Information
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Patent Grant
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6291957
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Patent Number
6,291,957
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Date Filed
Friday, October 29, 199925 years ago
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Date Issued
Tuesday, September 18, 200123 years ago
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Inventors
-
Original Assignees
-
Examiners
- Nappi; Robert E.
- Duda; Rina I.
Agents
-
CPC
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US Classifications
Field of Search
US
- 318 466
- 318 468
- 318 256
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International Classifications
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Abstract
A vehicle window obstruction detection system looks for lateral forces on the window. A lateral force is indicative of an obstruction in the path of the window, and is particularly indicative of a living obstruction. The presence of the lateral force is utilized to identify an obstruction, and stop further movement of the movable closure.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to monitoring lateral forces on a window to determine the presence of an obstruction in the path of the window.
Modern vehicles typically have several windows which are movable automatically. In this application, the term “window” should be understood to include not only side windows in a vehicle, but also other movable closures such as rear windows, sunroofs, etc.
Typically in the prior art, a switch may be actuated and the window will then close automatically. There may sometimes be an obstruction in the way of the window, As an example, a passenger's arm may extend outwardly of the window opening when the window is being closed.
The prior art has attempted to identify such obstructions by monitoring current or torque load on the motor. When a particular characteristic of the load on the motor is seen, an indication is made that an obstruction has been encountered.
It is desirable to provide an obstruction indicator which is more directly related to the window and contact with an obstruction.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In a disclosed embodiment of the this invention, a sensor monitors lateral forces on a moving window. A lateral force is indicative of an obstruction being in contact with the window. As an example, if a passenger in a vehicle has an arm trapped in the path of the window, the arm will tend to be pulled in, as contact is initiated. This creates a lateral force on the window. By monitoring lateral forces on the window, the present invention is able to identify the presence of an obstruction. If an obstruction has been identified, then the motor for the window may be stopped or reversed.
In one disclosed embodiment, a sensor is incorporated into the structure which holds the window. In a first embodiment, the sensor may be a piezoelectric material. This material is sensitive to force and vibration, and thus would be able to identify even a small lateral force being applied to the window. In a second embodiment, an accelerometer may be placed on the structure which holds the window. This accelerometer would be able to identify the existence of the lateral force.
In a distinct embodiment, a piezoelectric film is incorporated into the seal for the window. As the window encounters the lateral force, the window would tend to twist within its seal. This would apply a force to the piezoelectric lining.
With any of the above embodiments, the control monitors signals from the sensors, and identifies an obstruction by evaluating lateral forces. When an obstruction has been identified, the control sends a signal to the motor to either reverse or stop further movement.
These and other features of the present invention will be best understood from the following specification and drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1
is a schematic view of a first embodiment of this invention.
FIG. 2
is a schematic of a second view of this invention.
FIG. 3
is a schematic view of a third embodiment.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
A window
20
is illustrated in
FIG. 1
having a moving closure member
22
driven by a motor
24
, shown schematically. At a closed position window
22
is received in an upper frame seal
26
. At times, a passenger may have an arm
28
in the path of the moving closure
22
. As known, the motor
24
may be actuated by an operator switch to close automatically. If the closure
22
is moving towards a closed position, it can trap and pinch the passenger
28
.
The present invention identifies the existence of an obstruction at a connection
30
which holds and moves the closure
22
. The connection between motor
24
and holder
30
is shown schematically. Any such connection, and any holding structure would come within the scope of this invention. The present invention incorporates a material which is sensitive to force on the closure
22
into the connector
30
. In a preferred embodiment, the material
32
is a piezoelectric material. The piezoelectric material is sensitive to force on the closure
22
, and will be able to identify a lateral force.
If material
32
senses a lateral force, a signal is sent to a control
34
. Upon detection of the lateral force, control
34
controls the motor
24
to either reverse or stop movement of the closure
22
. In this way, the obstruction
28
will not be trapped between the moving closure
22
and the frame
26
. Of course, if some lateral forces are to be expected the control
34
can be made sensitive to unexpected lateral forces.
FIG. 2
shows another embodiment
40
wherein the holding structure
42
carries an accelerometer
44
. Accelerometer
44
communicates a signal indicative of a lateral force on the moving closure
22
to a control
34
. This embodiment operates as the first embodiment.
FIG. 3
shows another embodiment
46
. Embodiment
46
includes a seal
48
at a lower end of the closure
22
. A piezoelectric film
50
is placed outwardly of the seal material
48
. The obstruction
28
on the moving closure
22
will cause a lateral force which can be sensed by the film
50
, as the closure
22
bends within the seal
48
. As with the earlier embodiments, this lateral force can be conveyed to the control
34
which then controls the motor
24
.
Although a preferred embodiment of this invention has been disclosed, a worker in this art would recognize that certain modifications would come within the scope of this invention For that reason, the following claims should be studied to determine the true scope and content of this invention.
Claims
- 1. A method of identifying an obstruction in a closure comprising the steps of:(1) providing a movable closure with a sensor for monitoring forces on said closure in a lateral direction generally transverse to a closing direction of movement of said movable closure; (2) monitoring lateral forces on said closure as said closure is being moved to a closed position, and providing a signal of any monitored lateral forces to a control; (3) moving said closure towards a closed position; and (4) identifying an obstruction should a lateral force be monitored during closing movement.
- 2. A method as set forth in claim 1, wherein said monitoring of lateral forces is performed by a sensor incorporated into a window seal.
- 3. A method as set forth in claim 1, wherein said monitoring of lateral forces is performed by a sensor mounted within a holding structure for holding said closure.
- 4. A vehicle closure assembly comprising:a movable closure which is movable relative to a vehicle frame; a linkage for moving said closure to a closed position; a motor for closing said movable closure; and a lateral force sensor for sensing lateral forces on said closure as said closure is moved to a closed position, and a control for identifying a sensed lateral force on said closure and indicating the presence of an obstruction in the path of said closure.
- 5. An apparatus as set forth in claim 4, wherein said closure is stopped if an obstruction is identified.
- 6. An assembly as set forth in claim 4, wherein said motor is reversed if an obstruction is identified.
- 7. An assembly as set forth in claim 5, wherein said sensor is incorporated into a seal for guiding and sealing said movable closure.
- 8. An assembly as set forth in claim 7, wherein said sensor is a piezoelectric film placed adjacent to said seal.
- 9. An assembly as set forth in claim 5, wherein said sensor incorporates a member mounted adjacent to a holding structure for connecting said linkage to said window.
- 10. As assembly as set forth in claim 6, wherein said sensor is a piezoelectric element.
US Referenced Citations (11)
Foreign Referenced Citations (3)
Number |
Date |
Country |
560047-A-1 |
Sep 1993 |
DE |
2158149-A |
Nov 1985 |
GB |
05071269-A |
Mar 1993 |
JP |