GB2199797A

GB2199797A - A sun roof for vehicles

Info

Publication number: GB2199797A
Application number: GB08729744A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Elio Lupo
Original assignee: Gilardini SpA
Current assignee: Marelli Europe SpA
Priority date: 1986-12-23
Filing date: 1987-12-21
Publication date: 1988-07-20
Also published as: IT8654245V0; DE3743476A1; JPS63141022U; BR8707130A; SE8705099D0; IT209014Z2; GB8729744D0; SE8705099L; FR2608528A1; ES1004124U; ES1004124Y

Description

M 219979, 1 A SUN ROOF FOR VEHICLES The present invention relates to a sun

roof for vehicles, particularly motor cars.

1 Openable sun roofs are known, in which a slidable part is displaceable manually or by electrical control to open an aperture in the roof to a greater or lesser extent, and a movable front deflector can be tilted upwardly to prevent the direct entry of air through this aperture.

Known sun roofs of the type briefly described have various disadvantages. In many cases the front clef lector is partially housed within the roof, with associated screening effect and evident disadvantages as far as the useful interior space of the vehicle are concerned. In other cases it is actuable by complex mechanisms independent from those for actuating the slidable part, in particular requiring two pairs of cables (one pair for each side of the roof) and associated drive means. Finally, there are known sun roofs in which this latter disadvantage has been overcome by providing a defJector the opening and closure of which is achieved automatically with the action of suitable resilient means; however, since the elastic force produced b y such resilient means has a magnitude dependent exclusively on 2 the relative position of the members with which it interengages, whilst the resisting forces are predominantly of an aerodynamic nature and therefore a function of the speed of the vehicle, it can happen that depending on the particular conditions of the vehicle the opening and closure of the deflector does not take place in a regular manner.

The object of the present invention is the provision of a #10 sun roof for vehicles which will allow the above specified disadvantages connected with known sun roofs to be overcome.

The said object is achieved with the present invention in that it relates to an openable sun roof for vehicles, of the type comprising a supporting structure fixed to an aperture of a vehicle roof panel, a main part slidable under the said roof panel to open or close the said aperture, and a front deflector tiltable upwardly substantially to prevent the direct entry of air into the said aperture, and in which the said front deflector is disposed in the closure position substantially at the same height as that of the main part, characterised by the fact that it includes means slidable along each side of the said roof, operated by an associated cable, which control the position of the said main part and cooperate 1 1 1 3 mechanically with actuating means for the said front deflector to cause opening or closure of the said front deflector in the closure position of the said main part, and by the fact that the said actuating means for the said front deflector comprise a first link and a second link pivoted together at one end and respectively pivoted to the said deflector and to the said supporting structure at the respective opposite end.

For a better understanding of the present invention a preferred embodiment is now described by way of non-limitative example with reference to the attached drawings, in which:

Figures 1, 2 and 3 are longitudinal schematic sections representing a sun roof formed according to the present invention in three operating positions; Figure 4 is a partial plan view from above of part of the actuating mechanism for the said sun roof of the "20 present invention; Figures 5, 6 and 7 are sections taken on the lines V-V, VI-VI and VII-VII respectively of Figure 4; Figure 8 is.a schematic section taken on the line VIII-VIII of Figure A; and Figure 9 is a schematic longitudinal median section of the sun roof of the present invention.

4 4 With reference to Figures 1 and 4, a sun roof is generally indicated with the reference numeral 1, which allows an aperture 2 in a roof panel 3 of the body of a motor vehicle to be opened or closed. The sun roof 1 comprises a supporting structure 4, a slidable main part 5 of which is of substantially rectangular form, and a tiltable front deflector 6 of width substantially equal to that of the main part 5 and of shorter length.' The supporting structure 4 is constituted by a front crosspiece 7, a central crosspiece, a rear crosspiece (not illustrated) and two longitudinal members 8, one at each side; this structure 4 is fixed in a conventional manner, not illustrated, to a perimetral frame 9 welded to the underside of the roof panel 3 around the periphery of the aperture 2 (Figures 5, 6 and 7).

The main part 5 is conveniently made in glass of suitable colour.

The deflector 6 comprises a lower panel 13 suitably shaped and ribbed, and a substantially flat cover panel 14 welded together around the edges (Figure 6), and is provided with a seal 15 fixed around the front edge and the side edges. This deflector 6 is connected to the t J 1 1 front crosspiece 7 by means of a pair of hinges 16 around which, in a known way, are arranged springs 17 which tend to make the deflector 6 open upwardly as is illustrated in Figures 2 and 3.

Towards the lateral zones of the deflector 6 is welded a respective bracket 18 which carries a horizontal pin 19 on which is ratatably mounted a first link 20. This first link 20 is connected at its opposite end, by means of a pin 23, to a second link 24 which in turn is connected to a pin 25 of a fixed pivot 26. In particular, the fixed pivot 26 comprises a fixing bracket 27 welded to the perimetral frame 9, beneath which, by means of a pair of screws 28 (Figure 4) is fixed a pierced block 29 which carries the said pin 25.

A coil spring 30, wound around the pin 25, tends to make the second link 24 turn in the opening direction of the front deflector 6 (clockwise in Figure 1). The first link 20 is provided witha projection 33 close to its end connected to the pin 23, able to cooperate with an edge at one end of the second link 24'to act as an end stop for the deflector 6.

- The second link 24 has on its lateral edge opposite the front crosspiece 7 a projection 34 substantially in the 1 t 6 form of a saw tooth on which acts one end of a push rod 35; this push rod 35 is connected by means of a screw 36 and a pair of reference pins 37 to a carriage 38 slidable along the respective longitudinal.member 8.

In particular, Figures 1 and 5, the longitudinal member 8 is constituted by a section, for example in aluminium, conveniently inclined downwardly towards the rear part of the vehicle with respect to the roof panel 3; as is clearly visible in Figure 5, this section has, in cross section, a base 39 upwardly from which extends a central portion 40 on which the carriage 38 slides, and two lateral, respectively external and internal, portions 43, 44 defining, with the said central portion 40 and the base 39, respective guide cavities 45, 46 for slidable means described in more detail hereinbelow. The central portion 40 has two internal cavities 47, 48 parallel to one another passing therethrough. The lateral portion 43 has as outer tongue 49 which serves for connection to the frame 9; the lateral portion 44 define a pair of parallel superimposed cavities 52 facing the interior of the roof, the purpose of which is described hereinbelow, and cavities 53 for fixing the said crosspieces and an aesthetic finish to the roof panel 3.

The carriage 38 is shaped to slide on the central portion 1 1 7 40 and has in its interior, on opposite sides, two pairs of hollow round rods 54 which can slide within the cavities 47, 48. To the round rods 54 of the cavity 47 is fixed, for example by soldering, a flexible actuating cable 55, only partially illustrated; the cavity 48 has the purpose of housing the other cable, not illustrated, for the actuation of an identical mechanism on the opposite side of the roof. The actuating cables 55 are housed in a pair of tubes 56, visible in Figures 4 and 6, fixed to the front crosspiece 7, and these cables 55 have a threaded external shape which engages a nut rotated by an electric motor not illustrated housed in a central region of the front crosspiece 7.

The carriage 38 is provided at the top, close to one end opposite the push rod 35, with a bracket 57 which carries a horizontal peg 58 facing the interior of the roof, which can slide along a shaped slot 59 having a first portion 60 parallel to the longitudinal member 8 and a convenient length as will be described in more detail below, and having a second portion 61 inclined upwardly and starting from the end of the first portion 59. This slot 58 is formed in a crank 63 of elongate form which, as is clearly visible in Figures 4 and 5., is connected laterally by means of a pair of screws 64 to a support bracket 65 fixed along the periphery of the main part 5 v Y 1 8 by means of an adhesive material 66.

The push rod 35 and the crank 63 are provided with resp-:ctive slide blocks 67, 68, 69. In particular, push rod 35 integrally carries two slide blocks 67 are identical with one another, slidable within the interior of the cavity 45 of the longitudinal member 8. The crank 63 is provided with a front slide block 68 of oblong form slidable along the cavity 46 and further serving as an axial stop for the crank 63 itself against an adjustable abutment 70, constituted by a rod 71 pivoted in a central position an the front crosspiece 7, which can be clamped in a preselected angular position by means of a shaped bracket 72 fixed an the crosspiece 7 itself. The crank 63 further includes a rear slide block 69 (Figure 8) substantially of L-shape, which can slide within the cavity 46 but is found, in the closure position of the main part 5 illustrated in Figures 1, 2, 5 and 8, locked with its upper portion 73 within a notch 74 formed on the upper wall of the cavity 46. To the periphery of the main part 5 there is fixed, by means of an adhesive 75 (Figures 4 and 5), a small shaped metal frame 76 which carries a perimetral seal 77 between the main part 5 and the edges of the aperture 2.

The sun roof 1 further includes a sun shade panel 78 p 2 L 9 (Figure 9) mounted within the supporting structure 4 and rovided with lateral slide blocks, not illustrated, slidable within the cavities 52 of the longitudinal members 8. The sun shade panel 78 is of substantially rectangular form and includes two flat portions 79, 80 respectively close to a front edge and a rear edge of the panel 78 itself, and a central portion 81 constituted by a plurality of strips 82 disposed parallel to one another and transversely with respect to the roof, shaped and inclined in such a way as to prevent the ingress of direct light in a direction opposite the direction of movement of the vehicle. The sun shade panel 78 is provided with two upper reinforcing small cross members 83 respectively fixed to the flat portions 79 and 80, and is a handle 8 4 which projects downwardly from the front flat portion 79.

In Figure 9 the shape of the front crosspiece 7 is also clearly visible; in particular it is seen that the crosspiece 7 is constituted by a pair of, respectively upper and lower, panels 85, 86, defining a rear edge 87 shaped in the form of a channel and extending along the region of contact between the front deflector 6 and the main part 5 for the purpose of collecting any infiltrations of water. A similar function is performed by the cavities 45 of-the longitudinal members 8. The collected water is conveyed to a basin of known type, not illustrated, disposed close to the vertices of the supporting structure 4 and conveniently communicating with the exterior through discharge tubes. Finally, the presence of a space 68 formed by the lower panel 86 of the front crosspiece 7 is seen, in which the motor driving the cables 55 is housed.

The functioning of the sun roof 1 is as follows.

Starting from the position illustrated in Figure 1, in which the sun roof is completely closed, actuating the electric motor makes the actuating cable 55 on the side illustrated slide towards the right, which causes a is corresponding displacement towards the left of the carriage 38. At the same time the push rod 35 fixed to the carriage 38 progressively disengages the second link 24 permitting the upward opening of the front deflector 6 which takes place by the action of the springs 17 in the 20 hinges 16 and the springs 26 which press the associated links 24 upwardly.

With the progressive displacement to the right of the carriage 38 the peg 58 slides along the first section 60 of the slot 59, which does not cause any displacement of the crank 63, and therefore of the main part 5 fixed to 0 1 it, this section being parallel to the longitudinal member 8 on which the carriage 38 slides.

The various parts are dimensioned in such a way that when the peg 58 reaches the end of the first section 60 of the slot 59 the front deflector 6 is found in its position of maximum upward inclination (Figure 2); it is stopped in this position by the projection 33 of the first link 20, which comes into contact with the edge of the second link 24.

Upon further displacement of the actuating cable 55 and therefore of the carriage 38 towards the right (Figure 3) the peg 58 is displaced into the second section 61 of the slot 59 and therefore causes lowering of the crank 63 the rear slide blocks 69 of which disengage from the notch 74 and move down in contact with the longitudinal member 8. The main part 5, fixed to the crank 63, is therefore lowered beneath the level of the roof panel 3; upon further displacement of the carriage 38, the peg 58 nowbeing at the end of its stroke in the section 61 of the slot 59, causes sliding of the main part 5 under the roof panel 3.

The operations for closure of the sun roof 1 take place in the reverse order with respect to those described; in.

12 particular, with the displacement towards the left of the actuating cable 5 and the carriage 38 fixed to it there is a progressive movement of the main part 5 out from the roof panel 3 until the front slide block 68 of the crank 63 reaches the rod 71 of the abutment 70. At this point there is first sliding of the peg 58 within the second section 61 of the slot 59 with consequent return of the main part 5 to the level of the roof panel 3 and locking in a longitudinal sense by the engagement of the rear slide blocks 69 of the crank 63 in the notch 74 (Figure 8), and subsequent advancement towards the left of only the carriage 38 so that the push rod 35 fixed to it controls lowering of the front deflector 6 (Figure 1) The sun shade panel 78 is manually actuable by acting on the handle 84, and can be disposed in any position independently of the position assumed by the main part 5 and the front deflector 6.

From a study of the characteristics of the sun roof 1 formed according to the present invention the advantages which it allows to be obtained are evident. First of all there is common actuation of the main part 5 and the front deflector 6. opening and closure of this deflector 6 takes place in a completely automatic manner. in the closure position of the main part 5 and are ensured and 1 1 is 13 controlled by the mechanical action of the push rod 35 on the link 24. The mechanical actuating assembly is simple, economic and of minimum bulk, which allows a sun roof 1 of reduced height to be formed. The arrangement of the front crosspiece 7 performing as described the function of a water collection channel for water which can infiltrate between the front deflector 6 and the main part 5 makes the production of a suitable separate channel unnecessary with evident aesthetic and economic advantages. Also economically advantageous is the formation of the supporting structure 4 which allows the sun roof 1 to be completely assembled away from the vehicle and mounted on it only in the final connection stage.

Finally, it is clear that-the embodiments of the present, invention described can have modifications and variations introduced thereto, both as to the form and arrangement of the various parts or the materials used, without departing from the protective scope of the present invention. In particular, the main part 5 can be made in a non-transparent material, for example in sheet metal or in plastics material.

14

Claims

1. A sun roof for vehicles, of the type comprising a supporting structure fixed to an aperture in a roof panel of a vehicle, a main part slidable under the said roof panel to open or close the said aperture, and a front deflector tiltable upwardly substantially to prevent the direct entry of air into the said aperture, and in which the said front deflector is disposed in the closure position substantially at the same height as the said main part, characterised by the fact that it comprise means slidable along each side of the said roof, actuated by a respective cable which controls the position of the said main part and cooperate is mechanically with actuation means - of the said front deflector to cause opening or closure of the said front deflector in the closure position of the said main part and by the fact that the said actuating means for the said front deflector comprise a first link and a second link pivoted together at one end and respectively pivoted to the said deflector and to the said supporting structure at a respective opposite end.

2. A sun roof according to Claim 1, characterised by the fact that it includes first resilient means 0 0 a j 1 1 1 operable to act on the said actuation means of the said front deflector to displace it into an upwardly inclined position.

3. A sun roof according to Claim 2, characterized by the fact that it includes second resilient means acting on the said front deflector to displace it into the said upwardly inclined position.

4. A sun roof according to Claim 3, characterised by the fact that the said actuation means include stop means operable to determine a position of maximum inclination of the said front deflector under the thrust of the said resilient means A sun roof-according to Claim 4, characterised by the fact that the said stop means include a projection of the said first link cooperable with a lateral edge of the said second link 6. A sun roof according to any preceding Claim, characterised by the fact that the. said slidable means include a carriage. fixed to an associated said cable and movable along a guide of the said supporting structure and a thrust element fixed to the said carriage and cooperating.with the said 0 0 A 16 actuation means 7. A sun roof according to Claim 6 when dependent on any of Claims from 2 to 5, characterised by the fact that the said thrust element is cooperable with the said second link against the action of the said first resilient means 8. A sun roof according to Claim 6 or Claim 7, characterised by the fact that it includes associated.

drive means between the said carriage ancl the said main part the said associated drive means including an element fixed to the said carriage and a body fixed tc the said main part element said body is the said slidably engaging an aperture of the with a clearance such as to permit a stroke of the said carriage sufficient to cause opening or closure of the said front deflector 9. A sun roof according to Claim 8, characterised by.

the fact that the said element is constituted by a peg disposed in a slot of the said body fixed to the said main part the said slot. including a first portion substantially parallel to the said guide and of a length substantially equal to the said clearance, and a second portion inclined to cause, ip I- 1.

t 17 lowering of the said body panel beneath the said roof 10. A sun roof according to Claim 8 or Claim 9, characterised by-the fact that the said body to the said main part includes further means slidable along the said guide f iXed 11. A sun roof according to Claim 10, characterised by the fact that the said further slidable means include a firS slide block constrained to slide along the said guide and a second slide block displaceable from a first engagement position in a corresponding seat of the said guide when the said peg is occupies the said first portion of the said slot to a second position sliding along the said guide when the said peg reaches one end of the said second portion of the said slot 12. A sun roof according to any of Claims from 8 to 11-, characterised by the fact that it includes adjustable stop means of the said body fixed to the said main part in the closure position of the said main part 13.

A sun roof according to any preceding Claim, a. 9 1 1 18 characterised by the fact that the said supporting structure includes a front crosspiece extending beneath the region of contact between the said main part and the said front deflector and operable to collect possible infiltrations of water.

If' 14. A sun roof according to Claim 13, characterised by the fact that the said front deflector is pivoted to the said front crosspiece 15. A sun roof according to any of Claims from 6 to 14, characterised by the fact that it includes a sun shade panel slidable along the said guides 16. A sun roof according to Claim 15, characterised by the fact that the said sun roof panel is manually operable independently of the position of the said main part and the said front deflector 1 -1.

1 An openable sun roof for vehicles, substantially as described and illustrated in the attached drawings.

Published 1958 a. -Ine Patent Mce. Swk Ho',Ise 66'71 High Ho2born. London WCIR 47P Further copies mky be obtained frOM, MIC Patent =cC.. SaJes Branch. S. Ma--y Cray, Orpir4lori, Kent BR5 3RD Printed bY MWt-iplex techlu(Zues ltd. St Maxy Cray. Kent Con. JfB7.