Magnetic object detection for vehicle door assist system
First Claim
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1. A door assist system for a vehicle comprising:
- an actuator configured to control an orientation of a door about a hinge assembly;
an angular position sensor configured to identify the orientation of the door relative to the vehicle;
an interference sensor configured to generate an electromagnetic field in a plurality of detection regions positioned along the door at different distances from the hinge assembly and configured to detect a plurality of obstructions between the door and a body of the vehicle; and
a controller configured to;
monitor the orientation of the door;
control the interference sensor to adjust a comparison of the electromagnetic field to a predetermined characteristic in response to a distance between the door and the body based on the orientation of the door;
based on the comparison, detect the plurality of obstructions in the electromagnetic field; and
prioritize a control instruction to the actuator in response to a proximity of each of the obstructions relative to the orientation of the door along a rotational path of the door.
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Abstract
A door assist system for a vehicle comprises an actuator configured to control a position of a door about a hinge assembly and an interference sensor. The interference sensor is configured to generate an electromagnetic field in an interference zone between the door and a body of the vehicle. Based on changes or fluctuations in the electromagnetic field, the interference sensor is configured to detect an obstruction in the electromagnetic field and generate a detection signal. The system further comprises a controller configured to control the actuator in response to the detection signal.
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Citations
13 Claims
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1. A door assist system for a vehicle comprising:
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an actuator configured to control an orientation of a door about a hinge assembly; an angular position sensor configured to identify the orientation of the door relative to the vehicle; an interference sensor configured to generate an electromagnetic field in a plurality of detection regions positioned along the door at different distances from the hinge assembly and configured to detect a plurality of obstructions between the door and a body of the vehicle; and a controller configured to; monitor the orientation of the door; control the interference sensor to adjust a comparison of the electromagnetic field to a predetermined characteristic in response to a distance between the door and the body based on the orientation of the door; based on the comparison, detect the plurality of obstructions in the electromagnetic field; and prioritize a control instruction to the actuator in response to a proximity of each of the obstructions relative to the orientation of the door along a rotational path of the door. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A door assist system for a vehicle comprising:
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an actuator configured to control an orientation of a door about a hinge assembly; an interference sensor comprising a plurality of detection regions extending along the door outward from the hinge assembly and configured to generate a detection signal in response to detecting a plurality of obstructions comprising a first obstruction and a second obstruction in an electromagnetic field substantially between the door and a body of the vehicle; and a controller configured to; monitor the orientation of the door; control the interference sensor to adjust a comparison of the detection signal to previously measured or calibrated characteristics of the electromagnetic field based on the orientation of the door and a resulting distance between the door and the body; identify a location of each of the obstructions relative to the orientation of the door along a rotational path of the door; and control the actuator to limit the orientation of the door along the rotational path preventing a collision between the door and the first obstruction, wherein the first obstruction is located closer to the door along the rotational path than the second obstruction. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13)
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Specification