Method and Apparatus For Detecting an Automobile's Window Regulating Status

• US 20080136614A1
• Filed: 03/15/2006
• Published: 06/12/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 03/16/2005
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Continental Automotive GmbH (Continental AG)
• Original Assignee: Continental Automotive GmbH (Continental AG)
• Inventors: Ran, Ping
• Application Number:
  US11/908,386
• Publication Number:
  US 20080136614A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/438
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/24 using electronic identifiers containing a code not memorised by the user
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 15/41 Detection by monitoring transmitted force or torque E05F15/48 takes precedence; Safety couplings with activation dependent upon torque or force, e.g. slip couplings
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 15/695 Control circuits therefor
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2400/81 Feedback to user, e.g. tactile
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2900/55 Windows

Abstract

A method and apparatus for detecting an automobile'"'"'s window regulating status uses a window control switch and a central controller, which receives window regulating requests from the window control switch, sends instructions to windows concerned and makes queries to window motors concerned regarding each window'"'"'s regulating status. If a concerned window fails to execute a relevant instruction correctly, the central controller actuates an alarm to send out an alarming signal.

Claims

1. A method for detecting an automobile'"'"'s window regulating status by using at least one automobile window regulating controller for issuing regulating instructions directly to window equipment, a window central controller, and by using a bus as the protocol for communication between automobile window regulating motors and the central window controller, comprising the steps:

S1) issuing a window regulating request by said at least one window regulating controller to said central controller via said bus;

S2) receiving by said central controller the window regulating request issued by said at least one automobile window regulating controller, and issuing a regulating instruction to a window regulating motor of a respective window;

S3) executing said window regulating instruction by said window regulating motor;

S4) making a query by said central controller to said window regulating motor regarding the execution status of the window'"'"'s regulation, and reporting accordingly by said window regulating motor to said central controller the execution status of said instruction and

S4.1) examining by said central controller whether every window has completed its window regulating process;

if “

Yes”

, stopping the window'"'"'s regulating operation in a Step S6;

if “

No”

, moving to a step S5;

S5) judging whether the time for said window regulating motor to execute said window regulating instruction has gone beyond a limit, if “

No”

, moving to the step S4;

if “

Yes”

, moving to a step S7 and

S7) actuating by said central controller at least one alarm-unit to send out an alarming signal.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the step S4 further comprises:

S4.0, making a query by said central controller to at least one automobile door status sensor regarding an automobile door'"'"'s shutting status, if “

Yes”

, moving to the step S4.1;

if “

No”

, moving to the step S7.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein said communication bus between said central controller and window regulating motor is a LIN bus, and said central controller makes queries periodically to said window regulating motor regarding the execution status of a window regulating instruction.

4. An apparatus for detecting an automobile'"'"'s window regulating status, comprising:

at least one automobile window regulating control switch, connected to a central controller, for issuing regulating requests to said central controller, wherein the central controller communication connection with the at least one window regulating control switch and having connection with all window controllers by a bus protocol, for receiving from said at least one window regulating control switch the window regulating requests and issuing relevant instructions to a respective window motor controller; and

for issuing query instructions to the respective window motor controller regarding the window'"'"'s regulating status, and deciding whether the respective window should carry on the regulating operation or an alarm should be actuated according to the reply from the respective window motor controller;

at least one window motor controller, for responding to the window regulating instruction from said central controller and actuating a window motor for a corresponding operation; and

for responding to the query instruction regarding window regulating status from said central controller and sending a reply to said central controller and

at least one alarm-unit for responding to an alarm instruction from said central controller to send out an alarming signal.

5. The apparatus according to claim 4, wherein said automobile window regulating control switch is selected form the group consisting of an automobile key, a central control lock and a manual window regulator usually attached to the inner side of an automobile door.

6. The apparatus according to claim 4, wherein said alarming signal is selected from the group consisting of a sound alarm, a light alarm and a sound-light alarm.

7. The apparatus according to claim 4, wherein said alarm-unit comprises a wireless communication device for sending a communication request/alarm signal to at least one fixed/mobile communication equipment;

after said communication request has been received by a receiving party, it can follow a predetermined procedure to report to the receiving party by way of sound or digital signal which window is or which windows are abnormal and what types of abnormality have occurred.

8. The apparatus according to claim 4, further comprising at least one automobile door status sensor for sensing whether an automobile door has shut and sending said signal to said central controller, and said central controller processes said signal to decide whether to give an alarming signal.

9. A method for detecting an automobile'"'"'s window regulating status comprising the steps:

issuing a window regulating request by at least one window regulating controller to a central controller via a bus;

receiving the window regulating request by said central controller, and issuing a regulating instruction to a window regulating motor;

executing said window regulating instruction by said window regulating motor;

making a query by said central controller to said window regulating motor regarding the execution status of the window'"'"'s regulation, and reporting by said window regulating motor to said central controller the execution status of said instruction;

examining by said central controller whether the window has completed its window regulating process and

if “

Yes”

, stopping the window'"'"'s regulating operation;

if “

No”

, judging whether the time for said window regulating motor to execute said window regulating instruction has gone beyond a limit,

if “

No”

, repeating said query;

if “

Yes”

, actuating by said central controller at least one alarm-unit to send out an alarming signal.

10. The method according to claim 9, wherein the query further comprises:

making a query by said central controller to at least one automobile door status sensor regarding an automobile door'"'"'s shutting status.

11. The method according to claim 9, wherein said communication bus between said central controller and window regulating motor is a LIN bus, and said central controller makes queries periodically to said window regulating motor regarding the execution status of a window regulating instruction.