Claims:We claim:
1. A system to assemble a roof lining (204) to a sunroof module comprising:
a roof lining retainer (202) for engaging with the sunroof module;
a plurality of flanges (209) on a front portion of the roof lining retainer (202) for assembly with a sunroof front member (201); and
a plurality of guiding structures (203) allowing the plurality of flanges (209) to slide on the sunroof front member (201) in Y direction.

2. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the plurality of flanges (209) rest on the sunroof front member (201) in assembled condition.

3. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the plurality of flanges (209) act as a poka-yoke mechanism ensuring proper assembly of the roof lining (204) with the sunroof front member (201).

4. The system as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a plurality of plastic clips (207) for locking a sunroof rear member (205) with the roof lining (204).

5. The system as claimed in claim 4, wherein the plurality of plastic clips (207) are assembled separately from cabin side of a vehicle.

6. The system as claimed in claim 4, wherein the plurality of plastic clips (207) are visible to an operator ensuring proper assembly of the roof lining (204) with the sunroof rear member (205).

7. The system as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a plurality of dual lock fasteners (208) for fastening sunroof side members (206) with the roof lining (204).

8. The system as claimed in claim 7, wherein the plurality of dual lock fasteners (208) are engaged by press fit operation.
9. The system as claimed in claim 7, wherein the position and minimum overlap of the plurality of dual lock fasteners (208) are ensured using the roof lining assembly datums.

, Description:TECHNICAL FIELD:
[001] The present subject matter described herein, relates to the technical field of an assembly of roof lining in a vehicle having sunroof. The present subject matter, in particular, relates to the mounting concept for convenient assembly of the roof lining while ensuring proper assembly of the sunroof type roof lining.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION:
[002] Background description includes information that may be useful in understanding the present invention. It is not an admission that any of the information provided herein is prior art or relevant to the presently claimed invention, or that any publication specifically or implicitly referenced is prior art.
[003] In a prior art, DE 102011011321 A1, titled “Vehicle sliding roof, has two centering elements facing lateral roof pillars, and adhesive stripes fixing sliding roof frame with sliding roof element in position fit manner at roof frame in predetermined areas”, a vehicle sunroof and a method for fixing the sunroof are described. The vehicle sunroof has a sunroof frame in which a slidable and liftable sunroof element is preassembled. Two centering elements, which can be brought into engagement with the sliding roof frame, are fixed on opposite side roof pillars.
[004] In another prior art, US 6213542 B1, titled “Seal arrangement”, a roof liner with fabric cover is retained about the aperture using a hook and fleece (loop) adhesion coupling. Such hook and fleece adhesion coupling arrangements are more commonly known as Velcro (trade mark) fixing systems.
[005] Furthermore, US 7621591 B2, titled “Attachment structure for motor vehicle headliner” discloses a headliner assembly for covering an inner surface of a motor vehicle roof having a sunroof opening. The headliner assembly includes a fastener for attaching the headliner assembly to the inner surface of the motor vehicle roof.
[006] The existing solutions prevalent for the assembly of the sunroof type roof lining, some of which are highlighted hereinabove, are limiting in nature and do not ensure proper and adequate assembly of the roof lining with the sunroof module, owing to the lack of visibility of the locking fasteners to the operator and the reliability of the locking fasteners employed therein on double sided adhesive tape which are not adept to adverse environmental conditions, etc.
[007] The information disclosed in this background of the subject matter section is only for enhancement of understanding of the general background of the invention and should not be taken as an acknowledgement or any form of suggestion that this information forms the prior art already known to a person skilled in the art.
[008] Therefore, there is a need for a system ensuring proper assembly of the roof lining with the sunroof module while detecting any wrong fitment during assembly.
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION:
[009] It is therefore an object of the present subject matter to overcome the aforementioned and other drawbacks in the solutions available in state-of-the-art.
[0010] The invention is based on the object of disclosing an assembly of a roof lining in a vehicle having sunroof.
[0011] Said object is achieved according to the invention by the features of the independent claim 1. Further, particularly advantageous embodiments of the present subject matter are disclosed in the sub-claims.
[0012] The principal objective of the present subject matter is to provide an arrangement for flange type structure on front portion of a roof lining retainer which slides on a sunroof front member in Y direction in assembled condition.
[0013] A yet another object of the present subject matter is to provide a convenient assembly of the roof lining for ensuring proper assembly of the sunroof type roof lining using mechanisms and visible fasteners.
[0014] These and other objects and advantages of the present subject matter will be apparent to a person skilled in the art after consideration of the following detailed description taken into consideration with accompanying drawings in which preferred embodiments of the present subject matter are illustrated.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION:
[0015] Solution to one or more drawbacks of existing technology, and additional advantages are provided through the present subject matter. Additional features and advantages are realized through the technicalities of the present subject matter. Other embodiments and aspects of the subject matter are described in detail herein and are considered to be a part of the claimed subject matter.
[0016] The present invention discloses a system to assemble a roof lining to a sunroof module. The system includes a roof lining retainer for engaging with the sunroof module, a plurality of flanges on a front portion of the roof lining retainer for assembly with a sunroof front member, and a plurality of guiding structures allowing the plurality of flanges to slide on the sunroof front member in Y direction.
[0017] In an aspect, the plurality of flanges rest on the sunroof front member in assembled condition.
[0018] In an aspect, the plurality of flanges act as a poka-yoke mechanism ensuring proper assembly of the roof lining with the sunroof front member.
[0019] In an aspect, a plurality of plastic clips lock a sunroof rear member with the roof lining.
[0020] In an aspect, the plurality of plastic clips are assembled separately from cabin side of a vehicle.
[0021] In an aspect, the plurality of plastic clips are visible to an operator ensuring proper assembly of the roof lining with the sunroof rear member.
[0022] In an aspect, a plurality of dual lock fasteners enables fastening sunroof side members with the roof lining.
[0023] In an aspect, the plurality of dual lock fasteners are engaged by press fit operation.
[0024] In an aspect, the position and minimum overlap of the plurality of dual lock fasteners are ensured using the roof lining assembly datums.
[0025] The foregoing summary is illustrative only and is not intended to be in any way limiting. In addition to the illustrative aspects, embodiments, and features described above, further aspects, embodiments, and features will become apparent by reference to the drawings and the following detailed description.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS:
[0026] It is to be noted, however, that the appended drawings illustrate only typical embodiments of the present subject matter and are therefore not to be considered for limiting of its scope, for the invention may admit to other equally effective embodiments. The detailed description is described with reference to the accompanying figures. In the figures, a reference number identifies the figure in which the reference number first appears. The same numbers are used throughout the figures to reference like features and components. Some embodiments of system or methods or structure in accordance with embodiments of the present subject matter are now described, by way of example, and with reference to the accompanying figures, in which:
[0027] Fig. 1 represents a top view of a sunroof type roof lining with an integrated roof lining retainer according to an embodiment of the present subject matter.
[0028] Fig. 2 represents a perspective view of a sunroof type roof lining illustrating a “Poka-yoke” mechanism, in the form of a plurality of flanges, and a plurality of guiding structures provided on a front portion of a roof lining retainer according to an embodiment of the present subject matter.
[0029] Fig. 3(a) represents section-AA illustrating assembly of roof lining with a sunroof front member according to an embodiment of the present subject matter.
[0030] Fig. 3(b) represents section-BB illustrating assembly of roof lining with a sunroof rear member according to an embodiment of the present subject matter.
[0031] Fig. 3(c) represents section-CC illustrating assembly of roof lining with a sunroof side member according to an embodiment of the present subject matter.
[0032] Fig. 3(d) represents section-DD illustrating the “Poka-yoke” mechanism integrated with the front portion of the roof lining retainer to ensure proper assembly according to an embodiment of the present subject matter.
[0033] The figures depict embodiments of the present subject matter for the purposes of illustration only. A person skilled in the art will easily recognize from the following description that alternative embodiments of the structures and methods illustrated herein may be employed without departing from the principles of the subject matter described herein.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION:
[0034] While the embodiments of the subject matter are subject to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiment thereof have been shown by way of example in the figures and will be described below. It should be understood, however, that it is not intended to limit the subject matter to the particular forms disclosed, but on the contrary, the subject matter is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternative falling within the scope of the subject matter.
[0035] The terms “comprises”, “comprising”, or any other variations thereof used in the subject matter, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a device, system, assembly that comprises a list of components does not include only those components but may include other components not expressly listed or inherent to such system, or assembly, or device. In other words, one or more elements in a system or device proceeded by “comprises… a” does not, without more constraints, preclude the existence of other elements or additional elements in the system or device.
[0036] Fig. 1 illustrates a top view of a sunroof type roof lining with an integrated roof lining retainer in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter. Fig. 1 illustrates the integrated roof lining retainer 102 and a roof lining 104 firmly engaged with each other, serving the characteristic object of the subject invention.
[0037] Fig. 2 represents a perspective view of a sunroof type roof lining illustrating a “Poka-yoke” mechanism, in the form of a plurality of flanges (209), and a plurality of guiding structures (203) provided on a front portion of a roof lining retainer according to an embodiment of the present subject matter. Other components of the assembly and the means and mechanism employed thereto are described with reference to the sectional Figs. 3(a)-(d) described hereinunder.
[0038] Fig. 3(a), according to an embodiment of the present subject matter, represents section-AA, depicting assembly of roof lining with a sunroof front member. Fig. 3(a) illustrates a sunroof front member 201, a roof lining retainer 202, a guiding structure 203, and a roof lining 204. The roof lining retainer 202 engages with the sunroof front member 201 to assemble the roof lining 204 with the sunroof front member 201. The front portion of the roof lining retainer 202 is provided with a plurality of flanges 209 (highlighted in Figs. 2 and 3(d)), and a plurality of guiding structures 203 that allow sliding of the plurality of flanges 209 on the sunroof front member 201, thereby restricting the motion of the sunroof front member 201 in Z direction.
[0039] Further, referring to Fig. 3(b), there is described section-BB depicting assembly of roof lining with a sunroof rear member, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter. With section-BB, a sunroof rear member 205, a roof lining retainer 202, a roof lining 204, and a plastic clip 207 are illustrated. The plastic clips 207 provided at the rear end of the sunroof module are easy to assemble as they are visible to the operator from the cabin side of a vehicle, and acts as a check point to ensure that the roof lining 204 fitment with the sunroof rear member 205 has been done properly without any wrong fitment, thereby increasing the durability and reliability of the assembly.
[0040] According to a further embodiment of the present subject matter, Fig. 3(c) represents section-CC, depicting assembly of roof lining with a sunroof side member. With section-CC, a sunroof side member 206, a dual lock fastener 208, a roof lining retainer 202, and a roof lining 204 are illustrated. The dual lock fasteners 208 are engaged by a press fit operation, as is perceivable by a person skilled in the art, thereby enabling assembly of the roof lining 204 with the sunroof side member 206. The position and the minimum overlap of the dual lock fasteners 208 are ensured using the roof lining assembly datums.
[0041] It is further in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter that Fig. 3(d) represents section-DD illustrating the “Poka-yoke” mechanism integrated with a front portion of the roof lining retainer 202, thereby ensuring proper assembly of the roof lining 204 on the sunroof front member 201. With section-DD, a sunroof front member 201, a roof lining retainer 202, a roof lining 204, and a poke-yoke feature 209 are illustrated. The plurality of flanges 209 provided on the front portion of the roof lining retainer 202 acts as a poka-yoke mechanism i.e., a mechanism helping an operator working on the assembly of the sunroof type roof lining avoid mistake, by way of drawing attention to the visible errors (i.e., gap formed between sunroof front member 201 and roof lining 204) occurring and ensuring the prevention and the correction thereto, thereby ensuring proper assembly of the roof lining 204 with the sunroof front member 201. The plastic roof lining retainer 202 on the front is extended locally at corners to package features which act as “poka-yoke” to ensure proper assembly of the roof lining 204 with the sunroof front member 201. In the event of an improper assembly, the tip of the feature acting as poka-yoke, which is the flange, in the present context, touches inner surface of the sunroof front member 201, and a significant visible gap 210 is formed between the roof lining 204 and the sunroof front member 201, thereby acting as a check point to identify wrong assembly, correcting the same, and ensuring an efficient and a reliable structural integration.
[0042] It will be understood by those within the art that, in general, terms used herein, and especially in the appended claims (e.g., bodies of the appended claims) are generally intended as “open” terms (e.g., the term “including” should be interpreted as “including but not limited to,” the term “having” should be interpreted as “having at least,” the term “includes” should be interpreted as “includes but is not limited to,” etc.). It will be further understood by those within the art that if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is intended, such an intent will be explicitly recited in the claim, and in the absence of such recitation no such intent is present. For example, as an aid to understanding, the following appended claims may contain usage of the introductory phrases “at least one” and “one or more” to introduce claim recitations. However, the use of such phrases should not be construed to imply that the introduction of a claim recitation by the indefinite articles “a” or “an” limits any particular claim containing such introduced claim recitation to inventions containing only one such recitation, even when the same claim includes the introductory phrases “one or more” or “at least one” and indefinite articles such as “a” or “an” (e.g., “a” and/or “an” should typically be interpreted to mean “at least one” or “one or more”); the same holds true for the use of definite articles used to introduce claim recitations. In addition, even if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is explicitly recited, those skilled in the art will recognize that such recitation should typically be interpreted to mean at least the recited number (e.g., the bare recitation of “two recitations,” without other modifiers, typically means at least two recitations, or two or more recitations). Furthermore, in those instances where a convention analogous to “at least one of A, B, and C, etc.” is used, in general such a construction is intended in the sense one having skill in the art would understand the convention (e.g., “a system having at least one of A, B, and C” would include but not be limited to systems that have A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, and/or A, B, and C together, etc.). In those instances where a convention analogous to “at least one of A, B, or C, etc.” is used, in general such a construction is intended in the sense one having skill in the art would understand the convention (e.g., “a system having at least one of A, B, or C” would include but not be limited to systems that have A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, and/or A, B, and C together, etc.). It will be further understood by those within the art that virtually any disjunctive word and/or phrase presenting two or more alternative terms, whether in the description, claims, or drawings, should be understood to contemplate the possibilities of including one of the terms, either of the terms, or both terms. For example, the phrase “A or B” will be understood to include the possibilities of “A” or “B” or “A and B.”
[0043] It will be further appreciated that functions or structures of a plurality of components or steps may be combined into a single component or step, or the functions or structures of one-step or component may be split among plural steps or components. The present invention contemplates all of these combinations. Unless stated otherwise, dimensions and geometries of the various structures depicted herein are not intended to be restrictive of the invention, and other dimensions or geometries are possible. In addition, while a feature of the present invention may have been described in the context of only one of the illustrated embodiments, such feature may be combined with one or more other features of other embodiments, for any given application. It will also be appreciated from the above that the fabrication of the unique structures herein and the operation thereof also constitute methods in accordance with the present invention. The present invention also encompasses intermediate and end products resulting from the practice of the methods herein. The use of “comprising” or “including” also contemplates embodiments that “consist essentially of” or “consist of” the recited feature.