Overloading Limit-of-travel-type Control Means Patents (Class 318/469)
  • Patent number: 11524623
    Abstract: An input lighting signal optimization device includes a multiplex circuit configured to select and output a first LED lamp lighting signal or a second LED lamp lighting signal, and a MICOM configured to output a driving signal for driving a first LED lamp or a second LED lamp after receiving an output signal of the multiplex circuit through one input port and detecting a wake-up signal included in the output signal of the multiplex circuit to switch to an activation mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2022
    Assignee: Hyundai Mobis Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Myeong Je Kim
  • Patent number: 11381182
    Abstract: Provided is a vehicle door opening/closing device. Given that a door is in an initial fully-open position, a storage unit stores: a target speed map for defining a relation between the door position and the target speed of a motor; and information indicative of an arbitrary fully open position set by a user. A map speed computation unit calculates a map speed based on the target speed map, whereas a gradually decreasing speed calculation unit calculates a gradually decreasing target speed for decreasing at a prescribed deceleration rate as the arbitrary fully open position gets closer so that a prescribed terminal speed is reached at the arbitrary fully open position. A speed sequence control unit switches a set target speed to the gradually decreasing target speed from the map speed at a door position where the gradually decreasing target speed becomes slower than the map speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2022
    Assignee: MITSUBA Corporation
    Inventors: Ikuharu Yokozawa, Ryuichi Nakajima
  • Patent number: 11125555
    Abstract: A method of detecting blocking of a rotor of a motor driving an actuator member with movement in translation between a first abutment and a second abutment, the method comprising the steps of, during an angular movement of the rotor, estimating at least a position (X) of the actuator member relative to the two abutments, a travel direction of the actuator member relative to the two abutments, and also a travel speed (V) of the actuator member; and on the basis at least of the estimated position of the actuator member, of the estimated travel direction of the actuator member, and of the estimated travel speed of the actuator member, detecting blocking of the rotor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2021
    Assignee: SAFRAN ELECTRONICS & DEFENSE
    Inventors: Badr Mansouri, Kamal Aouchiche
  • Patent number: 11118904
    Abstract: A method of detecting blocking of a rotor of a motor driving an actuator member with movement in translation between a first abutment and a second abutment, the method comprising the steps of, during an angular movement of the rotor, estimating at least a position (X) of the actuator member relative to the two abutments, a travel direction of the actuator member relative to the two abutments, and also a travel speed (V) of the actuator member; and on the basis at least of the estimated position of the actuator member, of the estimated travel direction of the actuator member, and of the estimated travel speed of the actuator member, detecting blocking of the rotor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2021
    Assignee: Safran Electronics & Defense
    Inventors: Badr Mansouri, Kamal Aouchiche
  • Patent number: 10577847
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for operating a closing device (1), wherein with the aid of an electric motor (4) controlled by a control unit (7), a closing element (2) can be moved against a stop edge in a closing direction, the method comprising the following steps: detecting a pinching force on an object or on a body part between the closing element and the stop edge by integrating a measurement variable, wherein the pinching force is represented by a corresponding integrator value; signalling that a maximum permissible pinching force has been reached as a function of the integrator value; temporarily storing the integrator value after the electric motor has been stopped (4); and, when a resumption of an operation of the electric motor (4) in the closing direction is requested, starting the integration of the measurement variable beginning with the temporarily stored integrator value as a starting value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2020
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Holger Pruessel, Klaus Buechinger
  • Patent number: 10267078
    Abstract: A vehicular opening/closing body control device includes: a driving control unit that performs a driving control of an opening/closing body; a position detection unit that detects a movement position of the opening/closing body by counting pulse signals synchronized with a movement of the opening/closing body; a storage unit that stores a maximum movement position of the opening/closing body using a starting end of a movement range of the opening/closing body as a reference; a determination unit that determines whether or not the maximum movement position is updated, in a case where the driving control of the opening/closing body towards a terminating end side of the movement range is performed; and a stop detection unit that determines that the opening/closing body is stopped in a case where a state where the maximum movement position is not updated continues for a predetermined time or longer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2019
    Assignee: AISIN SEIKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Kenta Kobayashi, Kohei Kobayashi, Yoshihiro Takeda
  • Patent number: 9995611
    Abstract: Various systems and methods for detecting air in a chamber of an infusion system are disclosed. In one embodiment, a determination is made that air is contained in the chamber on the basis of a change in the average force exerted against the plunger utilizing a derivative spike for event detection and a systematic reduction in the average force to confirm the nature of the change. In another embodiment, a determination is made that the chamber contains air when a difference between the current force profile and a baseline force profile crosses a threshold. In an additional embodiment, a force profile is classified as being an air force profile or a liquid force profile based on extracted features of the force profile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: ICU Medical, Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy L. Ruchti, Brian G. Markey, Anatoly S. Belkin, Paul T. Kotnik, Mohammad M. Khair
  • Patent number: 9482922
    Abstract: “Smart” controllers for windows having controllable optical transitions are described. Controllers with multiple features can sense and adapt to local environmental conditions. Controllers described herein can be integrated with a building management system (BMS) to greatly enhance the BMS's effectiveness at managing local environments in a building. The controllers may have one, two, three or more functions such as powering a smart window, determining the percent transmittance, size, and/or temperature of a smart window, providing wireless communication between the controller and a separate communication node, etc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2016
    Assignee: View, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen C. Brown, Dhairya Shrivastava, David Walter Groechel, Anshu Pradhan, Gordon Jack, Disha Mehtani, Robert T. Rozbicki
  • Patent number: 9454055
    Abstract: Controllers for providing functions for windows capable of undergoing reversible optical transitions. In some cases, the controllers have multiple features that can sense and adapt to local environmental conditions. The controllers can be integrated with a building management system (BMS) to greatly enhance the BMS's effectiveness at managing local environments in a building. For example, controllers may control one or more functions such as powering a smart window, determining the percent transmittance, size, and/or temperature of a smart window, providing wireless communication between the controller and a separate communication node, etc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2016
    Assignee: View, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen C. Brown, Dhairya Shrivastava, David Walter Groechel, Anshu Pradhan, Gordon Jack, Disha Mehtani, Robert T. Rozbicki
  • Patent number: 9151103
    Abstract: A movable partition system includes a movable partition including coupled panels and a lead post engaged with and movable along a track. A motor control system includes a motor coupled to the movable partition and a switching circuit coupled to the motor and for selectively coupling the motor to a positive power source and a negative power source responsive to one or more PWM signals. An encoder is configured for generating one or more rotation signals indicative of operational direction and operational speed of the motor. A motor controller is coupled to the switching circuit and is configured for improving airflow around the panels of the movable partition when the lead post of the movable partition is between a predefined position and a fully retracted position indicative of a billowing effect for the panels by adjusting pulse widths of the PWM signals to control rotational speed of the motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2015
    Assignee: WON-DOOR CORPORATION
    Inventors: Duane O. Hall, E. Carl Goodman, W. Michael Coleman, John G. Garrett, III
  • Patent number: 9109924
    Abstract: An adjustment system and method is provided for determining a set position of a motor-driven adjustment part of a motor vehicle by a Hall sensor, which is arranged in a rotated magnetic field. The drive of the adjustment part is activated for a specified number of approaches of the adjustment part toward an end position. A counter is changed by a counting value upon each approach of the adjustment part toward the end position. A standardization drive to the end position is carried out when the specified number of approaches is reached, and each deactivation and/or activation of the Hall sensor is detected and the counter state of the counter is changed according to the number of deactivation and activation cycles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2015
    Assignee: Brose Fahrzeugteile GmbH & Co. KG, Hallstadt
    Inventor: Christian Vetter
  • Patent number: 8988020
    Abstract: A motor operator system for a power switch which allows electrical motor operation to the GROUND POSITION via TRAVEL SET electronics to ensure personnel safety by accomplishing travel setting without a person entering an underground vault but also allows operation to the ground position manually if so desired. The motor operator system of the present invention includes a position switch panel that allows a three position set travel with travel adjust function. The three positions are CLOSE, OPEN, GROUND, or, alternatively, CLOSE, OPEN, CLOSE.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: Cleaveland/Price, Inc.
