METHOD FOR OPERATING A MOVING DEVICE

Abstract

A movable component of a motor vehicle, for example a tailgate can be moved between two end positions by a drive unit of a moving device. A release energy for the drive unit, which is to be used to release the component at the start of a movement from a starting position, is selected as a function of the starting position.

Claims

1.-9. (canceled)

10. A method for operating a moving device for a movable component of a motor vehicle, the movable component being movable between first and second end positions by a drive unit of the moving device, the method comprising: selecting a release energy for the drive unit, which is to be used to release the movable component at a start of a movement of the movable component from a starting position, as a function of the starting position; releasing the movable component; and subsequent to the release of the movable component, controlling a further movement of the movable component to one of the first and second end positions in an open-loop or closed-loop manner by predefining a setpoint movement profile.

11. The method as claimed in claim 10, wherein the movable component is a tailgate of the motor vehicle.

12. The method as claimed in claim 10, wherein the release energy which is to be used is additionally selected as a function of the direction of the movement.

13. The method as claimed in claim 10, wherein the release energy which is to be used is additionally selected as a function of at least one ambient parameter which describes at least one ambient condition.

14. The method as claimed in claim 13, wherein the at least one ambient condition includes at least one of an ambient temperature and an ambient humidity.

15. The method as claimed in claim 10, wherein at least one drive parameter which determines at least one of the release energy and a time profile of a release performance is selected from a characteristic curve diagram.

16. The method as claimed in claim 15, wherein the at least one drive parameter includes at least one of a pulse duty factor of a pulse width modulation and a period for which the pulse width modulation is to be applied.

17. The method as claimed in claim 10, wherein a setpoint speed is predefined as the setpoint movement profile.

18. The method as claimed in claim 10, wherein the movable component is a tailgate of the motor vehicle, and a larger amount of release energy is used in a position of maximum opening of the tailgate than in an intermediate position.

19. A motor vehicle, comprising: a movable component; a moving device including a drive unit configured to move the movable component between first and second end positions; and a control unit configured to: select a release energy for the drive unit, which is to be used to release the movable component at a start of a movement of the movable component from a starting position, as a function of the starting position, control the release of the movable component, and subsequent to the release of the movable component, control a further movement of the movable component to one of the first and second end positions in an open-loop or closed-loop manner by predefining a setpoint movement profile.

20. The motor vehicle as claimed in claim 19, wherein the movable component is a tailgate.

21. The motor vehicle as claimed in claim 19, further comprising a memory to store a look up table having at least one drive parameter which determines at least one of the release energy and a time profile of a release performance, wherein the control unit is configured to select the release energy for the drive unit using the look up table.

22. The motor vehicle as claimed in claim 19, wherein the first end position is a fully open position of the movable component, the second end position is a fully closed position of the movable component, the starting position is between the first and second end positions and has an angle of inclination defined as an angle between the starting position and the second end position, and when the movable component is to move to the fully closed position from the starting position, the release energy for the drive unit is selected by the control unit as a function of the angle of inclination.

23. The motor vehicle as claimed in claim 22, wherein the release energy for the drive unit selected by the control unit decreases as the angle of inclination decreases.

24. The motor vehicle as claimed in claim 22, wherein the release energy for the drive unit selected by the control unit when the starting position is closer to the first end position than the second end position is greater than the release energy for the drive unit selected by the control unit when the starting position is closer to the second end position than the first end position.

25. The motor vehicle as claimed in claim 19, wherein the control unit uses at least one drive parameter to determine the release energy and a time profile of a release performance, the at least one drive parameter including a first predefined pulse duty factor which is maintained for a first predefined period of time, and the control unit uses at least one further drive parameter to control the further movement of the movable component, the at least one further drive parameter including a second predefined pulse duty factor, greater than the first predefined pulse duty factor, which is maintained for a second predefined period of time.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0018] These and other aspects and advantages will become more apparent and more readily appreciated from the following description of the exemplary embodiments described below taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

[0019] FIG. 1 is a basic outline of a motor vehicle described herein in a side view,

[0020] FIG. 2 is a flowchart of an exemplary embodiment of the method described herein, and

[0021] FIG. 3 is a diagram of a pulse duty factor determined by the method, and a subsequent profile of the pulse duty factor plotted over time.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0022] Reference will now be made in detail to the preferred embodiments, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout.

