Land vehicles: bodies and tops – Tops – Roof structure
Reexamination Certificate
1999-07-27
2001-09-04
Pedder, Dennis H. (Department: 3612)
Land vehicles: bodies and tops
Tops
Roof structure
C180S282000, C180S286000, C049S031000, C318S277000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06283543
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a motor vehicle roof with a roof opening which is located in a fixed roof surface, at least one closing element for selectively at least partially closing the roof opening, an electrical adjusting drive for driving the closing element, sensor engineering for detecting a situation which adversely affects the safety of the passengers and for producing a corresponding danger signal, and a quick-action closing device which is coupled to the sensor engineering and which causes the closing element to close quickly from its open or partially open position when a danger signal is present. Furthermore, this invention relates to a process for at least partially closing a roof opening provided in a fixed roof surface of a motor vehicle by means of an electrically drivable closing element.
2. Description of the Related Art
A motor vehicle roof of the type described hereinabove is disclosed in German Patent 40 31 552 C2. The quick-acting closing device is made independently of the adjusting drive. As the power source for closing the closing element, the quick-acting closing device has an energy storage which can be a mechanical energy storage, hydraulic or pneumatic energy storage or a chemical energy storage, for example, in the form of a propellant. The motor vehicle roof disclosed in German Patent 40 31 552 C2, especially in the embodiment including a tensionable spring arrangement acting as the energy storage, is disadvantageous in that its structure is rather complex and requires a host of parts. Since, furthermore, the tension springs oppose any opening motion of the closing element, an unduly large force must be applied to open the closing element. When the closing element is to be electrically driven, there must be a drive motor which is much stronger than a conventional roof drive motor or gear multiplication becomes necessary.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Therefore the object of this invention is to provide a motor vehicle roof and a process for at least partially closing a motor vehicle roof opening, in which, in a danger situation, a quick closing process can be initiated without the need for undue structural changes on the roof itself or on the adjusting drive.
This and other objects are achieved by providing the motor vehicle roof of the present invention including a closing device having means for producing an electrical voltage and for applying the voltage to the electric adjusting drive wherein a voltage which exceeds the normal feed voltage (rated voltage) of the adjusting drive by several times. In this way, in any electrical actuated motor vehicle roofs, emergency closing can be easily effected without the need for complex components, for example, such as the energy storage disclosed in German Patent 40 31 552 C2. With the approach of the present invention, existing systems can be retrofitted without modifying the roof mechanism. By applying an electrical voltage to the closing element which exceeds the normal feed voltage (rated voltage) of the adjusting drive by several times, the closing element can be closed so quickly in the event of an accident that both the ejection of passengers through the roof opening and also the penetration of foreign bodies through it are effectively prevented.
In particular, the means for producing an electrical voltage can comprise a step-up DC/DC transformer which is connected to a motor vehicle battery. By means of this direct current-direct current transformer, in the event of danger, the voltage delivered from the motor vehicle battery can be transformed into a voltage which is a multiple of the normal feed voltage, i.e. the rated voltage of the electrical adjusting drive which is generally made as a direct current motor. A preferred voltage range for a fast process of the closing element in the event of danger extends from 100 to 120 V.
To preclude from the start excess losses when the high voltage is applied to the electrical adjusting drive via the motor vehicle wiring harness, especially via a cable with a small cable cross section, a line which is independent of the motor vehicle electrical system may be provided. This line connects one output of the step-up DC/DC transformer to one input of the adjusting drive.
Another possibility for providing high voltage for prompt closing of the closing element in the event of danger consists in that the means for generating an electrical voltage comprise a voltage source which is independent of the motor vehicle battery and which generates an electrical voltage which exceeds the normal feed voltage of the electrical adjusting drive by several times.
In another embodiment of the present invention, quick closing of the closing element, aside from actual crash acquisition, can be influenced by several additional parameters. For this purpose, for example, a seat occupancy detection means, a belt lock detection means and/or pinch protection can be provided. These additional means each interact with the closing means in order to stop or entirely prevent the closing motion of the closing element depending on the output signals of these means, for example, when one or more of these means detect, in the case of an accident, a passenger sitting in the area of the roof opening has been raised from the seating surface, and that there is the danger that this passenger could be injured by the closing element which is rapidly closing. Furthermore, stopping of the closing motion in an intermediate position, for example roughly 200 mm in front of the completely closed position, can also be provided to prevent pinching of body parts.
The closing element of the present invention, which can be quickly closed when a situation which adversely affects the safety of the passengers is detected, can be made, for example, as a movable head liner or as a roof cover.
To further the protection for the passengers in the case of an accident, there can furthermore be an airbag which in case of danger covers the roof opening for the instant of quick closing.
The aforementioned object is furthermore achieved by a process for at least partially closing a roof opening provided in a fixed roof surface of a motor vehicle by means of an electrically drivable closing element. The process includes detecting a situation which adversely affects the safety of the passengers using sensor engineering provided on the vehicle. The process further includes generating an electrical voltage and applying the voltage to the electrically drivable closing element, wherein the voltage exceeds the normal feed voltage (rated voltage) of the electrical adjusting drive for driving the closing element by several times.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4673852 (1987-06-01), Geiger
patent: 4775823 (1988-10-01), Yoshida et al.
patent: 5167296 (1992-12-01), Schreier et al.
patent: 2550991 (1977-05-01), None
patent: 3736400 (1989-05-01), None
patent: 40 31 552 (1992-03-01), None
patent: 62-279122 (1987-12-01), None
Ganz Thomas
Hahn Ferdinand
Kraus Thomas
Schulz Horst
Nixon & Peabody LLP
Pedder Dennis H.
Safran David S.
Webasto Karosseriesysteme GmbH
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