Patent Publication Number: US-2017362878-A1

Title: Touch control of vehicle windows

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present specification generally relates to control of vehicle windows and, more specifically, to touch control of vehicle windows. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Frequently, window control switches for vehicles may be located on doors of the vehicles, such as in an armrest area. Window control switches located on a particular door may be provided for controlling opening and closing of the window for that particular door. Additional switches may be provided on the driver door for controlling vehicle windows other than the driver door window only. 
     The window control switches are typically manually actuated, momentary-type switches having an UP position, a DOWN position and an OFF position, which is a rest or return to center position where a position of the window can be maintained. These window control switches may be somewhat small and have a correspondingly small actuation areas. Where multiple control switches are provided, an operator may have to feel for and identify the desired control switch. Additionally, it is not uncommon to place other control switches near the window control switches, such as door lock/unlock switches. 
     Accordingly, a need exists for vehicles, systems and methods that facilitate control of vehicle windows including sunroofs using touch control. 
     SUMMARY 
     In one embodiment, a vehicle includes a vehicle window. An electric motor is connected to the vehicle window for moving the vehicle window between an open position and a closed position. A window control system includes a window control zone that is integral with the vehicle window. The window control zone includes a touch sensor that provides a control signal to a window ECU based on an operator touch. 
     In another embodiment, a method of controlling a window of a vehicle is provided. The method includes determining that a touch sensor is actuated by an operator touch using an electronic control unit. The touch sensor is located in a window control zone that is integral with a vehicle window. Determining that the touch sensor or a different touch sensor within the window control zone is actuated by another operator touch within a predetermined time period using the electronic control unit. The electronic control unit controls an electric motor operatively connected to the vehicle window based on the step of determining that the touch sensor or a different touch sensor within the window control zone is actuated by the another operator touch within the predetermined time period. 
     In yet another embodiment, a vehicle includes a vehicle door including a vehicle window and a window regulator connected to the window. An electric motor is connected to the window regulator for moving the vehicle window between an open position and a closed position. A window control system includes a window control zone including a touch sensor that is located at a frame of the vehicle door that surrounds the vehicle window. The touch sensor provides a control signal to a window ECU based on an operator touch. 
     These and additional features provided by the embodiments described herein will be more fully understood in view of the following detailed description, in conjunction with the drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The embodiments set forth in the drawings are illustrative and exemplary in nature and not intended to limit the subject matter defined by the claims. The following detailed description of the illustrative embodiments can be understood when read in conjunction with the following drawings, where like structure is indicated with like reference numerals and in which: 
         FIG. 1  is an interior view of a vehicle door including window control zones, according to one or more embodiments shown and described herein; 
         FIG. 2  is a section view of a window control zone for the vehicle door of  FIG. 1 , according to one or more embodiments shown and described herein; 
         FIG. 3  is a section view of another window control zone for the vehicle door of  FIG. 1 , according to one or more embodiments shown and described herein; 
         FIG. 4  is a diagrammatic view of a window control system for the vehicle door of  FIG. 1 , according to one or more embodiments shown and described herein; 
         FIG. 5  is a flow diagram illustrating logic of a window ECU, according to one or more embodiments shown and described herein; 
         FIG. 6  illustrates the vehicle door of  FIG. 1  with a vehicle window in a partially retracted position; 
         FIG. 7  illustrates a vehicle window control assembly that used in conjunction with a smart key-type vehicle entry system, according to one or more embodiments shown and described herein; and 
         FIG. 8  illustrates an interior of a sunroof including window control zones, according to one or more embodiments shown and described herein. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Embodiments described herein are generally related to vehicles, systems and methods that facilitate control of vehicle windows including sunroof windows using touch control. The vehicles include a window control system that utilizes touch sensors placed on and/or around one or more windows of the vehicles that can be used to detect presence of a finger or other suitable appendage for controlling operation of the window. In some embodiments, the window control systems may be provided with the touch sensors to allow for control of the windows from only inside of the vehicles using the touch sensors. In other embodiments, the window control systems may be provided with the touch sensors to allow for control of the windows from both inside and outside of the vehicles. As one example, the window control systems may be used with an electronic key or key fob to allow for controlling of the widows using the touch sensors from outside the vehicles. 
     Referring to  FIG. 1 , a vehicle window control assembly  10  is provided with a vehicle door  12  and includes a window control system, referred to generally as element  14 , that can be used to control operation of a power vehicle window  16  of the vehicle door  12 . In the illustrated example, the vehicle door  12  may be a front driver&#39;s side door; however, the window control system  14  may be used to control any one or more of windows of the vehicle including any of the passenger windows, back, lift door window and/or sunroof window, which will be described in greater detail below. 
     The vehicle door  12  may include an outer panel  17  and an inner panel  18  that is connected to the outer panel  17  to define a volume therebetween. The outer panel  17  may be an outer visible panel of the vehicle body, while the inner panel  18  may be an interior door trim panel that is visible from inside the vehicle. The outer panel  17  and the inner panel  18  define a window frame  20  for the vehicle window  16 . The vehicle window  16  may be extendable to a closed position and retractable to a open position into the volume between the outer panel  17  and the inner panel  18  using a window regulator  24  operatively connected to the vehicle window  16  and an electric motor  26  operatively connected to the window regulator  24 . 
     The inner panel  18  may further include an armrest  28  that extends into a cabin of the vehicle. The armrest  28  may include a handle portion  30  that is provided by an opening  32  that extends into the armrest  28  in a vehicle vertical direction (+/−z). The handle portion  30  can facilitate grasping of the armrest  28  to facilitate opening and closing of the vehicle door  12 . Located forward of the armrest  28  in a vehicle longitudinal direction (+/−x) is an inner handle  34 . The vehicle door  12  can be unlatched and opened using the inner handle  34 . Located on the armrest  28  between the inner handle  34  and the handle portion  30  may be a switch mount assembly  36 . The switch mount assembly  36  may include any number of switches  38  (e.g., momentary switches) that can me moved or toggled between various positions depending on the type of switch. For example, a window control switch may be moved between UP, DOWN and OFF positions. A door lock switch may be moved between LOCK and UNLOCK positions. A window lock switch may be provided that can allow the operator to lock movement of passenger windows. 
     The window control system  14  includes window control zones  40 ,  42  and  44 . While three window control zones are illustrated, there may be more or less than three window control zones depending, at least in part, on the design of the vehicle door  12  and other vehicle design considerations. In some embodiments, each window control zone  40 ,  42  and  44  may control a preselected operation of the vehicle window  16 . For example, any one or more of the window control zones  40 ,  42  and  44  may control opening, stopping and/or closing of the vehicle window  16  based on operator input. In aspects, the window control zones  40 ,  42  and  44  may provide a control signal based on operator touch within the window control zones  40 ,  42  and  44 . The window control zones  40 ,  42  and  44  may be provided with one or more touch sensors (represented by hatch lines  46 ,  48  and  50 ) that can be activated by the operator touch from within the vehicle on an interior side of the vehicle door  12  and/or from outside of the vehicle on an exterior side of the vehicle door  12 , which, in turn, send a control signal to a controller for a window control operation. 
     In the illustrated example, window control zones  40  and  42  are provided on the vehicle window  16  and provide operator touch areas for controlling operation of the vehicle window  16 . Each window control zone  40 ,  42  may encompass an area of the vehicle window  16 , such as at least about 10 percent, at least about 20 percent, at least about 30 percent, at least about 40 percent, at least about 50 percent, at least about 60 percent, at least about 70 percent, at least about 80 percent of the total area of the vehicle window  16 . In some embodiments a window control zone may encompass the total area of the vehicle window. The window control zone  40  is shown by, for example,  FIG. 2 . While window control zone  40  is described, the description can apply equally to window control zone  42 . Any suitable touch technology can be used, whether overlay-based or perimeter-based. In illustrated embodiment, the window control zone  40  is overlay-based with the window glass is integral to operation of the window control zone  40 . The window control zone  40  may be formed as a projected capacitance window control zone  40  that relies on electrical capacitance to produce a control signal. 
     The window control zone  40  may be formed of a first conductive layer  52  and a second conductive layer  54 . An insulator layer  56  may be provided that may be any suitable insulator, such as a glass layer. The first and second conductive layers  52  and  54  may be formed of transparent conductors, such as transparent indium tin oxide (ITO). Each conductor may be scanned separately to identify multiple simultaneous touch points. Outer layers of window glass may provide protective layers  58  and  60  and provide outer and inner touch surfaces  64  and  62  of the vehicle window  16 . The window control zone  40  of the vehicle window  16  may be a two-way touch window control zone  40  that allows for touch control using either outer or inner touch surfaces  62  and  64 . Indicia may or may not be provided to highlight the window control zone  40 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 3 , in another embodiment, the window control zone  40 ′ may be formed as a one-way touch window control zone  40 ′. In this embodiment, the window control zone  40 ′ may include the first and second conductor layers  52 ′ and  54 ′ separated by the insulator layer  56 ′, as described above. In this embodiment, an additional transparent insulator layer  66  may provide a barrier between the outer protective layer  58 ′ and the conductor layer  52 ′, which prevents human interaction with the first and second conductive layers  52 ′ and  54 ′ via the outer touch surface  64 ′. 
     Referring back to  FIG. 1 , the window control zone  44  may be provided on the inner panel  18  of the vehicle door  12 . In the illustrated example, the window control zone  44  may be provided at the window frame  20 . The window control zone  44  may include one or more touch sensors  50  positioned along a periphery of the window frame  20 . For example, the touch sensors  50  may be positioned along any one or more of a bottom portion of the window frame  20 , a top portion of the window frame  20 , a front side portion of the window frame  20  and/or a rear side portion of the window frame  20 . The touch sensors  50  may be provided along the window frame  20  so that a specific region, regions or the entire periphery of the window frame  20  can be responsive to the touch of the operator. The touch sensors  50  may be any suitable type of touch sensor, such as capacitance sensors, resistance sensors, piezoelectric sensors, etc. Indicia may or may not be provided to highlight the window control zone  44 . 
     While indicia may be provided to highlight the window control zones  40 ,  42  and  44 , in other embodiments, the window control zones may not be visually detectable as they are part of the vehicle door structure. To accomplish this, the window control zones  40  and  44  may be formed of components that are transparent and/or not readily discernible visually, for example, due to their size. Window control zone  44  may include touch sensors  50  that are part of and/or located behind outer surfaces of the inner panel  18  of the vehicle door  12 , but, nonetheless, be actuated through operator touch. 
       FIG. 4  illustrates components of the window control system  14 . The window control system  14  includes the window control zones  40 ,  42  and  44  with touch sensors  46 ,  48  and  50 . The touch sensors  46 ,  48  and  50  are operatively connected to a window electronic control unit (ECU)  82 . The switch mount assembly  36  including the switches  38  may also be operatively connected to the window ECU  82 . The window ECU  82  is connected to the electric motor  26 , which, in turn, actuates the window regulator  24  that is connected to the vehicle window  16  for extending and retracting the vehicle window  16 . 
     In some embodiments, the window control system  14  may utilize one or more preselected operator input sequences using the touch sensors  46 ,  48  and  50 , as opposed to a single touch of any duration. As one example, the window ECU  82  may utilize logic saved in memory as machine-readable instructions that looks for multiple operator contacts or taps with the touch sensors  46 ,  48  and  50  in controlling operation of the electric motor  26 . In particular, the window ECU  82  may require a double-tap of any one or more of the touch sensors  46 ,  48  and  50  within a predetermined interval before controlling operation of the electric motor  26 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 5 , a flow diagram illustrating logic for the window ECU  82  controlling operation of the vehicle window  16  is provided based on multi-touching a touch sensor  46 ,  48  and  50  within a window control zone  40 ,  42  and  44 . At step  100 , it is determined that one of the touch sensors  46 ,  48  and  50  is actuated by an operator touch. At step  102 , it is determined if the touch sensor  46 ,  48  and  50  within a window control zone  40 ,  42  and  44  is touched for less than a predetermined time period (e.g., at most about ¼ second) corresponding to a tap. If it is determined the touch sensor  46 ,  48 ,  50  is touched or pressed for more than the predetermined time period, the operator touch is not considered a tap and the logic returns to step  100 . If the touch sensor  46 ,  48 ,  50  is touched or pressed for less than the predetermined time period, the operator touch is considered a tap and the logic proceeds to step  104 . At step  104 , it is determined whether a touch sensor  46 ,  48 ,  50  of the window control zone  40 ,  42 ,  44  is touched within a predetermined time period (e.g., at most about ½ second). If a touch sensor  46 ,  48 ,  50  is not touched within the predetermined time period, the logic returns to step  100 . If a touch sensor  46 ,  48 ,  50  is touched within the predetermined time period, it is determined whether the touch sensor  46 ,  48 ,  50  within the same window control zone  40 ,  42 ,  44  is touched as touched in step  100  at step  106 . If the touch sensor  46 ,  48 ,  50  touched in step  104  is in a different window control zone  40 ,  42 ,  44 , the logic returns to step  100 . If the touch sensor  46 ,  48 ,  50  touched in step  106  is in the same window control zone  40 ,  42 ,  44 , it is determined if the touch sensor  46 ,  48 ,  50  is touched for less than a predetermined time period (e.g., at most about ¼ second) corresponding to a tap. If it is determined that the touch sensor  46 ,  48 ,  50  is touched for more than the predetermined time period, the occupant touch is not considered a tap and the logic returns to step  100 . If, however, the touch sensor  46 ,  48 ,  50  is touched or pressed for less than the predetermined time period, the occupant touch is considered a tap and the electric motor  26  is actuated and the window is extended, retracted or stopped at step  108 . 
     Referring back to  FIG. 1 , in some embodiments, the window control zones  40 ,  42  and  44  may provide for different window control operations for controlling operation of the vehicle window  16 . For example, the window control zone  40  may be used for opening the vehicle window  16 , window control zone  42  may be used for closing the vehicle window  16  and window control zone  44  may also be used for closing the vehicle window  16 . Any other suitable arrangement can be used having any combination of opening, closing and stopping functions. For example, a single window control zone may be provided that opens or closes the window based on the previous operation, which can be saved in memory of or otherwise tracked by the window ECU  82 . For example, the window ECU  82  may alternate between an opening operation, stopping operation and closing operation using input from only a single window control zone. 
       FIG. 6  illustrates the vehicle window  16  in a partially open configuration. As the vehicle window  16  retracts into the interior volume of the vehicle door  12 , one or more of the window control zones  40 ,  42  may also retract into the volume and be inaccessible to the operator. In these instances, window control zone  40  positioned at an upper periphery  110  of the vehicle window  16  and/or the window control zone  44  positioned along the window frame  20  may be desirable and provide an exposed window control zone, even with the vehicle window  16  in a fully retracted position. 
     While the above examples may relate to window controlling operation using the window control zones  40 ,  42 ,  44  from within the vehicle, the window control system  14  may be used from outside the vehicle in some embodiments. Referring to  FIG. 7 , a vehicle  120  includes a vehicle window control assembly  122  that is provided with a vehicle door  124  and includes a window control system  126 . The vehicle window control assembly  122  may be used in conjunction with a smart key-type vehicle entry system, referred to generally as element  128 . 
     The smart key vehicle entry system  128  may include a smart key ECU  130  that can communicate with a key fob  132  to lock and unlock vehicle door locks  134 . The key fob  132  may be a transponder that can communicate with the smart key ECU  130  via various antennas  136 , which may be located at various positions on the vehicle  120 . The antennas  136  may periodically send a signal in a polling fashion that causes the key fob  132  to reply with a unique security code, which is received by the smart key ECU  130  when the key fob  132  is within a predetermined range of the vehicle  120 . Once the security code is received and verified by the smart key ECU  130 , the smart key ECU  130  may communicate with a window ECU  138  to activate the window control system  126 . 
     As discussed above, in some embodiments, a window control zone  140  may be provided that is a two-way window control zone. That is, the window control zone  140  may allow for touch control of a vehicle window  142  from outside, as well as from inside, the vehicle  120 . As above, the window control zone  140  may be overlay-based or perimeter based. In this example, the window control zone  140  may be overlay-based including the conductive layers, insulator layer and protective layers thereby forming touch sensors, as described above in  FIG. 2 . In this embodiment, once the smart key ECU  130  communicates presence of the key fob  132 , the window ECU may look for multiple operator contact (e.g., a double-tap) within the window control zone  140  in a fashion similar to that described above. 
     Referring to  FIG. 8 , a vehicle  150  includes a vehicle window control assembly  152  that is provided with a sunroof  154  and includes a window control system  156 . The window control system  156  includes one or more window control zones  158  and  160 . While two window control zones are illustrated, there may be more or less than three window control zones depending, at least in part, on the design of the sunroof  154  and other vehicle design considerations. The window control zones  158  and  160  may provide a control signal based on operator touch within the window control zones  158  and  160 . The window control zones  158  and  160  may be provided with one or more touch sensors (represented by hatch lines  162  and  164 ) that can be activated by the operator touch from within the vehicle on an interior side of the sunroof  154 , which, in turn, send a control signal to a controller for a window control operation in a fashion similar to that described above. 
     The above-described window control assemblies including the window control systems can allow operator control of vehicle windows by operator touch within a window control zone. The window control zone can be part of the window itself or located along a frame of the window. The window control zones can provide an increased area for window control compared to momentary switches, as the entire window control zone area can be provided with the touch sensors. The window control systems can be used in conjunction with other vehicle systems, such as smart key vehicle entry systems and gesture identification systems. For example, a window control system may only activate based on an operator input, such as a gesture or voice command. While an overlay-based projected capacitance window control zone is described primarily above, other window control zones may be used, such as resistive touch and beam break sensors or cameras that may or may not be embedded in the frame of the vehicle window. 
     While particular embodiments have been illustrated and described herein, it should be understood that various other changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the claimed subject matter. Moreover, although various aspects of the claimed subject matter have been described herein, such aspects need not be utilized in combination. It is therefore intended that the appended claims cover all such changes and modifications that are within the scope of the claimed subject matter.