Patent ID: 8346467

Claim:
A roof-clearing device for moving side windows ( 21 ) of a convertible vehicle ( 1 ) to an appropriate distance clear of a roof ( 7 ) hinged to the body ( 3 ) of said convertible vehicle ( 1 ), said device being capable of detecting an event in the vehicle or in the surroundings of the vehicle, comprising: a contactless magnetic motion-sensing first detector ( 35 ) configured to occupy two states: a first operational state in which the first detector ( 35 ) initiates, or is ready to initiate, control of an operation, and a second standby state in which an electrical power consumption of the first detector ( 35 ) is lower than an electrical power consumption of the first detector in the first operational state; and a capacitive proximity or contact sensing second detector ( 37 ), coupled to the first detector and configured to consume less electrical power than the first detector when the first detector is in the first operational state, each of said first detector ( 35 ) and said second detector ( 37 ) being sensitive to a presence or to an action of an individual capable of bringing about said event, the second detector ( 37 ) also being sensitive to water falling or sprayed onto the vehicle ( 1 ), wherein, with the first detector ( 35 ) in the standby state, if the second detector ( 37 ) detects, within the surroundings of the convertible vehicle ( 1 ) an event to which the second detector ( 37 ) is sensitive, then the first detector switches into the operational state, wherein if, while the first detector is in the operational state, the first detector ( 35 ) detects said presence, intervention or action of said individual, then the first detector, via a motor, causes the windows to be rolled down clear of the roof before the door ( 31 ) is either of opened or becomes openable, and wherein the first detector ( 35 ) is less sensitive to water falling or sprayed onto the vehicle ( 1 ) than the second detector ( 37 ).