GB2242929A

GB2242929A - Controlling vehicle windows

Info

Publication number: GB2242929A
Application number: GB9105255A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Palu Attilio Dal
Original assignee: Fabbrica Italiana Serrature Torino FIST SpA
Current assignee: Fabbrica Italiana Serrature Torino FIST SpA
Priority date: 1990-03-13
Filing date: 1991-03-13
Publication date: 1991-10-16
Anticipated expiration: 2011-03-13
Also published as: FR2659790A1; FR2659790B3; IT9067176A1; GB2242929B; IT9067176A0; GB9105255D0; DE4107921A1; IT1241186B

Abstract

A device for controlling power windows 120 of a motor vehicle, wherein the position of the power windows is regulated by turning the door key 112 to the door of the vehicle. The device comprises a Hall-effect sensor (16) cooperating with a magnet (26) on a block of the door lock, for emitting, for given angular positions of the block in relation to the sensor, a signal controlling the power window regulator 110. The device enables windows to be closed from outside the vehicle. A sun roof and other sliding elements may be similarly operated. <IMAGE>

Description

EXTERNALLY OPERATED DEVICE FOR CONTROLLING SLIDING VEHICLE ELEMENTS The

present invention relates to a device for controlling sliding vehicle elements, particularly of a motor vehicle, and which may be operated from outside the. vehicle. In particular, the present invention relates to the key-operated control of power window regulators from.outside the vehicle.

Known devices for controlling sliding vehicle' elements comprise, among other.things, a number of switches inside the vehicle, for controlling actuators, normally electric motors. controlling operation of the sliding elements.

In particular, known vehicle window regulating devices comprise, among other things, a number of switches installed inside the vehicle, where they can be reached easily by the driver and passengers, for controlling electric motors governing operation of the windows.

Said switches provide for regulating the window to any position ranging between a first fully-lowered and a second fully-raised position.

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Power window regulators of the aforementioned type can only be operated from inside the vehicle, and on condition that the ignition key is inserted.

Consequently, to adjust the position of a power window after leaving the vehicle (e.g. to close a window that has been left partially open), the user must get back into the vehicle and insert the ignition key to operate the power window regulator switch, which is invariably an annoying procedure.

The aim of the present invention is to provide a control device for sliding vehicle elements, designed to overcome the above drawback. In particular, the present invention relates to a control device enabling power windows to be opened and closed easily and efficiently from outside the vehicle.

With this aim in view, according to the present invention,.there is provided a device for controlling mobile vehicle members, particularly of a motor vehicle, and which may be operated from outside the vehicle; said device comprising at least one electrically operated sliding member, and a key-operated device comprising at least one part movable via said key; characterised by the fact that it comprises switch means cooperating with said key-operated device for emitting at least one signal for activating said member for at least one predetermined position of said mobile part.

i k A preferred, non-limiting embodiment of the present invention will be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig.1 shows a partially sectioned side view of part of an automotive handle and lock featuring the device according to the present invention; Fig.2 shows a partially sectioned view, perpendicular to that of Fig.1, of the handle according to the present invention; Fig.3 shows an underside view of a detail of the device according to the present invention and of the Fig.1 handle; Fig.4 shows a section of the Fig.3 detail along line IV-IV; Fig.5 shows a view in perspective of a motor vehicle featuring the device according to the present invention. Number 1 in Fig.s 1 and 5 indicates a device for controlling mobile members of a motor vehicle 100, which device is operatable from outside vehicle 100, cooperates with the lock of door 102 of vehicle 100, and comprises parts fitted to block 3 on a known handle 4, and parts fitted to handle 4 itself.

In particular, handle 4 comprises a fixed part 5 connected to door 102 of vehicle 100 via the interposition of a peripheral seal 108; and a movable grip portion 6 hinged to one end of fixed part 5, and which is gripped and rotated manually for displacing parts 109 in known manner and so acting on lock members 107 (shown by the dotted line) for opening door 102.

Fixed part 5 is fitted integral with a first tubular body 10 extending rearwards of part 5 and housing a second coaxial tubular body 11 engaged in axially and angularly fixed manner in relation to tubular body 10. Said second tubular body 11 presents an end portion 12 projecting from tubular body 10, and a number of longitudinal inner grooves 15 the function of which will be described later on. Said portion 12 presents two short, diametrically opposed appendixes 17 extending frontwards from end edge 13 of portion 12, arranged facing each other, and having flat parallel walls 18..

Portion 12 is fitted on the end with an angularly mobile, axially.-fixed bush 50, and presents a radial appendix 51 fitted on the end with a pin 52 connected in known manner to the vehicle lock. At bush 50, portion 12 presents two diametrically opposed, semicircular slots (not shown) fitted through in sliding manner with a pin 80 connected at the ends to bush 50 and engaging block 3 in angularly fixed manner. Portion 12 is connected to one end of a coaxial return spring 53, the other end 54 of which engages block 3.

Close to front edge 13 and between appendixes 17. portion 12 presents another two shorter appendixes 181 having an outer groove 66 into which snaps a respective flexible L-section appendix 7 of a supporting structure 1 19 supporting a Hall-effect sensor 16 and fitted on to the end of portion 12 between appendixes 17.

As shown in Fig.s 3 and 4, structure 19 comprises a flat, substantially rectangular end wall 30 from the edges of which there extends upwards a wall 31 perpendicular to wall 30 and having, on two opposite straight portions, two tubular, rectangular-section portions 32 extending astride wall 31. The bottom outer ends of tubular portions 32 form flexible appendixes 7, while appendixes 181 of portion 12 are housed inside the cavity of tubular portions 32.

Structure 19 is also fitted integral with a horizontal appendix 34 extending outwards of structure 19 and the end of which forms a flexible, C-section cable grip 35. Hall-effect sensor 16 rests on wall 30, in one corner of wall 31, and is embedded integral with structure 19 by a resin 37 poured over sensor 16 inside the compartment defined by walls 30 and 31.

As shown in Fig.s 1 and 2. Hall-effect sensor 16 is connected to a screened cable 40. a portion of which is supported by grip 35, and which is connected to a control unit 104 controlling power window regulator 110 (Fig.5).

Known block 3 is housed in angularly sliding and axially fixed manner inside tubular body 11, and presents a number of blades activated by inserting key 112 (Fig.5) inside block 3, extending radially from block 3, and designed to engage longitudinal grooves 15 in tubular body 11, for angularly arresting block 3 in relation to tubular body 11.

On the inner end facing structure 19, block 3 also presents two integral, diametrically opposed appendixes 20 and 21 arranged facing each other and terminating in respective flat ends 23 and 24 close to wall 30 of structure 19.

As shown in Fig.4, end 24 of appendix 21 is fitted with a permanent magnet 26 for activating Hall-effect sensor 16.

In actual use, when key 112 (Fig.5) is inserted inside block 3 for locking or unlocking the vehicle door, and block 3 is rotated inside tubular body 11, magnet 26 integral with.block 3 is also rotated between a first initial lock/unlock position and a second final lock/unlock position (angle a) as shown by the dotted lines and numbers 26a and 26b in Fig.3. When so rotated, magnet 26 is far enough from sensor 16 to prevent this from being activated. If, however, after door 102 has been locked or unlocked, block 3 is rotated in the same direction by a further angle (b), magnet 26 is rotated into position 26c beneath Hall-effect sensor 16, which therefore supplies control unit 104 with a signal for activating power window regulator 110.

A portion of the rotation of block 3 inside body 11 thus provides for controlling the power window regulators.

In particular, the window regulators control at least one window 120 sliding in a window opening between a j i C -i 1 first fully-lowered and a second fully-raised position. If the window is positioned between said first and second position, the signal generated by Hall-effect sensor 16, subsequent to rotation of block 3, acts on electronic control unit 104, which in turn controls electric motors 130 for raising window 120 as long as magnet 26 is maintained beneath sensor 16 by key 112. and for arresting window 120 when magnet 26 is restored to position 26b. Magnet 26 may of course be maintained in position 26c until window 120 is restored to the fully-raised position.

From the foregoing description, the control device' according to the present invention clearly provides for overcoming the drawbacks typically associated with known devices. In particular, it provides for troublefree regulation of power windows from outside the vehicle, with no consent required of the ignition key, and via magnetic switch means which therefore overcome the drawbacks associated with direct current contact elements.

To those skilled in the art it will be clear that changes may be made to the device as described and illustrated herein without, however, departing from the scope of the present invention.

For example, the device according to the present invention may be employed to advantage for controlling, from outside the vehicle, sliding elements other than power windows, e.g. an electrically operated sun roof. Also, provision may be made for switch means not forming part i of the vehicle door handles, or for several sensor means operating in conjunction with a key-operated element and located in different angular positions for controlling several functions of the sliding element.

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Claims

CLAIMS - A device for controlling mobile vehicle members, particularly of

a motor vehicle (100), and which may be operated from outside the vehicle; said device comprising at least one electrically operated sliding member (120), and a key-operated device comprising at least one part (3) movable via said key (112); characterised by the fact that it comprises switch means (16) cooperating with said key-operated device for emitting at least one signal for activating said member (120) for at least one predetermined position of said mobile part (3).
2) - A device as claimed in Claim 1, characterised by the fact that said member comprises at least one window (120) operated by a power window regulator (110).
3) - A device as claimed in Claim 1 6r 2. characterised by the fact.that said key-operated device provides for locking and/or unlocking at least one part (102) of said vehicle.
4 Published 1991 at The Patent office. Concept House. Cardiff Road. Newport. Gwent NP9 1 RH. Further copies may be obtained from Sales Branch. Unit 6. Nine Mile Point. ClkTnfelinfach. Cross Keys. Newport. NP l 7HZ. Printed by Multiplex techniques ltd. St Man, Cray. Kent.

4) - A device as claimed in any one of the foregoing Claims, characterised by the fact that said switch means comprise a Hall-effect sensor (16).

5) - A device as claimed in Claim 4, characterised by the fact that said mobile part (3) is integral with first activating means (26) cooperating with sensor means (16) of said switch means, for emitting said signal activating said member.

6) - A device as claimed in Claim 5, characterised by the fact that said first activating means comprise a permanent magnet (26).

7) - A device as claimed in Claim 5 or 6, wherein said key-operated device comprises at least a supporting body (5) having a tubular body (11); said mobile part (3) comprising a cylindrical body (3) engaged in angularly fixed manner by said key (112); said cylindrical body (3) being angularly mobile inside said tubular body (11); characterised by the fact that said first activating means (26) are integral with one end of said cylindrical body (3); and said sensor means (16) being integral with said supporting body (3).

8) - A device as claimed in Claim 7, characterised- by the fact that said supporting body comprises a handle.

9) - A device as claimed in Claim 7 or 8, characterised by the fact that said sensor means (16) are housed in a support (19) engaging one end of said tubular body (11). 10) A device as claimed in Claim 2 or in one of the foregoing Claims from 3 to 9 dependant on Claim 2, wherein said window regulators (110) regulate said window (120) between a first fully- lowered position and a second fully-raised position; characterised by the fact that it comprises a unit (104) for controlling and processing the signal generated by said switch means (16); said unit (104) acting on said window regulator (110) and, for intermediate positions of said window (120) between said first and said second position, providing for lowering or raising said window (120) towards said first or said second position. 11) - An externally operated device for controlling sliding vehicle elements, substantially as described and illustrated herein with reference to the accompanying drawings.