DE102011119500B4 - Cabriolet vehicle with an adjustable vehicle roof - Google Patents

Abstract

Cabriolet vehicle with an adjustable vehicle roof (2), which can be adjusted between a closed position and a storage position via roof kinematics (8), with a fixed roll bar (6) connected to the vehicle body, the roll bar (6) having at least one openable flap (7) which is in the open position at least in phases during the transfer movement of the vehicle roof (2) between the closed and storage positions, the roof kinematics (8) being able to be passed through the opened flap (7) during the transfer movement, and that the flap (7 ) is closed when the vehicle roof (2) is in the storage position, characterized in that an indentation (16) is made in the roll bar (6), the indentations (16) being in the lateral roll bar area in the transition between the laterally arranged, steeply rising section and are the middle, approximately horizontal section of the roll bar and the indentations (16) of the flap (7) can be covered, with the roof kinematics (8) being guided through the indentation (16) when the vehicle roof is closed, and the flaps (7) being adjustably held on the roll bar (6) via flap kinematics and being opened upwards pivoted so that the flaps (7) rest in the open position on the horizontal, upper portion of the roll bar (6).

Description

The invention relates to a convertible vehicle with an adjustable vehicle roof, which can be adjusted between a closed position and a storage position.

Convertible vehicles are known with an adjustable hard top or soft top which can be adjusted between a closed position covering the vehicle interior and an open storage position in which the vehicle roof is stored in a rear folding top compartment. For safety reasons, there is a roll bar behind the vehicle seats, which is firmly connected to the vehicle body and cannot be adjusted and protrudes over the vehicle seats. When the vehicle roof is closed, the roll bar is covered by the vehicle roof. Such a convertible vehicle is, for example, in the EP 0 845 378 B1 described.

From the DE 10 2010 010 439 A1 a folding top is known, with a passage for moving a folding top linkage being provided on a folding top element. To adjust the top element between a closed position and an open position, a flap is provided, which in a release position releases the passage for the linkage and closes the passage in a closed position. The flap moves about an axis that is parallel to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle, so that the flap moves away from the vehicle.

the DE 10 2006 057 217 A1 shows a roll bar in a vehicle that is constructed in two parts. The roll bar has a flap, which in turn rotates about an axis extending parallel to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle and folds away from the vehicle.

the DE 10 2009 059 682 A1 shows a roll bar with a flap through which a passage for the top linkage can be represented. The flap is presented in different variants, one opening around the vehicle's longitudinal axis and one opening around the vehicle's transverse axis. The flap is in a deployed position to allow passage for the passage of the linkage.

the DE 10 2004 010 095 B3 shows a linkage connected to a folding top that carries a cover part. The cover part is used for optical lamination in the interior area. The cover part is connected to the top linkage and the top parts via a joint.

The object of the invention is to create additional design options for the roof design of a convertible vehicle using simple measures and without restricting safety.

This object is achieved according to the invention with the features of claim 1. The subclaims indicate appropriate developments.

The convertible vehicle has a vehicle roof that can be adjusted between a closed position covering the vehicle interior and an open storage position. The vehicle roof comprises one or more roof parts, which are adjustably arranged on the vehicle body via roof kinematics. The vehicle roof can be a hard top or a soft top with a top cover material or mixed forms with surface bows, which are covered by a top cover material.

For safety reasons, a roll bar is provided, which is firmly connected to the vehicle body. The position of the roll bar on the vehicle body is fixed; the roll bar is in a position that projects beyond the side line of the vehicle and at least one vehicle seat, both when the roof is open and when it is closed.

The roll bar has at least one openable flap, which is in an open position at least in phases during the transfer movement of the vehicle roof between the closed and storage position. The roof kinematics can be guided through the open flap during the transition between the closed and storage position. The flap is closed at least in the storage position of the vehicle roof, but advantageously also in the closed position of the roof, the flap covering the roof kinematics in the closed position of the roof.

According to a preferred embodiment, the roll bar has an indentation which can be covered by the flap, with the roof kinematics being guided through the indentation and covered by the flap when the vehicle roof is closed; the roof kinematics are thus located between the roll bar and the flap. When the flap is open, the roof kinematics can be lifted out of the indentation or adjusted into it.

In an alternative embodiment, there is an opening in the roll bar which is closed by the flap. When the vehicle roof is closed, the kinematic components of the roof kinematics are below the roll bar and are overlapped by the roll bar. During the Transfer movement between the closed and storage position, the flap in the roll bar is opened so that the opening in the roll bar is open and the roof kinematics can be passed through the opening in the roll bar. This applies both to the storage movement and to the closing movement of the roof. The flap on the roll bar is in the open position at least during the passage of the roof kinematics through the opening in the roll bar. As long as the vehicle roof is still adjacent to its end positions and the roof kinematics are at a sufficient distance from the roll bar, the flap may still be in its closed position. In principle, however, it is possible for the flap to be moved into the open position at the beginning of the adjustment movement of the roof and to maintain this position until the end of the transfer movement of the roof.

These designs make it possible to create relatively flat convertible vehicles without the need for a roll bar that can be lowered and raised. The roll bar is fixed to the vehicle, only the flap in the roll bar can be adjusted between the open and closed position for releasing and closing the indentation or opening. Since the links of the roof kinematics are below the flap when the vehicle roof is closed, no additional installation space is required for the roof kinematics.

Advantageously, for reasons of symmetry, two flaps are arranged in the left and right roll bar area for closing and opening a respective indentation or opening in the roll bar. The vehicle roof is adjusted by left and right roof kinematics, the roof links of which are guided through the open flap during the transfer movement of the roof.

The flap can be designed as a cover part that is arranged on the roll bar, but does not transmit any forces in accident situations. This design is advantageously combined with the indentation in the roll bar. According to another embodiment, the flap is part of the roll bar and absorbs forces in accident situations; this variant can be combined with the opening in the roll bar, for example.

According to a preferred embodiment, there is a coupling between the flap kinematics, via which the flap is held adjustably, and the roof kinematics, with the adjustment movement of the flap kinematics depending or being controlled by the adjustment movement of the roof kinematics. This design has the advantage that no additional actuator is required for flap movement. The flap movement is derived from the movement of the roof kinematics.

The transmission device for the connection between the roof kinematics and the flap kinematics expediently includes a transmission cable that can be laid variably due to its flexibility. The transmission cable is expediently designed as a push-pull cable that can transmit both tensile and compressive forces. However, an embodiment as a Bowden cable, via which tensile forces can be transmitted, also comes into consideration. The flap can be subjected to spring force in one of its end positions, preferably in its open position, optionally in the closed position, so that an actuating movement only has to be applied via the transmission device in the opposite direction. This version is particularly suitable in combination with the Bowden cable as a transmission cable. In the case of a push-pull cable, a spring element for acting on the flap can in principle be dispensed with, even if a spring element can also be used in this combination if necessary.

The transmission device advantageously includes a link part, in which a guide link is introduced, which is scanned by another component of the transmission device, in particular an adjusting lever. The adjustment movement of the flap for opening and closing can be controlled in a simple manner via the guide link. In particular, it is possible to carry out the opening and closing movement of the flap at different points in time and/or at a different speed compared to the laying down or closing movement of the vehicle roof. For example, the flap can only be opened at a point in time at which the vehicle roof has already been released from its end position. It is also possible that the flap maintains its open position without any further movement relative to the roll bar for a certain period of time during the movement of the vehicle roof. This is achieved, for example, by the link part being pivotably mounted and the guide link having a circular link section, the center point of which coincides with the pivot axis of the link part, so that when the link part is pivoted, a guide part located in the circular link section does not experience any change in distance from the pivot axis. The guide part, which is, for example, an adjusting lever, is connected to the transmission cable, so that no adjusting movement is carried out during the adjusting phase in which the adjusting lever is located in the circular link section, and accordingly no adjustment movement is transmitted to the flap via the transmission cable.

