Wind deflector for a convertible and convertible equipped with it

Abstract

Wind deflector (1) for a convertible (10), with - a first bar (15) which can be attached to a body (5) of the convertible (10) and extends essentially in the transverse direction (Q) of the convertible (10), at the respective ends of which, in a stowed position of the wind deflector (1), first bar sections (20) extending essentially in the longitudinal direction (L) of the convertible (10) are formed, - a second bar (25) which can be attached to the body (5) and extends essentially in the transverse direction (Q) of the convertible (10), at the respective ends of which second bar sections (30) extending essentially in the longitudinal direction (L) are formed, - wherein the first bracket sections (20) are pivotably mounted about a pivot axis between the stowed position and an extended position, - a surface structure (120) that can be stretched between the first stirrup (15) and the second stirrup (25), which extends essentially in the transverse direction (Q), and - a covering element (130) each substantially occupying a respective surface area (F), which can be moved from the stowed position to the displayed position by means of the first bracket sections (20) and a display bracket (110), wherein the respective surface area (F) is substantially bounded by a first bracket section (20), second bracket section (30) and the surface structure (120) adjacent in the displayed position, characterized in that - the two respective edges (135, 140) of the respective covering material (130) are provided at their common corner (150) with a pull cord (145) guided on the outside of the wind deflector (1), and - that each corner (150) is provided with a tensioning cable (155) which in turn is guided along the respective second bracket section (30) and connected to the extension bracket (110).

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a wind deflector for a convertible according to claim 1 and to a convertible equipped with such a wind deflector according to claim 10.

[0002] DE 10 2011 052 026 A1 discloses a convertible with a wind deflector, which has first bars and second bars that can be attached to a body of the convertible and extend substantially in the transverse direction of the convertible. Formed at the ends of each bar are first and second bar sections that extend substantially in the longitudinal direction of the convertible and are pivotably mounted about a common axis between a stowed or rest position and a deployed or active position. A sheet-like structure that has a rectangular shape and extends substantially in the transverse direction can be clamped onto the first bar and the second bar. In the deployed position, the first bar is positioned relative to the second bar in such a way that the sheet-like structure extends across the width of the bars, but not across the width and / or length of the respective bar sections.This disadvantageously leads to an air flow in the area where people using the convertible or vehicle occupants are, which they sometimes find unpleasant.

[0003] From DE 10 2010 034 223 A1 a wind deflector for a convertible is known, with - a first bracket which can be attached to a body of the convertible and extends essentially in the transverse direction of the convertible, at the respective ends of which first bracket sections are formed which extend essentially in the longitudinal direction of the convertible, - a second bar which can be attached to the body and extends essentially in the transverse direction of the convertible, at the respective ends of which second bar sections are formed which extend essentially in the longitudinal direction when the wind deflector is in a stowed position, - wherein the first bracket sections are pivotally mounted about a pivot axis between the storage position and an extended position, - a sheet-like structure which can be stretched between the first bracket and the second bracket and which extends essentially in the transverse direction, and - a covering means essentially occupying a respective surface area, which can be moved from the storage position into the deployment position by means of the first bracket sections and a deployment bracket, wherein the respective surface area is essentially delimited by a respective first bracket section, second bracket section and the surface structure adjacent in the deployment position.

[0004] Such a design is also known from DE 100 63 770 A1.

[0005] Even with the devices known from DE 10 2010 034 223 A1 and DE 100 63 770 A1, it cannot be ruled out that an air flow may occur in the area where people or vehicle occupants use the convertible, which may sometimes be perceived as unpleasant.

[0006] It is an object of the present invention to overcome the aforementioned disadvantage.

[0007] This object is achieved by a wind deflector for a convertible with a first bracket which can be attached to a body of the convertible and extends essentially in the transverse direction of the convertible, at the respective ends of which first bracket sections are formed which extend essentially in the longitudinal direction of the convertible in a stowed position of the wind deflector, a second bracket which can be attached to the body and extends essentially in the transverse direction of the convertible, at the respective ends of which second bracket sections are formed which extend essentially in the longitudinal direction, wherein the first bracket sections are mounted pivotably about a pivot axis between the stowed position and a deployed position, and a flat structure which can be stretched between the first bracket and the second bracket and which extends essentially in the transverse direction, and in each case a covering means which essentially occupies a respective surface area,which can be moved from the stowed position to the deployed position by means of the first bar sections and a deployment bar, wherein the respective surface area is essentially delimited by a respective adjacent first bar section, a second bar section, and the surface structure in the deployed position. Thus, the air flow, in particular drafts, affecting the vehicle passengers is reduced or even completely prevented in a defined surface area by a simple yet effective cover. The surface area advantageously extends not only in the transverse direction, but also in the longitudinal direction of the convertible or the first and second bar sections.

[0008] Advantageously, automatic deployment of the respective covering means into the deployed or active position is achieved because—as provided by the invention—the two respective edges of the respective covering means are provided at their common corner with a tension strap guided along the outside of the wind deflector, and each end is provided with a tensioning cable, which in turn is guided along the respective first bracket section and connected to the deployment bracket. This also enables automatic return to the stowed or rest position.

[0009] Advantageously, the deployment bracket can be rotatably mounted on the second bracket section. This allows for a simple and effective implementation of the wind deflector according to the invention.

[0010] Automated movement of the covering means from the stowed position to the deployed position and back is achieved if the deployment bracket is movable by means of a gear mechanism driving the first bracket. Furthermore, only a single, conventional electric motor drive is required to operate the wind deflector according to this preferred embodiment, thus achieving high user comfort with minimal installation space and comparatively low costs.

[0011] The tensioning cable can be designed to be elastic to (pre-)tension the covering elements. This advantageously further simplifies the automatic adjustment of the covering elements into the deployed and stowed positions.

[0012] According to a preferred embodiment, the sheet material and at least one covering means are made of the same material. This further unifies and improves the overall visual appearance of the wind deflector according to the invention. This is even more true if at least one covering means is formed integrally with the sheet material. A particularly appealing aesthetic effect is advantageously achieved if the covering means and / or the sheet material is / are made of a textile material.

[0013] The first bracket section and / or the second bracket section can have a sealing means that interacts with the respective covering means. This effectively prevents unwanted air flow between the covering means and the respective bracket sections. Furthermore, it can advantageously be provided that the ends or edges of the respective covering means are releasably received in the first bracket sections or second bracket sections while the wind deflector is being set up. Air flow between the covering means and the bracket sections is effectively prevented by the reception of the edges or ends therein. During a return movement of the wind deflector to the stowed position, the edges or corners can be easily folded back due to their releasable attachment such that the covering means and sheet-like structures can be accommodated in a known cassette.

[0014] If the respective covering means and the surface structure are mounted on a common winding shaft, the wind deflector according to the invention can be accommodated in the interior of the convertible in a simple and compact manner.

[0015] This task is also solved by a convertible with a wind deflector of the type shown. The aforementioned advantages apply accordingly.

[0016] The features of the present invention described above can be combined with one another as far as possible, even if not explicitly described above.

[0017] The following is a brief description of figures of the present invention. Fig. 1 shows a part of a wind deflector according to the invention attached to a convertible according to the invention in the stowed position in a perspective top view obliquely from the rear left. Fig. 2 represents the wind deflector of the Fig. 1 at a time during the income movement of its issuing position. Fig. 3 shows that in Fig. 2 wind deflector shown in deployed position.

[0018] The following is based on the non-scale and symbolic Fig. 1 to 3 provide a detailed, non-prejudicial, particularly limiting, description of an embodiment of the present invention. Identical elements are provided with identical reference numerals unless otherwise stated.

[0019] In Fig. 1 shows a part of a wind deflector 1 in the stowed position, which is attached to a body 5 of a convertible 10 according to the invention. The part shown here is the left-hand section, viewed in the main direction of travel or in the vehicle's longitudinal direction L. A corresponding right-hand section (not shown) is designed in the same way as the left-hand section, but, as is known, is mirrored in the vehicle's longitudinal plane.

[0020] The wind deflector 1 comprises a first bracket 15, which extends in the vehicle transverse direction Q and has at each of its ends a first bracket section 20 extending substantially in the vehicle longitudinal direction L (of which, as previously explained, only the one located on the left in the main direction of travel or longitudinal direction L is shown). Furthermore, the wind deflector 1 comprises a second bracket 25 extending in the vehicle transverse direction Q, at the ends of which second bracket sections 30 are located, extending substantially in the vehicle longitudinal direction L. As the Fig. 1, the first bracket 15, the first bracket sections 20, the second bracket 25 and the second bracket sections 30 are packed in the stowed position essentially flush in the transverse plane of the vehicle.

[0021] The first bracket 15 and the first bracket sections 20 are each mounted rotatably about a pivot axis not shown in detail relative to the second bracket 25 by means of a gear 35 fastened to the body 5 in the vehicle's longitudinal direction L (of which only the left-hand section is shown in the direction of travel). The gear 35 itself has a support plate 40, at the end of which, remote from the second bracket section 30, a link guide 45 is arranged. Located in the link guide is a sliding block 50, which is displaceably mounted by means of a cable located in a cable guide 55 (not shown here) and driven by an electric motor 60. A drive link 65 is rotatably mounted at one end on the sliding block 50. At its remote end, a link arm 70 is articulated, which is mounted rotatably about a pivot axis 75 on the support plate 40.At its end remote from the drive link 65, the link arm 70 is essentially fork-shaped and has two separate ends 80 and 85 (as can be seen particularly well in . Fig. 3). At one end 80, a bow link 90 is mounted with one of its ends. At the other, second end of the bow link 90, which is remote from this end, the first bow section 20 is pivotally mounted. At the other end 85 of the link arm 70, one end of a deflection arm 95 is rotatably mounted. At the other end of the deflection arm 95 there is an extension link 100, in which a pivot axis 105 of a Fig. 2 and Fig. 3 clearly visible extension bracket 110.

[0022] How Fig. 2, the extension bar 110 is oriented substantially in the transverse direction Q of the convertible 10 and has extension bar sections 112 at its respective ends, which connect it to the pivot axis 105 in the longitudinal direction. The pivot axis 105 is spaced from the pivot axis (not shown) of the first bar sections 20 in the direction of a cassette 115 which receives the sheet-like structure 120 and the covering means 130 in the stowed position, is fastened to a frame 113, and contains a winding shaft 117.

[0023] The first bracket 15, the first bracket sections 20 and the deployment bracket 110 are raised during the opening of the wind deflector 1, starting from the stowed position into the deployed position using the gear mechanism 35, in that the electric motor 60, by means of the cable guided in the cable guide 55, moves the sliding block 50 in the link guide 45 (corresponding to the exemplary embodiment shown here) in the vehicle's longitudinal direction L. As a result, the aforementioned elements of the gear mechanism 35 provided for this purpose, namely the drive link 65, the link arm 70 and the bracket link 90, are driven in such a way that the first bracket 15 and the first bracket sections 20 pivot about the aforementioned axis of rotation (not shown). In an appropriate manner, the deployment bracket 110 is pivoted via the drive link 65, the link arm 70, the deflection arm 95, the deployment link 100 and the deployment bracket section 112, as indicated by the arrow shown in the figure.

[0024] The process described here results in the sheet material 120 being unwound from the cassette 115. Furthermore, the sheet material 120 is taut during the setup process by permanent contact with the deployment bracket 110. Thus, the sheet material 120, which is made of a textile, in particular net-like, material and is essentially completely contained in a cassette 115 in the storage position, is stretched between the first bracket 15 and the second bracket 25 as the deployment position is assumed. The sheet material 120 extends essentially rectangularly and has straight lateral ends or edges 125 aligned in the longitudinal direction L.

[0025] Between the respective ends or edges 125 of the first bracket sections 20 and the second bracket sections 30 there is in each case a surface area F which is covered by a respective covering means 130 during the deployment process of the wind deflector 1. For this purpose, the covering means 130 is fastened on the one hand to the adjacent section of the sheet-like structure 120, in this exemplary embodiment corresponding to the edges 125. The fastening itself can be carried out by means of a dart known per se; alternatively, it is possible to form the sheet-like structure 120 and the covering means 130 integrally with one another. On the other hand, the covering means 130 has an edge 135 facing the first bracket section 20 or an end facing this, as well as an edge 140 facing the second bracket section 30 or a further end facing this, which are folded out during the deployment process and finally, in the deployed position, against the first orsecond bracket section 20, 30.

[0026] Thus, the surface area F is covered by the covering means 130 in the Fig. 3, and any unwanted air flow into the vehicle interior is advantageously prevented. This sealing is further improved if the respective ends or edges 135, 140 abut against corresponding sealing elements (not shown) located on the first bracket sections 20 or second bracket sections 30, for example, sealing lips, or are received in corresponding guides (not shown) of the bracket sections 20 or 30. It should be noted that the guides not shown can also have or receive sealing elements (not shown), for example, sealing lips.

