Panel Having Drive Or Actuating Means Patents (Class 296/223)
  • Patent number: 11718162
    Abstract: A tandem drive device for at least one adjustable vehicle part, in particular for a sliding roof system, preferably comprising at least two sliding roof elements such as, for example, a glass roof and a roller shutter, wherein the tandem drive device includes at least a first drive system having a first gear mechanism and a first drive motor, and a second drive system having a second gear mechanism and a second drive motor, as well as a common control circuit for the first drive motor and the second drive motor, wherein the first gear mechanism and the second gear mechanism as well as the control circuit are accommodated in a common housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2023
    Assignee: Webasto SE
    Inventors: Rajesh Jayaraj, Martin Traub, Jani Hovan, Bernhard Meier
  • Patent number: 11718161
    Abstract: 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, as well as a connecting element which is arranged between the front and the rear lifting mechanisms. The rear lifting mechanism includes a lifting carriage with at least one lifting slotted guide, a lifting lever which is pivotably attached with one end to a fixed bearing and the other end of which has a guide element for the cover, and a translating lever which is pivotably connected to the lifting lever between its ends, wherein the translating lever is coupled to the lifting carriage by means of two sliders.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2023
    Assignee: Roof Systems Germany GmbH
    Inventors: Christian Biewer, Heiko Albert
  • Patent number: 11686141
    Abstract: An open roof assembly is configured for providing a closable roof opening in a vehicle roof. Thereto, the open roof assembly comprises a closure member that is moveably arranged for opening and closing the roof opening and a detection system for detecting an object in the roof opening. The detection system is configured to provide an entrapment signal if a foreign object is detected in the roof opening, when the closure member is moving and a collision may occur. The detection system is further configured to provide an operating signal, when an object is detected performing a predefined action. Based on the operating signal a control unit may execute an associated function.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2023
    Assignee: INALFA ROOF SYSTEMS GROUP B.V.
    Inventors: Gerrit Schwepper, Dennie Wilhelmus Hendrikus Craane, Suyanto Ten-Jet-Foei, Jochem van de Pol, Stephan Christiaan Vervoort, Remco Roland Slagter
  • Patent number: 11648829
    Abstract: An assembly for moving a vehicle roof cover may have a mechanical component coupled to the cover; a carriage guided in a guide rail; and a deployment element which is extended in an elongate manner along a longitudinal axis. The mechanical component may be coupled to the deployment element at a first end of said deployment element, to transmit a movement of the carriage along a longitudinal direction in sections to the mechanical component. A locking pin may be arranged at a second end of the deployment element; the locking pin can be rotated about the longitudinal axis of the deployment element, movable between a first state and a second state, wherein the deployment element is locked in the first state preventing movement along the longitudinal direction relative to the carriage, and is locked in the second state preventing movement along the longitudinal direction relative to the guide rail.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2023
    Assignee: WEBASTO SE
    Inventor: Jan Rolwes
  • Patent number: 11623501
    Abstract: A drive system including a guide rail assembly fixed to a roof module and including a control mechanism movable in the guide rail assembly and operatively connected to the roof part in order to move the moveable roof part between a closed position, a ventilation position, and an open position. The control mechanism has a drive slide connected to a drive transmission section. A tilting claw is provided on the drive slide, and a wall section of the guide rail assembly is provided with at least one latching profiled section positioned in the region of the guide rail assembly and facing the drive slide. The drive slide is positioned in the guide rail assembly region in the open position of the moveable roof part, and interacts with the tilting claw in a form-fitting manner when the drive slide is tilted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2023
    Assignee: BOS GMBH & CO. KG
    Inventors: Michael Heidan, Marius Marquart
  • Patent number: 11584205
    Abstract: A silenced guide rail includes a guide rail body, a guide block, and a slideway. The guide rail body includes a beam piece, and the beam piece includes an abutting end. The guide block is connected to one end of the guide rail body, and the guide block includes a docking strip. The docking strip includes a corresponding abutting end corresponding to the abutting end. The abutting end includes a short side and a bevel. A shape of the corresponding abutting end corresponds to a shape formed by the short side and the bevel. The slideway is formed on the beam piece and the docking strip. Therefore, the present disclosure reduces an abnormal noise generated when a guide post passes through a connection between the guide rail body and the guide block, and an effect of eliminating all or most of the abnormal noise may be achieved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2023
    Assignees: HSIN CHONG MACHINERY WORKS CO. LTD., FUZHOU MINGFANG AUTOMOBILE PARTS INDUSTRY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Zhi-Wen Ling, Mei-Qing Zheng, Xi Chen, Yuan-Ming Liang, Chi-Ming Huang, Jeffrey Chung-Chiang Hsi
  • Patent number: 11584204
    Abstract: A multi-part frame (10) for a sliding roof of a vehicle or a tilt-and-slide roof of a vehicle for guiding and holding a movable cover element allocated to a corresponding roof opening is specified, with a support component (12) formed as a plastic injection-moulded part, in which open cable channels (24) are moulded, in order to guide drive cables for moving the cover element, which are in drive engagement with a drive device, displaceably in a compression-resistant manner, wherein the cable channels (24) are configured such that they can be closed by at least one cover (14) likewise formed as a plastic injection-moulded part and fastenable to the support component (12), and wherein the fastening of the cover (14) to the support component (12) is configured such that an installation direction during fastening of the cover (14) to the support component (12) runs in the horizontal direction. Furthermore, a method for installing a multi-part frame (10) is specified.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2023
    Assignee: Roof Systems Germany GmbH
    Inventors: Juergen Schmidt, Stefan Vogel, Joachim Roeder
  • Patent number: 11577589
    Abstract: An open roof assembly for use in a vehicle roof of a vehicle comprises a moveably arranged closure member for selectively covering or at least partially exposing an opening in the vehicle roof. Further, an electric motor operatively coupled to the closure member is provided for moving the closure member. A control unit is operatively coupled to the electric motor for controlling the closure member. The control unit is configured to control a position of the closure member during normal driving conditions, and to release control of the position of the closure member, when a vehicle acceleration exceeds a predetermined acceleration threshold. Thus, upon a high force on the closure member, induced by the high acceleration and weight of the closure member, damage may be prevented by absorbing the high forces in a motion of the closure member and a resistance of the electric motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2023
    Assignee: INALFA ROOF SYSTEMS GROUP B.V.
    Inventors: Mark Peter Anton Vervoort, Perry Johan Jacob Lambert Van Vegchel
  • Patent number: 11491853
    Abstract: A sunroof device includes a rear link that slides along a longitudinal direction of a guide rail in conjunction with a slide member and moves up and down a rear end side of a movable panel by tilting in conjunction with the sliding of the slide member. Further, the rear link is provided with an engaging protrusion protruding in a width direction of the guide rail, and the guide rail is provided with a link engaging portion that regulates, by arranging the engaging protrusion inside, tilting of the rear link in a rising direction. The link engaging portion includes an upwardly opened cutout portion provided in the guide rail, and a metallic engaging bracket having an upper wall portion covering a topside of the cutout portion by being fixed to the guide rail. The engaging protrusion includes a metallic shaft body, and a resin layer covering the shaft body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2022
    Assignee: Aisin Corporation
    Inventors: Takuya Fujimura, Akinori Osamura
  • Patent number: 11230172
    Abstract: A roof assembly for a vehicle having an opening comprises a frame having two parallel longitudinal beams connected to a transverse beam. A drive system for a panel supports and moves the panel and includes a motor attached to the transverse beam, two substantially parallel guide rails attached to the longitudinal beams, and a support mechanism movably guided in the guide rails and operatively connected to the motor. The frame and the drive system as a unit are adapted to each other such that the drive system is partly inserted into the frame between the longitudinal beams and rotated such that the motor is on the lower side of the transverse beam of the frame and the guide rails at least partly positioned on a portion of the upper side of the longitudinal beams of the frame. There is also disclosed a method of assembling the roof assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2022
    Assignee: INALFA ROOF SYSTEMS GROUP B.V.
