Abstract:
A top of a convertible motor vehicle includes a linkage movable between a closed position spanning a vehicle interior and a storage position uncovering the vehicle interior to the top A linkage arrangement having first and second pivot components is on opposing sides of the linkage and pivotably mounted at a rear main bearing. A rotatable drive wheel is coupled to the two pivot components. When the drive wheel is rotated, the first pivot component is always subjected to a drive torque, whereas the second pivot component, as a function of the position of a control element guided by structure fixed relative to the main bearing, is either held in place or is subjected to a drive torque.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/338,648 filed on Jul. 23, 2014, which claims the priority benefit of German Patent Application No. 10 2013 108 731.0 filed on Aug. 12, 2013, both of which are fully incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
       [0002]    Not applicable. 
       FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    The invention relates to a top of a convertible motor vehicle. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0004]    Such a top of a convertible vehicle is, for example, known from document DE 10 2011 101 972 B3 and comprises a linkage, which is displaceable between a closed position, in which atop cloth is spanned by means of the linkage, and a storage position, in which the linkage is stored together with the top cloth in a rear top storage compartment and in which the vehicle interior is uncovered to the top. The linkage, in relation to a vertical longitudinal center plane of the top, comprises one linkage arrangement respectively on both sides, said linkage arrangement being pivotably mounted at a rear main bearing and including a main link which can be considered to be a first pivot component that can be pivoted with respect to the respective main bearing. Additionally, the linkage is provided with a rear tensioning bracket which constitutes a further pivot component and which, in the closed position of the linkage, limits the top cloth in the rear and spans the same in the longitudinal direction of the top. Here, the tensioning bracket rests on a top compartment cover. For driving the pivot components, the top of the convertible vehicle comprises a drive motor which drives a drive wheel arrangement that can, on the one hand, be coupled to the tensioning bracket and, on the other hand, to the main link. For coupling the drive wheel arrangement to the main link, a relative movement of the main link with respect to the main bearing is utilized. This proves to be disadvantageous since the coupling already has to be released before the final position of the linkage is reached, in order to ensure that, taking into account all the production tolerances, a decoupling is effected. Consequently, it is not possible that the top, when being closed by means of the drive, is pushed against a front apron of the respective vehicle. 
         [0005]    Furthermore, it is known to drive a main link and a tensioning bracket of a top of a convertible vehicle by means of separate drives. Consequently, per side of the top, two drive motors with an associated gearbox unit, an associated electrical control system and the like are required. When using hydraulic cylinders as drives, all in all four hydraulic cylinders are required for actuating the main link and the tensioning bracket, with control valves and the needed accessories. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0006]    It is the object of the invention to create a top of a convertible vehicle of the generic type specified in the introduction, including a drive having a drive arrangement, being able to drive two pivot components in a defined manner. 
         [0007]    In accordance with the invention, it is thus proposed that, in a top of a convertible vehicle having a linkage, which, in relation to a vertical longitudinal center plane of the top, comprises one linkage arrangement respectively on both sides, said linkage arrangement including two pivot components, the two pivot components can be driven by means of a drive wheel arrangement, wherein one of the pivot components is only actuated if a control element has a suitable position in a control structure that is fixed relative to a main bearing. Otherwise, said pivot component is not actuated, i.e. it is instead held in place. As a consequence, only through the corresponding position of the control element in the control structure, it is possible to determine whether only the first pivot component or both pivot components are supposed to be driven. Thus, the second pivot component is secured or released by means of the structure. Hereunto, it is not required to retrieve the position of a further top component, for example of a top compartment cover. Corresponding Bowden cables and the laying thereof can thus be omitted. The structure according to the invention can be realized through simple rotary hinges and through the control slot. 
         [0008]    In a preferred embodiment of the top of a convertible vehicle according to the invention, the control element, which is, for example, designed as a glider, is designed at a control link which is pivotably connected to a coupling link, the pivot axis of which coincides with the axis of rotation of the drive wheel arrangement. By moving the control element on the control structure of track, the control link is pivotably moved, wherein, when the control element is arranged in a first portion of the control track, a drive torque is applied onto the second pivot element from the drive wheel arrangement via the control link and the coupling link and, when the control element is arranged in a second portion of the control track, no drive torque is applied onto the second pivot element. 
         [0009]    Expediently, the control link is connected to the drive wheel arrangement via a drive link, which is articulated to the drive wheel arrangement, such that an actuation of the drive wheel arrangement applies a torque onto the control link, whereby it is possible, in a corresponding region of the control track, to pivot the control link away with respect to the coupling link, without a drive torque being transmitted onto the second pivot element. 
         [0010]    Expediently, the control link is a so-called knee link or a link having a first leg, at the free end of which the control element is designed, and a second leg, to the end of which the drive link is linked. The two legs of the control link, which preferably span an acute angle, are expediently mounted at the coupling link in their connection region. 
         [0011]    In an expedient embodiment of the top of the convertible vehicle according to the invention, the control track includes a first track portion that runs, at least to a large extent, concentrically to the periphery of the drive wheel arrangement as well as a second track portion that has an opposite-direction curvature with respect to the first slot portion, such that when the control element is arranged in the first track portion, the drive torque can be introduced into the second pivot component from the drive wheel arrangement via the drive link, the control link and the coupling element, and, when the control element is arranged in the second track portion, the second pivot component is stopped when the drive wheel arrangement is simultaneously driven. 
         [0012]    In particular in a drive device which is designed as an electric motor, the drive wheel arrangements that are arranged on both sides can respectively be designed as a gear wheel, to the one face side of which the drive link for the second pivot component is linked and to the other side of which the first pivot component is linked. 
         [0013]    In order to ensure a favorable force transmission, it is advantageous that the first pivot component is linked via a reduction gearing which is formed from a link arrangement. 
         [0014]    Furthermore, it is advantageous if the drive arrangement that is designed in the sense of the invention is designed such that the drive wheel arrangement, when displacing the linkage from the closed position into the storage position and when displacing the linkage from the storage position into the closed position, driving is only effected in one direction of rotation respectively. This means that a change in the direction of rotation of the drive wheel arrangement does not occur during the opening process or during the closing process of the top, which simplifies activating the drive organ. 
         [0015]    In particular, the first pivot component is a rear tensioning bracket of a foldable top, which bracket is connected to a tensioning rod arrangement to which the drive wheel arrangement is linked. The second pivot component can be a main link or main pillar of the respective linkage arrangement, the link or pillar being pivotably mounted at the main bearing. 
         [0016]    Further advantages and advantageous configurations of the subject-matter of the invention can be taken from the description, from the drawing and from the claims. 
