Automotive door power assist

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10995535-B2
Application number	US-201815968055-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	May 1, 2018
Priority date	Jul 29, 2015
Publication date	May 4, 2021
Grant date	May 4, 2021

Abstract

An automated door system includes a door pivotally coupled to a vehicle body at a hinge axis defined by at least one hinge assembly. A power assist device is coupled to the hinge assembly and further coupled to the door. The power assist device is configured to slow movement of the door along a door swing path from an initial velocity to a slow close velocity when the initial velocity exceeds a predetermined threshold velocity, thereby providing a slow and controlled close when a user attempts to slam the door. The power assist device is further configured to power opening and closing movement of the door as initiated by a user.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A method of closing a vehicle door, comprising the steps of:
providing a door pivotally coupled to a vehicle body along a vertical hinge axis;
transmitting a door closing signal to a controller;
identifying a current position of the door using a position sensor;
closing the door using a power assist device powered from the vertical hinge axis of the door, wherein the power assist device is received in a package compartment defined between the door and a hinge pillar of the vehicle body;
monitoring a position of the door while closing;
releasing a catch of a latch mechanism when a latch striker of the vehicle body is partially received in the latch mechanism; and
latching the door to the vehicle body using the latch mechanism.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the step of transmitting a door closing signal to a controller further includes, transmitting the door closing signal to the controller from a door control device.

3. The method of claim 2 , wherein the door control device includes one of a key fob, a voice command recognition system, a smartphone application, a gesture recognition system and a user interface.

4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the step of identifying a current position of the door using a position sensor further includes, transmitting a signal from the position sensor to the controller to identify one of an angle of opening of the door relative to the vehicle body and a distance of a door edge to the vehicle body.

5. The method of claim 4 , wherein the step of monitoring a position of the door while closing further includes, using the position sensor to monitor one of an angle of opening of the door relative to the vehicle body and a distance of a door edge to the vehicle body.

6. The method of claim 5 , wherein the step of releasing a catch of a latch mechanism when a latch striker of the vehicle body is partially received in the latch mechanism further includes, releasing a rotating catch of the latch mechanism from a locking mechanism when the door is positioned relative to the vehicle body in a position wherein the latch striker is partially disposed in a slot of the rotating catch of the latch mechanism.

7. The method of claim 6 , wherein the step of latching the door to the vehicle body further includes, allowing the rotating catch to rotate to a latched position about the latch striker as biased thereto.

Assignees

• Ford Global Tech Llc

Inventors

• Elie Larry Dean
• Potter Timothy J
• Novak Robert F
• Jaranson John Wayne
• Wallace Jeff A
• Azzouz Michael M

Classifications

• E05F15/70 Primary

  with automatic actuation · CPC title

• E05B15/04

  Spring arrangements in locks {(E05B3/065, E05B15/101, E05B15/143, E05C19/06 take precedence)} · CPC title

• E05B81/20

  for assisting final closing or for initiating opening · CPC title

• E05B81/06

  using rotary motors · CPC title

• E05Y2900/531

  Doors · CPC title