초록 ▼

A clutch control system for moving an object, such as a vehicle door, lift gate or trunk, compares the motor speed with the object speed and engages the clutch when the motor and object speeds are almost equal. Controlling engagement based on the object and motor speeds ensures smooth transitions in

A clutch control system for moving an object, such as a vehicle door, lift gate or trunk, compares the motor speed with the object speed and engages the clutch when the motor and object speeds are almost equal. Controlling engagement based on the object and motor speeds ensures smooth transitions into a power assist mode and between the power assist mode and a power release mode without causing clutch shock.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A clutch control system for assisting movement of an openable vehicle body member, comprising:a motor;a first speed sensor that detects a motor speed;a second speed sensor that detects an openable member; anda clutch operatively coupled to the first and second speed sensors, wherein the clutch se

1. A clutch control system for assisting movement of an openable vehicle body member, comprising:a motor;a first speed sensor that detects a motor speed;a second speed sensor that detects an openable member; anda clutch operatively coupled to the first and second speed sensors, wherein the clutch selectively engages to couple the openable member with the motor by engaging if a difference between the motor speed and the openable member speed falls below a difference threshold. 2. The system of claim 1, wherein the openable member is at least one selected from the group consisting of a vehicle door, a sliding door, a trunk, and a lift gate. 3. The system of claim 1, wherein the motor starts operation after manual movement of the openable member has been confirmed. 4. The system of claim 3, further comprising:a motion sensor coupled to the second speed sensor to detect movement of the openable member; anda motor actuator responsive to the motion sensor to start operation of the motor. 5. The system of claim 4, wherein the motor actuator is a relay. 6. The system of claim 1, further comprising a clutch controller that receives the motor speed and the openable member speed from the first and second speed sensors, respectively, and controls the selective engagement of the clutch. 7. The system of claim 6, wherein the clutch controller determines the difference between the motor speed and the openable member speed and sets an engagement flag to engage the clutch when the difference between the motor speed and the openable member speed fails below the difference threshold. 8. A clutch control system for assisting movement of an openable vehicle body member, comprising:a motor;a first speed sensor that detects a motor speed;a second speed sensor that detects a openable member speed; anda clutch coupled to the first and second speed sensors, wherein the clutch selectively engages to couple the openable member with the motor based on a relationship between the motor speed, the openable member speed, a desired speed, and a power release threshold speed,wherein the clutch engages if a difference between the motor speed and the openable member speed falls below a difference threshold,wherein the clutch does not engage if the openable member speed moves above the power release threshold before the motor speed reaches the desired speed, andwherein the clutch engages if the openable member speed moves from the power release threshold to the desired speed. 9. The system of claim 8, wherein the openable member is at least one selected from the group consisting of a vehicle door, a sliding door, a trunk, and a lift gate. 10. The system of claim 8, wherein the motor starts operation after manual movement of the openable member has been confirmed. 11. The system of claim 10, further comprising:a motion sensor coupled to the second speed sensor to detect movement of the openable member; anda motor actuator responsive to the motion sensor to start movement of the motor. 12. The system of claim 11, wherein the motor actuator is a relay. 13. The system of claim 8, further comprising a clutch controller that receives the motor speed and the openable member speed from the first and second speed sensors, respectively, and controls the selective engagement of the clutch. 14. The system of claim 13, wherein the clutch controller calculates the difference between the motor speed and the openable member speed and sets an engagement flag to engage the clutch when the difference between the motor speed and the openable member speed falls below the difference threshold.