Vehicle door lubricant application systems and methods of applying lubricant to vehicle doors

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-12275293-B2
Application number	US-202318222800-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jul 17, 2023
Priority date	Jul 17, 2023
Publication date	Apr 15, 2025
Grant date	Apr 15, 2025

Abstract

A vehicle door lubricant application system includes a pump connected to a fluid line that is connected to a fluid reservoir. The pump is configured to provide a preselected amount of a lubricant to a spray nozzle assembly. The spray nozzle assembly is configured to dispense the lubricant. A sensing device is configured to detect presence of a vehicle door. The sensing device is configured to provide a signal in response to the presence of the vehicle door that is used to activate the pump.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A vehicle door lubricant application system comprising:
a pump connected to a fluid line that is connected to a fluid reservoir of a lubricant tank, the pump configured to provide a preselected amount of a lubricant to a spray nozzle assembly, the spray nozzle assembly configured to dispense the lubricant; and
a sensing device configured to detect presence of a vehicle door as the vehicle door is conveyed automatically using a conveyor to the sensing device, the sensing device configured to provide a signal in response to the presence of the vehicle door on the conveyor that is used to activate the pump;
wherein the spray nozzle assembly is configured to direct the lubricant from an overhead support structure downward toward a door weather strip or glass run channel of the vehicle door that is below and spaced away from the spray nozzle assembly and overhead support structure.

2. The system of claim 1 further comprising a timing device comprising a timing controller, the timing controller configured to activate the pump upon receipt of the signal.

3. The system of claim 2 , wherein the timing controller is configured to activate the pump for a preselected amount of time.

4. The system of claim 1 , wherein the spray nozzle assembly is connected to the overhead support structure.

5. The system of claim 1 , wherein the sensing device comprises a limit switch.

6. The system of claim 1 further comprising a lubricant tank, the lubricant tank comprising the fluid reservoir and the lubricant.

7. The system of claim 1 , wherein the lubricant is water.

8. The system of claim 1 , wherein the pump is fluidly connected to multiple spray nozzle assemblies.

9. A method of providing lubricant automatically to a vehicle door, the method comprising:
conveying the vehicle door toward a sensing device automatically using a conveyor;
sensing the presence of the vehicle door using a sensing device as the vehicle door is conveyed automatically using the conveyor to the sensing device, the sensing device providing a signal to a timing device upon detecting the presence of the vehicle door; and
upon receipt of the signal, the timing device activating a pump, the pump providing the lubricant to a spray nozzle assembly during activation of the pump, the spray nozzle assembly spraying the lubricant onto the vehicle door;
wherein the spray nozzle assembly directing the lubricant from an overhead support structure downward toward a door weather strip or glass run channel of the vehicle door that is below and spaced away from the spray nozzle assembly and overhead support structure.

10. The method of claim 9 further comprising the timing device activating the pump for a preselected period of time.

11. The method of claim 10 , wherein the step of the pump providing the lubricant to a spray nozzle assembly comprising the pump providing the lubricant to multiple spray nozzle assemblies.

Assignees

• Toyota Eng & Mfg North America
• Toyota Motor Co Ltd

Inventors

• Faulkner Michael J
• Mcgeorge Jarett M
• Elgueta Aquiles N
• Coomer Logan H

Classifications

• F16N7/36

  with feed by pumping action of the member to be lubricated or of a shaft of the machine; Centrifugal lubrication · CPC title

• F16N15/04 Primary

  with water (bearings working in water F16C) · CPC title

• F16N2210/04

  Vehicles · CPC title

• B60J5/0463 Primary

  Conceptual assembling of door, i.e. how door frame parts should be fitted together to form door · CPC title