Motorized Car Door Closing With Cable-Pulley Actuation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Autonomous vehicles are unable to continue operation if a door is not fully closed by a passenger, leading to potential delays or safety issues.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising a door check, a cable, and an actuator with a motor and pulley mechanism that automatically closes the vehicle door by pulling the cable, ensuring the door is fully closed before the vehicle can operate.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If a door closing assistance system is added to autonomous vehicles, then the vehicle can continue operation without manual intervention, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The door check mechanism is designed to automatically detect when a door is not fully closed and triggers the actuator to close it without requiring passenger intervention. The system serves itself by monitoring its own state through the door check sensor and autonomously correcting the door position.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the operational parameter of the door from a manual closing requirement to an automated closing action. The door check detects positional parameters and triggers motorized adjustment, transforming the door closing process from a static requirement to a dynamic automated sequence.
2Device complexity
If the door check mechanism is integrated into the hinge assembly, then the system structure is simplified, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The door check mechanism is merged with the hinge assembly into a single integrated unit. This combination reduces the overall number of separate components and simplifies the system structure, while the design accounts for manufacturing tolerances through the mechanical linkage geometry.
3Reliability
If a motorized actuator with cable and pulley system is used, then the door can be reliably closed, but the weight of the moving object increases
Solution Approach 1:
The heavy manual door closing mechanism is replaced with a lightweight motorized actuator system. The electric motor provides sufficient force through a cable and pulley arrangement, substituting the need for heavy mechanical springs or hydraulic systems while maintaining reliable door closing function.
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
Enables autonomous vehicles to continue operation without manual intervention by ensuring all doors are fully closed, enhancing safety and efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
the motor is configured to pull the second end of the cable around the pulley such that the first end of the cable causes the door check to be placed into a closed state
Data Source
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AI summary
The technology relates to assisting in the closing of a vehicle door (102) by automatically pulling a door closed. One or more computing devices having one or more processors may receive, from one or more sensors, information indicating that a door (102) on the vehicle is not closed. In response to the received information indicating that the door is not closed, the one or more computing devices may determine to send a triggering signal to close the door. The one or more computing devices may send the triggering signal to the actuator (202) and the actuator (202) may receive the triggering signal. In response to receiving the triggering signal the actuator (202) may be activated to close the door of the vehicle without user input.