CA2203431C - Side visor having pinching sensing member and power window apparatus using the same - Google Patents

Side visor having pinching sensing member and power window apparatus using the same Download PDF

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Publication number
CA2203431C
CA2203431C CA002203431A CA2203431A CA2203431C CA 2203431 C CA2203431 C CA 2203431C CA 002203431 A CA002203431 A CA 002203431A CA 2203431 A CA2203431 A CA 2203431A CA 2203431 C CA2203431 C CA 2203431C
Authority
CA
Canada
Prior art keywords
window
side visor
window frame
sensing switch
external force
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.)
Expired - Fee Related
Application number
CA002203431A
Other languages
French (fr)
Other versions
CA2203431A1 (en
Inventor
Noboru Tsuge
Takeshi Tanaka
Tomoyuki Kikuta
Hidenori Ishihara
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Asmo Co Ltd
Original Assignee
Asmo Co Ltd
Priority date (The priority date 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 date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Asmo Co Ltd filed Critical Asmo Co Ltd
Publication of CA2203431A1 publication Critical patent/CA2203431A1/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of CA2203431C publication Critical patent/CA2203431C/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Fee Related legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60JWINDOWS, WINDSCREENS, NON-FIXED ROOFS, DOORS, OR SIMILAR DEVICES FOR VEHICLES; REMOVABLE EXTERNAL PROTECTIVE COVERINGS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR VEHICLES
    • B60J10/00Sealing arrangements
    • EFIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E05LOCKS; KEYS; WINDOW OR DOOR FITTINGS; SAFES
    • E05FDEVICES FOR MOVING WINGS INTO OPEN OR CLOSED POSITION; CHECKS FOR WINGS; WING FITTINGS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR, CONCERNED WITH THE FUNCTIONING OF THE WING
    • E05F15/00Power-operated mechanisms for wings
    • E05F15/40Safety devices, e.g. detection of obstructions or end positions
    • E05F15/42Detection using safety edges
    • E05F15/44Detection using safety edges responsive to changes in electrical conductivity
    • E05F15/443Detection using safety edges responsive to changes in electrical conductivity specially adapted for vehicle windows or roofs
    • EFIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E05LOCKS; KEYS; WINDOW OR DOOR FITTINGS; SAFES
    • E05YINDEXING SCHEME RELATING TO HINGES OR OTHER SUSPENSION DEVICES FOR DOORS, WINDOWS OR WINGS AND DEVICES FOR MOVING WINGS INTO OPEN OR CLOSED POSITION, CHECKS FOR WINGS AND WING FITTINGS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR, CONCERNED WITH THE FUNCTIONING OF THE WING
    • E05Y2900/00Application of doors, windows, wings or fittings thereof
    • E05Y2900/50Application of doors, windows, wings or fittings thereof for vehicles
    • E05Y2900/53Application of doors, windows, wings or fittings thereof for vehicles characterised by the type of wing
    • E05Y2900/55Windows
    • HELECTRICITY
    • H01ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01HELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H2300/00Orthogonal indexing scheme relating to electric switches, relays, selectors or emergency protective devices covered by H01H
    • H01H2300/01Application power window
    • HELECTRICITY
    • H01ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01HELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H3/00Mechanisms for operating contacts
    • H01H3/02Operating parts, i.e. for operating driving mechanism by a mechanical force external to the switch
    • H01H3/14Operating parts, i.e. for operating driving mechanism by a mechanical force external to the switch adapted for operation by a part of the human body other than the hand, e.g. by foot
    • H01H3/141Cushion or mat switches
    • H01H3/142Cushion or mat switches of the elongated strip type

Abstract

A power window apparatus which can reliably actuate a mechanism for stopping the closure of the power window on detection of closure interference even in a window provided with a side visor is disclosed. The apparatus includes a cord switch operable in response to a specific external force applied to the side visor. The apparatus may include a second sensor mounted in a weatherstrip of the window to detect an exernal force applied to the window frame. The advantage is reliably detecting a foreign object pinched between a window glass and the side visor, or the window glass and the window frame.

Description

SIDE VISOR HAVING A CLOSURE INTERFERENCE SENSOR AND
POWER WINDOW APPARATUS USING THE SAME

BACKGROUND OF THE lNV~NllON
1. Field of the Invention:
The present invention relates to a side visor and a power window apparatus for vehicles using the same for a closure interference detection mechanism.
2. Description of Related Art:
A power window apparatus having a closure interference mechanism, disclosed in Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open No.
Sho 64-53389 for instance, is provided with a sensing member, such as a pressure-sensitive tube sensor along the inside periphery of a window frame for sensing an external force. This sensing member senses a force applied to it when a foreign object is caught between the window glass and the window frame, to thereby stop a drive motor for moving the window glass up and down.
A conventional sensing member as disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. Hei 6-260054 for instance, has a spaced-apart, parallel band-like electrodes of conducting rubber with elastic members of insulating rubber arranged to support the electrodes in a normally spaced-apart conditionO
A specific voltage is applied to the band-like electrodes for sensing an external force applied to the electrodes.
In a vehicle provided with a side visor for shading the peripheral edge of the window opening, the upward or downward movement of the window glass is not stopped by a foreign object that is caught between the window glass and the side visor. As shown in Fig. 32, a foreign object 7 contacts a top edge 2a of a window glass 2, the edge portion 5a of a side visor 5, and a weatherstrip 8 which closes a gap between the window glass 2 and the window frame (vehicle body) 3. An external force F acting on the sensing member 4 acts at a point of action F located at a contact point between the weatherstrip 8 and the foreign object 7;
therefore the larger the dimension h of the outside of the side visor 5 in the direction in which the window glass 2 is opened and closed, the more the point of action F is shifted toward the vehicle interior.
Accordingly if the dimension h exceeds a specific value, the point of action f is shifted out of the range that can be sensed by the sensing member 4. Thus, the sensing member 4 cannot sense the external force, which may cause the window to close on the foreign object.
Furthermore, because the edge portion 5a of the side visor 5 is positioned on the outside of the window glass 2, a foreign object 7, indicated by a two-dot chain line in Fig. 32, is caught between the window glass 2 and the side visor 5 before it contacts the sensing member 4, especially if the foreign object 7 is angled upwardly across a top of the window 2.
In a vehicle not provided with the side visor 5, on the other hand, the foreign object 7 is only caught between the window glass 2 and the window frame 3 and the sensor will stop the movement of the window.

SUMMARY OF THE lNv~NLION
In view of the above-described disadvantages, it is a primary object of the present invention to provide a side visor having a closure interference detection function.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a power window apparatus designed to reliably operate with a closure interference detection mechanism even in a window fitted with a side visor.
For attaining the primary object of the present invention, a sensing member for sensing an external force is provided on a side visor body. Preferably, this sensing member is disposed in the part that joins the side visor to the window frame. The sensing member is preferably an insulating support member for supporting a pair of conducting members in a spaced-apart relationship. The support member may be made of a porous elastic material such as polyurethane or polyethylene.

For attaining the other object of the present invention, a closing operation stopping member is provided.
This stopping member will stop closure of a window when an external force applied to the side visor exceeds a predetermined value. The sensing member thus senses the external force acting on the side visor to detect a foreign object being pinched. It is therefore possible to prevent upward movement of the window body if a foreign object is pinched between the window and the side visor.
Preferably, the sensing member is disposed in the part that joins the side visor to the window frame. Therefore, even if the line of action of an external force acting on the side visor is located in a dead zone where the external force can not be sensed by a conventional sensor, the external force can be sensed by a reaction from the vicinity of the part of intersection between the window frame and the line of action of the external force.
The sensing member may be disposed within a member that joins the visor to the frame.
The sensing member may be a member for holding a pair of conducting members, and a displacement member which makes a relative displacement with respect to the pair of conducting members. Furthermore, the displacement member may be provided with a displacement restricting member for restricting the displacement of the displacement member in a direction which intersects the direction of movement of the window body.
Alternatively, the sensing member may be an insulating holding member for holding a pair of conducting members in spaced-apart relation and may be made from a porous elastic material. At this time, it is preferable that the porous elastic material be polyurethane or polyethylene.
According to another aspect of the present invention, closing movement of a window may be stopped when resistance sensed by a sensing member exceeds a predetermined threshold or when a drive load on the window drive device detected by a load detecting member exceeds a predetermined threshold.

.

According to a further aspect of the present invention, closure movement of a window may be stopped when a resistance to closure sensed by at least one of a first sensing member for sensing an external force acting on a side visor and a second sensing member for sensing an external force acting on a window frame exceeds a predetermined value and also when a detected value of the driving load of a window body driving device detected by a load detecting member exceeds a predetermined value.
Preferably, the second sensing member may be encased in a weatherstrip.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description when read with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
Fig. 1 is a side view of an automotive vehicle to which the present invention is applied;
Fig. 2 is a schematic view showing a power window apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention;
Fig. 3 is a sectional view of a cord switch used in the first embodiment and taken along line III-III of Fig. 2;
Fig. 4 is an enlarged view of a part IV in Fig. 3;
Figs. 5A to 5C are explanatory views showing the structure of the cord switch of the first embodiment;
Fig. 6 is a sectional view showing a modification of the cord switch in the first embodiment;
Fig. 7 is a sectional view of a cord switch used in a second embodiment of the present invention;
Fig. 8 is a sectional view of a cord switch used in a third embodiment of the present invention;
Fig. 9 is a cross-sectional view taken along line IX-IX
of Fig. 8;
Fig. 10 is a sectional view of the cord switch used in the third embodiment when subjected to a lifting force F;

Fig. 11 is a sectional view taken along line XI-XI of Fig. 10;
Fig. 12 is a graph showing a relationship between an external force and time;
Fig. 13 is a sectional view of a cord switch used in a fourth embodiment of the present invention;
Fig. 14 is a sectional view taken along line XIV-XIV of Fig. 13;
Fig. 15 is a cross-sectional view showing a side visor attached with a cover member;
Fig. 16A is an elevational view showing the side visor provided with the cord switch, and Fig. 16B is an enlarged sectional view of the cord switch mounted in the side visor;
Fig. 17 is a sectional view of a side visor used in a sixth embodiment of the present invention;
Fig. 18 is a cross-sectional view of a cord switch used in the sixth embodiment;
Fig. 19 is a cross-sectional view of the side visor used in the sixth embodiment;
Fig. 20 is a cross-sectional view showing a modification of the side visor used in the sixth embodiment;
Fig. 21 is a cross-sectional view showing another modification of the side visor used in the sixth embodiment;
Fig. 22 is a cross-sectional view showing a further modification of the side visor used in the sixth embodiment;
Figs. 23A and 23B are cross-sectional views showing a still further modification of the side visor used in the sixth embodiment;
Fig. 24 is a cross-sectional view showing an edge portion of a side visor used in a seventh embodiment of the present invention;
Fig. 25 is a cross-sectional view showing an edge portion of a side visor used in an eighth embodiment of the present invention;
Figs. 26A and 26B are explanatory views of a cord switch used in a ninth embodiment of the present invention;
Fig. 27 is a cross-sectional view showing an edge portion of a side visor used in a tenth embodiment of the present invention;
Fig. 28 is a cross-sectional view showing an eleventh embodiment of the present invention;
Fig. 29 is an electric wiring diagram of a power window apparatus according to the eleventh embodiment;
Figs. 30A and 30B are a cross-sectional view and an enlarged schematic view showing a cord switch and a side visor used in a twelfth embodiment of the present invention;
Fig. 31 is a sectional view showing a modification of the cord switch and the side visor used in the twelfth embodiment; and Fig. 32 is a sectional view showing a prior art power window apparatus.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Hereinafter preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.
(First Embodiment) In Figs. 1, 2 and 3, reference numeral 1 indicates a drive motor (a window drive member) for moving a window glass 2 up and down which opens and closes a window opening 3a. Reference numeral 3 denotes a window frame forming the window opening 3a. Along the exterior periphery of the window frame 3 is mounted a side visor 5 made of resin for shading the upper periphery of the window opening 3a. At a joining portion IV (Fig. 3) of the side visor 5 located between the side visor 5 and the window frame 3, a cord switch (sensing member) 4 for sensing an external force acting on the side visor 5 is arranged along the front portion 3b and the upper portion 3c of the window frame 3.
As shown in Fig. 4, an elastic member 9 made of an elastic material for compensating for irregularities in the members 3 and 5 is attached by an adhesive between the window frame 3 and the side visor 5. In a portion of the side visor 5 which is in contact with the elastic member 9, a recessed section 51 for accommodating the cord switch 4 is formed along the front portion 3b and the upper portion 3c of the window frame 3.
The cord switch 4 is shown in Figs. 5A through 5c, which in Fig. 5B shows the section along line C-O1-C of Fig.
5A. Numeral 41 designates an elastically deformable covered tube made of an insulating material such as a resin. Three elastically deformable conducting members (42, 43 and 44) extend in a longitudinal direction in the covered tube 41.
These conducting members 42, 43 and 44 are cylindrical and nearly equal in diameter. In the present embodiment, the diameter of the conducting members 42, 43 and 44 is about 0.5 to 1.0 mm. These conducting members 42, 43 and 44 are arranged in a triangular relationship (01-02-03) so that each conducting member is adjacent the other two conducting members. The conducting members 42, 43 and 44 are formed of a high fatigue-limit metal such as stainless steel, phosphor bronze, etc.
A plurality of electrically insulating spaces 47 and 48 which form insulating spaces 45 and 46 between the conducting members 42, 43 and 44 are securely attached to the conducting members 43 and 44. Furthermore, as shown in Fig. 5C, the first and second insulating members 47 and 48, are spaced-apart a predetermined distance L, and arranged so that each insulating member will be positioned between adjacent ones of the other insulating members.
The insulating members 47 and 48 are formed of resin, and the non-adhering outer surfaces 47a and 48a of the insulating members 47 and 48 slidably contacts the conducting member which contacts that surface.
Electrical conductors 42a, 43a and 44a (see FIG. 2) are connected to the ends of the conducting members 42, 43 and 44, respectively. These conductors 42a, 43a and 44a are connected to a control device 6 and a specific voltage is applied to the first conducting member 42. Thus, as shown for instance in Fig. 5B, when the first conducting member 42 is deflected by an external force F acting thereon, the first conducting member 42 contacts the second conducting member 43 or the third conducting member 44, or both of the second and third conducting members 43 and 44 as indicated by a broken line. Electric current, therefore, flows between the first conducting member 42 and the second conducting member 43, or between the first conducting member 42 and the third conducting member 44. Thus the control device 6 detects that a foreign object is pinched between the window frame 3 and the window glass 2, and outputs a signal 6a to the drive motor 1 to stop closing the window glass 2.
If pinched in an automotive vehicle door having the side visor 5, a foreign object will contact the side visor 5 and the window glass 2. In that event, the foreign object contacts at least both of the lowermost edge portion 5a of the side visor 5 and the top edge 2a of the window glass 2 (Fig. 32). Therefore, according to the present embodiment, the cord switch 4 detects the foreign object by sensing the external force F acting on the side visor 5, and it is possible to prevent the foreign object from being pinched between the window glass 2 and the side visor 5 by stopping the upward movement of the window glass 2.
A reaction to the external force F applied to the side visor 5 is generated not only at the intersection between the line of action of the external force applied to the side visor 5 and the window frame 3 but in the vicinity of the intersection. The cord switch 4 is located in the part IV
that joins the window frame 3 and the side visor 5.
Therefore, regardless of where the external force F is applied to the side visor 5, the cord switch 4 will be closed and movement of the window 2 will be stopped.
Accordingly, if the conducting members 42, 43 and 44 are located in a dead zone where they will not be deflected (the switch will not be closed) when the external force F is applied to a specific part of the cord switch 4, such as the upper surface of the insulating members 47 and 48, the conducting members 42, 43 and 44 adjacent the insulating members 47, 48 will be deflected in reaction to the window frame 3, and deflected into contact to close the switch.
Therefore, it is possible to reliably sense the external force irrespective of the point of contact of the external force with the side visor 5.
A foreign object, if pinched, normally contacts the edge portion 5a of the side visor 5 as described above. It is, therefore, possible to dispose the cord switch 4 on the edge portion 5a of the side visor 5. However, the edge portion 5a of the side visor 5 is located where it is readily contacted by a driver or a passenger when he gets into or out of the automobile. Therefore in arranging the cord switch 4 on the edge portion 5a of the side visor 5, it is necessary to take into account the abrasion resistance of the covered tube 41.
According to the present embodiment, because the cord switch 4 is mounted in the part IV that joins the window frame 3 and the side visor 5, the driver or passenger will not touch the covered tube 41 when getting into or out of the automobile. Therefore no consideration of the abrasion resistance of the covered tube 41 is required. This design not only improves the service life of the cord switch 4 but improves the service life of a power window apparatus having the closure interference mechanism.
It is to be noted that the cord switch 4 used in the present embodiment is not limited to the above-described one and may be another type, such as cord switch 4', shown in Fig. 6.
The elastic member 9 interposed between the side visor 5 and the window frame 3 is not required.
(Second Embodiment) In the embodiment shown in Fig. 7, the side visor 5 is molded from an insulating resin. The insulating members 47 and 48 of the cord switch 4 are molded integrally with the side visor 5 so that the covered tube 41 of the first embodiment is not required. Thus the number of components is reduced, and the manufacturing cost of the power window apparatus having the closure interference mechanism is decreased.
(Third Embodiment) In Figs. 8 and 9, reference numerals 401 and 402 indicate first and second conducting members which extend along the window frame 3 in a parallel relationship. These conducting members 401 and 402 are supported by a holding member 403 made of resin and joined to the window frame 3.
In this embodiment the conducting members 401 and 402 have a circular cross section, and are made of stainless steel or phosphor bronze. They are displaceable (slidable) in the longitudinal direction of the holding member 403.
Reference numeral 404 indicates a member made of resin which can be displaced with respect to the conducting members 401 and 402. This displaceable member 404 includes a through hole 405 through which the conducting members 401 and 402 are inserted. Holding members 403 and displaceable members 404 are arranged alternately along the contour of the window frame 3.
The through hole 405 includes a triangular projection 404a which protrudes upwardly in the closing direction of the window glass 2 and a smooth flat surface on the opposite side of first conducting member 401.
The holding member 403 is connected to the window frame 3 and the displacement member 404 is connected to the part IV that joins the window frame 3 and the side visor 5. The side visor 5 is therefore, secured to the window frame 3 by the displacement member 404, conducting members 401, 402, and the holding member 403.
The cross-sectional shape of the through hole 405 is oblong as shown in Fig. 9 and oriented so that the long dimension is oriented with the direction of operation (movement) of the window glass 2. The width of the through hole 405 is nearly the same as the diameter of the conducting members 401, 402. The oblong configuration of the through hole 405, the two conducting members 401, and the window frame 3 act in combination as a displacement restricting member to restrict the displacement of the displacement member 404 so that it is not displaced in a direction perpendicular to the movement of the window glass 2.
Reference numeral 406 indicates a sealing member made of an elastic material, such as rubber, for preventing foreign substances, such as rain water, from entering the cord switch 4.
If an external force F forces the side visor 5 upwardly as shown in Figs. 10 and 11, the displacement member 404 is likewise forced upwardly and the external force F is concentrated on the projection 404a which deflects the second conducting member 402 into contact with the first conducting member 401, thereby detecting the external force F.
With the cord switch 400 according to the present embodiment, the displacement of the displacement member 404 in a direction at right angles to the window glass is restricted by the oblong shape of the through hole 405.
Therefore an error such as detecting an external force, wind for example, exerted at right angles to the direction of operation of the window glass 2 will not occur. Only an external force F resulting from an interference to the closure of the window glass will be detected.
Since both the conducting members 401 and 402 are movable in the longitudinal direction of the holding member 403, a slight difference in the radius of curvature of the conducting members 401 and 402 is not critical when the cord switch 4 is located along the curved section 3d (Fig. 2) of the window frame 3. Therefore, problems that may arise from the conducting members 401 and 402 contacting each other in curved section 3d even when the external force F is not applied.
The control device 6 generates a signal 6a at time tl when the external force F (F1 in Fig. 12) is detected through contact between the conducting members 401 and 402.

