Folding top for a motor vehicle

Abstract

The invention relates to a folding top (1) for a motor vehicle, which folding top can be moved between a closed position and an open position and comprises a top cover (6) directed towards the outside (Fa) of the vehicle and an inner lining (7) facing a passenger compartment, wherein: when the folding top (1) is in the closed position, the top cover (6) and the inner lining (7) are attached to struts (5) which are arranged at a distance from one another and which extend transversely to the vehicle longitudinal direction (B-B); the inner lining (7) is of a multi-layer construction and comprises an inner headliner material (8) facing the passenger compartment and an insulating layer (9) facing the top cover (6); and, between at least one pair of adjacent struts (5), a support profile (20) extending transversely to the vehicle longitudinal direction is attached to the insulating layer (9) and supports joint parallel folding with the top cover (6) during transfer into the open position.

Description

[0001] Magna Car Top Systems GmbH August 28, 2025 2024P00075WO

[0002] Folding convertible top for a motor vehicle

[0003] The invention relates to a folding soft top for a motor vehicle, designed to selectively open and close a roof opening between a closed and an open position. The folding soft top is designed as a folding sliding roof and has bows extending transversely to the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, which are slidably mounted in guide rails of roof side rails of a roof frame. The folding soft top includes an inner headliner, which is attached to the bows by means of retaining elements such that, in the closed position, the inner headliner covers the roof opening and bows towards the interior of the vehicle, and in the open position, it is folded by means of the bows. The inner headliner comprises a headliner fabric and an insulating layer.

[0004] German patent DE 807 474 describes a folding sunroof for passenger cars, integrated into a body structure, comprising an outer fabric, auxiliary bows, and folding bows. The auxiliary bows and folding bows extend transversely to the vehicle's longitudinal direction and are assembled by means of springs aligned with the vehicle's longitudinal direction. The springs are held in position by the tubular auxiliary bows, which have an elliptical cross-section, and by the folding bows. When the folding sunroof is opened, the folding bows are moved upwards by the springs, thereby folding the outer fabric into defined pleats. Furthermore, an inner fabric—also called the headliner—of the folding sunroof is supported by the folding bows via interposed loops.

[0005] Another folding sunroof is known from DE 10 2008 039 094 A1. This document discloses a roof for a passenger car with side walls of a body comprising roof frame supports. The roof includes a folding soft top movable between a closed and an open position. This soft top has a cover fabric extending transversely to the longitudinal direction of the vehicle and connected to sliding bows and folding bows. The sliding bows are slidably mounted in guide rails of the roof side supports. Spring elements for forming folds are provided between adjacent sliding bows and folding bows, which have hollow sections. These spring elements are held in position in receptacles of the respective sliding bow and folding bow. In addition to the spring elements, a tensioning strap system is required to actuate the folding bows during the opening movement into an upward position.

[0006] From DE 297 18 206 U, a convertible top is known in which an insulating layer enclosed between layers of the fabric is arranged beneath the outer layer of the convertible top material. Flexible tabs are provided to secure the convertible top to the frame; these tabs extend through the insulating layer at one end and are attached to the outer layer, and are held at the other end by the frame. This is intended to prevent the convertible top from lifting off the frame during high-speed driving.

[0007] In known folding sunroofs, the connection of the convertible top cover and the interior lining to the bows is usually made via a pull-in or plug-in profile or a winding flap.

[0008] 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, which is generated by the aerodynamic lift of the roof fabric while driving.

[0009] Additionally, one goal is to optimize the noise comfort and thermal insulation properties of a folding sunroof and bring them up to the level of higher vehicle classes. For this purpose, an insulating layer is typically placed as an additional layer between the convertible top cover and the headliner fabric and appropriately bonded to the headliner fabric.

[0010] The problem with this design is that the additional weight of the insulating layer and the stiffening of the entire folding roof fabric assembly negatively affect the folding behavior, causing certain areas of the headliner, including the insulating layer, to sag and fold unattractively and potentially noisily into the passenger compartment during operation. The object of the invention is to further develop a folding sunroof in such a way that sound insulation and thermal insulation are achieved while still maintaining a harmonious folding action during opening, without the headliner sagging into the passenger compartment.

