Abstract: Control systems including control circuitry and optional communications systems for operating a sliding power-operated member of an automotive vehicle. A powered sliding door in an automotive vehicle, such as a van, moves along a predetermined path of travel between a closed position and a fully open position relative to the body of the vehicle. Such a sliding door may be provided with one or more electrically-operated actuators for performing functions associated with the door, such as power opening and closing the door, power unlatching the door, power locking and unlocking the door, and power clamping and unclamping the door in a soft or low-momentum manner. The invention is directed toward improved control systems and circuitry for operating such power-sliding door systems. One such control system employs a wireless communications link between the door and body, which is preferably implemented using radio frequency communication signals containing digitally encoded control signals.

Abstract: Control systems including control circuitry and optional communications systems for operating a slding power-operated member of an automotive vehicle. A powered sliding door in an automotive vehicle, such as a van, moves along a predetermined path of travel between a closed position and a fully open position relative to the body of the vehicle. Such a sliding door may be provided with one or more electrically-operated actuators for performing functions associated with the door, such as power opening and closing the door, power unlatching the door, power locking and unlocking the door, and power clamping, and unclamping the door in a soft or low-momentum manner. The invention is directed toward improved control systems and circuitry for operating such power-sliding door systems. One such control system employs a wireless communications link between the door and body, which is preferably implemented using radio frequency communication signals containing digitally encoded control signals.

Abstract: An obstruction detecting reversing apparatus is disclosed for a motor driven device, such as a powered vehicle door or window system, wherein the device undergoes varying loads, and consequently varying current draws, during normal operation. In order to accurately detect the presence of an obstruction, in light of such normally varying currents, the apparatus circuit logic monitors instantaneous motor current and compares it with the time average of motor current over a very short preceding time interval, which "tracks" normal current draw in order to sense an obstruction-caused rise in motor current at virtually any stage of the door closing operation, and thus also accommodates normal changes in current draw caused by different gravity effects when the device is oriented in different grade-caused orientations.