IP Library Granted Patent US 12,110,730
Granted Patent B2
US 12,110,730 · App. 17/315,992 · Granted Oct 8, 2024

Vehicle closure cinching control systems and methods

Inventors: Jeffrey L. Konchan (Romeo, MI); Besi Rrumbullaku (Rochester, MI); David T. Proefke (Troy, MI); Craig A. Kollar (Sterling Heights, MI)
Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
E05F15/70E05Y2201/43E05Y2400/32E05Y2400/40E05Y2400/445E05Y2900/531E05Y2900/546E05Y2900/548
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 12,110,730
App. No.
17/315,992
Granted
Oct 8, 2024
Kind
B2
Abstract

A cinching system includes: a profile configured to determine a first time series of target values for cinching a closure closed; an adjustment module configured to determine an adjustment value based on at least one operating parameter; an adjusting module configured to generate a second time series of target values for cinching of the closure by adjusting at least one of the target values of the first time series based on the adjustment value; and a power control module configured to: apply power to a cinching motor when the closure is partially closed, where the cinching motor is configured to cinch and fully close the closure; and based on a comparison of a measured value of the cinching motor and one of the target values of the second time series, selectively one of: decrease power applied to the cinching motor; and disconnect the cinching motor from power.

Claims (39)

1. A cinching system of a vehicle, comprising:

a profile module configured to determine a first time series of target values for cinching a closure of the vehicle closed;

an adjustment module configured to determine an adjustment value based on at least one operating parameter,

wherein the operating parameter includes at least one of (a) a number of cinches of the closure previously performed, (b) a period that the closure was fully open prior to the closure being partially closed, and (c) a period that the closure was fully closed prior to being opened before the partial closure;

an adjusting module configured to generate a second time series of target values for cinching of the closure by adjusting at least one of the target values of the first time series based on the adjustment value; and

a power control module configured to:

apply power to a cinching motor when the closure is partially closed,

wherein the cinching motor is configured to cinch and fully close the closure; and

based on a comparison of a measured value of the cinching motor and one of the target values of the second time series, selectively one of:

decrease power applied to the cinching motor; and

disconnect the cinching motor from power.

2. The cinching system of claim 1 , wherein the power control module is configured to decrease power applied to the cinching motor when the measured value of the cinching motor is greater than the one of the target values of the second time series by at least a first predetermined amount.

3. The cinching system of claim 2 , wherein the power control module is configured to disconnect the cinching motor from power when the measured value of the cinching motor is greater than the one of the target values of the second time series by at least a second predetermined amount.

4. The cinching system of claim 3 , wherein the second predetermined amount is greater than the first predetermined amount.

5. The cinching system of claim 1 , wherein the adjustment module is configured to determine the adjustment value further based on a temperature of the cinching motor.

6. The cinching system of claim 5 , wherein the adjustment module is configured to increase the adjustment value as the temperature increases.

7. The cinching system of claim 1 , wherein the adjustment module is configured to determine the adjustment value further based on an orientation of the vehicle.

8. The cinching system of claim 7 , wherein the adjustment module is configured to increase the adjustment value when the orientation is indicative of the cinching being uphill.

9. The cinching system of claim 1 , wherein the adjustment module is configured to determine the adjustment value further based on a temperature within the vehicle.

10. The cinching system of claim 9 , wherein the adjustment module is configured to increase the adjustment value as the temperature increases.

11. The cinching system of claim 1 , wherein the adjustment module is configured to determine the adjustment value further based on a temperature outside of the vehicle.

12. The cinching system of claim 11 , wherein the adjustment module is configured to increase the adjustment value as the temperature increases.

13. The cinching system of claim 1 , wherein the operating parameter includes the number of cinches of the closure previously performed.

14. The cinching system of claim 13 , wherein the adjustment module is configured to decrease the adjustment value as the number of cinches increases.

15. The cinching system of claim 1 , wherein the operating parameter includes the period that the closure was fully open prior to the closure being partially closed.

16. The cinching system of claim 15 , wherein the adjustment module is configured to increase the adjustment value as the period that the closure was open increases.

17. The cinching system of claim 1 , wherein the operating parameter includes the period that the closure was fully closed prior to being opened before the partial closure.

18. The cinching system of claim 17 , wherein the adjustment module is configured to decrease the adjustment value as the period that the closure was closed increases.

19. The cinching system of claim 1 , wherein the closure is one of a trunk panel, a door, and a hatch of the vehicle.

20. A cinching method for a vehicle, comprising:

determining a first time series of target values for cinching a closure of the vehicle closed;

determining an adjustment value based on at least one operating parameter,

wherein the operating parameter includes at least one of (a) a number of cinches of the closure previously performed, (b) a period that the closure was fully open prior to the closure being partially closed, and (c) a period that the closure was fully closed prior to being opened before the partial closure;

generating a second time series of target values for cinching of the closure by adjusting at least one of the target values of the first time series based on the adjustment value;

applying power to a cinching motor when the closure is partially closed,

wherein the cinching motor is configured to cinch and fully close the closure; and

based on a comparison of a measured value of the cinching motor and one of the target values of the second time series, selectively one of:

decreasing power applied to the cinching motor; and

disconnecting the cinching motor from power.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded May 10, 2021
From: KONCHAN, JEFFREY L.; RRUMBULLAKU, BESI; PROEFKE, DAVID T.; KOLLAR, CRAIG A.
To: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
Reel/Frame 056188/0586 →
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20220356746A1 · Nov 10, 2022