Door Actuation Systems

• US 20080100092A1
• Filed: 10/30/2007
• Published: 05/01/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 10/30/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC (General Motors Company)
• Original Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations Incorporated (Motors Liquidation Co. GUC Trust)
• Inventors: Alexander, Paul, Shoemaker, James, Vitale, Robert, Stauffer, Louise, Bailey, Jack, Gao, Xiujie, Johnson, Nancy, Mankame, Nilesh, Browne, Alan
• Granted Patent: US 7,971,393 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 296/146.11
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 15/60 using electrical actuators
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 15/627 operated by flexible elongated pulling elements, e.g. belts, chains or cables using flexible elongated push-pull mechanisms E05F15/619
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2201/43 Motors
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2800/67 Materials; Strength alteration thereof
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2900/531 Doors
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2900/548 Trunk lids
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 292/72 Starters

Abstract

A door system includes a structural member and a door that is movably mounted with respect to the structural member for movement between an open position and a closed position. A spring is mounted with respect to the structural member or the door and being sufficiently positioned to bias the door toward its open position when the door is in its closed position. Active material based actuators may selectively compress the spring prior to door closure to minimize door closing effort.

Claims

1. A door system comprising:

a structural member;

a door being movably mounted with respect to the structural member for movement between an open position and a closed position; and

a spring mounted with respect to the structural member or the door and being sufficiently positioned to bias the door toward its open position when the door is in its closed position.

2. The door system of claim 1, further comprising a check link assembly having a housing and a check link in operative engagement with the housing;

said housing being mounted with respect to the door and said check link being mounted with respect to the structural member; and

wherein said spring circumscribes the check link.

3. The door system of claim 1, wherein the door defines a door cavity and an aperture;

wherein the door system further comprises a generally L-shaped bracket having a first arm portion and a second arm portion, said bracket being pivotably mounted with respect to the door and the structural member;

said first arm portion extending through said aperture and into said door cavity; and

said spring circumscribing the first arm portion outside the door cavity.

4. The door system of claim 3, wherein the spring urges the door and the second arm portion apart from one another when the door is in the closed position.

5. The door system of claim 3, further comprising an actuator including an active material being configured to undergo a change in at least one attribute in response to an activation signal;

said active material being operatively connected to the door and the bracket such that said change in at least one attribute causes the bracket to move relative to the door to a position in which the spring is compressed.

6. The door system of claim 5, further comprising a latch configured to releasably maintain the bracket in the position in which the spring is compressed.

7. The door system of claim 5, wherein the bracket includes a hook inside the door panel;

and wherein the door system further comprises a pawl configured to selectively engage the hook to releasably maintain the bracket in the position in which the spring is compressed.

8. The door system of claim 1, further comprising an actuator including an active material being configured to undergo a change in at least one attribute in response to an activation signal;

said active material being operatively connected to the spring to selectively compress the spring.

9. The door system of claim 8, further comprising a latching member configured to releasably maintain compression of the spring.

10. The door system of claim 9, wherein the latching member is a pin.

11. The door system of claim 9, wherein the latching member is a pawl.

12. The door system of claim 9, further comprising a release actuator configured to selectively move the latching member and thereby permit expansion of the spring.

13. The door system of claim 12, further comprising a latch configured to releasably maintain the door in the closed position;

and wherein the release actuator is configured to selectively disengage the latch.

14. The door system of claim 1, wherein the structural member defines a slot having an open end for receiving a striker;

wherein the door system further comprises a rotatable arm configured to cross the slot; and

wherein the spring biases the arm in the direction of the open end of the slot.

15. The door system of claim 14, further comprising an actuator including an active material being configured to undergo a change in at least one attribute in response to an activation signal;

said active material being operatively connected to the arm such that said change in at least one attribute causes the arm to move in the direction away from the open end of the slot.

16. The door system of claim 15, wherein the actuator further includes a cam;

and wherein the active material is operatively connected to the arm via the cam.

17. The door system of claim 1, further comprising a latch mounted with respect to the door;

a striker mounted with respect to the structural member and engageable with the latch; and

wherein the spring is a shape memory material deformed when the striker engages the latch.

18. The door system of claim 1, wherein the spring comprises a shape memory material.

19. A vehicle comprising:

a vehicle body;

a door being movably mounted with respect to the vehicle body for movement between an open position and a closed position; and

a spring mounted with respect to the vehicle body or the door and being sufficiently positioned to bias the door toward its open position when the door is in its closed position.

20. The vehicle of claim 19, further comprising an actuator including an active material being configured to undergo a change in at least one attribute in response to an activation signal;

said active material being operatively connected to the spring to selectively compress the spring.