JP2010006331A - Vehicular convertible top driving structure - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a vehicular convertible top driving structure for reducing the weight of a hood frame or improving a degree of freedom in selecting a drive system. <P>SOLUTION: A first drive source X and a second drive source Y are arranged on the side of a vehicle body. During the opening operation of a convertible top 10 in a closed state, the first drive source X and the second drive source Y are operated to move a rear end bow 17 apart from the front face of a tonneau cover 4 until moving it close to a rear side frame 16, and to integrally tilt the rear side frame 16 and the rear end bow 17. In this constitution, the first drive source X and the second drive source Y do not exist on the side of the hood frame 12, and therefore, they do not interrupt a field of rear view from the inside of a cabin to secure driving safety. In addition, a control arm 22 is driven via sub links 61, 62, 66 by the second drive source Y to improve a degree of freedom in the layout of the second drive source Y on the side of the vehicle body. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention has a configuration in which a tonneau cover is disposed on the rear end side of the convertible top that is automatically opened and closed, and in the closed state of the convertible top, the rear end portion of the convertible top also abuts on the front side of the tonneau cover. The present invention relates to a drive structure suitable for a convertible top for a vehicle.

  Conventionally, various structures have been proposed for a convertible top for a vehicle that constitutes a roof portion of an open car (see, for example, Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2). In the convertible top shown in each of these patent documents, the rear shape in the closed state is usually formed into a streamlined shape that smoothly descends from the rear end of the roof portion toward the rear side of the vehicle body, and the back glass is attached to the descending inclined portion. is there.

  By the way, in recent years, the rear shape of the convertible top is cut off in the longitudinal direction at the rear end of the roof and opened to the rear side of the vehicle body, while the tonneau cover provided on the rear side of the convertible top has only the both sides in the vehicle width direction described above. The convertible top has a streamlined bulge that smoothly descends and tilts from the rear end of the roof to the rear side of the vehicle body, and the middle part of the left and right bulge formations is formed in a lower flat plate shape. The thing which attached the back glass to the surface is proposed. In the closed state of the convertible top, the rear end portion of the convertible top is brought into contact with the back glass on the tonneau cover side to ensure a sealing property (see FIGS. 1 and 4).

  As described above, in the closed state of the convertible top, the convertible top having a configuration in which the rear end portion of the convertible top is brought into contact with the back glass attached to the front end surface of the tonneau cover to ensure the sealing property. When operating the top from the closed state to the open state side, that is, when folding the convertible top to the rear side and storing it in the lower space of the tonneau cover, the front end side of the tonneau cover is raised with the convertible top closed. Even if trying to secure the storage movement space of the convertible top, the back end portion of the convertible top is abutted against the back glass of the front end surface of the tonneau cover in the closed state of the convertible top as described above. By the rear end of the convertible top Upward movement of the front end of the tonneau cover is restricted Te, would not be achieved the required operation.

  For this reason, in such a configuration, the rear end portion of the convertible top is moved to the front side of the vehicle body before the tonneau cover moves upward (that is, the opening operation), and the tonneau cover is brought into an abutting state with respect to the back glass. After that, the tonneau cover is opened.

  Here, when the rear end side of the convertible top is separated from the front end surface of the tonneau cover prior to the opening operation of the tonneau cover, the rear end edge of the hood is located at the rear end of the hood frame that supports the convertible top. A method is adopted in which the rear end bow that supports the wing is pulled toward the hood frame. In this case, generally, a drive source is arranged on the hood frame side, and the rear end bow is driven by the drive source. Although the structure of the tonneau cover is different, there is one disclosed in Patent Document 3 in which a cylinder is arranged as a drive source for driving the rear end bow on the hood frame side.

JP-A-11-99831 Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 7-25245 JP-A-6-171372 US Pat. No. 6,629,719

However, in the drive structure in which the drive source for driving the rear end bow is arranged on the hood frame side in this way,
(A) The weight reduction of the hood frame is impeded.
(B) For reasons of installation space, the type of drive source is restricted, and the degree of freedom in selecting the drive method is impaired.
(C) Rear view from the passenger compartment is hindered by the presence of the drive source,
(D) Since the drive source is located at a position close to the passenger in the vehicle interior, there are concerns about adverse effects such as contact between the drive source and the human body, obstruction of comfort due to operating noise, etc.
There are problems such as.

  Accordingly, the present invention has been made for the purpose of proposing a drive structure for a convertible top for a vehicle that can reduce the weight of the hood frame and improve the degree of freedom in selecting the drive system.

  In the present invention, the following configuration is adopted as a specific means for solving such a problem.

  In the first invention of the present application, the hood 11 is supported by the hood frame 12 that can be folded and unfolded, and the hood frame 12 is opened and closed by the unfolding and folding of the hood frame 12. On the rear side of the tonneau cover 12 is a tonneau cover that can be opened and closed and a rear end bow 17 located at the rear end of the hood frame 12 in the closed position and in the deployed state of the hood frame 12 is abutted on the front side. In the vehicle convertible top 10 provided with 4, a first drive source X located on the rear end side of the hood frame 12, one end of which is pivotally supported by the pivot pin 51 on the vehicle body side and disposed on the vehicle body side. And a support arm 2 having one end fixed to the rear end bow 17 and the other end connected to an appropriate position of the rear side frame 16 so as to be relatively rotatable. One end is connected to the rear end bow 17 by a fulcrum pin 56 so as to be relatively rotatable, and the other end is connected to sublinks 61, 62, 66 by a fulcrum pin 57, and the sublinks 61, 62, 66 are connected to each other. A control arm 22 connected to a second drive source Y disposed on the vehicle body side, and when the convertible top 10 is opened from the closed state, the second drive source Y causes the sublink 61, The control arm 22 is driven through 62, 66 to position the fulcrum pin 57 at a position where it overlaps the pivot pin 51 of the rear side frame 16, so that the rear end bow 17 is moved to the front surface of the tonneau cover 4. The first drive source X moves the rear side frame away from the rear side frame 16 and moves toward the rear side frame 16. When the rear end bow 17 is maintained in a relative position with respect to the rear side frame 16, the rear end frame 17 is integrated with the rear side frame 16 around the fulcrum pin 57. It is characterized by being configured to be tilted.

  In a second invention of the present application, in the drive structure for a convertible top for a vehicle according to the first invention, the first drive source X and the second drive source Y are both constituted by motor units 25 and 26. It is characterized by being.

  According to a third invention of the present application, in the drive structure for a convertible top for a vehicle according to the second invention, the motor units 25 and 26 are both connected to the rear side frame 16 and the control arm 22 via sectors 23 and 24, respectively. It is characterized by having a configuration for driving.

  In the fourth invention of the present application, in the vehicle convertible top drive structure according to the first invention, the first drive source X and the second drive source Y are both composed of cylinder units 33 and 34. It is characterized by.

  In the present invention, the following effects can be obtained.

  (A) According to the convertible top drive structure according to the first invention of the present application, the first drive source X and the second drive source Y are arranged on the vehicle body side, and the convertible top 10 is closed from the closed state. During the opening operation, the rear end bow 17 is moved away from the front surface of the tonneau cover 4 toward the rear side frame 16 by the operation of the first drive source X and the second drive source Y, and the rear side frame 16 The rear end bow 17 can be tilted integrally and stored under the tonneau cover 4.

Therefore,
(A-1) Since the first drive source X and the second drive source Y do not exist on the hood frame 12 side,
(A-1-1) The rear view from the passenger compartment is not obstructed by each drive source X, Y, and driving safety is ensured.
(A-1-2) The living space in the passenger compartment is sufficiently secured, and the comfort in the passenger compartment is improved.
(A-1-3) Contact between each driving source X, Y and the occupant's body is prevented as much as possible, and uncomfortable feeling due to the driving sound of the driving source X, Y is reduced. Safety and comfort are ensured,
(A-1-4) Simplification and weight reduction of the structure of the hood frame 12 that is a movable member are promoted, and stability during operation is improved.
(A-2) The first drive source X and the second drive source Y are disposed on the vehicle body side, and the drive sources X and Y are connected to the rear end bow 17 via the support arm 21 and the control arm 22. Therefore, it is easy to secure an arrangement space for each of these members, and as a result, the degree of freedom in selecting a driving method and the degree of layout are expanded.
(A-3) Since the control arm 22 is driven by the second drive source Y via the sublinks 61, 62, 66, the operation area of the sublinks 61, 62, 66 is the same. As a result, the distance between the control arm 22 and the second drive source Y can be increased. As a result, for example, the second drive source Y is disposed in a marginal space portion on the vehicle body side. The degree of freedom of layout on the vehicle body side of the drive source Y is expanded.
Etc. are obtained.

  (B) According to the convertible top drive structure of the second invention of the present application, in addition to the effect described in the above (a), the following specific effects can be obtained. That is, in the present invention, since the first drive source X and the second drive source Y are both constituted by the motor units 25 and 26, the remote control is easy as the characteristics of the motor unit. The degree of freedom in the layout of the drive sources X and Y is further improved.

  (C) According to the convertible top drive structure of the third invention of the present application, in addition to the effect described in the above (b), the following specific effect can be obtained. In other words, in the present invention, each of the motor units 25 and 26 is configured to drive the rear side frame 16 and the control arm 22 via the sectors 23 and 24. Therefore, the shape of the sectors 23 and 24 is set. The distance between the rear side frame 16 and the rear end bow 17 and the drive sources X and Y for driving them can be adjusted, and the degree of freedom in layout of the drive sources X and Y is further improved.

  (D) According to the convertible top drive structure of the fourth invention of the present application, in addition to the effect described in (a) above, the following specific effect is obtained. That is, in the present invention, since the first drive source X and the second drive source Y are both constituted by the cylinder units 33 and 34, the characteristics of the cylinder units 33 and 34 are large in a compact configuration. Since the driving force can be generated, the driving portion can be made compact.

Hereinafter, the drive structure of the convertible top for a vehicle according to the present invention will be specifically described.
I: Overall Configuration of Convertible Top FIGS. 7 to 9 show the main part of the vehicle 1 provided with the convertible top 10, FIG. 7 shows the closed state of the convertible top 10, and FIG. 8 shows the convertible top 10. FIG. 9 shows the transition state from the closed state to the open state, and FIG. 9 shows the open state of the convertible top 10.

  The convertible top 10 opens and closes the upper portion of the vehicle compartment 2 of the vehicle 1 and includes a hood frame 12 described below and a hood 11 supported by the hood frame 12 so as to be unfoldable and foldable. Composed.

  The hood frame 12 includes a front frame 13 that is positioned at the front end of the hood frame 12 and extends in the vehicle width direction, and a pair of left and right first roofs whose front ends are fixed to the left and right ends of the front frame 13, respectively. A pair of left and right second roof side frames 15 connected to the side frames 14 and the rear ends of the first roof side frames 14 so as to be rotatable relative to each other, and relative rotations to the rear ends of the second roof side frames 15 A pair of left and right rear side frames 16 pivotally supported by a base plate 6 (described later) disposed at the vehicle body inner side of the vehicle 1 and a lower end thereof are positioned at the rear end of the hood frame 12 and are described later. A rear end bow 17 supported by the support arm 21 and the control arm 22 and extending in the vehicle width direction, and the pair of left and right second roof side frames 15. Configured to include the intermediate bows 18 extending in the vehicle width direction, the front bow 19 extending in the vehicle width direction across between the first roof side frame 14 of the left and right across.

  The front end of the hood 11 is fixed to the front frame 13 of the hood frame 12, the rear end is fixed to the rear end bow 17, and the left and right side edges thereof are the first roof side frame. 14 and the second roof side frame 15 and the rear side frame 16, and the middle in the vehicle width direction is supported by the intermediate bow 18 and the front bow 19, and is stretched by the extension of the hood frame 12 ( 7), the hood frame 12 is folded (see FIG. 9).

  In the closed state, the convertible top 10 is stretched between the front header 3 of the vehicle 1 and the front portion of the tonneau cover 4 described below, as shown in FIG. 9 is closed, and in its open state, as shown in FIG. 9, it is stored in a storage space provided on the lower side of the tonneau cover 4 in the folded state, and the upper portion of the vehicle compartment 2 is opened. .

  Here, the structure of the tonneau cover 4 will be described. As shown in FIG. 7, the tonneau cover 4 has both end portions in the vehicle width direction raised upward and descended in a streamline shape from the front end to the rear end. The cover body 41 is formed by inclining it into raised portions 41a and 41a, while the intermediate portion in the vehicle width direction is formed as a lower flat plate, which is the lower portion 41b, and the cover main body 41 rising up slightly in the rearward direction. A back glass 42 is fixedly attached to the front end surface 41c so as to cover a substantially front surface of the front end surface 41c.

  The tonneau cover 4 can be opened and closed in the vertical direction with the rear end side as a fulcrum. The tonneau cover 4 is opened and closed by the tonneau cover drive cylinder 7 disposed on the vehicle body side, and is shown in the closed position shown in FIG. Repositioned between. The tonneau cover 4 is automatically opened and closed in conjunction with the operation of the convertible top 10.

  By the way, as shown in FIG. 7, when the convertible top 10 is set in the closed state and the tonneau cover 4 is set in the closed position, the rear end bow 17 (see FIG. 7) located at the rear end of the convertible top 10 is shown. 1) is abutted against the back glass 42 of the tonneau cover 4 from above. Therefore, prior to the operation of the convertible top 10, the tonneau cover 4 is repositioned from its closed position to its open position, and a space for bending movement of the convertible top 10 is secured below the tonneau cover 4. Even if the tonneau cover 4 is operated from the closed position to the open position, the rear end bow 17 of the convertible top 10 cannot interfere with the front end surface of the tonneau cover 4 to open the tonneau cover 4. .

  For this reason, when the tonneau cover 4 is operated from the closed position to the open position, prior to the operation of the tonneau cover 4, as shown by a chain line in FIG. 7 (see reference numeral 17 ′), at the rear end of the convertible top 10. The rear end bow 17 that is positioned is tilted forward of the vehicle body to cancel the abutting state of the tonneau cover 4 with the back glass 42, and the tonneau cover 4 is allowed to open. In this state, as shown in FIG. 8, the tonneau cover 4 is opened to set it in the open position, and the convertible top 10 is tilted backward while bending the convertible top 10 through the space below the tonneau cover 4. As shown in FIG. 9, the convertible top 10 is stored in the storage chamber 8 at the rear of the vehicle body, and the tonneau cover 4 is operated from the open position to the closed position to cover the convertible top 10 with the convertible top 10.

  Thus, in order to operate the convertible top 10 in an appropriate state when the convertible top 10 is operated from the closed state to the open state, that is, in order to operate the hood frame 12 properly, the convertible top according to the present invention is used. The drive structure is adopted.

Hereinafter, the drive structure of the convertible top 10 will be described based on a preferred embodiment.
II: Specific Configuration of Convertible Top Drive Structure II-1: First Embodiment (see FIGS. 1 to 3)
II-1-a: Specific Structure The drive structure according to the first embodiment employs an electric mechanism as drive means.

  Here, FIG. 1 shows a link configuration in the closed state of the convertible top 10 shown in FIG. FIG. 2 shows a link configuration in the transitional period from the closed state to the open state of the convertible top 10 shown in FIG. FIG. 3 shows a link configuration in the open state of the convertible top 10 shown in FIG.

  1 to 3, reference numeral 16 denotes the rear side frame positioned near the rear end of the hood frame 12, and the rear side frame 16 is a base plate fixedly disposed on the inner side of the vehicle body by a pivot pin 51. It is pivotally supported by 6 and is rotatable in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle body.

  Further, a first sector 23 having a substantially fan-shaped planar shape at the lower end portion of the rear side frame 16 and having a select gear 23A formed on the outer peripheral edge thereof has a rotation center of the select gear 23A as the pivot pin. It is fixed in a state where it is aligned with the axis of 51. Further, the select gear 23A of the first sector 23 meshes with a pinion gear 25B provided on the first motor unit 25 fixedly arranged on the vehicle body side. Accordingly, the pinion gear 25B is rotationally driven by the driving force of the motor 25A of the first motor unit 25, so that the first sector 23 rotates integrally with the rear side frame 16 about the pivot pin 51. Will be. In this embodiment, the first motor unit 25 corresponds to “first drive source X” in the claims.

  In FIG. 1 to FIG. 3, reference numeral 17 denotes a rear end bow that is positioned at the rearmost end of the hood frame 12 and supports the rear end edge of the hood 11. A sealing material 43 is attached, and the sealing material 43 is abutted against the back glass 42 on the side of the tonneau cover 4 via the rear end bow 17, so that the rear end edge of the hood 11 and the back glass The sealing property between 42 is ensured.

  One end side of a support arm 21 that is curved in a substantially L shape is fixed to the lower end portion of the rear end bow 17. The other end of the support arm 21 is connected to a position near the pivot pin 51 in the rear side frame 16 by a fulcrum pin 55.

  Further, one end of the control arm 22 is rotatably supported by a fulcrum pin 56 at the lower end portion of the rear end bow 17, and the other end of the control arm 22 is connected to the sub link 62 via a fulcrum pin 57. Connected to one end. The other end of the sub link 62 is pivotally supported on the vehicle body side by a fulcrum pin 63, and one end of the sub link 61 is coupled to the intermediate position by a pivot pin 65. Further, the other end of the sub link 61 is connected to one end of the second sector 24 described below by a pivot pin 64.

