Vehicle Door Braking Caliper for Runaway Motion Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Vehicle doors can open or close too quickly, causing damage to the vehicle or adjacent objects due to factors like wind, incline, or user error, necessitating a braking system to control door movement.
Innovation Solution
A caliper-type braking system with two levers actuated by a solenoid, which engages brake pads with a door retainer arm to slow down or stop the door when excessive acceleration or velocity is detected, using a controller and sensors to regulate the braking mechanism.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If a door opens or closes quickly, then the operation speed is improved, but damage to the vehicle or adjacent objects occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The braking system applies a counteracting force to the door movement before damage can occur. Sensors detect excessive speed or acceleration and trigger the solenoid-actuated levers to engage brake pads against the retainer arm, creating a preliminary opposing force that slows or stops the door before it can cause damage to the vehicle or adjacent objects.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a braking system is applied to control door movement, then damage prevention is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The braking system is divided into separate functional modules: sensors for detection, a solenoid actuator for control, lever mechanisms for force transmission, and brake pads for friction-based slowing. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently and simplifies installation and maintenance while providing comprehensive damage prevention capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The lever mechanism acts as an intermediary between the solenoid actuator and the brake pads. The levers translate the linear motion of the solenoid rod into the appropriate mechanical motion to apply brake pads against the retainer arm, providing mechanical advantage and precise control while isolating the electrical control system from the high-force braking operation.
3Speed
If brake pads are applied to the retainer arm, then door speed control is improved, but friction and wear increase
Solution Approach 1:
The braking system operates periodically rather than continuously - the brake pads are applied only when sensors detect excessive door speed or acceleration. The system monitors door movement continuously and activates braking only when necessary, then releases the pads when normal operation is detected, minimizing friction and wear while maintaining effective speed control when needed.
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
Effectively controls door movement to prevent damage by applying variable clamping force based on door speed, ensuring safe and controlled opening and closing of vehicle doors.
Implementation Method 1
The actuator rod is connected to a first lever, which is connected via a linkage to a second lever. The levers are rotated in opposite directions to bring brake pads at the distal ends of the levers into contact with a door retainer arm
Implementation Method 2
The levers are rotated in opposite directions to bring brake pads at the distal ends of the levers into contact with a door retainer arm. As the door opens or closes, the checker arm moves between the brake pads. Thus, by applying pressure to the door retainer arm with the brake pads, the braking system can slow down, stop, and hold the door in position.
Data Source
AI summary
A braking system for a vehicle door including a first lever having a first end, a second end, and a central pivot point between the first end and the second end. The second end of the first lever includes a first brake pad configured to engage with a retainer arm associated with a door of a vehicle. In addition, the system includes a second lever having a first end, a second end, and a central pivot point, wherein the second end of the second lever includes a second brake pad configured to engage with the retainer arm. Further, the system includes an actuation device configured to move a first end of the first lever in a first direction to thereby move the first brake pad and the second brake pad into engagement with the retainer arm.