Flat bow convertible top with at least one center bow

Abstract

Convertible top of a convertible vehicle, comprising a convertible top cover (12) and a convertible top frame (17) adjustable between a closed position, in which a vehicle interior is spanned, and a stowed position, in which the vehicle interior is open upwards, and which, with respect to a vertical longitudinal center plane of the convertible top, has on both sides a linkage arrangement (14) comprising a main multi-link arrangement with two main links (28, 30) pivotably mounted on a respective vehicle-fixed main bearing (23) and of which at least one is driven by means of a main drive (24), wherein surface bows (15, 16, 17, 18) extend between the linkage arrangements (14), which in the closed position form in the longitudinal direction of the convertible top an at least largely continuous support surface for the convertible top cover (12) and of which a first forms a front bow, a second forms a rear window bow and a third forms a center bow,which in the closed position borders with a rear edge a bow edge of the rear window bow, wherein the linkage assemblies (14) arranged on both sides each comprise a lowering mechanism (100) for the center bow and at least one surface bow link (73, 74), so that the center bow, starting from the closed position of the convertible top frame (13), undergoes a lowering movement relative to the main bearing (23) when the lowering mechanism (100) is actuated and can then be displaced under the rear window bow by means of the surface bow link (73, 74), characterized in that the surface bow links (73, 74) are pivotably mounted on the main bearings (23), and that the lowering mechanisms (100) each comprise a drive which includes a drive wheel (25) or a drive link, to which or to which a control link (71) of the respective lowering mechanism (100) is connected. is articulated.

Description

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

[0002] A convertible top is known in practice as a so-called panel bow convertible top, in which the convertible top fabric, when closed and spanning the vehicle interior, is stretched over so-called panel bows. These panel bows form a largely continuous support surface for the convertible top fabric in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. The panel bows thus represent surface elements that extend both transversely and longitudinally across the convertible top, thereby enabling a largely wave- and edge-free appearance of the convertible top fabric when the top is closed. The panel bows are part of a convertible top frame that is adjustable between the closed position spanning the vehicle interior and a stowed position that opens the vehicle interior upwards. This frame has a rod assembly on both sides of a vertical longitudinal center plane of the convertible top.The frame assemblies, which extend essentially in the longitudinal direction of the convertible top, each comprise a main multi-link assembly with two main links pivotally mounted to a respective vehicle-mounted main bearing. The panel bows are arranged between the two frame assemblies. One of the panel bows forms a front bow, which, in the closed position of the convertible top, can be secured to a front windscreen of the vehicle. A second panel bow forms a rear window bow, which supports a rear window. A third panel bow forms a rear center bow, which, in the closed position, abuts a front edge of the rear window bow with its rearward edge.

[0003] In addition, a front center bow is provided, which is located at the rear of the front bow and at the bow of the rear center bow.

[0004] In known panel bow convertible tops of the type described above, the panel bows, when the top is stowed, are arranged in a stacking sequence from top to bottom: first the front bow, then the front center bow, then the rear center bow, and finally the rear window bow. This is not optimal in terms of packaging, as unused space remains below the rear window bow. Additionally, this also results in less than ideal fabric storage.

[0005] A convertible top of the type mentioned above is known from German patent application DE 10 2006 042 295 A1. This convertible top, designed as a panel bow convertible top, comprises a frame which, with respect to a vertical longitudinal center plane of the convertible top, has a linkage assembly on each side. This assembly includes a main multi-link arrangement with two main links pivotally mounted on a vehicle-mounted main bearing. Four panel bows are arranged between the linkage assemblies on both sides, one of which is provided with two retaining arms. One of the retaining arms is articulated to one of the respective main links. When the main multi-link arrangement is actuated, the panel bow is lowered via the retaining arms and moved under a rear panel bow.

[0006] The invention is based on the objective of creating a convertible top of the type mentioned in the introduction that is optimized with regard to the drive.

[0007] This problem is solved according to the invention by the convertible top with the features of claim 1.

[0008] In the convertible top according to the invention, the center bow, which in the closed position borders the rear window bow, is lowered by means of the lowering mechanism, starting from the closed position of the convertible top frame, without the other convertible top elements or panel bows performing any significant movement. It is conceivable, for example, that the rear window bow, due to kinematic couplings, performs a very slow downward movement compared to the movement of the center bow. In the lowered position, the center bow can then be moved below the rear window bow by actuating the panel bow linkage. In the stowed position, the center bow is therefore located below the rear window bow or rear window element. When the center bow is moved below the rear window bow, the movement of the other convertible top elements, i.e., the movement of the main links or...the surface bow driven by this, is initiated. The rear window bow is not raised relative to the main bearings when the center bow is lowered; that is, the relative movement between the center bow and the rear window bow in the convertible top according to the invention is essentially triggered solely by the lowering mechanism for the center bow. When adjusting the convertible top from the stowed position to the closed position, the lowering mechanism triggers a lifting movement of the center bow at the end of the movement sequence.

[0009] The surface bow link is connected to a drive element for moving the center bow under the rear window bow; this drive element can be a separate drive element or the main drive, by means of which one of the main links of the respective linkage arrangement can be driven.

[0010] In a convertible top according to the invention, the drives of the lowering mechanisms each comprise a drive wheel or a drive link to which a control link of the respective lowering mechanism is articulated. A drive wheel can, in particular, be formed by a drive gear driven by a drive pinion of an electric motor. When the drive wheel or the drive link is actuated, the control link acts on the lowering mechanism, allowing it to be adjusted between a raised position and a lowered position.

[0011] The convertible top according to the invention is a so-called panel bow convertible top, in which the convertible top fabric receives at least largely full-surface support in the longitudinal direction of the convertible top when the top is closed. Larger gaps between the panel bows are neither required nor formed. Thus, the convertible top fabric has a high-quality appearance and a largely wave- and edge-free look when the top is closed.

[0012] The convertible top cover is preferably not fixed to the center bow. Instead, it is preferably fixed only to the front bow, the rear window bow, and any tensioning bracket that can limit the cover's position at the rear edge when the top is closed. The convertible top cover can also be attached to an additional center bow, if required, located at the front of the first center bow.

[0013] In a preferred embodiment of the convertible top according to the invention, each lowering mechanism comprises a drive formed by the respective main drive. The drive thus triggers an actuation of the respective lowering mechanism, causing the center bow to be lowered towards the main bearings at the beginning of the movement sequence when the convertible top is adjusted from the closed position to the stowed position. To save installation space and costs, the main drives can also form the drives for the lowering mechanisms. Alternatively, the drives can each be formed by a separate drive. In this case, there is no kinematic coupling between the movements.

[0014] Furthermore, in a preferred embodiment, the lowering mechanisms of the convertible top according to the invention each comprise a multi-joint mechanism which is connected to the control link or is controlled by the control link to adjust the central bow between the raised position and the lowered position.

[0015] The multi-link mechanisms of the lowering mechanisms, for example, each comprise two actuating links that are articulated to the central bow and connected to each other via at least one coupling link. This forms a four-bar linkage that, through actuation by means of the control link, can adjust the central bow between its raised and lowered positions.

[0016] To allow the center bow to be lowered into a stowed position or moved under the rear window bow, two side bow linkages are articulated to the multi-link mechanisms on either side. One of these side bow linkages is the driven side bow linkage. Preferably, both side bow linkages are pivotally mounted at their respective main bearings. For reasons of space and cost, the drive unit for one of the side bow linkages is preferably integrated into the respective main drive unit.

[0017] In a preferred embodiment of the convertible top according to the invention, at least one further central bow designed as a panel bow is provided, which in the closed position is arranged at the bow end of the central bow and at the stern end of the front bow. In this case, the convertible top according to the invention thus comprises at least four panel bows.

[0018] Advantageously, the further center bow and the front bow are driven by means of the main links of the linkage arrangements in such a way that the convertible top cover performs a so-called Z-fold when the convertible top is laid down in the convertible top storage compartment or convertible top box.

[0019] In order to be able to adjust the rear window bow between an operating position associated with the closing position and a lowering position associated with the stowing position, the rear window bow is preferably connected on both sides to a rear window link of the respective linkage arrangement with reference to the vertical longitudinal center plane of the convertible top, which is in particular driven by the main drive.

[0020] A special embodiment of the convertible top according to the invention is a tension-frame convertible top. In this case, the convertible top comprises a rear-facing tensioning frame which, in the closed position, limits the rear of the convertible top fabric and is preferably articulated on both sides to one of the main links of the frame assembly with respect to the vertical longitudinal center plane of the convertible top. The tensioning frame can be a driven tensioning frame, which is held in its tensioned position by means of tension rods. Alternatively, the tensioning frame can also be passively pivotably mounted on the main links or on the main bearings and, in the closed position of the convertible top frame, bear against body elements of the vehicle in question from below, thus creating tension in the convertible top fabric.

[0021] Further advantages and advantageous embodiments of the subject matter of the invention can be found in the description, the drawing and the patent claims.

[0022] 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 an interior view of the convertible top Fig. 1 in the closed position; Fig. 3 one Fig. 1 corresponding side view, however in a first intermediate position when adjusting to a storage position; Fig. 4 one Fig. 2. Corresponding view of the convertible top, but in the first intermediate position; Fig. 5 a Fig. 1. Corresponding view of the convertible top, but in a second intermediate position; Fig. 6 a Fig. 2. Corresponding view of the convertible top, but in the second intermediate position; Fig. 7 a Fig. 1 corresponding view, but in a third intermediate position; Fig. 8 a Fig. 2. Corresponding view of the convertible top, but in the third intermediate position; Fig. 9 a Fig. 1 corresponding view of the convertible top, but in a fourth intermediate position; Fig. 10 one Fig. 2 corresponding view of the convertible top, but in the fourth intermediate position; Fig. 11 a Fig. 1. A corresponding view of the convertible top, but in a stowed position; and Fig. 12 one Fig. 2 corresponding view, but in the storage position.

[0023] The drawing shows a convertible top 10, designed as a folding top or panel bow convertible top, of a convertible vehicle that is otherwise not shown in detail. The convertible top 10 is located between a section in the Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 shown closed position, in which an interior space 11 of the vehicle is spanned, and adjustable to a storage position which is located in the Fig. 11 and Fig. Figure 12 shows the vehicle's interior 11 open to the sky. In the stowed position, the soft top 10 is stored in a rear storage compartment of the vehicle. The soft top 10 is a so-called soft top, which can be stored in the storage compartment, which does not have an additional lid.

[0024] The convertible top 10 includes a convertible top cover 12, which is in Fig. The convertible top 10 is shown in dashed lines and is made of a foldable, waterproof fabric. To tension the convertible top cover 12, the convertible top 10 includes a convertible top frame 13, which has a frame assembly 14 on each side with respect to a vertical longitudinal center plane of the convertible top. The frame assemblies 14 on both sides are mirror images of each other with respect to the vertical longitudinal center plane of the convertible top. Therefore, in the following description of the convertible top 10, reference is made only to the frame assembly located on the left with respect to the forward direction of travel of the vehicle. The frame assembly located on the right with respect to the forward direction of travel of the vehicle is designed accordingly and is therefore also described below.

[0025] In the drawing, handlebars and levers, which lie in different planes in the transverse direction of the convertible top, i.e., are arranged one behind the other or next to the other, are all projected into the drawing plane so that they can intersect in the drawing.

[0026] The linkage arrangements 14 serve to actuate four surface bows 15, 16, 17 and 18 and a rear tensioning bracket 19, which secures the convertible top cover 12 in the Fig. 1 and Fig. The closing position of the convertible top 10, as shown in Figure 2, is limited at the rear and ensures that the convertible top cover 12 is kept taut in the longitudinal direction of the convertible top. For this purpose, the tensioning bracket 19 rests against a body area 21 of the vehicle in question from below via a sealing arrangement 20.

