Device for detecting an obstacle in the opening range of a movable closure element

• US 20040172879A1
• Filed: 03/05/2004
• Published: 09/09/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 03/07/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Metzeler Automotive Profile Systems GmbH (Cooper-Standard Holdings Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Metzeler Automotive Profile Systems GmbH (Cooper-Standard Holdings Incorporated)
• Inventors: Kopp, Gunther, Regnet, Helmut
• Granted Patent: US 7,046,129 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 49/26
• CPC Class Codes: B60J 10/00 Sealing arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 15/443 specially adapted for vehicle windows or roofs
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 15/46 responsive to changes in electrical capacitance
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 2015/487 Fault detection of safety edges
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2800/73 Single use of elements
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2900/55 Windows
• CPC Class Codes: H03K 17/955 using a capacitive detector
• CPC Class Codes: H03K 2217/96078 Sensor being a wire or a strip, e.g. used in automobile door handles or bumpers

Abstract

A device for detecting an obstacle in the opening range of a movable closure element (13), more particularly an electrically powered window pane (13) or sunroof of a motor vehicle (10), comprises a sensor electrode (20), a base electrode (21) spaced away from the sensor electrode (20), and a control unit (40) connected to the sensor electrode (20) and the base electrode (21). The sensor electrode (20) and the base electrode (21) generate an electric field (F) in the opening range of the closure element (13) and are spaced away at a constant distance from each other in a first operational mode. The control unit (40) detects in the first operational mode a change in capacitance caused by the presence of an obstacle in the electric field (F) and providing at least one control signal (I_s, I_p) for a drive (50) powering the closure element (13). The device is characterized by high reliability in operation and availability. The reason for this is that the control unit (40) provides in a second operational mode a control signal (I_s) for the drive (50) powering the closure element (13) when the sensor electrode (20) comes into electrical contact with the base electrode (21).

Claims

1. A device for detecting an obstacle in the opening range of a movable closure element, more particularly an electrically powered window pane or sunroof of a motor vehicle, comprising a sensor electrode having a first end and a second end, a base electrode having a first end and a second end and being spaced away from said sensor electrode, and a control unit connected to the first end of said sensor electrode and the first end of said base electrode, said sensor electrode and said base electrode generating an electric field in the opening range of said closure element and are spaced away from each other at a constant distance in a first operational mode, and said control unit in the first operational mode detecting a change in capacitance caused by the presence of an obstacle in said electric field and providing a control signal for a drive powering said closure element, said sensor electrode and said base electrode being connected together at the second end by an electronic component, a testing voltage being applied to said sensor electrode and said base electrode which, in a second operational mode, have a changeable distance to each other, and the control unit providing in the second operational mode a control signal for said drive powering said closure element when said sensor electrode comes into electrical contact with said base electrode.

2. The device as set forth in claim 1 in which said control unit, in the second operational mode, provides a control signal for said drive powering said closure element at a change of the relative positioning of the sensor electrode and base electrode.

3. The device as set forth in claim 1 in which said electronic component exhibits an ohmic and/or inductive and/or capacitive resistance.

4. The device as set forth in claim 1 in which a weatherseal sealing said closure element is provided which is made of an elastomer, preferably ethylene propylene diene rubber, and secured to a frame surrounding said closure element at least in part.

5. The device as set forth in claim 4 in which said weatherseal expediently comprises a fastening portion disposed on said frame and at least one sealing lip contacting said closure element.

6. The device as set forth in claim 4 in which said sensor electrode and/or said base electrode are configured as strips of metal embedded in said weatherseal and spaced away from each other by a hollow chamber.

7. The device as set forth in claim 6 in which said strips of metal have a round cross-section configured preferably circular or oval or a polygonal cross-section configured preferably rectangular or triangular.

8. The device as set forth in claim 6 in which said sensor electrode and/or said base electrode are surrounded by electrically conductive portions of said weatherseal spaced away from each other by said hollow chamber.

9. The device as set forth in claim 4 in which said sensor electrode and/or said base electrode are configured as electrically conductive portions of said weatherseal spaced away from each other by a hollow chamber.

10. The device as set forth in claim 1 wherein, when an obstacle exists in said opening range of said closure element, said control unit detects a force exerted by said obstacle on said closure element and provides a control signal (I_s) for said drive powering said closure element when said force exceeds a predefined maximum permissible value for said force.