GB2555432A

GB2555432A - System, method and computer program for preventing unwanted movement of a vehicle closure

Info

Publication number: GB2555432A
Application number: GB1618170.3A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Jason David Thomas Steven; Bilsborrow Christopher; Nyathi Bhekimpilo; Loveday Duncan
Original assignee: Jaguar Land Rover Ltd
Current assignee: Jaguar Land Rover Ltd
Priority date: 2016-10-27
Filing date: 2016-10-27
Publication date: 2018-05-02
Anticipated expiration: 2036-10-27
Also published as: GB2555432B; DE112017005421T5; WO2018077789A1; GB201618170D0

Abstract

A system for preventing unwanted movement or opening of a vehicle closure comprising: latch determining means for determining that a vehicle closure is unlatched or open 402; movement determining means for determining that the vehicle is moving; and control means for controlling braking or holding means for preventing the unlatched vehicle closure from moving 408, in response to determining that the vehicle closure is unlatched and the vehicle is moving. The closure may be a door, wing, tailgate, bonnet, fuel flap etc. The vehicle may be determined to be moving when its speed exceed a predetermined speed threshold 404. The closure may also be determined to be moving 406 before the closure is prevented from moving. The closure may be driven into a latched or closed position 410 after preventing it from moving.

Description

(71) Applicant(s):

Jaguar Land Rover Limited (Incorporated in the United Kingdom)

Abbey Road, Whitley, Coventry, Warwickshire, CV3 4LF, United Kingdom (72) Inventor(s):

Steven Jason David Thomas Christopher Bilsborrow Bhekimpilo Nyathi Duncan Loveday (56) Documents Cited:

JP 2005225443 A US 20010042989 A1 (58) Field of Search:

INT CL B60J, B60R, B60W, E05B, E05F Other: EPODOC, WPI (74) Agent and/or Address for Service:

Jaguar Land Rover

Patents Department W/1/073, Abbey Road, Whitley, COVENTRY, CV3 4LF, United Kingdom (54) Title of the Invention: System, method and computer program for preventing unwanted movement of a vehicle closure

Abstract Title: SYSTEM FOR PREVENTING UNWANTED MOVEMENT OF A VEHICLE CLOSURE (57) A system for preventing unwanted movement or opening of a vehicle closure comprising: latch determining means for determining that a vehicle closure is unlatched or open 402; movement determining means for determining that the vehicle is moving; and control means for controlling braking or holding means for preventing the unlatched vehicle closure from moving 408, in response to determining that the vehicle closure is unlatched and the vehicle is moving. The closure may be a door, wing, tailgate, bonnet, fuel flap etc. The vehicle may be determined to be moving when its speed exceed a predetermined speed threshold 404. The closure may also be determined to be moving 406 before the closure is prevented from moving. The closure may be driven into a latched or closed position 410 after preventing it from moving.

At least one drawing originally filed was informal and the print reproduced here is taken from a later filed formal copy.

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SYSTEM, METHOD AND COMPUTER PROGRAM FOR PREVENTING UNWANTED MOVEMENT OF A VEHICLE CLOSURE

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to a system, method and computer program for preventing unwanted movement of a vehicle closure. In particular, but not exclusively, it relates to a system, method and computer program for preventing unwanted movement of a vehicle tailgate.

Aspects of the invention relate to a system, a method, a computer program, a vehicle system and a vehicle.

BACKGROUND

Vehicles may contain many different closures such as doors, tailgates, split tailgates, bonnets, fuel flaps and so on.

If a vehicle is driven with one or more of the vehicle closures unsecured then under motion of the vehicle the unsecured closures may move which may lead to problems with regards to obscuring a driver’s view, spilling contents of the vehicle and/or endangering occupants of the vehicle and/or nearby the vehicle.

It is an aim of the present invention to address disadvantages of the prior art.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Aspects and embodiments of the invention provide a system, a method, a computer program, a vehicle system and a vehicle as claimed in the appended claims.

According to an aspect of the invention, there is provided a controller for preventing nwanted movement of a vehicle closure, the controller arranged to: receive an input indicating that the vehicle closure is unlatched; receive an input indicating that the vehicle is moving; and in 1 dependence on receiving an input that the vehicle closure is unlatched and receiving an input that the vehicle is moving, control movement of the unlatched vehicle closure to prevent it from moving.

According to an aspect of the invention, there is provided a system for preventing unwanted movement of a vehicle closure comprising:

latch determining means for determining that a vehicle closure is unlatched;

movement determining means for determining that the vehicle is moving; and control means for controlling braking means for preventing the unlatched vehicle closure from moving, in response to determining that the vehicle closure is unlatched and the vehicle is moving.

The vehicle closure may be a vehicle tailgate.

The movement determining means may be for determining that the vehicle is moving above a predetermined speed threshold and the control means may be for controlling the braking means in response to determining that the vehicle closure is unlatched and that the vehicle is moving above the predetermined speed threshold.

The system may comprise closure status determining means for determining the vehicle closure is moving, and the control means may be for controlling the braking means in response to determining that the vehicle closure is unlatched, the vehicle is moving and the vehicle closure is moving.

The system may comprise control means for controlling driving means to drive the vehicle closure into the latched position subsequent to preventing the unlatched vehicle closure from moving.

The braking means may be distinct from the driving means, the system may comprise control means for controlling the braking means and driving means in conjunction with one another to drive the vehicle closure into the latched position.

