Electronic control system and sensor for electrically powered vehicle door latches
A vehicle door includes a powered latch configured to selectively retain the door in a closed position when the powered latch is latched, and permits the door to be opened when the powered latch is unlatched. The vehicle door further includes an exterior door handle having an outer side that faces away from the door structure, and an inner side that is spaced apart from an outer surface of the door to define a gap. A force sensor on the exterior door handle detects impact forces on the handle. The door also includes an unlatch switch that can be actuated by a user to request unlatching of the powered latch. A controller is configured to deny an unlatch request generated by actuation of the unlatch switch if the force sensor detects an impact on the exterior handle.
1. An electronic control system for a vehicle door having an electrically powered latch and an exterior door handle, the electronic control system comprising:
a variable resistance bend sensor configured to extend along an exterior door handle adjacent an outer sidewall of the door handle such that a side impact force applied to the outer sidewall of the handle changes an electrical resistance of the bend sensor;
an unlatch switch; and
a controller configured to independently monitor the bend sensor and the unlatch switch, and wherein the controller is configured to monitor both the bend sensor and the unlatch switch and wherein the controller is also configured to unlatch the powered latch if the unlatch switch is actuated and if a change in resistance of the bend sensor remains in a range that is below an amount of change required to indicate that a side impact event has occurred, and wherein the controller is further configured such that, if the change in resistance of the bend sensor is above an amount of change required to indicate that a side impact event has occurred, the controller will not unlatch the powered latch even if the unlatch switch is actuated.
2. The electronic control system of claim 1 , wherein:
the bend sensor is configured such that bending of the sensor due to a side impact on the handle causes an increase in the electrical resistance of the bend sensor.
3. The electronic control system of claim 1 , wherein:
the bend sensor includes an elongated sensor member that is configured to be positioned on an inner side of an outer side wall of an exterior door handle.
4. The electronic control system of claim 1 , wherein:
the unlatch switch includes first, second, and third conductors, and wherein the second conductor that is connected to the first conductor when the unlatch switch is not actuated, and wherein the second conductor is connected to a third conductor when the unlatch switch is actuated.
5. The electronic control system of claim 4 , wherein:
the controller is configured to detect an edge transition in an electrical signal from the unlatch switch upon connecting the second conductor to the third conductor.
6. An electronic control system for a vehicle door having an electrically powered latch and an exterior door handle, the electronic control system comprising:
a variable resistance bend sensor configured to extend adjacent an outer side of an exterior door handle such that a side impact force applied to the outer side of the handle changes an electrical resistance of the bend sensor;
an unlatch switch;
a controller configured to independently monitor the bend sensor and the unlatch switch, and wherein the controller is configured to monitor both the bend sensor and the unlatch switch and wherein the controller is also configured to unlatch the powered latch if the unlatch switch is actuated and if a change in resistance of the bend sensor remains in a range that is below an amount of change required to indicate that a side impact event has occurred, and wherein the controller is further configured such that, if the change in resistance of the bend sensor is above an amount of change required to indicate that a side impact event has occurred, the controller will not unlatch the powered latch even if the unlatch switch is actuated;
wherein the unlatch switch includes first, second, and third conductors, and wherein the second conductor that is connected to the first conductor when the unlatch switch is not actuated, and wherein the second conductor is connected to a third conductor when the unlatch switch is actuated;
wherein the controller is configured to detect an edge transition in an electrical signal from the unlatch switch upon connecting the second conductor to the third conductor; and
wherein the controller is configured such that the controller does not unlatch the powered latch unless an electrical signal is received indicating that the second and third conductors of the unlatch switch are connected.