DE3635373A1 - Folding roof for motor vehicles - Google Patents

Abstract

A folding roof for motor vehicles (20) exhibits a linkage (35, 39) which can pivot in the longitudinal direction of the motor vehicle (20), which, in a first position, holds the folding roof (21) closed above a passenger compartment of the motor vehicle (20) and which, after pivoting and collapsing the folding roof (21), holds the latter stowed in a second position behind the passenger compartment. In order to increase the all-weather suitability of the folding roof (21) and to be able to open and close the folding roof (21) easily, the folding roof (21) exhibits at least two rigid shells (30, 34) which are arranged one behind the other and are connected to one another by means of a first articulation part (35). The shells (30, 34) span the passenger compartment over the width thereof. The shells (30, 34) and the first articulation (35) are arranged and configured such that, on collapsing, the shells (30, 34) move into a position one above the other and can be lowered, in this position, in a boot (22) of the motor vehicle (20). <IMAGE>

Description

The invention relates to a hood for motor vehicles, with a pivotable in the longitudinal direction of the motor vehicle Linkage that in a first position, the top above holds a passenger compartment of the motor vehicle closed and after swiveling and folding the convertible top into stowed in a second position behind the passenger compartment holds.  

Hoods of the type mentioned above are generally known and are used in convertibles from different manufacturers puts. These known hoods use as covering material a textile fabric. The supporting function of the convertible top is exercised by a linkage. In the first, closed The position of the hood stretches the textile fabric over the passenger compartment. There is a ver on the frame at the front attached closing element with which the closed hood Hooked and locked above the windshield at the front can be. The soft top is like this on the side edges trained that it was as close as possible to the high cure the side windows. A second function of the Linkage consists of the roof after loosening the Fold the closure element and fold it back can. In the case of known convertible tops, this is folded Canopy U-shaped around the seats or, if one is featured see is arranged around the back seat. That together The convertible top is usually above the body of the motor vehicle and is usually used for protection against pollution and to avoid fluttering covered by a tarpaulin.

In such cases one speaks of "full convertibles" when at folded roof and rolled down windows the area behind the windshield free of superstructures is above the doors.

Another type of such full convertible is the top trained as a so-called "hardtop". This means one is a removable element that consists essentially of one Roof and a rear window of a sedan. Derarti However, ge hardtops are naturally relatively bulky, so that  they are usually removed and set before the journey begins can be kept in stock while driving with the then open convertible is carried out. However, it is also known to design such hardtops so that you can in Trunk of the motor vehicle can accommodate, however then the trunk is no longer used for other purposes bar.

Finally, there are numerous mixed forms between Li mousins and convertibles. With a kind of this Motor vehicles is a rigid, not in the area of the B-pillar Removable roll bar arranged and the gaps between the roll bar and the windshield one On the other hand or the trunk on the other hand can stare or flexible cover elements can be closed.

With other motor vehicles that are even closer to sedans The most varied types of rolling and sliding are witnesses roofs provided, where part of the roof through Rolling back a textile fabric or by shooting back ben or fold up a flexible or rigid Dachele can be opened or closed.

In the full convertibles mentioned at the beginning there is one of the essential problems in that the assembly and disassembly of the Roofs are usually quite complicated and therefore time-consuming is agile. It also requires opening or closing the Hoods usually have considerable physical strength and finger distance activity, so that the everyday suitability of such full convertibles sometimes restricted and these for technical less skillful or weaker people such hoods are not usable. While it is also known to be textile  Hoods for motor vehicles by means of hydraulic or pneumatic drives to open or close fully automatically close, however, this is a considerable effort and associated with considerable costs.

Furthermore, textile hoods have system-related disadvantages le regarding their winter suitability, because the warmth iso lation and the tightness of such hoods naturally is worse than with rigid tops of limousines or Hardtops. The high-speed behavior of such Textile tops leave a lot to be desired, because textile Roofs not only to be loud at higher speeds Fluttering noise but also tend to inflate, so that only limited speeds when the top is closed can be driven.