    Inventors: Marcel Johan Christiaan Nellen, Ruud Geurts
  • Patent number: 11203256
    Abstract: A vehicle roof is provided having a mobile roof element which can be moved by means of a drive carriage which is connected to the roof part and can be movably guided in a guide rail, a drive cable for moving the drive carriage, and a cable connection which connects the drive cable to the drive carriage. The cable connection may have a metal element. In one approach the metal element positively engages in a cable coil arranged on the drive cable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2021
    Assignee: WEBASTO SE
    Inventors: Dominik Hölzel, Gerhard Skorianz, Björn Pluciennik
  • Patent number: 11130594
    Abstract: A drone docking structure of an autonomous vehicle can include: a coil housing having a space for docking a drone to the vehicle; a docking cover configured to open or close a top portion of the coil housing according to whether the drone is docked; and a motor housing installed on a side surface of the coil housing and including a motor configured to actuate the docking cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2021
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventor: Jun-Hyuk Kim
  • Patent number: 10960742
    Abstract: A manufacturing method of a sunroof apparatus includes a panel drive unit including a first guide rail arranged at each end portion of a roof opening portion, a panel support member configured to displace a movable panel to open and close the roof opening portion in accordance with a movement of a first moving portion, and a shade unit including a second guide rail arranged inward relative to the first guide rail in the vehicle width direction. The first guide rail and the second guide rail are separately provided. The manufacturing method of the sunroof apparatus includes a first process connecting the movable panel to the panel support member, and a second process connecting the first guide rail and the second guide rail to the movable panel after the first process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2021
    Assignee: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Shinichi Hiramatsu
  • Patent number: 10774795
    Abstract: In a valve device (1), when a valve (33) is closed, an output shaft of an actuator unit (10) is connected to the valve (33). A control unit of the valve device (1) determines a control constant to be a value by which a response speed of the actuator unit (10) is smaller as ambient temperature is higher, and performs feedback control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2020
    Assignee: MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Tomokuni Kato, Atsushi Morimoto
  • Patent number: 10639974
    Abstract: A system is provided for gaining access to a sunroof of a vehicle, in particular a car, including a sunroof control unit (19) and a sunroof actuation switch (27), in particular, for actuation of opening and/or closing and/or tilting of a sunroof. The sunroof actuation switch has one switch contact (28) or a plurality of switch contacts, wherein the sunroof control unit (19) and the sunroof actuation switch (27) are re-configured to communicate data, such as programming and/or reprogramming data and/or parameter setting data and/or diagnostic data, from and/or to the sunroof control unit (19) through the one switch contact (28) or at least one of the plurality of switch contacts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2020
    Assignee: Webasto SE
    Inventors: Phillip Iott, Scott Adams
  • Patent number: 10611300
    Abstract: An interior light for a motor vehicle, having a switch for switching the interior light on and off, a lens and at least a first light of which the light beams pass through the lens and are able to provide a first light function. Furthermore, there is at least one second light of which the light beams can be coupled into at least one light guide via at least one light entry point, and can be coupled out again via at least one light extraction structure to provide a second light function. The lens can be an integral part of the light guide. In this way, an interior light for a motor vehicle can be realized, which has a switch indicator light and can be made of a very compact design.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2020
    Assignee: Volkswagen Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Stefan Buelow, Alexej Preobraschenski, Klaus Zander, Mirco Wenzel
  • Patent number: 10526833
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a control apparatus and a control method for a sunroof of a vehicle, and the vehicle including the control apparatus. The control apparatus includes an acquisition device, a sensor and a control device. The acquisition device is configured to acquire a precipitation probability value at a place where the vehicle is located, the sensor is configured to measure a humidity value outside the sunroof, and the control device is configured to compare the precipitation probability value and the humidity value with a preset precipitation probability threshold and a preset humidity threshold respectively, so as to control the sunroof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2020
    Assignee: BOE TECHNOLOGY GROUP CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Xuewen Lv, Xiying Zhang
  • Patent number: 10486410
    Abstract: A print bed levelling system for an additive manufacturing system includes a nozzle head assembly movably arranged with respect to a substantially flat print bed member, wherein the nozzle head assembly comprises one or more nozzle bodies each having a nozzle end and a contactless sensor member disposed at a print bed engagement end of the nozzle head assembly. The contactless sensor member comprises a sensing surface in sensing engagement with the print bed member over a relative sensing distance range between a distal sensing position and a proximal sensing position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2019
    Assignee: Ultimaker B.V.
