PATENT DOCUMENT

Publication Number: US-12196013-B2
Application Number: US-202217842099-A
Country: US
Kind Code: B2

Title: Door system

Abstract:
A striker system includes a chassis, a striker, an actuator, and a controller. The striker is pivotable relative to the chassis and configured to be received by and couple to a latch. The actuator is configured to pivot the striker. The controller operates the actuator to pivot the striker relative to the chassis in a range of motion greater than 60 degrees.

Claims:
What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A striker system for a vehicle door, comprising:
 a chassis; 
 a striker pivotable relative to the chassis and configured to couple to a latch of a door; 
 a cam system including:
 a cam coupled to the striker to rotate with the striker, the cam including a cam slot that extends orthogonal to the striker; and 
 a cam follower coupled to a gear and positioned within the cam slot; 
 
 an actuator configured to rotate the gear to move the cam follower within the cam slot to pivot the striker relative to the chassis in a range of motion greater than 60 degrees; and 
 a controller that operates the actuator. 
 
     
     
       2. The striker system according to  claim 1 , wherein the striker is pivoted by the actuator between a retracted position in which the striker is configured to not couple to the latch of the door, a presenting position in which the striker is configured to be received by and couple to the latch of the door, and a cinching position between the retracted position and the presenting position in which the striker is configured to be coupled to the latch of the door. 
     
     
       3. The striker system according to  claim 1 , wherein the actuator further includes a motor, a first worm gear, and a second worm gear, wherein the motor rotates the first worm gear, the first worm gear is engaged with the second worm gear to cause rotation thereof, and the second worm gear is engaged with the gear to cause rotation thereof. 
     
     
       4. The striker system according to  claim 1 , wherein the cam slot is configured such that any movement of the gear and the cam follower results in movement of the cam. 
     
     
       5. A door system for a vehicle, comprising:
 a door that is movable relative to a door opening of a vehicle body between an open position and a closed position; 
 a door actuator that moves the door relative to the door opening; 
 a latch coupled to the door; 
 a striker that is movable relative to the vehicle body between a stowed position in which the striker is biased away from the door opening and a deployed position in which the striker is configured to be received by and couple to the latch of the door; 
 a cam system including:
 a cam coupled to the striker, the cam including a cam slot that extends orthogonal to the striker; and 
 a cam follower positioned within the cam slot; 
 
 a striker actuator that moves the cam follower to move the striker between the stowed position and the deployed position; and 
 a controller that operates the door actuator and the striker actuator to move the striker from the stowed position to the deployed position while the door is moved from the open position toward the closed position. 
 
     
     
       6. The door system according to  claim 5 , wherein the controller operates the door actuator to move the striker to the stowed position while the door is moved to the open position. 
     
     
       7. The door system according to  claim 5 , wherein the striker is movable to a cinching position from the deployed position, the controller operates the door actuator and the striker actuator to move the door to couple the latch to the striker in the deployed position, and the controller further operates the striker actuator to move the striker from the deployed position to the cinching position and thereby move the door to compress a seal between the door and the vehicle body. 
     
     
       8. The door system according to  claim 7 , wherein the controller stops operating the door actuator after the latch couples to the striker in the deployed position. 
     
     
       9. The door system according to  claim 8 , wherein the controller operates the striker actuator after the latch couples to the striker to move the striker from the deployed position to the cinching position. 
     
     
       10. A door system for a passenger vehicle, comprising:
 a striker configured to couple to a latch of a door; 
 an actuator that moves the striker; 
 a cam system including:
 a cam coupled to the striker, the cam including a cam slot that extends orthogonal to the striker; and 
 a cam follower coupled to the actuator and positioned within the cam slot; and 
 
 a controller, 
 wherein the controller operates the actuator to move the cam follower within the cam slot to move the striker between and hold the striker at each of a first predetermined position in which the striker is configured to not couple to the latch of the door, a second predetermined position in which the striker is configured to be received by and couple to the latch of the door, and a third predetermined position between the first predetermined position and the second predetermined position in which the striker is configured to be coupled to the latch of the door. 
 
     
     
       11. The door system according to  claim 10 , further comprising:
 a body structure that defines a door opening that is opened and closed by the door, the striker being coupled to the body structure; 
 the door that is movable relative to the body structure to open and close the door opening, the door including the latch; and 
 a seal coupled to one of the door or the body structure, wherein the striker is pivotable relative to the body structure between the first predetermined position, the second predetermined position, and the third predetermined position, 
 wherein when in the first predetermined position, the striker protrudes into the door opening less than in the second predetermined position and less than in the third predetermined position, 
 wherein when in the second predetermined position, the striker is pivoted outward from the body structure relative to the first predetermined position and protrudes into the door opening to be received by and couple to the latch, and 
 wherein when in the third predetermined position and coupled to the latch, the striker transfers a cinching force to the door to compress the seal between the body structure and the door, the cinching force being greater than force transferred by the striker between the body structure and the door when in the second predetermined position. 
 
     
     
       12. The door system according to  claim 10 , further comprising:
 a body structure that defines a door opening, wherein the striker is pivotable relative to the body structure between the first predetermined position, the second predetermined position, and the third predetermined position, wherein the first predetermined position is a retracted position in which the striker protrudes into the door opening less than in the second predetermined position and less than in the third predetermined position. 
 
     
     
       13. The door system according to  claim 10 , further comprising:
 a body structure and a seal, wherein when in the third predetermined position, the striker transfers a cinching force to the door to compress the seal between the body structure and the door, the cinching force being greater than force transferred by the striker between the body structure and the door when in the second predetermined position. 
 
     
     
       14. The door system according to  claim 10 , wherein the striker has a range of motion between the first predetermined position to the second predetermined position greater than 60 degrees. 
     
     
       15. The door system according to  claim 14 , wherein the striker is moved between 5 and 20 degrees from the second predetermined position to the third predetermined position. 
     
     
       16. The door system according to  claim 10 , wherein the actuator moves the cam rotationally. 
     
     
       17. The door system according to  claim 10 , wherein the cam slot is configured such that any movement of the cam follower results in movement of the cam.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S) 
     This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/220,467, filed Jul. 10, 2021, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference herein for all purposes. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     This disclosure relates to vehicles and, in particular, door systems for vehicles. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Vehicles, including passenger vehicles, include passenger and other compartments that are selectively openable by doors. The doors are movable relative to the vehicle and are further releasably coupleable to the vehicle with a door closure system. Typical door closure systems include a latch that is coupled to and positioned within a cavity of the door and a striker that is fixedly coupled to the vehicle and protrudes from a surface thereof. As the door is closed, the latch receives and releasably couples to the striker. 
     SUMMARY 
     Disclosed herein are implementations of door systems. In one implementation, a door system for a passenger vehicle generally includes a striker, an actuator, and a controller. The striker is configured to be received by and couple to a latch of a door. The actuator moves the striker. The controller operates the actuator to move the striker between and hold the striker at each of a first predetermined position in which the striker is configured to not couple to the latch of the door, a second predetermined position in which the striker is configured to be received by and couple to the latch of the door, and a third predetermined position between the first predetermined position and the second predetermined position in which the striker is configured to be coupled to the latch of the door. 
     The door system may further include a body structure that defines a door opening that is selectively opened and closed by the door, and the striker may be coupled to the body structure. The door system may further include the door that is movable relative to the body structure to selectively open and close the door opening, the door including the latch. The door system may further include a seal coupled to one of the door or the body structure. The striker may be pivotable relative to the body structure between the first predetermined position, the second predetermined position, and the third predetermined position. In the first predetermined position, the striker may protrude into the door opening less than in the second predetermined position and less than in the third predetermined position. In the second predetermined position, the striker may be pivoted outward from the body structure relative to the first predetermined position and protrudes into the door opening to be received by and couple to the latch. When in the third predetermined position and coupled the latch, the striker transfers a cinching force between the body structure and the door to compress the seal therebetween, the cinching force being greater than force transferred by the striker between the body structure and the door when in the second predetermined position. The striker may have a range of motion between the first predetermined position to the second predetermined position of between 60 and 120 degrees. The striker may be moved between 5 and 20 degrees from the second predetermined position to the third predetermined position. The door system may further include a cam that is moved by the actuator to pivot the striker between the first predetermined position, the second predetermined position, and the third predetermined position. The actuator may move the cam linearly. The actuator may move the cam rotationally. 
     In an implementation, a striker system includes a chassis, a striker, an actuator, and a controller. The striker is pivotable relative to the chassis and configured to be received by and couple to a latch of a door. The actuator is configured to pivot the striker. The controller operates the actuator to pivot the striker relative to the chassis in a range of motion greater than 60 degrees. 
     The striker may be pivoted by the actuator between a retracted position in which the striker is configured to not couple to the latch of the door, a presenting position in which the striker is configured to be received by and couple to the latch of the door, and a cinching position between the retracted position and the presenting position in which the striker is configured to be coupled to the latch of the door. The striker system may further include a cam system by which the actuator pivots the striker relative to the chassis. The cam system may a cam having cam slot. The striker may be coupled to a cam follower to pivot therewith. The actuator may move the cam linearly for the cam follower to move within the cam slot and pivot the striker over the range of motion. The actuator may include a motor and a lead screw rotatable by the motor and operatively coupled to the cam to move the cam linearly relative to the chassis by rotation of the lead screw. The cam system includes a cam and a cam follower with the cam coupled to the striker to rotate therewith and including a cam slot; the cam follower may be coupled to a gear and positioned within the cam slot; and the actuator may be configured to rotate the gear to move the cam follower within the cam slot and pivot the striker over the range of motion. The actuator may further include a motor, a first worm gear, and a second worm gear. The motor may rotate the first worm gear, the first worm gear may be engaged with the second worm gear to cause rotation thereof, and the second worm gear may be engaged with the gear to cause rotation thereof. 
