Multi-panel sunroof system

Abstract

A multi-panel sunroof employs at least three movable sunroof panels. In another aspect of the present invention, three sunroof panels are stacked upon each other in one or two different operating positions. A further aspect of the present invention provides for rearward opening movement of a front sunroof panel and forward opening movement of a rear sunroof panel.

1 . A sunroof locking system comprising:
 a first sunroof panel movable from an open position to a closed position;   a first movement mechanism coupled to the first sunroof panel, the first movement mechanism including a cable-driven slide block operably moving the first sunroof panel, the slide block including a camming slot and a ramp, the ramp being located on a different portion of the slide block from the camming slot;   a second sunroof panel movable from an open position to a closed position;   a bracket coupled to the second panel; and   a lock coupled to the bracket, and a portion of the lock being movable in a substantially vertical direction due to selective contact with the ramp of the slide block, the movable portion of the lock being elongated in a substantially crosscar direction.   
   
   
       2 . The sunroof locking system of  claim 1 , further comprising a stationary structure including a substantially vertical abutment surface, the movable portion of the lock selectively contacting against the abutment surface when the movable portion is in a lowered position, in order to secure the second panel in its closed position. 
   
   
       3 . The sunroof locking system of  claim 2 , wherein the first movement mechanism slide block slides along a fore-and-aft extending track and the abutment surface is stationarily attached to a portion of the track. 
   
   
       4 . The sunroof locking system of  claim 2 , wherein movement of the slide block causes the ramp to disengage the moveable portion of the lock from the abutment surface thereby releasing the second panel from its secured closed position and allowing the second panel to move. 
   
   
       5 . The sunroof locking system of  claim 1 , wherein the lock further comprises a substantially inverted-U shaped housing having a substantially vertically and linearly elongated slot, and the movable portion of the lock is an elongated pin which extends through the slot. 
   
   
       6 . The sunroof locking system of  claim 1 , further comprising an electromagnetic actuator operably driving a cable connected to the slide block, the bracket including track-engaging guides, the bracket being passively driven by the slide block. 
   
   
       7 . The sunroof locking system of  claim 1 , further comprising a biasing member biasing the moveable portion of the lock to a lowered position. 
   
   
       8 . The sunroof locking system of  claim 1 , wherein the first sunroof panel is one of a frontmost or rearmost sunroof panel, the second sunroof panel is an central sunroof panel and further comprising at least a third sunroof panel moveable from an open position to a closed position. 
   
   
       9 . The sunroof locking system of  claim 1 , wherein the lock when in a first position is operable to lock the second panel in a closed position and when in a second position is operable to allow the second panel to be passively driven by the first movement mechanism. 
   
   
       10 . A sunroof locking system comprising:
 a first sunroof panel movable from an open position to a closed position;   a first movement mechanism coupled to the first sunroof panel;   a camming slot having a channel with a first section extending in a substantially horizontal and fore-and-aft direction and a second section extending in a substantially diagonal direction;   a bifurcated hook projecting from the first movement mechanism and aligning with the second section of the camming slot when in a selected first sunroof panel position; and   a locking pin movable along the camming slot and selectively engagable with the hook thereby securing the locking pin to the hook.   
   
   
       11 . The sunroof locking system of  claim 10 , wherein the camming slot is part of a fore-and-aft extending track along which the first sunroof panel moves between the open and closed positions. 
   
   
       12 . The sunroof locking system of  claim 10 , wherein the opening of the hook extends in a substantially forwardly and upwardly angled orientation. 
   
   
       13 . The sunroof locking system of  claim 10 , wherein the opening of the hook extends in a substantially rearwardly and upwardly angled orientation. 
   
   
       14 . The sunroof locking system of  claim 10 , further comprising:
 a second sunroof panel movable from an open position to a closed position; and   a second movement mechanism coupled to the second panel;   wherein the pin operably moves fore-and-aft with the second movement mechanism and the hook moves fore-and-aft with the first movement mechanism; and   wherein engagement of the locking pin and hook serve to lock together the first and second movement mechanisms for at least partially simultaneous opening and closing of the first and second sunroof panels.   
   
   
       15 . The sunroof locking system of  claim 10 , wherein the camming slot is stationary and the hook is attached to the first movement mechanism, and the first sunroof panel is a rearmost one of multiple sunroof panels. 
   
   
       16 . The sunroof locking system of  claim 10 , wherein the sunroof mechanism further comprises a four bar linkage assembly, a cable-driven slide block, and a cam follower projecting from the four bar linkage assembly riding along a camming path within the slide block. 
   
   
       17 . The sunroof locking system of  claim 10 , further comprising:
 a second sunroof panel movable from an open position to a closed position;   a second movement mechanism coupled to the second panel;   a third sunroof panel movable between a closed and an open position; and   a third movement mechanism coupled to the third sunroof panel;   the forwardmost and rearwardmost of the sunroof panels being at least partially movable independently of the other, and the forwardmost and central of the sunroof panels being at least partially movable in unison due to engagement of the locking pin and hook.   
   
   
       18 . The sunroof locking system of  claim 10 , wherein the selected first sunroof panel position is a closed position. 
   
   
       19 . A sunroof locking system comprising:
 (a) a movable slide block further comprising:
 (i) a body elongated in a substantially fore-and-aft direction; 
 (ii) a pair of parallel walls having diagonally elongated camming slots therein projecting from a leading end of the body, an opening located in at least one of the walls between the camming slot and the body; 
 (iii) track-engaging feet transversely extending from the body; 
 (iv) a cable retainer transversely extending from the body; 
   (b) a sunroof panel movable from an open position to a closed position; and   (c) a bracket downwardly extending from the sunroof panel and having a transversely extending cam follower;   the cam follower being insertable into the opening of the slide block to allow access for the cam follower to thereafter ride within the camming slots.   
   
   
       20 . The sunroof locking system of  claim 19 , further comprising a link have a first end pivotally attached to the slide block and having an opposite end pivotally attached to the bracket. 
   
   
       21 . The sunroof locking system of  claim 19 , wherein the slide block further comprises a ramp extending from a trailing end of the body in a downwardly and rearwardly projecting orientation.