System and method for controlling vehicle door and closure locks

A system and method for controlling vehicle locks is provided that enable control of both a vehicle door lock and a vehicle closure lock using a single multipurpose switch. The system includes a vehicle door lock, a vehicle closure lock, a momentary, multi-purpose switch, and a control module. The control module receives an input signal generated by actuation of the switch and determines an elapsed time between the actuation and release of the switch. The module generates a closure lock control signal if the elapsed time meets a predetermined requirement relative to a predetermined time. The closure lock control signal unlocks the closure lock. The module also generates a door lock control signal responsive to the input signal if one or more predetermined conditions are met. The door lock control signal switches the state of the door lock between locked and unlocked states.

FIELD

The present invention relates generally to a vehicle system. More specifically, the invention relates to a system and method for controlling vehicle door and closure locks that enable control of the locks using a single, multi-purpose switch.

BACKGROUND

Most modern vehicles include mechanisms within the vehicle to allow occupants to control a lock on a rear closure of the vehicle. The mechanism provides a convenience to the vehicle occupant in that, for example, the occupant can unlock the rear closure and provide access to the vehicle by another person located outside of the vehicle. Providing the mechanism increases the functionality of the vehicle and makes the vehicle more desirable to consumers. Providing the mechanism, however, also increases the part count, cost and complexity of the vehicle.

SUMMARY

According to one embodiment, there is provided a system for controlling vehicle locks that includes a vehicle door lock and a vehicle closure lock. The system further includes a momentary, multi-purpose switch and a control module. The control module is configured to receive an input signal generated by an actuation of the switch and determine, in response to the input signal, an elapsed time between the actuation of the switch and a release of the switch. The control module is further configured to generate a closure lock control signal if the elapsed time meets a predetermined requirement relative to a predetermined time. The closure lock control signal is configured to change a closure lock state of the closure lock from a closure locked state to a closure unlocked state. The control module is further configured to generate a door lock control signal responsive to the input signal if one or more predetermined conditions are met. The door lock control signal is configured to change a door lock state of the door lock from one of a door locked state and a door unlocked state to the other of the door locked state and the door unlocked state.

According to another embodiment, there is provided a method for controlling a vehicle door lock and a vehicle closure lock that includes the steps of comprising the steps of receiving an input signal generated by an actuation of a momentary, multi-purpose switch and determining, in response to the input signal, an elapsed time between the actuation of the switch and a release of the switch. The method further includes the step of generating a closure lock control signal if the elapsed time meets a predetermined requirement relative to a predetermined time. The closure lock control signal is configured to change a closure lock state of a vehicle closure lock from a closure locked state to a closure unlocked state. The method further includes the step of generating a door lock control signal responsive to the input signal if one or more predetermined conditions are met. The door lock control signal is configured to change a door lock state of a vehicle door lock from one of a door locked state and a door unlocked state to the other of the door locked state and the door unlocked state.

DESCRIPTION

The system and method described herein may be used to control a plurality of vehicle locks from a single, multi-purpose switch and, in particular, the vehicle door lock and a closure lock such as a rear closure lock. According to an exemplary embodiment, the actuation and release of the switch, and the time between actuation and release, are used to control both the vehicle door and closure locks. As a result, the functionality of the vehicle and its desirability to consumers is increased without increasing the part count, cost or complexity of the vehicle.

Referring now to the drawings wherein like reference numerals are used to identify identical components in the various views,FIG. 1illustrates one embodiment of a vehicle10that may include a system12for controlling vehicle locks. In the illustrated embodiment, vehicle10comprises a sedan. It should be understood, however, that the system and method disclosed herein can be used with a wide variety of vehicles including coupes, wagons, hatchbacks, trucks, sport utility vehicles, crossover vehicles, vans, commercial vehicles and other vehicles. System12may include a door lock14, a closure lock such as rear closure lock16, a switch18, and a control module20that controls locks14,16responsive to switch18.

Door lock14controls ingress to and egress from vehicle10through a vehicle door22. Although only one door lock14is shown in the illustrated embodiment, it should be understood that similar door locks may be used on each door of the vehicle and that the door locks may be controlled together or independently by control module20. Door lock14may include a latch24and an actuator26.

Latch24is provided to maintain door22in a closed position preventing ingress to or egress from the body of vehicle10. Latch24engages a striker (not shown) when door22is closed. Latch24may be disengaged from, and reengaged with, the striker using a variety of mechanical means such as external and internal door handles and electro-mechanical means such as actuator26.

Actuator26is provided to control movement of latch24to engage and disengage the striker in order to unlock and lock door22. Actuator26may include a rod28that engages latch24and a motor30configured to control movement of rod28responsive to signals from control module20. The signals generated by control module20may be generated in response to signals from a power door lock interface, key fobs or from switch18as discussed hereinbelow. It should be understood that the particular construction of actuator26may vary.

Rear closure lock16controls ingress to and egress from the body of vehicle10or a compartment of vehicle10through a rear closure32. In the illustrated embodiment, rear closure32comprises a trunk or deck lid that controls access to a trunk of vehicle10. It should be understood, however, that rear closure lock16may be used to lock and unlock other types of rear closures including rear hatches, rear windows, and tailgates or liftgates. Further, although the illustrated closure lock comprises a rear closure lock16, it should be understood that the system and method could be applied to other vehicle closure locks including closure locks controlling access to vehicle storage compartments such as a glove box closure lock or a center console closure lock. Rear closure lock16may similarly include a latch34and an actuator36.

Latch34is provided to maintain rear closure32in a closed position preventing ingress to or egress from the body of vehicle10or a compartment within vehicle10. Latch34again engages a striker (not shown) when rear closure32is closed. Latch34may be disengaged from, and reengaged with, the striker using a variety of mechanical means such as external and internal door handles and electro-mechanical means such as actuator36.

Actuator36is provided to control movement of latch34to engage and disengage the striker in order to unlock and lock rear closure32. Actuator36may include a rod38that engages latch34and a motor40configured to control movement of rod38responsive to signals from control module20. The signals generated by control module20may again be generated in response to signals from a power door lock interface, key fobs or from switch18as discussed hereinbelow. It should be understood that the particular construction of actuator36may vary.

Switch18is provided to allow a vehicle occupant to control door lock14and rear closure lock16. Switch18may be located in a variety of locations within vehicle10including on door22, on a vehicle dashboard or instrument panel, on a center console or center stack, or on an overhead console. Switch18comprises a momentary switch. In the illustrated embodiment, switch18comprises a pushbutton switch. Switch18may, however, take on other forms including a rocker switch. In accordance with one aspect of the present teachings, switch18may comprise a single pole, single throw switch that can nevertheless be used as a multi-purpose switch controlling both door lock14and rear closure lock16. Switch18may include indicia42providing instructions to the vehicle operator for use of switch18to control door lock14and rear closure lock16. The indicia42may include words and/or drawings and other symbols. In the illustrated embodiment, the indicia42includes an image of a vehicle door with a key to indicate use of switch18to control door lock14and a image of a vehicle with an opened rear closure to indicate use of switch18to control rear closure lock16. It should be understood that indicia42may vary for other closure locks. As discussed in greater detail hereinbelow, control of rear closure lock16or other closure locks may be dependent on the length of time switch18is actuated. Therefore, the indicia42may include wording (such as “HOLD”) proximate the image of the vehicle with open rear closure to indicate to a vehicle occupant the need to maintain actuation of the switch18to control rear closure lock16. Switch18may further include an indicator44of the state of door lock14and/or rear closure lock16. In the illustrated embodiment, indicator44comprises a light and may comprise a light emitting diode (LED). The light may be turned on or off or project different colors to indicate the status of one of locks14,16. The light may also turn on or off or project colors in a pattern to indicate the status of one of locks14,16. In this manner, indicator44can be used to simultaneously indicate the status of both locks14,16(e.g., by projecting a predetermined color to indicate the status of door lock14and flashing (or not flashing) to indicate the status of rear closure lock16).

Control module20may be used to control, govern or otherwise manage certain operations or functions of vehicle10and, according to one exemplary embodiment, includes a processing device46and a memory device48. Processing device46may include any type of suitable electronic processor (e.g., a microprocessor, a microcontroller, an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), etc.) that executes instructions for software, firmware, programs, algorithms, scripts, etc. This processor is not limited to any one type of component or device. Memory device48may include any type of suitable electronic memory means and may store a variety of data and information. This includes, for example: look-up tables and other data structures; software, firmware, programs, algorithms, scripts, and other electronic instructions; component characteristics and background information; the current state of locks14,16, etc. Control module20may be electronically connected to other vehicle devices and modules via I/O devices and suitable connections, like a communications bus, so that they can interact as required. These are, of course, only some of the possible arrangements, functions and capabilities of control module20, as others are certainly possible. Depending on the particular embodiment, control module20may be a stand-alone electronic module, it may be incorporated or included within another electronic module in the vehicle (e.g., a body control module, a generic electronic module, etc.), or it may be part of a larger network or system, to name a few possibilities.

In accordance with one embodiment control module20is configured with appropriate programming instructions or code (i.e., software) to perform several steps in a method for controlling vehicle door lock14and a closure lock such as rear closure lock16. The code may be stored in memory device48of control module20and may be uploaded to memory device48from a conventional computer storage medium. Referring now toFIG. 2, the method may begin with the step50of receiving an input signal generated by actuation of switch18. A vehicle occupant may actuate switch18by pressing switch18to close the switch contacts and generate a signal that is transmitted to and received by control module20. In step52, control module20determines, in response to the input signal, an elapsed time between actuation of switch18and release of switch18. As discussed above, switch18is a momentary switch. When the vehicle occupant stops pressing switch18or otherwise actuating switch18, the switch contacts are opened and the signal generated by switch18and transmitted to control module20is halted. Control module20may include a clock, counter or other conventional mechanism to determine the elapsed time between actuation of switch18and release of switch18.

Module20may generate control signals to control door lock14or a closure lock such as rear closure lock16based on whether or not the elapsed time meets a predetermined requirement relative to a predetermined time. The predetermined requirement may, for example, comprise whether the elapsed time is less than, greater than or equal to a predetermined time. Thus, in step54, module20may generate a closure lock signal if the elapsed time meets a predetermined requirement relative to the predetermined time. In one embodiment, for example, module20generates the closure lock signal if the elapsed time between actuation and release of switch18is greater than the predetermined time (e.g., two seconds). The closure lock signal is configured to change a state of rear closure lock16from a locked state to an unlocked state.

In step56, module20may generate a door lock control signal if the elapsed time does not meet the predetermined requirement relative to the predetermined time. Thus, for example, module20generates the door lock control signal if the elapsed time between actuation and release of switch18is less than or equal to the predetermined time (e.g., two seconds). The door lock control signal is configured to change a state of door lock14from either the locked state to an unlocked state or from an unlocked state to a locked state. Thus, if door lock14is currently in a locked state, the door lock control signal is configured to change the state of door lock14to an unlocked state. If door lock14is currently in an unlocked state, the door lock control signal is configured to change the state of door lock14to a locked state. The elapsed time failing to meet the predetermined requirement relative to the predetermined time may be only one of several predetermined conditions that must be met for issuance of the door lock control signal. For example, when the door lock14is in a locked state, additional conditions may include that the vehicle is below a predetermined speed or is in park with the output of the vehicle transmission prevented from rotation.

Referring now toFIG. 3, another embodiment of a method for controlling door lock14and a closure lock such as rear closure lock16is illustrated. The method shown inFIG. 3differs from the method shown inFIG. 2in that door lock control signals may be generated upon either actuation or release of switch18depending on the current state of door lock14. The method may again begin with the step58of receiving an input signal generated by actuation of switch18. A vehicle occupant may again actuate switch18by pressing switch18to close the switch contacts and generate a signal that is transmitted to and received by control module20. If the door lock14is in locked state, control module20may, in step60, generate a door lock control signal immediately upon actuation of switch18. The door lock control signal is configured to change the state of door lock14from the locked state to an unlocked state. Because conventional door lock controls change the state of a door lock immediately upon request of the vehicle occupant, the method inFIG. 3has the advantage of greater consistency with prior systems and consumer expectations. Further, typical automatic door locking algorithms will ultimately return door lock14to a locked state if unlocking was unintended.

In step62, control module20determines, in response to the input signal, an elapsed time between actuation of switch18and release of switch18. As discussed above, switch18is a momentary switch. When the vehicle occupant stops pressing switch18or otherwise actuating switch18, the switch contacts are opened and the signal generated by switch18and transmitted to control module20is halted. Control module may include a clock, counter or other conventional mechanism to determine the elapsed time between actuation of switch18and release of switch18.

Module20may again generate control signals to control door lock14or rear closure lock16based on whether or not the elapsed time meets a predetermined requirement relative to a predetermined time. The predetermined requirement may, for example, again comprise whether the elapsed time is less than, greater than or equal to a predetermined time. Thus, in step64, module20may generate a closure lock signal if the elapsed time meets a predetermined requirement relative to the predetermined time. In one embodiment, for example, module20generates the closure lock signal if the elapsed time between actuation and release of switch18is greater than the predetermined time (e.g., two seconds). The closure lock signal is configured to change a state of rear closure lock16from a locked state to an unlocked state.

In step66, module20may generate a door lock control signal if the elapsed time does not meet the predetermined requirement relative to the predetermined time. Thus, for example, module20generates the door lock control signal if the elapsed time between actuation and release of switch18is less than or equal to the predetermined time (e.g., two seconds). In the method embodiment shown inFIG. 3, the door lock control signal generated in step66is configured to change a state of door lock14from an unlocked state to a locked state. Therefore, the elapsed time failing to meet the predetermined requirement relative to the predetermined time is only one of several predetermined conditions that must be met for issuance of the door lock control signal in step66. In particular, the door lock14must also be in an unlocked state at the time switch18was first actuated. Further, it should again be understood that other conditions may also exist for issuance of the various door lock control signals by control module20. As noted above, conventional door lock controls change the state of a door lock immediately upon request of the vehicle occupant. Although the door lock control signal in step66is generated only after release of switch18(if certain predetermined conditions are met), this delay is unlikely to cause issues with consumer expectations because consumers rarely use conventional door lock controls to lock vehicle doors due to the presence of automatic door locking algorithms employed in conventional vehicles.

It is to be understood that the foregoing description is not a definition of the invention, but is a description of one or more preferred exemplary embodiments of the invention. The invention is not limited to the particular embodiment(s) disclosed herein, but rather is defined solely by the claims below. Furthermore, the statements contained in the foregoing description relate to particular embodiments and are not to be construed as limitations on the scope of the invention or on the definition of terms used in the claims, except where a term or phrase is expressly defined above. Various other embodiments and various changes and modifications to the disclosed embodiment(s) will become apparent to those skilled in the art. For example, the specific combination and order of steps is just one possibility, as the present method may include a combination of steps that has fewer, greater or different steps than that shown here. All such other embodiments, changes, and modifications are intended to come within the scope of the appended claims.