A system as described above wherein said latch determining means comprises an electronic processor having an electrical input for receiving one or more signals; and an electronic memory device electronically coupled to the electronic processor and having instructions stored therein, said latch determining means for determining that a vehicle closure is unlatched comprises the processor being configured to access the memory device and execute the instructions stored therein such that it is operable to determine that the vehicle closure is unlatched.

A system as described above wherein said movement determining means comprises an electronic processor having an electrical input for receiving one or more signals; and an electronic memory device electronically coupled to the electronic processor and having instructions stored therein, said movement determining means for determining that the vehicle is moving comprises the processor being configured to access the memory device and execute the instructions stored therein such that it is operable to determine that the vehicle is moving.

A system as described above wherein said control means for controlling braking means comprises an electronic processor having an electrical input for receiving one or more signals; and an electronic memory device electronically coupled to the electronic processor and having instructions stored therein, said control means for controlling braking means comprises the processor being configured to access the memory device and execute the instructions stored therein such that it is operable to control the braking means.

According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a method for preventing unwanted movement of a vehicle closure comprising: determining that a vehicle closure is unlatched; determining that the vehicle is moving; and controlling braking means for preventing the unlatched vehicle closure from moving, in response to determining that the vehicle closure is unlatched and the vehicle is moving.

A system as described above wherein said closure status determining means comprises an electronic processor having an electrical input for receiving one or more signals; and an electronic memory device electronically coupled to the electronic processor and having instructions stored therein, said closure status determining means comprises the processor being configured to access the memory device and execute the instructions stored therein such that it is operable to determine that the vehicle closure is moving.

A system as described above wherein said control means for controlling driving means comprises an electronic processor having an electrical input for receiving one or more signals; and an electronic memory device electronically coupled to the electronic processor and having instructions stored therein, said control means for controlling driving means comprises the processor being configured to access the memory device and execute the instructions stored therein such that it is operable to control the driving means.

The vehicle closure may be a vehicle tailgate.

The method may comprise determining that the vehicle is moving above a predetermined speed threshold and controlling the braking means in response to determining that the vehicle closure is unlatched and that the vehicle is moving above the predetermined speed threshold.

The method may comprise determining the vehicle closure is moving and controlling the braking means in response to determining that the vehicle closure is unlatched, the vehicle is moving and the vehicle closure is moving.

The method may comprise controlling driving means to drive the vehicle closure into the latched position subsequent to preventing the unlatched vehicle closure from moving.

The braking means may be distinct from the driving means, the method may comprise controlling the breaking means and driving means in conjunction with one another to drive the vehicle closure into the latched position.

According to yet another aspect of the invention, there is provided a computer program comprising instructions that, when executed by one or more processors, cause a system to perform, at least:

determining that a vehicle closure is unlatched;

determining that the vehicle is moving; and controlling braking means for preventing the unlatched vehicle closure from moving, in response to determining that the vehicle closure is unlatched and the vehicle is moving.

According to a further aspect of the invention, there is provided a method comprising: determining that a vehicle closure is unlatched;

determining that the vehicle is moving above a predetermined speed threshold;

determining that the unlatched vehicle closure is opening; and controlling braking means for preventing the unlatched vehicle closure from opening, in response to determining that the vehicle closure is unlatched, the vehicle is moving above the predetermined speed threshold and the vehicle closure is opening.

According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a method comprising: determining that a vehicle is moving; determining that a vehicle closure is moving; and preventing the vehicle closure from moving.

According to a still further aspect of the invention, there is provided a system comprising: an electronic processor; and an electronic memory device electrically coupled to the electronic processor and having instructions stored therein, the processor being configured to access the memory device and execute the instructions stored therein such that it is operable to perform a method as described in any preceding paragraph.

According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a system comprising means for performing a method as described in any preceding paragraph.

According to yet another aspect of the invention, there is provided a vehicle system comprising a system as described in any preceding paragraph.

According to a further aspect of the invention, there is provided a vehicle comprising a system as described in any preceding paragraph and/or a vehicle system as described in any preceding paragraph.

According to a still further aspect of the invention, there is provided a computer program comprising instructions that, when executed by one or more processors, cause a system to perform a method as described in any preceding paragraph.

According to another aspect of the invention there is provided a non-transitory computer readable media comprising a computer program as described in any preceding paragraph.

Within the scope of this application it is expressly intended that the various aspects, embodiments, examples and alternatives set out in the preceding paragraphs, in the claims and/or in the following description and drawings, and in particular the individual features thereof, may be taken independently or in any combination. That is, all embodiments and/or features of any embodiment can be combined in any way and/or combination, unless such features are incompatible. The applicant reserves the right to change any originally filed claim or file any new claim accordingly, including the right to amend any originally filed claim to depend from and/or incorporate any feature of any other claim although not originally claimed in that manner.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

One or more embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig 1 illustrates a system according to an embodiment of the invention;

Fig 2 illustrates a system according to an embodiment of the invention in a vehicle;

Fig 3 illustrates a method according to an embodiment of the invention;

Figs 4A and 4B illustrate a method according to an embodiment of the invention;

Fig 5 illustrates an example of a vehicle; and

Fig 6 illustrates an example of a vehicle.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Examples of the present disclosure relate to preventing unwanted movement of a vehicle closure. For example, some examples relate to preventing unwanted opening of a vehicle door such as a tailgate or split tailgate.

In examples, a system may determine that a vehicle closure is unlatched, for example the system may receive signals from one or more sensors indicating that the vehicle closure is unlatched.

The system may also determine that the vehicle is moving, for example the system may receive signals from one or more sensors indicating that the vehicle is moving. In some examples, the system may determine that the vehicle is moving above a predetermined speed threshold.

In response to determining that the vehicle closure is unlatched and the vehicle is moving the system may control braking means, such as one or more brakes, to prevent the unlatched vehicle closure from moving.

A technical effect of at least some examples of the disclosure is that an unlatched vehicle closure is prevented from moving, for example prevented from opening, which may prevent passengers and luggage from falling from the vehicle. This provides an increase in the safety of the vehicle with regards to passengers of the vehicle and people nearby the vehicle.

A further benefit of some examples of the disclosure is preventing unwanted movement in, for example, a vehicle bonnet, which may prevent a driver’s view from being obscured.

Fig 1 illustrates an example of a system 2 that may be a chip or a chip set. The system 2 may form part of a power tailgate module comprised in a vehicle 6 such as the one illustrated in the example of Fig 6.

Implementation of a system 2 may be as controller circuitry. System 2 may be a controller. The system 2 may be implemented in hardware alone, have certain aspects in software including firmware alone or can be a combination of hardware and software (including firmware).

As illustrated in Fig 1 the system 2 may be implemented using instructions 18 that enable hardware functionality, for example, by using executable instructions 18 of a computer program 16 in a general-purpose or special-purpose processor 20 that may be stored on a computer readable storage medium (disk, memory etc) to be executed by such a processor 20.

The processor 20 is configured to read from and write to the memory 22. The processor 20 may also comprise an output interface via which data and/or commands are output by the processor 20 and an input interface via which data and/or commands are input to the processor 20.

The memory 22 stores a computer program 16 comprising computer program instructions 18 (computer program code) that controls the operation of the apparatus 2 when loaded into the processor 20. The computer program instructions 18, of the computer program 16, provide the logic and routines that enables the apparatus to perform the methods illustrated in Figs 3, 4A and 4B. The processor 20 by reading the memory 22 is able to load and execute the computer program 16.

A system according to an embodiment of the invention is shown in Fig. 1 and 2. As illustrated in Fig 1, the computer program 16 arrives at the apparatus 2 via delivery mechanism 24. The delivery mechanism 24 may be any suitable mechanism, for example, a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium, a computer program product, a memory device, a record medium such as a compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM) or digital versatile disc (DVD), an article of manufacture that tangibly embodies the computer program

16. The delivery mechanism may be a signal configured to reliably transfer the computer program 16. The apparatus 2 may propagate or transmit the computer program 16 as a computer data signal.

Although the memory 22 is illustrated as a single component/circuitry it may be implemented as one or more separate components/circuitry some or all of which may be integrated/removable and/or may provide permanent/semi-permanent/ dynamic/cached storage.

Although the processor 20 is illustrated as a single component/circuitry it may be implemented as one or more separate components/circuitry some or all of which may be integrated/removable. The processor 20 may be a single core or multi-core processor.

References to ‘computer-readable storage medium’, ‘computer program product’, ‘tangibly embodied computer program’ etc. or a ‘controller’, ‘computer’, ‘processor’ etc. should be understood to encompass not only computers having different architectures such as single /multi- processor architectures and sequential (Von Neumann)/parallel architectures but also specialized circuits such as field-programmable gate arrays (FPGA), application specific circuits (ASIC), signal processing devices and other processing circuitry. References to computer program, instructions, code etc. should be understood to encompass software for a programmable processor or firmware such as, for example, the programmable content of a hardware device whether instructions for a processor, or configuration settings for a fixedfunction device, gate array or programmable logic device etc.The blocks illustrated in the Figs 3, 4A and 4B may represent steps in a method and/or sections of code in the computer program 16. The illustration of a particular order to the blocks does not necessarily imply that there is a required or preferred order for the blocks and the order and arrangement of the block may be varied. Furthermore, it may be possible for some blocks to be omitted.

In examples, the system 2 of Fig 1 is a system 2 for preventing unwanted movement of a vehicle closure (see, for example, Fig 5).

In some examples, the system 2 of Fig 1 provides latch determining means 26 for determining that a vehicle closure 4 is unlatched; movement determining means 26 for determining that the vehicle 6 is moving; and control means 20 for controlling braking means 8 for preventing the unlatched tailgate 4 from moving, in response to determining that the vehicle closure 4 is unlatched and the vehicle 6 is moving.

In examples, the vehicle closure 4 is a vehicle tailgate. See, for example, Fig 5. However, the vehicle closure 4 may be any suitable vehicle closure such as a tailgate, split tailgate, door, bonnet, fuel flap and so on.

In some examples, the system 2 of Fig 1 provides movement determining means 26that are for determining that the vehicle 6 is moving above a predetermined speed threshold and provides control means 20 that control the braking means 8 in response to determining that the vehicle closure 4 is unlatched and that the vehicle 6 is moving above the predetermined speed threshold.

In examples, the system 2 of Fig 1 provides closure status determining means 26 for determining the vehicle closure 4 is moving, wherein the system 2 of Fig 1 provides control 9 means 20 for controlling the braking means 8 in response to determining that the vehicle closure 4 is unlatched, the vehicle 6 is moving and the vehicle closure 4 is moving.

In some examples, the system 2 of Fig 1 provides control means 20 for controlling driving means 12 to drive the vehicle closure 4 into the latched position or a position close to or adjacent the latched position subsequent to preventing the unlatched vehicle closure (4) from moving.

