Method for controlling a power sliding van door
First Claim
1. A method for controlling movement of a moveable member, the method comprising the steps of:
- selectively driving the moveable member in either a first direction or in a second direction opposite from the first direction in response to actuation of a reversible electric motor;
generating at least one motion input signal corresponding to the movement of the moveable member along a fixed path of travel with at least on sensor positioned between the reversible electric motor and the moveable member, the at least one sensor located on a clutch positioned between the reversible electric motor and the moveable member; and
selectively actuating the reversible electric motor with control means for controlling the movement of the moveable member responsive to the at least one input signal in accordance with a control program.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A power drive system is adapted for a sliding door mounted on at least one side of a vehicle for sliding movement forwardly and rearwardly of the vehicle. The system includes a reversible motor. A bracket is guided within a guide along a fixed path between the opened and closed positions of the door. An elongated drive member is slidably disposed within the guide and connected to the bracket at one end for driving the bracket along the fixed path. A translator mechanism operably engages with the drive member for powering movement of the door. The translator mechanism can include a rotatable hub, operably engageable with the drive member, a gear transmission for driving the hub, and a clutch mechanism for connecting the motor to the transmission. The translator mechanism preferably has sufficient power to pull the sliding door into a primary latch position with respect to the corresponding portions of a latch mechanism attached to the door and frame defining the door opening. A power striker moves the door into and out of sealing engagement with the frame. A lock mechanism selectively maintains the latch in a locked position. At least one sensor provides an input signal to a control system corresponding to movement of the door, position of the lock mechanism, and position of the power striker for controlling the door drive unit, power striker drive unit, and lock mechanism drive unit in accordance with a program stored in memory.
101 Citations
30 Claims
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1. A method for controlling movement of a moveable member, the method comprising the steps of:
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selectively driving the moveable member in either a first direction or in a second direction opposite from the first direction in response to actuation of a reversible electric motor;
generating at least one motion input signal corresponding to the movement of the moveable member along a fixed path of travel with at least on sensor positioned between the reversible electric motor and the moveable member, the at least one sensor located on a clutch positioned between the reversible electric motor and the moveable member; and
selectively actuating the reversible electric motor with control means for controlling the movement of the moveable member responsive to the at least one input signal in accordance with a control program. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A method for controlling movement of a movable member comprising the steps of:
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selectively driving the moveable member along a fixed path of travel between first and second end limits of movement either in a first direction or in a second direction opposite from the first direction along the fixed path of travel in response to actuation of a reversible electric motor;
generating at least one input signal corresponding to the movement of the moveable member along the fixed path of travel with a sensor positioned between the reversible electric motor and the moveable member;
selectively actuating the reversible electric motor in accordance with a control program of control means responsive to the at least one input signal for controlling the movement of the moveable member; and
controlling the moveable member while moving between a first position and a second position along the fixed path in response to the sensor mounted to a portion of a clutch positioned between the reversible electric motor and the moveable member, the sensor for sensing movement of the clutch when the moveable member moves along the fixed path. - View Dependent Claims (12)
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13. A method comprising the steps of:
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moving a moveable member along a fixed path of travel between a first end limit of movement and a second end limit of movement in response to a reversible translator;
selectively driving the moveable member in a first direction and in a second direction opposite from the first direction along the fixed path of travel with the reversible translator, the translator including a clutch for engaging the translator with the moveable member;
generating at least one movement input signal in response to the movement of the moveable member along the fixed path of travel with at least one sensor positioned on the clutch; and
selectively controlling the translator in accordance with a control program with a programmable controller responsive to the at least one movement input signal. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16)
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17. A method for controlling movement comprising the steps of:
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moving a moveable closure along a fixed non-linear path of travel between first and second end limits of movement to open and close a portal through a barrier in response to activation of a reversible electric motor;
selectively driving the moveable closure in a first direction and in a second direction opposite from the first direction along the fixed path of travel with the reversible electric motor;
generating at least one input signal corresponding to movement of the moveable closure along the fixed path of travel with at least one sensor positioned on a clutch located between the reversible electric motor and the moveable closure; and
selectively actuating the motor in accordance with a control program for controlling the movement of the moveable closure in response to the at least one input signal. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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23. A method for controlling movement comprising the steps of:
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moving a moveable member along a fixed path of travel between first and second end limits of movement in response to activation of first driving means for driving the moveable member;
selectively driving the moveable member in a first direction and in a second direction opposite from the first direction along the fixed path of travel with the first driving means, the first driving means being responsive to control means for selectively actuating the first driving means, the first driving means including a reversible electric motor and a clutch positioned between the reversible electric motor and the moveable member;
generating at least one input signal corresponding to movement of the moveable member along the fixed path of travel with a sensor positioned between the first driving means and the moveable member, the sensor mounted to a portion of the clutch for sensing movement of the clutch when the moveable member moves along the fixed path; and
selectively actuating the first driving means in accordance with a control program with control means responsive to the at least one input signal, the control means for controlling the moveable member while moving between the first end limit and the second end limit along the fixed path in response to the sensor mounted to the portion of the clutch positioned between the reversible electric motor and the moveable member. - View Dependent Claims (24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30)
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Specification