Method for controlling a power-operated vehicle accessory, in particular a power-operated folding hardtop roof
First Claim
1. A method for controlling a folding roof, the method which comprises:
- providing a motor vehicle configuration, including;
an engine configured to be selectively turned on and off;
a vehicle battery configured to be charged when the engine is turned on;
a folding roof movable between a closed position and an open position;
an electro-hydraulic system connected to the vehicle battery and to the folding roof for moving the folding roof between the closed position and the open position;
an electronic control unit operatively connected to the electro-hydraulic system for controlling the electro-hydraulic system; and
a display operatively connected to the electronic control unit for providing a driver alert information;
determining, with the electronic control unit, a total number of roof actuation requests for actuating the folding roof in a period when the engine of the motor vehicle configuration is off;
comparing, with the electronic control unit, the total number of roof actuation requests occurring in the period with the engine of the motor vehicle configuration being off to a given maximum number;
blocking, with the electronic control unit, a roof actuation request for moving the folding roof from the closed position to the open position if the total number of roof actuation requests occurring in the period with the engine of the motor vehicle configuration being off has reached the given maximum number; and
providing the driver alert information on the display of the motor vehicle configuration if the total number of roof actuation requests occurring in the period with the engine of the motor vehicle configuration being off has reached the given maximum number.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A motor vehicle configuration includes a folding roof and an electro-hydraulic system for moving the folding roof between a closed position and an open position. A roof actuation request for moving the folding roof from the closed position to the open position is blocked if the total number of roof actuation requests occurring in a period when the engine is off has reached a given maximum number in order to protect the vehicle battery. A display provides a driver alert information if the total number of roof actuation requests occurring in the period when the engine is off has reached the given maximum number. A method for controlling a power-operated vehicle roof is also provided.
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Citations
17 Claims
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1. A method for controlling a folding roof, the method which comprises:
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providing a motor vehicle configuration, including; an engine configured to be selectively turned on and off; a vehicle battery configured to be charged when the engine is turned on; a folding roof movable between a closed position and an open position; an electro-hydraulic system connected to the vehicle battery and to the folding roof for moving the folding roof between the closed position and the open position; an electronic control unit operatively connected to the electro-hydraulic system for controlling the electro-hydraulic system; and a display operatively connected to the electronic control unit for providing a driver alert information; determining, with the electronic control unit, a total number of roof actuation requests for actuating the folding roof in a period when the engine of the motor vehicle configuration is off; comparing, with the electronic control unit, the total number of roof actuation requests occurring in the period with the engine of the motor vehicle configuration being off to a given maximum number; blocking, with the electronic control unit, a roof actuation request for moving the folding roof from the closed position to the open position if the total number of roof actuation requests occurring in the period with the engine of the motor vehicle configuration being off has reached the given maximum number; and providing the driver alert information on the display of the motor vehicle configuration if the total number of roof actuation requests occurring in the period with the engine of the motor vehicle configuration being off has reached the given maximum number. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A motor vehicle configuration, comprising:
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an engine configured to be selectively turned on and off; a vehicle battery configured to be charged when said engine is turned on; a folding roof movable between a closed position and an open position; an electro-hydraulic system connected to said vehicle battery and to said folding roof for moving said folding roof between the closed position and the open position; an electronic control unit operatively connected to said electro-hydraulic system for controlling said electro-hydraulic system; said electronic control unit being programmed to determine a total number of roof actuation requests for actuating said folding roof in a period when said engine is off; said electronic control unit being programmed to compare the total number of roof actuation requests occurring in the period when said engine is off to a given maximum number, said electronic control unit being programmed to block a roof actuation request for moving said folding roof from the closed position to the open position if said electronic control unit determines that the total number of roof actuation requests occurring in the period when said engine is off has reached the given maximum number; and a display operatively connected to said electronic control unit for providing a driver alert information if said electronic control unit determines that the total number of roof actuation requests occurring in the period when said engine is off has reached the given maximum number. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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Specification