Vehicle Door Anti-Pinch Profile With Integrated Compression Sensing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing door anti-pinch systems for vehicles often require separate components for anti-pinch protection and detection, which can lead to increased complexity and vulnerability to external influences, and may not reliably detect trapped objects such as cloths.

Innovation Solution

An integrated anti-pinch protection system where a switching element is extruded directly into the extrusion profile, allowing for regions of varying rigidity and geometry to detect trapped objects, reducing the likelihood of a person being trapped or dragged by a moving vehicle, and incorporating a stiffening element for vandalism protection.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a sensor is installed after the extrusion of a finger protection profile for anti-pinch detection, then the detection function is provided, but the device complexity increases and reliability decreases due to separate components and vulnerability to external influences

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvereliability of anti-pinch detectionVSAvoidnumber of separate components
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The switching element is integrated directly into the extrusion profile during the extrusion process, merging the structural component with the detection function into a single unified element. This eliminates separate sensors and reduces component count while improving reliability through the encapsulated, maintenance-free design that is insensitive to external influences.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The extrusion profile serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides mechanical protection as a finger protection profile, structural support through regions of increased rigidity, and detection functionality through the integrated switching element. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components and simplifies the overall device architecture.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Device complexity

If a switching element is integrated directly into the extrusion profile, then the device complexity is reduced and reliability is improved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenumber of componentsVSAvoidprecision of integrating switching element into extrusion profile
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The switching element is prepared and positioned within the extrusion profile during the extrusion process itself, before final assembly and installation. This preliminary integration ensures proper positioning and alignment are achieved during manufacturing, reducing the need for subsequent adjustments and ensuring consistent performance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The extrusion process automatically positions and secures the switching element within the profile structure through the inherent mechanics of the extrusion process. The profile geometry and material flow during extrusion provide self-alignment and secure placement, reducing dependency on complex external fixtures or post-processing operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Measurement precision

If regions of increased rigidity and reduced rigidity are designed into the extrusion profile, then the detection of trapped objects is improved, but the manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedetection capability of trapped objectsVSAvoidcomplexity of extrusion profile geometry
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The extrusion profile incorporates localized variations in rigidity at specific positions along its length, with regions of increased rigidity for structural support and regions of reduced rigidity for enhanced detection sensitivity. This local differentiation is achieved through the extrusion process by varying the cross-sectional geometry or material distribution at specific locations, allowing optimized detection without requiring complete redesign of the entire profile.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

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 integrated system provides enhanced reliability in detecting trapped objects, reduces the probability of entrapment, and offers improved security against vandalism through a simplified, maintenance-free design that can be easily mounted on vehicle doors.

Implementation Method 1

designed to detect compression of the extrusion profile

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCompression: Compression

Implementation Method 2

The switching plunger is designed so that, upon contact with a clamped object, it can be set into a movement with at least one movement component along the transverse axis

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMechanical Force: Mechanical Force

Data Source

PatentEP3685001B1Device for protection against entrapment for a door for a vehicle, door system for a vehicle and method for producing a device for protection against entrapment for a door for a vehicle
Publication Date: 2025.01.15 KNORR BREMSE GMBH
  • EP3685001B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3685001B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3685001B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

The invention relates to a device (120) for protection against entrapment for a door for a vehicle. The device (120) has an extruded profile (330). The extruded profile (330) is extruded from an elastomer material. The extruded profile (330) comprises a door leaf wall (332), which faces a contact edge of a door leaf of a door when the device (120) is mounted on the door, a sealing wall (334) arranged in an opposing position relative to the door leaf wall (332) and a plunger (338) for transferring a compression force into the extruded profile (330). The plunger (338) is mounted on the sealing wall (334) and extends along a transverse axis (x) of the extruded profile (330) away from the door leaf wall (332). The device (120) also comprises at least one switching element (350) for detecting a compression of the extruded profile (330). The at least one switching element (350) is arranged in the region of the plunger (338) between the door leaf wall (332) and the plunger (338).