  The second sector 24 is configured by a substantially L-shaped plate body, and an intermediate portion in the longitudinal direction thereof is pivotally supported on the vehicle body side by a pivot pin 52. One end of the second sector 24 is connected to the other end of the control arm 22 by the fulcrum pin 57, while the other end has a substantially fan-shaped planar shape, and the pivot pin 52 is a rotation center on the outer periphery thereof. A select gear 24A is formed. The select gear 24A of the second sector 24 meshes with a pinion gear 26B provided in a second motor unit 26 fixedly arranged on the vehicle body side.

  Accordingly, when the pinion gear 26B is rotationally driven by the driving force of the motor 26A of the second motor unit 26, the second sector 24 is rotated about the pivot pin 52, and the second sector 24 is further rotated. With this rotation, the second link 22 is actuated via the sublink 61 and the sublink 62. In this embodiment, the second motor unit 26 corresponds to “second drive source Y” in the claims.

  Here, the arrangement position of the fulcrum pin 63 pivotally supporting the other end of the sub-link 62 is determined by the interval between the fulcrum pin 63 and the fulcrum pin 57 pivotally supporting one end of the sub-link 62, and the fulcrum pin 63. And the distance between the pivot pins 51 on the rear side frame 16 side is set to be the same. In other words, the pivot pin 51 is set on the locus L when the sub link 62 rotates around the fulcrum pin 63. Therefore, by defining the rotation angle of the sub link 62 by the second sector 24 to a predetermined value, the fulcrum pin 57 and the pivot pin 51 can be overlapped at the same position as shown in FIG. it can.

1 to 3, reference numeral 20 denotes a control link for controlling the folding / unfolding operation of the hood frame 12, one end of which is pivotally supported by the base body 6 by a pivot pin 53 and the other end. Is connected to the end of the second roof side frame 15 of the hood frame 12 (see FIG. 7).
II-1-b: Explanation of operation (b-1) Closed state of the convertible top 10 When the convertible top 10 is in the closed state, the respective members are in a positional relationship as shown in FIG. That is, the rear side frame 16 is in an upright state, and the pinion gear 25B of the first motor unit 25 is engaged with a position near one end of the sector gear 23A of the first sector 23, whereby the rear side frame 16 is in an upright state. Is held in.

  In addition, the pinion gear 26B of the second motor unit 26 is meshed with a position near one end of the sector gear 24A in the second sector 24, whereby the second sector 24 is held in a backwardly inclined state. The control arm 22 is pushed up via the sublink 61 and the sublink 62.

  Here, the height of the rear end bow 17 is regulated by the control arm 22 connected to the second sector 24, and the posture is held in a predetermined tilted state corresponding to the height. The tilt angle is defined by the support arm 21, and the sealing material 43 provided on the rear end bow 17 is controlled by the height and tilt angle of the tonneau cover 4 set at the closed position. It is abutted against the back glass 42 located on the front end face, and a sealing property between them is ensured.

(B-2) When the convertible top 10 is operated from the closed state to the open state When the convertible top 10 is operated from the closed state to the open state, first, the second motor unit 26 is moved from the state shown in FIG. Actuated, the posture of the rear end bow 17 is changed.

  That is, in the state of FIG. 1, first, the second motor unit 26 is operated, and the meshing position of the second sector 24 with respect to the sector gear 24A of the pinion gear 26B is changed from one end side to the other end side of the sector gear 24A. Move to. Accordingly, the second sector 24 is rotated from the rearward tilting posture shown in FIG. Further, in conjunction with the rotation of the second sector 24, the control arm 22 is pushed up via the sublink 61 and the sublink 62, and finally, as shown in FIG. When the fulcrum pin 57 is overlapped with the pivot pin 51 on the rear side frame 16 side, the second motor unit 26 is stopped.

  As the second sector 24 rotates, the rear end bow 17 is pushed upward through the control arm 22 and the fulcrum pin 55 is centered by an angle corresponding to the amount of the push-up. And rotate integrally with the support arm 21.

  As a result, as shown in FIG. 2, the rear end bow 17 is drawn toward the rear side frame 16 to be inclined forward, and is separated from the back glass 42 side of the tonneau cover 4. The forward tilt posture of the rear end bow 17 is held by the support arm 21 and the control arm 22.

  In the state where the convertible top 10 is held in this manner, the tonneau cover 4 is rotated from the closed position to the open position side by the tonneau cover drive cylinder 7 and held in the open position (see FIG. 8). .

(B-3) Operation of the convertible top 10 to the open state From the state shown in FIG. 2, after setting the tonneau cover 4 to the open position, the first motor unit 25 is operated, and the first pinion gear 25B has the first The meshing position of the sector 23 with respect to the sector gear 23A is moved from one end side to the other end side of the sector gear 23A, and tilted rearward around the pivot pin 51 of the rear side frame 16. In this case, since the pivot pin 51 and the fulcrum pin 57 on the control arm 22 side are overlapped, the control arm 22 is apparently centered on the pivot pin 51 and the rear side frame 16 and the support arm. While being maintained in a relative relationship with 21, these are tilted backward integrally with each other and stored in a storage space 8 (see FIG. 9) near the rear of the rear floor panel 49 as shown in FIG. 3. After the storage is completed, the tonneau cover 4 is rotated from the open position to the closed position and held in the closed position.

Thus, the change operation of the convertible top 10 from the closed state to the open state is completed.
II-2: Second embodiment (see FIGS. 4 to 6)
II-2-a: Specific Structure The drive structure according to the second embodiment employs a hydraulic mechanism as drive means.

  Here, FIG. 4 shows a link configuration in the closed state of the convertible top 10 shown in FIG. FIG. 5 shows a link configuration in a transition period of operation from the closed state to the open state of the convertible top 10 shown in FIG. FIG. 6 shows a link configuration in the open state of the convertible top 10 shown in FIG.

  4 to 6, reference numeral 16 denotes the rear side frame positioned near the rear end of the hood frame 12, and the rear side frame 16 is a base plate fixedly arranged on the inner side of the vehicle body by a pivot pin 51. It is pivotally supported by 6 and is rotatable in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle body.

  Further, one end of the link 31 is connected by a fulcrum pin 59 at a position appropriately spaced from the pivot pin 51 b of the rear side frame 16. The other end of the link 31 is connected to the tip of the first cylinder unit 33 by a pin 38. The first cylinder unit 33 corresponds to “first drive source X” in the claims, and its base end is connected to the vehicle body side by a pin 36. Further, one end of the link 32 is connected to the intermediate position of the link 31 by a fulcrum pin 58, and the other end of the link 32 is pivotally supported by the base body 6 on the vehicle body side by a pivot pin 54. .

  Therefore, the rear side frame 16 is rotated around the pivot pin 51 via the link 31 and the link 32 that are operated by the expansion and contraction of the first cylinder unit 33.

  4 to 6, reference numeral 17 denotes a rear end bow that is located at the rearmost end of the hood frame 12 and supports the rear end edge of the hood 11, and is provided on the rear surface of the rear end bow 17. A sealing material 43 is attached, and the sealing material 43 is abutted against the back glass 42 on the side of the tonneau cover 4 via the rear end bow 17, so that the rear end edge of the hood 11 and the back glass The sealing property between 42 is ensured.

  One end side of a support arm 21 that is curved in a substantially L shape is fixed to the lower end portion of the rear end bow 17. The other end of the support arm 21 is connected to a position near the pivot pin 51 in the rear side frame 16 by a fulcrum pin 55.

  Further, one end of the control arm 22 is rotatably supported by a fulcrum pin 56 at the lower end portion of the rear end bow 17, and the other end of the control arm 22 is connected to the sub link 66 via the fulcrum pin 39. Connected to one end. The other end of the sub link 66 is pivotally supported on the vehicle body side via a fulcrum pin 67. Further, the intermediate position of the sub link 66 is connected to the tip of the second cylinder unit 34. The second cylinder unit 34 corresponds to “second drive source Y” in the claims, and a base end portion of the second cylinder unit 34 is connected to the vehicle body side by a pin 37.

  Here, when the second cylinder unit 34 is extended, the sub link 66 is rotated counterclockwise, and the control arm 22 is pushed upward. As the control arm 22 is pushed up, the rear end bow 17 is pushed. At the same time, the rear end bow 17 is attracted toward the rear side frame 16 around the fulcrum pin 55 by the rotation of the support arm 21.

  By these two actions, the pin 39 moves obliquely upward. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4, the pin 39 moves along a locus passing through the pivot pin 51 on the rear side frame 16 side. At the stroke end, as shown in FIG. 5, the relative position between the three of the pivot pin 51, the pin 37 and the pin 39 is set so as to reach a position where it overlaps with the pivot pin 51.

4 to 6, reference numeral 20 denotes a control link for controlling the folding and unfolding operation of the hood frame 12, one end of which is pivotally supported by the base body 6 by a pivot pin 53 and the other end. Is connected to the end of the second roof side frame 15 of the hood frame 12 (see FIG. 7).
II-2-b: Explanation of operation (b-1) Closed state of the convertible top 10 When the convertible top 10 is in the closed state, the respective members are in a positional relationship as shown in FIG. That is, the rear side frame 16 is in the standing state, and the standing state of the rear side frame 16 is maintained by the first cylinder unit 33 in the extended state.

