Motorized door opener for a vehicle
First Claim
1. A motorized opener for opening and closing a vehicle door, the opener comprising:
- a linear motor (60) having an extensible arm (52d) and a cover tube (52c), the motor including bracketry for mounting to a vehicle roof above a door opening;
a gear rack (48) having a plurality of teeth about its perimeter, the gear rack including bracketry for rigidly affixing the gear rack to the vehicle roof;
an active gear (49) having a plurality of teeth about its perimeter, the teeth of the active gear sized to mesh with the teeth of the gear rack, and the active gear (49) disposed so as to be in gear communication with the gear rack (48);
a mechanical control link (46) pivotally attached to the active gear (49) and the gear rack (48) by fasteners (46a 46b) serving as respective pivot points, wherein the mechanical control link holds the active gear (49) and gear rack (48) in a constant spaced apart relationship throughout the travel path of the door; and
a lever arm (50) having a first end (50a) and a second end (50b), the first end affixed to the active gear (49) and to the door and the second end affixed to the extensible arm (52d) of the linear motor (60); and
wherein the gear rack fastener (46b) is provided so as to serve as a pivot point for both a door hinge (104) and the gear rack (48); and
wherein the gear rack (48) and the active gear (49) are sized so as to shorten to the length of the mechanical link (46) between the first end of the lever arm (50a) and the gear rack pivot point (46b).
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Accused Products
Abstract
A motorized door opener for a vehicle (such as a military or security vehicle), featuring a sensor system that determines door position to prevent door damage while the opener is in operation. The opener features an offset gear system that effectively changes the door'"'"'s rotation point. Mechanical advantage is gained by using a lengthened lever arm with the gear system, providing increased leverage and allowing the motor to provide enough force to open and close a heavily armored door. The opener can use existing door hinges, and can be provided so as not to protrude into the door space, in order to facilitate passenger and equipment entry/exit through the doors. A safety release mechanism is included in some embodiments, allowing the door to be manually opened or closed.
23 Citations
5 Claims
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1. A motorized opener for opening and closing a vehicle door, the opener comprising:
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a linear motor (60) having an extensible arm (52d) and a cover tube (52c), the motor including bracketry for mounting to a vehicle roof above a door opening; a gear rack (48) having a plurality of teeth about its perimeter, the gear rack including bracketry for rigidly affixing the gear rack to the vehicle roof; an active gear (49) having a plurality of teeth about its perimeter, the teeth of the active gear sized to mesh with the teeth of the gear rack, and the active gear (49) disposed so as to be in gear communication with the gear rack (48); a mechanical control link (46) pivotally attached to the active gear (49) and the gear rack (48) by fasteners (46a 46b) serving as respective pivot points, wherein the mechanical control link holds the active gear (49) and gear rack (48) in a constant spaced apart relationship throughout the travel path of the door; and a lever arm (50) having a first end (50a) and a second end (50b), the first end affixed to the active gear (49) and to the door and the second end affixed to the extensible arm (52d) of the linear motor (60); and wherein the gear rack fastener (46b) is provided so as to serve as a pivot point for both a door hinge (104) and the gear rack (48); and wherein the gear rack (48) and the active gear (49) are sized so as to shorten to the length of the mechanical link (46) between the first end of the lever arm (50a) and the gear rack pivot point (46b). - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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Specification