Method and system for controlling vehicle door position in response to detection of abnormal operation

An electronic control system for controlling the position of a vehicle door via control of an electric motor mechanically coupled to said vehicle door, said system comprising:

• means for detecting at least one of a position and a velocity of said vehicle door;
• means for determining a difference between said at least one of said position and said velocity of said vehicle door and at least one of a commanded position and a commanded velocity of said vehicle door, whereby an abnormal operation of said vehicle door is detected;
• and
• control means electrically coupled to said detecting means and said determining means and further electrically coupled to said electric motor for controlling operation of said electric motor and ceasing operation of said electric motor in response to said determining means determining said abnormal operation, said control means further including means for determining when a predetermined time period after said control circuit ceases operation of said electric motor, and wherein said control circuit resumes operation of said electric motor in response to both an expiration of said predetermined time period and said determining means determining that said abnormal operation has ceased.

A method for controlling the position of a vehicle door via control of an electric motor mechanically coupled to said vehicle door, said method comprising:

• detecting at least one of a position and a velocity of said vehicle door;
• first determining a difference between said at least one of said position and said velocity of said vehicle door and at least one of a commanded position and a commanded velocity of said vehicle door, whereby an abnormal operation of said vehicle door is detected;
• and
• ceasing operation of said electric motor in response to determining said abnormal operation;
• second determining when a predetermined time period after performing said ceasing has elapsed;
• third determining whether or not said abnormal operation has ceased;
• and
• resuming operation of said electric motor in response to said second determining that said predetermined time period has elapsed and third determining that said abnormal operation has ceased.