With Automatic Starting And/or Stopping Patents (Class 318/264)
-
Patent number: 12146361Abstract: A system and method for controlling motion of a door are provided. The door is moveable between an open position and a closed position and has a balanced position whereat the door does not move towards the open position nor the closed position under an effect of gravity. The system includes a power actuator for moving the door to a partially open position between the open position and the closed position. The power actuator is adapted to allow the door to move to the balanced position after the power actuator has moved the door to the partially open position.Type: GrantFiled: September 1, 2022Date of Patent: November 19, 2024Assignee: MAGNA CLOSURES INC.Inventors: Sebastian Prengel, Martin Dannemann, Roman Paerschke
-
Patent number: 11994338Abstract: A control method for a drawer door of a refrigerator and the refrigerator. The refrigerator comprises a refrigerator body, a drawer door mounted in the refrigerator body in a front-back pushed and pulled mode, and a driving mechanism driving the drawer door to move forward and backward. The control method comprises: obtaining a door opening instruction or a door closing instruction; controlling the driving mechanism to drive the drawer door to move forward to open or move backward to close; detecting a resistance borne by the drawer door during the movement; determining whether the resistance is greater than a preset resistance threshold; and if yes, controlling the driving mechanism to stop running to enable the drawer door to stop moving.Type: GrantFiled: February 11, 2020Date of Patent: May 28, 2024Assignees: QINGDAO HAIER REFRIGERATOR CO., LTD., HAIER SMART HOME CO., LTD.Inventors: Bin Hui, Shidong Li, Zhijun Liu, Xiaobin Hu, Guoshuai Cao
-
Patent number: 11904731Abstract: A control device for automotive vehicle seat, intended to control a displacement along the longitudinal direction, of at least one part of the automotive vehicle seat, comprises at least one first control surface, substantially flat, wherein the first control surface extends along a transverse direction of the seat and a command direction, wherein the command direction has at least one component along the longitudinal direction, and wherein the first control surface is configured for controlling the displacement of the part of the vehicle seat along the longitudinal direction as a function of a movement along the command direction of a member of an occupant of the seat in contact with a first zone of the first control surface.Type: GrantFiled: December 29, 2020Date of Patent: February 20, 2024Assignee: FAURECIA Sièges d'AutomobileInventors: Mathieu Boquet, Emmanuelle Brunet
-
Patent number: 11767701Abstract: A hinged-panel opening and closing system includes: an anchor designed to be located on a hinged panel; a gear motor designed to be located on a supporting structure; and a movement-enabling component capable of angularly displacing the hinged panel relative to a receiving structure. The movement-enabling component includes: (a) a movement-enabling shaft located on the supporting structure and, at one shaft end, coupled to the gear motor; (b) a spindle located on supporting structure and coupled to the movement-enabling shaft; and (c) a linear element attaching, at a first end, to the spindle and attaching, at a second end, to the anchor such that said linear element extends between the spindle and the anchor.Type: GrantFiled: January 20, 2022Date of Patent: September 26, 2023Inventor: Jon Erwin Eccleston
-
Patent number: 11761702Abstract: A refrigerator and a control method therefor are provided. When a user input is received, an upper drawer of the refrigerator is opened by operating an opening/closing motor of the upper drawer, and it is determined whether opening of a lower drawer is detected by an open/close detecting part of the lower drawer when the upper drawer is opened. The lower drawer is closed by operating the opening/closing motor of the lower drawer when the opening of the lower drawer is detected.Type: GrantFiled: September 27, 2019Date of Patent: September 19, 2023Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.Inventors: Kwang Hyun Choi, Chang Won Kim
-
Patent number: 11402150Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a refrigerator and a control method therefor. A refrigerator may include: a cabinet; a drawer provided to move in and out of the lower storage space and opening and closing the lower storage space; a lifting unit provided inside the drawer and elevated up and down; an opening/closing motor providing power for opening and closing the drawer; a lifting motor connected to the lifting unit and providing power for elevating the lifting unit; and a controller to reopen the drawer when the closing of the drawer is detected while the lifting unit is being elevated or the elevation of the lifting unit is completed.Type: GrantFiled: September 27, 2019Date of Patent: August 2, 2022Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.Inventors: Kwang Hyun Choi, Chang Won Kim
-
Patent number: 11242226Abstract: Embodiments include techniques for operating an elevator safety control system and method. The techniques include charging one or more portions of an elevator system, the elevator system includes an elevator door and elevator frame, and monitoring a charge on the one or more portions of the elevator system. In addition, the techniques include detecting a change in the charge on the one or more portions of the elevator system, and responsive to the detection, controlling an operation of the elevator door.Type: GrantFiled: May 14, 2018Date of Patent: February 8, 2022Assignee: OTIS ELEVATOR COMPANYInventors: Fanping Sun, Joseph V. Mantese, Walter Thomas Schmidt
-
Patent number: 10704314Abstract: An automatic safety window apparatus comprising: an alarm and transmitter unit located remotely from the window unit, the alarm and transmitter unit configured to transmit an open window signal when a threshold level of a gas or smoke is reached and to initiate an alarm; a window unit configured to attach to the interior of a window and face the interior of a room the window is located in, the window unit comprising: a chain actuator, the chain actuator comprising a chain that can exert a pushing force; a fan housing; a control board located in the fan housing, the control board comprising a receiver and a CPU, the CPU in signal communication with the receiver, and CPU in signal communication with the chain actuator, and the receiver in wireless communication with the alarm and transmitter unit, the CPU configured to transmit a signal to the chain actuator to open the window sash when the receiver receives an open window signal from the alarm and transmitter unit; wherein the chain actuator is configured to oType: GrantFiled: March 5, 2018Date of Patent: July 7, 2020Inventors: Wilmar Valverde, Paul R. Hebert, Kevin O'Neill
-
Patent number: 10663937Abstract: A computer-implemented method for adjusting voltage settings, according to one embodiment, includes: determining a number of components electrically coupled to an output of a voltage regulator; determining voltage tolerance information corresponding to each of the number of components; determining a voltage tolerance limit of the voltage regulator; using the determined voltage tolerance information in combination with the voltage tolerance limit of the voltage regulator to determine whether an output voltage of the voltage regulator can be reduced; calculating an amount by which to reduce an output voltage of the voltage regulator in response to determining that the output voltage of the voltage regulator can be reduced; and sending one or more instructions to the voltage regulator to reduce the output voltage of the voltage regulator by the calculated amount.Type: GrantFiled: May 1, 2018Date of Patent: May 26, 2020Assignee: Lenovo Enterprise Solutions (Singapore) Pte. Ltd.Inventors: Douglas Evans, Brian Christopher Totten, Dipak Tailor, Jamaica Laquay Barnette
-
Patent number: 10519705Abstract: The present invention concerns a motorized door comprising an array of n detection cells distributed along the length of the leading edge, capable of detecting the presence and distance, ?x, from said detection cell of a body positioned between said detection cell and a distal transverse edge. The detection cells are coupled to a CPU which triggers different actions during the closing of the shutter, depending on the proportion, P=n1/n of the number, n1, of detection cells identifying the presence of a body at a same time located at a distance, ?x??xs, wherein ?xs is a predefined safety distance.Type: GrantFiled: September 5, 2016Date of Patent: December 31, 2019Assignee: ASSA ABLOY ENTRANCE SYSTEMS ABInventor: Pieter van de Wiel
-
Patent number: 10519706Abstract: A vehicle window glass lifting device includes a drive mechanism arranged on a vehicle door to vertically move a window glass, a control unit for controlling the drive mechanism, and a camera for capturing an image of a detection line provided on a vehicle interior side of the window glass, the detection line being along at least a part of an outer edge of the window glass in a state that the door and the window glass are closed. The control unit includes a detection means to detect a blocked state in which at least a part of the detection line is blocked by a foreign object, and a pinching prevention means that causes the drive mechanism to conduct a pinch prevention operation for preventing pinching by the window glass when the blocked state is detected by the detection means while the window glass is moved by the drive mechanism.Type: GrantFiled: July 10, 2015Date of Patent: December 31, 2019Assignee: MITSUBA CORPORATIONInventors: Hiroyuki Ikeda, Hideaki Takehara, Yasuhiro Saito, Sadaji Umehara, Tsuyoshi Kondo, Masakane Yoshizawa, Hideaki Kashiwagi, Mayu Kobayashi
-
Patent number: 10487575Abstract: A method for configuring a motorized drive device for a solar protection home automation unit includes a step of triggering the rolling-up of a screen from an unrolled position, in which the screen is relaxed, towards a rolled-up position. This method further includes a step of measuring a magnitude of an electrical current passing through an electric motor using a measurement device, a step of determining a first maximum value of the measured magnitude, indicative of a position of breakage of the arms of a screening device, and a step of determining a lowered end-of-travel position of the screen. The lowered end-of-travel position of the screen corresponds to a measured-magnitude value lower than the first maximum value. The lowered end-of-travel position of the screen lies before the position of breakage of the arms of the screening device, in the direction of unrolling of the screen.Type: GrantFiled: March 21, 2017Date of Patent: November 26, 2019Assignee: SOMFY ACTIVITES SAInventors: David Mugnier, Ghislain Goulier
-
Patent number: 10323451Abstract: A vehicle window glass lifting device includes a drive mechanism arranged on a vehicle door to vertically move a window glass, a control unit for controlling the drive mechanism, and a camera for capturing an image of a detection line provided along at least a part of an outer edge of the window glass in a state that the door and the window glass are closed. The control unit includes a detection means for detecting first and second blocked states in each of which the first and second detection lines are each blocked by the foreign object, and a crime prevention control means that determines that the foreign object intrudes from the vehicle exterior to a vehicle interior and conducts a crime prevention operation to a crime prevention when a condition that the second blocked state is detected by the detection means without detecting the first blocked state is satisfied.Type: GrantFiled: July 10, 2015Date of Patent: June 18, 2019Assignee: Mitsuba CorporationInventors: Hiroyuki Ikeda, Hideaki Takehara, Yasuhiro Saito, Sadaji Umehara, Tsuyoshi Kondo, Masakane Yoshizawa, Hideaki Kashiwagi, Mayu Kobayashi
-
Patent number: 10000961Abstract: A vehicle door controller is disclosed. The vehicle door controller is in communication with an actuator configured to control a door and is further in communication with a temperature sensing device. The controller is configured to receive a temperature signal from the temperature sensing device. Based on the temperature signal, the controller is configured to identify an actuator condition. In response to the actuator condition, the controller is configured to control the actuator to move the door to a resting position.Type: GrantFiled: February 29, 2016Date of Patent: June 19, 2018Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Larry Dean Elie, Robert F. Novak, John Wayne Jaranson, Timothy J. Potter, Michael M. Azzouz, Gerald J. Heath, Evangelos P. Skoures, Jeff A. Wallace
-
Patent number: 9856689Abstract: The invention relates to a method for operating an electric window lift system for electrically moving a vehicle door window by means of a cable, according to which, based on the length change of the cable, the offset of the movement of the window is determined, in which the charge modification of the electric motor is monitored, the offset being used to exactly position (opening, closing) the window.Type: GrantFiled: January 2, 2014Date of Patent: January 2, 2018Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbHInventors: Holger Pruessel, Scott Averitt, Kumar Saurabh
-
Patent number: 9637163Abstract: A steering system of a vehicle includes a steering wheel, a steerable wheel mechanically decoupled from the steering wheel, a steering actuator for setting a rotational position of the steering wheel, a wheel steering drive for steering of the steerable wheel, and a controller for controlling the wheel steering drive and the steering wheel actuator. When the ignition is switched off, the steering wheel is moved with the steering wheel actuator automatically into a neutral position that is independent of a wheel angle of the steerable wheel.Type: GrantFiled: March 4, 2015Date of Patent: May 2, 2017Assignee: AUDI AGInventor: Stefan Mayer
-
Patent number: 9206637Abstract: A system can automatically open at least one window of a vehicle when the vehicle is being submerged in water. The system can include a water collector and a water sensor, and when the water sensor detects water in the water collector, at least one window of the vehicle opens.Type: GrantFiled: May 10, 2013Date of Patent: December 8, 2015Assignee: KING ABDULLAH UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGYInventor: Michael Percher
-
Patent number: 9052741Abstract: A mobile phone 100 having a capacitive touchpad unit 102 includes a touch sensor circuit 121 that outputs measurement values each indicating a capacitance of the touchpad unit 102, a computing unit 111a that computes a sensor output value based on each measurement output from the touch sensor circuit 121, a calibration coefficient updating unit 111a3 that updates the sensor output value by updating a calibration coefficient so as to be equal to a predetermined reference value, a judging unit 118 that detects a contact based on the sensor output values, and a judgment threshold switching unit 133 that causes the judging unit 118 to use a provisional contact-judging unit for a time period starting when the update occurs during the time that the user's face is in contact with the touchpad unit 102 and ending when it is judged that the touch to the touchpad unit 102 is released.Type: GrantFiled: August 11, 2011Date of Patent: June 9, 2015Assignee: KYOCERA CorporationInventors: Takashi Izumi, Kazuto Miyazaki
-
Patent number: 8890452Abstract: A control device for an electrically driven door is provided that can enhance the sensitivity of detection of a door pinch state and that can prevent a passenger from being pressed when the door pinch state occurs. The control device includes a driving force instruction value producing unit that outputs a driving force instruction value of the electrically driven door, a state observing unit that estimates a mechanical resistant force to a door driving system, a reference model that determines a dynamic characteristic of the electrically driven door to the mechanical resistant force estimated by the state observing unit, a gain compensator that computes a control compensation value that makes an output of the reference model coincide with an actual speed of the electrically driven door; and an adder that adds the control compensation value computed by the gain compensator to the driving force instruction value.Type: GrantFiled: July 2, 2012Date of Patent: November 18, 2014Assignee: Fuji Electric Co., Ltd.Inventor: Satoru Ozaki
-
Patent number: 8890457Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling motors are provided. In this regard, a representative system, among others, includes memory, a motor controller, and a motor. The memory is configured to store sequence information and the motor controller is configured to: receive instructions from a processing device of the system, receive the stored sequence information based on the received instructions, generate at least one drive signal based on the received sequence information, and transmit the at least one drive signal. The motor is configured to be operated based on the transmitted drive signal.Type: GrantFiled: September 19, 2008Date of Patent: November 18, 2014Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.Inventors: Eric F. Aas, Justin Forrester, Jeffrey D. Schwartz
-
Patent number: 8884558Abstract: Systems, methods and apparatus are provided through which in some multisensory implementations, a patient-lifting-device is controlled by voice recognition, keyboard text input, synaptic control and/or tongue tactile input commands.Type: GrantFiled: June 29, 2013Date of Patent: November 11, 2014Assignee: Altorr CorporationInventor: Bradford A. Clough
-
Patent number: 8833848Abstract: A bicycle seat height adjustment method is provided for changing a height of a bicycle seat. The method includes operating an operating device to output a seat raising command which is received by a motorized seat height adjustment mechanism to adjust the seat height. The method further includes releasing the operating device after the operating of the operating device. The method further includes raising the bicycle seat using the electric motor to a higher seat position that is higher than a previous seat position existing immediately prior to the seat raising command, the raising of the bicycle seat occurring only after the releasing of the operating device such that the bicycle seat remains stationary until the operating device is released.Type: GrantFiled: July 15, 2013Date of Patent: September 16, 2014Assignee: Shimano Inc.Inventor: Toyoto Shirai
-
Patent number: 8791658Abstract: A method for controlling a motorized roller shade is provided. The motorized roller shade includes a shade attached to a shade tube, a microcontroller and a DC gear motor disposed within the shade tube. The DC gear motor includes a housing fixed to the shade tube and an output shaft coupled to a support shaft fixed to a mounting bracket. The method includes receiving a command from a remote control, and moving the shade to a position associated with the command by energizing the DC gear motor to rotate the shade tube and the DC gear motor housing while the DC gear motor output shaft and support shaft remain fixed.Type: GrantFiled: March 20, 2013Date of Patent: July 29, 2014Assignee: HomeRun Holdings CorporationInventors: Willis Jay Mullet, Richard Scott Hand, Darrin W. Brunk
-
Patent number: 8779713Abstract: A door closer with dynamically adjustable latch region parameters is disclosed. Embodiments of the present invention include a door closer with a control unit to intelligently control a valve to vary the operating characteristics of the door closer as needed. The control unit can repeatedly determine whether a door has reached jamb upon closing. A setting or settings for the latch region of the door can be adjusted when the door does not reach jamb. These adjustments are such that the likelihood of the door reaching jamb upon closing is increased. Jamb successes can also be monitored, so that once there have been enough successful closes, settings can be adjusted to decrease the force on the door so that the latch region parameters are constantly adjusted for changing conditions to achieve closing success with the minimum closing force necessary.Type: GrantFiled: April 16, 2010Date of Patent: July 15, 2014Assignee: Yale Security Inc.Inventors: Charles E. Burris, Robert L. Tadlock, Jr., John White, Jason Scott Gurley, Steven Michael Faes, Joseph McGinty, Wade Patterson
