VEHICLE DOOR CLOSE/OPEN ASSIST AND ANTI-SLAM DEVICE

• US 20100179732A1
• Filed: 01/12/2009
• Published: 07/15/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 01/12/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Original Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Inventors: Shahidi, Bijan K., Zhang, Zhen Steven, Huang, XianLi
• Granted Patent: US 8,326,497 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 701/49
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 2005/043 operated by centrifugal action at high closing speed
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 5/025 specially adapted for vehicle doors
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 5/027 with closing action
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 5/04 hand-operated , e.g. removable; operated by centrifugal action or by high closing speed
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2201/412 for the final closing movement
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2201/426 for the initial opening movement
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2201/462 Electromagnets
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2400/52 Safety arrangements Safety means for manual wing operation E05Y2800/116
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2800/22 of not identical elements of the same category, e.g. combinations of not identical springs
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2800/254 the elements not functioning in case of emergency
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2900/531 Doors

Abstract

A vehicle door actuating device for a vehicle includes an actuator device disposed on one of a vehicle door and a door frame of the vehicle. A bumper is disposed on the other of the vehicle door and the door frame opposite the actuator device. A door sensor is disposed on the vehicle that measures door position and door movement. A controller receives data from the door sensor relating to the door position and door movement and activates the actuator device when the vehicle is in a parked position. The controller instructs the actuator device to repel the bumper to assist a user in opening the vehicle door and attract the bumper to assist a user in closing the vehicle door during closure.

Claims

1. A vehicle door actuating device for a vehicle, comprising:

an actuator device disposed on one of a vehicle door and a door frame of the vehicle;

a bumper disposed on the other of the vehicle door and the door frame opposite the actuator device;

a door sensor disposed on the vehicle that measures door position and door movement; and

a controller that receives data from the door sensor relating to the door position and door movement and which activates the actuator device when the vehicle is in a parked position, wherein the controller instructs the actuator device to repel the bumper to assist a user in opening the vehicle door and attract the bumper to assist a user in closing the vehicle door.

2. The vehicle door opening device of claim 1, wherein:

the actuator device includes an electromagnetic member that engages the bumper.

3. The vehicle door opening device of claim 1, wherein:

the bumper includes a rubber portion and a magnetic portion.

4. The vehicle door opening device of claim 1, wherein:

the actuator device is disposed at one of an upper area of the vehicle door and an upper area of the vehicle frame and the bumper is disposed on the other of the upper area of the vehicle door and the upper area of the vehicle frame.

5. The vehicle door opening device of claim 1, wherein:

the actuator device includes a first actuator and a second actuator disposed below the first actuator on one of the vehicle door and a frame of the vehicle.

6. The vehicle door opening device of claim 1, wherein:

the actuator includes a piezoelectric member that engages the bumper.

7. The vehicle door opening device of claim 1, further comprising:

a gear shift signaler connected to the controller which sends a signal to the controller indicating when the vehicle is in a parked position.

8. A vehicle door actuating device for a vehicle, comprising:

a first actuator disposed on one of the vehicle door and the vehicle frame;

a second actuator disposed on the other of the vehicle door and the vehicle frame opposite the first actuator;

a door sensor disposed on the vehicle that provides data relating to door position and movement of the door; and

a controller connected to the first actuator and activating the first actuator when the vehicle is in a parked position, wherein the controller instructs the first actuator to repel the second actuator to assist a user in opening the door and attract the second actuator to assist a user in closing the door during closure.

9. The vehicle door opening device of claim 8, further comprising:

a gear shift signaler connected to the controller which sends a signal to the controller indicating when the vehicle is in a parked position.

10. The vehicle door opening device of claim 8, wherein:

the first and second actuators include an electromagnetic member.

11. The vehicle door opening device of claim 8, wherein:

the first and second actuators include a piezoelectric member.

12. A method for controlling the opening and closing of a vehicle door, the method comprising:

providing an actuator on one of the vehicle door and a vehicle frame;

connecting a door sensor to the vehicle door;

measuring the position of the door relative to the vehicle frame;

measuring the velocity of the door relative to the frame;

connecting a controller to the door sensor that instructs the first actuator to repel the door to assist a user in opening the door and attract the door to assist a user in closing the door during closure.

13. The method of claim 12, further comprising:

providing the actuator device with an electromagnetic mechanism.

14. The method of claim 12, further comprising:

providing the actuator device with a piezoelectric mechanism.

15. The method of claim 12, further comprising:

connecting a gear shift signaler with the controller which sends a signal to the controller indicating when the vehicle is in a parked position.

16. The method of claim 12, further comprising:

providing a bumper on the other of the vehicle door and the vehicle frame opposite the actuator device.

17. The method of claim 14, further comprising:

forming a magnetic portion in the bumper.

18. The method of claim 12, wherein the step of providing an actuator further comprises:

installing a first electromagnetic device and a second electromagnetic device opposite the first electromagnetic device on the vehicle door and vehicle frame, respectively.

19. The method of claim 12, further comprising:

installing a first bumper and a second bumper on the vehicle door and vehicle frame, respectively.

20. The method of claim 12, wherein the step of connecting a controller to the door sensor further comprises:

instructing the first actuator to repel the door when the door is closing too rapidly.