Method for Positioning a Mobile Unit in a Motor Vehicle

• US 20100228446A1
• Filed: 08/01/2006
• Published: 09/09/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 08/09/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Conti Temic Microelectronic GmbH (Continental AG)
• Original Assignee: Conti Temic Microelectronic GmbH (Continental AG)
• Inventors: Oxle, Thomas, Schulter, Wolfgang
• Granted Patent: US 8,219,288 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 701/49
• 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 15/41 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: E05F 15/71 responsive to temperature changes, rain, wind or noise
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2400/336 of the angular type
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2400/35 related to specific positions
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2400/358 in the proximity of end positions
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2400/57 Disabling thereof
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2400/854 Switches
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2400/86 by hand
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2800/00 Details, accessories and auxiliary operations not otherwise provided for
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2800/73 Multiple functions
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2900/55 Windows

Abstract

Disclosed is a method for positioning a mobile unit in a motor vehicle. The mobile unit is driven by an external force and equipped with an electronic jamming protection device. A tactile input unit is provided for positioning the mobile unit. An occupied position of the mobile unit is stored under certain conditions, whereby said stored position is automatically approached when the tactile unit is correspondingly operated.

Claims

1-11. -11. (canceled)

12. A method for positioning a mobile unit (2) in a motor vehicle, the method comprising:

driving a mobile unit by an external force, wherein the mobile unit is equipped with an electronic jamming protection device

positioning the mobile unit (2), in a manual mode or an automatic mode, between two final positions (E1, E2), wherein the final positions are predefined by a type of design of a guide mechanism (7) of the mobile unit (2) and positioning can be performed via at least one input unit (T);

positioning of the mobile unit (2) is effected via the input unit (T); and

automatically storing a position (5) then occupied of the mobile unit (2), wherein the stored position (5) can be automatically approached by user request, a region (B1, B2) is defined between the final positions (E1, E2), wherein the region (B1, B2) is smaller than the distance of the final positions (E1, E2), and the occupied position (5) is stored automatically only if the occupied position (5) lies in the predefined region (B1, B2), and the occupied position (5) is stored automatically only if the occupied position (5) is maintained longer than a predefined time.

13. A method according to claim 12, wherein the stored position (5) is automatically approached by an appropriate actuation of the input unit (T) only if the mobile unit (2) is currently distant from the stored position (5) only a given degree or is located within a given region.

14. A method according to claim 12, wherein if the input unit (T) is a single-stage duplex switch, the stored position (5) is automatically approached, and if the duplex switch is short-term actuated in direction of the stored position (5) of the mobile unit (2) based on the current position of the mobile unit (2).

15. A method according to claim 12, wherein if the input unit (T) is a two-stage duplex switch the stored position (5) is automatically approached, and if the switch is short-term actuated in the first or second stage in direction of the stored position (5) of the mobile unit (2) based on the current position of the mobile unit (2).

16. A method according to claim 12, wherein the stored position (5) is automatically approached, if the mobile unit is in the lower final position (E2) and the input unit (T) is short-term actuated in direction of closing.

17. A method according to claim 12, wherein the stored position (5) is automatically approached, if the mobile unit is in the upper final position (E1) and the input unit (T) is short-time actuated in direction of opening.

18. A method according to claim 12, wherein the mobile unit (2) is a windowpane driven by an external force and that between two final positions (E1, E2) an exhaust region (B1, B2) is provided and that the occupied position is stored as an exhaust position for the purpose of exhausting the vehicle interior, if the occupied position lies within the exhaust region.

19. An apparatus for positioning a mobile unit (2) in a motor vehicle comprising:

a control unit (μ

P);

an input unit (T);

a mobile unit (2); and

an unit (M) for moving the mobile unit (2) as well as a storage for an occupied position, wherein the control unit (μ

P) comprises means to verify and to automatically store the occupied position (5) only,

if the occupied position (5) is in a predefined region (B1, B2), wherein the region (B1, B2) is defined between the final positions (E1, E2) and is smaller than the distance of the final positions (E1, E2), and

if the occupied position (5) is maintained longer than a predefined time.

20. An apparatus according to claim 19, wherein the mobile unit (2) is a windowpane, a sliding door, a sun roof or a rear flap or a trunk lid of a motor vehicle.

21. An apparatus according to claim 19, wherein the input unit (T) is a tactile unit, or a speech input unit or a remote control unit.

22. An apparatus according to claim 21, wherein the tactile input unit (T) is a switch, in particular a single-stage or two-stage duplex switch.