DE202024100210U1 - Cabriolet with sunroof - Google Patents

Abstract

Cabriolet (1) configured to be driven by a driver, comprising:
- four wheels (2, 3), of which at least one pair of wheels (2, 3) is driven;
- a vehicle interior (6) defining at least one driver's seat;
- a sliding roof (10) which can be arranged in an open configuration in which the vehicle interior (6) is open at the top, or in a closed configuration in which it delimits and covers the vehicle interior (6) at the top;
- an actuator (12) mechanically connected to the sunroof (10) and configured to move the sunroof (10) between the closed configuration and the open configuration and vice versa;
- a control device (13) configured to actuate the actuator (12) and move the sunroof (10) from the open configuration to the closed configuration; the motor vehicle (1) being characterized in that the control device (13) is configured to:
cyclically a current and/or future value of the probability and/or intensity of bad weather indices (WI) such as rain, wind and/or to determine lightning strikes in the vicinity of the motor vehicle (1) or along the route (P) on which the motor vehicle (1) is located;
to check whether the probability and/or intensity of at least one adverse weather index is above at least one corresponding pre-determined probability and/or intensity threshold;
in the event of a positive result of the verification, carry out the closing procedure steps to move from the open configuration to the closed configuration of the roof (10).

Description

TECHNICAL PART

The present invention relates to a convertible with a sunroof.

In particular, the present invention finds an advantageous but not exclusive application in a high-performance road vehicle, to the description below of which express reference will be made, without thereby losing its general validity.

INVENTION CONTEXT

Cabriolets are well known, i.e. vehicles with a usually fixed sunroof, which is generally folded into a housing provided for this purpose or into the trunk.

Over the years, various methods and systems have been developed for opening and closing the roof of such convertibles.

The Italian patent application BO1313A 000137 describes a convertible with a rigid sunroof with a four-seater interior (two at the front and two at the rear), an engine compartment at the front (i.e. in front of the vehicle interior) covered by a bonnet, and a trunk (or luggage compartment) at the rear (i.e. behind the vehicle interior) covered by a trunk lid. The rigid sunroof comprises two rigid elements which are mechanically connected to a frame by suitable connecting elements and which, when the rigid sunroof is in the open position, are stowed in the trunk (in particular in the upper part of the trunk).

The European patent EP2921329 describes a front-engine convertible with a vehicle interior, a rigid sunroof, a rear trunk which receives the rigid sunroof in the open position, a top cover arranged above the trunk and capable of moving between a closed and open position, a trunk which is held by the top cover and is movable relative to the top cover.

Typically, opening and closing the roof takes a long time (more than a minute) and opening and closing can only be carried out under certain vehicle conditions, for example when the vehicle is stationary or the engine is switched off.

The slowness of these operations and the need to stop mean that users only convert the vehicle and open the roof when the weather conditions are optimal. However, in the event of changing weather conditions or sudden disruptions, it is common to have to stop the journey repeatedly - and perhaps in dangerous circumstances, for example on the hard shoulder of a multi-lane expressway or motorway - to close the roof and thus avoid getting wet in the rain and, in any case, to avoid damage to the interior of the vehicle.

This is why some users decide against buying a convertible, as it can usually be used very little, especially in the colder seasons, without being exposed to unforeseeable events.

There has been a growing demand in the industry for an improvement in the usability of convertibles.

The aim of the present invention is to realize a convertible with a sliding roof which at least partially does not have the disadvantages described above and at the same time can be manufactured simply and economically.

SUMMARY

According to the invention there is provided a convertible with a sunroof according to the following main claims and preferably according to any of the subclaims directly or indirectly dependent on the main claims. The claims describe preferred embodiments of this invention and are an integral part of this description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

• - 1 eine perspektivische und schematische Ansicht eines erfindungsgemäß hergestellten Kraftfahrzeugs, bei dem der Deutlichkeit halber Teile weggelassen sind;
• - 2 eine schematische Draufsicht des Kraftfahrzeugs von 1 während der Fahrt entlang einer Strecke auf der Landkarte;
• - die Figuren von 3 bis 5 drei verschiedene und aufeinanderfolgende Steuerungsphasen des Kraftfahrzeugs von 1 beim Herannahen einer Störung und beim Übergang von einer Konfiguration mit offenem und verstautem Dach zu einer Konfiguration mit geschlossenem und ausgefahrenem Dach.

The present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings which illustrate some non-limiting embodiments, in which:

• - 1 a perspective and schematic view of a motor vehicle manufactured according to the invention, with parts removed for clarity;
• - 2 a schematic plan view of the motor vehicle of 1 while driving along a route on the map;
• - Figures 3 to 5 show three different and successive control phases of the motor vehicle of 1 when a disturbance approaches and when transitioning from one Open and stowed roof configuration to closed and extended roof configuration.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In 1 1 generally and overall designates a motor vehicle with two front wheels 2 and two rear wheels 3, of which at least one pair of wheels (or all) is (are) driven by a drive system 4.

In detail, the drive system 4 can be exclusively an internal combustion engine (i.e., comprises only one internal combustion engine), a hybrid drive (i.e., comprises an internal combustion engine and at least one electric motor) or an electric drive (i.e., comprises only one or more electric motors).

Preferably, but not restrictively, the drive system 4 is arranged at the front of the motor vehicle 1 with respect to a normal direction of travel D. In this way, the convertibility of the motor vehicle 1 is facilitated.

The same reference numbers and letters in the figures indicate the same elements or components having the same function.

In this specification, the term "second" component does not imply the presence of a "first" component. These terms are used as labels for convenience of reference and are not intended to be limiting.

The elements and features described in the various preferred embodiments, including the drawings, may be combined with one another without departing from the scope of this application described below.

The motor vehicle 1 also comprises a body 5 defining a vehicle interior 6 designed to accommodate at least one driver and possibly one or more passengers. The vehicle interior 6 defines at least one driver's seat 7.

It is noted that in the rest of this description, terms such as “above”, “below”, “in front of”, “behind” and similar terms are used to refer to normal driving conditions of the motor vehicle 1 in the normal direction of travel D.

• - eine mit dem Kraftfahrzeug 1 verbundene Längsachse X, die im Betrieb horizontal und parallel zu einer normalen Fahrtrichtung D des Kraftfahrzeugs 1 angeordnet ist,
• - eine mit dem Kraftfahrzeug 1 verbundene Querachse Y, die im Betrieb horizontal und senkrecht zur Achse X angeordnet ist und
• - eine mit dem Kraftfahrzeug 1 verbundene vertikale Achse Z, die im Betrieb senkrecht und waagrecht zu den Achsen X, Y angeordnet ist.

As shown in the non-limiting embodiment of 1 the following can also be defined:

• - a longitudinal axis X connected to the motor vehicle 1, which is arranged horizontally and parallel to a normal direction of travel D of the motor vehicle 1 during operation,
• - a transverse axis Y connected to the motor vehicle 1, which is arranged horizontally and perpendicular to the axis X during operation and
• - a vertical axis Z connected to the motor vehicle 1, which is arranged perpendicular and horizontal to the axes X, Y during operation.

In the non-limiting embodiment of 1 the motor vehicle 1 further comprises a dashboard 8 which is arranged in the vehicle interior 6 and delimits the vehicle interior 6 at the front with respect to a normal direction of travel D of the motor vehicle 1 (ie along the above-mentioned axis X) and is arranged in front of the driver's seat 7.

The motor vehicle 1 also comprises a windshield 9, which delimits the vehicle interior 6 at the front and connects to the vehicle's dashboard 8.

In the non-limiting embodiment of the attached figures, the motor vehicle 1 further comprises a preferably rigid sliding roof 10 which can be opened in a (in the 1 and 3 shown) in which the vehicle interior 6 is open at the top, or in a (in the 5 shown) in which the roof 10 limits the vehicle interior at the top and closes it off. In other words, in the open configuration the vehicle interior 6 is exposed to the weather, while in the closed configuration the sliding roof 10 extends from the windshield 9 to a rear trunk 11 and the vehicle interior 6 is protected from the weather by the roof 10.

When the rigid roof 10 is in the (in the 1 and 3 When the vehicle is in the open configuration (shown), the rigid roof 10 is preferably, but not restrictively, housed in a luggage compartment 11 (in particular in the upper part of the luggage compartment 11); preferably, a movable partition element (known and thus not shown in detail) is provided which divides the luggage compartment 11 so as to create a physical separation between the upper part in which the rigid roof 10 is housed and the lower part intended for luggage.

In addition, the motor vehicle 1 comprises an actuator 12 (electric or hydraulic, provided with one or more actuators such as motors and/or cylinders) mechanically connected to the sunroof 10 and configured to move the sunroof 10 between the closed configuration described and the open configuration described. Optionally, the actuator 12 also comprises devices of known type for moving the above-mentioned partition element dividing the trunk 11.

The motor vehicle 1 also comprises an (electronic) control unit 13 (“ECU”) which is at least configured to actuate the actuator 12 and move the sunroof 10 from the open configuration to the closed configuration (and vice versa). In particular and not by way of limitation, the control unit 13 processes, among other things, a large number of data from various sensors installed in the motor vehicle 1. Physically, the control unit 13 can be composed of a single device or of several devices which are separate from one another and communicate via the network (CAN, Ethernet, etc.) of the motor vehicle 1.

In detail, the control unit 13 is configured/programmed to cyclically determine a current and/or future value of the probability and/or intensity of bad weather indices WI such as rain, wind and/or lightning in the environment S of the motor vehicle or along a route P on which the motor vehicle 1 is located.

For example, the current value of a bad weather index WI may be the probability of rain, perhaps the intensity could be relative to the amount of rain anticipated or perceived by motor vehicle 1; other examples could be the probability of lightning, wind speed and temperature, which could make driving with the roof down dangerous even in the absence of rain or in any event reduce the pleasure of driving.

In addition, the control unit 13 is configured to check whether the probability and/or intensity of at least one bad weather index WI (probability of rain, hail, lightning, amount of precipitation, wind direction, strength and temperature) is at least above a corresponding previously defined probability and/or intensity limit value.

In other words, the control unit 13 carries out a dynamic comparison between a reference value for each individual bad weather index WI and its corresponding current (or a future value along the route P).

If the check is positive, i.e. if at least one current value of a bad weather index WI exceeds the corresponding reference value, for example if the probability of rain is above 50%, the control unit 13 is configured to carry out a closing operation to switch from the open configuration to the closed configuration of the roof 10.

In the non-limiting embodiment of 1 the motor vehicle comprises an interface device 14 (e.g. a central screen, the dashboard display panel, an indicator light, ...) connected to the control device 13 and configured to indicate to the driver the steps to be carried out for closing the roof 10.

Preferably, but not limitingly, the steps to be performed include actuating the actuator 12 (for example via an appropriate push button or a voice command) and/or reducing the driving speed and, in some cases, stopping the driving.

In order to prevent a sailing effect during closing that is potentially destructive for the roof 10 (and its deployment mechanism connected to the actuator 12), the control unit 13, in particular at a speed above a certain limit, for example 20 km/h, preferably 10 km/h [sic!], instructs the driver DR as a preventive measure to reduce the speed until a sufficiently low speed is reached (for example the speeds mentioned above) in order to ensure that the roof 10 is closed safely and without endangering the motor vehicle 1.

In some non-restrictive cases, during autonomous driving of the motor vehicle 1, the control unit 13 is also handed over to the control of the motor vehicle 1 and slows down autonomously until a sufficiently low speed is reached for the safe closing of the roof 10.

Alternatively or additionally, the control device 13 is configured (e.g. after initial setting by the driver) to activate the actuator 12 automatically (i.e. without obtaining any consent from the driver during driving) and to close the sunroof 10 by transitioning from the open configuration to the closed configuration. In this way, the driver is not distracted. Preferably, the closing takes place when the motor vehicle 1 is already moving below a speed that is sufficiently low for the roof 10 to be closed safely.

Preferably, but not restrictively, the motor vehicle 1 comprises a receiver 15 (e.g. a device with an antenna, such as a modem, that can communicate wirelessly with other remote devices) configured to receive weather data WD from at least one database 16 (e.g. a remote server or from the cloud). In detail, the weather data WD are received from a dedicated database of weather stations that monitor the rainfall and thus the calculation of the current bad weather indices WI. In some cases, the weather data WD include the positions of the rainfall in the hours following the detection, allowing the control device 13 to determine the bad weather indices WI. In other non-restrictive cases, the weather data WD already include the bad weather indices WI of the following hours in the vicinity of the motor vehicle 1 and/or the route P.

In some preferred, non-limiting cases, the motor vehicle 1 is limited to receiving these weather data WD in order to compare them with the corresponding reference values.

In other non-limiting cases, the controller 13 is connected to the receiver 15 and is configured not only to receive but also to determine the current and/or future value of the probability and/or intensity of the bad weather indices WI using the weather data WD received from the receiver 15. In this case, the controller 13 processes the weather data WD received from the receiver 15 using known calculation systems and tables to define the value of at least one of the bad weather indices WI.

According to some preferred and non-limiting embodiments such as those shown in Figures 2 to 5, the motor vehicle 1 further comprises a navigation system 17 configured to define a route P to the destination. In particular, the navigation system 17 is of a known type and is therefore not described in detail below.

Preferably, but not restrictively, the control device 13 is configured to calculate/process or receive from a computer the future positions FP of the motor vehicle along the route P and to check for possible interference between the future positions FP of the motor vehicle and weather phenomena WP with at least one bad weather index WI (e.g. the probability of rain) above the corresponding previously defined probability and/or intensity threshold. In particular, the weather phenomena WP are extrapolated from the weather data WD received from the motor vehicle 1 via the receiver 15.

In particular, but not limitingly, the control unit 13 is further configured to provide a (as in 3 shown in temporal or spatial terms) to initiate the closing operations before the interference with the weather phenomena WP. In other words, the control device 13, depending on the speed of the motor vehicle 1 and the anticipated interference time, instructs the driver to close the roof 10 or closes it automatically early enough before the interference, i.e. the adverse weather phenomena, occurs. In the non-limiting embodiment of 3 the safety interval SI is represented as a distance (in the case shown from the rain) within which the motor vehicle 1 initiates the steps for closing the roof 10.

In the non-limiting embodiment of 1 the motor vehicle 1 further comprises a rain sensor 18 which is connected to the control unit 13 and can be used by the latter to check for the actual presence of rain and to initiate the closing of the roof 10, in particular to compensate for incorrect weather forecasts and/or incorrect weather data WD. In this way, the control unit 13 informs the driver immediately even if rain suddenly starts to fall in deviation from the forecasts and thus from the weather data WD, or closes the roof 10 automatically.

According to another aspect of the present invention, a method of controlling a convertible vehicle 1 configured to be steered by a driver is described.

In particular, the road vehicle 1, more precisely the control unit 13, is configured (i.e. programmed/executed) to carry out the method described here.

In particular, the method is preferably carried out only when the motor vehicle 1 is in the open (in the 1 and 3 This does not mean, however, that the method cannot be carried out in some cases while the motor vehicle 1 is in the closed configuration. In this case, the control unit 13 informs the driver that the roof 10 - for example due to a high probability of rain in the next hour, especially along the planned road - should not be opened.

