Instant Of, Or Passage Or Predetermined Time Or Having Time-delay Means Patents (Class 318/285)
  • Patent number: 11787170
    Abstract: A digital printing system (10) includes an intermediate transfer member (ITM) (44) which is configured to receive a printing fluid so as to form an image, a continuous target substrate (50), and a processor (20). The continuous target substrate (50) is configured to engage with the ITM (44) at an engagement point (150) for receiving the image from the ITM (44), at the engagement point (150), the ITM (44) is configured to move at a first velocity and the continuous target substrate (50) is configured to move at a second velocity. The processor (20) is configured to match the first velocity and the second velocity at the engagement point (150).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2023
    Assignee: LANDA CORPORATION LTD.
    Inventors: Benzion Landa, Nir Zarmi, Alon Siman Tov, Abraham Keren, Yevgeny Zakharin, Ulrich Gruetter, Georg Strasser, Yoav Stein, Ola Reznikov Polsman
  • Patent number: 11638342
    Abstract: A load control system may comprise an electrical load control device and/or a computing device. The electrical load control device may control, for example, motorized window treatments (e.g., shades), lighting controls, and/or sensors (e.g., occupancy, radio window, daylight, etc.). For example, a load control device comprising a motorized window treatment may control the position of a covering material in the window treatment. The computing device may comprise a processor and/or a graphical user interface (GUI). The computing device may be a server and/or a user device, such as a wireless user device (e.g., a cellular phone, tablet, or laptop computer). The computing device may be configured to provide graphical representations that may be displayed on a GUI based on load control information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2023
    Assignee: Lutron Technology Company LLC
    Inventors: Rhodes B. Baker, John H. Bull
  • Patent number: 11091956
    Abstract: A load control system automatically controls the amount of daylight entering a building through at least one window of a non-linear façade of the building. The load control system comprises at least two motorized window treatments located along the non-linear façade, and a system controller. The controller is configured to calculate an optimal position for the motorized window treatments at each of a plurality of different times during a subsequent time interval using at least two distinct façade angles of the non-linear façade, such that a sunlight penetration distance will not exceed a maximum distance during the time interval. The controller is configured to use the optimal positions to determine a controlled position to which both of the motorized window treatments will be controlled during the time interval and to automatically adjust each of the motorized window treatments to the controlled position at the beginning of the time interval.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2021
    Assignee: Lutron Technology Company LLC
    Inventor: Timothy Gill
  • Patent number: 10848081
    Abstract: A device for controlling a motor having a stator and a rotor, the stator being provided with at least one winding, the motor being controlled by a control module, the control device including: at least one transformation module for transforming a source signal taken from at least one of the terminals of the winding into a floating image signal representative of a counter-electromotive force induced in the winding. The transformation module has: a time constant determined from characteristics of the motor and/or characteristics of the control module; at least one first terminal connected to at least one of the terminals of the winding, and a second terminal, the first and second terminals being likely to have floating potential relative to the fixed reference terminal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2020
    Assignee: SOMFY SAS
    Inventor: Serge Bruno
  • Patent number: 10712627
    Abstract: This disclosure provides systems, methods, and apparatus for controlling transitions in an optically switchable device. In one aspect, a controller for a tintable window may include a processor, an input for receiving output signals from sensors, and instructions for causing the processor to determine a level of tint of the tintable window, and an output for controlling the level of tint in the tintable window. The instructions may include a relationship between the received output signals and the level of tint, with the relationship employing output signals from an exterior photosensor, an interior photosensor, an occupancy sensor, an exterior temperature sensor, and a transmissivity sensor. In some instances, the controller may receive output signals over a network and/or be interfaced with a network, and in some instances, the controller may be a standalone controller that is not interfaced with a network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2020
    Assignee: VIEW, INC.
