Method for operating a system of a motor vehicle

Abstract

A method for operating a system of a motor vehicle including a first electromotive door adjusting device having a first door, and a second electromotive door adjusting device having a second door. A request for carrying out a closing movement of the first door and for carrying out a closing movement of the second door is detected, and a priority rule is ascertained for activating the first electromotive door adjusting device and the second electromotive door adjusting device. The first electromotive door adjusting device and the second electromotive door adjusting device are activated on the basis of the priority rule. A system for a motor vehicle is also provided.

Claims

1. A method for operating a system of a motor vehicle, the motor vehicle comprising a first door having a first electromotive door adjusting device and a second door having a second electromotive door adjusting device, the method comprising: detecting a request for carrying out a closing movement of the first door and for carrying out a closing movement of the second door; determining a priority between activating the first electromotive door adjusting device and activating the second electromotive door adjusting device to carry out the request; and activating the first electromotive door adjusting device to actuate the closing movement of the first door and activating the second electromotive door adjusting device to actuate the closing movement of the second door, the priority being instructions that control the closing movement of the first door and control the closing movement of the second door, wherein an end of the closing movement of the first electromotive door adjusting device is time-shifted with respect to an end of the closing movement of the second electromotive door adjusting device based on the priority.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein a beginning of the closing movement of the first electromotive door adjusting device is time-shifted with respect to a beginning of the closing movement of the second electromotive door adjusting device based on the priority.

3. The method according to claim 2, wherein the closing movement of the first electromotive door adjusting device is started, time-shifted with respect to the closing movement of the second electromotive door adjusting device.

4. The method according to claim 2, wherein the first door is placed into a first position and the second door is substantially simultaneously placed into a second position, and wherein the first door is placed from the first position into a closed position and the second door is placed from the second position into the closed position.

5. The method according to claim 4, wherein the first electromotive door adjusting devices and the second electromotive door adjusting device are activated such that the first door reaches the first position at a same time that the second door reaches the second position.

6. The method according to claim 1, wherein the priority is determined based on a detected source of danger to the closing movement of the first door or the second door.

7. The method according to claim 1, wherein the priority is determined based on a present ambient condition.

8. The method according to claim 1, wherein the priority is determined based on a position of the first electromotive door adjusting device with respect to a position of the second electromotive door adjusting device.

9. The method according to claim 1, wherein the priority is determined based on an adjustment path of the first door and an adjustment path of the second door.

10. The method according to claim 1, wherein the priority is determined based on a generation site of the request.

11. A door system for the motor vehicle comprising: the first electromotive door adjusting device associated with the first door; the second electromotive door adjusting device associated with the second door; and a control unit that is operated according to the method according to claim 1.

12. The method according to claim 1, wherein actuating the first door moves the first door into a closed position over a first time period, wherein actuating the second door moves the second door into a closed position over a second time period, and wherein the first time period and the second time period are not a same time period.

13. The method according to claim 1, wherein the determined priority specifies different priorities for actuation of detected requests, wherein a first priority is assigned to a first request generated outside of the motor vehicle, wherein a second priority is assigned to a second request generated inside of the motor vehicle, the first priority not being equal to the second priority.

14. The method according to claim 1, wherein the priority modifies the request based on a danger to the closing movement of the first door or the second door detected outside the vehicle.

15. The method according to claim 1, wherein actuation of the first door moves the door about one end of the first door towards the motor vehicle, wherein actuation of the first door moves the door about one end of the second door towards the motor vehicle.

16. A system for operating doors of a motor vehicle, comprising: a first electromotive door adjusting device adapted to control a first door of the motor vehicle; a second electromotive door adjusting device adapted to control a second door of the motor vehicle; and a control unit having memory on which at least one priority is stored as an instruction, the control device receiving a first request to actuate a first door, the control unit receiving a second request to actuate a second door, the control unit signaling the first electromotive door adjusting device to move the first door from a first position to a second position, the control unit signaling the second electromotive door adjusting device to move the second door from a third position to a fourth position, wherein the control unit signals the first electromotive door adjusting device and the second electromotive door adjusting device according to the priority, the priority determining an order of carrying out the first request and the second request, wherein the first door reaches the second position before the second door reaches the fourth position in accordance with the priority, and wherein the second position is a closed position of the first door and the fourth position is a closed position of the second door.

17. A method for operating a system of a motor vehicle, with a first electromotive door adjuster for a first door, and with a second electromotive door adjuster having a second door, and with further electromotive door adjusters, comprising: detecting a request for performing a closing movement of the first door and for performing a closing movement of the second door; determining a priority for controlling the first electromotive door adjuster and the second electromotive door adjuster based on current requirements; and controlling the first electromotive door adjuster and the second electromotive door adjuster and the other electromotive door adjusters based on the priority, the priority being instructions that control the closing movement of the first door and control the closing movement of the second door, wherein the determined priority specifies different priorities for actuation of detected requests, wherein a first priority is assigned to a first request generated outside of the motor vehicle, wherein a second priority is assigned to a second request generated inside of the motor vehicle, the first priority not being equal to the second priority.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) The present invention will become more fully understood from the detailed description given hereinbelow and the accompanying drawings which are given by way of illustration only, and thus, are not limitive of the present invention, and wherein:

(2) FIG. 1 shows a method for operating a system of a motor vehicle;

(3) FIGS. 2, 3 each schematically show a top view of the motor vehicle, including the system; and

(4) FIG. 4 shows a top view of an embodiment of the motor vehicle.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(5) FIG. 1 shows a method for operating a system 4 of a motor vehicle 6 illustrated in a top view in FIG. 2. System 4 comprises a first electromotive door adjusting device 8, which includes a first door 10 driven with the aid of an electric motor. System 4 also comprises a second electromotive door adjusting device 12, which includes a second door 14 driven with the aid of an electric motor. First door 10 is a driver's door, and second door 14 is a front-seat passenger's door. System 4 also comprises a third electromotive door adjusting device 16, which includes a third door 18 driven by an electric motor, as well as a fourth electromotive door adjusting device 20, which includes a fourth door 22 driven by an electric motor. Third door 18 and fourth door 22 are assigned to a second seat room of motor vehicle 6, so that an access to this seat row is facilitated thereby. Third door 18 is situated on the driver's side and fourth door 22 is situated on the front-seat passenger's side, i.e. on the side of second door 14. First electromotive door adjusting device 8 forms a mirror image of second electromotive door adjusting device 12, and third electromotive door adjusting device 16 forms a mirror image of fourth electromotive door adjusting device 20. System 4 also comprises a fifth electromotive door adjusting device 24, which includes a fifth door 26 in the form of a rear hatch, which is driven by an electric motor. The electric motors of electromotive door adjusting devices 8, 12, 16, 20, 24 are brushless and of an identical design.

(6) System 4 furthermore comprises a control unit 28 and an input device 30. Input device 30 is a switch, which is integrated into a center console. Control unit 28 is coupled electrically and via signals to input device 30 and to electromotive door adjusting devices 8, 12, 16, 20, 24. The electric motors of electromotive door adjusting devices 8, 12, 16, 20, 24 are also energized with the aid of control unit 28. A rotational speed and a rotational direction of the particular electric motors are specified with the aid of control unit 28. System 4 also comprises a wireless controller 32, which is integrated into a key of motor vehicle 6. When wireless controller 32 or control unit 28 is actuated by a user 34, an activation of electromotive door adjusting devices 8, 12, 16, 20, 24 takes place.

(7) The method, which is carried out with the aid of control unit 28, provides that, in a first work step 36, a request 38 is detected to carry out a closing movement of first door 10 and second door 14 as well as third door 18 and fourth door 22 and fifth door 26. Request 28 is generated by user 34 with the aid of input device 30 or wireless controller 32 and corresponds, for example, to the function “central closure.” A check is first made of whether doors 10, 14, 18, 22, 26 are in an open position, which is illustrated in FIG. 2. If one of doors 10, 14, 18, 22, 26 is already in a closed position, request 38 is modified in such a way that the command for the closing movement of this door 10, 14, 18, 22, 26 is removed.

(8) In a subsequent second work step 40, a priority rule 42 is ascertained for activating first electromotive door adjusting device 8, second electromotive adjusting device 12, third electromotive adjusting device 16, fourth electromotive adjusting device 20 and fifth electromotive adjusting device 24. Priority rule 42 is called up from a memory of control unit 28 or a new one is ascertained. A present ambient condition 44 is first ascertained, for which purpose the location of a traffic lane 46 with respect to motor vehicle 6 is first determined. In the example, this traffic lane is located on the side of first door 10 and third door 18. A generation site 48 of request 38 is also determined. In the example, request 38 was generated with the aid of wireless controller 32, which user 34 is holding in his hand. User 34 is located next to front-seat passenger door 14.

(9) Priority rule 42 is ascertained on the basis of present ambient condition 44 and the generation site of request 38. Priority rule 42 contains the instruction that the doors on the side of traffic lane 46, namely first door 10 and third door 18, are to be placed into the closed position first. Of these doors, third door 18 is to be closed first, since it is located the farthest away from generation site 46. Fourth door 22 and then second door 14 are to be closed subsequently thereto, since these doors are on the side of motor vehicle 6 facing away from traffic lane 46; of these doors, the two doors situated the farthest away from generation site 46 are to be closed first. Fifth door 26 is to be closed last, since it is not a side door but a rear hatch.

(10) In a subsequent third work step 50, first, second, third, fourth and fifth electromotive door adjusting devices 8, 12, 16, 20, 24 are activated on the basis of priority rule 42. First, second, third and fourth electromotive door adjusting devices 8, 12, 16, 20 are first activated simultaneously or substantially simultaneously, and first door 10 is swiveled into a first position 52, second door 14 is swiveled into a second position 54, third door 18 is swiveled into a third position 56 and fourth door 22 is swiveled into a fourth position 58. In first position 52, first door 10 only loosely rests against the vehicle body. In second position 54, second door 14 also rests loosely against the body of motor vehicle 6 and in third position 56, third door 18 only loosely rests thereagainst. In fourth position 58, fourth door 22 loosely rests against the body of the motor vehicle. Electromotive door adjusting devices 8, 12, 16, 20 are activated in such a way that first door 10 reaches first position 52 at the same time that second door 14 reaches second position 54. Third door 18 also reaches third position 56 and fourth door 22 reaches fourth position 58 at the same point in time. For this purpose, the driving speed of the electric motors and the start of energizing are suitably adapted.

(11) Once each of doors 10, 14, 18, 22 has reached assigned position 52, 54, 56, 58 in each case, the particular electric motor is stopped. Third door 18 is subsequently placed into the closed position. Once this has taken place, first door 10 is placed into the closed position. Fourth door 22 is subsequently placed into the closed position. Once fourth door 22 is in the closed position, second door 14 is also placed into the closed position. In other words, first, second, third and fourth doors 10, 12, 18, 22 are placed into the particular closed position, time shifted from first, second, third and fourth positions 52, 54, 56, 58. A closing aid of particular electromotive door adjusting device 8, 12, 16, 20 is used for the placement into the closed position, and particular door 10, 14, 18, 22 continues to be swiveled to the vehicle body until a movement is prevented due to a stop on the vehicle body. A power consumption of the particular electric motor is comparatively high. Due to the time shift, a maximum load on the vehicle electrical system providing the necessary electric energy is reduced, for which reason cost-effective cables and a cost-effective battery may be used. Due to the time-shifted closing of doors 10, 14, 18, 22, a buildup of a comparatively high air pressure within motor vehicle 6 is also avoided.

(12) Once second door 14 is in the closed position, fifth electromotive door adjusting device 24 and fifth door 26 are also swiveled into the closed position. For example, the swiveling takes place continuously. In other words, the adjustment of rear hatch 26 is not interrupted. In summary, the end of the closing movement of first electromotive door adjusting device 8 is time-shifted with respect to an end of the closing movement of second electromotive door adjusting device 12 on the basis of priority rule 42. The ends of the closing movements of additional electromotive door adjusting devices 16, 20, 24 are also each time-shifted with respect to each other. The closing movement of fifth electromotive door adjusting device 24 is also started, time-shifted with respect to the closing movement of first, second, third and fourth electromotive door adjusting devices 8, 12, 16, 20.

(13) Another situation for ascertaining priority rule 42 is shown in FIG. 3, present ambient conditions 44 being identical. Traffic lane 46 is again located on the side of first and third doors 10, 18. However, a potential source of danger 60 is additionally present in the form of a bicyclist 62, who approaches from the rear of motor vehicle 6 and whose path runs it past motor vehicle 6 on the side of second and fourth doors 14, 22. input device 30 is actuated by user 34 to close doors 10, 14, 18, 22, 26, so that generation site 48 is located inside motor vehicle 6.

(14) Based on present ambient condition 44, potential source of danger 60 and generation site 48, priority rule 42 is ascertained again, and electromotive door adjusting devices 8, 12, 16, 20, 24 are activated accordingly. Fourth door 22 and second door 14 are placed into the closed position first, the closing movement of second electromotive door adjusting device 12 being started shortly after the beginning of the adjusting movement of fourth door 22. Fourth and second doors 22, 14 are essentially immediately swiveled into the closed position, and an adjustment is not interrupted in second or fourth position 54, 58. As a result, second and fourth doors 14, 22 are moved out of the path of bicyclist 62, so that an injury to bicyclist 62 and a damage to motor vehicle 6 are avoided.

(15) Third door 18 is subsequently swiveled to third position 56, and first door 10 is simultaneously or substantially simultaneously swiveled to first position 52. Third door 18 is then swiveled into the closed state first, and first door 10 is swiveled into the closed position subsequently thereto. Fifth door 26, in turn, is swiveled into the closed position last. The closing movement of first electromotive door adjusting device 8 is thus started, time-shifted with respect to the closing movement of second electromotive door adjusting device 12.

(16) A modification of motor vehicle 6 is illustrated in FIG. 4, third and fourth doors 18, 22 each being designed as sliding doors, so that they have a linear adjustment path. The adjustment path of first and second doors 10, 14, however, is in the shape of a circle arc. In other words, first and second doors 10, 14 are swiveled for the purpose of opening and closing, while third and fourth doors 18, 22 are pushed for the purpose of opening and closing. The actuation, in turn, takes place with the aid of input device 30, so that generation site 48 of request 38 is located inside motor vehicle 6. Since the adjustment path of third and fourth electromotive door adjusting devices 16, 20 is essentially straight, and since generation site 48 is inside motor vehicle 6, third and fourth electromotive door generating devices 16, 20 are to be actuated first, since children are usually in the back seat of motor vehicle 6.

(17) As a result, priority rule 42 is ascertained in such a way that third door 18, which may potentially be on the side of traffic lane 46, is closed first, and fourth door 22 is closed subsequently thereto. Afterwards, the front-seat passenger side is to be closed and second door 14 thus placed into the closed position. Only afterwards is first door 10 to be placed into the closed position, so that a driver of motor vehicle 6 may still get out, for example, and assist other people. Method 2 would also be canceled at this point, a relatively large number of doors 10, 14, 18, 22, 26 nevertheless remaining in the closed position. In summary, priority rule 42 is also ascertained with respect to the position of second electromotive door adjusting device 12 on the basis of the position of first automotive door adjusting device 8, namely in such a way that the driver's side is the last to be closed.

(18) In summary, the door movements are adapted, depending on the movements of the other doors 10, 14, 18, 22, 26. Electromotive door adjusting devices 8, 12, 16, 20, 24 are preferably activated consecutively over time, in particular slightly delayed. Alternatively or combined therewith, doors 10, 14, 28, 22, 26 are traversed in such a way that they are almost in the closed position. Doors 10, 14, 18, 22, 26 are stopped there and each placed into the closed position one after the other. Additionally or alternatively, a matching of the movements of individual doors 10, 14, 18, 22, 26 takes place, in particular the speed and/or position thereof, to permit a uniform transversing of all doors 10, 14, 18, 22, 26.

(19) On this basis, a load on the battery of motor vehicle 6 during the closing and actuation of the particular closing aid is relieved. Comparatively pronounced peaks in the electrical current are also avoided, which are caused, for example, by the fact that all closing aids and/or electric motors are operated at the same time. Due to a time-shifted activation of individual electromotive door adjusting devices 8, 12, 16, 20, 24, all doors 10, 14, 18, 22, 26 are closed within a relatively short period of time, current peaks caused by activating the assigned closing aid in each case being avoided. During a transversing of individual doors 10, 14, 18, 22, 26 into the almost closed position and the subsequent closing of individual doors 10, 14, 18, 22, 26 one after the other, current peaks caused by activating the closing aid are avoided. Matching the movements of individual doors 10, 14, 18, 22, 26 improves an optical impression for user 34.

(20) The invention being thus described, it will be obvious that the same may be varied in many ways. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the spirit and scope of the invention, and all such modifications as would be obvious to one skilled in the art are to be included within the scope of the following claims.