Vehicle Door Edge Protector With Evasive Plunger for False Trigger Prevention

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing door protection devices for vehicles often incorrectly detect external forces as trapped foreign bodies, leading to unnecessary shutdowns and operational disruptions, particularly when subjected to external pressures during door closure.

Innovation Solution

A door protection device featuring a base body, plunger, and suspension system that differentiates between external forces and forces caused by trapped foreign bodies by redirecting pressure forces into kinetic forces, enabling evasive movements of the plunger and utilizing a switching device to accurately detect trapped objects, thereby preventing false triggers.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a simple pressure-sensitive switching device is used to detect foreign objects, then detection capability is provided, but external forces are incorrectly detected as trapped foreign bodies causing false triggers

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedetection accuracyVSAvoidstructure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The protective device is segmented into functionally distinct sections: a first outer section for receiving external forces, a second outer section for detecting trapped foreign bodies, and a plunger with suspension system. This segmentation allows each section to specialize in its detection function, preventing cross-interference and false triggers while maintaining overall system reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The plunger acts as an intermediary element between the outer sections and the switching device. It transmits forces from the second outer section to the switching device while being isolated from forces applied to the first outer section by the suspension system, thereby mediating the detection process to avoid false triggers.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If the plunger is directly connected to the base body for stable mounting, then mounting stability is improved, but the plunger cannot perform evasive movements to avoid false detection

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefalse trigger preventionVSAvoidmounting stability
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The suspension system connecting the plunger to the base body provides dynamic flexibility rather than rigid fixation. This allows the plunger to perform evasive movements when external forces are applied to the first outer section, preventing false detection while maintaining sufficient mounting stability through the elastic connection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The suspension system changes the mechanical parameters of the plunger connection, transitioning from a fixed rigid connection to an elastic flexible connection. This parameter change enables the plunger to move dynamically in response to external forces while maintaining stable mounting through the restoring force of the suspension.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Adaptability or versatility

If force is applied to the first outer surface for any reason, then external interaction is enabled, but the switching device may falsely sense a trapped foreign object

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveexternal force responseVSAvoidforeign object detection precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The outer surface is segmented into a first outer section and a second outer section. The first outer section is designed to receive external forces without transmitting them to the switching device, while the second outer section transmits forces from trapped foreign bodies to the switching device. This segmentation enables external interaction while preserving detection precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The plunger with suspension acts as an intermediary that selectively transmits forces. It allows forces from the second outer section (trapped foreign bodies) to reach the switching device while blocking forces from the first outer section (external interactions), thereby maintaining measurement precision despite external force application.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 solution effectively prevents false detection of external forces as trapped foreign bodies, ensuring smooth vehicle operation by accurately distinguishing between external pressures and forces from trapped objects, thus reducing unnecessary shutdowns and enhancing safety.

Implementation Method 1

The suspension is designed to redirect a compressive force caused by the applied force into a kinetic force acting in the extension direction of the plunger

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElastic deformation: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

The suspension connects the plunger movably to the base body and is designed to cause the plunger to move away from the mounting side in response to a force applied to the first outer section

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElastic deformation: Elasticity

Implementation Method 3

The protective device includes a switching device for detecting a trapped foreign object

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMechanical contact detection:

Data Source

PatentEP3847332B1Protection device for a door leaf for a motor vehicle, and door device for a motor vehicle
Publication Date: 2023.11.01 KNORR BREMSE GMBH
  • EP3847332B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3847332B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP3847332B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

The invention relates to a protection device (120) for a door leaf for a motor vehicle, which protection device comprises a main body (205), a follower portion (210) and a suspension element (215). The main body (205) has a fastening side (225) for fastening the main body (205) to the door leaf and a sealing side (220) opposite the fastening side (225). Furthermore, the main body (205) comprises a first outer portion (230) and a second outer portion (235). The first outer portion (230) and the second outer portion (235) run between the sealing side (220) and the fastening side (225). The follower portion (210) is arranged on the sealing side (220). The suspension element (215) movably connects the follower portion (210) to the main body (205) and is designed to cause an evasive movement of the follower portion (210) away from the fastening side (225) in response to an application of force to the first outer side (230).