On-line power sliding door test method

Details On-line power sliding door test method On-line power sliding door test method

1999-07-06

2001-02-20

Noori, Max (Department: 2855)

Measuring and testing

Testing of apparatus

C049S166000, C070S095000

Reexamination Certificate

active

06189394

ABSTRACT:

TECHNICAL FIELD
This invention relates to the technology of detecting vehicular fitting defects and more particularly to detecting very slight defects in a close tolerance power-assisted door closure system while doing so in a non-intrusive on-line manner that allows for essentially 100% discovery of defect instances, and which method promotes adjustments to the power sliding door system so that it will function properly for the life of the vehicle.
DISCUSSION OF THE PRIOR ART
Automotive vehicle closure members that are slidingly mounted, such as sliding side doors on minivans, typically require only small forces to move them through the major extent of their opening and closing movement relative to the vehicle body. It is only during the final closing movement of the closure member, at which time the closure member must compress weather seal strips carried by the vehicle body that a large application of force must be applied to the closure member. To overcome the resistance encountered in the final closing moments, a power assist unit is used which may comprise an electric motor powered by the battery of the vehicle; the motor pulls different cables to either close or open the sliding door. Such power unit has its most critical function when the door has reached what is known as a latch initiation stage (secondary latch position) where a latch bolt, movable between latched and unlatched positions, is engaged by the door catch at the latch initiation stage. From this point in time to the final compression of the door seals achieving complete door closure (primary latched position) the maximum designed force of the power unit is applied. Such time lapse is hereinafter referred to a s/p time (secondary/primary).
Although non-automated or manual methods are available for off-line testing, applicant is unaware of any automated or on-line test procedure for accurately verifying the fitting of automotive closure members within very close tolerances.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The invention is a method of testing for automotive power assisted sliding door closure defects with: (i) the door having hinge slides received in tracks for carrying the door across and toward a door opening in an automotive body, (ii) the door opening having a bolt or catch for locking with a latch on the door and having resilient seals arranged around the opening which must be compressed during closure, and (iii) the door movement being selectively powered by a power unit connected to the door through cables to move the door from a fully opened condition to a latch locking initiation stage which provided a predetermined door ajar gap, to a completed latch locked stage accompanied by full door closure. The method comprises the steps of: (a) providing a sensor and timing device within the power unit to at least measure the S/P time experienced between the latch locking initiation stage and the completed latch lock stage; b) comparing the S/P time lapse for a power sliding door assembly being tested to the pattern S/P time lapse for a power sliding door known to be properly fitted; and c) if the test S/P time lapse is slower than the pattern S/P time lapse for the same door assembly, adjusting the latch or closure wedges to change the door ajar gap for reducing the force required by the power unit to close the door.
In another aspect, the invention is an in-line method of non-intrusively testing the force required to complete the closure of power assisted sliding door assembly onto a door opening having resistance seals, comprising: (a) providing a sensor and timing device within the power assist sliding door assembly to at least measure the time lapse from a door ajar position to a door locked position; and (b) if the time lapse is slower than a pattern time lapse for a model assembly of the same door known to be properly fitted, adjusting the door ajar gap in the test assembly to reduce the force required to achieve a door locked position.


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patent: 5189839 (1993-03-01), DeLand et al.
patent: 5641918 (1997-06-01), Odenwald
patent: 5708338 (1998-01-01), Cook et al.

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