Closure Latch Diagnostic System Using Dual Sensor Feedback
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Automotive vehicles lack an effective system to automatically detect and respond to incorrectly latched closures, which can lead to safety issues during drive cycles, especially in autonomous driving scenarios where debris or malfunctions may cause inaccurate latching reports.
Innovation Solution
The system includes a closure frame with a latch assembly and sensors to detect motion and engagement state, a controller to provide diagnostic signals, and an actuator to move the closure, along with a human-machine interface and wireless communication for alerts, enabling automatic detection and corrective actions when a closure is not correctly latched.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a latch assembly with sensors is implemented to detect closure latching status, then safety and reliability are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs sensors (first sensor for closure position, second sensor for latch engagement state) that continuously monitor the closure and latch assembly, providing feedback signals to the controller. The controller processes these signals and generates diagnostic outputs when unlatched conditions are detected, creating a closed-loop feedback system that automatically monitors and reports latch status without requiring manual inspection.
Solution Approach 2:
The controller acts as an intermediary component that receives signals from multiple sensors, processes the information, and generates diagnostic outputs. This intermediary device coordinates between the sensors and the final diagnostic indication, simplifying the overall system architecture by centralizing the logic for detecting unlatched conditions.
2Productivity
If manual inspection of closure latching is required, then device complexity is reduced, but safety and productivity deteriorate due to time-consuming inspections and potential missed detections
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs self-inspection through automated sensors and controllers that continuously monitor closure and latch status without requiring external manual intervention. The first sensor detects closure position and the second sensor detects latch engagement state, enabling the system to autonomously determine whether the closure is properly latched, eliminating the need for manual inspection and associated time losses.
3Reliability
If automated diagnostic systems are implemented to detect unlatched conditions, then safety is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The diagnostic system is segmented into distinct functional components: a first sensor for detecting closure position, a second sensor for detecting latch engagement state, and a controller that processes signals from both sensors. This segmentation allows each component to perform a specific function, simplifying manufacturing and assembly while maintaining comprehensive diagnostic capability through modular design.
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 ensures that closures are properly latched, enhancing user satisfaction and safety by providing diagnostic signals and alerts, and enabling automated actions to maintain a minimal risk condition in case of an unlatched closure.
Implementation Method 1
the first sensor includes a Hall effect encoder associated with the actuator
Data Source
AI summary
An automotive vehicle includes a closure arranged relative a closure frame to selectively cover an opening to the vehicle. The vehicle also includes an actuator configured to move the closure among a plurality of positions including open and closed positions, and a first sensor configured to detect motion of the closure among the plurality of positions. The vehicle additionally includes a latch assembly with an engaged state to retain the closure in the closed position and a disengaged state to permit the closure to move among the plurality of positions. A second sensor is configured to detect the engaged or disengaged state of the latch assembly. The vehicle further includes a controller which is configured to, in response to the first sensor detecting motion of the closure among the plurality of positions and the second sensor detecting the latch assembly in the engaged state, provide a diagnostic signal.