The present disclosure relates to a sunroof apparatus of an automotive vehicle. Specifically, the present disclosure describes a constraining portion of a guiding drive shoe and a constrained portion of a drive link to maintain a drive link angle during high-speed operation of the sunroof apparatus. Moreover, the present disclosure describes a guiding portion of a rear drive shoe and a guided portion of a bracket to guide a glass panel of the sunroof apparatus into a fully-closed position during high-speed operation.

The present disclosure relates to a sunroof apparatus of an automotive vehicle. Specifically, the present disclosure describes a constraining portion of a guiding drive shoe and a constrained portion of a drive link to maintain a drive link angle during high-speed operation of the sunroof apparatus. Moreover, the present disclosure describes a guiding portion of a rear drive shoe and a guided portion of a bracket to guide a glass panel of the sunroof apparatus into a fully-closed position during high-speed operation.

The present disclosure relates to a sunroof apparatus of an automotive vehicle. Specifically, the present disclosure describes a constraining portion of a guiding drive shoe and a constrained portion of a drive link to maintain a drive link angle during high-speed operation of the sunroof apparatus. Moreover, the present disclosure describes a guiding portion of a rear drive shoe and a guided portion of a bracket to guide a glass panel of the sunroof apparatus into a fully-closed position during high-speed operation.

The present disclosure relates to a sunroof apparatus of an automotive vehicle. Specifically, the present disclosure describes a constraining portion of a guiding drive shoe and a constrained portion of a drive link to maintain a drive link angle during high-speed operation of the sunroof apparatus. Moreover, the present disclosure describes a guiding portion of a rear drive shoe and a guided portion of a bracket to guide a glass panel of the sunroof apparatus into a fully-closed position during high-speed operation.

A lifting guide mechanism for a sunroof device that can be reduced in weight, thickness, and cost is provided. A second rear guide pin (27) is provided behind and above a first rear guide pin (26) which can be received in a guide groove (34). A first upper wall (32) is formed with a rear opening part (36) to allow the first rear guide pin (26) to get in and out of the guide groove (34). A first rear lifting guide member (39) is provided on the first upper wall (32) so as to project upward at rear of the rear opening part (36) to guide the second rear guide pin (27) when a movement of a movable panel (11) is switched between sliding and tilting. This eliminates the need for a member for guiding the first rear guide pin (26) in the guide groove (34), and thus, the panel guide rail (14) may have a single-level structure.

A lifting guide mechanism for a sunroof device that can be reduced in weight, thickness, and cost is provided. A second rear guide pin (27) is provided behind and above a first rear guide pin (26) which can be received in a guide groove (34). A first upper wall (32) is formed with a rear opening part (36) to allow the first rear guide pin (26) to get in and out of the guide groove (34). A first rear lifting guide member (39) is provided on the first upper wall (32) so as to project upward at rear of the rear opening part (36) to guide the second rear guide pin (27) when a movement of a movable panel (11) is switched between sliding and tilting. This eliminates the need for a member for guiding the first rear guide pin (26) in the guide groove (34), and thus, the panel guide rail (14) may have a single-level structure.

An opening and closing mechanism includes a connecting member and a sliding member. A movable panel of a sunroof device is fastened to the connecting member which has a plate-type connecting member main body extending in a front-rear direction, and a thickness direction of the connecting member main body coincides with a width direction. The connecting member main body is formed with a through hole which goes through the connecting member main body in the width direction and extends along the specified curve in the front-rear direction. The sliding member has a sliding member main body formed by sheet metal, the sliding member main body includes a pair of vertical walls and a connecting wall which connects upper ends of the vertical walls, and the connecting wall engages with and slides in the through hole so the connecting member inclines in an up-down direction or moves in the front-rear direction.

An opening and closing mechanism includes a connecting member and a sliding member. A movable panel of a sunroof device is fastened to the connecting member which has a plate-type connecting member main body extending in a front-rear direction, and a thickness direction of the connecting member main body coincides with a width direction. The connecting member main body is formed with a through hole which goes through the connecting member main body in the width direction and extends along the specified curve in the front-rear direction. The sliding member has a sliding member main body formed by sheet metal, the sliding member main body includes a pair of vertical walls and a connecting wall which connects upper ends of the vertical walls, and the connecting wall engages with and slides in the through hole so the connecting member inclines in an up-down direction or moves in the front-rear direction.

A sunroof apparatus includes a movable panel including a panel body, a reinforcing member, and a joining layer joining the panel body and the reinforcing member, and an opening and closing mechanism including a connection member connected to the reinforcing member and a drive portion, the reinforcing member including a first flange, a second flange to define a housing groove relative to the first flange, a first extending portion, and a second extending portion, the connection member being connected to at least one of the first extending portion and the second extending portion in a state of being housed in a housing void formed between the first extending portion and the second extending portion, the movable panel including a shielding member covering the housing groove and including a thickness smaller than a thickness of the first flange and the second flange.

A sunroof apparatus includes a movable panel including a panel body, a reinforcing member, and a joining layer joining the panel body and the reinforcing member, and an opening and closing mechanism including a connection member connected to the reinforcing member and a drive portion, the reinforcing member including a first flange, a second flange to define a housing groove relative to the first flange, a first extending portion, and a second extending portion, the connection member being connected to at least one of the first extending portion and the second extending portion in a state of being housed in a housing void formed between the first extending portion and the second extending portion, the movable panel including a shielding member covering the housing groove and including a thickness smaller than a thickness of the first flange and the second flange.