Description:AN INNER BLIND ASSEMBLY FOR A VEHICLE SUNROOF

[0001] The present subject matter, in general, relates to the field of a vehicle sunroofs, in particular, the present subject matter belongs to an inner blind assembly for covering a linkage mechanism of a vehicle sunroof.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Conventionally, vehicles are provided with sunroof for allowing light and fresh air to enter the occupant compartment through the vehicle roof. The sunroof assembly includes a glass and an actuation mechanism to move the glass from close condition to open condition and vice versa. When the mechanism is actuated, glass moves from close condition to open condition or vice versa accordingly. During this time, if an occupant inserts finger in the mechanism, it may cause an injury. In the existing design, another issue is that the mechanism is completely visible to the occupant, and it does not give a good and finished look to the sunroof assembly.
[0003] In one or more conventional solutions, inner blinds are present, but the existing inner blinds design have certain limitations. In one of the existing designs, the limitation is that the blind hides the screws of glass mounting completely. In this case, if it is ever required to adjust the glass to match with roof panel, one will have to completely remove the inner blind and then only it will be possible to access the tightening screws of the glass. This will unnecessarily increase the tac time at assembly line and also inconvenience to the customers, wherever glass adjustment will be required.
[0004] Other types of inner blinds present in the market have limitation that they are possible to be assembled only with a certain section of glass frame or guide rail or both. So, there is no flexibility to use those types of inner blinds in any given guide rail and glass frame. This limits the use of those inner blinds across different designs of sunroof.
[0005] Fig. 1 illustrates a diagram 100 depicting a sunroof of a vehicle with a sunroof mechanism, in accordance with an existing prior-art. The sunroof attached to a roof lining, may be in an open condition and the sunroof mechanism may be visible from an inside of a vehicle cabin in an absence of the inner blinds.
[0006] Thus, there is a need for a solution to overcome the above-mentioned drawbacks.
OBJECTS OF THE DISCLOSURE
[0007] Some of the objects of the present disclosure, which at least one embodiment herein satisfy, are listed below.
[0008] It is a general or primary object of the present subject matter to provide an inner blind assembly for covering a linkage mechanism of a vehicle sunroof.
[0009] It is another object of the present subject matter to provide an inner blind assembly that adds an aesthetic factor to a sunroof of a vehicle.
[0010] It is another object of the present subject matter to provide an inner blind assembly that provides an access to a portion of the linkage mechanism while covering rest of the linkage mechanism.
[0011] These and other objects and advantages will become more apparent when reference is made to the following description and accompanying drawings.
SUMMARY
[0012] This summary is provided to introduce concepts related to an inner blind assembly for a vehicle sunroof; the concepts are further described below in the detailed description. This summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used to limit the scope of the claimed subject matter.
[0013] The present disclosure provides an inner blind assembly for covering a linkage mechanism of a vehicle sunroof. The inner blind assembly includes a lower inner blind detachably attached to a guide rail of the vehicle sunroof. The inner blind assembly further includes an upper inner blind detachably attached to a glass frame of the vehicle sunroof. The upper inner blind moves along with the glass frame when the glass frame is moved.
[0014] In an aspect of the present subject matter, the upper inner blind is made up of a polymer.
[0015] In an aspect of the present subject matter, the upper inner blind includes a vertical surface configured to cover a front side of the linkage mechanism. The upper inner blind also includes a horizontal surface perpendicular to the vertical surface extending away from the inner surface, covering a bottom side of the linkage mechanism.
[0016] In an aspect of the present subject matter, the vertical surface includes an outer surface having a plurality of semi-circular openings to provide an access to one or more mounting screws of a glass frame mounting assembly, and an inner surface opposite to the outer surface having an adhesive for detachably attaching the upper inner blind with the glass frame.
[0017] In an aspect of the present subject matter, the horizontal surface comprises a plurality of uplifted surfaces having a mounting hole to detachably attaching the upper inner blind with the glass frame via one or more other mounting screws.
[0018] In an aspect of the present subject matter, the horizontal surface comprises a plurality of ribs around the plurality of uplifted surfaces.
[0019] In an aspect of the present subject matter, the plurality of uplifted surfaces is located between at least two semi-circular openings amongst the plurality of semi-circular openings.
[0020] In an aspect of the present subject matter, the glass frame moves between an open position and a closed position.
[0021] In an aspect of the present subject matter, the inner blind assembly provides a clearance of a pre-determined length when the glass frame is moving from a close condition to an open condition for preventing an access to the linkage mechanism.
