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

Abstract: The present invention relates to a trapping protector capable of detecting the presence of an object in a sensing region when connected with a device for creating input signals and evaluating output signals. Said trapping protector comprises a body portion, at least one ground electrode, at least one sensor electrode arranged spaced apart from said ground electrode and embedded in said body portion, and a zone of reduced rigidity between said at least one ground electrode and said at least one sensor electrode. Said zone reduces the force required for triggering said trapping protector.

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

Abstract: A sunroof controlling device for controlling a sunroof lid in sliding and tilting directions without using a mechanical position switch, which comprises and actuator having an electric motor and an output shaft to be connected with the sunroof lid, a switch for generating a command signal, and a control unit including an armature shaft rotation signal generating means, an output shaft rotation signal generating means, and a counting means for counting the signals generated from the armature shaft rotation signal generating means and the output shaft rotation signal generating means, and the control unit starts current supply to the electric motor of the actuator in response to the command signal and interrupts the current supply according to the count value of the counting means.

Abstract: To keep low the cross frequency of current feedback control and provide a good steering feeling, a first operation expression is selected when a difference &xgr; between a current instruction value computed based on a steering state of a steering wheel and a traveling state of a vehicle and a motor drive current value supplied from a battery to a motor for providing assist force to a system for transmitting power from the steering wheel to the wheels is larger than a predetermined value Th1, a second operation expression is selected when the difference &xgr; is smaller than the predetermined value Th1, and the difference &xgr; is corrected using the selected operation expression.

Abstract: An obstruction detection system utilizes a segmented optical detector and detector-specific signal processing to optically detect the presence of a small object within a defined plane and to screen out interfering signals. In one application, the obstruction detection system is utilized with an automatically closing window to prevent small objects, such as fingers, from being pinched by the window as the window is being closed. In one embodiment of the obstruction detection system, the segmented optical detector includes a series of segmented detector elements that are generally perpendicular to the defined plane. In another embodiment of the obstruction detection system, the segmented optical detector includes segmented detector elements that are generally parallel to the defined plane.

Abstract: A power window regulator is disclosed comprising a regulator computer having a processor and a memory connected to a switch and/or main automotive computer and to a plurality of window processors connected to a window sensor and a window drive unit.

Abstract: There is a method for controlling the movement of electrically operated assemblies, more particularly of window lifters, sliding roofs or the like in motor vehicles. The assembly has a setting device is connected to a drive device. At least in one partial area of the displacement path, the displacement force is restricted to a predetermined maximum value. A parameter is proportional to the displacement force of the electrically operated assembly. Upon reaching a boundary value corresponding to the maximum value of the displacement force over a predetermined time span, the parameter is regulated to a value corresponding to this boundary value.

Abstract: A device for operating an electric motor (10) is proposed, which evaluates overloading or blocking of the drive (11) from a characteristic of a current (40, 41) flowing through the electric motor (10). In accordance with a first embodiment, the determination of the characteristic is provided within a time interval (TI)′ the time interval (T:) occurring within the starting operation after a starting instant (To) of the electric motor (10). In accordance with another embodiment, the determination of the characteristic is provided at a prescribed sampling instant (TA) which occurs at a prescribed delay time (Tv) after a starting instant (To).

Abstract: An elongated reelable shade, first and second spaced support brackets removably connected to first and second and opposite ends of said elongated reelable shade for supporting said reelable shade from a fixed support, an electrical drive motor having an output shaft for rotating said elongated reelable shade around its axis to selectively reel and unreel said shade, an electrical circuit for energizing and operating said motor, the electrical circuit including a controller coupled to and controlling the operation of said drive motor, and a coupler for removably coupling said output shaft of said motor to said first end of said elongated reelable shade, a single housing having said first bracket fixed thereto, said single housing containing and supporting said motor, said electrical circuit and said coupler, said coupler comprising an output driver which removably receives said first end of said shade with rotatable driving relationship.

Abstract: A process for operating an electric-motor drive is proposed for adjusting a sliding-lifting roof (16) in a motor vehicle by means of a signal processing arrangement (20), with a microprocessor (21) to which is fed an adjusting command (23) of an operating control (22) for a reference position of the sliding-lifting roof (16) as an actual state signal and at least one additional actual state signal of at least one arrangement (26, 32, 34, 52, 54) for detecting the actual position of the drive (10) and/or of the sliding-lifting roof (16), and which microprocessor (21) controls or regulates the drive (10) for moving the sliding-lifting rood (16) to its reference position, wherein the actual state signals are detected cyclically by the microprocessor (21) and a response is read out of a storage depending on the signal combination, wherein the response determines whether or not, and in what manner, the possible adjustments of the operating control (22) lead to a change in the present drive behavior via the signal

Abstract: A highly dependable motor drive system capable of driving a motor with certainty even in a submersion accident and preventing overcurrent from flowing to the motor on the occasion of switching the direction of rotation. It is so arranged that, of a first and second relay for rotating the motor in the normal and reverse directions, respectively, in response to operation of associated switches, the first relay is selectively actuated and the second relay is de-energized. As the associated switch is operated, the energization of the coil of the second relay is maintained for a while by the function of a bypass circuit so that the actuation of the second relay is stopped only after actuation of the first relay with a transient motor stand-still time therebetween.

Abstract: In a method of detecting a foreign matter caught by a window in a power window device which includes a window opening/closing motor, a motor drive unit, a pulse generator for generating pulses corresponding to the rotation of the motor, an MCU for executing overall control and drive processing and manually-operated switch unit, the MCU detects a parameter value indicating a motor load imposed on a window when the window is opened and closed through the motor drive unit, compares the parameter value with a preset reference median, determines that a foreign matter is caught by the window when the parameter value falls outside the reference median in a considerable amount and stops the drive of the motor or reverses the motor, wherein the reference median that is preset in the range where a foreign matter is detected within the entire moving region of the window is successively changed stepwise by the same displacement value.

Abstract: An automatic window shade system is disclosed which can react to end points and obstructions through a torque sensing arrangement. This torque sensing can be accomplished through use of an electromagnetic interference device so that a change in torque is immediately detected and a modulation in operation of the shade can be effected. Rotating pitched disks elastically connected to each other can be used to act as the torque sensor for this an other applications. Multiple elastic elements can permit multiple location sensing as well as non-zero torque sensing and reaction.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for contactless approach of a lower stop position of a motor vehicle window pane operated by extraneous force using a sensor device which during lowering of the window pane generates path-dependent signals and forwards them to an electronic evaluation unit in which the sensor signals are counted. During two separate phases (A) and (B) system deficiencies of a window raising mechanism are compensated and the pane is lowered. On reaching a certain counting state which lies in front of the position of the fixed contactless stop, a drive is switched off. The first phase (A) and the second phase (B) of the adjustment movement of the drive are separated by a boundary value (2) which reflects a system state of window winding raising mechanism so that the sensor signals of the first phase (A) can be associated with compensating cable slack and the sensor signals of the second phase (B) can be associated with the actual movement of the window.

Abstract: A power window apparatus is provided for detecting pinching in accordance with the opened/closed position of the window and a state of rotation of a motor, the apparatus having a position sensor which detects a safety-control suspension region of the window and which is an accurate sensor. A spiral guide groove is formed in the inner surface of a housing opposite to a rotational plate which is rotated by an output shaft of a motor which opens/closes a window. A follower which is guided by the spiral guide groove is able to move along a straight guide groove provided for the rotational plate in the radial direction. Terminals in the form of conductive films are provided for a printed circuit board accommodated in the housing. When the rotational plate has been rotated, the follower is guided by the spiral guide groove so as to be moved in the straight guide groove. Thus, a slide member provided for the follower is brought into contact with the terminals so that the terminals are conducted with each other.

