Aisin Technical Center of America, Inc.

Koji Nagase

Daisuke Yamada

Emiko Okuma

Yasuo Imatomi

Embodiments of systems and methods for operating a power tailgate system involve a vehicle that includes a tailgate, a motor connected with the tailgate for interdependent movement, and a motor circuit for the motor. The embodiments include, upon the initiation of a driving event in the vehicle, identifying that the tailgate is unclosed. The embodiments further include, in response to identifying that the tailgate is unclosed, upon the initiation of the driving event, irrespective of whether the tailgate is moving or not moving, checking the tailgate against movement during the driving event, wherein checking the tailgate against movement includes operating the motor circuit to electrically brake the motor.

Systems and methods for operating a power tailgate system

Embodiments of systems and methods for operating a power tailgate system include overload checking a tailgate latched by a latch that is in a full-latching position, connected with a latch actuator, and activated by the latch actuator for non-revertible movement in a latching direction. Overload checking the tailgate includes operating the latch actuator to over-stroke the latch, identifying an over-stroking load on the latch actuator, and based on the over-stroking load on the latch actuator, determining whether the tailgate is overloaded or not overloaded. Over-stroking the latch includes moving the latch in the latching direction from the full-latching position to an over-stroking position, and the over-stroking load on the latch actuator is associated with its operation to over-stroke the latch.

An interlocking occupant step apparatus and method for a vehicle, includes a powered door, a powered occupant step, a kick sensor, and a controller having processing circuitry. While in an interlocking state, the processing circuitry detects a first gesture signal from the kick sensor, for example resulting from a kick, upon detection of the first gesture signal, controls operation of the powered occupant step to move the occupant step to an extended position, and controls operation of the powered door to move to an opened position. The processing circuitry detects a second gesture signal from the kick sensor, for example resulting from a lateral swing, the second gesture signal being for a second gesture different from the first gesture. Upon detection of the second gesture signal, the processing circuitry switches to a non-interlocking state.

Tailgate and occupant step system with kick sensor

An occupant step apparatus and method for a vehicle, includes a powered occupant step, a kick sensor mounted to the occupant step, and a controller having processing circuitry. The processing circuitry detects a kick gesture signal from the kick sensor, controls operation of the powered occupant step to move the occupant step, and upon detection of a step gesture signal from the kick sensor while the occupant step is being operated, halts operation of the occupant step.

Occupant step with kick sensor

A tailgate interlocking occupant step apparatus and method for a vehicle, includes a powered tailgate, a powered occupant step, a kick sensor mounted to the occupant step, and a controller having processing circuitry. The processing circuitry detects a signal from the kick sensor, operates the powered occupant step to move the occupant step to an extended position, operates the powered tailgate to lower the tailgate to an opened position, and when a pinch force is detected either in the occupant step or the tailgate, stops the operation of both the occupant step and the tailgate.

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Novi, MI, United States of America

Koji Nagase