United States Patent
`
`[191
`
`[11] Patent Number:
`
`4,870,333
`
`Itoh et a1.
`
`[54] AUTOMATIC OPENING AND CLOSING
`DEVICE FOR A WINDOW ‘
`
`[75]
`
`Inventors: Takeshi Itoh, Katsuta; Akihiko
`Tsukahara, Fujisawa, both of Japan
`
`[73] Assignee:
`
`Jidosha Denki Kogyo Kabushiki
`Kaisha, Kanagawa, Japan
`
`[21] Appl. No.; 103,767
`[22] Filed:
`Oct. 2, 1987
`
`Foreign Application Priority Data
`[30]
`Oct. 3, 1986 [JP]
`Japan ................................ 61-234658
`Oct. 9, 1986 [JP]
`Japan ................................ 61-240378
`
`Int. Cl.4 ............................................... H02P 1/22
`[51]
`[52] us. Cl. .................................... 318/286; 318/266;
`318/466
`[58] Field of Search ............... 318/256, 265, 266, 466,
`318/467, 468, 469, 470, 603, 280, 286; 29/26,
`28,199
`
`[56]
`
`References Cited
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`....... 318/467 X
`4,035,702 7/1977 Pettersen et a1.
`
`....... 318/468 X
`4,234,833 11/1980 Barrett .............
`
`318/266 X
`4,514,670 4/1985 Fassel et a1.
`.
`
`..................... 318/466
`4,529,920 7/1985 Yoshida et al.
`
`[45] Date of Patent:
`
`Sep. 26, 1989
`
`4,563,625
`4,608,637
`
`.............. 318/603
`1/1986 Kornbrekke et a1.
`8/1986 Okuyama et a1.
`................... 318/466
`
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`2580717 10/1986 France .................................. 49/199
`
`Primary Examiner—Bentsu R0
`Attorney, Agent, or Firm—Sughrue, Mion, Zinn,
`Macpeak & Seas
`
`[57]
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`An automatic opening and closing device for a window
`which has a forwardly and reversely rotatable motor
`for opening and closing the widow, switching means
`which instructs said motor to rotate, pulse-detecting
`means which detects a pulse generated along with a
`rotation of said motor, counting means which counts a
`pulse number detected by said pulse-detecting means
`and rotation-controlling means which performs rota-
`tion-control to said motor on basis of a count number
`
`counted by said counting means and a predetermined
`count number is dislosed, by which it is possible to stop
`the opening or closing action of the window at a
`halfway, or possible to convert the action of the win-
`dow in the reverse direction.
`
`5 Claims, 12 Drawing Sheets
`
`
`
`Webasto Roof Systems, Inc.
`Exhibit 1006
`
` 1
`
`Webasto Roof Systems, Inc.
`Exhibit 1006
`
`

`

`US. Patent
`
`Sep.26, 1989
`
`Sheet 1 of 12
`
`4,870,333
`
`FIG. 7
`
`
`
`2
`
`Webasto Roof Systems, Inc.
`Exhibit 1006
`
` 2
`
`Webasto Roof Systems, Inc.
`Exhibit 1006
`
`

`

`US. Patent
`
`Sep.26, 1989
`
`Sheet 2 of 12
`
`4,870,333
`
`F/G.2 (a)
`
`60
`
`0
`
`E
`
`f
`
`|——
`
`NG L_____i__.____fl___
`[20 +____—_FL_
`
`FlG.2(b)
`
`
`
`
`
`ebJ—u_.__4____iiP '
`
`
`
`Webeisto Roof Systems, Inc.
`'
`Exhibit 1006
`
`3
`
` 3
`
`Webasto Roof Systems, Inc.
`Exhibit 1006
`
`

`

`US. Patent
`
`Sep.26, 1989
`
`Sheet 3 of 12
`
`4,870,333
`
`FIGS
`
`
`
`4
`
`Webasto Roof Systems, Inc.
`Exhibit 1006
`
`.
`
` 4
`
`Webasto Roof Systems, Inc.
`Exhibit 1006
`
`

`

`US. Patent
`
`Sep.26, 1989
`
`Sheet 4 of 12
`
`4,870,333
`
`Po
`
`
`
`REFERENCEVALUEP
`
`F/G.4
`
`
`
`Vo
`
`CAR
`
`SPEED —>
`
`5
`
`Webasto Roof Systems, Inc.
`Exhibit 1006
`
` 5
`
`Webasto Roof Systems, Inc.
`Exhibit 1006
`
`

`

`US. Patent
`
`Sep.26, 1989
`
`Sheet 5 of 12
`
`4,870,333
`
`FIG.5
`
`
`
`
`
`ASCENDING
`ACTION
`
`OF RANGE OF
`
`LOSED POSITION?
`
`STARTING 0F
`MOTOR?
`
`H3
`
`PULSE COUNTER
`
`
`CLEARING
`
`
`
`
`STOP THE ACTION
`
`Tm SETTING
`
`H4
`
`H5
`
`6
`
`Webasto Roof Systems, Inc.
`Exhibit 1006
`
` 6
`
`Webasto Roof Systems, Inc.
`Exhibit 1006
`
`

`

`US. Patent
`
`Sep.26, 1989
`
`Sheet 6 0f 12
`
`4,870,333
`
`FIG. 6
`
`INTERRUPTION
`
`
`
`
`
`50
`
`MOTOR PULSE
`o —> 1
`
`YES
`
`ASCENDING
`ACTION ?
`
`52
`
`54
`
`
`
`
`58
`
`
`
`
`PULSE COUNTER
`DECR EM ENT
`
` IN THE
`STARTING OF
`MOTOR ?
`
`56
`
`PULSE COUNTER
`INCREMENT
`
`Tp CALCULATION
`
`PUTTING Tp INTO
`SPEED DATA TABLE
`
`
`
`‘Webasto Roof Systems, Inc.
`.
`Exhibit 1006
`
`7
`
` 7
`
`Webasto Roof Systems, Inc.
`Exhibit 1006
`
`

`

`US. Patent
`
`Sep. 26, 1989
`
`Sheet 7 of 12
`
`4,870,333
`
`FIG. 7
`
`
`
`MOTOR
`DRHHNG
`NRCWT
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`PULSE
`
`
`DETECTING
`
`URCUW
`
`
`
`//
`
`
`46
`
`/
`
`/
`g —I
`
`24
`WINDOW
`FRAME
`
`
`
`I|
`
`P MAX
`
`
`DOOR
`
`Webasto Roof Systems, Inc.
`Exhibit 1006
`
` 8
`
`Webasto Roof Systems, Inc.
`Exhibit 1006
`
`

`

`US. Patent
`
`Sep.26, 1989
`
`Sheet 8 Of 12
`
`4,870,333
`
`FlG. 8
`
`0.1 msec
`
`TIMER INTERRUPTION
`
`SIGNAL
`.
`.
`I
`.
`:
`.
`MOTOR PULSE SIGNALW
`(HIGH SPEED)
`I
`:
`I
`1
`I
`I
`H————>I
`.
`:Tp a: 0.1 msec
`I
`I
`|
`.
`I
`MOTOR PULSE SIGNAL—II—_I_____I—I_—
`(LOW SPEED)
`:
`l
`-
`T._.__———>I
`Tp i 0.1 msec
`
`SPEED DATA OF THE PRESENT TIME
`
`SPEED DATA OF THE LAST TIME
`
`SPEED DATA OF THE LAST TIME BUT ONE
`
`9
`
`Webasto ROOf Systems, Inc.
`Exhibit 1006
`
` 9
`
`Webasto Roof Systems, Inc.
`Exhibit 1006
`
`

`

`US. Patent
`
`Sep.26, 1989
`
`Sheet 9 Of 12
`
`4,870,333
`
`F/G.70(/—I)
`
`INITIAL
`OPERATION
`
`/H
`
`
`
`
`
`MOTORSPEED
`
` - ENTIRELY CLOSED
`FULL OPENED
`WIN—DOW
`POSITION K
`POSITION
`POSITION
`(MOTOR LOC I
`RANGE OF
`CLOSED POSITION
`
`——>
`
`a
`
`
`
`
`
`RATEOFSPEEDCHANGE(Tp/Tm)
`
`FIG/10(8)
`
`-——_—.—.———_-
`
`
`
`COMPARING WITH oz
`
`
`FULL OPENED
`—*
`ENTIRELY CLOSED
`W'NDOW
`POSITION
`POSITION
`
`——_.
`OMPARING WITH [3
`
`POS'T'ON
`
`10
`
`Webasto Roof Systems, Inc.
`Exhibit 1006
`
`
` ‘/>
`
`E
`ASCENDING
`
`I
`OPERATION
`|l
`I
`
`
`
`
`10
`
`Webasto Roof Systems, Inc.
`Exhibit 1006
`
`

