Convertible Top Cover Elements With Early Flap Positioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing convertible vehicles face issues with complex mechanisms and potential collisions between linkage flaps and vehicle paneling during convertible top movements, affecting manufacturing costs, complexity, space utilization, operational safety, functionality, sustainability, component reliability, and visual appearance.
Innovation Solution
A convertible vehicle design featuring a first cover element pivoted by a drive about a vehicle-fixed axis, with a second cover element adjusted together, ensuring the second cover element reaches its end position before the first, allowing it to rest on the vehicle body, and utilizing spring-loaded compensating elements to manage further movement, reducing collisions and complexity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the linkage flap is coupled to the convertible top linkage or driven by a separate electric motor, then the linkage flap can be moved during convertible top movement, but there is a risk of collision with vehicle paneling or scraping the storage area
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by moving the linkage flap to its retracted position before the convertible top compartment lid reaches its closed position. The control system detects the lid's position and actuates the linkage flap drive mechanism in advance, ensuring the flap is clear of potential collision zones before the lid closes, thereby preventing damage to both the flap and vehicle paneling
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback control by using position sensors to monitor the convertible top compartment lid's movement and providing this information to the control unit. The control unit processes this feedback signal and adjusts the linkage flap's movement accordingly, creating a closed-loop control system that prevents collision by responding to real-time position data
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple separate drives are used for convertible top compartment lid and linkage flap, then each component can be controlled independently, but the drive system becomes complex with increased manufacturing costs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the control of the convertible top compartment lid and linkage flap into a single integrated drive system. The control unit coordinates both components' movements through one unified control architecture, reducing the number of separate drive mechanisms while maintaining the ability to control each component independently when needed
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies universality by designing a multi-functional drive system where a single drive mechanism can control both the convertible top compartment lid and the linkage flap. The control unit provides multi-functional control capabilities, allowing the system to operate in different modes (independent control, coordinated movement, collision prevention) using the same hardware resources
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution simplifies assembly, enhances operational safety, improves space utilization, and maintains visual appeal by preventing collisions between cover elements and the vehicle body, while using a minimal number of components and drives.
Implementation Method 1
spring-loaded compensating elements to manage further movement
Data Source
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AI summary
A convertible vehicle is described with a convertible top and with a first cover element (10) for at least partially covering a convertible top storage compartment (4), and with at least one second cover element (13A, 13B) rotatably connected thereto. The first cover element (10) can be pivoted by means of at least one drive (15) about a rotational axis (A) fixed to the vehicle out of a closed position covering the convertible top storage compartment (4).The second cover element (13A, 13B) is adjusted together with the first cover element (10) during a movement of the latter and is pivoted by the drive (15) about an axis of rotation (G) fixedly connected to the first cover element (10) relative to the first cover element (10) between an end position in which an upper side (13A2, 13B2) of the second cover element (13A, 13B) and an upper side (10B) of the first cover element (10) form a common surface, and at least a second position in which the second cover element (13A, 13B) is displaced with its underside (13A1, 13B1) in the direction of an underside (10A) of the first cover element (10). The drive (15) is designed to move the second cover element (13A, 13B) into its end position during a pivoting movement of the first cover element (10) in the direction of its closed position relative to the first cover element (10), before the first cover element (10) is in its closed position.