US 8,451,087 B2Granted

Passive entry system for automotive vehicle doors

AssigneeFord Global Technologies, LLC

InventorsVenkatesh Krishnan, James Joseph Loschiavo, Kosta Papanikolaou

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Abstract

A passive entry system for an vehicle door requires no active operator input to gain entrance to the vehicle. A door module recognizes the signal transmitted by an authorized key fob to identify the operator of the vehicle. The authentication of the operator coupled with the operator touching a sensor on the door to be opened actuates a release actuator that unlatches the selected door. The spring-load provided by the door seal will pop the door open from the closed position. A key cylinder, which can be located substantially anywhere on the door, is coupled mechanically to the release latch for use if the battery is weak and cannot activate the release actuator. An LED signals the state of the opening sequence for the door. The fixed door handle can incorporate a membrane switch or a capacitive sensor to indicate the selection of the door by the operator when touched.

Claims8

Dependent claims

A passive door entry system for an automotive door movable between a closed position and an opened position, comprising:

a mechanical latch mechanism operable to restrain said automotive door in said closed position and to release said automotive door to move to said opened position;
a spring device to bias said door from said closed position into said opened position;
an electronically operated release solenoid operably engaged with said latch mechanism to activate said latch mechanism to release said automotive door to move to said opened position;
a selector sensor associated with said automotive door to generate a selection signal when said door is selected for opening by activating said selector sensor;
a first mechanical actuator directly interconnecting an interior door handle mounted on said automotive door and said latch mechanism by a first cable to actuate said latch mechanism when said interior door handle is manipulated;
a second mechanical actuator independent of said first mechanical actuator and directly interconnecting an outside key cylinder and said latch mechanism by a second cable to actuate said latch mechanism through manipulation of said outside key cylinder, such that said latch mechanism is operably connected to all of said solenoid and said first and second cables each of which is selectively operable to affect the release of said automotive door;
and
an electronic door module operable to receive a recognition signal from a portable electronic device authorizing said door module to operate and to receive said selection signal, said door module operating to power said door release actuator to operate said latch mechanism to release said door so that said spring device will move said door into said opened position said spring device moving said door into said opened position when said latch mechanism is operated by any of said solenoid, said first mechanical actuator and said second mechanical actuator.

5 more elements

An automotive door having an exterior side and an interior side, said door being movable between a closed position and an opened position, comprising:

a mechanically operable latch mechanism operable to restrain said automotive door in said closed position and to release said automotive door to move to said opened position;
an electronically operated door release actuator operably engaged with said latch mechanism to activate said latch mechanism, said door release actuator including a solenoid connected to said latch mechanism and operable when activated to operate said latch mechanism to release said automotive door;
a selector sensor associated with said exterior side of said automotive door to generate a selection signal when said door is selected for opening by activating said selector sensor;
an electronic door module operable to receive a recognition signal from a portable electronic device authorizing said door module to operate and to receive said selection signal to activate said solenoid and power said door release actuator to operate said latch mechanism to release said door so that a spring device will move said door into said opened position;
an inside door lever accessible from said interior side of said door, said inside door lever being mechanically connected directly to said latch mechanism by a first cable for actuation thereof without requiring the operation of said door module;
and
a key operated mechanical by-pass mounted on the exterior side of the automotive door and being mechanically connected directly to said latch mechanism by a second cable independent of said first cable to permit actuation thereof without utilizing the door module, such that said latch mechanism is operably connected to all of said solenoid and said first and second cables each of which is selectively operable to affect the release of said automotive door, said spring device being operable to move said door into said opened position when said latch mechanism is actuated by any of said solenoid, said inside door lever through said first cable, and said key operated mechanical by-pass through said second cable.

4 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 11/964,028Filed 25 Dec 2007
Published: US 2009/0160211 A125 Jun 2009
Granted: 28 May 2013
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification16 codes

B60J 5/04
Doors: arranged at the vehicle sides
B60R 25/00
Fittings or systems for preventing or indicating unauthorised use or theft of
B60R 25/2036
Means to switch the anti-theft system on or off: by using the door logic and door and engine unlock means
E05B 81/77
Detection of handle operation; Detection of a user approaching a handle; Electrical switching actions performed by door handles: comprising…