Vehicle panel control system

Abstract

A system includes a controller and a sensor. The controller is configured to transmit a panel control signal to move a movable panel of a vehicle along a path between opened and closed positions. The sensor is configured to detect for an object in the path of the panel and to generate an object signal indicative of an object detected in the path of the panel. Upon receipt of the object signal, the controller is further configured to transmit a panel control signal to move the panel towards the opened position in order to prevent the panel from entrapping the object. The controller is further configured to communicate with at least one vehicle module over an in-vehicle local area network (LAN).

1 . A system comprising:
 a controller configured to transmit a panel control signal to move a movable panel of a vehicle along a path between opened and closed positions;   a sensor configured to detect for an object in the path of the panel and to generate an object signal indicative of an object detected in the path of the panel; and   a switch configured to transmit a command signal upon being activated by an operator;   wherein the controller is further configured to transmit a panel control signal to move the panel towards the opened position in order to prevent the panel from entrapping the object upon receipt of the object signal;   wherein the controller and the switch are further configured to communicate with at least one vehicle module and with one another over an in-vehicle local area network (LAN);   wherein the controller is further configured to receive the command signal from the switch over the LAN and to transmit a panel control signal to move the panel in accordance with the command signal;   wherein the switch is further configured to transmit upon being activated by an operator a second command signal over the LAN for receipt by a second controller configured to control movement of a second movable panel in accordance with the second command signal.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1  wherein:
 the controller and the sensor are configured to communicate with one another over the LAN. 
 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1  wherein:
 the sensor includes a compressible dielectric element interposed between two conductors which are separated from one another; 
 wherein capacitance of the sensor changes in response to either an object in the path of the panel deforming the shape of the sensor while touching the sensor such that the sensor generates the object signal or a conductive object in the path of the panel coming into proximity with the sensor such that the sensor generates the object signal. 
 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the at least one vehicle module includes an occupant detection sensor, wherein:
 the controller is further configured to receive an occupant signal indicative of the absence of an occupant in the vehicle from the occupant detection sensor over the LAN and to generate an alarm signal indicative of vehicle intrusion upon receiving the object signal while the vehicle is unoccupied. 
 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the at least one vehicle module includes a rain sensor, wherein:
 the controller is further configured to receive a rain sensor signal indicative of moisture outside the vehicle from the rain sensor over the LAN; 
 wherein the controller is further configured to transmit a panel control signal to move the panel towards the closed position upon determining the presence of moisture outside of the vehicle based on the rain signal. 
 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1   the LAN includes at least one of a wired component and a wireless component.   
     
     
         7 . A system comprising:
 a controller configured to transmit a panel control signal to move a movable panel of a vehicle along a path between opened and closed positions; and   a sensor configured to detect for an object in the path of the panel and to generate an object signal indicative of an object detected in the path of the panel;   wherein the controller is further configured to transmit a panel control signal to move the panel towards the opened position in order to prevent the panel from entrapping the object upon receipt of the object signal;   wherein the controller is further configured to communicate with at least one vehicle module including a switch over an in-vehicle local area network (LAN);   wherein the controller is further configured to receive a command signal from the switch over the LAN upon the switch being activated by an operator and to transmit a panel control signal to move the panel in accordance with the command signal;   wherein the controller is further configured to transmit a panel control signal to move the panel to the closed position upon receiving an express close panel command signal from the switch over the LAN;   wherein the controller is further configured to transmit a panel control signal to move the panel to the opened position upon receiving an express open panel command signal from the switch over the LAN;   wherein the controller is further configured to transmit a panel control signal to move the panel towards the closed position while receiving a manual close panel command signal from the switch over the LAN;   wherein the controller is further configured to transmit a panel control signal to move the panel towards the opened position while receiving a manual open panel command signal from the switch over the LAN.   
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 7  wherein:
 the controller is further configured to abort an express panel command upon receiving a manual panel command; 
 the controller is further configured to abort an express panel command for one of the opening and closing directions upon receiving an express panel command for the opposite direction. 
 
     
     
         9 . A system comprising:
 a controller configured to transmit a panel control signal to move a movable panel of a vehicle along a path between opened and closed positions; and   a sensor configured to detect for an object in the path of the panel and to generate an object signal indicative of an object detected in the path of the panel;   wherein the controller is further configured to transmit a panel control signal to move the panel towards the opened position in order to prevent the panel from entrapping the object upon receipt of the object signal;   wherein the controller is further configured to communicate with at least one vehicle module including an interior temperature sensor and an exterior temperature sensor over an in-vehicle local area network (LAN);   wherein the controller is further configured to receive an internal temperature signal indicative of the temperature of the vehicle interior from the interior temperature sensor over the LAN and to receive an external temperature signal indicative of the temperature outside of the vehicle from the external temperature sensor over the LAN;   wherein the controller is further configured to determine whether vehicle venting is desired based on a comparison of the temperature signals and to transmit a panel control signal to move the panel towards the opened position in order to vent the vehicle if vehicle venting is desired.   
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 9  wherein:
 the controller is further configured to transmit a panel control signal to move the panel towards the opened position in order to vent the vehicle if vehicle venting is desired when the vehicle is in operation. 
 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 9  wherein the at least one vehicle module further includes a venting component, wherein:
 the controller is further configured to transmit a vent control signal to the venting component via the LAN in order for the venting component to vent the vehicle if vehicle venting is desired. 
 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 11  wherein:
 the venting component is one of a vehicle sunroof and a vehicle HVAC system. 
 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 11  wherein:
 the controller is further configured to transmit a vent control signal to the venting component in order to vent the vehicle when the internal temperature exceeds the external temperature and the vehicle is unoccupied. 
 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 11  wherein:
 the controller is further configured to transmit a vent control signal to the venting component in order to vent the vehicle when the internal temperature exceeds the external temperature by a predetermined amount and the vehicle is in operation. 
 
     
     
         15 . A system comprising:
 a controller configured to transmit a panel control signal to move a movable panel of a vehicle along a path between opened and closed positions; and   a sensor configured to detect for an object in the path of the panel and to generate an object signal indicative of an object detected in the path of the panel;   wherein the controller is further configured to transmit a panel control signal to move the panel towards the opened position in order to prevent the panel from entrapping the object upon receipt of the object signal;   wherein the controller is further configured to communicate with at least one vehicle module over an in-vehicle local area network (LAN);   wherein the controller is further configured to store the position of the panel along the path prior to the vehicle being turned off and to transmit a panel control signal to move the panel from the closed position to a stored opened position stored upon receiving a preset panel open command.   
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 15  wherein:
 the controller is further configured to receive the panel open command from a remote keyless entry component. 
 
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 15  wherein:
 the LAN includes at least one of a wired component and a wireless component. 
 
     
     
         18 . A system comprising:
 a controller configured to transmit a panel control signal to move a movable panel of a vehicle along a path between opened and closed positions; and   a sensor configured to detect for an object in the path of the panel and to generate an object signal indicative of an object detected in the path of the panel;   wherein the controller is further configured to transmit a panel control signal to move the panel towards the opened position in order to prevent the panel from entrapping the object upon receipt of the object signal;   wherein the controller is further configured to communicate with at least one vehicle module over an in-vehicle local area network (LAN);   wherein the controller is further configured to transmit a panel control signal to move the panel after the vehicle has been turned off.   
     
     
         19 . A system comprising:
 a first controller configured to transmit a panel control signal to move a first movable panel of a vehicle along a path between opened and closed positions;   a sensor configured to detect for an object in the path of the first panel and to generate an object signal indicative of an object detected in the path of the first panel; and   a second controller configured to transmit a panel control signal to move a second movable panel of the vehicle along a path;   wherein the first controller is further configured to communicate with the second controller and at least one vehicle module over an in-vehicle local area network (LAN);   wherein the first controller is further configured to transmit a panel control signal to move the first panel towards the opened position in order to prevent the first panel from entrapping the object upon receipt of the object signal;   wherein the second controller is further configured to receive a command signal from the first controller over the LAN and to transmit a panel control signal to move the second panel in accordance with the command signal.   
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 19  wherein:
 the LAN includes at least one of a wired component and a wireless component.