`

`US. Patent
`
`Sep.26, 1989
`
`Sheet 10 0f 12
`
`4,870,333
`
`F/G.17(A)
`
`INITIAL
`OPERATION
`SOUEEZING THE OBSTACLE
`ELI
` _/
`(REVERSE TURN OPERATION)
`'
`
`ASCENDING
`
`
`OPERATION
`RANGE OF CLOSED POSITION
`
`
`
`
`MOTORSPEED
`
`
`ENTIRELY CLOSED
`FULL OPENED
`_._.
`,
`POSITION
`
`POSITION
`(2000)
`
`WINDOW
`POSITION
`
`(0
`
`I
`
`FIG/17(8)
`
`
`
`
`
` RANGE OF RATE_OFSPEEDCHANGE(Tp/TmI
`
`
`
`FULL OPENED
`POSITION
`(2000)
`
`-->
`WINDOW
`POSITION
`
`ENTIRELY CLOSED
`POSITION
`(0)
`
`11
`
`Webasto Roof Systems, Inc.
`Exhibit 1006
`
`
`11
`
`Webasto Roof Systems, Inc.
`Exhibit 1006
`
`

`

`US. Patent 1
`
`Sep. 26, 1989
`
`Sheet 11 of 12
`
`4,870,333
`
`FIG. 72
`
`
`
`START
`
`lSC)
`
`152
`
`1541
`
`No
`IS ASCENDING
`DEMAND
`GENERATED?
`
`YES
`
`SIGNAL
`Is ABNORMAL::S:’
`GENERATED?
`YES
`
`NO
`
`ISES
`
`
`[€32
`
`EXTINCTION OF
`ASCENDING
`OUTPUT SIGNAL
`
`
`
`1563
`IS
`
`
`DESCENDING
`DEMAND
`GENERATED
`
`
`
`
`GENERATION OF
`ASCENDING
`
`OUTPUT SIGNAL
`
`INTERRUPHON
`OK
`
`H56
`
`l8€5
`
`H38
`
`IE§3
`
`
`
`GENERATION OF
`DESCENDING
`OUTPUT SIGNAL
`
`EXTINCTION OF
`
`
`DESCENDING
`OUTPUT SIGNAL
`
`
`INTERRUPHON
`OK
`
`INTERRUPTION
`NG
`
`
`PULSE
`
`REQUENCY
`Sfu
`NO
`REOUENCY g fL
`
`
`
`
`IE3C)
`
`EXTINCTION OF
`ASCENDING
`OUTPUT SIGNAL
`
`EXTINCTION OF
`ASCENDING
`OUTPUT SIGNAL
`
`
`
`
`
`CANCELLING OF
`ASCENDING
`DEMAND
`
`GENERATION 0F
`ABNORMAL
`SIGNAL
`2
`
`
`
`COUNTER = 0
`
`
`
`—
`I74
`I
`ES
`
`
`
`[€322
`
`15%4
`
`No®YES
`
`
`
`
`
`CANCELLING OF
`ASCENDING
`DEMAND
`
`
`
`FREQUENCY g TL?
`
`
`
`YES
`I713
`
`1532
`
`EXTINCTION 0F
`DESCENDING
`
`
`
`OUTPUT SIGNAL
`
`'94
`
`
`
`CANCELLINGOF
`DESCENDING
`
`DEMAND
`
`196
`
`COUNTER
`= me
`
`EXTINCTION OF
`ABNORMAL
`SIGNAL
`
`H98
`
`12
`
`Webasto Roof Systems, Inc.
`Exhibit 1006
`
`
`12
`
`Webasto Roof Systems, Inc.
`Exhibit 1006
`
`

`

`US. Patent
`
`Sep.26, 1989
`
`Sheet 12 of 12
`
`4,870,333
`
`F/G.73
`
`INTERRUPTION
`
`
`
`FREQUENCY g fo ?
`
`202
`
`IS
`NO
`ASCENDING SIGNAL
`
`GENERATED ?
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`IS
`
`DESCENDING SIGNAL
`GENERAT~ED .7
`
`NO
`
`(COUNTER)
`
`(COUNTER)
`= (COUNTER) +1
`
` 206
`= (COUNTER) -1
`
`
`
`13
`
`Webasto Roof Systems, Inc.
`Exhibit 1006
`
`
`13
`
`Webasto Roof Systems, Inc.
`Exhibit 1006
`
`

`

`1
`
`4,870,333
`
`AUTOMATIC OPENING AND CLOSING DEVICE
`FOR A WINDOW
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`1. Field Of The Invention
`
`This invention relates to an automatic opening and
`closing device for a window, and in particular to motor
`driven automatic opening and closing device for a win-
`dow which is suitable for opening and closing a window
`and which is also called a power window in the case of
`use for an automobile.
`2.Description of the Prior Art
`Two types of opening and closing devices for a win-
`dow of an automobile are known. One of them is a type
`which is wound-up and wound-down by manual opera-
`tion, and another type is a power window herein the
`window is activated up and down automatically by a
`drive motor with a switching operation. Among them,
`the latter has been popularized recently, because it is
`possible that the window can be opened or closed only
`by a switching operation while driving the automobile.
`The automatic opening and closing device for the win-
`dow is, generally, a device wherein the window is
`moved to be opened or closed by activating the for-
`wardly and reversely rotatable motor with a manual
`operation switch. The window continues to ascend or
`descend while the manual operation switch is switched
`on.
`
`Meanwhile, in the case of smoking in a car compart-
`ment, air in the car compartment is tainted, so that the
`window is sometimes opened sufficiently to accelerate
`ventilation of air. In this case, it is necessary to operate
`an up-down-switch delicately. Therefore, if the driver
`performs such a switching operation while driving the
`car, the driving operation is disturbed, so that there is
`the possibility of causing an accident.
`To prevent the above mentioned problem accompa-
`nied by the operation for opening and closing the win-
`dow, for example, there is a device disclosed in Japa-
`nese Utility Model Publication No. (SO-169015. Consid-
`ering the fact that a smoker uses an ashtray during
`smoking, the device is designed such that drawing the
`ashtray from a retainer of a smoking fixture provided in
`the car compartment, the window begins to open in
`linkage with it, and stops automatically when the win-
`dow is opened a predetermined amount so desirable
`ventilation is obtained.
`However, in the device described in said Publication,
`the cost of the parts and assembling increases because it
`is necessary to additionally provide a switching means
`for the machinery for ascent and descent related to the
`smoking fixture in order to open and close the window.
`Furthermore, it is necessary to draw the ashtray for the
`ventilation even if tobacco is not smoked.
`On the other hand,
`in the automatic opening and
`closing device for the window, there is a problem that if
`an obstacle such as a hand or a head of an occupant is
`inserted between the window and a window frame in
`the ascending process of the window, the obstacle is
`caught between them. Therefore, various methods have
`been examined to resolve the problem.
`For example,
`Japanese Patent Publication No.
`60-185626 discloses a method wherein an abnormality
`such as squeezing of the obstacle is detected by means
`of detecting the bending of an optical fiber assembled
`into the window frame. Further, Japanese Patent Publi-
`cation No. 60-185625 discloses a method wherein a
`
`5
`
`10
`
`15
`
`20
`
`25
`
`30
`
`35
`
`40
`
`45
`
`50
`
`55
`
`60
`
`65
`
`2
`pattern of electric charging data of a motor for ascend-
`ing and descending the window under the normal state
`is memorized previously and an abnormality such as
`squeezing of the obstacle is detected by comparing said
`data as a reference pattern with data at actual operation.
`However, concerning the method described in said
`Patent Publication No. 60-185626 it is necessary to as-
`semble an expensive optical fiber into the window
`frame, working steps increase and a special detecting
`device must be provided In general, on the occasion of
`mounting a sensor for squeezing detection it is the pres-
`ent situation that a practical application is difficult for
`the problem in mounting due to limitations in manufac-
`turing of the door part including the window frame and
`the window and a substantial increase in cost following
`this and a problem in reliability.
`With respect to the method described in Patent Publi-
`cation No. 60-185625, although the influence of fluctua-
`tions of motor load including a slide resistance between
`the window and the wind frame mounted on the car can
`be solved, it is necessary to operate the manual memo-
`ry-switch for memorizing the reference data when the
`window is ascended or descended. Further, it is neces-
`sary to provide a limit switch for detecting whether the
`window gets to the full-opened position or full-closed
`position. Furthermore, there is no consideration con-
`cerning the fact that the reference data is the data under
`normal operation.
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`
`This invention is made in view of the above men-
`
`tioned problems of the prior art, its object is to provide
`an automatic opening and closing device for a window
`which is easy to operate, fast in its response, further-
`more unnecessary to provide a special switching device
`and a kind of sensor, possible to exhibit a desirable ven-
`tilative ability, and can prevent the accident of squeez-
`ing an obstacle.
`In order to accomplish said object, an automatic
`opening and closing device for a window according to
`one aspect of the invention is characterized in that it has
`a forwardly and reversely rotatable motor to open and
`close a window, a switching means to instruct said
`motor to rotate, a pulse-detecting means to detect a
`pulse generated along with a rotation of said motor, a
`counting means to count a pulse-number detected by
`said pulse-detecting means and to reset a count number
`into a predetermined count number according to a pre-
`scribed signal, a holding means to hold the rotation of
`said motor according to a signal
`issued from said
`switching means, and a holding-cancel signal generat-
`ing means to detect a count number counted by said
`counting means and to cancel a holding state of said
`holding means by generating a holding-cancel signal
`when the count number amounts to a predetermined
`reference value in an opening operation of the window.
`According to the automatic opening and closing de-
`vice for the window having a structure as described
`above, at the time when the window is descending and
`opening if the count number detected by the counting
`means reaches a predetermined reference value, a hold-
`ing state of the holding means which holds the rotating
`action of the motor is cancelled and the motor stops
`rotating whereby the descent of the window stops at the
`position settled previously and the window is opened as
`much as necessary to ventilate.
`
`14
`
`Webasto Roof Systems, Inc.
`Exhibit 1006
`
`
`14
`
`Webasto Roof Systems, Inc.
`Exhibit 1006
`
`

