The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Jul. 31, 2012
Filed:
Jan. 26, 2011
Hajime Katayama, Tochigi-ken, JP;
Ayumi Mihashi, Tochigi-ken, JP;
Hajime Katayama, Tochigi-ken, JP;
Ayumi Mihashi, Tochigi-ken, JP;
Yachiyo Industry Co., Ltd., Saitama, JP;
Abstract
In a vehicle roof system for closing and opening a roof opening () formed in a fixed roof panel () of a vehicle with a moveable roof panel (), a pair of push-pull cables () extend from an electric motor () mounted on a front frame () extending along the front edge of the roof opening to either side of the moveable roof panel, and cross each other at three locations (P-P) on the front frame in plan view. Idle cable section of the first push-pull cable () that meshes with the rear side of a drive gear of the electric motor crosses the drive cable section of the second push-pull cable () at one location (P), and the drive cable section of the first push-pull cable includes a bulging section bulging forward by crossing the idle cable section of the second push-pull cable at two locations (Pand P). Thereby, the radius of curvature of the drive cable section of the first push-pull cable can be maximized. This in turn minimizes the frictional resistance to the push-pull cables, and allows a relatively small electric motor to be used. As a result, the thickness of the vehicle roof can be minimized, and the front edge of the roof opening to be brought highly close to the front end of the upper edge of the windshield.