Abstract: An awning, in particular an awning with a supporting arm, the cloth (1) of which can be unwound from a tube or winding shaft (2) driven by an electric motor (9) and in which are provided means for measuring the drive torque which supply a variable representing the windforce acting on the awning cloth. The measuring means are associated with a logical processing unit (15) in which are recorded three torque values, namely a danger, a safety and an all-clear value, on the basis of which values the LPU allows or activates the partial or complete unwinding or winding of the cloth.

Abstract: A movable barrier operator includes a wall control switch module having a learn switch thereon. The switch module is connectable to a control unit positioned in a head of a garage movable barrier operator. The head unit also contains an electric motor which is connected to a transmission for opening and closing a movable barrier such as a garage door. The switch module includes a plurality of switches coupled to capacitors which, when closed, have varying charge and discharge times to enable which switch has been closed. The control unit includes an automatic force incrementing system for adjusting the maximal opening and closing force to be placed upon the movable barrier during a learn operation. Likewise, end of travel limits can also be set during a learn operation upon installation of the unit.

Abstract: An elongated reelable shade, first and second spaced support brackets removably connected to first and second and opposite ends of said elongated reelable shade for supporting said reelable shade from a fixed support, an electrical drive motor having an output shaft for rotating said elongated reelable shade around its axis to selectively reel and unreel said shade, an electrical circuit for energizing and operating said motor, the electrical circuit including a controller coupled to and controlling the operation of said drive motor, and a coupler for removably coupling said output shaft of said motor to said first end of said elongated reelable shade, a single housing having said first bracket fixed thereto, said single housing containing and supporting said motor, said electrical circuit and said coupler, said coupler comprising an output driver which removably receives said first end of said shade with rotatable driving relationship.

Abstract: A rotational speed sensor generates pulses having a period proportional to the speed of a motor, while a pulse period calculator section calculates the period of the pulses. A jamming determination section calculates the motor load based on the pulse period and detects that an object is jammed when the load exceeds a predetermined threshold. Once it has been judged than an object is jammed, a drive control section stops and controls the motor for reverse rotation, thereby releasing the object. A door opening and closing detection section further detects the opening or closing operation of a door which is one disturbance factor. If the door is opened or closed, an inhibit control section inhibits jamming judgment for a predetermined period of time thereafter. This prevents an incorrect judgment due to the opening or closing of the door.

Abstract: An automatic gate operator includes an electric drive motor coupled by a drive train to a movable gate, and includes provisions for sensing an actual or impending obstruction or blockage of the movement of the gate by a human, object, or animal, for example. In response to such an actual or impending blocking of the gate's movement, the drive motor is shut off and the gate is braked to a stop. Then the gate is reversed to move a short distance away from the actual or impending blockage or obstruction, and is braked again to a stop. Next, the gate is freed from its connection with the drive motor, allowing manual movement of the gate to allow clearance of the actual or impending blockage or obstruction from the path of the gate. This stop-reverse-stop-release sequence of movements for the gate may release any entrapped person or object which may have been contacted by the moving gate. Also, after the gate is released for free movement it can be moved manually.

Abstract: An automatic sliding door apparatus has a speed-change detecting element for detecting a change in the driving speed of a slide motor above a predetermined value as well as a pressure sensitive sensor disposed in a front end portion of a door panel, and the detecting of a foreign object is effected by the pressure sensitive sensor in regions other than a region in which the door panel slides at a fixed speed. Accordingly, the detecting of a foreign object is made possible in a region where the detecting of a foreign object is difficult in the detection of a change in speed by the speed-change detecting element.

Abstract: The sudden unrolling of an motor driven overhead door is a hazardous occurrence. The invention provides a method of detection and warning of a damaged counterbalance mechanism or other defect in the door lifting assembly. The amperage readings of the drive motor are observed to increase between 5% and 30%, above that of normal operation when the function of the counterbalance assembly or similar drive assembly component is compromised. The method is reduced to practice as a number of alternative electronic circuits which are placed between the line power source and the drive motor. The circuit senses the motor amperage draw and compares the reading with a preset threshold value. Upon the sensed value exceeding the threshold value, a warning is broadcast. This method alerts one of undue strain on a damaged lifting assembly prior to its catastrophic failure.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for retrofitting a manually operated commercial garage door opener to function automatically.

Abstract: A method of detecting an abnormal load and controlling a servomotor in such an abnormal condition. The servomotor is controlled so that a load will not continuously act on a machine after the abnormal load is detected. When a load torque, detected by an observer, exceeds a reference value, a flag F1 is set to "1". In the next processing cycle, the flag F1 is "1" and a flag F2 is "0", so that a positional deviation A, having a direction opposite to the driving direction, is set in the error register, and the flag F2 is set to "1". In the succeeding processing cycles, a position feedback amount .theta. is subtracted from the error register to obtain a positional deviation, and the obtained positional deviation is used to execute a position and speed loop processing. The servomotor rotates in the opposite direction until the positional deviation A is reduced to "0" before it stops.

Abstract: A method is provided for adapting the side support, as a function of the driving situation and driving styles, of a person sitting in the seat of a vehicle, in which method a lateral acceleration acting on the seat is determined as reference variable for the adaptation. In order to allow greater allowance for the way in which the sitting person senses lateral acceleration, as well as a comfortable sitting sensation with the advantages of a necessary side support which is built up in curves at short notice, the specific instantaneous lateral acceleration is weighted with the instantaneous driving speed of the vehicle. A control variable for the degree of adaptation is derived therefrom. In addition, a supplementary control variable is determined which brings about support of the driver on both sides in the seat as a function of the driving style. A vehicle seat in which this method is applied is specified.

Abstract: An automatic power window system (10) includes a motor module (12) and a controller (14) physically remotely located from the motor module. The motor module and the controller are coupled by a first signal link (16) and a second signal link (18). The first signal link is arranged to carry a limited number of high priority communication data at high speed, while the second signal link is arranged to carry virtually any number of low priority communication data at low speed. The high priority communication data may represent an operating condition of the motor during automatic operation. The operating condition is preferably simply and reliably indicated by the presence, absence or transition of a signal on the first signal link. The low speed communication data represents a plurality of operating data each of which are indicated by a plurality of time-multiplexed signals.

Abstract: In a method of controlling a direct-current drive, in particular a directrrent door drive, two state variables of the direct-current drive are determined and, on the basis of these state variables, a load or resistance moment applied to the direct-current drive is determined and compared with a predetermined load or resistance moment. Subsequently, it is established that an abnormal situation exists when the load or resistance moment determined exceeds the predetermined load or resistance moment.

Abstract: An apparatus for electronically monitoring an adjusting drive controlling a moving part in a vehicle is proposed wherein a position-dependent anti-jam system is realized. The signals of a switching strip and of an incremental sensor are considered in different manners, depending on the position of the moving part.

Abstract: To improve the detection reliability in the detection of sticking of a foreign matter and minimize a sticking load, a power window is provided with a window frame sensor disposed along the inner peripheral edge of a window frame and a drive motor for advancing and retreating a window glass in accordance with an external signal. A control circuit makes a duty control for a transistor to decrease the operating speed of the window glass when the pressure detected by the window frame sensor becomes larger than a predetermined value during a closing operation of the window glass. Thereafter, when the drive load of the drive motor exceeds a predetermined value, a relay is switched over to operate the window glass reverse in the opening direction.

Abstract: A circuit arrangement and a method for operating an adjusting device (10, 11, 12) are proposed which ascertain a characteristic variable (38, 42) of the adjusting device (10, 11, 12) as a standard for the adjusting force or adjusting torque and if a limit value is exceeded furnish an overload signal (41, 45). According to the invention, the definition of the electrical power for the electric motor (10) is contemplated to a value that makes it possible to adhere to a specified spring rate in the event something becomes caught, which rate indicates the change in force referred to a change in travel distance. The adjustment travel of the part (12) to be adjusted is subdivided into travel intervals (I) which are considerably shorter than the total adjustment travel. The method evaluates a continuous change in the detected characteristic variable in a predetermined number of successive travel intervals (I) in order to ascertain an overload signal (41, 45).

Abstract: A controller for energizing a power window or panel such as a power sunroof. The disclosed controller senses both hard and soft obstructions and de-activates a motor that moves the sunroof when an obstruction is detected. The controller senses obstructions by maintaining data relating to motor operation in three different memory buffers that are periodically updating upon receipt of pulses that are related to motor speed.

Abstract: Disclosed is a power window control apparatus which is enhanced in the precision of judging when a foreign matter is caught by a vehicle window in its closing stroke, and is capable of preventing detection errors when the foreign matter is caught by. Such apparatus comprises a first gear for transmitting rotation of a motor, a second gear for driving up or down the vehicle window, an encoder for converting the rotational angle of the motor into a pulse signal, calculating section for canceling fluctuations of the pulse signal due to engagement of the first and second gears, and calculating the frequency value of the pulse signal, and judging section for judging that a foreign matter is caught by the vehicle window when the frequency value calculated by the calculating means is equal to or exceeds a specified reference value.

Abstract: A motor drive control device, comprises: a switch which operates a motor; a motor which raises and lowers a door glass; a pulse signal generating device which synchronizes with the rotation of the motor and generates a pulse signal; and a determining device which, in a case in which there is a predetermined difference between this pulse signal and a normal pulse signal which is generated by synchronizing with the rotation of said motor, determines that the pulse signal generating device is failed. Therefore, in a case in which it is determined that the pulse signal generating device is failed and the switch is operated so that the motor raises the door glass, raising of the door glass can be stopped.

Abstract: This is a command device for a vehicle seat, including electric motors connected to a common power supply, position sensors associated with these motors, an electronic central unit and a motor command keypad which includes power-on/power-off switches connected to the common power supply via a single relay. When the central unit receives the order to look for a seat position stored in memory, it monitors the actuation of the power-on/power-off switches and opens the relay when it detects such an actuation which would tend to move the seat away from said memorized position.

Abstract: A mini-blind actuator has a motor and a housing that holds the motor and a dc battery. The rotor of the motor is coupled to the baton of the mini-blind for rotating the baton and thereby opening or closing the slats of the mini-blind. Alternatively, the rotor is coupled to the tilt rod of the blind to rotate the tilt rod and thereby open or close the slats of the mini-blind. A control signal generator generates a control signal for completing the electrical circuit between the battery and the motor in which reference to an element in the singular is not intended to mean "one and only one" unless explicitly so stated in the claim, but rather "one or more". The control signal can be generated in response to a predetermined amount of daylight or in response to a user-generated remote command signal. The actuator can be used to rotate the slats of horizontal or vertical blinds, or the sections of a pleated shade. Or, the actuator can be used to rotate the hollow rotatable tube of a roll-up shade.

Abstract: A control system for an electric vehicle includes an accelerator opening detecting device for detecting a position of an accelerator, and an output command value calculating device connected to the accelerator opening detecting device for calculating an output command value of a drive motor of the electric vehicle based upon the detected accelerator opening. A motor control device is connected to the output command value calculating device, and controls the output of the motor based upon the output command value. An accelerator opening learning device learns actual accelerator opening positions, and includes at least one of a full-closure learning apparatus for generating a full-closure determined value of the accelerator based upon an output of the accelerator opening detecting device, and a full-open learning apparatus for generating a full-open determined value based upon the detected accelerator opening.

