The sun roof is a special widely glazed system known as a skydome comprising two glass panels, one of which is fixed and the other moving plus a front panel with a deflector function.The glass extends along Y from one roof rain gutter to the other and along X to the extent that it replaces over 70% of the surface of the roof panel.When closed, the glass allows daylight to enter and allows the passengers in the car to see out. When open, it opens the roof compartment for about half its area.When the front moving panel is opening it slides outside the roof panel (spoiler position).The sun-roof specifically consists of the following:- a metal frame to which the other components are fastened;- a system of right and left mechanisms, secured to the frame, for moving the front glass panel, operated by the electric motor by means of a coiled metal cable;- two tempered glass panels, 4 mm thick with a low energy transmission (<17%) value and brightness (>17%) with the front moving section having a spoiler movement and the rear fixed section bonded to the frame;- a front panel with a deflector function (which raises when the roof is opened);- two polyester roller blinds (front and rear) that are manually operated and can assume two positions (open/closed).
View from below
Side view
Control panel
Operation
The operation of the skydome sun roof is activated using the opening/closing switch with an unstable button located in the panel near the front centre courtesy light. The operating strategy described below is achieved by operating an electric motor managed by an electronic control unit. The sun roof movements using the control button are only permitted with the panel on (key on).
Roof opening
Pressing the button (opening side) with the key on allows two opening modes for the front glass panel.Automatic openingBy pressing the button on the "opening" side normally (for >300 ms) from completely closed the front glass panel assumes the max comfort position; a second command places the panel in the max tilting position (guaranteeing minimum aerodynamic noise) and then pressing the button on the same side places the front glass panel in the maximum opening position. After the initial opening command, the glass panel may be stopped in an intermediate position by pressing the button again.Manual openingPressing the button briefly (for 60<T<300 ms) from completely closed, the front panel moves proportionally to the time T that the button is pressed and it stops in that position when the button is released; pressing the button again on the same side and always within the time span T between 60<T<300 ms, the panel will move "push by push" into the maximum opening position. This function allows the front panel to be positioned in positions intermediate to those achieved during automatic opening.
Roof closure
Similar to the opening, pressing the button (closing side) with the key on allows two operating modes, automatic and manual with the same operating modes as the opening button.Automatic closingBy pressing the button on the "opening" side normally (for >300 ms) from completely open the front glass panel assumes the max tilting position; pressing the button a second time places the panel in the max comfort position and then pressing the button on the same side afterwards places the front panel in the closed position. After the initial opening command, the glass panel may be stopped in an intermediate position by pressing the button again.Manual closingPressing the button briefly (for 60<T<300 ms) from completely open, the front panel moves proportionally to the time T that the button is pressed between 60<T<300 ms and it stops in that position when the button is released; pressing the button again on the same side and always within the time span T between 60<T<300 ms, the panel will move "push by push" into the closed position.This function allows the front panel to be positioned in positions intermediate to those achieved during automatic opening.
Sun blinds
The brightness inside the passenger compartment can be adjusted through 2 sun blinds: one for the front moving panel and one for the rear fixed panel. The sun blinds are made from polyester, each sliding and wrapped around a roller, with sliding pads that allow restraint in Y, preventing them from slipping out of the guides. They are opened manually and can only be open or closed. The sun blinds can be closed irrespective of the position of the front panel.
Roof closing safety devices (anti-crush function)
In addition to conforming with the requirement of directive 2000/4/CE, the anti-crush safety function, managed by the electronic control unit, is activated during the horizontal and vertical closing of the front panel after an obstacle (e.g. finger, hand) is encountered:- during the horizontal closure movement, it is active throughout the travel (if it had been opened by more than 4 mm). If it meets an obstacle on the front side of the glass panel, it guarantees the reversal of motion for a travel of 100 mm from the movement reversal point.- during the vertical closure movement, it is active (if previously opened by more than 4mm from the seal) after meeting an obstacle on the rear side of the panel, it ensures the direction of motion is reversed until the max tilting position is reached.In both cases, the reversal load is < 100 N, as required by Directive 2000/4/EC. The possibility of crushing from the inside of the vehicle in the side areas of the panel is avoided through the adoption of side guards that prevent access to risk areas.
Maintenance/emergency
In cases of emergency or maintenance it is possible to move the electric motor for opening/closing the front glass panel manually without a power supply by carrying out the following operations:1. Removing the access cap on the centre crossmember between the two glass panels;2. Using an emergency key to be inserted in the motor;3. Turning the key in order to be able to open or close the panel (depending on the direction of rotation).
Initialization of the system
After the battery has been disconnected, a fuse has blown or the motor has been disconnected, the sun roof system must be initialized once again following the instructions given below.- Press the sun roof moving button in the closing position and keep it pressed until the roof is completely closed then, without releasingit, wait until the motor clicks (metallic noise) (this should take around 5 seconds after closing).- Leave the button, then press it again within 5 seconds and keep it pressed for an entire sun roof opening and closing cycle; after the roof is completely closed, release the button.- the initialization cycle is over.
Safety and technical specifications
The design of the sun roof meets very stringent criteria, guaranteeing a sturdy product that it suitable for even the most demanding operating conditions:- The raising of the front panel (due to the aerodynamic effect whilst moving) towards the outside at a top speed of 180 Km/h is less than or equal to 2 mm.- The stresses on the roof panel measured/calculated whilst driving over cobbled streets does not produce vibrations or noise that adversely affect driving comfort. If the sun roof has to be closed manually using the emergency key, the force required (tightening torque) is less than or equal to 8 Nm.- Accessibility to the roof motor: this is permitted by means of an emergency cover in the centre roof crossmember.- Weatherstrips on the front and centre transverse sections.- The bonding of the rear glass section is technologically treated like a windscreen, not allowing water penetration into the passenger compartment under any circumstances.- Whilst driving the Cx is less than or equal to 0.045 at 180 Km/h in all opening conditions.