  The second cylinder unit 34 is in a contracted state. In this case, the rear end bow 17 is regulated in height by the sub link 66 and the control arm 22 connected to the second cylinder unit 34, and in a predetermined tilting state corresponding to the height. Since the tilt angle is defined by the support arm 21 held in the posture, the rear end bow 17 is closed by the regulation of the height and the tilt angle via the seal material 43 provided on the surface thereof. The back glass 42 located on the front end surface of the tonneau cover 4 set to the above-described position is abutted against each other, and the sealing property between the two is ensured.

(B-2) When the convertible top 10 is operated from the closed state to the open state When the convertible top 10 is operated from the closed state to the open state, first, the second cylinder unit 34 is moved from the state shown in FIG. The posture of the rear end bow 17 is changed by extending. That is, in the state of FIG. 4, first, when the second cylinder unit 34 is extended, the control arm 22 is pushed up together with the rear end bow 17 and the support arm 21 via the sub link 66, and finally. As shown in FIG. 5, the pin 39 on the other end of the control arm 22 is superposed on the pivot pin 51 on the rear side frame 16 side.

  As the control arm 22 is pushed up, the rear end bow 17 is pushed upward through the control arm 22, and the fulcrum pin 55 is centered on the fulcrum pin 55 by an angle corresponding to the push-up amount. It rotates integrally with the support arm 21.

  As a result, as shown in FIG. 5, the rear end bow 17 is drawn toward the rear side frame 16 to be inclined forward, and is separated from the back glass 42 side of the tonneau cover 4. The forward tilt posture of the rear end bow 17 is held by the support arm 21 and the control arm 22.

  In the state where the convertible top 10 is held in this manner, the tonneau cover 4 is rotated from the closed position to the open position side by the tonneau cover drive cylinder 7 and held in the open position (see FIG. 8). .

(B-3) Operation of the convertible top 10 to the open state After the tonneau cover 4 is set to the open position from the state shown in FIG. 5, the first cylinder unit 33 is contracted and the rear side frame 16 is moved to its open position. Tilt backward about the pivot pin 51. In this case, since the pivot pin 51 and the pin 38 on the control arm 22 side are overlapped, the control arm 22 is apparently centered on the pivot pin 51 and the rear side frame 16 and the support arm 21. 6 and is stored in the storage space 8 (see FIG. 9) near the rear portion of the rear floor panel 49, as shown in FIG. After the storage is completed, the tonneau cover 4 is rotated from the open position to the closed position and held in the closed position.

Thus, the change operation of the convertible top 10 from the closed state to the open state is completed.
II-3: Operational Effects According to the vehicle convertible top drive structure according to each of the embodiments configured as described above, the following specific operational effects are obtained.
(3-a) In the drive structure of each of the above embodiments, the first drive source X and the second drive source Y are both arranged on the vehicle body side and do not exist on the hood frame 12 side.
(3-a-1) The rear view from the passenger compartment is not obstructed by each drive source X, Y, and driving safety is ensured.
(3-a-2) The living space in the passenger compartment 2 is sufficiently secured, and the comfort in the passenger compartment 2 is improved.
(3-a-3) Contact between each drive source X, Y and the occupant's body is prevented as much as possible, and discomfort due to the driving sound of the drive source X, Y is reduced. To ensure safety and comfort in
(3-a-4) Simplification and weight reduction of the structure of the hood frame 12 that is a movable member are promoted, and stability during operation is improved.
Etc. are obtained.
(3-b) Both the first drive source X and the second drive source Y are disposed on the vehicle body side, and the drive sources X and Y are connected to the rear end bow via the support arm 21 and the control arm 22. 17 is driven, it is easy to secure an arrangement space for these members. As a result, the degree of freedom in selecting the driving method and the degree of layout are increased.
(3-c) Since the control arm 22 is driven by the second drive source Y via the sublinks 61, 62, 66, the operating area of the sublinks 61, 62, 66 As a result, the distance between the control arm 22 and the second drive source Y can be increased. As a result, for example, the second drive source Y is disposed in a marginal space portion on the vehicle body side. There is also an effect that the degree of freedom of layout of the drive source Y on the vehicle body side is expanded.
(3-d) When the first drive source X and the second drive source Y are both configured by the motor units 25 and 26 as in the first embodiment, the characteristics of the motor unit are as follows. Since the remote operation is easy, the degree of freedom in layout of the drive sources X and Y is further improved.
(3-e) When the first drive source X and the second drive source Y are both configured by the cylinder units 33 and 34 as in the second embodiment, the cylinder units 33 and 34 are provided. Since a large driving force can be generated with a compact configuration, the driving portion can be made compact.

