METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR CONTROLLING AN ACTUATOR OF A VEHICLE LATCH

• US 20140088825A1
• Filed: 09/27/2012
• Published: 03/27/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 09/27/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC (General Motors Company)
• Original Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC (General Motors Company)
• Inventors: LANGE, RICHARD J., O'KANE, JAMES C.
• Granted Patent: US 8,958,948 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 701/36
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 81/14 operating on bolt detents, e.g. for unlatching the bolt
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 81/56 Control of actuators
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 81/64 Monitoring or sensing, e.g. by using switches or sensors
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 81/82 using batteries other than the vehicle main battery

Abstract

Methods and systems are provided for unlatching a power latch system of a door. In one embodiment, a method includes determining a power mode to be at least one of a primary power mode, a backup power mode, and a series power mode; and selectively controlling power to the power latch system based on the power mode.

Claims

1. A method for unlatching a power latch system of a door, comprising:

determining a power mode to be at least one of a primary power mode, a backup power mode, and a series power mode; and

selectively controlling power to the power latch system based on the power mode.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the determining the power mode comprises determining the power mode to be the primary power mode when an open request is first received.

3. The method of claim 2 wherein the selectively controlling the power to the power latch system comprises selectively controlling power to the power latch system from a primary power source when the power mode is the primary power mode.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein the determining the power mode comprises determining the power mode to be the backup power mode when an open request is received N number of times and a lever status indicates that the power latch system is latched, wherein N is an integer greater than one.

5. The method of claim 4 wherein the selectively controlling the power to the power latch system comprises selectively controlling power to the power latch system from a backup power source when the power mode is the backup power mode.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein the determining the power mode comprises determining the power mode to be the series power mode when an open request is received X number of times and the lever status indicates that the power latch system is latched, wherein X is an integer greater than two.

7. The method of claim 6 wherein the selectively controlling the power to the power latch system comprises selectively controlling power to the power latch system from a primary power source and a backup power source when the power mode is the series power mode.

8. The method of claim 7 wherein the selectively controlling power to the power latch system from the primary power source and the backup power source in series when the power mode is the series power mode.

9. The method of claim 1 wherein the determining the power mode comprises determining the power mode to be the primary power mode and wherein the method further comprises:

changing the power mode to be the backup power mode after the selectively controlling.

10. The method of claim 9 further comprising:

selectively controlling the power to the power latch system based on the backup power mode;

changing the power mode to the series power mode after the selectively controlling the power based on the backup power mode; and

selectively controlling the power to the power latch system based on the series power mode.

11. A control system for unlatching a power latch system of a door, the control system comprising:

a first module that determines a power mode to be at least one of a primary power mode, a backup power mode, and a series power mode; and

a second module that selectively controls power to the power latch system based on the power mode.

12. The control system of claim 11 wherein the first module determines the power mode to be the primary power mode when an open request is first received.

13. The control system of claim 12 wherein the second module selectively controls the power to the power latch system from a primary power source when the power mode is the primary power mode.

14. The control system of claim 11 wherein the first module determines the power mode to be the backup power mode when an open request is received N number of times and a lever status indicates that the power latch system is latched, wherein N is an integer greater than one.

15. The control system of claim 14 wherein the second module selectively controls the power to the power latch system from a backup power source when the power mode is the backup power mode.

16. The control system of claim 11 wherein the first module determines the power mode to be the series power mode when an open request is received X number of times and a lever status indicates that the power latch system is latched, wherein X is an integer greater than two.

17. The control system of claim 16 wherein the second module selectively controls the power to the power latch system from a primary power source and a backup power source when the power mode is the series power mode.

18. The control system of claim 17 wherein the second module electively controls power to the power latch system from the primary power source and the backup power source in series when the power mode is the series power mode.

19. The control system of claim 11 wherein the first module determines the power mode to be the primary power mode, then determines the power mode to be the backup power mode, and then determines the power mode to be the series power mode.

20. The vehicle, comprising:

at least one door having a power latch system; and

a latch control system that determines a power mode to be at least one of a primary power mode, a backup power mode, and a series power mode; and

that selectively controls power to the power latch system based on the power mode.