U.S. patent application number 09/899568 was filed with the patent office on 2002-02-28 for convertible vehicle roof and convertible vehicle.
Invention is credited to Schutt, Thomas.
Application Number | 20020024231 09/899568 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 7647682 |
Filed Date | 2002-02-28 |
United States Patent
Application |
20020024231 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Schutt, Thomas |
February 28, 2002 |
Convertible vehicle roof and convertible vehicle
Abstract
A convertible vehicle roof (1) has a front roof part (3) and a
rear roof part (4) which are mounted movably on the body of the
vehicle and which can be put away into a roof storage space (20).
The front roof part (3) is supported by means of a pivot-bearing
device (9, 13) which is mounted displaceably on a guide device (16)
fixed on the vehicle and which, during the opening and putting away
of the front roof part (3), moves along the guide device (16) and
in the process lowers the front roof part (3) into the roof storage
space (20). The front roof part (3), when lowered into the roof
storage space (20), can be arranged in an obliquely set or
substantially vertical swung orientation.
Inventors: |
Schutt, Thomas;
(Furstenfeldbruck, DE) |
Correspondence
Address: |
NIXON PEABODY, LLP
8180 GREENSBORO DRIVE
SUITE 800
MCLEAN
VA
22102
US
|
Family ID: |
7647682 |
Appl. No.: |
09/899568 |
Filed: |
July 6, 2001 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
296/107.08 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B60J 7/028 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
296/107.08 |
International
Class: |
B60J 007/08 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jul 6, 2000 |
DE |
100 32 378.2 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A vehicle roof for a convertible vehicle, the roof comprising:
at least one front roof part, at least one rear roof part, and a
guide device adapted to be fixed on said vehicle in use, a
pivot-bearing device displaceably mounted on the guide device,
wherein the front roof part is supported by the pivot-bearing
device in a manner causing the front roof part to be moved into a
roof storage space of said vehicle by displacement of the
pivot-bearing device along the guide device.
2. A vehicle roof according to claim 1, wherein the pivot-bearing
device and the guide device are arranged such that, in use, the
front roof part is arranged in an obliquely or substantially
vertical swung-back position when being lowered into the roof
storage space.
3. A vehicle roof according to claim 1, wherein the pivot-bearing
device comprises a multi-bar mechanism which is displaceably
mounted on the guide device.
4. A vehicle roof according to claim 1, wherein the pivot-bearing
device is mounted on a slide which is mounted displaceably on the
guide device.
5. A vehicle roof according to claim 4, wherein the guide device
comprises a guide rail.
6. A vehicle roof according claim 5, wherein the guide rail is
arranged at an oblique angle relative to horizontal.
7. A vehicle roof according to claim 1, wherein the rear roof part
is mounted in a manner enabling the rear roof part to pivot about a
transverse axis located in a region of an upper section of the
guide device.
8. A vehicle roof according to claim 1, wherein the rear roof part
is formed as a roll-over protective structure and is extendable
into a roll-over protective position.
9. A vehicle roof according to claim 8, comprising an
emergency-pivoting device for driving the rear roof part into the
roll-over protective position.
10. A vehicle roof according to claim 1, wherein the front roof
part is movable into and fixable in a windbreak position
intermediate fully open and fully closed positions thereof.
11. A vehicle roof according to claim 1, wherein the front roof
part and the rear roof part are each rigid roof elements.
12. A vehicle roof according to claim 10, wherein the front roof
part has a transparent roof section at or towards its front edge,
said transparent roof section being position to provide rearward
vision therethrough when the front roof part is in said windbreak
position.
13. A vehicle roof according to claim 1, comprising a flexible roof
covering which spans the front roof part and the rear roof part
when the vehicle roof is closed, the roof covering being fastened
to a front section of the front roof part and resting loosely on a
rear section of the front roof part.
14. A vehicle roof according to claim 1, wherein the front roof
part has a rear region which is open when the front roof part is in
its storage position.
15. A vehicle roof according to claim 14, wherein said rear region
is a recess in the front roof part.
16. A vehicle roof according to claim 15, comprising a movable or
removable part for closing the recess when the front roof part is
in a closed position.
17. A vehicle roof according to claim 1, wherein the rear roof part
has a rear window.
18. A vehicle roof according to claim 1, comprising a respective
drive for pivoting each of the front roof part and the rear roof
part.
19. A vehicle roof according to claim 1, comprising a drive for
moving the front roof part along the guide device.
20. A vehicle roof according to claim 1, wherein at least one of
the front roof part and the rear roof part is at least partially
manually movable for opening and closing of the vehicle roof.
21. A vehicle roof according to claim 1, wherein the front roof
part has a roof frame which extends downwards in a region of a rear
edge of the front roof part and which bears at least part of the
pivot-bearing device.
22. A convertible vehicle having a vehicle roof comprising: a
vehicle body with a roof storage space, at least one front roof
part, and at least one rear roof part, a guide device fixed on said
vehicle body, a pivot-bearing device displaceably mounted on the
guide device, wherein the front roof part is supported by the
pivot-bearing device in a manner causing the front roof part to be
moved into the roof storage space of said vehicle body by
displacement of the pivot-bearing device along the guide
device.
23. A convertible vehicle according to claim 22, further comprising
a seat, and wherein the roof storage space extends downwards behind
the seat.
24. A convertible vehicle according to claim 22, further comprising
a pivot-bearing supporting the rear roof part, the pivot-bearing
device for the front roof part and pivot-bearing for the rear roof
part being arranged such that the rear roof part is swingable at
least partially into the roof storage space, and subsequently or
substantially simultaneously, the front roof part swingable in
front of the rear roof part and lowerable into the roof storage
space to completely open the vehicle roof.
25. A convertible vehicle according to claim 22, further comprising
a pivot-bearing supporting the rear roof part, the pivot-bearing
device for the front roof part and pivot-bearing for the rear roof
part being arranged such that, first the front roof part and the
rear roof part are swingable substantially together toward the roof
storage space until the rear roof part has reached a storage
position, and subsequently, the front roof part is swingable in
front of the rear roof part and lowerable into the roof storage
space for opening the vehicle roof.
26. A convertible vehicle according to claim 22, wherein the roof
parts are arranged in manner enabling the rear roof part to be
moved into an open position in the roof storage space while the
front roof part remains in a closed position.
27. A convertible vehicle according to claim 22, wherein the roof
parts are arranged in manner enabling the front roof part to be in
an open position in the roof storage space while the rear roof part
is in a closed position.
28. A convertible vehicle according to claim 22, wherein the front
roof part and the roof storage space are arranged such that the
front roof part lies in a substantially vertical orientation or at
an oblique angle to horizontal when in the roof storage space.
29. A convertible vehicle according to claim 28, wherein the
movable mounting of the front roof part is arranged such that a
front portion of the front roof part is extendable into a windbreak
position with the front roof part partially stowed in the roof
storage space.
30. A convertible vehicle according to claim 28, wherein the
pivot-bearing device movable along the guide device guide device
for opening the front roof part and placing the front roof part in
the roof storage space.
31. A convertible vehicle roof, the vehicle roof comprising at
least one front roof part and at least one rear roof part, each for
said roof parts being movably mountable on a body of a vehicle for
movement between a closed position and a roof storage position, and
wherein the front roof part has an open portion along a rear edge
thereof for accommodating an upwardly protruding vehicle body floor
component when the front roof part is in the roof storage
position.
32. A vehicle roof according to claim 31, wherein the front and
rear roof parts are rigid, and wherein a flexible roof covering is
provided which covers the front roof part and the rear roof part in
said closed position thereof.
33. A vehicle roof according to claim 31, comprising a movable or
removable part for filling the open portion of the front roof part
when the front roof part is in the closed position.
34. A convertible vehicle roof comprising at least one front roof
part and at least one rear roof part each being adapted for
mounting on a vehicle body in a manner movable between a closed
position and a roof storage position, the front roof part and the
rear roof part each being formed of rigid roof elements and
together forming a hard top roof, said hard top roof being spanned
by a flexible roof covering which overlies the roof parts in the
closed position.
35. A convertible vehicle roof, the vehicle roof comprising at
least one front roof part and at least one rear roof part each for
movable mounting on the body of a vehicle between a closed position
and a roof storage position, the rear roof part being formed as a
roll-over protective structure and being extendable from the roof
storage position thereof into a protective position by an
emergency-pivoting device.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates to a convertible vehicle roof
and to a convertible vehicle.
[0003] 2. Description of Related Art
[0004] German Patent DE 44 35 222 C1 discloses a vehicle roof
having a front roof part and a rear roof part or rear element. The
front roof part, which can be locked to the cowl via roof links
which are articulated in a manner such that they can pivot, is
articulated in a manner such that it can swing on the vehicle body
by means of a pivot lever. The rear roof part adjoins the front
roof part to the rear and sits in a sealing manner on a folding-top
compartment flap which forms a transition to the trunk. The rear
roof part is mounted in a manner such that it can be moved via a
pivot lever which is mounted on the vehicle body, can be swung by
means of a hydraulic cylinder and is coupled via a further
hydraulic cylinder to the rear roof part at a rear articulation
point of the roof part. The rear roof part is also mounted such
that it can be moved by an additional hydraulic cylinder and a
telescopic guide which is parallel thereto, the hydraulic cylinder
and telescopic guide being fastened at one end to the pivot lever
and engaged at the other end on a front articulation point on the
rear roof part. The rear roof part is mounted movably in such a
manner that it can be raised from the folding-top compartment flap
and out of its closed position, by the lever and hydraulic cylinder
devices being pivoted and actuated, and can be swung forwards over
the front roof part. After the rear roof part has been locked to
the front roof part and the roof link has been unlocked, actuation
of the lever and hydraulic cylinder devices causes the front roof
part to be swung as a unit to the rear together with the rear roof
part into a stowage space and to be put away horizontally therein.
The front roof part moves in accordance with the guidance provided
by its pivot link and by the lever and hydraulic cylinder devices
of the rear roof part. However, this horizontal storage of the
front roof part and of the rear roof part requires a large stowage
space which reaches right into the trunk and reduces the size of
the latter.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] According to a first aspect of the present invention, there
is provided a vehicle roof for a convertible vehicle, the roof
comprising at least one front roof part and at least one rear roof
part, the front roof part being supported by means of a
pivot-bearing device which is mounted displaceably on a guide
device, the guide device, in use, being fixed on a vehicle such
that, during the opening and putting away of the front roof part,
the pivot-bearing device moves along the guide device, and in the
process, lowers the front roof part into a roof storage space of
the vehicle.
[0006] In the preferred embodiment, the front roof part is brought
by a swinging movement into a position from which the front roof
part is lowered and inserted into the roof storage space by a
displacing movement. In comparison with a swinging movement, the
displacement of the front roof part into a comparatively narrow
roof storage space can be designed as a sequence of movements which
can be executed in a simple manner. The front roof part may
comprise two or more elements which, in turn, can be moved relative
to one another.
[0007] In a particularly preferred arrangement, the front roof
part, when being lowered into the roof storage space, is arranged
in an obliquely set or substantially vertical position. In the
preferred embodiment, in the storage position, the front edge of
the front roof part points upwards and the rear edge is arranged
above the roof storage space or is already pivoted into the latter.
The front roof part is therefore set upright with respect to the
direction of travel, with the inside of the front roof part
pointing forwards.
[0008] According to a preferred arrangement, the roof storage space
extends downwards behind the seats. In the case of a two-seater
cabriolet, the space behind the driver's and front-passenger's seat
is therefore used as the roof storage space, said space running
downwards and obliquely forwards from the opening on the top side
in accordance with the inclination of the rear seat backs. This
arrangement of the put-away vehicle roof is particularly saving of
space in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle and therefore
the volume of the customary trunk is not restricted. Furthermore,
the approximately vertical orientation of the put-away vehicle roof
in the substantially vertical roof storage space means that a
useful space which is optionally provided directly behind the seats
remains accessible from above even when the vehicle roof has been
put away. In the case of a vehicle having a second, rear seat row,
the roof storage space can be arranged in a corresponding manner
behind the rear seat row.
[0009] The pivot-bearing device supporting the front roof part may
comprise a multi-bar mechanism, and in particular a four-bar
mechanism, which is mounted displaceably on the guide device. A
four-bar or other multi-bar mechanism enables a certain course of
movement to be set for the swinging of the front roof part. Thus,
for example, a rear edge of the front roof part can be lowered in a
manner deviating from a circular path and, for example, can be
moved in front of the roof rear part which has already been lowered
into the roof storage space. A four-bar mechanism of this type is
arranged on the right-hand side and on the left-hand side of the
vehicle or vehicle roof. A seven-bar mechanism may be used.
[0010] In one preferred embodiment, the pivot-bearing device and
the multi-bar mechanism is mounted on a slide which is mounted
displaceably on the guide device. The slide forms a base which can
be mounted in a play-free manner on the guide device and can be
fixed on the guide device in any desired position in order to set
intermediate positions of the front roof part during the opening or
closing process.
[0011] The guide device may have a linear guide rail. On the other
hand, a curved guide rail may be provided in which the slide can be
moved and, by means of its change in inclination with regard to the
longitudinal axis of the vehicle, also confers on the front roof
part a corresponding pivoting movement to accompany the introducing
movement into the roof storage space. In one arrangement, the guide
rail is arranged substantially parallel to an oblique position of a
seat back. This results in a particularly economical storage of the
front roof part in terms of space.
[0012] The rear roof part may be mounted in a manner such that it
can pivot about a transverse axis which is fixed on the vehicle and
runs in particular in the region of an upper section of the guide
device or guide rail. The exact position of the transverse pivot
axis is determined in particular by the space required for putting
the rear roof part away into the roof storage space and by the size
of the rear roof part. Even if pivoting about a transverse axis
fixed on the vehicle body is preferred, which transverse axis can
be provided by a simply constructed pivot bearing, the rear roof
part may also be lowered into the roof storage space by means of
linear and/or curved displacing movements which can be combined
with a pivoting movement.
[0013] The course of movement for opening and for closing the
vehicle roof and for putting the roof parts away into the roof
storage space and for removing them from the roof storage space can
be resolved in different ways. For example, pivot-bearing devices
for the front roof part and the rear roof part may be arranged in
such a manner that, in order to completely open the vehicle roof,
first of all, the rear roof part is swung at least partially into
the roof storage space and subsequently, or partly at the same
time, the front roof part is swung in front of the rear roof part
and is retracted downwards into the roof storage space.
[0014] By way of another example, pivot-bearing devices for the
front roof part and the rear roof part may be arranged in such a
manner that, when the vehicle roof is opened, first of all the
front roof part and the rear roof part are swung substantially
together in the direction of the roof storage space until the rear
roof part has reached its storage position, and subsequently the
front roof part is swung in front of the rear roof part and
retracted downwards into the roof storage space. The joint movement
can be carried out by the two roof parts being coupled together or
by means of two drives, and can be implemented by an electronic
control, in particular, of two driving motors.
[0015] One control or movement variant makes provision for it to be
possible, when the front roof part is closed, for the rear roof
part to be put away into the roof storage space. This enables a
relatively large opening to be set for ventilating or aerating the
vehicle interior.
[0016] A further control or movement variant makes provision for it
to be possible, when the front roof part is in the roof storage
space, for the rear roof part to be in its closed position.
[0017] The rear roof part may usefully be formed as a roll-over
protective structure and can be extended into a roll-over
protective position. In this case, the rear roof part takes over
the supporting of the roof in the event of an emergency, and so the
front roof part can be constructed with less exacting strength
requirements. For this purpose, the rear roof part may comprise
reinforcements and can be driven by an emergency-pivoting
device.
[0018] Furthermore, in a preferred arrangement, the front roof
part, which is preferably arranged in an oblique or vertical
position in front of the rear roof part, or an additional part
mounted thereon, can be moved into a windbreak position and can be
fixed therein. This means that a separate windbreak is not
required. The front roof part may have a front, transparent roof
section so that it does not obstruct the view to the rear when in
the windbreak position.
[0019] The at least one front roof part and the at least one rear
roof part are preferably rigid roof elements, but the vehicle roof
may also be fitted with at least one flexible element.
[0020] If, when the vehicle roof is closed, a flexible roof
covering spans the front roof part and the rear roof part, which
parts are formed as rigid roof elements, and the roof covering is
fastened to a front section of the front roof part and rests
loosely on a rear section of the front roof part, then seals
between the roof parts can be omitted.
[0021] The front roof part preferably contains a rear, preferably
central, region which is left open in the storage position of the
front roof part. This open region may be formed as a recess in the
front roof part. A moveable or removable part, which may be a
folding or sliding part, exposes the recess when moved or
removed.
[0022] The front roof part and the rear roof part can each be swung
by means of their own drive. Drives having an electric motor, for
example, can be exactly controlled in the desired sequence of
movement by means of an electronic control. Furthermore, the front
roof part can be moved along the guide device by means of its own
drive.
[0023] On the other hand, the opening and the closing of the
vehicle roof may take place at least partially by manual movement
of the front roof part and/or of the rear roof part.
[0024] According to a second aspect of the present invention, there
is provided a convertible vehicle comprising a roof which has at
least one front roof part and at least one rear roof part which are
mounted movably on the body of the vehicle and which can be put
away into a roof storage space of the vehicle, wherein the movable
mounting of the front roof part and the roof storage space are
arranged such that the front roof part lies in a substantially
vertical orientation or at an oblique angle to the horizontal when
put away in the roof storage space.
[0025] As discussed above, this arrangement saves space in the
vehicle trunk which, in the prior art, was used to store one or
both of the front and rear roof parts.
[0026] The movable mounting of the front roof part may be arranged
such that the front roof part or an additional part mounted thereon
can be extended into a windbreak position. In this embodiment, a
separate windbreak, which would have to be carried, for example, as
an additional part in the boot, is not required.
[0027] The front roof part is preferably supported by means of a
pivot-bearing device which is mounted displaceably on a guide
device fixed on the vehicle and which, during the opening and
putting away of the front roof part, moves along the guide device.
The front roof part can therefore be extended into the windbreak
position and retracted again by means of a simple displacement.
[0028] According to a third aspect of the present invention, there
is provided a convertible vehicle roof, the vehicle roof comprising
at least one front roof part and at least one rear roof part each
for movable mounting on the body of a vehicle between a closed
position and a roof storage position, the front roof part having an
open portion along a rear edge at least when in the roof storage
position.
[0029] The open portion permits the front roof part to be lowered
to a good depth in the vehicle body, even if a vehicle body part on
the floor, such as a propeller-shaft tunnel, would otherwise
obstruct this lowering.
[0030] In an embodiment, the front and rear roof parts are each
rigid, there being a flexible roof covering which covers the front
roof part and the rear roof part. The roof covering means that the
recess cannot be seen when the vehicle roof is closed.
[0031] A movable or removable part may be provided for filling the
open portion of the front roof part when in the closed position.
The movable or removable part may be a folding or sliding part. In
an embodiment, when the front roof part is lowered, the vehicle
body part on the floor presses the folding or sliding part out of
its position and occupies the space of the open portion.
[0032] According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there
is provided a convertible vehicle roof, the vehicle roof comprising
at least one front roof part and at least one rear roof part each
for movable mounting on the body of a vehicle between a closed
position and a roof storage position, the front roof part and the
rear roof part each being formed as rigid roof elements and form a
hard top roof which is spanned by a flexible roof covering in the
closed position.
[0033] By means of the roof covering, any gaps between the front
and rear roof parts are covered in the closed position of the
vehicle roof and are also sealed so that (further) seals are not
required. Furthermore, a possible height offset is compensated for
and wind noises reduced by virtue of the transitions between the
individual roof parts being covered. The appearance of the rigid
roof corresponds approximately to that of a folding roof having a
flexible folding top.
[0034] According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there
is provided a convertible vehicle roof, the vehicle roof comprising
at least one front roof part and at least one rear roof part each
for movable mounting on the body of a vehicle between a closed
position and a roof storage position, the rear roof part being
formed as a roll-over protective structure and being extendable
from its roof storage position into a protective position by an
emergency-pivoting device.
[0035] The rear roof part of this aspect can replace a fixedly
installed roll bar. On the basis of a triggering signal, for
example, from an inclination sensor, the lowered rear roof part can
be extended by means of the emergency-pivoting device into its
protective position within a period of, for example, 300 ms. In the
extended position, the rear roof part may be fixedly supported
against folding inwards, for example, by means of a latching
device.
