Convertible vehicle

Abstract

Convertible vehicle (1) with a convertible top (10), with a reservoir (20) and with a receiving space (15) for the convertible top (10), which is movable between a use position (Figure 1) and a storage position (Figure 2), in which the convertible top (10) is stored in the receiving space (15), wherein the receiving space (15) is equipped with a volume-variable insulation (18) by which the size of the receiving space (15) can be increased when the convertible top (10) is stored in its storage position in the receiving space (15), wherein the insulation (18) has a variable volume which can be reversibly increased and / or decreased by means of a medium (24), wherein when increasing and / or decreasing the variable volume the thickness of the insulation (18) is changed, wherein the variable volume of the insulation (18) is connected to the reservoir (20) for the medium (24) is related towherein the medium (24) has good thermal and / or acoustic insulating properties.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a convertible vehicle with a receiving space for at least one vehicle component, which is movable between a usage position and a storage position in which the vehicle component is stored in the receiving space.

[0002] European patent EP 0 903 415 B1 discloses a method for modifying the physical properties of a foamed structure in a vehicle, wherein the interior of the foamed structure is filled with a gaseous, liquid, or powdered medium such that, among other things, the thermal insulation properties of the foamed structure are altered. German patent application DE 10 2005 006 512 A1 discloses a cover arrangement for a convertible top compartment for accommodating an adjustable vehicle convertible top, comprising a layer of louvers formed by a number of rotatably mounted, coupled louvers, wherein the cover arrangement can be actuated by changing the length of the louvers, and wherein insulating material is provided between an upper and a lower layer of louvers.German patent application DE 10 2006 026 447 A1 discloses an impact absorber in a motor vehicle body made of a foam structure whose stiffness is variably adjustable via crash sensors. American patent application US 4 467 944 A discloses a storage device for T-top inserts of motor vehicles with surfaces provided with elastic padding. German patent application DE 10 2012 103 131 A1 discloses a motor vehicle with a vehicle battery provided with inflatable thermal insulation. Japanese patent application JP 2012-11 921 A discloses a headliner structure of a vehicle with a movable roof section and an inflator.

[0003] The object of the invention is to improve the functionality of a convertible vehicle with a receiving space for at least one vehicle component, which is movable between a usage position and a storage position in which the vehicle component is stored in the receiving space.

[0004] The problem is solved by a convertible vehicle with the features of claim 1. The vehicle component is preferably a movable vehicle roof, in particular a convertible top. The motor vehicle with the movable vehicle roof, in particular a convertible top, is also referred to as a convertible vehicle. The variable-volume insulation allows the size of the receiving space to be advantageously increased when the vehicle component is placed in its stowed position within the receiving space. Increasing and / or decreasing the variable volume primarily changes the thickness of the insulation. The connection between the insulation and the expansion tank can be established, for example, by a suitable fluid line. The medium exhibits good thermal and / or acoustic insulating properties. This offers the advantage that the insulating properties of the insulation can be improved by supplying the medium.

[0005] A preferred embodiment of the convertible vehicle is characterized in that the medium is a compressible gas or an incompressible fluid. The incompressible fluid is, for example, a liquid or a gel with good thermal and / or acoustic insulating properties. The compressible gas can be, for example, air.

[0006] Another preferred embodiment of the convertible vehicle is characterized in that the insulation comprises an open-cell foam material. This allows for the simple creation of insulation with variable volume. The insulation with variable volume is, for example, enclosed by a suitable, shape-variable shell that is impermeable to the medium.

[0007] Further advantages, features, and details of the invention will become apparent from the following description, in which various exemplary embodiments are described in detail with reference to the drawing. The drawing shows: Fig. 1 a highly simplified representation of a motor vehicle with a movable vehicle component in its operating position and Fig. 2 the movable vehicle component in its storage position.

[0008] In the Fig. 1 and Fig. Figure 2 is a highly simplified representation of a motor vehicle 1. The motor vehicle 1 includes a windshield 3 behind which a passenger compartment 4 is arranged. The passenger compartment 4 is bounded at the top by a vehicle component 5.

[0009] Vehicle component 5 is a movable vehicle roof, designed as a soft top 10. The soft top 10 comprises three soft top elements 11 to 13, which are articulated together.

[0010] In Fig. 1. The convertible top 10 is in its operating position. From its operating position, the convertible top 10 can be moved into a storage position, in which the convertible top 10, as shown in Fig. 2 sees, in a recording room 15 for the convertible top 10 is stored.

[0011] The intake chamber 15 is equipped with volume-variable insulation 18. Volume-variable, in the context of insulation 18, means in particular that the thickness of the insulation 18 can be varied. This offers the advantage that, in the case of a closed convertible top 10, i.e., when the convertible top 10 is in its in Fig. In the operating position shown in 1, a medium 24 is introduced from a reservoir 20 via a connecting line 22 into the insulation 18 in order to improve the insulation 18:

[0012] In Fig. Figure 1 shows that the expansion tank 20 is almost empty. The medium 24 in the insulation 18 leads, firstly, to an increase in the thickness of the insulation 18. Secondly, the medium 24 has particularly good thermal properties. Consequently, introducing the medium 24 into the insulation 18 further improves the insulation.

[0013] In the case of the open convertible top 10, i.e., when the convertible top 10 is in its, in Fig. In the storage position shown in Figure 2, where the medium is placed in the receiving chamber 15, insulation is generally not required. Therefore, the medium 24 can be displaced from the insulation 18 into the expansion tank 20: This offers the advantage of significantly reducing the thickness of the insulation 18.

[0014] In Fig.Figure 2 is indicated by a dashed line 28, showing how much space the covered convertible top 10 would require if the thickness of the insulation 18 is not reduced. Two arrows 31 and 32 illustrate the height difference of the lowered convertible top 10 with standard insulation and with variable-volume insulation 18.

Claims

[1] Convertible vehicle (1) with a vehicle top (10), with a reservoir (20) and with a receiving space (15) for the vehicle top (10), which is located between a working position ( Fig. 1) and a storage position ( Fig.2) is movable, in which the vehicle soft top (10) is stored in the receiving space (15), wherein the receiving space (15) is equipped with a volume-variable insulation (18) by which the size of the receiving space (15) can be increased when the vehicle soft top (10) is stored in its storage position in the receiving space (15), wherein the insulation (18) has a variable volume which can be reversibly increased and / or decreased by means of a medium (24), wherein when increasing and / or decreasing the variable volume the thickness of the insulation (18) is changed, wherein the variable volume of the insulation (18) is connected to the reservoir (20) for the medium (24), wherein the medium (24) has good thermal and / or acoustic insulating properties. [2] Convertible vehicle (1) according to claim 1, characterized by , that the medium (24) is a compressible gas or an incompressible fluid. [3] Convertible vehicle (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the insulation (18) comprises an open-pore foam material.

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