US 6,056,352 AGranted

Sunroof assembly for an automotive vehicle and control system for operating a sunroof assembly

AssigneeASC Incorporated

InventorsKip A. Ewing, James M. Helms, Oluf H. Bendixen, Mark A. Caye, John D. Goins, David A. Smith

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Abstract

A sunroof assembly (20) of an automotive vehicle employs dual sunroof panes, a pair of movable sunshades and a control system for operating the function thereof. In one aspect of the present invention, a sunroof assembly provides a substantially transparent front pane (22) which is slidable from a covering position to a retracted position and a substantially transparent rear pane (24) movable from a covering position to an open position. In another aspect of the present invention, a sunroof assembly (20) provides a pair of substantially transparent panes in combination with a front sunshade (26) and a rear sunshade (28). The sunshades are movable from a functional position to a stowed position. In a further aspect of the present invention, a control system (32) provides an electric switch assembly (30), electrical circuit and software for operating the panes and sunshades.

Claims25

Dependent claims

A control system for a sunroof assembly having a first pane, a second pane and a sunshade, the control system comprising:

a first electric motor operable to move the first pane;
a second electric motor operable to move the second pane;
a third electric motor operable to move the sunshade;
a central processing unit connected to the electric motors;
a vehicle occupant accessible switch assembly having a first pane circuit, a second pane circuit, a pane venting circuit and a sunshade circuit;
a first sensor operable to sense the position of the first pane;
and
a second sensor operable to sense the position of the second pane, each of the sensors being connected to the central processing unit and being operable to indicate at least one position of the pane to the central processing unit;
the central processing unit operably causing the first electric motor to move the first pane to a tilted venting position if the switch assembly energizes the pane venting circuit;
the central processing unit operably causing the panes to move independently from each other depending on the position of the switch assembly;
the central processing unit operably causing the panes to move synchronously with each other depending on the position of the switch assembly;
the central processing unit operably causing the third electric motor to move the sunshade if the switch assembly energizes the sunshade circuit;
the central processing unit deenergizing the first electric motor if the first sensor indicates that the first pane is in a first predetermined position;
and
the central processing unit deenergizing the second electric motor if the second sensor indicates that the second pane is in a second predetermined position.

12 more elements

A method of controlling a front sunroof panel, a rear sunroof panel, a front sunshade and a rear sunshade by using a processing unit, electric motors, position sensors and a vehicle occupant accessible switch assembly, the method comprising:

(a) closing a first electrical circuit with the switch assembly;
(b) receiving a first electrical signal by the unit, sent from the switch assembly, in response to (a);
(c) energizing a first of the motors in response to (b);
(d) moving the front panel in response to (c);
(e) receiving a second signal by the unit, sent from one of the sensors;
(f) deenergizing the first motor in response to (e);
(g) closing a second electric circuit with the switch assembly;
(h) receiving a third electrical signal by the unit, sent from the switch assembly, in response to (g);
(i) energizing a second of the motors in response to (h);
moving the rear panel in response to (i);
(k) receiving a fourth electrical signal by the unit, sent from a second of the sensors;
(l) deenergizing the second motor in response to (k);
(m) closing a third electric circuit with the switch assembly;
(n) receiving a fifth electrical signal by the unit, sent from the switch assembly, in response to (m);
(o) energizing a third of the motors in response to (n);
(p) moving the front sunshade in response to (o);
(q) closing a fourth electric circuit with the switch assembly;
(r) receiving a sixth electrical signal by the unit, sent from the switch assembly, in response to (q);
(s) energizing a fourth of the motors in response to (r);
(t) moving the rear sunshade in response to (s);
(u) determining if the switch assembly is in a condition to require simultaneous movement of the panels;
and
(v) determining if the switch assembly is in a condition to require movement of one of the panels without requiring movement of the other of the panels.

20 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.