Automatic control of vehicle access door

A system for operating an access door in a vehicle, the system comprising:

• a camera mounted on the vehicle proximate the access door and configured to:
• detect an obstacle within range of operation of the access door and generate a predefined image on the obstacle relative to the access door;
• and
• an electronic controller mounted on the vehicle and in operative communication with the camera and configured to:
• receive a command to open the access door;
• process a pixelated resolution of the generated image of the obstacle relative to the access door;
• determine a distance of the obstacle from the access door and relative to the access door's range of operation using the pixelated resolution of the generated image;
• limit the access door's range of operation when the distance of the obstacle from the access door and relative to the access door's range of operation is within a predetermined zone to avoid physical contact between the access door and the obstacle;
• and
• operate the vehicle in autonomous mode to shift the vehicle outside the predetermined zone and thereby achieve operating clearance for the access door relative to the detected obstacle.

A method of operating a liftgate arranged at a rear end of a vehicle body, the method comprising:

• receiving, via an electronic controller, a command to open the liftgate;
• detecting, via a camera, an obstacle within range of operation of the liftgate;
• projecting, via a light source, a light onto the obstacle;
• generating, via a camera, a predefined image on the obstacle, within the projected light, relative to the liftgate;
• processing, via the electronic controller, a pixelated resolution of the generated image;
• determining, via the electronic controller, a distance of the obstacle from the liftgate and relative to the liftgate's range of operation using the pixelated resolution of the generated image;
• limiting, via the electronic controller, the liftgate's range of operation when the distance of the obstacle from the liftgate and relative to the liftgate's range of operation is within a predetermined zone to avoid physical contact between the liftgate and the obstacle;
• generating, via the electronic controller, a sensory signal or alert when the distance of the obstacle from the liftgate and relative to the liftgate's range of operation is within the predetermined zone;
• and
• operating the vehicle, via the electronic controller, in autonomous mode to shift the vehicle outside the predetermined zone and thereby achieve operating clearance for the access door relative to the detected obstacle.