Abstract: An electric servo-drive for adjusting a control element between an open position and a closed position. The tightness of the control element in the closed position can be assured without any additional tightening device. Starting signals are issued to the drive motor by a control unit after the control element reaches the closed position, thus causing the control element to be driven further in the direction of the closed position by the drive motor.

Abstract: A safety device for a passage closure, such as a garage door, having a drive, a maximum permissible load value which can be set, and a control device by which the drive can be switched off, switch-off occurring when the maximum permissible load value has been reached and a signal S.sub.2 is sent to the control device at a time T.sub.2. A sensor is disposed in the area of the leading edge of the closure. When the sensor encounters an obstacle, it emits a signal S.sub.1 to the control device at a time T.sub.1. Upon reaching the maximum permissible load, the control device determines a .DELTA.T based on T.sub.2 -T.sub.1, compares it to a preset value and if the preset value is exceeded, changes the direction of movement of the closure.

Abstract: An actuator is provided to protect against pinching an object when closing powered automatic windows or sun roofs in motor vehicles in compliance with safety requirements. The displacement speed of the actuator is reduced as a function of the path location of the window or sun roof so that the total force including the stored kinetic energy of the entire drive system in the approach of the window or sun roof panel to an obstacle does not exceed the maximum allowed closing force.

Abstract: In a power window apparatus, an external force which develops at the time of catching foreign objects in a window is detected directly by a window frame sensor and indirectly by a motor load detection circuit. Automatic window closing operation is disabled when the external force exceeds a first and a second predetermined levels of the window frame sensor and the motor load detection circuit, respectively. When the window frame sensor fails, the window closing operation is disabled and a warning is provided at the time the external force detected by the load detection circuit reaches a third predetermined level. Alternatively, the automatic window closing operation is disabled when the external force exceeds the first or the second predetermined levels of the window frame sensor or the motor load detection circuit, respectively. When the window frame sensor fails, the window closing operation is disabled and the warning is provided at the time the external force reaches the second predetermined level.

Abstract: A process for the closed-loop control and thus for the limitation of the maximum allowable force on the primary and secondary closing edges of an automatic door. This object is achieved by conducting a verification of the drive system before each movement of the door panel. During this verification, the actual value of the motor current during the startup phase is verified by means of a stored motor torque characteristic.

Abstract: Drive device for closing parts in motor vehicles, especially sliding roofs, sliding/lifting roofs, and the like, with a drive motor, a sensor for determining the actual rpm of the drive motor and a clamping protection means for disengaging or for reversing the direction of rotation of the drive motor when the danger of clamping of the closing parts arises. The device has a speed controller which delivers an actuating signal which is a function of the deviation of the actual speed from a set speed of the drive motor. The drive device also includes an actuating means for varying the supply voltage delivered to the drive motor depending on the actuating signal of the speed controller, and an evaluation means which triggers the clamping protection means and which determines the existence of incipient clamping based on a signal which is dependent on the actuating signal of the speed controller.

Abstract: A system for automatic operation of venetian blinds and similar window coverings. A preferred embodiment, system 30, can be retrofitted to any conventional venetian blind without tools, removal of the blind, or installation of wiring (FIG. 10A). System 30 is attached to a blind 15 by a bracket 80, which engages a headrail 16 of blind 15, and is secured by a thumbscrew 84 (FIG. 4C). System 30 includes a gearmotor 85 which drives a coupling tube 91; coupling tube 91 is attached to a tilt-adjustment shaft 18 of blind 15 (FIG. 3A). The mechanical coupling between gearmotor 85 and coupling tube 91 includes a flexible coupling and an extensible coupling, which enable gearmotor 85 to rotate shaft 18 over a wide range of sizes and configurations of blind 15 (FIGS. 5A and 5B). System 30 also includes a photovoltaic source 31 mounted on a flexible member 99. Member 99 provides electrical connections to source 31, and supports it in an advantageous position to receive solar radiation (FIGS.

