Device and method for measuring force on electric sliding windows

Abstract

The invention relates to a device (30) for measuring the force on electric sliding windows (24) of a motor vehicle (10). The device (30) comprises a frame (66) with a first leg (32) and a second leg (34), wherein the first leg (32) and the second leg (34) are connected to each other at a connection point (40). The device (30) comprises a first fastening element (36) which is arranged at the connection point (40) between the first leg (32) and the second leg (34), a second fastening element (38) which is arranged on an end section (68) of the first leg (32), and a third fastening element (42) which is arranged on an end section (70) of the second leg (34). The device (30) further comprises a force measuring unit (44) which is arranged on one of the legs (32, 34). The invention further relates to a method for measuring the closing force of an electric sliding window (24) using such a device (30).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a device for measuring force on an electric sliding window and to a method for measuring force on an electric sliding window according to the preamble of the independent patent claims.

[0002] Electrically operated windows have been known in motor vehicles for a long time. Typically, they involve a mechanism that is operatively connected to an electric window lift motor and moves a glass pane in a side panel up or down. Operating devices for sunroofs are also known, in which the sunroof is opened or closed by an electric actuator. Electric sliding doors are also known, in which the door is opened and closed electrically by an electric drive motor.In order to avoid being trapped in a window or door and potentially causing serious injury, anti-trap devices are known in which the closing process of the window, door or roof is interrupted if the actuating force exceeds a certain threshold value, which allows a conclusion to be drawn about an incorrect closing process, in particular a hand, a finger or the like in the actuating path of the component to be closed.

[0003] To determine the normal actuation force for a component to be closed, measuring devices are known for determining the closing force for a door, roof, or window. New applications, such as side sliding windows, and new structural designs, such as small and / or curved window panes with a short stroke, mean that force measurement with regard to anti-pinch protection is no longer possible using known devices and tools, especially the force clamps commonly used for such force measurements.

[0004] From CN 202869727 U, a device for measuring the clamping force of electric doors and windows is known. The device consists of a mounting structure adapted to a vehicle window pane and a force measuring structure, wherein the force measuring structure comprises a rectangular frame and a force measuring rod. A cross member running along the rectangular frame provides one end of the force measuring rod protruding from the rectangular frame with a stop lever that presses against a window frame. The other end of the force measuring rod is connected to a pressure sensor. An elastic component is provided below the pressure sensor, wherein the other end of the elastic component presses against a cross member below the rectangular frame.The mounting structure includes two mounting blocks firmly connected to both sides of the rectangular frame. The mounting structure can be secured to the vehicle window pane using suction cups attached to the mounting blocks. The device for measuring the pinching force of electric doors and windows solves the problem of measuring the pinching force exerted on objects of varying hardness. It is convenient to install, simple in design, and can be used to detect the force of the anti-pinch device of electric doors and windows.

[0005] The invention is based on the object of providing a device for measuring forces on electric sliding windows, which at least partially overcomes the disadvantages known from the prior art and enables simple and accurate measurement of the clamping forces on electric sliding windows.

[0006] The problem is solved by a device for measuring force on an electric sliding window on a motor vehicle. The device comprises a frame with a first leg and a second leg, the first leg and the second leg being connected to one another at a connection point. At the connection point between the first leg and the second leg, a first fastening element for fastening the frame to a side wall of the motor vehicle, in particular a metallic side wall or a side glass pane, is arranged. Alternatively, the side wall can also be made of a different material, for example a plastic, in particular a fiber-reinforced plastic. A second fastening element is arranged at a free end section of the first leg. A third fastening element is arranged at a free end section of the second leg.The device further comprises a force measuring unit which is arranged on one of the legs.

[0007] The device according to the invention enables a force measurement, in particular a measurement of the closing force, even on windows with a small opening stroke, for which a force measurement with a known force measuring clamp is currently not possible for geometric reasons.

[0008] This means that the closing force can be measured even on windows with a small opening stroke, particularly sliding windows, so that an anti-pinch device for this sliding window can be designed accordingly. The device can be easily arranged and attached to a side wall of a motor vehicle using the frame. The device according to the invention thus enables force measurement even in places where force measurement was previously not possible. However, the device according to the invention is not limited to measuring the closing force of sliding windows, but can also be used for other windows and doors, in particular for the closing force of electric window lifts and the closing force of electric sunroofs, especially glass sunroofs, glass lifting roofs or vent windows.

[0009] The features listed in the dependent claims enable advantageous improvements and further developments of the device for measuring force on a sliding window listed in the independent claim.

[0010] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, a guide is formed in one of the legs, along which the force measuring unit is slidably arranged. This allows for easy positioning and displacement of the force measuring units, allowing the force measuring unit to be positioned in such a way that optimal force is applied to a measuring finger of the force measuring unit. Furthermore, by moving the force measuring unit, the measuring position can be freely adjusted after the device has been attached to the motor vehicle.

[0011] In a further preferred embodiment of the invention, the second fastening element is connected to the first leg via a first variable connection, and the third fastening element is connected to the second leg via a second variable connection. This allows for height or length adjustment of the frame, allowing the frame to be easily positioned even on curved side surfaces of a motor vehicle.

[0012] It is particularly preferred if the variable connection has a slotted hole for moving the fastening element relative to the leg in order to enable height and / or length compensation. A slotted hole can be used to create a positive connection between the fastening element and the leg, whereby the slotted hole allows for movement within the guide of the slotted hole in order to achieve height or length compensation. This allows for a particularly simple and stable fixation of the frame to a side wall of the motor vehicle, thereby simplifying or even enabling the measurement of the closing force of the sliding window.

[0013] In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, one leg of the frame is designed as a flat profile. Preferably, the leg which carries the force measuring unit is designed as a flat profile. The force measuring unit can be guided in a form-fitting manner on the flat profile in the form of a U-profile and can be displaced along the flat profile. The force measuring unit is preferably fixed to the flat profile by a force-fitting connection, in particular by a clamp. Alternatively, the force measuring unit can also be fastened to the flat profile by a form-fitting connection, in particular by a ratchet profile. This enables a particularly simple and stable fixation of the force measuring unit to the leg. Furthermore, a guide can be formed particularly easily in a flat profile, in particular in the form of a groove milled into the flat profile, within which the force measuring unit can be displaced.This makes positioning the force measuring unit particularly easy.

[0014] In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, one leg of the frame is designed as an aluminum structural profile. An aluminum structural profile is particularly simple and inexpensive to obtain. This allows the frame to be constructed simply and cost-effectively. Depending on the force measuring unit used, it can also be attached to the aluminum structural profile. An aluminum structural profile typically has a groove into which the force measuring unit can be slidably guided.

[0015] In an advantageous embodiment of the force measuring unit, the force measuring unit comprises a force measuring sensor and a measuring finger connected to the force measuring sensor for scanning a sliding window. The use of a measuring finger enables particularly simple positioning relative to the pane of the sliding window. This allows a force introduction point to be selected so that the force is introduced perpendicular to the measuring finger. In addition, an adjustable measuring finger allows the distance between the measuring object and the sensor to be individually varied. This is particularly important when only short stroke movements are to be measured, the closing force of which is to be determined.

[0016] It is particularly preferred if the measuring finger is permanently connected to the sensor. This fixed connection allows the measuring finger to be positioned relative to the sliding window pane to be measured by simply moving the force measuring unit. This prevents contamination or damage to the measuring finger, as the measuring finger does not need to be directly touched for positioning.

[0017] In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the fastening elements are designed as suction cups. This allows the frame of the device to be easily fixed to an outer wall of a motor vehicle. Furthermore, suction cups enable a non-destructive and reversibly detachable connection to the outer skin of the motor vehicle. This allows the device according to the invention to be easily exchanged between different measurement objects. Furthermore, suction cups enable comparatively high clamping forces, so that even high closing forces can be measured without moving the device, thus maintaining measurement accuracy even at high closing forces.

