Description:Complete Specification:
The following specification describes and ascertains the nature of this invention and the manner in which it is to be performed.

Field of the invention:
[0001] The present invention relates to a controller, device, and method for opening and closing of Sunroof and Sunshade of a vehicle.

Background of the invention:
[0002] Coupling feature in Sunroof is known feature but the limitation has been that delayed response of both Sunroof and Sunshade motors.

[0003] According to state of the art US8720986, opening-and-closing member control apparatus is provided. The opening-and-closing member control apparatus includes a panel drive device moving a movable panel in opening and closing directions, a panel monitoring device monitoring a position of the movable panel between fully closed and opened positions, a sunshade drive device moving a sunshade in opening and closing directions, a sunshade monitoring device monitoring a position of the sunshade between fully closed and opened positions, and a control device controlling driving of the panel drive device and the sunshade drive device on the basis of the position of the movable panel monitored by the panel monitoring device and the position of the sunshade monitored by the sunshade monitoring device, so that the position of the movable panel precedes the position of the sunshade toward the fully closed position when the movable panel and the sunshade move in the closing direction.

Brief description of the accompanying drawings:
[0004] An embodiment of the disclosure is described with reference to the following accompanying drawings,
[0005] Fig. 1 illustrates a block diagram of a controller to control opening and closing of a Sunroof and a Sunshade of a vehicle and a device for a roof of the vehicle, according to an embodiment of the present invention, and
[0006] Fig. 2 illustrates a method for controlling opening and closing of the Sunshade and the Sunroof of the vehicle, according to the present invention.

Detailed description of the embodiments:
[0007] Fig. 1 illustrates a block diagram of a controller to control opening and closing of a Sunroof and a Sunshade of a vehicle and a device for a roof of the vehicle, according to an embodiment of the present invention. The controller 110 configured to receive any one request comprising an open command for the Sunroof 106 and a close command for the Sunshade 116. The controller 110 then triggers any one of an open coupling action and a close coupling action based on the received request. The open coupling action corresponds to opening of both of the Sunroof 106 and the Sunshade 116 when the open command is received, and the close coupling action corresponds to closing of both of the Sunroof 106 and the Sunshade 116 when the close command is received. The controller 110, characterized in that, triggers any one of the open coupling action and the close coupling action, for the Sunroof 106 and the Sunshade 116, at the same time but at different speeds. The open command is provided by a first switch 102 and the close command is provided by a second switch 112. The first switch 102 and the second switch 112 are either physical hard button/switches/levers or soft switches such as in the touch screen.

[0008] According to the present invention, the Sunroof 106 is either transparent or translucent member with mostly hard glass of fiber like material, and not limited to the same. The Sunshade 116 is a flexible member which is opaque or translucent. The Sunroof 106 is at the top of the Sunshade 116, which signifies that the Sunshade 116 is internal to a cabin of the vehicle. This is explained to ease in the understanding of the present invention and should not be understood in limiting manner.

[0009] According to an embodiment of the present invention, while the open command is requested, an opening speed of the Sunshade 116 is made greater than an opening speed of the Sunroof 106. In other words, the opening speed of the Sunroof 106 is lesser than the opening speed of the Sunshade 116. Similarly, while close command is requested, a closing speed of the Sunroof 106 is made greater than a closing speed of the Sunshade 116. In other words, the closing speed of the Sunshade 116 is lesser than the closing speed of the Sunroof 106.

[0010] In accordance to another embodiment, the controller 110 further configured to detect a gap 118 of predetermined distance between ends of the Sunroof 106 and the Sunshade 116 in any one of an opening direction 120 and a closing direction 122, and while the gap 118 is detected in the opening direction 120, the controller 110 increases the opening speed of the Sunroof 106 equal to (or not equal to) the opening speed of the Sunshade 116 in gradual manner or step-wise manner. Similarly, while the gap 118 is detected in the closing direction 122, the controller 110 increases the closing speed of the Sunshade 116 equal to (or not equal to) the closing speed of the Sunroof 106 in gradual manner or step-wise manner. The predetermined distance of the gap 118 is calibratable.

