GB2145466A - Latch mechanism for vehicle sun roof - Google Patents

Abstract

A sun roof latch mechanism comprises a toggle arm 41 connected by a pivot pin 34 to a roof frame 2, the pivot axis extending transversely of an adjacent edge of a hingedly-mounted roof panel 1. A primary handle 47 is pivotally connected to the arm 41 and to a panel-retaining link 51. Locking means comprising a lock handle 44 movably mounted on the primary handle 47 enables the mechanism to be locked in substantially any required position of adjustment. The mechanism can be retracted, and the roof panel closed, by pulling down on the lock handle 44 with rotation of the arm 41 until the primary handle 47 and the toggle arm 41 extend downwards side-by-side. With continued rotation of the arm 41, the arm and the handle can be moved to lie substantially parallel with the panel edge. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Latch mechanism for vehicle sun roof This invention relates to improvements in vehicle sun roofs and is particularly concerned with latch mechanisms for such sun roofs.

According to the invention in one of its aspects a vehicle sun roof comprises a roof panel adapted to be hingedly-mounted in a vehicle and an extensible latch mechanism mounted adjacent to an edge of said panel for releasably securing said panel closed, said mechanism comprising a first link which is arranged to be pivotally connected to the vehicle roof for rotation relative thereto about a first pivot axis which extends transversely of said panel edge, a second link which is pivotally connected to said first link for rotation relative thereto about a second pivot axis and is pivotally connected to said roof panel for rotation relative thereto about a third pivot axis, and locking means comprising a lock handle mounted on said second link, the arrangement being such that in a fully open position of said roof panel with said mechanism fully extended said first and second links extend successively upwards from said first pivot axis towards said roof panel and in closing said panel said second link is with rotation of said first link moved downwards to a position in which it lies substantially alongside said first link extending downwards from said first pivot axis, and the arrangement furthermore being such that said first and second links can thereafter be moved with continued rotation of said first link until a retracted condition of said latch mechanism is achieved in which they extend in generally the same direction as the panel edge, said lock handle being movable relative to said second link between a release position and a locking position whereby the latch mechanism can be locked in at least one intermediate condition between the fully open and closed positions of said roof panel.

By means of such an arrangement a sideways-operating latch mechanism can be provided which is simple in its essential construction and very slim when retracted.

In one preferred arrangement the lock handle is pivotally mounted on the second link for rotation relative thereto about the second pivot axis between its release and locking positions. To achieve this the locking means can comprise at least one pair of axially opposed thrust members arranged for relative rotation about the second pivot axis, one of the thrust members being non-rotatably mounted on the lock handle and the other thrust member being non-rotatably mounted on the second link, the arrangement being such that axial movement of separation occurs between the thrust members upon moving the lock handle from its release position to its locking position, such movement of separation resulting in said other of the thrust members preventing relative rotational movement between the first and second links.Relative rotational movement can be prevented by means of interengaging formations of axially opposed faces of the thrust member and the first link; preferably at least one of the opposed faces comprises a plurality of engageable formations enabling the latch mechanism to be locked in any of a plurality of intermediate positions. Most preferably, to achieve a balanced locking load on the link, the locking means comprises two pairs of axially opposed thrust members arranged to act upon the first link from opposite sides.