[0011] According to the invention, this problem is solved by the features of claim 1.

[0012] According to the invention, the interior lining comprises a multi-layered structure consisting of an interior headliner fabric facing the passenger compartment and an insulating layer bonded to the interior headliner fabric. The insulating layer has support profiles between adjacent bows, which extend transversely to the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, i.e., parallel to the bows, and are designed to support a common parallel folding formation with the convertible top fabric when adjusted to the open position.

[0013] The support profiles prevent the interior lining (headliner fabric plus insulating layer) from sagging and support the folding in a preferred direction in such a way that a desired parallel fold to the convertible top cover is achieved when adjusting into the open position.

[0014] The support profiles are preferably rod-shaped and made of fiberglass material. This allows the use of profiles that exhibit high stiffness and high flexibility while remaining lightweight.

[0015] The material of the support profile is advantageously so flexible that pre-bending of the support profile to adapt to the contour of the interior headliner is unnecessary.

[0016] The support profile, made from a fiberglass rod, is lightweight, thus eliminating rattling noises while driving. The support profiles prevent the headliner from sagging by providing additional support in the area between adjacent bows.

[0017] Advantageously, the support profiles are laterally supported at their end areas on the guide rails or on profile elements molded onto the guide rails.

[0018] In a particularly preferred embodiment, the rod-shaped support profiles are attached to the insulation layer via a nonwoven material as a retaining element. Here, the rod-shaped support profiles are encased in the nonwoven material and sewn to the insulation layer via a free end region of the nonwoven material. The nonwoven material can be felt. By using a material for the retaining element that can compensate for tolerances, waviness of the headliner can be avoided.

[0019] This design of the holding element, made of a non-woven material that encases the fiberglass rod, allows for tolerance compensation through the bonding of the fiberglass rod using non-woven material.

[0020] The main advantages achieved with the invention are:

[0021] • Sound insulation against ambient noise

[0022] • Thermal insulation

[0023] • Enabling the simultaneous parallel folding of the inner lining to the convertible top cover

[0024] • Higher-quality, more voluminous appearance of the overall look of the folding soft top

[0025] In its installed position in the vehicle, the longitudinal direction of the folding sunroof corresponds to the vehicle's longitudinal direction BB.

[0026] 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. The drawing shows an embodiment of the invention, which is described in more detail below.

[0027] They show

[0028] Fig. 1 shows a section of a longitudinal section of a folding soft top for a motor vehicle in the closed position,

[0029] Fig. 2 shows a perspective view of a cross-section of one side of a folding sliding roof with a folding cover.

[0030] Fig. 3 shows a perspective exploded view of the convertible top cover in one design variant.

[0031] 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.

[0032] 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 longitudinal direction BB of the vehicle. 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 interior headliner 7 facing the passenger compartment (Fgr).

[0033] The interior headliner 7 is multi-layered and includes an interior headliner cover 8 facing the passenger compartment side and insulation in the form of an insulating layer 9 facing the convertible top cover 6.

[0034] The insulating layer 9 is a sewable material such as a fleece, foam, or gel. As can be seen from the figures, the bows 5 extend in the z-direction between the convertible top cover 6 and the headliner 7.

[0035] The convertible top cover 6 is directly attached to the bows 5 by means of an adhesive connection 10.

[0036] The headliner 7 is held in place by means of retaining elements 11. These retaining elements 11 are connected to the headliner 7 by means of flange-like sections, either by sewing, gluing, or similar methods. Both the headliner fabric 8 and the insulating layer 9 are connected to the retaining element 11 by means of a common seam. The retaining elements 11 are held in receptacles 12 of the frame 5 and, in this embodiment, are designed as a pull-in strip.

[0037] Each bow 5 is formed by a support made of sheet metal, having a hollow profile in cross-section. The cross-section of the support 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 vertical walls.

[0038] 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.

[0039] 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.

[0040] In a central area along the vehicle's longitudinal axis BB, the insulation layer between a first pair of adjacent bows is each provided with a support profile 20. This first pair forms a first section A1. The subsequent second pair of adjacent bows forms a second section A2. No support profile is attached to this second section. As can be seen in the drawing, the first and second sections alternate along the vehicle's longitudinal axis. The number of sections varies depending on the length of the vehicle roof in the x-direction.

