SAFETY ARRANGEMENT FOR POWERED VEHICLE WINDOWS, SUN-ROOFS AND THE LIKE

• US 3,727,348 A
• Filed: 04/10/1972
• Issued: 04/17/1973
• Est. Priority Date: 06/02/1971
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Helmut Steinmann, Karl Heinz Burger
• Original Assignee: Helmut Steinmann, Karl Heinz Burger
• Inventors: Steinmann, Helmut, Burger, Karl Heinz
• Primary Examiner(s): Bell, J. Karl
• Application Number:
  US05/242,486
• Time in Patent Office: 372 Days
• Field of Search: 49/26-28 200/61.43,61.44,61.71,81,81.9
• US Class Current: 49/28
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 15/47 responsive to changes in fluid pressure
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2400/452 for saving energy, e.g. sleep or wake-up
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2900/55 Windows

Abstract

In a vehicle, a safety arrangement for powered windows, sunroofs, and the like. A squeezable fluid conduit at least in part bounds an opening. A window or the like is movable by a motor in a direction closing the opening. A pump is connected with the fluid conduit and establishes a flow of fluid therethrough. The pump produces a pressure change in the conduit when the conduit is squeezed. A pressure-responsive control arrangement controls operation of the motor as a function of pressure changes in the conduit resulting from squeezing of the conduit due to the presence of an object caught between the conduit and the window when the latter is moving in closing direction.

Claims

1. In a vehicle, a safety arrangement for powered windows, sunroofs, and the like, comprising squeezable fluid conduit means at least in part bounding an opening;

closure means movable to and from a position in which it closes said opening;

pump means connected with said fluid conduit means for establishing a flow of fluid therethrough, said pump means producing a pressure change in said conduit means when said conduit means is squeezed;

motor means for moving said closure means; and

pressureresponsive motor control means for controlling the operation of said motor means as a function of pressure changes in said conduit means resulting from squeezing of the latter due to the presence of an object caught between said conduit means and said closure means when the latter is moving to said position.

2. The arrangement of claim 1, wherein said pump means has a pressure side and a suction side, and wherein said conduit means has a first end connected to said pressure side and a second end connected to said suction side.

3. The arrangement of claim 1, wherein said pump means has a pressure side and a suction side, and wherein said conduit means has a first end connected witH one of said sides and a second end communicating with the atmosphere.

4. The arrangement of claim 3, wherein said first end is connected with said pressure side.

5. The arrangement of claim 2;

and further comprising pressure cushion means connected with said conduit means.

6. The arrangement of claim 1, wherein said fluid is stable with respect to environmental changes.

7. The arrangement of claim 1, wherein said fluid is chemically inert.

8. The arrangement of claim 1, wherein said fluid conduit means comprises a squeezable tube.

9. The arrangement of claim 1, wherein said fluid conduit means comprises conduit portions of colorless material.

10. The arrangement of claim 1;

wherein said fluid is gaseous.

11. The arrangement of claim 1;

and further comprising frame means bounding said opening, said squeezable fluid conduit means being at least in part mounted on said frame means.

12. The arrangement of claim 1;

and further comprising check means provided in said conduit means.

13. The arrangement of claim 1, wherein said motor means for moving said closure means also drives said pump means.

14. The arrangement of claim 1, wherein said conduit means has a cross-section which is narrower in direction of movement of said closure means than transverse to said direction.

15. The arrangement of claim 1, wherein said control means comprises switch means connected with said motor means.

16. The arrangement of claim 15, wherein said switch means comprises pole-reversing switch means.