Sliding roof system and method of operating same

Details Sliding roof system and method of operating same Sliding roof system and method of operating same

1998-11-23

2001-03-13

Pedder, Dennis H. (Department: 3612)

Land vehicles: bodies and tops

Tops

Roof structure

C074S625000

Reexamination Certificate

active

06199943

ABSTRACT:

FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a sliding roof system and a method of operating the sliding roof system.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
Sliding roof systems are known. Modern sliding roofs are equipped with a motor, e.g., an electric motor, so they need not be operated by a hand crank, but instead can be operated by operating a switch, for example. To increase safety in operation, a sliding roof is generally equipped with a device for emergency adjustment, which can be operated by the driver, for example. Such an emergency adjustment device may also be a conventional hand crank. One disadvantage of this is that the sliding roof system does not register the operation of the emergency adjustment device. This can become dangerous, because there may be range displacements in the control of the sliding roof system due to the operation of the emergency adjustment device. This affects, in particular, the setting of closing force limiting systems. Consequently, there can be the danger of getting one's fingers pinched when the sliding roof is closed.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
A method according to the present invention, where the operation of the emergency adjustment device is detected and this information is relayed to the device for controlling the sliding roof drive, has an advantage in that the operation of the emergency adjustment device is registered. The controller can respond adequately to emergency operation, whether by automatic readjustment of the ranges, which might have been displaced, or by blocking the sliding roof drive.
A sliding roof system according to the present invention includes a device for relaying information regarding the operating status of the sliding roof system to the device for control.
An embodiment according to the present invention provides for the sliding roof system not to be automatically readjusted after relaying the information to the device, but instead the sliding roof drive is no longer activated by the control device; in particular, the sliding roof is no longer moved in the closing direction. In another embodiment, operation of the control device is resumed only after the sliding roof system has been reset. Thus, the greatest possible safety for the user is guaranteed with minimal complexity, and it is guaranteed that neither the user nor others will be endangered, in particular by improper handling due to a lack of knowledge about the operating status of the sliding roof. Furthermore, the user may readily recognize that the sliding roof system has been altered in some form and must be readjusted.
In another embodiment according to the present invention, a display device is provided for displaying the fact that the device has been operated for emergency adjustment and for displaying a prompt to reset the sliding roof system. In this way, the user is instructed explicitly regarding the operating status of the sliding roof system and can respond accordingly.
The sliding roof system according to the present invention may be equipped with a switch having a memory or with a switching signal to relay the information relating to the operation of the emergency adjustment to the controller.


REFERENCES:
patent: 4191068 (1980-03-01), Jardin et al.
patent: 4835449 (1989-05-01), Huehn
patent: 5006766 (1991-04-01), Yuhas et al.
patent: 5566593 (1996-10-01), Vordermaier
patent: 709068 (1941-08-01), None
patent: 0091083 (1983-10-01), None
patent: 0013047 (1978-02-01), None

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