[0023] FIG. 1 shows, in the form of a basic outline, a motor vehicle 1 with a tailgate 2 and a moving device 3 including a drive unit 4 which is controlled by a control unit 5. In addition, the tailgate 2 is shown in outline in a closed position 6 and in a position 7 of maximum opening, wherein the illustrated position of the tailgate 2 is the starting position here. The positions 6, 7 are at the same time end positions here. In addition, an angle of inclination 8 of the tailgate 2 is denoted.

[0024] FIG. 2 shows a flowchart of an exemplary embodiment of the method described herein. An operation S1 denotes here the start of the method if a movement of the tailgate 2 is to be executed, for example by activation of an operator control element. In operation S2, the drive parameters are then selected as a function of the current angle of inclination 8 which represents the starting position and a desired direction 9 of the movement. In the present case, this can be implemented, for example, by virtue of the fact that in each case a look up table for two different directions 9 is stored in the control unit 5, which look up table assigns drive parameters to different intervals of angles of inclination 8. The exemplary embodiment is selected here in such a way that the drive unit 4 is actuated by pulse-width-modulated power signals. At the given angle of inclination 8 and with the desired direction 9 an appropriate combination of drive parameters would constitute a pulse duty factor of the pulse width modulation of 45% and a duration of the application of this pulse duty factor of 200 ms. If the tailgate 2 is located in a position 7 of maximum aperture thereof, a suitable combination of drive parameters could be e.g. a pulse duty factor of 90% given a duration of 600 ms.

[0025] The pulse width modulated power signal which is defined by this combination of drive parameters is fed to the drive unit 4 in operation S3. The release energy which is matched to the angle of inclination 8 and the desired direction 9 and results from the power signal is therefore transmitted as quickly as possible to the tailgate 2 without delays occurring, which arise, e.g., in the case of a movement sequence which is completely adjusted to a setpoint value.

[0026] After the expiry of the period of the pulse width modulated power signal which is predefined as a drive parameter, a suitable open-loop or closed-loop control method is executed for the further movement of the tailgate 2 into its end position in operation S4. A profile, dependent in turn on the angle of inclination 8, of the pulse duty factor which represents the speed of the tailgate 2 is predefined for this.

[0027] FIG. 3 shows a diagram with an exemplary time profile of a release pulse duty factor 12 which results from the application of the method as well as a further pulse duty factor 17 which is predefined within the scope of open-loop or closed-loop control measures, neither of which exceeds a maximum pulse duty factor 10 of 100%. In this context, at the starting point 14 of the method, the release pulse duty factor 12 which is present at the drive unit 4 for the duration 15 is predefined. Afterwards, the pulse duty factor 17 which starts with a minimum factor 13 and rises linearly to a nominal pulse duty factor 11 and remains constant there is predefined. In the vicinity of the end position, the pulse duty factor 17 then drops again to the minimum factor 13, in order finally to assume a dead center point 16 at zero. Irregularities are therefore prevented over the entire movement and a movement of the tailgate 2 into the end position which is experienced as smooth is achieved.

[0028] A description has been provided with particular reference to preferred embodiments thereof and examples, but it will be understood that variations and modifications can be effected within the spirit and scope of the claims which may include the phrase “at least one of A, B and C” as an alternative expression that means one or more of A, B and C may be used, contrary to the holding in Superguide v. DIRECTV, 358 F3d 870, 69 USPQ2d 1865 (Fed. Cir. 2004).