• =
`:
`·_.=
`· o (cid:173)
`1\)=--
`: ~ '""'-
`
`l =
`::::::::
`.
`'=
`
`PATENT
`Attorney's Docket No.15-890D1
`IN THE UNITED STATES PATENT AND TRADEMARK OFFICE
`
`Anticipated Classification of this application:
`Class
`Subclass
`PRIOR APPLICATION Serial Number 10/100,892
`Examiner: M. Fletcher
`Art Unit: 2637
`
`MS Divisional Application
`Assistant Commissioner for Patents
`POBOX 1450
`Alexandria, VA 22313-1450
`
`DIVISIONAL APPLICATION TRANSMITTAL
`
`This is a request for a filing the enclosed divisional application under
`37 CFR §1.53(b).
`
`XXX
`
`I hereby verify that the attached papers are a true copy of what is shown in my
`records to be the above-identified prior application, including the oath or
`declaration originally filed (37 CFR 1.53(b)).
`
`The copy of the papers of the parent application as ftled are attached as follows:
`
`Pages of Specification
`44
`.JL Pages of 28 Claims
`_1_
`Pages of Abstract
`Sheets of Drawings
`_.2_
`X
`Declaration and Power of Attorney
`
`Certification Under 37 CFR 1.10
`
`I hereby certify that this Divisional Application Transmittal and the documents referred to as
`aahev therein are being deposited with the United States Postal Service on this date
`1. t1 lf
`I
`in an envelope as "Express Mail Post Office to Addressee" mailing Label
`Number£// :5/p(} ~15 ~ U.S addressed to the: Assistant Commissioner for Patents, MS
`DMSIONAL APPLICATION, PO BOX 1450, Alexandria, VA 22313-1450.
`
`

`

`I. .
`
`PARTICULARS OF PRIOR APPLICATION
`
`A. Application Serial No. 10/100.892 filed March 18. 2002 .
`
`Title (as originally filed): COLLISION MONITORING SYSTEM
`B.
`(and as last amended- if applicable): - - - - - - - - - - - - -- -
`
`C. Name of applicant(s) (as originally filed and as last amended) and current
`correspondence address of applicant(s)
`
`1. FULL NAME
`OF INVENTOR
`
`FAMILY NAME
`
`FIRST GIVEN
`NAME
`
`SECOND GIVEN
`NAME
`
`RESIDENCE&
`CITIZENSHIP
`
`Boisvert
`
`CITY
`
`Reed City
`
`POST OFFICE
`ADDRESS
`
`POST OFFICE
`ADDRESS
`
`Mario
`
`STATE OF
`FOREIGN
`COUNTRY
`
`u.s.
`CITY
`
`43 Old U. S. 131
`
`Reed City
`
`COUNTRY OF
`CITIZENSHIP
`
`Canada
`
`STATE & ZIP
`CODE/COUNTRY
`
`Michigan 49677
`USA
`
`1. FULL NAME
`OF INVENTOR
`
`FAMILY NAME
`
`FIRST GIVEN
`NAME
`
`SECOND GIVEN
`NAME
`
`RESIDENCE &
`CITIZENSHIP
`
`Perrin
`
`CITY
`
`Cadillac
`
`POST OFFICE
`ADDRESS
`
`POST OFFICE
`ADDRESS
`
`Randall
`
`STATE OF
`FOREIGN
`COUNTRY
`
`u.s.
`CITY
`
`667 Cobb Street
`
`Cadillac
`
`COUNTRY OF
`CITIZENSHIP
`
`United States of
`America
`
`STATE &ZIP
`CODE/COUNTRY
`
`Michigan 49601
`USA
`
`

