Abstract:
An automotive vehicle includes one or more swinging doors which may be immobilized in a number of positions, so as to allow the door to be used, for example, to assist passengers in entering and leaving the vehicle.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    The present application claims priority to U.S. provisional application having Ser. No. 60/944,339 filed on Jun. 15, 2007. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0003]    The present invention relates to a hinged vehicle door which may be selectively immobilized in a number of locations ranging from fully open to fully closed. 
         [0004]    2. Related Art 
         [0005]    Hinged doors are frequently used by vehicle occupants to assist during ingress and egress of the vehicle. In essence, the vehicle door is utilized as a steady rest to enable the vehicle occupant to move himself or herself either into or out of a vehicular space, such as a seat. The present inventors have determined that usage of a vehicular door in this manner would be enhanced by the ability to immobilize the door in mid-swing. As shown in U.S. Pat. No. 6,681,444, it is known to provide an apparatus which allows the door to be checked in any one of a number of positions, from fully opened to fully closed. However, the system of the &#39;444 patent does not immobilize the door; rather, the system of the &#39;444 patent merely increases the amount of force needed to move the door, while clearly providing that this force may be overridden and the door closed against the action of the door check. This renders the system of the &#39;444 patent inapposite to solution of the present problem, because a door which swings free after the application of an indeterminate amount of force could inhibit the ingress/egress process by starting to swing at an inopportune time. 
         [0006]    It would be desirable to provide an automotive door with a repositionable immobilizer permitting the door to be placed in any position and rotationally locked against further movement, so as to resist a reasonably predictable level of force imposed by a motorist using the door to assist in entering or leaving a vehicle. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0007]    According to an aspect of the present invention, a vehicle having a swinging door includes a door mechanism with a fixed hinge half attached to a structure such as an A-pillar or hinge pillar. The fixed hinge half has a lower support leg and an upper support leg. A moveable hinge half is secured between the upper and lower support legs. The moveable hinge half has a center section which is attached to the inner panel of the door. 
         [0008]    According to another aspect of the present invention a repositionable immobilizer includes a rotor having indexing apertures which may be engaged by a lock pin attached to a linear actuator. 
         [0009]    According to another aspect of the invention, a rotor which rotates synchronously with a hinged door is braked to a door-immobilizing state by means of an upper brake pad and a lower brake pad which are positioned adjacent to the rotor, with the upper brake pad being attached to a linear actuator. According to another aspect of the present invention, the linear actuator may be either a solenoid type device or a pneumatic or hydraulic device, or a motor driven device drawn from the various classes of such devices known to those skilled in the art and suggested by this disclosure. 
         [0010]    According to another aspect of the present invention, a switch attached to a vehicle, either on an interior part such as a door trim panel, or associated with an exterior locking device such as a lock cylinder, or at both locations, is attached to a controller which locks the immobilizer device when the switch is activated. Alternatively, a remote controller embodied in a key fob may be used to trigger immobilization of a door according to an aspect of the present invention. 
         [0011]    According to another aspect of the present invention, a repositionable immobilizer includes a strap which is attached between a hinged door and a stationary structure, such as an A-pillar or B-pillar. The strap may include, in a first embodiment, a number of apertures which are engagable by a lock pin controlled by a linear actuator. Alternatively, the strap may include teeth formed integrally with it and engaged by a plurality of sprags, which are motor driven. As yet another alternative, the strap may be equipped with a piston, with the piston being mounted within a cylinder which is either filled with an electrorheological fluid or with hydraulic fluid. As yet another alternative, the piston may be housed for reciprocating movement within an air cylinder. In the case of an electrorheological system, a voltage is applied to the electrorheological fluid so as to change its viscosity, thereby inhibiting movement of the strap, so as to immobilize the door. In the case of a hydraulic or pneumatic arrangement, the movement of fluid from one side of the piston to the other will be controlled by a valving system operated by a controller, so that the location of the piston and, hence, the location of the door, may be hydraulically or pneumatically locked. 
