CN111645499A

CN111645499A - Door system for vehicle

Info

Publication number: CN111645499A
Application number: CN202010131932.5A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 詹姆斯·尼古拉斯·默里; 本·莫法特
Original assignee: Ford Global Technologies LLC
Current assignee: Ford Global Technologies LLC
Priority date: 2019-03-04
Filing date: 2020-02-29
Publication date: 2020-09-11
Also published as: DE102020104333A1; GB2582264A; GB201902870D0

Abstract

A door system for a vehicle, the door system comprising: the system includes a vehicle door, a locking mechanism configured to selectively lock the vehicle door to a closed position, and a substantially lengthwise and vertically oriented activation device extending over a substantial portion of a height of the vehicle door such that the activation device is triggered by a user's body at one of a plurality of positions extending along the substantial portion of the height of the vehicle door, wherein triggering of the activation device releases the locking mechanism, and the vehicle door is configured such that the vehicle door is at least partially open upon release of the locking mechanism.

Description

Door system for vehicle

Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to a door system for a vehicle and in particular, but not exclusively, to a door system that allows a user to at least partially open a door using their body rather than their arms.

Background

Vehicle users often carry items when approaching their vehicles and may not have free hands to open the doors of the vehicle. A previous solution to this problem is to include a sensor under the vehicle that detects a foot and will open the door of the vehicle when the foot is detected. However, such systems are costly to install and maintain.

Disclosure of Invention

According to an aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a door system for a vehicle, the door system including:

a vehicle door;

a lock mechanism configured to selectively lock the vehicle door to a closed position; and

a substantially lengthwise and vertically oriented activation device extending over a substantial portion of the height of the door such that the activation device is triggered by the body of the user at one of a plurality of locations extending along the substantial portion of the height of the door,

wherein triggering of the activation device releases the locking mechanism and the vehicle door is configured such that the vehicle door is at least partially opened upon release of the locking mechanism.

The activation device may be provided on the vehicle door. Additionally, the activation device may be disposed adjacent to the vehicle door. For example, the activation device may be provided on a B-pillar of the vehicle.

The activation device extends continuously over a substantial portion of the height of the door. Alternatively, the activation device may comprise a plurality of discrete activatable portions. The plurality of activatable portions may be distributed, for example, longitudinally over a substantial portion of the height of the vehicle door.

The activation device may comprise at least one sensor. The sensor may extend over a substantial portion of the height of the door. For example, where the activation device includes a plurality of discrete activatable portions, each of the plurality of activatable portions may include a sensor. The sensor may be triggered by the presence of a user's body at or near the sensor.

The activation means may comprise at least one switch, such as a pressure switch. The switch may extend over a substantial portion of the height of the door. For example, where the activation device includes a plurality of discrete activatable portions, each of the plurality of activatable portions may include a switch. The switch may be triggered when a user applies a force to the vehicle.

The substantial portion of the door height may correspond to 50% or more of the door height. The activation device may extend from the knee height (or from below the knee height) to the shoulder height (or above the shoulder height) of a typical user. For example, the activation device may extend from about (or below) the knee pivot height of a 50% (percent) Hybrid type III male dummy (as defined by the U.S. national highway traffic safety administration and specified in the U.S. federal motor vehicle safety standards). In particular, the activation device may extend from a height of about 495 millimeters from the ground (or from below a height of about 495 millimeters from the ground). The activation device may extend approximately to the shoulder height (or above the shoulder height) of a 50% or 95% (percent) Hybrid III male dummy. In particular, the activation device may extend to (or beyond) a height of approximately 1450 mm or 1740 mm from the ground.

The vehicle door may be configured to at least partially open upon release of the locking mechanism via the passive mechanism. The passive mechanism may include a resilient member (e.g., a spring) that may bias the door away from the closed position. The user can then fully open the door.

The vehicle door may be configured to at least partially open upon release of the locking mechanism by the active mechanism. The active mechanism may include an actuator (e.g., a motor or a linear actuator) configured to move the vehicle door away from the closed position. The actuator may continue to open the door.

The door system may further include a locking mechanism configured to selectively lock the door in the closed position. The locking mechanism may be unlocked by the wireless keyless entry device.

The door may slide and/or rotate when opened. The vehicle door may provide access to a passenger compartment of the vehicle and/or a cargo compartment space of the vehicle (e.g., a trunk, or any other cargo compartment area).

Vehicles such as motor vehicles (e.g., commercial motor vehicles) may incorporate the above-described door system.

To avoid unnecessary duplication of labor and repetitive text in the specification, certain features are described only in relation to one or more aspects or embodiments of the invention. However, it should be understood that: features described in relation to any aspect or embodiment of the invention may also be used with any other aspect or embodiment of the invention where technically feasible.

Drawings

For a better understanding of the present invention, and to show more clearly how it may be carried into effect, reference will now be made, by way of example, to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is an illustration of a motor vehicle incorporating a sliding door shown in a partially open configuration; and

FIG. 2 is a side view of a motor vehicle incorporating a door system according to a first example of the present disclosure;

FIG. 3 is a side view of a motor vehicle incorporating a door system according to a second example of the present disclosure;

FIG. 4 is a side view of a motor vehicle incorporating a door system according to a third example of the present disclosure;

FIG. 5 is a schematic view of a vehicle door system according to one example of the present disclosure; and

FIG. 6 is a schematic view of a vehicle door system according to another example of the present disclosure.

Detailed Description

Referring to fig. 1, the present disclosure is directed to a vehicle (e.g., an automotive vehicle 10) including a door 12. The door 12 may provide access to a passenger compartment of the vehicle and/or a cargo space of the vehicle (e.g., a trunk, or any other cargo area). As shown, the door 12 may translate (e.g., slide) as it opens, although in other arrangements, the door may rotate or rotate and slide as it moves between open and closed positions.

As shown, the door 12 may be disposed on one side of the motor vehicle 10, although it may be disposed in other locations, such as the rear of the motor vehicle. The door 12 may selectively cover an aperture 14 in a body structure 16 of the motor vehicle 10. The vehicle door 12 may be provided in addition to other doors of the vehicle, such as a pivotally openable front door 18.

The motor vehicle 10 may include one or

more guide rails

20A, 20B, 20C that may guide the door 12 during opening and closing of the door 12. The first guide rail 20A may be disposed at or toward the top of the door 12. The second rail 20B may be disposed at a point intermediate the top and bottom of the door 12. The third rail 20C may be disposed at the top of the door 12 or at the bottom of the door 12. Toward the bottom of the door 12. Although three guide rails are shown, it should be understood that any number of guide rails may be provided, and they may be provided at other locations than that shown in FIG. 1. Additionally, the door is coupled to the vehicle 10 by one or more hinges.

Referring to fig. 2, a door system 100 of the vehicle 10 includes a door 12, a locking mechanism 24 (shown schematically in fig. 5 and 6), and an activation device 30. The latch mechanism is configured to selectively lock the door 12 in a closed position. The door system 100 may further include a separate locking mechanism 26 (schematically shown in FIG. 6) configured to selectively lock the door 12 in the closed position. For example, the locking mechanism may be unlocked by a wireless keyless entry device 28 (again shown schematically in fig. 6).

In the example shown in fig. 2, the activation device 30 is disposed near the vehicle door 12. In particular, the activation device 30 may be disposed on the B-pillar 22 of the vehicle. Further, as shown, the activation device 30 may be substantially lengthwise and may be oriented in a substantially vertical direction. The activation device 30 may extend over a substantial portion of the height of the vehicle door 12.

As shown in fig. 2, the activation device 30 may extend continuously over a substantial portion of the height of the door, such as only a single activatable portion. Additionally, as shown in FIG. 3, the activation device 30 can include a plurality of discrete activatable portions 30 a-e. The plurality of activatable portions 30a-e may be distributed, for example, longitudinally over a substantial portion of the height of the vehicle door 12. In another alternative depicted in fig. 4, the activation device 30 may be disposed on the door 12. In this case, the activation device 30 may comprise a single activatable portion (as shown) or a plurality of discrete activating portions as shown in FIG. 3.

The activation device 30 may extend within a height range from the ground that allows the user to activate the activation device 30 using a portion of their body (from their knees to their shoulders or even their head). For example, the activation device may extend from about (or below) the knee pivot height of a 50% (percent) Hybrid type III male dummy (as defined by the U.S. national highway traffic safety administration and specified in the U.S. federal motor vehicle safety standards). In particular, the activation device may extend from a height of about 495 millimeters from the ground (or from below a height of about 495 millimeters from the ground). The activation device may extend approximately to the shoulder height (or above the shoulder height) of a 50% or 95% (percent) Hybrid III male dummy. In particular, the activation device may extend to (or beyond) a height of approximately 1450 mm or 1740 mm from the ground.

Thus, a substantial portion of the height of the door may correspond to 50% or more of the height of the door 12. In particular, a substantial portion of the height of the door 12 may correspond to 75% or more of the height of the door 12, and in the example shown in fig. 2-4, a substantial portion of the door height may correspond to approximately 100% of the door height. However, it should be understood that the activatable portion 30 may extend from a point below or above the bottom of the door 12. Likewise, the activatable portion 30 may extend to a point below or above the top of the door 12.

In any of the above examples, activation device 30 may include at least one sensor. The sensor may extend to a substantial portion of the height of the door 12. For example, where the activation device 30 includes a plurality of discrete activatable portions 30a-e, each of the plurality of activatable portions may include a sensor. The sensor may be triggered by the presence of the user's body at or near the sensor. For example, the sensor may include a proximity sensor or a contact sensor.

Additionally or alternatively, the activation device 30 may comprise at least one switch, such as a pressure switch. The switch may extend to a substantial portion of the height of the door 12. For example, where the activation device 30 includes a plurality of discrete activatable portions 30a-e, each of the plurality of activatable portions may include a switch. The switch may be triggered when a user applies a force to the vehicle.

For any of the above examples, the locking mechanism 24 is released when the activation device 30 is triggered by the user's body at one or more points along the length of the activation device 30. The door 12 (or door 18) is configured to be at least partially open (e.g., assuming the locking mechanism is in an unlocked state) upon release of the locking mechanism 24. In particular, the door 12 may be biased away from the closed position such that the door may be at least partially opened upon release of the locking mechanism. Thus, when the activatable portion 30 is activated, the door may be released from its closed position. In the case where the door 12 is only partially opened, the user may further manually open the door 12, for example, using a portion of his body. Thus, the user may unlock and open the vehicle door with their body (e.g., without their hands).

In any of the above examples, the door 12 may also include a handle 32 configured to allow a user to selectively release the locking mechanism 24. It is contemplated that the handle 32 or activation device 30 may be used to release the locking mechanism.

Referring to fig. 5, activation device 30 and locking mechanism 24 may be operatively coupled to one another. For example, as described above, activation device 30 may include one or more switches, and the switches may be mechanically coupled to latching mechanisms 24 such that activation of one of the switches releases the latching mechanism.

Further, the vehicle door 12 may be configured to at least partially open upon release of the locking mechanism 24 via a passive mechanism. The passive mechanism may include a resilient member (e.g., a spring) that may bias the door 12 away from the closed position. The user may then manually fully open the door 12.

Referring to fig. 6, activation device 30 and locking mechanism 24 may be electrically coupled to one another. Specifically, door system 100 may also include a controller 40 that receives signals from activation device 30. Controller 40 may control locking mechanism 24 based on a trigger signal from activation device 30. The same controller 40 (or a different controller) may receive a wireless signal from the wireless keyless entry device 28 and may unlock the locking mechanism 26 upon receipt of an appropriate signal.

Further, in any of the above examples, the door 12 may be configured to at least partially open upon release of the locking mechanism 24 by way of the active mechanism. The active mechanism may include an actuator 34 (e.g., a motor or linear actuator) configured to move the door 12 away from the closed position. The actuator 34 may continue to open the door to the fully open position. Once the locking mechanism 24 (and locking mechanism 26) have been released, the controller 40 (or a different controller) may drive the actuator 34.

The door system 100 described above is associated with a door 12 (e.g., a cargo door), but it is also contemplated that the door system 100 may be associated with a door 18 (e.g., a passenger door) such that the door 18 may be opened by the activation device 30.

The present invention provides a convenient method of opening a vehicle door without the need for a free hand. This is particularly advantageous for commercial vehicles, as the user may be carrying goods.

It will be understood by those skilled in the art that while the invention has been described by way of example, it is not limited to the disclosed examples, and that alternative examples may be constructed, without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

Claims

1. A door system for a vehicle, the door system comprising:

a vehicle door;

a locking mechanism configured to selectively lock the vehicle door to a closed position; and

a substantially lengthwise and vertically oriented activation device extending over a substantial portion of a height of the vehicle door such that the activation device is triggered by a user's body at one of a plurality of locations extending over the substantial portion of the height of the vehicle door,

wherein triggering of the activation device releases the latch mechanism and the vehicle door is configured such that the vehicle door is at least partially opened upon release of the latch mechanism.

2. The vehicle door system of claim 1, wherein the activation device is disposed on the vehicle door.

3. The vehicle door system of claim 1, wherein the activation device is disposed adjacent the vehicle door.

4. The door system of claim 3, wherein the activation device is disposed on a B-pillar of the vehicle.

5. The door system of any of the preceding claims, wherein the activation device extends continuously over the substantial portion of the height of the door.

6. The door system of any of the above claims 1-4, wherein the activation device includes a plurality of discrete activatable portions distributed over the substantial portion of the height of the door.

7. The door system of any of the preceding claims, wherein the activation device includes at least one sensor triggered by the presence of the user's body at or near the sensor.

8. The door system of any of the preceding claims, wherein the activation device includes at least one switch that is triggered when the user applies a force to the vehicle.

9. The door system of any of the preceding claims, wherein the activation device extends from a typical user's knee height to shoulder height.

10. The door system of any of the preceding claims, wherein the door is configured to at least partially open upon release of the locking mechanism via a passive mechanism.

11. The vehicle door system of claim 10, wherein the passive mechanism includes a resilient member that biases the vehicle door away from the closed position.

12. The door system of any of the preceding claims, wherein the door is configured to at least partially open upon release of the locking mechanism by an active mechanism.

13. The vehicle door system of claim 12, wherein the active mechanism includes an actuator configured to move the vehicle door away from the closed position.

14. The door system of any of the preceding claims, wherein the door system further comprises a locking mechanism configured to selectively lock the door in the closed position.

15. A vehicle incorporating a door system as claimed in any preceding claim.