WO2007147398A1

WO2007147398A1 - Openable vehicle roof comprising a soft top provided with flying buttresses and method for the operation thereof

Info

Publication number: WO2007147398A1
Application number: PCT/DE2007/001089
Authority: WO
Inventors: Thomas Dintner; Patrick Geake
Original assignee: Webasto Ag
Priority date: 2006-06-19
Filing date: 2007-06-18
Publication date: 2007-12-27
Also published as: DE102006028078A1; EP2029380A1; DE102006028078B4

Abstract

The invention relates to an openable vehicle roof comprising a soft top (12) which, in its closed position (fig. 1), covers the vehicle interior (13), and in its open position (fig. 4) is stored in a soft top storage area arranged in the rear and is covered by a displaceable cover (20). When the soft top is in the closed position (fig. 1), fin-shaped, soft top flying buttresses (14) which extend towards the rear are embodied on both lateral sides edge areas of said soft top, the lower areas of said soft top flying buttresses being interconnected by said cover (20). In order to be able to open and close said type of soft top provided with flying buttresses in a simple manner, the width of the cover (20) can be varied, at least at the beginning of the opening step of the soft top (12), essentially only a small space between the soft top flying buttresses (14) being covered, which is then increased in relation thereto when the soft top (12) is in the open position (fig. 4).

Description

Openable vehicle roof with fin top and operating method for this

The present invention relates to an openable vehicle roof with a top, which covers a vehicle interior in its closed position and stowed in its open position in a rear side and covered by a movable lid top mount, wherein in the closed position of the top on the two lateral Verdeckrandbereichen finelnartig expiring to the rear Cover sections, hereinafter referred to as roof fins, are formed, whose lower portions are connected to each other by the cover.

Such a vehicle roof is known for a convertible vehicle, for example from DE 199 63 149 A1 and comprises a foldable textile hood, which covers the passenger compartment in its closed position and can be stored in its open position below a rear side arranged lid. In the closed position of the folding top this runs out in fin-like lateral triangular end portions to the rear. These hood fins are each supported by a clamping bracket, with which the cover part in question relative to the rear-side cover can be tensioned. When the hood is closed, the clamps rest on the rear lid.

The top opening operation is relatively complicated in the known construction, since for this purpose first the clamping bracket must be lifted together with the hood fins from the lid to then lift the cover of the vehicle body and spend the folded top in the top view can. The top closing operation (in reverse sequence of movements) is therefore also relatively cumbersome.

It is an object of the present invention to allow for a fin roof of the type mentioned simpler opening and closing operations. This object is achieved according to the invention by an openable vehicle roof with the features of claim 1. The dependent claims relate to advantageous developments of the invention.

In the vehicle roof according to the invention, the width of the lid is variable. During the opening process of the top, only the clear distance between the top fins is essentially bridged with this width, whereas in the open position of the top, the top width is increased in contrast.

An essential advantage of the invention is that at the beginning of a top opening operation, the top fins do not have to be lifted off the rear lid. This can be significantly simpler opening operations realize. The same applies to the top closing process. When the top opening operation and in particular at the beginning of the top opening operation, it is possible, for example, to sink the hood fins down into the top view, without wegzuverlagem before the cover. It is also possible here wegzuverlagem the lid without first raise the hood fins up. Finally, it is z. B. even possible to perform the sinking of the hood fins and Wegverlagern the lid substantially simultaneously. This is because in the design according to the invention during the opening process no mutual spatial obstruction of these movements is present.

By such a simplification of the opening process and / or the closing operation, the time required for an automatic opening or closing of the top can be advantageously reduced. Especially in modern motor vehicles with a roof opening system of interest here kind for some time the need for a faster top adjustment.

The term "openable vehicle roof" is to be understood in the context of the invention very broad, including fall z. B. all types of top constructions that have a cover of flexible material ("soft top"), which z. B. over transverse stiffening members (bow) is tensioned in the closed state, as well as several roof parts existing structures that can be folded to release the vehicle interior in an open position and / or folded and / or pushed together ("Retractable Hardtop" or "Klapptop") , Accordingly, the invention is suitable for virtually any type of top such as in particular z. As a folding top with a flexible fabric top fabric, which is clamped on a hood frame, or z. B. one of several mutually movable roof panels formed openable vehicle roof.

It is advantageous, as described below, a body-fixed connection of flexible covers while using an automatically operated top cover cover (lid) allows. In such a top connected hood, the unfolded hood must not be covered manually by the user with an additional cover part or protective cover.

