Patent ID: 7429804
Filing Date: 2008-09-30
Classification: B60P

Abstract:
1. A motor vehicle comprising: an engine for powering the vehicle; a lift gate comprising a platform that is raised and lowered on the vehicle by a prime mover; an electrical system comprising at least one electric storage battery for operating the prime mover to raise and lower the lift gate when the engine is not running and a control system that comprises a disconnect for carrying electricity from the battery to the prime mover; and control logic for selectively enabling and unenabling the disconnect to carry electricity to the prime mover from the battery, including a control input, a source providing battery voltage data corresponding to actual battery voltage, and a timer, wherein the control logic causes the disconnect to become and remain enabled upon the control input requesting enablement of the disconnect and battery voltage data indicating actual battery voltage in compliance with a defined criterion until the earlier occurrence of 1) elapse of a length of time set by the timer and 2) battery voltage data disclosing non-compliance with the defined criterion; including an ignition switch that is selectively operable respectively to CRANK, RUN, and OFF positions A) for connecting an engine cranking circuit to the battery at starting, B) for connecting an engine run circuit to the battery after the engine has been started and is running, and C) for disconnecting the engine run circuit from the battery, respectively, and an alarm device for giving an alarm, wherein when the ignition switch is placed in RUN position with the engine not running, the control logic causes the alarm device to give an alarm after the battery voltage data has disclosed non-compliance with a minimum permissible battery voltage established by the defined criterion for an interval of time established by the defined criterion, the defined criterion being contained in the control logic.