Honeywell International Inc.

Richard T Hayes

Nigel Victor Spurr

Curtis B Johnson

Michael James Shelley

Kenneth V Bechtold

Ajaykumar Vaidhyanathan

William F Eaton

Alex Crawford

Duncan S Murchie

Daniel D Kilker

Abanni B Maxwell

Hugh D Gibson

Patrick H Shannon

Scott A Vorwald

Gillian J Madden

Latch control methods and systems are disclosed, including a latch that receives power from a motor associated with a latch. A sensor can be provided for monitoring the current consumption of the motor. A microcontroller can control the latch and/or the motor, based on the current consumption data received from the sensor concerning the current consumption of the motor. Monitoring of the current waveform of the motor therefore provides speed and direction feedback data for control of the latch. Additionally, a microprocessor can process instructions for controlling the interaction of the motor, the latch, the sensor and/or the microcontroller. Such a current monitoring control system is made possible by variation in current consumption of the motor during rotation as a result of commutation, which can be interrogated by measuring the voltage drop across the motor or a shunt resistor, or through the use of other current sensors, such as, for example, a Hall-effect type current sensor.

Automotive door latch control by motor current monitoring

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Motherwell, United Kingdom

Richard T Hayes