Device and method for controlling a vehicle flap or a vehicle door

A vehicle flap arrangement comprising:

• a vehicle flap being displaceably attached to a vehicle frame;
• a driving device for driving an opening and closing movement of the vehicle flap;
• a drive control device;
• and
• a sensor for measuring the position and movement of the vehicle flap;
• wherein the driving device, the drive control device and the sensor are provided on a housing movable with respect to the vehicle frame.

A system for detecting disturbances in a driven motion of a moveable element of a vehicle, the system comprising:

• a driving device for driving the moveable element;
• a driving control device for steering the driving device;
• and
• an acceleration sensor for detecting the acceleration of the moveable element,
• wherein, when the detected acceleration exceeds a predetermined acceleration value, a disturbance condition is determined;
• wherein the movable element of the vehicle is a vehicle flap;
• and
• wherein the driving device, the driving control device and the acceleration sensor are arranged on a housing of the driving device, providing simple and straightforward cabling for electrical and electronic components of an apparatus for controlling the vehicle flap.

A method for controlling a driven movement of a vehicle flap with respect to a vehicle frame, the method comprising the steps of:

• determining acceleration data of the vehicle flap using an acceleration sensor;
• calculating the current position of the vehicle flap from said determined acceleration data;
• determining deviations of the determined acceleration data from stored values of desired acceleration data according to a recorded movement of the vehicle flap;
• adjusting the driving of the movement according to said deviations by rotating a spindle driven by an electric motor, wherein the electric motor and the spindle are located within a common housing;
• and
• wherein the acceleration sensor is arranged on the housing.