1. A method of restraint system operation, comprising:

operating a restraint system of a vehicle at least partially in response to a signal from a door sensor of a detachable door when the detachable door is attached to the vehicle; and

operating the restraint system of the vehicle independent of the signal from the door sensor of the detachable door when the detachable door is detached from the vehicle.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising detecting that the detachable door is attached to the vehicle when a restraint control module of the vehicle receives at least one door status signal from the detachable door; and detecting that the detachable door is detached from the vehicle when the restraint control module of the vehicle does not receive the at least one door status signal from the detachable door.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the at least one door status signal comprises an electrical signal from a door control module of the detachable door, and optionally wherein the electrical signal is a controller area network signal.

4. The method of claim 2, further comprising: in response to evaluating that the detachable door is detached from the vehicle, a door status notification is communicated to a user of the vehicle, and optionally, wherein the door status notification is a visual message displayed within the vehicle.

5. The method of claim 4, further comprising ceasing the door state notification in response to an input from the user.

6. The method of claim 4, wherein the communicating is at the beginning of a drive cycle of the vehicle and, optionally, the door state notification is stopped after expiration of a set period of time.

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising indicating a fault condition when the detachable door is attached to a vehicle and no signal is received from the door sensor.

8. A vehicle system, comprising:

a detachable door of the vehicle;

a door sensor of the detachable door;

a restraint system; and

a restraint control module configured to control operation of the restraint system at least partially in response to a signal from the door sensor when the detachable door is attached to the vehicle, and further configured to control operation of the restraint system when the detachable door is detached from the vehicle without relying on the signal from the door sensor.

9. The system of claim 8, wherein the restraint control module is further configured to detect whether the detachable door is attached to or detached from the vehicle based on whether the restraint control module receives a door status signal from the detachable door.

10. The system of claim 9, further comprising a door control module of the detachable door that provides the door status signal as an electrical input when the detachable door is attached to the vehicle, and optionally wherein the electrical input is a controller area network signal.

11. The system of claim 9, further comprising a window motor of the detachable door, the window motor providing an input as an electrical input when the detachable door is attached to the vehicle.

12. The system of claim 8, wherein the restraint control module is further configured to provide a door status notification to a user when the detachable door is detached from the vehicle.

13. The system of claim 12, further comprising a display within the vehicle configured to display the door status notification to the user in response to the communication from the restraint control module.

14. The system of claim 8, wherein the restraint system comprises an airbag.

15. The system of claim 8, wherein the restraint control module is configured to control operation of the restraint system based at least in part on vehicle sensors external to the detachable door when the detachable door is detached from the vehicle.

Background

Some vehicles, particularly off-road vehicles, include removable doors. When desired, the user may remove these doors from the vehicle, leaving the corresponding door openings. A user may wish to operate the vehicle with the doors removed while off-road and during other driving conditions.

Disclosure of Invention

A method of restraint system operation according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure includes, inter alia: when a detachable door is attached to a vehicle, a restraint system of the vehicle is operated at least partially in response to a signal from a door sensor of the detachable door. The method operates the restraint system of the vehicle independent of the signal from the door sensor when the detachable door is detached from the vehicle.

Another example of the foregoing method includes: detecting that the detachable door is attached to the vehicle when a restraint control module of the vehicle receives a door status signal from the detachable door; and detecting that the detachable door is detached from the vehicle when the restraint control module of the vehicle does not receive the door status signal from the detachable door.

In another example of any of the foregoing methods, the door status signal includes an electrical signal from a door control module of the detachable door.

In another example of any of the foregoing methods, the electrical signal is a controller area network signal.

Another example of the foregoing method includes: in response to evaluating that the detachable door is detached from the vehicle, a door status notification is communicated to a user of the vehicle.

In another example of any of the foregoing methods, the door status notification is a visual message displayed within the vehicle.

Another example of any of the foregoing methods includes ceasing the door state notification in response to an input from the user.

In another example of any of the foregoing methods, the communicating is performed at a beginning of a driving cycle of the vehicle.

Another example of any of the foregoing methods includes ceasing the door status notification after expiration of a set period of time.

