Automatic venting system for a vehicle with obstruction detection utilizing dynamically modified thresholds

A method of controlling operation of an electric motor associated with a motor-operated vent in a vehicle, said method comprising the steps of:

• providing an operating current to said motor;
• monitoring and storing data relating to said operating current;
• detecting the occurrence of abnormal loads applied to said vent by determining whether the monitored operating current exceeds at least one predetermined threshold;
• dynamically modifying said at least one predetermined threshold in accordance with monitored condition variations of said operating current;
• and
• altering said operating current provided to said motor in response to the detection of an abnormal load detection.

A motor control system for controlling operation of an electric motor associated with a motor-operated vent in a vehicle, said system comprising:

• means for providing an operating current to said motor;
• means for monitoring and storing data relating to said operating current;
• means for monitoring and storing data relating to ripple current waves associated with said operating current;
• means for detecting the occurrence of abnormal loads applied to said vent by determining whether the frequency of the monitored ripple current waves is less than a predetermined value;
• and
• means for altering said operating current provided to said motor in response to the detection of an abnormal load detection.

A method of controlling operation of an electric motor associated with a motor-operated vent in a vehicle, said method comprising the steps of:

• providing an operating current to said motor;
• monitoring and storing data relating to said operating current;
• monitoring and storing data relating to ripple current waves associated with said operating current;
• detecting the occurrence of abnormal loads applied to said vent by determining whether the frequency of the monitored ripple current waves is less than a predetermined value;
• and
• altering said operating current provided to said motor in response to the detection of an abnormal load detection.