DOOR AND RAMP INTERFACE SYSTEM
First Claim
1. An access system for a vehicle, the vehicle including a data bus, a door control system that opens and closes a vehicle door, and an activation signal source, the door control system and the activation signal source coupled to the data bus for communicating information via the data bus, the access system comprising:
- an interface system in communication with the data bus for communicating information via the data bus between the interface system and the activation signal source and the interface system and the door control system, the interface system operable to receive at least door activation signals sent on the data bus by the activation signal source and door status signals sent on the data bus by the door control system, the interface system operable to send a ramp status signal on the data bus;
a ramp control system in communication with the interface system, the ramp control system including a ramp that is movable between a stowed position and a deployed position in response to ramp operation signals received from the interface system,wherein the interface system coordinates operation of the vehicle door and the ramp by sending a ramp deployed status signal on the data bus when the ramp is not in the stowed position, wherein sending a ramp deployed status signal on the data bus prevents the door control system from closing the door in response to a door activation request sent by the activation signal source when the ramp is not stowed, wherein the interface system responds to the door activation request by sending a stow ramp operation signal to the ramp control system, which responds by moving the ramp to the stowed position and sending a ramp stowed signal to the interface system, and wherein the interface system responds to the ramp stowed signal by changing the ramp status signal to thereby allow the door control system to close the door.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An access system for a vehicle includes an interface system that communicates with the vehicle data bus. The interface system also communicates with a ramp control subsystem that operates to stow and deploy a ramp for providing wheelchair access to the vehicle. A door control subsystem is coupled to the vehicle data bus and operates to open and close a vehicle door in response to data signals sent over the vehicle data bus. When the vehicle door is open and the ramp is deployed, the interface system is configured to send a ramp deployed data signal over the vehicle data bus, which prevents the door control subsystem from closing the door on the deployed ramp.
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Citations
12 Claims
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1. An access system for a vehicle, the vehicle including a data bus, a door control system that opens and closes a vehicle door, and an activation signal source, the door control system and the activation signal source coupled to the data bus for communicating information via the data bus, the access system comprising:
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an interface system in communication with the data bus for communicating information via the data bus between the interface system and the activation signal source and the interface system and the door control system, the interface system operable to receive at least door activation signals sent on the data bus by the activation signal source and door status signals sent on the data bus by the door control system, the interface system operable to send a ramp status signal on the data bus; a ramp control system in communication with the interface system, the ramp control system including a ramp that is movable between a stowed position and a deployed position in response to ramp operation signals received from the interface system, wherein the interface system coordinates operation of the vehicle door and the ramp by sending a ramp deployed status signal on the data bus when the ramp is not in the stowed position, wherein sending a ramp deployed status signal on the data bus prevents the door control system from closing the door in response to a door activation request sent by the activation signal source when the ramp is not stowed, wherein the interface system responds to the door activation request by sending a stow ramp operation signal to the ramp control system, which responds by moving the ramp to the stowed position and sending a ramp stowed signal to the interface system, and wherein the interface system responds to the ramp stowed signal by changing the ramp status signal to thereby allow the door control system to close the door. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. An access system for a vehicle, the vehicle including a door control system operable to control movement of a vehicle door, a body control subsystem, and a vehicle data bus coupling the door control system and the body control subsystem for data communication, the access system comprising:
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an interface system coupled to the vehicle data bus for data communication with the door control system and the body control subsystem via the vehicle data bus, the interface system operable to detect a door operation request data signal sent via the vehicle data bus from the body control subsystem to the door control system, operable to send ramp status data signals over the vehicle data bus, and operable to send ramp operation signals; and a ramp control system in communication with the interface system, the ramp control system operable to move a ramp between stowed and deployed positions in response to the ramp operation signals, and operable to communicate ramp status to the interface system, wherein when the door is closed and the ramp is stowed, the interface system responds to the door operation request data signal by monitoring for a door fully open signal, and in response to detecting the door fully open signal, the interface system sends a deploy ramp operation signal to the ramp control system, which responds by moving the ramp from the stowed position to the deployed position and by sending a deployed ramp status to the interface system when the ramp reaches the deployed position, and wherein the interface system sends a deployed ramp status data signal over the vehicle data bus in response to receiving the deployed ramp status from the ramp control system to thereby prevent the door control system from closing the door on the deployed ramp in response to additional door operation request data signals. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10)
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11. An access system for a vehicle, the vehicle including a door control system operable to control movement of a vehicle door, a body control subsystem, and a vehicle data bus coupling the door control system and the body control subsystem for data communication, the access system comprising:
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an interface system coupled to the vehicle data bus for data communication with the door control system and the body control subsystem via the vehicle data bus, the interface system operable to detect a door operation request data signal sent via the vehicle data bus from the body control subsystem to the door control system, operable to send ramp status data signals over the vehicle data bus, and operable to send ramp operation signals; a ramp control system in communication with the interface system, the ramp control system operable to move a ramp between stowed and deployed positions in response to the ramp operation signals, and operable to communicate ramp status to the interface system, wherein when the door is open and the ramp is deployed, the interface system sends a deployed ramp status data signal over the vehicle data bus, wherein sending the deployed ramp status data signal over the vehicle data bus prevents the door control system from responding to the door operation request data signal, wherein the interface system responds to the door operation request data signal by sending a stow ramp operation signal to the ramp control system, which responds by moving the ramp from the deployed position to the stowed position and by sending a stowed ramp status to the interface system when the ramp reaches the stowed position, and wherein the interface system sends a stowed ramp status data signal over the vehicle data bus in response to receiving the stowed ramp status from the ramp control system to thereby allow the door control system to close the door. - View Dependent Claims (12)
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Specification