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US 6,273,492 B1Granted
Operating mechanism for a folding top of a convertible
AssigneeMannesmann VDO AG
InventorsHans-Joachim Schröder, Jochen Baumert
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An operating mechanism for a folding top (1) of a convertible has an electric motor (10) with a rotational speed that can be regulated for driving a hydraulic gear mechanism (11). A control unit (7) for actuating the electric motor (10) has a memory (18) for rotational speeds intended according to the positions of the folding top (1). As a result, the rotational speeds are stored as software that is easy to change.
Claims12
An operating mechanism for a folding top of a convertible, comprising:
- a gear mechanism having a hydraulic pump and a hydraulic motor, the hydraulic mechanism being connected in an articulated manner to the folding top;
- a position transmitter for generating electric signals according to positions of the folding top, and control electronics regulating a flow of hydraulic medium of the hydraulic pump for producing an intended sequence of movements of the folding top in response to a sensing of electric signals of the position transmitter;
- means for sensing an adjusting angle of a linkage of the folding top, and means responsive to a sensing of the angle by the angle sensing means for determining a volumetric flow of hydraulic medium of the hydraulic pump (9) or a hydraulic output of the hydraulic medium to be regulated by the control electronics (7) in response to the angle of the linkage provided by the sensing means for producing an intended speed of movement of the folding top (1).
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.