IP Library Granted Patent US 7,407,201
Granted Patent B2
US 7,407,201 · App. 11/203,114 · Granted Aug 5, 2008

Cover locking device for a vehicle

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 7,407,201
App. No.
11/203,114
Granted
Aug 5, 2008
Kind
B2
Abstract

A folding top clamp for a vehicle has a connecting-link-controlled locking hook which can be displaced by guiding devices from a closed position to an open position. The locking hook interacts with at least one hook guide which is in an operative connection with a motor gearing unit. A folding top clamp having a simple structure and a compact construction is provided in that the motor gearing unit extends only on a longitudinal side of the locking hook and has an electric motor oriented transversely with respect to a longitudinal center plane of the vehicle, which electric motor interacts by way of a triple-geared-down gearing unit with a hook guide of the locking hook.

Claims (22)

1. Folding top clamp for a vehicle comprising:

a connecting-link-controlled locking hook extending in a direction along a vehicle longitudinal center plane, guiding devices associated with the locking hook for displacing the latter from a closed position to an open position, and at least one hook guide operatively connected with a motor gearing unit and the locking hook,

wherein the motor gearing unit extends only on a longitudinal side of the locking hook and comprises an electric motor oriented transversely with respect to the vehicle longitudinal center plane and a triple-geared-down gearing unit provides an operative association of the electric motor with a hook guide of the locking hook,

the gearing unit comprises a bevel gearing, a worm gearing connected with the bevel gearing, and a planetary gearing connected on an output side of the worm gearing, all gearings being accommodated in a common multi-part gearbox, the bevel gearing comprises a bevel drive pinion arranged on an output shaft of the electric motor and an output bevel gear shrunk onto a worm shaft of the worm gearing, and

the bevel drive pinion and output bevel gear are configured to cause a 90° deflection of the flux of force.

2. Folding top clamp according to claim 1 , wherein the worm shaft is supported in the gearbox by way of two non-rotatable bearings, and

wherein a worm is arranged at an end of the worm shaft opposite the output bevel gear, which worm drives a worm gear of the worm gearing.

3. Folding top clamp according to claim 2 , wherein the worm and worm gear of the worm gearing transmits torque to a sun gear of the planetary gearing which is disposed in a freely rotating manner on a gearing output shaft.

4. Folding top clamp according to claim 3 , wherein a ring gear of the planetary gearing is stopped in a normal operation of the folding top clamp by means of an emergency operating worm.

5. Folding top clamp according to claim 1 , wherein the output of the planetary gearing takes place by way of a planet carrier which transmits torque directly to the hook guide.

6. Folding top clamp according to claim 2 , wherein the output of the planetary gearing takes place by way of a planet carrier which transmits torque directly to the hook guide.

7. Folding top clamp according to claim 3 , wherein the output of the planetary gearing takes place by way of a planet carrier which transmits torque directly to the hook guide.

8. Folding top clamp according to claim 4 , wherein the output of the planetary gearing takes place by way of a planet carrier which transmits torque directly to the hook guide.

9. Folding top clamp according to claim 3 , wherein the hook guide is connected with the gearing output shaft by way of a polygon.

10. Folding top clamp according to claim 4 , wherein the hook guide is connected with the gearing output shaft by way of a polygon.

11. Folding top clamp according to claim 1 , wherein the hook guide is connected with the gearing output shaft by way of a polygon.

12. Folding top clamp according to claim 7 , wherein the hook guide is connected with the gearing output shaft by way of a polygon.

13. Folding top clamp according to claim 8 , wherein the hook guide is connected with the gearing output shaft by way of a polygon.

14. Folding top clamp according to claim 1 , wherein the connecting-link-controlled locking hook is pressed by way of a double leg spring and a pressure roller from below against a connecting link path.

15. Folding top clamp according to claim 2 , wherein the connecting-link-controlled locking hook is pressed by way of a double leg spring and a pressure roller from below against a connecting link path.

16. Folding top clamp according to claim 3 , wherein the connecting-link-controlled locking hook is pressed by way of a double leg spring and a pressure roller from below against a connecting link path.

17. Folding top clamp according to claim 9 , wherein the connecting-link-controlled locking hook is pressed by way of a double leg spring and a pressure roller from below against a connecting link path.

Assignments (4)
MERGER Recorded Nov 2, 2010
From: DR. ING. H.C.F. PORSCHE AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
To: PORSCHE ZWISCHENHOLDING GMBH
Reel/Frame 025227/0699 →
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Nov 2, 2010
From: PORSCHE ZWISCHENHOLDING GMBH
To: DR. ING. H.C.F. PORSCHE AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
Reel/Frame 025227/0747 →
MERGER Recorded Jun 30, 2008
From: DR. ING. H.C.F. PORSCHE AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
To: DR. ING. H.C.F. PORSCHE AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT (COMPANY NUMBER 722287)
Reel/Frame 021184/0926 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Aug 15, 2005
From: PFERTNER, KURT; RANFT, DETLEV; POPP, HARTMUT
To: DR. ING.H.C. F. PORSCHE
Reel/Frame 016899/0274 →