Roof System for a Vehicle

• US 20080272623A1
• Filed: 05/31/2006
• Published: 11/06/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 06/02/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Adient Luxembourg Holding S..R.L.
• Original Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Company (Johnson Controls International plc)
• Inventors: Smith, Nels R., Kalis, Matthew A., Kadzban, Mark P., Hansen, Scott A., Werth, Jennifer A.
• Granted Patent: US 8,029,052 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 296/216.01
• CPC Class Codes: B60J 7/00 Non-fixed roofs; Roofs with movable panels , e.g. rotary sunroofsB60J10/00 takes precedence; window aspects B60J1/00; fixed roofs B62D25/06; mechanisms for operating wings E05F11/00, E05F15/00
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 25/06 Fixed roofs non-fixed roofs or like shelters B60J7/00; roof liners B60R13/02; insulating elements B60R13/08

Abstract

A roof system for a vehicle includes a panel assembly having a transparent roof panel (14), a privacy panel (18), and a transparent display panel (16). An image generator (40) is configured to display an image on the display panel (16) and a control system operates the image generator (40) and actuates the privacy panel (18) between a transparent mode and an opaque mode. The system may also includes a perimeter trim member (20) having a perimeter ventilation system surrounding the panels. The transparent display panel (16) may also be provided with a user interface region having instruments, displays and touch-activated switches (52). The system may also include ambient lighting bands (60) adjacent to the perimeter of the panels.

Claims

1. A roof system for a vehicle, comprising:

a panel assembly including a transparent roof panel, a privacy panel, and a transparent display panel;

an image generator configured to display an image on the display panel; and

a control system operable to control the image generator and to actuate the privacy panel for use in at least one of a transparent mode and an opaque mode.

2. The roof system of claim 1 wherein the roof panel provides weatherproofing and structural support for a roof of the vehicle.

3. The roof system of claim 1 further comprising a gap between the roof panel and the privacy panel, and an illumination device configured to illuminate the gap to provide a backlighting effect on the display panel.

4. The roof system of claim 1 further comprising a perimeter trim member substantially surrounding the panel assembly.

5. The roof system of claim 4 wherein the perimeter trim member is formed to provide an airspace proximate the panel assembly.

6. The roof system of claim 5 wherein the perimeter trim member comprises a vent communicating with the airspace, the vent configured permit a flow of air to ventilate a cabin portion of the vehicle.

7. The roof system of claim 1 wherein the display panel further comprises a user interface.

8. The roof system of claim 7 wherein the user interface includes a plurality of touch-activated switches integrated with an opaque surface disposed on a region of the display panel.

9. The roof system of claim 8 wherein the opaque region comprises a band formed substantially around a perimeter of the display panel and the user interface further comprises a plurality of indicators configured to communicate information to an occupant of the vehicle.

10. The roof system of claim 1 further comprising a console formed on the display panel.

11. The roof system of claim 10 wherein the console is arranged to at least partially correspond to the location of a roof structural element on the vehicle.

12. The roof system of claim 10 wherein the console comprises a high intensity LED illumination source behind a translucent panel configured to provide task lighting to an occupant of the vehicle.

13. The roof system of claim 10 wherein the console provides at least one media display device behind a translucent panel.

14. The roof system of claim 10 further comprising an ambient lighting band disposed around at least a portion of the console.

15. The roof system of claim 1 further comprising at least one ambient lighting device proximate the display panel.

16. The roof system of claim 15, wherein the ambient lighting device comprises at least one ambient lighting band formed substantially adjacent a perimeter of the display panel.

17. The roof system of claim 16 wherein the ambient lighting band includes an illumination device configured to generate visible light in a plurality of colors.

18. The roof system of claim 17 wherein the control system is operable to change the color of the visible light generated by the illumination device to correspond with a color of the image generated on the display panel by the image generator.

19. A roof system for a vehicle, comprising:

at least one substantially transparent panel provided on a roof of a vehicle; and

a perimeter trim member surrounding the transparent panel, the perimeter trim member providing an airspace and a vent configured to provide a source of ventilation extending substantially adjacent to a perimeter of the transparent panel.

20. The roof system of claim 19 wherein the vent is formed by at least partially overlapping segments of the perimeter trim member, the overlapping segments defining a gap between the overlapping segments.

21. The roof system of claim 19 wherein the perimeter trim member is formed as a single piece.

22. The roof system of claim 19 further comprising at least one ambient lighting device extending at least partially around the transparent panel.

23. The roof system of claim 19 further comprising a user interface disposed on the transparent panel, the user interface including at least one touch-activated switch and an information indicator.

24. The roof system of claim 19 wherein the transparent panel is configured to receive data from an image generator and to display an image on the panel for viewing by an occupant of the vehicle.

25. A roof system for a vehicle, comprising:

at least one substantially transparent panel provided on a roof of a vehicle;

a user interface formed on the display panel and comprising a plurality of touch-activated switches and information displays; and

at least one ambient lighting band extending substantially adjacent to a perimeter of the transparent panel.

26. The roof system of claim 25 wherein the user interface is formed in a border region along at least part of a perimeter of the transparent panel.

27. The roof system of claim 25 wherein the ambient lighting band extends at least partially around a perimeter of the transparent panel.

28. The roof system of claim 25 further comprising a one-piece perimeter trim member surrounding the transparent panel.

29. The roof system of claim 28 wherein the perimeter trim member comprises a vent extending substantially around a perimeter of the panel and configured to provide a source of ventilation to a cabin of the vehicle.