Vehicle with controlled door operation

• US 8,217,755 B2
• Filed: 09/23/2008
• Issued: 07/10/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 09/23/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Unicel Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Unicel Incorporated
• Inventors: Martin, Roger J., Mull, Mark S., Hellinga, Richard J., Derbecker, Chris K., Minato, Ray J., Hetzler, Markus A., Vader, Scott J., Johnson, Mike A. G.
• Primary Examiner(s): Lee, Benjamin C
• Assistant Examiner(s): Burgdorf, Stephen
• Application Number:
  US12/232,707
• Publication Number:
  US 20100073131A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,386 Days
• Field of Search: 180/271, 180/281, 180/286, 180/289, 280/5.151, 280/6.152, 280/6.157, 296/146.1, 296/146.4, 296/155, 340/5.1, 340/5.2, 340 56- 567, 340/5.7, 340/5.72, 340/425.5, 340/426.13, 340/426.17, 340/426.24, 340/426.25, 340/441, 414/467, 414/471, 414/539, 414/540, 701/1, 701/2, 701/37, 701/48, 701/49
• US Class Current: 340/5.72
• 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 vehicle with controlled door operation, comprising:

a vehicle exit door;

a drive for opening said exit door to create a passageway into said vehicle and closing said exit door to close said passageway;

at least one exit door opening user control for opening said exit door;

a first exit door closing user control within an interior of said vehicle at a first side of said exit door;

a second exit door closing user control within an interior of said vehicle at a second side of said exit door, said second side being opposite said first side;

a timer;

a controller input by said at least one exit door opening user control, said first exit door closing user control, said second exit door closing user control and said timer and outputting to said drive for;

responsive to receiving an indication from said at least one exit door opening user control, opening said exit door;

responsive to receiving an indication from said first exit door closing user control, closing said exit door after a time interval timed by said timer; and

responsive to receiving an indication from said second exit door closing user control, closing said exit door without reference to said time interval timed by said timer.

2. The vehicle of claim 1 further comprising a bulkhead door with a remotely controllable lock and wherein said controller outputs to said lock and is also for, responsive to receiving an indication from said first exit door closing user control locking said bulkhead door lock and responsive to receiving an indication from said second exit door closing user control unlocking said bulkhead door lock.

3. The vehicle of claim 1 wherein said at least one door opening user control comprises a portable transmitter.

4. The vehicle of claim 1, further comprising:

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

a second user interface for indicating said vehicle has stopped;

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

and wherein said controller is input by said first user interface, said second user interface, and said third user interface and is also 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 to create said passageway into said vehicle.

5. The vehicle of claim 4 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.

6. The vehicle of claim 5 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.

7. The vehicle of claim 6 wherein said at least one exit door opening user control for opening said exit door comprises 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.

8. The vehicle of claim 4 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.

9. The vehicle of claim 8 wherein said controller is further for, on receipt of a signal from said second exit door closing user control, closing said door and returning said vehicle to ride height.