Convertible top with headliner arrangement

Abstract

Convertible top of a convertible vehicle, comprising a convertible top frame (16) adjustable between a closed position spanning a vehicle interior (18) and a stowed position releasing the vehicle interior (18) upwards, and comprising, with respect to a vertical longitudinal center plane of the convertible top, a link arrangement (22) on each side which is pivotably mounted on a vehicle-fixed main bearing (28), and an interior headliner arrangement (32) with a flap element (36) which is connected to a first convertible top frame element via a hinge arrangement and which is adjustable between a covering position, which corresponds to the closed position of the convertible top frame (16), and a release position, which corresponds to the stowed position of the convertible top frame (16), characterized in that a connecting rod (50) is articulated to the flap element (36), which is articulated to a second convertible top frame element.which, when the convertible top linkage (16) is adjusted between the closed position and the stowed position, performs a relative movement with respect to the first convertible top linkage element.

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 an adjustable roof that can be set between a closed position spanning the vehicle interior and a stowed position that opens the interior upwards, where it is stored in a rear storage compartment of the vehicle. The convertible top comprises a frame with a linkage on each side, relative to a vertical longitudinal center plane of the top. These linkages are pivotally mounted on a main bearing fixed to the vehicle. In a folding top or retractable hard top (RHT) design, rigid roof panels are attached to the linkages. When the top is closed, these panels are arranged one behind the other in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. In a folding top design, a foldable cover is stretched using the frame.The convertible top typically includes an inner headliner assembly that, when the top is closed, forms a visible surface of the vehicle roof from inside the vehicle. This headliner assembly can consist of a tensionable headliner fabric and / or flap elements that cover at least parts of the convertible top frame when the top is closed. These flap elements are connected to a component of the convertible top frame, such as a main link, via a hinge mechanism. When the convertible top is operated, i.e.,When adjusting the convertible top frame, the flap elements move between a covered position, corresponding to the closed position of the frame and in which at least part of the frame is concealed by the flap element, and a released position, corresponding to the folded position of the frame and in which the frame is released so that it can pivot freely. It is known to pivot the flap elements by means of a cable that acts against the spring force of a return spring. When the cable is released, the respective flap element automatically folds back into its covered position. The disadvantage of such a flap element is that under certain environmental conditions, e.g., in strong winds, when adjusting the convertible top while driving, or when driving over potholes, precise control of the flap element is not possible.Furthermore, the cable routing is complex. The cable can snag on other components of the convertible top, chafe against them, or even break. Additionally, the cable can stretch over the vehicle's lifespan, which can lead to functional and quality issues. Moreover, installing the cable and its routing is complex, requiring numerous components. This, in turn, increases the overall cost of the convertible top.

[0003] The invention is based on the objective of creating a convertible top of the type mentioned in the introduction with an improved control of a flap element of an interior headliner arrangement compared to the prior art.

[0004] This problem is solved according to the invention by the convertible top with the features of claim 1.

[0005] In the convertible top according to the invention, the flap element of the headliner assembly is controlled by means of a connecting rod, which is attached on one side to the flap element and on the other side to a convertible top frame or kinematic element of the frame. The pivoting movement of the flap element is controlled by selecting the connection points between the connecting rod and the flap element on the one hand, and the relevant kinematic element on the other, according to the specific requirements, and by ensuring a suitable length for the connecting rod. The connecting rod thus guarantees precise control of the flap element, even under potentially disruptive environmental influences. Furthermore, precise adjustment of the gap dimensions is possible. These gap dimensions remain consistent even after repeated operation of the convertible top.Due to the small number of components required for controlling the flap element, cost-effective assembly is also possible. Convertible top linkage elements within the meaning of the invention are all components of the convertible top linkage, including the main bearings.

[0006] In a special embodiment of the convertible top according to the invention, in which the connecting rod can also perform a three-dimensional movement, the connecting rod is attached to the flap element and to the second convertible top frame element via ball joints. Alternative designs of 3D linkages as connecting rods are also conceivable.