These disadvantages are true for the described hardtops not given to this extent, but have hardtops again the significant disadvantage that it is not so easy and can be folded up like textile to save space Hoods.

The invention is therefore based on the object of a convertible top of the type mentioned to further develop that it is year-round and yet easy to open and close is close without this taking up more space must be bought.

This object is achieved in that the Cover at least two, one behind the other, by means of a first joint part connected rigid Has shells covering the passenger compartment across its width  span and that the shells and the first joint part are arranged and designed such that the shells when Merged into one layer and one on top of the other this position in a trunk of the motor vehicle are retractable.

The object underlying the invention is thus completely solved.

The at least partial training of the top in the form of rigid shells avoid the system-related aftermath parts of soft tops because the thermal insulation and the Aerodynamics of the rigid shells that of sedan roofs are equal. The convertible top according to the invention can also easier to close and open because less Joint parts are required as opposed to one textile hood no tensioning of the hood is required. Therefore fewer joint parts have to be pivoted, so that there is no risk of jamming, as is the case with older textile hoods is sometimes the case when the numerous joint parts due to age-related frictional resistance exhibit.

Compared to a hardtop, the roof according to the invention has the significant advantage that the collapsed roof raise Lich takes up less space, so with optimized Dimensioning of the top elements not only the entire Convertible top can be accommodated in what the Optics and aerodynamics of the motor vehicle benefit, it becomes a certain one even with appropriate training Leave a trunk to store luggage and the like.  

The top according to the invention is particularly suitable for retrofitting limousines in a convertible letts in which a limousine "cut open" and one collapsible hood is put on. One uses namely an at least partially rigid top, so this comes from the torsional stiffness of the convertible and so that its driving behavior benefits.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention between a rear edge of the rear shell and one front top edge of the trunk a flexible hood part arranged.

This measure has the advantage that through partial training use of the hood as a flexible hood is still minimal res volume of the folded top can be reached can, without this the systemic disadvantages texti roofs have to be accepted because of the we considerable part of the hood above the front seats and a possibly provided back strap from the rigid shells is covered.

In embodiments of the invention, the trunk is covered by a trunk hood, which is about an axis is rotatably arranged at the rear of the motor vehicle.

This measure has the advantage that the trunk hood after folded up at the back and the collapsible soft top from can be folded into the front of the trunk.

A particularly good effect is achieved when the first Joint part with its front end halfway along the  front shell and with its rear end at the front of the attacks the rear shell.

This measure has the advantage that when the Joint part of the front shell on the rear shell can be placed that the two shells front and back are at least approximately flush with each other and in this way a particularly small volume of the placed hood.

In this exemplary embodiment, preferably the first Articulated part mounting flanges for rigid connection with the shells and a parallel guide on which the fastening supply flanges when pivoting the first joint part in holds parallel to each other.

This measure has the advantage that even when pivoting the shells against each other rigid in their direction are guided, so that tilting or lateral touchdown the shells on each other is prevented, resulting in a ver jam or even damage the shells.

For this purpose, the parallel guide expediently has two Shafts on which the mounting flanges are rigid are arranged and the shafts are also rotatable mounted on a frame and they have sprockets that coupled with each other without slip using an endless chain are.

This results in a very space-saving parallel leadership of the mounting flanges, so that when closed Cover sufficient headroom in the passenger compartment  can be guaranteed and with the roof down the volume occupied by this is minimal.

In further embodiments of the invention, this Linkage also on a second joint part, one of which End is rotatably mounted on a body point and the other end at a rear edge of the rear shell attacks.

This measure has several advantages. On the one hand there is a simple pivoting movement in that the roof only ver by turning around a pivot point in the trunk can be pivoted. On the other hand, this results in the Advantage that the hood can be easily dismantled can by the second hinge part at the articulation points from Vehicle is released. Finally, there is the advantage that no linkage parts in the Area of the doors or windows protrude so that even closed hood and open side windows completely free window spaces are available.

