DE102013214127B4 - Manual closure and method for its operation - Google Patents

Abstract

Closure for a convertible top of a vehicle, wherein the closure comprises a housing arranged on the convertible top side with an operating handle (10) which can be moved into a lowered gripping position, and a pivotable locking hook (17), wherein the operating handle (10) interacts with a control link (14) attached to a plate (2) of the vehicle and wherein the locking hook (17) is articulated to a drive link (5), characterized in that the drive link (5) has a cranked recess, the inner contour of which serves as a link (16) for a stop bolt (7), and that the link guide of the stop bolt (7) is mechanically and functionally connected to an elongated hole (19) in the operating handle (10) via a drive link bolt (6) of the drive link (5).

Description

The invention is based on a lock for a convertible top of a vehicle, the lock comprising a housing arranged on the convertible top with an operating handle and a pivotable locking hook, the operating handle interacting with a flap gate attached to a panel of the vehicle. The invention is also based on a method for operating a lock of the aforementioned type.

State of the art

A closure of the type mentioned above is from the DE 93 02 292 U1 known and comprises a housing arranged on the top side with an actuating element and a pivotable locking hook. When the lock is in the locking position, the locking hook interacts with a guide attached to the windshield frame in front, whereas the actuating element formed by an elongated handle extends with its free end away from the windshield frame to the rear.

This arrangement has the property that a relatively high gap is provided between the underside of the top and the actuating element in order to engage behind the free end of the actuating element, whereby the actuating element projects relatively far downwards towards the passenger compartment.

From the EN 196 02 185 C1 An improved lock is known which has two operating elements which are recessed in a recess in the top frame and enable the lock to be easily handled using a handle. The lock itself consists of a large number of elements which allow the locking hook to move and engage and disengage. A locking pawl, a functional disk and a drive lever are moved and pivoted against each other.

When the lock is opened, the handle lever is released and falls downwards, which is made possible by a slot in the locking hook.

When opening this lock, the handle lever can perform an uncontrolled movement after being released by a push button because the tension on the locking hook is reduced when it moves beyond the dead center position and the handle is thus given an impulse.

Another locking device for a folding roof is from the DE 100 00 002 A1 known.

The object of the invention is to provide a closure which can be manufactured inexpensively due to a simple structure, but which, due to its structural design, prevents or at least significantly dampens uncontrolled movements of the opening handle.

The object is achieved by a closure for a convertible top of a vehicle according to claim 1.

Because the drive link as a component has a function both for locking and for guiding the operating handle until it is completely relieved, a harmonious opening process can be achieved with just a few components.

According to the invention, the guide rail of the stop bolt is mechanically and functionally connected to a slot in the operating handle, which reduces components and allows the opening process to proceed easily and uninterruptedly.

Another advantage is that the elongated hole is aligned in the direction of gravity, so that the movement of the operating lever in the elongated hole is moved to an intermediate position without any additional force component.

It is also advantageous that the link of the drive link encloses the stop bolt in the locking position in a semicircular recess and has a ramp-shaped design.

It is advantageous that the operating handle guides a flap in the flap gate and thus enables a controlled movement of the covering flap.

• - Betätigung eines Tasters in einem Betätigungsgriff für die Entriegelung des Betätigungsgriffes
• - Verschwenken des Betätigungsgriffes um einen Lagerbolzen
• - Gesteuerte Führung des Betätigungsgriffes mit seinem Langloch durch eine Kulisse im Antriebslenker.

The advantageous method for opening a closure of a convertible top comprises the following steps:

• - Pressing a button in an operating handle to unlock the operating handle
• - Pivoting the operating handle around a bearing pin
• - Controlled guidance of the operating handle with its elongated hole through a guide in the drive link.

Description of the invention

• 1a und 1 b zeigen eine schematische Darstellung der beispielhaften Ausführungsform im geschlossenen Zustand
• 2 zeigt den Verschluss mit Freilauf
• 3 zeigt den Verschluss am Totpunkt
• 4 zeigt den Verschluss an einer Position über den Totpunkt
• 5 zeigt eine Zwischenstellung
• 6a und 6b zeigt den Verschluss in geöffneter Position
• 7 zeigt den Anschlag in geschlossener Endstellung

The invention is described below by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings.

• 1a and 1 b show a schematic representation of the exemplary embodiment in the closed state
• 2 shows the closure with freewheel
• 3 shows the closure at the dead center
• 4 shows the shutter at a position above the dead center
• 5 shows an intermediate position
• 6a and 6b shows the shutter in open position
• 7 shows the stop in closed end position

The closure according to the invention is located in a passenger car which has a top 3 above a belt line. In its closed position, the top extends between a body-side frame formed by a windshield frame and a rear area. A top compartment is provided in the rear area, which is at least partially covered at the top by a top compartment cover. The top, which can be moved from a closed position to a rear storage position (not shown in more detail) and vice versa, is formed, for example, by a folding top with an elastic top cover.

The convertible top is held in its closed position by means of a releasable manual lock 1 on an upper transverse region of the body-side frame.

The locking device can be just one lock 1 arranged in the area of a vehicle longitudinal center plane C-C, whereby further components such as centering devices on the outside can also be provided. However, two locks 1 arranged at a distance from one another can also be provided.

The lock 1, designed as a toggle lever lock, essentially comprises a housing fastened to the underside of the dimensionally rigid front convertible top frame, a locking hook 17 which, in its locking position, is operatively connected to a receptacle arranged on the frame of the vehicle, and an operating handle 10. By means of the lock 1, the convertible top is tensioned longitudinally against the fixed frame.

In the closed position of the lock 1, the operating handle 10 with its integrated button 11 is recessed in a trough-shaped recess in the front frame of the top or flush with this frame or in a housing 20 for the lock. The operating handle and the button work together in such a way that the operating handle 10 is only moved into a lowered gripping position after the button 11 has been actuated.

