Method and system for determining full open position of a power liftgate
First Claim
1. A method for determining a full open position of a closure member of a motor vehicle, the closure member having a left side and a right side, mounted for articulation relative to a body portion of the motor vehicle, and driven by a drive mechanism between an open position and a closed position, the method comprising:
- determining whether a pinch condition is detected at both the left and right sides of the closure member;
determining a time period between detecting a pinch condition at the left side of the closure member and a pinch condition at the right side of the closure member; and
determining the full open position based on the time period.
20 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A method and system for determining a full open position of a closure member of a motor vehicle that articulates between an open position and a closed position includes a left pinch sensor coupled to the left side of the closure member for sensing a pinch condition on the left side of the closure member and generating a corresponding pinch signal. A right pinch sensor is coupled to the right side of the closure member for sensing a pinch condition on the right side of the closure member and generating a corresponding pinch signal. Left and right gas springs are coupled respectively to the left and right sides of the closure member for assisting in articulating the closure member and each of the gas struts has an extension at an end thereof for compressing their corresponding pinch sensor when the closure member is at its full open position.
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Citations
17 Claims
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1. A method for determining a full open position of a closure member of a motor vehicle, the closure member having a left side and a right side, mounted for articulation relative to a body portion of the motor vehicle, and driven by a drive mechanism between an open position and a closed position, the method comprising:
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determining whether a pinch condition is detected at both the left and right sides of the closure member; determining a time period between detecting a pinch condition at the left side of the closure member and a pinch condition at the right side of the closure member; and determining the full open position based on the time period. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 11)
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5. A system for determining a full open position of a closure member of a motor vehicle, the closure member having a left side and a right side, mounted for articulation relative to a body portion of the motor vehicle, and driven by a drive mechanism between an open position and a closed position, the system comprising:
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a left pinch sensor coupled to the left side of the closure member for sensing a pinch condition on the left side of the closure member and generating a corresponding pinch signal; a right pinch sensor coupled to the right side of the closure member for sensing a pinch condition on the right side of the closure member and generating a corresponding pinch signal; and a left and right gas spring coupled respectively to the left and right sides of the closure member for assisting in articulating the closure member, wherein each of the gas struts has an extension at an end thereof for compressing the corresponding pinch sensor when the closure member is at its full open position. - View Dependent Claims (6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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12. A motor vehicle comprising:
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a body; a closure member mounted to the body for articulation about a laterally extending pivot axis between an open position and a closed position, the closure member having a left side and a right side; a drive mechanism for driving said closure member between said open position and said closed position; a left pinch sensor coupled to the left side of the closure member for sensing a pinch condition on the left side of the closure member and generating a corresponding pinch signal; a right pinch sensor coupled to the right side of the closure member for sensing a pinch condition on the right side of the closure member and generating a corresponding pinch signal; a left and right gas spring coupled respectively to the left and right sides of the closure member for assisting in articulating the closure member, wherein each of the gas springs has an extension at an end thereof for compressing the corresponding pinch sensor when the closure member is at its full open position; and a control module in electrical communication with said sensors, said control module for storing the full open position. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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Specification