The method comprises the phase of cyclically determining the current and/or future value of the probability and/or intensity of bad weather indices WI such as rain, wind and/or lightning in the surroundings of the motor vehicle 1 and/or along the route P on which the motor vehicle is located. In other words, in this phase, the control unit 13 receives or processes the bad weather indices WI at the location of the motor vehicle 1 and/or along the planned route P depending on the received weather data WD.

Once the above values have been determined, the method provides for checking whether, in the vicinity of the motor vehicle 1 and/or along the route P, the probability and/or intensity of at least one adverse weather index is greater than the corresponding probability and/or intensity threshold determined beforehand. For example, it is checked whether the probability of rain is greater than 50% and/or whether lightning occurs along the route P and/or whether the wind speed along the route P is greater than 15 kn (more specifically, greater than 20 kn).

The method also includes, if the verification is positive, i.e. if one of the current and/or future values along the path P exceeds the predefined limits, the phase in which the closing is carried out in order to pass from the open configuration to the closed configuration of the roof 10. In particular, the closing includes information to the driver for closing the roof 10 via the interface device 14.

As previously mentioned, the specific steps to be performed include actuating the actuator 12 and/or reducing the travel speed. In some cases, the steps to be performed include stopping the travel.

Preferably, but not restrictively and in particular after prior adjustment by the driver, the closing comprises the automatic actuation of the actuator 12 to close the sunroof 10 and the transition from the open configuration to the closed configuration.

Preferably, but not restrictively, weather data received from at least one database 16, e.g. a remote server or a cloud, are used to determine the current and/or future probability and/or intensity value of the bad weather indices WI.

According to some preferred and non-limiting embodiments, the method comprises the further phases:

Determining the current position AP of the motor vehicle 1 and, depending on the route P determined by means of the navigation system 17, calculating the future positions FP of the motor vehicle 1 along the route P;

Verification of possible interference between the future positions FP of the motor vehicle 1 and weather phenomena WP ( 2-5 ) with at least one adverse weather index WI above the corresponding predetermined probability and/or intensity threshold; these weather phenomena WP are extrapolated from the meteorological data WD received by the motor vehicle 1;

Establishment of a safety interval (SI) (temporal or spatial) with a view to initiating the closure before interference with disturbances, i.e. with weather phenomena WP, which endanger the pleasure of driving.

Preferably, but not restrictively, the method also comprises, together with all other phases, a phase of determining the current and/or future probability and/or intensity value of the bad weather indices WI by means of the rain sensor in order to verify the actual presence of rain or to compensate for incorrect weather forecasts and/or incorrect weather data WD and thus initiate the closing of the roof 10.

During operation, the motor vehicle 1 preferably receives the weather data WD (particularly in the open configuration) from a weather station or a device that, for example, monitors rainfall. At the same time, the rain sensor 18 checks whether there is actually no precipitation in the area in which the motor vehicle 1 is located. If the rain sensor 18 detects precipitation, the motor vehicle 1 initiates the closing of the roof, either by informing the driver or completely automatically (i.e. by operating the actuator 12).

In 2 is shown schematically a possible processing by the control unit 13, which receives the weather data WD on the position of weather phenomena WP with bad weather indices WI above at least one of the previously established values and combines them with what is received from the navigation system 17, ie with the route P. In detail, the control unit 13 determines possible temporal collisions (i.e. taking into account the travel time) between the route P and the position of the weather phenomena WP. If the control unit 13 were to detect interference along the route P of the motor vehicle 1 with the weather phenomena WP, it would initiate the closing of the roof 10 in order to protect the driver and the vehicle interior 6.

Although the invention described above particularly relates to a specific embodiment, it is not to be considered limited to this embodiment and all variants, modifications or simplifications covered by the appended claims, such as a different type of sensor, a different type of display system, a different type of information displayed, a different design of the motor vehicle, fall within its scope.

The motor vehicle described above has numerous advantages.

Above all, the driver does not have to worry about bad weather conditions when driving an open vehicle.

In addition, [Incorrect verb form in the source text: 1st person singular; has been adapted by the translator] makes it possible to inform the driver before a possible encounter with rainfall masses representing a high probability of rain or lightning.

Finally, the driver can be instructed to reduce speed below a certain limit so that the closing process can be completed without having to stop.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS OF THE FIGURES

1

Motor vehicle

2

Front wheels

3

Rear wheels

4

Drive system

5

body

6

Vehicle interior

7

Driver seat

8th

dashboard

9

Windshield

10

Roof

11

Trunk

12

Actuator

13

Control unit

14

Interface device

15

Recipient

16

Database

17

navigation system

18

rain sensor

AP

Actual position

D

Direction of travel

FP

Future positions

P

Route

sI

Safety interval

WD

Weather data

WI

Bad weather indices

WP

Weather phenomena

X

axis

Y

axis

Z

axis

QUOTES INCLUDED IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of documents listed by the applicant was generated automatically and is included solely to provide the reader with better information. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA accepts no liability for any errors or omissions.

Cited patent literature

• BO 1313000137 A [0005]
• EP2921329 [0006]

Claims (6)

Cabriolet (1) configured to be steered by a driver, comprising: - four wheels (2, 3), of which at least one pair of wheels (2, 3) is driven; - a vehicle interior (6) defining at least one driver's seat; - a sunroof (10) that can be arranged in an open configuration in which the vehicle interior (6) is open at the top, or in a closed configuration in which it delimits and covers the vehicle interior (6) at the top; - an actuator (12) mechanically connected to the sunroof (10) and configured to move the sunroof (10) between the closed configuration and the open configuration and vice versa; - a control device (13) configured to actuate the actuator (12) and move the sunroof (10) from the open configuration to the closed configuration; the motor vehicle (1) being characterized in that the control device (13) is configured to: cyclically determine a current and/or future value of the probability and/or intensity of bad weather indices (WI), such as rain, wind and/or lightning, in the surroundings of the motor vehicle (1) or along the route (P) on which the motor vehicle (1) is located; check whether the probability and/or intensity of at least one bad weather index is above at least one corresponding previously defined probability and/or intensity limit value; in the event of a positive result of the check, carry out the steps of the closing operation for passing from the open configuration to the closed configuration of the roof (10). Motor vehicle (1) after Claim 1 and with an interface device (14) connected to the control device (13) and configured to indicate to the driver the steps to be carried out to close the roof (10); wherein the steps to be carried out comprise the actuation of the actuator (12) and/or the reduction of the driving speed, in particular the interruption of the journey. Motor vehicle (1) after Claim 1 or 2 , in which the control device (13) is configured to automatically operate the actuator (12) and close the sunroof (10) by transitioning from the open configuration to the closed configuration. Motor vehicle (1) according to one of claims 1 to 3 and having a receiver (15) configured to receive weather data (WD) from at least one database (16); wherein the control unit (13) is connected to the receiver (15) and configured to determine or receive the current and/or future probability and/or intensity value of the bad weather indices (WI) using the weather data (WD) received by the receiver (15). Motor vehicle (1) after Claim 4 and a navigation system (17) configured to define a route (P) to reach a destination, wherein the control device (13) is configured to calculate the future positions (FP) of the motor vehicle (1) along the route (P) and to check for possible interference between the future positions (FP) of the motor vehicle (1) and weather phenomena (WP) having at least one bad weather index above the corresponding previously defined probability and/or intensity threshold, said weather phenomena (WP) being extrapolated from the weather data (WD) received by the motor vehicle (1); wherein the control device (13) is further configured to define a safety interval (SI) to initiate the steps of the closure procedure before the interference. Motor vehicle (1) according to one of claims 1 to 5 and with a rain sensor (18) which is connected to the control unit (13) and can be used by the latter to check the actual presence of rain and to initiate the steps for closing the roof (10), in particular to compensate for incorrect forecasts and/or incorrect weather data (WD).

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