US5539290A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Automatic venting system for a vehicle with obstruction detection utilizing dynamically modified thresholds
Assignee: Prospects Corp
•
Filing: 1994-11-28
•
Granted: 1996-07-23
•
Expires: 2014-11-28
Abstract
Abstract A motor control system for controlling operation of an electric motor associated with a motor-operated vent in a vehicle. The system monitors and stores data relating to the operating current and detects occurrences of abnormal loads applied to the vent by determining whether the monitored operating current exceeds one of several predetermined thresholds. The predetermined thresholds are dynamically modified in accordance with monitored condition variations of the operating current. The dynamically modified thresholds are initially based on either a value associated with the stall current of the vent motor or the start spike current of the vent motor. In addition, an embodiment is provided for monitoring and storing data relating to ripple current waves associated with the operating current, so that occurrences of abnormal loads may be detected by determining whether the frequency of the monitored ripple current waves is less than a predetermined value.
Inventors
- 👤 Michael Y. Lu
- 👤 Peter J. Pan
- 👤 Cliff L. Chuang
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 18:02
CPC Classifications
H; H02; H02H; H02H7/00; H02H7/08; H02H7/085; H02H7/0851; H02H3/00; H02H3/006; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S388/00; Y10S388/90; Y10S388/903; Y10S388/907; Y10S388/909; Y10S388/923
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 59
Claim 1
Independent Claim
74 words
A method of controlling an electric motor associated with an opening in a vehicle, said method comprising: monitoring an operating current provided to said motor; detecting an obstacle in the opening by analysis of the monitored operating current with respect to a threshold condition; determining an average value of said operating current; modifying the threshold condition based on the determined average value; and generating a signal in response to the detection of an obstacle.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
74 words
A method of controlling an electric motor associated with an opening in a vehicle, said method comprising: monitoring an operating current provided to said motor; detecting an obstacle in the opening by analysis of the monitored operating current with respect to a threshold condition; determining an average value of said operating current; modifying the threshold condition based on the determined average value; and generating a signal in response to the detection of an obstacle.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 1, wherein the obstacle is detected when said monitored operating current exceeds the threshold condition.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 1, further comprising altering said operating current in response to the generated signal.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
45 words
The method of claim 1, wherein said modifying step comprises generating a new version of the threshold condition based on a sum of the determined average value and an offset value that corresponds to a predetermined percentage of a previous version of the threshold condition.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 1, wherein the electric motor controls a closure that closes the opening.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 5, further comprising determining a position of the closure.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 6, further comprising altering said operating current in response to the generated signal and only when the position of the closure is within a predetermined range.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 5, wherein the closure comprises a vehicle window, a sun roof, or a convertible top.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
84 words
A method of controlling an electric motor associated with an opening in a vehicle, said method comprising: monitoring an operating current provided to said motor; detecting a motor stall current value in the monitored operating current; detecting an obstacle in the opening by analysis of the monitored operating current with respect to a threshold value; modifying the threshold value when the detected motor stall current value is less than the threshold value; and generating a signal in response to the detection of an obstacle.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
84 words
A method of controlling an electric motor associated with an opening in a vehicle, said method comprising: monitoring an operating current provided to said motor; detecting a motor stall current value in the monitored operating current; detecting an obstacle in the opening by analysis of the monitored operating current with respect to a threshold value; modifying the threshold value when the detected motor stall current value is less than the threshold value; and generating a signal in response to the detection of an obstacle.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method of claim 9, wherein the modifying step further comprises modifying the threshold value when a monitored operating current exceeds a predetermined percentage of the threshold value and is less than the threshold value.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 9, wherein the obstacle is detected when said monitored operating current exceeds the threshold value.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 9, wherein the electric motor controls a closure that closes the opening.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
43 words
The method of claim 12, further comprising determining a position of the closure; wherein the step of detecting the motor stall current value in the monitored operating current comprises detecting the motor stall current value when the closure reaches a fully open position.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
37 words
The method of claim 12, further comprising: determining a position of the closure; and altering said operating current in response to the generated signal and only when the position of the closure is within a predetermined range.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 12, wherein the closure comprises a vehicle window, a sun roof, or a convertible top.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
95 words
A method of controlling an electric motor associated with an opening in a vehicle, said method comprising: monitoring an operating current provided to said motor; detecting a motor start spike current value in the monitored operating current; detecting an obstacle in the opening by analysis of the monitored operating current with respect to a threshold value that corresponds to a motor start spike current value; modifying the threshold value when a detected motor start spike current value is less than the threshold value; and generating a signal in response to the detection of an obstacle.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
95 words
A method of controlling an electric motor associated with an opening in a vehicle, said method comprising: monitoring an operating current provided to said motor; detecting a motor start spike current value in the monitored operating current; detecting an obstacle in the opening by analysis of the monitored operating current with respect to a threshold value that corresponds to a motor start spike current value; modifying the threshold value when a detected motor start spike current value is less than the threshold value; and generating a signal in response to the detection of an obstacle.
Claim 20
Independent Claim
80 words
A method of controlling an electric motor associated with an opening in a vehicle, said method comprising: monitoring an operating current provided to said motor; detecting an obstacle in the opening by analysis of the monitored operating current with respect to a threshold value; modifying the threshold value when a monitored operating current exceeds a predetermined percentage of the threshold value and is less than the threshold value; and generating a signal in response to the detection of an obstacle.
Claim 21
Independent Claim
80 words
A method of controlling an electric motor associated with an opening in a vehicle, said method comprising: monitoring an operating current provided to said motor; detecting an obstacle in the opening by analysis of the monitored operating current with respect to a threshold value; modifying the threshold value when a monitored operating current exceeds a predetermined percentage of the threshold value and is less than the threshold value; and generating a signal in response to the detection of an obstacle.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 17, wherein the obstacle is detected when said monitored operating current exceeds the threshold value.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
49 words
The method of claim 17, wherein the electric motor controls a closure that closes the opening, and further comprising: determining a position of the closure; and altering said operating current in response to the generated signal and only when the position of the closure is within a predetermined range.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
42 words
The method of claim 17, wherein the electric motor controls a closure that closes the opening, and wherein the closure comprises a vehicle window, a sun roof, or a convertible top. generating a signal in response to the detection of an obstacle.
Claim 25
Independent Claim
92 words
A method of controlling an electric motor associated with an opening in a vehicle, said method comprising: monitoring an operating current provided to said motor; detecting an obstacle in the opening by analysis of the monitored operating current with respect to a threshold value; generating a new version of the threshold value based on a previous value of the monitored operating current and an offset value that corresponds to a predetermined percentage of a previous version of the threshold value; and generating a signal in response to the detection of an obstacle.
Claim 26
Independent Claim
92 words
A method of controlling an electric motor associated with an opening in a vehicle, said method comprising: monitoring an operating current provided to said motor; detecting an obstacle in the opening by analysis of the monitored operating current with respect to a threshold value; generating a new version of the threshold value based on a previous value of the monitored operating current and an offset value that corresponds to a predetermined percentage of a previous version of the threshold value; and generating a signal in response to the detection of an obstacle.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 21, wherein the obstacle is detected when said monitored operating current exceeds the threshold value.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
49 words
The method of claim 21, wherein the electric motor controls a closure that closes the opening, and further comprising: determining a position of the closure; and altering said operating current in response to the generated signal and only when the position of the closure is within a predetermined range.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method of claim 21, wherein the electric motor controls a closure that closes the opening, and wherein the closure comprises a vehicle window, a sun roof, or a convertible top.
Claim 30
Independent Claim
96 words
A system for controlling an electric motor associated with an opening in a vehicle, said system comprising: monitoring circuitry configured to monitor an operating current provided to the motor and to determine an average value of said operating current; and a controller connected to the monitoring circuitry, the controller being configured to: detect the presence of an obstacle in the opening by analysis of the monitored operating current with respect to a threshold condition, modify the threshold condition based on the determined average value, and generate a signal in response to the detection of an obstacle.
Claim 31
Independent Claim
96 words
A system for controlling an electric motor associated with an opening in a vehicle, said system comprising: monitoring circuitry configured to monitor an operating current provided to the motor and to determine an average value of said operating current; and a controller connected to the monitoring circuitry, the controller being configured to: detect the presence of an obstacle in the opening by analysis of the monitored operating current with respect to a threshold condition, modify the threshold condition based on the determined average value, and generate a signal in response to the detection of an obstacle.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
23 words
The system of claim 25, wherein the controller is configured to detect the obstacle when said monitored operating current exceeds the threshold condition.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
30 words
The system of claim 25, further comprising power control circuitry connected to the controller and configured to alter said operating current in response to the generated signal from the controller.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
46 words
The system of claim 25, wherein said controller is configured to generate a new version of the threshold condition based on a sum of the determined average value and an offset value that corresponds to a predetermined percentage of a previous version of the threshold condition.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
16 words
The system of claim 25, wherein the electric motor controls a closure that closes the opening.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
18 words
The system of claim 29, further comprising position detection circuitry configured to determine a position of the closure.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
47 words
The system of claim 30, further comprising power control circuitry connected to the controller and the position detection circuitry and configured to alter said operating current in response to the generated signal from the controller only when the position of the closure is within a predetermined range.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
19 words
The system of claim 29, wherein the closure comprises a vehicle window, a sun roof, or a convertible top.
Claim 39
Independent Claim
112 words
A system for controlling an electric motor associated with an opening in a vehicle, said system comprising: monitoring circuitry configured to monitor an operating current provided to the motor; and a controller connected to the monitoring circuitry, the controller being configured to: detect the presence of an obstacle in the opening by analysis of the monitored operating current with respect to a threshold value that corresponds to a motor stall current value, detect a motor stall current value in the monitored operating current, modify the threshold value when the detected motor stall current value is less than the threshold value, and generate a signal in response to the detection of an obstacle.
Claim 40
Independent Claim
112 words
A system for controlling an electric motor associated with an opening in a vehicle, said system comprising: monitoring circuitry configured to monitor an operating current provided to the motor; and a controller connected to the monitoring circuitry, the controller being configured to: detect the presence of an obstacle in the opening by analysis of the monitored operating current with respect to a threshold value that corresponds to a motor stall current value, detect a motor stall current value in the monitored operating current, modify the threshold value when the detected motor stall current value is less than the threshold value, and generate a signal in response to the detection of an obstacle.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
35 words
The system of claim 33, wherein the controller is configured to modify the threshold value when a monitored operating current exceeds a predetermined percentage of the threshold value and is less than the threshold value.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
23 words
The system of claim 33, wherein the controller is configured to detect the obstacle when said monitored operating current exceeds the threshold value.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
16 words
The system of claim 33, wherein the electric motor controls a closure that closes the opening.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
18 words
The system of claim 36, further comprising position detection circuitry configured to determine a position of the closure.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
30 words
The system of claim 37, wherein the controller is configured to detect the motor stall current value in the monitored operating current when the closure reaches a fully open position.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
34 words
The system of claim 37, wherein the controller is configured to alter said operating current in response to the generated signal and only when the position of the closure is within a predetermined range.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
19 words
The system of claim 36, wherein the closure comprises a vehicle window, a sun roof, or a convertible top.
Claim 48
Independent Claim
115 words
A system for controlling an electric motor associated with an opening in a vehicle, said system comprising: monitoring circuitry configured to monitor an operating current provided to the motor; and a controller connected to the monitoring circuitry, the controller being configured to: detect the presence of an obstacle in the opening by analysis of the monitored operating current with respect to a threshold value that corresponds to a motor start spike current value, detect a motor start spike current value in the monitored operating current, modify the threshold value when the detected motor start spike current value is less than the threshold value, and generate a signal in response to the detection of an obstacle.
Claim 49
Independent Claim
115 words
A system for controlling an electric motor associated with an opening in a vehicle, said system comprising: monitoring circuitry configured to monitor an operating current provided to the motor; and a controller connected to the monitoring circuitry, the controller being configured to: detect the presence of an obstacle in the opening by analysis of the monitored operating current with respect to a threshold value that corresponds to a motor start spike current value, detect a motor start spike current value in the monitored operating current, modify the threshold value when the detected motor start spike current value is less than the threshold value, and generate a signal in response to the detection of an obstacle.
Claim 50
Independent Claim
100 words
A system for controlling an electric motor associated with an opening in a vehicle, said system comprising: monitoring circuitry configured to monitor an operating current provided to the motor; and a controller connected to the monitoring circuitry, the controller being configured to: detect the presence of an obstacle in the opening by analysis of the monitored operating current with respect to a threshold value, modify the threshold value when a monitored operating current exceeds a predetermined percentage of the threshold value and is less than the threshold value, and generate a signal in response to the detection of an obstacle.
Claim 51
Independent Claim
100 words
A system for controlling an electric motor associated with an opening in a vehicle, said system comprising: monitoring circuitry configured to monitor an operating current provided to the motor; and a controller connected to the monitoring circuitry, the controller being configured to: detect the presence of an obstacle in the opening by analysis of the monitored operating current with respect to a threshold value, modify the threshold value when a monitored operating current exceeds a predetermined percentage of the threshold value and is less than the threshold value, and generate a signal in response to the detection of an obstacle.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
23 words
The system of claim 42, wherein the controller is configured to detect the obstacle when said monitored operating current exceeds the threshold value.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
61 words
The system of claim 42, wherein the electric motor controls a closure that closes the opening, the system further comprising position detection circuitry configured to determine a position of the closure; and wherein the controller is configured to alter said operating current in response to the generated signal and only when the position of the closure is within a predetermined range.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
31 words
The system of claim 42, wherein the electric motor controls a closure that closes the opening, and wherein the closure comprises a vehicle window, a sun roof, or a convertible top.
Claim 55
Independent Claim
112 words
A system for controlling an electric motor associated with an opening in a vehicle, said system comprising: monitoring circuitry configured to monitor an operating current provided to the motor; and a controller connected to the monitoring circuitry, the controller being configured to: detect the presence of an obstacle in the opening by analysis of the monitored operating current with respect to a threshold value, generate a new version of the threshold value based on a previous value of the monitored operating current and an offset value that corresponds to a predetermined percentage of a previous version of the threshold value, and generate a signal in response to the detection of an obstacle.
Claim 56
Independent Claim
112 words
A system for controlling an electric motor associated with an opening in a vehicle, said system comprising: monitoring circuitry configured to monitor an operating current provided to the motor; and a controller connected to the monitoring circuitry, the controller being configured to: detect the presence of an obstacle in the opening by analysis of the monitored operating current with respect to a threshold value, generate a new version of the threshold value based on a previous value of the monitored operating current and an offset value that corresponds to a predetermined percentage of a previous version of the threshold value, and generate a signal in response to the detection of an obstacle.
Claim 57
Dependent Claim
23 words
The system of claim 46, wherein the controller is configured to detect the obstacle when said monitored operating current exceeds the threshold value.
Claim 58
Dependent Claim
61 words
The system of claim 46, wherein the electric motor controls a closure that closes the opening, the system further comprising position detection circuitry configured to determine a position of the closure; and wherein the controller is configured to alter said operating current in response to the generated signal and only when the position of the closure is within a predetermined range.
Claim 59
Dependent Claim
31 words
The system of claim 46, wherein the electric motor controls a closure that closes the opening, and wherein the closure comprises a vehicle window, a sun roof, or a convertible top.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US4264849A
Cited
US4278922A
Cited
US4347465A
Cited
US4376971A
Cited
US4533901A
Cited
US4546845A
Cited
US4471274A
Cited
US4556835A
Cited
US4585981A
Cited
GB2147432A
Cited
US4561691A
Cited
US4553656A
Cited
US4686598A
Cited
US4544865A
Cited
US4746845A
Cited
DE3532078A1
Cited
US4641067A
Cited
US4808894A
Cited
US4749924A
Cited
US4803807A
Cited
US4870333A
Cited
GB2198860A
Cited
US4908554A
Cited
US4710685A
Cited
US4933610A
Cited
US4952855A
Cited
US4852469A
Cited
US5057754A
Cited
US5051672A
Cited
US5069000A
Cited
US5054686A
Cited
US5334876A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1999-07-23 | 2000-01-22 | 2000-07-23 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2003-07-23 | 2004-01-22 | 2004-07-23 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2007-07-23 | 2008-01-22 | 2008-07-23 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |