Automotive universal latch control implementation

• US 20050280517A1
• Filed: 06/21/2004
• Published: 12/22/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 06/21/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
• Original Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
• Inventors: Johnson, Curtis B., Vaidhyanathan, Ajaykumar, Suknaich, Peter
• Granted Patent: US 7,075,416 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/430
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 81/06 using rotary motors
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 81/14 operating on bolt detents, e.g. for unlatching the bolt
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 81/20 for assisting final closing or for initiating opening
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 81/54 Electrical circuits for locking several wings simultaneously E05B77/48
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 81/66 the bolt position, i.e. the latching status

Abstract

Latch control methods and systems are disclosed, including a latch that receives power from a motor associated with an H-bridge circuit. A sensor can be provided for monitoring the latch, wherein the sensor obtains latch feedback data from the latch. A microcontroller controls the latch based on the latch feedback data, by controlling an interaction of the H-bridge circuit and the motor with the latch. Additionally, a microprocessor processes instructions for controlling the interaction of the H-bridge circuit and the motor with the latch. Such instructions can be implemented as Proportional Integral Derivative (PID) control instructions.

Claims

1. A latch control method, comprising the steps of:

providing a latch, which receives power from a motor associated with an H-bridge circuit;

monitoring said latch with a sensor that obtains latch feedback data from said latch; and

controlling said latch based on said latch feedback data utilizing a microcontroller, which controls said latch, by controlling an interaction of said H-bridge circuit and said motor with said latch.

2. The method of claim 1 further comprising the steps:

providing a microprocessor which processes instructions for controlling said interaction of said H-bridge circuit and said motor with said latch.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein said instructions comprise PID control instructions.

4. The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of configuring said sensor to comprise a magnetoresistive sensor.

5. The method of claim 4 wherein said magnetoresistive sensor comprises a speed and direction sensor for providing speed and direction data indicative of a speed and a direction of said latch.

6. The method of claim 5 wherein said latch comprises a ring magnet, which together with said speed and direction sensor, provides said speed and direction of said latch.

7. A latch control system, comprising:

a latch, which receives power from a motor associated with an H-bridge circuit;

a sensor for monitoring said latch, wherein said sensor obtains latch feedback data from said latch; and

a microcontroller, which controls said latch based on said latch feedback data, by controlling an interaction of said H-bridge circuit and said motor with said latch.

8. The system of claim 7 further comprising a microprocessor which processes instructions for controlling said interaction of said H-bridge circuit and said motor with said latch.

9. The system of claim 7 wherein said instructions comprise PID control instructions.

10. The system of claim 7 wherein said sensor comprises a magnetoresistive sensor.

11. The system of claim 10 wherein said magnetoresistive sensor comprises a speed and direction sensor for providing speed and direction data indicative of a speed and a direction of said latch.

12. The system of claim 11 wherein said latch comprises a ring magnet, which together with said speed and direction sensor provides said speed and direction of said latch.

13. A program product residing in a memory of a data-processing system for controlling a latch, comprising:

instruction media residing in a memory of a data-processing system for providing a latch with power from a motor associated with an H-bridge circuit;

instruction media residing in a memory of a data-processing system for monitoring said latch with a sensor that obtains latch feedback data from said latch; and

instruction media residing in a memory of a data-processing system for managing a microcontroller, which controls said latch based on said latch feedback data, by controlling an interaction of said H-bridge circuit and said motor with said latch.

14. The program product of claim 13 further comprising instruction media residing in a memory of a data-processing system for instructing a microprocessor to process instructions for controlling said interaction of said H-bridge circuit and said motor with said latch.

15. The program product of claim 13 wherein said instructions comprise PID control instructions.

16. The program product of claim 13 wherein said sensor comprises a magnetoresistive speed and direction sensor for providing speed and direction data indicative of a speed and a direction of said latch.

17. The program product of claim 16 wherein said latch comprises a ring magnet, which together with said magnetoresistive speed and direction sensor, provides said speed and direction of said latch.

18. The program product of claim 13 wherein each of said instruction media further comprises signal bearing media.

19. The program product of claim 18 wherein said signal bearing media further comprises recordable media.

20. The program product of claim 18 wherein said signal bearing media further comprises transmission media.