Folding top for a motor vehicle

Abstract

The invention relates to a folding top (1) for a motor vehicle, which folding top (1) is movable between a closed position and an open position and has a folding-top cover (6) directed towards the vehicle outer side, wherein the folding-top cover (6) is fixed by a multiplicity of struts (5) arranged at a distance from one another in the closed position of the folding top (1) and running transversely to the vehicle longitudinal direction. The connection of the folding-top cover (6) to the struts (5) is designed to be direct and non-detachable and is preferably an adhesive connection.

Description

[0001] Magna Car Top Systems GmbH August 28, 2025 2024P00074WQ

[0002] Folding convertible top for a motor vehicle

[0003] The invention relates to a folding soft top for a motor vehicle, which is movable between a closed position and an open position in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. The folding soft top comprises a soft top cover, wherein, in the closed position of the folding soft top, the soft top cover is supported by bows arranged at a distance from each other and extending transversely to the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, and wherein the soft top cover is directly bonded to the bows by means of an adhesive bond.

[0004] German patent DE 201 18 834 U1 relates to a folding or collapsible top for vehicles such as convertibles, roadsters, or the like, with a frame attached to the vehicle's body. The frame comprises at least one bow extending transversely to the vehicle and designed to support a convertible top cover, a tensioning strap, and a headliner. For this purpose, the bow, made of an extruded light metal profile, is provided with recesses for the retaining elements of the convertible top cover, the tensioning strap, and the headliner. The recess for the convertible top cover retaining element is a longitudinal channel with a circular cross-section, in which a corresponding thickening of the retaining element rests. The retaining elements of the tensioning strap and the headliner have webs that are inserted into grooves in the bow and held in position by means of spring clips.

[0005] US 5,829,820 A also depicts a bow for a folding soft top of a motor vehicle of the above type, which bow is provided with a cavity in addition to channels for retaining means.

[0006] In known folding sliding roofs, the attachment of the convertible top cover to the bows is usually done via a pull-in or plug-in profile or a winding flap.

[0007] The development of increasingly larger folding sunroofs has created unique challenges. To operate a particularly large folding sunroof with the drive motor engaged while driving, a significant reduction in energy consumption compared to conventional solutions was necessary. A particular problem with large folding sunroofs is the additional drive force required due to the aerodynamic lift of the roof fabric while driving.

[0008] The object of the invention is to further develop a folding sliding roof in such a way that the ballooning behavior is improved during the opening movement and the closing force is minimized during the closing movement.

[0009] According to the invention, this problem is solved by the features of claim 1.

[0010] The invention is solved by the combination of features of claim 1.

[0011] According to the invention, the convertible top fabric is directly attached to the frame via an adhesive bond.

[0012] The bows are advantageously designed in such a way that the surface facing the convertible top fabric, which forms the connection surface with the convertible top fabric, forms a large straight / flat surface.

[0013] By directly attaching the bows to the convertible top fabric via an adhesive bond, the forces occurring during closing or opening are transferred directly into the bows. This reduces the forces on the roof cap of the folding sunroof.

[0014] The main advantages achieved with the invention are:

[0015] • Reduction of the closing force during driving and thus higher driving speeds for roof operation is permissible.

[0016] • Maintaining the sealing pressure of the side seals while driving

[0017] • Reduced ballooning / more pleasing exterior appearance during ferry operations

[0018] • Reduced visibility of the ribs / overall exterior appearance

[0019] • Reduction of the required envelope volume for folding (relevant for roof rails for roof loads) • Height reduction of the folded fabric package when the roof is open

[0020] • Option for direct ceiling tensioning without frame attachment (provides design flexibility)

[0021] • Interior headliner replaceable with convertible top cover installed

[0022] The longitudinal direction of the folding sunroof corresponds to the longitudinal direction of the vehicle when installed in the vehicle.

[0023] The x, y and z directions correspond to the usual coordinates of a vehicle coordinate system where the x direction describes the longitudinal direction, the y direction the transverse direction and the z direction the vertical direction.

[0024] The drawings show an embodiment of the invention, which is described in more detail below.

[0025] They show

[0026] Fig. 1 shows a section of a longitudinal section of a folding soft top for a motor vehicle in the closed position,

[0027] Fig. 2 shows a perspective view of a cross-section of one side of a folding sliding roof with a folding cover.

[0028] Fig. 3 shows a perspective exploded view of the convertible top cover in one design variant.

[0029] In a known manner, a folding sunroof of a motor vehicle comprises a folding roof panel 1, which is slidably mounted in guide rails 2 arranged parallel to each other and extending longitudinally BB in the vehicle. The guide rails 2 are connected to roof side frames 3 of the motor vehicle. The roof side frames 3, a front cross member, and a rear cross member define a roof opening.

[0030] The folding soft top 1 is movable between a closed position (Figure 1) and an open position, and vice versa. In the open position, the folding soft top 1 is shifted to the rear and folded into pleats. Therefore, the folding soft top 1 has a number of bows 5 arranged at intervals and extending transversely to the vehicle's longitudinal direction BB. The bows 5 are designed as hollow profiles and are slidably mounted in the guide rails 2 of the roof side frames 3. The bows 5 interact with a soft top cover 6 facing the outside of the vehicle Fa and an inner headliner 7 facing the passenger compartment Fgr. The soft top cover 6 is typically multi-layered.

