Collision monitoring system
DCFirst Claim
1. Apparatus for controlling activation of a motor coupled to a motor vehicle window or panel for moving said window or panel along a travel path and de-activating the motor if an obstacle is encountered by the window or panel, said apparatus comprising:
- a) a sensor for sensing movement of the window or panel and providing a sensor output signal related to a speed of movement of the window or panel;
b) a switch for controllably actuating the motor by providing an energization signal;
c) one or more switches for use by the controller to determine window or panel position; and
d) a controller having an interface coupled to the sensor and the switch for controllably energizing the motor;
said controller sensing a collision with an obstruction when power is applied to the controller by;
i) monitoring movement of the window or panel by monitoring a signal from the sensor related to the movement of the window or panel;
ii) adjusting an obstacle detection threshold in real time based on immediate past measurements of the signal sensed by the sensor to adapt to varying conditions encountered during operation of the window or panel;
iii) identifying a collision of the window or panel with an obstacle due to a change in the signal from the sensor that is related to a change in movement of the window or panel by comparing a value based on a most recent signal from the sensor with the obstacle detection threshold; and
iv) outputting a control signal to said switch to deactivate said motor in response to a sensing of a collision between an obstacle and said window or panel.
3 Assignments
Litigations
2 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Disclosed is an improved system and method for sensing both hard and soft obstructions for a movable panel such as a sunroof. A dual detection scheme is employing that includes an optical sensing as the primary means and electronic sensing of motor current as a secondary means. The secondary means utilizes system empirical precharacterization, fast processing algorithms, motor parameter monitoring including both current sensing and sensorless electronic motor current commutation pulse sensing, and controller memory, to adaptively modify electronic obstacle detection thresholds in real time without the use of templates and cycle averaging techniques.
95 Citations
10 Claims
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1. Apparatus for controlling activation of a motor coupled to a motor vehicle window or panel for moving said window or panel along a travel path and de-activating the motor if an obstacle is encountered by the window or panel, said apparatus comprising:
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a) a sensor for sensing movement of the window or panel and providing a sensor output signal related to a speed of movement of the window or panel; b) a switch for controllably actuating the motor by providing an energization signal; c) one or more switches for use by the controller to determine window or panel position; and d) a controller having an interface coupled to the sensor and the switch for controllably energizing the motor;
said controller sensing a collision with an obstruction when power is applied to the controller by;i) monitoring movement of the window or panel by monitoring a signal from the sensor related to the movement of the window or panel; ii) adjusting an obstacle detection threshold in real time based on immediate past measurements of the signal sensed by the sensor to adapt to varying conditions encountered during operation of the window or panel; iii) identifying a collision of the window or panel with an obstacle due to a change in the signal from the sensor that is related to a change in movement of the window or panel by comparing a value based on a most recent signal from the sensor with the obstacle detection threshold; and iv) outputting a control signal to said switch to deactivate said motor in response to a sensing of a collision between an obstacle and said window or panel. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. Apparatus for controlling activation of a motor coupled to a motor vehicle window or panel for moving said window or panel along a travel path and de-activating the motor when movement of the window or panel is stopped prior to reaching a predetermined position, said apparatus comprising:
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a) a sensor for sensing movement of the window or panel and providing a sensor output signal related to a position of the window or panel; b) a switch for controllably actuating the motor by providing an energization signal; and c) a controller having an interface coupled to the sensor and the switch for controllably energizing the motor;
said controller programmed with multiple position limits that define an acceptable travel range and further programmed for controlling movement of the window or panel when power is applied to the controller by;i) monitoring the sensor output signal from the sensor related to the position of the window or panel; ii) identifying the position of the window or panel based on the sensor output signal from the sensor; and iii) outputting a control signal to said switch to deactivate said motor in response to a sensing said window or panel has stopped moving prior to reaching a position limit. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9, 10)
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Specification