IP Library Granted Patent US 11,772,467
Granted Patent B2
US 11,772,467 · App. 17/696,505 · Granted Oct 3, 2023

Rain resistant system

Inventors: Edo Omanovic (Livonia, MI); Katherine Freund (Livonia, MI)
Assignee: Panasonic Automotive Systems Company of America, Division of Panasonic Corporation of North America
B60J7/0573B60J7/1269E05F15/71
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 11,772,467
App. No.
17/696,505
Granted
Oct 3, 2023
Kind
B2
Abstract

A motor vehicle includes a precipitation sensor detecting weather-related precipitation. An actuator moves a movable overhead covering between a covered position and an uncovered position. An electronic processor is communicatively coupled to the precipitation sensor and to the actuator. The electronic processor responds to the precipitation sensor detecting weather-related precipitation by automatically causing the actuator to move the movable overhead covering from the uncovered position to the covered position.

Claims (9)

1. A method of operating a movable overhead covering of a motor vehicle, the method comprising:

detecting weather-related precipitation; and

in response to the detecting of the weather-related precipitation, automatically moving the moveable overhead covering from an uncovered position to a covered position, wherein the detecting step is performed intermittently and repeatedly, with waiting time periods between performances of the detecting steps.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the movable overhead covering comprises a convertible roof.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein the detecting is performed by a rain sensor.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein the detecting is performed while driver-controllable electronic accessories of the vehicle are disabled.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein the detecting is performed without any human being in the motor vehicle.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein the moving of the movable overhead covering is performed while driver-controllable electronic accessories of the vehicle are disabled.

7. The method of claim 1 wherein the moving of the movable overhead covering is performed without any human being in the motor vehicle.

Assignments (3)
CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE SUPPORTIVE DOCUMENTS PREVIOUSLY RECORDED ON REEL 72222 FRAME 267. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE ASSIGNMENT. Recorded Sep 23, 2025
From: PANASONIC CORPORATION OF NORTH AMERICA
To: PANASONIC AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS AMERICA, LLC.
Reel/Frame 072930/0871 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jul 31, 2025
From: PANASONIC CORPORATION OF NORTH AMERICA
To: PANASONIC AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS AMERICA, LLC
Reel/Frame 072222/0267 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Mar 16, 2022
From: OMANOVIC, EDO; FREUND, KATHERINE
To: PANASONIC AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS COMPANY OF AMERICA, DIVISION OF PANASONIC CORPORATION OF NORTH AMERICA
Reel/Frame 059285/0554 →
Continuity (2)
Provisional Application 63195224 · Jun 1, 2021
Related Publication 20220379695A1 · Dec 1, 2022