Movable To Position Above Roof Patents (Class 296/216.03)
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Patent number: 11820212Abstract: A front connecting rod for a sunroof linkage, a sunroof linkage, and a sunroof assembly. The sunroof linkage is configured to drive front glass of a sunroof assembly to slide relative to rear glass, and the front connecting rod is configured to connect a glass-supporting rod of the sunroof linkage to a front slider. The front connecting rod may have an anti-turn-over structure, configured to be matched in shape to a sealing strip disposed on a peripheral edge of the rear glass, so as to prevent the sealing strip from turning over when the sunroof linkage drives the front glass to slide. The front connecting rod for a present sunroof linkage enables a sunroof to open to the maximum extent, and during sliding will not cause the sealing strip of the rear glass to be turned over and folded.Type: GrantFiled: December 16, 2020Date of Patent: November 21, 2023Assignee: Webasto SEInventors: Jerry Hu, Fisher Yu, Sulzer Zhu, Andreas Zunzer, Maximilian Ehrmann
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Patent number: 11718160Abstract: A vehicle roof having a cover which is movably mounted on the vehicle roof by a bearing mechanism and is adjustable between a closed and a ventilation position in which at least the rear cover edge is raised, the cover being adjustable by the bearing mechanism in such a way that, in the closed position of the cover, the rear cover edge assumes a defined vertical position relative to a roof area portion which adjoins the roof opening or the cover in the region of the rear cover edge, wherein, according to the invention, the cover in its closed position rests on at least one supporting element which is held fixedly on the roof side in a position central with respect to the roof opening and below the rear cover edge and which supporting element holds the cover in its defined vertical position relative to the roof area portion.Type: GrantFiled: April 2, 2020Date of Patent: August 8, 2023Assignee: WEBASTO SEInventor: Reinhard Wenzel
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Patent number: 11685239Abstract: In a guide assembly for an open-roof system of a vehicle, a closure member selectively covers or at least partly uncovers an opening in a vehicle roof. The assembly comprises a guide extending in a longitudinal direction of the vehicle; a mounting element for mounting the closure member; a first support mechanism operatively coupled to the mounting element, the first support mechanism slidably supporting the mounting element in the guide; and a second support mechanism coupled to the guide and comprising a support element slidably supporting the mounting element, the second support mechanism being configured for moving the mounting element to a tilted position, a tilt direction being substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal direction. The assembly is provided with a release mechanism for releasing the mounting element from at least one of the first support mechanism and the second support mechanism and for remounting the mounting element.Type: GrantFiled: September 18, 2020Date of Patent: June 27, 2023Assignee: INALFA ROOF SYSTEMS GROUP B.V.Inventors: Rainer Gerhard Jüngling, Marcel Johan Christiaan Nellen
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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: 11485205Abstract: A vehicle having a roof opening system having a lid element displaceable between a closed and opened position, displacement kinematics for displacing the lid element which are disposed on either side of a vertical longitudinal roof plane, each of the displacement kinematics having a guide rail, a front kinematic unit guided in the guide rail and a rear kinematic unit disposed in the guide rail, and a set of drive cables for the two kinematic units. The guide rail may have a first cable duct section for a first drive cable of the set of drive cables, the first drive cable being driven by a first drive motor and driving the front kinematic unit, and a second cable duct section for a second drive cable of the set of drive cables, the second drive cable being driven by a second drive motor and driving the rear kinematic unit.Type: GrantFiled: September 30, 2019Date of Patent: November 1, 2022Assignee: WEBASTO SEInventors: Julian Knoepfle, Engelbert Hirschvogel
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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: 11040603Abstract: A sliding roof system for a motor vehicle comprises a front lifting mechanism and a rear lifting mechanism which are assigned to a front and a rear edge respectively of a cover of the sliding roof system, wherein the front lifting mechanism has a guide rail with a lifting slotted guide for a cover-side lifting slider as well as a controlling carriage which is displaceable along the guide rail in order to control the movement of the cover. The controlling carriage has a controlling slotted guide for a cover-side controlling slider, and the controlling slotted guide is provided in a slotted guide component which is pivotably attached to the controlling carriage.Type: GrantFiled: November 25, 2019Date of Patent: June 22, 2021Assignee: ROOF SYSTEMS GERMANY GMBHInventors: Christian Biewer, Heiko Albert
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Patent number: 10940742Abstract: An apparatus and method for a sunroof of a vehicle, including a pivot link pivotally coupled to a drive shoe, the pivot link having a first pivot pin configured to slide along a first guide channel of a guide block to control tilting of a movable panel as the drive shoe slides, a lift guide, and a check assembly including a mechanical lock. The mechanical lock includes an inner surface having a locking guide channel to guide a second pivot pin of the pivot link, the locking guide channel includes an upper guide portion. The pivot link is configured to pivot to a raised position to tilt the movable panel when the drive shoe is slid in the forward direction and becomes coupled to the lift guide by the check assembly. The upper guide portion engages the second pivot pin to lock the pivot link in the raised position.Type: GrantFiled: March 18, 2019Date of Patent: March 9, 2021Assignee: AISIN TECHNICAL CENTER OF AMERICA, INC.Inventors: Erik Carlson, Shintaro Katsura