An embodiment of the invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the drawings, in which:Figure 1 is a plan view of a vehicle sun roof with part of a roof panel cut away to show the construction of a frame of the sun roof; Figure 2 is a section taken on the line ll-ll in Figure 1 in the direction of the arrows showing the roof panel in a fully open position, and showing a latch mechanism and a hinge assembly with certain components exploded for the sake of clarity; Figure 3 is a diagrammatic section of the latch mechanism taken in the direction of the arrow Ill in Figure 2 and showing the relative positions of various components of the latch mechanism in a fully extended condition in the fully open position of the roof panel;; Figure 4 is a section, corresponding to Figure 3, showing the relative positions of the components of the latch mechanism after the roof panel has been moved to a closed position but before the latch mechanism has been moved to a retracted condition; Figures 5 to 9 are sections, corresponding to Figures 3 and 4, showing the operating sequence in moving the latch mechanism to its retracted condition; Figure 10 is a side elevation of a toggle arm of the latch mechanism:: Figure 11 is a side elevation of a thrust washer of the latch mechanism; Figure 12 is a section taken on the line XII XII in Figure 11 in the direction of the arrows; Figure 13 is a side elevation of a lock handle of the latch mechanism; Figure 14 is a side elevation of a flanged sleeve of the latch mechanism; Figure 15 is a section taken on the line XV XV in Figure 14 in the direction of the arrows; Figure 16 is a side elevation of a catch of the latch mechanism; Figure 1 7 is an exploded perspective view showing particularly components of locking means of the latch mechanism; Figure 18 is a plan view of a guide member of the latch mechanism; Figure 19 is a side elevation of the guide member shown in Figure 18; Figure 20 is a section taken on the line XX XX in Figure 18; and Figure 21 is an exploded perspective view showing components whereby the latch mechanism is releasably secured to the sun roof frame.

Referring to the drawings, the vehicle sun roof according to the invention comprises a roof panel 1 which is hingedly mounted on a frame 2. As shown more particularly in Figures 2 and 21, the frame consists of an upper section 3 which is adapted to fit into and to overlap the edges of an aperture formed in a vehicle roof (not shown) and a lower section 4 adapted to engage with the upper section 3 and the underside of the vehicle roof. The upper section is provided with a shallow channel to receive a seal 5 of resilient material and the vehicle roof is pressed against the seal 5 by an arm 6 of the lower section 4 of the frame. The lower section 4 is secured to the upper section 3 by a series of clamp screws the head 7 of one of which is shown in Figure 2.The two frame sections pivot against one another, under the action of the clamp screws, to create a positive clamping action on the vehicle roof. After the frame 2 has been fitted to the vehicle roof, the roof headlining (not shown) is drawn over the lower section 4 and is fixed thereto by wrapping the edge of the headlining around the inner edge of the section 4 and by pressing a trim strip (not shown) of resilient material between the upper section 3 and the lower section 4 to hold the headlining in position. This is entirely conventional and will be clear to those skilled in the art. The underside of the fitted frame is completely hidden from view and the only visible parts are the hinge assemblies and latch mechanism.

Any suitable hinge assembly may be used but it is preferred to use the hinge assembly which forms the subject of British Patent Application No. 8305468.

In the embodiment shown in the drawings, a pair of hinge assemblies are secured to the roof panel 1 by respective fixing caps 9 (only one cap 9 shown in Figure 1).

A beading 11 of resilient material which serves as a seal for the panel 1 when said panel is in its closed position is fitted to the upper frame section 3. For this purpose, the upper frame section 3 is provided on its upper surface with a pair of channels 1 2 and 1 3 disposed respectively in faces 14 and 1 5 of the section which extend at right angles to one another. The beading has a pair of ribs 1 6 and 1 7 which are receivable, respectively, in the channels 1 2 and 1 3 whereby the beading is securely held in the upper frame section.

The lower surface of the frame section 3 is provided with an arcuate portion 1 8 which serves as a guide surface for an arcuate leaf member 25 of a hinge assembly. In the embodiment shown in the drawings, a guide member 21 having an arcuate surface 22 which faces the arcuate surface 1 8 to form therewith an arcuate channel is positioned between the upper frame section 3 and the lower frame section 4. The guide member 21 is provided with a groove for engagement with a rib 20 on the lower frame section 4 and with a recess 24 one face of which is adapted to engage a ribbed edge 1 9 of the lower frame section 4 whereby the guide member 21 is securely held in place against the lower frame section 4 as shown in Figure 2.A guide member 21 is provided for each of the hinge assemblies so that, in the case of the embodiment shown in the drawings, two guide members are provided although only one is shown.

The trimming of the roof headlining is completed in the area of the hinge guides by tucking it into the small gap between the ribbed edge 1 9 of the lower frame member 4 and the recess 24 in the guide member 21 where it is retained by a length of resilient material 39 pressed in after the headlining which is not shown. Said length of material is initially round in cross-section and the gap is narrower at its entry than inside so that it acts as a claw to complete the retention.

Each hinge assembly consists of an arcuate leaf member 25 which is secured to the roof panel 1 by means of a respective fixing cap 9.

Reference can be made to Patent Application No. 8305468 for a more detailed description of the construction and operation of the hinge assembly.

The panel 1 can be secured in the closed position shown in Figure 1 or retained in the open position shown in Figure 2 by means of a single extensible latch mechanism located adjacent to the rear edge of the panel. The latch mechanism comprises an arcuate latch bracket 31 (Figure 2) which is held against the arcuate surface 1 8 of the upper frame section 3 by virtue of the resilience of the beading 11 via a handle assembly. The latch bracket 31 is provided with a pair of depending lugs 32 (see also Figure 1 7) which are bored to receive a hinge pin 33. Pivotally mounted on the hinge pin 33 is the head of a pivot pin 34. The shank of said pivot pin is provided, intermediate its ends, with a flange 35 and pivotally mounted on said shank for rotation about a first pivot axis is a first link in the form of a toggle arm 41. The toggle arm is held against the flange 35 by means of a circlip or blind rivet 38 provided at the end of the shank of the pivot pin 34. As is apparent from Figures 2 and 3, the first pivot axis extends transversely of the rear edge of the panel 1.

The toggle arm 41 is pivotally connected to a second link in the form of a primary handle 47, for rotation relative thereto about a second pivot axis, by a pin or bolt 46. Also mounted on the pin or bolt 46 are first thrust members in the form of two flanged sleeves 42 on which a lock handle 44 is rigidly mounted and the primary handle 47 is pivotally mounted. The flanged ends of the sleeves are spaced from the toggle arm 41 by second thrust members in the form of two thrust washers 43. The bolt 46 is secured in position by means of a nut 45. Locking means of the latch mechanism, comprising the lock handle 44, the sleeves 42 and the thrust washers 43, enables the mechanism to be locked in a plurality of intermediate conditions as well as in the fully extended and retracted conditions.

The panel 1 is provided, adjacent to its rear edge, with a bore 55 in which a fixing cap 56 is located. The fixing cap is provided with a tubular portion which houses a ball cup 57 retained in the fixing cap by a circlip 58. The fixing cap 56 is held in position in the bore 55 in the panel 1 by a retaining ring 59 which fits over the tubular portion of the fixing cap on the underside of the panel 1 and is retained by a spring fastener 61. An O-ring 62 is provided in a groove in the retaining ring 59 and a sealing washer 63 of resilient material is provided under a flanged head portion of the fixing cap 56.The O-ring 62 and washer 63 seat against the respective surfaces of the panel 1 and ensure that the fixing cap 56 can be securely held in the bore 55 in the panel 1 without risk of damage to the panel and, at the same time, prevent the ingress of water from the outside upper surface of the panel.

A link 51, providing a third link of the latch mechanism, is mounted in the ball cup 57, the link having a partially spherical surface 52 for engagement with a corresponding surface of the ball cup to allow for universal movement of the link. An under crown surface of the cap 56 is provided with a cylindrical projection 53 adapted to receive an O-ring 54 of resilient material and the other end of the link 51 is pivotally connected to the primary handle 47 by a pivot pin or bolt 49 for rotation relative to the handle 47 about a third pivot axis of the mechanism. By means of the pivot pin 49 the primary handle 47 is thus indirectly pivotally connected to the roof panel 1.

In the open position of the panel 1 as shown in Figures 2 and 3 of the drawings, with the lock handle 44 in a locking position aligned with primary handle 47, the primary handle extends substantially parallel to the toggle arm 41 as shown in Figure 3. The toggle arm 41, the primary handle 47 and the link 51 extend successively upwards to the roof panel 1. The panel 1 can be moved to the closed position by moving the lock handle 44 in an anti-clockwise direction to a release position as viewed in Figure 3 and pulling down on the handle. This has the effect of causing the toggle arm 41 to rotate about the pivot pin 34 (in a clockwise direction as viewed in Figure 3) and the primary handle 47 to be moved downwards until an ear 48 of the link 51 bears against the pivot pin 34.

