The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Feb. 02, 2021
Filed:
Jun. 07, 2018
Ford Global Technologies, Llc, Dearborn, MI (US);
Chester Stanislaus Walawender, Livonia, MI (US);
Rajesh K. Patel, Farmington Hills, MI (US);
Ford Global Technologies, LLC, Dearborn, MI (US);
Abstract
A vehicle door system includes a controller and a powered latch that is configured to selectively retain a door structure in a closed position when the powered latch is latched. The powered latch permits the door to be opened when the powered latch is unlatched. An electronic door release pad is disposed on an outer side of the door structure. The door release pad includes a pad surface that faces outwardly away from the door structure. A generally flat outer side of the door structure extends around the perimeter of the pad surface. The pad surface preferably comprises a sensor. The controller is configured to generate a signal to unlatch the powered latch if the door release pad generates a signal indicating that a user has touched the pad surface and/or that an object has been detected adjacent the pad.