[0011] According to the present invention, the controller 110 is provided with necessary signal detection, acquisition, and processing circuits. The controller 110 is the control unit which comprises input/output interfaces having pins or ports, a memory element (not shown) such as Random Access Memory (RAM) and/or Read Only Memory (ROM), Analog-to-Digital Converter (ADC) and a Digital-to-Analog Convertor (DAC), clocks, timers, counters and at least one processor (capable of implementing machine learning) connected with each other and to other components through communication bus channels. The memory element is pre-stored with logics or instructions or programs or applications or modules/models and/or threshold/safe limit values/ranges, predetermined distance which is/are accessed by the at least one processor as per the defined routines. The internal components of the controller 110 are not explained for being state of the art, and the same must not be understood in a limiting manner. The controller 110 may also comprise communication units to communicate with Engine Control Unit (ECU) of the vehicle through wireless or wired means such as Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM), 3G, 4G, 5G, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Ethernet, serial networks, Controller Area Network (CAN), and the like. The controller 110 is implementable in the form of System-in-Package (SiP) or System-on-Chip (SOC) or any other known types. The controller 110 is dedicated to the roof of the vehicle or is the existing control unit of the vehicle such as a Body Control Module (BCM).

[0012] According to an embodiment of the present invention, a device 100 for the roof of the vehicle is provided. The device 100 comprises the Sunroof 106 operable with a first drive motor 104, a Sunshade 116 operable with a second drive motor 114, and the controller 110 connected to the first drive motor 104 and the second drive motor 114 and configured to, receive any one request comprising an open command for the Sunroof 106 and a close command for the Sunshade 116. The controller 110 also configured to trigger any one of the open coupling action and the close coupling action based on the request received. The open coupling action corresponds to opening of both of the Sunroof 106 and the Sunshade 116 when the open command is received, and the close coupling action corresponds to closing of both of the Sunroof 106 and the Sunshade 116 when the close command is received, characterized in that, the controller 110 configured to trigger any one of the open coupling action and the close coupling action for both of the Sunroof 106 and the Sunshade 116 at the same time but at different speeds.

[0013] According to the present invention, the first drive motor 104 and the second drive motor 114 for the Sunroof 106 and the Sunshade 116, respectively, are connected via 2motor communication protocol or other protocols as known in the art. Both the drive motors exchange data related to position, speed, errors, coupling commands etc., through the controller 110. In other words, the first drive motor 104 and the second drive motor 114 are connected to the controller 110 through respective control units which are not explained for simplicity. When close command is received for the Sunshade 116, then a command to close the Sunroof 106 is initiated; thus, both the Sunroof 106 and the Sunshade 116 move in closing direction 122, and referred to as close coupling action. Similarly, when open command is received for the Sunroof 106, then a command to open is sent for the Sunshade 116; thus, both the Sunroof 106 and the Sunshade 116 move in opening direction 120, which is referred to as open coupling.

[0014] According to an embodiment of the present invention, while open command is requested, the opening speed of the Sunshade 116 is made greater than the opening speed of the Sunroof 106. Similarly, while close command is requested, a closing speed of the Sunroof 106 is made greater than a closing speed of the Sunshade 116.

[0015] In Fig. 1, the two separate states of the Sunroof 106 and the Sunshade 116 is shown for simplicity in understanding and explanation. In accordance to an embodiment of the present invention, the controller 110 configured to determine the gap 118 of predetermined distance between the ends of the Sunroof 106 and the Sunshade 116 in any one of the opening direction 120 and the closing direction 122, and while the gap 118 is detected in the opening direction 120, the controller 110 increases the opening speed of the Sunroof 106 to the opening speed of the Sunshade 116 in gradual manner or stepwise manner. Similarly, while the gap 118 is detected in the closing direction122, the controller 110 increases the closing speed of the Sunshade 116 to the closing speed of the Sunroof 106 in gradual manner or stepwise manner. The predetermined distance of the gap 118 is calibratable. The gap 118 with predetermined distance is detected by at least one sensor 108 which is either the rotor position sensors in the first drive motor 104 and the second drive motor 114 or a dedicated sensor which is installed in the roof to detect the predetermined distance.

[0016] According to an embodiment of the present invention, a working of the controller 110 and the device 100 is explained for simplicity in understanding. Consider the vehicle is equipped with the device 100 having the Sunroof 106 and the Sunshade 116 both controllable through respective first drive motor 104 and the second drive motor 114, respectively through the controller 110. Assume that the Sunroof 106 and the Sunshade 116 are in open condition/state. Consider the driver or occupant of the vehicle presses the second switch 112. When the second switch 112 is pressed, both the Sunroof 106 and the Sunshade 116 start closing at the same time, but the Sunshade 116 starts with a low speed (first speed) and the Sunroof 106 starts with high speed (second speed). As and when both first drive motor 104 and the second drive motor 114 drive, the distance between the Sunroof 106 and the Sunshade 116 increases due to difference in speeds. Once the distance between the ends of the Sunroof 106 and the Sunshade 116 exceeds/reaches a predetermined distance such as 100mm or more, then the controller 110 increases the closing speed of the second drive motor 114, which in turn increases the closing speed of the Sunshade 116. The closing speed is increased in gradual/stepwise manner in such a way that closing speeds of both the Sunroof 106 and the Sunshade 116 are made same. The similar working holds good while the first switch 102 is pressed for opening the Sunroof 106. During the close coupling action and open coupling action, both the Sunroof 106 and the Sunshade 116 move with Closed Loop Control (CLC). The CLC means that the speeds of both the Sunroof 106 and the Sunshade 116 are kept constant irrespective of load variation on the Sunroof 106 and the Sunshade 116, i.e. maintains the same speed in the first drive motor 104 and/or the second drive motor 114, even with load variations. For example, once the speed of Sunshade 116 (SS) is increased in gradual manner, after the distance between Sunroof 106 (SR) and Sunshade 116 is reached, the speeds of both the Sunroof 106 and the Sunshade 116 are maintained same even if there is a load/friction change on the Sunroof 106 or the Sunshade 116. This is done by keeping the speed same by increasing / decreasing voltage for the respective drive motor through CLC.

[0017] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the controller 110 and the device 100 are applicable for the roof of the vehicle where the Sunroof 106 needs to be tilted as well. Hence, once the tilting operation is completed, the controller 110 performs as described.

[0018] Fig. 2 illustrates a method for controlling opening and closing of Sunshade and Sunroof of a vehicle, according to the present invention. The method comprises plurality of steps of which a step 202 comprises receiving any one request comprising the opening command for the Sunroof 106 and the closing command for the Sunshade 116. A step 204 comprises triggering any one of the open coupling action and the close coupling action based on the received request. The open coupling action corresponds to opening of both of the Sunroof 106 and the Sunshade 116 when the opening command is received. The close coupling action corresponds to the closing of both of the Sunroof 106 and the Sunshade 116 when the closing command is received. The step 204 of the method is characterized by, triggering any one of the open coupling action and the close coupling action for both of the Sunroof 106 and the Sunshade 116 at the same time but at different speeds.

[0019] According to the method, while opening command is requested, the method comprises keeping the opening speed of the Sunshade 116 is greater than the opening speed of the Sunroof 106, and while closing command is requested, the method comprises keeping the closing speed of the Sunroof 106 greater than the closing speed of the Sunshade 116.

[0020] According to the method, a step 206 comprises detecting the gap 118 of predetermined distance between the ends of the Sunroof 106 and the Sunshade 116 in any one of the opening direction 120 and the closing direction 122. While the gap 118 is detected in the opening direction 120, a step 208 comprises increasing the opening speed of the Sunroof 106 to the opening speed of the Sunshade 116 in gradual manner or stepwise manner. Similarly, while the gap 118 is detected in closing direction 122, a step 210 comprises increasing the closing speed of the Sunshade 116 to the closing speed of the Sunroof 106 in gradual manner or stepwise manner.

[0021] According to the present invention, a speed based coupling between the Sunroof 106 and the Sunshade 116 is provided. In other words, the Sunroof 106, and the Sunshade 116 coupling improvements with Closed loop control of the motor speeds is provided. In the present invention, the customer convenience and overall system behavior has been improved in such a way that both the Sunroof 106 and the Sunshade 116 start at the same time but with different speeds. The present invention ensures that the Sunroof 106 and the Sunshade 116 are open in a standing/ parked state of the vehicle and closed whenever there is a forecast of rain.

[0022] It should be understood that the embodiments explained in the description above are only illustrative and do not limit the scope of this invention. Many such embodiments and other modifications and changes in the embodiment explained in the description are envisaged. The scope of the invention is only limited by the scope of the claims.
, Claims:We claim:
1. A controller (110) to control opening and closing of a Sunroof (106) and a Sunshade (116) of a vehicle, said controller (110) configured to:
receive any one request comprising an open command for said Sunroof (106) and a close command for said Sunshade (116), and
trigger any one of an open coupling action and a close coupling action based on said received request, said open coupling action corresponds to opening of both of said Sunroof (106) and said Sunshade (116) when said open command is received, and close coupling action corresponds to closing of both of said Sunroof (106) and said Sunshade (116) when said close command is received, characterized in that,
said trigger of any one of said opening coupling action and said close coupling action for said Sunroof (106) and said Sunshade (116) is done at the same time but at different speeds.

