GB2418741A

GB2418741A - Control system for a sliding roof and powered windows of a vehicle

Info

Publication number: GB2418741A
Application number: GB0421818A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Carl Anthony Pickering
Original assignee: Ford Global Technologies LLC
Current assignee: Ford Global Technologies LLC
Priority date: 2004-10-01
Filing date: 2004-10-01
Publication date: 2006-04-05
Anticipated expiration: 2024-10-01
Also published as: GB2418741B; GB0421818D0

Abstract

A control system for controlling the translation of a vehicle component, such as a powered window or sliding roof, includes two spaced apart sensors 3, 4 that each detect the proximity of a hand and produce an actuation signal. A control circuit produces a first output signal when actuation signals from both sensors 3,4 are received. A touch sensor 8 produces a second output signal in response to pressure from a hand. A central processing unit 7 controls an actuator mechanism to move the vehicle component in response to either the first output signal, or a combination of the first and second output signals. The system can either fully open or fully close the component according to a sensed direction of motion of a hand. Alternatively, if first and second output signals are both received within a given time, the system moves the component to a position proportional to a position selected on the touch sensor 8. The sensors 3,4 may be capacitive proximity sensors, and the touch sensor 8 may be capacitive or resistive.

Description

Control system for motor vehicle The present invention relates to a

control system for a motor vehicle in particular a control system for controlling the function of a power window or a sliding roof.

Conventionally, to control the function of a power window a switch including preferably a toggle that can be pivoted in one direction to cause the window to raise and pivoted in another direction to cause the window to lower can be used. Such a switch for example for controlling a right front window is generally disposed on a door trim panel of a driver door or according to another embodiment on a contra console extending from the centre of an instrument panel. Hence, the driver needs for controlling the function of his window to achieve the following steps: one of his hand moves towards the switch, his fingers grasp the toggle switch and move the toggle switch in one direction to control the translation of the window to a desired position and finally his hand moves away from the switch. It therefore takes many steps to operate and control the switch. They cannot achieve the control function instantly. Moreover, the driver is required to take his eyes off the road in order to operate the switch and set the window to a desired position. The operation procedures of such a switch for controlling the function of a window is causing driver distraction.

One attempt to solve part of this disadvantage is to provide the switch with a one touch down, also referred to as express down, which enables the driver to fully lower the window by a single press on the toggle switch. However, when the driver wants to open his window to a specific height, the operation procedures above-mentioned need to be achieved.

it is an object of this invention to provide a control system for a motor vehicle that achieves a control function for operating a window or a sliding roof in a simple and easy way to overcome the aforementioned disadvantages of conventional switches. - 2

According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided a control system for controlling the translation of a vehicle component, comprising: - at least two spaced-apart sensors sensible to approaching of a hand, each sensor producing an actuation signal in response to detecting a hand in the proximity of the sensor, - a control circuit for producing a first output signal in response to the detection of the actuation signal from each sensor within a predetermined period of time, - a touch sensor connected to a controller for producing a second output signal in response to a pressure by the hand on the touch sensor, the touch sensor being located in use near the sensors, and - a central processing unit for controlling an actuator mechanism to selectively move the vehicle component to a fully open or fully closed position according to the direction of the hand motion when the first output signal is received by the central processing unit or to a position proportional to the height where the hand has tapped the touch sensor when both the first output signal and the second output signal are received at the central processing unit within a predetermined period of time.

Preferably, the sensors are capacitive proximity sensors which consist of a foil strip.

The touch sensor may be resistive or capacitive.

Also preferably, the control circuit determines a first output command according to a look-up table dependent of which sensor has been activated in first and a predetermined time period between the actuation signal of the sensors.

The invention also provides, according to another aspect, a motor vehicle having a pair of A-pillars, each of which is substantially covered by a respectively pillar trim and at least one powered window, wherein the powered window comprises an electric motor controlled by a control system which is in accordance with said first aspect.

Conveniently, the sensors and the touch sensor are located on an exterior surface of the pillar trim. In order to avoid any distraction, the proximity sensors and touch sensor are preferably hidden behind a cloth material which covered the pillar trim.

