Patent ID: 6508503
Filing Date: 2003-01-21
Classification: B60J,F15B

Abstract:
A hydraulic actuating unit adapted for integration into a preassembled folding roof unit of a motor vehicle, which preassembled folding roof unit in turn is adapted for mounting as a single unit in a motor vehicle with the hydraulic actuating unit integrated therein, wherein said preassembled folding roof unit comprises a folding roof with a foldable cover and a framework for the cover, which framework comprises a pivotable main bow, which is moveable between a pivoted-up position and a pivoted-down position, and a pivotable rear bow for moving a rear section of the folding roof,wherein said hydraulic actuating unit comprises a hydraulic main bow actuator for pivoting the main bow and a hydraulic rear bow actuator for pivoting the rear bow, the main bow actuator and the rear bow actuator being of the double-acting type, each having a first and a second variable working chamber, which are delimited by a piston of the hydraulic actuator in question, and wherein the hydraulic actuating unit also comprises at least one actuable two-position control valve, which control valve has an outlet port, an inlet port and a reservoir port, the outlet port being connected to a working chamber of the main bow actuator and/or a working chamber of the rear bow actuator, and which control valve, in a first position thereof, connects the associated outlet port to the reservoir port and, in a second position thereof, connects the associated outlet port to the inlet/port of the control valve, and wherein the hydraulic actuating unit has two hydraulic connection ports, namely a first connection port, which is in communication with the inlet port of at least one actuable two-position control valve, and a second connection port, which is in communication with the reservoir port of each control valve, wherein the first connection port and the second connection port of the hydraulic actuating unit are each provided with a coupling element for coupling said connection port to a corresponding coupling element, which is in communication with a hydraulic circuit, in which at least one hydraulic pump/reservoir unit is incorporated, said pump/reservoir unit being adapted for mounting in the motor vehicle at a distance from the hydraulic actuating unit which is integrated in the folding roof unit, and wherein said hydraulic pump/reservoir unit comprises at least one reservoir for hydraulic fluid and a pump which is connected to the reservoir for delivering pressurized hydraulic fluid, and wherein in the hydraulic actuating unit the reservoir port of each control valve is also connected to the first connection port, and wherein a valve element with a non-return valve action opening towards the relevant connection port is provided in the connection between each reservoir port and the first connection port and in the connection between each reservoir port and the second connection port.