OPEN-ROOF ASSEMBLY COMPRISING A LIGHTING ASSEMBLY AND A CONTACT-FREE SWITCH THEREFOR

Abstract

An open-roof assembly for covering or at least partly uncovering an opening in a vehicle roof comprises a moveably arranged closure member, a lighting assembly and a frame member. The lighting assembly comprises a switch device and a light source. The switch device is configured and arranged to either detect presence of a detectable part of the open-roof assembly relative to the switch device without physically contacting the detectable part, when the closure member is in a closed position covering the opening in the vehicle roof, or detect absence of the detectable part, when the closure member is in a position at least partly uncovering the opening in the vehicle roof. The lighting assembly is configured to switch off the light source, when the switch device detects absence of the detectable part.

Claims

1. An open-roof assembly for covering or at least partly uncovering an opening in a vehicle roof, the open-roof assembly comprising: a frame member; a moveably arranged closure member supported by the frame member; a lighting assembly, wherein the lighting assembly comprises a switch device and a light source, the switch device being configured and arranged to either detect presence of a detectable part of the open-roof assembly relative to the switch device without physically contacting the detectable part, when the closure member is in a closed position covering the opening in the vehicle roof, or detect absence of the detectable part, when the closure member is in a position at least partly uncovering the opening in the vehicle roof, and wherein the lighting assembly being configured to switch off the light source, when the switch device detects absence of the detectable part.

2. The open-roof assembly according to claim 1, wherein the switch device comprises a Hall sensor and wherein the detectable part comprises a magnetic element.

3. The open-roof assembly according to claim 1, wherein the switch device comprises a Hall sensor and a magnetic element, wherein the magnetic element is arranged at a first side of the Hall sensor and wherein the detectable part comprises a ferrometal, and wherein the detectable part is arranged at a second side of the Hall sensor, when the closure member is in the closed position, the second side being opposite of the first side.

4. The open-roof assembly according to claim 1, wherein the switch device comprises a capacitive sensor.

5. The open-roof assembly according to claim 1, wherein the switch device comprises an inductive sensor and wherein the detectable part comprises a ferrometal.

6. The open-roof assembly according to claim 1, wherein the lighting assembly comprises a first switch device and a second switch device, the lighting assembly being configured to switch off the light source, when either one of the first and second switch device detects absence of the detectable part.

7. The open-roof assembly according to claim 1, wherein the switch device is arranged on the frame member, the detectable part being arranged on the closure member.

8. The open-roof assembly according to claim 1, wherein the switch device is mounted on the closure member, the detectable part being arranged on the frame member.

9. The open-roof assembly according to claim 1, wherein the frame member is arranged in a frame plane and the closure member is arranged in the frame plane, when the closure member is in the closed position, wherein the closure member comprises a front end and a rear end, wherein the closure member is rotatable at the front end to move the rear end out of the frame plane to a tilted position, and wherein the switch device is arranged either on the rear end of the closure member or on an edge section of the frame member adjacent to the rear end of the closure member, when the closure member is in the closed position.

10. The open-roof assembly according to claim 1, wherein the frame member is arranged in a frame plane and the closure member is arranged in the frame plane, when the closure member is in the closed position, wherein the closure member comprises a front end and a rear end, wherein the closure member is rotatable at the front end to move the rear end out of the frame plane to a tilted position, wherein the closure member is slidable to move the closure member out of the frame plane to an open position, and wherein the switch device is arranged either on a front end of the closure member or on an edge section of the frame member adjacent to the front end of the closure member, when the closure member is in the closed position.

11. A vehicle comprising: a fixed roof having an opening; an open-roof assembly configured for location in the opening, the open-roof assembly comprising: a frame member; a moveably arranged closure member supported by the frame member; a lighting assembly, wherein the lighting assembly comprises a switch device and a light source, the switch device being configured and arranged to either detect presence of a detectable part of the open-roof assembly relative to the switch device without physically contacting the detectable part, when the closure member is in a closed position covering the opening in the fixed roof, or detect absence of the detectable part, when the closure member is in a position at least partly uncovering the opening in the fixed roof, and wherein the lighting assembly being configured to switch off the light source, when the switch device detects absence of the detectable part.

12. The open-roof assembly according to claim 11, wherein the switch device comprises a Hall sensor and wherein the detectable part comprises a magnetic element.

