Convertible motor vehicle and method for controlling a foldable roof of a convertible motor vehicle

A method of controlling a foldable roof of a motor vehicle, the motor vehicle comprising a frame defining a cabin adapted to accommodate at least a driver of the motor vehicle, a plurality of wheels rotatable relative to the frame about respective rotational axes, the foldable roof movable relative to the frame and adapted a selectively cover the cabin at a top thereof opposite to the wheels along a direction vertical and a stowage compartment adapted to contain the foldable roof, the foldable roof being movable between an opening position, wherein it is housed folded inside the stowage compartment and the cabin is fluidly communicating with the outside of the motor vehicle, and a closing position, wherein the foldable roof extends outside the stowage compartment and covers the cabin, the method comprising the steps of:

• detecting a quantity associated with the humidity of the air inside the stowage compartment by means of a sensory system of the motor vehicle;
• comparing the quantity detected during said detecting step by the sensory system with a threshold value by means of an electronic control unit of the motor vehicle, the electronic control unit being operatively connected to the sensory system;
• commanding signalling means of the motor vehicle by means of the electronic control unit to signal a potential risk of damage to the foldable roof when at the end of said comparing step the detected quantity is greater than the threshold value in order for the foldable roof to be moved to the closing position, the electronic control unit being operatively connected to the signalling means;
• and
• detecting the threshold value by means of the sensory system, the threshold value being the value of the quantity when the foldable roof is in the closing position or is moved from the closing position towards the opening position.

A motor vehicle, comprising:

• a frame;
• a passenger compartment adapted to accommodate a driver of the motor vehicle;
• a foldable roof movable relative to the frame and adapted to selectively cover the passenger compartment;
• a stowage compartment adapted to contain the foldable roof, the foldable roof being movable between a stowed position in which the foldable roof is housed folded inside the stowage compartment and a closed position in which the foldable roof extends outside the stowage compartment and covers the passenger compartment;
• a sensor system adapted to detect a quantity associated with the humidity of the air inside the stowage compartment;
• an actuator system;
• a warning system adapted to signal a potential risk of damage to the foldable roof;
• and
• an electronic control unit operatively connected to the sensor system and the warning system, the electronic control unit being configured to:
• compare the quantity detected by the sensor system with a threshold value;
• and
• command the warning system to signal the potential risk of damage to the foldable roof when the foldable roof is in the stowed position and the quantity detected is greater than the threshold value,
• wherein the electronic control unit is configured to command the warning system to signal the potential risk of damage to the foldable roof when the foldable roof is being moved toward the stowed position and the quantity detected is greater than the threshold value.