SLIDING DOOR OBSTACLE DETECTION

• US 20130292955A1
• Filed: 05/01/2012
• Published: 11/07/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 05/01/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha (Toyota Motor Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America Incorporated (Toyota Motor Corporation)
• Inventors: Higgins, Christopher M., Sackett, Jay L.
• Granted Patent: US 9,074,402 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 292/195
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 9/00 Arrangement or adaptation of signal devices not provided for in one of main groups B60Q1/00 - B60Q7/00 , e.g. haptic signalling
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 81/64 Monitoring or sensing, e.g. by using switches or sensors
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 83/36 Locks for passenger or like doors
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 15/40 Safety devices, e.g. detection of obstructions or end positions
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 15/646 allowing or involving a secondary movement of the wing, e.g. rotational or transversal
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2400/54 Obstruction or resistance detection
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2900/531 Doors
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 292/1075 Operating means

Abstract

Obstacle detection for a sliding door of a vehicle including a sensor apparatus located on or near a hinge of the sliding door and arranged to detect an obstacle in a path of the hinge of the sliding door. A controller connected to the sensor apparatus is configured to receive an obstruction signal from the sensor apparatus indicating detection of an obstacle in the path of the hinge of the sliding door.

Claims

1. An obstacle detection system for a sliding door of a vehicle, the obstacle detection system comprising:

a sensor apparatus located on or near a hinge of the sliding door and arranged to detect an obstacle in a path of the hinge of the sliding door; and

a controller connected to the sensor apparatus and configured to receive an obstruction signal from the sensor apparatus indicating detection of an obstacle in the path of the hinge of the sliding door.

2. The obstacle detection system of claim 1, wherein the sensor apparatus is located on or near a lower hinge of the sliding door.

3. The obstacle detection system of claim 1, wherein the controller controls a motor of the sliding door to stop or to reverse a sliding direction of the sliding door from a first direction to a second direction when the received obstruction signal from the sensor apparatus indicates detection of an obstacle in the path of the hinge in the first direction.

4. The obstacle detection system of claim 3, wherein the controller controls the motor of the sliding door to stop the sliding door from sliding in the second direction when the controller receives a second obstruction signal from the sensor apparatus indicating detection of an obstacle in the path of the hinge in the second direction.

5. The obstacle detection system of claim 1, wherein the sensor apparatus comprises:

a first sensor arranged to detect an obstacle in the path of the hinge in a first direction; and

a second sensor arranged to detect an obstacle in the path of the hinge in a second direction.

6. The obstacle detection system of claim 1, wherein the sensor apparatus further comprises at least one of a wire-type contact sensor, a capacitive contact sensor, a switch, or a light sensor arranged to detect an obstacle in the path of the hinge of the sliding door.

7. The obstacle detection system of claim 1, wherein the controller enables an audible alarm or an illumination of a warning light when the received input from the sensor apparatus indicates detection of an obstacle in the path of the hinge of the sliding door.

8. A sensor apparatus for detecting an obstacle in a path of a hinge of a sliding door, the sensor apparatus comprising:

a contact body slidably mounted on the hinge of the sliding door, wherein at least one edge of the contact body extends beyond an edge of the hinge into the path of the hinge; and

a sensor arranged to detect motion of the contact body relative to the hinge of the sliding door.

9. The sensor apparatus of claim 8, wherein the contact body is slidably mounted on a lower hinge of the sliding door.

10. The sensor apparatus of claim 8, wherein the sensor includes a bidirectional switch arranged to detect motion of the contact body in a first direction relative to the hinge and to detect motion of the contact body in a second direction relative to the hinge;

whereby detection of motion in the first direction by the sensor corresponds to detection of an obstacle as the hinge moves in the second direction in the path of the hinge and detection of motion in the second direction by the sensor corresponds to detection of an obstacle as the hinge moves in the first direction in the path of the hinge.

11. The sensor apparatus of claim 8, wherein the sensor comprises at least two switches arranged to detect motion of the contact body relative to the hinge of the sliding door.

12. The sensor apparatus of claim 8, wherein the sensor includes a rotary switch or a potentiometer arranged to detect motion of the contact body relative to the hinge of the sliding door.

13. The sensor apparatus of claim 8, further comprising a base located between the contact body and the hinge, the base housing at least a portion of the sensor.

14. A hinge assembly for a sliding door of a vehicle, the hinge assembly comprising:

a hinge having a first edge and connecting the sliding door with a door track of the vehicle which facilitates sliding of the hinge and the sliding door; and

a first sensor apparatus mounted adjacent the first edge of the hinge and extending into a path of the hinge, wherein the first sensor apparatus is arranged to detect an obstacle in the path of the hinge.

15. The hinge assembly of claim 14, wherein the hinge connects a lower portion of the sliding door with the door track of the vehicle.

16. The hinge assembly of claim 14, further comprising a second sensor apparatus mounted adjacent a second edge of the hinge and extending into the path of the hinge in a substantially opposite direction from the first sensor.

17. The hinge assembly of claim 14, wherein the first sensor apparatus comprises at least one of a wire-type contact sensor, a capacitive contact sensor, a switch, or a light sensor arranged to detect an obstacle in the path of the hinge of the sliding door.

18. A latch assembly capable of detecting an obstacle in a path of a hinge of a sliding door of a vehicle, the latch assembly comprising:

a latch cover mounted on the hinge of the sliding door;

a latch constructed to move within the latch cover; and

a sensor apparatus arranged to detect movement of the latch with respect to the latch cover.

19. The latch assembly of claim 18, wherein the sensor apparatus comprises at least one of a switch or a potentiometer arranged to detect movement of the latch.

20. The latch assembly of claim 19, wherein the sensor apparatus includes a rotary switch arranged to detect movement of the latch.