Intelligent commutation pulse detection system to control electric D.C. motors used with automobile accessories

A control system for engaging a bidirectional motor to manipulate an accessory over a bidirectional travel path in a motorized vehicle, comprising:

• (a) a sensor for detecting a commutation waveform corresponding to current passing through said motor;
• (b) a comparator for deriving a digital pulse train from said commutation waveform;
• (c) a memory for receiving and storing data representative of said commutation waveform and said digital pulse train, said memory including a programmed feature;
• and
• (d) a controller responsive to said data and said feature, said controller providing an output signal to control said motor.

A control system for engaging a bidirectional motor to manipulate an accessory over a bidirectional travel path in a motorized vehicle, comprising:

• (a) a sensor for detecting a commutation waveform corresponding to current passing through said motor;
• (b) a detector for generating a digital pulse train from said motor, said detector including a device for sensing pole crossings located near at least one pole of said motor;
• (c) a memory for receiving and storing data representative of said commutation waveform and said digital pulse train, said memory including a programmed feature;
• and
• (d) a controller responsive to said data and said feature, said controller providing an output signal to control said motor.

A control system for controlling a motorized vehicle accessory including at least one motor operable from a d.c. power source for adjusting said accessory, and a memory for storing a plurality of positions of said accessory, the control system comprising:

• (a) a sensor for detecting current supplied from said d.c. power source to said motor;
• (b) a generator for generating a signal indicative of a position of said accessory from current fluctuations in a supply line from d.c. power source to said motor during an adjustment in said position of said accessory;
• and
• (c) a controller including a first routine for monitoring said signal for conditions indicative of an obstruction in a path of said accessory based upon a rate of change of said current fluctuations relative to said position and a second routing to send an output signal to said motor to stop said accessory thereby providing an automatic safety feature.

A method of controlling an accessory of a motorized vehicle including at least one motor operable from a d.c. power source for adjusting a position of said accessory, a memory for storing a plurality of positions of said accessory, and a microcomputer based electronic controller, comprising the steps of:

• (a) sensing current supplied from said d.c. power source to said motor;
• (b) generating a signal indicative of the position of said accessory from current fluctuations in a supply line from said d.c. power source to said motor during an adjustment in the position of said accessory;
• (c) measuring said signal to determine a number of commutation pulses that have been missed and a number of double pulses;
• and
• (d) compensating for said number of missing commutation pulses and said number of double pulses to store a corrected data position representing said accessory position into said memory.

A system for controlling an accessory of a motorized vehicle including at least one motor operable from a d.c. power source for adjusting a position of said accessory, a memory for storing a plurality of positions of said accessory, and a microcomputer based electronic controller, comprising:

• (a) means for sensing current supplied from said d.c. power source to said motor;
• (b) means for generating a signal indicative of the position of said accessory from current fluctuations in a supply line from said d.c. power source to said motor during an adjustment in the position of said accessory;
• (c) means for measuring said signal to determine a number of commutation pulses that have been missed and a number of double pulses;
• and
• (d) means for compensating for said number of missing commutation pulses and said number of double pulses to store a corrected data position representing said accessory position into said memory.

A control system for use with a bidirectional motor connected to a motorized vehicle accessory to move said accessory a distance from a first position to a second position, said control system comprising:

• (a) means for detecting control signals emitted by said motor during rotation, said control signals indicative of an amount of rotation of said motor;
• (b) a memory including a representative control signal waveform;
• and
• (c) a controller responsive to said memory and said detecting means, and providing an output signal to said motor for operation thereof as a function of a relationship between said distance and said control signals, said controller including:
• (i) means for comparing said control signals detected by said detecting means to a running average of said control signals, and
• (ii) means for adjusting said output signal to said motor as a function of said comparison made by said comparing means.

A control system for use with a bidirectional motor that generates control signals indicative of an amount of rotation of said motor, said bidirectional motor connected to a motorized vehicle accessory to move said accessory a distance from a first position to a second position, said control system comprising:

• (a) a detector responsive to said control signals;
• (b) a means for synchronously sampling said control signals with the generation thereof;
• and
• (c) a controller responsive to said synchronous sampling means for providing an output signal to said motor for operation thereof as a function of a relationship between said distance and said control signals.

A control system for controlling a motorized vehicle accessory including at least one motor operable from a d.c. power source for adjusting said accessory, and a memory for storing a plurality of positions of said accessory, the control system comprising:

• (a) a sensor for detecting current supplied from said d.c. power source to said motor;
• (b) a generator for generating a signal indicative of a position of said accessory from current fluctuations in a supply line from said d.c. power source to said motor during an adjustment in said position of said accessory;
• and
• (c) a controller for monitoring said signal for conditions indicative of an obstruction in a path of said accessory based upon a rate of change of said current fluctuations relative to said position and sending a signal to said motor to alter operation thereof upon said indication thereby providing an automatic safety feature.