Door assist system and method for controlling operation of a vehicle door
First Claim
1. A system for motorizing movement of at least one door of a vehicle relative to a door frame of the vehicle, the vehicle having a vehicle power supply to provide vehicle power, the system comprising:
- an electric drive system coupled at least in part to the door frame and one of the doors of the vehicle, wherein the electric drive system moves the door between a closed door position and an open door position;
a local power source different from the vehicle power supply, wherein the local power source is coupled at least in part with the electric drive system to allow for movement of the door between the closed door position and the open door position independent of the vehicle power supply, wherein the local power source has priority over the vehicle power supply to provide power to the electric drive system when moving the door between the closed door position and the open door position; and
a controller coupled at least in part with the electric drive system, wherein the controller is coupled at least in part with the local power source such that the controller manages the local power source, and wherein the controller determines when a predetermined amount of vehicle power is available to recharge the local power source.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method of controlling the operation of a door of a vehicle relative to a door frame of the vehicle is provided. The position of the door is sensed and a door open command or a door close command is received. Opening or closing of the door at preselected speeds is initiated based on the command received. The length of time that the open command or close command is continuously received is then determined. The door is moved at a relatively slow speed for a predetermined initial time period and after the predetermined initial time period has ended the door is moved at a relatively faster speed.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A system for motorizing movement of at least one door of a vehicle relative to a door frame of the vehicle, the vehicle having a vehicle power supply to provide vehicle power, the system comprising:
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an electric drive system coupled at least in part to the door frame and one of the doors of the vehicle, wherein the electric drive system moves the door between a closed door position and an open door position; a local power source different from the vehicle power supply, wherein the local power source is coupled at least in part with the electric drive system to allow for movement of the door between the closed door position and the open door position independent of the vehicle power supply, wherein the local power source has priority over the vehicle power supply to provide power to the electric drive system when moving the door between the closed door position and the open door position; and a controller coupled at least in part with the electric drive system, wherein the controller is coupled at least in part with the local power source such that the controller manages the local power source, and wherein the controller determines when a predetermined amount of vehicle power is available to recharge the local power source. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A method of controlling operation of a vehicle door using a door assist system, the door assist system having a motor assist and an inner door switch and an outer door switch that respectively initiate opening of the vehicle door when actuated, the method comprising the steps of:
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activating the motor assist to move the vehicle door between an open door position and a closed door position; maintaining a desirable current supply to the motor assist when moving the vehicle door between the open door position and the closed door position; determining that a lockout switch is engaged; and overriding the outer door switch in favor of the inner door switch such that the vehicle door cannot be opened via the outer door switch when the lockout switch is engaged. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15)
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16. A method of controlling operation of a door of a vehicle relative to a door frame of the vehicle, comprising:
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sensing a position of the door, receiving a door open command or a door close command; 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 moving the door at a relatively slow speed for a predetermined initial time period that the open command or close command is continuously received and moving the door at a relatively faster speed after the predetermined initial time period has ended. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification