Abstract: A plurality of motors for use in driving accessories on a vehicle, are each powered by three-phase current. A single controller controls the supply three-phase current to the plurality of motors. In another aspect of the invention, pseudothree-phase current is created from a direct current voltage source. A chopping circuit chops the voltage into a plurality of pulses, and a phase shift circuit then creates phase-shifted power signals from those pulses. The present invention thus enables the use of three-phase alternating current motors on a vehicle to drive accessories. This reduces the cost and size of the required motors.

Abstract: An AC motor is utilized to drive a closure on a vehicle. The use of the AC motor provides valuable benefits with regard to cost and size. Further, a three-phase AC motor may be utilized, and the pulses in its power supply monitored to determine an obstruction in the path of the closure. Frequency control may also be utilized to provide optimum control of the drive of the component at both start-up and stop.

Abstract: A method of forming a relatively low cost motor provides a motor rotor and/or stator which has a generally solid body. The core of the body is formed of a less conductive material, and a more conductive material is at circumferentially spaced locations on the core. In one embodiment, the conductive material and the less conductive material are co-extruded. In a second embodiment, the core material is formed by powdered metal technology, and the conductive material is deposited onto the core.

Abstract: A noise reduction assembly includes a substantially annular isolator and a substantially annular noise guard extending therefrom. The isolator and the noise guard sandwich a first convolution of a vehicle suspension coil spring. The noise guard is aligned to the coil spring such that the noise guard extends between the first and second convolutions between 1.0 and 1.4 turns of the coil spring to prevent contact in this area.

Abstract: A control utilizes a unique linear motor for a vehicle closure system that has a plurality of rungs crossing between side pieces. The rungs are made to provide an individual signal to a sensor such that the sensor can identify the location of the closure as it passes the rungs. In one example the distance between adjacent rungs is varied such that each of the distances are unique. In this way, the control can identify the actual location of the closure by identifying the particular signal. In other embodiments the rungs are made to each be individual in some fashion. As an example, the size of each rung can be varied.

Abstract: A window lift mechanism is provided that includes a mounting member and one or more guides which may be integrally formed with the mounting member. The guide includes a cross-sectional shape and defines a path along which the window panel moves. A glass bar assembly is supported on the guide and is movable relative thereto along the path. The glass bar assembly includes a glass bar that supports the glass panel and a drive block that moves relative to the glass bar in a direction transverse to the guide path. A drive mechanism, which preferably includes a worm gear and a drive motor, is supported on the mounting member. The drive motor and the worm gear are supported by a support and a bracket, which are integrally formed with the mounting member. The worm gear is received within a threaded aperture in the drive block. The drive motor rotatingly drives the worm gear to move the glass bar assembly along the path defined by the guides.

Abstract: In a disclosed embodiment, the interior sliding sunshade portion of a “moon roof” of a vehicle is provided with an improved system for locking an overhead sunshade in an open or closed position while allowing it to slide relatively freely during sliding movement. The sunshade is provided with a spring-biased cam locking system that reduces frictional contact between the edges of the sunshade and the side tracks within which it slides when the vehicle operator manually slides the sunshade to an open or closed position. The improved system further includes a mechanism for engaging and opening the overhead sunshade automatically when the corresponding overhead window is opened.

Abstract: A suspension system includes a torsion bar having at least one adjuster arm. The adjuster arms extend radially from the torsion bar to contact respective stop members when the torsion bar is subjected to a predetermined torsion. When an adjuster arm contacts a stop, a portion of the torsion bar is rotationally fixed and the effective length of the torsion bar is reduced. By reducing the effective length of the torsion bar, the effective spring, rate of the torsion bar is increased. The present invention therefore provides a suspension system for a vehicle which can enhance riding comfort and handling by modifying the effective length of the torsion bar to achieve multiple spring constants with a single constant diameter torsion bar.

Abstract: A window lift mechanism is provided that includes a mounting member and one or more guides which may be integrally formed with the mounting member. The guide includes a cross-sectional shape and defines a path along which the window panel moves. A glass bar assembly is supported on the guide and is movable relative thereto along the path. The glass bar assembly includes a glass bar that supports the glass panel and a drive block that moves relative to the glass bar in a direction transverse to the guide path. A drive mechanism, which preferably includes a worm gear and a drive motor, is supported on the mounting member. The drive motor and the worm gear are supported by a support and a bracket, which are integrally formed with the mounting member. The worm gear is received within a threaded aperture in the drive block. The drive motor rotatingly drives the worm gear to move the glass bar assembly along the path defined by the guides.

Abstract: A composite motor housing is used with a motor of a window regulator. A magnet is inserted within the housing to assist the motor in spinning. A ferrous magnet housing lines the interior surface of the body portion of the motor housing to prevent the magnetic field produced by the magnet from escaping from the motor housing and affecting other components of the vehicle door. A bearing is molded into the top portion of the motor housing. In an alternative embodiment, the motor housing is formed of a ferrous matrix composite material, eliminating the need for the ferrous magnet housing. In another alternative embodiment, the bearing is integrated into the top portion of the motor housing, eliminating the need for a molded in bearing.

Abstract: A sunroof seal has a window, and a seal mounted thereon. The seal has an upper portion having a channel for engaging the window along its corresponding surface. The seal also includes a lower portion having a non-uniform cross section formed thereon for reducing the windnoise from a sunroof that is in the vented position.

Abstract: The effect of vibration on an obstruction detection system for a vehicle closure member is utilized to eliminate false identifications of an obstruction. The effect of vibration is measured, and utilized to change the expected value or limits relied upon to identify an obstruction. A characteristic such as speed is measured when it moves away from a predicted value in a direction opposed to the direction which would be indicative of an obstruction. In the case of speed, the system measures speed movement above the predicted value. The control senses the absolute value of the movement above the predicted speed value, and utilizes the absolute value to compensate for an expected upcoming valley below the predicted value. This compensation is either utilized to move the predicted value, or a limit, further downwardly. In this way, the expected valley will not move below the limit, which might otherwise result in a false indication of an obstruction.

Abstract: A vehicle closure member has a low cost object detection circuit, which utilizes a number of simple circuit elements. Essentially, a present characteristic of the vehicle is compared to a past state characteristic. The difference between those two values is taken and compared to a limit. If the limit is exceeded then an object detection is indicated. Since the detection is based upon actual readings the circuit is adapted to individual system dynamics. The present invention utilizes a pair of low pass filters, a summing amplifier and a comparator along with one threshold circuit to achieve this function. The complete circuit utilizes a second threshold consideration along with an AND gate. In total, a very low cost control circuit which provides very accurate results is provided.

Abstract: A method and system for detecting a change in the position of an electric drive motor in a vehicle power window system includes a current sensor for sensing a current of the motor, and generating an input signal having a phase associated therewith. A signal generator generates a reference signal having a predetermined phase and a frequency. A comparator is in communication with the current sensor and the signal generator for comparing the phase of the input signal with the phase of the reference signal. A control circuit, in communication with the signal generator, determines movement of motor based on the comparison. If the motor does not move while being commanded to close, an obstruction may be assumed to be present between the window and its respective frame.

Abstract: A sunroof apparatus has a window, a sunscreen, and a sunshade. The sunshade is opaque and blocks all light from entering. The sunscreen has a plurality of openings for allowing a filtered transmission of light via the sunroof. The sunshade and sunscreen are able to be moved independent of each other to provide a driver a greater number of lighting options. The sunscreen also provides an air dampening effect when it is closed and when the window is open, thereby lessening the turbulence of the air as well as the wind noise.

Abstract: A window obstruction identification system is tailored to better identify obstructions at start-up. The limit at start-up is set based upon the first peak value in a direction away from the direction expected for an obstruction. In the case of monitoring speed, the limit is set based upon the first upper peak. The limit is set to be a scaler far less than 1 times this peak. In this way, the limit does not vary with the upcoming expected valleys. In the prior art, an obstruction at start-up was sometimes identified as an expected valley, and thus not quickly identified. In a second embodiment, current is monitored. In a current monitored system, it is the first valley which is utilized to set the limit. In such a case, the valley is multiplied by a scaler which is greater than 1. The disclosed system also accounts for system hysteresis by setting the scaler value to two different values based upon prior movement if the system is subject to significant hysteresis.

Abstract: An improved mounting system for conveying electrical energy to and from a moving glass panel, such as a sunroof, utilizes a retractable cord. The retractable cord is mounted within a channel which guides the glass panel. In this way, the cord is protected.

Abstract: The predicted value of a window characteristic during closure is divided into a plurality of discrete segments. The actual system response during a closure without obstruction is then read for each of said discrete segments. A correction value to move away from the predicted value is then set for each of the discrete segments. The correction value is stored in digital form, and utilized to modify the predicted value. The present invention thus fine tunes the predicted value to account to the individual response of the particular system. In this way, the number of false or delayed obstruction readings are reduced compared to the prior art.