Door assist system controller and method
First Claim
1. A method of operation of a controller for actuating a door having a motor assist and an inner door switch and an outer door switch that respectively initiate opening of the door when actuated, the method comprising the steps of:
- operating the controller, the controller uses one or more user-programmable presets that respectively correspond to door operation;
activating the motor assist based at least in part on the one or more user-programmable presets to move the door between a closed door position and an open door position;
maintaining a desirable current supply to the motor assist when moving the door between the closed door position and the open door position;
determining a relative position of the door when moving the door between the closed door position and the open door position;
engaging a lockout switch; and
overriding the outer door switch in favor of the inner door switch such that the door cannot be opened via the outer door switch when the lockout switch is engaged.
8 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A controller for a door system and an associated method of operation for actuating a door. The controller may be electrically coupled with a motor, an outer door switch and an inner door switch. The controller, activates a motor assist and may maintain a desirable current supply to the motor assist. Determining a relative position of the door and determining whether movement of the door is obstructed is performed. The controller actuates the door to an appropriate position and determines whether door operation exceeds a maximum time threshold. The controller may be configured to deactivate the motor assist once the door reaches an appropriate position or the door operation exceeds the maximum time threshold.
41 Citations
41 Claims
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1. A method of operation of a controller for actuating a door having a motor assist and an inner door switch and an outer door switch that respectively initiate opening of the door when actuated, the method comprising the steps of:
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operating the controller, the controller uses one or more user-programmable presets that respectively correspond to door operation; activating the motor assist based at least in part on the one or more user-programmable presets to move the door between a closed door position and an open door position; maintaining a desirable current supply to the motor assist when moving the door between the closed door position and the open door position; determining a relative position of the door when moving the door between the closed door position and the open door position; engaging a lockout switch; and overriding the outer door switch in favor of the inner door switch such that the door cannot be opened via the outer door switch when the lockout switch is engaged. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A vehicle door having a motor assist comprising:
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a dedicated power supply connected with respect to the motor assist; a controller connected between the motor assist and the dedicated power supply, the controller maintains a desirable current supply to a motor from the dedicated power supply and determines a relative position of the door, the controller further stops the motor if movement of the door is obstructed or exceeds operation for a preset time threshold; and a memory associated with the controller, the memory stores one or more presets of respective door stopping positions wherein the one or more presets are stored using at least one of an operable handle or a switch associated with the vehicle door. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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22. A system for motorizing at least one door of a vehicle relative to a door frame of the vehicle, the system comprising:
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a drive system coupled at least in part to the door and the door frame of the vehicle, the drive system moves the door between a closed door position and an open door position; a controller coupled at least in part with the drive system to control door operation of the door; a safety mechanism coupled at least in part with the controller, the safety mechanism uses pressure sensing to sense the presence of an obstruction between the door and door frame and to signal the controller upon sensing the obstruction; and wherein the safety mechanism comprises at least one safety sensor adapted to send a door stop signal to the controller upon sensing an obstruction between the sensor and the door frame, the safety sensor comprises a multi-segmented single pole switch having a plurality of sensor segments coupled by electrical connections, and the sensor segments are positioned to sense obstructions to door closings. - View Dependent Claims (23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34)
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35. A method of controlling operation of a door of a vehicle relative to a door frame of the vehicle, comprising:
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coupling a drive system at least in part to the door and door frame of the vehicle, the drive system adapted to move the door between a closed door position and an open door position; coupling a controller at least in part with the drive system; sensing a position of the door; receiving a door open command or a door close command at the controller; initiating opening or closing of the door at preselected speeds based on the command received; determining the length of time that the open command or close command is continuously received; and directing the drive system to move the door at a relatively slow speed for a predetermined initial time period and to move the door at a relatively faster speed after the predetermined initial time period has ended. - View Dependent Claims (36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41)
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Specification