Vehicle access control system

• US 7,816,878 B2
• Filed: 02/01/2008
• Issued: 10/19/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 02/01/2007
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Braun Corporation
• Original Assignee: Braun Corporation
• Inventors: Goodrich, Ronald W., Heigl, Keith D.
• Primary Examiner(s): IP, SHIK LUEN PAUL
• Application Number:
  US12/024,440
• Publication Number:
  US 20080184623A1
• Time in Patent Office: 991 Days
• Field of Search: 318/266, 318/282, 318/286, 318/445, 318/446, 318/462, 318/466, 318/468, 318/280, 318/283, 318/430, 318/464, 318/46, 414/462, 414/540, 414/455, 414/454, 701/49, 495/06, 49/31
• US Class Current: 318/466
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 15/632 for horizontally-sliding wings
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 15/659 Control circuits therefor
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 15/70 with automatic actuation
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 15/73 responsive to movement or presence of persons or objects
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2400/654 by electrical cables
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2400/854 Switches
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2900/531 Doors
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/45242 Door, panel, window operation, opening, closing

Abstract

A system and method for coordinating movement of a powered sliding door module and an access ramp for a vehicle. A system control board communicates with a current detector that can detect current on the power wires for the sliding door'"'"'s motor. The current detector signals the system control board when it detects current and the system control board determines whether the ramp is stowed or deployed. If the ramp is deployed, the system control board stops and reverses the door so that the door remains open. The system control board then stows the ramp and closes the door. If the ramp is stowed, the system control board waits for the current in the door motor to return to zero and then determines if the door is completely open. If the door is not completely open the system control board does nothing. If the door is completely open, the system control board deploys the ramp.

Claims

1. A method for providing access to a vehicle, the vehicle including a door movable between an open position and a closed position, a door motor for moving the door, a ramp movable between a stowed position and a deployed position, and a ramp control system for moving the ramp, the method comprising:

sending a first door operation signal to move the door;

delivering electrical power to the door motor to initiate movement of the door in response to the first door operation signal;

detecting initiation of the delivery of electrical power to the door motor;

determining whether the ramp is in the stowed position or the deployed position and;

i) if the ramp is in the deployed position;

sending a second door operation signal to reverse movement of the door and thereby maintain the door in an open position;

operating the ramp control system to stow the ramp; and

sending a third door operation signal to close the door;

ii) if the ramp is in the stowed position;

waiting for the door to move to the open position; and

operating the ramp control system to deploy the ramp.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising communicating to an access system controller detection of the initiation of the delivery of electrical power to the door motor.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of determining whether the ramp is in the stowed position or the deployed position is in response to detecting the initiation of the delivery of electrical power to the door motor.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein detecting the initiation of the delivery of electrical power to the door motor includes detecting current in a door motor power wire by way of a hall-effect sensor switch.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein sending the first door operation signal includes initiating a first door operation request by way of one of a remote key fob and an interior vehicle switch.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein sending the second door operation signal includes initiating a second door operation request by way of an access system controller.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein initiating the second door operation request includes electrically simulating operation of an OEM door switch.

8. The method of claim 6, wherein if the ramp is in the deployed position the access system controller automatically sends the second door operation request after detection of the initiation of the delivery of electrical power to the door motor.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein waiting for the door to move to the open position includes monitoring for a reduction in electrical power delivered to the door motor.

10. The method of claim 1, further comprising sensing whether the door has moved to a fully open position before operating the ramp control system to deploy the ramp.

11. A method for an access system in a vehicle, the vehicle including a power door movable between an open position and a closed position, and a door motor operable to move the power door between the open and closed positions in response to electrical power carried by a door power wire, the method comprising:

installing a ramp in the vehicle, the ramp movable between a stowed position and a deployed position and providing access to the vehicle when the ramp is in the deployed position and the door is in the open position;

coupling a ramp control system to the ramp, the ramp control system operable to move the ramp between the stowed position and the deployed position;

operably associating a current detector with the door power wire, the current detector operable to detect initiation of electrical current flowing through the door power wire;

installing an access system controller in the vehicle;

coupling the access system controller with the ramp control system for communication therewith; and

coupling the access system controller to the current detector for communication therewith.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the current detector includes at least one of a transistor, operational amplifier, or optical isolator, and wherein operably engaging the current detector with the door power wire includes electrically coupling the current detector with the door power wire.

13. The method of claim 11, wherein the current detector includes a hall effect sensor switch including a sensor having an effective range, and wherein operably engaging the current detector with the door power wire includes positioning the power wire within the effective range of the sensor.

14. The method of claim 11, wherein the vehicle includes a switch for requesting operation of the door motor, the method further comprising coupling the access system controller to the switch for requesting operation of the door motor.

15. The method of claim 14, further comprising configuring the access system controller to automatically request operation of the door motor by way of the switch in response to the current detector detecting the initiation of electrical current flowing through the door power wire when the door is open and the ramp is deployed.

16. The method of claim 15, further comprising configuring the access system controller to cause the ramp to move to the stowed position after automatically requesting operation of the door motor by way of the switch.

17. The method of claim 11, further comprising installing a door full open sensor in the vehicle to sense whether the door is in a fully open position and coupling the access control system to the door full open sensor.

18. The method of claim 17, further comprising configuring the access system controller to wait for a signal from the door open sensor indicating that the door is fully open and to then to cause the ramp to move to the deployed position in response to the current detector detecting initiation of electrical current flowing through the door power wire when the door is closed and the ramp is stowed.

19. An access system for a vehicle, the access system comprising:

a power door movable between an open position and a closed position;

a door motor for moving the door between the open and closed positions;

a door power wire for supplying electrical power to the door motor;

a current sensor for detecting initiation of current flowing through the door power wire;

a ramp movable between a stowed position and a deployed position; and

a controller for coordinating operation of the ramp and the door in response to signals received from the current sensor.

20. The access system of claim 19, further comprising a switch for requesting operation of the door motor to move the door between the open and closed positions.

21. The access system of claim 20, wherein the controller is operable to request operation of the door motor to move the door by electrically simulating operation of the switch.

22. The access system of claim 21, wherein in response to receiving a signal from the current sensor that current has initiated flowing through the door power wire, the controller determines whether the ramp is stowed or deployed.

23. The access system of claim 22, wherein if the controller determines that the ramp is deployed, the controller electrically simulates operation of the switch, thereby causing the door motor to reverse direction.

24. The access system of claim 22, wherein if the controller determines that the ramp is stowed, the controller waits for a signal indicating that the door is fully open and then deploys the ramp.