[0018] Alternatively, it is advantageous for the fastening elements to be designed as magnetic holders. Magnetic holders are another option for securing the frame to the exterior wall of a motor vehicle with high fastening force and reversibly detachable for measuring the closing force of the sliding window.

[0019] A further aspect of the invention relates to a method for measuring the closing force of an electric sliding window using such a device. The method comprises the following steps: - Arranging the device on a side wall of a motor vehicle, - Align the legs of the frame parallel to the sliding window, - Aligning the force measuring unit in such a way that a force introduction into the measuring finger is in a mounting plane and perpendicular to the leg to which the force measuring unit is attached, and - Determining the closing force of the electric sliding window using the force measuring unit.

[0020] The method according to the invention enables a simple and precise determination of the closing force of sliding windows in motor vehicles and can also be used where force measurement using force gauges is not possible.

[0021] The various embodiments of the invention mentioned in this application can be advantageously combined with one another, unless otherwise stated in the individual case.

[0022] The invention is explained below in exemplary embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings. They show: Fig. 1 a motor vehicle with an electric sliding window, in which a closing force measurement is carried out with a force measuring device according to the invention, Fig. 2 a device according to the invention for measuring force on electric sliding windows in a first view, Fig. 3 a device according to the invention for measuring force on electric sliding windows in a second view, Fig. 4 a force measuring unit for a device according to the invention for measuring the closing force on electric sliding windows and Fig. 5 a flow chart for carrying out a method according to the invention for measuring force on an electric sliding window with such a device.

[0023] Fig. 1 shows a motor vehicle 10 with a body 16, which has a side wall 28 and a roof 18 with a roof pillar 27. The motor vehicle 10 has a driver's door 12 with a side window 22. The side window 22 of the driver's door 12 can be opened in a known manner using an electric window lifter. For this purpose, a pane 25 of the side window 22 is guided by an actuating device 26 and moved up or down accordingly by an electric drive unit 29 by displacing the actuating device 26 enclosing the pane 25. The motor vehicle 10 further has a sliding door 14, which is displaceable along a guide 19 and which can preferably be opened electromechanically. The sliding door 14 can have a further side window 22, in particular a further sliding window 24.A sliding window 24 with a pane 25 is provided in the side wall 28, which is designed to be horizontally displaceable. The sliding window 24 has an actuating device 26, in particular a slotted guide for the pane 25 to be moved, which is connected to the pane 25 of the sliding window 24. The actuating device 26, in particular the slotted guide, is connected to an electric drive unit 29, which is designed to move the pane 25 of the sliding window 24 accordingly relative to a stationary part of the sliding window 24. Furthermore, a windshield 20 is provided on the motor vehicle 10. The motor vehicle 10 can be designed, in particular, as a minibus, since sliding windows 24 are particularly widespread in this segment.

[0024] Fig. 2 shows a preferred embodiment of a device 30 according to the invention for measuring forces on electric sliding windows 24 on a motor vehicle 10. The device 30 comprises a frame 66 with a first leg 32 and a second leg 34, wherein the first leg 32 and the second leg 34 are connected to one another at a connection point 40. The first leg 32 and the second leg 34 are preferably arranged at an angle of approximately 90° to one another in order to enable the simplest possible support and fastening of the device 30 to a side wall 28 of a motor vehicle 10. The device further comprises a force measuring unit 44, which is arranged on one of the legs 32, 34 of the frame 66 and is preferably connected to this leg 32, 34 in a form-fitting and / or force-fitting manner.The device 30 comprises a first fastening element 36 for fastening the frame 66 to a side wall 28 of a motor vehicle 10, in particular a lateral glass surface or a metallic side wall of the motor vehicle 10, which is arranged at a connection point 40 between the first leg 32 and the second leg 34. The device 30 comprises a second fastening element 38, which is arranged at an end section 68 of the first leg 32, and a third fastening element 42, which is arranged at an end section 70 of the second leg 34. The first leg 32 is connected to the second fastening element 38 via a first connection 52 with a compensating element. The second leg 34 is connected to the third fastening element 42 via a second connection 54 with a compensating element.Furthermore, a further compensating element for connection to the connection point 40 can be provided on the first fastening element 36. The fastening elements 36, 38, 42 are preferably designed as suction cups 74, with each suction cup 74 being assigned a tensioning element 56 for activating / deactivating the respective suction cup 74. Alternatively, the fastening elements 36, 38, 42 can also be designed as magnetic holders 72 if the device is fixed to a metallic side wall of the motor vehicle 10. The first leg 32 is preferably designed as a flat profile 62. The second leg 34 of the frame 66 is preferably designed as an aluminum construction profile 76. The force measuring unit 44 can be fixed to one of the legs 32, 34, in particular to the first leg 32, via a clamping connection.Alternatively, a guide 50, in particular a guide groove, can be formed on the first leg 32, on which the force measuring unit 44 is displaceably mounted. The force measuring unit 44 comprises a measuring finger 48 and a force measuring sensor 46 connected to the measuring finger 48. A force introduction point 60 is provided at the tip of the measuring finger 48, at which a measuring force is introduced into the force measuring unit 44 during the closing force measurement of a sliding window 24.

[0025] In Fig. 3 shows a further view of the device 30. The device 30 for measuring the closing force on a sliding window 24 has a frame 66 with a first leg 32 and a second leg 34 running at right angles to the first leg 32. The first leg 32 is designed as a flat profile 62 and the second leg 34 as an aluminum construction profile 76. The first leg 32 and the second leg 34 are connected to one another at a connection point 40. A first fastening element 36, in particular a suction cup 74 or a magnetic holder 72, is provided at the connection point 40 in order to reversibly detachably position the device on a side wall 28 of a motor vehicle 10 for measuring the closing force of a sliding window 24. A second fastening element 38 is provided on a free end portion 68 of the first leg 32 in order to reversibly and detachably fix the device 30 to a motor vehicle 10.The second fastening element 38 is also designed as a suction cup 74 or as a magnetic holder 72. The second fastening element 38 is connected to the first leg 32 via a first connection 52. A compensating element in the form of an elongated hole 64 is provided on the first connection 52 to enable height compensation and to be able to arrange the frame 66 of the device on a curved side wall 28 of a motor vehicle 10. The elongated hole 64 serves as a guide 58 for the second fastening element 38 to create a positive connection between the first leg 32 and the second fastening element 38. A tensioning element 56 is provided on the second fastening element 38, which in the illustrated embodiment is designed as a suction cup 74, to fix or release the fastening element 38.The force measuring unit 44 is guided and displaceably mounted via a guide 50 on the first leg 32 of the frame 66, which is designed as a flat profile 62. The force measuring unit 44, which comprises at least one measuring finger 48 and a force measuring sensor 46 connected to this measuring finger 48, can be fixed in position by a clamping element once the alignment is complete in order to prevent displacement of the force measuring unit 44 during a closing force measurement.

[0026] In Fig. 4 shows the force measuring unit 44 of the device 30 for measuring force on electric sliding windows 24. The force measuring unit 44 comprises a force measuring sensor 46 and a measuring finger 48. The measuring finger 48 is arranged perpendicular to the profile of the first leg 32. The flat profile 62 of the first leg 32 serves as a guide 50 for the force measuring unit 44. The force measuring unit 44 is connected to the first leg 32 of the frame 66 by a clamping element 56. The force measuring unit 44 is adjustable in its position relative to the flat profile 62 via an adjusting element 78. This allows the position of the measuring finger 48 to be changed in order to align the force introduction point 60 relative to the pane 25 of the sliding window 24.

