Vehicle Closure Panel Load Sensing for Overload Warning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Closure panels, such as tailgates, often suffer damage due to exceeding their weight-bearing capacity, and there is a need to prevent this damage and notify users of approaching weight limits.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle equipped with a load sensor coupled to the closure panel that communicates load information to users through audio or visual outputs, including a display device, and can contact a repair service if the load exceeds a predetermined threshold, ensuring user awareness and potential prevention of damage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a load sensor and notification system are added to the closure panel, then the reliability of the closure panel is improved by preventing damage, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The load sensor continuously monitors the weight on the closure panel before damage can occur. The system performs preliminary detection of excessive load conditions and triggers warnings to users before the weight threshold is exceeded, preventing damage proactively rather than reactively
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback through multiple notification channels (visual display, audio speaker, haptic vibration) that continuously inform users of the current load status. When the sensed weight approaches or exceeds the maximum capacity, the system provides immediate feedback to alert the user and prevent further loading
2Loss of information
If multiple notification methods (display, speaker, vibration) are implemented, then the effectiveness of user notification is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The notification system integrates multiple communication modalities (visual display device, audio speaker, haptic vibration motor) into a single unified system. Each component serves the same function of alerting the user to load conditions, but through different sensory channels, making the notification system universal and adaptable to various user situations
Solution Approach 2:
The system provides preliminary warnings at different stages: first a visual warning when approaching the weight limit, then additional audio and haptic warnings as the threshold is approached or exceeded. This staged preliminary action ensures users receive notification well before damage occurs, giving them time to respond
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle includes a body, an aperture defined by the body, a closure panel, and a load sensor. The closure panel is movable between an open position and a closed position. The closure panel covers at least a portion of the aperture when the closure panel is in the closed position. The load sensor is coupled to the closure panel. The load sensor senses a load that is applied to the closure panel.