Powered sliding platform assembly
AssigneeFord Global Technologies, LLC
InventorsMichael Duane Wallace, Bernard D. Nefcy, Marvin Paul Kraska
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A powered sliding platform assembly may include an actuator, a platform, and a controller. The platform may have a rail defining first and second openings configured to receive a pin of an actuator. The actuator and the rail may be arranged such that while the platform moves between extended and retracted positions, the pin rides along the rail between the openings. The controller may be programmed to, in response to a signal indicative of an object being proximate the platform, inhibit movement of the platform.
Claims19
A platform assembly of an automotive vehicle comprising:
- a platform slidably engaged with a track disposed on a bed of the automotive vehicle, wherein the platform is constrained for translational movement in a plane from a retracted position to an extended position;
- an actuator having a pin biased towards an extended position;
- a rail coupled to the platform and defining first and second openings configured to receive the pin;
- a vehicle slope sensor configured to provide a signal indicative of a vehicle slope of the automotive vehicle;
- and
- a controller of the automotive vehicle programmed to
- operate the actuator to retract the pin to permit movement of the rail as the rail begins to move relative to the track, and
- in response to the signal being indicative of a vehicle slope greater than a threshold vehicle slope, inhibit retraction of the pin such that movement of the rail is inhibited.
A platform assembly of a truck comprising:
- a platform slidably disposed on a bed of the truck and defining first and second openings configured to receive a pin of an actuator, wherein the platform is constrained for translational movement in a plane from a retracted position to an extended position;
- a drive assembly operatively coupled to the platform and configured to move the platform between retracted and extended positions relative to the truck bed;
- and
- a controller of the truck programmed to
- operate the actuator to retract the pin,
- operate the drive assembly to translate the platform,
- while the platform moves between the retracted position and the extended position and in response to a signal indicative of an object being within a predetermined distance from the platform, stop translation of the platform and release the pin, and
- in response to a signal from a slope sensor indicating a slope of the truck greater than a threshold slope, inhibit retraction of the pin such that movement of the platform from the retracted position is inhibited.
A vehicle comprising:
- a truck bed;
- and
- a powered sliding platform assembly disposed on the truck bed and including
- an actuator having a pin biased towards an extended position,
- a platform having a rail defining first and second openings configured to receive the pin, wherein the platform is constrained for translation in a plane between a retracted position and an extended position, and wherein the actuator and rail are arranged such that while the platform moves in the plane between the extended and retracted positions, the pin rides along the rail between the first and second openings, and
- a controller programmed to, (i) in response to a signal indicative of an object being proximate the platform, inhibit movement of the platform, and (ii) in response to a signal from a vehicle slope sensor indicating a slope of the vehicle greater than a threshold vehicle slope, inhibit retraction of the pin such that movement of the platform from the retracted position is inhibited.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.