Bridge Circuit for Vehicle Closure Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing adjustment devices for closure elements in vehicles, such as window regulators, require separate control circuits and additional components to manage power supply for both the drive motor and additional consumers like window heaters, leading to increased complexity and costs.
Innovation Solution
A bridge circuit with four transistors, used to control the drive motor, is also utilized to power and control additional consumers like window heaters, eliminating the need for extra circuit elements and reducing cable cross-sections, by using one transistor with higher current capacity to manage both functions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If separate control circuits are provided for the drive motor and additional consumers, then each consumer can be controlled independently, but the device complexity and assembly effort increase
Solution Approach 1:
The bridge circuit is designed to perform multiple functions: it controls both the drive motor for the closure element and provides power control for additional consumers such as window heaters. By making the bridge circuit universal, the patent eliminates the need for separate control circuits, thereby reducing device complexity and assembly effort while maintaining the ability to control different consumers independently through the existing control unit
2Adaptability or versatility
If additional control circuits and components are added for additional consumers, then separate power control is achieved, but costs and assembly effort increase
Solution Approach 1:
The bridge circuit serves as a universal power control mechanism that can independently control both the drive motor and additional consumers. The control unit manages different output signals to the bridge circuit, enabling separate power control for each consumer without requiring additional control circuits or components, thus reducing assembly effort and manufacturing costs
3Adaptability or versatility
If additional control circuits are provided for additional consumers, then independent power control is achieved, but the cable cross-section and electromagnetic interference increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the power control for the drive motor and additional consumers into a single bridge circuit. This merging of control functions reduces the number of separate control circuits and associated cables, thereby reducing the overall cable cross-section required and minimizing disruptive electrical and electromagnetic effects that would arise from multiple separate circuits
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 simplifies the electronics, reduces assembly effort, and minimizes electromagnetic interference by using a single bridge circuit to control both the drive motor and additional consumers, such as window heaters, while maintaining efficient operation.
Implementation Method 1
The bridge circuit comprises four transistors, via which, depending on the control, in particular a rotation of the drive element of the drive motor can be controlled in one or the other direction of rotation
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3A~4B
AI summary
The present invention relates in particular to an adjustment device for a closure element on a vehicle, for example, a window pane, a sunroof, or a convertible top, wherein the closure element can be adjusted between an open and a closed position by means of the closure device, and wherein the adjustment device for adjusting the closure element is provided with a drive motor (M) and an electronic control unit. The control unit comprises a bridge circuit (B) in order to supply electrical current to the drive motor (M) and to control the rotational speed and the direction of rotation of a drive element of the drive motor (M) to be coupled with the closure element. The bridge circuit (B) is connected to at least one additional load (S) of the vehicle, such as a window heater, and is designed and provided for controlling the current feed to the at least one additional electronic load (S).