`

`I.
`
`INVENTORSHIP STATEMENT
`181 This application discloses and claims only subject matter disclosed in the prior
`application whose particulars are set out above and the inventor(s) in this
`application are 181 the same as, 0 less than, those named in the prior application;
`and it is requested that the following inventor(s) identified above for the prior
`application be deleted: - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -- --
`0 This application discloses and claims additional subject matter with respect to
`the prior application and a new declaration is forthcoming. With respect to the prior
`application whose particulars are set out above the inventor(s) in this application
`are 181 the same, 0 add the following additional inventor(s):
`
`181 The inventorship for all the claims in this application is 181 the same, 0 not the
`same, and an explanation, including the ownership of the various claims at the time
`the last claimed invention was made, is submitted.
`
`Ill.
`
`DECLARATION OR OATH
`
`181 Continuation or division: 181 none required.
`0 Continuation-in-part 0 attached (executed by inventor(s)), 0 not attached.
`
`V.
`
`AMENDMENTS
`
`181
`
`Please enter the attached preliminary amendment before calculating the
`filing fee. The attached preliminary amendment adds claims 28-35 to the
`originally filed 27 claims. Note, 26 and 27 were renumbered ..
`
`V.
`
`FEE CALCULATION
`
`Number filed
`
`CLAIMS AS FILED IN DIVISIONAL APPLICATION
`Number Extra
`Rate
`Basic Fee
`
`-20=
`
`Total
`Claims
`35
`Independent
`Claims
`Multiple
`Dependent Claim(s). if any
`
`8
`
`- 3=
`
`15 X $18.00=
`
`5
`
`X $86.00=
`
`$260.00=
`
`$770.00
`
`270.00
`
`430.00
`
`Filing Fee Calculation
`
`$ __ ~1~4~70=·=00~-----
`
`VI.
`
`PETITION FOR SUSPENSION OF PROSECUTION FOR THE TIME NECESSARY
`TO FILE AN AMENDMENT 0 Attached is a Petition to Suspend Prosecution for
`the Time Necessary to File an Amendment.
`
`

`

`VII.
`
`SMALL ENTITY STATEMENT
`181 Small entity status is claimed.
`0 The small entity statement was filed in the parent application Serial No. which
`parent application was filed on
`and this status is still proper and its
`benefit under 37 CFR 1.28(a) is hereby claimed.
`
`Reduced Filing Fee Calculation (50% of above)
`
`$ 735.00
`
`VIII.
`
`FEE PAYMENT
`181 Filing Fee enclosed
`
`$ 735.00
`
`0 Fee for Recording Assignment ($40)
`$ _____ _
`0 Petition fee for filing by other than all the inventors or person not the
`inventor where inventor refused to sign or cannot be reached ($130.00)
`$. ___ _
`
`IX.
`
`X.
`
`XI.
`
`Total Fees Enclosed $ 735.00
`
`METHOD OF PAYMENT OF FEES
`181 Enclosed is a check in the amount of$ 735.00
`0 Charge Deposit Account No. 23-0630 in the amount of .%.$ ___ _
`
`AUTHORIZATION TO CHARGE ADDITIONAL FEES
`The Commissioner is hereby authorized to charge any additional fees which
`181
`may be required, or credit any overpayment to Deposit Account No. 23-
`0630.
`
`PRIORITY- 35 U.S.C. 119
`0 Priority of application Serial No. 0 I
`______ is claimed under 35 U.S.C. 119.
`0 The certified copy has been filed on
`Serial No. 0 I
`, filed on ____ _
`0 Certified copy will follow.
`
`filed on
`
`in
`
`in prior U.S. application
`
`XII.
`
`RELATE BACK- 35 U.S.C. 120
`181 Amend the Specification by inserting before the first line the sentence:
`"This is a Divisional application of application Serial No. 101100.892, filed on March
`18, 2002".
`
`XIII. ASSIGNMENT
`181 The prior application is assigned of record to Nartron Corporation.
`0 An assignment of the invention to - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - (cid:173)
`is attached. A separate cover sheet for assignment is also attached.
`
`

`

`XIV. POWER OF ATTORNEY
`The power of attorney in the prior application is to Stephen J . Schultz.
`Reg. No. 29.109
`~The power appears in the original papers in the prior application.
`D The power does not appear in the original papers, but was filed on ___ _
`0 A new power of attorney is forthcoming.
`
`XV. MAINTENANCE OF COPENDENCY OF PRIOR APPLICATION
`(must be completed and the necessary papers filed in the prior application if the
`period set in the prior application has run)
`0 A petition and fee are enclosed.
`
`XVI. CONDITIONAL PETITION FOR EXTENSION OF TIME IN PRIOR APPLICATION
`~ No Petition for extension of time is believed to be required. However, this is a
`conditional petition for extension of time for the pending prior application in the
`event that the need for an extension of time has been inadvertently overlooked in
`the prior application.
`
`XVII. ABANDONMENT OF PRIOR APPLICATION
`0 Please abandon the prior application at a time while the prior application is
`pending or when the petition for extension of time or petition to revive in that
`application is granted and when this application is granted a filing date so as to
`make this application copending with said prior application. At the same time
`please add the words", now abandoned" to the end of the sentence amending the
`specification in XII above.
`
`VIII. INFORMATION DISCLOSURE STATEMENT
`D Submitted herewith is an Information Disclosure Statement.
`
`XIX. Petition to Withdraw from Issue
`0 A Petition to withdraw the prior application from issue is being filed concurrently
`herewith for consideration of the Information Disclosure Statement filed
`hereby in connection with the new CIP application.
`
`-f.~~
`
`Stephen J. Schultz, Reg. N. 29,109
`WATTS, HOFFMANN CO., L.P.A.
`Suite 1750
`1100 Euclid Avenue
`Cleveland, Ohio 44114-2518
`Telephone (216) 241-6700
`Fax (216) 241-8151
`
`

`

`: Doreen Arndt· 14·733C2.apl.doc
`.i
`
`- - - - - - - - - - - - -:·
`
`Page 1 1
`
`14·733C2
`
`COLLISION MONITORING SYSTEM
`
`CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS:
`-
`The present application is a continuation-in-part of application serial no.
`09/562,986. filed May 1, 2000 which is a continuation·in-part of application serial
`
`number 08/736,786 to Boisvert et al. which was filed on October 25, 1996, now
`US patent no. 6,064,165 which was a continuation of united States application
`serial number 08/275,107 to Boisvert et al. which was filed on July 14, 1994
`which is a continuation in part of application serial number 07/872,190 filed April
`22, 1992 to Washeleski et al., now United States patent 5,334,876. These
`related applications are incorporated herein by reference. Applicants also
`incorporate by reference United States patent number 5,952,801 to Boisvert et
`al, which issued September 14, 1999. This application also claims priority from
`United States .provisional application serial no. 60/169,061 filed December 6,
`
`1999 which is also incorporated herein by reference.
`
`EIELQ OF THE INVENTION:
`The present invention concerns motor driven actuator control systems and
`methods whereby empirically characterized actuation operation parameters are
`subsequently monitored.
`
`BACKGROUND:
`National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Standard 118
`contains regulations to assure safe operation of power·operated windows and
`roof panels.
`It establishes requirements for power window control systems
`locat~d on the vehicle exterior and for remote control devices. The purpose of
`the standard is to reduce the risk of personal injury that could result if a limb
`
`catches between a closing pow~r operated window and it~ window frame.
`Standard 118 states that maximum allowable obstacle interference force during
`
`

`

`! Doreen Arndt- 14-733C2.ap).doc
`
`----------------------------
`
`0
`
`0
`
`Page 21
`
`~---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
`
`an automatic closure is less than 1 00 Newton onto a solid cylinder having a
`
`diameter from 4 millimeters to 200 millimeters.
`Certain technical difficulties exist with operation of prior art automatic
`
`power window controls. One· difficulty is undesirable shutdown of the power
`
`window control for causes other than true obstacle detection. Detection of
`obstacles during startup energization, soft obstacle detection, and hard obstacle
`detection each present technical challenges requiring multiple simultaneous
`obstacle detection techniques. Additionally, the gasket area of the window that
`seals to avoid water seepage into the vehicle presents a difficulty to the design of
`a power window control, since the window panel encounters significantly different
`resistance to movement in this region. Operation under varying power supply
`
`voltage results in actuator speed variations that result in increased obstacle
`
`detection thresholds.
`
`SUMMARY Of THE INVENTION:
`This invention concerns an improved actuator system that provides faster
`operation, more sensitive obstacle detection, faster actuator stopping with
`
`reduced pinch force, and reduced false obstacle detection all with less costly
`hardware. This invention has utilization potential for diverse automatic powered
`actuator applications including positioning of doors, windows, sliding panels,
`seats, control pedals, steering wheels, aerodynamic controls, hydrodynamic
`controls, and much more. One exemplary embodiment of primary emphasis for
`this disclosure concerns an automatic powered actuator as a motor vehicle
`sunroof panel.
`An exemplary system built in accordance with one embodiment of the
`invention implements position and speed sensing is via electronic motor current
`
`commutation pulse sensing of the drive motor. Motor current commutation pulse
`counting detection means and counting correction routines provide improved
`
`position and speed accuracy.
`In
`one
`exemplary
`
`embodiment,
`
`stored
`
`empirical
`
`parameter
`
`characterizations and algorithms adaptively modify obstacle detection thresholds
`
`2
`
`

`

`i Doreen Arndt· 14-733C2.apl.doc
`
`------------------------- '·=~----------------------P~a~g~e~3 l
`
`~·------------------------------------------------------------------------
`'
`
`during an ongoing actuation for improv.ed obstacle detection sensitivity and
`
`thresholds resulting in quicker obstacle detection with lower initial force, lower
`
`final pinch force and reduced occurrences of false obstacle detection.
`
`An exemplary embodiment of the collision sensing system uses a memory
`
`for actuation speed measurement, motor current measurement, and calculations
`
`of an ongoing actuation with real time adaptive algorithms enables real time
`
`running adaptive compensation of obstacle detection thresholds.
`
`BRIEF QESCRIPTIONS OF THE DRAWINGS:
`Figure 1 is a block diagram schematic of the components of an exemplary
`
`embodiment of the present invention;
`
`Figures 2A - 20 are schematics of circuitry for controlling movement and
`
`sensing obstructions of a motor driven panel such as a motor vehicle sunroof;
`
`Figure 3A is a plan view depicting an optical sensing system for monitoring
`
`an obstruction in the pinch zone of a moving panel such as a motor vehicle
`
`sunroof;
`Figure 38 is a front elevation view of the Figure 3A optical sensing
`
`system;
`
`Figure 3C is a plan view depicting an optical system with moving optics for
`
`monitoring an obstruction at the leading edge of a moving panel such as a motor
`
`vehicle sunroof;
`
`Figure 30 is a front elevation view of the Figure 3C optical sensing
`
`system;
`Figure 3E is a plan view depicting an optical sensing system with moving
`
`optics, flexible optic fiber, remote IR emission, and remote IR detection for
`
`monitoring an obstruction at the leading edge of a moving panel such as a motor
`
`vehicle sunroof;
`
`Figure 4 represents typical startup energization characteristics of motor
`
`current and per speed versus time;
`Figure 5 represents a simplified example of characteristic steady state
`
`nominal motor operation function versus time or position;
`
`3
`
`

