Electronic position sensor for power operated accessory

• US 20030177698A1
• Filed: 03/20/2002
• Published: 09/25/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 03/20/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Strattec Power Access LLC (Strattec Security Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc. (BorgWarner Incorporated)
• Inventors: Haag, Ronald H., Chia, Michael I.
• Granted Patent: US 6,898,900 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 49/342
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 15/619 using flexible or rigid rack-and-pinion arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2201/722 Racks
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2400/328 of the linear type
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2600/32 Rotary motion
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2800/00 Details, accessories and auxiliary operations not otherwise provided for
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2800/205 forming a unit
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2800/21 of identical elements, e.g. of identical compression springs
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2800/244 arranged in serial relationship
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2900/546 Tailgates
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2900/548 Trunk lids

Abstract

An electronic position sensor for use with a power operated vehicle accessory, such as a power liftgate. The position sensor includes an elongated resistive circuit that is mounted such that it is stationary and extends along the path of a track portion of the power operated accessory. The position sensor further includes a contact nub mounted to a link member that moves within the track portion such that the contact nub is slidingly biased against the elongated circuit. As the link member moves under the force of a motor-driven output gear, the contact nub slides along the surface of the resistive circuit, thereby affecting the overall resistance of the circuit. The position sensor uses the overall resistance to provide an electronic position signal to an ECU, wherein the signal is indicative of the absolute position of the power operated accessory. Accordingly, the electronic position sensor of the present invention is capable of providing an electronic signal that enables an ECU to track the absolute position of the power liftgate or any other power operated accessory.

Claims

1. An electronic position sensor for use with a power operated accessory, said position sensor comprising:

an elongated electronic circuit extending alongside a track portion of the power operated accessory, said electronic circuit comprising an input terminal for receiving a power signal and an output terminal for providing an electronic position signal, and

a contact nub affixed to the power operated accessory and biased against said electronic circuit such that movement of the power operated accessory causes said contact nub to slide along said electronic circuit, wherein the position of said contact nub with respect to said electronic circuit affects said electronic position signal which is representative of the absolute position of the power operated accessory.

2. The electronic position sensor of claim 1, wherein said elongated electronic circuit is affixed to the interior wall of a housing such that when the housing is in place said electronic circuit extends alongside a track portion of the power operated accessory.

3. The electronic position sensor of claim 1, wherein said elongated electronic circuit comprises a potentiometer.

4. The electronic position sensor of claim 3, wherein said elongated electronic circuit is in the form of a printed circuit board (PCB).

5. The electronic position sensor of claim 1, wherein said elongated electronic circuit further comprises a ground terminal.

6. The electronic position sensor of claim 1, wherein said elongated electronic terminal is located on the outer surface of a housing.

7. The electronic position sensor of claim 1, wherein said contact nub is affixed to a link member of the power operated accessory.

8. The electronic position sensor of claim 7, wherein said contact nub is affixed to a roller element of the link member such that said contact nub is spring biased against said elongated electronic circuit.

9. The electronic position sensor of claim 1, wherein said position sensor can provide said electronic position signal during power or manual operation of the power operated accessory.

10. The electronic position sensor of claim 1, wherein the power operated accessory is a power lift gate for a vehicle.

11. The electronic position sensor of claim 1, wherein the power operated accessory is a power sliding door for a vehicle.

12. The electronic position sensor of claim 1, wherein the power operated accessory is a power swing door for a vehicle.

13. The electronic position sensor of claim 1, wherein said position sensor can be operated in a low power consumption mode when movement of the power operated accessory does not exceed a predetermined amount over a predetermined amount of time.

14. The electronic position sensor of claim 13, wherein said low power consumption mode includes steps which selectively supply said power signal to said input terminal.

15. An electronic position sensing system for use with a power operated accessory, said system comprising:

a power source for providing a power signal,

an electronic position sensor including;

an elongated electronic circuit extending alongside the power operated accessory and having an input terminal coupled to said power source for receiving said power signal and an output terminal for providing an electronic position signal representative of the absolute position of the power operated accessory, and

a contact nub affixed to the power operated accessory and biased against said electronic circuit such that movement of the power operated accessory causes said contact nub to slide along said electronic circuit, wherein the position of said contact nub with respect to said electronic circuit affects said electronic position signal, and

an electronic control unit having an input terminal coupled to said electronic position sensor output terminal for receiving said electronic position signal and an output terminal for providing an electronic control signal, wherein said control signal governs the application of said power signal to said electronic position sensor.

16. The electronic position sensing system of claim 15, wherein said electronic control unit is capable of utilizing a low power consumption mode to produce said control signal.