Vehicle control system with proximity switch and method thereof

• US 8,283,800 B2
• Filed: 05/27/2010
• Issued: 10/09/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 05/27/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Original Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Inventors: Salter, Stuart C., Hill, Anna Miller, Gardner, Cornel Lewis, Witek, Joseph S.
• Primary Examiner(s): Deberadinis, Robert L.
• Application Number:
  US12/788,663
• Publication Number:
  US 20110291474A1
• Time in Patent Office: 866 Days
• Field of Search: 307/9.1
• US Class Current: 307/9.1
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 15/695 Control circuits therefor
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 15/70 with automatic actuation
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 15/73 responsive to movement or presence of persons or objects
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2400/32 Position control, detection or monitoring
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2400/445 Switches
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2400/852 Sensors
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2400/86 by hand
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2900/55 Windows

Abstract

A control system for controlling a position of a window and method thereof are provided. The control system includes a cover at least partially adapted to have a trough, the cover having a interior side and an exterior side, and a first proximity sensor adjacent to the interior side that is configured to detect an object within the first portion of the trough. The control system further includes a second proximity sensor adjacent to the interior side that is configured to detect the object within the second portion of the trough, and a processor in communication with the sensors, and configured to communicate a control signal to the window as a function of the detection of the sensors, wherein the control signal is based upon a most recent detection of the sensors when both sensors are activated within a first time period.

Claims

1. A control system for controlling a position of a window that is configured to be in a fully open position, a fully closed position, and intermediate positions thereof, said control system comprising:

a substantially rigid cover at least partially adapted to have an elongated trough comprising a first portion and a second portion, said substantially rigid cover having a interior side and an exterior side;

a first proximity sensor adjacent to said interior side of said substantially rigid cover, and proximate said first portion of said trough, wherein said first proximity sensor is configured to detect an object within said first portion of said trough;

a second proximity sensor adjacent to said interior side of said substantially rigid cover, and proximate said second portion of said trough, wherein said second proximity sensor is configured to detect said object within said second portion of said trough; and

a processor in communication with said first proximity sensor and said second proximity sensor, said processor configured to communicate a control signal to the window as a function of said detection of said first proximity sensor and second proximity sensor, wherein said control signal is based upon a most recent detection of said first and second proximity sensors when both said first proximity sensor and said second proximity sensor are activated within a first time period.

2. The control system of claim 1, wherein said control signal is communicated to the window without regard to previous detection of said first proximity sensor and said second proximity sensor other than said most recent detection of one of said first proximity sensor and said second proximity sensor.

3. The control system of claim 2, wherein said control signal is communicated to the window without regard to a direction of movement of said object with respect to said first proximity sensor and said second proximity sensor.

4. The control system of claim 1, wherein said first proximity sensor and said second proximity sensor are capacitive proximity sensors.

5. The control system of claim 1, wherein said processor is further configured to communicate a control signal to the window as a function of a detection of said object by one of said first proximity sensor and said second proximity sensor after expiration of said first period of time, such that movement of the window is stopped.

6. The control system of claim 1, wherein said processor is further configured to communicate a fully closed signal to the window when said first proximity sensor continuously detects said object for a second time period, and communicate a fully open signal to the window when said second proximity sensor continuously detects said object for said second time period.

7. The control system of claim 1, wherein said processor is further configured to communicate said control signal to the window when a detection is made by one of said first proximity sensor and said second proximity sensor, and a delay time period has expired.

8. The control system of claim 1, wherein the window is integrated with a vehicle.

9. The control system of claim 8, wherein the window is a moonroof integrated with said vehicle, and the substantially rigid cover is located approximately in a front and center portion of a headliner of said vehicle, such that motion of the object through said elongated trough simulates opening and closing the moonroof.

10. A method for controlling a position of a window that is configured to be in a fully open position, a fully closed position, and intermediate positions thereof, said method comprising the steps of:

detecting an object proximate to a first proximity sensor;

detecting an object proximate to a second proximity sensor;

communicating a control signal to move the window to a different position as a function of said detection of said object, wherein said control signal is based upon a most recent detection of said first and second proximity sensors if both first and second proximity sensors are activated within a first time period; and

communicating said control signal to stop movement of the window as a function of said object detection while the window is in motion and after expiration of said first time period.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein said steps of communicating said control signal further comprise communicating said control signal without regard to previous detections by said first proximity sensor and said second proximity sensor other than said most recent detection of one of said first proximity sensor and said second proximity sensor.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein said control signal is communicated to the window without regard to a direction of movement of said object with respect to said first proximity sensor and said second proximity sensor.

13. The method of claim 10 further comprising the step of:

communicating said control signal to the window when a detection is made by one of said first proximity sensor and said second proximity sensor and a delay time period has expired.

14. The method of claim 10 further comprising the steps of:

detecting said object proximate said first proximity sensor for a second time period; and

communicating a fully closed signal to the window.

15. The method of claim 10 further comprising the steps of:

detecting said object proximate said second proximity sensor for a second time period; and

communicating a fully open signal to the window.

16. A method for controlling a moonroof comprising:

detecting an object proximate a first sensor;

detecting said object proximate a second sensor; and

communicating a signal to move the moonroof based upon a most recent detection of said first and second sensors when said first and second sensors are activated within a first time period, while disregarding previous detections and after expiration of a delay period.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein said control signal is communicated to the moonroof without regard to a direction of movement of said object with respect to said first and second sensors.

18. The method of claim 16 further comprising the steps of:

detecting said object proximate said first sensor continuous for a second period of time; and

communicating a fully closed signal to the moonroof.

19. The method of claim 16 further comprising the steps of:

detecting said object proximate said second sensor continuous for a second period of time; and

communicating a fully open signal to the moonroof.

20. The method of claim 16, wherein said first and second sensors are capacitive proximity sensors.