Patent ID: 7066518
Filing Date: 2006-06-27
Classification: B60J

Abstract:
1. Cabriolet vehicle having a combined convertible top-luggage stowage space of which a first partial volume constitutes a convertible top stowage volume for storing at least a portion of a collapsible vehicle roof, and a second partial volume constitutes a luggage stowage volume which borders the convertible top stowage volume, and a checking device for checking the convertible top stowage volume, the checking device having a movement element which is movable along a boundary between the convertible top stowage volume and the luggage stowage volume independent of the vehicle roof, wherein the movement element of the checking device is an elongated bow which extends laterally across the stowage space and is driven along said boundary by a remotely controllable drive device and wherein the checking device is provided with sensor means for detecting the presence of articles which project from the luggage stowage volume into the convertible top stowage volume during the motion of the elongated bow, wherein the sensor means comprises a monitoring means for monitoring a quantity which is proportional to a drive force required by the drive device for moving the elongated bow; and wherein the sensor means are connected to a control for reporting detected values of the monitored quantity thereto, said control being adapted to compare the detected values reported with a predetermined threshold value which separates an impermissible range of values from an allowable range of values and then outputs a warning signal and triggers a controller for blocking movement of at least a convertible top drive when the detected values are in the impermissible range.