JP2004257203A - Locking device for convertible top - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a compact locking device of simple structure for a convertible top. <P>SOLUTION: This locking device for the convertible top is provided with a first link 12 with one end pivoted to a first fulcrum pin 27 and with the other end connected to the other end 11b of a locking lever 11; a second link 13 rotationally operated with one end pivoted to a second fulcrum pin 28; a third link 14 connecting an intermediate position 11c of the locking lever 11 to the other end of the second link 13; and a fourth link 15 connecting an intermediate position of the first link 12 to an intermediate position of the third link 14. The rotational displacement of the second link 13 is transmitted to the first link 12 through the third and fourth links 14, 15 to set the locking lever 11 into a locking attitude and a lock-off attitude. With this configuration, the locking attitude and the lock-off attitude can be realized without providing the locking lever with a guide groove. The structure of the locking lever 11 is thereby simplified to attain compactness and to furthermore promote cost reduction of the locking device. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO&NCIPI

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a convertible top locking device for holding a convertible top closed.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In a vehicle equipped with a convertible top, a lock device is provided on a hood-side header located at a tip end portion of the convertible top in order to enable opening and closing of the convertible top and maintain a closed state ( Patent Document 1).
[0003]
In this lock device, a hook portion of a lock lever provided on the top side header side is hooked on a striker provided on a vehicle side header located at an upper end of a vehicle side front window, and both of them are attracted and held. And the lock state is released by releasing the hook state of the hook with respect to the striker.
[0004]
As described above, in order to realize the lock state or the lock-off state in the lock device, it is necessary to move the lock lever with a predetermined trajectory with respect to the striker fixedly arranged. In the structure disclosed in Patent Document 1 described above, a guide groove having a predetermined shape is formed in the lock lever, and a guide pin is engaged with the guide groove. A required locus is drawn on the hook portion (see Patent Document 1).
[0005]
[Patent Document 1]
JP-A-2001-234655 (paragraphs “0019” to “0025”; see FIGS. 1 and 8).
[0006]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in the case where the guide groove is provided in the lock lever and a required trajectory is drawn on the hook of the lock lever by using the guiding action of the guide groove, for example, the retracting by the lock lever is performed. If the stroke is to be lengthened (in other words, when closing the convertible top, the distance between the top header of the convertible top provided with the lock lever and the vehicle side header provided with the striker is relatively large). If the locking device can be operated effectively even if it is wide, the length of the guide groove must inevitably be increased. As the size of the lock lever increases, the synergistic effect of these increases the cost of the lock device and increases Compact reduction is inhibited, and by extension there is a problem that lowering the commercial value of the lock device.
[0007]
Then, this invention is made for the purpose of providing the lock device for convertible tops whose structure is simple and compact.
[0008]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The present invention employs the following configuration as specific means for solving such a problem.
[0009]
In the first invention of the present application, the hook 17 at one end 11a of the lock lever 11 provided on the first connecting member 4 on the convertible top 3 can be disengaged from the striker 8 provided on the second connecting member 6 on the vehicle 2 side. In the lock device for a convertible top, the one end of which is pivotally supported by a first fulcrum pin 27 attached to the first connecting member 4 and the other end 11b of the lock lever 11 is provided at the other end. And a second link 13 whose one end is pivotally supported and rotated by a second fulcrum pin 28 attached to the first connecting member 4, and an intermediate position of the lock lever 11. A third link 14 for connecting the other end of the second link 13 to a third link 14, and a fourth link 15 for connecting an intermediate position of the first link 12 and an intermediate position of the third link 14. The rotational displacement of the second link 13 around the second fulcrum pin 28 is transmitted to the first link 12 via the third link 14 and the fourth link 15 as the rotational displacement, and In response to the rotational displacement of the one link 12, the lock lever 11 locks the hook 17 on the striker 8 and pulls the hook 17 toward the case 10 to fix it. And a lock-off posture that allows the two parts to move away from each other.
[0010]
According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the convertible top locking device according to the first aspect, when the lock lever 11 changes the posture from the lock posture to the lock-off posture, the hook 17 is substantially straight forward. , And a trajectory that moves upward and backward in an arc is drawn.
[0011]
【The invention's effect】
In the present invention, the following effects can be obtained by adopting such a configuration.