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Patent number: 10913336Abstract: A method for producing a vehicle roof for a motor vehicle may have the steps of providing of a first roof module with a frame element and of a second roof module which is frameless with respect to the first roof module. The method may further provide the step of foaming of an edge of the second roof module at a predefined position, and coupling of a rear (in relation to a longitudinal axis (L) of the vehicle roof) section of the frame element of the first roof module to the foamed edge of the second roof module, and configuring of a modular roof as a result.Type: GrantFiled: July 12, 2017Date of Patent: February 9, 2021Assignee: WEBASTO SEInventors: Matthew Pike, Michael Schönberger, Josef Haas, Florian Burkhardt, Philipp Hüttel, Robert Bertsch
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Patent number: 10899203Abstract: A sunroof apparatus includes a link including a first guide surface configured to slide with a first guide shaft in a case where a shoe moves in a first direction and a second guide surface configured to slide with a second guide shaft, the link rotating between a standing position and an inclination position in a state of supporting a movable panel, the standing position where the movable panel is arranged at a tilt-up position, a inclination position where the movable panel is arranged at a tilt-down position. In a case where the link is arranged between a first position and a middle position, a first distance is longer than a second distance. In a case where the link is arranged between a second position and the middle position, the second distance is longer than the first distance.Type: GrantFiled: March 29, 2019Date of Patent: January 26, 2021Assignee: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Shinichi Hiramatsu
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Patent number: 10864807Abstract: A bidirectionally open sunroof structure includes rail assemblies installed at both sides of a roof panel, a front tilt lever connected to a front glass and the rail assembly and located at a front part of the front glass, a rear tilt lever connected to the front glass and the rail assembly and located at a rear part of the front glass, a front sled located on the front glass and driven by a driving motor to slidably reciprocate along the rail assemblies, and a rear sled located on a rear glass and driven by a driving motor to slidably reciprocate along the rail assemblies. The rail assembly includes a first guide rail configured to slidably move the front sled therealong, and a second guide rail located within the first guide rail and configured to slidably move the rear sled therealong.Type: GrantFiled: May 2, 2019Date of Patent: December 15, 2020Assignees: HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY, KIA MOTORS CORPORATIONInventors: Jae Han Park, Jeong Min Lee, Jae Kyu Lee
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Patent number: 10807451Abstract: 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 29, 2018Date of Patent: October 20, 2020Assignee: INALFA ROOF SYSTEMS GROUP B.V.Inventors: Marcel Johan Christiaan Nellen, Rainer Gerhard Jüngling
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Patent number: 10647188Abstract: An open roof construction for a vehicle includes a stationary part, a movable first panel and a second panel. The first panel is movably supported by an operating mechanism guided in one or more rails of the stationary part extending at least along a part of the inner roof edge of the opening and rearwardly thereof. The first panel is movable by at least a panel support and is capable of moving with respect to one of the rails and thereby displacing the first panel rearwardly above the second panel. The second panel and/or inner roof edge and/or the stationary part is provided with a deformable seal capable of sealing a gap between the second panel and the adjacent inner roof edge of the fixed roof. The panel support is adapted to deform the seal when it moves through the gap between the second panel and the inner roof edge.Type: GrantFiled: December 6, 2018Date of Patent: May 12, 2020Assignee: Inalfa Roof Systems Group B.V.Inventor: Antonius Johannes Maria van de Westerlo
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Patent number: 10625585Abstract: A vehicle roof construction comprises a roof opening, a panel and an operating mechanism. The operating mechanism comprises a rear assembly having a lever. The lever rotates around a first transverse axis at its first end. The first transverse axis position changes along a first guide. The second end of the lever at a second transverse axis is pivotally attached to a sliding member that engages a panel track. The rear assembly comprises an auxiliary lever that rotates around a third transverse axis at its first end. The position of the third transverse axis changes along a second guide. The second end of the auxiliary lever at a fourth transverse axis is pivotally attached to the sliding member. The auxiliary lever comprises a support which in the open position of the panel engages a counter support for transmitting vertical forces from the panel towards the counter support.Type: GrantFiled: July 17, 2018Date of Patent: April 21, 2020Assignee: Inalfa Roof Systems Group B.V.Inventors: Marcel Johan Christiaan Nellen, Rainer Gerhard Jungling
