System for controlling the doors of a powered split tailgate

Abstract

A power, split door system for a vehicle, comprising a first vehicle door arranged to articulate between a closed position and an open position and a second vehicle door arranged to articulate between a closed position and an open position. First and second drive means are provided for articulating the first and second vehicle doors, respectively, between the closed and open positions. A control means is provided for controlling the first and second drive means so as to control movement of the first and second doors between the open and closed positions. Wherein a collision zone is defined as a region of the door system in which the first vehicle door and the second vehicle door could potentially come into contact with one another. Wherein the control means is configured to determine if both of the first and second vehicle doors is within a collision zone during powered articulation of the vehicle doors. In the event that the first and second vehicle doors are both stopped within the collision zone during a powered articulation, the control means is configured to control the first and second drive means to articulate the first and second vehicle doors in a reverse direction to the direction they were being articulated in and into either their fully open or fully closed positions in an appropriate manner that avoids collision of the first and second vehicle doors or the control means is configured to maintain the first and second vehicle doors in a stopped condition.