Power window apparatus having improved safety device
First Claim
1. A power window apparatus, comprising:
- a drive source for moving a window between fully open and fully closed positions;
first detecting means for detecting a speed of movement of said window;
second detecting means for detecting whether or not an object is caught in said window by comparing a speed detected by said first detecting means with a reference value;
stopping means for stopping movement of said window when an object is caught in said window as detected by said second detecting means;
third detecting means for detecting an ambient temperature of the window moved by said drive source; and
altering means for altering said reference value of said second detecting means in accordance with the temperature detected by said third detecting means.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A power window apparatus with a safety device capable of taking a safety measure when it detects the neck or hand of a passenger being caught in the window, which device can exactly detect such a dangerous state and take a reliable safety measure to correct for the same, irrespective of variations of ambient temperature. A temperature sensor provided which senses the temperature of the motor acting as a drive source for moving the window. This temperature is closely related to the ambient temperature. A reference value for the motor speed for detecting an object-caught state is altered according to the detected temperature, thereby providing exact detection of the object-caught state irrespective of temperature variations. Preferably, the power transmission for the window, the temperature sensor, and a controller structure are mounted on an inner side of a single housing.
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Citations
19 Claims
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1. A power window apparatus, comprising:
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a drive source for moving a window between fully open and fully closed positions; first detecting means for detecting a speed of movement of said window; second detecting means for detecting whether or not an object is caught in said window by comparing a speed detected by said first detecting means with a reference value; stopping means for stopping movement of said window when an object is caught in said window as detected by said second detecting means; third detecting means for detecting an ambient temperature of the window moved by said drive source; and altering means for altering said reference value of said second detecting means in accordance with the temperature detected by said third detecting means. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A method for operating a power window, comprising the steps of:
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moving said window towards a closed position; detecting a speed of movement of said window; detecting whether or not an object is caught in said window by comparing said speed of movement of said window with a reference value; stopping movement of said window when an object is caught in said window as determined in said step of comparing said speed of movement of said window with said reference value; detecting an ambient temperature of said window; and altering said reference value in accordance with the detected temperature. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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- 17. In a drive unit for a power window apparatus having a housing, a motor mounted in said housing and functioning as a drive source for raising and lowering a window, power transmission means for driving a pulley with said motor in a reduction manner, sensor means for sensing a state of rotation of said motor, and a control circuit for controlling rotation of said motor in accordance with signals output from said sensor means, the improvement wherein said power transmission means, said sensor means, and said controller structure are mounted on an inner side of said housing.
Specification