Abstract: A control system for a first window lifter adjusts a first window pane of a motor vehicle having a first drive, and for a second window lifter for adjusting a second window pane of the motor vehicle having a second drive, having a control device. The control device may be electrically connected both to the first drive and to the second drive for the purpose of energization. The control device may have a first sensor for determining a first adjustment position of the first window lifter, and a second sensor for determining a second adjustment position of the second window lifter, the first sensor and the second sensor being based on different physical operational principles.

Abstract: A control apparatus for opening/closing a vehicle door includes a door opening/closing mechanism for operating the vehicle door, a driving source for driving the door opening/closing mechanism, a connecting/disconnecting apparatus interposed between the door opening/closing mechanism and the driving source, and a controlling apparatus for controlling the connecting/disconnecting apparatus. The controlling apparatus for opening/closing the vehicle door includes a door movement-detecting apparatus for detecting a movement of the vehicle door. The controlling apparatus switches the connecting/disconnecting apparatus from a connected state to a disconnected state when the driving source is stopped during in an opening/closing operation of the vehicle door.

Abstract: A system for safely opening/closing a power window of a vehicle includes a main opening/closing device provided adjacent to a driver seat so as to open and close a window of a passenger seat. A sub opening/closing device is provided adjacent to a passenger seat so as to open and close a window of a passenger seat. A plurality of main electrodes of the main opening/closing device includes at least one main ground electrode for generating a signal. A main center electrode is electrically connected to a sub opening/closing device and to at least one main ground electrode by a main switch, and is disposed on a portion of a main plate to be prevented from being electrically connected to a main ground electrode when a main switch moves.

Abstract: An operating device for an overhead closure which comprises a motor, operatively connected to the closure for opening and closing the closure, and at least one sensor unit mountable either the closure or a support surface bordering the closure. The sensor unit is operable to detect the presence of an obstacle obstructing a travel path of the closure and to generate a signal in response thereto. A control system is in communication with the sensor and with the motor. The control system includes a control unit which receives the signal and provides a sensing feature which stops and/or opens the closure in response to the signal. The control unit deactivates the sensing feature at a selected point prior to an end limit position of the closure. The selected point is determined by the control unit based on a calculated delay characteristic.

Abstract: A power-saving, high-performance, low-noise brushless motor control circuit assembly is disclosed formed of a power supply circuit, a booster and compensation circuit, a voltage regulator circuit, a microprocessor, a back electromagnetic force sensor, three driver circuits, and three output circuits. By means of detecting back electromagnetic force, the magnetic pole position of the brushless motor is known accurately, ensuring accurate operation control. By means of providing a high voltage to drive the drive circuits, the field effect transistors of the output circuits are operated under full conduction, saving much power consumption and lowering the working temperature of the brushless motor.

Abstract: A method for controlling a seat which is equipped with: at least one controllable actuator (20) for moving two portions (16, 18) of the seat relative to each other; a controllable lock (26) for positive mechanical locking of the movement of the two portions of the seat, the lock (26) being able to be displaced between an engaged position opposite a complementary stop (30) and a disengaged position remote from the stop (30), which method comprises, in the event of an order for modification of a command for the actuator (20), steps for: verifying whether the two portions (16, 18) are in a critical range (I) of relative positioning, and as long as the two portions (16, 18) are in the critical range (I), applying to the actuator (20) a command which is different from the modified command.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a method for the position-dependent control of a mobile element in a motor vehicle, wherein the element is movable in a drive movement by an electrically powered positioning device, wherein the positioning device has several different operational modes, and characteristics of a drive signal of the positing device, in particular a waviness of a drive current, are used for the determination of the position of the element. According to the invention, a characteristic variable, which influences the drive movement of the positioning device, and/or a specific value, which characterizes the positioning device, are evaluated for the determination of an error value of the determined position of the mobile element, and that the operating modes of the positioning device are controlled in dependence of the determined error value.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for identifying pinching situations in a motor-driven displacing device. During a displacing process along an actuating direction, values (W(n) to (W(n?m)) of a quantity (1), which characterizes the currently occurring displacing force, or a quantity derived therefrom are determined and stored, and a quantity (8) that characterizes the pinching force of the displacing device is determined on the basis of at least two stored values (W(n) to (W(n?m)).

Abstract: A winding control method of a seatbelt retractor for winding a seatbelt with a motor includes detecting a current flowing through the motor, and stopping the motor when the current exceeds a predetermined value. The winding action is not stopped while the motor is accelerated even when the current exceeds the predetermined value.

Abstract: A drive arrangement for positioning a positioning element is disclosed that includes an electric servo motor for driving the positioning element, a potentiometer for presetting a setpoint, an actual value sensor disposed at the servo motor, and a motor driver with an integrated evaluation and control unit comparing the setpoint and actual value, whereby a pulse-shaped signal is superposed on the setpoint and the pulse-shaped signal exceeds the motor driver hysteresis in the evaluation and control unit.

Abstract: Improvements in human interaction with barrier movement operators are disclosed. A controller of the barrier movement operator is capable of a number of learning modes in which the controller cooperates with a user to learn operating parameters. The controller guides and corrects the necessary actions by the user. The barrier movement operator also includes an input/output unit remote from the main controller of the operator. Human interaction with the remote input/output unit enables diagnosis of operator faults remotely.

Abstract: A movable barrier operator having an electrical motor responsive to control signals for moving the barrier, a controller to control the barrier movements, and two command apparatuses for generating command inputs, which command apparatuses are located remotely from each other. The first command apparatus is mounted in a location remote from the controller and easily accessible by the users, and the second command apparatus is located close proximity to the controller to be easily accessible by an installer at the time of service.

Abstract: In a movable barrier operator, data that corresponds to force requirements to effect desired movement of a movable barrier is compressed and stored for later retrieval. Multiple compression schemes and/or compression rates can be made available. Selection of a given scheme or rate can be determined on a user-directed or an automatic basis. Automatic selection in turn can be based on various criteria including, for example, presently available memory resources.

Abstract: The method of operating an actuator intended to drive a movable element for closure, for privacy or for solar protection or a projection screen, comprising a motor, an electronic unit for controlling the supply to the motor and a control interface furnished with at least one first key and a second key, the pressing of which keys usually causes a movement of the motor in a first direction, respectively, a movement of the motor in a second direction, is one wherein, in at least one second mode of operation, the movements of the motor in the two directions are controlled by presses of the first key exclusively.

Abstract: System and method for detecting the presence of an object in an aperture in which an electromagnetic pulse is directed from an edge of a frame defining the aperture and electromagnetic waves reflected from an opposite edge of the frame are received at substantially the same location. A time of flight between the emission of the electromagnetic pulse and the reception of the reflected electromagnetic waves is measured. The presence of an obstacle in the aperture causes a variation in the time of flight from a reference time of flight in a situation where an obstacle is not present in the aperture. The system and method can be used in vehicles to determine the presence of obstacles in the path of a closing window, door, trunk lid, convertible top, or sunroof.

Abstract: A capacitive sensor (30) for use with a automotive vehicle (200) having a power sliding door (202) has a flexible housing (44). The housing (44) has a first set of electrodes (12) and a second set of electrodes (14) interdigitally spaced from each other and a ground electrode (15) made from a flexible metallic braid.

Abstract: A driver monitor for a driver system. A driver monitor includes a driver monitoring unit for monitoring the fastening operation of the driver based on pre-determined fastening information. A rotation start signal and a rotation stop signal are used to determine whether the fastening operation is appropriately completed or not. An information signal is generated based on a result of monitoring. An operation processing unit outputs the result information signal from the driver monitoring unit to external peripheral apparatus and receives an operation information signal from the external peripheral apparatus in order to cooperate with the external peripheral apparatus. A display unit receives the information signal from the driver monitoring unit and displays the information signal.

Abstract: A window position detection and anti-pinch system and method for detecting the presence of an obstruction between a window and window frame of a door assembly of a vehicle is disclosed. The system includes at least one sensing device disposed adjacent the window detecting the position of the window in the window frame and generating an output representative of the detected position of the window. A controller responsive to the output generated by the at least one sensing device compares the window position signal output against predetermined values to determine window position and whether an obstruction exists between the window and window frame.

Abstract: A motor for turning the rod of an object such as a window covering is attached to an elongated ferromagnetic bar. Magnets are closely spaced from the bar, and as the bar rotates to cut the magnetic field lines, pickup coils generate signals that can be used to determine the direction and speed of rotation and also the position of the motor (and, hence, the position of the object being moved). The magnets brake the motor from turning under the weight of the object when the motor is deenergized.

Abstract: An operator system and related methods (10) for sensing forces on a movable barrier (12) includes a motor (52), a trolley (30), and a trolley arm (34) having a first end slidably supported by the trolley (38) and a second end coupled to the movable barrier. The motor moves the trolley arm which in turn moves the movable barrier. A force detection mechanism (68) is coupled to the motor to determine a first component force value applied by the motor. A controller (54) receives the first component force value and determines a detected force value by scaling the first component force value with a second component force value derived from an angular position of the trolley arm's first end with respect to the trolley. The angular position of the trolley arm may be fixed or variable. An angle potentiometer (72) is coupled to the trolley arm to generate an angle signal for use as the second component force value when the trolley arm's angular position is allowed to vary.

Abstract: A system and method to simulate and evaluate management algorithms of a panel or mobile window, activated by an electric motor, with anti-crushing security and a program for its execution. It includes a modular structure integrating a series of models representative of the electric parameters of the electric motor, mobile panel performance, incidence of a possible obstacle and an activation and control methodology implemented by means of a sequential state machine related to starting, stopping and/or motor displacement direction according to position and panel displacement direction and a module to evaluate an algorithm to be validated on introducing the current supplied to the motor and its angular speed and which analyzes said values and its temporary evolution and combinations between some or other values. Said models and modules are implemented in a high level programming language.

Abstract: Vehicle window panes for a convertible including a door window pane and a rear window pane which adjoin one another at a joint pane boundary line. When the door window pane is closed, the rear window pane may be in the open or closed end position and, when the door window pane is partially or completely lowered, the rear window pane is in an open position in every case.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for sensing barrier position in a barrier movement system are disclosed. Electrical apparatus is connected to the barrier and generates a barrier position signal representative of barrier positions which may be used by a controller to detect barrier position. The electrical apparatus can be manually adjusted to reflect a first barrier position such as a closed position. Other barrier positions can be sensed by comparing the barrier position signal to other manually adjustable position signals.

Abstract: A door actuation system conducts or assists movement of sliding vehicle doors by connecting the door to a bi-directional motor via one or more helical cables that engage with gearing on the bi-directional motor. Rotation of the motor in either direction pushes or pulls the helical cables, causing the door to move toward the open or closed position. The motor can be stopped when the door reaches selected positions other than the open or closed position, holding the door in a partially open position.

Abstract: A closure system including a closure moveable for substantially closing an aperture in use, and an actuator for at least closing the closure, the actuator being mounted by mounting means, the mounting means including one or more measurement cells for measuring, in use, parameters of the closure systems, in use the system being subjected to movement and being arranged such that it is possible to at least partially distinguish trap forces applied to the closure from acceleration forces applied to the closure as a result of the movement of the closure system by consideration of the measured parameters.

Abstract: A movable barrier operator having improved safety and energy efficiency features automatically detects line voltage frequency and uses that information to set a worklight shut-off time. The operator automatically detects the type of door (single panel or segmented) and uses that information to set a maximum speed of door travel. The operator moves the door with a linearly variable speed from start of travel to stop for smooth and quiet performance. The operator provides for full door closure by driving the door into the floor when the DOWN limit is reached and no auto-reverse condition has been detected. The operator provides for user selection of a minimum stop speed for easy starting and stopping of sticky or binding doors.

Abstract: Vehicle window panes for a convertible including a door window pane and a rear window pane which adjoin one another at a joint pane boundary line. When the door window pane is closed, the rear window pane may be in the open or closed end position and, when the door window pane is partially or completely lowered, the rear window pane is in an open position in every case.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for detecting the adjustment of translationally moved adjusting devices in vehicles, especially window lifters, sunroofs and similar, comprising a sensor, which emits a sensor signal that is dependent on the adjusting movement of the adjusting device to a circuit for evaluating the sensor signal. This sensor also detects the forces of acceleration that are exerted on the vehicle and emits a signal to the circuit that corresponds to these forces of acceleration, and is characteristically modified. The sensor signals are the evaluated.

