Sensor for increasing signal response time
First Claim
1. An improved limit sensor for a vehicle power sliding door assembly having an increased signal response time, comprising:
- a housing;
an actuator disposed within said housing and being constructed to receive a force from a movable element of the vehicle power sliding door assembly, said actuator having a deflectable member with a selected resiliency; and
a pressure sensitive signal element situated within said housing against said deflectable member and being electrically responsive thereto, said pressure sensitive signal element receiving the force imparted from said deflectable member of said actuator and establishing a signal indicative thereof, said selected resiliency of said deflectable member producing a dampening effect for increasing a length of time for signal response for facilitating operation of the vehicle power sliding assembly by increasing signal response time.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A sensor (210) for increasing signal time employs a resiliently deflectable member n(218) with a pressure sensitive signal element (216) and base member (222). The dampening effect of the elastic material provides a longer signal response time that allows sufficient time for a system to react without a need for additional signal conditioning circuitry. Sensor (10, 110) senses a selected path of movement for a moveable element (8) and establishes a signal indicative thereof. The limit sensor includes a resiliently deflectable member (18) for activating the signal at a predetermined station along the preselected path of movement and includes a base member (22) for supporting the resiliently deflectable member (18) and the pressure sensitive signal element (16). An actuator (20) receives the force (F) from the moveable element (8) and transfers the force (F) to the pressure sensitive signal element (16). In the preferred embodiment, the resiliently deflectable member (18) includes a leaf spring (18) positioned between the actuator (20) and the pressure sensitive signal element (16).
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Citations
27 Claims
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1. An improved limit sensor for a vehicle power sliding door assembly having an increased signal response time, comprising:
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a housing;
an actuator disposed within said housing and being constructed to receive a force from a movable element of the vehicle power sliding door assembly, said actuator having a deflectable member with a selected resiliency; and
a pressure sensitive signal element situated within said housing against said deflectable member and being electrically responsive thereto, said pressure sensitive signal element receiving the force imparted from said deflectable member of said actuator and establishing a signal indicative thereof, said selected resiliency of said deflectable member producing a dampening effect for increasing a length of time for signal response for facilitating operation of the vehicle power sliding assembly by increasing signal response time. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A method for increasing signal response time for a limit sensor, comprising the steps of:
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providing an actuator having a deflectable member with a selected resiliency, the deflectable member of the actuator being constructed to receive a force from a movable element;
providing a pressure sensitive signal element and positioning the pressure sensitive signal element at a selected location for receiving the force from the deflectable member of the actuator;
providing a base member for supporting the pressure sensitive signal element and the deflectable member of the actuator;
generating a signal with the pressure sensitive signal element substantially proportional to the force imparted from the deflectable member of the actuator on the pressure sensitive signal element;
producing a dampening effect following a release of the force with the selected resiliency of the deflectable member of the actuator; and
increasing a length of time for the signal with the dampening effect produced by the selected resiliency of the deflectable member of the actuator to allow sufficient time for detection of the signal from the limit sensor. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. An improved limit sensor, comprising:
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an actuator constructed to receive a force from a movable element, said actuator being positioned on a selected path of movement, said actuator having a deflectable member having a selected resiliency;
a pressure sensitive signal element operatively connected to said deflectable member of said actuator for receiving the force imparted therefrom and establishing a signal indicative thereof; and
a base member connected to said actuator and said pressure sensitive signal element for supporting said actuator, said deflectable member, and said pressure sensitive signal element, said deflectable member having said selected resiliency being constructed to activate with the transfer of the force said pressure sensitive signal element at a predetermined station along the selected path of movement, said selected resiliency of said deflectable member producing a dampening effect as the force is released for increasing the signal response time for a time sufficient for detection of the signal. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27)
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Specification