Automated closure system and method

• US 20020143452A1
• Filed: 02/11/2002
• Published: 10/03/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 03/30/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Continental Automotive Systems, Inc. (Continental AG)
• Original Assignee: Siemens VDO Automotive Corporation (Siemens AG)
• Inventors: Losey, Allan D.
• Granted Patent: US 6,748,308 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 701/49
• CPC Class Codes: B60J 7/0573 power driven arrangements, e.g. electrical
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 15/689 specially adapted for vehicle windows
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 15/70 with automatic actuation
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 15/71 responsive to temperature changes, rain, wind or noise
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2400/44 Sensors therefore E05Y2400/322, E05Y2400/33, E05Y2400/55, E05Y2400/56, E05Y2400/852 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2800/422 against vibration or noise
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2900/542 Roof panels
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2900/55 Windows

Abstract

A powered window system for a vehicle is disclosed. The powered window system includes a window moveable between an open and a closed position. A motor is coupled to the window. The motor causes selective movement of the window. At least one of a switch and a communications bus is coupled to the motor. A processor is coupled to at least one of the switch and the communications bus and is configured to selectively send at least one of close and open signals to at least one of the switch and the communications bus. A sensor is coupled to the processor and senses conditions on which automated window closure is based. The sensor sends condition signals to the processor. The processor interprets the condition signals and selectively sends a closed signal to at least one of the switch and the communications bus when the conditional signal exceeds a prescribed threshold.

Claims

1. A powered window system for a vehicle, comprising:

a window movable between an open and a closed position;

a motor coupled to the window, the motor selectively causing movement of the window;

at least one of a switch and a communications bus coupled to the motor;

a processor coupled to at least one of the switch and the communications bus and configured to selectively send at least one of close and open signals to one of the switch and the communications bus; and

a sensor coupled to the processor and sensing conditions on which automated window closure is based, the sensor sending condition signals to the processor,

wherein the processor interprets the condition signals and selectively sends a close signal to at least one of the switch and the communications bus when the condition signal exceeds a prescribed threshold.

2. The powered window system of claim 1, further comprising an anti-pinch system that overrides automated window closure under specified conditions.

3. The powered window system of claim 1, further comprising a closing force limitation system that overrides automated window closure under specified conditions.

4. The powered window system of claim 1, wherein the sensor is a vehicle speed sensor.

5. The powered window system of claim 4, wherein the window is automatically rolled up when the vehicle exceeds a predefined speed and the window is rolled down when the vehicle falls below a predefined speed.

6. The powered window system of claim 1, wherein the sensor is a rain sensor.

7. The powered window system of claim 1, wherein the sensor is a temperature sensor.

8. The powered window system of claim 1, wherein the sensor is a noise sensor.

9. The powered window system of claim 1, further comprising a master switch configured to selectively enable and disable the automated window closure functionality.

10. The powered window system of claim 1, wherein the sensor includes a radio frequency (RF) receiver configured to sense a condition supplied by a source external to the vehicle via RF communications.

14. The method of claim 11, wherein the environmental condition is noise.

17. The method of claim 11, wherein the environmental condition signal is a radio frequency (RF) signal from an external source.

11. A method of causing a vehicle window to close, comprising:

sensing via an electronic sensor an environmental condition;

sending an environmental condition signal to a switching circuit;

comparing the environmental condition signal to a prescribed threshold;

causing the vehicle window to close automatically when the environmental condition signal meets the threshold in accordance with a first relationship, by using the switching circuit.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the environmental condition is vehicle speed.

13. The method of claim 11, wherein the environmental condition is rain.

15. The method of claim 11, wherein the environmental condition is temperature inside the vehicle.

16. The method of claim 11, further comprising:

causing the vehicle window to open automatically when the environmental condition signal violates the threshold according to a second relationship, by using the switching circuit.

19. The powered closure system of claim 18, further comprising an anti-pinch system that overrides automated window closure under specified conditions.

20. The powered closure system of claim 18, further comprising a closing force limitation system that overrides automated window closure under specified conditions.

21. The powered closure system of claim 18, wherein the sensor is a vehicle speed sensor.

22. The powered closure system of claim 21, wherein the window is automatically rolled up when the vehicle exceeds a predefined speed and the window is rolled down when the vehicle falls below a predefined speed.

23. The powered closure system of claim 18, wherein the sensor is a rain sensor.

24. The powered closure system of claim 18, wherein the sensor is a temperature sensor.

25. The powered closure system of claim 18, wherein the sensor is a noise sensor.

26. The powered closure system of claim 18, wherein the closure member is at least one of a window, a lift gate, a sunroof, a moon roof, and a sliding door.

28. The method of claim 27, wherein the environmental condition is vehicle speed.

29. The method of claim 27, wherein the environmental condition is rain.

30. The method of claim 27, wherein the environmental condition is noise.

31. The method of claim 27, wherein the environmental condition is temperature inside the vehicle.

32. The method of claim 27, further comprising:

causing the vehicle member to open automatically when the environmental condition signal violates the threshold according to a second relationship, by using the switching circuit.

33. The method of claim 27, wherein the environmental condition signal is a radio frequency (RF) signal from an external source.

18. A powered closure system for a vehicle, comprising:

a closure member movable between an open and a closed position;

a motor coupled to the closure member, the motor selectively causing movement of the closure member;

at least one of a switch and a communications bus coupled to the motor;

a processor coupled to at least one of the switch and the communications bus and configured to selectively send at least one of close and open signals to the switch; and

a sensor coupled to the processor and sensing conditions on which automated closure member closure is based, the sensor sending condition signals to the processor,

wherein the processor interprets the condition signals and selectively sends a close signal to at least one of the switch and the communications bus when the condition signal meets a prescribed threshold.

27. A method of causing a vehicle member to close, comprising:

sensing via an electronic sensor an environmental condition;

sending an environmental condition signal to a switching circuit;

comparing the environmental condition signal to a prescribed threshold;

causing the vehicle member to close automatically when the environmental condition signal violates the threshold, by using the switching circuit.