Powered door object detection system and method

• US 7,151,350 B2
• Filed: 02/11/2004
• Issued: 12/19/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 02/11/2004
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Strattec Power Access LLC (Strattec Security Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc. (BorgWarner Incorporated)
• Inventors: Haag, Ronald Helmut, Husic, Jeremy M, Pasiecznik, John Jr.
• Primary Examiner(s): Donovan, Lincoln
• Assistant Examiner(s): GLASS, ERICK DAVID
• Application Number:
  US10/776,675
• Publication Number:
  US 20050174077A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,042 Days
• Field of Search: 318/280, 318/466, 318/469
• US Class Current: 318/280
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 15/43 responsive to disruption of energy beams, e.g. light or sound
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 15/611 for swinging wings
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 2015/483 for detection during opening
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2400/532 Emergency braking or blocking
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2900/531 Doors
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2900/546 Tailboards, tailgates or sideboards opening upwards
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 13/04 Systems determining presence of a target based on relative movement of target G01S13/56

Abstract

A non-contact detection system and method for detecting obstructions in relation to a powered door on a vehicle such that contact with the door may be prevented. The detection system includes an object detection sensor located on the powered door for sensing an object within an adjustable sensing zone. A door position sensor senses position of the door relative to at least one of an open and closed door position. A controller adjusts the sensing zone of the object detection sensor as a function of the sensed door position.

Claims

1. A detection system for detecting an object in relation to a movable door, said detection system comprising:

an object detection sensor located on a movable door for sensing an object within a sensing zone, said object detection sensor being adjustable to vary the size of the sensing zone;

a door position sensor for sensing position of the door relative to at least one of open and closed door positions; and

a controller operable coupled to the object detection sensor and the door position sensor and adapted to adjust the sensor to vary the size of the sensing zone of the object detection sensor as a function of the sensed door position.

2. The detection system as defined in claim 1, wherein the door is a powered door on a vehicle.

3. The detection system as defined in claim 2, wherein the powered door is a powered lift gate.

4. The detection system as defined in claim 1, wherein the object detection sensor is located so that the sensing zone covers the opening path of the door.

5. The detection system as defined in claim 1, wherein the controller further changes movement of the door when an object is sensed in the sensing zone.

6. The detection system as defined in claim 5, wherein the controller reverses direction of movement of the door when the object is sensed in the sensing zone.

7. The detection system as defined in claim 1, wherein the object detection sensor comprises a radar sensor.

8. The detection system as defined in claim 6, wherein the sensor comprises first and second radar sensors.

9. The detection system as defined in claim 6, wherein the radar sensor is a differential pulsed Doppler radar sensor having a dynamic range gate.

13. The detection system as defined in claim 1, wherein the object detection sensor is located so that the sensing zone covers the opening path of the door.

10. An object detection system for detecting an object in relation to a movable powered door on a vehicle, said detection system comprising:

an object detection sensor located on a movable powered door on a vehicle for sensing an object within a sensing zone, said object detection sensor having a sensitivity that is adjustable to vary the size of the sensing zone;

a door position sensor for sensing position of the movable powered door; and

a controller operably coupled to the object detection sensor and the door position sensor and including means for adjusting the sensitivity of the object detection sensor as a function of the sensed door position to thereby vary the size of the sensing zone, wherein the controller further changes movement of the powered door when an object is sensed in the sensing zone.

11. The detection system as defined in claim 10, wherein the controller changes movement of the powered door so as to reverse direction of movement of the powered door upon detecting an object in the sensing zone.

12. The detection system as defined in claim 11, wherein the controller prevents reversal of direction of movement of the powered door once the powered door position reaches a predetermined position.

14. The detection system as defined in claim 10, wherein the powered door is a power lift gate.

15. The detection system as defined in claim 10, wherein the object detection sensor comprises a radar sensor.

16. The detection system as defined in claim 15, wherein the sensor comprises first and second radar sensors.

17. The detection system as defined in claim 15, wherein the radar sensor is a differential pulsed Doppler radar sensor having a dynamic range gate.

18. A method of detecting an object in relation to a movable door, said method comprising the steps of:

locating a object detection sensor on the movable door, said object detection sensor having a sensing zone and being adjustable to vary the size of the sensing zone;

sensing position of a movable door relative to at least one of open and closed door positions;

adjusting the sensor to determine the size of the sensing zone as a function of the sensed door position to create an adjusted sensing zone; and

sensing the presence of an object within the adjusted sensing zone.

19. The method as defined in claim 18 further comprising the step of changing movement of the door when the object is sensed in the sensing zone.

20. The method as defined in claim 19, wherein the step of changing movement of the door comprises reversing direction of movement of the door when the object is sensed in the sensing zone.

21. The method as defined in claim 18, wherein the adjusted sensing zone is in the opening path of the door.

22. The method as defined in claim 18, wherein the step of sensing the presence of the object comprises transmitting and receiving radar signals.

23. The method as defined in claim 22, wherein said step of transmitting and receiving radar signals comprises transmitting and receiving radar signals with a differential pulsed Doppler radar sensor having a dynamic range gate.

24. The method as defined in claim 18, wherein the step of sensing position of the door comprises sensing position of a powered door on a vehicle.

25. The method as defined in claim 24, wherein the powered door comprises a powered lift gate.