Patents Assigned to Inalfa Roof Systems Group B.V.
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Patent number: 11607937Abstract: A roof system includes a closure panel that opens a roof opening in which it is positioned partially above a portion of a roof. An operating mechanism includes a front device having a lever for moving the front edge of the panel in a vertical direction. The lever is pivotally connected to a driving slide that has a cam partly in engagement with a stationary guide curve and is in engagement with the panel through a pin-curve assembly. A curve of the pin-curve assembly has a guiding curve extending allowing a corresponding pin to slide along it to move the front of the panel at least in vertical direction when the lever is driven by the driving slide. A locking curve extends mainly vertically when a pin is positioned in the locking curve in order to allow the driving slide to slide the panel in longitudinal direction.Type: GrantFiled: October 1, 2020Date of Patent: March 21, 2023Assignee: INALFA ROOF SYSTEMS GROUP B.V.Inventors: Marcel Johan Christiaan Nellen, Rainer Gerhard Jüngling
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Patent number: 11585142Abstract: An open roof assembly for use in a vehicle roof of a vehicle comprises a moveably arranged closure member for selectively covering or at least partially exposing an opening in the vehicle roof, an electric motor operatively coupled to the closure member through a mechanical drive assembly for moving the closure member, an electric driving unit for providing a supply signal to the electric motor and a control unit operatively coupled to the electric driving unit for controlling operation of the electric motor. The electric driving unit comprises four switching devices in a bridged configuration and the control unit is configured to control a motion of the closure member by controlling operation of the switching devices, and to incur a safety stop during a motion of the closure member by an immediate reversal of a polarity of the supply signal.Type: GrantFiled: December 8, 2020Date of Patent: February 21, 2023Assignee: INALFA ROOF SYSTEMS GROUP B.V.Inventors: Dennie Wilhelmus Hendrikus Craane, Gerrit Schwepper
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Patent number: 11577589Abstract: An open roof assembly for use in a vehicle roof of a vehicle comprises a moveably arranged closure member for selectively covering or at least partially exposing an opening in the vehicle roof. Further, an electric motor operatively coupled to the closure member is provided for moving the closure member. A control unit is operatively coupled to the electric motor for controlling the closure member. The control unit is configured to control a position of the closure member during normal driving conditions, and to release control of the position of the closure member, when a vehicle acceleration exceeds a predetermined acceleration threshold. Thus, upon a high force on the closure member, induced by the high acceleration and weight of the closure member, damage may be prevented by absorbing the high forces in a motion of the closure member and a resistance of the electric motor.Type: GrantFiled: November 25, 2020Date of Patent: February 14, 2023Assignee: INALFA ROOF SYSTEMS GROUP B.V.Inventors: Mark Peter Anton Vervoort, Perry Johan Jacob Lambert Van Vegchel
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Patent number: 11577588Abstract: An open roof construction for a vehicle having a roof opening in a roof part, comprising a panel, and a first device for moving the rear side of the panel towards a raised position relative to the closed position and above an adjoining roof part. The control slide and the lifting member are guided by a guide rail having grooves and extending in longitudinal direction alongside the opening and below the adjoining roof part. A support lever cooperates with the control slide and supports the panel in positions in which it is above the adjoining roof part. The support lever is guided in the guide rail and is adapted to also pass through the passage opening. The support lever takes over support of the panel from an intermediate guide connection of the lifting lever and the intermediate guide connection is then disengaged from the guide curve in the control slide.Type: GrantFiled: December 2, 2020Date of Patent: February 14, 2023Assignee: INALFA ROOF SYSTEMS GROUP B.V.Inventor: Eduardus Christianus Henricus van Boxtel
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Patent number: 11518301Abstract: A roof panel assembly for use in a roof of a vehicle comprises at least one roof panel, providing a first interior surface configured to be directed to an interior space of the vehicle and a second interior surface configured to be directed to the interior space of the vehicle. The roof panel assembly further comprises a support beam arranged between the first interior surface and the second interior surface and a projector device arranged on the support beam. The projector device is configured to project a light image on at least one of the first interior surface and the second interior surface.Type: GrantFiled: September 24, 2020Date of Patent: December 6, 2022Assignee: INALFA ROOF SYSTEMS GROUP B.V.Inventor: Sergej Sergeevic Lojko
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Patent number: 11479100Abstract: An open roof construction for a vehicle having a roof opening in a fixed roof has a roof edge defining the roof opening and protruding in a downward direction. The open roof construction comprises a stationary part and at least one panel for at least closing the roof opening. The stationary part is provided with sealing assembly comprising a first seal part forming a seal towards the panel, and a second seal part capable of sealing the stationary part against the roof edge. The sealing assembly is provided with an attachment structure protruding from the first seal part and the second seal part and attaching the sealing assembly to the stationary part. A reinforcement member is integrated in the sealing assembly and extends at least between the first and second seal parts. The reinforcement member forms an integral part of the attachment structure of the sealing assembly.Type: GrantFiled: February 22, 2021Date of Patent: October 25, 2022Assignee: INALFA ROOF SYSTEMS GROUP B.V.Inventors: Eduardus Christianus Henricus van Boxtel, Jur Johannes Maria Custers
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Patent number: 11479092Abstract: A frame assembly for an open roof assembly comprises a first beam, a second beam and a panel. The first beam and the second beam are mechanically coupled in a joint area, thereby forming a seam. A sealant is provided in the joint area for providing a liquid-tight joint. The panel is at least partly arranged over the first beam and the second beam such that the joint area is at least partly overlapped by the panel. An adhesive bead is solely provided on the first beam for supporting the panel on the first beam, the adhesive bead sealing a dry area between the first beam and the panel.Type: GrantFiled: April 5, 2021Date of Patent: October 25, 2022Assignee: INALFA ROOF SYSTEMS GROUP B.V.Inventors: Marcel Johan Christiaan Nellen, Rainer Gerhard Jüngling
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Patent number: 11482960Abstract: A controller for controlling a motor of a closure and/or blind in a vehicle body is configured to determine a reference state signal comprising speed and/or current measurements, repeatedly estimate motor model parameters of the motor, determine an estimated state signal based on an input signal comprising measurements or estimates of a voltage, the estimated motor model parameters, the reference state signal and an error signal, the error signal representing a difference between the reference state signal and the estimated state signal, determine a disturbance observer signal from the error signal, compute a first derivative of the disturbance observer signal at a present moment, and reverse the motor upon determining that the first derivative of the disturbance observer signal exceeds a threshold.Type: GrantFiled: December 14, 2018Date of Patent: October 25, 2022Assignee: INALFA ROOF SYSTEMS GROUP B.V.Inventor: Dennie Wilhelmus Hendrikus Craane
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Patent number: 11479093Abstract: A method for positioning a movably arranged panel comprises the steps of determining a panel braking distance based on a physical property of the moveable panel and a physical property of at least one of a drive assembly and a drive motor. The panel braking distance corresponds to a distance covered by the moveable panel in a period of time starting from a decision to switch off the drive motor until stand-still of the moveable panel. The drive motor is switched off when an expected stop position is within a predetermined range around a desired stop position.Type: GrantFiled: November 4, 2019Date of Patent: October 25, 2022Assignee: INALFA ROOF SYSTEMS GROUP B.V.Inventor: Marco Van Mourik
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Patent number: 11440385Abstract: An open roof construction for a vehicle having at least one opening in the fixed roof, includes a stationary part for attachment to the roof. It carries at least two guide rails alongside the roof opening. At least one closure having a front and a rear side is supported by an operating mechanism guided on the guide rails. The closure is adjustable between a closed position, in which it closes the roof opening, and an open position in which it is at least partly moved out of the roof opening. The operating mechanism includes at least one first support member adjustably supporting the closure near its front side, and at least adjustable second support members adjustably supporting the closure a distance behind the front side. Each support member includes two separate drive sources to be able to adjust each support member independently in horizontal and vertical direction.Type: GrantFiled: August 3, 2017Date of Patent: September 13, 2022Assignee: INALFA ROOF SYSTEMS GROUP B.V.Inventors: Thomas Anton Martijnszoon Albers, Stephan Christiaan Vervoort, Petrus Antonius Wesseling
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Patent number: 11414925Abstract: A flexible sunscreen is provided intended for use in a sunshade assembly of the type comprising a flexible sunscreen having a central part and two opposed inwardly folded longitudinal edge flaps connected to the central part by means of folding lines, and two opposed longitudinal guides for receiving therein and guiding corresponding ones of the inwardly folded longitudinal edge flaps of the flexible sunscreen, which guides are provided with locking members for engaging an outer end of the inwardly folded longitudinal edge flaps for preventing these edge flaps from moving out of the longitudinal guides. The central part of the flexible sunscreen mainly is manufactured from a first material with a first stiffness wherein of the inwardly folded longitudinal edge flaps and of the parts of the central part adjacent the edge flaps at least part is made of a second material with a second higher stiffness.Type: GrantFiled: November 16, 2018Date of Patent: August 16, 2022Assignee: INALFA ROOF SYSTEMS GROUP B.V.Inventors: Paulus Johannes Wilhelmus Munsters, Dave Keller, Martinus Wilhelmus Maria Nabuurs, Peter Christiaan Leonardus Johannes Manders, Robert Rikkert
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Patent number: 11396223Abstract: The wind deflector assembly moves between a retracted position below the roof opening and an extended position above and comprises a member extends in a transverse direction of the vehicle and is connected with an end to an elongated member and with an end to a stationary part. A pair of arms are connected to the stationary part by slidable hinges. The assembly is biased by a spring in a rearward longitudinal direction. The spring is connected to a second end of the arm. A biasing device urges the arm towards the extended position. The biasing device comprises first and second legs. The first leg loads the assembly between the arm and the stationary part so as to urge the arm towards the extended position. The second leg engages with and extends substantially along the arm. A second end of the first leg is pivotally connected to the stationary part.Type: GrantFiled: September 16, 2020Date of Patent: July 26, 2022Assignee: Inalfa Roof Systems Group B.V.Inventor: Dirk Cornelis Dionisius Maria Van Oirschot
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Patent number: 11396224Abstract: A multi-piece frame for an open roof assembly is manufactured by providing a first frame element having an edge and a first attachment area adjacent to the edge; providing a second frame element having a second attachment area; arranging the first attachment area and the second attachment area at least partly over each other; applying a fluid sealant adjacent to the edge of the first frame element; applying a sealing element on at least one of the first frame element and the second frame element and on the sealant, while the sealant is still at least partly fluid; and curing the sealant to provide a fluid-tight sealing between the first frame element, the second frame element and the sealing element. Thus, fluid tight connection between the sealing element and the sealant is provided in a reliable manner.Type: GrantFiled: March 16, 2020Date of Patent: July 26, 2022Assignee: Inalfa Roof Systems Group B.V.Inventors: Diederik Gijsbertus Swinkels, Wilhelmus Maria Theresia Hendrikus Schrans, Marcel Nellen
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Patent number: 11390150Abstract: A support mechanism for an open-roof assembly, comprising a moveable panel, comprises at least one of a front flexible portion and a rear flexible portion. A guide assembly of the open-roof assembly comprises an elongated guide rail extending in a longitudinal direction, a front mechanism slideably arranged in the guide rail and a rear mechanism arranged in the guide rail. The front mechanism and the rear mechanism are provided with means for providing a relatively high mechanism stiffness, while the at least one of the front and rear flexible portions is provided with a relatively low bending stiffness in the width direction and with a relatively low rotational stiffness in respective main directions such that orientation deviations between the panel support assembly and the guide assembly result in larger rotational deformation in the at least one of the respective flexible portions than in the respective mechanisms.Type: GrantFiled: September 17, 2020Date of Patent: July 19, 2022Assignee: Inalfa Roof Systems Group B.V.Inventors: Rainer Gerhard Jüngling, Marcel Johan Christiaan Nellen
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Patent number: 11390149Abstract: A guide assembly of an open roof assembly comprises a center rail element. The center rail element comprises a first wall member and a second wall member, the second wall member being arranged substantially parallel to the first wall member. A transverse wall member extends between the first wall member and the second wall member. A first guide channel is arranged in the first wall member and a second guide channel is arranged in the second wall member. A cable channel is provided on the transverse wall and is arranged between the first guide channel and the second guide channel. Thus, a modular center rail element is provided that may be used with all vehicle types without further vehicle specific adaptation.Type: GrantFiled: September 16, 2020Date of Patent: July 19, 2022Assignee: Inalfa Roof Systems Group B.V.Inventors: Rainer Gerhard Jüngling, Marcel Johan Christiaan Nellen
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Patent number: 11390148Abstract: A rollo assembly for use in a vehicle with an opening, includes a shaft, a screen wound on/off said shaft where a forward end is provided with a beam and opposite channels guide edges of the screen and ends of the beam. Drive cables are provided with connecting members for drivingly engaging respective counter connecting members provided at ends of the beam. The shaft, beam and screen are combined into a detachable unit which, when the screen is substantially fully wound onto the shaft and the cables assume a position in which the connecting members at least partially protrude from a longitudinal end of the channels, can be moved relative to said channels for connecting or disconnecting the counter connecting members to or from the connecting members. A support maintains the connecting members of the cables, when maximally protruding from said longitudinal end of the channels, in a well-defined position.Type: GrantFiled: September 23, 2019Date of Patent: July 19, 2022Assignee: Inalfa Roof Systems Group B.V.Inventors: Eduardus Christianus Henricus Van Boxtel, Jur Johannes Maria Custers, Peter Christiaan Leonardus Johannes Manders, Marcel Johan Christiaan Nellen
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Patent number: 11370282Abstract: A guide is presented intended for use in a sunshade assembly of the type comprising a flexible sunscreen having opposed longitudinal edges and two opposed longitudinal guides each comprising at least two spaced guide legs for defining there between a guide channel for receiving therein and guiding corresponding ones of the opposed longitudinal edges of the sunscreen. The guides and longitudinal edges are provided with cooperating guide locking members and edge locking members for preventing the longitudinal edges of the sunscreen from moving out of the guide channels. The guide locking members are defined on separate parts engaging the guides.Type: GrantFiled: June 11, 2018Date of Patent: June 28, 2022Assignee: Inalfa Roof Systems Group B. V.Inventors: Robert Rikkert, Theodorus Van Doleweerd, Paulus Johannes Wilhelmus Munsters, Petrus Martinus Josephus Clephas
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Patent number: 11331988Abstract: A roof system comprises a panel movable between closed and open positions. An operating mechanism comprises front and rear devices. A slide moves the panel both in vertical and horizontal directions via the front and rear devices. At least one of the front and rear devices comprises a lever connected to the slide or the stationary rail through a second pivot pin. A first guide cam is at least partly in engagement with either a stationary guide and/or a curve in the slide. The slide includes a first and second slide part are pivotally connected to each other. One of the slide parts, that is pivotally and slidably connected to said lever, includes a cam engaging a guide curve in the stationary guide rail to force said one slide part to pivot with respect to the other slide part during at least a part of the sliding movement of the slide.Type: GrantFiled: April 5, 2019Date of Patent: May 17, 2022Assignee: INALFA ROOF SYSTEMS GROUP B.VInventors: Eduardus Christianus Henricus van Boxtel, Marcel Johan Christiaan Nellen, Ruud Geurts
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Patent number: 11285790Abstract: A transparent roof assembly for a vehicle roof comprises a panel with a transparent area, a light source arranged to provide light into the panel and an out-coupling pattern arranged on the surface of the transparent area of the panel. The out-coupling pattern comprises dots of a light-redirecting material for out-coupling of light introduced into the panel and propagating in the panel, wherein the dots each have a representative diameter of 150 microns or less, preferably 80 microns or less and wherein a total dot surface area of the dots of the out-coupling pattern is smaller than 10% of a total surface area of the transparent area. Thus, the transparent area appears transparent during daytime looking from an interior of the vehicle to an exterior of the vehicle, while sufficient light is provided into the interior when the light source is switched on.Type: GrantFiled: December 30, 2019Date of Patent: March 29, 2022Assignee: INALFA ROOF SYSTEMS GROUP B.V.Inventors: Theodorus van Doleweerd, Sergej Sergeevi{hacek over (c)} Lojko
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Patent number: D970427Type: GrantFiled: March 9, 2021Date of Patent: November 22, 2022Assignee: INALFA ROOF SYSTEMS GROUP B.V.Inventors: Jos Sanders, Thomas Albers