Switch-based door and ramp interface system
First Claim
1. A control system for a vehicle including a door and a ramp, the system comprising:
- a door actuator for moving the door between open and closed positions;
a ramp controller for controlling movement of the ramp between stowed and deployed positions;
a door control operable to send a door operation request;
a door control unit coupled to the door control and operable to control a supply of electrical power to the door actuator in response to the door operation request;
an interface system coupled to the ramp controller and the door control, and coupled between the door actuator and the door control unit to selectively prohibit the supply of electrical power from reaching the door actuator when the ramp is not stowed.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An interface system prevents operational interference between a vehicle power door and a ramp of an access system by interrupting power to the motors and actuators responsible for operating the door. The interface system includes a relay system that does not interrupt, read, signal, or otherwise interfere with the communication lines between a body control unit, door control unit, or remote control transmitter or receiver. Thus, the interface system functions without the need to receive and transmit signals on the vehicle'"'"'s communication bus. The interface system enables the ramp controller of the access system to be a separate module, which controls the ramp and kneel functions, because the only input the ramp controller provides to the power door system is to a ground signal that mimics that of a switch included in the vehicle.
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Citations
18 Claims
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1. A control system for a vehicle including a door and a ramp, the system comprising:
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a door actuator for moving the door between open and closed positions; a ramp controller for controlling movement of the ramp between stowed and deployed positions; a door control operable to send a door operation request; a door control unit coupled to the door control and operable to control a supply of electrical power to the door actuator in response to the door operation request; an interface system coupled to the ramp controller and the door control, and coupled between the door actuator and the door control unit to selectively prohibit the supply of electrical power from reaching the door actuator when the ramp is not stowed. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A method of coordinating operation of a door control system and a ramp control system in a vehicle having a door and a ramp, the method comprising:
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sending a ramp signal that indicates whether the ramp is stowed; receiving the ramp signal at an interface system, the interface system including a plurality of switches; configuring the plurality of switches in one of a predetermined plurality of configurations in response to at least the ramp signal; sending a door operation request from a door control; receiving the door operation request at a door control system; sending a supply of electrical power from the door control system to operate a door actuator for moving the door in response to receiving the door operation request; selectively preventing or allowing the supply of electrical power to reach the door actuator dependent upon the configuration of the plurality of switches. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A door and ramp control system for a vehicle having a door and a ramp, the system comprising:
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a door actuator for opening and closing the door; a ramp actuator for stowing and deploying the ramp; a ramp sensor that sends a ramp signal corresponding to a position of the ramp; a door control system coupled to the door actuator and the door sensor, the door control system operable to send a supply of electrical power to the door actuator to open or close the door; a door control coupled to the door control system and operable to send a door operation request, the door control system sending the supply of electrical power in response to receiving the door operation request; an interface system coupled to the door control, the ramp sensor, and the ramp actuator, the interface system including a plurality of switches that operate in response to at least the ramp signal, wherein at least one of the plurality of switches is coupled between the door control system and the door actuator to selectively prevent or allow the supply of electrical power sent from the door control system to reach the door actuator. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18)
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Specification