GB2311626A - Control of a moveable window in a motor vehicle - Google Patents
Control of a moveable window in a motor vehicle Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- GB2311626A GB2311626A GB9606571A GB9606571A GB2311626A GB 2311626 A GB2311626 A GB 2311626A GB 9606571 A GB9606571 A GB 9606571A GB 9606571 A GB9606571 A GB 9606571A GB 2311626 A GB2311626 A GB 2311626A
- Authority
- GB
- United Kingdom
- Prior art keywords
- door
- window
- motor vehicle
- open
- sensor
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Granted
Links
- 238000012544 monitoring process Methods 0.000 claims description 6
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 claims description 5
- 238000006073 displacement reaction Methods 0.000 description 2
- 238000010438 heat treatment Methods 0.000 description 2
- 238000010586 diagram Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000011521 glass Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000003780 insertion Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000037431 insertion Effects 0.000 description 1
Classifications
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E05—LOCKS; KEYS; WINDOW OR DOOR FITTINGS; SAFES
- E05B—LOCKS; ACCESSORIES THEREFOR; HANDCUFFS
- E05B81/00—Power-actuated vehicle locks
- E05B81/24—Power-actuated vehicle locks characterised by constructional features of the actuator or the power transmission
- E05B81/25—Actuators mounted separately from the lock and controlling the lock functions through mechanical connections
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E05—LOCKS; KEYS; WINDOW OR DOOR FITTINGS; SAFES
- E05B—LOCKS; ACCESSORIES THEREFOR; HANDCUFFS
- E05B83/00—Vehicle locks specially adapted for particular types of wing or vehicle
- E05B83/16—Locks for luggage compartments, car boot lids or car bonnets
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E05—LOCKS; KEYS; WINDOW OR DOOR FITTINGS; SAFES
- E05B—LOCKS; ACCESSORIES THEREFOR; HANDCUFFS
- E05B47/00—Operating or controlling locks or other fastening devices by electric or magnetic means
- E05B2047/0048—Circuits, feeding, monitoring
- E05B2047/0071—Connecting lockparts by electronic communication means only, e.g. bus systems, time multiplexing
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E05—LOCKS; KEYS; WINDOW OR DOOR FITTINGS; SAFES
- E05B—LOCKS; ACCESSORIES THEREFOR; HANDCUFFS
- E05B81/00—Power-actuated vehicle locks
- E05B81/12—Power-actuated vehicle locks characterised by the function or purpose of the powered actuators
- E05B81/13—Power-actuated vehicle locks characterised by the function or purpose of the powered actuators a single actuator for driving a lock and additional vehicle components, e.g. window wipers or window lifters
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E05—LOCKS; KEYS; WINDOW OR DOOR FITTINGS; SAFES
- E05B—LOCKS; ACCESSORIES THEREFOR; HANDCUFFS
- E05B83/00—Vehicle locks specially adapted for particular types of wing or vehicle
- E05B83/36—Locks for passenger or like doors
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E05—LOCKS; KEYS; WINDOW OR DOOR FITTINGS; SAFES
- E05F—DEVICES FOR MOVING WINGS INTO OPEN OR CLOSED POSITION; CHECKS FOR WINGS; WING FITTINGS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR, CONCERNED WITH THE FUNCTIONING OF THE WING
- E05F15/00—Power-operated mechanisms for wings
- E05F15/60—Power-operated mechanisms for wings using electrical actuators
- E05F15/603—Power-operated mechanisms for wings using electrical actuators using rotary electromotors
- E05F15/665—Power-operated mechanisms for wings using electrical actuators using rotary electromotors for vertically-sliding wings
- E05F15/689—Power-operated mechanisms for wings using electrical actuators using rotary electromotors for vertically-sliding wings specially adapted for vehicle windows
- E05F15/695—Control circuits therefor
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E05—LOCKS; KEYS; WINDOW OR DOOR FITTINGS; SAFES
- E05F—DEVICES FOR MOVING WINGS INTO OPEN OR CLOSED POSITION; CHECKS FOR WINGS; WING FITTINGS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR, CONCERNED WITH THE FUNCTIONING OF THE WING
- E05F15/00—Power-operated mechanisms for wings
- E05F15/70—Power-operated mechanisms for wings with automatic actuation
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E05—LOCKS; KEYS; WINDOW OR DOOR FITTINGS; SAFES
- E05Y—INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASSES E05D AND E05F, RELATING TO CONSTRUCTION ELEMENTS, ELECTRIC CONTROL, POWER SUPPLY, POWER SIGNAL OR TRANSMISSION, USER INTERFACES, MOUNTING OR COUPLING, DETAILS, ACCESSORIES, AUXILIARY OPERATIONS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR, APPLICATION THEREOF
- E05Y2900/00—Application of doors, windows, wings or fittings thereof
