Tensioning Bracket for Foldable Vehicle Roof
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing folding top designs for vehicles face challenges in shaping and tensioning the top material around the rear and side areas, particularly at corners, where the material must transition from a horizontal to a vertical alignment, requiring complex routing and tensioning to maintain an attractive appearance and functional integrity.
Innovation Solution
A clamping bracket with multiple curved surfaces is used to attach and shape the top material, allowing it to be stretched over the corner bow and side area, with the ability to swivel upwards for better loading access and guiding the material into a specific storage position, utilizing injection-molded light metal or plastic components and suitable connection methods.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Shape
If the top material is routed around the corner bow and tensioned in the rear corner area, then the shape and tension of the top material is improved, but the design complexity of the tensioning bracket increases
Solution Approach 1:
The tensioning bracket features a curved surface that matches the contour of the corner bow, allowing the top material to be tensioned and shaped smoothly around the corner area. The curved design of the bracket enables the material to follow the desired path from the horizontal roof area to the rear corner region without requiring complex routing mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The tensioning bracket is designed to perform multiple functions: it serves as both a shaping element for the top material and a tensioning device. The bracket integrates the functions of guiding the material around the corner bow and applying the necessary tension, thereby simplifying the overall design while achieving the desired shape and tension control.
2Ease of operation
If the clamping bracket is made swiveling for loading access, then the ease of operation is improved, but the reliability of fabric tension may worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The clamping bracket is designed to be swiveling rather than fixed, allowing it to move dynamically between a closed position (when the top is closed) and an open position (for loading access). This dynamic capability enables easy access to the rear loading area while maintaining the ability to secure the top material firmly when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The swiveling mechanism is designed with provisions to maintain fabric tension throughout the range of motion. The bracket's design ensures that tension is preserved during the swiveling operation, preventing loose or damaged fabric when the bracket is moved for loading access.
3Shape
If the top material is stretched over the corner bow to the rear area, then the seamless appearance is improved, but the stress on the material increases
Solution Approach 1:
The tensioning bracket is designed with specific geometric parameters (curvature radius, surface profile) that optimize the distribution of stress on the top material. By carefully controlling these parameters, the bracket achieves a seamless appearance while keeping stress within acceptable limits, preventing material damage or excessive wear.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
The present invention relates to a tensioning bracket (12) for a folding soft top (1) of a vehicle, comprising a soft top fabric (4) which extends forward in the direction of travel (2) into a roof cap (5) and is attached at the rear to a tensioning bracket (12), and the soft top fabric (4) can be moved via lateral roof guides (18) from a closed position spanning the passenger compartment to an open position stored in the rear area. A rear window (10) is integrated into the soft top fabric (4) in the rear area of the folding soft top (1), and the soft top fabric (4) is tensioned over the bows (7, 8) in the rear area when the folding soft top (1) is closed. In this process, the convertible top fabric (4) is guided from the rear area into the side area of the vehicle up to the rear edge (16) of the C-pillar (15) via the tensioning bracket (12), whereby the tensioning bracket (12) forms the corner area (14) of the convertible top fabric (4) between the rear edge (16) of the C-pillar (15) and the opening area of the body (11).The tensioning bracket (12) is designed as a correspondingly flat component, following the shape of the side rear and corner area. The tensioning bracket (12) is intended to combine several functions and enable the shaping and tensioning of the convertible top fabric in a particularly simple design.