The handle 47 then lies substantially alongside the toggle arm 41 extending downwards from the pivot pin 34 (and so the vehicle roof), the position being illustrated by Figures 4 and 5. It will be seen that the primary handle 47 is no longer substantially parallel to the toggle arm 41 and the lock handle 44 extends substantially perpendicular to the primary handle 47.

The primary handle 47 must now be moved with continued rotation of the toggle arm 41 (i.e. in a clockwise direction as viewed in Figure 4) which will cause the ear 48 to move around the pivot pin 34 and will also cause the edges of the panel to engage with the resilient beading 11. This position is indicated diagrammatically in Figure 5. Continued movement of the primary handle 47 will cause the tip of the ear 48 to pass over the shank of the pivot pin 34 so that said pin begins to enter a recess 50 in the link as indicated in Figure 6. The beading 11 now undergoes initial compression as the panel 1 is drawn downwards by the latch mechanism.

Further movement of the primary handle 47 causes the pivot pin 34 to be fully received in the recess 50 in the link 51 to achieve full compression of the beading 11 as indicated in Figure 7. The latch mechanism is still however not in its fully retracted condition and projects downwardly from the frame. The pivot axes of the pin 46, pivot pin 34 and pivot pin 49 are however about to enter a toggle situation giving rise to an over-centre action.

If the primary handle 47 is now moved still further, the axis of the pivot pin 34 will pass between the axes of the pins 46 and 49 and the primary handle 47 will be moved to a position in which it almost touches the underside of the panel 1. This position is indicated in Figure 8 and the position of the primary handle is defined by contact with the toggle arm 41 at the end which is mounted on the pivot pin 34. The primary handle 47 will therefore be retained in the position indicated in Figure 8 in which it and the toggle arm 41 extend substantially parallel to the frame and rear edge of the panel, upwards movement of the handle being prevented by its engagement with the toggle arm 41 and the handle being restrained from downwards movement by the over-centre action of the toggle linkage.

The only component now projecting to any appreciable extent below the frame is the lock handle 44 and this handle can now be pivoted to the locking position shown in Figure 9 in which it is again aligned with the primary handle 47 in order to provide additional security for the primary handle in its fully retracted position as well as to improve the aesthetic appearance of the latch mechanism.

The panel 1 can be opened in the reverse sequence and it will be seen that the panel 1 is retained in the open position shown in Figure 3 by the over-centre action of the pivot pins 34, 46 and 49, as wcll as by the lock mechanism, the second pivot axis (at the pin 46) having passed between the first and third pivot axes (at the pins 34 and 49, respectively) in adjusting the mechanism to its fully extended condition. In its fully extended condition the toggle arm 41 bears agianst a depending portion of the handle 47 below the pivot pin 46 to prevent further anti-clockwise rotation of the toggle arm 41.

The panel 1 can be held open in a number of intermediate positions by means of the locking means. The toggle arm 41 is provided with a plurality of radially extending ridges 64 which are interengageable with similar radially extending ridges 65 provided on the thrust washers 43 as indicated in Figures 10, 11 and 1 7 of the drawings. The thrust washers are non-rotatably mounted agianst the handle 47. The nut 45 on the pin or bolt 46 is adjusted so that the interengagement of the ridges 64 and 65 will hold the panel 1 in any position to which the latch mechanism is moved when the lock handle 44 is in the locking position. When the lock handle 44 is moved to the release position, the clamp load between the ridges 64 and 65 is reduced and they can be moved over one another to move the panel 1 either to a further open or closed position.

As illustrated in Figure 13, the lock handle 44 is provided with a pair of recesses 67 which are adapted to receive correspondingly shaped projections 68 provided on the two sleeves 42 (Figure 14). As shown in Figure 15, the other flange surface of each sleeve 42 is provided with a cam surface 69 which is arranged to engage with a similar cam surface 66 provided on the axially opposed thrust washer 43 (Figure 12). When the lock handle 44 is moved from its release position to its locking position, shown in Figures 3 and 9 of the drawings, it is effective to move the cam surfaces 69 on the sleeves 42 (by rotation of the sleeves) into engagement with the cam surfaces 66 on the thrust washers 43, whereby each pair of thrust washers and sleeves is forced apart, and the two thrust washers are forced towards one another to grip the toggle arm 41.The ridges 64 and 65 are thus forced into firmer interengagement and the toggle arm is prevented from pivoting about the bolt 46 relative to the primary handle 47. The panel 1 can thus be effectively locked in position.

On the other hand, if the lock handle 44 is moved to the release position, shown in Figures 4 to 8 of the drawings, it is effective to move the cam surfaces 69 on the sleeves 42 to a position in which the raised surfaces engage in dwells in the cam surfaces 66 on the thrust washers 43. The force exerted by these washers on the toggle arm 41 is thus relieved and the ridges 64 and 65 can move over one another to permit pivoting of the toggle arm 41 about the primary handle 47 and, hence, movement of the panel 1. Returning the lock handle 44 to the locking position shown in Figures 3 and 9 of the drawings will again lock the toggle arm 41 against further movement.

As stated above, the arcuate latch bracket 31 is maintained against the arcuate surface 18 of the upper frame section 3 by virtue of the resilience of the beading 11. Additionally, the latch bracket is provided with a bore in which a catch 71 (Figures 16 and 21) is engageable in order to restrain the latch bracket from rotating about its pivot centre on the frame. The catch 71 is provided on a plate 72 which carries at each end a tubular projection 73. Each projection 73 contains a coil spring 74 (shown diagrammatically as exploded in Figures 2 and 21) and a groove extends along the plate 72 from one end to the other between the projections 73.

If desired (and as shown in Figure 21) the groove may be replaced between each projection 73 and the central catch 71 by a pair of slots extending right through the plate. The groove and slots serve to receive a wire form 76 having looped ends which are secured by rivets 77 to the upper frame section 3 in the channel 1 3. These components are shown as exploded in Figures 2 and 21. The catch 71 and projections 73 pass through bores 91 and 92, respectively, in the upper frame section 3 so as to extend from the arcuate surface 1 8 with the projections 73 being located on either side of the arcuate latch bracket 31. The catch 71 is thus urged into a bore 30 in said latch bracket 31 by the springs 74 reacting against the wire form 76.

The tubular projections 73 also extend through bores 93 in the lower frame section 4 and are each provided with a bore 78 (Figure 16) of hexagonal cross-section for the reception of associated nuts 79 by means of which a release pad in the form of a plate 82 can be secured, with the aid of screws 81, below the lower frame section 4. The plate 82 is spaced from the lower surface of the frame section 4 by the projections 73 as shown in Figure 2. A trim frame 83 surrounds the plate 82 and is secured to the lower frame section 4 by screws 84 in order to guide the plate 82. The springs 74 and wire form 76 are thus stressed and are effective to hold the catch 71 positively in engagement in the bore in the arucate latch bracket 31.

If it is desired to remove the panel 1 from the frame 2, the panel 1 must first be moved to an open position such as the one shown in Figure 2 of the drawings. The plate 82 must then be depressed. This has the effect of forcing the plate 72 upwards (as viewed in Figure 2) by virtue of the projections 73 and the catch 71 is thus forced out of the bore in the arcuate latch bracket 31 against the force of the springs 74. The latch bracket 31 can then simply be withdrawn from the frame 2.

The arcuate leaf members 25 of the hinge assemblies can then be withdrawn from the opposite side of the frame in like manner in order to detach the panel from the frame.

When it is desired to re-fit the panel, the arcuate leaf members 25 of the hinge assemblies are first re-inserted into the frame 2 after which the panel 1 is lowered until the arcuate latch bracket 31 is opposite the frame 2. A guide member 85 (Figures 2, 18 and 21) is provided in this region said guide member having a arcuate surface 94 which faces the arcuate surface 1 8 of the upper frame section 3 to form therewith an arcuate channel. The guide member 85 is provided with cut-outs 89 for engagement with the rib 20 on the lower frame section 4 and with a recess one face of which is adapted to engage the ribbed edge 1 9 of the lower frame section 4. The guide member 85 is provided with a first pair of bores 86 (Figure 18) and the rivets 77 pass through these bores to secure the guide member to the upper frame section 3.A second pair of bores 87 are also provided in the guide member 85 and further rivets 96 pass through these bores and also serve to secure the guide member to the frame section 3. The lower frame section 4 is secured to the guide member 85 by the screws 84 which screw into further bores 88 in said guide member.

The edges of the guide member 85, provided with the cut-outs 89, are adapted to fit over the rib 20 on the lower frame section 4, the rib being partly machined away in the region occupied by the body of the guide member.

The end regions of the guide member are provided with raised portions 90 for guiding the arcuate latch bracket 31 into the arcuate channel defined between the arcuate surface 18 and the guide member 85.

The catch 71 is provided with a tapered surface 70 which is engaged by the leading edge of the latch bracket 31 as said bracket is guided into the arcuate channel. The catch 71 is thus pressed upwards against the force of the springs 74 and the latch bracket moves under the catch until the bore therein passes under the catch when the springs 74 are effective to force the catch 71 into said bore to secure the latch bracket in position.

Although only one latch mechanism has been shown in the drawings it is possible to provide two or even more latch mechanisms for greater security if desired.

The resilient beading 11 may, if desired, be provided on its upper surface with one or more ribs 10 to provide an effective seal for the panel 1 when said panel is in its closed position.

The panel 1 is preferably made of transparent or translucent material but this is not essential and the panel may, if desired, be made of opaque material.

Claims (6)

1. A vehicle sun roof comprising a roof panel adapted to be hingedly-mounted in a vehicle and an extensible latch mechanism mounted adjacent to an edge of said panel for releasably securing said panel closed, said mechanism comprising a first link which is arranged to be pivotally connected to the vehicle roof for rotation relative thereto about a first pivot axis which extends transversely of said panel edge, a second link which is pivotally connected to said first link for rotation relative thereto about a second pivot axis and is pivotally connected to said roof panel for rotation relative thereto about a third pivot axis, and locking means comprising a lock handle mounted on said second link, the arrangement being such that in a fully open position of said roof panel with said mechanism fully extended said first and second links extend successively upwards from said first pivot axis towards said roof panel and in closing said panel said second link is with rotation of said first link moved downwards to a position in which it lies substantially alongside said first link extending downwards from said first pivot axis, and the arrangement furthermore being such that said first and second links can thereafter be moved with continued rotation of said first link until a retracted condition of said latch mechanism is achieved in which they extend in generally the same direction as the panel edge, said lock handle being movable relative to said second link between a release position and a locking position whereby the latch mechanism can be locked in at least one intermediate condition between the fully open and closed positions of said roof panel.

2. A vehicle sun roof according to claim 1 wherein said lock handle is pivotally mounted on said second link for rotation relative thereto about said second pivot axis between its release and locking positions.

3. A vehicle sun roof according to claim 2 wherein said locking means comprises at least one pair of axially opposed thrust members arranged for relative rotation about said second pivot axis, one of said thrust members being non-rotatably mounted on said lock handle and the other of said thrust members being non-rotatably mounted on said second link, the arrangement being such that axial movement of separation occurs between said thrust members upon moving said lock handle from its release position to its locking position, such movement of separation resulting in said other of said thrust members preventing relative rotational movement between said first and second links.

4. A vehicle sun roof according to claim 3 wherein relative rotational movement between said first and second links is prevented by means of interengaging formations of axially opposed faces of said other thrust member and said first link.

5. A vehicle sun roof according to claim 4 wherein at least one of said opposed faces comprises a plurality of engageable formations enabling said latch mechanism to be locked in any of a plurality of intermediate positions.

6. A vehicle sun roof according to any one of claims 3, 4 and 5 wherein said locking means comprises two pairs of axially opposed thrust members arranged to act upon said first link from opposite sides.