Motor vehicle sensor arrangement for detecting jamming

Abstract

A motor vehicle sensor arrangement which is used to detect jamming, i.e, an obstruction, at a movable vehicle part which can be moved into an end position, such as an electric window, a sliding and tilting roof, a convertible top, or a servo-actuated door. A cavity defined by opposing resilient walls is located proximate, but outside, the path of movement of the movable vehicle part and at a selected distance from the end position. A distance sensor, for example a pressure transducer, is arranged in the cavity between the resilient walls. When an object obstructs the path of movement of the movable vehicle part toward the end position, the resilient walls are moved toward each other. When the distance sensor contacts a portion of the opposing resilient wall, the distance sensor actuates a response signal indicating a jam. Preferably the distance sensor is mounted on one of the resilient walls approximately facing the direction in which the movable vehicle part moves toward the end position, while a projection extending toward the distance sensor is provided on the opposite resilient wall. The projection substantially reduces the travel distance to actuate the jamming signal, since the distance between the distance sensor and the projection is substantially shorter than the distance between the two opposing resilient walls.