Method and apparatus for controlling a vehicle door
First Claim
1. A vehicle including a door and an infinite door check mechanism for enabling the door to be moved from a closed position in a door frame to any one of a plurality of different open positions, the vehicle further comprising:
- a motor coupled to the door and arranged to move the door from the closed position to any of the open positions;
detecting means for detecting resistance to opening movement of the door; and
a processor coupled to said detecting means and said motor for receiving the detected resistance to the opening movement of the door and directing said motor to stop the opening movement of the door when the detected resistance is above a threshold.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
Method for controlling a motorized door of a vehicle to allow for non-motorized operation in including monitoring the torque on the motor or force or torque exerted on the door and disengaging the motor from the door when the torque or force is above a threshold. Optionally, the velocity of the door can be monitored and the motor re-engaged with the door when the velocity of the door is zero. An apparatus for controlling a motorized door of a vehicle to allow for non-motorized operation includes a motor releasably coupled to the door for opening and closing the door, a torque sensor for measuring the torque on the motor, torque or force on the door, and a processor coupled to the torque sensor and the motor for analyzing the measured torque or force on the motor or door relative to a threshold and disengaging the motor from the door when the torque or force is above the threshold.
64 Citations
19 Claims
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1. A vehicle including a door and an infinite door check mechanism for enabling the door to be moved from a closed position in a door frame to any one of a plurality of different open positions, the vehicle further comprising:
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a motor coupled to the door and arranged to move the door from the closed position to any of the open positions;
detecting means for detecting resistance to opening movement of the door; and
a processor coupled to said detecting means and said motor for receiving the detected resistance to the opening movement of the door and directing said motor to stop the opening movement of the door when the detected resistance is above a threshold. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4)
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5. A method for enabling a door to be opened to any one of a plurality of different positions, comprising the steps of:
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coupling a motor to the door;
actuating the motor to move the door from a closed position into an open position;
detecting resistance to opening movement of the door;
upon detecting resistance to the opening movement of the door, analyzing the detected resistance comparing it to a threshold; and
when the detected resistance is above a threshold, directing the motor to stop the opening movement of the door. - View Dependent Claims (6, 7, 8)
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9. A method for controlling a motorized door of a vehicle to allow for non-motorized operation, comprising the steps of:
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monitoring the torque on the motor or force or torque exerted on the door; and
disengaging the motor from the door when the torque or force is above a threshold. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. An apparatus for controlling a motorized door of a vehicle to allow for non-motorized operation, comprising:
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a motor releasably coupled to the door for opening and closing the door;
a torque sensor for measuring the torque on the motor, torque or force on the door; and
a processor coupled to said torque sensor and said motor for analyzing the measured torque or force on the motor or door relative to a threshold and disengaging said motor from the door when the torque or force is above the threshold. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17)
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18. A method for controlling opening and closing of a vehicle door;
- comprising the steps of;
detecting the presence of an individual authorized to open the door and enter the vehicle;
generating a signal upon the detection of the presence of an authorized individual or an object possessed by the authorized individual;
actuating a motor upon receipt of the signal to open or close the door.
- comprising the steps of;
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19. An apparatus for controlling opening and closing of a vehicle door;
- comprising;
a sensor for detecting the presence of an individual authorized to open the door and enter the vehicle, said sensor being arranged to generate a signal upon the detection of the presence of an authorized individual or an object possessed by the authorized individual; and
a motor coupled to said sensor and the door and arranged to open or close the door upon receipt of the signal from said sensor.
- comprising;
Specification