Cabriolet arrangement with convertible top compartment lid

Abstract

A convertible arrangement comprising an adjustable convertible top (12) and a convertible top compartment lid (18) which is adjustable between a closed position in which a convertible top storage compartment (16) is closed and an open position in which the convertible top storage compartment (16) is open, and which is connected on both sides with respect to a vertical longitudinal center plane of the convertible top to a link arrangement (24) which, for adjusting the convertible top compartment lid (18), is connected to a drive cylinder (40) which, with its end facing away from the link arrangement (24), is supported on a locking lever (44) which is connected via a coupling link (50) to a locking hook (54) which is adjustable between a release position and a locking position in which the convertible top compartment lid (18) is secured in its closed position, characterized in thatthat a pivot point (52) between the coupling link (50) and the locking hook (54) assumes an over-center position in the release position of the locking hook (54) and the locking hook (54) or the coupling link (50) is connected to a release lever (70) which, when the locking hook (54) is moved from the release position to the locking position, moves the pivot point (52) between the coupling link (50) and the locking hook (54) out of the over-center position.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a convertible arrangement having the features of the preamble of patent claim 1.

[0002] Such a convertible arrangement is known from practice and generally comprises a convertible top designed as an adjustable roof that can be adjusted between a closed position spanning the vehicle interior and a storage position that exposes the vehicle interior upwards. In the storage position, the convertible top is arranged in a rear-side convertible top storage compartment of the vehicle in question. In both the closed and the storage positions, the convertible top storage compartment is closed by a convertible top compartment cover. In order to move the convertible top from the closed position to the storage position or from the storage position to the closed position, the convertible top compartment cover must be moved from its closed position to an open position so that the convertible top storage compartment is opened upwards.For this purpose, the convertible top compartment lid is connected on both sides, relative to a vertical longitudinal center plane of the convertible top, to a linkage arrangement which is provided with a drive cylinder by means of which the linkage arrangement can be actuated. Furthermore, it is known that the drive cylinder, with its end facing away from the linkage arrangement, is supported on a locking lever which, via a coupling link, serves to actuate a locking hook by means of which the convertible top compartment lid can be secured in its closed position. The locking hook is adjustable between a release position and a locking position. However, there is a risk, particularly when the convertible top compartment lid is operated while the vehicle in question is in motion, that the wind forces transmitted to the locking hooks via the linkage arrangements could cause the locking hooks to move into their locking position when the convertible top compartment lid is open.This results in the convertible top compartment lid no longer being able to be closed after the convertible top has been adjusted. Instead, the locking hooks collide with the locking bars located on the underside of the convertible top compartment lid, which the locking hooks are supposed to engage.

[0003] From the publication DE 10 2007 057 545 A1, a convertible assembly is known that includes a convertible top compartment lid that can be adjusted between a closed position and an open position by means of a linkage assembly. The linkage assembly is driven by a drive cylinder, which also actuates a rotary latch via a coupling rod. A release position of the rotary latch can be secured by means of an over-center rod, which is hinged to a coupling disc, which is also actuated by the drive cylinder.

[0004] The invention is based on the object of creating a convertible arrangement designed according to the type mentioned in the introduction, in which a reliable operation of the convertible top compartment lid and a reliable securing of the convertible top compartment lid in the closed position is possible even when the vehicle in question is in operation.

[0005] This object is achieved according to the invention by the convertible arrangement having the features of patent claim 1.

[0006] According to the invention, a convertible assembly with a convertible top compartment lid is proposed, the linkage assemblies of which are each actuated by a drive cylinder that also actuates a locking hook. The locking hook is secured in its release position by an over-center position of the locking hook and the coupling link. The over-center position can be released by means of the release lever, which is actuated when there is no longer any risk of the convertible top compartment lid or a locking bar or the like arranged on the underside of the convertible top compartment lid colliding with the locking hook.In the open position of the convertible top compartment lid, in which the locking hook also assumes its release position, forces transmitted from the convertible top compartment lid via the link assembly and the drive cylinder into the locking lever and the coupling link cannot cause the locking hook to shift into the locked position, as these forces exert a moment on the locking hook that acts in the direction of the open position due to the over-center position. This ensures that the convertible top and the convertible top compartment lid can be operated even while the vehicle is in motion without the risk of so-called "air hooking."

[0007] In a preferred, cost-effective embodiment of the convertible assembly according to the invention, an actuating element for the release lever is arranged on the convertible top compartment lid. This is formed, for example, by a locking bar arranged on the underside of the convertible top compartment lid. This means that the release lever is actuated when the convertible top compartment lid is moved into its closed position. The convertible top compartment lid thus takes over the actuation of the release lever. An additional drive component for actuating the release lever is therefore not required.

[0008] In order to clearly define the release position of the locking hook, a stop is provided in an expedient embodiment of the convertible arrangement according to the invention, which defines the over-center position of the articulation point between the coupling link and the locking hook.

[0009] The kinematics of the locking hook drive can be designed so that the release lever has a pivot axis that coincides with the pivot axis of the locking hook. Since the release lever should also be connected to the pivot point between the coupling link and the locking hook to eliminate the over-center position, actuating the release lever then adjusts the locking hook by the same angle.

[0010] In order to keep the number of components of the convertible arrangement according to the invention low, in a special embodiment the unlocking lever can be formed integrally with the locking hook.

[0011] To secure the release position of the locking hook, an advantageous embodiment of the convertible arrangement according to the invention has a tension spring which pretensions the locking hook in the direction of its release position.

[0012] The convertible arrangement according to the invention expediently has a common body-mounted bearing plate on which the link arrangement, by means of which the convertible top compartment lid can be driven, the locking lever, which is connected to the drive cylinder, and the locking hook are mounted.

[0013] The linkage arrangement, which can be driven by means of the drive cylinder for adjusting the convertible top compartment lid, is, for example, a toggle lever arrangement which has two adjusting links, one of which has a body-fixed bearing point, which is, for example, attached to the common body-fixed bearing plate, and the other of which is pivotally mounted on the convertible top compartment lid.

[0014] Further advantages and advantageous embodiments of the subject matter of the invention can be found in the description, the drawings and the patent claims.

[0015] An exemplary embodiment of a convertible arrangement according to the invention is shown schematically in the drawing and is explained in more detail in the following description. It shows: Fig. 1 a schematic side view of a convertible vehicle with an adjustable soft top and a soft top compartment lid; Fig. 2 a side view of the convertible top compartment lid with drive in its open position; Fig. 3 an enlarged view of area III in Fig. 2, showing a locking hook in its release position; Fig. 4 a Fig. 3 corresponding view, but with the locking hook in a locked position.

[0016] In Fig. 1 shows a convertible vehicle 10 which is provided with a convertible top 12 designed as an adjustable roof, which is arranged between a vehicle interior 14 spanning Fig. 1 and a storage position (not shown in detail), in which it is accommodated in a rear-side convertible top storage compartment 16 of the vehicle 10 and the vehicle interior 14 is exposed upwards. In the present case, the convertible top 12 is designed as a folding roof, but can also be designed as a retractable hard top (RHT), the outer skin of which is formed by rigid roof shells.

[0017] The convertible top storage compartment 16 is closed in the closed position and in the storage position of the convertible top 12 by means of a convertible top compartment cover 18. In order to be able to move the convertible top from the storage position into the closed position or from the closed position into the storage position, the convertible top compartment cover 18 must be moved from its closed position into an open position, which can be determined by means of Fig. 2. For this purpose, the convertible top compartment lid 18 can be pivoted relative to the vehicle body about a pivot axis 20 which is formed on a gooseneck-like bearing link 22 on which the convertible top compartment lid 18 is supported in the region of its rear edge.

[0018] For the drive, the convertible top compartment lid 18 is connected on both sides with respect to a vertical longitudinal center plane of the convertible top to a knuckle-lever-like link arrangement 24 which comprises two adjusting links 28 and 30 connected to one another via a hinge point 26, of which the adjusting link 28 is connected to the convertible top compartment lid 18 via a hinge point 32 and the adjusting link 30 is connected via a hinge point 34 to a body-fixed bearing plate 36 which is arranged on the relevant lateral edge of the convertible top storage space 16.

[0019] The adjusting link 30 of the link arrangement 24 is connected via a pivot point 38 to a drive cylinder 40 designed as a hydraulic cylinder, which is supported on the side facing away from the adjusting link 30 via a pivot point 42 on a locking lever 44 that is pivotally mounted on the bearing plate 36 via a pivot point 46. The locking lever 44 is connected on the side of the pivot point 46 facing away from the pivot point 42 via a further pivot point 48 to a coupling link 50, which is connected via a pivot point 52 to a locking hook 54 that is pivotally mounted on the bearing plate 36 via a pivot point 56. The locking hook 54 serves to secure the convertible top compartment lid 18 in its closed position. For this purpose, the locking hook 54 cooperates with a locking bolt 58 which is formed on a locking bracket 60 which is arranged on the underside of the convertible top compartment lid 18.The locking hook 54 is connected via a fixing point 62 to a tension spring 64, which is suspended at its end facing away from the locking hook 54 in a fixing point 66 on the bearing plate 36. Furthermore, a stop 68 is formed on the bearing plate 36, which defines a release position of the locking hook 54, in which the articulation point 52 between the coupling link 50 and the locking hook 54 assumes an over-center position.

[0020] In order to be able to cancel the over-center position of the pivot point 52, the locking hook 54 is provided with an unlocking lever 70 which has an actuating element 72 which points substantially upwards and which can cooperate with the locking bracket 60 of the convertible top compartment lid 18.

[0021] The operation of the convertible top compartment lid 18 described above is carried out in the manner described below.

[0022] Based on the Fig. 1 and Fig.4, the drive cylinder 40 is actuated, whereby an opening torque is initially applied to the locking hook 54 by pivoting the locking lever 44 via the coupling link 50, and this is also pivoted into the release position with the assistance of the tension spring 64. The unlocking lever 70 is pivoted together with the locking hook 54 (counterclockwise with respect to the orientation shown in the drawing). When a stop of the locking lever 44 is reached, the drive cylinder 40 causes the link arrangement 24 to be actuated and adjusted in the direction of its extended position, whereby the folding top compartment lid 18 is pivoted about the pivot axis 20 into its open position.The articulation point 52 between the locking hook 54 and the coupling link 50 assumes an over-center position with respect to the connecting line between the articulation points 48 and 56, with the locking hook 54 resting against the stop 68.

[0023] When the convertible top compartment lid 18 is adjusted to its closed position, the drive cylinder 40 is actuated in the opposite direction and retracted, whereby the convertible top compartment lid 18 is pivoted towards its closed position. Shortly before reaching the closed position, the locking bracket 60 of the convertible top compartment lid 18 moves onto the actuating element 72 of the unlocking lever 70, whereby the locking hook 54 is pivoted slightly and the pivot point 52 between the coupling link 50 and the locking hook 54 is moved out of its over-center position. After the convertible top compartment lid 18 has reached the closed position, the drive torque applied by the drive cylinder 40 to the locking lever 44 via the coupling link 50 can then move the locking hook 54 against the force of the tension spring 64 into its locked position and thus into engagement with the locking bolt 58 on the locking bracket 60. List of reference symbols 10 convertible vehicles 12 Hood 14 Vehicle interior 16 Convertible top storage compartment 18 Convertible top compartment lid 20 swivel axis 22 bearing links 24 Handlebar arrangement 26 articulation point 28 adjusting links 30 adjusting links 32 articulation point 34 articulation point 36 bearing plate 38 articulation point 40 drive cylinders 42 articulation point 44 locking lever 46 articulation point 48 articulation point 50 coupling links 52 articulation point 54 locking hooks 56 articulation point 58 locking bolts 60 locking brackets 62 Fixation point 64 tension spring 66 Fixation point 68 stop 70 release lever 72 Actuating element

Claims

[1] Cabriolet arrangement, comprising an adjustable convertible top (12) and a convertible top compartment lid (18) which is adjustable between a closed position in which a convertible top storage compartment (16) is closed and an open position in which the convertible top storage compartment (16) is open, and which is connected on both sides with respect to a vertical longitudinal center plane of the convertible top to a link arrangement (24) which, for adjusting the convertible top compartment lid (18), is connected to a drive cylinder (40) which, with its end facing away from the link arrangement (24), is supported on a locking lever (44) which is connected via a coupling link (50) to a locking hook (54) which is adjustable between a release position and a locking position in which the convertible top compartment lid (18) is secured in its closed position, characterized bythat a pivot point (52) between the coupling link (50) and the locking hook (54) assumes an over-dead center position in the release position of the locking hook (54) and the locking hook (54) or the coupling link (50) is connected to an unlocking lever (70) which, when the locking hook (54) is moved from the release position to the locking position, brings the pivot point (52) between the coupling link (50) and the locking hook (54) out of the over-dead center position. [2] Cabriolet arrangement according to claim 1, characterized by that an actuating element for the unlocking lever (70) is arranged on the convertible top compartment lid (18). [3] Cabriolet arrangement according to claim 2, characterized by that the actuating element is formed by a locking bracket (60) which is arranged on the underside of the convertible top compartment lid (18). [4] Cabriolet arrangement according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized bya stop (68) which defines the over-center position of the articulation point (52) between the coupling link (50) and the locking hook (54). [5] Cabriolet arrangement according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized by that the release lever (70) has a pivot axis which coincides with the pivot axis of the locking hook (54). [6] Cabriolet arrangement according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized by that the unlocking lever (70) is formed integrally with the locking hook (54). [7] Cabriolet arrangement according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized by a tension spring (65) which pretensions the locking hook (54) towards its release position. [8] Cabriolet arrangement according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized by that the handlebar arrangement (24), the locking lever (44) and the locking hook (54) are mounted on a common body-fixed bearing plate (36). [9] Cabriolet arrangement according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized bythat the linkage arrangement (24) forms a knuckle lever arrangement which has two adjusting links (28, 30), one of which has a bearing point fixed to the body and the other of which is pivotably mounted on the convertible top compartment lid (18).

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