[0041] The support profile 20 is rod-shaped and preferably made of a glass fiber material. The support profile 20 comprises a first and second end section 21 and runs parallel to the adjacent bows 5 in the transverse direction and is supported by means of its end sections 21 on profiles of the guide rails 2.

[0042] The number of support profiles 20 can vary. As can be seen from the drawing, a support profile 20 is only connected between every second section of adjacent ribs 5.

[0043] The support profile 20 is attached to the interior headliner via retaining means 24, preferably sewn.

[0044] The retaining elements 24 are made of a nonwoven fabric and comprise a first end area and a second end area. The first end area serves to fix the nonwoven fabric to the interior headliner 7. The second end area encases the support profile 20 and is bonded to the support profile 20.

[0045] 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.

[0046] 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.

[0047] The inner layer 6c, facing the passenger compartment, is a woven fabric material which includes a proportion of IR (infrared) reflective fibers.

[0048] In a further alternative embodiment, either the outer layer 6a or the inner layer 6c is made with a proportion of IR-reflective fibers. 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 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, and in winter, it reduces heat loss from the heated passenger compartment to the outside.

[0049] List of reference signs

[0050] Folding soft top guide rails roof side frame bows

[0051] Convertible top cover a outer layer b middle layer c inner layer headliner headliner fabric insulating layer 0 adhesive layer 1 retaining agent 2 mounting 4 upper horizontal wall 5 lower horizontal wall 0 support profile 4 retaining agent

Claims

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) and an inner lining (7) directed into a passenger compartment, wherein the soft top cover (6) and the inner lining (7) are connected in the closed position of the folding soft top (1 ) to bows (5) arranged at a distance from each other and extending transversely to the longitudinal direction (BB) of the vehicle, wherein the inner lining (7) is constructed in multiple layers and comprises an inner headliner fabric (8) directed towards the passenger compartment and an insulating layer (9) directed towards the soft top cover (6), and wherein a support profile (20) extending transversely to the longitudinal direction of the vehicle is connected between at least one pair of adjacent bows (5) on the insulating layer (9), which supports a common parallel folding formation with the soft top cover (6) when adjusting to the open position.

2. Folding soft top (1 ) for a motor vehicle wherein the headline fabric (8) and the insulating layer (9) are connected to each other, preferably sewn, in the area of ​​the attachment points to the bows (5).

3. Folding soft top (1 ) for a motor vehicle according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the support profile (20) is rod-shaped, preferably made of a fiberglass material.

4. Folding soft top (1 ) for a motor vehicle according to claim 3, characterized in that the rod-shaped support profile (20) comprises a retaining means (24) and is connected to the insulating layer (9) via the retaining means (24).

5. Folding convertible top (1 ) according to claim 4, characterized in that the retaining means (24) is a nonwoven material which encases the support profile (20) and is fixed to the support profile (20) via an adhesive connection.

6. 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.

7. Motor vehicle with a folding soft top (1) designed as a folding sunroof according to one of the preceding claims, which has lateral guide rails (2) extending parallel to each other and fixed to the body, wherein the folding sunroof is movable in a longitudinal direction between a closed position and an open position, wherein the folding sunroof comprises a soft top cover (6) facing outwards towards the vehicle and an inner lining (7) facing the passenger compartment, and wherein the folding sunroof has a plurality of bows (5) extending transversely to the longitudinal direction (BB) of the motor vehicle, wherein the bows (5) are mounted to be slidably longitudinally in the lateral guide rails (2) and support and secure the soft top cover (6) and the inner lining (7), and wherein the inner lining (7) is constructed in multiple layers and comprises an inner headliner fabric (8) facing the passenger compartment and an insulating layer (9) facing the soft top cover (6).wherein the headliner fabric (8) and the insulating layer (9) are connected to each other, preferably sewn together, and wherein at least between a pair of adjacent bows (5) a support profile (20) extending transversely to the longitudinal direction of the vehicle is attached to the insulating layer (9), which supports a common parallel folding formation with the convertible top cover (6) when adjusting to the open position.

Images