The invention relates to a device for automatically closing one or more partly open window of a vehicle.
Field of Invention
The present invention belongs to the field of automobile. More particularly the invention belongs to the class of vehicles having Power operated windows having auto functions and linked through Air conditioner (AC) switch.
Background of the Invention
In view of the significant convenience provided by power windows over manually operated windows, power windows have become a standard feature in most new motor vehicles. Power windows derive electrical energy for their operation (i.e. opening and closing) from battery of the vehicle which is available either directly or through ignition switch.
The power windows are provided with two types of switches, a manual power window switch and an automatic power window switch. By pressing the manual power window switch, the window will keep moving either in the upward or downward direction till the switch is kept pressed. On the other hand, by pressing the automatic power window switch once, the window will keep moving either in the upward or the downward direction automatically until it reaches its completely closed or completely open position.
Federal Motor vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 118 which is one of the governing regulations regarding the power window system prescribes that the power window system must have the following facilities:
1. Manual UP/DOWN
2. Automatic UP/DOWN;
3. Automatic UP/DOWN to manual UP/DOWN and vice versa;
4. Automatic UP/ DOWN to manual UP/ DOWN and vice versa;
5. Motor cut off at extreme Power operated windows are commonly used in
6. Motor rotation in reverse direction whenever an obstruction is encountered.

As can be noticed, the standard does not prescribe any interrelationship between the operation of the air conditioning system which is usually available in most new motor vehicles and the power window system. Often it has been noticed that the driver switches ON the air conditioning system when one or more of the windows is at least partly open and forgets to close the partly open window(s). Due to this, a lot of energy is wasted and efficient cooling is not achieved. Thus, the Applicants have for the first time felt a need to provide a window actuating system which is operationally interrelated to the operation of the air conditioning system.
Objects of Invention
The main object of the present invention is to develop a device which automatically closes one or more partly open windows of a motor vehicle when an air conditioning system mounted in the motor vehicle is switched ON.
Summary of Invention
In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a device for automatically closing one or more partly open windows of a motor vehicle when an air conditioning system mounted in the motor vehicle is switched ON. More particularly, in accordance with a preferred embodiment, the present invention provides a device for automatically closing one or more partly open windows of a motor vehicle when an air conditioning system mounted in the motor vehicle is switched ON along with providing an anti pinch safety mechanism and manual override provision.
The following paragraphs are provided in order to describe the best mode of working the invention and nothing in this section should be taken as a limitation of the claims.
Statement of Invention
Accordingly the present invention provides a device (10) for automatically closing one or more partly open windows of a motor vehicle when an air conditioning system mounted in the motor vehicle is switched ON, said device comprising:
a first sensor (104) for sensing the state of the air conditioning system and generating first output signal,

a control mechanism (100) being operatively coupled to the first sensor (104) for
receiving the first output signal, processing the same and generating a second output
signal; and
one or more window activation mechanisms (102, 109) being operatively coupled to the
control mechanism (100) for receiving the second output signal and actuating the
window(s).
Brief Description of the Drawings
Figure 1 shows the block diagram describing the present invention
Figure 2 is a block diagram description of a device (10) for automatically closing one or more partly open windows of a motor vehicle when an air conditioning system mounted in the motor vehicle is switched ON, in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 3 is a flowchart that describes the method for closing the power window, in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention
Figure 4 (a) and 4(b) is a plot of pulse width verses time.
Detailed Description of the Invention
Before describing in detail embodiments that are in accordance with the present invention, it should be observed that the embodiments reside in combinations of various elements of the device. Accordingly, the elements have been represented where appropriate by conventional symbols / blocks in the drawings, showing only those specific details that are pertinent to understanding the embodiments of the present invention so as not to obscure the disclosure with details that will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art having benefit of the description herein. The terms "comprises", "comprising", or any other variations thereof, are intended to cover a nonexclusive inclusion, such that a device that comprises a list of elements does not include only those elements but may include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such device. An element proceeded by "comprises... a" does not, without more constraints, preclude the existence of additional identical element in the device.

Accordingly the present invention provides a device (10) for automatically closing one or
more partly open windows of a motor vehicle when an air conditioning system mounted
in the motor vehicle is switched ON, said device comprising:
a first sensor (104) for sensing the state of the air conditioning system and generating first
output signal,
a control mechanism (100) being operatively coupled to the first sensor (104) for
receiving the first output signal, processing the same and generating a second output
signal; and
one or more window actuation mechanisms (102, 109) being operatively coupled to the
control mechanism (100) for receiving the second output signal and actuating the
window(s).
In an embodiment of the present invention, the first sensor is externally mounted to the air conditioning system or is a sensor which already exists in the air conditioning system and the said first sensor generates the first output when the air conditioning system is switched ON.
In another embodiment of the present invention, the first sensor is a switch of the air conditioning system.
In yet another embodiment of the present invention, the control mechanism (100) is connected to an "AUTO WINDOW UP/DOWN" switch (107) for providing one-touch window UP/DOWN function.
In still another embodiment of the present invention, the window actuation mechanism comprises a motor (109) operatively coupled to a motor control mechanism (102) for moving the window.
In one more embodiment of the present invention, the motor control mechanism (102) is operatively coupled to a "MANUAL WINDOW UP/DOWN" switch (108) for providing manual window UP/DOWN function.

In one another embodiment of the present invention, the control mechanism (100) is operatively coupled to one or more window location sensors (106) for sensing the location of one or more windows and generating a third output if at least one of the windows is at least partly open.
In a further embodiment of the present invention, the control mechanism (100) generates the second output if it receives the third output from at least one of the window location sensors (106) indicating that at least one window is at least partly open.
In a further more embodiment of the present invention, the window location sensor (106) is a LT s/w or a Hall Effect sensor.
In an embodiment of the present invention, the control mechanism (100) is operatively coupled to a motor speed sensor (103) for sensing the speed of the motor and generating a fourth output if the motor speed is found to be reducing over an interval of time.
The present invention discloses a device, which can be incorporated in the automobile for automatically closing one or more windows of the automobile when an air conditioner system present in the automobile is switched ON.
Description of the Embodiments of the Present Invention:
The invention of the present invention will be described in more detail in the following paragraphs with reference to the figures by way of illustration and nothing contained in the following sections are intended to limit the scope of the present invention in any manner. The scope of the present invention is limited purely by the claims and their equivalence.
Figure 1 illustrates the simplified block diagram of the device of the present invention. As can be noticed from figure 1, the device of the present invention comprises a sensor (104) which generates a first output depending upon the state of the air conditioner. A control mechanism (100) is coupled to one or more windows via one or more window activation mechanism (102,109). The control mechanism (100) receives the first output from the first sensor (104), processes the same, generates a second output and

communicates the same to the window actuating mechanism (102, 109). Upon receiving the second output, the window actuation mechanism (102, 109) actuates the windows so as to close them.
Figure 2 illustrates the simplified block diagram of the device of the present invention representing some of the additional / optional components and showing some of the components in a more elaborative manner. The first sensor can be either externally mounted on the air conditioner or an existing sensor of the air conditioner can be used as the first sensor. By way of example and as shown in figure 2, the ON-OFF switch of the air conditioner can also be used as the first sensor.
According to the state of the air conditioner the first sensor (104) generates a first out put which is received by the control mechanism (100). The control mechanism can be microcontroller. The micro controller (100) processes the first output from the AC switch (104) and generates a second output. The second output which is generated by the microcontroller (100) is received by the window actuation mechanism (102, 109). A more elaborate block diagram of the window actuating mechanism is shown in figure 2. As can be noticed, the window actuation mechanism may comprise of a motor (109) and a motor control mechanism (102). The second output generated from the microcontroller (100) is received by the motor control mechanism (102) and the motor control mechanism (102) generates a fifth output signal to energize the motor (109), which may be done through one or more relays (not shown in the figures).
As shown in figure 2 the microcontroller (100) is connected to an "AUTO WINDOW UP/DOWN" switch (107) for providing one-touch window UP/DOWN function. When a user presses the AUTO UP switch (107), the micro controller (100) detects the same and in response, actuates the widow to move in the upward direction via the window actuating mechanism and more particularly, the motor control mechanism (102) energizes the motor (102) to rotate in a direction which closes the window. On the other hand, when the user presses the AUTO DOWN switch (107), the micro controller (100) detects the same and in response, actuates the widow to move in the downward direction