Also with regard to the integration of a rear window on the hood can be used on known constructions. Accordingly, such a rear window can for example be a component of the top (for example, connected as a plastic area to a flexible top material). Alternatively, a rear window, in particular a downwardly lowerable rear window, and be formed independently of the actual top and z. B. mounted on the body side or be guided movably.

In one embodiment of the invention, it is provided that the width of the lid in the closed position of the top essentially bridges only the clear distance between the hood fins. In this case, no change in the lid width is required at the beginning of the top opening operation. Notwithstanding this embodiment, however, it could be provided that the width of the lid in the closed position of the top projects beyond the clear distance between the hood fins. Such a "side projection" of the lid under the hood fins can z. B. can be used to form so-called hat racks in the lower (inner) area of the hood fins with the hood closed.

In a preferred embodiment, the width of the lid in the open position of the top is dimensioned such that the top view is covered over its entire width. This measure is particularly advantageous in terms of the aesthetic appearance in the open top condition. The top view can be covered in an appealing way completely through the lid. The lid is preferably a panel-like structure which is extensively extended both in the top closed position and the top opening position. The provided in the invention for this cover variability of the lid width can be accomplished in many ways. The variability of the lid width z. B. be realized by folding lid extension parts and / or extendable lid extension parts and / or swing-lid extension parts.

Foldable cover extension parts can z. B. may be formed as extension plates, which are hinged in each case with a straight, substantially extending in the vehicle longitudinal direction edge on a corresponding edge of a cover body plate hinged. A minimum lid width is then defined in the folded state of the extension plates by the width of the lid body plate. A maximum lid width results after unfolding the extension plates and corresponds to the sum of the widths of the two extension plates and the body plate. In a preferred embodiment, the contour of each extension plate is substantially triangular to the rear tapering, especially if the hood fins in the plan view are designed approximately triangular tapering backwards.

Extendable lid extension parts can, for. B. may be formed as extension plates, which are each arranged in a plane parallel to a Deckelkorpusebene and sideways extendable at a lateral edge of the body panel by a linear guide. One or more extension plates on each side of the lid body panel may also be telescopically linearly guided in the vehicle transverse direction.

Swiveling lid extension parts can z. B. of extension plates, which are arranged in a plane parallel to a body plate plane and about an orthogonal to the body plate plane extending axis of rotation with respect to the body plate are swung out.

Also cover extension plates could be supported by a so-called four-bar assembly on the body plate, wherein the extension plates z. B. are each firmly connected to the so-called coupling of a four-bar linkage. In one embodiment of the invention, the top is designed as a folding top with a flexible top material, which is firmly connected to the vehicle body at the laterally outer edges of the top fins. The connection of the hood on the body can z. B. be provided approximately at the level or above the so-called parapet line of the vehicle. It then results in the benefits of a "soft-top fin top" at the same time simplified movements when opening and closing the hood. When opening and closing the hood, the tail cloth edges attached to the body in this case remain substantially stationary, so that z. B. can be dispensed with the known from the prior art according to DE 199 63 149 A1 clamping bracket, which also require a relatively complicated adjustment mechanism. In particular, the invention enables a folding top, which is connected to the vehicle body in the manner described above, with a cover which, in the open position of the top, is completely covered by the top mount, in which the folded top is accommodated.

Advantageously, the above-described in the above-described prior art in a clamping bow cover provided additional process for moving the hood fins, especially a necessary at the beginning of the top opening operation rotational movement of the clamping bracket upwards, and the ultimately associated loss of time can be avoided.

In the vehicle roof according to the invention, an automatic operating method may be provided, in which the cover is moved upwards for opening the top, the top is folded and stowed in the top mount and the cover for covering the top mount is moved back again, during the top opening operation, in particular During the lid opening process and / or during the lid closing process, the lid width is increased. The displacement of the cover upwards can z. B. translational, rotational or combined translational-rotational carried out. In the simplest case, the top closing operation corresponds to a kinematic reversal of the movements provided for top opening.

The invention will be explained in more detail below with reference to an embodiment with reference to the accompanying drawings. They represent schematically: 1 is a detailed perspective view of a convertible top in its closed position,

2 shows a first intermediate stage when the top is opened,

Fig. 3 shows a second intermediate stage when opening the hood, and

Fig. 4, the open position of the hood.

1 illustrates an openable vehicle roof 10 with a folding top 12 which, in its closed position shown in FIG. 1, covers a vehicle interior 13 (see FIG. 4), wherein top sections terminating in a fin-like manner at the two lateral top edge regions, referred to below as top fins 14 , are formed.

The hood fins 14 are tapered in the plan view approximately triangular shape towards the rear and to a certain extent form the known from solid vehicle roofs stable C-pillars. In addition to this rather aesthetic aspect, the roof structure, which is thus to some extent recessed in the rear area, is also particularly suitable for integrating a substantially vertical rear window, such as the illustrated rear window 16, which allows the vehicle occupants a particularly good rear view. In a conventional manner, the rear window z. B. made of transparent plastic and be framed by a non-transparent flexible top fabric (eg., Textile). Alternatively, the rear window 16 could also be stored separately from the top 12 on the vehicle and possibly guided vertically movable.

Since the specific type of cabriolet vehicle (eg sedan, coupe, etc.) is of secondary importance in the context of the invention, only one in the top closed state the hood fins 14 adjacent rear body portion 18 of the vehicle is located.

In the convertible top closing position according to FIG. 1, lower regions of the hood fins 14 are interconnected by a tonneau cover 20 which extends substantially horizontally and in alignment with the rear body region 18. The cover 20 comprises a cover body panel 22 whose length corresponds to the length of the hood fins 14 and whose width corresponds to the clear distance between the hood fins 14 and whose side edges follow the inner edge of the hood fins 14 running rectilinearly in the exemplary embodiment. The cover 20 further comprises hinged at the lateral edges of the body panel 22 hinged lid extension plates 24, which are in the top closed position shown in FIG. 1 in a folded state, that are arranged at the lateral edges of the body panel 22 below this, so that the In the vehicle transverse direction considered extension of the cover 20 only the clearance between the Verdeckfinnen 14 bridged. In a manner not shown, the cover 20 is waterproof connected to the adjoining hood areas (such as by means of suitable sealing lips on the corresponding edge regions of the lid 20 and / or the top 12). With regard to any water penetrating into the vehicle between the cover 20 and the top 12, measures for "water management" can be taken, by the way, as they are in themselves z. B. from the field of motor vehicle sliding roofs are known and serve to lead out at one point penetrated water elsewhere again out of the vehicle.

Hereinafter, with reference to FIGS. 2, 3 and 4, a roof opening operation provided for the vehicle roof 10 will be explained, which enables a particularly rapid opening and closing of the top 12.

Starting from the convertible top closing position according to FIG. 1, the cover 20, which is hinged to the body region 18 at its rear edge, is first displaced upwardly into an open lid position by pivoting about a cover pivot axis 26 extending in the vehicle transverse direction, which is shown in FIG. It is noteworthy that (due to the comparatively small width of the cover 20), no prior displacement of the hood fins 14 is required in order to open the cover 20 (cf., for example, DE 199 63 149 A1). In the illustrated embodiment, this would also not possible, since the hood fins 14 are not supported and stretched by lateral movable clamping bracket of a top linkage but at least with the laterally outer edges 28 of the top material in the hood fins 14 fixed to the vehicle body (body portion 18) are attached , After the cover 20 has been pivoted away upward as shown in FIG. 2 from the space between the top fins 14, the width of the lid 20 is increased, which in the illustrated embodiment by an unfolding (see arrows in Fig. 2) of the extension plates 24 into a Position is accomplished, which is shown in Fig. 3. In this widened lid state, the extension plates 24 on both sides of the body plate 22 projecting lid extensions, which extend the plane of the body panel 22 to the outside.

In the illustrated embodiment, the lid 20 is also given a changed lateral edge contour due to the approximately triangular contoured extension plates 24 in the extended lid state. As shown, the cover widening on the front cover edge in FIG. 1 (or upper cover edge in FIG. 3) is particularly large.

Then, the top 12 is folded by this spanning hood frame in a conventional manner or folded and stowed in a rear-side, designed as a top compartment top mount and the cover 20 is moved back by pivoting about the pivot axis 26 in the plane of the body portion 18. This results in the convertible top opening position shown in Fig. 4, in which the top 12 is stored in the top compartment and the top compartment is covered by the (widened) cover 20 over its entire width and length.

In the convertible-top opening position according to FIG. 4, the vehicle interior 13 is exposed. In this view, the location of vehicle seats 30 can be seen, in which it is z. B. to the only seats of the vehicle in question or z. B. may be a rear seat. In this open state, the appearance of the vehicle is not affected by visible or even protruding hood parts or fasteners. Namely, the extension plates 24 cover those lateral roof storage areas in which the hood fins are stowed. Thus, even in the open state of the hood results in an undisturbed design line course of the vehicle body.

