Electronic Door Actuation Voltage Staging for Quiet Latching

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current electronic door actuation arrangements in vehicles experience high mechanical stress and noise due to single, continuous movement, exacerbated by temperature variations, leading to accelerated wear and tear and reduced efficiency.

Innovation Solution

A method involving a phased movement of the first actuating member, utilizing different voltage levels and time periods to transition from an open position to a main ratchet position through a pre-ratchet position, reducing mechanical stress and noise by controlling the movement with a first, second, and third voltage, and employing sensors for precise positioning.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If the first actuating member is moved from open position to main ratchet position in a single continuous movement, then the door actuation is completed efficiently, but high mechanical stress and noise occur leading to accelerated wear and tear

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedoor actuation speedVSAvoidcomponent durability

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The door actuation movement is divided into multiple discrete positions: open position, pre-ratchet position, and main ratchet position. The actuating member moves through these positions sequentially rather than in a single continuous motion, reducing mechanical stress and noise while maintaining actuation efficiency

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The electric motor is driven with different voltages applied at different time periods during the actuation cycle. A first voltage is applied for a first time period to reach the pre-ratchet position, then a second voltage is applied for a second time period to reach the main ratchet position. This periodic variation in driving parameters reduces mechanical stress and noise

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

2Speed

If high voltage is applied continuously to move the actuating member quickly, then door actuation is fast, but mechanical stress and noise increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveactuating member movement speedVSAvoidmechanical stress and noise

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The voltage parameter applied to the electric motor is changed at different stages of the actuation cycle. By varying the voltage from a first voltage to a second voltage at different time periods, the system optimizes the balance between actuation speed and mechanical stress reduction

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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

The method significantly reduces mechanical stress and noise, enhances durability and reliability, and ensures consistent performance across varying temperatures by adapting voltage and time periods to ambient conditions.

Implementation Method 1

an electric motor, a first actuating member (3) and a corresponding second actuating member (4), wherein the first actuating member (3) is rotationally coupled to the electric motor (2)

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectromagnetic conversion: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentEP4667687A1Method for operating an electronic door actuation arrangement

Publication Date: 2025.12.24 KIEKERT AG

Figure 1~2

AI summary

The invention relates to a method for operating an electronic door actuation arrangement (1), comprising an electric motor (2), a first actuating member (3) and a corresponding second actuating member (4), wherein the first actuating member (3) is rotationally coupled to the electric motor (2) for being moved from an open position via a pre-ratchet position into a main ratchet position with respect to the second actuating member (4), comprising the following method steps: S1) in the open position, driving the electric motor (2) with a first voltage for a predetermined drive time period, 52) reducing the first voltage until the first actuating member (3) is in the pre-ratchet position upon reaching a second voltage, S3) driving the electric motor (2) with a third voltage until the first actuating member (3) is in the main ratchet position, wherein the third voltage is lower than the first voltage. In this way an improved method for operating an electronic door actuation arrangement that reduces mechanical stress and noise is provided.