Automatic door operation

• US 9,605,465 B2
• Filed: 02/17/2015
• Issued: 03/28/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 02/17/2015
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Braun Corporation
• Original Assignee: Braun Corporation
• Inventors: Wojdyla, Adam, Dosenbach, Sajed, Pugh, Michael R., Wegner, Christopher, Perkins, Greg
• Primary Examiner(s): ROMAIN, PINEL E
• Application Number:
  US14/623,729
• Publication Number:
  US 20160236547A1
• Time in Patent Office: 770 Days
• Field of Search: 296/202
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 3/061 using ramps
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 3/065 using an adjustable suspension lowering device for the whole vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: B60J 5/047 characterised by the opening or closing movement
• CPC Class Codes: B60J 5/0493 Appurtenances
• CPC Class Codes: B60J 5/06 slidable; foldable
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 3/02 Retractable steps or ladders, e.g. movable under shock B60R3/005 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 47/00 Motor vehicles or trailers predominantly for carrying passengers superstructures B62D31/00
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 81/04 Electrical electrical circuits E05B81/54
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 81/70 the wing position
• CPC Class Codes: E05D 15/06 for wings sliding horizontally more or less in their own plane
• CPC Class Codes: E05D 15/101 specially adapted for vehicles E05D15/1007 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: E05D 15/28 supported on arms movable in horizontal plane
• CPC Class Codes: E05D 15/30 with pivoted arms and sliding guides
• CPC Class Codes: E05D 3/147 for vehicle doors
• CPC Class Codes: E05D 3/18 with sliding pins or guides
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 1/14 with double-acting springs, e.g. for closing and opening or checking and closing no material
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 15/42 Detection using safety edges
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 15/614 operated by meshing gear wheels, one of which being mounted at the wing pivot axis; operated by a motor acting directly on the wing pivot axis
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 15/632 for horizontally-sliding wings
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 15/649 operated by swinging arms
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 15/73 : responsive to movement or presence of persons or objects
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2201/22 : Locks
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2201/624 : Arms
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2800/11 : Manual wing operation
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2800/296 : Slots
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2900/531 : Doors

Abstract

A door assembly for a motorized vehicle includes a door configured to move between an open position and a closed position, a first member defining a first axis, and a first support member pivotally coupled to the door and defining a second axis. A linkage assembly includes a first arm and a second arm. The first arm and the second arm are pivotally coupled to one another, where the first arm is coupled to the first member at a location offset from the first axis and the second arm defines a first slot. A cross member has a first end and a second end. The first end has a first pin for slideably engaging the first slot and the second end being coupled to the first member. The door is movable between the open and closed positions as the first member pivots about the first axis.

Claims

1. A door assembly for a motorized vehicle, comprising:

a door configured to move between an open position and a closed position;

a first member defining a first axis;

a first support member pivotally coupled to the door and defining a second axis;

a linkage assembly including a first arm and a second arm, the first arm and the second arm being pivotally coupled to one another, where the first arm is coupled to the first member at a location offset from the first axis and the second arm defines a first slot; and

a cross member having a first end and a second end, the first end having a first pin for slideably engaging the first slot and the second end being coupled to the first member;

wherein, the door is movable between the open and closed positions as the first member pivots about the first axis.

2. The door assembly of claim 1, further comprising a bracket defining a second slot therein, the bracket being pivotably coupled to the first member at a first location and the first arm at a second location, where the first location is spaced from the second location.

3. The door assembly of claim 2, wherein the second slot comprises a profile having a first portion and a second portion, the first portion defined by a first radius and the second portion defined by a second radius;

wherein the first radius and second radius are different from one another.

4. The door assembly of claim 2, further comprising:

a second support member defining a third axis, the third axis being spaced from and parallel to the first and second axes; and

a connecting arm pivotally coupled to the first support member and the second support member.

5. The door assembly of claim 4, wherein the connecting arm is pivotally coupled to the first support member about the second axis and pivotally coupled to the second support member about the third axis.

6. The door assembly of claim 4, further comprising:

a third arm defining a third slot and including a second pin;

wherein, the connecting arm includes a third pin;

further wherein, the third pin is slidably disposed within the third slot and the second pin is slidably coupled to the second slot.

7. The door assembly of claim 4, wherein:

the cross member includes a plurality of defined slots; and

the third arm includes a plurality of pins, where each of the plurality of pins is slidably disposed within each of the plurality of slots;

wherein, the plurality of pins is movable within the plurality of defined slots in only an axial direction.

8. The door assembly of claim 1, further comprising at least one door coupler pivotally coupling the first support member to the door.

9. A door assembly for a motorized vehicle, comprising:

a door configured to move between an open position and a closed position;

a first member defining a first axis;

a first support member pivotally coupled to the door and defining a second axis;

a linkage assembly including a first arm and a second arm, the first arm and the second arm being pivotally coupled to one another, where the first arm is coupled to the first member at a location offset from the first axis and the second arm defines a first slot;

a cross member having a first end and a second end, the first end having a first pin for slideably engaging the first slot and the second end being coupled to the first member; and

a drive assembly operably coupled to the first member;

wherein, the door is movable between the open and closed positions as the drive assembly operably drives the first member about the first axis.

10. The door assembly of claim 9, wherein the drive assembly comprises an electric motor.

11. The door assembly of claim 10, wherein the drive assembly comprises:

a gear set coupled to the motor; and

a clutch assembly being disposable in an engaged position and a disengaged position,

wherein, the motor is operably coupled to the first member in the engaged position and decoupled therefrom in the disengaged position.

12. The door assembly of claim 11, wherein the drive assembly comprises:

a first sprocket coupled to the clutch assembly;

a second sprocket coupled to the first member; and

a drive chain coupled between the first sprocket and the second sprocket;

wherein the motor operably drives the first and second sprockets via the drive chain in the engaged position.

13. The door assembly of claim 9, further comprising:

a bracket including a pin, the bracket being coupled to the door;

a cinching head having an open end that defines a first angled portion and a second angled portion; and

an actuator coupled to the first member at a first end and the cinching head at a second end, where a movement of the actuator moves the cinching head in a first axial direction;

wherein, the movement of the cinching head in the first axial direction induces a movement of the bracket in a second axial direction, wherein the second axial direction is substantially perpendicular to the first axial direction.

14. The door assembly of claim 9, further comprising a spring mechanism coupled to the first member;

wherein, the spring mechanism is disposable on a first side of the first axis to provide a force to maintain the door in the closed position;

further wherein, the spring mechanism is disposable on a second side of the first axis to provide a force to maintain the door in the open position.

15. A door assembly for a motorized vehicle, comprising:

a door configured to move between an open and a closed position;

a first member defining a first axis;

a first support member pivotally coupled to the door and defining a second axis;

a linkage assembly including a first aim and a second arm, the first arm and the second arm being pivotally coupled to one another, where the first arm is coupled to the first member at a location offset from the first axis and the second arm defines a first slot;

a cross member having a first end and a second end, the first end having a first pin for slideably engaging the first slot and the second end being coupled to the first member;

a drive assembly operably coupled to the first member; and

a cinching assembly including an actuator and a cinching head, the actuator being coupled to the first member at a first end and the cinching head at a second end;

wherein, the door is movable between the open and closed positions as the drive assembly operably drives the first member about the first axis.

16. The door assembly of claim 15, further comprising a bracket coupled to the door, the bracket including a pin;

wherein, a movement of the actuator moves the cinching head in a first axial direction;

further wherein, the movement of the cinching head in the first axial direction induces a movement of the bracket in a second axial direction, wherein the second axial direction is substantially perpendicular to the first axial direction.

17. The door assembly of claim 15, further comprising a first slanted portion defined on the cinching head, the first slanted portion configured to be engaged by the door to move the door to the closed position.

18. The door assembly of claim 17, further comprising a second slanted portion defined on the cinching head, the second slanted portion configured to be engaged by the door to move the door to the open position.

19. The door assembly of claim 15, further comprising a spring mechanism having a first end and a second end, the first end being coupled to the first member at a distance offset from the first axis;

wherein, the spring mechanism is disposable in a compressed position as the door moves between the open and closed positions.

20. The door assembly of claim 15, further comprising:

a connecting arm having a first end and a second end, the connecting arm including a second pin;

a second support member defining a third axis, wherein the connecting arm is pivotally coupled to the first support member about the second axis and pivotally coupled to the second support member about the third axis; and

a bracket pivotally coupled to the first member and the first arm, where the bracket defines a second slot.