GB2609977A

GB2609977A - Sunroof drive assembly

Info

Publication number: GB2609977A
Application number: GB2111952.4A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Burrows Joseph
Original assignee: Jaguar Land Rover Ltd
Current assignee: Jaguar Land Rover Ltd
Priority date: 2021-08-20
Filing date: 2021-08-20
Publication date: 2023-02-22
Also published as: GB202111952D0

Abstract

A sunroof drive assembly (3-1, 3-2, Fig.2) for actuating a vehicle 5 sunroof 15. The sunroof includes a panel (19) mounted to a panel carrier (21). The sunroof drive assembly comprises a drive cable (29-1) and a connector (31-1, Fig.3) for drivingly connecting the drive cable and panel carrier. The connector is fastened to a drive cable distal end and has at least one reinforced member (41A) for maintaining the connection between the panel carrier and the drive cable during a collision, where the drive cable functions as a tether to restrict or inhibit movement of the sunroof. The at least one reinforced member has a metal bracket (45A, Fig.5) having an outer plastic casing (49A). Also claimed is a sunroof assembly 1 and a vehicle. The connector may comprise a first reinforced member that locates in a first track-type aperture (51A) in the carrier having a first centreline (CL1, Fig.6) where the connector restricts movement perpendicular to the first centreline. A second, opposing track (51B) may be formed on the carrier and have a second track centreline (CL2) for receiving a second, opposing reinforced member 41B. Each reinforced member may comprise a C-shaped end section.

Description

SUNROOF DRIVE ASSEMBLY

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to a sunroof drive assembly. Aspects of the invention relate to a sunroof drive assembly, a sunroof assembly and a vehicle.

BACKGROUND

It is known to provide a sunroof in a roof of a vehicle. The sunroof can be selectively opened and closed. The sunroof may be a powered sunroof comprising an actuator, such as a drive motor, for opening and closing the sunroof. The actuator may be connected to a sunroof carrier assembly by a drive cable.

It is an aim of the present invention to address one or more of the disadvantages associated with the prior art.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Aspects and embodiments of the invention provide a sunroof drive assembly, a sunroof assembly and a vehicle as claimed in the appended claims Within the scope of this application it is expressly intended that the various aspects, embodiments, examples and alternatives set out in the preceding paragraphs, in the claims and/or in the following description and drawings, and in particular the individual features thereof, may be taken independently or in any combination. That is, all embodiments and/or features of any embodiment can be combined in any way and/or combination, unless such features are incompatible. The applicant reserves the right to change any originally filed claim or file any new claim accordingly, including the right to amend any originally filed claim to depend from and/or incorporate any feature of any other claim although not originally claimed in that manner.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

One or more embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 shows a schematic representation of a vehicle incorporating a sunroof assembly incorporating first and second sunroof drive assemblies in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 shows a plan view of the first and second sunroof drive assemblies incorporated into the vehicle shown in Figure 1; Figure 3 shows a first vertical section through a first connector connecting a drive cable to the panel carrier; Figure 4 shows a second vertical section through the first connector shown in Figure 3; Figure 5 shows an inboard perspective view of the first connector shown in Figure 3 and 4; Figure 6 shows an inboard perspective view of the first connector shown in Figure 5 with the plastic over-moulding omitted; and Figure 7 shows an outboard perspective view of the first connector shown in Figures 3 to 6.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

A sunroof assembly 1 comprising first and second sunroof drive assemblies 3-1, 3-2 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention is described herein with reference to the accompanying Figures. The present invention is described herein with reference to a vehicle reference frame comprising a longitudinal axis X, a transverse axis Y and a vertical axis Z. The sunroof assembly 1 is provided in a vehicle 5, as shown in Figure 1. The vehicle 5 is a road vehicle, such as an automobile, a utility vehicle or a sports utility vehicle. The vehicle 5 comprises a vehicle body 7 which forms a cabin 9 for occupants. The vehicle body 7 comprises a roof 11 having a roof aperture 13. The sunroof assembly 1 comprises a sunroof 15 which is slidably mounted in the roof 11 of the vehicle 5. The sunroof 15 is moveable in a longitudinal direction to open and close the roof aperture 13. The first and second sunroof drive assemblies 3-1, 3-2 are shown in Figure 2. As described herein, the first and second sunroof drive assemblies 3-1, 3-2 are operable to slide the sunroof 3 forwards and backwards. A controller 17 is provided for controlling operation of the first and second sunroof drive assemblies 3-1, 3-2. The controller 17 may, for example, be provided in the cabin 9 of the vehicle 5.

The sunroof 15 comprises a panel 19 mounted to a panel carrier 21, as shown in Figure 3. The panel 19 in the present embodiment is a glass panel. The sunroof 15 may also comprise a blind (not shown). The panel carrier 21 is slidably mounted in first and second roof rails 23- 1, 23-2 (shown in Figure 2) disposed on opposing sides of the roof aperture 13. The first and second sunroof drive assemblies 3-1, 3-2 are operable drivingly to displace the panel carrier 21 forwards and backwards along the first and second roof rails 23-1, 23-2. The panel carrier 21 comprises a first carrier side assembly 25-1 disposed on a first side of the sunroof assembly 1; and a second carrier side assembly 25-2 disposed on a second side of the sunroof assembly 1. The first and second sunroof drive assemblies 3-1, 3-2 are connected to the respective first and second carrier side assemblies 25-1, 25-2. The first and second carrier side assemblies 25-1, 25-2 have substantially the same configuration as each other. The first carrier side assembly 25-1 is shown in Figure 3 and 4. The first carrier side assembly 25-1 comprises a first projection 27-1; and the second carrier side assembly 25-2 comprises a second projection (not shown). The first and second projections 27-1 are formed in respective first and second metal inserts having generally C-shaped profiles, as shown in Figure 3. The first and second projections 27-1 may, for example, form a hook or a retention feature.

The first and second sunroof drive assemblies 3-1, 3-2 have like configurations. The configuration of the first sunroof drive assembly 3-1 will now be described. It will be understood that the second sunroof drive assembly 3-2 has substantially the same configuration.

The first sunroof drive assembly 3-1 comprises a first drive cable 29-1 and a first connector 31-1. The first drive cable 29-1 is disposed in a first channel 33-1 extending along the first roof rail 23-1. The first drive cable 29-1 is a flexible metal cable. In the present embodiment, the first drive cable 29-1 is in the form of a helix cable comprises a centre core, for example a multi-strand wire core, and an outer helical wire forming a helical outer profile. As described herein, the first connector 31-1 is fastened to a distal end of the first drive cable 29-1. The first connector 31-1 drivingly connects the first drive cable 29-1 to the first carrier side assembly 25-1. The first sunroof drive assembly 3-1 comprises an actuator in the form of a first drive motor 35-1 for actuating the first drive cable 29-1. In the present embodiment, the first drive motor 35-1 comprises a first drive gear 37-1 for drivingly engaging the helical outer profile of the first drive cable 29-1. The first drive motor 35-1 is operable drivingly to advance and retract the first drive cable 29-1 along the first channel 33-1. In use, the first drive motor 35-1 (in conjunction with a corresponding second drive motor, if provided) is operable to displace the panel carrier 21 forwards and backwards. In certain embodiments, the first drive motor 35-1 may be configured to actuate both the first and second sunroof drive assemblies 3-1, 3-2.

The first connector 31-1 comprises a first member 41A and a second member 41B. The first and second member 41A, 41B oppose each other. The first and second member 41A, 41B are disposed on opposite sides of the first carrier side assembly 25-1. The first and second members 41A, 41B are configured to connect the connector 31-1 to the panel carrier 21. In the present embodiment, the first connector 31-1 is configured to maintain a connection between the panel carrier 21 and the first drive cable 29-1 in the event of a collision. The first connector 31-1 is fastened to the first drive cable 29-1. In the present embodiment, the first member 41A is fastened to the distal end of the first drive cable 29-1. A metal pressing may be crimped onto the distal end of the first drive cable 29-1. The first member 41A is pressed around the distal end of the first drive cable 29-1 to fasten the first member 41A to the first drive cable 29-1. The first member 41A forms a sleeve extending around the first drive cable 29-1. The sleeve is deformed to fasten the first member 41A to the first drive cable 29-1. Other fastening systems may be employed fixedly to attach the first connector 31-1 to the first drive cable 29-1.