In this exemplary embodiment, it is particularly preferred if the second joint part is a quadrangle, the swivel angle forward is limited by a stop.

This measure has the advantage that when opening the top First the shells from the Trunk can be swung out, the Swivel angle is limited by the stop. The hood remains cantilevered in this intermediate position while the user now lifts the upper shell from the lower one and swivels forward, where the convertible top is then used as a whole  suitable closure elements above the windshield is attached.

Further advantages of the invention result from the Be writing and the attached drawing.

It is understood that the above and the Features explained below not only in the combination given in each case but also in others Combinations or alone can be used without to leave the scope of the invention.

Embodiments of the invention are in the drawing are shown and are described in the following description explained in more detail. Show it:

Fig. 1 to 3 schematic side views of a motor vehicle during its conversion from a limousine into a convertible;

Fig. 4 to 8 schematically details of a game Ausführungsbei of a convertible top according to the invention and the sequence of movements from the closed to the open top;

Fig. 9 is a side perspective view of a first hinge part;

Fig. 10 9 during pivoting of shells of the soft top according to the invention to 12 representations of three phases of movement of the hinge portion of FIG..

Fig. 1 shows a schematic side view of a power tool 10 , which is built as a two-door sedan. In such motor vehicles there is often a desire to drive a corresponding convertible. If such is not available from the manufacturer itself, an existing limousine can be converted into a convertible, for which purpose specialized companies have established themselves.

In the motor vehicle 10 of FIG. 1, this means that the body must be "cut open". For this purpose, a roof 11 is cut open along an arrow 12 above the windshield 13 , a B-pillar 16 is cut through in the direction of arrows 14 , 15 and in the direction of an arrow 17 , rear spars 18 on both sides of the rear window are slightly below the height of the trunk hood cut off.

After these cuts, a motor vehicle 20 is obtained , as shown in FIG. 2 and which is usually referred to as a "full convertible". A full convertible is characterized in that a passenger compartment 23 apart from the windshield 13 or the side rails 19 and the frame running above the windshield 13 to the side, back and up is completely free of internals.

In order to operate the motor vehicle 20 of FIG. 2 in different weather conditions, a removable deck 21 according to FIG. 3 is required. The top 21 is to be designed according to the invention so that it can be accommodated in a folded state 22 in a trunk, so as to come to an optically and aerodynamically satisfactory solution.

Fig. 4 shows, partly in section and simplified greatly, the essential elements of the top 21 according to the invention. Above the windshield 13 , the convertible top 21 has a front rigid shell 30 which can be attached to the upper frame 32 of the windshield 13 by means of a closure part 31 . Behind the front shell 30 is a rear shell 34 . The shells 30 , 34 are connected to one another by means of a first joint part 35 . For this purpose, a first articulation point 36 is provided on the front edge of the rear shell 34 and a second articulation point 37 is provided on the underside of approximately half the length of the front shell 30 . At the rear lower edge of the rear shell 34 there is a third articulation point 38 for a second joint part, which essentially consists of a rod 39 or a four-bar linkage, of which only a second rod 39 a is indicated in FIG. 4. The rod 39 is fastened at its lower end to a fourth articulation point 40 , which is arranged fixed on the body of the motor vehicle 20 . At the upper end of the rod 31 , a stop 41 can still be seen.

At the rear upper edge of the rear shell 34 , a first attachment point 43 can be seen and a second attachment point 44 can be seen on the front edge of a trunk hood 45 . A flexible convertible top part 46 is arranged between the fastening points 43 and 44 . The trunk hood 45 is rotatable about an axis 47 in the region of the upper rear edge of a rear 48 of the motor vehicle 20 , but the axis can also be arranged further down at the rear 48 , as indicated by an axis 47 a .

The function of the convertible top 21 according to the invention will now be explained with reference to the phase images of FIGS. 5 to 8.

After the closure part 31 has been released , the front shell 30 can first be pivoted upwards by means of the first joint part 35 . The second joint part is preferably designed as a quadrangle with the rods 39 , 39 a and the stop 41 . This construction ensures that the rear shell 34 can perform no further forward pivoting movement about the fourth pivot point 40 , so that the rear shell 34 cantilevered forward in the position shown in FIG. 5 Darge and remains in this position while the user first pivots the front shell 30 upward.

As shown in Fig. 6, the front shell 30 can now be placed on the rear shell 34 , the training and arrangement of the first joint part 35 with the articulation points 36 , 37 is chosen so that in the attached state of FIG. 6th the shells 30 and 34 are approximately aligned with the front and rear.

Next, as shown in FIG. 7, the trunk lid 45 is pivoted upwards about the axis 47 and at the same time the shells 30 , 34 with the first joint part 35 are pivoted backwards by means of the rod 39 around the fourth articulation point 40 . The flexible top part 46 , meanwhile, deforms, for example, like an accordion and does not hinder the aforementioned pivoting movements.

In Fig. 8 it can be seen that the shells 30 , 34 with all hinge parts and the flexible top part 46 can be accommodated completely in the trunk 23 , whereupon the trunk hood 45 can be closed again to the front. It is understood that the representation of Fig. 8 is to be understood only schematically and of course only modifications, in particular a reduction in the volume of the pivoted parts is possible with respect to the actual dimensions, so that in the trunk 22 there is still sufficient storage space for luggage and The like remains.

In Fig. 9 in an enlarged scale, the first joint part 35 is shown.

The first hinge part 35 has a rigid rectangular frame 50 which is limited by longitudinal legs 51 , 52 and transverse legs 53 , 54 . The rear cross leg 54 is divided in the middle. In the area of the free ends of the parts of the rear transverse leg 54 and at a rear corner of the frame 50 , legs 55 , 56 , 57 are angled at right angles.

At the front end of the frame 50 , rotary bearings 60 , 61 are arranged on the longitudinal legs 51 , 52 , in which a front shaft 62 is rotatably mounted. With the shaft 62 tangential mounting flanges 63 , 64 are connected in a rotationally rigid manner. One of the ends of the front shaft 62 is provided with a sprocket 65 .

The angled leg 55 in the rear corner of the frame mens 50 is also provided with a pivot bearing 66 . The two angled legs 56 , 57 in the divided center of the rear cross leg 54 have a sleeve 67 at their upper free end. In the sleeve 67 and in the pivot bearing 66 , a rear shaft 68 arranged parallel to the front shaft 42 is rotatably mounted. Radial arms 69 , 70 are connected in a rotationally rigid manner to shaft 68 . The arms 69 , 70 carry at their end a through the width of the frame 50 through the mounting flange 71st The respective direction or plane of the mounting flanges 63 and 64 and 71 are indicated by 72 and 73 . It can be seen that the directions 72 , 73 are parallel.

One end of the rear shaft 68 is also provided with a sprocket 77 . An endless chain 75 runs over the chain wheels 65 and 74 and is guided around the longitudinal axis of the rear transverse leg 54 by means of deflection plates 76 , 77 through 90 °. The chain wheels 65 and 74 are coupled to one another without slippage by means of the chain 75 .

The function of the first joint part 35 is now to be explained using the highly schematic phase diagrams of FIGS . 10 to 12.

Fig. 10 is a side view of the basic position accordingly Fig. 9 recorded. It can be seen that the front mounting flanges 63 , 64 are rigidly attached to the front shell 30 at the bottom. The rear mounting flange 71 , however, is from below to the rear shell 34 . The shells 30 , 34 are in the illustration of FIG. 10 at different heights, but for the sake of clarity this is referred to as net and does not influence the function of the first joint part 35 .

