Motor speed-based anti-pinch control apparatus and method with endzone ramp detection and compensation
AssigneeValeo Electrical Systems, Inc.
InventorJoseph P. Whinnery
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A powered panel control apparatus and method is used with an electric motor having a rotatable armature. The control detects and generates time periods between the rotation of the armature over a predetermined constant amount of angular rotation. An average time period is computed over a predetermined number of time periods and compared with a threshold time period to determine if an obstacle is present in the path of movement of the panel. Transient counts are accumulated for increasing average time periods over a number of time period samples to detect an obstacle. Endzone ramp compensation adjusts a threshold for the initial entry of the panel into a seal.
Claims11
A powered movable panel control apparatus for a panel movable between first and second positions by an electric motor having an armature coupled to the panel, the control apparatus comprising:
- sensor means for detecting deceleration of a motor armature;
- timer means, responsive to the sensor means, for generating consecutive time periods between a predetermined amount of rotation of the armature over at least a portion of one complete revolution of the armature;
- means, responsive to the timer means, for calculating an average time period over the predetermined number of time periods;
- means, responsive to the average time period, for calculating the deceleration of the motor armature between two average time periods of the armature rotation;
- means for comparing the deceleration with a threshold defining normal motor decelerations resulting from motor armature load variations;
- means responsive to a comparison exceeding armature load threshold for classifying the deceleration as a relative deceleration with respect to the threshold;
- means for assigning a weighted value based on the relative deceleration with respect to the threshold;
- means for accumulating successive weighted values as a total cumulative weighted value;
- means for comparing the total cumulative value to a defined obstacle detection weighted value;
- means, responsive to the comparing means, for generating a signal to reverse direction of panel movement when the total cumulative weighted value exceeds the defined obstacle detection weighted value;
- means for learning the travel distance of the closure between the first and second positions;
- means for detecting the initial contact of the closure with a seal mounted in proximity with the second position of the closure;
- and
- means for increasing the threshold value until the closure reaches a predetermined position within the seal in proximity with the second position of the closure.
A method for controlling closure movement in a motor vehicle employing an electric motor controlled by a control, the method comprising the steps of:
- determining deceleration of the motor armature;
- classifying a degree of relative deceleration with respect to a threshold defining a potential obstacle in the path of movement of a panel driven by the motor;
- assigning a weighted value to the relative deceleration of the motor armature;
- accumulating successive weighted values as a total cumulative weight value;
- comparing the total cumulative weighted value with a total cumulative weight defining an obstacle in the path of movement of the panel;
- generating a signal to reverse the direction of panel movement when the total cumulative weighted value equals or exceeds a total cumulative weight defining an obstacle present;
- and
- compensating the threshold for initial contact of the panel with a seal at the second position of the panel.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.