    Inventors: Stephen C. Brown, Dhairya Shrivastava, Anshu A. Pradhan, Deepika Khowal, Namrata Vora
  • Patent number: 10483884
    Abstract: An electric tool control circuit includes a central control module, a motor drive module, a motor, and a working parameter detection module. The working parameter detection module is separately electrically connected to the motor and the central control module, and the working parameter detection module can return a parameter that is detected when the motor works to the central control module. The motor drive module is separately electrically connected to the motor by using first and second switch modules, and the motor drive module controls the first and second modules to be discontinuously on and off. The features of first switch module and the second switch module being on and off are always contrary, that is, when a first switch is on, a second switch is off, and when the first switch is off, the second switch is on.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2019
    Assignee: Suzhou Cleva Electric Appliance Co., Ltd
    Inventor: Fufei Wu
  • Patent number: 10139791
    Abstract: Motorized window treatments may each adjust a position of a covering material to allow light into a space in a building. The control information for controlling the motorized window treatments may be stored and/or accessed to understand how the motorized window treatments are operating. The control information may indicate a control state and/or a position of the covering material when an identified daylight intensity is being received at the space. The control information may inform a user of the operation of the motorized window treatments and allow the user to adjust various control parameters by which the motorized window treatments may be controlled. Recommended adjustments may also be provided to the user based on a user-identified problem with the operation of the motorized window treatments. The recommended adjustments to the control parameters may be accepted by the user and may be stored for being accessed and/or edited.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2018
    Assignee: Lutron Electronics Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen Lundy, Brent Protzman
  • Patent number: 10043132
    Abstract: A fabric selection tool provides an automated procedure for recommending and/or selecting a fabric for a window treatment to be installed in a building. The recommendation may be made to optimize the performance of the window treatment in which the fabric may be installed. The recommended fabric may be selected based on performance metrics associated with each fabric in an environment. The fabrics may be ranked based upon the performance metrics of one or more of the fabrics. One or more of the fabrics, and/or their corresponding ranks, may be displayed to a user for selection. The recommended fabrics may be determined based on combinations of fabrics that provide performance metrics for various façades of the building. Using the ranking system provided by the fabric selection tool, the user may obtain a fabric sample and/or order one or more of the recommended fabrics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2018
    Assignee: LUTRON ELECTRONICS CO., INC.
    Inventors: Edward J. Blair, Samuel F. Chambers, Laura M. Gabriel, Michelle L. Greene, Andrew J. Lawler, Joseph Roy Parks, Brent Protzman, Staci L. Quirk
  • Patent number: 10037492
    Abstract: A fabric selection tool provides an automated procedure for recommending and/or selecting a fabric for a window treatment to be installed in a building. The recommendation may be made to optimize the performance of the window treatment in which the fabric may be installed. The recommended fabric may be selected based on performance metrics associated with each fabric in an environment. The fabrics may be ranked based upon the performance metrics of one or more of the fabrics. One or more of the fabrics, and/or their corresponding ranks, may be displayed to a user for selection. The recommended fabrics may be determined based on combinations of fabrics that provide performance metrics for various façades of the building. Using the ranking system provided by the fabric selection tool, the user may obtain a fabric sample and/or order one or more of the recommended fabrics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2018
    Assignee: LUTRON ELECTRONICS CO., INC.
    Inventors: Edward J. Blair, Samuel F. Chambers, Laura M. Gabriel, Michelle L. Greene, Andrew J. Lawler, Joseph Roy Parks, Brent Protzman, Staci L. Quirk
  • Patent number: 10032112
    Abstract: A fabric selection tool provides an automated procedure for recommending and/or selecting a fabric for a window treatment to be installed in a building. The recommendation may be made to optimize the performance of the window treatment in which the fabric may be installed. The recommended fabric may be selected based on performance metrics associated with each fabric in an environment. The fabrics may be ranked based upon the performance metrics of one or more of the fabrics. One or more of the fabrics, and/or their corresponding ranks, may be displayed to a user for selection. The recommended fabrics may be determined based on combinations of fabrics that provide performance metrics for various façades of the building. Using the ranking system provided by the fabric selection tool, the user may obtain a fabric sample and/or order one or more of the recommended fabrics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: LUTRON ELECTRONICS CO., INC.
