Modular tilt slide sunroof assembly and method of manufacture

US7905542B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• WEBASTO AG · DE

Inventors

• Craig T. Marx · Big Rapids, US
• JAMES D. SAHLANEY · Eastpointe, US
• Randall W Budnick · Shelby Charter Township, US
• Lisa Marie Pomeroy · Chesterfield Township, US
• Steven H. Klotz · Austin, US
• Thomas Murray · Sandy, US
• Michael McIsaac · Chesterfield Township, US
• Joachim J. Klesing · Rochester, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Jun 23, 2009
• Grant date: Mar 15, 2011
• Expiry date: Jun 23, 2029

Classification

• Technology area (CPC Y): Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
• CPC primary: Y10T29/49876
• WIPO field: Transport
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

A sunroof assembly with a composite water management assembly having side rails with a water trough connected at one end to end caps and to a pair of corners at the other, which connect to a front rail at substantially right angles to the side rails. This composite assembly can be connected by vibration welding. A reinforcement bar can be connected at substantially right angles to the rearward end of vertically oriented slide tracks snap fitted into substantially the length of the side rails. A pair of mirror slide mechanisms with vertically oriented mounts are retained, but free to slide, within a channel of the slide track and outboard of the water trough. A movable panel such as a glass sunroof are attached to the slide mechanism. A sunshade can be added that also combines water shedding ribs to channel water to the water trough.