US5140316A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Control apparatus for powered vehicle door systems
Assignee: Saturn Electronics and Engineering Inc
•
Filing: 1990-03-22
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Granted: 1992-08-18
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Expires: 2010-03-22
Abstract
Abstract Control systems including control circuitry and optional communications systems for operating a slding power-operated member of an automotive vehicle. A powered sliding door in an automotive vehicle, such as a van, moves along a predetermined path of travel between a closed position and a fully open position relative to the body of the vehicle. Such a sliding door may be provided with one or more electrically-operated actuators for performing functions associated with the door, such as power opening and closing the door, power unlatching the door, power locking and unlocking the door, and power clamping, and unclamping the door in a soft or low-momentum manner. The invention is directed toward improved control systems and circuitry for operating such power-sliding door systems. One such control system employs a wireless communications link between the door and body, which is preferably implemented using radio frequency communication signals containing digitally encoded control signals. Control circuitry is preferably provided in the body and the door of the vehicle for supervising and carrying out the foregoing functions in an orderly manner in response to requests generated locally at the door or remotely by the driver from the console of the vehicle. A second, simpler, control system provides electrically-actuated mechanisms for unlatching the door and operating the door lock without the use of either a wireless communication system or a retractable electrical cable interconnecting the sliding door to the vehicle body.
Inventors
- 👤 Daniel L. DeLand
- 👤 Paul Heimnick
- 👤 Curtis T. Moy
- 👤 Lawrence H. Zuckerman
- 👤 David G. Grossman
- 👤 Kurt P. Schuler
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 15:56
CPC Classifications
E; E05; E05B; E05B81/00; E05B81/12; E05B81/20; B; B60; B60J; B60J5/00; B60J5/04; B60J5/06; E05B77/00; E05B77/46; E05B77/48; E05B83/00; E05B83/36; E05B83/40; E05F; E05F15/00; E05F15/60; E05F15/603; E05F15/632; E05F15/643; E05F15/646; E05B81/21; E05F15/40; E05F15/41; E05Y; E05Y2201/00; E05Y2201/20; E05Y2201/214; E05Y2201/216; E05Y2201/218; E05Y2201/22; E05Y2201/23; E05Y2201/244; E05Y2201/246; E05Y2201/40; E05Y2201/46; E05Y2201/462; E05Y2201/60; E05Y2201/622; E05Y2201/644; E05Y2201/654; E05Y2201/658; E05Y2201/664; E05Y2201/71; E05Y2400/00; E05Y2400/10; E05Y2400/30; E05Y2400/3013; E05Y2400/3014; E05Y2400/52; E05Y2400/53; E05Y2400/54; E05Y2400/55; E05Y2400/554; E05Y2400/65; E05Y2400/66; E05Y2400/664; E05Y2900/00; E05Y2900/50; E05Y2900/53; E05Y2900/531; G; G07; G07C; G07C9/00; G07C9/00174; G07C2009/00753; G07C2009/00769
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 20
Claim 1
Independent Claim
220 words
A control system for a sliding power-operated member mounted to a body portion of a self-propelled motor vehicle, the control system comprising: first wireless communications means, mounted on the body portion of the vehicle, for transmitting, regardless of relative positioning of the sliding member and the body portion, to the sliding member a first communications signal containing information related to at least a first control signal for controlling a power locking function associated with the sliding member; second wireless communications means, mounted on the sliding member, for receiving, regardless of relative positioning of the sliding member and the body portion, the first communications signal and obtaining therefrom the first control signal; means, mounted on the sliding member, for performing the power locking function in response to the obtained first control signal; third wireless communications means, mounted on the sliding member, for transmitting to the body portion of the vehicle a second communications signal containing information related to at least a second control signal for controlling a power closure function associated with the sliding member; fourth wireless communications means, mounted on the body portion of the vehicle, for receiving the second communications signal and obtaining therefrom the second control signal; and means, mounted on the body portion, for performing the power closure function in response to the obtained second control signal.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
220 words
A control system for a sliding power-operated member mounted to a body portion of a self-propelled motor vehicle, the control system comprising: first wireless communications means, mounted on the body portion of the vehicle, for transmitting, regardless of relative positioning of the sliding member and the body portion, to the sliding member a first communications signal containing information related to at least a first control signal for controlling a power locking function associated with the sliding member; second wireless communications means, mounted on the sliding member, for receiving, regardless of relative positioning of the sliding member and the body portion, the first communications signal and obtaining therefrom the first control signal; means, mounted on the sliding member, for performing the power locking function in response to the obtained first control signal; third wireless communications means, mounted on the sliding member, for transmitting to the body portion of the vehicle a second communications signal containing information related to at least a second control signal for controlling a power closure function associated with the sliding member; fourth wireless communications means, mounted on the body portion of the vehicle, for receiving the second communications signal and obtaining therefrom the second control signal; and means, mounted on the body portion, for performing the power closure function in response to the obtained second control signal.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