[0007] To allow for precise adjustment of any gap dimensions, it can be advantageous if the flap element comprises a flap support, which is hinged to the first convertible top frame element via the joint, and a cover that is fixed to the flap support. The cover is preferably adjustable relative to the flap support and forms the actual headliner element of the flap element.

[0008] In a special embodiment of the convertible top according to the invention, the first convertible top linkage element to which the flap element is articulated is a main link that is pivotably mounted on the main bearing.

[0009] The second convertible top linkage element, which performs a relative movement to the first convertible top linkage element when the convertible top linkage is adjusted and to which the connecting rod is attached, can be a connecting link that connects two main links of the linkage assembly in question.

[0010] Alternatively, it is also conceivable that the cover element is attached to a first main link and the connecting rod to a second main link of a main multi-joint arrangement of the convertible top frame.

[0011] In a preferred embodiment of the convertible top according to the invention, the flap element is connected to a flexible inner lining of the headliner assembly. In particular, the flap element can be concealed within the flexible inner lining. The flap element allows a large, complexly shaped area of ​​the flexible inner lining to be formed, wherein the relevant area of ​​the flexible inner lining is provided with a defined guide formed by the controlled flap element when the convertible top frame is adjusted.

[0012] Further advantages and advantageous embodiments of the subject matter of the invention can be found in the description, the drawing and the patent claims.

[0013] 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 designed as an RHT according to the invention; Fig. 2 an interior view of the convertible top Fig. 1; Fig. 3 an interior view of a convertible top frame section with a flap element of an interior headliner; Fig. 4 a top view of a section of the convertible top frame with the flap element; Fig. 5 a side view of a linkage arrangement of the convertible top frame in the closed position of the convertible top; Fig. 6 a Fig. 5 corresponding view, but in an intermediate position when adjusting the convertible top; Fig. 7 also a Fig. 5 corresponding view, but in the stowed position of the convertible top; Fig. 8 a perspective top view of the handlebar arrangement in the closed position of the convertible top; and Fig. 9 a Fig. 8 corresponding top view, but in an intermediate position of the convertible top.

[0014] The drawing shows a convertible top 10 designed as a folding roof or RHT, comprising two rigid roof shells 12 and 14, which can be adjusted by means of a convertible top frame 16 between a closed position, in which a vehicle interior 18 is spanned and the roof shell 12 is fixed with its front edge to a front wind deflector 20, and a stowed position, in which the roof shells 12 and 14 together with the convertible top frame 16 are received by a rear-facing convertible top compartment of the vehicle in question, which is not shown in detail.

[0015] The convertible top frame 16, which is designed to be mirror-symmetrical with respect to a vertical longitudinal center plane of the convertible top, comprises, on each side of a vertical longitudinal center plane of the convertible top, a linkage 22, which has two main links 24 and 26 that are pivotably mounted to a respective vehicle-mounted main bearing 28 via pivot points 25 and 27. At their ends furthest from the main bearing 28, the two main links 24 and 26 are connected to a roof link 62 via pivot points 58 and 60 to form a main multi-joint linkage, to which the front rigid roof shell 12 is attached.

[0016] The roof shell 14 includes a rear window 30 and on its inside an interior headliner assembly 32, which covers the linkage assemblies 22 arranged on both sides in the closed position of the convertible top 10.

[0017] The interior headliner assembly 32 comprises an at least partially flexible interior headliner 34 and, in the area of ​​the two side linkage assemblies 22, a flap element 36 with a flat cover element 38, which is attached to a flap support 40 by screws 42. The cover element 38 is spanned by the interior headliner 34 and thus defines the shape or course of the interior headliner or its fabric in the area of ​​the respective side linkage assemblies 22.

[0018] The drawing shows only the flap element 36, which is articulated to the linkage assembly 32 located on the left side relative to the forward direction of travel of the vehicle in question. The flap element located on the right side relative to the forward direction of travel is designed accordingly, in a mirror-symmetrical manner.

[0019] The flap carrier 40, which is in the Fig. 6 to 9, which is shown without aperture element 38, has a bearing section 44 which is pivotably mounted on the main link 26 of the main multi-joint via a hinge-like joint 46.

[0020] In order to pivot the flap element 36 and thus release the relevant link assembly 22 in this area, a connecting rod 50, forming a coupling element, is articulated to the flap support 40 via a ball joint 48. The end of the connecting rod 50, facing away from the flap support 40, is connected via a further ball joint 52 to a connecting link 54, which connects the two main links 24 and 26. For this purpose, the connecting link 54 is connected to the main link 26 via a pivot point 56 and to the main link 24 via a pivot point 58. The main link 26 represents a first convertible top link element to which the flap element 36 is attached, whereas the connecting link 54 represents a second convertible top link element to which the connecting rod 50 is articulated. When the convertible top link 16 is adjusted, the connecting link 54 performs a relative movement with respect to the main link 26.

[0021] The convertible top 10 described above operates in the manner described below.

[0022] Starting from the one in the Fig. 1, Fig. 5 and Fig. In the closed position shown in Figure 8, the rear roof shell 14 is first moved forward over the front roof shell 12. Then, the assembly of the two roof shells 12 and 14 is placed into a rear convertible top compartment of the vehicle by pivoting the main multi-link, which comprises the two main control arms 24 and 26, using a main drive (not shown) located in the area of ​​the relevant main bearing 28. The two main control arms 24 and 26 pivot towards the rear of the vehicle. Simultaneously, the cover element 38 is moved out of the compartment via the connecting rod 50. Fig. 3 and Fig. 4 shown cover position pivoted into a release position in which the inner headliner 34 is folded in the direction of the vertical longitudinal center plane of the cover.

[0023] When adjusting the convertible top from the in Fig. In the position shown in Figure 7, the flap element 36 or the flap carrier 40, which is pivotably mounted on the main link 26 via the joint 46, undergoes a pivoting movement in the opposite direction in the direction shown in Figure 7. Fig. 3 shown cover positions. Reference sign lists 10 Convertible top 12 Roof shell 14 Roof shell 16 convertible top frame 18 Vehicle interior 20 front cowl 22 Handlebar arrangement 24 Main handlebars 25 Joint point 26 Main handlebars 27 Joint point 28 main camps 30 Rear window 32 Interior headliner arrangement 34 Interior headliner 36 flap elements 38 aperture elements 40 flap carriers 42 screw 44 Storage section 46 joint 48 Ball joint 50 stabilizer link 52 Ball joint 54 coupling links 56 Joint point 58 Joint point 60 Joint point 62 roof guides

Claims

[1] Convertible top of a convertible vehicle, comprising a convertible top frame (16) adjustable between a closed position spanning a vehicle interior (18) and a stowed position releasing the vehicle interior (18) upwards, and comprising, with respect to a vertical longitudinal center plane of the convertible top, a link arrangement (22) on each side which is pivotably mounted on a vehicle-fixed main bearing (28), and an interior headliner arrangement (32) with a flap element (36) which is connected to a first convertible top frame element via a hinge arrangement and which is adjustable between a covering position, which is associated with the closed position of the convertible top frame (16), and a release position, which is associated with the stowed position of the convertible top frame (16), characterized by, that a connecting rod (50) is articulated to the flap element (36), which is articulated to a second convertible top linkage element, which performs a relative movement to the first convertible top linkage element when the convertible top linkage (16) is adjusted between the closed position and the stowed position. [2] Cover according to claim 1, characterized by , that the connecting rod (50) is connected to the flap element (36) and the second convertible top linkage element via a ball joint (48, 52) in each case. [3] Cover according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by , that the flap element (36) comprises a flap carrier (40) which is articulated to the first convertible top linkage element via the joint arrangement, and a cover (38) which is fixed to the flap carrier (40). [4] Convertible top according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized by, that the first convertible top linkage element to which the flap element (36) is articulated is a main link (26) which is pivotably mounted on the main bearing (28). [5] Convertible top according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized by , that the second convertible top linkage element to which the connecting rod (50) is articulated is a connecting link (54) that connects two main links (24, 26) of the convertible top linkage (16) together. [6] Convertible top according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized by , that the flap element (36) is connected to a flexible headliner (34) of the headliner assembly.

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