U.S. patent application number 09/966426 was filed with the patent office on 2002-04-04 for convertible vehicle top.
Invention is credited to Bergerhoff, Harald, Halbweiss, Thomas, Holst, Christian.
Application Number | 20020038961 09/966426 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 7657944 |
Filed Date | 2002-04-04 |
United States Patent
Application |
20020038961 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Halbweiss, Thomas ; et
al. |
April 4, 2002 |
Convertible vehicle top
Abstract
In a convertible vehicle top which is movable between a closed
position in which it covers an interior vehicle space and an open
position in which it is contained in a storage compartment, the
vehicle includes rear side windows which are pivotally connected to
the vehicle top and the edges of the rear side window remote from
the vehicle top are held in sealing engagement with the vehicle
body when the top is closed but are pivoted inwardly during
movement of the top from the closed to the open position.
Inventors: |
Halbweiss, Thomas; (Marbach,
DE) ; Bergerhoff, Harald; (Hamburg, DE) ;
Holst, Christian; (Hamburg, DE) |
Correspondence
Address: |
KLAUS J. BACH & ASSOCIATES
PATENT AND TRADEMARK
4407 TWIN OAKS DRIVE
MURRYSVILLE
PA
15668
US
|
Family ID: |
7657944 |
Appl. No.: |
09/966426 |
Filed: |
September 28, 2001 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
296/107.07 ;
296/146.14 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B60J 7/1286 20130101;
B60J 7/146 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
296/107.07 ;
296/146.14 |
International
Class: |
B60J 007/12 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Sep 29, 2000 |
DE |
100 48 043.8 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A convertible vehicle top which is movable between a closed
position in which the top covers an interior space of a vehicle and
an open position in which the top is disposed in a storage
compartment, said vehicle having front and rear side windows, with
said rear side window being pivotally connected along one edge
thereof to said top by a pivot joint, said rear side window having
another edge remote from said vehicle top disposed in sealing
engagement with said vehicle body when said top is in the closed
position and said rear side window is pivoted outwardly, said rear
side window being pivoted inwardly during movement of said top from
said closed to said storage position.
2. A convertible vehicle top according to claim 1, wherein said
rear side window is spring-biased into an outwardly pivoted
position.
3. A convertible vehicle top according to claim 2, wherein the edge
of said rear side window panel adjacent said vehicle top is
received in a seal element attached to said vehicle top.
4. A convertible vehicle top according to claim 3, wherein said
seal element attached to said vehicle top forms the pivot joint for
said rear side window panel.
5. A convertible vehicle top according to claim 4, wherein said
seal element includes a section with reduced cross-section which
forms said pivot joint.
6. A convertible vehicle top according to claim 1, wherein, at its
free edge adjacent said vehicle body, said rear side window panel
is provided with a panel sealing element.
7. A convertible vehicle top according to claim 6, wherein said
vehicle body is provided with a body sealing element which is
engaged by said panel sealing element when said top is in its
closed position.
8. A convertible vehicle top according to claim 7, wherein said
body seal element forms a slide surface for said panel sealing
element during movement of said vehicle top.
9. A convertible vehicle top according to claim 1, wherein said
rear side window panel is a triangular panel which is disposed in
the angled transition area between a rear top part of said vehicle
top and said vehicle body.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The invention relates to a convertible vehicle top which is
adjustable between a closed and an open position and wherein a side
window is arranged between the side area of the vehicle body and
the vehicle roof which is connected to the vehicle top by a pivot
joint.
[0002] Convertible vehicle tops are either in the form of soft tops
with a top linkage and a top cover fabric or in the form of a
hardtop with two or three rigid sections which are movable relative
to one another. They can be adjusted between a closed position in
which they cover the interior vehicle space and a storage position
in which the vehicle is open. When in its closed position, the
vehicle top extends over the side window panels of the vehicle so
that, by means of sealing elements which are arranged in the side
area of the top and extend in the longitudinal direction of the
vehicle, the vehicle top engages the side window edges in a wind-
and water-tight manner.
[0003] The vehicle body includes a recess for receiving the side
windows for which however space is limited especially in the rear
part of the vehicle. As a result, the rear side window panels can
have only a limited width so that the view is limited. Furthermore,
the rear side window panels can be only partially lowered into the
vehicle body when the top is removed.
[0004] Such a vehicle top is known from the printed publication DE
43 27 729 A1. The top is in the form of a soft top and includes a
top linkage and a fabric extending over the linkage. The soft top
is movable between a closed position in which the interior space of
the vehicle is covered and an open position in which the interior
space is opened and the cover fabric is contained in a storage
space. The side window panel connected to the vehicle top can be
pivoted by a vehicle body mounted pivoted joint about a transverse
axis and moved in a vertical pivot plane between the raised closing
position in which the window panel extends above the vehicle body
and an open position in which the window panel is received in a
holding space in the vehicle body. Another side window panel is
firmly connected to the vehicle body, which limits the movement
capabilities particularly of the cover linkage.
[0005] It is an object of the present invention to provide a
convertible vehicle roof which, in its closed position, reliably
seals the passenger compartment of the vehicle in a wind- and
water-tight manner and wherein the occupants vehicle have an
unrestricted view out of the vehicle when the vehicle top is in the
closed position.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] In a convertible vehicle top which is movable between a
closed position in which it covers the vehicle interior and an open
positions in which it is contained in a storage compartment, the
vehicle includes rear side windows which are pivotally connected to
the top and the edges of the rear side window remote from the
vehicle top are held in sealing engagement with the vehicle body
when the top is closed but the rear side window is pivoted inwardly
during movement of the top from the closed to the open
position.
[0007] At least one side window panel of the vehicle is firmly
connected to the vehicle top and, upon opening and closing of the
top, is moved together with the top. In the stored position of the
top, the side window panel is deposited, together with the vehicle
top in the storage space of the vehicle so that the side area of
the vehicle is completely open in the area of the respective side
window panel. During transition from the storage position to the
closed position, the side window panel is moved, together with the
vehicle top, to a position in which it closes the vehicle interior
and in which the side of the side window panel facing the vehicle
body abuts a part of the vehicle body in a sealing but removable
manner.
[0008] Since, with arrangement according to the invention, the side
window panel is supported by the vehicle top and, in the open or,
respectively, storage position, the respective side area is
automatically opened no space is needed in the vehicle side wall
for receiving the side window panel, and no window drive is needed.
As a result, the vehicle body design is simplified and the view
particularly in the rear area of the vehicle top is improved.
[0009] The side window panel is connected to the vehicle top by a
pivot joint and can be pivoted between an outer closing position,
which is assumed when the top is closed and an inwardly pivoted
position during storage of the top. The pivot joint between the
side window panel and the vehicle top provides for a space saving
storage arrangement of the vehicle top together with the side
window panel.
[0010] The pivot movement of the side window panel is kinematically
positively controlled during transition from the closing to the
storage position and is preferably power-operated. In a preferred
embodiment of the operating mechanism, a force or, respectively,
spring element is provided in the vehicle top which biases the side
window panel toward its outwardly pivoted, that is, its closing,
position so that, during the transition of the top from the storage
to the closed position, the side window panel is pivoted by force
generated by the force or spring element into the outwardly pivoted
closing position. During the reverse movement from the closed to
the storage position of the roof the side window panel is pivoted
against the force of the spring element by a suitable kinematic
operating mechanism.
[0011] The upper edge of the side window panel is preferably
disposed in a sealing element which provides for a wind- and
watertight connection between the upper side edge of the vehicle
top and the respective window panel edge.
[0012] The sealing element may, at the same time, form the pivot
joint, which permits the pivot movement of the side window panel
relative to the vehicle top. For that purpose, the sealing element
is preferably provided with an area of a reduced cross-section,
which forms the pivot axis and permits tilting of the side window
panel with a relatively small force. The combination of sealing
element and pivot joint as a common component provides for a simple
design and a space-saving arrangement.
[0013] Another sealing element may be provided at the side edge of
the window panel adjacent the vehicle body. One purpose of this
sealing element is to engage with its bottom edge the vehicle body
in a wind- and watertight manner when the top is in the closed
position. Furthermore, this lower sealing element at the side
window panel may also have a slide guide function in that the side
of the lower sealing element facing the vehicle body forms a slide
surface which slides along the vehicle body during the transition
from the closing to the storage position.
[0014] Another sealing element may be provided on the vehicle body
which, in the closing position of the top, cooperates with the
sealing element provided at the bottom edge of the side window
panel.
[0015] In this way, greater tolerances can be accommodated and a
good sealing effect can be achieved. The sealing element at the
lower edge of the side window panel should slide along the sealing
element of the vehicle body during the transition between storage
and closing position with only little resistance.
[0016] An embodiment of the invention will be described below on
the basis of the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0017] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a convertible vehicle top
with a triangular rear side window panel, which is firmly connected
to the vehicle top,
[0018] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the rear triangular side
window panel including the surrounding sealing elements taken along
line II-II of FIG. 1, and
[0019] FIG. 3 shows the convertible top in an intermediate position
between the closed and the storage positions.
DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0020] In the figures, identical components are indicated by the
same reference numerals.
[0021] The convertible vehicle top 1 shown in FIG. 1 is adjustable
between a closed position, as shown, wherein it covers the interior
space of the vehicle, and a storage position in which the vehicle
top 1 is deposited in a storage compartment behind the passenger
compartment. The vehicle top is in the form of a hard top and
consists of a front top part 2 which, in the closed position, abuts
directly the windshield frame of the vehicle and a rear top part 3
into which a rear side window panel 4 is integrated. The front top
part 2 is coupled to the rear top part 3 by way of a kinematic
linkage, which is connected to the vehicle body 5 by another
vehicle-based kinematic mechanism, so that they are movably
supported on the vehicle body.