     In one implementation, a door system includes a door, a door actuator, a latch, a striker, a striker actuator, and a controller. The door is movable relative to a door opening of a vehicle body between an open position and a closed position. The door actuator moves the door relative to the door opening. The latch is coupled to the door. The striker is movable relative to the vehicle body between a stowed position in which the striker is biased away from the door opening and a deployed position in which the striker is configured to be receive and couple to the latch of the door. The striker actuator moves the striker between the stowed position and the deployed position. The controller operates the door actuator and the striker actuator to move the striker from the stowed position to the deployed position while the door is moved from the open position toward the closed position. 
     The controller may operate the door actuator to move the striker to the stowed position while the door is moved to the open position. The striker may be movable to a cinching position from the deployed position, and the controller may operate the door actuator and the striker actuator to move the door to couple the latch to the striker in the deployed position. The controller may further operate the striker actuator to move the striker from the deployed position to the cinching position and thereby move the door to compress a seal between the door and the vehicle body. The controller may stop operating the door actuator after the latch couples to the striker in the deployed position. The controller may operate the striker actuator after the latch couples to the striker to move the striker from the deployed position to the cinching position. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG.  1    is a schematic view of a passenger vehicle. 
         FIG.  2    is a schematic view of an example hardware configuration of a controller of the passenger vehicle. 
         FIG.  3    is a side view of the passenger vehicle. 
         FIG.  4    is a top view of the passenger vehicle. 
         FIG.  5    is a top view of a door system of the passenger vehicle in a first predetermined position. 
         FIG.  6    is a top view of the door system in a second predetermined position. 
         FIG.  7    is a top view of the door system in a third predetermined position. 
         FIG.  8    is a top view of a first embodiment of a striker system of the door system in the second predetermined position. 
         FIG.  9    is a top view of the first embodiment of the striker system in the third predetermined position. 
         FIG.  10    is a top view of the first embodiment of the striker system in the second predetermined position. 
         FIG.  11    is an elevation view of the striker system in the second predetermined position (solid lines) and the first predetermined position (dashed lines). 
         FIG.  12    is a top view of a second embodiment of a striker system of the door system in the second predetermined position. 
         FIG.  13    is a top view of the second embodiment of the striker system in the third predetermined position. 
         FIG.  14    is a top view of the second embodiment of the striker system in the second predetermined position. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     A passenger vehicle  100  generally includes a vehicle body  110 , a drive system  120 , a steering system  130 , a braking system  140 , a door system  150 , and a control system  160 . The vehicle body  110  is supported by wheels  112 . The drive system  120  may, for example, include one or more motors that operatively coupled to the wheels  112  to cause rotation thereof to propel the passenger vehicle  100 . The steering system  130  may, for example, include a motor and a rack-and-pinion that are operatively coupled to the wheels  112  to cause pivoting thereof to steer the passenger vehicle  100 . The braking system  140  may, for example, include friction brakes (e.g., brake calipers, brake pads, and rotors) that are operatively coupled to the wheels  112  to slow rotation thereof to slow the passenger vehicle  100 . The door system  150  is configured to provide ingress and egress of passengers and/or material goods into and out of the vehicle body  110 . 
     The control system  160  is configured to operate each of the other systems (e.g., the drive system  120 , the steering system  130 , and the braking system  140 , and the door system  150 ) in conjunction with human input devices (e.g., a steering wheel, accelerator pedal, and/or brake pedal) and/or without human input devices (e.g., for autonomous driving passengers between locations or destinations). The control system  160  may, for example, include one or more controllers  162  and one or more sensors  164  that monitor various conditions of the passenger vehicle  100  and/or the environment of the passenger vehicle  100  (e.g., position sensors, motion sensors, LIDAR sensors, RADAR sensors, cameras, among other types of sensors). The control system  160  may be configured to operate other systems of the passenger vehicle  100  including, but not limited to, infotainment systems, seating systems, suspension systems, and communications systems. 
     Referring to  FIG.  2   , an example hardware configuration for the controller  162  is illustrated, though it should be noted that one or more of the controllers  162  may be configured as shown or have any other suitable hardware configuration capable of performing the methods and functions described herein. The controller  162  generally includes a processor  262   a , a memory  262   b , a storage  262   c , a communications interface  262   d , and a bus  262   e  by which the other components of the controller  162  are in communication with each other. The processor  262   a  may be a central processing unit or any other processing device capable of executing instructions (e.g., software programming). The memory  262   b  is a short-term, volatile storage device, such as a random access memory module. The storage  262   c  is a long-term, non-volatile storage device, such as a hard disk or solid state drive, capable of storing instructions (e.g., software programming) that are executed by the processor  262   a . The communications interface  262   d  is capable of sending from and/or receiving to the controller  162 , for example, sending control signals to the various other systems described herein and/or receiving various signals therefrom and/or from the sensors  164 . 
     Referring to  FIGS.  3  and  4   , the vehicle body  110  defines a passenger compartment  312  and may further include one or more storage compartments  322 . Each of the storage compartments  322  may be physically isolated from the passenger compartment  312  or may be in communication therewith, for example, being separated therefrom by a passenger seat (not shown). 
     The passenger compartment  312  is configured to receive passengers and their possessions or other items (e.g., cargo) therein for transport by the passenger vehicle  100 . The vehicle body  110  defines one or more passenger door openings  314  and includes one or more passenger doors  316  that are movable relative to the passenger door openings  314 , so as to selectively open and close the passenger door openings  314 . The passenger doors  316  thereby allow ingress and egress of passengers into and out of, respectively, the passenger compartment  312 . As shown, the vehicle body  110  may include one of the passenger door openings  314  and one of the passenger doors  316  on each side of the passenger vehicle  100  (e.g., left and right sides), one of the passenger doors  316  functionally associated with one of the passenger door openings  314  to open and close the passenger door opening  314 . As shown, the passenger doors  316  may be sliding doors that move relative to the passenger door opening  314  in a sliding motion. In  FIGS.  3  and  4   , the passenger door  316  is depicted in heavy weight dash-dot lines in an open position. Alternatively, the vehicle body  110  may include a different number of the passenger door openings  314  (e.g., one, three, four, or more) and a different number of the passenger doors  316  functionally associated with each of the passenger door openings  314  (e.g., two). Furthermore, rather than being configured as sliding doors, the passenger doors  316  may instead be rotatable doors (e.g., to pivot relative to the passenger door opening  314  functionally associated therewith, for example, via a hinge or linkage) or otherwise configured to be coupled to the vehicle body  110  and movable relative to the passenger door opening  314  associated therewith. 
     The one or more storage compartments  322 , which may include a rear storage compartment (e.g., a trunk) and/or a forward storage compartment (e.g., a frunk), are accessible from an exterior of the passenger vehicle  100  and are configured to receive therein items for transport. The vehicle body  110  defines one or more storage door openings  324  and includes one or more storage doors  326  that are movable relative to the storage door openings  324 , so as to selectively open and close the storage door openings  324  to allow users to insert or remove items from the storage compartments  322 . As shown, the vehicle body  110  may include two of the storage door openings  324  and two of the storage doors  326 , each of one of the storage doors  326  functionally associated with one of the storage door openings  324  (e.g., for the front and the rear ones of the storage compartments  322 ). As shown, each of the storage doors  326  is vertically rotatable relative to the storage door openings  324  (e.g., pivotable about a generally horizontal axis), for example, via a hinged or linkage connection. In  FIGS.  3  and  4   , the storage doors  326  are depicted in heavy weight dash-dot lines in an open position. The passenger vehicle  100  may instead include other numbers (more or less, such as none) of the storage compartments  322 , the storage door openings  324 , and the number of storage doors  326 . 
     As discussed in further detail below, the vehicle body  110  further includes a latch  370  and a striker  380 , which are depicted schematically in  FIGS.  3  and  4   , associated with one or more of the passenger doors  316  and/or the storage doors  326  (not shown) to hold such doors in the closed positions and to close (e.g., seal) the passenger door opening  314  or the storage door opening  324 . One of the passenger doors  316 , the storage doors  326 , the latch  370 , and the striker  380  may be considered to form a door system that may be considered to still further include a portion of the vehicle body  110  and/or a seal therebetween. Further details of the latch  370  and the striker  380  are discussed in further detail below. 
     Referring to  FIGS.  5 - 7   , a door system  510  generally includes a latch  520  and a striker  530 , which may form the latch  370  and the striker  380  described previously. The door system  510  may also be considered to include a body structure  540  and/or a door  550 , and may be considered to still further include a seal  560  and/or a door control system  570 . The latch  520  and the striker  530  may also be considered to form a door closure system. The body structure  540  may be part of the vehicle body  110  and form, partially or wholly, a door opening  542  (e.g., the passenger door opening  314  or the storage door opening  324 ). The door  550  may be one of the passenger doors  316  or the storage doors  326 . The door  550  may include a door actuator  552  (indicated schematically) that functions to move the door  550  relative to the body structure  540 , for example, including an electric motor and other suitable components for supporting and guiding movement of the door  550  relative to the body structure  540  in a predetermined path (e.g., sliding or rotating). The seal  560  is coupled to one of the body structure  540  (as shown) or the door  550 , surrounding the door opening  542 , and is compressed between the body structure  540  and the door  550  to form a seal therebetween about the door opening  542  (e.g., a waterproof seal). The door control system  570  is configured to operate the door system  510 , including various operations related to the latch  520 , the striker  530 , and/or the door actuator  552 . The door control system  570  may be considered part of the control system  160  and includes a controller  162 . 
     The latch  520  is coupled to the door  550 . The striker  530  is coupled to the body structure  540 . As illustrated in  FIGS.  5 - 7   , the striker  530  is configured to move between and be held in at least three predetermined positions that include a first predetermined position (e.g., a stowed or retracted position; depicted in dashed lines in  FIG.  5   ), a second predetermined position (e.g., a deployed, receiving, or presenting position; depicted in solid lines in  FIGS.  5  and  6   ), and a third predetermined position (e.g., a cinching or compressing position; depicted in solid lines in  FIG.  7   ). As the door  550  moved from an open position to a closed position (e.g., along the longer dash-dot line in  FIGS.  4  and  5   ), the striker  530  moves from the first predetermined position to the second predetermined position and is then engaged (e.g., received) by the latch  520 , which then releasably couples to the striker  530  (e.g., by rotating, as illustrated). The striker  530  is then moved from the second predetermined position to the third predetermined position, so as to draw the door  550  closer to the body structure  540  and/or to compress the seal  560  therebetween. For example, as shown, the striker  530  may be configured to rotate about an axis  532  between the first, second, and third predetermined positions. 
     The striker  530  may also be considered to have a range of travel that extends from the first predetermined position to the second predetermined position and includes the third predetermined position. The range of travel of the striker  530  may, for example, be between 40 mm and 100 mm, such as between 50 mm and 80 mm. The range of travel of the striker  530  follows a predetermined path that is a partial circle about the axis  532 . As such, the range of motion of the striker  530  may be defined angularly and be, for example, greater than 60 degrees, such between 60 and 120 degrees (e.g., between 75 and 105 degrees, such as 90 degrees or less). 
