Vehicle Door Power Actuator Balanced Position Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing power closure member actuation systems for vehicle doors require constant power to maintain a partially open position, leading to battery drain and uncontrolled door movement when power is depleted, potentially causing damage due to uncontrolled swinging.
Innovation Solution
A power actuation system that moves the door to a balanced position where it remains stable under gravity, eliminating the need for continuous power to hold the door open, using a motor and geartrain assembly to control the door's motion and allowing it to settle into a neutral position after an initial partially open position is reached.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If constant power is applied to maintain door in partially open position, then door stability is improved, but battery drain increases and risk of uncontrolled movement increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system transitions from continuous power application to periodic power application. The power actuator operates in cycles: actively moving the door to the balanced position, then allowing it to coast naturally. This periodic operation eliminates continuous battery drain while maintaining door stability at the balanced position.
Solution Approach 2:
The door system uses its own weight and gravity to maintain stability at the balanced position without requiring continuous external power. Once the power actuator positions the door near the balanced point, the door naturally settles and holds itself through gravitational equilibrium, eliminating the need for continuous power input.
2Ease of operation
If power actuator continuously holds door open, then door position control is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system extracts the continuous control function from the power actuator. Instead of requiring the motor to continuously adjust and hold the door position, the system only requires periodic intervention to reach the balanced position. The continuous holding function is replaced by the passive gravitational equilibrium of the balanced door design.
3Loss of energy
If door is allowed to drift uncontrolled when power depletes, then energy consumption is reduced, but risk of door damage increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary action by actively moving the door to the balanced position before power depletion occurs. The power actuator ensures the door reaches its stable equilibrium point while power is available, positioning it safely away from potential collision hazards. This preliminary positioning prevents harmful uncontrolled movement even after power depletes.
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 system prevents battery drain and potential door damage by allowing the door to naturally settle into a balanced position, reducing power consumption and ensuring the door remains stable without continuous power input, thus addressing the issue of uncontrolled movement.
Implementation Method 1
using a motor and geartrain assembly to control the door's motion
Implementation Method 2
moves the door to a balanced position where it remains stable under gravity
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method for controlling motion of a door are provided. The door is moveable between an open position and a closed position and has a balanced position whereat the door does not move towards the open position nor the closed position under an effect of gravity. The system includes a power actuator for moving the door to a partially open position between the open position and the closed position. The power actuator is adapted to allow the door to move to the balanced position after the power actuator has moved the door to the partially open position.