[0022] In the rear side area of the vehicle, a triangular side
window panel 8 is disposed adjacent a main side window panel 7,
which is retractable into the vehicle body (door 5). In contrast to
the main side window panel 7, the triangular side window panel 8 is
not supported by the vehicle body but is mounted to the vehicle
top. It is connected to the C pillar 6, which forms part of the
rear top part 3 and covers the area between the C-pillar 6, the
vehicle body and the main side window panel 7 when the vehicle top
is in a closed position. The rear side window panel 8 is connected
to the C-pillar 6 or, respectively, the rear top part 3 by way of a
sealing element 9.
[0023] As apparent from the cross-sectional representation of FIG.
2, the upper edge of the rear side window panel 8 adjacent the
vehicle top is received in a groove 10 of the sealing element 9.
Between the groove 10 for the rear side window panel 8 and a
mounting section 12 of the sealing element 9, which is received in
a retaining track 13 of the rear top part 3, the sealing element 9
has a reduced-thickness area 11, which forms a hinge or pivot joint
about which the rear side window panel 8 can be pivoted with
respect to the rear top part 3. The rear side window panel 8 can
therefore be pivoted from the closed position as shown in FIG. 2,
in which the rear side window panel is fully downwardly pivoted and
abuts the vehicle body 5 in a wind- and water tight manner,
inwardly into the interior vehicle space and assume an inwardly
pivoted open position. Preferably, the pivot angle by which the
rear side window panel 8 is to be pivoted in the reduced thickness
area 11 of the sealing element 9 is less than 20.degree., that is
about 10.degree.. However, it may also be advantageous to provide
for a possible pivot angle of 90.degree. or more so that, in an
inwardly pivoted position, the rear side window panel 8 is disposed
about in parallel with the top area of the rear top part whereby
the required storage space is reduced.
[0024] The upper sealing element 9 includes, at the side facing the
passenger compartment, an extension 19, which is formed integrally
with the sealing element 9 and extends upwardly toward the center
of the rear top part 3 and whose inner surface forms a water
drainage channel for draining water. The extension 19 at the upper
sealing element 9 furthermore forms a cover, which hides the
mounting area of the rear side window panel 8 in the seal element 9
from view.
[0025] On the side of the rear window panel 8 remote from the rear
top part 3, there is provided another lower sealing element 15,
which is connected to the rear side window panel 8 adjacent the
vehicle body 5. The vehicle body 5 includes a body seal member 16,
which cooperates with the lower seal element of the rear window
panel 8 when the vehicle top is closed. In the closed position of
the vehicle top, a lower sealing portion 17, which is formed
integrally with the sealing element 15 abuts the body seal member
16 in a wind- and watertight manner. The contact area between the
lower sealing portion 17 of the lower sealing element 15 and the
body seal member 16 preferably forms a slide surface along which
the lower sealing portion 17 of the lower sealing element 15 can
slide when the rear side window panel 8 moves during movement of
the top from the closing to the storage position and vice
versa.
[0026] The rear side window panel 8 is biased to pivot at about the
pivot joint of the seal element outwardly toward the closed, that
is the outwardly pivoted position, by a spring element 18, which is
supported by the rear top part 3. In this way, a sealing force is
generated by which the lower sealing portion 17 of the lower
sealing element 15 engages the vehicle body 16.
[0027] As apparent from FIG. 3, during movement of the vehicle top
1 from a closed position to an open position that is the storage
position, the rear side window panel 8, which is mounted to the
C-pillar 6 of the rear top part 3, is pivoted inwardly about the
pivot axis 21 of the pivot joint between the rear side window panel
and the rear top part 3. The pivot axis 21 extends about along the
side edges of the rear top part 3.
[0028] During the transfer movement, the lower sealing element 15,
which is arranged at the lower edge of the rear side window panel
8, slides along the vehicle body seal member 16, which extends on
the vehicle body about horizontally over the longitudinal section
which is contacted by the rear side window panel 8 during the
movement of the vehicle top 1. During the transfer movement, the
rear side window panel 8 is biased by the spring element 18 shown
in FIG. 2 in an outward direction so that the lower sealing element
15 at the lower edge of the side window panel abuts the body seal
member 16 during the whole transfer movement. During movement of
the top into the rear storage position, the rear side window panel
is pressed increasingly inwardly since, during insertion of the
rear top part 3 of the vehicle top 1 into the rear storage
compartment, the available space for the slightly sidewardly
projecting window panel 8 becomes increasingly smaller.
[0029] It may be advantageous to provide at the side window panel,
additionally or alternatively to the upper seal element, a separate
pivot joint for the pivot movement of the rear side window panel
with respect to the vehicle top. Furthermore, the movement of the
rear side window panel during transition between the closed and the
storage positions may be controlled in both direction of movement
of the vehicle top by a kinematic linkage which operates the rear
side window panel coupled with the movement of the vehicle top from
the closed to the storage position and vice versa.
* * * * *