14 words
A control system as in claim 1, wherein the sliding member is a door.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
21 words
A control system as in claim 1, wherein the vehicle is a van, and the sliding member is a side door.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
45 words
A control system as in claim 1, wherein: the first and fourth wireless communications means are formed at least in part of a common first transceiver; and the second and third wireless communications means are formed at least in part of a common second transceiver.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
30 words
A control system as in claim 1, wherein the first wireless communications means includes means for generating radio frequency signals, and the first communications signal is a radio frequency signal.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
20 words
A control system as in claim 5, wherein the radio frequency signal has a frequency of at least 100 Megahertz.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
26 words
A control system as in claim 5, wherein the radio frequency signal has a frequency in the range of about 100 Megahertz to about 500 Megahertz.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
26 words
A control system as in claim 5, wherein the radio frequency signal has a frequency in the range of about 250 Megahertz to about 400 Megahertz.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
26 words
A control system as in claim 5, wherein the radio frequency signal has a frequency in the range of about 300 Megahertz to about 320 Megahertz.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
21 words
A control system as in claim 5, wherein the radio frequency signal has a strength of less than one hundred microwatts.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
37 words
A control system as in claim 1, wherein: the first wireless communications means includes means for generating amplitude modulated radio frequency communication signals, and the second wireless communications means includes means for decoding amplitude modulated communication signals.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
35 words
A control system as in claim 11, wherein the average strength of the communication signal generated by the first wireless communications means is less than twenty-five microwatts as measured at the second wireless communication means.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
61 words
A control system as in claim 1, wherein: the first wireless communications means includes on-off keying means for encoding digital information in an amplitude modulated radio frequency communication signal, and the second wireless communications means includes means for decoding amplitude modulated communication signals containing digital information which has been encoded by on-off keying into an amplitude modulated radio frequency communications signal.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
48 words
A control system as in claim 1, wherein: at least one of the first and third wireless communications means include antenna means for broadcasting communications signals which includes at least part of a metal structure serving at least one purpose in the vehicle unrelated to wireless communications transmission.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
45 words
A control system as in claim 1, wherein: at least one of the first and third wireless communications means includes antenna means for broadcasting communications signals which includes a length of unshielded electrical conductor placed at least about one inch from any ground plane surface.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
112 words
A control system as in claim 1, wherein: the first and third wireless communications means each include antenna means for broadcasting communications signals which antenna means employ at least one length of metal cable extending between the sliding member and the body portion and used for causing relative motion between the body portion and sliding member, the antenna means for one of the first and third wireless communications means including a direct electrical connection to the metal cable, and the antenna means for the other one of the first and third wireless communications means being located at least in part adjacent to but not in direct electrical contact with the metal cable.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
22 words
A control system as in claim 16, wherein the direct electrical connection to the metal cable is made via an ohmic contact.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
32 words
A control system as in claim 16, wherein the antenna means having no direct electrical contact with the metal cable includes a length of unshielded wire placed adjacent to the metal cable.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
30 words
A control system as in claim 18, wherein the length of unshielded wire is electrically insulated from and wrapped in a helix configuration around a portion of the metal cable.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1995-08-18 | 1996-02-17 | 1996-08-18 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1999-08-18 | 2000-02-17 | 2000-08-18 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2003-08-18 | 2004-02-17 | 2004-08-18 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |