Vehicle panel control system
First Claim
1. A control system for a vehicle, the system comprising:
- a motor operable to receive power from a power source upon receiving a panel control signal, wherein the motor moves a movable panel of a vehicle along a path between opened and closed positions when the motor receives power from the power source;
an object sensor operable for detecting objects in the path of the panel without monitoring the motor, wherein the object sensor generates an object signal indicative of an object being detected in the path of the panel; and
a controller operable for transmitting a panel control signal to the motor to move the panel, wherein when the panel is moving in a closing direction the controller transmits a panel control signal to the motor to reverse movement of the panel to an opening direction upon receiving the object signal in order to prevent the panel from entrapping an object.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A control system for a vehicle includes a controller, an object sensor, and a motor. The motor receives power from a power source upon receiving a panel control signal. The motor moves a movable panel of the vehicle along a path between opened and closed positions when the motor receives power from the power source. The object sensor is operable for detecting objects in the path of the panel without monitoring the motor. The object sensor generates an object signal indicative of an object being detected in the panel path. The controller is operable for transmitting a panel control signal to the motor to move the panel. When the panel is moving in a closing direction the controller transmits a panel control signal to the motor to reverse movement of the panel to an opening direction upon receiving the object signal to prevent the panel from entrapping an object.
123 Citations
34 Claims
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1. A control system for a vehicle, the system comprising:
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a motor operable to receive power from a power source upon receiving a panel control signal, wherein the motor moves a movable panel of a vehicle along a path between opened and closed positions when the motor receives power from the power source;
an object sensor operable for detecting objects in the path of the panel without monitoring the motor, wherein the object sensor generates an object signal indicative of an object being detected in the path of the panel; and
a controller operable for transmitting a panel control signal to the motor to move the panel, wherein when the panel is moving in a closing direction the controller transmits a panel control signal to the motor to reverse movement of the panel to an opening direction upon receiving the object signal in order to prevent the panel from entrapping an object. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34)
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Specification