A method for positioning a movably arranged panel comprises the steps of determining a panel braking distance based on a physical property of the moveable panel and a physical property of at least one of a drive assembly and a drive motor. The panel braking distance corresponds to a distance covered by the moveable panel in a period of time starting from a decision to switch off the drive motor until stand-still of the moveable panel. The drive motor is switched off when an expected stop position is within a predetermined range around a desired stop position.

A method for positioning a movably arranged panel comprises the steps of determining a panel braking distance based on a physical property of the moveable panel and a physical property of at least one of a drive assembly and a drive motor. The panel braking distance corresponds to a distance covered by the moveable panel in a period of time starting from a decision to switch off the drive motor until stand-still of the moveable panel. The drive motor is switched off when an expected stop position is within a predetermined range around a desired stop position.

A wind deflector assembly mountable to a sunroof frame having a support arm configured to be rotatable at least relative to a transverse direction of the sunroof frame; a torsion spring mounting seat adapted to be secured to the sunroof frame, the torsion spring mounting seat comprising a limiting shaft and a limiting boss adjacent to the limiting shaft; and a torsion spring having a helical portion, and a short torsion arm and a long torsion arm which are respectively arranged at two ends of the helical portion, the helical portion being adapted to be fitted over the limiting shaft, the short torsion arm being adapted to be attached to the limiting boss, the long torsion arm being adapted to be attached to the support arm, and the limiting boss being adapted to limit a displacement of the helical portion in a vertical direction of the sunroof frame.

A wind deflector assembly mountable to a sunroof frame having a support arm configured to be rotatable at least relative to a transverse direction of the sunroof frame; a torsion spring mounting seat adapted to be secured to the sunroof frame, the torsion spring mounting seat comprising a limiting shaft and a limiting boss adjacent to the limiting shaft; and a torsion spring having a helical portion, and a short torsion arm and a long torsion arm which are respectively arranged at two ends of the helical portion, the helical portion being adapted to be fitted over the limiting shaft, the short torsion arm being adapted to be attached to the limiting boss, the long torsion arm being adapted to be attached to the support arm, and the limiting boss being adapted to limit a displacement of the helical portion in a vertical direction of the sunroof frame.

A removable roof panel system for a vehicle, includes a frame structure configured to be mounted to a roof of the vehicle. A front panel is removably mounted to the frame structure and including a front glass panel and a front panel frame. A rear panel is removably mounted to the frame structure and includes a rear glass panel and a rear panel frame. The frame structure includes a trough portion and supports a first seal configured to be disposed between the roof of the vehicle and the front and rear glass panels and a second seal disposed between the front and rear panel frames and the frame structure. A front latch system releasably secures the front panel to the frame structure and a rear latch system releasably secures the rear panel to the frame structure.

To provide a sunroof device with a simple structure, in which an elastic member can be disposed in a predetermined position accurately and with excellent workability, a sunroof device includes a plate-shaped panel stay having a cam groove on a first side surface and a slider provided with a cam follower pin engaging with the cam groove to cause the movable roof panel to tilt. The slider includes a slider main body having a pin support wall that supports the cam follower pin in a cantilever manner and a contact member mounted to the slider main body so as to slidably contact a second side surface of the panel stay. The contact member includes an extension part opposing a bottom surface of the panel stay, and an elastic member that elastically supports the panel stay when the movable roof panel undergoes opening and closing motion is provided on the extension part.

To provide a sunroof device with a simple structure, in which an elastic member can be disposed in a predetermined position accurately and with excellent workability, a sunroof device includes a plate-shaped panel stay having a cam groove on a first side surface and a slider provided with a cam follower pin engaging with the cam groove to cause the movable roof panel to tilt. The slider includes a slider main body having a pin support wall that supports the cam follower pin in a cantilever manner and a contact member mounted to the slider main body so as to slidably contact a second side surface of the panel stay. The contact member includes an extension part opposing a bottom surface of the panel stay, and an elastic member that elastically supports the panel stay when the movable roof panel undergoes opening and closing motion is provided on the extension part.

A vehicle apparatus configured to selectively position and enclose an opening formed in at least one panel of a vehicle includes a sliding panel and a positioning mechanism. The sliding panel includes an electrical device in communication with a control circuit of the vehicle and the positioning mechanism is configured to slidably position the sliding panel along a positioning track between an open position and a closed position. A control connection is configured to transmit control signals between the control circuit of the vehicle and the electrical device. The control connection extends from a portion of the vehicle to a connection interface of the electrical device, and the connection apparatus is configured to communicate a control signal to adjust an operating state of the electrical device in both the open position and the closed position.

A vehicle apparatus configured to selectively position and enclose an opening formed in at least one panel of a vehicle includes a sliding panel and a positioning mechanism. The sliding panel includes an electrical device in communication with a control circuit of the vehicle and the positioning mechanism is configured to slidably position the sliding panel along a positioning track between an open position and a closed position. A control connection is configured to transmit control signals between the control circuit of the vehicle and the electrical device. The control connection extends from a portion of the vehicle to a connection interface of the electrical device, and the connection apparatus is configured to communicate a control signal to adjust an operating state of the electrical device in both the open position and the closed position.

A shading device for a vehicle roof includes at least one shading length that can be rolled up for shading a light-permeable and/or open area of the vehicle roof, a tension bow that is movably mounted in a direction of travel (V), to which the shading length-is fastened, a drive mechanism that can be operated by a drive motor to move the tension and a control unit for activating the drive motor. The shading device includes at least one opposing force element for restricting a traveling movement of the tension bow, and the control unit is designed to activate the drive motor based on an opposing force when the tension bow reaches an end position (P1, P2) defined by the stop element.