INTUITIVE CONTROL SYSTEM FOR POWER ASSISTED VEHICLE DOORS
First Claim
1. A method of operating a vehicle door having a latch assembly, a lock assembly and an interior joystick operatively connected to the lock and latch assemblies, the joystick being pivotal about first and second perpendicular axes, the method comprising:
- pivoting the joystick forwardly about the first axis to lock the door;
pivoting the joystick rearwardly about the first axis to unlock and unlatch the door;
pivoting the joystick to laterally outwardly about the second axis to open the door; and
pivoting the joystick to laterally inwardly about the second axis to close the door.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A heavy vehicle door or ramp is opened and closed using an intuitive control system. The door includes a latch assembly, a lock assembly, and a power unit to assist in opening and closing the door. The door includes an interior joy stick handle and an exterior lever handle. From outside the vehicle, the door is opened and closed by pivoting the lever handle downwardly and upwardly, respectively. From the interior of the vehicle, the joy stick handle is pulled inwardly to close the door and pushed outwardly to open the door. Pivoting the joystick handle forwardly engages the blast locks, while pivoting the joystick handle rearwardly unlatches the latch assembly and disengages the blast locks. The power assist unit is actuated by pivotal movement of the outside door handle and lateral pivotal movement of the interior joystick handle.
15 Citations
22 Claims
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1. A method of operating a vehicle door having a latch assembly, a lock assembly and an interior joystick operatively connected to the lock and latch assemblies, the joystick being pivotal about first and second perpendicular axes, the method comprising:
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pivoting the joystick forwardly about the first axis to lock the door; pivoting the joystick rearwardly about the first axis to unlock and unlatch the door; pivoting the joystick to laterally outwardly about the second axis to open the door; and pivoting the joystick to laterally inwardly about the second axis to close the door. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A method of operating a vehicle door mounted in a door frame, the door having a lock assembly and an interior joystick operatively connected to the lock and latch assemblies, the joystick being pivotal about first and second perpendicular axes, the method comprising:
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pivoting the joystick about the first axis to control the lock and latch assemblies from inside the vehicle; and pivoting the joystick about the second axis to control opening and closing the door from inside the vehicle. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. A method of operating a vehicle door, comprising:
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pivoting an interior handle on the inside of the door in opposite first and second directions to latch and unlatch the door; pivoting the handle in opposite third and fourth directions to open and close the door. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22)
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Specification