Motor Vehicle Door Control Unit Pseudo-Sleep Mode

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Solution Overview

Problem

The high energy consumption of motor vehicle door control systems, especially when the vehicle is parked and locked, leads to potential battery power depletion over time due to the numerous electrical devices required for operation.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a method where the control unit for the motor vehicle door ignores sleep signals for a predetermined period, transitioning through a pseudo-sleep mode that reduces network communication while remaining active internally to detect door position and movement, and then enters a real sleep mode to conserve energy.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the control unit continuously communicates with the network to monitor door position and movement, then the door operation safety and reliability are improved, but the energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedoor operation safetyVSAvoidenergy consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The control unit dynamically adjusts its operational state between pseudo-sleep mode and active monitoring mode based on door state transitions. When the door is stationary and closed, the control unit enters pseudo-sleep mode with minimal energy consumption. When motion is detected or door state changes, it transitions to active monitoring to ensure safety, thus dynamically optimizing the balance between reliability and energy consumption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The control unit implements periodic monitoring during pseudo-sleep mode by evaluating sensor signals at predetermined intervals rather than continuously. This periodic evaluation allows the system to maintain basic safety monitoring while significantly reducing energy consumption compared to continuous communication with the network.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

2Use of energy by moving object

If the control unit enters sleep mode to conserve energy, then the energy consumption is reduced, but the door monitoring capability is lost

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenergy consumptionVSAvoiddoor monitoring capability
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

Before entering pseudo-sleep mode, the control unit ensures the door is in a secure closed position and latched. This preliminary action establishes a safe baseline state, allowing the control unit to subsequently reduce monitoring intensity while maintaining safety. The system performs necessary door state verification before transitioning to energy-saving mode.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The control unit uses local sensor evaluation capabilities to autonomously monitor door position and movement during pseudo-sleep mode without requiring continuous network communication. This self-service approach allows the control unit to maintain monitoring capability while operating independently from the network, thus reducing energy consumption while preserving safety functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Speed

If the control unit remains in active mode to respond to door motion, then the response time is improved, but the energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveresponse timeVSAvoidenergy consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The control unit skips extended periods of continuous active monitoring when the door is known to be stationary and secure, rushing through time in pseudo-sleep mode. When door motion is detected via sensor signals, the control unit quickly transitions back to active mode to evaluate the motion and determine appropriate response, thus maintaining fast response capability while minimizing energy consumption during stable periods.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #21Skipping (Rushing through)

Data Source

PatentEP3929387B1Device and method for controlling the motion of a motor vehicle door
Publication Date: 2024.03.20 KIEKERT AG
  • EP3929387B1 patent drawingFigure 1

AI summary

The present invention relates to a method and a device for controlling the movement of a motor vehicle door (1). For this purpose, a drive (2) for the motor vehicle door (1) and a sensor (3) associated with the motor vehicle door (1) for detecting its position and/or movement are provided. Furthermore, a control unit (5) is provided, which actuates the drive (2), evaluates signals from the sensor (3), and is connected to a network (7). The network (7) sends a sleep signal to the control unit (5). According to the invention, the control unit (5) ignores the sleep signal of the network (7) for a predetermined period, depending on signals from the sensor (3).