(12) United States Patent
`Lamm
`
`(10) Patent No.:
`(45) Date of Patent:
`
`US 6,952,087 B2
`Oct. 4, 2005
`
`(54) METHOD FOR CONTROLLING AN
`ADJUSTMENT PROCESS OF A PART
`
`(75)
`
`Inventor: Hubert Lamm, Kappelrodeck (DE)
`
`(73) Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH, Stuttgart (DE)
`
`( *) Notice:
`
`Subject to any disclaimer, the term of this
`patent is extended or adjusted under 35
`U.S.C. 154(b) by 0 days.
`
`(21) Appl. No.:
`
`10/149,782
`
`(22) PCT Filed:
`
`Oct. 25, 2001
`
`4,641,067 A * 2/1987 Iizawa et al.
`5,422,551 A * 6/1995 Takeda et al.
`5,585,705 A * 12/1996 Brieden
`5,668,451 A * 9/1997 Driendl et al.
`5,734,244 A * 3/1998 Lill et al.
`5,801,501 A * 9/1998 Redelberger
`5,977,732 A * 11/1999 Matsumoto
`6,051,945 A * 4/2000 Furukawa
`6,150,785 A * 11/2000 Butscher et al.
`
`318/287
`318/265
`318/467
`318/466
`318/452
`318/283
`318/283
`318/280
`318/468
`
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`DE
`JP
`
`195 14 257 Cl
`7/1996
`10257791 A * 9/1998
`
`HO2P/5/06
`
`(86) PCT No.:
`
`PCT /DE01/04048
`
`* cited by examiner
`
`§ 371 (c)(1),
`(2), (4) Date:
`
`Jun. 13, 2002
`(87) PCT Pub. No.: WO02/35674
`
`PCT Pub. Date: May 2, 2002
`Prior Publication Data
`
`US 2002/0190679 Al Dec. 19, 2002
`Foreign Application Priority Data
`
`(65)
`
`(30)
`
`Oct. 27, 2000
`
`(DE)
`
`100 48 601
`
`(51)
`(52)
`
`(58)
`
`(56)
`
`Int. Cl.7
`U.S. Cl.
`
`GO5B 5/00; HO2P 7/00
`318/283; 318/456; 318/466;
`318/434; 318/468; 318/282; 49/26; 49/28
`Field of Search
`318/280, 282,
`318/286, 283, 256, 445, 466, 468, 456,
`434; 49/26, 28
`
`References Cited
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`Primary Examiner -Marlon T. Flechef
`Assistant Examiner - Eduardo Colon Santana
`(74) Attorney, Agent, or Firm -Michael J. Striker
`
`(57)
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`In the method of controlling a process for moving a part (20)
`by an electric motor (12) against an end stop, pinching
`events are detected by monitoring a motor operating
`variable, such as a motor rpm, and if pinching is detected the
`motor (12) is stopped and /or reversed. The electric power
`triggering the motor (12) at the start of and during a startup
`phase while system slack is taken up is controlled so that it
`is constant and lower than the power triggering the motor in
`an ensuing operating phase (54) in which the part (20)
`moves. Preferably power during the startup phase is reduced
`to power values that are just barely enough to move the
`motor while system slack is taken up. In a preferred embodi-
`ment the applied motor voltage is reduced and controlled by
`a power end stage that includes a bipolar transistor or a field
`effect transistor.
`
`4,220,900 A *
`
`9/1980 Mintz
`
`318/266
`
`11 Claims, 3 Drawing Sheets
`
`10
`
`16
`
`12
`
`36
`
`38
`SENSOR
`SYSTEM
`
`FIRST END
`STOP
`
`26
`
`20
`
`28
`
`MOVABLE
`PART
`
`SECOND
`END STOP
`
`,-32
`
`42
`
`EVALUATING
`CIRCUIT
`
`14
`
`16
`
`30
`
`J
`
`34
`
`CONTROL
`CIRCUIT
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Oct. 4, 2005
`
`Sheet 1 of 3
`
`US 6,952,087 B2
`
`10
`
`16
`
`12
`
`36
`- 38
`SENSOR
`SYSTEM
`
`FIRST END
`STOP
`
`26
`
`í`
`
`20
`
`28
`
`MOVABLE
`PART
`
`SECOND
`END STOP
`
`42
`
`EVALUATING
`CIRCUIT
`
`FIG. I
`
`14
`
`16
`
`30
`
`34
`
`CONTROL
`CIRCUIT
`
`FIG. 2
`
`12
`
`CONTROL
`CIRCUIT
`
``
`1
`48
`
`S
`CONTROL
`SIGNAL
`
`REGULATING
`CIRCUIT
`
`UUSI, LLC
`Exhibit 2027
`2/8
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Oct. 4, 2005
`
`Sheet 2 of 3
`
`US 6,952,087 B2
`
`FIG. 3
`
`PWM[Yb]
`
`100%
`
`58
`
`/
`
`20%
`
`i
`
`no;.
`
`,.
`
`t.
`
`FIG. 4
`
`MOTOR TERMINAL
`VOLTAGE
`
`16V
`15V
`14V
`
`10V
`
`5V
`
`52
`
`14
`
`MOTOR TERMINAL
`VOLTAGE
`
`=f( Ugatt)
`
`5V
`
`10V 14V 16V
`
`UUSI, LLC
`Exhibit 2027
`3/8
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Oct. 4, 2005
`
`Sheet 3 of 3
`
`US 6,952,087 B2
`
`n
`
`TRAVEL
`
`FIG. 5a
`
`61
`
`FIG. 5b
`
`TRAVEL
`
`UUSI, LLC
`Exhibit 2027
`4/8
`
`

`

`US 6,952,087 B2
`
`1
`METHOD FOR CONTROLLING AN
`ADJUSTMENT PROCESS OF A PART
`
`PRIOR ART
`The invention relates to a method for controlling an
`adjustment process as generically defined by the preamble to
`the main claim.
`It is known for parts to be combined with a motor drive
`mechanism that moves the parts along an adjustment path.
`The parts can be moved against at least one terminal
`position, and in particular can be moved back and forth
`between two terminal positions. Such movable parts are
`used in motor vehicles, for instance, as power windows or
`electrically actuated sliding roofs or seat adjusters. Electric
`closing devices for motor vehicles must by law provide a
`pinch protection function, which should largely preclude
`injuries to users from getting body parts caught.
`It is especially problematic to achieve the pinch protection
`in the motor startup phase, since overswings in the motor
`rpm occur then, causing the pinch protection to be tripped by
`mistake. The overswinging is caused because the rpm first
`rises very quickly until the system slack is overcome and
`then suddenly drops once the part begins to move. The
`system slack is a composite of the production -dictated
`mechanical play among the individual components of the
`adjusting system.
`German Patent DE 195 14 257 Cl has disclosed a method
`of monitoring an adjusting system that assures a pinch 3o
`protection function even in the startup phase of the motor.
`By means of a sensor (Hall sensor), the rpm or speed is
`dictated; a period value is stored in memory and compared
`with a specified limit value. Since in the startup phase the
`motor period varies quite sharply, a steady state or in other
`words uniform motor operation exists only after about three
`motor periods, so that only then can satisfactory security
`against excessive development of force be assured. The
`initial period limit value during the motor startup phase is
`therefore calculated in advance, on the basis of the memo-
`rized reference values from the prior actuation of the motor.
`The initial period limit value (PGW *) is determined pref-
`erably on the basis of the most recent period value (PWvn)
`of the preceding adjustment, in accordance with the formula
`PGW * =2* PWvn *(0.5 +E -e'). This process is quite complex
`and expensive and is dependent on the preceding adjustment
`process. A prerequisite for such a method is that the mea-
`sured values (period values) can be stored in memory
`continuously and made available the next time the motor is
`started. Moreover, this method is limited to using the rpm or
`speed as a sensor signal for the pinch protection function.
`
`25
`
`2
`activated only then. An especially advantageous feature is
`that this method can be employed in many currently used
`adjusting systems without major effort or expense, despite
`various more -complex evaluation algorithms for the pinch
`s protection function.
`By the characteristics recited in the dependent claims,
`advantageous refinements of the method of the main claim
`are possible. If the power of the motor is reduced, by
`triggering the motor via a power end stage operated with
`to pulse width modulation, the advantage is attained that no
`power loss and thus no heat occur at the power end stage.
`Precise power regulation without additional expense for
`cooling is thus assured.
`Alternatively, the power of the motor can be reduced by
`15 means of an applied variable voltage. Variable resistors,
`transistors, or similarly known components are suitable for
`this purpose. It is especially advantageous that in this precise
`type of power reduction, no electromagnetic interference
`that would require complicated interference suppression
`20 provisions in the control circuit occur.
`It is advantageous if the power at the onset of the startup
`phase is controlled such that the motor just begins to move
`and the mechanical play of the adjusting system is
`overcome, but the movable part is not yet adjusted. Because
`the system slack is overcome with less power, no overswings
`in the motor revolution or in the sensor signal for the pinch
`protection function occur. Thus safer pinch protection is
`possible without erroneous tripping in the startup phase of
`the motor.
`If, once the system slack has been overcome, the motor is
`triggered at maximum power (rated power), the part is
`adjusted quickly and efficiently without a perceptible time
`lag.
`It is especially simple to increase the power linearly up to
`the rated power in order to prevent an overswing in the
`motor rotation. Moreover, unpleasant noise in the adjust-
`ment process is also avoided thereby.
`By taking the actual battery voltage into account in
`ao triggering the power, the power can be set exactly in such a
`way that the system slack is overcome yet the movable part
`is not yet adjusted. The terminal voltage applied to the motor
`can be regulated by means of power triggering, indepen-
`dently of the actual battery voltage, in such a way that the
`45 power and thus the adjusting force do not increase undesir-
`ably.
`The same is true if in the power triggering the ambient
`temperature is taken into account, since as a result its
`influence on the adjusting system and the control circuit can
`50 be eliminated. An undesired increase in the power or the
`adjusting force is thus prevented.
`If the pinch protection is activated immediately as soon as
`the part begins to move, then the adjusting device offers
`optimal safety, as is increasingly demanded by motor vehicle
`manufacturers.
`In a preferred feature of the invention, a variable inverse
`to the adjusting force of the part is used as the operating
`variable of the motor. Such operating variables can be
`60 measured in a simple way using Hall sensors. Thus no
`additional sensor expense for conventional adjusting sys-
`tems is necessary.
`If the rpm is used as the inverse variable, then it can be
`detected simultaneously with the adjustment path. The rpm
`65 is a very clear measurement variable that directly indicates
`the overswing in the motor revolution, or the avoidance
`thereof.
`
`55
`
`35
`
`ADVANTAGES OF THE INVENTION
`The method of the invention having the characteristics of
`the main claim has the advantage that an event involving
`pinching upon adjustment of a part can already be detected
`securely in the startup phase of the motor. The object of the
`invention is attained by triggering the motor in the startup
`phase at lesser power, for the sake of effectively preventing
`an overswing in the motor rpm and thus a problematic
`erroneous tripping of the pinch protection. It is therefore
`unnecessary to deactivate the pinch protection in the startup
`phase of the motor. With the method of the invention, an
`event involving pinching can be detected with high certainty
`even whenever an object or body part, when the window is
`open, for instance, is introduced with an exact fit into the
`window opening and the closing device of the window is
`
`UUSI, LLC
`Exhibit 2027
`5/8
`
`

`

`US 6,952,087 B2
`
`3
`Another option for the sensor signal of the pinch protec-
`tion function is a variable that is proportional to the adjusting
`force of the part. If the motor current is used as the sensor
`signal, then Hall sensors can advantageously be dispensed
`with. However, a force sensor that detects the adjusting force
`of the part directly can also be employed.
`It is especially advantageous that the method of the
`invention for detecting events involving pinching in the
`motor startup phase can be employed in a simple manner in
`existing adjusting systems with different kinds of sensor
`equipment.
`
`DRAWING
`In the drawing, exemplary embodiments of a method of
`the invention are shown; they are described in further detail
`in the ensuing description. Shown are
`FIG. 1, a schematic arrangement for performing the
`method of the invention;
`FIG. 2, the control circuit of an alternative exemplary
`embodiment;
`FIG. 3, the course of the pulse width triggering of the
`motor of FIG. 1;
`FIG. 4, the graph for power regulation as a function of the
`battery voltage;
`FIGS. 5a and 5b, the rpm course of the motor of FIG. 1
`without and with use of the method of the invention.
`
`5
`
`lo
`
`15
`
`20
`
`25
`
`4
`is pulse width modulated. It is possible as a result to trigger
`the motor 12 with less power in its startup phase 52 than in
`the normal operating phase 54.
`FIG. 2 shows the block circuit diagram of the control
`circuit 34 of an exemplary embodiment. Here the power of
`the motor 12 is reduced by a power end stage in including
`a bipolar transistor 44 or an MOS field effect transistor 44.
`The transistor is triggered by a regulating circuit 46, which
`can for instance include an operational amplifier. A suitable
`pulsed control signal 48 is used, as a result of which the
`controllable transistor makes a variable voltage available to
`the motor 12, with which the motor power can be reduced.
`An essential component of the method of the invention is
`that the motor 12 is driven at reduced power until the system
`slack of the adjusting system 10 is overcome. First, after
`actuation of a switch means, not shown, the electric motor
`12 is set into motion via the control circuit 34. Via the
`rotating drive shaft 14, the gear 16 is made to mesh, so that
`by means of the transmission device 18, the part 20 is moved
`against one of the end stops 26 or 28. When the electric
`motor 12 is started, first a compensation for the system slack
`of the mechanical components of the adjusting system 10
`takes place. The system slack can be described as the play
`between the mechanical components of the adjusting system
`10. In the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 1, these are the
`engagement of the drive shaft 14 with the gear 16 and the
`transmission of the rotary motion to the transmission device
`18 and the part 20 to be adjusted. Moreover, in the elastic
`parts of the system, a mechanical tension is built up that is
`equivalent to a certain motor revolution, before the part 20
`moves. This means that upon a reversal of direction of the
`adjustment process, for instance, the drive shaft 14 is already
`rotating the electric motor 12 without the part 20 being in
`motion. The system slack appears not only, however, upon
`a reversal of direction of the adjusting system 10 but also, to
`a certain extent, each time the electric motor 12 is re- started.
`FIG. 3 shows the course according to the invention of the
`power triggering of the motor 12 by means of pulse width
`modulation in accordance with FIG. 1. As the starting value,
`a pulse width, that is, the time during which a voltage is
`applied to the semiconductor end stage, of 20% is contem-
`plated. This power just suffices to move the motor but is too
`low to set the part 20 into motion. The starting value of the
`pulse width is dependent on the particular adjusting system
`10 and is ascertained experimentally in each case. The pulse
`width is kept constant until such time as the system slack is
`completely overcome, which is equivalent to the period of
`50 on the time axis in FIG. 3. Next, the pulse
`time taste,
`width is increased to 100 %, in order to operate the motor at
`maximum power than in its normal operating phase. The
`duration of the motor startup phase 52 -that is, the time
`until the motor has reached its maximum power -is depen-
`dent on the choice of the starting pulse width and on the
`increase in the pulse width. The increase in the pulse width
`after the system slack is overcome is selected such that on
`the one hand the normal operating phase 54 is reached as fast
`as possible, but on the other hand overswinging of the motor
`revolution (see FIG. 5) is prevented. The simplest option is
`a linear increase in the pulse width, but some other course
`that meets the above conditions can also be selected.
`To set the suitable starting value for the power during the
`time t,,/, 50, the ambient temperature and the battery
`voltage are measured and taken into account in ascertaining
`the starting value for the power. For instance, if the battery
`voltage is higher than the rated value, this is compensated
`for by a correspondingly lesser starting pulse width. This
`kind of power regulation as a function of the battery voltage
`
`UUSI, LLC
`Exhibit 2027
`6/8
`
`30
`
`35
`
`40
`
`DESCRIPTION OF THE EXEMPLARY
`EMBODIMENTS
`In FIG. 1, an adjusting system 10 for adjusting a part 20
`is shown schematically. The adjusting system 10 has an
`electric motor 12, with a drive shaft 14 that engages a gear
`16 that is merely represented symbolically. The gear 16 is
`connected via a transmission device 18 to a part 20 to be
`adjusted. The part 20 can be moved back and forth by means
`of the electric motor 12 between a first end stop 26 and a
`second end stop 28. Via motor connection lines 30 and 32,
`the electric motor 12 is connected to a control circuit 34. The
`drive shaft 14 of the electric motor 12 carries at least one
`signal transducer 36, whose signals are detectable by a
`sensor system 38. The sensor system 38 is connected to an
`evaluation circuit 40, which in turn is connected to one input
`42 of the control circuit 34.
`The adjusting system 10 shown in FIG. 1 can be used for
`instance in adjusting power windows or power sliding roofs
`in motor vehicles. However, these are merely two possible
`uses. It is understood that it is also possible to use the
`adjusting system 10 in any other applications in which a part
`20 is movable against at least one end stop 26, 28. These
`applications are not limited to options for outfitting motor
`vehicles.
`To achieve the pinch protection, the sensor system 30, via
`the signal transducer 36, generates a measurement signal, 55
`which is equivalent to an operating variable of the motor 12
`(for instance, the motor rpm). This continuously measured
`operating variable is then monitored in the evaluation circuit
`40. If a sudden change in the operating variable occurs (rpm
`drop) over the adjustment path, this change is compared with 60
`a predetermined limit value for the change in the operating
`variable. If the limit value is exceeded, the evaluation circuit
`40 outputs a signal to the control circuit 34 to stop the motor
`12 and /or reverse its direction of operation. The control
`circuit 34 also includes a device with which the power of the 65
`motor 12 can be varied. To that end, a control signal, which
`triggers a semiconductor power end stage of the motor 12,
`
`45
`
`50
`
`

`

`US 6,952,087 B2
`
`5
`is shown in FIG. 4 during the normal operating phase 54. For
`the maximum power (rated power), a motor terminal voltage
`of 14 V, for instance, is defined. If the battery voltage
`exceeds this value, then to maintain the predefined rated
`power (at a terminal voltage of 14 V), the motor terminal
`voltage is reduced by pulse width modulation to its rated
`value. At a battery voltage of 16 V, the power end stage is
`therefore triggered at 14/16 *100% (that is, 87.5 %), in order
`to obtain the rated power for a motor terminal voltage of 14
`V. If the power in the motor startup phase is supposed to
`amount to only 20% of the rated power, for instance, then the
`pulse width of 20% is also reduced by the factor of 14/16
`when a battery voltage of 16 V is applied. This prevents such
`high adjusting forces that they already set the part 20 into
`motion from occurring in the startup phase 52.
`The influence of the ambient temperature on the control
`electronics and the mechanical adjusting system is also
`compensated for, so that the starting value for the power can
`be determined exactly in such a way that it just suffices to
`overcome the system slack.
`In a variant of the exemplary embodiment, a constant
`voltage value is calculated, taking the battery voltage and the
`ambient temperature into account, and this value is then
`regulated by pulse width modulation and applied to the
`electric motor 12 as a starting value.
`The duration of the motor startup phase 52, for a power
`window system, for instance, is less than 0.5 seconds. The
`time lag in the adjustment process from the reduction in
`power in the startup phase 52 is therefore hardly perceptible
`to the user. The advantage of this slight time lag, however,
`is that the pinch protection is immediately active as soon as
`the part 20 begins to move.
`In FIG. 5a, the rpm course of the electric motor 12 is
`shown over the adjustment path without the method of the
`invention for power reduction in the motor startup phase 52.
`Here the rpm is an operating variable of the motor that is
`measured continuously by means of the sensor system 38 (as
`a function of the number of poles of the ring magnet). With
`the startup of the electric motor 12, the full rated power is
`immediately applied via a relay. At the onset of the motor
`startup phase 52, while the system slack is being overcome,
`the motor 12 accelerates so sharply that the rpm is above the
`rated rpm for the normal operating phase 54. As soon as the
`system slack is overcome, the contrary force of the normal
`operating phase 54 ensues, which is generated by the adjust-
`ment of the part 20. The motor 12 is braked as a result; the
`rpm decreases accordingly and then remains at an approxi-
`mately constant value, which is in accordance with a con-
`stant contrary force. The overswing 60 or the drop in the
`motor rpm is then erroneously interpreted as an event
`involving pinching, since for detecting such an event involv-
`ing pinching the question is asked whether the rpm is
`dropping in the course of the adjustment path and thus if the
`force brought to bear by the motor 12 is increasing.
`Therefore, in this conventional method, the pinch protection
`is not activated until the rpm has reached its steady state.
`In still other conventional methods for pinch protection
`with a predetermined course of the lower limit value for the
`motor rpm over the adjustment path, an event involving
`pinching cannot be detected in the startup phase 54, since
`overswings in the rpm repeatedly occur because of the
`system slack, regardless of whether an object is caught or
`not.
`FIG. 5b shows the corresponding rpm course when the
`method of the invention is employed; that is, initially the
`motor 12 is triggered with only slight power, so that the
`
`5
`
`o
`
`5
`
`25
`
`6
`system slack is just barely overcome, but without the motor
`12 being accelerated excessively. The rpm therefore drops
`again once the system slack has been overcome, and the
`motor 12 would come to a stop unless the power were now
`increased. However, because of the now -ensuing linear
`increase in the power to its maximum value, the rpm also
`rises accordingly to its rated value 61. An overswing in the
`motor rpm is thus reliably prevented 62; the pinch protection
`can be activated simultaneously with the onset 64 of the
`increase in the power or with the onset of motion of the part
`20.
`Instead of the motor rpm, in a variant of the exemplary
`embodiment some other operating variable, such as the
`speed, that is inverse to the adjusting force of the part 20 can
`be used.
`In another variant of the exemplary embodiment, the
`motor current is measured as the operating variable. The
`motor current is directly proportional to the adjusting force
`of the part 20. Here, to detect an event involving pinching,
`the increase in the motor current is compared with a maxi -
`20 mum allowed predetermined increase. The motor current is
`minimal at the onset of the motor startup phase 52 and after
`ts,JL,/,Se 50 rises abruptly to its maximum value when the
`motor 12 is operated at full power from the outset.
`Conversely, if by the method of the invention the power at
`the onset of the motor startup phase 52 is restricted and is
`increased linearly only after the system slack is overcome,
`then a sudden increase in the motor current in the motor
`startup phase 52 is prevented. Thus a pinch protection in the
`motor startup phase 52 can also be achieved using the motor
`30 current as the operating variable.
`Instead of using the motor current as the operating
`variable, in an alternative exemplary embodiment a sensor
`signal can also be used, which is obtained for instance
`directly from the measurement of the adjusting force of a
`35 part 20. Naturally, this signal, like the motor current, is
`proportional to the adjusting force. The detection of an event
`involving pinching therefore proceeds identically to the
`above variant embodiment in which the motor current is
`used as the operating variable.
`What is claimed is:
`1. A method of controlling a process of moving at least
`one movable part (2c) by means of an electric motor (12)
`against at least one end stop (26, 28), in which pinching
`events are detected as a function of a least one operating
`variable of the motor (12), and if one of said pinching events
`is detected, the electric motor (12) is stopped and /or
`reversed;
`wherein electric power triggering the motor at less than a
`maximum or rated power at start of and during a startup
`phase (52), system slack being taken up during said
`startup phase is controlled, so that said electric power
`is constant while the system slack is taken up and is less
`while the system slack is taken up than electric power
`triggering the motor during a subsequent operating
`phase in which said at least one movable part is moved
`to said at least one end stop and so that said electric
`power increases linearly only after the system slack has
`been overcome, wherein said subsequent operating
`phase occurs after said startup phase.
`2. The method as defined in claim 1, wherein the motor
`60 (12) is controlled by a power end stage, and said power end
`stage is triggered by a control signal that is pulse -width
`modulated to control said electric power consumed by said
`motor.
`3. The method as defined in claim 1, wherein said electric
`65 power triggering said motor while said system slack is taken
`up is equal to 20% of a maximum or rated power of the
`motor (12).
`
`40
`
`45
`
`50
`
`55
`
`UUSI, LLC
`Exhibit 2027
`7/8
`
`

`

`US 6,952,087 B2
`
`7
`4. The method as defined in claim 1, wherein the motor
`(12) is triggered at a maximum or rated power of the motor
`(12) during the startup phase but only after the system slack
`has been overcome.
`5. The method as defined in claim 1, wherein said electric
`power with which the motor (12) is triggered in the startup
`phase (52) depends on a battery voltage.
`6. The method as defined in claim 1, wherein said electric
`power with which the motor (12) is triggered in the startup
`phase (52) depends on ambient temperature.
`7. The method as defined in claim 1, wherein the pinching
`events are detected as soon as the at least one movable part
`(20) begins to move.
`
`s
`
`8
`8. The method as defined in claim 1, wherein a variable
`inverse to an adjusting force acting on the at least one
`movable part (20) is the at least one operating variable.
`9. The method as defined in claim 1, wherein motor rpm
`is the at least one operating variable.
`10. The method as defined in claim 1, wherein a variable
`that is proportional to an adjusting force acting on the at least
`one movable part (20) is the at least one operating variable.
`11. The method as defined in claim 1, wherein said at least
`io one moveable part is a window or sliding roof of a motor
`vehicle.
`
`UUSI, LLC
`Exhibit 2027
`8/8
`
`