CLOSING DEVICE AND METHOD FOR CLOSING A DOOR

Abstract

A method and a device for closing a door on a door opening of a vehicle are provided. The closing device includes a seal formed between the door and the door opening for separating an interior space and an exterior space from each other when the door is in a closed position. The device also includes a door drive for moving the door and a controller coupled to the door drive for controlling movement of the door based on an operating request of a user. The controller includes a condition monitoring unit configured to determine and use at least one variable state variable chosen from the group consisting of the device, the door, the door opening, and the installation environment of the door. The controller is configured to generate a value of at least one closing parameter for closing the door depending on the at least one variable state variable.

Claims

1. A closing device for closing a door at a door opening, comprising: a seal formed between the door and the door opening for separating an interior space and an exterior space from each other in an installation environment when the door is in a closed position; a door drive for moving the door to the closed position; a controller coupled to the door drive for controlling movement of the door based on an operating request of a user, wherein the controller comprises a condition monitoring unit configured to determine and use at least one variable state variable chosen from the group consisting of the device, the door, the door opening, and the installation environment of the door; and the controller configured to generate a value of at least one closing parameter for closing the door depending on the at least one variable state variable determined.

2. The closing device as set forth in claim 1, wherein the controller further includes a state calibration unit configured to calibrate an amount of at least one at least constant state variable of the device chosen from the group consisting of the door, geometry of the door and the door opening, and the installation environment of the door, the controller is further configured to adjust the at least one closing parameter and close the door accordingly.

3. The closing device as set forth in claim 2, wherein the condition monitoring unit or the state calibration unit is in communication with at least one suitable sensor arrangement for measuring an amount of the at least one variable state variable.

4. The closing device as set forth in claim 2, wherein the condition monitoring unit or the state calibration unit is in communication with a suitable input device or an operating model.

5. A system for a motor vehicle or a building including a plurality of door systems each including one of a plurality of doors at one of a plurality of door openings, comprising: a plurality of seals each formed between the one of a plurality of doors and the one of the plurality of door openings for separating an interior space of the vehicle or building and an exterior space from each other in an installation environment when each of the plurality of doors is in a closed position; a plurality of door drives for moving the plurality of doors to the closed position; at least one controller coupled to the plurality of door drives for controlling movement of the plurality of doors based on an operating request of a user, wherein the at least one controller comprises a condition monitoring unit configured to determine and use at least one variable state variable of the door system chosen from the group consisting of the plurality of doors, the plurality of door openings, and the installation environment of the plurality of doors; and the at least one controller configured to generate a value of at least one closing parameter for closing the plurality of doors depending on the at least one variable state variable determined.

6. The system as set forth in claim 5, wherein the plurality of door systems includes four door systems.

7. A method for closing a door at a door opening, comprising the steps of: determining an operating request for closing the door; determining an amount of at least one variable state variable; determining a value of at least one closing parameter as a function of the at least one variable state variable using a controller including a condition monitoring unit; controlling a door drive for closing the door in accordance with the value of the at least one closing parameter; and closing the door according to the control using the door drive.

8. The method as set forth in claim 7, further including the steps of: determining the operating request and characteristics of the at least one variable state variable multiple times per second; and utilizing a last determined value of the closing parameters along with the operating request and characteristics of the variable state variable to determine an adjusted value of the at least one closing parameter to close the door in real time.

9. The method as set forth in claim 8, wherein the method further includes the steps of: recording a characteristic of at least one at least constant state variable; and determining the value of the of the at least one closing parameter based on the characteristic of the at least one constant state variable.

10. The method as set forth in claim 9, wherein the at least one constant state variable includes a plurality of constant state variables and the at least one variable state variable includes a plurality of variable state variables and the value of the at least one closing parameter depends on the characteristics of the plurality of variable state variables and the plurality of constant state variables.

11. The method as set forth in claim 9, wherein the at least one constant state variable is chosen from a group consisting of a material or a nominal geometry of a sealing element of the door, and a nominal geometry or a real geometry of the door or the door opening.

12. The method as set forth in claim 7, wherein the at least one closing parameter includes a closing speed or a closing torque.

13. The method as set forth in claim 7, wherein the at least one variable state variable is chosen from a group consisting of a temperature of a sealing element of the door, a temperature in an interior or an exterior of a vehicle, an inclined position of the vehicle, an opening angle of the door, an air volume to be compressed in a space delimited by the door, and the degree of ageing of the sealing element.

14. The method as set forth in claim 13, further including the step of calculating the temperature of the sealing element as a function of a sensed temperature in the interior or a sensed temperature in the exterior.

15. The method as set forth in claim 13, wherein the method further includes adjusting the value of the at least one closing parameter based on the compressibility of the air volume.

Description

DRAWINGS

[0034] The drawings described herein are for illustrative purposes only of selected embodiments and not all possible implementations, and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.

[0035] FIGS. 1A-1B illustrate schematic plan views of a door system including a door opening and a door in an open position and a closed position with a closing device according to aspects of the disclosure;

[0036] FIGS. 2A-2B illustrate schematic plan views of another door system including a door opening and a door in an open position and a closed position with a closing device as well as a soft close unit according to aspects of the disclosure;

[0037] FIG. 3 illustrates a schematic plan view of a motor vehicle with four door systems according to aspects of the disclosure;

[0038] FIG. 4 shows a schematic rear view of the motor vehicle of FIG. 3 parked in an inclined position according to aspects of the disclosure; and

[0039] FIG. 5 illustrates steps of a method of closing the door according to aspects of the disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0040] In general, at least one example embodiment of a closing device for closing a door on a door opening of a door system of a motor vehicle and corresponding method of operation will now be disclosed. The example embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough, and will fully convey the scope to those who are skilled in the art. Numerous specific details are set forth such as examples of specific components, devices, and methods, to provide a thorough understanding of embodiments of the present disclosure. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that specific details need not be employed, that example embodiments may be embodied in many different forms and that neither should be construed to limit the scope of the disclosure. In some example embodiments, well-known processes, well-known device structures, and well-known technologies are described in detail.

[0041] While the disclosed closing device and method are described below in the context of electromechanically actuated vehicle doors, it should be understood that the closing device and corresponding method may alternatively be used for doors on and/or in buildings. In both cases, the closing device controls movement of the door to separate and delimit an interior space from an exterior space. In addition, the invention can also be used with other doors or closing members in a variety of applications, such as, but not limited to hydraulically actuated doors.

[0042] During operation of actuated vehicle doors, closing forces and torques can vary greatly in different operating situations. In some known systems, a planned maximum required closing torque for the door can determined, which is then utilized by the system when it is determined that the user wishes to close the door. If necessary, a safety margin can also be applied to ensure reliable closing of the door in every operating case of the vehicle.

[0043] Door-closing parameters may be set and used by the system for reference. Such parameters can include, for example, a closing moment and a closing speed that can be used to ensure a sufficient closing force with a known door weight. The objective of the closing process is normally for these known vehicle doors, to close the door against all resistance forces to such an extent that the door can be used with an additional soft close unit, which then engages the door, which is moved to a final locking position.

[0044] One approach is to move the door at a sufficient speed or with a sufficient closing torque for all intended applications. Yet, such an approach has various disadvantages with regard to undesirable noise during the closing process (e.g., door slams) and may also lead to increased wear of the system. In addition, the actuation and movement of the door typically involves a large number of components that must properly function together to provide expected operation.

[0045] FIGS. 1A-1B show a door system 1 with one door 2 and one door opening 4 as well as with a closing device 6 according to a first exemplary embodiment. As shown, door system 1 is a side door of a motor vehicle that is moveable relative to a side portion 8 of the vehicle 40. Only the side portion 8 of the vehicle 40 that forms the door opening 4 is shown in FIGS. 1A-1B, however, the entire vehicle 40 can be seen in FIGS. 3 and 4.

[0046] The closing device 6 includes an electric motor that is part of a door drive 10. The door drive 10 includes a motor body 12 coupled to the door 2. The closing device 6 also includes a drive rod 14 of the door drive 10 configured to move the door 2 that is attached to and edge of the door opening 4 (i.e., the side portion 8), for example. Depending on the extension of the drive rod 14 along a drive axis A due to movement of the electric motor of the door drive 10, the door 2 can be moved about a swivel bearing 16 of the door system 1 to open or close the door 2. It should be appreciated that other types of door drives 10 are contemplated as well.

[0047] Between the door 2 and the door opening 4, there is a contact surface, which can extend all the way around the entire contact surface. A seal 20 is formed along this contact surface. The seal 20 can, for example, be formed by a sealing element or gasket 21, which is adapted to seal the opening. Thus, the sealing element 21 is disposed around the door opening 4 between an interior space 22 and an exterior space 24 and is configured to be elastically deformed (i.e., compressed) when the door 2 is closed and in contact with the edge of the door opening 4 (e.g., the side portion 8 of the vehicle 40).

[0048] The closing device 6 also has a controller 18 (e.g., microcontroller or microprocessor) in communication with the electric motor of the door drive 10 for closing the door 2 in response to a detected closing request. The user can communicate the closing request to the controller 18, for example, by means of a control element (e.g., button or switch) or by means of a manually applied closing force F.sub.SW to the door 2, which may be detected through movement of the motor of the door drive 10 and communicated to the controller 18.

[0049] In addition, the closing device 6 includes an interior temperature sensor 23 arranged in the interior 22 of the vehicle and an exterior temperature sensor 25 arranged on the exterior 24 of the vehicle. The two temperature sensors 23 and 25 are connected with the controller 18 to enable energy transmission and/or communication of sensor values that each temperature sensor 23, 25 detects. The controller 18 is also connected with a database or memory 26. Operating models 27 of the motor vehicle, and in particular of the door system 1 are stored therein.

[0050] Additionally, the controller 18 includes a condition monitoring unit 30 (e.g., a software or hardware module of controller 18) that is configured to, for example, use a current value of a current temperature and a current state of ageing of the sealing element 21 and to determine the stiffness to be expected from it. The stiffness of the sealing element 21 can be estimated using the temperature sensors 23, 25 and/or by resorting to the operating model 27.

[0051] The controller 18 also has a state calibration unit 32 (e.g., a software or hardware module of controller 18), which is configured to provide a basic stiffness of the sealing element 21 based on stored characteristics of the sealing material, and if necessary also based on a combination of actual geometries of door 2 and door opening 4 within respective tolerance ranges.

[0052] FIGS. 2A-2B show a second exemplary door system 1 which differs from the one described in FIGS. 1A-1B, in particular on one side of the door opening 4, a soft-close unit 34 is arranged to lock the door in a closing position. In this case, closing door 2 only needs to be partially closed so that soft close unit 34 is able to detect that the door 2 is to be closed and the the soft close unit 34 will be able to finish the closing movement and locking of the door 2 in a desired closed position (in a usual manner). Various operating positions and soft close units 34 may be utilized to accomplish the function of the soft close unit 34.

[0053] FIG. 3 shows a motor vehicle 40 according to an aspect of the disclosure with four door systems 1.1, 1.2, 1.3 and 1.4. Each of the door systems 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.4 can for example be the door system 1 described in FIGS. 1A-1B.

[0054] The motor vehicle 40 has a controller 18 which, in addition to the functions of controller 18 for each of the door systems 1.1 to 1.4 described above (e.g., for the controller of FIGS. 1A-1B), is also configured to open and close at least one air recirculation valve 42 of a vehicle ventilation system. The controller 18 can also sense whether, at a certain point in time the air recirculation valve 42 is open or closed.

[0055] In the example shown in FIG. 3, the control of the closing parameters for the door 2 of the door system 1.1 (and also for the other doors 2 of the other door systems 1.2, 1.3. 1.4) is additionally dependent on a compressed air volume V.sub.i in the interior 22 of the vehicle 40. If the user wishes the door 2 to be closed, the controller 18 determines whether the recirculation valve 42 is closed. For the purposes of the description of this disclosure, it is assumed that the interior 22 is closed when the recirculation valve 42 is closed. So, if the doors 2 of the door systems 1.1, 1.2, 1.3. 1.4 are closed and air recirculation valve 42 is closed, the interior 22 is sealed pressure-tight (any windows are closed). In addition, for the sake of simplicity, the opening condition of any windows are not taken into account here; however, such factors or other additional factors can also be considered by the controller 18, according to aspects of the disclosure. Thus, if door 2 (e.g., of door system 1.1) is to be closed with the interior 22 being sealed, the door 2 must not only the work of deformation against the sealing element 21, but also the much greater work of compressing the air volume V.sub.i of the interior 22 of the vehicle 40. Consequently, in the case of the closed recirculation valve 42, a significantly higher closing torque must be commanded by the controller 18 compared to if the recirculation valve 42 was open instead. Accordingly, the controller 18 can also be configured to open the recirculation valve 42 when the last opened door 2 is closed. Consequently, the opening of the air recirculation valve 42 helps reduce or eliminate any required compression of the air volume V.sub.i in the interior 22.

[0056] In FIG. 4 the motor vehicle 40 from FIG. 3 is shown in an inclined parking position. Such an inclined parking position of the vehicle 40 influences the required actuation force F.sub. of door 2 during closing. If, as shown in FIG. 4, the vehicle 40 is on an inclined road, the door 2 of door system 1.1 is also inclined towards the vehicle 40 (inclination angle ), so less force F.sub. is required from the door drive 10 when closing the door 2. In the case of an inclination in the other direction, more force F.sub. by the door drive 10, on the other hand would be necessary. So, as the vehicle 40 is increasingly inclined in the opposite direction to the closing direction, the door drive 10 must increasingly move with greater force Fa or closing torque according to the increasing inclination. This relationship can be incorporated into the control of the closing parameters such as the M.sub.S or the closing speed V.sub.S by the controller 18, through an acceleration sensor 44 in communication with the controller 18, in particular a high-resolution acceleration sensor 44 for accelerations in all three spatial dimensions. So, the controller can determine the inclination angle using readings from the acceleration sensor 44. Using the acceleration sensor 44, the controller 18 can control the door drive 10 with proper closing parameters (e.g., applied closing force), taking into account the inclined position of the vehicle, so as not to increase the closing noise unnecessarily.

[0057] As best shown in FIG. 5, steps of an exemplary method for closing the door 2 at the door opening 4 using the closing device 6 are provided. First, an operating request for closing the door 2 is detected using the controller 18. Thus, the method includes the step of 100 determining an operating request F.sub.SW for closing the door 2. This can be done, for example, by the user of the vehicle manually applying a closing force F.sub.SW to the door 2, which can be detected and adjusted by the controller 18 through the associated movement of the door rod 14 relative to the motor body 12.

[0058] The method proceeds with the step of 102 determining an amount of at least one variable state variable. For example, to determine the sealing force FD required for the door drive 10 to compress the sealing element 21 while closing the door 2 to a desired closing position, the at least one variable state variable (e.g., temperature) is measured using temperature sensors 23 and 25 (e.g., based on empirical values in the operating model 27 with regard to a seal temperature as a function of a certain combination of indoor temperatures and a certain outdoor temperature). So, the current seal temperature (e.g., a first variable state variable) is determined. In addition, a current seal age can be determined using a timer (e.g., a second variable state variable). From the variable state variables of the seal temperature and seal age, a sealing stiffness is determined, again with recourse to the operating model 27. This is done, for example, using the condition monitoring unit 30.

[0059] The method continues with the step of 104 determining a value of at least one closing parameter M.sub.S, V.sub.S as a function of the at least one variable state variable (e.g., using the controller 18 that includes the condition monitoring unit 30). Thus, depending on the determined characteristics of the variable state variables mentioned above (or readings by acceleration sensor 44, for example), closing parameters including the required closing torque M.sub.S and/or the required closing speed V.sub.S are determined by the controller 18 in order to reliably move the door 2 against the resistance of the sealing element 21.

[0060] Constant state variables may also used in the determination of closing torque M.sub.S and/or the required closing speed V.sub.S by the controller 18. Specifically, the tolerance situation of door 2 and door opening 4 to each other and the material of the sealing element 21 can affect the appropriate values for the closing parameter(s). Thus, the controller 18 can determine such constant state variables as a function of the recorded characteristics. Thus, the values for the closing parameter(s) are adapted as a function of the various variable and constant state variables.

[0061] Based on the values determined for the closing parameter(s), the controller 18 controls the door drive 10. So, the method proceeds with the step of 106 controlling a door drive 10 for closing the door 2 in accordance with the determined value (i.e., closing parameters) determined using the controller 18. Thus, the next step of the method is 108 closing the door 2 according to the control using of the door drive 10. As discussed, the controller 18 may also control the recirculation valve 42 as needed.

[0062] The operating request and the characteristic of the state variable(s) are determined many times per second by the controller 18 and the closing of door 2 is controlled in real time by building on a last determined value of the closing parameter(s). In each case, an adapted value of the closing parameter(s) is determined for each of the state variables, depending on from the last determined operating request and from the last determined characteristic.

LISTING OF ELEMENTS

[0063] 1 Door system [0064] 2 Door [0065] 4 Door opening [0066] 6 Closing device [0067] 8 Side portion of vehicle body [0068] 10 Door drive [0069] 12 Motor body [0070] 14 Actuators [0071] 16 Swivel bearing [0072] 18 Controller [0073] 20 Seal [0074] 21 Sealing element [0075] 22 Interior [0076] 23 Interior temperature sensor [0077] 24 Exterior [0078] 25 Exterior temperature sensor [0079] 26 Database or memory [0080] 27 Operating model [0081] 30 Condition monitoring unit [0082] 32 State calibration unit [0083] 34 Soft close unit [0084] 40 Motor vehicle [0085] 42 Air recirculation valve [0086] 44 Acceleration sensor [0087] A Door drive axis [0088] F.sub.SW Applied force to express the operating request [0089] FD Sealing force [0090] M.sub.S Closing torque [0091] V.sub.S Closing speed [0092] V.sub.i Air volume in the interior [0093] Angle of inclination of the vehicle [0094] F.sub. Additional closing force due to inclined position

[0095] Clearly, changes may be made to what is described and illustrated herein without, however, departing from the scope defined in the accompanying claims. The foregoing description of the embodiments has been provided for purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the disclosure. Individual elements or features of a particular embodiment are generally not limited to that particular embodiment, but, where applicable, are interchangeable and can be used in a selected embodiment, even if not specifically shown or described. The same may also be varied in many ways. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the disclosure, and all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the disclosure.

[0096] The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular example embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting. As used herein, the singular forms a, an, and the may be intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. The terms comprises, comprising, including, and having, are inclusive and therefore specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof. The method steps, processes, and operations described herein are not to be construed as necessarily requiring their performance in the particular order discussed or illustrated, unless specifically identified as an order of performance. It is also to be understood that additional or alternative steps may be employed.

[0097] When an element or layer is referred to as being on, engaged to, connected to, or coupled to another element or layer, it may be directly on, engaged, connected or coupled to the other element or layer, or intervening elements or layers may be present. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being directly on, directly engaged to, directly connected to, or directly coupled to another element or layer, there may be no intervening elements or layers present. Other words used to describe the relationship between elements should be interpreted in a like fashion (e.g., between versus directly between, adjacent versus directly adjacent, etc.). As used herein, the term and/or includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

[0098] Although the terms first, second, third, etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections, these elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections should not be limited by these terms. These terms may be only used to distinguish one element, component, region, layer or section from another region, layer or section. Terms such as first, second, and other numerical terms when used herein do not imply a sequence or order unless clearly indicated by the context. Thus, a first element, component, region, layer or section discussed below could be termed a second element, component, region, layer or section without departing from the teachings of the example embodiments.

[0099] Spatially relative terms, such as inner, outer, beneath, below, lower, above, upper, top, bottom, and the like, may be used herein for ease of description to describe one element's or feature's relationship to another element(s) or feature(s) as illustrated in the figures. Spatially relative terms may be intended to encompass different orientations of the device in use or operation in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures. For example, if the device in the figures is turned over, elements described as below or beneath other elements or features would then be oriented above the other elements or features. Thus, the example term below can encompass both an orientation of above and below. The device may be otherwise oriented (rotated 90 degrees or at other orientations) and the spatially relative descriptions used herein interpreted accordingly.