     As shown in  FIG.  5   , in the first predetermined position of the striker  530  (illustrated in dashed lines), as compared to the second predetermined position and the third predetermined position, the striker  530  is biased toward the body structure  540 , so as to protrude the smallest distance of the first, second, and third predetermined positions into the door opening  542  defined by the body structure  540 . In the first predetermined position, the striker  530  may be recessed into the body structure  540  (as shown), recessed into an intervening structure (e.g., a housing of an assembly of the structure, such as an external structure  824  described below), and/or be positioned adjacent to the body structure  540 . 
     As shown in  FIGS.  5  and  6    the striker  530 , in the second predetermined position illustrated in solid lines, is biased away from the body structure  540  and furthest from the first predetermined position. In the second predetermined position, the striker  530  is pivoted outward from the body structure  540  relative to the first predetermined position and protrudes from the body structure  540  into the door opening  542  defined thereby, so as to be received by the latch  520  of the door  550 . The latch  520  may be moved in a predominantly cross-car direction with the door  550  as the door  550  is closed and the latch  520  engages the striker  530 . The cross-car direction may be left-to-right if the door  550  is on a left side of the passenger vehicle  100  (as illustrated by the dash-dot arrow) or right-to-left if the door  550  is on a right side of the passenger vehicle  100 . For example, as the latch  520  engages the striker  530 , the latch  520  may be traveling in a direction that is within 30, 20, 10 degrees or less of the cross-car direction (e.g., that is horizontal and perpendicular to a primary or forward direction of travel of the passenger vehicle  100 ). 
     As shown in  FIG.  7   , in the third predetermined position, the striker  530  is biased away from the body structure  540  and in between the first predetermined position and the second predetermined position. In the third predetermined position, the striker  530  is biased away from the second predetermined position) toward the first predetermined position a distance of 12 mm, 10 mm, 8 mm or less (e.g., between 5 and 10 mm, or less than 30 degrees, such as between 5 and 20 degrees). The distance between the second predetermined position and third predetermined position may be referred to as a cinching or compressing distance. 
     After the latch  520  couples to the striker  530 , the striker  530  moves from the second predetermined position to the third predetermined position and pulls the door  550  toward the body structure  540  to compress the seal  560  therebetween. Furthermore, while in the third predetermined position, the striker  530  applies a higher constant force (e.g., a cinching force) to the door  550  (e.g., the latch  520  thereof) and, thereby between the door  550  and the body structure  540 , than in either the first predetermined position or the second predetermined position. In the first position, the striker  530  is configured to not couple and/or apply force to the latch  520  or the door  550 . In the second predetermined position, the striker  530  is configured to be received and engaged by the latch  520  at a lower constant force, such as to partially compress the seal  560 , albeit possibly contacting the latch  520  with a higher initial but momentary force). The striker  530  may be configured to not be received by the latch in the third predetermined position. 
     Referring to  FIGS.  8 - 11  and  12 - 14   , different embodiments of striker systems are described, which are configured to move the striker  530  between and hold (e.g., maintain) the striker  530  at each of the first, second, and third predetermined positions as described previously. 
     Referring to  FIGS.  8 - 11   , a striker system  800  includes a chassis  820 , a striker  830 , a cam system  840 , and an actuator  850 . The chassis  820  is coupled to and supports the striker  830 , the cam system  840 , and the actuator  850  and is in turn coupleable to and supported by the body structure  540 . The striker  830  is movably supported by the chassis  820 , for example, being pivotable relative thereto about the axis  532 . The cam system  840  is configured to move the striker  830  between the first, second, and third predetermined positions and itself is moved by the actuator  850 . The striker system  800  may be considered to further include the door control system  570 , such as the controller  162  (or a sub-controller thereof), which functions to operate the striker system  800 . The striker system  800  may also be referred to as a door system or a door subsystem, and the door system  500  may be considered to include the striker system  800 . 
     The chassis  820 , as referenced above, is coupled to and supports the striker  830 , the cam system  840 , and the actuator  850 , and is in turn coupled to the body structure  540 . For example, the chassis  820 , the cam system  840 , and the actuator  850  may be positioned within a cavity of the body structure  540  of the vehicle body  110 , such as an A-pillar, B-pillar, or C-pillar, so as to be hidden from view. The chassis  820  may, for example, include an internal support structure  822  to which the striker  830 , the cam system  840 , and the actuator  850  are coupled to and supported inside the body structure  540 . The chassis  820  may also include an external structure  824  that is external to the body structure  540  and visible when the door  550  is opened. The external structure  824 , for example, may be positioned in an aperture of the body structure  540  through which the striker  830  protrudes. The external structure  824  may further define a recess into which the striker  830  is received in the first predetermined position. The external structure  824  may be formed as a unitary structure with internal support structure  822  or may be separately formed and coupled thereto. Further aspects of the chassis  820  are discussed in further detail below with respect to the striker  830 , the cam system  840 , and the actuator  850 . The external structure  824  is discussed in further detail below with respect to  FIG.  11   . 
     The striker  830  generally includes a bar  832  and two arms  834 . The bar  832  generally extends upright (e.g., vertically) between the two arms  834  and is configured to be received by the latch  520  but may alternatively be arranged in any other direction (e.g., horizontally). The bar  832  may be generally cylindrical. 
     The two arms  834  (e.g., upper and low arms) extend from opposite ends (e.g., upper and lower ends of the bar  832 ). The arms  834  may be configured as generally flat, planar structures or have any other suitable shape. A proximal end  834   a  of each of the two arms is coupled to the bar  832 , while a distal end  834   b  of each of the two arms  834  forms a pivot about which the striker  830  rotates relative to the chassis  820  (e.g., are pivotably coupled thereto). The proximal ends  834   a  positioned outside the body structure  540  (e.g., so as to be visible when the door  550  is open), while the proximal ends  834   a  may be positioned within the body structure  540  or otherwise hidden from view. The two arms  834  may be formed as a unitary (e.g., monolithic) structure with each other and/or the bar  832 , for example, with a metal material via a casting, machining, or other process or combinations thereof. 
     The cam system  840  generally includes a cam  842 , a cam follower  844 , and a gear  846 . The cam  842  is a plate-like structure that is fixedly coupled to the striker  830  (e.g., an upper one of the arms  834 ) and rotates therewith about the axis  532  relative to the chassis  820  and the body structure  540 . The cam  842  defines a cam slot  842   a  in which the cam follower  844  is positioned and moves therein. The cam follower  844  is a wheel or other slider that is coupled to the gear  846 . As the gear  846  is rotated by the actuator  850  (discussed in further detail below) about another axis  846   a , which is laterally offset from the axis  532  (e.g., away from the door opening and inboard relative thereto), the cam follower  844  rotates about the axis  846   a  and moves within the cam slot  842   a  to engage and move the cam  842  and striker  830  about the axis  532 . The striker  830  is thereby moved about the axis  532  between the first, second, and third predetermined positions. The cam follower  844  may be considered to have another range of travel that follows a predetermined path of travel that is a portion of a circle about the axis  846   a . The range of motion of the gear  846  and the cam follower  844  thereon may, for example, be between 150 and 320 degrees, such as between 240 and 300 degrees. 
     The striker  830  and the cam system  840  are cooperatively configured such that over the range of the travel of the striker  830  (e.g., as described for the striker  530 ), the striker  830  moves more quickly and with lower torque about the axis  532  over a majority of the travel from the first predetermined position (shown in  FIG.  10   ) to the second predetermined position (shown in  FIG.  8   ) than over the travel from the second predetermined position to the third predetermined position (shown in  FIG.  9   ). 
     The cam slot  842   a  may be configured for the striker  830  to move over the entire range of motion of the gear  846  (e.g., being straight as shown), such that any movement of the gear  846  and the cam follower  844  thereon causes movement of the cam  842 . Alternatively, the cam slot  842   a  may be configured with dwell regions that correspond to the first predetermined position and the second predetermined position of the striker  830 , which permit the gear  846  to continue move while not causing movement of the cam  842 . By including such dwell regions, the striker  830  may be reliably positioned in the first and/or second predetermined positions despite imprecise operation of the actuator  850  and movement of the gear  846 . 
     The actuator  850  is operated by the door control system  570  to move the striker  830  between the first, second, and third predetermined positions. The actuator  850  includes an electric motor  852 , a first worm gear  854 , and a pinion  856  having a pinion gear  856   a  and a second worm gear  856   b  rotatably fixed to each other. The electric motor  852  drives the first worm gear  854  to be rotated thereby. The first worm gear  854  is engaged with the pinion gear  856   a  of the pinion  856  so as to rotate the pinion  856  and, thereby, the second worm gear  856   b . The second worm gear  856   b  is engaged with teeth on the outer periphery of the gear  846 , so as to cause rotation of the gear  846  about the axis  846   a  thereof. One or both of the first worm gear  854  and/or the second worm gear  856   b  are not backdrivable, such that the striker  830  may be maintained in the first, second, and third predetermined positions despite force being applied thereto in instantaneous and/or constant manners, for example, when the striker  830  is first engaged by the latch  520  when in the second predetermined position (e.g., instantaneous force) and when the striker  830  compresses the seal  860  in the third predetermined position (e.g., constant force). Each of the electric motor  852 , the first worm gear  854 , and the pinion  856  are coupled to and supported by the internal support structure  822  of the chassis  820 , such as with bearings on the ends thereof (illustrated, not labeled). It should be understood that each of the gear  846 , the first worm gear  854 , the pinion gear  856   a , and the second worm gear  856   b  include teeth that are configured to mesh with the teeth and cause rotation of that other component engaged therewith (e.g., the first worm gear  854  and the pinion gear  856   a ). The actuator  850  may also be referred to as a striker actuator or an actuator system. The actuator  850  may also be referred to as a striker actuator or an actuator system, and may be considered to include the cam system  840 . 
     Referring to  FIG.  11   , the external structure  824  of the chassis  820  is external to the body structure  540  and visible when the door  550  is opened. The external structure  824  may, for example, conceal the internal components of the striker system  800 , such as the cam system  840  and the actuator  850 . The external structure  824  may, for example, include a peripheral flange  1124   a  and a plate  1124   c . The peripheral flange  1124   a  may protrude through the body structure  540  into the door opening  542 . The plate  1124   c  generally extends across the peripheral flange  1124   a . The peripheral flange  1124   a  and the plate  1124   c  may cooperatively define a recess  1124   b  in which the bar  832  of the striker  830  is positioned when in the first predetermined position. The external structure  824  may also include slots  1124   d  through which the arms  834  of the striker  830  extend from inside the body structure  540  to outside thereof. The slots  1124   d  are configured for the arms  834  to move therein as the striker  830  is rotated between the first predetermined position (illustrated in dashed lines in  FIG.  11   ), second predetermined position (illustrated in solid lines in  FIG.  11   ), and the third predetermined position (not illustrated in  FIG.  11   ). The slots  1124   d  may be defined by and/or between one, the other, or both of the peripheral flange  1124   a  and the plate  1124   c  of the external structure  824 . 
     Referring to  FIGS.  12 - 14   , a striker system  1200  includes a chassis  1220 , a striker  1230 , a cam system  1240 , and an actuator  1250 . The chassis  1220  is coupled to and supports the striker  1230 , the cam system  1240 , and the actuator  1250  and is in turn coupleable to and supported by the body structure (not shown). The striker  1230  is movably supported by the chassis  1220 , for example, being pivotable relative thereto. The cam system  1240  is configured to move the striker  1230  between the first, second, and third predetermined positions and itself is moved by the actuator  1250 . The striker system  1200  may be considered to further include the door control system  570  and the controller  162  (or a sub-controller thereof), which functions to operate the striker system  1200 . Furthermore, the striker system  1200  may also be referred to as a door system or a door subsystem, and the door system  500  may be considered to include the striker system  1200 . 
