Vehicle window position sensor

• US 6,433,500 B1
• Filed: 06/26/2001
• Issued: 08/13/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 06/26/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: TRW Inc. (Northrop Grumman Corporation)
• Original Assignee: TRW Inc. (Northrop Grumman Corporation)
• Inventors: DeBoni, Albert
• Primary Examiner(s): Nappi, Robert E.
• Assistant Examiner(s): SMITH, TYRONE W
• Application Number:
  US09/891,893
• Time in Patent Office: 413 Days
• Field of Search: 318/266, 318/267, 318/280, 318/286, 318/432, 318/434, 318/466, 318/445, 318/446, 318/443, 744/790.1
• US Class Current: 318/443
• CPC Class Codes: B60J 1/17 vertically
• CPC Class Codes: B60J 7/0573 power driven arrangements, e.g. electrical
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 74/20207 Multiple controlling elements for single controlled element

Abstract

An apparatus (10) for detecting a window open condition comprises a first photoelectric cell (60) mountable to the window (20) for providing a reference output signal (61) independent of the window open condition. The apparatus (10) also comprises a second photoelectric cell (62) mountable to the window and providing a signal (63) having a first characteristic if the window (20) is open and a second characteristic if the window is not open. The apparatus (10) further comprises comparison means (82) for comparing the reference output signal (61) with the signal from the second photoelectric cell (63). The comparison is indicative of the open condition of the window. The apparatus (10) comprises means (88) responsive to the comparison means (82) for indicating if the vehicle window (20) is in the open condition.

Claims

1. Apparatus for detecting a window open condition, said apparatus comprising:

a first photoelectric cell mountable to the window for providing a reference output signal independent of the window open condition;

a second photoelectric cell mountable to the window and providing a signal having a first characteristic if the window is open and a second characteristic if the window is not open;

comparison means for comparing the reference output signal with the signal from the second photoelectric cell, said comparison being indicative of the open condition of the window; and

indicator means, responsive to said comparison means, for indicating if the vehicle window is in the open condition.

2. Apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said means responsive to said comparison means comprises an RF transmitter.

3. Apparatus as set forth in claim 1 further comprising a solar cell for providing electric power for said apparatus.

4. Apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said photoelectric cells are photoconductive cells.

5. Apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said photoelectric cells are photovoltaic cells.

6. Apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said first photoelectric cell and said second photoelectric cell and said comparison means and said means responsive are provided a part of a sensor assembly mounted as one piece to the outside of the window.

7. Apparatus as set forth in claim 6 wherein said means responsive comprises an RF transmitter.

8. Apparatus for detecting a window open condition, said apparatus comprising:

a first photoelectric cell mountable to the window for providing a reference output signal independent of the window open condition;

a second photoelectric cell mountable to the window and providing a signal having a first characteristic if the window is open and a second characteristic if the window is not open;

comparison means for comparing the reference output signal with the signal from the second photoelectric cell, said comparison being indicative of the open condition of the window; and

indicator means, responsive to said comparison means, for indicating if the vehicle window is in the open condition;

wherein said window is molded or cast from glass and said first photoelectric cell and said second photoelectric cell and said comparison means and said means responsive are provided as part of a sensor assembly molded or cast with said window.

9. Apparatus for association with a window movable between an open condition and a closed condition, a first amount of light striking the window when the window is in the open condition and a second amount of light striking the window when the window is in the closed condition, said apparatus comprising:

detector means mounted to the window for detecting the amount of light striking the window; and

determining means responsive to said detector means for determining, in response to the amount of detected light, if the vehicle window is in the open condition.

10. Apparatus as set forth in claim 9 wherein said detector means comprises at least one photoelectric cell.

11. Apparatus as set forth in claim 10 wherein said determining means comprises a memory in which is stored a reference value.

12. Apparatus as set forth in claim 9 wherein said detector means comprises a first photoelectric cell whose output varies dependent on the amount of light impinging on said first photoelectric cell and a second photoelectric cell whose output is independent of the amount of light impinging on said second photoelectric cell.

13. Apparatus as set forth in claim 9 further comprising means responsive to said determining means for indicating if the vehicle window is in the open condition.