Capacitive Door Seal Sensing for Precise Vehicle Door Cinching
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle door positioning systems lack precision and efficiency in adjusting door positions to optimize sealing and reduce noise, vibration, and harshness (NVH) under varying conditions such as temperature and road conditions.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle door positioning system that includes a cinch assembly coupled with a door seal featuring dielectrically isolated first and second conductors generating a capacitive signal, which is monitored by a controller to adjust the door to selected cinched positions, and an image sensor to anticipate and respond to environmental conditions, ensuring optimal alignment and sealing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If a traditional door positioning system is used, then the structure is simple, but the door alignment precision and sealing performance are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical positioning systems with a capacitive sensing system. The door seal incorporates conductive elements that generate capacitive signals to detect door position and alignment, substituting mechanical switches or sensors with an electrical field-based detection mechanism. This enables precise door alignment through electrical signals rather than mechanical contact, improving precision while reducing mechanical complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a capacitive coupling mechanism as an intermediary between the door and the positioning system. The conductive elements in the door seal create an electrical field that mediates the detection of door position and alignment status, allowing the controller to monitor door state without direct mechanical contact or complex mechanical linkages.
2Reliability
If the door positioning system is made more complex to improve sealing, then sealing performance improves, but the system becomes less reliable
Solution Approach 1:
The door seal itself serves dual functions: it provides the sealing function and simultaneously acts as the sensing element through embedded conductive elements. The seal structure generates capacitive signals that automatically indicate door alignment and sealing status, eliminating the need for separate sensing systems and reducing overall system complexity while improving reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The door seal is designed as a multi-functional component that combines sealing, positioning, and sensing functions. The same physical structure that provides sealing also contains conductive elements for capacitive detection, allowing a single component to perform multiple functions and reducing the need for additional separate systems.
3Adaptability or versatility
If static door positioning is used, then the system is simple, but it cannot adapt to varying environmental conditions such as temperature and road conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback control system where capacitive signals continuously monitor door position and alignment status. The controller receives real-time feedback from the conductive elements in the door seal and automatically adjusts the door position to maintain optimal alignment, enabling the system to adapt to changing conditions such as temperature variations and vehicle vibrations without requiring complex manual intervention.
Solution Approach 2:
The door positioning system transitions from a static configuration to a dynamic, actively controlled system. The capacitive sensing elements enable real-time detection of door position changes, and the controller dynamically adjusts the door alignment in response to detected variations, allowing the system to adapt to environmental factors like temperature changes and road conditions.
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 system enhances door alignment accuracy, improves sealing, and reduces NVH by dynamically adjusting door positions based on capacitive signals and environmental inputs, providing improved performance across different conditions.
Implementation Method 1
The door seal includes a first conductor and a second conductor positioned therein. The first and second conductors are dielectrically isolated and cooperate to generate a capacitive signal.
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle includes a body and a door coupled to the body. The door is operable between opened and closed positions. A cinch assembly is operably coupled to the door. A door seal is positioned along at least a portion of a door opening, wherein the door seal includes a first conductor and a second conductor positioned therein. The first and second conductors are dielectrically isolated and cooperate to generate a capacitive signal. A controller is configured to monitor the capacitive signal and control the cinch assembly in response to the capacitive signal.