Folding Soft Top Rear Window Support Linkage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing folding top systems for motor vehicles face challenges in simply and efficiently coupling the rear window support to the top linkage for both storage and raising, often requiring complex mechanisms and additional components.
Innovation Solution
The rear window support is pivotably mounted by front and rear links, with the rear links pivoted on the top bearing of the linkage, allowing for a coordinated and simplified stowage and raising movement by coupling the front link to the top linkage, utilizing toggle levers and control levers to secure the rear window in its positions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the rear window support is rigidly attached to the clamping bracket and moved by the folding top linkage, then the rear window can be raised and lowered, but the mechanism becomes complex requiring additional links, toggle levers, and cables
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the rear window support directly with the folding top structure, integrating it into the existing linkage system. The rear window support is formed as part of the folding top assembly and moves together with the top material, eliminating the need for separate rigid attachment mechanisms, toggle levers, and cables that would be required if it were an independent system.
Solution Approach 2:
The folding top linkage serves multiple functions: it controls the folding top material and simultaneously controls the rear window support movement. The same linkage that folds the top also raises and lowers the rear window support, making the system more efficient and less complex than dedicated separate mechanisms.
2Ease of manufacture
If the rear window support is separately formed and not firmly connected to the folding top, then the construction is simpler, but the lowering and raising behavior cannot be influenced in a targeted manner
Solution Approach 1:
The rear window support is firmly connected to the folding top structure, creating an integrated assembly. This connection allows the top material and linkage to directly influence the rear window support movement, providing targeted control over lowering and raising behavior while maintaining construction simplicity through the unified structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The firm connection between the rear window support and folding top allows dynamic control of the rear window support's movement through the flexible top material and linkage system. The system can adapt its behavior during folding and unfolding operations, providing controlled lowering and raising without requiring complex separate mechanisms.
3Reliability
If additional components like toggle levers and cables are added to control the rear window, then the positioning is more secure, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The positioning control is achieved by merging the rear window support into the folding top linkage system. The same linkage that provides the folding motion also provides the positioning control, eliminating the need for additional toggle levers, cables, or separate positioning mechanisms while maintaining secure positioning through the integrated design.
Solution Approach 2:
The folding top linkage performs multiple functions including folding the top material, raising and lowering the rear window support, and securing the rear window in position. This multi-functional approach reduces the total number of components needed while maintaining reliable positioning security.
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 configuration ensures a defined and secure movement of the rear window support, influencing its lowering and raising behavior, while minimizing components and preventing accidental folding, thus simplifying the construction and operation of the folding top system.
Implementation Method 1
The rear window support is pivotably mounted by front links and at the same time by rear links... with the rear links in turn being pivoted on the top bearing of the top linkage
Implementation Method 2
the rear window support is pivotably mounted by front links and at the same time by rear links... This type of storage results in a defined stowage and raising movement of the rear window carrier
Implementation Method 3
the top material acts as a kind of elastic link, through which the lowering and raising behavior of the rear window support can also be influenced in a targeted manner
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a folding soft top (10) in a motor vehicle with two body-mounted soft top bearings (26), on which a soft top frame (16) for the folding soft top (10) is pivotably mounted between a closed soft top position and a lowered soft top position, and a pivotable rear window support (28), which is coupled to the soft top frame (16) in such a way that it is raised when the folding soft top (10) is closed and lowered when the folding soft top (10) is lowered, wherein the soft top frame (16) is coupled to front links (34) mounted on the rear window support (28) on both sides facing the front of the vehicle for raising the rear window support.The rear window support (28) is articulated on both sides to the convertible top bearing (26) by rear links (32), while the convertible top linkage (16) for adjusting the rear window support (28) between the raised and lowered positions is coupled to one of the front links (34) by at least one coupling element (40) on each side.