Sunroof solutions in automotive

Matching value and features with safety and weight factors for the car

The automobile roof has been generally treated as another closure component protecting the occupants from environmental and NVH conditions. There has also been an element of safety combined with the design of passenger cells and connection of the pillars. However, over time the roof has become an integral feature component in the form of transparent sunroof/panoramic roofs. This not only enhances the lighting and openness inside the car, but also improves the driving feeling inside the car. The weight of the roof is critical in maintaining the center of gravity of the car down, and hence has direct impact on the drivability and handling of the vehicle. Hence, historically thin metal sheets have been a preferred choice, especially in mass models where the roof is also part of a passive safety system in case of a rollover or accident.