    Inventor: Angelo Rometo
  • Patent number: 8941343
    Abstract: A control circuit (1) for an electronically commutated, direct current motor (M) without a collector with a semiconductor end stage (2) which is controlled by an electronic commutation control (4) via a driver stage (6) for the time-offset control of the stator coils (U,V,W) of the motor (M) for the purpose of producing a magnetic rotating field for a rotor depending on the rotor rotation position. Two redundant stall protection units (10, 12) monitor the motor (M) during operation for rotation of the rotor, whereby in the case of a determined stall situation, the first stall protection unit (10) deactivates the driver stage (6) and the second stall protection unit (12) shuts off the supply voltage (UVCC) for the driver stage (6).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2015
    Assignee: EBM-Papst Mulfingen GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Helmut Lipp, Martin Bürkert, Christian Kranz, Daniel König
  • Patent number: 8928267
    Abstract: To stably control a driving object to approach and contact a pressure object at a low impact, to suppress a vibration generated when the driving object presses the pressure object, and to enable a motor controller to operate based on a simple command, a regression torque controller of the motor controller limits a torque-control velocity command to up to a velocity limit value vlim defined based on a contact velocity between a driving object and a pressure object and outputs the torque-control velocity command, and a velocity controller of the motor controller calculates a torque command so that a motor velocity can follow the torque-control velocity command output from the regression torque controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Yuji Igarashi, Hidetoshi Ikeda, Kiyoshi Maekawa, Kei Terada
  • Patent number: 8564227
    Abstract: In order to activate a control element (4) of a drive apparatus (1) for driving an object that can be moved between two end positions, the control element having a response delay (?tanspr) a parameter (Fakt) influenced by the drive apparatus (1) is monitored and compared with a specified threshold (FTh), upon the achievement of which a control signal is output to the control element (4); a pre-threshold (Fv) to be achieved before the achievement of the threshold (FTh) is defined, upon the achievement of which pre-threshold a pre-control signal is output to the control element (4) for the preparatory activation thereof, and afterwards further monitoring for the achievement of the actual threshold (FTh) is performed, wherein upon achievement of the actual threshold (FTh), the control element activation is retained, whereas if the actual threshold (FTh) is not achieved, the control element activation is rescinded.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2013
    Assignee: Continental Automotive GmbH
    Inventor: Christian Stöger
  • Patent number: 8508168
    Abstract: Linear actuator device, comprising a housing (102,202), a piston rod (109,209), an electrical motor (116,216) and a transmission means (105,106,305,307) adapted to transfer the rotation of the electrical motor to a linear movement of the piston rod, where the linear actuator device comprises an integrated electrical interface having two signal inputs adapted to extend and retract the piston rod and two signal outputs adapted to indicate a retracted end position (122) and an extended end position (121) of the piston rod.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2013
    Assignee: Aktiebolaget SKF
    Inventor: Johannes Andrianus Maria Duits
  • Patent number: 8456121
    Abstract: A motor control device, which includes a main control portion configured to actuate a motor, which displaces a driven object between a first position and a second position in an acceleration control mode in which a rotation speed of the motor gradually increases, in a deceleration control mode in which the rotation speed of the motor gradually decreases, and in a constant speed control mode in which the rotation speed of the motor is maintained at a constant level, and a displacement interference detection portion detecting that the displacement of the driven object is interfered using an actual rotation speed, which is the actual rotation speed of the motor, and an ideal rotation speed of the motor, on which a control result by the main control portion including a feedback control is reflected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2013
    Assignee: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Daisuke Yuasa, Akira Aikawa
  • Patent number: 8390231
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for obtaining a criterion for detecting obstacles in a closure movement of a motor-driven opening. The obtaining method includes the step of determining a speed of rotation of a motor shaft and the step of determining a quantity representative of a motor voltage. The detection criterion is then obtained by a step for calculating the criterion according to the speed of rotation of the motor shaft and the quantity representative of the motor voltage. This makes it possible to obtain a criterion, which is both robust and inexpensive, for detecting obstacles in a closure movement of a motor-driven opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2013
