Adaptive Sensitivity Control for Vehicle Hands-Free Door Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hands-free access systems for motor vehicles face issues with 'wall effect' and unnecessary energy consumption due to sensitivity settings, where high sensitivity prevents timely unlocking and low sensitivity leads to untimely interrogations.
Innovation Solution
Adapting the sensitivity level of the hands-free system based on predetermined sequences of events, including transitions between high and low sensitivity levels, to optimize detection and minimize false triggers and energy usage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the sensitivity is set at a high level (threshold value corresponding to distance close to contact), then untimely interrogations are avoided, but the hands-free system cannot complete the interrogation sequence and unlock the sash in time when the user pulls the handle (wall effect)
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the sensitivity threshold adjustable rather than fixed. The control unit dynamically modifies the threshold value based on detected hand approach patterns. When a hand is detected approaching the handle, the system adapts the threshold to ensure timely unlocking, thereby resolving the contradiction between avoiding false triggers and ensuring timely response.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of the threshold value based on the detected sequence of events. By monitoring hand approach patterns and adjusting the threshold accordingly, the system optimizes both reliability and response time. This parameter adaptation allows the system to distinguish between genuine user intent and false triggers while maintaining timely unlocking capability.
2Loss of time
If the sensitivity is set at a low level (threshold value corresponding to greater distance), then timely unlocking is ensured, but untimely interrogations are launched consuming energy resources
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the sensitivity threshold based on real-time detection of hand approach patterns. Rather than maintaining a constantly low threshold that would trigger unnecessary interrogations, the system adapts the threshold upward when no genuine user intent is detected, thereby reducing energy consumption while maintaining timely response capability when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The threshold parameter is adaptively modified based on detected event sequences. By analyzing hand approach patterns and adjusting the threshold accordingly, the system minimizes unnecessary interrogations and energy consumption while ensuring timely unlocking when genuine user intent is detected. This intelligent parameter adaptation resolves the energy-time contradiction.
3Device complexity
If a fixed threshold value is used for hands-free detection, then system complexity is reduced, but the system cannot adapt to different situations (rain, genuine hand approach, etc.)
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms the static threshold into a dynamic parameter that automatically adapts to different situations. The control unit monitors detection patterns and adjusts the threshold in response to identified event sequences (such as rain versus genuine hand approach). This dynamic adaptation maintains system simplicity while significantly improving versatility across different environmental conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs self-adjustment by automatically analyzing detection patterns and modifying its own threshold parameter without external intervention. This self-service capability allows the system to adapt to different situations (rain, genuine user intent, etc.) while maintaining operational simplicity, as the adaptation occurs autonomously based on detected event sequences.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach effectively reduces the 'wall effect' by ensuring timely unlocking while conserving energy by limiting unnecessary interrogations, thereby enhancing user access and system efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
The detection member is composed of a single electrode adapted to cover an inner face of said door handle of the motor vehicle. The signal is representative of a capacitance measurement.
Data Source
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Figure 2
AI summary
The present invention relates to a hands-free system (SYS) for accessing a motor vehicle (V). Said system includes: a control member (COM) arranged in the motor vehicle (V); a detection member (CAPT) arranged in a door handle (P) of the motor vehicle (V), said detecting member being connected to said control member (COM) and capable of measuring a signal (S) representing a hand (M) approaching; and a sensitivity level (SEN) for which a corresponding threshold value (TH) is defined. Said control member (COM) is capable of sending a hands-free query to the motor vehicle (V) when the measured signal (S) exceeds the threshold value (TH) corresponding to the sensitivity level (SEN). Said hands-free system (SYS) is characterized in that it includes at least two sensitivity levels (SEN1, SEN2), that is, a first high-sensitivity level (SEN1) and a second low-sensitivity level (SEN2), and in that the control member (COM) is also capable of changing the sensitivity level (SEN1, SEN2) of the hands-free system (SYS) in response to a predetermined sequence (SQ) of events.