Control apparatus for powered vehicle door systems

• US 5,239,779 A
• Filed: 05/15/1992
• Issued: 08/31/1993
• Est. Priority Date: 03/22/1990
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Saturn Electronics & Engineering Incorporated (Flex, Ltd.)
• Original Assignee: Masco Industries Limited
• Inventors: Grossman, David G., Zuckerman, Lawrence H., DeLand, Daniel L., Moy, Curtis T., Heimnick, Paul, Schuler, Kurt P.
• Primary Examiner(s): KANNAN, PHILIP
• Application Number:
  US07/885,024
• Time in Patent Office: 473 Days
• Field of Search: 49/360, 49/362, 49/361, 49/363, 49/280, 49/358
• US Class Current: 49/360
• CPC Class Codes: B60J 5/06 slidable; foldable
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 77/48 by electrical means
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 81/20 for assisting final closing or for initiating opening
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 81/21 with means preventing or detecting pinching of objects or body parts
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 83/40 for sliding doors
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 15/41 Detection by monitoring transmitted force or torque E05F15/48 takes precedence; Safety couplings with activation dependent upon torque or force, e.g. slip couplings
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 15/646 allowing or involving a secondary movement of the wing, e.g. rotational or transversal
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2201/216 Clutches
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2201/246 by motors, magnets, springs or weights
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2201/462 Electromagnets
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2201/654 Cables
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2201/664 Drums
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2400/554 sensing motor load
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2800/112 Back driving the transmission or motor
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2800/426 against unauthorised use E05Y2400/51, E05Y2400/522 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2900/531 Doors
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2009/00769 with data transmission performed by wireless means

Abstract

Control systems including control circuitry and optional communications systems for operating a sliding power-operated member of an automotive vehicle. A powered sliding door in an automotive vehicle, such as a van, moves along a predetermined path of travel between a closed position and a fully open position relative to the body of the vehicle. Such a sliding door may be provided with one or more electrically-operated actuators for performing functions associated with the door, such as power opening and closing the door, power unlatching the door, power locking and unlocking the door, and power clamping and unclamping the door in a soft or low-momentum manner. The invention is directed toward improved control systems and circuitry for operating such power-sliding door systems. One such control system employs a wireless communications link between the door and body, which is preferably implemented using radio frequency communication signals containing digitally encoded control signals. Control circuitry is preferably provided in the body and the door of the vehicle for supervising and carrying out the foregoing functions in an orderly manner in response to requests generated locally at the door or remotely by the driver from the console of the vehicle. A second, simple, control system provides electrically-actuated mechanisms for unlatching the door and operating the door lock without the use of either a wireless communication system or a retractable electrical cable interconnecting the sliding door to the vehicle body.

Claims

1. In a control system for operating a sliding power-operated door movable along a predetermined path of travel between a closed position and fully open position relative to a body opening within a body portion of a self-propelled motor vehicle, control circuitry within the sliding door for operating electrically powered equipment within the sliding door, the control circuitry comprising:

control logic means for locally controlling the operation of the electrically powered equipment within the sliding door;

battery means for storing electrical power required to run the control logic means and the electrically powered equipment within the door where the door is not in its closed position; and

bidirectional wireless communications means, mounted on the sliding door, for transmitting and receiving to and from the body portion communications signals containing information related to a plurality of control signals for controlling a plurality of functions associated with the sliding door.

2. Control circuitry as in claim 1, further comprising:

means for producing a plurality of control signals provided as inputs to the bidirectional wireless communications means, such means for producing including at least one device intended to be actuated manually, one limit switch device providing information about a condition of the door, and at least one automatically operated device which generates a signal upon the occurrence of certain conditions associated with the door.