The first member 41A is a first reinforced member 41A and is suitable for maintaining the connection between the panel carrier 21 and the first drive cable 29-1. The first reinforced member 41A is configured to withstand collision loads to maintain the connection between the first drive cable 29-1 and the panel carrier 21. By maintaining this connection, the first drive cable 29-1 is capable of functioning as a tether to restrict or inhibit movement of the sunroof 15. The first drive cable 29-1 may thereby inhibit or restrict movement of the sunroof 15 relative to the vehicle 5. The first reinforced member 41A comprises a first metal bracket 45A and an outer plastic casing 49A. The first metal bracket 45A is formed from a metal plate or sheet, for example by a pressing operation. It will be understood that other forming techniques may be used. The first metal bracket 45A may be mechanically fastened directly to the first drive cable 29-1. In the present embodiment, the first metal bracket 45A is crimped or pressed onto the distal end of the first drive cable 29-1. The outer plastic casing 49A is over-moulded onto the first metal bracket 45A. In certain embodiments the outer plastic casing 49A may be over-moulded around the metal bracket 45A and a portion of the first drive cable 29-1. The outer plastic casing 49A is shown in Figure 5 but is omitted from Figure 6.

The first reinforced member 41A is configured to locate in a first aperture 51A formed in the panel carrier 21. As shown in Figures Sand 6, the first reinforced member 41A comprises one or more first projection 53 configured to locate in the first aperture 51A. In the present embodiment, the first reinforced member 41A comprises one first projection 53 which extends in a transverse direction. The first reinforced member 41A may comprise a C-shaped profile in transverse section. The first aperture 51A is formed in the first carrier side assembly 25-1. The first aperture 51A in the present embodiment is in the form of a first track 51A. The first track 51A is disposed on an inboard side of the first carrier side assembly 25-1. In a variant, the first reinforced member 41A could be configured to locate in a first aperture formed on an outboard side of the first carrier side assembly 25-1.

The second member 41B is suitable for locating in a second aperture 47-2 formed in the first carrier side assembly 25-1, as shown in Figure 7. The second member 41B comprises a moulded plastic bracket. In the present embodiment, the second member 41B is not reinforced. In a variant, the second member 41B may be reinforced, for example comprising a metal bracket over-moulded with a plastic material. The second aperture 51B is in the form a second track 51B. The first and second tracks 51A, 51B are formed on opposite sides of the first carrier side assembly 25-1. The second track 51B is disposed on an outboard side of the first carrier side assembly 25-1. In a variant, the second track 51B may be disposed on an inboard side of the first carrier side assembly 25-1. The second member 41B comprises one or more second projection 55 configured to locate in the second aperture 51B. In the present embodiment, the second reinforced member 41B comprises one second projection 55 which extends in a transverse direction, as shown in Figure 7.

The first connector 31-1 comprises a transverse member 57 extending in a transverse direction between the first member 41A and the second member 41B. The transverse member 57 may be formed integrally with the first member 41A. The transverse member 57 in the present embodiment is formed integrally with the first metal bracket 45A. The transverse member 57 extends through the C-shaped section of the first carrier side assembly 25-1 formed by the first projection 27-1. The first projection 27-1 extends below the transverse member 57 and provides an additional retention feature for retaining the panel carrier 21 in position. The first projection 27-1 is suitable for engaging an underside of the first connector 31 -1. In particular, the first projection 27-1 is configured to engage the transverse member 57 to inhibit or restrict vertical movement of the first carrier side assembly 25-1. The transverse member 57 is formed from metal in the present embodiment. In particular, the transverse member 57 is formed integrally with the first metal bracket 45A. The transverse member 57 could be formed separately from the first metal bracket 45A.

The first track 51A comprises a first track centreline CL1. The first reinforced member 41A is configured to restrict or inhibit movement of the sunroof 15 in a direction perpendicular to the first track centreline CL1. In use, the first reinforced member 41A is configured to restrict or inhibit vertical movement of the panel carrier 21. The second track 51B comprises a second track centreline CL2. The second member 41B is configured to restrict or inhibit movement of the sunroof 15 in a direction perpendicular to the second track centreline CL2. The first and second track centrelines CL1, CL2 are substantially parallel to each other.

As outlined above the second sunroof drive assembly 3-2 has substantially the same configuration as the first sunroof drive assembly 3-1. The first and second sunroof drive assemblies 3-1, 3-2 are disposed on opposing sides of the panel carrier 21.

In the event of a collision, the first reinforced member 41A maintains the connection between the panel carrier 21 and the first and second drive cables 29-1, 29-2. The first and second drive cables 29-1, 29-2 function as tethers to retain the sunroof 15 attached to the vehicle 5. In the present embodiment, the first and second drive motors 35-1, 35-2 function as anchor points for the first and second drive cables 29-1, 29-2. In particular, the first and second drive motors 35-1, 35-2 restrict or inhibit movement of the proximal ends of the first and second drive cables 29-1, 29-2. Alternatively, or in addition, the channels in which the first and second drive cables 29-1, 29-2 may control or restrict movement of the first and second drive cables 29-1, 29-2 in the event of a collision. One or more separate anchor points may be provided for anchoring the first and second drive cables 29-1, 29-2. For example, the separate anchor points may cooperate with the helical exterior profile of the first and second drive cables 29-1, 29-2. The one or more anchor points may be disposed at the proximal end of the first and second drive cables 29-1, 29-2; or along a length of the first and second drive cables 29-1, 29-2. By way of example, the or each anchor may comprise an internal thread for cooperating with an external helical profile of the drive cable.

It will be appreciated that various changes and modifications can be made to the present invention without departing from the scope of the present application.

Claims

CLAIMS: 1. A sunroof drive assembly (3-1, 3-2) for actuating a sunroof (15) of a vehicle (5), the sunroof (15) comprising a panel (19) mounted to a panel carrier (21); wherein the sunroof drive assembly (3-1, 3-2) comprises: a drive cable (29-1); a connector (31-1) for drivingly connecting the drive cable (29-1) to the panel carrier (21), the connector (31-1) being fastened to a distal end of the drive cable (29-1); and wherein the connector (31-1) comprises at least one reinforced member (41A) for maintaining the connection between the panel carrier (21) and the drive cable (29-1) in the event of a collision such that the drive cable (29-1) functions as a tether to restrict or inhibit movement of the sunroof (15); the at least one reinforced member (41A, 41B) comprising a metal bracket (45A) having an outer plastic casing (49A).
2. A sunroof drive assembly (3-1, 3-2) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least one reinforced member (41A, 41B) comprises a first reinforced member (41A) for locating in a first aperture (51A) formed in the panel carrier (21).
3. A sunroof drive assembly (3-1, 3-2) as claimed in claim 2, wherein the first aperture is in the form of a first track (51A).
4. A sunroof drive assembly (3-1, 3-2) as claimed in claim 3, wherein the first track (51A) comprises a first track centreline (CL1), the first reinforced member being configured to restrict or inhibit movement of the sunroof (15) in a direction perpendicular to the first track centreline (CL1).
5. A sunroof drive assembly (3-1, 3-2) as claimed in any one of claims 2, 3 or 4, wherein the at least one reinforced member (41A, 41B) comprises a second reinforced member (41B) for locating in a second aperture (51B) formed in the panel carrier (21).
6. A sunroof drive assembly (3-1, 3-2) as claimed in claim 5, wherein the second aperture is in the form of a second track (51B).
7. A sunroof drive assembly (3-1, 3-2) as claimed in claim 6, wherein the second track (51B) comprises a second track centreline (CL2), the second reinforced member (41B) being configured to restrict or inhibit movement of the sunroof (15) in a direction perpendicular to the second track centreline (CL1).
8. A sunroof drive assembly (3-1, 3-2) as claimed in any one of claims 5, 6 or 7, wherein the first and second members oppose each other.
9. A sunroof drive assembly (3-1, 3-2) as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the plastic casing (49A) is over-moulded onto the metal bracket (45A) of the or each reinforced member (41A, 41B).
10. A sunroof drive assembly (3-1, 3-2) as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the or each reinforced member (41A, 41B) comprises a C-shaped end section.
11. A sunroof drive assembly (3-1, 3-2) as claimed in any one of the preceding claims comprising an actuator (35-1) for actuating the drive cable (29-1), wherein the actuator is operative to anchor the drive cable (29-1).
12. A sunroof (15) assembly comprising a sunroof (15) and at least one sunroof drive assembly (3-1, 3-2) as claimed in any one of the preceding claims.
13. A sunroof (15) assembly as claimed in claim 12, wherein the sunroof (15) comprises a panel mounted to a panel carrier (21), the panel carrier (21) comprising at least one projection for engaging an underside of the connector (31-1) in the sunroof drive assembly (31, 3-2).
14. A sunroof (15) assembly as claimed in claim 13, wherein the at least one sunroof drive assembly (3-1, 3-2) comprises first and second sunroof (15) drive assemblies, the first and second sunroof (15) drive assemblies being connected to opposing sides of the panel carrier (21).
15. A vehicle (5) comprising a sunroof (15) and at least one sunroof drive assembly (3- 1, 3-2) as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 11.