Power Closure Panel Actuator Current Optimization
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional power closure panel systems for vehicles are inefficient in adapting to varying environmental conditions such as temperature and grade, leading to excessive electrical current draw and reduced component life, as they require trial-and-error programming and cannot automatically accommodate extreme conditions.
Innovation Solution
A performance optimizing system that uses sensors to determine optimal electrical current draw for power actuators based on vehicle battery status, ambient temperature, grade, and climate control system status, including passenger cabin air pressure, to adjust the speed and power of lift assist mechanisms, allowing for adaptive operation across different conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If conventional power closure panel systems use fixed programming for all conditions, then the system structure remains simple, but excessive electrical current draw occurs under extreme conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the operation of the power actuator and lift-assist mechanism based on real-time sensor inputs regarding environmental conditions. The controller modifies speed and power delivery according to actual temperature, grade, and voltage conditions rather than using fixed programming, thereby reducing excessive current draw under extreme conditions while maintaining system adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes operational parameters such as speed and power delivery of the power actuator based on sensor inputs about environmental conditions. By adjusting these parameters dynamically according to actual conditions rather than using fixed values, the system optimizes electrical current draw across varying operating environments.
2Adaptability or versatility
If trial-and-error programming is used to accommodate extreme conditions, then the system can handle various environments, but component life is reduced due to excessive current draw
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates sensor inputs that provide feedback about actual environmental conditions (temperature, grade, voltage) to the controller. This feedback loop enables the controller to adjust the power actuator's operation in real-time, optimizing current draw based on actual conditions rather than relying on trial-and-error programming, thereby extending component life while maintaining environmental adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses sensor inputs to automatically determine and adjust its own operation without requiring external programming or manual calibration for different conditions. The controller self-adjusts the power actuator's speed and power delivery based on real-time environmental data, eliminating the need for trial-and-error programming while protecting component life.
3Reliability
If the power actuator operates at high current to ensure performance under all conditions, then the closure panel can be moved reliably, but electrical energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the power actuator's operation based on real-time sensor inputs about environmental conditions. Rather than operating at consistently high current, the controller modifies speed and power delivery to match actual conditions, ensuring reliable closure panel operation only when necessary while reducing electrical energy consumption during normal operating conditions.
4Ease of manufacture
If the system uses a single performance sensor calibration for all conditions, then the programming process is simplified, but the system cannot automatically accommodate variations in operating conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses sensor inputs that provide continuous feedback about actual environmental conditions (temperature, grade, voltage, cabin pressure) to the controller. This feedback mechanism enables the system to automatically accommodate variations in operating conditions without requiring complex multi-condition programming or calibration procedures, simplifying the programming process while maintaining high adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system automatically adjusts its operation based on sensor inputs about environmental conditions without requiring manual reprogramming or calibration for different conditions. The controller self-adapts to varying operating environments using real-time data, eliminating the need for complex programming while maintaining ease of manufacture.
Data Source
AI summary
A power optimizer system for power closure panels includes a closure panel power actuator system comprising at least a motor operatively connected to a vehicle closure panel. A controller is configured to determine an optimal electrical current draw for the power actuator system according to one or more inputs relating at least to a vehicle battery status, a vehicle ambient temperature, a vehicle grade, and a vehicle climate control system status. Methods of modeling/optimizing the appropriate electrical current draw for power closure systems operating in varying voltage, temperature, grade, and climate control system conditions relative to a vehicle, or other similar mechanisms are also described.