[0012]
{Circle around (1)} According to the convertible top lock device according to the first invention of the present application, when operating from the lock-off position to the lock position, the rotational displacement of the second link 13 around the second fulcrum pin 28 becomes: The rotation is transmitted to the first link 12 via the third link 14 and the fourth link 15 as the rotational displacement, and the lock lever 11 receives the rotational displacement of the first link 12 to move the hook 17 The lock posture is realized by hooking the striker 8 to the case 10 and fixing the same to the case 10 side. When the lock posture is operated from the lock posture to the lock-off posture, the second fulcrum pin of the second link 13 is moved. The rotational displacement around 28 is transmitted to the first link 12 as the rotational displacement via the third link 14 and the fourth link 15 and receives the rotational displacement of the first link 12. The lock lever 11 separates the hook 17 from the striker 8 to allow the hook 17 and the striker 8 to move away from each other, thereby achieving a lock-off posture. There is no need to provide a guide groove in the lever, so that the structure of the lock lever 11 can be simplified and downsized, and the cost of the lock device can be further reduced.
[0013]
(2) In the second invention of the present application, the following effect can be obtained in addition to the effect described in (1) above. That is, according to the convertible top lock device of the present invention, when the lock lever 11 changes the posture from the lock posture to the lock-off posture, the hook 17 moves in a substantially straight line forward and then moves upward and backward in an arc. The hook 17 is detached from the striker 8 when the posture is changed from the lock posture to the lock-off posture, and when the posture is changed from the lock-off posture to the lock posture. In this case, the operation of engaging the striker 8 with the hook 17 is easily and reliably performed, and the operational reliability of the lock device is improved accordingly.
[0014]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, the present invention will be specifically described based on preferred embodiments.
[0015]
FIG. 1 shows a vehicle 2 provided with a convertible top 3. The convertible top 3 has a function to cover the upper part of the vehicle compartment so that it can be freely opened and closed. When the cover is open, the convertible top 3 is folded and stored at the rear of the vehicle compartment (not shown), while in the closed state, as shown in FIG. The hood-side header 4 (corresponding to the “first connecting member” in the claims), which is deployed from the stored state to the front of the vehicle compartment and located at the front end, is connected to the front window 5 of the vehicle 2. A pair of left and right pair of left and right sides respectively arranged on the left and right sides of the top side header 4 while being opposed to and close to the vehicle side header 6 (corresponding to the “second connecting member” in the claims) provided on the upper edge. The lock devices 1 and 1 (which will be described in detail later) are each set to a lock position, and are fixedly held by the lock devices 1 and 1 in a closed state.
[0016]
On the other hand, when the convertible top 3 is opened from the closed state, the lock devices 1 and 1 are changed from the lock position to the lock-off position, and the hood-side header 4 is moved from the vehicle-side header 6 side. The convertible top 3 is folded back at the rear of the passenger compartment by being pulled down and stored.
[0017]
Hereinafter, a specific configuration of the lock device 1 will be described with reference to FIGS.
[0018]
As shown in FIG. 2, the lock device 1 has a lock lever 11, a first link 12, a second link 13, and a third link 14 described below arranged on a bracket 10 attached to the top header 4 side. It is composed.
[0019]
The bracket 10 is opposed to the front surface of the vehicle-side header 6 when the convertible top 3 is closed, and has a predetermined size opening 10b in the front wall 10a. At the lower position, a positioning pin 30 is provided so as to protrude forward.
[0020]
A recess 7 is provided on the surface of the vehicle-side header 6 facing the bracket 10 so as to face the opening 10b, and a striker 8 is mounted in the recess 7. A pin receiving hole 9 into which the positioning pin 30 is fitted is provided below the recess 7.
[0021]
The lock lever 11 is formed of a plate-like body having a predetermined length, and has one end 11a as a substantially U-shaped hook 17. The other end 11b of the lock lever 11 is connected to the other end of the first link 12 described below via a first connecting pin 21. Further, one end of a third link 14 described later is connected to an intermediate position of the lock lever 11.
[0022]
One end of the first link 12 is pivotally supported by the first fulcrum pin 27 attached to the bracket 10 side, and the other end of the first link 12 is connected to the other end of the lock lever 11 via a first connection pin 21. Are linked. Further, one end of a fourth link 15 described below is connected to an intermediate position of the first link 12 via a third connecting pin 23.
[0023]
The third link 14 has one end connected to the intermediate position of the lock lever 11 via a second connection pin 22, and the other end connected to a second link 13 described below via a fifth connection pin 25. Are linked. The other end of the fourth link 15 is connected to an intermediate position of the third link 14 via a fourth connection pin 24.
[0024]
The second link 13 has a triangular shape, and one vertex thereof is connected to a second fulcrum pin 28 attached to the bracket 10 side. One of the other two vertices is connected to the other end of the fourteenth through a fifth connection pin 25, and the other apex is connected to the operating rod 16 by a sixth connection pin 26.
