Convertible Top Storm Linkage Roller Support

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing convertible vehicle systems face challenges in efficiently supporting the storm linkage, leading to increased forces required for activation and deactivation, which complicates the operation of the convertible top.

Innovation Solution

A convertible vehicle design featuring a supporting device with a locking connecting rod and roller that interacts with the storm linkage, reducing the necessary forces for operation by coupling the storm linkage in an articulated fashion between the convertible top linkage and a rear tensioning bar, allowing for manual or automatic operation and stable extension of the convertible top.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a storm linkage is coupled between the convertible top linkage and tensioning bar using existing support devices, then the convertible top can be supported in the closed position, but high forces are required for activation and deactivation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesupport of convertible topVSAvoidforces for activation and deactivation

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSForce

Solution Approach 1:

A roller is introduced as an intermediary element between the support device and the storm linkage. The roller reduces friction and contact forces during activation and deactivation, allowing the support device to function effectively while requiring significantly lower forces for operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The support device is designed with movable, articulated connections rather than fixed rigid joints. This dynamic design allows the linkage to adapt during movement, reducing peak forces required for activation and deactivation while maintaining structural support when closed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Reliability

If high forces are required for activation and deactivation, then the storm linkage can be supported, but the operation of the convertible top becomes complicated

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesupport of storm linkageVSAvoidoperation of convertible top

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The roller acts as a mediator that simplifies the interaction between the support device and storm linkage, reducing the effort needed for manual operation or the complexity of automated actuation systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention replaces high-friction mechanical contacts with a roller-based low-friction interface, reducing the mechanical complexity required for operation and enabling easier manual or automatic actuation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Stability of the object's composition

If the storm linkage is extended over the convertible top frame, then the convertible top is supported in closed position, but the forces needed for activation and deactivation increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveextension of convertible topVSAvoidforces for activation and deactivation

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSForce

Solution Approach 1:

The storm linkage employs dynamic articulated joints and a roller-based support device that reduce friction during movement. This allows the linkage to maintain stable extension when closed while requiring lower forces for activation and deactivation compared to rigid fixed-joint designs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The roller serves as an intermediary that reduces the force transmission between the support device and the extended storm linkage, enabling stable extension without proportionally high activation forces.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 the operation of the convertible top by reducing the forces needed for activation and deactivation, enabling stable extension and easy folding of the convertible top, with the roller interacting with the storm linkage to maintain tension and facilitate stowing.

Implementation Method 1

the forces necessary to activate and deactivate the support device can be reduced

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Data Source

PatentUS8714623B2Convertible vehicle

Publication Date: 2014.05.06 DR ING H C F PORSCHE AG

AI summary

A convertible vehicle has a convertible top which can be moved between a closed convertible top position and an opened convertible top position and which is extended in its closed convertible top position over a convertible top frame with a convertible top linkage. A storm linkage is coupled in an articulated fashion, by a supporting device for supporting the closed convertible top, between the convertible top linkage and a tensioning bar which is arranged at the rear. In order to improve the support of the storm linkage in the convertible vehicle, the supporting device has a locking connecting rod with a roller which interacts with the storm linkage.