Abstract: A power-window safety device which includes an annular magnet 21 mounted on a rotary shaft (9a) of a drive motor (9) for opening and closing a window glass of an automotive vehicle, and a magnetic flux sensor (20), disposed facing the annular magnet (21), for sensing a change of a magnetic flux developed from the annular magnet (21), which change in flux is caused by rotation of the rotary shaft (9a). The magnetic flux sensor includes Hall ICs (22A and 22B). An operational element (24A, 24B) performs a process of linearly approximating a sinusoidally varying voltage output from a Hall element (23A, 23B) which is provided in association with the operational element, and produces an output voltage (VA, VB) thus processed. Every angular position of the rotary output shaft, or every opening/closing position of the window glass, is detected over the range of one complete rotation on the basis of the output voltages (VA and VB) that are generated through the rotation of the rotary shaft (9a).

Abstract: A door operator and related method of setting custom limits on movable barrier travel, includes a motor for moving the movable barrier between two travel limit positions, an operator for controlling operation of the motor, and a disconnect system coupled between the motor and the operator. The disconnect system is switchable between a connected position and a disconnected position, wherein the motor can engage the operator only when the disconnect system is in the connected position. The operator is connected to a potentiometer for ascertaining movable barrier position, regardless of the position of the disconnect system, and provides position information to the operator. A travel limit is set by placing the disconnect system in the disconnected position and manually moving the door to a desired position whereupon the disconnect system is moved to the connected position so that the operator can detect a positional location to be designated as one of the travel limits.

Abstract: The invention is a capacitive sensor system for preventing the pinching or trapping of a human body part or foreign object by a power-closing panel. The body part or object is sensed either before contact or at the time of contact with the sensor electrode by a change in capacitance. When the object or body part is detected, the power closing panels can be reversed or stopped to prevent the trapping of the object. The sensing electrodes consist of multiple segments. Each segment detects the capacitance of the sensed object (with respect to ground or between adjacent or nearby elements) and the adjacent environment. The capacitance values for each of the segments are analyzed in real time and compared against the average of the highest value obtained from a certain number of segments. When the capacitance of one or more segments is less than the average of the capacitance of all or some of the segments minus a predetermined constant, the sensor system is triggered.

Abstract: An apparatus for driving a motor that opens and closes the window of vehicle, for example, is so adapted that when the vehicle becomes submersed in the sea, a lake or a river, etc., the window is prevented from being closed owing to malfunctioning of a relay caused when a leakage current flows into an operating switch for opening and closing the window. When submersion is sensed and it is sensed that the motor is being rotated by a malfunction in a direction that closes the window, a relay for rotating the motor in the forward direction is actuated. This prevents the occurrence of a situation in which the motor is caused to rotate (especially in the direction that closes the window) regardless of the fact that the operating switch has not been operated.

Abstract: A sunroof apparatus comprises a drive motor which actuates a roof glass and a control section. The control section rotates the drive motor reversely when the movement of the sunroof is obstructed by a caught foreign matter. When a drive voltage to be supplied to the drive motor becomes lower than a reference voltage, the control section determines that the drive voltage is abnormal and stops supplying the drive voltage to the drive motor to inhibit the drive motor from being operated. A first reference voltage is used as the reference voltage at the time the drive motor is stopped, and a second reference voltage lower than the first reference voltage is used as the reference voltage at the time the drive motor is operated. It is therefore possible to detect a foreign matter being caught before an abnormality of the drive voltage is determined.

Abstract: A system and method for moving a horizontally sliding portal closure includes a linear reluctance motor or a magnetic stepper motor and a reaction piece. The reaction piece is attached to the portal closure such that activation of the stationary mounted linear induction or magnetic stepper motor causes movement of the reaction piece which, in turn, opens or closes the portal closure.

Abstract: A window actuation assembly for a vehicle which is structured to automatically lower at least one, but preferably all of the windows of a vehicle in the event that a vehicle becomes partially or totally submerged in a body of water and regardless if the orientation of the vehicle, is up-right, inverted, on its side, etc. One or more fluid sensors are located strategically throughout the various portions of the vehicle and are specifically structured activate a drive assembly for the lowering of the windows upon sensing a predetermined amount of water within an associated proximity of the vehicle, to the extent that the one or more sensors are themselves at least partially submerged. The sensors are further structured not to be activated in the unlikely event that liquid inadvertently is spilled upon or otherwise applied thereto.

Abstract: A drive system for a covering device, which can be rolled up or folded, for motor vehicles is equipped with a control device. The control device has a current sensor for detecting the current applied to an electric motor of the drive system in the course of moving the covering device. The control system measures a current parameter at the start of the movement of the covering device and switches off the current to the motor as soon as switch-off criteria derived from the current values measured at the start of the movement have been reached.

Abstract: A auxiliary vehicular window recessing system for providing a secondary means of recessing the electrically-controlled windows of a vehicle in the event of submergence in a body of water. The auxiliary vehicular window recessing system includes a secondary motor for moving the window of the vehicle. A secondary gear member driven by the secondary motor is engaged with the main drive gear such that rotary motion of the secondary gear member biases the primary window drive system thereby recessing the window when the secondary motor is activated. An auxiliary, waterproof battery provides power, while a sealed fuse electrically protects the secondary motor. Optionally or in conjunction, a manual crank apparatus engages the primary window drive system for manually recessing the window.

Abstract: A motor operator for an overhead power switch is disclosed including a microcontroller, a unique and powerful array of well-integrated sensors, a motor and drive developing substantial torque and speed and coupled to a switch actuator and responsive to the microcontroller, and a sophisticated program algorithm stored in memory at the actuator site for dynamically controlling, i.e., governing the various control modes as called for by changing conditions. The sensors include an encoder associated with the motor and drive that develops position information signals fed to the dynamic microcontroller to compute real time information including position, speed, and stopping distance used in conjunction with remote operate commands to open, close and monitor status of the switch in the various ways disclosed.

Abstract: Method of detecting obstructions encountered by a motorized door. The method includes providing a signal processor with one or more signals indicative of a predetermined door trajectory profile for at least a segment of a stroke of the door, the door trajectory profile providing an ideal speed and/or position versus an elapsed time since a beginning of the segment of the stroke. A door position signal from a position encoder for the door is received into the signal processor. The method includes generating one or more signals indicative of the velocity and/or position of the door from the door position signal and generating a trajectory discrepancy signal based on the velocity and/or position in relation to the ideal speed and/or position. A motor control signal is generated based on the trajectory discrepancy signal and the motor control signal is connected to motor control circuits connected to drive the motor for the door.

Abstract: Method of controlling a motorized door by offloading the burden to a separate motion control processor. The method includes generating, in a central processor for the door, one or more signals indicative of a predetermined door speed profile for a stroke of the door. The predetermined door speed profile provides an ideal velocity versus an elapsed time since a beginning of the stroke. The signals are communicated to a motion control processor and the motion control processor also receives door position signals from a position encoder. The motion control processor generates signals indicative of the velocity of the door based on the door position signals and it generates error signals based on discrepancies between the velocity of the door and the ideal velocity. It generates motor control signals based on the error signals and the motor control signals are communicated to the motor of the door.

Abstract: An adjunct device for a garage door opener and closer system containing a microprocessor which automatically closes the garage door after a 45 second delay, and includes three LED's to indicate the door closure, motion detection, and a manual override of the system. The adjunct device has a push button switch which programs the adjunct device to the same infrared frequency as the conventional garage door opener device. The adjunct device also contains a manual override element, an oscillator circuit, a reset circuit, a surge protector circuit, and a voltage regulator circuit.

Abstract: A wakeup signal generating circuit is connected to an input of an electrically driven motor having a drive shaft that is mechanically coupled to a power sliding door or power lift gate of an automobile. The motor is normally responsive to a motor drive signal to control door/lift gate movement via rotation of the motor drive shaft. In the absence of the motor drive signal, the motor is responsive to rotation of the drive shaft, via manual movement of the door or lift gate, to produce a back electromotive force (EMF) signal at the input of the motor. The wakeup signal generating circuit is responsive to the back EMF signal to produce a wakeup signal. In one embodiment, the wakeup signal is used to cause a control circuit controlling the overall operation of the motor to wake up from a reduced-function, power conserving sleep mode of operation and operate in a full-function, full power wakeup mode of operation.

