GB2314378A

GB2314378A - Vehicle:powered sliding window:detecting obstruction

Info

Publication number: GB2314378A
Application number: GB9712500A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Klaus Peter Maas
Original assignee: Draftex Industries Ltd
Current assignee: Laird Holdings Ltd
Priority date: 1996-06-18
Filing date: 1997-06-16
Publication date: 1997-12-24
Anticipated expiration: 2017-06-16
Also published as: GB9612679D0; DE29710499U1; GB2314378B; GB9712500D0

Abstract

An obstruction is moved by an upwardly sliding, powered vehicle window into contact with a wall 17 or 18 of a resilient, window receiving channel and thereby applies a force to electrical detector SO to stop or reverse the window. Central abutment means such as studs 124 are positioned over the detector to prevent the closing window itself from actuating the detector, which may comprise a switch. X, which may comprise a switch.

Description

MOVABLE-WINDOW SAFETY DEVICE The invention relates to a movable-window safety device for detecting the presence of an obstruction in an opening closable by a power-driven window glass.

According to the invention, there is provided a movable-window safety device for detecting the presence of an obstruction in an opening closable by a power-driven window glass, comprising resilient material forming a longitudinally extending resilient channel for mounting on and along a window frame for the opening and for receiving an edge of the moving window glass when so mounted, an electrical detecting member mounted within the resilient channel and extending along at least part of the length thereof, the channel being dimensioned to have extensions on opposite sides of the channel which extend laterally of the channel so as to be clear of the window frame whereby an obstruction in the window opening when moved into contact with at least one of the extensions by the moving window glass applies a force through the resilient material to the detecting member, the electrical detecting member having a width extending substantially across the width of the channel so as to receive the force applied by either extension, control means responsive to the effect of the force applied to the detector member to arrest power-driven movement of the window glass, and abutment means disposed in the channel in a region which extends longitudinally of the channel and which is located substantially centrally of the width of the channel for abutting against the edge of the moving window glass entering the channel and preventing the moving window glass from itself applying a force to the detecting member, the abutment means being positioned over the detecting member or at an interruption therein.

Movable window safety devices embodying the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying diagrammatic drawings in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a motor vehicle showing where the safety devices can be mounted; Figure 2 is a cross-section on the line II-II of Figure 1, showing one of the safety devices mounted in position and in use; Figure 3 is a perspective cross-sectional view, corresponding to Figure 2, of one of the safety devices before completion of its manufacture; Figure 4 is a perspective view of one form of detecting member which can be used in the safety devices; and Figure 5 is a perspective sectional view of one of the safety devices with the detecting member incorporated therein.

Figure 1 shows a motor vehicle 5. Each door 6 carrying a window frame 8 in which a window glass is upwardly and downwardly slidable, the window glass being raised and lowered by means of an electric motor mounted in the lower part of the door. For safety reasons, it is necessary to arrange for the upward movement of the window glass to be stopped automatically if an obstruction is detected in the window opening.

Figure 2 shows a safety device embodying the invention which is used, in a manner to be explained, for stopping upward movement of the window glass in the event of detection of such an obstruction.

The safety device 12 is in the form of a window guiding and sealing strip. The strip 12 comprises generally channel-shaped extruded plastics or rubber material 14 defining a channel 16 having walls 17 and 18. The strip 12 is mounted in the rigid window frame 8 mounted in the upper part of the door 6.

The material 14 defines integral lips 20 and 22 which together bridge across the mouth of the channel 16. The base 24 of the channel is relatively thick and defines two longitudinally extending hollow chambers 26 and 28. In addition, a web 30 extends across the base of the channel and defines with it an enlarged chamber 32.

The sides of the base 24 are integrally extended to provide lips 34 and 36.

The distal ends of the walls 17,18 of the channel are provided with outwardly extending lips 38 and 40.

The strip 12 is sized to fit within the U-shape of the window frame 8 and is arranged to be a resilient push-fit. When placed in position, its lips 34 and 36 expand outwardly behind shoulders formed where the edges of the inner and outer door panels 42 and 44 are bent over, and welded, to produce the window frame 8. In this way, the strip 12 is held firmly in position.

The walls 17,18 of the strip 12 are sized so that their distal edges extend outwardly of the frame 8, the outer lips 38 and 40 curving over to engage the edges of the window frame. In this way, gaps A and B are formed under the lips 38 and 40 for a purpose to be described.

Inside the chamber 32, a detecting member 50 is positioned. The member 50 is inserted into the chamber 32 endwise during manufacture.

The member 50 may take several different forms, as will be described in more detail below. In one form, it comprises material whose electrical resistance changes in response to applied force or pressure.

The safety device or strip 12 is mounted along the upper part of the window frame 8 as shown in Figure 1 and may also extend down the A' pillar of the vehicle. Along the "B" pillar of the vehicle, a normal window channel may be provided.

Figure 2 shows the window glass 52. During normal unobstructed movement, it is raised by an electric motor under control of an occupant of the vehicle. As it completes its upward movement, it enters the channel 16, and, in so doing, is sealingly contacted on each side by the lips 20 and 22. Advantageously these lips are covered with flock 54 or other suitable low friction material.

If an obstruction is present within the window opening, however, such as a human hand or finger, this will be carried upwardly by the rising window glass 52 and will make contact with the outer face C or D of the window channel, depending on whether the obstruction is presented from inside or outside of the vehicle (or may make contact with both faces C and D). As the obstruction continues to be driven upwardly by the rising window glass 52, a force F will be applied to the face C and/or the face D as shown by the arrows F. This force will be transmitted to the detecting member 50 by the corresponding wall or walls 17,18 of the strip 12, this process being aided by the gaps A and B and by the chambers 26 and 28 in the base 24 of the strip which provide added compressibility for the base.

Because of the presence of chambers 26 and 28, each applied force F will bend the respective lateral region of the detecting member 50 about the ridge 53 in the base of the channel. This bending, which is the effect caused by the applied force F, produces a resultant change in resistance of the member 50.

Various forms of circuit can be used to detect the change in resistance caused to the member 50 by the presence of an obstruction. In one form of circuit, an electrical potential is applied between the ends of the member 50 and a detecting unit produces an output signal (when the change in current through the member 50 indicates that its resistance has been changed by the presence of an obstruction). Such a circuit is described in more detail in our co-pending U.K. patent application No. 2300444.

The output signal is used to signal detection of the presence of the obstruction and de-energises the electric motor thereby abruptly stopping upward movement of the window glass.

Advantageously, the upward movement of the window glass is not only stopped but reversed so that the obstruction can be removed.

As the window glass 52 rises, and assuming that there is no obstruction to interrupt its upward movement in the manner already explained, it will enter the channel 16 and eventually contact the base 30 of the channel. It is necessary, however, to ensure that this upward movement of the window glass does not apply a force to the detecting member 50 which causes the detecting member 50 to respond by (wrongly) detecting an obstruction and perhaps reversing the electric motor, thus opening the window again. Figures 4 and 5 show how this aim may be achieved.

Figure 4 shows a perspective view of one form which the member 50 can take. In this form, it comprises a force sensing resistor. Two flexible cover sheets 100 and 102 are spaced apart by spacing strips 104 and 106 to define a longitudinal central region 108. Within the region 108, strips of resistive material, whose electrical resistance varies with applied force, are provided. Thus, there is a longitudinally extending strip 110 of such material running along the lower internal face of the region 108 and two interdigitated strips 112 and 114 (shown dotted) running along the upper part of the region 108; the strips 112 and 114 have fingers 113 and 115. The member 50 is inserted lengthwise in the chamber 32 of the sealing strip 12.

