Vehicle closure obstacle detection systems and methods

A closure assembly, comprising:

• a first closure structure;
• a second closure structure arranged relative to the first closure structure to define a closure path;
• a first group of transceivers mounted on the first closure structure;
• a second group of transceivers mounted on the second closure structure;
• and
• a controller coupled to the first and second groups of transceivers and configured to selectively operate the first and second groups of the transceivers in a first mode or a second mode based on an angle of opening between the first and second closure structures,
• the controller configured to, during operation in the first mode,
• command the first group of transceivers to generate a first signal across the closure gap toward the second group of transceivers,
• command, upon the second group of transceivers receiving the first signal, the second group of transceivers to generate a second signal to be received by the first group of transceivers, and
• determine a presence or absence of an obstacle in the closure path based on the second signal,
• the controller configured to, during operation in the second mode,
• command the first group of transceivers to generate a third signal across the closure gap such that the first signal is reflected off the second closure structure as a fourth signal to be received by the first group of transceivers, and
• determine the presence or absence of the obstacle in the closure path based on the fourth signal.

A method for detecting an obstacle in a closure path of a closure assembly of a vehicle with a first closure structure and a second closure structure that define the closure path with a closure gap when at least partially open, the method comprising the steps of:

• selecting a first mode of operation or a second mode of operation based a closure angle between the first and second closure structures;
• transmitting, in the first mode, a first signal from a first group of transceivers mounted on the first closure structure across the closure gap toward a second group of transceivers mounted on the second closure structure,
• wherein at least a first transceiver of the first group of transceivers and at least a second transceiver in the second group of transceiver form a first paired set of transceivers across the closure gap in the first mode, and
• wherein the transmitting, in the first mode, includes transmitting the first signal directly from the first transceiver to the second transceiver;
• receiving, in the first mode, the first signal by the second group of transceivers, including receiving directly, in the first mode, the first signal by the second transceiver;
• transmitting, in the first mode, a second signal by the second group of transceivers across the closure gap toward the first group of transceivers including transmitting directly, in the first mode, the second signal by the second transceiver;
• receiving, in the first mode, the second signal by the first group of transceivers including receiving directly, in the first mode, the second signal by the first transceiver;
• determining, in the first mode, a presence or absence of an obstacle in the closure path based on the second signal;
• transmitting, in the second mode, a third signal from the first group of transceivers across the closure gap such that the third signal is reflected off the second closure structure as a fourth signal;
• receiving, in the second mode, the fourth signal by the first group of transceivers;
• and
• determining, in the second mode, the presence or absence of the obstacle based on the second signal.