Power window or panel controller
First Claim
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1. Apparatus for activating a motor for moving a window or panel along a travel path and de-activating the motor if an obstacle is encountered by the window or panel comprising:
- a) motor sense means for sensing the motor current as the motor moves the window or panel along a travel path;
b) switch means for energizing the motor with an energization signal; and
c) control means coupled to the switch means for controllably energizing the motor comprising;
i) means for monitoring motor current from the motor sense means;
ii) timer means for timing a start-up interval after motor energization;
iii) a memory for storing a plurality of motor currents sensed by the motor sense means during a calibration sequence;
iv) means for comparing sensed motor current after the start-up interval with values of motor current stored in the memory; and
v) output means coupled to said switch means for stopping the motor if the sensed motor current exceeds the motor current stored in the memory after a delay corresponding to the start-up interval.
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Abstract
A controller for energizing a power window or panel such as a power sunroof. The disclosed controller senses both hard and soft obstructions and deactivates a motor that moves the sunroof when an obstruction is detected. The controller also senses obstructions during start-up of the motor and regulates the speed of the window or panel by pulse width modulating motor energization signals.
131 Citations
12 Claims
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1. Apparatus for activating a motor for moving a window or panel along a travel path and de-activating the motor if an obstacle is encountered by the window or panel comprising:
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a) motor sense means for sensing the motor current as the motor moves the window or panel along a travel path; b) switch means for energizing the motor with an energization signal; and c) control means coupled to the switch means for controllably energizing the motor comprising; i) means for monitoring motor current from the motor sense means; ii) timer means for timing a start-up interval after motor energization; iii) a memory for storing a plurality of motor currents sensed by the motor sense means during a calibration sequence; iv) means for comparing sensed motor current after the start-up interval with values of motor current stored in the memory; and v) output means coupled to said switch means for stopping the motor if the sensed motor current exceeds the motor current stored in the memory after a delay corresponding to the start-up interval.
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2. Apparatus for activating a motor to move a window or panel along a travel path and for de-activating the motor if an obstacle is encountered by the window or panel comprising:
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a) motor sense means for sensing the motor current as the motor moves the window or panel along a travel path; b) switch means for energizing the motor with an energization signal; and c) control means coupled to the switch means for controllably energizing the motor comprising; i) output means coupled to said switch means for controlling motor energization during a calibration sequence to define a motor current profile of the window or panel; ii) means for monitoring motor current from the motor sense means during the calibration sequence and storing the motor current profile as a function of a position of said window or panel along its travel path; iii) a buffer for storing a plurality of consecutive motor current readings as the motor moves the window or panel; iv) means for comparing sensed motor current and position with the motor current profile and for comparing the present sensed motor current with the rate of change limit; and v) output means coupled to said switch means for stopping motor energization if the sensed motor current deviates from the motor current profile more than a threshold amount or the present motor current exceeds the rate of change limit. - View Dependent Claims (3, 4)
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5. A method for activating a motor to move a motor vehicle window or panel along a travel path and for de-activating the motor if an obstacle is encountered by the window or panel comprising the steps of:
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a) controlling motor energization during a calibration sequence to define a motor current profile of the window or panel; b) monitoring motor current during the calibration sequence and storing the motor current profile as a function of a position of said window or panel along its travel path; c) subsequent to the calibration sequence as the motor moves the window or panel, periodically sensing motor current and comparing sensed motor current with the motor current profile as the motor moves the window or panel; and d) stopping motor energization if the sensed motor current deviates from the motor current profile by more than a threshold amount. - View Dependent Claims (6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. Apparatus for activating a motor that moves a motor vehicle window or panel along a travel path comprising:
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a) current sense means for sensing motor current as the motor moves the window or panel along a travel path; b) switch means for energizing the motor with an energization signal; c) encoder means for monitoring motor operation during movement of the window or panel and for generating an encoder output; and d) control means for controllably energizing the motor during a calibration sequence and during normal operation of the motor vehicle window or panel comprising; i) means for monitoring motor current from the motor sense means; ii) means for monitoring the encoder output and updating a position of the window or panel based upon receipt of said encoder output; iii) a memory for storing a plurality of motor currents sensed by the current sense means to form a motor current template; iv) means for comparing sensed motor current pulses with a motor current template that changes with the position of the window or panel; and v) output means coupled to said switch means for activating the switch means. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12)
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Specification