[0027] The surface rafters 15, 16, 17 and 18, which are designed in the manner of rigid roof shells, form in the Fig. 1 and Fig. In the closed position of the convertible top 10 shown in Figure 2, there is a substantially continuous support surface for the convertible top cover 12. For this purpose, the panel bows 15, 16, 17, and 18 are arranged one behind the other in the longitudinal direction of the convertible top. Panel bow 15 forms a front bow, which can be attached to a front windscreen of the vehicle in question by means of a corresponding front bow fastener. Panel bow 16 forms a front center bow, the front edge of which abuts the front bow 15, whereas panel bow 17 forms a rear center bow, the front edge of which abuts a rear edge of the front center bow 16. Panel bow 18 is a rear window bow, which accommodates a rear window 22 and whose front edge abuts a rear edge of the rear center bow 17. In the Fig. 11 and Fig. In the storage position shown in Figure 12, the surface bow 15, which forms the front bow, is arranged at the top, followed by the surface bow 16, which forms the front center bow, then by the surface bow 18, which forms the rear window bow, and finally by the surface bow 17, which forms the rear center bow and is arranged at the bottom. The front surface bow, or front bow 15, can close the convertible top compartment at the top.

[0028] The convertible top cover 12 is attached to the upper side of the front bow 15, to the rear window bow 18 in an edge area surrounding the rear window 22, and to the rear tensioning bracket 19. The convertible top cover 12 is not fixed to the rear center bow 17. Rather, in the closed position of the convertible top, it rests loosely or without any fixing on the rear center bow 17.

[0029] The linkage assemblies 14 arranged on both sides each have a main bearing 23 on which a main drive 24, designed as an electric motor, is arranged. The main drive 24 drives a drive wheel 25 with external teeth 26. The drive wheel 25 is rotatably mounted on the main bearing 23 at a pivot point 27.

[0030] In addition, a first main link 28 serving as a main column and a second main link 30 are pivotably mounted on the main bearing 23 via the pivot point 27 and a pivot point 29.

[0031] The two main links 28 and 30, together with a roof link 31, which is connected to the main link 28 at a pivot point 32 and to the main link 30 at a pivot point 33, form a main four-bar linkage. Two front bow links 36 and 37 are pivotally mounted on the roof link 31 via two pivot points 34 and 35, and their ends, facing away from the roof link 31, are articulated to a support 38 of the front bow 15.

[0032] The surface bow 16, representing the front center bow, has a support 39 which is coupled to an extension 41 of the main link 28 at a pivot point 40. Furthermore, a connecting rod 91 is attached to the end of the extension 41 of the main link 28 facing away from the main bearing 23 via a pivot point 90, and this connecting rod is coupled to the front bow link 36 at a pivot point 42.

[0033] To drive the main four-bar linkage, the main link 28, which is pivotally mounted at pivot point 27 on the main bearing 23, is connected to a linkage assembly 43. The linkage assembly 43 comprises a first link 44, which is articulated to the drive wheel 25 at a pivot point 45 and connected via a pivot point 46 to a second link 47, which in this case is essentially L-shaped and is connected via a pivot point 48 to a drive section 49 of the main link 28. In the closed position of the convertible top 10, the linkage assembly 43 is in a kinked position, meaning that the two linkages 44 and 47 form an acute angle.In a driving position in which the main links 28 and 30 are pivoted, the coupling link arrangement 43 assumes an extended position, wherein the coupling link 47 is guided via a rivet 50 in a cam formed on the main bearing 23, so that the angle between the coupling links 44 and 47 is controlled and thus the rotation angle of the main link 28 relative to the drive wheel 25 is set.

[0034] Furthermore, a bow-side bearing section 52 of the tensioning bracket 19 is articulated to the main link 28 in the area of ​​the drive section 49 via a pivot point 51.

[0035] The rear window bow 18 has a support 53 on each side relative to the vertical longitudinal center plane of the convertible top. This support is assigned to the respective linkage assembly 14 and is connected to a rear window link 55 via a pivot point 54. The rear window link 55 is also articulated to the drive section 49 of the main link 28 via a pivot point 56.

[0036] The surface bow 17 forming the rear central bow has, with respect to the vertical longitudinal center plane of the cover, a support section 57 on both sides, which is connected to pivot points 58 and 59 with a multi-joint mechanism 60 of a lowering mechanism 100 for the surface bow 17.

[0037] The multi-link mechanism 60 comprises two actuating links 61 and 62, which are connected to the support section 57 of the surface bow 17 at the pivot points 58 and 59 and are connected to each other via pivot points 63 and 64 by means of a coupling link 65 and via pivot points 66 and 67 by means of a second coupling link 68.

