Openable motor vehicle roof and process for its operation

US6592178B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• Webasto Vehicle Systems International GmbH · DE

Inventors

• Stefan SCHOBER · Tegernheim, DE
• Josef Appel · Gauting, DE
• Ferdinand Hahn · Ebenhausen, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: Dec 21, 2001
• Grant date: Jul 15, 2003
• Expiry date: Dec 21, 2021

Classification

• Technology area (CPC B): Performing Operations; Transporting
• CPC primary: B60J7/0573
• WIPO field: Transport
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

An openable motor vehicle roof including a closing element adapted for movement into a position that closes or at least partially clears an opening in a fixed roof skin of the motor vehicle, and a cover element adapted to be positioned underneath the roof opening for movement into a position that conceals or at least partially clears the closing element or the roof opening with respect to an interior area of the motor vehicle. At least one drive mechanism is provided for selectively and adjustably moving the closing element and the closing mechanism. Also provided is a controller for controlling the drive mechanism, the controller adapted to control the drive mechanism such that movement of the closing element into a closed position is not initiated until the cover element is moved at least into a position which covers an area of the roof opening that is not covered by the closing mechanism. In this way, entry of objects from the interior area of the motor vehicle into the area of the roof opening that is not covered by said closing element is prevented.