The system 2 may be considered a controller or controllers.

Fig 2 illustrates an example of a system 14. In the illustrated example the system 14 is a system 14 for preventing unwanted movement of a vehicle closure 4.

In examples, the system 14 may be considered a control system, in some, but not necessarily all, examples the system 14 is comprised in the vehicle 6 as in the example of Fig 2.

In the example of Fig 2, the system 14 comprises one or more sensors 26, braking means 8, driving means 12 and the system 2 illustrated in Fig 1. Fig. 2 therefore illustrates a vehicle system 14 comprising a system 2 as illustrated in Fig. 1.

Fig 2 also illustrates a vehicle 6 comprising a system 2 as described in relation to Fig 1 and/or a vehicle system 14 of Fig 2.

The system 2 provides means for controlling operation of the system 14.

As illustrated in the example of Fig 2, the elements 26, 8 and 12 are operationally coupled to the system 2 and any number or combination of intervening elements can exist between them (including no intervening elements).

In some examples, the elements 26, 8 and 12 are operationally coupled to each other and/or may share one or more components. For example, the braking means 8 and driving means 12 may share one or more components.

Additionally of alternatively, the elements 26, 8 and 12 may be operationally coupled to and/or share one or more components with other elements not illustrated in the example of Fig 2.

The one or more sensors 26 are for obtaining information. For example, the one or more sensors 26 may be for obtaining information in relation to a vehicle closure 4. In examples, any suitable sensor(s) 26 for obtaining information may be used.

For example, the one or more sensors 26 may comprise one or more sensors for determining that a vehicle closure 4 is moving such as one or more Hall sensors.

Additionally or alternatively the one or more sensors 26 may comprise one or more sensors for determining that a vehicle closure 4 is unlatched such as one or more microswitches. For example, microswitches may be located off the claw of the latch of the vehicle closure 4.

Additionally or alternatively the one or more sensors 26 may comprise one or more sensors for determining movement speed of a vehicle 6 such as one or more global positioning sensors (GPS), one or more motion sensors, one or more wheel sensors, and so on. For example, the one or more sensors 26 may comprise one or more anti-locking braking system (ABS) speed signal sensors.

In examples, the system 2 is for controlling operation of the one or more sensors 26. Information may be transmitted between the system 2 and the one or more sensors 26. For example, control information may be transmitted from the system 2 to the one or more sensors 26 and/or information gathered by the one or more sensors 26 transmitted to the system 2.

In examples, one or more signals comprising information may be received by the system 2 from the one or more sensors 26.

The information in the one or more signals may enable determining that a vehicle closure 4 is unlatched and/or that the vehicle is moving and/or that the vehicle closure is moving and so on.

This is illustrated in the example of Fig 2 by the double headed arrow linking the one or more sensors 26 and the system 2.

The braking means 8 may be any suitable means for preventing movement of a vehicle closure 4.

In examples, the braking means 8 may be considered one or more brakes and/or one or more braking mechanisms and/or one or more motion inhibitors and so on.

In examples, the braking means 8 are for preventing an unlatched vehicle closure 4 from moving, for example from opening. For example, the braking means 8 may prevent movement of a vehicle closure 4 by preventing movement at one or more struts 28 of the closure 4. See, for example, Fig 5.

For example, the braking means 8 may comprise any suitable means or brakes or braking mechanisms to apply force to the strut 28 of the vehicle closure 4 to prevent movement of the vehicle closure 4. In examples, the braking means comprise a motor of a power strut 28 of the vehicle closure 4 which may be short circuited to block motion of the vehicle closure 4.

In some examples the braking means 8 comprise continuous or pulsed short circuit braking. Pulsed short circuit braking can avoid overheating of drive motors.

In examples, the system 2 is for controlling operation of the braking means 8. Information may be transmitted between the system 2 and the braking means 8. For example, control information may be transmitted from the system 2 to the braking means 8 and/or one or more signals from the braking means 8 may be transmitted to the system 2.

This is illustrated in the example of Fig 2 by the double headed arrow linking the braking means 8 and the system 2.

The driving means 12 may comprise any suitable means for driving movement of a vehicle closure 4. In examples, the driving means 12 may be considered one or more drivers, one or more actuators, one or more motors, one or more driving mechanisms and so on.

In examples, the driving means 12 may comprise one or more motors associated with a power strut 28 of a vehicle closure 4. See, for example, Fig 5.

In examples, the driving means 12 may be for driving the vehicle closure 4 to open or close. For example, the driving means may be for driving the vehicle closure 4 into the latched position subsequent to preventing the unlatched vehicle closure (4) from moving or into a position adjacent to the latched position if it is not possible for the driving means 12 to drive the vehicle closure 4 into the latched position.

In some examples hydraulic drive is used.

In examples, the system 2 is for controlling operation of the driving means 12. Information may be transmitted between the system 2 and the driving means 12. For example, control information may be transmitted from the system 2 to the driving means 12 and/or one or more signals from the driving means 12 transmitted to the system 2.

This is illustrated in the example of Fig 2 by the double headed arrow linking the driving means 12 and the system 2.

In examples, the braking means 8 and the driving means 12 may be combined and/or share one or more elements.

However, in examples, the braking means 8 are distinct from the driving means 12 and the system 12 comprises control means from controlling the braking means 8 and the driving means 12 in conjunction with one another to drive the vehicle closure 4 into the latched position or a position adjacent the latched position.