    Inventor: Erik van der Zalm
  • Patent number: 10487562
    Abstract: Method and apparatus are disclosed for determining and mitigating wind throb caused by an open vehicle window. An example vehicle includes a plurality of windows corresponding to a plurality of seats having respective occupancy sensors, a microphone, and a processor. The processor is configured to determine that a first window is open, determine, based on microphone data, that a sound pressure level is above a threshold level, and responsively open a second window selected based on occupancy data determined by the occupancy sensors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2019
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Joshua Wheeler, William S. Gulker
  • Patent number: 10322623
    Abstract: A roof closure assembly for a vehicle includes a frame configured to be fixed to the vehicle roof and having an upper and lower side. A movable closure for a roof opening is movably supported by a movable support mechanism on the frame. An operating device includes at least one drive motor, at least a guide rail including the movable support mechanism for the closure and an elongate connecting member attached to the movable support mechanism and in engagement with the drive motor to enable the drive motor to drive the closure to move between a closed position closing the roof opening and an open position opening the roof opening at least partly. The frame comprises a through-hole providing communication between the upper and lower side of the frame. The drive motor is mounted to a lower side of a motor support such that the drive motor is accessible through the through-hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2019
    Assignee: INALFA ROOF SYSTEMS GROUP B.V.
    Inventors: Frijke Irene Land, Marcel Johan Christiaan Nellen
  • Patent number: 10161177
    Abstract: A motor vehicle according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure includes, among other things, a moonroof, a roof rail, a wire adjacent the roof rail, and a roof rack selectively attachable to the roof rail. The roof rack includes a magnet. Further, the vehicle includes a controller configured to deactivate the moonroof when a current flowing through the wire is disturbed by the magnet. A method is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2018
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Bradley Mark Prochazka, David Lee Jarvis
  • Patent number: 10025259
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a main body, a door unit, and a loading portion that applies a load affecting movement of the door unit. The loading portion includes a rotating member, a damper unit, and an arm portion, which engages with the rotating member to extend and retract along an arc. The damper unit applies the load to the moving door unit such that, when a first arm member of the arm portion is engaged with the rotating member, the door unit can move to a first position at a first opening angle, and when a second arm member of the arm portion is engaged with the rotating member, the door unit can move to a second position at a second opening angle which is greater than the first opening angle. The first and second arm members move relative to each other with movement of the door unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2018
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Shigeo Doi, Tadahisa Sugiyama
  • Patent number: 9975409
    Abstract: An arrangement with a cover for a vehicle roof. The rear region of said cover can be raised starting from a closed position using deployment means to open the roof opening, and the cover can be moved towards the rear over the vehicle roof into an open position. The deployment means have a slide movable in a guide rail in a vehicle longitudinal direction by means of a drive, said slide comprising a slide gate. The deployment means may further have a gate stationary relative to the guide rail. The deployment means additionally have a deployment rod movable in the vehicle longitudinal direction by means of the slide and which is coupled to the stationary gate by means of a first coupling element and to the slide gate by means of a second coupling element in the closed position of the roof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2018
    Assignee: WEBASTO SE
    Inventor: Dominik Hölzel
  • Patent number: 9850680
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a retractable umbrella that can be attached above a door that opens to allow people to exit or enter an enclosure, such as, a bus, airplane, train, house, building, and the like. The retractable umbrella comprises several frames to which umbrella sheets are attached and that nest within one another within a housing that is attached to said enclosure. With a switch or button, a motor linearly displaces a shaft that displaces each of said frames out of the housing so as to provide protection for people from the rain as they exit or enter said enclosure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Inventor: Hyon Sam Yi
  • Patent number: 9802467
    Abstract: A panorama sunroof controller has a user interface, a sunroof glass, a sunshade, a first motor for driving the sunroof glass, a second motor for driving the sunshade and a driving module including a single chip microcomputer, a second relay driver and a sensor module. The single chip microcomputer and a first sensor are disposed on a circuit board. The first relay driver is coupled with the single chip microcomputer and drives the first motor near the circuit board. The second relay driver is coupled with the single chip microcomputer and drives the second motor far away the circuit board. a sensor module includes a second sensor coupled to the single chip microcomputer of the driving module through signal wires.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2017
    Assignee: JOHNSON ELECTRIC S.A.
    Inventors: Nian He Qu, Xiao Ming Wang
  • Patent number: 9796252
    Abstract: A restricting device includes: a movable member that is capable of changing a posture with respect to a support member; and a buffer member that is fixed to the movable member, comes into contact with the support member in accordance with a posture change of the movable member, and restricts the posture of the movable member, wherein in the movable member, a mounting recess portion, an outlet port, a slip-off preventing piece, and a fitting piece are formed, and the buffer member has a fixing portion, an elastic portion, and a connecting portion, and in the elastic portion, a fitting recess portion is fitted is formed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2017
    Assignee: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yoji Nagashima, Yoshitaka Ide, Kazushige Kawamura
  • Patent number: 9764627
    Abstract: A sliding roof system is shown having a pair of guide rails, a slide in each guide rail, the slide being displaceably mounted therein, a functional component which is displaceably received in the guide rail and can be fixed in a raised position by means of a latching hook, the latching hook being shiftable between a release position and a latching position, the latching hook when in the latching position engaging in an opening of the guide rail, and a cover which can be opened from a closed position by displacement of the slide, a retaining lever being provided which can mechanically hold the latching hook in the latching position, wherein the retaining lever is adapted to be pivoted about a pivot pin between the release position and the retaining position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2017
    Assignee: ROOF SYSTEMS GERMANY GMBH
    Inventors: Stefan Vogel, Stefan Kunkel, Rainer Arnold
  • Patent number: 9688358
    Abstract: A sliding hatch for a boat including a vertical bulkhead and deck having an opening with vertical and horizontal sections defining a companionway for access to areas below the deck. A door is pivotally mounted to a bulkhead adjacent the vertical opening and movable for access to the vertical section of the companionway. A hatch is slideably mounted to the deck for selectively enclosing the horizontal section of the opening. Pivoted links couple the door to the hatch, such that, as the door is opened and closed, the hatch is moved between open and closed positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignee: S2 Yachts, Inc.
    Inventors: Linwood Addison Fuller, IV, Dwayne Back
  • Patent number: 9592723
    Abstract: A vehicle sunroof device in which a movable panel is supported by a panel support member and the movable panel is capable of being moved in a tilted manner, the movable panel is prevented from being detached due to an upward load without increasing the thickness and the weight of the cored bar of the panel support member in a low-cost structure. A portion of the cored bar of the panel support member, which is located under cam grooves is bent to form first and second protrusions which protrude laterally in the thickness direction of the cored bar. The first protrusion is formed by notching multiple parts of the cored bar and bending the notched parts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: WEBASTO SE
    Inventors: Kozo Ohdoi, Akihiro Shinkawa
  • Patent number: 9568920
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a body defining a vehicle interior, doors attached to the body and providing access to the vehicle interior, windows, sensors, and a controller. The windows are disposed in a respective one of the doors, and each includes a window actuator. The sensors include a speed sensor operable for determining a speed of the vehicle and position sensors each operable for detecting a position of a respective one of the windows. The controller programmed to execute a method by receiving input signals from the set of sensors, including the speed of the vehicle and the detected position from each of the position sensors, and transmitting a control signal to at least one of the window actuators to cause one of the windows to move to a predetermined partially-opened position above a calibrated threshold vehicle speed. This action automatically mitigates effects of wind buffeting in the vehicle interior.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2017
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Brandon C. Bloss, Christopher L. Fulton
  • Patent number: 9550410
    Abstract: A sunroof apparatus includes: a movable panel that can open or close an opening formed in a roof of a vehicle; guide rails having a pair of rail-side holding portions provided side by side in a lateral direction, and respectively provided in both edge portions of the opening in the lateral direction; support brackets, front end portions of which are supported by the guide rails, having vertical walls, and each of which has bracket-side held portions; sliding members are provided so as to be able to move along the guide rails, and each of which has a connection wall; sliding member-side held portions, and sliding member-side holding portions; and an electric driving source driving the movement of the sliding members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Shintaro Katsura
  • Patent number: 9514898
    Abstract: A switch device for a sunroof includes: a glass switch piece, which is switchable between glass opening positions and a glass closing position, which are for selecting whether to open or close the opening of a sunroof with a roof glass; and a shade switch piece, which is switchable between a shade opening position and a shade closing shade positions, which are for selecting whether to open or close the opening with of a roof shade. The shade closing positions include a first closing position and a second closing position. The switch device is provided with an interlocking portion, which links the glass switch piece to the shade switch piece so that the glass switch piece is moved into the glass closing position when the shade switch piece is moved to the second closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignees: Toyota Shatai Kabushiki Kaisha, Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takahiro Fukamizu, Hideki Fuchigami, Takeshi Iwai, Shohei Kobata
  • Patent number: 9505292
    Abstract: A sliding roof system is shown having a pair of guide rails, a slide in each guide rail, the slide being displaceably mounted therein, a functional component which is displaceably received in the guide rail and can be fixed in a raised position by means of a latching hook, the latching hook being shiftable between a release position and a latching position, the latching hook when in the latching position engaging in an opening of the guide rail, and a cover which can be opened from a closed position by displacement of the slide, a retaining lever being provided which can mechanically hold the latching hook in the latching position, wherein the retaining lever is adapted to be pivoted about a pivot pin between the release position and the retaining position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2016
    Assignee: ROOF SYSTEMS GERMANY GMBH
    Inventors: Stefan Vogel, Stefan Kunkel, Rainer Arnold
  • Patent number: 9370988
    Abstract: A sliding roof system is shown having a pair of guide rails, a slide in each guide rail, the slide being displaceably mounted therein, a functional component which is displaceably received in the guide rail and can be fixed in a raised position by means of a latching hook, the latching hook being shiftable between a release position and a latching position, the latching hook when in the latching position engaging in an opening of the guide rail, and a cover which can be opened from a closed position by displacement of the slide, a retaining lever being provided which can mechanically hold the latching hook in the latching position, wherein the retaining lever is adapted to be pivoted about a pivot pin between the release position and the retaining position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2016
    Assignee: ROOF SYSTEMS GERMANY GMBH
    Inventors: Stefan Vogel, Stefan Kunkel, Rainer Arnold
  • Patent number: 9290086
    Abstract: In an opening/closing mechanism of a sunroof apparatus, an engaged portion engaged with a cam groove smoothly slides on upper and lower cam surfaces of a cam groove, and stiffness to support a roof panel is increased at low costs. The engaged portion includes a first sliding portion having a convex curve facing upward and sliding on the upper cam surface of the cam groove, and a second sliding portion coupled to the first sliding portion at a front or a rear of a vehicle, having a convex curve facing downward, and sliding on the lower cam surface of the cam groove.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: WEBASTO SE
    Inventors: Kozo Ohdoi, Akihiro Shinkawa
  • Patent number: 9227492
    Abstract: A sliding roof system is shown having a pair of guide rails, a slide in each guide rail, the slide being displaceably mounted therein, a functional component which is displaceably received in the guide rail and can be fixed in a raised position by means of a latching hook, the latching hook being shiftable between a release position and a latching position, the latching hook when in the latching position engaging in an opening of the guide rail, and a cover which can be opened from a closed position by displacement of the slide, a retaining lever being provided which can mechanically hold the latching hook in the latching position, wherein the retaining lever is adapted to be pivoted about a pivot pin between the release position and the retaining position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2016
    Assignee: ROOF SYSTEMS GERMANY GMBH
    Inventors: Stefan Vogel, Stefan Kunkel, Rainer Arnold
  • Patent number: 9156337
    Abstract: A sunroof apparatus for a vehicle includes a movable panel, a guide rail, a first sliding member, a second sliding member, the movable panel being configured to be shifted to a tilt-up state in a case where the first sliding member moves in a front direction in a fully closed state of the movable panel and to be opened while being maintained in the tilt-up state in a case where the first sliding member moves in a rear direction after moving further in the front direction, and a holding mechanism configured to stop the second sliding member in a state where the engagement between the first sliding member and the second sliding member is released and to cause the second sliding member to be movable in the engagement state in a case where the first sliding member moves in the rear direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2015
    Assignee: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Shintaro Katsura
  • Patent number: 9132722
    Abstract: A glass roof of a motor vehicle includes a fixed part and a panel that is mobile with respect to the fixed part. The panel is able to close an opening formed in or next to the fixed part in a closed position. Movement of the mobile panel is implemented with the aid of two shuttles guided in translation respectively in two rails, each of the shuttles engaging with a peg secured to the mobile panel. The mobile panel carries two bearing elements that bear against bearing surfaces formed respectively on a longitudinal portion of the rails, defining a third movement zone in which the mobile panel is slid with respect to the fixed part, parallel to the rails. The bearing surface is interrupted in an end portion of each of the rails so as to allow the bearing elements to move in a direction perpendicular to the rails.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2015
    Assignee: Advanced Comfort Systems France SAS—ACS France
    Inventor: Mickaël Desbois
  • Patent number: 9039076
    Abstract: Open roof construction for a vehicle is provided, comprising a roof opening provided in a stationary roof part of the vehicle and movable means for opening and closing the roof opening. At least a first and second drive member are provided for cooperation with the movable means, which at least first and second drive member are movable in a direction of the vehicle by a common drive source and are spaced in said direction. At least one elongate buckling resistant member is provided extending substantially in said direction and movable between a disconnect position in which the first and second drive members of the movable means are operatively disconnected and a connect position for operatively connecting the first and second drive members of the movable means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2015
    Assignee: Inalfa Roof Systems Group B.V.
    Inventors: Alphonsus Theodorus Bernardus Rooijakkers, Theodorus Gerardus Franciscus Van Rooij
  • Publication number: 20150130229
    Abstract: A sunroof device comprising: a drive cable having driving teeth arranged in a longitudinal direction and being driven to move in the vehicle front-rear direction along a guiderail; and a sliding member that controls the posture of a functional bracket together with a movable panel, in conjunction with movement in the vehicle front-rear direction. The sunroof device also comprises: driven teeth formed on the sliding member, that are meshed with the driving teeth and restrict relative movement of the drive cable and the sliding member in the vehicle front-rear direction; and a mounted portion formed on the guiderail. The drive cable and the sliding member, in which the driving teeth are meshed with the driven teeth, are mounted on the mounted portion, and the mounted portion holds these in the vehicle lateral and vertical directions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 14, 2013
    Publication date: May 14, 2015
    Applicant: AISIN SEIKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yoji Nagashima, Yusuke Kokubo, Shinichi Hiramatsu, Yoshitaka Ide, Kazushige Kawamura
  • Patent number: 8991911
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: Inalfa Roof Systems Group B.V.
    Inventors: Martinus Wilhemus Maria Nabuurs, Marcel Johan Christiaan Nellen
  • Patent number: 8991912
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: Inalfa Roof Systems Group B.V.
    Inventors: Marcel Johan Christiaan Nellen, Ruud Geurts
  • Patent number: 8967708
    Abstract: A vehicle sunroof apparatus includes: a pair of first and second opening and closing drive units arranged in a widthwise direction, the pair of first and second opening and closing drive units each including: a rail extending in a fore-and-aft direction of a vehicle; a movable body provided so as to be movable on the rail; and a coupling mechanism configured to couple the movable body to a movable panel provided in a roof opening portion, and arranged at widthwise both end portions of the roof opening portion so as to be capable of opening and closing the movable panel; and a control device configured to control operations of the opening and closing drive units.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takashi Kikuta, Takashi Kawato, Daisuke Yuasa, Nobuyasu Bessho
  • Patent number: 8967709
    Abstract: A vehicle sunroof apparatus includes: a pair of first and second opening and closing drive units provided in a widthwise direction, the pair of first and second opening and closing drive units each including: a rail extending in a fore-and-aft direction of a vehicle; a movable body provided so as to be movable on the rail; and a coupling mechanism configured to couple the movable body to a movable panel provided in a roof opening portion, and arranged at widthwise both end portions of the roof opening portion so as to be capable of opening and closing the movable panel; and a control device configured to control operations of the opening and closing drive units.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Daisuke Yuasa, Takashi Kikuta, Nobuyasu Bessho, Takashi Kawato, Masato Saita
  • Patent number: 8967707
    Abstract: What is proposed is a vehicle roof which has a cover element which can be used to selectively close or at least partially expose a roof opening and which, with respect to a vertical vehicle longitudinal center plane, has a control mechanism for the cover element on each of the two sides, said control mechanism comprising a drive carriage which can be moved in a respective roof-mounted guide rail and controls a pivoting and/or displacement of the cover element, wherein the drive carriages are each connected to a pressure-resistant drive cable which can be driven by means of a drive motor. At least one of the control mechanisms has an initialization stop which, in a front or a rear end position of the cover element, engages in a corresponding guide rail cutout whose edge forms a counter-stop for the initialization stop.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: Webasto SE
    Inventor: Stjepan Radmanic
  • Patent number: 8960782
    Abstract: A drive mechanism includes a guide channel and a slide shoe. The guide channel comprises a first part extending in a substantially horizontal direction for moving the shoe on a first level, and a second part extending downwardly relative to the horizontal direction for moving the shoe to a lower second level. A drive member attaches to the shoe and extends along the channel, substantially parallel to the first part. The guide channel defines two spaced guide channel parts cooperating with two corresponding slide shoe parts. The slide shoe between its spaced slide shoe parts includes a recess allowing the slide shoe to move from the first to the second level without engaging the drive member. The drive member is located within the vertical projection at a level above the level assumed by at least one of the slide shoe parts when the slide shoe is at its second level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: Inalfa Roof Systems Group B.V.
    Inventors: Marcel Johan Christiaan Nellen, Ruud Geurts
  • Patent number: 8939499
    Abstract: A drive unit for a motor vehicle having a guide element, a function unit guided by the guide element and which is movable via a motor, and a carrier guided by the guide element and coupled to the function unit. The carrier includes a coupling element movable relative to a main body of the carrier, so that to bring about an engaged state the coupling element is arranged in a first position inside a receptacle of the guide element to fix the carrier on the guide element, and to bring about a coupled state the carrier is arranged in a second position inside a recess of the function unit so that the carrier is moved together with the function unit. The carrier has a securing element movable relative to the main body and which, in a fixing position, prevents movement of the coupling element out of the first position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2015
    Assignee: BOS GmbH Co. KG
    Inventor: Michael Heidan
  • Publication number: 20150001896
    Abstract: A drive device for a roof module of a motor vehicle. A drive device of this type, the roof module comprising two movable roof parts, with longitudinally extended tension/compression means for transmitting drive to the roof parts which are driveable by a common drive motor via two output pinions, is known. The output pinions are oriented coaxially with respect to each other, and the output pinions are assigned a change-over device which sets the drive motor into operative connection alternatively with the one or the other output pinion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2014
    Publication date: January 1, 2015
    Inventors: Herbert WALTER, Michael HEIDAN, Ulrich MUELLER-BOYSEN, Tobias WAIBEL, Markus SINGER, Han Joo SUNG, Kunho KIM
  • Patent number: 8894137
    Abstract: Open roof construction for a vehicle having a roof assembly with a panel and a mechanism for closing and opening a roof opening. The moving mechanism comprises two stationary guides extending at least partly in a non-parallel manner along opposite longitudinal edges of the roof opening and two pivot arms each having a first end movably attached to the panel and a second end connected to one of the stationary guides. Each pivot arm is provided with at least one guide member, whereas the movable panel comprises at least two guide parts along which the guide members will move when the respective pivot arms pivot around a respective pivot axis. The shape of said guide parts is such that as a result of the cooperation between corresponding guide members and guide parts the movable panel may be moved in a vertical and/or horizontal direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2014
    Assignee: Inalfa Roof Systems Group B.V.
    Inventors: Peter Christiaan Leonardus Johannes Manders, Marcel Johan Christiaan Nellen
  • Patent number: 8827359
    Abstract: The invention relates to a control rod for an adjustable closing element or a vehicle roof. The adjustable closing element is designed to selectively close a roof opening in a closing position or at least partly release same in further positions. The control rod is formed from a drawn steel spring wire.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignee: WEBASTO AG
    Inventor: Rudolf Wimmer