     The chassis  1220  is configured generally as described above for the chassis  820  and is coupled to and supports the striker  1230 , the cam system  1240 , and the actuator  1250 , and is in turn coupled to the body structure  540  (not shown). The chassis  1220  may, for example, include an internal support structure and an external structure (e.g., as generally described for the internal support structure  822  and the external structure  824  described previously). 
     The striker  1230  is generally configured as described above for the striker  830 , for example, including a bar and two arms (e.g., as generally described for the bar  832  and the two arms  834 ). 
     The cam system  1240  generally includes a cam  1242  and a cam follower  1244 . The cam  1242  is a block or other structure that is movable linearly by the actuator  1250  along the chassis  1220 . The chassis  1220  and the cam  1242  may be configured to provide linear movement therealong and prevent rotation of the cam  1242  relative thereto, for example, by having a track or other guide therebetween. 
     The cam  1242  defines a cam slot  1242   a  in which the cam follower  1244  is positioned and moves therein. The cam follower  1244  is a wheel or other slider that is fixedly coupled to the striker  1230 , for example, via an arm  1236  extending from one of the arms  834  thereof. As the cam  1242  is moved linearly by the actuator  1250  (discussed in further detail below), the cam follower  1244  is engaged by the cam  1242  and follows the profile of the cam slot  1242   a  therein to cause the striker  1130  to pivot about the axis  532 . 
     Similar to the striker  830  and the cam system  840 , the striker  1230  and the cam system  1240  are cooperatively configured such that over the range of the travel of the striker  1230 , the striker  1230  moves more quickly and with lower torque about the axis  532  over a majority of the travel from the first predetermined position (shown in  FIG.  14   ) to the second predetermined position (shown in  FIG.  12   ) than over the travel from the second predetermined position to the third predetermined position (shown in  FIG.  12   ). The range of motion of the striker  1230  may be as described for the striker  830 . 
     As shown, the cam slot  1242   a  may be configured with dwell regions that correspond to the first predetermined position and the second predetermined position of the striker  1230 , which permit the cam  1242  to continue to move while not causing movement of the striker  1230 . The cam slot  1242   a  may instead or additionally include a dwell region that corresponds to the third predetermined position of the striker  1230 . As shown, the dwell regions are configured as portions of the cam slot  1242   a  that extend parallel with the direction of linear travel of the cam  1242 . By including such dwell regions, the striker  830  may be reliably positioned in the first, second, and/or third predetermined positions despite imprecise operation of the actuator  1250 . 
     The actuator  1250  is operated by the door control system  570  to move the striker  1230  between the first, second, and third predetermined positions. The actuator  1250  includes an electric motor  1252 , a lead screw  1254 , and a drive belt  1256  that operatively interconnects the electric motor  1252  with the lead screw  1254 . The lead screw  1254  is operatively connected to the cam  1242  to move the cam linearly relative to the chassis by rotation of the lead screw  1254 . The electric motor  1252  includes an output pulley  1252   a  and the lead screw  1254  includes an input pulley  1254   a  around which extend the drive belt  1256  and which are cooperatively configured to decrease the speed and increase torque input to the lead screw  1254  relative to output of the electric motor  1252 . The actuator  1250  may also be referred to as a striker actuator or an actuator system, and may be considered to include the cam system  1240 . 
     The control system  160  (e.g., one or more of the controllers  162  thereof) may be configured to operate the door system  150  in various manners so as to conceal and/or limit protrusion of the various strikers into the door openings described herein. For example, when closing the door, the control system  160  may be configured to operate the door actuator (e.g., the door actuator  552 ) to move from the open position toward and/or substantially to the closed position and is further configured to operate the striker actuator (e.g., the actuator  850  or the actuator  1250 ) to move the striker between the first, second, and third predetermined positions. For example, while the control system  160  operates the door actuator to move the door from the open position toward the closed position, the control system  160  may simultaneously operate the striker actuator to move the striker from the first predetermined position (e.g., the stowed position) to the second predetermined position (e.g., the deployed position) in which the striker is receivable by the latch of the door to couple thereto and thereby couple the door to the vehicle body. 
     Subsequent to the latch of the door coupling to the striker while in the deployed position, the control system operates the striker actuator to move the striker from the second predetermined position to the third position (e.g., the cinching position), thereby pulling the door toward the body structure to compress a seal therebetween. 
     The door actuator may be configured to move the door to a substantially closed position in which the latch is coupled to the striker but in which the seal is not fully compressed. The striker actuator subsequently moves the striker to the third predetermined position and thereby move the door from the substantially closed position to the closed position. The control system  160  may be configured to operate the striker actuator to move the striker to the cinching position only after the latch is coupled to the striker in the deployed position. The control system  160  may be further configured to stop operating the door actuator to move the door after the latch is coupled to the striker and/or before operating the striker actuator to move the striker to the cinching position. 
     The door may be considered to have a range of travel between the open position and the closed position, and the control system may be configured to operate the door actuator and the striker actuator such that the striker is not moved from the stowed position until the door has moved a sufficient distance within the range of travel from the open position (e.g., 30%, 50%, 60%, 70% or more thereof). 