    Inventors: Edward J. Blair, Samuel F. Chambers, Laura M. Gabriel, Michelle L. Greene, Andrew J. Lawler, Joseph Roy Parks, Brent Protzman, Staci L. Quirk
  • Patent number: 9808927
    Abstract: An electric tool is disclosed. The tool includes an electric motor, a battery, a monitoring device for monitoring a monitoring operation-value limit, where the monitoring operation-value limit lies above an operation-value limit of the battery, an adjustable resistor component, and an operation-value controller for setting at least one operation-value of the electric motor by a pulse width modulation (PWM) duty cycle. The PWM duty cycle is a first value that is derivable from a current setting of the adjustable resistor component or a second value that corresponds to a PWM duty cycle last used for setting the at least one operation-value plus an offset value. A lower of the first value or the second value is selected for the PWM duty cycle, if an operation-value of the battery lies above the monitoring operation-value limit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2017
    Assignee: Hilti Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Benedikt Beckert, Thomas Mueller
  • Patent number: 9670725
    Abstract: A load control system automatically controls the amount of daylight entering a building through at least one window of a non-linear façade of the building. The load control system comprises at least two motorized window treatments located along the non-linear façade, and a system controller. The controller is configured to calculate an optimal position for the motorized window treatments at each of a plurality of different times during a subsequent time interval using at least two distinct façade angles of the non-linear façade, such that a sunlight penetration distance will not exceed a maximum distance during the time interval. The controller is configured to use the optimal positions to determine a controlled position to which both of the motorized window treatments will be controlled during the time interval and to automatically adjust each of the motorized window treatments to the controlled position at the beginning of the time interval.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2017
    Assignee: LUTRON ELECTRONICS CO., INC.
    Inventor: Timothy Gill
  • Patent number: 9537434
    Abstract: A DC electric fan receiving a first direct current voltage is provided. The DC electric fan includes a motor, a fan blade, a voltage converting device and a motor controller. The motor is directly driven by the first direct current voltage. The fan blade is connected to the motor and rotated by the driving of the motor. The voltage converting device receives and converts the first direct current voltages to a second direct current voltage, wherein the magnitude of the first direct current voltages is larger than the magnitude of the second direct current voltage. The motor controller receives the second direct current voltages to control a rotation direction of the motor, wherein the motor controller is not powered by the first direct current voltage and the first direct current voltage is a fixed direct current voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: DELTA ELECTRONICS, INC.
    Inventors: Chia-Pin Wei, Wei-Shuo Tseng
  • Patent number: 9352765
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for automatically rocking a stroller, comprising: a) an electronic unit for operating the device by providing commands to move said stroller in a forward and/or a backward direction; b) a motion wheel adapted to rotate the wheel of the stroller by friction; c) a rotor mechanically connected to said motion wheel for rotating said motion wheel according to commands received from said electronic unit; d) a control wheel that includes a wheel portion adapted to be connected to the wheel of said stroller and a corresponding sensor board adapted to sense the rotational movement of said wheel portion and accordingly to provide to said electronic unit information regarding the actual rotational movement of said stroller's wheel; and e) a power source for powering said electronic unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2016
    Inventors: Yehiel Vashdi, Shai Kahalani
  • Patent number: 8947033
    Abstract: A delay circuit for a fan includes a signal generation circuit, a first switch, a delay microchip, and a second switch. The signal generation circuit receives a driving signal and generates a control signal according to the driving signal. The first switch is electronically connected to the signal generation circuit to receive the control signal. The second switch is electronically connected between the delay microchip and the fan. When the signal generation circuit is electronically connected to the fan via the first switch, the control signal is transmitted to the fan to activate the fan. When the signal generation circuit is electronically connected to the delay microchip, the delay microchip receives the control signal and outputs a delayed control signal after a predetermined delay time, and the delayed control signal is transmitted to the fan via the second switch to activate the fan.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Assignees: Hong Fu Jin Precision Industry (ShanZhen) Co., Ltd., Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Lei Liu, Guo-Yi Chen
