Electricity: motive power systems – Motor-reversing – Automatic and/or with time-delay means
Reexamination Certificate
1999-11-19
2001-03-13
Ro, Bentsu (Department: 2837)
Electricity: motive power systems
Motor-reversing
Automatic and/or with time-delay means
C318S286000, C318S483000, C307S010100
Reexamination Certificate
active
06201363
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a power window apparatus for a vehicle, and more particularly, to a power window apparatus securing a window opening operation when the vehicle is submerged.
2. Background Art
An increasing number of vehicles are equipped with a power window apparatus capable of raising and lowering side windows by electric motors. Generally, the power window operating mechanism comprises an electric motor, a window raising relay controlled by a window raising switch and a window lowering relay controlled by a window lowering switch. The electric motor is electrically energized or deenergized by the operations of the window raising or lowering relays to open or close the window.
According to the prior art, when a vehicle is submerged accidentally, water enters into switches and sometimes the switches may be in an energized condition irrespective of whether or not an operator operates a switch or sometimes a control device for controlling the window may output unexpected signals. Specifically, for example, when the vehicle is submerged, there is a possibility that the window closes or will not open despite the operator's intention to open the window.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the present invention to provide a power window apparatus capable of opening the window even when relative circuits of the apparatus are under water.
To this object, a power window apparatus for a vehicle capable of switching an operation mode of a window to a submersion mode when a submersion of the vehicle is detected, comprises a circuit board for controlling the window, at least one sensor having a pair of electrodes for detecting a continuity therebetween when the electrodes are submerged, a housing for accommodating the circuit board and the sensor, a first chamber provided in the housing and enclosed by walls for accommodating the circuit board, a second chamber provided in the housing and enclosed by walls for accommodating the sensor, and at least one opening provided at the walls of the second chamber for allowing to introduce water into the second chamber so as to merge the sensor in water before the circuit board is submerged.
REFERENCES:
patent: 5547208 (1996-08-01), Chappell et al.
patent: 5994797 (1999-11-01), Yamaoka
patent: 6031296 (2000-02-01), Takagi et al.
patent: 6060794 (2000-05-01), Takagi et al.
patent: 6072290 (2000-06-01), Takagi et al.
patent: 6081085 (2000-06-01), Ohashi et al.
patent: 6111373 (2000-08-01), Ohashi
Fuji Jukogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
Ro Bentsu
Smith , Gambrell & Russell, LLP
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