Folding Top Rear-Window Link Arrangement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing folding tops of cabriolet vehicles face high costs and space constraints due to complex articulated connections for rear windows, which can introduce stresses and result in jerky movements during adjustment.
Innovation Solution
A two-part rear-window link arrangement with intermediate links and stops prevents unwanted pivoting, allowing the rear window to move smoothly and reducing stress on the top structure, saving material and space by connecting rear-window links via a first joint to an intermediate link and a second joint to a base element, with the intermediate link able to pivot and float rearward.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a four-bar mechanism is used to articulate the rear window to the top linkage, then the rear window can be securely connected, but the device complexity increases and installation space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The rear-window link is divided into two separate components: the rear-window link itself and the intermediate link. This segmentation allows the intermediate link to serve as a buffer that absorbs dimensional tolerances and prevents overconstraining, thereby maintaining connection stability while reducing overall system complexity compared to a four-bar mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The intermediate link acts as an intermediary element between the top linkage and the rear-window link. It mediates the connection by providing an additional degree of freedom that accommodates dimensional variations without transmitting harmful stresses, thus ensuring reliable connection while simplifying the overall articulation mechanism.
2Reliability
If a four-bar mechanism is used to articulate the rear window, then secure connection is achieved, but installation space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the link arrangement into separate components (rear-window link and intermediate link), the mechanism achieves secure connection with reduced space requirements. The intermediate link can be positioned closer to the top linkage, and the rear-window link can be shorter, overall reducing the volume occupied by the moving components compared to a traditional four-bar mechanism.
3Device complexity
If the rear window is stowed in a constrained position in the top stowage compartment, then the top linkage structure is simplified, but stresses are introduced into the top structure
Solution Approach 1:
The intermediate link introduces dynamics to the previously static constrained position. During stowage, the intermediate link can pivot to accommodate the rear window's movement, allowing the rear window to be stowed in a constrained position while the intermediate link absorbs the dimensional variations and prevents harmful stresses from being transmitted to the top structure.
4Device complexity
If a simple rotary joint is used to connect the rear window to the base element, then the device complexity is reduced, but the rear window moves on a circular path causing constrained stowage position
Solution Approach 1:
The simple rotary joint is enhanced by adding the intermediate link as a separate component. This segmentation transforms the simple circular motion into a more complex but smoother movement path, where the intermediate link's pivot allows the rear window to move more gracefully during stowage and deployment, improving ease of operation while maintaining low device complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A folding top of a cabriolet vehicle, comprising a foldable top lining which can be adjusted by a top linkage between a closed position, in which it covers a vehicle interior, and a stowed position, in which it opens up the vehicle interior in the upward direction, the top linkage having, at both sides of a vertical top longitudinal central plane, in each case one link arrangement which comprises a rear-window link to which there is articulatedly connected a rigid rear window which is bordered by the top lining. The rear-window links are articulatedly connected in each case via a first joint to an intermediate link which is articulatedly connected via a second joint to a base element. The rear-window links, in the closed position, are supported in each case on the respectively associated intermediate link via a rear-window link stop.