2. The controller (110) as claimed in claim 1, wherein
while said open command is requested,
an opening speed of said Sunshade (116) is made greater than an opening speed of said Sunroof (106), and
while said close command is requested,
a closing speed of said Sunroof (106) is made greater than a closing speed of said Sunshade (116).

3. The controller (110) as claimed in claim 2 configured to,
detect a gap (118) of predetermined distance between ends of said Sunroof (106) and said Sunshade (116) in any one of an opening direction (120) and a closing direction (122), and
while said gap (118) is detected in said opening direction (120),
increase said opening speed of said Sunroof (106) to an opening speed of said Sunshade (116) in gradual manner, and
while said gap (118) is detected in said closing direction (122),
increase said closing speed of said Sunshade (116) to a closing speed of said Sunroof (106) in gradual manner.

4. A device (100) for a roof of a vehicle, said device (100) comprises:
a Sunroof (106) operable with a first drive motor (104);
a Sunshade (116) operable with a second drive motor (114), and
a controller (110) connected to said first drive motor (104) and said second drive motor (114) and configured to:
receive any one request comprising an open command for said Sunroof (106) and a close command for said Sunshade (116),
trigger any one of an open coupling action and a close coupling action based on said received request, said open coupling action corresponds to opening of both of said Sunroof (106) and said Sunshade (116) when said open command is received, and close coupling action corresponds to closing of both of said Sunroof (106) and said Sunshade (116) when said close command is received, characterized in that,
said controller (110) configured to trigger any one of said opening coupling action and said close coupling action for said Sunroof (106) and said Sunshade (116) at the same time but at different speeds.

5. The device (100) as claimed in claim 5, wherein
while said open command is requested,
an opening speed of said Sunshade (116) is made greater than an opening speed of said Sunroof (106), and
while said close command is requested,
a closing speed of said Sunroof (106) is made greater than a closing speed of said Sunshade (116).

6. The device (100) as claimed in claim 6, wherein said controller (110) configured to,
detect a gap (118) of predetermined distance between ends of said Sunroof (106) and said Sunshade (116) in any one of an opening direction (120) and a closing direction (122), and
while said gap (118) is detected in said opening direction (120),
increase said opening speed of said Sunroof (106) to an opening speed of said Sunshade (116) in gradual manner, and
while said gap (118) is detected in said closing direction (122),
increase said closing speed of said Sunshade (116) to a closing speed of said Sunroof (106) in gradual manner.

7. The device (100) as claimed in claim 4, wherein said gap (118) is detected by at least one sensor (108).

8. A method for controlling opening and closing of a Sunroof (106) and a Sunshade (116) of a vehicle, said method comprises:
receiving any one request comprising an opening command for said Sunroof (106) and a closing command for said Sunshade (116), and
triggering any one of an open coupling action and a close coupling action based on said received request, wherein said open coupling action corresponds to opening of both of said Sunroof (106) and said Sunshade (116) when said open command is received, and close coupling action corresponds to closing of both of said Sunroof (106) and said Sunshade (116) when said close command is received, characterized by,
said triggering of any one of said open coupling action and said close coupling action for both of said Sunroof (106) and Sunshade (116) is done at the same time but at different speeds.

9. The method as claimed in claim 8, wherein
while opening command is requested,
said method comprises keeping an opening speed of said Sunshade (116) greater than an opening speed of the Sunroof (106), and
while closing command is requested,
said method comprises keeping a closing speed of said Sunroof (106) greater than a closing speed of said Sunshade (116).

10. The method as claimed in claim 9, said method comprises
detecting a gap (118) of predetermined distance between ends of said Sunroof (106) and said Sunshade (116) in any one of an opening direction (120) and a closing direction (122), and
while said gap (118) is detected in said opening direction (120),
increasing said opening speed of said Sunroof (106) to said opening speed of said Sunshade (116) in gradual manner, and
while said gap (118) is detected in a closing direction (122),
increasing said closing speed of said Sunshade (116) to said closing speed of said Sunroof (106) in gradual manner.