Cover for closing a receiving space in the bodywork of a vehicle

A vehicle trunk cover assembly includes two coupled guide rod units which are connectable to the cover and the vehicle body such that the cover is movable between a closed position covering the trunk, a roof transport position in which the front cover end is lifted relative to the trunk, and a loading position in which the rear cover end is lifted relative to the trunk. A locking lever connectable to the vehicle body includes a lock which is movable from an engaged position to a disengaged position upon being actuated. One guide rod unit cooperates with the lock such that the guide rod unit engages the lock when the lock is in its engaged position so that the cover may move into its loading position and disengages from the lock when the lock is in its disengaged position so that the cover may move into its roof transport position.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims foreign priority benefits under 35 U.S.C. §119(a)-(d) to DE 10 2007 009 669.2, filed Feb. 28, 2007, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a cover for a receiving space such as a trunk or a storage compartment in a vehicle body.

2. Background Art

EP 0 949 104 A1 (corresponds to U.S. Pat. No. 6,092,335) describes a vehicle having a collapsible roof movable between a closed position in which the roof extends over the vehicle passenger compartment and an opened position in which the roof is stored in the trunk of the vehicle. The front end of a cover covering the trunk is lifted to swivel the cover about an axis in the rear of the vehicle to allow the roof to move in and out of the trunk. The rear end of the cover is lifted to swivel the cover about an axis next to the rear of the roof when the roof is closed to allow items to be loaded into and unloaded out of the trunk.

DE 699 00 921 T2 (corresponds to U.S. Pat. No. 6,092,335) describes a vehicle having a folding roof movable between the closed position and an opened position in which the roof is stored in a storage compartment of the vehicle. A cover covering the compartment is movable into positions which either allow the roof to be stored in the compartment or allow access to the compartment from the rear vehicle side.

DE 44 45 944 C1 (corresponds to U.S. Pat. No. 5,823,606) describes a vehicle having a hardtop. Roof elements of the hardtop are movable into a collapsed position in which they rest in a stowage space of the trunk of the vehicle. A trunk lid articulately connected to the vehicle body may be lifted at its front to allow the roof elements to move into and out of the stowage space and may be lifted at its rear to allow items to be loaded into and unloaded out of the trunk.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An object of the present invention includes a cover for a receiving space in the vehicle body of a vehicle having a collapsible roof with the cover being movable between: a closed position in which the cover covers the receiving space; a roof transport position in which the front end of the cover is lifted to allow the roof to move into and out of the receiving space; and a loading position in which the rear end of the cover is lifted to allow items to be loaded into and unloaded out of the receiving space, in which the cover is implemented with a justifiable expenditure of effort and may be economically manufactured.

In carrying out the above object and other objects, the present invention provides an assembly for use with a cover of a receiving space in the body of a vehicle. The assembly includes first and second guide rod units and a locking lever. The guide rod units are coupled to one another to move together and are connectable to the cover and the vehicle body to movably connect the cover to the vehicle body such that the cover is movable between a closed position in which the cover covers the receiving space, a roof transport position in which the front end of the cover is lifted relative to the receiving space, and a loading position in which the rear end of the cover is lifted relative to the receiving space. The locking lever is connectable to the vehicle body and includes a locking unit which is movable from an engaged position to a disengaged position in response to being actuated. One of the guide rod units cooperates with the locking unit such that the one of the guide rod units is engaged to the locking unit when the locking unit is in its engaged position so that the cover may be moved from its closed position into its loading position and is disengaged from the locking unit when the locking unit is in its disengaged position so that the cover may be moved from its closed position into its roof transport position.

Further, in carrying out the above object and other objects, the present invention provides an associated cover assembly.

In embodiments of the present invention, a cover assembly includes a cover and a rod assembly unit. The cover is for closing a receiving space in the body of a vehicle. A collapsible roof of the vehicle and items such as luggage may be stored in the receiving space. The rod assembly unit movably connects the cover to the vehicle body such that the cover is movable between a closed position in which the cover covers the receiving space; a roof transport position in which the front end of the cover is lifted to allow a collapsible roof of the vehicle to move into and out of the receiving space; and a loading position in which the rear end of the cover is lifted to allow items to be loaded into and unloaded out of the receiving space. The cover is movable from the closed position to either the roof transport position or the loading position in a highly functional manner via the use of the rod assembly unit. In particular, the rod assembly unit includes first and second guide rod units. The guide rod units are multi-bar kinematic linkage systems which may be implemented with structural degrees of freedom in the development of the vehicle. At least one of the guide rod units (preferably the second guide rod unit) cooperates with a first locking unit which is movable between an engaged position and a disengaged position. Depending on the actuation of the first locking unit into either its disengaged position or its engaged position, the cover may be brought into its roof transport position or its loading position.

A locking lever provides operational reliability of a locking unit. The locking lever is a relatively easy manufactured component. An actuating unit is between the locking lever and a control lever. The actuating unit is integratable and functionally efficient by use of convenient means. This also applies for the control element designed as a control bracket, and a second locking unit together with the receptacle and locking pins.

The above features, and other features and advantages of the present invention as readily apparent from the following detailed descriptions thereof when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT(S)

Referring now toFIG. 1, a side view of a vehicle1in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention is shown. Vehicle1includes a vehicle body3supported by wheels2. Vehicle body3includes doors6and a windshield7. The rear end of vehicle body3includes a receiving space5such as a trunk or a storage compartment.

Vehicle1further includes a collapsible or foldable roof4. Roof4is movable between a closed position Schst and an opened position Ost. In the closed position Schst, roof4extends over and covers passenger compartment9of vehicle1. In the opened position Ost, roof4is collapsed or folded and is stored in receiving space5.

