FR2716231A1 - Position control for motor vehicle electric windows without limit switches - Google Patents

Abstract

The electric window control has an electronic circuit that monitors window position and controls supply to the window drive motor. The electronic circuit has an input-output port (1), a circuit (2) to filter noise from the supply and to stabilise the supply voltage. A push button switch (3) allows recording of external noise to allow later filtering. The number of cycles in each burst of the motor drive signal are recorded (6). A three-stage high/low frequency filter processes the signal and the result is compared (7) to a timer. A microprocessor (4) processes the resulting data and determines the position of the window. The position is compared to data on the end of travel positions for that vehicle held in electrically-erasable programmable memory (EEPROM) (8).

Description

SAFETY CONTROL DEVICE FOR MOTORIZED GLASS

  AUTOMOTIVE TYPE WITHOUT DETECTOR, AND ITS CONTROL METHOD.

  The present invention relates to a safety control device for motorized automobile window glass of the detectorless type, which uses the number of pulse waves of a motor as a basis for calculating the position of the window glass, so that the motorized window can be controlled precisely and safely by means of a fast microprocessor, an external noise stop circuit, an electrically erasable programmable read only memory EEPROM and other logic circuits ordered.

  The functions of existing motorized automobile windows are generally limited to their closing and / or opening. Although motorized glass is more practical than manually operated glass, there have been accidents caused by motorized glass which was accidentally operated by a child and which unfortunately trapped the child, resulting in serious injury or even death of the child.

  There are motorized windows that stop automatically when resistance is encountered while closing the window. However, there is still a risk that the fragile neck of a child or even an adult is seriously injured by tightening between the stopped window and the surrounding frame. In the worst case, it can result in asphyxiation.

  Consequently, it is desirable to produce a motorized window which retracts automatically, effectively and surely (backwards or downwards) each time the window encounters resistance during closing.

  Since a motorized window is usually operated by a powerful but less precise collector motor and not by a less powerful but precise and expensive stepper motor, it is not easy to detect the rotational position of such a collector motor, and therefore the position of a motorized window. In addition, the travel distance of power windows varies with different models of automobiles, and the battery voltage of the automobile varies with aging. It is therefore impossible to estimate the position of a window on the basis of the time used by the window in its movement.

  In order to allow the automatic retraction of the window when it encounters resistance before reaching its high position, a sensor or a limit switch is installed on the motor shaft to determine the position of a motorized window. However, such a limit switch or detector is not always applicable to all types of vehicles. In addition, such control means are not designed to be watertight, and rainwater easily causes a short circuit by infiltration into the circuit through gaps. Such a short circuit inevitably interrupts the normal operation of the motorized window.

  The invention therefore aims to provide a safety control device for motorized window glass of the type without detector, which makes it possible to avoid the aforementioned drawbacks of known motorized windows.

  The main object of the present invention is to provide a method for controlling motorized auto glass, in which the number of motor pulse waves is used as the basis for calculating the position of the glass. motorized, and a fast microprocessor is used to make the decisions and calculations in order to obtain the total number of pulses for raising and lowering the window as well as the possible error occurring in races. When the window is raised to its highest position or lowered to its lowest position, the microprocessor automatically resets the number of pulse waves to zero or to the total number initially detected, so as to provide the precise position motorized window. The reading is then stored in an electrically erasable programmable read-only memory, so that the position of a motorized window can be determined even when the power supply is interrupted. In the event that the glass encounters resistance during its ascent, it automatically retracts.

  The structure, characteristics and other objects of the present invention, as well as the technical method adopted in the present invention, will be better understood on reading the detailed description below of the preferred embodiments, with reference to the appended drawings in which: Figure 1 is a block diagram illustrating the control organization of the present invention; and Figure 2 is a diagram of the control circuit according to the present invention.

  The preferred embodiments are now described in detail.