If the front shell 30 is raised after loosening the closure part 31 , as has already been shown in FIG. 5, the initially horizontally extending longitudinal legs 51 , 52 from the position shown in FIG. 10 in the verti cal position shown in FIG pivoted.. 11 Since the mounting flange 71 is rigidly attached to the hitherto spatially fixed rear shell 34 , the rear axis 68 does not rotate. Because of the slip-free coupling of the chain wheels 65 , 74 , the rotational position of the front shaft 62 is therefore also retained, so that the front shell 30 also remains in its horizontal position, as can be clearly seen in FIG. 11.

This horizontal alignment of the front shell 30 , parallel to the rear shell 34 , is maintained until the front shell 30 has reached its rear end position, as shown in detail in FIG. 12 and as has already been shown in FIG. 6 in its overall structure .

It is understood that the present invention is not limited to the exemplary embodiment described. In particular, the convertible top 21 according to the invention can also be used with four-door convertibles, because the construction described gives a simple and space-saving arrangement, as was not possible according to the prior art, which is documented in the fact that four-door convertibles have so far are not known.

Claims (8)

1. Convertible top for motor vehicles ( 10 , 20 ), with a linkage ( 35 , 39 ) which can be pivoted in the longitudinal direction of the motor vehicle ( 10 , 20 ) and which, in a first position, covers the convertible top ( 21 ) above a passenger compartment ( 23 ) of the motor vehicle ( 10 holding closed 20) and after pivoting and folding the top (21) of this space in a second position behind the passenger (23) holds stored, characterized in that the top (21) at least two consecutively arranged, by means of a first hinge part ( 35 ) interconnected rigid shells ( 30 , 34 ) which span the passenger compartment ( 23 ) across its width and that the shells ( 30 , 34 ) and the first joint part ( 35 ) are arranged and designed such that the Shells ( 30 , 34 ) are placed one above the other when folded and in this position can be lowered into a trunk ( 22 ) of the motor vehicle ( 20 ). 2. Hood according to claim 1, characterized in that a flexible hood part ( 46 ) is arranged between a rear edge of the rear shell ( 34 ) and a front upper edge of the trunk ( 22 ). 3. Hood according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the trunk ( 22 ) is covered by a trunk hood ( 45 ) which is rotatably arranged about an axis ( 47 ) at the rear ( 48 ) of the motor vehicle ( 20 ). 4. Hood according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the first joint part ( 35 ) engages with its front end at half length on the front shell ( 30 ) and with its rear end at the front on the rear shell ( 34 ). 5. Hood according to claim 4, characterized in that the first joint part ( 35 ) mounting flanges ( 63 , 64 , 71 ) for rigid connection to the shells ( 30 , 34 ) and a parallel guide ( 60 , 61 , 62 , 65 , 67 , 68 , 74 , 75 , 76 , 77 ), which holds the mounting flanges ( 63 , 64 , 71 ) when pivoting the first joint part ( 35 ) in a direction parallel to one another ( 72 , 73 ). 6. Hood according to claim 5, characterized in that the parallel guide ( 60 , 61 , 62 , 65 , 67 , 68 , 74 , 75 , 76 , 77 ) has two shafts ( 62 , 68 ) on which the fastening flanges ( 63 , 64 , 71 ) are arranged in a rotationally rigid manner and that the shafts ( 62 , 68 ) are rotatably mounted on a frame ( 50 ) and have sprockets ( 65 , 74 ) which are coupled to one another by means of an endless chain ( 75 ) without slipping. 7. Hood according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the linkage further comprises a second linkage, one end of which is rotatably mounted on a body riepunkt ( 40 ) and the other end engages on a rear edge of the rear shell ( 34 ) . 8. Hood according to claim 7, characterized in that the second hinge part is a hinge quadrilateral ( 38 , 39 , 39 a , 40 ), the pivot angle of which is limited to the front by means of a stop ( 41 ).