Masco Industries, Inc.

Schmelzer Corporation

Mascotech, Inc.

Paul Heimnick

Daniel L Deland

Curtis T Moy

Lawrence H Zuckerman

Kurt P Schuler

David G Grossman

LeRoy B Johnson

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. Control circuitry is preferably provided in the body and the door of the vehicle for supervising and carrying out the foregoing functions in an orderly manner in response to requests generated locally at the door or remotely by the driver from the console of the vehicle. A second, simpler, control system provides electrically-actuated mechanisms for unlatching the door and operating the door lock without the use of either a wireless communication system or a retractable electrical cable interconnecting the sliding door to the vehicle body.

Control apparatus for powered vehicle door systems

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. Control circuitry is preferably provided in the body and the door of the vehicle for supervising and carrying out the foregoing functions in an orderly manner in response to requests generated locally at the door or remotely by the driver from the console of the vehicle. A second, simple, control system provides electrically-actuated mechanisms for unlatching the door and operating the door lock without the use of either a wireless communication system or a retractable electrical cable interconnecting the sliding door to the vehicle body.

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. Control circuitry is preferably provided in the body and the door of the vehicle for supervising and carrying out the foregoing functions in an orderly manner in response to requests generated locally at the door or remotely by the driver from the console of the vehicle. A second, simpler, control system provides electrically-actuated mechanisms for unlatching the door and operating the door lock without the use of either a wireless communication system or a retractable electrical cable interconnecting the sliding door to the vehicle body.

A power adjustable arm rest assembly is disclosed wherein the angular altitude or pitch, as well as the vertical height, of a movable arm rest portion are adjustable independently of one another in order to maximize user comfort. The mechanisms for independently adjusting the angular and vertical positions include powered actuating devices near either end of the movable arm rest portion that are connected to a fixed mounting member in order to accommodate angular adjustment. The actuating devices further include extendible and retractable armature members pivotally interconnected to the movable arm rest portion and are energizable and deenergizable in order to respectively urge the movable arm rest portion to, or hold the movable arm rest portion in, preselected adjusted positions.

Powered adjustable arm rest

A control device for use in an air induction system of an internal combustion engine having a spark ignition system for maintaining a vacuum operated device actuated once the engine has started independently of fluctuations in vacuum pressure in which the device has a housing with chambers communicating with a source of vacuum and with the device to be operated and in which fluid communication between the chambers is regulated by a first valve operated in response to energization and de-energization of the ignition system and a second valve which permits fluid flow from the device to be actuated through the source of vacuum pressure but prevents fluid flow in the opposite direction.

Growing community of inventors

Owosso, MI, United States of America

Paul Heimnick