[0022] Various objects, features, aspects, and advantages of the inventive subject matter will become more apparent from the following detailed description of preferred embodiments, along with the accompanying drawing figures in which like numerals represent like components.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0023] The illustrated embodiments of the subject matter will be best understood by reference to the drawings, wherein like parts are designated by like numerals throughout. The following description is intended only by way of example, and simply illustrates certain selected embodiments of devices, systems, and methods that are consistent with the subject matter as claimed herein, wherein:
[0024] Fig. 1 illustrates a diagram depicting a sunroof of a vehicle with a sunroof mechanism, in accordance with an existing prior-art;
[0025] Fig. 2 illustrates a diagram depicting an inner blind assembly in the sunroof, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter;
[0026] Fig. 3 illustrates a diagram depicting an upper inner blind, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter;
[0027] Fig. 4a illustrates a line diagram depicting a front isometric view of the upper inner blind, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter;
[0028] Fig. 4b illustrates a diagram depicting a top view of the upper inner blind, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter;
[0029] Fig. 5 illustrates a diagram depicting the inner blind assembly attached to a vehicle sunroof, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter;
[0030] Fig. 6 illustrates a diagram depicting a top isometric view of the inner blind assembly, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter; and
[0031] Fig. 7 illustrates a diagram depicting the inner blind assembly from an inside of a vehicle cabin, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0032] The following is a detailed description of embodiments of the disclosure depicted in the accompanying drawings. The embodiments are in such detail as to clearly communicate the disclosure. However, the amount of detail offered is not intended to limit the anticipated variations of embodiments; on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the scope of the present disclosure as defined by the appended claims.
[0033] As used in the description herein and throughout the claims that follow, the meaning of “a,” “an,” and “the” includes plural reference unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Also, as used in the description herein, the meaning of “in” includes “in” and “on” unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.
[0034] Fig. 2 illustrates a diagram 200 depicting an inner blind assembly 202, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter. The inner blind assembly 202 may be integrated at a roof of a vehicle. Specifically, the inner blind assembly 202 may be a part of a vehicle sunroof. The inner blind assembly 202 may be configured to cover a linkage mechanism that links a glass frame of the vehicle sunroof with a guide rail of the vehicle sunroof.
[0035] The inner blind assembly 202 may be configured to cover the linkage mechanism while providing an access to one or more selected locations of the linkage mechanism. The one or more selected locations may provide an access to one or more screws of the linkage mechanism. Providing the access to the one or more locations of the linkage mechanism may ensure glass adjustment or performing other maintenance activity without a need to remove the inner blind assembly 202 or dis-assemble the inner blind assembly 202. The inner blind assembly 202 may include a plurality of components that may be attached separately to the linkage mechanism, for providing the access to the one or more screws.
[0036] Continuing with the above embodiment, the inner blind assembly 202 may include a lower inner blind 204 and an upper inner blind 206. The lower inner blind 204 may be a stationary component while the upper inner blind 206 may be configured to move between a first position and a second position. The lower inner blind 204 and the upper inner blind 206 may be attached to different parts of the vehicle sunroof to be able to cover the linkage mechanism. The upper inner blind 206 may be made up of polymer. The upper inner blind 206 may be configured to detachably attached with components of the linkage mechanism via at least one of an adhesive and one or more mounting screws.
[0037] In accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter, the lower inner blind 204 may be configured to be detachably attached to the guide rail of the vehicle sunroof for covering lower portion of the vehicle sunroof. The lower inner blind 204 may be designed as per lower portion of the vehicle sunroof for covering the guide rail and the linkage mechanism. Furthermore, the upper inner blind 206 may be configured to be detachably attached to the glass frame of the vehicle sunroof for covering the linkage mechanism of the vehicle sunroof.
[0038] To that understanding, the upper inner blind 206 may be configured to move along with the glass frame when the glass frame is moved such that the linkage mechanism is not exposed even when the glass frame is moving. The glass frame may be configured to move between an open position and a close position. The inner blind assembly 202 may be configured to cover the linkage mechanism in way that provides a clearance of a pre-determined length when the glass frame is moving from the close condition to the open condition for preventing an access to the linkage mechanism.
[0039] Fig. 3 illustrates a diagram 300 depicting the upper inner blind 206, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter. The upper inner blind 206 may be made up of polymer. The upper inner blind 206 may be a moving part of the inner blind assembly 202 and may be configured to move along with the movement of a glass frame of vehicle sunroof. In particular, the upper inner blind 206 may be configured to move with the glass frame between a first position and a second position. The glass frame may be configured to move between an open position and a closed position or vice versa. The upper inner blind 206 may be configured to cover a linkage mechanism when the glass frame is in the close position and the open position.
