Abstract: An active window seal assembly is disclosed that operatively engages a movable window when the window is stationary and disengages the window when the window is in motion. The seal assembly comprises a stationary frame, a movable lip that is operatively connected to the stationary frame, and a cavity disposed between the stationary frame and the movable lip. Several configurations provide for movement of the movable lip when the movable window is in motion. The first configuration allows the cavity to inflate with air, thus forcing the movable lip away from the window. A second configuration provides that the air in the cavity be evacuated, thus pulling the movable lip away from the window. A third configuration provides that a voltage be applied to the stationary frame and the movable lip to create an electric field. The electric field draws the movable lip toward the stationary frame and away from the movable window.

Abstract: The presence of an object in the path of an automotive vehicle window is detected. This is accomplished by sensing or observing a system variable, such as speed or motor current, and comparing this measured value to a predicted limit value of the system variable which is based upon the behavior of the system variable when there is no object present. The values are compared over predetermined time intervals and if the measured value falls out of the predicted limit value of the system variable in a direction that indicates an obstruction, then a control system detects the presence of an object and reacts accordingly by stopping or reversing the drive motor of the vehicle window.

Abstract: An object detection system includes a sensor in communication with a controller which identifies contact with the sensor. In a preferred embodiment the sensor is a piezo film which generates a signal when an object applies a predetermined force to the edge of the moveable glass member. This signal is identifiable by the controller in communication with the piezo film. Another embodiment of the sensor provides a pair of substantially parallel segments of conductive material applied along the edge of the window. When an object is in contact with both segments of conductive material an electrical signal is conducted and identified by the controller. When the controller determines an object is in contact with the sensor and therefore the moveable glass member, the controller halts or reverses the movement of the moveable glass member to prevent trapping the object between the closing moveable glass member and the frame.

Abstract: The presence of an object in the path of an automotive vehicle window is detected. This is accomplished by sensing or observing a system variable, such as speed or motor current, and comparing this measured value to a predicted limit value of the system variable which is based upon the behavior of the system variable when there is no object present. The values are compared over predetermined time intervals and if the measured value falls out of the predicted limit value of the system variable in a direction that indicates an obstruction, then a control system detects the presence of an object and reacts accordingly by stopping or reversing the drive motor of the vehicle window.

Abstract: A method and system for detecting the presence of an object caught between an automotive window and its respective frame includes a sensor mounted on a drive motor that drives a regulator to move the window upward and downward. The sensor senses a resistive torque applied against the regulator and generates a signal having a value proportional to the amount of resistive torque sensed. The signal is transmitted to a control circuit which then determines whether or not an object is caught between the window and its respective frame.

Abstract: A method and system for detecting the presence of an object caught between an automotive window and its respective frame includes an electric drive motor for opening and closing the automotive window. The electric drive motor receives power from a power supply via a primary brush assembly coupled to a power line. A piezoelectric sensor is mounted on the drive motor for sensing a resistive torque applied to the regulator and generating a signal having a value indicative of the resistive torque. The signal is then transmitted to a control circuit for determining whether or not an object is caught between the window and a frame based on the signal. The signal may be transmitted to the control circuit either by the primary brush assembly via the power line or by a secondary brush assembly coupled directly to the control circuit.

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 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 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 the presence of an object caught between an automotive window and its respective frame is provided. The window opens and closes via a regulator driven by an electric drive motor. A force is sensed at an interface between the window and the regulator proportional to a force exerted on the window. This force is compared with a predetermined value, and if the sensed force exceeds the predetermined value, an object caught between the window and its respective door frame is detected.

Abstract: In a first embodiment, a vehicle window obstruction system incorporates a conductive coating placed on the window. Such coatings are known for use in defrost systems. A voltage source is connected to the conductive coating, such that an electrical charge is placed across the window. Electrical characteristics of the charge are monitored, and compared to expected values. In the event that an obstruction is encountered, the monitored values will differ from expected values, and a control can indicate the presence of an obstruction. Alternatively, the signal could be a high frequency signal such as a sound signal which would be varied when the window contacts a human obstruction.

Abstract: A method and device for determining torque applied to a motor of an automotive power window system includes a motor having a rotor mounted on a rotor shaft wherein the rotor and rotor shaft move linearly along an axial length of the rotor shaft in response to an applied torque. A ring magnet is mounted on the rotor shaft for generating a magnetic field as the rotor shaft rotates. A sensor, in communication with the ring magnet, senses a strength of the magnetic field based on a linear position of the ring magnet in relation to the sensor and generates a proportional voltage signal. A control circuit receives the voltage signal and detects a torque applied to the motor in response thereto.

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: A vehicle window obstruction detection system looks for lateral forces on the window. A lateral force is indicative of an obstruction in the path of the window, and is particularly indicative of a living obstruction. The presence of the lateral force is utilized to identify an obstruction, and stop further movement of the movable closure.

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.

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: An object detection system includes a sensor in communication with a controller to identify an object within a field of view. Pattern recognition algorithms are incorporated into the controller, and particular objects are predefined to minimize false detection and sift predefined objects such as vehicles from background clutter. Upon recognition of the object, an indicator in communication with the controller provides an alert to the operator who can then take corrective action. By defining another field of view the controller halts or reverses the movement of a power window to prevent trapping an object between the closing window and the window frame. Yet another field of view includes a vehicle entry point such as a vehicle door. Movement of the vehicle door will be identified by the controller and will provide an alert such as activation of the vehicle alarm system.