Patents Assigned to Webasto Vehicle Systems International GmbH
  • Patent number: 6631945
    Abstract: An openable motor vehicle roof with at least one cover which selectively closes the roof opening by means of a raising and displacement mechanism (crank path, crank pin, drive carriage) and at least partially clears it by raising or lowering its rear edge and by displacement along a guide rail, with a locking element which locks an element connected to the cover with the guide rail in the closed position and the raised position. For reliable and low-wear interlocking of the cover mechanism in the closed and raised position, with a simple structure, it is provided that, in a sliding and lifting roof with a cover which can be lowered and can be pushed under the fixed vehicle roof, there is a locking element on the locking lever which is pivotally located on a component (cover carrier) which is connected to the cover being disengaged from the guide rail toward the end of the lowering motion of the cover which precedes the displacement motion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2003
    Assignee: Webasto Vehicle Systems International GmbH
    Inventors: Bernd Schleicher, Michael Hanke, Philipp Laux, Martin Pollak
  • Publication number: 20030183965
    Abstract: A process for foaming around a peripheral edge area of a cover (10) for a motor vehicle roof, the cover being placed on or in a foaming tool and the foam mass (18) being fed into the foaming tool such that two foam mass fronts are formed which run around the peripheral edge in the peripheral direction and merge with one another or meet one another in the merging area at a side opposite that at which the foam was introduced. The foaming tool is made such that, in the merging area, the cross section of the foam mass is reduced on the side opposite the ventilation side (40) of the foaming tool that is vented relative to the areas (42, 142) which border the merging area in order to prevent inclusion of gas bubbles in the merging area. Furthermore, a cover for a motor vehicle roof is produced which has a foamed peripheral edge area in which two foam mass fronts, which are formed during the peripheral foaming in a foaming tool, merge with one another.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2003
    Publication date: October 2, 2003
    Applicant: WEBASTO VEHICLE SYSTEMS INTERNATIONAL GmbH
    Inventors: Alexander Bergmiller, Christian Duenzinger
  • Publication number: 20030184128
    Abstract: An openable motor vehicle roof, which is provided with at least one cover (10, 110) which, in the closed position, closes at least part of a roof opening (46), with a carriage (36, 136) which can be moved in the lengthwise direction of the roof in a first roof-mounted guide (38) by a drive, and with a cover-mounted cover carrier (12, 112) which is movably guided in the lengthwise direction of the roof by a first sliding element (16, 116) in a second roof-mounted guide (20) and by a second sliding element (18, 118) which is offset to the rear relative to the first sliding element in the third roof-mounted guide (22). The cover can be raised at its rear edge by displacement of the carriage to the rear and can be pushed to the rear with the rear edge of the cover raised to clear the roof opening.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 11, 2003
    Publication date: October 2, 2003
    Applicant: Webasto Vehicle Systems International GmbH
    Inventors: Wolfgang Seifert, Francois De Gaillard, Bernhard Wingen
  • Patent number: 6626003
    Abstract: Process for air conditioning of the passenger compartment of a motor vehicle by means of an air conditioning system (7) using solar power which is obtained via at least one solar module (1) which is attached to the motor vehicle, especially on the motor vehicle roof, and which is also used for charging a battery (4) of the motor vehicle, in which the solar power is used additionally or alternatively to charge the motor vehicle battery (4), and also to operate a ventilation system (6) when the vehicle is unoccupied, and in which the air conditioning system (7) is activated prior to entry of a passenger into the passenger compartment, the air conditioning system being operated so as to draw most of its power from the motor vehicle battery (4).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2003
    Assignee: Webasto Vehicle Systems International GmbH
    Inventors: Franz-Josef Kortüm, Reinhard Wecker
  • Patent number: 6623064
    Abstract: A convertible motor vehicle roof, especially for hatchbacks or pickups, with at least one roof part which is supported to move lengthwise on the side roof members and when the roof is being opened, can be moved into the storage position. The roof part or roof parts can be moved onto a roof unit or rear unit before lowering of the roof into a storage space. The storage space compactly accommodates the roof part or the roof parts arranged stacked therein so that due to the reduced space requirement, the possibilities for movement and storage for the movable and storable roof parts on the motor vehicle body are improved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2003
    Assignee: Webasto Vehicle Systems International GmbH
    Inventors: Thomas Schütt, Jens Bader
  • Patent number: 6619732
    Abstract: The invention relates to a motor vehicle roof having at least one cover that can be moved and raised on its rear edge via with a control mechanism. The control mechanism has a rear lifting and displacement mechanism that is coupled near the rear edge of the cover to said mechanism. The control mechanism also comprises at least one control carriage that is connected to the cover, which can be driven and movably guided in lateral guide rails. To increase protection against ejection of the cover, the movable part of the lifting and displacement mechanism and the part that is connected to the cover have locking elements. The locking elements act in the closed position of the cover to prevent the upward ejection of the cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2003
    Assignee: Webasto Vehicle Systems International GmbH
    Inventor: Stjepan Radmanic
  • Publication number: 20030164622
    Abstract: A motor vehicle, especially a passenger utility vehicle, e.g., a station wagon or SUV with a cargo space (3) which is located in the rear (2) of the vehicle, a cargo floor (16) which can be extended rearward, a cargo space door (4) for opening and closing the rear cargo space opening, and at least one roof movable panel for opening and closing a roof opening, in which a continuous opening combining the rear cargo space opening and the roof opening is formed when both the at least one rear roof panel and the cargo space door are in their open positions. In one advantageous embodiment, the cargo space door (4) is supported to be able to pivot around a vertical axis (20) on a side wall (18) of the cargo floor (16).
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 29, 2003
    Publication date: September 4, 2003
    Applicant: Webasto Vehicle Systems International GmbH
    Inventor: Francois De Gaillard
  • Publication number: 20030162490
    Abstract: A ventilation cap (3) for a motor vehicle roof (1) for ventilation of the motor vehicle interior (4) and a roof with such a ventilation cap, in which the ventilation cap (3) is formed to be oblong having an air duct with a front air opening (6) and with a rear air opening (7) which discharge above the motor vehicle roof (1), the air duct being flow-connected to the motor vehicle interior (4) via a flow path which is formed in the ventilation cap (3). The motor vehicle roof (1) is formed preferably as a glass roof with at least two glass surfaces (2a, 2b), on which the ventilation cap (3) is mounted essentially a central longitudinal axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 3, 2003
    Publication date: August 28, 2003
    Applicant: Webasto Vehicle Systems International GmbH
    Inventors: Joachim Klesing, Michael Kolbl, Martin Pollak, Bernd Schleicher, Wolfgang Seifert, Helmut Teschner, Bernhard Vecchioni
  • Publication number: 20030155795
    Abstract: An actuating device for opening and closing a folding roof (2) of a motor vehicle with a bearing carriage (3) which is movably supported on a roof-side guideway (4) and which is connected to the movable part (7) of the folding roof (2), and with a drive means which is connected to the bearing carriage (3) by a drive carriage (10) which is supported on the roof-side guideway (11) and a connecting rod arrangement (13, 14) which has a toggle lever (14) and which is controlled by a control guideway (23), on the last portion of the closing path, the connecting rod arrangement (13, 14) steps down the drive motion of the drive carriage (10).
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 24, 2003
    Publication date: August 21, 2003
    Applicant: Webasto Vehicle Systems International GmbH
    Inventor: Rudolf Dietl
  • Publication number: 20030152660
    Abstract: A process and a device for reinforcing a convertible soft top (34) or the like, especially for motor vehicle convertible tops, the convertible soft top (34) being entirely or partially underlain with reinforcing components (bow 32). At least one reinforcing component (bow 32) is molded directly onto the convertible soft top (34) in an injection mold (24). For the case in which the convertible soft top (34) is not to be joined over its entire surface to the reinforcing component (bow 32), the part of the convertible soft top (34) which is not to be connected to the reinforcing component is routed out of the casting mold (24) via a branch channel (36).
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 27, 2002
    Publication date: August 14, 2003
    Applicant: Webasto Vehicle Systems International GmbH
    Inventor: Thomas Schutt
  • Patent number: 6604782
    Abstract: A openable motor vehicle roof with at least one cover (10, 12) which can be moved out of a closed position in which it closes a roof opening along a roof guideway (14) to the rear into a deposited position in a rear gate (16) of the motor vehicle. The rear gate is provided with a guideway (22) for the at least one cover and is coupled to the vehicle body to swing about a transverse pivot axis that is located on or near its upper end in order to be swung out of the closed position into an open position. The guideways (14, 22) and the rear gate (16) are made such that the transfer of the at least one cover to the rear gate takes place in a transfer position of the rear gate which lies between the closed position and the open position of the rear gate (16).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2003
    Assignee: Webasto Vehicle Systems International GmbH
    Inventors: Francois De Gaillard, Wolfgang Seifert
  • Publication number: 20030146643
    Abstract: An interlocking device for the folding roof of a motor vehicle with a locking hook (4) which is pivotally mounted on the front frame part (1) of the folding roof and which can be moved by means of a multiple connecting rod mechanism and can be interlocked in latching engagement on a vehicle-mounted abutment, the multiple connecting rod mechanism, especially a four-bar mechanism (6, 12, 14, 15), containing the locking hook (4) and being located self-locking in the closed position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 5, 2003
    Publication date: August 7, 2003
    Applicant: WEBASTO VEHICLE SYSTEMS INTERNATIONAL GmbH
    Inventor: Rudolf Dietl
  • Patent number: 6595081
    Abstract: A drive for a displaceable motor vehicle part which comprises at least one drive cable (22, 24) and a driven output pinion (12). The output pinion (12) drives a drive unit (14, 16; 114, 115, 116, 117) which engages the drive cable or cables (22, 24) at least at two points in order to drive it or them.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2003
    Assignee: Webasto Vehicle Systems International GmbH
    Inventor: Thomas Schütt
  • Patent number: 6592178
    Abstract: An openable motor vehicle roof including a closing element adapted for movement into a position that closes or at least partially clears an opening in a fixed roof skin of the motor vehicle, and a cover element adapted to be positioned underneath the roof opening for movement into a position that conceals or at least partially clears the closing element or the roof opening with respect to an interior area of the motor vehicle. At least one drive mechanism is provided for selectively and adjustably moving the closing element and the closing mechanism. Also provided is a controller for controlling the drive mechanism, the controller adapted to control the drive mechanism such that movement of the closing element into a closed position is not initiated until the cover element is moved at least into a position which covers an area of the roof opening that is not covered by the closing mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2003
    Assignee: Webasto Vehicle Systems International GmbH
    Inventors: Stefan Schober, Josef Appel, Ferdinand Hahn
  • Publication number: 20030127883
    Abstract: A folding convertible top (1) of a motor vehicle with a convertible top frame (3) which has a front, a middle and a rear frame part (4, 5, 6) at each lateral side of the roof. The middle frame part (5) is displaceably supported via a main bearing means (6, 16) on the body and the front frame part (4) is displaceable relative to the middle frame part (5) via a connecting rod means (20, 23), the middle frame part (5) having a seal bearer (12) which is hinged on the middle frame part (5). When the folding convertible top (1) is lowered, the front end (36) of the seal bearer is swung outward in a transverse direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2002
    Publication date: July 10, 2003
    Applicant: Webasto Vehicle Systems International GmbH
    Inventor: Michael Antreich
  • Patent number: 6588833
    Abstract: A motor vehicle roof with an adjustable closing element for an opening in the fixed roof skin for alternatively closing or at least partially clearing the opening. The roof includes a sliding headliner located underneath the roof opening and the closing element, the sliding headliner being movable to at least one of cover and at least partially clear the closing element and the roof opening with respect to the vehicle interior. At least one electrically operated fan is integrated into the sliding headliner and is operable such that it blows air through the sliding headliner into the vehicle interior. Each fan on the intake side and/or on the exhaust side is provided with a filter to clean the air which has been blown into the vehicle interior.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2003
    Assignee: Webasto Vehicle Systems International GmbH
    Inventors: Markus Strommer, Helmut Teschner
  • Publication number: 20030111871
    Abstract: A roof unit (3) for installation in an opening formed in a motor vehicle roof (3) and which has a transparent area and/or a roof opening which can be closed with an openable cover. At least one screen (11) is integrated into the bottom part (7) of the roof unit (3) facing the motor vehicle interior, in the installed state, and the at least one screen can be moved, especially swung down, into a position of use out of a rest position in which the screen lies flat in the bottom part (7).
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2002
    Publication date: June 19, 2003
    Applicant: Webasto Vehicle Systems International GmbH
    Inventor: Francois De Gaillard
  • Patent number: 6572183
    Abstract: An openable motor vehicle roof is provided which includes a cover which in the closed position closes at least part of the roof opening, a cover-mounted cover carrier which is provided with a first crank path, and a slide which can be moved in the lengthwise direction of the roof by means of a drive in a first roof-mounted guide channel. The front area of the cover is movably guided in a second roof-mounted guide channel. A first engagement element, positioned on the raising lever, engages the first crank path and a second engagement element, attached to the raising lever, is movably guided in a third roof-mounted guide channel to control a raising motion of a raising lever. The rear edge of the cover can be raised out of the closed position by moving the slide by means of the raising lever. The first crank path is shaped such that when the raising lever is not raised, the displacement of the first engagement element in the first crank path causes a raising motion of the cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2003
    Assignee: Webasto Vehicle Systems International GmbH
    Inventors: Bernhard Wingen, Wolfgang Seifert
  • Patent number: 6572175
    Abstract: A lowerable roof (1) of a hard-top convertible (2) with a front roof element (3), a middle roof element (4) and a rear roof element (5) which can all be moved out of a closed position which covers the motor vehicle interior (6) by a bearing mechanism into an open position in which they are deposited on top of one another in a rear-side convertible top storage compartment (9). The front roof element (3) is movably supported on the middle roof element (4), and the front roof element (3) can be lowered or raised by a carrier mechanism (17) which supports the front roof element (3) on the middle roof element (3) when the roof (1) is being moved to over or under the middle part (4) by a lengthwise guide (29).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2003
    Assignee: Webasto Vehicle Systems International GmbH
    Inventors: Thomas Schütt, Stefan Miklosi
  • Patent number: 6572184
    Abstract: An operational control for a motor vehicle roof, and a motor vehicle roof, which can be opened by motor over different intermediate stages with at least one rotary switch, with operating positions located around the rotary switch signaling the respective opening stage. The motor vehicle roof comprising several successive roof components including a wind deflector louver, a cover and a rear window, actuated by separate drives via the rotary motion of the rotary switch for approaching predetermined opening stages of the motor vehicle roof. The rotary switch includes a pushbutton located under the transparent or translucent cover for manual control of the motorized blind only when the motor vehicle roof is completely closed and operable to open the motorized blind both before a raising of the wind deflector louver and before movement of at least one of the cover and the rear window in an opening direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2003
    Assignee: Webasto Vehicle Systems International GmbH
    Inventors: Bernd Bauer, Günther Schwanitz