Convertible power top control system

• US 20020158596A1
• Filed: 04/26/2002
• Published: 10/31/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 04/27/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: FCA US LLC (Stellantis NV)
• Original Assignee: Daimler Chrysler Corporation (Mercedes-Benz Group AG)
• Inventors: Zondag, James E., Martek, Kenneth R., Pehrson, Alona E.
• Granted Patent: US 6,630,807 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 318/445
• CPC Class Codes: B60J 7/0573 power driven arrangements, e.g. electrical
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 15/41 Detection by monitoring transmitted force or torque E05F15/48 takes precedence; Safety couplings with activation dependent upon torque or force, e.g. slip couplings
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 15/695 Control circuits therefor
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2400/42 for multiple openings
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2900/508 for convertibles
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2900/542 Roof panels
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2900/55 Windows
• CPC Class Codes: H02H 7/0851 for motors actuating a movable member between two end positions, e.g. detecting an end position or obstruction by overload signal

Abstract

A method and system of controlling a movable body portion of a vehicle where the body portion is moved by a motor responding to a control input. Power is applied to the motor upon actuation of the control input and a timer is maintained concurrent with the application of power. Power is removed from the motor as a function of expiration of the timer or relinquishment of the control input. The timer provides a maximum amount of time that power may be applied to the motor, thereby preventing damage to the movable body portion in the event it becomes jammed while being moved by the motor.

Claims

1. A method of controlling a movable body portion of a vehicle where the body portion is moved by a motor responding to actuation of a control input, said method comprising the steps of:

monitoring the control input to determine whether to apply power to the motor to urge the movable body portion from an initial position towards a desired position;

applying power to the motor upon actuation of the control input;

maintaining a timer concurrent with the application of power to the motor, where said timer expires after a predetermined amount of time; and

removing power from the motor as a function of expiration of said timer and a relinquishment in actuation of the control input.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the predetermined amount of time is greater than the amount of time needed for the motor to move the movable body portion from said initial position to said desired position.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein the predetermined amount of time is less than the reaction time of a circuit protection element electrically connected with the motor.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein the predetermined amount of time is a function of a system voltage across the motor.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein said initial position is a fully closed position and said desired position is a fully open position.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein said initial position is a fully open position and said desired position is a fully closed position.

7. A method of controlling a power convertible top, said method comprising the steps of:

monitoring a control input to determine whether to apply power to a convertible top motor to urge the convertible top in a direction from an initial position to a final position;

applying power to the power convertible top upon an actuation of said control input;

maintaining a timer concurrent with the application of power to said motor, where said timer expires after a predetermined amount of time, said predetermined amount of time being a function of said direction; and

removing power from the motor upon the earliest occurrence of either the expiration of said timer and a relinquishment in actuation of said control input.

8. The method of claim 7 wherein the predetermined amount of time is greater than the amount of time needed for the motor to move the convertible top from said initial position to said desired position.

9. The method of claim 7 wherein the predetermined amount of time is less than the reaction time of a circuit protection element in series with the motor.

10. The method of claim 7 further comprising said predetermined amount of time being a function of a system voltage across said motor.

11. The method of claim 7 wherein said initial position is a fully closed position and said desired position is a fully open position.

12. The method of claim 7 wherein said initial position is a fully open position and said desired position is a fully closed position.

14. The system of claim 13 wherein said predetermined amount of time is greater than an amount of time needed for said power top motor to move the convertible top from an initial position to said desired position.

15. The system of claim 13 wherein said predetermined amount of time is less than a reaction time of a circuit protection element protecting said power top motor.

16. The system of claim 13 further comprising said predetermined amount of time being a function of a system voltage across said power top motor.

17. The system of claim 13 wherein said initial position is a fully closed position and said desired position is a fully open position.

18. The system of claim 13 wherein said initial position is a fully open position and said desired position is a fully closed position.

19. The system of claim 13 wherein said predetermined amount of time is of a first duration when said power top motor is controlled to rotate in a first direction and said predetermined amount of time is of a second duration when said power top motor is controlled to rotate in a second direction.

20. The system of claim 13 wherein said input switch comprises a resistively multiplexed switch.

21. The control system of claim 13, wherein the vehicle includes at least one window movable by a window motor arrangement, the input switch further arranged to provide an indication to said body controller to initiate simultaneous operation of the at least one window and convertible top to desired positions;

and

said body controller effecting operation of the window motor arrangement and power top motor in response to said indication of simultaneous.

22. The control system of claim 21 wherein said predetermined amount of time is of a first duration when said power top motor is controlled to rotate in a first direction, of a second duration when said power top motor is controlled to rotate in a second direction, and of a third duration when said power top motor is controlled to rotate simultaneously with a window motor arrangement.

13. A control system for raising and lowering a convertible top of a vehicle, the control system comprising:

a body controller module having a timer;

an input switch connected to said body controller module, said input switch arranged to indicate to said body controller module a desired position of the convertible top;

a power top motor electrically controlled by said body controller, said power top motor being mechanically linked to the convertible top for raising and lowering the convertible top, said body controller module effecting operation of said power top motor in response to said indication from said input switch; and

said body controller continuously effecting said operation of said power top motor until the earlier of said timer reaching a predetermined amount of time and relinquishment of said indication of the desired position.