Method and apparatus for closing a powered closure of a vehicle
First Claim
1. A method of closing a closure of a vehicle, the method comprising the steps of:
- determining if predetermined speed criteria is satisfied,closing the closure at a first closing speed from a first closure position toward a second closure position by use of vehicle power if the predetermined speed criteria is satisfied, andclosing the closure at a second closing speed from the first closure position toward the second closure position by use of vehicle power if the predetermined speed criteria is not satisfied, the second closing speed being less than the first closing speed regardless of the position of the closure between the first closure position and the second closure position so that a squeezing force applied by the closure to an obstruction remains less than a predetermined squeezing force,wherein the predetermined speed criteria specify conditions that permit closing the closure without requiring the squeezing force applied by the closure to the obstruction being less than the predetermined squeezing force.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The apparatus for closing a closure of a vehicle comprises a closure driver for moving the closure and an electronic control unit electrically coupled to the closure driver. The electronic control unit is configured to determine if predetermined speed criteria is satisfied and to operate the closure driver so as to close the closure at a first closing speed if the predetermined speed criteria is satisfied or at a second closing speed if the predetermined speed criteria is not satisfied. The second closing speed is less than the first closing speed regardless of the position of the closure so that a squeezing force applied by the closure to an obstruction remains less than a predetermined squeezing force. An associated method is disclosed.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method of closing a closure of a vehicle, the method comprising the steps of:
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determining if predetermined speed criteria is satisfied, closing the closure at a first closing speed from a first closure position toward a second closure position by use of vehicle power if the predetermined speed criteria is satisfied, and closing the closure at a second closing speed from the first closure position toward the second closure position by use of vehicle power if the predetermined speed criteria is not satisfied, the second closing speed being less than the first closing speed regardless of the position of the closure between the first closure position and the second closure position so that a squeezing force applied by the closure to an obstruction remains less than a predetermined squeezing force, wherein the predetermined speed criteria specify conditions that permit closing the closure without requiring the squeezing force applied by the closure to the obstruction being less than the predetermined squeezing force. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. An apparatus for closing a closure of a vehicle, the apparatus comprising:
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a closure driver for moving the closure, and an electronic control unit electrically coupled to the closure driver, the electronic control unit comprising (i) a processor, and (ii) a memory device electrically coupled to the processor, the memory device having stored therein a plurality of instructions which, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to; determine that predetermined speed criteria are satisfied if there is continuous activation of a remote actuation device incapable of closing the closure from a distance of more than six meters from the vehicle, operate the closure driver so as to move the closure from a first closure position toward a second closure position at a first closing speed if the predetermined speed criteria is satisfied, and operate the closure driver so as to move the closure from the first closure position to the second closure position at a second closing speed if the predetermined speed criteria is not satisfied, the second closing speed being less than the first closing speed regardless of the position of the closure between the first closure position and the second closure position so that a squeezing force applied by the closure to an obstruction remains less than a predetermined squeezing force. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A vehicle door, comprising:
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a window, an electric motor, a window regulator interconnecting the motor and the window, and an electronic control unit electrically coupled to the motor, the electronic control unit comprising (i) a processor, and (ii) a memory device electrically coupled to the processor, the memory device having stored therein a plurality of instructions which, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to; determine that predetermined speed criteria are satisfied if a key that controls activation of an engine of the vehicle is in an on position, a start position, or an accessory position, and operate the motor so as to close the window at a first closing speed over a range of motion if the predetermined speed criteria is satisfied or at a second closing speed over the range of motion if the predetermined speed criteria is not satisfied, the second closing speed being less than the first closing speed regardless of the position of the window over the range of motion so that a squeezing force applied by the window to an obstruction remains less than a predetermined squeezing force. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification