IP Library › Granted Patent US 8,433,481
Granted Patent B2
US 8,433,481 · App. 12/512,153 · Granted Apr 30, 2013

Opening and closing control apparatus for roof panel for vehicle

Inventors: Akimasa Yoshida (Takahama, JP); Tomoaki Imaizumi (Toyokawa, JP); Tatsuo Kamakura (Anjo, JP)
Assignee: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha
View Patent ↗
Loading inventors, assignments & file history…
Monitor This Case
Get email alerts when status or documents change.
Order Certified Copies
Most orders are placed with the USPTO same day — all within 24 business hours.
Order via The Patent Place →
Pre-filled with this patent's details
Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 8,433,481
App. No.
12/512,153
Granted
Apr 30, 2013
Kind
B2
Abstract

An opening and closing control apparatus for a roof panel for a vehicle includes an opening and closing device for driving the roof panel to open and close, an operation command device for outputting an operation command for opening and closing the roof panel by means of an operation switch, a vehicle speed detecting device, and a controlling device for controlling an operation of the opening and closing device, the controlling device performing an open and close control for operating the opening and closing device to cause the roof panel to move to a predetermined position where the roof panel is opened to a predetermined degree which is specified beforehand on the basis of a vehicle speed when the operation command for opening the roof panel is output by the operation command device.

Claims (17)

1. An opening and closing control apparatus for a roof panel for a vehicle, comprising:

an opening and closing device for driving the roof panel to open and close;

an operation switch for outputting an operation command for opening and closing the roof panel;

a vehicle speed detecting means; and

a controlling means for controlling an operation of the opening and closing device, the controlling means performing an open and close control for operating the opening and closing device to cause the roof panel to move to a predetermined position where the roof panel is opened to a predetermined degree which is specified beforehand on the basis of a vehicle speed when the operation command for opening the roof panel is output by the operation switch;

wherein the controlling means switches a control mode of the open and close control between a stop mode in which the roof panel is stopped at the predetermined position in a case where the operation command for opening the roof panel is output and the roof panel reaches the predetermined position and a nonstop mode in which the roof panel is prevented from being stopped at the predetermined position in a case where the operation command for opening the roof panel is output and the roof panel reaches the predetermined position;

wherein the stop mode and the nonstop mode are switched therebetween by an operation of the operation switch for a predetermined time period or more;

wherein the stop mode and the nonstop mode are switched therebetween by a continuous operation of the operation switch in an open position when the roof panel is arranged at a fully open position or by a continuous operation of the operation switch in a close position when the roof panel is arranged at a fully closed position for the predetermined time period or more.

2. The opening and closing control apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the roof panel is opened as wide as possible so that a reduced air flow into a vehicle interior is obtained when the roof panel is arranged at the predetermined position which is specified beforehand on the basis of the vehicle speed;

wherein the reduced air flow is less than an air flow into the vehicle interior when the roof panel is moved to the fully open position.

3. The opening and closing control apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the controlling means performs the open and close control for operating the opening and closing device to cause the roof panel to move to the fully open position in a case where the operation command for opening the roof panel is again output after the roof panel reaches the predetermined position.

4. The opening and closing control apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the roof panel is opened as wide as possible so that a reduced air flow into the vehicle interior is obtained when the roof panel is arranged at the predetermined position which is specified beforehand on the basis of the vehicle speed, and the controlling means performs the open and close control for operating the opening and closing device to cause the roof panel to move to the fully open position in a case where the operation command for opening the roof panel is again output after the roof panel reaches the predetermined position;

wherein the reduced air flow is less than an air flow into the vehicle interior when the roof panel is moved to the fully open position.

5. The opening and closing control apparatus according to claim 1 , further comprising a smoke detection sensor detecting smoke in the vehicle interior, wherein the controlling means performs the open and close control by correcting the predetermined position to a predetermined smoke ventilation position where the roof panel is opened to a greater degree than the predetermined degree in a case where the smoke detection sensor detects smoke in the vehicle interior.

6. The opening and closing control apparatus according to claim 5 , further comprising a rainfall detection sensor detecting rainfall, wherein the controlling means performs the open and close control by correcting the predetermined position to a predetermined rainfall position where the roof panel is opened to a smaller degree than the predetermined degree in a case where the rainfall detection sensor detects rainfall.

7. The opening and closing control apparatus according to claim 6 , wherein the controlling means performs the open and close control by correcting the predetermined position to the predetermined rainfall position where the roof panel is opened to a smaller degree than the predetermined degree in a case where the rainfall detection sensor detects rainfall in spite of whether the smoke detection sensor detects the smoke in the vehicle interior.

8. The opening and closing control apparatus according to claim 1 , further comprising a rainfall detection sensor detecting rainfall, wherein the controlling means performs the open and close control by correcting the predetermined position to a predetermined rainfall position where the roof panel is opened to a smaller degree than the predetermined degree in a case where the rainfall detection sensor detects rainfall.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jul 30, 2009
From: YOSHIDA, AKIMASA; IMAIZUMI, TOMOAKI; KAMAKURA, TATSUO
To: AISIN SEIKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
Reel/Frame 023026/0101 →
Priority Claims (1)
JP 2008-202026 · Aug 5, 2008 · national
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20100032993A1 · Feb 11, 2010