[0040] Continuing with the above embodiment, the upper inner blind 206 may include a vertical surface 302 and a horizontal surface 304. The vertical surface 302 and the horizontal surface 304 may be permanently attached to one another in a perpendicular orientation with respect to one another. The vertical surface 302 may be configured to cover a front side of the linkage mechanism. The vertical surface 302 may be attached to the linkage mechanism for covering the linkage mechanism. The horizontal surface 304 may be configured to cover a bottom side of the linkage mechanism. The vertical surface 302 may include an outer surface 302a, and an inner surface 302b. The horizontal surface 304 may be extending away from the inner surface 302b.
[0041] Subsequently, the vertical surface 302 may have a plurality of semi-circular openings 312 configured to provide an access to one or more screws of the linkage mechanism. The one or more screws may be related to the glass frame of a glass frame mounting assembly. Furthermore, the access may be present to ensure that the inner blind assembly 202 is not needed to be dis-assembled or removed when the glass frame is to be adjusted or when the linkage mechanism needs servicing or maintenance. The inner surface 302b may be opposite to the outer surface 302a. The inner surface 302b may have an adhesive for detachably attaching the upper inner blind 206 with the glass frame. The adhesive may be an adhesive strip fixed to the inner surface 302b. To that understanding, the horizontal surface 304 may include a plurality of uplifted surfaces 306 having a mounting hole 308. The mounting hole 308 may be configured to detachably attach the upper inner blind 206 with the glass frame via one or more other mounting screws. The horizontal surface 304 may also include a plurality of ribs 310 around the plurality of uplifted surfaces 306 and the plurality of semi-circular openings 312 of the vertical surface 302. Further, the plurality of uplifted surfaces 306 may be located between at least two semi-circular openings amongst the plurality of semi-circular openings 312.
[0042] Fig. 4a illustrates a line diagram 400a depicting a front isometric view of the upper inner blind 206, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter. The upper inner blind 206 may be a part of the inner blind assembly 202 as referred in the fig. 2. The upper inner blind 206 may include the vertical surface 302 as referred in the fig. 1 having a plurality of semi-circular openings 312. The upper inner blind 206 may be configured to cover a linkage mechanism while the plurality of semi-circular openings 312 may provide an access to one or more screws of the linkage mechanism such that the one or more screws may be accessed without having to remove the upper inner blind 206 or the inner blind assembly 202.
[0043] Fig. 4b illustrates a line diagram 400b depicting a top view of the upper inner blind 206, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter. The upper inner blind 206 may also have the horizontal surface 304 having the plurality of uplifted surfaces 306 with one or more mounting holes 308 as referred in fig.3 for receiving one or more mounting screws for detachably attaching the inner blind assembly 202 with the linkage mechanism. The horizontal surface 304 may also have the plurality of ribs 310 spread throughout the horizontal surface 304 such that the plurality of uplifted surfaces 306 may be located between the plurality of ribs 310.
[0044] Fig. 5 illustrates a diagram 500 depicting the inner blind assembly 202 attached to a vehicle sunroof, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter. The inner blind assembly 202 may include the plurality of semi-circular openings 312 to provide an access to one or more screws of a linkage mechanism being covered by the inner blind assembly 202.
[0045] Fig. 6 illustrates a diagram 600 depicting a top isometric view of the inner blind assembly 202, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter. The upper inner blind 206 of the inner blind assembly 202 may be configured to move along with a glass frame of a sunroof vehicle when the glass frame is opened and closed.
[0046] Fig. 7 illustrates a diagram 700 depicting the inner blind assembly 202 from an inside of a vehicle cabin, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter. The inner blind assembly 202 may be covering a linkage mechanism of a vehicle sunroof with only providing an access to one or more screws of the linkage mechanism for maintenance and adjustment of the glass frame. The access may be provided through the plurality of semi-circular openings 312. The access may be present to ensure that the inner blind assembly 202 is not needed to be dis-assembled or removed when the glass frame is to be adjusted or when the linkage mechanism needs servicing or maintenance. Since, the linkage mechanism is covered by the inner blind assembly 202 during opening and closing of the glass frame, the aesthetic of the sunroof is improved. Further, the inner blind assembly 202 also prevents any injury to the vehicle occupant if the occupant mistakenly inserts finger in the linkage mechanism while the glass frame moves from close condition to open condition or vice versa.
[0047] While the detailed description describes various embodiments of the invention, other and further embodiments of the invention may be devised without departing from the basic scope thereof. The scope of the invention is determined by the claims that follow. The invention is not limited to the described embodiments, versions, or examples, which are included to enable a person having ordinary skill in the art to make and use the invention when combined with information and knowledge available to the person having ordinary skill in the art.
, Claims:We claim:
1. An inner blind assembly (202) for covering a linkage mechanism of a vehicle sunroof, comprising:

