Process and device for adjusting a movable motor vehicle part

• US 20040090203A1
• Filed: 07/17/2003
• Published: 05/13/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 07/17/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Webasto Vehicle Systems International GmbH
• Original Assignee: Webasto Vehicle Systems International GmbH
• Inventors: Tragelehn, Lucas, Appel, Josef
• Granted Patent: US 7,026,930 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 318/480
• CPC Class Codes: B60J 7/0573 power driven arrangements, e.g. electrical
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 15/431 specially adapted for vehicle windows or roofs
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 2015/434 with cameras or optical sensors
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2800/00 Details, accessories and auxiliary operations not otherwise provided for
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2900/542 Roof panels
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2900/55 Windows

Abstract

In a process for adjusting a movable motor vehicle part (33) between at least two positions by means of a drive (42), the monitoring area (13, 30, 31) outside and/or inside the motor vehicle (10) is checked for at least one perturbing object (32). When a perturbing object (32) is detected within the monitoring area (13, 30, 31), the drive (42) is turned off or reversed. In this way, perturbing objects can be detected without contact and can be protected against pinching even before they are actually pinched.

Claims

1. Process for displacing a movable part of motor vehicle between at least two positions by means of a drive, comprising the steps of:

checking a monitoring area at least one of outside and inside the motor vehicle for the presence at least one perturbing object without contact between the movable part and the perturbing object, and

turning off or reversing the drive when a perturbing object is detected within the monitoring area,

wherein the movable part is at least one of a vehicle window, an openable motor vehicle roof, an antenna, a convertible top and a part thereof.

2. Process as claimed in claim 1, in which the monitoring area includes at least of the following component areas:

a vehicle side area,

a rear vehicle area,

a front vehicle area, and

a top area of the vehicle.

3. Process as claimed in claim 1, in which said checking step is performed by means of at least one of at least distance sensor, at least motion sensor and at least one motion direction sensor.

4. Process as claimed in claim 2, in which said checking step is performed by means of at least one of radar, ultrasound and laser scanning sensors.

5. Process as claimed in claim 4, in which said checking step is performed by means of at least one camera.

6. Process as claimed in claim 5, in which data recorded by the at least one camera is subjected to data processing for determining the presence a perturbing object within the monitoring area.

7. Process as claimed in claim 3, in which said checking step is performed by means of at least one of a sensor and a camera located in at least one an outside mirror, a bumper, taillights, headlights, turn signals, mudguards, a shelf, a roof strip, a tailgate and a door of the vehicle.

8. Process as claimed in claim 1, in which at least one of an optical and an acoustic warning signal is delivered when a perturbing object is detected within the monitoring area.

9. Process as claimed in claim 1, in which said checking step continues to be performed after detection of a perturbing object within the monitoring area, and when the perturbing object is determined to have left the monitoring area, the drive is cleared for one of re-actuation and continued displacement.

10. Process as claimed in claim 7, in which the at least one of a sensor and camera is also used as a vehicle parking assistant.

11. Device for displacing a movable motor vehicle part between at least two positions, comprising:

a drive which displaces the movable vehicle part, and

a control means for;

checking a monitoring area at least one of outside and inside the motor vehicle for the presence at least one perturbing object without contact between the movable part and the perturbing object, and

one of turning off and reversing the drive when a perturbing object is detected within the monitoring area;

wherein the movable part is at least one of a vehicle window, an openable motor vehicle roof, an antenna, a convertible top and a part thereof.

12. Device as claimed in claim 11, further comprising at least one of at least one distance sensor, at least one motion sensor, at least one motion direction sensor, and at least one camera which are connected to the control unit.

13. Device as claimed in claim 12, in which the control unit has a data processing means for processing data signals of the at least one sensor or camera for detecting the perturbing object.

14. Device as claimed in claim 12, wherein said at least one of a sensor and a camera are located in at least one an outside mirror, a bumper, taillights, headlights, turn signals, mudguards, a shelf, a roof strip, a tailgate and a door of the vehicle.

15. Device as claimed in claim 11, further comprising at least one of an optical and an acoustic warning signally device, said control means being operative for triggering issuance of a warning signal by said signally device when a perturbing object is detected within the monitoring area.

16. Device as claimed in claim 11, wherein said control means is operative for enabling one of re-actuation and continued displacement of the movable part when the perturbing object is determined to have left the monitoring area.