US5701063A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Obstruction-sensing system for a movable member
Assignee: Ford Global Technologies LLC
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Filing: 1995-04-05
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Granted: 1997-12-23
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Expires: 2015-04-05
Abstract
Abstract In one embodiment of the present invention, a "one-touch-up" power window system is provided for a motor vehicle. The system includes a controller which controls the power window motor. One function of the controller is to determine whether an obstruction impedes travel of the power window. The controller takes a plurality of samples of the electrical current drawn by the power window motor. If the last sample varies by more than a predetermined amount from any of the past samples taken over a predetermined distance of travel of the window, the controller concludes that an obstruction impedes the travel of the window. The controller then stops or reverses the power window motor to stop or reverse travel of the power window. In this embodiment of the present invention, distance of travel of the window can be inferred from rotations of the power window motor.
Inventors
- 👤 Roger Joseph Cook
- 👤 Joseph Paul DeVoe
- 👤 Kevin Douglas Macfarlane
- 👤 Daniel Robert Parks
- 👤 Patrick William Gibson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 16:06
CPC Classifications
H; H02; H02H; H02H7/00; H02H7/08; H02H7/085; H02H7/0851
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 21
Claim 1
Independent Claim
93 words
A method for detecting an obstruction of a moving member, said method comprising the steps of: (a) taking a plurality of measurements of a variable representative of a force resisting the movement of said member; (b) comparing the last said measurement with more than one previous said measurements taken over a predetermined distance of movement of said moving member during the present movement of said moving member; and (c) reversing or stopping the movement of said moving member if at least one of said comparisons yields a difference larger than a predetermined value.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
93 words
A method for detecting an obstruction of a moving member, said method comprising the steps of: (a) taking a plurality of measurements of a variable representative of a force resisting the movement of said member; (b) comparing the last said measurement with more than one previous said measurements taken over a predetermined distance of movement of said moving member during the present movement of said moving member; and (c) reversing or stopping the movement of said moving member if at least one of said comparisons yields a difference larger than a predetermined value.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
18 words
A method as recited in claim 1 wherein said moving member is a component of a motor vehicle.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
37 words
A method as recited in claim 2 wherein: said moving member is driven by a motor; and said variable representative of a force resisting the movement of said moving member is electrical current drawn by said motor.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
20 words
A method as recited in claim 3 wherein said predetermined distance of movement is inferred from rotations of said motor.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
14 words
A method as recited in claim 4 wherein said moving member is a window.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
23 words
A method as recited in claim 3 wherein said predetermined value is a function of ambient temperature in the vicinity of the vehicle.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
20 words
A method as recited in claim 6 wherein said predetermined value is a function of system voltage of said vehicle.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
20 words
A method as recited in claim 3 wherein said predetermined value is a function of system voltage of said vehicle.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
90 words
A method for detecting an obstruction of a moving member driven by a motor, said method comprising the steps of: (a) taking a plurality of measurements of electrical current drawn by said motor; (b) comparing the last said measurement with more than one previous said measurements taken over a predetermined number of rotations of said motor during the present movement of said moving member; and (c) reversing or stopping the movement of said moving member if at least one of said comparisons yields a difference larger than a predetermined value.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
90 words
A method for detecting an obstruction of a moving member driven by a motor, said method comprising the steps of: (a) taking a plurality of measurements of electrical current drawn by said motor; (b) comparing the last said measurement with more than one previous said measurements taken over a predetermined number of rotations of said motor during the present movement of said moving member; and (c) reversing or stopping the movement of said moving member if at least one of said comparisons yields a difference larger than a predetermined value.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
18 words
A method as recited in claim 9 wherein said moving member is a window of a motor vehicle.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
25 words
A method as recited in claim 10 wherein said predetermined value is a function of the ambient temperature in the vicinity of the motor vehicle.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method as recited in claim 11 wherein said predetermined value is a function of system voltage of said motor vehicle.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method as recited in claim 10 wherein said predetermined value is a function of system voltage of said motor vehicle.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
110 words
An apparatus for detecting the obstruction of a movable member, said apparatus comprising: (a) a movable member; (b) a motor mechanically coupled to drive said movable member; (c) means for taking, when said movable member is moving, a plurality of measurements of a quantity representing a force resisting movement of said movable member; (d) means for comparing the last said measurement with more than one previous said measurements taken over a predetermined number of rotations of said motor during the present movement of the movable member; and (e) means for stopping or reversing the movement of said movable member if said comparison yields a difference greater than a predetermined value.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
110 words
An apparatus for detecting the obstruction of a movable member, said apparatus comprising: (a) a movable member; (b) a motor mechanically coupled to drive said movable member; (c) means for taking, when said movable member is moving, a plurality of measurements of a quantity representing a force resisting movement of said movable member; (d) means for comparing the last said measurement with more than one previous said measurements taken over a predetermined number of rotations of said motor during the present movement of the movable member; and (e) means for stopping or reversing the movement of said movable member if said comparison yields a difference greater than a predetermined value.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
18 words
An apparatus as recited in claim 14 wherein said movable member is a component of a motor vehicle.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
29 words
An apparatus as recited in claim 15 further comprising means for adjusting said predetermined value as a function of the ambient temperature in the vicinity of the motor vehicle.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
28 words
An apparatus as recited in claim 16 wherein said apparatus further comprises means for adjusting said predetermined value as a function of system voltage of said motor vehicle.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
28 words
An apparatus as recited in claim 15 wherein said apparatus further comprises means for adjusting said predetermined value as a function of system voltage of said motor vehicle.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2000-12-22 | 2001-06-23 | 2001-12-23 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2004-12-22 | 2005-06-23 | 2005-12-23 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2008-12-22 | 2009-06-23 | 2009-12-23 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |