GB2029339A

GB2029339A - Vehicle Roof Panels

Info

Publication number: GB2029339A
Application number: GB7929994A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: American Sunroof Corp
Current assignee: American Sunroof Corp
Priority date: 1978-08-31
Filing date: 1979-08-30
Publication date: 1980-03-19
Also published as: IT7925336A0; IT1122878B; DE2935665A1; JPS5536184A; ES483730A1

Abstract

A trim 10 has an actuator assembly 26-32 interconnected with a lifter assembly 34 associated with a slidable roof of a vehicle. When the panel is in the closed position the actuator assembly urges the trim into contiguity with the interior roof line to define a substantially contiguous configuration with the roof line of the vehicle. When the panel is opened, the trim is moved into engagement with the panel to facilitate storage of the panel in its retracted position. The construction is particularly adapted for utilization with sliding roof hatch panels. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Vehicle Roof Panels The present invention pertains to slidable roof panels for vehicles, especially power operated hatch roof panels.

In co-pending U.K Patent Application No.

7834129, Specification No. 2002697, entitled Power Operated Sliding Roofs there is disclosed a system for moving inboard and outboard a pair of opposed hatch panels. Hatch panels are distinct from slidable roof panels such as sunroofs and moon roof which move along the longitudinal axis of the vehicle. As disclosed in the co-pending application the hatch panels move inboard and outboard with respect to the transverse axis of the vehicle. The panels, when in the retracted position, are stored under a central roof pillar and expose a roof opening identifiable with the passenger position of the vehicle as well as one for the driver position of the vehicle.

While the present invention, as will subsequently be detailed, is applicable to all types of sliding roof panels assemblies it is particularly efficacious with respect to the hatch panel assembly of the co-pending application, and the reader is referred to the specification thereof.

The hatch panel construction, per se, utilized in the co-pending application generally comprises a substantially flat member of any suitable construction material such as glass, metal or the like. It is to be appreciated that as the panel is brought into contiguity with the roof line, there is a gap between the downward slope of the roof and the upper edge of the door. On a car with a fixed roof construction a drain or drip moulding would be present to close the gap, but such a moulding is not present with hatch panel assemblies. Manually removable panels have an integrated trim moulding or halo trim moulding which need not be movable to alleviate this situation.

However, an entirely different problem is created with respect to power operated movable panels. In order to be aesthetically appealing the halo trim must be urged into contiguity with the roof line and mate with the upper edge of the door to define a substantially continuous body line to the vehicle. At the same time the trim member must be storable beneath the central roof pillar without providing any safety hazards due to its projecting into the interior of the vehicle or the like.

The present invention, as will be detailed, provides an actuator mechanism for deploying a trim moulding when the roof panel is moved to the closed position.

In accordance with the present invention there is provided a slidable or movable roof panel of an automotive vehicle which panel is movable between first and second positions to open and close, respectively, an opening formed in the roof of the vehicle. In a preferred form of the present invention the roof panel is a hatch panel which is movable along the transverse axis of the vehicle.

The slidable roof panel is provided with a trim moulding which bounds the periphery of the outboard edge of the panel.

Preferably biassing means, such as a spring or the like, is connected to the trim at a first end thereof. The second or opposite end of the biassing means can then be interconnected to a means for moving the panel between the first and second positions. As the panel is retracted the trim moves therewith and is retracted, the trim being directly connected to the panel. As the panel is moved to the second or closed position the biassing means urges the trim into contiguity with the roof line. The biassing means is actuated, in a preferred form of the present invention, by its interconnection to a lifter mechanism of an associated hatch panel. When the lifter mechanism is in its "toggling" mode the biassing means is urged in a lateral direction to force the trim moulding into contiguity with the roof line.

The present invention contemplates the utilization and deployment of a lifter mechanism of the type disclosed in the abcve-identified copending application.

For a more complete understanding of the present invention reference is made to the following detailed description and accompanying drawing. In the drawing like reference characters refer to like parts throughout the several views in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a trim and actuator mechanism therefor in accordance with the present invention; Figure 2 is a plan view of the trim and actuator mechanism; Figure 3 is an elevational view of an alternate embodiment of the present invention; Figure 4 is an elevational view of a further alternate embodiment, and Figure 5 is an elevational view of a still further embodiment.

A vehicle has at least one opening formed in its roof and which is closed or opened by a sliding roof panel of the hatch kind.

Now, when the hatch panel of a car with conventional hatch roof is in the closed position to close off the roof opening, there exists a gap between the panel assembly and the interior roof structure of the vehicle. This is unattractive and detracts from the efficiency of the slidable roof panel. Hence, in order to alleviate this problem, and in accordance with the present invention, there is provided a trim or halo trim member. The trim or halo trim member, also referred to as a curtain, is used to cover or fill the void between the slidable panel and the roof structure, per se, when the panel is in the closed position. The trim member is formed from a suitable material such as polished aluminium or other decorative metal strip. The trim member is secured to the panel and is slidable therewith.

Referring specifically to Figures 1 and 2 there is depicted therein a first embodiment of the present invention. There is provided, in accordance herewith, a halo trim or curtain 10 which is mounted interiorly of the vehicle and which closes the gap otherwise existing between the panel mechanism and the interior of the vehicle when the panel 9 is in the closed position.

The curtain includes a substantially planar surface 12 and an upwardly extending flange 14 integral with the planar section 1 2. Secured to the planar surface 12 substantially central of the roof of the vehicle is a bracket 16; the bracket is secured to the planar surface by suitable fastening means 1 8 such as threaded fasteners or the like which are inserted through openings 24. The bracket 1 6 inciudes an upstanding section 20 and a base section 22 substantially perpendicular to the upstanding section 20. The upstanding section 20 of bracket 1 6 is provided with an open-ended slot in the form of a cut-out portion which is indicated generally by the numeral 26 and which defines a ramp or guide path 28 engageable by an actuator, spool 30.

The spool 30 comprises an elongate shaft 32 fixed at one end to the base of a lifter mechanism generally denoted at 34. The lifter mechanism is of the type described in the said U.K. specification and the reader is referred thereto. The shaft 32 projects outwardly from the base of the lifter mechanism. Journalled onto the free end of the shaft is the slot-engaging spool 30. Thus the trim member is moved to the operative position to close the gap when the panel is urged into the closing position via actuating means interconnected to the means for moving the panel.

It is to be appreciated (as shown in Figure 2) that as the lifter mechanism and thus the panel 9 travels inboard, the spool engages the slot area and slides down the ramp 28. This motion cause the trim to be moved verically downward as the panel is stored beneath the central pillar section of the vehicle. When the panel 9 moves to the outboard position the spool is released from the slot enabling the trim or curtain 10 to be raised vertically upward to close the gap which would otherwise exist.

It should be noted that the actuating means defined by the spool and bracket assembly is similar to the positive lock mechanism described in co-pending U.K. application No. 40787/78, specification No. 2007602, filed October 17, 1 978. The reader is referred to the disclosure of the specification of that application.

As described in the specification No. 2002697 of co-pending UK application No. 7834129, the slidable roof panel is moved inboard and outboard via a motor-driven cable lifter assembly which is movable in a track formed in a frame. The cable is interconnected to the lifter mechanism, per se.

The lifter mechanism comprises a base which is movable in the track and on which is pivotally mounted a toggle or lifter link. As the base is slid in the track by paying out of the cable, the lifter link or toggle is slid therewith. An obstruction or cam surface is disposed in the track and is encountered by the lifter link. When the lifter link engages or contacts the cam surface the toggle is urged upwardly upon the further driving of the base. Further driving of the base causes the toggle to be urged in a vertical direction. Since the panel, per se, is directly connected to the lifter link, then as the lifter link is raised vertically as a result of encountering the cam surface, likewise is the panel lifted upwardly. This upward movement closes off the roof opening. This "toggling" and the upward movement of the panel is described in the co-pending application.

In Figure 3 there is depicted therein an alternate embodiment of the present invention. In accordance herewith there is provided a roof panel assembly 110 which is actuated by a lifter link assembly mechanism denoted at 112 of the aforementioned type As noted, the lifter link assembly travels in a track formed in the frame which is interconnected to the panel assembly.

Disposed beneath the track interiorly of the vehicle is a halo trim or curtain 114. The halo trim is actuated to its position to close off the gap between the panel and the roof line by an actuator generally denoted at 11 6. The actuator is pivotally rotatable between first and second positions, as shown. When the actuator is in a substantially horizontal position and parallel with the panel, the panel is in the open position. The trim curtain 114 is forced downwardly to close the gap when the panel is in the closed position.

The actuator mechanism 11 6 comprises a link 11 8 having a first end 122 interconnected to the lifter link assembly 112 by suitable means such as a pivot pin 124 or the like. The opposite end of the link 11 8 has an elongate slot 126 formed therein and a pivot pin 128 secured to the trim curtain 114 projects through the slot 126. A stop 1 30 is formed in the track associated with the lifter link 112. The stop or surface 130 limits the lateral movement of the link 11 8. Hence, and by virtue of the interconnection between the link 118 and the lifter assembly 112, then as the panel 110 is moved to the outboard position the link 118 travels therewith until the stop is encountered.

Encountering the stop cause the link to toggle downwardly in the direction of the arrow 1 32, thus urging the curtain 114 downwardly as well, thereby causing closure of the gap. Retraction or opening of the panel cause a reverse moting lifting the halo curtain upwardly.

Referring now to Figure 4 there is depicted therein a still further embodiment of the present invention. In accordance herewith the roof panel 210 is interconnected to a lifter link assembly 212 via a bracket 214 in known manner. The lifter link assembly 212 slides in a track (not shown) formed in the frame of the sliding roof panel.

Disposed beneath the track is a halo trim or curtain or curtain frame 216. The curtain frame 21 6 is normally biassed upwardly into contact with the roof panel 210. A control spring 218 such as a leaf spring extends between the lifter link assembly 212 and the curtain frame 216. The control spring 21 8 defines means for biassing the curtain frame toward the roof panel. The control spring 21 8 has a first end fixedly connected to the curtain frame by suitable fixing means such as a rivet or the like and generally denoted at 220. The other end of the control spring is fixed to the lifter link assembly, as noted.

A roller 222 is engageable with a surface of the spring 218. The roller 222 is interconnected to the lifter link assembly 212 by any suitable mode and is movable therewith. A critical point to be made with respect to the roller 222 is that it is engageable with a surface of the control spring to control the bias thereof. Hence, as the roof panel 210 is moved outwardly or to the closed position to close off the opening formed in the roof, the roller engages the surface of the control spring to force it away from the roof panel against the normal bias. The force exerted by the roller against the spring is greater than the normal bias thereof in order to effectuate the biassing effect.

As the lifter link assembly moves to an opening mode to retract the panel the bias exerted by the operating roller 222 against the control spring 21 8 is alleviated thereby enabling the curtain frame to be biassed into contiguity or abutment with the panel 210.

It is to be appreciated that the assembly of the operating roller and control spring cooperates with the lifter link assembly as the lifter link moves within its associated track to bias the curtain frame away from the panel as the panel moves to the closed position while enabling the curtain frame to engage or abut against the roof panel when in the "open" position.

Referring now to Figure 5 there is depicted therein a further embodiment of the present invention. As in the other embodiments of the present invention there is provided a movable or slidable roof panel 310 which is movable between an "open" position and a "closed" position which, respectively, opens or closes off an opening formed in the roof of a vehicle. The panel is movable into an open or closed mode by a iifter link assembly generally denoted at 312 and being of the type hereinabove described. The lifter link assembly is slidably movable in a track formed in a frame. The panel 310 is connected to the assembly 312 via a bracket 314 in order to effectuate contemporaneous movement therewith. A halo trim or curtain frame 316 is connected to the panel 310 by a spring 318 or similar means for biassing the curtain frame 316.

The spring 318, which is preferably a leaf spring, has a first end connected to the panel 310 by an attachement bracket 320. The opposite end of the spring 318 is affixed to the curtain frame by an attachement bracket 322 or the like. A roller or similar actuator 324 is fixedly mounted on the base of the lifter link assembly 312, as shown.

The roller or spool is engageable with a surface of the leaf spring 318 to control the movement and flexure thereof. Hence, as the panel is moved to the "open" position the roller engages the undersurface of the spring 318 to urge the actuator upwardly into engagement with the panel. The normal bias of the leaf spring is to a downward mode away from the panel and, hence, as the lifter link assembly moves the panel to the closed position the normal bias of the spring urges the curtain frame to a downward position.

Thus, as the panel reaches the closed position the curtain frame closes off the gap existing between the panel and the frame of the roof of the vehicle which would ordinarily be exposed.

It is apparent from the preceding that there have been described herein various examples of a halo trim and actuator therefor which urges the trim or curtain frame into a closed or sealing position when the panel is in the closed mode to effectuate aesthetically a closure of the gap existing between panel and the roof frame of the vehicle interiorly thereof. Furthermore, the actuator assembly and mechanisms hereof urge the trim into contact with the roof panel as the panel is moved to the open position. This enables the panels to be stored without any difficulty.

As herein before noted the present invention is particularly amenable to being deployed in connection with movable hatch panels which are movable between an inboard and outboard position as described in the pending application No. 34129/78. Furthermore, the present invention, as described herein, is particurlarly efficacious when used in conjunction with the lifter link assembly of the UK specification.

Claims

1. A vehicle with a sliding roof panel movable between an open and closed position to close off or open an opening formed in the roof of the vehicle, and a trim assembly therefor which comprises a trim interconnected to the roof panel and being movable between a first and second position, the first position being in engagement with the panel and the second position being displaced from the panel, the trim when in the second position closing off a gap otherwise existing between the panel and the interior of the vehicle when the panel is in the closed position, and means for moving the trim between the first and second positions.

2. A vehicle according to Claim 1 wherein the means for moving the trim comprises a bracket which is fixedly mounted on the trim and has an open-ended slot formed therewithin, and an actuator movable in to and out of engagement with the slot in response to movement of the roof panel.

3. A vehicle according to Claim 2 wherein the slot has a ramp section with which the actuator engages to control the movement of the frame as the actuator rides within the slot.

4. A vehicle according to Claim 2 or 3 wherein the actuator comprises a spool fixedly mounted on to a lifter link assembly operable to move the roof panel between the open and closed positions.

5. A vehicle according to Claim 1 wherein the means for moving the trim comprises a control link having a first end fixedly mounted on the roof panel and a second end having a longitudinal slot formed therein, a member disposed on the trim and projecting in to the slot of the link, and a stop for limiting movement of the control link as it travels in response to movement of the panel, the control link urging the trim away from the roof panel after the control link engages the stop and, the member thereupon sliding in the slot away from the roof panel.

6. A vehicle according to Claim 1 wherein the means for moving the trim comprises means for biassing the trim in to engagement with the panel, a roller engageable with a surface of the biassing means, and means interconnecting the roller with the lifter link assembly which is operable to move the panel, the roller being interconnected to the lifter link assembly for contemporaneous movement therewith and the roller engaging the biassing means to control the direction of movement of the trim.

7. A vehicle according to Claim 6 wherein the biassing means comprises a spring fixed at a first end to the trim and fixed at a second end to the movable roof panel.

8. A vehicle according to Claim 1 wherein the means for moving the trim comprises means for biassing the trim towards the roof panel and means for engaging the means for biassing and exerting a force sufficient to overcome the normal bias of the means for biassing, the means for engaging being mounted on to a lifter link assembly operable to move the roof panel between an open and closed position, the means for engaging being concurrently movable with the lifter link assembly to control the bias of the means for biassing.

9. A vehicle according to Claim 8 wherein the means for biassing comprises a leaf spring fixed at a first end to the roof panel and fixed at a second end to the trim.

10. A vehicle according to Claim 8 or 9 wherein the means for engaging comprises a spool journalled on to a rod affixed directly on to the lifter link assembly, the spool being engageable with a surface of the means for biassing.

11. A vehicle according to any preceding claim wherein the roof panel is a movable hatch panel movable between an inboard and an outboard position respectively to open or close the opening formed in the roof of the vehicle.

1 2. In combination, a sliding roof panel and a trim assembly therefor, the panel and assembly being constructed for a vehicle as defined in any preceding claim.