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Patent number: 10618387Abstract: A guide assembly in a vehicle sunroof includes: a housing including a lock feature; a sunroof panel; a rail, wherein the sunroof panel is slideably connected to the rail; and a rail guide extending in a front-rear direction and including a rail channel extending a length of the rail guide, wherein the rail channel is closed at a first end of the rail guide adjacent to the housing, the rail channel is open at a second end of the rail guide adjacent to the rail, and the rail channel is connected to the rail at the second end and receives the slideably connected sunroof panel, and the first end of the rail guide slides under the lock feature.Type: GrantFiled: September 6, 2018Date of Patent: April 14, 2020Assignee: AISIN TECHNICAL CENTER OF AMERICA, INC.Inventors: Shintaro Katsura, Jacob Grimaldo, Joel Runyan
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Patent number: 10589607Abstract: An open roof construction includes a roof opening in a stationary roof part and a panel that is movable between an open and closed positions. A moving mechanism moves a rear end of the panel and comprises a support lever having a first end which is slidable and rotatable with respect to the stationary roof part and an opposite second end slidably and rotatably engaging the movable panel. A drive slides the first end along the stationary roof part, and a tilting lever has a first tilting lever end slidably and rotatably engaging a first guide curve of the stationary roof part and an opposite second tilting lever end configured to rotatably engage the support lever at an engagement location. In all positions of the movable panel the engagement location, as viewed in the longitudinal forward direction of the vehicle, is located in front of the second support lever end.Type: GrantFiled: October 26, 2018Date of Patent: March 17, 2020Assignee: Inalfa Roof Systems Group B.V.Inventors: Dennis Marie Petra Beelen, Rainer Gerhart Jüngling, Marcel Johan Christiaan Nellen
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Patent number: 10576810Abstract: Open roof construction for a vehicle comprises a roof opening in a stationary roof part, a panel which by an operating mechanism is movable between a closed position in which it closes the roof opening and an open position in which the panel is moved rearwards to a position at least partially above a part of the stationary roof part behind the roof opening. The operating mechanism comprises a rear moving assembly for guiding and supporting the panel. The open roof construction further comprises seals that are positioned in the roof opening in the region of roof opening edges and which are intended for cooperation with the panel, wherein the rear moving assembly is constructed such that, in the open position of the panel, part of it has come into engagement with the seal that is positioned in the roof opening in the region of the rearward roof opening edge.Type: GrantFiled: July 17, 2018Date of Patent: March 3, 2020Assignee: Inalfa Roof Systems Group B.V.Inventors: Marcel Johan Christiaan Nellen, Rainer Gerhard Jungling
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Patent number: 10532639Abstract: A holding assembly in a vehicle sunroof includes: a housing; a sunroof panel; a rail extending in a front-rear direction of the sunroof, the sunroof panel being slideably connected to the rail; a rail guide extending in the front-rear direction and including a rail channel extending a length of the rail guide from a first end of the rail guide to a second end of the rail guide; and a front wall extending in the front-rear direction and including a support arm and a lateral restrictor, wherein the support arm extends towards the rail guide and below the rail channel at the second end of the rail guide, and the lateral restrictor has a planar shape parallel to the length of the rail guide, is attached to the support arm, and is in contact with an exterior face of the rail channel at the second end of the rail guide.Type: GrantFiled: September 6, 2018Date of Patent: January 14, 2020Assignee: AISIN TECHNICAL CENTER OF AMERICA, INC.Inventors: Jacob Grimaldo, Joel Runyan, Chanli Ke
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Patent number: 10525802Abstract: A roof system for use in a vehicle having a roof opening. The system includes a movable closure panel and a guide rail including a main channel and a pull cable slide channel both oriented to extend in a lengthwise direction relative to the vehicle. A longitudinal slot provides access to the pull cable slide channel. The system includes a front slide member and a pull cable actuator. The front slide member includes a first portion enclosed within the pull cable slide channel, and a second portion positioned within the main channel. The guide rail is configured to substantially prevent the front slide member from being discharged towards the roof opening. The actuator includes a rear slide member coupled to the front slide member, wherein the panel is coupled to the front slide member such that the actuator selectively covers and uncovers the roof opening with the panel.Type: GrantFiled: June 5, 2018Date of Patent: January 7, 2020Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.Inventor: Zachary J. Allen
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Patent number: 10427507Abstract: The present invention relates to a dual tilt sunroof structure. A dual tilt sunroof structure for tilting a dual sunroof according to an embodiment of the present invention includes: a front glass panel and a rear glass panel disposed in a roof panel; front sleds and rear sleds moving on guide rails disposed at both sides of the roof panel; and front carriages and rear carriages fixed to both ends of the front and rear glass panels, respectively, to integrally move with the glass panels, in which when the dual sunroof is tilted, the front sleds and the rear sleds are moved backward to respectively come in contact with supports formed at first ends of the front carriages and supports formed at first ends of the rear carriages.Type: GrantFiled: December 27, 2017Date of Patent: October 1, 2019Assignees: HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY, KIA Motors Corporation, Webasto Donghee HoldingsInventors: Hoo Sang Park, Seong Min Gwak