  • Patent number: 8901864
    Abstract: Proposed is a driver having dead-time compensation function. The driver having dead-time compensation function generates an output voltage according to a voltage command and a frequency command. The driver includes an inverter, an output current detector and a control unit. The inverter receives a DC voltage and operates with a pulse width modulation mode so that the driver outputs the output voltage and an output current. The output current detector detects the current value of the output current to generate a output current detecting signal. The control unit outputs a switching control signal to inverter according to the voltage command and the frequency command. The control unit corrects a reference command according to dead-time and the output current detecting signal related to the output current so that amplitude and waveform smoothness of the output voltage and the output current are compensated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: Delta Electronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Chien-Yu Chi, Chien-Ping Huang
  • Patent number: 8686676
    Abstract: A trash can with a power operated lid can include a sensor assembly and a lifting mechanism. The sensor assembly can include at least one light emitter and at least one light receiver, the viewing area of the at least one light receiver being limited in size. The lifting mechanism can include a controller, a drive motor, and a lifting member. The trash can with power operated lid can further include at least one position sensor for detecting the position of the lid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: simplehuman, LLC
    Inventors: Frank Yang, Joseph Sandor, Orlando Cardenas
  • Patent number: 8648557
    Abstract: A drive control signal generating circuit that generates a drive control signal for driving a motor includes an output control circuit that includes a flip-flop in which a state changes by a rotational state signal of the motor crossing a reference value and generates a motor drive control signal according to the state of the flip-flop, a clock generating circuit that generates a clock that defines a time of reading data in the flip-flop of the output control circuit; and a PWM conversion circuit that PWM-converts the drive control signal using the clock as a PWM signal. The clock has a frequency in which the output control circuit operates and has a duty ratio of the PWM signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2014
    Assignee: ON Semiconductor Trading, Ltd.
    Inventors: Takashi Ogawa, Takahisa Nakai, Tsutomu Murata
  • Patent number: 8421383
    Abstract: A rotation control circuit comprises a motor-driving unit and a rotation-switching unit. The motor-driving unit is coupled to a motor of a fan. The rotation-switching unit is coupled to the motor-driving unit and has at least a charging-discharging circuit for generating a rotation control command, the rotation control command controls the motor to rotate in a forward direction for a time period when the motor starts to operate, and controls the motor to rotate in a backward direction opposite to the forward direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2013
    Assignee: Sunonwealth Electric Machine Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Alex Horng, Chi-Hung Kuo, Chung-Ken Cheng
  • Patent number: 8416056
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an entrance barrier comprising a barrier element movable between an open and a closed position, driving means, by which the barrier element can driven from one position to the other position respectively, a control unit, by which the driving means are controllable, and a sensor unit connected to the control unit. The invention also relates to a barrier element for the entrance barrier and to method for operating the entrance barrier. To provide a possibility of further improving the safety of persons in the area of entrance barriers beyond the mere passive safety of the entrance barrier, the invention proposes for the sensor unit to include a capacitive sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: Scheidt & Bachmann GmbH
    Inventors: Norbert Miller, Peter Höffges
  • Patent number: 8390219
    Abstract: A door operator with an electrical back check feature is disclosed. Embodiments of the present invention are realized by a motorized door operator that electrically creates a back check force for an opening door. The door operator simulates the back check normally created by hydraulic means in convention door closers, but without the use of pistons, springs or hydraulic fluid. The door operator includes a motor disposed to operatively connect to a door so that the door will open when the motor moves, and a position sensor to determine a position of the door. A processor is programmed to exert a closing force on the door in the back check region. In some embodiments, the closing force is exerted by injecting a voltage into the electric motor of the door operator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2013
    Assignee: Yale Security Inc.
    Inventor: Blue Houser
  • Patent number: 8384320
    Abstract: A method of protecting a reversible electric motor that includes an armature capable of rotating axially about itself between two angular end positions, the axial rotation of the armature undergoing a deceleration phase as each angular end position approaches, where the method involves determining a characteristic value of the deceleration phase, comparing this characteristic value to a predetermined threshold value, and applying a degraded operating mode when the characteristic value is far from the threshold value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2013
    Assignee: Valeo Systèmes d'Essuyage
    Inventor: Michel Soleilhac
  • Patent number: 8288981
    Abstract: A load control system provides for automatically controlling a position of a motorized window treatment to control the amount of sunlight entering a space of a building through a window located in a façade of the building in order to control a sunlight penetration distance within the space and minimize occupant distractions. The load control system automatically generates a timeclock schedule having a number of timeclock events for controlling the position of the motorized window treatment during the present day. A user is able to select a desired maximum sunlight penetration distance for the space and a minimum time period that may occur between any two consecutive timeclock events. In addition, a maximum number of movements that may occur during the timeclock schedule may also be entered. The load control system uses these inputs to determine event times and corresponding positions of the motorized window treatment for each timeclock event of the timeclock schedule.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2012
    Assignee: Lutron Electronics Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Walter S. Zaharchuk, Brian Michael Courtney, William Bryce Fricke, William H. Howe, Timothy S. Majewski, Joel S. Spira
  • Patent number: 8093849
    Abstract: In a closure panel control apparatus, an ECU controls a rotational speed of an electric motor, which provides a drive force to drive a closure panel in an opening movement and a closing movement thereof. The ECU obtains a vehicle speed measured with a vehicle speed sensor and receives a command signal from a switch, which is operable by an occupant of a vehicle to command the opening movement or the closing movement of the closure panel. The ECU controls the rotational speed of the electric motor based on the measured vehicle speed that is obtained at the time of receiving the command signal from the switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2012
    Assignee: ASMO Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kazuyuki Shibata
  • Patent number: 8063591
    Abstract: The motor driving device includes a first function of supplying power to a motor so that the motor generates a driving force to drive a driven member, a second function of detecting a current flowing through the motor, a third function of performing a power supply control in order that a value of the current detected by the second function is maintained within a target range, a fourth function of performing a power supply operation in which the motor is supplied with power for a predetermined time period which is short enough to avoid the driven member from being driven by the motor, before the third function performs the power supply control, and a fifth function of making a judgment on a state of each of the first to third functions on the basis of the value of the current detected by the second function during the predetermined time period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2011
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventor: Tokushi Yamamoto
  • Publication number: 20110221364
    Abstract: A rotation control circuit comprises a motor-driving unit and a rotation-switching unit. The motor-driving unit is coupled to a motor of a fan. The rotation-switching unit is coupled to the motor-driving unit and has at least a charging-discharging circuit for generating a rotation control command, the rotation control command controls the motor to rotate in a forward direction for a time period when the motor starts to operate, and controls the motor to rotate in a backward direction opposite to the forward direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2010
    Publication date: September 15, 2011
    Inventors: Alex HORNG, Chi-Hung Kuo, Chung-Ken Cheng
  • Patent number: 7656109
    Abstract: A trash can can include a sensor for detecting the presence of an object near a lower 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 can include an electric drive unit for opening and closing the lid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2010
    Assignee: simplehuman, LLC
    Inventors: Frank Yang, Joseph Sandor
  • Patent number: 7592763
    Abstract: A motor receives power through two or more relays connected to a power source. A switch-operated logic circuit is powered by a relay power source and connects to the relays. To start the motor, the switch is pressed, causing the logic circuit to close the relays sequentially. When all the relays are closed, the motor will start. If the motor starts before the logic circuit closes all of the relays, the motor is stopped and an indication is provided that the relays that have not yet been closed have failed. Otherwise, the motor runs until the switch is pressed again, causing the logic circuit to open the relays and stop the motor. The sequence in which the relays are closed is then changed. Each relay is alternately made the last in the closing sequence, therefore testing each relay in turn for failure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2009
    Inventor: David A. Stingl
  • Patent number: 7570007
    Abstract: A method of controlling a stepping motor including a stator having a driving coil wound therearound, and a rotor, the method comprising: performing a driving control of driving the rotor at a predetermined step angle and a stop control of stopping the rotor at a predetermined stop position; and if a predetermined rotation range of the rotor including a range having a maximum position holding torque that is a maximum holding torque of the rotor when the rotor stops with the driving coil thereof being supplied with a current, is referred to as a first rotation range, and a predetermined rotation range of the rotor other than the first rotation range is referred to as a second rotation range, in the stop control, setting the sum of currents supplied to the driving coils to stop the rotor at a target stop position within the second rotation range to be larger than the sum of currents supplied to the driving coils to stop the rotor at a target stop position within the first rotation range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2009
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Yoshiaki Shibasaki, Kosaku Nobuta
  • Patent number: 7526371
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2009
    Assignees: Brose Fahrzeugteile GmbH & Co., Kommanditgesellschaft, Hallstadt
    Inventors: Jürgen Seeberger, Carsten Abert
  • Patent number: 7362068
    Abstract: A controller reduces an output of the drive motor when a window glass reaches a speed shift position, which is between a fully open position and a fully closed position of the window glass, in a closing operation of the window glass. The controller increases the output of the drive motor based on a position signal, which indicates that the position of the closing member in the closing operation is in a preclosed position located on a fully closed position side of the speed shift position. The preclosed position is located in a pinch-monitoring disabled zone, in which the monitoring of the pinching of the object through the controller is disabled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2008
    Assignee: Asmo Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Motoya Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 7342375
    Abstract: The present invention provides wireless and direct wired methods and devices for automatically closing electrically-driven roll-down storm shutters in the presence of rain on one or more rain sensors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2008
    Inventor: Paul R Johansen
  • Patent number: 7342373
    Abstract: A control system for a vehicle includes a controller, an object sensor, and a motor. The motor receives power from a power source upon receiving a panel control signal. The motor moves a movable panel of the vehicle along a path between opened and closed positions when the motor receives power from the power source. The object sensor is operable for detecting objects in the path of the panel without monitoring the motor. The object sensor generates an object signal indicative of an object being detected in the panel path. The controller is operable for transmitting a panel control signal to the motor to move the panel. When the panel is moving in a closing direction the controller transmits a panel control signal to the motor to reverse movement of the panel to an opening direction upon receiving the object signal to prevent the panel from entrapping an object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2008
    Assignee: Nartron Corporation
    Inventors: Todd R. Newman, John M. Washeleski
  • Patent number: 7342368
    Abstract: An automated garage door closing device for a remote controlled overhead garage door wherein the device is mounted on one of a pair of parallel tracks receiving rollers suitably mounted on the outer edges of the door panels, the device including a switch housing containing a switch for the leading edge of the door, and a circuit located in a second housing adjacent the garage floor and including an interval timer acting to close the door after a predetermined period of time, an audible alarm which is activated upon the garage door reaching the fully open position, a switch deactivating the entire unit when the garage door is deliberately to be left in the fully open position, and a flexible switch arm extending through the switch housing to a position to engage the upper edge of the garage door panel and acts to activate the automated closing device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2008
    Inventor: Ronald J. Roman
  • Patent number: 7307393
    Abstract: A method for activating an anti-pinch system for a vehicle window regulator, sunroof or driving mechanism includes the steps of starting a motor of the driving mechanism, waiting for a given rotation of the motor and a given time period, and then activating the anti-pinch system. This allows for close monitoring of the behavior of the window regulator when the window regulator is started, and takes account of both the behavior of the drive motor and the behavior of the driving mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2007
    Assignee: ArvinMeritor Light Vehicle Systems - France
    Inventor: Paul Bizard
  • Patent number: 7268506
    Abstract: The power window system moves a window glass in opening and closing directions in response to operation of an opening and closing instruction switch. The power window system includes a measurement device for obtaining an open degree of the window glass and a control device for controlling movement of the window glass in response to operation of the switch. The control device moves the window glass in the closing direction when an open degree obtained by the measurement device is not less than a predetermined degree and in the opening direction when the open degree is less than the predetermined degree.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2007
    Assignee: Yazaki Corporation
    Inventors: Satoshi Nakagawa, Yoshimitsu Maejima, Yasuyuki Mochizuki, Katsuyuki Iwasaki, Susumu Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 7259532
    Abstract: An MCU monitors changes in motor rotating speed from the motor start so as to detect a peak of the motor rotating speed, and when the peak of the motor rotating speed is detected, it measures a period of time Ta from the motor start to the time, at which the decreasing rate of the motor rotating speed becomes maximal, so as to establish the activation/cancellation time period by adding a time Tb that is a predetermined numerical-fold door vibration period to the time Ta. When a second peak with more than a predetermined amount of the motor rotating speed is detected after the first peak detection, the activation/cancellation time period is established by adding a time Tb1 that is a predetermined numerical-fold door vibration period to the activation/cancellation time period obtained before.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2007
    Assignee: Alps Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Akihiko Shinohara
  • Patent number: 7187146
    Abstract: An opening-and-closing control device is disclosed, in which speed of an opening-and-closing body can be increased even while automatic operation is performed. The device includes an operation knob that performs opening-and-closing control of an opening-and-closing body according to an instruction from an operation switch which is switchable to each of positions of “automatic closing”, “manual closing”, “neutral”, “manual opening” and “automatic opening”, wherein first the operation knob is operated to start the automatic opening operation, and then when the operation knob is held in the position of the “automatic opening”, an opening speed of the opening-and-closing body is increased according to a time period for which the operation knob is held in the position of the “automatic opening”, therefore the opening-and-closing body can be opened at high speed even while the automatic opening operation is performed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2007
    Assignee: OMRON Corporation
    Inventors: Sachihiro Saito, Takeshi Yasuda
  • Patent number: 7064506
    Abstract: A method for controlling a vehicle power seat motor including the steps of generating at least one control signal using a controller, and adjusting the speed of the motor in response to the at least one control signal such that speed of the motor is maintained to a predetermined curve. Maintaining the speed of the motor to the predetermined curve reduces at least one of mechanical wear, erratic motion, and noise of a respective seat mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2006
    Assignee: Lear Corporation
    Inventors: Robert A. Stewart, Eric K. Honsowetz, Stephen A. Harrison, Mark Alan Jay
  • Patent number: 7049772
    Abstract: A motor drive circuit which have a first source-side transistor and a first sink-side transistor connected in series; a second source-side transistor and a second sink-side transistor connected in series; and a control circuit supplying the first source-side transistor, the first sink-side transistor, the second source-side transistor, and the second sink-side transistor with control signals for supplying a current in one direction or the opposite direction to a coil connected between a connection point of the first source-side transistor and the first sink-side transistor and a connection point of the second source-side transistor and the second sink-side transistor based on a plurality of input signals that complementarily change at a predetermined frequency. The control circuit, during each time period between timings of complementary switching of the plurality of input signals, outputs control signals for turning on and off the transistors in a predetermined manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2006
    Assignee: Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Juichi Uno, Kazuyoshi Ishikawa
  • Patent number: 6989643
    Abstract: An electrical drive apparatus, in particular, a motor-driven motor vehicle window winder or motor vehicle belt roller, which can be operated via a full bridge circuit with at least four switching elements with a different load depending on the rotation direction, wherein the switching elements are individually designed on the basis of their different maximum loads, in the sense of an asymmetric full bridge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2006
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiegesellschaft
    Inventors: Patrick Komaromi, Gregor Svobodnik
  • Patent number: 6943511
    Abstract: This invention discloses an electronic control system for an Industrial Motor Operator that uses standard steady state logic to improve reliability in rough service wet and dirty environments. It includes means of providing electronic snow limit to close limit sensing removing the need for two switches and radically improving its accuracy. A low voltage switch reverses the high voltage motor wires and at the same time reverses the open limit, close limit, and snow limit sensors mechanical positions. It discloses a system using lamps to indicate that the power wiring is connecting to three-phase motors in the correct sequence or that single-phase motors have their windings correctly phased.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2005
    Assignee: Mechanical Ingenuity Corp
    Inventor: Howard Beckerman
  • Patent number: 6784629
    Abstract: A dual function solid state relay for a motor control includes four solid state switches and 6 terminals, wherein a set of 2 switches are for up operation allowing a current flow through a load in one direction and the other set of 2 switches are for down operation allowing the current flow through the load in the opposite direction. Out of 2 switches during up operation, one switch connects V+ to one end of the load and the other switch connects a Ground to the other end of the load. During down operation mode, the operation is similar to the up operation except that the voltage polarities connected to the each end of the load is reversed. Out of 6 terminals, 2 are for up and down inputs and 2 are for the outputs to the load and the remaining 2 are for V+ connection and Ground connection. In another embodiment, with the addition of a input signal control circuit to the dual function solid state relay, only one input signal from a push button switch is required for the both, up and down, operations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2004
