Method and system for detecting the position of a power window of a vehicle

A method of detecting the position of a window relative to a window frame of a motor vehicle door assembly, the method comprising:

• positioning a first sensing device adjacent the window;
• positioning a second sensing device in the window frame to detect the presence of an obstruction between the window and window frame;
• detecting the position of the window with the first sensing device based on a coding arrangement etched into a surface of the window, wherein the coding arrangement comprises a plurality of indicia uniformly spaced and correlated to convey the vertical position of the window relative to the window frame;
• generating an output signal representative of the position of the window relative to the window frame based on the coding arrangement on the window;
• generating an output signal based on the detection of an obstruction detected by the second sensing device;
• comparing the output signals generated by the first and second sensing devices against predetermined values to determine whether an obstruction exists between the window and window frame;
• and
• generating a control signal to stop and reverse the travel of the window upon detection of an obstruction between the window and window frame.

A window position detection and anti-pinch system for a motor vehicle door assembly having a window adjustably positionable in a window frame by a reversible motor operatively connected to the window, the system comprising:

• a first sensing device disposed adjacent the window for detecting the position of the window relative to the window frame, the first sensing device including a rotary member engaging a surface of the window and an encoder rotatably connected to the rotary member for detecting the position of the window relative to the window frame, wherein the encoder is rotated by the rotary member upon the movement of the window and generates an output signal representative of the detected position of the window;
• a second sensing device including a transmitter disposed adjacent an upper rear portion of the window frame emitting an energy signal along the inner periphery of the window frame, a receiver in communication with the controller disposed adjacent a lower front portion of the window frame detecting the electromagnetic signal and a prism positioned in the path of the energy signal emitted by the transmitter and arranged to redirect the signal to the receiver;
• and
• a controller responsive to the output of the first and second sensing devices for comparing the output signals against predetermined values to determine whether an obstruction exists between the window and window frame.

A method of detecting the position of a window relative to a window frame of a motor vehicle door assembly, the method comprising:

• positioning a first sensing device adjacent the window, wherein the first sensing device is a rotary member engaging a surface of the window which includes an encoder rotably connected to the rotary member for detecting the position of the window relative to the window frame;
• generating an output signal with the encoder representative of the position of the window relative to the window frame;
• positioning a second sensing device in the window frame to detect the presence of an obstruction between the window and window frame;
• generating an output signal based on the detection of an obstruction detected by the second sensing device;
• comparing the output signal generated by the firts and second sensing device against predetermined values to determine whether an obstruction exists between the window and window frame;
• and
• generating a control signal to stop and reverse the travel of the window upon detection of an obstruction between the window and window frame.