Land vehicles: bodies and tops – Tops – Let-down type top
Patent
1987-04-30
1988-06-07
Pedder, Dennis H.
Land vehicles: bodies and tops
Tops
Let-down type top
296121, 296117, 296224, 292DIG5, 318626, 340 52D, 307 10R, B60J 712, B60J 7185
Patent
active
047491930
ABSTRACT:
Apparatus for opening and closing a convertible top of a motor vehicle includes an electric drive for moving the top between fully opened and fully closed position, electrically powered locking mechanisms for locking the top into the fully closed position, position sensors for sensing the locked and unlocked positions of the locking mechanisms, and a control circuit for the top drive system and locking mechanisms. The control circuit prevents the top drive system from attempting to open or close the top when the locking mechanisms are in other than a fully unlocked position. The system further includes limit switches located in the proximity of the locking mechanisms for indicating to the control circuit when the top is in the fully closed position, a terminal switch for providing a signal to the control circuit when the top is in the fully opened position, and a manually operated key for initiating unlocking/opening and closing/locking operations. The control means includes a memory element for indicating a preceding locking or unlocking operation of the locking elements, and a logic circuit for processing signals received from the manual operating key, the terminal switch, the limit switches, the position sensors and the memory mean to produce control signals for controlling the operation of the apparatus such that locking and unlocking of the locking mechanism occurs only when the top is in the fully closed position and such that opening and closing of the top occurs only when the locking mechanisms are in the fully unlocked position. Alternative embodiments of the control circuit include a hard-wired logic circuit, or a microprocessor-based system which is programmed to accomplish the control functions implemented by the hard-wired system.
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Dr. Ing. h.c.F. Porsche Aktiengesellschaft
Pedder Dennis H.
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