Referring now toFIGS. 2,3,4, and5, with continual reference toFIG. 1, a cover8associated with receiving space5is shown. Cover8is movably connected to vehicle body3to move between: a closed position Gst (shown inFIGS. 1,2, and3) in which cover8covers receiving space5; a roof transport position Dst (shown inFIG. 4) in which a front end10(viewed in the direction of travel A) of cover8is lifted such that cover8allows roof4to move between its closed position Schst and its opened position Ost (i.e., roof4is able to move into and out of receiving space5); and a loading position Lst (shown inFIG. 5) in which a rear end11of cover8is lifted such that cover8allows items like luggage to be loaded into and unloaded out of receiving space5at the rear end of vehicle body3.

A rod assembly unit12movably connects cover8to vehicle body3. Rod assembly unit12acts between cover8and vehicle body3to move cover8from its closed position Gst into either its roof transport position Dst or its loading position Lst. Rod assembly unit12includes a first guide rod unit13and a second guide rod unit14which are coupled to one another. Guide rod units13,14are multi-bar kinematic systems MsI and MsII. In particular, first guide rod unit13is a first four-bar kinematic linkage assembly16and second guide rod unit14is a second four-bar kinematic linkage assembly17.

At least one of guide rod units13,14(preferably, second guide rod unit14) cooperates with a first locking unit15. First locking unit15may be actuated between an engaged position EstI and a disengaged position AstI. Rod assembly unit12is able to move cover8from its closed position Gst into its roof transport position Dst as long as first locking unit15is in its disengaged position AstI (shown inFIGS. 3 and 4). Conversely, rod assembly unit12is able to move cover8from its closed position Gst into its loading position Lst as long as first locking unit15is in its engaged position EstI (shown inFIGS. 2 and 5).

A first connecting rod18and a second connecting rod19act between guide rod units13,14and define a common rotational axis20. First connecting rod18together with a first guide rod section21forms a guide rod element for first kinematic linkage assembly16. First connecting rod18together with a second guide rod section22forms a part of second kinematic linkage assembly17. Second connecting rod19together with a first guide rod section23supplements first kinematic linkage assembly16and together with a second guide rod section24supplements second kinematic linkage assembly17.

First ends26,27of two inter-spaced first and second control rods28,29engage with a guide rod25of second kinematic linkage assembly17. Second ends30,31of first and second control rods28,29are supported on a control element32. Control element32is a control bracket33which is articulately connected to vehicle body3via a swivel axis34. First control rod28is an extension of a guide rod36of second kinematic linkage assembly17and is articulately connected at its second end30to swivel axis34.

First locking unit15, which is movable between engaged position EstI and disengaged position AstI, includes a locking lever38. Locking lever38is pivotably supported on vehicle body3via a connection by a rotary bearing37. Locking lever38includes a horizontally oriented straight support section39and end sections40,41. Lever sections42,43on end sections40,41of locking lever38define angles relative to support section39and extend in opposite directions. Lever section42extends toward second kinematic linkage assembly17. Lever section43extends on the side facing away from second kinematic linkage assembly17. Locking lever38includes a catch hook45on its free side44. Catch hook45cooperates with a pivot bearing46used to connect guide rods25and36of second kinematic linkage assembly17.

An actuating device47is operable to influence locking lever38. Actuating device47includes an actuating cylinder48having a piston rod49and a housing50. Actuating cylinder48is positioned at one end on locking lever38and is positioned at its other end on first control rod28via respective articulated joints51,52. Actuating cylinder48is movable between a neutral position Rst (shown inFIG. 2), a first operating position BstI, and a second operating position BstII. The motion of locking lever38(for the first operating position BstI of actuating device47) is limited by a fixed stop53. Fixed stop53cooperates with lever section42of locking lever38and is mounted on the side facing away from actuating cylinder48.

A second locking unit54acts between control bracket33and locking lever38such that control bracket33may be affixed to locking lever38. Second locking unit54may thus be moved into an engaged position EstII and a disengaged position AstII. Control bracket33includes a fork-shaped receptacle55and lever section43includes a free end56with a locking pin57. When second locking unit54is in its engaged position EstII, control bracket33is affixed to lever section43as receptacle55engages locking pin57(seeFIG. 4). When second locking unit54is in its disengaged position AstII, control bracket33is removed from lever section43(seeFIG. 5).

Movement of cover8into its roof transport position Dst is achieved with the following steps. Initially, cover8is in its closed position Gst in which cover8covers receiving space5; first locking unit15is in its engaged position EstI; and second locking unit54is in its disengaged position AstII. In response to the action of pressure from actuating device47as actuating cylinder48is moved into its first actuating position BstI, first locking unit15is unlocked and moves into its disengaged position AstI and locking lever38is brought into contact with stop53. In response to the action of pressure from actuating device47as actuating cylinder48is then moved into its second actuating position BstII, lever section42is moved against stop54and second locking unit54is moved into its engaged position EstII. Cover8is thus moved into its roof transport position Dst in the locked state of second locking unit54by actuating device47.

Movement of cover8into its loading position Lst is achieved with the following steps. Initially, cover8is in its closed position Gst in which cover8covers receiving space5; first locking unit15is in its engaged position EstI; and second locking unit54is in its disengaged position AstII. As such, a lock58in the rear region of a rear wall59of cover8(or vehicle body3) locks cover8closed. After lock58is unlocked (i.e., opened), either manually or via a motor, rear end11of cover8may be lifted, either manually or via a motor, until cover8is in its loading position Lst. First locking unit15remains in its engaged position EstI (i.e., locked position) and second locking unit54remains in its disengaged position AstII (i.e., unlocked position).