IP Library Granted Patent US 8,958,948
Granted Patent B2
US 8,958,948 · App. 13/628,266 · Granted Feb 17, 2015

Methods and systems for controlling an actuator of a vehicle latch

View Patent ↗
Loading inventors, assignments & file history…
Monitor This Case
Get email alerts when status or documents change.
Order Certified Copies
Most orders are placed with the USPTO same day — all within 24 business hours.
Order via The Patent Place →
Pre-filled with this patent's details
Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 8,958,948
App. No.
13/628,266
Granted
Feb 17, 2015
Kind
B2
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 (30)

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

determining, by a processor, a power mode to be one of a primary power mode where power is to be supplied from a primary power source, a backup power mode where power is to be supplied from a backup power source, and a series power mode where power is to be supplied from both the primary power source and the backup power source based on an evaluation of a received request; and

selectively controlling, by the processor, 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 one of a primary power mode where power is to be supplied from a primary power source, a backup power mode where power is to be supplied from a backup power source, and a series power mode where power is to be supplied from both the primary power source and the backup power source based on an evaluation of a received request; 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. A vehicle, comprising:

at least one door having a power latch system; and

a latch control system that determines a power mode to be one of a primary power mode where power is to be supplied from a primary power source, a backup power mode where power is to be supplied from a backup power source, and a series power mode where power is to be supplied from both the primary power source and the backup power source based on an evaluation of a received request; and that selectively controls power to the power latch system based on the power mode.

Assignments (2)
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Nov 7, 2014
From: WILMINGTON TRUST COMPANY
To: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
Reel/Frame 034287/0601 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Jun 26, 2013
From: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
To: WILMINGTON TRUST COMPANY
Reel/Frame 030694/0591 →