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Patent number: 10421341Abstract: A vehicle includes a windshield, a backlite spaced from the windshield, and a moonroof. The moonroof is moveable relative to the windshield and the backlite between a closed position and an open position. When in the closed position, the moonroof is adjacent to both the windshield and the backlite.Type: GrantFiled: November 28, 2017Date of Patent: September 24, 2019Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventor: Adrian Nania
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Patent number: 10414255Abstract: A vehicle sunroof apparatus includes check mechanisms each including a rotary cam and a fixed cam. The fixed cam includes a switch guide which switches the check mechanism between an engaged state and a disengaged state. The switch guide allows advancement of the rotary cam which is at an advancement and retraction rotary position, pushes the rotary cam to a first rotary position, and further pushes the rotary cam to a second rotary position, the check mechanism is thereby switched to the engaged state. The switch guide pushes the rotary cam to a release preparation position, further pushes the rotary cam to the advancement and retraction rotary position, the check mechanism is thereby switched to the disengaged state. The fixed cam includes an initialization guide that pushes the rotary cam to the release preparation position.Type: GrantFiled: June 30, 2016Date of Patent: September 17, 2019Assignee: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Koji Matsuoka, Hiroyuki Noda, Shintaro Katsura, Ryuuta Fukada
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Patent number: 10399416Abstract: A sliding roof system including a support frame, a front movable roof part and a rear roof part, wherein the front roof part is shiftable between a closed position, an obliquely erected ventilation position and an open position in which the front roof part is positioned over the rear roof part. The front guide lever has a lower guide joint which is guided in a guide path, which is curved downwards on the front side, of the guide rail arrangement in such a manner that, in the ventilation position of the roof part, the guide slide is held in the guide path in a self-locking manner with respect to shifting of the control slide.Type: GrantFiled: January 11, 2018Date of Patent: September 3, 2019Assignee: BOS GMBH & CO. KGInventor: Michael Heidan
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Patent number: 10350979Abstract: A motor vehicle sliding roof system for shifting a cover from a closed position to an open position has at least one guide rail, a carriage that is displaceable in the guide rail, a lifting mechanism that controls a displacement of the front edge of the cover, a raising mechanism that controls a displacement of the rear edge of the cover, and a transfer mechanism adapted to transfer a displacement of the carriage to the raising mechanism. The lifting mechanism, the raising mechanism and the transfer mechanism have a modular structure.Type: GrantFiled: October 12, 2017Date of Patent: July 16, 2019Assignee: ROOF SYSTEMS GERMANY GMBHInventors: Christian Biewer, Heiko Albert, Stefan Kunkel
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Patent number: 10035407Abstract: A drive mechanism for vehicle movable panels having a first slide mechanism having a rod and a sled with a tilt lever, the rod being coupled with the tilt lever for pivoting the tilt lever in a first state and the rod being decoupled from the tilt lever in a second state such that the tilt lever is movable relative to the rod and relative to the guide rail along the first direction, the sled comprising a holding element. In a first position the holding element is locked to the guide rail such that the sled is latched relative to the guide rail and in a second position the sled is movable relative to the guide rail to transmit a movement of the sled along the first direction to a second slide mechanism and the holding element holds the tilt lever, when the rod is decoupled from the tilt lever.Type: GrantFiled: January 31, 2017Date of Patent: July 31, 2018Assignee: WEBASTO SEInventors: Marc Serneels, Matthieu Brangeon, Dominik Hölzel
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Patent number: 9975410Abstract: Sliding roof system for an automotive vehicle with a movable roof part which is displaceable relative to a vehicle-fixed roof frame module between a closed position, a ventilation position and an open position, and with a drive system including at least one carrier profile for displacing the roof part. A control lever is provided with at least one support roller which is supported on a floor of the guide rail arrangement, and the floor of the guide rail arrangement includes a seat into which the support roller plunges when the latching cam is received in the latching recess.Type: GrantFiled: March 1, 2017Date of Patent: May 22, 2018Assignee: BOS GMBH & CO. KGInventor: Waldemar Stapler
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Patent number: 9969246Abstract: An open roof construction for a vehicle having an opening in the fixed roof includes an operating mechanism for a closure element and comprises a driving slide, slidably guided in the guide rail, a front support attached to the closure element, a support lever having a front end and a rear end and which is slidably connected to a panel track of the closure element by a rear sliding member. The support lever is in engagement with said rear guide track by a middle sliding member. The driving slide is configured to drive the support lever at least along part of path of movement of the closure element. The support lever is constructed such that, in an open position of the closure element, the rear sliding member at the rear end of the support lever extends above the fixed roof behind the roof opening.Type: GrantFiled: December 2, 2016Date of Patent: May 15, 2018Assignee: Inalfa Roof Systems Group B.V.Inventors: Marcel Johan Christiaan Nellen, Rainer Gerhard Jungling
