×

Liftgate controller

  • US 8,798,871 B2
  • Filed: 03/18/2009
  • Issued: 08/05/2014
  • Est. Priority Date: 03/21/2008
  • Status: Active Grant
First Claim
Patent Images

1. A control system for a lift gate system, the control system comprising:

  • a field subsystem disposed on a vehicle having the lift gate system, the field subsystem having a controller and a communication module, wherein the presence of the field subsystem on a vehicle is indicative of the presence of a lift gate system on that vehicle;

    a customer remotely located station in wireless communication with the communication module of the field subsystem; and

    a manufacturer remotely located station in wireless communication with the communication module of the field subsystem;

    wherein said communication module is configured to wirelessly communicate only data relating to operation of the lift gate system to both the customer and the manufacturer remotely located stations, the data relating to the operation of the lift gate system further comprising at least one input and at least one sensed condition relating to operation of the lift gate system, the at least one sensed condition relating to operation of the lift gate comprising at least one of;

    a lift state;

    a motion of the lift;

    a load applied to the lift;

    a lift temperature;

    a hydraulic fluid pressure;

    a delay time for pump activation;

    an operator safety condition; and

    a number of cycles of operation of the lift, wherein the operator safety condition comprises at least one of;

    whether the operator of the lift is using both hands for inputting a command to the controller;

    whether the vehicle is properly parked;

    whether the operator is off a deck of the lift;

    whether the operator is clear of a projected motion path of the lift;

    whether a lift platform is down; and

    whether a projected path of motion of the lift platform is clear,the customer or manufacturer remotely located station being configured to wirelessly communicate a condition or input data satisfaction or non-satisfaction notification to the field subsystem in response to received operation data.

View all claims
  • 1 Assignment
Timeline View
Assignment View
    ×
    ×