Dual panel sunroof systems and apparatus for use with vehicles are disclosed. A disclosed sunroof for a vehicle includes a first bracket movable along a rail and coupled to a first panel. The sunroof also includes a second bracket movable along the rail and coupled to a second panel. The sunroof also includes an actuator configured to move the first or second bracket. Movement of the first bracket is to position the first panel over the second panel. Movement of the second bracket is to position the second panel over the first panel. The sunroof also includes a central guide block operatively interposed between the first and second brackets to guide movement thereof. The central guide block configured to apply a resistance to at least a first end of the first bracket to enable the actuator to raise or lower the first panel.

An open roof assembly comprises a drive assembly having a slider member. The slider member comprising a coupling member, a first lever member coupled to a sunshade member and a second lever member coupled to a closure member. Each lever member comprises a mating member for coupling with the slider member and a locking lever for releasably engaging a respective locking recess. The slider member is sequentially couplable to one of the lever members. When the slider member is coupled to the first lever member, the sunshade member may be opened or closed by moving the slider member. When the slider member is coupled to the second lever member, the closure member may be opened or closed by moving the slider member.

A motor vehicle is provided having a vehicle structure and a vehicle part that can be displaced relative to the vehicle structure with the aid of at least one drive cable that is provided with a plastics injection molded section for joining the drive cable to the vehicle part. A load reduction device may have at least one coupling member which allows a relative movement between the displaceable vehicle part and the drive cable in the case of an acceleration of the vehicle part relative to the vehicle structure and which interacts with a catch device during the relative movement, the catch means absorbing at least part of the kinetic energy resulting from the acceleration.

A vehicle roof is provided having a mobile roof element which can be moved by means of a drive carriage which is connected to the roof part and can be movably guided in a guide rail, a drive cable for moving the drive carriage, and a cable connection which connects the drive cable to the drive carriage. The cable connection may have a metal element. In one approach the metal element positively engages in a cable coil arranged on the drive cable.

An open roof construction for use in a vehicle includes, at least one movable element, movable along a stationary guide extending underneath opposite lateral edges of a roof opening. A drive motor drives the movable element, where a drive cable at least partly guided in the stationary guide connects between the drive motor and the movable element. The drive cable is guided in a channel in the stationary guide. The drive cable includes, connected at one end, a drive cable plate. The cable plate connects with the movable element, the cable plate being slidably engaged with at least one wall of the stationary guide, wherein the cable plate further includes at least one separate slide shoe slidably engaging the at least one wall of the stationary guide. The slide shoe is capable of biasing the drive cable plate with respect to the at least one wall of the stationary guide.

A retractable cover system includes laterally spaced apart guide rails that each provide a track. A drive assembly includes a motor operatively connected to a gear. A cover has multiple slats configured to interlock with one another in a deployed configuration. The slats cooperate with the gear and are slidable in the tracks between first and second positions within the opening in response to actuation of the drive system. The slats are stacked onto one another in a stowed configuration. A method of servicing a retractable cover system includes the step of removing an access cover from a magazine to expose a cavity housing stacked rigid slats. A method of retracting a tonneau cover includes the steps of actuating a handle and decoupling the tonneau cover from a drive mechanism.

An extra part draw-in mechanism includes a central axis having a winding face for the flat cable on its outer circumferential face, a rotary body arranged around the central axis and rotatably supported with the central axis at a center of the rotary body, an urging member that urges the rotary body in a winding direction of the flat cable, and a slit that is formed in the central axis and has an opening in the winding face of the central axis to accept and hold the flat cable. The opening of the slit in the winding face of the central axis is curved along a winding direction.

A bidirectionally open sunroof structure includes rail assemblies installed at both sides of a roof panel, a front tilt lever connected to a front glass and the rail assembly and located at a front part of the front glass, a rear tilt lever connected to the front glass and the rail assembly and located at a rear part of the front glass, a front sled located on the front glass and driven by a driving motor to slidably reciprocate along the rail assemblies, and a rear sled located on a rear glass and driven by a driving motor to slidably reciprocate along the rail assemblies. The rail assembly includes a first guide rail configured to slidably move the front sled therealong, and a second guide rail located within the first guide rail and configured to slidably move the rear sled therealong.

An open roof assembly is configured for providing a closable roof opening in a vehicle roof. Thereto, the open roof assembly comprises a closure member that is moveably arranged for opening and closing the roof opening and a detection system for detecting an object in the roof opening. The detection system is configured to provide an entrapment signal if a foreign object is detected in the roof opening, when the closure member is moving and a collision may occur. The detection system is further configured to provide an operating signal, when an object is detected performing a predefined action. Based on the operating signal a control unit may execute an associated function.

A sensor device for detecting a deformation of the sensor device, for example for use in a sunroof assembly, may be cost-effectively manufactured, while providing a high reliability. The sensor device includes a first electrically conductive metal lead; a first layer being a piezo-resistive material surrounding the first conductive lead; and a second electrically conductive metal lead. In a cross-section the second metal lead is arranged spaced apart from the first metal lead and the second metal lead is in electrical contact with the first layer.