         [0017]    In the drawing, one exemplary embodiment of a top of a convertible vehicle according to the invention is illustrated in a schematically simplified way and will be explained in more detail in the following description. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0018]      FIG. 1  shows a perspective side view of a linkage of a top of a convertible vehicle according to the invention in the closed position; 
           [0019]      FIG. 2  shows a view of the linkage corresponding to  FIG. 1 , but without any main bearing; 
           [0020]      FIG. 3  shows an enlarged illustration of region III in  FIG. 2 ; 
           [0021]      FIG. 4  shows an inside view of the linkage according to  FIG. 1  from the point of view of a vertical longitudinal center plane of the top; 
           [0022]      FIG. 5  shows a further side view of the linkage according to  FIG. 1  in the closed position thereof; 
           [0023]      FIG. 6  shows an enlarged illustration of region VI in  FIG. 5 ; 
           [0024]      FIG. 7  shows a view of the linkage corresponding to  FIG. 2 , but with rear tensioning bracket which is partially lifted; 
           [0025]      FIG. 8  shows an enlarged illustration of region VIII in  FIG. 7 ; 
           [0026]      FIG. 9  shows a side view of the drive region of the linkage that is illustrated in  FIG. 8 , with a tensioning bracket which is partially lifted; 
           [0027]      FIG. 10  shows an inside view of the drive region with a tensioning bracket which is partially lifted; 
           [0028]      FIG. 11  shows a view of the linkage corresponding to  FIG. 2 , but with tensioning bracket which is fully lifted; 
           [0029]      FIG. 12  shows an enlarged illustration of region XII in  FIG. 11 ; 
           [0030]      FIG. 13  shows a side view of the drive region as a top view in the tensioning bracket position which is fully lifted; 
           [0031]      FIG. 14  shows an inside view of the drive region of the linkage with a tensioning bracket which is fully lifted; 
           [0032]      FIG. 15  shows a view of the linkage corresponding to  FIG. 2  in an intermediate position during displacement between the closed position and a storage position; 
           [0033]      FIG. 16  shows an enlarged illustration of region XVI in  FIG. 15 ; 
           [0034]      FIG. 17  shows a side view of the drive region of the linkage in an intermediate position as a top view; 
           [0035]      FIG. 18  shows an inside view of the drive region in the intermediate position; 
           [0036]      FIG. 19  shows a view of the linkage corresponding to  FIG. 2  in the storage position thereof; 
           [0037]      FIG. 20  shows an enlarged illustration of region XX in  FIG. 19 ; 
           [0038]      FIG. 21  shows a side view of the drive region in the storage position of the linkage 
           [0039]      FIG. 22  shows an inside view of the drive region of the linkage in the storage position thereof. 
           [0040]      FIG. 23  shows a perspective side view of a drive region of a second embodiment of a top according to the invention in the closed position thereof. 
           [0041]      FIG. 24  shows a view of the drive region corresponding to  FIG. 23  for the storage position of the top. 
           [0042]      FIG. 25  shows a second side view of the drive region of the linkage for the storage position. 
           [0043]      FIG. 26  shows a second side view of the drive region of the linkage for the closed position of the top. 
           [0044]      FIG. 27  shows a perspective bottom view of the drive region of the linkage. 
           [0045]      FIG. 28  shows a sectional view of the drive region of the linkage of the second embodiment. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS 
       [0046]    In  FIGS. 1 to 22 , a transformable roof  10  of a motor vehicle that is designed as a convertible vehicle is illustrated. The transformable roof  10 , which thus forms a top of a convertible vehicle, comprises a linkage  12 , which serves to span a top cloth which is formed from a flexible foldable material and which is not illustrated in more detail. Hereunto, the linkage  12  is displaceable in a closed position illustrated in  FIGS. 1 to 6  and spanning a vehicle interior of the respective vehicle and in a storage position illustrated in  FIGS. 19 to 22  and uncovering the vehicle interior to the top, in which storage position the linkage is stored in a rear top storage compartment of the vehicle. The top storage compartment can be closed by means of a top compartment cover, which is not illustrated in more detail here. 
         [0047]    In relation to the vertical longitudinal center plane of the top, the linkage  12  includes one linkage arrangement  14  respectively on both sides, said linkage arrangement being pivotably mounted at a main bearing  16  that is fixed relative to the vehicle. 
         [0048]    The linkage  12 , in relation to a vertical longitudinal center plane of the top, is designed in a mirror-symmetrical manner at least to a large extent. Therefore, the following description, for reasons of clarity, is substantially only effected with the aid of the linkage arrangement which is arranged on the left with respect to the forward direction of travel of the respective vehicle. This description can directly be applied to the linkage arrangement which is arranged on the right with respect to the forward direction of travel. 