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Patent number: 9931919Abstract: An open roof construction for a vehicle includes a closure element supported by an operating mechanism. The operating mechanism comprises a driving slide, slidably guided in a guide rail, a front support attached to the closure element and guided by the guide rail, a support member which is slidably connected to the closure element, and a curve part on the stationary part including a guide track having a vertical component and extending rearwardly beyond a rear edge of the roof opening. The guide rail, driving slide, connecting element, support member and curve part on the stationary part are positioned outside the seal between the closure element and the stationary part. The connecting element is connected to the driving slide and support member in a manner such that it is movable at least partly in substantially vertical direction with respect to the guide rail.Type: GrantFiled: November 23, 2016Date of Patent: April 3, 2018Assignee: INALFA ROOF SYSTEMS GROUP B.V.Inventors: Marcel Johan Christiaan Nellen, Rainer Gerhard Jungling
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Patent number: 9902244Abstract: An arrangement with a cover for a vehicle roof, which can be raised for opening by way of deployment means in the rear region thereof and which cover can be displaced toward the rear over the vehicle roof into an open position. The deployment means have a displaceable sliding carriage and a rear deployment lever which is pivotably coupled to the cover and which is pivotably coupled to a bearing which is stationary fixed with respect to the guide rail and which has a first coupling element. Furthermore, the deployment means have a deployment rod for the deployment of the rear deployment lever. The stationary fixed bearing is arranged such that a pivot axis of the stationary fixed bearing is arranged above a base of the guide rail.Type: GrantFiled: April 22, 2015Date of Patent: February 27, 2018Assignee: WEBASTO SEInventor: Dominik Hölzel
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Patent number: 9868341Abstract: An arrangement with a cover for a vehicle roof, which can be raised for opening by way of deployment means in the rear region thereof and which cover can be displaced toward the rear over the vehicle roof into an open position. The deployment means have a displaceable sliding carriage and a rear deployment lever which is pivotably coupled to the cover and which is pivotably coupled to a bearing which is stationary fixed with respect to the guide rail and which has a first coupling element. Furthermore, the deployment means have a deployment rod for the deployment of the rear deployment lever. The stationary fixed bearing is arranged such that a pivot axis of the stationary fixed bearing is arranged above a base of the guide rail.Type: GrantFiled: April 22, 2015Date of Patent: January 16, 2018Assignee: WEBASTO SEInventor: Dominik Hölzel
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Patent number: 9845002Abstract: An open roof construction for a vehicle having a roof opening in a fixed roof part, comprises a first panel and a second panel for at least closing first and second portions of the roof opening. The first panel is movably supported by an operating mechanism guided in a guide rail. A rear support member partly moves alongside the second panel when the first panel moves above the second panel. The seal of the second panel and/or of the fixed roof part being such that the rear support member is enabled to pass between the second panel and the fixed roof part. The seal for the second panel extends, in lateral sense, more inwardly than the seal of the first panel at the rear thereof when in the closed position, the rear support member passing between the seal on the holding member and the second panel.Type: GrantFiled: August 10, 2016Date of Patent: December 19, 2017Assignee: INALFA ROOF SYSTEMS GROUP B.V.Inventor: Marcel Johan Christiaan Nellen
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Patent number: 9802656Abstract: A vehicular sensing system, a vehicle and a method of performing one or both of vehicular mapping and navigating operations using the sensing system. The sensing system includes one or more sensors, a retractable mounting structure secured to a roof of the vehicle to be selectively placed within a recess formed in the roof. The mounting structure and sensor cooperative with one another such that the mounting structure selectively moves the sensor between a stowed position and a deployed position. A fairing is used to cover at least a portion of the sensing system and the recess when the sensing system is stowed within the recess. In a deployed position, the sensor is extended away from the roof to permit the sensor to acquire mapping or navigation data, while in its stowed position, the sensor, mounting structure and fairing define aesthetically-pleasing and aerodynamically unobtrusive profile across the portion of the roof that corresponds to the recess.Type: GrantFiled: June 7, 2016Date of Patent: October 31, 2017Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.Inventors: Paxton S. Williams, Danil V. Prokhorov
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Patent number: 9776487Abstract: A vehicle roof which can be opened, comprising a cover that can be moved between a closed position and an open position in which the cover is raised at least at the rear edge of the cover and is at least partly moved over an adjoining roof portion. The cover is supported by means of a front bearing device, which can be moved by a drive device, such that the cover can be moved along a front guide rail and by means of a rear bearing device such that the cover can be raised over the adjoining roof portion and moved along a rear guide rail.Type: GrantFiled: August 19, 2014Date of Patent: October 3, 2017Assignee: WEBASTO SEInventors: Dominik Hölzel, Johann Minatti, Christian Lange
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Patent number: 9667120Abstract: [Problem] A drive unit (10) for driving, via a first and second geared cable (8, 9), a first and second member to be driven (sun roof and shade) provided to an opening part formed on the secured roof of a vehicle, wherein while being able to switch between a state in which the power from a motor (18) is transferred to both the first and second members to be driven and a state in which the power is selectively transferred to the first or second member to be driven, the member to be driven, in which the transfer of the power from the motor (18) is blocked, is prevented from moving during an impact when the vehicle collides in the selective transfer state. [Solution] The output path of the motor (18) is divided into a first and second output shaft (22, 42).Type: GrantFiled: April 3, 2013Date of Patent: May 30, 2017Assignee: Webasto SEInventor: Niki Kenichi
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Patent number: 9636980Abstract: A roof system for a vehicle having a roof opening with a movable closure. A stationary guide rails guide operating mechanisms that operates the closure. The operating mechanism comprises a first device configured to move a rear edge upwardly and rearwardly and a second device including a lever to move a front edge of the closure. A guiding slide in the guide rail is coupled to the first device and the second device so as to move the closure. The lever has a pivotal connection to the closure and, remote from the pivotal connection, a sliding connection to the guiding slide by a first guide member and a sliding connection to a first stationary guide curve by a second guide member during movement of the closure. A third guide member on the lever of the second device engages a second stationary guide curve during movement of the closure.Type: GrantFiled: December 15, 2015Date of Patent: May 2, 2017Assignee: INALFA ROOF SYSTEMS GROUP B.V.Inventors: Eduardus Christianus Henricus Van Boxtel, Marcel Johan Christiaan Nellen
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Patent number: 9511653Abstract: A vehicle sunroof device includes a movable panel, a guide rail, a sliding member, a check mechanism, and a lock-unlock switching mechanism. The check mechanism locks the forward and backward movement of the movable panel and brings the movable panel into a tilt-up state. The check mechanism includes a rotation check member having either an engagement groove or an engagement projection. When the movable panel moves to the tilt up state, the rotation check member is in a rotation position at which the rotation check member locks movement of the movable panel. In the tilt up state, when the sliding member moves further forward and then moves backward, the rotation check member pivots to move to a pivoting position at which the rotation check member unlocks movement of the movable panel.Type: GrantFiled: January 29, 2014Date of Patent: December 6, 2016Assignee: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Yoshitaka Ide
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Patent number: 9376000Abstract: Roof system for a motor vehicle having a fixed roof cutout and having a movably mounted roof part for closing and opening the roof cutout which is displaceable by a tilt and guide mechanism between a closed position, a tilt position and an open position. The tilt and guide mechanism includes on both sides of the roof part in each case a front tilt lever and a rear tilt lever pivotably connected to the roof part by means of a pivot point and operatively connected to a control carriage movable in a guide rail arrangement. The roof part pivot points of the front and of the rear tilt lever are interconnected by an integral, dimensionally stable fastening profile extending along a side edge of the roof part and fastened on the side edge thereof.Type: GrantFiled: November 21, 2013Date of Patent: June 28, 2016Assignee: BOS GMBH & CO. KGInventors: Michael Heidan, Hartmut Eberst, Marius Marquart
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Patent number: 9375998Abstract: An open roof construction for a vehicle is provided, comprising a roof opening in a stationary roof part, a movable panel for opening and closing said roof opening and two panel operating assemblies positioned at two opposite longitudinal sides of the roof opening. As seen in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, the panel operating assemblies have a varying width in the transverse direction of the vehicle. In one embodiment the width of the panel operating assemblies varies in a gradual and/or step-wise fashion. In another embodiment the width of the panel operating assemblies decreases in a forward and/or backward direction of the vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: March 12, 2013Date of Patent: June 28, 2016Assignee: Inalfa Roof Systems Group B.V.Inventor: Marcel Johan Christiaan Nellen
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Patent number: 9333839Abstract: A drive mechanism for an open roof construction includes a stationary guide part defining a first guide channel, a bracket having a forward end and a rearward end. The forward end includes a guide shoe cooperating with the first guide channel. A lifting unit cooperates with the rearward end of the bracket to lift/lower said rearward end and slide the bracket relative to the lifting unit. A driven slide moves relative to the stationary guide part and is configured to move the guide shoe along the first guide channel and is further configured to lift/lower the rearward end of the bracket. A panel carrier is supported by the bracket and slides in a direction substantially corresponding with the direction of the sliding movement of the bracket. The driven slide is configured to cause the sliding movement of a panel carrier relative to the bracket.Type: GrantFiled: December 11, 2014Date of Patent: May 10, 2016Assignee: Inalfa Roof Systems Group B.V.Inventors: Peter Christiaan Leonardus Johannes Manders, Suyanto Teri Wahiyu Ten-Jet-Foei
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Patent number: 9290085Abstract: A sunroof apparatus includes a first panel, a second panel, a guide rail, a driving shoe, a front holding member, a center functional member, a rear functional member, a center link configured to bring the first panel that is in a fully closed state to be raised in a height direction and moving in a rear direction along with the first panel while maintaining the first panel in the raised state in association with a movement of the driving shoe in the rear direction, a rear link thereafter receiving the first panel from the center link to support the first panel in a state where the rear link is raised and moving further in the rear direction along with the first panel while maintaining the first panel in the raised state, the center link of which the movement is stopped after the first panel is received by the rear link.Type: GrantFiled: February 25, 2015Date of Patent: March 22, 2016Assignee: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Kazuki Sawada, Shogo Takahara
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Patent number: 9272608Abstract: A sunroof apparatus includes a first panel, a second panel, a front holding member provided at a front end portion of the first panel, a center link bringing the first panel that is in a fully closed state to be raised in a height direction of the vehicle by engaging with the first panel and moving in a rear direction of the vehicle along with the first panel while maintaining the first panel in the raised state, the center link thereafter disengaging from the first panel, and a rear link arranged at a lower side of the second panel to be engageable and disengageable relative to the first panel, the rear link engaging with the first panel to maintain the first panel in the raised state after the first panel and the center link move in the rear direction and moving in the rear direction along with the first panel.Type: GrantFiled: February 25, 2015Date of Patent: March 1, 2016Assignee: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Kazuki Sawada, Shogo Takahara
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Patent number: 9248727Abstract: A vehicle sunroof apparatus includes: a movable panel adapted to open and close an opening formed on a roof of a vehicle; a guide rail disposed in each edge portion of the opening; a slide member linked to each edge portion of the movable panel, disposed movable along the guide rail, and driven to move by an electrical driving source; a check mechanism regulating a movement of the movable panel; a first member supported by one of each edge portion of the movable panel and the slide member; a support shaft fixed to the other of each edge portion of the movable panel and the slide member; a second member supported by the support shaft; and a coil spring wound around the support shaft, and biasing the second member in the axial direction.Type: GrantFiled: September 3, 2014Date of Patent: February 2, 2016Assignee: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Shintaro Katsura, Ryuta Fukada
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Patent number: 9211783Abstract: A sunroof apparatus includes: a movable panel mounted on a roof of a vehicle and adjusted to open and close an opening; a guide rail extending on the roof in the front-rear direction; a driving shoe driven to move along the guide rail; rear-side guide members provided side by side in the vehicle width direction and fixed to the guide rail; rear-side links disposed between both of the rear-side guide members and held by both of the rear-side guide members; a support bracket interposed between both of the rear-side links, held movably by at least one of both of the rear-side links in the vehicle front-rear direction, and supporting the movable panel; and a check member interposed between both of the rear-side links, linked rotatably to both of the rear-side links, engaging and disengaging with the driving shoe.Type: GrantFiled: November 7, 2014Date of Patent: December 15, 2015Assignee: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Kazuki Sawada, Katsuyoshi Iwashita
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Publication number: 20150130226Abstract: A sunroof apparatus includes: a movable panel mounted on a roof of a vehicle and adjusted to open and close an opening; a guide rail extending on the roof in the front-rear direction; a driving shoe driven to move along the guide rail; rear-side guide members provided side by side in the vehicle width direction and fixed to the guide rail; rear-side links disposed between both of the rear-side guide members and held by both of the rear-side guide members; a support bracket interposed between both of the rear-side links, held movably by at least one of both of the rear-side links in the vehicle front-rear direction, and supporting the movable panel; and a check member interposed between both of the rear-side links, linked rotatably to both of the rear-side links, engaging and disengaging with the driving shoe.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 7, 2014Publication date: May 14, 2015Applicant: AISIN SEIKI KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Kazuki SAWADA, Katsuyoshi Iwashita
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Publication number: 20150130225Abstract: A sunroof apparatus includes: a movable panel adjusted to open and close an opening formed on a roof of a vehicle; a guide rail extending on the roof in the vehicle front-rear direction; a driving shoe driven to move along the guide rail; a support bracket including a first engagement protrusion and a second engagement protrusion and supporting the movable panel; a rear-side guide member on which a guide-side engagement concave portion is formed and which is provided on the guide rail; and a rear-side link from which a link-side engagement protrusion which engages with the guide-side engagement concave portion to lift up and lower the rear portion of the support bracket protrudes in the vehicle width direction.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 7, 2014Publication date: May 14, 2015Applicant: AISIN SEIKI KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Kazuki Sawada, Katsuyoshi Iwashita
