Abstract: A method for texturing a plastic substrate, while forming a dye sublimation image in the plastic substrate is provided. A first side of a dye carrier sheet having an image formed thereon of a dye sublimation ink is placed on a second side of the plastic substrate to form a stack. A first side of a textured cover is placed on a side of the stack. A clamping pressure is provided on the textured cover and the stack, wherein the stack and textured cover are clamped together. The stack is heated to at least a sublimation temperature of the stack, which causes the dye sublimation ink to sublimate and penetrate through the second side of the plastic substrate, creating a dye sublimation image in the plastic substrate and wherein texture from the textured cover is transferred to a side of the plastic substrate.

Abstract: A wheel rim having a central axis and comprising a central hub configured to be fixed to a suspension of a vehicle; a peripheral ring, which is arranged around the hub with a predetermined radial distance from the hub itself and is configured to receive a tire of the vehicle on a radially outermost surface thereof; a plurality of spokes equally spaced angularly from one another around the axis and connecting the peripheral ring to the hub; and at least one projection protruding in a cantilever fashion towards the hub, starting from a radially innermost surface of the peripheral ring, opposite to the radially outermost surface, and defining an airfoil configured to generate, in use, during the forward travel of the vehicle, a channelling of the air towards the outside of the wheel rim.

Abstract: An omni-directional wheel includes: a center wheel configured to rotate about a first rotation axis extending in a first direction; a plurality of peripheral wheels arranged along a circumference of the center wheel and configured to rotate about a second rotation axis extending in a second direction different from the first direction; and a plurality of variable supports provided on the center wheel and configured to respectively support the plurality of peripheral wheels. At least one of the plurality of variable supports is configured to absorb, when an impact force is applied to at least one of the plurality of peripheral wheels being supported by the at least one of the plurality of variable supports, the impact by changing a distance between the center wheel and the at least one of the plurality of peripheral wheels.

Abstract: A disc portion and a rim portion of a tire wheel are integrally formed simultaneously, with a resonance pipe formed between the disc and rim portions, by inserting a molten metal into a space formed by a mold combined with the resonance pipe by core pins.

Abstract: A strap center fixed type resonator may include a resonator body configured to be mounted on a rim portion of a wheel supporting a tire; a resonating portion formed on a surface of the resonator body; and a strap inserting portion formed on a bottom internal surface of the resonating portion inside the resonating portion to allow a strap to be inserted in the strap inserting portion, wherein the strap is inserted into the strap inserting portion to fix the resonator body to the rim portion of the wheel.

Abstract: Detection device for a wheel hub assembly provided with a rolling bearing, the detection device having a phonic wheel made of magnetized material and mounted on a rotating ring of the bearing, a shaped support element angularly constrained to the rotating ring of the bearing arranged directly between the phonic wheel and the rotating ring so as to angularly lock together the phonic ring and the rotating ring, and a sensor facing the phonic wheel; a protection device being integral with the rotating ring of the bearing so as to protect simultaneously both the phonic wheel and the sensor from external contaminants.

Abstract: A method to elevate a snowblower that includes the steps of: assembling a wheelbase, wherein said wheelbase includes a first wheel and a second wheel placed on a horizontal axle and a vertical post extending therefrom; inserting bolts through a mounting platform attached to the vertical post; and securing the bolts to a forward underside of the snowblower. During use of the snowblower, a user removes the bolts and wheelbase. The present invention further relates to a removable wheelbase that includes: a horizontal axle; a first wheel and a second wheel on the horizontal axle; a vertical post extending from the horizontal axle; a mounting platform at the top of the vertical post; and an attachment means inserted through the mounting platform. The mounting platform may further include a first mounting pad and a second mounting pad.

Abstract: A pneumatic tire comprises a tread rubber with a groove depth at a shoulder portion that comes into contact with a road surface of 10 mm or greater. A rubber composition of the tread rubber contains: 60 to 70 parts by mass of carbon black having a nitrogen adsorption specific surface area of 70 to 130 m2/g, 0.5 parts or greater by mass of sulfur, and a vulcanization accelerator per 100 parts by mass of diene rubber including 50 to 70 mass % of styrene-butadiene rubber, 20 to 30 mass % of butadiene rubber, and 10 to 30 mass % of natural rubber. The diene rubber has an average glass transition temperature of ?65° C. or lower. A ratio of a compounded amount of the vulcanization accelerator to a compounded amount of the sulfur is 1.0 to 1.3. The tread rubber has a rubber hardness of 65 to 70 at 20° C.