In the manner already explained, the presence of an obstruction in the window opening causes a force F (Figure 2) to be applied to the face C and/or the face D and to be transmitted by the corresponding wall or walls 17,18 to the detecting member 50.

Such force is applied to the fingers 113 and 115 of the interdigitated members 112 and 114 and presses them into contact with the strip 110, thus producing a change in electrical resistance between two electrical conductors 116 and 117. This change in resistance is sensed in the manner already explained so as to stop movement of the window.

However, and as shown in Figure 4, over a region 118, the fingers 113 and 115 of the interdigitated strips 112 and 114 are omitted and a hole 122 is provided through the region 118. A suitable rigid stud 124 (see Figure 5) is mounted within this hole 122 so as to project upwardly, slightly towards the web 30 in the window channel, the stud providing a rigid abutment for the window glass. The stud is formed on or firmly abuts the channel-shaped rigid window frame 8 (Figure 2) so as to extend through the base 24 of the channel-shaped strip 12 and thence freely through the hole 122 in the member 50 - so as to provide a rigid abutment for stopping the rising window before it makes contact with the member 50.

It will be understood that the example of abutment shown in Figure 5 is merely an example of many different formshich suitable abutments can take.

In certain circumstances, it may not be necessary to have a region 118 (Figures 4 and 5) in which the interdigitated members 112 and 114 are omitted.

In practice, there would not simply be a single abutment 124 for arresting the window glass. There would be several such abutments, spaced apart along the length of the member 50, each, if necessary, with its associated region 118 in which the interdigitated members 112 and 114 are omitted.

Referring to Figure 1, such abutments could be provided at intervals along the top of the window frame and also down the "A" pillar.

It is necessary, of course, to ensure that the electric motor driving the window glass is de-energised when the window glass reaches its fully closed position. The window drive mechanism may be provided with a limit switch incorporated in the driving mechanism which detects when the window glass has been raised sufficiently to close the window. In response to such detection, it de-energises the motor. In such a case, the limit switch could be set so as to stop the rising window glass 52 immediately before it makes contact with the abutments just described (such as the stud 124 described with reference to Figure 5). In this case, therefore, the abutment would be provided to ensure that the window glass 52 could not apply a force to the detecting member 50 in the event that the limit switch becomes slightly out of adjustment during the life of the vehicle so that it perhaps does not stop the window glass sufficiently soon.

In another system, the rising window glass 52 is allowed to move into contact with, and be arrested by, the abutments described, and a suitable detector is provided to sense the sudden increase in electric motor current, resulting from the stoppage of the window glass, so as to de-energise the electric motor.

In a further modification, the abutments themselves may incorporate suitable sensors for detecting arrival of the window glass and de-energising the drive motor.

Although member 50 has been described as comprising a force sensitive resistor, it may instead take some other form. For example, it could comprise a pair of longitudinally extending conductors which are normally separated but which are moved into contact with each other by the force F (Figure 2) exerted on the member 50 via the surfaces C and D and the walls 17,18, in the event of the presence of an obstruction. Contact between the two conductors would be detected in a suitable circuit to cause stopping of the electric motor and, advantageously, reversal so as to lower the window glass 52. In such a case, the detecting member 50 would again be provided with one or more abutments, corresponding to the platform 120 or the studs described with reference to Figure 5, for providing means which positively arrests the rising window glass without causing the member 50 to produce an output signal. Such a member 50, comprising two electrical conductors, could thus be provided with a region corresponding to the region 118 of Figure 4 where the conductors are locally omitted.

In another example, the member 50 comprises a longitudinally extending single conductor which is moved by transmission of a force F (Figure 2) through one or both of the walls 17,18, the conductor being connected in a circuit in which it forms one plate of a capacitor. The resultant change in capacitance would thus be detected to arrest the electric motor and, advantageously, to cause its reversal so as to lower the window glass. One example of a suitable circuit is shown in the abovementioned co-pending U.K. patent application. Again, therefore, such a member 50 could be provided with one or more abutments in the manner already described, for preventing the rising window glass from causing a member 50 to produce an output signal.

Each region 118 (Figure 4) over which the operative parts of the detecting member 50 are locally removed is sufficiently short, in relation to the length of the detecting member, that the overall sensitivity of the sealing strip 12 to the presence of an obstruction is not reduced. Thus, in the event of an obstruction between the rising window glass 52 and the surface C or D (Figure 2), in the region corresponding (lengthwise along the strip) with the region 118 of the detecting member, it is found that the resultant force F will cause the detection member 50 to produce a suitable electrical output - provided that the length of the region 118 is not too great. In other words, even though the force F may be generated by the presence of a small obstruction, such as a finger, the resilient material of the corresponding side walls 17,18 of the window channel will cause a corresponding force to be transmitted over a greater length of the detecting member 50.

Claims

CLAIMS 1. A movable-window safety device for detecting the presence of an obstruction in an opening closable by a power-driven window glass, comprising resilient material forming a longitudinally extending resilient channel for mounting on and along a window frame for the opening and for receiving an edge of the moving window glass when so mounted, an electrical detecting member mounted within the resilient channel and extending along at least part of the length thereof, the channel being dimensioned to have extensions on opposite sides of the channel which extend laterally of the channel so as to be clear of the window frame whereby an obstruction in the window opening when moved into contact with at least one of the extensions by the moving window glass applies a force through the resilient material to the detecting member, the electrical detecting member having a width extending substantially across the width of the channel so as to receive the force applied by either extension, control means responsive to the effect of the force applied to the detector member to arrest power-driven movement of the window glass, and abutment means disposed in the channel in a region which extends longitudinally of the channel and which is located substantially centrally of the width of the channel for abutting against the edge of the moving window glass entering the channel and preventing the moving window glass from itself applying a force to the detecting member, the abutment means being positioned over the detecting member or at an interruption therein
2. A device according to claim 1, in which the abutment means extends freely through the detecting member to a support, whereby abutment of the window glass against the abutment means does not transmit a force to the detecting member.
3. A device according to claim 2, in which the support is provided by the window frame.
4. A device according to claim 3, in which the or each abutment means comprises a rigid stud mounted on the window frame and extending through the detecting member.
5. A device according to any preceding claim, including a plurality of the abutment means spaced apart along the length of the resilient channel.
6. A device according to any preceding claim, in which the or each abutment means extends for a sufficiently short part of the length of the detecting member so as not to prevent an obstruction pressed against at least one of the extensions at a position lengthwise coincident with the abutment means from transmitting a resultant force to the detecting member.
7. A device according to any preceding claim, in which the or each abutment means is mounted to project more closely towards the mouth of the resilient channel than the detecting member.
8. A device according to any preceding claim, in which the detecting member is a force-sensitive resistance member.
9. A device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, in which the detecting member comprises electrically conductive means responsive to the said force.
10. A device according to any preceding claim, in which the lateral extensions of the resilient channel are respectively formed by distal regions of the walls of the channel.
11. A device according to any preceding claim, in which the detecting member is mounted in a hollow chamber defined within the base of the channel.
12. A device according to any one of claims 1 to 10, in which the detecting member is so mounted within the channel that the effect which the said force has on the detecting member occurs within a region of the detecting member which is located centrally of the width thereof.
13. A device according to claim 12, including a supporting part extending along the channel at a position substantially coincident with and supporting the said region of the detecting member on the opposite side of the detecting member to the side against which the said force is applied, whereby the force tends to bend at least one lateral part of the detection member about the supporting part to create the said effect in the said region of the detecting member.
14. A device according to claim 13, in which the detecting member is mounted in a hollow chamber defined within the base of the channel, and the supporting part is located within this hollow chamber.
15. A movable-window safety device, substantially as described with reference to the accompanying drawings.