Patent ID: 6224147
Filing Date: 2001-05-01
Classification: B60J,B60R

Abstract:
A sliding roof with at least one slidable, rigid cover element for selectively closing and at least partially exposing a roof opening in a fixed roof of a motor vehicle by the cover element being guided along at least one roof-mounted guide in a sliding motion between an open position and a closed position; wherein a brake mechanism is provided which is located out of a path of normal movements between said open and closed positions so that the brake mechanism affects sliding motion of the cover element only in case of a crash, said brake mechanism including at least one stop element which is positionally displaced from surfaces actively involved in driving and guiding the cover element during said normal movements of the cover element between the open and closed positions, said brake mechanism exerting a braking force stopping motion of the cover element over a deceleration path having a length which is dependent on acceleration forces which occur during a crash; wherein said stop element is a roof mounted stop, and wherein the brake mechanism also comprises an abutment which is connected to the cover element via a mounting so as to be displaced with sliding motion of the cover element, said abutment being located relative to said stop so that the abutment engages the stop only in case of a crash; wherein at least one of the stop, the abutment and the mounting has a configuration and location causing a braking force to be applied which increases, during a crash, as motion of the cover element is braked.