Motor Vehicle Closure Control for Shading Safety
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for automatically actuating motor vehicle closure elements, such as tailgates, are compromised by changes in mechanical configuration, leading to impaired sensor functionality and reduced operating safety, particularly due to shading effects or attachment of accessories like bicycle carriers.
Innovation Solution
A control arrangement that detects specific operating conditions, deactivating the closure element activation when predetermined special conditions are met, allowing for selective deactivation of operator control events to ensure high operating safety and convenience, using existing sensor measurements or additional sensors like cameras.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If sensor-based detection is used for automatic closure element actuation, then convenience is improved, but operating safety deteriorates when mechanical configuration changes occur
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts its operation mode based on detected special conditions. When a special condition is detected (such as mechanical configuration changes), the system transitions from automatic sensor-based actuation to manual-only actuation, ensuring safety while maintaining convenience under normal conditions
Solution Approach 2:
The control arrangement continuously monitors sensor signals and compares them against expected patterns. When deviations indicating special conditions are detected, the system provides feedback to deactivate automatic actuation, thereby maintaining reliability while preserving convenience during normal operation
2Reliability
If additional sensors are added to detect special conditions, then operating safety is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Existing sensors are made multi-functional by interpreting their signals in multiple ways. The same sensor arrangement used for collision detection is also used to detect special conditions like mechanical configuration changes, eliminating the need for additional dedicated sensors while maintaining safety
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses its existing sensor infrastructure to monitor itself for special conditions. The control arrangement analyzes sensor signals to detect when the mechanical configuration has changed, allowing the system to self-diagnose and adapt without external monitoring equipment
Data Source
AI summary
A method for activating a closure element arrangement of a motor vehicle, wherein the closure element arrangement has a closure element, a drive arrangement assigned to the closure element, and a control arrangement. In the context of operator control event monitoring by the control arrangement, monitoring is carried out to ascertain whether a predetermined operator control event is present. An activation of the drive arrangement is performed depending on the result of the operator control event monitoring. With assumed freedom of collision of the closure element from the motor vehicle surroundings, the occurrence of various special conditions does not permit the operator control event monitoring, or permits it only to a restricted extent. The control arrangement detects the occurrence of predetermined special conditions and the activation of the closure element arrangement is deactivated depending on the respectively detected special condition.