COLLISION MONITORING SYSTEM

• US 20120285086A1
• Filed: 07/06/2012
• Published: 11/15/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 04/22/1992
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Uusi LLC (Nartron Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Nartron Corporation
• Inventors: Boisvert, Mario, Perrin, Randall, Washeleski, John
• Granted Patent: US 9,030,144 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 49/25
• CPC Class Codes: B60J 7/0573 power driven arrangements, e.g. electrical
• CPC Class Codes: H02H 3/006 Calibration or setting of parameters
• CPC Class Codes: H02H 3/44 responsive to the rate of change of electrical quantities
• CPC Class Codes: H02H 7/0851 for motors actuating a movable member between two end positions, e.g. detecting an end position or obstruction by overload signal
• CPC Class Codes: H02H 7/0854 responsive to rate of change of current, couple or speed, e.g. anti-kickback protection H02H7/0851 takes precedence

Abstract

Disclosed is an improved system and method for sensing both hard and soft obstructions for a movable panel such as a sunroof. A dual detection scheme is employing that includes an optical sensing as the primary means and electronic sensing of motor current as a secondary means. The secondary means utilizes system empirical precharacterization, fast processing algorithms, motor parameter monitoring including both current sensing and sensorless electronic motor current commutation pulse sensing, and controller memory, to adaptively modify electronic obstacle detection thresholds in real time without the use of templates and cycle averaging techniques.

Claims

1-28. -28. (canceled)

29. Apparatus for controlling activation and deactivation of a motor for moving a motor vehicle mounted window, panel or door along a travel path comprising:

a) a noncontact sensor for monitoring a region in proximity to the window, panel, or door and sensing an object in the region;

b) a switch for controlling energization and de-energization of the motor with an energization signal; and

c) a controller coupled to the switch for controllably energizing and de-energizing the motor and having an interface coupling the controller to the non-contact sensor;

d) said controller comprising a programmable controller including a memory for storing instructions for executing a control program to control an operating state of the motor in response to the non-contact sensor sensing an object in the region in proximity to the window, panel, or door.

30. The apparatus of claim 29 wherein the sensor comprises an emitter and a detector.

31. The apparatus of claim 30 wherein the emitter emits optical signals and the detector detects those optical signals.

32. The apparatus of claim 30 wherein the emitter emits IR signals and the detector detects IR signals.

33. The apparatus of claim 30 wherein the emitter emits electromagnetic signals and the detector detects electromagnetic signals.

34. The apparatus of claim 29 wherein the sensor senses an electric field due to the presence of the object in proximity of the window, panel or door.

35. The apparatus of claim 29 wherein the sensor senses a magnetic field due to the presence of the object in proximity of the window, panel or door.

36. The apparatus of claim 29 wherein the programmable controller includes an input for reprogramming controller operation based on the physical characteristics of the window, panel, or door.

37. The apparatus of claim 29 wherein the controller includes an interface for monitoring user actuation of control inputs for controlling movement of the window, panel or door.

38. The apparatus of claim 29 wherein the controller includes an interface for monitoring user actuation of control inputs for controlling movement of the window or panel and wherein in response to a specified input the controller conducts a calibration motor energization sequence to determine parameters of window or panel movement.

40. A method for controlling activation and deactivation of a motor for moving a motor vehicle mounted window, panel, or door along a travel path comprising:

a) positioning a non-contact sensor to monitor a region in proximity to the window, panel, or door to sense an object in said region; and

b) controlling energization and de-energization of the motor with an energization signal that controls movement of the window, panel, or door in response to the non-contact sensor sensing an object in proximity to the window, panel, or door.

41. The method of claim 40 wherein the sensor includes an emitter and a detector and the emitter emits optical signals which are detected by the detector.

42. The method of claim 40 wherein the sensor includes an emitter and a detector and the emitter emits IR signals which are detected by the detector.

43. The apparatus of claim 40 wherein the sensor includes an emitter and a detector and wherein the emitter emits electromagnetic signals and the detector detects electromagnetic signals.

44. The apparatus of claim 40 wherein the sensor senses an electric field due to the presence of the object in proximity of the window, panel or door.

45. The apparatus of claim 40 wherein the sensor senses a magnetic field due to the presence of the object in proximity of the window, panel or door.

46. The method of claim 40 wherein the sensor is coupled to a programmable controller and additionally comprising the step of reprogramming the programmable controller based upon a physical characteristic of the window, panel, or door whose movement is being controlled.