Automatic door opener for delivery trucks
First Claim
1. A method of operating an automatic door opener to control operation of a door comprising:
- supporting an automatic door opener adjacent a door, the door opener comprising;
a door opener motor which is operable to open and close a door;
a motor control computer connected to the door opener motor to operate the door opener motor;
a drive mechanism which connects the door opener to the door, the drive mechanism having an input which is driven by the door opener motor and an output which selectively opens and closes the door;
a sensor connected to the drive mechanism and to the motor control computer such that the motor control computer determines the position of the door from the sensor; and
a clutch which disconnects the door opener motor from the drive mechanism such that the door opener motor is disconnected from the drive mechanism while the sensor remains connected to the drive mechanism and wherein the method comprises the computer tracking movement of the door via the sensor when the motor is disconnected from the drive mechanism via the clutch;
programming a stop location for opening or closing the door in the motor control computer by;
placing a stop at a desired location to block movement of the door;
operating the door so that the movement of the door is stopped by the stop;
the motor control computer detecting an increase in motor current at the stop location; and
the motor control computer identifying the stop location from the sensor.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An automatic door opener for delivery trucks may include a door opener motor, clutch, and transmission which are connected to a door opener rail. The automatic door opener is attached to the roof of a delivery truck cargo bay and the door opener motor is operable to open and close a cargo door. The clutch and motor are controlled by a motor control computer which may be programmed to automatically operate the clutch, close the cargo bay door, and disengage the clutch as desired. A rail carriage may be connected to the cargo bay door by a door connector arm which includes a quick release connection to the carriage and which may be operated from the outside of the cargo bay door. A sensor may be connected to the door opener rail and to the motor control computer such that the motor control computer tracks the position of the carriage along the door opener rail independent of the operation of the motor.
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Citations
23 Claims
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1. A method of operating an automatic door opener to control operation of a door comprising:
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supporting an automatic door opener adjacent a door, the door opener comprising; a door opener motor which is operable to open and close a door; a motor control computer connected to the door opener motor to operate the door opener motor; a drive mechanism which connects the door opener to the door, the drive mechanism having an input which is driven by the door opener motor and an output which selectively opens and closes the door; a sensor connected to the drive mechanism and to the motor control computer such that the motor control computer determines the position of the door from the sensor; and a clutch which disconnects the door opener motor from the drive mechanism such that the door opener motor is disconnected from the drive mechanism while the sensor remains connected to the drive mechanism and wherein the method comprises the computer tracking movement of the door via the sensor when the motor is disconnected from the drive mechanism via the clutch; programming a stop location for opening or closing the door in the motor control computer by; placing a stop at a desired location to block movement of the door; operating the door so that the movement of the door is stopped by the stop; the motor control computer detecting an increase in motor current at the stop location; and the motor control computer identifying the stop location from the sensor. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. An automatic door opener comprising:
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a door opener motor which is operable to open and close a door; a motor control computer connected to the door opener motor to operate the door opener motor; a drive mechanism which connects the door opener to the door, the drive mechanism having an input which is driven by the door opener motor and an output which selectively opens and closes the door; a motor housing supporting the door opener motor; and a mounting plate, a fastener which attaches the motor housing to the mounting plate to secure the motor housing to the mounting plate to prevent relative motion between the motor housing and the mounting plate after fastening, wherein the fastener allows a fastening position of the motor housing to be varied longitudinally along the mounting plate, wherein the mounting plate defines a longitudinal channel which receives a flange which extends from the motor housing, wherein the longitudinal channel and the flange support the weight of the motor housing independent of the fastener while allowing the motor housing to slide longitudinally along the mounting plate towards and away from the drive mechanism to change a distance between the motor and the drive mechanism. - View Dependent Claims (9)
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10. An automatic door opener comprising:
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a door opener motor which is operable to open and close a door; a motor control computer connected to the door opener motor to operate the door opener motor; an elongate door opener rail, the door opener rail having a motor end disposed adjacent the door opener motor and a door end disposed away from the door opener motor and having a carriage which is movable between the motor end and the door end of the rail, the door opener rail comprising a rail chain and three chambers, wherein the rail chain passes through two chambers. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. A method for operating an automatic door opener to control operation of a door comprising:
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supporting an automatic door opener adjacent a door, the door opener comprising; a door opener motor which is operable to open and close the door; a motor control computer connected to the door opener motor to operate the door opener motor; a mechanical drive mechanism which connects the door opener to the door, the drive mechanism having an input which is driven by the door opener motor and an output which moves the door to selectively open and close the door; and a clutch which is operated by the motor control computer to selectively disconnect the door opener motor from the drive mechanism; the computer operating the door opener to open or close the door in response to a user input to open or close the door; and the computer automatically disengaging the clutch after a predetermined time period after receiving a signal to open or close the door and in response to the signal to open or close the door to allow the door to move independent of operation of the door opener motor. - View Dependent Claims (22)
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23. A method for operating an automatic door opener to control operation of a door comprising:
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supporting an automatic door opener adjacent a door, the door opener comprising; a door opener motor which is operable to open and close the door; a motor control computer connected to the door opener motor to operate the door opener motor; a mechanical drive mechanism which connects the door opener to the door, the drive mechanism having an input which is driven by the door opener motor and an output which moves the door to selectively open and close the door; and a clutch which is operated by the motor control computer to selectively disconnect the door opener motor from the drive mechanism; the computer maintaining the clutch in a disengaged configuration to disconnect the door opener motor from the drive mechanism and thereby disconnect the door from the door opener motor; and the computer temporarily engaging the clutch for a predetermined period of time to open or close the door in response to a user signal to operate the door.
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Specification