Abstract: A tonneau cover for a vehicle has a topside and an underside. The tonneau cover also includes a rail system attached to the underside. The tonneau cover also includes a ramp system. The ramp system is slidably engaged with the rail system and is configured to slide out from the underside along the rail system such that a rear end of the ramp system engages a ground surface to create a rampway between the topside and the ground surface. The ramp system can be used to load large cargo onto the topside of the tonneau cover. The ramp system is also removable from the rail system and attachable to an end of a truck bed of the vehicle such that the ramp system can be used to load cargo into the truck bed.

Abstract: A roof assembly for attachment to reinforcement beams in a fixed roof of a vehicle comprises a frame surrounding at least a part of an opening and configured to be attached to at least the reinforcement beams of the vehicle. The frame is made primarily of plastic material. At least a first stationary panel is at least partly semi-transparent and is at least partly fixed to the frame. At least one movable panel is arranged adjacent the stationary panel. A reinforcement is integrated in the frame. The reinforcement extends at least around an area covered by the movable panel, and along at least a portion of the frame configured to be attached to the reinforcement beams of the vehicle.

Abstract: A vented roof panel is provided for an overhead portion of a roll-over protection system of an off-road vehicle. The vented roof panel comprises a planar member that includes a shape and a curvature that match the overhead portion to enable closely attaching the vented roof panel to the roll-over protection system. The planar member is formed of any of various plastics, such as injection molded plastic, or other similar materials. An air scoop including an air inlet port is centrally disposed in the planar member. The air inlet port is disposed in a forward-facing portion of the air scoop and configured to direct an airstream from outside to underneath the vented roof panel. The vented roof panel may be attached to tubular frame members comprising the roll-over protection system by way of one or more suitable fasteners.

Abstract: A vehicle roof having a plate-shaped body-shell element and a shading arrangement which has a shading element and guide rails for laterally guiding the shading element. At least one fixing element is formed integrally on each of the guide rails at an upper side facing the body-shell element, said fixing element being in engagement with at least one molded portion which is molded to the body-shell element and has at least one fixing counterpart.

Abstract: In an embodiment a rear quarter vehicle body structure includes a quarter complete including a quarter pillar upper reinforcement and a quarter complete outer welding surface formed at an outside of a vehicle body and a side outer rear extension assembly including a side outer rear extension having a rear extension outer flange formed at the outside of the vehicle body, wherein an inner surface of the rear extension outer flange is joined to the quarter complete outer welding surface.

Abstract: To allow receiving rain water by moving a drip member upward and downward in a substantially horizontal direction with a tilting motion of a roof panel, a drip mechanism has a drip member including a trough in an upper surface and covering the entire length of a lower side of a rear edge of a roof panel; left and right movable bodies disposed on guiderails in left and right side portions of a frame; a lifting unit connecting the drip member to the left and right movable bodies that allows the drip member to move upward and downward; and an interlocking member connecting the drip member with the roof panel. In the lifting unit, front and rear link members connect the drip member with the movable body and a member urging, in a rising direction, portions of these front and rear link members and on the drip member-connected side.

Abstract: A soft top cover assembly including a pivotal portion adapted for attaching at a roof top opening of a vehicle to selectively close off the roof top opening and open up the roof top opening for an open-air experience. The assembly has a cover attached to a first bow member of the pivotal portion and a rear header. Selectively rotating the pivotal portion covers and uncovers the roof top opening. The assembly has at least one pair of shutface appliques adjacent to the sides of the roof top opening. At least one pair of rear side belt mounts incorporating a belt rail and adapted to connect to the vehicle and operable to attach LH/RH rear side windows.

Abstract: A perimeter frame for a sunshade module includes a sunshade opening, a guiderail, and a housing. The guiderail includes an end face, and a guideway, a mounting flange, and an attachment channel extending therefrom. The guideway opens inwardly to the sunshade opening, the mounting flange projects outwardly away from the sunshade opening, and the attachment channel opens downwardly from therebetween. The housing includes a guiderail adaptor. The guiderail adaptor is inserted into the attachment channel, secured to the attachment channel using a fastener installed from above the attachment channel, and engages the attachment channel from below.

Abstract: A vehicle body structure includes a floor tunnel, a cross member, and a bulkhead. The cross member includes a cross member longitudinal wall and a cross member flange. The bulkhead includes a bulkhead longitudinal wall. The bulkhead longitudinal wall and the cross member longitudinal wall are arranged at the same position in a vehicle body front-to-rear direction. The first cross member flange includes a bond part that is bonded to the floor tunnel and a welding part. The welding part is welded to the floor tunnel at a position that is more separated from the cross member longitudinal wall than the bond part.

Abstract: A removable roof panel system for a vehicle, includes a frame structure configured to be mounted to a roof of the vehicle. A front panel is removably mounted to the frame structure and including a front glass panel and a front panel frame. A rear panel is removably mounted to the frame structure and includes a rear glass panel and a rear panel frame. The frame structure includes a trough portion and supports a first seal configured to be disposed between the roof of the vehicle and the front and rear glass panels and a second seal disposed between the front and rear panel frames and the frame structure. A front latch system releasably secures the front panel to the frame structure and a rear latch system releasably secures the rear panel to the frame structure.

Abstract: Window seals can be configured to divert water away from an area of the vehicle where the presence of water is not desired, such as a door latch. A window seal can include a first body member and a second body member. The first body member can include a main body and a lip extending from the main body. The lip can include an upper end and a lower end. The second body member can be angled relative to the first body member. The second body member can include a liquid diverter that has a collector portion in fluid communication with a gutter portion. The collector portion can include an inlet opening. The inlet opening can be operatively positioned to receive a liquid from the lower end of the lip, and the gutter portion can route the liquid away from undesired areas.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a roof ditch molding for mounting in a roof ditch of a roof of a motor vehicle. The roof ditch molding may have a first portion and a second portion. The first portion is made from a molding process using a first material. The first material imparts a rigid characteristic to the first portion. The first portion is further configured to at least substantially cover a major portion of a roof ditch of a vehicle roof, and to closely follow at least one contour of the roof ditch. The second portion is made from the molding process using a second material. The second material imparts a flexible characteristic to the second portion and is integrally connected to the first portion such that the second portion projects laterally outwardly of the first portion while following a contour of the first portion. The second portion provides a compliant seal/transition area between the first portion and the roof ditch.

Abstract: A roof rail assembly for a motor vehicle having an open frame vehicle architecture includes a side air curtain fixedly coupled with an elongated hollow sport tube extending along a longitudinal axis of the motor vehicle. The sport tube comprises a two-piece multi-gage tube extending along a longitudinal length of an occupant compartment of the motor vehicle. The side airbag curtain is fixedly coupled with the sport tube, the side airbag curtain having a stowed condition and an inflated condition. An integrated seal carrier is fixedly coupled with the sport tube and extends laterally outboard of the motor vehicle, the integrated seal carrier comprising a removable roof sealing member and a removable door window seal, wherein the removable roof sealing member and a removable door window seal are independent of one another.

Abstract: An upper vehicle-body structure for a vehicle, the upper vehicle-body structure including a cover that fits in an opening in a roof panel of the vehicle; a sunroof device that moves the cover between one position in the opening and another position out of the opening; and a vehicle-body framework which surrounds an outer edge portion of the opening and in which corner portions are formed in a planar view. The sunroof has a unit framework in which corner portions are formed, and close portions of the unit framework to unit corner portions are coupled with close portions of the vehicle-body framework to vehicle-body corner portions.

Abstract: A sunroof panel and sunshade assembly system includes a moveable sunroof panel operable to selectively move to a first closed position within a sunroof opening of a vehicle and a sunshade operable to selectively move to a second closed position within the sunroof opening. The sunshade includes a leading-edge portion and a spring force displacement member within the leading-edge portion of the sunshade, wherein the spring force displacement member is operable to deform when the sunshade contacts an obstruction while the sunshade is moving. The system further includes an electric machine providing motive force to the sunshade and a computerized sunroof panel and sunshade controller. The controller operates programming to monitor operation of the electric machine, determine a presence of the obstruction based upon the monitored operation, and command the electric machine to stop and reverse the sunshade based upon the determined presence.

Abstract: A vehicle roof assembly including a roof panel, a side panel coupled to the roof panel, thereby defining a roof ditch, a passage extending along the roof ditch, and a sealing member at least partially encasing the passage. The passage allows fluid to flow along the roof ditch.

Abstract: A liquid diverter assembly for a vehicle door includes, among other things, a funnel adjacent a vertically lower end portion of a glass run within a vehicle door, and a conduit that communicates liquid from the funnel around an electrically powered component of the vehicle door. A method of diverting liquid within a vehicle door includes, among other things, collecting liquid from a glass run of a vehicle door within a funnel, communicating liquid from the funnel to a conduit, and communicating liquid through the conduit such that the liquid moves around an electric component of the vehicle door.

Abstract: Object: To provide a film cutting jig and a method of mounting a film that can easily mount a film that not only covers a roof of an object but also wraps around to the sidewalls of the object. Resolution means: The present invention provides a film cutting jig used when cutting a film to cover at least a roof of an object that includes a sidewall and the roof, the film cutting jig including: a main jig body that is to be attached to the object to continuously surround a covered region that includes the roof and at least a portion of a top edge side of the sidewall when the object is viewed from above, wherein a guide for guiding a cutting tool to cut the film is formed in the main jig body, and wherein the guide is formed to continuously surround the covered region when the object is viewed from above.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes a vehicle including an inner wheelbase panel, a first panel, a second panel and a pillar that is coupled to the wheelbase panel. The pillar includes a wall, a first flange, a second flange, and a tunnel. The wall defines an inner cavity and an outer cavity. The first flange extends outwardly from the wall and the second flange extends inwardly from the wall. The vehicle includes baffle which extends through the tunnel and is sized and shaped to seal both the inner cavity and the outer cavity.

Abstract: A front header structure of a vehicle body has an elongated shape in a lateral direction of the vehicle body and is attached to side structures of the vehicle body. In a longitudinal direction, the front header structure is arranged between a front section of a sunroof opening and an upper section of a windshield opening. The front header structure includes an upper part attached to an lower part and a rear part, where the rear part forms a front frame section of a sunroof frame encompassing the sunroof opening. The lower, upper and rear parts each have a rear lower section, a front upper section and an intermediate step section arranged between the rear lower section and the front upper section. The front header structure includes a first compartment formed between the lower and upper parts and a second compartment formed between the upper and rear parts.

Abstract: A roof ditch molding, roof ditch molding assembly, method of constructing a roof ditch molding, and method of assembling a roof ditch molding into a roof ditch of a vehicle are provided. The roof ditch molding includes an elongate metal substrate having an outer surface and an inner surface with opposite edge regions extending along a direction of a longitudinal axis between opposite ends. The inner surface faces and delimits an elongate channel extending between the opposite ends. The opposite edge regions are spaced from one another for snapping receipt of a plurality of fasteners therebetween, thereby eliminating the need for supplemental fastening features to fixedly secure the roof ditch molding within the roof ditch.

Abstract: An open roof assembly comprises a drive assembly having a slider member. The slider member comprising a coupling member, a first lever member coupled to a sunshade member and a second lever member coupled to a closure member. Each lever member comprises a mating member for coupling with the slider member and a locking lever for releasably engaging a respective locking recess. The slider member is sequentially couplable to one of the lever members. When the slider member is coupled to the first lever member, the sunshade member may be opened or closed by moving the slider member. When the slider member is coupled to the second lever member, the closure member may be opened or closed by moving the slider member.

Abstract: Roof frames and methods of making the same are disclosed. Roof frames may comprise at least a first, second, third, and fourth structures. One or more of the structures may comprise a first surface formed from a first continuous fiber composite comprising a multidirectional laminate. At least one of the first, second, third, and fourth structures may comprise a second surface formed from a second continuous fiber composite comprising a unidirectional laminate, wherein the first surface and the second surface are selected to be formed from the first continuous fiber composite and the second continuous fiber composite, respectively, based at least upon a stress analysis for the respective surface, wherein the first surface exhibits a higher stress profile as compared to the second surface.

Abstract: A sunroof apparatus for an automotive vehicle includes: a fixed glass panel having a first outer rim, and a movable glass panel having a second outer rim. A portion of the first outer rim of the fixed glass panel in the forward direction of the vehicle is adjacent to the movable panel and includes a water channel. A majority of the water channel is formed underneath of the movable glass panel such that the movable glass panel covers a majority of an upper open portion of the water channel when the movable glass panel is in a closed position.

Abstract: A non-motorized panoramic sliding hard panel targa roof, desirable for most sport vehicle owners is disclosed. A manually operated, rear sliding hard panel roof assembly is capable of being manually opened and closed without a need to leave the driver compartment. The present design is a semi-permanent driver compartment enclosure, easy to install and remove by the driver without requiring any outside assistance, and one that can easily be modified from the factory roof panels to the configuration of the present invention, as well as being easily changed back to the original configuration from the factory. Because it is semi-permanent, the roof panel does not need to be removed, thereby alleviating any need to store the panel away from the vehicle. The present sliding assembly can easily be attached to the vehicle without interrupting any of the original functionality of the vehicle, and without the need for any special tools.

Abstract: Tensioner apparatus for use with vehicle sunroofs are disclosed. A disclosed assembly for a vehicle sunroof includes a sunshade tensioner defining a body that is configured to engage a sunshade of the vehicle sunroof to prevent the sunshade from wrinkling. The assembly also includes a first tab supported by a first component of the vehicle sunroof. The first tab is configured to extend through a first aperture positioned on the body to removably couple a first end of the body to the first support component.

Abstract: Drain apparatus for use with vehicle sunroofs are disclosed. A disclosed assembly for a vehicle sunroof includes a sunshade axle configured to receive a sunshade. The assembly also includes a sunroof drain supported by a component of the vehicle sunroof and configured to convey a fluid away from the vehicle sunroof. The sunroof drain includes a body that defines a fluid cavity and a bracket coupled to the body. The bracket is configured to hold the sunshade axle.

Abstract: A sunroof apparatus for an automotive vehicle having a roof is disclosed. The sunroof apparatus includes a movable panel, a pair of guide rails extending along a length direction of the vehicle, a housing mounted to the roof and supporting the movable panel, and tubes. The housing is a split housing structure including a first housing panel and a second housing panel. A first pair of tubes are connected in a slideable manner to the first housing panel and a second pair of tubes are connected in a slideable manner to the second housing panel. The first housing panel and the second housing panel are moved by sliding them along the tubes away from each other to align outer edges of the first housing panel and the second housing panel with respective guide rails.

Abstract: A system includes a roof mount including a drainage tray, a sensor housing disposed on the roof mount, and a sensor supported by the sensor housing and a fluid spray directed toward the sensor. The sensor is disposed above the drainage tray.

Abstract: A sunroof device includes a sunroof unit, a looped first seal, and a second seal. The sunroof unit supports a panel capable of closing an opening of a roof of a vehicle. The sunroof unit includes a frame provided with two guide rails placed on two edges of the opening in a vehicle widthwise direction and two housings placed on two edges of the opening in a vehicle front-to-rear direction to connect front ends of the two guide rails to each other and rear ends of the two guide rails to each other in the vehicle widthwise direction. The first seal is arranged between an entire periphery of the opening and the frame. The second seal is arranged between opposing surfaces of the guide rails and the housings at portions where the guide rails are coupled to the housings. The second seal is butt against the first seal.

Abstract: A system and method for fabricating a vehicle structure includes a first portion and a second portion having a body cooperating with the first portion using an additive manufacturing process. The body of the second portion includes one or more projections extending from the body. A third portion includes at least one opening and operatively engages the one or more projections of the second portion.

Abstract: An element to be integrated in a guide rail for a sliding roof of a motor vehicle, having a vertical wall and a flange surface which protrudes from the vertical wall and is configured to be screwed to a guide rail and to a frame part of the motor vehicle, wherein in an operationally mounted state, the flange surface points in the direction of an outer side of the vehicle, and the flange surface tapers in the direction of the vertical wall with respect to a main direction of extent of the vertical wall. According to other embodiments, a roof arrangement and a motor vehicle are provided.

Abstract: Disclosed are vehicle sunroof assemblies with enhanced water management systems, methods for making/using such sunroof assemblies, and vehicles equipped with sunroof assemblies having sunshade water drainage backup capabilities. A representative sunroof assembly includes a frame that attaches to the body of a motor vehicle, positioned within an aperture in the vehicle's roof structure. A center panel is movably mounted to the frame, and operable to transition between open and closed positions to thereby obstruct and expose the aperture. Also attached to the frame is a drain channel that collects and expels fluids from the sunroof assembly. A sunshade is movably mounted to the frame adjacent the center panel. The sunshade manually or automatically transitions between deployed and stowed positions to thereby prevent and allow the passage of light through the roof's aperture. When in the deployed position, the sunshade repels water and directs the repelled water into the drain channel.

Abstract: A roof system for a motor vehicle including a support frame which supports at least one roof element, and drainage system which has at least one water gutter. The water gutter is provided at least over part of its length with a plurality of anti-surge bodies which are spaced apart from one another in the longitudinal direction of the water gutter, are each extended over a partial region of a width and/or a height of the water gutter and leave free at least a partial portion of a base of the water gutter.

Abstract: A vehicle roof base frame is provided, which can be placed on top of an edge area of a vehicle roof structure delimiting a roof opening, having two longitudinal legs and a transverse leg connecting the two longitudinal legs to each other, the legs being realized as separate parts. A seal is arranged between each of the longitudinal legs and the transverse leg when in an assembly position in which the legs are firmly connected to each other.

Abstract: A vehicle roof structure is provided that includes a vehicle body and a roof. The vehicle body comprises a first material, and the roof comprises a second material having a lower rigidity than the first material. The roof includes a flange. An insert is positioned between the vehicle body and the roof to maintain a gap between the vehicle body and the flange, wherein at least a portion of the insert is less rigid than the roof.

Abstract: A sliding roof system with a guiding rail profile, including a fastening section with a plurality of mounting domes for connecting the guiding rail profile to a vehicle-fixed roof portion. A water drainage section extending in parallel to the fastening section is provided, which water drainage section is adjoined by a guiding section to guide control kinematics for a movable roof part. The fastening section is provided with integrally formed stiffening reinforcements. The stiffening reinforcements are provided in the vicinity of the mounting domes and extend in the transverse direction of the guiding rail profile continuously into the water drainage section.

Abstract: An open roof construction is provided for a vehicle having an opening in a fixed roof where the fixed roof has a roof edge defining the opening and protruding in a downward direction and further comprises a stationary part, at least one panel for at least partly opening and/or closing the roof opening. The panel is movable in vertical and longitudinal directions with respect to the roof opening. The stationary part is provided with sealing assembly comprising a first seal part capable of sealing the panel towards the fixed roof part, and a second seal part capable of sealing the stationary part against an inner part of the fixed roof and wherein the sealing assembly further comprises a third seal part capable of sealing the stationary part against a lower part of the roof edge.

Abstract: A roof apparatus includes: a roof panel in which an opening and a pedestal portion extending over an entire peripheral portion of the opening are formed; and a sunroof unit. The sunroof unit includes guide rails mounted on both edge portions of the pedestal portion in a width direction of a vehicle, functional components supported by the guide rails so as to be capable of moving in a front-and-rear direction of the vehicle, a movable panel supported by the functional components and opens and closes the opening in response to movements of the both functional components, and a fixed panel connecting front ends of the guide rails together in the width direction of the vehicle, mounted so as to be adjacent to the movable panel which is in a closed state, and covering a drive member which drives and moves the both functional components.

Abstract: A roof assembly includes a vehicle body defining an opening and having a track extending along the opening. The track is elongated along a track axis. The roof assembly includes a panel removably disposed in the opening, a latch attached to the panel and releasably engageable with the vehicle body, and a block attached to the panel and removably engageable with the track. The block is rotatable relative to the panel about a block axis perpendicular to the track axis.

Abstract: A sliding window assembly for a vehicle includes a fixed panel and a sliding panel moveable relative to the fixed panel. A track is connected to the fixed panel. The track includes an elongated member having a base portion and first and second legs extending from the base portion to define a channel. The first leg is connected to the fixed panel and the second leg is spaced from the first leg. The sliding panel is disposed within the channel and is slidable along the track relative to the fixed panel. The first leg defines a drain hole in communication with the channel and an exterior of the vehicle for draining water from the channel to the exterior of the vehicle.

Abstract: A sunroof panel for a vehicle includes a panel, a reinforcement member including a pair of side frames, a front frame, and a rear frame, and a joint portion joining first distal ends of the side frames to distal ends of the front frame, respectively, the joint portion joining second distal ends of the side frames to distal ends of the rear frame, respectively. At least one of the pair of the side frames, the front frame and the rear frame is made from a material that includes a specific gravity less than a specific gravity of the others of the pair of the side frames, the front frame and the rear frame.

Abstract: A dual zone shade assembly for a vehicle sunroof, moonroof, or panoramic roof, includes a central sliding shade guide and a pair of sliding shade panels all configured for sliding movement independently of one another. A latch assembly is provided, configured for independently engaging or releasing each of the pair of sliding shade panels and/or the central sliding shade guide.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for regulating conditions in a vehicle cabin associated with a roof including an opening. A sunroof selectively covers the opening to the vehicle cabin. A blind is adapted for moving from a stowed position within the roof to a deployed position spanning across the opening. The blind includes blades selectively movable for partially blocking light entry while permitting airflow to the passenger compartment in the deployed position of the blind. A plurality of blades may be provided for concurrent operation, and may be adjustable to control a direction of airflow through the opening when the sunroof is open.

Abstract: A roof assembly for a vehicle, having a roof opening in its fixed roof, comprises at least one movable panel closing said roof opening in its closed position and being movable from said closed position rearwardly and upwardly above the fixed roof. A driven operating mechanism supports the panel and comprises a telescope including a first telescopic part attached to the panel and a second telescopic part attached to a remainder of the operating mechanism. A height adjusting mechanism is provided between the panel and the operating mechanism. This height adjusting mechanism is arranged and adjusts the height between the first and second telescopic parts.

Abstract: A vehicle roof structure is provided that includes a vehicle body and a roof. The roof includes a flange extending outward from the roof. An insert is positioned between the vehicle body and the roof to maintain a gap between the vehicle body and the flange. An adhesive is positioned in the gap to bond the flange to the vehicle body.

Abstract: A sunroof structure for a vehicle has a left side frame disposed on a left side of a vehicle body roof, extending along a vehicle front-rear direction, a right side frame disposed on a right side of the vehicle body roof, extending along the vehicle front-rear direction, a roof panel disposed between the left side frame and the right side frame, having a sunroof opening, a sunroof disposed in the sunroof opening and having at least two glass panels arranged next to each other in the vehicle front-rear direction, in which at least a foremost glass panel of the at least two glass panels is configured to be openable and closeable, and a sunroof side rail disposed below a peripheral portion of the sunroof opening, extending along the vehicle front-rear direction, and having a drain groove and a drain portion configured to discharge water accumulated in the drain groove.

Abstract: A drive system for a movable roof part of a motor vehicle roof module having at least one support bar fastened to the roof part, at least one control carriage movable linearly via a drive arrangement in a guide track running laterally along the roof part, at least one deployment mechanism which pivots, raises and lowers the support bar and the roof part, and a stationary roof region arranged behind the movable roof part. The movable roof part is pivotable from a closed position into a lifted position, is lowerable into an open position and is movable rearward under the roof region. The support bar is mounted so as to be pivotable about a pivot joint on a compensating element which, depending on the movement position of the roof part, is shiftable relative to a front guide arrangement of the deployment mechanism into different positions.

Abstract: A roof module for a vehicle roof of a passenger vehicle is disclosed. The roof module has at least one covering element which is adjustable in a guided manner along lateral guiding elements which are spaced apart from one another in the vehicle transverse direction between a closed position which covers a roof opening and an open position which releases the roof opening at least in a partial region. At least one of the guiding elements is formed at least in an absorption region as an energy absorption element which is deformable, thereby absorbing energy, in the case of an at least indirect impact of the head of a vehicle occupant with the energy absorption element.