Door control system

• US 10,041,281 B1
• Filed: 02/09/2018
• Issued: 08/07/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 12/01/2016
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Warren Industries Ltd (Mattel Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Warren Industries Ltd (Mattel Incorporated)
• Inventors: Miu, Traian, English, Mitchell, Banjongpanith, Pasit, Broadhead, Douglas
• Primary Examiner(s): Rephann, Justin B
• Application Number:
  US15/893,183
• Publication Number:
  US 20180202203A1
• Time in Patent Office: 179 Days
• CPC Class Codes: E05C 17/003 Power-actuated devices for limiting the opening of vehicle doors
• CPC Class Codes: E05C 17/006 with means for detecting obstacles outside the doors
• CPC Class Codes: E05C 17/203 concealed, e.g. for vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 15/622 using screw-and-nut mechanisms
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 15/70 with automatic actuation
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 5/00 Braking devices, e.g. checks; Stops; Buffers construction of pneumatic or liquid braking devices E05F3/00; braking devices, buffers or end stops on drawers for tables, cabinets or like furniture A47B88/473; combined with devices for holding wings open E05C17/00; devices for limiting opening of wings or for holding wings open by a movable member extending between frame and wing E05C17/04
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 5/06 Buffers or stops limiting opening of swinging wings, e.g. floor or wall stopsE05F5/02 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2201/21 Brakes
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2201/218 Holders
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2201/246 by auxiliary motors, magnets, springs or weights
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2201/624 Arms
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2201/696 Screw mechanisms
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2201/72 Planetary gearing
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2400/32 Position control, detection or monitoring
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2400/85 User input means
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2400/86 by hand
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2900/531 Doors

Abstract

In an aspect, a door control system is provided for a vehicle door and includes a pushrod and a locking device. The pushrod has a first end connected to one of the vehicle body and the vehicle door. At least a portion of the locking device is mounted to the other of the vehicle body and the vehicle door. The locking device includes a leadscrew, a leadscrew nut mounted on the leadscrew, a housing including a guide path, and a brake. The pushrod has a second end connected to the leadscrew nut. The leadscrew nut is constrained against rotation but is slideable along the guide path by movement of the pushrod, which causes rotation of the leadscrew. The brake is positionable in a braking position in which the brake prevents rotation of the leadscrew, and a release position in which the brake permits rotation of the leadscrew.

Claims

1. A vehicle door control system for a vehicle having a vehicle body and a vehicle door, comprising:

a pushrod having a first end that is connected to one of the vehicle body and the vehicle door;

a locking device at least a portion of which is mounted to the other of the vehicle body and the vehicle door, wherein the locking device includes a locking device traveler that is movable along a locking device traveler guide path, and a locking device brake,

wherein the pushrod has a second end that is connected to the locking device traveler, wherein the locking device traveler is movable along the locking device traveler guide path by the pushrod during opening and closing of the vehicle door, wherein the locking device brake is positionable in a braking position in which the locking device brake prevents movement of the locking device traveler along the locking device traveler guide path, and a release position in which the locking device brake permits movement of the locking device traveler along the locking device traveler guide path;

a motor that is operable to move the locking device brake between the braking and release positions;

a controller that controls operation of the motor; and

a door force sensor that includes a first target path, and a second target path, and a first target that is connected to a first portion of the locking device traveler and movable along the first target path and a second target that is connected to a second portion of the locking device traveler and movable along the second target path,

wherein the first portion of the locking device traveler is constrained for movement along the locking device traveler guide path, and the second portion of the locking device traveler is movable relative to the first portion of the locking device traveler and is operatively connected to the first portion of the locking device traveler via a traveler spring, wherein the second end of the pushrod is connected to the second portion of the locking device traveler,

wherein the first target is connected for movement with the first portion of the locking device traveler and wherein the second target is connected for movement with the second portion of the locking device traveler,

wherein, when the locking device brake is positioned in the braking position, movement of the vehicle door drives relative movement between the first portion of the locking device traveler and the second portion of the locking device traveler via the pushrod, so as to generate relative movement between the first target and the second target,

and wherein the door force sensor is connected to the controller so as to send signals to the controller that are indicative of the positions of the first and second targets, and wherein the controller is programmed to control operation of the motor based at least in part on a difference in the positions of the first and second targets relative to one another.

2. A vehicle door control system as claimed in claim 1, wherein one of the first and second targets is connected for movement with the vehicle door, such that the position of said one of the first and second targets is determinative of the position of the vehicle door, and wherein the controller is programmed to determine the position of the vehicle door based on the position of said one of the first and second targets.

3. A vehicle door control system as claimed in claim 2, wherein the controller is programmed to determine the speed of the vehicle door based on detection by the door force sensor of the rate of change of the position of said one of the first and second targets.

4. A vehicle door control system as claimed in claim 2, further comprising a motor-related position sensor that is positioned to detect movement of an output shaft of the motor, wherein the controller controls operation of the motor based on signals from the motor-related position sensor and from the door force sensor.

5. A vehicle door control system as claimed in claim 2, further comprising a check force sensor that is positioned to detect movement of an output shaft of the motor, wherein the controller controls operation of the motor based on signals from the check force sensor and from the door force sensor.