Advantageously, the connecting link part, like the adjusting lever, is pivotably mounted on the vehicle body, in particular on a bearing bracket which is fixedly connected to the vehicle body. The bearing bracket can also accommodate the rotary joints for the roof kinematics and, if necessary, for a countershaft kinematics, via which the roof kinematics is acted upon.

The roof kinematics are preferably designed as multi-joint kinematics, in particular as four-joint kinematics, with the link part being adjusted by a roof link attached to the body, in particular a main link of the roof kinematics, which is pivotably fixed to the vehicle body.

The flap is advantageously held directly on the roll bar via the flap kinematics. In principle, however, it is also possible to fasten the flap kinematics to the vehicle body or to a component connected to the vehicle body. The flap kinematics on the roll bar are expediently held above the indentation or opening and thus move the flap upwards in the open position. This has the advantage that no installation space for the opening movement of the flap has to be reserved in the side area of the roll bar.

The flap expediently performs a pivoting movement via the flap kinematics. The flap kinematics are designed, for example, as multi-bar kinematics, in particular as four-bar kinematics. In principle, however, any flap movements with exclusively translatory, rotatory or mixed translatory-rotary components can be considered.

With two flaps in the left and right side area of the roll bar, these are expediently controlled via the roof kinematics in the left and right side area of the vehicle. It can be expedient to provide a crossover connection so that the left roof kinematics controls the right flap and the right roof kinematics controls the left flap.

In principle, however, it is also possible to activate the flap from one side via the respective roof kinematics.

• 1 ein Cabriolet-Fahrzeug in perspektivischer Ansicht,
• 2 das Fahrzeugdach in perspektivischer Einzeldarstellung im geschlossenen Zustand, mit einem Überrollbügel, der im linken und rechten Seitenbereich jeweils eine schwenkbare Klappe aufweist,
• 3 das Fahrzeugdach in einer ersten Phase der Öffnungsbewegung, mit geöffneten Klappen im Überrollbügel, wobei die Dachlenker der Dachkinematik aus freigegebenen Einbuchtungen im Überrollbügel heraustreten,
• 4 das Fahrzeugdach kurz vor Erreichen der Ablageposition, mit noch geöffneten Klappen im Überrollbügel,
• 5 das Fahrzeugdach in Ablageposition mit geschlossenen Klappen im Überrollbügel,
• 6 eine Übertragungseinrichtung zur Ansteuerung der Klappenkinematik durch die Dachkinematik, dargestellt bei geschlossenem Fahrzeugdach und geschlossener Klappe,
• 7 bis 9 die Übertragungseinrichtung in verschiedenen Phasen während der Öffnungsbewegung des Fahrzeugdaches,
• 10 eine Klappe einschließlich der Klappenkinematik in Einzeldarstellung.

Further advantages and expedient embodiments can be found in the further claims, the description of the figures and the drawings. Show it:

• 1 a convertible vehicle in perspective view,
• 2 the vehicle roof in a perspective individual representation in the closed state, with a roll bar, which has a pivoting flap in the left and right side area,
• 3 the vehicle roof in a first phase of the opening movement, with the flaps in the roll bar open, with the roof links of the roof kinematics emerging from released indentations in the roll bar,
• 4 the vehicle roof shortly before reaching the storage position, with the flaps in the roll bar still open,
• 5 the vehicle roof in storage position with closed flaps in the roll bar,
• 6 a transmission device for controlling the flap kinematics by the roof kinematics, shown with the vehicle roof closed and the flap closed,
• 7 until 9 the transmission device in different phases during the opening movement of the vehicle roof,
• 10 a flap including the flap kinematics in an individual representation.

The same components are provided with the same reference symbols in the figures.

In 1 a convertible vehicle 1 is shown with an adjustable vehicle roof 2, which is between the in 1 shown closed position and an open position is adjustable, in which the vehicle roof 2 is stored in a rear convertible top compartment. The vehicle roof 2 comprises a front roof part 3 and a roof part 4 lying behind it, which are adjustably held on the vehicle body via roof kinematics. In the rear area there is a rear part 5 which, when the vehicle roof 2 is in the closed position, is connected to a stationary roll bar 6 which lies between the roof part 4 and the rear part 5 . The rear part 5 is fixed to the vehicle body via a four-joint hinge and can be moved into a pivoted position in order to release a transfer or movement space for the roof and the roof kinematics during the transfer movement of the vehicle roof between the closed and open position. The convertible top compartment for accommodating the vehicle roof in the open position is located below the rear part 5. The front edge of the closed rear part 5 borders on the roll bar 6, on which adjustable flaps 7 are arranged in the lateral transition area between the approximately vertical section and the upper, approximately horizontal section are.

In 2 the vehicle roof 2 is shown in an individual representation without the rear part lying at the rear. In the closed roof position, the rear edge of the rear roof part 4 rests against the roll bar 6, which is held firmly on the vehicle body. In the side area, the roll bar 6 has an openable flap 7 which is held on the roll bar by flap kinematics and can be adjusted between the closed position shown and an open position in which a downwardly directed indentation in the roll bar is released. The roof kinematics 8 of the vehicle roof 2 is in the closed position in the indentation in the roll bar 6 and below the flap 7. To adjust between the closed and open position, the flaps 7 in the roll bar 6 are opened so that the roof kinematics 8 through the opened flaps 7 in the roll bar 6 can be swung through. The flaps 7 are then closed again. The actuating movement of the flaps 7 is coupled to the roof kinematics via a transmission device, so that the flap movement is controlled by the movement of the roof kinematics.

The roof kinematics 8 in the left and right side of the vehicle is designed as a four-bar linkage kinematics and includes two roof links 9 and 10, which are arranged one behind the other as seen in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. On the body side, the roof links 9 and 10 are each mounted via a swivel joint on a bearing bracket 11 which is firmly connected to the vehicle body. On the roof side, the roof links 9 and 10 are coupled to the front roof part 3 via further pivot joints. The rear roof part 4 is connected to the roof links 9, 10 via roof part kinematics.

The roof kinematics 8 is adjusted by a countershaft kinematics 12 which is also held on the bearing bracket 11 . The countershaft kinematics 12 comprises a linear drive 13 designed as a hydraulic cylinder, a control link 14 which is driven by the hydraulic cylinder 13 and a drive link 15 via which the movement of the control link 14 is transmitted to a roof link of the roof kinematics 8 .

In the 3 until 5 the vehicle roof 2 is shown in further movement phases during the storage or opening movement. Since the roof kinematics 8 with the roof links 9 and 10 are overlapped by the flaps 7 when the roof is closed, the flaps 7 in the roll bar must be moved to an open position to release the indentations 16, so that the roof links 9 and 10, such as in particular 3 to see from the exposed indentations 16 can be led out. The same applies to the closing movement of the roof. The indentations 16 are located in the lateral area of the roll bar in the transition between the laterally arranged, steeply rising section and the central, approximately horizontal section of the roll bar.

The flaps 7 are adjustably held on the roll bar 6 via flap kinematics and are pivoted upwards to open, so that the flaps 7 rest on the horizontal, upper section of the roll bar 6 in the open position.

The movement of the flaps 7 is controlled by the actuating movement of the roof kinematics 8 via the transmission device. However, in contrast to the movement of the roof kinematics, the flaps 7 do not perform a continuous movement, but remain open in their position above the roll bar 6 until the roof kinematics 8 has stepped out of the indentations 16 and the vehicle roof 2 has approached its end position . In this phase of the roof movement, which in the 3 and 4 is shown, the flaps 7 remain on the roll bar 6 without any relative movement.

Shortly before reaching the end position of the vehicle roof, the flaps 7 are closed again, which in 5 is shown.

In the 6 until 9 the bearing bracket is shown with the roof kinematics 8, the countershaft kinematics 12 and a transmission device 17, via which the flap kinematics 18 for adjusting the flaps 7 are each coupled to a roof kinematics 8. The connection is crosswise, so that the left roof kinematics 8 is coupled via an associated transmission device 17 to the flap kinematics 18 of the right flap 7 and vice versa.

The transmission device 17 comprises a link part 19 with a guide link 20 incorporated therein, an adjusting lever 21 and a transmission cable 22. The link part 19 is pivotably mounted on the bearing bracket 11 via a rotary joint 23 and is driven by an intermediate lever 25 which is articulated at one end to the link part 19 and at the other end is articulated to a shoulder on the roof link 10 of the roof kinematics 8 . The adjusting lever 21 is also rotatably mounted on the bearing bracket 11 via a rotary joint 24 . A pin 26 at one end of the adjusting lever 21 protrudes into the guide link 20 and is guided in it. In the region of its opposite end, the adjusting lever 21 is connected to the transmission cable 22, which is expediently designed as a push-pull cable.

During the transfer movement of the roof kinematics 8 between the end positions of the vehicle roof, the pivoting movement of the roof link 10 is transmitted via the intermediate lever 25 to the link part 19, which performs a continuous rotary movement about the swivel joint 23, but with a reversal of movement. 6 represents the closed roof position, in which the flap 7 is also in the closed position. 7 indicates the initial phase of the storage or opening movement of the vehicle roof, in which the flap 7 is already fully open. In 8th If the roof links 9 and 10 of the roof kinematics 8 have already stepped out of the indentation in the roll bar, the flaps are still in the open position. In 9 When the vehicle roof has reached its storage position, the flaps are closed again.

To open the flaps 7 during the initial opening movement of the vehicle roof is first, like a comparison of 6 and 7 can be seen, the link part 19 is pivoted by actuation via the intermediate lever 25 in a first direction of rotation until the pin 26 of the actuating lever 21 has passed through a first link section 20a of the guide link 20. This first connecting link section 20a is advantageously slightly curved, but it can optionally also be designed at least approximately in a straight line. The first link section 20a is followed by a second link section 20b, which is circular and whose center point coincides with the axis of the rotary joint 23 of the link part 19. The first, straight gate section 20a is at an angle to the second, circular gate section 20b, the angle being approximately 90°. When the pin 26 moves in the first link section 20a, the adjusting lever 21 is pivoted about its pivot joints 24. As a result, the transmission cable 22 is also subjected to an actuating movement, which is transmitted to the flap kinematics 18 of the flap 7 . In the first phase of movement of the vehicle roof, this actuating movement leads to the opening of the flap 7. The opening process takes place by moving the pin 26 of the actuating lever 21 in the straight, first gate section 20a.

In 7 once the pin 26 has completely passed through the first link section 20a, the pin 26 then moves along the circular, second link section 20b. Since this second link section 20b has its center point in the rotary joint 23 of the link part 19, the relative position of the pin 26 in relation to the axis of rotation of the adjusting lever 21 is not changed, so that the adjusting lever 21 maintains its position. As a result, the flap 7 also retains its open position, although the roof kinematics 8 are pivoted further in the direction of the storage position.

In 8th when the pin 26 has reached the end of the second, circular gate section 20b, the flap on the roll bar is still in the open position. In the further course, the rotational movement of the link part 19 is reversed, so that the pin 26 in the circular link section 20b is moved back in the direction of the first link section 20a. The flap also maintains its open position during this phase of movement.

The pin 26 is then moved back again in the first link section 20a, as a result of which the adjusting lever 21 is pivoted about its pivot joint 24 and the closing movement of the flap 7 takes place via the transmission cable 22. When the starting point of the link section 20a is reached, the flap 7 is in the closed position. The roof kinematics 8 has also reached its storage position.

In 10 the flap 7 is shown in isolation. The flap kinematics 18 is designed as a four-bar linkage kinematics and includes two flap links 27 and 28 which are articulated at one end to the underside of the flap 7 and at the other end articulated to a connecting flange 29 which is rigidly connected to the roll bar. The transmission cable 22 acts on the flap link 27 and applies an opening or closing moment to its swivel joint on the connecting flange 29.

Reference List

1

Cabriolet vehicle

2

vehicle roof

3

front roof part

4

rear roof part

5

tail section

6

roll bar

7

flap

8th

roof kinematics

9

roof link

10

roof link

11

bearing bracket

12

countershaft kinematics

13

linear actuator

14

control handle

15

drive link

16

indentation

17

transmission facility

18

flap kinematics

19

scenery part

20

leadership backdrop

20a

scenery section

20b

scenery section

21

lever

22

transmission cable

23

swivel joint

24

swivel joint

25

intermediate lever

26

pen

27

flap link

28

flap link

29

connecting flange

Claims (13)

Cabriolet vehicle with an adjustable vehicle roof (2), which can be adjusted between a closed position and a storage position via roof kinematics (8), with a fixed roll bar (6) connected to the vehicle body, the roll bar (6) having at least one openable flap (7) which is in the open position at least in phases during the transfer movement of the vehicle roof (2) between the closed and storage positions, the roof kinematics (8) being able to be passed through the opened flap (7) during the transfer movement, and that the flap (7 ) is closed when the vehicle roof (2) is in the storage position, characterized in that an indentation (16) is made in the roll bar (6), the indentations (16) being in the lateral roll bar area in the transition between the laterally arranged, steeply rising section and are the middle, approximately horizontal section of the roll bar and the indentations (16) vo n the flap (7) can be covered, with the roof kinematics (8) being guided through the indentation (16) when the vehicle roof is closed, and the flaps (7) being adjustably held on the roll bar (6) via flap kinematics and being opened towards pivoted upwards, so that the flaps (7) rest in the open position on the horizontal, upper section of the roll bar (6). Cabriolet vehicle after claim 1 , characterized in that the flap kinematics (18) for adjusting the flap (7) is coupled to the roof kinematics (8) via a transmission device (17) and the adjustment movement of the flap kinematics (18) depends on the adjustment movement of the roof kinematics (8). Cabriolet vehicle after claim 2 , characterized in that the transmission device (17) comprises a transmission cable (22). Cabriolet vehicle after claim 2 or 3 , characterized in that the transmission device (17) comprises a link part (19) with a guide link (20) in which an adjusting lever (21) for movement transmission to the flap kinematics (18) is guided. Cabriolet vehicle after claim 4 , characterized in that the adjusting lever (21) is pivotably mounted. Cabriolet vehicle after claim 3 and 4 or 5 , characterized in that the transmission cable (22) is attached to the adjusting lever (21). Cabriolet vehicle after one of Claims 4 until 6 , characterized in that the link part (19) is mounted pivotably on the vehicle body. Cabriolet vehicle after claim 7 , characterized in that the guide link (20) has a circular link section (20b), the center point of which coincides with the pivot axis of the link part (19). Cabriolet vehicle after one of Claims 4 until 8th , characterized in that the link part (19) is coupled to a kinematics component of the roof kinematics (8) and performs an adjusting movement during the movement of the vehicle roof. Cabriolet vehicle after one of Claims 1 until 9 , characterized in that the flap (7) is subjected to a force by a spring element. Cabriolet vehicle after one of Claims 1 until 10 , characterized in that the flap (7) is pivotally mounted. Cabriolet vehicle after one of Claims 1 until 11 , characterized in that the flap kinematics (18) of the flap (7) is held on the roll bar (6). Cabriolet vehicle after one of Claims 1 until 12 , characterized in that the Roof kinematics (8) is designed as multi-joint kinematics.

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