         [0012]    Yet another embodiment according to an aspect of the present invention includes a strap having an elastomeric cover and a structural core, which could be formed from various metallic and nonmetallic materials known to those skilled in the art and suggested by this disclosure. In a preferred embodiment, a composite strap has an ovoid section, which matches an ovoid section of a rotatable nut, which is itself attached to, for example, an A-pillar, or a B-pillar, or a door, so that as the door moves from its open to closed position and vice versa, the strap passes through the nut. The nut is partially threaded so that its rotational position with respect to the strap causes the strap to either be inhibited by the threads or to move freely as the door swings. With this arrangement, the nut may be positioned so as to lock the movement of the strap, thereby immobilizing the door. 
         [0013]    According to another aspect of the present invention, a pair of cams is attached to the door so that the position of the cams, as determined by a tension spring and a linear actuator, allow a strap, or a rod functioning as a strap, to either move freely through the cams so as to thereby allow the door to move, or to tightly grip the rod, so as to lock, or immobilize, the door in a selected position. 
         [0014]    It is an advantage of a system according to the present invention that a vehicle door may be selectively immobilized at the discretion of the vehicle&#39;s driver merely by triggering a switch mounted to the door trim panel or upon a key fob or upon an outside surface or mechanism of the vehicle, such as a lock cylinder. 
         [0015]    It is yet another advantage of a system according to the present invention that a vehicle door may be immobilized without the need for extensive additional hardware, and without the need for repackaging the door hinge assemblies. 
         [0016]    Other advantages, as well as features of the present invention, will become apparent to the reader of this specification. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0017]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a vehicle having a repositionable immobilizer according to an aspect of the present invention.  FIG. 1A  is a partial block diagram showing component parts of a door system according to an aspect of the present invention. 
           [0018]      FIG. 2  is a sectional view, partially in elevation, of a portion of a door having a repositionable immobilizer according to an aspect of the present invention.  FIG. 2  is taken in the direction of the arrows labeled ‘2’ in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0019]      FIG. 3  is similar to  FIG. 2 , but shows the repositionable immobilizer of  FIG. 2  in a locked position. 
           [0020]      FIG. 4  is similar to  FIGS. 2 and 3 , but shows a second embodiment of a repositionable immobilizer according to an aspect of the present invention. 
           [0021]      FIG. 5  shows a linear repositionable immobilizer according to an aspect of the present invention. 
           [0022]      FIG. 6  is similar to  FIG. 5 , but shows the immobilizer of  FIG. 5  in a locked position. 
           [0023]      FIG. 7  shows another type of linear repositionable immobilizer, according to an aspect of the present invention, in an unlocked position. 
           [0024]      FIG. 8  is similar to  FIG. 7 , but shows the repositionable immobilizer of  FIG. 7  in a locked position. 
           [0025]      FIG. 9  illustrates a friction type of linear repositionable immobilizer according to an aspect of the present invention. 
           [0026]      FIG. 10  illustrates a repositionable immobilizer having a cam-type locking device according to an aspect of the present invention. 
           [0027]      FIGS. 11A-11D  show the selective locking, or immobilizing, action of the cam-type device of  FIG. 10 . 
           [0028]      FIG. 12  shows a linear type of repositionable immobilizer having a sprag mechanism according to an aspect of the present invention. 
           [0029]      FIG. 13  illustrates a repositionable immobilizer, according to an aspect of the present invention, having a fluid operating system. 
           [0030]      FIG. 14  illustrates a fluid operating system according to  FIG. 13 , and employing electrorheological fluid. 
           [0031]      FIG. 15  illustrates a fluid operating system according to  FIG. 13 , and employing hydraulic fluid. 
           [0032]      FIG. 16  illustrates a multiple locking cam mechanism for use with an embodiment of a repositionable immobilizer according to an aspect of the present invention. 
           [0033]      FIG. 17  illustrates a cam member included in the mechanism of  FIG. 16 . 
