Electricity: motive power systems – Automatic and/or with time-delay means – Motor load – armature or primary or secondary circuit current
Reexamination Certificate
1999-09-07
2001-10-16
Ro, Bentsu (Department: 2837)
Electricity: motive power systems
Automatic and/or with time-delay means
Motor load, armature or primary or secondary circuit current
C318S266000, C318S286000, C318S434000, C318S469000, C049S026000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06304048
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates to a method and device for determining torque in an automotive power window system for use in detecting an object caught between a window and its respective frame.
Many of the automotive vehicles today have electronically controlled windows and may even have electronically controlled sun/moon roofs. These systems provide the operator with ease in opening and closing the windows. However, if the operator is distracted while closing the window, it is possible for an object, such as an am, hand or finger, to be caught between the window and the header, or seal, of the automotive window.
Techniques exist today to measure torque of a motor associated with a power window system. By monitoring motor torque, a prediction can be made that an obstruction is in the way of the vehicle window. However, these techniques are typically costly due to the added components necessary to detect the torque. Furthermore, the torque-sensing components typically come into contact with the motor resulting in a reliability concern. Thus, there exists a need for a reliable, yet inexpensive method and device for detecting torque applied to a motor of an automotive power window system.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
A torque applied to a motor of an automotive power window system is detected by securing a ring magnet to a rotor shaft of the motor for generating a magnetic field in response to the rotation of the rotor shaft. The rotor, as well as the rotor shaft, moves linearly along an axial length of the rotor shaft in response to an applied torque. The strength of the magnetic field is sensed by a Hall Effect sensor based on the linear position of the rotor shaft. A control circuit receives a voltage signal from the sensor and detects the torque based on the strength of the magnetic field. The control circuit then controls the motor to either stop or reverse its direction.
In a preferred embodiment, a direction of the torque is determined based on the strength of the magnetic field and the linear position of the rotor shaft. This is accomplished by positioning the ring magnet at an end of the sensor rather than at a middle position during a steady-state mode. Thus, the strength of the magnetic field varies asymmetrical with respect to the direction of displacement with respect the steady state position.
These and other features of the present invention can be understood from the following specification and drawings.
REFERENCES:
patent: 3652911 (1972-03-01), Gorissen
patent: 4564265 (1986-01-01), Miki
patent: 5832664 (1998-11-01), Tajima et al.
Bonduel Pascal
Breynaert Francois
Davies Timothy
Hopson Charles
Kyrtsos Christos
Howard & Howard
Meritor Light Vehicle Systems, Inc.
Ro Bentsu
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