Abstract: Provided is a tire that can satisfy both low heat build-up property and fracture resistance at a higher level than conventional tires. The tire has a center gauge of not less than 50 mm and contains a rubber composition obtained by blending less than 20 parts by mass of a silica with respect to 100 parts by mass of a rubber component, along with a thiuram-based accelerator, a sulfenamide-based accelerator, and a resin.

Abstract: A pneumatic tyre includes a tread portion provided with circumferential grooves to form circumferential land portions, a belt layer, and a band layer disposed outwardly in the tyre radial direction of the belt layer. The band layer includes a first layer covering an entire width of the belt layer, and second layers disposed outwardly in the tyre radial direction of the first layer and arranged separately in a tyre axially direction from one another. Each second layer is located radially inwardly of a respective one of the circumferential land portions. In each circumferential land portion, the second layer has at least one axial edge that is away at a distance (A) of equal to or more than 3.0 mm in the tyre axial direction from a groove bottom of one of the circumferential grooves nearest to the at least one axial edge.

Abstract: Provided is a motorcycle pneumatic tire in which the wet grip performance during turning is improved while the steering stability during turning is ensured. In this motorcycle pneumatic tire, a tread portion is composed of a central rubber and a side rubber having a lower modulus than the central rubber and has a structure in which the central rubber and the side rubber are sequentially laminated in both tire widthwise side portions, with the side rubber extending to a tire width-direction inner side further than a point at ¼ of a tread width TW on a tire width-direction outer side from a tire equator.

Abstract: Provided is a motorcycle pneumatic tire in which the wet grip performance is improved while the steering stability during turning is ensured. The motorcycle pneumatic tire includes, on its ground-contact surface: a first inclined groove (21) that extends on a tire width-direction outer side from the vicinity of a tire equator and is inclined in the same direction as a tire rotation direction; and a short groove (22) that is arranged on the extension of a tire width-direction outer end of the first inclined groove (21).

Abstract: A pneumatic tire includes a first main groove in a circumferential direction outward of an equatorial plane in a vehicle width direction, a second main groove in the circumferential direction at a position closer to the equatorial plane than the first main groove, a third main groove in the circumferential direction at a position inward of the equatorial plane in the vehicle width direction, and a fourth main groove in the circumferential direction at a position farther from the equatorial plane than the third main groove; relationships 1.05?G1/G3?1.25, 1.20?G2/G3?1.40, and 1.10?G4/G3?1.30 are satisfied; and relationships G3<G1<G2 and G3<G1<G4 are satisfied, where G1 is a first main groove width, G2 is a second main groove width, G3 is a third main groove width, and G4 is a fourth main groove width.

Abstract: Provided is a tire comprising, a shoulder land portion includes a width direction groove, the width direction groove comprises a first width direction groove portion that communicates with the circumferential groove, and a second width direction groove portion adjacent to and continuous with a tread ground contact edge side of the first width direction groove portion, the first width direction groove portion includes a narrowed groove portion in a region of at least a part of the first width direction groove portion in an extending direction of the first width direction groove portion, and respective groove widths of the circumferential groove, the first width direction groove portion and the second width direction groove portion satisfy a relational expression “the groove width of the circumferential groove>the groove width of the first width direction groove portion>the groove width of the second width direction groove portion”.

Abstract: A tire maintenance support system includes a wear progress degree acquisition portion that acquires a wear progress degree of each of a tread and a side portion in each mount position, a wear amount calculation portion that calculates a predicted wear amount, which is a wear amount of each of the tread and the side portion in each mount position until maintenance timing when maintenance of the vehicle is performed, based on the acquired wear progress degree, and a re-tread member selection portion and a re-side member selection portion that select a thickness of a member to be needed when at least one of the tread and the side portion is replaced, based on the calculated predicted wear amount.

Abstract: A tire suitable for running flat comprises a crown, two sidewalls and two beads, a carcass reinforcement anchored in each bead and a sidewall insert placed in each of the two sidewalls axially internally relative to the carcass reinforcement, such that it is equipped with an electronic device comprising at least one radiofrequency transponder and such that the electronic device is placed radially in a zone representing over 55% of the section height of the tire.

Abstract: A traceable RFID tag which is capable of communication from at least the inner cavity side of the tire is arranged in a peripheral region of a bead core. This traceable RFID tag may be arranged at a position from which communication is not possible from outside of the tire when the tire has been mounted to the rim. In addition, a normal-use RFID tag which is capable of communication from outside of the tire when the tire had been mounted to the rim may be further equipped.