13. The open-roof assembly according to claim 11, wherein the switch device comprises a Hall sensor and a magnetic element, wherein the magnetic element is arranged at a first side of the Hall sensor and wherein the detectable part comprises a ferrometal, and wherein the detectable part is arranged at a second side of the Hall sensor, when the closure member is in the closed position, the second side being opposite of the first side.

14. The open-roof assembly according to claim 11, wherein the switch device comprises a capacitive sensor.

15. The open-roof assembly according to claim 11, wherein the switch device comprises an inductive sensor and wherein the detectable part comprises a ferrometal.

16. The open-roof assembly according to claim 11, wherein the lighting assembly comprises a first switch device and a second switch device, the lighting assembly being configured to switch off the light source, when either one of the first and second switch device detects absence of the detectable part.

17. The open-roof assembly according to claim 11, wherein the switch device is arranged on the frame member, the detectable part being arranged on the closure member.

18. The open-roof assembly according to claim 11, wherein the switch device is mounted on the closure member, the detectable part being arranged on the frame member.

19. The open-roof assembly according to claim 11, wherein the frame member is arranged in a frame plane and the closure member is arranged in the frame plane, when the closure member is in the closed position, wherein the closure member comprises a front end and a rear end, wherein the closure member is rotatable at the front end to move the rear end out of the frame plane to a tilted position, and wherein the switch device is arranged either on the rear end of the closure member or on an edge section of the frame member adjacent to the rear end of the closure member, when the closure member is in the closed position.

20. The open-roof assembly according to claim 11, wherein the frame member is arranged in a frame plane and the closure member is arranged in the frame plane, when the closure member is in the closed position, wherein the closure member comprises a front end and a rear end, wherein the closure member is rotatable at the front end to move the rear end out of the frame plane to a tilted position, wherein the closure member is slidable to move the closure member out of the frame plane to an open position, and wherein the switch device is arranged either on a front end of the closure member or on an edge section of the frame member adjacent to the front end of the closure member, when the closure member is in the closed position.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0019] Further scope of applicability of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description given hereinafter. However, it should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating embodiments of the invention, are given by way of illustration only, since various changes and modifications within the scope of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from this detailed description with reference to the appended schematical drawings, in which:

[0020] FIG. 1A shows a perspective view of a vehicle roof with an open roof assembly;

[0021] FIG. 1B shows an exploded view of the open roof assembly of FIG. 1A;

[0022] FIG. 2A shows a schematic perspective view of an open-roof assembly with a closure member in a closed position;

[0023] FIG. 2B shows a schematic perspective view of the open-roof assembly of FIG. 2A with the closure member in a tilted position;

[0024] FIG. 2C shows a schematic perspective view of the open-roof assembly of FIG. 2A with the closure member in an open position;

[0025] FIG. 3A shows a schematic cross-sectional view of a closure member and a guide assembly of a first embodiment of an open-roof assembly with a closure member in the closed position;

[0026] FIG. 3B shows a schematic cross-sectional view of the closure member and the guide assembly of the first embodiment of an open-roof assembly with the closure member in the tilted position;

[0027] FIG. 4A shows a schematic cross-sectional view of a closure member and a guide assembly of a second embodiment of an open-roof assembly with a closure member in the closed position; and

[0028] FIG. 4B shows a schematic cross-sectional view of a closure member and a guide assembly of a third embodiment of an open-roof assembly with a closure member in the closed position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS

[0029] The present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein the same reference numerals have been used to identify the same or similar elements throughout the several views.

[0030] FIG. 1A illustrates a vehicle roof 1 having an open roof assembly arranged therein. The open roof assembly comprises a moveable panel 2a and a fixed panel 2b. The moveable panel 2a is also referred to as a closure member, since the moveable panel 2a is moveable over a first roof opening 3a such to enable to open and to close the first roof opening 3a. A wind deflector 4 is arranged at a front side of the first roof opening 3a.

[0031] In the illustrated embodiment, the moveable panel 2a may be in a closed position, which is a position wherein the moveable panel 2a is arranged over and closes the first roof opening 3a and thus usually is arranged in a plane of the vehicle roof 1. Further, the moveable panel 2a may be in a tilted position, which is a position wherein a rear end RE of the moveable panel 2a is raised as compared to the closed position, while a front end FE of the moveable panel 2a is still in the closed position. Further, the moveable panel 2a may be in an open position, which is a position wherein the moveable panel 2a is slid open and the first roof opening 3a is partly or completely exposed.

[0032] It is noted that the illustrated vehicle roof 1 corresponds to a passenger car. The present invention is however not limited to passenger cars. Any other kind of vehicles that may be provided with a moveable panel are contemplated as well.

[0033] FIG. 1B illustrates the same vehicle roof as shown in FIG. 1A having panels 2a and 2b. In particular, while FIG. 1A shows the open roof assembly in the open position, FIG. 1B is an exploded view of the open roof assembly in a closed position. Further, in this exploded view of FIG. 1B, it is shown that there is a second roof opening 3b. The first and second roof openings 3a, 3b are provided in a frame 5 of the open roof assembly. An edge 5a of the frame 5 defines the first roof opening 3a.

[0034] The second roof opening 3b is arranged under the fixed panel 2b such that light may enter a vehicle interior passenger compartment through the fixed panel 2b, presuming that the fixed panel 2b is a glass panel or a similarly transparent panel, for example made of a plastic material or any other suitable material. The second roof opening 3b with a transparent or translucent fixed panel 2b is optional and may be omitted in another embodiment of the open roof assembly.

[0035] The wind deflector 4 is commonly a flexible material, e.g. a woven or non-woven cloth having through holes arranged therein or a web or net. The flexible material is supported by a support structure 4a, e.g. a bar-like or tube-like structure, which structure is hingedly coupled, directly or indirectly, to the frame 5 at a hinge 4b.

[0036] The wind deflector 4 is arranged in front of the first roof opening 3a and adapts air flow when the moveable panel 2a is in the open position. In its raised position, the wind deflector 4 reduces inconvenient noise due to air flow during driving. When the moveable panel 2a is in the closed position or in the tilted position, the wind deflector 4 is held down below the front end FE of the moveable panel 2a.

[0037] Usually, the wind deflector 4 is raised by a spring force when the moveable panel 2a slides to an open position and the wind deflector 4 is pushed down by the moveable panel 2a when the moveable panel 2a slides back into its closed position. In FIG. 1A, the moveable panel 2a is shown in an open position and the wind deflector 4 is shown in a raised position. In FIG. 1B, the moveable panel 2a is shown in a closed position and the wind deflector 4 is correspondingly shown in a position in which it is held down.

[0038] FIG. 1B further illustrates a drive assembly having a first guide assembly 6a, a second guide assembly 6b, a first drive cable 7 and a second drive cable 8. The first and second guide assemblies 6a, 6b are arranged on respective side ends SE of the moveable panel 2a and may each comprise a guide and a mechanism. The guide is coupled to the frame 5, while the mechanism comprises moveable parts and is slidably moveable in the guide. The first and the second drive cables 7, 8 are provided between the mechanisms of the respective guide assemblies 6a, 6b and a electric motor 9.

[0039] The drive cables 7, 8 couple the electric motor 9 to the mechanisms of the respective guide assemblies 6a, 6b such that upon operating the electric motor 9, the mechanisms start to move. In particular, a core of the drive cable 7, 8 is moved by the electric motor 9 such to push or pull on the mechanisms of the respective guides 6a, 6b. Such a drive assembly is well known in the art and is therefore not further elucidated herein. Still, any other suitable drive assembly may be employed as well without departing from the scope of the present invention. Moreover, in a particular embodiment, an electric motor may be operatively arranged between the respective guides and the respective mechanisms of the guide assemblies 6a, 6b and, in such embodiment, a drive assembly may be omitted completely.

[0040] In the illustrated embodiment, the guide assemblies 6a, 6b may start movement with raising the rear end RE of the moveable panel 2a, thereby bringing the moveable panel 2a in the tilted position. Then, from the tilted position, the guide assemblies 6a, 6b may start to slide to bring the moveable panel 2a in the open position. The present invention is however not limited to such embodiment. For example, in another embodiment, the moveable panel 2a may be moveable to a tilted position by raising the rear end RE, while an open position is reached by first lowering the rear end RE and then sliding the moveable panel 2a under the fixed panel 2b or any other structure or element provided behind the rear end RE of the moveable panel 2a. In further exemplary embodiments, the moveable panel 2a may be merely moveable between a closed position and a tilted position or between a closed position and an open position.

[0041] In the illustrated embodiment, the electric motor 9 is mounted near or below the front end FE of the moveable panel 2a at a recess 10. In another embodiment, the electric motor 9 may be positioned at any other suitable position or location. For example, the electric motor 9 may be arranged near or below the rear end RE of the moveable panel 2a or below the fixed panel 2b.

[0042] A control module 11 is schematically illustrated and is operatively coupled to the electric motor 9. The control module 11 may be any kind of processing module, either a software controlled processing module or a dedicated processing module, like an ASIC, which are both well known to those skilled in the art. The control module 11 may be a stand-alone control module or it may be operatively connected to another control module, like a multipurpose, generic vehicle control module. In yet another embodiment, the control module 11 may be embedded in or be part of such a generic vehicle control module. Essentially, the control module 11 may be embodied by any control module suitable for, capable of and configured for performing operation of the electric motor 9 and thus the moveable roof assembly.

[0043] FIG. 2A shows a schematic representation of the open-roof assembly of FIG. 1A. The open-roof assembly comprises a closure member 2a, herein also referred to as the moveable panel 2a, and comprises the fixed panel 2b. Further, the open-roof assembly comprises the frame 5. As indicated in FIG. 2A, the closure member 2a comprises the front end FE and the rear end RE.

[0044] In FIG. 2A, the open-roof assembly is in a closed position. In this closed position, the closure member 2a is positioned in a frame plane. The frame plane is a plane defined by the frame 5. Thus, in practice, the frame plane may be curved. In the closed position, the first roof opening 3a is covered and closed by the closure member 2a.

[0045] FIG. 2B shows the open-roof assembly of FIG. 2A in a tilted position. In the tilted position, the closure member 2a is rotated at the front end FE and lifted at the rear end RE, thereby creating a gap at the rear end RE. Through the gap, air may flow between an interior compartment of the vehicle and an exterior of the vehicle, for example.

[0046] FIG. 2C shows the open-roof assembly of FIG. 2A in an open position. In the open position, the closure member 2a is lifted out of the frame plane and is shifted away from the first roof opening 3a such that the first roof opening 3a is almost completely open.

[0047] The open-roof assembly may be provided with a lighting assembly. A light source of the lighting assembly may be switch on or off depending on the position of the closure member 2a. Thereto, the position of the closure member 2a may be monitored by a suitable switch device, which is illustrated in FIGS. 3A-3B in more detail.

[0048] Depending on the desired operation of the lighting assembly, the switch device may be mounted at different positions relative to the frame 5 and the closure member 2a. For example, if the light source may be switched on, when the closure member 2a is in the closed position and the light source needs to be switched of in the tilted position and in the open position, the switch device may be mounted adjacent to or on the rear end of the closure member 2a. In more detail and with reference to FIGS. 2B and 2C, the switch device may be mounted in a first configuration at a first rear end position L2c on the closure member 2a or in a second configuration at a first rear frame position L2f on the frame 5.

[0049] In another example, if the light source may be switched on, when the closure member 2a is in the closed position or in the tilted position and the light source needs to be switched of in the open position, the switch device may be mounted adjacent to or on the front end of the closure member 2a. In more detail and with reference to FIGS. 2B and 2C, the switch device may be mounted in a first configuration at a first front end position L1c on the closure member 2a or in a second configuration at a first front frame position L1f on the frame 5.

[0050] For example for additional safety measure, redundancy may be introduced by mounting two switch devices and associated detectable parts. In an embodiment, a first switch device may be mounted on the first rear frame position L2f and on a second rear frame position L3f, while respective detectable parts may be arranged at the first rear end position L2c and at a second rear end position L3c. In this embodiment, when one of the two switch devices detects absence of the detectable part, the light source may be switched off. If one of the switches would fail, the light will still be switched off, when the closure member is in the tilted position or in the open position. In another embodiment, if a failing switch device behaves as a switch device always detecting absence of the detectable part, the light may still be switched on, when one of the two switch devices detects presence of the respective detectable part. In yet another embodiment, when the two switch devices provide a different detection result, a visual or audible error signal may be given.

[0051] The operation of the switch device is illustrated in and discussed in relation to FIGS. 3A-3B hereinafter.

[0052] FIG. 3A shows a frame part 23 and a closure member 2a in a closed position. The closure member 2a comprises a support frame 21. The support frame 21 may comprise steel or another ferrometal comprising composition. The support frame 21 may be covered by a suitable plastic or rubber-like composition 22 as well known in the art.

[0053] The closure member 2a further comprises a light source 33, which is a part of a lighting assembly. The lighting assembly further comprises a switch device 32 and a detectable part 31. In this embodiment, the switch device 32 is a Hall sensor and the detectable part 31 is a magnetic element. The presence of the magnetic element 31 in front of the Hall sensor 32 is detectable by the Hall sensor 32. In the illustrated closed position, the Hall sensor 32 detects the presence of the magnetic element 31 and, thus, it is determined that the closure member 2a is in the closed position, allowing the lighting assembly to operate the light source 33.

[0054] In the illustrated embodiment, the light source 33 is arranged on a transparent panel, e.g. a glass or plastic panel, which forms a main component of the closure member 2a. Light emitted by the light source 33 may be direct light DL, directly illuminating an interior Int of the vehicle or the light may be emitted into the transparent panel as indirect light IL. The indirect light IL may travel through the transparent composition of the transparent panel and may couple out of the transparent panel at another location. Such indirect lighting is well known in the art and is not further elucidated herein. In another embodiment, the light source may be mounted on the frame part 23, for example, either for direct lighting or for indirect lighting by reflection against the closure member 2a.

[0055] FIG. 3B shows the embodiment of FIG. 3A, wherein the closure member 2a is in a tilted or open position. The detectable part 31 is moved with the closure member 2a out of the frame plane. The detectable part 31 is thus not in front of the switch device 32 and the switch device 32 switches off the operation of the light source 33. No light is emitted by the light source 33 as long as the detectable part 31 is not in front of the switch device 32, i.e. as long as the closure member 2a is in the tilted position or in the open position.

[0056] FIG. 4A illustrates a second embodiment, wherein the main configuration of the open-roof assembly is similar to the configuration of the open-roof assembly of FIGS. 3A-3B, but the switch device 32 and the detectable part are differently configured. In this embodiment, the detectable part is the support frame 23 comprising a ferrometal composition. The switch device 32 is a Hall sensor and, in the illustrated closed position, the support frame 23 is in front of the switch device 32. The magnetic element 31 is positioned at an opposite side of the switch device 32. In such configuration, the switch device 32 is enabled to detect the presence of the ferrometal composition in front of the switch device 32.

[0057] FIG. 4B shows a third embodiment, wherein the main configuration of the open-roof assembly is similar to the configuration of the open-roof assembly of FIGS. 3A-3B, but a switch device 34 and the detectable part are different. In this embodiment, the switch device 34 is a capacitive or an inductive sensor. Such sensors are cost-effective sensors that are well known in the art for detecting presence of elements. In this embodiment, the switch device 34 may be configured to detect the presence of the ferrometal comprising support frame 23, in case of an inductive sensor. In case of a capacitive sensor, the presence of the plastic or rubber-like composition 22 covering the support frame 23 may be detected instead or as well.

[0058] While in the embodiments of FIGS. 3A-3B and 4A-4B the respective switch devices 32, 34 are mounted on the frame part 23, the switch devices 32, 34 may alternatively be mounted on the closure member 2a and be configured to detect the frame part 23 as the detectable part or a detectable part like the magnetic element 31 may be mounted on the frame part 23.

[0059] Detailed embodiments of the present invention are disclosed herein; however, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention, which can be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the present invention in expectedly any appropriately detailed structure. In particular, features presented and described in separate dependent claims may be applied in combination and any advantageous combination of such claims are herewith disclosed.

[0060] Further, it is contemplated that structural elements may be generated by application of three-dimensional (3D) printing techniques. Therefore, any reference to a structural element is intended to encompass any computer executable instructions that instruct a computer to generate such a structural element by three-dimensional printing techniques or similar computer controlled manufacturing techniques. Furthermore, any such reference to a structural element is also intended to encompass a computer readable medium carrying such computer executable instructions.

[0061] Further, the terms and phrases used herein are not intended to be limiting, but rather to provide an understandable description of the invention. The terms a or an, as used herein, are defined as one or more than one. The term plurality, as used herein, is defined as two or more than two. The term another, as used herein, is defined as at least a second or more. The terms including and/or having, as used herein, are defined as comprising (i.e., open language). The term coupled, as used herein, is defined as connected, although not necessarily directly.

[0062] The invention being thus described it is apparent that the same may be varied in many ways. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the spirit and scope of the invention, and all such modifications as would be apparent to one skilled in the art are intended to be included within the scope of the following claims.

[0063] Although the present invention has been described with reference to preferred embodiments, workers skilled in the art will recognize that changes may be made in form and detail without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.