Decoupled Sensor for Movable Partition Motion Monitoring

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing movable partition drive systems in vehicles produce significant forces that can pose safety hazards, such as finger or hand trapping, due to inaccuracies in monitoring systems integrated within the drive systems.

Innovation Solution

A decoupled monitoring system that includes a sensor transmitting signals indicative of the rotational motion of a drum independent of the drive system, allowing a controller to calculate speed, position, direction, and acceleration of the movable partition, and detect potential obstructions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If a monitoring system is integrated within the drive system, then the device complexity is reduced, but the measurement precision deteriorates leading to safety hazards

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem integrationVSAvoidpartition motion monitoring accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The monitoring system is segmented into a separate independent unit with its own sensor, drum, and controller, rather than being integrated into the drive system. This segmentation allows the monitoring function to operate independently and accurately measure partition motion without interference from drive system variations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The monitoring function is extracted from the drive system and implemented as a separate system. The monitoring sensor and drum are taken out as independent components that directly track partition position and motion, eliminating the inaccuracies caused by integration with the drive system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Productivity

If the drive system produces significant force to move partitions effectively, then the productivity is improved, but the object-affected harmful factors increase due to finger or hand trapping risks

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepartition movement efficiencyVSAvoidsafety hazards

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The independent monitoring system provides real-time feedback on partition position, speed, and acceleration to the controller. This feedback enables the controller to detect hazardous conditions such as obstructions or abnormal motion and immediately stop or reverse the drive system to prevent injury.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The monitoring system detects potential hazardous conditions before they result in injury by continuously monitoring partition motion parameters. The controller can take preliminary protective action by stopping or reversing the partition movement when abnormal conditions are detected, preventing the harmful effect from occurring.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

Data Source

PatentUS7402971B2Movable partition monitoring systems and methods

Publication Date: 2008.07.22 ROBERT BOSCH CORP

AI summary

A method and system for monitoring a movable partition. In one embodiment, the system includes a sensor linked to a movable partition, a drive system, and a controller. The drive system is configured to move the movable partition. The sensor, which in one embodiment includes a drum connected to the partition by a cable, is independent of the drive system. The sensor transmits a signal indicative of the rotational motion of the drum to the controller, which receives the transmitted signal and calculates at least one of a speed, acceleration, position, and direction of movement of the movable partition.