IP Library Granted Patent US 8,807,643
Granted Patent B2
US 8,807,643 · App. 13/629,238 · Granted Aug 19, 2014

Sunroof mechanism linkage with continuous one part guide track

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 8,807,643
App. No.
13/629,238
Granted
Aug 19, 2014
Kind
B2
Abstract

Continuous cross sectional profile guide tracks in an outer sliding sunroof/moonroof are provided where both the front and rear mechanism or mechanism links travel fore/aft in the same channels as each other and have fore/aft travel that is limited only by vehicle architecture. The guide track channel is partly or entirely outside/outboard of the primary water/wind sealing system of the sunroof.

Claims (17)

1. An assembly supporting movement of a moveable panel relative to an exterior opening defined in a roof of a passenger compartment, comprising:

a pair of continuous tracks installed on the roof of the passenger compartment and disposed on opposing sides of the exterior opening, each track including a first channel and a second channel parallel to and separated from said first channel by a guide rib having a first wall disposed in said first channel and a second wall disposed in said second channel wherein said tracks extend from a forward location proximate a forward region of the roof towards a rearward location of a rearward region of the roof wherein said first channel includes a first continuity extending unobstructed from said forward location to said rearward location and said second channel includes a second continuity extending from said from said forward location to said rearward location;

a pair of first mechanical linkages coupled to a pair of opposing edges of the moveable panel with said first mechanical linkages moveably coupled to said first channel;

a pair of second mechanical linkages coupled to said pair of opposing edges and moveably coupled to both said first channel and said second channel while engaging both said walls of said guide rib; and

a first structure disposed in a particular one second channel of said second channels that interrupts said second continuity of said particular one second channel without interrupting said first continuities.

2. The assembly of claim 1 wherein for each said track, said first channel includes an outer channel and said second channel includes an inner channel disposed between said outer channel and the exterior opening.

3. The assembly of claim 1 further comprising a second structure disposed in a second particular one second channel of said second channels that interrupts said second continuity of said second particular one second channel without interrupting said first continuities.

4. The assembly of claim 3 wherein said structures include lifting/tilting control structures that interact with said second mechanical linkages in said second channels to influence an elevation/tilt profile of the moveable panel without said lifting/tilting control structures interacting with either said first mechanical linkages moving in said first channels and portions of said second mechanical linkages moving in said first channels.

5. The assembly of claim 4 wherein said lifting/tilting control structures each include a cam surface disposed in said inner channels and wherein each said second mechanical linkage includes a cam contact surface interacting with said cam surface when influencing said elevation/tilt profile.

6. The assembly of claim 1 wherein said channels of each said track are proximate each other from said forward location to said rearward location.

7. The assembly of claim 6 wherein each said track includes a single monolithic structure extending from said forward location to said rearward location, said single monolithic structure defining said channels and said guide rib.

8. The assembly of claim 7 wherein said single monolithic structure includes a single discrete extruded element defining said channels and said guide rib.

9. The assembly of claim 8 wherein said single monolithic structure includes a single discrete roll-formed element defining said channels and said guide rib.

10. The assembly of claim 8 wherein said single monolithic structure includes a single discrete molded element defining said channels and said guide rib.

11. The assembly of claim 6 wherein said mechanical linkages are restrained to move within said channels by said guide rib.

12. The assembly of claim 5 wherein said channels of each said track are proximate each other from said forward location to said rearward location.

13. The assembly of claim 12 wherein said lifting/tilting structures are constrained on a second channel side of said guide rib.

Assignments (4)
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Aug 19, 2020
From: TESLA MOTORS, INC.
To: TESLA, INC.
Reel/Frame 053549/0236 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jul 28, 2015
From: STEPHENS, MITCHELL
To: TESLA MOTORS, INC.
Reel/Frame 036199/0472 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Jan 31, 2013
From: TESLA MOTORS, INC.
To: PNC BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
Reel/Frame 029733/0045 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Sep 28, 2012
From: GRUSS, MATTHEW PAUL, MR.; CHRISTENSEN, MARCUS, MR.
To: TESLA MOTORS, INC.
Reel/Frame 029041/0222 →