-
Patent number: 8666601Abstract: Automatically rotating a steering wheel to provide improved locatability of an ignition if the steering wheel reduces ignition locatability and the vehicle is parked. Indications that the vehicle is parked may include when an automatic transmission is in park, a park brake is set, an autopark event concludes, or during a remote start event. Rotating the steering wheel to provide improved ignition locatability while turning the vehicle wheels less than 10 degrees.Type: GrantFiled: April 25, 2013Date of Patent: March 4, 2014Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: John Robert Van Wiemeersch, Todd Ansbacher, Jeremy Rawlings, Jerry Bonnici
-
Patent number: 8659246Abstract: A motorized roller shade is provided. The motorized roller shade includes a shade tube in which a motor unit, a controller unit and a power supply unit are disposed. The controller unit includes a controller to control the motor. The power supply unit includes at least one bearing rotatably coupled to a support shaft. The motor unit includes at least one bearing, rotatably coupled to another support shaft, a DC gear motor and a counterbalancing device. The output shaft of the DC gear motor is coupled to the support shaft such that the output shaft and the support shaft do not rotate when the support shaft is attached to a mounting bracket.Type: GrantFiled: October 19, 2011Date of Patent: February 25, 2014Assignee: HomeRun Holdings CorporationInventors: Willis Jay Mullet, Richard Scott Hand, Darrin W. Brunk
-
Patent number: 8635809Abstract: The invention specifies an anti-trapping device, comprising a motor for driving a pivotable actuating element of a motor vehicle, a sensor for contactlessly identifying an obstacle in the way of the actuating element with an electrode, which has a plurality of segments for producing an external electrical field with respect to a mating electrode and a control unit. The electrode extends in a radial direction with respect to the pivotable actuating element and is split in the radial direction into the plurality of segments, which can each be evaluated separately for the purpose of generating an interference signal. The control unit is designed to drive the motor as a function of an interference signal from one of the segments. Such an anti-trapping device has particularly high flexibility when driving the pivotable actuating element if an obstacle in the way of the pivotable actuating element has been detected.Type: GrantFiled: July 28, 2007Date of Patent: January 28, 2014Assignee: Brose Fahrzeugteile GmbH & Co. KommanditgesellschaftInventors: Holger Wuerstlein, Thomas Weingaertner, Wolf-Christian Mueller
-
Patent number: 8612056Abstract: Method of configuring a home automation installation comprising a plurality of mobile screens driven by actuators identified by an identifier, the method comprising the following steps: a) a step of constructing a first list of identifiers of actuators of the installation, b) a step of locating all the locations of the screens that make up the part of the installation to be configured, c) a step of associating a list of possible actuator identifiers with each screen location, d) a step of transmitting a movement control command to each actuator of a group of actuators, e) a step of designating locations that correspond to a group of screens that have reacted to the control command, f) a step of updating the lists of possible actuator identifiers for each location, the steps d) to f) being reiterated as long as at least one list of possible actuator identifiers for a screen location comprises more than one actuator identifier.Type: GrantFiled: January 26, 2011Date of Patent: December 17, 2013Assignee: Somfy SASInventors: Mattias Klasson, Samuel Spanberger, Tommy Carlsson, Christian Magnusson
-
Patent number: 8569980Abstract: A trash can include a sensor for detecting the presence of an object near a portion of the trash can. The detection of the object can be used to signal the trash can to open its lid. The trash can include an electronic drive unit for opening and closing the lid.Type: GrantFiled: February 1, 2008Date of Patent: October 29, 2013Assignee: simplehuman, LLCInventors: Frank Yang, Tzu-Hao Wei, Myk Wayne Lum, Yoon J. Kim
-
Patent number: 8497644Abstract: A refrigerator and a method for controlling the same are provided. With the refrigerator and the method for controlling the refrigerator, a receiving box may be automatically drawn in and out together with a door when a user operates an input device that inputs door drawing in and out instructions, thereby increasing use convenience of children and older people.Type: GrantFiled: March 18, 2010Date of Patent: July 30, 2013Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.Inventors: Yong Hwan Eom, Myung Keun Yoo, Hyoun Jeong Shin, Ok Sun Yu, Young Jin Kim, Seung Do Han
-
Patent number: 8476849Abstract: Systems, methods and apparatus are provided through which in some multisensory implementations, a patient-lifting-device is controlled by voice recognition, keyboard text input, synaptic control and/or a tongue tactile input commands.Type: GrantFiled: October 18, 2012Date of Patent: July 2, 2013Assignee: Altorr Corp.Inventor: Bradford A. Clough
-
Patent number: 8461786Abstract: In a method and a device for determining the position of a closing part of a vehicle, that can be moved by a direct-current motor, a motor current signal is derived from the direct-current motor and converted into a digital signal by an analog-digital converter. The signal is filtered and forwarded to a position counter for counting the current ripple. The scanning frequency of the analog-digital converter is modified according to the rotational speed of the direct-current motor.Type: GrantFiled: October 24, 2008Date of Patent: June 11, 2013Assignee: Continental Automotive GmbHInventor: Roman Morawek
-
Patent number: 8393378Abstract: According to the method of the invention, the movement of movable screen ends for a group of motor-driven screens to a common position is controlled in a grouped manner. The method includes a step (E150) consisting of moving the end of a screen when said end becomes the farthest from the common position after moving the end of at least one other screen to said common position.Type: GrantFiled: May 14, 2009Date of Patent: March 12, 2013Assignee: Somfy SASInventors: Pierre Geriniere, Stephane Lapierre
-
Patent number: 8334666Abstract: A system for detecting a backspin condition of a motor in an electrical submersible pump is described herein. The system comprises a variable speed drive for powering the motor via a power cable; and a controller, the controller having a memory, a computer processor, and a computer program product stored on the memory and executable by the processor. The computer program product comprises the instructions of: monitoring an input current or impedance on the power cable to determine changes in motor current impedance, comparing changes in the motor current impedance to a historical threshold value for backspin events to determine whether the motor is backspinning; impeding operable power to the motor when it is determined the motor is backspinning; supplying a low AC voltage to the motor after it is determined the motor is backspinning; and determining whether or not the motor has stopped backspinning by monitoring the low AC voltage.Type: GrantFiled: August 26, 2010Date of Patent: December 18, 2012Assignee: Baker Hughes IncorporatedInventors: Sheldon Plitt, John M. Leuthen
-
Patent number: 8310179Abstract: Systems, methods and apparatus are provided through which in some multisensory implementations, a patient-lifting-device is controlled by voice recognition using a background noise filter, keyboard text input, synaptic control and/or a tongue tactile input commands. In some implementations, the command is rejected or accepted in reference to an analysis of the command, the analysis including an analysis of the authority of operator, competency and/or the state of mind of the operator.Type: GrantFiled: February 1, 2010Date of Patent: November 13, 2012Assignee: Altorr Corp.Inventor: Bradford A. Clough
-
Patent number: 8299734Abstract: The present invention advantageously provides a motorized roller shade that includes a shade tube, a motor/controller unit and a power supply unit. The motor/controller unit is disposed within the shade tube, and includes a bearing, rotatably coupled to a support shaft, and a DC gear motor. The output shaft of the DC gear motor is coupled to the support shaft such that the output shaft and the support shaft do not rotate when the support shaft is attached to the mounting bracket.Type: GrantFiled: February 23, 2010Date of Patent: October 30, 2012Assignee: HomeRun Holdings CorporationInventors: Willis Jay Mullet, Darrin W. Brunk, Christopher Lee Wysoczynski, Harry Edward Asbury, Richard Scott Hand, Yan Rodriguez, Benjamin Anthony Bruckner
-
Patent number: 8232754Abstract: A control device for an electrically driven door is provided that can enhance the sensitivity of detection of a door pinch state and that can prevent a passenger from being pressed when the door pinch state occurs. The control device includes a driving force instruction value producing unit that outputs a driving force instruction value of the electrically driven door, a state observing unit that estimates a mechanical resistant force to a door driving system, a reference model that determines a dynamic characteristic of the electrically driven door to the mechanical resistant force estimated by the state observing unit, a gain compensator that computes a control compensation value that makes an output of the reference model coincide with an actual speed of the electrically driven door; and an adder that adds the control compensation value computed by the gain compensator to the driving force instruction value outputted by the driving force instruction value producing unit.Type: GrantFiled: August 26, 2009Date of Patent: July 31, 2012Assignee: Fuji Electric Co., Ltd.Inventor: Satoru Ozaki
-
Patent number: 8217612Abstract: Disclosed is an improved system and method for sensing both hard and soft obstructions for a movable panel such as a sunroof. A dual detection scheme is employing that includes an optical sensing as the primary means and electronic sensing of motor current as a secondary means. The secondary means utilizes system empirical precharacterization, fast processing algorithms, motor parameter monitoring including both current sensing and sensorless electronic motor current commutation pulse sensing, and controller memory, to adaptively modify electronic obstacle detection thresholds in real time without the use of templates and cycle averaging techniques.Type: GrantFiled: January 28, 2009Date of Patent: July 10, 2012Assignee: Uusi, LLCInventors: Mario Boisvert, Randall Perrin, John Washeleski
-
Patent number: 8198849Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for protection against jamming in a motor-driven locking system and a device for the execution of the method.Type: GrantFiled: June 19, 2007Date of Patent: June 12, 2012Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbHInventor: Hubert Lamm
-
Patent number: 8179061Abstract: The present invention features a battery system for saving power. In some embodiments, the battery system comprises a main control unit for processing commands. The main control unit may comprise a wireless transceiver for sending and receiving wireless commands, and a timer for waking a microcontroller from a low power state to check a status of the received signal. In some embodiments, the microcontroller configured to receive a signal from the wireless transceiver; and to generate a signal to the wireless transceiver. In some embodiments, the battery system further comprises a remote module for sending commands to the main control unit. The remote module may comprises a wireless transceiver for sending and receiving wireless commands, and a microcontroller for processing user inputs and sending the commands. In some embodiments, the microcontroller is configured to receive a signal from the wireless transceiver; and to generate a signal to the wireless transceiver.Type: GrantFiled: March 18, 2010Date of Patent: May 15, 2012Inventor: Zhiwei Liao
-
Patent number: 8148932Abstract: A system and method for driving a drawer of a refrigerator are provided. This system allows a drawer to be automatically withdrawn from and/or inserted into a main body of the refrigerator. This system also allows a drawer which has been stopped during the withdrawal process to be further withdrawn from the main body so as to complete action on a withdrawal command, or to be re-inserted into the main body, so as to reduce cool air loss.Type: GrantFiled: February 23, 2009Date of Patent: April 3, 2012Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.Inventors: Myung Keun Yoo, Yong Hwan Eom, Ok Sun Yu, Hyoun Jeong Shin
-
Patent number: 8115438Abstract: An aperture closure member control arrangement includes a disc which rotates as the aperture closure member moves. The disc has a ring of teeth. A sensor, such as a Hall effect sensor and permanent magnet, detect the passage of teeth as a cyclic waveform of amplitude and frequency determined by the spacing of the teeth, and the speed of rotation of the disc. An irregularity in the form of a missing tooth creates an irregularity in the output of the sensor, in the form of a pulse of greater amplitude and lower frequency. Accordingly, pulses from the irregularity can be discriminated and counted to provide a coarse indication of position, or pulses from the teeth can be counted, to provide a fine indication.Type: GrantFiled: May 3, 2007Date of Patent: February 14, 2012Inventor: Bruce Stanley Gunton
-
Patent number: 8049451Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for a near field detection system. The apparatus comprises a glass plate, the glass plate having a first edge and comprising a first electrode, the first electrode disposed along the first edge of the glass plate, adapted to detect the presence of an object in near proximity to the glass plate, and adapted to transmit a signal in response to the presence of the object.Type: GrantFiled: March 19, 2008Date of Patent: November 1, 2011Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Derek L. Patterson, Scott A. Niemiec, Craig A. Kollar, Edward M. Sanocki, Jr., Thomas A. Wilson
-
Patent number: 8044626Abstract: An actuation assembly (INST) of a screen (SCR) for closure, solar protection or privacy, comprising, on the one hand, a motorized actuator (ACT) furnished with wireless control command receiving means (RCU) and, on the other hand, a standalone power supply assembly (PWU) furnished with at least one rechargeable accumulator (BAT) and with a power supply connector (PR), designed to be connected to the motorized actuator (ACT) via an electric connection line (LIN) for the latter to be supplied with power by the energy of the accumulator (BAT), wherein the power supply assembly (PWU) comprises a man-machine interface (MMI) whose activation allows the transmission of information to the actuator, this information relating to the control of the wireless control command receiving means (RCU) of the actuator (ACT).Type: GrantFiled: December 19, 2007Date of Patent: October 25, 2011Assignee: SIMUInventors: Mélanie Adamus, Valérie Bourgeois, Emmanuel Carvalheiro, Floriant Lallemand, Régis Leuvrey, Guillaume Pailleret, Patrick Pignot, Claude Vitali
-
Patent number: 7973506Abstract: The invention discloses a method for controlling a power car window lift. The method includes the following steps: detecting an operation state signal of the car window with a detection element; inputting the detection signal of the detection element into the controller; and the controller sending a control signal to an actuator, which controls the operation state of the car window lift. The main control element of the controller is a thyristor or an equivalent functional element. The car window lift's operation state signal includes a car window closed obstacle signal, a car window closed-in-place signal, a car window opened-in-place signal, and a car window opened obstacle signal. The invention further discloses a device for implementing the method for controlling the power car window.Type: GrantFiled: June 12, 2008Date of Patent: July 5, 2011Inventor: Yuanhong Wen
-
Patent number: 7931068Abstract: A motorized shade control system includes electronic drive units (EDUs) having programmable control units directing a motor to move an associated shade in response to command signals directed to the control units from wall-mounted keypad controllers or from alternate devices or control systems connected to a contact closure interface (CCI). Each of the EDUs, keypad controllers and CCIs of the system is connected to a common communication bus. The system provides for initiation of soft addressing of the system components from any keypad controller, CCI or EDU. The system also provides for setting of EDU limit positions and assignment of EDUs to keypad controllers from the keypad controllers or CCIs. The system may also include infrared receivers for receiving infrared command signals from an infrared transmitter.Type: GrantFiled: September 28, 2005Date of Patent: April 26, 2011Assignee: Lutron Electronics Co, Inc.Inventors: Lawrence R. Carmen, Jr., Michael E. Lockley, Justin J. Mierta, David J. Dolan, Stephen M. Ludwig, Jr., Thomas W. Brenner
-
Patent number: 7843153Abstract: A control system for controlling an adjustment device which is operated by electric motor in a motor vehicle includes an indirect anti-trapping system for detecting a trapping situation between an adjustment element, which is moved by the adjustment device in an adjustment movement along an adjustment path, and a vehicle element. The anti-trapping system stops or reverses the adjustment movement of the adjustment element if a defined threshold value for a mechanical running parameter—which results from the adjustment movement is exceeded. The anti-trapping system operates with an analysis unit for analyzing the adjustment movement of the adjustment element, wherein the control system is configured and embodied in such a way that by means of the analysis unit, in an analysis mode, the running parameters of the adjustment device can be checked for mechanical functional faults of the adjustment device.Type: GrantFiled: November 28, 2006Date of Patent: November 30, 2010Assignee: Brose Fahrzeugteile GmbH & Co KG, CoburgInventors: Jochen Held, Roland Kalb, Markus Schlesiger, Rene Zellmer, Jürgen Buhlheller
-
Patent number: 7750588Abstract: A method of accurately maintaining, in position registers of memory modules, a net count of rotor signals received from a motor equipped with a rotor position sensor. A vehicle apparatus includes the memory modules and motor, as well as a driven component and processors that: (a) adjust the net count while the motor is driven; (b) monitor for, and terminate power upon encounter of, a mechanical stop; and (c) correct the net count for rotor signals received thereafter. Storage media and memory modules are encoded with processor instructions and processor-readable code that, when executed by processors, cause them to perform the method.Type: GrantFiled: June 29, 2007Date of Patent: July 6, 2010Assignee: Faurecia Automotive Seating Canada LimitedInventor: Xuyang Zhang
-
Patent number: 7746012Abstract: 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.Type: GrantFiled: June 15, 2009Date of Patent: June 29, 2010Assignee: Brose Fahrzeugteile GmbH & Co. KommanditgesellschaftInventors: Jörg Übelein, Bertram Bopp
-
Patent number: 7741801Abstract: The invention provides a device for automatically opening and closing a lid of a trash bin in noncontact fashion disposed in a lavatory unit of an aircraft. On the upper portion of a trash bin 100 disposed in a lavatory unit of an aircraft is attached a lid 50 that pivots via a shaft 250. The reflective infrared radiation sensor 200 attached to a lid frame 60 irradiates infrared radiation IR and detects an object. When the object is detected, a control means drives the DC motor 220 to pivot the shaft 250 via a rotating lever 240 and link arms 242 and 244 to open the lid 50 downward. The fully closed state and the fully opened state of the lid 50 can be detected by position detecting sensors 260 and 262.Type: GrantFiled: December 14, 2004Date of Patent: June 22, 2010Assignee: Jamco CorporationInventor: Masahito Fukuizumi