Convertible Top Hydraulic Cylinder: Description and Operation

HYDRAULIC CYLINDER

DESCRIPTION




The Hydraulic Cylinders used for the Convertible Top application are double acting rod and base style cylinders. The base side (10) of the cylinder is formed within the aluminum housing on a floating clevis. The base end is sealed with an O-ring type seal to retain hydraulic pressure. The rod side (6) of the cylinder has an opening for the rod (5) to pass through, and is sealed with an O-ring type seal. The rod (5) has a formed steel clevis end, and is activated with hydraulic pressure filling cavity (8). Hydraulic pressure forces the piston (9) to move the rod (5) to the desired position.

Main Bow Cylinders

The Main Bow Hydraulic Cylinders are used to control the movement of the main bow of the Convertible Top. The cylinders are pressurized with oil from the hydraulic pump assembly through the hydraulic lines (1) and (4). The Main Bow Cylinders have travel sensors (2) and (3) mounted on both the rod side (6) and the base side (10) of the cylinder.

Rear Bow Cylinders

The Rear Bow Hydraulic Cylinders are used to control the movement of the rear bow of the Convertible Top. The cylinders are pressurized with oil from the hydraulic pump assembly through the hydraulic lines (1) and (4). The Rear Bow Cylinders have travel sensors (2) and (3) mounted on both the rod side (6) and the base side (10) of the cylinder.

Tonneau Cover Cylinder

The Tonneau Cover Hydraulic Cylinder is used to control the movement of the Tonneau Cover. The cylinder is pressurized with oil from the hydraulic pump assembly through the hydraulic lines (1) and (4). The Tonneau Cover Cylinder has only one travel sensor mounted on the rod side (6) of the cylinder.

OPERATION

Hydraulic Cylinder - Rod Extended




The hydraulic pump assembly supplies pressurized oil through the hydraulic line (1) and into the hydraulic cylinder on the base side of the cylinder. The pressurized oil enters the hydraulic cylinder where it fills the cavity (6) and forces the piston (5) to move the rod (3) to a fully extended position.

Hydraulic Cylinder - Rod Retracted




The hydraulic pump assembly supplies pressurized oil through the hydraulic line (2) and into the hydraulic cylinder on the rod side of the cylinder. The pressurized oil enters the hydraulic cylinder where it fills the cavity (5) and forces the piston (6) to move the rod (3) to a fully retracted position.

Hydraulic Cylinder - Travel Sensors




The hydraulic cylinders are equipped with hall-effect style switches, referred to as Travel Sensors. The travel sensors (2) and (3) are used to detect the position of the rod (5) inside the hydraulic cylinder (7). The position of the rod is a critical input to the Power Top Control Module (PTCM). Based on this input, the PTCM can determine the positioning sequence of the convertible top. There are two sensors located on the left main hydraulic cylinder, and the left rear bow hydraulic cylinder. Only the tonneau cover hydraulic cylinder has one sensor. The sensors are defined as either the base side (10) or the rod side (6). The travel sensors for the main cylinder and the rear bow cylinder are serviced together. The sensors are not serviced separately. The tonneau cover travel sensor is serviced with the hydraulic pump assembly.