Land vehicles: bodies and tops – Tops – Cover
Utility Patent
1997-12-05
2001-01-02
Dayoan, D. Glenn (Department: 3612)
Land vehicles: bodies and tops
Tops
Cover
Utility Patent
active
06168224
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
This application claims the priority of German patent document 196 50 402.3, the disclosure of which is expressly incorporated by reference herein.
The invention relates to a top storage compartment lid for a motor vehicle.
The article entitled “The New Mercedes-Benz Roadster—Body: Air Conditioning, Top, and Locking” by G. Huber, W. Volz, H. Möller, and K. Claar in ATZ Automobiltechnische Zeitschrift, 91 (1989) 6, pages 309 to 318, describes an electrohydraulically driven top for an automobile, which is stored in the folded state in a rear storage compartment covered by a top storage compartment lid. The top storage compartment lid is movable by a drive device from a closed position into a raised open position and vice versa. On each long side of the top, the drive device comprises a hydraulic cylinder that engages a deployment lever on the top storage compartment lid. To secure the top storage compartment lid in the closed position, at least one releasable locking device is provided between the body and the top storage compartment lid, which is controlled by an additional hydraulic cylinder.
In this type of top control, the individual movements of the lid and the top storage compartment lid are handled by an electrical sequencing control. In other words, initially at least one locking device operated by a first drive device is unlocked, the unlocked position is determined as a result of microswitches being in the end position, and a positive determination is required for the positioning the top storage compartment lid by means of a second drive device, with the end positions of the lid being capable of being determined by additional microswitches. Thus, a plurality of drive devices and microswitches are required for opening and closing as well as unlocking and locking the top storage compartment lid, resulting in a high construction cost. In addition, the two successive movements require a relatively long period of time.
One object of the present invention is to reduce the construction cost in an arrangement for positioning, unlocking and locking the top storage compartment lid.
Another object of the invention is to reduce the time required for the two movements.
These and other objects and advantages are achieved by the apparatus according to the invention in which the two movements which follow one another in time, namely the unlocking or locking of the top storage compartment lid and the opening and closing of the top storage compartment lid, can be performed by a single drive device. This reduces both the construction cost and the time required for the two movements.
Microswitches for determining the position of the top storage compartment lid following locking or unlocking can be eliminated in this manner, thus reducing the number of sources of error. The drive unit for moving the top and for locking requires limited space, features a simple design, and can be designed as a preassembled structural unit that can be tested.
The mechanical device connected between the drive device for the top storage compartment lid and the at least one locking device or devices ensures that improper operation of the top storage compartment lid cannot take place and that one movement always follows the previous one. At the same time, the previous requirement for a determination by means of microswitches is eliminated.
Other objects, advantages and novel features of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of the invention when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
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“The New Mercedes-Benz Roadster—Body: Air Conditioning, Top, and Locking” by G. Huber, W. Volz, H. Moeller, and K. Claar in ATZ Automobiltechnische Zeitschrift, 91 (1989) 6, pp. 309 to 318.
Beierl Dominik
Henn Uwe
Coletta Lori L.
Dayoan D. Glenn
Evenson, McKeown, Edwards & Lenahan P.L.L.C.
Ing. h.c.F. Porsche AG
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