Convertible Top Centering Device Transverse Rigidity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing convertible vehicle designs face challenges in achieving reliable centering and high transverse system rigidity for the convertible top compartment cover, particularly when moving between open and closed positions, as they often rely on complex mechanisms that are heavy, stiff, and difficult to implement effectively.
Innovation Solution
A centering device is introduced, comprising support members and sliding elements on the vehicle's longitudinal sides, allowing for transverse movement and blocking during adjustment, enabling a slimmer, softer, and lighter design that withstands lateral forces, with wedge-shaped support tracks and parallel sliding elements for effective power transmission.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a complex centering mechanism is used to ensure reliable centering and high transverse system rigidity, then the centering reliability improves, but the device complexity and weight increase
Solution Approach 1:
The centering device is segmented into multiple independent sliding elements (first and second sliding elements) that are distributed along the longitudinal sides of the convertible top compartment cover. Each sliding element independently interacts with corresponding support members, allowing the system to achieve reliable centering through distributed contact points rather than a single complex mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The centering mechanism transitions from traditional vertical-only centering to multi-dimensional centering by introducing sliding elements that operate in both the vertical direction and the longitudinal direction. This dimensional expansion allows the cover to be centered accurately while moving along a more complex trajectory, resolving the contradiction between reliability and complexity.
2Strength
If traditional stiff and heavy mechanisms are used for centering, then the transverse system rigidity improves, but the weight and manufacturing difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The centering mechanism employs dynamic sliding elements that can adapt their position and contact force during the movement of the convertible top compartment cover. The sliding elements move along guide tracks and interact with support members in a way that automatically adjusts to the instantaneous geometric requirements, providing rigidity when needed without requiring heavy stiffening structures.
Solution Approach 2:
The geometric parameters of the sliding elements and support members are specifically designed to change during operation. The sliding elements have curved surfaces and guide tracks with varying angles that transform the motion trajectory, allowing the system to maintain optimal contact geometry throughout the movement range, thereby achieving rigidity with lighter components.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the convertible top compartment cover is designed to move in multiple directions, then the operational flexibility improves, but the structural complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The convertible top compartment cover is enabled to move in multiple directions (vertical and longitudinal) through the introduction of sliding elements that operate in two dimensions. The first sliding element handles vertical movement while the second sliding element manages longitudinal movement, creating a coordinated two-dimensional motion system that is more flexible than traditional single-direction mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The complex multi-directional movement is segmented into independent motion components handled by separate sliding elements. Each sliding element is responsible for a specific degree of freedom, and their coordinated operation achieves the desired complex motion trajectory without requiring a monolithic complex mechanism.
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
This solution ensures reliable operation and high transverse rigidity, allowing the convertible top compartment cover to move smoothly in both vehicle height and longitudinal directions, while maintaining structural integrity and reducing weight and complexity.
Implementation Method 1
The sliding elements arranged on the links of the convertible top compartment lid kinematics come into sliding contact with one another during the adjustment movement with the support members arranged on the body
Implementation Method 2
The support members are designed with a wedge-shaped approach track
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2a
Figure 2b
AI summary
The invention relates to a convertible vehicle with a body-side superstructure (4) comprising a convertible top compartment (12) with a convertible top compartment lid (13) and a folding top (11) which is adjustable from a closed position to an open position and vice versa, wherein a convertible top compartment lid kinematics (15) is arranged between the superstructure (4) and the convertible top compartment lid (13), via which an adjustment movement of the convertible top compartment lid (13) to receive the folding top (11) in the convertible top compartment (12) can be carried out, and wherein a centering device (16) is provided between the superstructure (4) and the convertible top compartment lid (13), which comprises support members (17) on the superstructure and sliding elements (18), wherein the centering device (16) is essentially effective in the transverse direction (BB) of the vehicle and is provided adjacent to longitudinal sides of the superstructure (4).The convertible vehicle is to be further developed such that a centering device (16) arranged between the convertible top compartment lid (13) and the body is characterized by reliable function and ease of implementation, while achieving high system lateral stiffness. This is achieved by the centering device (16) comprising two support members (17) and two sliding elements (18) that interact in pairs, and by the support members (17) and sliding elements (18) being arranged on the convertible top compartment lid kinematics (15) or on components connected to the convertible top compartment lid kinematics (15).