Vehicle Door Actuator Mechanism for Low-Force Opening
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing door actuating apparatuses for vehicles require significant operational force to open doors from a full close position, are bulky due to complex drive circuits and multiple components, and are costly to manufacture and maintain.
Innovation Solution
A door actuating apparatus with an engagement mechanism that automatically releases the door from a full close position to a predetermined rotational position using an actuator, allowing for easy manual opening and reducing the need for multiple actuators, with a simplified drive circuit and control unit.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If an electric motor and electromagnetic clutch are used to automatically open and close the door, then the door can be opened without difficulty, but the drive circuit becomes large in size and cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the electric motor and electromagnetic clutch from the door actuating system. Instead, it uses a simple manual door handle mechanism that directly operates the latch, removing the need for complex drive circuits while maintaining ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The door handling system is designed to be self-operating through manual effort. The door handle and latch mechanism work together without requiring external power sources or control systems, allowing the door to be opened and closed simply by user action.
2Extent of automation
If an electric motor and electromagnetic clutch are used to control the door, then automated door opening is achieved, but computer hardware and software configurations become complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the automated control system including electric motors, electromagnetic clutches, and associated computer hardware and software. The door operation is returned to pure manual control through a simplified mechanical latch and handle system.
Solution Approach 2:
The door system operates autonomously through manual user input without requiring any automated control systems. The mechanical latch and handle work together to provide intuitive door operation without sensors, processors, or control algorithms.
3Device complexity
If a simple manual door handle is used, then the apparatus is small in size and low in cost, but a particularly large operational force is required to open the door from full close position
Solution Approach 1:
The door opening process is segmented into two distinct phases: an initial phase where a relatively small force overcomes the latch retention at full close position, and a subsequent phase where the door opens freely. The latch mechanism is designed to provide retention only at the fully closed position, allowing easy opening once initiated.
Solution Approach 2:
The latch mechanism provides dynamic retention characteristics - maintaining strong holding force at the full close position through engagement, but allowing easy disengagement and free movement once the door begins to open. This creates a bimodal force characteristic rather than constant resistance.
4Reliability
If a latch apparatus retains the door at full close position, then the door remains securely closed, but a particularly large operational force is required in the beginning to release it
Solution Approach 1:
The door operation is divided into two distinct force phases: Phase 1 requires a moderate force to disengage the latch from its retained position at full close, and Phase 2 allows the door to open with minimal force. The latch mechanism provides reliable retention during Phase 1, then transitions to free movement in Phase 2.
Solution Approach 2:
The latch mechanism exhibits dynamic behavior where it provides strong retention force when the door is at full close position, but automatically transitions to a low-resistance state once opening begins. This creates a force profile with a peak at the start of opening, then a sharp decline, rather than constant resistance throughout the opening motion.
Data Source
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AI summary
A door actuating apparatus (20) includes an engagement mechanism (30) retaining a door (10) at a full close position, an operating portion (CT) outputting a signal to open the door (10), a control unit (ECU) actuating an actuator (70) in response to receiving the signal, an engagement member (41) advancing and retracting relative to the door (10) in accordance with rotation of the door (10), and a door opening mechanism (40, 50) operating by actuation of the actuator (70), positioning the door (10) at a full close position to a predetermined rotational position by rotating the door (10) in a vehicle exterior direction by biasing the engagement member (41) by engaging with the engagement member (41) when the door (10) is released from an engaged state by the door opening mechanism (40, 50) engaging with the engagement mechanism (30), and releasing engagement with the engagement member (41) in a state where an external force rotating the door (10) in the vehicle exterior direction is exerted on the door (10) at the predetermined rotational position.