Cabriolet arrangement with convertible top and hold-down device

Abstract

A convertible arrangement is proposed, comprising a convertible top (12) with a convertible top linkage (16) which, with respect to a vertical longitudinal center plane of the convertible top, comprises a linkage arrangement (28) on each side and which is adjustable between a convertible top position spanning a vehicle interior and a storage position in which it is accommodated in a convertible top storage space (26), as well as a convertible top compartment cover device (14) with adjustment kinematics (24) and a cover element (22) which is adjustable between an open position and a closed position, as well as a hold-down device which holds the convertible top linkage (16) in its storage position in the closed position of the cover element (22).The hold-down device comprises a stop link (68) on each of the link arrangements (28) of the convertible top rod (16) arranged on both sides, which assumes a rest position in the convertible top position and which is pivoted out into an active position in the storage position, so that it interacts with a counter element of the convertible top compartment cover device (14) in the closed position of the cover element (22).

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 DE 102 52 987 B4 and is a component of a convertible vehicle. It comprises an adjustable top, which is adjustable by means of a top linkage between a top position spanning a vehicle interior and a storage position in which it is accommodated in a rear-side convertible top storage compartment of the vehicle. The convertible top storage compartment is provided with a convertible top compartment lid, which is adjustable by means of drive kinematics between an open position, in which the convertible top can be inserted into or removed from the convertible top storage compartment, and a closed position, in which the convertible top storage compartment is closed at its top side.A hold-down device is located on the underside of the convertible top compartment lid. When the convertible top is in the stowed position and the convertible top compartment lid is closed, this presses against a counter-element formed on a front cross-frame section of the convertible top. This holds the convertible top in its stowed position. The side of the front cross-frame section that is at the bottom in the stowed position is at the top in the stowed position, so that the hold-down device has no contact with the outer skin of the convertible top, which is formed by a foldable convertible top cover.

[0003] However, the hold-down device known from document DE 102 52 987 B4 cannot be used in practice with a convertible top whose outer skin is in the upper position when stowed, as there is a risk that the hold-down device could leave marks on the outer skin, which would be visible even after the convertible top has been adjusted to the folded position. Such marks would impair the visual appearance of the convertible top.

[0004] A convertible top is known from DE 10 2017 128 136 A1. This convertible top can be secured in a stowed position by a top compartment lid using a hold-down device acting from above on a front-link arm.

[0005] The invention is based on the object of creating a convertible arrangement designed according to the type mentioned in the introduction, which has a hold-down device which can also be used with a convertible top whose outer skin is arranged at the top in the storage position in the convertible top storage space.

[0006] This object is achieved according to the invention by the convertible arrangement having the features of patent claim 1.

[0007] According to the invention, a convertible assembly is proposed, comprising a convertible top with a convertible top linkage that includes a linkage assembly on each side relative to a vertical longitudinal center plane of the convertible top and that is adjustable between a convertible top position spanning a vehicle interior and a storage position in which it is accommodated in a convertible top storage compartment. Furthermore, the convertible top assembly according to the invention comprises a convertible top compartment lid device with drive kinematics and a lid element that is adjustable between an open position and a closed position, as well as a hold-down device that holds the convertible top linkage in its storage position when the lid element is in the closed position.The hold-down device comprises a stop link on each of the link arrangements of the convertible top rod arranged on both sides, which assumes a rest position in the convertible top position and which is pivoted out into an active position in the storage position, so that it interacts with a counter element of the convertible top compartment lid device in the closed position of the lid element.

[0008] The stop links of the convertible assembly according to the invention are pivoted in a positively controlled manner when adjusting the convertible top between the folding position and the stowed position, preferably by the two link assemblies of the convertible top linkage. In particular, pivoting occurs in the transverse direction of the convertible top, i.e., in the stowed position of the convertible top, the stop links are pivoted outward relative to the vertical longitudinal center plane of the convertible top into the active position, so that they overlap areas of the link assemblies and are accessible from above through the corresponding counter-elements of the convertible top compartment lid device. It is also conceivable for the stop links to have separate drive devices.