[0036] An embodiment of the present invention will now be described
by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0037] FIG. 1 is a side view of an example of a hard top vehicle
roof of a cabriolet in the closed position in accordance with an
embodiment of the present invention;
[0038] FIG. 2 is a side view of the vehicle roof of FIG. 1 during
the opening process with the front roof part and rear roof part
swung rearward;
[0039] FIG. 3 is a side view of the vehicle roof of FIG. 1 in an
intermediate opening position;
[0040] FIG. 4 is a side view of the vehicle roof of FIG. 1 in an
intermediate opening position during lowering of the front roof
part;
[0041] FIG. 5 is a side view of the opened vehicle roof of FIG. 1
with roof parts put away in a roof storage space;
[0042] FIG. 6 is a side view of the opened vehicle roof of FIG. 1
with extended rear roof part;
[0043] FIG. 7 is a side view of the partially opened vehicle roof
of FIG. 1 with lowered rear roof part;
[0044] FIG. 8 is a side view of a further example of a rear roof
part formed as an extendable roll-over protective structure in
accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;
[0045] FIG. 9 is a side view of a further example of a vehicle roof
according to an embodiment of the present invention with a roof
covering;
[0046] FIG. 10 is a side view of the vehicle roof of FIG. 9 during
the opening movement;
[0047] FIG. 11 is a side view of the vehicle roof of FIG. 9 in a
further position during the opening movement; and
[0048] FIG. 12 is a side view of the opened vehicle roof of FIG. 9
in its storage position in the roof storage space.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0049] In the following, the description of the vehicle roof is
given principally with reference to the bearing devices, etc. which
face the reader and are on the left-hand side of the vehicle, in
which case, of course, the opposite, right side of the vehicle also
has the corresponding bearing devices, etc.
[0050] Referring to FIG. 1, a vehicle roof 1 of a cabriolet vehicle
2, which roof is designed as a convertible hard top, has a rigid
front roof part 3 and a rigid rear roof part 4. The front roof part
3 has a roof frame 5 on each of the two roof longitudinal sides.
Each roof frame 5 has a rear supporting section 6 which runs
downwards at the rear edge 7 of the front roof part 3 and which, in
the closed position of the vehicle roof 1 which is illustrated in
FIG. 1, is orientated along a lateral front edge 8 of the rear roof
part 4. Each supporting section 6 is arranged to lie on the inside
of the rear roof part 4 when the vehicle roof 1 is in the closed
position, for example, behind a respective door seal for a door
side window which is fixed on the lateral front edge 8 of the rear
roof part 4.
[0051] A pivot-bearing device of the front roof part 3 is formed as
a four-bar mechanism having a first lever 9 and a second lever 13.
The first lever 9 is mounted such that it can pivot by means of two
joints 10, 11 on the roof frame 5 in the region of its rear edge 7
and on a displaceable slide 12 respectively. The second lever 13 is
mounted such that it can pivot by means of two joints 14, 15 on the
supporting section 6 and on the slide 12 respectively. The relative
position of the four joints 10, 11, 14, 15 is defined in accordance
with the course of movement of the four-bar mechanism, which course
of movement is required for the pivoting movement of the front roof
part 3.
[0052] The slide 12 is mounted displaceably on a guide device, such
as, for example, a guide rail 16. In the exemplary embodiment, the
guide rail 16 is formed linearly and runs downwards and forwards of
the vehicle 2 at an oblique angle relative to the lateral upper
edge 17 of the vehicle body. In the example shown, the guide rail
16 is arranged on the vehicle body at a position approximately
adjacent a vehicle seat 18 and its oblique orientation is matched
to the average inclination of the backrest of the seat 18
(indicated schematically in FIG. 1 by dashed lines). The guide rail
16 may alternatively have or include a curved profile.
[0053] The rear roof part 4 surrounds the vehicle interior at the
rear and on both sides. The rear roof part 4 is pivotally mounted
on both sides by respective joints 19 arranged on the vehicle body
slightly below the lateral upper edge 17 of the vehicle body such
that the rear roof part 4 can be swung about a transverse axis and
can be lowered downwards into a roof storage space 20. The roof
storage space 20 extends behind the seat 18 and downwards from the
lateral upper edge 17 of the vehicle body. A customary trunk 21
adjoins the roof storage space 20 in the rear end of the vehicle
2.
[0054] In the closed position of the vehicle roof 1 shown in FIG.
1, a seal (not illustrated) which is arranged on the front roof
part 3 or the rear roof part 4 seals a separating gap between a
central front edge 22 of the rear roof part 4 and the rear edge 7
of the front roof part 3.
[0055] In order to open the closed vehicle roof 1 from the closed
state shown in FIG. 1, first of all, the front roof part 3, which
in the closed position, bears with its front edge 23 against a
windshield cowl 24, and the rear roof part 4 are swung together
towards the rear of the vehicle 2. In the process, the rear roof
part 4 is swung downwards about the joint 19 until it has taken up
its storage position in the roof storage space 20 as shown in FIG.
2. The four-bar mechanism moves the pivoting front roof part 3 in
such a manner that the rear edge 7 of the front roof part 3 is
offset forwards with respect to the longitudinal axis of the
vehicle relative to the front edge 22 of the lowered rear roof part
4.
[0056] Then, the front roof part 3, which continues to be moved, is
swung downwards in front of the rear roof part 4 until it has taken
up a slightly inclined orientation with respect to the vertical as
shown in FIG. 3. In the process, the front roof part 3 grips behind
a roll bar 25 which is arranged directly behind the seat 18. In
this final swung position taken up by the front roof part 3, the
four-bar mechanism bears, for example, against a stop and is
blocked against further pivoting movement.
[0057] The front roof part 3 is then moved further downwards from
the intermediate position shown in FIG. 3 by the slide 12 being
moved downwards along the guide rail 16. FIG. 4 shows a further
intermediate position during the displacement of the front roof
part 3, while the lower storage position of the front roof part 3
in the roof storage space 20 is shown in FIG. 5.
[0058] The rear roof part 4 is preferably swung downwards by means
of a drive having an electric motor (not shown). As an alternative,
the rear roof part 4 can be lowered by manual pivoting after a
locking arrangement has been released. The pivoting movement of the
front roof part 3 and the displacing movement of the slide 12
likewise preferably take place by means of a respective drive or
drives (not shown), for example, via electric motor drives having
driving cable connections. As an alternative, a manual actuation
may also be provided for movement of the front roof part 3 and the
slide 12.
[0059] The rear roof part 4 can optionally be swung upwards again
out of the complete storage position of the vehicle roof 1 shown in
FIG. 5 into its original closed position and can be fixed in this
position, without a corresponding closed position of the front roof
part 3, as shown in FIG. 6. This setting of the vehicle roof 1
corresponds to a vehicle referred to as a targa and provides
improved protection against draughts when driving with an opened
roof.
[0060] The intermediate position of the vehicle roof shown in FIG.
7 may also be set as a driving position in which movement of the
rear roof part 4, which has been swung downwards, releases a large
roof opening for ventilating the vehicle interior. This
intermediate position can be set from the closed position of the
vehicle roof 1 shown in FIG. 1 by the rear roof part 4 being swung
downwards, or from the open position shown in FIG. 5 by the front
roof part 3 being raised and swung back, or from any desired
intermediate position.
[0061] As an alternative, the front roof part 3 can be brought, by
moving the slide 12 along the guide rail 16, out of the complete
storage position of the vehicle roof 1 shown in FIG. 5, into a
raised position which corresponds, for example, to the position
shown in FIG. 4. In this position, the front section 26 of the
front roof part 3, which front section 26 protrudes approximately
vertically upwards behind the roll bar 25, takes on the function of
a windbreak. This windbreak position may also be set even as the
front roof part 3 is being lowered during the opening of the
vehicle roof 1. At least a central part 27 of the front section 26
of the front roof part 3 (illustrated schematically in FIG. 4 by
dashed lines) may be formed from transparent material if necessary
so that the front roof part 3 when used as a windbreak does not
obstruct the view to the rear of the vehicle 2.
[0062] The setting of the closed position of the vehicle roof shown
in FIG. 1 takes place from a position shown in FIG. 5 in a sequence
of movements opposite to that described above.
[0063] In a preferred arrangement of the vehicle roof 1, the rear
roof part 4 serves as a roll-over protective structure or roll bar
which can be extended in the event of an emergency as shown in FIG.
8. An emergency-pivoting device, for example, a spring cylinder 30,
engages at one end with an articulation point 31 on a lateral lower
edge 32 of the rear roof part 4 and is supported at the other end
on the vehicle body at a supporting point 33. In a lowered position
of the rear roof part 4, for example, the position shown in FIG. 4,
a spring 34 of the spring cylinder 30 (FIG. 8) is pre-stressed and
held in a blocked manner by means of a catch which can be actuated
by a lifting magnet. In the event of an emergency, the lifting
magnet is actuated by means of a signal from an inclination sensor
and the catch is unlocked, so that the spring 34 extends a piston
35 of the spring cylinder 30. The piston 35 in turn extends the
rear roof part 4 into the protective position shown in FIG. 8. A
latching device 36, which is arranged between the vehicle body and
the rear roof part 4 and is intended for setting a plurality of
latching positions, holds the swung-out rear roof part 4 in the
roll-over protective position. In order to lower the swung-out rear
roof part 4, the latching device 36 is unlocked, for example by the
pivoting drive for putting away the rear roof part 4. The rear roof
part 4 has appropriate reinforcements, for example, in the form of
an incorporated or integrally formed front bracket 37 and
longitudinal struts 38.
[0064] As an alternative, the spring cylinder 30 can be held
continuously under pre-stress and can be moved together with the
usual pivoting of the rear roof part 4. In the lowered open
position of the rear roof part 4 shown, for example, in FIG. 5,
that supporting end of the spring cylinder 30 which is on the
vehicle-body side is fixed to a bearing part which is fixed on the
vehicle body, so that the reaction force during the triggering of
the emergency-pivoting device can be supported by the vehicle
body.
[0065] The emergency-pivoting device may, for example, also or
alternatively, have a pyrotechnic or explosive device for rapid
pivoting out of the rear roof part 4.
[0066] The example shown in FIGS. 9 to 12 is a modification of the
above-described, embodiment of the vehicle roof 1 and includes, in
contrast, a flexible roof covering 40 (illustrated in a shaded
manner in FIG. 9), for example, a folding-top material or the like.
The flexible roof covering 40 completely covers the vehicle roof 1
with the exception of a rear window 44. The flexible roof covering
40 is fastened on a front section 41 of the front roof part 3, for
example, by bonding as far as the illustrated dashed line of
separation 45, rests in a tensioned manner on a rear section 42 of
the front roof part 3 in the closed position of the vehicle roof 1
shown in FIG. 9, and is fastened to the rear roof part 4, for
example, by sheet-like bonding.
[0067] During the initial opening of the vehicle roof 1 from the
closed position shown in FIG. 9 to an intermediate position shown
in FIG. 10, the front roof part 3 and the rear roof part 4 are
simultaneously swung rearwards, in which case the rear edge 7 of
the front roof part 3 is moved forwards relative to the front edge
22 of the rear roof part 4, which front edge 22 is swung over an
arc of a circle, in a manner similar to that described above for
the first example. The middle portion of the roof covering 40,
which merely rests on the rear section 42 of the front roof part 3,
can be raised to permit this offset.
[0068] During the further opening movement of the vehicle roof 1,
the front roof part 3 is swung past the rear roof part 4 on the
inside in a manner similar to that described above for the first
example, in which case the middle portion of the roof covering 40
is raised from the front roof part 3 as a fold 46 as shown in FIG.
11.
[0069] During the subsequent, downwardly directed displacing
movement of the front roof part 3 into the storage position, the
middle portion of roof covering 40 is further raised from the front
roof part 3 as shown in FIG. 12.
[0070] It will be appreciated that a seal between the front roof
part 3 and the rear roof part 4 is not required in this example
since the separating gap is tightly covered by the roof covering
40.
[0071] In any embodiment, as shown by way of example in FIG. 9, the
front roof part 3 optionally contains, on its rear edge, a recess
43 which is, for example, arranged centrally and is shaped, for
example, in such a manner that it is able, when the front roof part
3 is completely swung down, to accommodate a vehicle body component
which is on the floor and protrudes upwards, such as, for example,
a drive-shaft tunnel. In this manner, even a front roof part 3
which has a relatively great length can nevertheless take up a deep
storage position in the vehicle body, even if a vehicle body
component which is arranged, in particular, on the floor and
protrudes upwards would otherwise not permit this. In the closed
position of the vehicle roof 1, this recess 43 is spanned and
covered by the flexible roof covering 40. A displaceable interior
lining part or roof lining part (not shown) can cover the recess 43
on the vehicle interior.
[0072] A recess 43 of this type may also be coverable or fillable
by at least one movable element (not shown). If required, the
movable element is moved or removed to expose the recess 43 as the
front roof part 3 is being put away and is moved back to close the
recess 43 in the closed position of the vehicle roof. This variant
is also suitable for a vehicle roof of this type which does not
have a covering roof covering.
[0073] Embodiments of the present invention have been described
with particular reference to the examples illustrated. However, it
will be appreciated that variations and modifications may be made
to the examples described within the scope of the present
invention.
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