Abstract: A vehicle door system is disclosed. The system comprises an actuator, a power source, and a controller. The actuator is configured to adjust a position of a door. The controller is configured to control the actuator with energy provided by the power source. The controller is further configured to identify a charge level of the power source and compare the charge level to at least one threshold. In response the charge level being less than the at least one threshold, the controller is configured to output a warning signal.

Abstract: A vehicle door system is disclosed. The system comprises an actuator, at least one communication circuit, and a controller. The actuator is configured to adjust a position of a door. The controller is configured to receive a request for the vehicle to retrieve an occupant via the communication circuit. The controller is further configured to receive an authentication signal via the communication circuit authenticating an identity of the occupant. In response to the authentication, the controller is configured to control the actuator to make the vehicle accessible to the occupant.

Abstract: A vehicle door controller is disclosed. The vehicle door controller is in communication with an actuator configured to control a door and is further in communication with a temperature sensing device. The controller is configured to receive a temperature signal from the temperature sensing device. Based on the temperature signal, the controller is configured to identify an actuator condition. In response to the actuator condition, the controller is configured to control the actuator to move the door to a resting position.

Abstract: A power assist device for a vehicle includes a door is pivotally coupled to a vehicle body. A hinge assembly is coupled between the vehicle body and the door to define a hinge axis for the door. A motor is coupled to the door and includes a drive shaft extending outwardly from the motor. A first spool is disposed on the drive shaft for rotation therewith. A second spool is mounted on the hinge assembly at a spool axle. A cable is operably couples the first spool to the second spool and the motor is configured to drive the first spool in a rotational movement, and the cable is configured to translate the rotational movement of the first spool to the second spool. The movement of the second spool drives an opening and closing movement of the door at the hinge axis of the hinge assembly.

Abstract: A vehicle door assembly includes a vehicle door having a door cavity defined between outer and inner panels. The door is rotationally operable about a door hinge. A first slide is coupled to the vehicle door. A rotating bar is slidably coupled to the first slide and is operable about a bar hinge between door-closed and door-open positions. The bar hinge is coupled to the vehicle frame and is distal from the door hinge. An actuator includes a drive portion coupled to a drive mechanism that rotates the actuator about a drive shaft and an idler portion rotationally coupled to the drive portion at an actuator pivot. Operation of the drive portion slidably operates an actuator end along a second slide defined by the rotating bar between a high-torque position that corresponds to the door-closed position and a low-torque position that corresponds to the door-open position.

Abstract: A mounting assembly for a vehicle side door motor includes an upper hinge element configured for receiving a side door motor drive shaft and a motor mounting bracket configured to receive the side door motor drive shaft and to allow a radial adjustment of the drive shaft for alignment of an axis of the motor with a side door hinge axis. The upper hinge element may define a clevis including a lower clevis portion having a motor drive shaft mounting aperture dimensioned to allow the radial adjustment feature. The motor mounting bracket includes one or more mounting apertures dimensioned to allow a vehicle fore/aft adjustment and in/out adjustment of the side door motor element. The motor mounting assembly is further configured to allow a vehicle up/down adjustment of the side door motor.

Abstract: A method of closing a vehicle door includes the steps of providing a door pivotally coupled to a vehicle body, transmitting a door closing signal to a controller, identifying a current position of the door using a position sensor, closing the door using a power assist device powered from a hinge axis of the door, monitoring the door position during closing, releasing a catch of a latch mechanism when a latch striker of the vehicle body is partially received in the latch mechanism, and latching the door to the vehicle body.

Abstract: A door assist system for a vehicle is disclosed. The system comprises an actuator, an interference sensor, and a controller. The actuator is configured to control a position of a door about a hinge assembly. The interference sensor is configured to detect an obstruction in a plurality of detection regions along a radial extent of the door, and the controller is configured to control the actuator in response to a detection signal from the interference sensor.

Abstract: A door assist system for a vehicle is disclosed. The system comprises an actuator configured to control a position of the door about a hinge assembly and an interference sensor. The interference sensor is configured to generate an electromagnetic field in an interference zone between the door and a body of the vehicle. Based on changes or fluctuations in the electromagnetic field, the interference sensor is configured to scan the interference zone for an obstruction and generate a detection signal. The system further comprises a controller configured to control the actuator in response to the detection signal.

Abstract: A power assist device for a vehicle includes a door is pivotally coupled to a vehicle body. A hinge assembly is coupled between the vehicle body and the door to define a hinge axis for the door. A motor is coupled to the door and includes a drive shaft extending outwardly from the motor. A first spool is disposed on the drive shaft for rotation therewith. A second spool is mounted on the hinge assembly at a spool axle. A cable is operably couples the first spool to the second spool and the motor is configured to drive the first spool in a rotational movement, and the cable is configured to translate the rotational movement of the first spool to the second spool. The movement of the second spool drives an opening and closing movement of the door at the hinge axis of the hinge assembly.

Abstract: A control system for a vehicle door includes a power assist device coupled between a door and a door opening of the vehicle and a sensor. The system further includes a controller that receives a signal from the sensor, identifies a recognized user from image data within the signal, interprets a control gesture by the recognized user from video data within the signal, and causes the power assist device to move the door in response to the control gesture.

Abstract: A vehicle latch confirmation system includes a door that is rotatably coupled to a vehicle body and a power assist device that is coupled between the door and the vehicle body for moving the door between open and closed positions at a hinge axis of the door. A latch mechanism includes a rotating catch configured to latch to a latch striker. A controller is coupled to the latch mechanism and is configured to receive a latch signal from the latch mechanism when the latch striker is latched in the catch. A sound source is operably coupled to the controller and configured to sound an acoustic signal in response to the latch signal being received by the controller.

Abstract: A power assist device is provided herein. A motor is operatively coupled to a door of a vehicle. A controller controls a mechanical resistance applied by the motor to the door to resist door swing. The mechanical resistance applied to the door is a function of an angular position of the door.

Abstract: A door assist system for a vehicle is disclosed. The system comprises an actuator configured to control a position of the door about a hinge assembly. An interference sensor forms a portion of a door opening seal and is configured to detect an obstruction in a plurality of detection regions. The system further comprises a controller configured to control the actuator in response to a detection signal from the interference sensor.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a door opening, a door mounted adjacent the opening and moveable relative to the opening between a closed position and a range of open positions, and a controller. The controller determines whether an instantaneous door position is the closed position or within the range of open positions and prevents one of vehicle movement and engine ignition in response to the door being within the range of open positions.

Abstract: A power assist device is provided herein. A motor is operatively coupled to a door of a vehicle. A controller controls the motor and a user-input device supplies to the controller one or more user-inputted selections for controlling door swing.

Abstract: An automated door system includes a door pivotally coupled to a vehicle body at a hinge axis defined by at least one hinge assembly. A power assist device is coupled to the hinge assembly and further coupled to the door. The power assist device is configured to slow movement of the door along a door swing path from an initial velocity to a slow close velocity when the initial velocity exceeds a predetermined threshold velocity, thereby providing a slow and controlled close when a user attempts to slam the door. The power assist device is further configured to power opening and closing movement of the door as initiated by a user.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a door rotatably coupled to a vehicle body, wherein a power assist device is coupled between the door and the vehicle body on a hinge assembly. An audio sensor is disposed on the vehicle and is operably coupled to a controller. The controller is configured to receive voice command data from the audio sensor via a signal, identify a control command correlating to the voice command data, and output a signal to the power assist device to move the door according to parameters defined within the control command.

Abstract: A system to control an automatic vehicle door is disclosed. The system comprises an actuator, a sensor, and a controller. The actuator is configured to control a position of the door about a hinge assembly. The sensor is operable to measure a characteristic of a location of the vehicle, and the controller is configured to control the actuator to limit motion of the door based on the characteristic.

Abstract: A vehicle door assembly includes a vehicle door having a door cavity defined between outer and inner panels. The door is rotationally operable about a door hinge. A first slide is coupled to the vehicle door. A rotating bar is slidably coupled to the first slide and is operable about a bar hinge between door-closed and door-open positions. The bar hinge is coupled to the vehicle frame and is distal from the door hinge. An actuator includes a drive portion coupled to a drive mechanism that rotates the actuator about a drive shaft and an idler portion rotationally coupled to the drive portion at an actuator pivot. Operation of the drive portion slidably operates an actuator end along a second slide defined by the rotating bar between a high-torque position that corresponds to the door-closed position and a low-torque position that corresponds to the door-open position.