United States Patent [19]
`Kinzl et al.
`
`[11] Patent Number:
`[45] Date of Patent:
`
`4,468,596
`Aug. 28, 1984
`
`[75]
`
`[54] METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR THE
`ELECIRONIC OPERATION AND
`MONITORING OF THE OPENING CYCLE
`OR CLOSING CYCLE OF ELECI'RICALLY
`OPERABLE UNITS
`Inventors: Marwin Kinzl, Kierspe; Eduard
`Bergmann, Luedenscheid, both of
`Fed. Rep. of Germany
`[73] Assignee: Leopold Kostal GmbH & Co. KG,
`Luedenscheid, Fed. Rep. of
`Germany
`[21] Appl. No.: 301,026
`[22] Filed:
`Sep. 10, 1981
`[30]
`Foreign Application Priority Data
`Sep. 11, 1980 [DE] Fed. Rep. of Germany ....... 3034118
`[51]
`Int. Cl.J ............................................... H02P 7/20
`[52] U.S. CI. .................................... 318/287; 318/286;
`318/468
`[58] Field of Search ................................ 318/264-266,
`318/282-283, 285-286, 135, 739, 291, 293, 445,
`449,450,452,459,466,468,470,484
`References Cited
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`4,234,833 11/1980 Barrett ................................ 318/282
`4,328,540 5/1982 Matsuoka eta!. .................. 318/469
`4,338,553 7/1982 Scott, Jr .............................. 318/466
`
`[56]
`
`Primary Examiner-Joseph V. Truhe
`Assistant Examiner-A. Evans
`Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Robert E. Knechtel
`ABSTRACI
`[57]
`A method and apparatus for operating and monitoring
`the opening and closing cycle of electrically operated
`units such as electric windows and electric slide roofs
`which both eliminates the danger of body parts getting
`caught in the window and permits a complete opening
`and closing of the window automatically. In accor(cid:173)
`dance with the invention, the speed of the drive motor
`is measured, directly or indirectly, and the first obtained
`measured value is compared with all following mea(cid:173)
`sured values. More particularly, this first measured
`value is used to detect momentary electrical and me(cid:173)
`chanical factors which change over the entire time of
`operation of the window, such as self-heating of the
`drive motor, the voltage charge of the battery, and the
`state and condition of the window. The processing or
`comparing of the measured values is carried out by a
`microcomputer. The actual measuring ofthe speed is by
`means of a sensor. The changes furnished by those sen(cid:173)
`sors are utilized to determine the position of the win(cid:173)
`dow. This recognition of the position makes it possible
`in case of danger, to safely turn off the drive motor and
`possibly to open the window again. Further still, in a
`normal case, the window may be closed completely.
`
`4 Claims, 2 Drawing Figures
`
`_;r------
`
`TASTE KEY
`WINDOW OPEN
`
`OPERATING
`ELEMENTS
`
`_:r--.:...._
`TASTE KEY
`WINDOW CLOSED
`
`MICROCOMPUTER
`
`30
`
`18
`
`12
`
`16
`
`22
`
`1
`
`Webasto Roof Systems, Inc.
`Exhibit 1007
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Aug. 28, 1984
`
`4,468,596
`
`FIG. I
`
`16'-+----
`
`~
`
`OPERATING
`ELEMENTS
`
`_J-----
`
`18
`
`TASTE KEY
`WINDOW OPEN
`
`TASTE KEY
`WINDOW CLOSED .
`
`VOLTAGE
`STABALIZATION 111----------------11--+-----------.
`30
`NETWORK
`
`CLOCK
`
`MICROCOMPUTER
`
`20
`
`30
`
`RELAY OP.
`
`22
`
`RELAY Cl.
`
`FIG.2
`
`ZONE 3
`_L_
`T -r;::;;:::z=o~::::::E
`
`-~------
`
`ZONE!
`
`24
`
`26
`
`SENSOR
`
`)
`
`/
`
`/
`
`/
`
`/
`
`/
`
`/
`
`/
`
`/
`
`/
`
`/
`
`/
`
`/
`
`12
`
`' ' ' " ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' I
`
`I
`I
`
`10~·-.: /,.)
`
`/
`
`.---
`
`•,
`
`2
`
`Webasto Roof Systems, Inc.