For example, the system 2 may control the braking means 8 and the driving means 12 alternately to drive the vehicle closure 4 towards the latched position slightly and then hold the vehicle closure 4 in place before driving the vehicle closure 4 towards the latched position again.

In examples, the system 2 provides means for controlling the various elements of the system 14.

In the example of Fig 2, the system 14 is comprised in a vehicle 6. The vehicle 6 may be any suitable vehicle 6 such as a car, van, truck, boat or aeroplane and so on.

The system 14 may comprise any number of additional elements not illustrated in the example of Fig 2.

Additionally or alternatively, one or more of the elements in the system 14 illustrated in the example of Fig 2 may be integrated and/or combined. For example, the braking means 8 and driving means 12 may be at least partially combined.

In examples, the system 14 may not comprise one or more of the elements illustrated in the example of Fig 2. For example, the system 14 may not comprise the driving means 12.

Fig 3 illustrates an example of a method 300. In examples, the method 300 is for preventing unwanted opening of a vehicle closure 4.

In some, but not necessarily all, examples the method 300 is performed by the system 2 of Fig 1 or the system 14 of Fig 2.

That is, in examples, the system 2 of Fig 1 or the system 14 of Fig 2 comprises means for performing the method 300.

Some of the elements referred to in the discussion of Fig 3 are found in Figs 5 and/or 6.

At block 302 it is determined that a vehicle closure 4 is unlatched. The vehicle closure 4 may be any suitable vehicle closure 4 such as a tailgate, a split tailgate, a door, a bonnet, a fuel flap and so on.

Any suitable method for determining that a vehicle closure 4 is unlatched may be used.

For example, the one or more sensors 26 of the system 14 illustrated in the example of Fig 2 may be used to obtain information regarding the vehicle closure 4 to enable determining that the vehicle closure 4 is unlatched.

In examples, one or more micro switches off the claw of a latch are used to provide signals comprising information to allow the system 2 to determine that the vehicle closure 4 is unlatched.

Accordingly, in examples, the method 300 comprises receiving one or more signals comprising information to enable determining that the vehicle closure 4 is unlatched.

At block 304, it is determined that the vehicle 6 is moving. The vehicle 6 may be any suitable vehicle 6 such as a car, van, truck boat, aeroplane and so on.

Any suitable method for determining that the vehicle 6 is moving may be used.

For example, the one or more sensors 26 of the system 14 illustrated in the example of Fig 2 may be used to obtain information regarding movement of the vehicle 6 to enable determining that the vehicle 6 is moving.

For example, information from one or more of an ABS module, GPS sensors, motion sensors, wheel sensors and so on may be used to determine that the vehicle 6 is moving. In some examples it may be determined that the vehicle 6 is moving above a predetermined speed threshold (see Fig 4A).

In some examples, determining that the vehicle 6 is moving comprises receiving one or more signals from one or more sensors 26, the signals comprising information to enable determining that the vehicle 6 is moving.

At block 306 braking means 8 are controlled for preventing the unlatched vehicle closure 4 from moving in response to determining that the vehicle closure 4 is unlatched and the vehicle 6 is moving.

For example, the system 2 may control the braking means 8 in the system 14 of Fig 2 to prevent movement of the unlatched vehicle closure 4 in response to determining that the vehicle closure 4 is unlatched and the vehicle 6 is moving.

In examples, any suitable braking means 8 may be used to prevent movement of the unlatched vehicle closure 4. For example, one or more motors associated with one or more 15 power struts 28 of the vehicle closure 4 may be controlled by the system 2 to prevent movement of the unlatched vehicle closure 4.

In some examples the system 2 may provide a short circuit break onto the strut 28 power and ground to lock the strut in position and prevent unwanted movement of the unlatched vehicle closure 4.

In addition or alternatively, braking means 8 involving friction and so on may be used to prevent unwanted movement of the unlatched vehicle closure 4.

Preventing movement of the unlatched vehicle closure 4 in this way is advantageous as, for example, it prevents items within a vehicle 6 being displaced from the unlatched vehicle closure 4 such as an unlatched tailgate.

This provides an increase in safety for occupants of the vehicle 6 and other people, such as other road users, around the vehicle 6.

Figs 4A and 4B illustrate an example of a method 400. For example, the method 400 may be for preventing unwanted opening of a vehicle closure 4.

In examples, the method 400 is performed by the system 2 of Fig 1 or the system 14 of Fig 2.

That is, in some examples, the system 2 of Fig 1 or the system 14 of Fig 2 comprises means for performing the method 400.

At block 402 it is determined that a vehicle closure 4 is unlatched. Block 402 may be as block 302 of Fig 3 and therefore may be as described in relation to block 302 of Fig 3.

At block 404 it is determined that the vehicle 6 is moving above a predetermined speed threshold. Block 404 is similar to block 304 in Fig 3.

Any suitable method for determining that the vehicle 6 is moving above a predetermined speed threshold may be used.

For example, the one or more sensors 26 of the system 14 illustrated in the example of Fig 2 may be used to obtain information regarding movement of the vehicle 6 to enable determining that the vehicle 6 is moving above a predetermined speed threshold.

For example, information from one or more of an ABS module, GPS sensors, motion sensors, wheel sensors and so on may be used to determine that the vehicle 6 is moving above a predetermined speed threshold.

