Passive Entry System for Automotive Vehicle Doors

• US 20090160211A1
• Filed: 12/25/2007
• Published: 06/25/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 12/25/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Original Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Inventors: Krishnan, Venkatesh, Papanikolaou, Kosta, Loschiavo, James Joseph
• Granted Patent: US 8,451,087 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 296/146.400
• CPC Class Codes: B60J 5/04 arranged at the vehicle sides panel mounted arm-rests B60N2/78; wall liners B60R13/02; door edge guards B60R13/043; padded linings associated with the side doors B60R21/0428
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/00 Fittings or systems for preventing or indicating unauthorised use or theft of vehicles locks for vehicles E05B77/00-E05B85/00
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/2036 by using the door logic and door and engine unlock means
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 81/77 comprising sensors detecting the presence of the hand of a user
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 81/78 as part of a hands-free locking or unlocking operation
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 292/1047 Closure
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 292/1053 Lever and push or pull rod
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 292/1054 Link and cam
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 292/1055 Link and lever
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 292/1057 Flexible
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 292/1059 Lever
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/5889 For automotive vehicles

Abstract

A passive entry system for an vehicle door requires no active operator input to gain entrance to the vehicle. A door module recognizes the signal transmitted by an authorized key fob to identify the operator of the vehicle. The authentication of the operator coupled with the operator touching a sensor on the door to be opened actuates a release actuator that unlatches the selected door. The spring-load provided by the door seal will pop the door open from the closed position. A key cylinder, which can be located substantially anywhere on the door, is coupled mechanically to the release latch for use if the battery is weak and cannot activate the release actuator. An LED signals the state of the opening sequence for the door. The fixed door handle can incorporate a membrane switch or a capacitive sensor to indicate the selection of the door by the operator when touched.

Claims

1. A passive door entry system for an automotive door movable between a closed position and an opened position, comprising:

a latch mechanism operable to restrain said automotive door in said closed position and to release said automotive door to move to said opened position;

a door release actuator operably engaged with said latch mechanism to activate said latch mechanism;

a selector sensor associated with said automotive door to generate a selection signal; and

an electronic door module operable to receive a recognition signal and said selection signal and to power said door release actuator to operate said latch mechanism.

2. The passive door entry system of claim 1 wherein said selector sensor is mounted on an outside door handle secured to said automotive door.

3. The passive door entry system of claim 2 wherein said outside handle is fixed against movement relative to said door.

4. The passive door entry system of claim 1 wherein said recognition signal is transmitted by a portable device.

5. The passive door entry system of claim 4 wherein said door module powers said door release actuator when both said recognition signal is verified against signal parameters stored in said door module and said selection signal is received from said selector sensor.

6. The passive door entry system of claim 1 further comprising an outside key cylinder supported on said door for access externally of said automotive door, said outside key cylinder being operatively connected to said latch mechanism to permit a by-pass of said door module to open said door.

7. The passive door entry system of claim 6 wherein said outside key cylinder is mechanically connected to said latch mechanism by a cable.

8. The passive door entry system of claim 7 further comprising an inside door lever accessible from an interior side of said door, said inside door lever also being mechanically connected directly to said latch mechanism for actuation thereof without requiring the operation of said door module.

9. The passive door entry system of claim 7 further comprising an LED indicator that illuminates to indicate the properly closed position of the automotive door.

10. The passive door entry system of claim 9 wherein said LED indicator depicts the receipt of the recognition signal.

11. An automotive door having an exterior side and an interior side, said door being movable between a closed position and an opened position, comprising:

a latch mechanism operable to restrain said automotive door in said closed position and to release said automotive door to move to said opened position;

a door release actuator operably engaged with said latch mechanism to activate said latch mechanism;

a selector sensor associated with said exterior side of said automotive door to generate a selection signal;

an electronic door module operable to receive a recognition signal and said selection signal and to power said door release actuator to operate said latch mechanism; and

a key operated mechanical by-pass mounted on the exterior side of the automotive door and being connected to said latch mechanism to permit actuation thereof without utilizing the door module.

12. The automotive door of claim 11 wherein said selector sensor is mounted on an outside door handle secured to said automotive door, said outside door handle being fixed against movement relative to the door.

13. The automotive door of claim 11 wherein said door module powers said door release actuator when both said recognition signal is verified against signal parameters stored in said electronic door module and said selection signal is received from said selector sensor.

14. The automotive door of claim 11 wherein said outside key operated mechanical by-pass is mechanically connected directly to said latch mechanism by a cable.

15. The automotive door of claim 11 further comprising an inside door lever accessible from said interior side of said door, said inside door lever being mechanically connected directly to said latch mechanism for actuation thereof without requiring the operation of said door module.

16. The passive door entry system of claim 11 further comprising an LED indicator that illuminates to indicate the state of operation of the electronic door module.

17. A method of opening an automotive door comprising the steps of:

transmitting a recognition signal from a portable device;

receiving said recognition signal by an electronic door module;

comparing said recognition signal to signal parameters stored within said door module to authorize an opening sequence when said recognition signal matches the stored signal parameters;

after said opening sequence has been authorized, generating a selection signal corresponding to the automotive door to be opened to be received by said door module; and

then, powering a door release actuator by said door module to engage a latch mechanism of the automotive door to be opened to release said door for opening.

18. The method of claim 17 wherein door module illuminates an LED indicator to show the state of operation of said opening sequence.

19. The method of claim 17 wherein step of generating said selection signal is accomplished by touching a sensor on said door to be opened.

20. The method of claim 19 wherein said step of generating said recognition signal is accomplished by a portable device emitting said recognition signal, said electronic door module receiving said recognition signal when said portable device is brought within a predetermined range of said electronic door module.