US-20260125942-A1 - POWER DOOR CLOSURE ALGOROTHM FOR TRANSITION FROM NEW TO AGED SEAL PROFILE FOR VEHICLES

Abstract

Methods and systems are provided of controlling automatic closing of a door of a vehicle with respect to a seal applied to the vehicle. An input sensor is configured to obtain an input for closing the door. A processor is configured to at least facilitate performing a counter pertaining to an amount of time after which the seal was applied to the vehicle; and upon receiving the input for closing the door: automatically closing the door in accordance with a first protocol with a first driving force, in accordance with instructions provided by the processor, when the counter is less than a predetermined threshold; and automatically closing the door in accordance with a second protocol with a second driving force that is less than the first driving force, in accordance with instructions provided by the processor, when the counter is greater than a predetermined threshold.

Inventors

• Phillip C. Storck, III
• Besi Rrumbullaku

Assignees

• GM Global Technology Operations LLC

Dates

Publication Date

20260507

Application Date

20241106

Claims (20)

1. 1 . A method of controlling automatic closing of an opening member of a vehicle with respect to a seal applied to the vehicle, the method comprising: performing a counter, via a processor, pertaining to an amount of time after which the seal was applied to the vehicle; automatically closing the door in accordance with a first protocol with a first driving force, in accordance with instructions provided by the processor, when the counter is less than a predetermined threshold; and automatically closing the door in accordance with a second protocol with a second driving force that is less than the first driving force, in accordance with instructions provided by the processor, when the counter is greater than the predetermined threshold.
2. 2 . The method of claim 1 , wherein: the opening member comprises a rotating door; the step of automatically closing the door in accordance with the first protocol comprises automatically closing the door with a first rotational drive speed, when the counter is less than the predetermined threshold; and the step of automatically closing the door in accordance with the second protocol comprises automatically closing the door with a second rotational drive speed that is less than the first rotational drive speed, when the counter is greater than the predetermined threshold.
3. 3 . The method of claim 1 , wherein: the opening member comprises a sliding door; the step of automatically closing the door in accordance with the first protocol comprises automatically closing the door with a first sliding drive speed, when the counter is less than the predetermined threshold; and the step of automatically closing the door in accordance with the second protocol comprises automatically closing the door with a second sliding drive speed that is less than the first sliding drive speed, when the counter is greater than the predetermined threshold.
4. 4 . The method of claim 1 , wherein: the opening member comprises a door; the step of performing the counter comprises directly calculating the amount of time after which the seal was applied to the vehicle; the step of automatically closing the door in accordance with the first protocol further comprises automatically closing the door in accordance with the first protocol with the first driving force, in accordance with instructions provided by the processor, when the amount of time after which the seal was applied to the vehicle, as calculated directly by the processor performing the counter, is less than a predetermined time threshold; and the step of automatically closing the door in accordance with the second protocol further comprises automatically closing the door in accordance with the second protocol with the second driving force that is less than the first driving force, in accordance with instructions provided by the processor, when the amount of time after which the seal was applied to the vehicle, as calculated directly by the processor performing the counter, is greater than the predetermined time threshold.
5. 5 . The method of claim 1 , wherein: the opening member comprises a door; the step of performing the counter comprises indirectly estimating the amount of time after which the seal was applied to the vehicle based on counting a number of actions or cycles of one or more vehicle components; the step of automatically closing the door in accordance with the first protocol further comprises automatically closing the door in accordance with the first protocol with the first driving force, in accordance with instructions provided by the processor, when the counted number of actions or cycles of the one or more vehicle components is less than the predetermined threshold; and the step of automatically closing the door in accordance with the second protocol further comprises automatically closing the door in accordance with the second protocol with the second driving force that is greater than the first driving force, in accordance with instructions provided by the processor, when the counted number of actions or cycles of the one or more vehicle components is greater than the predetermined threshold.
6. 6 . The method of claim 5 , wherein: the step of performing the counter comprises indirectly estimating the amount of time after which the seal was applied to the vehicle based on counting a number of times that the door has been opened and closed; the step of automatically closing the door in accordance with the first protocol further comprises automatically closing the door in accordance with the first protocol with the first driving force, in accordance with instructions provided by the processor, when the counted number of times that the door has been opened and closed is less than the predetermined threshold; and the step of automatically closing the door in accordance with the second protocol further comprises automatically closing the door in accordance with the second protocol with the second driving force that is less than the first driving force, in accordance with instructions provided by the processor, when the counted number of times that the door has been opened and closed is greater than the predetermined threshold.
7. 7 . The method of claim 5 , wherein: the step of performing the counter comprises indirectly estimating the amount of time after which the seal was applied to the vehicle based on counting a number of times that the door has been locked and unlocked; the step of automatically closing the door in accordance with the first protocol further comprises automatically closing the door in accordance with the first protocol with the first driving force, in accordance with instructions provided by the processor, when the counted number of times that the door has been locked and unlocked is less than the predetermined threshold; and the step of automatically closing the door in accordance with the second protocol further comprises automatically closing the door in accordance with the second protocol with the second driving force that is less than the first driving force, in accordance with instructions provided by the processor, when the counted number of times that the door has been locked and unlocked is greater than the predetermined threshold.
8. 8 . The method of claim 5 , wherein: the step of performing the counter comprises indirectly estimating the amount of time after which the seal was applied to the vehicle based on counting a number of times that an engine of the vehicle has been turned on and off; the step of automatically closing the door in accordance with the first protocol further comprises automatically closing the door in accordance with the first protocol with the first driving force, in accordance with instructions provided by the processor, when the counted number of times that the engine of the vehicle has been turned on and off is less than the predetermined threshold; and the step of automatically closing the door in accordance with the second protocol further comprises automatically closing the door in accordance with the second protocol with the second driving force that is less than the first driving force, in accordance with instructions provided by the processor, when the counted number of times that the engine of the vehicle has been turned on and off is greater than the predetermined threshold.
9. 9 . The method of claim 1 , wherein: the opening member comprises a door; the step of automatically closing the door in accordance with the first protocol comprises automatically closing the door with a first drive speed that is based on a first function of drive speed versus closing distance between the door and the seal, wherein the first function includes increasing values of drive speed versus the closing distance, in accordance with instructions provided by the processor, when the counter is less than the predetermined threshold; and the step of automatically closing the door in accordance with the second protocol comprises automatically closing the door with a second drive speed that is greater than the first drive speed, and wherein the second drive speed is based on a second function of drive speed versus closing distance between the door and the seal, wherein the second function includes increasing values of drive speed versus the closing distance, and wherein the second function comprises an upward vertical shift of the first function, in accordance with instructions provided by the processor, when the counter is greater than the predetermined threshold.
10. 10 . A system of controlling automatic closing of a door of a vehicle with respect to a seal applied to the vehicle, the system comprising: an input sensor configured to obtain an input for closing the door; and a processor that is coupled to the input sensor, the processor configured to at least facilitate: performing a counter pertaining to an amount of time after which the seal was applied to the vehicle; and upon receiving the input for closing the door: automatically closing the door in accordance with a first protocol with a first driving force, in accordance with instructions provided by the processor, when the counter is less than a predetermined threshold; and automatically closing the door in accordance with a second protocol with a second driving force that is less than the first driving force, in accordance with instructions provided by the processor, when the counter is greater than a predetermined threshold.
11. 11 . The system of claim 10 , wherein the door comprises a rotating door, and the processor is further configured to at least facilitate: automatically closing the door with a first rotational drive speed, when the counter is less than the predetermined threshold; and automatically closing the door with a second rotational drive speed that is greater than the first rotational drive speed, when the counter is greater than the predetermined threshold.
12. 12 . The system of claim 10 , wherein the door comprises a sliding door, and the processor is further configured to at least facilitate: automatically closing the door with a first sliding drive speed, when the counter is less than the predetermined threshold; and automatically closing the door with a second sliding drive speed that is less than the first sliding drive speed, when the counter is greater than the predetermined threshold.
13. 13 . The system of claim 10 , wherein the processor is further configured to at least facilitate: performing the counter by directly calculating the amount of time after which the seal was applied to the vehicle; automatically closing the door in accordance with the first protocol with the first driving force, in accordance with instructions provided by the processor, when the amount of time after which the seal was applied to the vehicle, as calculated directly by the processor performing the counter, is less than a predetermined time threshold; and automatically closing the door in accordance with the second protocol with the second driving force that is greater than the first driving force, in accordance with instructions provided by the processor, when the amount of time after which the seal was applied to the vehicle, as calculated directly by the processor performing the counter, is greater than the predetermined time threshold.
14. 14 . The system of claim 10 , wherein the processor is further configured to at least facilitate: performing the counter by indirectly estimating the amount of time after which the seal was applied to the vehicle based on counting a number of actions or cycles of one or more vehicle components; automatically closing the door in accordance with the first protocol with the first driving force, in accordance with instructions provided by the processor, when the counted number of actions or cycles of the one or more vehicle components is less than the predetermined threshold; and automatically closing the door in accordance with the second protocol with the second driving force that is greater than the first driving force, in accordance with instructions provided by the processor, when the counted number of actions or cycles of the one or more vehicle components is greater than the predetermined threshold.