[0027] To further improve, on the one hand, the unfolding (in the case of a desired adoption of the deployed position) or folding back (in the case of a desired adoption of the stowed position) of the covering means 130, and on the other hand the sealing effect of the wind deflector 1 in the deployed position, an advantageously elastic tension band 145 is provided, which connects and pre-tensions the corners 150 present in the respective connecting region of the two respective edges 135 and 140. In addition, a tensioning cable 155 is fastened to each of the respective corners 150, which is guided with a first section 160 through an opening (not shown here) near the pivot axis (not shown) of the first bracket section 20, with a second section 165 adjoining this opening along the second bracket section 30 in the direction of the second bracket 25, and finally with a third section 170 up to the deployment bracket 110 and fastened thereto.The respective tensioning cable 155 is also advantageously elastically pre-tensioned so that the respective covering means 130 is guided in a defined and controlled manner at all times.

[0028] It should be noted that the above comments regarding the “left” section apply to the section Fig. 1 to 4, the right section not shown, applies accordingly.

[0029] By utilizing the previously described tension band 145 and the specific arrangement of the tensioning cables 155, the covering means 130 are continuously unfolded until they assume the deployed position or folded back until they assume the stowed position. In the stowed position, the covering means 130 are accommodated in the cassette 115 together with the sheet 120. List of reference symbols 1 wind deflector 5 Body 10 Convertible 15 first bracket 20 first bracket section 25 second bracket 30 second bracket section 35 gearboxes 40 carrier plate 45 Scenery guide 50 sliding blocks 55 Cable routing 60 electric motor 65 drive links 70 handlebar arm 75 swivel axis 80 End 85 End 90 bar handlebars 95 Deflection arm 100 extension handlebars 105 Swivel axis 110 extension brackets 112 Extension bar section 113 frames 115 cassette 117 Winding shaft 120 fabrics 125 edges 130 covering agents 135 edge 140 edge 145 drawstring 150 corners 155 tensioning rope Section 160 Section 165 Section 170 F Surface area L Vehicle longitudinal direction Q Vehicle transverse direction

Claims

[1] Wind deflector (1) for a convertible (10), with - a first bracket (15) which can be attached to a body (5) of the convertible (10) and extends substantially in the transverse direction (Q) of the convertible (10), at the respective ends of which first bracket sections (20) are formed which extend substantially in the longitudinal direction (L) of the convertible (10) in a stowed position of the wind deflector (1), - a second bracket (25) which can be attached to the body (5) and extends substantially in the transverse direction (Q) of the convertible (10), at the respective ends of which second bracket sections (30) are formed which extend substantially in the longitudinal direction (L), - wherein the first bracket sections (20) are pivotally mounted about a pivot axis between the storage position and a deployment position, - a sheet-like structure (120) which can be clamped between the first bracket (15) and the second bracket (25) and which extends substantially in the transverse direction (Q), and - a respective covering means (130) which essentially occupies a respective surface area (F) and which can be moved from the storage position into the deployed position by means of the first bracket sections (20) and a deployment bracket (110), wherein the respective surface area (F) is essentially delimited by a respective adjacent first bracket section (20), second bracket section (30) and the surface structure (120) in the deployed position, characterized by , that - the two respective edges (135, 140) of the respective covering means (130) are provided at their common corner (150) with a tension band (145) guided on the outside of the wind deflector (1), and - that each corner (150) is provided with a tensioning cable (155) which in turn is guided along the respective second bracket section (30) and is connected to the extension bracket (110). [2] Wind deflector (1) according to claim 1, characterized by that the extension bracket (110) is rotatably mounted on the second bracket section (30). [3] Wind deflector (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the extension bracket (110) is movable by means of a gear (35) driving the first bracket (20). [4] Wind deflector (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the tensioning cable (155) is elastic. [5] Wind deflector (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the sheet-like structure (120) and at least one covering means (130) consist of the same material. [6] Wind deflector according to one of the preceding claims, characterized bythat at least one covering means (130) is formed integrally with the sheet-like structure (120). [7] Wind deflector (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the respective covering means (130) and the sheet material (120) are mounted on a common winding shaft (117). [8] Wind deflector (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the first bracket section (20) and / or the second bracket section (30) has / have a sealing means which interacts with the respective covering means (130). [9] Convertible (10), characterized by a wind deflector (1) according to one of the preceding claims.

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