Vehicle Door Actuator Holding Torque via Motor Phase Short-Circuit
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing motor vehicle side door actuators require additional devices like brakes and blocking mechanisms to maintain holding positions, complicating their arrangement and operation.
Innovation Solution
The actuator utilizes a short-circuit function of its electric motor phases to generate a high torque for holding the door in place, eliminating the need for additional components by using the motor's control device to initiate a short circuit, which induces a high current flow and torque without requiring extra energy or movable parts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If additional braking devices and blocking devices are provided to achieve holding positions, then the door can be held in specific positions, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The electric motor serves dual functions: both driving the door and providing holding torque through phase short-circuiting. The motor's own electromagnetic structure is utilized to generate holding force without requiring separate braking or blocking devices, making the system self-sufficient and reducing overall complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces mechanical braking devices and blocking mechanisms with an electromagnetic solution. By short-circuiting motor phases, the system generates electromagnetic torque to hold the door position, substituting complex mechanical holding structures with a controlled electrical function
2Reliability
If additional braking devices are added to the actuator, then holding positions can be maintained, but the manufacturing cost and assembly complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The holding function is merged with the motor's existing phase structure. The same phases that drive the motor are short-circuited to generate holding torque, combining two functions (driving and holding) into a single integrated mechanism rather than adding separate components
Solution Approach 2:
The electric motor phases serve multiple purposes: they are used both for normal motor operation and for generating holding torque through short-circuiting. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for dedicated holding components, simplifying manufacturing and assembly
3Force
If a short-circuit function is initiated via control device, then high torque is generated for holding the door, but additional control complexity is introduced
Solution Approach 1:
The control device monitors door position and initiates phase short-circuiting when holding is required. This feedback-based control ensures the short-circuit function is activated only when needed, providing high holding torque while maintaining manageable control complexity through intelligent timing
Solution Approach 2:
The short-circuit function is activated periodically or on-demand based on door position requirements rather than continuously. This periodic activation reduces energy consumption and simplifies control logic compared to continuous operation
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
This solution allows for efficient and dynamic door holding without additional devices, ensuring the door remains in a latched position with a high holding torque, minimizing the importance of cogging torque and enabling precise control through a sensor-activated holding mechanism.
Implementation Method 1
the control device initiates a short-circuit function of the motor phases when the motor is activated, which causes a high current flow and thus a high torque for holding the side door open
Data Source
AI summary
An actuator for a side door of a motor vehicle is described, which brings about automatic opening or closing of the side door depending on a signal and has a device for holding the side door in any open position. The holding device is realized by a function of the electric motor itself, according to which function the control device initiates a short-circuit function of the motor phases when the motor is activated, which causes a high current flow and thus a high torque for holding the side door open. By short-circuiting the motor phases, no additional components are required, since this is a special activation function of the motor.