[0009] The hold-down device designed according to the invention provides support in the vertical direction of the vehicle or in the Z-direction, with the corresponding counter-elements of the convertible top compartment lid device resting against the stop links. When the convertible top is in the folded position, the stop links assume their rest position, preferably being accommodated in an invisibly manner by the convertible top structure. The hold-down mechanism does not leave marks on the outer skin of the convertible top, formed, for example, by a convertible top fabric.

[0010] Particularly in the case of a convertible arrangement which is designed as a so-called Z-fold and in which a front bow is in the storage position with its outer side or roof skin side at the top, the stop links are preferably each pivotably mounted on a support of the front bow or on the front bow itself.

[0011] In order to be able to adjust the stop links of the convertible assembly according to the invention between the rest position and the active position, in a preferred embodiment they are each provided with a drive link that is pivoted to a link of the respective link assembly, in particular to a front bow link. A relative movement of the respective links of the link assemblies relative to the bearing points of the stop links thus leads to a pivoting of the stop links. This eliminates the need for additional drives for the stop links. The drive links can be implemented as short coupling links.

[0012] It may be necessary for the stop links to perform a pivoting movement defined by a pivot axis that is skewed relative to the other joint axes of the link assemblies, which are typically aligned in the transverse direction of the convertible top. In this case, it is particularly advantageous if the drive links are each connected to the respective link of the link assembly via a first ball joint and to the respective stop link via a second ball joint.

[0013] In a further preferred embodiment of the convertible arrangement according to the invention, the stop links are pivoted into their operative positions in such a way that they each engage over a lateral seal of the convertible top, which is, for example, a lateral seal of a front bow, which interacts with a side window of the vehicle body in the convertible top position.

[0014] In a cost-effective embodiment of the convertible assembly according to the invention, the counter element of the convertible top compartment lid assembly is preferably a support of the lid element. An adjustment kinematics of the convertible top compartment lid device can be connected to the support of the lid element, which, for example, comprises a multi-joint arrangement driven by a hydraulic or electric drive. Another component of the convertible top compartment lid assembly that undergoes movement when the lid element is adjusted is also conceivable as the counter element.

[0015] In order to minimize noise generation during operation of the convertible assembly according to the invention when adjusting the convertible top compartment lid device to the closed position and also to minimize wear on the hold-down device, the counter element of the convertible top compartment lid device preferably has a buffer element that interacts with the stop link. The buffer element thus represents the contact element that rests against the stop link when the convertible top compartment lid device is in the closed position or when the convertible top is in the stowed position.

[0016] In a further specific embodiment of the convertible arrangement according to the invention, a surface bow of the convertible top, which can in particular be a front bow spanned by a convertible top fabric, has a lateral cutout on each side relative to the vertical longitudinal center plane of the convertible top, through which the respective stop link extends in its operative position. The lateral cutouts each represent a window, which is spanned by a convertible top fabric in the folded position of the convertible top and is therefore not visible. In the stowed position of the convertible top, the lateral cutouts are exposed so that they can be penetrated by the stop links.

[0017] The convertible assembly according to the invention comprises, for example, a convertible top designed as a panel-bow convertible top and comprising a convertible top fabric that, in the convertible top position, is supported by several panel bows arranged one behind the other in the longitudinal direction of the convertible top. The panel bows are part of the convertible top frame and, in the stowed position, form a substantially continuous support surface for the convertible top fabric, preferably between a front cowl of the vehicle body and a rear window integrated into the convertible top.

[0018] In an alternative embodiment of the convertible assembly according to the invention, the top is a folding top, which also comprises a top fabric that can be opened by means of a top frame whose crossbars are at least partially rod-like or tubular. It is also conceivable for the top of the convertible assembly according to the invention to be designed as a retractable hard top (RHT), which has rigid roof shells that, in the top position, are arranged one behind the other in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle and form the outer skin of the top.

[0019] Further advantages and advantageous embodiments of the subject matter of the invention can be found in the description, the drawings, and the patent claims. The scope of the invention includes all combinations of at least two features disclosed in the description, the claims, and / or the figures; that is, each feature can be part of the claimed subject matter independently of the further features and / or specifications mentioned in the respective context.

[0020] 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 side view of a convertible top arrangement according to the invention, comprising a convertible top and a convertible top compartment cover device in the convertible top position; Fig. 2 a side view of a front link section of the convertible top in the convertible top position; Fig. 3 a perspective top view of the front control arm section in the convertible top position; Fig. 4 a plan view of the front control arm section in the convertible top position; Fig. 5 a perspective top view of the front link section without showing a sealing arrangement in an intermediate position when opening the convertible top; Fig. 6 also a perspective top view of the front control arm section in the intermediate position, but without showing a front surface bow, but with the sealing arrangement; Fig. 7 a Fig. 5 corresponding representation of the front control arm section, but without representation of the front surface bow; Fig. 8 a perspective interior view of the front control arm section without showing the front surface bow and without showing the sealing arrangement in the intermediate position; Fig. 9 a plan view of the front link section in the storage position of the convertible top with the convertible top compartment lid device open; Fig. 10 an enlarged view of the front control arm section without showing the front surface bow and without showing the sealing arrangement; Fig. 11 a side view of the convertible top in the storage position with the convertible top compartment lid device open; Fig. 12 a perspective, partial top view of the convertible top in the storage position without showing the front surface bow and without showing a cover element of the convertible top compartment cover device in its closed position; Fig. 13 an enlarged view of the front bow section in the storage position of the convertible top without showing the sealing arrangement with the convertible top compartment lid device closed; Fig. 14 a Fig. 13 corresponding view, but without showing the front surface bow; Fig. 15 a plan view of a hold-down device of the convertible top arrangement in the storage position of the convertible top with the convertible top compartment lid device closed; and Fig. 16 a section through the hold-down device along the line AA in Fig. 15.

[0021] The drawing shows a convertible top assembly 10 of a convertible vehicle, not otherwise shown in detail, which comprises an adjustable convertible top 12 and a convertible top compartment cover assembly 14.

[0022] The top 12 is designed as a so-called surface bow top and comprises a top rod 16, which comprises four surface bows 18A, 18B, 18C and 18D, which in the Fig. 1 are arranged one behind the other and form a substantially continuous support surface for a convertible top cover 20. The convertible top cover 20 represents an outer skin of the convertible top 12 and is made of a foldable material.

[0023] The convertible top compartment lid device 14 comprises a lid element 22 which is provided with an adjustment kinematics 24 so that the lid element 22 can be adjusted between a closed position and a position which is determined, for example, by Fig. 11. In the open position, the top 12 can be moved by adjusting the top rod 16 from the position shown in Fig. 1, in which a vehicle interior is spanned, into a storage position, which is in the Fig. 9 to 16 and in which it is accommodated in a convertible top storage compartment 26. In its closed position, the cover element 22 covers the convertible top storage compartment 26 at the top.

[0024] The convertible top linkage 16 of the convertible top 12 has, relative to a vertical longitudinal center plane of the convertible top, a link arrangement 28 on each side, which is pivotally mounted on a respective main bearing 30 fixed to the vehicle.

[0025] The linkage assemblies 28 arranged on both sides are designed to be essentially mirror-symmetrical to one another with respect to the vertical longitudinal center plane of the convertible top, which is why the following description largely refers only to the linkage assembly arranged on the left with respect to the forward direction of travel of the vehicle in question. The linkage assembly arranged on the right with respect to the forward direction of travel of the vehicle is designed in a corresponding manner and therefore follows analogously from the following description.

[0026] The surface bows 18A, 18B, 18C and 18D are, as Fig. 1, in the folded position of the convertible top 12, they are arranged one behind the other in the longitudinal direction of the convertible top to form a continuous support surface for the convertible top fabric 20. The front panel bow 18A forms a front bow, the panel bows 18B and 18C each form a center bow, and the rear panel bow 18D forms a rear bow or window bow, which accommodates a rear window 32 of the convertible top 12.

[0027] The link assemblies 28 of the convertible top linkage 16, arranged on both sides, each comprise a main multi-joint 34, which is pivotally mounted on the respective main bearing 30 via corresponding pivot points and comprises a main pillar 36 and a main link 38, which are connected to a central roof link 40. A coupling link 42 is pivoted to the end of the main pillar 36 facing away from the main bearing 30 and is pivoted to a first front bow link 44 via a bell crank 43. The front bow link 44 is connected to the central roof link 40 via a joint 46 and to a front bow support 50, on which the front panel bow 18A is mounted, via a joint 48. A second front bow link 54 is articulated to the front bow support 50 via a further joint 52, which is supported via a joint 56 on a further link 58 of the link arrangement 28.

[0028] As in particular the Fig. 6 and Fig. 12, the convertible top 12 is provided at its edges with a sealing arrangement 60, wherein the front panel bow 18A is laterally delimited by a sealing element 62, which also extends over the front edge of the panel bow 18A. In addition, the sealing arrangement 60 comprises a sealing element 64, which is fixed to the front bow link 44 and, in the convertible top position of the convertible top 12, is aligned with the sealing element 62 of the panel bow 18A. The sealing arrangement 60 interacts along the lateral edges of the convertible top 12 in the convertible top position with a window arrangement (not shown in detail) of the convertible vehicle in question.

[0029] A stop link 68 is articulated to the front bow support 50 via a hinge point 66, which is arranged between a Fig. 2 to 4 removable rest positions and one in the Fig. 9 to 16, in which it cooperates with a buffer 70 to secure the convertible top 12 in the convertible top storage compartment 26. The buffer 70, or the support 72 on which the buffer 70 is arranged, and the stop link 68 form a hold-down device for the convertible top linkage 16 in the stored position of the convertible top 12. The support 72 with the buffer 70 forms the counter element for the stop link 68. The buffer 70 is arranged in a rear-side section of the support 72 on the underside thereof. In the stored position of the convertible top 12, the buffer 70 acts on a plate-like end section 84 of the stop link 68 when the convertible top compartment lid device 14 is closed. The convertible top linkage 16 is thus held in position.

[0030] The stop link 68 is pivotable between the rest position and the active position by means of a drive link 74. The pivot axis defined by the pivot point 66 is essentially aligned in the vertical direction of the convertible top and is skewed relative to the other pivot points of the link assemblies 28. Thus, the stop link 68 is pivotable in the transverse direction of the convertible top, wherein in the rest position it is essentially concealed by the front panel bow 18A and in the active position it is pivoted outward and engages over the sealing element 62 that delimits the front panel bow 18A (see Fig. 12).

[0031] The drive link 74 is connected to the stop link 68 via a ball joint 76. The end of the drive link 74 facing away from the stop link 68 is connected to the front link 44 via another ball joint 77. Thus, the stop link 68 is positively adjusted between the rest position and the active position when the convertible top rod 16 or the link assemblies 28 are adjusted.

[0032] The adjustment kinematics 24 of the convertible top compartment lid assembly 14 comprises a main multi-joint 78 with two main links 80 and 82, which are connected to a main bearing 83 and to the support 72 for the lid element 22. The main multi-joint 78 is driven by a drive motor (not shown in detail here), which acts on a drive link arrangement.

[0033] The convertible top assembly 10 described above operates in the manner described below.