The window glass 2 will stop or reverse at time t2, which is after a time lag caused by the inertia of the drive motor 1 and the inertial force of the window glass 2 on the detection of the external force F (this phenomenon is called the time lag).
Therefore, when the external force F is detected and then the signal 6a is generated, the foreign object will be pinched until the window glass 2 stops or reverses.
As shown in Fig. 6, the rigidity of the prior art cord switch 4 shown in FIG. 32 suddenly increases after the conducting members contact, resulting in a sudden increase in the external force F as indicated by a dot-and-chain line in Fig. 12. However, with the cord switch 4 of the present embodiment, the conducting members 401 and 402 can be displaced even after the conducting member 402 is contacted by the first conducting member 401, and it is therefore possible to prevent the external force F from increasing excessively during the time lag so that it gradually increases, as indicated by the solid line in Fig. 12.
In the present embodiment, the holding member 403 is connected to the window frame 3 and the displacement member 404 is connected to the joining portion IV of the side visor 5. It should be noted that the holding member 403 may be connected to the joining portion IV of the side visor 5 and the displacement member 404, to the window frame 3.
(Fourth Embodiment) Although in the third embodiment the cord switch 4, including both the conducting members 401 and 402, the holding member 403, and the displacement member 404, is arranged in such a manner that it is entirely covered by the sealing member 406, as shown in Figs. 13 and 14. The sealing member 406 may be provided only at the joints between the holding member 403 and the displacement member 404. Figs. 13 and 14 illustrate a cord switch 4 on which an external force F is acting.
In this embodiment, a cover section 5b is formed integrally with an upper edge of the side visor 5 to prevent the entry of rain water directly into the cord switch 4.
(Fifth Embodiment) Although in the fourth embodiment the cover section 5b is formed integral with the side visor 5, in the fifth embodiment shown in Fig. 15 and Figs. 16A and 16B, a cover member 52 is provided separately from the side visor 5. The cover member 52 is U-shaped in cross-section and supports the joining portion of the side visor 5 from above. The side visor 5 is slidably supported in the vertical direction (the direction in which the window glass 2 is opened and closed). The inner wall of the cover member 52 serves as a displacement restricting member (a guide wall) which only permits the side visor 5 to slide in the vertical direction.
The cord switch 4 is mounted in the cover member 52 and the holding member 403 is connected to the inner wall of the cover member 52. The projection 404a is not required in each of the displacement members 404, and may be disposed within the region of the window frame 3 where the external force F caused by the pinching of a foreign object is greatest.
When the projection 404a is not provided, the external force F is uniformly distributed to the second conducting member 402. Therefore the external force F necessary to cause contact between the conducting members 401 and 402 is greater than if the displacement member 404 provided with the projection 404a.
Furthermore, the dimensions Ll and L2 of the displacement member 404 may be changed depending on the region of the window frame 3 in which they are located. In this embodiment, the length Ll in the upper portion 3c is shorter than the length L2 in the front portion 3b of the window frame 3.
(Sixth Embodiment) In the sixth embodiment, a cord switch 4 is inserted in a U-shaped section 52a of the cover member 52 as shown in Fig. 17. Reference numeral 52b indicates a stopper for restricting the displacement of the side visor 5, and reference numeral 52c indicates an adhesive tape for attaching the cover member 52 to the window frame 3.
The cord switch 4 of the present embodiment, as shown in Fig. 18, is comprised of an insulating holding member 403 of porous elastic material such as polyurethane or polyethylene which includes a longitudinally extending U-shaped groove, a first conducting member 401 thermally bonded to a bottom wall of the insulating holding member 403, and a second conducting member 402 thermally bonded over the groove in the insulating holding member 403.
The thermal bonding mentioned above is a welding process accomplished by placing heated conducting members 401 and 402 on the insulating holding member 403. The space 405 provided between the conducting members 401 and 402 is formed by melting the insulating holding member 403 using the heat for thermally bonding the first conducting member 401.
As shown in Fig. 19, the side visor 5 on which the external force F is upwardly applied by a foreign object pinched by the closing window glass, causes the conducting members 401 and 402 to contact each other. When the external force F is applied to the side visor 5, the side visor 5 is forced upwardly inside the bent section 52a, thus deforming the insulating holding member 403 to cause contact between the conducting members 401 and 402.
In the present embodiment, as shown in Figs. 20 and 21 which respectively show a side visor 5 on which no external force F is acting, and one on which the external force F is acting, the insulating holding member 403 and the cover member 52 may be integrally formed. The stopper 52b may be formed on the side of the lower open end of the cover member 52 as shown in Fig. 22.
Also, as shown in Figs. 23A and 23B, an elastic member 52d such as rubber, a spring, etc., may be provided which produces an elastic force for normally urging the cord switch 4 so that the conducting members 401 and 402 are in contact when no external force is applied to the side visor 5. Therefore, as shown in Fig. 23A, when no external force is applied to the side visor 5, the conducting members 401 and 402 are kept in contact. When the external force F is applied to the side visor 5, the cord switch 4 may be operated so that closure interference is detected when the conducting members 401 and 402 in Fig. 23B are separated.
In Figs. 19 to 23, an elastic member such as a plate spring may be positioned between the side visor 5 and the window frame 3 to inhibit chattering of the side visor 5 induced by vehicle vibration, or the like. Thus it is possible to prevent cord switch malfunction (improper signal generation when there is no closure interference such as pinching of a foreign object).
(Seventh Embodiment) The seventh embodiment, as shown in Fig. 24, has the cord switch 4 disposed on the lowermost edge portion 5a of the side visor 5. It should be noted that this cord switch is not limited to the cord switch 4 described in the fifth and sixth embodiments and may be any one of the cord switches described in the first to fourth embodiments.
(Eighth Embodiment) In the cord switch 4 shown in Fig. 25, a space 405 and both conducting members 401 and 402 are disposed in the edge portion 5a of the side visor 5 and a cover member 434 is provided for covering the edge 5a which will come into contact with a foreign object. The cover member 434 is made from a porous elastic material such as polyurethane, polyethylene, etc.
(Ninth Embodiment) The cord switch 4 shown in Figs. 26A and 26B uses a flat conducting member as the first conducting member 42.
The cord switch 4 of the present embodiment is disposed along the edge portion 5a of the window frame 3 or the side visor 5. It is desirable that the second and third conducting members 43 and 44 face the side on which the external force F acts.
When the conducting members 42, 43 and 44 are arranged CA 0220343l l997-04-22 in a triangular shape as in the first embodiment, if the external force F is applied from a direction that is perpendicular to the centers 02, 03 of the second and third conducting members 43 and 44 the first conducting member 42 will not deflect within the covered tube 41 but will be forced down between the second and third conducting members 43 and 44 if the covered tube 41 iS not rigid. Therefore, if the external force F is thus applied, the first conducting member 42 and the second and third conducting members 43 and 44 will not contact each other, and the external force F cannot be sensed.
According to the present embodiment, the first conducting member 42 iS flat, and therefore the first conducting member 42 cannot move in between the second and third conducting members 43 and 44. Consequently the external force F can always be sensed.
(Tenth Embodiment) As shown in Fig. 27, the cord switch 4 of the tenth embodiment is disposed along the edge portion 5a of the side visor 5. Both conducting members 401 and 402 are V-shaped in cross-section and point in the direction in which the window glass 2 iS opened, for the purpose of providing a wide sensing range. The conducting member 401 iS supported by an insulating holding member 403 made of a porous elastic member such as polyurethane, polyethylene, etc. The insulating holding member 403 serves also as a protective cover for both the conducting members 401 and 402.
(Eleventh Embodiment) The eleventh embodiment is designed to reduce a malfunction of not only the cord switch 4 but the entire mechanism of the power window apparatus equipped with the closure resistance mechanism.
That is, in addition to the cord switch (first cord switch) 4 for sensing an external force applied to the side visor 5 described in the previous embodiments, another cord switch (second cord switch) 40 iS disposed in the weatherstrip 8 shown in Fig. 28, and a load detecting circuit is provided for detecting the drive load on the drive motor 1.
The load detecting circuit compares an output of a speed sensor la provided on the drive motor 1 as shown in Fig. 29, to determine when the drive load exceeds a specific value and outputs an overload signal lb to an AND gate 61 if the window speed detected by the speed sensor la drops below a specific value. Furthermore, both a first signal 4a generated when the first cord switch 4 senses an external force that exceeds a specific value and a second signal 40a generated when the second cord switch 40 senses an external force that exceeds a specific value are input to an OR gate 62. A closure interference signal 62a output by OR gate 62, and a window closing signal 63a is also inputted to an AND
gate 61 from a motor driving circuit 63 for driving the drive motor 1. The window closing signal 63a is output when the drive motor 1 is turning in a direction in which the window glass 2 is closing.
A control signal 64a from a control switch 64 which is operated by a passenger to open or close the window glass 2, and a stop signal 61a output from the AND gate 61, are input a control circuit 65. Usually the control circuit 65 operates the motor drive circuit 63 in accordance with the control signal 64a. When the stop signal 61a is output from the AND gate 61, the control circuit 65 reverses or stops the drive motor 1.
The power window apparatus of this embodiment functions to reverse or stop the window glass when a closure resistance force is detected if an external force sensed by at least one of the first cord switch 4 and the second cord switch 40 exceeds a specific value and the drive load on the drive motor 1 exceeds a specific value during a window glass closing operation.
In this embodiment, the second cord switch 40 and the OR gate 62 are provided. However, it should be noted that they may both be eliminated, and the first signal 4a may be input from the first cord switch 4 directly to the AND gate 61. Also the second cord switch 40 may be disposed on the outside of the weatherstrip 8 to sense an external force applied to the window frame 3.
Furthermore, in the present embodiment, the drive load is detected by sensing the rotational speed of the driving motor 1, but may be detected by sensing the electric current flowing to the drive motor 1.
(Twelfth Embodiment) In the twelfth embodiment, as shown in Figs. 30A and 30B, the cord switch 4 is attached to the edge portion 5a of the side visor 5. The cord switch 4 has at least three conducting members (four are shown) 401, 402, 407 and 408 which are encased in an elastically deformable insulating member 403 such as rubber and face one another with an insulating space 405 therebetween.
Each of the conducting members is partly embedded in the inner wall of the insulating member 403 and arranged spirally in the insulating member 403. Voltages are applied to the conducting members 401, 402, 407 and 408 so that one conducting member (member 401, for instance) is kept at a potential different from that of the remaining conducting members (members 402, 407 and 408, for instance). Thus, when an external force F is applied to the side visor 5, it can be detected when the insulating member 403 is deformed and the conducting members of different potentials contact.
In the cord switch 4 according to the present embodiment, other voltages may also be applied so that the conducting members 401, 402, 407 and 408 are kept at different potentials to detect the external force F.
As shown in Fig. 31, the edge portion 5a of the side visor 5 may be bent toward the vehicle interior and the cord switch 4 may be disposed under the bent portion 5b.
The foregoing embodiments may be modified further in many other ways without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Claims (16)

CLAIMS:
1. A power window apparatus for a vehicle, comprising:
a window body for opening and closing a window opening formed by a window frame;
a side visor molded in a substantial plate, said side visor provided along an exterior periphery of said window frame and disposed on an exterior surface of said window frame, opposite to an interior of said vehicle, for providing shade to the periphery of said window opening;
a sensing switch disposed on an exterior side of said window frame, opposite to said interior of said vehicle, for sensing an external force acting on said side visor; and window closing operation stopping member for stopping a closing motion of said window body when the external force sensed by said sensing switch exceeds a preset value.
2. A power window apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein:
said sensing switch is located in a joining part where said side visor is attached to said window frame.
3. A power window apparatus as claimed in claim 2, further comprising:
a cover member joined to said window frame for holding said side visor slidably in an up-and-down direction and covering said joining part from above;
said sensing switch being located within said cover member.
4. A power window apparatus as claimed in claim 2, wherein said sensing switch includes:
a pair of conducting members extended along said window frame and disposed face to face at a predetermined spacing therebetween;
a holding member for holding said pair of conducting members; and a displacement member positioned displaceably with respect to said holding member and to said pair of conducting members;
wherein said holding member is connected to one of said window frame and said side visor, and said displacement member is connected to the other of said window frame and said side visor.
5. A power window apparatus switching device as claimed in claim 4, wherein:
said pair of conducting members are disposed in a parallel relationship in a plane in which said window body is opened and closed; and said displacement member being provided with displacement restricting means for restricting the displacement of said displacement member in a direction perpendicular to the direction in which said window body is opened and closed.
6. A power window apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein:
said sensing switch has a pair of conducting members extended along said window frame and disposed face to face across a predetermined space therebetween; and an insulting holding member made of a porous elastic material for holding said pair of conducting members to thereby define said space therebetween.
7. A power window apparatus as claimed in claim 6, wherein:
said insulating holding member is made of at least one of the materials such as polyurethane and polyethylene.
8. A power window apparatus, comprising:
a window body for opening and closing a window opening formed in a window frame;
a side visor provided along an exterior periphery of said window frame, for providing shade to a periphery of said window opening;

a sensing switch for sensing an external force acting on said side visor;
a window body driving member for driving said window body;
a load detecting member for detecting a driving load of said window body driving member; and window closing operation stopping member for stopping the movement of said window body toward closing when the external force sensed by said sensing switch exceeds a preset value and also when a detection value detected by said load detecting member exceeds a preset value.
9. A power window apparatus, comprising:
a window body for opening and closing said window opening formed in said window frame;
a side visor provided along an exterior periphery of said window frame for providing shade to a periphery of said window opening;
a first sensing switch for sensing an external force acting on said side visor;
a second sensing switch disposed on said window frame for sensing an external force acting on said window frame;
a window body driving member for driving said window body;
a load detecting member for detecting a driving load of said window body driving member; and window closing operation stopping means for stopping the movement of said window body toward closing when at least one of said first sensing switch and said second sensing switch exceeds a preset value and a detection value detected by said load detecting member exceeds a preset value.
10. A power window apparatus as claimed in claim 9, wherein:
said second sensing switch is disposed in a weatherstrip installed along a periphery of said window frame.
11. A side visor for a window frame, comprising:
a side visor body portion molded in a substantial plate to be attached to an exterior surface of said window frame, opposite to an interior of a vehicle, for shading a periphery of a window opening formed in said window frame; and a sensing switch embedded in said side visor body portion for sensing an external force acting on said side visor body portion, said sensing switch being located at said exterior surface of said window frame, opposite to said interior of said vehicle, when said visor body portion is attached to said window frame.
12. A side visor as claimed in claim 11, wherein:
said sensing switch is located in a joining part of said side visor body portion between said window frame and said side visor body portion.
13. A side visor as claimed in claim 11, wherein said sensing switch has:
a pair of conducting members extended along a part corresponding to said window frame and disposed face to face across a predetermined space therebetween; and an insulating holding member made of a porous elastic material for holding said pair of conducting members to form said space therebetween.
14. A side visor as claimed in claim 13, wherein:
said insulating holding member is made of at least one of the materials such as polyurethane and polyethylene.
15. A side visor as claimed in claim 11, wherein:
said sensing switch is located at an edge portion of said side visor body portion which is opposite to a joining part of said visor body portion between said window frame and said side visor body portion.
16. A side visor as claimed in claim 15, wherein said sensing switch has:
a plurality of conducting members extended spirally along a part corresponding to said window frame and disposed face to face across a predetermined space thereamong; and an insulating holding member attached to said edge portion and holding said conducting members therein.
CA002203431A 1996-04-23 1997-04-22 Side visor having pinching sensing member and power window apparatus using the same Expired - Fee Related CA2203431C (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (6)

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JP08-101639 1996-04-23
JP10163996 1996-04-23
JP09-5817 1997-01-16
JP581797 1997-01-16
JP09-20715 1997-02-03
JP02071597A JP3834909B2 (en) 1996-04-23 1997-02-03 Powered window opening and closing device for vehicles

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CA2203431A1 CA2203431A1 (en) 1997-10-23
CA2203431C true CA2203431C (en) 2001-01-16

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Publication number Publication date
EP0803628B1 (en) 2001-12-19
EP0803628A2 (en) 1997-10-29
EP0803628A3 (en) 1998-05-27
CA2203431A1 (en) 1997-10-23
JP3834909B2 (en) 2006-10-18
DE69709225D1 (en) 2002-01-31
JPH10258634A (en) 1998-09-29
DE69709225T2 (en) 2002-08-08
US5880421A (en) 1999-03-09

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