Capacitive Sensor for Automatic Vehicle Flap Opening
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing motor vehicle flap opening systems using ultrasonic or radar sensors for parking distance control face high power consumption issues, requiring activation through access authorization, limiting their permanent readiness and increasing energy usage.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of capacitive sensors with sensor electrodes that detect changes in capacitive coupling with the environment, allowing for permanent monitoring with low current consumption and enabling automatic flap opening independent of parking distance control systems.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If ultrasonic or radar sensors are used for detecting user approach and foot movement, then the system can detect and trigger automatic flap opening, but the power consumption increases significantly requiring activation through access authorization
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the operating principle of the sensors from active ultrasonic/radar emission to passive capacitive sensing. The capacitive sensors detect changes in capacitance caused by the proximity of the user's body or foot, eliminating the need for high-power transmission signals while maintaining detection capability. This parameter change from active to passive sensing directly reduces power consumption.
2Reliability
If access authorization is required to activate sensors, then security is improved, but the system cannot remain permanently ready and response time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The capacitive sensors continuously monitor the environment without requiring periodic activation or authorization checks. The sensors autonomously detect user presence and foot movement gestures, triggering the flap opening sequence immediately when the characteristic capacitive pattern is recognized. This self-service capability eliminates the activation delay while maintaining security through the specific detection pattern recognition.
3Use of energy by moving object
If sensors are activated only when needed, then power consumption is reduced, but the system cannot permanently monitor the environment for automatic opening
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical/active sensing system (ultrasonic/radar transmission) with an electrostatic field-based capacitive sensing system. The capacitive sensors create a static electric field that continuously monitors the environment for changes in capacitance caused by nearby objects or body movements. This substitution enables permanent monitoring with minimal power consumption as no active transmission is required.
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 solution allows for continuous monitoring of the vehicle's surroundings with low power consumption, enabling the automatic opening of flaps without the need for constant sensor activation, ensuring the system remains ready for use while maintaining security through access authorization verification.
Implementation Method 1
the sensors are designed as capacitively acting sensors and have means with which a change in a capacitive coupling between the means and an environment of the means can be sensed
Data Source
Figure 1~2
AI summary
The motor vehicle (1) has a flap (2) which opens automatically after an opening command and automatically closes after a closing command. A sensor (3) is provided with a horizontal active area (3a) and another sensor (4) is provided with a vertical active area (4a) at the motor vehicle. The opening command is partially triggered by the sensors. The sensors are formed as capacitively active sensors and have units with which a change of a capacitive coupling between the units and the surrounding of the units is sensed. An independent claim is included for a method for releasing an opening command for automatically opening the flap present at the motor vehicle.