U.S. patent application number 09/791752 was filed with the patent office on 2001-08-30 for folding top for a motor vehicle.
This patent application is currently assigned to Bayerische Motoren Werke AG. Invention is credited to Busch, Peter.
Application Number | 20010017475 09/791752 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 7632137 |
Filed Date | 2001-08-30 |
United States Patent
Application |
20010017475 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Busch, Peter |
August 30, 2001 |
Folding top for a motor vehicle
Abstract
Folding top for a motor vehicle with a folding top frame, which
exhibits on the side a front, center and rear frame part, of which
the center frame part can be adjusted by a four-membered joint,
where a lever is formed by the rear frame part. The front frame
part can be adjusted with respect to the center frame part by three
guides, of which in a swivel joint the first and second guides can
be swivelled in succession around a motor vehicle cross axis and
are hinged to the front frame part. On the other hand, the first
guide is hinged to the center frame part. The third guide can be
swivelled around a motor vehicle cross axis in a swivel joint and
is hinged to the rear frame part and, on the other hand, is hinged
to the first guide. The second guide can be swivelled around a
motor vehicle cross axis in a swivel joint and is hinged to the
third guide.
Inventors: |
Busch, Peter; (Mengkofen,
DE) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Evenson, McKeown, Edwards & Lenahan, P.L.L.C.
Suite 700
1200 G Street, N.W.
Washington
DC
20005
US
|
Assignee: |
Bayerische Motoren Werke AG
|
Family ID: |
7632137 |
Appl. No.: |
09/791752 |
Filed: |
February 26, 2001 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
296/107.01 ;
296/108 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B60J 7/1265
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
296/107.01 ;
296/108 |
International
Class: |
B60J 007/12 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Feb 24, 2000 |
DE |
DE 100 08 492.3 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. Folding top for a motor vehicle, comprising a folding top frame,
which exhibits on a side, a front, center and rear frame part, of
which the center frame part can be adjusted by a four-membered
joint, where a lever is formed by the rear frame part, and the
front frame part can be adjusted with respect to the center frame
part by three guides, of which in a swivel joint a first and a
second guide can be swivelled in succession around a motor vehicle
cross axis and are hinged to the front frame part and the first
guide is hinged to the center frame part, wherein a third guide can
be swivelled around the motor vehicle cross axis in the swivel
joint and is hinged to the rear frame part and to the first guide,
and the second guide can be swivelled around the motor vehicle
cross axis in the swivel joint and is hinged to the third
guide.
2. The folding top according to claim 1, wherein the third guide is
hinged to the first guide approximately in a central longitudinal
region of the first guide.
3. The folding top according to claim 1, wherein the second guide
is hinged to the third guide approximately in a central
longitudinal region of the third guide.
4. The folding top according to claim 2, wherein the second guide
is hinged to the third guide approximately in a central
longitudinal region of the third guide.
5. The folding top according to claim 1, wherein the swivel joint
is located between the third guide and the rear frame part in a
closing position of the folding top in front of and over the swivel
joint between the rear frame part and the center frame part.
6. The folding top according to claim 4, wherein the swivel joint
is located between the third guide and the rear frame part in the
closing position of the folding top in front of and over the swivel
joint between the rear frame part and the center frame part.
7. The folding top according to claim 1, wherein in the closing
position of the folding top the first guide tilts toward the front
at the top and the second guide tilts toward the front at the
bottom from a horizontal position.
8. The folding top according to claim 4, wherein in the closing
position of the folding top the first guide tilts toward the front
at the top and the second guide tilts toward the front at the
bottom from a horizontal position.
9. The folding top according to claim 5, wherein in the closing
position of the folding top the first guide tilts toward the front
at the top and the second guide tilts toward the front at the
bottom from a horizontal position.
10. The folding top according to claim 1, wherein in all positions
of the folding top the third guide is in an approximately
horizontal position.
11. The folding top according to claim 4, wherein in all positions
of the folding top the third guide is in an approximately
horizontal position.
12. The folding top according to claim 5, wherein in all positions
of the folding top the third guide is in an approximately
horizontal position.
13. The folding top according to claim 7, wherein in all positions
of the folding top the third guide is in an approximately
horizontal position.
14. The folding top according to claim 1, wherein the third guide
exhibits in a central longitudinal region a bend, from which in the
closing position of the folding top the third guide extends toward
the front and to the rear and toward the bottom.
15. The folding top according to claim 4, wherein the third guide
exhibits in a central longitudinal region a bend, from which in the
closing position of the folding top the third guide extends toward
the front and to the rear and toward the bottom.
16. The folding top according to claim 13, wherein the third guide
exhibits in a central longitudinal region a bend, from which in the
closing position of the folding top the third guide extends toward
the front and to the rear and toward the bottom.
17. The folding top according to claim 1, wherein the front frame
part forms a side region of a front bow and the center frame part
forms a side region of a main bow, whereby the front bow and the
main bow extend over the entire roof width of the folding top.
18. The folding top according to claim 9, wherein the front frame
part forms a side region of a front bow and the center frame part
forms a side region of a main bow, whereby the front bow and the
main bow extend over the entire roof width of the folding top.
19. The folding top according to claim 16, wherein the front frame
part forms a side region of a front bow and the center frame part
forms a side region of a main bow, whereby the front bow and the
main bow extend over the entire roof width of the folding top.
20. The folding top according to claim 1, wherein the first and
second guides are in an approximately parallel position in every
position of the folding top.
21. The folding top according to claim 11, wherein the first and
second guides are in an approximately parallel position in every
position of the folding top.
22. The folding top according to claim 19, wherein the first and
second guides are in an approximately parallel position in every
position of the folding top.
23. The folding top according to claim 1, wherein the rear frame
part is a main column and the second lever of the four-membered
joint is a main guide, whereby, when the folding top is partially
or totally opened, the main guide is hinged to the center frame
part in front of the rear frame part, forming a main column.
24. The folding top according to claim 16, wherein the rear frame
part is a main column and the second lever of the four-membered
joint is a main guide, whereby, when the folding top is partially
or totally opened, the main guide is hinged to the center frame
part in front of the rear frame part, forming a main column.
25. The folding top according to claim 22, wherein the rear frame
part is a main column and the second lever of the four-membered
joint is a main guide, whereby, when the folding top is partially
or totally opened, the main guide is hinged to the center frame
part in front of the rear frame part, forming a main column.
26. The folding top according to claim 17, wherein, when the
folding top is open, the front bow and the main bow are adjusted in
such a manner without any essential swivel movement around a motor
vehicle cross axis that in the maximum open position of the folding
top the front bow is located at least partially over the main bow
in a rear receiving space and covers at least partially the parts
of the folding top.
27. The folding top according to claim 21, wherein, when the
folding top is open, the front bow and the main bow are adjusted in
such a manner without any essential swivel movement around a motor
vehicle cross axis that in the maximum open position of the folding
top the front bow is located at least partially over the main bow
in a rear receiving space and covers at least partially the parts
of the folding top.
28. The folding top according to claim 25, wherein, when the
folding top is open, the front bow and the main bow are adjusted in
such a manner without any essential swivel movement around a motor
vehicle cross axis that in the maximum open position of the folding
top the front bow is located at least partially over the main bow
in a rear receiving space and covers at least partially the parts
of the folding top.
29. Folding top frame for a motor vehicle comprising, arranged on
each side: a front frame part, a center frame part which is
adjustable by a four-membered joint, a rear frame part which forms
a lever, a first guide being hinged to the center frame part and
the front frame part, a second guide being hinged to the front
frame part and a third guide, and the third guide being hinged to
the rear frame part and to the first guide, wherein the front frame
part is adjustable relative to the center frame part by the first,
second and third guides, with the first and second guides being
swivelled about respective swivel joints in succession around
respective motor vehicle cross axes.
30. A method of making a folding top for a motor vehicle with a
folding top frame providing on each side of the vehicle: a front
frame part, a center frame part being adjustable by a four-membered
joint, and a rear frame part forming a lever hinging with
respective swivel joints: a first guide to each said center frame
part and to said front frame part, a second guide to each front
frame part and to a respective third guide, and a respective third
guide to each said rear frame part and to the first guide, wherein
the front frame part is adjustable relative to the center frame
part by the first, second and third guides, with the first and
second guides being swivelled about respective swivel joints in
succession around respective motor vehicle cross axes.
Description
BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0001] This application claims the priority of German Application
No. DE 100 08 492.3, filed in Germany on Feb. 24, 2000, the
disclosure of which is expressly incorporated by reference
herein.
[0002] This invention relates to a folding top for a motor vehicle
with a folding top frame, which exhibits on the side a front,
center and rear frame part, of which the center frame part can be
adjusted by means of a four-membered joint, where a lever is formed
by means of the rear frame part, and the front frame part can be
adjusted with respect to the center frame part by means of three
guides, of which in a swivel joint the first and second guides can
be swivelled in succession around a motor vehicle cross axis and
are hinged to the front frame part, and the first guide is hinged
to the center frame part.
[0003] In German Patent Document DE 196 13 356 C2 such a folding
top exhibits a folding top rod linkage with a side frame,
comprising three parts. The front side frame part is connected to
the center side frame part by a parallelogram guide arrangement. To
control the movement of the front side frame part with respect to
the center side frame part when opening and closing the folding
top, the rear guide of the parallelogram guide arrangement has a
connecting guide, with which a guide pin on one end of a dual armed
lever can engage adjustably and whose other region forms a lever of
a four-membered joint to guide the center side frame part. The
connecting guide weakens the rear guide, which can deform
especially in the case of a folding top that is difficult to
adjust, if it is not dimensioned correspondingly larger or is
produced with higher stability. In the case of a folding top that
is symmetrical in the cross direction of the motor vehicle, the
pins, which are located on the opposite sides and engage with an
assigned connecting guide, do not contribute or hardly contribute
to the stability of the folding top. If the folding top is unevenly
loaded, for example, when opening or closing, the pins can move at
least somewhat differently in the connecting guides, a state that
makes it difficult or impossible to adjust the folding top.
[0004] An object of the invention is to provide a folding top for a
motor vehicle with the features mentioned above where the folding
top exhibits a simpler construction and greater stability.
[0005] This object is achieved according to preferred embodiments
of the invention in that the third guide can be swivelled around a
motor vehicle cross axis in a swivel joint and is hinged to the
rear frame part and to the first guide; and the second guide can be
swivelled around a motor vehicle cross axis in a swivel joint and
is hinged to the third guide.
[0006] The guides and levers, provided to displace the side frame
parts, are connected to the parts in question exclusively by swivel
joints that are inexpensive to produce. The swivel joints permit
only a swivel movement of the parts in questions around a motor
vehicle cross axis and thus stabilize the folding top in every
position of adjustment during the opening and closing operation.
Thus, the folding top can be opened and closed more uniformly and
with a smaller amount of force manually or with a motor. If the
front frame part forms a front bow and the center frame part forms
a main bow, these bows can extend in the longitudinal direction of
the motor vehicle over a length of, for example, several
decimeters, since the bows, arranged in succession in the closing
position of the folding top, are displaced in such a manner, for
example, in their side regions that in opening and closing the
folding top, they are not in the adjusting region of the respective
other part or another part of the folding top. In the maximum open
position of the folding top, the front and center side frame parts
or the front bow and the main bow are disposed compactly so as to
be curved one over the other in the same direction. Preferably, the
front bow or the rear bow, exhibiting a larger longitudinal stretch
in the longitudinal direction of the motor vehicle, can cover in
such a manner partially or totally the other parts of the folding
top in the maximum open position. Thus, there is no need for a
canvas or folding top compartment cover, provided in other motor
vehicles to cover the opened folding top.
[0007] Other objects, advantages and novel features of the present
invention will become apparent from the following detailed
description of the invention when considered in conjunction with
the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0008] FIG. 1 is a simplified side view of the closed folding
top.
[0009] FIG. 2 is a view, corresponding to FIG. 1, of the partially
opened folding top.
[0010] FIG. 3 is a view, corresponding to the previous figures, of
the folding top, deposited in a rear receiving compartment.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0011] The folding top of a motor vehicle, whose roof parts are
depicted as a simplified side view in FIG. 1, exhibits a folding
top material 1, which is carried or supported by a folding top
frame. The folding top frame is constructed symmetrically with
respect to a vertical center plane of the motor vehicle and
exhibits on each of its sides a front frame part 2, a center frame
part 3 and a rear frame part 4, which in the illustrated closing
position of the folding top are arranged approximately flush in
succession. The two front frame parts 2, which are located on
opposite sides, are connected together, forming a front bow 5. The
two center frame parts 3, which are located on opposite sides,
constitute the side regions of a main bow 6, which extends, like
the front bow 5, over the entire width of the roof of the folding
top, which supports from below the folding top material 1. The
center frame part 3 can be adjusted by a four-membered joint, where
a lever is formed by the rear frame part 4. The other lever of the
four-membered joint forms a main guide 7, which is hinged to the
center frame part 3 so as to swivel around a motor vehicle cross
axis 8 in a swivel joint. The rear frame part 4 forms a main
column, which is hinged to the center frame part 3 so as to swivel
around a cross axis 9 of the motor vehicle in a swivel joint.
[0012] In the illustrated closing position the motor vehicle cross
axis 8 is located in front of and somewhat over the motor vehicle
cross axis 9. The rear frame part 4 and the main guide 7 are braced
on their rear bottom end (not illustrated) against a main bearing
block so as to swivel around a motor vehicle cross axis. Said main
bearing block is fastened, for example, detachably, to the motor
vehicle chassis.
[0013] Between the front frame part 2 and the center frame part 3
there is a first guide 12, which is connected, on the one hand, to
the center frame part 3 and, on the other hand, to the front frame
part 2 so as to articulate in a swivel joint around a motor vehicle
cross axis 10, 11.
[0014] Behind the first guide 12 there is a second guide 13, which
is connected to the front frame part 2 so as to swivel around a
motor vehicle cross axis 15 in a swivel joint behind the motor
vehicle cross axis 11. A third guide 14, which is approximately
horizontal in all adjustment positions of the folding top, engages
with the rear frame part 4 so as to swivel around a motor vehicle
cross axis 16 in a swivel joint.
[0015] In the illustrated closing position of the folding top, the
motor vehicle cross axis 16 is disposed in the motor vehicle
longitudinal direction approximately between the two motor vehicles
cross axes 8 and 9 and a little above. On its front region, the
third guide 14 engages, for example, approximately in a central
region of the first guide 12 between the motor vehicle cross axes
10, 11, so as to swivel around a motor vehicle cross axis 17 in a
swivel joint.
[0016] The rear end of the second guide 13, located in the closing
position of the folding top, engages with the third guide 14 in a
central longitudinal region so as to swivel around a motor vehicle
cross axis 18 in a swivel joint. In the closing position of the
folding top, the first guide 12 is tilted somewhat at the top
toward the front, and the second guide is tilted somewhat at the
bottom toward the front from a horizontal position. The third guide
14 exhibits in its central longitudinal region a bend 19, from
which in the closing position of the folding top the third guide 14
extends in an approximately straight line, on the one hand, toward
the front and, on the other hand, to the rear and somewhat toward
the bottom.
[0017] FIG. 2 depicts the folding top partially open. In this view
the side frame parts 2, 3, 4 and the side guides 12, 13, 14 and the
main guide 7 are very easy to recognize. The first and second
guides 12, 13 are located in each position of the folding top in an
approximately parallel position. The main guide 7, forming a lever
of a four-membered joint, is arranged in front of the rear frame
part 4 when the folding top is somewhat open. Said rear frame part
4 forms the main column of the folding top.
[0018] FIG. 3 depicts the folding top in its maximum open position,
in which the folding top is put into a rear receiving compartment.
When the folding top is open, the front bow 5 and the main bow 6
are adjusted in such a manner without any essential swivel movement
around a motor vehicle cross axis that in the maximum open position
of the folding top the front bow 5 is located over the main bow 6
so as to save space. In the motor vehicle cross direction the front
bow and/or the main bow can be curved. So that the main bow 6, the
main guide 7 and the third frame part 4, forming a main column, are
not located in the adjusting region of an adjacent part when
opening and closing the folding top, the main bow 6 is disposed on
the side internally; the main guide 7, on the side in the center;
and the rear frame part 4, forming the main column, on the side
externally.
[0019] The dimensions and the shape of the parts used in the
folding top can also deviate from the embodiment. The folding top
was described with reference to a folding top frame, supporting a
folding top material. It is also conceivable that especially the
frame parts can be designed in such a manner that without a folding
top material they can form a folding top, designed as a folding
roof. It is also possible that, for example, the front and center
frame parts form a solid roof member, to which adjoins only in the
rear a folding top material, supported by a rear folding top
frame.
[0020] The foregoing disclosure has been set forth merely to
illustrate the invention and is not intended to be limiting. Since
modifications of the disclosed embodiments incorporating the spirit
and substance of the invention may occur to persons skilled in the
art, the invention should be construed to include everything within
the scope of the appended claims and equivalents thereof.
* * * * *