United States Patent [19]
`W asheleski et al.
`
`11111111111111111 IIIII 11111111111111111111 IIIII IIIII 11111111111111111111111
`US005334876A
`[11] Patent Number:
`[45] Date of Patent:
`
`5,334,876
`Aug.2, 1994
`
`[75]
`
`[54] POWER WINDOW OR PANEL
`CONTROLLER
`Inventors: John Washeleski, Reed City; Mark
`R. Wheeler, Cadillac; Mario Boisvert,
`Reed City, all of Mich.
`[73] Assignee: Nartron Corporation, Reed City,
`Mich.
`[21] Appl. No.: 872,190
`[22] Filed:
`Apr. 22, 1992
`[51]
`Int. CIY ........................ GOSD 3/20; H02H 7/085
`[52] U.S. CI •................................... 307/10.1; 318/469;
`49/26
`[58] Field of Search ................................ 318/280-286,
`318/456, 458, 453; 49/26, 138; 307/9.1, 10.1;
`296/216, 223
`
`[56]
`
`References Cited
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`4,686,598 8/1987 Herr .................................... 318/286
`4,823,059 4/1989 Compeau et al .................... 318/454
`
`4,980,618 12/1990 Milnes et al ........................ 318/286
`5,204,592 4/1993 Huger .................................. 318/286
`
`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
`NHTSA Notice, Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Stan(cid:173)
`dards, Federal Register, Apr. 16, 1991.
`Primary Examiner-A. D. Pellinen
`Assistant Examiner-Peter Ganjoo
`Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Watts, Hoffmann, Fisher &
`Heinke
`[57]
`ABSTRACT
`A controller for energizing a power window or panel
`such as a power sunroof. The disclosed controller
`senses both hard and soft obstructions and deactivates a
`motor that moves the sunroof when an obstruction is
`detected. The controller also senses obstructions during
`start-up of the motor and regulates the speed of the
`window or panel by pulse width modulating motor
`energization signals.
`
`12 Claims, 5 Drawing Sheets
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`Webasto Roof Systems, Inc.
`Exhibit 1013
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`Webasto Roof Systems, Inc.
`Exhibit 1013
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`Webasto Roof Systems, Inc.
`Exhibit 1013
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`Webasto Roof Systems, Inc.
`Exhibit 1013
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Aug.2, 1994
`
`Sheet 4 of 5
`
`5,334,876
`
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`Webasto Roof Systems, Inc.
`Exhibit 1013
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Aug. 2, 1994
`
`Sheet 5 of 5
`
`5,334,876
`
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`Webasto Roof Systems, Inc.
`Exhibit 1013
`
`

`

`1
`
`5,334,876
`
`POWER WINDOW OR PANEL CONTROLLER
`
`FIELD OF THE INVENTION
`The present invention concerns a control system for
`use in activating a motor driven window or panel. One
`example of such a window or panel is a motor vehicle
`sunroof.
`
`2
`subsequent to the calibration sequence, the control cir(cid:173)
`cuit compares sensed motor current with motor cur(cid:173)
`rents sensed during the calibration sequence. If too
`large a deviation in motor current is sensed, the control
`5 circuit stops the motor.
`The control circuit updates the profile of current vs.
`position as the window or panel is opened and closed.
`This updating assures that as the window or panel drive
`10 mechanism changes with use, the control circuit main(cid:173)
`tains an up-to-date profile for detecting obstructions.
`These and other features of the invention are de(cid:173)
`scribed below in the best mode for practicing the inven(cid:173)
`tion, which is described in conjunction with the accom(cid:173)
`panying drawings.
`
`BACKGROUND ART
`National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
`Standard 118 contains regulations to assure safe opera(cid:173)
`tion of power operated windows. Standard 118 has been
`amended to apply to power operated roof panels. It
`establishes requirements for power window control 15
`systems located on the vehicle exterior and for remote
`control devices. The purpose of the standard is to mini(cid:173)
`mize the risk of personal injury that could result if a
`limb is caught between a closing power operated win(cid:173)
`dow and the window frame. The changes to Standard 20
`118 become effective Sep. 1, 1992. Amended Standard
`118 states that the maximum force allowable during an
`auto closure is to be less than 22 pounds onto a solid
`cylinder having a diameter of between 4 and 200 milli-
`meters.
`Certain problems have been identified with operation
`of existing power window controls. One problem is an
`undesirable shutdown of the power window control. It
`is also desirable to detect a soft obstruction in the win(cid:173)
`dow travel path as well as a hard obstruction. The gas- 30
`ket area of the window which avoids water seepage into
`the vehicle can present a problem to the design of a
`power window control, since the window or panel
`encounters different resistance to movement in the gas(cid:173)
`ket region. An additional problem is detection of an 35
`obstruction when the motor is first activated.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTIONS OF THE DRAWINGS
`FIGS. 1A and 1B are schematics of a power window
`or panel control circuit constructed in accordance with
`the present invention;
`FIG. 1C is an enlarged schematic depiction of a por(cid:173)
`tion of the FIG. 1B schematic;
`FIG. 2 is a schematic of a position sensor circuit that
`utilizes a Hall Effect device to sense when a sunroof
`panel is in a park position;
`FIG. 3 is a power supply for providing regulated
`power to the FIGS. 1A and 1B circuit;
`FIG. 4 is an interface for coupling inputs to a micro(cid:173)
`processor depicted in FIG. 1B; and
`FIG. 5 is a schematic showing pulses produced by a
`motor shaft encoder that monitors position, speed, and
`direction of travel of said window or panel.
`
`25
`
`45
`
`DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION
`The present invention provides method and appara(cid:173)
`tus for controlling operation of motor vehicle power 40
`window systems as well as power roof panels. The
`control system of the invention includes a sensor, which
`provides absolute position, speed and direction of
`movement, and a control circuit for controllably acti-
`vating a motor to move a window or panel.
`In accordance with one embodiment of the invention,
`the control circuit activates the motor to move a win(cid:173)
`dow or panel along a travel path and deactivates the
`motor if an obstacle is encountered by the window or
`panel. Striking an obstruction causes the motor current 50
`to rise since the energy supplied by the battery is no
`longer dissipated in rotating the motor shaft. A motor
`sense circuit coupled to the control circuit senses the
`motor current as the motor moves the window or panel
`along its travel path.
`In accordance with one aspect of the invention, the
`control circuit monitors motor current from the motor
`sense circuit and times a start-up interval each time the
`motor is energized. The control circuit compares sensed
`motor current after the start-up interval with a prede- 60
`termined motor current and stops the motor if the
`sensed motor current exceeds the predetermined motor
`current. This will detect an attempt to start movement
`with an obstruction next to the window or panel.
`In accordance with an additional aspect of the inven- 65
`tion, the control circuit monitors and saves an indica(cid:173)
`tion of motor current vs. position during a calibration
`sequence. As the motor moves the window or panel
`
`BEST MODE FOR PRACTICING THE
`INVENTION
`Turning now to the drawings, FIGS. 1A and 1B
`depict a circuit 10 for activating a d.c. motor 12 having
`an output shaft coupled to a transmission that moves a
`window or panel in a motor vehicle. A pulse width
`modulation activation of the motor windings controls
`the speed of motor output shaft rotation as the motor
`opens or closes the window or panel. When used to
`operate a power sunroof the control circuit 10 can open
`the sunroof, close the sunroof, and also tilt open the
`sunroof to a vent position. The preferred embodiment
`of the invention concerns a power operated sunroof but
`other panels or windows could be actuated using the
`disclosed control circuit 10.
`Motor energization is accomplished by controlled
`actuation of a solid state device (semiconductor) Field
`Effect Transistor (FET) 20 (FIG. 1B) which could also
`be a transistor, triac, or SCR whose conductive state is
`55 controlled by a microprocessor controller 22. Although
`a microprocessor controller 22 is used in the preferred
`embodiment of the invention, hard-wired circuitry
`could be used to implement the disclosed controlled
`motor energization.
`Power is applied to the motor 12 from the motor
`vehicle battery. As seen in FIG. 1A a battery input 24 is
`coupled through a resistor 26 to one of two single pole
`double throw relays 30,32. When one or the other of the
`contacts 30a,32a of the relays 30, 32 are closed, a cur(cid:173)
`rent path from the battery input 24 through the motor
`windings to ground is controlled by the conductive
`state of the FET 20.
`
`7
`
`Webasto Roof Systems, Inc.
`Exhibit 1013
`
`

`

`5,334,876
`
`3
`Power Supply
`A power supply 40 depicted in FIG. 3 supplies a
`regulated voltage for powering the circuit 10. The
`power supply also protects the circuit 10 from external 5
`transients which could cause failure of the circuit 10. A
`metal oxide varistor 42 is used as a transient suppressor
`and a diode 44 protects the control circuit 10 from
`inadvertent reverse battery connection.
`An ignition input 46 is used to control the condition 10
`of the power supply 40. When the ignition input goes
`high in response to the motorist actuation of the ignition
`key to either run, start, or accessory position, the high
`signal is transmitted through a diode 48 to a gate input
`of a transistor 50. This causes a second transistor 52 to 15
`conduct which applies the battery voltage to a voltage
`regulator 54. An output from the regulator 54 is a regu(cid:173)
`lated voltage vee for powering the circuit 10.
`The power supply 40 is temporarily latched into
`operation for a time after the ignition signal has been 20
`removed when the user switches the ignition off. A
`diode 60 is connected to an output from the controller
`and latches the power supply 40 in the on condition.
`Latching of the power supply allows the circuit 10 to
`automatically close the power sunroof after the ignition 25
`key is turned to an off position. An advantageous fea(cid:173)
`ture of activating the power supply 40 and hence the
`circuit 10 only when the ignition is switched on is to
`reduce quiescent current.
`
`30
`
`External Interface
`FIG. 4 depicts an interface 62 that couples additional
`signals to the circuit 10 by means of a series of pull-up
`resistors 64a-64g. The input designations on the left of
`FIG. 4 are active when they are pulled low. Corre- 35
`sponding labels are seen at the left of FIG. lB. The
`inputs are summarized here and referred to below in
`describing detailed operation of the circuit 10.
`An open input 66 is a momentary type input activated
`by the motorist and is used to open the sunroof. A close 40
`input 68 is also a momentary type input and is used to
`close the sunroof. A vent input 70 is a momentary type
`input and is used to move the sunroof to a vent position.
`Two phase inputs 72,74 are inputs that are connected to
`a position encoder. The phase inputs are toggled in a 45
`quadrature fashion and are used to provide sunroof
`panel speed, direction, and position feedback to the
`microprocessor 22.
`FIG. 5 depicts representative phase 1 and phase 2
`signals from a motor shaft encoder, however, other 50
`position sensors such as a potentiometer or linear en(cid:173)
`coder can be used. At a given sampling time, the status
`of the two phase inputs is either 00, 01, 10 or 11. The
`transition states of these inputs allow the controller 22
`to determine motor rotation direction. If the phase sig- 55
`nals change, for example, from a 00 state to a 10 state,
`the motor is rotating in one sense. If the transition is
`from a 00 state to a 01 state, rotation is in an opposite
`sense. By monitoring the rate of change of the pulses,
`the controller 22 also determines motor speed. Finally, 60
`by counting pulses received as the sunroof moves from
`a park or closed position, the controller 22 can deter(cid:173)
`mine the position of the sunroof.
`
`Motor Direction
`In addition to controlling the pulse width modulation
`of the motor 12 the microprocessor controls the direc(cid:173)
`tion of motor actuation. Two microprocessor outputs
`
`65
`
`4
`80,82 are used to activate Darlington switching transis(cid:173)
`tors 84,86. When one transistor 84 is active an associ(cid:173)
`ated relay coil 30b is energized and the battery input 24
`is coupled through the contact 30a to a motor terminal
`12a. When the transistor 84 is not conducting, the coil
`30b is not energized and the contact 30a couples the
`motor terminal 12a to the FET 20.
`The Darling transistor 86, coil 32b and contact 32a
`are similarly configured to selectively connect the bat(cid:173)
`tery and FET connections to the motor terminal 12b.
`The outputs 80,82 from the microprocessor 22 can also
`be pulse width modulated to decrease motor drive
`torque as well as regulate the motor speed. When both
`coils 30b,32b are energized the motor windings are
`shorted to produce a braking effect.
`A position encoder 83 produces the phase 1 and phase
`2 signals for monitoring the speed, direction of move(cid:173)
`ment and position of the sunroof. As seen in FIG. lB the
`two phase inputs are coupled to four exclusive OR gates
`90-93. These gates provide an interrupt signal to the
`controller 22 during a change of status of either of the
`two input phases 72,74. Two gates 91,92 are configured
`as one-shots which provide a pulse on both the leading
`and falling edges of their respective inputs. The output
`from these two one-shots are "ORED" together by the
`gate 93 and coupled to a non-maskable interrupt of the
`microprocessor.
`
`Control Operation
`The following summarizes the different functions the
`controller provides in actuating the motor 12. So called
`manual mode is achieved by the motorist actuating
`either an open, close, or vent key (not shown) for at
`least a predetermined interval to pull one of the three
`inputs 66,68,70 low (FIG. 4). When in manual mode the
`microprocessor 22 provides 100% power to the motor
`12 to move the sunroof in a direction that is requested,
`unless the sunroof is found to already be in the selected
`position. The controller 22 removes power to the motor
`12 to prevent damage once the sunroof has reached its
`requested destination.
`In a so-called express mode of operation, the motorist
`may depress any one of the open, close, or vent keys for
`less than a preset time period. This causes the sunroof to
`begin moving until either the roof has reached its desti(cid:173)
`nation, an obstruction is encountered, or the user
`presses another key to interrupt the express mode selec(cid:173)
`tion. If the motorist chooses to stop the movement dur(cid:173)
`ing the express mode, he or she presses any one of the
`open, close, or vent keys.
`As battery voltage increases, the amount of power
`provided to the drive motor 12 also increases. If 100%
`power is applied to the motor, the motor speed will also
`increase, causing the window or panel to move at a
`faster rate. As the speed of the window or panel in(cid:173)
`creases, the obstruction detection algorithm (discussed
`below) of the controller 22 has less time to detect an
`obstruction and to stop the motor.
`To maintain a motor speed which is slow enough to
`allow the controller to detect and respond to an ob(cid:173)
`struction, battery voltage is monitored by the controller
`22. The controller responds to changes in battery volt(cid:173)
`age and adjusts the amount of power applied to the
`motor 12. This is accomplished by varying the pulse
`width or duty cycle of motor energization via the FET
`20 activation signal.
`In the vent position the controller 22 can be activated
`to "nudge" the sunroof into a series of stepped positions
`
`8
`
`Webasto Roof Systems, Inc.
`Exhibit 1013
`
`

`

`5,334,876
`
`6
`recorded. These steps allow the controller 22 to adjust
`its operation for various lengths of travel. The control(cid:173)
`ler 22 next again returns to the full vent position and
`again records this position. The calibration sequence
`5 ends by returning the sunroof to the park position. Dur(cid:173)
`ing the calibration sequence, the controller 22 develops
`a signature or proflle for the motor current as the sun(cid:173)
`roof is being closed. Use of the signature or proflle to
`detect obstructions is discussed below.
`
`5
`which provides more precise roof positioning. When in
`the manual mode this nudging feature is active once the
`roof has reached the vent area. The vent will open to a
`first nudge position and stop. If the vent key is held
`longer than a timeout period the roof will nudge to the
`next level. This continues until the vent cycle is stopped
`manually by the user or a full vent position is reached.
`The nudge feature is only enabled while the roof is
`traveling toward the vent position. When moving the
`roof toward a park position, the manual mode functions 10
`normally.
`
`Current Sense
`As the motor 12 is activated by switching on and off
`the field effect transistor 20, current through the motor 15
`winding is sensed. A resistor 26 develops a voltage drop
`due to the current passing through the motor windings
`and this voltage is coupled to an operational amplifier
`110 having an output which amplifies the voltage drop
`across the resistor 26. The operational amplifier 110 is 20
`configured as a differential amplifier.
`The motor current signal output from the amplifier
`110 contains undesired armature noise which is ftltered
`from the output. This flltering is accomplished by an
`amplifier 112 which is configured as a second order 25
`low-pass fllter. An output 114 from the fllter amplifier
`112 is coupled to an analog to digital convertor 116.
`The signal at the output 114 is converted to an 8-bit
`digital signal and coupled to the controller 22.
`The pulse width modulation applied to the FET 20 is 30
`at a frequency of greater than one kilohertz. This is
`greater than the armature current noise and allows the
`motor current signal to be transmitted through the low(cid:173)
`pass fllter.
`In addition to monitoring motor current, the control- 35
`ler 22 monitors battery voltage. An input 120 to the
`analog to digital convertor 116 is converted to an 8-bit
`signal and transmitted to the controller. The signal at
`the input 120 is derived from a voltage divider 124
`coupled to the battery voltage VBA TT and is used in 40
`determining pulse width modulation activation for the
`FET 20 as a function of battery voltage.
`
`Calibration
`To allow the controller 22 to perform the above 45
`functions it must first be calibrated. The calibration step
`need only be performed the first time power is applied
`to the circuit 10, subsequent to a power failure, or if the
`physical characteristics of the sunroof change. If cali(cid:173)
`bration has not been performed an auto closure and 50
`express features are inhibited.
`The motorist initiates a calibration sequence by press(cid:173)
`ing both the open and close keys simultaneously before
`actuating the ignition. The user must keep both keys
`depressed through the entire calibration process. When 55
`in the calibration mode the controller will learn all
`information it needs for a particular sunroof to which it
`is connected.
`A first step of the calibration sequence is to move the
`sunroof panel from a park or closed position to the full 60
`vent position. The controller 22 knows when the sun(cid:173)
`roof panel is in the closed position by monitoring an
`output 130 from a Hall Effect sensor 132. A Hall Effect
`output goes low when the sunroof panel is in the parked
`position. This guarantees that the roof is in a known 65
`position. The controller records the physical position
`once the motor stalls. The sunroof panel is then moved
`to the full open position and this physical position is
`
`Obstruction Detection
`To detect an obstruction when the sunroof panel is
`closing, the controller 22 measures the battery voltage,
`motor current, absolute position of the sunroof, and the
`speed at which the roof is traveling. In order to detect
`an obstruction the controller must first be trained to the
`roof which it will be operating. Once the controller is
`placed into the calibrate mode it will begin to record the
`motor current for every inch of sunroof travel. This
`information is placed into a table in controller memory
`which is referred to as a template. When the obstruction
`detection algorithm is active, motor current is measured
`every two milliseconds and compared against the tem(cid:173)
`plate value.
`The comparison has a window threshold which is
`plus or minus 37.5% of the template value. If the sensed
`current falls within the window, the value is interpreted
`to be normal and is then used to update the template
`value. The new template value is calculated to be twice
`the old value plus the current reading all divided by
`three. In equation form:
`
`NewValue=[2(01dValue)+CurrentReading]/3
`
`This is a weighted average where new reading con(cid:173)
`tributes one third of the total new value. This method of
`checking to see if the current reading falls with a win(cid:173)
`dow is only used to check for a soft obstruction and is
`chosen due to the response time of the algorithm versus
`the speed of the sunroof.
`Adapting the template values to existing conditions
`can avoid undesired shutdowns caused by changes in
`temperature, mechanical wear, or sunroof mounting.
`By updating the template, the controller changes its
`own obstruction sensing characteristics with time.
`To detect a hard obstruction a different control algo(cid:173)
`rithm is used that has a faster response time. This algo(cid:173)
`rithm also reads the motor current every two millisec(cid:173)
`onds. The data is stored into a first in, first out (FIFO)
`buffer which is twenty values deep. This allows the
`controller 22 to look back in time 40 milliseconds in
`order to detect a rapid change in motor current. A
`maximum slope of sensed motor current is defined to
`detect an obstruction based on a percentage of the tem(cid:173)
`plate value. In the equation below, the Template Value
`is the motor current reading at the then current position
`sensed during the calibration sequence and the FIFO
`Value is the sensed current at a time 40 milliseconds
`earlier.
`
`CompareValue=0.187(TemplateValue)+FIFO(cid:173)
`Value
`
`If the current value of sensed current is greater than
`the compare value, an obstruction flag is set and the
`motor is de-energized. One problem that the controller
`addresses is the fact that the sunroof could be traveling
`at such a rate of speed that would not allow the control-
`
`9
`
`Webasto Roof Systems, Inc.
`Exhibit 1013
`
`

`

`7
`ler to reverse the direction fast enough to meet the 22
`pound force standard.
`The roof speed is regulated based upon battery volt(cid:173)
`age. This is a primary function of the pulse width modu(cid:173)
`lation output from the controller. By varying the duty 5
`cycle of the modulation applied to the gate of the PET
`20 the speed of the motor is controlled as a function of
`sensed battery voltage. The greater the battery voltage
`the smaller duty cycle that is needed to achieve a partic-
`ular speed.
`
`10
`
`Motor-Start-Up
`If the sunroof is resting against an obstruction and
`then activated the normal obstruction techniques de(cid:173)
`scribed previously will not work since the sensed motor 15
`current does not reach its template value instanta(cid:173)
`neously. When the controller 22 first energizes the
`motor 12 it supplies a 100% duty cycle pulse of power
`to the sunroof drive motor 12 for a short duration of 50
`milliseconds. This time is chosen because it is short 20
`enough that the force on an object in contact with the
`sunroof will not reach 22 pounds in this interval. At the
`end of this short duration the motor current is sensed. If
`the motor current is greater than the normal start cur(cid:173)
`rent measured during calibration then an obstruction 25
`has been detected. This procedure works even if the
`roof has a preloaded force on it.
`After the first 50 milliseconds the controller pulse
`width modulates the motor from a low power level to a ·
`desired speed by ramping linearly up to the desired 30
`speed over a time interval of 450 milliseconds. By con(cid:173)
`tinuously varying the motor torque during start-up, the
`controller 22 detects an obstruction using the rate of
`speed of the motor.
`Auto closure of the sunroof panel is achieved when- 35
`ever an auto closure input 150 is grounded by the mo(cid:173)
`torist and the ignition input 46 is removed. Ignition
`signal presence is sensed by an input 152 to the control(cid:173)
`ler 22. If the auto closure input 150 is left ungrounded
`when the ignition is removed, the sunroof panel will 40
`remain in its present position. A fifteen second delay
`allows the user to close the sunroof after the ignition
`signal has been removed from the controller input 152.
`During this time the user can actuate the close input key
`to close the sunroof without having to return the key to 45
`the ignition. If the ignition key is switched again during
`the fifteen second timeout the controller returns to its
`normal operation. If the ignition signal is removed dur(cid:173)
`ing an operation the controller will continue and com-
`plete the operation before stopping.
`The preferred controller is a 6801 microprocessor
`having a 2-kilobyte read only memory. operating sys(cid:173)
`tem.
`While the present invention has been described with
`a degree of particularity it is the intent that the inven- 55
`tion include all alterations and modifications from the
`disclosed design falling within the spirit or scope of the
`appended claims.
`We claim:
`1. Apparatus for activating a motor for moving a 60
`window or panel along a travel path and de-activating
`the motor if an obstacle is encountered by the window
`or panel comprising:
`a) motor sense means for sensing the motor current as
`the motor moves the window or panel along a 65
`travel path;
`b) switch means for energizing the motor with an
`energization signal; and
`
`50
`
`5,334,876
`
`8
`c) control means coupled to the switch means for
`controllably energizing the motor comprising:
`i) means for monitoring motor current from the
`motor sense means;
`ii) timer means for timing a start-up interval after
`motor energization;
`iii) a memory for storing a plurality of motor cur(cid:173)
`rents sensed by the motor sense means during a
`calibration sequence;
`iv) means for comparing sensed motor current after
`the start-up interval with values of motor current
`stored in the memory; and
`v) output means coupled to said switch means for
`stopping the motor if the sensed motor current
`exceeds the motor current stored in the memory
`after a delay corresponding to the start-up inter(cid:173)
`val.
`2. Apparatus for activating a motor to move a win(cid:173)
`dow or panel along a travel path and for de-activating
`the motor if an obstacle is encountered by the window
`or panel comprising:
`a) motor sense means for sensing the motor current as
`the motor moves the window or panel along a
`travel path;
`b) switch means for energizing the motor with an
`energization signal; and
`c) control means coupled to the switch means for
`controllably energizing the motor comprising:
`i) output means coupled to said switch means for
`controlling motor energization during a calibra(cid:173)
`tion sequence to define a motor current profile of
`the window or panel;
`ii) means for monitoring motor current from the
`motor sense means during the calibration se(cid:173)
`quence and storing the motor current profile as a
`function of a position of said window or panel
`along its travel path;
`iii) a buffer for storing a plurality of consecutive
`motor current readings as the motor moves the
`window or panel;
`iv) means for comparing sensed motor current and
`position with the motor current profile and for
`comparing the present sensed motor current
`with the rate of change limit; and
`v) output means coupled to said switch means for
`stopping motor energization if the sensed motor
`current deviates from the motor current profile
`more than a threshold amount or the present
`motor current exceeds the rate of change limit.
`3. The apparatus of claim 2 additionally comprising a
`sensor for generating a sequence of pulses as the motor
`moves the window or panel along the travel path and
`wherein the control means includes means for monitor(cid:173)
`ing receipt of said sequence of pulses to determine the
`position of the window or panel.
`4. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein the control
`means additionally comprises means to inhibit de-acti(cid:173)
`vation of the motor as the motor moves the window or
`panel into contact with a gasket.
`5. A method for activating a motor to move a motor
`vehicle window or panel along a travel path and for
`de-activating the motor if an obstacle is encountered by
`the window or panel comprising the steps of:
`a) controlling motor energization during a calibration
`sequence to defme a motor current profile of the
`window or panel;
`b) monitoring motor current during the calibration
`sequence and storing the motor current profile as a
`
`10
`
`Webasto Roof Systems, Inc.
`Exhibit 1013
`
`

`

`10
`
`20
`
`9
`function of a position of said window or panel
`along its travel path;
`c) subsequent to the calibration sequence as the motor
`moves the window or panel, periodically sensing
`motor current and comparing sensed motor current 5
`with the motor current profile as the motor moves
`the window or panel; and
`d) stopping motor energization if the sensed motor
`current deviates from the motor current proftle by
`more than a threshold amount.
`6. The method of claim 5 comprising the additional
`step of monitoring a series of sequential motor current
`values, storing the series of motor current values in a
`memory, comparing a just sensed current value with a
`threshold current value that is a function of a value of 15
`motor current from the calibration step and a recently
`stored motor current value and de-activating the motor
`if the just sensed current value deviates too far from the
`threshold current value.
`7. The method of claim 5 wherein the comparing step
`compares a motor start-up current after a predeter(cid:173)
`mined start-up interval with a start-up current measured
`during the calibration sequence.
`8. The method of claim 5 wherein the step of moni- 25
`toring motor current comprises a substep of generating
`a series of pulses as a motor shaft rotates and determin(cid:173)
`ing a position of the window or panel from a park posi(cid:173)
`tion by counting pulses as the window or panel moves
`from the panel position.