Power closure sensor system and method

• US 6,456,916 B1
• Filed: 09/28/2001
• Issued: 09/24/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 09/29/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Continental Automotive Systems, Inc. (Continental AG)
• Original Assignee: Siemens VDO Automotive Corporation (Siemens AG)
• Inventors: Edgar, Lynne Ann, Johnson, Susan Adelle, Desai, Tejas Bhupendra, Losey, Allan D.
• Primary Examiner(s): Cuchlinski, Jr., William A.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Hernandez, Olga
• Application Number:
  US09/967,671
• Publication Number:
  US 20020040266A1
• Time in Patent Office: 361 Days
• Field of Search: 701/49, 701/36, 180/271, 280/734, 280/735, 307/9.1, 307/10.1
• US Class Current: 701/49
• CPC Class Codes: B25J 9/163 learning, adaptive, model based, rule based expert control
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 15/41 Detection by monitoring transmitted force or torque E05F15/48 takes precedence; Safety couplings with activation dependent upon torque or force, e.g. slip couplings
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 15/42 Detection using safety edges
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 15/431 specially adapted for vehicle windows or roofs
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 15/46 responsive to changes in electrical capacitance
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2900/548 Trunk lids
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2900/55 Windows
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/21003 Proximity switch as input
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/2628 Door, window
• CPC Class Codes: H02H 1/0092 concerning the data processing means, e.g. expert systems, neural networks
• 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

Abstract

A power closure sensor system is disclosed. The system includes a data processing device, a closer motor in communication with the data processing device and controlling the movement of a closable member, and a proximity sensor, configured to sense the location of an object. The proximity sensor is in communication with the data processing device. The proximity sensor is configured to communicate the location of the object with or without the object contacting either the closable member or the frame. The system also includes a position sensor configured to sense the position of the closable member. The position sensor is in communication with the data processing device. Further, the system includes a logic program running on the data processing device and the logic program is configured to generate an estimate of the location of the object relative to the closable member.

Claims

1. A power closure sensor system, comprising:

a data processing device;

a closer motor in communication with the data processing device and controlling the movement of a closable member relative to a frame;

a proximity sensor, configured to sense the location of an object, the proximity sensor in communication with the data processing device and the proximity sensor configured to sense the object location when the object does or does not contact the closable member or the frame member directly;

a position sensor, configured to sense the position of the closable member, the position sensor in communication with the data processing device; and

a logic program running on the data processing device and configured to generate an estimate of the location of the object relative to the closable member.

2. The power closure sensor system of claim 1, wherein the closable member is a vehicle window.

3. The power closure sensor system of claim 1, wherein the closable member is a vehicle door.

4. The power closure sensor system of claim 1, wherein the proximity sensor is a capacitive sensor.

5. The power closure sensor system of claim 1, wherein the proximity sensor is an infrared sensor.

6. The power closure sensor system of claim 1, wherein the logic program includes a neural network.

7. The power closure sensor system of claim 1, wherein the logic program includes a fuzzy logic program.

8. A method of preventing a powered closable member from closing, the closable member supported by a frame comprising:

determining the location of an object using a proximity sensor, the object not being required to have direct contact with at least one of the closable member and the frame;

determining the position of the closable member;

computing the location of the closable member relative to the object;

determining that the object is within a predetermined range relative to the closable member;

stopping a closing motor from advancing the closable member.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the closable member is a vehicle window.

10. The method of claim 8, wherein the closable member is a vehicle door.

11. The method of claim 8, wherein the proximity sensor is a capacitive sensor.

12. The method of claim 8, wherein the proximity sensor is an infrared sensor.

13. The method of claim 8, wherein the logic program includes a neural network.

14. The method of claim 8, wherein the logic program includes a fuzzy logic program.

15. A power closure sensor system for a vehicle, comprising:

a data processing device;

a closer motor in communication with the data processing device and controlling the movement of a closable member on the vehicle relative to a frame for the closable member;

a capacitive sensor, configured to sense the location of an object, the capacitive sensor in communication with the data processing device, the capacitive sensor enabled to sense the relative location of the object when the object does or does not touch the closable member or the frame;

a position sensor, configured to sense the position of the closable member, the position sensor in communication with the data processing device; and

a logic program running on the data processing device and configured to generate an estimate of the location of the object relative to the closable member.

16. The power closure sensor system of claim 15, wherein the closable member is a vehicle window.

17. The power closure sensor system of claim 15, wherein the closable member is a vehicle door.

18. The power closure sensor system of claim 15, wherein the logic program includes a neural network.

19. The power closure sensor system of claim 15, wherein the logic program includes a fuzzy logic program.

20. The power closure sensor system of claim 15, wherein the estimate of the location of the object is compared with a sensitivity range to determine whether closing of the closable member should be terminated.