    Assignee: Inteva Products France SAS
    Inventor: Paul Bizard
  • Publication number: 20130038265
    Abstract: To stably control a driving object to approach and contact a pressure object at a low impact, to suppress a vibration generated when the driving object presses the pressure object, and to enable a motor controller to operate based on a simple command, a regression torque controller of the motor controller limits a torque-control velocity command to up to a velocity limit value vlim defined based on a contact velocity between a driving object and a pressure object and outputs the torque-control velocity command, and a velocity controller of the motor controller calculates a torque command so that a motor velocity can follow the torque-control velocity command output from the regression torque controller.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 7, 2011
    Publication date: February 14, 2013
    Applicant: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Yuji Igarashi, Hidetoshi Ikeda, Kiyoshi Maekawa, Kei Terada
  • Publication number: 20120319638
    Abstract: An adjustment device in the automotive field, having a fixed guide element and an adjustment element which is movably arranged with respect thereto and which has a referencing element, having an EC motor which drives the adjustment element within an adjustment travel, and having a control unit with an actuator for the EC motor, wherein the adjustment travel is bounded by a first and a second end point which are respectively arranged within a first and a second capture region, wherein at least one mechanical end stop is provided which is arranged outside the adjustment travel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 18, 2012
    Publication date: December 20, 2012
    Applicant: Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Bernhard Ritter, Dejan Djordjevic
  • 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: 8217612
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2012
    Assignee: Uusi, LLC
    Inventors: Mario Boisvert, Randall Perrin, John Washeleski
  • Patent number: 8217607
    Abstract: An opening/closing control method for a window regulator, which is a method of performing opening/closing control with a pinching prevention function while determining a detection signal from a sensor based on a threshold value. The method includes setting the threshold value as a value offset from a reference value for control, and updating the reference value in correspondence to a value of the detection signal from the sensor in an initial stage of control, and each time when the value of the detection signal from the sensor continuously changes in a certain time within a range where the value of the detection signal from the sensor does not exceed the threshold value, the reference value is modified by a value corresponding to such a changed value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2012
    Assignees: Shiroki Kogyo Co., Ltd., Tachibana Eletech Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Satoshi Inoue, Masayuki Kato, Kazushi Hirose, Yoshihiro Fujimura, Minoru Tanaka, Takao Koba, Hiroki Nishida, Takashi Inoue
  • Patent number: 8203298
    Abstract: A system and method for a motor management system includes a computer readable storage medium and a processing unit. The processing unit configured to determine a voltage value of a voltage input to an alternating current (AC) motor, determine a frequency value of at least one of a voltage input and a current input to the AC motor, determine a load value from the AC motor, and access a set of motor nameplate data, where the set of motor nameplate data includes a rated power, a rated speed, a rated frequency, and a rated voltage of the AC motor. The processing unit is also configured to estimate a motor speed based on the voltage value, the frequency value, the load value, and the set of nameplate data and also store the motor speed on the computer readable storage medium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2012
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: Bin Lu, Ting Yan, Charles John Luebke, Santosh Kumar Sharma
  • Patent number: 8198849
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2012
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventor: Hubert Lamm
  • Patent number: 8098037
    Abstract: A vehicle door opening-closing apparatus is provided, which includes a vibration detector and a controller. The controller acquires an envelope formed by connecting crests or troughs of a waveform of vibration detected by the vibration detection sensor. The controller determines whether or not a shape of the envelope meets a condition. A vehicle door is controlled based on a result of determination by the controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2012
    Assignee: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Takehiko Sugiura
  • Patent number: 8089237
    Abstract: A method for controlling an opening leaf of a vehicle. The method detects whether a predetermined event is occurring in the absence of a predetermined situation likenable to a trapping incident and, if appropriate, lowers a function of detecting the situation likenable to a trapping incident.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2012
    Assignee: Renault S.A.S.
