# US 6,456,916 B1 · Power closure sensor system and method > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 6,456,916 B1 - Document ID: US6456916B1 - Status: Granted - Kind: B1 - Application number: 09/967,671 - Filed: 2001-09-28 - Published: 2002-04-04 - Granted: 2002-09-24 - Earliest claimed: 2000-09-29 - Assignees: Siemens VDO Automotive Corporation - Inventors: Lynne Ann Edgar; Tejas Bhupendra Desai; Allan D. Losey; Susan Adelle Johnson - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US6456916B1 ## CPC - B25J 9/163: {learning, adaptive, model based, rule based expert control} - E05F 15/41: Detection by monitoring transmitted force or torque (E05F15/48 takes precedence); Safety couplings with activation dependent upon torque or force, e.g. slip couplings - E05F 15/42: Detection using safety edges - E05F 15/431: {specially adapted for vehicle windows or roofs} - E05F 15/46: responsive to changes in electrical capacitance - H02H 7/0851: {for motors actuating a movable member between two end positions, e.g. detecting an end position or obstruction by overload signal} - E05Y 2900/548: Trunk lids - E05Y 2900/55: Windows - G05B 2219/21003: Proximity switch as input - G05B 2219/2628: Door, window - H02H 1/0092: {concerning the data processing means, e.g. expert systems, neural networks} - B25J: MANIPULATORS; CHAMBERS PROVIDED WITH MANIPULATION DEVICES ({manipulators specially adapted for use in surgery A61B34/70; manipulators used in cleaning hollow articles B08B9/04}; manipulators associated with rolling mills B21B39/20; manipulators associated with forging machines B21J13/10; {manipulators associated with picking-up and placing mechanisms B23P19/007}; means for holding wheels or parts thereof B60B30/00; {vehicles with ground-engaging propulsion means, e.g. walking members B62D57/02, B62D57/032; devices for picking-up and depositing articles or materials between conveyors B65G47/90, B65G47/91; manipulators with gripping or holding means for transferring packages B65H67/065}; cranes B66C; {manipulators used in the protection or supervision of pipe-line installations F17D5/00; walking equipment adapted for nuclear steam-generators F22B37/006}; manipulators specially adapted for, or associated with, nuclear reactors G21C; {apparatus used for handling wafers during manufacture or treatment of semiconductor H10P72/50}) - E05F: DEVICES FOR MOVING WINGS INTO OPEN OR CLOSED POSITION; CHECKS FOR WINGS; WING FITTINGS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR, CONCERNED WITH THE FUNCTIONING OF THE WING - H02H: EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE CIRCUIT ARRANGEMENTS (indicating or signalling undesired working conditions G01R, e.g. G01R31/00, G08B; locating faults along lines G01R31/08; emergency protective devices H01H) - E05Y: INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASSES E05D AND E05F, RELATING TO CONSTRUCTION ELEMENTS, ELECTRIC CONTROL, POWER SUPPLY, POWER SIGNAL OR TRANSMISSION, USER INTERFACES, MOUNTING OR COUPLING, DETAILS, ACCESSORIES, AUXILIARY OPERATIONS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR, APPLICATION THEREOF - G05B: CONTROL OR REGULATING SYSTEMS IN GENERAL; FUNCTIONAL ELEMENTS OF SUCH SYSTEMS; MONITORING OR TESTING ARRANGEMENTS FOR SUCH SYSTEMS OR ELEMENTS (systems for controlling or regulating non-electric variables G05D; systems for regulating electric or magnetic variables G05F; control devices or systems insofar as characterised by mechanical features only G05G) ## Abstract A power closure sensor system is disclosed. The system includes a data processing device, a closer motor in communication with the data processing device and controlling the movement of a closable member, and a proximity sensor, configured to sense the location of an object. The proximity sensor is in communication with the data processing device. The proximity sensor is configured to communicate the location of the object with or without the object contacting either the closable member or the frame. The system also includes a position sensor configured to sense the position of the closable member. The position sensor is in communication with the data processing device. Further, the system includes a logic program running on the data processing device and the logic program is configured to generate an estimate of the location of the object relative to the closable member. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A power closure sensor system, comprising: a data processing device; a closer motor in communication with the data processing device and controlling the movement of a closable member relative to a frame; a proximity sensor, configured to sense the location of an object, the proximity sensor in communication with the data processing device and the proximity sensor configured to sense the object location when the object does or does not contact the closable member or the frame member directly; a position sensor, configured to sense the position of the closable member, the position sensor in communication with the data processing device; and a logic program running on the data processing device and configured to generate an estimate of the location of the object relative to the closable member. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The power closure sensor system of claim 1, wherein the closable member is a vehicle window. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The power closure sensor system of claim 1, wherein the closable member is a vehicle door. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The power closure sensor system of claim 1, wherein the proximity sensor is a capacitive sensor. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The power closure sensor system of claim 1, wherein the proximity sensor is an infrared sensor. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The power closure sensor system of claim 1, wherein the logic program includes a neural network. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The power closure sensor system of claim 1, wherein the logic program includes a fuzzy logic program. ### Claim 8 A method of preventing a powered closable member from closing, the closable member supported by a frame comprising: determining the location of an object using a proximity sensor, the object not being required to have direct contact with at least one of the closable member and the frame; determining the position of the closable member; computing the location of the closable member relative to the object; determining that the object is within a predetermined range relative to the closable member; stopping a closing motor from advancing the closable member. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The method of claim 8, wherein the closable member is a vehicle window. ### Claim 10 (depends on 8) The method of claim 8, wherein the closable member is a vehicle door. ### Claim 11 (depends on 8) The method of claim 8, wherein the proximity sensor is a capacitive sensor. ### Claim 12 (depends on 8) The method of claim 8, wherein the proximity sensor is an infrared sensor. ### Claim 13 (depends on 8) The method of claim 8, wherein the logic program includes a neural network. ### Claim 14 (depends on 8) The method of claim 8, wherein the logic program includes a fuzzy logic program. ### Claim 15 A power closure sensor system for a vehicle, comprising: a data processing device; a closer motor in communication with the data processing device and controlling the movement of a closable member on the vehicle relative to a frame for the closable member; a capacitive sensor, configured to sense the location of an object, the capacitive sensor in communication with the data processing device, the capacitive sensor enabled to sense the relative location of the object when the object does or does not touch the closable member or the frame; a position sensor, configured to sense the position of the closable member, the position sensor in communication with the data processing device; and a logic program running on the data processing device and configured to generate an estimate of the location of the object relative to the closable member. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The power closure sensor system of claim 15, wherein the closable member is a vehicle window. ### Claim 17 (depends on 15) The power closure sensor system of claim 15, wherein the closable member is a vehicle door. ### Claim 18 (depends on 15) The power closure sensor system of claim 15, wherein the logic program includes a neural network. ### Claim 19 (depends on 15) The power closure sensor system of claim 15, wherein the logic program includes a fuzzy logic program. ### Claim 20 (depends on 15) The power closure sensor system of claim 15, wherein the estimate of the location of the object is compared with a sensitivity range to determine whether closing of the closable member should be terminated.