`

`I Doreen Arndt- 14-733C2.apl.doc
`. - . -·· .. --· --- -
`- --.. ---·-··- - - - - - -- -
`
`Page 41
`
`Figure 6 represents a simplified example characteristic dynamic transient
`
`motor operation function versus time and/or position showing motor_ operation
`
`function with transients;
`Figure 7 represents a simplified example characteristic dynamic periodic
`cyclic motor operation function versus time and/or position showing motor
`
`operation function with cyclic disturbances; and
`Figure 8 is a sequence of measur.ements taken by a controller during
`
`successive time intervals and operation of a monitored panel drive motor.
`
`BEST MODE FOR PRACTICING THE INVENTION:
`Figure 1 shows a functional block diagram of an actuator safety feedback
`control system 1 for monitoring and controlling movement of a motor driven panel
`such as a motor vehicle sunroof. A panel movement controller 2 includes a
`commercially ayailable multipurpose microcontroller IC {integrated circuit) with
`
`internal and/or external FIFO memory and/or RAM (Random Access Memory) 2a
`and ADC (analog-to-digital-converter) 2b . .
`Eight-bit word bytes, eight-bit counters, and eight-bit analog-to-digital
`conversions are used with the exemplary controller 2. It should be fully realized,
`however, that alternative word lengths may be more appropriate for systems
`requiring different parameter resolution. Larger word bytes with equivalent AD9
`resolution enables greater resolution for motor current sensing. Likewise, larger
`word bytes with higher microcontroller clock speeds enable greater resolution for
`
`motor. per speed sensing plus quicker digital signal processing and algorithm
`
`processing for quicker response time.
`A temperature sensor 3 (which according to the preferred embodiment of
`the invention is an option) when installed, is driven by and sensed by the
`controller 2. Temperature sensing allows the panel controller 2 to automatically
`sense vehicle cabin temperature and open or close the sunroof to help maintain
`
`a desired range of temperatures. Temperature compensation of actuator
`
`obstacle detection thresholds is ~pically unnecessary.
`An optional rain sensor 4 can be both driven by and sensed by the
`
`4
`
`

`

`, Doreen Arndt- 14-733C2.apl.doc
`
`,. ··.
`
`Page sl
`
`microcontroller 2. Automatic closing of. the sunroof panel occurs when the
`
`sensor is wet. Subsequently, the sunroof panel can be opened when either
`falling rain has stopped for some time duration. or when the rain has evaporated
`
`to some extent.
`
`Manual switch inputs 5 are the means by which operator control of the
`system occurs.
`Limit switch inputs 6 indicate to the control system such physical inputs as
`HOME position, VENT/NOT OPEN Quadrant Switch, and end of panel
`movement. Limit switch signals indicate where microcontroller encoder pulse
`counter registers are set or reset representative of specific panel position(s).
`Motor drive outputs 7a and 7b control whether the motor drives the panel
`in the forward or the reverse direction. When neither the forward nor the reverse
`
`direction are driven, the motor drive terminals are electrically shorted together,
`· possibly via a ~ircuit nooe such as COMMON, resulting in an electrical loading
`
`and thus a dynamic braking effect.
`Motor plugging drive, which is the application of reverse drive polarity
`while a motor is still rotating, is an optional method of more quickly stopping the
`motor, but has been unnecessary for use with the preferred embodiment of the
`sunroof panel controller due
`to satisfactory performance
`taught by
`this
`disclosure. Very large motor plugging currents are often undesirable because
`they can easily exceed typical maximum stalled rotor · currents producing
`undesired motor heating in large applications. Such high motor plugging currents
`can be detrimental to the life and reliability of electromechanical relay contacts
`. and solid state switches used to switch motor operating currents. High motor
`
`plugging currents can also cause undesirable transients, trip breakers, and blow
`
`fuses in a power supply system.
`Application of brakes and/or clutches is also unnecessary with the
`automotive sunroof system due to the improved real time obstacle detection
`
`performance taught by this disclosure.
`
`j·
`
`!
`
`Optical Obstacle Detection
`
`5
`
`

