Convertible top with roof skin arrangement and roof frame

Abstract

A convertible top is proposed, comprising a roof skin arrangement and a top rod assembly (18), by means of which the roof skin arrangement can be adjusted between a top position spanning a vehicle interior (14) and a storage position exposing the vehicle interior (14) upwards, and which comprises, on each side with respect to a vertical longitudinal center plane of the top, a link assembly (20) which is pivotably mounted on a respective main bearing (22) which can be displaced on a guide rail (24A, 24B) by means of a drive arrangement (34), wherein the drive arrangement (34) comprises a lever arrangement (36) which is articulated to the main bearing (22) and which is driven by at least one drive motor (38A, 38B).

Description

The invention relates to a convertible top comprising a roof skin arrangement and a top linkage, by means of which the roof shell arrangement can be adjusted between a top position spanning a vehicle interior and a storage position releasing the vehicle interior upwards.The publication DE 102 94 214 B4 discloses, for example, a convertible top which is designed as a so-called RHT (retractable hard top) or hinged roof and is part of a convertible vehicle. The convertible top forms an adjustable vehicle roof which comprises rigid roof shells as a roof skin arrangement and a top linkage. By means of the convertible top linkage, the rigid roof shells, which form a convertible top cover, can be adjusted between a convertible top position, which spans a vehicle interior and in which the roof shells are arranged one behind the other in the longitudinal direction of the roof, and a storage position, which releases the vehicle interior upward and in which the roof shells are accommodated by a convertible top storage space, which is arranged on the rear side of a vehicle interior. The convertible top linkage comprises on both sides, with respect to a vertical convertible top longitudinal center plane, a link arrangement which has a main link arrangement which comprises two main links which form a multi-joint arrangement and are pivotably arranged on a main bearing fixed to the vehicle body. In the region of the main bearing, a drive device for the main link arrangement is arranged. In the storage position, the roof shells are arranged with a substantially horizontal alignment one above the other in the convertible top storage space. For this purpose, the storage space is to be designed such that it offers sufficient space in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle.The object of the invention is to create a convertible top designed according to the type mentioned in the introduction, in which the roof skin arrangement can assume a position optimized for the relevant vehicle type in the storage position.This object is achieved according to the invention by the convertible top having the features of claim 1.According to the invention, a convertible top is thus proposed, which comprises a roof skin arrangement and a top linkage, by means of which the roof skin arrangement can be adjusted between a top position spanning a vehicle interior and a storage position releasing the vehicle interior upwards and which, with respect to a vertical longitudinal center plane of the top, comprises on both sides in each case a link arrangement which is pivotably mounted on a respective main bearing which can be displaced on a guide rail by means of a drive arrangement. The drive arrangement comprises a lever arrangement which is articulated to the main bearings and which is driven by at least one drive motor.In the convertible top according to the invention, the main bearings on which the link arrangements are pivotably mounted can thus be adjusted, in particular between a lifting position and a lowering position. In the lifting position, the convertible top position of the convertible top can be realized, in which the roof skin arrangement spans or covers the vehicle interior. In the storage position of the top, the main bearings assume in particular a lowered position which permits a deep positioning of the roof shells in the top storage space with respect to the structure of the relevant vehicle.The main bearings on which the link arrangements are mounted can be designed in particular as sliders which can be displaced on the guide rails.The roof skin arrangement of the convertible top according to the invention is preferably a roof shell arrangement, i.e. the convertible top represents a folding roof or RHT (retractable hard top). The roof shell arrangement comprises in particular two rigid roof shells which are each arranged on both sides on the link arrangement and, in the convertible top position, are arranged one behind the other in the vehicle longitudinal direction in such a way that their outer sides merge into one another substantially flush with one another. A front or front roof shell with respect to the vehicle orientation is fixed in the top position on a front cowl of the relevant vehicle body. In the storage position, the two roof shells can have an upright or vertical orientation and can be identically arched, that is to say with a curvature in the same direction, accommodated one behind the other in the convertible top storage space. Relative to the convertible top position, the roof shells are then pivoted in particular by 70° to 110°. The edges of the roof shells, which in the convertible top position point in the direction of the front of the vehicle, point upwards in the storage position.In an alternative embodiment of the convertible top according to the invention, the roof skin arrangement comprises a foldable top cover which can be tensioned by means of the top linkage for producing the top position.The link arrangements of the convertible top linkage can each form two multi-joint arrangements coupled to one another. For example, a first multi-joint arrangement is formed from a four-joint arrangement which is arranged on the main bearing and on which the rear roof shell is mounted in a multi-shell roof shell arrangement. The second multi-joint arrangement can form a seven-joint arrangement which has a carrier link on which the front roof shell is mounted.In a preferred embodiment of the convertible top according to the invention, the lever arrangement of the drive arrangement for the main bearings comprises a plurality of links which are pivotable in the transverse direction of the top. As a result, only a small amount of installation space is required in the vehicle body in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle or in the longitudinal direction of the top. An arrangement of the drive kinematics realized by the drive arrangement which is favorable for packaging is therefore possible, which arrangement, in the storage position, is situated in particular on the front side of the roof shell arrangement, the roof shells of which assume the upright arrangement.In a further specific embodiment of the convertible top according to the invention, the lever arrangement comprises two main links or adjusting links, which are each linked to one of the main bearings and which are each guided with their end facing away from the relevant main bearing on a guide track extending in the transverse direction of the top. The guidance in the guide tracks is preferably effected in each case via a slider to which the relevant main link is articulated. The guide track extends substantially horizontally in the transverse direction of the vehicle.In the raised lifting position of the main bearings, the main links are preferably aligned substantially parallel to the guide rails for the main bearings when projected in the top longitudinal direction. If the sliders of the main links are displaced on the guide tracks in the transverse direction of the top, the main bearings are lowered or raised. The main bearings are thus displaced in the vertical direction of the vehicle. In the stroke position, in which the main links are preferably aligned parallel to the guide rails and which represents an end position of the main bearings, a quasi-locking of the main bearings can be achieved by corresponding stops for the sliders of the main links. It is also conceivable for the main links to assume an over-center position and for the sliders guided in the guide tracks to bear against the stops in said over-center position, whereby the quasi-locking of the main bearings is realized.The two main links of the drive arrangement of the convertible top according to the invention are preferably each connected to a drive link arrangement which is driven by the drive motor. The drive link arrangement can be designed as a countershaft and can have, for example, at least two links. The link of the drive link arrangement remote from the drive is linked to the relevant main link.In a further specific embodiment of the convertible top according to the invention, in which the drive arrangement for the main bearings has a lever arrangement which is guided particularly precisely, each of the main links is connected to a support link which is supported at its end facing away from the respective main link on a bearing which is fixed to the vehicle. For the sake of completeness, it should be pointed out that the drive link arrangements, by means of which the main links are driven, can also be articulated to the support links. The support links thus each form part of the relevant drive link arrangement.The drive arrangement of the convertible top according to the invention is preferably designed in such a way that the two main bearings are synchronously driven on the guide rails during their adjustment. This is realized, for example, in that the two main control arms are each driven by a separate drive motor, which is designed as an electric motor, and in that the two drive motors are electronically synchronized. It is also conceivable, however, for drive gearwheels which are driven by the two drive motors and are connected to the drive link arrangement to be in mesh with one another. Furthermore, it is conceivable for the two main control arms to be driven by a common drive motor.The at least one drive motor can be mounted, for example, on a transverse connection or a connecting element between the two guide tracks extending in the transverse direction of the top. This connecting element thus forms a bearing for the at least one drive motor of the drive arrangement.Further advantages and advantageous embodiments of the subject matter of the invention can be derived from the description, the drawing and the patent claims. All combinations of at least two features disclosed in the description, the claims and / or in the figures fall within the scope of the invention; that is to say each feature mentioned in the description can be part of the claimed subject matter separately from the further features and / or concreteizations mentioned in the respective context.An exemplary embodiment of a convertible top according to the invention is shown in a schematically simplified manner in the drawing and is explained in more detail in the following description. It shows: FIG. 1 shows a schematic, sectional side view of a convertible vehicle with a convertible top according to the invention in its top position; FIG. 2 is a view corresponding to FIG. 1 of the convertible top, but in an intermediate position during the adjustment into a storage position; FIG. 3 is a view corresponding to FIG. 1 of the convertible top, but in a further intermediate position during the adjustment into the storage position; FIG. 4 is a view corresponding to FIG. 1 of the convertible top, but in a further intermediate position during the adjustment into the storage position; FIG. 5 shows a side view of the convertible top in a storage position; FIG. 6 is an inner view of the hood in its hood position; FIG. 7 is an inner view corresponding to FIG. 6 of the convertible top, but in an intermediate position during the adjustment into the storage position; FIG. 8 is an inner view of the top in the storage position, but in the unsecured state; FIG. 9 is an inner view corresponding to FIG. 8 of the convertible top, but in the secured state; FIGS. 10 aand b show side views of a convertible top linkage of the convertible top in the top position from the outside and from the inside; FIGS. 11 aand b show side views of the convertible top linkage corresponding to FIGS. 10 aand b, but in a first intermediate position during the adjustment into the storage position; FIGS. 12 aand b show side views of the convertible top linkage corresponding to FIGS. 10 aand b, but in a second intermediate position during the adjustment into the storage position; FIGS. 13 aand b show side views, corresponding in turn to FIGS. 10 aand b, of the convertible top linkage before lowering into the storage position; FIG. 14 is a perspective rear view of the convertible top linkage in the convertible top position; FIG. 15 is a top view of the convertible top linkage in the convertible top position; FIG. 16 shows a partially transparent illustration of the convertible top linkage in its convertible top position; FIG. 17 shows a representation corresponding to FIG. 16 of the convertible top linkage, but in a first intermediate position during the adjustment into the storage position; FIG. 18 is a view corresponding to FIG. 16 of the convertible top linkage, but in an unsecured storage position; FIG. 19 is also a view corresponding to FIG. 16 of the convertible top linkage, but in the secured storage position; FIG. 20 is a rear view of a lifting mechanism of the convertible top linkage in the convertible top position; FIG. 21 is a view corresponding to FIG. 20 of the lifting mechanism in a first intermediate position during lowering of the top; FIG. 22 is a view corresponding to FIG. 20 of the lifting mechanism, but in a second intermediate position during lowering of the top; and FIG. 23 is also a view corresponding to FIG. 20 of the lifting mechanism, but in the lowered storage position of the top.The drawing shows a convertible vehicle 10 equipped with an adjustable top 12 which is adjustable between a top position shown in FIG. 1, in which it spans a vehicle interior 14, and a storage position shown, for example, in FIG. 5, in which it is arranged in a top storage space 16 arranged on the rear side of the vehicle interior 14.The top 12 comprises a top linkage 18 which, with respect to a vertical longitudinal center plane of the top, comprises on both sides a link arrangement 20 which is pivotably mounted on a respective displaceable main bearing 22. The main bearings 22 are each adjustable in the vertical direction of the vehicle on a guide rail 24A or 24B fixed to the vehicle body.The top 12 is designed as a so-called RHT (retractable hard top) and comprises, in order to form a roof skin arrangement, two rigid roof shells 26 and 28 which have outer sides which, when viewed in the top position in the vehicle longitudinal direction, are arranged flush behind one another and, when viewed in the vehicle longitudinal direction, are arranged in an upright position in the top storage space 16 in such a way that the front-side roof shell 26 is arranged in front of the rear-side roof shell 28 in the vehicle front direction. The edges of the roof shells 26 and 28 which in the convertible top position point in the direction of the vehicle bow therefore point upwards. The rear roof shell 28 extends over the outer side of the front roof shell 26 from behind (cf. FIG. 5 ). In the convertible top position, the front roof shell 26 is secured to a front cowl 30 of the convertible vehicle 10, which forms an upper transverse leg of a frame of a windshield 32.In order to be able to adjust the main bearings 22 on the guide rails 24A and 24B, the top 12 has a drive arrangement 34 designed as a lifting mechanism, which comprises a lever arrangement 36, which is articulated to the two main bearings 22 and is driven by two drive motors 38A and 38B (cf. FIGS. 20 to 23 ).The lever arrangement 36 comprises a respective lever unit 40A or 40B for the two main bearings 22, which can be driven by means of the relevant drive motor 38A or 38B. The drive motors 38A and 38B are synchronously driven, so that the lever units 40A and 40B can be synchronously adjusted. For example, synchronization may be realized by meshing gears of the two lever units 40A and 40B (not shown). It is also conceivable for the two lever units 40A and 40B to be driven by a common drive motor.The two lever units 40A and 40B each comprise a plurality of links which are pivotable in the vehicle transverse direction or the top transverse direction. In particular, the lever units 40A and 40B each comprise a main link 42, which is linked at one end to the respective main bearing 22 and is pivotably connected at its other end to a slider 44, which is displaceably guided in a relevant guide track 46 arranged fixed to the vehicle body and extending in the transverse direction of the top. A drive link arrangement 50 is articulated to the main links 42 in each case at an articulation point 48 and comprises a drive lever 52 which is connected in a rotationally fixed manner to a gearwheel 54 which can be driven by a drive pinion 56 of the relevant drive motor 38A or 38B. The drive levers 52 are each connected at the end facing away from the relevant gearwheel 54 via a joint point 58 to a link 60 of the drive link arrangement 50, which link is articulated at the joint point 48 to the relevant main link 42.In a further articulation point 61, a respective support link 62 is articulated to the main links 42, which in turn is articulated to a respective bearing block 63 which is arranged fixed to the body or fixed with respect to the guide rails 24A and 24B. In the stroke position of the main bearings 22 illustrated in FIG. 20, the drive link arrangements 50 each assume an over-center position, so that the stroke position of the main bearings 22 is secured.When, starting from the lifting position shown in FIG. 20, the drive motors 38A and 38B designed as electric motors are actuated, an adjusting moment is exerted in each case on the main bearings 22 via the drive link arrangement 50 and the main links 42 so that these can be displaced on the guide rails 24A and 24B and transferred into a lowering position shown in FIG. 23.Alternatively, it is also conceivable for the drive link arrangements 50 to be articulated in each case on the relevant support link 62. Furthermore, it is also conceivable for the drive link arrangements 50 to comprise not only two, but also three or more links.The link arrangements 20 of the top linkage 18 arranged on both sides of the vertical longitudinal center plane of the top are at least largely mirror-symmetrical to one another, for which reason reference is made below substantially only to the link arrangement 20 arranged on the left with respect to the forward direction of travel of the convertible vehicle 10. The steering arm arrangement arranged on the right with respect to the forward direction of travel of the convertible vehicle 10 is designed in an analogous manner.Starting from the height-adjustable main bearings 22, the link arrangements 20 each comprise a four-bar linkage arrangement 64 which forms a first multi-bar linkage arrangement and which comprises two main links 65 and 66 which are pivotably mounted on the relevant main bearing 22. In addition, the four-bar linkage arrangement 64 comprises a coupling link 67 which is designed as a drive link and which is linked on the one hand at a hinge point 68 to the main link 66 and on the other hand is connected at a pivot point 69 to a drive pinion of a drive motor 70 designed as an electric motor and which is rigidly fastened to the main link 65, which represents a carrier link. The drive motor 70 is to be regarded as a component of the four-bar linkage arrangement. The rear roof shell 28 is fastened to the main link 65.The four-bar linkage arrangement 64 is coupled to a seven-bar linkage arrangement 72, which constitutes a second multi-bar linkage arrangement, by way of a coupling link 73, which is connected on the one hand at the hinge point 68 to the four-bar linkage arrangement 64 and on the other hand at a hinge point 74 to a base link 75 of the seven-bar linkage arrangement 72. To form the seven-bar linkage arrangement 72, the base link 75 is articulated at one end at an articulation point 76 to the main link 65 of the four-bar linkage arrangement 64 and at a second end at an articulation point 77 to a double-shell carrier link 78, which is arranged on the front side in the convertible top position of the convertible top 12 and on which the front roof shell 26 is mounted. The base link 75 is slightly angled and has at its bending point a hinge point 79, in which a coupling link 59 is hinged, which is hinged at a hinge point 80 to a further base link 81 of the seven-bar linkage arrangement 72, which is hinged at a hinge point 82 to the main link 65 of the four-bar linkage arrangement 64. The base link 81 has at its end facing away from the main link 65 a further articulation point 83, via which it is connected to an intermediate link 84 which is connected at an articulation point 85 to the carrier link 78. The two base links 75 and 81, the main link 65, the coupling link 59, the intermediate link 84 and the carrier link 78 thus form the seven-bar linkage arrangement 72 via the described articulation points 76, 77, 79, 80, 82, 83 and 85.By means of the four-bar linkage arrangement 64 and the seven-bar linkage arrangement 72, it is possible, by actuating the drive motor 70, starting from the closed position illustrated in FIG. 1, to pivot the rear roof shell 28 into the upright position and to also displace the front roof shell 26, which is mounted on the carrier links 78, into the upright position in which it is arranged directly in front of the rear roof shell 28 (cf. FIGS. 4 and 5 ).The two link arrangements 20 are furthermore each provided with a stop link 86 which is a component of a stop link arrangement 87. The stop link arrangement 87 forms a four-joint arrangement with the carrier link 78 and, in addition to the stop link 86 which is pivotably mounted on the carrier link 78 at a joint point 88, comprises a link 90 which is mounted on the carrier link 78 at a joint point 89 and is connected at its end remote from the joint point 89 via a joint point 91 to a coupler 92 which is articulated on the stop link 86 at a joint point 93. The stop link 86 has a fork-like stop surface 97 on the end face, which represents the effective surface of the stop link 86.For actuation, the link 90 of the stop link arrangement 87 is connected at a joint point 94 to a drive rod 95 which is connected at its end remote from the stop link arrangement 87 at a joint point 96 to the intermediate link 84 of the seven-bar linkage arrangement 72. The stop link 86 can be pivoted by means of the drive rod 95 from its rest position shown in FIG. 16 into the operative position shown in FIGS. 18 and 19, in which it engages over a front edge of the front roof shell 26 and the stop surface 97 abuts against a counterstop element 98, which is arranged on the underside of the rear roof shell 28 and is designed in the manner of a roller. The stop links 86 arranged on both sides, which abut the counterstop elements 98 arranged on both sides via their stop surfaces 97, define the relative position between the two roof shells 26 and 28 in the storage position of the top 12.To secure the top 12 in the top position, a closure device 100 is provided on each of the link arrangements 20 arranged on both sides, which closure device comprises a front locking hook 101, the pivot axis of which coincides with the pivot axis of the stop link 86, that is to say which locking hook is therefore likewise pivotable about the pivot axis defined by the articulation point 88 and is in engagement with a locking element 102 arranged on the front cowl 30 in its locked position illustrated in FIG. 16. For driving, the locking hook 101 is connected via a hinge point 103 to a locking rod 104, which is linked by an end facing away from the locking hook 101 via a hinge point 105 to a drive lever 106, which is driven by a front closure drive 107 designed as an electric motor. A further locking rod 108 is articulated to the drive lever 106 via the articulation point 105, which locking rod is connected via an articulation point 109 to a locking hook 110 which, in the convertible top position of the convertible top 12, is in engagement with the counterstop element 98 which forms a flying stop and is arranged on the underside of the rear roof shell 28. The two roof shells 26 and 28 are thus secured relative to one another in the convertible top position.In order to secure the two roof shells 26 and 28 to one another in the storage position, the link arrangements 20 arranged on both sides furthermore have a stop latch 111, which is mounted pivotably at a hinge point 112 on the coupler 92 of the stop link arrangement 87 and is connected via a hinge point 113 to a coupling link 114, which is linked at a hinge point 115 to the latch hook 101. By actuating the front closure drive 107, it is therefore possible to pivot the stop bolt 111 between a release position (cf. FIG. 18 ) and a locking position (cf. FIG. 19 ) via the locking rod 104, the locking hook 101 and the coupling link 114, in which position it is in engagement with the counterstop element 98 and thus holds the front roof shell 26 on the rear roof shell 28. An intermediate shell locking is thus provided, in which a support between the various elements takes place within the kinematics. The support is provided on the side of the roof shell 28 at which the movement is initiated when the drive motor 70 is actuated. The two roof shells 26 and 28 lie in the storage position in an equally arched manner behind one another. When the roof shells 26 and 28 are adjusted into the convertible top position, the stop links 86 are pivoted out of the operative position into the rest position lying below the roof shell 26. In the active position, however, the stop links 86 bring about stable support between the roof shells 26 and 28. The locking not only prevents a movement of the struck roof shell 28 against the displaceable stop links 86 but also a movement of the roof shell 28 in the opposite direction. The relative movement of the roof shells 26 and 28 with respect to one another is thus completely fixed.List of reference characters10 Convertible vehicle 12 Top 14 Vehicle interior 16 Top storage space 18 Top linkage 20 Link arrangement 22 Main bearing 24A, B Guide rail 26 Roof shell 28 Roof shell 30 Front cowl 32 Windshield 34 Drive arrangement 36 Lever arrangement 38A, B Drive motor 40A, b lever unit 42 main link 44 slider 46 guide track 48 articulation point 50 drive link arrangement 52 drive lever 54 gearwheel 56 drive pinion 58 articulation point 59 coupling link 60 link 61 articulation point 62 support link 63 bearing block 64 four-bar arrangement 65 main link 66 main link 67 coupling link 68 articulation point 69 pivot point 70 drive motor 72 seven-bar arrangement 73 coupling link 74 articulation point 75 base link 76 articulation point 77 articulation point 78 carrier link 79 articulation point 80 articulation point 81 base link 82 articulation point 83 articulation point 84 intermediate link 85 articulation point 86 stop link 87 stop link arrangement 88 articulation point 89 articulation point 90 link 91 articulation point 92 coupling 93 articulation point 94 articulation point 95 drive rod 96 articulation point 97 stop surface 98 counterstop element 100 closure device 101 locking hook 102 Locking element 103 Articulation point 104 Locking rod 105 Articulation point 106 Drive lever 107 Front closure drive 108 Closure rod 109 Articulation point 110 Closure hook 111 Stop lock 112 Articulation point 113 Articulation point 114 Coupling link 115 Articulation pointReferences included in the specificationThis list of documents cited by the applicant has been produced in an automated manner and is only included for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent application or utility model application. The DPMA does not take any adhesion for any faults or omissions.Patent Literature citedDE 102 94 214 B4

[0002]

Claims

Convertible top, comprising a roof skin arrangement and a top linkage (18), by means of which the roof skin arrangement can be adjusted between a top position spanning a vehicle interior (14) and a storage position releasing the vehicle interior (14) upward, and which, with respect to a vertical longitudinal center plane of the top, comprises on both sides in each case a link arrangement (20) which is pivotably mounted on a respective main bearing (22), which can be displaced on a guide rail (24A, 24B) by means of a drive arrangement (34), wherein the drive arrangement (34) comprises a lever arrangement (36) which is articulated to the main bearings (22) and which is driven by at least one drive motor (38A, 38B).Convertible top according to claim 1, characterised in that the lever arrangement (36) comprises a plurality of links which are pivotable in the transverse direction of the top.Convertible top according to Claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the lever arrangement (36) comprises two main links (42), which are each linked to one of the main bearings (22) and are each guided, by their end facing away from the relevant main bearing (22), on a guide track (46) extending in the transverse direction of the top.Convertible top according to Claim 3, characterized in that each of the main links (42) is connected to a drive link arrangement (52) which is driven by the drive motor (38A, 38B).Convertible top according to Claim 3 or 4, characterized in that each of the main links (42) is connected to a supporting link (62) which is supported by its end facing away from the respective main link (42) on a bearing fixed to the vehicle.Convertible top according to one of Claims 3 to 5, characterized in that the drive motor (38A, 38B) is mounted on a connecting element between the guideways (46) extending in the transverse direction of the top.Convertible top according to one of Claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the drive motor (38A, 38B) is an electric motor.

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