Passive entry system for automotive vehicle doors

• US 8,451,087 B2
• Filed: 12/25/2007
• Issued: 05/28/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 12/25/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Original Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Inventors: Krishnan, Venkatesh, Loschiavo, James Joseph, Papanikolaou, Kosta
• Primary Examiner(s): Wu, Daniel
• Assistant Examiner(s): BAMERT, JOHN J
• Application Number:
  US11/964,028
• Publication Number:
  US 20090160211A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,981 Days
• Field of Search: 340/5.61, 340/5.64, 340/5.72
• US Class Current: 340/5.72
• CPC Class Codes: B60J 5/04 arranged at the vehicle sides panel mounted arm-rests B60N2/78; wall liners B60R13/02; door edge guards B60R13/043; padded linings associated with the side doors B60R21/0428
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/00 Fittings or systems for preventing or indicating unauthorised use or theft of vehicles locks for vehicles E05B77/00-E05B85/00
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/2036 by using the door logic and door and engine unlock means
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 81/77 comprising sensors detecting the presence of the hand of a user
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 81/78 as part of a hands-free locking or unlocking operation
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 292/1047 Closure
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 292/1053 Lever and push or pull rod
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 292/1054 Link and cam
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 292/1055 Link and lever
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 292/1057 Flexible
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 292/1059 Lever
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/5889 For automotive vehicles

Abstract

A passive entry system for an vehicle door requires no active operator input to gain entrance to the vehicle. A door module recognizes the signal transmitted by an authorized key fob to identify the operator of the vehicle. The authentication of the operator coupled with the operator touching a sensor on the door to be opened actuates a release actuator that unlatches the selected door. The spring-load provided by the door seal will pop the door open from the closed position. A key cylinder, which can be located substantially anywhere on the door, is coupled mechanically to the release latch for use if the battery is weak and cannot activate the release actuator. An LED signals the state of the opening sequence for the door. The fixed door handle can incorporate a membrane switch or a capacitive sensor to indicate the selection of the door by the operator when touched.

Claims

1. A passive door entry system for an automotive door movable between a closed position and an opened position, comprising:

a mechanical latch mechanism operable to restrain said automotive door in said closed position and to release said automotive door to move to said opened position;

a spring device to bias said door from said closed position into said opened position;

an electronically operated release solenoid operably engaged with said latch mechanism to activate said latch mechanism to release said automotive door to move to said opened position;

a selector sensor associated with said automotive door to generate a selection signal when said door is selected for opening by activating said selector sensor;

a first mechanical actuator directly interconnecting an interior door handle mounted on said automotive door and said latch mechanism by a first cable to actuate said latch mechanism when said interior door handle is manipulated;

a second mechanical actuator independent of said first mechanical actuator and directly interconnecting an outside key cylinder and said latch mechanism by a second cable to actuate said latch mechanism through manipulation of said outside key cylinder, such that said latch mechanism is operably connected to all of said solenoid and said first and second cables each of which is selectively operable to affect the release of said automotive door; and

an electronic door module operable to receive a recognition signal from a portable electronic device authorizing said door module to operate and to receive said selection signal, said door module operating to power said door release actuator to operate said latch mechanism to release said door so that said spring device will move said door into said opened position said spring device moving said door into said opened position when said latch mechanism is operated by any of said solenoid, said first mechanical actuator and said second mechanical actuator.

2. The passive door entry system of claim 1 wherein said selector sensor is mounted on an outside door handle secured to said automotive door.

3. The passive door entry system of claim 2 wherein said outside handle is fixed against movement relative to said door.

4. The passive door entry system of claim 3 wherein said door module powers said door release solenoid when both said recognition signal is verified against signal parameters stored in said door module and said selection signal is received from said selector sensor.

5. The passive door entry system of claim 1 wherein said outside key cylinder and said interior door handle by-passes said door module to open said door without requiring the operation of said door module to power the release of the door release solenoid to operate said latch mechanism.

6. An automotive door having an exterior side and an interior side, said door being movable between a closed position and an opened position, comprising:

a mechanically operable latch mechanism operable to restrain said automotive door in said closed position and to release said automotive door to move to said opened position;

an electronically operated door release actuator operably engaged with said latch mechanism to activate said latch mechanism, said door release actuator including a solenoid connected to said latch mechanism and operable when activated to operate said latch mechanism to release said automotive door;

a selector sensor associated with said exterior side of said automotive door to generate a selection signal when said door is selected for opening by activating said selector sensor;

an electronic door module operable to receive a recognition signal from a portable electronic device authorizing said door module to operate and to receive said selection signal to activate said solenoid and power said door release actuator to operate said latch mechanism to release said door so that a spring device will move said door into said opened position;

an inside door lever accessible from said interior side of said door, said inside door lever being mechanically connected directly to said latch mechanism by a first cable for actuation thereof without requiring the operation of said door module; and

a key operated mechanical by-pass mounted on the exterior side of the automotive door and being mechanically connected directly to said latch mechanism by a second cable independent of said first cable to permit actuation thereof without utilizing the door module, such that said latch mechanism is operably connected to all of said solenoid and said first and second cables each of which is selectively operable to affect the release of said automotive door, said spring device being operable to move said door into said opened position when said latch mechanism is actuated by any of said solenoid, said inside door lever through said first cable, and said key operated mechanical by-pass through said second cable.

7. The automotive door of claim 6 wherein said selector sensor is mounted on an outside door handle secured to said automotive door, said outside door handle being fixed against movement relative to the door.

8. The automotive door of claim 6 wherein said door module powers said door release actuator when both said recognition signal is verified against signal parameters stored in said electronic door module and said selection signal is received from said selector sensor.