CONTROL SYSTEM FOR POWER-ASSISTED DOOR

• US 20110203181A1
• Filed: 02/25/2010
• Published: 08/25/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 02/25/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: TriMark Corporation
• Original Assignee: TriMark Corporation
• Inventors: Bergman, John Todd, MAGNER, DAVID S.
• Granted Patent: US 9,159,219 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 49/324
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 83/01 Locks for military or armoured vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 15/42 Detection using safety edges
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 15/50 using fluid-pressure actuators
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 15/603 using rotary electromotors
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2400/512 of electric power
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2400/612 Batteries
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2900/504 for armored vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 17/00 Arrangements for transmitting signals characterised by the use of a wireless electrical link
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 2201/51 Remote controlling of devices based on replies, status thereof
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/00 Circuit arrangements for charging or depolarising batteries or for supplying loads from batteries
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/1423 with multiple batteries

Abstract

A control system for a power assisted door, the electronic door control system includes an intelligent control, a plurality of sensor inputs operatively connected to the intelligent control, the plurality of sensor inputs associated with state of a plurality of mechanical components of the power assisted door, and a power drive operatively connected to the intelligent control for providing opening and closing of the power assisted door. The intelligent control is configured to monitor status of the plurality of sensor inputs and control the power drive at least partially based on the status of the plurality of sensor inputs. The intelligent control may be adapted to determine when state of the plurality of sensor inputs is indicative of one or more conditions which would preclude safe door movement. A power distribution module may also be present to assist in limiting current draw and to allow for charging.

Claims

1. A control system for a power assisted door, the control system comprising:

an intelligent control;

a plurality of sensor inputs operatively connected to the intelligent control, the plurality of switch inputs associated with state of a plurality of mechanical components of the power assisted door;

a power drive operatively connected to the intelligent control for providing opening and closing of the power assisted door; and

wherein the intelligent control is configured to monitor status of the plurality of sensor inputs and control the power drive at least partially based on the status of the plurality of sensor inputs.

2. The control system of claim 1 wherein the plurality of mechanical components comprise a latch assembly, a lock assembly, and an interior joystick operatively connected to the latch assembly and the lock assembly.

3. The control system of claim 1 wherein the intelligent control being operatively connected to a secondary motor for unlocking and/or unlatching the power assisted door.

4. The control system of claim 1 further comprising a power distribution module operatively connected to the intelligent control and the power drive.

5. The control system of claim 4 wherein the power distribution module is operatively connected to a vehicle battery and a backup battery.

6. The control system of claim 5 wherein the power distribution module is configured for charging the back up battery.

7. The control system of claim 4 wherein the intelligent control monitors a primary power system and a second power system.

8. The control system of claim 7 further comprising charging circuitry associated with the power distribution module for charging the secondary power source.

9. The control system of claim 4 wherein the power distribution module provides for limiting current draw of one or more batteries operatively connected to the power distribution module.

10. The control system of claim 1 further comprising a wireless remote device in operative communication with the intelligent control.

11. The control system of claim 1 further comprising a network interface.

12. The control system of claim 11 wherein the network interface is a wired interface.

13. The control system of claim 12 wherein the network interface is a controller area network (CAN) interface.

14. The control system of claim 1 wherein the power assisted door is a vehicle door.

15. The control system of claim 1 wherein the intelligent control being adapted to determine when state of the plurality of sensor inputs being indicative of attempts to both open and close the power assisted door at the same time.

16. The control system of claim 1 wherein the intelligent control being adapted to determine when state of the plurality of sensor inputs being indicative of one or more conditions which would preclude safe door movement.

17. The control system of claim 1 wherein the plurality of sensor inputs comprising at least one door perimeter pressure switch input.

18. The control system of claim 1 wherein the plurality of sensor inputs comprise a striker bolt switch input.

19. The control system of claim 1 wherein the mechanical components comprise a three-position external door handle.

20. A method of controlling a power assisted door, the method comprising:

providing an electronic door control system including (a) an intelligent control, (b) a plurality of sensor inputs operatively connected to the intelligent control, the plurality of sensor inputs associated with state of a plurality of mechanical components of the power assisted door, (c) a power drive operatively connected to the intelligent control for providing opening and closing of the power assisted door, and (e) wherein the intelligent control is configured to monitor status of the plurality of sensor inputs and control the power drive at least partially based on the status of the plurality of sensor inputs;

monitoring status of the plurality of sensor inputs at the intelligent control; and

controlling the power drive at least partially based on the status of the plurality of sensor inputs.

21. The method of claim 20 wherein the monitoring status of the plurality of sensor inputs comprising monitoring movement of sensor inputs associated with a joystick control.

22. The method of claim 20 further comprising controlling a secondary actuator at least partially based on the status of the plurality of sensor inputs.

23. The method of claim 20 further comprising managing power associated with the power-assisted door.

24. A control system for a power assisted door, the electronic door control system comprising:

an intelligent control;

a plurality of sensor inputs operatively connected to the intelligent control, the plurality of switch inputs associated with state of a plurality of mechanical components of the power assisted door;

a first actuator operatively connected to the intelligent control for providing opening and closing of the power assisted door;

a second actuator operatively connected to the intelligent control for providing locking and unlocking of the power assisted door;

wherein the intelligent control is configured to monitor status of the plurality of sensor inputs and control the first actuator and the second actuator at least partially based on the status of the plurality of switch inputs; and

wherein the intelligent control being adapted to determine when state of the plurality of sensor inputs being indicative of one or more conditions which would preclude safe door movement.