초록 ▼

In accordance with the present invention, a convertible roof system is provided which includes rotary actuators which are operable to pivot the roof rails relative to one another and a portion of the actuator is disposed within one of the roof rails. In another aspect of the present invention, a con

In accordance with the present invention, a convertible roof system is provided which includes rotary actuators which are operable to pivot the roof rails relative to one another and a portion of the actuator is disposed within one of the roof rails. In another aspect of the present invention, a convertible roof for an automotive vehicle is provided which includes a retractable roof cover with a flexible portion and at least three rotary actuators that are each located at a pivot joint between the roof rails and are operable to rotate the roof rails relative to one another or to the vehicle.

대표청구항 ▼

What is claimed is: 1. A convertible roof system comprising: (a) a retractable roof cover; and (b) a retraction mechanism operable to move said roof cover between raised and stowed positions, said retraction mechanism including: (i) at least two roof rails pivotally connected together; and (ii) a r

What is claimed is: 1. A convertible roof system comprising: (a) a retractable roof cover; and (b) a retraction mechanism operable to move said roof cover between raised and stowed positions, said retraction mechanism including: (i) at least two roof rails pivotally connected together; and (ii) a rotary actuator operable to pivot a first of said roof rails relative to a second of said roof rails, a portion of said actuator being disposed within said first roof rail. 2. The convertible roof system of claim 1, wherein said rotary actuator includes a fixed pinion on said second roof rail and a moveable rack engaged with said pinion, movement of said rack causing said roof rails to pivot relative to one another. 3. The convertible roof system of claim 2, wherein said rack is at least partially disposed within said first roof rail. 4. The convertible roof system of claim 3, wherein said rotary actuator includes a fluid driven piston disposed within said first roof rail, movement of said piston causing movement of said rack. 5. The convertible roof system of claim 4, wherein said first roof rail has an internal fluidic chamber within which said piston moves and said piston is sealingly engaged with walls of said chamber. 6. The convertible roof system of claim 1, wherein a rearmost one of said roof rails is pivotally connected to a vehicle and further comprising a rear rotary actuator operable to pivot said rearmost roof rail relative to said vehicle. 7. The convertible roof system of claim 6, wherein a portion of said rear rotary actuator is disposed within said rearmost roof rail. 8. The convertible roof system of claim 1, wherein said rotary actuator is a first rotary actuator and said retraction mechanism further includes: a third roof rail pivotally connected to one of said first and second roof rails; and a second rotary actuator operable to pivot said third roof rail relative to one of said first and second roof rails, a portion of said second actuator being disposed within said third roof rail. 9. The convertible roof system of claim 1, wherein said retraction mechanism further includes a transversely extending roof bow pivotally connected to a forwardmost one of said roof rails, said roof bow being coupled to said roof cover, and movement of said roof bow relative said forwardmost roof rail being controlled by said roof cover. 10. The convertible roof system of claim 1, wherein said actuator is disposed within an envelope of said first roof rail. 11. The convertible roof system of claim 1, wherein said actuator is a fluidic actuator. 12. The convertible roof system of claim 1, wherein said actuator is an electromagnetic actuator. 13. A convertible roof for an automotive vehicle, the convertible roof comprising: a retractable roof cover, a portion of said roof cover being flexible; and a retraction mechanism operable to move said roof cover between raised and retracted positions, said retraction mechanism including: at least three roof rails; a first pivot joint pivotally connecting a first one of said roof rails to a fixed location relative to the vehicle; a second pivot joint pivotally connecting a second one of said roof rails to said first roof rail; a third pivot joint pivotally connecting a third one of said roof rails to said second roof rail; and at least three rotary actuators, one of said rotary actuators being located at each of said pivot joints and operable to rotate one said roof rail associated with each pivot joint relative to another said roof rail or to the vehicle. 14. The convertible roof of claim 13, wherein each of said rotary actuators include a pinion and a moveable rack engaged with said pinion, and movement of said rack causing rotation of one said roof rail associated with a respective one of said rotary actuators. 15. The convertible roof of claim 14, wherein each of said rotary actuators include a fluid driven piston coupled to and driving movement of said rack, at least two of said pistons being disposed within one said roof rail. 16. The convertible roof of claim 15, wherein each roof rail having a piston therein has a fluid chamber within which said piston resides and said piston sealingly engages with a wall of said fluid chamber. 17. The convertible roof of claim 14, wherein each pinion is fixed to one of said roof rails or said vehicle. 18. The convertible roof of claim 13, wherein a portion of at least two of said rotary actuators is disposed within one said roof rail. 19. A roof rail system for a convertible vehicle, said roof rail system comprising: an elongated roof rail; a fluid chamber within said roof rail; and a fluid driven piston disposed in said fluid chamber, said piston being operable to move within said fluid chamber in response to a fluid pressure imparted on said piston. 20. The roof rail system of claim 19, further comprising a moveable rack coupled to said piston. 21. The roof rail system of claim 20, further comprising: a rod coupling said piston to said rack; and a seal within said fluid chamber, said seal being disposed around said rod and preventing fluid within said fluid chamber from leaving said fluid chamber through said seal with movement of said rod. 22. The roof rail system of claim 21, further comprising: an end cap sealingly engaged with walls of said fluid chamber; and at least one retaining ring operable to retain said end cap in a fixed position, wherein said seal is disposed in said end cap. 23. The roof rail system of claim 20, further comprising a guide member positioned within said elongated member and wherein said rack moves along said guide member in response to movement of said piston. 24. The roof rail system of claim 19, further comprising a pair of fluid ports operable to supply and remove fluid from said fluid chamber on opposite sides of said piston. 25. A roof rail system for a convertible vehicle, the roof rail system comprising: a roof rail; and an actuator at least partially disposed within said roof rail, said actuator operable to move said roof rail relative to a vehicle or another roof rail. 26. The roof rail system of claim 25, wherein said actuator is a prepackaged actuator. 27. The roof rail system of claim 26, wherein said actuator is attached to said roof rail and is disposed within an envelope of said roof rail. 28. The roof rail system of claim 25, wherein said actuator is a fluidic actuator. 29. The roof rail system of claim 25, wherein said actuator is an electromagnetic actuator.