Convertible top of a convertible vehicle with movable convertible top elements

Abstract

Convertible top of a convertible vehicle, comprising a convertible top frame (12) adjustable between a closed position spanning a vehicle interior and a stowed position releasing the vehicle interior upwards, and comprising, with respect to a vertical longitudinal center plane of the convertible top, a linkage arrangement (14) on both sides, comprising a main multi-joint (18) pivotably mounted on a vehicle-fixed main bearing (16), as well as at least a first convertible top element (24) connected to the main multi-joint (18), and at least a second convertible top element (36) connected to the first convertible top element (24) via a linkage arrangement and adjustable relative to it, characterized in that a first driven element is assigned to the first convertible top element, which is pivotable relative to the first convertible top element between at least two adjustment positions, and a second driven element is assigned to the linkage arrangement.which is pivotably mounted relative to the steering assembly and is connected to the first driven element via a control rod (78), and that the control rod (78) undergoes a pivoting movement relative to the first driven element about a pivot axis arranged on the first driven element when the steering assembly is pivoted relative to the first convertible top element (24).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a convertible top for a convertible vehicle with the features of the preamble of claim 1.

[0002] Such a convertible top is known in practice and is designed, for example, as a two-shell RHT (Retractable Hard Top) or folding roof, which has a rigid front roof shell and a rigid rear roof shell. To adjust the two roof shells, the convertible top includes a frame that is adjustable between a closed position spanning the vehicle interior and a stowed position that opens the vehicle interior upwards. This frame, with respect to a vertical longitudinal center plane of the convertible top, comprises a linkage assembly on both sides, which has a main multi-joint pivot mounted on a body-fixed main bearing. A first linkage or convertible top element is connected to the main multi-joint and serves as a bearing element for the front roof shell. The second roof shell is mounted on a second linkage or convertible top element, which also serves as a bearing element.A second roof element is arranged, connected to the first roof element via a linkage and adjustable relative to it. In the closed position of the roof, the rear roof shell must be locked against the front roof shell and also against the vehicle body or body-adjacent vehicle components.

[0003] From publication DE 10 2005 028 458 B4, a locking system for a convertible top is known, by means of which a front locking actuator, via drive cables, actuates locking elements by means of which individual roof panels can be locked to each other and to a vehicle body. The individual locking elements are driven elements whose coupling is only guaranteed in the closed position of the top.

[0004] The invention is based on the objective of creating a convertible top of the type mentioned in the introduction, in which, on the one hand, an adjustment movement of the second convertible top element relative to the first convertible top element is possible, and in which, on the other hand, driven elements are assigned to both the first convertible top element and the second convertible top element, which can be coupled and actuated in the closed position of the convertible top linkage.

[0005] This problem is solved according to the invention by the convertible top with the features of claim 1.

[0006] According to the invention, a convertible top with at least two convertible top elements is proposed, which are connected to each other via a linkage arrangement. A first driven element is assigned to the first convertible top element, and a second driven element is assigned to the linkage arrangement. The two driven elements are coupled via a control rod articulated to the first driven element, which transmits an adjustment movement from the first driven element to the second driven element. When the two convertible top elements are adjusted relative to each other, the control rod pivots together with the linkage arrangement, both relative to the first convertible top element and relative to the first driven element assigned to the first convertible top element. The pivot axis of the control rod is located on the first driven element.This ensures that the second driven element, which is assigned to the linkage assembly or is pivotably mounted on it, experiences only a minor adjustment movement when the linkage assembly is pivoted.

[0007] In this context, the term "convertible top element" refers specifically to a support element on which a rigid roof shell of at least a double-shell retractable hardtop or folding roof, or a panel bow of a panel bow convertible top with multiple panel bows, is mounted, or also a roof frame element of a convertible top designed as a folding roof. The convertible top element is part of the convertible top frame.

[0008] In this context, driven elements are elements that can be adjusted independently of the actual adjustment movement of the convertible top frame to realize an additional function. For example, driven elements are locking elements that serve to secure the convertible top elements to each other and / or to a vehicle body or body-adjacent components of the vehicle in question.

[0009] The control rod provides a clear kinematic coupling between the two driven elements.

[0010] To ensure that the second driven element performs no or only a minimal adjustment movement relative to the first convertible top element when the second convertible top element is pivoted or adjusted, a specific embodiment of the convertible top according to the invention is designed such that the pivot axis of the control rod on the driven element, in one of the adjustment positions of the first driven element, at least approximately coincides with a pivot axis of the linkage assembly on the first convertible top element. This prevents the second driven element from being adjusted by actuating the linkage assembly when the first driven element assumes its corresponding adjustment position.

[0011] In an advantageous embodiment of the convertible top according to the invention, the first driven element is connected to a drive rod which is driven by an actuator. The actuator, which is expediently arranged in a fixed position relative to the first convertible top element, can drive the drive rod directly or via a deflection gear.

[0012] In the convertible top according to the invention, an actuator that is already present for actuating other components can also be used to actuate the two driven elements. It is particularly advantageous if, in addition to the two driven elements, the actuator also actuates a front fastener by means of which the convertible top can be secured to a front cowl of the convertible vehicle in question. The actuator can therefore be used to actuate several components of the convertible top.

[0013] In a specific embodiment of the convertible top according to the invention, the first driven element and the second driven element each form a locking element, so that in the closed position of the convertible top frame, the second convertible top element is secured to the first convertible top element by means of the first driven element and is secured to the main bearing or main multi-joint by means of the second driven element. The driven elements are thus part of a locking system by means of which the convertible top can be secured in its closed position. The actuator, which thereby actuates the two locking elements and in particular can also actuate the front closure, serves as the drive unit for the entire locking system.The locking system can be operated independently of the adjustment movement between the two convertible top elements and the operation of the main multi-joint, for example also when the convertible top is in its stowed position or an intermediate position.

[0014] In a configuration of the driven elements as locking elements, these preferably each comprise a locking hook or a locking pin that interacts with a counter element.

[0015] The counter element for the second driven element is, for example, arranged on the main multi-joint, so that in this way the second convertible top element is secured in the closed position of the convertible top in a way that is fixed to the main bearing or main linkage.

[0016] In order to be able to adjust the second convertible top element relative to the first convertible top element by actuating the linkage, a corresponding drive device, which is in particular designed as a hydraulic cylinder, is arranged on the first convertible top element according to a special embodiment of the convertible top according to the invention.

[0017] For the relative movement of the two convertible top elements to each other, optimal kinematics regarding adjustment speed and required adjustment forces can be defined without interference from the drive mechanism of the two driven elements. Kinematic couplings allow all movements in the convertible top frame to be unambiguously defined. This prevents misalignments in the convertible top frame that could occur with other convertible tops, for example, when adjusting the top while driving, when encountering potholes, during misuse, or similar situations.

[0018] The convertible top according to the invention can in principle be any convertible top, but in particular represents a RHT or folding roof, in which the first convertible top element carries a first rigid roof shell and the second convertible top element carries a second rigid roof shell.

[0019] Further advantages and advantageous embodiments of the subject matter of the invention can be found in the description, the drawing and the patent claims.

[0020] An exemplary embodiment of a convertible top according to the invention is shown schematically simplified in the drawing and is explained in more detail in the following description. It shows: Fig. 1 a schematic side view of a convertible top according to the invention in its closed position; Fig. 2 a perspective under-view of a linkage arrangement of a convertible top linkage together with a locking device; Fig. 3 a side view of the linkage arrangement, but without a depiction of a roof shell actuator, in the closed position of the convertible top; Fig. 4 one Fig. 3 corresponding view of the linkage arrangement, but in a release position of a locking device; Fig. 5 also a Fig. 3. Corresponding view of the linkage arrangement, but in an intermediate position when adjusting a rear roof shell relative to a front roof shell; and Fig. 6 also a Fig. 3 corresponding view of the linkage arrangement, but in an end position of the rear roof shell after its adjustment relative to the front roof shell.

[0021] The drawing shows a convertible top 10 designed as a folding roof or RHT (Retractable Hard Top), which is an adjustable roof of a passenger car designed as a convertible and is located between a roof spanning the vehicle interior, in Fig. 1 shown closed position and adjustable to a storage position that releases the vehicle interior upwards, in which it is received by a rear convertible top storage box of the vehicle in question.

[0022] The convertible top 10 comprises a convertible top frame 12, which, with respect to a vertical longitudinal center plane of the convertible top, includes on both sides a frame arrangement 14 which is pivotably mounted on a vehicle-fixed main bearing 16.

[0023] The linkage assemblies 14 arranged on both sides are mirror images of each other. For the sake of clarity, only the linkage assembly 14 located on the left, relative to the forward direction of travel of the vehicle, is shown in the drawing. The linkage assembly located on the right, relative to the forward direction of travel of the vehicle, is designed accordingly and thus follows naturally from the subsequent description.

[0024] The linkage arrangements 14 each comprise a main multi-joint 18, which in this case is designed as a main seven-joint and comprises two main links 20 and 22, which are pivotably mounted on the main bearing 16.

[0025] The two main links 20 and 22 are articulated at their ends furthest from the main bearing 16 to a convertible top element 24 extending in the longitudinal direction of the convertible top. This element acts as a roof link and serves as a support element for a front roof shell 26, which forms a front, rigid roof segment of the folding roof. Two links 28 and 30 are articulated to the rear of the convertible top element 24. These links form a linkage or intermediate linkage between the front convertible top element 24 and the rear convertible top element 36 and are connected via pivot points 32 and 34 to a second, rear convertible top element 36, which forms a support element for a second, rear roof shell 38. The rear roof shell 38 forms a rear rigid roof segment of the folding roof. The rear convertible top element 36, and thus the rear roof shell 38, can be adjusted relative to the front convertible top element 24.The front roof shell 26 is supported in a pivot point 40 formed on the front roof element 24 by a hydraulic cylinder 42, the end of which is articulated via a pivot point 43 to a deflection gear for the link 30 of the link assembly, via which the rear roof element 36 is connected to the front roof element 24.

[0026] To remove the convertible top 10 in the Fig. To secure the closed position shown in 1 to 3, the soft top 10 has a locking device 44 which secures the soft top 10 on the one hand to a front windshield 46 of the vehicle concerned and on the other hand locks the rear soft top element 36 to the front soft top element 24 and to the main multi-joint 18.

[0027] The locking device 44 comprises an actuator 48 designed as an electric motor, which is attached to the underside of the front roof shell 26 via a carrier plate 50 and drives two actuating rods 54 extending in the transverse direction of the vehicle via an actuating disc 52. Each of these rods serves to actuate a locking hook, which is pivotably mounted on a respective locking hook carrier 56 and forms a front lock by means of which the front roof shell 26 can be secured to the front cowl 46 of the vehicle body. In the area of ​​the locking hook carriers 56, the two actuating rods 54 are each coupled via a deflecting disc 58 to a further actuating rod 60 extending in the transverse direction of the vehicle. This second rod leads to a deflecting disc 62, which is rotatably mounted on the respective front convertible top element 24. Together with the two actuating rods 54 and 60 and the deflecting disc 58, the deflecting disc 62 forms a reversing mechanism.A drive rod 66 is articulated to the deflecting disc 62 at a pivot point 64. The drive rod runs parallel to the front convertible top element 24 in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle and, at its end opposite the pivot point 64, is articulated via a pivot point 68 to a locking element 70. The locking element 70 is pivotally articulated to the front convertible top element 24 via a pivot point 72 and carries a locking pin 74, which may optionally be designed as a roller.

[0028] The locking element 70 interacts via the locking pin 74 with a locking hook 76 rigidly arranged on the rear roof shell 38.

[0029] At pivot point 68, a control rod 78 is articulated to the locking element 70, the end of which is articulated at a pivot point 80 to a locking hook 82, which is pivotably mounted on the link 30 via a pivot point 84 and in the closed position of the convertible top interacts with a locking bolt 86, which is formed on a locking tab 88, which is arranged on the main link 22.

[0030] The drive rod 66, the control rod 78 and the locking element 70 are riveted in the pivot point 68, with the axis of the locking pin 74 coinciding with the pivot axis of the pivot point 68.

[0031] The locking element 70 represents a first driven element, which is coupled via the control rod 78 to the locking hook 82, which represents a second driven element.

[0032] The actuator 48 allows the locking device 44 to be adjusted between a locked position and a released position. Simultaneously, the locking hooks, which are arranged on the locking hook carriers 56 and form the front closure of the convertible top 10, the locking element 70, and the locking hook 82 are actuated. When adjusting from the locked position to the released position, the locking device 44 is moved between the locked and released positions. Fig. 3 shown locking position in the in Fig.In the release position shown in Figure 4, the locking element 70 is pivoted about the pin 72 such that the pivot axis of the control rod 78 formed by the pivot point 68 at least approximately coincides with a pivot axis about which the link 30 can pivot relative to the front convertible top element 24. In this position of the locking element 70, the locking hook 82 does not move when the hydraulic cylinder 42 is actuated to adjust the rear convertible top element 34 relative to the front convertible top element 24. Rather, the locking hook 82 remains in its release position.

[0033] In the closed position of the convertible top 10, the front roof shell 26 is positioned at the bow of the rear roof shell 36. The two roof shells 26 and 38, or the two convertible top elements 24 and 36, which represent the support elements, are connected to each other by means of the links 28 and 30, which constitute the intermediate mechanism. This intermediate kinematic mechanism is driven by the hydraulic cylinder 42, which represents a separate actuator. To achieve independent movement of the two driven elements, i.e., the locking element 70 and the locking hook 82, the actuator 48, located on the front roof shell, is driven. This actuator then drives the drive rod 66 via the deflection gear described above. The drive rod 66 is coupled to the locking element 70, which interacts with the locking hook 76. The locking element 70 is pivotally mounted on the convertible top element 24, which forms a unit with the front roof shell 26.The locking element 70 is in turn connected via the control rod 78 to the second driven element, i.e., the locking hook 82, and can thus transmit the adjustment movement of the actuator 48 to the locking hook 82. Therefore, when the actuator 48, which is located on the front roof shell 26, is actuated, the locking element 70 is adjusted about the pivot pin 82 such that the pivot point 68 between the locking element 70 and the drive rod 66 and the control rod 78 is moved into the area of ​​the pivot axis of the link 30 on the convertible top element 24. The locking hook 76, or the second driven element, is mounted on the link 30 of the intermediate kinematics, whose pivot axis is used for the superposition of the pivot points. Due to the mounting of the locking hook 82 on the link of the intermediate kinematics, which is used for the superposition of the pivot points, no relative movement occurs between the driven element or the second driven element.the locking hook 82 and the handle 30, when the rear roof shell 38 is adjusted relative to the front roof shell 26. Reference symbol list 10 Convertible top 12 convertible top frames 14 Linkage arrangement 16 main camps 18 Main multi-joint 20 Main handlebars 22 Main handlebars 24 Cover element 26 front roof shell 28 handlebars 30 handlebars 32 Joint point 34 Joint point 36 Cover element 38 rear roof shell 40 joint 42 hydraulic cylinders 43 joint 44 Locking device 46 front cowl 48 Actuator 50 carrier plate 52 Adjusting disc 54 adjusting rod 56 bolt hook carriers 58 Deflection pulley 60 adjusting rod 62 Deflection pulley 64 Joint point 66 Drive rod 68 Joint point 70 bar element 72 Pivot point 74 locking bolts 76 locking hooks 78 Control rod 80 Joint point 82 locking hooks 84 Pivot point 86 locking bolts 88 latch tab

Claims

[1] Convertible top of a convertible vehicle, comprising a convertible top frame (12) adjustable between a closed position spanning a vehicle interior and a stowed position releasing the vehicle interior upwards, and comprising, with respect to a vertical longitudinal center plane of the convertible top, on both sides a frame arrangement (14) comprising a main multi-joint (18) pivotably mounted on a vehicle-fixed main bearing (16), and at least a first convertible top element (24) connected to the main multi-joint (18), and at least a second convertible top element (36) connected to the first convertible top element (24) via a linkage arrangement and adjustable relative to it, characterized by, that a first driven element is assigned to the first convertible top element, which is pivotable relative to the first convertible top element between at least two adjustment positions, and that a second driven element is assigned to the linkage assembly, which is pivotably mounted relative to the linkage assembly and is connected to the first driven element via a control rod (78), and that when the linkage assembly is pivoted relative to the first convertible top element (24), the control rod (78) undergoes a pivoting movement relative to the first driven element about a pivot axis arranged on the first driven element. [2] Cover according to claim 1, characterized by, that the pivot axis of the control rod (78) on the first driven element in one of the adjustment positions of the first driven element coincides at least approximately with a pivot axis of the linkage assembly on the first convertible top element (24), so that the second driven element does not experience any adjustment movement relative to the linkage assembly when the linkage assembly is pivoted relative to the first convertible top element (24). [3] Cover according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by , that the first driven element is connected to a drive rod (66) which is driven by an actuator (48). [4] Cover according to claim 3, characterized by , that the actuator (48) is fixedly arranged with respect to the first cover element (24). [5] Cover according to claim 3 or 4, characterized by , that the actuator (48) drives the drive rod (66) via a deflection gear. [6] Convertible top according to any one of claims 3 to 5, characterized by, that the actuator (48) operates a front closure by means of which the convertible top can be secured to a front wind deflector (46) of the convertible vehicle. [7] Convertible top according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized by , that the first driven element and the second driven element each form a locking element, so that in the closed position of the convertible top linkage (12) the second convertible top element (36) is secured to the first convertible top element (24) by means of the first driven element and is secured to the main bearing or to the main multi-joint by means of the second driven element. [8] Cover according to claim 7, characterized by , that the first driven element comprises a locking hook or locking pin (74) which interacts with a counter element of the second cover element (36), and / or the second driven element comprises a locking hook (82) or a locking pin which interacts with a counter element. [9] Cover according to claim 8, characterized by , that the counter element for the second driven element is arranged on the main multi-joint. [10] Convertible top according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized by , that a drive device (42) for adjusting the second roof element (36) relative to the first roof element (24) is arranged on the first roof element (24). [11] Convertible top according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized by , that it is a folding roof and that the first roof element (24) carries a first rigid roof shell (26) and the second roof element (36) carries a second rigid roof shell (38).

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