Abstract: A method of calculating a distance between transmitters and receivers with Doppler signals for determining a miss distance of two moving vehicles using the physical phenomenon of the Doppler effect. Said method comprising: emitting a broadcast signal with a transmitter from one among the two moving vehicles and sensing and recording a portion of the broadcast signal with a signal receiver on another among the two moving vehicles, analyzing a received signal over an observation period, calculating a slope characteristic of the received signal over the observation period, and calculating the miss distance between the two moving vehicles based on the slope characteristic. wherein, the observation period comprises a starting time, a time-minimum-distance and an ending time.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a robotic end effector configured to mount to a robotic manipulator includes gripping elements configured to grasp objects, a drive mechanism configured to open and close the gripping elements, a central controller configured to control operation of the drive mechanism and the gripper elements, the central controller hosting a control program that enables control of the end effector independent of the robotic manipulator, and at least one of a forward-facing ultrasonic distance sensor configured to measure a distance between the gripping elements and an object to be grasped, and a forward-facing camera mounted between the gripping elements configured to capture video data of an object to be grasped.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a robotic end effector configured to mount to a robotic manipulator includes gripping elements configured to grasp objects, a drive mechanism configured to open and close the gripping elements, a central controller configured to control operation of the drive mechanism and the gripper elements, the central controller hosting a control program that enables control of the end effector independent of the robotic manipulator, and at least one of a forward-facing ultrasonic distance sensor configured to measure a distance between the gripping elements and an object to be grasped, and a forward-facing camera mounted between the gripping elements configured to capture video data of an object to be grasped.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a robotic end effector configured to mount to a robotic manipulator includes gripping elements configured to grasp objects, a drive mechanism configured to open and close the gripping elements, and a central controller configured to control operation of the drive mechanism and the gripper elements, the central controller hosting a control program that enables control of the end effector independent of the robotic manipulator.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a robotic end effector configured to mount to a robotic manipulator includes gripping elements configured to grasp objects, a drive mechanism configured to open and close the gripping elements, and a central controller configured to control operation of the drive mechanism and the gripper elements, the central controller hosting a control program that enables control of the end effector independent of the robotic manipulator.

Abstract: A convertible vehicle including a folding top frame constructed in mirror-image fashion to a longitudinal median plane of the vehicle and having a rear folding top clamping collar. The folding top clamping collar can be shifted jointly with a folding top about a main bearing fastened to the car body and stowed in a rear folding top compartment. The flexible roof skin has, in the rear region, a rear window which extends above the folding top clamping collar and can be detached in the region of the lower transverse side edge from the folding top clamping collar. The rear window is supported in the closed position with its lower transverse side edge directly above and on the folding top clamping collar. A control assembly is linked to the frame encompassing the rear window in U-shaped fashion such that the frame with the rear window can be lifted from the folding top clamping collar during a movement of the folding top and shifted to a distance and an angle relative to the folding top clamping collar.

Abstract: A convertible vehicle with a folding top having a flexible roof skin and a folding top frame constructed in mirror image fashion to a longitudinal median plane of the vehicle. The folding top includes a frame part having a window frame for surrounding a rear window and including side legs and an upper transverse leg extending between the side legs. The folding top can be transferred into or out of a folding top compartment at a rear of the vehicle by shifting it about a main bearing. The frame part also includes a clamping collar having a basic strut situated below the rear window and side struts alongside the basic strut. The frame part can be swiveled by more than 90° during the movement of the folding top into an open position and is hinged by connecting parts directly at the folding top frame.

Abstract: A convertible vehicle (1) with a roof (2), which can be stowed in the rear region of the vehicle beneath a lid part (7), the lid part (7) being movable in order to open up an opening for the passage of the roof and the roof having at least one rigid, front roof termination (16) for connection with a windshield frame in the closed position of the roof (2), which termination (16) faces the rear of the vehicle in the stowed position of the roof (2), is constructed so that the lid part (7) is provided with a mechanism (25, 27) for securing the position of the front roof termination (16) in the stowed position of the roof (2).

Abstract: A convertible vehicle (1) with a roof (2), which can be stowed in the rear region of the vehicle beneath a lid part (7), the lid part (7) being movable in order to open up an opening for the passage of the roof and the roof having at least one rigid, front roof termination (16) for connection with a windshield frame in the closed position of the roof (2), which termination (16) faces the rear of the vehicle in the stowed position of the roof (2), is constructed so that the lid part (7) is provided with means (25; 27) for securing the position of the front roof termination (16) in the stowed position of the roof (2).

Abstract: A convertible vehicle has a folding top frame (3) with a rear folding top clamping collar (4; 4′; 4″), which is constructed in mirror image fashion to the longitudinal median plane (2) of the vehicle. By being shifted about a main bearing (5) attached to the car body, a folding top (7) can be stowed in or returned from a rear folding top compartment (8). The flexible roof skin (6) has in the rear region particularly a dimensionally stable rear window (9) with an essentially rectangular circumferential contour, which extends above the folding top clamping collar (4; 4′; 4″). Only in the region of the upper transverse side edge (10) as well as of its two longitudinal side edges (11, 12) is the dimensionally stable rear window (9) provided with a connection taking hold of the flexible roof skin (6).