Abstract: A pneumatic tire having an increased resistance to punctures. The pneumatic tire may have at least one puncture resistant ply constructed from a fiber reinforcement oriented circumferentially around the tire and providing circumferential reinforcement. The fiber reinforcement may be spirally wound around the carcass of the tire, wherein adjacent edges of the fiber reinforcement may overlap to form a continuous puncture resistant ply across the axial width of a crown portion of the tire. The pneumatic tire may incorporate at least one puncture resistant ply in place of at least one belt to provide both circumferential reinforcement and puncture resistance for the pneumatic tire.

Abstract: A steer axle spindle may have one or more channels formed therein. A rotary union may be mounted to a steer axle wheel end assembly. The rotary union may be sealingly connected to a pressurized fluid source through the channel, and sealingly connected to a vehicle tire.

Abstract: A tire management system includes a control valve and a check valve. A method for managing a tire includes: determining a pressure parameter value, determining an operational parameter for a valve based on the pressure parameter value, and controlling the valve based on the operational parameter.

Abstract: A tire includes: a carcass ply which extends from one bead to another bead; side-wall rubber which is disposed at an outer side in a tire-width direction of the carcass ply; tread rubber which is disposed at an outer side in a tire-radial direction of the carcass ply, in which the side-wall rubber and the tread rubber are laminated at a tire outer surface side of a region of at least part of the carcass ply, and in which an RFID tag serving as the electronic component is disposed between the side-wall rubber and the tread rubber.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a tire pressure sensor device, including a housing mounted with a sensor body, an air valve, and a connecting portion extending from the housing for mounting the air valve. The connecting portion is provided with a first groove in a shape of a spherical cap. A bottom surface of the first groove is provided with a strip-shaped through-hole penetrating through a bottom portion of the first groove. A plastic plug is detachably mounted on and mating with the first groove, and a top portion of the plastic plug is provided with a second groove. The plastic plug is further provided with a circular through-hole penetrating through a bottom surface of the second groove. The air valve is fixedly connected to the housing by screws passing through the strip-shaped through-hole, or the strip-shaped through-hole and the circular through-hole.

Abstract: A vehicle hitch assistance system includes a powered suspension system supporting a rear of the vehicle at a height and a controller. The controller acquires position data for a coupler of a trailer, determines when the position data indicates that a hitch ball of the vehicle is aligned with the coupler, and causes the powered suspension system to raise the height of the rear portion of the vehicle until a threshold resistance value is detected.

Abstract: A driven steerable suspension system is mounted to each of a vehicle frame and a pair of wheels of a vehicle. The system includes a subframe including first and second flanks for mounting along the vehicle frame. The system includes first and second suspension assemblies coupled to the first and second flanks, respectively. Each of the assemblies include a lower control arm extending between lower inboard and outboard joints, and an upper control arm extending between upper inboard and outboard joints. Each of the assemblies include a steering knuckle pivotally coupled to the lower outboard joint and the upper outboard joints. Each of the assemblies include a wheel hub rotatably coupled to the steering knuckle. Each of the assemblies include a dampened biasing member pivotally mounted to the subframe and the lower control arm. Each of the assemblies include a drive axle rotatably coupled with the wheel hub.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a motor vehicle control arm, like a wishbone, having an integral main body configured in a materially integral manner. A first bearing receptacle is connected to the main body. The main body has a first end portion having a second bearing receptacle, and a second end portion having a third bearing receptacle. The main body comprises a central portion. Said central portion connects the first and the second end portion. The central portion is configured as a cavity profile. The second and the third bearing receptacle are configured integrally and in a materially integral manner from the main body.

Abstract: A suspension includes a jounce bumper, and a striker. A spring biases the knuckle toward a first position. One of the spring and the jounce bumper is disposed forward of a kingpin axis of the knuckle and the other of the spring and the jounce bumper is disposed rearward of the kingpin axis. When in a first position, the spring is a first spring length. When in a second position, the spring is shorter than in the first position and the jounce bumper contacts the striker. When in a third position, the spring is shorter than in the second position and the jounce bumper is compressed against the striker to be shorter than in the second position. When moving between the second and third positions, the spring and jounce bumper impart moments on the knuckle that approximately balance each other to maintain a desired caster angle.

Abstract: A method for operating a pressure control system having a multistage compressor. The method comprises providing a pressure medium compressed multiple times by the multistage compressor in order to fill a pressure medium reservoir or pressure medium chambers of the pressure control system, by performing (i) providing, by a first compression stage, a precompressed pressure medium and additionally compressing the precompressed pressure medium via a second compression stage, and/or (ii) introducing, into an intermediate volume between the first compression stage and the second compression stage of the multistage compressor, an already compressed charge pressure medium and compressing, by the second compression stage, the charge pressure medium again. An intermediate pressure of the precompressed pressure medium conveyed into the intermediate volume is limited by an overpressure valve interacting with the first compression stage.

Abstract: A method for assembling an agricultural vehicle including the initial step of providing the agricultural vehicle including a frame, a hydraulic manifold, and a cab suspension system. The cab suspension system includes an anti-roll bar, a pair of support brackets configured for securing the anti-roll bar to the frame, and a pair of intermediary placement brackets configured for temporarily supporting the anti-roll bar in a final assembly position. The method includes the further steps of attaching the intermediary placement brackets onto the frame, positioning the anti-roll bar on the intermediary placement brackets to position the anti-roll bar in the final assembly position, assembling the hydraulic manifold onto the frame, and connecting the support brackets to the frame and the anti-roll bar.

Abstract: Comfortable vehicle interior air conditioning is realized while giving an appropriate temperature difference to air blown out from outlets. A vehicle air-conditioning device 1 includes an air mix damper 28, a FOOT outlet 29A, and a VENT outlet 29B. A control device has a B/L mode to blow out air from both of the FOOT outlet and the VENT outlet to a vehicle interior. In the B/L mode, the control device sets a target air volume ratio TGSW to be within a predetermined intermediate range of an air volume ratio SW by the air mix damper, and calculates a target heater temperature TCO on the basis of a target outlet temperature TAO and the target air volume ratio TGSW.

Abstract: An air-conditioning unit for a vehicle includes an air conditioning case, a blower, and a rectifying mechanism. The blower has a blower fan rotating around a fan axis and arranged in an in-case passage of the air conditioning case, and blows out air drawn from one side in an axial direction of the fan axis by rotation of the blower fan. The rectifying mechanism is arranged downstream of the blower fan in the in-case passage, and the air passes through the rectifying mechanism. The blower fan is arranged so that the other side of the fan axis that is opposite to the one side extends toward a downstream side of the in-case passage. The rectifying mechanism suppresses a swirling flow generated by the rotation of the blower fan in the air blown out from the blower fan as compared with the blown-out air prior to flowing into the rectifying mechanism.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to an automatic cooling/heating control method of an air conditioner for a vehicle. The present invention is intended to propose the control method, wherein instead of controlling indoor temperature via manual manipulation, operation modes set in figurative languages, not temperature, are used so as to automatically control indoor cooling/heating, whereby an atmosphere more pleasant than an atmosphere provided by a conventional method is efficiently provided and manipulation frequency of a console is reduced. To achieve the above objects, the control method includes: selecting an air operation mode desired by a user; starting an initial operation by the air conditioner after determining whether to cool, heat, or fan; setting the indoor temperature according to the outdoor temperature; resetting the set indoor temperature by using a correction value according to present indoor temperature; and operating by setting a reset indoor temperature to be a final set temperature.

Abstract: Provided is a vehicle which includes an air intake grille for taking in air in a passenger compartment, an electric device, a case for accommodating the electric device, and an intake duct for connecting the intake port provided in the case and the air intake grille, where, when the air intake grille is divided into a region close to the intake port and a region far from the intake port in a vehicle width direction, the sum of opening areas of flow rate adjusting windows located in the region far from the intake port is larger than the sum of opening areas of flow rate adjusting windows located in the region close to the intake port.

Abstract: A parking cooler which is capable of battery powered operation during engine off operation. The parking cooler or air conditioning system may vary in cooling capacities to maximize cooling or maximize battery life. The parking cooler includes one or more condensers and a housing to accommodate such variation of cooling capacity.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing heating and cooling to a cabin of an autonomous or semiautonomous electric vehicle. A system includes one or more autonomous or semiautonomous electric vehicle components generating thermal energy as a byproduct of operation, a radiator fluidly coupled to the one or more vehicle components and positioned downstream from the one or more vehicle components such that the radiator receives at least a portion of the thermal energy, a thermoelectric cooler thermally coupled to and located downstream from the radiator, and one or more bypass valves that control fluid flow from the radiator such that fluid flows directly to a cabin of the vehicle or flows through the thermoelectric cooler before flowing into the cabin.