    Inventor: Sang J. Choi
  • Patent number: 6756755
    Abstract: A power window apparatus for a vehicle is comprised of an operation switch which includes a raising contact for outputting a window raising command when set at on-state and a lowering contact for outputting a window lowering command when set at on-state, and a controller which is arranged to execute a manual operation during a time period from a start moment at which the operation switch starts outputting one of the window raising and lowering commands to a first moment at which a first predetermined time period elapses from the start moment, to execute an automatic operation during a time period from the first moment to a second moment at which a second predetermined time period elapses from the start moment, and to execute the manual operation from the second moment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2004
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kiichi Kusunoki
  • Patent number: 6657406
    Abstract: A method of operation for a motor-driven worm gear actuator coupled to a load device energizes the motor in a series of pulses during an initial period of motor operation when reversal of the motor is commanded. The pulsed energization produces a slow initial axial movement of the motor armature without moving the load device, minimizing the contact force between the armature shaft and a mechanical end stop of the motor. Rotation of the motor is determined by identifying and counting motor current pulses due to commutation, and the pulse count is adjusted at each reversal of motor rotation to compensate for motor current pulses due to the pulsed energization.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2003
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Donald John Enzinna, Mark Joseph Parisi
  • Patent number: 6580241
    Abstract: In a power window device an MCU detects motor torque values one by one when a window is opened and closed, compares the detected motor torque values with base values set to the travel regions and stops or reverses a motor determining that an object is pinched in the window when the former values exceed the latter values.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2003
    Assignee: Alps Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Takehito Sugawara
  • Publication number: 20030052631
    Abstract: A power window apparatus for a vehicle is comprised of an operation switch which includes a raising contact for outputting a window raising command when set at on-state and a lowering contact for outputting a window lowering command when set at on-state, and a controller which is arranged to execute a manual operation during a time period from a start moment at which the operation switch starts outputting one of the window raising and lowering commands to a first moment at which a first predetermined time period elapses from the start moment, to execute an automatic operation during a time period from the first moment to a second moment at which a second predetermined time period elapses from the start moment, and to execute the manual operation from the second moment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 15, 2002
    Publication date: March 20, 2003
    Applicant: NISSAN MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Kiichi Kusunoki
  • Patent number: 6392377
    Abstract: A motor control apparatus is arranged to drive and control a motor for transmitting the rotating force of the motor through a gear train. In reversing the rotation of the motor, the motor is caused to rotate at a speed higher than a normal rotation speed for a period of time which is about the same as a period of time required for absorbing a clearance or play existing between the gears. In this instance, since the motor is under no load, the motor is rotated at the higher speed with a small current and a small torque. The arrangement effectively lessens a noise generated in reversing the rotation of the motor due to the clearance or play existing in the motor driving force transmitting part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2002
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Tsuyoshi Yamauchi
  • Patent number: 6306220
    Abstract: A wiper device for vehicle windows is proposed, which prevents a longer lasting or permanent deformation of an elastically deformable wiper lip (28) that is formed onto the wiper blade (16) since this wiper lip (28) is stored in different parking positions (P1, P2) in a parking location (P) of the wiper blade (16).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2001
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventor: Joachim Zimmer
  • Patent number: 6259219
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for precisely controlling a driven component in an electromechanical system, particularly for controlling the speed of a photoreceptor or intermediate transfer belt in an electrophotographic printing machine. A sensor monitors the speed of the driven belt and generates and sends a signal indicative thereof to a controller. A second sensor monitors the rotational speed of the drive motor for the component and also generates a signal indicative thereof and sends that signal to the controller. The controller processes the signals so that a preselected belt speed is maintained while minimizing or eliminating torque disturbances caused by the rapid fluctuation of the motor velocity without the necessity of using an inertial flywheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2001
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Andrew Mark Strauch, Daniel W. Costanza