Rain sensing automatic power windows

• US 20070188122A1
• Filed: 02/16/2006
• Published: 08/16/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 02/16/2006
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Denso International America Incorporated (DENSO Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Denso International America Incorporated (DENSO Corporation)
• Inventors: Andrejciw, David
• Application Number:
  US11/355,388
• Publication Number:
  US 20070188122A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 318/483
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 15/00 Power-operated mechanisms for wings motor-operated accessories in locks for completing closing or initiating opening of a wing E05B17/00
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 15/431 specially adapted for vehicle windows or roofs
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 15/71 responsive to temperature changes, rain, wind or noise
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 15/73 responsive to movement or presence of persons or objects
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 15/75 responsive to the weight or other physical contact of a person or object
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2400/814 Sound emitters, e.g. speakers
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2800/428 against water
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2900/55 Windows

Abstract

A control system and method for closing a window on an unattended vehicle includes a window actuator coupled to the window and adapted to move the window. An occupant detection system generates an occupant signal. A rain sensor generates a rain signal. A window obstruction sensor generates an obstruction signal based on an object obstructing a path of the window. A controller communicates with the occupant detection system, the rain sensor and the window obstruction sensor and generates and communicates a window signal to the window actuator based on the occupant signal, the rain signal and the obstruction signal.

Claims

1. A control system for closing a window of an unattended vehicle, comprising:

a window actuator coupled to the window and adapted to move the window;

an occupant detection system that generates an occupant signal;

a rain sensor that generates a rain signal;

a window obstruction sensor that generates an obstruction signal based on an object obstructing a path of the window; and

a controller that communicates with the occupant detection system, the rain sensor and the window obstruction sensor and that generates and communicates a window signal to the window actuator based on the occupant signal, the rain signal and the obstruction signal.

2. The control system of claim 1, further comprising a door status sensor that generates a door signal based on the position of a door.

3. The control system of claim 2 wherein the controller further generates the window signal based on the door signal.

4. The control system of claim 1 wherein the window obstruction sensor comprises an ultrasonic sensor.

5. The control system of claim 1 wherein the window obstruction sensor comprises an infrared transmitter and receiver.

6. The control system of claim 5 wherein the infrared transmitter and receiver are disposed on a window frame of the vehicle.

7. The control system of claim 6, further comprising reflective material disposed on the window frame.

8. The control system of claim 7 wherein the infrared transmitter is operable to transmit an infrared signal toward the reflective material and wherein the infrared receiver is operable to receive the infrared signal from the reflective material.

9. The control system of claim 6 wherein the infrared transmitter and receiver comprise a pair of infrared transmitters and receivers arranged to send and receive signals therebetween.

10. A control system for closing a window of an unattended vehicle, comprising:

a window actuator coupled to the window and adapted to move the window;

an occupant detection system that generates an occupant signal;

a rain sensor that generates a rain signal; and

a controller that communicates with the occupant detection system and the rain sensor and that generates and communicates a window signal to the window actuator based on the occupant signal and the rain signal.

11. A method for closing a window of an unattended vehicle comprising:

determining if the vehicle is unoccupied and generating a resultant occupant signal;

determining if rain is contacting the vehicle and generating a resultant rain signal;

determining if a path of window travel is obstructed and generating a resultant obstruction signal; and

closing the window based on the occupant, rain and obstruction signals.

12. The method of claim 11, further comprising determining if a door is in a closed position and generating a resultant door signal.

13. The method of claim 12 wherein closing the window is further based on the door signal.

14. The method of claim 11 wherein determining if the path of window travel is obstructed includes transmitting an ultrasonic signal proximate the door.

15. The method of claim 11 wherein determining if the path of window travel is obstructed includes transmitting and receiving an infrared signal.

16. The method of claim 15 wherein transmitting the infrared signal includes transmitting the infrared signal from a door frame of the vehicle.

17. The method of claim 15 wherein transmitting the infrared signal includes transmitting the infrared signal from a mirror of the vehicle.

18. The method of claim 15 wherein receiving the infrared signal includes receiving the infrared signal from reflective material disposed proximate a window frame housing the window.

19. The method of claim 15 wherein transmitting and receiving the infrared signal includes transmitting and receiving a pair of infrared signals between a respective pair of infrared transceivers.