A vehicle door system includes a vehicle door and electrically-powered linear and rotary actuators. The vehicle door system also includes a pinch sensor. Upon receiving an open door command, a controller actuates the linear actuator and then actuates the rotary actuator to open the door. The controller also actuates the linear actuator to prevent closing of the door if the pinch-sensor detects an object in a door opening. The controller actuates the rotary actuator to close the door upon receiving a close door command.

A vehicle door system includes a vehicle door and electrically-powered linear and rotary actuators. The vehicle door system also includes a pinch sensor. Upon receiving an open door command, a controller actuates the linear actuator and then actuates the rotary actuator to open the door. The controller also actuates the linear actuator to prevent closing of the door if the pinch-sensor detects an object in a door opening. The controller actuates the rotary actuator to close the door upon receiving a close door command.

A sensing edge is made in segments that can be used to determine at which point along the edge an obstruction occurred. Data collected can be used to determine a point in a process that the fault occurred by addressing each segment individually or as a whole. A programmable controller can be operatively coupled to the sensing edge, and can include logic to control the door and/or other equipment using data collected from the sensing edge.

A sensing edge is made in segments that can be used to determine at which point along the edge an obstruction occurred. Data collected can be used to determine a point in a process that the fault occurred by addressing each segment individually or as a whole. A programmable controller can be operatively coupled to the sensing edge, and can include logic to control the door and/or other equipment using data collected from the sensing edge.

A method for controlling a door, comprising the steps of storing energy during a manual opening of a door, sensing an object within a doorway, selectively applying a force derived from the stored energy, to close the door, based on the sensing of an object in the doorway. The closure is preferably controlled by an electronic control. A door closing device comprising an energy storage device for storing energy during door opening and releasing the stored energy to subsequently close the door, a damping system for damping a closure of the door, a sensor for detecting an object within a doorway, having an output, a controllable device for selectively restraining the energy storage device from closing the door, and a control system for controlling the controllable device based on the output.

A method for controlling a door, comprising the steps of storing energy during a manual opening of a door, sensing an object within a doorway, selectively applying a force derived from the stored energy, to close the door, based on the sensing of an object in the doorway. The closure is preferably controlled by an electronic control. A door closing device comprising an energy storage device for storing energy during door opening and releasing the stored energy to subsequently close the door, a damping system for damping a closure of the door, a sensor for detecting an object within a doorway, having an output, a controllable device for selectively restraining the energy storage device from closing the door, and a control system for controlling the controllable device based on the output.

A sealing structure includes a sliding door, a touch sensor, an inner seal, a drip seal, a buffer, and a projection. The inner seal couples to a door opening. The drip seal extends in a front and rear direction of an automobile body, is above the door opening, and is closer to an upper part of the automobile body than the inner seal. The drip seal and the inner seal make elastic contact with the sliding door. The buffer extends in an upper and lower direction of the automobile body and protrudes outwardly. The buffer is provided on a part of a body panel, which is closer to a front part of the automobile body than the door opening, and faces and is close to a flange when the sliding door is in a closed position. The projection extends from the touch sensor and makes elastic contact with the buffer.

A sealing structure includes a sliding door, a touch sensor, an inner seal, a drip seal, a buffer, and a projection. The inner seal couples to a door opening. The drip seal extends in a front and rear direction of an automobile body, is above the door opening, and is closer to an upper part of the automobile body than the inner seal. The drip seal and the inner seal make elastic contact with the sliding door. The buffer extends in an upper and lower direction of the automobile body and protrudes outwardly. The buffer is provided on a part of a body panel, which is closer to a front part of the automobile body than the door opening, and faces and is close to a flange when the sliding door is in a closed position. The projection extends from the touch sensor and makes elastic contact with the buffer.

A sensor module for a vehicle includes a housing structured to be mounted along a sidewall of a cargo door, and a pressure-sensitive sensor mounted in the housing so as to be extendible from the housing and retractable into the housing. A sensor deployment mechanism is operatively coupled to the sensor and is structured to be operable to extend the sensor from the housing and to retract the sensor into the housing.

A sensor module for a vehicle includes a housing structured to be mounted along a sidewall of a cargo door, and a pressure-sensitive sensor mounted in the housing so as to be extendible from the housing and retractable into the housing. A sensor deployment mechanism is operatively coupled to the sensor and is structured to be operable to extend the sensor from the housing and to retract the sensor into the housing.