DESC:TECHNICAL FIELD
[001] The embodiments herein generally relate to a vehicle roof and more particularly, to a common roof end assembly and a method of providing the roof end assembly for sealing interface at various types of the vehicle roof such as a flexible fixed soft roof top, a convertible roof top and a fixed hard roof top in an off road vehicle.

BACKGROUND
[002] Air and water leakages from inside to outside of a vehicle and vice versa are the key parameters to determine the quality of the vehicle and is one the main factors involved in complete satisfaction to an user of the vehicle. In an off road vehicle, different kinds of roof tops such as a flexible fixed soft roof top, a fixed hard roof top and a convertible rooftop are available. To restrict air and water leakages in these different kinds of roof tops in a common body in white (BIW) is a difficult task and is one of the challenges faced by the original equipment manufacturers (OEM).
[003] Therefore, there exists a need for a common roof end assembly and a method of providing the roof end assembly for sealing interface at various types of the vehicle roof, which obviates the aforementioned drawbacks.

OBJECTS
[004] The principal object of an embodiment herein is to provide a common roof end assembly for various types of the vehicle roof such as a flexible fixed soft roof top, a convertible roof top and a fixed hard roof top in an off road vehicle.
[005] Another object of an embodiment herein is to provide a method of providing the roof end assembly for sealing interface at various types of the vehicle roof such as the flexible fixed soft roof top, the convertible roof top and the fixed hard roof top in the off road vehicle.
[006] Another object of an embodiment herein is to provide a common roof end assembly for various types of the vehicle roof, which reduces investment cost.
[007] Another object of an embodiment herein is to provide the common roof end assembly for mounting a sealing to the vehicle roof, which enables the sealing interface robust for all types of vehicle roofs in the off road vehicle.
[008] Another object of an embodiment herein is to provide the common roof end assembly for mounting the sealing to the vehicle roof, which restricts air and water leakages for all types of vehicle roofs in the off road vehicle.
[009] These and other objects of the embodiments herein will be better appreciated and understood when considered in conjunction with the following description and the accompanying drawings. It should be understood, however, that the following descriptions, while indicating embodiments and numerous specific details thereof, are given by way of illustration and not of limitation. Many changes and modifications may be made within the scope of the embodiments herein without departing from the spirit thereof, and the embodiments herein include all such modifications.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0010] The embodiments of the invention are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, throughout which like reference letters indicate corresponding parts in the various figures. The embodiments herein will be better understood from the following description with reference to the drawings, in which:
[0011] Fig. 1 depicts a cross-sectional view of a roof end assembly and a vehicle roof of an off road vehicle in assembled condition, according to embodiments as disclosed herein;
[0012] Fig. 2 depicts a cross-sectional view of the roof end assembly, according to embodiments as disclosed herein;
[0013] Fig. 3 depicts a cross-sectional view of vehicle roofs, roof end assembly, windshield and tailgate in assembled condition, according to embodiments as disclosed herein;
[0014] Fig. 4 depicts a cross-sectional view of the roof end assembly, the vehicle roof and windshield in assembled condition, according to embodiments as disclosed herein; and
[0015] Fig. 5 depicts a flowchart indicating a method of providing the roof end assembly for sealing interface at vehicle roof, according to embodiments as disclosed herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0016] The embodiments herein and the various features and advantageous details thereof are explained more fully with reference to the non-limiting embodiments that are illustrated in the accompanying drawings and detailed in the following description. Descriptions of well-known components and processing techniques are omitted so as to not unnecessarily obscure the embodiments herein. The examples used herein are intended merely to facilitate an understanding of ways in which the embodiments herein may be practiced and to further enable those of skill in the art to practice the embodiments herein. Accordingly, the examples should not be construed as limiting the scope of the embodiments herein.
[0017] The embodiments herein achieve a common roof end assembly and a method of providing the roof end assembly for sealing interface at various types of the vehicle roof such as a flexible fixed soft roof top, a convertible roof top and a fixed hard roof top in an off road vehicle. Referring now to the drawings, and more particularly to Figs. 1 through 5, where similar reference characters denote corresponding features consistently throughout the figures, there are shown embodiments.
[0018] Fig. 1 depicts a cross-sectional view of a roof end assembly (100) and a vehicle roof (R1) of an off road vehicle in assembled condition, according to embodiments as disclosed herein. In an embodiment, the roof end assembly (100) includes a sealing (102), a run channel (104) and a windshield panel (106A, 106B). For the purpose of this description and ease of understanding, the roof end assembly (100) is explained herein below with reference to providing common sealing interface at the vehicle roof (R1) such as a flexible fixed soft roof top, a convertible roof top and a fixed hard roof top in an off road vehicle. However, it is also within the scope of the invention to provide the roof end assembly (100) for providing sealing interface to roof – front header, roof rail, rear header, cantrail or any other type of vehicle roof in any other type of vehicle without otherwise deterring the intended function of the roof end assembly (100) as can be deduced from the description and corresponding drawings.