         [0049]    In the region of the main bearing  16 , a drive unit  18  is arranged which comprises a drive motor  20  that is designed as an electric motor and that constitutes a drive device. Said drive motor  20 , via a drive pinion  22 , drives a drive wheel  24  which is designed as a gear wheel, and which constitutes a drive wheel arrangement and by means of which a rear tensioning bracket  26  can be driven. Said tensioning bracket  26  limits the top cloth in the closed position of the roof  10  at the rear edge thereof and rests on the top compartment cover. Furthermore, the drive wheel  24 , for pivoting the linkage arrangement  14 , can drive a first main link  28  which forms a multiple-arm hinge mechanism together with a second main link  30  and an intermediate link  32  forming a central frame element. 
         [0050]    The tensioning bracket  26 , in the closed position of the roof  10 , extends at the rear edge thereof, between the linkage arrangements  14  which are arranged on both sides. Additionally, the two linkage arrangements  14  are connected to each other via a front bow  34 , three intermediate bows  36  and a so-called corner bow  38 . In a region which is arranged between the corner bow  38  and the rear tensioning bracket  26 , the top cloth accommodates a transparent rear window  40 , the bearing of which at the linkage  12  is not described in more detail in the present case. The two linkage arrangements  14  further respectively include one link  42  which is arranged in the front in the closed position, and which forms a front frame element. Said frame element is adjacent to a front apron of the respective vehicle, which apron is not illustrated in more detail here, and the front bow  34  is mounted at the frame element. 
         [0051]    For driving the tensioning bracket  26 , i.e. for lifting and lowering the same, at the side of the drive wheel  24  facing the longitudinal center plane of the top, a drive link  46  is articulated via a hinge  44 . Said drive link, via a hinge  48 , is connected to a knee link  52  which is mounted at the main bearing via a pivot axis  50 , and which is in turn connected to a coupling link  56  via a hinge  54 , said coupling link, via a hinge  58 , being connected to an extension  60  of a front tensioning rod  62 . Said front tensioning rod  62 , via a hinge  64 , is connected to the intermediate link  32  with its front end and, via a hinge  66 , is connected to a rear tensioning rod  68  (cf. in particular  FIG. 4 ). The rear tensioning rod  68  is articulated to the rear tensioning bracket  26  via a hinge  70 . Starting from the position that is illustrated in  FIG. 4 , through a counterclockwise actuation of the drive wheel  24 , via a reduction gearing which is formed from the drive link  46 , the knee link  52  and the coupling link  56 , a tractive force that is directed downwards is introduced into the tensioning rod arrangement that is formed from the tensioning rods  62  and  68 , whereby the tensioning bracket  26  which is pivotably mounted at the main bearing  16  is lifted. Consequently, the rear top storage compartment cover can be opened. 
         [0052]    For driving the main pillar  28 , at the side of the drive wheel  24  facing away from the vertical longitudinal center plane of the top, a further drive link  74  is articulated via a hinge  72 , the drive link, with its end facing away from the hinge  72 , via a hinge  76 , being articulated to a free end of a first leg of a control link  78  that is designed as a triangular control arm or as a knee link. A second leg of the control link  78 , at its free end, includes a cam-like control element  80  which is guided in a control slot  82 . In a connection region of the two legs, the control link  78 , via a hinge  84 , is connected to a coupling link  86  which is also designed as a knee link, and which can be pivoted about an axis A, the axis coinciding with the axis of rotation of the drive wheel  24 . The coupling link  86 , via a hinge  88 , is in turn connected to a link  90  which, via a further hinge  92 , is linked to the main pillar  28  or to a structural element that is rigidly connected to the main pillar  28 . 
         [0053]    The control slot  82 , which, as it can be taken from  FIG. 1 , is designed at the main bearing  16 , includes a first slot portion X that is designed so as to be curved and runs concentrically to the periphery of the drive wheel  24  about the axis A of rotation thereof. The slot portion X extends over a region of approximately 160° to 180°. A second slot portion Y adjoins the slot portion X, which portion Y also has a curved profile that extends in the opposite direction of the profile of the slot portion X. In the broadest sense, the slot portion Y, in relation to the axis A, runs in a radial profile and has a curvature. 
         [0054]    The afore-described linkage  12  functions in the manner which is described in the following. 
         [0055]    Starting from the closed position which is illustrated in  FIG. 1 , the drive wheel  24  is rotated through an actuation of the drive motor  20 , wherein, in the illustration shown in  FIG. 6 , the rotation is clockwise. Here, as already described above, via the drive link  46 , the knee link  52  and the coupling link  56  and the tensioning rods  62  and  68 , the rear tensioning bracket  26  is lifted which is coupled to the drive wheel  24  over the entire drive path. Simultaneously, the control link  78  which is pivotably mounted at the coupling link  86  is pivoted, through the drive link  74  that is arranged at the outer side of the drive wheel  24 , such that the control element  80  that is designed at the control link  78 , in the illustration shown in  FIG. 6 , is moved, counterclockwise, in the slot portion of the control slot  82  that is fixed relative to the main bearing up to the transition into the slot portion X. Consequently, no drive torque is introduced into the coupling link  86  nor, consequently, into the main pillar  28  constituting a pivot element. The coupling link  86  and the downstream link  90  are instead freely pivoted with respect to the drive wheel  24 . A movement of the main pillar  28  is also prevented through a force introduced from the outside, due to wind, a road with many potholes or the like. 
         [0056]    The main pillar  28  instead remains in its position which is associated with the closed position of the top, such that the vehicle interior s continuously spanned by the linkage or by the top cloth. The drive motor  20  and, consequently, the drive wheel  24  are stopped now, such that the top compartment cover can be opened. 
         [0057]    Starting from the lifted position of the tensioning bracket  26 , which is illustrated in  FIGS. 12 to 14 , the drive wheel  24  is continuously rotated now by means of the drive motor  20  and with the same direction of rotation, i.e. clockwise in relation to  FIG. 6 . Consequently, the tensioning bracket  26  is lowered again via the drive link  46 , the knee link  52 , the coupling link  56  and the tensioning rods  62  and  68 . Simultaneously, the control link  78  is secured in its relative position with respect to the coupling link  86  in that the control element  80  is arranged in portion X of the control slot  82  now, such that a drive torque is introduced into the main pillar  28  and said main pillar is pivoted towards the rear, via the drive link  74  which is articulated to the outer side of the drive wheel  24 , via the control link  78  which is situated in an extended position with the drive link  74  then, via the coupling link  86  and via the link  90 . By continuing to rotate the drive wheel  24  in the same direction, the linkage  12  is consequently stored in the top storage compartment, wherein the control element  80  of the control link  78  is then arranged in an end region of region X of the control slot  82 , the end region facing away from region Y. The links are prevented from breaking free from the extended position through the engagement of the control element  80  in region X of the control slot  82 . 
         [0058]    The roof  10  is displaced from the storage position into the closed position spanning the vehicle interior in a manner which is correspondingly inverted. 
         [0059]    In  FIGS. 23 to 28 , the drive region of a second embodiment of a top according to the invention is shown. In general, this embodiment corresponds to the embodiment according to  FIGS. 1 to 22 . However, it differs from the first embodiment in that guiding structure (i.e. the control slot  82 ) in  FIGS. 1 to 22  is replaced by a guide track  82  in  FIGS. 23-28  which is configured rail-like. The guide track  82  is fixed relative to the main bearing and shows the same curve progression as the guide slot of the embodiment of  FIGS. 1 to 22 . Further, a control element  80 ′ having projections on opposing sides of the guide track encompasses the rail-like guide track  82 . The guide track  82  guides the control element  80 ′ along the curve progression. Of course, the control element  80 ′ can be fixed relative to the main bearing  16  to form the guiding structure fixed relative to the main bearing  16  and the guide track  82  can form a control element guided along the curve progression defined by the guide track  82  without departing from the scope of the invention. For the remaining features and the function of the second embodiment, it is referred to the description of the first embodiment.