Abstract: An apparatus 10 for controllably moving a vehicle window, which is deployed upon a vehicle 12 of the type having a cab 14 including a rear or “backlight” window 16. Apparatus 10 includes a conventional controller 22 having a memory unit 24, a conventional window actuating motor 26, which is operatively coupled to window 16 and to controller 22, and a user operated switch 28, which is coupled to controller 22. Controller 22 receives signals from switch 28 and utilizes the received signals, in combination with data describing the current state/position of the ignition switch 36 and of motor 26, to selectively provide commands to motor 26, thereby selectively and controllably moving and/or positioning window 16.

Abstract: A system and method for moving a horizontally sliding portal closure includes a linear induction or a magnetic stepper motor and a reaction piece. The reaction piece is attached to the portal closure such that activation of the stationary mounted linear induction or magnetic stepper motor causes movement of the reaction piece which, in turn, opens or closes the portal closure.

Abstract: A sunroof controlling device for controlling a sunroof lid in sliding and tilting directions without using a mechanical position switch, which is possible to automatically reset count value of the position counter of the sunroof lid according to an appearance of the error in the count value and comprises first and second switches, an actuator having an electric motor and an output shaft to be connected with the sunroof lid, and a control unit including first and second rotation signal generating means for generating first and second signals in response to rotation of an armature shaft of the electric motor, an output shaft rotation signal generating means and a roof position counting means for counting the signals generated from the first, second and output shaft rotation signal generating means, and the control unit executes an initial mode for resetting count value of the roof position counter when the count value is not a predetermined range.

Abstract: The power window apparatus has a driver's seat side window operating unit and passenger seat side window operating units that have window open/close motors. Each of the window operating units has a window open switch, a window close switch, motor drive means, and motor drive control means for controlling the motor drive means. At least one of the window operating units has submersion detecting means for outputting a submersion detection signal when the submersion of the automobile is detected. The window operating units have signal transmission terminals that transmit and/or receive the submersion detection signal generated by the submersion detecting means.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an electronic circuit that interrupts the application of electrical power to a motor after a predetermined period of time. The electronic circuit is disposed between a motor which drives a device from an initial position to a final position and a switch movable from a first position to a second position. A battery which supplies the electrical power for the motor is engaged with the switch. The control circuit includes at least two energy storage devices. Depending on the position of the switch, one of the energy storage devices will be fully charged by the battery source. Altering the position of the switch will cause the fully charged energy storage device to begin its discharge and the alternate energy storage device will be “instantly” charged. During the time that both energy storage devices have a significant charge on them, a control signal is generated.

Abstract: A method and system for directly determining the presence of an object between a window and its respective frame during closing of the window is disclosed. A sensor is provided within the frame to determine a length of the frame being compressed when the window is closed against the frame. This length is compared to a predetermined value. If the compressed length is less than the predetermined value, an object is detected so that the window can be controlled to stop and change direction so as to release the object before injury or damage occurs.

Abstract: A safety device for externally driven systems for protecting the movement of a system component against undesired collision with an object lying in the movement path of the system component is described, the system component to be monitored being capable of being moved in a guided fashion along a predetermined path (door plane ET). The movement path of a leading edge of a system component is preferably monitored by an optical beam protection, preferably on the basis of infrared beams, which protection has at least two, preferably at least three or a plurality of preferably parallel beams which are arranged staggered in the direction of movement of the system component and which are emitted on one side of the system component and received or reflected on the other side. The safety device has a safety circuit with which the movement of the system component is stopped or reversed if an obstacle is sensed in the movement path of the system component.

Abstract: A motor operator for an overhead power switch is disclosed including a microcontroller, a unique and powerful array of well-integrated sensors, a motor and drive developing substantial torque and speed and coupled to a switch actuator and responsive to the microcontroller, and a sophisticated program algorithm stored in memory at the actuator site for dynamically controlling, i.e., governing the various control modes as called for by changing conditions. The sensors include an encoder associated with the motor and drive that develops position information signals fed to the dynamic microcontroller to compute real time information including position, speed, and stopping distance used in conjunction with remote operate commands to open, close and monitor status of the switch in the various ways disclosed.