In some examples, determining that the vehicle 6 is moving above a predetermined speed threshold comprises receiving one or more signals from one or more sensors 26, the signals comprising information to enable determining that the vehicle 6 is moving above a predetermined speed threshold.

Any suitable predetermined speed threshold may be used. For example, a predetermined speed threshold of more than 0 kilometers per hour, 3 kilometers per hour, 5 kilometers per hour, 10 kilometers per hour and so on may be used.

In examples, the predetermined speed threshold is stored in the memory 22 in system 2 of Fig 1 and/or Fig 2. The system 2 may determine the speed of movement of the vehicle 6 and compare the vehicle speed with the predetermined threshold to determine when the vehicle 6 is moving above the predetermined speed threshold.

At block 406 it is determined that the vehicle closure 4 is moving. For example, it may be determined that the vehicle closure 4 is opening or closing. That is, in examples, it is determined that there is unwanted movement of the vehicle closure 4.

Any suitable method for determining that the vehicle closure 4 is moving may be used.

For example, the one or more sensors 26 of the system 14 illustrated in the example of Fig 2 may be used to obtain information regarding movement of the vehicle closure 4.

For example, one or more motors associated with one or more power struts 28 of the vehicle closure 4 may act as Hall sensors to allow determination that the vehicle closure 4 is moving.

In examples, the motor may be assigned a value of zero at the position of the vehicle closure 4 being latched and motor revolutions monitored by the system 2 to determine that the vehicle closure 4 is moving.

In examples, determining that the vehicle closure 4 is moving comprises receiving one or more signals from one or more sensors 26, the signals comprising information to enable determining of movement of the vehicle closure 4.

At block 408 braking means are controlled for preventing the unlatched vehicle closure 4 from moving in response to determining that the vehicle closure 4 is unlatched, the vehicle 6 is moving above a predetermined speed threshold and the vehicle closure 4 is moving.

For example, the system 2 may control the braking means 8 in the system 14 of Fig 2 to prevent movement of the unlatched vehicle closure 4 in response to determining that the vehicle closure 4 is unlatched, the vehicle 6 is moving above a predetermined speed threshold and the vehicle closure 4 is moving.

In examples, any suitable braking means 8 may be used to prevent movement of the unlatched vehicle closure 4. For example, one or more motors associated with one or more power struts 28 of the vehicle closure 4 may be controlled by the system 2 to prevent movement of the unlatched vehicle closure 4.

At block 410 driving means 12 are controlled to drive the vehicle closure 4 into the latched position.

Any suitable method for controlling driving means 12 to drive the vehicle closure 4 into the latched position may be used.

For example, the system 2 may control driving means 12 of the system 14 in Fig 2.

In examples, any suitable driving means 12 may be used. For example, one or more motors associated with one or more power struts 28 of a vehicle closure 4 may be controlled by the system 2 to drive the vehicle closure 4 into the latched position. See, for example, Fig 5.

Accordingly, in some examples the braking means 8 and driving means 12 comprise one or more motors associated with one or more power struts 28 of the vehicle closure 4.

However, in some examples the braking means 8 and driving means 12 are distinct from each other. In such examples, the method 400 may comprise controlling the braking means 8 and driving means 12 in conjunction with one another to drive the vehicle closure 4 into the latched position.

For example, the system 2 may control the braking means 8 and driving means 12 that are distinct from each other, alternately to drive the vehicle closure 4 towards the latched position and then hold the vehicle closure 4 in position before driving the vehicle closure 4 further towards the latched position.

In examples, it may not be possible for the driving means 12 to drive the vehicle closure 4 into the latched position. For example, the driving means 12 may not be powerful enough to drive the vehicle closure 4 all the way into the latched position. Accordingly, in such an example the driving means 12 may be controlled by the system 2 to drive the vehicle closure 4 into a position as close as possible to the latched position. For example, the driving means 12 may be controlled to drive the vehicle closure 4 into a position adjacent to the latched position.

In some examples, it may not be possible to drive the vehicle closure 4 into the latched position due to one or more objects obstructing closure of the vehicle closure 4. See, for example, Fig 4B.

The method 400 continues in Fig 4B as indicated by the letter A at the bottom of Fig 4A and the top of Fig 4B.

At block 412 it is determined whether or not an object is obstructing movement of the vehicle closure 4. Any suitable method for determining whether an object is obstructing movement of the vehicle closure 4 may be used.

For example, the one or more sensors 26 illustrated in the example of Fig 2 may be used to obtain information regarding one or more objects that may be present.

Any suitable sensor 26 for determining the presence of such an object may be used.

In examples, one or more anti-pinch strips present along the edge of the vehicle closure 4 may be used to determine an object may become trapped by closure of the vehicle closure 4. Additionally or alternatively one or more sensors 26 may be used to determine that one or more objects are protruding from the vehicle 6 preventing closure of the vehicle closure 4.

For example, one or more objects may protrude from the rear of a vehicle 6 preventing closure of a vehicle tailgate.

If it is determined an object is not present the method 400 moves to block 414 and vehicle closure 4 is driven into the latched position or a position adjacent the latched position.

If it is determined at block 412 that an object is present the method 400 moves to block 416.

At block 416 driving means 12 are controlled to open the vehicle closure 4.

Any suitable method for controlling driving means 12 to open the vehicle closure 4 may be used.

For example, the system 2 may control the driving means 12 of the system 14 in Fig 2 to open the vehicle closure 4.

In examples, the system 2 may control the driving means 12 to rewind movement of the vehicle closure 4 by a predetermined amount to prevent an object being trapped or damaged by movement of the vehicle closure 4 towards the latched position.

The predetermined movement amount may be stored in the memory 22 of the system 2. For example, the predetermined amount may be 3 millimeters, 5 millimeters, 10 millimeters and so on.

At block 418 braking means 8 are controlled for preventing the unlatched vehicle closure 4 from moving.

Any suitable method for controlling the braking means 8 for preventing the unlatched vehicles closure 4 from moving may be used.

For example, the system 2 may control braking means 8 of the system 14 to prevent the unlatched vehicle closure 4 from moving.

In examples, blocks 412, 416 and 418 prevent objects and/or body parts from becoming trapped and/or damaged by driving the unlatched vehicle closure 4 into the latched position or a position adjacent the latched position. See, for example, block 306.

In this way the vehicle closure 4 may be driven towards the latched position and then placed in a position preventing damage to a detected object but preventing further unwanted movement of the vehicle closure 4.

This provides additional safety benefits to the method 400.

In some examples, block 404 of method 400 is as block 304 of Fig. 3 and only movement of the vehicle 6 is determined rather than movement of the vehicle 6 above a predetermined speed threshold.

Fig 5 illustrates an example of a vehicle 6.

In the example of Fig 5 a cross-section of the vehicle 6 is illustrated. The vehicle 6 of Fig 5 comprises a power strut 28 and a vehicle closure 4. In the illustrated example, the vehicle closure 4 is a tailgate.

The example of Fig 5 comprises three figures, a leftmost figure, a central figure and a rightmost figure.

In the leftmost figure, the tailgate 4 is unlatched and motion of the vehicle 6 is causing the tailgate 4 to open as indicated by the curved arrow pointing upwards in the leftmost figure of Fig 5.

This could be unwanted by occupants of the vehicle 6 or other road users as contents of the vehicle 6 may be displaced if the tailgate 4 opens.

In the central figure of Fig 5 the system 2, (not illustrated in Fig 5), has determined that the vehicle 6 is moving above a predetermined speed threshold, that the tailgate 4 is unlatched and is moving and has controlled the power strut 28 to prevent unwanted movement of the tailgate 4.

This is illustrated in the example of Fig 5 by the curved upward pointing arrow being crossed out.

In the example of Fig 5 the system 2 short circuits one or more motors associated with the power strut 28 to lock the tailgate 4 in position.

In the rightmost figure of Fig 5 the system 2 controls the power strut 28 to drive the tailgate 4 into the latched position.

This is illustrated in the rightmost figure of Fig 5 by the curved downward pointing arrow.

In the example of Fig 5 there are no objects in the way of the motion of the tailgate 4 and therefore the system 2 can control the power strut 28 to drive the tailgate 4 into the latched position.

Although it is described in relation to Fig 5 that the tailgate 4 is driven into the latched position, in other examples the tailgate 4 may not be driven into the latched position but may be locked in the position as shown in the central figure of Fig 5 preventing unwanted motion of the tailgate 4.

Furthermore, although it is described in relation to Fig 5 that the system 2 determined that the vehicle 6 is moving above a predetermined speed threshold and that the tailgate 4 is 22 moving, in some examples the system 2 may determine that the tailgate 4 is unlatched and the vehicle is moving and control the braking means, which in the example of Fig 5 comprises the power strut 28, to prevent unwanted movement of the tailgate 4.

Fig 6 illustrates an example of a vehicle 6. The vehicle 6 comprises a system 2 as described in relation to Fig 1. In examples, the vehicle 6 of Fig 6 may comprise a system 14 as described in relation to Fig 2.

As used herein “for” should be considered to also include “configured or arranged to”. For example, “a system for” should be considered to also include “a system configured or arranged to”.

Examples of the present disclosure provide a number of advantages. For example, examples of the present disclosure provide for increased safety in the use of a vehicle 6.

For purposes of this disclosure, it is to be understood that the controller(s) described herein can each comprise a control unit or computational device having one or more electronic processors. A vehicle and/or a system thereof may comprise a single control unit or electronic controller or alternatively different functions of the controller(s) may be embodied in, or hosted in, different control units or controllers. A set of instructions could be provided which, when executed, cause said controller(s) or control unit(s) to implement the control techniques described herein (including the described method(s)). The set of instructions may be embedded in one or more electronic processors, or alternatively, the set of instructions could be provided as software to be executed by one or more electronic processor(s). For example, a first controller may be implemented in software run on one or more electronic processors, and one or more other controllers may also be implemented in software run on or more electronic processors, optionally the same one or more processors as the first controller. It will be appreciated, however, that other arrangements are also useful, and therefore, the present disclosure is not intended to be limited to any particular arrangement.

In any event, the set of instructions described above may be embedded in a computerreadable storage medium (e.g., a non-transitory storage medium) that may comprise any mechanism for storing information in a form readable by a machine or electronic processors/computational device, including, without limitation: a magnetic storage medium (e.g., floppy diskette); optical storage medium (e.g., CD-ROM); magneto optical storage medium; read only memory (ROM); random access memory (RAM); erasable programmable 23 memory (e.g., EPROM ad EEPROM); flash memory; or electrical or other types of medium for storing such information/instructions.

As used here ‘module’ refers to a unit or apparatus that excludes certain parts/components that would be added by an end manufacturer or a user.

The blocks illustrated in the Figs 3, 4A and 4B may represent steps in a method and/or sections of code in the computer program 16. The illustration of a particular order to the blocks does not necessarily imply that there is a required or preferred order for the blocks and the order and arrangement of the block may be varied. Furthermore, it may be possible for some steps to be omitted.

Where a structural feature has been described, it may be replaced by means for performing one or more of the functions of the structural feature whether that function or those functions are explicitly or implicitly described.

The term “comprised” is used in this document with an inclusive not an exclusive meaning. That is any reference to X comprising Y indicates that X may comprise only one Y or may comprise more than one Y. If it is intended to use “comprise” with an exclusive meaning than it will be made clear in the context by referring to “comprising only one ...” or by using “ consisting”.

Although embodiments of the present invention have been described in the preceding paragraphs with reference to various examples, it should be appreciated that modifications to the examples given can be made without departing from the scope of the invention as claimed.

Features described in the preceding description may be used in combinations other than the combinations explicitly described.

Although functions have been described with reference to certain features, those functions may be performable by other features whether described or not.

Although features have been described with reference to certain embodiments, those features may also be present in other embodiments whether described or not.

Whilst endeavoring in the foregoing specification to draw attention to those features of the invention believed to be of particular importance it should be understood that the Applicant claims protection in respect of any patentable feature or combination of features hereinbefore referred to and/or shown in the drawings whether or not particular emphasis has been placed thereon.

Claims

1. A system for preventing unwanted movement of a vehicle closure comprising: latch determining means for determining that a vehicle closure is unlatched; movement determining means for determining that the vehicle is moving; and control means for controlling means for preventing the unlatched vehicle closure from moving, in dependence on determining that the vehicle closure is unlatched and the vehicle is moving.

2. A system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the vehicle closure is a vehicle tailgate.

3. A system as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the movement determining means are for determining that the vehicle is moving above a predetermined speed threshold and the control means are for controlling the braking means in response to determining that the vehicle closure is unlatched and that the vehicle is moving above the predetermined speed threshold.

4. A system as claimed in claim 1,2 or 3 comprising closure status determining means for determining the vehicle closure is moving, wherein the control means are for controlling the braking means in response to determining that the vehicle closure is unlatched, the vehicle is moving and the vehicle closure is moving.

5. A system as claimed in any preceding claim comprising control means for controlling driving means to drive the vehicle closure into the latched position subsequent to preventing the unlatched vehicle closure from moving.

6. A system as claimed in claim 5 wherein the braking means are distinct from the driving means, the system comprising control means for controlling the braking means and driving means in conjunction with one another to drive the vehicle closure into the latched position.

7. A method for preventing unwanted movement of a vehicle closure (4) comprising:

determining that a vehicle closure is unlatched;

determining that the vehicle is moving; and 26 controlling braking means for preventing the unlatched vehicle closure from moving, in response to determining that the vehicle closure is unlatched and the vehicle is moving.

8. A method as claimed in claim 7, wherein the vehicle closure is a vehicle tailgate.

9. A method as claimed in claim 7 or 8, comprising determining that the vehicle is moving above a predetermined speed threshold and controlling the braking means in response to determining that the vehicle closure is unlatched and that the vehicle is moving above the predetermined speed threshold.

10. A method as claimed in claim 7, 8 or 9 comprising determining the vehicle closure is moving and controlling the braking means in response to determining that the vehicle closure is unlatched, the vehicle is moving and the vehicle closure is moving.

11. A method as claimed in any of claims 7 to 10 comprising controlling driving means to drive the vehicle closure into the latched position subsequent to preventing the unlatched vehicle closure from moving.

12. A method as claimed in claim 11 wherein the braking means are distinct from the driving means, the method comprising controlling the breaking means and driving means in conjunction with one another to drive the vehicle closure into the latched position.

13. A system comprising means for performing a method as claimed in at least one of claims 7 to 12.

14. A vehicle system comprising a system as claimed in at least one of claims 1 to 8.

15. A vehicle comprising a system as claimed in at least one of claims 1 to 8 and/or a vehicle system as claimed in claim 14.

16. A computer program comprising instructions that, when executed by one or more processors, cause a system to perform, at least:

determining that a vehicle closure is unlatched; determining that the vehicle is moving; and controlling braking means for preventing the unlatched vehicle closure from moving, in response to determining that the vehicle closure is unlatched and the vehicle is moving.

17. A computer program comprising instructions that, when executed by one or more processors, cause a system to perform a method as claimed in at least one of claims 7 to

12.

18. A non-transitory computer readable media comprising a computer program as claimed in claim 16 or 17.

19. A system comprising:

an electronic processor; and an electronic memory device electrically coupled to the electronic processor and having instructions stored therein, the processor being configured to access the memory device and execute the instructions stored therein such that it is operable to perform a method as claimed in at least one of claims 7 to 12.

20. A method comprising:

determining that a vehicle closure is unlatched;

determining that the vehicle is moving above a predetermined speed threshold;

21. A controller for preventing unwanted movement of a vehicle closure, the controller arranged to:

receive an input indicating that the vehicle closure is unlatched;

receive an input indicating that the vehicle is moving; and in dependence on receiving an input that the vehicle closure is unlatched and receiving an input that the vehicle is moving, control movement of the unlatched vehicle closure to prevent it from moving.

22. A system and/or a method and/or a computer program and/or a vehicle system and/or a vehicle as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Intellectual

Property

Office

Application No: GB1618170.3 Examiner: Mr Vivek Raghavan