Abstract: A convertible vehicle with a folding top (7), which has a flexible roof skin (6), and the folding top frame (3) of which is constructed in mirror image fashion to the longitudinal median plane (2), has a dimensionally stable frame (15) embracing a rear window (9), with side legs (19, 20) and an upper transverse leg (21), it being possible to transfer the frame, together with the folding top (7), into or out of a folding top compartment (8) at the rear by shifting it about a main bearing (5) attached to the car body, wherein the frame (15), constructed as a frame part (G), has in the region of its basic strut (18) a longitudinal contour (side struts 16, 17), which is extended in the nature of a folding top clamping collar (4), and the frame part (G), which can be swiveled by more than 90° into the opening position, is hinged by connecting parts (26, 27; 28, 29) directly at the folding top frame (3).

Abstract: A convertible vehicle has a folding top frame (3), which is constructed in mirror-image fashion to the longitudinal median plane (2) of the vehicle, with a rear folding top clamping collar (4). The latter can be shifted jointly with a folding top (7) about a main bearing (5) fastened to the car body, and stowed in a rear folding top compartment (8) or returned from this. The flexible roof skin (6) has, in the rear region, a rear window (9), which extends above the folding top clamping collar (4), especially is dimensionally stable and can be detached in the region of the lower transverse side edge (13) from the folding top clamping collar (4). Pursuant to the invention, the rear window (9) is supported in the closed position with its lower transverse side edge (13) directly from above on the folding top clamping collar (4).

Abstract: A convertible vehicle has a folding top frame (3) with a rear folding top clamping collar (4; 4′; 4″), which is constructed in mirror image fashion to the longitudinal median plane (2) of the vehicle. By being shifted about a main bearing (5) attached to the car body, a folding top (7) can be stowed in or returned from a rear folding top compartment (8). The flexible roof skin (6) has in the rear region particularly a dimensionally stable rear window (9) with an essentially rectangular circumferential contour, which extends above the folding top clamping collar (4; 4′; 4″). Only in the region of the upper transverse side edge (10) as well as of its two longitudinal side edges (11, 12) is the dimensionally stable rear window (9) provided with a connection taking hold of the flexible roof skin (6).

Abstract: A convertible vehicle with a roof includes at least two separate roof sections which can be deposited in the rear section of the vehicle, and for this purpose is supported at least by one main bearing allocated to the body, which is so designed that the roof includes at least two movable units which respectively are allocated to a body-side main bearing, in that the movable units are so interconnected that their opening or closing motion is effected by forced mechanical synchronization.

Abstract: A convertible vehicle has a central roof part which, in the closed position, is supported at the front windshield frame and extends essentially horizontally to a rear roof region with a rear window and which can be shifted into an open position, which frees regions of the passenger compartment of the vehicle. The rear roof region is constructed as a roof shell part, which remains above the vehicle parapet line even when the central roof part is in the open position.

Abstract: A roof assembly for a convertible vehicle includes a roof shell, which, in the closed position, is connected with a front windshield frame and runs essentially horizontally to a rear roof region and which can be shifted into an open position which opens the interior of the vehicle regionally. The roof shell is formed by two roof parts which are divided in the transverse direction of the vehicle and are connected over joint connections at the edge and which, by means of a driving unit engaging the rear roof part, can initially be swiveled up jointly during the opening process counter to the driving direction into an approximately vertical position and, after that, lowered into a packed position behind the rear seats.

Abstract: A foldable top for a convertible includes a vehicle body, a windshield frame on the vehicle body, a rear region on the vehicle body disposed rearwardly of the windshield frame, a foldable-rod linkage supportable on the windshield frame, a main power operated device mounted on the vehicle body for moving the foldable-rod linkage between closed and open positions, and a rear roof clamping member at the rear region of the vehicle body. Rail members are pivotably connected to each other and are also pivotably connected to the foldable-rod linkage and to the clamping member. A tensioning linkage is pivotably connected to one of the rail members and pivotably connected to the vehicle body. A drive mechanism mounted on the vehicle body is pivotably connected to the tensioning linkage and is operable to pivot the tensioning linkage which in turn pivots the rail members.

Abstract: A folding top for a convertible has a roofing which is taken up between rod linkage legs of a hinged rod linkage, which lie opposite one another on either side of the longitudinal axis of the vehicle, it being possible to fix the hinged rod linkage in the region of the windshield frame and the hinged rod linkage being supported in the rear region of the vehicle on the body over main supports lying opposite one another. A rear window is provided in the rear region of the roofing between a rear tensioning bracket and a corner hoop disposed transversely to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle, the outer wall regions of the rear window being connected in each case at the edges over holding parts with the hinged rod linkage. The rear window is guided by the holding parts on a path of motion, which has an arched region over the rear region of the vehicle with an arch height providing head space for passengers.

Abstract: A convertible top for a vehicle includes a folding top frame having top-folded and top-unfolded positions, a storage well in the vehicle, a cover for the storage well, and an actuator operably connected between the cover and the vehicle for moving the cover between a closed position and an open position. The cover when in its closed position covers the storage well, and when in its open position uncovers the storage well. Lockably engageable parts on the cover and the folding top frame are operable to effect locking engagement between the cover and the folding top frame. The actuator includes a cross strut mounted on the cover and having a helical-like groove, and a reversing lever pivotally mounted to the vehicle and having a thrust pin disposed in the groove such that pivoting of the reversing lever rotates the cross strut.

Abstract: A fastening arrangement for fastening an edge portion of a folding top of a convertible vehicle on a vehicle body includes a clamping element connected water-tightly to the edge portion of the folding top. A strip element is connected to the vehicle body and a cooperable connection on the clamping element and on the strip element connect the clamping element and the strip element. The clamping element has an integrally formed stabilizer operable to stabilize the cooperable connection which connects the clamping element and the strip element, the clamping element and the strip element along with the cooperable connection means being disposed within a vehicle body cavity.