Vehicle Door Drive Gravity Movement Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing door drive devices for vehicles fail to reliably prevent unintentional movement of vehicle doors caused by gravity, which can lead to uncontrolled opening or closing, potentially causing harm or damage.
Innovation Solution
A door drive device equipped with a control system that distinguishes between door movements caused by gravity and user actions using acceleration and speed signals from sensors, initiating braking when a constant acceleration indicative of gravity is detected to prevent uncontrolled movement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a brake device is permanently coupled to the drive train to prevent gravity-induced door movement, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The brake device is designed to be switchable between different states (coupling, braking, and free states) rather than being permanently coupled. This dynamic configuration allows the system to adapt its coupling state based on operational requirements, reducing unnecessary complexity while maintaining reliability when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The brake device serves multiple functions: it acts as a coupling device to connect the drive element to the drive train, functions as a brake device to prevent gravity-induced movement, and can be switched to a free state for manual door operation. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components.
2Reliability
If acceleration sensing is used to distinguish gravity-induced movement from user action, then reliability is improved, but measurement precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The control device monitors changes in acceleration parameters over time to distinguish between gravity-induced movement (constant acceleration) and user action (variable acceleration). By analyzing the temporal pattern of acceleration changes rather than relying on a single threshold value, the system achieves reliable detection with moderate measurement precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor device provides continuous feedback on door acceleration to the control device, which processes this information to determine the cause of movement. This feedback loop allows the system to adapt its response based on real-time acceleration patterns, improving reliability without requiring extremely high measurement precision.
3Ease of operation
If the brake device is made switchable between coupling, brake, and free states, then ease of operation is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control device automatically determines when to switch the brake device between states based on sensor input and pre-programmed logic. The system self-regulates the brake device state without requiring manual intervention, achieving ease of operation while the control complexity is managed through automated decision-making algorithms.
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 prevents uncontrolled movement of vehicle doors by accurately differentiating between gravity-induced and user-caused movements, ensuring the door remains securely locked in its position, thus enhancing safety and preventing damage.
Implementation Method 1
a sensor device (27) for measuring a measuring quantity indicative of a movement of the vehicle door (11) to provide a sensor signal
Data Source
AI summary
A door drive device for adjusting and/or locking a vehicle door relative to a vehicle body including an adjustment member, a drive element operatively coupled to the adjustment member such that the adjustment member is movable with respect to the drive element for moving the vehicle door, a sensor device for measuring a measuring quantity indicative of a movement of the vehicle door to provide a sensor signal, a brake device operatively connected to the drive element for braking a movement of the vehicle door, and a control device for controlling operation of the door drive device. The control device is configured to compute, from the sensor signal obtained from the sensor device, an acceleration value indicative of an acceleration of the vehicle door and evaluate the acceleration value to distinguish movement of the vehicle door caused by a gravity force from movement caused by a user action.