Roof module and structure for assembling the same

• US 5,825,096 A
• Filed: 12/19/1996
• Issued: 10/20/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 12/21/1995
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Yazaki Corporation
• Original Assignee: Yazaki Corporation
• Inventors: Nishijima, Masataka, Morimoto, Mitsuaki, Nishitani, Keizo
• Primary Examiner(s): Gaffin, Jeffrey A.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Ganjian, Peter
• Application Number:
  US08/769,544
• Time in Patent Office: 670 Days
• Field of Search: 307/9.1, 307/10.1, 361/627, 361/749, 361/752, 296/37.7, 296/37.8, 296/214, 296/39.1, 280/835, 280/202, 280/752, 439/34, 439/43, 180/90, 359/574, 359/96.25
• US Class Current: 307/9.1
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 11/02 for radio sets, television sets, telephones, or the like; Arrangement of controls thereof
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 11/0264 for control means
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 16/0215 Protecting, fastening and routing means therefor
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0028 Ceiling, e.g. roof rails
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0052 using screws, bolts, rivets or the like
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 65/14 the sub-units or components being passenger compartment fittings, e.g. seats, linings, trim, instrument panels

Abstract

The object of the present invention is to provide a roof module on which various electric accessories and control circuits therefore are mounted at the front portion of the ceiling of a motor vehicle at the driver'"'"'s seat side, so that the installation of functional electric accessories such as a sunroof and of the control circuits are greatly simplified. Inner equipments, electric accessories such as an antenna, control unit, and the like are assembled on an assemblage board formed into a shape which is suited to mount at the front portion of the ceiling of a motor vehicle at the driver'"'"'s side, and that connectors for making a connection with an external electric circuit are provided thereon. A pair of connectors, which simultaneously act as a fixture and engage with each other are provided on the assemblage board of the roof module, thereby the coupling of the assemblage board with the overhead mount as well as the connection of the circuits are simultaneously performed.

Claims

1. A structure for assembling a roof module for a motor vehicle comprising:

an assemblage board formed into a shape which conforms to a shape of a front portion of a ceiling of a motor vehicle at a driver'"'"'s side, said assemblage having inner equipments of said motor vehicle, electric accessories, electric circuits therefore and connectors for providing a connection with an external electric circuit, wherein said electric accessory further includes an antenna for receiving electromagnetic waves from radio stations and motor vehicle navigation systems, and wherein said roof module and an overhead mount are assembled in parallel with each other and are mounted on said ceiling of said motor vehicle;

wherein said overhead mount is attached to said assemblage board for forming a unit together with said inner equipments of said motor vehicle; and

wherein a first connector of a pair of connectors which engage with each other and also act as fixtures is provided on said assemblage board of said roof module, and a second connector of said pair of connectors is mounted on said overhead mount, whereby said assemblage board couples with said overhead mount and circuits installed in said overhead mount connect with said electric circuits mounted on said assemblage board simultaneously with said connectors engaging with each other.

2. A structure for assembling a roof module for a motor vehicle comprising:

an assemblage board formed into a shape which conforms to a shape of a front portion of a ceiling of a motor vehicle at a driver'"'"'s side, said assemblage board having inner equipments of said motor vehicle, electric accessories, electric circuits therefore and connectors for providing connection with an external electric circuit, wherein said electric accessory further includes an antenna for receiving electromagnetic waves from radio stations and motor vehicle navigation systems, wherein said antenna also receives signals from GPS satellites for said motor vehicle navigation systems, and wherein said roof module and an overhead mount are assembled in parallel with each other and mounted on said ceiling of said motor vehicle;

wherein said overhead mount is attached to said assemblage board for forming a unit together with said inner equipments of said motor vehicle; and

wherein a first connector of a pair of connectors which engage with each other and also act as fixtures is provided on said assemblage board of said roof module, and a second connector of a pair of connectors is mounted on said overhead mount, whereby said assemblage board couples with said overhead mount and circuits installed in said overhead mount connect with said electric circuits mounted on said assemblage board simultaneously with said connectors engaging with each other.

3. A structure for assembling a roof module for a motor vehicle comprising:

an assemblage board formed into a shape which conforms to a shape of a front portion of a ceiling of a motor vehicle at a driver'"'"'s side,said assemblage board having inner equipments of said motor vehicle, electric accessories, electric circuits therefore and connectors for providing a connection with an external electric circuit, wherein said electric accessory further includes a multiplex control unit, lamps, receiver section, multiplex control board and switch assembly, and wherein said roof module and an overhead mount are assembled in parallel with each other and are mounted on said ceiling of said motor vehicle;

wherein said overhead mount is attached to said assemblage board for forming a unit together with said inner equipments of said motor vehicle; and

wherein a first connector of a pair of connectors which engage with each other and also act as fixtures is provided on said assemblage board of said roof module, and a second connector of said pair of connectors is mounted on said overhead mount, whereby said assemblage board couples with said overhead mount and circuits installed in said overhead mount connect with said electric circuits mounted on said assemblage board simultaneously with said connectors engaging with each other.

4. A structure for assembling a roof module for a motor vehicle comprising:

an assemblage board formed into a shape which conforms to a shape of a front portion of a ceiling of a motor vehicle at a driver'"'"'s side, said assemblage board having inner equipments of said motor vehicle, electric accessories, electric circuits therefore and connectors for providing a connection with an external electric circuit, wherein said electric accessory further includes an antenna for receiving electromagnetic waves from radio stations and motor vehicle navigation systems, wherein said electric accessory further includes a multiplex control unit, lamps, receiver section, multiplex control board and switch assembly, and wherein said roof module and an overhead mount are assembled in parallel with each other and mounted on said ceiling of said motor vehicle;

wherein said overhead mount is attached to said assemblage board for forming a unit together with said inner equipments of said motor vehicle; and

wherein a first connector of a pair of connectors which engage with each other and also act as fixtures is provided on said assemblage board of said roof module, and a second connector of said pair of connectors is mounted on said overhead mount, whereby said assemblage board couples with said overhead mount and circuits installed in said overhead mount connect with said electric circuits mounted on said assemblage board simultaneously with said connectors engaging with each other.

5. A structure for assembling a roof module for a motor vehicle comprising:

an assemblage board formed into a shape which conforms to a shape of a front portion of a ceiling of a motor vehicle at a driver'"'"'s side, said assemblage board having inner equipments of said motor vehicle, electric accessories, electric circuits therefore and connectors for providing a connection with an external electric circuit, wherein said electric accessory further includes an antenna for receiving electromagnetic waves from radio stations and motor vehicle navigation systems, wherein said antenna also receives signals from GPS satellites for said vehicle navigation systems, wherein said electric accessory further includes a multiplex control unit, lamps, receiver section, multiplex control board and switch assembly, and wherein said roof module and an overhead mount are assembled in parallel with each other and mounted on said ceiling of said motor vehicle;

wherein said overhead mount is attached to said assemblage board for forming a unit together with said inner equipments of said motor vehicle; and

wherein a first connector of a pair of connectors which engage with each other and also act as fixtures is provided on said assemblage board of said roof module, and a second connector of said pair of connectors is mounted on said overhead mount, whereby said assemblage board couples with said overhead mount and circuits installed in said overhead mount connect with said electric circuits mounted on said assemblage board simultaneously with said connectors engaging with each other.