufficient lifting height of the panel and/or a stable support of the panel. The invention is not limited to the embodiments described above and shown in the drawings, which can be varied in different manners within the scope of the appended claims. For example, features from different embodiments may be combined in different manners. It is also conceivable that both first and second driving slide parts are pivotable, e.g. to influence movements of the levers of both front and rear devices. The first and second driving slide parts may be movably connected to each other in another way, for example slidably and pivotally.