Vehicle access control system
First Claim
1. A method for providing access to a vehicle, the vehicle including a door movable between an open position and a closed position, a door motor for moving the door, a ramp movable between a stowed position and a deployed position, and a ramp control system for moving the ramp, the method comprising:
- sending a first door operation signal to move the door;
delivering electrical power to the door motor to initiate movement of the door in response to the first door operation signal;
detecting initiation of the delivery of electrical power to the door motor;
determining whether the ramp is in the stowed position or the deployed position and;
i) if the ramp is in the deployed position;
sending a second door operation signal to reverse movement of the door and thereby maintain the door in an open position;
operating the ramp control system to stow the ramp; and
sending a third door operation signal to close the door;
ii) if the ramp is in the stowed position;
waiting for the door to move to the open position; and
operating the ramp control system to deploy the ramp.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A system and method for coordinating movement of a powered sliding door module and an access ramp for a vehicle. A system control board communicates with a current detector that can detect current on the power wires for the sliding door'"'"'s motor. The current detector signals the system control board when it detects current and the system control board determines whether the ramp is stowed or deployed. If the ramp is deployed, the system control board stops and reverses the door so that the door remains open. The system control board then stows the ramp and closes the door. If the ramp is stowed, the system control board waits for the current in the door motor to return to zero and then determines if the door is completely open. If the door is not completely open the system control board does nothing. If the door is completely open, the system control board deploys the ramp.
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Citations
24 Claims
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1. A method for providing access to a vehicle, the vehicle including a door movable between an open position and a closed position, a door motor for moving the door, a ramp movable between a stowed position and a deployed position, and a ramp control system for moving the ramp, the method comprising:
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sending a first door operation signal to move the door; delivering electrical power to the door motor to initiate movement of the door in response to the first door operation signal; detecting initiation of the delivery of electrical power to the door motor; determining whether the ramp is in the stowed position or the deployed position and; i) if the ramp is in the deployed position; sending a second door operation signal to reverse movement of the door and thereby maintain the door in an open position; operating the ramp control system to stow the ramp; and sending a third door operation signal to close the door; ii) if the ramp is in the stowed position; waiting for the door to move to the open position; and operating the ramp control system to deploy the ramp. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A method for an access system in a vehicle, the vehicle including a power door movable between an open position and a closed position, and a door motor operable to move the power door between the open and closed positions in response to electrical power carried by a door power wire, the method comprising:
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installing a ramp in the vehicle, the ramp movable between a stowed position and a deployed position and providing access to the vehicle when the ramp is in the deployed position and the door is in the open position; coupling a ramp control system to the ramp, the ramp control system operable to move the ramp between the stowed position and the deployed position; operably associating a current detector with the door power wire, the current detector operable to detect initiation of electrical current flowing through the door power wire; installing an access system controller in the vehicle; coupling the access system controller with the ramp control system for communication therewith; and coupling the access system controller to the current detector for communication therewith. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. An access system for a vehicle, the access system comprising:
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a power door movable between an open position and a closed position; a door motor for moving the door between the open and closed positions; a door power wire for supplying electrical power to the door motor; a current sensor for detecting initiation of current flowing through the door power wire; a ramp movable between a stowed position and a deployed position; and a controller for coordinating operation of the ramp and the door in response to signals received from the current sensor. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21, 22, 23, 24)
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Specification