Sensor system for vehicle door
First Claim
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1. A sensor system for protecting a door of a vehicle from damage, the system comprising:
- a proximity detector operable to detect when an object external to the vehicle is in proximity to the door of the vehicle and provide a signal indicative thereof;
a blocking mechanism coupled with the signal, the blocking mechanism being operable to block the opening of the door beyond a distance where the vehicle door would strike the external object as indicated by the signal; and
an override mechanism, coupled to the blocking mechanism, the override mechanism being operable to disable the blocking mechanism and allow the vehicle door to open beyond the distance where the vehicle door would strike the external object.
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Abstract
A sensor system for protecting a door of a vehicle from damage includes an electronic sensor operable to detect when an object external to the vehicle is within close proximity to the door of the vehicle. The sensor system provides a signal indicative of the proximity of the external object. The sensor system also includes a blocking hinge mechanism coupled with the signal. The hinge mechanism blocks the opening of the door beyond a distance wherein the vehicle door would strike the object.
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Citations
17 Claims
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1. A sensor system for protecting a door of a vehicle from damage, the system comprising:
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a proximity detector operable to detect when an object external to the vehicle is in proximity to the door of the vehicle and provide a signal indicative thereof; a blocking mechanism coupled with the signal, the blocking mechanism being operable to block the opening of the door beyond a distance where the vehicle door would strike the external object as indicated by the signal; and an override mechanism, coupled to the blocking mechanism, the override mechanism being operable to disable the blocking mechanism and allow the vehicle door to open beyond the distance where the vehicle door would strike the external object. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A sensor system for protecting a door of a vehicle from damage, the system comprising:
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a proximity detector operable to detect when an object external to the vehicle is in proximity to the door of the vehicle and provide a signal indicative thereof, the proximity detector being mounted near an outer edge of the vehicle door; a blocking mechanism coupled to a hinge of the vehicle door, the blocking mechanism being operable to block the opening of the door beyond a distance where the vehicle door would strike the external object as indicated by the proximity detector; a controller coupled between the proximity detector and blocking mechanism, the controller inputs the signal from the proximity detector for use in directing the blocking action of the blocking mechanism; an arming system coupled to the controller that prevents operation of the system unless the arming system is activated; and an override system coupled to the controller that prevents operation of the system when the override system is activated such that the door is capable of opening beyond the distance where the vehicle door would strike the external object. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A method for protecting a door of a vehicle from damage, the method comprising the steps of:
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arming a vehicle door blocking mechanism under predetermined circumstances; detecting when an object external to the vehicle is in proximity to the door of the vehicle; blocking the opening of the door beyond a distance where the vehicle door would strike the external object as indicated by the detecting step; and overriding the vehicle door blocking mechanism under predetermined circumstances such that the vehicle door is capable of opening beyond the distance where the vehicle door would strike the external object. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17)
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Specification