[0025]
In the lock device 1, the second link 13 is rotated by the pushing and pulling operation of the operation rod 16, so that the rotational displacement of the second link 13 is changed to the third link 14 and the fourth link 15. The lock lever 11 is transmitted to the lock lever 11 via the first link 12, and the lock lever 11 moves so that the hook 17 draws a trajectory indicated by a dashed line (reference L), and as shown in FIG. The posture is changed between a locked posture in which the hook 17 is hooked and pulled to the striker 8 and a storage posture in which the hook 17 is retracted into the space 20 side in the bracket 10 as shown in FIG. A lock-off posture shown in FIG. 6, that is, a posture in which the hook 17 of the lock lever 11 separates from the striker 8 and retreats to a position above the striker 8 is set between the lock posture and the storage posture. .
[0026]
Hereinafter, the operation of the lock device 1 will be described with reference to FIGS. 2 to 6 for the operation from the lock position to the lock-off position, and conversely, for the operation from the lock-off position to the lock position in FIG. This will be described with reference to FIGS.
[0027]
A: Description of operation from lock position to lock-off position FIG. 2 shows the lock position. In this locked posture, the lock lever 11 is in a substantially horizontal posture with the striker 8 hooked on the hook 17 thereof. The first link 12 also takes a substantially horizontal posture along the lock lever 11. On the other hand, the second link 13 has a posture in which two vertices other than the vertices at which the second fulcrum pins 28 are provided are spaced apart substantially in the vertical direction. The third link 14 and the fourth link 15 are disposed between the two links 12 and 13 in an inclined state.
[0028]
When the operating rod 16 is operated in the push-up direction from the locked position, first, as shown in FIG. 3, the second link 13 is rotated in the direction of arrow a, and the displacement of the second link 13 is received. The third link 14 and the fourth link 15 are respectively pushed up obliquely forward, and the lock lever 11 is moved obliquely forward at an intermediate position by the third link 14, and the third link 14 allows the lock lever 11 to move obliquely forward. The first link 12 is turned in the direction of arrow c, and the other end is pushed up by the first link 12. As a synergistic action of the two, the lock lever 11 moves forward in a forwardly inclined posture, and the hook 17 It is in a state of being separated from the striker 8 forward.
[0029]
Further, when the second link 13 is rotated by the operating rod 16 in the direction of arrow a, as shown in FIG. 4, the lock lever 11 is further tilted forward while causing the hook 17 to move forward in parallel. You.
[0030]
When the second link 13 is further rotated in the direction of arrow a by the operating rod 16 from this position, the lock lever 11 is connected to the third link 14 as shown in FIG. The second connection pin 22 is further rotated in the direction of the arrow d without substantially moving the second connection pin 22, and the hook 17 is located near the upper surface of the striker 8.
[0031]
Further, when the second link 13 is rotated, the position of the fifth connecting pin 25 on the second link 13 side moves forward and downward, so that the first link 12 is further rotated in the direction of arrow d. As shown in FIG. 6, the lock lever 11 moves rearward while changing the posture from the forward leaning posture to the horizontal posture side, and the hook 17 completely retreats upward from the striker 8 to thereby lock. An off posture is realized.
[0032]
When the posture is changed from the lock posture to the lock-off posture, the hook 17 of the lock lever 11 moves the locus L shown in FIG. 1 from the point La to the point Lb.
[0033]
After the lock device 1 is set to the lock-off position, the convertible top 3 is opened from the closed state by pulling the hood-side header 4 backward.
[0034]
Thus, the operation of changing the attitude of the lock device 1 from the lock attitude to the lock-off attitude is completed.
[0035]
B: Description of operation from lock-off position to lock position FIG. 7 shows that the convertible top 3 is pulled out to the front side of the vehicle when the lock device 1 is set in the lock-off position, and the hood-side header 4 is connected to the vehicle. It shows a state where the positioning pin 30 is moved to the vicinity of the side header 6 and faces the pin receiving hole 9 on the vehicle side header 6 side.
[0036]
When the operating rod 16 is pulled down from this posture and the second link 13 is rotated in the direction of arrow b, the fifth linking pin 25 of the third link 14 receives the displacement of the second link 13. The lock lever 11 moves obliquely upward and rearward, and as shown in FIG. 8, the lock lever 11 moves forward while gradually leaning forward from a substantially horizontal posture, and enters the hook 17 into the recess 7 on the vehicle-side header 6 side. To the back side of the striker 8.
[0037]
Further, as the rotation of the second link 13 progresses, the lock lever 11 further tilts forward without substantially changing the position of the second connection pin 22, and hooks the hook 17 to the striker 8, and Attract this toward you. Finally, the lock posture is set as shown in FIG.
[0038]
Thus, the posture changing operation of the lock device 1 from the lock-off posture to the lock posture is completed.
[0039]
When the posture is changed from the lock-off posture to the lock posture, the hook 17 of the lock lever 11 moves the locus L shown in FIG. 1 from the point Lb to the point La.
[0040]
C: Storage operation of the lock device 1 The convertible top 3 is in a state in which the lock device 1 is set in a lock-off position when the lid is open. In this lock-off position, as shown in FIG. Since the lock lever 11 extends forward from the front wall 10a of the bracket 10, it may be inconvenient depending on how the vehicle 2 is used. Therefore, in this case, it is effective to store the lock lever 11 in the state bracket 10 by the following operation.
[0041]
That is, from the state shown in FIG. 6, the operating rod 16 is further pushed up, and the second link 13 is further rotated in the direction of arrow a. Then, the third link 14 is largely pulled down obliquely forward and downward, and the first link 12 is pivoted in the direction of arrow d, so that the lock lever 11 moves obliquely downward and backward while tilting backward. The entirety including the hook 17 is housed in the bracket 10.
[0042]
D: Others As described above, in the lock device 1 of this embodiment, the rotation displacement of the second link 13 around the second fulcrum pin 28 during the operation from the lock-off position to the lock position is The rotation is transmitted to the first link 12 via the third link 14 and the fourth link 15 as the rotational displacement, and the lock lever 11 receives the rotational displacement of the first link 12 to move the hook 17 The lock posture is realized by hooking the striker 8 to the case 10 and fixing the same to the case 10 side. When the lock posture is operated from the lock posture to the lock-off posture, the second fulcrum pin of the second link 13 is moved. The rotation displacement around 28 is transmitted as the rotation displacement to the first link 12 via the third link 14 and the fourth link 15 and receives the rotation displacement of the first link 12. The lock lever 11 has a structure in which lock-off position the hooks 17 allowing separating operation between the hook 17 and the striker 8 is disengaged from the striker 8 is realized. Therefore, there is no need to provide a guide groove in the lock lever as in the related art. As a result, the structure of the lock lever 11 can be simplified and made compact, and the cost of the lock device 1 can be reduced. Will be promoted.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is an overall perspective view of a convertible top type vehicle provided with a lock device according to the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a first operation diagram of the lock device shown in FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a second operation diagram of the lock device.
FIG. 4 is a third operation diagram of the lock device.
FIG. 5 is a fourth operation diagram of the lock device.
FIG. 6 is a fifth operation diagram of the lock device.
FIG. 7 is a sixth operation diagram of the lock device.
FIG. 8 is a seventh operation diagram of the lock device.
FIG. 9 is an eighth operation diagram of the lock device.
FIG. 10 is a ninth operation diagram of the lock device.
FIG. 11 is a tenth operation diagram of the lock device.
[Explanation of symbols]
1 is a lock device, 2 is a vehicle, 3 is a convertible top, 4 is a hood side header, 5 is a front window, 6 is a vehicle side header, 7 is a recess, 8 is a striker, 9 is a pin receiving hole, 10 is a bracket, 11 Is a lock lever, 12 is a first link, 13 is a second link, 14 is a third link, 15 is a fourth link, 16 is an operating rod, 17 is a hook, 20 is a space, 21 is a first connecting pin, 22 Is a second connection pin, 23 is a third connection pin, 24 is a fourth connection pin, 25 is a fifth connection pin, 26 is a sixth connection pin, 27 is a first fulcrum pin, 28 is a second fulcrum pin, 30 is It is a positioning pin.

Claims (2)

The hook (17) at one end (11a) of the lock lever (11) provided on the first connecting member (4) on the convertible top (3) side is provided on the second connecting member (6) on the vehicle (2) side. A lock device for a convertible top adapted to be detachably engaged with a striker (8),
A first fulcrum pin (27) attached to the first connection member (4) has one end pivotally supported and the other end connected to the other end (11b) of the lock lever (11). Link (12),
A second link (13), one end of which is pivotally supported by a second fulcrum pin (28) attached to the first connection member (4) and operated to rotate;
A third link (14) connecting the intermediate position (11c) of the lock lever (11) to the other end of the second link (13);
A fourth link (15) for connecting an intermediate position of the first link (12) and an intermediate position of the third link (14);
The rotation displacement of the second link (13) about the second fulcrum pin (28) is applied to the first link (12) via the third link (14) and the fourth link (15). The lock lever (11) receives the rotational displacement of the first link (12) and locks the hook (17) on the striker (8). ) Side, and a lock-off posture in which the hook (17) is detached from the striker (8) to allow the two to move away from each other. Lock device for convertible tops. In claim 1,
When the lock lever (11) changes posture from the lock posture to the lock-off posture, the hook (17) is configured to draw a trajectory that moves substantially linearly forward and then moves upward and backward in an arc. A lock device for a convertible top.

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