Angle Sensor Reference Calibration for Vehicle Lift Gate Control
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing automated vehicle closure systems, such as lift gates, face challenges in detecting obstacles due to mechanical backlash and varying sensor configurations, leading to delayed obstacle detection and potential damage.
Innovation Solution
A direct sensing technique that uses an angle sensor to provide absolute position feedback to a controller, allowing for precise control and obstacle detection by generating an angle signal based on the rotational closure system's position, independent of the drive mechanism's state.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If indirect sensing techniques (Hall Effect sensors or optical vane interrupt sensors) are used to detect obstacles, then the system can detect changes in velocity, but the detection time is too long (hundreds of milliseconds) causing potential injury or damage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces indirect mechanical sensing (velocity change detection via Hall Effect or optical sensors) with direct position sensing using an angle sensor. This substitution eliminates the time delay inherent in detecting velocity changes, providing immediate obstacle detection through absolute position feedback.
Solution Approach 2:
The angle sensor continuously monitors the absolute position of the rotational closure system in advance, so when an obstacle is encountered, the system immediately detects the position anomaly without waiting for velocity change. This preliminary position awareness enables faster response time.
2Ease of manufacture
If a common controller is used for different rotational closure systems, then manufacturing cost is reduced, but sensor mounting angles vary requiring configurable angle sensor units
Solution Approach 1:
The controller incorporates a configurable angle sensor unit that can be dynamically adjusted to different mounting angles. This dynamic configurability allows a single common controller design to adapt to various sensor mounting configurations across different rotational closure systems, maintaining manufacturing standardization while accommodating installation variability.
Solution Approach 2:
The controller allows modification of angular parameters to compensate for different sensor mounting angles. By changing the reference angle parameter, the same controller hardware can accurately control different rotational closure systems regardless of how the angle sensor is physically mounted.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the drive mechanism applies negative energy to prevent premature closing, then the lift gate can be held in position, but obstacle detection becomes difficult at the end of travel
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical velocity-based sensing with direct angular position sensing. This allows the system to detect obstacles through position feedback rather than relying on velocity changes, which are obscured by the negative energy state and mechanical backlash in the drive mechanism.
Data Source
AI summary
A control module for controlling a rotational closure system of a vehicle. The control module may include a printed circuit board having an electronic circuit disposed thereon. The electronic circuit may be used to control a rotational closure system of the vehicle. A header may be connected to the printed circuit board. The header may include a top side and a bottom side having a relative, non-zero degree angle formed therebetween. Pins may extend from the bottom of the header to form an electrical connection with the electronic circuit on the printed circuit board. An angle sensor may be positioned on the top side of the header and be electrically connected to the pins of the header to communicate with the electronic circuit. The angle sensor may generate an angle signal for the electronic circuit to use in positioning the rotational closure system.