           [0034]      FIG. 18  is an elevational view, partially in section of a repositionable immobilizer according to  FIG. 16 , taken along the line  18 - 18  of  FIG. 16 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0035]    As shown in  FIG. 1 , vehicle  10  has a swinging door,  14 , which is equipped with a repositionable immobilizer according to the present invention.  FIG. 1A  shows an interior trim panel,  94 , which is mounted upon an inner surface of door  14 . Trim panel  94  provides a mounting surface for a manual switch,  98 , which is operatively connected with a controller,  102 . Controller  102 , which may be configured as either a microprocessor controller, or a programmable logic controller, or other type of controller known to those skilled in the art and suggested by this disclosure, operates immobilizer  106  to fix the door position at a point selected by the vehicle&#39;s passenger. Added control capability may be achieved by incorporating a door immobilization function within a key switch,  103 , incorporated in an outer surface of door  14 . Such switch may be combined, for example, with a door lock cylinder. Switch  103  may be configured as either a conventional key switch or as a touch pad key switch. Thus, as used herein, the term “key switch” refers to either configuration. 
         [0036]    Moving now to  FIG. 2 , door  14  is shown as being hinged to an A-pillar,  22 , of vehicle  10  by means of a hinge having a fixed hinge half,  18 , with a base,  20 , to which two support legs, namely upper support leg,  30 , and lower support leg,  26 , are attached. Fixed hinge half  18  may be mounted to A-pillar  22  by means of welding or by threaded fasteners or by adhesives, by any one or any combination of commonly known fastening methods. 
         [0037]    A repositionable immobilizer according to an aspect of the present invention further includes a moveable hinge half,  34 , having a center section,  36 , which is bored or cored for a hinge pin,  40 . Moveable hinge half  34  is attached to door inner panel  42  by means of cap screws,  38 , it being understood that, alternatively, moveable hinge half  34  may be attached to door inner panel  42  by means of welding, adhesives, and other types of fastening methods known to those skilled in the art and suggested by this disclosure. 
         [0038]    A rotor,  46 , is attached to hinge pin  40 , as well as to center section  36  of moveable hinge half  34 . Rotor  46  has a plurality of indexing apertures,  50 , formed therein. Apertures  50  are engagable by a lock pin,  58 , which is mounted to a linear actuator,  54 . As shown in  FIG. 1A , linear actuator  54  is controlled by means of switch  98 , which sends a signal to controller  102 , which in turn operates immobilizer  106 , which includes actuator  54 . Those skilled in the art will appreciate in view of this disclosure that linear actuator  54 , as well as linear actuator  118 , and yet other linear actuators disclosed herein, may be configured as either solenoid actuators, or fluid power actuators, typically pneumatic or hydraulic, or electro-drive actuators, or other types of actuators suggested by this disclosure. 
         [0039]      FIG. 3  shows lock pin  58  in an engaged position with one of apertures  50 , so as to effectively immobilize door  14  and thereby prevent door  14  from swinging. When switch  98  is placed in a released position, linear actuator  54  will withdraw lock pin  58  from one of apertures  50 , allowing door  14  to swing. Those skilled in the art will appreciate in view of this disclosure that apertures  50  may be engaged by using linear actuator  54  to preload lock pin  58  into the upper surface  46   a  of rotor  46 , such that locking pin  58  engages the desired one of apertures  50  when rotor  46  has been positioned by door  14  so as to be indexed with lock pin  58 . 
         [0040]      FIG. 4  illustrates an embodiment of a repositionable immobilizer according to the present invention in which upper brake pad  64  and lower brake pad  72  engage rotor  46 . The mounting of lower brake pad  72  is facilitated by bracket  68 , which is itself mounted to bracket  52 . As shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3 , bracket  52  generally allows the mounting of linear actuator  54  upon upper support leg  30  of fixed hinge half  18 . 
         [0041]    In the embodiment of  FIG. 4 , when controller  102  receives a locking signal from a line attached to switch  98 , linear actuator  54  will press brake pad  64  into contact with rotor  46  and, because rotor  46  is a sliding fit upon hinge pin  40 , the force of linear actuator  54  will cause both sides of rotor  46  to be squeezed by brake pads  64  and  72 , thereby immobilizing door  14 . 
         [0042]      FIG. 5  illustrates a linear immobilization device in which a strap,  110 , is attached by means of a pivot,  126 , to a structure,  106 , of vehicle  10 . Structure  106  may be either an A-pillar, or a B-pillar, or yet another structure having sufficient strength and rigidity to support proper functioning of the immobilization device. Strap  110  is normally free to move into and out of the interior of door  14 . Linear actuator  118  is mounted by means of bracket  120  to door inner panel  130 . Strap  110  contains a number of apertures,  114 , which are engagable by a lock pin,  122 , driven selectively by linear actuator  118 . 
         [0043]      FIG. 6  illustrates lock pin  122  in its driven, or locked, position, immobilizing door  14 . Lock pin  122  will remain in its locked position until controller  102  provides an appropriate signal to linear actuator  118 . 
         [0044]      FIG. 7  shows another embodiment, according to an aspect of the present invention, in which a strap,  142 , has a plurality of teeth,  146 , which are engagable by a sprag,  138 , carried upon the plunger of a linear actuator,  118 . When sprag  138  is in the position illustrated in  FIG. 7 , door  14  is free to move. 
         [0045]      FIG. 8  shows sprag  138  in an engaged position, which immobilizes door  14 . 
         [0046]      FIG. 9  illustrates an embodiment, according to an aspect of the present invention, in which a linear actuator,  118 , applies a friction pad,  154 , which is mounted to a plunger,  153 , carried within linear actuator  118 . Friction pad  154 , as well as a second friction pad,  158 , which is mounted to solenoid bracket  120  by bracket  162 , are applied selectively to strap  150  so as to effectively pinch strap  150  between the two friction pads, selectively preventing motion of door  14 . Strap  150  is constructed with sufficient compliance to accommodate wear of friction pads  154  and  158 . 
         [0047]    FIGS.  10  and  11 A- 11 D illustrate an aspect according to the present invention in which a strap,  166 , has a structural core,  170 , with an elastomeric cover,  174 . Core  170  may be formed from various metallic or nonmetallic or composite materials known to those skilled in the art and suggested by this disclosure. Cover  174  is shown in  FIGS. 11A-11D  as having an ovoid shape, which cooperates with a rotationally lockable nut,  178 , to control movement of door  14 . As shown in  FIG. 10 , nut  178  is rotationally positioned by means of a linear actuator,  182 . Nut  178  abuts door inner panel  130  such that door  14  is free to move with respect to structure  106  only if nut  178  is unlocked from strap  166 . As shown in  FIGS. 11A-11D , nut  178  is mounted to door inner panel  130  by means of a retainer,  179 , which is itself maintained in contact with inner panel  130  by means of fasteners  181 . Retainer  179  permits nut  178  to rotate with respect to both strap  166  and inner panel  130 , while preventing nut  178  from moving axially with respect to panel  130 . Structure  106  may comprise either an A-pillar or B-pillar, or another structure having similar performance characteristics. Alternatively, nut  178  could be positioned on structure  106 , thereby allowing strap  166  to pass into and out of structure  106 . 
         [0048]    When nut  178  has been positioned by actuator  182  in the rotational position illustrated in  FIG. 11A , strap  166  is free to move through nut  178  without hindrance, it being observable from  FIG. 11A  that the ovoid inner diameter of nut  178  is matched, or indexed, with the ovoid outer diameter of cover  174 . When, however, nut  178  has been positioned as shown in  FIG. 11B , a number of serrations, or teeth,  190 , impinge lightly upon elastomeric cover  174 , with the result that the movement of strap  166  through nut  178  will be slightly inhibited. When, however, nut  178  has been rotated to the position shown in  FIG. 11C , serrations  190  begin to impinge significantly upon elastomeric cover  174 , with the result that movement of door  14  will be greatly inhibited. Finally, when nut  178  is positioned as shown in  FIG. 11D , movement of door  14  will be effectively prohibited because serrations  190  will be heavily locked into cover  174  of strap  166 . In other words, serrations, or teeth,  190  are configured to lock nut  178  upon strap  166  to varying degrees characterizing the several rotational positions at which said teeth project, to a greater or lesser extent, into elastomeric cover  174 . 
         [0049]      FIG. 12  illustrates an aspect of the present invention in which strap  194 , having an end,  194   a,  attached by pin  126  to an A-pillar, a B-pillar, or other structure shown at  106 , has a number of serrations,  198 , formed thereupon. A pair of pawls,  202 , which are position-controlled by motors,  206 , engage serrations  198  so as to immobilize strap  194  and, hence, door  14  at any selected position. Motors  206  are operated by controller  102 , as previously explained. 
         [0050]      FIG. 13  illustrates an aspect according to the present invention, in which a strap,  210 , is position-controlled by means of a fluidic device,  221 , mounted within door  14  upon the reverse side of panel  130 . In the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 14 , device  221  includes a piston,  214 , contained upon an end of strap  210  mounted within a cylinder,  224 , containing electrorheological fluid,  226 . Linear electrodes  218  and  222  are connected with controller  102 , which imposes a voltage across electrodes  218  and  222 , thereby controlling the viscosity of electrorheological fluid  226 , so as to selectively impede the movement of piston  214  through cylinder  224 , while impeding the swinging motion of door  14 . 
         [0051]      FIG. 15  illustrates an aspect according to the present invention, in which strap  210  is equipped with a piston,  234 , which is mounted for reciprocation within a cylinder,  238 , which is filled with hydraulic fluid. The flow of hydraulic fluid from the spaces on either side of piston  234  is controlled by a valve,  250 , which is operated by controller  102  so as to control the flow of fluid through ports  246 . In this manner, strap  210  and, therefore, door  14 , may be locked in place. A fluid accumulator (not shown), accommodates the volume differential occasioned by the presence of strap  210  within cylinder  238 . 
         [0052]      FIG. 16  illustrates a multiple locking cam mechanism for use with an embodiment of a repositionable immobilizer according to an aspect of the present invention. Bracket  277 , which is mounted to door inner panel  130 , contains two generally similar, but opposing, cam members,  254 , which control the sliding action of strap or rod  270 .  FIG. 17  illustrates one of cam members  254 . Each of cam members  254  has a pair of hinge members,  262 , and a spring retainer,  266 . Each of cams  254  further has an ovoid aperture,  258 , through which strap  270  extends. Movement of strap  270  through apertures  258  is inhibited when cams  254  are rocked over to positions in which the portions of cams  254  surrounding apertures  258  bear upon, and thereby grip, strap  270 . 
         [0053]    As shown in  FIG. 18 , tension spring  274  pulls the lower portions of cams  254  to a normally released position. However, on receipt of a signal from controller  102 , linear actuator  278  will pull the upper portions of cams  254  together, against the force of spring  274 , into a position in which rod  270  is effectively immobilized against sliding movement. This causes door  14  to also become immobilized until linear actuator  278  is moved to a position in which cams  254  have released rod  270 . As employed in this embodiment, linear actuator  278  may include, for example, an electrodrive ball screw driven by a stepper motor, or another type actuator known to those skilled in the art and suggested by this disclosure. 
         [0054]    The foregoing invention has been described in accordance with the relevant legal standards, thus the description is exemplary rather than limiting in nature. Variations and modifications to the disclosed embodiment may become apparent to those skilled in the art and fall within the scope of the invention. Accordingly the scope of legal protection afforded the invention can only be determined by studying the following claims.