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Patent number: 8991912Abstract: A drive mechanism comprising a guide channel and a cooperating slide shoe the which guide channel comprises a first part extending in a substantially horizontal direction configured to move the shoe on a first level and a second part extending downwardly relative to said substantially horizontal direction configured to move the shoe to a lower second level an elongate drive member is attached to the shoe and extends along the channel, substantially in parallel to the first part of the channel. At least one portion of the shoe moves relative to the remainder of the shoe so as not to interfere with the drive member when the shoe is positioned at the lower second level. The drive member is located within the vertical projection at a level above the level assumed by the lowermost part of the slide shoe when the slide shoe is positioned at the lower second level.Type: GrantFiled: September 20, 2013Date of Patent: March 31, 2015Assignee: Inalfa Roof Systems Group B.V.Inventors: Marcel Johan Christiaan Nellen, Ruud Geurts
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Patent number: 8991911Abstract: A vehicle open roof construction includes a closure element movably supported and adjusted by a driving slide. A front longitudinal guide track extends along a roof opening, whereas a rear longitudinal guide track is mounted at least substantially rearward of the roof opening. A front support which is movably guided by said front longitudinal guide track supports the closure element, while a rear support also supports the closure element and includes a lifting device and a guiding device for engagement in said rear longitudinal track upon rearward movement of the closure element. The lifting device and the guiding device are integrated as a rotatable element. A forcing mechanism determines whether the rotatable element acts either as the lifting device or the guiding device. The rotatable element is adjustable in vertical direction with respect to and independently of the rear guide track when the movable element acts as the lifting device.Type: GrantFiled: October 30, 2013Date of Patent: March 31, 2015Assignee: Inalfa Roof Systems Group B.V.Inventors: Martinus Wilhemus Maria Nabuurs, Marcel Johan Christiaan Nellen
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Patent number: 8985683Abstract: A roof apparatus includes a movable panel, a guide rail, a first rail portion and a second rail portion which are provided at the guide rail in a manner that at least a part of the first rail portion and at least a part of the second rail portion are overlapped with each other in the vehicle width direction, a front side guide member including a guide groove, a front side link member including a support protruding portion which is movable along the second rail portion or along the guide groove which is inclined in a vehicle upward direction towards a vehicle rear direction, and a transmission member which is movable along the first rail portion, and is linked to a rear side link member connected to the movable panel and is linked to the front side link member.Type: GrantFiled: January 9, 2014Date of Patent: March 24, 2015Assignee: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Mitsutoshi Kikuchi, Kazuki Sawada
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Publication number: 20150069789Abstract: A vehicle sunroof apparatus includes: a movable panel adapted to open and close an opening formed on a roof of a vehicle; a guide rail disposed in each edge portion of the opening; a slide member linked to each edge portion of the movable panel, disposed movable along the guide rail, and driven to move by an electrical driving source; a check mechanism regulating a movement of the movable panel; a first member supported by one of each edge portion of the movable panel and the slide member; a support shaft fixed to the other of each edge portion of the movable panel and the slide member; a second member supported by the support shaft; and a coil spring wound around the support shaft, and biasing the second member in the axial direction.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 3, 2014Publication date: March 12, 2015Applicant: AISIN SEIKI KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Shintaro KATSURA, Ryuta FUKADA
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Publication number: 20150069792Abstract: A sunroof apparatus for a vehicle includes a movable panel, a guide rail, a sliding member, a check mechanism restricting a movement of the movable panel in a front-rear direction in a case where the sliding member moves in a front direction of the vehicle in a fully closed state of the movable panel to bring the movable panel to a tilt-up state, a first member mounted to the sliding member, and a second member provided at said each edge portion of the movable panel in the vehicle width direction and being rotatably supported about an axis line extending in the vehicle front-rear direction. One of the sliding member and the first member includes a mounting recessed portion and the other of the sliding member and the first member includes a mounting projection fitted to the mounting recessed portion, the mounting projection restricted a movement in the front-rear direction.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 5, 2014Publication date: March 12, 2015Applicant: AISIN SEIKI KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Shintaro KATSURA, Ryuta Fukada