A. Field of Invention
This invention generally relates to methods and apparatus concerning safety sensors installed in vehicles. More specifically, the present invention relates to methods and apparatuses concerning pressure-activated sensors for preventing an automatic door or other moveable structure in a passenger vehicle from forcibly closing in the event the opening becomes obstructed by, for example, the arms, legs, or fingers of a passenger.
B. Description of the Related Art
Pressure-activated sensors are used in passenger vehicles and in other applications for use in preventing an automatic powered door from forcibly closing over an obstruction, such as the arms, legs, or fingers of a passenger. In automotive applications, such sensors (typically referred to as “pinch sensors”) are required for customer protection when vehicles include a slide door.
In a known construction, illustrated in
In order to overcome these difficulties, a pinch sensor design is needed that simplifies installation and requires fewer parts while providing a streamlined, integrated appearance.
Some embodiments of the present invention relate to a pressure-activated sensor assembly including a switch component that actuates upon pressure contact with an obstructing object. A flexible component is provided that substantially surrounds and encases the switch component. An engagement component engages a projection of a closure component. An extended portion is disposed substantially on a side of the engagement component that contacts a side surface of the closure component. One or more fasteners are provided that secure the extended portion to the side surface of the closure component.
Other embodiments of the present invention relate to an automated door assembly including a motorized door component that is movable between an open position and a closed position. A door frame engages the motorized door component when in the closed position. A pressure-activated sensor assembly is provided that disengages the motorized door component upon contact with an obstructing object. The pressure-activated sensor includes a switch component that actuates upon pressure contact with the obstructing object. A flexible component is provided that substantially surrounds and encases the switch component. An engagement component engages a projection of the motorized door component. An extended portion is disposed substantially on a side of the engagement component that contacts a side surface of the motorized door component. One or more fasteners are provided that secure the extended portion to the side surface of the motorized door component.
Still other embodiments of the present invention relate to a method of making a motorized door having a pressure-activated sensor assembly. A motorized door component is provided that is movable between an open position and a closed position. A door frame is provided that engages the motorized door component when in the closed position. A pressure-activated sensor assembly is affixed to the motorized door component to disengage the motorized door component upon contact with an obstructing object. This step of affixing includes a sub-step of forming a flexible component that substantially surrounds and encases a switch component that actuates upon pressure contact with the obstructing object. The affixing also includes engaging an engagement component onto a projection of the motorized door component. Also included in the affixing is the sub-step of contacting an extended portion disposed substantially on a side of the engagement component with a side surface of the motorized door component. Affixing also may entail the sub-step securing at least one fastener between the extended portion and the side surface of the motorized door component.
Other benefits and advantages will become apparent to those skilled in the art to which it pertains upon reading and understanding of the following detailed specification.
The invention may take physical form in certain parts and arrangement of parts, embodiments of which will be described in detail in this specification and illustrated in the accompanying drawings which form a part hereof and wherein:
The present invention generally relates to a pressure activated sensor and methods for making the same, so as to prevent an automated door from closing over an obstruction that might result in injury of a passenger or damage to an article or the door mechanism itself.
We refer now to the drawings wherein the showings are for purposes of illustrating embodiments of the invention only and not for purposes of limiting the same, and wherein like reference numerals are understood to refer to like components.
The pressure activated sensor assembly 20 includes a switch component 24 that actuates upon pressure contact with an obstructing object. In one embodiment, shown in
The switch component 24, in one embodiment, may be a multiple-strand arrangement of wires that are arranged so that contact of the sensor 24 by an obstruction (this contact may be considered “pinch contact”) causes two or more wires to come into contact with each other, thereby establishing a current in an electrical circuit. Detection of this current may then be used to deactivate a motor that drives the closure component 22, thereby stopping the motion of the closure component 22. In this way, the motor is deactivated upon pinch contact of the pressure activated sensor 24 by the obstruction. It should be understood that this invention will work with switch components 24 of other designs as well.
A flexible component 26 that substantially surrounds and encases the switch component 24 may also be provided. As shown in
An engagement component 28 is provided that engages a projection 30 of a closure component 22. As shown in
The sensor assembly 20 may also include an extended portion 38 disposed substantially one side of the engagement component 28, for use in contacting a side surface of the closure component 22. As illustrated in
For the embodiment shown, the fastener 40 includes a plurality of deformable clips that extend through an aperture in the extended portion 38 and a corresponding aperture in the side surface of the closure component 22. The deformable clips may be formed, in one embodiment, of a sturdy polymer material such as nylon or the like. The design of the present invention thereby eliminates the metal bracket and holding screws used in previous-type sensor designs.
For the embodiment illustrated in
For the embodiment illustrated in
In one embodiment, the sensor assembly 20 also includes a seal component 44 that forms a sealing engagement between the closure component 22 and a frame 46. The frame 46 can include a suitable frame portion of a passenger vehicle in embodiments where the closure component 22 is a slide door for a passenger vehicle. The seal component 44 may be disposed on an opposite side of the engagement component 28 from the extended portion 38. As illustrated in
In another embodiment, the flexible component 26, the engagement component 28, and the extended portion 38 are all formed integrally as a single component. For embodiments that also include the seal component 44, the seal component 44 can also be formed integrally as a single component with the flexible component 26, the engagement component 28, and the extended portion 38. In another embodiment, the holder portion 41, the flexible component 26, the engagement component 28, and the extended portion 38 are formed integrally as a single component. In yet another embodiment, the holder portion 41, the flexible component 26, the engagement component 28, the extended portion 38, and the seal component 44 are formed integrally as a single component. In a more specific embodiment, the single component can be molded of a flexible polymer material using a molding process, as is known in the art.
The pressure activated sensor assembly 20 of the present invention, as disclosed hereinabove, may be a component in an automated door assembly. The closure component 22 may be a motorized door component that is movable between an open position and a closed position. The frame 46 may be a door frame that engages the motorized door component when in the closed position. The motorized door component and the door frame may be incorporated into a passenger vehicle. The pressure activated sensor assembly 20, as disclosed hereinabove, can be used to deactivate the motorized door component upon contact with an obstructing object.
In yet another embodiment, the pressure activated sensor assembly 20 and its associated components (such as the switch component 24) are elongated components that extend substantially over a portion of a contacting edge of the motorized door component, where the portion can include some or all of the contacting edge. The deformable tabs 36 may be used to form an interference engagement over the projection 30 formed of the sheet metal members 32a, 32b that form the motorized door component. The seal component 44 may be used to form a sealing engagement between the motorized door component and the door frame.
This step 56 includes a substep 56a of forming a flexible component that substantially surrounds and encases a switch component that actuates upon pressure contact with the obstructing object. A substep 56b is performed of engaging an engagement component onto a projection of the motorized door component. A substep 56c is performed of contacting an extended portion disposed substantially on a side of the engagement component with a side surface of the motorized door component. Finally, a substep 56c is performed of securing one or more fasteners between the extended portion and the side surface of the motorized door component.
Multiple embodiments have been described, hereinabove. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the above methods and apparatuses may incorporate changes and modifications without departing from the general scope of this invention. It is intended to include all such modifications and alterations insofar as they come within the scope of the appended claims or the equivalents thereof.
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