Vehicle door close/open assist and anti-slam device

• US 8,326,497 B2
• Filed: 01/12/2009
• Issued: 12/04/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 01/12/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Original Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Inventors: Shahidi, Bijan K., Huang, XianLi, Zhang, Zhen Steven
• Primary Examiner(s): Dickson, Paul N
• Assistant Examiner(s): Wilhelm, Timothy
• Application Number:
  US12/352,078
• Publication Number:
  US 20100179732A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,422 Days
• Field of Search: 701/49, 701/36, 494/781, 296/146.1, 296/146.4, 296/146.9, 296/207, 292/251.5
• US Class Current: 701/49
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 2005/043 operated by centrifugal action at high closing speed
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 5/025 specially adapted for vehicle doors
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 5/027 with closing action
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 5/04 hand-operated , e.g. removable; operated by centrifugal action or by high closing speed
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2201/412 for the final closing movement
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2201/426 for the initial opening movement
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2201/462 Electromagnets
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2400/52 Safety arrangements Safety means for manual wing operation E05Y2800/116
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2800/22 of not identical elements of the same category, e.g. combinations of not identical springs
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2800/254 the elements not functioning in case of emergency
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2900/531 Doors

Abstract

A vehicle door actuating device for a vehicle includes an actuator device disposed on one of a vehicle door and a door frame of the vehicle. A bumper is disposed on the other of the vehicle door and the door frame opposite the actuator device. A door sensor is disposed on the vehicle that measures door position and door movement. A controller receives data from the door sensor relating to the door position and door movement and activates the actuator device when the vehicle is in a parked position. The controller instructs the actuator device to repel the bumper to assist a user in opening the vehicle door and attract the bumper to assist a user in closing the vehicle door during closure.

Claims

1. A vehicle door opening device for a vehicle, comprising:

a plurality of actuators disposed on one of a rear edge of the vehicle door and a door frame;

a plurality of bumpers disposed on the other of the vehicle door and the door frame opposite the plurality of actuators;

a door sensor disposed on the vehicle door that measures door position and door movement; and

a controller that receives data from the door sensor and that instructs the plurality of actuators to repel the plurality of bumpers to force the vehicle door open from a closed position, thereby assisting a user opening the door.

2. The vehicle door opening device of claim 1, wherein:

the plurality of actuators include an electromagnetic member that engages the plurality of bumpers.

3. The vehicle door opening device of claim 1, wherein:

the plurality of bumpers include a rubber portion and a magnetic portion.

4. The vehicle door opening device of claim 1, wherein:

each of the plurality of actuators includes a piezoelectric member that engages the plurality of bumpers.

5. The vehicle door opening device of claim 1, further comprising:

a gear shift signaler connected to the controller which sends a signal to the controller indicating when the vehicle is in a parked position.

6. A vehicle door actuating device for a vehicle, comprising:

a first plurality of opposing actuators disposed on a rear edge of a closed vehicle door and a door frame, the vehicle door including a door handle;

a second plurality of opposing actuators disposed on a vehicle frame, wherein the first plurality of actuators are substantially aligned with the second plurality of actuators when the vehicle door is in a closed position;

a door sensor disposed on the vehicle door that provides data relating to door position and door movement;

a door latch coupled to the door handle; and

a controller coupled to the first and second plurality of opposing actuators and to the door latch that instructs the first plurality of opposing actuators to repel the second plurality of opposing actuators to assist a user in opening the closed vehicle door upon actuation of the door handle by a user.

7. The vehicle door actuating device of claim 6, further comprising:

a gear shift signaler connected to the controller which sends a signal to the controller indicating when the vehicle is in a parked position.

8. The vehicle door actuating device of claim 6, wherein:

the first and second plurality of opposing actuators include an electromagnetic member.

9. The vehicle door actuating device of claim 6, wherein:

the first and second plurality of opposing actuators include a piezoelectric member.

10. A method for controlling the opening and closing of a vehicle door, the method comprising:

providing an actuator on one of the vehicle door and a vehicle frame;

connecting a door sensor to the vehicle door;

measuring the position of the door relative to the vehicle frame;

measuring the velocity of the door relative to the vehicle frame; and

connecting a controller to the door sensor that instructs the actuator to repel the door to assist a user in opening the door and attract the door to assist a user in closing the door from a fully closed position.

11. The method of claim 10, further comprising:

providing the actuator with an electromagnetic mechanism.

12. The method of claim 10, further comprising:

providing the actuator with a piezoelectric mechanism.

13. The method of claim 10, further comprising:

connecting a gear shift signaler with the controller which sends a signal to the controller indicating when the vehicle is in a parked position.

14. The method of claim 10, further comprising:

providing a bumper on the other of the vehicle door and the vehicle frame opposite the actuator.

15. The method of claim 14, further comprising:

forming a magnetic portion in the bumper.

16. The method of claim 10, wherein the step of providing an actuator further comprises:

installing a first electromagnetic device and a second electromagnetic device opposite the first electromagnetic device on the vehicle door and vehicle frame, respectively.

17. The method of claim 10, wherein the step of connecting a controller to the door sensor further comprises:

instructing the first actuator to repel the door when the door is closing too rapidly.