Method of detecting mechanical interference of a power closure member for a vehicle

• US 9,650,815 B2
• Filed: 05/14/2014
• Issued: 05/16/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 05/14/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Original Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Inventors: Link, Markus, Conner, Gregory Alan
• Primary Examiner(s): Assouad, Patrick
• Assistant Examiner(s): PRETLOW, DEMETRIUS R
• Application Number:
  US14/277,315
• Publication Number:
  US 20150331030A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,098 Days
• Field of Search: 324103 R
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 79/02 Mounting of vehicle locks or parts thereof
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 81/62 for opening or closing of a circuit depending on electrical parameters, e.g. increase of motor current
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 81/64 Monitoring or sensing, e.g. by using switches or sensors
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 19/1659 to indicate that the value is within or outside a predetermined range of values (window) G01R19/16514, G01R19/16519, G01R19/16528 and G01R19/16533 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 31/006 on road vehicles, e.g. automobiles or trucks testing of ignition installations peculiar to internal combustion engines F02P17/00
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/182 Level alarms, e.g. alarms responsive to variables exceeding a threshold

Abstract

A method of fitting a power closure member to a vehicle includes the steps of: (a) detecting, by current sensor, current drawn by a closure member actuator when the closure member is closed and a latch contacts a striker of a lock assembly for the closure member and (b) comparing, by computing device, a detected current to a predetermined current range representative of desired mechanical interference between the latch and the striker.

Claims

1. A method of fitting a power closure member to a vehicle, comprising:

detecting, by current sensor, current drawn by a closure member actuator when said closure is closing and a latch contacts a striker of a lock assembly for said closure member;

comparing, by computing device, a detected current to a predetermined current range representative of desired mechanical interference between said latch and said striker;

indicating, by computing device, whether said detected current is inside said predetermined current range; and

providing said indication to an individual in real time working on an assembly line fitting said closure member to said vehicle.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein said indicating includes providing, by computing device, a visual indication.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein said indicating includes providing, by computing device, an audio indication.

4. The method of claim 1, including providing said indication through a communication module of a motor vehicle diagnostic system of said vehicle.

5. The method of claim 1, including providing said indication to said individual by a communication module of a motor vehicle diagnostic system by (a) visual display on a display monitor in said vehicle, (b) by audio signal through a speaker system of said vehicle or (c) by visual display on said display monitor in said vehicle and by audio signal through said speaker system of said vehicle.

6. The method of claim 1, including comparing by computing device performance as percentage of obstacle detection reserve that remains available in the system, and percentage of target speed, as this data would indicate how close the system is to causing closure reversals.

7. The method of claim 1, including providing said indication to said individual by a communication module of a motor vehicle diagnostic system to a communication device of said individual via a wireless communication network.

8. In a motor vehicle including (a) a power closure member, (b) an electrical actuator for opening and closing said closure, (c) a lock assembly for securing said power closure member, said lock assembly including a latch and a cooperating striker, (d) a current detector and (e) a motor vehicle diagnostic system including a controller and a communication module, a method comprising;

operating said electrical actuator to close said power closure member;

detecting, by said current detector, current drawn by said electrical actuator when said latch contacts said striker;

comparing with said controller the detected current drawn by said electrical actuator to a predetermined range representative of desired mechanical interference between said latch and said striker for optimal operation of said latch assembly and power actuator;

producing, by said communication module, an indication whether the detected current drawn by the electrical actuator is inside said predetermined range; and

sending said indication in real time to a personal communication device of an individual fitting said power closure member to said vehicle to aid said individual in properly adjusting said closure member.

9. The method of claim 8, including providing, by said communication module, a visual indication.

10. The method of claim 8, including providing, by said communication module, an audio indication.

11. The method of claim 8, including sending said indication to a personal communication device of an owner of said vehicle via a wireless communication network.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein said personal communication device is a cell phone.

13. The method of claim 11, wherein said personal communication device is a computing device.

14. The method of claim 11, wherein said indication is a voice message.

15. The method of claim 11, wherein said indication is a text message.

16. The method of claim 8, wherein said indication is a voice message, a text message or both.

17. The method of claim 8, wherein said indication is sent over a wireless communication network.

18. A method of fitting a power closure member to a vehicle, comprising:

detecting, by current sensor, current drawn by a closure member actuator when said closure is closing and a latch contacts a striker of a lock assembly for said closure member;

comparing, by computing device, a detected current to a predetermined current range representative of desired mechanical interference between said latch and said striker; and

comparing by computing device performance as percentage of obstacle detection reserve that remains available in the system, and percentage of target speed, as this data would indicate how close the system is to causing closure reversals.