Convertible Top Linkage With Stop Links for Stable Roof Shell Storage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing convertible tops, particularly retractable hard tops (RHTs), face challenges in optimizing the storage position, where the relative positioning of rigid roof shells is not clearly defined, leading to potential misalignment and instability.
Innovation Solution
A convertible top linkage system with stop link arrangements on each side, featuring a stop link and counter stop elements, ensures precise positioning of rigid roof shells in the storage position by engaging over the edges of the roof shells, and includes a multi-bar linkage mechanism driven by a drive rod or front closing mechanism for controlled movement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a convertible top linkage without stop link arrangement is used, then the structure is simpler and requires fewer components, but the positioning of rigid roof shells in storage position becomes ambiguous and unstable
Solution Approach 1:
The stop link arrangement acts as an intermediary mechanism between the convertible top linkage and the rigid roof shells. It includes stop links pivotally mounted on front bearing links that engage with counter-stop elements on rear roof shells, providing a mediating function to define and stabilize the storage position without requiring fundamental changes to the existing linkage structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The stop link arrangement is designed to be preliminarily positioned and configured before the convertible top reaches the storage position. The stop links are pre-adjusted to engage with the counter-stop elements at the correct moment, ensuring that the rigid roof shells are automatically positioned correctly as the convertible top transitions into storage, rather than requiring post-positioning adjustments.
2Measurement precision
If additional stop link arrangements are added to define storage position, then positioning precision is improved, but the device complexity and number of components increases
Solution Approach 1:
The stop link arrangement is designed to serve multiple functions simultaneously: it defines the storage position of rigid roof shells, provides structural support during the folding operation, and integrates with the existing front bearing links and linkage system. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated positioning mechanisms, thereby limiting the increase in component count.
Solution Approach 2:
The stop link arrangement is merged with the existing convertible top linkage structure. The stop links are pivotally mounted on the front bearing links that are already part of the linkage system, and the counter-stop elements are integrated onto the rear roof shells. This merging approach allows the positioning function to be added without creating entirely separate, independent components.
Data Source
AI summary
A convertible top having a top linkage, displaceable between a cover position spanning a vehicle interior and a storage position releasing the vehicle interior towards the top and having a link arrangement on each side in relation to a vertical longitudinal convertible-top center plane, the link arrangements having a rear main-link arrangement pivotably mounted on a corresponding main bearing, and a front bearing link, on which a rigid cover element is fastened which extends in the transverse convertible-top direction and fixable to a vehicle front header when in the cover position. A stop link arrangement is pivotably mounted on the front bearing link and has a stop link having a stop surface, the stop link taking up a rest position, where the stop surface is exposed in the cover position and being pivoted to an active position, where the stop surface abuts against counter stop element in the storage position.