via the window actuating mechanism and more particularly, the motor control mechanism (102) energizes the motor (102) to rotate in a direction which opens the window.
As the name indicates, if the "AUTO WINDOW UP" switch is pressed, the widow is actuated to move in the upward direction via the window actuating mechanism till (a) the extreme UP location is reached or (b) a obstruction is sensed or (c) the AUTO WINDOW DOWN switch is pressed or (d) the MANUAL WINDOW DOWN switch is pressed. Similarly, if the "AUTO WINDOW DOWN" switch is pressed, the widow is actuated to move in the downward direction via the window actuating mechanism till (a) the extreme DOWN location is reached or (b) the AUTO WINDOW UP switch is pressed or (c) the MANUAL WINDOW UP switch is pressed.
The Inventors would like to mention here that the device of the present invention is constructed such that when the micro controller (100) receives the first output from the first sensor (104), it automatically actuates one or more windows to move in the upward direction via the window actuating mechanism. However, if during the automatic upward motion of the window, the micro controller (100) detects pressing of the AUTO DOWN switch (107), the automatic upward motion of the window is stopped and the window is moved in the downward direction. Also, in the absence of the first output from the first sensor (104), if the microcontroller (100) detects pressing of the AUTO UP switch or the AUTO DOWN switch (107), the corresponding upward or downward motion of the window is commenced.
Further as shown in figure 2, the motor control mechanism (102) is connected to a "MANUAL WINDOW UP/DOWN" switch (108) for providing for providing manual window UP/DOWN function. When a user presses the MANUAL UP switch (108), the motor control mechanism (102) detects the same and in response, actuates the widow to move in the upward direction and more particularly, the motor control mechanism (102) energizes the motor (102) to rotate in a direction which closes the window. On the other hand, when the user presses the MANUAL DOWN switch (108), the motor control mechanism (102) detects the same and in response, actuates the widow to move in the downward direction and more particularly, the motor control mechanism (102) energizes

the motor (102) to rotate in a direction which opens the window. The motor control mechanism (102) actuates the windows only till the time the "MANUAL WINDOW UP/DOWN" switch (108) is pressed by the user. Once the user releases the "MANUAL WINDOW UP/DOWN" switch (108), the motor control mechanism (102) stops actuating the windows.
The Inventors would like to mention here that the device of the present invention is constructed such that if during the automatic upward motion of the window, the motor control mechanism (102) detects pressing of the MANUAL DOWN switch (108), the automatic upward motion of the window is stopped and the window is moved in the downward direction.
In order to enhance the safety features of the system, the microcontroller is further coupled to a motor speed sensor (103). The motor speed sensor continuously monitors the speed of the motor (especially during its motion in the upward direction in the automatic modes) and if detects the speed of the motor to be decreasing over a predetermined time period, the rotation of the motor is stopped and reversed. This feature enhances the safety of the passenger sitting inside the car. By way of example, the speed of the motor may be decreased due to presence of an obstacle in the path of the window. Thus, when an obstacle comes in the path of the window during its upward motion, motor speed decreases and the same is sensed by the motor speed sensor (103) and communicated to the microcontroller (100). The microcontroller mechanism (100) is operatively coupled to a motor speed sensor (103) for sensing the speed of the motor and generating a fourth output if the motor speed is found to be reducing over an interval of time. The fourth output thus generated by the microcontroller is communicated to the motor control mechanism (102), which in turn stops the motion of the motor and then reverses the direction motion of the motor. The motor speed sensor (103) can be a Hall effect sensor and detects the motor speed.
The device of the present invention can be optionally provided with one or more window location sensors. The window location sensor senses the location of all windows and also works as a limit switch. When the window reaches extreme up end, it presses the limit

switch. The micro controller (100) reads this switch and immediately sends the signal to switch off the motor. This is known as extreme cut off. Inclusion of limit switch serves two purposes: firstly it saves power and secondly it protects the motor winding. Same feature is achievable through the predefined number of pulses of a Hall effect sensor output. In such case, limit switch will not be required. The distance between top and bottom extreme is converted into number of pulses. Micro controller (100) counts these pulses when number of count matches with the predefined value it comes to know that the extreme end is reached and it switches off the motor and window stops. Every time motor rotates, no. of pulses traveled are stored into micro controller (100).
When AUTO UP function is working and suddenly AUTO DOWN key is pressed, it is detected and the controller generates the output signal to motor control unit which rotates the motor so that window starts opening and stops after reaching the end. On the other instead of AUTO DOWN, if MANUAL DOWN switch is pressed the window will start opening and suddenly stops when you release the button.
When AUTO DOWN function is working and suddenly AUTO UP key is pressed, it is detected and the controller generates the signal to motor control unit which rotates the motor so that window starts closing and stops after reaching the extreme up end. On the other hand instead of AUTO UP MANUAL UP is pressed the window will start closing and suddenly stops when you release the button.
The device of the present invention can also be configured in such a way that when the AC switch is turned on, the entire four windows go up (closes) one by one. It keep on rotating motor for a fixed interval of time 'Ti" (n pulses) through micro controller (100).
The device of the present invention comprises a regulated power supply (101) as depicted in figure 2. The regulated power supply contains regulator and discreet components such as transistors, resistors and capacitors. The output of the battery (105) is applied to the regulator, which generates power supply required by the micro controller (100) and sensor. Regulator provides regulated voltages, short circuit protection. Capacitors are used to filter noises, reduces the inductive effect of long terminals, if there are any.

Figure 3 is a flowchart that describes the method (200) for closing the window, in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. Method (200) comprises several steps. Step 201 initializes the RAM and ports of the micro controller (100) to perform the intended operation.
Step 202 describes that the micro controller (100) continuously monitors Auto UP/DN Keys (107) and AC switch (104). If micro controller (100) comes to know that the AC (air condition switch (104)) 203 is turned on then it sets the AC timeout = n pulses and set the motor 208 to move the window in upward direction i.e. it closes the entire four windows one by one. The reason of closing the window one by one is to save the current drain from the battery. Regulator (101) gets the power supply from the battery (105) for next n pulses which is sufficient to close the window .On the other hand when it check the auto key 204 and finds out that UP key 206 is pressed then it sets the motor 208 to rotate in the upward direction which close the window. If down key 207 is pressed it rotates the motor 209 in the downward direction, which opens the window. The motor will active for n pulses 210 for this entire operation .The micro controller (100) also monitor the hall pulse 211 that is generated when motor rotate in either direction. This is done to achieve the anti pinch feature 212 (when an obstruction is encountered, motor will stop and start rotating in reverse direction for fixed interval of time). When an obstruction comes, the pulse width of the hall sensor 301 output changes, which is used to calculate the pinch. Hall sensor output is also used to determine the extreme condition. The distance between the top and bottom extreme end is converted into number of pulses. Lets the total number of pulse at the top is 'n'. Micro controller (100) counts the number of pulses and compare it with the pre defined value if it equals to n the Micro controller (100) comes to know that window is reached at the top extreme end. Similarly if the number of count is equal to '0' it indicates the bottom end. And if pinch condition 214 is detected it rotates the motor in the downward direction for t2 mili-sec 215 and after that it stops the motor.
Besides this when Manual UP (108) is pressed the window previous condition is override and window starts moving in the upward direction and stops immediately after releasing

the switch. However when Manual Down (108) is pressed window starts opening and stops immediately after releasing the switch.

We claim,
1. A device (10) for automatically closing one or more partly open windows of a motor
vehicle when an air conditioning system mounted in the motor vehicle is switched ON,
said device comprising:
a first sensor (104) for detecting the state of the air conditioning system and generating
first output signal,
a microcontroller (100) being operatively coupled to the first sensor (104) for receiving
the first output signal, processing the same and generating a second output signal; and
one or more window actuation mechanisms (102, 109) being operatively coupled to the
control mechanism (100) for receiving the second output signal and actuating the
window(s).
2. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first sensor is externally mounted to the air conditioning system or is a sensor which already exists in the air conditioning system and the said first sensor generates the first output when the air conditioning system is switched ON.
3. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first sensor is a switch of the air conditioning system.
4. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the control mechanism (100) is connected to an "AUTO WINDOW UPIDOWN" switch (107) for providing onetouch window UP/DOWN function.
5. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the window actuation mechanism comprises a motor (109) operatively coupled to a motor control mechanism (102) for moving the window.
6. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the motor control mechanism (102) is operatively coupled to a "MANUAL WINDOW UP/DOWN" switch (108) for providing manual window UP/DOWN function.

7. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the control mechanism (100) is operatively coupled to one or more window location sensors (106) for sensing the location of one or more windows and generating a third output if at least one of the windows is at least partly open.
8. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the control mechanism (100) generates the second output if it receives the third output from at least one of the window location sensors (106) indicating that at least one window is at least partly open.
9 The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the window location sensor (106) is a limit switch or a Hall Effect sensor.
10 The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the control mechanism (100) is operatively coupled to a motor speed sensor (103) for sensing the speed of the motor and generating a fourth output if the motor speed is found to be reducing over an interval of time.
11 The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the control mechanism is a micro controller, which receives the first output and generates a second output to transmit to the window actuating mechanism.
12 The device as claimed in claim for use in a system for actuating window glasses, ,wherein the said system comprises wherein said window having a window glass and a window frame ,said window glass is provided to open and close via an electric motor and at a speed that is a function of voltage applied to the electric motor.