    Inventors: Eric Bernhard, Hoang-Giang Nguyen, Laurent Piloy
  • Patent number: 8084979
    Abstract: A method for testing an electric motor which is connected to a valve element by at least one component comprises starting the motor, measuring a movement parameter of at least one of the motor and the component without moving the valve element, and stopping the motor when the measured movement parameter indicates that the valve element is about to move.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2011
    Assignee: FMC Kongsberg Subsea AS
    Inventor: Vidar Sten-Halvorsen
  • Patent number: 8049452
    Abstract: A control method can stop motor operation reliably when a mirror rotator is mechanically locked at a driven end of the mirror rotator. The control method operates a motor 18 according to battery voltage. The motor 18 is operated with an operating time set and is stopped after a lapse of the set operating time, where the operating time is a time required for the motor 18 to drive the mirror rotator 14 from the retracted position or the working position to the working position or the retracted position at which the mirror rotator 14 is locked by a stopper. The control method detects the battery voltage, and decreases the set operating time of the motor 18 when the detected battery voltage is high or increases the set operating time of the motor 18 when the detected battery voltage is low.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2011
    Assignee: Murakami Corporation
    Inventors: Mitsuyoshi Nagao, Noriyuki Takemasa
  • Patent number: 7999502
    Abstract: The present invention provides a pumping system (60) comprising: a pumping mechanism (64); a motor (51) for driving the pumping mechanism; a drive control (50) for controlling the motor; and means (52) for monitoring at least one state within the system; wherein, to improve the performance of the system, the drive control causes the system to operate for transient periods in an overload condition which can result in said monitored state exceeding a predetermined operational limit, and when operating in said overload condition said drive control controls the power to the motor dependent on the level of said monitored state thereby avoiding said state from exceeding said operational limit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2011
    Assignee: Edwards Limited
    Inventors: Laurent Marc Philippe, Anthony John Wilder
  • Patent number: 7982422
    Abstract: An improved system for controlling motorized window coverings with light control includes an improved control system including a switch with an up button, a stop button and down button to activate a motor to control the configuration of the covering, including the extension or retraction of the covering, and the transmissivity of the covering.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2011
    Assignee: Hunter Douglas Inc.
    Inventors: Henk Jan Meewis, Michael S. Holford
  • Patent number: 7977903
    Abstract: In an electrically powered door actuating system of a motor vehicle with a slide door, there is employed a control unit for controlling a door actuating device of the slide door.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2011
    Assignee: Mitsui Mining & Smelting Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Haruo Kamiya
  • Patent number: 7952312
    Abstract: A controller computes a pinching amount of an object caused by a window glass. The controller estimates a prior pinching amount of the object caused by the window glass before the controller computes the pinching amount of the object. The controller confirms occurrence of the pinching of the object based on the computed pinching amount and the estimated prior pinching amount of the object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2011
    Assignee: Asmo Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shin Sakai, Takahiro Sumiya
  • Patent number: 7888898
    Abstract: Embodiment of the invention relate to a container. In one respect, embodiments of the invention provide a container that is useful in advertising because of its distinctive shape and faux pull ring, and/or because it is configured to output a jingle or other stored audio. Moreover, in embodiments of the invention, the container is configured as a cooler with a thermal insulator. Such a cooler may also include an automatic lid mechanism that allows for hands-free operation by users that seek to retrieve, for instance, a cold beverage from the cooler.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2011
    Assignee: IPS Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Jack Randal Wilkerson
  • Patent number: 7877180
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for the detection of conditions indicative of a wind pressure pulsation within the passenger cabin of a vehicle, and for the reduction of the intensity of the pressure pulsation via automatic window repositioning. The apparatus comprises vehicle sensors for detection of a pressure pulsation condition, controllers to process sensor data and issue commands, and power-operated vehicle windows.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2011
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Phillip M. Turner, Yueh-Se J. Huang, Pei-Chung Wang
  • Patent number: 7843153
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2010
    Assignee: Brose Fahrzeugteile GmbH & Co KG, Coburg
    Inventors: Jochen Held, Roland Kalb, Markus Schlesiger, Rene Zellmer, Jürgen Buhlheller
  • Patent number: 7812554
    Abstract: A control device for an opening/closing member includes a speed detecting unit, a variation calculating unit, a judgment unit, a control unit, and a state detecting unit. The speed detecting unit detects a rotation speed of a motor for opening/closing the opening/closing member. The variation calculating unit calculates the variation in the rotation speed based on a present value and a past value of the rotation speed. The judgment unit compares the variation to a predetermined threshold value and judges whether or not a foreign object is trapped in the opening/closing member based on the comparison. The control unit controls the motor to open or stop the opening/closing member when the judgment unit judges that there is a foreign object trapped. The state detecting unit detects a state of the opening/closing member or a state of the surroundings of the opening/closing member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Assignee: OMRON Corporation
    Inventor: Tomohiro Takahashi
  • Patent number: 7808197
    Abstract: A control apparatus for an opening/closing member of vehicle includes a driving member for moving an opening/closing member for a vehicle, speed detecting means for detecting a drive speed of the driving member and control means for calculating a current speed difference between the drive speed of the driving member and a target drive speed, for calculating a current change amount between the calculated current speed difference and a previous speed difference calculated a predetermined time before, for calculating a current deviation by integrating the current change amount and for detecting an entrapment of an object by comparing the calculated deviation to a predetermined threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2010
    Assignee: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Shogo Kimura, Hiroyuki Mizutani, Yoshinori Iwase, Koichi Takahashi
  • Patent number: 7800332
    Abstract: A powered apparatus includes a driven component that is movable along a path and a drive motor that moves the driven component along the path. A motor speed detector monitors an instantaneous speed of the drive motor at each position along the path. An electronic control unit operates the drive motor and includes load profile data representing a number of motor loads associated with respective positions of the driven component along the path. A calculating component determines a calculated final rest position of the driven component by adding a current position of the driven component along the path and an adjustment coefficient representing an additional distance of travel along the path based on the instantaneous speed of the drive motor and a respective motor load associated with the additional distance of travel. A non-volatile memory component stores the calculated final rest position of the driven component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2010
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Joseph Whinnery
  • Patent number: 7791299
    Abstract: A process for controlling an electrically driven window pane for a motor vehicle which has an operating element for triggering the pane motion. After the operation of the operating element, the window pane is moved by a driving motor until a soft-stop position is reached, the motion of the driving motor being detected for determining the window pane position. A multiple operation of the operating element within a definable time period causes an overshooting of the soft-stop position to the mechanical stop, in which the position of the pane is newly defined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2010
    Assignee: Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche AG
    Inventor: Matthias Eichin
  • Patent number: 7737653
    Abstract: A method of controlling a motorized window treatment provides for continued operation of the motorized window treatment during an overload condition, a low-line condition, or an electrostatic discharge (ESD) event. The motorized window treatment is driven by an electronic drive unit having a motor, a motor drive circuit, a rotational position sensor, a controller, and a memory for storing the command. The controller stores the present position of the motorized window treatment in the memory each time the rotational position of the motor changes by a predetermined angle, such that a plurality of positions are stored in the memory. When the controller is reset due to an overload condition or ESD event, the controller recalls the desired position from the memory, determines the present position, and continues to drive the motor drive circuit in response to the command and the present position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2010
    Assignee: Lutron Electronics Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Lawrence R. Carmen, Jr., Robert Thomas Nachtrieb, Thomas Warren Brenner, Stephen Lundy, Jonathan H. Ference, Justin Mierta
  • Patent number: 7728542
    Abstract: This method for controlling a motorized awning installation comprises: during the deployment of a cloth, a step of supervising the tension of the cloth, and a step of rolling up the cloth on a tube initiated automatically in response to a drop in the supervised tension, and stopped automatically before a perceptible folding of the arms for guidance of the cloth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignee: Somfy SAS
    Inventors: Serge Bruno, Pierre-Emmanuel Cavarec
  • Patent number: 7707918
    Abstract: Improved methods to detect when a human body contacts a predetermined portion of a machine are disclosed. The methods distinguish contact with a person from contact with other materials. The methods are particularly applicable in woodworking equipment such as table saws to distinguish contact between a person and the blade of the saw from contact between the blade and wet or green wood.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2010
    Assignee: SD3, LLC
    Inventors: Stephen F. Gass, Paul J. Lingane, Arjuna R. Karunaratne
  • Patent number: 7667425
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a device for controlling an electric door drive. During a learning process determination of the course over time of the torques of the door drive for each of at least one opening process and closing process is carried out. Maximum permissible torques are derived from the ascertained torques for predetermined zones within an opening process and closing process. During operation of the door drive a comparison of the current torque with the maximum torques and a comparison of the current speeds of the door drive with predetermined target speeds are carried out. The current speed of the door drive is increased if the associated target speed is fallen below. In addition, switching-off the door drive takes place if the current torque exceeds the associated maximum torque.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2010
    Assignee: Sommer Antriebs- und Funktechnik GmbH
    Inventor: Frank Sommer
  • Patent number: 7663330
    Abstract: An actual detected current value and a target voltage value of an electric motor are subjected to a low-pass filter process, and amounts of change per time in the filtered actual current value and the filtered target voltage value are calculated. If the amount of change in the actual current value on the increase side is greater than a criterion value and the amount of change in the target voltage value on the decrease side is greater than a criterion value, it is judged that the stroke end has been reached. Then, the upper limit value of the target current value is set at the actual current value obtained in the immediately previous cycle of the feedback control, so as to prevent generation of unnecessary torque.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2010
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Ippei Yamazaki
  • Patent number: 7649332
    Abstract: A motor control system uses an incremental encoder that provides a signal indicative of motor position. If an illegal state change is detected in the same sampling interval, an error event is recorded and an error counter is incremented. When the number of counts exceeds a pre-determined threshold, the motor is disabled so that appropriate corrective action can be taken.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2010
    Assignee: Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas D. Lundell
  • Patent number: 7633252
    Abstract: A stall protection circuit is provided for bidirectional motor operation that is controlled by a half bridge switch that has forward, reverse and off positions. A method of protecting a motor is also disclosed. A Hall effect current sensor may be provided in a stall current protection circuit that engages a latching circuit. The latching circuit is operative to interrupt current flowing to the motor by disabling MOSFETs on opposite sides of the motor. Alternatively, FET voltage from drain to source may be used to measure the current supplied to the motor that is used to engage the latching circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2009
    Assignee: Lear Corporation
    Inventors: H. Winston Maue, John F. Nathan, Michael Pajor, Michael Noorman, John R. Ballard, Jerremy Anderson, Paul Kucher
  • Patent number: 7621460
    Abstract: A speed control system is provided for controlling temperature within a chassis. The chassis includes therein a temperature sensing device for producing a temperature signal representative of temperature within the chassis, a fan, and a fan speed controller. The fan speed controller produces a nominal fan speed control signal comprising a train of pulses, successive pulses having a duty cycle related to the temperature signal produced by the temperature sensing device, such time durations decreasing with increasing temperature. The speed control system includes a decoupling circuit responsive to the nominal fan speed control signal for, in response to relatively a low duty cycle, coupling the nominal fan control signal to an output of the decoupling circuit, and, in response a relatively high duty cycle, producing a preset fan speed signal at the output of the decoupling circuit. The fan has a speed in accordance with the signal at the output of the decoupling circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2009
    Assignee: EMC Corporation
    Inventor: Timothy Dorr
  • Patent number: 7605554
    Abstract: Methods are provided for detecting and alleviating the pinching of an object in a window of a vehicle having a drive unit motor controlling a window based upon current signals received from a control switch, security system remote control, or security system controller. The detection method includes determining a current threshold for the motor, determining time required to close the window, monitoring drive unit motor current draw during a window close operation, and determining if the current threshold is reached before window close time has elapsed. The alleviation method includes determining a current threshold, determining window close time, monitoring drive unit motor current draw during a window close operation, determining if current threshold has been reached before window close time has elapsed, and positioning the window so the drive unit motor current is less than the current threshold. The methods can be programmed into a window control module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2009
    Assignee: DEI Headquartes, Inc.
    Inventor: Joseph Kunkel
  • Patent number: 7605553
    Abstract: A system for safely opening/closing a power window of a vehicle includes a main opening/closing device provided adjacent to a driver seat so as to open and close a window of a passenger seat. A sub opening/closing device is provided adjacent to a passenger seat so as to open and close a window of a passenger seat. A plurality of main electrodes of the main opening/closing device includes at least one main ground electrode for generating a signal. A main center electrode is electrically connected to a sub opening/closing device and to at least one main ground electrode by a main switch, and is disposed on a portion of a main plate to be prevented from being electrically connected to a main ground electrode when a main switch moves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2009
    Assignee: Kia Motor Corporation
    Inventor: Chul Ho Lee