Storage compartment sensor system for use with an automotive vehicle convertible roof
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1. A convertible roof apparatus for an automotive vehicle, said apparatus comprising:
- a first electrical conductor;
a second electrical conductor disposed adjacent and substantially parallel to said first electrical conductor;
a substantially nonconductive material disposed between portions of said electrical conductors, said substantially nonconductive material nominally separating said electrical conductors;
said first electrical conductor being flexible toward said second electrical conductor in response to the presence of an undesired object detected in said storage compartment so as to electrically create a signal;
a storage compartment being defined as at least one location taken from the group essentially consisting of;
an area located substantially within a trunk of said automotive vehicle, an area located substantially rearward of a rearmost passenger seat, and an area immediately above a rear passenger seat, said conductors being disposed in said storage compartment; and
a convertible roof movable from a raised position covering a passenger compartment to a fully stowed position within said storage compartment.
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Abstract
A sensor system is located in a storage compartment of an automotive vehicle for preventing full retraction of a convertible roof when an undesired object is detected within the storage compartment.
44 Citations
49 Claims
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1. A convertible roof apparatus for an automotive vehicle, said apparatus comprising:
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a first electrical conductor; a second electrical conductor disposed adjacent and substantially parallel to said first electrical conductor; a substantially nonconductive material disposed between portions of said electrical conductors, said substantially nonconductive material nominally separating said electrical conductors; said first electrical conductor being flexible toward said second electrical conductor in response to the presence of an undesired object detected in said storage compartment so as to electrically create a signal; a storage compartment being defined as at least one location taken from the group essentially consisting of;
an area located substantially within a trunk of said automotive vehicle, an area located substantially rearward of a rearmost passenger seat, and an area immediately above a rear passenger seat, said conductors being disposed in said storage compartment; anda convertible roof movable from a raised position covering a passenger compartment to a fully stowed position within said storage compartment. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. In combination, a sensor system and an automotive vehicle, said combination comprising:
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a storage compartment disposed substantially behind a rearmost passenger seat of said automotive vehicle; a convertible roof movable from a raised position covering a passenger compartment of said automotive vehicle to a fully stowed position within said storage compartment; and a sensor located within said storage compartment for detecting the presence of an undesired object therein, said convertible roof being prevented from becoming fully stowed when said sensor detects the presence of said undesired object. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41)
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42. In combination, a sensor system and an automotive vehicle comprising:
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a trunk of said automotive vehicle; means for sensing disposed in said trunk for detecting undesired objects located therein; a linkage system for supplying movement to a convertible roof; a fractional horsepower electric motor actuating said linkage system mechanically connected thereto; and said motor electrically coupled to said means for sensing so as to prevent said linkage system completely moving said convertible roof to a fully stowed position when said means for sensing detects said undesired object in said trunk. - View Dependent Claims (43)
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44. A method of controlling an automotive vehicle convertible roof by use of a sensor, said method comprising the steps of:
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(a) receiving a signal from a driver-controlled switch; (b) determining whether an undesired object is detected within a storage compartment of the automotive vehicle; (c) pivoting said convertible roof from a fully raised position toward a retracted position; and (d) preventing said convertible roof from fully retracting if an undesired object is detected within said storage compartment. - View Dependent Claims (45, 46, 47)
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48. A method of controlling an automotive vehicle convertible roof by use of a sensor system, said method comprising the steps of:
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(a) determining whether an undesired object is detected within a trunk of the automotive vehicle; (b) controlling movement of an electromagnetic device in response to detection of said undesired object; (c) preventing the convertible roof from fully retracting if an undesired object is detected within said trunk; and (d) pivoting the convertible roof substantially into said trunk if no undesired object is detected within said trunk.
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49. A method of retrofitting an automotive vehicle with a convertible roof, a storage compartment and a sensor system, said method comprising the steps of:
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(a) attaching the convertible roof to said automotive vehicle; (b) placing a sensor within the storage compartment of the automotive vehicle; (c) mounting an electric roof motor within said automotive vehicle for driving the convertible roof; (d) coupling said sensor electrically to an electrical control unit for transmitting a signal upon detecting an undesired object within the storage compartment; and (e) controlling movement of said roof motor by said electrical control unit for preventing full retraction of the convertible roof into the storage compartment upon receiving said signal from said sensor.
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Specification