`

`4,870,333
`
`4
`
`3
`Namely, in the structure as described above, the win-
`dow descends and closes by operating the switching
`means and driving the motor, when said window
`reaches the fully closed state, the rotation of the motor
`is restricted, the pulse frequency of said pulse detecting
`means goes below the reference frequency and the
`count number of the counting means is reset to value
`predetermined such as initial value zero and the motor
`stops by discontinuing the switching operation.
`Next, as said switching means is operated to descend,
`a descending signal issues and the window descends by
`motor driving. At this time the rotation of the motor is
`held by said holding means even if a descending signal
`by a subsequent switching operation does not issue, and
`the window continues to descend.
`When the window descends a predetermined distance
`the count number of said counting means reaches to the
`value set previously, and said holding-cancel signal
`generating means detects it and issues a holding-cancel
`signal. The holding means cancels the rotation-holding
`state of the motor according to said signal, and the
`motor stops at the position where the window descends
`a prescribed distance.
`In accordance with such action, the opening distance
`of a window sufficient to accelerate ventilation is ob-
`
`tained by a simple operation of a switching means.
`An automatic opening and closing device for a win-
`dow according to another aspect of the invention com-
`prises a forwardly and reversely rotatable motor to
`open and close a window, a switching means to instruct
`said motor to rotate a pulse-detecting means to detect a
`pulse generated along with the rotation of said motor, a
`counting means to count a pulse-number detected by
`said pulse-detecting means, a window position-detect-
`ing means to detect whether or not said window is near
`to a closed position on the basis of the count number of
`said counting means, a speed operation means to calcu-
`late a rotational speed of said motor on the basis of the
`pulse detected by said pulse-detecting means a speed
`change operation means to calculate a rate of rotational
`speed change against the previously measured value of
`said motor on the basis of an output signal of said speed
`operation means, a window action-detecting means to
`detect whether said window is in a closing action a
`reversing instructive signal generating means to reverse
`said motor for opening said window if an output from
`said speed change operation means exceeds a predeter-
`mined first set point when said window action-detecting
`means detects said window to be the closing action and
`said window position—detecting means detects said win-
`dow to be not near to the closed position and a stop
`instructive signal-generating means to stop said motor if
`the output from said speed change operation means
`exceeds a predetermined second set point when said
`window action-detecting means detects said window to
`be in the closing action and said window position-
`detecting means detects said window to be near to the
`closed position.
`In the automatic opening and closing device for the
`window as described above when an obstacle is caught
`between a window frame and the window, damage or
`injury to a squeezed obstacle can be prevented without
`mounting of a special sensor, because the squeezing of
`the obstacle is detected before the stop of rotation of the
`motor and the window is made to descend by rotation
`of the motor in the reverse direction.
`
`5
`
`10
`
`15
`
`20
`
`25
`
`30
`
`35
`
`40
`
`4s
`
`50
`
`55
`
`65
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
`
`FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a first embodiment of the
`automatic opening and closing device for a window
`according to this invention;
`FIGS. 2(a), FIG. 2(b) and FIG. 2(c) are time charts
`showing action of the block diagram in FIG. 1. respec-
`tively;
`FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a second embodiment of
`the automatic opening and closing device for the win-
`dow according to this invention;
`FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the relationship of car
`speed and reference value;
`FIG. 5 is a flow chart illustrating action of a third
`embodiment of the automatic opening and closing de-
`vice for the window according to this invention;
`FIG. 6 is a flow chart of the method to obtain the
`window position and the motor speed in the third em-
`bodiment;
`FIG. 7; is a block diagram of the third embodiment;
`FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating the timer interruption
`signal and motor pulse signals given by a pulse generat-
`ing circuit;
`FIG. 9 is a diagram explaining an example of the data
`table of speed of motor used to calculate the rate of
`speed change of motor;
`FIG. 10(A) is a diagram showing the relationship of
`window position and rotational speed of motor;
`FIG. 10(B) is a diagram showing the relationship of
`window position and rate of speed change of motor;
`FIG. 11(A) is a diagram explaining the speed change
`of the case of squeezing an obstacle;
`FIG. 11(B) is a diagram explaining the rate of speed
`change of motor in the case of squeezing an obstacle;
`and
`
`FIG. 12 and FIG. 13 are flow charts illustrating ac-
`tion of the other automatic opening and closing device
`for the window.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE
`INVENTION
`
`Embodiment 1
`
`FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 are drawings to explain the first
`embodiment of this invention. In FIG. 1, an automatic
`opening and closing device for a window comprises
`mainly a forwardly and reversely rotatable motor 3
`which causes a window 2 of a door 1 to ascend and
`descend, to thereby open and close, a pulse-detecting
`circuit 4 as a pulse-detecting means for detecting a pulse
`generated along with rotation of the motor 3, a motor-
`driving circuit 5 for driving the motor 3, a switch 6 as a
`switching means which gives instructions for rotation
`of the motor 3 to said driving circuit 5, a counter 7 as a
`counting means which counts a pulse detected by said
`pulse detecting circuit 4, an initial value-setting circuit 8
`as a counting means similarly which resets said counter
`7 to an initial value, a holding circuit 9 as a holding
`means which holds the rotation of the motor 3, and a
`holding-cancel signal generating circuit as a holding-
`cancel signal-generating means.
`The motor 3 for ascending and descending said win-
`dow 2 can rotate in the forward and reverse direction,
`the rotational direction being decided on the basis of an
`ascending demand signal 6a and a descending demand
`signal 6 generated by the operation of switch 6. Driving
`circuit 5 rotates motor 3 in the ascending direction
`(closing direction) under the ascending demand signal
`
`15
`
`Webasto Roof Systems, Inc.
`Exhibit 1006
`
`
`15
`
`Webasto Roof Systems, Inc.
`Exhibit 1006
`
`

`

`5
`60 from the switch 6, and rotates motor 3 in the de-
`scending direction (opening direction) under the de-
`scending signal 13a from OR gate 13 which selects
`either descending demand signal 6b or holding signal 9a
`described later.
`The pulse-detecting circuit 4 connected with the
`driving circuit 5 amplifies a ripple of motor current
`generated along with the rotation of the motor 3, and
`outputs a pulse signal 4a into the counter 7 and the
`initial value-setting circuit 8.
`The counter 7 counts the pulse number of the pulse
`signal 4a from the pulseadetecting circuit 4, and com-
`poses the counting means together with the initial val-
`ue-setting circuit 8. The initial value-setting circuit 8 is
`composed of a rotation-detecting circuit 11 which issues
`a signal 11a when a frequency of the pulse signal 40
`input from the pulse-detecting circuit 4 decreases below
`a reference frequency determined previously and an
`AND gate 12 which outputs a reset signal 12a resetting
`the counter 7 into zero corresponding to the initial
`value by the signal 11a and ascending demand signal 6a
`from the switch 6 as an input.
`Further, the descending demand signal 6b of said
`switch 6 is input into the holding circuit 9, the holding
`circuit 9 outputs the holding signal 9a by the generating
`of said descending demand signal 6b as a trigger, the
`holding state is cancelled by a holding-cancel signal 10a
`input from a holding cancel signal generating circuit 10.
`Said holding-cancel signal generating circuit 10 has a
`function that a count number of the counter 7 is com-
`
`pared with the count number P (hereinafter, designated
`as a reference value) corresponding to an opening dis-
`tance l of the window 2, and said holding-cancel signal
`10a is outputted when the count number of the counter
`7 amounts to the value not less than said reference value
`7.
`
`Secondly, an action of the automatic opening and
`closing device for the window composed as described
`above is explained in reference to the time charts shown
`in FIGS. 2(a), (b) and (c).
`In FIG. 2(a), by operating the switch 6, the ascending
`demand signal 60 issues at the time to the driving circuit
`5 causes motor 3 to rotate in the ascending direction of
`the window 2. When the time t1 comes soon after, the
`window 2 reaches the window frame la of the door 1,
`and becomes entirely closed. Thereupon, the rotation of
`the motor 3 is restrained, and the frequency of pulse
`signal 4a detected by the pulse-detecting circuit 4 de-
`creases into the reference frequency F at the time t2.
`When the frequency of pulse signal 40 becomes not
`more than the reference frequency f,
`the rotation-
`detecting circuit 11 issues a signal 11a . At this time,
`because the ascending demand signal 6a is output from
`the switch 6, said signal 11a and the ascending demand
`signal 6a are output into the AND gate 12, the resetting
`signal 12a is output to the counter 7 from the AND gate
`12. The count number of the counter 7 is reset into zero.
`Thereafter, if the operation of the switch 6 ceases, the
`motor 3 stops.
`After the window 2 is entirely closed by the above
`action, if the descending demand signal 6b issues by
`operating the switch 6 at the time to as shown in FIG.
`2(b), the OR gate 13 issues the descending signal 13a,
`according to the input of the descending signal 13a the
`driving circuit 5 causes motor 3 to rotate in the descend-
`ing direction of the window 2. The holding circuit 9
`issues the holding signal 9a on the basis of the input of
`the descending demand signal 6b. Then, breaking the
`
`10
`
`15
`
`20
`
`25
`
`30
`
`35
`
`40
`
`45
`
`50
`
`55
`
`65
`
`4,870,333
`
`6
`operation of the switch 6 at the time t1, the descending
`demand signal 6b halts, but the output of the holding
`circuit 9, i.e., the holding signal 90 continues to issue, so
`that the OR gate 13 outputs the descending signal 130,
`the motor 3 still rotates in the descending direction of
`the window 2.
`On the other hand, the pulse-detecting circuit 4 issues
`the pulse signal 4a accompanied by rotation of the
`motor 3 the counter 7 is counted up by input of the pulse
`signal 4a. When the time t2 comes soon, the count num-
`ber of counter 7 amounts to said reference value P cor-
`responding to the opening distance of the window 2
`settled previously. Then the holding-cancel signal gen-
`erating circuit 10 issues the holding-cancel signal 10a ,
`its output is input into holding circuit 9. The holding
`circuit 9 is cancelled from the holding state and the
`holding signal 9a halts. The descending signal 13a from
`the OR gate 13 halts by extinction of the holding signal
`9a, so that the motor 3 stops.
`According to the above mentioned action the win-
`dow 2 descends down to the position where the dis-
`tance between window 2 and window frame 1a is 1, a
`predetermined distance from the entirely closed posi-
`tion, and stops automatically by one-touch—operation of
`the switch 6.
`Above described action concerns the case of opening
`the window 2 a predetermined distance by the one-
`touch-operation of the switch 6, on the occasion of
`ordinary and continuous operation of the switch 6 with-
`out interruption, it acts in accordance with the time
`chart as shown in FIG. 2(6).
`Namely, in FIG. 2(a) the descending demand signal
`6b issues by operating the switch 6 at the time to , the
`holding signal 9a and the descending signal 13a issue
`whereby the motor 3 rotates in the descending direction
`.of the window 2. Next, when the count number of
`counter 7 amounts to said reference value P at the time
`t1, the holding-cancel signal generating circuit 10 out-
`puts the holding cancel signal 10a. Although the hold-
`ing signal 9a halts by this output the OR gate 13 contin-
`ues to issue the descending signal 130 and the motor 3
`still rotates in the descending direction of the window 2
`because the output of the descending demand signal 6b
`does not halt by switching on the switch 6. If the de-
`scending signal 6b is extinguished by turning off the
`switch 6 at the time t2, the descending signal 13a of OR
`gate 13 also fades out, so that the motor 3 stops. There-
`fore, the action of the motor 3 stops corresponding to
`the operation of the switch 6 after the time t1.
`As described above, in the said first embodiment, the
`window 2 can be opened a predetermined distance from
`the closed state by a one-touch-operation of the switch
`6 in the descending direction. Furthermore, in this em-
`bodiment it is not necessary to provide a switching
`means linked with the ashtray as in the prior art. The
`switch 6 makes the window 2 ascend and descend, so
`that the above mentioned action can be realized by the
`arrangement of an electric circuit so that the cost can be
`reduced.
`
`Embodiment 2
`
`In the above-described first embodiment, the opening
`distance 1 of window 2 is constant corresponding to the
`reference value P settled previously, however in many
`cases the car speed is not constant, and the common
`speed range varies according to respective roads such as
`a city street, a country road or an expressway. There-
`fore, the opening distance of the window corresponding
`
`16
`
`Webasto Roof Systems, Inc.
`Exhibit 1006
`
`
`16
`
`Webasto Roof Systems, Inc.
`Exhibit 1006
`
`

`

`4,870,333
`
`7
`to the car speed is sometimes required. Namely, it is
`necessary to open widely when running at a low speed,
`but
`it
`is possible to ventilate sufficiently through a
`smaller window opening at a high speed. From this
`viewpoint, it is found that it is very convenient to enable
`the opening distance of the window to be set corre-
`sponding to a running speed of the car.
`The second embodiment shown in FIG. 3 is made in
`view of the above mentioned point. A reference value-
`setting circuit 14 which sets the reference value P for
`the count number of the counter 7 corresponding to the
`car speed is attached to the holding-cancel signal gener-
`ating circuit 10 in the first embodiment, the holding-
`cancel signal generating means is composed of the hold-
`ing-cancel signal generating circuit 10 and the reference
`value-setting circuit 14. Said reference value-setting
`circuit 14 determines the reference value P correspond-
`ing to the car speed by a car speed sensor 15 as shown
`in FIG. 3, and outputs the reference value P into the
`holding cancel signal-generating circuit 10. Therefore,
`the holding cancel signal generating circuit 10 com-
`pares the count number output from the counter 7 with
`said reference value P.
`
`Said reference value P is fixed into value Poin a range
`from car speed 0 to a certain speed V0, and the value P
`decreases inversely in the car speed range more than the
`threshold value V as seen from FIG. 4. The reference
`value P is correlated with the opening of the window 2,
`i.e., the opening distance 1 from the window frame 1a to
`the top of the window 2 as aforementioned, so that said
`opening distance 1 decreases according to the lowering
`of the reference value P, so that the opening distance
`sufficient to ventilate can be obtained only by a one-
`touch-operation of the switch 6. The other parts and
`actions which have not been explained are the same as
`that described for the first embodiment so that the ex-
`planation concerning this embodiment is limited ac-
`cordingly.
`As described above in the second embodiment, the
`cost is reduced and the desirable ventilation corre-
`sponding to the car speed can be performed in addition
`to the effects of the first embodiment because it is not
`necessary to provide a position detecting means such as
`a limit switch or the like which detects the opening
`distance 1 of the window 2.
`
`Embodiment 3
`
`FIGS. 5 to 11 show the third embodiment of this
`invention.
`
`FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing the third embodi-
`ment of the automatic opening and closing device for
`the window according to the invention.
`In FIG. 7, a motor 20 is a rotatable motor in the
`forward and reverse direction which is provided on a
`respective door 22 of the automobile. The motor 20
`causes the window 26 fitted in a window frame 24 to
`ascend and descend, i.e, to open and close. The motor
`20 is connected with a power source B through a mo-
`tor-driving circuit 28.
`The motor-driving circuit 28 is connected with a
`pulse-detecting circuit 30 which detects a pulse gener-
`ated along with rotation of the motor 20 as a pulse-
`detecting means and a central processing unit (CPU) 34
`of a controller 32. The controller 32 is connected with
`the power source B through a constant-voltage circuit
`(not shown) and provided inside with counter 36 as a
`counting means connected with the CPU 34. The CPU
`34 receives an ascending demand signal 40a or a de-
`
`8
`scending demand signal 40b for the window 26 from an
`operation switch panel 38 which the occupant operates
`and instructs the rotational action of the motor 20 as a
`switching means, and outputs an ascending signal 42a or
`a descending signal 42b into the motor-driving circuit
`28. The driving circuit 28 issues forward driving signal
`making the window 26 ascend or a reverse driving
`signal making the window 2 descend to the motor 20
`according to the output signal of the CPU 34.
`The pulse-detecting circuit 30 detects a pulse signal
`described later and output into the CPU 34 and a
`counter 36. The CPU 34 detects a position of the win-
`dow 26 in accordance with the pulse number counted
`by the counter 36. Namely, the CP 34 has a map 46 able
`to compare and contrast the position of window 26 with
`the pulse number, and detect that the window 26 is
`entirely closed when the pulse number is 0 and the
`window 26 is fully opened when the pulse number is
`2000 (Pmax),
`for example. Further, an obstacle 48
`shown in FIG. 5 is caught between the window frame
`24 and the window 26.
`
`A function of the third embodiment composed as
`described above is as follows.
`
`Pushing an UP-botton on the operation switch panel
`38 when an occupant intends to raise the window 26,
`causes the ascending demand signal 40a to be input into
`the CPU 34 from the operation switch panel 38. The
`CPU 34 outputs the ascending signal 42a into the driv—
`ing circuit 28 according to input of the ascending de-
`mand signal 400, the driving circuit 28 joins the motor
`20 with the power source B by outputting the normal
`turn driving signal and drives it to raise the window 26.
`By the rotation of the motor 20, a ripple current
`corresponding to the rotational frequency is generated
`in the motor current. A pulsating wave-form of the
`ripple current is transmitted to the pulse-detecting cir-
`cu