[0027] In Fig.5 shows a flow chart for carrying out a closing force measurement of an electric sliding window 24 with such a device 30. In a first method step <100> the device 30 is arranged on a side wall 28 of a motor vehicle 10. In a second method step <110> The legs 32, 34 of the frame 66 of the device 30 are aligned relative to the sliding window 24, and the device 30 is then fixed to the side wall 28. Fixing can be achieved, in particular, by activating suction cups or (electro-)magnetic holding elements. In a third method step <120> The force measuring unit 44 is aligned such that the force is introduced into the measuring finger 48 in a mounting plane and perpendicular to the leg 32, 34 to which the force measuring unit 44 is attached. In particular, the distance from the force measuring unit 44 to the disc 25 is also adjusted.In a fourth step <130> Finally, the closing force of the electric sliding window 24 is determined by the force measuring unit 44 using a device 30 according to the invention. List of reference symbols 10 motor vehicle 12 Driver's door 14 Sliding door 16 Body 18 Roof 19 Guide 20 Windshield 22 side window 24 sliding windows 25 slices 26 Actuating device 27 roof beam 28 Side wall 29 Drive unit 30 Device for measuring force 32 first leg 34 second leg 36 first fastening element 38 second fastening element 40 connection point 42 third fastening element 44 force measuring unit 46 force measuring sensor 48 measuring fingers 50 Guide rail (for force measuring unit) 52 first connection 54 second connection 56 clamping element 58 Guide (for suction cup) 60 Force introduction point 62 flat profile 64 slot 66 frame 68 first final section 70 second final section 72 magnetic holders 74 suction cup 76 aluminum construction profile 78 Adjustment element 100 first procedural step 110 second procedural step 120 third procedural step 130 fourth procedural step QUOTES CONTAINED IN THE DESCRIPTION

[0000] This list of documents submitted by the applicant was generated automatically and is included solely for the convenience of the reader. This list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions. Cited patent literature

[0000] CN 202869727 U

[0004]

Claims

[1] Device (30) for measuring force on electric sliding windows (24) on a motor vehicle (10), comprising - a frame (66) having a first leg (32) and a second leg (34), wherein the first leg (32) and the second leg (34) are connected to one another at a connection point (40), - a first fastening element (36) which is arranged at the connection point (40) between the first leg (32) and the second leg (34), - a second fastening element (38) which is arranged on an end portion (68) of the first leg (32), - a third fastening element (42) which is arranged on an end portion (70) of the second leg (34), - a force measuring unit (44) which is arranged on one of the legs (32, 34). [2] Device (30) according to claim 1, wherein a guide (50) is formed in one of the legs (32, 34), along which the force measuring unit (44) is arranged displaceably. [3] Device (30) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the second fastening element (38) is connected to the first leg (32) via a first variable connection (52) and the third fastening element (42) is connected to the second leg (34) via a second variable connection (54). [4] Device (30) according to claim 3, wherein the variable connections (52, 54) each have an elongated hole (64) for displacing the fastening element (42) relative to the leg (32, 34) in order to enable height compensation and / or length compensation. [5] Device (30) according to one of claims 1 to 4, wherein one leg (32, 34) of the frame (66) is designed as a flat profile (62). [6] Device (30) according to one of claims 1 to 5, wherein one leg (32, 34) of the frame (66) is designed as an aluminum construction profile (76). [7] Device (30) according to one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the force measuring unit (44) has a force measuring sensor (46) and a measuring finger (48) connected to the force measuring sensor (46) for scanning a sliding window (24). [8] Device (30) according to claim 7, wherein the measuring finger (48) is fixedly connected to the force measuring unit (44). [9] Device (30) according to one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the fastening elements (36, 38, 42) are designed as suction cups (74) or as magnetic holders (72). [10] Method for measuring the closing force of an electric sliding window (24) with a device (30) according to one of claims 1 to 8, comprising the following steps: - arranging (100) the device (30) on a side wall (28) of a motor vehicle (10), - aligning (110) the legs (32, 34) parallel to the sliding window (24), - aligning (120) the force measuring unit (44) such that a force introduction into the measuring finger (48) lies in a fastening plane and perpendicular to the leg (32, 34) to which the force measuring unit (44) is fastened, - Determining (130) a closing force of the electric sliding window (24) by the force measuring unit (44).

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