It is a principal part side view in the closed state of the convertible top for vehicles to which the drive structure concerning a 1st embodiment of the invention of this application was applied. It is a principal part side view in the transition period from the closed state of the convertible top shown in FIG. 1 to an open state. It is a principal part side view in the open state of the convertible top shown in FIG. It is a principal part side view in the closed state of the convertible top for vehicles to which the drive structure concerning a 2nd embodiment of the invention of this application was applied. FIG. 5 is a side view of a main part in a transition period from a closed state to an open state of the convertible top shown in FIG. 4. It is a principal part side view in the open state of the convertible top shown in FIG. It is a principal part side view in the closed state of a convertible top. It is a principal part side view in the transition period from the closed state of a convertible top to an open state. It is a principal part side view in the open state of a convertible top.

Explanation of symbols

1 ·· Vehicle 2 ·· Cabin 3 ·· Front header 4 · · Tonneau cover 6 ·· Base plate 7 · · Tonneau cover drive cylinder 8 · · Storage space 10 · · Convertible top 11 · · Cover 12 · · Cover frame 13 ·· Front frame 14 ··· First roof side frame 15 · · Second roof side frame 16 · · Rear side frame 17 · · Rear end bow 18 · · Intermediate bow 19 · · Front side bow 20 to 23 · · Link 20 · · Control link 21 .. Support arm 22 .. Control arm 23 .. First sector 24 .. Second sector 25 .. First motor unit (first drive source)
25A ..Motor 26 ..Second motor unit (second drive source)
26A ..Motor 31 ..Link 32 ..Link 33 ..First cylinder unit (first drive source)
..Second cylinder unit (second drive source)
35 to 39 ·· Pin 41 ·· Cover body 42 · · Back glass 43 · · Sealing material 49 · · Rear floor panel 51 to 54 · · Pivot pin 55 to 59 · · Support pin 61 · · Sublink 62 · · Sub Link 63 ··· Support pin 64 ··· Support pin 65 · · Support pin 66 · · Fifth link 67 · · Support pin 68 · · Support pin X · · First drive source Y · · Second drive source

Claims (4)

The hood (11) is supported by a hood frame (12) that can be folded and unfolded, and the hood frame (12) is opened and closed to open and close the upper part of the passenger compartment (2). On the rear side of (12) is a rear end bow (17) which is openable and closable and in the closed position and at the rear end of the hood frame (12). In the convertible top for a vehicle (10) provided with a tonneau cover (4) which is brought into contact with the front side,
A rear side located on the rear end side of the hood frame (12), one end of which is pivotally supported on the vehicle body side by a pivot pin (51) and rotated by a first drive source (X) disposed on the vehicle body side. Frame (16);
A support arm (21) having one end fixed to the rear end bow (17) and the other end connected to an appropriate position of the rear side frame (16) in a relatively rotatable manner;
One end is connected to the rear end bow (17) by a fulcrum pin (56) so as to be relatively rotatable, and the other end is connected to a sublink (61, 62, 66) by a fulcrum pin (57). A control arm (22) driven by a second drive source (Y) disposed on the vehicle body side via (61, 62, 66),
When the convertible top (10) is opened from the closed state, the control arm (22) is driven by the second drive source (Y) via the sublinks (61, 62, 66) to thereby support the fulcrum. The rear end bow (17) is separated from the front surface of the tonneau cover (4) by positioning the pin (57) at a position where it overlaps the pivot pin (51) of the rear side frame (16). Moved towards the frame (16),
When the first drive source (X) tilts the rear side frame (16) toward the rear side of the vehicle body around the pivot pin (51), the rear end bow (17) is connected to the rear side frame (16). A drive structure for a convertible top for a vehicle, characterized in that it is tilted integrally with the rear side frame (16) with the fulcrum pin (57) as the center while maintaining the relative position of the vehicle. In claim 1,
A drive structure for a convertible top for a vehicle, wherein the first drive source (X) and the second drive source (Y) are both composed of motor units (25) and (26). In claim 2,
Each of the motor units (25), (26) is configured to drive the rear side frame (16) and the control arm (22) via sectors (23), (24). Convertible top drive structure. In claim 1,
A drive structure for a convertible top for a vehicle, wherein the first drive source (X) and the second drive source (Y) are both composed of cylinder units (33, 34).

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