Vehicle Door Handle Position Control via Hall Sensor Feedback

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current flush handles for vehicle doors lack effective control over the flushing position, leading to inconsistent opening and closing times due to varying environmental conditions and mechanical properties, resulting in a non-simultaneous and irregular operation across all vehicle doors, affecting the overall quality impression.

Innovation Solution

A handle with a position determining assembly that adjusts the rotation speed of the motor based on the driving mechanism's position, incorporating a clutch system to smoothly transition between positions and ensure simultaneous movement, and a Hall effect position sensor for precise control, allowing the control unit to adapt to changes in torque and temperature.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Extent of automation

If a motor-driven mechanism is used to move the grip member between positions, then the opening and closing function is automated, but the timing consistency deteriorates due to variations in friction and mechanical properties under different environmental conditions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveautomation of door opening and closingVSAvoidtiming consistency
Core Design Contradiction:
Extent of automationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a position determining assembly that includes a magnet attached to the driving mechanism and a Hall effect sensor to detect the rotational position. This feedback system continuously monitors the position of the driving mechanism and provides real-time data to the control unit, enabling precise control of the motor to maintain consistent timing across different environmental conditions and between all vehicle doors.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The control unit dynamically adjusts operational parameters based on feedback from the position determining assembly. By monitoring the rotation position and detecting variations in friction or mechanical properties, the control unit modifies motor operation to compensate for environmental changes, ensuring reliable and consistent timing for door opening and closing operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Shape

If the grip member is designed to extend flush to the door panel, then the aesthetic appearance is improved, but the control precision deteriorates due to difficulty in maintaining constant opening and closing time

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveflush appearanceVSAvoidopening and closing time consistency
Core Design Contradiction:
ShapeVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces traditional mechanical position sensing with a magnetic field-based Hall effect sensor system. This substitution eliminates complex mechanical linkages while achieving precise position detection, allowing the flush design to be maintained without compromising timing consistency control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The position determining assembly provides continuous feedback on the driving mechanism's rotation position, enabling the control unit to precisely regulate the motor's operation. This feedback loop ensures that the flush-mounted grip member maintains consistent opening and closing timing despite variations in environmental conditions or mechanical properties.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Adaptability or versatility

If a clutch system is added to enable bidirectional movement, then the operational versatility is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebidirectional movement capabilityVSAvoidclutch system integration
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The clutch system is integrated into the existing motor-driven mechanism to provide bidirectional movement capability. The same motor and control unit that drive the opening operation also control the closing operation, with the clutch enabling smooth transition between driving directions. This multi-functional approach adds versatility without requiring completely separate mechanisms for opening and closing.

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

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

This solution enables precise control over the opening and closing of vehicle doors, ensuring consistent operation across all doors, reducing the tolerance range for timing and noise levels, and providing a high-quality, simultaneous movement experience.

Implementation Method 1

the position determining assembly comprises a magnet rotated by the driving mechanism according to a magnet rotation axis and a Hall effect position sensor

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHall effect: Hall Effect

Data Source

PatentEP3469176A1Handle for a vehicle door
Publication Date: 2019.04.17 MINEBEA ACCESSSOLUTIONS DEUTSCHLAND GMBH

AI summary

The invention relates to a handle (1) for a vehicle door, comprising: a grip member (3) configured to cooperate with a latch mechanism so as to unlatch the door, wherein the grip member (3) comprises a gripping part (5), the grip member (3) being movable between: a flushing position in which the gripping part (5) extends flush to an external panel of the door, an active position in which the gripping part (5) projects with respect to the external panel and becomes graspable, and an opening position in which the grip member (3) cooperates with the latch mechanism to activate the latch mechanism and to unlatch the door, and a driving mechanism (11) moving in rotation according to a driving rotation axis (13) and intended to drive an actuator lever (15) cooperating with the grip member (3) for driving the grip member (3) between the flushing position and the active position, a motor (21) cooperating with the driving mechanism (11) for moving the said driving mechanism (11) according to the driving rotation axis (13),the said motor (21) is intended to be connected to a control unit characterized in that it further comprises a position determining assembly (31) for determining the rotation position of the driving mechanism (11) while the said driving mechanism (11) is rotating, the said position determining assembly (31) intended to be also connected to the control unit which is able to adapt the rotation speed of the motor (21) according to the rotation position of the driving mechanism (11).