     When opening the door, the control system  160  may be configured to operate the door actuator and the striker actuator simultaneously to move the door to the open position and the striker to the first predetermined position (e.g., after the latch is decoupled from the striker). Furthermore, the control system  160  may be configured to first operate the striker actuator to move the striker from the third predetermined position to the second predetermined position and, thereby, the door from the closed position to the substantially closed position, and subsequently operate the door actuator to move the door toward the open position. 
     As described above, one aspect of the present technology is the gathering and use of data available from various sources for passenger transport. The present disclosure contemplates that in some instances, this gathered data may include personal information data that uniquely identifies or can be used to contact or locate a specific person. Such personal information data can include demographic data, location-based data, telephone numbers, email addresses, twitter ID&#39;s, home addresses, data or records relating to a user&#39;s health or level of fitness (e.g., vital signs measurements, medication information, exercise information), date of birth, or any other identifying or personal information. 
     The present disclosure recognizes that the use of such personal information data, in the present technology, can be used to the benefit of users. For example, the personal information data can be used to transport person or objects between desired locations or destinations. Further, other uses for personal information data that benefit the user are also contemplated by the present disclosure. For instance, health and fitness data may be used to provide insights into a user&#39;s general wellness, or may be used as positive feedback to individuals using technology to pursue wellness goals. 
     The present disclosure contemplates that the entities responsible for the collection, analysis, disclosure, transfer, storage, or other use of such personal information data will comply with well-established privacy policies and/or privacy practices. In particular, such entities should implement and consistently use privacy policies and practices that are generally recognized as meeting or exceeding industry or governmental requirements for maintaining personal information data private and secure. Such policies should be easily accessible by users, and should be updated as the collection and/or use of data changes. Personal information from users should be collected for legitimate and reasonable uses of the entity and not shared or sold outside of those legitimate uses. Further, such collection/sharing should occur after receiving the informed consent of the users. Additionally, such entities should consider taking any needed steps for safeguarding and securing access to such personal information data and ensuring that others with access to the personal information data adhere to their privacy policies and procedures. Further, such entities can subject themselves to evaluation by third parties to certify their adherence to widely accepted privacy policies and practices. In addition, policies and practices should be adapted for the particular types of personal information data being collected and/or accessed and adapted to applicable laws and standards, including jurisdiction-specific considerations. For instance, in the US, collection of or access to certain health data may be governed by federal and/or state laws, such as the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA); whereas health data in other countries may be subject to other regulations and policies and should be handled accordingly. Hence different privacy practices should be maintained for different personal data types in each country. 
     Despite the foregoing, the present disclosure also contemplates embodiments in which users selectively block the use of, or access to, personal information data. That is, the present disclosure contemplates that hardware and/or software elements can be provided to prevent or block access to such personal information data. For example, passenger transport, the present technology can be configured to allow users to select to “opt in” or “opt out” of participation in the collection of personal information data during registration for services or anytime thereafter. In addition to providing “opt in” and “opt out” options, the present disclosure contemplates providing notifications relating to the access or use of personal information. For instance, a user may be notified upon downloading an app that their personal information data will be accessed and then reminded again just before personal information data is accessed by the app. 
     Moreover, it is the intent of the present disclosure that personal information data should be managed and handled in a way to minimize risks of unintentional or unauthorized access or use. Risk can be minimized by limiting the collection of data and deleting data once it is no longer needed. In addition, and when applicable, including in certain health related applications, data de-identification can be used to protect a user&#39;s privacy. De-identification may be facilitated, when appropriate, by removing specific identifiers (e.g., date of birth, etc.), controlling the amount or specificity of data stored (e.g., collecting location data at a city level rather than at an address level), controlling how data is stored (e.g., aggregating data across users), and/or other methods. 
     Therefore, although the present disclosure broadly covers use of personal information data to implement one or more various disclosed embodiments, the present disclosure also contemplates that the various embodiments can also be implemented without the need for accessing such personal information data. That is, the various embodiments of the present technology are not rendered inoperable due to the lack of all or a portion of such personal information data. For example, destinations may be determined based on non-personal information data or a bare minimum amount of personal information, such as the content being requested by the device associated with a user, other non-personal information, or publicly available information.

Metadata:
Filing Date: 20220616
Publication Date: 20250114
Grant Date: 20250114
Priority Date: 20210710
Inventors: DOAN, THUAN D.
TARGHI, ALI TAVAKOLI
KLOTZ, STEVEN H.
MONROE, DONALD R.
Assignee: APPLE INC
CPC Classifications: [{"code": "Y10T292/699", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "E05B81/44", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "E05B81/34", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "E05B81/06", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "E05B81/44", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "E05B81/34", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "E05B81/06", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "E05B81/22", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "E05B81/22", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "Y10T292/699", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "E05B81/44", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "E05B81/34", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "E05B81/06", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "E05B81/22", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}]
Family ID: 82656804