The invention also provides, according to another aspect, a motor vehicle comprising a sliding roof which is driven by an electric motor, wherein the electric motor is controlled by a control system which is in accordance with said first aspect.

Preferably, the sensors and the touch sensor are located on a roof of the motor vehicle in such way that they can in use be operated by both a passenger and a driver of the vehicle.

The invention also provides, according to another aspect, a method of controlling the translation of a vehicle component by a control system in accordance with said first aspect, when installed in a motor vehicle and a hand is moving in the vicinity of the sensors, comprising the steps of: analyzing the actuation signals sensed by sensors to check that all the sensors have been activated within a predetermined period of time and determined a first output signal corresponding either to a fully open or fully closed position of the vehicle panel, - determining whether the second output signal from the touch sensor is sensed in a predetermined time of period from the first output signal, which correspond to an instruction to move the vehicle panel to a specific position, and - 4 driving the actuator to move the vehicle panel to a fully open or fully closed position when only a first output signal is received by the central processing unit or to the specific position when both the first output signal and the second output signal are received at the central processing unit.

The invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings of which: Fig.1 is a schematic diagram of a control system according to an embodiment of the present invention intended to be implemented inside a motor vehicle to allow a user to control an actuator mechanism for example an electric motor of a power window, Fig.2 is a perspective view of part of a passenger compartment of a motor vehicle equipped with the control system of Fig.1 for controlling the function of a power window, Fig.3 is a flow chart illustrating operation of the control system shown in block form in Fig.1, and Fig.4 is a perspective view of a sliding roof of a motor vehicle which is controlled by the control system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to Fig.1, there is shown a control system 1 which includes sensors sensible to the approaching of a hand. The sensors comprises a pair of spaced apart proximity sensors designated hereafter first sensor 3 and second sensor 4 which are connected to a logic control circuit 5. The logic control circuit 5 receives the actuation signals from the sensors 3, 4 when a hand is detected in proximity to the sensors 3, 4 and determines a first or digital output command 6 according to a look-up table dependent of which sensor has been activated in first and a time period between the two actuation signals. This look-up table is integrated inside the logic control circuit 5. The digital output command 6 which corresponds either to an express fully open or fully close command of the window or sliding 5 roof is sent to a central processing unit (CPU) 7 which in response drives an electric motor 2 in the proper direction. In order to enable the driver or passenger to control the translation of the window or the sliding roof between the extreme positions, the control system 1 also includes a linear touch position sensor 8 located between the pair of sensors 3, 4. This linear touch sensor 8 is connected to a controller 9. It will be appreciated that the linear touch position sensor could be resistive or capacitive. In this embodiment the linear touch position sensor is a force sensitive resistor. The controller 9 receives the touch detection signals 10 from the linear touch sensor 8 when a hand taps the sensor. The controller 9 then generates a second or analogue output signal 11 which is proportional to the position pressed by the driver or passenger along the linear touch sensor 8, i.e. a tap on the top of the linear touch sensor is substantially equal to a fully closed position of the window and a tap on the middle of the linear touch position is substantially equal to a half open position of the window. This analogue output signal 11 which corresponds to a specific command of the actuator 2 is sent to the central processing unit 7 which in response drives the electric motor in the intended direction and to the position required.

Referring now to the Fig.2, there is shown a vehicle body forming a passenger compartment 12 of a motor vehicle in which is implemented the control system 1 of Fig.1 for controlling the translation of at least one front window, e.g. the driver window 13. The vehicle body includes conventionally a roof 14 and a pair of A-pillars spaced laterally and extending downwardly and forwardly at an angle from a forward end of the roof 14. Each A pillar is covered by a pillar trim 15,16 fixedly mounted to the A-pillar. The vehicle body includes also a passenger front door 18 and a driver front door 19. Each door has a window pane 13, 17 and an actuator mechanism 20 tonly the driver mechanism is shown) for translating the window pane and a door trim panel 18,19. The passenger compartment 12 includes also a passenger seat 21 and a driver seat 22 which are slidingly engaged to the vehicle floor. Driver seat 12 is disposed directly behind the steering wheel 23. - 6 ^

The pillar trim 16 located in front of the driver seat includes the pair of proximity sensors 3,4 and the linear touch sensor 8. The two sensors 3, 4 are disposed in such a way that the first sensor 3 is on the upper part of the pillar trim 16 and the second sensor 4 is on the lower part of the pillar trim 16. The linear touch sensor 8 is located between the two sensors 3, 4. The exterior surface of the pillar trim 16 is preferably covered in a cloth material (not shown) so that the sensors 3, 4 and the linear touch sensor 8 are invisible or barely perceptible to the driver and hence unwanted driver distraction is avoided.

In the illustrated embodiment, the proximity sensors 3, 4 are in the form of a foil strip, a capacitance triggered switching circuit housed in the logic control circuit 5 and a voltage regulator to maintain a stable operation voltage. Specifically, when the driver moves the hand closer to the foil, a capacitor is formed between the hand of the driver and the foil strip. On the basis of the alternating current flowing from the AC voltage supplies to the foil strip, the position of the approaching hand is detected. Preferably, the logic control circuit 5 is an integrated circuit. It will be appreciated that the actuator mechanism 20 is provided with a position sensor (not shown) which sends to the CPU 7 the current position of the window pane 13.

In use, the CPU 7 which supervises the sensors 3, 4 and 8 is programmed to send a trigger signal Ts to drive the electric motor of the power window when it receives an output signal from the logic control circuit 5 which means that the driver has passed his hand over the sensors 3, 4 within a short time, e.g. two seconds. Thus, an express fully opening or fully closing action of the window may be obtained, according to requirements, as a function of the direction of hand motion noted by the sensors 3, 4 without further action by the driver than the motion of his hand in the region of the trim pillar 16 upwards to close the window or downwards to open the window. The driver does not need to make complicated operations to perform the translation of his window. It will be appreciated that the window motor is deactivated as soon as a high torque is detected at the level of the window motor as is well-known.

The CPU 7 is also programmed to send a trigger signal Ts to drive the electric motor of the power window when it receives both an digital output signal 6 from the logic control circuit 5 and an analogue output signal 11 from the controller 9. Hence the driver can also perform the translation of the window by both moving his hand according the direction he wants the window to translate and then tapping the linear touch sensor 8 approximately at the position where he wants the window to stop. This specific gesture enables avoidance of the case where his hand inadvertently hits the pillar trim 15.

Operational modes of the control system data signals will be described in detail with reference to the flow chart of Fig.3 to clearly disclose the method of control of the present invention. When the engine of the vehicle is switched on at step 101, the CPU 7 sends a request of the current window position status to the position sensor of the actuator mechanism 20 at step 102. The logic control circuit 5 checks at step 103 whether or not an actuation signal from the first sensor 3 is detected. If the answer is "No", the logic control circuit 5 checks at step 104 whether or not, an actuation signal from the second sensor 4 is detected. If the answer is "No", the process returns to step 102.

At step 103, if the answer is "Yes", the logic control circuit 5 determines whether or not an actuation signal from the second sensor 4 is detected within a set time limit at step 105.

If the answer is "No", the process returns at step 102. If the answer is "Yes", the logic control circuit 5 sends an digital output signal 6 to the CPU 7 which determines whether or not an analogue output signal 11 is detected within a set time limit at step 106. If the answer is "No", the CPU 7 sends a trigger signal Ts to the actuator mechanism at step 107 which corresponds to a fully closed position of the window pane. If the answer is "Yes", the CPU 7 sends a trigger signal Ts to the actuator mechanism at step 108 in order to drive the actuator to the position defined by the controller 9 of the linear touch sensor 8.

At step 104, if the logic control circuit 5 detects an actuation signal from the second sensor 4, the logic control circuit 5 determines whether or not an actuation signal from the - 8 first sensor is detected within a set time limit at step 109. If the answer is "No", the process returns at step 102. If the answer is ''Yes", the logic control circuit 5 sends an digital output 6 signal to the CPU which determines whether or not an analogue output signal 11 is detected within a set time limit at step 110. If the answer is "No", the CPU 7 sends a trigger signal Ts to the actuator mechanism at step 111 which corresponds to a fully open position of the window pane. If the answer is "Yes'', the CPU sends a trigger signal to the actuator mechanism at step 112 in order to drive the actuator to the position defined by the controller 9 of the linear touch sensor 8.

In a second embodiment show in Fig.4, the control system 1 drives an electric motor 30 of a sliding roof 31 by a simple motion of the hand at the level of the roof 14. In this embodiment, the pair of proximity sensors 3, 4 and the linear touch sensor 8 are located on the roof panel 14 and disposed on a axis which is substantially parallel to the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. The linear touch sensor 8 is disposed at proximity of the pair of sensor as shown in Fig.3. Operation of the sliding roof 31 is similar to the first embodiment.

The driver or the passenger can perform the translation of the sliding roof 31 by bringing his hand within proximity of the sensors 3, 4 and motion his hand in the direction he wants to move the sliding roof in order to fully open or fully close position of the roof. The passenger or driver can also move the sliding roof 31 to a specific position by tapping the linear touch sensor 8 straight after the motion of his hand across the proximity sensors 3, 4.

Although the control system has been described herein in relation to the front window of the vehicle it Will be appreciated that all the windows of the vehicle can be operated by such a control system with sensors 3,4 and 8 located appropriately. Also, the control system could be included more than two proximity sensors. It will be appreciated that the system could include three touch pads, disposed on the door trim panel of the driver, to allow the driver to operate all four windows by gesture operation above-described. If no touch pad is touched the default will be the drivers window. If any of the other three touch pads are touched prior the gesture operation then that respective window will be operated. - 9 -

Claims

1. A control system for controlling the translation of a vehicle component, comprising: - at least two spaced-apart sensors sensible to approaching of a hand, each sensor producing an actuation signal in response to detecting a hand in the proximity of the sensor, - a control circuit for producing a first output signal in response to the detection of the actuation signal from each sensor within a predetermined period of time, - a touch sensor connected to a controller for producing a second output signal in response to a pressure by the hand on the touch sensor, the touch sensor being located in use near the sensors, and - a central processing unit for controlling an actuator mechanism to selectively move the vehicle component to a fully open or fully closed position according to the direction of the hand motion when the first output signal is received by the central processing unit or to a position proportional to the height where the hand has tapped the touch sensor when both the first output signal and the second output signal are received at the central processing unit within a predetermined period of time.

2. A Control system as claimed in claim 1 wherein the sensors are capacitive proximity sensors which consist of a foil strip.

3. A Control system as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2 wherein the touch sensor is resistive or capacitive.

4. A control system as claimed any one of Claims 1 to 3 wherein the control circuit determines a first output command according to a look-up table dependent of which - 10 sensor has been activated in first and a predetermined time period between the actuation signal of the sensors.

5. A motor vehicle having a pair of A-pillars, each of which is substantially covered by a respective pillar trim, and at least one powered window, wherein the powered window comprises an electric motor controlled by a control system as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4.

6. A vehicle as claimed in claim 5, wherein the sensors and the touch sensor are located on an exterior surface of the pillar trim.

7 A vehicle as claimed in claim 6, wherein the pillar trim is covered in cloth material.

8. A motor vehicle comprising a sliding roof which is driven by an electric motor, wherein the electric motor is controlled by an control system as claimed in any one of claims 1 to4.

9. A vehicle as claimed in claim 8, wherein the sensors and the linear touch position sensors are located on a roof of the motor vehicle in such way that they can in use be operated by both a passenger and a driver of the vehicle.

10. A method of controlling the translation of a vehicle component by a control system in accordance with any one of claims 1 to 4, when installed in a motor vehicle and a hand is moving in the vicinity of the sensors, comprising the steps of: - analyzing the actuation signals sensed by sensors to check that all the sensors have been activated within a predetermined period of time and determined a first output signal corresponding either to a fully open or fully closed position of the vehicle panel, - 11 - determining whether the second output signal from the touch sensor is sensed in a predetermined time of period from the first output signal, which correspond to an instruction to move the vehicle panel to a specific position, and - driving the actuator to move the vehicle panel to a fully open or fully closed position when only the first output signal is received by the central processing unit or to the specific position when both the first output signal and the second output signal are received at the central processing unit.

11. A control system as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings.

12. A motor vehicle substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings.

13. A method of controlling a control system substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings.