DOOR ASSIST SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR RETROFIT INSTALLATION OF APPARATUS
First Claim
1. An apparatus for motorizing a door relative to a door frame of a vehicle, wherein the door includes a door latch mechanism coupled to the door, the door latch mechanism securing the door in the closed door position and includes an external latch actuator and an internal latch actuator, the apparatus comprising:
- a drive system coupled to the door and the door frame of the vehicle, wherein the drive system moves the door between a closed door position and an open door position;
a controller electrically connected to the drive system;
an electrical power supply in combination with the controller and the drive system;
an external close switch mounted to an external side of one of the door or the vehicle, wherein the external close switch is in communication with the controller and, when activated, signals the controller to move the door toward the closed door position;
an internal close switch mounted to an internal side of one of the door or the vehicle, wherein the internal close switch is in communication with the controller and, when activated, signals the controller to move the door toward the closed door position;
a door open sensor in combination with the controller and at least one of the internal latch actuator or the external latch actuator of the door; and
a door position sensor mounted to the internal side of the door adjacent to the door frame.
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0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A door assist system for use in a motor vehicle, to aid the user in opening doors by providing a power assist and operative controls. The door assist system can be retrofitted to existing vehicles such as armored motor vehicles used in military operations, to aid the user in opening heavy armored doors. The door assist system includes a programmable central controller coupled to internal and external open and close switches and sensors for activating door movement.
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Citations
26 Claims
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1. An apparatus for motorizing a door relative to a door frame of a vehicle, wherein the door includes a door latch mechanism coupled to the door, the door latch mechanism securing the door in the closed door position and includes an external latch actuator and an internal latch actuator, the apparatus comprising:
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a drive system coupled to the door and the door frame of the vehicle, wherein the drive system moves the door between a closed door position and an open door position; a controller electrically connected to the drive system; an electrical power supply in combination with the controller and the drive system; an external close switch mounted to an external side of one of the door or the vehicle, wherein the external close switch is in communication with the controller and, when activated, signals the controller to move the door toward the closed door position; an internal close switch mounted to an internal side of one of the door or the vehicle, wherein the internal close switch is in communication with the controller and, when activated, signals the controller to move the door toward the closed door position; a door open sensor in combination with the controller and at least one of the internal latch actuator or the external latch actuator of the door; and a door position sensor mounted to the internal side of the door adjacent to the door frame. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. An apparatus for motorizing a door relative to a door frame of a vehicle, the apparatus comprising:
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a drive system coupled to the door and the door frame of the vehicle, wherein the drive system moves the door between a closed door position and an open door position; a controller electrically connected to the drive system; an electrical power supply in combination with the controller and the drive system; an external close switch mounted to an external side of one of the door or the vehicle, wherein the external close switch is in communication with the controller and, when activated, signals the controller to move the door toward the closed door position; an internal close switch mounted to an internal side of one of the door or the vehicle, wherein the internal close switch is in communication with the controller and, when activated, signals the controller to move the door toward the closed door position; and at least one sensor of a safety switch disposed around an outer perimeter of the internal side of the door, wherein the safety switch sends a door stop signal to the controller upon sensing an obstruction between the sensor and the door frame. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22, 23, 24, 25)
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26. A method of retrofitting a door of a vehicle with a motorized door assist apparatus, the method comprising:
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mechanically coupling a drive system between the door and the vehicle, wherein the drive system moves the door between a closed door position and an open door position; electrically coupling a controller to the drive system; electrically coupling an electrical power supply to the controller; mounting an external close switch to an external side of one of the door or the vehicle, wherein the external close switch is in communication with the controller and, when activated, signals the controller to move the door toward the closed door position; mounting an internal close switch to an internal side of one of the door or the vehicle, wherein the internal close switch is in communication with the controller and, when activated, signals the controller to move the door toward the closed door position; mounting a door open sensor to an internal latch actuator or an external latch actuator of the door, wherein the door open sensor is in communication with the controller; and mounting a door position sensor to the internal side of the door adjacent to the door frame, wherein the door position sensor is in communication with the controller.
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Specification