US 2002/0153744 A1 · Method for operating a vehicle power sliding door

Abstract

A method is provided for controlling a power sliding door system having a power drive mechanism for propelling the sliding door and a power latching mechanism for latching the sliding door in a latched condition. The methodology provides enhanced monitoring and control of the power sliding door system to improve the operation of the sliding door in both the power-assisted and manual modes. The control methodology inhibits the operation of the power sliding door system in response to the actuation of any of the sliding door handles or if a fuel door is in the path of the sliding door. The control methodology also inhibits the operation of the sliding door system if a child guard mechanism is enabled. The control methodology includes an obstacle detection routine which detects obstacles in two directions of travel. The control methodology does not require the power drive mechanism or inertia to cause the latch mechanism to latch the sliding door in the latched condition.

Claims24

Dependent claims

In a vehicle having a body and a sliding door system including a door assembly slidably interconnected with the body, a power door drive assembly having a drive motor for driving the door assembly between an open position and a closed position under a source of power, a power latching mechanism for engaging an element carried by the body, and at least one manual door handle for manually controlling the latching mechanism, a method for controlling the operation of the power sliding door system comprising the steps of:

determining whether the drive motor is moving the door assembly between the open position and the closed position;
and
arresting movement of the door assembly in response to manual actuation of the at least one manual door handle.

In a vehicle having a body and a sliding door system including a door assembly slidably interconnected with the body, a power door drive assembly having a drive motor for driving the door assembly between an open position and a closed position under a source of power, a power latching mechanism for engaging an element carried by the body, and an interior door handle for manually controlling the latching mechanism from an interior side of the body of the vehicle, a method for controlling the operation of the power sliding door system comprising the steps of:

providing a first interior switch coupled to the interior side of the body of the vehicle, the first interior switch operable for selectively generating a first switch signal to request the initiation of a cycle for operating the sliding door system in a power-operated mode;
providing a child guard mechanism coupled to the power latching mechanism, the child guard mechanism operable in a disengaged mode for permitting the power latching mechanism to disengage the element carried by the body of the vehicle when the interior door handle is operated, the child guard mechanism operable in an engaged mode for preventing the power latching mechanism from disengaging the element carried by the body of the vehicle when the interior door handle is operated;
determining if the child guard mechanism is in the engaged mode;
and
inhibiting the sliding door system from operating in a power-operated mode if the first switch signal is generated and the child guard mechanism is in the engaged mode.

2 more elements

In a vehicle having a body, a sliding door system and a fuel door, the sliding door system including a door assembly slidably interconnected with the body, a power door drive assembly having a drive motor for driving the door assembly between an open position and a closed position under a source of power, a power latching mechanism for engaging an element carried by the body, and an interior door handle for manually controlling the latching mechanism from an interior side of the body of the vehicle, the fuel door coupled to the body and operable in a first condition wherein the fuel door is substantially flush to the body and the fuel door operable in an second condition wherein the fuel door extends from the body into a path of the door assembly, a method for controlling the operation of the power sliding door system comprising the steps of:

determining whether the fuel door is in the first condition;
and
inhibiting the sliding door system from operating in a power-operated mode if the fuel door is in the first condition.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Method for operating a vehicle power sliding door

Life of this patent

Method for operating a vehicle power sliding door

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims24