ADAPTIVE CONTROL SYSTEM FOR AUTOMATED VEHICLE APPLICATIONS

• US 20100228447A1
• Filed: 03/05/2009
• Published: 09/09/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 03/05/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC (General Motors Company)
• Original Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations Incorporated (Motors Liquidation Co. GUC Trust)
• Inventors: JOHNSTON, CAROL A., PIETRYGA, BRAD L., OSTROWSKI, ARTUR J., SANOCKI, EDWARD M. JR., WESSOLLEK, HANS-GEORG, KOLLAR, CRAIG A., RASEL, WOLFGANG, SERBAN, DORU N.
• Granted Patent: US 8,428,828 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 701/49
• CPC Class Codes: B60J 7/0573 power driven arrangements, e.g. electrical
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 15/41 Detection by monitoring transmitted force or torque E05F15/48 takes precedence; Safety couplings with activation dependent upon torque or force, e.g. slip couplings
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2400/55 by using load sensors sensors for electronic control of hinges, wings, windows as such E05Y2400/44
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2800/73 Single use of elements
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2900/546 Tailgates

Abstract

An apparatus is provided for controlling an automated closure panel in a vehicle. The apparatus includes a command module configured to generate a control signal. A motor is configured to actuate the automated closure panel based upon the control signal. A motor sensor is configured to measure an output characteristic of the motor, with the motor sensor having a motor sensor output signal. An adaptive logic module is coupled to the command module and to the motor sensor. The adaptive logic module is configured to provide an output to the command module to thereby adjust the control signal, wherein the adaptive logic module is configured to determine when the automated closure panel is obstructed by an obstacle based upon the motor sensor output signal.

Claims

1. A control system for an automated closure panel in a vehicle comprising:

a command module configured to generate a control signal;

a motor configured to actuate the automated closure panel based upon the control signal;

a motor sensor configured to measure an output characteristic of the motor, the motor sensor having a motor sensor output signal; and

an adaptive logic module coupled to the command module and to the motor sensor, wherein the adaptive logic module is configured to provide an output to the command module to thereby adjust the control signal, wherein the adaptive logic module is configured to determine when the automated closure panel is obstructed by an obstacle based upon the motor sensor output signal.

2. The control system of claim 1, further comprising a position sensor configured to provide a position sensor output signal related to a position of the automated device, wherein the position sensor is communicatively coupled to the adaptive logic module and sends the position sensor output signal to the adaptive logic module.

3. The control system of claim 2 wherein the adaptive logic module comprises a neural network configured to adapt to changes in the motor sensor output signal and to changes in the position signal.

4. The control system of claim 3 wherein the adaptive logic module further comprises a fuzzy logic module configured to receive an output from the neural network.

5. The control system of claim 2 further comprising a conversion module communicatively coupled to the adaptive logic module and configured to convert the motor sensor output signal and the position sensor output signal to a frequency spectrum signal, wherein the adaptive logic module is configured to receive the digital format signal.

6. The control system of claim 5 wherein the conversion module is a fast Fourier transform module configured to perform a fast Fourier transform of the motor sensor output signal and the position sensor output signal.

7. The control system of claim 2 wherein the position sensor is an accelerometer connected to the automated device and is configured to measure relative movement of the automated device.

8. The control system of claim 2 wherein the position sensor is selected from a group of encoders consisting of:

a Hall Effect sensor;

an optical sensor, a potentiometer sensor; and

an accelerometer sensor.

9. The control system of claim 1 wherein the motor is a hydraulic pump motor for a hydraulic pump, and the automated device is a hydraulic powered device.

10. The control system of claim 9 wherein the motor sensor is a pressure sensor configured to measure an output hydraulic pressure of the hydraulic pump.

11. The control system of claim 1 wherein the motor is an electric motor and the automated device is mechanically actuated by an actuator coupled to the electric motor.

12. The control system of claim 11 wherein the motor sensor is a current sensor configured to measure an electrical current supplied to the electric motor and wherein the electrical current is proportional to a force exerted by the electric motor.

13. The control system of claim 1 wherein the output module comprises a pulse width modulation module configured to drive the motor using a pulse width modulation technique.

14. The control system of claim 1 wherein the automated device is an automated liftgate.

15. A vehicle comprising:

an automated device that is actuated by a motor;

a motor sensor having a motor sensor output signal that is related to an output characteristic of the motor;

a position sensor having a position sensor output signal that is related to a position of the automated device; and

a feedback control module comprising;

an adaptive logic module configured to receive the motor sensor output signal and the position sensor output signal and to determine when the automated device is obstructed by an obstacle based on the motor sensor output signal and the position sensor output signal; and

a command module communicatively coupled to the adaptive logic module and configured to drive the motor based on an output from the adaptive logic module.

16. The vehicle of claim 15 wherein the adaptive logic module comprises a neural network configured with a kinematic data model of the automated device.

17. The vehicle of claim 15 wherein the automated device is selected from a group consisting of:

an automated liftgate, an automated sliding door, an automated hinged door, an automated moveable roof, an automated trunk lid, and an automated folding seat.

18. A method of controlling an automated device in a vehicle, wherein the automated device is actuated by a motor, the method comprising:

receiving input data related to a load on the motor and related to a position of the automated device;

processing the input data using a pattern recognition module configured to identify patterns in the input data;

determining if the automated device is obstructed by an obstacle based on the patterns in the input data; and

driving the motor based upon the determination of whether the automated device is obstructed.

19. The method of claim 18 wherein the processing includes converting the input data into frequency components prior to the pattern recognition module identifying patterns.

20. The method of claim 18 wherein the pattern recognition module includes a neural network.