[0038] A control link 71 is articulated to a lever section 69 of the actuating link 62 at a pivot point 70, by means of which the multi-link mechanism 60 of the lowering mechanism 100 can be actuated and which is articulated with its end facing away from the actuating link 62 via a pivot point 72 to the drive wheel 25.

[0039] To pivot the surface bow 17 in the longitudinal direction of the convertible top, i.e. starting from the closed position to a position away from the rear window bow 18, two surface bow links 73 and 74 are articulated to the two actuating links 61 and 62 of the multi-link mechanism 60 at pivot points 66 and 67, each of which is pivotably mounted at a pivot point 75 or 76 on the main bearing 23.

[0040] The surface bow link 73, which is mounted at the pivot point 75 on the main bearing 23, has an angled drive section 77, to which a drive link 79 is articulated at a pivot point 78, which is articulated at a pivot point 92 to the drive wheel 25.

[0041] Furthermore, the convertible top 10 comprises, on both sides of the vertical longitudinal center plane of the convertible top, a sealing arrangement 80 extending in the longitudinal direction of the convertible top, which, in the closed position of the convertible top 10, serves to seal the convertible top against the side windows of the respective convertible vehicle. The sealing arrangements 80 are each designed in three parts and comprise a first sealing section 81 arranged on the front bow, a second sealing section 82 arranged on the roof link 31, and a third sealing section 83 arranged on the main link 28.

[0042] The convertible top described above operates in the manner described below.

[0043] Starting from the closed position ( Fig. 1 and Fig. 2) The drive wheel 25 is driven by means of the main drive 24 with reference to the illustration in Fig. 2 is driven counterclockwise. This actuates the control link 71, so that an upward force is exerted on the lever section 69 of the multi-link mechanism 60 and the actuating link 62 pivots about the pivot point 67. This, in turn, pivots the actuating link 61 about the pivot point 66 via the connecting link 65. The surface bow 17 is thus moved into the Fig. 3 and Fig. 4. The position shown is lowered. After lowering or at the end of the lowering movement, a driving force is introduced into the surface bow link 73 via the drive link 79, so that the four-bar linkage comprising the surface bow links 73 and 74 is moved towards the rear of the vehicle and thus the surface bow 17 is moved under the rear window bow 18.

[0044] By rotating the drive wheel 25, the linkage assembly 43 is brought into an extended position. As soon as this position is reached, an adjusting torque is applied to the main link 28, which also pivots the main four-bar linkage assembly comprising the two main links 28 and 30 towards the rear of the vehicle and the convertible top in the position shown in the Fig. 11 and Fig. The top cover is stored in the compartment as shown in section 12. By pivoting the main link 28, the rear window bow 18 and the tensioning bracket 19 are also moved into their storage position. In this process, the surface bow 17 dips downwards through the tensioning bracket 19.

[0045] Adjusting the convertible top 10 from the stowed position to the closed position is done in the reverse analogous manner.

[0046] The convertible top described above offers the advantage that an optimized package can be achieved by storing the rear center bow 17 below the rear window bow 18. The tensioning bracket 19 can thus be stored in a higher position than the rear center bow 17, which is generally advantageous for the overall package, since the wheel arches of the vehicle in question typically determine the position of the tensioning bracket in the transverse direction and consequently influence the package of the convertible top in the vertical direction.

[0047] At the same time, the tensioning bracket 19 of the convertible top described above, which does not have a separate convertible top compartment lid, is the element located furthest to the rear of the vehicle. Therefore, the tensioning bracket also limits the loading dimensions of the vehicle's cargo area in the longitudinal direction. Since, in the convertible top according to the invention, the tensioning bracket can be stored in a higher position compared to known convertible tops, optimizations can also be achieved with regard to the loading dimensions of the trunk.

[0048] Furthermore, all convertible top movements, i.e., lowering and moving the rear center bow and actuating the main links, can be achieved by means of a single main drive per linkage arrangement. Reference symbol list 10 Convertible top 11 Interior 12 Convertible top cover 13 Convertible top frame 14 Linkage arrangement 15 surface bows 16 surface bows 17 surface bows 18 surface bows 19 clamping brackets 20 Sealing arrangement 21 Bodywork area 22 Rear window 23 main camps 24 Main drive 25 drive wheel 26 External teeth 27 Pivot point 28 Main handlebars 29 Pivot point 30 Main handlebars 31 roof guides 32 Pivot point 33 Pivot point 34 Pivot point 35 Pivot point 36 Front bow linkage 37 Front bow linkage 38 carriers 39 carriers 40 pivot point 41 Extension 42 Pivot point 43 Linkage arrangement 44 coupling links 45 pivot point 46 Joint point 47 coupling links 48 Pivot point 49 Drive section 50 rivets 51 Pivot point 52 Storage section 53 carriers 54 Pivot point 55 Rear window steering wheel 56 Pivot point 57 Carrier section 58 Pivot point 59 Pivot point 60 Multi-joint mechanics 61 control arms 62 control arms 63 Pivot point 64 Pivot point 65 coupling links 66 Pivot point 67 Pivot point 68 coupling links 69 Lever section 70 pivot point 71 steering wheels 72 Pivot point 73 surface bow linkage 74 surface bow linkage 75 pivot point 76 Pivot point 77 Drive section 78 Pivot point 79 Drive linkage 80 Sealing arrangement 81 Sealing section 82 Sealing section 83 Sealing section 90 pivot point 91 Connecting rod 92 Pivot point 100 lowering mechanism

Claims

[1] Convertible top of a convertible vehicle, comprising a convertible top cover (12) and a convertible top frame (17) which is adjustable between a closed position in which a vehicle interior is spanned and a stowed position in which the vehicle interior is open upwards, and which has, with respect to a vertical longitudinal center plane of the convertible top, on both sides a linkage arrangement (14) comprising a main multi-link arrangement with two main links (28, 30) which are pivotably mounted on a respective vehicle-fixed main bearing (23) and of which at least one is driven by means of a main drive (24), wherein surface bows (15, 16, 17, 18) extend between the linkage arrangements (14) which, in the closed position, form a support surface for the convertible top cover (12) that is at least largely continuous in the longitudinal direction of the convertible top and of which a first one forms a front bow,a second forms a rear window bow and a third forms a center bow, which in the closed position borders with a rear edge on a front edge of the rear window bow, wherein the linkage assemblies (14) arranged on both sides each comprise a lowering mechanism (100) for the center bow and at least one surface bow link (73, 74), so that, starting from the closed position of the convertible top frame (13), the center bow experiences a lowering movement relative to the main bearing (23) when the lowering mechanism (100) is actuated and can then be displaced under the rear window bow by means of the surface bow link (73, 74). characterized by, that the surface bow linkages (73, 74) are pivotably mounted on the main bearings (23), and that the lowering mechanisms (100) each comprise a drive which includes a drive wheel (25) or a drive linkage to which a control linkage (71) of the respective lowering mechanism (100) is articulated. [2] Cover according to claim 1, characterized by , that the drives are each formed by the respective main drive (24). [3] Convertible top according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by , that the control arms (71) each actuate a multi-link mechanism (60) of the respective lowering mechanism (100). [4] Cover according to claim 3, characterized by , that the multi-link mechanisms each comprise two actuating links (61, 62) which are articulated to the central bow and which are connected to each other via at least one coupling link (65, 68). [5] Cover according to claim 3 or 4, characterized by, that two surface bow linkages (73, 74) are articulated to each of the multi-link mechanisms (60), which are pivotably mounted on the respective main bearing and one of which is connected to a drive device, which is preferably formed by the respective main drive (24). [6] Convertible top according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized by at least one further intermediate bow forming a surface bow (16), which in the closed position is arranged on the bow side of the first intermediate bow and on the stern side of the front bow. [7] Cover according to claim 6, characterized by , that the further middle bow and the front bow are driven by means of the main links (28, 30) of the linkage arrangements (14). [8] Convertible top according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized by, that the rear window bow is connected on both sides to a rear window link (55) of the respective linkage arrangement (14) with respect to the vertical longitudinal center plane of the convertible top, which is preferably driven by the respective main drive (24). [9] Convertible top according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized by a rear-side tensioning bracket (19) which, in the closed position, limits the convertible top cover (12) at the rear and is preferably articulated on both sides to one of the main links (28) of the linkage arrangements with respect to the vertical longitudinal center plane of the convertible top.

Images