US 5,404,673 A · Power window apparatus with safety device

Abstract

A power window apparatus for carrying out a safety control operation when an object is caught in the window, which apparatus is capable of setting a safety control mode disabling region to within the required distance exactly. The power window apparatus includes a motor rotation sensor for sensing a state of rotation of the motor, and a window movement sensor for sensing the amount of movement of the window. The object-caught state is detected on the basis of the rotational rate of the motor, and the absolute position of the window is detected on the basis of the detected amount of movement of the window. The safety control mode is disabled in response to the detected absolute position of the window. A reference value for detecting the object-caught state may be varied as the window approaches its fully closed position.

Claims14

Dependent claims

An automotive power window apparatus with a safety device for carrying out a safety control operation upon detection of a state where an object is caught in a window driven by a motor, said apparatus comprising:

a movable window glass;
a motor for driving said window glass;
a window-moving mechanism for converting rotational movement of said motor to opening or closing movement of said window;
a first detector for detecting a rate of rotation of said motor;
an object-caught detector operating in response to said first detector for detecting when an object is caught in said window;
a second detector for detecting an absolute position of said window;
a safety control region detecting unit operating in response to said second detector for detecting the presence of said window glass in a safety control mode disabling region within a predetermined distance of a fully closed position of said window;
and
an operation unit for controlling said motor for opening and closing said window and for performing a safety control operation to move said window in an opening direction when said object-caught detector indicates a state of an object being caught in said window, except when said safety control region detecting unit indicates said window glass is in said safety control mode disabling region.

6 more elements

a movable window glass;
a motor for driving said window glass;
a window-moving mechanism for converting rotational movement of said motor to opening or closing movement of said window;
a first detector for detecting a rate of rotation of said motor;
an object-caught detector operating in response to said first detector for detecting when an object is caught in said window by comparing an output of said first detector with a reference value;
a second detector for detecting an absolute position of said window in a region adjacent to a fully closed position of said window;
a reference value setting unit for setting said reference value in accordance with an output of said second detector;
and
an operation unit for controlling said motor for opening and closing said window and for performing a safety control operation to move said window in an opening direction when said object-caught detector indicates a state of an object being caught in said window.

6 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Power window apparatus with safety device

Life of this patent

Power window apparatus with safety device

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims14