Anti-pinch system using pressure-sensitive rubber
First Claim
1. An apparatus for detecting a pinch condition in a vehicle opening device, comprising an electric motor;
- a gear, driven by the electric motor;
a damper plate, driven by the gear and operatively coupled to the vehicle opening device to move the vehicle opening device between an open and a closed position;
a pressure sensitive resistive coupler connecting the gear to the damper plate, the resistive coupler varying its electrical resistance when compressed by the motion of the damper plate relative to the gear;
at least two electrical terminals interconnected by the resistive coupler to form a circuit;
a controller for the electric motor, operable to measure at least one operating characteristic in the circuit and compare a measured value for the operating characteristic against a predetermined value to determine whether a pinch condition exists.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An anti-pinch system for a vehicle opening device, such as a window regulator, that includes a pressure sensitive resistive coupler located between a gear and a damper plate in the vehicle opening device. When the load is increased on the vehicle opening device, the resistive coupler compresses, altering its electrical resistance. An electrical circuit runs through the resistive coupler, and the circuits resistance is measured. A controller for the device'"'"'s motor is operable to adjust the velocity of the motor based upon changes in resistance in the damper. Preferably, the controller compares changes in measured resistance to an expected change in resistance based upon the opening device'"'"'s position to determine whether a pinch condition has occurred.
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Citations
16 Claims
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1. An apparatus for detecting a pinch condition in a vehicle opening device, comprising
an electric motor; -
a gear, driven by the electric motor;
a damper plate, driven by the gear and operatively coupled to the vehicle opening device to move the vehicle opening device between an open and a closed position;
a pressure sensitive resistive coupler connecting the gear to the damper plate, the resistive coupler varying its electrical resistance when compressed by the motion of the damper plate relative to the gear;
at least two electrical terminals interconnected by the resistive coupler to form a circuit;
a controller for the electric motor, operable to measure at least one operating characteristic in the circuit and compare a measured value for the operating characteristic against a predetermined value to determine whether a pinch condition exists. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A method for detecting a pinch condition in a vehicle closure device, comprising:
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measuring the electrical resistance in a pressure sensitive resistive coupler that varies its electrical resistance due to compression, and where increasing the load on the vehicle closure device compresses the resistive coupler; and
comparing changes in the measured electrical resistance to a predetermined threshold to determine if a pinch condition exists. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16)
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Specification