The button 11 is designed as a spring-loaded component with a leg spring 12, whereas the operating handle 10 in the embodiment is formed by a bow handle. The operating handle 10 could, however, also be designed as a T-handle or an elongated handle.

The lock 1 is a manual lock that is operated by a person. The lock 1 is located in a housing 20 and is connected to the hood via a plate 2. The housing 20 is formed by one or more housing parts, with the button 11 and operating handle 10, as well as a flap 4 following the contour of the housing and closing the housing when closed.

The operating handle is connected to the flap 4 via a flap bolt 10a, which has a hook-shaped connection 4a that encloses the flap bolt 10a. Towards the side of the plate 2, the flap 4 has a guide lug 4b that is guided in the flap gate.

The operating handle 10 is rotatably attached to the bearing component 21 via a bearing bolt 13. The operating handle also has a drive link bolt 6 and a stop bolt 7.

The locking hook 17 is connected in an articulated manner to a drive link 5 and a control link 14 by means of a link pin. The control link 14 is attached to the bearing part 21 of the lock via a control link pin 15. The design of the drive link 5 is such that it extends along the housing and extends into a fork-like or hook-like shape at the end facing away from the link pin 8.

The upper part of this end encloses the drive link bolt 6. The drive bolt is then guided in a slot 19 of the handle 10. The slot is located in 1b hidden behind the drive link 5.

Since the longitudinal alignment of the slot 19 extends along the force of gravity, the drive link pin is in the upper position of the slot 19 of the handle in the rest state 10 as from 1a The drive link 5, however, remains in the over-dead-center position, since another stop 23 is effective, as 7 This stop 23 is located on the back of the bearing component 21 and causes a locking of a transmission lever 22 which is fastened via the bearing pin 13 and rotates about the drive link pin 6.

To open the lock 1, the button 11 is pressed and a locking hook (not described in detail) moves out of a locking disk and the operating handle is unlocked. The unlocking of the operating handle causes it to fall down following gravity by rotating around the bearing pin 13. This causes the handle to stop at the lower stop of the slot. The movement of the operating handle 10 changes the position of the stop pin relative to the fork of the drive link 5, see 2 .

The shutter is at dead center. 3 shows the movement shortly after the dead center position. The operating handle 10 is rotated around the axis of the bearing bolt 13, whereby the drive link performs a movement guided over the guide 16 of the drive link. The stop bolt 7 moves out of the locking position and along a ramp of the guide 16, which becomes increasingly flatter towards the outside. In 4 you can see how the stop bolt moves relative to the guide 16, while at the same time the flap 4 is moved with the guide lug 4b in the guide 3. As the operating handle continues to move, the stop bolt is completely released. So that the flap 4, which is part of the housing 20, can be accommodated without any problems, it is guided over the flap guide and stored inside the lock to save space.

The locking hook 17 moves away from the direction of the locking receptacles, i.e. to the right in the drawing. In 5 It can be seen that a control link 14 in conjunction with a pressure lever 18 enables a defined movement of the locking hook 17 from the locking device on the vehicle.

In the further movement of the operating handle 10, the drive link 5 causes a rotation of the control link 14 about the control steering pin 15, while at the same time the locking hook 17 is rotated about the link pin 8.

At the same time, the button 11 is moved back into a spring-loaded locking position and pre-tensioned. This means that the lock is locked even when open. The "open" state can be detected by a lock sensor. Solutions such as those recommended for experts are used here.

List of reference symbols

1

Manual closure

2

plate

3

Flap backdrop

4

flap

4a

hook-shaped connection

4b

Guide nose

5

Drive link

6

Drive link bolt

7

Stop bolt

8th

Link bolt

9

Mounting bolts

10

Operating handle

10a

Flap bolt

11

Button

12

Leg spring

13

Bearing bolt

14

Steering handlebar

15

Steering link bolt

16

Gate drive link

17

Locking hook

18

Pressure lever

19

Long hole

20

Housing

21

Bearing component

22

Transmission lever

23

attack

Claims (7)

Lock for a top of a vehicle, wherein the lock comprises a housing arranged on the top side with an operating handle (10) which can be moved into a lowered gripping position, and a pivotable locking hook (17), wherein the operating handle (10) interacts with a control link (14) attached to a plate (2) of the vehicle and wherein the locking hook (17) is connected in an articulated manner to a drive link (5), characterized in that the drive link (5) has a cranked recess, the inner contour of which serves as a guide (16) for a stop bolt (7), and that the guide of the stop bolt (7) is provided with a slotted hole (19) in the operating handle (10) is mechanically and functionally connected via a drive link pin (6) of the drive link (5). Closure after Claim 1 , characterized in that the longitudinal alignment of the elongated hole (19) extends along the force of gravity when the drive link pin (6) is in a rest state in an upper position of the elongated hole (19). Closure after Claim 1 , characterized in that the link (16) of the drive link (5) engages around the stop bolt (7) in a locking position in a semicircular recess. Closure after Claim 1 , characterized in that the link (16) has a ramp-shaped design. Closure after Claim 1 , characterized in that a flap (4) is guided via the operating handle (10) in a flap guide. Method for opening a closure according to one of the preceding claims with the following steps: - actuation of a button (11) in an actuating handle (10) for unlocking the actuating handle (10), - pivoting the actuating handle (10) about a bearing pin (13) using the elongated hole (19) in the actuating handle (10), - controlled guidance of the actuating handle (10) in the elongated hole (19) by the guide (16) in the drive link (5). Procedure according to Claim 7 , characterized in that the drive link (5) takes over the function of both guiding the operating handle (10) and guiding a control link (14) for pivoting the locking hook.