`

`··-------------
`Doreen Arndt- 14-733C2.apl.doc
`
`- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - . ·-----------------Pa~g~e-6~
`
`Obstacle qetection by actual physical contact and/or pinch force with
`
`human subjects is somewhat unnerving to some individuals. For improved
`
`system safety and user comfort •. the preferred system utilizes non-contact
`detection of obstacles in the path of the moving panel. Of various technologies
`
`by which it is. possible to sense an obstacle without physical contact, IR .(infrared)
`emission with transmission interruption mode detection is preferred.
`IR emitting
`
`IR
`diodes and/or IR laser diodes are the two preferred IR emission sources.
`photodiodes and/or.IR phqtotransistors are the two preferred IR detection means.
`Optical obstacle detection senses and enables stopping of the actuator
`movement prior to significant applied pinch force and possibly prior to actual
`physical contact with a subject.
`
`In unusual light conditions, explained below,
`
`optical sensing means becomes temporarily ineffective, thus obstacle detection
`· via motor current sensing or current sensing and speed sensing means becomes
`the remaining reliable backup method of detecting an obstacle.
`Of two preferred configurations utilized for implementing IR transmission
`interruption mode of obstacle detection, the first is use of at least one emitter and
`at least Ol')e detector sensing at least across the pinch zone in close proximity to
`an end of travel region of a· sunroof. As shown in Figures 3A and 36, at least
`
`one IR emitter 100 and at least one IR detector 1 02 are separated from each
`other by a sunroof pinch zone 104.
`In an exemplary embodiment of the
`invention, opto sensing of obstructions is across and in relatively close proximity
`to a pinch zone Jle·ar the end of travel region of a sunroof. The depictions in
`Figures 3A ·and 38 do not show the entire region between emitter and detector
`but it is appreciated that a gap. G between emitter and detector is on. the order of
`the width of the moving sunroof.
`In this preferred embodiment, cabling 108
`passes to the region of the detector 102 around the end of the sunroof liner in the
`region of the end of the sunroof travel. The detector and emitter are fixed to the
`
`Implementation of this fixed configuration is
`sunroof liner and do not move.
`simplified by lack of moving components, although the sunroof may have to push
`. the obstacle into a sensing field between the emitter 100 and the detector 102.
`Thus, although the sensing means is non-contact, the sunroof can still contact
`
`6 .
`
`

`

`-------------------------- ~----------------------------~------------------------------
`1 Doreen Arndt- 14-733C2.apl.doc
`Page 7
`
`, .. ··-----·- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - · - - - - - - - - - -
`
`the obstacle.
`
`Of two preferred configurations utilized for implementing IR transmission
`
`interruption obstacle detection, the second is use of at least one emitter and at
`least one detector sensing at 1·east immediately ahead of the front moving edge
`
`of the moving portion of a sunroof. As shown in Figures 3C and 30, at least one
`IR emitter 100 and at least one IR detector 102 are separated proximal a front
`lri an exemplary embodiment of the invention,
`moving edge of a sunroof 103.
`· opto-ser)sing of obstructions is across and in relatively close proximity to a front
`edge 105 of the sunroof 103. The depictions in Figures 3C and 30 show the
`entire region between emitter and detector for which a gap G, between emitter
`and detector, is on the order of the width of the moving sunroof. In this preferred
`embodiment, flexible flat circuitry 107 passes to the emitter 100 and the detector
`1 02 of the moving panel or window to the region of the front moving edge.
`Alternate mean~ to supply electrical signal and/or power to the moving opto(cid:173)
`electronic components includes means such as electrical contact brushes
`
`cooperating with conductive traces on the moving panel. Power and signal are
`optionally both transmitted over the same conductors: Figure 3E shows an
`alternative means to supply IR emission to receive IR detection from the front
`. edge of the moving panel via flexible moving optic fiber 303 means connected
`with components 300, 302 that respectively emit IR and detect IR signals.
`IR
`
`optical fibers are terminated at each end to optical components 304, 305 that
`perform collimating, reflecting, and focusing requirements.
`The structure
`depicted in Figures 3A - 3E make it possible to sense obstructions with no
`physical obstacle contact regardless of the position of the moving sunroof.
`Alternate, non-preferred means of obstacle detection include sensing back
`reflection from a reflective surface of radiation emitted from an emitter, electric
`field sensing of proximal material dielectric properties, and magnetic field sensing
`
`of proximal material inductive properties.
`Various techniques improve the operation and reliability of non-contact
`In accordance with an exemplary ~inbodiment of the
`optical detection sensing.
`present invention, the IR emitter 100 is driven with a duty cycle and frequency.
`
`7
`
`

`

`! Doreen Arndt.- 14-733C2.apl.doc
`
`Page aj
`
`•
`
`I
`
`·.
`
`One typical automobile sunroof application uses 20% duty cycle at 500 Hz IR
`
`emitter drive synchronized with IR de~ector sensing. Pulsed drive allows the IR
`
`emitter 100 to be driven harder during its on time at a low average power. This
`
`harder drive yields improved signal-to-noise for IR sensing by the IR detector.
`
`The IR det.ector circuit synchronously compares the IR signal detected during IR
`emitter on times with IR emitter off times to determine ambient IR levels for drive
`and signal compensation purposes. This allows the IR emitter to IR detector
`optical coupling to be determined with a level of accuracy and reliability using
`closed loop feedback techniques.
`Automatic gain feedback control techniques maintain the level of the IR
`emitter drive and/or the gain of the IR detector circuit so that optical coupling is
`above minimum desirable values. Such automatic gain compensates, within
`certain
`limitations,
`factors · including decrease · in
`I R emitter output over
`accumulated time at temperature, IR emitter output temperature coefficient, dirt
`and haze fouling optic components, and .high ambient IR levels.
`
`Highly directional IR optical lenses and/or aligned polarized filters on both
`the IR emitter and IR detector maintain better optical coupling and reduce the
`effects of ambient IR and reflected IR from other directions. Location of the IR
`detector in a physical recess further reduces the possibility of extraneous IR
`"noise" from affecting the optical coupling.
`Despite various means to reduce the possibility of excess extraneous IR
`
`from being detected, certain conditions occur that may allow very high levels of
`direct and/or.reflected sunlight to be "seen" by the detector. Sun IR power levels
`
`can saturate the detector output signal level so that obstacle blockage of the
`pulsed IR emitter signals is not reliably sensed. Under such unusual "white out"
`circumstances, the IR optical system is disabled by the panel controller 2 until the
`sunroof actuator is nearly closed , at which position ambient IR noise is shielded
`by the sunroof. Thus~ the complete emitter-detector IR coupling is made more
`reliable for the last movement of pinch point closure. Complete body blockage of
`
`the IR coupling path between the emitter and ·detector is not a "white out"
`condition, although if the body is blocking both ambient IR and emitted IR signal
`
`8
`
`

`

`Doreen Arndt- 14-733C2.apl.doc - - - - - - - - - - - -.... ·. __________ __:P~a::.::g:.=.e..::....J91
`·---·---- -- ·-----···-·----- - - - - - - - - ----
`
`at the detector, a "black out" condition is interpreted as an obstacle detection.
`
`Although the IR obstacle detection means may be temporarily found to be
`
`unreliable by high ambient levels of IR, the disclosed sensing of hard and/or soft
`
`obstacles by motor current monitoring is always active as a redundant obstacle
`
`detection means.
`
`Retailed Schematic
`
`The controller schematic shown in Figures 2A- 20 implements collision
`
`sensin.g in one form by activating a light emitting diode 1 OOa which emits at
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`periodic intervals. In the event the infra red radiation is not sensed by a photo
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`transistor detector 1 02a , the controller 2 assumes an obstruction and
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`deactivates the sunroof motor M. There is also a redundant and more reliable
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`obstacle detection means for detecting obstacles based upon sensed motor
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`operation para~eters.
`The preferred controller 2 is an Atmel 8 Bit microprocessor having 8
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`Kilobytes of ROM and includes programming inputs 106 which can be coupled to
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`an external data source and us~d to reprogram the microprocessor controller 2.
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`User controlled inputs Sa, 5b are coupled to user activated switches which are
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`activated to control movement of the sunroof. The inputs are similar to now
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`issued Patent No. 5,952,801 to Boisvert et al, which describes the functionality of
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`those inputs. Limit switch outputs 5c, 5d, 5e are also monitored by the controller
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`2 and used to control activation of the sunroof drive motor.
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`The schematic depicts a clock oscillator 11 0 for providing a clock signal of
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`6 MHZ for driving the microprocessor controller 2. To the upper left of the
`oscillator is a decoupling capacitor circuit 112 for decoupling a vee power signal
`to the microprocessor.
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`The circuitry depicted in Figure 28 provides power signals in response to
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`input of a high signal at the ignition input 114. When the ignition input goes high,
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`this signal passes through a diode 116 to the base input 118 of a transistor 120
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`which turns on. When the transistor 120 turns on, a regulated output of 5 volts
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`(VCC) is provided by a voltage regulator 122 in the upper right hand corner of
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`9
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`Figure 28. A voltage input to the voltage regulator 122 is derived from two
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`battery inputs 124, 126 coupled through a filtering and reverse polarity protection
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`circuit 130. Immediately above the positive battery input 124 is a relay output
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`131 which provides a signal one diode drop less than battery voltage VBA T
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`which powers the relay coils 132, 134 (Figure ~D) for activating the motor.
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`The circuitry of Figures 2A - 2D includes a number of operational
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`amplifiers which require higher voltage than the five volt VCC logic circuitry
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`power signal. At the extreme right hand side of the schematic of Figure 28 are
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`two transistors 136, 138 one of which includes a base 140 coupled to an output
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`142 from the microprocessor controner 2. The second trar)sistor has its collector
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`coupled to the battery and an output on the emitter designated V-SW. When the
`microprocessor turns on the transistor 138, the V -SW output goes to battery
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`voltage. The V-SW output is connected to a voltage regulator (not shown) which
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`generates a DC signal that is supplied throughout the circuit for operation of the
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`various operational amplifiers.
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`The microprocessor controller 2 also has two motor control outputs 150,
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`152 which control two switching transistors 154, 15_6 , which in turn ·energize two
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`relay coils 132, 134. The relay coils have contacts 162, 164 coupled across the
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`motor M for energizing the motor windings with a battery voltage VBAT. One or
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`the other of the transistors must be turned on in order to activate the motor.
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`When one of the two transistors is on, the motor M rotates to provide output
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`power at an output shaft for moving the sunroof or other panel along a path of
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`travel in one direction. To change the direction of the motor rotation, the first
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`transistor is turned off and the second activated. The motor used to drive the
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`sunroof panel back and forth along its path of travel in the exemplary
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`embodiment of the present invention is a DC motor.
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`Figure 2C depicts a circuit 180 for monitoring light emitting diode signals.
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`A light emitting diode 100a has an anode·connection 181 coupled to the V-
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`switched signal and the cathode is coupled through a switching transistor 182 to
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`•
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`0
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`a microprocessor. output 183. The microprocessor outputs a 500 hertz signal at
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`this output 183 having a 20% duty cycle to the base input of the transistor. When
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`Page 11 1
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`the transistor turns on, the LED cathode is pulled low. causing the light emitting
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`diode 1 OOa to emit IR radiation. Under microprocessor co~trol, the light emitting
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`diode produces a 500 hertz output which is sensed by a photo detector 1 02a. As
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`the light emitting dio~e pulses on and off at 500 hertz, the photo detector
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`responds to this input. When current flows in the photo detector, a yoltage drop
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`is produced across a voltage divider 184 having an output coupled to an
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`.....
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`operational amplifier 186. When current flows in the photo detector in response
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`to receipt of a light signal the voltage divider raises the voltage at the inverting
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`input 188 to the amplifier 186. The non-inverting input to this amplifier is
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`maintained at 2.5 volts by a regulated voltage divider 188.·. The operational
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`amplifier 186 and a second operational amplifier 190 define two inverting
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`amplifiers which in combinatiqn produce an output signal of 500 hertz. With no
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`signal appearing at the photo detector, an output 192 from the operational
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`amplifier 190 is ~.5 volts. This signal is coupl~d to the microprocessor controller
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`. 2. In response to receipt of the photo detector signal, this signal oscillates and
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`this oscillating signal in turn is sensed by the microprocessor.
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`The microprocessor controller 2 has two inputs 192, 194 that provide
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`input signals to a comparator implemented by the microprocessor controller. As
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`the state of the comparator changes, internal microprocessor interrupts are
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`generated which cause the microprocessor to execute certain functions. The first
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`input 192 is derived fro