  Figure 1 is a block diagram illustrating the organization or sequencing of the commands of the main control circuit according to the present invention. The main control circuit mainly comprises an access element or input-output port 1, a circuit 2 for filtering supply noise and voltage stabilization, a push button (switch) 3 for the input entry and stop of external noise, a microprocessor 4, an EEPROM memory 8, a window motor signal sensor 6, a circuit 5 for raising / lowering the window, a high / low frequency three-stage filter and a timed comparison circuit 7, etc. The input-output port 1 is connected to the circuit 2 for filtering supply noise and voltage stabilization and to the push button (switch) 3 for input and stop of external noise. The circuit 2 for filtering the supply noise and for stabilizing the voltage first filters the external noise contained in the power supply, before the supply is supplied to each component of the control circuit. The push button (switch) 3 for input and for stopping external noise acts as an interface. After the elimination of external noise in the power supply by this circuit, a desired instruction is authorized to enter the microprocessor (CPU) 4. The instruction then proceeds to circuit 5 for raising / lowering the window and is passed to I / O port 1 and the motor. The window motor signal sensor 6 picks up the pulse signals from both ends of the motor. The signals pass through three-stage high / low frequency filtration circuit 7 and timed comparison so that this circuit precisely minimizes noise. The signal is then sent to the microprocessor (CPU) 4 again for processing determination. The total number of pulses required for the up and down travel of the motorized window and the average up and down error (both the tightness of the window and the noise can cause such an error) are calculated, so that the number of pulse waves can be adjusted to a higher or lower value when raising or lowering the window, respectively (the number of pulse waves is set to zero when the window is lowered to its lowest position and the rising of the window increases the number of pulse waves). The average error is deduced from the final number of pulse waves. When the window reaches its lowest or highest position, the microprocessor 4 automatically resets the number of pulse waves to zero or to the total number of pulse waves initially detected (reduction of the error). In this way, the precise position of the glass can be obtained. This position reading can be stored in the EEPROM memory 8 so that the position of the motorized window can be preserved even when the power supply is interrupted. In addition, it can be determined whether the window has reached the top of its travel or is in an intermediate position. When the glass encounters resistance during the climb, it automatically retracts (moves back). When the window reaches its upper end of travel, it remains closed until a next opening instruction.

  Reference is now made to FIG. 2 which shows the control circuit according to the present invention. The functions of each block are indicated below: A is the input-output port; B can filter noise up to 4 kV and stabilize the voltage; C is the push button (switch) for entering and stopping external noise; D can pick up movement signals from the power window; E can switch the voltage to control the raising and lowering of the motorized window; F constitutes a high / low frequency precision three-stage filter and a timed comparator, to facilitate the determination of the movement of the window by the microprocessor; G is the main unit of the microprocessor which can operate at a frequency up to 8 megahertz; and H is an EEPROM memory for storing the position of the window.

  The present invention includes an AUTO switch. When the ON or OFF side of the AUTO switch is pressed and the pressure is maintained for approximately ten seconds, the window automatically descends to its lowest position and then automatically rises to its highest position . It is thus possible to calculate the total number of pulse waves required for the movement of the window from its lowest position to its highest position. Then, the window automatically descends to the lowest position, then it goes up step by step in n times (n being adjustable), so that one can calculate the possible average error produced during the raising of the window. When the window reaches its highest position, it then descends step by step in n steps, so that the average possible error produced during the descent of the window can be calculated. After this operation, the window automatically returns to its closed position, the complete procedure for determining the number of pulse waves is finished and the values thus obtained are stored in the EEPROM memory which allows use and keep the data even in the event of a power interruption.

  When the window moves up, the microprocessor automatically deduces the error on the rise from the sum of the pulse waves produced during the up stroke and, when the window moves down, the microprocessor automatically deducts the error at descent of the sum of the pulse waves produced during the descent stroke. Thus, it is possible to obtain the precise position of the motorized window in its up or down travel, and the data relating to its most recent position can be stored in the EEPROM memory at any time without being affected even by an in - power outage. In addition, when the motorized window reaches its lowest end-of-travel position, the number of pulse waves is reset to zero if the number stored in the microprocessor is less than 25 or less than 0. Similarly , when the window reaches its highest end position, the number of pulse waves is reset to the predetermined value if the effective number of pulse waves is greater than or less than 25 to the initially predetermined value. With such a correction, the error does not accumulate and does not increase to the point of causing a faulty movement (since the window must be normally closed or normally lowered below the frame).

  The present invention further includes SHIFT IN and SHIFT OUT switches.

  The SHIFT IN switch can be connected to a remote control input to remotely control the window so that the window automatically retracts or retracts when it encounters resistance during its ascent, before rising automatically to close the window. At this time, the SHIFT OUT switch sends a signal to the next controller, so that the other windows can close automatically one by one.

  The motorized window glass safety control device of the detectorless type and its control method in accordance with the present invention., As described above, can effectively and precisely control the safety of the lights. motorized vehicles, and the fact that the invention uses the number of motor pulse waves as the basis for calculating the exact position of the motorized window, and that a microprocessor, a external noise stop circuit, EEPROM memory etc. to constitute logic control circuits in order to obtain precise control functions and safety in use, has never been considered in the prior art.

  Although the present invention has been explained with reference only to embodiments of the present invention, it is understood that the present invention can be implemented in many specific forms without departing from the spirit or attributes essential of the invention and therefore reference should be made to the appended claims and not to the above description to define the scope of the invention.

Claims (2)

  1.- Safety control device for motorized automobile window of the type without detector, characterized in that it comprises: a control circuit consisting of an input-output port (1), of a circuit ( 2) supply noise filtration and voltage stabilization, a push button (switch) (3), for input and for stopping external noise, a microprocessor (4), d '' an electrically erasable programmable EEPROM read-only memory (8), a window motor signal sensor (6), a motorized window up / down control circuit (5), a filter filtration circuit high / low frequency three-stage and timed comparison (7); said control circuit comprising an AUTO switch having an ON side and an OFF side each of which, when pressed and held for approximately 10 seconds, causes an automobile window to descend automatically to the bottom from the frame and then the automatic mounting of the window to the top of the frame; a number representing the total of the pulse waves required to move said window from its lowest position to its highest position being calculated on the basis of said automatic raising and lowering of said window; an average error possibly generated during said rise of said window which can furthermore be calculated by lowering said window to its lowest position and then raising the window step by step in n steps (n being adjustable), and a average error possibly generated during said descent of said pane which can be calculated by raising said pane to its highest position then descending from the pane step by step in n steps (n being adjustable); said window being able to return to its closed position automatically when said calculation of the average errors in raising and lowering of said window is completed and, consequently, when the entire procedure for determining said number of pulse waves is completed ; said value of said number of pulse waves thus obtained being stored in said EEPROM memory, which makes it possible to use and keep said stored value, even during a power interruption; said microprocessor (4) being capable of automatically deducing said error on the rise of a sum of pulse waves produced during the rise stroke of said window when said window moves to its highest position, and being capable of automatically deducing said error on descent from a sum of pulse waves produced during said downward travel of the window when the window moves to its lowest position, which makes it possible to obtain a pre-position of said window in its up or down travel, and the data relating to the most recent position of the window can be stored in said EEPROM memory (8) at any time without being affected even by an interruption food; said errors being furthermore prevented from accumulating up to a value such as to result in an incorrect up or down movement, by resetting to zero said number of pulse waves stored in said microprocessor provided that it is less than 25 or less than zero, each time said window reaches its lowest position, and reset said number of pulse waves stored in said microprocessor to said previous value if it is greater or less than said 36 previous value, each time said window reaches its highest position; said control circuit further comprising a SHIFT IN switch and a SHIFT OUT switch, said SHIFT IN switch being connected to. a remote control input for remotely controlling the closure or opening of said motorized window so that said window automatically retracts when it encounters resistance during its ascent, before automatically rewinding to close said window, and said SHIFT OUT switch being authorized at this time to send a signal to the next control device so that another window can close automatically.   2.- Safety control method of a window-motorized car safety control device of the type without detector on the basis of the number of pulse waves of a motor, said device motorized window glass security control of the type without detector comprising a control circuit which consists of an input-output port (1), of a circuit (2) for filtering the supply noise and voltage stabilization, a push button or switch (3) for input and stop of external noise, a microprocessor (4), an EEPROM memory (8), a window motor signal sensor (6), a motorized glass up / down control circuit (5), and a high / low frequency-three-stage filtration circuit (7) . and timed comparison, said method being. characterized in that it comprises the steps of: connecting said input-output port to said supply noise filtering and voltage stabilization circuit and to said push button (switch) for the input and stop of external noise, which allows said supply noise filtration and voltage stabilization circuit to first filter the external noise contained in said supply before this supply is supplied to each part of said control circuit; said push button (switch) for inputting and stopping external noise serving as an interface and stopping external noise in said power supply, before a desired instruction is authorized to enter said microprocessor (CPU); said instruction then passing through said window up / down voltage switching control circuit and entering said output input port for transmission to said motor; said window motor signal sensor picking up pulse signals from both ends of said motor; said signals passing through said three-stage high / low frequency filtration circuit and timed comparison so that this circuit precisely minimizes any existing noise; said signal then being sent to said microprocessor (CPU) again for processing determination; the total number of pulses required in the ascent and descent stroke of said motorized window as well as the average errors on ascent and descent (the tightness of the window and the existing noise can both cause such errors) being calculated so that the number of pulse waves can be increased or decreased errors which may exist when raising or lowering said window, respectively (the number of pulse waves is set to zero when said window is lowered to its lowest position, and the raising of the window increases the number of pulse waves), said average error being deduced from said number of pulse waves; said number of pulse waves being automatically set to zero or to the total number of pulse waves initially detected, by said microprocessor, when said motorized window is completely raised or lowered (reduction of the error), which allows an accurate reading of the position of said window; said position reading being stored in said EEPROM memory so that said position of said window can be used even in the event of power interruption, to determine the position of said window; and said motorized window automatically retracting when it encounters resistance during its ascent and remaining closed when it is fully assembled.