US 6,435,600 B1 · 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.

Claims15

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:

determining whether the drive motor is moving the door assembly;
and
arresting movement of the door assembly in response to manual actuation of the at least one manual door handle, wherein the power drive assembly includes a power-driven rotatable pinion that is coupled to the door assembly and engages a rack that is coupled to the vehicle body, and wherein determining that the door assembly is being moved by the drive motor includes monitoring rotation of the pinion with a sensor, and generating a signal in response to rotation of die pinion.

In a vehicle having a body, a sliding door assembly that is slidably interconnected with the body and a striker fixed to the vehicle body, a method of operating the sliding door assembly comprising:

providing a power drive assembly having drive motor for driving the door assembly between an open position and a closed position under a source of power;
providing a power latching mechanism having a latch ratchet and a latch motor for rotating the latch ratchet between a fully unlatched position, wherein the latch ratchet is disengaged from the striker, and a fully latched position, wherein the latch ratchet is fully engaged to the striker, and wherein rotation of the latch ratchet from the fully unlatched position and the fully latched position operates to draw the door assembly into the closed position;
determining whether the door assembly is being moved by one of the drive motor and the latch motor;
determining whether a handle on the door assembly has been manually actuated;
arresting movement of the drive motor and the latch motor if the handle on the door assembly has been manually actuated and one of the drive motor and the latch motor are moving the door assembly;
and
positing the latch ratchet in the fully unlatched condition if the movement of the drive motor and the latch motor has been arrested in response to the manual actuation of the handle on the door assembly, wherein the power drive assembly includes a power-driven rotatable pinion that is coupled to the door assembly and engages a rack that is coupled to the vehicle body, and wherein the step of determining whether the door assembly is being moved by one of the drive motor and the latch motor includes:
providing a sensor for monitoring rotation of the pinion;
and
generating a signal in response to rotation of the pinion.

7 more elements

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

Claims15