Abstract: A method of operating an entry system of a motor vehicle includes monitoring a battery voltage and the entry system continuously using a control circuit of the latch assembly in a non-emergency mode. Power is provided to the control circuit in the event of a loss of power from a main power source using a backup energy source of the control circuit. The method includes transitioning to an emergency mode in response to determining loss of power from the main power source or failure of the component of the entry system. An actuation group associated with the latch assembly is operated with the control circuit using power from the backup energy source of the control circuit in response to determining that actuation from a plurality of pins of a mechanical emergency switch assembly indicates a command from a user to unlatch the closure member in the emergency mode.

Abstract: A latch assembly for a closure panel of a motor vehicle and corresponding method of operation are provided. The latch assembly includes a latch housing for attachment to the closure panel and contains an actuation group to latch and unlatch the closure panel. An electronic control circuit that has a latch controller is disposed within the latch housing and is coupled to the at least one actuation group. The electronic control circuit includes a motor voltage and current sensing circuit for sensing a motor current and a motor voltage of a remote electric motor disposed remotely from the latch housing. The latch controller monitors and controls the actuation group and determine at least one of a motor rotational position and a motor speed of the remote electric motor based on at least one of the motor current signal and the motor voltage signal and controls the remote electric motor accordingly.

Abstract: A method of operating an entry system of a motor vehicle includes monitoring a battery voltage and the entry system continuously using a control circuit of the latch assembly in a non-emergency mode. Power is provided to the control circuit in the event of a loss of power from a main power source using a backup energy source of the control circuit. The method includes transitioning to an emergency mode in response to determining loss of power from the main power source or failure of the component of the entry system. An actuation group associated with the latch assembly is operated with the control circuit using power from the backup energy source of the control circuit in response to determining that actuation from a plurality of pins of a mechanical emergency switch assembly indicates a command from a user to unlatch the closure member in the emergency mode.

Abstract: A closure latch assembly, operable in one of a normal operating mode and an emergency mode, has a power release motor, a ratchet and a pawl, with the ratchet being moveable between a striker capture position and a striker release position and the pawl being moveable between a ratchet holding position, whereat ratchet is maintained in the striker capture position, and a ratchet release position, whereat ratchet is biased toward the striker release position. The power release motor is configured to operate using primary control signals received from a primary controller external to closure latch assembly during the normal operating mode of closure latch assembly and to operate using secondary control signals received from a secondary controller internal to closure latch assembly during the emergency operating mode of closure latch assembly and not operate using the secondary control signals received from secondary controller during the normal operating mode.

Abstract: A touch pad for operating an e-latch assembly of a motor vehicle entry system that includes a control circuit with a backup energy source and method of operating the entry system are provided. The touch pad includes a touch pad controller in communication with the control circuit of the e-latch assembly. The touch pad also includes at least one entry input sensor coupled to the touch pad controller for outputting a signal indicative of a touch to operate the e-latch assembly. The touch pad further includes a mechanical emergency switch assembly adjacent the at least one entry input sensor and including a plurality of pins electrically coupled to the control circuit for operating the e-latch assembly when the at least one input sensor is not operable due to one of a power loss and malfunction of the at least one input sensor.

Abstract: A latch assembly for a closure panel of a motor vehicle and corresponding method of operation are provided. The latch assembly includes a latch housing for attachment to the closure panel and contains an actuation group to latch and unlatch the closure panel. An electronic control circuit that has a latch controller is disposed within the latch housing and is coupled to the at least one actuation group. The electronic control circuit includes a motor voltage and current sensing circuit for sensing a motor current and a motor voltage of a remote electric motor disposed remotely from the latch housing. The latch controller monitors and controls the actuation group and determine at least one of a motor rotational position and a motor speed of the remote electric motor based on at least one of the motor current signal and the motor voltage signal and controls the remote electric motor accordingly.

Abstract: A system and method for operating a closure panel of a vehicle. The system includes at least one optical interface unit for detecting motion of an object and a controller unit coupled to the at least one optical interface unit and in communication with an actuator for operating the closure panel. The controller unit is configured to monitor the at least one optical interface unit to detect the motion of the object. The controller unit determines whether the motion of the object matches a predetermined touch or gesture command. The controller unit is also configured to control the actuator in response to the touch or gesture matching the predetermined touch or gesture command.

Abstract: An electronic latch for a motor vehicle closure system with an electronic control circuit including a handle switch reading circuit for a two-pin handle switch and a method of operating the handle switch reading circuit are disclosed. The electronic control circuit includes a control unit. The handle switch reading circuit is controlled by the control unit for coupling with a handle switch subassembly. The handle switch reading circuit is adapted to supply an AC voltage to the handle switch subassembly and produce an output voltage waveform corresponding to the charging and discharging of a handle capacitor of the handle switch subassembly and in response to a handle switch of the handle switch subassembly being operated. The handle switch reading circuit determines a position of the handle switch and presence of faults in the handle switch reading circuit and the handle switch subassembly based on the output voltage waveform.

Abstract: An electronic control circuit with a backup energy source subassembly for an e-latch assembly and a method of operating the backup energy source subassembly are disclosed. The electronic control circuit includes a control unit including a computing module and a memory for electrically coupling to a plurality of sensors and to a main power source. The backup energy source subassembly is electrically coupled to the control unit for providing electrical energy to the electronic control circuit in response to one of a failure and interruption of the main power source. An output module is electrically connected to the backup energy source subassembly and to the main power source for driving an actuation group. The backup energy source subassembly includes a backup low voltage source and a boost-buck converter configured to selectively supply voltage to and selectively amplify voltage from the backup low voltage source.

Abstract: A touch pad for operating an e-latch assembly of a motor vehicle entry system that includes a control circuit with a backup energy source and method of operating the entry system are provided. The touch pad includes a touch pad controller in communication with the control circuit of the e-latch assembly. The touch pad also includes at least one entry input sensor coupled to the touch pad controller for outputting a signal indicative of a touch to operate the e-latch assembly. The touch pad further includes a mechanical emergency switch assembly adjacent the at least one entry input sensor and including a plurality of pins electrically coupled to the control circuit for operating the e-latch assembly when the at least one input sensor is not operable due to one of a power loss and malfunction of the at least one input sensor.

Abstract: A control system (14) for controlling a brushless electric motor (1) for an automotive power actuator (10), having a rotor (3) operable to rotate with respect to stator windings (2a, 2b, 2c), the control system (14) is provided with: a position sensing unit (4a-4c, 30) coupled to the rotor (3), to sense its angular position and to provide a sensed position (?); and a generation unit (24), to generate driving voltages and/or currents for the stator windings (2a, 2b, 2c), as a function of the angular position of the rotor (3). A position estimation module (25) is coupled to the position sensing unit (4a-4c, 30), to receive the sensed position (?) and to correct the value of the sensed position (?), thereby providing a corrected angular position (?r) to the generation unit (24).

Abstract: An electronic control circuit with a backup energy source subassembly for an e-latch assembly and a method of operating the backup energy source subassembly are disclosed. The electronic control circuit includes a control unit including a computing module and a memory for electrically coupling to a plurality of sensors and to a main power source. The backup energy source subassembly is electrically coupled to the control unit for providing electrical energy to the electronic control circuit in response to one of a failure and interruption of the main power source. An output module is electrically connected to the backup energy source subassembly and to the main power source for driving an actuation group. The backup energy source subassembly includes a backup low voltage source and a boost-buck converter configured to selectively supply voltage to and selectively amplify voltage from the backup low voltage source.

Abstract: An electronic latch for a motor vehicle closure system with an electronic control circuit including a handle switch reading circuit for a two-pin handle switch and a method of operating the handle switch reading circuit are disclosed. The electronic control circuit includes a control unit. The handle switch reading circuit is controlled by the control unit for coupling with a handle switch subassembly. The handle switch reading circuit is adapted to supply an AC voltage to the handle switch subassembly and produce an output voltage waveform corresponding to the charging and discharging of a handle capacitor of the handle switch subassembly and in response to a handle switch of the handle switch subassembly being operated. The handle switch reading circuit determines a position of the handle switch and presence of faults in the handle switch reading circuit and the handle switch subassembly based on the output voltage waveform.

Abstract: A system for determining the position of a moving part driven by an electric motor: a single position sensor, coupled to the electric motor, incrementally detects an amount of movement thereof; a direction switching arrangement controls a direction of movement of the electric motor; and a control unit, coupled to the single position sensor and the direction switching arrangement, at each incremental amount of movement detected by the single position sensor, determines a current position of the moving part based on a previous position thereof and the current direction of movement controlled by the direction switching arrangement.

Abstract: An e-latch assembly for a closure member and a method of operating the e-latch assembly coupled to a closure member are provided. The e-latch assembly includes an actuation group operable to selectively secure the closure member. An electronic control circuit is coupled to the actuation group and includes a control unit configured to manage a plurality of handle activation signals. The control unit is also configured to receive a plurality of signals indicative of the state of a vehicle. Additionally, the control unit is configured to control the actuation group to selectively allow the closure member to be opened in response to receiving the plurality of signals indicative of the state of the vehicle and based on the plurality of handle activation signals.

Abstract: A system for determining the position of a moving part driven by an electric motor: a single position sensor, coupled to the electric motor, incrementally detects an amount of movement thereof; a direction switching arrangement controls a direction of movement of the electric motor; and a control unit, coupled to the single position sensor and the direction switching arrangement, at each incremental amount of movement detected by the single position sensor, determines a current position of the moving part based on a previous position thereof and the current direction of movement controlled by the direction switching arrangement.

Abstract: A control system (14) for controlling a brushless electric motor (1) for an automotive power actuator (10), having a rotor (3) operable to rotate with respect to stator windings (2a, 2b, 2c), the control system (14) is provided with: a position sensing unit (4a-4c, 30) coupled to the rotor (3), to sense its angular position and to provide a sensed position (?); and a generation unit (24), to generate driving voltages and/or currents for the stator windings (2a, 2b, 2c), as a function of the angular position of the rotor (3). A position estimation module (25) is coupled to the position sensing unit (4a-4c, 30), to receive the sensed position (?) and to correct the value of the sensed position (?), thereby providing a corrected angular position (?r) to the generation unit (24).

Abstract: A latching apparatus may have a normal mode of operation in which a mechanical signal is employed to actuate a door pawl, and hence to release a door latch ratchet. An electrical actuator may be employed to send that mechanical signal, and operation of the actuator may be governed by an electronic control unit (ECU). The latch apparatus may also have a second, or emergency, mode of operation in which a second mechanical signal path is employed either to cause an augmented force to be employed to release the pawl, or to cause a sudden impulse to urge the pawl to release, the sudden impulse being driven by a release of energy from an energy storage device, in particular a mechanical energy storage device. The apparatus may include either an electrical or a mechanical door handle interrupt to prevent unwanted activation. The device may also include an auxiliary electrical back-up power source in the event of a main power source failure.