[0019] In an embodiment, sealing (102) is adapted to restrict fluid (air, water) and noise entry to vehicle cabin thereby enhancing the comfort level of the passengers inside the vehicle. The sealing (102) is adapted to be disposed below a front end of a vehicle roof (R1). The sealing (102) is attached to the run channel (104) by using an adhesive bonding agent. It is also within the scope of the invention to attach the sealing (102) to the run channel (104) by any other temporary or permanent joints. The sealing (102) extends along a widthwise direction of the vehicle. The sealing (102) is engaged with the front end of the vehicle roof (R1). The vehicle roof (R1) is one of a flexible fixed soft roof top, a convertible roof top and a fixed hard roof top. The sealing (102) includes a center base portion (102A), (as shown in fig. 4) and a plurality of sealing portions (102B), (as shown in fig. 4) extending from both sides of the center base portion (102A). The sealing portions (102B) of the sealing (102) are engaged with the front end of the vehicle roof (R1).
[0020] In an embodiment, the run channel (104) is adapted to mount the sealing (102) thereon. The run channel (104) is mounted onto a windshield outer panel (106B). The run channel (104) defines at least one run notch adapted to control assembly variation. A cross-section of the run channel (104) defines a C-shape or U-shape. The run channel (104) extends along a widthwise direction of the vehicle. The run channel (104) is spot welded onto the windshield outer panel (106B). The run channel (104) includes a base (104A), (as shown in fig. 2) and a plurality of side walls (104B), (as shown in fig. 2) extending from both sides of the base (104A). The base (104A) is adapted to be mounted onto the windshield outer panel (106B). Each side wall (104B) of the run channel (104) is an arcuate side wall. Further, the run channel (104) also restricts water entry into vehicle cabin by guiding the water at both ends of the run channel (104) to ambient.
[0021] The center base portion (102A) of the sealing (102) defines a plurality of legs (102AL) adapted to be engaged with the base (104A) and the side walls (104B) of the run channel (104).
[0022] The windshield panel (106A, 106B) is adapted to support a windshield (W) of the vehicle. The windshield panel (106A, 106B) includes a windshield inner panel (106A) and a windshield outer panel (106B). The windshield outer panel (106B) is connected to the windshield inner panel (106A). The windshield (W) is at the front end of the vehicle and opposite to a tailgate (T), (as shown in fig. 3) of the vehicle. The vehicle includes a plurality of vehicle roofs (R1, R2). The vehicle roof (R1) is front vehicle roof and the other vehicle roof (R2) is a rear vehicle roof, (as shown in fig. 3).
[0023] Fig. 5 depicts a flowchart indicating a method (200) of providing roof end assembly (100) for sealing interface at the vehicle roof (R1) in the off road vehicle, according to embodiments as disclosed herein. For the purpose of this description and ease of understanding, the method (200) is explained herein below with reference to providing roof end assembly (100) for common sealing interface at various types of the vehicle roof (R) such as the flexible fixed soft roof top, the convertible roof top and the fixed hard roof top in the off road vehicle. However, it is also within the scope of this invention to practice/implement the entire steps of the method (200) in a same manner or in a different manner or with omission of at least one step to the method (200) or with any addition of at least one step to the method (200) for providing the roof end assembly (100) for common sealing interface at the roof – front header, roof rail, rear header, cantrail or any other type of vehicle roof in any other type of vehicle without otherwise deterring the intended function of the method (200) as can be deduced from the description and corresponding drawings.
[0024] At step (202), the method (200) includes mounting a run channel (104) onto a windshield outer panel (106B). At step (204), the method (200) includes mounting by, the run channel (104), a sealing (102) thereon to engage the sealing (102) with a front end of the vehicle roof (R1) such as the flexible fixed soft roof top, the convertible roof top and the fixed hard roof top in the off road vehicle.
[0025] Further, the method (200) includes connecting a windshield outer panel (106B) to a windshield inner panel (106A) by welding.
[0026] The technical advantages of the roof end assembly (100) are as follows. The roof end assembly is common for various types of the vehicle roof, which reduces investment cost. The roof end assembly enables the sealing interface robust for all types of vehicle roofs in the off road vehicle. The roof end assembly restricts air and water leakages for all types of vehicle roofs.
[0027] The foregoing description of the specific embodiments will so fully reveal the general nature of the embodiments herein that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily modify and/or adapt for various applications such specific embodiments without departing from the generic concept, and, therefore, such adaptations and modifications should and are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalents of the disclosed embodiments. It is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation. Therefore, while the embodiments herein have been described in terms of embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the embodiments herein can be practiced with modification within the spirit and scope of the embodiments as described herein.
,CLAIMS:We claim:
1. A roof end assembly (100) for a vehicle, said roof end assembly (100) comprising:
a sealing (102) adapted to be disposed below a front end of a vehicle roof (R1); and
a run channel (104) adapted to mount said sealing (102) thereon.

2. The roof end assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said roof end assembly (100) comprises a windshield panel (106A, 106B) adapted to support a windshield (W) of the vehicle.

3. The roof end assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said windshield panel (106A, 106B) comprises,
a windshield inner panel (106A); and
a windshield outer panel (106B) adapted to be connected to said windshield inner panel (106A),
wherein
said run channel (104) is mounted onto said windshield outer panel (106B).

4. The roof end assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said run channel (104) defines at least one run notch adapted to control assembly variation;
a cross-section of said run channel (104) defines a C-shape or U-shape;
said run channel (104) extends along a widthwise direction of the vehicle; and
said run channel (104) is spot welded onto said windshield outer panel (106B).

5. The roof end assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said sealing (102) is attached to said run channel (104) by using an adhesive bonding agent;
said sealing (102) is adapted to restrict fluid, dust and foreign particles entry into the vehicle cabin;
said sealing (102) extends along a widthwise direction of the vehicle;
said sealing (102) is engaged with the front end of the vehicle roof (R1); and
the vehicle roof (R1) is one of a flexible fixed soft roof top, a convertible roof top and a fixed hard roof top.

6. The roof end assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said sealing (102) includes,
a center base portion (102A) adapted to be received by said run channel (104); and
a plurality of sealing portions (102B) extending from both sides of said center base portion (102A), where said sealing portions (102B) is engaged with the front end of the vehicle roof (R1).

7. The roof end assembly (100) as claimed in claim 6, wherein said run channel (104) includes,
a base (104A) adapted to be mounted onto said windshield outer panel (106B); and
a plurality of side walls (104B) extending from both sides of said base (104A),
wherein
said center base portion (102A) of said sealing (102) defines a plurality of legs (102AL) adapted to be engaged with said base (104A) and said side walls (104B) of said run channel (104);
said run channel (104) also restricts water entry into vehicle cabin by guiding the water at both ends of said run channel (104) to ambient; and
each of side wall (104B) of said run channel (104) is an arcuate side wall

8. A method (200) of providing a roof end assembly (100) for sealing interface at a vehicle roof (R1), said method (200) comprising:
mounting a run channel (104) onto a windshield panel (106B); and
mounting by, the run channel (104), a sealing (102) thereon to engage the sealing (102) with a front end of the vehicle roof (R1).

9. The method (200) as claimed in claim 8, wherein said method (200) comprises,
connecting a windshield outer panel (106B) to a windshield inner panel (106A),
wherein
said sealing (102) is attached to said run channel (104) by using an adhesive bonding agent;
said sealing (102) extends along a widthwise direction of the vehicle;
said sealing (102) is engaged with the front end of the vehicle roof (R1);
the vehicle roof (R1) is one of a flexible fixed soft roof top, a convertible roof top and a fixed hard roof top;
the run channel (104) also restricts water entry into vehicle cabin by guiding the water at both ends of the run channel (104) to ambient; and
said run channel (104) extends along the widthwise direction of the vehicle.

10. The method (200) as claimed in claim 8, wherein said sealing (102) includes,
a center base portion (102A) adapted to be received by said run channel (104); and
a plurality of sealing portions (102B) extending from both sides of said center base portion (102A), where said sealing portions (102B) is engaged with the front end of the vehicle roof (R1).