Capacitive Anti-Trap System for Vehicle Closing Element Collision Avoidance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Capacitive anti-trap systems in vehicles do not adequately address the risk of injury from collisions with locking parts during the adjustment of vehicle locking elements, as they primarily focus on detecting obstacles in the adjustment path without considering collisions with protruding locking parts that can cause harm.
Innovation Solution
The system incorporates multiple pairs of electrodes to detect changes in electrical capacitance around locking parts, allowing for the prevention of collisions by stopping or reversing the adjustment movement of vehicle locking elements, thereby combining anti-trap and collision protection to minimize the risk of injury from locking parts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If capacitive anti-trap systems are used to detect obstacles in the adjustment path, then obstacle detection capability is improved, but protection against collisions with locking parts is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The existing capacitive anti-trap system is extended to perform dual functions: detecting obstacles in the adjustment path (original function) and detecting obstacles in the locking part area (new function). This is achieved by configuring the electrode pairs to monitor both regions, allowing one system to address multiple safety concerns simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The monitoring coverage is expanded from a single adjustment path dimension to include the locking part area dimension. By extending the monitoring scope to a new spatial dimension (the area around protruding locking parts), the system comprehensively covers both traditional anti-trap needs and new collision prevention needs.
2Reliability
If locking parts are made solid and protruding to ensure secure locking, then locking reliability is improved, but collision injury risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies preliminary anti-action by detecting obstacles in the locking part area before collision occurs. The capacitive sensor system monitors the area around protruding locking parts and triggers preventive action (stopping or reversing movement) before the locking part can collide with an obstacle, thereby counteracting the inherent collision risk of solid protruding locking parts.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback by continuously monitoring the locking part area with capacitive sensors and using this information to control the adjustment movement. When an obstacle is detected in the locking part area, the system feeds back this information to the control unit, which then stops or reverses the movement to prevent collision.
3Reliability
If electrode pairs are extended to cover locking part area, then collision detection capability is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The same electrode pairs that detect obstacles in the adjustment path are configured to also detect obstacles in the locking part area. This multi-functional use of existing components avoids the need for separate dedicated sensors for locking part monitoring, thereby limiting the increase in system complexity while achieving enhanced collision detection capability.
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
The enhanced capacitive anti-trap system effectively detects obstacles and impending collisions with locking parts, preventing injuries by ensuring the adjustment movement of vehicle locking elements is stopped or reversed before a collision occurs, thus reducing the risk of harm from locking parts during closure or opening.
Implementation Method 1
an electric field is generated that is influenced by an obstacle in such a way that an electric capacitance is measurably changed
Implementation Method 2
By driving the transmitter electrode with alternating current, an electric field is generated
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A
Figure 2B
AI summary
The invention relates, inter alia, to a method for controlling an adjusting movement of a vehicle closing element (1) of a vehicle (K), such as, for example, a boot lid (1), which is closed by application of an external force, wherein an obstacle in the adjusting movement path of the vehicle closing element is detectable by means of a capacitive anti-trap system in order to prevent this obstacle becoming trapped, and the vehicle closing element (1) has a locking part (4) by means of which the vehicle closing element (1) can be locked in a closed position. According to the invention, an obstacle in a monitoring region (B3, B12', B1b") around the locking part (4) provided on the vehicle closing element (1) is also detected by means of the capacitive anti-trap system in order to prevent a collision of this locking part (4) with an obstacle at least during closure of the vehicle closing element (1). A capacitive anti-trap system is also provided which is particularly suitable for carrying out a method in accordance with the invention.