Vehicle with controlled door operation

• US 20100073131A1
• Filed: 09/23/2008
• Published: 03/25/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 09/23/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Unicel Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Unicel Incorporated
• Inventors: Derbecker, Chris K., Vader, Scott J., Hetzler, Markus A., Johnson, Mike A.G., Mull, Mark S., Minato, Ray J., Hellinga, Richard J., Martin, Roger J.
• Granted Patent: US 8,217,755 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/5.640
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 15/70 with automatic actuation
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 15/79 using time control
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2400/52 Safety arrangements Safety means for manual wing operation E05Y2800/116
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2800/254 the elements not functioning in case of emergency
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2900/50 for vehicles

Abstract

Doors of a vehicle, such as a delivery vehicle, are controlled based on user inputs. A user may input a vehicle exit mode and stop the vehicle. When an exit mode has been input and the stopping of the vehicle has been sensed, an exit door of the vehicle is opened, with the door being selected based upon said exit mode.

Claims

1. A method of sequenced door operation of a vehicle comprising:

receiving an indication of a vehicle exit mode;

receiving an indication said vehicle has stopped;

after said indication of a vehicle exit mode has been received and said indication said vehicle has stopped has been received, opening a selected exit door of said vehicle based upon said exit mode.

2. The method of claim 1 further comprising, after said indication of an exit mode has been received and said indication said vehicle has stopped has been received, de-activating a lock for a bulkhead door between a cab and a cargo bay of said vehicle.

3. The method of claim 2 further comprising, after said indication of an exit mode has been received and said indication said vehicle has stopped has been received, activating an electromagnetic latch which, when said bulkhead door is moved to an open position, latches said bulkhead door open.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein said receiving an indication said vehicle has stopped comprises sensing engagement of a parking brake.

5. The method of claim 3 wherein, after said exit door has opened, on activation of a first user control proximate said exit door, closing said exit door after a time delay.

6. The method of claim 5 further comprising, on activation of said first user control proximate said exit door, deactivating said electromagnetic latch and activating said lock for said bulkhead door.

7. The method of claim 6 further comprising, after said exit door has closed consequent upon activation of said first user control proximate said exit door, on receiving an indication from a wireless user control, indefinitely opening said exit door.

8. The method of claim 7 further comprising, after opening said exit door consequent upon receiving an indication from said wireless user control, on activation of a second user control proximate said exit door, closing said exit door, activating said electromagnetic latch, and de-activating said lock for said bulkhead door.

9. The method of claim 8 further comprising, after said indication of an exit mode has been received and said indication said vehicle has stopped has been received, dropping said vehicle from ride height.

10. The method of claim 9 wherein, after opening said exit door consequent upon receiving an indication from said wireless user control, on activation of said second user control proximate said exit door, raising said vehicle to ride height.

11. The method of claim 1 further comprising, after said indication of an exit mode has been received and said indication said vehicle has stopped has been received, dropping said vehicle from ride height.

12. The method of claim 11 wherein said vehicle exit mode is a side exit mode, said opening a selected door comprises opening a side door of said vehicle, and said dropping said vehicle from ride height comprises dropping a front of said vehicle.

13. The method of claim 11 wherein said vehicle exit mode is a rear exit mode, said opening a selected door comprises opening a rear door of said vehicle, and said dropping said vehicle from ride height comprises dropping a front of said vehicle and dropping a rear of said vehicle.

14. A system for controlling entry and exit from a vehicle, comprising:

a first user interface for setting an exit mode from said vehicle;

a second user interface for indicating said vehicle has stopped;

a third user interface for indicating an operator has left said vehicle;

a drive for opening and closing an exit door of said vehicle;

a controller input by said first user interface, said second user interface, and said third user interface and outputting to said drive for;

on receipt of an indication from said first user interface of an exit mode and an indication from said second user interface that said vehicle has stopped, controlling said drive to open said exit door.

15. The system of claim 14 further comprising an electromagnetic lock for a bulkhead door between a cab and a cargo bay of said vehicle and wherein said controller outputs to said electromagnetic lock, said controller for, on receipt of an indication from said first user interface of an exit mode and an indication from said second user interface that said vehicle has stopped, de-activating said electromagnetic lock.

16. The system of claim 15 further comprising an electromagnetic latch to latch said bulkhead door open, said controller outputting to said electromagnetic latch, said controller for, after said indication of a side exit mode has been received and said indication said vehicle has stopped has been received, activating said electromagnetic latch.

17. The system of claim 14 wherein said first user interface comprises a parking brake of said vehicle.

18. The system of claim 16 wherein said controller is for, after controlling said drive to open said exit door, on receiving a signal from said third user interface, closing said exit door after a time delay.

19. The system of claim 18 further comprising a wireless device and wherein said controller is for, on receipt of an exit door open signal from said wireless device, controlling said drive to open said exit door.

20. The system of claim 14 further comprising a sub-system for dropping said vehicle from ride height and wherein said controller outputs to said sub-system and is further for, on receipt of an indication from said first user interface of an exit mode and an indication from said second user interface that said vehicle has stopped, controlling said sub-system to drop said vehicle from ride height.

21. The system of claim 20 further comprising a sub-system for dropping said vehicle from ride height and wherein said controller outputs to said sub-system and is further for, on receipt of an indication from said first user interface of an exit mode and an indication from said second user interface that said vehicle has stopped, controlling said sub-system to drop said vehicle from ride height.

22. The system of claim 21 further comprising a fourth user interface for indicating said operator has entered said vehicle and wherein said controller is input by said fourth user interface and is for, on receipt of a signal from said fourth user interface, closing said door and returning said vehicle to ride height.