# US 11,906,348 B2 · Load-sensing closure panel > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 11,906,348 B2 - Document ID: US11906348B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 17/158,453 - Filed: 2021-01-26 - Published: 2022-07-28 - Granted: 2024-02-20 - Earliest claimed: 2021-01-26 - Assignees: Ford Global Technologies, LLC - Applicants: Ford Global Technologies, LLC - Inventors: Stuart C. Salter; David Brian Glickman; Peter Phung; Paul Kenneth Dellock; Pietro Buttolo; John Robert Van Wiemeersch - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11906348B2 ## CPC - B60J 5/0493: {Appurtenances} - G01G 19/12: having electrical weight-sensitive devices - B60J 5/10: arranged at the vehicle rear (B60J5/04 takes precedence {; bonnets or lids B62D25/10; tail gates for pick-up trucks B62D33/0273; counterbalancing E05F; springs, e.g. pneumatic F16F}) - B60K 35/22: Display screens - B60K 35/26: using acoustic output - B60K 35/28: characterised by the type of the output information, e.g. video entertainment or vehicle dynamics information; characterised by the purpose of the output information, e.g. for attracting the attention of the driver - B60Q 1/509: {specific to unauthorised use, e.g. for indicating stolen vehicles or infringements of traffic rules} - G01G 23/32: Indicating the weight by optical projection means - G01G 23/36: Indicating the weight by electrical means, e.g. using photoelectric cells - G07C 5/008: {communicating information to a remotely located station (transmission systems for measured values G08C)} - B60J 5/04: arranged at the vehicle sides {(panel mounted arm-rests B60N2/78; wall liners B60R13/02; door edge guards B60R13/043; padded linings associated with the side doors B60R21/0428)} - B60K 35/10: Input arrangements, i.e. from user to vehicle, associated with vehicle functions or specially adapted therefor - B60K 2360/164: Infotainment - B60K 2360/167: Vehicle dynamics information - B60K 2360/178: Warnings - B60K 2360/334: Projection means - B60Q 5/005: {automatically actuated} - B60J: WINDOWS, WINDSCREENS, NON-FIXED ROOFS, DOORS, OR SIMILAR DEVICES FOR VEHICLES; REMOVABLE EXTERNAL PROTECTIVE COVERINGS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR VEHICLES (fastening, suspending, closing, or opening of such devices E05) - G01G: WEIGHING (sorting by weighing B07C5/16) - B60K: ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF PROPULSION UNITS OR OF TRANSMISSIONS IN VEHICLES; ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF PLURAL DIVERSE PRIME-MOVERS IN VEHICLES; AUXILIARY DRIVES FOR VEHICLES; INSTRUMENTATION OR DASHBOARDS FOR VEHICLES; ARRANGEMENTS IN CONNECTION WITH COOLING, AIR INTAKE, GAS EXHAUST OR FUEL SUPPLY OF PROPULSION UNITS IN VEHICLES - B60Q: ARRANGEMENT OF SIGNALLING OR LIGHTING DEVICES, THE MOUNTING OR SUPPORTING THEREOF OR CIRCUITS THEREFOR, FOR VEHICLES IN GENERAL - G07C: TIME OR ATTENDANCE REGISTERS; REGISTERING OR INDICATING THE WORKING OF MACHINES; GENERATING RANDOM NUMBERS; VOTING OR LOTTERY APPARATUS; ARRANGEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS FOR CHECKING NOT PROVIDED FOR ELSEWHERE ## Abstract A vehicle includes a body, an aperture defined by the body, a closure panel, and a load sensor. The closure panel is movable between an open position and a closed position. The closure panel covers at least a portion of the aperture when the closure panel is in the closed position. The load sensor is coupled to the closure panel. The load sensor senses a load that is applied to the closure panel. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A vehicle, comprising: a body; an aperture defined by the body; a first closure panel coupled to the body via a hinge and movable between an open position and a closed position, wherein the first closure panel covers at least a portion of the aperture when the first closure panel is in the closed position; and a load sensor positioned within the hinge and coupled to the first closure panel, wherein the load sensor senses a load that is applied to the first closure panel. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The vehicle of claim 1, further comprising: a speaker, wherein the load sensed by the load sensor is communicated to a user as an audio output from the speaker. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The vehicle of claim 1, further comprising: a display device positioned within a portion of the body, wherein the load sensed by the load sensor is communicated to a user as a numerical output of the display device. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The vehicle of claim 1, further comprising: a second closure panel that is movable between an open position and a closed position, wherein the second closure panel covers at least a portion of the aperture when the second closure panel is in the closed position. ### Claim 5 A vehicle, comprising: a body; an aperture defined by the body; a first closure panel that is movable between an open position and a closed position, wherein the first closure panel covers at least a portion of the aperture when the first closure panel is in the closed position; a load sensor coupled to the first closure panel, wherein the load sensor senses a load that is applied to the first closure panel; and a second closure panel that is movable between an open position and a closed position, wherein the second closure and covers at least a portion of the aperture when the second closure panel is in the closed position, and wherein the second closure panel comprises a projection-based display device, and wherein the load sensed by the load sensor is communicated to a user as a numerical output of the projection-based display device. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The vehicle of claim 5, wherein the numerical output of the projection-based display device is projected onto a portion of the second closure panel. ### Claim 7 (depends on 4) The vehicle of claim 4, wherein the first closure panel and the second closure panel cover an entirety of the aperture when the first closure panel and the second closure panel are each in the closed position. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The vehicle of claim 1, further comprising: a controller, wherein the controller communicates a notification to a user when the load sensed by the load sensor approaches a predetermined threshold. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The vehicle of claim 8, wherein the controller contacts a repair service provider when the load sensed by the load sensor exceeds the predetermined threshold. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The vehicle of claim 1, wherein the load sensor is positioned within the first closure panel. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The vehicle of claim 1, wherein the aperture provides access to a cargo area. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The vehicle of claim 1, wherein the aperture provides access to a passenger compartment. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The vehicle of claim 1, wherein the load sensed by the load sensor is communicated to a user in a default language, and wherein the default language is selected within an infotainment system. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The vehicle of claim 1, wherein the load sensed by the load sensor is communicated to a user via an over-the-air transmission. ### Claim 15 A method of evaluating a load exposure of a closure panel that is coupled to a body via a hinge of a vehicle, the method comprising the steps of: determining the closure panel is in an open position; sensing a load is present on the closure panel with a load sensor; displaying a measured weight based on an output of the load sensor that is positioned within the hinge; determining the load is above a first predetermined threshold; and communicating to a user that the measured weight has exceeded the first predetermined threshold. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The method of claim 15, wherein the step of communicating to a user that the measured weight has exceeded the first predetermined threshold comprises activating a speaker of the vehicle such that the speaker emits an audio output. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The method of claim 16, wherein the step of communicating to a user that the measured weight has exceeded the first predetermined threshold further comprises alternating the displayed measured weight between an on state and an off state such that the displayed measured weight flashes a plurality of times. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The method of claim 17, further comprising: determining the load is above a second predetermined threshold; and communicating to the user that the measured weight has exceeded the second predetermined threshold. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) The method of claim 18, wherein the step of communicating to the user that the measured weight has exceeded the second predetermined threshold comprises activating an exterior sounder and an exterior lamp of the vehicle. ### Claim 20 (depends on 19) The method of claim 19, further comprising: determining the load is above a third predetermined threshold, wherein the third predetermined threshold is a rated weight capacity of the closure panel; and contacting a repair service provider as a result of the load exceeding the third predetermined threshold.