Electronically-controlled vehicle door system

• US 6,256,932 B1
• Filed: 06/29/1999
• Issued: 07/10/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 06/29/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: FCA US LLC (Stellantis NV)
• Original Assignee: Daimler Chrysler Corporation (Mercedes-Benz Group AG)
• Inventors: Wludyka, Todd H., Jyawook, Jaime N.
• Primary Examiner(s): Dayoan, B.
• Assistant Examiner(s): ESTREMSKY, GARY WAYNE
• Application Number:
  US09/342,780
• Time in Patent Office: 742 Days
• Field of Search: 292/347, 292/216, 292/201, 292/DIG.23, 702/39, 702/56, 702/57, 702/63, 702/64, 702/79, 200/61.62, 200/61.81, 200/61.82, 200/61.85, 200/DIG.2, 296/208, 495/03, 494/60
• US Class Current: 49/503
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 2047/0071 Connecting lockparts by electronic communication means only, e.g. bus systems, time multiplexing
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 77/24 preventing use of an inner door handle, sill button, lock knob or the like
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 77/26 specially adapted for child safety
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 81/14 operating on bolt detents, e.g. for unlatching the bolt
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 81/20 for assisting final closing or for initiating opening
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 81/76 Detection of handle operation; Detection of a user approaching a handle; Electrical switching actions performed by door handles
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 83/40 for sliding doors
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 292/57 Operators with knobs or handles
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 292/82 Knobs

Abstract

A vehicle door system having a vehicle door, a stationary handle fixed to the vehicle door, a door switch, a power latching mechanism and a wiring harness with a sealing grommet is provided. The door switch is mounted to the stationary handle in a manner which permits the door switch to be actuated when the stationary handle is gripped to open the vehicle door. The wire harness extends from the door switch through an aperture in the vehicle door and couples the door switch to a control module. The sealing grommet substantially seals the aperture to inhibit the infiltration of water and dust into the vehicle door. Actuation of the door switch causes the generation of a door switch signal which is received by the control module. Upon receipt of the switch signal, the control module determines the latched condition of the power latching mechanism and controls its operation according to a predetermined control methodology.

Claims

1. A door system for a vehicle having a vehicle body with a body aperture, said door system comprising:

a door panel operable between a closed position substantially closing said body aperture and an open position substantially clearing said body aperture, said door panel including a wire harness aperture extending through an exterior side of said door panel;

a member coupled to said door panel and operable for facilitating manual manipulation of said door panel between said closed position and said open position;

a latch mechanism coupled to said door panel, said latch mechanism operable in a latched condition adapted for engaging a body member carried by said vehicle body to latch said door panel in said closed position, said latch mechanism operable in an unlatched condition permitting said door panel to be moved between said open and closed positions;

a switch coupled to said door panel proximate said member, said switch operable for generating a switch signal when said member is gripped to manually manipulate said door panel; and

a wire harness extending through the wire harness aperture and coupled to the switch, the wire harness being operable for transmitting the switch signal;

wherein said switch signal is operable for causing said latch mechanism to be positioned in said unlatched condition.

2. The door system for a vehicle of claim 1, wherein said member includes a handle aperture having a first surface operable for pulling said vehicle door to said open position.

3. The door system for a vehicle of claim 2, wherein said switch extends beyond said first surface into said handle aperture.

4. The door system for a vehicle of claim 1, wherein the wire harness includes a sealing grommet that is configured to engage the door panel and seal said wire harness aperture.

5. The door system for a vehicle of claim 1, The handle assembly for a vehicle door of claim 1, wherein said member is a light bar.

6. The door system for a vehicle of claim 1, wherein said member is coupled to said exterior side of said door panel.

7. The door system for a vehicle of claim 1, further comprising a key switch and a mechanical link, said key switch coupled to said exterior side of said door panel, said mechanical link coupling said key switch and said latch mechanism such that said operation of said key switch in a first predetermined direction causes said mechanical link to position said latch mechanism in said unlatched condition.

8. A tailgate system for a vehicle having a vehicle body with a rear body aperture, said tailgate system comprising:

a tailgate panel operable between a closed position substantially closing said rear body aperture and an open position substantially clearing said rear body aperture, said tailgate panel including a wire harness aperture extending through an exterior side of said tailgate panel;

a light bar assembly having a bar portion fixed to said tailgate panel, said bar portion including a handle aperture with a first surface, said first surface facilitating manual manipulation of said tailgate panel from said closed position into said open position, a switch coupled to said bar portion and to extending beyond said first surface into said handle aperture such that said switch is actuated when said first surface is used to manually manipulate said tailgate panel, said switch producing a switch signal when actuated, a wire harness coupled to said switch and extending through said hole in said tailgate panel, said wire harness adapted for transmitting said switch signal to a control module, and a sealing grommet coupled to said wire harness and substantially sealing said wire harness hole in said tailgate panel;

a latch mechanism coupled to said tailgate panel, said latch mechanism operable in a latched condition adapted for engaging a body member carried by said vehicle body to latch said tailgate panel in said closed position, said latch mechanism operable in an unlatched condition permitting said tailgate panel to be moved between said open and closed positions;

wherein said switch signal is operable for causing said latch mechanism to be positioned in said unlatched condition.