Method And Device For Detecting Potential Pinches

An apparatus comprising:

• a first measuring device configured to obtain measurements of a physical quantity representative of a movement of a panel in a panel-position domain towards an open position, the panel being movable by an actuator in the panel-position domain between a closed position and the open position;
• a second measuring device configured to receive panel positions in the panel-position domain;
• a storage device configured to store values provided by the first measuring device in relationship with the panel positions provided by the second measuring device;
• and
• a processing device configured to:
• measure, using the first measuring device and the second measuring device, the physical quantity at a plurality of panel positions when the panel is moved towards the open position and record related values of the physical quantity, the related values providing a first profile of the physical quantity in the panel-position domain;
• measure the physical quantity in a reference position when the panel is moved towards the closed position, the reference position being at least one of the panel positions;
• determine, for the reference position, an offset value between a value of the physical quantity measured when the panel is moved towards the closed position and another value of the physical quantity measured when the panel was moved towards the open position;
• determine a second profile by shifting the first profile by a shifting value derived from the offset value;
• measure the physical quantity in a repetitive manner in the panel-position domain when the panel is moved towards the closed position to obtain a third profile;
• and
• detect a potential pinch if the third profile crosses the second profile.