Actuating arrangement for opening and closing hinged motor vehicle panels

• US 20020033613A1
• Filed: 05/11/2001
• Published: 03/21/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 05/12/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Daimler Chrysler Company LLC (Stellantis NV)
• Original Assignee: Daimler Chrysler Company LLC (Stellantis NV)
• Inventors: Schneider, Wolfgang, Auer, Wolfgang, Schaible, Kurt, Scheurenbrand, Roland, Hess, Ralf, Moczygemba, Jurgen
• Granted Patent: US 6,533,342 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 296/76
• CPC Class Codes: E05D 3/145 specially adapted for vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 1/1292 with a gas spring
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 15/41 Detection by monitoring transmitted force or torque E05F15/48 takes precedence; Safety couplings with activation dependent upon torque or force, e.g. slip couplings
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 15/53 for swinging wings
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2201/416 for counterbalancing
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2400/326 of the angular type
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2400/56 by using speed sensors sensors for electronic control of hinges, wings, windows as such E05Y2400/44
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2600/458 in or on a transmission member
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2600/46 in or on the wing
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2900/50 for vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2900/548 Trunk lids
• CPC Class Codes: F15B 15/24 for restricting the stroke
• CPC Class Codes: F15B 9/03 with electrical control means F15B9/07, F15B9/09, F15B9/17 take precedence

Abstract

An actuating arrangement for opening and closing a hinged motor vehicle panel has a fluid drive, a control unit, and a sensor unit. The hinged motor vehicle panel is movable between a starting position and an end position, and the control unit evaluates start signals from the sensor unit and stopping the movement of the motor vehicle panel in an intermediate position. The start signals from the sensor unit correspond to current angles of opening of the hinged motor vehicle panel, and predetermined angles of opening of the hinged motor vehicle panel define certain criteria. It is possible to set at least the angle of opening of the intermediate position via the control unit.

Claims

1. An actuating arrangement for opening and closing a hinged motor vehicle panel comprising:

a fluid drive,

a control unit, and

a sensor unit,

wherein the hinged motor vehicle panel is movable between a starting position and an end position,

wherein the control unit evaluates start signals from the sensor unit and stops movement of the motor vehicle panel in an intermediate position when certain criteria are met,

wherein the start signals from the sensor unit correspond to current angles of opening of the hinged motor vehicle panel,

wherein at least one intermediate position of the hinged motor vehicle panel, during a closing or opening movement, is defined by a predetermined angle of opening, and

wherein the predetermined angle of opening is stored and individually programmable.

2. The actuating arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the sensor unit comprises a swing angle sensor which detects a current angle of opening of the motor vehicle panel and passes a corresponding start signal to the control unit.

3. The actuating arrangement according to claim 2, wherein the current angle of opening of the motor vehicle panel is detected from a position of a drive lever, and wherein the drive lever is connected, in a manner fixed in rotation, to a lever of a hinge of the motor vehicle panel.

4. The actuating arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the fluid drive comprises a controlled fluid drive and the control unit compares a detected current angle of opening of the motor vehicle panel with the predetermined angle of opening and switches off the controlled fluid drive in the event of coincidence.

5. The actuating arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined angle of opening is programmable by the user.

6. The actuating arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the control unit evaluates a current change in an angle of opening in relation to a normal change in the angle of opening, the normal change in the angle of opening being dependent on a duration of the opening or closing movement.

7. The actuating arrangement according to claim 1, wherein movement of the motor vehicle panel is stopped by the control unit when no change in an angle of opening is detected within a predetermined time window.

8. The actuating arrangement according to claim 7, wherein the control unit drives the controlled fluid drive in a reverse direction of movement after stopping movement of the motor vehicle panel.

9. The actuating arrangement according to claim 8, wherein the reverse direction of movement of the motor vehicle panel is stopped after the original starting position of the motor vehicle panel is reached.

10. The actuating arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the control unit automatically triggers an opening movement of the motor vehicle panel when a keyless go card is detected in the luggage compartment and the motor vehicle panel is being closed.

11. The actuating arrangement according to claim 2, wherein movement of the motor vehicle panel is stopped by the control unit when no change in an angle of opening is detected within a predetermined time window.

12. The actuating arrangement according to claim 11, wherein the control unit drives the controlled fluid drive in a reverse direction of movement after stopping movement of the motor vehicle panel.

13. The actuating arrangement according to claim 12, wherein the reverse direction of movement of the motor vehicle panel is stopped after the original starting position of the motor vehicle panel is reached.

14. The actuating arrangement according to claim 3, wherein movement of the motor vehicle panel is stopped by the control unit when no change in an angle of opening is detected within a predetermined time window.

15. The actuating arrangement according to claim 14, wherein the control unit drives the controlled fluid drive in a reverse direction of movement after stopping movement of the motor vehicle panel.

16. The actuating arrangement according to claim 15, wherein the reverse direction of movement of the motor vehicle panel is stopped after the original starting position of the motor vehicle panel is reached.

17. The actuating arrangement according to claim 4, wherein movement of the motor vehicle panel is stopped by the control unit when no change in an angle of opening is detected within a predetermined time window.

18. The actuating arrangement according to claim 17, wherein the control unit drives the controlled fluid drive in a reverse direction of movement after stopping movement of the motor vehicle panel.

19. The actuating arrangement according to claim 18, wherein the reverse direction of movement of the motor vehicle panel is stopped after the original starting position of the motor vehicle panel is reached.

20. The actuating arrangement according to claim 5, wherein movement of the motor vehicle panel is stopped by the control unit when no change in an angle of opening is detected within a predetermined time window.

21. The actuating arrangement according to claim 20, wherein the control unit drives the controlled fluid drive in a reverse direction of movement after stopping movement of the motor vehicle panel.

22. The actuating arrangement according to claim 21, wherein the reverse direction of movement of the motor vehicle panel is stopped after the original starting position of the motor vehicle panel is reached.

23. The actuating arrangement according to claim 6, wherein movement of the motor vehicle panel is stopped by the control unit when no change in an angle of opening is detected within a predetermined time window.

24. The actuating arrangement according to claim 23, wherein the control unit drives the controlled fluid drive in a reverse direction of movement after stopping movement of the motor vehicle panel.

25. The actuating arrangement according to claim 24, wherein the reverse direction of movement of the motor vehicle panel is stopped after the original starting position of the motor vehicle panel is reached.

27. The process according to claim 26, and further comprising individually programming the predetermined angle of opening.

28. The process according to claim 26, and further comprising evaluating a current change in an angle of opening in relation to a normal change in the angle of opening which is dependent on a duration of the opening or closing movement.

29. The process according to claim 26, and further comprising stopping movement of the motor vehicle panel when no change in an angle of opening is detected within a predetermined time window.

30. The process according to claim 26, and further comprising automatically triggering an opening movement of the motor vehicle panel when a keyless go card is detected in a luggage compartment and the motor vehicle panel is being closed.

26. A process of opening and closing a hinged motor vehicle panel comprising:

moving the hinged motor vehicle panel between a starting position and an end position,

evaluating start signals corresponding to current angles of opening of the motor vehicle panel and stopping movement of the motor vehicle panel in an intermediate position when certain criteria are met,

defining at least one intermediate position of the hinged motor vehicle panel, during a closing or opening movement, by a predetermined angle of opening, and

storing the predetermined angle of opening.