Abstract: A zone assembly for a vehicle includes a housing and a generally cylindrical mode door. The housing includes a cavity, an inlet channel, a first vent channel, and a second vent channel. Each of the channels is fluidly coupled to the cavity. The mode door includes a plurality of louvers and a plurality of extension pieces extending therefrom. The mode door is located in the cavity. The mode door is rotatable between an open position in which fluid may flow from the inlet channel through the mode door to one of the first vent channel or the second vent channel, and a closed position in which the mode door restricts fluid from flowing from the inlet to both the first vent channel and the second vent channel.

Abstract: A duct assembly is configured to selectively direct conditioned air from a vehicle passenger compartment to a vehicle component. The duct assembly includes a door. The door may be selectively positioned to either direct the conditioned air from the passenger compartment through a duct to the vehicle component or to exhaust the air to another location. In one aspect, the vehicle component includes a battery.

Abstract: Ventilation control systems and methods for a vehicle are presented. The system includes a touch screen that is configures to display an object and receive a selection of a part of the object. The system also includes an air vent that comprises at least one controllable fin and a motor that can control the configuration of that fin. A control circuitry of the system configures the fin, using the at least one motor, to direct air from the air vent to a location that corresponds to the selected part of the object.

Abstract: An assembly for a ventilation system of a vehicle is provided. The assembly is configured to use a single actuator to control direction of a vent and additionally control the flow rate of that vent. The assembly may comprise a single rotatable control member with two routes, one route used for controlling flow rate and one route for controlling flow direction. Each route may have a straight portion and curved portion.

Abstract: A combustion chamber assembly unit for a fuel-operated vehicle heater includes a combustion chamber housing (14), a combustion chamber (18) formed in the combustion chamber housing (14), an evaporator medium (28) for the absorption of liquid fuel and for the discharge of fuel vapor into the combustion chamber (18), and a heating/ignition device (36) for heating the evaporator medium (28) or/and for igniting a mixture of fuel and combustion air formed in the combustion chamber (18). The heating/ignition device (38) includes at least one radiation source (38) for the emission of electromagnetic radiation into the combustion chamber (18) and at least one absorption body (29, 46) for the absorption of electromagnetic radiation emitted into the combustion chamber (18).

Abstract: An air conditioning unit for a vehicle includes a first channel and a second channel, a blowing unit including a first blower fan and a second blower fan that rotate together by sharing a rotary shaft and a driving unit, a bypass channel, and a control door disposed among the outlets of the first channel and the second channel, the heating core, and the bypass channel to control air discharged from the first channel or the second channel to pass through the heating core or not to pass through the heating core through the bypass channel.

Abstract: A heating system for a vehicle includes a reaction space (16) containing a first reactant (22) and a reactant storage space (20) containing or/and receiving a second reactant (24), wherein the first reactant and the second reactant form such a reaction system. A reaction of the first reactant with the second reactant produces a reaction product that releases heat. The second reactant can be separated from the first reactant by introducing heat into the reaction product. A reactant-releasing device (26) releases second reactant from the reactant storage space into the reaction space (16). A first heat removal device (58) removes heat from the first reactant or/and reaction product contained in the reaction space (16). A heating unit (52) heats the first reactant or/and heats the reaction product contained in the reaction space. A reactant-recirculating device (36) recirculates second reactant from the reaction space into the reactant storage space.

Abstract: A heating system for a windshield of a vehicle, in which a fan unit is configured to produce a hot air flow at the inner side of the windshield. In order to enable efficient heating of a windshield of an electric vehicle, there is provision for the heating system to have an at least predominantly transparent partition unit, which in a shielding position is secured in the vehicle in such a manner that it is arranged in the longitudinal vehicle direction between at least a predominant portion of the windshield and an inner region which is provided for passengers, whereby the hot air flow can be guided at least partially in a heating region between the windshield and the partition unit.

Abstract: A transport refrigeration system (TRS) includes a first heat transfer circuit including a first compressor, a condenser, a first expansion device, and a cascade heat exchanger. The first compressor, the condenser, the first expansion device, and the cascade heat exchanger are in fluid communication such that a first heat transfer fluid can flow therethrough. The TRS includes a second heat transfer circuit including a second compressor, the cascade heat exchanger, a second expansion device, and an evaporator. The second compressor, the cascade heat exchanger, the second expansion device, and the evaporator are in fluid communication such that a second heat transfer fluid can flow therethrough. The first heat transfer circuit and the second heat transfer circuit are arranged in thermal communication at the cascade heat exchanger such that the first heat transfer fluid and the second heat transfer fluid are in a heat exchange relationship at the cascade heat exchanger.

Abstract: A thermal management system includes a refrigerant system, which includes a compressor, a flow control device, a valve member, a first heat exchanger, a second heat exchanger, and a third heat exchanger. The flow control device includes a first throttle unit, a second throttle unit, and a valve assembly; the flow control device includes a first port, a second port, and a third port; a first connection port of the first heat exchanger is in communication with the second port, and a first connection port of the second heat exchanger is in communication with the third port, while a first connection port of the third heat exchanger is in communication with the first port. The thermal management system includes a first operating state and a second operating state.

Abstract: The invention relates to a mounting for a flat element (1) of a sun protection or dimming device, which is provided with a fabric made of a thin fabric material (3) and a peripheral frame (4), which is preferably designed as a clamping frame, in order to cover a window pane (2) of a motor vehicle. The mounting (6) has a receiving area (7) with a receiving opening (8), said receiving area being provided for a section of the frame (4), which is preferably covered by the fabric material (3), and being delimited by a base (9). The mounting (6) has an insert element (11) which faces away from the base (9), has an end (12) remote from the base (9) with a hook-like design, and has a contact surface (13) on the side facing the window pane (2). The base (9) has a support region (14) which is arranged on the base (9) side that transitions into an insert element (11) inner face (16) facing away from the contact surface (13). The invention also relates to a sun protection or dimming device.

Abstract: A door service hole cover includes a cover component that is configured to cover a service hole, and a shock absorption component that is integral to the cover component. The shock absorption component includes a cabin inner component, at least a portion of which projects from the cover component toward the inside of the cabin and which is hollow and open toward the outside of the cabin; and a fragile portion formed on a side surface of the cabin inner component and configured to allow the cabin inner component to crush and deform upon application of a force acting in the direction of projection of the cabin inner component. Upon application of a force acting in the direction of projection, the cabin inner component crushes inwardly and deforms while being twisted.

Abstract: A door assembly for a vehicle. The door assembly has a door body and a hinge. The hinge is connected to the door body and is rotatable about an axis of the hinge. The hinge is configured to expand along the axis from a contracted position to an expanded position when rotated in a first direction, and is configured to contract along the axis from the expanded position to the contracted position when rotated in a second direction that is opposite to the first direction. In the contracted position, the door body is in a closed, lowered position. In the expanded position, the door body is in an open, raised position.

Abstract: A slide door support device supports a slide door that opens and closes a door opening formed on a side surface of a vehicle body. The slide door support device includes first and second lower rails and a lower guide unit. The lower guide unit includes a first lower guide roller moving along the first lower rail, a second lower guide roller moving along the second lower rail, a lower fixed portion fixed to the slide door, a lower rotational arm rotatable relative to the lower fixed portion and supporting the first and second lower guide rollers, and a pressing member pressing the lower fixed portion. An arm angle made by the lower fixed portion and the lower rotational arm gradually decreases as an opened degree of the slide door decreases. The pressing member presses the lower fixed portion in a direction of increasing the arm angle.

Abstract: A sun shade apparatus is provided. Each of a pair of right and left roof side rails is constituted of upper and lower members which are joined to each other. A dimension in an up-down direction can be reduced while a closed cross-sectional area required for the roof side rail is ensured to maintain a strength and a rigidity thereof, and a height of a vehicle cabin can be ensured by compactly disposing a sun shade apparatus under a lower surface of a roof panel while enhancing side collision resisting performance by restricting bending of the roof side rails in cooperation with a cross member when a collision load of a side collision is input. Due to roof side garnishes covering outer end portions of the roof panel and upper surfaces of the roof side rails, the rigidity and the strength of the roof side rails can be further enhanced.

Abstract: A vehicle comprising: an occupant cabin; a retractable roof configured to move between a deployed configuration where the roof covers the occupant cabin and a retracted configuration; a housing configured to house the retractable roof when the roof is in the retracted configuration; a moveable cover configured to close the housing and move between a closed configuration where the moveable cover closes the housing and an open configuration to permit the retractable roof to move between the deployed configuration and the retracted configuration; a first electric motor coupled to the retractable roof to be capable of imparting motion to the retractable roof so that, when the first electric motor is activated, the first electric motor causes the retractable roof to move between the deployed configuration and the retracted configuration; a second electric motor coupled to the moveable cover to be capable of imparting motion to the movable cover so that, when the second electric motor is activated, the second elect