a lower inner blind (204) detachably attached to a guide rail of the vehicle sunroof; and

an upper inner blind (206) detachably attached to a glass frame of the vehicle sunroof, wherein the upper inner blind (206) moves along with the glass frame when the glass frame is moved.

2. The inner blind assembly (202) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the upper inner blind (206) is made up of a polymer.

3. The inner blind assembly (202) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the upper inner blind (206) comprises:

a vertical surface (302) configured to cover a front side of the linkage mechanism; and

a horizontal surface (304) perpendicular to the vertical surface (302) extending away from the inner surface (302b), configured to cover a bottom side of the linkage mechanism.

4. The inner blind assembly (202) as claimed in claim 3, wherein the vertical surface (302) comprises:

an outer surface (302a) having a plurality of semi-circular openings (312) to provide an access to at least one mounting screw of a glass frame mounting assembly; and
an inner surface (302b) opposite to the outer surface (302a) having an adhesive for detachably attaching the upper inner blind (206) with the glass frame.

5. The inner blind assembly (202) as claimed in claim 3, wherein the horizontal surface (304) comprises a plurality of uplifted surfaces (306) having a mounting hole (308) to detachably attach the upper inner blind (206) with the glass frame via at least one of other mounting screws.

6. The inner blind assembly (202) as claimed in claim 5, wherein the horizontal surface (304) comprises a plurality of ribs (310) around the plurality of uplifted surfaces (306).

7. The inner blind assembly (202) as claimed in claim 5, wherein the plurality of uplifted surfaces (306) is located between at least two semi-circular openings (312) amongst the plurality of semi-circular openings (312).

8. The inner blind assembly (202) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the glass frame moves between an open position and a closed position.
9. The inner blind assembly (202) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the inner blind assembly (202) provides a clearance of a pre-determined length when the glass frame is moving from a close condition to an open condition for preventing an access to the linkage mechanism.