Drive mechanism for an automotive vehicle sunroof assembly
AssigneeASC Incorprated
InventorsMark A. Caye, Robert J. Boutin
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A drive mechanism for an automotive vehicle sunroof assembly employs a moving cam and a stationary cam, both of which are engaged by a sunroof pane supporting carriage with cam followers. The specific camming surfaces cause the carriage and pane to move between closed, vent and open position. A method of operating a sunroof assembly is also disclosed.
Claims15
A sunroof assembly for use in an automotive vehicle, said sunroof assembly comprising:
- a first cam having a first camming surface;
- a substantially horizontal track;
- a carriage having a panel supporting segment, a first cam follower of said carriage being ridable along said first camming surface of said first cam, a shoe of said carriage being coupled to said track and limited to substantially horizontal movement along said track;
- a second cam having a second camming surface including a ramp section inclining from a forward end of a substantially horizontal section;
- and
- a second cam follower of said carriage riding along said second camming surface of said second cam;
- whereby a rear portion of said carriage panel supporting segment is lifted without a coincidental vertical movement of said shoe when said second cam follower moves between said substantially horizontal section and said ramp section of said second cam.
A sunroof assembly for use in an automotive vehicle, said sunroof assembly comprising:
- a moving cam having a camming surface including a ramp section inclining forward of a first substantially horizontal section, a forward section of said camming surface of said moving cam declining forward of said ramp section, a second substantially horizontal section of said camming surface of said moving cam being positioned higher than said first substantially horizontal section, a sloping section being disposed between said horizontal sections;
- a moving cam follower riding along said camming surface of said moving cam;
- a panel;
- said moving cam follower being positioned along said first substantially horizontal section of said moving camming surface when said panel is disposed in a closed position;
- said moving cam follower being positioned along said second substantially horizontal section of said moving camming surface when said panel is disposed in a vent position;
- said moving cam follower being positioned along said forward section of said moving camming surface when said panel is disposed in an open position;
- a camming surface of a stationary cam further having a substantially vertical section upwardly extending from an end of a substantially horizontal section;
- and
- a stationary cam follower being positioned at a first portion of said stationary camming surface substantially vertical section when said panel is disposed in said closed position;
- said stationary cam follower being positioned at a second portion of said stationary camming surface substantially vertical section higher than said first portion when said panel is disposed in said vent position;
- said stationary cam follower being positioned at said substantially horizontal section of said stationary camming surface when said panel is disposed in said open position.
A sunroof assembly for use in an automotive vehicle, said sunroof assembly comprising:
- a movable cam having a camming surface including a forward section declining from a forwardmost end of a ramp section and said ramp section inclining from a forwardmost end of a substantially horizontal section;
- a sunroof panel;
- a camming surface of a stationary cam further having a substantially vertical section upwardly extending from an end of a substantially horizontal section;
- and
- a cam follower being positioned at a first portion of said stationary camming surface substantially vertical section when said panel is disposed in said closed position;
- said cam follower being positioned at a second portion of said stationary camming surface substantially vertical section higher than said first portion when said panel is disposed in said vent position;
- said cam follower being positioned at said substantially horizontal section of said stationary camming surface when said panel is disposed in said open position.
A sunroof assembly for use in an automotive vehicle, said sunroof assembly comprising a horizontally movable cam having a camming surface including a first substantially horizontal section, a forward section declining below said first substantially horizontal section, a sloping section inclining above said first substantially horizontal section, and a second substantially horizontal section being positioned higher than said first substantially horizontal section, a latch being movably mounted upon said cam, a member upwardly biasing said latch away from said cam.
A sunroof assembly for use in an automotive vehicle, said sunroof assembly comprising:
- a movable cam having a camming surface;
- a latch being movably coupled to said cam, said latch having an engaging surface;
- and
- a spring upwardly biasing said latch away from said cam.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.