15. 15 . The system of claim 14 , wherein the processor is further configured to at least facilitate: performing the counter by indirectly estimating the amount of time after which the seal was applied to the vehicle based on counting a number of times that the door has been opened and closed; automatically closing the door in accordance with the first protocol with the first driving force, in accordance with instructions provided by the processor, when the counted number of times that the door has been opened and closed is less than the predetermined threshold; and automatically closing the door in accordance with the second protocol with the second driving force that is greater than the first driving force, in accordance with instructions provided by the processor, when the counted number of times that the door has been opened and closed is greater than the predetermined threshold.
16. 16 . The system of claim 14 , wherein the processor is further configured to at least facilitate: performing the counter by indirectly estimating the amount of time after which the seal was applied to the vehicle based on counting a number of times that the door has been locked and unlocked; automatically closing the door in accordance with the first protocol with the first driving force, in accordance with instructions provided by the processor, when the counted number of times that the door has been locked and unlocked is less than the predetermined threshold; and automatically closing the door in accordance with the second protocol with the second driving force that is greater than the first driving force, in accordance with instructions provided by the processor, when the counted number of times that the door has been locked and unlocked is greater than the predetermined threshold.
17. 17 . The system of claim 14 , wherein the processor is further configured to at least facilitate: performing the counter by indirectly estimating the amount of time after which the seal was applied to the vehicle based on counting a number of times that an engine of the vehicle has been turned on and off; automatically closing the door in accordance with the first protocol with the first driving force, in accordance with instructions provided by the processor, when the counted number of times that the engine of the vehicle has been turned on and off is less than the predetermined threshold; and automatically closing the door in accordance with the second protocol with the second driving force that is greater than the first driving force, in accordance with instructions provided by the processor, when the counted number of times that the engine of the vehicle has been turned on and off is greater than the predetermined threshold.
18. 18 . The system of claim 10 , wherein the processor is further configured to at least facilitate, upon receiving the input for closing the door: automatically closing the door with a first drive speed that is based on a first function of drive speed versus closing distance between the door and the seal, wherein the first function includes increasing values of drive speed versus the closing distance, in accordance with instructions provided by the processor, when the counter is less than the predetermined threshold; and automatically closing the door with a second drive speed that is greater than the first drive speed, and wherein the second drive speed is based on a second function of drive speed versus closing distance between the door and the seal, wherein the second function includes increasing values of drive speed versus the closing distance, and wherein the second function comprises an upward vertical shift of the first function, in accordance with instructions provided by the processor, when the counter is greater than the predetermined threshold.
19. 19 . A vehicle comprising: a body a seal applied to the body; a door that is configured to be opened and closed, and that is configured to contact the seal when the door is closed; an actuator configured to move the door; an input sensor configured to obtain an input for closing the door; and a processor that is coupled to the input sensor and to the actuator, the processor configured to at least facilitate: performing a counter pertaining to an amount of time after which the seal was applied to the vehicle; and upon receiving the input for closing the door: automatically closing the door in accordance with a first protocol with a first driving force and with a first drive speed, in accordance with instructions provided by the processor to the actuator and that are implemented by the actuator in automatically closing the door, when the counter is less than a predetermined threshold; and automatically closing the door in accordance with a second protocol with a second driving force that is greater than the first driving force, and with a second drive speed that is greater than the first drive speed, in accordance with instructions provided by the processor to the actuator and that are implemented by the actuator in automatically closing the door, when the counter is greater than a predetermined threshold.
20. 20 . The vehicle of claim 19 , wherein the processor is further configured to at least facilitate, upon receiving the input for closing the door: automatically closing the door with the first drive speed, wherein the first drive speed is based on a first function of drive speed versus closing distance between the door and the seal, and wherein the first function includes increasing values of drive speed versus the closing distance, in accordance with instructions provided by the processor, when the counter is less than the predetermined threshold; and automatically closing the door with the second drive speed, wherein the second drive speed is greater than the first drive speed, and wherein the second drive speed is based on a second function of drive speed versus closing distance between the door and the seal, wherein the second function includes increasing values of drive speed versus the closing distance, and wherein the second function comprises an upward vertical shift of the first function, in accordance with instructions provided by the processor, when the counter is greater than the predetermined threshold.

Description

INTRODUCTION The technical field generally relates to vehicles and, more specifically, to methods and systems for controlling power door closure for vehicles. Certain vehicles today include power doors (or other opening members) that are automatically opened and closed by the vehicle, for example upon receiving input from a user of the vehicle. In certain situations, the opening of power doors (or other opening members) may be affected when an object is in proximity to the vehicle. Accordingly, it is desirable to provide improved methods and systems for controlling power doors (and other opening members) of a vehicle, including when an object is in proximity to the vehicle. SUMMARY In accordance with an exemplary embodiment, a method is provided for controlling automatic closing of an opening member of a vehicle with respect to a seal applied to the vehicle, the method including performing a counter, via a processor, pertaining to an amount of time after which the seal was applied to the vehicle; automatically closing the door in accordance with a first protocol with a first driving force, in accordance with instructions provided by the processor, when the counter is less than a predetermined threshold; and automatically closing the door in accordance with a second protocol with a second driving force that is less than the first driving force, in accordance with instructions provided by the processor, when the counter is greater than the predetermined threshold. Also in an exemplary embodiment, the opening member includes a rotating door; the step of automatically closing the door in accordance with the first protocol includes automatically closing the door with a first rotational drive speed, when the counter is less than the predetermined threshold; and the step of automatically closing the door in accordance with the second protocol includes automatically closing the door with a second rotational drive speed that is less than the first rotational drive speed, when the counter is greater than the predetermined threshold. Also in an exemplary embodiment, the opening member includes a sliding door; the step of automatically closing the door in accordance with the first protocol includes automatically closing the door with a first sliding drive speed, when the counter is less than the predetermined threshold; and the step of automatically closing the door in accordance with the second protocol includes automatically closing the door with a second sliding drive speed that is less than the first sliding drive speed, when the counter is greater than the predetermined threshold. Also in an exemplary embodiment, the opening member includes a door; the step of performing the counter includes directly calculating the amount of time after which the seal was applied to the vehicle; the step of automatically closing the door in accordance with the first protocol further includes automatically closing the door in accordance with the first protocol with the first driving force, in accordance with instructions provided by the processor, when the amount of time after which the seal was applied to the vehicle, as calculated directly by the processor performing the counter, is less than a predetermined time threshold; and the step of automatically closing the door in accordance with the second protocol further includes automatically closing the door in accordance with the second protocol with the second driving force that is less than the first driving force, in accordance with instructions provided by the processor, when the amount of time after which the seal was applied to the vehicle, as calculated directly by the processor performing the counter, is greater than the predetermined time threshold. Also in an exemplary embodiment, the opening member includes a door; the step of performing the counter includes indirectly estimating the amount of time after which the seal was applied to the vehicle based on counting a number of actions or cycles of one or more vehicle components; the step of automatically closing the door in accordance with the first protocol further includes automatically closing the door in accordance with the first protocol with the first driving force, in accordance with instructions provided by the processor, when the counted number of actions or cycles of the one or more vehicle components is less than the predetermined threshold; and the step of automatically closing the door in accordance with the second protocol further includes automatically closing the door in accordance with the second protocol with the second driving force that is greater than the first driving force, in accordance with instructions provided by the processor, when the counted number of actions or cycles of the one or more vehicle components is greater than the predetermined threshold. Also in an exemplary embodiment, the step of performing the counter includes indirectly estimating the amount of time after which the seal was ap