GB2165496A

GB2165496A - Rotary sunroof

Info

Publication number: GB2165496A
Application number: GB08425989A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Milton C Kaltz; Victor Kruk
Original assignee: ASC Inc
Current assignee: ASC Inc
Priority date: 1984-10-15
Filing date: 1984-10-15
Publication date: 1986-04-16
Also published as: GB8425989D0

Abstract

A roof panel 40 which rotates within the roof of the vehicle between closed and opened positions closing and opening an aperture in the roof of the vehicle is mounted in a circular housing 20 affixed to the stationary roof structure of the vehicle. A drive motor rotates a drive belt 42 slidingly mounted with the housing in opposite direction. A pair of links 60 affixed to opposite sides of the roof panel are connected at a first end to the belt and at a second end to opposite sides of the roof panel. Ramp members 90 mounted on the housing are engaged by the second end of each of the links to effect raising and lowering of the links and the rear edge of the roof panel connected thereto, so that the panel may be brought into a flush position with respect to the roof of the vehicle when in a closed position and lowered for rotation. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Rotary sunroof BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the invention This invention relates, in general, to vehicle roof structures and, more specifically, to movable roof panels for opening and closing an opening in a vehicle roof structure.

Description of the prior art Vehicles, and in particular, automobiles, have been provided with many different types of roof structures including movable roof panels which open and close an aperture or opening formed in the stationary roof structure of the vehicle.

Sliding rectangular shaped roof panels have been provided which move between a forward position closing the roof opening to a rearward position, located underneath the rear stationary structure of the roof, to uncover the roof opening.

Such roof panels have been provided with lifter mechanisms which create a final upward movement of the rear edge of the roof panel to completely close the roof opening and place the roof panel in flush alignment with the adjacent roof structure of the vehicle. The lifter mechanisms also function to drop the rear edge of the roof panel below the edge of the stationary roof structure for sliding rearward movement of the roof panel.

Movable roof panels have also been provided with a venting feature in which the roof panel pivots about a front edge raising the rear edge of the roof panel upward a few inches above the stationary roof structure of the vehicle to a venting position.

A rotary sunroof for vehicles, as shown in U.S.

Patent Number 3,975,048 has also been proposed.

This rotary sunroof utilizes a frame mounted within the opening in the roof in which a trapezoidalshaped roof panel is rotatably mounted for movement around an axis perpendicular to the roof of the vehicle. While such a sunroof provides the capability of opening the left side, right side or the complete roof opening, the movable roof panel is located below the level of the adjacent stationary roof structure which detracts from the aesthetic appearance of the vehicle roof. Furthermore, the rotary sunroof disclosed in the above-listed patent utilizes a pivot mechanism located centrally on the inner surface of the vehicle roof. This not only reduced interior head room within the vehicle but, also, requires an awkward movement on the part of the occupant of the vehicle to rotate the roof panel between open and closed portions.

Thus, it would be desirable to provide a rotary sunroof which provides a different appearance from previously devised rotary sun roofs. It would also be desirable to provide a rotary sunroof which rotates within a peripherally mounted frame. It would also be desirable to provide a rotary sunroof which is movable into a flush alignment with the adjacent roof structure when the roof panel is in the fully closed positon. Finally, it would be desirable to provide a rotary sunroof which has a simplified construction formed of a minimal number of individual components.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention is a rotary sunroof for vehicles which closes and opens an opening formed in the roof structure of a vehicle, such as an automobile. The rotary sunroof includes a housing mounted to the stationary roof structure or the vehicle surrounding the opening in the roof. A roof panel is mounted with the housing and is movable from a first position closing the opening in the roof to a second position exposing the roof opening in which the roof panel is nested beneath the rear stationary roof structure of the vehicle. A drive means is mounted on the housing and is operably connected to the roof panel for rotating the roof panel in opposite directions.Preferably, the drive means comprises a reversible electric drive motor and a continuous drive belt which is slidable within the housing and driven in opposed directions through driving engagement with the output shaft of the drive motor.

A pair of pivotal links are pivotally attached at one end to the drive belt and at a second end to opposed rearward sides of the roof panel. Ramp members are mounted on the housing and include an upwardly inclined face. The ramp members are mounted in opposite facing directions and function to urge the first end of each link upward so as to raise the roof panel into flush alignment with the adjacent stationary roof structure when the roof panel moves to the fully closed position. The links also function to lower the rear edge of the roof panel below the forward edge of the stationary roof structure so as to enable the roof panel to be rotated underneath the stationary roof structure to fully expose the roof opening.

Stops integrally formed on the ramp members are provided for limiting the rotary movement of the roof panel at the fully closed position. The stops receive and prevent further movement of the links when the roof panel has reached the fully opened position.

The rotary sunroof of the present invention provides many features not found in previously devised movable roof panel structures. The rotary sunroof of the present invention is in the form of a semi-circular shaped roof panel. This not only enables the roof opening to be completely exposed, but also, enables one side of the roof opening, such as that over the driver's seat to be uncovered without exposing the entire width of the roof opening. The rotary sunroof is mounted and rotates within a peripheral frame thereby eliminating a central pivot mechanism and increasing interior vehicle headroom. The rotary sunroof of the present invention is also urged into flush alignment with the adjacent roof structure in the fully closed position so as to maintain the aesthetic, smooth appearance of the vehicle roof lines.Finally, the rotary sunroof of the present invention is formed with a minimal number individual components for a simplified construction.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRA WING The various features, advantages and other uses of the present invention will become more apparent by referring to the following detailed description and drawings in which: Figure I is a partial, perspective view of a vehicle having a rotary sunroof of the present invention mounted therein; Figure 2 is an exploded, perspective view of the rotary sunroof of the present invention showing the roof panel and the housing; Figure 3 is a cross-section view, taken along line 3-3 in Figure 2; Figure 4 is a partial view showing the interaction of the links and ramp members; and Figure 5 is a partial, exploded perspective view showing the mounting of the front edge of the rotary sunroof of the present invention to the mova ble drive belt.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Throughout the following description and draw ing, an identical reference number is used to refer to the same component shown in multiple figures of the drawing.

Referring now to the drawing, and to Figure 1 in particular, there is illustrated a vehicle 10 having a rotary sunroof 12 construction in accordance with the teachings of the present invention mounted therein.

As is conventional, the vehicle 10 includes a stationary roof structure 14 having an aperture or opening 16 formed therein. Preferably, the aperture or roof opening 16 is located over the front seat of the vehicle. The rotary roof sunroof 12 is mounted within the roof opening 16 and is movable between a closed position, shown in Figure 1, in which the roof panel closes the opening 16 in the roof 14 to an open position exposing the roof opening completely to view.

As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the rotary sunroof 12 of the present invention includes a housing 20 in the form of a circular frame. The frame has a horizontally extending peripheral upper flange 22.

The upper flange 22 is mounted to the interior stationary roof structure 14 of the vehicle 10 by means of suitable fasteners, not shown, such as mounting bolts, rivets, etc.

The housing 20 also includes a leg portion 24 which depends centrally from the upper flange 22.

The lower end of the leg portion 24 terminates in an inwardly extending base portion 26. A pair of spaced flanges 28 and 30 are integrally formed with the top flange 22 and the base 26, respectively, to define an opening 32 which extends completely around the housing 20. The flanges 28 and 30 are also spaced from the depending leg 24 portion of the housing 20 to define a guide track 34 therebetween.

As noted above, the upper flange 22 extends completely around the periphery of the housing 20.

However, the depending leg portion 24 is discontinued or broken off at one portion of the housing 20, as shown in Figure 2, for mounting the drive motor therein.

The rotary sunroof 12 of the present invention also includes a movable roof panel 40 as shown in Figures 1, 2 and 3. The roof panel 40 preferably has a semi-circular configuration; although other shapes may also be employed. The roof panel 40 is configured so as to be complimentary with the roof opening 16 in the vehicle 10. The roof panel 40 can be formed of any suitable material, such as transparent glass, metal, as well as translucent and transparent plastics.

The rotary roof panel 40 is movable between a first, closed position shown in Figures 1 and 2 in which the roof panel 40 completely covers the roof opening 16 to a rearward second position in which the roof panel 40 is nested underneath the rear stationary roof structure 14 of the vehicle 10 to completely expose the roof opening 16 to view. Intermediate positions may also be provided by merely stopping rotary movement of the roof panel 40 between the full open and full closed positions.

The rotary sunroof 12 of the present invention also includes means for rotating the roof panel 40 between the first and second positions. Preferably, the rotating means comprises a drive belt 42 in the form of a thin, plastic strip. The ends of the belt 42 are joined together to form a continuous, endless strip. The belt 42 is, also, provided with a plurality of spaced apertures 44 which may have any form, such as circular, square, etc. The apertures 44 extend along the entire length of the belt 42.

As shown in Figure 3, a pair of identical carriers 46 are securely mounted to the belt 42 by means of a fastener 48 extending through the carrier 46 into one of the apertures 44 in the belt 42. Although two carriers 46 are provided on opposite sides of the roof panel 40, only one will be described in greater detail hereafter.

The carrier 46 includes a horizontal leg portion 48 having a hollow bore extending therethrough. A fastener, such as bolts 52, passes through the hollow bore 50 and is fastened to one of the apertures 44 of the belt 42 to securely mount the carrier 46 on the belt 42 for simultaneous movement therewith.

The carrier 46 also includes a depending hanger portion 50 which is integrally formed and extends downward from the horizontal leg portion 48. A second horizontal bore 53 is formed in the hanger portion 50 to receive a pivot pin for mounting a link thereon, as described in greater detail hereafter.

A lifter means 60 is associated with each carrier 46. Such lifter means 60 comprises a link having first and second ends 62 and 64, respectively. A hollow through bore 66 and 68 is formed in the first and second ends 62 and 64, respectively, of each link 60. The through bores 66 and 68 receive pivot pins 70 for respectively mounting the first end 62 of the link 60 to the hanger portion 50 of the carrier 46 and the second end 64 of the link 60 to a mounting bracket 76 attached to the roof panel 40.

The mounting bracket 76 includes a horizontal portion 78 which is secured, such as by suitable fasteners or an adhesive, to the inner surface of the movable roof panel 40 and a depending link portion 80 which has an aperture formed therein.

The pivot pin 70 extends through the boss on the second end 64 of the link 60 and is secured to the depending leg 80 of the bracket 76 to pivotally mount the link 60 to the bracket 76. In this manner, movement of the drive belt 42 in either clockwise or counterclockwise directions, as viewed in Figure 1, will cause simultaneous movement of each carrier 46. Movement of the carriers 46 will also cause the links 60 to move with the rotary movement of the roof panel 40.

The means for moving the drive belt 42 comprises a reversable electric drive motor 82, shown in Figure 2, which is mounted on the housing 20, preferably at rear end of the housing 20. The electric drive motor 82 has a rotatable output shaft 84 about which is mounted a gear 86 having a plurality of radially projecting teeth 88. The gear teeth 88 are adapted to engage the apertures 44 in the drive belt 42 and urge the drive belt 44 in either a clockwise or counterclockwise direction.

The links 60 besides providing a driving connection between the drive belt 42 and the carrier 46 also provide an upward closing movement of the roof panel 40 when the roof panel 40 reaches the fully closed position and an initial downward movement to lower the rear edge of the roof panel 40 below the edge of the stationary structure 14 to allow nesting of the roof panel 40 underneath the rear stationary structure 14 of the vehicle 10.

As shown in Figure 4, two identical ramp members 90 are mounted on opposite sides of the housing 20 adjacent to the rear edge of the roof panel 40 when the roof panel 40 is in the fully closed position. Each of the members 40 includes an upwardly inclined ramp face 92. The ramp members 90 are oriented in opposite directions such that the respective inclined ramp faces 92 are oriented 180 apart.

During rotary movement of the roof panel 40 in the direction of arrow 94 the second end 64 of each of the links 60 will engvage the inclined face 92 of the ramp members 90 as the roof panel 40 approaches the fully closed position. The first end 64 of the links 60 will ride upward along the inclined face 92 of the ramp members 90 to cause an upward lifting movement of the rear edge of the roof panel 40 until the roof panel 40 is in flush alignment with the stationary roof structure 14 of the vehicle 10.

Upon reverse operation of the drive motor 82, the first ends 64 of the links 60 will be urged in a direction opposite from the direction of arrow 94 shown in Figure 4 so as to lower the links 60, with the first ends 64 riding downward along the inclined face 92 of the ramp 90. This causes a lowering of rear edge of the roof panel 40 so as to enable rotary movement of the roof panel 40 underneath the stationary roof structure of the vehicle 10.

Stops 96 are also formed integrally with each of the ramp members 90. The stops 96 are in the form of a concave recess 98 formed on an opposite surface from the inclined face 92 of each of the ramp members 90. The stops 96 function to receive the second end 62 of each of the links 60 so as to limit further movement of the roof panel 40 when the roof panel 40 has reached the fully opened position.

Referring now to Figure 5, there is illustrated the front pivotal connection of rotary roof panel 40 of the present invention to the drive belt 42. A mounting bracket 100 is affixed by suitable fasteners, now shown, extending through the apertures 44 to the drive belt 42. The mounting bracket 100 includes a pair of spaced arms 102 and 104 each of which, has an aperture 106 formed within which receives a pivot pin 108. A pivotal member 110 is secured to the bottom surface of the front edge of the rotary roof panel 40 and includes a through bore 112 which receives the pivot pin 108 to pivotally connect the front edge of the rotary roof panel 42 to the movable drive belt 42. In this manner, as the rear edge of the rotary roof panel 40 pivots up and down, the front edge is free to pivot.It should also be noted that one or more of such pivotal connections may be provided on the front edge of the roof panel 10.

In summary, there has been disclosed a unique rotary sunroof for a vehicle, such as an automobile, which provides many features not previously found in movable roof panel structures. The rotary sunroof of the present invention is rotatable within the roof structure of the vehicle between a fully closed position closing an opening in the roof to an open position exposing the roof opening completely to view. Lifter means provided on the rotary sunroof uniquely provide for an upward closing movement of the rear edge of a movable roof panel to bring the rear edge of the roof panel into flush alignment with the adjacent stationary roof structure of the vehicle to thereby maintain the aesthetic appearance of the vehicle. Finally, the rotary sunroof of the present invention is uniquely formed of a minimum number of individual components for a simplified construction.

Claims

1. A rotary sunroof adapted to be mounted to the stationary roof structure of a vehicle having an aperture in the roof thereof comprising: a housing mountable on the stationary roof structure of the vehicle; a movable roof panel rotatably mounted within the housing for opening and closing the aperture in the roof of the vehicle; means for rotating the roof panel between open and closed positions; and lifter means, mounted on the roof panel, for lifting the rear edge of the roof panel into flush engagement with the stationary roof panel of the vehicle when the roof panel is in the closed position, and, lowering the rear edge of the roof panel below the stationary roof structure of the vehicle to allow rotary movement of the roof panel beneath the stationary roof stucture of the vehicle.

2. The rotary sunroof of Claim 1 wherein; the aperture in the stationary roof structure of the vehicle and the roof panel have semi-circular configurations.

3. The rotary sunroof of Claim 1 wherein the rotating means comprises: a guide track formed in the housing; a drive belt movable within the guide track, the lifter means being pivotally connected to the drive belt; and drive means, mounted on the housing for selectively rotating the drive belt in one of two opposed directions.

4. The rotary sunroof of Claim 3 wherein the drive means comprises: a drive motor having a rotatable output shaft; gear means mounted on the output shaft of the motor; and wherein the drive belt includes a plurality of spaced apertures along its length, the apertures being engaged by the gear means for rotating the drive belt.

5. The rotary sunroof of Claim 3 wherein the lifter means comprises: first and second links pivotally mounted at one end to the drive belt and at a second end to opposite sides of the roof panel; and ramp members mounted on opposite sides of the housing, the ramp members including an inclined face for engagement with the second ends of the links to cause the second end of the links to move upward raising the roof panel into a fully closed, flush position.

6. The rotary sunroof of Claim 5 further including: stop means mounted on the ramp members opposite from the inclined surface for limiting rotational movement of the roof panel to the fully opened position.

7. The rotary sunroof of Claim 5 further including: two links and two ramp members mounted on opposite sides of the roof panel adjacent to the rear edge of the roof panel.

8. A rotary sunroof adapted to be mounted to the stationary roof structure of a vehicle having an aperture in the roof thereof comprising: a housing having a circular configuration and a semi-circular aperture formed therein complimentary with the semi-circular aperture formed in the roof of the vehicle; a movable roof panel rotatably mounted with the housing for opening and closing the aperture in the roof of the vehicle, the roof panel having a semi-circular configuration; a guide track formed in the housing; a drive belt having a plurality of spaced apertures formed therein movably disposed within the guide track; first and second carriers mounted on the belt;; first and second pivotal links, each having first and second ends, the first end of each of the first and second links being pivotally connected to one of the first and second carriers, the second ends of the first and second links being pivotally connected to opposite sides of the roof panel; a drive motor mounted on the housing and operably engaging the drive belt to rotate the drive beltin first and second opposed directions; ramp members mounted on the housing and having an inclined face engagable by the second end of each of the first and second links for raising and lowering the second end of the links to raise the rear edge of the roof panel to the fully closed position and lowering the roof panel for rotary movement beneath the rear stationary roof structure of the vehicle; and stop means formed on the ramp members for limiting rotary movement of the roof panel to the fully opened position.

9. A rotary runroof substantially as described herein with reference to, and as shown in, the accompanying drawings.

10. A motor vehicle having a rotary sunroof in accordance with any one of the preceding claims.