Another example of any of the foregoing methods includes indicating a fault condition when the detachable door is attached to a vehicle and no signal is received from the door sensor.

A vehicle system according to another exemplary aspect of the present disclosure includes a detachable door of a vehicle, a door sensor of the detachable door, a restraint system, and a restraint control module configured to control operation of the restraint system at least partially in response to a signal from the door sensor when the detachable door is attached to the vehicle, and further configured to control operation of the restraint system independent of the signal from the door sensor when the detachable door is detached from the vehicle.

In another example of the foregoing system, the restraint control module is further configured to detect whether the detachable door is attached to or detached from the vehicle based on whether the restraint control module receives a door status signal from the detachable door.

Another example of any of the foregoing systems includes a door control module of the detachable door that provides the door status signal as an electrical signal when the detachable door is attached to the vehicle.

In another example of any of the foregoing systems, the electrical signal is a controller area network signal.

Another example of any of the foregoing systems includes a window motor of the detachable door, the door control module providing the door status signal when the detachable door is attached to the vehicle.

In another example of any of the foregoing systems, the restraint control module is further configured to provide a door status notification to a user when the detachable door is detached from the vehicle.

Another example of any of the foregoing systems includes a display within the vehicle. The display is configured to display the door status notification to the user in response to a communication from the restraint control module.

In another example of any of the foregoing systems, the restraint system comprises an airbag.

The embodiments, examples and alternatives of the preceding paragraphs, claims or the following description and drawings (including any of their various aspects or respective individual features) may be employed independently or in any combination. Features described in connection with one embodiment are applicable to all embodiments unless such features are incompatible.

Drawings

Various features and advantages of the disclosed examples will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the detailed description. The drawings that accompany the detailed description can be briefly described as follows:

FIG. 1 illustrates a side view of a vehicle with a detachable door in a detached position according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 shows a schematic view of selected portions of the vehicle of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 illustrates a flow of a method of operation of a restraint system in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

Detailed Description

The present disclosure details exemplary methods and systems that can detect whether a detachable door of a vehicle is attached to or detached from the vehicle. The operation of the restraint system of the vehicle may vary depending on whether the detachable door is attached or detached.

Referring now to fig. 1 and 2, a vehicle 10 includes a detachable door 14. The vehicle door 14 is a driver-side vehicle door. The vehicle 10 may include other removable doors, such as removable passenger side doors.

In FIG. 1, the door 14 is in a disassembled position, wherein the door 14 is removed from the vehicle 10. The door 14 in the disassembled position provides a door opening 18 for the vehicle 10. The user may operate the vehicle 10 with the door 14 in the removed position.

In FIG. 2, the door 14 is schematically shown in an attached position, wherein the door 14 is attached to the vehicle 10. The hinge 26 of the door 14 pivotally couples the door 14 to a body structure 30 of the vehicle 10 when the door 14 is in the attached position. The coupling of the hinges 26 allows the door 14 in the attached position to pivot relative to the body structure 30 between an open position and a closed position.

Further, when in the attached position, the door harness 34 of the door 14 is coupled to a connector 38 of the vehicle 10. The coupling of the door harness 34 to the connector 38 enables communication between various components of the door 14 and other portions of the vehicle 10.

In an exemplary embodiment, a user may transition door 14 from a detached position to an attached position by coupling hinge 26 of door 14 to body structure 30 and by coupling door harness 34 to connector 38. The user may transition the door 14 from the attached position back to the detached position by decoupling the hinge 26 of the door 14 from the body structure 30 of the vehicle 10 and by decoupling the door harness 34.

In the exemplary embodiment, vehicle 10 includes a restraint system having a Restraint Control Module (RCM)50 and at least one first restraint 54 and at least one second restraint 58. The RCM50, the first restraint 54, and the second restraint 58 are all external to the door 14.

In the exemplary embodiment, the first restraint 54 is an inflatable device, such as an airbag, disposed within a steering wheel region of the vehicle 10, and the second restraint 58 is an inflatable device disposed within a B-pillar region of the vehicle 10. The second restraint 58 may be, for example, a side curtain of air or a side airbag.

The restraint system may operate such that, in response to a command from the RCM50, the first restraint 54, the second restraint 58, or both inflate to transition from the undeployed position shown to the deployed position. In the deployed position, the first and second restraints 54, 58 may provide a cushioning interface between an occupant of the vehicle 10 and the vehicle 10. The first and second restraints 54, 58 may deploy to reduce peak forces experienced by the occupant if, for example, an impact load is applied to the vehicle 10.

Although the example first and second restraints 54, 58 are inflatable devices in this example, other types of restraints may be used in other examples. For example, the first restraint 54 may alternatively be a seat belt retractor, an anchoring pretensioner, or an adaptive pyrotechnic feature on the steering column. Alternatively or in addition to inflatable devices, the RCM50 may also control the operation of such devices.

The RCM50 may issue commands to the first restraint device 54 and the second restraint device 58 based in part on sensor signals from the sensors. In the exemplary embodiment, RCM50 is operatively coupled to a door sensor 70 of door 14 when door harness 34 is coupled to connector 38. Because the RCM50 is in communication with the door sensor 70 when the door harness 34 is coupled to the connector 38, the RCM50 is operatively coupled to the door sensor 70 when the door 14 is in the attached position and not coupled to the door sensor when the door 14 is in the detached position. In another example, the door sensor 70 may communicate wirelessly with the RCM 50.

The RCM50 is additionally coupled to at least one vehicle sensor 74 external to the vehicle door 14. The RCM50 is operably coupled to the vehicle sensor 74 when the door 14 is in the attached position and when the door 14 is in the detached position.

In the exemplary embodiment, door sensor 70 is a pressure sensor and vehicle sensor 74 is an accelerometer, such as a G sensor. The door sensor 70 and the vehicle sensor 74 may be other types of sensors in other examples, such as accelerometers, radar sensors, or ultrasonic sensors.

The RCM50 may receive data from the vehicle sensors 74 and from the door sensors 70 when the door 14 is in the attached position. The RCM50 may monitor the received data and determine whether to deploy the first restraint 54, the second restraint 58, or both. In some examples, the RCM50 may potentially adjust the deployment speed, the deployment direction, or both based on the received data.

Although schematically illustrated as a single control module, the RCM50 may be part of an overall vehicle control system, such as a Vehicle System Controller (VSC), that includes a plurality of additional control modules for interfacing with and commanding operation of various components of the vehicle 10, including various components associated with restraints of the vehicle 10, via a Controller Area Network (CAN).

The RCM50 may include a processing unit and non-transitory memory for executing various control strategies and modes of the restraint system, including, but not limited to, the ability to automatically deploy one or more of the restraints 54, 58 in response to signals received from the door sensor 70, the vehicle sensor 74, or both.

The RCM50 is configured to receive various signals from the sensors 70, 74 and other components of the vehicle 10, analyze the signals, and control the operation of the restraint system.

The RCM50 may receive at least one door status signal from the door 14 in addition to the sensor signal from the door sensor 70 when the door 14 is in the attached position. In the exemplary embodiment, the door status signal is transmitted via a door harness 34.

In an exemplary embodiment, the door status signal may be an electrical signal, such as a CAN signal, from a Door Control Unit (DCU)80 of the door 14. The DCU80 may, for example, test the window motor 84 and the connector diverter in the door harness 34. In response to the test, DCU80 provides a CAN signal to RCM 50. The reception of the CAN signal by the RCM50 enables the RCM50 to recognize that the vehicle door 14 is in the attached position.

In another example, a door status signal may be transmitted from one or more inductive sensors on the hinge 26 to the RCM 50.

When the RCM50 receives the door status signal, the RCM50 assumes that the door 14 is in the attached position. However, if the door status signal is not received by the RCM50, the RCM50 assumes that the door 14 is in the disassembled position. The RCM50 is configured to control operation of the restraint system based on whether the vehicle door 14 is in the attached position or the detached position.

As an example, the RCM50 is configured to control operation of the restraint system at least partially in response to signals from the door sensor 70 when the door 14 is in the attached position. However, when the door 14 is in the disassembled position, the RCM50 is configured to control operation of the restraint system without relying on signals from the door sensor 70.

Because the RCM50 receives a door status signal indicating whether the door 14 is in the attached position or the detached position, the RCM50 does not treat the absence of a signal from the door sensor 70 as a system fault when the door is in the detached position. Thus, when the door 14 is in the disassembled position, the RCM50 does not issue an alarm notifying the user of the system failure when the RCM50 does not receive a signal from the door sensor 70.

If the RCM50 issues an alarm intended to notify a user of a system failure when the door 14 is in the removed position, the RCM50 will not operate the restraint system without relying on signals from the door sensors 70. Instead, the RCM50 will operate as if the restraint system were intended to rely on signals from the door sensors 70.

As shown in fig. 2, when the exemplary RCM50 does not receive a door status signal from the DCU80, in some examples, the RCM50 may provide a door status notification 90 to a user of the vehicle 10. In this example, the door status notification 90 is a visual message that includes text and icons displayed on the instrument panel display 94 of the vehicle 10. In another example, the door status notification 90 is displayed on a Human Machine Interface (HMI) screen within the center console of the vehicle 10. In yet another example, the door status notification 90 is an audible message.

In some examples, the RCM50 may command the door status notification 90 to be displayed for a set period of time (e.g., 10 seconds) after the vehicle 10 is turned on at the beginning of a driving cycle. After the set time period expires, the RCM50 issues a command to stop displaying the door state notification 90.

In another example, the RCM50 continues to command display of the door state notification 90 until a user-initiated input is received to cancel the door state notification 90. The input may be the user tapping an icon on the HMI screen.

The door status notification 90 may help the user understand that the vehicle 10 believes that the door 14 is in the detached position. If, for example, the user has attached the door 14 to the vehicle 10 using the hinge 26, but disregards connecting the door harness 34 to the connector 38, the user will view the door status notification 90 and understand that the electrical connection to the door 14 needs to be resolved.

In some examples, the RCM50 may receive a door status signal that falls outside of a predetermined range, for example. Such a door status signal may indicate a fault condition, such as the door wiring harness 34 being damaged. In response to such a door status signal, the RCM50 may display a door status notification and, in addition, a fault condition notification, such as the illumination of a ready light 98 within the vehicle 10. The illuminated ready light 98 may indicate to the user that the door harness 34 needs inspection.

When the door 14 is detected as attached to the vehicle 10, but the RCM50 does not receive a signal from the door sensor 70, the RCM50 may alternatively or additionally interpret the fault condition.

Referring to fig. 3, an exemplary restraint system operating method 100 used in conjunction with the RCM50 of fig. 1 and 2 may begin at step 110. At step 110, the method 100 evaluates whether the door 14 is attached to the vehicle 10. If so, the method 100 moves to step 120 where the restraint system operates at least partially in response to a signal from the door sensor 70. If not, the method 100 moves from step 110 to step 130, where the restraint system is operated without relying on a signal from the door sensor 70.

The method 100 may be performed in conjunction with the vehicle door 14 of fig. 1 and 2 (which is a driver-side vehicle door). The method 100 may additionally be performed in conjunction with a passenger-side door or another door of the vehicle 10. That is, if the door 14 is detached from the vehicle 10 and a passenger side door is attached to the vehicle 10, the restraint system may operate without relying on the signal from the door sensor 70 in the door 14 but relying on the signal from the door sensor in the passenger side door.

Features of disclosed examples include a vehicle that may utilize a sensor signal from a detachable door when the detachable door is attached to the vehicle, but may identify when the detachable door is detached from the vehicle so that the sensor signal from the detachable door is not expected. That is, when the door sensor signal is not received, but the detachable door is detached from the vehicle, the vehicle is not interpreted as a fault condition.

The preceding description is exemplary rather than limiting in nature. Variations and modifications to the disclosed examples may become apparent to those skilled in the art that do not necessarily depart from the essence of this disclosure. Accordingly, the scope of legal protection given to this disclosure can only be determined by studying the following claims.