[0031] The interior headliner 7 is multi-layered and includes an interior headliner cover 8 facing the passenger compartment side as well as insulation in the form of an insulating layer 9 facing the convertible top cover 6.

[0032] As can be seen from the figures, the bows 5 extend between the convertible top cover 6 and the headliner 7.

[0033] The convertible top cover 6 is directly attached to the bows 5 by means of an adhesive connection, which is an adhesive layer 10.

[0034] The headliner 7 is held in place by means of retaining elements 11. The retaining elements 11 are connected to the headliner 7 by means of flange-like sections, either by sewing, gluing, or the like. The retaining elements 11 are held in receptacles 12 of the frame 5 and, in this embodiment, are designed as a pull-in bead.

[0035] Each bow 5 is formed by a sheet metal beam having a hollow profile in cross-section. The beam's cross-section is square with opposing horizontal walls, an upper wall 14 facing the convertible top cover 6, and a lower wall 15 facing the interior headliner 7, as well as upright walls extending in the z-direction.

[0036] The lower horizontal wall 15 is provided with a receptacle 12 for the positive locking of the retaining element 11 for the connection of the inner ceiling 7.

[0037] The upper horizontal wall 14 forms the connection surface for direct attachment to the convertible top cover 6. The connection surface is flat and even. The direct connection is achieved via an adhesive bond 10.

[0038] Figure 3 shows the convertible top cover 6 with a three-layer structure, wherein the outer layer 6a facing the outside of the vehicle Fa is a woven fabric material which includes a proportion of IR (infrared) reflective fibers.

[0039] The middle layer 6b of the three-layer structure is an intermediate layer made of an elastomer material such as rubber, PU, ​​PVC, TPE or silicone.

[0040] The inner layer 6c, facing the passenger compartment, is a woven fabric material which includes a proportion of IR (infrared) reflective fibers.

[0041] In a further alternative embodiment, either the outer layer 6a or the inner layer 6c is designed with a proportion of IR reflecting fibers.

[0042] The production of the outer layer 6a and / or the inner layer 6c with a proportion of IR-reflective fibers is achieved by using IR-reflective pigments during the fiber dyeing of the woven fabric. This results in an IR-reflective convertible top cover 6 that reflects heat radiation from both the outside and the inside. This infrared-reflective layer, which acts in both directions, provides year-round thermal insulation. In summer, it prevents the passenger compartment from heating up under solar radiation, while in winter, it reduces heat loss from the heated passenger compartment to the outside.

[0043] List of reference signs

[0044] Folding soft top guide rails roof side frame bows

[0045] Convertible top cover a outer layer b middle layer c inner layer headliner insulation layer 0 adhesive layer 1 retaining agent 2 mounting 4 upper horizontal wall 5 lower horizontal wall

Claims

- 7 - Patent claims 1. Folding soft top (1 ) for a motor vehicle, which is movable between a closed position and an open position, which folding soft top (1) comprises a soft top cover (6) directed towards the outside of the vehicle (Fa), wherein the soft top cover (6) is fixed by a plurality of bows (5) arranged at a distance from each other in the closed position of the folding soft top (1 ) and extending transversely to the longitudinal direction (BB) of the vehicle, characterized in that the connection of the soft top cover (6) to the bows (5) is direct and permanently designed and is preferably an adhesive connection (10).

2. Folding soft top (1 ) according to claim 1 , characterized in that the folding soft top (1) comprises an inner headliner (7) pointing into a passenger compartment (Fg) which is detachably attached to the bows (5) via retaining means (11 ).

3. Folding soft top (1 ) according to claim 2, characterized in that the retaining means (11 ) are preferably designed as insertion keder and are inseparably connected to the inner headliner (7) by means of flange-like sections, preferably by sewing or gluing.

4. Folding soft top (1 ) according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that the retaining means 11 are positively locked in corresponding receptacles (12) of the bows (5).

5. Folding soft top (1 ) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the soft top cover (6) is multi-layered and comprises an outer layer (6a) facing the outside of the vehicle made of a woven fabric material, a middle layer (6b) and an inner layer (6c) facing the passenger compartment made of a woven fabric material, wherein the outer layer (6a) and / or inner layer (6c) comprises infrared (IR) reflecting fibers.

6. Motor vehicle with a folding soft top (1) designed as a folding sliding roof according to one of the preceding claims, which has lateral parallel to each other The folding sunroof has guide rails (2) that are fixed to the bodywork, wherein the folding sunroof is movable in a longitudinal direction between a closed position and an open position, wherein the folding sunroof has a folding roof (1) with a roof cover (6) and a plurality of bows (5) extending transversely to the longitudinal direction (BB), wherein the bows (5) are mounted to be slidably in the longitudinal direction in the lateral guide rails (2) and support and fix the roof cover (6), and wherein the roof cover (6) is permanently fixed directly to the bows (5), preferably via an adhesive bond (10).

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