IP Library Granted Patent US 10,458,884
Granted Patent B2
US 10,458,884 · App. 14/645,504 · Granted Oct 29, 2019

Vehicle closure cycling device and method

Inventors: Juan Torres Salvador (Nicolas Romero, MX); Fernando Fragoso H (Ecatepec, MX); Antonio Espiritu Santo Rincon (Atizapan de Zaragoza, MX)
Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
G01M99/008
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 10,458,884
App. No.
14/645,504
Granted
Oct 29, 2019
Kind
B2
Abstract

A vehicle closure cycling device is provided. The device includes a fixture, a first actuator mounted to the fixture and displaceable to open the vehicle closure and a second actuator mounted to the fixture and displaceable to close the vehicle closure at a predetermined closing speed. The device also includes a controller configured to cycle the first actuator and the second actuator in sequence to repeatedly open and close the vehicle closure.

Claims (15)

1. A vehicle closure cycling device, comprising:

a stationary fixture;

a control line extending between a latch handle of a vehicle closure and a pulley;

a first actuator mounted on said fixture in a vertical orientation with the control line passing over the pulley, said first actuator displaceable to open the vehicle closure;

a second actuator mounted on said fixture and displaceable to close the vehicle closure at a predetermined closing speed;

a controller configured to cycle said first actuator and said second actuator in sequence to repeatedly open and close the vehicle closure; and

a fluid source providing fluid pressure to the first actuator through a first flow control valve and said fluid source providing fluid pressure to the second actuator through a second flow control valve, said second control valve responsive to said controller whereby fluid pressure to said second actuator is adjusted as necessary in order to close the vehicle closure at said predetermined closing speed.

2. The device of claim 1 , further including a sensor for monitoring a position of the vehicle closure and providing an indication to said controller when the vehicle closure is in an open position and a closed position.

3. The device of claim 1 , wherein the control line connects said first actuator to the latch handle of the vehicle closure.

4. The device of claim 3 , wherein said first actuator is a linear actuator.

5. The device of claim 4 , wherein said second actuator is a linear actuator.

6. The device of claim 5 , further including a resilient bumper on the second actuator for engaging the vehicle closure.

7. The device of claim 1 , wherein said first actuator is a pneumatic cylinder.

8. The device of claim 7 , wherein said second actuator is a pneumatic cylinder.

9. The device of claim 8 , further including a metallic sleeve covering said first actuator.

Assignments (2)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Feb 3, 2016
From: ESPIRITU SANTO RINCON, ANTONIO
To: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
Reel/Frame 037690/0215 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Mar 12, 2015
From: TORRES SALVADOR, JUAN; FRAGOSO H, FERNANDO
To: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
Reel/Frame 035147/0153 →
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20160266013A1 · Sep 15, 2016