Electronic control system and method for an auxiliary device interlock safety system

Abstract

A controller, control system and method for controlling an auxiliary device comprising a wheelchair lift, ramp, or the like are provided. An exemplary embodiment of the auxiliary device controller is microprocessor-based and communicates with a vehicle's OEM controller for receiving a plurality of sensor inputs, which originate from OEM and auxiliary sensors, process the sensor inputs, and control various OEM and auxiliary systems relative to the sensor inputs to effect a number of safety interlocks. The controller may operate to coordinate various OEM and auxiliary subsystems to automate auxiliary device operation to reduce operator error.

1 . A control system for an auxiliary vehicular access device, the control system comprising:
 a communication bus for carrying communication signals between a plurality of vehicle components;   a vehicle controller coupled to the communication bus;   a power sliding door subsystem operable to open and close a vehicle door in response to at least one of the communication signals;   an access device moveable between stowed and deployed positions;   an access controller coupled to the access device for controlling movement of the access device between the stowed and deployed positions, and coupled to the communication bus, wherein the access controller delays operation of at least one of the power sliding door subsystem and the access device until the other of the power sliding door subsystem and the access device is in an appropriate state.   
     
     
         2 . The control system of  claim 1 , wherein the access controller intercepts an OEM control signal to delay operation of the power sliding door subsystem. 
     
     
         3 . The control system of  claim 2 , wherein the OEM control signal is carried by the communication bus. 
     
     
         4 . The control system of  claim 1 , wherein the power sliding door subsystem provides a door status output corresponding to whether the vehicle door is open or closed, and the access device provides an access device status output corresponding to whether the access device is stowed or deployed. 
     
     
         5 . The control system of  claim 4 , wherein the controller processes the door status output and the access device status output to determine whether to delay operation of the power sliding door subsystem or the access device. 
     
     
         6 . The control system of  claim 5 , wherein the controller processes the door status output and the access device status output in response to a request to move at least one of the door and the access device. 
     
     
         7 . The control system of  claim 6 , wherein the request to move at least one of the door and the access device comprises a selected one of the communication signals carried by the communication bus. 
     
     
         8 . The control system of  claim 4 , wherein the power sliding door subsystem includes a door sensor that provides the door status output, wherein the access device includes an access device sensor providing the access device status output, and wherein the door status output and the access device status output are discrete outputs communicated to the access controller via an input module. 
     
     
         9 . The control system of  claim 4 , wherein in response to a request to deploy the access system, the access controller processes the door status output and if the door status output indicates that the door is closed, the access controller controls the power sliding door system via the communication bus to open the door while delaying operation of the access device. 
     
     
         10 . The control system of  claim 4 , wherein in response to a request to close the vehicle door, the access controller processes the access device status output and if the access device status output indicates that the access device is deployed, the access controller stows the access device while operation of the power sliding door subsystem is delayed. 
     
     
         11 . The control system of  claim 1 , wherein the communication bus operates using a communication protocol. 
     
     
         12 . The control system of  claim 1 , wherein the access controller is coupled to the communication bus via a multiplexed interface module. 
     
     
         13 . The control system of  claim 1 , wherein the communication signals include commands and status signals for the plurality of vehicle components, and wherein the access controller monitors the communication bus for at least one of the communication signals and interprets the at least one of the communication signals as a request to operate both the vehicle door and the access device. 
     
     
         14 . The control system of  claim 1 , wherein the vehicle controller and the access controller communicate with each other and at least some of the plurality of vehicle components by sending and receiving communication signals via the communication bus.