Abstract:
A movable panel assembly includes a panel movable between open and closed positions and also movable to a vented position. In the vented position a mesh member attached on one side to the panel and on another side to a guide or gutter structure extends to substantially cover the opening. The mesh member is flexible and collapses with the gutter guide assembly. The mesh member inhibits the intrusion of water into the passenger compartment and reduces wind noise.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention generally relates to a sunroof for a motor vehicle and specifically to a sunroof including a wind deflector and rain protector that reduces noise and prevents rain from entering the vehicle when the sunroof is in a vented position. 
     Typically, sunroofs are designed to allow a panel to be opened in a sliding direction to the rear of the vehicle to expose the entire opening. Further, many of these same sunroofs are designed to be tilted or pivoted upward by angling a rear portion of the sunroof to open into a vent position. In the vent position, the rear portion of the sunroof is pivoted upward from the motor vehicle roof to form an opening. 
     When the sunroof is in the vented position, excessive wind noise including a whistling sound may occur as the car is moving. Air flowing over the vented sunroof causes this wind noise. Further, in the vented position an opening is created that may allow rain to enter the passenger compartment of the motor vehicle. As appreciated, this is undesirable and uncomfortable for passengers within the motor vehicle. Often it is desired to open the sunroof to the vent position even when it is raining. 
     It is known in the art to provide devices to address and reduce such wind noise. One such device includes a seal that extends around the rear portion and two sides of the sunroof and includes a jagged edge. The jagged edge is designed to reduce and break up the turbulent air experienced at the rear of the vented sunroof. Such a device is adequate for simply reducing the wind noise caused by turbulent air whistling over the pivoted rear portion of the sunroof; however, such a jagged shield does not prevent rain from entering the motor vehicle. 
     Accordingly, it is desirable to develop a device and sunroof that both reduces wind noise caused by the turbulent effects of the sunroof panel, and prevents rain from entering the vehicle passenger compartment while still providing for full opening of the sunroof. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     A disclosed embodiment of this invention is a sunroof for a motor vehicle including a mesh material that extends from the roof panel to a gutter guide assembly to reduce wind noise and substantially prevent rain from entering a motor vehicle. 
     In an embodiment of this invention, the sunroof includes a mesh material that is attached to a gutter guide portion of the sunroof at one end and to a gutter guide portion of the motor vehicle at a second end. The mesh material is flexible and stretches when the sunroof assembly is pivoted to the vented position and substantially blocks and covers the entire opening created by the sunroof in the vent position. The mesh material extends around three sides of the sunroof to block the entire opening in the vent position. The mesh material is collapsible upon closing of the sunroof and collapses into the gutter guide portion of the sunroof assembly. The gutter guide portion of the sunroof assembly of the motor vehicle moves with the sunroof to the fully opened position by sliding rearward and downward. 
     Accordingly, the sunroof assembly of this invention reduces the amount of rain entering the vehicle passenger compartment and reduces wind noise by breaking up turbulent effects created by the vented sunroof position. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The various features and advantages of this invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description of the currently preferred embodiment. The drawings that accompany the detailed description can be briefly described as follows: 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the sunroof assembly in the vented position. 
     FIG. 2 is a plan view of the mesh material that extends from the sunroof to the motor vehicle; 
     FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the sunroof assembly in the vented position; 
     FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the sunroof assembly in the closed position; 
     FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the sunroof assembly as it is initiating rearward movement; and 
     FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the sunroof assembly as it is moved rearward to a fully open position. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     Referring to FIG. 1, a motor vehicle  10  has a movable roof panel  12  extendable into a vent position, and which includes a mesh member  14 . The mesh member  14  blocks an opening  20  created between the roof panel  12  and the motor vehicle  10 . The roof panel  12  is preferably a sunroof window, however, any movable panel assembly for use with a vehicle is within the contemplation of this invention. 
     In the vent position the rear side  22  of the roof panel  12  is extended above the roof  11  of the motor vehicle  10 . The opening  20  is substantially blocked by the mesh member  14  on rear side  22  and first and second sides  24 ,  26 . The meshed member  14  extends about all three sides  24 ,  26 ,  22  to prevent at least a portion of any rain from entering the vehicle compartment. 
     Referring to FIG. 2, a portion of the mesh member  14  is shown in a plan view. The mesh member  14  is preferably a flexible screen member stretchable between the roof panel  12  and the roof  11  of the motor vehicle  10  and includes a plurality of openings  15  much like that of a typical screen. The mesh member  14  is stretchable to accommodate various positions of the roof panel  12  relative to the roof  11  of the motor vehicle  10 . Note a worker skilled in the art would understand various material and configuration substitutions are within the scope of this invention. 
     Referring to FIG  3 , the roof panel  12  is shown in the vent position where the rearward portion  22  of the roof panel  12  extends above the roof  11  of the motor vehicle  10  to create the opening  20 . The roof panel  12  includes a seal  16  disposed on each side of the roof panel  12 . The seal  16  provides for a water and airproof seal when in contact with the roof  11 . 
     The roof panel  12  pivots about the arc shown at  28  to create the opening  20 . The mesh member  14  is attached to a guide portion  36  of the roof panel  12  on a first end and to the gutter guide assembly  18  on a second end. The gutter guide assembly  18  is as known to a worker skilled in the art and provides a means for water evacuation from the area around the roof panel  12 . Such configurations of gutter guide assemblies  18  are; as known in the art, and a worker skilled in the art would understand that many configurations are within the scope of this invention. The mesh member  14  is stretchable between the gutter guide assembly  18  and the guide portion  36 . 
     In addition, when the mesh member  14  collapses within the gutter guide assembly  18  of the roof panel  12 , it is substantially placed in a position where it does not obstruct movement of the roof panel  12  to the fully opened position. Referring to FIG. 5, the roof panel  12  shown as it tilts downward in preparation for movement rearward to a fully opened position. As the roof panel  12  moves downward into the gutter guide assembly  18 , the mesh member  14  further collapses within the gutter guide assembly  18  so as to not obstruct movement of the roof panel  12  rearward as indicated by the arrow  34  towards the fully opened position. 
     Referring to FIG. 6, the roof panel  12  is shown substantially moved toward the rear as indicated by arrow  34  to a fully opened position. The mesh member  14  is collapsed within the gutter guide arrangement  18  then moves with the roof panel  12  rearward to the fully opened position. 
     The mesh member  14  substantially prevents rain from entering the passenger compartment of the motor vehicle. The mesh member  14  is provided with a plurality of openings  15  that allows air to exit the motor vehicle in a venting arrangement while substantially preventing rain from entering the motor vehicle through the plurality of openings  15 . As appreciated, water may penetrate the openings  15 . During movement of the vehicle  10  down an incline, it is possible that the mesh member  14  may be exposed to direct rain fall, still the mesh member  14  would disrupt entry of rain into the passenger compartment. This is a minimal occurrence and the amount of moisture or rain that would be able to penetrate the mesh member  14  under such conditions is minimal and is acceptable to a passenger within the vehicle. 
     As appreciated, the mesh member  14  surrounds three sides of the roof panel  12  and is flexible to allow for various venting positions of the roof panel  12 . It is known to set the opening  20  of the vent position by an operator within the motor vehicle  10 . The mesh member  14  of this invention allows for any vent position of the roof panel  12  from the completely closed position to the fully opened and vent position. Further, the mesh member  14  collapses fully within the gutter guide assembly  18  such that it does not obstruct movement of the roof panel  12  toward the fully opened position. The fully opened position is accomplished as is shown in FIGS. 4 through 6 by lowering the rearward portion of the roof panel  12  and moving it rearward as indicated by the arrow  34  to completely uncover the opening  20 . 
     The foregoing description is exemplary and not just a material specification. The invention has been described in an illustrative manner, and should be understood that the terminology used is intended to be in the nature of words of description rather than of limitation. Many modifications and variations of the present invention are possible in light of the above teachings. The preferred embodiments of this invention have been disclosed, however, one of ordinary skill in the art would recognize that certain modifications are within the scope of this invention. It is understood that within the scope of the appended claims, the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described. For that reason the following claims should be studied to determine the true scope and content of this invention.