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Control of an access opening in a body of a vehicle

  • US 9,481,325 B1
  • Filed: 04/21/2015
  • Issued: 11/01/2016
  • Est. Priority Date: 04/21/2015
  • Status: Active Grant
First Claim
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1. A system for controlling access into a vehicle in the event of loss of electrical power, the vehicle having a vehicle body that defines a vehicle interior and a vehicle exterior, an access opening defined by the vehicle body and configured to provide access to the vehicle interior, a first door configured to selectively cover and uncover at least a portion of the access opening, a cargo enclosure defined by the vehicle body, a second door configured to selectively cover and uncover at least a portion of the cargo enclosure, and an energy storage device for generating the electrical power, the system comprising:

  • a first latch configured to selectively latch and unlatch the first door;

    a first switch in electrical communication with the first latch and the energy storage device and configured to operate the first latch;

    a second latch configured to selectively latch and unlatch the second door;

    an actuator connecting the second door to the vehicle body and configured to operate the second door for selectively opening and closing the cargo enclosure;

    a motor-generator mounted to the vehicle body; and

    a second switch configured to selectively connect the motor-generator to the energy storage device for operating the actuator in a first mode and disconnect the motor-generator from the energy storage device for generating electric current when the second door is operated manually to operate the first latch in a second mode.

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