Method and apparatus for operating a power sliding door in an automobile
First Claim
1. An electronic control system for controlling the operation of at least one power sliding door in a minivan, said control system comprising:
- a user input interface for producing a power sliding door actuation signal, said user input interface comprising at least one overhead console switch, at least one B-pillar switch, and a RKE system;
a first control module for receiving said actuation signal from said user input interface, interpreting said actuation signal, determining an action in reponse to said actuation signal and broadcasting an actuation message in response to said actuation signal;
a second control module for receiving said actuation message from said first control module, monitoring a plurality of status inputs and determining an action in response to said actuation message and controlling the operation of a plurality of devices for directing the movement of said at least one power sliding door; and
a communications network between said first control module and said second control module, said communications network comprising a serial data bus.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method and apparatus for operating a power sliding door in an automobile, such as a minivan, is disclosed. The invention is comprised in a control system that includes a user input interface for receiving sliding door actuation requests from a user. The actuation signals are carried to a body control module (BCM) where the request is broadcast to a power sliding door module (PSDM) over a serial data bus communications network meeting the SAE J1850 multiplex communications protocol standard. Upon receipt of the actuation message the PSDM monitors several operating conditions of the automobile and makes a determination whether or not to carry out the power sliding door activation request. Power sliding door actuation is controlled by the PSDM via electric motors located at or near the power doors. A power liftgate module (PLGM) controls the power liftgate actuation upon via electric motors located at or near the liftgate. The user input interface includes interior switches as well as a RKE system.
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Citations
29 Claims
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1. An electronic control system for controlling the operation of at least one power sliding door in a minivan, said control system comprising:
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a user input interface for producing a power sliding door actuation signal, said user input interface comprising at least one overhead console switch, at least one B-pillar switch, and a RKE system; a first control module for receiving said actuation signal from said user input interface, interpreting said actuation signal, determining an action in reponse to said actuation signal and broadcasting an actuation message in response to said actuation signal; a second control module for receiving said actuation message from said first control module, monitoring a plurality of status inputs and determining an action in response to said actuation message and controlling the operation of a plurality of devices for directing the movement of said at least one power sliding door; and a communications network between said first control module and said second control module, said communications network comprising a serial data bus. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A method for controlling the operation of at least one power sliding door in a minivan, said method comprising:
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monitoring a user input interface for a change of state in a first control module comprising monitoring overhead console switches, B-pillar switches and a RKE system; producing a power sliding door actuation signal in response to a user request in said user input interface; receiving said actuation signal from said user input interface in a first control module; interpreting said actuation signal in said first control module; determining an action in response to said actuation signal in said first control module; broadcasting an actuation message by said first control module; receiving an actuation message from said first control module in a second control module; monitoring a plurality of status inputs in said second control module; determining an action in response to said actuation message in said second control module; and directing the movement of said at least one power sliding door in a second control module utilizing a plurality of motors. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29)
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Specification