MOTOR VEHICLE DOOR SYSTEM

• US 20080150319A1
• Filed: 12/20/2006
• Published: 06/26/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 12/20/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Lc Novara
• Original Assignee: Lc Novara
• Inventors: Ray, Charles D.
• Granted Patent: US 7,726,722 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 296/146.1
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 15/70 with automatic actuation
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2400/31 Force or torque control
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2400/44 Sensors therefore E05Y2400/322, E05Y2400/33, E05Y2400/55, E05Y2400/56, E05Y2400/852 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2400/54 Obstruction or resistance detection
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2800/113 Power assistance
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2900/531 Doors

Abstract

A user-operated system for interactive vehicle door opening and closing. The system detects vehicle position (gravity) and external force (such as wind) and provides an assistive force in effortlessly opening or closing the door. In some embodiments, the system provides a fail safe mode of operation in case of power failure and/or limit stops to minimize or prevent damage to external objects in the event the door is inadvertently brought into contact with the external object.

Claims

1. A system for opening and closing a door attached to a vehicle, the system comprising:

at least one vehicle position sensor configured to sense an orientation of the vehicle relative to horizontal and vertical reference frames;

at least one door position sensor for sensing a position of the door relative to the vehicle;

at least one actuator coupled to the door and configured to effectuate at least one of the opening and closing the door relative to the vehicle;

a power source coupled to the actuator; and

circuitry electronically coupled to the least one vehicle position sensor, the at least one door position sensor, and the power source;

wherein the circuitry prompts operation of the power source at a level based upon information from the vehicle position sensor and the door position sensor to proportionally assist in opening/closing the door.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the circuitry determines a force to be delivered by the actuator based upon gravitational forces acting on the door as sensed by the at least one vehicle position sensor.

3. The system of claim 1, further comprising:

an interior pad attached to an interior side of the door and configured to sense a force applied to the door by an occupant of the vehicle;

wherein the circuitry determines a force to be delivered by the actuator in proportionally assisting the occupant of the vehicle in opening/closing the door based upon the force sensed by the interior pad.

4. The system of claim 3, wherein the interior pad includes a switch electronically coupled to the power source to energize the power source when the occupant contacts the interior pad.

5. The system of claim 1, further comprising:

an exterior pad attached to an exterior side of the door and configured to sense a force applied to the door by a user of the vehicle;

wherein the circuitry determines a force to be delivered by the actuator in proportionally assisting the user of the vehicle in opening/closing the door based upon the force sensed by the exterior pad.

6. The system of claim 5, wherein the exterior pad includes a switch electronically coupled to the power source to energize the power source when the user contacts the exterior pad.

7. The system of claim 1, further comprising:

a shunt valve coupled to the actuator and configured to selectively disengage the actuator.

8. The system of claim 1, further comprising:

at least one limit detector mounted on the door and configured to sense an obstruction preventing complete opening/closing of the door.

9. The system of claim 1, further comprising:

at least one force pad coupled to the door;

wherein the actuator is coupled to the at least one force pad.

10. The system of claim 1, further comprising:

a power accumulator coupled to the power source and configured to store a reserve amount of energy useful in powering the actuator in low energy conditions.

11. The system of claim 1, further comprising:

an override switch coupled to the power source and configured to selectively disable the power source based upon a user input.

12. A method of providing power assistance to a door attached to a vehicle, the method comprising:

providing the vehicle with a power assistance system including a spatial sensor configured to sense gravitational forces acting on the door, a door sensor configured to sense a position of the door, and a powered actuator coupled to the door, the powered actuator electronically communicating with the spatial sensor and the door sensor;

sensing a real time sum of gravitational and external forces acting on the door; and

powering the actuator to assist in opening/closing the door by offsetting the sum of gravitational and external forces acting on the door.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein providing the vehicle with a power assistance system includes providing the vehicle with a door pad configured to sense a force delivered by a user, the door pad in electrical communication with the powered actuator, and further wherein powering the actuator includes stopping the actuator when the force delivered by the user is approximately zero pounds.

14. The method of claim 12, wherein powering the actuator includes providing a force to the actuator in maintaining the door in an open position.

15. The method of claim 12, wherein powering the actuator includes opening/closing the door based upon a sensed time rate of change in door position.

16. The method of claim 12, wherein powering the actuator includes opening/closing the door based upon a sensed time rate of change in door velocity.

17. The method of claim 12, wherein providing the vehicle with a power assistance system includes providing the door with at least one limit detector electrically communicating with the powered actuator, the at least one limit detector configured to detect a door obstruction and disable the powered actuator when the door obstruction is sensed.