In the embodiment described here, the lid 20 is provided as a "Tonneaucover" separately from a so-called trunk lid of the vehicle in question. Deviating from the lid 20 could also form the trunk lid or on such a trunk lid stored, in particular articulated, be. In this case, the trunk or a front portion of the trunk can simultaneously form the top storage compartment.

For the sake of simplicity, the process of folding and stowing the top 12 for the transition of the stage of FIG. 3 to the stage of FIG. 4 has been explained. Especially with regard to the fastest and most elegant convertible top opening operation, it is preferred in practice that the canopy merging begins at the latest already when the lid 20 has been completely shifted away from the top of the top view and possibly even into the phase of the backward displacement of Lids 20 lasts.

Furthermore, it is preferred if the lid widening process already begins before the lid is completely displaced away and, if appropriate, continues into the phase of the return displacement of the lid.

In general, it is therefore preferred if the operations of the cover shift, the cover widening and the top folding (top frame operation) with one or more temporal overlaps, as it were at least partially simultaneously.

In a particularly preferred embodiment, the operations of the cover shift, the cover width variation and the top assembly or installation are driven by a motor to adjust the top between its closed position and its open position or storage position. For such a drive (eg electric motor, hydraulic, pneumatic, etc.) recourse can be had to known concepts and constructions, as they are known per se from the field of openable vehicle roofs.

A motor drive of the top can here z. B. be controlled by a user by means of an arranged in the passenger compartment control switch. The top adjustment process can run programmatically in a conventional manner, wherein current positions of individual top parts are detected by a conventional sensor to coordinate total displacement of the top. In one embodiment, it is provided that for the cover widening (for example, by folding in and out lateral cover extension plates or the like) a separate motor drive is provided, the z. B. can be integrated on or in a cover body and preferably drives all lid extension parts.

In an alternative embodiment, it is provided that the cover widening is mechanically coupled to the cover displacement and / or the top adjustment. In this case, a drive which is present anyway for the cover displacement or top adjustment (for example actuators which are arranged on both sides of the vehicle, such as hydraulic cylinders) can advantageously also drive the cover widening (or narrowing) via mechanical forced coupling.

Although the invention has been explained above the example of a motor vehicle, so the invention can be advantageous also in other types of vehicles, in particular, for. As watercraft, are used.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

10 opening vehicle roof

12 hood

13 vehicle interior

14 hood fins 16 rear window 18 rear body area

20 top compartment lid

22 cover body plate

24 lid extension plates

26 Deckelverschwenkachse 28 Verdeckstoffränder

30 vehicle seats

Claims

claims

1. Openable vehicle roof with a top (12), which in its closed position (Fig. 1) covers a vehicle interior (13) and stowed in its open position (Fig. 4) arranged in a rear side and covered by a movable cover (20) top view is, wherein in the closed position (Figure 1) of the top (12) at the two lateral Verdeckrandbereichen fin-like backward expiring hood sections (14), hereinafter referred to as Verdeckfinnen, are formed, whose lower portions are interconnected by the cover (20)

characterized in that the width of the cover (20) is variable, at least at the beginning of the opening process of the top (12) substantially only the clearance between the Verdeckfinnen (14) bridged and in the open position (Fig. 4) of the hood (12) is increased in contrast.

2. Vehicle roof according to claim 1, wherein the width of the lid (20) in the closed position (Fig. 1) of the top (12) substantially only the clearance between the hood fins (14) bridged.

3. Vehicle roof according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the width of the lid (20) in the open position (Fig. 4) of the top (12) is dimensioned such that the top mount is covered over its entire width.

4. Vehicle roof according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the variability of the width of the lid (20) by folding lid extension parts (24) is realized.

5. Vehicle roof according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the variability of the width of the lid (20) by extendable lid extension parts (24) is realized.

6. Vehicle roof according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the variability of the width of the lid (20) is realized by swing-lid extension parts (24).

7. Vehicle roof according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the hood (12) is designed as a folding top with a flexible top material, which is fixedly connected to the laterally outer edges of the hood fins (14) on the vehicle body (18).

8. A method for operating an openable vehicle roof (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein for opening the top (12) of the cover (20) is moved away upwards, the top (12) folded and stowed in the top mount and the Cover (20) for covering the top mount is moved back again, wherein during the top opening operation, in particular during the lid opening operation and / or during the lid closing operation, the lid width is increased.