POWER DOOR SYSTEM FOR A MOTOR VEHICLE

• US 20150283886A1
• Filed: 04/04/2014
• Published: 10/08/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 04/04/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Original Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Inventors: Nania, Adrian
• Granted Patent: US 9,834,978 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 15/622 using screw-and-nut mechanisms
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 15/73 responsive to movement or presence of persons or objects
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2400/44 Sensors not directly associated with the wing movement
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2900/531 Doors

Abstract

A power side door system for a motor vehicle includes a vehicle side door connected to a vehicle body and an actuator for displacing the side door between an open and a closed position. The system further includes a presence sensor to determine a change in presence of an individual in a seat position adjacent the side door. Further, the system includes a controller responsive to the presence sensor to control operation of the actuator. Advantageously the system automatically closes the door either after an individual enters the vehicle and occupies the seat or after an individual vacates the seat and leaves the vehicle.

Claims

1. A power side door system for a motor vehicle, comprising:

a vehicle side door connected to a vehicle body;

an actuator for displacing said side door between an open position and a closed position;

a presence sensor to determine a change in presence of an individual in a seat position adjacent said side door; and

a controller responsive to said presence sensor to control operation of said actuator.

2. The system of claim 1, further including an obstacle sensor for sensing an obstacle in a path of movement of said side door, said controller being responsive to said obstacle sensor to control operation of said actuator.

3. The system of claim 2, further including a switch for displacing said door between said open position and said closed position, said controller being responsive to said switch to control operation of said actuator.

4. The system of claim 3, further including a force sensor for sensing an opening or closing force applied to said side door, said controller being responsive to said force sensor to control operation of said actuator.

5. The system of claim 4, further including a door handle sensor for sensing operation of a door handle to release a latch that secures said side door in said closed position, said controller being responsive to said door handle sensor to control operation of said actuator.

6. The system of claim 5, further including a voice activation module for recognizing spoken sounds, said controller being responsive to said voice activation module to control operation of said actuator and open and close said side door in response to voice commands.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein said presence sensor is a weight sensor connected to said seat.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein said side door includes a pivot hinge that connects said side door to said vehicle body.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein said actuator is a linear actuator carried in said side door.

10. The system of claim 9, further including a door check arm having a first end pivotally connected to said linear actuator and a second end pivotally connected to said vehicle body.

11. The system of claim 10 wherein said door check arm is smooth to provide an infinite number of stop positions.

12. The system of claim 11, wherein said side door further includes a guidance roller system for engaging said door check arm, said roller system including opposed rollers engaging opposite sides of said door check arm.

13. The system of claim 2, further including a voice activation module for recognizing spoken sounds, said controller being responsive to said voice activation module to control operation of said actuator and open and close said side door in response to voice commands.

14. The system of claim 1, further including a cinch latch having an engaged position for securing said side door in said closed position and an unengaged position for releasing said side door for opening.

15. A vehicle incorporating said power side door system of claim 1.

16. In a vehicle equipped with a power side door, an actuator for opening and closing said power side door, an adjacent seat, a presence sensor to monitor presence or absence of an individual in said seat and a controller responsive to said presence sensor to control operation of said power side door, a method comprising:

opening said power side door;

monitoring said seat with said presence sensor;

closing said power side door by operation of said actuator in response to said controller either after (a) said individual enters said vehicle and occupies said seat or (b) said individual vacates said seat and leaves said vehicle as determined by detection of a change of presence in said seat by said presence sensor.

17. The method of claim 16, further including monitoring said seat for a change in presence for a predetermined time frame and automatically closing said power side door in response to detection of a change of presence in said seat during said predetermined time frame.

18. The method of claim 17 including starting said predetermined time frame upon opening said door.

19. The method of claim 16 including sensing weight in said seat in order to determine a change of presence in said seat.

20. The method of claim 19 including setting a predetermined minimum weight to establish presence of an individual in said seat.