Abstract: To improve the detection reliability in the detection of sticking of a foreign matter and minimize a sticking load, a power window is provided with a window frame sensor disposed along the inner peripheral edge of a window frame and a drive motor for advancing and retreating a window glass in accordance with an external signal. A control circuit makes a duty control for a transistor to decrease the operating speed of the window glass when the pressure detected by the window frame sensor becomes larger than a predetermined value during a closing operation of the window glass. Thereafter, when the drive load of the drive motor exceeds a predetermined value, a relay is switched over to operate the window glass reverse in the opening direction.

Abstract: An arrangement for operating an adjustment drive (11) comprising a relay-controlled change-over facility (12) for the right-handed rotation/left-handed rotation of the positioning motor (10). A first semiconductor switch (23) is provided to supply current to a first relay winding (15) and a second semiconductor switch (25) to supply current to a second relay winding (16). A third semiconductor switch (26) is connected in series with the first relay winding (15) and in series with the second relay winding (16). By turning the third semiconductor switch (26) on and off, it is possible to enable or block a supply of current to the relay windings (15, 16). An alloying through of one of the first two semiconductor switches (23, 25) remains without consequences for the adjustment drive (11). An inadvertent adjustment process does not occur.

Abstract: An apparatus (10) and a method for controlling a power window drive motor (12). A first RC circuit (110, 106) is used to provide a first time limit and a second RC circuit (114, 106) is used to provide a second time limit. A switch (28) is actuatable to provide a signal having a time duration. A logic circuit (132) determines whether the time duration of the signal from the switch (28) exceeds the first time limit. The motor (12) is operated to move a window (14) through a predetermined range of movement responsive to the time duration of the signal from the switch (28) exceeding the first time limit. The logic circuit (132) determines whether the time duration of operation of the motor (12) exceeds the second time limit. The motor (12) is stopped responsive to the time duration of operation of the motor exceeding the second time limit. The second time limit is set independent of the first time limit using two exchangeable resistors (110, 114).

Abstract: Attention is given to that, when a catch-in state occurs while a vehicle window glass is moved upward, a current flowing in a motor serving as a drive means for moving the vehicle window glass increases. In an apparatus for comparing a predetermined current threshold value with a current detected by a motor current monitor unit to recognize a catch-in state, the predetermined current value is made variable, and the catch-in state can be correctly recognized without an erroneous operation even when the external environment changes, or when the window glass is moved upward for the first time. In particular, a current value obtained at the start of the motor and changed by a circumference temperature of the motor is set as a current threshold value, and the current threshold value is set each time the motor is started. A current value in an upward moving operation is estimated each time the window glass is moved downward to set the current value as a current threshold value.

Abstract: An opening/closing control apparatus detects an overload placed on a movable member of a vehicle such as a sunroof and a power window while it is sliding. Further, it prevents overload detecting operation (reversing motion) from being made by a cause other than an overload. A control processor circuit compares a driving current value of a motor detected at predetermined intervals with a preset current value and corrects an overload threshold value to a threshold value of higher value when the driving current value detected when a first predetermined time period has passed after the start of the motor does not exceed the preset current value. Thereafter, the control processor circuit determines that an overload has occurred when a change in the driving current value has exceeded the overload threshold value.

Abstract: A motor actuator for preventing a motor from drawing excess current for longer than a predetermined time delay period including dynamic brakes for simultaneously braking motor rotation when motor operation is terminated for any reason. Source voltage supplies an input to a voltage regulator which in turn supplies a regulated voltage to the motor. The actuator includes a comparator circuit that has one input connected to motor supplied regulated voltage and a second input connected to the source voltage with the voltage level from source voltage adjusted to a level that is equal to the regulated motor voltage level under normal motor operational loads. When the motor draws excessive current the voltages on the comparator inputs become unequal which causes the comparator to have an output voltage. An RC circuit from the comparator output to ground potential delays the comparator output voltage for a predetermined time.