Adjustment of a motorized positioning device

• US 8,141,300 B2
• Filed: 06/01/2009
• Issued: 03/27/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 12/01/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Brose Fahrzeugteile GmbH & Company KG Hallstadt (Brose)
• Original Assignee: Brose Fahrzeugteile GmbH & Company KG Hallstadt (Brose)
• Inventors: Heckmann, Felix, Wagner, Klaus, Russ, Detlef
• Primary Examiner(s): REDMAN, JERRY E
• Application Number:
  US12/476,021
• Publication Number:
  US 20090293361A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,030 Days
• Field of Search: 493/48, 493/49, 495/06, 318/283, 318/286, 318/466, 318/468, 318/471, 318/461
• US Class Current: 49/506
• 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: E05Y 2201/704 Worm wheels
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2400/34 Pulse count limit setting
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2400/354 End positions
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2400/52 Safety arrangements associated with the wing motor
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2800/00 Details, accessories and auxiliary operations not otherwise provided for
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2800/407 plastic deformation
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2800/414 against high or low temperatures
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2800/676 Plastics
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2900/55 Windows

Abstract

A method for calibrating a powered actuator for use in a vehicle is provided, with regard to an end position of an actuating element which is easy to achieve and conserves easily damaged mechanical components of the actuator made from plastic, rubber or similar. According to an example embodiement, in a calibrating step, the actuator is operated with recording and analysis of an actuation speed measured parameter such that the actuating element is moved in the direction of the end position and reaching the end position is recognized when the value of the actuation speed measured parameter reaches or drops below a given threshold. A temperature parameter characterizing the temperature of the actuator is evaluated before or during the calibration process. The calibration step is then only carried out if the value of the temperature parameter does not exceed an upper temperature limit. An actuator suitable for carrying out said method is also disclosed.

Claims

1. A method for adjusting a motorized positioning device for a vehicle, whereby an end position of a positioning element is to be adjusted, the method comprising:

detecting and analyzing a positioning speed measured variable;

evaluating a temperature parameter that is a characteristic of the temperature of the positioning device;

performing an adjustment step for adjusting the end position, during and/or after the evaluating step, only if the value of the temperature parameter does not exceed a predefined upper limit temperature, the adjustment step comprising moving the positioning element in a direction of the end position, wherein the end position is determined when a value of the positioning speed measured variable reaches or drops below a predefined threshold value; and

storing the end position determined in the adjustment step for use in normal operation of said motorized positioning device.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the upper limit temperature is set to a value between 40°

C. and 60°

C.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the adjustment step is carried out only if the value of the temperature parameter does not drop below a lower limit temperature.

4. The method according to claim 3, wherein the lower limit temperature is set to a value between −

40°

C. and +10°

C.

5. The method according to claim 3, wherein the lower limit temperature is set to a value of about 0°

C.

6. The method according to claim 1, wherein the temperature of the positioning device is detected by a temperature sensor as the temperature parameter.

7. The method according to claim 1, wherein a temperature inside the vehicle or a temperature outside the vehicle is used as the temperature parameter.

8. The method according to claim 1, wherein a calculated positioning motor temperature is used as the temperature parameter.

9. The method according to claim 1, wherein the upper limit temperature is set to a value of about 50°

C.

10. The method according to claim 1, wherein the positioning element is movable along a predefined travel path between two end positions during normal operation, one of which is delimited by the stored end position.

11. A positioning device for a window opener, the positioning device comprising:

a positioning motor;

a positioning mechanism coupled with the positioning motor for moving a positioning element between two end positions;

a sensor for detecting a positioning speed measured variable; and

a control unit for driving the positioning motor to which the positioning speed measured variable is supplied as an input signal, the control unit being configured to;

detect and analyze a positioning speed measured variable;

evaluate a temperature parameter that is a characteristic of the temperature of the positioning device;

perform an adjustment step for adjusting one of said end positions, during and/or after the evaluation, only if the value of the temperature parameter does not exceed a predefined upper limit temperature, the adjustment step comprising moving the positioning element in a direction of the end position to be adjusted, wherein the end position is detected and determined when a value of the positioning speed measured variable reaches or drops below a predefined threshold value; and

store the end position determined in the adjustment step for use in normal operation of said motorized positioning device.