Magna Closures Inc.

Intier Automotive Closures Inc.

Thomas McGettrick

G Clarke Oberheide

John Glenn Zeabari

Gregory A Jorgensen

Xu Yang Zhang

A system for waking an electronic control unit upon movement of a controlled member, such as a vehicle lift gate or window, and protecting the electronic control unit from motor back EMF are provided. The system includes a power drive unit coupled to the controlled member and to the electronic control unit for moving the controlled member. A comparator subsystem is coupled to the power drive unit and is configured to compare an electrical output of the power drive unit generated due to motor back electromotive force in response to a manual movement of the controlled member to an electrical reference to determine whether to wake the electronic control unit. The system detects manual movement of the controlled member, e.g. from unauthorized entry, and causes an alarm and/or for the motor to brake or to drive to counteract the manual movement of the controlled member.

System for electronic control unit wake-up on movement of a controlled member and protection from motor back electromotive force

A method as disclosed for operating a motor bidirectionally to cinch and release a closure panel of a motor vehicle. The motor is operatively connected to a pawl, ratchet and spring of a latch for the closure panel. The method includes the step of driving the motor in a cinching direction to rotate the ratchet to cinch the closure panel in the closed position. The motor is then returned to a park position by driving the motor in a park direction opposite to the cinching direction. Power is applied to the motor to drive the motor in a release direction to drive the motor past the park position with respect to the cinching direction. In doing so, the motor contracts the spring as it moves in the release direction. Power is then removed from the motor allowing the spring to force the motor to return to the park position as the spring returns to its steady state position.

Growing community of inventors

Plymouth, MI, United States of America

Thomas McGettrick