Vehicle roof assembly and method of installing same
AssigneeGeneral Motors Corporation
InventorsOlimpia Maria Hernandez, James R. Spaulding
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A method of assembling a roof assembly into a vehicle includes assembling the roof assembly and at least one module subassembly. The roof assembly includes a roof outer panel configured to cover a roof opening in the vehicle. The roof assembly and the module subassemblies are installed by operators working entirely outside the vehicle, resulting in increased efficiency and production cost savings.
Claims19
A method for assembly of a vehicle roof assembly into a vehicle, comprising:
- providing a structure defining a roof opening in the vehicle;
- providing a first inventory of components suitable for use inside the vehicle;
- providing an inventory of panels suitable for closing the roof opening of the vehicle;
- assembling at least one of the components from the first inventory of components with a panel from the inventory of panels to form a roof assembly;
- and
- attaching the roof assembly to the structure defining the roof opening from outside the vehicle.
A method for assembly of a vehicle roof assembly into a vehicle, comprising:
- providing a structure defining a roof opening in the vehicle;
- providing a first inventory of components suitable for use inside the vehicle;
- providing an inventory of panels suitable for closing the roof opening of the vehicle;
- assembling at least one of the components from the first inventory of components, a panel from the inventory of panels, and a headliner having first and second free edges to form a roof assembly;
- restraining the first and second free edges with a restraining device;
- installing the roof assembly into the vehicle by placing the headliner through the roof opening;
- removing the restraining device;
- and
- attaching the first and second edges to the vehicle, thereby concealing a portion of the structure defining the roof opening.
A method for assembly of a vehicle roof assembly into a vehicle, comprising:
- providing a structure defining a roof opening in the vehicle;
- providing a first inventory of components suitable for use inside the vehicle;
- providing an inventory of panels suitable for closing the roof opening of the vehicle;
- choosing at least one component from the first inventory of components;
- choosing a panel from the inventory of panels;
- attaching the at least one component chosen from the first inventory of components to the roof outer panel chosen from the inventory of panels to form a roof assembly;
- and
- attaching the roof assembly to the structure defining the roof opening from outside the vehicle.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.