Vehicle Moonroof Anti-Pinch Control Using Shade and Panel
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional sunroof or moonroof anti-pinch systems require complex and costly sensor positioning, which reduces the viewing area due to the need for a ring of sensors around the roof frame, increasing the complexity and cost of the system.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle roof closure system that includes a moveable panel and a moveable shade, where the shade is closed before the panel during closure operations, and stops if an obstruction is detected, using a lower output motor for the shade and a controller to manage the closure process, reducing the need for extensive sensor placement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a ring of anti-pinch sensors is positioned around the roof frame to detect obstructions, then safety is improved, but the viewing area is reduced and system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the anti-pinch sensing function from the roof frame structure and relocates it to the moveable element itself. The sensor is integrated into the leading edge of the panel, allowing obstruction detection without requiring a ring of sensors around the entire roof frame, thereby preserving the viewing area while maintaining safety.
Solution Approach 2:
The moveable element serves dual functions: it acts as both the closing panel and the mounting structure for the anti-pinch sensor. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate sensor mounting structures and reduces the number of components required, simplifying the system while maintaining safety functionality.
2Reliability
If a ring of anti-pinch sensors is positioned around the roof frame, then obstruction detection is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the anti-pinch sensing function from the roof frame structure and relocates it to the moveable element itself. The sensor is integrated into the leading edge of the panel, allowing obstruction detection without requiring a ring of sensors around the entire roof frame, thereby preserving the viewing area while maintaining safety.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the anti-pinch sensor with the moveable panel structure, integrating the sensor into the leading edge of the panel. This consolidation reduces the total number of separate components and simplifies the system architecture while maintaining effective obstruction detection capability.
3Manufacturing precision
If the roof frame is extended to accommodate anti-pinch sensors, then sensor positioning is improved, but the viewing area decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the anti-pinch sensing function from the roof frame structure and relocates it to the moveable element itself. The sensor is integrated into the leading edge of the panel, allowing obstruction detection without requiring a ring of sensors around the entire roof frame, thereby preserving the viewing area while maintaining safety.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods are provided for a vehicle roof closure that can prevent pinching of obstructions within a roof opening. Example vehicles include a roof having an opening, a panel disposed adjacent to the opening and moveable by a first motor, a shade disposed below the panel and moveable by a second motor having a lower output than the first motor, and a controller configured to close the shade before closing the panel during a close panel operation, and stop the shade if an obstruction is detected within the opening. Example methods include upon receiving a command to close a panel over an opening, causing a shade motor to start closing a shade disposed below the panel by unrolling the shade; stopping the shade motor upon detection of an obstruction within the opening; and causing a panel motor to start closing the panel upon receiving a shade closed signal.