`Exhibit 1007
`
`

`

`1
`
`4,468,596
`
`2
`In accordance with the present invention, the speed
`of the drive motor is measured, directly or indirectly,
`and the first obtained measured value is compared with
`all following measured values. More particularly, this
`5 first measured value is used to detect momentary elec(cid:173)
`trical and mechanical factors which change over the
`entire time of operation of the window, such as self(cid:173)
`heating of the drive motor, the voltage charge of the
`battery, and the state and condition of the window. The
`processing or comparing of the measured values is car(cid:173)
`ried out by a microcomputer. The actual measuring of
`the speed can be by means of a sensor, such as, for
`example, an aperture disc and a light barrier, a Hall I. C.
`or similar sensor, which is placed in the drive motor or
`attached on the drive motor. The sensor can also be
`located in or on the mechanical raising system of the
`drive motor. Furthermore, the measuring of the speed
`can be carried out by putting a screen into the window
`pane in connection with optical-electronic sensors. The
`number of changes per unit of time, which are furnished
`by these sensors, are a measurement for the speed of the
`drive motor. These changes are continuously read into
`and processed by the microcomputer.
`Also, with the system of the invention, the changes
`furnished by those sensors are utilized to determine the
`position of the window. This recognition of the position
`makes it possible in case of danger, to safely turn off the
`drive motor and possible to open the window again.
`Further still, in a normal case, the window may be
`closed completely.
`
`METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR THE
`ELECfRONIC OPERATION AND MONITORING
`OF THE OPENING CYCLE OR CLOSING CYCLE
`OF ELECfRICALLY OPERABLE UNITS
`
`25
`
`This invention relates to a method and apparatus for
`the electronic operation and monitoring of the opening
`cycle or closing cycle of electrically operable units,
`such as, for example, electric windows and electric slide 10
`roofs of automotive vehicles, where the electric drive
`motor is connected to the vehicle's battery and is actu(cid:173)
`ated by way of electric switches.
`With present day electric windows, the danger exists
`that passengers in the automotive vehicle, particularly 15
`children, could be injured by the closing window. In
`most cases, the drive motor is turned off only by releas(cid:173)
`ing the push button which is operated to energize it or
`by a bi-metallic switch in the drive motor opening as a
`result of an overload. In such cases, the drive motor is 20
`turned off, but the position of the window pane remains
`unchanged, hence the danger of injury is considerably
`increased, particularly if the neck, head or fingers are
`caught.
`Another disadvantage of the present-day electric
`windows is that the push-button switch must be oper(cid:173)
`ated during the entire cycle of motion in order to close
`or open the window completely. With such an arrange(cid:173)
`ment the drive motor is operated directly by way of the 30
`push-button switches. Thus, the push-button switches
`must switch the entire power.
`Prior attempts have been made to improve these
`present-day electric systems. For example, in one case,
`the increase in the current drawn by the drive motor 35
`was measured. The current rise, which occurred when
`an object was caught in the window, was used to serve
`as a turn-off criteria, hence, greater safety was supposed
`to be achieved. However, the problem exists in measur(cid:173)
`ing the current because of the many variable factors that 40
`influence the current drawn by the drive motor. For
`example, the supply voltage (supply voltage range) may
`fluctuate, or the current rise may change as a result of
`the self-heating of the motor. Further still, the load on
`the drive motor may change as a result of the curvature 45
`of the window and hence the current drawn by the
`drive motor may likewise change. Also, since the posi(cid:173)
`tion of the window is unknown, it cannot be distin(cid:173)
`guished by the current rise, whether endangered parts
`of the body are being caught in the window or whether so
`the window is closed. Accordingly, when the current
`drawn by the drive motor is measured, only two possi(cid:173)
`bilities exist. The drive motor can be turned off in a safe
`fashion, thus providing protection against parts of the
`body betting caught in the window. However, in such a ss
`case, the window cannot be completely closed. Alterna(cid:173)
`tively, the drive motor can be turned off in an unsafe
`fashion, thus reducing the protection provided against
`parts of the body getting caught in the window. How(cid:173)
`ever, in this latter case, complete closing of the window 60
`is possible.
`Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention
`to provide a method and apparatus for operating and
`monitoring the opening and closing cycle of electrically
`operated units such as electric windows and electric 65
`slide roofs which both eliminates the danger of body
`parts getting caught in the window and permits a com(cid:173)
`plete opening and closing of the window automatically.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`For a fuller understanding of the nature and objects
`of the invention, reference should be had to the follow(cid:173)
`ing detailed description taken in connection with the
`accompanying drawing, in which:
`FIG. 1 is a block diagram schematic of the system of
`the invention; and
`FIG. 2 is a view generally illustrating the three zones
`established for the operation of the system, during the
`opening and closing cycle of the window.
`
`DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENT
`Referring now to the drawing, particularly FIG. 1,
`there is generally illustrated a window 10 which is
`opened and closed by means of an electric drive motor
`12. Normally, the operation of the drive motor 12 in
`opening or closing the window 10 is by means of a
`window open switch 16 and a window close swit9h 18
`which, in turn, control relays 20 and 22, respectively.
`These relays 20 and 22 switch the power supply to the
`drive motor 12 to open and close the window, respec(cid:173)
`tively. In accordance with the present invention, a mi(cid:173)
`crocomputer 24 and at least one sensor 26 are provided
`for monitoring the opening and closing cycle of, in this
`case, the electric window 10, in the manner more fully
`described below. An electronic clock 28 provides tim(cid:173)
`ing pulses to the microcomputer 24 for controlling its
`operation, and a voltage stabilization network 30 like(cid:173)
`wise is provided.
`When the vehicle's battery is connected, the mi(cid:173)
`crocomputer 24 designates the position of the window
`pane 10 at that time as the state "window closed" and
`sets its position counter to the value "0". If the window
`pane is moved now, by operating one of the switches 16
`and 18, the sensor 26 detects this movement, and signals
`corresponding to changes from 0 to 1, or vice versa, are
`coupled from the sensor 26 to the microcomputer 24
`
`3
`
`Webasto Roof Systems, Inc.
`Exhibit 1007
`
`

`

`20
`
`3
`which adds or subtracts the signals, depending upon the
`direction of rotation, from the count in its position
`counter. When the window is being opened, the
`changes are added. When the window is being closed,
`the changes are subtracted.
`Starting from the position "window opened", the
`window pane passes through 3 zones (zone 1, 2 and 3)
`during the closing operation. The zones 1 and 3 are
`zones in which the drive motor 12 is turned off only
`after it has been in a blocked position for a short time. A 10
`blocked position is detected by a blocking counter of
`the microcomputer 24 whose time is variable. If
`changes are no longer coupled from the sensor 26 to the
`blocking counter, for example, when the window is
`completely opened or completely closed, the blocking 15
`counter functions to turn off the drive motor 12 so that
`it is not overloaded. Accordingly, the bi-metallic switch
`normally provided in the drive motor can be eliminated.
`The clock frequency of the microcomputer 24 is time
`determining for all counters and measurings.
`Zone 2 is a safety zone in which starting from the
`designated first measured value, there is determined by
`continuous tests, whether a limit value has been ex(cid:173)
`ceeded. If the limit value is exceeded, the drive motor is
`stopped and subsequently put in operation in the oppo- 25
`site direction so that the window opens. The extent to
`which the window is opened is variable. This first(cid:173)
`measured value includes all electrical and mechanical
`factors of the window which change during the entire
`time of operation and, if the window is closed at the 30
`time the vehicle's battery is connected, the system oper(cid:173)
`ates with complete safety immediately. If the window is
`not closed at the time the vehicle's battery is connected,
`during the following first closing cycle, only condi(cid:173)
`tional safety exists, i.e., the window will not open in 35
`case of danger. However, after a certain value has been
`exc.eeded, the drive motor is turned off immediately.
`More particularly, during this first closing cycle, the
`microcomputer 24 waits a so-called reaction time and
`measures then the time between two changes, e.g., the 40
`time between two changes between 0 to 1 or from 1 to
`0. A maximum permissible value is then established
`from the measured time between two changes and taken
`as the initial value for the tests which then follow. If this
`first or established measured value is reached during 45
`one of these tests, the drive motor is turned off. With
`this type of operation, the amount of the first or estab(cid:173)
`lished measured value, is sufficient to close the window
`completely· before the drive motor 12 is turned off.
`If the window 10 is already closed and the "window 50
`closed" key 18 is operated, the drive motor 12-because
`of the fact that the window is blocked-is turned off by .
`the blocking counter after an established time of ap(cid:173)
`proximately 500 milliseconds, but the time is variable. If
`the "window closed" key 18 is again operated and the 55
`drive motor 12 is again turned off by the blocking
`counter, the position timer of the microcomputer 24
`regenerates and assumes a value of 0. Accordingly, if
`the window is closed, and the "window closed" key 18
`is operated, the drive motor is turned off and each time 60
`the position counter assumes the value of 0.
`If starting from the position "window closed", the
`window is opened, the incoming changes of the sensor
`are added in the position counter of the microcomputer
`24.
`The switches 16 and 18 are operable to open and
`close the window 10, under the control of the mi(cid:173)
`crocomputer 24, as follows:
`
`65
`
`4,468,596
`
`5
`
`4
`(a) Momentary operation of either switch 16, 18
`(t~O.Ss):
`The window 10 will open or close completely, with
`the final turn-off of the drive motor 12 being by
`way of the blocking counter of the microcomputer
`24.
`(b) Long operation of either switch 16, 18 (t?;O.Ss):
`The window 10 is moved as long as the switch is
`operated.
`(c) When the same switch 16, 18 is operated for a
`second time, whether long or short:
`The movment of the window 10 is stopped.
`(d) When a switch 16, 18 is operated and the opposite
`switch then operated:
`The second operated switch overrides the operation
`of the first switch.
`Starting from the position "window closed", if the
`window 10 is opened, the changes detected by the sen(cid:173)
`sor 26 are added in the position counter of the mi(cid:173)
`crocomputer 24. If the window 10 is being closed, the
`changes detected by the sensor 26 are subtracted in the
`position counter. Also, the microcomputer 26 deter(cid:173)
`mines from the position counter where the window 10
`is, i.e., which zone the window is in. If the window is in
`zone 1, the time between two changes is measured when
`the window enters zone 2 and is stored. This time be(cid:173)
`tween these two changes constitutes the first measured
`value, and establishes a limit value with which each
`subsequent change is compared. If this limit value is
`exceeded while the window 10 is in zone 2, it leads to an
`emergency opening. However, if the window is in zone
`1 and is blocked, the drive motor 12 is stopped after the
`time out of the blocking counter of the microcomputer
`24.
`If the window 10 is in zone 2 at the start, the first
`measured value is taken after waiting a so-called play(cid:173)
`balance, i.e., the balancing of the play in the mechanical
`raising system. This first measured value again estab(cid:173)
`lishes a limit value against which subsequent changes
`are compared and, if it is exceeded, an emergency open(cid:173)
`ing occurs. By dividing the window in these 3 zones and
`measuring the speed of the motor, it is possible both to
`protect parts of the body from injury and yet to com(cid:173)
`pletely close the window. With the provision of the
`emergency opening, injuries resulting from parts of the
`body, such as, fingers, arms or head, are avoided.
`It is also advantageous to have the cycle independent
`of the on-board voltage so that no error pulse for the
`cycle or sensor is produced in case of a sudden voltage
`drop in the on-board network during the operation of
`the window raiser. Accordingly, the voltage stabiliza(cid:173)
`tion circuit 30 is provided.
`From the above description, it can be seen that an
`improved method and apparatus for the electronic oper(cid:173)
`ation and monitoring of the opening and closing cycle
`of electrical operable units, such as, electric windows
`and electric slide roofs of automotive vehicles is pro(cid:173)
`vided. Some of the essential characteristics of the inven(cid:173)
`tion are summarized as follows:
`(1) Digital detecting of the motor speed by way of
`apertured disk and light barrier, Hall IC and similar
`sensors in connection with a microcomputer.
`(2) Placing of these sensors:
`(a) in or on the window raiser motor,
`(b) in or on the mechanical raising system,
`(c) apertured disk-type screen in the window pane in
`connection with a light barrier or a similar sensor.
`
`4
`
`Webasto Roof Systems, Inc.
`Exhibit 1007
`
`

`

`20
`
`5
`(3) Position recognition which is carried out by the
`sensor by means of the number of changes.
`(4) Division of the window into zones so as to pro(cid:173)
`vide a safety zone, which makes possible an emergency
`opening, and a zone which makes possible the safe clos- 5
`ing of the window.
`(5) In the safety zone, emergency opening in case of
`danger-with the manner of opening being variable.
`(6) So-called play balance (balancing of the play in
`the mechanical raising system). Play balancing can be 10
`variable.
`(7) Blocking time which starts when changes are no
`longer received from the sensor and the motor is then
`turned off automatically.
`(8) Possibly 2 light barriers which make possible the 15
`clear recognition of the direction of rotation and
`thereby a clear allocation of the changes.
`(9) If a measured value pick-up does not take place,
`the emergency opening is brought about by the addi-
`tional counter in case of danger.
`(10) After the start of the window raiser motor, the
`first measured value is picked up. Therefrom a limit
`value which, if it is exceeded during one of the continu(cid:173)
`ous checks, can lead to emergency opening.
`(11) If, after the supply voltage has been put on, one 25
`of the windows is not closed completely, only condi(cid:173)
`tional safety exists for the remaining closing path. Con(cid:173)
`ditional safety means only that no emergency opening
`takes place. Nevertheless, the drive motor is turned off.
`(12) After each blocking run in the direction of rota- 30
`tion "closed", the position counter is set back.
`It will thus be seen that the objects set forth above,
`among those made apparent from the preceding de(cid:173)
`scription, are efficiently attained and certain changes
`may be made in carrying out the above method and in 35
`the construction set forth. Accordingly, it is intended
`that all matter contained in the above description or
`shown in the accompanying drawings shall be inter(cid:173)
`preted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.
`Now that the invention has been described, what is 40
`claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters
`Patent is:
`1. A method for electronically operating and moni(cid:173)
`toring the opening and closing cycle of electrically
`operable units, such as, for example, electric windows 45
`and electric siding roofs of automotive vehicles includ(cid:173)
`ing electric motor means for opening and closing the
`electrically operable units and computer means for con(cid:173)
`trolling the operation of the electric motor means com-
`prising the steps of:
`(a) coupling to the computer means signals represent(cid:173)
`ing the position of the unit at fixed positions during
`the opening cycle of the unit;
`(b) coupling to the computer means signals represent(cid:173)
`ing the position of the unit at fixed positions during 55
`the closing cycle of the unit and subtracting those
`signals from the signals representing the position of
`the unit during the opening cycle, the difference in
`said signals indicating whether the unit is in a first,
`a second or a third zone, said first zone being in a 60
`
`6
`range extending from open to approximately half
`open, said second zone being in a range extending
`from approximately half open to almost fully
`closed and said third zone being in a range extend(cid:173)
`ing from almost fully closed to fully closed, said
`second zone providing a safety zone,
`(c) determining the time interval between any two
`consecutive signals coupled
`to the computer
`means, and
`(d) turning off the electric motor means if the time
`interval between any two consecutive signals ex(cid:173)
`ceeds a pre-established standard value and the unit
`is in the first or third zones.
`2. The method of claim 1 furthur comprising the step
`of;
`(e) reversing the direction of travel of the unit if the
`time interval between any two consecutive signals
`during the closing cycle exceeds a pre-established
`standard value and the unit is in the second zone.
`3. Apparatus for operating and monitoring the open(cid:173)
`ing and closing cycles of electrically operable units,
`such as, for example, electric windows and sliding roofs
`of automative vehicles comprising, in combination:
`(a) electric motor means for opening and closing said
`electrically operable units;
`(b) switch means for activating said electric motor
`means to open and close said electrically operable
`units;
`(c) computer means coupled with said electric motor
`means and said switch means;
`(d) sensor means for detecting and coupling to said
`computer means signals representing the position
`of said electrically operable units at fixed positions
`during the opening and closing cycles thereof;
`(e) said computer means being operable to substract
`the number of signals coupled to it during the clos(cid:173)
`ing cycle from the number of signals coupled to it
`during the opening cycle, the difference in the
`number of signals indicating whether said electri(cid:173)
`cally operable unit is in a first, a second or a third
`zone, said first zone being in a range extending
`from open to approximately half open, said second
`zone being in a range extending from approxi(cid:173)
`mately half open to almost fully closed and said
`third zone being in a range extending from almost
`fully closed to fully closed, said second zone pro(cid:173)
`viding a safety zone, and further being operable to
`determine the time interval between any two con(cid:173)
`secutive signals coupled to it and to turn off said
`electric motor means if the time interval between
`any two consecutive signals exceeds a pre-estab(cid:173)
`lished standard value and said electrically operable
`unit is in the first or third zone.
`4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein said computer
`means further is operable to reverse the direction of
`travel of said electrically operable units when the time
`interval between any two consecutive signals during the
`closing cycle exceeds a preestablished standard value
`and the unit is in the second zone.
`* * * * *
`
`4,468,596
`
`50
`
`65
`
`5
`
`Webasto Roof Systems, Inc.
`Exhibit 1007
`
`