[0034] Based on the Fig.1, in which a vehicle interior is covered and the convertible top storage compartment 26 is closed by means of the convertible top compartment cover device 14, the convertible top linkage 16 and the adjustment kinematics 24 of the convertible top compartment cover device 14 are actuated by actuating corresponding drives, so that, on the one hand, after a rear-side tensioning bracket 86 is lifted, the cover element 22 is brought into an open position and, on the other hand, the convertible top 12 is deposited in the convertible top storage compartment 26. During the adjustment movement, the actuation of the link assemblies 28 pivots the stop links 68 arranged on both sides from their rest position into the active position by means of their drive links 74, so that their plate-like end sections 84 are exposed and accessible from above. The stop links 68 are each pivoted outwards via the sealing element 62.When the cover element 22 is moved into the closed position, the buffers 70 press onto the plate-like end sections 84 of the stop links 68.

[0035] The adjustment of the convertible top assembly into the convertible top position is carried out in the reverse manner. List of reference symbols 10 Top arrangement 12 Hood 14 Convertible top compartment lid device 16 convertible top rods 18A, B, C, D Surface bows 20 Convertible top cover 22 Cover element 24 Adjustment kinematics 26 Convertible top storage compartment 28 Handlebar arrangement 30 main bearings 32 rear windows 34 Main joint 36 Main column 38 main handlebars 40 middle roof handlebar 42 coupling links 43 bell crank 44 front bow control arms 46 joint 48 joint 50 front bow supports 52 joint 54 front bow control arms 56 joint 58 handlebars 60 Sealing arrangement 62 Sealing element 64 Sealing element 66 articulation point 68 stop handlebars 70 buffers 72 carriers 74 drive links 76 ball joint 77 ball joint 78 Main joint 80 main handlebars 82 main handlebars 83 main bearings 84 final section 86 clamps

Claims

[1] Cabriolet arrangement, comprising a convertible top (12) with a convertible top linkage (16) which comprises a linkage arrangement (28) on each side relative to a vertical longitudinal center plane of the convertible top and which is adjustable between a convertible top position spanning a vehicle interior and a storage position in which it is accommodated in a convertible top storage space (26), as well as a convertible top compartment cover device (14) with an adjustment kinematics (24) and a cover element (22) which is adjustable between an open position and a closed position, as well as a hold-down device which holds the convertible top linkage (16) in its storage position in the closed position of the cover element (22), characterized bythat the hold-down device comprises a stop link (68) on each of the link arrangements (28) of the convertible top rod (16) arranged on both sides, which assumes a rest position in the convertible top position and which is pivoted out into an active position in the storage position, so that it interacts with a counter element of the convertible top compartment cover device (14) in the closed position of the cover element (22). [2] Cabriolet arrangement according to claim 1, characterized by that the stop links (68) are each pivotally mounted on a support of a front bow or on the front bow. [3] Cabriolet arrangement according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by that the stop links (68) are each provided with a drive link (74) which is articulated to a link of the respective link arrangement (28), in particular to a front bow link (44). [4] Cabriolet arrangement according to claim 3, characterized bythat the drive link (74) is articulated via a first ball joint (77) to the link of the link arrangement (28) and via a second ball joint (76) to the stop link (68). [5] Cabriolet arrangement according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized by that the stop links (68) in their respective operative position overlap a respective lateral sealing element (62) of the convertible top (12). [6] Cabriolet arrangement according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized by that the counter element of the convertible top compartment cover device (14) is a support (72) of the cover element (22). [7] Cabriolet arrangement according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized by that the counter element of the convertible top compartment lid device (14) has a buffer (70) which cooperates with the relevant stop link (68). [8] Cabriolet arrangement according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized bythat a surface bow of the convertible top has a lateral cutout on each side relative to the vertical longitudinal center plane of the convertible top, through which the respective stop link (68) passes in its operative position. [9] Cabriolet arrangement according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized by that the convertible top is a panel bow convertible top and comprises a convertible top cover (20) which, in the convertible top position, is supported by a plurality of panel bows (18A, 18B, 18C, 18D) arranged one behind the other in the longitudinal direction of the convertible top.

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