- E05Y2900/50—Application of doors, windows, wings or fittings thereof for vehicles
- E05Y2900/508—Application of doors, windows, wings or fittings thereof for vehicles for convertibles
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E05—LOCKS; KEYS; WINDOW OR DOOR FITTINGS; SAFES
- E05Y—INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASSES E05D AND E05F, RELATING TO CONSTRUCTION ELEMENTS, ELECTRIC CONTROL, POWER SUPPLY, POWER SIGNAL OR TRANSMISSION, USER INTERFACES, MOUNTING OR COUPLING, DETAILS, ACCESSORIES, AUXILIARY OPERATIONS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR, APPLICATION THEREOF
- E05Y2900/00—Application of doors, windows, wings or fittings thereof
- E05Y2900/50—Application of doors, windows, wings or fittings thereof for vehicles
- E05Y2900/53—Type of wing
- E05Y2900/55—Windows
Landscapes
- Power-Operated Mechanisms For Wings (AREA)
- Window Of Vehicle (AREA)
Description
A Motor Vehicle
This invention relates to a motor vehicle and in particular to a door mounted electrically actuated frameless window assembly for a motor vehicle.
It is a problem when using a frameless window assembly in an opening door that if the upper edge of the window is engaged within a window seal a significant side load is exerted on the window when the door is opened and closed.
It is known from GB-1562318 to provide an automatically opening and closing electrically operated window so as to allow the window to be dis-engaged from the window seal during opening and closing of the door.
Because of the nature of the window lift mechanism used in such a device a considerable amount of backlash and compliance is normally present. The presence of this backlash and compliance prevents the exact position of the window from being determined by simply monitoring the rotation of the actuating motor.
It is therefore a problem with such a prior art system that the window has to be lowered to a position some way from the edge of the seal in order to allow for the backlash and compliance present in the window mechanism. A significant gap therefore exists between the upper edge of the window and the window seal in which a body part such a finger could become trapped.
It is an object of this invention to overcome the problem associated with the prior art.
According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided a motor vehicle having number of doors at least one of which supports a moveable window, the window being movable by a window lift mechanism powered by an electric motor in response to a signal received from an electronic controller between a closed position in which the upper edge of the window is engaged within an upper door seal attached to part of the roof section of the motor vehicle and an open position in which the window is retracted into a lower part of the door, the electric motor having a counter associated therewith to count the rotation of an armature thereof, a door lock mechanism to selectively secure the door in a closed position and having a door release device to release said door lock mechanism, a door release sensor to provide a signal to said electronic controller when a door open input is applied to the door release device and a door sensor to provide a signal to said electric controller when the door is in an open position wherein the electronic controller is operable to automatically lower and close the window during opening and closing of the door by operation in the following manner, in response to a door open input being sensed by said door release sensor means the electronic controller sends a signal to the electric motor to lower the respective window an amount which is sufficient to take up any backlash in the window lift mechanism, the electronic controller then monitors the state of the door sensor to determine whether the door is open and if it is sends a signal to the electric motor to raise the window to a predetermined position which is calculated from the counter associated with the electric motor to be just sufficient to provide a clearance between the window and the upper door seal when the door is closed, the electronic controller then monitors the door sensor until it senses that the door is sensed to be closed and then the electronic controller actuates the electric motor to move the window into the closed position.
The door of the motor vehicle may be a side hinged rear door.
The door release device may include an external door handle and or an internal door handle. In which case the sensor means to sense when a door open input is applied may be a microswitch associated with a door handle.
Preferably, if the signal from the door sensor indicates that the rear door is open the closing of the rear window beyond said predetermined open position is prevented.
According to a second aspect of the invention there is provided a method of automatically opening and closing an electrically moveable window of a motor vehicle the method comprising the steps of sensing a door open command from a sensor associated with a door release device, actuating a window lift motor to open the window a distance greater than that required to clear the edge of the seal by an amount which is greater than the expected backlash in the system, monitoring the output from a door sensor to determine whether the door is open and if it is automatically actuating the window lift motor to close the window to a position calculated to provide a minimal clearance between the window and the door seal upon closing of the door, monitoring the output from the door sensor to check whether the door is open or closed and if it is determined to be closed automatically actuating the window lift motor to move the window into a closed position.
The invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawing of which:
Fig.1: is a rear view of a motor vehicle including a
door mounted electrically actuated frameless
window assembly according to the invention;
Fig.2: is a cross section on the line X-X on Fig.1;
Fig.3: is a cross section on the line Y-Y on Fig.1;
Fig.4: is a block diagram of an electronic control
circuit according to the invention;
Fig.S: is a simplified flow chart showing the basic
logical operations performed by the control
circuit of Fig.4.; and
Fig.6 is a schematic representation of the window lift
mechanism shown in Figs 1 and 2; and
Fig 7 is a graph showing the movement of two parts of
the window lift mechanism shown in Fig 6.
With reference to Figs.l to 5 there is shown a motor vehicle having a rear body structure 9 to which is releasably secured a detachable rear roof section 10.
A rear door 39 is pivotally connected to the rear body structure 9 of the motor vehicle by means of a pair spaced apart hinges 38 and is securable in a closed position by means of an electrically operated locking means 16 attached to part of the structure of the rear door 39.
An operator controllable door release in the form of a door handle 21 is connected to an associated sensor in the form of a microswitch 22 to provide an open door signal to an electronic controller 11.
The electronic controller 11 is also connected to and receives inputs from a door position sensor 17 used to sense whether the rear door 39 is open or closed and a window position sensor 14.
The window 23 is slidingly supported by the rear door 39 and is moveable from a fully closed position, as shown in
Figures 1 and 3, in which it is engaged at its upper edge with a U' shaped roof seal 24 to a fully open position, as shown in Fig.2, in which the window 23 is fully retracted into the lower part of the rear door 39. The window 23 is moveable between said open and closed positions by means of a window lift mechanism 5, 6, 7, 8 which is powered by a window lift motor 13 in response to a control signal from a window lift motor controller 12 controlled by the electronic controller 11.
The window lift mechanism comprises of a threaded rod 5 rotatably connected to the motor 13, a nut 6 threadingly engaged with the rod 5 and two control arms 7, 8. Rotation of an armature associated with the motor 13 causes the threaded rod 5 to be rotated thereby causing the nut 6 to rise or fall on the rod 5. Movement of the nut 6 produces a movement of the two control arms 7, 8 which transfer the motion into a raising or lowering of the window 23. The window position sensor 14 is attached to the motor 13 and is arranged to count revolutions or part revolutions of the armature of the motor 13.
A driver operable switch (not shown) is connected to the electronic controller 11 to provide a means of communicating a desired window position.
The window 23 is fitted with a heating element 15 which is connected to the electronic controller 11 by means of a rear screen heater controller 20 in the form of an electric relay. A driver operable switch (not shown) is connected to the relay 20 to provide a means of switching on or off the heating element 15.
A rear screen wiper 27 is connected to a wiper motor 18 by means of a flexible drive 28 and is moveable from an off-screen parked position, as shown in Figs.l and 2, to an on screen wiping mode by means of the motor 18 in response to a signal received from a wiper motor controller 19. The wiper motor controller 19 is connected to and receives control signals from the electronic controller 11 and a driver operable switch (not shown).
Operation of the control system is as follows, when the door handle 21 is actuated by a person wishing to open the rear door 39 the microswitch 22 senses the actuation of the door handle 21 and sends a signal to the electronic controller 11 indicating that a door open input has been received.
Before permitting the door 39 to be opened the electronic controller 11 checks the signal being received from the window position sensor 14 to determine whether the window 23 is fully closed, as shown by reference numeral 'A' on fig 3, or lowered beyond a pre-determined position 'B' corresponding to a position that will allow the top edge of the window 23 to become readily disengaged from the roof seal 24.
If the signal from the window position sensor 14 indicates that the window 23 is already lowered below said pre-determined position B' then the electronic controller 11 sends a signal to the locking means 16 to unlock the rear door 39.
However if the window 23 is sensed to be fully closed or closed beyond said pre-determined position B' then the electronic controller 11 sends a signal to the window lift motor controller 12 to lower the window beyond said predetermined position B' to a position where any backlash in the window lift mechanism will have been taken up and monitors the position of the window 23 by means of the window position sensor 14. When the window reaches the desired position the electronic controller 11 switches off the window lift motor 13 via the window lift motor controller 12 and sends a signal to the electrically operated locking means 16 to unlatch the rear door 39.
The electronic controller 11 then checks to see whether the door 39 is open by monitoring the output from the door sensor 17 and if it is established that the door 39 is open the electronic controller 11 sends a signal to the motor 13 via the motor controller 12 to raise the window to position The The number of rotations of the motor armature required to move the window 23 to position B' is calculated by using the output from the sensor or counter 14 and summing the number of revolutions since the window was moved from position 'A' . By carrying out this operation all backlash in the window lift mechanism is removed and a very accurate positioning of the window 23 can be achieved by using the counter 14.
It is not possible to open the rear door 39 before the window 23 has been lowered beyond said pre-determined position and so long as the electronic controller 11 receives a signal from the door position sensor 17 indicating that the rear door 39 is open it is operable to ensure that the window 23 remains at the pre-determined positioned B' by disabling the window lift motor controller 12.
Therefore even if a window up command is received from the driver operable switch the window 23 will not move.
This ensures that the door 39 cannot be accidentally closed with the window 23 in the fully up or closed position which would cause the top edge of the window 23 to impact against the outer lip of the roof seal 24. Such an impact could result in the window 23 being broken or damage occurring to the window lift mechanism.
As soon as the door 39 is closed the door sensor 17 indicates this fact to the electronic controller 11 which then automatically closes the window 23.
With particular reference to the Fig.6 there is shown a schematic representation of part of the window lift mechanism shown in Figs. 1 and 2.
A window 123 is engagable with a door seal 124. The window lift mechanism is represented by a slotted plate 106 and a rod 141 having an end portion engaged with the slot in the slotted plate 106. The point "X" represents the upper edge of the window 123 and the point "Z" represents a linearly moveable point attached directly to an output from a motor (not shown).
Positions "A" and "B" represent the same positions as shown on Fig.3. The distance "Y" represents the total backlash and compliance in the window lift mechanism. With reference to Fig.7 there is shown a graphical representation of the displacement of the points "X" and "Z" as the window is first lowered to position "C" and then raised to position "B". It can be seen that as from position "Q" onwards the position of the point "X" corresponds exactly to the position of point "Z" and so a very accurate calculation of the position of point "X" can be obtained by measuring the displacement of point "Z".
This enables position "B" to be located much closer to the edge of the seal 124 than if an allowance needs to be made for the back lash "Y" in the system. This is important because if the gap between the edge of the seal 124 and the top edge of the window 123 is too large it is possible to insert a body part such as finger into the gap.
By eliminating all of the backlash in the system it is possible to accurately position the top edge of the glass within 1 to 3 mm of the seal 124 and this is too small a gap to allow for the insertion or the entrapment of a body part.
It will be appreciated that the door open input signal could be generated by a microswitch attached to an internal door handle or from a switch or keypad on the door.
Claims (1)
1. A motor vehicle having number of doors at least one of
which supports a moveable window, the window being
movable by a window lift mechanism powered by an
electric motor in response to a signal received from an
electronic controller between a closed position in
which the upper edge of the window is engaged within an
upper door seal attached to part of the roof section of
the motor vehicle and an open position in which the
window is retracted into a lower part of the door, the
electric motor having a counter associated therewith to
count the rotation of an armature thereof, a door lock
mechanism to selectively secure the door in a closed
position having a door release device to release said
door lock mechanism, a door release sensor to provide a
signal to said electronic controller when a door open
input is applied to the door release device and a door
sensor to provide a signal to said electric controller
when the door is in an open position wherein the
electronic controller is operable to automatically
lower and close the window during opening and closing
of the door by operation in the following manner, in
response to a door open input being sensed by said door
release sensor means the electronic controller sends a
signal to the electric motor to lower the respective
window a predetermined amount which is sufficient to
take up any backlash in the window lift mechanism, the
electronic controller then monitors the state of the
door sensor to determine whether the door is open and
if it is sends a signal to the electric motor to raise
the window to a predetermined position which is
calculated from the counter associated with the
electric motor to be just sufficient to provide a
clearance between the window and the upper door seal
when the door is closed, the electronic controller then
monitors the door sensor until it senses that the door
is sensed to be closed and then the electronic
controller actuates the electric motor to move the
window into the closed position.
2. A motor vehicle as claimed in claim 1 in which the door
of the motor vehicle is a side hinged rear door.
3. A motor vehicle as claimed in Claim 1 or in Claim 2 in
which the door release device includes an external door
handle.
4. A motor vehicle as claimed in any of Claims 1 to 3 in
which the door release device includes an internal door
handle.
5 A motor vehicle as claimed in Claim 3 or in Claim 4 in
which the sensor means to sense when a door open input
is applied is a microswitch associated with a door
handle.
6. A motor vehicle as claimed in any of Claims 1 to 5 in
which if the signal from the door sensor indicates that
the door is open then the closing of the window beyond
said predetermined open position is prevented.
9. A motor vehicle substantially as described herein with
reference to the accompanying drawing.
10.A method of automatically opening and closing an
electrically moveable window of a motor vehicle the
method comprising the steps of sensing a door open
command from a sensor associated with a door release
device, actuating a window lift motor to open the
window a distance greater than that required to clear
the edge of the seal by an amount which is greater than
the expected backlash in the system, monitoring the
output from a door sensor to determine whether the door
is open and if it is automatically actuating the window
lift motor to close the window to a position calculated
to provide a minimal clearance between the window and
the door seal upon closing of the door, monitoring the
output from the door sensor to check whether the door
is open or closed and if it is determined to be closed
automatically actuating the window lift motor to move
the window into a closed position.
ll.A method of automatically opening and closing an
electrically moveable window of a motor vehicle substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB9606571A GB2311626B (en) | 1996-03-28 | 1996-03-28 | A motor vehicle |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB9606571A GB2311626B (en) | 1996-03-28 | 1996-03-28 | A motor vehicle |
Publications (3)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| GB9606571D0 GB9606571D0 (en) | 1996-06-05 |
| GB2311626A true GB2311626A (en) | 1997-10-01 |
| GB2311626B GB2311626B (en) | 1999-07-07 |
Family
ID=10791219
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB9606571A Expired - Lifetime GB2311626B (en) | 1996-03-28 | 1996-03-28 | A motor vehicle |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| GB (1) | GB2311626B (en) |
Citations (2)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GB1562318A (en) * | 1977-11-11 | 1980-03-12 | Derham F | Power-operated car window winding mechanism |
| GB2133461A (en) * | 1983-01-14 | 1984-07-25 | Porsche Ag | An arrangement for the lowering and raising of a window of a motor vehicle door |
-
1996
- 1996-03-28 GB GB9606571A patent/GB2311626B/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
Patent Citations (2)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GB1562318A (en) * | 1977-11-11 | 1980-03-12 | Derham F | Power-operated car window winding mechanism |
| GB2133461A (en) * | 1983-01-14 | 1984-07-25 | Porsche Ag | An arrangement for the lowering and raising of a window of a motor vehicle door |
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| GB2311626B (en) | 1999-07-07 |
| GB9606571D0 (en) | 1996-06-05 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| 732E | Amendments to the register in respect of changes of name or changes affecting rights (sect. 32/1977) | ||
| 746 | Register noted 'licences of right' (sect. 46/1977) |
Effective date: 20050714 |
|
| 732E | Amendments to the register in respect of changes of name or changes affecting rights (sect. 32/1977) | ||
| 732E | Amendments to the register in respect of changes of name or changes affecting rights (sect. 32/1977) |
Free format text: REGISTERED BETWEEN 20131128 AND 20131204 |
|
| PE20 | Patent expired after termination of 20 years |
Expiry date: 20160327 |